Sea patrols changed
(N.Z P A.Reuter—Copyright i 1 NORFOLK’(Virginia) February 19.
The United States Navy has quietly reduced the alert status of some of the ballistic missile submarines it keeps on constant patrol around the world, an Atlantic fleet spokesman has confirmed.
: It is the first major (change in Navy patrolling procedures since the first strategic deterrent submarines were sent to sea nearly 15 years ago. “No reduction in our over-all strategic capbilities will be caused Dy the change,” the spokesman said.
Although most submarines on patrol will remain ready to fire their nuclear-tipped missiles on a few minutes’ notice, others now are on a modified alert, the spokesman told the Norfolk “Ledger Star.”
The modified alert will allow submarines to pull back from their areas of patrol and take part in fleet exercises, in which surface forces seldom have enough submarines to serve as targets.
The modified alert status for some submarines will permit them to make occasional visits to nearby ports, breaking the monotony of 60-day underwater patrols for their 140-man crews.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33773, 20 February 1975, Page 8
Word Count
174Sea patrols changed Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33773, 20 February 1975, Page 8
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