Outskirts Press, INC.

"Super Nuke" is a MEMOIR - describing in detail what once was a carefully guarded secret -- one of the most highly sophisticated, powerful and effective war machines ever designed by man--the first operational nuclear fast attack submarine specifically designed to "go up close and personal" against the Soviet Union in the Cold War -- the "Super Nuke." The book takes you on entertaining journey about what it takes to become a nuclear qualified submarine officer, the meticulous detail in building the Super Nuke, the first three super secret "special operations," and the successful efforts to communicate and share the lessons learned by this "Super Nuke" with the entire US Naval submarine force toward the collective effort of winning the Cold War. This is a first hand and eyewitness account of the highly classified and spooky world of the nuclear fast attack submarine--largely invisible to the general public throughout the Cold War. It should serve to motivate young people to consider the nuclear navy as a career, to share some of the lighter and darker moments in the history of nuclear submarines, and to properly credit the significant contributions of an amazing commanding officer as well as the highly competent officers and crew who quietly and effectively served their country with honor and dignity. Super Nuke is not a "tell all." In fact, it has been cleared for publication by the United States Navy to share a story about service and contributions of a combination of money well spent and individual competence of the highest caliber. Put simply and not so modestly, the US Naval nuclear submarine force--both ballistic missile and fast attack submarines--quietly won the Cold War.

Chapter One - The Beginnings I could see her in the distance, facing me and lying low in the water at the end of Pier 22 at the US Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. She appeared sinister--like a predator ready to stalk her prey. She was black, had no hull numbers, carried no flag, but I could see the two tall masts rising out of the top of her single coal black sail--a periscope and a radio mast. She was a submarine--a fast attack nuclear submarine--but not just any submarine. She was the Super Nuke--the first operational 637 class submarine specifically designed to face the Soviet Union. And she looked anxious to get underway and take care of business. It was dark--two o'clock in the morning, and there was a slight fog which made the scene even more mysterious. The topside watch-stander returned my salute as I walked aboard and climbed down the hatch just after the black steel sail. After getting a cup of much- needed black coffee from the wardroom, I went back aft to assume my duty as the Engineering Officer of the Watch. After joining the three maneuvering watch-standers in the engineering control space (called "maneuvering") and settling on my stool, I said to the Engineering Watch Supervisor, "EWS, commence a normal reactor plant start-up." With that command, we began the careful and well-rehearsed procedure to wake up the multi-megawatt nuclear power plant and prepare to go to sea. Shortly the Super Nuke would be operating under its own nuclear power. She was armed and ready for her first adventure--an encounter with the Soviet navy.