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Newsweek
07-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Photos Show US Helicopters Escorting Nuclear Submarine
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A United States submarine, USS Kentucky, which is capable of firing nuclear missiles, carried out an armed air escort exercise with helicopters in the Pacific Ocean last month. Why It Matters The Kentucky is one of the 14 Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines in service with the U.S. Navy. Each submarine, often referred to as a "boomer," can carry up to 20 ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads, capable of striking targets over 7,456 miles away. The "boomers" are the most survivable leg of the U.S. nuclear triad, which includes strategic bombers and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to the Pentagon, because of the extreme difficulty in detecting submarines on deterrent patrols underwater at any given time. The U.S. Air Force, which is responsible for the other two legs of the country's nuclear triad, validated the readiness and capability of its nuclear-capable bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile fleets through an exercise and a test last month. What To Know A pair of U.S. Army AH-64 helicopters and a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter, as well as a submarine support vessel, were seen escorting the Kentucky during the routine armed air escort drill on April 24, according to a set of photos released by the U.S. Navy on May 2. U.S. Army AH-64 helicopters, left and right, a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter, middle, and a submarine support vessel escort the ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky during a routine armed air escort exercise at an undisclosed... U.S. Army AH-64 helicopters, left and right, a U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopter, middle, and a submarine support vessel escort the ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky during a routine armed air escort exercise at an undisclosed location on April 24, 2025. More Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Riley/U.S. Navy It was not clear where the exercise took place, the U.S. Navy saying that it was held at an "undisclosed location." It was also unclear whether the Kentucky, which is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Washington state, carried any missiles during the drill. It was the first armed air escort exercise employing helicopters, the U.S. Navy Submarine Group 9, which exercises administrative control authority for assigned submarine commands and units in the Pacific Northwest region, revealed in a Facebook post on May 2. "Integration between services is a force multiplier, allowing our strategic forces to deter, and if necessary, defeat our adversaries in the maritime domain," the post read, adding that the drill was built upon past events to enhance interoperability during multi-platform operations. This was not the first time America's nuclear-capable submarines have conducted an armed air escort exercise. On May 6 last year, the Kentucky's sister ship, USS Nebraska, transited the Strait of San Juan de Fuca in Washington state escorted by an A-10 attack aircraft. Such force protection exercises come as the U.S. Navy is sending its ballistic missile submarines to foreign countries for visits, according to the Federation of American Scientists, a message of deterrence conveyed by the increased visibility of the subs. One such visit was conducted by the Kentucky, which arrived at Busan in South Korea on July 18, 2023. The submarine was seen escorted by destroyers USS John Finn and USS Ralph Johnson as it sailed to the port, official released photos show. U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky, middle, is escorted by destroyers USS John Finn, front, and USS Ralph Johnson, back, during a trip to Busan in South Korea for a port visit on July... U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky, middle, is escorted by destroyers USS John Finn, front, and USS Ralph Johnson, back, during a trip to Busan in South Korea for a port visit on July 18, 2023. More Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samantha Oblander/U.S. Navy What People Are Saying The U.S. Navy Submarine Group 9 said: "The U.S. Navy's fleet of ballistic missile submarines are the most-survivable leg of the nuclear triad. As the tip of the spear for strategic deterrence, [ballistic missile submarine] operations demonstrate the flexibility, survivability, readiness, resolve, global reach and capability of our undersea force." Tom Shugart, a former U.S. Navy submariner and an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told Newsweek: "I'm confident that [the naval escorts] are sufficient to ensure the security of our [ballistic missile submarines], as they are arguably our most vital naval platforms." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the American ballistic missile submarine fleet will conduct any port visits in the Western Pacific Ocean this year, where nuclear-armed China and North Korea continue to pose threats to the U.S. and its allies, Japan and South Korea.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Navy admiral fired from position as senior NATO planner
A senior Navy officer who represented the U.S. in NATO military planning was fired Monday with no clear explanation from the Pentagon on why they were removed. Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, a career Navy helicopter pilot, had been the U.S.'s top military representative to the NATO Military Committee. A Pentagon spokesperson did not provide an explanation on Chatfield's firing, saying officials 'don't have anything to offer right now.' Chatfield's relief was first reported by Reuters. Chatfield graduated from Boston University in 1987 and trained as a Navy helicopter pilot, flying SH-3, CH-46D and MH-60S in her career, according to an online biography. She later commanded Helicopter Combat Support Squadron HC-5 and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron HSC-25. She also commanded a joint provincial reconstruction team in Farah Province, Afghanistan, in 2008. Her awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, and Bronze Star Medal. Chatfield's removal comes amid a string of firings with political overtones of senior military officers and intelligence officials. Six senior officers were dismissed from intelligence positions last weekend by President Donald Trump, including Air Force Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, the head of both the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command. In February, two members of the joint chiefs of staff — Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti — were both fired without explanation. Though no reason for Chatfield's firing has been released, she was targeted last December by a right-wing political group, the American Accountability Foundation. The organization wrote a letter to Secretary of State Pete Hegseth in December urging him to fire 20 senior military officials, including Chatsworth. The AAF describes its work as 'aggressive research and investigations to advance conservative messaging.' Chatfield is at least the second senior officer on the AAF list to lose their job in an unexplained firing, along with Franchetti. At least one Air Force general on the list has announced his retirement for this July. When the AAF released its list, former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told the Associated Press that such targeting by partisan groups would have 'considerable, wide and deep consequences' inside the military as officers begin to fear for their careers. 'You will drive people out,' Hagel said. 'It affects morale as widely and deeply as anything — it creates a negative dynamic that will trickle through an organization.' Here is the training that the Army says is no longer mandatory Navy fires commander of Colorado-based Information Operations Command Firefighters help paratrooper finish jump after missing the ground Pregnant pilots and aircrew grounded for first trimester under new Air Force flying rules Mold in privatized housing cost this Navy family their health and reenlistment bonus
