SubComEast Sub Rammed by Task Force 50

[Parallax]

Squadron members of SubComEast were recently participating in a joint exercise with Task Force 50, home-ported in York, PA. During the event, two Perry class frigate skippers from Task Force 50 were operating together in an apparent ASW role. At about 1100 hours, the lead frigate struck CINCSubComEast who was in command on an Aquabat. At this time it is undetermined if it was an unprovoked attack, or negligence on the part of the captain.
CINCSubComEast was in restricted water at the time, however both frigates had made several navigational violations leading up to the incident. Further both Perry's continued on their course without attempting to render aid. There was no reported damage to the Aquabat, however the Perry was listing to port for the remainder of the day. It has been rumored that Task Force 50 has consider changing their name to US 7th Fleet. In fact, Task Force 50 frigates collided with each other during maneuvers earlier in the exercise.
In retaliation, U-31 and USS Guitarro of SubComEast made several torpedo runs on both frigates, acquiring firing solutions on both. CINCSubComEast returned to port under own power.

[Parallax]

Additional evidence of the attack.

[JWLaRue]

Mission Report - U-31

• Proceeded to assigned patrol area grid reference YMCA.
• At approximately 1600z observed contact designated Aquabat on patrol in designated restricted area.
• Sonar reported two surface contacts, designated Sierra-1 and Sierra-2. Subsequently identified as two Perry-class frigates on joint patrol exercises.
• At 1608z observed contact Sierra-1 impact submerged contact Aquabat.
• Commander U-31 ordered shortest course and speed to intercept Sierra-1 at 1609z.
• U-31 proceeded to make several successful simulated attacks on Sierra-1.
• Commander ordered conclusion of simulated attack runs upon chasing Sierra-1 all the way back to her homeport.
• U-31 then returned home at 1715z flying the Jolly Roger, denoting a successful mission.

/s/ Commander U-31

[Parallax]

U-31 in action

[subdude]

Love it! Mike, can I please get the hi-res version of the shot with the Aquabat being treated as a speedbump for part 2 of the build article?

Jim

[bigkim100]

Beautiful work on both sides!

[Parallax]

Hi Jim, check your gmail, I gave you access to a folder with all of the full sized photos. If that does not work, I can send them to you directly.

[sam reichart]

awesome stuff all! BZ U-31!

[JWLaRue]

<simulated> BOOM!!

Target in sight. Fire!

[salmon]

Bwhahahaha - Good one Jeff!

[eckloss]

I know it's realistically probably not an option, but has anyone thought about cutting the pool in half, subs and targets? It's certainly big enough.

[JWLaRue]

We have talked about leaving one of the floating swim lane barriers up.....the one at the end nearest the door. But there really are only two surface skippers that seem incapable of watching their boats while running and executing reasonable control.

But cutting it in half? No....most of the surface boaters would not be able to run in that 'skinny' of an area. We could limit the FunRuns to submarines only, but that would increase the per-person cost for renting the Y considerably.

I think next time I will bring out some of my battery-operated torpedoes.

-Jeff

[eckloss]

I've run a few subs there over the years, and it's true that you have to be on guard. We need a fire boat with a working hose. Soak the f*ckers.

[JWLaRue]

Wheeler's tug boat has an operating fire monitor....and he *loves* to squirt people. (that's a hint!)

-Jeff

[Parallax]

My dad has a fireboat but we have not been able to get the pump to prime. Maybe I'll get it working for next one. Also doesn't ace have cable cutters on his type VII lol