The Bow Ramp

Coming Soon to a Place Nearby?

2011-10-02T19:08:00.001-07:00

Google's Street View feature has been slowly spreading out from the urban centers. As of now, it hasn't been available in my town. However......

From Bowramp

This Street View camera car pulled into the restaurant parking lot just as I got out of my van to grab some lunch. Thankfully I had my trusty smartphone to document the occasion.

Maybe soon Street View will come to Corvallis.

A Sad Thing to See

2011-08-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

I'm in Bremerton, WA this week to obtain parts from the ex-USS Constellation. On the one hand, I am happpy to be able to get the parts to help maintain the Comanche ATA/WMEC-202, upon which I volunteer. On the other hand, here are four of the Forrestal class carriers moored together awaiting the breakers, or a sinking. A whole lot of history here -- of which I played a tiny part as in days gone by, I was the Asst. Communications Officer on the USS Ranger.

Here is a video of all four carriers.

From Bremerton 8-2011

The above photo is of the ex-USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) the last conventionally powered carrier in commission.

2010-08-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

Coming to you live from NashvilleThe lovely Mrs. and I are in Operyland for my Navy Gunboat Association reunion. Good friends and hot times. Temps around 100 degrees.[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

2010-06-11T05:08:00.000-07:00

On The Road AgainWell, I'm in Eugene having an early breakfast. How early tou say? 4:30 AM! I'm enroute to fabulous Reno, NV to meet up with some old High School buddies. I haven't seen some of these guys since graduation in '64. I'll be taking the back roads down the Eastern side of the mountains through Klamath Falls and Susanville. [Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

I'm A Grandad!

2010-03-06T20:40:00.000-08:00

Zechariah Donahue. Born March 6, 2010. 8 lbs. 3 oz., 19 3/4".

Sometimes you win - sometimes you don't

2009-11-22T12:19:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, November 19th., five Coast Guard Auxiliarists spent most of the day perched on mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We were scattered along a 200 mile stretch of the Oregon coast listening on our Marine VHF radios. We were there to intercept any distress calls while the Coast Guard's Rescue 21 system in that area was taken down for scheduled maintenance. However, on that day, we didn't "win" in the sense that the system wasn't taken down, and we were never given the opportunity to perform the mission that we had been tasked to do. That was not the real reason we didn't "win" however. The reason the system did not go down for maintenance was that there was a Search and Rescue (SAR) mission in progress by the time we arrived at our respective locations. Two men had gone missing overnight while fishing from the cliffs about 20 miles South of where I was positioned. The Coast Guard dispatched two different helos and a beach rig from Motor Lifeboat Station Siuslaw River. The Lane County Search and Rescue, Sheriffs, and the local fire department were also involved in the search. Unfortunately, the weather conditions were too severe to allow the search teams to actually get down to where the helo had spotted a fishing rod and two backpacks. The search was called off in the afternoon and the Rescue 21 maintenance was postponed. On the one hand, I suppose I could have been a little miffed that I had to drive 200 miles round trip and spend all day essentially doing nothing. That was not the case, however. What I felt was a profound sadness for the two missing men and their families and friends. Listening to the father of the younger victim on the radio asking for help was gut wrenching. At the end of the day, I and my fellow Auxiliarists went home and at the very least, we had good practice deploying our assets. The two fishermen did not get to go home and there are empty places around tables and in the hearts of their loved ones. In the end, that is why we are the Coast Guard "Guardians." We try to save them all, but sometimes we can't - and that hurts.

Here are a few photos from where I was perched that day. Nothing particularly thrilling. There aren't any people in the photos as I was alone up there. That is the way it usually is for communications types. We don't get the heroic action shots like the rescue swimmers, but the part we play is vital none-the-less.

From Bowramp

Another Blogging Drought

2009-10-14T18:47:00.000-07:00

Well it has been months since I posted anything. The reason for that is a combination of a few different factors. I've been pretty busy with work and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In addition, I have recently also done some volunteering aboard the former Navy / Coast Guard ocean going tug Comanche. However, I guess the main reason is that I have become so fed up with "NO". Everywhere I turn, government keeps getting in the way of doing things quicker/cheaper/better. The larger the government, the more obstructionist it seems to be. Unfortunately, since I work at a Federal facility, and am part of the Coast Guard, I am hit with a double whammy from the worst offender -- Uncle Sam.

How I spent my Weekend

2009-06-07T13:59:00.000-07:00

I'm standing radio watches at the Coast Guard Rose Festival Command Post. Here are a couple of cell phone pics.

HMCS Algonquin at the quaywall.

LTJG Sulser in the Command Post.

USS Shoup

Coast Guard Station Yaquina Bay Change of Command

2009-05-15T17:30:00.001-07:00

A beautiful day for a Change of Command. Here are a few pictures I took on my cell phone.

A 47' MLB, The 52' MLB Victory, and a 25' RBS

A view of the Station Admin Building.

Farewell Mr. Alstott, welcome aboard Mr. Jackson.

He Keeps Doing This

2009-03-15T10:38:00.000-07:00

First it was "What Kind Of Beer Am I?" Now it's "What Handgun Are You?."

Lex came up as a wimpy beer while I scored Guinness. This time he ends up a 9mm while I get .40 cal.

Gotta be s "shoe" thing :-)

I am a: Glock Model 22 in 40 cal

What kind of handgun are YOU?

Of course, Lex is a WAY more prolific blogger than I - like maybe 500:1

Lex wishes he were darker

2009-02-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

I guess we Mustangs have more working class cred, Lex.

From Bowramp

Here's my score. Your results may vary.

Old Home Week

2008-11-21T20:58:00.000-08:00

I think I mentioned the other day that I was stationed in the Norfolk area a long time ago. In fact, this trip was the first time I had been back there in 33 years. Since the Norfolk airport was only a couple of miles from Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek and I had some time to kill before my flight, I decided to drop in and see what changes had been made. First off, I visited Assault Craft Unit Two, my old unit and there she was -- the LCU-1661, my old boat.

From Bowramp

I sweet-talked the crew into a tour and probably bored them with a few (OK, a lot) of sea stories. There had been a few minor changes, but it was the same old girl. It's sad to think she is the only one of the many ships and craft that I sailed on that is still in service. She must be nearly 40 years old now.

On My Way Home

2008-11-20T10:47:00.000-08:00

Sorry for no posting Yesterday at day two of the Coast Guard Expo. Spent a lot of time talking to people at the various booths. I did manage to get to the Social Media breakout session. Lots of good info about SM in the Coast Guard (official and unofficial.) The Commandant, ADM Allen dropped in and chatted a while. It's really great to have support at the top.

A really neat example of how small the world is becoming, Monday on the Unofficial Coast Guard Blog, there was a post about some folks in Tacoma who are trying to presereve and find a permanent home for the former Navy/Coast Guard oceangoing tug Comanche (WMEC-202). So, that evening I email the group and express my interest as I live only four hours away and am a former tug sailor myself. Tuesday evening, I'm at a reception put on by HP and I get to talking to a guy who mentions he used to be on the Cherokee(WMEC-165), which was like the one I was on! Needless to say, I tell him about the project and give him their email address.

Right now I'm in the Norfolk airport waiting for my flight.

***No links or photos until I get home***

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

Expo Afternoon

2008-11-18T13:14:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more pictures from this afternoon. First up is a photo of the luncheon that was set up for participants.

From Bowramp

Next up is a photo of Sammy the Sea Otter, a boating safety character.

From Bowramp

Finally, a picture of Chief Roszkowski, District 13 PAO, blogging. It's a blogger, blogging, while being blogged on my blog. :-)

From Bowramp

I've spent some time wandering about the hall checking out the various booths, and spelling Ken at our own booth. One more hour to go before the vender receptions start.

Belated photo:

Keynote Speaker

2008-11-18T06:22:00.000-08:00

Mike Abershoff, former CO of USS Benfold. Author of "Its Your Ship". He's a really great speaker. His lecture brings back a lot of memories for me. It reminds me why I had such a great time while I was aboard the USS Antelope (PG-86). Very inspirational guy.

From Bowramp

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

Opening Ceremony

2008-11-18T05:47:00.000-08:00

We're here, and attending the opening ceremony. Various dignataries speaking. Mayor of Virginia Beach talking now -- good speaker and a funny lady. ADM Allen and VADM Crea now presenting an award to the Mayor. the Mayor is wife of retired CG admiral and has been very active in CG AFFAIRS. ADM Allen now speaking.

From Bowramp

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

2008-11-18T04:27:00.000-08:00

Road Trip!
I'm in Virginia Beach, VA FOR THE Coast Guard Innovation Expo 2008. I am assisting my Auxiliary associate Ken Beck with his presentation. This brings me back to my BOWRAMP roots. Thirty four years ago, I was stationed just down the road at the Littlecreek Amphibious Base.

I'll attempt to do some live blooging from our booth (it's #535 if your in the neighborhood) and from my PDA while wandering the floor. Photos may, or may not be immediately forthcoming, as I seem to have boogered up my FTP settings. Time will tell. Right now I'm in the hotel lobby waiting for Ken. CUL.

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

Motherships

2008-05-28T20:51:00.001-07:00

Recently there have been quite a few posts out in MILBLOG land discussing the concept of Motherships; such as this one at Information Dissemination.

Like many things, the concept of Motherships is not new - merely forgotten. The USS Graham County was converted from LST-1176 to AGP-1176 in 1972. She was modified to provide hotel services, repairs, spares, fuel, and ammo for up to eight Ashville class gunboats. She was deployed to a new homeport in Naples, Italy in 1972 escorting USS Antelope (PG-86) and USS Ready (PG-87). They were later joined by USS Grand Rapids (PG-98) and USS Douglas (PG-100). PATDIV 21 returned to the US in 1975 and all 17 of the Ashville class gunboats were decommissioned

Here are a few photos of Patrol Division 21 in the '70s.

(click here for larger image.)
Gunboats nested alongside USS Graham County (AGP-1176) in Barcelona, Spain.

(click here for larger image.)
Somewhere in the Med.

(click here for larger image.)
The ships of Patrol Division 21

(click here for larger image.)
Antelope and Ready alongside

(click here for larger image.)
Ready, Antelope, and Grand Rapids nested

Gosh, I love the Internet

2008-01-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

My previous post had a comment from a self-proclaimed 9/11 Truther who happens to be a blogger in my own hometown. He seems to have been watching The View for his source information as he claims:

WTC 1, 2 and 7 are the ONLY steel structures in history to have collapsed supposedly due to fire.

This guy blogs, but apparantly isn't up to speed on what you can do with search engines (or doesn't want to be bothered with conflicting information.) As an Old Salt, I've got more than a little experience with fighting shipboard fires and know how a fire can weaken steel, so I did a little Googling and came up with this picture in about five minutes. Now, mind you, this does NOT show anything as striking as a building collapsing, but it does illustrate how steel can become seriously weakened by fire, such that it can no longer hold up the tremendous weight of the upper stories as was the case with the WTC fires.

The above picture shows the USS Ophir in Gibralter after a fire, sinking, and subsequent raising. Note how the heat from the fire caused the ship's bridge to slump (click here for larger image.) The Ophir was a Dutch cargo vessel that had been seized by the U.S. Government, commissioned, and placed in service to transport war materiels to France. She caught fire enroute to Marseilles and sank three days later on Armistance Day, November 11, 1918, in Gibralter. She was raised the following year, brought back to the U.S., and decommissioned in 1920.

Tim, if you see this, you might hopefully re-examine your views about the WTC disaster by seeking out the opinions of people such as Structural Engineers rather than "what everybody knows."

Yes, its THAT day

2007-09-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

and our local "Truthers" just had to have a demonstration here in town. Fortunately for my blood pressure, I didn't hear about it until after it was over. Unfortunately, it will probably be all over the front page of our local fishwrap tomorrow. So, I'm asking myself, how can those people be convinced that 9/11 was our fault instead of the Islamists? I got to thinking that maybe (to some extent) its because many people were raised to believe that violence is evil, but it seems to be human nature to want to assign blame. So, if you need to blame something, but are ashamed to strike out at the obvious villian; you end up blaming yourself -- which is to say, not yourself, but your side -- America, Bush, Republicans, or even the Dog Catcher.

Oh well, /rant

My how time flies. Its been over six months since my last post. Where have I been? Same place as before, but I've been so busy with my Auxiliary duties, I just haven't had the motivation to blog. What have I been up to since February? Lets see, the lovely Mrs. 74 and I went to my Navy Reunion in Buffalo, NY. Here is a clip of our tour of Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls - up close.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I was on orders up in Washington State at Lake Wanapum, on the Columbia River. I was providing communications support for the Coast Guard Patrol Commander when they brought a boat and a couple of Law Enforcement teams up to try and reduce the typical drunken mayhem that occurs there during holidays. My van has now been officially dubbed "The Porcupine."

I was also recently involved with a Continuity of Operations (COOP) exercise in Portland. Sorry, no pics - way too busy that day.

Here is a pic of me down at the Yaquina Bay Motor Lifeboat Station.

Tagged for my Weirdness

2007-02-16T20:15:00.000-08:00

Hmmm,
xformed over at Wide Awakes Blog seems to think there might be at least some weirdness about me. Therefore, I will try to amuse you with these:

1. I like peanut butter and mayonaise sandwiches.

2. Insofar as I know, I am the first Navy guy to be awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal.

3. I once had lunch with the Deputy Premier of China.

4. I went to Navy Reserve Bootcamp at Treasure Island. Damn few people can say that!

5. I ALWAYS wear my shirts tucked in.

6. I am one of only four people in the world who knows where Mt. Scuzzy Dozen is.

Since the only people I know in the blogosphere have pretty much been hit with this meme already, no one will be tagged from here.

Update: oops, the tag came from Wide Awake Blog -- NOT Wide Awake Radio. Sheesh this interweb is confusing.

William Arkin Shoots Other Foot -- Film at 11:00

2007-02-01T13:01:00.000-08:00

This is how William Arkin responds to those of us that dare to criticize the 'great journalist.' Arrogant and intolerant, huh?

I have one word for you Billy-boy: Projection.

I wonder how long Mr. Arkin is planning on being the object of verbal "Whack-A-Mole" before he wises up. On the other hand, it IS one way to ramp-up the hits on his Blog. I wonder how much extra advertising money the WaPo is raking in because everyone is flocking to the virtual zoo to see the poo-flinging monkey. Let’s see, after smearing feces on the military, what other highly trusted American institution can he infuriate next? The MSM? No, wait. The MSM doesn't qualify as a highly trusted institution. I guess he'll have to pick on Small Business instead.

Cool? I can be cool.

2007-01-31T22:50:00.000-08:00

Here's something a bit unusual. Snow in Newport, Oregon. I'm throwing a snowball at our Flotilla photographer while standing in front of the Station. A few days later I went on a safety patrol. First thing we had to do was chop the ice off the mooring lines so we could get underway. Brrr - chilly !

William Arkin - Idiot

2007-01-31T22:05:00.000-08:00

If you were to click on THIS LINK, it would take you to William Arkin's blog at the Washington Post. Mr. Arkin seems quite put out that some of our service personnel in Iraq would dare to voice their opinion about the lack of support from a certain portion of our population at home. He seems to be of the idea that these warriors should just shut up and fight. This guy seems to forget that these people are first and formost American citizens. The First Amendment applies to them as well. What is particularly galling to me is that Mr. Arkin seems to have spent a tour in the service himself. I am willing to bet my next paycheck that while he himself was serving, Mr. Arkin chose to voice his opinion to any number of people about various matters of public policy. I am also willing to bet that Mr. Arkin has never availed himself of the opportunity to castigate any service personnel who might have publically expressed negative feelings toward the war.
Hypocritical bastard.

Some Call It Plagerism

2006-11-19T14:23:00.000-08:00

The other day, I was rummaging around in the attic looking for my old dividers. No luck finding them, but I did come across an old keepsake from my carrier days. Now Cdr. Salamander has his Sunday Funnies, and Lex has his carrier tales, so I figured why not flatter them by copying their methods. Therefore, I present to you (in installments) some of the following:

This is the cover sheet from the bound collection of cartoons that graced the Air Plans aboard the USS Ranger (CV-61) during the first half of my tour aboard. Unlike your average editorial cartoons, or what you read in the Sunday paper, they don't make much sense to most folks as they don't have the background to understand the context. Many of them will be funny to anyone who ever deployed on a carrier, a lot more of them, you would need to know the characters and situations to really appreciate them. Any way, here come the first two.

This one should be funny to anyone who ever made a Westpac cruise. When approaching the Asian side of the puddle, there was an area we called the "Bear box" that was where we usually encountered Soviet "Bear" bombers that would come out to perform recon/spying/intimitation.

No, I am NOT a Marine -- but that wouldn't be a bad thing if I was

2006-11-12T18:11:00.000-08:00

Naturally, the Marine Corps birthday party was a blast. Marines are not only good at breaking things, but at having fun as well. It was a fairly small gathering (not many Marines in this neck of the woods) but in trhis case, size didn't matter. Yours truly actually won a prize in the camo face painting contest. Since I didn't bring my camera to the party, much of it was worn off by the time I got home at 0-dark-thirty. BTW, I am wearing the prize. I like it, but really wanted the Kabar. Oh well..

Needless to say, we were booted out of the after-party, party at closing time.

Happy Birthday USMC

2006-11-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in the previous post, I went to the Marine Corps birthday ceremony today at the ROTC building at the Oregon State campus. Although not a Marine myself, I have many strong connections to the Corps and like to support them. Here is a photo I took.

The Marine on the left is Pat Parsons and the Marine on the right is Ed Elizondo.
One of the traditions of the Corps is that the first piece of the birthday cake is given to the honored guest, and the second piece is shared by the youngest and oldest marine present. Ed Elizondo was the youngest marine. After serving in Iraq, he was accepted into a commissioning program, and is attending OSU. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a photo of him with the oldest marine present, but Pat was pretty close. These two span over 60 years of USMC history.

The honored guest was a Capt. who had been sent by his unit to bring some personal items of 2nd. Lt. Fredrick Pokorney, Jr. back to his family, and OSU. 2nd. Lt. Pokorney died along with several other Marines in "Bloody Sunday" March 23, 2003 in An Nasiriya, Iraq. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star. Like Ed Elizondo, Fred Pokorney was an enlisted Marine who went to OSU and obtained a commission. It was a touching reminder that being in the military is not just another job. That is one of the reasons that there exists such a bond between warriors that transends race, religion, and politics. All such people are truely Americans first.

Well Done -- Now Get Busy

2006-11-10T09:52:00.000-08:00

Those in the military are pretty familiar with being thanked for a job well done, and then being told to get back to work.

Team Navy has reached the Project Valour-IT goal first. If you don't yet know about Valour-IT, follow the link, or scroll down for more information. "Bravo Zulu" to everyone who donated - woo hoo, bragging rights! Now, we have two days left in the drive, and Team Navy asks you to support our fellow service the United States Marine Corps. This is a specially good time for Navy to pitch in with the Marines as today is the 231st. birthday of the Corps and later this morning I will be attending the ceremonies at the OSU ROTC building.

For many years, I carried water for the Marines -- and chow, and ammo, and vehicles, etc. It didn't matter that I was just a taxi driver for them. I knew I had an important job supporting the "pointy end," and I have always had a great admiration for the Leathernecks.

Now lets get busy again and help the Marines reach their goal. The donation button on the right sidebar now points to the USMC donation site.

Remember, your donation actually goes to all wounded in need regardless of which service they belong to. This is just a little friendly competition for fund raising.

As for me, I am going to hit the donate button once more and then go out and have some Marine Corps birthday cake. That cake will taste extra sweet today.

Now That's Courage...

2006-11-08T22:41:00.000-08:00

For most of you with a military background, you've probably heard the above punchline many times. For those who have not served in the military, the joke is about the service chiefs bragging about the bravery of their respective people. In order to settle who's men are the bravest, they each, in turn, order one or more of their men to perform some suicidal task. The chosen people bravely go to their deaths, each service out performing the previous one with the panache with which they face their untimely fate. Finally the last service chief (pick your favorite military service here) asks someone to perform a fatal act and the person selected tells him to F**k off. The General/Admiral then turns to his peers and says "Now that's courage!"

In real life it doesn't work that way. No military leader would ever order people to their deaths to settle a bet. Yet, in real life, those same leaders have to place their subordinates (and frequently themselves) in harm's way as part of the mission.

The real courage is shown every day by our men and women in uniform who go forth knowing that they face the possibility of injury or death. This courage is demonstrated every day during wartime and in peace. We all know what being on the wrong end of an IED will do to someone. The press is pretty good at publishing the gory details. This post is to remind everyone that other servicemembers end up in the trauma wards for just performing their day-to-day duties supporting the ones at the pointy end of the spear. Those of us who have been there know. As a former sailor, I am particularly aware of the dangers at sea. I have witnessed shipmates sliced, crushed, impaled, seared, smeared, and drowned.

Let's face it, anyone can end up in a hospital missing some hardware. I could be hit by a car while crossing the street. A tree limb might conk me during a wind storm. Yet most people go through their lives not worrying about that sort of thing because, unless you wish to appear in Jackass, you are generally not purposfully placing yourself into danger. Our folks in uniform voluntarily place themselves into dangerous situations and they generally aren't doing it for the money. They do it for you, I, and everyone else out there living in the USA. Please keep that in mind the next time you see some folks on a street corner waving their peace flags and beating their drums. It takes real courage to put your self in harms way for the likes of Code Pink. If you think that just maybe you owe those folks a little more than a parade every November 11th, please consider giving to Project Valour-IT by clicking on the donate button in the right sidebar. The current fundraising drive ends on Veteran's Day. Our goal is within reach. Please help to put us over the top.

Please note: Donating to a particular team does not mean you are targeting your donation to a wounded warrior from a particular service. All money raised goes into the same pot. This competition is merely a method of raising more money and generating a little bragging rights.

Please give as you can. Your donation is, of course, tax deductable.

Thanks in advance.

Imagine This

2006-11-05T15:47:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, the enemy's use of IEDs in lieu of small arms when attacking our forces leads to increases in trauma to the extremities. Now imagine you have been the victim of an IED attack and wake up in the hospital without use of your hands. It shouldn't take much imagination at all to realize how difficult it will be to accomplish anything at all. That is when our service members are likely to be at their lowest. They have survived, but the road to recovery will be long and painful - with no foreknowledge of just how much of a recovery they will make. How wonderful it must be if at that very point of despair, you were given a laptop computer that responds to your voice. With it you will be able to, at least virtually, leave your hospital bed and go anywhere in cyberspace. Check up on your buddies, family, and friends. Look up information about your injuries. Hell, just being able to read will do wonders for the pain and worry.

Now the government hasn't yet decided that a voice activated laptop is necessary equipment for the injured, but that doesn't mean we can't see to it. A few bucks here, a few bucks there -- times millions of people in the USA adds up to quite a lot. It just takes a very minor sacrifice on the part of the public. Would one less meal at a restaurant, or one less video rental be too much to ask in return for what those folks have sacrificed for you?

Please hit the Project Valour-IT donate button on the right sidebar. If you have already donated, you have my eternal gratitude. If you haven't, I'm not going to come after you with a baseball bat, but please think about it. Imagine if it were you in that hospital bed, and the Soldier's Angels had to tell you they just couldn't raise enough money to get a laptop for you.

Dear John, I'm sorry

2006-11-01T18:50:00.000-08:00

if you misconstrued my intelligence to the point that you could possibly have believed that your "apology" to our service members would be accepted.

That was the most sorry-assed, unbelievable, insincere, apology I've ever heard from anyone (except you)!

Here's a hint for 'ya Johnny boy. Statements don't live in a vacuum. What you posted on your web site might possibly be believable if the remarks you made the other day weren't part of a forty-year pattern of verbal assault against military personnel. I'm STILL waiting for an apology about your 1971 Congressional testimony. You know, the speech that likened me to Genghis Khan.

If someone gave me the opportunity to bitch-slap either you or Osama bin Laden, I'd have to think long and hard about that before deciding. At least Osama is straightforward about his beliefs.

Unfit For Duty -- Again !

2006-10-31T20:28:00.000-08:00

Those of you with a little sea duty under your respective belts know how a shipmate can be some one very much like a relative. Some of them are as close as (or closer) than a brother. Some of them you look up to like a father. Then there are the ones that are like your black sheep cousin. Regardless of your feelings about any of them, they are family.

Subsequently, I try to avoid bad-mouthing former shipmates. But in the case of a certain junior Senator from Massachusetts, I'll make an exception.

John F. Kerry -- you sucked as a J.O. on the USS Gridley and you've been going downhill ever since.

I don't know if you flubbed your speech as you claim or not. But I do know that a real man will own up to what ACTUALLY came out of his mouth. It doesn't matter what you may, or may not have intended to say -- it's what you did say that counts. The fact that you have tried to weasel out of it just underscores why you have no business being President of the United States, U.S. Senator, or Dogcatcher for that matter.

By the way Senator, if you were truly concerned about our military personnel, you could hit the donate button on the right and "express yourself" by giving to Project Valour-IT. I imagine you could put the Navy team over the top just by donating your pocket change. Knowing you, I won't hold my breath.

F.R.O.O.M.B.!

2006-10-30T20:53:00.000-08:00

Way back in my misspent youth, I recall seeing an old political cartoon from before WW II that shows the globe driving a Model T Ford down a slope toward a precipice and saying "Fluid's running out of my brakes!" The cartoon portrayed the feeling of helplessness and inevitability people were feeling as the world slid toward war.

I've been having that FROOMB feeling recently and I've been trying to figure out if it is a reflection of what's happening in the world, or what's happening in my head. Old Earth has gone around the sun sixty times since I was born and I've lived long enough to see many dire predictions fail to pan out. Y2K anyone? Yet there is that nagging feeling that the brown stuff is about to hit the fan. All in all, I rather it was just me - know what I mean?

Giving

2006-10-30T19:21:00.000-08:00

There are people in places like Walter Reed and Bethesda who have given more for us than anyone should expect. They are the ones who came back alone on a stretcher instead of with their unit. Can you think of anyone who is more deserving of your support? I can't, so that is why I frequently donate to Project Valour-IT. If you already know about it, here is another chance to donate. If you've never heard of Valour-IT before Click Here to find out about this wonderful program to assist our wounded warriors.

Now anyone can donate to Project Valour-IT at any time, but between now and Veteran's Day, the Milblogger community is having a little friendly competition. After all, inter-service rivalry should be good for something. So if you care to give to this worthy program (and I sincerely hope you do,) you can click on the Valour-IT donate button in the right sidebar to donate to the Navy team. Of course, if you happen to be partial to one of the other services, you can go here and pick the team of your choice.

Please note: Donating to a particular team does not mean you are targeting your donation to a wounded warrior from a particular service. All money raised goes into the same pot. This competition is merely a method of raising more money and generating a little bragging rights.

Please give as you can. Your donation is, of course, tax deductable.

Thanks in advance.

p.s.: For John the Armorer - Since I am first and foremost a "squid", the Navy team gets the big bucks, but I'm slipping a little extra into the Army sock for the Castle crew.

O.M.G.! Beavers 33, USC 31

2006-10-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

There will be some partyin' going on in Corvallis tonight. Hopefully, no one will get creamed going home and none of the team members will be arrested as has happened in the past.

What a nail biter at the finish. The last four minutes of the game were intense, and the outcome was decided in the last 7 seconds by a tipped pass. USC almost pulled off a win after coming back from a 33-17 deficit at the end of the third quarter.

Hell of a game, man. Hell of a game.

Marc Lee Memorial Services III

2006-08-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

12:30 pm. After screening the mourners from the morons, we (the various counter protesters) were invited inside for the service. We've stepped out a little early to take up station again, but I don't see the Phelps group.

Update: I was told that the Phelps group packed up and was driven by limo back to Portland soon after we went inside.

The service was very nice. There were several hundred people in attendance. There was an Army Color Guard and a Navy Honor Guard. Marc was buried earlier this month at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetary in San Diego. It says something about Marc and his family that he was buried there in such good company, rather than in his home town. Afterwards, we (those who had come to block the Phelps crowd) formed a flag lined corridor between the entrance of the building and the parking lot when the mourners left. All of the family members came by and personaly thanked each of us. Two other ladies who came and thanked us were relatives of Marc's wounded team member. The woman who was standing next to me (who seemed to be one of the motorcyclists) pointed out an elderly mourner being helped into the limo. She told me that the man was one of the Flying Tigers of WW II fame. I then discovered that the woman lived about 30 miles from me in Independance, Oregon and that her own son had been killed in Iraq. He had been a Blackhawk pilot. She has been assisting the families of other Oregonians killed or wounded. My hat is off to her. It has to be gut wrenching every time she attends one of these services.

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I Spoke Too Soon

2006-08-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

Well, the vermin have shownup.

Only four of them so far.

Update: All in all, I think there were a total of 6. Not sure because I had my back to them for most of the time. Now that I have experienced it in person, I can only agree with Smash and Blackfive. These people are in it for the money as well as publicity. Mrs. Phelps (the attorney) was walking back and forth behind our line taunting us with the most vile personal slurs. Her words were obviously intended to goad people into assaulting her. If the average Vietnam vet was anywhere as close to being as out-of-control as the urban legends would have it, she would have been beaten to death. I could almost hear the teeth grinding over the sounds of the motorcycle and the bagpipe we were using to drown out their chanting. This is a fine example of why the legal "profession" is held in such low esteem. Why in the world hasn't this harpy been disbarred? Free speech is one thing, but to purposly take advantage of it to incite violence so that you can sue for damages is unethical at the very least. I understand that groups tend to protect their own; but this sort of behavior really crosses the line. Kansas Bar Association -- grow a pair and get rid of this woman. She is an embarrasment to every lawyer in America.

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Marc Lee Memorial Services II

2006-08-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

10:15 am The Patriot Riders are arriving en masse.

Over 100 of them. Lots of other folks arriving as well. The services are being held at the Hood River Expo Center. No sign of Phelp's group. I hope they are no-shows.

Update: The actual head count of Patriot Riders was 68.

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Marc Lee Memorial Services I

2006-08-26T09:26:00.000-07:00

Patriot Guards
It is about 9:15 am and I have arrived in Hood River. Here is a photo of the first few Patriot Guards to arrive for the funeral.

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Guns, Guns, Guns

2006-08-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

As promised earlier, here is some Gun Pr0n for John and the gang at Castle Argghhh!!! from my trip to Charleston.
Click on the links for hi-res versions.
First off, in honor of the work John did on the twin 40mm mounts aboard the USS John Rodgers/BAM Cuitlahuac, here are some quad 40's.

This quad 40mm mount was originally aboard the USS Franklin (CV-13). It currently is exibited aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-10) at Patriots Point in Charleston, SC

Next up, something "Old School"

This is a 13" coastal defense mortar from the Civil War.

Now, how about a Dahlgren gun from the same era.

Finally, here is a 15" Rodman located at Fort Sumter. This was the largest gun used in combat during the Civil War.

Role Reversal

2006-08-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

On the way home tonight, I got to thinking that there seems to be an odd sort of role reversal regarding actual behavior vs. stereotyped behavior of the political Right and Left.

The folks on the Left frequently portray themselves as logical, enlightened, evolutionists, while to them; the poor benighted fools of the Right are just a bunch of moralistic, ignorant, Bible-thumpers. Not that this is actually the case, its just the impression one gets reading all those posters at the anti-war protests (twice a week in front of the courthouse -- rain or shine) in my little slice of Heaven.

So how do many of the folks on the Left wish to deal with terrorism?
Turn the other cheek
Love thy neighbor
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone
Thou shall't not kill
Sounds like a Sunday school lesson doesn't it.

Meanwhile, many on the Right (especially those in the military)think thusly about the GWOT.
Clash of civilizations
Nuke 'em 'till they glow, then shoot 'em in the dark (my personal favorite from many years in the past)
Barbarians at the gate
Do unto others before they do unto you
Gee, pretty hard-headed, pragmatic, survival of the fitest sort of attitude. Darwin would be pleased.

Now obviously, the above is mostly just a bunch of crap, and should not be taken seriously. Yet, I have a sneaking hunch that there is just a little bit of truth buried in there as well, and I hope it might lead my one or two readers into some beneficial thinking about how we each make generalizations.

I guess the thing that set me off is that I hate slogans. Slogans are just spoon-fed generalizations; which means they have very little to do with our real, messy, complex world. Thats why you will never see a bumper sticker on my car. If I'm going to make a fool of myself exercising my right of free speech, I prefer to do it with my own words, not someone else's.

2006-08-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

I thought I woud be blogging up a storm while at my Navy reunion, but it turned out that I could never tear myself away from my shipmates long enough to do justice to anything I thought about to post. I did make one attempt at the beginning though. I thought I'd try an experiment of uploading a hi-res photo from my Treo. I swapped the memory card in the Treo with the one from my digital camera and tried posting some comments and four, 1MB photos. All it managed to do was hang up the Treo. Oh well, leason learned. From now on, only crappy lo-res photo posting from my PDA.
The reunion was a resounding successs though. Even though it was over 100 degrees out, we had a great time on the tours and I even managed to sneak in some time to visit the Coast Guard station here for a little busman's holiday. Best of all was, of course, catching up with all my old shipmates and their families.
Unfortunatly, old age and our past sins are starting to catch up with us. We've suffered a couple of deaths this last year. A few others were not able to attend because of health issues. Worst of all, one of my good friends was just diagnosed with lung cancer a couple of days before the reunion. Its bad enough thinking about your own mortality when you're young and death seems problematical. Now-a-days, I keep getting my nose rubbed in it!
Sheesh! Enough with the navel gazing. Our Saturday night banquet was really great and featured a wonderful Elvis act. Pictures will be forthcoming in a day or two -- including lots of Gun Pron for the Castle gang.

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

2006-08-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

I've landed and checked into my hotel room. Met with our association president and filled the 'ol tank. Now I'm enjoying a cervesa in a salute to the armorer's fine work down in Mexico (as good of an excuse as any.)

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

2006-08-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

Onward to Charleston
The flight to Houston went very well. Upon arriving at George Bush Airport, I slogged over to terminal B for my next flight. Terminal B is the cattle car terminal. Despite the sardine can feeling in the waiting room, I have to say that things went pretty smoothly and the Continental Airlines personnel have been very nice and quite efficient. I don't fly often enough to really amass an opinion about which airline is best, but I'm a happy traveler today. Hopefully the good times will continue to roll for the rest of the day.
This will be the eighth Patrol Gunboat reunion I have attended in as many years. I have only missed the first one in '98 (they hadn't found me yet.) It is great to get together with such a wonderful group of people. The lovely Mrs. 74 is quite upset about not going this year. Every year we go to a different location around the country. This means that there a core group of us that vacation together every year and quite a few drop-ins who live nearby and either can't afford the recurring travel, or can't get the time off. So far, its worked out well.

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2006-08-01T10:52:00.000-07:00

On The Plane
I had just enough time to finish posting one of John's communiques from Mexico when it was time to board my flight. I'm bound for Charleston, SC via Houston for my annual Navy reunion. As usual these days, the plane is full. Unusually for me, I didn't bring a book to read -- so I'm going to blog a bit on my Treo and post this when I hit the ground in Houston.
My lovely wife can't make it to the reunion this year, so I'll be "batching it" for a few days. Also this year I'm arriving a day early to help set up. As I've written earlier, Dave Donaldson our association historian died a while back and I've been filling in temporarily. Last week, I shipped a case full of material to the hotel and I'm also lugging some more stuff with me today. Dave always did a great job of putting up and displaying our momentos. My efforts won't be nearly as good, but it should be adequate.
A couple of days ago, I received some emails from my old shipmate Manoog Kaprilian. He won't make it this year. He moved to Armenia a while back. It was great to hear from him though. "Kappy" and I were steaming buddies aboard the USS Antelope. For you non-Navy types, it means we were best friends and spent a lot of time watching each other's back on liberty -- sort of like a battle buddy only in a non-combat environment. :-) I hope to be posting a lot from the reunion and maybe Manoog can have a virtual experience.

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Finally made it out of the Sargasso Sea

2006-08-01T05:18:00.000-07:00

Well, John has completed his trip to Mexico and is home resting. On the ohter hand, I have been off the air the last three days preping for my trip. It is about 5:30 am at the Portland airport and I am trying to catch up with John's previous posts. As usual, I am quoting his complete post and hosting the pictures on my own server to avoid sucking his bandwidth. Please however, visit his site at Castle Argghhh!!!for other great content

BRINGING THE RODGERS HOME
Today, we'll be documenting her condition in detail to start generating the shipyard work orders to restore her to her WWII configuration.
My piece of all this, the armament, is in great shape, so today we'll be dismounting and disassembling her 20mm guns. She has four, one mostly complete, and three in varying stages of cannibalization.
So, mostly today what I'll be doing is stripping stuff from the Gearing-class that sits next to her - the one destined to be a reef in November - for stuff we can use on the Rodgers (we need four watertight doors, for example) and stuff we can bring home for trading material.
And mebbe something that will fit in my luggage...
Say hello to our Pretty Woman from a different perspective than yesterday:

And for you Destroyer aficionadoes out there - hi-res (right click and save as, please)
More to come. I'll have to tell you about my romantic walk along the beach with a Mexican Admiral...

Testing - One, Two, Three...

2006-07-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post from my handheld to test new upload settings. If this works, you will see a photo of the Change of Command ceremony at our local Coast Guard station on July 21st.

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

A Personal Anecdote about Fletchers and Mexico

2006-07-27T22:53:00.000-07:00

Way, way back in my (greatly) mis-spent youth, I was a young 17 year old Navy Reservist. I had just completed boot camp, and was sent to San Diego for an additional two-weeks of training aboard a Fletcher class Reserve Force ship. The name of that ship has unfortunately been lost in the mental landfill of my memories. I do remember that we got underway for some gunnery exercises, followed by a weekend liberty in Ensenada, Mexico. This was memorable for a number of reasons. It was my first time underway on a ship. It was my first time in a foreign country. It was also the first time it dawned on me that being in the service just might be a tad dangerous. We had fired off several rounds of 5" and I was admiring the fall of shot around the target sled when things got quiet sooner than expected. The gun mount had experienced a mis-fire. Now how you take care of one of those depends on how hot the gun has become from firing the previous rounds. I forget the exact procedure that was followed, but I seem to recall something about evacuating the mount, and one gunner beating on the breech with a hammer to free the round.

The other thing I remember about that ship has to do with the nickname for the Fletchers. They were commonly referred to as "flexible Fletchers." Now many people will say that came from the fact that during WW II, they were assigned to many different roles (hence, were flexible.) However, while standing on the stern of that destroyer looking forward up the main deck, I could easily see the deck bending as the ship cut it's way through the long Pacific Ocean swells. This flexing of the hull is known as "working" and happens to a certain degree on all ships. However, that phenomenon on the "flexible" Fletchers was the most pronounced of any ship I ever set sail on.

As for that weekend in Ensenada? The less said the better, but I do enjoy Mexican cervesa to this day.

More Travelogue From The Armorer

2006-07-27T22:03:00.000-07:00

This is somewhat out of order. John sent this one before posting the pictures you see on my previous post (so sue me!)

BRINGING HOME THE RODGERS.
We're in Lázaro Cardenes. We were met by a Captain and Lieutenant from the Mexican Navy, and we're off to lay eyes on the Rodgers, and have a "Welcome to Lazaro Cardenes" lunch with the Mexican Navy.
And, importantly, I have access... which means tonight... PICS!
Meet our motley crew...
Brewer's Banditos.
Ward Brewer -Captain
Ken Guiles - Number 1
John Donovan - Gunnery Officer
John Nowakowski- Chief Engineer
Sean Quigley- Able Seaman
Jeremy Byers - Able Seaman
Jim Nowak - Chief Photographer's Mate
Rob Harshbarger - Intel Officer
We're a patchwork crew, come to take a look at the Cuithuiloc/John Rodgers for the first time. All *any* of us have seen of her are old photos and the relatively current satellite shots. Not a sailor among us, either. What's up with you swab-jockeys, anyway? We've got a retired Army guy, retired Air Force guy, OIF veteran, a former Marine, a firefighter, two camera guys...
We're hoping she's a Pretty Woman... a down-on-her-luck, long-in-the-tooth chick who will clean up nicely.
We're prepared for a pretty bad initial impression. Rust peeking out from faded, peeling paint. Water in some of her compartments, the depredations of rodents.
But she was very well cared for by the Mexicans for the 30 years she was in service with them, so we're confident that her basic structure is sound. Oh, she's had some cosmetic surgery here and there, trying to keep up with all the young chicks, what with their missiles, slick radar suites and stuff.
She's had her 20's removed, had her stern cleaned up by losing the depth charge racks and the splinter tubs the 20's used to sit in. Her balcony gun mounts on the funnels are gone, and she's had her torpedo tubes tied removed.
But she's got her 5 inch/38s, all five of 'em. And she has something all these new chicks don't.
A war record. Where she went close inshore for shore bombardments and stuck her neck out to defend the big girls from the Kamikazes.
Those new chicks? Of sure, some of them have launched missiles at targets they can't see... but how many of them have just steamed back and forth, pounding away, emptying their magazines against something that shoots back?
*That's* why we want to bring the Rodgers home.
We want to take better care of her in her dotage than the VA does with her flesh and blood crew.
We can't fix, nor fund, the VA.
But we can fund and fix a home for DD-574, the USS John Rodgers.
This is gonna be kewl.

Once again, you are encouraged to visit Castle Argghhh!! and peruse the many fine offerings there.

Ohhh, Pictures !

2006-07-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

Here are the first two pictures from the USS John Rodgers expedition.

This one shows her alongside the pier from the starboard quarter. The ship outboard is another decommissioned destroyer of the Gearing class. She appears a little weathered looking on the outside, but this is entirely normal for a ship that has been layed up for a few years. On the inside is another matter.

Here is an interior shot of the fire control system. That large console on the deck is a mechanical, analog computer. It was made by the Ford Motor Co. and I bet it still works -- no blue screen of death for that baby ! As you can see, the insides look to be in much better shape than the exterior.

I am sooo, jealous.

As usual, here is a link back to Castle Argghhh!!! Please drop by there and let John know what a great job he is doing (between tequila shots that is.)

USS John Rodgers (DD-574) - The Journey Home

2006-07-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't heard of this yet, a group of wonderful people have gotten together to save a really grand ship, the USS John Rodgers (DD-574).

Right now, an inspection team is in Mexico preparing her for a tow back to the United States. Ward Brewer, the fearless leader of this endeaver, would like to have this operation published far and wide via the internet, so he has drafted eminent Milblogger John Donovan of Castle Argghhh!!! to chronicle the trip. John has delegated many other bloggers to help spread the word. So, in order to carry out my tasking (but avoid stealing John's bandwidth) I will be quoting John's posts in their entirety and hosting his pics on my own server. Never-the-less, please be sure to visit Castle Argghhh!!!, because much else of an interesting nature is be found there -- especially if you like weaponry.

Bringing the Rodgers Home, Day 1
No pics with this post, sadly. I'm having some technical issues with the wireless, and don't want to have my little hard drive touch this network, since who knows who else is touching it?
We all made it, though some of the baggage didn't (mine did). We move on tomorrow to Lázaro Cardenas and will get our first look at the Rodgers, after puddle-jumping our way there in the morning.
The Mexican Navy is picking us up and taking us straight to her. Pics tomorrow, one way or another, I promise!
This is a nice airport - though you can see why some locals the world over aren't fond of American commerce... McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin' Donuts, Cinnabon, etc, all filled with people.
The most startling thing to this midwesterner is how few Mexicans at the airport look like the Mexicans we see at home. These guys look very European-US, with a sprinkling of the kinds of faces I'm used to seeing at home or I saw when I was stationed in San Antonio and California. Says something about the structure of the immigration problem.
I find I'm doing okay with spanish commerical signage as far as reading it. Get into details and I'm reaching for a Babelfish. But nothing is helping understand spoken Spanish. These deaf english-german trained ears haven't been up to it.
The documentary film crew we brought down are doing some initial interviews (I'll get roped in later).
I gotta go, there's a line for this computer (I already spent a half-hour wading through the day's mail).
I'll check in again tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Here is a link to the original.

Whew, That Was A Long Day

2006-07-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday’s safety patrol got off to a quick start. We hadn’t even got underway yet when we were tasked to go out and tow someone in. Figures – Saturday was a halibut fishing day and the weather was perfect. When I arrived at the marina at 6:45 am, there were dozens of boats lined up waiting for their turn to launch. Many more fishermen had gone out Friday night and spent the night at sea so they could get an early start. Because of that, the local Coast Guardsmen had been working until about 3:00 am and were totally bushed. This particular tow was interesting in that the owner had broken down over 30 miles out. That was much farther out than most people will go in a 19’ boat. Its certainly much farther out than I would go.

Anyway, we get out there about noon, and this is what we see:

The hookup went smoothly, and in only about three minutes we had him under tow.

Here is a shot of Ralph and Le in the cabin on the way back reporting out position to the Yaquina Bay Coast Guard Station.

Took us almost exactly six hours to tow him back in, get him alongside the dock, and secure for the day. All in all, my work day was about 16 hours. We were glad to be on hand and allow the “Regulars” to get a little more shut-eye. Semper Paratus!

The Korean Tango

2006-07-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

I was in the car listening to some talking heads arguing about whether its better to hold direct talks with Korea or stick to the multi-party talks, and what sort of mixture of sticks and carrots to hold out to the Norks.  Sheesh!  I have one word for those folks – Panmunjeom.

We spent years being jerked around by those people at that place.  The truth about negotiating with the North Koreans is that they don’t actually negotiate.  They understand that our side doesn’t really want to fight.  So they will vacillate, threaten, rattle sabers, hold out the possibility that they will compromise, renege, etc.  One step forward, one step backwards.  For them, the sole reason for negotiations is to gradually wear us down like water dripping on a stone.  In the end, they either obtain something they wanted from us; or, at worst, don’t loose anything that is important to them.

We will never get any real (i.e. they won’t cheat) concessions from them, because they aren’t scared witless of us.  The problem with dealing with a ruthless dictator is that both sides have to be equally ruthless.

No doubt about it.  ‘Lil Kim firmly believes he can keep pushing our buttons until he gets what we wants, because he knows we are afraid to get serious.

My guess is that somewhere in the White House, there are people who recognize all this and realize our hands are tied by the very system we are trying to defend.  They are hoping that North Korea will just disintegrate before we are forced to nuke the poor bastards in self defense.  I wouldn’t want all those innocent Korean people to die; but on the other hand, it would sure give the Iranians some incentive to behave.

A Small Town 4th.

2006-07-04T21:55:00.000-07:00

This is what I did for the 4th. of July (I'm on the left.)

This morning our Flotilla participated in the annual 4th of July parade in Gleneden Beach, Oregon. Its a pretty small place, sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Range -- pure Americana. It was the first time I've marched in a parade since 1967! I was amazed at the good will the Coast Guard has.
Later, it was off to our Vice Commander's house for a BBQ and friendship.

Sitrep

2006-06-04T17:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday night I completed my swimming requirements for crew quals. Not a problem for me--as my wife remarked "sh*t floats." The Division 6 Vice Captain was kind enough to observe. After the swim, we shot the breeze a few minutes and discovered we were both Radiomen in the Navy and had both been in Vietnam at the same time. Small world.

Saturday, it was back to Newport for an underway training day. Mostly, we did my QE orals and check ride. The check ride consisted of me performing various evolutions such as rigging a tow, anchoring, line handling and steering the boat. I even managed to bring us alongside the dock without breaking anything (always a good sign.) Now I just need to wait for the usual paperwork shuffle to finish and I'll officially be a crewman. Naturally, I am now being "encouraged" to qualify as coxswain. Well, it does keep me busy.

Hopefully I will be able to make the Milblogger's Shootout next month. Being an ex squid, I haven't done any small arms shooting for decades, so the gang will have to treat me as a total beginner at the range. I do want to squeeze off a few rounds on grandad's .45 revolver.

Memorial Day in Corvallis

2006-05-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

I went over to the Benton County Veterans Memorial this morning. This was before the services, while they were still setting up. I didn't stay because I had to fix a computing emergency at my wife's business, but I had time to reflect and say a prayer for the fallen.

Today, they were dedicating a new stone for the WOT fallen. I didn't take a picture, because doing so while others were busy making preparations would have made me feel like a paparazzi. I did take a picture last year on the 4th of July. That picture is here.

If you click on the link above, you will get a hi-res of the names on the memorial. Notice the numbers of people killed in the various wars. Today they added two names. In the nearly five years since 9/11, Benton County has lost two servicemen.

Each death is a tragedy to the departed's loved ones. A mother's grief will be the same whether her son was killed in Iraq, or crossing the street at home. Yet for me, there is the consolation that these two men, and the many servicemen who preceded them in years past died in the furtherance of noble goals. Either our lives mean something, or they do not. Many philosophers have argued over that point with no clear winner. I, however, choose to believe that our lives can have meaning. I believed that a long time ago, as a young man volunteering for duty in Vietnam. I believe that now as an old man, still volunteering -- doing what I am yet able to do.

If you have no goal, principle, or belief that you are not willing to stake your life on; then you have no worthy goals, principles, or beliefs.

Not Quite as Rough as This

2006-05-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

Above, you see the Motor Lifeboat Victory on a typical balmy Winter day. The Victory is one of four 52 foot MLBs in the Coast Guard and is stationed in Yaquina Bay (Newport), Oregon. This is what you have to face most of the year when "crossing the bar" just about anywhere in Oregon and Washington.

Last Saturday, I was on patrol with my Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla. It was the opening weekend of Halibut season and things were crazy out there. Seas were much calmer than in the photo above, but still enough to knock us around some. We got called out for one tow, about 11 miles out. That took pretty much the whole day to go out, pick up the tow and return, then conduct a vessel safety check on the boat that broke down. Our guys were OK except for the engine conking out. Some other guy out there wasn't as lucky. He fell overboard and wasn't wearing a life jacket. The #68 boat and a helecopter got to him within about 15 minutes, but it was too late. Water temp out there is about 51-52 degrees right now. Not something you want to fall into without an exposure suit.

One Little Problem with W's Speech Tonight

2006-05-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

The President admitted that it is easy for illegal immigrants to obtain fake ID, so that they can be hired, etc.  What is the use of a fancy biometric temporary worker ID?  It just gives the person more time to establish those fake IDs that will allow to stay after their temporary visa expires!

I’m sorry to say this to all the libertarians out there, but in this day and age, we probably need a really good national ID card that can be verified by any government worker, police officer, or employer.  I’m not happy about it either, folks.  On the other hand I understand that this is the year 2006 – not 1776.  No one in the year 1776 could sneak into the country with the capability to kill thousands of people at once.  In 1776, the continent seemed to be a vast empty region that couldn’t possibly be filled by wall-to-wall people.  Two hundred and thirty years ago, there did not exist a technology that would allow someone to travel from Boston to Charleston in a few hours in order to avoid arrest.  The founding fathers did not anticipate that two centuries later, ordinary criminals would have access to personal information that the Bill of Rights prohibits law enforcement from obtaining.

The illegal immigration problem won’t be solved by proving who isn’t a permanent resident.  We need to prove who IS a permanent resident.  People need to stop moaning about lost liberties, Big Brother, and 1984, and get busy crafting a plan that will provide an ID card that will mean something.  At the same time, we need to work out just what information is private, and develop a method of holding that information in some sort of escrow, so that it doesn’t get into the wrong hands.

Flotilla Photo Op

2006-05-09T20:25:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was in Newport (Oregon that is) with my Flotilla. Saturday, we conducted a Safe Boating course for the public. The next day was on the water. I managed to finish off nearly all my Crew Member qualifications. After lunch, a bunch of us got together for a photo.

Loss Report

2006-05-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

Last month, a good friend and fellow member of the Patrol Gunboat Association died. I spent time helping his widow with reconfiguring some computer stuff and collecting all of the many things he had that were PG related. He was our historian, and since I am the closest other member, I now have temporary custody of our memorabilia. I’m going to miss him a lot. A fine example of a man, and a sailor. Like me, he was a mustang. Fair winds and following seas shipmate.

Iran and it's toys

2006-04-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

Iran has apparently just released some more footage in their propaganda campaign. This time supposedly of a new Iranian developed underwater missile, the “Hoot.” In all probability, this is either one of the export “Shkval” missiles that Russia sold to China, or an Iranian back-engineered version of the same thing. Either way, the only ones that are astonished by this are those people who know little or nothing about naval weapons (i.e. the press.) I have been listening to FOX News freaking about this every ten minutes all morning. So far on the news, a lot of people yapping about this and that without actually saying anything about the weapon itself. Any torpedo/underwater missile of this type is going to be short ranged like the Shkval. This just means there is even more reason to never let an Iranian naval unit within five miles of any U.S. warship—ever!

As for the lame-stream media, would you people PLEASE stop assuming that some retired Air Force guy is going to give you good information about a naval weapon system off the top of his head (unless it’s a surface to air missile.) Do the research! There is this cool tool you can use called the internet.

Yankee Sailor Weighs In

2006-03-15T21:30:00.000-08:00

with his own take on the Navy's shipbuilding problems here. Y.S. and I have similar thoughts about the kind of ships that are being designed for the Navy. I won't say they are being built as the price tag is becoming so high there will never be many of them--and that is the really distressing part of the picture.

The Navy's strength has always been its people. The pursuit of better is good, but only so long as it does not interfere with the ability to get our people "haze grey and underway." Our fleet needs a large number of ships that are the naval equivalent of the Ford F-150 pickup.

p.s. I should have added Yankee Sailor to my blogroll a long time ago. A concientious blogger I am not.

First Blogiversary

2006-03-11T20:45:00.000-08:00

I'm a couple of days late (actual aniversary was the 9th.) Unlike some others, its not that I forgot the date, but I had to pull an all-nighter Thursday so I put off posting.

As you can see by scrolling down, I haven't posted a great deal in the last three months. Primarily, this is because I have embarked on a new (additional) career. I'm still working for a beltway bandit during the week, but back in December I joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Being an Auxiliarist means I'm essentially an unpaid Reservist. Why would I do a crazy thing like that? I've felt terrible since 9/11 because I'm too old to go back in the service. Like an old firehorse, I feel the need to gallop towards the fire when they ring the bell. Auxiliarists can't be involved in law enforcement or military operations with the Coast Guard, but what we can do is safety, aids to navigation, and pollution patrols. We also get involved with search and rescue. Finally, if I can get sufficiently qualified, I can stand watches at the Station and be a crewman on the Motor Life Boats. We can also be called out for disaster relief. Its not DOD, but DHS will do for an old fart like me.

Further Proof that I've Been There and Done That

2006-02-23T16:34:00.000-08:00

H/T to neo-neocon

Geography Genius
You scored 94% knowledge, and 0% confusion

Excellent! This is the highest score. You are very knowledgeable about the world. You didn't answer any (or many) of the questions with seriously incorrect answers. Great work. You are now ready to write your own Geography Knowledge test. Don't forget to vote on this test!

Link: The World Geography Knowledge Test written by dowland2005 on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

NSFS - What We Don't Have, but Wished We Did

2005-12-30T22:33:00.000-08:00

There is an interesting post over at Cdr. Salamander’s today about the MK-71 8” gun that the Navy had been considering back around 1980.  Please read through the comments there, and at this discussion over at military.com.

Whenever the subject of naval gunfire comes up these days, you are going to hear about the Iowa class Battleships and the pros/cons about whether they should be brought back (again).  My personal experience with them is limited to a week aboard USS New Jersey (BB-62) during refresher training in 1985.  Yes, I was one of the “Hated Enemy” of FLTRAGRU San Diego (those who know, know.)

The New Jersey was certainly an impressive ship, and we could sure use the firepower she and her sisters represented, but even twenty years ago you had a hard time finding replacement parts.  I have a lot of experience trying to keep a 40 year old ship running (much less 60 years old).  The technology those things were built with just doesn’t exist any more.  Not to mention that they were built for people about six inches shorter than today’s sailor (ouch, my forehead).  There is no point in trying to bring those beautiful ships back.  Neither is there any point in trying to build a modern equivilant.  Not as pointless as building a modern day HMS Victory, but I think you get the picture.

On the other hand, as Cdr. Salamander says, you can’t have too much firepower.  As an old “Gator Freighter” guy myself, I feel that we need some serious capability to deliver big explosions on target for our Marines.  In both Gulf Wars we had the fortunate circumstances of being able to launch an attack against Saddam’s forces from a safe haven, and the time to amass a large force before the shooting started.  In the future, we may not be so lucky.

What the Marines and the amphibious community needs is a platform that is relatively cheap (by military standards), doesn’t require a large crew to operate, and puts a lot of boom on the beach.  I have been thinking that an updated version of this might be in order.
The USS Carronade (IFS-1)
The Carronade along with the older LSMRs were last used during the Vietnam war.  For accurate plinking, the ship had a 5” 38 caliber gun.  But for putting the hurts on a large area, the ship used its eight twin-tube 5” rocket launchers.  Using the rocket launchers, the Carronade could put about 250 rounds a minute on the beach.

What if we were to come up with a ship that was diesel powered, about 20 knot speed, crew of 100 or so, and armed with a whole deck full of auto-loading rocket launchers for shore bombardment.  You could add a few VLS missiles for self defense and long range strike as well.  Does this sound something like the aborted “Arsenal Ship” that was being touted a few years ago?  Yes, and no.  My proposal would be smaller (but more plentiful) than the Arsenal Ship and devoted primarily to getting the Marines ashore against a determined enemy.  It would fight in a more up-front and personal way and the individual munitions would be way cheaper.  Use unguided rockets for area prep and general mayhem.  Use a laser or GPS guidance package if you want to take out a specific target.

The Carronade wasn’t nearly as glamorous as a battleship.  She couldn’t slug it out with a major combatant.  However, she and her sisters laid down a lot of fire support in Vietnam for a lot less money than a BB.  Her shortcomings in terms of range and accuracy could probably be cheaply fixed with modern guidance and upgraded rocket designs.

Privateers off the Port Bow

2005-11-28T18:36:00.000-08:00

While perusing Strategy Page this afternoon, I came across this interesting little tidbit.  A few postings ago, I talked about the piracy situation and suggested some possible courses of action that could be taken against pirates.  One of the things that came to mind was the use of privateers.  However, I did not list this option in my post because I felt that the U.S. Government wouldn’t have the political nerve to use them, even if it was a reasonable and cost-effective option.  It did not occur to me that it might be done through a third-party state.  Certainly, no one inside Somalia is going to complain about the use of Mercenaries tm .
With sufficient oversight, privateers could provide a “good bang for your buck.”  As a privateer, you would be fighting mostly lightly equipped pirates.  You wouldn’t need a lot of very expensive infrastructure (i.e. Aircraft Carriers, cruise missiles, etc.) or years of specialized technical training for many of your personnel.  Hiring and equipping your force can be done fairly easily.  You could also quickly adjust your posture as necessary in response to changes in pirate tactics.  Needless to say, the Somali government (such as it is) is going to be a lot different to deal with than the U.S.  Bribery is a certainty, but a little cash in the right hands can probably get you from here to there a lot quicker than wading through a sea of red tape.  They are probably going to be a bit more results oriented than our own people as well.
Eaglespeak has more info here.  In the comments to that post, there was a link to this site where there was quite a spirited discussion about just what sort of company Topcat Marine Security is.  First thing I noticed was that Topcat’s web site sucked.  That said, I don’t care if they are a CIA front, a little guy trying to break into the Military Industrial Complex tm, or little green men in disguise.  I am willing to wait and see.  The price-tag is supposedly 50 million bucks.  Now, 50 mil is a lot of money to me, but is a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of stationing a few Navy ships off the coast.  If paying 50 million dollars to a contractor significantly reduces the incidence of piracy in the horn of Africa, then I consider it money well spent.  If it doesn’t work out, then it will be a cheap lesson learned.

Update:  It sounds cool, so I’ll keep the wording above; but in reality these people wouldn’t actually be privateers in the old, original sense of the word.  Privateering was essentially state sponsored piracy.  In this case, the Topcat folks would be contracted law enforcement personnel.  The people they would be capturing/killing are criminals rather than legitimate mariners and in accordance with the press reports, the Somali government intends to operate within their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), rather than on the high seas (although I’m sure hot pursuit would be authorized.)

Testing Blogger MS Word Add-In

2005-11-28T17:23:00.000-08:00

This is a test posting from Microsoft Word using the Blogger add-in I just downloaded.

My New Masthead Photo

2005-11-27T09:59:00.000-08:00

I finally located a half-way decent photo of my old boat, the LCU-1661, so I thought I'd swap the masthead photo.

Warfare for Dummies

2005-11-15T20:45:00.000-08:00

This post is in response to a challenge by Johan Goldberg (here) , as brought to my attention by the denizens of Castle Argghhh! (here.)

Remember that poster from the '60s that proclaimed "War is Not Healthy for Children and Other Living Things"?

For decades, the far left has avoided the subject of war because it makes them uncomfortable. Because the thought of war is so abhorrent to them, they find it difficult to conceive that other people might actually want to start a war to promote their own goals (unless they are Republicans.) From personal observation, this unwillingness to address the subject rationally cripples any serious discussion of the GWOT with these folk. Because they are unprepared to discuss the nuts and bolts (logistics, tactics, strategy, etc.) of war, or the mindset of the warrior (honor, duty, courage, etc.), or any other serious aspect of waging war; they default to the war is evil and its all our fault for being imperialists argument.

I've always thought there should be something similar to the SAT tests for anyone wishing to run for public office. There would be no minimum passing grade, but candidates should be required to post their scores. I would happily extend the offer to political hacks and opinion journalists on a voluntary basis. Can you imagine listening to some wonk on TV expounding on how President Bush is bungling the conduct of the war while his lowest 20th percentile score on military theory is flashing on the screen. Yeah, yeah, I know--a guy can dream can't he.

I know you can't make the horse drink, but it would be really nice if some of the critics of the war would read Warfare for Dummies before opening their yap. Then they might have some slight concept of the term "total warfare." It could even dawn on them that they are just as much a part of the war effort as our servicemen in Iraq.

Why Piracy Pays

2005-11-14T19:41:00.000-08:00

I guess I’ll join in the fray and discuss the whole pirate thing. Cdr. Salamander has already done a good job of summarizing the debate to date. Thanks Phibian.

Back in the 19th. Century, the Western nations (i.e. Colonial Powers) banded together and (mostly) eliminated the threat of piracy. They didn’t accomplish this by treating it as a law enforcement issue. They negotiated treaties that allowed any navy to apprehend, try and execute pirates whenever and wherever encountered. Most pirates lived in areas with little or no local government. Naval forces like as not would just blow away the village the pirates came from and let God sort out the guilty and the innocent. After a while, piracy just didn’t seem to be an attractive way to make a living.

Fast forward to today. The conditions that make piracy attractive to the locals are still in place (and in basically the same places.) Now though, the navies of the world can’t be so heavy handed. Suppose a U.S. Navy ship was transiting the Straits of Malacca and came to the aid of a merchantman that had been attacked. Apprehending the pirates would probably create an international incident as most of the Straits are in territorial waters belonging to the country that the pirates come from. Killing them outright would really tick off the locals. Additionally, the pirates have adopted technology. Remember the movie Blackhawk Down, where the locals were using cell phones to report our movements to the warlords? Today’s pirates are unlikely to operate far from land. They use speedboats, small arms, and RPGs to intimidate their unarmed victims. They will just stay at home if any military forces are nearby.

My suggestions?

A. Encourage merchant ships to engage civilian protective services. There are any number of companies that can provide armed riders, or security training for shippers.
B. Negotiate a free hand for our military forces (and those of other countries) with countries where piracy is prevalent. Make it plain that failure to negotiate a reasonable agreement means we may do things unilaterally anyway.
C. Q ships! Man up various rust-buckets, yachts, dhows, etc. with our folks and let the pirates come to us. Place our military personnel aboard legitimate shipping.
D. Shoot to kill. Take no prisoners.

There is no point in making an effort against piracy unless politically, our government can get behind treating pirates like, well, pirates.

Somehow I don’t see THAT happening.

UPDATE I no sooner finish this and start digging into the comments at Chap's site and see that Lex and I had both come up with the same idea (Q ships.)

Veterans Day Parade 2005, Albany, OR

2005-11-11T16:35:00.000-08:00

I attended the Veterans Day parade in Albany, Oregon this morning. The rain thankfully decided to hold off until after the parade finished (hey, this is Oregon -- we expect rain.)

This year the parade was somewhat smaller than usual as much of the Oregon National Guard was at some evolution over in Idaho. Even so, it took about two hours for everyone to march past my spot. Once again I was slightly embarrassed whenever people came up to thank me for my service -- especially when one individual who is currently serving had just broken ranks to step over and shake my hand.

And now for the fun stuff -- pictures and movies! Click on the captions for full-sized photos.

Ya gotta have pipers at a military parade.

Next comes the first of what must have been 25 or 30 colorguards.

Lots of marching bands too.

Here are the Masons with a really large U.S. flag.

These guys are the Governor's Mounted Guard.

Another color guard.

Unfortunately, I was spacing out and didn't get the Engineer vehicles until after they had passed. They were quite a hit with the kids. Yes, that is the Albany Armory building across the street.

Freshly returned from the sandpit.

These guys were having fun turning the tables on the crowd.

There were about three military prep schools marching. Here is one of them.

Another High School band. This one from Canby, OR.

Here is a vintage Deuce and a Half.

Can't forget the Coast Guard.

This is a movie. Click on the link below to view the clip. Quicktime required.

I just love the sound of the pipes.

Here are some more movies of vintage military vehicles. Click on the links below to view the clips.

The first one is a WW I truck with Doughboys escorting. The second vehicle is a WW II tank with GIs escorting.

Now a movie of a half track.

I'm getting old! I used to know the name of this particular amphibious vehicle, darn it.

This last vehicle is from MY time. A Marine gamma goat. I once had the not-so-distinct honor of drowning about a dozen of those things in the surf.
UPDATE Alert reader Ernie (see comments) has pointed out - that thing is actually a "Mule" not a gamma-goat. (74 wiping egg from face.)

And finally, the Middies of the Oregon State NROTC unit.

Thanks to The Mudville Gazette and Castle Argghhh! for the open posts.

Mapes, Rather and Selective Memory

2005-11-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

I was listening to Fox News on the satellite radio earlier this evening as Bill O'Reilly was interviewing Mary Mapes. Mapes was, of course, trying to defend herself and was spewing words like mad. As is usual on talk shows, there wasn't much in the way of actual facts being bandied about. One particular comment she made, however, did set me off. When asked by O'Reilly if she believed the President was lying when he told O'Reilly that he had not used any influence to get into the TANG, she said that she believed that GWB was the victim of "selective memory."

That one comment brought me back to a year ago when this whole incident was fresh and in the public eye. The first time I looked at the supposed memos was just a short time after buckhead had made his initial comments and before Charles Johnson had made his comparison with a default Word document. It took me all of about one second to conclude that the document was a modern forgery. Why were buckhead and I (and a million other people) able to so quickly spot that it was bogus? Because we grew up in the World Before Computers. I couldn't tell you how many thousands of pages of official military correspondence I've typed on manual typewriters. It wasn't just the improper formatting and incorrect terminology that first popped out at me (that took a few seconds extra to sink in.) It was the total look and feel of the document that screamed word processor. Now I am not the only geezer that has made comments of this nature, but I don't recall any one else saying this: Dan Rather is another one of us oldsters. The man was a newspaper editor and print reporter when I was still in elementary school. He too has to have pounded out thousands upon thousands of pages on a manual typewriter. While Mary Mapes is much younger, she is still old enough to remember what manually typewritten pages look like. Mary and Dan. I may not be rich and/or famous, but I am not stupid.

I have no proof. I can only tell you that in my opinion these two "journalists" are lying through their teeth when they say they believe those documents were genuine. Or, perhaps, they are just the victims of "selective memory."

Thanks to The Mudville Gazette for the open post.

Happy Birthday, Green Machine!

2005-11-10T12:04:00.000-08:00

This morning I am live-blogging from the Marine Corps birthday ceremony at the NROTC facility at Oregon State University. The crowd is still gathering for a 1200 kickoff.

Yeah, I'm a squid, but I've spent many years in the company of Marines and have fond feelings for them. As you can tell from my bannerhead, I used to "deliver" Leathernecks for a living.

Waiting for things to begin

Later..... It was a good event and helped to remind me why I chose to serve all those years. There were Marines in attendance from WW II through to OIF. Thats a little over twenty five percent of the entire history of the Corps sitting in one room!

This is also a day to think about the two most important Marines in my life. My brother Randy (Recon, all the way) and my dearly departed mother-in-law Norma (one of the original WMs) who is undoubtedly keeping things squared away in Fiddler's Green until the rest of us arrive.

The cake went fast
(This was the second sheet. The first one with the fancy decorations went too fast for me to grab a picture.)

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

You can KISA my...

2005-09-23T09:41:00.000-07:00

Several bloggers this morning (Power Line, Michelle Malkin, etc.) have commented on the Presidents recent appointment of Richard Jones as Ambassador to Isreal. The referenced article from the Washington Times mentions that:

Richard Jones, most recently Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's right-hand man on Iraq, has "roots in the Arab world so deep," reports the Washington Post, "that his beloved greyhound is named Kisa — for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, his first posting in the Arab world."

Well, I'm not a Middle-East expert, but even I know that Moslems hold dogs in utter contempt and that calling someone a dog is a grave insult. If his background has such deep Arab roots, it seems to me that naming his greyhound Kisa was either pretty insensitive (bad for a diplomat,) or a peek into his real feelings about the Saudi's.

I think we might look a little deeper into Mr. Jones record before we jump to any conclusions.

UPDATE: Here is a link to the original Washington Post article. A different quote from the article:

"The people calling for my head were Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, so I'm not shy on taking on terror organizations and calling a spade a spade," Jones said, referring to his time in Lebanon.

Anyone Hezbollah wants to kill can't be all bad. Since this guy is career Foreign Service, I wonder what Dr. Demarche's take on him is.

Where was the Media when...

2005-09-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

Admittedly Hurricane Katrina was a big thing due to the sheer numbers of people affected. I can understand 24/7 Katrina coverage for days on end. What I want to know is where are all of those "concerned" reporters every time Guam gets pasted by a typhoon?
As most of my (few) readers are current or former military folks, most of you either know about Guam or have actually been there. For any others out there in Internet land who don't know, Guam is an island in the Western Pacific Ocean. Guam has been a Territory of the United States since the Spanish-American War. Guam also is smack in the middle of "Typhoon Alley." The island seems to attract typhoons like a magnet. They get hit about once a year on average. Since 1962, Guam has been struck by four "super typhoons" (equivalent to a Category 4 or 5 hurricane.) In 2002, Guam experienced three major disasters; a 7.2 earthquake in April, a typhoon in July and super typhoon Pongsona on December 8th. This place has all the fixin's for a Media disaster blitz. 140,000 American citizens, mostly minority people, 25 percent below the poverty level. Each time one of those things hit, it wipes out or damages nearly every building on the island and thousands are left homeless and without power, etc.
What did we hear from the Media about Pongsona? Just about nada. Now why could that be? Is it because Guam is too far away? Is it because they have only one, non-voting member of Congress? Is it because Chamorros and Philippinos don't have as much minority "creds" as blacks and latinos? Maybe there are too many of those fascist, Nazi military people stationed there?
All I can tell you is that I would be much more sympathetic towards those talking heads if they had been in the streets of Agana wailing about how the poor Guamanians were suffering back then as well as in New Orleans this month.

Blogging from Astoria

2005-09-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

By the time Friday rolled around, I was in desparate need for some mental down time. What to do? Take Monday off and go on a road trip. Fortunately, I have a wonderful, understanding wife; so she put what she wanted me to do on hold and gave me a kiss goodbye. God, I love that woman!
So, this morning I drop by the Navy Reserve Center in Portland, OR and visit with the Coastal Warfare folks. It was a pleasure to talk with these fine sailors and get a tour of their new patrol boats. These boats are about the same size as the old PBRs we used in Vietnam, but a lots nicer. Aluminum hull with built in inflatable sponsons and an air-conditioned pilot house with bucket seats for the whole crew. Weapons are about the same as a PBR, but these babys are a lot faster. A number of months ago, I posted that the Navy should quickly ramp up their riverine warfare capacity by just buying some boats off-the-shelf and arming them. These new patrol boats I saw today are pretty much that. OMG, I can't believe the Navy and I are on the same wavelength for once. Now, if they would just adopt a few more of my suggestions :-). Sorry guys, no pictures. I didn't think it was polite to snap photos on base without clearance. One other thing I saw there was quite a treat. Apparantly there is a local group that is restoring a WWII PT boat. No one was around, but it seems in good shape on the outside and has the 40mm mount on the stern. I believe it was the 651 boat. I'll see if I can find out anything more about it.
This afternoon finds me in Astoria. Here is a picture of the Astoria bridge which spans the mouth of the Columbia River.

If it looks familiar, it was feaured prominately in two movies--The Goonies and Short Circuit. Right now, I am in the Pig 'N Pancake restaurant for an early supper and to avoid what it loves to do around here--rain. Ther is quite a thunderstorm passing through town right now, so I don't think I want to cross the bridge right now. I had to drive through this storm on the way out here from Portland, and the visibility was just about zero. Here is a photo of the Astoria Column.

The column was built by Jacob Astor's grandson to commerate the coming of the railroads. There is a spiral mural winding around it showing the history since the Lewis and Clark expedition.

There are about 175 steps in a spiral staircase up to the observation deck. Yes, I counted as I came down.

thre is quite a view from up here.

Next weekend, there will be 2000 bicyclists come up here to finish the annual Cycle Oregon ride. That is one steep ride up there. Charles Johnson eat your heart out.

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

Opening Day

2005-09-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

As disaster occurs in one place, normality continues in another. Today is the first day of the football season for Oregon State. The picture below was taken on Thursday. It shows the newly completed East grandstand (on the right.) This increases the total capacity of the stadium by 22% and beats the heck out of the open bleachers that used to be on that side of the field. Of course this will increase the gridlock by 22% when the game is over. Oh well, it's still not as bad as rush hour in a big city. The Beavers play Portland State today in a non-conference warmup. Go Beavers.

Update: Final Score 41 to 14 Beavers

[Posted with hblogger 2.0 http://www.normsoft.com/hblogger/]

An Open Letter to Shepard Smith and Geraldo Rivera

2005-09-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

Guys, get a grip. I was witness to your respective meltdowns on Fox News yesterday. I understand that you are witnessing heart-rending scenes and your reactions are compounded by your own fatigue. That said, you guys went completely off the deep end.
Wait! Don't get defensive just yet. Although I am far away from this particular disaster, I have my own personal experience as a witness to massive flooding and death/destruction in an urban environment. I know where you are coming from. Of course, back then, we didn't have 24/7 news channels and satellite feeds so it wasn’t plastered all over millions of TVs for days on end. In the sixties, a massive disaster in Hong Kong got maybe 30 seconds on the network evening news back home in the U.S.
You guys are quick to demand that “someone” do something, but have either of you ever had to plan a response to something like this? Unless you can say yes to that question, you are at the same level as some sports fan with his Monday morning quarterbacking. It is one thing for Fox News to send a few broadcasters to the disaster area on short notice. It is an entirely different thing to send in sufficient support to immediately aid hundreds of thousands of storm victims when the infrastructure is destroyed. Why didn’t you two help all those people? Because you didn’t have the wherewithal to help them all, of course. Why didn’t you help just one or two people? Maybe you did and didn’t report it. If so, I applaud you.
The point I want to make is that when disaster strikes on such a massive scale, you cannot save everyone. You save the ones you can and you frequently have to make decisions based on incomplete or incorrect information.
Shep. You wanted to know why the people with you weren’t allowed to cross the bridge. Try putting yourself in the shoes of the on scene commander. What are the conditions just across the bridge? Are the people on the West side of the bridge in any significant way better able to support the victims on the East side? Are you in a position to screen everyone who wants to cross the bridge so that criminals don’t start running amuck over there too? Can you control the people crossing the bridge so that they do not impede the flow of aid coming into the city? It is, after all, the only available route into the city. Will these people merely be jumping from the frying pan into the fire? If you Shep, by being on the scene, had a better appreciation of all of these factors (and more); why didn’t you use the communications channels that you and Fox News have to get in touch with the appropriate authorities and appraise them of the situation?
Apparently, one of the real bottlenecks to more rapid and effective response was the poor communications into and out of the disaster areas. What did Fox and the other networks do to improve those communications? You had satellite trucks, satellite phones, radios, and personnel on scene. Did you use any of those assets for anything other than your own purposes? If so, congratulations. If not, STFU. Heroes are the ones who do what they can; not the ones who whine about what others aren’t doing!

The above rant is based upon lots of conjecture and few real facts. If you guys are upset because I have mischaracterized your efforts based on insufficient information; well now you know how the authorities feel about you.

Update: Thanks for the link from Where I Stand.

As they say, "Professionals study logistics"

2005-09-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

Jason over at Countercolumn has some good scoop about why you can't just get on the telephone and order up troops like you would a Big Mac with fries.

How do you get the personnel and supplies to where you need them in an emergency? This is especially difficult when there has been major disruption to the local infrastructure. Obviously, you can overcome a lot of problems by throwing lots of money into the solution. In Jason's example, an infantry battalion can only self-transport a company at a time (at best.) You could assign them more transportation, but it doesn't stop there. You would have to expand the support that the additional vehicles would require, which in turn requires more transportation, and so on. All of this would add up to a tremendous amount of money very quickly.

In the specific case of hurricane relief, most of the damage is usually located near the shore. This presents a possible solution. For many years now, the Military has maintained pre-positioned logistics overseas on specially configured ships. A similar system configured for disaster relief could be set up. These ships could be placed on alert when a hurricane is forecast to strike and could follow in the storm's path and be on station in just hours. Coupled with the Navy's amphibious ships, we could get a lot of people and supplies on station rapidly. Mind you, this would cost a bundle, and would also adversely effect the readiness of the Navy and Marines if they were called out too frequently. That is where the President, et al earn their pay. Considering how the various agencies were making dire forecasts about the damage that Katrina would cause, it might have been pruedent for the Navy and Marines to have deployed from the East Coast before the storm struck rather than after. It is ironic that the USS Bataan was close enough to respond quickly, but did not have the Marines and their equipment aboard. This has greatly reduced the Bataan's effectiveness.

Of course, this possible partial solution to disaster relief wouldn't be much good for responding to say an earthquake on the New Madrid fault, but it's worth thinking about.

Where were you when the ship hit the sand?

2005-09-01T13:03:00.000-07:00

No blogging the last couple of weeks. I have been pretty busy at work and as the chief flunkey for my wife's business as well. On top of that, a routine software update on my principal home PC ended in a complete re-install over the last weekend. Thank God for backups!
Finally, there was Katrina. Being old, retired from the service, and 2000 miles away means there isn't much I can do to help except contribute money. It's a pity that the USS Bataan didn't have the Marines aboard. A thousand Marines with a helocopter squadron and AAVs would have really helped. I hope the ships that left Norfolk stopped in Moorehead City long enough to pick up some Leathernecks.
My guess is that many of the problems encountered so far are due to the reluctance of the Federal Gov'mint to take charge. Historically, the states and local authorities are in charge of these things and the Feds assist as needed. This time, however, the damage to such a widespread area has knocked out much of the local's ability to keep order. I may be wrong, but I would suggest declaring the affected areas under Federal martial law and start shooting looters immediately. Additionally, the Feds should take charge of and coordinate all relief efforts.

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Gosh, that was refreshing!

2005-08-15T12:46:00.000-07:00

The wonderous wife and I went to see The Great Raid last night. I throughly enjoyed the movie and highly recommend it. One aspect of the show that really impressed me was the unusually accurate portrail of military personnel. These guys weren't all John Waynes, moronic martinets, or genius privates like you see in the typical Hollywierd production. There were no "You can't handle the truth" shouting matches--just normal, everyday people trying to do the best they can in a crappy situation. Everyone dealt with the other personalities as they could and focused on the mission.

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What's With This?

2005-08-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I post about the trapped Russian AS-28 using the heading "Submariners in Peril" and this morning the local paper comes out with this.

Who says bloggers aren't journalists! We can at least write competitive headlines.

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Submariners in Peril

2005-08-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

My heart goes out to those guys trapped on the bottom off Petropavlovsk. I pray they can be rescued. For any of you dropping by who are unfamiliar with submarines and submarine rescue, I recommend you go here for info about what was the first successful rescue of trapped submariners. Their lives were saved by a lot of hard work, luck, and the genius of this man. "Swede" Momsen was one hell of a man.

Update: Here is another great salvage man, Edward Ellsberg. In 1926 he was in charge of the sucessful raising of the sunken S-51, two years later, he attempted to save six men trapped onboard the S-4. His book On the Bottom was one of my favorite reads as a teenager. Both of these men spent years fighting the Navy establishment. Together with my favorite aviator, Danial Gallery, these men were the true naval heroes. Many people can do what needs to be done in the face of the enemy, but it takes real guts to stand your ground against stupidity from your own side when your career is on the line.

How I Plan to Get Rich

2005-08-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

I've figured out how to ensure my financial success. All I have to do is convince Rupert Murdoch to give me a nickel everytime the word "shocking" is mentioned on Fox News Channel.

Headlines

2005-08-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

2:22pm Here is a photo of this mornings local paper in Corvallis. The Gazette Times.

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The Mother

2005-08-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

2:15pm Here is a photo of Mrs. Wilbeger and LT Noble.

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How Courtney was Fingered

2005-08-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

2:09pm Albuquerque PD were instrumental in running down the vehicle by contacting local PD about a ticket on the vehicle written in Coos Bay, OR. The Coos Bay PD pointed them to Corvallis. There were 13 witness before the Grand Jury. Press Conf. now ending. Good, short and to the point. They aren't saying a thing about Brooke's fate at this point. I will stick around for a press kit and additional comments.

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Brook's Mother Tammy Speaking.

2005-08-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

2:00 pm Generic comments from the mother. Now LT Noble turning over to the Benton County DA. Last Friday Grand Jury heard the testimony and returned indictment. He (Courtney) is charged with several counts including some specific things which point to someone talking about this who knows a great deal. Courtney will finish legal procedings in NM. on similar charges before a trial here (could be years before local trial starts.) The vehicle was the link to suspect. A green mini van had been seen in the area. Police tracked it down out of state. It was registered to a relative. Courtney's family has been very cooperative.

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2005-08-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

1:59pm One minute to start. Corvallis PD LT Ron Noble will officiate.

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Everyone Waiting

2005-08-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the crowd awaiting the press conference

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Backgound Information

2005-08-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

1:47pm Some background. Brooke Wilbeger disappeared about 14 months ago from an appt. complex just one block from here where she was working for her sister during the summer. Brooke had just completed her Freshman year at Brigham Young Univ. Last night word was leaked to the media that a suspect had been named and that he was in custody in NM on a related charge. The suspect's name is Joel Patrick Courtney, 39.

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Not a Big Enough Venue

2005-08-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

1:46pm I'm at the back of the room, behind the cameras. No seating, or table to place my keyboard on. Therefore I will be finger typing on my Treo and so input will be slow.

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Live Blogging from the Brooke Wilberger Disappearance Press Conference

2005-08-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

1:45pm I am attempting to live blog the press conf. this afternoon scheduled for 2:00pm at the LaSells Stewart Center on the Oregon State University campus in Corvallis OR.

Since I am using my Treo, I have to make separate posts so click on the Home link below, then scroll down.

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Amphibian Bites Goat (Details at 11:00)

2005-07-22T20:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Cdr. Salamander, one year old today. However, instead of receiving presents, he decided to give me one instead. The dreaded Meme strikes again! Here's what this one is all about:

List 3-5 things that you would put in a "Back to the Future" type letter from you now, to your younger self you, say 20-21 year old you about to graduate college or any other similar pursuit. There are only two caveats here: 1) you cannot direct your younger self to do anything or violate the principle of free will in decision making and 2) you should not try to reveal specific events in the future since, in theory, if any of your advice is accepted it will already screw up the time line and the events won't happen at all. This should, however to allow you to give your younger self some advice, and in the process force some introspection into your own existence. It can be as shallow or as revealing as you like, and feel comfortable with.

So without further ado, here is the letter to myself on my 22nd. Birthday.

Happy Birthday me,
Isn't this a kick-ass party you're throwing? Rooftop of the President Hotel in beautiful downtown Saigon. The whole Starboard watch section (or is it the Port section? Damn, I'm getting old!) is there. Food, booze, girls, and what a view. Check out those illumination rounds over by "The Cemetery."
Yep, this is yourself from the future sending you a little Birthday Present. Please keep the following in mind:

Start saving -- if you don't do anything I wouldn't do (as if you could,) you'll live through your tour in country. Might as well start thinking about your future.

Your youthful idealism is about to take a few hits. Don't worry about what others do. Keep focused on your duty--you will come through ok.

You know it in your heart already, but I'll confirm. You WILL be blessed with a wonderful love. Don't push it--it will come at the most unexpected time. You'll know it when it happens.

Start saving every conceivable bit of memorabilia. Collect it in boxes and ship it home to the folks. You have no idea how precious all that crap will be to you/me in the future.

Now go have a '33' beer on me and enjoy yourself shipmate!

p.s. Don't worry about that rocket that hits the hotel tonight. Nobody gets hurt and you'll have a great Sea Story to add to your collection. "Charlie" is a lousy shot.

Copy Cat Bombing - I Don't Think So

2005-07-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

Glenn at Instapundit and others were talking about why the bombs in London weren't as deadly as the ones two weeks ago. Different scenarios were discussed, but here is what I think. Al Qaeda activated two different cells for the attacks. The members of each cell do not know the members of the other cell--this is basic operational security. If members of one cell are captured, they cannot compromise the other cell. Thus, each cell has a different bomb maker. The bomb makers received the same training, so the bombs will be of similar construction (latest reports point toward this.)

My guess is that the second bomb maker either forgot some of his lessons, or that he obtained some bad components and did not conduct a test detonation of an extra bomb because of fears of detection. My take is that this will corroborate evidence pointing to Al Qaeda as the instigating group.

It takes time to put these operations together. I doubt that some other "copy cat" group could take the process from start to finish in two weeks. There was undoubtedly central planning, but diverse execution.

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Travel Blogging

2005-07-09T12:49:00.000-07:00

The lovely Mrs. 74 and I are currently at Portland Intl. Airport waiting for our flight to Dallas.
We will visit with our eldest daughter near San Antonio for a few days and hopefully have a mini blog gathering with Sgt. Mom from the Daily Brief. Then we will drive back to Dallas for my annual Navy Reunion.

I've always liked the Portland Airport--a little better than the usual cattle chutes we typically experience when flying.

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Oh, Bloody Hell

2005-07-07T19:58:00.000-07:00

On the one hand, we knew it was coming--somewhere, sometime. On the other hand, what the terrorists managed to accomplish was not even close to what they would have preferred to do. These Wahabists don't have the strength they would like, nor what many on the Left believe they have. They are still trying to provoke a general backlash in the West against Moslems. They want to polarize the war into an us vs. them, jihad or die situation. If they keep this crap up, they are liable to get what they want--stupid bastards.

The 4th of July in Corvallis

2005-07-04T23:43:00.000-07:00

First thing this morning, I stopped by the Benton County War Memorial at the local National Guard Armory. I spent a few minutes in reflection. Soon, there will be more names added. These are the men who helped make our holidays possible.

Click here for larger picture.

This Next photo is a close-up of the inscription.

Click here for larger picture.

Bravo Co. just got back from Iraq three months ago.

Click here for larger picture.

Now on to the festivities. These ladies were advertising a fund raiser for our new museum building.

Click here for larger picture.

My Niece, Naomi and I with a couple of cool ones. Naomi came down for the weekend from Seattle.

Click here for larger picture.

Each year the city throws a party down by the Willamette River. Here is the Lloyd Jones Struggle Band.

Click here for larger picture.

Just befor the fireworks start, the Community Band kicks in with patriotic music.

Click here for larger picture.

Finally, the fireworks. The public display is sponsored each year by the local American Legion post.

Click here for larger picture.

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Click here for larger picture.

Click here for a Quicktime movie of the finale. (3.75 MB)

What'll we do with the Gunboat Sailor...?

2005-07-02T19:14:00.000-07:00

This relates to a couple of posts here and here, over at Chapomatic.

As it says on my sidebar, I consider myself to be a "spitkit" sailor--Spitkit meaning a small vessel. Despite ending my Navy career on the USS Ranger (CV-61) an aircraft carrier, I managed to spend about 9 years aboard REALLY small ships and craft.

I started talking about the new Littoral Control Ship (LCS) a couple of months ago here, but didn't get around to the next part of the story. As Chap and others have pointed out, the Navy has a tendency to shed itself of smaller ships. When money is tight, the Navy has traditionally cut back on the number of ships in it's inventory and built more capability and endurance into each one; hence the larger size. This strategy has worked well in peacetime where the mission is more about presence. Unfortunately, there comes a point where you don't have enough hulls to cover all of your commitments. As has been said many times, quantity can be a quality of its own. Additionally, not every mission requires a major combatant. It’s easier and more efficient to use a hammer than a sledgehammer when driving nails. Save the sledgehammer for busting concrete.

There are a number of factors in play that drive the numbers vs. capability mix. Money is a huge factor. The various communities (advocacy groups) are another. I would like to spend some time discussing another factor that I have not seen mentioned before. That factor is the personnel system. Look at the large officer communities in the Navy (submariners, aviators, surface types.) An officer will spend multiple tours gradually learning his or her trade. The typical commanding officer of a ship or squadron has spent decades getting there. The higher you go, the fewer billets there are. There are a lot of really great officers that are forced out by a system that is cruel by necessity.

Now, it takes time to learn any trade. Operating and maintaining a small ship is quite a bit different from how you do it on a larger one. Fighting them is very different. One of the great benefits the Patrol Gunboats homeported in the Med back in the ‘70s had was teaming up with their Greek counterparts. They had a wealth of experience that we could tap into. Back then, we would always be tasked as the “bad guys” during fleet exercises. In the U.S. only exercises, the head bad guy was usually either the Submarine Commander, or the fixed-wing Aviation Commander. Whenever we came under their control we got killed (soon and often.) On the other hand, during the NATO exercises, we would be under the control of the Hellenic Patrol Forces Commander – major improvement! The difference was that the Greeks knew how to deploy us in the best fashion.

In the past (since WW I,), a small combatant with a crew of 20-40 people has traditionally been commanded by a Lieutenant. He would have been in the Navy maybe eight years and served as a Division Officer and probably a Department Head on a Frigate or Destroyer. He would spend two years as the skipper, and then move on and never be associated with small combatants again. During that tour, he would have to learn a great deal about the employment of small combatants; which are used and handled quite differently from their larger sisters. He would also have to unlearn quite a few things as well. Just about the time he stopped being dangerous, away he went; back to his “real” career. For a Department Head or XO, the story was similar, except they didn’t have quite as much to unlearn. Enlisted folk were a bit different. There, you might be able to coax two or three tours on small-boys (depending on your Rate/NEC) before facing the same thing—seniority takes you out of the game, because (a) Congress has decreed that you are either promoted or discharged. And (b) there are very few senior enlisted billets aboard small ships, and no senior officer billets at all.

Today, the Navy is planning on commissioning relatively large numbers of the Littoral Control Ship (LCS.) These ships will be as large as a WW II Destroyer, but will have a very small crew. I haven’t seen the manning documents, but I’d guess five officers, tops. You could start someone out as a Department Head and the next tour maybe 30% of them could stay on as Executive Officers, with a follow-on tour as Commanding Officer—if you wanted to kill their career. Under the present system, you would have to rotate people in and out with the rest of the fleet to give them any competitive chance with their peers under the current promotion system. I know from experience. Deviation means death. The people in Washington don’t know you from Adam

The lesson learned from the above is that you can’t just fill a billet on a small combatant with a warm body from the fleet and assume that everything will be fine. To have a truly effective (i.e. the kind that won’t get killed as soon as the shooting starts) force of small combatants, you must be able to build up and maintain a large pool of personnel that stay in that community for possibly their entire career. Unfortunately, you can’t do that with our current personnel system.

Creating a separate warfare community for enlisted personnel might be beneficial. On a crew that small, enlisted personnel need to be cross-trained in other specialties at least as much as submariners do—if not more so. A First Class OS who had spent his whole career in a CIC the size of a broom closet would not be competitive against a First Class on a Cruiser when going before a selection board, because the one on the small-boy would not have the leadership experience of the other. The only way to protect his chances of promotion would be to have the quota a warfare community would grant him. Then he would only have to compete against his peers in the small-boy community.

One possible solution for the officers would be to do what the Army has done with their ships (yes, they have a lot of them) and place warrant officers in charge. This would need a lot of attitude adjustment to work in the Navy. Any ship that is armed with a large caliber gun and missiles can do a lot of damage. Historically, the Navy placed commissioned officers in charge of warships. The more capable the ship was, the higher the rank of the commanding officer. However I don’t see a Commander as the CO of a ship with a 30-40 man crew. Also, it is a big prestige thing to have that Command Pin on either breast of your uniform. As I said, it’s just a thought.

Whether the Navy plans for it or not, placing a large number of LCS or other minimally crewed ships in service is liable to create some waves in the personnel system with positive and negative consequences for our Navy men and women.

Hopefully, this post will draw some fire and generate some discussion on the matter.

Life Inside a Can

2005-07-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I read a series of posts by Lex about life aboard an Aircraft Carrier. Boy, that sure brings back memories as I finished up my career by spending 3 1/2 years of a 2 year tour aboard the USS Ranger (CV-61). I remember one Change of Command ceremony aboard Ranger where the guest speaker, Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific (COMNAVAIRPAC) began his remarks by saying that people often asked him why the tour of duty for Commanding Officers of Aircraft Carriers was only eighteen months long. He said he always told them the reason was that they could only stay awake that long. That was really funny to us because it was almost true. The effort necessary to make a carrier function is unbelieveable. I was always amazed that we could just get underway on the old girl, much less go out and operate her at the opposite ends of the world. Go and read the posts. Here, here, here and here. lex tells it better than I could.

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