Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.



On Display - DKM Bismarck in 1/350
Kostas Katseas [angeleyes] takes us prowling the Denmark Straight with his build of the DKM Bismarck in 1/350. Enjoy.




After 234 years, Sailors Still "Principal Hope of America's Future"
Source: US Navy

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Quoting Thomas Jefferson's description of American naval hero John Paul Jones, Rear Adm. Joseph Kilkenny, commander, Naval Education and Training Command, compared today's Sailors to that legendary seaman during his key note address at the Pensacola area Navy Ball Oct. 9.

Held at the National Museum of Naval Aviation, the event was attended by more than 500 military members and local dignitaries.

"The American Sailor has a long and distinguished genealogy," Kilkenny told the audience. "As I look around this room at the young Sailors, I can readily see the undaunted spirit and tenacity which were characteristic of one of our earliest naval heroes – John Paul Jones. He was described by Benjamin Franklin as the 'chief weapon of American forces in Europe', while Thomas Jefferson described Jones as the 'principal Hope of [America's] future efforts on the ocean.'

"The principal hope of America's future'. That is what I see when I look into the faces our Sailors," Kilkenny said.

The theme for this year's Navy Ball, which was hosted by Naval Operational Medicine Institute, was 'Honoring Sacrifice, Embracing Change, Continuing a Legacy'.

According to Kilkenny, Sailors live by different rules than other citizens around the nation. These guiding rules or codes include the Navy Core Values, and the Sailor's Creed.

"Creed is defined as a statement that someone believes in," Kilkenny said. "A creed is also called 'the epitome of principles', and the five short statements within the Creed are the embodiment of our Sailors. It encompasses the proud heritage of our Navy's past, as well as our future."

Kilkenny went on to quote Sailors from throughout the fleet about what the Sailors Creed means to them.

According to Petty Officer Second Class Philip McMullen, an Intelligence Specialist aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) in Yokosuka, Japan, the commitment to excellence in the Creed is very important to him.

"There are many distractions enticing us to take shortcuts and not pursue excellence, so I make an effort each day to avoid that," said McMullen. "I try to pursue what is beneficial long-term, not short-term."

For Petty Officer First Class Chris Holland-Tuve, a storekeeper assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa as part of the United States African Command, it is the defense of the Constitution that rings true.

"I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with Honor, Courage and Commitment," Holland-Tuve said. "It is by God's grace alone that I can exhibit any of these necessary traits. Honor inspires courage, and with courage comes the commitment to follow through, doing the right thing in difficult circumstances."

Kilkenny told the audience that, after 234 years of service to the nation, the Navy's core mission remains the same - to support and defend the Republic called America.

"A key component of that defense is the maritime strategy," Kilkenny said. "Sailors and Navy civilians are called to serve – to defend freedom at home or abroad, and they do so knowing they are making a difference. They have answered the call to serve America, protect the nation's security and carry out the maritime strategy every day around the globe."

Concluding his remarks, Kilkenny said the Navy's job is not always easy and there are risks.

"But America is worth fighting for," explained Kilkenny. "As John Paul Jones once said, 'It seems to be a law of nature, inflexible and unyielding, that those who will not risk cannot win.'

"We will continue to risk and win through our challenges, and we will continue to be the world's finest Navy."


The Future of Trident Nuclear Submarines
Source: UK Ministry of Defence

There has been widespread media coverage of reports that Prime Minister Gordon Brown will unveil plans to cut the number of Trident nuclear submarines from four to three, in line with President Barack Obama's goal of eradicating the world of nuclear weapons.

The Prime Minister is determined that Britain will play a full part, including at the important UN meeting on Thursday 24 September 2009, in trying to find an international deal to move towards the long-term ambition, which we all share, of a world free of nuclear weapons.

The PM has always said that we should have the minimum deterrent necessary. As part of 'the road to 2010' non-proliferation process, the PM has made it clear that he wants to look in detail at whether it is possible to maintain the UK's independent nuclear deterrent with three rather than four nuclear armed submarines when the next class of submarine enters service.

The PM's aim is that from the mid 2020s we should meet our minimum deterrent requirements with three next-generation nuclear armed submarines, unless analysis demonstrates that this would be impossible.

He has asked for further work to be considered by the NSID cabinet sub-committee.




USCG Eagle

Today’s website is USCG Eagle. This beautiful,
historic barque is based at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1775 - The Continental Congress establishes a Continental Navy, later known as the U.S. Navy.
1943 - The Destroyer Bristol (DD 453) is sunk, with the loss of 52 lives, by the U-317 off the coast of Algeria.
1954 - USS Saipan (CVL 48) begins relief and humanitarian aid operations for Haitians who were victims of Hurricane Hazel. The operation ended Oct. 19.


Photo of the Day



Smoke flares from the barrel of the 5 inch gun aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) during a live fire exercise.

Gator