Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
On Display – USS Vermont BB20
MSW Crewmember Robert Kernaghan (RKERNAGHAN) sails past with a wonderful build of the USS Vermont BB20 in this "On Display" feature.
British Submarine Launches Further Strikes On Libyan Air Defence Systems
Source: UK Ministry of Defence
A Royal Navy submarine has launched further missile strikes against Libyan air defence targets as part of co-ordinated coalition action in support of enforcing UN Resolution 1973.
In a statement, the Chief of the Defence Staff's Strategic Communications Officer, Major General John Lorimer, said:
"British Armed Forces have again participated in a co-ordinated strike against Libyan air defence systems in support of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.
"The UK launched guided Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles from a Trafalgar-Class submarine at air defence targets as part of the coalition plan to enforce the resolution.
"Britain and her international partners remain engaged in operations to support United Nations Security Resolution 1973, to enforce the established no-fly zone and to ready the UK's contribution to the NATO arms embargo of Libya."
Navy to Christen Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Arlington
Source: U.S Department of Defense
The Navy will christen the newest amphibious transport dock ship, Arlington, Saturday, March 26, 2011, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.
The ship is named for the city of Arlington, Va., honoring the 184 victims in the air and on the ground who lost their lives when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001, as well as the military and civilian employees, emergency, fire and rescue personnel of Arlington County and surrounding communities who provided critical assistance after the attack.
Arlington County Fire Chief James Schwartz, the incident commander coordinating the rescue response efforts on the ground at the Pentagon during the Sept. 11 attack, will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Joyce Rumsfeld, wife of former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, is the ship’s sponsor, and in accordance with Navy tradition, will break a bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen the ship.
Designated LPD 24, Arlington is the eighth amphibious transport dock ship in the San Antonio class. As an element of future expeditionary strike groups, the ship will support the Marine Corps “mobility triad,” which consists of the landing craft air cushion vehicle, amphibious vehicles and the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. Arlington will provide improved warfighting capabilities, including an advanced command-and-control suite, increased lift-capability in vehicle and cargo-carrying capacity and advanced ship-survivability features. The ship is capable of embarking a landing force of up to 800 Marines.
Two previous ships have carried the name Arlington. The first was a steel-hulled C1-B type cargo ship operating during World War II. The second USS Arlington was a 14,500-ton Vietnam War era, major communications relay ship, which assisted with communications during a June 1969 conference between U.S. President Nixon and Republic of Vietnam President Thieu.
Cmdr. Darren W. Nelson of Rushville, Neb., is the prospective commanding officer and will lead a crew of 360 officers and enlisted Navy personnel and three Marines. The 24,900-ton ship is 684 feet in length, has an overall beam of 105 feet, and a navigational draft of 23 feet.
USS Observation Island
Today’s website is USS Observation Island. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1954 - Carrier aircraft began reconnaissance near Dien Bien Phu, Indochina.
1960 - The first fully-integrated fleet ballistic missile is launched from USS Observation Island (AGM 23).
1973 - Naval Advisory Group and Naval Forces, Vietnam, disestablished, and the last U.S. prisoners of war leave Vietnam.
1975 - The Evacuation of Danang began by sea.
Diorama Idea of the Day
Sailors assigned to Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3 train marines from the Royal Netherlands marine corps to operate riverine craft. To see the original high resolution photo, click here.
Gator
