Tuesday, April 10, 2018
USS Nebraska Test Firing Sends Powerful Message - plus the US and UK's new ballistic missile submarines
On 26 March 2018,the US Navy's Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) successfully launched two Trident II D5 missiles.The unarmed missiles were part of a Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO) in the Pacific Test Range off the California coast,the US Navy said.According to Captain Mark Benning,Deputy Director of Strategic System Programs (SSP):
The successful completion of DASO 28 was not only an important milestone in USS Nebraska's return to service,but also an important demonstration of the reliable and credible sea-based leg of the US nuclear deterrent triad.*
The primary objective of DASO 28 was to evaluate and demonstrate the readiness of the Nebraska's strategic weapon system and crew before its first operational deployment after its midlife refueling overhaul.The Nebraska is assigned to Submarine Group 9,one of eight Ohio-class submarines homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor,Washington State.Ballistic missile submarines are an element of the US Strategic Command (STRATCOM).*
DASO 28 was carefully monitored by the Military Sealift Command's USNS Waters (T-AGS 45).Its instrumentation and personnel,including scientists and engineers,tracked the submarine and its missiles through the launch process.*
Both the US and the UK are currently engaged in procuring new classes of ballistic missile submarines.The US is procuring the Columbia-class,which will consist of 12 submarines armed with 16 D5 missiles;while the UK is procuring the Dreadnought-class,which will have 3-4 submarines armed with 8 D5 missiles.The two classes will share a Common Missile Compartment (CMC) design,and the US is providing the UK with technical assistance;while the UK has provided substantial initial funding for the CMC.
The Columbia-class is named for the first submarine in the class,the USS Columbia (SSBN 826),named in honour of the District of Columbia.Procurement of the new submarine will run from 2019-2033,with the first SSBN entering service in 2029,a Congressional Research Service report to Congress indicated.*
General Dynamics (GD)
The successful completion of DASO 28 was not only an important milestone in USS Nebraska's return to service,but also an important demonstration of the reliable and credible sea-based leg of the US nuclear deterrent triad.*
The primary objective of DASO 28 was to evaluate and demonstrate the readiness of the Nebraska's strategic weapon system and crew before its first operational deployment after its midlife refueling overhaul.The Nebraska is assigned to Submarine Group 9,one of eight Ohio-class submarines homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor,Washington State.Ballistic missile submarines are an element of the US Strategic Command (STRATCOM).*
DASO 28 was carefully monitored by the Military Sealift Command's USNS Waters (T-AGS 45).Its instrumentation and personnel,including scientists and engineers,tracked the submarine and its missiles through the launch process.*
Both the US and the UK are currently engaged in procuring new classes of ballistic missile submarines.The US is procuring the Columbia-class,which will consist of 12 submarines armed with 16 D5 missiles;while the UK is procuring the Dreadnought-class,which will have 3-4 submarines armed with 8 D5 missiles.The two classes will share a Common Missile Compartment (CMC) design,and the US is providing the UK with technical assistance;while the UK has provided substantial initial funding for the CMC.
The Columbia-class is named for the first submarine in the class,the USS Columbia (SSBN 826),named in honour of the District of Columbia.Procurement of the new submarine will run from 2019-2033,with the first SSBN entering service in 2029,a Congressional Research Service report to Congress indicated.*
General Dynamics (GD)
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Friday, April 6, 2018
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
B-1 Bombers Arrive Back in CENTCOM AOR - plus more on MSGT Johnathan Dunbar
The B-1B Lancer bomber has arrived back at Al Udeid Air Base,Qatar,to resume strategic bombing missions after two years during which the B-52H Stratofortress had served in that role.The number of B-1s involved was not disclosed.
Airmen had been training intensely for several months for the CENTCOM precision strike missions at Ellsworth Air Force Base,South Dakota.They are rejoining Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria,and Operation Freedom's Sentinel in Afghanistan.*
The US Soldier recently killed in action in Northern Syria,Master Sergeant Johnathan J. Dunbar of Austin,Texas,had served three tours in Iraq and three in Afghanistan.He was awarded three Bronze Star Medals,which are given for heroic or exceptionally meritorious service in a battle zone.The Bronze Star ranks just above the Purple Heart.*
He was described as being a member of Headquarters,US Army Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg,North Carolina-a designation which often implies being a member of the elite Delta Force.*
MSGT Dunbar had earned a Ranger Tab,which does not necessarily mean he actually served in the 75th Ranger Regiment.It does mean he graduated from Ranger School,signifying a high degree of expertise in small unit combat tactics.
He also had completed the Special Forces Sniper Course,and was awarded six Army Achievement Medals,as well as four Army Commendation Medals.
Certain US Airmen,Marines and Canadian Forces members have also earned the Ranger Tab.
Airmen had been training intensely for several months for the CENTCOM precision strike missions at Ellsworth Air Force Base,South Dakota.They are rejoining Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria,and Operation Freedom's Sentinel in Afghanistan.*
The US Soldier recently killed in action in Northern Syria,Master Sergeant Johnathan J. Dunbar of Austin,Texas,had served three tours in Iraq and three in Afghanistan.He was awarded three Bronze Star Medals,which are given for heroic or exceptionally meritorious service in a battle zone.The Bronze Star ranks just above the Purple Heart.*
He was described as being a member of Headquarters,US Army Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg,North Carolina-a designation which often implies being a member of the elite Delta Force.*
MSGT Dunbar had earned a Ranger Tab,which does not necessarily mean he actually served in the 75th Ranger Regiment.It does mean he graduated from Ranger School,signifying a high degree of expertise in small unit combat tactics.
He also had completed the Special Forces Sniper Course,and was awarded six Army Achievement Medals,as well as four Army Commendation Medals.
Certain US Airmen,Marines and Canadian Forces members have also earned the Ranger Tab.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)