Security heightened after sub base threat [Conn.]

AP via WTNH-TV, New Haven ^ | March 26, 2003 | AP

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(Groton-AP, Mar. 26, 2003 5:50 PM) _ Security was heightened at the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton after somebody called in a bomb threat.

In response to the midmorning threat, officials ordered all vehicles entering the base be searched.

Traffic was backed up for hours coming into the base as uniformed soldiers searched vehicles and ordered drivers out of cars.

Each search lasted minutes, but there were no evacuations or lockdowns inside the base.

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Meanwhile, Sen. Chris Dodd was seeking federal funding for a single boat to guard the entire CT coastline.

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ping

[Pan_Yans Wife]

A single submarine?

[leadpencil1]

It was probably someone from Connecticut College, right across the street from the base. That place is a nut house full of libs.

[Walkingfeather]

quick question for the submariners out there. Lets say there was an attack on the sub base from the air. Are the sub pins deep enough for them to submerge right where they sit, or is the water not deep enough for them to take cover like that?

[SubSailor]

Wow! My old stompin' grounds. Wonder if anyone who was stuck in the traffic backup got hollered at for being late for muster.

[meandog]

There are no "sub pens" in New London, CT, at least as I remember from being stationed there in the 60s. Most of the "boats" are tied up to piers...the Thames River there has about a 45-foot deep channel, as I recall.

[harpseal]

I was talking to one of the chiefs involved in base security last night. What happened was a bomb threat was called in to CT state police and they upped their alert status. No bomb was found. As to boats protecting the CT shore there are many USCG patrol boats plus police boats and DEP boats.

[harpseal]

You are correct on the channel depth in New London and on the general disposition of the boats. (I still refer to subs as boats) The USN does have good security in place for the boats and any nuclear weapons on the base.

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

As has been said, there are no "pens." The boats just tie up at docks. I don't believe the boats can submerge safely until they're out past the Sound.

It is not terribly hard to get on base if you have a good reason (my brother goes there 1-2 times a year to get Sea Cadet uniforms). However, getting to the "lower" part of the base, where the boats are, is quite impossible without having a darn good reason.

The CG Academy is right nearby, and they have small patrol boats. In addition, there are CG patrol craft and a small cutter in New Haven that will pull duty on the Thames occasionally. The base is well protected from the water.