Veteran's Day

I have an opinion about Veteran's Day and the linked article sums it up well.

Click Here

What it means to wear Dolphins...

There is a good article on about.com about the "Silent Service"

Link here

Also, I am back from a long hiatus from blogging. More to come soon...

USS North Carolina, SSN 777 to be Christened

The North Carolina, the Navy's newest of the Virginia class attack submarines will be christened on April 21 in Newport News, Va. This is the next step in commissioning an new submarine into the fleet. After the christening ceremony the USS North Carolina will go under extensive testing procedures called sea trials to make sure that the sub is operationally ready to undertake the missions and patrols that it was built to do. After sea trials the North Carolina will be commissioned around early 2008 in a ceremony in Wilmington, NC. I am hoping to be invited to the commissioning ceremony, I have asked that my name be placed on the invite list, so hopefully they will come through. After the sub is commissioned it will join the fleet around June 2008 and begin keeping America safe. As of now the sub is attached to Submarine Group Two out of Groton, CT.

Catching up...

Today's post is an attempt to catch up on some of the submarine happenings while I was out of touch for a little while.

-April 11, 2007 is the US Submarine Force's 207th Birthday. The US acquired its first submarine the Holland on this day in 1900.

-April 12- The Russian sub Kursk sunk killing all 118 sailors on board. There are pictures of the recovered submarine here. Quite a bit of damage.

-April 16- Russia is to launch a new nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine, the Yuri Dolgorukiy, which took 10 years to build.

-April 17- The US released a report on the Minneapolis-St. Paul incident in which two sailors were washed overboard and were lost. It seems that the weather causing rough seas was the big culprit.

-"Russia and India are to conduct joint naval counter-terrorism exercises in the Sea of Japan on April 24-26, a Russian source said Tuesday. The press service of Russia's Pacific Fleet said the INDRA-2007 is a biennial joint exercise between the Russian and Indian navies aimed at practicing cooperative engagement in the fight against terrorism. It is the third such exercise since 2003."

Out of Touch

As you may have noticed, I have not posted anything in a while. I have been out of town for work. This week, I am playing catch-up and also trying to get ahead because I will be out of toen again next week. Hopefully I will be able to replace this post with something more interesting in the next several days or so.

Malaysian Sailors receive "Submariner Certificates"

Malaysian sailors have been training in France since 2005 learning to operate submarines. 29 out of the 146 that are currently training received certificates and insignia. 10 received the Elementary Certificate indicating they have a "General Knowledge" of operating submarines. 19 received the Advanced Certificate indicating they have "competence in handling onboard systems". "Besides the training of Malaysian crews by DCI/NAVFCO, the Malaysian submarine program includes the construction of two Scorpene submarines". The Royal Malaysian Navy currently has several surface ships that it has acquired mostly from Italy, France and Germany. Personally I am glad to see France has been training them, seeing how you don't hear much about French submarine incidents. Congratulations to the new Royal Malaysian Navy Submariners!

Navy Temporarily Loses contact with USS San Juan

Apparently the Navy temporarily lost contact with the USS San Juan off the coast of Florida. In response, the Navy spearheaded a search effort to find the Los Angeles class sub and sent word to the families. The USS Enterprise reported seeing a red flare in the area Tuesday night. Early Wednesday morning though the San Juan re-established contact with the Navy and reported that there were no problems. As thorough as the Navy is, I am sure that they will investigate until the entire cause/issue is understood and resolved. I will keep you posted as questions are answered.

UPDATE 1: I found this article that gives a little more insight into what happened. I pasted it below for your convenience.

Overnight, the family of crew members on the Groton-based USS San Juan got a scare when it appeared for a time that the submarine might have sunk.
Lt. Mark Jones, spokesman for Submarine Group Two, said this morning that the submarine and its crew are safe, but that during the night there were indications that the ship was in trouble.
The San Juan went out of communication while doing training exercises off the East Coast, and a flare was spotted, prompting the Navy to start up its rescue process and notify families.
Jones said that it is Navy policy to keep families informed and to make sure they are the first to know when something might have gone wrong.
Ships and aircraft from the Enterprise Strike Group searched the area where San Juan had been operating.
The sub established communications in the early morning hours today and indicated that there were no problems. The search-and-rescue operation was then canceled.
The Navy is investigating the incident.

UPDATE 2: The Sub Report has a good collection of links regarding this incident. I would suggest heading over there and checking them out.

UPDATE 3: This former submariner has a few theories about the incident.

U.S. Navy's role in the Fight against Terrorism Continues

For the first time since the Vietnam War, the Navy has deployed a "riverine" squadron. To the rest of the Navy they are usually known as the "brown water navy" since they spend their time patrolling rivers and other sources of water other than the open waters of the ocean. RIVRON 1 was deployed to the Middle East to help Marine forces patrol the inland waters to help with security. The sailors have been combat training with Marines at Camp Legeune in North Carolina to get ready for their new duty. The sailors interviewed seemed excited but nervous, which is understandable since most sailors, other than SEALS, are not deployed for this type of duty. RIVRON 1 is part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and will be helping Marines "facilitate stability in the area". So now, besides providing Aircraft and support from a Carrier Group, submarines, and Navy SEALS in the Middle East, the Navy has made its way inland to provide support to troops and additional security forces. The Navy's role continues to increase and become a more important asset in the fight against terrorism.

Division logos

I was sent these two division logos from their creator, Jeff Goddard. He is a neighbor to our north in Canada and is a fan of the submarine service. The first one is for the M/RL dision (my old division) for the SSN-777. The M/RL div accepted this design and is using it as their logo. The second one he designed for E-div, but they are not using it. Jeff mentioned to me that he would be glad to modify the E-div design for another boat if someone is interested. So if you have any contacts let them know. You can have them contact me and I will get in touch with Jeff. I think they look great. Jeff is very talented.

(All copyright restrictions apply)

Think before you speak...

Apparently someone over at the Chicago Sun-Times seems to think that the modern US military should stop wasting money on submarines and aircraft because "Al-Qaida has neither a navy nor an air force". This has got to be the most idiotic thing I have read in a long time. True, Al-Qaeda does not have a navy or an air force, but that does not mean we do not need one! There are plenty of countries out there that would love to get the upper hand on the U.S. Yes, we are currently fighting Terrorists, but that should not dictate getting rid of or stopping production of military forces and equipment. Obviously the writer of the article has not done his research. Submarines and Aircraft play a huge role in the fight on terrorism. Both of which provide cover for land forces and help to keep the soldiers on the ground out of harms way. If it were not for submarines firing cruise missiles at intended targets, there would have to be a great deal more troops on the ground to carry out the mission. More troops on the ground mean more potential for U.S casualties. Virginia class submarines are specifically called out in his article: "the Bush administration plans to continue funding the Virginia class submarine." The Virginia class are currently in production to replace the aging Los Angeles class submarines. Without these replacements the US Navy will quickly lose is deterrent potential and start to come under threat of countries such as Iran and North Korea. I do not understand how someone can write a news article (and have it published) on a subject they clearly have not put a lot of thought into. Just because today's threat does not have a navy or an air force does not mean tomorrow's threat will not either. Stopping production of highly valuable assets would certainly threaten the security of this nation. The author is clearly oblivious to global threats and the needs of the military.

Across the Pond

Our counterparts across the pond in the UK have plans to add 3 fast attack Astute class submarines by 2011. The first one (of which the class is named), the Astute is due to reach the fleet in 2009 after an August 2007 launch. It appears the UK submarine fleet has some aging Swiftsure class submarines that are near the end of their lifespan. The following is some of the specifications of the new class of nuclear powered attack submarines:

MISSILES
The Astute will be equipped with the Tomahawk Block IV (Tactical Tomahawk) cruise missile from Raytheon fired from the 533mm torpedo tubes.
Tomahawk is equipped with the TERCOM terrain contour mapping-assisted inertial navigation system. The terrain contour mapping for use over land combines onboard radar altimeter measurements with terrain mapping data installed in the missile.
Block II added Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation (DSMAC) guidance. Block III improvements include an improved propulsion system and Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) guidance capability. The GPS provides location and velocity data of the missile for precision targeting.
Tomahawk has a range of up to 1,000 miles and a maximum velocity of 550mph. Block IV includes a two-way satellite link that allows reprogramming of the missile in flight and transmission of Battle Damage Indication (BDI) imagery.
TORPEDOES
Astute will have six 533mm torpedo tubes, and will be equipped with Spearfish torpedoes and mines. There is capacity for a total of 36 torpedoes and missiles.
The Spearfish torpedo from BAE Systems is wire-guided with an active / passive homing head. The range is 65km at 60kt. Spearfish is fitted with a directed-energy warhead.
COUNTERMEASURES
The countermeasures suite will include decoys and Electronic Support Measures (ESM). The The ESM system is the Thales Sensors Outfit UAP(4). Outfit UAP(4) has two multi-function antenna arrays which are mounted on the two non-hull penetrating optronics masts from Thales (formerly Pilkington) Optronics and McTaggart Scott.
Astute Class submarines are to be fitted with the Royal Navy's new Eddystone Communications band Electronic Support Measures (CESM) system, also to be fitted to the Trafalgar Class submarines. The Eddystone system is being developed by DML of Devonport UK, with Argon ST of the USA. It will provide advanced communications, signal intercept, recognition, direction-finding and monitoring capability.
SENSORS
Astute is fitted with I-band navigation radars. The sonar is the Thales Underwater Systems (formerly Thomson Marconi Sonar) 2076 integrated passive / active search and attack sonar suite with bow, intercept, flank and towed arrays. Sonar 2076 has been fitted to three Trafalgar class submarines and entered service in February 2003.
Atlas Hydrographic will provide the DESO 25 high-precision echosounder, to be fitted on the Astute. DESO 25 is capable of precise depth measurements down to 10,000m.
Astute will have two non-hull-penetrating CM010 optronic masts developed by Thales Optronics. McTaggart Scott will supply the masts. The CM010 mast includes thermal imaging, low light TV and colour CCD TV sensors.
Raytheon Systems Ltd has been contracted to provide the Successor IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) naval transponder system for the Astute class.
PROPULSION
The nuclear power will be provided by the Rolls-Royce PWR 2 pressurised water reactor. The long-life core fitted on the PWR 2 means that refuelling will not be necessary in the service life of the submarine.
The other main items of machinery are two Alsthom turbines, and a single shaft with a Rolls-Royce pump jet propulsor, consisting of moving rotor blades within a fixed duct. There are two diesel alternators, one emergency drive motor and one auxiliary retractable propeller. CAE Electronics is to provide the digital, integrated controls and instrumentation system for steering, diving, depth control and platform management.
The PWR 2 second-generation nuclear reactor was developed for the Vanguard Class Trident submarines. Current generations of PWR would allow submarines to circumnavigate the world about 20 times, whereas the latest development of PWR would allow circumnavigation 40 times without refuelling.
The major equipment components in the development of PWR 2 are the reactor pressure vessels from Babcock Energy, main coolant pumps from GEC and from Weir, and protection and control instrumentation from Siemens Plessey and Thorn Automation.

It's on!

The USS Stennis is in the Arabian Sea and began conducting combat missions in Afghanistan. The Stennis left its homeport in Washington state in January and arrived to support the War on Terrorism last week. The Stennis is a Nimitz class aircraft carrier and can carry up to 85 aircraft.

"Operating in the North Arabian Sea, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) launched an F/A-18C Hornet from the “Death Rattlers” of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323, beginning the strike group’s first combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom."

The Stennis and its support group is no doubt a welcome addition to the area to assist with operations there. Just keep in mind that where ever there is a US aircraft carrier, there is most likely also a Los Angeles class attack submarine somewhere in the area. They can also do plenty of damage on their own!

A Solution for Global Warming? A New Cold War

This article speaks for itself, so I have reprinted it for your convenience. It seems to me that relations between the US and Russia have been tense lately over Iraq and Iran and may be starting to cool off.

Russia Plans New ICBMs, Nuclear Subs

By VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, February 7, 2007

(02-07) 10:02 PST MOSCOW, Russia (AP) --
Russia's defense minister on Wednesday laid out an ambitious plan for building new intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear submarines and possibly aircraft carriers, and set the goal of exceeding the Soviet army in combat readiness.
Sergei Ivanov's statements appeared aimed at raising his profile at home ahead of the 2008 election in which he is widely seen as a potential contender to succeed President Vladimir Putin. But they also seemed to reflect a growing chill in Russian-U.S. relations and the Kremlin's concern about U.S. missile defense plans.
Ivanov told parliament the military would get 17 new ballistic missiles this year — a drastic increase over the average of four deployed annually in recent years. The purchases are part of a weapons modernization program for 2007-2015 worth about $190 billion.
The plan envisages the deployment of 34 new silo-based Topol-M missiles and control units, as well as an additional 50 such missiles mounted on mobile launchers by 2015; Russia so far has deployed more than 40 silo-based Topol-Ms.
Putin and other officials have described the Topol-M as a bulwark of Russia's nuclear might for years to come, and said it can penetrate any prospective missile defenses. Last week, Putin dismissed U.S. claims that missile defense sites Washington hopes to establish in Poland and the Czech Republic were intended to counter threats from Iran, and said Russia would respond by developing more efficient weapons systems.
In 2002, Putin and President Bush signed a treaty obliging both sides to cut their strategic nuclear weapons by about two-thirds by 2012, down to 1,700 to 2,200 missiles. But Russian-U.S. ties have since worsened steadily over disagreements on Iraq and other global crises, and U.S. concerns about an increasingly authoritarian streak in Russia's domestic policy.
"The Russian leadership believes that a nuclear parity with the United States is vitally important because it allows it to conduct an equal dialogue on other issues," said an independent military analyst, Alexander Golts.
A rising tide of oil revenues has enabled Russia to boost defense spending following a squeeze on the military in the 1990s. "The question now is whether the industries are capable of producing what the military needs," Ivanov said.
Analysts warn that building any sizable numbers of new weapons would pose a daunting challenge to the defense plants that received virtually no government orders for a decade following the 1991 Soviet collapse.
"Links to subcontractors have been broken, and the defense plants now need to rebuild them to produce weapons," Golts said.
Alexander Pikayev, a senior analyst at the Moscow-based Institute for World Economy and International Relations, said the military had failed to set the right priorities for weapons procurement in the past.
Russia's defense budget, which stood at $8.1 billion in 2001, nearly quadrupled to $31 billion this year, Ivanov said. While this year's military spending is Russia's largest since the 1991 Soviet collapse, it is still about 20 times less than the U.S. defense budget.
Ivanov said the military now has enough money to intensify combat training.
"Combat readiness of the army and the navy is currently the highest in the post-Soviet history," he said, adding the task now is to "exceed Soviet-era levels."
Ivanov said the military now has about 1.13 million servicemen, compared with 1.34 million in 2001. By 2015, the military plans to have about 1 million servicemen as Russia continues to reduce its bloated armed forces. "We can't go below that," he said.
The Kremlin has rejected liberals' calls to abolish the draft, saying Russia needs a large number of conscripts to protect its huge territory.
Ivanov said the weapons modernization program would allow the military to replace 45 percent of existing arsenals with modern weapons systems by 2015.
As part of the plan, the navy will commission 31 new ships, including eight nuclear submarines carrying intercontinental ballistic missiles, Ivanov said.
He played down recent failed launches of the Bulava missile being developed to equip these submarines. The Bulava, developed by the same design bureau that built the Topol-M, failed in three consecutive launches late last year.
"If we already had commissioned this missile and had failures, that would have been a nightmare," Ivanov said, adding that launch failures were "within the norm" in the testing phase.
He also said the government would decide in 2009-2010 whether to start the construction of a new shipyard for building aircraft carriers. Russia now only has one Soviet-built medium-sized aircraft carrier capable of carrying about 30 jets and helicopters.

Beefing Up

Apparently Venezuela is trying to beef up its submarine fleet. It is taking bids from France, Germany and Russia to buy 9 additional diesel powered submarines. It currently has 2 submarines that it acquired from Germany in 1972, that are over 30 years old. With these nine additional subs, it would have the largest submarine force in South America. Chavez seems to be gearing up in case of a conflict with the U.S. I could be wrong, but I don't expect the U.S. to invade Venezuela anytime soon. Chavez seems to think that he is more important than he really is. It looks like he is trying to provoke the U.S. into a conflict with him. I do have to admit that diesel boats are pretty quiet, but they are severely disadvantaged when up against the submarines we currently have in our fleet. Diesel subs for one run on their batteries when submerged, which need to be recharged by the very loud diesel generator every once in awhile. They are also slower and cannot carry the payload that U.S. subs can. With the L.A. class subs and the new, highly technological Virginia class subs, Chavez doesn't stand a chance. All we would have to do is stay quiet and wait for his subs to surface to recharge the batteries, and bye-bye Venezuelan sub fleet.

New Anti-Terrorism Weapons

The Navy has been training dolphins and sea lions to detect potential threats in the water. The base in Bangor, Washington is home to submarines, ships and labs that are potential targets for terrorist. The USS Louisiana, my old boat, just relocated there from Kings Bay, GA not too long ago. Apparently these animals have been deployed to Kings Bay. They have been used before for security in the US, and to patrol the port waters in the Gulf. Not only are these specially trained dolphins able to detect a person, but they can find mines as well. The sea lions even carry cuffs in their mouths that they can use to haul in potential threats! Animal Rights activists claim this is not a good idea, but it is a good way to deter potential attacks, because threats will not know if there are any trained dolphins or sea lions patrolling the waters. The Navy has been doing this since th 60's and treats the animals well. Until something else comes along this is just one way to keep potential threats away.

A Story of Sacrifice

A North Carolina based Navy Corpsman was killed in Iraq, just 7 days after he arrived there. The story is reprinted below for you convenience.

EL PASO, Texas — A North Carolina-based Navy corpsman told his brother that if he died in Iraq, he wanted his two children to know he served so they could grow up free and without fear.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Gilbert Minjares Jr., 31, died Wednesday - seven days after he reached Iraq - in a helicopter crash in Anbar province, the Department of Defense said Friday. Six others also died in the crash, which is under investigation.
"He gave me all his clothes and stuff, like he knew what was going to happen," said Jose Minjares, Gilbert's brother. "He told me, 'If anything happens, I want you to let my kids know I did it for them.'"
Minjares was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in Cherry Point, North Carolina His wife, 2-year-old son and 4-week-old baby live in North Carolina, said Eddie Pedregon, the seaman's cousin.
"He always wanted to give to others before he gave to himself," Pedregon said. "His dream was to save Marines."
A corpsman is the Marines' equivalent of an Army medic. Gilbert Minjares also worked as a recruiter in El Paso, Jose Minjares said.
Minjares played fullback and quarterback at Hanks High School in El Paso. He joined the Navy about a month after graduating in 1994, his brother said.
The seaman was happy-go-lucky, loved his family and his home and had no doubts about his service or heading to Iraq, his brother said.
"He said he'd rather go fight over there than have to fight (terrorism) over here," the brother said. "He was a brave, brave man."

Drug Raid!

"USS McInerney (FFG 8) added to its string of successes on her counter-narco terrorism (CNT) deployment by supporting the seizure of 2.3 metric tons of cocaine in mid-January from a fishing vessel off the coast of Costa Rica." According to this article, the US Navy teamed up with Costa Rica for the first time to thwart the transport of drugs. The USS McInerney is a Guided Missile Frigate, currently serving out of Mayport, FL. Frigates are just under 500 feet long and are armed with Harpoon missiles, MK-46 torpedos, one 76 mm (3-inch)/62 caliber MK 75 rapid fire gun, and one Phalanx close-in-weapons system. I think it is safe to say that the McInerney is well equipped for this type of mission.

Lt. Erik Bodiscomassink, McInerney’s Engineering Officer and a Tactical Action Officer (TAO), said “Any time you approach a vessel, you’re not quite sure what you’re going to encounter. Part of you always wonders what their intentions are. Just get as much information as you can and rely on your training.”

BZ to the hard work of the USS McInerney, the US Coast Guard and their Costa Rican counter-parts. It is successes like these that keep tons of cocaine off the streets!

Note: BZ= Bravo Zulu, Navy speak for "well done"

Update on the Collision in the Gulf

The Captain of the USS Newport News has been removed from duty after the sub collided with a Japanese tanker in the Gulf. The following is a press release from the 5th Fleet Public Affairs Office:

BAHRAIN - Rear Adm. Douglas J. McAneny, Commander, Combined Task Force 54, completed administrative personnel actions involving select members of the USS Newport News (SSN 750) crew, Monday, Jan. 29, to include relieving Cmdr. Matthew A. Weingart of command due to a lack of confidence in his ability to command. Capt. Norman B. Moore has temporarily assumed command of the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine.

Following a collision between Newport News and M/V Mogamigawa, Jan. 8, the submarine transited to Bahrain where it is currently undergoing a damage inspection and assessment, to be followed by temporary repairs. The submarine will return to the United States once temporary repairs are complete; at which time permanent repairs will be conducted. Legal and Safety Mishap investigations are in progress.

As a general rule Captains of submarines and any ships in the Navy are held responsible for any "mishaps" that might occur. I thought that it was interesting that the Admiral had a "lack of confidence in his ability to command." It makes me wonder if during the invesitgation if other things came to light about his Leadership abilities. I am not saying that the CO is incompetent, it was just an interesting choice of words.

USS Perch Discovered in 190 feet of Water

The USS Perch (SS 176) was discovered in about 190 feet of water in the Java Sea 60 years or so after the sub sunk in WWII. There has not been an official announcement from the Navy as of yet, but as you can see in the picture above there is little room for doubt that this is the boat. What is so special about the Perch from other subs that sunk in WWII? Well, read this and see that the Perch was not like most of the subs whose final hours are unknown but it is known that the sub was scuttled by the crew:

After a week of close contact with the enemy, obtaining information, Perch headed south searching for targets. In a night attack on a large merchantman off the eastern coast of Sulawesi (Celebes), Perch was hit in the superstructure, forward of the pressure hull of the conning tower, by a high explosive projectile which blew away the bridge deck, punctured the antenna trunk and temporarily put her radio out of commission. Efforts of her crew made repairs on deck at night in waters heavily patrolled by the enemy, and Perch headed for the Java Sea.

On the evening of 1 March 1942, Perch surfaced thirty miles (55 km) northwest of Soerabaja, Java, Netherlands East Indies, and started in for an attack on the enemy convoy that was landing troops to the west of Soerabaja. Two enemy destroyers attacked and drove her down with a string of depth charges which caused her to bottom at 135 feet (41 m). Several more depth charge attacks caused extensive damage, putting the starboard motors out of commission and causing extensive flooding throughout the boat. After repairs, Perch surfaced at two o'clock in the morning only to be again driven down by the enemy destroyers. The loss of oil, and air from damaged ballast tanks, convinced the enemy that Perch was breaking up and they went on to look for other kills, allowing Perch to surface.

With the submarine's decks awash and only one engine in commission, the crew made all possible repairs. During the early morning of 3 March, a test dive was made with almost fatal results. Expert handling and good luck enabled her to surface from that dive, only to find herself under the guns of two Japanese cruisers and three destroyers. As shells straddled the boat, the commanding officer ordered "abandon ship." With all hull openings open, Perch made her last dive. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 24 June 1942.

The entire crew was captured by a Japanese destroyer. Of the fifty-four men and five officers, only six, who died of malnutrition in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, were unable to return to the United States after V-J Day.

Emergency Blow!

If you have ever wondered what an Emergency Blow/Surface looks like or have wondered if it looks the way it does on tv, check out the short clip below. The sub in the video is a Fast Attack, Los Angeles Class, submarine. I was able to experience this maneuver several times while on the USS Louisiana. It is a pretty cool feeling and a fun experience. If you ever get invited on a "Tiger Cruise" for a submarine, go. They usually do one of these for the guests and family and it is a lot of fun!