Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - LST 4002 Shimokita
MSW Crew member Christer Johansson dazzles us with his latest 1/700 scale wonder, this time, it's LST 4002 Shimokita.
Poland – Service Life Extension Program for ex-FFG-7 Class Frigates
Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency
WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Poland worth an estimated $200 million.
The Government of Poland has requested a possible sale to provide follow-on technical support and a Service Life Extension Program for the upgrade and conversion of MK15 PHALANX Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) aboard two ex-FFG-7 Class Frigates from the Block 0 to Block 1B, Baseline 2 configuration, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, system overhauls and upgrades, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical support, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $200 million.
Poland is one of our important allies in Northern Europe, contributing to NATO activities and ongoing U.S. interests in the pursuit of peace and stability. Poland’s efforts in peacekeeping operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have served U.S. national security interests. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist Poland to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability.
The proposed sale will improve Poland’s capability to meet current and future operational needs. Poland already has the capability to maintain the current Frigates and will have no difficulty absorbing the upgraded shipboard systems into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The proposed sale will involve multiple contractors, as well as U.S. Atlantic Coast shipyards who will compete for planning and execution of the system overhaul and upgrade projects. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Poland. However, periodic travel to Poland will be required on a temporary basis in conjunction with program, technical, and management oversight and support requirements.
There will be no adverse impact on the U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.
Newest Philippine Navy Ship Gets Aloha Welcome
Source: US Navy
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM --- More than a hundred Filipino-Americans and other well-wishers welcomed the Philippine Navy's newest ship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15), as it arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), July 27 for a brief port visit.
Commanded by Capt. Alberto A. Cruz, Gregorio del Pilar left Alameda, Calif. on July 18 to make its maiden voyage to the Republic of the Philippines where it will join the Philippine Fleet. Gregorio del Pilar is a former U.S. Coast Guard cutter, USCGC Hamilton (WHEC 715). As a multi-mission surface combatant ship, it becomes the first gas-turbine jet engine-powered vessel in the Philippine Navy Fleet.
"This is very historic moment," said Col. Restituto Padilla, the Filipino military liaison assigned at U.S. Pacific Command. "That's why we have the Filipino community here in force. This is the first time a Philippine Navy ship pulls into historic Pearl Harbor. Coupled with that, this is the first Philippine Navy ship that is gas-turbine. In these two instances, they are milestones. I hope this will be followed through by many more ship visits to historic Pearl Harbor in the months and years to come."
Navy Region Hawaii Command Master Chief Marc Sibal rallied the Filipino-American community in Hawaii to the JBPHH piers to greet the ship. Members of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marines and Coast Guard also attended the event.
"I feel proud, very proud of it," said Sibal. "Even if I'm serving in the U.S. Navy, I'm still Filipino by culture and by heart. It's nice to see the Philippine Navy modernize their fleet. We are very uplifted, and I think everybody is very honored to have this ship pull into Pearl Harbor, to a historic place like Pearl Harbor."
Sibal, who previously served as Seventh Fleet Command Master Chief, said that the relationship between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines remains strong and that the ship is an example of the well-built relationship between the two countries.
Prior to taking command of the ship, 74 members of the Philippine Navy underwent two months of intensive hands-on training aboard USCGC Boutwell (WHEC 719), the sister ship of the Hamilton. While aboard Boutwell, the crew traveled to Colombia, Ecuador and El Salvador, participating in multiple missions including the interdiction of drug smugglers.
"Our partnership with the United States has been here for so many years," said Padilla. "It's getting stronger through the years. I hope this will mark a new era, as we embrace new challenges. As new security environments emerge, our partnership with the United States would get even stronger and become more relevant in the years to come."
Deputy Consul General Paul Cortes, of the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu; Capt. Jeffrey James, commander of JBPHH; and Capt. William Johnson, commanding officer of USS Lake Erie (CG 70), host ship during the port visit, were also at the pier to welcome the ship.
During the three-day port visit, Gregorio del Pilar will take on supplies and fuel, hold a reception hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu and the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii (PCCCH), and visit the USS Arizona Memorial. A social media "tweetup" is being planned during the ship's visit. A Catholic Mass will be conducted prior to their departure.
Gregorio del Pilar and USS Reuben James (FFG 57) are scheduled to conduct a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) off the coast of Hawaii next week. PASSEX is an exercise designed to increase interoperability between the two navies, while enhancing the strong cooperative relationship.
Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Today is the anniversary of the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
USS MADDOX DESTROYER ASSOCIATION
Today’s website is USS MADDOX DESTROYER ASSOCIATION. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1943 - PT-109, under command of Lt. j.g. John F. Kennedy, cut in half by Japanese cruiser Amagiri.
1943 - Naval task groups bombard Japanese forces on Kiska, Alaska.
1950 - Amphibious force ships land Marine First Provisional Brigade at Pusan, Korea, helping to save this last area of South Korea from capture.
1964 - Three North Vietnamese PT boats attack USS Maddox (DD 731) in international waters in Gulf of Tonkin. Maddox sinks one.
Diorama Idea of the Day
Sailors aboard USS Nitze (DDG 94) perform a recoverable exercise torpedo (REXTORP) fire exercise. To see the original high resolution photo, click here.
Gator
