NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Click the underlined bold text for the music that should accompany this post.

IC:

Ventspills, Russian Federation, Baltic Fleet Head Quarters (http://download.sovmusic.ru/m/slavank2.mp3)

The traditional naval vessel departation song, "Proshanye Slovyankie" was playing on the background. Sailors and their officers were all lined up infront of their ships ready to march on the ramp. The Admiral of the Fleet, Afanasi Okruglov was standing at the podeum, in his black uniform with his medals hanging from the left side of his chest. He spoke loudly in the microphone and the loudspeakers amplified his voice so all could hear.

Afanasi: Today is a historical day, today our glorious Federation is making its rightful claim to the naval presence in the Baltic ocean. You my comrades are the lucky ones, you were chosen to carry out the first in history patrol of the Baltic sea in the defense of the motherland. However this is more then just that, we finally have ability to train and better ourselves in all aspects of warm water warfare. You will also be the first group to go through the trainining precedures. You will circle all of the Baltic, and simulate a marine assault on the beaches of Estonia, just south of Talin. The experience you will gain will serve you for the rest of your lives and most importantly the motherland will be safer then ever before. I bid you farewell my comrades and may your journey in the high seas be safe and productive. Let the games begin!

He took out a bottle of shampaing, shook it and let the cup fly out along with the stream of the bubbling liquid. The music was still playing as Admiral poured the Shampaign into the cups of all the upper officers that were standing near the podeum. The sailors started marching towards the ramps, their steps complementing the sounds of Slavyanka. The whole 1st Flotila was taking sale and it was a site to see.

International waters, 27 nautical miles off Ventspills, Estonia

The Tennessee class submarine lurched 20 meters below the waves in the Baltic, doing what it did best: Staying undetected and gathering intelligence. Right now, intel indicated that a substantial Russian naval force was to leave port for manouvers, something the Kingdom of Norway was very interested in. Since the Russians were pretty much boxed in inside the Baltic, it was imperative to know what they would do in here in case of conflict, and that was what the submarine, with the pennant number S304 was to do.

The S304 was one of the few conventionally powered submarines still used by the Kingdom, but it was a master at the submarines best trick, which was to stay undetected. This was possible thanks to the advanced AIP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air-independent_propulsion) system, which allowed the sub to recharge its batteries without surfacing, and the many batteries. The estimated time between resurfacing was 20 days, which was very good for the sub.

Right now, the 64 meter long sub crawled on 20 meters with its six torpedo tubes loaded. In addition to the four Mark-68 Mod 1 Sjøorm torpedoes and two UGM-84L Harpoon missiles loaded in the tubes, the S304 carried another 18 Mk-68s and 6 Harpoons. A healthy weapons load, but it left little room for the crew of 30 to live in when one took into account the engine compartment, conn, fuel tanks and what-not. Not that the crew minded though. They had supplies for 60 days, and were happy to serve. Submariners got well paid in the Navy, mostly because of the danger they put themselves to every time they set to sea. Anyway, the sub moved at 20 meters making 6 knots, being undetectable. The only thing that might give it away was the periscope and ESM antenna, which were raised, but the seas were choppy enough to give them a good disguise against any prying eyes. The plan was to gather info and stalk the Russian force, remaining undetected. That would mean going deep and manouvering so that they remained undetected, but it was alright. The S304 could dive to depths below 400 meters, and manouver in speeds of up to 24 knots when submerged.

When the Russian fleet came close enough, the S304 dove to 200 meters and followed it using its passive sonar array. Due to the size of the Russian fleet, it was impossible not to hear as it manouvered. And the S304 followed, moving silently. It had just reported in, and wasn't scheduled to report in for another 12 hours. Plenty of time to gather information.