The Seahorse-class Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) from the applied research laboratory at Penn State University is maneuvered into position in Sea Fighter’s (FSF-1) mission bay during launch and recovery testing. At 28 feet, six inches, and weighing 10,800 pounds, Seahorse is an untethered, unmanned, underwater robotic vehicle, capable of pre-programmed independent operations. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) sponsors the demonstration. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. John F. Williams (RELEASED)

The Sea Fighter (FSF-1) has been featured several times on MO, most-recently here.
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Chinese aircraft carrier?

Eaglespeak notes a report that suggests the work being done on the incomplete ex-Russian carrier Varyag, bought by the Chinese for conversion to a huge floating casino, is not consistent with what you’d expect for such a project. The article linked seems to support the idea that the Chinese Navy intends to use the ship as a testbed and training facility for future carrier-construction projects.

Object Lesson

Shot in the Dark notes that the Tet Offensive, that legendary rallying cry still heard today, began thirty-eight years ago yesterday. And writes:

More subtly and insidious, though, was the media’s intrusion into one of the most famous images of the war, the extemoraneous execution of Nguyen Van Lem by a South Vietnamese general, Nguyen Ngoc Loan (no relation). If you are an American who’s not been under a rock for two generations, you’ve seen the photo:

…and probably also seen the footage of the same event from nearly the same angle, shot by an NBC cameraman.

When the media reminds you of the benefits of the major media’s layers of gatekeeping and their monastic commitment to telling the truth, it’s worthwhile to remember the story of the shooting. Of all the media that covered the story, only the Associated Press mentioned that Lem was the leader of a Viet Cong assassination unit that had just murdered 34 civilians – including women and children – that had been found in a nearby ditch. None mentioned that there were reports General Loan’s family were reported among the dead of that day.

But did they show the silent footage (there was no audio man along for the shoot)?

No – NBC news added a gunshot when they broadcast the event on their evening news.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. One man’s Tet is another man’s Bulge. It’s all in the eye of the beholder, and don’t make the mistake of believing that YOU are the beholder. We are usually beholders not of events but of reports, and students not of history but of interpretations.

Stealth Ship Chief Speaks

Defense Tech has the goods. Stiletto first mentioned on MO here.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean Kennedy feeds an MK7 Marine Mammal System mine-hunting dolphin on the stern gate of the USS Comstock (LSD 45) Jan. 18, 2006, after it returned from night operations. Kennedy is assigned to Naval Special Clearance Team One, which is conducting deep/shallow water mine countermeasure operations during an annual training exercise in the Pacific Ocean. DoD photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Sandra M. Palumbo, U.S. Navy. (Released)

Click for better look. Huge version of the MK7 Marine Mammal System here.

UPDATE: Blackfive has a collection of dolphin pics.

World Can’t Wait vs. the State of the Union Speech. Tuesday at 9:00 PM Eastern.

Operations and Negotiations in Iraq

Bill Roggio on Threats Watch:

The ‘maintenance’ phase of the Anbar Campaign proceeds as Iraqi Army units continue to take greater responsibility for security operations in Anbar province. Iraqi units are increasingly conducting independent operations in the region after joint Coalition and Iraqi operations over the fall placed a permanent presence in the towns and cities along the Western Euphrates River Valley. Operation Moonlight on the Syrian border was one such example. Operation Final Strike is the latest.

And

As the Iraqi Army assumes a greater role in security responsibilities, the Coalition has opened up talks with various insurgent groups in an attempt to co-opt them into the political process. Newsweek reports “The groups include Baathist cells and religious Islamic factions, as well as former Special Republican Guards and intelligence agents,” and “Iraq’s insurgent groups are reaching back.”

If we’ve done our homework and are offering a way out of this mess with honor to some insurgent groups, it could go quite far.

Check out The Officers’ Club pic of the day.

I mean, do they only give each guy one round, or something?

(NOTE: Yes, I’m totally full of it.)

Compare and contrast the results for ‘tiananmen’ in various versions of Google:

Google.com:

Google UK:

So far so good.
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Stryker brigade may get first Romania rotation

The 2nd Cavalry Regiment will be arriving in Germany later this year, and it might be rotated into Romania in 2007 under a recent basing agreement with the former Soviet-bloc nation.

The 2nd Cav is currently at Ft. Lewis, Washington and rebuilding from the ground up around the Stryker. But it isn’t quite that simple. The 1st Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division will be re-flagged as the 2nd Cav and will transfer to Germany. The current 2nd Cav will then become the 4th Brigade of the 2nd Division. The 172nd Brigade (currently in Iraq) will become the new 1st Brigade of the 25th Division. All clear?

The article also mentioned the possibility of a Bulgarian deployment for the 2nd Cav, but a clarification notes that no other nations were specifically named.