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Naval Word of the Day
Associate editor Jim Adams expands your Naval knowledge with his daily installment of MSW’s Navy Word of the Day.
WOD
FIRST Images! Trumpeter's DDG 51
Take a look at the FIRST IMAGES on the net of Trumpeter Models latest planned 1/350 release, USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51)!
First Look
New 8-Barrelled Pom-poms from WEM
John Snyder from White Ensign Models has announced that they will be releasing WEM PE792 1/700 8-Barrelled Pom-poms, upgraded from their older sets. GBP 1.67 gets you four mounts.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1812 - A boat party under Lt. Jesse D. Elliott captures HMS Detroit and Caledonia in the Niagara River.
1842 - Commodore Lawrence Kearny of USS Constitution addresses a letter to the Viceroy of China, urging that American merchants in China be granted the same treaty privileges as the British. His negotiations are successful.
1950 - The 1st Marine Division commences embarkation at Inchon for landings in Wonsan, Korea.
1961 - USS Tulare (AKA 112) and USS Princeton (CVS 7) rescue seamen from an American and a Lebanese merchant ship, which were aground on Kita Daita Jima.
100th Anniversary of the Great White Fleet Commemorated in New York
The U.S. Navy commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Great White Fleet in New York Oct. 7 at Grand Central Terminal with the opening of an exhibit that will run through the 2008 Columbus Celebration ending Oct. 17.
The exhibit - which includes eight-foot models of battleships, artifacts, memorabilia from Sailors aboard the ships and photo displays that tell the story of an American naval mission - highlights aid provided by ships of the Great White Fleet to Italy in 1908 following a devastating earthquake.
"This is a great opportunity not only to recognize the accomplishments of the Great White Fleet but to also highlight our continuing Navy and Marine Corps mission to help keep international waterways safe and to reach out to those in need," said Rear Adm. Terence McKnight, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2.
In 1907, then-President Theodore Roosevelt sent 16 battleships with the hulls painted white to circumnavigate the globe on a goodwill mission and display of American naval power. The ships were later known as the Great White Fleet.
When a devastating earthquake followed by a tidal wave hit Sicily and Southern Italy in late 1908, leaving an estimated 200,000 dead, ships from the fleet rushed to provide essential humanitarian aid and services.
The exhibit demonstrates the clear parallels between the Great White Fleet, sent on its deployment by Roosevelt, and today's Maritime Strategy emphasizing increased global partnerships to promote peace and prosperity worldwide.
"Just as four ships from the Great White Fleet provided humanitarian assistance following an earthquake in Sicily [one] hundred years ago, our amphibious ships continue that important mission today," said McKnight.
"USS Nassau (LHA 4)returned recently from relief efforts following Hurricane Ike, and USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) spent a great deal of time rendering aid to Haiti following tropical storms and hurricanes that affected that nation."
"I have the great honor and privilege to inaugurate this very special exhibit in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of one of the world's worst natural disasters and the humanitarian assistance rendered by the Great White Fleet of the United State Navy," said Richard Greco, former assistant secretary of the Navy. "Together the Department of the Navy and the Columbus Citizens Foundation, along with many corporate and governmental sponsors, have all co-sponsored this exhibit because we believe it is a story that needs to be told.
"This is a story that cannot be forgotten, a story of unspeakable loss of life and misery but a story of great charity and love by one nation to another nation in a time of need."
The 2008 Columbus Celebration in New York will feature the U.S. Navy while remembering the Great White Fleet and the aid provided to Italy. It is the largest celebration of Italian and Italian-American culture in the world. The Columbus Celebration is organized by the Columbus Citizens Foundation, which raises scholarship funds for students of Italian descent.
"The significance of the rescue efforts in Italy is important because it shows the close relationship between the United States and Italy which continues today," said Lawrence Auriana, chairman of the board of governors of the Columbus Citizens Foundation.
Noreen Kirk, from Connecticut, and her 2-year-old son stopped by the exhibit at Grand Central Terminal.
"I didn't know about the Great White Fleet, but this is very informative," said Kirk.
"We had been here a few days ago and saw the announcement that this exhibit would be opening," said Debbie Friedman, a native of Manhattan visiting the exhibit with her husband. "This is very impressive, and it describes a part of history that is not very well recognized today."
The amphibious assault ship Nassau will visit New York for the Columbus Celebration with Sailors participating in the New York City Columbus Day parade. The ship will be open for public visitation Oct. 13.
Russian Navy to get 8 new-generation submarines by 2015
The Russian Navy will receive at least eight new-generation submarines as part of a state armaments program through 2015, its deputy commander said on Thursday.
"We have already built a new-generation nuclear powered submarine," Adm. Alexander Tatarinov said, without giving any details.
Asked how many warships would be built in total, he said that would depend on the Navy's needs.
"So far a series of eight warships are being planned - possibly more," he said.
The current 2007-2015 state armament program calls for the development of "across-the-board" new-generation weapon systems by 2011.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said last Thursday that the modernization of the Armed Forces needed to move faster, with priority being given to new, advanced weaponry and improvement of conditions for service personnel.
"We are planning to launch large-scale production of warships, primarily nuclear submarines with cruise missiles, and multi-purpose attack submarines," Medvedev said.
Russia, with a current defense budget of $40 billion, is reportedly planning to increase its defense spending by 50% in the next three years.
Tartan Terror arrives home
A lone piper playing 'Scotland the Brave' heralded the triumphant homecoming of HMAS Stuart (CMDR Andrew Masters) after a six month deployment for Operation Catalyst.
The piper on Stuart's forecastle gave the 'Tartan Terror' a voice to tell the 500 family and friends gathered at Fleet Base East that her ship's company were safely home.
Stuart returned to her homeport on 30 September, after six months in the Northern Arabian Gulf conducting maritime operations as part of Catalyst, Australia's ongoing commitment to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Iraq.
The ship's company of 185 men and women were greeted by family and friends at a traditional ceremony attended by the Minister for Defence, the Honourable Joel Fitzgibbon, MP, and CMDR Australian Fleet, RADM Nigel Coates.
The RAN Band added to the carnival atmosphere of the homecoming with rousing renditions of Waltzing Matilda, Advance Australia Fair, and I Still Call Australia Home. Within minutes of Stuart berthing, her ship's company were excitedly hugging and kissing their family and friends.
The homecoming was particularly special for LSNPC Travis Ramsay and his wife SBLT Michaela Ramsay who jointly cradled their son Taylor who was born three months ago. "It's great to be back to help my Navy wife with our Navy son," said LSNPC Ramsay.
Likewise ABMT Mathew Leatham was overwhelmed when his wife Jessica presented him with the daughter, Jade Lily, he had never met as she was born half way through the deployment.
Stuart's homecoming marked a day of triple celebrations for LSBM Brendan Thomas, who celebrated the end of his second deployment to the Middle East Area of Operation (MEAO), his 30th birthday and also his father's 61st birthday. Much to his embarrassment his parents Chris and Patricia greeted Stuart with a four-by-three metre sign proudly telling LSBM Thomas' thirsty ship mates of his birthday. "Turning 30 is not something I want to celebrate but getting back safe from the MEAO is," he said with a chuckle.
Mr Fitzgibbon paid tribute to Stuart's crew and the important role that they fulfilled. "Australians can be very proud of what Stuart has achieved," Mr Fitzgibbon said.
RADM Coates praised Stuart's ship's company for living up to her motto of being 'Always Prepared' and performing a difficult task with the utmost professionalism.
Stuart's deployment saw a change of command towards the end of her tour with CMDR Andrew Masters taking over from CMDR Nick Woodley in August.
CMDR Andrew Masters praised the support that the ship had received from families and loved ones at home.
"Stuart sailed from this point six months ago ready to face the challenges ahead of her," said CMDR Masters. "However, words cannot describe the experience of coming home today and seeing the smiling faces ready to greet us after a successful mission."
Stuart made a significant contribution to the Australian Government's support to the people of Iraq in their efforts to build a stable, secure and democratic Iraq.
Defence Minister Fitzgibbon said Stuart's aircrew played a critical part in locating a missing boat and four survivors clinging to its upturned hull following a request for support by the Kuwait Coast Guard.
On 19 July 2008, Stuart supported a search and rescue operation for a missing 22 foot cruiser, following a request from the Kuwait Coast Guard to Task Force 158. Stuart launched her Seahawk helicopter and using the FLIR camera, located the boat with four people clinging to the hull. The Seahawk aircrew advised the US Coast Guard Cutter Wrangell which rescued all of the survivors. The survivors were handed to a Kuwait Coast Guard vessel, which returned them home to Kuwait.
Stuart recorded several impressive milestones during her six-month deployment, including steaming more than 35,000 nautical miles, conducting 657 queries, 88 surface searches and 38 security sweeps in the Gulf. Eight vertical replenishments were conducted during her deployment to deliver more than 82 pallets to the ship.
The ship's company ate well, with more than 76,167 meals served, with 2688 dozen eggs, 9408 kilograms of potatoes, 9195 litres of milk and 21063 soft drink cans consumed. Almost 4000 kg of mail was received while 1023 kilograms of mail was sent.
Stuart was relieved on station by HMAS Parramatta in the MEAO in early September, representing the nineteenth rotation of RAN ships in the Northern Gulf since September 11, 2001.
EADS North America to Provide the U.S. Navy with UH-72 Lakota Light Utility Helicopters
The U.S. Navy has become a new military user of the UH-72 Light Utility Helicopter, provided by EADS North America, with the service ordering five aircraft for use in pilot training at the Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland.
With this new acquisition, the Navy joins the active Army and the Army National Guard in acquiring UH-72 Lakotas -- underscoring the twin-engine helicopter's versatility in a full range of operational missions and applications. The Navy's firm fixed-price order is valued at more than $24 million. Deliveries are scheduled from October 2009 through January 2010.
"The U.S. Navy contract is a further validation of the UH-72's versatility and mission capability, and confirms EADS North America's capacity to perform as a top-tier military supplier," said Ralph D. Crosby, EADS North America's Chairman and CEO. "We have delivered over 40 Lakotas on time and on budget to the Army and National Guard, and are committed to continuing this high standard of performance with the Navy."
UH-72A Lakota helicopters have been in the U.S. Army inventory since late 2006. Today, more than 40 aircraft are operating with Army and Army National Guard units across the country. More than 350 Lakotas are currently planned for acquisition by the Army through 2017, with mission responsibilities ranging from homeland security to support and logistics missions.
Production of the UH-72 is performed at the Golden Triangle Regional airport in Columbus, Mississippi under the management of American Eurocopter, an EADS North America business unit. The Light Utility Helicopter's production facility is a 220,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art addition to American Eurocopter's rotary-wing aircraft center of excellence previously operating at Columbus.
Lakota deliveries to the Army and National Guard currently average three to four helicopters per month, with the capacity to reach five UH-72s monthly.
The military UH-72 is based on the highly successful Eurocopter EC145 multi-role civilian helicopter, which is in service worldwide for transport, medical evacuation, off-shore, law enforcement and other missions.
Photo of the Day
The amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) is pulled by tugs from her berth as she departs for a scheduled deployment.
Gator
