USSNebraskaSubmarineEmbark-November2008_clary

8/9/2019 USSNebraskaSubmarineEmbark-November2008_clary

1/53


2/53

The Commander, United States Submarine Group Nine invited a small, high-

level delegation of BENS members to embark aboard one of their nuclear

submarines. This was a rare opportunity to get a first-hand look at life aboard

one of our nation's elite fighting vessels. While on board we had the opportunity

to tour the various operational departments, eat in the submarine's dining

facilities with the sailors, and experience life aboard a nuclear submarine while

out at sea. Most importantly, we witnessed the pride and professionalism of the

outstanding young men and women who serve our country.

It was a memorable and enjoyable experience.


3/53

We are picked up by a Navalconverted Coast Guard cutter from a

marina at Port Angeles in thenorthwest of Washington State


4/53

BENS Texas Regional Director Matthew Elias and Commander Carl A. Lahti,the Commanding Officer of the USS Nebraska Gold Crew


5/53

It is extremely rare for civilians toembark on a nuclear submarine atsea. This voyage is only the secondtime during 2008 access was allowedfrom this base.


6/53

On this day, there is extremely thickfog. We cruise through the cold, windy

morning fog for an hour.


7/53

Out of nowhere, we seebehind us a US Coast

Guard Cutter making sure

we are the authorizedpersonnel transport vessel

approaching the Ohio ClassNuclear Trident Submarine

USS Nebraska


8/53


9/53


10/53

As we approach, we see a contingentof the ships officers waiting to

welcome us onboard


11/53

And then to the right of us is anothervessel guarding the sub that has

slowed down to complete thetransfer boarding process


12/53

These sailors have been at sea for 90days. We are the first new faces theyhave seen. Notice the intensity of their

expressions.


13/53

During routine operations, after the submarine leaves itsbase, it submerges and stays under for the entire 90 daymission, never surfacing. This is the first time this crew

has been out in the elements in three months.


14/53

W ti t h t b d id hil


15/53

We tie up to her starboard side whilestill moving at 5 knots. A gang plank isswung over from our vessel. Only one

person at a time is allowed to board thesub. We are met by Master Chief

Jamie Goodman.


16/53

Snowball Express Chairman RoyWhite boards the USS Nebraska


17/53

It is genuinely thrilling to steponboard and meet thesecommitted sailors.


18/53

Reggie Gibbs, BENS Director forNational and International ProgramsArrives Onboard


19/53

A safety diver isdressed in full drysuit gear just incase anyone stepstoo close to theside of the sub andfalls in the ocean


20/53

We descend downa set of ladders

through a water-

tight hatch


21/53

BENS member,Bob Nakamotobegins his descentdown the hatch toone of the four decksof the USS Nebraska


22/53

Once we are all onboard, Master ChiefJamie Goodman briefs us on the daysactivities in the crew mess. We have

lunch with the sailors and then are split

into smaller groups for our ships tour


23/53

We are taken to thetorpedo control section ofthe boat. There are fourtorpedo tubes, each with acomplex set of controls.We participate in testfirings with no torpedoes inthe tubes.


24/53

There are a variety of torpedoesready for action as required by the

mission. Some torpedoes areguided by the submarines control

room by trailing a thin cable for

miles that unwind from the rear ofthe torpedos tail as it propels

through the water.


25/53


26/53

The USS Nebraska was commissioned July 10, 1993.

These most sophisticated of weapon systems cost $4 Billion each when theywere built. Propulsion is provided by a nuclear reactor.She is 560 feet long, 42 feet wide and travels at 20+ knots.

The submarine cannot be steered from the bridge.


27/53

One sailor listens to orders and steers the boat.


28/53

The controls to operate the boatare very complex. Every system is

monitored for safe operations.


29/53

The crew is comprised of 17 Officers, 15Chief Petty Officers and 122 Enlisted (2Crews). The average age of the entire

crew is 23 years old. It is always

incredible that these young men carrysuch enormous responsibility.


30/53

Every space on the boat is used for some

purpose. Equipment is everywhere with crewmonitoring all operations.


31/53

Notice the yellow sign in theupper right. The crew is givencriteria for notifying superiorsif routine operations exceed

acceptable values.


32/53

It is always a thrill

to peer throughthe periscope.


33/53


34/53

The primary purpose of our 14 Ohio Class Submarines is to carry a complement

of Trident Nuclear Ballistic Missiles as a deterrent to first strike attacks.


35/53


36/53

Tridentsubmarinesunder

construction


37/53

Ohio Class Nuclear Submarine


38/53

Ohio Class Nuclear Submarine The Ohio class is a class of nuclear-powered submarines used by the United States Navy. The

United States has 18 Ohio-class submarines:

14 nuclear-powered SSBNs, each armed with 24 Trident II SLBMs; they are also known as"Trident" submarines, and provide the sea-based leg of the nuclear triad of the United Statesstrategic nuclear weapons arsenal

4 nuclear-powered SSGNs, each capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles withconventional warheads

The 14 Trident II SSBNs together carry around fifty percent of the total U.S. strategic warheadinventory. The exact number varies in an unpredictable and highly classified manner, at or belowa maximum set by various strategic arms limitation treaties. Although the missiles have no pre-settargets when the submarine goes on patrol, the platform, when required, is capable of rapidtargeting using secure and constant at-sea communications links. The Ohio class is the largesttype of submarine ever constructed for the U.S. Navy.


39/53

Diagrammaticview of a

Trident II D5Missile

T id II D5 Mi il


40/53

Trident II D5 Missile

Unit cost: $30.9 million

Specifications Weight: 58,500 kg (130,000 lb)

Length: 44 ft (13.41 m)

Diameter: 83 in (2.11 m)Warhead: Up to Eight Nuclear Weapons

Blast yield: Up to 3.8 megatons each

Engine: Three stage solid propellant

Operational range: Greater than 4,000 nautical miles(4,600 statute miles, or 7,360 km)

Speed: 29,050 km/h (18,000 mph)

Guidance system: Inertial guidance system

with Star-Sighting


41/53

1. The missile launches out of its silo by firing its 1st stage boost motor (A).

2. About 60 seconds after launch, the 1st stage drops off and the 2nd stage motor (B) ignites. The missile shroud isejected.

3. About 120 seconds after launch, the 3rd stage motor (C) ignites and separates from the 2nd stage.

4. About 180 seconds after launch, 3rd stage thrust terminates and the Post-Boost Vehicle (D) separates from the rocket.

5. The Post-Boost Vehicle maneuvers itself and prepares for re-entry vehicle (RV) deployment.6. The RVs, as well as decoys and chaff, are deployed during backaway.

7. The RVs and chaff re-enter the atmosphere at high speeds and are armed in flight.

8. The nuclear warheads detonate, either as air bursts or ground bursts.


42/53

These are the 24 missilesilos on the USS Nebraska


43/53

There is a hatchprovided in case asailor must enter the

individual missile silos


44/53


45/53


46/53

The Trident Missile

with its MultipleReentry Warheads willtravel into spacenearly 200 milesabove the earthssurface


47/53

Inside the MissileControl Center, two

armed guards standby24 hours a daythroughout the entiremission

Overcoming boredom isfundamental to


48/53

fundamental tosubmariner morale.

The secret is keepingbusy all the time. Whennot sleeping, eating orworking, sailors are

studying or playing theoccasional card game.

Mike Whalen discussing operationalissues with Gold Crew Commander Lahtiwho boarded the USS Nebraska with us


49/53

who boarded the USS Nebraska with us.The boat is returning from its current

mission. The Gold Crew Commander isfully briefed by the Blue Crew Commanderabout all Maintenance that must be

undertaken before the sub returns to seaon its next mission.


50/53


51/53


52/53

A gift for the shipscrew presented by theSubmarines sponsor

At the end of ourjourney we pull


53/53

journey, we pullinto Bangor Naval

Base andDisembark froman extraordinary

days experience

Documents

USSNebraskaSubmarineEmbark-November2008_clary