As Tyler says: “Clearly the cruise missile strike was a blatant advertisement of capability and show of force on Russia’s behalf, as well as a slap in the face...”

Here’s a year old article that describes your reference to the rumored primary purpose:

Finally, the Israeli submariners will get some high-value target, real world training in. Have fun guys!

Amen...Reserve and Guard units have some of the best pilots and morale.

Again, William, your ignorance shines rather brightly.

Glad to have gotten a rise out of you, William.

Although no airframe hours will be wasted in a real-world environment such as this, I agree that Putin isn’t afraid of us or anyone else.

And...it will be great training for real-time air space battle management for the boys in blue...

Putin has nothing to lose and much to gain by gathering the intel and even picking a fight.

I’m pleased to see the USAF getting more global business, even over a coastal state.

Fucking high-larious!

Yep...my memory isn’t what it used to be...but no evidence for the Typhoon.

Shit....ans Sierra...so much for my memory...gotta dust off Norman Polmar before I comment...

...oops...and Papa...

Please provide your professional sources to this claim.

Far more impressive for Putin’s ego would be to surface the Typhoon off a busy East or West Coast beach in full view of the American patrons after sailing undetected.

Correct! Only Alfa and Mike were titanium. Too costly for the Typhoon.

I plead the Fifth!...but I seem to recall that most of my “gripes” got the standard: “Unable to duplicate...Checks 4.0 on deck!”

Yep and too many myopic individuals that didn’t forsee that ASW would/will always be a critical warfare area.

Eljefe...Hope you are well.