Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Campaign - Pre-Dreadnought Campaign 1866-1905
MSW’s Pre-Dreadnought campaign kicked off Nov 1. You can watch these fine builds take shape on the dedicated campaign thread.
Campaign.
Community Build Stats-to date (11/4/08)
The fifth installment of the MSW Community Build has come to an end. To see where your build or your favorite build stacks up against the others, follow the link below.
Community Build Stats
Remembering Torpedo 8
Today’s website is a very touching video produced by the US Navy during World War II. The film was never released to the public and was only presented to the widows of the officers and men.
Website
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1775 - Commodore Esek Hopkins appointed as commander in chief of the Continental Navy.
1915 - In AB-2 flying boat, Lt. Cmdr. Henry C. Mustin makes first underway catapult launch from a ship, USS North Carolina, at Pensacola Bay, Fla.
1917 - German submarine torpedoes USS Alcedo off French coast.
1923 - Tests designed to prove the feasibility of launching a small seaplane from a submarine occur at Hampton Roads Naval Base. A Martin MS-1, stored disassembled in a tank on board USS S-1, was removed and assembled. Then the submarine submerged allowing the plane to float free and take off.
1944 - TF 38 (Vice Adm. John S. McCain) begins two days of carrier strikes on Luzon, Philippines.
1945 - Ensign Jake C. West (VF 41) makes first jet landing on board a carrier, USS Wake Island (CVE 65).
Japanese Destroyer Gets Ready for Intercept Test
Source: Japanese Self Defense Force press release
The Japanese Ship (JS) Chokai (pronounced Choh Kai), (DDG 176) is one step closer toward her anticipated ballistic missile defense intercept flight test next month.
The Chokai has successfully completed a Tracking Exercise, in the mid-Pacific, where its radars acquired a ballistic missile target, launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Barking Sands, Kauai, HI, and transmitted data via a tactical data link to other ships and shore command facilities.
The Chokai 's weapon system calculated a fire control solution and the crew conducted a simulated intercept of the target by a Standard Missile - 3 (SM-3).
Next month, Chokai will conduct an actual intercept attempt. She is the second of four Japanese destroyers that have been, or will be, equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense capability. A similar test was conducted last December with the JS Kongo. The objective of the November test will be to engage and intercept a separating target to be launched from the PMRF.
Upon completing the intercept test, Chokai will return to Japan.
Sailors For a Day
Source: Royal Australian Navy press release
Students from various locations around the country have recently experienced first hand what it would life at sea would be like as a member of a ships company. Regional Coordinators with the Navy Community Engagement program have been busy organizing “Sea Rides” for students in their regions who may be contemplating a Naval Career and what better way than to show these sailors of the future what life in the Navy is about.
In Western Australia 16 Year 11 students from Esperence Senior High School visited HMAS Warramunga and were very impressed when they were give a first hand look at .the workings of the 5 inch gun, small arms locker and Damage Control facilities.
In Tasmania, Year 10 students from Southern Tasmania were asked to enter an Essay Competition on the role of Australian Servicemen during the Battle of Britain. The winners, along with a parent were taken by RHIB to join HMAS Manoora for a Sea Ride and tour of the ship prior to coming alongside in Hobart.
In the North, members of the Indigenous Pre Recruitment course joined other members of an ADF Familiarisation tour of HMAS Cairns where they were able to tour HMAS Launceston and HMAS Tarakan as well as a tour of Cairns inlet in a Navy Dive Boat.
The purpose of Navy Community Engagement Program is to increase community awareness of the Navy’s role and involvement through positive face-to-face engagement with Navy people in local communities. It is designed to give the public a better understanding of the opportunities and lifestyle that Navy people enjoy when undertaking a Naval Career through contact with Navy People.
Photo of the Day
Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) man the rails upon their return to homeport following a six-month deployment.
Gator
