Preserving the USS Olympia - a Protected Cruiser

The USS Olympia, which fought in the Spanish American War of 1898 has been preserved and is a valuable piece of US maritime history. Unfortunately, Olympia needs $10-15 million in repairs to keep her a viable museum for years to come. She has not been out of water for approximately 40 years. If you have connections or resources to help, please contact me at 612-599-1935 or bdskon@fedex.com.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Most powerful U.S. nuclear bomb dismantled - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Most powerful U.S. nuclear bomb dismantled - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Now this made history.......................think about the employee's who built this thing to keep us safe during the height of the cold war. These employee's made history, keeping us safe for over 50 years.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2011/10/pom-bomb.html

http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com/2011/10/pom-bomb.html

Monday, October 17, 2011

The POM Bomb


When you consider all that happy talk as Admiral Roughead was going out the door about making sure ships can make it 30, 35, 50, 75 years - this data point should provide the real Roughead legacy, in a fashion.

Via a forwarded email, Names removed to protect pretty much everyone involved. In part;
Based upon the ALT POM changes- the Department plans to inactivate the ships below:

CG (FY 13): 60, 68, 69, 71
CG (FY 14): 59, 63, 64, 65, 66
LSD (FY 14): 41, 43, 46

While there may be some further discussion with the CGs with respect to which ones in which year- these are the hull numbers (and OPNAV concurred).

Per 10 USC 2244A, any modernization (except safety modifications or modifications costing less than $100K) is not allowed within 5 years of retirement/disposal. NAVSEA (any SYSCOM) should not provide FY 12 (or remaining FY 11) procurement funds to any of the above platforms (except safety modifications). If funds are already spent on these platforms, that is okay given that these are recent changes. The key is to ensure no new money is being spent.
+/- a year or two, this is where we are:
- USS CAPE ST. GEORGE (CG-71) was commissioned in 1993. In FY13 she will be, yes Liberal Arts math here - 20 years old.
- USS PRINCETON (CG-59), commissioned in 1989 in FY14 will be 25 years old.
- USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD-41) commissioned in 1985 will in FY14 be 29 years old;

PCU Minnesota Sailors Conduct Second Namesake Visit

PCU Minnesota Sailors Conduct Second Namesake Visit

The Wharf Rat was responsible for the schedule of this trip - and let me tell you, the COB was hilarious!

Wonder if he's that funny on the boat? hmm?!

Monday, October 10, 2011

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Corps asking Navy to extend Peleliu’s service - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Corps asking Navy to extend Peleliu’s service - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

From our New Chief of Naval Operations - this is great stuff!

Tenets

The key considerations we should apply to every decision

Warfighting First: Be ready to fight and win today, while building the ability to win tomorrow

Operate Forward: Provide offshore options to deter, influence and win in an era of uncertainty

Be Ready: Harness the teamwork, talent and imagination of our diverse force to be ready to fight and responsibly employ our resources

Guiding Principles

The starting point for developing and executing our plans
  • Our primary mission is warfighting. All our efforts to improve capabilities, develop people, and structure our organizations should be grounded in this fundamental responsibility.
  • People are the Navy’s foundation. We have a professional and moral obligation to uphold a covenant with Sailors, Civilians and their families * to ably lead, equip, train and motivate.
  • Our approach should be Joint and combined when possible. However, we own the sea, and must also be able to operate independently when necessary.
  • Our primary Joint partner is the U.S. Marine Corps. We must continue to evolve how we will operate and fight as expeditionary warfare partners.
  • At sea and ashore, we must be ready to part with Navy roles, programs and traditions if they are not integral to our future vision or a core element of our mission.
  • We must ensure today’s force is ready for its assigned missions.
  • Maintaining ships and aircraft to their expected service lives is an essential contribution to fleet capacity.
  • Our Navy Ethos defines us and describes the standard for character and behavior.
  • We must clearly and directly communicate our intent and expectations both within and outside the Navy.
  • I believe in the “Charge of Command.” We will train and empower our leaders with authorities commensurate with their responsibilities.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

GREEN BAY, Wis. (Sept. 28, 2011) The littoral combat ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Fort Worth (LCS 3) transits through the Menekaunee Bridge in Green Bay, Wis. Fort Worth is undergoing builder's trials at the Marinette Marine Corporation Shipyard before delivery to the U.S. Navy in 2012. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Marinette Marine Corporation/Released)

The littoral combat ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Fort Worth (LCS 3) transits through the Menekaunee Bridge in Green Bay, Wis. 

Navy explores longer sub deployments - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Navy explores longer sub deployments - Navy News News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times