Cold War submarine fleet is military historian topic

The history of the development and deployment of the Ballistic Missile Submarine Fleet used by the U.S. to protect itself from nuclear attack is the topic for the Monday, Oct. 21, meeting of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Military Historians.

The group meets at the Rose-Harms American Legion hall, 1540 13th Ave., Grafton.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by the presentation by retired Navy Lt. John Lindstedt.

Lindstedt is a former nuclear submarine officer qualified in submarines who in 1974 served on the USS Kamehameha SSBN 642, part of the ballistic missile fleet.

His duties were to operate and maintain the S5W nuclear reactor plant and all associated propulsion equipment as the ship’s main propulsion assistant.

Lindstedt also served in the Merchant Marine as a marine engineer in the waters of northern Europe and South America.

The program will discuss the development of the weapon system under the pressures generated by the escalating Cold War, the people responsible for the construction program, typical deployment cycles and the effect of the John Walker Spy Ring in passing  classified  naval information to the Kremlin on the operation and deployment of the SSBN fleet.

The cost is $20, which includes a dinner  and the speaker’s presentation. A limited number of $8 seats are available for the program only.

For reservations, call Ken Grigas at 284-1090 or email rsvp@mkemh.org.