Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - USS Iowa, 1898
Long before she had 16” cannon onboard the first USS Iowa sailed the seas in 1898. MSW Crewmember Bob Cicconi (BOBCICCONI) shows us his build of Niko’s USS Iowa as she sailed in 1898.
Feature
Bluejacket.com
Today’s website is the Bluejacket.com. Bluejacket.com is a great web site for all things US Navy and US Coast Guard. Enjoy.
Website
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1944 - Fifth Fleet lands Marines on Saipan, under the cover of naval gunfire, in conquest of Marianas.
1963 - Launching of combat store ship, Mars (AFS 1), first of new class of underway replenishment ships.
1991 - Two battle groups and amphibious ships evacuate dependents and Air Force personnel from Clark Air Force Base after Mount Pinatubo erupts in Philippines.
Minister for Defence Announces Australian Contribution to International Anti-Piracy Efforts
Source: Australian Department of Defence
Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today announced that the Australian Defence Force would contribute to international efforts to combat piracy off the Horn of Africa.
“The contribution will help to curb piracy in the region, protect Australian and international maritime trade and underline our commitment to targeted increased engagement with Africa,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Australia will flexibly task our frigate and AP-3C maritime patrol aircraft that are currently based in the Middle East between anti-piracy operations and their current counter-terrorism and maritime security patrol duties under OP SLIPPER. This will enable Australia to provide a robust and effective contribution to anti-piracy efforts while ensuring we remain able to respond to the most pressing tasking across the region at any time.
Australia will also play a significant role in broader maritime security efforts in the region by providing on a rotational basis a Commander and Fleet Battle staff to command counter-terrorism activities under international Task Force 150 from Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Headquarters in Bahrain. Additionally, Defence will provide a small number of Navy planning staff to CMF Headquarters for multinational anti-piracy and maritime security planning and co-ordination.
“Piracy is a threat to global maritime security, including to Australia’s merchant trade and to Australian tourists passing through the Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal. In 2008 there were 111 pirate attacks in the region, with 42 successful hijackings. There have been around 100 registered attacks, including over 25 successful hijackings, so far this year,” said the Minister.
This commitment reflects Australia’s support for United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1846 and 1851, which call on states to take an active role in the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia.
“Our contribution helps demonstrate Australia’s commitment to global security and our ongoing support to the United Nations,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Pentagon Contract Announcement
Source: US Department of Defense
Oceaneering International, Inc. – Marine Services Division, Chesapeake, Va., is being awarded a $14,095,184 firm-fixed-price contract for the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) of three Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) craft.
The LCAC SLEP will extend the service life of LCAC from 20 to 30 years, sustain/enhance craft capability, replace obsolete electronics, repair corrosion damage, reduce life cycle cost by improving reliability and maintainability, increase survivability, and establish a common configuration baseline.
The LCAC SLEP scope of effort includes repair and upgrade of the buoyancy box, gas turbine engine replacement, installation of a new skirt, installation of an integrated C4N equipment package, and accomplishment of selected craft alterations and repair work.
This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $38,883,193. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by November 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities, with four offers received.
Photo of the Day
A Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Dragon Whales" of helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 28 lands on the flight deck during exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS).
Gator
