October 4, 2011:
Centennial Of Naval Aviation 1911-2011
MIRAMAR, Calif. (NNS) -- Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar
opened its gates to three-quarters of a million members of the
local San Diego community Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 for the facility's
annual air show.
Themed "A Salute to San Diego:
Birthplace of Naval Aviation 1911 - 2011", the show focused on
this year's Centennial of Naval Aviation (CoNA) by highlighting
how far military aviation (specifically that of the Navy, Marine
Corps and Coast Guard) has advanced during the past century.
September 29:
Nimitz Moves Out of Dry Dock BREMERTON,
Wash. (NNS) -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) moved from Puget Sound Naval
Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility's Dry Dock 6 to
Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton's Pier Delta Sept. 29, after
completing required out-of-the-water maintenance while in dry
dock.
After moving to Pier Delta, work aboard Nimitz
will continue as the ship's Docking Planned Incremental
Availability comes to a close.
May 30, 2011 CVN-79 to be named John F
Kennedy. Following closely behind the
decommissioned CV-67 the new Ford class carrier is to be named
John F Kennedy.
February 25, 2011 First Cut Of Steel for
CVN-79: NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- Advance
construction started on the nation's newest aircraft carrier
Feb. 25 with a "first cut of steel" ceremony at Northrop Grumman
Shipbuilding Newport News, Va.
"Today we mark the beginning of the advance
construction of CVN 79, second of the Gerald R. Ford-class of
aircraft carriers," said Rear Adm. Michael McMahon, Program
Executive Officer (PEO) for Aircraft Carriers. "It's an
important step in continuing carrier construction using advanced
technologies and efficiencies to reduce both ownership and
procurement cost in this new class of carriers."
Ford-class aircraft carriers, while
retaining the same hull form as the Nimitz class, contain
several advanced technology systems including Electromagnetic
Aircraft Launching Systems, advanced arresting gear, dual band
radar, a redesigned smaller island and a new propulsion plant.
The first ship in the class, Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), is also
under construction at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News
and is scheduled to be delivered to the fleet in September 2015.
January 6, 2011: An Efficient Navy?
In order to achieve efficiencies savings of
more than $35 billion over five years, the Department of the
Navy proposes to:
- Reduce manpower ashore and reassign
6,000 personnel to operational missions at sea.
- Use
multi-year procurement to save more than $1.3 billion on the
purchase of new airborne surveillance, jamming, and fighter
aircraft.
- Disestablish several staffs (but not the
associated platforms) to include submarine-, patrol aircraft-,
and destroyer-squadrons plus one carrier strike group staff.
- Disestablish the headquarters of U.S. 2nd Fleet at Norfolk,
Va., transferring responsibility for its mission to the Navy's
Fleet Forces Command, also located in Norfolk, Va.
During the Cold War,
U.S. 2nd Fleet had distinct and significant operational
responsibilities. Disestablishing this command would affect
approximately 160 military positions. No ships will change
homeport as a result of the disestablishment of 2nd Fleet. The
Hampton Roads area, which includes the cities of Virginia Beach,
Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, and
Suffolk, is the location of the world's largest naval station.
It is homeport to 77 ships, which includes aircraft carriers,
cruisers, destroyers, large amphibious ships, submarines, and a
variety of supply and logistics ships, as well as 300 aircraft,
35 aircraft squadrons, 356 tenant commands.
the
Department of the Navy is proposing to use efficiencies savings
to:
- Accelerate development of a new generation of
electronic jammers to improve the Navy's ability to fight and
survive in an anti-access environment.
- Increase the repair
and refurbishment of Marine equipment used in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
- Develop a new generation of sea-borne unmanned
strike and surveillance aircraft.
- Purchase more of the
latest model F-18s and extend the service life of 150 of these
aircraft as a hedge against more delays in the deployment of the
Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
- Purchase additional ships,
including a destroyer, a littoral combat ship, an ocean
surveillance vessel and fleet oilers.
November 17, 2010: Cyber War Against Iran
The STUXNET virus attack on the Bushehr
computer systems seems to have originated from a sophisticated
state backed organisation. Suspision falls unsurprisingly onto
Israel.
Cyber warfare is not new as attacks from
various countries such as North Korea and China have been
reported on government systems from around the world.
It remains to be seen how Iran might
eventually react to the attack or if more attacks might be
unleashed in Iran.
September 13 2010: Striking Iran: Weapons I:
One immediately thinks of Cruise, B2 and
Covert and all those weapons or methods would, of course,
be used, but there are other specialised systems that would have
to be employed like
the
GBU-57A/B
Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP).
The MOP
will have more than 5,300 pounds
(2.4 tonnes) of explosives, encased in a 20.5 foot hardened
steel casing which makes it capable of penetrating and
destroying deeply buried targets like tunnels, bunkers
or deeply buried targets
like underground nuclear installations. With more than 10 times
the explosive power of its predecessor, the BLU-109, MOP will be
precision-guided by GPS based navigation to target.
B-2s will
require two major modifications, each costing about $1 billion,
to be able to successfully deliver the MOP and this work is
already completed. Next Time: Weapons II
July 15 2010: Is it
Time to Strike Iran?
The option to strike Iran's nuclear
facilities seems to be back on the table since Pres. George W
Bush first posed the question in 2006. At that time it was
thought not feasible given the wildly scattered facilities, many
in urban areas or deep underground.
However, with the present standoff with the
West and urged on by Middle East countries such as UAE and
Saudi, who both fear Iran getting a nuclear weapon, new thought
has gone into how it could be done.
With a right wing Israeli Prime Minister in
power, they have also been encouraged to become part of the plan
since a rogue Israeli strike needs to be avoided. The views of
China and Russia also have to be taken into account, and they
will probably not be too keen on the idea.
Next Issue: What will it take to get it done?
|
|
|
For more news go to
NewsBytes 2010 |
|
Welcome to Carrier Aviation News, a regular newsletter that brings
you the news around the Carrier Navy now in its 14th year. Want to
contribute? then mail me David
'chuckles' McCandless
(take out _at_) and maybe I can
publish it here. Thanks to all those who have sent me mail and suggestions.
CVNX-81 to 88
10 more ships in Ford class planned to 2058
CVNX-80
PCU-79 John F Kennedy
PCU-78
Gerald R. Ford
The keel laid in 2009, and the ship is
scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in 2015.
$110mill R&D for 1999, 2008: $5.1 billion contract to Northrop
Grumman Shipbuilding Newport News Sept. 10
USS George HW Bush
(CVN-77)
Google Map
Capt. Kevin O’Flaherty
Keel Laid 6 September 2003.Named December 9 2002, Christened October 7 2006, Commissioned Jan
10 2009
Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2
CVW-1
Commissioned: 2009, Homeport: Norfolk Va.
2011: Maiden Deployment May 11, Jebel Ali 11 September
Schedule:
The George H.W. Bush Strike Group consists
of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer
Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77),
guided-missile cruisers USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS Anzio (CG
68), and guided-missile destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and USS
Mitscher (DDG 57).
USS
Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)
Google Map
"Peace through Strength"
Capt. James A. Symonds
Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 7
CVW-14
Commissioned: 2002, Homeport: NAS North Island
2011: Dept SanDig February 2, Sasebo April 20 USS
Harry S Truman (CVN-75)
History
Google Map
Capt. Leo Falardeau
Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 10
CVW-3 AC
Homeport: N.S. Norfolk
Deployed Enduring Freedom May 21
2010 - December 20 2010
deployed for 213 days and traveling
nearly 55,000 nautical miles
2010: SUSTAINEX January 20 to February 1,
Deployed May21, Marseille June 9-12, 5th Fleet AOR
June 18, Homecoming December 20
The Truman CSG joined the 5th
Fleet Area of Operations in June 2010 and began combat operations in
support of OEF and OND. During the next five months, CVW 3 aircrews
flew 2,915 missions into Afghanistan and Iraq
Truman CSG
deployed May 21, and includes the
aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman with embarked Carrier Air Wing
Three (CVW 3) and guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) as
well as Aegis-equipped destroyers USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81),
USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Ross (DDG 71), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79)
and German frigate FGS Hessen (F221).
USS
John C Stennis (CVN-74)
History
GoogleMap
Capt. David H. Buss
CVW-9 NG / CCG 3
Homeport: N.S Bremerton Wash
Schedule 2010: USS
George Washington (CVN-73)
CAPT Garry R. White
CVW-5
Commissioned: July 4th 1992
Homeport: Yokosuka, Japan (May 2008)
2011: Yokosuka April 18, WestPac September 20, Busan
ROK October 3
Schedule:
Milestones: The 2010 patrol 8,351
launches and recoveries
Returning to sea
aboard George Washington is Carrier Air Wing 5 which consists of
Strike Fighter Squadron 27, Strike Fighter Squadron 102, Strike
Fighter Squadron 115, Strike Fighter Squadron 195, Electronic Attack
Squadron 136, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115, Fleet
Logistics Support Squadron 30 Detachment 5 and Helicopter
Anti-submarine Squadron 14.
USS
Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
Capt. Kendall L. Card
CVW-2 DESRON 9
Homeport: Everett, Wash.,
2011: Return to Everett March 21
Schedule:
Lincoln Carrier Strike
Group consists of flagship Abraham Lincoln, embarked CVW 2, embarked
DESRON 9 and the guided-missile cruiser Cape St. George.
Ships assigned to DESRON 9
include the destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92), USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS
Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Sterett (DDG 104). Squadrons from CVW 2
include the "Bounty Hunters" of VFA-2, the "Blue Blasters" of
VFA-34, the "Kestrels" of VFA-37, the "Vigilantes" of VFA-151, the
"Lancers" of VAQ-131, the "Sun Kings" of VAW-116, the "Saberhawks"
of HSM-77 and the "Golden Falcons" of HSC-12.
USS
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
CVW-8 Carrier Strike Group
(CSG) 2 Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 6th Fleet
Homeport:
N.S. Norfolk
Schedule:
RCOH October 2009 - November 2012
USS
Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
History
"Gold
Eagle"
Capt. Rick Wren
Homeport: N.S. Everett
2011: EastPac September 16
Schedule:
WestPac 2011
Fleet Week San Francisco October 8 - 11
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17; guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill
(CG 52); guided-missile destroyers USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS
Stockdale (DDG 106); and frigates USS Gary (FFG 51) and USS Rentz (FFG
46);
USS
Eisenhower (CVN-69)
Capt. Charles E Smith
CVW-7 AG / CCDG 8
Carrier Strike Group 8, Destroyer Squadron
(DESRON) 28
Homeport: N.S. Norfolk
2011: PIA completed June 13, Carr Quals(CQ) June 28
USS
Nimitz (CVN-68)
Capt. Ted N. Branch
CVW-11, Carrier Strike Group 11, DESRON 23
Homeport: NS San Diego to Naval Station Everett, Wash 2011
2011: DPIA Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Dec 16 - end 2011
Schedule: DPIA is scheduled Jan. 11, 2011, through Dec. 16,
2011. Planned Decommissioning 2024 (or 2019)
Milestones:
USS
Enterprise (CVN-65)
Capt. Lawrence Rice
CVW-8 AJ
Homeport: N.S. Norfolk
Commissioned: 1961
2011: 21st Deployment 2011, Planned Decommissioning 2012,
5th Fleet AOR April 23, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, June 28, Homecoming
July 15
The Enterprise CSG consists of Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser
USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley
(DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic
(T-AOE 8), CVW 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2.
Russia
Admiral
Kuznetsov
Schedule: May 2009 Med.
China
Shi Lang (Varyag)
Schedule: Sea Trials 4th
Qtr 2009
Spain
Principe
De Asturias
GoogleMap
Britain
HMS Invincible (R 07)
2005: Portsmouth
HMS Illustrious (R 06)
2007: Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 07-2
August 3
HMS Ark Royal (R08)
Commander TJ Chidley
Extended Readiness thru 2006
2010: Atlantic
The U.K. ATG will partner with the U.K.
Carrier Strike Lead Task Group (CSLTG), which deployed to the East
Coast in April 2010 in support of Operation Auriga.
Carrier
Strike Lead Task Group is comprised of the Royal Navy Fleet flagship
HMS Ark Royal (R07), frigate HMS Sutherland (F81), destroyer HMS
Liverpool (D92), Royal fleet auxiliary Fort George (A388), French
submarine FS Perle (s606), and the guided-missile destroyer USS
Barry (DDG 52).
Queen Elizabeth (CVF 1)
100 million pounds awarded November 1999
Prince of Wales (CVF 2)
France
Charles de Gaulle (R 91)
Commissioned July 1999, Toulon October 4
Foch (R 99)
Toulon Apr 97, Antalya Turkey October12 1998, Adriatic
June 1999
Clemenceau (R 98)
Decommissioned
Jeanne D'Arc (R 97)
Brest,Training for Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
