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



On Display - HMS Iron Duke, 1918

MSW crew-mate Kostas Katseas (angeleyes) shares his fine build of the HMS Iron Duke in this "On Display" feature.




Nakilat to Build Patrol Boats for Qatari Navy
Source: Naval Technology

Nakilat will construct and deliver six patrol vessels for the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) at its shipbuilding facilities at the Port of Ras Laffan, under a recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU).

QENF will use the patrol boats to support its existing operations in the monitoring and surveillance of Qatar's economic exclusive zone, according to gulftimes.com.

Additional missions to be carried out by the new vessels include offshore patrolling, search and seizure operations, as well as anti-piracy and hijacking operations.

The MoU also includes dry-docking and repairs of Qatari Navy and other military auxiliary vessels in the event of machinery breakdowns or system failures, major upgrades and conversions of vessels, and procurement services for spare parts and materials.

According to QENF Staff Brigadier al-Mohannadi, the agreement will provide maintenance services and programme logistical support to the QENF which will greatly extend the fleet readiness capabilities.


Russian Navy Sends Nuclear Cruiser to Indian Ocean
Source: Russian Navy

The Russian Navy has deployed its nuclear-powered Pyotr Veliky cruiser on a tour of duty in the Indian Ocean.

A Russian Navy northern fleet spokesman said the ship would conduct maneuvers in the Indian Ocean with ships from the Black Sea fleet, and dock in ports on the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, according to Rianovosti.

The ship will pass through the Atlantic and Mediterranean waters, and enter the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal, the spokesman said.

According to northern fleet commander Vice-Admiral Nikolai Maksimov, the ship is ready to begin its mission and its tour-of-duty will be not shorter than its previous one, which lasted six months.

During the 2008 deployment, the navy's fourth Kirov Class battle cruiser operated in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.




First HC-144A Ocean Sentry in Service at Coast Guard Air Station Miami
Source: EADS North America

ARLINGTON, VA --- Deployment of the U.S. Coast Guard's HC-144A Ocean Sentry has expanded to the world's busiest air/sea rescue unit -- Air Station Miami, Florida -- as the EADS-built multi-mission aircraft continues to demonstrate its capabilities in operational service.

Air Station Miami received its first Ocean Sentry in March, and ultimately will operate five of the twin-engine HC-144As. The second Ocean Sentry is scheduled to arrive later this month, and a third will be transferred in July. Air Station Miami will have its full complement of HC-144As by early 2011.

Miami's first Ocean Sentry initially went operational at Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Alabama, in February 2009. Even before it formally entered service there, the HC-144A had performed its first Coast Guard search and rescue operation, playing a key role in locating a downed U.S. Air Force F-15 pilot from the Gulf of Mexico following a January 2009 mishap.

HC-144As have since been used for a broad range of missions, including recent operations to support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, earning the aircraft high marks from Coast Guard officials.

The service dispatched a total of three HC-144As from its Aviation Training Center after the January 12 quake. They operated as mobile communications command centers, while also using their modern sensor systems to collect intelligence on ground operations and conduct critical infrastructure surveys. The versatile aircraft's cargo ramp also allows it to carry cargo and supplies when needed.

In addition, CBS news anchor Katie Couric flew with an HC-144A crew as they gathered real-time video data with GPS coordinates for use by relief crews to organize recovery efforts.

Following its operations in Haiti, Coast Guard officials praised the HC-144 for its advantages over the HU-25 Falcon jets it is replacing -- noting the Ocean Sentry's flexibility to support different missions, considerable fuel savings and easier maintenance.

The Coast Guard has called its Ocean Sentry a successful acquisition program, and underscored the rapid fielding of this medium-range maritime patrol aircraft -- which progressed from developmental testing to key assistance in humanitarian efforts in less than two years.

The HC-144A, provided by EADS' Airbus Military business unit, is the first all-new aircraft delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard as part of a major recapitalization of aging assets. The service has received eight of the 11 Ocean Sentries currently on order, with plans to bring its total inventory to 36 HC-144As through additional buys.

U.S. customer support for these aircraft -- including ground training, technical services and spares -- is provided by Airbus Military North America, an EADS North America Company, at its facility at Mobile Regional Airport in Alabama.




SSBN / SSGN Ohio Class Ballistic Missile Submarine

Today’s website is SSBN / SSGN Ohio Class Ballistic Missile Submarine. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1776 - The Continental brig Lexington captures the British ship Edward.
1917 - The Navy takes control of all wireless radio stations in the United States.
1942 - The Navy accepts African Americans for general service.
1945 - Lt. j.g. Ann Purvis and Ensign Jane Kendeigh become the first Navy flight nurses to land on an active battlefield (Iwo Jima).
1945 - Carrier aircraft defeat the last Japanese Navy sortie at the Battle of East China Sea; Yamato, the world's largest battleship, and five other ships are sunk.
1979 - The first Trident submarine, USS Ohio (SSBN 726), is launched at Groton, Conn.


Photo of the Day



The mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) departs Lumut, Malaysia after conducting training exercises with the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Gator