Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - HMS King George V
MSW crew-mate Russell Eames (RussellE) shares his first submission with us, a fine build of Heller Models King George V in this MSW Feature.
Feature - HMS Lion, 1912
MSW crew-mate Peter Fulgoney (peterf) sends us a dazzling build of British battle-cruiser HMS Lion as seen in 1912, in this MSW Feature.
Military Sealift Command Reconfigures Tanker Fleet
Source: US Navy
WASHINGTON --- The fleet of tankers operated by the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC), is being reconfigured to meet fuel requirements in support of U.S. forces worldwide.
This seagoing force of government-owned and U.S.-flagged chartered ships, is acquiring a new chartered ship, MT Empire State, as two government-owned ships complete their service to the command.
The newly built, U.S.-flagged Empire State came under charter to MSC for up to five years Oct. 7 and will operate worldwide carrying refined petroleum products for DoD, primarily between commercial refineries and DoD storage and distribution facilities.
Empire State is owned and operated by a private shipping company under contract to MSC. Built at General Dynamics, NASSCO in San Diego, the double-hulled Empire State is 600 feet long and has a cargo-carrying capacity of approximately 331,000 barrels. The ship's construction was completed in July 2010, at which time Empire State went to work for MSC under a short-term charter.
Two of MSC's four government-owned tankers transferred out of service Oct. 1. USNS Paul Buck and USNS Samuel L. Cobb began their service to MSC in the mid 1980s, along with three other new construction T-5 tankers that came under long-term charter to the command in 1985 and 1986. In 2003, MSC purchased four of those ships - Buck, Cobb, USNS Lawrence H. Gianella and USNS Richard G. Matthiesen. Since then, these ships have served as the core of MSC's tanker fleet along with an MSC chartered shallow-draft tanker.
"Our T-5 tankers have served us well for the past 25 years, and as they approach the end of their service lives, the State-class ships will allow us to continue to fulfill our requirements to transport fuel for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) - Energy," said John Joerger, MSC's tanker project officer. DLA Energy procures and manages fuel for all of DoD.
Upon deactivation from MSC service, Cobb and Buck transferred to the U.S. Maritime Administration's National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF), which comprises about 30 dry cargo ships and tankers kept in reserve for possible activation and use in support of national defense and national emergencies.
Gianella transferred to MSC's Maritime Prepositioning Force in 2009 and Matthiesen will remain in service to MSC until early 2011, when the ship will join Cobb and Buck in the NDRF.
In fiscal year 2010, MSC carried 1.5 billion gallons of petroleum products worldwide in support of DoD operations ranging from delivering fuel to combat forces operating in Iraq to replenishing McMurdo Station, Antarctica and Thule Air Force Base in Pituffik, Greenland.
Military Sealift Command operates approximately 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military equipment and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces.
History In the Making As Thousands Gather to Watch Last Type 45 Launch
Source: BAE Systems
GLASGOW, United Kingdom --- Duncan, the sixth and final Type 45 Anti-Air Warfare Destroyer built for the Royal Navy, was successfully launched from BAE Systems' shipyard at Govan today.
Launched by Lady Sponsor Mrs Marie Ibbotson, wife of Vice Admiral Richard Ibbotson CB DSC Deputy Commander in Chief Fleet, Duncan slid down the slipway into the Clyde, marking a pivotal moment in British shipbuilding heritage. The crowd of over 14,000 gathered to watch the iconic scene highlighting the enormous sense of pride in shipbuilding on the Clyde that remains at the heart of the local community.
Alan Johnston, Managing Director of BAE Systems' Surface Ships division, said: "Today's launch marks the culmination of a hugely successful production phase on the Type 45 programme. Today's event is a celebration of the hard work and commitment of everyone involved and it's remarkable to see so many people turn out to share this occasion with us.
"The warships built at our yards Clyde and in Portsmouth are among the best in the world. We continue to invest in our people and facilities to ensure we retain this enviable reputation of British shipbuilding expertise and remain competitive for the long-term success of our business."
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Minister, Peter Luff, said: "The launch of Duncan is the result of a huge effort by workers here on the Clyde, across the country throughout the supply chain, and in the MOD, completing this class of potent warfighters of which everyone involved can be very proud.
"Following on from HMS Daring being declared in service and the successful first firing of the Sea Viper missile system, this is another significant milestone in the delivery of a truly world-class air defence capability to the Royal Navy."
Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, said: "The Type 45 is world-class; these ships are as versatile as they are powerful. Providing flexible global reach they will deliver broad utility, common to maritime forces, and give the UK military, diplomatic and political options, with their ability to exert effect on land from the sea. This ranges from deterrence and conflict prevention right up to high intensity war fighting and all points between.
"Naturally her war-fighting capability includes the ability to engage hostile forces using the Sea Viper missile system, her gun or other onboard weapon systems, while her Ship's Company provide anything from boarding parties that deter and disrupt pirates, to landing ashore for the provision of humanitarian disaster relief. HMS Duncan can also deploy up to 60 Royal Marines Commandos and their equipment and operate a range of helicopters from her flight deck. These are fantastic ships and I look forward to HMS Duncan joining the Fleet."
Named after Admiral Lord Viscount Adam Duncan who defeated the Dutch fleet in the Battle of Camperdown on 11 October 1797, it is fitting that Duncan the sixth Royal Navy ship to carry the name, is launched exactly 213 years after this historic battle.
Among those gathered for the launch were representatives from the ship's affiliated cities of Dundee and Belfast, local schoolchildren, community groups, industry partners and employees who have worked on the ship since her first steel was cut in February 2008. At 60 per cent complete, Duncan, is the heaviest and most advanced of all the Type 45s at launch. She will now proceed to the company's Scotstoun yard where she will enter the next phase of outfit and commissioning.
Duncan's launch comes only weeks after the third ship in the class, Diamond, was accepted off contract, joining her sister ships HMS Daring and HMS Dauntless at their home port of Portsmouth. With the first three vessels in the class handed over, BAE Systems is more than half way through the programme to deliver all six ships to the Royal Navy by the end of 2013.
The first of class, HMS Daring, entered service on 31 July and is currently on her first operational deployment, while HMS Dauntless, the second of class, was handed over to the Royal Navy last December and commissioned into service in June. The fourth ship, Dragon, will undertake her first sea trials next month, while the final stages of outfit are underway on Defender, the fifth ship in the class.
As Class Output Manager for the fleet, BAE Systems will transfer the expertise developed during the ships' build to provide effective support to the fleet in-service. The company will coordinate all aspects of repair, maintenance and support to the Type 45s, improving ship availability and reducing through life support costs to enable the Royal Navy to meet its operational commitments around the world.
Operation Sea Lords
Today’s is the anniversary of the beginning of Operation Sea Lords.
USS Washington
Today’s website is USS Washington. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1812 - U.S. sloop of war Wasp captures HM brig Frolic.
1859 - U.S. Marines reach Harper's Ferry, Va., and assault the arsenal seized by John Brown and his followers.
1867 - USS Ossippee and USS Resaca participate in the formal transfer of Alaska to U.S. authority at Sitka and remain to enforce law and order in new territory.
1944 - 3rd Fleet carrier aircraft attack Japanese ships in harbor and land forces around Manila.
1968 - In Operation Sea Lords, the Navy's three major operating forces in Vietnam (Task Forces 115, 116 and 117) are brought together for the first time to stop Vietcong infiltration deep into South Vietnam's Mekong Delta.
Photo of the Day
An HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Dragonslayers of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 11 prepares to load cargo.
Gator
