On permanent display outside the U.S. Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE), Kings Bay, Georgia

Not often do you get to see a submarine surfacing through the earth.

A true Cold War warrior.  America deployed the first boomers, the Forty-one for Freedom, to deter the Soviet Union from launching a first strike nuclear attack on the United States.

Love them or loathe them, they prevented a nuclear war with the Soviets and that was their mission.

The new (1980s) Trident class nuclear ballistic submarines (SSBNs) are the latest way to deter an enemy from launching a first strike. They are essentially invisible to our enemies while on patrol – hence the strategic deterrent. Even if all of our land based nuclear capabilities were destroyed in an insane first strike, the Trident fleet would essentially deliver a final blow to our attackers and lessen the chances for a follow on attack. Crazy stuff to think about but it is the reality of the world. Until all nuclear weapons are eliminated, it is the future that we have to live with.

Praying for an eventual end to all nuclear weapons and actually working towards that end are two different things. Someone must step forward to start the process.

Give peace a chance… but in the meantime ensure that peace has a chance by a strong commitment to deterrence.

Camera: Samsung Galaxy S4

Chris