Archive for the ‘Military & Defense’ Category
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing prepares to fuel a flight of Royal Danish Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility Feb. 1, 2012. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace, U.S. Air Force/Released)
Just saw it. It’s the first time I’ve paid any attention to it.
Oh dear Lord.
UPDATE: Speaking of commercials, Murdoc is sure disappointed in Eastwood for that Chrysler or Detroit or whatever commercial. No more commercials for Murdoc tonight.
Noticed this in Air Force Priorities for a New Strategy with Constrained Budgets (pdf):
More than 280 aircraft have been identified in the current budget submission for
elimination across all Air Force components over the next five years. This includes 123 fighters
(102 A‐10s and 21 older F‐16s), 133 mobility aircraft (27 C‐5As, 65 C‐130s, 20 KC‐135s, and 21 C‐27s), and 30 select ISR systems (18 RQ‐4 Block 30s, 11 RC‐26s, and one E‐8 damaged beyond
repair). [emphasis Murdoc's]
Wow. I’m not sure how exactly many are still in service, but I think that’s about a third of them.
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 261 (Reinforced) lands aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) in the Atlantic Ocean Jan. 27, 2012. The VMM-261 is part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and was conducting flight deck certification in support of Bold Alligator 2012. Bold Alligator is a joint and multinational amphibious assault exercise involving several foreign militaries and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, designed to execute brigade-sized amphibious assaults against low-to-medium land and maritime threats to improve amphibious core competencies. (DoD photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)
A starboard side view of the nuclear-powered attack submarine ex-USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) with the city of San Francisco visible in the background. The NAUTILUS is being towed from Naval Shipyard Mare Island to Groton, Connecticut, where it will become a museum. Photographer's Name: PHC J. Kristoffersen Location: SAN FRANCISCO Date Shot: 5/28/1985
She served 1954 to 1980.
US won’t cut carrier fleet to fix budget: Panetta
Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, right, and Rear Adm. Walter E. Carter, commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, watch flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman/Released)
Good news, if true:
Aboard The USS Enterprise: The United States will not cut America’s fleet of 11 aircraft carriers to help trim the budget deficit, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said on Saturday, citing tensions with Iran as an example of why the massive ships are so critical to national security.
Panetta was addressing about 1,700 sailors headed to the Gulf this spring aboard the USS Enterprise, which after a half-century of service is about to embark on its final tour before being taken offline in November.
We’ll see. There is already a gap between the retirement of the Big ‘E’ and the addition of the USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78).
Murdoc hasn’t posted much about the Littoral Combat Ships lately, so here’s a link to a good post over at CDR Salamander: LCS: A Global Force for Confusion
Money quote:
We all know that LCS is just a speed-fetish’s version of a large corvette. A slightly armed, sub-optimal corvette at that.
Murdoc was a fan when the LCS was a cheap low manpower multipurpose modular ship that could operate well close to shore. That was a long time ago.
And they make a pretty big target considering their relative lack of punch.
Here’s more from a while back on MO: Critical of the LCS
From Australian Defence Media Operations:
Precautionary suspension of Black Hawk flying operations
Army has temporarily suspended flying operations for the Black Hawk helicopters upon identifying a number of fractured bolts during a routine maintenance check.
Acting Director General Aviation, Colonel Stephen Evans said the suspension, which commenced on 19 January, was to ensure safety and is consistent with Army Operational Airworthiness procedures.
“The precautionary suspension will remain in place to allow an investigation into the cause of the fracture to be completed,” Colonel Evans said.
Three Army Black Hawks are assigned to Joint Task Force 631 in Timor Leste. Emergency aero-medical evacuations for International Stabilisation Force personnel in Timor Leste remain authorised during the temporary suspension.
The Navy Seahawk helicopters differ significantly to the Black Hawk in the affected area, and Seahawk flying operations have not been suspended.
UPDATE (24 Jan 2012): The suspension has been lifted:
The engineering investigation indicated that the defective bolts were confined to a single manufacturer’s batch and were not a fleet wide issue. The defective batch of bolts has been quarantined from use.
Headline on Yahoo News:
The Navy Is Depending on Dolphins to Keep the Strait of Hormuz Open
Navy’s secret weapon against Iran threat
The key to keeping a strategic oil route open may lie not with ships, but a fleet of lovable animals.
Great story. Everybody loves dolphins. Puts a human interest twist on a big issue.
But they’re counting on ships and planes, not Flipper.
Not looking good:
Cargo Ship MV Rena on 09 Jan 2012.
The ship ran aground off the coast of New Zealand in October. They unloaded many of the containers, but a storm this past weekend finished her off.
A full gallery of photos is on Yahoo.
What a mess.
