This ain't Hell, but you can see it from here

Category: Navy

  • More F-35 “Good News”

    Most TAH readers have heard about that new F-35 “Lightning II” that DoD insists will be ready for prime time “real soon now”.   (Yeah, I know the USMC has accepted it and declared it “operational” – but I won’t consider it truly “ready for prime time” until it can perform its Close Air Support [CAS] role too.  And as I’ll discuss below, right now the F-35 simply can’t do that.)

    Well, it seems that there’s another little minor issue with the platform that’s been made public.

    Jonn’s written previously about how the F-35 is less maneuverable in a dogfight than one of the aircraft it will replace, the F-16.  Others have written elsewhere about the fact that the F-35 will be far less effective at the Close Air Support (CAS) role than the A-10 – if for no other reason than the F-35 is only designed to carry between 15.5% (USAF model, 182 rounds) and 18.7% (USN/USMC model, 220 rounds) as much cannon ammunition as the A-10 can carry (1,174 rounds).

    But it will certainly be better air-to-air against the current aircraft it might face from Russia or China, right?  Well, in a word – no.

    Turns out that the F-35 will also likely be less maneuverable than the current aircraft from Russia and China it’s expected to face.  So it will likely be worse than those aircraft in an air-to-air role, too.

    Yeah, the analysis was done by a progressive think tank.  So?   Remember:  they are capable of telling the truth on occasion, too.  (smile)

    Gee, what a surprise. I mean, the program has been an unmitigated success so far, right?

    So, to recap: the F-35 is hugely expensive – several times more expensive than the aircraft it replaces.  It’s worse as a CAS platform – and, by the way, it won’t even be available for that role for at least 4 years, as performing that role isn’t possible until gun control software which is projected to be available in 2019 is delivered (and only then if that gun control software works correctly).  It is less maneuverable than the F16 it replaces in a dogfight.  And it’s also less maneuverable than the foreign aircraft it may have to face in air-to-air combat.

    So . . . what’s not to like?

    Folks, we’ve seen this “movie” once before.  Specifically, we saw it early in Vietnam – when US aircraft, designed not for maneuverability and depending solely on air-to-air missiles to take out enemy aircraft – got absolutely savaged by more maneuverable Soviet designs.  (The air-to-air loss ratio early during the Vietnam War was about 1-to-1.)  Plus, those aircraft kinda stunk when performing a CAS role, too.

    The “movie” absolutely sucked then.  There’s a damn good chance we’ll see a modern-day sequel if we continue down this path – and it will suck just as badly as the original.

    We learned from that earlier fiasco, though.  The result was a new generation of US military aircraft that took those lessons to heart.  Those aircraft were the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, and the A-10.

    The F-35 is a turkey.  We need to admit that fact, pull the plug on it, and go back to the drawing board.  Yesterday.

  • Injured in helicopter “hard landing”

    Injured in helicopter “hard landing”

    (Ryosuke Uematsu/Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, CREDIT MANDATORY
    (Ryosuke Uematsu/Kyodo News via AP) JAPAN OUT, CREDIT MANDATORY

    There were either six or seven folks injured when an Army Blackhawk helicopter made a “hard landing” on the deck of the USNA Red Cloud, depending on whether you listen to Reuters or CNN.

    The U.S. Army H-60 helicopter was damaged during a “hard deck landing” aboard the USNS Red Cloud about 20 miles east of Okinawa, the U.S. Forces, Japan said.

    The helicopter is currently on the deck of the USNS Red Cloud and the injured were transported to the U.S. Naval Hospital at Camp Foster, it said in a statement.

    The articles don’t stipulate which service the injured were assigned to – they could have been Navy, Marine or Army given the story of an Army helicopter on a Navy ship.

    The good news is that there were others aboard who weren’t injured.

    The Japanese government is currently calling for a reduction of US presence on Okinawa because of accidents that they fear will injure their citizens. I guess that’s the price that you pay when you depend on a foreign government for protection so that you don’t have to pay for your own defense.

  • Kristian Saucier; sailor to be charged with possession of classified photos

    Kristian Saucier; sailor to be charged with possession of classified photos

    Fox News reports that Machinist Mate 1st Class Kristian Saucier took some pictures of classified parts of the USS Alexandria submarine and then tried to foil investigators by destroying his cell phone and computer;

    Saucier, 28, of Vermont, was arrested May 28 and released on $100,000 bond. He is assigned to a Navy support facility in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

    The paper said that, according to the complaint, Saucier denied taking the photos after he told the FBI the phone belonged to him.

    The photos included images of the Alexandria’s control panels, reactor compartment and a monitor showing the sub’s exact location at the time of the photo.

    The FBI alleges that the images were detailed enough to help an engineer figure out the design characteristics of a U.S. nuclear submarine.

    I dunno, these troops these days and their cameras.

  • West: Lt. Cmdr. Timothy White to be charged for Chattanooga shooting

    I’m not sure that I buy this, but Allen West says that someone sent him a text message the other day which said that Lieutenant Commander Timothy White, the fellow who returned fire when Muhammad Abdulazeez assaulted the Reserve Center in Chattanooga several days ago, is going to be charged by the Navy for discharging a firearm on federal property.

    Now, I trust Allen West, and I think the Navy Secretary, Ray Maybus, is an idiot, but I don’t think Maybus is so stupid that he start a firestorm over something like this. From West’s website;

    Ladies and gents, resulting from the text message I received yesterday, I can confirm that the United States Navy is bringing charges against Lt. Cmdr Timothy White for illegally discharging a firearm on federal property.

    The text message asked if it would be possible for Lt.Cmdr White to reach out to me. To wit I replied, affirmative.

    I would hope that Lieutenant Colonel West did some investigating, but since I’ve not seen any evidence other than than West’s posting, I’m staying skeptical.

  • The USS Stark Incident

    The USS Stark Incident

    Riflemusket reminds us that May 17th marked the 28th anniversary of the USS Stark incident. An errant Iraqi pilot launched two Exocet anti-ship missiles at the USS Stark, both missiles struck their target, but only one exploded. The resulting damage killed 37 sailors and wounded 21 others, while the fires aboard the ship burned all night.

    Captain Glenn R. Brindel saved his ship, but he was punished for not defending the ship against the attack and he was allowed to retire. At first, the Iraqis claimed that they had executed the pilot, but after the last was against Saddam Hussein, it was disclosed that the pilot was still alive.

    In 2011, the US and Iraqi government signed an agreement which required the Iraqi government to establish a fund of $400 million to compensate prisoners of war and hostages in the first Gulf War, and those killed or injured in the 1987 attack on Stark.

    But every year, members of the Stark’s crew gather on May 17th to remember the event so that we never forget;

    SN Doran H. Bolduc, Lacey, WA

    RMSA Dexter D. Grissett, Macon, GA

    FCCS Robert L. Shippee, Adams Center, NY

    BM1 Braddi O. Brown, Calera, AL

    FC3 William R. Hansen, Reading, MA

    SMSA Jeffrey C. Sibley, Metairie, LA

    FC3 Jeffrey L. Calkins, Richfield Springs, NY

    GMG3 Daniel Homicki, Elizabeth, NJ

    OS3 Lee Stephens, Pemberton, OH

    SN Mark R. Caouette, Fitchburg, MA

    OSSN Kenneth D. Janusik, Jr., Clearwater, FL

    TM2 James R. Stevens, Visalia, CA

    SN John A. Ciletta, Jr., Brigantine, NJ

    OS1 Steven E. Kendall, Honolulu, HI

    ET3 Martin J. Supple, North Olmsted, OH

    SR Brian M. Clinefelter, San Bernardino, CA

    EMCS Stephen Kiser, Elkhart, IN

    FC1 Gregory L. Tweady, Champaign, IL

    OS3 Antonio A. Daniels, Greeleyville, SC

    SM1 Ronnie G. Lockett, Bessemer, AL

    ET3 Kelly R. Quick, Linden, MI

    ET3 Christopher DeAngelis, Dumont, NJ

    GMM1 Thomas J. MacMullen, Darby, PA

    SN Vincent L. Ulmer, Bay Minette, AL

    IC3 James S. Dunlap, Osceola Mills, PA

    EW3 Charles T. Moller, Columbus, GA

    EW3 Joseph P. Watson, Ferndale, MI

    STGSN Steven T. Erwin, Troy, MI

    DS1 Randy E. Pierce, Choctaw, OK

    ET3 Wayne R. Weaver, II, New Bethlehem, PA

    RM2 Jerry Boyd Farr, Charleston, SC

    SA Jeffrei L. Phelps, Locust Grove, VA

    OSSN Terrance Weldon, Coram, NY

    QMCS Vernon T. Foster, Jacksonville, FL

    GM3 James Plonsky, Van Nuys, CA

    IC2 Lloyd A. Wilson, Summerville, SC

    SMSN Earl P. Ryals, Boca Raton, FL

  • Waverley Reynar’s MOS was Professional Liar

    Waverley Reynar’s MOS was Professional Liar

    Last week Jonn posted about Waverley “Wave” Reynar. We know much more about him now that we didn’t know then. We know that his deceit and lies go back decades. We know that exposing his lies has hurt many good people that only want to help injured veterans. We know that his lies have hurt the real Marines that he claimed a brotherhood with, those that he pretended to have shed blood with. Most of all he has hurt Marines that were injured in Afghanistan and Iraq, the guys who are desperately trying to find their path in a changed world. They looked up to him. They admired him. They saw in him an elder brother, one who had been where they were at and found his way out of the darkness. They saw in him a father figure, a mentor and, last but not least, someone who understood what it was like to be mortally wounded and survive. Someone who had endured and triumphed. Someone who had not only lived but had a full life after the suffering. He gave them hope.

    I have gotten to know a few of the people affected by his lies in the last week. Some of these same people were mocked and ridiculed on this site for supporting Waverley. We have forgotten that these people were not just names on the internet. We forgot that these are the people that we have talked so often about. These are the real victims of Stolen Valor. These are not people who bought into a lie for financial gain like those friends of Phil Moncross or AJ Dikens. These are real people who are veterans or people who support veterans. These are the people who believed a lie out of love and devotion. They were hoodwinked and conned, and I know you can’t cheat an honest man, but I also now know lies are not the same as being cheated. What happened here is many honest people, some veterans, some not, were lied to. They believed those fantastic lies because they are honest. They have a deep integrity. They have a moral compass. Waverley used those very qualities against them. We attacked his victims because they were doing what real friends do. We attacked them for not believing us right away. We attacked them for defending a friend. We ridiculed a wounded Marine veteran for having the nerve to question us. Instead of educating him and showing him the truth, we scorned him. In many ways, this week members of this site were no better than Waverley. We can and must do better.

    I wrote the two paragraphs above yesterday (Friday) morning. Things have come to light since then that need to be shared.

    Hold on to your hat folks: Waverley C. Reynar was in fact a Marine. He served from 1963 until February of 1967. There is a problem with the FOIA request, and that is why we didn’t get a hit back. I am working on getting a correct FOIA requested. What I do know is this….he did not earn any personal awards in that time. No Silver Star. No Purple Hearts. No Bronze Star. He was not a diver. He was not shot in the head. He was never a Gunny. Our best information at this time indicates he was either a Corporal or Sargent. It is not believed that he served in Vietnam. HE did get stationed in Adak Alaska, that’s almost the same as Vietnam, RIght? He did enlist in the Navy as soon as he got out of the Marines. He served on several diesel subs as a cook. It would also seem the he retired from the Navy in the early ‘80s with the pay grade of E-5. What should have been good and honorable service has been ruined by lies that started almost 50 years ago.

    So to Mr. Reynar, I offer my apology, I said you were not a Marine and you were. That simple fact makes everything else you have done deplorable. In my opinion, you are the worst case of Stolen Valor I have ever seen. You stole services and honors from real wounded Marines. You told your lies to them knowing that they were suffering far worse than you ever had. You took all expense paid trips and travel, given to you because of your tall tales. You deprived real Wounded Warriors of those trips. I have spoken to your victims. People who took you into their homes and hearts. Good people that made you a part of their families. You may have earned the Eagle Globe and Anchor at one time in your life, but you have disgraced it with your actions. You shit on your brothers. How long will you continue to dodge the phone calls from your victims, or your “friends”? How long will you continue to lie? All they are asking for is the truth, but then again that’s something you haven’t told in fifty years. You see Mr. Reynar, I have been witness to the pain and intense sorrow your lies have caused. Congratulations, you made Marines cry. You have continued those lies this week with your stories of injury and illness. I saw the pictures. I also decoded them. Most were taken over a year ago. You don’t even have on the same clothes for pictures that were supposed to have been taken back to back. Picture numbers are hundreds apart. Yet you still try to con those that defended you. You are worse than a street thug, you use the sympathy and compassion as your weapon, not a knife or gun.

    This is a clear cut case of Stolen valor. He falsely claimed valor awards and profited from those claims. He was given all expense paid trips to several different states and cities. He was the guest of honor at many functions. He is a conman and a thief. I hope he is prosecuted for his crimes. There is more to this story, and I will find it all out.

  • When Fish Fly

    Sitting on the deck here on Pine Island I was sorta reminded of a Sea Story. We regularly found Flying Fish on deck while underway .

    I don’t know if Bubbleheads and Airdales ever experienced the critters, however, anybody that bobbed on the surface in the REAL Navy likely encountered this tropical phenomenon. Oh yeah, and regular civilian sailors also likely have as well.

    Anyway, we’d see them regularly during the day. Sometimes seeming to surf our wake. But in the morning we’d be picking up their carcasses off the deck and tossing them over the side.

    So this ain’t exactly a real “Sea Story”, but… I’ve discovered that there is a sort of flying fish here. AND Osprey help with that particular effort.

    Sitting here looking out on Charlotte Harbor we regularly see fish jumping out of the water – not exactly flying, but likely dodging predators, and the Osprey are watching as well it seems.

    As noted – the nesting Osprey are watching. These beautiful birds will see the splash, their tummies must growl, and they soar. Aside: Water can be pretty hard. Gives “Bird Brain” an odd perspective.

    So… these birds will dive into the the water, and viola… a flying fish. Yeah, it is in the fisherman’s talons, but it IS in the air.

    Update for any who read this: Thor has announced his presence.

     

     

  • Caught in the madness

    A couple of stories came out of the madness in Baltimore this week; Bubblehead Ray sends us a link to the story of Midshipmen from the Naval Academy who were in Baltimore for a ball game. Protests broke near the Subway sandwich shop where they were eating on Saturday. When a chair smashed through the window, the ten middies took quick action and moved all of the patrons to the back of the business and stood between the protesters and the patrons;

    These midshipmen directed families to the back of the Subway. Then they lined up, in front of families, as protesters passed outside, some throwing rocks. Women and children gathered farthest from the windows, except for [Midshipman Madisen Grinnell, 18, of Sacramento, Calif.], the only female there from the Naval Academy.

    “You’re in the military and a midshipmen — you should be in the front,” she insisted.

    Kadlubowski, of Colorado Springs, Colo., was uninjured when glass fell around him. He escorted the store manager to the door.

    “I made sure he could lock the door without problem,” Kadlubowski said.

    About 20 civilians sheltered, in the back of the Subway, while protesters passed. Some protesters waved their middle fingers, said Midshipman Erik Sabelstrom, 19, of Colorado Springs, Colo.

    Luckily the protest them by and the Middies were able to successfully extricate themselves unscathed. But, given their actions that day, I’d guess they know what is their place in society.

    Now it is time for a cautionary tale.

    I saw this photo on Facebook the other day and people were pounding their keyboards in anger about how he was participating in the protests in uniform and should be court martialed.

    Guardsman

    I didn’t see anything that indicated that he was protesting along with the crowd, so I asked a few questions that no one could answer and passed this non-story up.

    According to USAToday, I made the right choice in this case;

    Col. Charles Kohler, a spokesman for the Maryland Guard, confirmed to Army Times that the soldier works at Cade Armory, which is very close to where the protests were taking place this week.

    “Every indication is that he is a solid soldier. He knows, and so does his chain of command, it was a case of bad timing,” he said. “He was walking home from work and saw the demonstration and stopped as they walked by, and then someone took his picture.”

    I know we’re all looking for reasons to be outraged, but we need to be careful that we don’t make assumptions and ruin the lives of innocent folks.