Navy Archives

That's How you Name a Ship

By Bull Nav

There was some discussion in my post the other day about ship naming and how it has...progressed.

Well, Navy Times is reporting on the name of the last ship of the ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG51) class.

The last Arleigh Burke-class destroyer will bear the name of a Navy SEAL awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan.

The Michael Murphy, DDG 112, honors Lt. Michael P. Murphy, who led a four-man team searching for a key Taliban leader in mountains near Asadabad, Afghanistan.

Remember that another Medal of Honor recipient was also recently honored this way.

I believe that this is how you name ships: by honoring those who have gone before you. Individuals, battles, prior ships...that is tradition, that is honor.

That is something you can stand behind and hold your head up high.

Another Fast Boat Commissioned

By Bull Nav

080503-N-2888Q-044 WILMINGTON, N.C. (May 3, 2008) Crew members render salutes as they officially bring the newest Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777) to life during her commissioning ceremony. North Carolina is the fourth Virginia-class submarine to be commissioned and the first major U.S. Navy combatant vessel class designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. North Carolina will be homeported in Groton, Conn., as a member of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Lucy M. Quinn (Released)

The VIRGINIA Class SSN's are some incredible boats, with innovative design features.

I hope we build enough of them...

USS Independence launched!

By Pinch

No, not the carrier, silly! The second hull-form of the new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class, was launched on 29 April in Mobile, Alabama.

What is truly funky about this puppy is its tri-hull catamaran design! Imaging you are a squalid little pirate off the horn of Africa and you see this gaping maw chasing you down:

General Dynamics is honchoing this version of the LCS, with the ship being built by Austal Shipyards in LA (Lower Alabama, for you uninitiated). Lockheed Martin is building the other half of the LCS ships, with a more conventional monohull design. The Lockheed Martin boys have run into some problems, though, with serious cost over-runs to the tune of having the next 2 LCS ship construction programs canceled (ouch).

I'm looking forward to seeing this beast when it hits the bounding main for sea trials. Over at the Instapinch are a few more pictures. Enjoy!

Yeah, You Should Probably Watch This

By John

PBS' Carrier: Life Aboard the USS Nimitz, debuting tomorrow (Sunday) evening.

108 Years Ago

By Bull Nav

On 11 April 1900, the Navy took delivery of the first submarine, SS-1. Since then, today has always marked the birthday of the Submarine Force.

From those humble beginnings, it grew to have a significant impact on the war with Japan. While comprising less than 2% of the Navy, the Submarine Force accounted for 55% of all Japanese ships sunk during World War II.

Today, about 3% of the Navy manpower (about 10,000 men) man the 52 SSNs, 14 SSBNs, and 4 SSGNs that comprise the force (about 21% of our total combatants). Though you don't hear of them much in this day an age of the Global War on Terror, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, rest assured that those guys are going to sea and making significant contributions.

It is not for nothing, that our Submarine Force is referred to as the "Silent Service." During the '90s while the number of submarines was cut in half, worldwide combatant commander requirements increased 1000%. SSNs went to sea for months at a stretch, in radio silence. Likewise the SSBNs continued with their deterrent patrols, just as they have since the days of the 41 for Freedom.

They are always out there, always on patrol or on a mission.

Happy Birthday!

For more info, go to the SUBLANT history or the USS NAUTILUS (SSN571) Museum website.

Also, The Subreport has a daily roundup of submarine-related issues.

UPDATE: Since LtCol P asked (and Richard answered quite nicely) in the comments, I did not realize some folks might not know what the SSGN is. You can go to the SUBLANT site here to see the detail on the conversion of the first 4 Tridents to carry up to 154 Tomahawk Cruise missles, and a whole bunch of SPECWAR folks.

USS THRESHER (SSN593)

By Bull Nav

It was 45 years ago today that we lost the first of two nuclear submarines.

The USS THRESHER (SSN593), the first of a new class of fast attack submarines, was lost with all hands while conducting sea trials off the coast of Massachusetts.

The Navy quickly figured out what went wrong and made some sweeping operational and material changes (to include implementation of the SUBSAFE Program) which significantly enhanced subarine operations.

There will be a memorial service this Saturday in Kittery, ME.

Fox Fallon Out as CENTCOM

By Bull Nav

As I am sure most everyone has heard by now, ADM Fallon has submitted his resignation (and retirement request) which has been accepted by SECDEF. The official release is here at Defenselink.

Most folks point to this Esquire article as the straw that broke the camel's back.

I remember when he took over last year and thinking that he was overstepping his bounds as a Combatant Commander. You might be a 4-star, but the CINC is the one who makes the policy.

At home from work tonight, I got a call from a guy I know at work. Nice enough fellow, younger, tends towards the Dem side of things. He has not been in a leadership position and does not understand what that means. He wanted to know if this was normal, if anyone else in this type of situation would have resigned.

I explained to him command and accountability. I explained to him the Oath of Office and what it entails. I explained that when you can't follow the bosses policies, then it's time to go.

Not sure if he got it...

I hope ADM (soon to be retired) Fallon enjoys retirement. Wonder where he will pop up next?

Happy Birthday, USS JEFFERSON CITY (SSN759)

By Bull Nav

(Photo: USS JEFFERSON CITY Website)

Ah, my first boat, that on which I qualified Submarines and on which I am a Plankowner.

It was a cold, clear, blustery day at Pier 23 on Norfolk Naval Base.

The crew was formed up in ranks at the back of a pavilion on the pier, when the wind really picked up. The tent posts at the front began to weaken and the lines securing the tent began to come undone. The SUBLANT Chief of Staff, a likeable man name CAPT Al Konetzni (Big Al, the Sailor's Pal) came back and started grabbing guys to go up and hold the tent posts.

I remember him clearly saying, "A case of beer to everyone who comes up and keeps this thing from blowing down."

Eventually, the entire crew, with the exception of the Chiefs and Officers was up front, holding onto the tent posts to keep them from snapping.

When the order was given to "Man the rails" we ran across the brow and stood at attention topside, just barely keeping our footing. I remember feeling like we were going to get blown into the Elizabeth River...and did I say it was cold?

No one was knocked off the boat and the ceremony was cut short to allow everyone to head across the base for the reception.

Two days later we got underway for some fun in the VACAPES.

LAKE ERIE GETS SOME

By Bull Nav

080220-N-XXXXX-025 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb 20, 2008) At a single modified tactical Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) launches from the U.S. Navy AEGIS cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), successfully impacting a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite approximately 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) over the Pacific Ocean, as it traveled in space at more than 17,000 mph. President George W. Bush decided to bring down the satellite because of the likelihood that the satellite could release hydrazine fuel upon impact, possibly in populated areas. U.S. Navy photo (Released)

More information is available here.

I know those guys are excited. BZ to all the folks that made this happen.

I wonder what our Far Eastern friends think...

UPDATE: I found this cool video on the Phibian's website.

I must say, I think this is great that we are showing this to the world. I know China shot down a satellite last year, but we did this from a ship at sea.

And no matter what anyone thinks, if we really want to, our ships can still show up unannounced on someone's front doorstep...

Riverine Patrol

By Slab

Hey folks, I know it's been a little while since my last update. In lieu of a long-winded post about nonsense, here are some photos from a recent operation with Riverine Squadron Two (RIVRON 2) on Lake Qadisiyah.

Update: You can't read it, but the Riverine Patrol Boat (RPB) in the second picture has the name "BM1 James E. Williams" stenciled on the side. I had no idea who that was, so I decided to look it up. And that is how I came to find out about the most decorated enlisted Sailor in the history of the United States Navy. One hell of a warrior.

More after the jump.

Read More »

No Sonar in the SOCALs

By Bull Nav

Well, once again, a court has decided that it knows what is best for the country:

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― A federal judge says the Navy must follow environmental laws placing strict limits on sonar training.

So the ball is now back into the President's court, while our ASW readiness continues to be affected because some people would attempt to protect the environment based on faulty (or no) data (and where have we heard that before?).

ASW - Anti-submarine Warfare - is not an easy game. The primary tool surface ships have is active sonar, which is when you put sound energy into the water and look for a "return" similar to a radar return. In the undersea environment, there can be lots of things that cause false returns: schools of fish, whales, ships, and undersea mountains, just to name a few. When the operators get little to no practice, they will not be ready when a real situation comes along.

Therefore, as I see it, these judges are affecting readiness and the ability of the Navy to do its part, as chartered by Congress, to defend the country. Making decisions based on feelings and a serious lack of data are going to cost us one day in a big way.

These guys need to back off, and let the Navy train the way it needs to train.

Sad Day for SEALs

By Bull Nav

When I hear of a SEAL being killed in combat, I don't ever get the impression it was something easy (read Lone Survivor - you will understand what I am talking about).

Today, I came across this report:

Chief Petty Officer Michael E. Koch, 29,of State College, Pa., and Chief Petty Officer Nathan H. Hardy, 29, of Durham, N.H., died Feb. 4, from wounds suffered from small arms fire during combat operations in Iraq.

From the Virginian Pilot:

Hardy, of Durham, N.H., is survived by his parents, wife and a seven-month old son. Koch, of State College, Penn., leaves behind his parents and a fiancee. The sailors' commanding officer said the men "were extraordinary brave SEALs, honored teammates and great Americans."

Both had previously received Bronze Stars in addition to other awards.

I offer my condolences to their families while at the same time I thank God we have such men.

Early Breakout and Why I Would Have Missed It

By Bull Nav

I think I was back by now.

It’s been a while, but looking at a January 1989 calendar, I believe I got back to barracks after the Christmas Break 19 years ago today.

You see, had Breakout occurred for our Rats the last weekend in January 1989, I would have missed it, thanks to the US Navy and my desire for a commission.

I don’t have very good eyesight, so I was medically ineligible for an ROTC scholarship. Finally, long about the end of our second class year,the Navy folks decided they would try to get me a waiver. This was the same time they put me in for the Nuclear Power interview at Crystal City.

I come back for our first class year and I was in the “College Program” where you don’t get a scholarship, but you get a stipend and it leads to a commission. Went to the interview at NR right around Founder’s Day 1988, and then I had to do a Midshipman cruise.

I had not done one before, so they set me up for a Christmas cruise. I was to fly out of my home in Naples, FL, and go to Hawaii. The mighty USS HONOLULU (SSN718) was the boat, for a short transit to Yokosuka, thence to Chinhae, ROK. Something like 11 days I would be gone, just enough time to make it back for the last semester.

Alas, ‘twas not to be.

Yes, I flew out to Pearl Harbor on Christmas Day 1988 and met the HONOLULU. Great ship, great CO (CDR Enright, became an admiral later). Left the next day thinking that all would be well on an uneventful transit across the Western Pacific.

About two days in, things changed.

If I remember things correctly, we pulled into Yokosuka on 30 January. I flew back home the next day and then drove back to Lexington.

I will never forget arriving back in front of barracks after BRC (but not much after). There was a little fog, but the sun was starting to clear everything off. It was in the 30s, like it should be.

I was back at the “I”, the Rats were in the ratline, and life was good. Only 5 months to go…

Three Huzzahs for "Six Frigates"!

By Lt Col P

I'm only about a quarter of the way into it, but unless this book completely goes flat, I'll be giving three huzzahs-- the only appropriate accolade-- to Ian Toll's history of the early American Navy, Six Frigates.

I started it earlier this week, I can't put it down. I read it in every free moment during a conference this week, and sometimes during not-free moments.

The book describes in great detail how and why America came to have its Navy-- note that, despite being a maritime nation, no one saw a need for a real naval defense-- and how in particular the little nation came to possess six extraordinary, innovative, and dare I say transformational vessels. At the time, the frigate build was the largest Federal spending project; it drew resources and skills from across the country. Not surprisingly, the project was also heavily politicized, controversial, over budget and off schedule. All (reassuringly) familiar. Much to my surprise I learned that even though American yards had turned out hundreds of ships by the end of the 18th century, the four 44s and two 38s were the biggest vessels ever built in America, and the size of the project strained the available workforce and technologies.

My one complaint is that so far I have found three (3!) instances of a failure to capitalize the title "Marine." Although I am incensed by it, I shall overlook it.

All in all, strongly recommended.

Two More '89 CO's

By Bull Nav

I was passed along information on our BR, CDR John Banigan, CO of the USS JOHN S MCCAIN (DDG56) some time ago, but never got around to posting on it in myself and LT COLP's effort to get the word out.

I also just came across my friend CDR Mark Joynt, who is CO of HM14. He and I worked together on several design projects during our First Class year and had more than a couple of cold ones.

Congratulations to both!

And for John, please note that of these two, one majored in Physics and the other in Mechanical Engineering.

Let's Help Iran Remember the Good Times

By Bull Nav

It was way back during me & LTCOL P's cadetship.

Ronald Reagan was the President. The US was escorting re-flagged tankers in the Persian Gulf.

OPERATION PRAYING MANTIS.

And yes, it was a RETALIATORY action.

IRGCN Trys to Lose Some Small Boats

By Bull Nav

Over the weekend, there was some excitement in the Straits of Hormuz according to CNN:

CNN) -- The U.S. military reported Monday on a "significant" confrontation involving five Iranian Revolutionary Guard boats that "harassed and provoked" three U.S. naval ships in international waters over the weekend.
U.S. military officials said the incident occurred early Sunday morning in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping channel leading in and out of the Persian Gulf.
The five Iranian ships made "threatening" moves -- in one case coming within 200 yards of a U.S. ship, the U.S. officials said.
In one radio transmission, the Iranians told the U.S. Navy: "I am coming at you. You will explode in a couple of minutes," the U.S. military officials told CNN.

It sounds like the un-named US Warships maintained extraordinary fire discipline.

When the U.S. ships heard that radio transmission, they took up their gun positions and officers were "in the process" of giving the order to fire when the Iranians abruptly turned away, the U.S. officials said.

The SOH transit is usually a high-stress, very well-planned event. Everyone is usually on their toes and ready to go.

It will be interesting to see what comes of this, especially since the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps took over Persian Gulf naval responsibilities for Iran.

Fox News has it, too.

Also, Galrahn and Spook86 have posted on this incident.

Thanksgivings Past

By Bull Nav

We are all thankful today for something.

I am thankful I am home, and that when I was on active duty, although I missed a few Thanksgivings (and one birth), I never missed a Christmas.

One of the Thanksgivings I missed was in 1999. The mighty USS SCRANTON was inport Bahrain, one of 4 port calls to that august center of US Navy operations in the Arabian Gulf.

A couple of other ships were in, too. Our carrier, the USS JOHN F KENNEDY and its shotgun, the USS MONTEREY were both inport. It didn't seem like a carrier was in...

Until the Joan Jett concert.

Beer was cheap and it was Ramadan, so no one was going into town. It was1999, the last century even, and 9/11 was still a couple of years away. We were the tip of the spear, ready to get to it with whoever wanted to make trouble. In port, it was time to party and let loose.

Our Chop (that is supply officer, for you non-Navy types) managed to get the entire band to sign our brow banner, but Joan Jett did not.

Drank a lot of beer and ROCKED OUT!

It was a good time in a foreign port, even though we were far away from our families.

We still had our Navy family.

Sunday we were underway and back at it.

No, You Divert Your Course

By John

It's an old Navy myth that the Navy insists never happened. But that doesn't make this commercial for Silva navigation any less funny.

No doubt that at some point in history, another milblogger has posted this. It ain't exactly fresh material. What can I say? There's no news coming out of Iraq, I need filler.

Dated or not, it still makes me laugh.

As for real Navy humor? You can't beat the Brits:

The former Soviet navy regarded the Black Sea as a private lake and disliked naval intrusions. In the early 1960s a British destroyer flotilla entered the Black Sea and the Russians rushed some cruisers out at high speed and closed in...
Russian cruisers signalled urgently: "What are you doing in the Black Sea?"
Reply: "Twenty-one knots".

Course the Ruskies got their own jabs in:

A Soviet 'trawler' had been shadowing a NATO exercise for several days taking notes and gathering SIGINT.

As the ships queued up to refuel a British frigate signalled her: "Do you require refuelling?"

Reply: "Not if your exercise finishes on time".

Baaaaaaaaah!

Action on the High Seas

By Bull Nav

The mighty USS PORTER (DDG78) gets some.

071028-N-0000X-185 INDIAN OCEAN (Oct. 28, 2007) - A pirate skiff burns after being hit by several rounds from a 25mm gun aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78). The skiff belonged to a group of pirates that had taken a cargo ship. U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED)

A fine COMDESRON 2 ship.

I am looking forward to hearing more about this.

"All Hands to General Quarters"

By Bull Nav

So spoke CDR Ernest Evans, Commanding Officer of the USS JOHNSTON (DD557), as Kurita's Center Force bore down on TAFFYIII.

He continued:

Prepare to attack major portion of the Japanese fleet.
All engines ahead flank.
Commence making smoke and stand by for a torpedo attack.
Left full rudder.

And thus the CO and crew headed off into history and doom in the few short hours they had left. On his own initiative, before being ordered to do so, CDR Evans drove his ship towards the overwhelming Japanese force to defend the 6 jeep carriers he was escorting.

Sixty-three years ago today.

Five ships of 13 in TAFFY III lost. Over 1000 men killed.

Yet, the superior Japanese force which could have easily crushed them and then went on to slaughter the invasion force in Leyte Gulf turned around and ran.

After all was said and done, 1 PUC, 1 MOH, 29 Navy Crosses, 2 Silver Stars, and 2 Bronze Stars were awarded.

The story of the Battle Off Samar is well chronicled in James Hornfischer's Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors.

Additionally, you can find more information at The Battle Off Samar website.

"Her Sides Are Made of Iron!"

By Lt Col P

On this day in 1797, America's oldest warship slipped off the ways into Boston harbor and was launched on a career that has yet to end. One of the six original frigates of the US Navy, she and her sister ships were larger than the frigates of other navies, and were built to outrun those they could not outgun, and vice versa.

Although she is most famous for a series of stunning victories over British vessels in the War of 1812, her in-service years saw peace as well as war. Before 1812 she saw action in the Med against the Barbary pirates, and against the French in the Quasi-War.

She is still in commission today.

Kinda Like That

By Bull Nav

Driving west-bound along I94 in Michigan tonight it was damn windy. My F150 was getting blown around and buffetted all over the road. It was impossible to tell the direction of the wind because the sun had long since set and the usual points of reference (trees, flags, etc.) were masked by the darkness.

It reminded me of an underway.

Now, when a hurricane is headed for your port, the ships all get to go to sea because they would be severely damaged if/when the hurricane force winds hit. Not to mention the tidal surge. It would be a bad situation, so you sortie the fleet.

I don't remember the names of the storms, but we sortied from Norfolk in 98 and 99 for hurricanes.

They get everyone ready and come up with a schedule, but when it comes down to it, you go based on who is ready first. And based on when the carriers need to go because they suck up all the tugs.

One ship gets out in the channel and the tugs go get the next one.

In this case we were the second unit to go. I think the first was a battle-FFG.

It was an amazing sight when we got to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Looking astern out the scope, there was a ship/submarine/big deck every 500-1000 yards all the way up the channel. You might have thought we were going to war, but for the fact there was a storm coming.

What to do ships do for a hurricane? They try to avoid it. Go to sea and try to drive around it as it goes ashore.

What do submarines do? Head straight for it and submerge.

Imagine you have these nice long rollers coming in on the reciprocal of the ship's head. You are driving straight into the seas, which are intensifying as the night settles in.

After a while, the boat starts pitching with a very slow period because the period of these waves is pretty long. As OOD, you are sitting on the bridge trying to see if there is anything out there. You have no night vision because the submarine ID beacon is flashing right behind you and the masthead light is right above that.

Not that anyone in there right mind is out in this mess.

Soon you start taking waves. The bad part (which is what I was reminded of tonight) was that you can't see the waves coming. One second you are squinting into the darkness, the next you are being thrown around as a wave crashes over you. Maybe one comes from right off the bow and then a few minutes later one comes from the starboard beam.

You never know where or when the next one is going to get you.

After a couple of hours, you get close to the dive point so then you can go below after rigging the bridge for dive.

Cold, wet, and dark.

Yeah, lots of fun.

Now an SSN and an HSL Squadron

By Bull Nav

LTCOL P set me up a couple of weeks ago, and I have been a little busy so I am severely delinquent in making this post two more of our Brother Rats.

First off, CDR Ed Herrington took command of the USS HAWAII (SSN776) in August. There are several articles and links at the Navy League's USS HAWAII website here. Ed and I are the only guys from 89 who made it through Nuclear Power School and went on to submarines. He is very sharp and will do well in command.

Secondly, CDR Rick Skiff is the CO of HSL-42, the Proud Warriors, in Jacksonville, FL. Note that HSL-42 flies the SH-60B Seahawk which was recently featured here at OP-FOR.

Congratulations to both of our BRs, who both received engineering degrees from VMI (take note John).

Sidewinder on Final

By Bull Nav

A Hornet from the Sidewinders of VFA-86 is about to land on the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN65) while deployed in the Persian Gulf.

Here's the guy who took the picture:

Does he look cool like the LSO's try to look (of which he was receiving training on) or does he really look like a misplaced submariner?

Ah, If Only Yamamoto Had Lived to See It

By John

By PSYOP Cop

Japan launched the Hyuga, its new “helicopter-carrying destroyer” (gotta love their use of language on that one) several days ago.

First thing that impresses me is that, if you have a flat, long deck that can launch helicopters, it probably doesn’t take much to tack on a ski-jump for V/STOL aircraft.

Second (and I read this in another article about the Hyuga), its complement of Sparrows are housed in VLS tubes, which are also capable of carrying Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Oh, and the last time the Japanese Navy sailed the Hyuga, it was a battleship turned into an aircraft carrier and was sunk in June 1945 off the island of Kure by Curtiss Helldivers of VB-87 flying from USS Ticonderoga.

But, being that the Japanese are now a close ally, I wish this new Hyuga and her crew all the best.

PSYOP Cop is a VMI alumnus with experience in the psychological operations field.

John adds - Destroyer my ass....

How 'bout Another "Picture of the Day"?

By Bull Nav

An MH-60S transfers a sling load from the USNS SUPPLY to the USS ENTERPRISE while USS GETTYSBURG waits to go alongside the SUPPLY.

Good stuff, eh?

More to come...

British Carriers Revisited

By John

By PSYOP COP

Not that I’m one to wander from my lane, but I thought many would be interested in reading this article.

I’m glad the British are getting back into the carrier business. Not that they ever “technically” left, but “Harrier carriers” just aren’t the same. The British learned this painful lesson in 1982, but I guess it still took them 25 years to correct it.

A couple of interesting things to note:

First, one of the weaknesses of the smaller carriers that Britain fielded during the Falklands campaign was that they lacked a real AEW capability. The lack of that capability is what really bit them in the arse, not the short range and limited intercept capabilities of Harrier jump-jets. The Harriers actually acquitted themselves nicely, killing (I believe) a dozen or so Argentine aircraft in air-to-air combat. With an E-2C around, the British would not have lost as many ships as they did to aerial attack though.

Secondly, the artist’s concept shows a straight-deck and not the angled-deck (a British concept, by the way) that permits simultaneous launch-and-recovery operations. Even with a ramp for STOVL operations, an angled-deck could still be incorporated into the design to permit this valuable capability.

Lastly, I would have rather seen one of them commissioned as the Ark Royal. I always liked the sound of that name for an aircraft carrier.

What Price Defense?

By Bull Nav

Well, once again, a federal judge has decided that the Navy can't use active sonar in scheduled exercises, this time off the coast of southern California.

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California today enjoined the U.S. Navy from using mid-frequency active sonar during 14 naval training exercises planned for the rich biological waters off Southern California through 2009. Mid-frequency active (or MFA) sonar is used by the Navy to detect submarines but has caused whale strandings and other harm to marine animals around the world. The court concluded that the injunction was necessary given the “near certainty” that use of MFA sonar during the planned SOCAL exercises will cause irreparable harm to the environment.

So where are we supposed to train? Where do our operators develop the visual and acoustic recognition skills to detect, track, classify and ultimately engage submarines?

In trainers?

I don't think so.

Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW) is a very difficult endeavor. It is very manpower and asset intensive, and the successful ASW campaign relies on highly skilled operators. How do they get that way? By training on live targets. By being able to distinguish real targets from fish, whales, or geologic formations. By constantly rebuilding and refining these skills. During the Falklands War, the Royal Navy launched over 200 ASW weapons for not a single Argentinian submarine sunk. It was a constant threat, and it will be in the next war.

Additionally, the lawyers act as if the Navy just wants to go out and blast sound into the water.

“Once again, a federal court has told the Navy that it cannot ignore basic environmental laws merely for convenience,” said Greg Fayer, a litigator at the Los Angeles law firm of Irell & Manella, co-counsel with NRDC in the lawsuit. “With simple precautions, the Navy can train effectively without endangering the majestic creatures that share our oceans.”

It is not convenience. The areas are picked for a purpose, the purpose of training sonar operators and the ASW team. The simple precautions referred to in most cases negate the effectiveness of the training event and do not allow the ships to simulate combat conditions. Ships, aircraft, and submarines practicing ASW may not be a part of the GWOT, but it is preparation for whatever lays ahead 10, 15, 25 years down the road. We need to maintain those skills now in a realistic environment .

14 exercises over the next two years...

If we can't find the bad guy submarines, then who will protect our warships and the merchant ships upon which this country and the world depend for trade the next time the ballon goes up?

Rivalries

By Bull Nav

When are these guys gonna stop? I mean, when you see a headline like this:

Air Force: Hornet couldn’t kill Raptor

The article touts the Raptor's perfect record:

The F-22’s debut combat exercise was at Northern Edge in June 2006. According to Air Force data, the dozen F-22s in attendance racked up an unprecedented kill record of 144-0 the first week alone and suffered no losses overall.

But one did get "shot down."

When one aggressor went down, it was able to fly out and regenerate so quickly that an F-22 pilot thought the enemy was still “dead,” and got shot down himself for the mistake.

But...

One thing is for sure: The plane that took down the Raptor was an F-15 or F-16, but not an F/A-18F. When asked whether a Superbug might have claimed a kill, one Air Force public affairs officer scoffed, “Not bloody likely.”

I guess the Raptor must be better; after all, the Air Force said so...

Now Its Official

By Bull Nav

And Maggie can rejoice.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced Aug. 2 that President George W. Bush has nominated Adm. Gary Roughead for reappointment to the grade of admiral and assignment as chief of naval operations, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Roughead is currently serving as commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.

Picture of the Day

By Bull Nav

Occasional reader and commenter Old Tanker sent me a few pictures from the Battle Creek Airshow back on 01 JUL. This is one of my favorites (and his pics were a WAAAY better than the ones I took).

Fat Albert performing a JATO.

That was the second time in 3 years of watching the Blue Angels perform that we got to see them start the show with JATO.

Finally...

By Bull Nav

Well, with a big tip-o-the-hat to BostonMaggie, and after much anticipation, we now know (from Stars and Stripes):

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has decided to recommend Adm. Gary Roughead, head of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, as the next Chief of Naval Operations, Defense officials said Thursday.
Gates told senior combatant commanders about his decision Thursday during a conference at the Pentagon, officials said.

So now we will see the ripple, but I am sure that is all figured out.

Another picture of the day

By Bull Nav

Well, since the day started off with a helo, I thought to myself, what could be better than one Pavehawk?

The answer:

070724-N-8907D-429 NORFOLK, Va. (July 24, 2007) - Five MH-60S Seahawks, from the "Sea Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, perform formations over Chambers Field at Naval Station Norfolk. HSC-22 can perform vertical replenishments, search and rescue, and anti-surface warfare as part of a mobile detachment for expeditionary strike groups. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Danals (RELEASED)

CNO Nomination This Week?

By Bull Nav

Well, from this article, Navy Times seems to think so:

The Navy’s search for a new chief of naval operations is underway, with an announcement of a nominee expected to come as early as this week, sources tell Navy Times.

I know BostonMaggie has been following this with rapt attention, as have many other folks. She has the best compendium of analysis here, so you might want to take a peek.
But of course, the question is who?

The leading candidate for CNO remains Adm. Gary Roughead, commander of Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Va., according to sources familiar with the selection process.

Seems a lot of folks think that.
The article has reasons why some of the other options really aren't.

Other candidates include Adm. Robert Willard, a naval aviator who now commands Pacific Fleet, and Adm. Timothy Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific Command. One source, who asked for anonymity when discussing the matter, said Willard would prefer to stay in Hawaii and that it is unlikely the Pentagon would want to pull Keating from PacCom this early into his tour there. Keating took over at PacCom in March.

Bottom line, it could be any time.
Yeah, no submariners in the mix, but we'll have our day yet

Blue Angels, Finis

By Bull Nav

Well, I could not resist, yet again.

I got done with the yard work about the time they should have been taking off, and started taking pictures. Nice to watch from your pickup tailgate drinking a beer.

This was the best one today, looking up the street.

All four, inbound.

Once again, great show, guys. Even if I was about 5 miles from show center...

Keep up the great work!

Blue Angels, Part 3

By Bull Nav

What an incredible performance yesterday afternoon. This was one of the best shows I have seen them perform, and I am not just saying that because it is where I live. Truly a great show.

I took dozens of pictures, but the one below says more about the Blue Angels than any flying picture can.

Teamwork. Precision. Dedication.

They have parked and shutdown the aircraft. Starting with Number 6, each pilot is introduced as they march to the Number 1 aircraft. They are shaking hands and congratulating each other on a successful performance.

Like I said, I have many more, but I need to sort them for the best.

Not to mention, there is one more show today...

US Navy Drill Team

By Bull Nav

At Thunder Over Michigan. In Ypsilanti.

I have never seen the Navy Drill team, but was looking forward to this as much as the Blue Angels today. I was not disappointed. They were delayed in starting and unfortunately had to compete with aircraft for the crowd's attention, but their performance was spectacular. Not to mention it was 87F with no wind.

Later I had a chance to talk to the OIC and one of the team members. When I mentioned to the Petty Officer that they were as good as the USMC Drill Team, his only response was, "Better."

I hope they come back...

RIVRON Three

By Bull Nav

As reported in this article, Riverine Squadron Three has been stood up:

Third riverine squadron formally established at Yorktown
By LOUIS HANSEN, The Virginian-Pilot
© July 7, 2007 | Last updated 11:19 PM Jul. 6
YORKTOWN
The Navy formally established the third of three planned riverine squadrons Friday morning at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station

The CO is ready to go.

Cmdr. Gregory Sandway, commanding officer of the new squadron, told his troops to prepare for combat.
"This is a command that is ready to sacrifice," he said.

But that should come as no surprise.

Sandway, a 1990 graduate of Virginia Military Institute who lives in Chesapeake, served as an explosive ordnance disposal officer before being tapped to lead the riverine squadron. He said he took the job because he wanted to lead sailors into war.

So to Greg I say, do your best and take care of your men. Good luck!

Blue Angels, Part 2

By Bull Nav

They showed up yesterday and performed two practices. I had work to do around the house, but managed to take a few pics. Here is one of the better ones, taken from my front yard:

The big show is tomorrow (and Sunday). I can't wait...

Blue Angels, Part 1

By Bull Nav

Yeah, I know. I have not been around much of late. Too much to do during the summer: camping, fishing, shooting (with my son's first .22)...and of course air shows.

I could not pass up the opportunity.

Normally, we travel a good bit during the summer to see the different air shows. Cleveland, Dayton, even Selfridge ANGB is a haul (just because of the traffic). Well this year we have two air shows on two consecutive weekends, RIGHT HERE. Last weekend was at Battle Creek, MI, and this weekend is Thunder Over Michigan. Both have the Blue Angels, and here is one of the shots I took at Battle Creek on Sunday:

Since we live about 5 miles from Willow Run, I am hoping to get some good shots as they fly over the house, too.

Oh, and John, just for you, there was a F117 flyby and the Viper East demo team performed. Once I figure out this multiple pictures thing...

So That's What it Looks like...

By Bull Nav

070612-N-2889B-001 ARTIC CIRCLE (June 12, 2007) - Ship's Serviceman Seaman Recruit Jamal Powell, left, and Seaman Recruit Stephen Harmon stand forward lookout watch aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) as the ship navigates an ice field north of Iceland. U.S. Navy photo by L.t. j.g Ryan Birkelbach (RELEASED)

Ice that is.

Different perspective...

We're Taking Over

By Bull Nav

Lex said it first, but it's true...

Gates Recommends Mullen to Replace Pace as Chairman
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 8, 2007 – To avoid a contentious reconfirmation process, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will recommend that President Bush nominate Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael G. Mullen to replace Marine Gen. Peter Pace as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

I think SECDEF has a great point in this article:

Gates said he intended to re-nominate Pace and Giambastiani but after consulting with senators of both parties came to the conclusions “that because General Pace has served as chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the last six years, the focus of his confirmation process would have been on the past rather than the future.”
He said the confirmation process would have the possibility of being quite contentious. “I am no stranger to contentious confirmations, and I do not shrink from them,” Gates said. “However, I have decided at this moment in our history, the nation, our men and women in uniform, and General Pace himself would not be well-served by a divisive ordeal in selecting the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

So, to refresh everyone's memory: 4 of 9 Combantant Commanders are Navy guys, and now CJCS will be, too...
UPDATE: Reader SJBill (and very informed reader at that) let me know that the news was over at the Flight Deck even before Lex had it.

SWO Action off Somalia Continues

By Bull Nav

This time in another vein.

Fox News is reporting that the USS CARTER HALL (LSD50) is engaging pirates off Somalia:

The U.S. Navy has fired warning shots across the bow of a Dutch ship that has been boarded by armed pirates off the coast of Somalia, FOX News has learned.
The USS Carter Hall also fired on three small boats that surrounded the commercial ship, the "Danica White," after her crew messaged for assistance after being boarded by pirates, the Navy said.

The CARTER HALL is part of the gator Navy, whose job is to carry around Marines (I am sure LTCOL P and Slab are familiar with it). They generally don't get into surface actions, but they could easily handle a situation like this as long as the suspect vessel does not outrun them. Since their armament is only small caliber weapons (.50 Cal and 25mm), this would mean that they had to be in close relatively proximity to the DANICA WHITE.

65 Years Ago Today: Midway

By Bull Nav

What is commonly referred to as the "turning point" in the war in the Pacific occurred 65 years ago today. Lots of good resources out there to look at including some great background information by Steeljaw Scribe and the attack on the Japanese carriers that occurred on 4 JUN 42 described a the Naval Historical Center website here.
A couple of books of interest are Miracle at Midway, which I read a couple of decades ago and was a good history at the time, and Shattered Sword, which I have not read yet, but is on my list.
Truly an incredible battle, in which luck played as much a part as skill (which is more often the case than not).

NSFS Somalia

By Bull Nav

Back in the day, we used to have lots of big warships with big guns on them (the Phibian has plenty of good stories in his Fullbore Friday series). Battleships with 16" guns, cruisers with 8" guns, and destroyers with 5" guns. In WWII, the battleships and cruisers were used to "soften up" enemy defenses prior to an invasion, and then be on-call for fires as requested by Marines ashore. We continued to conduct this type of support in Korea and Viet Nam. We even used battleships for fires supporting Marines in Beirut in the early '80s.

Yesterday, we apparently saw the latest use of NSFS:

U.S. warship bombards Somalia militants

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) -- A U.S. warship pounded Somalia's remote coastal northeast, targeting Islamic militants hours after a gunbattle with Somali government forces that left eight insurgents dead, officials said Saturday.

We have forces in Africa (CJTF HOA) specifically for the Long War. This looks to be an example of local forces requesting US Navy support for an operation:

"The insurgency appears to be spreading to other parts of Somalia," said Ted Dagne, specialist in African Affairs at the Congressional Research Service in Washington.

Puntland Vice President Hassan Dahir Mohamoud said eight foreign militants were killed in the fighting and Somali forces were pursuing five others. He told The Associated Press there were no civilian casualties because the area is uninhabited.

Mohamoud said the Puntland government had requested the U.S. navy to help fight the militants.

Interestingly, it also appears that while this may have been quickly executed, it was not a spur of the moment decision:

Muse Gelle, a regional governor, said the militants arrived in the area near the port town of Bargal by speedboat on Wednesday. He said a U.S. destroyer attacked late Friday. Musa Ismail Mohamed, a former government economist who lives in Puntland, compared the area where the fighting took place to Afghanistan's Tora Bora, which U.S. forces beseiged in 2001 in a failed effort to flush out Osama bin Laden. "Americans should strike it harder than yesterday and then they will succeed. If they do not do that, then may be Bargal may become a stronghold for terrorists," Mohamed said Saturday, speaking on the phone from Puntland's main port, Bossaso.

While the 5" guns we carry on our destroyers and frigates are nothing like the big guns of days gone by, they are accurate and will still put a hurtin' on a target.

I hope we get some more information, because nothing official has been released:

Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman, could not confirm U.S. involvement in Friday's fighting, but added: "The very nature of some of our operations, as well as the success of those operations is often predicated on our ability to work quietly with our partners and allies."

Actions like this, having exactly the right force in the right place to provide support to a coalition partner is what is going to help us in the long run.

Any comments from Slab? I think this is right up your alley...

A Submarine Underway

By Bull Nav

Ladies and Gentlemen: good evening. For your reading pleasure this weekend, I offer you a tale of a submarine getting underway and going to sea. I hope you find it acceptable.

On with the show…

On the 1MC: "Station the Maneuvering Watch."

For a submarine this announcement has the same meaning as, "Station the Special Sea and Anchor Detail" on a surface ship (you know, those big gray things that can submerge only once). Whether the ship is getting underway or is entering port, it means man stations per the approved watchbill. Typically the most experienced and proficient folks are the ones in key positions, and you have extra watches manned due to the unique nature of leaving or entering port. Additionally, a navigation brief has been held by the ship's Navigator for all the key watch standers to fully brief the upcoming evolution. This way you know what to expect in the way of traffic, tides and currents, weather, specific navigation aids, turns and turn bearings, etc.

By the time this announcement is made the Officer of the Deck (OOD) should already be suited up and on the bridge in order to take the watch. If in port, this requires relieving the Ship's Duty Officer (SDO) and assuming the deck and the conn.

In this case, I was ready to go.

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