Hey, you got a hammer I can borrow?
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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...interesting info about symbol significance on that forum thread. Bad Tolz WWII history was new to me.... and market in fake/repro patches.
One more item of info for you: A LOT of the *Specialty* patches [like the Green Light SADM teams] were not usually worn on the outside on uniform shirts/jackets, but rather sewn to the inside liner of the beret.
And that's right where mine is.
Hey, you got a hammer I can borrow?
Clackers!
I’m glad it has a trigger guard! Oops!
That’s some serious defensive preparation!
Oh, man, the stories about Toelz/ Flint Kaserne in the 1950s/'60s/'70s! The Old Man's desk and the ghostly SS Hauptsturmfuhrer whose clicking hobnailed boots could be heard on the basement halls when nobody was there. And of course, a lot of guys who went off to sunny climes in Southeast Asia [and elsewhere] and who might just be looking over your shoulder to see how things were going at the old place....
The Augsburg [aka *Eggsburg* to GIs] patches were commonplace, especially around the 24th division guys and ASA teams stationed there. And yep, the Navy was there too....
Now THAT’S how you arrive at a hot LZ.
Well, it's ONE way....
Could just barely lob the nuke beyond its blast radius.
“Looks too much like a pistol grip.”
Yes. Maybe shaping it like the male sex organ would put them more at ease. And open up opportunity for a lot of really bad jokes.
"'Allo! This is Shritkikavlashuskvarna. You may call me 'Bob'. 'Ow may I 'elp you today?"
We did a few LAPES from my beloved C-130. The results was sometimes "interesting" one time tragic. We lost a 130 and crew from Pope on a demo that can be seen on youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgIqv6vKJks.
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