The End Of The SBS ????

[Tab]

HMS Spartan is being decommissioned and this is the only Submarine in the Royal Navy that can launch attacks by the SBS. A replacement is not planned for at least another three years, so it will be back to canoes or the flippers for them.

[dalo]

Ah the old cockleshell heroes.

[owdun]

Back to the drawing board.


Aye Owdun

[harry hackedoff]

Not sure about your statement that "Spartan is the only sub etc" there Tab.
Subs have holes in them all over the place mate, have you never seen what happened every week on sea quest or seaview whatever it was called, the one with Admiral Harriman Nelson and that geezer what played Felix Lighter CIA dude from the Bond movies, the flying sub and the big glass windows up for`d Oh, and the spiral staircase! Water used to piss into that tub, it`s a wonder she ever put to sea Obviously not built by Vickers
Individual SC rates can use methods variose, torpedo tubes for instance. Groups of SCs use the Yank made "Swimmer Delivery Vehicle" but if I told you how that works, Sneaks would come round your gaff, kill you, cut you up and eat all the pieces.
`Scuse me, there`s a knock at the door Where did all this water come from?
Den da den den, AAAArrrrggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[Tab]

Apparently Harry it is the only one equipped with pods on it decks to carry the mini subs. so by removing HMS Spartan it cuts one of the methods of insertion

[sneaky beaky]

I was going to reply at length, but as my dinner is ready and the SBS do not seem to do "water" these days, I will reserve my comments for a time when I haven't had too many B & C's. That way, I can really let my thoughts flow!
Sneaky

[Commachio]

I was going to reply at length, but as my dinner is ready and the SBS do not seem to do "water" these days, I will reserve my comments for a time when I haven't had too many B & C's. That way, I can really let my thoughts flow!
Sneaky

Had enough B & C's yet ? Unless you spent your 23 years as a clerk or god forbid a PW, you'd probably know why SC's don't "do water" much these days.

[Rover]

Commachio?

Nothing to do with Lake Comacchio in Italy then?

Rover

[Sarastro]

Had enough B & C's yet ? Unless you spent your 23 years as a clerk or god forbid a PW, you'd probably know why SC's don't "do water" much these days.

SB spent much of his 23 years doing exactly what his name suggests Commachio, so is probably pretty well placed to comment

[Commachio]

Fair one. Apologies. My point, albeit made flippantly, was that green ops are and have been for a few years, the primary role. I was badged in 1991, and in the subsequent five years, only a few dived operationally.

[Commachio]

Commachio?

Nothing to do with Lake Comacchio in Italy then?

Rover

Yeah right. It's my Mum's maiden name.
Wimborne. I seem to remember "Wendy", the PTI gobbing off at those ASBO kids on telly living there. (He used to be LC). Know him ?

[sneaky beaky]

Hi! Commachio,
I'm quite glad that we seemed to have - at long last - elicited a response from someone who seems to be a fairly current SB guy.
I thought that me and Rover were the only ones interested!!
I note your comments with interest.
I do know why the SBS don't do diving anymore, or at least more acurately, that a lot of them don't - and the reason that they have gone "green ops".
What gripes us older guys, is that the selection criteria has changed. No longer is diving - or even water - considered important.
The other important fact is, that the SBS has lost any contact with the Royal Marines.
In my day, it was a Royal Marine first and SBS second. In other words, Once a Marine always a Marine. That doesn't seem to count for much anymore.
It would seem that the SBS just want to be another Squadron of the SAS.
Why otherwise, would they be in the middle of the desert during the last Iraqi War.? An operation that turned to ratshit!!
I could go on - and on - but the B & C is running out!!
I do think it was a big mistake, getting "into bed" with the SAS.

Commachio, I'll probably see you in July! Just look for an old fart who is limping a bit and probably in the throes of getting pissed!!
You might even be in the same boat in a few years time!!
Cynical? Not me!!
Seriously, Commachio, I look forward to seeing you at the re-union.
Sneaky

[HACE]

Sneaky; hope everyone here is OK with an American Marine (former anyway) posting here. I have taken a look at these forums on occassion, (and usually with a beer or 3) with interest, especially due to a similar trend. I know you guys worked mostly with our Navy guys, although I wish my former unit and your unit would have worked together more. We did not do the sub/sdv thing but had every thing else in common so that I think was the reason. We get a lot more sub time with the change of threat after the soviet collapse but the little subs are still their baby. At any rate for us, like you apparently, that is moot now days. The Deep Recon mission is out and "watered down" DA is in. Insertion techniques are maintained I think more to keep pay quals up and less to maintain or increase expertise. Multi-environmental capability is long gone so I dread when the AO ends up changing. With the development of MARSOC it will get even worse. Instead of maintaining our standards and unique way of doing things different, we will fall into the USSOCOM microscope and be another generic version of the same thing wearing MARPAT digital cammies. Our problem in my very limited opinion is that 1. the goal after the Grenada fiasco of becoming unit "interoperable" DoD wide has now become unit "interchangeable" DoD wide with a "decent" (in my opinion) standard at most things and no "experts" at anything. 2. Everyone is more worried about getting in on things than the mission. Obviously people join to do their job and want to use their training, but it should always be about the mission and not what you want. If the job does not fall into your venue, let the unit that does execute, everyone will get a chance sometime, be ready to be the expert in your venue when it does. Aside from ranting I guess I am sympathizing with your pain. When I was still active it was considered part of what you did as a Marine, and if we forgot, the regular Corps reminded us quickly. Some of our commanders made some mistakes that we suffered years for, but man for man, many of our teams were as good, and some better, than the US & foreign guys we had the opportunity to work and drink beer with. Now their all going to get swept up into the generic (and as always anti-jarhead) joint environment and I am afraid the divelocker/boathouse and some other sections are going to collect a lot of dust, except for maybe the paraloft and armory. Cheers & thanks for letting me visit.

[Doc]

Welcome HACE

Glad you finally joined after viewing the forums with beer eyes

What are we like sober, my ex-wife was ugly as hell without beer

Anyway stick around we have a few americans and ex/serving leathernecks. Most are ok but watch out for Whitey, I think his meds are wearing off.

Sempers

Doc

[sneaky beaky]

HACE

Hi Hace!

I sort of got the gist of what you posted - but like me, you should lay of the B&C before posting such profound statements.
I stand by my last post and I am sure I will get some stick at the next SBS re-union!!
Sneaky