This is a scene from Crimson Tide that's near the finale. Here is a copy/paste snippet rundown for what the command means:
“Material Condition” is a Navy-wide ship readiness code, similar to the national DEFCON code. It incorporates a number, and may include one or more letters. It indicates battle readiness, much like the conditions used on surface ships (X-RAY, YOKE and ZEBRA, which indicate which water-tight doors are closed), but also includes crew readiness for battle. Condition 4 is least ready, Condition 1 is most ready.
Condition 4. In-port, with the in-port duty section.
Condition 3. At sea, peacetime conditions. The only threats are fire and collision.
Condition 2. Wartime steaming. Battle could happen at any time. This is the Material Condition of every SSBN while on patrol. The reason, is that if an adversary intends to conduct a nuclear First Strike, its first action, before launch, would be to sink every enemy SSBN it could, to limit a retaliatory Second Strike.
Condition 1. Battlestations.
The letters that follow are specific to the type of ship and specific mission. For example, on a Knox-class frigate at Battlestations against a submarine (ASW — Anti-Submarine Warfare mission) we set Condition 1AS. On a Skate-class SSN, we set Condition 1S. On both George Washington and Ohio-class SSBNs, when we stationed Battlestations, Missile, we set Material Condition 1SQ.
Anyone have any sauce that can possibly link to recent activity for the USS George Washington or any other Ohio-class SSBNs?
Additional contextual info; crimson tide is a film following the actions of an XO aboard the US Ballistic Missile Sub USS Alabama. During film, emergency action orders are received ordering Alabama to ready for missile launch in event that enemy held missile silos are detected fueling their ICBMs. Additional orders then received warning the silos are fueling ICBMs, a Pre-emptive strike is authorized.
Shortly following receipt and authentication of orders, Alabama comes under attack from Russian fast attack submarine, during combat radio communications are severed and damaged mid-way through receipt of a third emergency action message, message is cut off before being received in full.
Unable to authenticate incomplete set of orders, Captain decides to proceed with most recently authenticated order, and prepares to launch pre-emptive strike against enemy Silos, XO is unwilling to concur with captain's actions without full receipt of most recent emergency action orders, as such per naval regulation nuclear strike cannot be launched.
Context; prior to 1996, launch authority of a nuclear strike rested with the XO and captain of a US Nuclear Missile submarine, after sole authority to launch rested with POTUS.
As a result, XO decides to relieve Captain of command and delay launch until third received emergency action orders can be authenticated, a push and pull fight for control ensues between crew loyal to captain and crew who agree with XO.
Film Climax; As captain retakes command of Alabama, radio comms are restored, and the third Emergency Action order is received and authenticated in full. Third order states to abort nuclear launch, as enemy forces controlling Silos have surrendered unconditionally.
Exact context Q post refers to; unknown.
Possible inference; Don't jump the gun, finger on the trigger, but wait till clear orders are received.
Assume nothing, obtain confirmation before taking action.
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Link in Qpost: https://yarn.co/yarn-clip/8b64b97c-f7e2-45d7-821a-0e4829c0eb6f
This is a scene from Crimson Tide that's near the finale. Here is a copy/paste snippet rundown for what the command means:
“Material Condition” is a Navy-wide ship readiness code, similar to the national DEFCON code. It incorporates a number, and may include one or more letters. It indicates battle readiness, much like the conditions used on surface ships (X-RAY, YOKE and ZEBRA, which indicate which water-tight doors are closed), but also includes crew readiness for battle. Condition 4 is least ready, Condition 1 is most ready.
Condition 4. In-port, with the in-port duty section.
Condition 3. At sea, peacetime conditions. The only threats are fire and collision.
Condition 2. Wartime steaming. Battle could happen at any time. This is the Material Condition of every SSBN while on patrol. The reason, is that if an adversary intends to conduct a nuclear First Strike, its first action, before launch, would be to sink every enemy SSBN it could, to limit a retaliatory Second Strike.
Condition 1. Battlestations.
The letters that follow are specific to the type of ship and specific mission. For example, on a Knox-class frigate at Battlestations against a submarine (ASW — Anti-Submarine Warfare mission) we set Condition 1AS. On a Skate-class SSN, we set Condition 1S. On both George Washington and Ohio-class SSBNs, when we stationed Battlestations, Missile, we set Material Condition 1SQ.
Anyone have any sauce that can possibly link to recent activity for the USS George Washington or any other Ohio-class SSBNs?
Edit: Thank you plymouth!
incorrect; this is not from hunt for Red October; clip is from the film crimson tide
You're correct, thank you! I have recently watched both not too long ago and must have mixed them up.
Additional contextual info; crimson tide is a film following the actions of an XO aboard the US Ballistic Missile Sub USS Alabama. During film, emergency action orders are received ordering Alabama to ready for missile launch in event that enemy held missile silos are detected fueling their ICBMs. Additional orders then received warning the silos are fueling ICBMs, a Pre-emptive strike is authorized.
Shortly following receipt and authentication of orders, Alabama comes under attack from Russian fast attack submarine, during combat radio communications are severed and damaged mid-way through receipt of a third emergency action message, message is cut off before being received in full.
Unable to authenticate incomplete set of orders, Captain decides to proceed with most recently authenticated order, and prepares to launch pre-emptive strike against enemy Silos, XO is unwilling to concur with captain's actions without full receipt of most recent emergency action orders, as such per naval regulation nuclear strike cannot be launched.
Context; prior to 1996, launch authority of a nuclear strike rested with the XO and captain of a US Nuclear Missile submarine, after sole authority to launch rested with POTUS.
As a result, XO decides to relieve Captain of command and delay launch until third received emergency action orders can be authenticated, a push and pull fight for control ensues between crew loyal to captain and crew who agree with XO.
Film Climax; As captain retakes command of Alabama, radio comms are restored, and the third Emergency Action order is received and authenticated in full. Third order states to abort nuclear launch, as enemy forces controlling Silos have surrendered unconditionally.
Exact context Q post refers to; unknown.
Possible inference; Don't jump the gun, finger on the trigger, but wait till clear orders are received.
Assume nothing, obtain confirmation before taking action.