U.S. Navy SSBN USS Maryland Conducts A Full At-Sea Crew Exchange

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Naval News: U.S. Navy SSBN USS Maryland Conducts Full at-sea Crew Exchange

Last week, the U.S. Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) USS Maryland conducted a full at-sea crew exchange to prevent sailors from possible COVID-19 exposure. At-sea crew transfer is quite unusual. Transfer of the entire crew of a submarine is even more exceptional.

Ballistic missile submarines main rule is to remain undedected in order to maintain credibility in its nuclear deterrence mission. By surfacing, and remaining idle for a relatively long duration (the time needed to swap the crews), the submarine increases the risk of detection. However, the risk of seeing the virus spread among the crew while on patrol represents a way greater security threat. Afterall the crew transfer likely took place not far off Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia, and under the watch of U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard patrols.

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WNU Editor: This is quite a sight to see.