Marines in Sendai pushing for larger role in relief effort - News - Stripes

Marines in Sendai pushing for larger role in relief effort - News - Stripes

How about that...........our Marines want more work!

Norfolk, Portsmouth get a view of carrier Truman passing by

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/03/norfolk-portsmouth-get-view-carrier-truman-passing

Always good to see a carrier go by.........!

Vivid World War II posters up for auction - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Vivid World War II posters up for auction - Air Force News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

I would love one of these.......................

Safely Back, a Pilot Tells of His Raid Over Libya

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/world/africa/26attack.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Someone please tell me what 'special planes' are??!

How do F-16's get refueled from 'special planes'?

Aid puts new face on U.S. military in Japan - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Aid puts new face on U.S. military in Japan - Air Force News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Plane’s 1951 disappearance still a mystery - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Plane’s 1951 disappearance still a mystery - Air Force News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

I want to know what happened to these men.........................

U.S. rushes water to help Japan nuclear plant - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

U.S. rushes water to help Japan nuclear plant - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

The effort clearly continues....................

David After Dentist

Okay - Wharf Rat is off mission here, but you have to see this..................

Blue Angels Air Show Fleet Week 2010, San Francisco

Libya vs. Iraq

And they vote................wish they wouldn't

Navy Names Littoral Combat Ships Jackson and Montgomery

Navy Names Littoral Combat Ships Jackson and Montgomery

Oops............If you note in this story 'Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today that the next two Freedom-class littorial combat ships (LCS) to be built in Alabama will be named the USS Jackson and the USS Montgomery.'

Anyone, anyone can pick out the error in that article?.........That's right - it's the Independence-class LCS that is built in Alabama.

Story of a Fighter Pilot: The Story of Cadet Matthew Joseph La Porte

http://blog.projectwhitehorse.com/the-intersection/v-sheepdogs-and-white-horses/2-story-of-a-fighter-pilot-the-story-of-cadet-matthew-joseph-la-porte/

"Mathew Joseph La Porte, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets – Air Force ROTC scholarship – never got the chance to be an Air Force fighter pilot, but if a German Ace – Adolf Galland (104 aerial victories) – is a credible source to correctly define the breed – "the spirit of attack born of a brave heart" – then Cadet La Porte's death on April 16, 2007 was that of a true fighter pilot in every sense."

Please click on the link, and read every word

CNO owes Salamander a Hat Tip (CNO is talking about the '20's - and shipbuilding needs)

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2011/03/cno-owes-salamander-hat-tip.html

Where Are the Carriers?

Click on for a larger picture

http://wingsoveriraq.com/2011/03/16/where-are-the-carriers/

From Japan to the US Navy and Marine Corps - look to the left of the circle

There's a little 'dust' in my eye

Take a peak at the USS Abraham Lincoln CVN 72 Returned Thursday, March 24 from deployment

http://www.heraldnet.com/section/news0102

Well done - you look great!

Thousands of Christians Displaced in Ethiopia After Muslim Extremists Torch Churches, Homes

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/24/thousands-christians-displaced-ethiopia-muslim-extremists-torch-churches-homes-2057387870/

Not cool.............so much for the 'religion of peace'.

This blog is designed to enthusiastically support naval history and naval current events. 

We will rarely divert from that mission - this is an article where I will divert from the mission.  Read it - and call your senator.  We go to war for freedom in Libya, but not in Ethiopia??  One oppression is worth defending, but not the other?  This - in a word - sucks.

Top Ten Accomplishments of the UN No-Fly Zone (thanks to Information Dissemination blog - I'm linking it here)

http://www.juancole.com/2011/03/top-ten-accomplishments-of-the-un-no-fly-zone.html

read it - and see if you agree

USS Arizona BB 39 - one of the prettiest photo's ever of this battleship

The Gathering Foundation Announces the Passing of a P-51 Ace

Remembering a P-51 Mustang Ace  http://www.gatheringfoundation.org/about.html
Capt. Robert J. Goebel: 1923-2011

Capt. Robert Goebel, a P-51 Mustang Ace, passed away February 20, 2011. Funeral services were held February 24, 2011 at St. Lawrence Martyr Church in Redondo Beach, California.

Capt. Goebel joined the U.S. Army Air Force just a few months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and quickly trained to earn his pilot's wings and 2nd Lieutenant's commission by June 1943. In March of 1944 Capt. Goebel moved to Italy with and the 31st Fighter Group and began flying Mustangs. In his 61 WWII combat missions Goebel shot down a total of 11 German aircraft.

He returned home at the age of 21 and attended the University of Wisconsin. From 1950 to 1966 Goebel re-entered the Air Force, during which time he worked on the Gemini launch vehicle for NASA.

Capt. Goebel is the father of nine children, and The Gathering Foundation extends its sympathy and condolences to Goebel family.

French Fighter Jets Reportedly Shoot Down Libyan Warplane as Qaddafi Violates No-Fly Zone

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/24/french-fighter-jets-reportedly-shoot-libyan-warplane-qaddafi-violates-fly-zone/

The French actually pulled the trigger!  Good for them..........................

'It’s like a ghost town' at Yokosuka base schools - Earthquake Disaster in Japan - Stripes

'It’s like a ghost town' at Yokosuka base schools - Earthquake Disaster in Japan - Stripes

they're getting out of Dodge....................

Reagan air crews pause relief operations to decontaminate - Earthquake Disaster in Japan - Stripes

Reagan air crews pause relief operations to decontaminate - Earthquake Disaster in Japan - Stripes

Caption Contest! (US Navy Photos of first Osprey landing on my ship - USS Makin Island LHD 8)

Before and After from DOD Buzz - of Japan's disaster zones

http://www.dodbuzz.com/2011/03/17/japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-beforeafter-gallery/

Questioning the Efficacy of a Libyan Maritime Embargo

http://www.informationdissemination.net/

Very good post over at Galhran's place, by Chris Rawley, guest poster...................

Description: Information Systems Technician 1st Class Justin Reed tells his son goodbye aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7). US Navy Photo

Keep both in your prayers

The Scoop Deck – San Antonio: still pierside — but getting there

The Scoop Deck – San Antonio: still pierside — but getting there

Let's hope...................I like good news.

Back in the day - destroyers would trade pilots for ice cream with a carrier! (CVN 72 Tiger Cruise US Navy Photo)

 Of course, the pilots would have to leave a perfectly good aircraft before the destroyers could nab them!

Welcome back CVN 72!!  Well Done.

Essex or Germantown - who gets the food first? Looks like USS Germantown (US Navy photo)

Looks like USS Essex has to wait its turn (background), and USS Germantown gets the food first!

We have the cleanest carriers in the world! At least off the coast of Japan::))

First the GW CVN 73, and now Reagan CVN 76 - seriously, are they taking an abundance of caution in cleaning off potential radioactive particles?  I'm thinking they want the families of the crew to see these photo's (US Navy photo)

Stern dock U-turn for US amphibious ships (they mean well deck)

'The design of the America-class amphibious assault ship is to be amended to include a stern dock in the third-of-class and subsequent vessels, a senior US Navy official told Congress on 16 March. Sean J Stackley, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, told the House Armed Services subcommittee for Seapower and Expeditionary Forces that the service intends to "return to a well deck" in its amphibious flat-tops'. 

 from Jane's

Not sure this is news.....but will they change the class of ships simply because a well deck was added?

Hey, does this send you a message of confidence? (US Navy Photo)

The USS George Washington CVN 73 right out of base, cleaning off the..............radiation?     Naw...couldn't be!

Where the 'stuff' is..........from USNI blog. Does this give the enemy useful information?

Has such the look of an Essex Class carrier from WWII in this profile picture (US Navy Photo)

USS Boxer LHD 4 in the South China Sea - Keeping watch while other fleet elements are routed to humanitarian assistance.  I'm grateful for the readiness of our fleet to be able to do both missions.

Details of Marines’ pilot rescue released - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Details of Marines’ pilot rescue released - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

WWII pilot who flew captured Nazi leader dies - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

WWII pilot who flew captured Nazi leader dies - Air Force News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

F-15 crashes in Libya; crew rescued - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

F-15 crashes in Libya; crew rescued - Air Force News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Airplanes For The No Fly Zone - data from http://www.informationdissemination.net/2011/03/airplanes-for-no-fly-zone.html

UK:

• 4x Tornado GR4 2/9/15 sqn
• 14x Typhoon FGR4 3/11/29 sqn (from Italy)
• 4x VC-10C1K/K4 tanker 101 sqn
• 2x Tristar K1/C2 tanker 216 sqn
• 1x Sentinel R1 5 sqn
• 1x Nimrod R1 51 sqn
• 2x E-3D Sentry 8 sqn

NATO:

• 3x E-3A AWACS (from Geilenkirchen, Germany)

France:

• 6x Dassault Rafale B/C
• 2x Dassault Mirage 2000-5
• 2x Dassualt Mirage 2000 D
• 2x C-160NG Transall/Gabriel
• 6x KC-135FR tanker
• 2x E-3F Awacs

Charles de Gaulle

• 6x Dassault Super Etendard
• 8x Dassault Rafale M
• 2 E-C2 Hawkeye

Canada:

• 6x CF-188 Hornet No. 3 Wing
• 2x CC-150 tanker 437 sqn

USA:

• 3x KC-10A tanker
• 8x KC-135R tanker
• 2x EC-130J Hercules
• 3x B-2
• 14x F-15E Eagle (Lakenheath, UK)
• 12x F-16CJ (Spangdahlem, Ger)
• 5x EA-18G Growler
• 4x AV8B Harrier

Belgium:

• 4x F-16AM 10 Wing (Araxos)

Denmark:

• 6x F-16 (Sigonella) (of which 2 on reserve)

Spain:

• 4x F/A-18 Hornet (Decimannu, Italy)
• 1x Boeing 707 tanker (Decimannu, Italy)

Italy:

• 4x AMI Tornado ECR (Trapani)
• 4x AMI Typhoon (Trapani)

Greece:

• 4x F-16 (Souda Bay)

Qatar:

• 2x Mirage 2000-5 (Souda Bay)
• 1x C17(Souda Bay)

Though some sources say 6 Mirages and 2 C-130's, the above planes have actually been seen after making an emergency landing in Malta.

Norway:

• 6x F-16 (Bodø sqn, Souda Bay, Greece)
• 2x C-130J-30

Not in action yet, the Norwegian defence minster has said they will come into action when the leadership issues surrounding the implementation of the NFZ are resolved.
The Netherlands:
Started a ministerial meeting a hour ago, are expected to send the following

• 6x F-16's (of which 2 in reserve)
• 1x KDC-10 (tanker)

UAE:

• 12x F-16
• 12x Mirage

Requested refueling at Souda base, but when or even if they will arrive is not clear.

U.S. military considers mandatory evacuations in Yokosuka, Japan

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/03/21/japan.military.evacuation/

Is this news?  What is really happening in Japan?

More abundance of caution?

US Aircraft Carrier Fleet Evolution - The Greatest Navy "City of Steel" ...

Very cool video - but they missed on the music. I'd mute it if I were you........but we celebrate Naval Aviation here!

Video of USS George Washington en route to South Korea - this is old video

USS George Washington heads to sea - Why? ( US Navy Photos)

They let a Marine CH 46 land on a navy carrier! We'll let it go this time - its for a great cause! (official US Navy photo on the Reagan

Helo's on the Reagan - More Seahawks

US Navy Photo 110320-N-OB360-148

The keep landing, reprovisioning, and take off again.............the need is great..........

No radiation on aircraft back from Japan - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

No radiation on aircraft back from Japan - Air Force News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Good news - but makes me wonder why the GW was moved............

Carrier in Japan heads to sea as precaution - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Carrier in Japan heads to sea as precaution - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

An abundance of caution?

USS Abraham Lincoln CVN 72 Tiger Cruise - Love the flyby with a dish!!

Official US Navy Photo - they said it was a Prowler on the pass!!  That 'ain't no stinkin' Prowler!

Hand Salute: ‘Band of Brothers’ leader honored at service - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

‘Band of Brothers’ leader honored at service - Air Force News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Where do we find men such as these?

These are once in a lifetime events - too bad I couldn't be there.........

Status Update from Stars and Stripes: 7th Fleet steps up relief efforts - Pacific - Stripes

7th Fleet steps up relief efforts - Pacific - Stripes

Our military continues to show their capabilities..................

Western, Arab Warplanes Converge on Italy for Libya Mission - Defense News

Western, Arab Warplanes Converge on Italy for Libya Mission - Defense News

More airplanes.............If it's going to happen, everyone needs to pitch in.

I've already read other blogs that stated only we could have 'punched the door in', and set the table for our allies. I agree with that statement.

Another under reported issue is USS Florida SSGN - the first time one of our former ballistic missle submarines engaged in combat.

France Sends Aircraft Carrier to Join Libya Campaign - Defense News

France Sends Aircraft Carrier to Join Libya Campaign - Defense News

Oh, good - the French are coming! All humor aside, this carrier packs a punch, and I think its a good thing to have around. Love to see the Italians bring their newest ship - the Carvour.

Check out Primary, backup, ready spare

Great post at USNI Blog from CDR Salamander:   Primary, backup, ready spare 

This is about options regarding the military situation in Libya.  Lots and Lots to think about.

Amphibious/Small Deck Flight Deck Awareness Video Guide Promo

Bataan going to Mediterranean ahead of schedule - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Bataan going to Mediterranean ahead of schedule - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Update to information we already know - still good information.....................

March 19, 1945 I missed the anniversary yesterday of the day the USS Franklin CV 13 was hit, and survived the worst damage of any carrier (that survived) in WWII. Her log book is opend to this day in the National Archives. Remember her sacrifice and the 724 sailors still on deployment

Farwell to USS Nassau LHA 4 (US Navy Photo) 32 years of stellar service to our country

Navy, Marine Corps Aircraft Strike Libya

Navy, Marine Corps Aircraft Strike Libya

If You're Going In With Harriers - Go In With A Harrier Carrier (US Navy Photo)

This is the USS Bataan LHD 5 as a Harrier Carrier in Iraqi Freedom.

Navy, Marine Corps Aircraft Strike Libya

Navy, Marine Corps Aircraft Strike Libya

USS Kearsarge appears to be a Harrier carrier!

What I want to know is this - if its the right thing to do to use Harriers off the Kearsarge, which is in effect carrier aircraft, why not bring the whole airwing over from Enterprise, and finish it off.

There are just 6-7 Harriers on the Kearsarge.  Very good aircraft, very good pilots, very good 'punch' they provide, but just those few.  The airwing from Enterprise would've ended this in 24 hours.

This is the limited warfare that the current administration believes in.  You go in to win, or not at all.