Posted on 01/22/2016 5:02:31 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
With its slightly chipped red grip and retro look, it could be the hand control for a Scalextric set or games console.
In fact, the device seen here for the first time is the trigger to Britain’s nuclear deterrent, a button that when pressed could destroy hundreds of thousands of lives.
It is in the hand of Lieutenant Commander Woods, the weapons engineer officer on HMS Vigilant, one of four Vanguard class submarines that carries up to eight Trident missiles armed with nuclear warheads.
The 38-year-old father of three has spent 16 years training for the moment when Vigilant’s commanding officer, Commander Dan Martyn, utters the words ‘missiles for strategic launch’.
When that order is given, Lt Cdr Woods will have no idea of his location, what is happening in the world, or what the target is. But he knows that he will hold the grip – modelled on a Colt 45 Peacemaker handgun – and press the trigger without hesitation.
Speaking yesterday for the first time about his role, Lt Cdr Woods, whose first name cannot be given, said: ‘It is a combination of an honour and a burden. Knowing what could be on your hands is obviously a heavy load to deal with, but at the same time, our political masters trust us to deliver the deterrent.’
Asked if he was ready to press the trigger, Lt Cdr Woods said: ‘Ultimately, yes. We have to act on the orders of our political lords and masters.
‘When we are at sea, we don’t know the whole story and we have to trust that they know what they are doing.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3410252/The-trigger-launches-Britain-s-Trident-missiles-safe-PM-s-instructions-event-war-crew-s-computer-games-ultra-rare-glimpse-life-Royal-Navy-nuclear-submarine.html#ixzz3xyh9CbAs Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Thanks, guys....I was Navy, but the Riverine craft I served on didn’t carry nukes...*L*
What ever happened to “neither confirm nor deny”?!?!?
I don’t know....What DID happen to it???
Apparently fallen out of favor.
Was the standard line when US warships docked at foreign ports and were asked if the ship was carrying nukes.
Well, yes...That was SOP for ships...I was with NAVSPECWAR and Navy Amphibious Warfare groups my whole time...
It was kinda obvious our little 32 foot PBR’s and 18 foot STABS couldn’t carry nukes...*L*
Oh Lord!!!!!! The Crockett!!!!
I haven’t seen anything like that for years!!!!*LOL*
That thing was an Army weapon wasn’t it????
I believe that was the intent.
Though it appears that it could be mounted on a PBR.
I’d say it could’ve been...We did have MK19’s mounted...
“We have to act on the orders of our political lords and masters.”
I am glad I live in the United States so I do not have to use those kind of words!
Methinks you are reading WAAAY too much into a comment.
Dry British humour.
Oh ffs.
Why yes, of a matter of fact, so some of us were. Some did airborne insrtertion, others were vehicle-borne. Though the Nuclear Position Duty Roster and the last iteration of AR-50-5 as well as our target list are now long-since obsolete, I don't think I'll describe the program too closely.
But you can websearch *Green Light Teams* to find a bit more open source info on SADM and MADM.
It was, using the nuclear warhead developed for an early USAF air-to-air missile whose accuracy left a lot to be desired. As more accurate [and lighter!] missiles came along, SOMETHING had to be done with those 1/10th kiloton W54 warheads so presto! along came the M-388 Davy Crockett, the light version which was good for 2000 merters range, the heavy for 4000 meters. This is closer than you want to be to a 20-KT nuke going off
When we saw the test shot film footage showing the launch tripod and crew jeep flipped backwards by the blast shockwave, we came to the conclusion that we'd be using a somewhat larger and heavier vehicle for our purposes. And just in case we needed a backup vehicle for a getaway, a spare that was a whole lot faster.
Still have a beret crest from that group given to me long ago ....
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/224580-special-forces-in-germany/
Crest I possess..... alpha beta gamma and atomic symbol ....
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/224580-special-forces-in-germany/
Crest I possess..... alpha beta gamma and atomic symbol ....
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