Keeping the blogosphere posted on the goings on of the world of submarines since late 2004... and mocking and belittling general foolishness wherever it may be found. Idaho's first and foremost submarine blog. (If you don't like something on this blog, please E-mail me; don't call me at home.)

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Probably Misleading News Story About Trident Launch

There's a story on the wire today about a supposed Trident missile launch in Saudi Arabia; excerpt:
The United States test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads during a joint military exercise Wednesday with Saudi Arabia, a Western military official said.
The Trident missile launch was carried out in the kingdom, the official said, but he would not give a precise location. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue...
...A defense official in Washington confirmed the missile launch on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record. He said, however, that it took place late last week and was part of a demonstration.
The Western military official in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, said U.S. Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, head of the Missile Defense Agency, attended the test launch.
[Emphasis mine.] The whole thing really makes no sense. What may have happened is that a Trident missile was launched from a submarine, probably just off the U.S. coast as is normally done, and some Saudis were there to witness it. The AP writer heard about it, and made the assumption that they had brought a Trident missile to Saudi Arabia, set it up on land, and launched it.

On the other hand, if we did really do a launch in the vicinity of the Arabian Peninsula, I'm not sure why we would launch one from land. However, if they brought a boomer into the Red Sea and launched from there, that would be impressive, and a good warning to the Iranians that they could never really ever win a war with the U.S.

Update 0930 01 Apr: Here's the denial that a missile launch happened. I didn't think the story made any sense.

20 Comments:

Anonymous NHSparky said...

From the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden, even if an SSGN? Seems a bit unlikely, even bizarre. Then again, these are the same types of "sources" who used to swear up and down that there was an underground river leading to the New York prototype site for SSBN's to reload missiles. Corrections will no doubt be forthcoming.

3/31/2010 5:57 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

With the media anything is possible, even a surfaced submarine snorkeling being "on fire" as evidenced by highly trained media eyes and their knowledge of fossil fuel byproducts as opposed to a real event, lol.

Possible story, remote controlled battery powered sub model (20 inches long) launches a carrot or a pickle. The media could mistake the projectile for a big bird.

3/31/2010 6:02 PM

 
Anonymous anon1 said...

keep in mind it is now April 1st, Zulu time

3/31/2010 6:48 PM

 
Blogger Lou said...

NHSprky,

Please get your facts straight. Just ask any Skiddie Kiddie, we refuel the submarines under the big ball at the end of the secret tunnel.

:)

3/31/2010 7:23 PM

 
Blogger Atomic Dad said...

The pentagon is now denying that any missile of any type was launched during the exercise.

I wonder where the disconnect is here...

---
MM1/SS

3/31/2010 7:34 PM

 
Blogger SJV said...

It's true, and I saw a diagram of the operation on the wall of the Scuttlebutt. Maybe someone here will post a picture of this diagram. I'm sure it's still there.

3/31/2010 8:11 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

good luck getting to the red sea and back to Kings bay during a normal patrol...

3/31/2010 8:46 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh you just gotta love this shit.

"The U.S. has been strengthening missile defenses in allied Arab nations in the Gulf to help counter any potential missile strike from Iran."

Are you SERIOUS!!!??? Is this new news? We've maintained this defensive concept since the early 80s. There's nothing new to see here. I can't help but get a laugh out of that one.


"A defense official in Washington confirmed the missile launch on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record. He said, however, that it took place late last week and was part of a demonstration."

Really??!! Whoduh' thunk it?
If said exercise was the real deal, do you honestly think we'd allow the media to get wind of it?

"The U.S. military is trying to reassure Gulf allies by buttressing its defense systems with upgraded Patriot missiles on land and more U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf capable of destroying missiles in flight."

On ground/underground...Umm, why? I don't understand. That makes your missile field a sitting duck. A stationary target is much easier to identify and destroy rather than one who can maneuver and shoot back in both offensive and defensive measures.


I love how the media likes to write this shit up in such sensational BS tripe. Hell, even nursery school rhymes contain more foundation than what we've read of this story in question.

MT1(SS) WidgetHead

4/01/2010 1:20 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Unrelated, but important news. Three people were killed yesterday in a paperhandling incident at NNPTC. Students were conducting a class book inventory when a chief walking down a nearby staircase triggered an avalanche of books, which crushed three people and left many more with severe injuries. A full investigation is already underway by NR, who had been reviewing NNPTC's paper-handling procedures anyway after several reports of severe papercuts becoming infected and resulting in at least two students losing fingers. New procedures expected to be implemented in the near future include requiring all students to wear rubber gloves when handling any paper-related materials, as well as requiring a face shield and apron whenever any student has more than three books out at once. Also, an NR rep will be present for all future book inventories, to ensure procedures are properly followed.

4/01/2010 3:30 AM

 
Blogger Lou said...

@svj

I'd love to get a hold of that diagram too.

- Qualified D1G EO

4/01/2010 4:32 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fox "news". 'nuff said.

4/01/2010 5:19 AM

 
Blogger SJV said...

Sounds like a road trip!!!

Wonder if the Scuttlebutt is even still there?

4/01/2010 5:20 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yep, it happened. I saw it with my own eyes. I drank the bottle that said, "drink me" and I was led down the hole. At that point I was met by a cat and he hung out on my shoulder while we watched the test. IT was pretty cool, because after that we went and met up with some dude with a big head and were seranaded by a puppet who sang a ballad called Ronry.

4/01/2010 5:48 AM

 
Anonymous Joe Alferio said...

SJV,

I was wondering the same thing. We used to do cartoon keggers at the 'Butt on Saturday mornings.

We also used to do rounders at the Scuttlebutt. You don't have a drinking problem until the barmaid asks, "Hey, aren't you guys on night shift?" and you realize you haven't even been home.

Joe Alferio

4/01/2010 6:11 AM

 
Anonymous U235 said...

Wow this thread brings back some memories. I was a staff pickup instructor at S8G from 86-89. Skiddie Kiddies, The Scuttlebutt, Cartoon Keggers, I'd forgotten about that stuff!

4/01/2010 9:48 AM

 
Blogger Jack said...

Joe...
Strat-O-Matic football at the 'Butt as well. The late, great MFL.

4/01/2010 2:31 PM

 
Blogger Lou said...

Any one on crew up in NY want to take the above request as a look-up???

4/01/2010 6:46 PM

 
Blogger Srvd_SSN_CO said...

this whole thing sounds like so much BS. Really? Really?

4/01/2010 8:27 PM

 
Anonymous Joe Alferio said...

Jack,

Did you happen to be assigned to S3G in the early to mid 80's?

I think I remember you. Been a long time, hasn't it?

Joe Alferio

4/02/2010 5:58 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Israeli RUMINT TO punk POTUS.

4/02/2010 2:02 PM

 

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