Lakota replaces Huey in nation’s capital

New air ambulance helicopters delivered to District of Columbia National Guard. Upgraded medevac helicopter equals increased capabilities in and around DC.

STORY AND PHOTO BY STAFF SGT JON SOUCY

WASHINGTON – The 121st Medical Company (Air Ambulance) on March 12 went from flying the Army’s oldest aircraft to flying its newest. The District of Columbia Army National Guard unit took delivery of two UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters, trading in a pair of their Vietnam-era UH-1 Iroquois, more commonly known as the Huey.

“In my 36-year career, I can only think of two times when the National Guard received brand new equipment straight from the factory,” said Gen. Craig McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau. “We are good at maintaining older equipment, but we are better at taking newer equipment and making it last.” Scheduled to receive a total of six Lakotas by the end of the year, the 121st – the first medical evacuation unit to receive the Lakota – will continue to fly its remaining UH-1s as they phase in the new aircraft.

“The citizens of the District of Columbia and the surrounding states surely will appreciate having this equipment here,” McKinley said. “The medical response capability that it provides will be significant, and our nation needs to have the newest, best equipment.” The new aircraft is a substantial upgrade over the Huey.

“It’s a very attractive aircraft, very smooth, and two generations above what we’re flying now,” said Sgt. George Wagner, a crew chief with the unit. “It’s a very capable, competent aircraft and will be a good addition to the D.C. Army National Guard.”

One reason for that generational leap is that the Lakota incorporates many technologies that weren’t available when the Hueys were manufactured.

“These aircraft have autopilot and GPS and automation systems that far outshine what’s on the UH-1,” said Lt. Col. Maureen Bellamy, the senior Army aviation officer for the DC ARNG.

Other features of the aircraft include twin engines and a fourblade main rotor, which means an increase in safety.

“The dual engine capability gives us a redundancy and an increase in safety for the people we fly over and the people we fly inside our aircraft,” said Bellamy, who added that most of the unit’s mission set can be accomplished with just one engine.

And that dual engine and fourblade rotor system also means a faster top cruising speed and a longer range, unit members said. “Flying these aircraft back [from Mississippi], we were flying about 300 miles before we needed to refuel,” Bellamy said.

The aircraft is designed to fit in specifically with the Guard’s domestic missions and operations. “The hoist gives us an excellent capability for assisting someone who may be trapped, for example, as in Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Katrina,” Bellamy said. “We also help people who might be lost in the national parks and various mountainous areas where it’s very difficult to get a ground vehicle in to rescue them.”

And while the Hueys have hoist capabilities, the Lakota’s hoist system offers other advantages. “I think one of the best things is the external rescue hoist,” Wagner said. “That’s a big space saver inside the aircraft and I’m looking forward to doing some live hoist rescues with that.”

Though even with the upgrades the Lakota offers, its fielding is bittersweet for those who have flown in Hueys for years.

“Getting the new aircraft means we’re coming to the end of the old,” said Wagner. “I’m an old Huey guy. I’ve been flying [in] Hueys for a long time. So, it’s the end of an era and you can’t help but have mixed feelings about it.”

Guard Practices for Wildfires

Helicopter crews from the Colorado Army National Guard practiced dumping water May 13 as they readied for wildfire response situations.

FLASH - Exercise to Test Aerospace Response Over Washington

For monitors in the DC area.

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - The North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct an exercise over the nation's capital and its suburbs May 15, Defense Department officials said today.

Exercise Falcon Virgo tests the aerospace defense of the national capital area.

Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, Coast Guard Dolphin choppers and Civil Air Patrol Cessnas will participate in the exercise. A number of Falcon Virgo exercises have taken place since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, officials said. The most recent one over Washington was in March.

"The exercise is always held in the middle of the night to not interfere with civilian air traffic," Pentagon spokeswoman Air Force Lt. Col. Almarah Belk said. "The aircraft involved follow all noise abatement procedures."

The exercise is in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Capital Region Command Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region, the Civil Air Patrol and the Coast Guard.

Residents in the area can expect flights to occur shortly after midnight and into the early morning hours May 15. The exercise should wrap up during the morning. In the event of inclement weather, it will be cancelled.

USS New Orleans Underway from Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) returned to sea the evening of May 12, fully mission capable after completing repairs at the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) Shipyard dry dock in Manama, Bahrain.

While underway in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility, New Orleans is scheduled to conduct maritime security operations. The ship was damaged in a collision with USS Hartford (SSN 768) March 20 in the Strait of Hormuz.

At the ASRY Shipyard, dry dock repairs were made to the ship's damaged hull, ruptured fuel tank and ballast tanks.

Although New Orleans was repaired in Bahrain, U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command engineers determined that Hartford will be repaired in the United States. The submarine completed sea trials April 24 and is making a surface transit back to its homeport of Groton, Conn.

Two formal investigations have been completed -- a safety investigation and a Judge Advocate General Manual (JAGMAN) Investigation. Both are currently undergoing endorsement reviews, which are expected to take several months to complete.

Multinational Exercise Increases Interoperability in Caribbean

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brandon Shelander, U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs

CARIBBEAN SEA (NNS) -- Ships from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and the United States are participating in Operacion Multinacional Alianza, a post-UNITAS Gold naval exercise hosted by Colombia, May 8-14.

Participating ships are BNS Constituicao (F-42), CS Blanco Encalada (CF-15), ARC Almirante Padilla (FM-51), ARC Cartagena De Indias (BL-161), BAP Aguirre (FM-55), USS Doyle (FFG-39) and USS Kauffman (FFG-59).

During the exercise, participants will practice maritime interdiction operations, ship formations, anti-submarine warfare, air attack exercises and practice firing.

Participants will wrap up the exercise in Cartagena, Colombia, with a farewell dinner. The port visit will provide Sailors the opportunity to experience South American culture and to serve as goodwill ambassadors in Cartagena. Sailors will also participate in community relations projects to build relationships and mutual understanding with the local community.

Afterward, Doyle and Kauffman will continue on with U.S. Southern Command's Southern Seas 2009 deployment to Latin America and the Caribbean. Supporting U.S. Southern Command objectives for enhanced maritime security in its area of focus, Southern Seas 2009 focuses on enhancing relationships with regional partner nations and improving operational readiness for all assigned units.

Southern Seas provides the opportunity for U.S. and other forces to operate in the multinational environment, refine coordination, improve interoperability and demonstrate flexibility.

USNS Comfort (T-AH 23) will follow Doyle and Kauffman's to Columbia during Partnership of the Americas' Continuing Promise, during which it will provide medical, dental and veterinarian aid to countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

USS Forrest Sherman Returns to Norfolk Following UNITAS

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) completed a three-week underway May 8, one that featured a number of evolutions with partner nation ships and a visit to South Florida for Fleet Week.

The ship left her home port of Norfolk, Va., April 27, steaming first to a rendezvous point with the French Navy frigate FS Forbin (D 620) for a passing exercise (PASSEX), then to UNITAS Gold 2009. UNITAS, the longest running multinational maritime exercise in the world, took place off the coast of Florida with partner navies from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay.

Post at-sea training, the ship was featured among an array of vessels at the Port Everglades Fleet Week 2009 where the ship participated in a number of events and community outreach projects.

On the way home, Forrest Sherman conducted a test of its ship's silencing capabilities and shot an REXTORP —non-detonating training torpedo — as part of a anti-subsurface exercise.

Despite the operations tempo, the ship still worked toward overall preservation, personal qualifications and even had a little shipboard fun.

"I am extremely proud of the way that this ship performed," said Cmdr. Wyatt N. Chidester, Forrest Sherman commanding officer. "There was a lot of tactical maneuvering that came with the exercises and a lot of opportunity to display Navy pride and professionalism during the port visit.

"I think in all aspects, Forrest Sherman Sailors rose to the challenge, learned a lot and enjoyed themselves [at sea and during the Fleet Week]."

For many Forrest Sherman Sailors, the three weeks underway felt like a mini-deployment, at least in the hard work involved, both in port and at sea. But they echoed the sentiments of their commanding officer, in how the experience was both a time to learn and enjoy the many dimensions of Navy life.

"Overall, I was able to gain a lot from this underway period, just in the tactical situations we were a part of and going through the procedures to work with the different ships," said Ensign Marvin J. Jones, the ship's main propulsion officer.

Jones and other junior offers were able to take the conn in a number of different situations of which they do not normally get to be a part, such as leap frogs with ships from the Brazilian and German navies.

Operations Specialist Seaman Stacey J. Longshore had only been on board a month, so the underway operations were a first for her.

"It was a little difficult to keep up at first, but I just jumped in and tried to adjust to what was going on," said Longshore.

Besides the operations, Forrest Sherman Sailors were glad to have been able to make a difference during the port visit to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"I think we did make a difference in their lives," said Interior Communication Electrician Kendale D. Hunter, who participated in a project at a center for disabled people and also a visit to a school. "It makes me feel good knowing that we brought smiles and were able to bring joy to their day."

Forrest Sherman will soon depart soon to support 6th Fleet operations.

The ship is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer based in Norfolk, Va. Her mission is to conduct prompt, sustained combat operations at sea either independently or as a member of a carrier or expeditionary strike group.

Ramstein Airmen support NASA shuttle launch

by Airman 1st Class Alexandria Mosness, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) -- Ramstein Air Base Airmen teamed up with New York Air National Guard members to support NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis in May here.

Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, 1st Combat Communications Squadron and the Guard's 101st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron loaded rescue cargo into two C-130 Hercules on the flightline in the event of an emergency on the space shuttle, which launched May 11.

Each unit was on standby for the launch of the Atlantis, in case of an in-flight emergency where the shuttle crew would have to bail out.

"Today, we are headed to Moron, Spain, to be prepositioned for the launch on May 11," said Maj. Shawn Fitzgerald, a 101st ERQS combat rescue officer. "We are the support contingency if the shuttle crew has to bail out. We will stay on alert and in contact with the Joint Personnel Recovery Center in Florida.

"We have equipment to help us out if a situation arises," Major Fitzgerald said. "In case of an emergency, we throw out the rigging alternate method, a zodiac boat with parachutes on it, and then the pararescuemen will jump out after the boats. Along with dry suits, water protective equipment and medical gear; we have the ability to get anyone, anywhere."

While supporting NASA is a unique mission, the pararescuemen do not let this thought get in the way of their job.

"We are well trained for this type of mission," Major Fitzgerald said. "Whether it's a shuttle astronaut or an Air Force pilot, we will rescue them. The only difference is it is a crew instead of just one person, but we will get them."

With the precautionary measures being taken in preparation for the Atlantis takeoff, everyone involved realized their efforts are strictly precautionary.

"This system was developed after the Challenger exploded on launch," Major Fitzgerald said. "Every since then, we have not had any astronauts have to bail out."

Although the pararescuemen have more than sufficient training, they would not be able to do their mission without the support of 1st CBCS Airmen.

"We are providing information to support the pararescuemen," said Staff Sgt. Steven Humphrey, a 1st CBCS satellite communications technician. "We provide communication support between the John F. Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral, Fla., and the aircraft."

Without that valuable communication link, the pararescuemen would not know where to jump.

"We will pass the data onto the pararescuemen, and we will keep the plane flying around the right area," Sergeant Humphrey said.

Even though 37th AS pilots fly this mission about twice a year, they do not take it any less serious.

"We are prepositioning for an emergency response," said Capt. Siobhan Celusta, the 37th AS flight commander. "This is one of the most important missions the 37th does. We're such a vital part to the mission for NASA. Knowing that we are there to stand by in case of an emergency is pretty noble, and I am proud to be a part of that."

Monitoring Times 2009 Airshow Guide Available Online

The Monitoring Times editorial staff has now posted their 10th annual MT Airshow Guide to the magazine's website. The nine page Adobe pdf file has become one of the magazine's most popular online downloads in the last few years.

The original guide started out in 1999 as a two page list of airshow demo team frequencies in the magazine's monthly Milcom column. It has since grown into the its current form that includes a cover story and the magazine's monthly Milcom column.

The Airshow Guide is written and compiled each year by Monitoring Times columnist and assistant editor, Larry Van Horn. "My role in compiling the guide each year is the easy part," said Larry. "The real heros are the radio monitors who share their airshow intercepts. I am deeply greatful to all the great radio hobbyist who take the time to report what they have heard at each of the airshows. Without these folks there would be no airshow guide."

Larry says it is important that any and all frequencies heard at a show be reported. "Even if it is on our list, I need to see what is really being heard in order to delete anything that has gone away. No sense in loading up a scanner with freqs that aren't being used. That is the problem I have with most lists on the net and those that circulate on newsgroups, they are simply out of date because the authors can't seem to get rid of old freqs."

You can download your free copy the new 2009 Airshow Guide at http://www.monitoringtimes.com/MT_Air_Show_Guide_2009.pdf and remember to share the frequencies you observe at the airshows with Larry via his MT email address listed in the airshow guide.

International Callsign Handbook v2 Now Available

This blog is supported and sponsored by Teak Publishing, and the sale of its radio hobby publications. We appreciate your support by purchasing our publications that keeps our radio blogs operational.

"I’m impressed. This is a comprehensive collection of worldwide radio identifiers likely (and even some less likely) to be heard on the air. Over the years the Van Horns have earned the well-deserved respect of the monitoring community. Accurately assembling a collection like this is a mammoth undertaking. Congratulations on a job well done." Bob Grove - December 2008 Whats New Column, Monitoring Times magazine

"The International Callsign Handbook is a concise world directory on CD-ROM of thousands of various types of radio station identifications covering military, government, maritime, aeronautical and fixed radio stations." Popular Communications magazine - January 2009 - In Gear Column.

"When browsing through the chapters my first reaction is that the ICH is a useful book. It hosts quite an impressive list of tactical and official callsigns of fixed service stations, aeronautical, maritime, civilian, military and government stations, and amateur propagation beacons. The book covers utility stations from all over the world, but the majority of the callsigns in the book, both tactical and official, belong to stations in North & South America which makes the ICH especially interesting for dxers with a focus on the America’s...This book is a valuable asset to the hobby. I am sure that many dxers will enjoy it." Review by Ary Boender for the Utility DXers Forum.

Teak Publishing is proud to announce the release their second eBook – International Callsign Handbook, 2nd edition, by Gayle and Larry Van Horn.

Radio hobbyists interested in receiving and identifying radio stations in the HF/VHF/UHF radio spectrums now have a new whopping 1414 page CD-ROM publication to aid them.

International Callsign Handbook is a concise world directory of various types of radio station identifications covering the military, government, maritime, aeronautical, and fixed radio stations on CD-ROM. Thousands of callsigns and other types of identifiers have been collected from our own personal log book, official sources and dedicated hobbyists who contributed their material.

The 12 chapters of this new eBook cover the following subjects:

● Chapter 1 – Introductory material

● Chapter 2 – Extensive lists of resource information useful in interpreting the individual entries for each identification listed in the book. We have included sections on U.S. Navy ship/squadron classifications; U.S. Coast Guard cutter designators; a massive list of abbreviations and acronyms that appear in the book; a comprehensive country abbreviation list; and the latest Table of Allocations of International Callsigns from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

● Chapter 3 – Special chapter devoted to monitoring ACARS communications. For the aviation buff, we have included an extensive list of the abbreviations and a sample message type used by aircraft when communicating using this digital radio system.

● Chapter 4 – Comprehensive lists of internationally assigned callsigns.

● Chapter 5 – Worldwide listing of airline callsigns and ICAO codes.

● Chapter 6 – Covers the new field of decoding ICAO24 codes from aircraft. Our list in this edition will primarily cover military aircraft.

● Chapter 7 – Provides a large sample of military Selcal codes that have been recently decoded by on-the-air monitoring.

● Chapter 8 – Civilian Marine Vessel Callsigns.

● Chapter 9 – Introductory material on monitoring the marine GMDSS frequencies with coastal and ship MMSI identifications.

● Chapter 10 This chapter covers the new and exciting field of Automatic Link Establishment or ALE monitoring in the HF radio spectrum and includes a very large list of ALE addresses.

● Chapter 11 – The largest chapter in this book is an extensive listing of Tactical Callsign and Code Words. This chapter covers government and military tactical calls and selected code words for services and agencies worldwide.

● Chapter 12 – is a collection of U.S. military call words that change, usually on a daily basis. The call words presented in this chapter are usually used by various elements of the Strategic Forces such as airborne command post, TACAMO aircraft, GEP or ground entry point stations, and other units worldwide.

The International Callsign Handbook is published in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) electronic format and is fully searchable/printable. It can be run on any computer platform and uses the Adobe Acrobat reader program (a free Internet download).

CD-ROM System requirements:
Autorun function supported on Microsoft Windows 98 or later for PCs (Adobe Reader Versions 6, 7 or 8 must be installed to view publication). Publication PDF files can be view on any Apple Macintosh computer that has Preview or Adobe Reader versions 7 or 8 installed (no Autorun function supported on Mac platforms). Vista platform users have special instructions included in order the view the eBook on the CD-ROM.

The book is written by MT QSL Report columnist Gayle Van Horn, W4GVH, and Larry Van Horn, N5FPW, MT's Assistant Editor/Milcom columnist. If you want to identify who you are hearing on your radio, then this book should be on your radio shack shelf.

International Callsign Handbook, 1414 pages. 2nd Edition. © 2008, by Teak Publishing of Brasstown, North Carolina. (ISBN: 978-0-9796311-1-5).

Cost:
United States US$19.95 plus US$3.00 shipping and handling
All International Orders US#19.95 plus US$5.00 shipping and handling

You can order your book directly from Teak Publishing using check (must clear the bank first), money order or via PayPal

If you want to order via credit card, please contact one of our two dealers - Grove Enterprises or Univeral Radio. There are links to these fine companies on our blog resource guide to the right of this article.

To contact Teak Publishing directly write to P.O. Box 297, Brasstown, NC 28902 USA or via email at teakpub@brmemc.net.

If you are a dealer and would like to carry our books we have dealer pricing available. You can see information on our first book at http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2007/09/world-qsl-book-now-available.html

NORAD Flight Exercise Planned for Washington, D.C.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command and its geographical component, the Continental United States NORAD Region, will conduct exercise Falcon Virgo 09-07, on May 15 and 19 between midnight and 6:00 a.m. in the National Capital Region (NCR), Washington, D.C.

The exercise comprises a series of training flights held in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Capital Region Command Center, the Joint Air Defense Operations Center, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR), Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and CONR's Western Air Defense Sector.

Exercise Falcon Virgo is designed to hone NORAD's intercept and identification operations, as well as procedural tests of the NCR Visual Warning System. Two Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft, two Air Force F-16s and one Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter will participate in the exercise. Residents may see these aircraft approaching and flying in the vicinity of the Washington D.C. area as part of this exercise during the late night and early morning hours from midnight through 6:00 a.m. on May 15th and the 19th .

New York Air Guard Conducts 100th Shuttle Mission

By Air Force Master Sgt. Corine Lombardo, Special to American Forces Press Service

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Eight pararescuemen aboard "King 2," an HC-130 Hercules from the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing, breathed a collective sigh of relief as the space shuttle Atlantis, traveling more than 3,000 miles an hour, reached orbit yesterday for NASA's final visit to refurbish and restore the Hubble Space Telescope.

It was the 100th time airmen from the Long Island-based rescue wing have watched a space shuttle climb into orbit as they stood by to rescue the crew in case something went wrong.

The New York Air National Guardsmen have had this mission since December 1988, when NASA conducted the first shuttle missions after the 1986 Challenger disaster.

"Every member of the 106th Rescue Wing is proud of this mission," Air Force Col. Michael Canders, the 106th's commander, said. "Our unit has played a critical role in the exploration of space for the last 20 years, and we look forward to continuing to support this effort."

The highly trained rescue crew eagerly awaited Atlantis' lift-off here, where they remained alert and prepared to retrieve shuttle astronauts if the shuttle failed to reach orbit. If that had happened, the seven-member Atlantis crew would have used an escape hatch to bail out into the Atlantic.

While "King 2" stood ready at Patrick Air Force Base, a short distance from Kennedy Space Center, a second HC-130, "King 1," orbited the eastern seacoast, prepared to rush to the projected impact area or splash point, if necessary.

Air Guardsmen from the unit, based at Gabreski Field Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, N.Y., routinely practice this contingency procedure, known as Mode 8 Egress, which is, essentially, a parachute descent to safety.

If an ejection had taken place, the shuttle crew would have been spread out roughly a mile apart, given the speed of the shuttle as the astronauts bailed out. Once the astronauts were located, the pararescuemen would deploy in two teams via parachute, along with a Zodiac inflatable boat, to retrieve the astronauts, Canders said.

"I am always grateful for the outstanding job the 106th Rescue Wing does for NASA's shuttle launches," Mike Leinbach, the NASA launch director, said. "They are a critical part of our overall launch contingency planning, and I am absolutely certain that if called on, they would perform their job in a flawless manner."

Knowing the pararescuemen are close by is important, said Air Force Col. Lee Archambault, who commanded a shuttle mission in March and flew on another in 2007.

"Because of the amount and level of egress training and rescue procedures we receive, we know we are well taken care of should we need to get out of the vehicle if the worst of the worst happens," Archambault said. "We very much appreciate the support of the 106th Rescue Wing and all the rescue personnel on station throughout the world. Without [their] support, we couldn't do what we do."

After the Challenger disaster, the shuttle was redesigned to include an escape hatch, which allows crewmembers to leave the spacecraft in an emergency. Rescue crews were then needed to locate those downed crewmembers and pluck them from the waters off Cape Canaveral. The 106th Rescue Wing volunteered for the mission, developed and validated the astronaut search and rescue procedures, and has been there for nearly every shuttle mission since, Air Force Col. Robert Landsiedel, the wing's vice commander, said.

"Although we're ready, we're relieved we don't have to rescue the astronauts," said Lt. Col. Jim Kelley, 106th navigator and King 2 mission commander, responsible for controlling the rescue package and helicopter refueling plan for this mission. "It's a mission you train for and hope you never have to execute."

Navy, Coast Guard Partner for Homeland Security Experiment

For my friends in South Texas and specfically in Corpus Christi/Nueces County

By F. Kieschnick, Naval Station Ingleside Public Affairs

INGLESIDE, Texas (NNS) -- Navy, Coast Guard and local civil authorities will combine forces in South Texas May 11-15 to conduct a limited objective experiment focusing on maritime homeland security.

The experiment will take place in the Port of Corpus Christi and will use state-of-the-art technology and systems to further develop tactics, techniques and procedures to counter a naval mine threat to harbor waterways. Corpus Christi was selected because the channel and harbor are important shipping gateways for commercial and military cargo. Similar experiments have taken place in San Diego, Portsmouth, N.H., Honolulu, and Tampa, Fla.

In preparation, survey operations to map the seabed of Corpus Christi's shipping channel and inner harbor were conducted using unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), equipped with side-scan sonars, in mid-March. This baseline survey allows for continued refinement of a process that detects changes that have occurred following an incident in an effort to rapidly localize the threat.

On April 23, a UUV called the "Slocum Glider" was deployed nearby in the Gulf of Mexico to obtain samples of the environment and gather data that will be used during the experiment. The 1.5-meter-long, torpedo-shaped, winged vehicle "flies" through the water in a saw-tooth sampling pattern by adjusting its buoyancy. It features a wide variety of sensors that can surface to transmit data to shore and download new instructions at regular intervals.

The sonar imagery collected by UUVs will be used in concert with other systems to detect simulated underwater improvised explosive devices.

Hundreds of military and civilian personnel will be engaged in this full-scale evolution. The experiment is designed to further interoperability of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and civilian authorities in protecting U.S. ports and waterways, while developing and implementing tactics, techniques and procedures for optimal employment of new technologies.

The results of this maritime homeland security experiment will contribute to formulating doctrine and procedures for detecting and clearing underwater explosive devices that may pose a threat to shipping and commerce. This experiment will also better equip authorities to identify operational and tactical deficiencies and record lessons learned, enhancing the country's preparedness for executing an actual response to a terrorist act.

B-1B makes impact throughout Southwest Asia

Capt. Andre Walton runs a B-1B Lancer through its preflight checklist May 5 at an air base in Southwest Asia. Captain Walton is a 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron pilot. He is a native of Raleigh, N.C., and deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia)

by Senior Airman Brok McCarthy, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Before late 2008, the B-1B Lancer was known primarily as a bomber, but since then the aircraft was modified to include the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod now provides nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to ground forces.

"Before the B-1B was equipped with the sniper pod, we had to utilize extremely accurate coordinates from an off board source for most of our targeting solutions," said Lt. Col. Jen Fullmer, the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander.

"We have a capability to generate coordinates with our radar but not the highly accurate coordinates that we can generate with the sniper pod," said the colonel who is deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. "In addition, Sniper provides the crew fairly detailed infrared or TV image and a capability to locate and track targets, friendly positions, etc.

"Along with our legacy mission of weapons employment in a (close-air support) or interdiction role, we are now heavily engaged in missions such as (improvised explosive device) emplacement search, convoy support and armed overwatch of friendly positions," she said.

There have been instances where crews were monitoring a group of people in an area that is popular for IED placement, like an intersection, said Colonel Fullmer, a native of Wilton, Conn. They can generate accurate coordinates for the site and any other location the individuals go and pass it along to the joint termian attack controller so everything can be investigated.

After having been in theater for 90 days, the squadron has flown more than 285 missions and has had jets in the air for more than 3,380 hours. During that time, they have responded to approximately 170 incidents where servicemembers were in direct combat with the enemy. In many of those cases, simply the presence of a B-1B made a difference to the ground forces.

"There are times where you can tell in the JTACs' voices after we show up that they start to relax a little because they have an asset they can trust to employ precision munitions very quickly," said Maj. Sid Stegall, a 9th EBS instructor pilot. "The other thing is the enemy kind of knows what we do at this point too, so they don't want to make themselves a target that we have the ability to strike.

"There have been many instances where we haven't needed to (drop bombs) just because we are on scene," said the major from Pine Log, Ga. "Just because we are at an altitude where they can see or hear us, they know if they continue with their actions it's not going to end well for them. So there have been a lot of situations where there has been a troops-in-contact situation and we show up and everything just kind of stops."

Prior to the Sniper pod, the B-1B could only participate in a few steps of what the Air Force calls the "kill chain," the order of actions that must occur to complete an offensive action. In some instances, the squadron didn't drop a bomb because of collateral damage concerns. In these instances, they were able to watch the ground with the Sniper pod and pass information to other weapons platforms in the area that might be better equipped to act in the situation.

"During one of our recent missions, we supported (ground troops in combat) but we did not drop weapons because the friendly forces were engaged in a very close fire fight," Colonel Fullmer said. "Friendly forces were firing back at an enemy firing position in a small enclosure. One of the enemy soldiers escaped from the back of the building and we were able to track him with our Sniper pod, mark him with an infrared marker in order to highlight his position so a nearby Apache helicopter could suppress the threat. Since it was nighttime, we had the capability to put an infrared beam on the guy, which we call a sparkle. When someone looks through night-vision goggles, it looks like a laser beaming from our jet down to the target. So we sparkled the (runner) and alerted an Apache, who then picked the beam up on his night-vision goggles, came in with his guns and (eliminated the threat)."

Colonel Fullmer said she thinks the B-1B will have an enduring presence in the region and will continue flying missions as long as it is still a useful asset to the ground commanders.

"One thing remains clear in the minds of my Airmen is we are here to protect those men and women who are selflessly fighting this war on the ground in harm's way," Colonel Fullmer said. "If we prevent one fallen comrade ceremony, or just let one Soldier get a needed hour of sleep while we are making noise overhead to keep the enemy at bay, then we have done our job. Every person on this base has an important role in successfully accomplishing this critical mission."

Tacsat 3 Launch Scrubbed Again!

According to http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/missions/tacsat3.html, the May 8 launch of Tacsat 3 and the other 3 payloads was scrubbed until later in May. Will update as soon as a new date is announced.

Original story at http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2009/05/rocket-set-for-launch-on-virginia.html

USS George Washington Underway for Sea Trials, Carrier Quals

Sailors validate the shipboard firefighting system during an Aqueous Film Forming Foam system test on the flight deck aboard of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to qualify the flight deck for operations. George Washington is conducting sea trials and carrier qualifications in the western Pacific Ocean following its first Selected Restricted Availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Rachel N. Clayton/Released)

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73), with its crew of approximately 3,200 Sailors, departed from its forward-deployed homeport in Yokosuka, Japan, May 6 for sea trials and carrier qualifications in the Western Pacific after successfully completing its first Selective Restricted Availability (SRA).

Commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman, George Washington is the flagship for the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan and comprised of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5; Destroyer Squadron 15 and the guided missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).

"The teamwork and cooperation amongst the maintenance professionals from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Ship Repair Facility Yokosuka and our crew were extraordinarily successful, allowing us to complete our first Selective Restricted Availability as the permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier here in Yokosuka," said Lausman.

The George Washington is conducting equipment testing and carrier landing qualifications with CVW 5 following its SRA period, during which Puget Sound Naval Ship Yard, Ship Repair Facility Yokosuka, and the crew of GW completed more than 10,900 jobs consisting of more than 127,000 man-days of work.

"I think it was a great job; a great coordinated effort," said George Washington's Command Master Chief J. R. Clark Sr. "In my 26 years in the Navy, it was one of the best coordinated efforts I have seen to get it done as flawlessly as we did."

"With all the maintenance complete, we very much look forward to getting GW [George Washington] back to sea in order to test all systems that will return this great warship to the highest state of readiness for the immediate return of Carrier Air-Wing Five," said Lausman.

Major work items during the maintenance period included upgrades to the ship's radar systems, phone systems, 115-volt power distribution system, and service steam system.
Inspection and preservation of more than 160 tanks and voids, and flight deck non-skid replacement was also accomplished. Repairs and upgrades to catapult launch and recovery systems were also completed and upgrades on a number of berthing compartments improved ship habitability.

USS Florida Returns from Maiden SSGN Deployment

KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- Naval Submarine Kings Bay welcomed USS Florida (SSGN 728) (Gold) home from its maiden deployment as a guided missile submarine to May 8.

Florida is the first ever Atlantic Fleet Ohio-class SSGN to be forwarded deployed. Florida began its maiden deployment on April 26, 2008 and the arrival of Florida marked the first time the submarine returned to its homeport in 13-months.

Florida has two crews, Blue and Gold, which alternated manning the submarines while on deployment. Each crew completed two deployment periods, swapping crews in Diego Garcia.

Florida achieved a number of milestones for a SSGN, including the first transit of the Suez Canal and visits to Gibraltar, Jebel Ali, Souda Bay, and Diego Garcia.

Florida Gold chief of the boat, Command Master Chief Randy Huckaba, commented on the significance of port visits, including the three-day port call in Souda Bay, which is the first time a submarine that size visited the port.

With the new forward deployed mission of the SSGN, Sailors have the ability to communicate with their families more frequently.

"We do not have the communications restrictions that other platforms have and we do have the latest technology, with the ability to send and receive emails," said Capt. Randy Crites, commanding officer Florida Blue.

Florida conducted operations in the 5th and 6th fleets area of responsibilities. Their missions comprised mostly of littoral operations.

"We put a lot of hard work into what we did," said Huckaba. "I'm very proud of the crew. They are an incredible crew, top-notch."

Florida is the first submarine and the sixth United States Navy ship to bear the name of the state. Florida is the second submarine to complete the conversion from a ballistic missile submarine to a guided missile submarine, completing the conversion in 2006.

Navy Takes Delivery of Aircraft Carrier George H.W. Bush

The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is underway from Naval Station Norfolk conducting acceptance trials and the Board of Inspections and Survey to test the ship's material conditions and readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st class Demetrius L. Patton/Released)

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy took delivery of its newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding May 11. George H.W. Bush is the 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

"George H.W. Bush has been eight years in the making, with its keel laid in 2003, followed by christening in 2006 and today's delivery. It's a testament to the dedication and professionalism of both the Navy and our industry partners," said Capt. Frank Simei, Navy program manager for in-service aircraft carriers.

George H.W. Bush is the most advanced ship of its class. Relative to the last aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan substantial design features were modified and new technologies inserted. Examples include a new vacuum marine sanitation system, a new jet fuel distribution system and numerous other new control systems and piping materials. These new features will reduce the lifecycle cost of the carrier.

"George H.W. Bush's delivery completes the construction of Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, but their legacy will continue" said Simei. "This ship will be an important part of our maritime forces for the next 50 years."

George H. W. Bush was commissioned Jan. 10 at Norfolk Naval Base. Doro Bush Koch, daughter of President George H.W. Bush, is the ship's sponsor.

Essex Debarks 31st MEU After Successful Spring Patrol

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Taurean Alexander, USS Essex Public Affairs

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) arrived in Okinawa, Japan, to debark the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) May 5.

The offload began early May 4 with the fly-off of the 31st MEU's Aviation Combat Element (ACE), during which 31st MEU and Essex Combat Cargo Marines offloaded all ACE aircraft, to include CH-53E Sea Stallion, CH-46E Sea Knight, AH-1Z Super Cobra and UH-1 Huey helicopters.

The offload continued as Essex' combat cargo department moved approximately 75 vehicles and 300 pieces of MEU cargo. They also coordinated the offload of personnel from elements of the battalion landing team (BLT), the ground combat element and combat logistics battalion, capping off a successful Balikatan 09 (BK09).

"I couldn't be more proud of the performance of the Essex Sailors during BK09," said Capt. Brent Canady, Essex' commanding officer.

"This exercise was different in that the ship spent more time pierside in Subic Bay than we normally have in the past. This enabled us to not only conduct our bilateral training with the Philippine Navy but to also get some maintenance and preservation work accomplished. The crew met every challenge and performed brilliantly, both on the job, whether at sea or inport, and on liberty."

Sailors and Marines worked together throughout the deployment as they participated in a series of Republic of the Philippines-U.S. bilateral military humanitarian assistance and training exercises, which took place at various locations throughout the Philippines April 16-30.

For Marines like Lance Cpl. Rony Classen, from Chicago, the experience was priceless.

"This is my second time on board Essex, and the training continues to be great," Classen said. "I'm still learning new things about the Navy side, and the friendships that we build are awesome."

According to Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Samuel Vontress, the kind of integrated training Sailors and Marines took part in during BK09 is critical to mission readiness.

"This training we do is important because we need our guys to be prepared when a real scenario presents itself," said Vontress. "You never know when you'll be called upon to do this stuff for real, and maintaining a high level of readiness is paramount."

Classen, an infantryman with the 31st MEU agreed.

"It's our job to make sure communications with the Sailors and the Marines go well, and we're just doing our part to accomplish the mission," said Classen. "Training is a big part of making sure we know how to do our job and making sure they have what they need."

Sailors and Marines also enjoyed liberty together in Subic Bay. Deployments like BK09 provide an excellent opportunity to experience the unique culture of many locations, said Classen.

"The Philippines was fun this time around," he said. "Any time you get a chance to experience a different culture is a plus."

The 31st MEU is the only permanently forward-deployed MEU, maintaining a presence in the Pacific Ocean at all times as part of III Marine Expeditionary Force and is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan.

Essex is commanded by Capt. Brent Canady and is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. amphibious ready group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious force commander. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

Chinese Vessels Approach Sealift Command Ship in Yellow Sea

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Chinese fishing vessels closed in on and maneuvered near the USNS Victorious (T-AGOS 19) in international waters in the Yellow Sea on May 1, Pentagon officials announced.

The Victorious is one of the five ocean surveillance ships that are part of the 25 ships in Military Sealift Command's Special Mission Ships Program.

The vessel was conducting routine operations 170 miles off the coast of China when two Chinese fishing vessels approached, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
"This was an incident where a couple of Chinese fishing vessels maneuvered close to the Victorious in what was an unsafe manner," Whitman said.

The Victorious took defensive measures as the vessels got close. The Victorious crew sounded the ship's danger alarms and manned fire hoses. They sprayed water at the Chinese vessels, but did not hit them, officials said.

The Victorious requested the assistance of a nearby Chinese government vessel, at which time the fishing vessels departed, Whitman said.

He did not comment on the motive of the Chinese vessels. "That requires you to get inside the heads of the mariners out there," he said. "What is clear is that it is unsafe and dangerous behavior, and it needs to be addressed. We do not want the mariners of any of the vessels out there in jeopardy."

One Chinese vessel approached within 30 yards of the Victorious, officials said. "They are clearly demonstrating unsafe seamanship," Whitman said. "As we have in previous incidents, we'll be developing a way forward to deal with this diplomatically."

On March 8, five Chinese vessels surrounded the USNS Impeccable (T-AGOS-23) as it was conducting operations 80 nautical miles off Hainan Island. There have been other incidents where Chinese vessels operated in an unsafe manner around U.S. ocean surveillance ships.

"It's in everybody's interest to ensure that safe procedures on the seas are followed," Whitman said. "This was clearly well into international waters."

Military vessels are not subject to coastal state jurisdiction and do not require the prior consent of the coastal state for activity in the exclusive economic zone.

Rocket set for launch on Virginia Eastern Shore

A U.S. military satellite designed to detect hidden enemy weapons and quickly inform U.S. troops of their location is set for launch from Virginia's Eastern Shore tomorrow evening from 2000-2300 EDT. The Air Force TacSet-3 satellite and two other payloads is set to blast off on a 69-foot-high Minotaur 1 rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.

TacSat-3 features three revolutionary trials: the Raytheon Company-built Advanced Responsive Tactically Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer hyperspectral imager, the Office of Naval Research's Satellite Communications Package, and the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Avionics Experiment. This trio of payloads will offer real-time imagery (within 10 minutes of collection), sea-based information transmitted from ocean buoys and plug-and-play avionics to assist the warfighter in keeping one step ahead of the adversary.

Scientists say the 880-pound satellite atop the $60 million spacecraft will offer hyperspectral images and deliver them in 10 minutes. Officials say it is especially suited to battle conditions in the rugged, mountainous terrain of Afghanistan.

Military officials say it the satellite is successful, it could be ready for actual battlefield use in a year or two.

Two of the Tactical Satellite-3's trio of payloads may be called secondary, but their importance to the success of the spacecraft's year-long mission is primary.

Employing plug-and-play technology, the Space Avionics Experiment will provide backup downlink capability for TacSat-3's main experiment, the Advanced Responsive Tactically-Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer, and the Satellite Communications Package will transmit sea-based and space-generated data to ground stations.

Once launched, it will serve as the inaugural demonstration of plug- and-play avionics operating in the cosmos environment. The AFRL-funded SAE payload features plug-and-play components similar to desktop computer Universal Serial Bus components, which, if required due to a system failure, will perform data transfer to enable downlink of ARTEMIS sensor data, as well as will provide TacSat-3 with global positioning system information.

"The purpose of the technology is to significantly reduce spacecraft development time from years to months to weeks, as well as to lower production costs," said Maurice Martin, responsive systems group lead, the AFRL's Space Vehicles Directorate. "Our plan during TacSat-3's flight is to evaluate the Space Avionics Experiment on an occasional basis to ensure the components' reliability in case they are called upon to function in full operational mode."

Managed by the Office of Naval Research, the Satellite Communications Package will collect data from ocean buoys and then TacSat-3's onboard processor will download the details to a ground station. In addition, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command will utilize the SCP experiment's ultra high frequency radio link known as the Army Tactical Data Link.

"USASMDC/ARSTRAT is going to use the Satellite Communications Package payload's ATDL to provide a direct tactical downlink of onboard processed information from the ARTEMIS to the joint force commander. The JFC will have direct access to task the spacecraft as it appears over the horizon, while the satellite is still in view, the requested information will then be transmitted back to the JFC," said Allen Kirkham, Army Space and Missile Defense Command Battle Lab technical lead for the TacSat-3 Joint Military Assessment, Peterson AFB, Colo. "We will coordinate with the TacSat-3 program team to utilize the SCP's ATDL for a few two-week periods during the spacecraft's 12-month mission. We also intend to use the SCP's ATDL during a major exercise to allow us to collect data and perform a Joint Military Utility Assessment of the satellite and sensor's capabilities to support the joint force commander in the field."

As a significant team member in the program, the Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Development and Test Wing, also situated at Kirtland AFB, is providing the Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Minotaur I launch vehicle. The four-stage rocket consists of two structures taken from retired Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles, and another two stages from Orbital's Pegasus booster. In addition, the Dept. of Defense's Operationally Responsive Space office is underwriting the launch and will be heading the Military Utility assessment to determine the operational value of the low-cost satellite and its three payloads. SMC's Space Development and Test Wing will also assist mission operations during TacSat-3's flight in Low Earth Orbit at approximately 425 kilometers (264 miles) altitude.

The downlink frequencies for this spacecraft have not been determined. We believe there will be a UHF military downlink from this satelite. Any reports on the freqs to be used by this bird or any post launch intercepts would be appreciated.

Three cubesats will be launched as secondary payloads on the TacSat-3 mission. The satellites, which contain their own power and data systems, are four-inch cubes that weigh 2.2 pounds each. The cubesats are being provided by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, Calif. and the Hawk Institute for Space Sciences, Pocomoke City, Md.

These three cubesats are named PharmaSat-1, HawkSat-1 and PolySat CP6. The three satellites are placed in a Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD), the standard deployment system for cubesats. The P-POD was developed by the Aerospace Engineering Department at Cal Poly. During the rocket’s ascent, each cubesat will be deployed separately from the P-POD into space.

The PharmaSat experiment, developed by NASA’s Ames Research Center and will measure the influence of microgravity upon yeast resistance to an antifungal agent. PharmaSat focuses on questions key to countermeasure development for long-term space travel and habitation.

PharmaSat-1 will be in a low earth orbit at 40 degrees inclination. This submission is for a beacon on board PharmaSat. The orbit should be nearly circular with an altitude of 390 Km at the start of the mission, degrading to 200km after approx 250 to 300 days, at which time it would de-orbit. There will be a 150mW UHF beacon operating with 1200baud AX25 packet for 1/2 sec every 5 secs. Command and control will use an experimental licence in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. The satellite will be a triple cubesat with a mass of approx 4 kg. The co-ordinated downlink frequency is 437.465 MHz. See http://www.inwspace.org/genesatbeacon_fig1.htm for more info.

Hawksat-1 is a demonstrator cubesat mission. Payload consists of multiple COTS and custom products. The co-ordinated downlink frequency is 437.345 MHz. Views can be found at http://www.hawkspace.org/hawksat.htm

The experiment Polysat CP6 will measure plasma fields, using three tape measures that extend out about a meter, charging them up to 400 volts, and looking at the electrons flowing around the spacecraft in the plasma. The co-ordinated downlink frequency is 437.365 MHz (1200 bps AX.25). See http://polysat.calpoly.edu/index.php