"We Are Invisible and Can Blow Stuff Up"

Bubblehead is observing media access availability to the USS Ohio (SSGN 726), and he sounds a bit underwhelmed. He is right, this is a long article for almost nothing new to learn about the SSGN mission profile. Back in October, when the USS Ohio (SSGN 726) deployed, we advised readers not to expect any good information on the payload for the deployment. We also assumed there wouldn't be any media access to the USS Ohio (SSGN 726). It would appear, we were wrong on both counts.

When we got to paragraph 27 of the article Bubblehead highlighted, we found a small detail that appears to have either been allowed to pass the censors, or like Bubblehead was simply taken for granted by submariners.

It has 24 launch tubes, 15 of which have been fitted for multiple Tomahawks - more than 100 in total. That's more than were launched in the entire first Gulf War.

That is an interesting bit of detail not usually disclosed. You see, the SSGN can fit up to 22 or as few as 14 launch tubes with Tomahawks. 15 launch tubes with Tomahawks tells me an exact number, which is never a good thing to tip off. With that information this story tells me the Navy has 105 Tomahawks on the USS Ohio (SSGN 726) and 7 launch tubes fitted for unmanned vehicles and other 'special' equipment. I should not be told these things by some reporter, and neither should you.

The submarine community is excellent at keeping secrets and staying out of the headlines, the exception being when a good conspiracy theory fits a current event. We think that is a good thing, and pass on the following advice. Next time a reporter on a SSGN asks what is in a launch tube, or any questions specific to payload, we encourage submariners to be as specific as this SEAL commander.

In a wardroom just metres from the Tomahawk missile tubes, the head of the SEAL contingent agreed to be interviewed, but only if he wasn't identified or photographed, lest he or his family be tracked down by terrorists, for whom killing a SEAL would be a major propaganda coup.

"We go places," he said. "Let's just leave it at that."

This SEAL is leading by example, which implies submariners should only be quoted for questions about payload saying something like "we are invisible and can blow stuff up."

Limited access is better than no access for reporters, but if we are being honest, the really evasive answer with a hint of sarcasm and humor by the SEAL is a good answer, and even if it isn't it is still better than providing details on payload packages, even if those details are limited. We do not believe the US Navy is going to get any mileage with this story on the USS Ohio (SSGN 726), but we observe the North Korean intelligence folks probably did.