US Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

navyreco

Senior Member
USA & France Take Interoperability A Step Further With USMC V22 Tests On Board Mistral Class LHD
ZxYysRD.jpg

On July 5th, the French Navy Naval Aviation Practical Experimentation Center (centre d’expérimentations pratiques de l’aéronautique navale - CEPA) led a certification campaign of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft on the Mistral class LHD Dixmude. The tests took place off the coast of Djibouti, an East Africa country where both France and the USA have permanent bases.
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Jeff Head

General
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USCGs-Cutter-James-Sails-from-Ingalls-Shipbuilding-1024x735.jpg

Naval Today said:
United States Coast Guard’s new National Security Cutter James (WMSL 754) sailed away from Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division on Sunday, July 12, just one month after being delivered to the USCG.

James will be commissioned on Aug. 8 in Boston. The ship will then be stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, alongside Ingalls’ fourth NSC, Hamilton (WMSL 753).

Ingalls has delivered five NSCs and has two more under construction. Earlier this year, Ingalls was awarded a construction contract for an eighth NSC.

National Security Cutters, the flagships of the Coast Guard’s cutter fleet, are designed to replace the 378‐foot Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters, which entered service during the 1960s. NSCs are 418 feet long with a 54-foot beam and displace 4,500 tons with a full load. They have a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60 days and a crew of 120.

The sixth Legend Class cutter (aka National Secuirty Cutter),
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, will be launched later this year.
 

Jeff Head

General
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USN-ARG.jpg

Naval Today said:
The opening ceremonies for Talisman Sabre 2015 were completed in Darwin, Australia, July 7, as Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7 is underway with U.S. Sailors, Marines and embarked Australian military preparing for the high-level, amphibious training over the next two weeks.

Australian service members, from the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force and the Australian Defence Force, embarked the ships USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and USS Ashland (LSD 48) in Australia in preparation for Talisman Sabre 2015.

The exercise includes numerous scenarios which will be conducted in air warfare, surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and an amphibious landing ashore.

In addition to the 3,000 Sailors and Marines onboard Bonhomme Richard, 27,000 more U.S. and Australian service members will participate in the bilateral exercise July 4-19.

USN-ARG-b.jpg
Those four vessels displace over 90,000 tons and carry the following compliments and Marines:

Burke Class: 300+ Sailors
San Antonio Class: 360 Sailors, 700 Marines (and their aircraft & equipment)
Wasp Class: 1,200 Sailors, 1,900 Marines (and their aircraft & equipment)
Whidbey Island Class: 410 Sailors, 500+ Marines (and their aircraft & equipment)

That's over 2,270 sailors and 3,100 Marines and their aircraft and equipment. Over 5,500 US personnel..
 

Jeff Head

General
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USNS-LewisPuller-01.jpg

Sea Waves said:
San Diego July 9, 2015 - USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP 3), Military Sealift Command’s newest ship, departed San Diego yesterday for its post availability shakedown cruise.

Puller was delivered to MSC in May. The shakedown cruise is the first time the ship will sail outside of the San Diego area of operations, as it transits to San Francisco, where it will demonstrate its ability to berth at a civilian pier. Following two days in port, the ship will return to San Diego for a post availability. Puller will travel to Norfolk, Va., later this year for further mission testing, before becoming operational in 2016.

Puller is the third Mobile Landing Platform ship and the first purpose-built afloat forward staging base (AFSB) vessel. Unlike the first two MLPs; USNS Montford Point and USNS John Glenn, that facilitate the seabasing of an amphibious landing force by acting as a floating base or transfer station that can be prepositioned off the target area, Puller will serve as an afloat forward staging base supporting special forces missions, counter piracy/smuggling operations, maritime security operations, and mine clearance, as well as humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions.

Puller operates under the control of MSC. MSC operates approximately 110 non-combatant, merchant mariner-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world, and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

This is the Afloat Forward Staging Base version of the US Navy's Mobile Landing Platform. Two of each are planned.

Here's a great look at her, sailing next to the USS Ronald Reagan, CVN-76, nuclear aircraft carrier. This picture gives you a good idea of her size>

USNS-LewisPuller-04.jpg

...and here she is coming at you head-on.

USNS-LewisPuller-02.jpg
 

kwaigonegin

Colonel
Fried food on the outs in changes for Navy chow halls


JOINT EXPEDITIONARY BASE LITTLE CREEK-FORT STORY, Va. — Fried food is out and nutritional nagging is in as part of the big changes coming to your chow hall.

Menus will not see significant changes — not yet, at least. But you can say goodbye to the fried foods you have come to know and love; breaded chicken, French fries, and the like will be baked in state-of-the-art ovens rather than deep fried. Whole milk will be replaced by skim and soy; fruits and vegetables will be on prominent display. The fast line will remain, but its offerings will be cut back.

And this is just the beginning.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced a host of sweeping changes in May that will affect everything from promotions and training to uniforms and fitness. As part of that, he has set his sights on a well-balanced diet, which he calls "the foundation of a healthy lifestyle" that will provide capable warfighters and lower medical costs.

Mabus touted the SEALs' "Fuel to Fight" program as an example. It increases the availability of lean-proteins, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates to fuel, rather than feed, the warfighter. Other galleys here have implemented "Go for Green," a Department of Defense nutrition program that teaches sailors to recognize and select healthier foods.

As leadership looks to boost sailors' nutrition to new levels, the recipe will mix these programs and add new ingredients. Mabus promised to "further develop the concept at one sea-based and one shore-based unit next year, and implement it fleet-wide in 2017."

In the meantime, "Go for Green" (which started as an education program) will become the standard as galleys ashore and afloat prepare for change.

That's fine with Electrician's Mate 1st Class (SW) Roberto Rodriguez. The Little Creek-Fort Story galley here is the first in his 12-year career that has offered the program. Though he admits to hitting the fast line every now and then, he typically sticks with the appropriate portions of greens and yellows. He said he's lost 10 pounds in the past two months and feels "a whole lot better."

'A good start'

The galley here provides a glimpse of the way ahead. Calorie count cards are posted in the chow line. Each food is labeled with green, yellow, or red tags. Utensils used by the servers and on the salad bar ensure exact portion sizes. The salad bar lacks high-calorie options like pepperoni and creamy dressings, but has plenty of sunflower seeds and cranberries. And while a foot-long chili cheese dog could be seen on a couple of tables, baked fish was the unmistakable catch of the day.

The changes — and response to those changes — are not lost on Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeffrey Walker, who serves as the base's food service officer.

"If the food is prepared right, sailors will accept the change over time," he said. And he should know. His previous command won the Ney Award for food service excellence before his departure, and this galley got a Ney nod after he arrived here.

The focus was on food cost rather than content when he became a culinary specialist 22 years ago. Everything was made from scratch. Burgers were so fatty that they shrunk to half their size when cooked. Each ship and command had flexibility to create a menu tailored to its crew. And there were plenty of fried foods, breads, and pastas.

Now, Walker pays little mind to the unused deep fat fryers as he shows off his new Rational ovens. These cook everything from scrambled eggs to Beijing duck with the touch of a few buttons — and no cooking oil. Cleaning no longer involves hours of scrubbing in strong fumes. Most bases and many ships have made the switch — but not all sailors are sold.

When Navy Times visited the Gerald R. Ford's pre-commissioning crew earlier this year, it was evident many were not thrilled the new carrier class lacks one old school technology: deep fat fryers. Sailors aboard the carrier Abraham Lincoln were thrilled to keep their fryer during refueling and complex overhaul. Other ships have had to surrender their fryers.

"Certain foods, you can't get the flavor and texture you can get from the fryer, and when you're deployed that's one thing you have to look forward to," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Adrian Watson. He previously served on the cruiser Leyte Gulf, which had removed its fryers. "When we got on the barge [which had fryers], that was a happy crew."

Others said they are fine with, and even welcome the healthier preparation, but are not satisfied with the variety. Culinary Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Stephanie Ramirez-Abad would like more vegetables for the morning omelet. Seaman Musician Daniel Arute comes to the galley for the healthy choices, but would like to see more from the green category, and something other than chicken and fish.

"The Navy is always changing, and this was a good change for me," Rodriguez said. "This is a good start, but not a good finish. I hope they keep it moving forward."

Going green

The "Go for Green" program operates like a stop light.

Green represents "premium fuel," defined as whole foods and beverages that are the least processed, low in calories, nutrient dense, and aid in muscle recovery and development. This includes fresh vegetables and fruit, leafy green salads, brown or wild rice, oats, quinoa, baked sweet potato fries, whole-grain pasta, nuts, fish, and chicken or turkey breast without the skin. Green-labeled items should comprise at least half of each meal, according to program guidelines.

Yellow represents food and drink with some processing as well as healthy and unhealthy nutrients. These are higher in calories, and lower in vitamins and minerals. This includes salads made with iceberg lettuce, fruit with added sugar or syrups, dried fruit, white rice, pasta, baked French fries, pretzels, baked chips, crackers, whole eggs, chicken or turkey breast with the skin, ham, roast beef, processed deli meats, flavored yogurt, reduced-fat cheese, sports drinks and 2-percent milk. Sailors are advised to carefully choose small portions not to exceed one-third of their plates.

Red represents foods and beverages with the most processing and calories, while lowest in vitamins and minerals. They slow muscle recovery and hinder performance. These include deep fried foods, cream sauces and dressings, most breads and pastries, ground beef, fatty cuts of red meat, beef ribs, pork sausage and bacon, hot dogs, salami, bologna, cheese, ice cream, energy drinks, coffee, whole milk, and sweetened beverages to include juices and sodas. Sailors are advised to rarely choose these, and take them in smaller portions.


I honestly don't know how to feel about this. On one hand I appreciate healthy eating but on the other this arwe fighting man and woman.. Most on warships deployed overseas and moments noticed to be called on to give their lives. They SHOULD be able to eat a damn French fries or fried chicken if they want to.
 

Equation

Lieutenant General
Fried food on the outs in changes for Navy chow halls


JOINT EXPEDITIONARY BASE LITTLE CREEK-FORT STORY, Va. — Fried food is out and nutritional nagging is in as part of the big changes coming to your chow hall.

Menus will not see significant changes — not yet, at least. But you can say goodbye to the fried foods you have come to know and love; breaded chicken, French fries, and the like will be baked in state-of-the-art ovens rather than deep fried. Whole milk will be replaced by skim and soy; fruits and vegetables will be on prominent display. The fast line will remain, but its offerings will be cut back.

And this is just the beginning.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced a host of sweeping changes in May that will affect everything from promotions and training to uniforms and fitness. As part of that, he has set his sights on a well-balanced diet, which he calls "the foundation of a healthy lifestyle" that will provide capable warfighters and lower medical costs.

Mabus touted the SEALs' "Fuel to Fight" program as an example. It increases the availability of lean-proteins, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates to fuel, rather than feed, the warfighter. Other galleys here have implemented "Go for Green," a Department of Defense nutrition program that teaches sailors to recognize and select healthier foods.

As leadership looks to boost sailors' nutrition to new levels, the recipe will mix these programs and add new ingredients. Mabus promised to "further develop the concept at one sea-based and one shore-based unit next year, and implement it fleet-wide in 2017."

In the meantime, "Go for Green" (which started as an education program) will become the standard as galleys ashore and afloat prepare for change.

That's fine with Electrician's Mate 1st Class (SW) Roberto Rodriguez. The Little Creek-Fort Story galley here is the first in his 12-year career that has offered the program. Though he admits to hitting the fast line every now and then, he typically sticks with the appropriate portions of greens and yellows. He said he's lost 10 pounds in the past two months and feels "a whole lot better."

'A good start'

The galley here provides a glimpse of the way ahead. Calorie count cards are posted in the chow line. Each food is labeled with green, yellow, or red tags. Utensils used by the servers and on the salad bar ensure exact portion sizes. The salad bar lacks high-calorie options like pepperoni and creamy dressings, but has plenty of sunflower seeds and cranberries. And while a foot-long chili cheese dog could be seen on a couple of tables, baked fish was the unmistakable catch of the day.

The changes — and response to those changes — are not lost on Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jeffrey Walker, who serves as the base's food service officer.

"If the food is prepared right, sailors will accept the change over time," he said. And he should know. His previous command won the Ney Award for food service excellence before his departure, and this galley got a Ney nod after he arrived here.

The focus was on food cost rather than content when he became a culinary specialist 22 years ago. Everything was made from scratch. Burgers were so fatty that they shrunk to half their size when cooked. Each ship and command had flexibility to create a menu tailored to its crew. And there were plenty of fried foods, breads, and pastas.

Now, Walker pays little mind to the unused deep fat fryers as he shows off his new Rational ovens. These cook everything from scrambled eggs to Beijing duck with the touch of a few buttons — and no cooking oil. Cleaning no longer involves hours of scrubbing in strong fumes. Most bases and many ships have made the switch — but not all sailors are sold.

When Navy Times visited the Gerald R. Ford's pre-commissioning crew earlier this year, it was evident many were not thrilled the new carrier class lacks one old school technology: deep fat fryers. Sailors aboard the carrier Abraham Lincoln were thrilled to keep their fryer during refueling and complex overhaul. Other ships have had to surrender their fryers.

"Certain foods, you can't get the flavor and texture you can get from the fryer, and when you're deployed that's one thing you have to look forward to," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Adrian Watson. He previously served on the cruiser Leyte Gulf, which had removed its fryers. "When we got on the barge [which had fryers], that was a happy crew."

Others said they are fine with, and even welcome the healthier preparation, but are not satisfied with the variety. Culinary Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Stephanie Ramirez-Abad would like more vegetables for the morning omelet. Seaman Musician Daniel Arute comes to the galley for the healthy choices, but would like to see more from the green category, and something other than chicken and fish.

"The Navy is always changing, and this was a good change for me," Rodriguez said. "This is a good start, but not a good finish. I hope they keep it moving forward."

Going green

The "Go for Green" program operates like a stop light.

Green represents "premium fuel," defined as whole foods and beverages that are the least processed, low in calories, nutrient dense, and aid in muscle recovery and development. This includes fresh vegetables and fruit, leafy green salads, brown or wild rice, oats, quinoa, baked sweet potato fries, whole-grain pasta, nuts, fish, and chicken or turkey breast without the skin. Green-labeled items should comprise at least half of each meal, according to program guidelines.

Yellow represents food and drink with some processing as well as healthy and unhealthy nutrients. These are higher in calories, and lower in vitamins and minerals. This includes salads made with iceberg lettuce, fruit with added sugar or syrups, dried fruit, white rice, pasta, baked French fries, pretzels, baked chips, crackers, whole eggs, chicken or turkey breast with the skin, ham, roast beef, processed deli meats, flavored yogurt, reduced-fat cheese, sports drinks and 2-percent milk. Sailors are advised to carefully choose small portions not to exceed one-third of their plates.

Red represents foods and beverages with the most processing and calories, while lowest in vitamins and minerals. They slow muscle recovery and hinder performance. These include deep fried foods, cream sauces and dressings, most breads and pastries, ground beef, fatty cuts of red meat, beef ribs, pork sausage and bacon, hot dogs, salami, bologna, cheese, ice cream, energy drinks, coffee, whole milk, and sweetened beverages to include juices and sodas. Sailors are advised to rarely choose these, and take them in smaller portions.


I honestly don't know how to feel about this. On one hand I appreciate healthy eating but on the other this arwe fighting man and woman.. Most on warships deployed overseas and moments noticed to be called on to give their lives. They SHOULD be able to eat a damn French fries or fried chicken if they want to.

LOL..OMG, the Navy might as well learn how to cook awfully like the Army.;):p
 
sounds like responsible views of the next-generation bomber procurement:
Strategist: B-2 Contract Award Date Not the Issue, but Fleet Size – and Costs
The biggest question facing the Air Force when it comes to contracting for its next-generation long-range bomber is not meeting an
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in recent months by its civilian leadership.

And it’s not who will get the long-awaited contract – Northrup-Grumman or a team made up of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, says Peter W. Singer, a defense strategist and senior fellow at New America.

“The core question is do we keep the contract to time and do we get a sufficient number [of aircraft] so that it is of value to the nation and the unit cost is reasonable,” Singer told Military.com. He said he supports the program, saying it is needed because of the “rising threat” of potential adversaries such as China and because the plane would replace the aging B-2 – “not just a multi-years old aircraft, but multi-decades.”

If the U.S. is to get the most out of its next-generation bomber – in terms of national security and cost – it has to keep to what contract schedule is and the number. Currently the Air Force is in the market for
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.

According to Singer, one need only look at the Air Force’s experience with the B-2 Spirit to see how quickly fleet sizes can shrink, sending per-unit costs skyward.

“You want the success story of the B-2 [as a weapons system] but avoid the problems of the B-2 acquisitions and development,” he said.

The Air Force initially planned a 132-plane Spirit fleet, but ultimately produced 21. The cost estimate was based on one number, but then you end up with a different number, he said. By 1996 the per unit cost reached $2.1 billion, and the General Accountability Office had no problem concluding that the B-2 was “most expensive bomber to operate and sustain on a per aircraft basis, costing over three times as much as the B-1B and over four times as much as the B-52H.”

Since its first combat mission during the Kosovo War in 1999 the
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has carried out successful operations over Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.

But the Air Force needs to avoid a repeat of the B-2 acquisitions experience, he said.

“If we end up with 20 or less of them, that’s not just a loss to the company [that expecting to build a large fleet], but to the nation, and that’s my concern,” Singer said.
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