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Title: inShare1 Navy commissions nuclear submarine USS California
Source:
mercurynews.com
URL Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19222894
Published: Oct 30, 2011
Author: BROCK VERGAKIS
Post Date: 2011-10-30 19:41:22 by Ferret Mike
Keywords: None
Views: 1875
Comments: 4
NORFOLK, Va.—The Navy's newest nuclear-powered submarine was commissioned on Saturday, making the USS California the eighth Virginia-class sub to join the fleet. Virginia-class submarines are the Navy's most modern subs. They have capabilities that allow them to perform better in shallow water than other subs and were designed to help provide better support for special forces, an increasingly important aspect of naval strategy. Among other features, the torpedo room can be reconfigured to house large numbers of special operation forces and their equipment for prolonged deployments. The ship also has a large chamber for divers coming and going. "There are a lot of people who have been waiting for this day and for you," Vice Adm. John Richardson, commander of submarine forces, told the ship's crew during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. "Our fleet commanders have been waiting for the decision superiority that you will bring them, providing them the full range of options from covert operation in peacetime to decisive firepower in wartime to protect our nation's interests." In addition to torpedoes, the California is armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles. The California cost about $2.3 billion to build and was delivered more than eight months ahead of schedule by Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia Another six Virginia-class submarines are under construction and another four are under contract, with Newport News Shipbuilding and Groton, Conn.-based Electric Boat taking turns delivering the subs. The California will be home ported at Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut. Each of the Virginia-class subs are stationed in either Groton, Conn., or Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In total, the Navy has 72 submarines in its fleet. It is the seventh Navy ship to bear the name California, and U.S. Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., noted that one of the ship's predecessors was attacked at Pearl Harbor. McKeon said during a commissioning speech that was webcast by the Navy that the submarine California will be responsible for stopping surprise attacks in the future. "Like the months and years prior to (the) Pearl Harbor attack, the Pacific rim is heating up. This vessel and this crew is our best defense against the volatility rising in places like the Far East. And should the unthinkable happen and this nation find itself tangled up in conflict, you will be our best offense against any enemy and any adversary," said McKeon, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. The California weighs 7,800 tons, is 377-feet long and will be able to dive to depths greater than 800 feet. It can also operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a nuclear reactor plant that will eliminate the need for refueling during the planned life of the ship. Cmdr. Dana Nelson is the commanding officer of the ship, which has a crew of 134.
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#1. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
Isn't that statement in line with a perpetual war machine draining the American coffers? It has been promoted for some seven decades since the end of WW2. Of course, simultaneously as 0bama pulls combat troops (note the distinction of support troops) out of Iraq, there is a massive buildup of troops in Kuwait and the US Navy in the ME Gulf region. Do you wonder why? It is to protect Israeli interests against Iran. Of course, American gluttony over oil (as a nation America sucks some 25% of all oil and we have only 4% of the world's population) is at the forefront of the commission of a new combat ready vessel.
A three billion plus dollar turd that sinks to the bottom of the ocean and can help rock and roll WW III. I agree. This thing is absolute waste with more submarine sandwiches, double the dollars, with extra blood -- hold the common senseon the way. That is how this reads to me too.
The fastest way to sink an Empire. Pour all of the state's wealth into military. Impoverish the Bottom 99%. BTW: Kabul, October 28: Taliban freedom fighters have brought down a US military Helicopter in Uruzgan province today at 1:45 PM Kabul time. Taliban fighters attacked the Atghar district center, using both small and heavy guns, at 1:00 PM Kabul time. An unknown number of foreign and local troops were injured during the attack. 1 of 4 shot down last week. The Afghans is going from bad to worse. Expect that to be mirrored in the financial markets.
With the exception of launching Tomahawk missiles, there's nothing in this description that doesn't match the old "stretch-637" boats that were built in the late 60's to early 70's. The torpedo rooms were converted as necessary to handle spook ops., they were very quiet, and the old S5W reactors- while not fast- were very reliable. With fitted with the latest in towed and (other) passive sonar, they were extremely effective as a weapons platform. We did a refueling on my old boat ~1990. Within four years, it'd been scrapped as part of the weapons agreements. A complete waste of money.
DUMMY DwarF: ...I'm eating a meatball... "Whenver the dwarf sees something negative about a Democrat, he tries to change the topic of the thread to something else. Usually a personal attack, followed by mutterings about correct 'grammar' 'spelling' whatever. Anything he can think of to avoid a discussion about a Democrat screwing up or looking bad. It's a decade long pattern." --Badeye observation-- "Our fleet commanders have been waiting for the decision superiority that you will bring them, providing them the full range of options from covert operation in peacetime to decisive firepower in wartime to protect our nation's interests."
#2. To: buckeroo (#1)
"Isn't that statement in line with a perpetual war machine draining the American coffers? It has been promoted for some seven decades since the end of WW2."
#3. To: Ferret Mike (#2)
A three billion plus dollar turd that sinks to the bottom of the ocean and can help rock and roll WW III. I agree. This thing is absolute waste with more submarine sandwiches, double the dollars, with extra blood -- hold the common senseon the way.
#4. To: Ferret Mike (#2)
A three billion plus dollar turd that sinks to the bottom of the ocean and can help rock and roll WW III. I agree. This thing is absolute waste with more submarine sandwiches, double the dollars, with extra blood -- hold the common senseon the way.
Capitalist Eric: Foreplay before the president's staff? 
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