Preserving a piece of US Maritime History - invaluable

The USS Olympia is a cruiser that fought in the Spanish American War in 1898 and has been preserved in Philadelphia. She's a one of a kind ship, a national historic monument, and in danger. She needs approximately $10-15 million in repairs to keep her a viable museum for years to come. If you have the resources, or connections to those resources, please consider helping. (full disclosure - there is no financial benefit to me to ask the question - we need to save this ship for posterity). Please contact me at 612-599-1935 or bdskon@fedex.com if you have additional questions.

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Saturday, April 16, 2011

Automatic Tax Increase - from Powerline

Automatic Tax Increase?

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2011/04/028826.php
April 15, 2011 Posted by John at 9:55 PM
We and many others have criticized President Obama's speech on the budget, but one aspect of his proposal on which I haven't seen much commentary is the "debt failsafe trigger." You might think that a "debt failsafe trigger" is a mechanism to constrain spending if debt exceeds a certain level; but Dan Mitchell explains:
[T]he most disturbing feature [of Obama's proposal] may be a provision that punishes the American people with higher taxes if politicians overspend.
Called a "debt failsafe trigger," Obama's scheme would automatically raise taxes if politicians spend too much. According to the talking points distributed by the White House, the automatic tax increase would take effect "if, by 2014, the projected ratio of debt-to-GDP is not stabilized and declining toward the end of the decade."
Let's ponder what this means. If politicians in Washington spend too much and cause more red ink, which happens on a routine basis, Obama wants a provision that automatically would raise taxes on the American people.
This would verge on the unbelievable in any administration other than the present one.
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (April 10, 2011) Members of the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard prepare to entertain Navy Safe Harbor and Wounded Warrior Regiment enrollees and their families during an outdoor reception at the National Harbor. The event marks the beginning of the 2011 Sea-Air-Space Exposition, hosted by the Navy League of the United States. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Todd Frantom/Released)
NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (April 6, 2011) Three P-3C Orion aircraft with heritage paint schemes are positioned on the tarmac next to the Navy's next generation of anti-submarine warfare and long-range maritime patrol aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon, rear left, and the unmanned Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) aircraft, center. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist William Lovelady/Released) 
SAN DIEGO (April 8, 2011) NASSCO shipyard workers conduct final inspections of the hull of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in preparation for putting the ship back into the water. The ship has just completed a four-month dry dock period. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Joe Kane/Released) 

Fleet awaiting F-35 and keeping Hornets flying - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Fleet awaiting F-35 and keeping Hornets flying - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Friday, April 15, 2011

Thursday, April 14, 2011

 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 10, 2011) The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and ships from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the Indian navy transit the Pacific Ocean during exercise Malabar 2011, a bilateral training operation with the Indian navy. Ronald Reagan is operating in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin B. Gray/Released)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 9, 2011) The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and other ships assigned to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group operate during a simulated straights transit exercise. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group is on a deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Josue L. Escobosa/Released)

United States Ship Bataan LHD 5 getting ready to head to the Med to relieve USS Kearsarge LHD 3

ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 9, 2011) The amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 4) conducts a training exercise off the coast of North Carolina. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group deployed ahead of its original schedule to relieve units from the Kearsage Amphibious Ready Group in the Mediterranean Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Desiree D. Green/Released)

Essex Completes Western Pacific Patrol

Essex Completes Western Pacific Patrol

McCain says defense underfunded in budget deal - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

McCain says defense underfunded in budget deal - Air Force News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

F-18 Engine Fire At Sea

Hornet catches fire while landing on Vinson - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Hornet catches fire while landing on Vinson - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Retired Cole commander running for Congress - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Retired Cole commander running for Congress - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times yes! this guy knows how to lead................

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Navy Hospital Ship Arrives in Jamaica

Navy Hospital Ship Arrives in Jamaica

Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition - Remarks as Delivered by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Gaylord Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland, Monday, May 03, 2010

"Second – aircraft carriers.  Our current plan is to have eleven carrier strike groups through 2040 and it's in the budget.  And to be sure, the need to project power across the oceans will never go away.  But, consider the massive over-match the U.S. already enjoys.  Consider, too, the growing anti-ship capabilities of adversaries.  Do we really need eleven carrier strike groups for another 30 years when no other country has more than one?  Any future plans must address these realities."

US Navy CNO Gary Roughead

http://www.defense.gov/speeches/speech.aspx?speechid=1460

For the record - we need more carriers, not less.  Gates is wrong on this - the issue isn't comparing against the next biggest navies of the world, the issue is that most if not all Naval aviation is against land based targets, and the fact is you need a lot of platforms to launch from versus having to get approval from countries to fly over, around, or base your aircraft at their facility, and pay them.  Read the posting from yesterday referencing the cost the Italians are charging for using their bases for the Libya campaign.

Reports that RAF requested a carrier for Libya

http://dalyhistory.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/reports-that-raf-requested-a-carrier-for-libya/

This is plausible...........wonder how much the Italians were charging??

Swansong visit for 'the best ship in the Royal Navy'

HMS Campbeltown enters her home port at Plymouth for the final time after more than 20 years of service, before she is decommissioned PICTURE: LUCY DUVAL
Well-wishers gathered to catch the last glimpse of a frigate described as "the best ship in the Royal Navy" as she arrived back at Plymouth for the final time before she withdraws from active service.
HMS Campbeltown has been on a swansong tour of the UK to say farewell before she is decommissioned as part of the Government's Strategic Defence and Security Review.
She has made final visits to several ports to say goodbye, including the shipyard she came from, before heading back to her home port at Devonport yesterday.
She was built on Merseyside at the Cammell Lairds yard in Birkenhead and launched on October 7, 1987.
As she returned to Plymouth, after more than 20 years of service, people gathered at the waterside to wave her home for the last time.
Pauline and Robert Mullally from Widewell, Plymouth, said they were "gutted" by the decision to withdraw her from active service.
They were standing on the jetty at the city's naval base to welcome home daughter, rating Kimberely Phillips.
The Type 22 frigate underwent a £24 million refit two years ago and was readying for deployment in counter-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean when it was revealed she was being decommissioned.
Commander Keri Harris said it had been an emotional day.
"She is the best warship in the Royal Navy, has a wonderful history and a great crew."

Wharf Rat says - 'this is what I call 'good' use of defense dollars in Britain.  Spend money to refit her, then decommission her.  This is the sad legacy of entitlement spending'

HMS Iron Duke celebrates anniversary of Kuwait's independence

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/HmsIronDukeCelebratesAnniversaryOfKuwaitsIndependence.htm

The Royal Navy's HMS Iron Duke has visited Kuwait to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country's independence in 1961 and the 20th anniversary of her liberation from Iraq in 1991.

US: Region watches China’s 1st aircraft carrier - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

US: Region watches China’s 1st aircraft carrier - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times Uh, this would be that 'casino' the commies said they were buying...............so.............I guess the lesson learned is either, trust but verify, or don't believe a word the commies are telling us......just sayin'.

Launch the ready speech writer ....Hat Tip - Sal's Place

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2011/04/launch-ready-speech-writer.html

I like this post.............who in this green earth wrote this speech???

Is this another example of our education system going downhill?  Is this an example of an academy grad so focused on 'diversity' issues that they forgot to study how to write a speech?

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

USS Olympia is on the market - Hat Tip Commander Salamander

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/art-entertainment-sports/item/16198-30pcolympia

Australian Purchase of an Amphibious Ship Saves Taxpayers | Navy News at DefenseTalk

Australian Purchase of an Amphibious Ship Saves Taxpayers Navy News at DefenseTalk

First French FREMM Frigate Prepares for Sea Trials | Navy News at DefenseTalk

First French FREMM Frigate Prepares for Sea Trials Navy News at DefenseTalk

Check out April 12th, 1861 at USNI blog about the Civil War

Hi,

Very good post about the civil war April 12th, 1861 

Somber events mark anniversary of Civil War - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Somber events mark anniversary of Civil War - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Coast Guard, firm dispute Cuba barge incident - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Coast Guard, firm dispute Cuba barge incident - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Predator may have killed Marine and sailor - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Predator may have killed Marine and sailor - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

The Shooter!

US Navy Photo - one is training the other 

Army aviators get new mission following Japan quake, tsunami - Earthquake Disaster in Japan - Stripes

Army aviators get new mission following Japan quake, tsunami - Earthquake Disaster in Japan - Stripes

Gaddafi Troops targeting and killing civilians in Misrata seige

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/133000/20110411/libya-misrata-civilians.htm

Misrata is the Stalingrad of Libya (Great post over at Galhran's Place)

http://www.informationdissemination.net/2011/04/misrata-is-stalingrad-of-libya.html

"One doctor on Al Jazeera English claimed the other day the average number of people killed or wounded per day has been at least 300 every day for the 6 weeks of fighting. That would only be 12,000 in a city where 300,000 people are still believed to be living, meaning the doctor is giving a potentially legitimate number. As has been discussed many times and in many places, Libya is a political tragedy of the worst kind primarily because Western assistance came in the form of tactics instead of a strategy to meet the requirements as demanded by a UN mandate for policy."

"A "No-Fly zone" and "no boots on the ground" both represent tactical options that set the conditions for our military leaders to develop a military plan from, and just as the no-fly zone has been legitimately called a sham with the repeated bombings of military equipment; the absence of boots on the ground will insure Misrata will be a massacre right under the cockpit view of NATO - a mark that may indeed kill the image of the alliance as a force for good globally. The idea that anyone in NATO wants to "occupy" Libya is a bad joke - there is no such desire by anyone. The UN resolution prevents any occupation force, but does not explicitly preclude the air traffic controllers and other special operations forces that makes airpower effective, nor does the UN resolution preclude "hit-and-run" amphibious raid operations by Marines from the Sea that can maneuver in force and roll back Gaddafi's military capabilities.

Without the ability for NATO to conduct special operations and hit-and-run tactics from the sea, there is no way to prevent the massacre in Misrata."

Danes free 18 hostages held by Somalis - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Danes free 18 hostages held by Somalis - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times Now this is what I'm talkin' about!

Among brass, relief over budget deal - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Among brass, relief over budget deal - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Monday, April 11, 2011

Newest F-22 upgrade set for later this year - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Newest F-22 upgrade set for later this year - Air Force News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

NASA to announce permanent homes for shuttles - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

NASA to announce permanent homes for shuttles - Air Force News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Transocean sets world water-depth drilling record in 10,194 ft of water

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Transocean Ltd. (NYSE: RIG) (SIX: RIGN) said Monday that its ultra-deepwater drillship Dhirubhai Deepwater KG2 has set what it believes to be a world record for the deepest water depth by an offshore drilling rig of 10,194 feet of water.  The depth was achieved while working for Reliance Industries offshore India. The rig, which is owned by a joint venture with Quantum Pacific Group, surpassed Transocean’s prior record of 10,011 feet of water, set in 2003 by the Discoverer Deep Seas working for Chevron in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
The dynamically positioned Dhirubhai Deepwater KG2 was placed into service approximately one year ago in India under a five-year drilling contract. The vessel is equipped to work in water depths of up to 12,000 feet and outfitted to construct wells up to 35,000 feet deep.
April 11th 2011   ·   View Comments

NATO: Libya needs more than military action - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

NATO: Libya needs more than military action - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Pictures from a friend of mine at the Great Minnesota Air Show 2010, St. Cloud, MN




Flown by a Minnesota guy!

Boehner: Next fight to be about trillions, not billions - USATODAY.com

Boehner: Next fight to be about trillions, not billions - USATODAY.com The Wharf Rat says...........it is about time................we are spending money we don't have, and defense always seems to be the target, versus unstustainable entitlement spending, where the real problem lies.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Civil War getting full History channel treatment

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/04/civil-war-getting-full-history-channel-treatment

Pentagon having second thoughts on Iraq withdrawal

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/04/pentagon-having-second-thoughts-iraq-withdrawal

ADM: Formal bid lodged for purchase of Larg Bay

ADM: Formal bid lodged for purchase of Larg Bay

ADM: UK budget writedowns costs

ADM: UK budget writedowns costs Wasted money - I do not agree...........!

ADM: JSF and Super Hornet: Covering the air gap

ADM: JSF and Super Hornet: Covering the air gap - the Australians

USS Ronald Reagan CVN 76

In this photo:
PACIFIC OCEAN (April 5, 2011) – Crew members from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, perform post flight operations maintenance to an assortment of F/A-18 aircraft on the flight deck of the air craft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is currently operating in the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shawn Stewart/Released)
 
In this photo:
PACIFIC OCEAN (April 5, 2011) – (left to right) Shooter in training Lt. Michael Perez, and Shooter Lt. Jerrod Washburn, prepares to shoot an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Argonauts of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, off of the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during flight operations. Ronald Reagan is currently operating in the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shawn Stewart/Released)
 
 

Pass and Review - USS Ronald Reagan CVN 76


PACIFIC OCEAN (April 4, 2011) – Sailors and Marines on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan wave to Japanese sailors and marines on the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ship helicopter destroyer JDS Hyuga (DDH 181) during a pass and review ceremony commemorating Operation Tomodachi. Ronald Reagan is off the coast of Japan to provide disaster relief and humanitarian assistance to Japan as directed in support of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexander Tidd/Released)


Recent photos from the Chinese shipyards

http://www.informationdissemination.net/2011/04/recent-photos-from-chinese-shipyards.html

Chinese Warship May Be Nearly Ready

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/world/asia/08carrier.html?_r=1