Air Force officials begin search for new aerial tanker

by Master Sgt. Russell Petcoff, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Senior Department of Defense and Air Force officials announced the rollout of the KC-X Acquisition Program at a Pentagon briefing Sept. 24. Air Force leaders are seeking a replacement for the KC-135 Stratotanker that has been a stalwart of the tanker fleet for more than 53 years.

Today, the department is announcing its acquisition strategy for a replacement aerial refueling tanker fleet for the aging KC-135 and KC-10 fleet, said William J. Lynn, deputy secretary of defense. He termed the search to be a "best value" competition, not one based solely on cost.

"We tried to play this straight down the middle," Mr. Lynn said.

Michael Donley, secretary of the Air Force, and Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, also took part in the hour-long briefing.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates returned the KC-X program to the Air Force during an address he gave at the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition at the National Harbor Convention Center, Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 16.

"I don't need to belabor the importance of getting this done soon and done right," Secretary Gates said. "I have confidence that the KC-X selection authority is in good hands with the service's leadership team of Secretary Donley and (Air Force Chief of Staff) General (Norton) Schwartz."

Secretary Donley said the KC-135 first joined the service's inventory in August 1956, with the youngest one dating to 1964. The ever-accumulating age of the tanker fleet is driving this effort, he said.

"We need to move on with this recapitalization," Secretary Donley said. Air Force officials hope to announce a KC-X decision in the summer of 2010.

Currently, there are 415 KC-135s in the Air Force inventory. The KC-X program calls for 179 new tankers over 15 years, according to Secretary Donley.

The first production KC-X delivery is planned for 2015, Secretary Donley said, with a planned initial operating capability of 2017.

"As we integrate the KC-X into the fleet, we will begin evaluating our future tanker needs and begin work on the second phase, KC-Y," Secretary Donley said. A third phase is called KC-Z.

KC-X must be a highly capable and go-to-war-on-day-1-ready aircraft for the warfighter, Secretary Donley said.

"We expect the KC-X to be far more capable than the KC-135," Secretary Donley said.

The KC-X has several mandatory requirements, according to Secretary Donley. It must have:

· a permanent centerline drogue to refuel receptacle and probe-equipped aircraft;

· a receiver receptacle to allow it to refuel from KC-135s, KC-10s or another KC-Xs;

· an integrated Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures system, which the current tankers do not have; and

· improved communications; navigation and air traffic capabilities to allow it global airspace access.

Mr. Carter said the source selection strategy will be objective to ensure contractors bidding on KC-X know what it takes to win. He said it'll also be transparent so when a winner is chosen everyone can understand why that bidder won.

Mr. Carter said the RFP favors "no one but the warfighter and taxpayer."

Milcom Blog Logs - Sep 16-23 2009 - Mid Atlantic

Our old friend and MMP reporter Ron checks in again with some more great HF blog logs from his Mid Atlantic listening post. Thanks Ron for sharing. All times are UTC and frequencies in kHz.

16 Sep

08502.0 US Coast Guard: 2320 USB w/automated wx broadcast. (RP-MD)

08764.0 US Coast Guard: 2325 USB w/automated wx broadcast.(RP-MD)

05550.0 New York (MWARA CAR-A): 2345 USB w/various acft. (RP-MD)

08900.0 O/M (Spanish): 2358 USB w/O/M (Spanish). (RP-MD)

17 Sep

09462.0 FC8FEM006 (Communications Manager, FEMA Region 8 Denver CO): 1800 USB/ALE sounding. (RP-MD)

10202.0 119CDCS05 (unid Center for Disease Control entity): 1700 USB/ALE sounding.(RP-MD)

08888.8 O/M (EE-Southern US accent): 2352 USB w/O/M (EE-Southern US accent). Prob Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishermen.(RP-MD)

21 Sep

08147.0 Unid: 2125 CW w/5-ltr groups. Prob Cuban DGI.(RP-MD)

08211.0 O/M (EE-British accent): 2303 USB w/O/M (EE). Caught at sign off--no calls noted. Sounded military.(RP-MD)

08218.0 O/M (Spanish): 2320 USB w/unheard station.(RP-MD)

08344.0 RFH77K (Russian Navy): 2325 CW calling in the blind.(RP-MD)

08378.0 Unid: 2345 AMTOR/ARQ. Poss Egyptian Embassy.(RP-MD)

22 Sep

10194.0 FC8FEM (Communications Manager, FEMA Region 8, Denver CO): 1600 USB/ALE calling FM1FEM (FEMA Region 1, Danvers MA).(RP-MD)

08050.0 CLS (US Army SOC:Fort Campbell, KY): 1900 USB/ALE sounding.(RP-MD)

08097.0 Unid: 1907 CW w/5-ltr groups. Msg ends with TDDRA repeated five times.L/C at my QTH--prob Cuban DGI. Carrier drifts badly.(RP-MD)

08340.0 1C3Z (Venezuelan Frigate "General Soublette", F-24): 2200 LSB/ALE to T8R1 (HQs, Venezuelan Navy) w/DTM msgs from "F-24" to CGA. (RP-MD)

08134.0 Unid: 2258 CW w/5-ltr groups. Prob Cuban DGI.(RP-MD)

08141.0 O/M (Spanish): 2304 USB w/O/M (Spanish).(RP-MD)

08344.0 RFH77K (Russian Navy): 2310 CW calling poss EIG77. (RP-MD)

Ron, Utility Monitoring from Maryland, USA
Icom R75 45-ft EF-SWL

USS Stennis Conducting CQ Ops in the SoCal Opareas

An EA-6B Prowler assigned to the Eagles of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 prepares to launch from the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is underway conducting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualifications off the coast of Southern California. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Walter M. Wayman/Released)

USCG Sea Fox Commissioned at Keyport

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Dagendesh, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Det., Northwest

KEYPORT, Wash. (NNS) -- Northwest region military personnel and guests celebrated the commissioning of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Sea Fox (WPB 87374) at the Naval Base Kitsap, Keyport pier Sept. 18.

Rear Adm. Gary Blore, commander, 13th Coast Guard District, presided over the commissioning ceremony. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles Bowen provided the keynote speech accompanied by his wife, Janet, the ship's official sponsor.

By tradition, the sponsor is a civilian woman with close ties to the service. She is invited to bestow good luck and divine protection over the ship and all that sail aboard. The sponsor also gives part of her own personality to the ship and becomes a permanent member of the crew.

Sea Fox, an 87-foot coastal patrol boat, has a crew of 10 and will be commanded Chief Warrant Officer Michael Lemay. The cutter is one of the new Marine Protector classes being constructed by Bollinger Ship Yards in Lockport, La.

"It is both a humbling experience and an honor for me to stand before you on behalf of the crew," said Lemay. "The pride of ownership, devotion to duty and craftsmanship this crew has put into this cutter is obvious."

The commissioning was the second for Naval Base Kitsap in its five-plus years of existence. Both ships have been Coast Guard cutters.

"This is my first command straight from boot camp," said Sea Fox crew member Fireman Robert Cox. "It's going to be a lasting memory being a part of this ship's first crew."

Sea Fox will be joining the Coast Guard cutter Sea Devil and be assigned to the Coast Guard Maritime Force Protection Unit at NBK Bangor to provide security to the Navy's submarine fleet as they transit to and from homeport.

The Coast Guard's newest cutter is named after the U.S. submarine Sea Fox, a diesel-electric submarine of the Baleao-class, decommissioned Dec. 14, 1970.

Troops Train for Deployment at Camp Atterbury

In just about a week, 1300 soldiers from 35 different states will be deploying to Kosovo for a peacekeeping mission.

Bainbridge Returns Home to a Heroes' Welcome

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Santos Huante, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) returned home to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 21 after a seven-month deployment supporting the Eisenhower Strike Group in the 5th and 6th Fleet area of operations.

Bainbridge's 300 Sailors patrolled the trade corridor in the Gulf of Aden combating and preventing piracy.

Bainbridge was conducting surveillance April 8, on the northern Somali coast when the American container ship MV Maresk Alabama was seized by Somali pirates and the ship's master, Capt. Richard Phillips, taken hostage.

"We just happened to be at the right place at the right time," said Cmdr. Frank Castellano, Bainbridge commanding officer.

Castellano and his crew responded, coordinating hostage negotiations and embarking special operations forces.

"[The Navy] follows the rules of engagement and when we received word that his life was in jeopardy, I gave the order," said Castellano.

The stand-off ended April 12 with the rescue of Phillips, one pirate captured, and three pirates killed.

"[The crew] was enthusiastic, relieved and there was jubilation upon receiving Capt. Phillips," said Castellano.

Bainbridge also escorted the American vessel Liberty Sun, protecting it from a pirate attack, and prevented attacks on merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden when two suspect pirate vessels were intercepted.

Airmen ensure communications capability for joint, coalition success

by Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss, 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Tech. Sgt. Tim Daniel performs a preventative maintenance inspection of a radio tower Sept. 18, 2009, at Royal Air Force Barford, England. Sergeant Daniel is a member of the 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron cable and antenna theater maintenance team from Kapaun Air Station, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss)

ROYAL AIR FORCE CROUGHTON, England (AFNS) -- A team of five Airmen from the 1st Communications Maintenance Squadron from Kapaun Air Station, Germany, have been traveling throughout England since Aug. 24 performing annual preventative maintenance inspections on antenna systems belonging to Royal Air Force Base Croughton and RAF Barford.

The Airmen are part of the 1st CMXS cable and antenna theater maintenance team are maintaining 30 antenna systems at these locations that provide the capability for ground-to-air communication between base members and aircraft in the air.

RAF Barford, once used by the Royal Air Force in the 1930s to test jet engines and was a bomber-staging base during World War II used for filming the classic movie "Twelve O'Clock High" now makes up the communications link for not only the Air Force but also many NATO partners.

"Basically when a flight crosses the Atlantic Ocean into Europe, they need communication points along the way," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Dunbar, the cable and antenna theater maintenance team chief.

The team, part of a 24-person shop belonging to the 1st CMXS, uses tools and technical orders brought from their home station along with support equipment from other bases such as vehicles like a low profile line-truck to tighten and repair tower guy-wires. They also do corrosion control checks, system testing and function checks during their site visits.

Last year, U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials centralized all Airmen in the 2E6 career field in Germany, making the cable and antenna theater maintenance team more important than ever because they're in high demand. Each member of the team is hand-picked to fill the special-duty assignment. With a 24-hour emergency response time, the Airmen know being on the road a lot to maintain the more than 600 antennas throughout Europe has become the norm.

"Being on the team can be challenging, we deploy a lot maintaining these systems, sometimes more than 180 days a year, but these systems are vital to communications of not only aircraft transiting the Atlantic, but also (officials from) U.S. Strategic Command, AWACs, (E-8C) Joint Stars, the president, and even the search and rescue capabilities of NASA," Sergeant Dunbar said.

The simple location of these systems causes some unique challenges as well.

"The weather here especially causes some of the challenges we face, from causing the systems to lose reception to causing adverse working conditions," said Staff Sgt. Sean Lavely, a cable and antenna theater maintenance team member. "Sometimes the wind makes it a little dicey being up there on the tower."

But as Sergeant Dunbar explained, there are safety precautions built into the career field that prevent any unnecessary risk, such as not working on towers when winds are observed higher than 25 knots. This sometimes can cause the work to maintain and fix these systems tedious, often having to be rescheduled until the weather subsides.

"We've been here for nearly a month," said Staff Sgt. Carlos Salinas, cable and antenna theater maintenance team member. "We have performed either inspections or some kind of maintenance on 14 towers so far."

Although having to be on temporary duty to perform most of their job responsibilities can be tough, the capability these Airmen provide to the Air Force and its partners is invaluable.

"Without the cable and antenna theater maintenance team and this location, we would lose a significant portion of the high frequency coverage for Europe and the Atlantic crossing," said Staff Sgt. Chet Warren, a 422nd Communications Squadron ground radio member from RAF Croughton. "Any friendly country in the United Nations can use our radios, which means these guys maintain antenna systems that support not only the Air Force but also much of the world's communications."

The 1st CMXS is part of the 435th Air and Space Communications Group, one of the three groups that make up the new 435th Air and Ground Operations Wing headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Forward Operating Location Manta closes

DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- American military officials here donated almost $1 million worth of equipment, food and supplies to local establishments as operations at Forward Operating Location Manta, Ecuador, came to an end Sept. 18.

The closing marks the end of a 10-year lease agreement between the United States and Ecuador.

Located at the Ecuadorian Air Force Base Eloy Alfaro, FOL Manta has been a well-defined part of a multinational partnership to stop illegal narcotic trafficking over the eastern Pacific Ocean. Missions flown by the 487th EOS included aerial detection, monitoring, tracking and control of narcotic activities. The partnership forged between the United States and Ecuador will continue even after the lease expires.

PANAMAX 09 Completed Successfully

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Holly Boynton, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- After over a week of nearly constant activity and simulated battle operations, the maritime combined multinational staff supporting PANAMAX 09 completed the exercise and said farewell to the U.S. staff at U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet Sept. 21.

PANAMAX is an annual exercise sponsored by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and designed to integrate a multinational task force in defense of the Panama Canal. The exercise scenario provides opportunities for countries to expand their training, giving them realistic practice in planning and executing combat operations, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.

PANAMAX 09 included a multinational combined/joint task force of military units and personnel from 20 participating nations and observers from 11 nations. Thirty ships, 12 aircraft, and 4,500 people will coordinate efforts on both the Pacific and Atlantic sides of the Panama Canal.

A large staff of U.S. and foreign military members operated at the NAVSO/4th Fleet headquarters, and provided overall support to the exercise. Rear Adm. Victor Guillory, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet, served as Commander, Combined Forces Maritime Component Command, and directed all maritime assets during PANAMAX 09.

"The defense of the Panama Canal is critically important to the world," said Guillory. "In participating in exercises like this, we have a greater understanding of its value."

The nearly 100 U.S. and partner nation military members departed Mayport with a better understanding of each other's operations and will share their knowledge with their host countries. The exercise successfully integrated the large multinational staff to effectively provide security and stability to the Panama Canal and the region overall.

As the Navy component command of SOUTHCOM, NAVSO's mission is to direct U.S. naval forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.

Milcom Blog Logs - 20 Sep 2009 - Russian Military

Our good friend Trond J. over in Norway has posted some interesting Russian military logs to the UDXF newsgroup. Thanks Trond for sharing your observations with the rest of us.

03327.0 P: Ch. mrkr for Russian navy Baltic fleet (poss loc St. Petersburg ??)1856 F1B/F1A fsk morse 200 Hz shift cont id "P" (14/SEP/2009)

04079.0 RMP: Russian navy Baltic Fleet Kaliningrad 1704 A1A ongoing wfcast for Baltic Sea and "Gendanskij zaliw" (15/SEP/2009)

04180.0 ?PUQ/(ChPUQ): Russian tactical net 1654 opchat exchanging prosigns "zfp" etc later encrypted morse and 5lg's (15/SEP/2009)

06809.0 V: Russian ch mrkr, "officially" believed to be located in Khiva UZB, but ???? 2030 A1A cont id "V" (10/SEP/2009)

06827.0 ---: Russian naval 1732 F1B T600 aka Bee 36-50/200 regular short msgs, idle inbetween (14/SEP/2009)

06899.0 Basis: Russian navy coordination net (ncs)0934 clg/wkg "Alpha" exchanging data for encrypted voice link setting (?)(12/SEP/2009)

06899.0 ---: poss "Wolfram" (presumed shore station) 1740 YL clg/wkg "Barkat" (12/SEP/2009)

06916.0 ---: Russian naval 0833 F1B T600 aka bee 36-50/200 end of bcast (20/SEP/2009)

06924.0 ---: Russian voice comms, 0835 USB very weak, at times terrible audio (or severe background noises/ (full carrier double sideband ??). At least 3 players, one id as "agat" or sounds like. Second id could be "sulis" or sounds like. Some counting, "two" and "four" in Russian heard. Off at 0840 (20/SEP/2009)

06968.0 FONO: Russian tactical net 0854 A1A morse clg/wkg SQQO. Opchat exchanging data regarding a fsk 75 bd link they are using (or setting up) "...zxj zkn qyt9 k" Later SQQO called by JJAS (sqqo de jjas qcm qyt6) and L9OD who is using fast morse app 36wpm. At 0921 "sqqo de fono zyc zkj zlg qyt9 k" then players fading off (20/SEP/2009)

08345.0 RKW95: Russian naval unit / warship 1411 A1A passing telegram to RJH71 "94t 29 2t 18tt 94t = sml for rjh71 =" (20/SEP/2009)

11155.0 RIT: Russian Navy Northern Fleet 1146-1237 A1A morse RIT having readability checks w/RJI63, RLA88, RKW95, RJQ84, RFF78 (20/SEP/2009)

11156.0 RIW: Russian navy HQ Moscow 1249 A1A cont string of "vvv vvv vvv" then 1255 "rfh77 de riw" zzt zzt 13449/13449 k" (20/SEP/2009)

12464.0 RMGB: Russian warship 1212 A1A passing telegram to unid recipient; ".....=2t121 99282.....ar = rmgb k" high QRM (20/SEP/2009)

12590.0 ---: Russian naval 1115 F1B T600 aka Bee 36-50/200 regular bcasts app every 5th min, at 1127 sudden break in middle of bcast, after 3min station again on air with N0N and resuming data bcasts at 1130 (11/SEP/2009)

13449.0 RIW: Russian navy HQ Moscow 1259 tuning up with pure carrier, at 1303 rfh77 de riw zzd ? k" long string of "vvv vvv vvv" later passing ecryption key using slow morse. RFH77 also heard but very weak rpt data and confirming to RIW (20/SEP/2009)

20268.0 ---: Russian high command 0928 F1B T600 aka Bee 36-50/250 strategic data bcast, at 1002 F1B / F1A fsk morse strat. 5fg msg to recipient RDL; "rdl 253t7 864t4 k" // 00018.1 (11/SEP/2009)

Milcom Blog Logs - September 2009 - Australia

Our friend and a MMP reporter from down under, Eddy Waters in South Australia, checks in with the following HF logs. Thanks Eddy for sharing with my MMP readers.

"Lots of Stanag 4285, but most of them encrypted or idling. French military stanag on 16957.70, and 16557.00. (FUJ) from noumea has disappeared in the last couple of days. Both of these frequencies used to send test messages RY SG etc." All using USB.

12957.6 Stanag 4285 600 long encrypted messages. NATO? 0635 UTC.
13917.2 Stanag 4285 600 long encrypted messages. NATO? 1358 UTC.
14403.6 Stanag 4285 idling only. NATO? 1350 UTC.
14631.0 Stanag 4285 idle only. NATO? 0743 UTC.
14723.7 Stanag 4285 idle only. NATO? 0713 UTC.
14757.0 ALE Singapore navy CN3 calling 70. 70 replies to CN3. 0730 UTC.
15000.0 ALE Singapore navy CN3 calling 206. 206 replies to CN3. 0730 UTC.
15858.0 MIL-STD 110A. Idling only no traffic. Australian Military. 0620 UTC.
16107.7 Stanag 4285. 600 long encrypted messages. NATO? 0635 UTC.
16112.0 Baudot 50/250 all encrypted text. RJE56? Russia. 0655 UTC.
16513.0 Stanag 4285. 600 long encrypted messages. NATO? 0735 UTC.
16615.0 Stanag 4285. 600 long encrypted messages. NATO? 0735 UTC.
16876.9 British Military Guam. 1953/300 4 ch signal. All text encrypted. 0622 UTC.
17060.7 Stanag 4285. 600 long encrypted messages. Australia military. 0723 UTC.
17088.0 BEE 50180 sending messages with KKKK between each message. 0659 UTC.
17201.7 Stanag 4285. idle only. NATO? 0635 UTC.
17237.7 Stanag 4285. idle only. NATO? 0713 UTC.
17400.0 Stanag 4285. 600 long encrypted messages. Australia military. 0723 UTC.
18528.0 Coquelet 8. MFA Algeirs. diplomatic messages in french. 0810 UTC.
18581.5 MIL-STD 110A. Idling only no traffic. Australian Military. 0858 UTC.

California Capital 2009 Airshow Report

MMP reporter Claude "b52hbuff" Cartee checks in with a report from the California Capital Airshow at Mather AFB in Sacramento last weekend. The marquee act was the USAF Thunderbirds. Thanks for sharing your observations with our MMP readers Claude.

If you have attended an airshow this year and used your scanner to enjoy the action, I could use your field monitor report. It will go into our folder to help me prepare for the 11th edition of our annual airshow monitors guide that will appear in the March 2010 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. Of course, we can post your report here on MMP or you can remain completely anonymous, the choice is yours.

Even though the season is starting to wind down there are still some good shows out there to attend and monitor. Before you go be sure to download our 2009 Airshow guide from the Monitoring Times website. It is free and will help you get that scanner ready to tune into the action.

Now Claude's report from Sacramento.

Airshow
119.150 Airboss
123.150 Discrete

Demos
127.300 Patriots Jet Team http://www.patriotsjetteam.com/
376.025 F-22 (Hope and Change Demo)

Thunderbirds
141.075 Diamond
235.250 Solos

216.725 PA Audio
216.975 PA Audio

413.275 Thunderbird Maintenence / "MOC" (Maint Operations Center) / Public Affairs (DCS 431)

Kearsarge Departs Dry Dock

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Phil Beaufort, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) moved from Number 8 Dry Dock to her new berth pier-side at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Va., Sept. 11.

Kearsarge has been in dry dock since January 2009, conducting a 10-month Depot Planned Maintenance Availability (DPMA) will remain at NNSY for a two more months of work prior to returning to Naval Station Norfolk.

"Getting the ship out of dry dock and floating again is a major milestone," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael E. Reed, Kearsarge navigator. "The crew is ready to leave the shipyard and do what they do best: go to sea."

While most of the major repairs and upgrades are completed or installed, the crew still has a lot of work to do before they can get underway and start training for their next deployment.

"Even before we moved out of dry dock we had to flood the dock half way, without floating the ship, and spent two days testing a number of engineering systems," said Kearsarge Senior Sailor of the Year, Machinist's Mate 1st Class Michael Newcom. "If any of the new systems we've installed required rework, or we had leaks, we would have drained the dock without having to spend a day setting the ship back on blocks. Thankfully, we didn't have to do that."

Even though many of the crew had never seen this evolution before, Craig Bailey, NNSY Dock Master, said the crew of Kearsarge took the move in stride.

"I've worked at this shipyard for 33 years, so this isn't my first evolution," said Bailey. "We're very lucky that some of the crew has been through this before, but even the Sailors who've never seen this were willing to work with us and learn from our experience."

Reed pointed out that while it may seem very simple to let water into the dry dock and bring the ship up, there are many preparatory steps that go into the evolution to ensure the safety of the crew and preservation of the ship.

"Most people don't realize how much work goes into bring a ship out of dry dock," said Reed. "If the ship wasn't balanced correctly while we were flooding the dock, the ship could have listed in either direction and crushed the hull on the blocks. But everyone pulled together and safely and successfully floated the ship."

Over the next several months the crew will continue to test systems and prepare the ship for operational service at sea.

Ronald Reagan CSG Operating in 5th Fleet

An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan has been deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility for approximately 10 weeks. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Oliver Cole/Released)

GULF OF OMAN (NNS) -- The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) relieved the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group as Commander, Task Force 50 and launched its first sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan Sept. 18.

Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 departed the decks of the strike group's flagship, the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) en route to Afghanistan in support of U.S. and coalition ground forces. Nimitz, like Reagan, will provide 30 percent of all coalition close air support in Afghanistan.

"The Nimitz – Carrier Air Wing 11 team is ready to deliver," said Capt. Paul O. Monger, Nimitz's commanding officer. "The Ronald Reagan Strike Group excelled across the spectrum of operations in the region. Now it's our turn. Our crew and air wing are poised to carry the fight to the enemy."

According to Rear Adm. John W. Miller, strike group commander, the group's more than 6,000 Sailors are eager to carry out their mission.

"The Nimitz Strike Group is looking forward to joining 5th Fleet operations, working closely with coalition forces to help bring security and stability to the people of Afghanistan," Miller said. "We also expect to enhance, through operations and training, cooperative relationships with our regional partners who are key to the maritime strategy."

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group had operated in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations since early July.

"From infrastructure protection in the North Arabian Gulf, air combat operations over Afghanistan, to counter-piracy operations off Somalia and the Horn of Africa, our Sailors performed with distinction," said Rear Adm. Scott Hebner, commander, Ronald Reagan Strike Group. "I'm proud of every command and Sailor in the strike group. Their performance across the board has been impressive!"

Ronald Reagan's embarked air wing, CVW 14, flew more than 1,600 sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Ships of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group were also vital in counter piracy operations off of Somalia and the Horn of Africa and Maritime Security Operations to include protecting vital Iraqi infrastructure in the North Arabian Gulf.

Nimitz CSG, commanded by Rear Adm. John W. Miller, is comprised of USS Nimitz (CVN 68), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW 11), embarked Destroyer Squadron 23, and Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65).

Ships assigned to DESRON 23 include destroyers USS Pinckney (DDG 91), USS Sampson (DDG 102) and frigate USS Rentz (FFG 46).

Squadrons from CVW 11 include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, VFA 14, VFA 97, VFA 86, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 and Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron 117.

Helicopter detachments include Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37, HSL 43, HSL 45, HSL 49 and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz CSG are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and the USNS Bridge (T-AOE-10).

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.

Ragin Bulls Operating off of Truman during JTF

An F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to the Raging Bulls of Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 37 lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman is underway participating in Joint Task Force Exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daron Street/Released)

Bonhomme Richard ARG Ready to Deploy

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is scheduled to depart Naval Base San Diego Friday, Sept. 18 for a deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East.

Nearly 4,500 Sailors and Marines will deploy aboard the ready group's three ships, amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), the ARG flagship; the amphibious transport dock ship USS Cleveland (LPD 7); and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47).

Commanded by Capt. Rodney Clark, the Bonhomme Richard ARG includes 2,100 embarked troops from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) based in Camp Pendleton.

Maintaining peace and stability, preserving freedom of the seas, and fostering cooperative relationships with international partners are key focal points of the deployment as the ARG/MEU executes the Navy and Marine Corps' maritime strategy.

The Bonhomme Richard ARG/11th MEU team employs a full range of operational capabilities. With the ability to reach 70 percent of the world's coastline, the ARG/MEU can rapidly respond to crises if called upon to project combat power ashore or provide humanitarian assistance.

In addition to its ships, the ARG consists of the command element, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 7; Tactical Air Control Squadron 12, Detachment 1; the "Wild Cards" of Helicopter Sea Combat 23, Det. 3; Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1, Det. B; ACU 5, Det. F; Beachmaster Unit 1, Det. B; and Fleet Surgical Team 9.

Bonhomme Richard ARG will help provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50 million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

USS Hopper and USS O'Kane Deploy

The guided missile-destroyer USS O'Kane (DDG 77) departs Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a scheduled deployment.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paul D. Honnick, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyers USS Hopper (DDG 70) and USS O'Kane (DDG 77) departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor for independent deployments to 5th Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility in the Middle East and Western Pacific Sept. 14.

USS Hopper deployed in support of ballistic missile defense (BMD) to the 5th Fleet, while USS O'Kane deployed under the Middle-Pacific Surface Combatant (MPSC) concept to support operations in the 7th Fleet operating area.

Hopper's crew will conduct integrated operations with various carrier strike groups and coalition partners deployed to the Middle East region.

"The crew has done phenomenal," said Cmdr. Timothy J. Kott, Hopper's commanding officer. "In less than sixteen weeks, they've done absolutely every single evolution there is to do in the Navy, and that's probably why we're deploying, because we've trained to do this and it's a return on our investment of training. I'd also like to just say thanks to our families, they've done a fantastic job."

Kott also expects to support the wider mission areas of Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) and Theater Security Cooperation (TSC).

Under the MPSC deployment concept, Pearl Harbor-based ships deploy to support operations in the 5th and 7th Fleet operating areas.

Cmdr. Timothy Steadman, O'Kane's commanding officer, will oversee integrated training while operating in the Western Pacific. Operating with the USS George Washington Strike Group will afford the crew of O'Kane the opportunity to improve their operating proficiency and seamlessly integrate into 7th Fleet's Naval Presence and TSC missions.

O'Kane will be conducting a Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) exercise while in 7th Fleet's operating area. This exercise improves the gunnery team's proficiency in shore bombardment to support troops on the ground.

They will also participate in an annual exercise with Japan. This exercise tests and supports the Navy's anti-submarine warfare/anti-surface warfare/ballistic missile defense working relationship with the Japanese.

Hopper and O'Kane are under the command of Destroyer Squadron 31 and are two of 18 U.S. ships — three cruisers and 15 destroyers — fitted with the full Aegis BMD capability, allowing them to detect, track and engage enemy ballistic missiles.

The destroyers are embarking on separate missions but both will support maritime ballistic missile defense, a core capability of the Navy that will enhance deterrence by providing an umbrella of protection to forward-deployed forces and allies, while contributing to the larger architecture planned for defense of the United States.

Obama Announces Changes for European Missile Defense

By Fred W. Baker III, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama today announced he is restructuring plans for a missile defense system in Europe that provides greater flexibility and promises faster deployment of current technologies.

"This new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems, and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack than the 2007 European missile defense program," Obama said.

The 2007 plan, put in place by the Bush Administration, called for fixed radars to be positioned in the Czech Republic, and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland.

U.S defense officials said the system would protect its allies in Europe and the United States against ballistic missile attacks launched from the Middle East, specifically Iran.

The new plan is based on recent intelligence reports that reassess Iran's weapons capabilities to show short-and medium-range ballistic missiles to be developing more rapidly than projected, and intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities developing much slower than estimated.

Under the new plan, the United States will begin building the missile defense system in a phased approach. First, by 2011, it will field its current radars and interceptors, such as the Navy's Aegis-equipped ships, with the Standard Missile 3 interceptor. The system has proven its capabilities in the past few years, specifically when it stopped a crippled reconnaissance satellite over the Pacific Ocean before it re-entered Earth's atmosphere in February 2008.

This puts in place a defense system in northern and southern Europe that can protect against the more immediate threats from Iran nearly seven years earlier than the plan for installing the ground-based interceptors in Poland, officials said.

The plan is to then build on the system, eventually installing some ground-based radars and interceptors, enlarging the defense system's range, and continuing to augment the system with sea-based systems that can position themselves according to the threat.

"To put it simply, our new missile defense architecture in Europe will provide stronger, smarter and swifter defenses of American forces and America's allies," Obama said. "It is more comprehensive than the previous program; it deploys capabilities that are proven and cost-effective; and it sustains and builds upon our commitment to protect the U.S. homeland against long-range ballistic missile threats; and it ensures and enhances the protection of all our NATO allies."

The new plan alleviates some concerns of Russian leaders, who strongly opposed the positioning of the ground-based interceptors and radar system so near its borders.

U.S. officials traveled several times to Moscow to discuss the system's intention with the Kremlin. The United States offered to allow Russia to have representatives at each site, if the host nation agreed, to provide technical monitoring of activities. The United States promised it would not make the sites operational until the Iranians had tested a missile that could reach most of Western Europe, including parts of Russia.

Still, defense officials said it is likely Russia will not fully embrace any U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Europe.

But, Obama said, as long as Iran continues its nuclear weapons program, the United States will continue to develop its missile defense capabilities in the region.

"Our clear and consistent focus has been the threat posed by Iran's ballistic missile program, and that continues to be our focus and the basis of the program that we're announcing today," the president said. "In confronting that threat, we welcome Russia's cooperation to bring its missile defense capabilities into a broader defense of our common strategic interests, even as ... we continue our shared efforts to end Iran's illicit nuclear program."

Air Force officials announce criteria for basing of joint strike fighter

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- After extensive internal review, Air Force officials released Sept. 17 their basing criteria that will be used to determine the future basing of joint strike fighters.

The basing criteria were approved by the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The basing criteria are airspace, flight training ranges, weather, support facilities, runways, taxi ramps, environmental concerns and cost factors.

"The Air Force is committed to an open and transparent process to address F-35 basing issues," said Ms. Kathleen Ferguson, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations, "Ensuring affected communities are involved, know what to expect and understand timelines for development are critical to the end process of basing all future joint strike fighter aircraft."

Air Force officials will evaluate more than 200 Air Force sites against the approved criteria. Once that is complete, officials will consider other factors such as combatant commander requirements, aircraft retirements and delivery schedules; aircraft maintenance and logistics support; and integration with the Air National Guard and Reserve. This information will be used to identify two candidate basing lists, one list for operations and the other for training, to place the 250 to 300 joint strike fighter aircraft scheduled for delivery through 2017.

After the release of the candidate bases, the formal environmental impact analysis process will begin, allowing communities around each candidate base to participate and provide input. Based on the results of these efforts, the officials expect to announce the JSF preferred locations in late Spring 2010.

Once the formal Environmental Impact Statements are complete, Air Force officials will issue the Records of Decision and announce the final basing decisions. This is anticipated in early 2011.

"This enterprise-wide look enhances our ability to create, protect, and sustain all air and space forces across the full range of military operations," concluded Ms. Ferguson. "It is a deliberate, repeatable and transparent process."

Littoral Combat Ship Down Select Announced

The Navy announced today it will down select between the two Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) designs in fiscal 2010. The current LCS seaframe construction solicitation will be cancelled and a new solicitation will be issued. At down select, a single prime contractor and shipyard will be awarded a fixed price incentive contract for up to 10 ships with two ships in fiscal 2010 and options through fiscal 2014. This decision was reached after careful review of the fiscal 2010 industry bids, consideration of total program costs, and ongoing discussions with Congress.

“This change to increase competition is required so we can build the LCS at an affordable price,” said Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy. “LCS is vital to our Navy’s future. It must succeed.”

“Both ships meet our operational requirements and we need LCS now to meet the warfighters’ needs,” said Adm. Gary Roughead, chief of naval operations. “Down selecting now will improve affordability and will allow us to build LCS at a realistic cost and not compromise critical warfighting capabilities.”

The Navy cancelled the solicitation to procure up to three LCS Flight 0+ ships in fiscal 2010 due to affordability. Based on proposals received this summer, it was not possible to execute the LCS program under the current acquisition strategy and given the expectation of constrained budgets. The new LCS acquisition strategy improves affordability by competitively awarding a larger number of ships across several years to one source. The Navy will accomplish this goal by issuing a new fixed price incentive solicitation for a down select to one of the two designs beginning in fiscal 2010.

Both industry teams will have the opportunity to submit proposals for the fiscal 2010 ships under the new solicitation. The selected industry team will deliver a quality technical data package, allowing the Navy to open competition for a second source for the selected design beginning in fiscal 2012. The winner of the down select will be awarded a contract for up to 10 ships from fiscal 2010 through fiscal 2014, and also provide combat systems for up to five additional ships provided by a second source. Delivery of LCS 2, along with construction of LCS 3 and LCS 4 will not be affected by the decision. This plan ensures the best value for the Navy, continues to fill critical warfighting gaps, reduces program ownership costs, and meets the spirit and intent of the Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act of 2009.

LCS is a fast, agile and modular warship designed to complement the Navy’s multi-mission platforms with warfighting capabilities from littoral irregular warfare to mine, anti-submarine and surface warfare. There are two different LCS hull forms: a semi-planing monohull and an aluminum trimaran. The seaframes are designed and built by two industry teams led by Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics. Of the planned 55-ship program, LCS 1 is commissioned, LCS 2 is undergoing sea trials, and construction has started for LCS 3 and LCS 4.

The Navy remains committed to the LCS program and the requirement for 55 of these ships to provide combatant commanders with the capability to defeat anti-access threats in the littorals, including fast surface craft, quiet submarines and various types of mines. The Navy’s acquisition strategy will be guided by cost and performance of the respective designs as well as options for sustaining competition throughout the life of the program.

SecDEF announces return of KC-X program

by Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced the return of the KC-X program to the Air Force during the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition at the National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 16.

The announcement sparked applause as KC-X, the Air Force's tanker acquisition program, was delayed after the Government Accountability Office upheld a protest to the source selection.

"I don't need to belabor the importance of getting this done soon and done right, and my office will continue to have a robust oversight role," Secretary Gates said to conference attendees. "I have confidence that the KC-X selection authority is in good hands with the service's leadership team of Secretary (of the Air Force Michael) Donley and (Air Force Chief of Staff) General (Norton) Schwartz ... I depend greatly on their advice and strategic vision to fulfill my duties."

Secretary Donley noted that SecDEF's decision aligns with the Air Force's recapitalization agenda.

"The Air Force is pleased at today's announcement and the confidence Secretary Gates is placing in the Air Force," Secretary Donley said. "Tanker recapitalization remains the Air Force's number one acquisition priority."

Secretary Donley added that a draft request for proposal is close to release and will be presented with ample time for discussion to interested parties with offers.

"The Air Force is looking forward to leading the KC-X acquisition program and working closely with the Office of the Secretary of Defense to a successful conclusion, thus providing the warfighter this critical capability for years to come," Secretary Donley said.

Moody Preps for ORI

According to the Valdosta Daily Times (http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/local/local_story_258225126.html) an ORI will take place at Moody AFB Sept 21-25, 2009.

Truman CSG Begins JTFEX 09-4 Off East Coast

As first reported yesterday on this blog (http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2009/09/truman-to-conduct-jtfex-starting-this.html), the "Give'em Hell Harry" CSG is conducting a JTFEX off the Florida east coast. See link above on what a JTFEX is.

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Ships from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG), along with 13 foreign ships from nine nations, began Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 09-4 Sept. 14.

JTFEX is a scenario-driven tactical exercise that focuses on major combat operations for the HST CSG, which will provide necessary training for the strike group to proceed into a Fleet Synthetic Training - Joint (FST-J) exercise for final deployment certification.

JTFEX provides a "graduate-level" exercise to ensure U.S. and coalition forces are interoperable, capable and ready to execute the six core capabilities of the Maritime Strategy - forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster response.

"JTFEX 09-4 will present the strike group with challenging, dynamic exercise threats. This scenario, and the opportunity to work with our coalition partners will prepare our strike group for the varied missions we will be assigned when we deploy," said Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, commander, Carrier Strike Group 10.
Leadership on board HST is looking forward to the challenge.

"Like all exercises, JTFEX is a great learning opportunity. It's also a chance to show the rest of the Navy the hard work and dedication the Sailors and Marines aboard USS Harry S. Truman put forth every day," said Capt. Joe Clarkson, the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) commanding officer.

Participating countries include Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, The United Kingdom and The United States. Some of the participating units include the Canadian ship HMCS Fredericton (FFG 337), Brazilian ship BNS Liberale (F43), Italian submarine ITS Scire (S527), and Royal Netherland ships HNLMS Tromp (F803) and HNLMS Van Speijk (F828).

JTFEX 09-4 also marks the first ever inclusion of the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 1, which includes the Danish ocean patrol vessel HDMS Thetis (F357), the Belgian coastal minehunter BNS Lobelia (M 921), the Royal Netherland minehunter HNLMS Urk (M861), the Estonian minehunter ENS Sakala (M314), the British minesweeper HMS Quorn, and the Royal Norwegian minesweeper KNM Rauma (M352). In addition to the foreign ships and units, HST CSG has embarked several foreign naval liaison officers to incorporate into its training.

"The Royal Navy participates in the exercise with two frigates and we're looking forward to the exercise," said Royal Netherlands Navy Commander Bud Boots. "I think the exercise is a perfect training opportunity for us to practice real coalition cooperaion."

"This exercise is a great opportunity for the Brazilian Navy to learn and interact with other Navies," said Brazilian Navy Lt. Cezar Santos.

The HST CSG is made up of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), with its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 and embarked Destroyer Squadron 26 staff, the guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66); the guided-missile destroyers USS Carney (DDG 64), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81).

CVW-3 consists of Strike Fighter Squadrons VFA-32, VFA-37, VFA-105 and VMFA-312; Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron VAQ-130; Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-126; and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron HS-7.

Mesa Verde Sailors and Marines Team for Expedition Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Hodges Pone III

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Mesa Verde and approximately 375 U.S. Marines completed an Amphibious Squadron and Marine Expeditionary Unit exercise Sept. 4.

The exercise was used to test the capabilities of both entities during joint forces missions as well as prepare each for upcoming assignments.

Sailors and Marines were able to experience working as a single unit to provide support for the various scenarios they may encounter at sea. By doing so, each had to alter some of their routine to accommodate the other as well as learn how tasks were accomplished in their sister branch.

"We want to have a better understanding of what our Navy counterparts are doing," said Staff Sgt. Jesse Andrews of Combat Logistic Battalion. "This has to be a mutually supportive relationship for each service to complete its mission and thus far, this exercise has been exceptional. The Sailors aboard Mesa Verde have been very helpful."

Some of the adjustments included making preparations to bring in a MV-22 Osprey helicopter, which many members of Mesa Verde's flight deck team had never worked with.

Other Marine aircraft were brought onboard and flight deck personnel provided support to the members of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162. Mesa Verde's Aviation Fuels Officer, Lt. Robert Poggio, said that the invaluable experience gained while working with the squadron showed team members some of the different equipment they may see aboard the ship.

"Some of the aircraft used by the Marines are 'skids,' which mean they have no wheels," said Poggio. "To move them, you have to add handling wheels. It was good to have them onboard, because this has expanded the range of opportunities we have had. It's different, but exciting."

Sailors weren't the only service members changing the way things are done. Many of the Marines were receiving their first experience of being aboard a ship as well as doing their day-to-day jobs in a different environment.

"This is my first time on the ship and some of the areas are more confined than what some of us are used to," said Private First Class Antonio Gonzalez of 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, Bravo Company. "The crew was very supportive in getting the vehicles stowed aboard the ship. It has been an overall good experience and I look forward to another opportunity to be on board Mesa Verde."

Wright-Patterson AFB Trunk Radio System Upgrade

MMP readers in the Wright-Patterson AFB area, I have some interesting information for you. In May 2008, the 88th Communications Group at WPAFB issued a public PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)for a Land Mobile Radio (LMR) System Expansion and Five Channel Backup System. here are the details.

"WPAFB requires expanding its current 11 channel trunked LMR system to 16 channels to provide reliable communications for all base supported personnel. WPAFB also requires a five channel backup system, to be installed in a different location than the primary site, to support disaster recovering in the event the prime site is lost. WPAFB requires a “turnkey” effort to include the system upgrade design, furnishing of equipment, complete systems integration, testing, and training. These additional channels as well as the backup system also need to accommodate secure voice operation and support the Project 25 defined Common Air Interface and AES encryption algorithm.

"The current 11 channel system is located in Bldg 20620 and this is the location where the five channel expansion shall be installed. The five channel backup system shall be installed in the off-base Ground-to-Air-Transmitter/Receiver (GATR) site. The backup site shall be at a geographically separate location and will be accessed via radios and landlines.

"The system upgrade shall not affect the Radio Frequency (RF) coverage currently provided by Wright-Patterson’s LMR system. The system shall provide Radio Frequency (RF) coverage for base support radio users operating mobile and portable radio units throughout the installation. For mutual aid response purposes, coverage is required for at least a 10-mile radius outside each installation.

OK readers, I need your help to see if the freq info below has been implemented. Reports to our email address in the masthead are really wanted and appreciated.

Frequency Information

System Infrastructure Equipment located at Bldg. 620, Area B, WPAFB
This site will hold the System Central Controller and the current eleven (11) UHF Repeaters and the additional five (5) new UHF Repeaters, the Communications Dispatch Console Central Electronics including the LAN console position, and all system management terminals.

Channel Transmit (MHz) Receive (MHz)
1 408.7625 417.7625
2 408.9625 417.9625
3 409.1625 418.1625
4 409.3625 418.3625
5 409.5625 418.5625
6 409.9625 418.9625
7 410.1625 419.1625
8 410.3625 419.3625
9 410.5625 419.5625
10 410.7625 419.7625
11 408.5625 417.5625
12 406.1625 415.1625
13 406.3625 415.3625
14 406.5625 415.5625
15 406.7625 415.7625
16 406.9625 415.9625

Backup Site (GATR Site)
This site will hold the five channel backup system and all required interface/system equipment

Channel Transmit (MHz) Receive (MHz)
1 408.7625 417.7625
2 409.1625 418.1625
3 409.5625 418.5625
4 409.9625 418.9625
5 410.3625 419.3625

Water Tower Single Channel backup Site
This single channel site will remain as tertiary backup site in the advent both the primary and secondary site fail.

Channel Transmit (MHz) Receive (MHz)
9 410.5625 419.5625

So what is really going on at Wright-Pat on the TRS right now? Your help is needed.

General Takes to the Skies in Afghanistan

By Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke, Special to American Forces Press Service

ARLINGTON, Va. - The commander of the Air Force's newest air expeditionary wing in Afghanistan is taking a hands-on approach to his duties.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh, a Maryland Air National Guardsman from the 175th Airlift Wing in Baltimore, is flying at least two missions a week in the A-10 Thunderbolt II jet aircraft from Kandahar Airfield, which, he said, gives him the perspective he needs to do his job.

"As an airman ... it is important to have a perspective of the challenges," whether it is dealing with troops on the ground or answering questions from reporters about response times, Walsh told bloggers and online journalists today during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable.

"The ability to see that firsthand and understand what both the challenges and what the successes are, is huge," said Walsh, a career A-10 pilot. The general also qualified in the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft when he became the commander of the 175th Airlift Wing, a composite unit consisting of the 104th Fighter Squadron and the 135th Airlift Group.

In addition to flying A-10s, Walsh said, he also has flown with the wing's HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters, which conduct search-and-rescue and medical evacuation missions, and the C-130J's, which recently have been tasked with airdrops in the area.

When he returns from a flight, Walsh said, "it is a lot easier to explain and improve both the capabilities we bring to the fight and how we support the troops on the ground. In all honesty, our No. 1 job ... there is no doubt that we are in a supporting role ... over here."

The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing is one of the largest and most diverse wings in the Air Force, with about 1,350 airmen, Walsh said. And its mission is to provide "a persistent and powerful presence for Afghanistan." It was stood up July 2 at Kandahar Airfield, a NATO base. The wing is a tenant unit.

Along with three airframes, the wing also provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability with about 50 unmanned aerial systems.

"It is a major part of the operation that we run over here," Walsh said.
The airmen who operate the launch and recovery effort are responsible for takeoffs and landings of the unmanned systems as well as doing system checks and routine maintenance. However, the actual flights are flown by pilots stationed at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.

After describing the differences between piloting an A-10 and operating an unmanned Predator, Walsh said he concluded that "to me, it is a lot easier when you've got a stick and rudder in your hand as opposed to a keyboard."

The unmanned aerial system really showed its worth during the elections in Afghanistan, the general said.

"Our ground forces have been fairly spread out," he said. "We nearly doubled the amount of coverage we have with the [unmanned aerial system]. In a lot of cases what helps the ground commanders isn't just the ability to go kinetic, ... but just the idea of being able to support that ground commander with the oval watch [and] being able to see where the enemy is. That piece has been absolutely huge."

When asked if he had enough A-10s, Walsh said the number of aircraft in Afghanistan has increased with the addition of F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets.

"I'm not sure if it's a matter of more airplanes that we need," he said. "I think we have made significant improvements on being able to get to the locations [where we are needed].

"We always find ways to improve or be more successful with the amount of equipment that we have right now," he continued. "I will tell you straightforward there is no more room on the ramp to move more A-10s in here."

Walsh said Kandahar has the busiest single runway in the world, averaging 700 to 800 takeoffs and landings every day. And about 250 aircraft are sitting on the ramp, which is a "huge challenge," he added.

Walsh said he is more concerned about providing enough intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, which is what the ground commanders want.

"We try to make what we do an important piece, but we are obviously one piece of a very large puzzle over here," he said. "The proud piece is that airmen have found a way to just make it happen for the folks on the ground here, regardless of tail number or regardless if it's Guardsmen, reservists or active duty."

What is Happening at Fort Riley?

Do I have any readers within ground range of Fort Riley with a scanner? Based on information presented in the FBO DAILY ISSUE OF AUGUST 05, 2007 FBO #2078, the folks at Riley should have made major changes to their LMR trunk radio system. See the pdf doc at: http://www.fbodaily.com/archive/2007/08-August/05-Aug-2007/FBO-01361752.htm

They will at a minimum replace their EDACS ProVoice system in the 406-420 MHz band with an APCO P25 system or possibily replace it with a new 380-400 MHz TRS. I need some help here ladies and gents. If you are within earshot, please check the following freqs for activity:

406.1625/415.1625 406.7625.415.7625 407.5625/416.5625 407.7625/416.7625 409.5625/418.5625 410.3625/419.3625 410.7625/419.7625 MHz

Also check the 380-390 MHz segment (repeater outputs/390-400 MHz repeater inputs) of the UHF aero band for a possible TRS. You will know you have one if you hear the TRS control channel.

Here is a portion of the text from the FBO Daily release.

"We have a requirement for upgrade of the installation base radio system (BRS). Fort Riley is looking for sources with capability to upgrade its M/A-COM ProVoice ?, trunking radio system to an APCO 25 compliant Trunking radio system consisting of a p rimary site and 2 new sites. The Primary site currently consists of 7 transmitters and will be expanded to a total of 14 operating in the 406 -420 M bandwidth. The Grant Ridge site will be a new 3 transmitter site utilizing an existing tower and communicat ions hut. The Range 54 site will be a new 3 transmitter site utilizing an existing communications hut but requires the erection of a 100 transmitter tower.

"SECTION 2.0 - SYSTEM UPGRADES AND CONVERSIONS RF Sites Current RF Site (BUILDING 5002 Main Trunking tower) The seven-channel ProVoice? system located at Building 5002 will require t he following upgrades or replacements. Provide and install a complete 14-channel RF site at this location. This will support cutover of current users to the APCO 25 compliant system, while continuing to support the ProVoice? system currently installed. Granite Ridge and Range 54 RF Site Additions Granite Ridge and Range 54 will each receive a three-channel RF trunking site. Although both sites provide similar services, the configurations differ.

Granite Ridge RF Site: The Granite Ridge site is co-located with the tower beacon for the adjacent airfield. A single antenna will be mounted on the 60-foot tall beacon tower to support the TX and Rx needs of the site through a duplexer. This allows the site to provide the bes t coverage from a short tower. The Granite Ridge RF site will consist of the following items: One APCO 25 compliant RF site consisting of the following: Three Repeaters, with trunking controllers and switching power supplies Alarm and monitoring system. Trunking control system RF Diagnostics system One Layer 2/3 switch OTAR, OTAP and other data support One UPS sized as needed to support the equipment for 10 minutes One ten foot ice bridge between GFE shelter and tower One RF System consisting of the following: One three-channel combiner (TX RX Systems) One eight-channel multicoupler (TX RX Systems) One Bandpass Duplexer (TX RX Systems) One 8 dB gain antenna, with associated cabling and lightning protection (TX RX Systems and others) All site equipment, including the shelter, generator and grounding system will be provided GFE. Vendor will ve able to coordinate the installation of the UPS system in the shelter by the shelter vendor or by other contract. The UPS should be included in this quotation.

Range 54 RF Site: The Range 54 site is located on a green field (undeveloped) site in the northeast area of the Fort. The Range 54 RF site will should consist of the following items: One APCO 25 compliant RF site consisting of the following: Three Repeaters, with trunking controllers and switching power supplies. One Network Sentry alarm and monitoring system. Trunking control system RF Diagnostics system One layer 2/3 networking switch OTAR, OTAP and other data support One RF System consisting of the following: One three-channel combiner (TX RX Systems) One eight-channel multicoupler (TX RX Systems) Two 8 dB gain antenna (TX RX Systems) One 100-foot Tower guyed tower, designed to carry the load of the new antenna system. One UPS sized as needed to support installed equipment for 10 minutes One ten foot ice bridge between the GFE shelter and Vendor-provided tower All site equipment, including the shelter, generator and grounding system for the shelter will be provided GFE. Tower site prep, grounding and lightning protection will be included in the tower work. Contractor may consider an option to include an FAA ap proved Lighting system for a guyed tower.

System Routing, Control and Management: The Fort Riley system control center will continue to house the primary control subsystem of the new APCO 25 compliant system, as it does for the current ProVoice? system. The new control center will be housed in the newly installed shelter that also hous es the main site. Command and control of the radio system must be possible via a remote management system on a client PC that will reside on the Ft. Riley Network. Also the capability to provide call routing to and from each of the RF sites, and five dispatch consoles should be included.

"SECTION 3.0 - IMPLEMENTATION Frequency Licensing Current Fort Riley frequencies will be reused and additional in-band frequencies added, unless Fort Riley decides to utilize the dedicated DoD band from 380-399.9 MHz. The decision to utilize this band will not affect the current 7100 series radios, which operate from 380 MHz through 430 MHz. Use of the dedicated 380-399.9 MHz DoD band may offer Fort Riley more options for expansion and frequency selection in the future. If authorized, sites in both bands can be used. Licenses and Permits Fort Riley will be responsible for all permitting and licensing. Site Development Fort Riley will be responsible for providing all site infrastructure including, but not limited to, towers, new shelters, site grounding and generators to support the new equipment. Vendor will have the capability to furnish and install the equipmen, incl uding UPSs and ice bridges at all three transmit sites and a new 100 guyed tower at Range 54. All vendor-provide d equipment will be grounded to the GFE grounding systems. Coverage Description RF coverage provided by the new radio site will be similar to that provided by the existing system. The proposed two new sites will provide additional coverage not currently supported, expanding the coverage footprint. Coverage maps will be provided upon request. Interoperability Interoperability must be provided by an interoperability gateway device using the current 4-wire connection devices. Functionality must be comparable to that currently offered, but may differ in operation."

Southeast US NOTAM Posted to Low Country

Our friends over at the Low Country Listening Post have posted three NOTAMS for bases here in the Southeast US. You can few that information at http://lowcountry-listening-post.blogspot.com/2009/09/area-notams.html

Keep up the good work shipmate.

Truman to Conduct JTFEX starting this week

The USS Harry S. Truman CSG will be conducting JTFEX operations off the Florida coast in the FACSFAC Jax opareas starting mid-week.

JTFEX is the culmination of pre-deployment training that began for the carrier as independent operations and carrier qualifications, progressed through the integration of the carrier's air wing (Carrier Air Wing 3), and finally operations as the centerpiece of a carrier battle group. Successful completion of JTFEX will result in certification that the carrier battle group is ready to commence their deployment.

I am sure that our Florida MMP team of monitors will have a few tidbits to throw our way later this week.

U.S. plan to withdraw F-15's,F-16's from Japan?

From Japan Times: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20090913a1.html

The U.S. government sounded out Japan in early April about pulling out all of the approximately 40 F-16 fighters from Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture, possibly beginning later this year, sources close to Japan-U.S. relations said Friday.

As part of the ongoing review of the U.S. defense strategy by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama,the United States at the time also told Japan of an idea to remove some of the more than 50 F-15 fighters at its Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture, they said.

Both of the proposals are pending, however, as Japan has shown reluctance due to concern about the situation in North Korea and the possible impact on the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan.

Japan and the United States have agreed on realignment plans on the basis of the current composition of U.S. forces in Japan.

But consultations on the overtures may commence after the incoming administration of Democratic Party of Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama is launched this week.

The proposed cut in F-15s at Kadena could lead to a review of the stalled relocation plan for the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa.

An idea for integrating the airfield functions of the Futenma base with Kadena has been surfacing intermittently within the Japanese government.

If the number of F-15 fighters is reduced as sounded out, the integration plan could emerge again because the reduction would give Kadena the capacity to accept the airfield functions of Futenma.

In May 2006, Japan and the United States agreed to relocate the airfield functions of Futenma Air Station to a less densely populated area in another Okinawa city, Nago, as part of the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan. But the plan triggered a backlash among local residents.

The proposed withdrawal of the F-16s and the cut in F-15s at Kadena would be welcomed by local communities because they would help to reduce the burden of hosting U.S. bases by cutting aircraft noise and the chance of accidents.

At the same time, however, there is concern among Japanese officials that such the moves could send the wrong message to North Korea and China at a time when Pyongyang has conducted missile and nuclear tests and Beijing is rapidly modernizing its military.

The F-16s were deployed at the Misawa base during the Cold Warin the 1980s, and some defense experts believe the planes could be used for a so-called surgical attack against North Korea now that the Cold War is over.

But some in both the Japanese and U.S. governments apparently believe that the significance of the deployment at Misawa has diminished because it is less possible to conduct such an attack.

And even if the need for a surgical strike were to arise, it could be conducted by aircraft carrier-based fighters or from Guam, they said.

A Japanese government source said next-generation F-35 fighters could be flown from Guam and stationed at Misawa on a rotational basis if the F-16s are pulled out. But full production of F-35s has not made headway, and deployment of the planes is unlikely to start for at least five years, so there could be a period where there are no U.S. fighter planes regularly stationed at Misawa Air Base.

At a news conference on April 6, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates proposed ending the production of F-22 fighters. He also proposed decommissioning 250 older fighters, including F-16s.

The Foreign Ministry relayed the overtures to the Defense Ministry, but the government has decided to keep them secret, given their impact on the Japan-U.S. security alliance, they said.

CAP VHF Narrowband Transition - New Frequencies and Repeaters

And this from the Tennessee Wing website:

CAP VHF Narrowband Transition - New Frequencies and Repeaters

The long talked about transition of CAP VHF frequencies from Wideband to Narrowband is currently happening throughout the country. This is the largest Communications project that CAP has ever undertaken. Our Wideband VHF frequencies have been changed to NEW Narrowband Frequencies, including P25 Digital with encryption capabilities.

The Old Wideband VHF repeaters in the Wing have now been replaced with Dual Mode (Analog & Digital) Narrowband repeaters and (2) new locations will be brought on-line soon. Also, along with changing out the repeaters, ALL VHF Mobiles, Bases and Handhelds, including Vehicle & Aircraft radios, are now being reprogrammed throughout the Wing to accomodate the new frequencies. This reprogramming will require the utmost cooperation of all Groups and Squadrons.

The Tennessee Wing has also received New Tactical Repeaters and New HF radios with ALE capability. These new assets, along with our enhanced VHF radio system, will give us greater communications flexibilty and capabilities.

USS Sentry Moves to San Diego

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Mike Leporati, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Sentry (MCM 3) arrived at its new homeport, Naval Base San Diego Sept. 9, as part of a homeport change from Naval Station (NS) Ingleside, Texas.

Sentry is the last of eight mine countermeasure ships (MCM) to arrive from NS Ingleside. The movement of the MCM's are in accordance with the Defense Base Relocation and Closure Commission's directed closure of the base by April 2010. The departure continues the consolidation of mine warfare surface assets in one location to align resources, consolidate expertise and increase cost-savings in maintenance, training and operations.

"It's really great to be in San Diego," said Lt. Cmdr. Hans E. Lynch, Sentry commanding officer, Crew Swerve.

Sentry's 76-man crew left NS Ingleside on May 20 and spent four months traveling through the southern United States and Central America.

"It was a long trip for the crew," said Lynch. "We traveled through the Panama Canal and we trained with the Canadian navy off the coast of Mazatlan. So this is great to get back together with their families."

Brandie Sievers waited with her two children for her husband Engineman 1st Class Casey Sievers in a mass of woman and children.

As Sentry approached the pier Sievers turned to her children and said, "Look there's you're daddy's ship."

"We are very close-knit because we're part of a smaller command. We're like a family and we communicate better than if we were on a bigger ship," Sievers explained.

Sentry belongs to Commander, Mine Countermeasures Squadron (COMCMRON) 2, with seven other mine sweepers which include USS Warrior (MCM 10) and USS Chief (MCM 14) who arrived in April and May.

"Moving to San Diego is going to be a benefit because the weather is more conducive to our training and we'll have much greater access to repair facilities and technical assists," said Lynch.

MCM ships possess the ability to effectively control, shape and dominate the littoral operational area which includes locating and neutralizing mines. The merger between naval mine warfare and anit-submarine warfare is the latest step towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of these warfare capabilities, resources and technology functions.

Sentry helps provide deterrence, promote peace and security, and preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response within 3rd Fleet's 50 million square mile area of responsibility in the Eastern Pacific as well as supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy when forward deployed.

New CAP Airband Air-to-Air freq in the Southland Uncovered

Thanks to our SoCal MMP reporter Brian, we now have a new CAP airband A-A -- 129.450 MHz. I see nothing in the FCC database to support these operations and have received no other reports from anywhere in the US to indicate a nationwide trend. I hope other members of the MMP team plug in 129.450 MHz and see what activity they have in their areas. You can send your reports to the email address in the masthead.

I should note that the CAWG CAP is paying $1000 annually to Aviation Spectrum Inc (ARINC) for "Aviation Band Frequencies - Annual." So there might be more since they used the plural. More than likely the reason they are not in the FCC database is that because of all their newfound secrecy, they convinced the ARINC folks to not file or put it into some sort of FOUO category that does not get dislayed in the public file. I have long suspected that the FCC has a classification capability in their database that hides what should be public information from the public.

Brian also monitored repeater comms on 148.1250/143.7500 186. Hz PL tone (no designator noted)

CAP is in the midst of changing over there radio system to their new narrowband equipment. If you have a report of CAP transmissions from your area, please send them along as we put the entire system together from monitor reports.

Good luck/good hunting to all my MMP readers and thanks Brian.

Has the Russian military increased their state of readiness?

On Fri, 11/9/09, "Thomas M. Rösner" wrote on the UDXF:

06899 BASIS: unid Russian/CIS Military NCS 1920 J3E/USB OM/RR sx wkg ALPHA (?), BARCHA & NAPISOK (sounds like) & WOLFRAM etc. 7Sep09; 1228z stns: BASIS, BARCHA, WOLFRAM & MINUTKA, LAPIN, NAPITA (sounds like). 8Sep09 (ALF)

And from Russian Navy monitoring expert Trond J in SE Norway:

Most interesting. They are active right now ( 1055 utc ), also weak Russian voice on 6996. "Basis" at times quite strong here. Mostly heard calling "Alpha" and otherwise making exchange of coordination data (?) with unheard station.

Wolfram was also heard ( on 6996 ) when the Russian Northern Fleet was on tour in the Caribbean in December 2008 / January 2009 and on their way to coop excersises with the Indian Navy. Wolfram is believed to be a European based shore station.

Other frequencies to look out for could be 6928, 6996, 7216, 7771, 8240, 9207.

BTW; Russian ELF station Zevs has been using constant carrier mode (generally believed to indicate increased state of readiness of the Russian Navy) in between messages since 1700 UTC yesterday (11 SEP 2009)

J-STARS aircraft in high demand

The Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System, or J-STARS, is full of ironies.

The cost of the program is a whopping $366 million an aircraft, yet each J-STARS aircraft is a remodeled passenger 707 plane once used for commercial flights. This combat-tested plane has a kitchenette.

It’s a plane that was originally designed to fight the Soviets, yet the aircraft is flying every day over Afghanistan and Iraq, wars that scantly resemble the kind of battles it was built to fight.

“Our phone is ringing off the hook for more J-STARS and more crews,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Tom Grabowski, the 116th Air Control Wing director of plans and programs.

As combat ratchets up in Afghanistan, the J-STARS aircraft may be the Air Force’s most valuable weapon, charged with illustrating every square foot of Afghanistan’s most violent areas.

You can read the rest of this story on the Macon Sun News website by
clicking here.

Air Force Strengthens Nuclear Deterrence Operations

By Judith Snyderman, Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - New initiatives underway within the Air Force to consolidate commands, modernize systems and strengthen personnel emphasize nuclear security.

"Nuclear deterrence underpins all of our freedom of movement everywhere," Maj. Gen. Donald Alston, the service's assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration told bloggers and online journalists yesterday during a DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable.

More than a decade ago, the strategic focus of the Defense Department turned to conventional forces and, more recently, to expeditionary operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Alston said.

"I think we took active measures to reduce emphasis on nuclear because there was an opportunity that seemed to be present there in the early 90's, that you could take it off the front burner because the Cold War was over," he said.

However, the geopolitical situation has become complicated in ways that were unforeseen in the 1990s, Alston said.

"All the other countries in the world that have nuclear programs have active nuclear weapons development capacity and programs with one notable exception, and that would be the United States," he said.

The growth of the number of states that have or are developing nuclear weapons has prompted changes, Alston said, including the creation of the Global Strike Command, which stood up on Barksdale Air Force Base, La., last month.

"This was principally (done) to put in one command, with one commander, responsibility for nuclear operational forces; for one commander to set conditions, expectations and impact a culture," he said.

The Air Force also has revamped its education programs by reviewing and updating training courses. Alston also is working on a personnel plan to increase expertise that will help sustain the nuclear security mission. Another initiative fortifies the inspection process, he said.

"We've improved the quality of our inspectors by having common training for all nuclear surety inspectors," the general said. "We have a certification program for all the inspectors, and we have a core team of 20 guys that accompany every inspection team." The teams aim to bring consistency of interpretations and an even application of standards, he said.

Alston emphasized that the Air Force already has high standards that new programs serve to enforce the mission of deterrence for the future.

"We are doing this to ensure that those who are (asking themselves) on some regular basis, 'Is today the time that we should challenge the United States?'- that the answer continues to be, 'Not today,'" he said.

Alston added that the level of focus on the Air Force nuclear program has probably never been greater than it is today.

New Brigades Represent New Iraq Mission, Commander Says

By Donna Miles, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - The new advisory and assistance brigades to flow into Iraq in the coming months will bring important new capability as they focus on building the Iraqi security forces, the commander of Multinational Corps Iraq said yesterday.

Army Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr. called the so-called AABs – reconfigured brigade combat teams that focus on advising, assisting and developing Iraqi security forces – "a concept we believe in" for moving forward in Iraq.

"We think it's the right way to go as we move from counterinsurgency and full-spectrum ops to our strategy of being done with combat operations for U.S. forces in August 2010," he told Pentagon reporters via videoconference from Camp Victory, Iraq.

The Pentagon announced the new brigades in July.

The first four brigade combat teams to be assigned the mission are the 3rd Infantry Division's 1st and 2nd Brigade Combat Teams based at Fort Stewart, Ga., and its 3rd BCT at Fort Benning, Ga.; and the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd BCT at Fort Carson, Colo.

They will deploy beginning this fall, and be dispersed throughout Iraq in areas where they can best support provincial reconstruction teams and the training of Iraqi forces, Jacoby said. "We've done a fair amount of work studying where we think the advisory assistance brigades can best serve that mission," he said.

The AABs represent a mindset as well as a mission, Jacoby said, as they operate within the stability operations realm to improve the Iraqi security forces' ability to conduct combat operations and take the lead in other security operations.

For now, traditional brigade combat teams deployed to Iraq are passing back lessons learned and observations being made to help prepare the AABs for their new mission. Jacoby lauded the "great exchange of information between the theater and back home in the training base."

AABs will be about the size of a standard brigade combat team, but will include more field-grade officers serving as advisors, and more engineering, military police, civil affairs, transportation and other capabilities to support the training and mentoring mission, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman explained when announcing the new teams in July.

Their pre-deployment training is expected to differ considerably from that of standard brigades, Whitman said. In addition to standard combat training, they will undergo scenario-based training and mission-readiness exercises designed to prepare them for the complex challenges they will encounter in Iraq.

USS Connecticut Deploys

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The USS Connecticut (SSN 22) left Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton for a scheduled Western-Pacific deployment Sept. 10.

USS Connecticut, commanded by Cmdr. Michael Varney, left on their first deployment since being homeported here in January 2008.

The crew conducted months of training, work-up operations, and numerous certifications in preparation for deployment. Many stated they were looking forward to finally going to sea, and putting their training to use.

"We're excited, the whole crew is excited," said Varney. "We have spent most of the last year getting ready to deploy, and we are looking forward to going to sea in support of our mission."

Families and friends gathered on the pier to give one last good bye to their loved ones before their departure. Many held back tears while trying to stay positive knowing that they will see their submariner again in the spring.

"Leaving family is always hard, but its part of the job we do," said Varney.

Connecticut is the second of its class and is assigned to Submarine Development Squadron Five, headquartered in Bangor.