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U.S. Navy Gets Ready For Aviation-Centric America

AWIN First
Michael Fabey
Tue, 2014-09-09 09:00
As the future amphibious assault ship LHA 6 USS America makes its way past the countries of the Americas to get to San Francisco for its scheduled Oct. 11 commissioning, U.S. Navy leaders continue to tout the ship’s aviation capabilities.

America represents "a new class of ship," notes Rear Adm. Frank Ponds, commander Task Force 49 and Expeditionary Strike Group 3, in a recent blog.

"Her foundation is in aviation – absent is the traditional well-deck to make room for the latest aircraft, specifically the MV-22 Osprey currently and F-35B Lightning II in the future," he says. "Increased C5I and medical facilities emphasize America’s multi-role capability as a humanitarian assistance/disaster relief first-responder as well; the architecture of the ship gives it an advantage when responding to a crisis – the long-range, high-speed airlift capabilities make moving people and supplies ashore more expedient than other platforms. From the standpoint of power generation and energy efficiency, USS America’s ‘hybrid’ gas turbines and electrical auxiliary propulsion motors combine to provide the ship extended ranges and high-speed endurance without increased fuel consumption."

On its first voyage, he says, America has been "engaged in a partnership-building 10-week transit of Latin America known as ‘America visits the Americas.’ Along the way, we have met and worked with partner nation sailors and Marines in Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, Theater Security Cooperation events, bilateral exchanges, community relations, and sports events. These activities are about building and sustaining relationships. USS America’s sailors and Marines are cultivating enduring and strong relationships which focus on shared interests based on a set of shared values i.e. individual liberties, human rights, personal dignity and a transparent democratic process. I believe that it is vitally important that we leverage our partnerships and relationships with other nations and their militaries to ensure a global presence and to address transnational challenges. Together, we can embody America’s motto: ‘Prepared in war, and in peace.’ "

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Navy Recognition recently visited the Northrop Grumman facility in Melbourne, Florida. This was the occasion to meet with Jay Mulhall, Director of Business Development for the E-2/C-2 programs and with Fred Shelton, manager of international business development for the E-2C/D programs. So here is what we learned about the next generation airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) of the U.S. Navy: The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.

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Army is worried too many white men lead combat units

Sociologists worry lack of black officers will have detrimental effect on minorities

U.S. Army sociologists are worried that a lack of black officers leading its combat troops will have detrimental effect on minorities and lead to fewer black officers in top leadership posts.

“The issue exists. The leadership is aware of it,” Brig. Gen. Ronald Lewis toldUSA Today on Thursday. “The leadership does have an action plan in place. And it’s complicated.”

The Army reports that only 10 percent of its active-duty officers are black, which has contributed to its dearth of black officers leading soldiers with occupational specialties in infantry, armor and artillery.

“It certainly is a problem for several reasons,” Col. Irving Smith, director of sociology at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, told USA Today. “First we are a public institution. And as a public institution we certainly have more of a responsibility to our nation than a private company to reflect it. In order to maintain their trust and confidence, the people of America need to know that the Army is not only effective but representative of them.”

USA Today’s research found that 25 relevant brigades it looked at did not have a single black commander in 2014. For 2015, the paper reported that there will be two black commanders of combat brigades.

Capt. Grancis Santana, 33, spoke to the paper and asserted that it wasn’t discrimination that was causing a lack of minority officers in key posts — the supply of desired soldiers in his military occupational specialty simply wasn’t there.

“It’s not a good feeling when you’re one of the few,” Capt. Santana told USA Today. “There was no discrimination; there are just not a lot of people like you.”

The paper also noted that of the 238 West Point graduates commissioned to be infantry officers in 2012, only seven were black. One of the Army’s plans for addressing the issue will be to put more emphasis on recruiting and mentoring minority officers.

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9/12/2014 6:49:00 AM

By U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs
WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Two F/A-18 Hornets from Carrier Air Wing 17 embarked on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) crashed at 5:40 p.m. local time, today, while operating at sea in the western Pacific Ocean. The initial report is that the two aircraft are assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 94 (VFA-94) and Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113).

One pilot was rapidly located and returned to Carl Vinson, and is currently receiving medical attention. Search efforts continue for the second pilot.

The search for the second pilot includes guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) and helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 (HSC 15) and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (HSM 73).

The two F/A-18C Hornets have not been recovered.

All remaining airborne aircraft were safely recovered onboard.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Carl Vinson and embarked Carrier Air Wing 17 are currently underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.

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bd popeye said:

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cyan1320 said:

Holy Crap!
midair collision?

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Release Date: 9/12/2014

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Updated 0100, Japan Standard Time, Sept. 13, 2014.

The pilot of one of two F/A-18 Hornets that crashed Sept. 12 while operating from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) is in fair condition and receiving medical treatment aboard the ship. Search efforts continue for the missing pilot.

At the time of the incident, USS Carl Vinson was operating in the Western Pacific Ocean approximately 250 nautical miles west of Wake Island. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

The ships of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, USS Carl Vinson, USS Bunker Hill, USS Gridley, USS Sterett, and USS Dewey, along with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (HSM 73) are providing continuing search and rescue efforts.

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thunderchief said:

Interesting article. Is there a racial and/or gender quota in US Armed Forces ?

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TerraN_EmpirE said:

There does now seem to be a gender Quota. Something to keep in mind is that despite what some might think The Us Army is actually in line with the population figures. about 60% of the US Army officer, Warrant, and Enlisted in the guard, Reserves and Active army Check marked "White" on there paperwork in 2012. I know Shock Horror! Guess what compare that to the comparable US population Demographics of 2010 and guess what. 72 % White. The Enlisted numbers across the Army are a virtual match for the Population Demographics with one exception Hispanics make up less of the Ranks compared to there population. And in the officer Ranks there are a higher number of African Americans 13% in uniform compared to the 9% of General population of African Americans aged 25-54 with Bachelor's degrees. So This seems a more political story.

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