Shuttle Launch Support Milsat Comms Monitored

Ron Rensen fires the first monitoring shot for the upcoming Space Shuttle launch of Atlantis on the STS-117 mission. He monitored launch support comms on 261.450 MHz, a UHF milsat downlink. He heard Herky 621 working Wolfhound. Phil Williams also heard some comms on this one. He writes on the Hearsat newsgroup: "Following Ronald's post last night I left the ICR20 on that freq recording overnight and heard 'Variable Variable calling Pantenne' with English accent. along with a lot of keying-up and a 2khz tone and very occasional DTMF."

Many thanks to Ron, Phil and the Hearsat newsgroup for reporting this launch support frequencies. If you hear any launch related comms please drop us some email.

26 MEU Completes Mission for CENTCOM

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed U.S. Central Command's (CENTCOM) area of operations (AOO) June 1, concluding a significant stage of the unit's current deployment.

The 26th MEU entered the CENTCOM AOO Jan. 1 to assume the role of theater reserve. With the role came the responsibilities of engaging partner nations in support of regional security efforts and maintaining the capability to quickly respond to any contingency that might arise across the Middle East.

Although the course of the 26th MEU's travels did not include stops in Iraq or Afghanistan, the importance of the work the Marines and Sailors have done throughout the region since February cannot be overstated, said Marine Col. Gregg A. Sturdevant, 26th MEU commander.

"Our continued engagement and regional stability are key to ensuring nations in the Middle East don't fall prey to transnational terrorism," said Sturdevant.

Within days of passing through the Suez Canal and into CENTCOM's AOO, the MEU offloaded several hundred Marines and their equipment in Djibouti to conduct Image Nautilus, an exercise that involved bilateral military training and a community relations project in the African nation.

Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 26 headed up the operations ashore, providing all the logistics requirements to ensure exercise success.

Marines from Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/2 worked alongside dozens of Djiboutian soldiers conducting weapons handling drills, vehicle-mounted assaults and live-fire ranges with small arms, heavy machine guns and rockets.

Approximately 80 Marines and Sailors from BLT 2/2 spent two days painting, making general repairs and cleaning at Ecole du Stade Primary School in the Balballa area of Djibouti City.

As elements of BLT 2/2 and CLB 26 wrapped up Image Nautilus, the rest of the MEU continued around the Horn of Africa in preparation for the next regional engagement in Kenya.

Exercise Edged Mallet, conducted March 2-12, saw Marines and Sailors participating in bilateral military training with elements of the Kenyan army, as well as community relations projects in the surrounding areas of Naval Station Manda Bay, Kenya.

The bilateral training portion of the exercise featured BLT 2/2 conducting live-fire ranges, exchanging demonstrations of tactics and conducting joint patrols with units from the Kenyan 15th Rifle Battalion.

Marines from CLB 26 joined with engineers from the Kenyan military to refurbish the Bargoni Primary School in Bargoni, Kenya.

In a separate community outreach effort, several medical specialists from the MEU and Bataan Strike Group held a two-day medical clinic for residents of the Bargoni area.

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 264 (Reinforced) provided tactical and lift support to both the Marines and Kenyans and between ship and shore.

Following the conclusion of operations in the Horn of Africa, the 26th MEU began moving north into the Persian Gulf and a scheduled exercise with a gulf region nation.

The 26th MEU and Qatari forces conducted bilateral military training in Qatar April 3-15.

The scheduled exercise Eastern Maverick enhanced interoperability and tactical proficiency between U.S. and Qatari forces, while strengthening and refining peaceful military-to-military relationships.

Approximately 900 Marines and Sailors from the 26th MEU participated in the exercise, which included classroom training, practical applications and live-fire ranges.

Shortly after sailing from Qatar, the MEU arrived in the Northern Persian Gulf ready to commence their largest offload and training evolution to date.

The 26th MEU completed the off-load of nearly all personnel and equipment from the ships of the Bataan Strike Group into Kuwait April 23 to begin two weeks of sustainment training at the Udairi Range complex.

The training provided the Marines and Sailors of the MEU an opportunity to exercise and refresh skills that would ensure the unit's continued readiness to conduct contingency operations throughout CENTCOM's area of responsibility (AOR).

The MEU wrapped up training in Kuwait and rejoined the Bataan Strike Group in early May.

USS Bataan (LHD 5) and USS Shreveport (LPD 12) set a course around the Arabian Peninsula and into a Middle East port to stage the MEU for its final engagement exercise in CENTCOM's AOR.

The annual exercise paired Marines and Sailors from the MEU with elements of the host nation military to conduct bilateral training and enhance the two country's interoperability.

The bilateral training culminated with a combined operation that witnessed motorized, mechanized and helicopter-borne forces from BLT 2/2 and the host nation's military conducting a coordinated assault on several objectives with air support from HMM 264 (Rein) and their aircraft.

The presence and work of the greater Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group supporting U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) throughout the regional maritime environment helped to sustain a secure environment for some of the world's busiest and most vital commercial sea lanes.

As the 26th MEU sets a course for the home waters of the United States, Sturdevant said he is proud of the many accomplishments of the unit's Marines and sailors, and they should be proud of their mission success in support of CENTCOM and NAVCENT.

The 26th MEU departed North Carolina Jan. 6 on a routine deployment as the landing force with the Bataan Strike Group. In addition to Bataan, the strike group is comprised of the USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), Shreveport, USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), USS Underwood (FFG 36) and USS Scranton (SSN 756).

BHRESG Completes Presence Ops

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dustin Mapson, Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs



USS BONHOMME RICHARD, At Sea (NNS) -- The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group’s (BHRESG) Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 Det. B completed four days of presence operations (presence ops) in the Persian Gulf on June 1.

During the presence ops, ACU 5 Det. B’s Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) followed designated navigational routes in Iraqi territorial waters and international waters.

“What we are doing is enhancing our presence in the maritime environment as well as conducting expeditionary strike force (ESF) training,” said Senior Chief Gas Turbine System Technician Electrical (SW) Ernesto Barba, ACU 5 lead chief petty officer. “These operations demonstrate our commitment to protecting Iraq’s sea-based infrastructure, which helps provide the Iraqi people the opportunity for self determination.”

Lt. Javier Garcia, ACU 5’s officer in charge, said the mission of presence ops is to act as an extension of the BHRESG.

“Presence ops is an extension of BHRESG’s maritime operations mission,” said Garcia. “This also gives the warfare commanders a different perspective of the battle space and allows us to see what the other forces operating in the area are doing from ground level.”

The operation went smoothly, said Gas Turbine System Technician Mechanical 1st Class (SW) Robert Aycock, an assistant craft master for one of the missions.

“We are required to stay within the recognized route pattern and to maintain a safe distance from other craft,” said Aycock. “During our run we saw a lot of merchant traffic and speed boats. However, we are well-trained and a very experienced crew and safety was our first priority.”

The missions ran two to three times daily over a four-day period, aimed to cover a target area while continually alternating navigational routes.

BHRESG Commander Capt. Bradley Martin said the mission helps maintain the U.S. Navy’s continuous presence in the region.

“The strike group is extremely versatile,” said Martin. “The presence operation was effective on many levels. First off, it shows that we are capable of maintaining a security presence in the region. Second, it also shows that if called upon, we can carry out any mission we are tasked with safely and efficiently. And third, it supports our ESF training which allows us to plan and conduct defensive multitask force operations as part of the U.S.’s long-standing commitment to maintaining maritime security and stability in the region.”

The BHRESG consists of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 7, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), USS Denver (LPD 9), USS Rushmore (LSD 47), USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), USS Chosin (CG 65) and 2,200 combat-ready Marines of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). BHRESG is conducting maritime operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

Maritime operations help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts in regional nations’ littoral waters. Coalition forces also conduct maritime operations under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region.

De Wert Arrives in Denmark to Begin BALTOPS 2007

By Ensign Ashley Wyckoff, USS De Wert Public Affairs

AARHUS, Denmark (NNS) -- USS De Wert (FFG 45) pulled into port June 1, marking the beginning of Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2007 for the Mayport, Fla.-based frigate.

In addition to dining on Danish cuisine at Restaurant Koch and museum-hopping at the ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum, the three-day port visit will serve as the starting line of the annual international multi-ship exercise.

BALTOPS 2007 is a multiphase exercise under the command of Carrier Strike Group 2’s Rear Adm. Michael C. Vitale, consisting of in-port events, at-sea serialized training events, and a coordinated scenario exercise designed to develop interoperability in execution of a peacekeeping mission. This combined maritime and land exercise will take place in the Baltic Sea, with the goal of promoting mutual understanding, confidence, cooperation, and interoperability among forces and personnel of participating nations.

This year’s participants include the United States, Denmark, Germany, Russia, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Latvia, France, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

After the exercise, De Wert is scheduled a four-day port visit in Kiel, Germany, where the officers and crew will have the opportunity to experience the annual “Kiel Week.”

De Wert will return to Mayport at the beginning of July, and will deploy later in the month to conduct counter-narcotic operations.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Prepares For AFRICOM Stand Up

From Gerry J. Gilmore, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Forces Europe, an organization responsible for naval operations in much of Africa, is preparing to work with the new U.S. Africa Command, which is slated to stand up sometime in October, the naval forces' commander said here May 31.

"We hope, as they stand up, to fold into their intentions and their planning," said Adm. Henry G. Ulrich III, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe. He said his command "will adjust, as necessary" as AFRICOM becomes operational.

A U.S. Navy ship will embark on a six-month deployment to the Gulf of Guinea region this fall, part of a multinational maritime security and safety training initiative that partners with several west- and central-African countries. Ulrich said his command did the planning for the Gulf of Guinea initiative. That mission, he said, falls within "the spirit of AFRICOM and the initial operating capacity of AFRICOM."

In the past, Ulrich's command has worked with U.S. European Command, which was responsible for all mainland African nations except Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya, which now fall under U.S. Central command.

AFRICOM will eventually have responsibility for the entire continent of Africa, except Egypt and the surrounding islands.

President Bush in February directed the Defense Department to create a unified combatant command for Africa. U.S. Africa Command is to be stood up by the end of fiscal 2008.

"This new command will strengthen our security cooperation with Africa and create new opportunities to bolster the capabilities of our partners in Africa," Bush said in a White House statement dated Feb. 6. "Africa Command will enhance our efforts to bring peace and stability to the people of Africa and promote our common goals of development, health, education, democracy, and economic growth in Africa."

The Gulf of Guinea mission dovetails with U.S. Africa Command's mandate, Ulrich said.

"If you look at the direction that the Africa Command has been given and the purpose of standing up the AFRICOM, you'll see that (the Gulf of Guinea initiative) is closely aligned," the admiral said.

The African continent currently is divided among three combatant commands: U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command. U.S. Central Command has responsibility for Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya. U.S. European Command currently has responsibility for the rest of the nations in the African mainland. U.S. Pacific Command has responsibility for Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Indian Ocean area off the African coast.

Bataan ESG Departs 5th Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Brian Anderson, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs



Several components of the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) departed the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations (AOO) on June 1.

The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), flagship of the Bataan ESG, conducted maritime operations while in the 5th Fleet AOO to help provide stability in the maritime environment.

“Presence and providing assistance to mariners in distress were examples of roles we were a part of,” said Bataan Commanding Officer Capt. Rick Snyder. “We were there as a force for maritime operations helping to bring stability and security to the region.”

More than 2,100 Sailors and Marines from Bataan and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) played roles in a number of different exercises and missions during their time in the 5th Fleet AOO.

“I think we made impacts in all areas of interaction,” Snyder said. “From working with the Kenyans during Edged Mallet to training with our many regional partners -- all were a success.”

Snyder said the time Bataan ESG spent in the Middle East was not only productive for the strike group, it was productive for Bataan Sailors as well.

“The number of qualifications Sailors achieved and the level of readiness of the ship improved,” Snyder said. “From seamanship to security, to damage control, the ship is in better shape across the board than when we left in January. We have better Sailors and are more capable as a warfighting team.”

Snyder felt the interaction with partners in the region helped the security situation.

“From a maritime operations perspective, I think we did really well,” he said. “As a strike group, we covered the whole gamut. We did our part with a presence and being able to interact with our partners.”

Bataan ESG will now begin its transit home.

“When we get home, we’ll give this crew a break, and then we will prep for a major yard period,” Snyder said. “After that, we will begin sea trials and get ready to go back where our nation needs us to go.”

Bataan left her homeport of Norfolk on Jan. 4, for a regularly scheduled deployment as the flagship of the Bataan ESG. Bataan ESG is comprised of the Bataan Strike Group, commanded by Capt. Peter Fanta, commander, Bataan Strike Group/Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 2, and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., commanded by Col. Gregg Sturdevant. Bataan Strike Group includes PHIBRON 2, Bataan, USS Shreveport (LPD 12), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Underwood (FFG 36) and USS Scranton (SSN 756).

AF forecasters gear up for hurricane season

by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares
96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs



National Hurricane Center officials predict the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and continues through Nov. 30, to have a 75 percent chance of being an "above average" season.

NHC forecasters predict the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season will have 13 to 17 named storms, of which seven to 10 could become hurricanes and three to five of these could become Category 3 or higher major hurricanes.

This contrasts with an "average" Atlantic hurricane season, which brings 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes. A major storm has sustained winds that exceed 111 mph.

That advisory is being taken seriously by Eglin Air Force Base's weather forecasters.

"They are the experts," said Lt. Col. Julie Noto, the 46th Weather Squadron commander. "We look at their predictions and tailor them to our local situation."

The 46th WS forecasters monitor local weather conditions year round to keep base leadership informed regarding atmospheric conditions that could impact Air Force operations. This watch becomes particularly important during the six-month hurricane season because of the severe weather conditions generated by a hurricane and the challenges associated with tracking the unpredictable paths of these storms.

"There are a lot of things that go into the formation of a tropical storm and the damage it may cause," said Capt. Chris Chase, the 46th WS operations weather flight commander. "We analyze the information and provide it to senior base leadership for them to make an educated decision."

A hurricane is a severe tropical storm that forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico or in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Hurricanes need warm tropical oceans, moisture and light winds above them. If the right conditions last long enough, a hurricane can form producing violent winds, large waves, and torrential rains.

While each season's hurricane forecast varies, people who live near a coast should prepare themselves for hurricane season regardless of the forecast's severity.

"While last year was slightly below average, don't focus on the numbers that are being (forecasted)," Colonel Noto said. "It only takes one."

"We don't want to scare people," Captain Chase said. "That doesn't mean there is going to be that one storm. Eighty hurricanes could form this season and never touch land."

Preparation is important due to a hurricane's destructive nature. A hurricane's strong winds, heavy rainfall, tornadoes and storm surge can wreak havoc in coastal areas and further inland. The combination of the elements is the recipe for extreme damage to buildings, trees and cars.

The sustained winds associated with a hurricane can blow out glass windows, uproot trees, take out power lines and remove roofs from houses. Wind speeds of more than 59 mph (50 knots) are likely to cause damage. A tropical storm typically has sustained winds between 39 and 73 mph, while a hurricane has sustained winds more than 73 mph. These winds are strongest near the storm's center or "eye."

If high winds and the possibility of a tornado wasn't enough, heavy rain and flooding are also serious threats, even in weaker storms. A weak, slow moving tropical storm can produce 10 to 15 inches of rain. In the past 30 years, 60 percent of hurricane deaths were due to flooding. Heavy rains can start many hours before a storm hits land.

Storm surge is another hazard associated with hurricanes that impacts people living near bodies of water. A storm surge occurs when strong winds push the ocean to form a wall of water. The storm surge may combine with astronomical tides to produce an even higher water level. A strong storm can easily raise the water level 15 feet above normal. In 1969, Hurricane Camille produced a 25-foot surge on the Mississippi coast.

The 46th WS will be looking to the tropics for the next storm to form. There are going to keep their eyes on Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dean, Erin, Felix, Gabrielle, Humberto, Ingrid, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Noel, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van and Wendy throughout the 2007 hurricane season.

Cope North exercise to kick off at Andersen

Military members and units from the Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Force are preparing to kick off the annual Cope North exercise June 11 to 22 at Andersen Air Force Base.

Cope North is a regularly scheduled joint/bilateral exercise held by the United States and Japan.

The purpose of the exercise is to provide a venue for bilateral cooperation and to improve capabilities for the defense of Japan.

This exercise will be the first for the Japanese Air Self Defense Force's F-2 to participate in an exercise outside of Japan. The first Cope North was held Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, 1978, at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Cope North exercises are scheduled up to two times each year.

Update - USCG Weather Products Going Away?

If you are interest in USCG HF weather products then this Fax image below is important to you. Or you can check out the link at: http://weather.noaa.gov:80/pub/fax/PLAZ03.gif .

NY ARTCC Letter Available

Those of you interested in monitoring the New York ARTCC frequencies will find the pdf link below extremely useful. It is the latest NY Center Letter to Airmen (06-01) dated July 15, 2006, and it includes VHF/UHF frequencies and sector charts.

http://web.nbaa.org/public/ops/airspace/ZNY_LTA0601.pdf

Now if I could get current sector charts for ATL/MEM/Indy Centers I would be a happy camper.

Thanks to Jack NeSmith for passing along the link for my readers.

Air operations center opens at Tyndall

by Master Sgt. Linda E Welz
1st Air Force Public Affairs

Guests look on as a video presentation is displayed on the $3.5 million data wall during the dedication of the new 601st Air and Space Operations Center June 1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. Airmen at the new center will help protect America's airspace from attack as well as coordinate life-saving relief during natural and man-made disasters. (U.S. Air Force photo)

6/4/2007 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- First Air Force celebrated the opening of the 601st Air and Space Operations Center here June 1 with a ceremony and tour of the 37,000-square-foot, $30 million combat center.

First Air Force, which also serves under the North American Aerospace Defense Command as the continental U.S. NORAD Region, provides air security and air sovereignty defense for the continental United States. Airmen at the new AOC plan, direct and assess air and space operations for NORAD and the United States Northern Command.

Conceived in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, the state-of-the-art AOC further enables 1st Air Force Airmen to protect America's airspace from attack as well as coordinate life-saving relief during natural and man-made disasters.

Debra Burlingame, co-founder of 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America, and director of the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, served as the ceremony's keynote speaker. Her brother, Charles Burlingame III, a retired military aviator, was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 77 that was hijacked by terrorists and flown into the Pentagon.

Ms. Burlingame said when times are difficult, Americans pull together as a nation toward a common goal.

"We are a country of achievers who dream big and fight hard to the end," said Ms. Burlingame. "We love to win (and) this spectacular new facility is here because people will never again let a tragedy like 9/11 happen; not on our watch."

As the newest combat center in the war on terrorism, the AOC operations floor employs a high-tech, two-story, 16-screen data wall in a media-based theater reminiscent of a space-age control center.

America's AOC employs the Theater Battle Management Core Systems that the joint forces air component commander uses to task and re-task theater assets by providing real-time feeds to pilots, navigators and air battle managers, allowing them to make better-informed decisions.

It also employs, through its Western and Northeastern Defense Sectors, the Battle Control System-Fixed program, to collect input from a network of radars to alert operators of airborne activity in continental U.S. air space. BCS-F provides key technology for the protection of the sovereign airspace over the continental U.S., Canada and surrounding waters.

Gen. Ronald Keys, the Air Combat Command commander, spoke of the many sorties, evacuations, rescues, firefighting missions and other missions that the command had completed since the 2001 terrorist attack.

He called the opening of the new AOC a red-letter day.

"We stand here on the first day of hurricane season knowing well that these Florida Air National Guard warriors are on the job," said General Keys.

"Americans can sleep well knowing their Air Force is awake and engaged here at America's AOC."

Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, the 1st AF commander, called the AOC opening another step in the continuing mission to keep America safe.

"As we continue to hone America's technological edge we are able to strengthen our homeland defenses and bring military and civilian authorities together under on roof," he said. "Our team is an operational example of how our total force is engaged to keep our skies safe."

Monitoring the AWACS ALE

Information courtesy of Graham Tanner and the UDXF newsgroup:

US Air Force E-3 AWACS
71-1407 to 71-1408
73-1674 to 73-1675
75-0556 to 75-0560
76-1604 to 76-1607
77-0351 to 77-0356
78-0576 to 78-0578
79-0001 to 79-0003
80-0137 to 80-0139
81-0004 to 81-0005
82-0006 to 82-0007
83-0008 to 83-0009

The ALE addresses will be 'E3xxxxIGM' or 'E3xxxxDAT' etc, where 'xxxx' is the bit after the '-' in the aircraft tail-number.

Royal Air Force (UK) E-3 AWACS
ZH101 to ZH107
The ALE addresses will 'UKE301' to 'UKE307.'

French Air Force E-3 AWACS
201 to 204
Graham has no idea what/if any ALE addresses they would use.

NATO
Graham has no idea what/if any ALE addresses they would use. He has never seen
any mention of them.

The only others who have E-3 AWACS is Saudi Arabia and no additional data is known.

2007 Hurricane Info

Our first hurricane season frequency list and other information has been posted over on my personal blog at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/, The Btown Monitoring Post.

LCACs Conduct Landing at Lejuene

A Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) departs the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) carrying supplies to the beach at Camp Lejune, N.C. Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group and embarked Assault Craft Unit Four (ACU) 4 and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are participating a combined unit training exercise in preparation for their deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick Gearhiser

USS Bonhomme Richard Off-Loads 13th MEU

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Ryan Tabios, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

CAMP PATRIOT, Kuwait (NNS) -- The USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) (BHR) off-loaded the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) here May 25-28.

The four-day offload saw the departure of more than 2,200 Sailors and Marines from BHR, USS Denver (LPD 9) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47). The offload also included 300,000 pounds of equipment and heavy artillery and the MEU’s Aviation Combat Element.

“This was a calculated and well executed movement of personnel and equipment from ship to shore,” said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Flan Harrell, BHR’s assistant combat cargo officer. “It takes a great deal of planning to accomplish an event of this size and the coordinated efforts of the many departments involved were nothing short of outstanding.”

Harrell said the amphibious offload was a complete team effort.

“All together we accomplished this offload in the most efficient way possible,” said Harrell. “There is no way we could have met our demanding timelines if it were not for the outstanding leadership of my staff and the Navy/Marine Corps team, and the efforts of ACU 5 (Assault Craft Unit 5), ACU 1 (Det. D) and BMU 1 (Beach Master Unit 1, Det. B).”

ACU 5 operates the landing craft air cushion and ACU 1 operates the landing craft utility used to transport Marines and equipment ashore. BMU 1 mans the beaches and coordinates the landing craft’s movement ashore.

Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHRESG) Commander Capt. Bradley Martin said after spending the past few months with the 13th MEU he is confident in their ability to carry out any mission they are tasked with ashore.

“The Marines have used every second of their time, and every inch of this ship to prepare for this moment,” said Martin. “I am more than confident that their time ashore will be productive and successful. We look forward to the onload when their mission is completed, but for now the BHRESG will carry on our maritime operations mission in support of the theater commander.”

BHR Commanding Officer Capt. Steve Greene said the offload of the 13th MEU signifies the completion of only a portion of BHR’s mission.

“Our mission is to embark and deploy the land elements of the Marines Corps,” said Greene. “The offload is only part of our mission. We will now continue to conduct maritime operations to help set the conditions for security and stability in the region. Once the MEU has completed their mission ashore, and we bring them and our Sailors back home safely to San Diego at the conclusion of our deployment, we will have completed our mission.”

The BHRESG consists of Amphibious Squadron 7, BHR, Denver, Rushmore, USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), USS Chosin (CG 65), and 2,200 combat-ready Marines of the 13th MEU.

BHRESG is operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations and will be conducting maritime security operations (MSO). U.S. and coalition forces conduct MSO to help set conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other materials.

Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group Completes 9 Month Deployment

For my west coast monitor friends:

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) James Bartels, USS Boxer Public Affairs

ABOARD USS BOXER (NNS) -- Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG) returned from its twice-extended Western Pacific deployment May 31 to the cheers of friends and family.

BOXESG’s mission was to transport the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)(special operations capable(SOC)) to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Once the Marines were ashore, BOXESG spent five months in the Persian Gulf conducting maritime security operations (MSO) with coalition partners, operating under international maritime conventions to provide security and safety in international waters, which helped ensure commercial shipping could operate freely while transiting the Persian Gulf.

“BOXESG furthered our country’s efforts in stabilizing and rebuilding Iraq and also helped protect the maritime environment,” said BOXESG and Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5 Commander Capt. Peter Dallman.

“Our Navy and Coast Guard ships were integral to the coalition’s efforts to conduct MSO, build relations with regional nations, and to deter terrorism through our presence. Marines from the 15th MEU (SOC) did some incredible things in the Al Anbar province by establishing basic local governance, establishing a local police force, and conducting counter-insurgency operations,” Dallman added.

While en route to the Gulf, BOXESG helped strengthen ties between American, Canadian and Indian forces by participating in Malabar ’06, a multinational exercise which focused on numerous naval missions used to enhance the cooperative security relationship between the nations.

Thirteen ships from the three nations participated in the exercise as well as Marines from the 15th MEU (SOC) and Indian Soldiers assigned to the 9th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry. It was the first time a U.S. expeditionary strike group (ESG) led the exercise.

“Malabar ‘06 was a success,” said Lt. Jonathan Shannon, a PHIBRON 5 operations officer. “We incorporated an ESG for the first time and included the full spectrum of its capabilities. Malabar ‘06 stepped up to a new level of interoperability between nations.”

USS Boxer (LHD 4), flagship of BOXESG, reached numerous milestones during deployment by implementing a new off-duty tracking system, revamping its Damage Control Training Team requirements, pioneering an online dental tracking system, re-energizing the ship’s enlisted surface and air warfare specialist qualification process and achieving a Navywide first helicopter “hot load.”

“This ship has a value system and an attitude that is professional, welcoming and forthright,” said Boxer’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Matthew J. McCloskey. “Nobody is afraid to say that this is how we operate on Boxer, we get things done right the first time, and that is how we will keep doing it.”

During the deployment, Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SW/FMF) Joe Campa Jr. visited the amphibious warship. Additionally, President George W. Bush made a Christmas Eve call to a Boxer Sailor to thank him for his service to the country.

“I’m extremely grateful for what you’re doing for our Navy and our nation,” said Mullen during his visit. “Few ships represent the Navy better than Boxer.”

The extended deployment also gave BOXESG Sailors and Marines the opportunity to experience the cultures of Singapore, India, Kingdom of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Australia.

“The crew has worked hard and done an outstanding job this deployment,” said Master Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (AW/SW) Anthony M. Berry, Boxer’s Command Master Chief throughout most of the deployment. “They definitely deserved experiencing all that these countries had to offer.”

During the port visits, BOXESG Sailors and Marines volunteered their free time to lend a hand in several community service projects in Singapore and Perth, such as planting shrubs and trees, a beach clean-up, visiting a children’s hospital and helping at a wildlife preserve. More than 100 strike group Sailors and Marines helped build homes in Lonavala, India, as part of the Habitat for Humanity’s “Jimmy Carter Project”.

“Community service projects let us reach out and promote brotherhood and sisterhood by lending a helping hand,” said Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. John S. Kroener. “There were so many different opportunities to volunteer. We had a great turnout this deployment.”

On the final leg of its journey, BOXESG held a "Tiger Cruise" for family and friends of Sailors and Marines. The tiger cruise gave them the opportunity to experience life at sea.

“Tiger cruise is a great opportunity to show the community, as well as our friends and families, what we do as Sailors,” said Lt. Cmdr. Bob Saunders, Boxer’s tiger cruise coordinator. “Anyone can go on a commercial cruise, but until you are underway on a warship, you can’t appreciate our lifestyle or camaraderie that we share.”

As the ships of BOXESG returned home, Sailors and Marines manned the rails and were greeted with a pier-side homecoming celebration, bringing an end to their nearly nine-month deployment.

BOXESG is comprised of Boxer, USS Dubuque (LPD 8), USS Comstock (LSD 45), the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) and PHIBRON 5. BOXESG deployed with USS Benfold (DDG 65), USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WHEC 726) and Canadian Frigate HMCS Ottawa (FFH 341), who returned to San Diego on March 13.

Dover to receive its first C-17

With much anticipation, a combined flight crew from the 436th and 512th Airlift Wings departed Dover Air Force Base May 29 for Long Beach, Calif., where they assumed ownership of the base' s first C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Boeing May 31.

After years of planning and preparation, the addition of a new airframe to Dover's current all-C-5 Galaxy fleet is now a reality.

For Dover's first crew to fly the new C-17, known as the Spirit of the Constitution, this is a monumental trip, said Maj. Justin Riddle, 3rd Airlift Squadron and the aircraft commander for this trip.

"When I arrived in Dover in May 2006, the C-17 transition was just beginning," said Major Riddle. "For the next year, I witnessed Dover's transformation and how every base agency contributed towards the beddown.

"Today, it's an honor to be selected to command Dover's first C-17 sortie and to witness the beginning of a new chapter in our history," he said.

A team of pilots and loadmasters who also have made their marks on Dover's history as some of the base' s first C-17 professionals, joined Major Riddle as crewmembers on this inaugural trip.

The history-making crew consisted of Maj. Kevin Higginbotham, 326th Airlift Squadron and Team Dover's first Reserve C-17 pilot; Capt. Paul Scambos, 3rd Airlift Squadron's chief of C-17 tactics; and Dover's first active-duty and Reserve C-17 loadmasters: Master Sgt. Steve Rucker, 3rd AS, and Master Sgt. Mike Wright, 326th AS.

"As one of the first people to work with the C-17 Program Integration Office for the last three years, it's nice to actually help bring the first airplane to Dover Air Force Base," said Sergeant Wright.

While not all of the crew has been involved in the process for as long as Sergeant Wright, the entire team is proud to be part of something so significant.

"So much work and effort has gone into the C-17s arriving in Dover. To be a small part of that is an honor and something I will always remember," said Captain Scambos, who arrived at Dover in January after having flown C-17s at Charleston AFB, S.C.

Once the C-17 was accepted, the crew then made the cross-country trek to McGuire AFB, N.J.

In addition to the Dover crew, Brig. Gen. Alfred Stewart, 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force commander at McGuire AFB served as the delivery official and flew onboard the aircraft from Long Beach to McGuire, where the aircraft will remain until early June 4.

Gen. Duncan McNabb, Air Mobility Command commander, will assume the position of delivery official June 4 and fly the aircraft into Dover for its grand arrival.

After the short flight from McGuire to Dover, the new Globemaster III and its crew will be welcomed by the Dover community.

A full-scale arrival ceremony is planned for the C-17 June 4. With local, state, AMC, Air Force and Boeing officials on the guest list, the new aircraft will take its place alongside the C-5.

"(June 4) will be a historic day for Team Dover," said Captain Scambos. "The arrival of America's newest and most-capable airlifter gives Dover an unmatched global air transportation capability.

"This new addition, on top of the existing C-5 platform, will give Dover the ability to move anything, at anytime, anywhere on earth well, into the 21st century."

CAP Ground Callsigns

Found a little pdf file online at the CAP website called CAP Speak dated March 2007. They had not only a list of terms, but some of their callsigns as well. Unfortunately, it wasn't completely current so I have added corrections in bold.

Abenaki - New Hampshire Wing Tactical Call Sign
Aspen Gold - Rocky Mountain Region Tactical Call Sign
Avenging Spirit - National Headquarters Special Use Tactical Call Sign
Beaver Fox - Oregon Wing Tactical Call Sign
Black Granite - Montana Wing Tactical Call Sign
**Blue Lakes - Great Lakes Region Tactical Call Sign [CAP Great Lakes]
Blue Mesa - Colorado Wing Tactical Call Sign
Blue Mound - Wisconsin Wing Tactical Call Sign
Cajun CAP - Louisiana Wing Tactical Call Sign
CAP Kitty Hawk - North Carolina Wing Radio Tactical Call Sign
CAP Stone - Northeast Region Tactical Call Sign
CAP West - Southwest Region Tactical Call Sign
Charter Oak - Connecticut Wing Tactical Call Sign
Diamond Flight - Delaware Wing Radio Tactical Call Sign
Down East - Maine Wing Tactical Call Sign
Firebrand - Hawaii Wing Tactical Call Sign
Florida CAP - Florida Wing Tactical Call Sign
Free State - Maryland Wing Radio Tactical Call Sign
Georgia CAP - Georgia Wing Tactical Call Sign
**Goldenrod - Alabama Wing Tactical Call Sign [Alabama CAP]
Grasslands - South Dakota Wing Tactical Call Sign
HeadCAP - National Headquarters Tactical Call Sign
High Plains - Wyoming Wing Tactical Call Sign
Hill CAP - West Virginia Wing Radio Tactical Call Sign
Hill Thunder - Congressional Squadron Tactical Call Sign
Iowa CAP - Iowa Wing Tactical Call Sign
Jefferson - Virginia Wing Radio Tactical Call Sign
Kentucky CAP - Kentucky Wing Tactical Call Sign
Middle East - Middle East Region Radio Tactical Call Sign
Missouri CAP - Missouri Wing Tactical Call Sign
**Mockingbird - Mississippi Wing Tactical Call Sign [Mississippi CAP]
Narragansett - Rhode Island Wing Tactical Call Sign
NatCap - National Capital Wing Radio Tactical Call Sign
North Central - North Central Region Tactical Call Sign
Oil Well - Oklahoma Wing Tactical Call Sign
Patriot - Massachusetts Wing Tactical Call Sign
Peace Garden - North Dakota Wing Tactical Call Sign
Penn CAP - Pennsylvania Wing Tactical Call Sign
Puerto Rico CAP - Puerto Rico Wing Tactical Call Sign
Red Cloud - Nebraska Wing Tactical Call Sign
Red Dragon - New Jersey Wing Tactical Call Sign
Red Fire - Indiana Wing Tactical Call Sign
Red Fox - Illinois Wing Tactical Call Sign
Red Robin - Michigan Wing Tactical Call Sign
Red Rock - Arizona Wing Tactical Call Sign
Red Thunder - Ohio Wing Tactical Call Sign
Sandlapper - South Carolina Wing Radio Tactical Call Sign
Ship Rock - New Mexico Wing Tactical Call Sign
Silver State - Nevada Wing Tactical Call Sign
Sourdough - Alaska Wing Tactical Call Sign
Southeast CAP - Southeast Region Tactical Call Sign
Star Garnet - Idaho Wing Tactical Call Sign
Starfish - Minnesota Wing Tactical Call Sign
Tennessee CAP - Tennessee Wing Tactical Call Sign
Texas CAP - Texas Wing Tactical Call Sign
Uncle Mike - Utah Wing Tactical Call Sign
Vermont CAP - Vermont Wing Tactical Call Sign
Washington CAP - Washington Wing Tactical Call Sign
Western - Pacific Region Tactical Call Sign
White Peak - New York Wing Tactical Call Sign
Wild Wood - Arkansas Wing Tactical Call Sign
Yellow Brick - Kansas Wing Tactical Call Sign
Yosemite - California Wing Tactical Call Sign

You can get this and a lot more on CAP Comms in the latest issue (June 2007) of Monitoring Times available on newsstands right now.

CAP ALE Address IDed

My old friend Jack Metcalfe has IDed one of the mystery CAP ALE addresses frequently seen on their HF nets.

"For several months AVS has been appearing on the CAP ALE net. Finally caught some activity this morning & the voice call is AVENGING SPIRIT. That's listed on several sites as a Special Use National Headquarters call sign."

And if you want to learn more about CAP comms be sure to check out our major coverage in the June 2007 issue of Monitoring Times magazine in my Milcom and MT Help Desk columns.

Navy Secretary Names New Combat Logistics Ship

Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter announced on May 29 his decision to name the Navy's newest underway replenishment vessel, USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6).

The name honors Amelia Mary Earhart for her courage, vision, and groundbreaking achievements, both in aviation and for women.

Amelia Earhart's name became a household word in 1932 when she became the first woman -- and second person --to fly solo across the Atlantic, on the fifth anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's feat, flying a Lockheed Vega from Harbor Grace, Newfoundland to Londonderry, Ireland.

That year, she received the Distinguished Flying Cross from the Congress, the Cross of Knight of the Legion of Honor from the French government, and the Gold Medal of the National Geographic Society from President Herbert Hoover.

In January 1935 Earhart became the first person to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean from Honolulu to Oakland, Calif. Later that year she soloed from Los Angeles to Mexico City and back to Newark, N.J. In July 1936 she took delivery of a Lockheed 10E "Electra," financed by Purdue University, and started planning her round-the-world flight.

The primary goal of the T-AKE program is to provide effective fleet underway replenishment capability at the lowest life cycle cost.To meet that goal, the ship will be designed and constructed to commercial specifications and standards and certified/classed by the American Bureau of Shipping, U.S. Coast Guard, and other regulatory bodies. All of the new ships will be operated by the Military Sealift Command.They are being built in San Diego by General Dynamics NASSCO.