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

Category: Navy

  • Maybus: Next carrier will be an Enterprise

    Yesterday, the Navy deactivated the USS Enterprise, so today marks the first day in 51 years that our naval defenses are without a USS Enterprise, the eighth vessel of that name.

    But the Secretary of the Navy Ray Maybus announced at the decommissioning ceremony that the next Gerald E. Ford – class carrier will be named the USS Enterprise (CVN 80);

    “The USS Enterprise was the first of its kind, and for 51 years its name has been synonymous with boldness, readiness and an adventurous spirit,” said Mabus. “Rarely has our fleet been without a ship bearing the name. I chose to maintain this tradition not solely because of the legacy it invokes, but because the remarkable work of the name Enterprise is not done.”

    The future USS Enterprise, designated CVN 80, will be the ninth ship to bear the name.

    USS Enterprise and subsequent Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers will provide improved warfighting capability, quality of life improvements for Sailors and reduced life cycle costs.

    The Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier will be 1,092 feet in length and have a beam of 134 feet. The flight deck will be 256 feet wide, and the ship will be able to operate at speeds in excess of 34 knots. Enterprise will be built by Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va.

  • SEALs punished for video game participation

    EX-PH2 sends a link to an NBC News article about how seven Navy SEALs have been punished for helping to develop the video game Medal of Honor Warfighter;

    The official did not say what, if any, information the SEALs revealed by participating in the video game’s development. However, a written statement from Deputy Commander of Naval Special Warfare, Rear Admiral Garry Bonelli, indicates this is more about making an example of these sailors after a string of high-profile SEAL products.

    “We do not tolerate deviations from the policies that govern who we are and what we do as Sailors in the United States Navy. The non-judicial punishment decisions made today send a clear message throughout our Force that we are and will be held to a high standard of accountability,” Bonelli wrote.

    I don’t know what kind of information they could possibly give to the game developer that would be considered classified, but whatever it is, I’m sure it can’t compare to the stuff that comes out of the leaky-assed White House when it’s politically expedient to do so. Funny how there’s a double standard for punishing military folks and civilian political operatives when it comes to these leaks.

    Apparently, cooperating with movie makers is good, but writing a book or helping with a video game is bad. Although I agree that unauthorized release of classified information is terrible, but I didn’t see anything in “No Easy Day” that would fit that description, and I doubt there’s anything in a video game that would be useful to an enemy.

  • A Final Homecoming for “Big E”

    The USS Enterprise is expected to return to Norfolk, VA, today – from her final deployment.  She will be decommissioned on 1 December 2012.

    The USS Enterprise was commissioned in November 1961.  At the time of her decommissioning, she will have served the US Navy for in excess of 51 years.  No other carrier has served the Navy as long.

    The USS Enterprise was the US Navy’s first nuclear-powered carrier, and is still today the longest warship in the world.  She has seen duty in virtually every major US naval operation or conflict from the Cuban Missile Crisis to today’s hostilities in Afghanistan.

    Every ship eventually reaches end of life.  But this one has indeed been special.

    Sadly, because of her design it will likely not be possible to convert the USS Enterprise into a museum after decommissioning.  Her design included eight nuclear reactors.   The extensive disassembly of the ship necessary to allow  removal of her eight reactors and associated equipment will likely make conversion to a museum afterwards impractical.

    In the end, though, the final disposition of her steel hull is not what really matters.  What does matter is the service – and the history – the USS Enterprise gave this nation and the Navy.  So long as there is a US Navy, that history will be remembered and treasured.

    Welcome home one last time, grand lady.

  • In The Navy – Redux

    NB: This is satire! It does fit well with my earlier post though. Thanks John A.

    SECNAV Reintroduces Grog to the Navy

    In a surprise announcement yesterday, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus reversed a key portion of the initiative known as “The 21st Century Sailor.”  After the fleet-wide failure of his “breathalyzer on every quarterdeck” policy, Mabus announced that the Navy would not only do away with the newly installed devices, but bring back the tradition of alcohol rations.  The announcement was all the more stunning as it came after a period of 24 hours in which no one could seem to find the Secretary.

    “Today’s Sailors understand leadership and motivation,” Mabus said to reporters at the U.S. Naval Academy, who filed into Mahan Hall Auditorium for a hastily assembled press conference.  “After spending the evening with the combat-leaders-in-training on the Academy’s Varsity Cheerleading Squad, exchanging ideas at various establishments around Annapolis, I became convinced we need a course change in our policy. We need spirit back in the U.S. Navy!”

    Like bringing back the USS Constitution to full combat service this is one of those things that almost makes sense.

    Although not ‘grog’ there were spirits  carried on ships when I was in during the ’60s.  During an UNREP (underway replenishment for the Army guys) a guy got tangled up in a cargo net and briefly dunked in the ocean. His was given a shot of something in a glass. This led to  a discussion of just what it would take to warrant  shots all around. Don’t remember the consensus reached.

  • Deja Vu All Over Again

    Title is a quote, BTW.

    US aircraft carrier cruises disputed Asian seas

    A U.S. aircraft carrier group cruised through the disputed South China Sea on Saturday in a show of American power in waters that are fast becoming a focal point of Washington’s strategic rivalry with Beijing.

    Vietnamese security and government officials were flown onto the nuclear-powered USS George Washington ship, underlining the burgeoning military relationship between the former enemies. A small number of journalists were also invited to witness the display of maritime might in the oil-rich waters, which are home to islands disputed between China and the other smaller Asian nations facing the sea.

    Spent some time in The South China Sea AND with a nuclear carrier (USS Enterprise)… Not really relevant except point up that certain buzzwords have meaning.

    And I’ll admit passing fascination with a geopolitical view that places our assets in and around disputed OIL rich waters while ignoring closer assets, but that’s just me. To say nothing of dealing with a possible threat and ignoring a one that is real.  When was the last time a Chinese flew a plane into one of our buildings?

    Freedom of navigation is no trivial matter, but I can’t help but remember The Gulf of Tonkin incident .

    My apologies for being terse (or rambling) here. Reading the linked article aroused old memories that are most likely irrelevant to most, but…

  • Happy Birthday United States Navy

    There are enough of us Swab Jockeys here to justify a passing mention of this:

    The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which the Continental Congress established on 13 October 1775, by authorizing the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. The legislation also established a Naval Committee to supervise the work. All together, the Continental Navy numbered some fifty ships over the course of the war, with approximately twenty warships active at its maximum strength.

    And in lieu of more traditional Navy songs I offer this:


    I’ll be wearing my dixie cup and daydreaming about far away lands.

  • Not Exactly a Surprise

    Welll, the Navy announced today the fate of that ship’s captain who recently managed to get his ship rammed near the Strait of Hormuz. And I have to say the decision wasn’t really a surprise to me:

    The skipper of the USS Porter has been removed from command after his ship collided with an oil tanker just outside the strategic Strait of Hormuz

    The commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic announced Cmdr. Martin Arriola’s relief of command on Thursday.

    I have zero experience in matters nautical, so I can’t really give an educated opinion on whether or not this was justified.  But as a “landlubber”, well, I do have to say it seems about right to me.

    I hope CDR Arriola has some good plans for life post-Navy.  I’d guess his Navy career has reached it’s apex.

  • Frocked!

    Gary Sinise must have the constitution of a bull. He and his band stay on the road even when his TV show is active.

    Can’t wait to hear how he enjoys his first visit to a “Goat Locker”

    MCPON Names Gary Sinise Honorary Chief

    Actor, humanitarian and musician, Gary Sinise, was named an honorary chief petty officer during a ceremony held at the United States Navy Memorial and Naval Heritage Center Aug. 24.

    BTW, still having connectivity problems with TAH. I hope this post is coherent, but…