|
- LINKS -
Below
Home
Base
Meetings
Meeting Minutes
Puget
Soundings
Previous Gertrude Checks
Events Sked
Soup
Down Sked
Letter for Requesting Gift Certificate from
Restaurants
Ships
Store
Base
History
Scholarship History
Letter for Requesting Gift Certificate from
Restaurants
Bonefish History
Supporters
Deterrent Park
Join
Up
Western District 4
Nov 09 Newsletter
Aug 09
Newsletter
Mar 09
Newsletter
Other Stuff
Navy
Times
WWII Patrol Rpts
Navy Band Northwest
B Wixom's Bit's of Wisdom
TTF
Graduation Sked
Submariner Burial Site
Ivy Green Cemetery
Silent
Service Motorcycle Club
Submarine League Update
(Updated 10-22)
Submarine League Meetings
(updated 1-31)
Picture Shows
09 Kitsap Veterans Day Observance
2009 Auburn Veterans Day Parade
2009
Annual Picnic
2009 Fire Works Sale
2009
Bainbridge Island Parade
09
Scholarship Awards
2009 WWII Reg/
USSVI D4 Conference
Gnepper
Cox
More
Sun
2009 AF Day Parade
Ricks Submarine Slide Show
|
u2-4-2010
USSVI Anniversary
Celebration/USSV WWII Northeast Regional Convention
U.S. SUBVETS Groton Base will be hosting the SUBVETS Anniversary
Celebration combined with the USSV WWII Northeast Regional Convention
from 28 Apr - 01 May.
The Anniversary Celebration it is a fun filled weekend that Submariners
and their wives come to from around the country. It involves several
events: Golf Tournament, Return to Submarine School (SUBSCHOOL
Graduation and Tours), Submarine Tours, Memorial Service/Tolling of the
Boats, and Grand Banquet.
There are two reservation forms. One is the primary registration form,
and the other is the Golf Registration form. These registration forms
are posted on the Groton Base Web page for quick access at the following
links
Anniversary
Registration Form
and
Golf Registration Form
All additional information including accommodations can be found
at
this web page.
For additional information please contact USSVI Groton Base Commander
John Carcioppolo at (860) 514 – 7064.
u2-2-2010
GOOD DAY
SILENT SERVICE MC RIDERS
At last the move to the new house is
complete and most of the boxes are unpacked and my stuff , that
stuff I kept, has been put away. This Bob never wants to move
again.
Sorry to all who have been trying to
contact me. I had problems connecting with Comcast but after many delays
I am up and going again.
Lots of exciting news; we have a couple
new states about ready to charter and even though the weather leads to
no riding in most of the US, we are still growing at a steady rate.
We will schedule an SSMC
officer meeting this month as there are several items to review. I have
had requests from several members, in states where we have few riders,
if we could come up with a Nomad Chapter patch in lieu of a State
Chapter patch. I also have several SSMC logo
items that we may offer on the web for members. The rest are policy
matters needed as we grow into a true National Silent Service MC Club.
Note: If anyone has suggestions to bring
up at the m eeting, please let me know.
I have had requests to embroider boat
patches direct on to members leather vests as we have done in
Washington. This has proved to be quite expensive for many of you out of
state as we are charged $18 per boat plus you have the cost of shipping
to and back home from Seattle. I have been working with our embroidery
people here and we can make you a good looking patch for $12 per name.
They are done in the right size and looks very good on the back of the
vests. A sample of a two and four boat patch is attached.
If you are interested, send me a list of
the boats you served on and I will have the patch made in about 10 days.
Bob Opple
u1-23-2010
Bremerton
Base Members Become Charter Members of Olympic Peninsula Base.
See Dutch's
flick here
+ Slide Show
uUpdated
1-6-2010
Base By Laws to Undergo Updating in 2010
Members are urged to review the base bylaws and make
suggestions to the E-board for changes, additions or deletion. The
base by laws may be accessed at
http://gertrude-check.up-scope.org/BL.htm. Make your suggestions
to the base commander at
ssbnswo@aol.com
The members of the E-board have started the process to
review the by-laws and make improvements as needed. The by-laws were last
amended in 2005 and it is about time for another periodic review. Every member
is encouraged to review and submit changes to the bylaws that will help to
improve the operation of the base. Remember that our base by-laws must not
conflict with the national by-laws. The procedures for by-law amendments are as
follows:
ARTICLE XI. BY-LAW AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
Any member in good standing may submit recommendations to amend these
Bylaws to the E-Board
Section 2.
All recommendations to amend these Bylaws shall be placed on the Base
Commanders docket to be read to the membership.
Section 3.
All amendments to these Bylaws must be read at three consecutive regular
meetings. The third reading a Vote will be taken and a two-thirds majority vote
'yes' shall be required to pass the amendment.
Section 4. All
amendments certified as being passed shall become effective immediately.
Section 5. The secretary shall record in the minutes’ book the vote count pertaining to
the
balloting under this Article.
u1-23-2010
USSVI
OFFICIAL BUSINESS: SubVet News - #2010-005
Date: 1/22/2010
To: Distribution List
=========================================================
NEWS-01: The Veterans History Project
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/17/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
The Veterans History Project of the American Folklife Center of the US
Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the
personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations
may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of
war.
The Project collects first-hand accounts of
U.S. Veterans from the following wars:
•World War I (1914-1920)
•World War II (1939-1946)
•Korean War (1950-1955)
•Vietnam War (1961-1975)
•Persian Gulf War (1990-1995)
•Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts (2001-present)
In addition, those U.S. citizen civilians who were actively involved in
supporting war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers,
flight instructors, medical volunteers, etc.) are also invited to share
their valuable stories.
Visit the link for the details...
http://www.loc.gov/vets/
=========================================================
NEWS-02: Help Wanted! National POC Manager
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/18/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
Interested in filling the Natl POC manager shoes?
This is not a particularly difficult or time consuming position, but it
is important to the USSVI sharing of information and helping us all feel
more connected to each other and the active sub fleet.
The most interesting aspect of this job is that the POC manager stays
current on submarine related news from around the world. You would
receive news feeds from the Undersea Enterprise News Daily, and survey
Navy Newsstand for items of topical interest.
In addition, the NJVC and I would be directly entering in USSVI related
information for the broadcast.
Reply back to his message if you are interested.
=========================================================
NEWS-03: USSV WWII Fresno CA Chapter closes
Submitted by: Donald Johnson on 1/18/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
The USSVI Wahoo Base reports with sadness that the USSV WWII Fresno
Chapter held its final meeting at our December joint luncheon and
Christmas party.
Many of the members of Fresno Chapter are also members of Wahoo Base,
and we will continue to include items about our USSV WWII Shipmates in
the Wahoo Base 7MC newsletter.
=========================================================
NEWS-04: US Boats have QC issues
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/19/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
January 19, 2010: Once again, the U.S. Navy is having problems with
quality control (QC), or, rather, the lack of it. In the most recent
case, a welder at the Quonset Point (Rhode Island) shipyard had
performed substandard welds, that were not caught immediately by the
quality control system. These welds were not in critical areas, but at
least one sub, already in service, was involved.
Go to the link to read the story...
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsub/articles/20100119.aspx
=========================================================
NEWS-05: Tom Conlon is back on the Binnacle List
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/19/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
Past Natl Commander Tom Conlon is back on the Binnacle List.
A diabetic, he recently had surgery to remove part of a foot. His
recovery was proceeding apace when he noticed it just didn't smell
right.
His 'Quack' didn't think it was a big deal, but Tom did so he went for a
second opinion and was promptly admitted into the hospital.
Surgery was done to remove the infection and the word is it was a very
near thing to loosing part of his leg. The good news is, it appears to
have been fixed and hopefully he will be back to battery in a few days.
Speaking just for myself, I hope he sues the living crap out of that
quack that almost cost him is leg.
Cards of support and encouragement can be set to Tom at
Tom Conlon
8 Davis Ave
Harrison NJ 07029-1502
=========================================================
NEWS-06: Navy Sub To Arrive For Decommissioning
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/20/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
By John Canalis, Long Beach Press-Telegram, January 19, 2010
The USS Los Angeles, a Navy submarine, will arrive in the Port of Los
Angeles today for a final West Coast visit that will include a formal
decommissioning ceremony on Saturday.
The ship left Pearl Harbor Thursday and is stopping in Los Angeles en
route to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for deactivation.
The decommissioning ceremony will feature current and former Los Angeles
crew members and U.S. Rep Dana Rohrabacher, R-Huntington Beach, and Los
Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn.
Commissioned in 1976, the USS Los Angeles has patrolled the oceans for
33 years, mainly in the Pacific. She is the fourth naval ship to be
named for L.A.
=========================================================
NEWS-07: US Navy creates submarine simulator with 18 projectors
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/20/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
Visualization pioneer Barco announced today the successful installation
of an 18-projector display system for the US Navy's prototype Submarine
Bridge Trainer (SBT) program, being developed at the Naval Undersea
Warfare Center (NUWCDIVNPT) in Newport, RI.
With a high degree of fidelity and realism, the SBT system uses Barco's
SIM 5 projectors to simulate the view from atop the submarine's flying
bridge or sail. This immersive environment enables up to eight trainees
and one instructor to conduct pre-deployment and mooring training,
assess operational performance, and improve the crew's overall
operational safety and effectiveness.
For years, pilots have used highly realistic flight simulators with
interactive visual displays for training on standard and emergency
flight procedures. Now, with the SBT system, the first of its kind for
the US Navy, that same level of control and realism is available to
train submarine bridge crews.
Visit the link below for the rest of the story...
http://www.dvhardware.net/article40421.html
=========================================================
NEWS-08: Things That Go Bump In The Deep
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/21/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
January 21, 2010: Three British submarine officers, including the
captain, pled guilty at their recent court martial. The three were
accused of not doing their jobs properly, and allowing their boat, the
HMS Superb, to collide, on May 26, 2006, with underwater rocks, that
were clearly marked on charts.
The sub suffered damage to the bow and sonar, and was not repaired,
because the boat was scheduled to be decommissioned shortly anyway,
after 32 years of service.
Go to the link for the story...
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsub/articles/20100121.aspx
=========================================================
NEWS-09: The SUBVETS 2010 Anniversary Celebration
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/21/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
The SUBVETS Anniversary Celebration is coming 29 April, 30 April, and 1
May. It is being combined with the U.S. SUBVETS WWII Northeast Regional
Convention.
Open to all, not just members of the SUBVETS or SUBVETS WWII
organization. It's a great time. Follow the link to get started. It will
give you some basic info and take you to our web page.
http://www.subvetsgroton.org/Lists/Announcements/DispForm.aspx?ID=172
=========================================================
VET-01: An Opportunity to Help the Troops Coming Home and Your Fellow
Vets
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/18/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
You are invited to participate in a research study about the effects of
Social Intensity Syndrome (SIS) on military personnel’s relationships
with their friends and family being conducted by researchers through San
Francisco State University. This idea is to explores the military
relationship differences between military personnel and their unit,
military friends, family and significant others.
A confidential survey has been prepared, and can be completed at your
convenience. No names will be collected -- The survey is anonymous.
This is not a commercial survey.
In order to participant in this study you must have served or are
serving in the military, currently residing in the United States, be 18
or older, male and be able to speak and read English.
If you would like to learn more about the study, or have a question,
please feel free contact Sarah Brunskill at
sbrunskill@gmail.com. Or you can
contact, Anthony Ferreras, M.A., the primary investigator of the study
at
ferreras@sfsu.edu.
To access the Informed Consent and the Survey, please go to this website
address using your computer:
http://sites.google.com/site/sisstudy/
=========================================================
VET-02: Eye Glasses for Retirees
Submitted by: John P. Dudas on 1/18/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
Week of January 18, 2010
All retirees, even TRICARE for Life recipients, may receive one pair of
standard issue glasses each year from the Naval Ophthalmic Support and
Training Activity. Visit the NOSTRA website and select the "How to
Order: Retirees" link for more information. Family members and
surviving spouses are not entitled to NOSTRA support. Learn more about
TRICARE vision benefits at the TRICARE beneficiary portal.
Military.com surveys have found that most service members and their
families are confused by TRICARE. Get the facts and latest news on
TRICARE.
The URL Link is listed below.
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nostra/order/Pages/Retiree.aspx
=========================================================
Submitted by: John P. Dudas on 1/18/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
Week of January 18, 2010
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) reported that
approximately 18,000 Concurrent Retirement and Disability recipients in
the Norfolk, Virginia area received statements containing another
retiree's data. There is no indication that anyone other than the
intended recipients received privacy data such as Social Security
Numbers, bank account numbers, or phone numbers. However, page two of
the form did include data such as allotment type, the name of the payee
and the amount of the allotment. Read the full press release for more
details. Retirees that have any questions regarding their accounts,
should contact DFAS at 1-800-321-1080.
http://www.dfas.mil/news/DFASRelease011002.pdf
u1-16-2010
USSVI
OFFICIAL BUSINESS: SubVet News - #2010-004
Date: 1/16/2010
To: Distribution List
=========================================================
NEWS-01: New Russian Subs Await Missiles
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/13/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
By Maxim Pyadushkin, Aviation Week, Jan. 12, 2010
Development of strategic nuclear forces remains the top priority for the
Russian military. Within the nuclear triad, the military has a big stake
in reinforcing naval strategic forces, although the other two elements,
ground-based missiles and strategic bombers, are also being modernized.
The Russian navy’s main program in this area is the construction of the
strategic Borei-class (Project 955) submarines, each armed with 16 R-30
Bulava ICBMs with multiple warheads.
These subs have a submerged displacement of 24,000 tons, submerged speed
of 29 kt. and endurance of 90 days. The navy plans to have eight such
submarines by 2017 to replace the aging fleet of Delta-IV-class boomers.
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/dti/2010/01/01/DT_01_01_2010_p64-189066.xml&headline=New%20Russian%20Subs%20Await%20Missiles
=========================================================
NEWS-02: Design Flaw To Blame For Latest Russian Bulava Test Failure
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/13/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
Xinhua (China), Jan. 13, 2010
MOSCOW – The latest test failure of Russia's troubled Bulava
submarine-launched intercontinental missile was due to a design flaw
instead of a faulty component, RIA Novosti news agency reported Tuesday,
citing a Russian defense industry source.
"An investigation commission established in December said that a design
flaw in the device which controls the separation of the third stage
caused the latest failure of the Bulava missile," the unnamed source was
quoted as saying.
It was the first time the Russian industry officials admitted that there
are problems with the original design of the Bulava missile, which is
expected to become a key part of Russia's future nuclear arsenal.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/13/content_12798818.htm
=========================================================
NEWS-03: National POC Manager Bob Cox resigns
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/13/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
Due to personal circumstances unrelated to USSVI, Bob has submitted the
following:
"This serves as notice that I am resigning the appointed position as
USSVI National POC Manager effective immediately. I will continue to
serve as POC until properly relieved, … say 2-4 weeks, if necessary.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I enjoyed it."
I appreciate the service Bob has given all subvets in this work and I
know we all wish him well as he weathers the storms he is currently
being buffeted with.
Interested in filling the Natl POC manager shoes? This is not a
particularly difficult or time consuming position, but it is important
to the USSVI sharing of information and helping us all feel more
connected to each other and the active sub fleet.
The most interesting aspect of this job is that the POC manager stays
current on submarine related news from around the world. You would
receive news feeds from the Undersea Enterprise News Daily, and survey
Navy Newsstand for items of topical interest.
In addition, the NJVC and I would be directly entering in USSVI related
information for the broadcast.
Reply back to his message if you are interested.
=========================================================
NEWS-04: Two weeks to go on the 2010 Dues Renewal chase.
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/13/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
Just FYI, two weeks to go and we have approx 1,350 regular annual
members not yet renewed.
For historical context,
Jan 14 2008 we had 2,033 unrenewed.
Jan 16 2009 we had 1,688 unrenewed.
Jan 14 2010 we have 1,350 unrenewed.
The renewal window slams shut as of Feb 1st.
After that the unrenewed 'dinks' are dropped and are no longer members.
If the dropped former members do come back later, it will be as a new
member with longevity yrs reset to ""0".
National Dues can be sent to USSVI, PO Box 3870, Silverdale WA 98383
$ 90.00 for 5 years, $ 55.00 for 3 yrs, $ 20.00 for 1 year.
=========================================================
NEWS-05: Pearl Harbor Bids Farewell to USS Los Angeles
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/15/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
PEARL HARBOR – USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) departed Naval Station Pearl
Harbor, Jan. 14, for her final voyage to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for
inactivation.
Los Angeles has faithfully patrolled the world’s oceans for 33 years,
conducting all but one of her 18 deployments in the Pacific. She is the
fourth naval ship to be named after the city of Los Angeles, and is the
lead ship of her class. Her many capabilities include wartime functions
of undersea warfare, surface warfare, strike warfare, mining operations,
special forces delivery, reconnaissance, carrier battle group support
and escort, and intelligence collection.
“Los Angeles has been on the Pearl Harbor waterfront for 32 years, and
it is with some sadness that we are now making our final voyage,” said
Los Angeles Commanding Officer Cmdr. Steven Harrison. “I am very proud
of each and every Sailor onboard. We all have worked very hard to keep
this warship at the forefront of submarine operations and the crew has
done a fantastic job meeting every operational requirement.”
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, COMSUBPAC
Public Affairs, Jan. 14, 2010
=========================================================
NEWS-06: Dick O'Kane's Cribbage Board
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/15/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
The United States Navy is steeped in customs, courtesies and rituals.
One of the least known among these is the guardianship of World War II
submarine Hero and Medal of Honor recipient Rear Admiral Richard H.
“Dick” O’Kane’s cribbage board, traditionally held by the oldest
submarine in the Pacific Fleet.
USS Kamehameha (SSN 642) was the longest commissioned of the oldest
submarines to safeguard the board.
When Kamehameha was decommissioned in 2002 after nearly 37 years of
service, the board was cleaned and restored and passed on to USS Parche
(SSN 683). Parche was the namesake of one of the most highly decorated
subs to serve in the Pacific Fleet during WWII.
When Parche decommissioned in July 2005, the cribbage board was passed
on to Los Angeles.
With the decommissioning of Los Angeles, the board is being passed on to
the oldest remaining submarine, USS Bremerton (SSN 698).
“It is with great pride that I hand over the “Dick O’Kane cribbage
board” to Cmdr. Howard Warner, Commanding Officer of Bremerton,” said
Cmdr Stephen Harrison.
“I hope the crew of Bremerton enjoys re-living history playing this
great game as much as we have.”
by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, COMSUBPAC
Public Affairs, Jan. 14, 2010
=========================================================
NEWS-07: Ballistic Missile Submarine Exhibit Unveiled at Keyport
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/15/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
KEYPORT, Wash. (NNS) -- A new exhibit was unveiled in commemoration of
the 50th anniversary of the commissioning of the first ballistic missile
submarine during a small ceremony held at the Naval Undersea Warfare
Museum in Keyport, Wash., Jan. 8.
"This exhibit, titled 'Forty-One for Freedom,' honors the submarines and
submariners who have kept the peace during the Cold War," said William
Galvani, museum director.
"The submarine George Washington (SSBN 598) was the first of the 41
freedom submarines. It was commissioned in 1959, and shortly thereafter
the United States built 40 similar submarines. These submarines were the
backbone of strategic deterrence for the United States. They made sure
our country was safe."
According to Galvani, when the exhibit was created, he wanted people to
know how the program was originated, what the submarines were like, and
how many submarines there were.
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chantel M. Clayton, Navy
Public Affairs Support Element West Det. Northwest
=========================================================
NEWS-08: USSVI WWII Submarine Calendar
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/16/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
First let me say "Thanks" to all who have already purchased a USSVI WWII
Submarine Calendar this year. The diesel sub pictures are great and the
calendar theme is the WWII War Fighters.
A very popular calendar, it was sold out in December, so the US
Submarine Veterans Natl Storekeeper did a small run reorder on this
calendar.
If you like pictures of WWII diesel subs, I suggest that you make your
move now to get one before they are all gone.
You can order directly from Huey Hahn at
subhuey@aol.com
Huey Hahn
PO Box 122
Husser, LA 70442
$11.95 ea (includes mailing costs.)
This link takes you to a picture of the cover
http://www.ussvi.org/Documents/Online_Organization_2010-Warfighters-Calendar-Cover.JPG
=========================================================
NEWS-09: USS Scorpion Loss: A Summary Analysis of SCORPION Acoustic
Data
Submitted by: Pat Householder on 1/16/2010
---------------------------------------------------------
Summary Analysis of SCORPION Acoustic Data, by Bruce Rule, Date: Thu Jan
7, 2010 9:39 pm ((PST))
Having completed the analysis of all available SCORPION acoustic data,
the following summary is provided. Post as useful.
When the US nuclear submarine SCORPION was lost in the East Central
Allantic on May 22, 1968, the event produced a series of acoustic
signals that were detected by seafloor sensors on both sides of the
Atlantic.
The US Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) determined the
point of origin of these SCORPION signals by comparing the detection
times at three sensor sites. The derived position was where the SCORPION
wreckage was subsequently discovered at a depth of 3,380m (11,100 ft).
The Chief of Naval Operations message date-time-group 311840Z May 1968
acknowledged the AFTAC contribution.
The first reanalysis of the SCORPION acoustic data in 40-years
identified the following new information in 2008:
- The initiating events responsible for the loss of SCORPION were two
small explosions that occurred one-half second apart at 18:20:44Z on 22
May 1968 and were contained within the submarine’s pressure-hull. The
source of these explosions, which are estimated to have been equal to
the explosion of not more than 10 kg (22 lbs) of TNT each, cannot be
determined from analysis of the acoustic data.
- These explosive events prevented the crew from maintaining depth
control. SCORPION slowly sank to 1530-feet at which depth the
pressure-hull and all internal bulkheads collapsed at 18:42:34Z on May
22, 1968 in one-tenth of a second with a force equal to the explosion of
6,000 kg (13,200 lbs) of TNT.
- This energy was produced by the essentially instantaneous conversion
of potential energy in the form of 680 psi pressure on the entire
SCORPION hull to kinetic energy, the motion of the intruding water-ram
which entered the pressure-hull at supersonic velocity.
- During the 111.6-second period when it was conjectured in 1968 that
SCORPION had reversed course to deactivate a torpedo that had become
active in its launch tube, the horizontal position of the submarine
changed less than 100-feet. This time-of-detection based analysis
refutes the course reveral/active torpedo theory.
- During the 200-second period following pressure-hull collapse, 17
additional acoustic events were detected. These events were produced by
more pressure-resistant structures that survived within the wreckage to
collapse at greater depth. Six of these events were produced by the
collapse of the SCORPION torpedo-tubes near the following depths:
3370-, 3750-, 3810-, 3950-, 4510- and 4570-feet.
There were no explosions from a torpedo or any other source external to
the SCORPION pressure-hull. SCORPION was lost because of an onboard
problem (the two internal explosions) the crew could not overcome.
There was no involvement by Soviet forces as conjectured in some popular
accounts of the loss of SCORPION. There were no acoustic detections of a
torpedo as would have occurred had a Soviet weapon operated at 40-knots
as postulated by one popular account.
The technical documents upon which the above conclusions are based,
which total nearly 50-pages, were provided to the Chief of Naval
Operations (OPNAV N87), the Commander Submarine Force, the Office of
Naval Intelligence and the Naval Historical Center (NHC). Freedom of
Information Act requests for this unclassified information should be
sent to the NHC, specifically the originator's letters of 14 Mar, 3 Apr
and 28 Oct 2009.
uSoup Down:
Fri, Feb 12
Boat Shed, Bremerton, under the Manette
Bridge
Letter for Requesting Gift Certificate from
Restaurants
Don Bassler
Gertrude Check
Founder & Editor
down-scope@comcast.net
More News of Interest to Submariners
2010 CENSUS
JOBS
The United
States Census Bureau is locally recruiting hundreds of census takers
for the 2010 Census. These temporary, part-time jobs offer good
pay, flexible hours, and paid training. Best of all, census takers
work right in their own communities. Census jobs other than census
takers may also be available in your area with a pay range of $10.00
to $14.75 per hour.
Census jobs are
excellent for people who want to work part-time, those who are
between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money
while performing an important service for their community.
Apply today or
learn more by calling the toll free job line at 1-866-861-2010 or by
visiting the Census 2010 website at
www.2010censusjobs.gov.
Hawaii-Based 'Silent Service'
On Never-Ending Training Regime
By William Cole, Honolulu Adviser,
February 7, 2010
ABOARD THE USS SANTA FE — Riding 60 feet
under the ocean surface in a 6,900-ton nuclear submarine that's longer
than a football field, there is almost no sense of movement and very
little noise.
The only sound is an occasional chirp
over a speaker, signaling nearby marine life. The quiet is broken with a
series of orders spoken in rapid-fire fashion:....More
See More About Santa Fe
Part
1
Part 2
Part 3
PRESIDENT SIGNS VETERANS'
EMERGENCY CARE FAIRNESS ACT
Chairman Akaka introduced Senate
bill to cover gaps in emergency
care for veterans with limited
insurance
WASHINGTON, D.C. -
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Committee Chairman Daniel K.
Akaka (D-HI) today praised
President Barack Obama's signing
of the Veterans' Emergency
Care Fairness Act of 2009.
"For veterans with limited
insurance, a trip to the
emergency room should not result
in financial ruin,"
said Chairman Akaka, who
introduced the bill in the
Senate last year. "With this
new law, VA will be positioned
to help veterans who are
enrolled in VA care whose
insurance does not cover the
full cost of emergency
treatment."
The Veterans' Emergency Care
Fairness Act, signed into law by
President Obama last night, will
enable the Department of
Veterans Affairs to reimburse
veterans enrolled in VA health
care for the remaining cost of
emergency treatment if the
veteran has outside insurance
that only covers part of the
cost. Previously, VA could
reimburse veterans or pay
outside hospitals directly only
if a veteran has no outside
health insurance.
In addition to reimbursing
veterans for emergency care in
the future, the bill allows the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
provide retroactive
reimbursements for care received
prior to the passage of this
bill. Akaka has received
correspondence from veterans who
were unable to receive financial
assistance under the previous
rules, and plans to share their
information with Secretary
Shinseki.
The Congressional Budget Office
estimates that this legislation
will cover approximately 700
future claims per year and as
many as 2,000 veterans
retroactively.
|
Silent
Service MC,,,, 1st Gator Chapter first ride
Today the "1st Gator"
Chapter went on out first official ride. Four
members attended and one guest. A little cool for
Florida at about 60 degrees and very windy. With
the wind chill it was a brisk 57 degrees. Burr. We
had a great time and stopped at a local watering
hole (Shuckers Raw Bar) for a cold beverage and some
Oysters. Good food and a great time was had by
all.

From Left to right:
Ken Bazan - Road Captain
Frank Reno - President
Ivan Joslin - Vice President
Rod Johnson - Secretary
Our next ride is scheduled for Sunday 14 March. We
will meet at the Perfect Spot Restaurant which is
located at the Deland Airport. We will meet at
noon, have lunch, watch the skydivers and then go
for a ride.
Frank
The Greatest
Generation
Strategy Page,
February 1, 2010
The U.S. Navy has retired
the USS Los Angeles (SSN 688). This was
the lead ship of the Los Angeles class nuclear attack
submarine (SSN). The Los Angeles entered service in
1976. It is one of three classes of SSNs in American
service, and was the backbone of the American SSN force
during the last years of the Cold War. The mainstay of
the American submarine force is still the Los Angeles
class. Sixty-two of these submarines were built, 44 of
which remain in front-line service, making it probably
the largest class of nuclear submarines that will ever
be built.
With four 21-inch
(533-millimeter) torpedo tubes, it carries twenty-six
weapons. These would be either the Mk 48 torpedo (50
kilometer range), the UGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile
(130 kilometer range), or the BGM-109 Tomahawk (3,100
kilometer range). The last 31 Los Angeles-class SSNs add
the Mk 45 vertical-launch system (VLS), which carries
another twelve Tomahawks, making them closer to
guided-missile submarines (SSGN). It could launch cruise
missiles or Harpoon anti-ship missile The sub had a top
speed of over nearly 60 kilometers an hour and is
believed capable of diving to 300 meters. The boat
normally carried a crew of 129. The basic design
underwent several changes as more boats were built. The
final 23 built were so different that they were referred
to as 688i class boats.
The United States deploys
two other classes. The Seawolf-class of nuclear attack
submarines stopped at three from a planned class of
twenty-nine. The Seawolf was designed as a
super-submarine, designed to fight the Soviet Navy at
its height. Carrying fifty weapons, and with eight
26-inch (660-millimeter) torpedo tubes, the Seawolf was
designed for maximum performance. It delivered, posting
a top speed of 35 knots – and remaining much quieter
than the Los Angeles-class submarines. Reportedly, it is
quieter at twenty-five knots than the Los Angeles-class
submarines are at pierside. With the cutback of the
Seawolf to three ships, the Navy has gone with the
Virginia-class submarine. Less-capable than the Seawolf
(it is much like the Los Angeles-class attack subs, but
with a lot of the more-advanced systems from the Seawolf-class
subs, particularly the quieting and sonar systems), it
was supposed to be less expensive. The Virginia-class
submarines are estimated to have a unit cost of $2.1
billion, but found a way to get the first six built for
a total cost of $8.7 billion ($1.45 billion each). Like
the Los Angeles-class, the Virginia-class submarines
will be improved as the class is built.
Officials in the city of
Los Angeles are discussing the possibility of taking the
submarine Los Angeles and using it as a museum ship in
the city it was named after. This would happen after all
armaments and classified military equipment was removed.
One additional item would not come with the Los Angeles.
That is the cribbage board used by ace World War II.
Navy Confirms Sunken Sub In
Balabac Strait Is USS
Flier
From Commander,
Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
(PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii)
–Commander, Submarine
Forces Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), Rear Adm. Douglas
McAneny announced today that a sunken vessel located in
the Balabac Strait area of the Philippines is in fact
the World War II submarine USS Flier (SS 250).
“I am honored to announce that, with video evidence and
information provided by a team from YAP Films and
assistance from the Naval History and Heritage Command,
USS Flier has been located,” said McAneny. “We hope
this announcement will provide some closure to the
families of the 78 crewmen lost when Flier struck a mine
in 1944.”
USS Flier, a 1525-ton Gato class submarine built at
Groton, Connecticut, was commissioned in mid-October
1943. She departed from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for her
first war patrol in January 1944. While entering the
harbor at Midway Island during a storm, she went aground
and was seriously damaged.
The damaged submarine was
towed back to Pearl Harbor and finally reached the Mare
Island Navy Yard, California, where she was repaired.
Flier made another start on her first war patrol in May
1944, heading from Pearl Harbor to the waters off Luzon.
While en route on 4 June she attacked and sank the
transport Hakusan Maru. On June 13, she attacked a
Japanese convoy off Subic Bay, receiving a depth
charging in return, and on June 22-23, hit another
convoy off Mindoro, apparently damaging one or more
ships.
In early August 1944 Flier left Fremantle, Australia,
for her second war patrol. On 13 August, while
transiting shallow water to enter the South China Sea,
she struck a mine and quickly sank. Fourteen of 86
crewmen escaped, but only eight survived the subsequent
long swim to reach shore. After making their way by raft
to Palawan and being protected by local people and a
group of guerrillas, at the end of the month they were
evacuated by the submarine USS Redfin (SS-272).
The last surviving crew member of Flier, Ens. Al
Jacobson, never gave up the search for his lost
shipmates. Sadly, Jacobson passed away in 2008, but his
family was determined to continue the search. The
family provided notes and research to the production
company YAP Films, which investigates nautical
mysteries, and Jacobson’s son Steve and grandson Nelson
participated in the search.
“After my father retired in 1990, he became very active
in the quest to understand more of what happened,” said
Steve Jacobson. “He put together as much information as
he could from naval records of the investigation and put
together charts of where he believed Flier was. We
provided YAP Films with everything my father had
collected.”
In the spring of 2009, with the aid of the Jacobson
family, the team from YAP Films located wreckage of a
submarine in the area that USS Flier was lost. Father
and son divers Mike and Warren Fletcher of the
television show “Dive Detectives” captured the first
views of the sunken submarine in more than 64 years.
YAP Films provided the Naval History and Heritage
Command with footage taken in the Balabac Strait to aid
in the identification.
"The Flier discovery presented the Dive Detectives with
one of our most challenging dives,” said Warren
Fletcher. “At a depth of 330 feet there is little
margin for error. As my father and I descended into the
dark blue water, the unmistakable shape of a Gato-class
submarine came into view. That moment made all of the
hard work and danger pale in comparison with the feeling
of pride it gave me to know that the Flier and her crew
will not be forgotten."
With the information provided by YAP Films, COMSUBPAC
and the Naval History and Heritage Command examined the
evidence and historical records and determined that the
submarine found at the reported position could only be
USS Flier. No Japanese or U.S. submarine other than
Flier was ever reported lost in the area, and the gun
mount and radar antenna clearly identifiable in the
video matched historical photographs of USS Flier.
Additional identifiable characteristics of the hull
indicated that the wreck is indeed a Gato-class
submarine. These factors taken together led COMSUBPAC
and the Naval History and Heritage Center to conclude
that the wreck found by YAP Films could only be that of
USS Flier.
"The Flier was found because all the right people came
together for all the right reasons,” said Mike Fletcher.
“But mostly the Flier was found because of the love a
family has for their dad."
“It was a pretty emotional experience,” said Jacobson.
“Although I was really confident of the position, you
still don’t know. Literally, it was exactly at the
coordinates he said it would be. It is tremendous
closure and I wish that my dad could have experienced
this.”
Former Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet
Admiral Chester Nimitz once said, “When I assumed
command of the Pacific Fleet on 31 December 1941 our
submarines were already operating against the enemy, the
only units of the Fleet that could come to grips with
the Japanese for months to come. It was to the
Submarine Force that I looked to carry the load until
our great industrial activity could produce the weapons
we so sorely needed to carry the war to the enemy. It
is to the everlasting honor and glory of our submarine
personnel that they never failed us in our days of great
peril.”
By the end of World War II, submarines had made more
than 1,600 war patrols. Pacific Fleet submarines like
Flier accounted for more than half of all enemy shipping
sunk during the war. The cost of this success was
heavy: 52 U.S. Pacific Fleet submarines were lost, and
more than 3,500 submariners remain on “eternal patrol.”
January 7, 2010
USS
Flasher SSN 613 Reunion
Place: Seattle Washington
Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott in Tukwila WA
16038 West Valley Highway
Be sure to mention Flasher Reunion to
receive our rate.
Proposed
Activities
|
|
|
Arrivals, Meet in Hospitality Room
|
|
|
Sub Tour, BBQ at Adm. Bacon’s
|
|
|
Assoc. Meeting AM, self tours, and Pizza and
Raffles in PM
|
|
|
Memorial Service AM, self tours, and Dinner in
PM, Guest Speaker Roger Bacon
|
|
|
|
Greetings Flasher people, Soul Pig here. I know everyone
is anxious for details of the next Flasher reunion. I
apologize for any delay but I have been trying to wrap
up some loose ends. I believe we are close enough to
send this letter. A registration form is
attached. We have some added fees as we will be hiring a
bus for transportation to the base and Admiral Bacon’s
house.
The Courtyard by Marriott has a free shuttle from and to
the SeaTac airport and within a three mile radius. You
have to call and register yourself at the hotel at $94 a
night. We no longer have the luxury of free beer so
maybe bring a little, I’ll bring some and I believe Dale
Gleave offered to bring beer even if he has to use
Mule’s money. The hotel policy is no alcohol in the
hospitality room but we will be on a don’t know, don’t
tell basis. Discretion is of utmost importance.
Our Saturday night dinner will be at our hotel. The
dinner is not formal. I have asked Roger Bacon to say a
few words about his time as CO of Flasher, he was my
last CO.
Friday Morning we will hold our Flasher Association
meeting in the hospitality room. We will be voting on
association officers and the 2012 Reunion site. This
cycle we will be in the Midwest and in 2014 we will be
back on the east coast then back to the west coast in
2016. To facilitate voting I am offering three sites for
2012. Look these up to prepare to vote.
-
Branson,
Missouri, very reunion friendly and now have an airport
-
St. Louis
Missouri, Lots to do and see “Gateway to the West”
-
Dupage County,
Illinois, close to Chicago Illinois, variety of things
to do and see.
If any one has any raffle items to donate they are
always appreciated. We use the raffle money to maintain
our association funds for stamps, pizzas, raffle items,
etc. Raffle items can be anything and not just Flasher
or Navy items. Bring them to the reunion or send them to
me.
If there are any questions do not hesitate to write,
call or e-mail me. I am anxious once again to see old
friends and meet new ones. If you are in contact with
any Flasher sailors regardless of what years share this
information with them and send me their contact info.
COB Larry Weinfurter AKA Hot Dog has Flasher ball caps
for $12.
Ken Tupman (Soul Pig) Flasher 1969-1973 EM1 (SS)
|