Always nice to see the “Marines back in Submarines” so to speak.
Check out these recent images of Force Reconnaissance Marines from the 2nd Recon Battalion conducting dive operations near the submarine USS Georgia (SSGN-729), in the Mediterranean Sea.
240727-N-DE439-1001
Of course, the Recon Marines are wearing more basic open-circuit skin diving rigs than cool guy closed-circuit Draegers, but training is training.
Plus, they got a chance to CRRC it up from Georgia’s deck, a task that the Marines are spending more time doing going forward with the whole switch from Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) to Littoral Craft by units such as the 4th Amtrac Bn.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (July 31, 2024) U.S. Marines from the 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, assigned to Task Force 61/2, conduct dive operations with Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) while underway in the Mediterranean Sea July 31, 2024. (U.S. Navy Courtesy Photo)
The old stubborn mule of the SSGN force, Georgia, formerly SSBN-729, is officially homeported in Kings Bay but tends to roam far and wide. For instance, a 100K mile/790-day forward deployment in 2020-22 that included crossing into the Persian Gulf.
Christened back in 1982, she conducted 65 strategic deterrent patrols as a bomber before she was converted to her current cruise missile & commando bus format which she has sported for the past 20 years.
While in the Med as part of the Sixth Fleet, she just got orders for what could be a very busy trip.