U.S. Navy missile-launching Submarines Discussed at free lecture March 22 at New York State Military Museum

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (03/19/2014)(readMedia)-- How missile-launching submarines work, what it is like to live on one and how can U.S. Navy missile submarines, known as "boomers," be adapted for female sailors will be some of the topics covered during a Saturday, March 22 talk at the New York State Military Museum.

Fort Edward resident Ray Misiewicz, who spent over 43 years designing nuclear reactors for Navy submarines at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, will tell the story of the development of the American nuclear ballistic missile submarine fleet, starting with the U.S.S. George Washington's launch in 1959 to the U.S.S. Ohio-class Trident missile submarines which are still at sea providing a nuclear deterrent.

Misiewicz holds a Masters Degree in Mechanical/Nuclear Engineering and before retiring worked on the design of the nuclear reactors which power the Seawolf and Virginia class of nuclear attack submarines. Misiewicz, who is an associate member of the American Submarine Veterans Inc. , has received the group's Ben Bastura Historical Achievement Award.

The illustrated lecture starts at 2 p.m. and is sponsored by the Friends of the New York State Military Museum, a not-for-profit group which raises funds to help support the military museum. The lecture is free to the public.

Along with discussing the history of the American ballistic missile submarine progam, Misiewicz will explain how nuclear missiles are launched underwater, the tactics ballistic missile submarines employ, the purpose the submarine launched nuclear missiles play in America's defense and why the submarines are called boomers.

Misiewicz has lectured frequently about the United States Navy's nuclear submarines at venues throughout the Capital Region.

A video of Misiewicz discussing his talks can be found here:

http://vimeo.com/56424591

The New York State Military Museum is located at 61 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 and is administered by the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. The museum serves as a repository for artifacts which tell the story of New York's Military history and features collections highlighting the history of World War I and II, the Civil War, the Revolutionary War and the New York State Militia in the 18th and 19th centuries.