The really bad smell

Background 
Former submariner Walter Lyon served over 1,200 days at sea (from 2000-2010) as ship’s diver and fire control technician. Lyon was last assigned to the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN-769). He now co-publishes Submarine Tough with his buddy Josh Toth.

In early February New London Conneticut's TheDay published Toth's opinion that, “Submariners don’t do a good job of selling how cool their lifestyle is.”  The former submariners see their podcast as a way to bring an understanding of the submarine force to the masses.

Former Groton sailors talk submarines, everything else in podcast 

What happened next ....

Well, rather than doing a good job of selling how cool their lifestyle is, readers (or listeners) got the opposite --- an underbelly of topics that make submarine service seem highly undesirable, at least for thoughtful women or timid "snowflakes".   

Task & Purpose, bills itself as, news and culture site geared toward the next great generation of American veterans . We offer an outlet for well-written analysis and commentary on veterans and greater military affairs."  Task & Purpose published this interview of Walter Lyon on October 7, 2016: Life On A Submarine: Raunchy, Cramped, And Occasionally Smells Like Sh*t

Several topics mentioned in the Lyon interview may be natural turnoffs to some of the women and men in the submarine force's declining recruitment pool.  We can hardly blame Mr. Lyon for simply telling the truth.

Examples:

• They operate in world where disaster is narrowly averted by the smallest of margins, due in large part to the hard work and diligence of every sailor onboard. It’s a dangerous job in an unforgiving environment.  
• what it’s like to live in a submerged pressurized container, where to go for a little “private time,” 
• Every square inch of space is taken up, so sometimes you’ll be sleeping next to a crate of eggs. Sometimes the rack that you’re in is right next to a torpedo. It’s really cramped. What you do is called hot-racking, which is three guys to every two beds and we say “it’s not gay, if you’re under way.”
• what happens when the sanitation valves aren’t set up correctly --- It ruined pizza night for the sub..  we had pressurized poop go ... into the kitchen. The machinist mates, called A-gangers got the valve line-up wrong in such a way that the poop went through one of the deep sinks and sprayed the entire galley.
•  submarine warfare qualification takes about a year ... In that year, your sole job is to learn every inch of that submarine from bow to stern and you’re not allowed to smoke cigarettes, you’re not allowed to eat sugary cereal, you’re not allowed to eat dessert, you’re not allowed to watch movies, you’re not allowed to read any content not related to submarines.  

 Submarines are always silent and strange. 

Answers: Submarine QOTW 12 SEP 16

Related information, photo(s) and links for questions are found in the original posting.

  

Answers to Submarine Questions of the Week  

1- Identify the vessels and location pictured [in photo by Sean D. Elliot/The Day].  ANS:
The schooners Mystic Whaler (background), and Spirit of South Carolina (foreground) pass Ledge Light sailing up the Thames River.  

2- During what event was this [photo by Sean D. Elliot/The Day] taken? ANS: The Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival Parade of Sail, Friday, Sept. 9, 2016.

The Maritime Heritage Festival is considered one of the last events tied to Submarine Century, a yearlong celebration to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton. 

******

According to the The Day, the 500-foot U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer USS Ramage dominated "the landscape" outside Fort Trumbull.  (My tongue-in-cheek guess is that somewhere quite hidden an SSN was actually dominating, well, you know, the actual non-landscape naval domain).

Submarines are always silent and strange.

ANSWERS for (17 MAR 16) Sub Questions of Week

Related information, photo(s) and links for questions are found in the original posting..

ANSWERS Submarine Questions of the Week

1  -  What is the significance of Ice Camp Sargo's name?  ANS: USS Sargo's (SSN-538) arctic history.

2 -   In the photo of Ice Camp Sargo (here): 
-  (a)  From what direction was the wind coming?  ANS:  Unknown, as we do not know exactly when the photo was taken. However, a subjective guess based upon March winds may help.

-  (b)  Which of the flags shown represent nations who have claimed portions of the extended continental shelf under UNCLOS? ANS:  Canada and Norway. 
- (c) Which flags represent nations who have not made such claims? ANS:  U.S.A.
- (d) Is there an UNCLOS claimant not participating in ICEX 16?  ANS: Russia

 
3 - Two U.S. subs are deployed for ICEX 16; which subs (names & hull numbers)? ANS: The Los Angeles-class submarines, USS Hartford (SSN 768) from Groton, and USS Hampton (SSN 767) from San Diego, are conducting maneuvers, data collection and training matters. 
 
4 -  Which of the following are not assigned ICEX 16 participants: Alaska Air National Guard assets, MIT students, Mobile Diving Salvage Unit 2, Norwegian personnel, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team, Royal Navy personnel, Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force personnel, Russian contingents, the USCG?   ANS:  Russian contingents may be actively snooping, but not as ICEX participants.
 
5 - What seems strangely out of place in the © Edgar Su / Reuters ICEX-16 unrelated, U.S. submarine photo below (subjective answer)?  ANS:  M.E. has lightened the published photo to underscore issues raised below:

Submarines are always silent and strange.

ANSWERS: Submarine QOTW (29 SEP 2015)

Background 

Related information, photo(s) and links for questions are found in the original posting.

Submarine Questions of the Week with ANSWERS 

1- Is the U.S. submarine identification correct? ANS: No, USS Providence is SSN-719, not SSN-716 as the French publication stated.  SSN 716 was the USS Salt Lake City, which has been decommissioned since 2006.

2- Is the sub's given homeport coast correct? ANS: Yes, although the article was imprecise ("based on the east coast of the United States").  As of 2014, Providence is assigned once again to Submarine Development Squadron 12 and home-ported at US Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, CT.

3- When else was the sub USS Providence in Toulon? ANS: USS Providence was in the port of Toulon, France, from July 13-19, 1990, and made later visits including February 11, 1995, August 5, 1998, May 11, 2001.  reference

4- On what mission was USS Providence at the time of its earlier visit? ANS: On 19 March 2011, the submarine launched Tomahawk cruise missiles at Libyan air defenses in Operation Odyssey Dawn.  

5- With what special type of missiles was USS Providence armed during its earlier visit? ANS:  Most notably disclosed was "USS Providence, a submarine also armed with TLAMs, and a range of anti-radiation missiles, are expected to be called into action during this phase of the operation, shortly before the RAF goes in."

6- The purpose of the special missiles is what? ANS:  Anti-radiation missiles (ARM) are designed to detect and destroy the source of certain enemy radio emissions to degrade the enemy's anti-aircraft defenses in early stages of conflict. The anti-radiation effort is made to reduce friendly aircraft losses. Additionally, anti-radiation missiles can quickly neutralize unexpected surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites during air raids. Hence, in Odyssey Dawn", shortly before and while "the RAF goes in."

7- Why would USS Providence return to the French port of Toulon?  Answer "Unknown", as stated when question 7 was originally posed.  Submarines are stealthy platforms that may perform covert missions rarely made public, unless such disclosure serves a higher national purpose.  Example.

SPECIAL Submarine NOTE

USS Providence (SSN-719) has received three Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, four Navy Expeditionary Medals, six Meritorious Unit Commendations, four Navy Unit Commendations, six Battle "E" awards, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. 

Submarines are always silent and strange.  

Submarine Questions of the Week: 29 SEP 2015

The answer to one of this week's submarine questions will likely be unknown for an unknown period of time (up to thirty years, or longer in a few cases, according to published submarine history).

Background [translated from French language] 

An American nuclear attack submarine (SNA) made a stop at the naval base of Toulon from 22 to 26 September. This is the Providence SSN-716, based on the east coast of the United States. Presumably for security reasons, [there has been no enlightenment from the crew]. The maritime prefecture of Toulon terms the stopover "routine". "Un stop and go", Le mamouth, mardi 29 septembre 2015

Questions of the Week

1- Is the U.S. submarine identification correct? 

2- Is the sub's given homeport coast correct?

3- When else was the sub USS Providence in Toulon?

4- On what mission was USS Providence at the time of its earlier visit?

5- With what special type of missiles was USS Providence armed during its earlier visit?

6- The purpose of the special missiles is what?

7- Why would USS Providence return to the French port of Toulon? 

ANSWERS:  Questions 1-6  --- Monday, 5 OCT 2015; Question 7 --- Unknown

Submarines are always silent and strange.

Submariner's Quotation of the Month - SEPT 2015

Background

We posted our Submarine Quotation of 2015 (first half) only a few weeks ago.  It was a decidedly obscure and an admittedly self-promoting quote from the author of his new book. Yet, we can hardly dismiss the author as out-of-the-loop.  Even an astute non-submariner (the late author Tom Clancy, for instance) managed to obtain and include reliable intel in his commercially successful The Hunt for red October:

“There are multiple instances of the script going from UNCLASSIFIED to TOP-SECRET / CODE-WORD inside the same paragraph.” I didn’t think the Naval Institute wanted to participate in what could have been a huge security breach and I surely didn’t want this lowly Navy commander to be part of that. So my letter back to the Institute stated plainly: “I recommend the Naval Institute not publish this book.” - Captain John L. Byron, USN (Ret.)

 Indicative of the current nature and quickening pace of U.S. submarine operations around the globe, we present this month's second submarine quotation.

Submariner's Quotation of the Month

"The things that our submarine force is expected to do on the first day of some of our potential conflicts are absolutely sobering." 

 -  Vice Admiral Joseph E. Tofalo Commander, Submarine Forces [COMSUBFOR], Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, Commander, Allied Submarine Command,  "Navy Opens Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center In Groton", The Hartford Courant, September 21, 2015.


Submarines are always silent and strange.

Gate Incidents and Many Unanswered Questions

Background

The last thing Washington wants the public to believe is that Chechen-chump (i.e. the 'Boston Bombers') act-alikes are Islamist terror-related.  So, political correctness enables lone-wolves like the "workplace violence" parasite, former Maj. Hasan, to plan and execute their violent, anti-U.S. plans. The latter convicted felon may receive a compassionate presidential upon Obama fulfilling his term of office.

Latest High-Profile 'Workplace' Incidents 

 

• Saturday, March 28th  NEW LONDON, CT

The Naval Submarine Base New London was put into lock down Saturday morning after a report of suspicious vehicle activity near the base's main gate. At about 11:55 a.m., public safety and security teams responded to the main gate. The base increased security measures and local authorities were contacted. After completing their investigation, public safety and security teams determined that there was no actual threat related to the suspicious vehicle activity.  The base has been re-opened.

• Monday,  March 30th  FT.  MEADE, MD

Officers opened fire after two men dressed as women refused to stop a stolen vehicle Monday at the National Security Agency gate at Fort Meade and then smashed into a police vehicle blocking the road, officials said. The FBI identified the man who died on Tuesday as Ricky Shawatza Hall, 27.

The SUV occupied by two men disguised as women was stolen Monday morning from a hotel off Route 1 in Jessup.

+++++++

The media and public both seem to agree that there are "a lot of unanswered questions".

Submarines are always silent and strange. 

 

Answers Sub Mystery Questions of the Week (22 AUG)

Background and illustration for questions is found at original posting here.

 ANSWERS -Sub Mystery Q.O.T.W.

1 - Of continental U.S. submarine bases at Kitsap, WA, Groton, CT, and Kings Bay, GA, which is closest to North Korea?  ANS: Groton CT.  "Frankly, we're the closest to North Korea if you go under the ice." - U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT)

2-  What (two) unique naval facilities are co-sited with the 23 submarines at the Groton Naval Submarine Base?   ANS: Any two of the following -  The Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL), the Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS) , and the Submarine Force Library and Museum.

3- About how many staff people assigned to Submarine Group 2 are being reassigned to an admiral overseeing the Atlantic sub force from Virginia?  ANS:  Under the streamlining, the 45 people assigned to Submarine Group 2 are being reassigned, according to Lt. Timothy Hawkins, a Navy spokesman.

4- Current streamlining efforts aim to cut support staff for attack submarines based in Connecticut and Virginia by about what percent?  ANS: About 50 percent.  [ibid.]

5- How many attack submarines currently serve the U.S. Navy’s active fleet? ANS: 55.

6- The U.S. Navy's attack submarine fleet is projected to drop to about how many SSNs at its lowest point, and in what year is the low point expected?  ANS: About 41 subs by 2028. [ibid.]

7- Obvious strategies to maintain a U.S. submarine presence in Asia include lengthening submarine patrols, building subs cheaper and faster, and relying more heavily on sub coordination with friendly Asian countries. Who are four of the friendy Asian countries?  ANS: Australia, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.  [ibid.]

Submarines are always silent and strange.

Submarine Mystery Questions of the Week - 22 Aug 14

Background
Although the answers to today's submarine mystery Q.O.T.W. are quite serious, we think the topic of our first question makes it appropriate to reprint Caruso's How submarines travel so fast underwater  from October 2008's The Dirty Secret of Submarine Speed for readers who never knew:

Sub Mystery Q.O.T.W.

1 - Of continental U.S. submarine bases at Kitsap, WA, Groton, CT, and Kings Bay, GA, which is closest to North Korea?

2-  What (two) unique naval facilities are co-sited with the 23 submarines at the Groton Naval Submarine Base?

3- About how many staff people assigned to Submarine Group 2 are being reassigned to an admiral overseeing the Atlantic sub force from Virginia?

4- Current streamlining efforts aim to cut support staff for attack submarines based in Connecticut and Virginia by about what percent?

5- How many attack submarines currently serve the U.S. Navy’s active fleet?

6- The U.S. Navy's attack submarine fleet is projected to drop to about how many SSNs at its lowest point, and in what year is the low point expected? 

7- Obvious strategies to on maintain a U.S. submarine presence in Asia include lengthening submarine patrols, building subs cheaper and faster, and relying more heavily on sub coordination with friendly Asian countries. Who are four of the friendy Asian countries?

ANSWERS:  Next Friday, 29 AUG

Submarines are always silent and strange.

What George Washington (CVN-73) Will Mean for BRAC

One or two years ago

As part of the Navy's FY 2015 budget, Pentagon officials have hinted at the possibility of taking the USS George Washington (CVN-73) out of service due to budget reductions.  The George Washington is due for its midlife refueling and overhaul in 2016, at a cost of about $4.7 billion, according to Navy officials.

Bryan Clark, a defense analyst at the nonpartisan Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, said it makes sense to reduce the fleet by one or two carriers and invest in new submarines or stealthy aircraft and bombers. But he said far more money could be saved by slowing procurement of new Ford-class carriers, which require fewer crew members and can launch planes more quickly, rather than retiring the George Washington 25 years early. Current plans call for the Navy to build one of these new carriers every five years, at a cost of about $13 billion each. Source

Note: The cost of putting the ship in mothballs would be $1.2 billion, says the Journal.

If Submarine Base New London ends up on closure list, it would be the third time. Groton’s sub base was targeted for partial closure in 1993 and total closure in 2005, but congressional leaders and the local community organized and prevented the cuts. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced last month that the president would request authorization from Congress for another round of reviews. 

Note:  Groton had also been spared permanent closure in 1912 by a Congressman from Norwich.

FEB 23, 2012  -Base Realignment and Closure Commission, and the defense department said recently it would request base reviews in 2013 and 2015. The commission makes recommendations about which bases should close. Former Congressman Rob Simmons said he is sure one will go through. This time will be harder, he said. He said the base has fewer submarines than it had in 2005, there’s been a shift from East Coast to West Coast bases, and two other bases in the east - in Norfolk, Va., and Kings Bay, Ga. - will not close.  Source


AUG 22, 2013  -Groton — Sequestration means Submarine Group Two will report to Norfolk 
The attack submarines on the East Coast soon will report to the submarine force commander in Norfolk, Va., instead of to an officer in Groton.  Source

Now

Feb. 3, 2014  Attack submarines on the East Coast will begin reporting to the submarine force commander in Norfolk, Va., instead of to a rear admiral in Groton in the fall.  Source


Feb. 6, 2014  WASHINGTON—The Pentagon has dropped a plan to retire one of its nuclear-powered aircraft carriers after the White House intervened to head off a brewing political fight. The military had proposed an early retirement of the USS George Washington, reducing the U.S. carrier fleet to 10, as part of plan to deal with cost cuts imposed by Congress. That touched a nerve among a bipartisan group of lawmakers, who called on Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in a letter last week to block the move and preserve what they argued is a potent symbol of American power.  Source

______________SubBase Groton______________

The next Base Realignment and Closure Commission will definitely target Sub Base Groton, again.
The battle to keep it open will be the toughest yet for a variety of political reasons. Unfortunately, the writing is almost legible on abandoned walls. Where will the Submarine School be moved?

Submarines are always silent and strange.

Answers to Submarine QOTW 25 JAN 2014

Background information and photos presented when the Questions of the Week (Q.O.T.W.) answered below were originally posted may be found here:  25 JAN 2014.

Answers

 1.  The Cross Hall Galley has a slogan printed on a wall; what is that slogan?  ANS: "Through these lines pass the best fed sailors in the Navy."
2.  According to a Culinary Specialist First Class there, from where are all its cooks drawn?  ANS:  Culinary Specialist First Class Jose Rosarivas, a New London native, said, "All our guys come from submarines, where they're used to cooking for an entire crew.
3.  About celebrity chef Robert Irvine:

• a)  how long was his navy service?  ANS: about ten tears.
• b)  in which navy did did Irvine serve?  ANS:  Brittain's Royal Navy
• c)  what navy career had he wanted and why did the navy make him a cook?  ANS:  A cook. (see answer to 4(c) below.

4.  About the article's accompanying video ( the Norwich Bulletin reposts articles like this one daily so not only do such links expire daily the video may be removed at any time).  As of 12:34 PM 27 JAN the video is still found here.

• a)  what made Chef Irvine uncomfortable?  ANS:  He was the only one eating (in the galley) on film.
• b)  for what did Chef Irvine apologize?  ANS: Use of the word 'retarded'.  He never apologized for using the F-word twice.
• c)  what did Chef Irvine say that unintentionally slights navy cooks? ANS: "I was a dummy, because in England you take maths and english tests to join the navy, 5 being the lowest 1 being the highest...  I got 5, 5  ...the recruiter said, you're in the navy, but you can only be a cook."
• d)  your best guess as to who the lady in low-cut blouse and oversized gold dolphin cap is ? ANS: His wife, Gail Kim. (see 2008 photo below)

  5.    In what year was Groton's naval facility first saved from government closure? ANS: The Navy Yard was spared permanent closure in 1912 by an impassioned plea from local Congressman Edwin W. Higgins of Norwich, who was worried about the loss of Federal spending in the region.

 Submarines are always silent and strange.