The Other Arsenal Ship Dream Has Died

The Taxpayers for Common Sense website has a spreadsheet available for download here that lists all the earmarks included in the FY09 Defense Spending Bills, both House and Senate.

We love these types of lists, because we like to know which defense project is the "baby" of which politician. As veterans readers of this blog know, there is one specific earmark we always check to see whether it is listed, and sure enough, line 242 in the spreadsheet notes the floating earmark shall return to sea for only $10,000,000 more taxpayer dollars following the FY08 $21 million repair bill after rough seas ripped a hole in the hull using the ships own anchor.

If one considers the return to action by Duncan Hunter's Navy the good news, we must also pass on the bad news. The once hyped 'affordable cruise missile' did not get its earmark this year, and has finally, officially died. We sympathize with those whose dreams of a 950 ton arsenal ship with hundreds of "affordable cruise missiles" has come crashing down, but apparently someone thought it was wise not to build a ship where the weapon payload would cost just as much (if not more) as the ship itself.

Is there a future for Duncan Hunter's Navy? Depends. Would something 'like' Sea Fighter (FSF 1) be a good replacement for the Cyclone class PCs? It is nearly three times the displacement, so maybe not.

Because if we are being honest, if there is one shipbuilding program we would get excited about, it isn't the SC-21 nightmare, it would be a Cyclone replacement program. At least that ship has a clear mission purpose, and plenty of places in need of that purpose.

While we don't advocate for Duncan Hunter's Navy (clearly), we don't dismiss it either. In particular, if this thing ever gets in the hands of someone creative at SOUTHCOM, you never know...

Stuff We Are Observing

There are three items a bit off the usual beat we want to highlight.

The Navy is a family, what happens to one of us matters to all of us, and in my life I've seen what the support system behind the Navy is, and how it has the ability to do great things. Many of you who live in the Virginia Beach area may have heard about this story. This is a Navy story. I have been told there is more information available on SailorBob, but BostonMaggie is doing her part to highlight this situation. If you have Paypal and wish to donate to the family, in particular help the family with the two young children, PayPal is set up and the email address is [email protected]. SWOSANITY you are in our prayers sir. This blog is called many things, and the red headed step child of Navy public relations is only one small portion of those things. These stories matter to us as well.

----

These are the men and women of the Navy I know, or at least an excellent representation. It isn't arrogance that has these guys thinking they can achieve great things, it is confidence. The men and women of the armed forces do a lot more than a few talking points can summarize, they make a difference and impact the world around them.

----

Full disclosure. We have not talked to David about this, intentionally. This is something we have been thinking a lot about, and we admit to being heavily influenced as fans of Michael Yon.

The lifeblood of this blog is the media, specifically Emelie Rutherford. Geoff Fein, Christopher Cavas, Joe Katzman, and a handful of other folks drive many of our conversations, but from our perspective what the Navy is doing outside Washington DC matters a lot more than what is happening in Washington DC.

The Navy is doing a lot of experimentation right now with peacetime strategy, recognizing the need for a proactive peacetime strategy but trying a lot of untested tactics in execution. The only media we have seen so far covering these new operations are local media of the target nation or armed forces media. The American media is absent... which is where David Axe enters stage left.

We are not quite sure we know all the places David is going, but we do know he is going on a few cruises starting in the near future that are specific to the execution of peacetime strategy for the Navy, and these cruises will be in multiple places. David is an independent journalist, he has written for a number of periodicals from Proceedings to World Politics Review to the Prospect Online to Washington Times to the Inter-Press service. He is well qualified to give independent evaluation of the Navy's approach to peacetime strategy. We intend to put our money where our mouth is and support David in his efforts to cover these less than flashy stories, because if he doesn't, who will? The Navy is spending a hell of a lot of money on deployments like the humanitarian missions in SOUTHCOM and Global Fleet Stations to Africa. Are these good investments? Without someone there to look into it, we have to trust what the Navy tells us, which is driven by their own metrics, not independent analysis.

Someone besides the Navy needs to get out there and find out if these investments are worth it, and few would be as qualified in our opinion as David. Because these subjects matter to us, we intend to support him in this effort. Read about Donations for David here, and since he is a blog reader, maybe he will put up something new that gives us more details so we can highlight that too (hint hint). As for us, we just ordered a comic book.

Disclaimer: We will never ask anyone to donate to anything we would not put our best foot forward for first.

Sunday Morning Observations

The Small Wars Journal is truly facilitating discussions of complex military and national defense questions to a new level. Building off the the thought provoking piece The Demise of Secretary Wynne by J. Bernhard "Jon" Compton last week, Richard Andres has posted a response titled The New Role of Air Strike in Small Wars. We are not here to play sides, rather learn from the discussion because we are absolutely certain of one thing, the conventional wisdom of air power's role in COIN is wrong, and the role of air power in COIN is misunderstood by the vast majority of non experts who have commentated on it in the past. We want to understand it better, because the forward deployed nature of carrier aviation demands the necessity to understand how carriers can effectively integrate and impact counterinsurgency operations. The new article has this very interesting paragraph.

How effective is this new air-ground synergy? Since the surge began, the vast majority of enemy dead have been killed by air strikes. The vast majority of noncombatants killed have not been killed by air strikes. More importantly, insurgents have become increasingly reluctant to mass or to take action in the open. Put succinctly, the answer to why General Petraeus disregarded the new doctrine’s advice on the use of airpower in a strike role in COIN is that the doctrine got it wrong. Airpower technology has changed and General Petraeus recognized those changes and acted on them.

Who enables this reality? The boots on the ground, for a variety of reasons. We continue to believe this is an issue that warrants further research.

Brickmuppet is asking good questions, and I'd love to know the answers. Why is the cost of the Coast Guards OPV now projected at a cost $323.9 million apiece? That seems very high. Brickmuppet links to this interesting piece on Global Security that notes charts the cost increases over time. Doesn't explain it, in fact it just raises more questions. If this is an American shipbuilding industry problem, they are making the case better than anyone else that it is time to start building hulls somewhere else. If this is a government procurement problem, which we suspect it probably is, we would like to see the procurement folks at DHS roasted on the open flame of Congress until we get some answers. If you can point to a single cost effective solution procured by DHS, we'd be interested. You won't find it though, and that is the point.

The World Food Programme still can't find anyone to escort their food shipment ships. Nobody, and lets be crystal clear, nobody at all cares about Somalia. The WFP is sounding as many alarms as possible, if someone doesn't step up soon it will trigger a famine in Somalia. This is exactly where a company like Blackwater, working under a UN contract, has a role in the maritime domain.

With all of the piracy that targets ships from the Middle East to Europe, one would think this would be something the European Navies would take upon themselves and do, at a minimum to use it as an opportunity to develop better intelligence on pirate activity. Not so, did you look at our latest Order of Battle?

We are not sure what it means, but unless we are missing something we are unable to find any ships from Europe in the entire Middle Eastern seas except those from the Royal Navy. In other words, The US, Canada, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand have the only forward deployed naval forces to the region. We can't help but think that should increase insurance rates for maritime traffic to and from Europe, particularly now that most of the US Navy is supporting the war efforts, and no where near the Horn of Africa. There is nothing to stop the pirates from running wild, and Europe has left the Canadians to patrol millions of square miles almost entirely by themselves.

General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, gave a speech on Thursday night regarding the role of military forces in 21st century conflicts. Defense of the Realm had analysis prior to the speech, and you can find initial discussion here with a transcript of the speech available here (PDF). What is interesting is we get the impression that without saying it, General Sir Richard Dannatt is asking how the British forgot all the important lessons of post conflict governance during the British Empire. While that way of phrasing it probably promotes rejection, we have already learned that the military has to establish civil order before the civilians can post conflict, so maybe he has a good point.

Observing the Training Cycle

We have been keeping an eye on the Iwo Jima ESG as it prepares for its deployment this fall. We expect the strike group will be ready to deploy by mid September, but may in fact not deploy until later than that. Either way, the strike group has begun COMPTUEX, an intermediate-level strike group exercise designed to forge the battle group into a cohesive, fighting team. It’s an important step in the pre-deployment training cycle and a prerequisite for a strike group’s Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX). Why are we interested? Because the USS San Antonio (LPD-17) is part of the Iwo Jima ESG.

The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is participating in a composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX) July 8-Aug. 1 to prepare for deployment...

The Iwo Jima ESG consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) with the embarked 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit; the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61) and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768).

This is a pretty powerful strike group, indeed we observe this is one of the most impressive Atlantic based ESGs we have seen assembled in awhile. The USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) was on station fighting pirates off the coast of Somalia last summer and has been widely discussed in professional papers as being quite effective in that role. The USS Ramage (DDG 61) was scheduled to be the 17th AEGIS warship to be upgraded with ballistic missile defense, the first Atlantic fleet warship to be upgraded with the AEGIS BMD capability. We believe that upgrade has already occurred.

The USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) was an extremely impressive ship in 2006. Chief and I met Captain Clemmons, who was CO for that 2006 deployment, and he left one of the best first impressions of anyone in the Navy I've ever met. That ship was known at the time for being all business, and we remember a few European newspapers writing compliments about the ship and crew after liberty visits, something unusual enough we noted it. Two years later we'd bet good money USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) is preparing to exceed the achievements of that deployment, but that won't be easy.

When you also add in the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), and USS Hartford (SSN 768), it is pretty clear the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) has been put in good company to insure a successful first deployment. She will certainly get her chance, the strike group will almost certainly be going to the Persian Gulf.

LHA-6 Will be USS America

This crossed the DoD wires, but the link was taken down. We will update link when it is available again.

The Navy's newest class of large-deck amphibious assault ship, LHA 6, will bear the name USS America, Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced while speaking at the USS America Carrier Veterans Association reunion in Jacksonville, Fla.

This ship will inherit a proud tradition, explained Winter. From the American Revolution through the first Gulf War, three warships have sailed with the name America...

LHA 6 will be the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name America. The first America, a 74-gun ship-of-the-line, was the first built for use by the Continental Navy. However, before having a chance to serve the fledgling U.S. Navy, the ship was presented as a gift to the king of France to show appreciation for his country's service to the new nation. The second USS America (ID-3006) was later the name given to a troop transport used during World War I. The third was a Kitty-Hawk class aircraft carrier (CV 66) in commission from 1965 to 1996. Among other notable accomplishments, the carrier America made three deployments to Vietnam and launched air strikes on Iraq during the opening days of Operation Desert Storm.

When it comes to names of Aircraft carriers, which is what the LHA-6 class essentially is, the Navy record since 1975 has been less than impressive. In this case, we like it.

If the US Navy was to maintain 12 aircraft carriers in the 21st century, we would prefer the following 12 names.

Enterprise
Hornet
Yorktown
Saratoga
Midway
Constellation
Ranger
Intrepid
Kitty Hawk
Essex
Wasp
Oriskany

Name frigates after Presidents, assuming we ever build any again.

Lets Go For a Ride

And let FbL be our guide. That is a good read.

As we follow news reports regarding the damage to the USS George Washington (CVN 73), some of the news implies damage might be serious enough to keep GW in port after the August date previously disclosed. If the GW can't put to sea in August, this may lead to some shuffling of Carrier Strike Group deployments, meaning the next deployment of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) could be moved up to this fall instead of this winter.

Something to keep an eye on.

The SOUTHCOM Coaling Station

Sometimes a picture and caption tells a narrative and expands the imagination. Credit SOUTHCOM, these guys are being very creative. It almost has me looking forward to the return of Sea Fighter just to see what it can do when untied from its role as technology demonstrator for modularity.

We are always interested in operations involving small naval vessels, because whenever someone official begins talking about anything less than 9,000 tons, the Navy suggests it doesn't want to duplicate the efforts of the Coast Guard. We believe that argument lacks imagination, a characteristic that SOUTHCOM continues to demonstrate an abundance of in executing maritime strategy during peacetime.

This picture and caption gives the impression SOUTHCOM is using Guantanamo Bay in the role as a coaling station for the Stiletto. If it can be done at Guantanamo Bay for the Caribbean, we wonder why the same concept wouldn't work at Djibouti, Bahrain, or Ascension Island for other small, but longer range assets addressing peacetime challenges near those areas. Note, it doesn't have to be the M-80, as many comments have pointed out many times, the Asheville class was only twice this size.

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (June 11, 2024) Stiletto sits pier side during a refueling before conducting counter-illicit trafficking operations in the Caribbean. Stiletto is a one-of-a-kind, experimental vessel designed for high-speed special operative amphibious insertions operated by Army mariners assigned to the 7th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division in Fort Eustis, Va. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nat Moger

And while we are pondering naval eye candy... this visual of Life Imitating Art is outstanding.

The Manga Approach Scores Early Success

Initially, we were skeptical, mostly because we didn't understand it and still don't claim to fully "get it." But whether we get it or not is irrelevant, it appears the Navy is scoring some big points with its comic book approach to teaching nuclear safety.

The first hour was manga madness for "CVN 73," the Navy’s 200-page comic starring the USS George Washington. The aircraft carrier is scheduled to arrive in Yokosuka this August and will be the first nuclear-propelled ship forward-deployed to Japan.

Sailors handed out about 800 copies of "CVN 73" in three hours in the manga’s first day of distribution. More will be handed out at upcoming open base events, said Waterman, a spokesman for Commander U.S. Naval Forces Japan.

"The response has been phenomenal," Waterman said. "People told me that if we passed out a brochure or a tri-fold, they wouldn’t read it. But with a manga, we’re speaking their language."

Interesting development. The reported demographics and the expected demographics don't match up, apparently more older people showed up than expected, and fewer younger people. That is a good thing, kids don't vote.

We noted one manga blogger called it propaganda, and stars and stripes mentioned it (not by name) as the sole source of criticism. The stars and stripes articles also lists a few websites where the manga can be downloaded in English, but my DNS was unable to resolve at this time.

Could be the Navy found a way to reach out to the Japanese people effectively. We are curious how many total copies were distributed, and a running tally of that number would also be useful. In other words, will it works its way into manga culture, or be a one time event? Should be interesting to see what happens over time in this marketing strategy.

The Navy Marketting Strategy For Japan

Tip from reader Bob in Japan:

The U.S. Navy will be distributing a 200 pg. manga (Japanese comic book) to try to increase public acceptance of the George Washington. The Yomiuri Shinbun (the more conservative of the Japanese dailies) carried an article about the comic book in yesterday's evening edition. The manga is aimed at teens to late twenties males and an initial print run will be distributed by the Yokosuka naval base and at Akihabara (home of the manga loving geeks). Rather than comic book readers, the Navy should be focusing on housewives as they're more likely to vote.

Link to image of the cover of the manga.

Bob we agree with your assessment. The Navy has consistently struggled with its marketing strategies though.

Weekend Observations

Note there will be some work on the blog this weekend, probably not much, although I'm considering options.

Picture of 998 stolen from Chinese BBS. See below because Feng has more.

First things first, Captain Bob Wiley of USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) is running a blog. Among the website changes this weekend will be to get a link up to this. Good luck to your ship and your crew, we look forward to getting insights regarding the work you guys do during this deployment off your blog we would otherwise miss relying on media sources. Very good idea.

Robert Farley is having a caption contest for this picture. If I had 5 minutes with the CJCS while I was holding liquor, I have a feeling it would be 4 minutes of the good Admiral telling me I'm an asshole, and 1 minute of me agreeing with him.

Eagle1 is talking about Convoys off Somalia to protect commercial traffic from piravy. Actually, regular readers to Eagle1 know he has been talking about convoys for years. Establishing convoys should be part of the discussion at the UN, because unlike other suggestions, it doesn't create any contested issues with sovereignty.

Compare these two stories... Russian submarines are completely manned vs UK Nuclear Submarines Understaffed.

Feng has new pictures of the 998. The Chinese didn't build that ship for any strategy associated with Taiwan, they built that ship for a strategy associated with Africa. Only a matter of time...

Five Thoughts on Friday

An excellent way to start Friday, pictures of North Korea's stealth Navy.

The Navy is headlining the news in Russia. David knows why.

Russia to restore a battleship (Красная Звезда в четверг). Military parades, amphibious assaults on TV, new submarine launched ballistic missiles, and nuclear battleships can give the look and feel of the old Soviet regime, but things aren't just skin deep in Russia. When I can read about the shipbuilding budget of 2007 and 2008 on the internet, read how the active core was originally funded for 2007 but not done (read corruption), and how it is again funded and planned in the 2008 budget it reminds me that despite the hype things have clearly changed in Russia. The transition is interesting...

Analysis of the PLA in action for the earthquake response. More PLA analysis here, and interesting observations here.

New twist to the hijacked ship off Somalia, the pirates claim the ship from Jordan they hijacked which was supposed to have aid from Denmark has weapons aboard. Eagle1 offers more plus analysis. Speaking of smuggling weapons into Africa, remember that Chinese ship loaded with arms that was almost seized in South Africa? Springboard has the rest of the story.

Five Thoughts on Friday

Historyguy99 contrasts responses to natural disasters in Burma and China. Superbly done.

USS Michigan (SSGN 727) prepares for its maiden deployment.

Marine Corps seeks return to its role as a naval force. Good read, but something has to give. The Navy currently has 5 amphibious ships on deployment without Marines on them.

Why does Gate want more diplomats? Because our nations most effective diplomat so far in Myanmar is an Admiral.

Admiral James Stavridis discusses 4th Fleet.

Monday Morning Observations

1) We expect better from Navy Times.

A Navy destroyer will call in Boothbay Harbor during the coastal resort town’s Windjammer Days Festival next month.

The Anzio will pay a port visit June 23-26. The visit was announced by Sen. Susan Collins, who requested it.

The Anzio is a Ticonderoga class guided missile destroyer, launched in 1990. Its home port is Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia.

Since we get dozens of hits daily from you Military Times guys, maybe you will observe the problem with this article, and perhaps have your editors correct the mistake? However, on this blog, had the AP article said "Battleship" we would have found it both accurate and appropriate.

2) Boston Maggie covers USS Stockdale (DDG 106). If you are young and all you know is the story of a Ross Perot VP candidate, you really should take 10 minutes and learn about this man. He was brilliant, he was a poet, and he is well deserving of having one of the great Arleigh Burke class destroyers named after him.

3) Molton Eagle's weekly submarine mystery poses a question: "Space age medical history was made in the aftermath of this tragic submarine incident. Exactly what was new in medical history? Answer Monday." Read the first link then check out the answer here. Good stuff.

4) David Axe observes Aircraft Carriers dominate Navy missions while Mike Burleson questions the need for the Gator Navy. While both articles come from different directions, they both go to the same conclusion. Where are the Cruisers? The comments in Mike's article are on the mark, but Eric's comment in Dave's article brings something up. David Axe is soon to be deploying overseas to provide independent news coverage in Africa, he is raising money for these trips.

5) Eric has the picture of the day.

Last Arleigh Burke Destroyer Named

The last of the Arleigh Burke destroyers was named today. I like it.

Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter announced today at a ceremony in Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y., the name of the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will be Michael Murphy. Designated as DDG-112, the name honors Lt. Michael Murphy who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during Operation Red Wing in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005.

Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Lt. Michael P. Murphy lead a four-man team tasked with finding a key Taliban leader in the mountainous terrain near Asadabad, Afghanistan, when they came under fire from a much larger enemy force with superior tactical position. Mortally wounded while exposing himself to enemy fire, Murphy knowingly left his position of cover to get a clear signal in order to communicate with his headquarters. While being shot at repeatedly, Murphy calmly provided his unit’s location and requested immediate support for his element. He returned to his cover position to continue the fight until finally succumbing to his wounds.

Michael Murphy will be one of the U.S. Navy’s most advanced, state-of-the-art warships in the fleet. With the combination of Aegis, the vertical launching system, and advanced anti-submarine warfare system, advanced anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles, the Arleigh Burke-class continues the revolution at sea. Utilizing a gas turbine propulsion system, Michael Murphy will be able to operate independently or as part of carrier strike groups, surface action groups, amphibious ready groups, and underway replenishment groups.

Michael Murphy will be the 62nd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. The 9,200 ton ship is being built by Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics Company and will be 509.5 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 59 feet, a crew size of 323 (23 officers and 300 enlisted) and she will make speed in excess of 30 knots.

CDR did a Fullbore Friday on Lt. Murphy back in October of last year, check there for more.

Carrier - The Navy Unzips Their Fly

I enjoyed Carrier, the 10 hour documentary series on PBS that ran last week. It was not what I expected, it was both better and worse. Like most Americans I never served on an aircraft carrier, unlike most Americans in that category I have been on an Aircraft Carrier. I liked that it highlighted sailors months into a deployment still startled by aircraft operations on deck, because it scared the crap out of me all the time during my experience.

I found the open nature of the format that exposed the character of a large number of sailors very refreshing. It is easy to claim the documentary was looking for contrary views, compelling story lines, and overemphasized those stories, but I think what we saw was very fair because it was very real.

The Carrier series didn't sell the Navy as an instrument of political power, and really didn't sell the Navy as an instrument of national power. The documentary sold the Navy as both a job and a career, as work and as a refuge from home, and most importantly it highlighted the nature of the Navy to become a family away from family. In my experience as an employer of many people who have served in the Navy, the stories of individuals seeking structure and fleeing a bad situation at home sounded very familiar to me. The military is a lot of things, structure and discipline are two of them.

I enjoyed the comparisons between officer and enlisted, but also the distinction between the E-6s and below and the E-7s and above. I liked that the series emphasized sailors doing their job rather than talking about their job. The viewer was exposed to the youth, the truth, the danger, the precaution, and the stress of navy life on long deployments. Carrier offers more understanding regarding Navy life than what is likely found at a Navy recruiting station, and within that truth Carrier gives the Navy a refreshing image of life uncensored.

As far as what I didn't like, I didn't care much for the musical score, and over all that is my biggest complaint. Other than the first episode where the music matched the scene as the Nimitz entered Pearl Harbor, the music sometimes seemed mismatched to the story being told. I'm not sure if I like how they handled faith, because it came off as agenda driven against religious faith in the form of finding and highlighting someone who was unable to sustain his faith throughout a voyage. For me I thought it was an example of looking for the exception instead of emphasizing the rule. I got sick of seeing Hornets, but by the end I got the impression that was the point. I was somewhat disappointed the series skipped Malabar 2005, which was an important aspect of that deployment at the time. It would have been interesting if the Navy informed the crew of the significance of that event, and whether the crew 'got it' or not.

In the end I thought it was a big win for the Navy, who unzipped their fly and let the whole world look the inside the biggest barn. I imagine people will see in the series what they want to see, as I think it is unlikely the series changes those with established preconceptions regarding what the Navy is. For those who had no frame of reference and approached the series looking for knowledge, they were exposed to what Navy life is like for the young men and women who join, and reminded this is a job done by people, not drones. That realism, exposed and in full living color, is what makes the series both interesting and enjoyable for viewers, and valuable to the Navy in telling the rest of the story regarding what the Navy offers young people in search of maturity.

Five Thoughts on Friday

Listed are five Friday morning observations.

Big Money in AFRICOM? You don't have an expo where the defense industry arrives in force unless there is money to be made. This is a good sign though, because AFRICOM is about economic development despite what you have probably read. Few people realize who has been the head political minds behind AFRICOM, but the short list includes Senator Russ Feingold and Senator Barak Obama. We find it ironic two of the most progressive Senators in our nation are the big political guns behind AFRICOM, and it is typically the progressives in politics who know the least about what AFRICOM is about.

USS North Carolina Commissioning. If you are looking for information regarding the USS North Carolina (SSN 777) commissioning your one stop spot for every bit of information is the Sub Report. Eric has an entire section set up on the site to some amazing links. Once again, the Sub Report has delivered the best coverage of a submarine event on the internet.

A Great Official Navy Website. We have talked about a number of official Navy websites that have had a facelift this year, particularly ships that have been making deployments. One of the best official Navy websites to get an update this year is Commander Submarine Group 7. Without question, and it isn't even close, the coolest most informative and interesting official submarine website on the internet. If you know the name of person behind this brilliance, please post in the comments, because someone deserves public credit and appreciation.

Combined Endeavor 2008. Official description: This annual, United States European Command (USEUCOM)-sponsored exercise is “in the spirit of” the Partnership for Peace (PfP) C4 Integration and Interoperability Exercise. CE enables interoperability between U.S. and NATO / PfP military C4 equipment by documenting and exercising technical and procedural solutions.

Best Read of the Day. When Eagle1 talks Port Security, it is usually the most informed, in depth, and smartest thing you will read on the internet on the topic, and this contribution is no exception. We read the new small boat strategy DHS put out, and I was not impressed. A bit too much hype in my opinion on the small boat nuke threat. It is a start, but we think it gives a bit too much focus to the least likely threats a bit too little to the more likely, inexpensive threats that are more aligned to the tactics of criminals and pirates, which terrorists can mimic. Eagle1s analysis of mine issues for port security

Thoughts on Navy Approved Messages

The Navy's website has put up a web page regarding the PBS documentary special "Carrier." The Navy has recruited a panel for discussion following each episode to get reactions. The panel consists of:

RDML Ted Branch,
former commanding officer of
USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

MCPON Joe Campa Jr,
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

YN1 (SW/AW) Jennifer Brown,
carrier tours include USS John C. Stennis
(CVN 74) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

MM3 (SW) Ernest Ackerman,
served five years aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4)

We will not be giving a review of the series until it is completed, however for those fans the Navy's web page does offer some commentary. My take on the commentary is this, once you watch the Navy production, you will have a ton of appreciation what PBS has done with the series. That web page is embarrassing, a marketing blunder at a time they have a good thing going. If they are smart, it would quietly disappear. It's like comparing the Navy official website with Destroyermen. While I'm sure the Navy website gets a lot of hits, I'd bet money the number of daily visits on Destroyermen has the Navy's attention.

On the subject of Destroyermen let me suggest something to those who play overseer. That last post was one of the best yet, good enough to get you a headline in fact, it makes no sense at all the Navy would ask that post to be taken down. Here is my advice, quit worrying about the messages you don't approve and start worrying about the ones you do, because that stupid shit someone published on the "Carrier" series on the official web page is washing away the good the Navy is earning with the Carrier series on PBS. The problem isn't the unofficial, non sanctioned messages, the problem including the OPSEC issues that allow us to track your fleet over cup of morning brew are so obviously what is approved. The Navy as a whole needs an education on the information age.

Carrier on PBS Tonight

I have no idea what to expect from this show, but I'll be watching. I haven't read any reviews, only saw the commercial a few times, and have only see the hype as per the comments...

But I did read this LA Times article, and this stuck out.

The unusually candid and personal portrait of life aboard the Nimitz prompted Adm. Gary Roughead, the United States Navy’s chief of naval operations, to e-mail approximately 1,000 senior active, reserve and retired officers, and civilian executives, earlier this month to explain why the Navy agreed to the series, and to allay fears about the program’s potential negative impact.

“We did not get a Navy ‘commercial’ in the traditional sense,” wrote Roughead, a member of the Joints Chiefs of Staff and the senior military officer in the Department of the Navy. ” ‘Carrier’ is very different from the hardware documentaries we have supported in the past. This program focuses on our people and the reality-TV approach gives it a sense of authenticity and credibility. Since we did not monitor the individual interviews and ongoing production, the program contains material that does not always and fully represent the discipline, values and mission of the U.S. Navy.”

Sounds interesting to me.

Sunday Links

The Photo is the Bourbon Oceanteam 101, an interesting design in the context of the Sea Base concept. Consider the current approach, the cranes are on the ship making the delivery of materials, not on the ship intended to operate as the pier. From an outside perspective, that sounds backwards to us. This ship is not as big as it looks, and is less expensive than you think. Remove all that oil gear and use your imagination. Do we think this design should be in the Sea Base? Not really, rather we use this as an example of how the pier should be the crane, because it allows for backwards compatibility to existing heavy lift vessels. Homepage here, specs here (PDF).

A quick history reminder, last time the M80 Stiletto was moved from one port to another the MSC did the work.

The Nimitz CSG currently on deployment to the Pacific is getting more escorts half way through its deployment. We observe it very rare for a CSG already on deployment to have escorts surged. Can't say we have seen this before, makes us wonder, what is going on in the South Pacific we aren't hearing about.

This is one of the most interesting blog ideas we have seen in awhile. Purpose is stated as follows.

This blog is made up of transcripts of Harry Lamin's letters from the first World War. The letters will be posted exactly 90 years after they were written. To find out Harry's fate, follow the blog!

Very cool.

Finally, the Destroyermen delivers an excellent update to their deployment. It comes off as that "welcome to the suck" naval style post that allows the reader to feel the rising anxiety and tension the crew feels as the ship enters the war zone. Well done.

5 Random Thoughts

A Mothership for the future MSC? (video)

Why I love Fridays.

Beneath these waters lie the ghosts of our forefathers.

16 all volunteer crews make it look easy.

Help Wanted Ad: Coast Guard Blogger


Click photo for Hi-Res. Image caption: MEDITERRANEAN SEA (April 16, 2024) The Spanish corvette SPS Infanta Elena (P76), the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4), and the Portuguese frigate NRP Corte Real (F332) transit the Mediterranean Sea during Phoenix Express (PE 08). PE-08 is the third annual exercise in a long-term effort to improve regional cooperation and maritime security. The principal aim is to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class James C. Davis (Released)