Submarines

[waffles]

the Forum description included submarines, so I decided to post some pictures of mine.

These were all taken in the Panama Canal. All were with my XT and kit lens.
Our security officer saw them and they were all unclassified.

[waffles]

The round things on the top are ballistic missile hatches. Thats what I work on.

In this one I am standing on top of the reactor.

[silvrr]

Great pics and thanks for serving out country!

I never realized how wide the canal is.

[Richtherookie]

Thanks for posting these. Subs are way to spookie for me. Just the thought of not being able to look out the window and see where you are.

Thanks for serving our country.

[jeffscra]

Very cool pictures! Not a view most of us get to see.

Thanks for sharing!

[tellysurv]

Definitely, very neat images. Post more if ya got 'em!

[mogearnotalent]

wow, awesome, Ohio? an off topic question for ya, I am working on a model submarine also, can you answer a question for me, when the sub is submerged is the bridge area on top of the conning tower covered by a cover or something to preserve the hydrodynamic profile, or is it open, I want to know as I am building my submarine model with all the antennae and persicopes retracted and it is supposed to be underwater. Most photos showing subs surfaced show that area open and manned.

[jungle]

Very nice shots, thanks for sharing. Fair winds and following seas.

[andydajo]

Great shots, I worked on these beasts in the UK.

[Reefbone]

Just the thought of not being able to look out the window and see where you are.

That very thought has crossed my mind as well but I suppose it's like being in an airplane and flying on instruments.

I know this is kind of weird but sometimes I'll walk down the sidewalk (not busy) with my eyes closed trying to imagine what it's like to be blind. I'll say ..."Ok I'll do it for 15 seconds" closed tghe eyes and start counting. It's a really weird uneasy feeling. It takes just about all my will power to keep them closed.

[tomd]

What flag is that about 8 feet up on the tower? It has 4 squares, two white, one red and one blue.

[jungle]

That looks to be the flag of Panama, probably flown as an honor to the host country and or a boarded dignitary.

[AB8ND]

Great shots, thanks for sharing, and thank your security officer from an Old Jarhead. I love the ships, but don't think I could have done the sub thing.

Thanks to being out there protecting us.

Jack

[tomd]

It would be great to waterski behind one of these subs, and it would make an interesting picture!

[waffles]

It is an Ohio class, the USS Alaska. We were the best trident submarine in the US in 2005. The bridge is covered, it has metal "clamshells" that cover it. We then zip tie it to make sure nothing moves, seriously.
That is the Panama flag. Every ship and boat in the canal has to fly it, even out security gunboats had one. Most of the canal isnt that wide, it just connects a bunch of lakes across the country, and thats where the wide shots are.


That very thought has crossed my mind as well but I suppose it's like being in an airplane and flying on instruments.

I know this is kind of weird but sometimes I'll walk down the sidewalk (not busy) with my eyes closed trying to imagine what it's like to be blind. I'll say ..."Ok I'll do it for 15 seconds" closed tghe eyes and start counting. It's a really weird uneasy feeling. It takes just about all my will power to keep them closed.
If you throw physics out the window, then yes, it is a lot like a plane on instruments. But really quiet.

These pictures were inside Missile Control Center. one was wedited before it could leave the boat. This is the room that we launch ballistic missiles from. I am a missile tech, so this is where I worked a lot. one picture is a friends re-enlistment. The other is "angles and dangles" where we take huge up and down angles. Not at the higest angle, but the best picture with the light.

[waffles]

One last picture. I was standing lookout on the last transit of the straights of juan de fuca. it was just me and the OOD, good times. Everything in the picture gets removed before we submerge.

I am no longer on the Alaska, now I am heading to the USS Michigan. A new type of sub that carries tomahawks, a lot of tomahawks. so.... I can no longer say I work on the most powerful weapon ever created. but, I did launch 3 test missiles, transit the panama canal, swim in the pacific 800 miles from the nearest land, and jumped off the side of the submarine, and a few other bragging rights that aren't suitable for anywhere kids might read.

[shaunknee]

Great shots of the canal. Thanks

[Mstar]

Great shots! Have you ever fell out with the boss and been tempted to press the naughty button?

Brits have subs too! Here are a few from Devonport, near Plymouth.

[waffles]

Great shots! Have you ever fell out with the boss and been tempted to press the naughty button?

Brits have subs too! Here are a few from Devonport, near Plymouth.

If the button you are talking about is the one used to fire a missile.... its a trigger.... like a 45 pistol grip with a trigger, all painted red.

back in Kings Bay, GA, I was at a bar with some sailors from the HMS Vanguard.... Those guys party like rock stars.

[Mstar]

Thanks Waffles,

Well, if live like a fish, you may as well drink like a fish I say! Bet our guys can drink more than your guys!:)

Are you on leave now, or under water? How much leave do you guys get? If ever you visit Britain, please don't expect lovely still seas and blue sky, more often choppy water and gray overcast skies and rain and more rain.:(

I would like to see photos of the ports you visit on your travels. You must visit some special places, but, I also guess the serious nature of your work, may not actually see so much as I presume you could be at see for months?

[superdiver]

Great stuff...

Was the canal that dark that day? Last time I was there (on a cruise, not in the service, but I was working, but thats another story) it was a bright clear day and the humidity was HORRIBLE!

[mogearnotalent]

thanks so much for answering my question re:clamshells, it really helped me alot, and thanks for some of the most unique pictures and stories

[waffles]

Mstar - I am in school right now to go to a new boat. We dont have internet while we are out to sea...... we have email like once a week through a secure server. I doubt I will ever go to Britain except on vacation. The new submarine I am on will make some port calls, but only in the pacific.

The canal was horrible that day, I can run a 5k and not sweat that much. It rained a little, but otherwise was cloudy and really humid.

[cbr929rrerion]

I was at Ft. Sherman and Ft.Clayton in Panama and actually walked across the canal.. For some reason out driver was not allowed to drive on the other side.. go figure.. so we had to change vehicles..

I recall the canal and the hot temps and humidity well.. I left Ft. Drum and 20 below zero to arrive in Panama at 95 degrees and 150% humidity..

And rainy season there is wild...

Little kids riding tubes down the parking lots and storm drains...

ahh the memories...

[Trackside]

Very, Very Cool!! Must be nice to get those breaks above deck. You definitely have had unique experiences.

[emtp563]

Great pictures.

[Reefbone]

I hope I don't hit a sore sport but....I saw a show last night that went through the Falkland Island war. I was surprised by how successful the Argentinians were. (or how hard a time the Brits had with the Argentine Air Force). Seems like the most successful aspect of ther British campain was their submarine attack.) War is a bummer. I always feel sorry for those guys. Hope all your cruises find you and your mates safe.

[Desertraptor]

I would love to get a look on board a US sub. Ohio or Los Angeles
Are there many new Seawolf subs in service and I think another new class called Virginia?

I have seen thru our new Collins boats. Very spacious and up to date.

[arg245]

Thanks Wafles.
Well, this one is old, but nonetheless still a sub.

This is the USS Trout, and is the sub that saved my uncle from the Florida Straits as he was escaping communist Cuba in the very early 60's. I've often wondered what it must have been like to be floating out there, in the middle of nowhere, and all of a sudden, this thing appears from the depths. My uncle told me it was the most welcomed sight he ever saw ........ The US Navy!

http://capturedinlight.zenfolio.com/img/p301475042.jpg

[greg20d]

I got kicked off a sub for sleeping with a window open .....jk ...great shots thanks for shareing

[ajbalazic]

Awesome- I've never had that viewpoint so these shots are a real treat.

[jklewer]

Another "THANK YOU" for serving this great country, and making it possible to enjoy it.

[Box Brownie]

An amazing insight into the life of a submariner - respect!

The interior shots are intriguing in these modern times of high security etc. I recall a story I was told of a neighbour of mine oh so many years ago who was a serving officer (served I think on the Ark Royal in the Falklands) who was paying a visit to one of the UK naval dockyard open days and bizarrely was refused entry to a submarine because he was deemed a security risk (what were they thinking) but they were allowing any number of civvies on board any of whom could have been spies.

Thanks for sharing and be safe out there & make sure you change the film badge on time ;)

[Klippie]

waffles,

Those are fantastic shots, very impressive boat. I like the look of your US Navy subs with the planes on the side of the fin.

I used to work in one of the UK's submarine refit yards I wish I could have taken pictures of them. The bombers looked amazing up on blocks in dry dock.

[Michael1116]

Waffles
Thank you for your service, and the great pictures. I only have one sub pic. Boy, how far we have come.....

[archosman]

... and a few other bragging rights that aren't suitable for anywhere kids might read.

Polywog?

[waffles]

Polywog?

Actually.... I hated my chain of command and didnt want any part of it. When we did cross the equator the only reason to participate in the ceremony was a "crew building experience". I didnt want to be part of the crew.... so I didnt participate. Now I am on my way to a new boat, the USS Ohio. New crew, different people.

If anyone has any questions, just ask.

[fredlef]

Back in 1985 I was guaranteed a billet on the Ohio. Turned out my detailer got fired and had forgotten to pencil me in sooo never did get to a trident and it was back to fast attack for me. Good luck! As a former fast attack sailor I always thought there was something to be said for the luxury of those big cruise liners.

[archosman]

Deja-vu... I've been reading up on K-129 and the Scorpion today!

[ruffian]

Current LA submariner here too. Served on Ohio Class also. Great pics. Still have to get thru the canal. been almost everywhere else. Nice to see our small community represented. ET1(SS). Comms.

[fredlef]

Been through the canal twice - last time was in 87. We had a three gun boat escort going through the lakes in the middle - locked and loaded and scanning the hillsides for trouble. Sea Devil, Blue Fish, Hammerhead for me. PN/YNCM(SS).

[fredlef]

Interesting stuff - scorpion - I was stationed with an SK2 on Sea Devil who had transferred off Scorpion 3 weeks before she left on her last transit.

[canon rookie]

Hey micheal1116,
That looks like the Jeremiha O'brein in the backround one of two remaining liberty ships still able to sail.In two weeks I'm going on the other one the John Brown out of Baltimore.That has to be in San-Francisco.
paul

[Richtherookie]

Ok you say ask questions. If i was on a sub and got sea sick....where does one go? I always have aimed for the other side of the railings. Oh man i could be fun on one of these. Like when i go for a walk and forget to duck. OK anyhow. Thanks again for serving this great country, stay safe, don't pull the trigger and DUCK.

God Bless

[BrinNutz]

I spent a couple weeks on one back when I was a mid at the Academy. Rode the USS Buffalo from Pearl Harbor to Bangor, WA.

Yes, I was a mid, but before that I was enlisted. And am now enlisted once again (only this time in the reserves).

[Ballen Photo]

the Forum description included submarines, so I decided to post some pictures of mine.
I'm glad You did. Love that first shot of the guys relaxing while enjoying the ride through the canal. Looks like fun. :)
-Bruce

[toolbox]

Hey micheal1116,
That looks like the Jeremiha O'brein in the backround one of two remaining liberty ships still able to sail.In two weeks I'm going on the other one the John Brown out of Baltimore.That has to be in San-Francisco.
paul

Yep, that's it...I recognize it too. The sub is the U.S.S. Pampanito. I toured both of them about 10 years ago when I was visiting my grandfather in San Francisco.

[John Trogdon]

Thanks for sharing the pics waffles. I just now discovered them, and boy do they bring back some memories. I'm also an ex submariner. I was a sonar tech on an old diesel boat (SS-420 USS Tirante) during the late 60's.

We never went through the canal, but it looks like it would have been fun. I'm sure that was one of the few times you guys were able to enjoy some daylight. I don't remember having the luxury of sitting on the deck in a lawn chair though. :)

[JWright]

Great submarine shots!

I, too, spent a short period in subs. Mine was the USS Menhaden (SS-377) back in 1967. I left before qualifying to go to a Harbor Defense Unit in Vietnam in 1968 and then to Navy Diving Scool in the 1970's.

[fredlef]

Richtherookie - we once had 3 weeks in the north atlantic in a state 5 sea and spent the whole time at periscope depth. lotsa guys were sick. you man the helm with one hand and hold your barf bag in the other - no sweat!

[archosman]

Interesting stuff - scorpion - I was stationed with an SK2 on Sea Devil who had transferred off Scorpion 3 weeks before she left on her last transit.



http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/%7Ecdorman/book_website/images/Blind%20mans%20bluff.jpg


Picked this up yesterday. So far so good...

[mikerault]

SSBN620 USS John Adams and SSN636 USS Bergall here, 1973-1979 of course both of them have gone to the razor blade factory several years ago. MM1/ELT SS.

Saw one of the then "New" boats next to one of the Current ones back in 1979 it looked like Momma and Child.

Maybe I'll scan some of my old photos in for comparison...:) All I saw was Charleston, SC, Holy Loch, Scotland, and Birginia Beach. Patrol area, North Atlantic...ice in the bilges.

Mike

[Pitter]

There are a lot of submarines and semi-submersibles being built here in Colombia.

[wrxflame]

I have read that book Archosman, changed my view on so many levels about Government funding v military projects. I was very dissapointed around the whole rescue sub story to get funding for the spy project on USSR undersea cables.

Cavaet: Assuming the author has true and correct information.

[BrinNutz]

archosman...Great book.

I read it, then a few months later I met the skipper of the boat. Weird, I must say.

[archosman]

Heard a rumor that supposedly the trans-Atlantic cable actually runs across the Bismarck.:lol: Anyone care to comment? Oh and more pics!

[fredlef]

SSBN620 USS John Adams and SSN636 USS Bergall here, 1973-1979 of course both of them have gone to the razor blade factory several years ago. MM1/ELT SS.


Mike - I may know you - I was at Subron Six from 75 to 79. Even if not - we walked past each other on the pier I would imagine.

Fred

[mikerault]

More than likely!

[fredlef]

do you happen to remember who the yeoman were on the bergall when you were stationed there? was julio diaz one of them?

[mikerault]

The one I remember was a big Hiwaian guy. I was Gold Crew

[fredlef]

The one I remember was a big Hiwaian guy. I was Gold Crew


hmm not gold crew on the bergall for sure!

[mikerault]

Nope, on the Adams.

[fredlef]

I had a friend - julio diaz who was the jr yeoman on the bergall about then

[mikerault]

I wasn't on the Bergall until 79.

Mike

[fredlef]

Should have been about right but who knows my memory may be screwed up - hmmmm could have been the Spadefish I was thinking of.

I wasn't on the Bergall until 79.

Mike