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For the U.S. submarine fleet, it’s still a Cold War
Published: 16 March, 2009, 22:26
Edited: 24 February, 2010, 12:39
Ohio class submarine
TAGS: Military, Nuclear, SciTech
America’s strategic submarine fleet, armed with Trident II ballistic missiles, spends more time these days in the deep sea than they did during the Cold War.
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) has published information indicating that 14 American Ohio class submarines conducted 31 deterrent patrols in 2008 which lasted, for every submarine, longer than during the years of the US-USSR military stand-off.
If some twenty years ago American submarines were spending 50-70% of the year offshore, nowadays it could be as high as 90% of the year.
Such extensive use of submarines has become possible after introducing a two-crew system, when Blue and Gold crews replace each other after every patrol, thus making it possible to stay on alert status practically all year long.
Annually, the American nuclear submarine fleet conducts more patrols than Russian (2008 – three times the number of patrols of the Russian navy), French, Great Britain’s and the Chinese combined, though it must be noted that the Chinese are just preparing to put their nuclear submarines on deterrent patrols.
On average, one US patrol could last from 60 to 90 days
Altogether, beginning in 1960 when America’s first nuclear-powered submarine, George Washington (SSBN-598), carrying ballistic missiles, put off from Charleston, S.C., until the end of 2008, American ballistic missile submarines have conducted 3,814 patrols.
Each year the number of patrols was different but the year 1967 set a record with 131 patrols.
In 1979-1981, the decommissioning of outdated American nuclear submarines led to a factual halt of patrolling in the Pacific Ocean and recommenced only with the current Ohio class submarines coming into service.
In the early 1990s, the decommissioning of old submarines cut the American deterrent patrols in the Atlantic Ocean by 60%. It was fully resumed with the commissioning of more Ohio class submarines in late 1990s.
Today, the majority of U.S. nuclear submarine patrols are being conducted in the Pacific Ocean.
 Trident II D5 ballistic missile's launch |
Starting in 2000, four Ohio submarines were transferred to conventional arms use while four others were modernized to be re-armed with the newest Trident II D5 ballistic missiles.
On February 19, 2009 the US Joint Chiefs of Staff congratulated the crew of the Ohio class submarine, the Wyoming, for their successful completion of their 38th patrol, which became the one-thousandth since 1982 in the history of the Ohio class nuclear submarines.
Twelve operational American nuclear subs (2 are always in pre-established overhaul) have over 1,100 nuclear warheads to deter nuclear attack against the US.
All major nuclear powers, including the US, Russia, France, Britain, China and India, have announced plans to build more nuclear-powered submarine missile carriers since sea-based nuclear weapons are considered the most reliable and ready for a sudden attack as they remain part of symbolic nuclear Triad.
The FAS report poses the question whether the Obama administration really wants a “dramatic reduction” of nuclear weapons worldwide. If so, then it must send signals to other members of the Nuclear Club, since extensive patrolling by nuclear ballistic missile submarines is counterproductive as it indulges the modernization of nuclear forces by other countries, making nuclear disarmament more difficult to achieve.
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I currently Serve on an Ohio class submarine and have made several patrols. First point yes back during the Cold War each submarine made less patrols than currently however, there were 41 ballistic submarines commissioned during the cold war. Hence the "41 For Freedom". So now with only 14 SSBNs we still have to maintain the Nuclear Presence with a lot less submarines. As far as Nuclear disarmament goes we will always have it. We can trust most of the nuclear nations to not launch, but do you trust China? How about North Korea? If we step down our Nuclear deterrence then those countries might think they could do something like trying to remove the U.S. Now I may not agree with all the U.S. has done, but I do believe in what the U.S. is supposed to stand for. This is still my country where my family and friends live, and I'll be damned if I don't protect that which I believe in or care for in anyway I can.
"Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Younger generations have little understanding of the Cold War and how our Submarine Force won it without firing a single shot. This was/and is today all about deterence by our country and allies.. General Colin Powell: “No one has done more to prevent conflict – no one has made a greater sacrifice for the cause for Peace – than you, America’s proud missile submarine family. You stand tall among our heroes of the Cold War.” — General Colin Powell As Admiral Nimitz said in the aftermath of Japan's deadly, unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor, "It was our submariners that able to turn the tide until our surface fleet ...." As an acknowledged Submarine Force family member (as a civilian, and excluding contractors) I probably know more about submarines, especially life aboard, than most. The men of The Silent Service, by the very nature of their missions, receive no public recognition. These young men (average age, 23) travel silent and deep to protect our country. BRAVO ZULU>
Good article. Most Americans little know that the "41 For Freedom" were the cutting edge of America's nuclear deterrence that eventually ensured the peace during the Cold War. I served as a torpedoman aboard one of those submarines conducting six deterrent patrols and a like number of other deployments in the early-mid 70s. I remember our commanding officer saying that, "We will win this struggle, but only if we never have to fire a shot in anger." In those days, not all of us were very confident in that successfully happening. Thank God it did. The Cold War with the now deposed Soviet Union is over, but the cold silent watch continues. Thanks to a new generation of submariners who will continue in defense of our nation in this increasingly dangerous world.