USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) and 3 other Navy Ships In Maintenance Trial

As Rough As It May Seem,It's Still Steady As You Go...


The life-cycle management activity will take its cues from a pilot program in which NavSea contracted with inspectors from the American Bureau of Shipping to determine the material age of four warships.



The destroyer USS Ross(DDG71), which was commissioned in 1997 has been inspected already. Although Navy officials hadn’t yet reviewed the report, they hope it will explain whether the ship has 12 years’ worth of aging and corrosion. Every cruiser and destroyer must serve for its full life of 35 years if the Navy is to reach its goal of a 313-ship fleet, officials say.

The other three ships in the trial program are the dock landing ship USS Germantown(LSD42) — which already has started its inspection — the cruiser USS Mobile Bay(CG53) and the frigate USS Taylor(FFG50). The Navy expects all four reports, which together will cost about $2 million, by this summer.

More Carrier Work for Scottish Yards in the Spring

Last month the consortium building the UK's two new aircraft carriers had announced a 50% increase in the amount of construction work coming to Scotland.

The Aircraft Carrier Alliance said two major sections of each ship, instead of one, would now be built at BVT's yards at Govan and Scotstoun on the Clyde.

Both ships will be built in sections and assembled at Rosyth, Fife.

The revised build strategy is expected to sustain 4,000 jobs at Scottish yards until the middle of the next decade.

The new 65,000 tonne carriers will be the Royal Navy's largest vessels.

Changes to the delivery of the £4bn contract were announced on Monday.

This provides greater certainty for our supplier base and keeps the project on a sure footing as we enter full scale manufacture Tony Graham MoD

The previous build strategy had planned for one of the sections of the carriers to be built at BAE Systems Submarine Solutions in Barrow.

But the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA) said existing and future workloads there had led to a lack of capacity to take on the additional carrier work.

In agreement with the Ministry of Defence (MoD), ACA has now transferred the work to BVT's yards in Glasgow.

Geoff Searle, programme director for the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, said: "The ACA has developed a cost effective and low risk build strategy that I am confident will deliver the two carriers in line with the MoD's requirements.

"It will also ensure that we retain the essential core skills in the UK maritime industry to deliver sovereign naval capability long into the future."

'Confident future'

Tony Graham, head of capital ships at the MoD, said: "Alongside the developing build strategy, we are very pleased to announce additional shipbuilding work for the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers which further extends involvement across the UK.

"This provides greater certainty for our supplier base and keeps the project on a sure footing as we enter full-scale manufacture."

The SNP welcomed the increase in the amount of work awarded to Scotland.

The party's Westminster leader and defence spokesperson, Angus Robertson MP, said: "This is terrific news for the workforce in Glasgow and Rosyth and reinforces the reputation of Scottish yards as the best in the world.

"Shipbuilding plays an important role within Scotland's manufacturing base, and it is clear that the industry can have a confident future."

Labour accused the SNP of hypocrisy.

John Robertson MP said: "This is brilliant news for Glasgow and Scotland. It will mean more opportunities and more jobs for young people and older workers alike.

If the SNP had their way, these jobs would be heading down south. Willie Rennie MP Lib Dem defence spoksperson

"It is totally hypocritical for the SNP to welcome a move like this, when their core policy - separating Scotland from the rest of the UK - would mean the death of these jobs."

He added: "Without the United Kingdom, there would be no defence work on the Clyde.

"The SNP should have the decency to be honest with people about what their plans would mean for Scots."

The Liberal Democrats reiterated that view. The party's defence spokesperson, Willie Rennie MP, said: "If the SNP had their way, these jobs would be heading down south.

"Independence would decimate the Clyde."

Last year, the government announced that there would be a delay on the carrier contracts following a review of MoD spending.

The vessels, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, were due to enter service in 2014 and 2016, but that will now be pushed back a year or two.

Contracts were signed in July 2008 and the work is expected to begin in spring 2009.

The future Aircraft Carriers for the Royal Navy, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, will be the largest and most powerful surface warships ever built in the UK.

They will displace approximately 65,000 tonnes, a size between the USA's 100,000 tonne Nimitz class and the French 43,000 tonne Charles de Gaulle class aircraft carriers, and three times larger than the Invincible class carriers.

The carrier will have a maximum speed of 25 knots. At 15 knots the range will be 10,000 nautical miles and the ship carries food, fuel and stores for an endurance of seven days between replenishments. Each ship will have a complement of typically 1,200, including 600 aircrew.

In order to maximise the flexibility that CVF can offer over its potential 50 year service life, the carriers will be built to an innovative adaptable design. Although CV-based, the ships will initially be fitted with a ramp for STOVL operations. Post JSF, the design will be capable of modification to operate aircraft requiring a catapult launch and arrested recovery.

Russian Navy Not Kidding Around: Somali Pirates No Match

Just a reminder "Russian Navy is not old news even a month after incident."

The Russian large Udaloy-class anti-submarine destroyer "Admiral Vinogradov" has defended on Tuesday at 08h20 GMT a 278m long UK-owned and Dutch-managed container ship MV NEDLLOYD BARENTSZ from a Somali pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden.

The captain of the Dutch vessel under Netherlands-flag sent a distress signal to the Russian ship saying that pirate boats were approaching his ship and shooting at it, Russian Navy spokesman from the Information Service of the RF Navy Department Captain I. Rank Igor Dygalo informed. There was battle alarm on the "Admiral Vinogradov" and Ка-27 helicopter took off.

The pirates chased the vessel for about 30 minutes. The vessel was recommended to rise speed and change course abruptly. The pirates made an attempt to board the Dutch ship, but the Russian crew fired warning shots from the helicopter, forcing the pirates to halt. One of the three boats was stopped and two others were seized by the crew of the Admiral Vinogradov.

The one skiff was halted and believed sunk near Yemeni waters and Russian teams boarded the other two, finding ropes with grappling hooks and gas canisters, but no fishing equipment. The ship´s doctor gave the necessary medical assistance to three pirates who were wounded by ricochet fire. "The pirates didn´t seem to feel the pain from the wounds, which can be a result of the fact that they were under the influence of drugs", Igor Dygalo said. The boats manned by the pirates were handed over to Yemeni coast guards.

The Admiral Vinogradov is patrolling Somali waters to help maintain security in the area that is threatened with frequent raids by the pirates. MV Nedlloyd Barentsz is registered in the Netherlands MAERSK Ship Management BV as manager of the A.P. Moller-Maersk group, but has as registered owner UK-based Scotland Structured Asset. The container ship, built in 2000, has a transportation capacity of 5,468 TEU (including the possibility for 500 refrigerated containers) and a gross tonnage of 66,526 to.

So just where is the second Destroyer? Two Russian Destroyers is definitely "Double Your Trouble."

Italian Carrier Cavour (550): Future to reckon with Lockheed F35B's

Cavour (550) is an Italian aircraft carrier (CVH) of the Marina Militare, the Italian Navy. She is named after the Italian statesman and politician Camillo Benso, conte di Cavour.

Cavour was laid down by Fincantieri on 17 July 2001, and she was launched from the Riva Trigoso shipyard (Sestri Levante) on 20 July 2004. Sea trials began in December 2006, and she was officially commissioned March 27, 2008. Full Operational Capability (FOC) is expected in early 2009 after completion of finishing work at Muggiano (Lerici) in summer 2008 and transfer to the new naval station on Mar Grande in Taranto. Cavour will be the new flagship of the Italian Navy.

Cavour will initially operate the AV-8B Harrier II, but will receive the Lockheed F-35B in the future. While the Cavour will not be able to serve as a serious power projection platform along the lines of Russia's Kuznetsov or America's CVNs due to her much smaller air wing and lack of serious surface-to-surface weapon systems, she will serve alongside the Giuseppi Garibaldi (551) to provide Italy with a modern naval air arm capable of performing small-scale operations.

French Le Clem joins ghost fleet: 60 Year Carrier Being Dismantled

As Rough As It May Seem,It's Still Steady As You Go...

HUNDREDS of people lined the coast to a huge aircraft carrier finally arrive in Hartlepool.
The former French Navy ship Le Clemenceau docked at Able UK's Graythorp site following a four-day journey.

Work on the £8.7m dismantling contract can now get underway following months of delays through poor weather and legal wrangles.

But the vessel – which is carrying 700 tonnes of asbestos contaminated material – may not be the last ship to enter Able UK's Teesside Environmental Reclamation and Recycling Centre (TERRC) before the dam is closed to create a dry dock.

Able UK chiefs have confirmed that they are continuing negotiations that could see a further two British ships brought to the facility to be dismantled.

Hundreds of people lined the seafront at Seaton Carew while many more headed to the Headland and the North Gare for the best view of the ship coming in yesterday.

Dozens of English and French journalists and television crews were at Able UK's site, on the outskirts of Hartlepool, to witness the vessel being towed in.

Offshore tug the Anglian Earl had towed the vessel from France to the Tees Turning Circle, where it was then brought into the Seaton Channel by four river tugs.

The whole operation took a couple of hours before the ship was berthed inside the huge dry dock shortly before 4pm.

The dismantling of Le Clemenceau - which is also known as the Q790 - is the largest ship recycling project ever undertaken in Europe.

The 32,000 tonne ship, which was towed from Brest Harbour, in France, is berthed between four American and three British vessels which are waiting to be recycled.

The actual dismantling process is expected to start after Easter and last for around a year with the creation of 200 jobs, many of which expected go to people from Hartlepool.

Peter Stephenson, the chairman and chief executive of Able UK, told the Mail: "This is a very proud day for myself and everyone at Able and I would hope it is a proud day for the town of Hartlepool.

"This is the end of a very long five year process and we are delighted to finally get the ship in.

"Hundreds of jobs have been lost to the area over the years as a result of the delays, but we are hoping we can now move forward."

Launched in 1957, Le Clemenceau was the mainstay of the French naval fleet and sailed more than one million nautical miles before being withdrawn from active service in 1997.

Capt. John Carroll Relieved of Duties

As Rough As It May Seem,It's Still Steady As You Go...

The Rear Admiral's decision was swifter than the Captains Command Blunder

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) -- The commanding officer of a $1 billion warship that ran aground along the coast of Honolulu has been relieved of duty, the Navy said Monday.

Rear Adm. Dixon R. Smith, commander of Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, relieved Capt. John Carroll of his duties pending the results of an investigation into Thursday's incident. The Navy on Monday freed the vessel, which had been stuck for more than three days.

Carroll had taken command of the USS Port Royal in October. Capt. John T. Lauer III, who is currently assigned to the staff of Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, was temporarily assigned as the guided missile cruiser's commanding officer.

The ship - one of the Navy's most advanced - ran aground when it was offloading sailors, contractors and shipyard personnel late Thursday. Efforts to refloat the vessel over the weekend were unsuccessful.

The Port Royal was extracted from a rock and sand shoal about 2 a.m. Monday after officials removed about 500 tons of seawater and 100 tons of anchors and other equipment, the Navy said in a statement. Officials said they plan to examine the wreck site to determine if there was a fuel leak or spill.

After an initial assessment, the ship was being towed to Naval Station Pearl Harbor for inspection. Dry docking at the shipyard should be completed in approximately one week, officials said.

The Navy has not discussed what may have caused the grounding.

The vessel had just finished its first day of sea trials after wrapping up a four-month routine maintenance stay at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. The 15-year-old Port Royal usually has about 24 officers and 340 enlisted sailors on board.

The Pearl Harbor-based Port Royal is capable of firing interceptors into space to shoot down missiles. It's also equipped with Aegis ballistic missile tracking technology.

A major transition for the tiny island of Guam

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AP) - Sprawling toward the horizon, Andersen Air Force Base is surprisingly quiet

Long-range B-2 bombers have begun regularly deploying to Guam

During the next six years, nearly 25,000 U.S. Marines, soldiers, family members and civilian Defense Department employees are to descend on the tiny Pacific island of Guam, transforming the sleepy tropical outpost into a hub of America's military in the Pacific.

But the metamorphosis seems as fragile as it is ambitious.

Guam's transformation will cost at least $15 billion - with Japan footing more than $6 billion - and will put some of the U.S. military's highest-profile assets within the fences of a vastly improved network of bases.

The newcomers will find an island already peppered with strip malls, fast-food franchises and high-rise hotels serving Japanese tourists who want a closer-to-home version of Hawaii. The plans for the base are fueling a fresh construction and real estate boom, which Guam hopes will accelerate its prosperity.

Guam, however, is smaller than some Hawaiian islands, with a population of just 155,000, and many of its officials are worried the military influx could leave the island's infrastructure - water, highways and seaport - overwhelmed and underfunded.

Felix Camacho, the elected Republican governor of the U.S. territory, says he thinks the troop influx will be "tremendous" for Guam's economy in the long run, but it will be "a difficult and complex process."

"I remain hopeful," he said. "Our challenge is that we know that the Department of Defense and Japan will build a first-rate base," while Guam has "limited capacity" to develop its own infrastructure to absorb the influx, he said.

Collapse

The whole plan could collapse, however, if Japan fails to build a replacement for a busy Marine Corps air base on its southern island of Okinawa - a festering issue that one senior U.S. military official acknowledged is fraught with difficulties.

The buildup in Guam is designed, in large part, to ease the long-standing over-concentration of forces on Okinawa, the U.S. military's key Pacific outpost since the 1950s, without pulling them back too far from such potential flash points as Taiwan and North Korea.

Although China and Russia, the U.S.'s main rivals in the Pacific, have been quiet, North Korea is characteristically wary. In an editorial, the state-run Minju Joson newspaper said the shift is meant to enable the Pentagon "to carry out its strategy for a surprise pre-emptive attack."

But keeping the Marines at their present levels on Okinawa has become unrealistic.

By treaty with Tokyo, more than 50,000 U.S. troops are stationed throughout Japan, which pays billions of dollars each year to support them, more than any other country with a U.S. base on its territory.

Okinawans have long complained their crowded island has to absorb too much of the presence - and of the crimes and other misbehavior - of U.S. personnel stationed there. More than half of the U.S. troops in Japan are on Okinawa, as is Kadena, the biggest U.S. air base in the region.

Practical

In U.S.-Japanese negotiations, Guam has emerged as the most practical alternative.

Okinawans have generally welcomed the move, and Tokyo has pledged to invest nearly $3 billion in building barracks, offices and other facilities for the troops on Guam, and to lend another $3.3 billion for developing supporting infrastructure.

Roughly 10,000 Marines are to stay on Okinawa, however, and Tokyo has run into serious opposition in trying to move the Futenma Marine Corps Air Station to a less congested part of Okinawa. Many Okinawans want it off the island altogether.

Lt. Gen. Edward Rice, commander of the U.S. forces in Japan, says the whole move to Guam depends on Futenma getting new premises on Okinawa.

Historically known as a harbor for U.S. bases, Guam is a strategic stopping point for ships and aircraft. In addition to being the westernmost territory of the United States, it houses Apra Harbor, one of the largest protected deep water harbors between Hawaii and the Philippines.

Guam has served as an important U.S. military outpost since World War II, but is taking on increased importance with the relocation of Marine forces from Japan. The island is set to become a rapid-response platform for problems from pirates to terrorists to tsunamis, as well as a highly visible reminder to China that the United States is nearby and watching.

The buildup plan, to be carried out by 2014, represents a major realignment of U.S. forces in the Pacific:

* About 8,000 Marines are to be shifted 1,200 miles southeast, from Okinawa to Guam, making it the Corps' second-largest permanent overseas staging and training area.

* The Navy has already deployed three nuclear-powered submarines to Guam and is seeking improvements to accommodate the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which carries about 5,000 sailors and airmen.

* The Army wants to deploy a ballistic missile defense task force, which would bring roughly 630 soldiers and 1,000 dependents to Guam.

* Military planners are considering bringing in the new F-22 fighters as well - though details remain sketchy - along with Global Hawk unmanned surveillance aircraft and a dozen tankers.

Aussie warship turned into party boat for US rockers

IT will be all aboard HMAS XBox for Fall Out Boy fans when the navy turns one of its biggest warships into a party boat this month.

The US rockers will command the deck of HMAS Tobruk at Garden Island for an exclusive event to promote music-themed video games, with tickets distributed in competitions.

The concert is the second of the XBox Sounds banner "money-can't-buy" shows launched by Pussycat Dolls at the Sydney Opera House.

A spokesman for XBox Sounds said all expenses for the February 22 event were incurred on a "cost recovery basis".

"It's a free event but any costs will be incurred by Microsoft," he said. "The navy have been great, fantastic to deal with. It is something they have seen as a positive thing."

The RAN confirmed the cost arrangement was "a usual practice with defence events of this nature. A legal agreement is being drafted between Microsoft and navy to ensure there is no undue cost to navy for this event."

Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas approved the event on the basis it would convey the navy to a youth audience in a cost effective manner.

XBox will give away 400 tickets, with another 100 for HMAS Tobruk's crew of 140 personnel.

Don't Give Up The Ship!!

The final words of Captain Lawrence (October 1, 1781 – June 4, 1813) American Naval officer, are painted onto the USS Lake Erie (CG-70), seen here during a 2008 missile launch.

It really kind of makes you wonder if the business of the Navy and all the typical gripes that are associated with it stem from all the contingency plans needed.

There are really too many unforeseen problems caused because of shifts in government to start with. China is evolving it's military might, but with that Japan still has problems with US Marines, let alone China. I know you say what does that have to do with the Navy?

How about moving 18,ooo Marines and their families away from Okinawa because of safety issues and noise caused by having two new runways being build at the Naval Air Station for jets.

Hey Japan doesn't really like the problems caused by the Marines. So how long will take to get 18,0000 marines 3000km back to Japan from Guam? We all know there's an airwar with tons of missles launched before hand.

So whose life's are in harms way the Marines or Japanese Civilians?

Ports of Call Vow for Military Business

My second point being about just where to place a huge aircraft carrier for the sake of staving off any threats from Chavez. It's all about saving traveling time. Right?

Why should you send a $ 6 billion dollar carrier to Ft. Lauderdale? They have had enough problems with March Break mania college festivities. Does the area expect to makeup for the 37% over budgeted ship to gain in the end for the taxpayers? It may take a long time. Being that it will be out to sea more often than not.

There could be more to add to this. Considering that pirates are rampent. Should be a demand for Marines and ships no matter what the cost.

Downtime: Maintenance on USS Shiloh (CG67)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Jan. 12, 2008) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) is in dry dock during a dry dock selective restricted availability. Shiloh is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan and is part of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Reckard/Released)

In August 2006, she arrived on station at Yokosuka Naval Base replacing the USS Chancellorsville as part of a joint U.S.-Japanese ballistic missile defense program.

Shiloh's Name Comes From Cival War Battle

In March 1862, Major General Henry W. Halleck was put in command of all Federal forces in the Mississippi Valley, and he initiated a slow advance which he sent his two armies along the Tennessee River. By early April Ulysses S. Grant had some 37,000 men near Shiloh Church and Pittsburg Landing, close to the Tennessee-Mississippi border, and off to the east Don Carlos Buell's 25,000 were on their way from Nashville to join him. Meanwhile, Albert Sidney Johnston was desperately assembling all the Confederate troops he could find Corinth, Mississippi. He had more than Grant, but he would have to strike before Buell arrived.

The Union position was a reasonably strong one, but Grant and his division commanders felt it would be bad for morale to have the men entrench. General C.F. Smith told Grant, "By God, I want nothing better than to have the Rebels ... attack us! We can whip them to hell. Our men suppose we have come here to fight, and if we begin to spade, it will make them think we fear the enemy." In the Federal camps a peach orchard was in glorious bloom, and war and killing seemed remote.

But just 25 miles to the south Johnston was pushing his raw levies onto the roads. Like most of Grant's men, these Confederates were as green as grass. They ambled along, whooping and shouting, firing their guns just to see if they would work, driving their officers into a frenzy.

P.G.T. Beauregard, second in command, urged that the attack be called off, but Johnston was adamant: "I would fight them if they were a million." He ordered an assault for dawn on Sunday, April 6.

Grant was caught off guard, and in the first day's fight his army was almost pushed into the Tennessee River. It rallied just in time, Johnston was killed in action, and at dark Buell's troops began to arrive and one of Grant's divisions which had been delayed in reaching the field got to the scene. On the second day the Federals reversed the tide, and by mid afternoon Beauregard had to admit defeat. He drew his badly battered army back toward Corinth, and the Federals, equally battered, made no more than a gesture at pursuit. The greatest battle ever fought on the American continent, up to date, was over. The Federals had lost 13,000 men, the Confederates, 10,000. The troops had fought with impressive valor, but they had been poorly handled, especially on the Union side.

Earlier History referring to the Ships Class

A resort village of northeast New York between Lake George and Lake Champlain. Fort Carillon, built by the French in 1755, was taken in 1759 by the British, who renamed it Fort Ticonderoga. American Revolutionary troops captured the fort in May 1775, but it was later abandoned without a struggle to British forces in July 1777 during the Saratoga Campaign.

Name your next vehicle or child after a great battle.

Wanna Do The Shipping: Got To DoThe Protecting

As Rough As It May Seem,It's Still Steady As You Go...

Taipei- Taiwan is mulling sending warships to protect Taiwanese ships from Somali pirates, a politically sensitive move that needs China's approval, the Central News Agency (CNA) said Thursday.

Chao Chien-min, vice chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council, told a news conference that "related government agencies are evaluating if Taiwan should send warships to the Gulf of Aden to carry out patrol work," according to CNA.

"As when to send the warships, it depends on the outcome of the evaluation," CNA quoted him as saying.

Defence Ministry Spokeswoman Chih Yu-lan said that the Defence Ministry would comply with government policy.

"When we receive the order, we will be doing the planning for it," CNA quoted her as saying.

Taiwan has two of the world's leading container shipping lines - the Evergreen Marine and Yang Ming Marine - which have about 300 vessels - half registered in foreign countries.

In recent year, several Taiwan fishing trawlers have been hijacked by Somali pirates, but were released after the ship owners paid a ransom. No Taiwanese container ships have been hijacked near Somalia.

Currently several countries, including the United States, the European Union and China, have sent more than a dozen warships to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, to protect their own and international vessels.

China sent two destroyers and one supply ship to the area on December 25, and the Chinese fleet began fighting piracy off Somalia this week.

China said Wednesday that Taipei can ask Beijing to have Chinese warships escort Taiwan vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden, but Taipei has not made any such request yet.

At the news conference Thursday, a reporter asked Chao if the Taiwan government encouraged Taiwan ships to seek help from the Chinese fleet when they are attacked by pirates.

Chao said Taiwan had anti-terrorism cooperation pacts with the US and Europe. If Taiwan ships faced danger in the Gulf of Aden, they could seek help from US and European warships.

Taiwan's sending warships to join the anti-piracy effort in the Gulf of Aden could pose problems to China. China sees Taiwan as its breakaway province and has barred Taiwan from joining international activities and international organizations.

Taiwan is recognized by only 23 - mostly small - nations, and Taiwan warships can only patrol Taiwan waters and go on friendly visits to Taiwan's diplomatic allies - which do not include Somalia.

While on your travels around the world you all might want to get the spray cans out and send a message on the Evergreen containers. I see lots in North America that need a coat of paint.

"Get the Goods To Market Without Killing One Another"