Diversity Thursday

Hmmmm .... who is missing from our official socio-political celebration?

Whose contribution to (D)iversity do we not value? Diversity Day 2012 Flier

Now ... time for a beer

The debate drink for today is Guinness.

If you're interested in my thoughts about tonight's debate ... I'll be tweeting it.

Of Things Lost and Forgotten

As long term members of the front porch know, one of the things that helped break this blog out from the ambient noise 7-8 years ago was our initial push to bring back Riverine forces based on the extreme need in Iraq. 

Sadly, the great diversity of platforms that we used to tremendous effect in Vietnam were thrown away in the late '90s, but we finally did the right thing and did some good with what we put together. We could have done better, but we did OK. 

That memory folded in when I was pondering the picture earlier this month (no, this is not a bring back the BB post; I'm not one of "them" for goodness sake) - but I was thinking again how the busy peace has made us forget what is really needed. 


From the Falklands, Al Faw, and Gaza; we are reminded now and then the power of the general purpose gun ashore. All those capabilities proved over the last century are needed now, but is has atrophied so much, it is almost criminal. Both in capability and execution. Recall the target set during the Libyan operation? Much of those were well within reach of even the 5" & 100mm on most of the ships off shore - but only a few of our allies, most notably the French, even thought of using them. Modern technology makes it better, but we forget even in the analog age - precision gunfire support in urban operations was not only possible, but was expected. It is a capability that simply exists in no other place. 

You know our status now ... but I want to take you back to the attack on the siege of Hue City and the assault on the citadel; something that could not have been done without the 5", 6", and 8" NSFS - not to mention other support via the Riverine forces. 

From Thomas Petri's Lightning From The Sky Thunder From The Sea;

... 15 February ... USS Manley (DD-940) ... Between 0842 and 0946, 42 rounds of five inch/54 ammunition was fired against the wall, rupturing in in three places ... On 17 February, USS Providence (CLG-6) ... delivered 136 rounds of six inch/46 ammunition against the citadel wall ... USS Lynde McCormick (DDG-8) ... on 12 February ... expended 1,077 rounds, ... supressing NVA mortar fire and disrupting one assault on 1st Cav. ... On 21 February ... in preparation for the attack ... the eight-inch guns of cruiser USS Canbarra (CAG-2) with devastating effect. ... On 23 February ... five-inch/54 batteries of USS Hull (DD-945) (were directed on) escaping NVA/VC troops trying to escape ... with 50 confirmed KIA. ... on 27 February ... utili(zing) five-in spin stabilized rockets of USS Carronade (IFS-1) to engage a reported NVA battalion west of Hue, causing 53 secondary explosions and unknown causalities ... In support of Operation Jeb Stuart I, US Navy gunline ships ... fired over 13,000 round of various caliber causing 397 NVA/VC casualties (not including 300-plus KIA USS Canberra shared with artillery units

You get the idea - read more at about page 185 or so.  
Or you can buy the book. We failed the Army and USMC in Iraq by not having what was needed ... and the way things are going, we will fail when the call comes again. Too little, and perhaps too late. 

Again, 5" is nice, 155mm (nee 6.1") is better ... 8" is best of what is realistic in 2012. The MK-71 is standing by. Sigh.

Retro Wednesday

LT B; contain yourself.

USS Iowa (BB-61) in the Gulf of Sidra in 1987 during FON operations. Thanks to Steve for the pic. He was onboard the USS SARATOGA (CV-60) when the Iowa did a GUNEX.

So much for the USAF ....

This statement shouldn't be too much of a shock;

Princeton University grads capitalize on their diploma more than any other school's alumni, a new study finds. Research from PayScale.com revealed that Princeton alumni have the highest mid-career salaries at $137,000, with starting salaries averaging close to $57,000 a year.

Sure. Now check out the schools in the rest of the top-10.

• Harvey Mudd College: $135,000 

• California Institute of Technology: $127,000 

• United States Naval Academy at Annapolis: $122,000 

• United States Military Academy at West Point: $120,000 

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology: $118,000 

• Lehigh University: $118,000 

• Polytechnic Institute of New York University: $117,00 

• Babson College: $117,000 Stanford University: $114,000

I'm still trying to figure out the health of that in a Representative Republic and the old "Athens or Sparta" argument.  I'll need to ponder more.

Still ... interesting, and good job Annapolis.

Where Can You Find the OS Shop on Liberty?

Of course.

The Cure is .... more PowerPoint

Folks seemed to enjoy getting hold of the new CFFC's brief last month ... so why not the one for Senior Staff. 

It isn't that bad ... only 72 slides this time. Gird your loins, it will all be clear in the end. USFF Commanders Guidance Brief to Senior Staff 17 Sep_FINAL