Tuesday Submarine Tidbits

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Navy aircraft returning to former Cold War base in Iceland

Updating Land Base

DOD’s fiscal 2017 budget request includes funds to upgrade an existing P-3 hangar for the P-8 Poseidon. The Keflavik base, established in 1951, has been closed since 2006.

NAPLES, Italy — The Navy is turning to a former Cold War air base for a familiar mission — hunting Russian submarines.    ...The Navy now routinely sends P-3’s to Keflavik from its air base in Sicily to patrol for Russian subs in the North Atlantic, a Navy official said. The P-8 will fill the same role once the hangar is updated with new wiring, flooring and a rinse station, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak on the record about the project.

Russian submarines are patrolling the North Atlantic more frequently than at any time since the end of the Cold War, U.S. and European defense officials say.  ...Keflavik was home to about 2,500 Navy and Air Force personnel when the base closing was announced in 2006. 

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US Navy Absorbing $7 Billion Budget Cut

Fiscal Pressures  

A Navy source said the decision was made due to fiscal pressures, and claimed the service can meet operational requirements with nine active wings. Four aircraft squadrons are to be deactivated or canceled, and Whidbey Island will shift from sea to land-based ops.

WASHINGTON — The US Navy is absorbing a $7 billion reduction in fiscal 2017 funding – about 3.5 percent over last year’s plan, according to newly released budget documents. The service is reducing the number of ships it’s buying while adding more aircraft, and uniformed personnel also are being cut, up to as many as 6,400 sailors below previous forecasts.

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 The Ottoman Empire invented missiles and submarines in the 18th century  

 Taking Liberties with the Truth

Salim Ayduz of the British Muslim Heritage Center stated that missiles and submarines wereinvented in the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century. According to Ayduz, the Ottoman Empiresignificantly surpassed Europe in terms of weapons development during the so-called Tulip Era, which lasted between 1718 and 1730.  

"First, the Tahtelbahir submarine was created by shipyard worker Ibrahim Aga and shortly after, gunner Bayramoglu Ali Aga invented firearms and missiles," Ayduz said, adding that all knowledge in this field was ultimately lost."

What about a little  History Check from 1620?

Submarines are always silent and strange.