Episode 34

USS Ohio (SSGN-726)

100 Miles North East of Mischief Reef 

“Bottom Depth?”

“Passing six thousand.”

“Take here down another fifty.”

“Making my depth six five zero, aye.”

While Marklee was fairly confident of the boat’s ability to evade Chinese ASW efforts, the lack of a sharp thermocline layer in this part of the SCS didn’t make him happy.  Normally a “boomer” like the Ohio would skulk along just below the layer making them very difficult to detect to ships or planes without dipping sonar.  At home in the deep blue, the littoral waters of the SCS were not her strong suit.  While the depth here in this part of the SCS was plenty deep, the underwater atolls and other canyons made navigation a constant issue and messed up the thermocline layer.  Strong currents and eddies also made sonar performance uneven.  Another advantage to the home team who knew these waters well. 

Marklee shared a look with his XO.  While they had launched many weapons over the years in support of various operations worldwide, the strike they were about to perform was the largest that the Ohio had ever taken part in.  The “Command and Control Center” or just “command” was quiet with the sailors intent on their tasks.  The crew was focused which made Marklee deeply satisfied.  He had a good crew.

Commander Leyland was standing over the plotting table.  “Skipper, looks like we should launch from about here.”  He indicated a spot on the map somewhat equidistant from the seven Chinese bases they planned to attack.  “Mission plan says attack at 03:24 local.  Nice and dark, no moon.”

“If the zoomies did their job we should remain undetected as we launch.”

“We have a long exposure window.  Ten minutes for a full launch.”

“Yeah, I know the numbers, XO.  This is what we get paid for.”

“Recommend a couple of decoys loaded in the tubes and full countermeasures spread ready.”

“Concur, make it happen.”  The XO moved aft to issue quiet orders to the COB. 

While an Ohio class nuclear submarine was fairly stealthy, the eruption of over one hundred cruise missiles from the sea was hard to miss if you were looking.  An AWACS plane would be able to see the launch from over one hundred miles away.  It was a risk, but safer than trying the same attack from a surface vessel.

“It’s time, Skipper.”

“COB, take the boat to launch depth.  Set condition 1SQ throughout the ship.”

The 1MC immediately blared out the announcement.  “Man Battlestations Missile, for Tactical Launch.  Set Condition 1SQ. Man Battlestations Missile, for Tactical Launch.  Set Condition 1SQ throughout the ship.”  Unlike a surface ship, USN missile submarines are always at “Condition 2” or ready for battle.  For this reason, setting battle stations was more a matter of getting to your correct station and preparing for your role in firing the missiles rather than running around dogging watertight doors and other preparations that a surface ship would perform.

As the massive submarine rose up to launch depth, the ratings and senior specialists manned their weapons consoles.  Targeting data had been loaded hours ago but was quickly reviewed to ensure that everything was in readiness.  Many of the young members of the crew had never fired a weapon in anger before.  However, years of relentless drills and training made the tasks almost automatic.

Officers in a submarine were often less formal than other parts of the Navy due to the close quarters and the nature of submarine service.  However, Commander Leyland was extremely stiff and formal when reporting back to Marklee.  “Sir, the ship is at condition 1SQ.  Target locks confirmed.  Navigation sync confirmed.  We are ready to fire.”

Unlike a SSBN, the targeting system of a SSGN did not require a “missile key” held by the captain.  Those nuclear safeguard protocols had been completely removed from Ohio and her sisters when her nuclear delivery capabilities had been removed.  “Weapons free, land attack.  Fire at will Commander.”

“Weapons free, land attack, aye aye, sir.”

Within seconds, the entire submarine FLEXED as a massive blast of compressed air forced the first tomahawk from it’s silo.  As strong as the sub was, the forces involved were enough to actually bend the ship.  You could feel the movement in the soles of your shoes.  Seconds later, it happened again.  Then again.

“We have good separation.  Telemetry good.  Weapons active.  Good booster.”

As missile after missile left the ship, she became much lighter and wanted to float upwards.  Massive quantities of seawater were ingested by the boat to compensate in a very delicate dance.  The ship was also slowly moving forward to give the sailors control over here attitude and depth.  All of this was happening simultaneously while the launches went on and on. 

Six minutes later, Marklee heard the one thing he dreaded most.  “Transient!!  I have a buoy in the water.  Bearing 134, range 340.  Going active.  Sir!  I believe this is an air-dropped buoy, we may have been overflown by a Chinese ASW aircraft.”

“XO, time to complete launch?”

“Two minutes, sir.”

“Weps, launch decoy towards that buoy.”

“Decoy launch, bearing 134, aye.”

“XO, prepare to clear datum the moment we complete launch cycle.  Reciprocal course, depth three five zero, speed flank.”

“Preparing to turn to course three one four, depth three five zero, speed flank, aye.”

Marklee walked over to the sonar lead tech.  The specialist manning the station was the only way the submarine would know if they were being actively hunted.

“Transient!  Multiple splashes!  Aircraft is dropping a line of passives.  Bearing zero nine zero through one six zero.”

“They know our position, they’re trying to get our depth also.  Time to complete launch?”

“Thirty seconds.”

“XO, prepare crash dive, execute prepared course.”

“Crash dive, twenty seconds, aye.”

The next twenty seconds were the longest of Marklee’s life.

“All missiles away.  Securing from 1SQ.  DIVE! DIVE!   Diving officer, make your depth three five zero!”

“Depth three five zero, aye.”

“Helm, come to thee one four, flank.”

“Coming to three five zero, speed flank.”

Although the Ohio was massive by submarine standards, her nuclear propulsion meant that she had power to spare.  This meant she could move when she had to and this was one of those times.  As she dived, the increased water pressure also made her screws more efficient and less prone to cavitation.  As the ship tilted down, the hull began to groan and pop from the changing pressure.  The sound always alarmed newbies but the seasoned crew completely ignored them.

Making an effort to appear completely calm on the outside despite his very real fears of an impending attack, Marklee walked casually over to his XO.  “Did you read the after action from Charlotte?”

“Yes, of course.”

“The Chinese torps seem to have trouble distinguishing contacts running quiet.”

“It’s a risk.”

“Yes, but it’s our best chance unless the themocline sharpens up.”

“We have some deeper water to our north, I am betting the layer firms up.”

“Bet your life?”

“Hopefully not.”

“Passing three four zero.”

“Reduce speed to one third.”

“Reducing speed to one third, aye.”

Now that the submarine was no longer where the missiles were fired from, they had a chance.  However, the most likely direction for the submarine to run was AWAY from the buoy.   Marklee counted off the seconds in his head.

“Helm, new course one eight zero.”

“One eight zero, aye.”

Leyland cocked one eyebrow at his captain.  Part of being XO was to question the captain’s decisions, within limits.  “Turning into them?”

“If we can safely pass under the picket line, we are home free.”

“They are still pinging away up there.  Recommend we take her down, we have plenty of room.”

“Agreed.  Diving officer, make your depth seven zero zero.”

“Depth seven zero zero, aye.”

“Rig for ultra quiet.”

“Rig for ultra quiet, aye.”  Slowly, the big ship turned and approached the buoy line. 

“Transient!!!  Torp in the water!!  Bearing three five zero!  Range seven zero zero.  Torp is pinging.  Torp is moving away from us.”

Leyland shook his head.  “How did you know?”

“I guessed.  They are very well trained but inexperienced.  Lots of book knowledge but haven’t been under fire.  They assumed I would be afraid and run away from their picket line.  It’s a logical assumption for them to make.”

“Hmm.  I don’t do afraid very well.”

“My brother told me once I was too dumb to be afraid.  May not be the smartest play, but you have to go with your strengths.”

“Navy don’t run.”

“Exactly.”