--- title: "Navy SEALs Boarding Submarine Via Osprey Seen In Stunning Photos" description: "The Department of Defense has [released some vivid images]() of [SEALs]() performing an exercise with a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered guided missile submarine (SSGN)." date: "2023-03-18" modified: "2023-03-18" authors: - name: "Oliver Parken" job_title: "Former Associate Editor" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/oliver-parken" url: "https://www.twz.com/navy-seals-boarding-submarine-via-osprey-seen-in-stunning-photos" categories: - "Navy SEALs" - "Nuclear Guided Missile Submarines (SSGNs)" - "Ohio Class (SSGN variant)" - "Sea" - "Special Warfare" - "Submarines" --- # Navy SEALs Boarding Submarine Via Osprey Seen In Stunning Photos ![USS Florida]() *U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton* The Department of Defense has [released some vivid images]() of [SEALs]() performing an exercise with a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered guided missile submarine (SSGN). The exercise saw East Coast-based Navy SEALs participate in a special operations forces interoperability exercise aboard the *Ohio* class USS *Florida* (SSGN-728). This took place on February 26 in the Mediterranean Sea, although the DoD only released the images on March 17. As you can see below, a [CV-22 Osprey](), assigned to the USAF’s 7th Special Operations Squadron, 352nd Special Operations Wing, approaches USS *Florida.* Navy SEALs then prepare to be winched down onto the submarine. ![]() *CV-22 Osprey approaches USS *Florida*. *U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton** ![]() *A Navy SEAL overlooks USS *Florida* from the CV-22 Osprey. *U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton** ![]() *The view above USS *Florida. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton** As many will quickly remember, the general maneuver was made famous in [*The Hunt For Red October*]()*.* The good news is that the SEALs appear to have had an easier time boarding than Jack Ryan did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O33FK3xWFRU Several of the images give clear views of the Navy SEALs as they are winched down to the sub below. They are kitted-out with their rifles and wear night-vision goggles. They also have smart phone-sized computer tablets attached to their chests which can also record video. Close-up images of the Navy SEALs' faces have been blurred to obscure their identities. ![]() *Navy SEAL begins to winch down to USS *Florida*. **U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton*** ![]() *Navy SEAL being winched. **U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton*** ![]() ***U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton*** ![]() ***U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton*** ![]() *A Navy SEAL. Note the phone-sized tablet with a U.S. flag patch attached to its back. **U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton*** ![]() *Navy SEAL winching down to USS *Florida*. **U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton*** A large circled x appears to have been painted on the submarine's upper hull, where it's missile tubes are, as an improvized target for winching-down loads. ![]() *Another view above USS *Florida. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton** While the rappelling shots do appear to feature Navy SEALs, a[ second set of images]() released by the DoD shows Navy SEALs and Greek Special Operations Forces (SOF) landing a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) aboard the submarine. ![]() *Navy SEALs and Greek Special Operations Forces (SOF) landing a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) aboard USS *Florida*. *U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Dickinson** ![]() **U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Dickinson** ![]() **U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Dickinson** USS *Florida* was also accompanied by two patrol boats during the exercise. The official DoD image captions on the first set of images indicate that these are NATO special operations forces [MK-V patrol boats](). On inspection, they appear to be Greek MK-Vs. ![]() *USS *Florida* accompanied by NATO special operations forces MK-V patrol boats. **U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton*** According to the official image captions on both sets of images, the exercise “demonstrate\[s\] U.S. European Command’s ability to rapidly deploy Special Operations Forces throughout the theater at a time and place of our choosing, and the U.S. commitment to train with Allies and partners to deploy and fight as multinational forces and SOF to meet today’s challenges.” As we highlighted [in this past *War Zone* piece](), the Osprey is particularly well-equipped in accessing U.S. nuclear submarines, such as USS *Florida*. From our 2022 article: The type's range and speed allow it to go where helicopters cannot and do so faster, as needed. This could include executing medical evacuations, delivering small cargoes, or moving special operations personnel on or off a submarine. The latter is especially relevant for the Navy's four SSGNs, which have a fundamental special operations mothership and command and control mission. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Qcpt-fiU09s Along with the Navy’s three other *Ohio* class nuclear-powered guided-missile submarines, USS *Florida* is known for its ability to carry special operators into contested environments and work as command and control centers for those missions, as well as being able to sling up to [154 Tomahawk missiles](). A more typical load for these submarines is [around 100 Tomahawk missiles.]() ![]() *USS *Florida* in the Mediterranean Sea. **U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton*** Originally a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), the Navy began configuring USS *Florida* into a guided missile submarine (SSGN) in 2002 along with USS *Georgia*, USS *Michigan* and USS *Ohio*. Navy SEALs can depart USS *Florida* directly via two diver lockout chambers, or by using a [swimmer delivery vehicle]() (SDV) via the installation of up to two [dry dock shelters]() (DDS) that sit over the diver lockout chambers, as seen in the photo below from this new set of images. ![]() *A longer look at USS *Florida* from above*. *U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Westin Warburton*** Once deployed, USS *Florida* can support Navy SEALs via intelligence from its sensors and drones, and from a vast array of other sources via its advanced communications systems. It can also provide overall command and control and coordination of complex amphibious special operations missions. You can read more about the history of the Navy’s *Ohio* class SSGN submarines [in this past *War Zone* feature.]() As of March 16, USS *Florida* was located in the Bay of Naples, southwest of Italy. According to U.S. Sixth Fleet, the submarine stopped there for “personnel and provisions,” as well as to demonstrate the continued strength of relations between the U.S. and fellow NATO member state Italy. As [we’ve discussed in the past,]() it’s unusual for the Navy to reveal the locations of its SSGNs, but it does happen from time to time. This especially tends to occur at times of heightened international tension. The Navy has periodically let the presence of its SSGNs in the Mediterranean be known during the buildup to, and following, Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine. https://twitter.com/USNavyEurope/status/1636635403892449280?s=20 All in all, the images really give you a sense of the scale of the big SSGNs, and are a reminder of their embarked highly potent special operations teams which can quickly be put into action right in the enemy’s own backyard. *Contact the author: [oliver@thewarzone.com]()* ## Author Oli’s background is in the cultural and military history of twentieth-century Britain. Before joining *The War Zone* team in early in 2022, he was Assistant Lecturer at the University of Kent's Center for the History of War, Media and Society in the U.K., where he completed his PhD in 2021. Alongside his contributions to *The War Zone*'s military history catalog, he also covers contemporary topics and breaking news. ### Author social links [Twitter]()