Musings on the Navy

 aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) are in port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. US Navy Photo

This week saw the sequestration kick in and all manner of cutbacks were announced. The sea services immediately announced cutbacks that would affect deployments and the deferral of maintenance which will affect readiness. How might this announcement be taken in foreign capitals who have found themselves on the other side of cordial relations? Seventy two years ago, one country observed the United States mired in economic doldrums and focused on an isolationist policy and went on to plan a strike that they thought would lead to a limited war, where the United States would assume the role of the punished dog, and whimper off to our corner of the world, leaving the Empire of Japan in possession of the Western Pacific region. History records the result of their miscalculation.

Today, we have as our President is fond of saying, "a teaching moment." If we ponder the current situation, alongside the open book of the past, we will find the rhymes of history written between the lines of tomorrows news.

Last week, Feb 28-March 1st, marked the 71st anniversary of the Battle of the Java Sea which saw 10 American and Allied ships sunk, with the loss of over 2,173 sailors. The date was marked by two excellent posts. The first, a reflection of the battle by Cdr. Salamander tells of the ships and the sacrifice of the men, now mostly forgotten, except by historians and history buffs. I cannot improve on his words, so I will send you back 71 years to read more, Fullbore Friday.

To help understand the lessons of this battle, Robert Farley, Assistant Professor at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce wrote this article on how the lessons of the battle are relevant for today's Navy.

America is in the throes of yet another debate about grand strategy, with terms like “deep engagement” and “offshore balancing” coming to characterize complex sets of policies towards allies and antagonists alike. Although the precise nature of the terms varies along with the preference of the author, Deep Engagement advocates tend to prefer robust, forward deployed U.S. military capability of the sort that we currently enjoy. Advocates of offshore balancing argue that the United States can significantly draw down its military and political commitments and rely on normal balance of power politics to ensure that no state gains complete control over the Eurasian landmass...

...The most likely future for the USN lies in some mix of predominance and retrenchment. The USN will continue to be the most powerful player, but will need to rely on its allies for an edge against the PLAN, its most likely peer competitor. The United States should perhaps look to something more akin to “offshore engagement,” which preserves opportunities for robust engagement while still giving allies sufficient reason to take care of themselves...

Read the whole article: History Lesson: The Battle of Java Sea

Taken alone, the lessons learned and forgotten in the warm waters of the Java Sea might never cross our national path again. But when one ponders the debate currently raging over who should get their share of the shrinking defense pie, this thoughtful post by Bryan McGrath on Information Dissemination should trigger some amount of pondering of how past planning intersects with the current pathway.

Professor Jim Lacey of the Marine Corps War College gets one thing right in his National Review Online post entitled "Why Armies Matter". Well, maybe two things. The first is his view that "....Around the Pentagon, the budget cutters have put away their knives and are reaching for axes. In times like these, every service naturally circles the wagons around its share of the budget pie." On this, he is correct. I have been sounding the alarm for several years now as the tea-leaves pointed to lower defense spending, that the role of American Seapower in defending our national interests should be privileged...

...Professor Lacey takes us on an interesting and fascinating tour of history, recounting the (unchallenged) record of land-battle as war-winner. Therefore, one should surmise, since Seapower does not win wars, it is and should necessarily be secondarily considered. Or as a former CIA Director once stated, "this one is a slam dunk." This view adequately considers 100% of 50% of the question, leaving the other 50% completely unanswered, unquestioned, and un-valued. That is, what function does military power perform when it is not actively engaged in combat? Or put another way, do we invest in our Armed Forces to do things other than fight and win wars?

The answer of course, is yes, we do. Chief among them is that we invest in our Armed Forces to look after our far-flung national interests, to deter emergent threats to those interests, and to assure our friends and allies in an effort to create an reinforcing architecture aimed at--yes, protecting and sustaining our national interests...
 

Bryan makes a sensible rebuttal to the suggestion that in order to win wars we need to maintain a massive land force capable of defeating all comers. As Bryan aptly notes, deterring emergent threats before having to engage in costly wars as the past 11 years have tolled is the one of the prime missions of the Navy-Marines. So how might the events of history played out in 1942 begin to rhyme with sequestration and arguments that having a strong navy is not as relevant as a massive army play out in the eyes of our potential adversaries? This post from the insightful founder of ID, Galrahn, might give one pause, when pondered in the light of past histories of strategic miscalculations based on a perception of weakness.

What happens today, March 11, 2013, local time off the Korean Peninsula could become a historic event, so I want to make sure it is noted what happened. This was the threat as reported by BNO.

My sense is North Korea is looking for a small skirmish, some kind of clash that raises tension on the security situation, but only a limited battle not a full war. After 2010 it is unclear if they can maintain escalation control though, which may explain why they are message traffic heavy to the locals. The key here is that North Korea wants to change the dynamics of the security situation for the purposes of negotiation, because apparently they have calculated the security situation is too comfortable for everyone else for security to be used in negotiation as a concession. If that is truly the case, then if a skirmish or something breaks out North Korea would need to get hit harder than they hit the South in order to keep the security situation from being a concession in negotiation, but that isn't easy to do unless we feel you have control over escalation and deescalation of the situation.

All of this is good timing for North Korea though. The Navy has 4 destroyers in the area, but no available aircraft carriers anywhere in the Pacific and the nearest is a few weeks away. USS George Washington (CVN 73) is in a 6 month availability window that began in February. The Navy is probably saying otherwise, but if something happens they are not in a very good position to react quickly - not even close. O&M budget shortages due to sequestration and the continuing resolution probably make it difficult for the DoD to react based solely on rhetoric, although the DoD has other, more legitimate means of evaluating the legitimacy of threats from North Korea.

I do not believe North Korea is looking for a major war, but I do think the North is looking for an incident. From their point of view, they have honored every legal requirement regarding any direct attack against any target beginning March 11, 2013 is not some random act of violence. That is what really bothers me, basically North Korea has positioned their nation to be legally at war on purpose, but the specific purpose is yet to be revealed.
 

Read the whole post:North Korea Scraps Armistice Today (Again) 

The next few weeks will reveal whether the North Koreans continue to master their strategy of coercion to gain rewards, or prove to be bumblers who end up getting their nose not just bloodied but broken in an exchange fof tit for tat. The bigger issue to be resolved is how the United States projects its power, in lieu of having a strong naval presence as a deterrence. This on a local level is like inviting the burglar to break the glass, because the cops are back in the station house counting their bullets and practicing report writing.

70 years ago this week, a chance meeting San Pedro

USS Zeilin AP-3 by Wayne Scarpaci

The transition of time for most of the world is now January 1st. As the celebrations of the year 2013 were ushered in from Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Dubai and across Europe as Paris, then London lit the night sky with the spectacle of fireworks worthy of any independence celebration or in the case of our own history, a nation born of martial combat.

It is also significant that we in the US mark the transit of anniversaries as they reach milestones. This year past we marked the bi-centennial of the War of 1812, the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, and as we move through this decade, the 70th anniversary of the events of World War II. This brings me to write about an event that occurred 70 years ago this past week, that is seminal to my existence. It was during the week between Christmas and New Years in 1942, that my mother met my father at a USO dance. The chance meeting came about when dad's ship the USS Zeilin AP-9, was attacked on the eve of the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and escaped being sunk through the efforts their escort the USS Atlanta CL-51, and her own crew's gunnery who claimed two planes, and their efforts after a bomb glanced of off the side and blew out several hull plates.

USS Atlanta defending the USS Zeilin Nov 11, 1942

Jay B Wade, 1942

After temporary repairs, my father's ship returned to San Pedro, California, arriving on December 23, 1942 where she entered dry dock until March 1943, when she sailed for Aleutian Campaign followed later with the invasion of Tarawa and Kwajalein in the spring of 1944. My dad, was sent home on leave and joined the new carrier USS Bon Homme Richard CV-31 and ended the war off Japan.

My Dad returned from the war and in the first half decade of my life, left me to wonder why. I wrote the several posts in the early days of this blog about my memories of him, and how I came to discover that I had two long lost brothers from different mothers who have become as close as if we were raised together in the same home. My brother Vince, shares a love of history and the Navy, inspired by our father's service. Over time I was able to construct my father's service history and when the USS Iowa BB-61 became a museum ship in San Pedro, I began to spend all my spare time as did Vince. It was during this time that Vince quietly commissioned a remembrance that I will cherish forever. He had a mutual friend and gifted naval artist Wayne Scarpaci, make a painting of the USS Zeilin passing Angels Gate as she sailed into San Pedro, setting the stage for me to sit here typing this heartfelt thank you to my brother Vince, and Wayne, for a superb tribute to my dad's memory.

Recommended Reads for a Summer day

Crossroads, What path to take?

" Image Crossroads (C) by www.martin-liebermann.de"

http://www.martin-liebermann.de/

I have not posted a recommended reading list in quite a while and realized that this is one of the best ways to share ideas in the best traditions of the Medici Effect of convergent ideas meeting at an intersection to be discussed and pondered. The lead off post hails from the desk of Thomas PM Barnett, Chief Analysis for Wikistrat. Tom's post is in response to an inquiry he received from a reader asking for career advice.

As I read "The Pentagon's New Map", I see the book's content as a balanced amalgamation of data, research and insights. You are exactly what I want to be what I grow up.I would love to be that analyst who makes a difference in the way business and political decisions are made.

How do you recommend I get to that point in my career?

Dr. Barnett's response was concise regarding this specific inquiry, but has lessons for everyone contemplating their future.

Never turn down a chance to do public speaking. In fact, seek them out at every opportunity. Even if you do a lot of public speaking, it will take the usual 10,000 hours before you get really good.

Study as many foreign languages as you can fit in. Studying several languages is more important than mastering one. Good storytelling is ultimately translation, and the best-communicating experts are experts at talking to other experts from fields other than their own.

Write every day. If you don't get enough opportunities, then start you own blog or join a group blog.

Prepare to view good writing as a lifetime pursuit. It will take nonstop writing for about a decade before you really get good.

Whenever possible, seek out and work with professional editors on everything you write.

Read authors whose style you admire and work their tendencies into your own material.

Listen to what people say you do best and then do that as much as possible, getting others to do things for you that you do poorly. So if mentors you trust tell you're not a good writer and not a good speaker, then spending your life trying to overcome your weaknesses is probably not a great idea. You'd be better off sticking to what you're best at and trying to make those skills world class.

Nobody is good at everything. Life involves choices.

Read the whole post here

Innovators

Co-billing this week is shared by this post from Enterra Insights that zero's in on innovation and how the US can remain the nation of innovators. Steve DeAngelis begins with this opening paragraph.

I don't believe that any particular group of people or type of person has a stranglehold on innovation. Innovators can come from all races, genders, religions, countries, economic circumstances, and cultures. Even so, that doesn't stop people from trying to detect hot spots of innovation to determine why those hot spots exist. One thing that most analysts agree upon is that education helps create such spots. Specifically, more young people need to be educated in science, technology, engineering and math, the so-called STEM fields. In the search for future innovators, one group that has received a lot of attention is immigrants

The post is filled with insights and links that deserve reading and consideration of how we can ensure the future is one we all dream of for our children.
Read the whole post Innovators of the Future

This next post highlights the changing focus of our national defense and security back to the sea and our maritime heritage. Rimpac 2012 is wrapping up this week in Hawaii, where 22 nations naval forces came together to train and learn with the goal of preserving the free access to the worlds oceans. Here is the list from Information Dissemination, of the nations and vessels participating.

RIMPAC 2012

Rimpac 2012 Order of Battle

The focus on naval issues is most apparent when one considers these next recommended reads.

Iran Gearing up for naval fight in the PG versus US, ThomasPM Barnett

A Busy Week in the South China Sea, Center for International Maritime Security

And this trio of posts from a cracking new naval centric strategy blog, Flashpoints: Diplomacy by other means.

Military Strategy for an Unthinkable Conflict

The Land, the Sea, and History

Taiwan's South China Sea Plan

And finally, this on the latest growing boondoggle over whether the LCS can ever assume it's intended role.

Maintinance problems mount for the LCS

A Love Affair

Iowa #1 turret

I have a confession to make. I have fallen in love, deeply and overjoyed every time I am with her. I can't wait to rush down to visit her and crawl all over her magnificent frame and marvel at her every nook and cranny. I am speaking about my love affair with the USS Iowa BB-61 now open as a museum and education center at pier 87, in San Pedro, CA.

Robert Kent, CEO Pacific Battleship Center

The affair began from afar, when I first became acquainted with the efforts of the Pacific Battleship Center led by Robert Kent and company, to bring the Iowa to Southern California. However, I was not prepared for what happened a few weeks ago when I first stepped aboard her wooden decks and took my place alongside dozens of fellow volunteers willing to give up days off, to grind, weld, scrape, paint, replace decks, and haul all manner of material, in an effort to get her dressed for her grand opening. I wrote in a previous post about those first days and the intrepid crew that led the volunteers who make up the ship operations division. The story that unfolded since that first post, has become more than a brief footnote in this great ships lifetime, but an ongoing journey that sees men and women falling in love with  this ship and her history.

Last week, my brother, Vince, navy veteran, and former caretaker on the USS Hornet, came down for our annual visit, and being a fellow plank owner on the Iowa, joined me in bringing her to life. Our motivation was in part to honor the memory of our father, Jay Wade, Navy veteran of World War II, who served in the Pacific throughout the war. We left the house before dawn last Friday, and queued up on the dock to be checked by the diligent security team before bounding up the gangway. We then proceeded to a berthing space/wardrobe division, where we changed to blue coveralls, and then mustered in crews mess for our safety meeting and job assignments. Our fellow crew members ranged from young high school ROTC members, veterans, retired shipyard workers, and some who never served, but soon became shipmates, as devoted as any assembled in our country's history. After getting our assignments we dispersed in small groups where within a few minutes, informal leadership was established, along with the kind of bonding that can only occur when people do jobs that involve some level danger and skill.

Removing armored hatch, Wade brothers on the cheater bar. Mike Getscher on the torch

"Man against steel, man always wins." Mike Getscher, Chief Engineer, USS Iowa, 2012

As the day progressed, the bonding became as natural as mixing sugar and cream in coffee, until the perfect blend of teamwork led to a job being completed on time, and without injury. The common thread that surfaced in working with everyone in what is know as "Ship Ops" is the joy that kept everyone hard at work as sweat stained our caps and coveralls, and empty water bottles began to be strewn about like shell casings during a "Kamikaze" attack in 1945. Being a historian and an observer of people, the breaks between assignments gave me an opportunity to learn about my fellow volunteers, and what led them to work for the sum of hard work and toil. To a man and women, they all confessed it happened after the first day they stepped aboard. Many came with the idea of working a day or two as a way to see the ship. However, for all I spoke too, seduction stepped in, as the Iowa, being the grand lady she is, caused all who grace her decks and hallowed passageways, to fall in love with her magnificent body, and the spirit one can physically sense in every compartment.

Over the next four days, Vince and I, joined with our new brothers and a few sisters, to make the ship ready not for sea; but to receive hundreds of former Iowa crew members, and for the grand opening on July 7. As the countdown continued, deadlines had to be met, welding teams worked 24/7 to prepare the new brows, and our teams scrambled to hang fire extinguishers, rig emergency lighting, repair rails and ladders, and clear the deck, so as to pass the important fire inspections for safety and security.

Daily Breeze Photo: Robert Casillas

Monday afternoon July 2nd, saw the ship welcome the hundreds who had become "Plank Owners" by contributing money to fund the ship's restoration. They were joined by many veterans of the Iowa who were holding their reunion over the next few days. Those veterans showed that the love for the ship does not dissipate with time, but only grows deeper, and more moving. Old men stepped aboard, and within the blink of an eye, they became 20 again, as they returned to what for most, was the most memorable time in their lives. One fellow volunteer related taking a veteran who had been assigned to the engine room, down several decks, steadying his feet each step, as the veteran's caregiver held his arms. My fellow shipmate related that tears welled up in that old veteran's eyes when he entered the space where he entered adulthood so long ago, and for a moment, he shed scores of years as he told about working in the heat of the South Pacific so long ago. Similar images played out hundreds of times around the ship, as men showed their wives, children, and grand children where grandpa had lived and fought for his country.

For this old army veteran, it brought tears to my eyes as one realized that these men in the very twilight of their lives, sought for one more time to visit the woman who still held their first love. We who are volunteers have come to know the same feeling that inspired those men. I can not fully explain it, but here I am today making a public confession that I love that ship and cherish every moment I step aboard her historic decks.

Dedication ceremony July 4, 2012

This story is continuing to unfold. When the ship opened this Saturday July 7th, over 4000 people lined up to walk her decks and marvel at the power projected in her massive 16" guns. There is much more work to be done to open more of the ship to the public. Volunteers are welcome, but beware that this lady will seduce you, and steal your heart forever. I can not say enough about the leadership of this organization, our skipper Robert Kent, and his staff. Special recognition must be given to our own Lt. Dan, who as assistant ships engineer was the ramrod and spark plug behind our daily efforts. Dan, is a dynamo, who along with Mac our CPO, used the forum of our safety meetings to remind us all in a sonnet, that this ship was a lady who deserved respect, and would treat you right if you treated her right, and hurt you if you forgot to respect her and treat her like gold. Then there is volunteer, Jim Baca who was joined by his wife Sandra, and son. Jim alone, has volunteered over 700 hours the past nine months as the ships electrician/gunners mate, and is a wealth of information on the 16" guns. His wife a former navy veteran herself, remarked that they when they found the Iowa, volunteering was a natural as when they both first joined the Navy.

There are many others behind the scene, each of whom played an integral part in bring the Iowa to life. Some I came to know, like Robert's daughter Erin, who runs the wardrobe department, and always has a kind word for all who came to help. Then there is exhibit curator Dave Way, who worked tirelessly, to take a cluttered space, clean it up, and create a informative museum that showcases the history of the Iowa, and the heritage of battleships, while interviewing tour guide candidates, and planning for future exhibits. And finally, perhaps the hardest working of all, volunteer coordinator Sue Schmidt, who often was sending email up dates, (well after the bars had closed,) just to give you an idea of the time frame of her work day, as she coordinated the thousands of volunteer applications and scheduling assignments.

gunnersmate/electrician Jim Baca

Lt Dan and wife Vicky

Dave Way

Sue Schmidt

I wake every morning, longing for the chance to become a permanent member of her crew as the museum and education center become active. Until then, I will keep volunteering, and spending as much time as possible enjoying what for me, is both a time machine, a primary source for history to our country's maritime heritage, and now; one of the great loves of my life.

Yours truly, HG

Volunteer link
Virtual Tour of Iowa, LA Times

A "Pivot" platform re-considered? And seconded!

Ingalls Shipbuildings NSC/Patrol Frigate rendition

USS Freedom after a few months of service

As noted in the previous post, the United States had carried the mantle of being the preeminent maritime nation on the planet. The years since the end of the Cold War, and the first decade of the 21st century has begun to call that legacy into question as we spent trillions trying to coax modernity and democracy into minds locked in the grip of customs born of remoteness and religion.

Now in the wake of President Obama announcement that we would begin a "Strategic Pivot" to reinforce our presence in the Western Pacific, as we continue to secure the sea lanes in the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and guard against aggression emanating from North Korea and drug interdiction on the southern approaches. We are doing all this with the same sized navy that we had under President Howard Taft in 1916. True, we have aerial surveillance and satellites to watch every square inch of land and sea, but having a cop, (navy) on the beat, by showing the flag, keeps the potential for trouble in check, and if trouble happens, are able to answer the bell without mounting a crusade.

USS Independence

Scare them with speed!

The topic of what kind of "cop on the beat" we field, got a significant amount of attention today when the New York Times published an article that calls into question the survivability, feasibility and mission capability of the new Littoral Combat Ships that by all accounts are having more teething problems than President Franklin D. Roosevelt's entire 1933-41 Shipbuilding Program. And to top it off, the mission suites are not even fully developed and will not deploy for a few years. The article set off a reaction across the naval centric blogs that continued to generate reactions here and here. The problem as I, in my capacity of following naval affairs for a few years, and more importantly, as a concerned citizen has come to recognize the problems and shortfalls that bring into question whether the LCS's will ever be mission ready and capable. First, lets look at the positives that the Navy and leadership tout about the two LSC versions. It is fast, with a top speed of over 40+ knots, It's small crew lowers manning costs, and it's designed to switch out different modules, to meet a single mission threat, like mine warfare, anti-ship, anti-submarine or special ops. This all looks good on paper, but what happens if the mission suddenly changes? I guess the high speed allows for running back to a home port, or some pre-positioned mothership to switch out of the module. But what if confronted by more than one threat? That would require calling on the big boys, and hightailing for safer waters since as the New York Times article points out it is not capable of slugging it out with any formidable foe. What happens if you have to shoot it out with the tools you brought? The prognosis is not good for winning that kind of contest, right from the mouths of those who designed the ships.

Now for the short falls besides not being able to preform multiply missions. First, in contrast to being high speed, it has very short legs for a blue water warship coming in at 4,000 miles at 18 knots, with an endurance of 21 days or 336 hrs. Then the small crew, 45-75 would be hard pressed to maintain sustained combat, as one looks back on the level endurance required of sailors during the last time the navy fought a major naval war in World War II. Then there is the single mission module that leaves them defenseless if say they are clearing mines in the Persian Gulf and two dozen Iranian speed boats attack. Finally, there is the cost overruns that continue to bleed our tax dollars. The bottom line is these seem like fine ships for chasing pirates off Somalia, or raising rooster tails during "Fleet Week" parades. But, the ghosts of sailors from Burke, Mahan, Dewey, Faragaut and all the way back to Jones are rattling their sabers and stamping their feet to send their message back from the grave and through the pens of those who are questioning this latest effort to high tech and manage our way into building future warships.

USCG Bertholf

Is there an alternative platform that is equally mission capable? Many are beginning to point to the Coast Guards new National Security Cutter as an example of a more mission capable and cost effective vessel. The NSC might not be as fast, topping out at 28 knots, but it's range is 12,000 nmi. with an endurance of 60 to 90 days makes her one long legged lady with 3+ times the endurance of the LCS. The reports coming back from the first two in service are revealing a platform that has excellent seakeeping characteristics and so far, minimal teething problems. Now let's talk what they can do mission-wise. The needs of a Coast Guard cutter are different from a LCS, but the builder Ingalls Shipbuilding will introduce a patrol frigate derivative at the Doha International Maritime Defense Conference this week. The patrol frigate will come in two variants.

Patrol Frigate 4501 and Patrol Frigate 4921.

Patrol Frigate 4501 is closely aligned with the basic National Security Cutter hull with limited design changes. The ships are 127 meters (418 feet) long with a 16.5 meter (54 feet) beam and displace 4,600 tons with a full load. The ship has a 12,000-nautical mile range and can operate in speeds up through 28-plus knots. They have an endurance of 60 days and accommodations for 148. The ship includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats and a flight deck to accommodate a range of aircraft, with twin hangars for storage of one H-60 class helicopter and two rotary-wing unmanned aircraft. The ships are equipped with various sensors and surveillance systems as well as a 57-mm gun, a 20-mm close-in weapon system and six 50-caliber machine guns.

Patrol Frigate 4921 has additional mission capabilities for anti-aircraft, anti-submarine, anti-surface and mine-warfare provided by a 76-mm gun, a 12-cell vertical launch system, an anti-ship missile launcher and torpedo launcher, sonar dome and remote-controlled and manned 50-caliber machine guns.

Both frigates retain the NSC's propulsion system of one LM2500 gas turbine and two MTU20V 1163 diesels in combined diesel and gas configuration. All variants incorporate the current quality-of-life features on the NSC, including modern berthing compartments, entertainment facilities and workout facilities.

UPDATE:

More voices have joined the conversation, pointing out the advantages of a patrol frigate over the single mission LCS.

MicroSystems Integration used historic U.S. Navy data from the 2010 Navy Program Guide to calculate the expected frequency for each of the 19 missions for the LCS-type ship during an average year and then assigned the preferred ship to each.

The analysis determined that out of the 19 missions traditionally performed by small surface combatants, seven indicated the Patrol Frigate was the preferred ship. When compared against a non-missionized LCS, (just the seaframe, no mission systems), the Patrol Frigate was the preferred ship in 15 missions. 

To compare operational costs (fuel and personnel), six modeled scenarios were run based on proposed scenarios in the CSBA paper, ranging from securing loose nuclear weapons to maritime interdiction. For those two scenarios, the Patrol Frigate reflected an operational savings of approximately 29 percent and 33 percent, respectively, when compared to an LCS-type ship. In all six scenarios (the two above and convoy protection, maritime stability operations, counter piracy/counter crime, and humanitarian assistance/disaster response), the Patrol Frigate reflected an operational savings of approximately 26 percent.

READ MORE:
Industry view: Why the Navy needs a ‘Patrol Frigate’

H-I pitches ‘Patrol Frigate’ as cheaper alternative to LCS

Presenting the Patrol Frigate

USCG Taney 1944

USCG Taney

Variant 4921 seems to be a good alternative to consider as a ship capable of preforming the kind of missions envisioned in the "Strategic Pivot" and the LCS with all three suites on board and underway at all times. Using a historical footnote, USCG Taney served from 1936 until 1986 and was in action from December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor and today is the last surviving combat vessel from that day. The hull and construction of the Taney lent itself to be re-purposed many times during the war and later in her long career. The National Security Cutter is a platform that like the Taney can be modified to preform all the defense requirements of our modern maritime forces.

Happy Birthday Charles Dickens, on your 200th year

Charles Dickens 1812-1870

Like most people, I find myself caught up in the whirlwind of information that pulses in a cosmic storm 24/7/365, and leaving many important milestones overlooked. A few days ago, I was reminded that this year 2012, is the bi-centennial of the birth of one of the greatest novelist in the English language, Charles Dickens, whose birthday was this past February 7th. Among Dickens most famous works are Oliver Twist which chronicled the life of a waif in grimy 19th century London. Dickens own early life had periods where he struggled as a child laborer under similar conditions, while his family was in debtors prison. Millions have, and will continue to enjoy the lessons of A Christmas Carol and the memorable characters of Tiny Tim and Ebenezer Scrooge. Many of Dickens novels first appeared as serials, like A Tale of Two Cities which ran over the course of 30 weeks from April to November in 1859, and has sold over 200 million copies since.

But a little know fact came out a few days ago while listening to the radio as I crept along a busy Southern California freeway. I happened upon an segment by radio personality Hugh Hewitt who had on, one of his frequent guests Dr. David Allen White, former professor of literature at the US Naval Academy. Dr. White like this post, was on Hewitt's show to offer a belated birthday acknowledgement of Dickens birth. Dr. White related as only he in his excellent prose, the connection between Charles Dickens, and of all things, the Baltimore Ravens NFL football team.

White told a revealing story that began with Dickens fifth novel, and first attempt at writing a historical novel, Barnaby Rudge.  After it was published in 1841, a young American, Edgar Allan Poe the editor of Graham's Magazine wrote a glowing review.  Poe noted in his review that a minor character, a raven named Grip, who's major contribution came in the fifth chapter, when after making a noise, elicits this response.  "What was that – him tapping at the door?" The response is, "'Tis someone knocking softly at the shutter." Poe, went on to write that the raven was such an interesting character, that it should have played a greater role in the novel.

Edgar Allan Poe

Four years later, Poe, penned his most famous poem, The Raven, based on the raven Grip, and incorporated the line from Dickens novel amid the prose.

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore —
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door —
Only this and nothing more."              (The Raven)

One hundred and fifty one years later, the new Baltimore football franchise was seeking a name. After contest, the name Ravens was picked to honor Edgar Allen Poe who had once lived in Baltimore and is buried there.

Dickens raven "Grip"

So ends our little tribute to Charles Dickens, with a hat tip to Hugh Hewitt, Dr. White, Edgar Allen Poe, and finally Grip, who was actually Dickens pet raven which he had stuffed after it died, and currently resides at The Free Library of Philadelphia.

Back on the Bridge, and Forging Ahead!

Forging on ahead!

Wikistrat North American Energy Export Boom

The blog has been a bit quiet this past week as I started teaching a new round of classes, and contributing to two simulations for Wikistrat, What Comes After Chavez? and, an in-depth project, the North American Energy Export Boom. Both simulations are excellent, and the cloud of minds that have been assembled, have led to insights beyond my expectations. Mindful of neglecting the blog, I want to step back onto the bridge, and into the realm of history, and visit my favorite subject, naval history and how it relates to this nation's heritage and future security.

USS Iowa BB-61

tour route of Iowa

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a presentation by Robert Kent, President and founder of the Pacific Battleship Center, now tasked with preserving the USS Iowa BB-61 the Battleship of Presidents as a living museum and education center, soon to be stationed at Pier 87 in San Pedro, California. I wrote stationed, because unlike other museum ships, the Iowa along with her sister the Wisconsin, is mandated by Congress to be kept in a state or readiness, so if the need arises, they can be returned to duty to defend the nation.

Robert Kent, CEO, Pacific Battleship Center

What Robert Kent conveyed to those gathered was a view into how the Iowa will be preserved, and how it will convey not only the history of it's long service, but the history of the great gun ships down through history. More than just examples of firepower will be displayed, visitors will learn about the level of engineering skill that went into designing, and building the massive turrets with a precision that compared to the best Swiss watches. As visitors move deeper into the center of the great ship, they will experience what it was like to live and work aboard the ship, from her commissioning on Washington's Birthday, 1943, to the last time her ensign was lowered in 1990.
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The Iowa is a living example of the industrial ingenuity and the skill of the thousands of workers who fashioned the machinery that even today stands as an engineering marvel. Using the latest technology, visitors will be able to experience via the magic developed in Hollywood, a "Life at Sea." as they are taken on tours, guided by experts who will give them the experience of being on a active duty ship. Without giving away any trade secrets the tours will set the bar for museum experiences, to a new level. I can not say enough about this amazing enterprise.  After meeting Robert and his indispensable partner Trish Place, I was impressed enough to be willing to swab the deck, chip paint, and any other task, just to share in their passion for this great ship. They have led this effort with all the skill of the greatest naval captains who ever commanded a ship and deserve a fleet wide signal of Bravo Zulu.

As noted above, the battleship is to be maintained in a state of readiness in the event of having to be recalled to duty. Recent developments in armaments have been touted as making gun ships completely obsolete, where million dollar a shot cruise missiles, drones, and the soon to be deployed, railgun which if all goes well, will be on navy ships within five years. But wait! is it wise to shed the tried and true methods of defense? One of the advantages of the Iowa is that she is equipped with both guns, cruise missiles, and anti-ship missiles. There is a soon to be released fiction movie based on the board game "Battleship," where a modern naval fleet when confronted with an alien invasion must fall back to the old reliable and obsolete battleship to save planet Earth. I know this is great fiction, but recent developments in a weapons system that will defeat electronics, including radar, computers, and the control of missiles, was successfully tested by the Air Force in May, 2011. This technology uses HPM (high power microwave), which is the non-nuclear equivalent of the EMP (electromagnetic pulse) weapon. It stands to reason that what we have now, will soon be had by other nations, (think nukes). So given that reality, it's back to the future for war-fighting.

A final thought about the battleship and her main armament the 16 inch gun, and it's amazing accuracy, along with the relative cost per round, compared to the cost of a cruise missile, is something to ponder when considering the cost of launching hundreds of cruise missiles into Libya last year. A few weeks ago, I attended the West 2012 Conference about the Navy in the 21st century, and listened, as both the Navy and Marines discussed the need to maintain the ability to preform a forced entry by sea, something that hearkens back to the days of Alexander the Great. Hopefully, that day never comes, but until the railgun, or some other technological advancement is developed to defeat HPM weapons, the last two Iowa class battleships stand ready to answer the call.

For those who would like to be a plank owner, the window is still open for a couple more months.
USS Iowa Plank owner

A River Runs Through It: The Enduring Memory of Events Long Past

Bound for Vietnam 1966

The threads of a life experience begin to cling to our memories from our earliest recollections, and continue to be woven into other threads that bind us even closer to an experience until it becomes a highway that some random event, sends your thoughts careening back to recall that earlier moment.  This blog has as a heading, "Bound for Vietnam 1966" with a photo, and the phrase; "..the beginning of a quest to understand our world." The experience of serving in the Vietnam War with all the attendent experiences has led to shaping my life long pursuit to study history and understand how it affects our world. A couple of things entered my life, to send me hurtling back to reflect on my experience in Vietnam and how it affects my world today. One occurred a couple of day ago, and the other, will take place next week. Both are examples of the six degrees of separation that bind us to events in one's past.

Joe Cook and the Cambodian National Baseball Team

Last Thursday evening, I had the pleasure of being invited to view a film about baseball. This was not your average "feel good" film about a bunch of young men playing baseball, but a film that captured a nation in transition as it tries to still recover decades later, from what would in any terms, be a holocaust on a national scale. The viewing was sponsored by Tom and Chris, the founders of the Pepper Project which has as it's mission statement. "... to get the word out about all the treasures that Cambodia has to offer starting with a spice that is highly regarded in many parts of Europe, but that most people have never heard of." In keeping with that pledge, they provided a platform to introduce Rice Field of Dreams a film that follows Joe Cook a Cambodian, who escaped Pol Pot's "Killing Fields" to become a chef in an Alabama Japanese steakhouse. Joe return to Cambodia in 2002, to visit his long lost sister and soon begins a quest to introduce the game of baseball to the youth of Cambodia. The film captures more than just a group of young men as they struggle to overcome the barriers of language and the rules of the game. The film captures little moments like when they queue up to try on the dozens of donated sunglasses and the smiles that those small gifts generated. I don't want to give away the plot, because it is more than watching a group of kids learn the game. Part of what it reveals, is the fault lines between the founder and the imported North American coaches who can't seem to get their minds around how to motivate the team. I would encourage everyone to make it a point to give this film a look when it is released this April. My degrees of separation comes from both the Vietnam War which in part triggered the events that led to this film's subject, and even the filmmaker being in the position to make this film; and my own personal experience with the people of Cambodia.

Maj. Charles R. Soltes Jr.

Dr. Dang and Rob's sons

Turning to the next event, that is also has it's roots in the Vietnam War, is the dedication next Wednesday January 25, 2012 of the Blind Rehabilitation Center at the Long Beach Veterans Hospital in  the name of Maj. Charles Robert Soltes Jr. My connection to Major Soltes comes from being a patient of his wife, Dr. Sally Dang who tirelessly lobbied Congress to name the center after her husband as an honor to their children, and other's who had lost their lives in Iraq. Besides, the personal connection of being one of Dr. Dang's patients, the thread runs, as Norman McLean novel's title "A River Runs Through It." would attest. Major Soltes father, a career officer in the US Army, served in Vietnam as a pilot during the time of my deployment. We never crossed paths other than serving in the same area at the same time, but the comradeship remains indelible between those who served. Dr. Dang's parents, fled the fall of Vietnam and joined the thousands of refugees who made their way to our shores to begin a new life. Dr. Dang, is a product of their hopes and dreams, and in turn chanced to meet Rob at school, fell in love, and began to raise a family. Rob's life was cut short in an IED attack in Iraq in 2004, leaving Sally to carry on, and not only raise their three sons, but in turn, dedicate part of her life to helping wounded soldiers with traumatic eye injuries.
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I would invite all who could attend to make time next Wednesday January 25, 2012 at 10AM, to attend the dedication at the Long Beach VA Healthcare Center 5901 E 7th Street, Long Beach CA
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The enrichment of people like Davon Ker, the filmmaker of Rice Fields of Dreams, Joe Cook, and Dr. Sally Dang, and the countless others who have risen from the ashes of the destruction visited on Cambodia and Vietnam, add new threads to the fabric of this nation, and will insure that the United States and it's creed that all people are created equal, will endure.

2011, A pause to reflect on the year

2012, Hong Kong

The last day of 2011 gave me time to pause and look back over the past 12 months and far beyond into the mists of decades past. The year 2011 has been marked with personal satisfaction, in my professional life as I measured the successes in introducing my students to a history they had missed learning about, or even considered relevant in todays me, myself world. Several other events occurred during the past year that have been rewarding.  Being invited to become a contributing analysis for Wikistrat  a "Next generation strategy" enterprise has been rewarding and provided an opportunity to join a community of analysis and experts who will provide insight on a host of global issues in the coming years.

2011, also saw a favorite project move from the planning stage to a reality, as the US Navy awarded the USS Iowa BB-61 to the Pacific Battleship Center headed by Robert Kent and supported by a volunteer task force of committed citizens. The ship is currently berthed in Richmond, CA as it is being prepared to be moved to it's new home at pier 87 in San Pedro, former home of the Pacific Fleet prior to World War II. The ship's new mission is two fold, first to provide a supplemental education for K-12 classes, and providing a "living" ship museum, recreating "at sea" experiences.

USS Iowa, Heading on a new mission

Tim Heatherington, RIP

Looking further back in time, one is immediately drawn to 2001 and the events of September 11, and how it has influenced and touched people across the globe; especially the families of those who lost their lives on that terrible day, and in conflicts that have scarred each day since.  2011 saw a film, recognized for capturing the experience of the common soldier win an Academy Award for best documentary, and a few months later, see the loss of the filmmaker, Tim Hetherington while he was covering the rebellion in Libya. A silver lining that came about because of the movie, was gaining the  friendship of the film's publicist, Kanani Fong, who besides being a fellow blogger; shares many of the same world views about being involved instead of being a passenger on this big blue marble. She and her husband David, a surgeon who joined the Army after having a successful private practice for 25 years, are two outstanding examples of my fellow Americans stepping forward and being counted.

December 7, 1941

The attack on Pearl Harbor seventy years ago this month, has been compared to September 11, 2001 as a transformational event in American history. But, if we use the same measurement of time to see what changed in the decade after the event, and compare the year 1951 to 2011, we see such a difference. In 1951, we were in midst of a very bloody Korean War, unemployment was only 3.3% and people had money to spend. Communism was the major threat and the Cold War was in it's infancy, only to end in 1991 another first year of a new decade. Today, we seem at times to be struggling along, blinded by the same hubris and self-centered navel gazing that foretold the decline of other great powers. I don't hold that view to be the same for America due to our ability to re-purpose ourselves in the arena of innovation that stems from being a continental nation, filled and re-filled with people seeking new avenues to advance mankind. Conflict is natural, as is the innate human trait to find the best way forward.

Kathy Vo, Founder of Pre-health Alliance

Returning to the opening paragraph, and my reference to the students in my classes who ranged from just out of high school, to adults in their mature years. Each one had their own goals, but shared the same vision of improving their chances by furthering their education and in turn, to see a better future for their children. This is in contrast to the belief that many Americans are fearful of, given the current status of our economy, and lack of national commitment to the myths and realities that drove out nation forward. More proof that the nation is producing a new generation of people committed to a better future, can be found in the most unlikely places. I wrote earlier about a chance meeting in my dentists office of the daughter of immigrants who fled the aftermath of the fall of South Vietnam. Over the months since our chance encounter, I came to learn that this young woman had founded a club, the Pre-health Alliance at her university. The club's mission is to spread awareness in the community about health related issues by sponsoring health fairs and health awareness events across Southern California. Her commitment to being involved, doesn't end there. As she prepares for medical school, she recently told me that she has been working with a group of doctors to found a free clinic that is set to open in April 2012. She added that she hopes to take over the clinic herself, once she begins to practice medicine. I don't write this to make her seem like a superwoman, but to serve as an example of how new blood is the lifeblood of this nation and as we look forward, we can be grateful for people who strive to make a difference instead of treading water.

As 2011 ends, and 2012 opens to usher in the more of the same and many new challenges and opportunities, I am reinforced in my belief that the good of humankind will continue to raise the quality of life for billions of people around the planet. Vigilance against the forces of repression can only be met and defeated by shining the brilliant light of truth on their evil efforts. I don't fear today's social media or the Internet, as the free exchange of ideas always trumps the lie. Best wishes to all for a interesting and happy 2012.