From the caption: "A V-22 Osprey from Air Force Special Operations Command performs a proof of concept for personnel evactuation from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) June 6. Wyoming is currently at sea performing routine operations."
Have you ever been part of a "proof of concept" operation? Closest I did was being on the target of the first attempted OPEVAL of the Mk 50 torpedo, where "The Kennedy Maneuver" gained fame as a successful evasion technique against the weapon; I'm convinced (based on no real evidence) that this failure led to the cancellation of the program and replacement by the Mk 54.
Gee, BH. If the "proof of concept for personnel evactuation from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine" is feasible, we can't imagine what foreseeable medical emergencies might suddenly require such extractions.
ReplyDeleteWhat recent events might have generated such a need? Very, very strange indeed, wouldn't you say, Dark Cloud?
the "Kennedy Maneuver"??????
ReplyDeleteVaginus is latin for "Soup Sandwich".
ReplyDelete^^^
ReplyDeleteIt's also prophetic.
Our boat did some of the first hit-shot testing of the MK-50. When the weapon hit the boat the fuel tank split and the Navy (not to mention us) got a practical lesson on the reactivity between a lithium based fuel and sea water.
ReplyDeleteThats more likely the reason why the MK50 was cancelled...someone looked at what happened on the Kursk and realized the fuel in a MK50 is not compatable with an ocean environment.
I was imagining the testing was in case of a re-do of the San Fran but I guess I'm just not as imaginative as Vigilis...
ReplyDeleteWas on the Miami doing the east coast testing of the MK50. Those things just screamed evil. Proof of concept for an osprey? Or howabout let's waste some money?
ReplyDeleteCan't talk about the rest of the POCs, none have been publicly exposed.
hagar
Not sure what's so special about using the Osprey for this, other than it can get from A -> B faster & farther. Shouldn't matter if its an Osprey or a Seahawk hovering over the boat.
ReplyDeleteIf its AF Spec Ops, those guys are cooler than you'd think (you know, for AF). I met one during a planning ex and he asked if subs can pick up a man overboard? Sure, I said, we practice it all the time (with a cardboard box, mind you...). Ok, he said, I'll just jump out of a plane ahead of the sub and they can pick me up.
In the middle of the ocean?
Sure - you said the subs can pick up people. No problem.
(needless to say, the O5's & O6's ORM matrix was a little more conservative than his and he didn't get onboard that way)
That picture reminds me of my first watch as a qualified OOD. Within an hour of taking the watch, the CO walks into control and tells me "OOD, prepare to surface. Head toward Ketchikan and make preparations for a helo transfer." Helo transfer fell through at the last minute, but it was one heck of a first watch.
ReplyDeleteAs far as proof of concept: bringing SERPOS online onboard a sub for the first time. That was... interesting, to say the least.
Google "vortex ring state" and the Marine insertion crash. I like Ospreys a lot but hovering with personnel was banned after that, so what the heck?
ReplyDelete"Vortex Ring State" can occur with all helicopters and tiltrotors during a rapid decent over one spot. That is why both try to have some forward velocity when decending quickly. V-22 pilots needed to learn a different way to exit VRS than helicopters. Now they know how.
ReplyDelete"Vortex Ring State" can occur with all helicopters and tiltrotors during a rapid decent over one spot. That is why both try to have some forward velocity when decending quickly. V-22 pilots needed to learn a different way to exit VRS than helicopters. Now they know how.
ReplyDeleteDuring our shakedown cruise in the mid 70's, we launched a developmental T-1 (and ripple shot 15 sabos) for the first time while moving at 3 knots . Up until then boomers hovered to launch missiles.
ReplyDeleteI was Throttleman.
ex-EM1(SS)
Every U.S. sub has, at one time or another, been a platform for particular "proof of concept" trials, and in the unlikely event that the U.S. ever discontinues such trials, which began with the "Turtle", we can almost be assured the navy will have become ineffectual or passé. My personal favorite concept was the circuit EY, a Star Trek feature on the third (first nuclear) USS Seawolf. By the way, it performed well! So why was it not copied on later subs? Someday, I may share that with some of the "anons" with so little imagination they cannot guess.
ReplyDeleteMilitary curiosities are not always as simple as they look and what the public is being informed, however. A prime example of which may be the recent news tidbit.
It's official - RADM Mike Connor has been nominated for VADM and assignment as COMSUBFOR, COMSUBLANT, and COM Allied Sub Command.
ReplyDeleteWonder where Richardson is going? (speaking of RADCON).
Also, Paul Bushong nominated for VADM and assigment as U.S. security coordinator, Israel-Palestinian Authority.
Congratulations to all - good leaders who will do well in their new jobs!
Proof positive the bird can pick up a pregnant Ensign when she is due to deliver!!!
ReplyDeleteSo it's proven, the bird can evacuate pregnant Ensigns, when they are due to drop!!!
ReplyDeleteSo it's proven, the bird can evacuate pregnant Ensigns, when they are due to drop!!!
ReplyDeleteSo it's proven, the bird can evacuate pregnant Ensigns, when they are due to drop!!!
ReplyDeleteSo it's proven, the bird can evacuate pregnant Ensigns, when they are due to drop!!!
ReplyDeleteSo it's proven, the bird can evacuate pregnant Ensigns, when they are due to drop!!!
ReplyDeleteOops.
ReplyDeleteA redundant reminder of what will happen.
Best method I have seen yet to drop off fresh porn during a patrol.
ReplyDeleteDo you think they can evacuate the father as well for paternity leave?
ReplyDeleteSpecial op? Just dropping in to pick a couple of non-qual females for yet another Obama photo op. I did hear that Michelle O has a few low-fat diet recipes that these gals can whip up after they are dropped back aboard.
ReplyDeleteI was on the Omaha and did Mk 50 testing at the Nanoose range. If memory serves, we evaded all of them.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of "proof of concept", BH, can you tell us: What ever happened to the bright orange life vests? I've seen photos of green ones, even BLUE.
ReplyDeleteIs it just me...or does anyone else see the irony in USS WYOMING and Facebook being used in the same post...and on the CSG-10 page at that?!?!
ReplyDeleteI would have love to participate in that rescue operation. Anyways, did they failed or what? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOur boat tested the feasibility of doing the mid-deployment upkeep in Diego Garcia. The crew was really happy to trade that for two weeks in a populated port.
ReplyDeleteWas Cob on Puffer and we were voluteered to go out on Sat and help film the "Hunt for Red October" scene where they used a aldis lamp to send a message thru the periscope! I was DOOW at PD most of the day doing this and yes it did work as it was seen in the movie! And no Puffer did not get any credits in the movie!
ReplyDeleteYou won't believe what Vaginus is imagining now.
ReplyDeleteWas Cob on Puffer and we were voluteered to go out on Sat and help film the "Hunt for Red October" scene where they used a aldis lamp to send a message thru the periscope! I
ReplyDeleteA good friend was on the Puffer from 86 to early 90. He said it was the worst boat ever, with crew morale incredibly low and blueshirts getting jammed all the time for small shit. Be proud of your leadership abilities, former COB.
Anon 11:47 AM
ReplyDeleteHow many boats wdid your good friend ride for comparison? His complaint sounds personally resentful due to being hindered in his advancement prospects. Now, if left the navy or advanced wonderfully in his next two assignments, maybe Puffer really had a problem. Otherwise, submarine sailors know how to gripe and the least swift come late to figuring out the other volunteers performed well in addition to complaining. TSSP.
^^^^^
ReplyDeleteDude, you should post before you get all drunk. OK?
"we volunteered to go out on a Saturday"
ReplyDeleteOnly a suck-up star seeker would pull such a stunt. Only a limp-dick COB would allow it to happen without a fight. Instead you're bragging about it. Hmmmmmm
BTW, an EM1 transferred from Puffer to my boat during that time. Said basically the same thing as 11:27.
Apparently close reading is a lost art. He didn't say they volunteered, he said they WERE volunteered.
ReplyDeleteIf you've ever been on a boat, you know what getting volunteered is all about.
Puffer (SSN-652) had many challenging assignments on her plate. Her hard-charging officers and crews earned 4 Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUCs) for exceptionally high performance, and 4 Navy Unit Commendations for exceptionally superior performance. COMSUBRON ONE awarded her two Battle Efficiency "Es", an Engineering "E", and a Supply "E", and a Deck Seamanship "E" for outstanding performances. COMSUBRON THREE awarded Puffer two Tactical "Ts" for Tactical Excellence, as the "Top Torpedo and Missile Shooter". PUFFER also earned three consecutive COMSUBRON THREE Red "DCs" for Damage Control excellence. Puffer had underway periods involving special operations for Special Forces, and the CNO.
ReplyDeleteDuring 1986, PUFFER departed with less than thirty hours notice on her SECOND NorthPac deployment that year (boomer-only sailors may stop reading now). The fact that a few nukes knew a nuke who came from Puffer is testament not only to hyperbolic griping from boomers and aftenders, but evidence of a slacker or two in every barrel of bubbleheads.
My hat is off to most who served on Puffer, and no matter who you are, yours should be, too! If you want to bash Puffer's leaders and crew, tell us what SSN you served on that earned as many awards during a post WW2 era when competition among boats involved such a high number. Otherwise, some of you anons just might want to consider keeping the lid on your barrel.
Rex (a book was written about Puffer, too)
@ Rex:
ReplyDeletefrom awards.navy.mil. As you can see, none of the accolades you mention were awarded between 1983 and 1991. That's because Puffer was a shit-ass boat.
PUFFER SSN 652 04-Sep-1971 07-Sep-1971 1/4 - VS -
PUFFER SSN 652 28-Aug-1975 15-Jan-1976 6/141 - NU -
PUFFER SSN 652 01-Jul-1975 30-Jun-1976 12/366 - NE -
PUFFER SSN 652 25-May-1980 28-Jul-1980 3/65 - EM -
PUFFER SSN 652 01-Oct-1980 30-Sep-1981 12/365 - NE -
PUFFER SSN 652 01-Jan-1982 01-Jan-1983 13/366 - NU -
PUFFER SSN 652 01-Sep-1991 01-Jan-1992 5/123 MU MU -
PUFFER SSN 652 01-Oct-1972 - - - MU -
PUFFER SSN 652 01-Jan-1973 - - - VS -
PUFFER SSN 652 01-Dec-1973 - - - MU -
PUFFER SSN 652 01-Jan-1980 - - - NU -
Well, according to Wikipedia, principal photography started in April of '89, and the movie was released in 1990, which puts Puffer's movie career in the "dead zone" of shit-assness
ReplyDelete@ anon 12:52 PM
ReplyDeleteYour pathetic logical is not compelling, although it does have the ring of defensiveness attached.
As a congressman said recently, "it’s more with sorrow than regret or anger that I would say you leave me with no alternative..." but to conclude you have self-identified in your sorry barrel.
Rex
Whatever, Rex. What's your point, that you think I have an axe to grind after 25 years?
ReplyDeleteI was on a boat in Squadron 1, the name rhymed with "Queenfish". Figure it out. Battle E, Engineering E, muc, Ney Award (OK second place), Supply E....we had some QM douche for a COB when I got there and it sort of sucked, and then we got one of the best enlisted leaders I ever met as COB, Larry Wendland. We had a great crew. Compared to my boat, Puffer was a nazi concentration camp.
Apparently close reading is a lost art. He didn't say they volunteered, he said they WERE volunteered.
ReplyDeleteTouché. My apologies.
Anon said...
ReplyDelete"As you can see, none of the accolades you mention were awarded between 1983 and 1991."
Wrong: reading is not your only problem, either:
Deck Seamanship Efficiency "E"
for COMSUBRON ONE 1983
Damage Control Red " DC "
for COMSUBRON THREE DC 1990
MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION 1990
Damage Control Red "DC" for COMSUBRON THREE 1991
Now, we can probably guess you were on Puffer 1983 - 1991, or you are some female wank who was never on a boat at all.
Larry Wendland spent eight consecutive years on USS Skate (SSN-578), arriving as an MM2 and leaving as an MMCS. When the boat pulled into the PI on its first WestPac, he led the crew out to Buzzards Bar in the Barrio. Although my memory on the whole PI visit is a little fuzzy, I do recall that some fun was had by all.
ReplyDeleteIf Puffer won a MUC in 1990, you had better tell the Navy since their awards web site doesn't know a thing about it.
ReplyDeleteI wondeer if the following site will clear the air, or add fuel to the fire:
ReplyDeletehttp://usspuffer.org/puffer/awards.html
And that should be "wonder".
ReplyDeleteSorry for the typo. Its a busy day at work sleeping under my desk.
Probably a good idea to keep these things away from our submarines until they get the bugs worked out.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnn.com/2012/06/14/us/florida-osprey-crash/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
Great job!
ReplyDeleteMiami Dodge