On a rainy night in Georgia...
 

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One of the jokingly renamed OMFG class of Ballistic missile submarines now deploying to the Middle East (along with a couple guided missile cruisers) as we approach the one year anniversary of the death of Qassem Soleimani. Khamenei vowed to ‘revenge’ his killing two weeks ago but the recent rocket attacks by Iranian Revolutionary Guards on US housing areas in Iraq caused no US casualties.

The repurposed ballistic missile submarines Ohio, Michigan, Floride, and Georgia, now carry 154 (trigger warning) Tomahawk cruise missiles and have billeting provisions for up to 75 SEAL personnel.


Can’t help but wonder if it’s getting ready to rain in Iran...

Who?

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You ain’t a CRAF pilot are you?

If you're reading about any US submarine in the news, it's because they want you to read about.

If they were planning on using it, you'd find out after the fact.

I’d agree with the first sentence.

Deterrence sometimes requires showing the flag.

That doesn’t mean it won’t get used though if deterrence fails...

What’s the thing behind the tower/sail? Some have said it’s a detachable diving vehicle....looks like that’s quite probable.

And, if Teddy Roosevelt were alive today, he’d say “Post politely but prolifically on social media...but carry a HUGE stick!”

It’s a seal team delivery vehicle. Probably works for non seals too if they had a backstage all access pass.

It's actually a garage for SDVs, which would be stored inside, safe and dry, until they're deployed. All current SDVs are "open air" models. The only real minisub was the ASDS, which was removed from service a few years ago.

I've qualified non-Navy operators for lock out/lock in, but that was mostly just a boondoggle. For actual operational purposes why would you use anyone other than the experienced pro's? You can imagine a few very rare exceptions.

Sort of reminds me of the Winds of War...
 

I'd expect Iran to be on Best Behavior for a little while. They should have full clarity on the fact that Trump would be perfectly willing send a parting shot of TLAMs.

They will also likely prefer to not immediately antagonize the incoming administration, which they can safely assume to be weak on terror if not provoked. They can talk tough, and still reasonably expect the incoming team to suck up to them in order to re-instate the nuclear deal. Win-Win for the Ayatollahs... they look tough AND get their sanctions lifted.