Iran Threatens to Close Strait of Hormuz
Speaking of the Stennis group:
Originally Posted by Navy News website 9 Jan 2012
BRITAIN’S most senior sailor flew on to one of the most powerful warships in the world for a first-hand look at front-line carrier operations. First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope joined the USS John C Stennis, a 100,000-ton leviathan supporting operations in Afghanistan, to help pave the way for Britain’s next-generation carriers...
The carrier is also home to one Fleet Air Arm aviator, Lt ‘LOThAR’ Collins (‘Loser of the American Revolution’, a callsign given him by his American comrades), who’s flying a single-seat F18 strike fighter from the Stennis’ deck with the ‘Tophatters’ (Strike Fighter Squadron 14) on missions over Afghanistan. Lt Collins is one of numerous Royal Navy pilots flying with the Americans. Their experiences will be crucial as the Senior Service looks to re-learn the art of carrier strike operations ahead of Her Majesty’s Ships Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales entering service later this decade...
No aircraft carrier experience would be complete however without the live launch and recovery of fast jets, and what better way to gain a first hand perspective of the utility of carrier strike than from the cockpit? In the experienced hands of Cdr Vorrice ‘Heavy’ Burks USN (Commanding Officer of the ‘Black Aces' – Strike Fighter Squadron 71) Admiral Stanhope proceeded to “kick the tyres and light the fires”, strap himself into the back of a twin-seat F18 and accelerate off the front end. Safely recovered, and having “buzzed the tower”, Admiral Stanhope reflected on his experiences aboard the flat-top:
“Being catapulted from 0-150 knots in a couple of seconds is certainly a tick in the ‘Taskbook of Life’.
“We know carrier aviation is a hugely-complex business and we will get there again; the Royal Navy will once more be able to project an unhindered fixed-wing strike capability anywhere that the government wants UK power and influence to be felt.”
The carrier is also home to one Fleet Air Arm aviator, Lt ‘LOThAR’ Collins (‘Loser of the American Revolution’, a callsign given him by his American comrades), who’s flying a single-seat F18 strike fighter from the Stennis’ deck with the ‘Tophatters’ (Strike Fighter Squadron 14) on missions over Afghanistan. Lt Collins is one of numerous Royal Navy pilots flying with the Americans. Their experiences will be crucial as the Senior Service looks to re-learn the art of carrier strike operations ahead of Her Majesty’s Ships Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales entering service later this decade...
No aircraft carrier experience would be complete however without the live launch and recovery of fast jets, and what better way to gain a first hand perspective of the utility of carrier strike than from the cockpit? In the experienced hands of Cdr Vorrice ‘Heavy’ Burks USN (Commanding Officer of the ‘Black Aces' – Strike Fighter Squadron 71) Admiral Stanhope proceeded to “kick the tyres and light the fires”, strap himself into the back of a twin-seat F18 and accelerate off the front end. Safely recovered, and having “buzzed the tower”, Admiral Stanhope reflected on his experiences aboard the flat-top:
“Being catapulted from 0-150 knots in a couple of seconds is certainly a tick in the ‘Taskbook of Life’.
“We know carrier aviation is a hugely-complex business and we will get there again; the Royal Navy will once more be able to project an unhindered fixed-wing strike capability anywhere that the government wants UK power and influence to be felt.”
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Torquay, England
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I really love the names the US give to pilots LOThAR that is a classic and long may this type of banter continue. Excellent link.
When I served on the Centaur we carried out exercises with the Enterprise which I guess was quite ironic, we were the smallest Royal Navy carrier and she was the largest US carrier... We looked like one of her liberty boats!!
What a good move to get the First Sea Lord so heavily involved and respect to him for taking the opportunity to go up in an F-18. It would be nice if senior politicians were with him, but would they risk getting so close to the action?
.
SASLess you are a heartless man
When I served on the Centaur we carried out exercises with the Enterprise which I guess was quite ironic, we were the smallest Royal Navy carrier and she was the largest US carrier... We looked like one of her liberty boats!!
What a good move to get the First Sea Lord so heavily involved and respect to him for taking the opportunity to go up in an F-18. It would be nice if senior politicians were with him, but would they risk getting so close to the action?
.SASLess you are a heartless man
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
“We know carrier aviation is a hugely-complex business and we will get there again; the Royal Navy will once more be able to project an unhindered fixed-wing strike capability anywhere that the government wants UK power and influence to be felt.”
What do "they" do with my tax money?
Paid for policiticians expenses
......................would add more but lost the will to continue.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The decrepit Kilo class submarines are the last of the US/UK/NATO worries. Their positions (two only - one is in port @ Bandar - & incapable of putting to sea) are known by the minute by the US.
Tourist, I suspect that either you forget Dustbin, or never experienced the joy of explaining it use, or lack thereof, for exercise purposes.
The bucket of sunshine tactic was built around the use of "good ASW" for tactical localization of the submarine target, and use the depth bomb in lieu of a torp, for whatever reason.
What the hell do I know, with an ASW warfare specialty? Did you intend to deliberately misread my reference to the B57?
It was once considered a viable tactic. With that choice, innumerable Nuke Weapons Handling and Safety inspections (NWTPI and others) burned tens of thousands of man hours in our fleet ... I do not like to recall the pain, actually ...
The bucket of sunshine tactic was built around the use of "good ASW" for tactical localization of the submarine target, and use the depth bomb in lieu of a torp, for whatever reason.
What the hell do I know, with an ASW warfare specialty? Did you intend to deliberately misread my reference to the B57?
It was once considered a viable tactic. With that choice, innumerable Nuke Weapons Handling and Safety inspections (NWTPI and others) burned tens of thousands of man hours in our fleet ... I do not like to recall the pain, actually ...
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Home
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lonewolf
I was refering to the suggestion from the resident chimp that :-
"I have no idea what the US capability is today of dropping nuclear depth charges, but mine clearance could be carried out within <1 hour by dropping 2+ nuclear depth charges in the Straight. Any Iranian submarines, divers, fast patrol boats & surface vessels would either be destroyed (if underwater) or totally disabled & probably sunk if on the surface"
I'm sure as and ASW warrior you can still remember the frankly amazingly low kill radius of the bucket.
I was refering to the suggestion from the resident chimp that :-
"I have no idea what the US capability is today of dropping nuclear depth charges, but mine clearance could be carried out within <1 hour by dropping 2+ nuclear depth charges in the Straight. Any Iranian submarines, divers, fast patrol boats & surface vessels would either be destroyed (if underwater) or totally disabled & probably sunk if on the surface"
I'm sure as and ASW warrior you can still remember the frankly amazingly low kill radius of the bucket.
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I hope you gentlemen dont mind an observer interupting, but earlier in this thread it was commented on little data from an underwater nuclear shot - well shot baker from operation crossroads was a small (23 kiloton) sub surface test - detonation was at a depth of 90 feet with the seabed at 180feet.
the results are well documented , as it the `charlie` shot , cancelled at the time , but later tested as a deep shot (effects calculated as 30kt because of the depth) under operation wigwam; detonated at 2000 feet it completly destroyed the unmanned submarines, used at range for the est.
i believe the recordings are on a film somewhere , although i cannot remember the name.
the results are well documented , as it the `charlie` shot , cancelled at the time , but later tested as a deep shot (effects calculated as 30kt because of the depth) under operation wigwam; detonated at 2000 feet it completly destroyed the unmanned submarines, used at range for the est.
i believe the recordings are on a film somewhere , although i cannot remember the name.
Aah, Tourist, I see what you were getting at.
Amen, Deacon!
With that in mind, you can get a "mission" kill rather than a "hard kill" depending upon depth, aspect, and how well maintained a sub is at greater range, but given the size of the area underconsideration (20-30 miles across) you still need to localize a target before you were to consider that little bucket, were one available.
The assertion that such a weapon removes from play target localization was, as you note, risible.
Jack: thanks for that as well.
Amen, Deacon!
With that in mind, you can get a "mission" kill rather than a "hard kill" depending upon depth, aspect, and how well maintained a sub is at greater range, but given the size of the area underconsideration (20-30 miles across) you still need to localize a target before you were to consider that little bucket, were one available.
The assertion that such a weapon removes from play target localization was, as you note, risible.
Jack: thanks for that as well.
Ignorant question from me if I may .....
Given the sensitivity of the world to dropping nukes, anywhere, any time, for any reason, are there any conventional equivalents which could be used to clear the channel of mines, mini subs etc ?
If nukes were not available, how would one clear the channel of anything hostile in a relatively simple, easy strike ?
Given the sensitivity of the world to dropping nukes, anywhere, any time, for any reason, are there any conventional equivalents which could be used to clear the channel of mines, mini subs etc ?
If nukes were not available, how would one clear the channel of anything hostile in a relatively simple, easy strike ?
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Thread Starter
I would put forward a proposition.....
No one can understand why, if they are on the point of developing a nuclear weapon, Iran would instigate a war a war in which it could be destroyed.
However. Consider if, through whatever sources, they have 1 or 2 warheads already available, and can claim to use them in self defence.
I'll leave the target list open, I can think of many.
The current Gulf status quo would be destroyed forever, the oil price would go through the roof, and the European/American influence in the region would disappear....
Sources? Ignoring their own, imminent stocks, Pakistan, N. Korea and other areas could have provided the required material. Unusable until their own weapons were imminent.
Just saying.......
No one can understand why, if they are on the point of developing a nuclear weapon, Iran would instigate a war a war in which it could be destroyed.
However. Consider if, through whatever sources, they have 1 or 2 warheads already available, and can claim to use them in self defence.
I'll leave the target list open, I can think of many.
The current Gulf status quo would be destroyed forever, the oil price would go through the roof, and the European/American influence in the region would disappear....
Sources? Ignoring their own, imminent stocks, Pakistan, N. Korea and other areas could have provided the required material. Unusable until their own weapons were imminent.
Just saying.......
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Home
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SAM
"I used to go fishing with my dad off Mawgan Porth bay in Cornwall. He had a friend who had a licence for dynamite. We used to go out in a rowing boat & dad would chuck a stick of dynamite into the sea. Every fish within about 50 metres would float to the surface & we would go into the water on roaps with a life-bouy, fill them with fish & sell them in Newquay"
Firstly, no you didn't. You made that story up because you have heard of it being done.
Secondly, submarines are not a type of fish. Seriously. Look it up.
Oh, and thirdly, didn't you promise to never post again if you lost the bet with me about armageddon before christmas day 2011?
You do realise that you lost that bet, don't you?
"I used to go fishing with my dad off Mawgan Porth bay in Cornwall. He had a friend who had a licence for dynamite. We used to go out in a rowing boat & dad would chuck a stick of dynamite into the sea. Every fish within about 50 metres would float to the surface & we would go into the water on roaps with a life-bouy, fill them with fish & sell them in Newquay"
Firstly, no you didn't. You made that story up because you have heard of it being done.
Secondly, submarines are not a type of fish. Seriously. Look it up.
Oh, and thirdly, didn't you promise to never post again if you lost the bet with me about armageddon before christmas day 2011?
You do realise that you lost that bet, don't you?
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: The Chemistry Lab
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So is it coincidence that over the same weekend
the Russian Fleet arrives at the Eastern Med
the Iranians announce further naval exercises
the Iranians also launch "wargames" along the Afghan border, including "targeting Unmanned Aerial Vehicles" and "new asymmetric warfare tactics"
Pervaiz Musharraf announces he will return to Pakistan before the end of January - and the Pakistani authorities threaten to arrest him. (If my memory serves me correctly he was very pro-western...)
Iran announces MORE spy arrests
Iran announces it will start nuclear enrichment at a second underground site
Is it also coincidence that Iranian Parliamentary elections are scheduled for March 2nd?
the Russian Fleet arrives at the Eastern Med
the Iranians announce further naval exercises
the Iranians also launch "wargames" along the Afghan border, including "targeting Unmanned Aerial Vehicles" and "new asymmetric warfare tactics"
Pervaiz Musharraf announces he will return to Pakistan before the end of January - and the Pakistani authorities threaten to arrest him. (If my memory serves me correctly he was very pro-western...)
Iran announces MORE spy arrests
Iran announces it will start nuclear enrichment at a second underground site
Is it also coincidence that Iranian Parliamentary elections are scheduled for March 2nd?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Australia - South of where I'd like to be !
Age: 59
Posts: 4,261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SAM
Just how far from shore were you in a row boat and
what fish did you catch ?
Most of the time I spent in that location (just up the road in Treyarnon Bay)
the sea had very few calm days that would suit a row boat - and since the 60's, my water ops training would agree. Any fish we caught when we went Mackeral fishing were caught on deep lines and out at sea.
Just how far from shore were you in a row boat and
what fish did you catch ?
Most of the time I spent in that location (just up the road in Treyarnon Bay)
the sea had very few calm days that would suit a row boat - and since the 60's, my water ops training would agree. Any fish we caught when we went Mackeral fishing were caught on deep lines and out at sea.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Detroit MI
Age: 66
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
COCL2:
You forgot the Flint, MI resident Iranian visiting his granny in Iran being convicted and sentenced to death for working for the CIA...
Details, Sir... Details...
You forgot the Flint, MI resident Iranian visiting his granny in Iran being convicted and sentenced to death for working for the CIA...
Details, Sir... Details...
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: The Chemistry Lab
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Airborne Aircrew
Agreed - announcement of the result of his supposed "trial" was obviously also timed for effect
I fear that there are sad similarities between his case and that of Farzad Barzoft.
However if I remember correctly, Barzoft's hanging marked the beginning of western realisation of the truth about Saddam
PS - almost certainly unrelated, but a further complicating factor, is the election on Sunday in Kyrgystan of a new president who appears to be anti-USA and has already ordered the US air base theer to close (in 2014)
Agreed - announcement of the result of his supposed "trial" was obviously also timed for effect
I fear that there are sad similarities between his case and that of Farzad Barzoft.
However if I remember correctly, Barzoft's hanging marked the beginning of western realisation of the truth about Saddam
PS - almost certainly unrelated, but a further complicating factor, is the election on Sunday in Kyrgystan of a new president who appears to be anti-USA and has already ordered the US air base theer to close (in 2014)
Last edited by COCL2; 9th Jan 2012 at 22:40.
.....didn't you promise to never post again if you lost the bet with me about armageddon before christmas day 2011?
As Christmas and New Years have gone and we are still here....I would accept that SAM lost the bet if it was in fact made and accepted by both parties.
As we are all Gentlemen and Ladies here....then wagers must be paid when lost must they not?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Australia - South of where I'd like to be !
Age: 59
Posts: 4,261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SAM did make that bet with Tourist because that bet was the catalyst for me to have a bet with SAM but the date came forward to the 15th Dec and involved money - which he says he paid to a charity. It's early on it the Big Blu thread.
As to why SAM is still here, god knows.
As to why SAM is still here, god knows.