There is this interesting tidbit in the wiki article on the Dallas. “As a part of the overhaul, Dallas was fitted with a removable Dry Deck Shelter configuration. This large chamber, fitted aft of the sail, has an array of air, water and hydraulic systems that allow Dallas to employ the latest submarine arsenal: the Swimmer Delivery Vehicle – a highly mobile and virtually undetectable means of carrying out special forces missions.” While the Russians have to stare at this ground Special Forces, US or allied, can go around the other way. Somewhat surprised the Russians didn’t pull out all stops to get the Turks to say no to the submarine. The Russians should have the sea well covered with acoustic sensors since it is their bathtub. The Turks have some good diesel boats. At this point the Russians should just get out.

We did not try to put large ampibs in the Black Sea. US amphibs are just to big to meet the Montreaux limits. I suppose a LSD with an LCAC would be nice to have but I don’t know if I’d really want to put a whole Amphibious Ready Group in there. The LHD/LHA probably wouldn’t be allowed under the Montreaux convention anyway. This operation may get the Navy to restart the LCS program that was just cut at only two ships. We need old fashioned larger caliber gun cruisers for shore bombardment. Unfortunately we got rid of all the LKA cargo transports that would have been perfect for this operation as would have been the small LSTs. In this situation we can do like the Russians did and build up the troops as peacekeepers or humanitarian workers without using a Normandy type beach assault from landing craft.