Pacific Perspective:Marine Corps Replenishes Nuclear-Armed Submarine

1st Marine Aircraft Wing,III Marine Expeditionary Force,revealed that US Marines from their unit had conducted a Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) for the US Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) in the Philippine Sea during the week of 7-13 May 2023.USMC CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopters carried mission-essential equipment to the Maine during its regularly scheduled patrol.These VERTREPs are a quick way of delivering critical resources to vessels without disrupting national security operations. According to Colonel Christopher Murray,Commanding Officer of Marine Air Group-36,1st Marine Air Wing:1st MAW's persistent presence makes it the backbone of the Stand-in-Force's expeditionary capability.The intricacies of seamlessly sustaining the force thorugh naval integration and aviation-delivered logisitics is a testament to our adaptability,readiness,and ability to project power within the Indo-Pacific.* Thus the USMC has a critical role as part of a Stand-in-Force.The SIF concept is used by the Marines to persist within the Weapons Engagement Zone,employing manoeuvre and logisitics webs.It is a strategy that enhances sea control;sea denial operations;integration of multi-domain operations;and strengthening of regional security.Said USS Maine CO Commander Travis L. Wood:Rotary-wing vertical replenishment such as this allows us to quickly resupply so that we can constantly maintain presence against any adversary who would wish to do harm to the homeland.* The USN explained that the Pacific Submarine Force maximises our strengths:knowledge,stealth,agility,firepower,and endurance so that the international rules-based order and a free and open Indo-Pacific may be sustained.Under U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM),submarine-based strategic deterrence is the most survivable leg of the nuclear triad,and the endurance of our submarines means that the Submarine Force maintains a continuous presence across the globe,each and every day.Close and lethal integration between the USMC and Navy enhances regional security and deterrence alongside our Allies and Partners.* There are three large logisitics hatches on the Ohio-class,providing large-diameter resupply and repair.Supply pallets,equipment modules and machinery components may be rapidly transferred through the hatches.A triangular-shaped pallet was seen being loaded into the Maine by a Marine helicopter.* Each of the 14 nuclear deterrent submarines is armed with torpedoes and ballistic missiles.The 20 Trident II D5 missiles do not have pre-assigned targets.They are to be given their targets quickly in a crisis by USSTRACOM out of Offutt Air Force Base,Nebraska with secure and constant radio communications,including very low frequency systems.* Possibly the USS Maine is the first submarine slated to deploy to the Republic of Korea on a nuclear deterrence mission since the Cold War.