Somali Pirates Strike Again

Pirates holding the crew of the Chinese fishing vessel FV Tian Yu 8 guard the crew Monday, Nov. 17, 2008 as the ship passes through the Indian Ocean. The ship was attacked Nov. 16 in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility and forced to proceed to an anchorage off the Somali coast. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky (Released)

Eagle Vision lands at Peterson

by Master Sgt. Kate Rust, Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

Eagle Vision uses FalconView, a Windows-based mapping system software that displays various types of maps and geographically referenced overlays, shown here Nov. 12 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kate Rust)

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- A Department of Defense Eagle Vision team demonstrated its capability Nov. 9 through 14 at Peterson Air Force Base.

Eagle Vision is a family of deployable, commercial satellite ground stations that down link unclassified commercial imagery data from Earth-orbiting satellites.

Eagle Vision ground system operators -- teams that usually run about 12 to 15 people -- can rapidly process that data into a variety of formats within two to four hours of collection.

James Clark is Eagle Vision's creator and is director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Innovations and Unmanned Aerial Systems Task Force for the deputy chief of staff for ISR at Headquarters Air Force. Mr. Clark runs the Eagle Vision program, the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper and Global Hawk task force, among other innovative programs. Day-to-day management of Eagle Vision is done by Jerry Brooks, who's been the Eagle Vision director since 2000.

The system is operated by members of four Air National Guard units and one active-duty unit, and has provided planning and mission support to combat operations since 1994, including most recently operations Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom as well as disaster relief support during Hurricane Katrina and the Pacific Tsunami in 2005.

Mr. Clark's directorate functions as the Air Staff's innovation arm. Col. Robert Wright, the Space Innovation and Development Center commander, hosted Eagle Vision's demonstration at Peterson AFB.

Eagle Vision uses FalconView, a Windows-based mapping system software that displays various types of maps and geographically referenced overlays. This makes the Eagle Vision imagery available in a relational database, much like Google Earth.

"You click on an area on the map and get imagery related to that area," Mr. Clark said. "FalconView adds dimension to the imagery Eagle Vision provides." And that kind of data is critical to assess battle damage quickly and rapidly changing environmental conditions.

Military satellites such as those owned and operated by Air Force Space Command are prioritized to the warfighter and national agencies and often provide classified data to their customers. In contrast, Eagle Vision mainly supports disadvantaged user -- those forward area warfighters and first responders who do not have immediate access to imagery servers, especially during rapidly developing contingencies when timely, unclassified imagery is required. Military and national system priorities and classification may prohibit such use. But that doesn't mean Air Force Space Command officials are at odds with Eagle Vision; quite the opposite.

"Air Force Space Command applications are numerous, especially as the command pursues (potential) acquisition of its own family of commercial satellites for military utility," Colonel Wright said. "Eagle Vision already provides direct down link capability for various types of commercial satellite sensors, and it would be a natural progression to integrate any DOD/Air Force Space Command-owned commercial satellites to its inventory. Even if a permanent ground station were acquired as part of a theater overhead radar or BASIC-like architecture, by enabling Eagle Vision to down link the imagery as well, you'd essentially be expanding the ground architecture by five times since there are five operational Eagle Vision units."

Eagle Vision commercial imagery is unclassified, making it readily shareable/releasable to allies, coalition partners, emergency and first responders, non-DOD disaster response agencies, etc., unlike national or classified assets.

"Since we fight in a joint, combined and coalition environment, this share ability allows us to fight as one team," Colonel Wright said. "Acquiring commercial imagery is much cheaper and more affordable than building an exclusive military system from the ground up to support our service needs. By leveraging existing systems that are 'good enough' to meet warfighter requirements, we can save billions of dollars."

The Eagle Vision crew deployed to Peterson AFB is from the California Air National Guard. The California Air National Guard received the system in 2007 and quickly became immersed in providing imagery for numerous and persistent wild fires. This is their first deployment.

"Part of the reason we deployed (to Peterson AFB) was to show what we're doing -- to see if this is a tool that Air Force Space Command wants to develop," Mr. Clark said.

Milcom Blog Logs - 11/18/2008 - Mid Atlantic

Here are some excellent HF intercepts sent to MMP by our Maryland Mid Atlantic reporter Ron Perron. Thanks for sharing that with our MMP readers.

All times are UTC and freqs are in kHz.

06911.5 COROPS (unid US Army entity): 1855 USB/ALE sounding.

06911.5 KYAASF (Army Avn Support Facility KY ArNG Frankfort KY): 1900 USB/ALE sounding. Also sounding on 07361.5 USB

07361.5 T1Z137 (1-137th Avn, OH ArNG, Rickenbacker ANGB, Columbus, OH): 2154 USB/ALE sounding.

07527.0 J11 (USCG HH-60J #6011 CGAS Cape Cod): 1746 USB/ALE sounding.

07527.0 LNT (Camslant): 1809 USB/ALE calling 720 (USCG HC-130H #1720, CGAS Clearwater).

08181.5 JFHQME (Joint Force Hqs, ME ArNG, Camp Keyes, Augusta ME): 1430 USB/ALE sounding.

08912.0 I57 (US Customs CESSNA 550 #1257B, Miami AMB): 1616 USB/ALE sounding.

08912.0 F12 (USCG HU-25 #2112 CGAS Cape Cod): 1622 USB/ALE sounding. Also sounding on 07527.0 USB.

08912.0 J39 (USCG MH-60J #6039 CGAS Clearwater): 1623 USB/ALE calling LNT (Camslant Chesapeake).

08912.0 I96 (US Customs CESSNA 550 #N26496): 1627 USB/ALE sounding.

Milcom Blog Logs - 11/18/2008 - Central Florida

Here are some Milcom Blog logs from Mr. Anonymous in Central Florida received on 11/18/2008.

UTC FREQ
1412 12236.0 USN Air Defense Net (fair/readable, faded out late morning)
PAPA WHISKEY INDIA LIMA DELTA OSCAR

1441 311.000 Patrick AFB
HERC 80 (C-130H, 164th AS) with BARRIER OPS, ETA, request wash rack

1507 285.000 Jax NAS
PELICAN 71A (P-3C, VP-45) calling FIDDLE, RTB, off station 1300z

1514 132.825 Jax Center
TEAM 80 (KC-10A, 305th AMW) , FL370

1532 284.500 SEALORD N
OMEGA 70 (B707, Omega Air Inc)

1623 267.500 SEALORD S
OMEGA 70 request for western W-158
JOKER's (F/A-18C, VFA-34) off the boom

1625 343.400 Oceana NAS VFA-34
OMEGA say offload for 407
JOKER 11-14 air-air, first run dry

1627 267.500 SEALORD
JOKER 11 to R-2910>
289.200 Pinecastle Range Control, flight of 4>
225.350 Pinecastle Targets, JOKER 11-14, 11 Mk-82's

1640 251.900 Patrick AFB
KING 21 (HC-130H, 102nd RQS) radio check

1728 289.200 Pinecastle Range
WINDER 21 (F/A-18C, VFA-86) check in

1731 308.925 Beaufort MCAS
WINDER 21 air-air

1735 363.825 Beaufort MCAS
air-air

1739 267.500 SEALORD
Unid, RTB St Augustine as single
(had mask sound, did not sound like an E-2)

-Recorded logs, 1145-0000 EST
Several hits today on freqs found a few days ago from a search and store session.

120.950 SEALORD N
GULF TEST 40
SOLEX 01 (E-3, RAF), to AW003 at FL310, relocate to AW005

126.650 Avon Park Range Ops
Unid landing Rwy 23
Unid, "unable CONDOR"
____ 71, clearance to MacDill

143.800 Homestead ARB 93rd FS SOF
MAKO 32 (F-16C)
MAKO 37-38
MAKO 35-36
(a change in callsign format, is usually MAKO 1#)

225.350 Pinecastle Targets
JOKER 11-14
WINDER 21-24
OMEGA 70

234.800 FL ANG 125th FW
air-air

251.250 FL ANG 125th FW
SNAKE 10 min out (F-15)
IMAGE 01 (E-3, RAF)

251.500
Secure (very active from 1345 to 2230)
MAKO 38 with CONDOR, SPOOKY looking for relay, clear for take off

253.700 FL ANG 125th FW
air-air, push 303.100

255.500 Patrick AFB 301st RQS LARS
JOLLY 21 air-air (HH-60G)

257.100 Avon Park Range / MacDill DUC
GYPSY 12 (F/A-18F, VFA-32), switch CONDOR on Pri
Mention no contact with BULLDOG

264.100
GYPSY 15-16, passing SITREP.
Mention contact CONDOR in the green;
STRIKER 21
Mention 349.000 (Miami Center)

264.650 Cecil Field Boeing Ops
Unid, RTB

266.400
RIPPER 71-72 air-air (F/A-18F, VFA-11)

267.500 SEALORD S
OMEGA 70
IMAGE 01 to work FANG, RATTLER and SNAKE
SNAKE flight, 313.600

268.200
F/A-18 air-air (unid callsigns)
" push x35.5 in the green (don't know if this was low band or a digit missing)

273.900 FL ANG 125th FW
Unid, "have a good night"
BACKY 23 (KC-135R, 77th ARS)

279.100
Secure

283.700 MacDill AFB Deployed Unit Complex Ops
Unid, 10 out, code 3 hung BDU

284.500 SEALORD N
FANG 1 to 225.800
SOLEX 01

289.200 Pinecastle Range
OMEGA 70, RTB Cecil Field

292.200 Avon Park Range Ops
GYPSY 13 flight of 2, RTB MacDill
Unid push Aux green 118.125 (not sure on the 118 part)
RIPPER 71 flight of 2
MAKO 31, 33, 34, 35 flight
CANYON 21 (F/A-18E, VFA-105)
RAVEN 61, 63, 65, 66, 67, RTB MacDill
SPOOKY 07, RTB MacDill (AC-130U, 16th SOW)

303.150 Homestead ARB 93rd FS SOF
MAKO 32 calling MR MAKO

308.925 Beaufort MCAS VFA-86
WINDER air-air

311.000 MacDill AFB LIGHTNING OPS
SPOOKY 07

313.700 SEALORD
BACKY 23 calling SEALORD

321.000 Patrick AFB 920th RQW
KING 70 AAR with JOLLY 21

343.000 FL ANG 125th FW
BACKY 23
Unid, 75-049
RATTLER 01-02
SNAKE 1-2

343.400 Oceana NAS VFA-34
OMEGA 70 AAR boom
JOKER 11-14

343.500 Jax NAS Metro
SOLEX 01, request WX for Navy Jax, Robins AFB, Charleston AFB

345.000 Coast Guard
CG 1500 (HC-130H, CGAS Clearwater) with CLEARWATER AIR, passes ETA

354.000 Tampa App
Unid, request straight in approach

363.750
Unid, no side tone or receive

363.825 Beaufort MCAS VFA-86
WINDER air-air

385.300 Jax NAS W-157 Discrete
Unid ACM (probable FANG, SNAKE or RATTLER)

Milcom Blog Logs - 11/18/2008 - Central Florida

Here is a Milcom Blog log from Mr. Anonymous in Central Florida received on 11/18/2008.

UTC FREQ
1127 hrs

267.500 SEALORD
OMEGA 70
JOKER 11, to R-2910>

289.200 Pinecastle Range
JOKER 11 flight of 4

343.400 OMEGA AAR Boom
JOKER 407

Navy Announces Preference To Homeport Aircraft Carrier In Mayport

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- As part of an environmental impact statement (EIS), the Navy announced today its "preferred alternative" is to homeport a single nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN) at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Mayport, Fla.

The EIS examined potential consequences of constructing and operating facilities and infrastructure associated with homeporting additional surface ships at NAVSTA Mayport. The EIS evaluated resources in the Mayport area that may be affected by the proposed action, such as air and water quality, biological resources, marine mammals and threatened or endangered species, land use, cultural resources, and socioeconomics. The EIS also accounted for cumulative impacts from other activities in the Mayport area.

After consultation with the public, key individuals and numerous organizations, the Navy considered 275 official comments while assessing 13 EIS alternatives. Ultimately, the Navy concluded that homeporting a CVN at NAVSTA Mayport would increase operational readiness while affording the necessary environmental protections.

The last Navy aircraft carrier to be homeported in Mayport was the conventionally powered USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), which was decommissioned in 2007.

The Navy's preferred alternative involves homeporting one CVN and associated infrastructure modifications. These include dredging, infrastructure and wharf improvements, and construction of CVN nuclear propulsion plant maintenance facilities. Homeporting a CVN at NAVSTA Mayport reduces risk to fleet resources in the event of a natural disaster, manmade calamity, or attack by foreign nations or terrorists. This includes risks to aircraft carriers, industrial support facilities, and the people that operate and maintain these crucial assets.

A Notice of Availability for the Final Environmental Impact Statement will be published to the Federal Register Nov. 21. The Record of Decision is expected in late December.

Airmen provide key support to multinational exercise

by Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

E-3B Sentry airborne warning and control system surveillance technicians from the 965th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron track simulated hostile aircraft during a multinational exercise Nov. 9 over Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon)

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- A multitude of international aircraft and airmen converged in Southwest Asia through the month of November to participate in an exercise geared toward honing aerial operations while improving relations and interoperability.

Officials from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here balanced real-world operations while supporting the multinational exercise.

"Participating in this exercise enhances our effectiveness downrange. When the opportunity arises for us to improve our own skills and develop our ability to integrate in combined operations, we take advantage of that training," said Brig. Gen. H. D. Polumbo Jr., the 380th AEW commander.

Airmen of the 380th AEW provided air battle management via its E-3B Sentry air warning and control system as well as air-to-air refueling from its KC-10 Extenders for fighter jets from the U.S., France, England, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Some countries, such as Egypt, sent observers to the exercise.

One objective for the exercise included seeking and identifying a simulated enemy frigate escorting a ship carrying military supplies to a notional adversary Nov. 12. The E-3 crew, from the 965th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron here, managed the airspace and tracked the movement of both friendly and hostile aircraft in the area.

Once the frigate was found and identified, fighter jets were called in to simulate a show of force. Identifying friendlies and hostiles is a life-and-death profession the E-3 crew is fully qualified to handle.

"We can determine whether an aircraft is friend or foe in less than 30 seconds," said Capt. Omar Hamilton, a 965th EACCS electronic warfare officer.

The scenarios, though simulated, warrant a serious undertone. The participants could face similar real-world situations at any time.

The air battle managers watched aircraft movement and monitored communications while the 908th Expeditionary Refueling Squadron's KC-10 crew refueled four fighters before they joined "the fight."

A variety of accents and flying experience provided some minor challenges, but every pilot avoided the designated surface-to-air missile range marked by a circle on the radar screen.

"This site has been identified as a SAM site," Captain Hamilton said. "If the aircraft enter this circle on the screen, they are within range of simulated missiles."

The pilots vary in background and nationality, but in the sky they are on a level playing field, said Maj. Shawn Williams, an F-15 Strike Eagle pilot from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. "A fighter pilot is a fighter pilot, regardless of country. In an exercise like this, we find we all have the same fundamental desires and wants: peace, love and family -- and the means to protect them."

"We're here to support operations in theater," General Polumbo said. "We do that very well, every day. We are; however, willing to support key training exercises to enable the (U.S. Air Force) and our key allies to hone their warfighting skills."

Capt. Rick Jones looks to Staff Sgt. Mike Membrilla for directions to safely maneuver his F-15 Eagle onto the runway Nov. 13 at an air base in Southwest Asia. Captain Jones and Sergeant Membrilla are members of the 58th Fighter Squadron from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. They are deployed here in support of a multinational exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Christopher A. Campbell)

45th Space Wing team supports successful shuttle Launch

Blazing light surrounds Launch Pad 39A and glows in the nearby water as space shuttle Endeavour leaps into the sky on the STS-126 mission from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. STS-126 is the 124th space shuttle flight and the 27th flight to the International Space Station. The mission will feature four spacewalks and work that will prepare the space station to house six crew members for long-duration missions.

Image Credit: NASA/Sandra Joseph-Kevin O'Connel

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla. (AFNS) -- The men and women of the 45th Space Wing provided flawless Eastern Range support for NASA's successful launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour Nov. 14. The launch occurred at 7:55 p.m.(EDT) from Space Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

"Congratulations to the entire NASA, DOD and contractor launch team," said Col. Stephen Butler, 45th Space Wing vice commander. "The 45th Space Wing is proud of its contributions to assuring this safe and successful launch of the space shuttle Endeavour. We have a great partnership with NASA and this mission validates that relationship. I look forward to many more spectacular launches as commander of this amazing team of professionals. "

The crew of Space Shuttle Endeavour will make the 27th visit to the International Space Station, delivering a reusable logistics module. The module will expand the crew quarters and storage, as well as provide additional parts for the regenerative life support system.

And a related story:

Sharks' support helps shuttle soar

by Airman 1st Class David Dobrydney
45th SW Public Affairs

PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- When the Space Shuttle Endeavour lifts off tonight from Kennedy Space Center, it will have some invaluable Air Force assistance from 45th Space Wing members from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to Patrick Air Force Base to Spain.

The 45th Weather Squadron, 1st Range Operations Squadron, and Detachment 3 of the 45th Operations Group all provide crucial support before, during and after a shuttle launch.

"We're lucky - we get to be on console, running the countdown for the Range," said Mike Gawel, program support manager for the space shuttle in 1 ROPS. He does day-to-day business with NASA, ensuring their requirements for the Eastern Range are met. "I attend up to 10 readiness briefings, and oversee pre-launch operations such as on-pad validation, and final ordnance installation and the Terminal Count-down Demonstration Test, which is coordinated with the rest of the wing," said Mr. Gawel.

Ninety days prior to launch day, an Air Force team is assigned to the launch. This team includes Surveillance Control Officers, who monitor the air and sea space surrounding the pad to keep stray planes and boats away, and the Range Control Officer, who on launch day is the liaison between the 45th Space Wing and the NASA Test Director at Kennedy Space Center regarding any potential instrumentation problems during the final countdown. "The range team has the ability to stop the countdown for any safety or user-mandatory requirements if they are not met," said Mr. Gawel.

Neither rockets nor the space shuttle can go anywhere if the weather doesn't cooperate, and that means the 45th Weather Squadron works 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide up-to-the minute forecasts. "Our squadron provides weather support for all pre-launch, launch, and post-launch operations," said Launch Weather Officer Kathy Winters. That includes transport of the external tanks and payload as well as the moving of the shuttle itself from the processing facilities to the launch pad.

Daily updates are provided to the Launch Director so that movements can be scheduled around inclement weather. For this particular mission, weather threatened the payload canister lowering and roll-around in October. "We gave the Shuttle team several days lead time on this weather, and they moved the payload operations one day earlier and the roll-around operations two days earlier to beat the weather. This allowed them to complete the operations and protect the vehicle before the weather threatened the area," said Ms. Winters.

While the Weather Squadron makes sure the shuttle avoids delays before launch, Detachment 3 is making plans just in case something goes wrong once liftoff occurs.
Detachment 3 is primarily responsible for coordinating astronaut rescue, recovery and medical operations and running the annual Mode VIII exercise, which simulates an ocean landing and subsequent rescue of astronauts.

On launch day, the office coordinates the aircraft from the Air Force, Marine Corp and Coast Guard aircraft that are on standby at Kennedy Space Center for launch pad emergencies and other contingencies. The office also supports the Transoceanic Abort Land-ing sites in Spain and France, deploying members to support a possible emergency landing in those areas.

Control of these varied and spread-out resources is back at Patrick where, starting a day prior to the launch, Det 3 members run the Support Operations Center (SOC). They will remain there monitoring the shuttle's progress until its safe return.
The office is commanded by Lt. Col. Michael Tillema, who said that while this is his first shuttle launch, "this is certainly the best job in the Air Force."

Milcom Blog Logs - 11/14/2008 - Central Florida

Above Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the full moon hovers over space shuttle Endeavour waiting for liftoff on the STS-126 mission. Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

Here are some Milcom Space Shuttle launch blog logs from Mr. Anonymous in Central Florida received on 11/14/2008.

46.650 CCAFS
JOLLY air-air

118.625 CCAFS Cape Tower
CLEARANCE 1
KING 1
KING 2
KING 3
CG 2114 (aka CLEARANCE 1)

121.500 Guard
US COAST GUARD calling aircraft violating TFR
Unid ground station with broadcast for aircraft violating TFR

121.750 KSC NASA Ground
461QS request IFR clearance to Houston Hobby

123.100 Coast Guard
Unid mention departing Space Shuttle mission, attempting to contact Miami Air

124.350 Patrick AFB Ground
Unid taxi to bird bath

126.650 KSC STA / WX
WEATHER CAPCOM (also passed countdown update thru ascent)
NASA WEATHER COORDINATOR
NASA 961 (Steve)
NASA 945

128.550 KSC NASA Tower
SEARCH 1
SEARCH 3 (tail N416NA)
NASA 945
JOLLY 3-4
GULFSTREAM 461 QUEBEC SIERRA arrival and departure
NASA 901 departure
NASA 956 departure

133.750 Patrick AFB Tower
FIRST FLIGHT 1
SEARCH 3
SEARCH 1
JOLLY 3
JOLLY 4
KING 2

133.800 CCAFS Cape Control
CAPE CONTROL (passing 351.900, VHF 134.050, Orlando App)
SEARCH 1
SEARCH 2 (self ID tail N417NA)
SEARCH 3
DOLPHIN 2
CLEARANCE 1 (self ID as CG 2114)
STAR 1 (Brevard SO helo)
KING 3
N616FT (ID'd as RELAY 1)
COAST GUARD 2114 depart to Opa Locka
KING 1 to land KXMR
JOLLY 1 flight of 4

138.450 CCAFS DoD Cape
LRD with comm checks
SEARCH 3 calling LRD
unid "standing by for JFT forces release"

141.300 CCAFS Variety
VARIETY 1 (passes terminal countdown)
JOLLY 3
JOLLY 4
KING 3

150.350 Patrick AFB King Ops
KING 2

154.515 Spaceport USA Tour Buses (pl 167.9)

154.600 Spaceport USA (pl 167.9)

156.800 Ch-16
JOLLY with unid vessel, instructions to remain out of launch area

157.050 Ch-21A
DOLPHIN 02
DOLPHIN 01 (also air-air; HUNTRESS up 260.900)
CG 6575 calling COAST GUARD CONTROL
STATION FORT PIERCE

157.075 Ch-81A
RANGE CONTROL
BCSO (Brevard County Sheriff's Office boat)
BEAR COVE (USCG Aux)
FWC 1
301
442
515
MIKE 778 (CBP boat?)
CUTTER SHRIKE

157.100 Ch-22A
SECTOR JACKSONVILLE (Safety Zone broadcasts)
STATION PORT CANAVERAL

157.150 Ch-23A
STATION PONCE INLET
CG 234471
STATION PORT CANAVERAL
CG 25442
SECTOR JACKSONVILLE
CUTTER SHRIKE

157.175 Ch-83A Coast Guard Aux
BEAR COVE
STATION PORT CANAVERAL
522
Aux 4317
Aux 4302
Aux 4315
Aux 2639

252.000 HUNTRESS
DOLPHIN 1
DOLPHIN 2
ARROW 01-02, to 303.950; push 320.950 Discrete
ARROW 03-04, to 8-Aux; push 260.900 HUNTRESS
TANKER 05

255.500 Patrick AFB Rescue Ops
JOLLY 3-4

264.800 CCAFS Cape Control
CAPE CONTROL
ARROW 03-04
NASA 961
NASA 945
JOLLY 4
TANKER 06
SEARCH 1

265.400 NORAD
Unid "on your back up freq"

284.000 KSC NASA Tower
JOLLY

294.600 CCAFS Variety
VARIETY
KING 3
JOLLY 3-4

311.000 MacDill AFB LIGHTNING OPS
PISTON 12
BREWER 81

311.000 Patrick AFB
KING AAR boom

320.950 Eglin AFB 60th FS
ARROW air-air

321.000 MacDill AFB LIGHTNING OPS
BREWER 81 calling, no answer

321.000 Patrick AFB King Ops
JOLLY 3 off to the right

345.000 Coast Guard
CG 2114 calling Miami Air

349.600 CCAFS
CLEARANCE 1
FORWARD OBSERVER AIR with VARIETY 1
PARRISH 1

411.450 KSC Direct 7 (pl 123.0)
ASTRO VAN
PAD RESCUE LEADER
ENGINE 3

Observatory's Master Clock Precision Vital to Current Ops

See story on our sister blog (Btown Monitoring Post) at
http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/2008/11/observatorys-master-clock-precision.html

Marines from Boxer Train with State Department, Increase Interoperability

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Jackson, USS Boxer Public Affairs

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (NNS) -- Forward command element (FCE) Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conducted simulated training exercises with U.S. Department of State (DOS) officials at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Nov. 3-7.

The exercises were part of the MEU's training operations while embarked aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4).

"The forward combat element provides liaison communications between the 13th MEU and Department of State officials," said 13th MEU Executive Officer Lt. Col. Stefan Bien, who serves as the officer in charge of the FCE. "We also communicate with Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG)."

The FCE was staged at the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force Battle Simulation Center. From the simulation center, the FCE trained with DOS officials who played the roles of foreign nation U.S. embassy staff.

"Interoperability between the Marine Corps and other government organizations is absolutely crucial to mission success," said Bien.

DOS officials and FCE Marines planned, observed and participated in several operations including a humanitarian assistance survey team, humanitarian assistance operation, simulated press conference and a non-combatant evacuation operation.

"I think this training is important to help 13th MEU Marines better understand political issues and considerations of a host government," said Alaina Teplitz, director of administrative management training division for the Department of State. "It also allows the DOS to learn from them what their considerations are and scenarios we may encounter."

The exercises further allowed the 13th MEU to increase their interoperability with BOXESG, while training with DOS officials.

"BOXESG's Composite Training Unit Exercise gives both the Navy and Marine Corps much needed time to build up our preparedness and teamwork," said Bien.
DOS officials were able to lend authenticity to scenarios 13th MEU Marines are likely to encounter during future operations.

Teplitz added, "Although we work for different government agencies, we are all on the same team. This training was successful in teamwork and tackling issues as well as learning from each other".

BOXESG is scheduled for more training exercises this fall prior to a deployment scheduled for early next year.

BOXESG is comprised of Amphibious Squadron 5, the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS New Orleans (LPD 18), USS Comstock (LSD 45), USS Chung Hoon (DDG 93), USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, Naval Beach Group 1, Assault Craft Unit 5, Assault Craft Unit 1, Beach Master Unit 1 and Fleet Surgical Team 5.

The 13th MEU is comprised of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced), Combat Logistics Battalion 13 and Battalion Landing Team 1/1.

The "Hog" drops in on history

by Master Sgt. Joy Josephson. 46th Test Wing

Maj. Matthew Domsalla, flying an A-10C Thunderbolt II Nov. 5, makes the first ever drop of a Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition, or LJDAM, from an A-10. This test proved a successful integration of the munition with the A-10, allowing for an outstanding precision targeting capability that will help Air Force aircrews continue to provide effective air support to coalition ground troops. Major Domsalla is with the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Joy Josephson)

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The A-10 Thunderbolt II, nicknamed the Warthog and known for its close-air support superiority and the ability to carry large and varied ordnance, is now on its way to delivering a new capability to the warfighter.

A pilot from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., with support from people with the 46th Test Wing, Boeing and a host of other units, flew a quick yet historic mission early in November. For the first time, a guided bomb unit-54, the Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition, or LJDAM, was dropped from an A-10C.

"There is a strong need to destroy moving targets in the AOR," said Capt. Kirt Cassell, the lead A-10C flight test engineer. "The Laser JDAM has shown to be very effective at destroying moving targets on other (aircraft) and Air Combat Command (officials) wanted to bring that capability to the A-10C for an upcoming deployment."

Captain Cassell and team members from the 40th FTS began planning this test mission in early October. That's a short timeline for a test mission, according to Captain Cassell. Plus, the team was challenged with ensuring the LJDAM worked correctly. To do this, the plan was to drop the bomb on a GPS target and then lase the weapon to another target downrange.

"The test was very successful!" Captain Cassell said. "The weapon functioned properly and released successfully, impacting the target almost exactly where the laser spot was located. We were able to demonstrate that the GBU-54 can successfully be integrated and dropped from the A-10C."

Maj. Matthew Domsalla piloted the historic mission. He's been flying the A-10 for more than eight years and knows that this added capability will make the A-10C even more lethal and more valuable to warfighters needing some firepower assistance.

"The LJDAM provides the pilot the ability to update the targeting if the target moves while the weapon is in flight," he said.

The A-10C has already demonstrated tremendous capability in supporting the war on terrorism. According to Lt. Col. Evan Dertien, the 40th Flight Test Squadron commander, putting this bomb on the aircraft "will give the A-10 an outstanding precision targeting capability that will help the Air Force continue to provide precision engagement."

And while making Air Force history is a great feeling for the 40th team, Colonel Dertien says the rewards of a successful test are more far reaching.

"When the weapons are proven in combat and you get feedback from the deployed flying units that a capability worked as expected and made a difference in the fight, that's the big payoff," he said.

The next step for the A-10C and LJDAM is to undergo operational tests to develop tactics and techniques for employing the weapon. If those tests prove to go as well as the first, Eglin's test team may have their feedback as early as January. The goal is to have this new precision capability deployed to the area of operations by early 2009.

Indiana Troops Return

About 100 members of the Indiana National Guard returned home from Iraq November 12 after nine months overseas.

NATO Defense Ministers Discuss Ukraine

NATO Defense Ministers Discuss Ukraine
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and his fellow NATO defense ministers are getting down to business today in consultations on Ukraine's course toward membership in the alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the ministers will focus on questions of defense and security policy, strategy and reform. The discussions will yield information that NATO foreign ministers will use in December, when they will seek to sculpt a membership action plan to chart Ukraine's course to full NATO membership, he said.

Ukraine has strong support for membership in the Euro-Atlantic alliance, a senior administration official, speaking on background, said after the first set of meetings. However, the official added, ministers also are expressing concerns about developments in Ukraine.

The country has not done as good a job on reforms as ministers would like, as political crises have created instability in reform efforts, the official explained.

"They need to do a better job themselves," the official said. "They need to do their part of the work. NATO is ready to help them; they need to hold up their end of it as well."

Membership in the alliance isn't just about defense matters, the U.S. official said, as NATO expects its prospective members to have stable institutions, pursue economic reforms and have strong anti-corruption laws in place.

De Hoop Scheffer said the overall theme of the NATO-Ukraine consultations is how the relationship works in an evolving security environment.

"The meeting presents an excellent opportunity to exchange views at a high level about the current security environment in the Euro-Atlantic area, as well as to address Ukraine's capabilities to meet modern security challenges and to contribute to NATO's security efforts," the secretary general said his remarks opening the conference.

"There can be no denying ... that the Russia-Georgia conflict last August has changed the European security environment," he said, adding that Russia's unilateral recognition of the Georgian provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states violates basic principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The secretary general said the Russian moves will not lead to the viable European security structure that all nations seek.

The meeting sends two messages, the senior administration official told reporters. "We need to be clear that Russia has not succeeded in drawing a line across Europe with its invasion of Georgia," he said. "We also need to convey that NATO remains very much on track working with countries in the East on this process of building a Europe, whole and free."

Also in play is the concept that a country has the right to freely choose its security alignments. De Hoop Scheffer called this "a test for a Europe we all seek to build."

"It is a principle we will not seek to compromise," he said.

The defense ministers also will take stock of Ukrainian progress in transforming its national security structures and practices. Defense budgeting and investment, an all-volunteer military and interoperability with NATO are key stones in that effort. "The road to Euro-Atlantic integration, after all, is a performance-based process," de Hoop Scheffer said.

Though Ukraine has not done a good job in prioritizing its defense expenditures or in forming interoperable and deployable forces, officials said, the country is involved in some way in every NATO operation from Afghanistan to Kosovo.

Milcom Blog Logs - 11/13/2008 - Central Florida

Here is a Milcom Blog log from Anonymous in Central Florida received on 11/13/2008.

UTC FREQ
1430 416.500 CCAFS Command Destruct
signal testing, telemetry

1431 413.050 KSC Wx telemetry repeater

1432 152.405 Spaceport USA
Maintenance repeater ctcss 167.9

1433 154.515 Spaceport USA
Bus Tours ctcss 167.9

1437 152.345 Spaceport USA
Security repeater ctcss 167.9

1449 162.9875 Unid
Telemetry

1500 257.500 Tyndall AFB
ABBY 1 (F-22?) 'ready in 5 min', 'in the common, near field is Eglin AFB'

1511 327.600 AR-202
BOLT 41 (KC-135R, 91st ARS) calling unid

1514 133.800 CCAFS Cape Control
test counts, also on 126.650, 141.300, 294.600

1530 128.550 NASA Tower
NASA 901 (T-38N) departure clearance

1534 133.800 CCAFS Cape Control
NASA 901 check in, have below 18,000'

1540 283.700 MacDill AFB DUC Ops
GYPSY 11 (F/A-18F, VFA-32) pass to GYPSY rep will be there early due to wx in Jax,
15 min out, flight of 2, then other sections staggered.

1544 343.450 Unid air-air

1545 279.600 Tampa Intl App
GYPSY 11, level 14,000>
290.300 Tampa App, to 6,000

1606 282.200 Jax Center
GYPSY 31 to Jayja, direct MacDill>
307.250 Jax Center, FL 220>
273.550 Jax Center>
269.250 Jax Center

1615 292.200 Avon Park Range Control
SHARK 21 (F-16C, 93rd FS) any Hornets or helos working N Tac?
will remain on S Tac.

1620 284.000 NASA Tower
NASA 921 (T-38N) inbound wx check

1628 283.700 MacDill AFB
GYPSY 111 calling Base, 10 min out

1630 279.600 Tampa Intl App
GYPSY 31 16,000 for 11,000

1647 10780.0 usb Cape Radio
KING 70 (HC-130P, 39th RQS) calling for radio check

1648 292.200 Avon Park Range Control
PISTON 01 (KC-135, 927th ARW) request entry into Crystal AR track

1714 128.550 NASA Tower
NASA 921 (T-38N) clearance to Gulfport



-Recorded logs, 1200-0000 EDT

-KSC / CCAFS-
118.625 CCAFS Tower
Test counts
KING 70 to land

126.650 KSC STA / WX Aircraft
NASA 945 (G-2 STA)
NASA 946 (G-2 STA)

128.550 KSC NASA Tower
SEARCH 3 (UH-1)

133.800 CCAFS Cape Control
KING 2
SEARCH 3
MOSQUITO CONTROL 4042G

138.450 CCAFS DoD Cape
Test counts

143.150 CCAFS Tower
Test counts

239.050 CCAFS Tower
Test counts

251.900 Patrick AFB
KING 25 (HC-130H)

264.800 CCAFS Cape Control
CAPE TECH radio check, CAPE RECEIVERS

282.800 Patrick AFB
Test counts
KING 25

294.600 CCAFS Variety
Test counts

349.600 CCAFS DoD Cape
Test counts


--Misc--
123.475
Unid, probable NASCAR aircraft, discussing meeting at Motor Sports

126.150 Avon Park Range Control
SHARK 22 (F-16C, 93rd FS)
AKULA 31 (F-16C, 93rd FS)
_____ 91

157.150 Ch-23A
STATION CANAVERAL
CUTTER SHRIKE
CG 47301
CG 25433

225.350 Pinecastle Range-Targets
WINDER 41-44 (F/A-18C, VFA-86)

238.900 Crystal AR Track (Avon Park Range)
PISTON 01
SHARK 22 tail 87-259 (F-16C, 93rd FS)
MAKO 11 tail 87-267 (maybe 86-0267, F-16C, 93rd FS)
AKULA 31 tail 88-404 (F-16C, 93rd FS)
AKULA 32 tail 86-1053 (no match)

279.600 Tampa App
GYPSY 33, ID as single

281.000 Oceana NAS VFA-32
air-air

285.725 Avon Park S Tac
SHARK 21-22
AKULA 31-32 working VENOM
MAKO 11

289.200 Pinecastle Range Ops
WINDER 41-44

290.625 Tyndall AFB Metro
MAD FOX 5 (P-3C, VP-5) calling Tyndall Metro

292.200 Avon Park Range Control
PISTON 01
MAKO 11-12
AKULA 31
RIPPER 11, flight of 4 (F/A-18F, VFA-11) for Placid MOA
PLOT 85, clearance into restricted area and onto the Aux Field,
will be over the field at 15,000
RIPPER 21

311.000 MacDill AFB LIGHTNING OPS
BOLT 41 (KC-135R, 91st ARS)
PEACH 84 request call PEACHTREE,
will be performing approaches at Homestead for 1 hr.
Unid, "we are in town for about a week"
CABAL 72 (self ID KC-135) inbound message
QUID 40 (KC-135R, 351st ARS) inbound message, need Ag, Customs,
Pax Terminal Representative, air stairs and crew bus.
PAT 524, C-12 with ETA

343.500 Jax NAS Metro
___ 45, request WX for MSLP
MAD FOX 5

344.600 Patrick AFB Metro
CAPE METRO radio checks
PEACH 84 (E-8C, 116th ACW) with CAPE METRO,
requesting WX for Robins AFB

345.000 Coast Guard
1500 (HC-130H, CGAS Clearwater) with CLEARWATER AIR, passes ETA

349.400 Charleston AFB PALMETTO OPS
LIFTER 37 (C-17A, 437th AW) calling PALMETTO OPS, no reply

Milcom Blog Logs - 11/11-12/2008 - Mid Atlantic

Here is an excellent HF intercept sent to MMP by our Maryland Mid Atlantic reporter Ron Perron. Thanks for sharing that with our MMP readers.

All times are UTC and freqs are in kHz.

11/11/2008

08340.0 1F5G (Venezuelan Navy Base "Amario"): 0400 LSB/ALE calling 1EW1
(Venezuelan Navy LSM "Goijaira" T-63).

08340.0 CGA3 (Venezuelan Navy Headquarters): 0430 LSB/ALE calling T64
(Venezuelan LSM "Los LLanos" T64).

08540.0 PEMON (unid): 1100 LSB/ALE calling MOHICANO (unid).

09380.0 1F5G (Venezuelan Navy Base "Amario"): 1200 LSB/ALE calling 1EW1
(Venezuelan Navy LSM "Goijaira" T-63). ALE handshake followed by O/M
(SS)--blocked by adjacent broadcast station. Also sending DTM msg:

From: BNA (Venezuelan Navy Base "Amario")
To: T-63 (Venezuelan Navy LSM "Goijaira" T-630
Info: CEOFL (Commander, Riverine Operations Squadron)
CNZEDOP (Central Naval Zone, Squadron Commander, Director of
Operations)


11/12/2008

09075.0 1F5G (Venezuelan Navy Base "Amario"): 1335 LSB/ALE calling 1EW1
(Venezuelan Navy LSM "Goijaira" T-63). Several DTM msgs from 1F5G asking
1EW1 for a activity report and maintenance status.

Milcom Blog Logs - 11/12/2008 - Central Florida

Here are some Milcom Blog logs from Mr. Anonymous in Central Florida received on 11/12/2008.

UTC FREQ
1300 - 2300 EST

118.625 CCAFS Tower
YANKEE 73 to land Rwy 13 (KC-130T, VMGR-452)
NASA 959 to land (T-38N)

123.475
Unid air-air, (sounded military, passing ATIS information,
VOR approach in use, Rwy 7 and 11)

126.650 KSC STA / WX (CAPE CONTROL)
NASA 946 practice approaches (G-2, Shuttle Training Aircraft)
(discussion about a gator on the runway at 9,000 ft mark)

128.550 KSC NASA Tower
NASA 901 to land (T-38N)

133.800 KSC Cape Control
NASA 901 off KTTS to Daytona for approaches

156.800 Ch-16
SECTOR JACKSONVILLE with Shuttle Security Zone, shift Ch-22A

157.100 Ch-22A
SECTOR JACKSONVILLE with Shuttle Security Zone broadcasts

157.150 Ch-23A
STATION CANAVERAL
SECTOR JACKSONVILLE
CG 6578 secure guard, in contact with Space Coast Regional Tower (HH-65C, CGAS Miami)
Aux 6018
CG 47301
CG 25433

239.050 CCAFS Tower
NASA 959

251.900 Patrick AFB
KING 25 (HC-130H) working GONDOLA YANKEE

267.500 SEALORD S
NATO 48

282.800 Patrick AFB
JOLLY 21 (HH-60G, 301st RQS) working GONDOLA CHARLIE, tower forcing 21 out of the airspace
due to C-130 operations.

284.000 KSC NASA Tower
NASA 959 inbound call for CCAFS
NASA 901

284.500 SEALORD N
___ 01 flight
BENGAL 41 (F/A-18D, VMFA-224)
BACKY 32 (KC-135R, 77th ARS)
SNAKE 03 (F-15, 125th FW)

301.000 Jax NAS S Tacts Range Discrete
HAWKEYE 11-12 (F-16C, 124th FS) with STEALTH (117th ACS), ACM

303.000
Air-air (sounded like tankers, mention of 3 comm radios and TCAS not working)

311.000 MacDill AFB LIGHTNING OPS
BRAVO DELTA 781 (C-130T, VR-64)
HOIST 98 (KC-10A, 305th AMW)
PISTON 34 (KC-135R, 927th ARW)
PISTON 33

321.000 Patrick AFB
KING 77 passing off time (HC-130P, 39th RQS)

345.000 Coast Guard
Unid helo air-air, mention meeting on the ground
(most likely support helos for Shuttle launch)

350.000 Jax NAS S Tacts Range Discrete
SNAKE 01-04 MARSA with HAWKEYE flight, cold, good pods

376.900 Jax NAS W-157 Discrete
BENGAL 41

Fleet Readiness Center Brings New Life to P-3s

By Judy Hartman Alexander, Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Public Affairs

BRUNSWICK, Maine (NNS) -- Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) completed repairs on the first red-striped P-3C and delivered the aircraft to its squadron in Brunswick, Maine, Nov. 4.

The term "red-stripe" comes from the diagonal red stripe on the Airworthiness Bulletin that grounded 39 P-3C aircraft in December 2007 for structural fatigue concerns on a portion of the lower outer wing, called Zone 5. These 39 aircraft comprise approximately one quarter of the P-3C fleet, many of which have been flying for more than 25 years. The P-3 groundings were not the result of an aircraft incident, rather the result of ongoing analysis obtained through the structural engineering focused P-3C Fatigue Life Management Program (FLMP).

This program monitors the fatigue status, flight hour usage and operational profiles on aircraft. In materials science, fatigue is the progressive and localized structural damage that occurs when a material is repeatedly stressed.

FRCSE is leading the way in repairing these aircraft and returning them to the fleet. The Zone 5 repair consists of replacing five of the nine lower wing planks and the aft lower wing spar.

Capt. Kyle Cozad, commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 11 recently addressed the artisans who repair the P-3 at FRCSE. He thanked them for their support of the warfighter and reinforced the importance of their contributions.

"The repair of these aircraft means that we return aircraft to our flight line which provides combat readiness and trained crews to the combatant commanders in theater. That mission begins here at FRCSE, so we want to say thanks for all you do. When the Zone 5 repairs are completed at FRCSE, it provides an additional 5,000 flight hours for the aircraft, extending the service life by eight to 10 years."

The Zone 5 repairs are very extensive, requiring 21,000 man-hours of work and 6,000 holes drilled for rivets. All this work is accomplished while the wing is attached to the aircraft.

The extensiveness of the repair process presents another issue: stabilization and alignment of the work surfaces. The wingspan on a P-3 is more than 100 feet long. Special blue shoring was developed to support the wing during the repairs and to prevent it from bending and twisting. The normal phased depot maintenance (PDM) repair process is not as extensive, so the special shoring was previously not required.

Greg Wallace, P-3 general foreman, explains the importance of the special shoring.

"The blue shoring was actually needed for the alignment issues that we had with the wings. We had to come up with a way to ensure the wing did not move while it was in work. The shoring locks down the wing and keeps it within prescribed alignment specifications."

FRCSE began working on the first two Zone 5 aircraft in January 2008, overcoming many obstacles in the process.

P-3 Product Officer Lt. Cmdr. Katy Baldwin praised the coordinated effort from many groups.

"This effort would not be possible without the highly skilled and innovative talents of our artisans, engineers, and support personnel."

The staff developed new repair procedures using AIRSpeed (Lean) methodologies, to replace the affected material, and even manufactured parts that were not available from vendors. FRCSE currently has nine Zone 5 aircraft in work and eight inductions expected next year.

The P-3 was originally designed as an anti-submarine warfare platform, but in the post-Cold War era the mission was expanded to include over-land intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Whether the P-3 is flying in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa or as a first responder following natural disasters in Galveston or New Orleans, the mission must be completed with fewer aircraft available. Thanks to the artisans at FRCSE, more P-3s will be returning to the fleet.

USS McFaul Returns Home after Successful Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman (SW) Shanika L. Futrell, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) returned to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk Nov. 6 after a six-month independent deployment that included humanitarian relief operations in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

McFaul Sailors delivered more than 27 tons of water, hygiene items, baby food and infant supplies during Operation Assured Delivery (OAD). OAD provided U.S. Armed Forces' logistical support to humanitarian aid efforts in Georgia following the 2008 South Ossetia conflict.

The 505-foot-long destroyer is home to 275 Sailors and is commanded by Cmdr. Timothy Schorr.

"This deployment was undoubtedly safe and successful," said Schorr. "With every goal that was set, the crew exceeded my expectations and demonstrated excellence in every operational mission that they were a part of by working diligently and showing pride and professionalism."

While deployed to the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility, McFaul also participated in several exercises such as the multinational exercise Sea Breeze.

Sea Breeze 2008 was a joint invitational and combined maritime exercise involving 16 countries. It is held in the spirit of partnership for peace in the Black Sea.

"This exercise went very well, and my outstanding crew made this possible. I am pleased to have served with them, as well as the several different nations that participated in the exercise," said Schorr.

Now that the deployment is finished, McFaul is preparing to join the Harry S. Truman Strike Group along with Commander Destroyer Squadron (COMDESRON) 26.

"McFaul's crew were doing outstanding things out there and has a great reputation," said Capt. Michael Strano, commodore, COMDESRON 26. "It's a great opportunity for McFaul to join the Harry S. Truman Strike Group. McFaul will get to participate in all our work-ups and get to deploy with us next year."

Strano also said that Mcfaul will be a great asset to the team judging by the outstanding reputation the crew has made for themselves.

"The crew has shown immense personal dedication and dedication to the Navy during their deployment," said Strano. "It shows that the quality of work of McFaul and her crew is simply outstanding, and I look forward to working with them through our work-ups and next deployment."

Helo Det Wraps up Replenishment Ops Deployment in 7th Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Peter Lewis, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, Detachment 1 returned to Guam Oct. 29 after completing a successful nine-month deployment in support of 7th Fleet replenishment operations in the Western Pacific area of responsibility.

The Sailors flew in on three helicopters and arrived at their home base on Andersen Air Force Base. They were greeted by friends and family, and a brief reception was held during which HSC 25 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Pat Everly expressed his pride in the work Det. 1 accomplished.

"You guys have been out their keeping carrier strike groups in the area well supplied for the last nine months," Everly said. "You provided a lot of invaluable support for the 7th Fleet, but now your mission is complete, and it's good to have you back in time for the holidays."

HSC 25 is the Navy's only forward deployed vertical replenishment squadron providing deployed ships a rapid, safe and versatile means of resupplying diminishing stores.

"Supporting the Navy's mission as we've been doing has been a great honor," said Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Strickler, Det. 1 officer in charge. "Watching our guys work and seeing mission completion day-by-day on this deployment is probably one of the greatest experiences of my Navy career."

Even as they celebrated the mission's success, Sailors said after a long deployment, it is great to be home.

"I'm excited to be back, and I'm looking forward to finally doing some diving," said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 3rd Class (AW/SW) Christopher Smith.