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The
ON THE INSIDE
Issue 54 Newsletter of the Association of Minemen Summer 2006
The Mail Bag 9
Scholarship Scoop 6
Binnacle List 6
Taps 8
Fleet News 12
MOMAG News 14
MCM News 20
FROM THE PRESIDENTFROM THE PRESIDENTFROM THE PRESIDENTFROM THE PRESIDENTFROM THE PRESIDENT William “Bill” Johnson
DASHPOTREUNION 2006 IN PANAMAREUNION 2006 IN PANAMAREUNION 2006 IN PANAMAREUNION 2006 IN PANAMAREUNION 2006 IN PANAMA
CITYCITYCITYCITYCITY, FL, FL, FL, FL, FLFor planning purposes, here is the latest informa-tion about the 2006 AOM reunion in Panama City.
I want to tie up some loose ends regarding thereunion. First the Early Bird. We are seriouslythinking about putting on a shrimp boil but wedon’t know how many to expect. So the questionis this: Is there interest in having a shrimp boil?(we’d charge a small fee per plate). The secondquestion is: how many expect to attend? I’d like todo an e-mail / phone ‘straw poll’, so membersand non-members alike who are going to be intown for the Early Bird drop me a line [email protected] or phone (850) 215-9649(evenings please) or Bob Bainbridge [email protected] or KenWaringa at [email protected].
Next, the Dinner: please make your dinnerselections not later than 30 September. We’llhelp you remember what you ordered ;-).
Finally, the Picnic. Bob Bainbridge and LeoSmith haven’t priced out the roast pig just yet, butwith a good turn-out the advertised $12 per adulthead should cover expenses. If the numbers arelow, we may have to increase the price per adultto $15. We’re getting excited about this year’sevent. We’re aiming to set a high water mark forfun reunions. Come on out and enjoy the beautifulEmerald Coast and good ol’ Mineman hospitality.
Accommodations: The Boardwalk BeachResort has reserved rooms for AOM membersstarting with 10 on Thursday the 19th for thoseContinued top of page 3.
Summer is finally here. The children are finishedwith school for a couple of months and its time toenjoy that vacation you so richly deserve. Astime is so quickly fleeting, its time for anotherDashpot Article. It seems like only yesterdaywhen I sent in my last one. Time goes by fastwhen we are having fun. The Reunion Committee has been hard at workputting together a weekend that will be enjoyedby all. Ron Swart has assured me that everyonethat attends will have a wonderful time. SeeRelated Article in this issue for further details. Just a friendly reminder to remember ourScholarship Fund when you send in yourreservation for the upcoming reunion. Our Schol-arship Chairman, William “Swede” Carlson, hasbeen busy sorting through the Scholarship re-quests and getting them ready for approval by hiscommittee. Remember, your donations aretax deductible. Have an exciting and enjoyable summer andabove all be safe. God Bless all of you andyour families, our Association, the Navy and GodBless America.
$20K BONUS FOR MN$20K BONUS FOR MN$20K BONUS FOR MN$20K BONUS FOR MN$20K BONUS FOR MNRESERVES!RESERVES!RESERVES!RESERVES!RESERVES!
See CNO message on page three.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE WORLDDON’T WORRY ABOUT THE WORLDDON’T WORRY ABOUT THE WORLDDON’T WORRY ABOUT THE WORLDDON’T WORRY ABOUT THE WORLDCOMING TO AN END TODACOMING TO AN END TODACOMING TO AN END TODACOMING TO AN END TODACOMING TO AN END TODAYYYYY. IT’S. IT’S. IT’S. IT’S. IT’S
ALREADY TOMORROW INALREADY TOMORROW INALREADY TOMORROW INALREADY TOMORROW INALREADY TOMORROW INAUSTRALIA.AUSTRALIA.AUSTRALIA.AUSTRALIA.AUSTRALIA.
Charles M. Schulz (1922 - 2000)
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DEDICATED TOSERVING THE
U.S. NAVY MINEFORCE
The Dashpot, publishedquarterly, is the newslet-ter of the Association ofMinemen, a non-profitorganization incorporatedin the state of SouthCarolina with the missionof perpetuating knowl-edge of undersea minewarfare and championingits necessity as one ofAmerica’s first lines ofdefense.
PRESIDENT
Bill Johnson (04-07)341 Shadynook St.
Keyport, NJ 07735-5140732-583-8546
VICE PRESIDENTWarren Savage (04-07)
10330 Settle Rd.Santee, CA 92071
SECRETARY/TREASURERCurtis T. Christian (01- Morte)
303 Cypress Shores Rd.Eutawville, SC 29048
PAST PRESIDENTG. Paul Santa Maria (04-07)
228 Kiwi DriveBarefoot Bay, FL 32976
PARLIMENTARIANWarren Savage10330 Settle Rd.
Santee, CA 92071619-258-1478
CHAPLAINRobert N. Hart
1237 Patrick HwyHartsville, SC 29550-7759
HISTORIANRon Swart
2020 Tupelo CourtPanama City, Fl 32405
850-215- 9649Mobile [email protected]
YORKTOWN MUSEUMToby Horn
LEXINGTON MUSEUMRon Swart
2005 REUNION COMMITTEERon Swart
2020 Tupelo CourtPanama City, Fl 32405
850-215- 9649Mobile [email protected]
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEEWilliam (Swede) Carlsen
1925 Pilgrim Ave.Bronx, NY 10461
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gary L. Cleland (03-06)12201 Sunrise Ct.
Poway, CA 92064-2865858-748-3835
William Fortner (05-06)1020 County Road 856.Cedar Bluff, AL 35959
Robert W. Wilson (04-07)10 Illinois Ave
Port Monmouth, NJ 07758-1108732-787-4174
FAX 732-787-5519 (call first)[email protected]
Robert “Stan” Stancik (04-07)151 Westminster Blvd.
Goose Creek, SC 29445-1879843 797 2275
Robert N. Hart (05-08)1237 Patrick Hwy
Hartsville, SC 29559-7759843-383-0882
Walter W. Peters (05-08)3040 Annette St.
Ardara, PA [email protected]
AOM STOREKEEPERPaul Santa Maria (01-04)
228 Kiwi DriveBarefoot Bay, FL 32976
DASHPOT EDITORBill Fortner
1020 County Road 856Cedar Bluff, AL 35959
AOM HOMEPAGEhome.triad.rr.com/aom/index.htm
WEBMASTERPhil Dechene
THETHETHETHETHEASSOCIATIONASSOCIATIONASSOCIATIONASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION
OFOFOFOFOFMINEMENMINEMENMINEMENMINEMENMINEMEN
3
2006 Reunion Information continued.who plan on arriving early (5 poolside and 5 onthe beach side). Starting on Friday throughSunday there are 25 rooms poolside and 20rooms reserved on the beach side. The cost forrooms is $79.00 poolside and $89.00 on thebeach side per night. There is an additionalcharge of $3.40 per night for telephone accessfee which includes unlimited local and long dis-tance phone calls (continental US Only).
To reserve your room please call the Boardwalkat (850) 234-3484 or the toll free number, (800-224-4853) and be sure to ask for the Associationof Minemen Reunion to get these rates. Theserooms and rates are available until 20 Septem-ber 2006, after that date rooms will be providedon a space available basis at the regular rate.
If you are planning on bringing your RV or desireto camp… there are numerous places to staynear the hotel, on the Navy Base or Tyndall AFB.If you need assistance with locating a place,please contact (To Be Provided in Next Issue)
Miscellaneous: For those who may be inter-ested, there is a small Navy Exchange on theNavy Base and a large BX and commissary onTyndall AFB (about a 40-minute ride on East-bound US 98). There are golf courses galorewith something for duffers and professionalsalike. We’re still looking for ideas on the LadiesEvent to counterbalance the Business Meeting. Ifyou need more information or have input, pleasecontact the Reunion Committee.
The Reunion Committee:
Ron Swart [email protected]
Ken Waringa [email protected]
Bob Bainbridge [email protected]
Chuck Hadden [email protected]
Leo Smith [email protected]
NEW!!! - NEW!!! - NEW!!! - NEW!!!NEW!!! - NEW!!! - NEW!!! - NEW!!!NEW!!! - NEW!!! - NEW!!! - NEW!!!NEW!!! - NEW!!! - NEW!!! - NEW!!!NEW!!! - NEW!!! - NEW!!! - NEW!!!AOM CHALLENGE COINSAOM CHALLENGE COINSAOM CHALLENGE COINSAOM CHALLENGE COINSAOM CHALLENGE COINS
Superior quality 1-5/8 inch shiny brass, hand-painted, with the AOM logo on one side and theUS Navy seal on the other. These spectacularcoins are epoxy finished to protect the beautifulworkmanship and luster. They are real keep-sakes that you’ll be proud to display. AOM Mem-bers price $10 each + $1 shipping (fixed ship-ping fee for 1 to 10 coins). Newly joining mem-bers can order coins for $8 each + $1 shipping (1to 10 coins) with their paid membership applica-tion.
Remember, you can save the cost of shipping ifyou plan on attending the reunion in Panama Citythis coming October, where the AOM Ship’sStore will have a large supply for purchase alongwith other AOM-logo items. Order yours today!
R 181249Z MAY 06FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//TO NAVADMIN
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. THIS NAVADMIN ISCHANGE ONE TO REF A AND IS EFFECTIVEIMMEDIATELY. THIS MESSAGE EXPANDSTHE NON-PRIOR SERVICE BASIC (NPSB)BONUS TO INCLUDE NON-GWOT CRITICALRATINGS AND TO IMPLEMENT A TIEREDBONUS PAYMENT STRUCTURE FOR THEPROGRAM. ALL BASIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIACONTAINED IN REF B REMAIN IN EFFECT.GUIDANCE IN THIS NAVADMIN SUPERCEDESREF B IN ANY AREA WHERE THE TWO MAYCONFLICT. THE NPSB TIERED BONUS PAY-MENT STRUCTURE IS BASED ON RATING/SKILL AND A REQUIREMENT TO ENLIST INTHE SELECTED RESERVE FOR SIX YEARS.FAILURE TO SATISFACTORILY DRILL IN THESELECTED RESERVE FOR THE FULL SIX-YEAR ENLISTMENT WILL SUBJECT THEMEMBER TO RECOUPMENT OF THE BONUSUNDER THE PROVISIONS SPECIFIED IN REFC. NPSB TIERS ARE AS FOLLOWS: A. TIER 1 SPECIALTIES: $20,000 LUMPSUM
SKILL NEC NOTE
MN 0000
THE ONLTHE ONLTHE ONLTHE ONLTHE ONLY DIFFERENCEY DIFFERENCEY DIFFERENCEY DIFFERENCEY DIFFERENCEBETWEEN A YBETWEEN A YBETWEEN A YBETWEEN A YBETWEEN A YARD SALE ANDARD SALE ANDARD SALE ANDARD SALE ANDARD SALE AND
A TRA TRA TRA TRA TRASH PICKASH PICKASH PICKASH PICKASH PICKUP IS HOWUP IS HOWUP IS HOWUP IS HOWUP IS HOWCLCLCLCLCLOSE TO THE ROAD THEOSE TO THE ROAD THEOSE TO THE ROAD THEOSE TO THE ROAD THEOSE TO THE ROAD THE
STUFF IS PLACED.STUFF IS PLACED.STUFF IS PLACED.STUFF IS PLACED.STUFF IS PLACED.
4
BIOGRAPHY OF OUR GUEST SPEAKER FOR THEBIOGRAPHY OF OUR GUEST SPEAKER FOR THEBIOGRAPHY OF OUR GUEST SPEAKER FOR THEBIOGRAPHY OF OUR GUEST SPEAKER FOR THEBIOGRAPHY OF OUR GUEST SPEAKER FOR THE2006 ANNUAL REUNION DINNER:2006 ANNUAL REUNION DINNER:2006 ANNUAL REUNION DINNER:2006 ANNUAL REUNION DINNER:2006 ANNUAL REUNION DINNER:
MR. JOSEPH (JOE) G. KOCURMR. JOSEPH (JOE) G. KOCURMR. JOSEPH (JOE) G. KOCURMR. JOSEPH (JOE) G. KOCURMR. JOSEPH (JOE) G. KOCURJoe is a Jersey-boy, graduating with an electrical engineering degree in 1970 from Newark Collegeof Engineering (later renamed as New Jersey Institute of Technology).
Joe went to work at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, White Oak, Maryland in June 1970 where heparticipated in the evaluations of the Torpedo Mk 48 Mod 1 and the advanced development version ofthe CAPTOR mine. Highlight moment: Joe was the Lab’s submarine rider on the USS Narwhal (SSN-671) during the total system test of the CAPTOR. In this test, the sub ranged over the air-laid CAP-TOR field, where the CAPTOR mines fired their torpedo upon detecting the sub.
From August ’73 to Sep ’95, he did in-service mine work at the Naval Mine Engineering Facility(NMEF), Yorktown, Va., later renamed the Naval Mine Warfare Engineering Activity (NMWEA) in1983. During those years, Joe worked on producing, reworking or maintaining many service minedevices like the Firing Mechanism Mk 42 & Batteries Mk 95 of the Destructor weapons, Control BoxMk 49 (of the Mine Mk 55 Mod 7), Firing Mechanism Mk 26 of the Mine Mk 56, and theQUICKSTRIKE Target Detecting Devices Mk 57 and Mk 58. Ah, yes, and their test sets which weremostly made by companies who were not industrial giants!
In Oct ’95, the Yorktown Activity closed and in-service worked moved to NSWC-Panama City. Today,Joe works in supporting the production of the Target Detecting Device Mk 71 Mod 1 – the US Navy’/slatest and greatest target detecting device- for use in the Mod 3 QUICKSTRIKE mines.
Joe has met a lot of Minemen over the years through such events as the annual In-service Mine Con-ference in Yorktown during the 70’s and 80’s, site Fleet Assistant Team visits, or during their FleetLiaison tours at Yorktown or Panama City. He treasures the opportunity to reminisce with you oversome of the happenings in the world of US Navy mines over the last 35 years.
Footnote: Joe Kocur is now the senior engineer remaining from the Yorktown days and is consideredby his contemporaries and peers throughout NAVSEASYSCOM as the national expert on near-fieldtargeting devices and sea mines in general. His remarkable memory for detail and interest in allthings historical, has made him the go-to guy for everything from music trivia to the most minutetechnical specifications. He has come to epitomize all of the hard work and technical acumen pro-vided by the Navy in-service and mine system development labs over the past 36 years. Joe knowsmines (and a whole lot more)! We’re in for a treat at this year’s dinner.
Hi All
We still look good with our operating funds at $12,670.83. We will more than meet our expenses thisyear.
Sure do need some help with the Scholarship funds. We have only $1876.18 in the fund and that willonly cover three (3) scholarships. We will get a few hundred dollars from the interest on the Presi-dents scholarship CD. If you have an extra buck you may want to put in it this fund. We can not takethe capital from this fund only the interest it makes in a given year.
If your Dash-Pot has “Oct. 2005” on it, this will be your last one. Send me some dues. We can onlycarry you for a year.
Hope to see Y’all in Fl. This year. (For our members up north, that word Y’all is a wonderful word.) Itcan be used to cover most any thing. Like Y’all come on down to Fl this year.
See Ya.Curtis
FROM THEFROM THEFROM THEFROM THEFROM THEDESK OFDESK OFDESK OFDESK OFDESK OFTHE SECRETTHE SECRETTHE SECRETTHE SECRETTHE SECRETARARARARARYYYYY
NEXT DASHPOTNEXT DASHPOTNEXT DASHPOTNEXT DASHPOTNEXT DASHPOTARTICLES DUEARTICLES DUEARTICLES DUEARTICLES DUEARTICLES DUE
1 SEPTEMBER 20061 SEPTEMBER 20061 SEPTEMBER 20061 SEPTEMBER 20061 SEPTEMBER 2006
5
HOW’S THE KIDS?HOW’S THE KIDS?HOW’S THE KIDS?HOW’S THE KIDS?HOW’S THE KIDS?
CTMCS(SW/AW) Patrick A. Hart enlisted into the Navy and reported to Basic Training at RecruitTraining Center, Orlando, Florida in August 1986. Upon completion of Basic Training, he reported toNaval Technical Training Center (NTTC), Corry Station, Pensacola, FL for Cryptologic Technician(Maintenance) (CTM) A-school, where upon graduation was promoted to Petty Officer Third class.He then transferred to Wichita Falls and San Antonio, TX for schools enroute to his first duty station atPatrol Wing 11, Jacksonville, FL where he performed duties as a KWR/T-26, KG-84 and Mod 40 TTYmaintenance technician. During this tour he was promoted to Petty Officer Second Class, desig-nated an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist and transferred in 1990 to the USS Fife (DD-991)forward deployed in Yokosuka, Japan.
Aboard the USS Fife he performed duties as the Outboard II High Frequency Direction Finding(HFDF) system maintenance supervisor. During this tour he was promoted to Petty Officer FirstClass, assumed duties as Division Assistant LPO, was designated an Enlisted Surface WarfareSpecialist and participated in the time honored ceremony of “Crossing the Equator” to become aShellback. In 1993, he was assigned to USS Truxtun (CGN-35) in Bremerton, Washington where heperformed duties as the Outboard I maintenance supervisor and Division Assistant LPO. During thistour he played a key role in the Truxtun’s decommissioning process as Operations Department 3MCoordinator.
In 1995, he reported to Naval Security Group Activity, Pensacola to attend the Cryptologic NetworkConfiguration Manager course at the University of West Florida. Upon graduation he was assignedto the Naval Security Group Detachment, Monterey, CA. as the Network Administrator and SupportDepartment LPO. During this tour he engineered, installed, and managed the command’s local areanetwork (LAN) leading the command into the information age. Additionally, he served as AssistantSenior Watch Officer (ASWO) for nearly 450 Navy language students. During this tour, he met andmarried his lovely wife and soul mate Katy.
In 1999, he reported to NTTC Corry Station, Pensacola, FL as a Network Security and VulnerabilityTechnician (NSVT) instructor where he taught computer security and information assurance tech-niques to Navy and Air Force System Administrators. In September 1999, he was promoted to theesteemed rank of Chief Petty Officer and assumed the duties as Information Systems Administrator(ISA) Course Manager. Shortly after, he was selected to stand-up the Advanced Network Analyst(ANA) course where he served as Course Manager and lead instructor teaching both Cryptologic andInformation Systems Technicians (CTs & ITs) how to manage and optimize the Navy’s computernetworks. In addition, he designed and stood-up the Journeyman Networking Core (J-NETCORE)course, replacing the ISA course, to teach System Administrators the latest in LAN/WAN networkingtechnologies. In 2002, he was designated a Master Training Specialist and promoted to Senior Chiefin 2003.
In 2003 Senior Chief Hart reported to Naval Security Group Command Headquarters, Fort Meade,MD where he served as the N4 Department Chief in charge of acquisitions, logistics, and mainte-nance throughout the Naval Security Group claimancy. In 2004 he was transferred to Navy InformationOperations Command, Maryland to complete the remainder of his tour as part of the U.S. StrategicCommand’s Joint Functional Component Command for Network Warfare (JFCC-NW) charged withComputer Network Operations (CNO) planning and integration. Shortly after checking aboard heassumed duties as Department Chief for 120 Sailors. As the Deputy Training Officer and the SeniorEnlisted Leader for 46 joint-service military personnel. During his tenure he interfaced with the ser-vices, training units, and USSTRATCOM Headquarters to fulfill critical workforce skill requirementsresulting in a 400 percent increase in military manning. As Deputy Training Officer he served asTechnical Lead for the development and implementation of the first-ever Department of Defense-wideCNO operator/planner course, teaching information warriors the knowledge and skills required toeffectively plan and support Computer Network Operations while base-lining the CNO planning pro-cess, understanding of cyber-law, policy, and doctrine across DoD.
Senior Chief Hart has been awarded the following decorations:Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (3 awards); Joint Meritorious Unit Award; NavyMeritorious Unit Commendation; Navy “E” (2 awards); Good Conduct Award (5 awards); NationalDefense Service Medal (2 awards); Southwest Asia Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism ServiceMedal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2 awards); Coast Guard Special Operations Service Rib-bon (2 awards); Kuwait Liberation (Kuwait) Medal; Expert Pistol Marksmanship Medal.
Connie and Bob Hart wish to announce the retirement of our son CTMCS Patrick A. Hart. Pat willretire on 23 June 2006 at the Naval Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, MD.
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Harold Elston, LCDR, USN (Ret.)
Hi all,
In case you haven’t heard, I have been diagnosedwith Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I started onChemo last Tuesday and will have treatmentsevery 3 weeks, with tests of blood cells eachTuesday between. I would ask that all the emailsthat are not personal, be held until further notice. Iam pretty weak and have been having to justdelete the ones I think are jokes, patriotic, reli-gious and the like.
Please feel free to send personal emails but holdthe other.
Thanks,Harold Elston
BINNACLEBINNACLEBINNACLEBINNACLEBINNACLE LIST LIST LIST LIST LIST
15 May 2006
Greetings Mineman Association,
Once again I would like to thank the MinemanAssociation for presenting 2 medals to our MostImproved cadets. Again we had two cadets thatfit the requirements for the award.
The Colleton County High School NJROTC Unitheld its Annual Awards Night on 26 April 2006.This year 131 cadets received many awards.
We were very fortunate to have an HonoraryMineman present at the awards ceremony. CaptJames Kenney, USN (Ret). He was here topresent some other awards and I asked him if hewould like to present the Associations awards.
This years Association of Mineman award waspresented to C/SA Devorah Gantt and C/SAMatthew Rogall. Both of these cadets started outthe year slow and really took off near the end ofthe first quarter. Both cadets are returning to theprogram next school year. Cadet Rogall is alsoon the school DECA Culinary Arts team. Theteam placed first in the region and first in thestate. Last week we found out that the team alsoplaced third in the nation. The reward for thirdplace is a scholarship to a culinary arts college inNew Hampshire.
Once again, for the 7th time in 9 years the Unitreceived the Distinguished Unit award, whichplaces the Unit in the top 30% of NJROTC Unitsin the nation. The other two years the Unit re-ceived the Unity Achievement Award.
My wife and I had the pleasure of attending ourGod Daughter’s Graduation from the FranklinPierce Law Center. The Commencement cer-emony was very impressive. It made me feel veryproud as a member of the Association ofMinemen because our God Daughter had beena recepient of AOM scholarships.
There is still time for students to submit applica-tions for an AOM Scholarship. As always, theapplicant forms can be downloaded on line at:home.triad.rr.com/aom/index.htm or they can behad from the Secretary/Treasurer, Curtis Chris-tian and the Scholarship Chairman, W. (Swede)Carlsen. Have potential scholarship applicantssubmit their forms, so the Scholarship Commit-tee can select qualified applicants for an AOMScholarship.
Remember, your donations are what support theAOM Scholarship programs. Both the Preidentialand General Scholarship funds are available foryour Tax Free generosity.
STAND TALL AMERICA
I would like thank the Association for its continuedsupport.
V/R MNCS Rick Spofford
Naval Science InstructorColleton County High SchoolNavy Junior Reserve Officers Training CorpsColleton County High School
SCHOLARSHIP SCHOLARSHIP SCHOLARSHIP SCHOLARSHIP SCHOLARSHIP SCOOP SCOOP SCOOP SCOOP SCOOP
By Swede Carlsen
7
Below are recently changed or added e-mails on the AOM WEB Site. There have been severalinquiries about e-mail addresses on the AOM WEB Site that are bouncing. If you are listed on thesite please check to see if your address is correct. If changes are required or you wish to be listed onthe site e-mail me the information at [email protected]. Phil DeChene AOM WEB Master
E-Mail - Active Duty
05/14/06 - ENS John Caporuscio; [email protected]/12/06 - Jai Dykes MNCS (SW); [email protected]/15/06 - Steven McMillian MNC (SW); [email protected]/13/06 - John Pennington, MN1 (SW); [email protected]/03/06 - Nick House MN3; [email protected]
E-Mail - Reservist
01/11/06 - Carrie Williams, MNCS (AW/SW); [email protected]
E-Mail - Retired
05/05/06 - David Jerome Higgs MN2; [email protected]/25/06 - Jim” Pavlicek FTCS; [email protected]/16/06 - LCDR Tim Paton; [email protected]/02/06 - Ross Maddocks MNCM; [email protected]/02/06 - George Baker MN1; [email protected]
E-Mail - Ex-Mineman
05/22/06 - Joe Beetar MN3; [email protected]/25/06 - Ted Elhajj MN3; [email protected]; [email protected]/02/06 - John Todd Mineman; [email protected]/13/06 - Tim Lee MN3; [email protected]/13/06 - Roger Hanich; [email protected]/26/06 - Jim Polk MN2; [email protected]
FROM THE WEBMASTERFROM THE WEBMASTERFROM THE WEBMASTERFROM THE WEBMASTERFROM THE WEBMASTER
NEW FISHMARKET OPENS IN EUTNEW FISHMARKET OPENS IN EUTNEW FISHMARKET OPENS IN EUTNEW FISHMARKET OPENS IN EUTNEW FISHMARKET OPENS IN EUTAAAAAWVILLE, SCWVILLE, SCWVILLE, SCWVILLE, SCWVILLE, SC
Curtis and a friend claim they caught these beauties. Folks in the know suspect these were bought atthe local fishmarket and they spent the day just goofing off in the boat. Note the rare “Stealth Fish”
(rt. ctr.) found only in Lake Marion and caught only with Cherry Bombs. :-)
8
Glaze, Doyle R., MNC, USN (Ret.)
My father, Doyle R. “Rick” Glaze MNC (Retired1970), passed away at home in Baton Rouge,Louisiana from lung cancer at 6 pm on May 16.He was stationed on the Ticonderoga, Indiana,Shanks and others that he could not remember.We were so excited to know that he found thiswebsite, and I believe he caught up with an oldshipmate of his though this great site.
He wanted me, his daughter, to contact andinform you of his death and its circumstances.We are asking that, in lieu of flowers, pleasemake a donation to the American Cancer Soci-ety. If anyone was close to him and wishes towrite anything to him or my mother, it can be sentto our home address:
9469 El Cajon DriveBaton Rouge, LA 70815
Thank you. We appreciate all your hard work inthe service.
Sincerely,Nicole Glaze
Wheelock, Dale E., MNCM, USN (Ret.)
Dale E. Wheelock, 76, a retired Navy MasterChief Petty Officer, who once served as theSenior Enlisted Advisor to the Commander,Naval Forces, Philippines, died Monday, 29 May(Memorial Day) of complications associated withPancreatic Cancer at the Harrison MedicalCenter in Bremerton, Washington. He was 76years old.
Dale was born in Roseburg, Oregon and aftergraduating from Camas Valley High School,worked as a logger until he enlisted in the NavyAfter entering the Navy and becoming a“Mineman” he completed a 27 year Navy careerduring which, he served at a variety of duty sta-tions including: Charleston South Carolina,Yorktown Virginia, Indian Island Washington,Trinidad British West Indies, Cubi Point Philip-pines, Iwakuni Japan, Guam and made deploy-ments onboard the USS Ticonderoga, and to theRepublic of Vietnam.
He was a well-respected member of the Navy’sMine Warfare community and known affection-ately as “Moose”. He was instrumental in thebuildup and deployment of naval mines used tomine Haiphong Harbor in North Vietnam which
TAPSTAPSTAPSTAPSTAPS
accelerated the end of the Vietnam conflict andwas selected to be the Senior Enlisted Advisor tothe Commander of Naval Forces in the Philip-pines during the early 1970s, which was one ofthe most challenging assignments of his Navalcareer.
He retired from the Navy in 1976 and moved toTrout Creek, Montana where he lived for twoyears, ultimately settling in Chimacum Washing-ton where he worked as a civil service employeeat the Naval Base at Indian Island until his retire-ment in 1991
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, the formerAnne Brown of Schuyler VA, two sons Greg andDana, two brothers Terrell and Joe, and twograndsons, Phillip and Daniel.
Memorial services were conducted at 3:30 PMon Sunday 11 June at the Irondale Church in PortHadlock, WA. The family requests contributionsin lieu of flowers to the following charities:America’s Second Harvest at: http://www.secondharvest.org/orFeed the Children at: http://www.feedthechildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=dotorg_homepage
Fair winds and following seas, shipmates.
9
Note from Paul Santa Maria (AKA Snoopy, famous WW l Fighter Ace) .....
Here’s some pics we took when we went to California in March. We spent a couple of days with Boot’s daughter and son-in-law at NAS Lemoore. What a thrill it was to sit in an F-18 “Super Hornet”. He also took me on a tour of the Operations Area in the hangar. It felt good to be among a bunch of sailors again.
Hello Bill,Sorry for the late E/Mail But it was with heavyheart when I read the Taps page.
With the passing of Chief Frank Cavaricci, afellow Mineman from PA. At Mineman A schoolAMN 6/66 frank took me under his wing like ason, At A school he always had time to help meif there where any problems, and was always atthe softball games for Mine Warfare School, tomake sure that I was putting out 110% on thefield as well as off the field, and to help fellowshipmates when ever possible.
MN3 Glenn C Troutman.( Smokey Moose)
Belated e-mail from MNCS Donald Healer, USN(Ret) via Joe Hernandez 11/22/04
I was reading your article on the AOM last night.The USS Midway (CVA-41) also was responsiblefor the mining of Haiphong (Dec 18,1972). Iknow because I was there. MN1 Charlie Dunn,Michael Milem, MN3 Jim Anderson (USNR), andmyself MNSN. Very exciting night. Lou Delozierwas a good friend of mine and was sorry to hearof his passing. I deployed to MOMAG Det 4 withTim Mercier in 1973 and often wonder how he isgetting on. If you remember, he was one of thefirst Minemen to receive the NAM. I still remem-ber the day MNCM Reid told us of MN1 Yancy’spassing. Your article brought back a lot of memo-ries. Thanks.
Have a great day and I hope you have many moreenjoyable years of retirement.
Regards,Donald Healer (MNCS Ret.)
MAILMAILMAILMAILMAIL BA BA BA BA BAGGGGG
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MINEMEN IN MINEMEN IN MINEMEN IN MINEMEN IN MINEMEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT THE SPOTLIGHT THE SPOTLIGHT THE SPOTLIGHT THE SPOTLIGHTMineman Chief Commissionedas Ensign with Son’s Blessing
By Dan Broadstreet, NSWC PC Public Affairs
PANAMA CITY – Mineman Chief JohnCaporuscio was ceremonially discharged honor-ably and reinstated as Ensign, April 1, with dis-tinctive honors incorporated into the Navy’s time-honored commissioning ceremony. Present forthe event, which took place at the Naval SupportActivity’s Long Glass Conference Center, wereCaporuscio’s wife Amber, his son Tyler, daughterKalea , friends, and superior officers.
Among several keynote speakers were, NavalSurface Warfare Center Panama City’s Com-manding Officer, Capt. Vito Jimenez; ExecutiveOfficer Cmdr. Jeffrey Prater; Cmdr. Ron SwartUSN (Ret.); and Mineman Petty Officer SecondClass, Michael Taylor.
Prater informed audience participants they werewitnessing a rare sight, emphasizing that mostcommissioning ceremonies were conducted atthe Naval Academy, Naval Reserve OfficersTraining Corps, or at the Officer CandidateSchool. He said he considered it a privilege to bepart of an “individualized,” yet a time-honoredtradition that had been carried on for literallyhundreds of years.
Reading aloud his own ‘George Letter,’ toCaporuscio, Prater said he hoped by sharing thetraditional letter that welcomes officers to thewardroom, that it would inspire Caporuscio tocontinue such traditions, which Prater feelsstrengthens camaraderie and promotes unitcohesiveness.
A family custom is incorporated into a Navycommissioning ceremony as seven-year-old TylerCaporuscio places a new officer’s cap upon his newlycommissioned father, Ensign John Caporuscio.Pictured left to right are: Donna Niemuth (mother);Ensign John Caporuscio; Tyler Caporuscio; andgrandfather Chris Niemuth who assists young Tyler incompleting the ceremony’s official honors.
Naval Surface Warfare Center Executive OfficerCmdr. Jeffrey Prater (right) administerscommissioning oath to Ensign John Caporuscio as hismother Donna Niemuth (far left), wife Amber, sonTyler, and father Chris Niemuth (standing behindTyler) look on with pride.
“The Oath is really as profound as a person’sreputation. And, we are literally committing ourvery lives for the freedom and defense of allAmericans,” Prater added, emphasizing hehoped Americans remembered such commit-ment is what drives Sailors to serve with distinc-tion deserving of promotion.
Adding to Prater’s commendations, Swart – whohad previously served with Caporuscio as asuperior – said Caporuscio’s consistent adher-ence to safety, his ensuring strict adherence toordnance instructions, procedures, and regula-tions were leadership traits to the benefit of all.
“He didn’t leave a mess for someone else toclean up in wake of his deployments to otherstations assignments,” Swart said, further com-mending Caporuscio for setting examples ofexcellent leadership qualities.
“When I spoke of a continuum of leadership andexcellence, I was using Ensign Caporuscio as aliving example of how it is done the right way,”Swart added.
Caporuscio said he was fortunate to have servedwith America’s finest shipmates. However, hegave most of the credit to his wife and family,adding that their unfailing support were un-matched fuel for sustaining his dedication tocountry.
“My wife’s loyalty and support have brought me tothis point in my life. And, when I made Chief,again – my son was there to place my cover onmy head,” he said, emphasizing he believedkeeping his family involved in the Navy’s corevalues would inspire loyalty and patriotism in hischildren.
“They are memories and values I believe Tylerand Amber will be able to keep forever,” heconcluded.
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COMOMAG Eearly 1980s
Bill Mehard and Bob Stancik Timmy Patton
Terry Auberry Pooch Troutman
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FLEET NEWSFLEET NEWSFLEET NEWSFLEET NEWSFLEET NEWS
WORKING TOGETHER TOWORKING TOGETHER TOWORKING TOGETHER TOWORKING TOGETHER TOWORKING TOGETHER TOCREACREACREACREACREATE A MORE UNIFIED NATE A MORE UNIFIED NATE A MORE UNIFIED NATE A MORE UNIFIED NATE A MORE UNIFIED NAVYVYVYVYVY
By Andrea Bell
The Commander, Mine Warfare Command(CMWC) Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV)Platoon recently returned from collaborativeexperimentation conducted at the NATO Under-sea Research Center (NURC) in La Spezia, Italy.Experimentation took place off of the northwestcoast of Italy from the 12th to the 17th of Decem-ber. The primary objectives of the experimentwere to assist in testing the NATO prototypeAutonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) planningand evaluation tool and develop Tactics, Tech-niques, and Procedures (TTP) for employment ofsmall UUVs from Surface Mine CountermeasuresVessels (SMCMVs).
Led by LTJG Melissa Flores, Officer-in-Charge(OIC), members of the UUV Platoon operatedtwo Remote Environmental Monitoring Units(REMUS) vehicles equipped with a sidescansonar from the NURC research vesselLEONARDO, “flying” multiple missions. Duringthe 5-day event, they carried out key Mine Coun-termeasures (MCM) tasks such as searching forand classifying Mine-like Contacts (MILCs), and“bottom mapping” the ocean floor to facilitateseabed classification, clutter density estimationand other tactical objectives. NURC Scientist-in-Charge, Dr. Ben Evans, was responsible forproducing a well-conceived and flawlessly ex-ecuted trials plan. Personnel from the NavalOceanographic Office, Naval Surface WarfareCenter Panama City, and Hydroid, manufacturerof the REMUS system supported the CMWCteam.
This experiment and associated data collectionand analysis directly contributed to accomplish-ment of U.S. Navy SMCM User OperationalEvaluation System (UOES) objectives and alsosatisfied key objectives of Sea Trial initiatives:2020, SMCMV UUV Employment, and Littoral
Combat Ship (LCS) Mine Warfare MissionModules Employed from Transformational Ves-sels in Support of LCS Development. Sea Trial isthe U.S. Navy’s collaborative effort to formalizeand fully integrate concept development andtechnical insertion into the experimentationprocess. The LCS is a new breed of fast, agile,and networked warships, which will operate withfocused-mission packages, including MIW, thatdeploy manned and unmanned vehicles to ex-ecute missions as assigned by CombatantCommanders.
An additional highlight of the experiment featuredmultiple UUV operations from LEONARDO,involving the platoon’s two REMUS vehicles anda HUGIN 1000 AUV operated by a team from theRoyal Norwegian Navy. The HUGIN 1000 AUVand two REMUS UUVs operated simultaneouslyin an operating area seeded with mine-liketargets. HUGIN-detected contacts were passedto the CMWC UUV Platoon onboardLEONARDO for “on-the-fly” re-direction ofREMUS UUVs for reacquisition. The techniquewas extremely successful and paves the way fordevelopment of more sophisticated multiplevehicle tactics, techniques and procedures.
Commenting on the success of the experiment,LT Flores enthusiastically stated, “Working withthe NATO scientists and Norwegian Navy was atreat. They were extremely professional andgave us ideas for future experimentation for theUOES program. Our observations of both theREMUS and HUGIN, especially launch andrecovery, will be beneficial to the LCS program.”LT Flores’ sentiments were echoed by Mr. ScottPrice, the Assistant Chief of Staff for Mine War-fare Programs at the Mine Warfare Command:“This collaborative effort will serve as a model forfuture efforts. Through thorough planning andclose coordination across a number of agencies,we were able to develop a program that satisfiedobjectives for numerous programs. During thissingle 5-day experiment, we learned valuablelessons and accomplished objectives that will beof value to the SMCM UOES program, two SeaTrial Initiatives, the LCS program and to otherU.S. Navy UUV programs as well. ….and thebenefits don’t stop there; this experiment wascarried out in cooperation with NATO’s premierundersea warfare research centre, NURC. Thedata collected will help to improve the tacticalplanning tool being developed at the centre. Thisplanning tool will dramatically improveinteroperability amongst NATO allies employing,or planning to employ UUVs for MCM opera-tions.” RDML Deborah Loewer was reached forcomment on 13 January; fittingly the 1-yearanniversary of her assumption of command asCommander, Mine Warfare Command(COMINEWARCOM): “I have now been in com-mand of the U.S. Navy’s Mine Warfare force forexactly 1 year. During this past year, I havetraveled extensively and engaged directly with
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senior war fighter leadership in both the Fifth andSeventh fleet Areas of Responsibility (AOR).During these engagements, we have improvedour understanding of exactly what they need andexpect from us in order to win any battle they arecalled upon to fight and they have gained aheightened appreciation for both the capabilitiesand limitations of today’s MCM force. As a result,we have embarked on a program aimed ataccelerating the demonstration and assessmentof promising new technologies, including UUVs,in forward operating areas. The recent UUVexperiment carried out in cooperation with NURCin the European theater is the first of many suchengagements; the next will occur in the Pacificduring RIMPAC 06.”
Data analysis by NURC, CMWC, NAVO, andNSWC PC is ongoing. Final reports will beposted on the CMWC and NWDC (Sea TrialInformation Management System) websites. Thesynergy resulting from CMWC UUV Platoonparticipation in the experimentation provides asolid foundation for further collaboration andfosters improved interoperability amongst NATOnavies employing AUVs and UUVs in an MCMrole.
U.S. NAU.S. NAU.S. NAU.S. NAU.S. NAVY TRIALS NEWVY TRIALS NEWVY TRIALS NEWVY TRIALS NEWVY TRIALS NEWSURFSURFSURFSURFSURFACE MINEACE MINEACE MINEACE MINEACE MINE
DELIVERDELIVERDELIVERDELIVERDELIVERY SYSTEMY SYSTEMY SYSTEMY SYSTEMY SYSTEMRecently, Sailors from Mobile Mine AssemblyUnit One, Seal Beach, CA traveled to San Diego,CA to demonstrate a new capability for the U.S.Navy. A team of six Sailors and Officers wentonboard the MV Acoustic Explore to set up andthen use the EX-181 Mine Rail System. Thisprototype system is made of lightweight alumi-num, which provides the required strength andrigidity, and utilizes a series of nylon rollerchocks, which allow the continuous movement ofheavy materials to roll down the rail assembly.This system allows for easy placement of seamines in the water off the stern or over the side ofsmall naval craft or contracted craft of opportunity.
MN2 Mikael Nissen aids in hoisting the EX-81 on board theMV Acoustic Explore in San Diego Harbor.
Editor’s Note: Surface minelaying! Shades ofthe USS Terror, the USS Gwen, the USS Shayand other surface minelayers of years gone by.We have come full circle again. Now it appearsthat anything with a fantail that floats can get intothe act. Two generations from now the Navy willonce again discover surface minelaying afterforgetting about it again. Lessons learned aretransitory.
U.S. sea mines vary in size from the 500lb MK 62Quickstrike shallow water mines up to the 2000lbMK 56 Intermediate Depth mines. The U.S. Navycurrently employs aircraft or submarines to deliversea mines to their intended minefield, but nothave the ability to lay mine from a surface ship.Expansion of mine laying capability within theU.S. Navy increases Mine Warfare support ofSea Shield and Sea Basing Concepts. Surfacesea mine delivery gives sea commanders theability to react with very little prior notification andto lay down large numbers of sea mines whileaircraft and submarines are detailed for otherpriority missions.
The containerized EX-181 mine delivery systemcan be assembled in roughly three hours bySailors using basic hand tools. The system isthen hoisted on-board a vessel and mounted to avessel’s weather deck, positioned in an elevatedmanner allowing sea mines up to 2000lb torapidly traverse down the launcher rails. Seamines are planted to establish minefields forprotective or defensive purposes and allowseagoing forces to efficiently shape the sea battlespace.
The prototype EX-181 system production costwas approximately $750 thousand dollars.LCDR Tom Mathison, Commander, Mobile MineAssembly Group of Corpus Christi, TX estimatedthat unit costs would diminish if the U.S. Navypurchased more of these systems.
TOO OFTEN WE...ENJOY THECOMFORT OF OPINION WITHOUTTHE DISCOMFORT OF THOUGHT.
John F. Kennedy , (1917-1963)
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A MK 56, 2,000 lb moored mine is launched form the EX- 181on board the MV Acoustic Explore in San Diego Harbor. (MN 2
Travis Andrews, MN2 Brian Danley)
The EX-181 is being aligned for tie down to demonstratesurface mine laying on the MV Acoustic Explore in San DiegoHarbor. (MNS Travis Andrews, Master Captain Bob Rosser,MN1 Eddy Gumin, MN3 Arlan Madison, MN3 Brian Danley)
A MK-65, 2,000 lb mine is loaded onto the EX-181 mine railsystem to test launching capability on board MV AcousticExplore in San Diego Harbor. (MN2 Mikael Nissen, MN3
Arlan Madison)
COMOMAGCOMOMAGCOMOMAGCOMOMAGCOMOMAGBy MNCM(SW) Jerry L. Williams
Greetings Shipmates. I hope everyone is doingwell and looking forward to a great summer, withplenty of heat and fun filled activities. We’ve hadthe heat for awhile now, but here in Texas wereally need a lot more rain, so if anyone has morethan they can use, please send it our way, fast.
On the official front, we just completed MRCI’s atMOMAU’s Eight and Twelve, arranged for recov-ery operations in Nanoose Bay, Canada for theMK 56 IRE, re-spooled uncoated cables in MK56 anchors with MOMAU 11 Sailors atHawthorne, and a myriad of other ongoingprojects keeping everyone here very busy. TheMK 56 IRE has been needed for a long long timeand we are all excited to put these mines throughtheir paces and show the Navy what they can do.There will be video of all the drops and as soonas we can get something available, we’ll link it upwith the AOM web site so everyone can see theaction. In other news, the E4 to E6 advancementresults for the March Exam are being publishedas I write this, so let me send out a “BZ” from theCommander and all of us here at COMOMAG toall the Selectee’s, we know you all worked veryhard and your advancement’s are well deserved.Keep up the good work and Keep Chargin!
Staff News:
Awards:CDR John Dennett - MSMOS1 Maisha Dunomes - NAMMN2(SW) Bradford Simoncic - NAMMN2(SW) Billy Arthur – LOC – 1Q06 SOQ
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Departures:CDR John Dennett - RetiredMN2(SW) Bradford Simoncic - MCM CrewConflict
Arrivals:LTJG Jeffrey McCrady - USS PAUL HAMILTONLTJG Peter Furman - USS ARLEIGH BURKEOS2(SW) Koena Bey - USS PORT ROYAL
Time to wrap up this quarter’s input. Please don’thesitate to call or email me if I can do anything foryou. Email: [email protected] Phone:(361) 961-4992
Remember to visit COMOMAG’s world wide website for updates on issues, useful www links toNavy and other programs, and current contactinformation. The web address http://www.cmwc.navy.mil/COMOMAG/default.aspx. Asalways, if you need assistance from the staffhere, don’t hesitate to call, email, or otherwisecontact us for help. Take Care and Stay Safe
MOMAU ONEMOMAU ONEMOMAU ONEMOMAU ONEMOMAU ONESEAL BEACH, CASEAL BEACH, CASEAL BEACH, CASEAL BEACH, CASEAL BEACH, CA
by LCDR B.D. Hall
CO’s CORNER: Greetings from sunny SealBeach, CA.
Job well done to the crew for their dedicationand hard work in preparation for the C3FRIMPAC ’06 Exercise. Commencing June 28thRIMPAC will be held in Pearl Harbor, HI and thesurrounding islands. MOMAU One will embarktwo MAT Teams to conduct final preparations onover 115 ET Mine assets in support of the exer-cise. The crew spent long days and countlessoff-duty hours ensuring all assets were preppedand ready for service to the fleet. The time toperform has arrived and the crew’s diligence andhard work has paid off. With all assets shippedout the door and in route to their destination, weare equipped and prepared to deliver top-notchsupport to the fleet in true MOMAU One fashion.
Bravo Zulu to the crew for achieving a myriadof educational goals and college credits through-out the course of this year. Since January 2005,over 80% of MOMAU ONE has been awardednumerous semester hours of upper and lowerlevel credit in pursuit of higher education byparticipating in a multitude of CLEP andDANTES exams. Currently, a solid 42% of as-signed personnel are degree seeking, enrolled invarious accredited colleges and anticipate twoAssociate and two Baccalaureate degree’s to beconferred by end of this fiscal year. As a result ofthe crew’s dedication, their accomplishmentshave not gone unnoticed and will be recognizedthis summer by the Navy Compass newspaper.The Navy Compass will be publishing a columnthis summer highlighting MOMAU One’s educa-tional achievement.
I’d like to also extend my thanks to the finemembers of the Destroyer Escort Sailors Asso-ciation (DESA) for their steady support ofMOMAU One and our events. We celebrated thispast Easter holiday with DESA and once againtheir support of the crew was unmatched andsuperb.
HAILS & FAREWELLS: I would like to hail ournewest addition to the MOMAU One family,Dewayne David Purvis III, born to MNSN Purvisand his wife, Misty. Congratulations and wewelcome their son with open arms as extendedfamily to MOMAU One.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION: Best wishes toMNC(SW) Anthony Bartoli who recently retiredafter 24 years of honorable service. The crew ofMOMAU One sent MNC(SW) Bartoli off in stylewith an honorary retirement ceremony on hisbehalf. His dedicated service and vast array ofknowledge in the Mineman community will un-doubtedly be missed.
Congratulations to MN2(SW) Navarro for hisselection as MOMAU One 1st Quarter Sailor ofthe Quarter. I’d also like to congratulate MN3
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Madison and MNSN Purvis, who both receivedLetter’s of Commendation from COMSUBPAC.Their outstanding support during the submarinesupport exercise resulted in both members beingrecognized for their performance. Bravo Zulu!
ON THE HORIZON: Next on the plate forMOMAU One will be preparations for our upcom-ing Technical Assist Visit (TAV) schedule inOctober ‘06 by COMOMAG. The summermonths will be steadily busy for us as we preparefor the assist. As always, I am confident the crewwill rise to the occasion and meet any require-ments or tasking set before us.
Unit ONE and Unit ELEVEN sent pictures froman exercise in Minot, ND so I will combine themhere. We know the exercise was done in winterbecause, in Minot ND, it is ALWAYS winter!
I
Minot AFB personnel loading MK 62 mine on MHU 110 forassembly by MOMAU Eleven MAT
MAT Team Assembling MK 62 QS at Minot AFB
MNSN Petite Inspects MK 9 Arming Wire on Mk 15 Fin
MOMAU ELEVENMOMAU ELEVENMOMAU ELEVENMOMAU ELEVENMOMAU ELEVENGOOSE CREEK, SCGOOSE CREEK, SCGOOSE CREEK, SCGOOSE CREEK, SCGOOSE CREEK, SC
BY MNC(SW) KINGHello from the low country!! It’s getting hot!
MOMAU Eleven has been busy supportingnumerous exercises. We have supported MIREMLOE 06-2 with VEMS and MAT, Trident Fury withQS 62’s and MAT, and have also provided MATsin support of USS DWIGHT D. Eisenhower (CVN69) and MK56 IRE preparations. Additionally, weare currently busy preparing material in support ofRIMPAC 06-1 and QS MK 65 Long Cycle Main-tenance.
In May, we successfully completed the Test Setand Repair Field Calibration Assessment (FCA).Kudos to MN1 Chronister for the long hours heput in leading up to this successful inspection.
CO’s CornerCongratulations: I’d like to congratulate thefollowing personnel for their accomplishments:
Advancements: 2006 March Exam Cycle
Name:MN2 Matthew Ledford YN3 RichardSaundersMNSN Stephen Bates MNSN GabrielCabrera MNSN Jeffrey Gardner MNSN BrianOsborne MNSN Shawn Thornton Advancedto:MN1YN2MN3MN3MN3MN3MN3
Senior Sailor of the Quarter 2nd QTRMN1(SW/AW) Shereda Jamison
Junior Sailor of the Quarter 2nd QTR:MN2(SW) James Knott
Blue Jackets of the MonthMNSN Jeffery Gardner - FEBMNSN JasonStevens – JAN
New Personnel onboardCWO3(SW) William JurkowskiMNC(SW) Travis MeyerSK1(SW) Penny DrouseMN1(SW) Ramon HernandezMN3(SW) Erik Motley
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Farewell and Following SeasCWO2(SW) James TraylorMN1(SW) Carlos WoodMNC(SW) Ollie CollinsMN1(SW) Patrick BradyMN1(SW) Paul BufanoMNSN Daniel MusanteSK2 Luis GarciaSK2 Tiffany PetersMN3 Thomas BowenMNSN Jeremiah Tilley
From the low country, have a safe summer.
By MN3 Sandy M. Gardner
MOMAU FIFTEENMOMAU FIFTEENMOMAU FIFTEENMOMAU FIFTEENMOMAU FIFTEENINGLESIDE, TXINGLESIDE, TXINGLESIDE, TXINGLESIDE, TXINGLESIDE, TX
Greetings:
I am constantly amazed by the amount of gener-osity that we have here at MOMAU FIFTEEN.
The personnel have donated more then just theirtime to the community, they have given of them-selves. I would like to thank all that gave blood forthe Coastal Bend Blood Drive held, 25 May2006. I would also like to say thanks to MN2(SW) Mozek who helped me with Adope aBeach. We helped clean the Corpus Christi ColePark, it was an entertaining experience. A jobwell done to everyone who participated in volun-teer efforts this quarter, keep up the good work!Picture 1MOMAU FIFTEEN COMMAND PHOTO 2005
Hails:.MNSN Priest from MWTCMN1 Dominguez from SCRMCSK1 (SW) Robinson from RON1 SCRMN1 (SW) Hall from MCM Crew ImperviousMN3 (SW) Fipps from USS ScoutFarewells:SK1 (SW/AW) Pruske on to USNS Niagara FallsYNC (SW) Vistro on to NMCB FIVE
From the Desk of the Commanding Officer:LCDR Julian Wyatt
To MOMAU 15, Family Members and Col-leagues,
We have just completed a tremendous exercisein Florida, with the assistance of MOMAU 11 andPanama City. Our Mine Assembly Team (MAT)Leader was our Supply Department Head, MNC(SW) Rambo, who was assisted by MN3Gardner, our editor and chief of the Dashpot,MN2 (SW) Mozek and MNSN Johnson. Great jobto all Departments in making this happen. By the
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next issue of the Dashpot, our beloved MAO,SEL and Executive Officer, MNC (SW) RobertDunbar, will have retired. Words simply cannotexpress our collective gratitude and appreciationfor all that you have done for MOMAU 15, MineWarfare Community, the waterfront and for theUnited States Navy. You will be profoundlymissed. We wish you, Felomina and Katarina allthe best as you embark upon a new career. ToSenior Chief Nixon and his family, welcomeaboard shipmate. It is a pleasure to have some-one of your caliber and experience at MOMAU15. I would like to take a moment to also wel-come aboard my new Department Heads; YN1(SW) Parker and Operations Officer, MN1 (SW)Hall. Additionally, I would be remiss if I did notwelcome aboard SK1 (AW) Robinson, SupplyDepartment LPO. Thank you, everyone, for yourcontinued efforts to make this command “topnotch.” It has not gone unnoticed.
From the Desk of the Mine Assembly Officer:MNCS (SW) Edward Nixon
CONGRADULATIONS!!! to our JSOQ and SOQfor all the hard work it took to get you here. I can’tsay enough how important it is to be recognizedfor your efforts. Keep up the good work andcontinue to be the leading example. Get-R-Done.
JSOQ: MNSA JOHNSON
SSOQ: IT1 (SW) BURGIN3
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT SITREP: Depart-ment Head: MN1(SW) Orville Hall
I would like to say thank you to everyone here forall the warm welcoming. I know that I have bigshoes to fill, but I will do my best. I would like toalso say thanks to everyone who participated inthe command Chili Cook Off. MNC (SW) Rambotook 1st, MN3 Dease took 2nd, and YN3 Barnettetook 3rd. Great Job to all the contestants, I lookforward to all the great memories.
The wonderful smell of Chili
LCDR Wyatt and MNC Rambo
LCDR Wyatt and MN3 Dease
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LCDR Wyatt and YN3 BarnetteADMIN DEPARTMENT SITREP: DepartmentHead: YN1 (SW) William Parker
Congratulations to IT1 (SW) Burgin on yourselection as MOMAU FIFTEEN SSOQ. Yourhard work is well worth recognition. Keep up thegood work. Well done YN3 on your 3rd placeprize at our 1st annual Chili Cook Off.
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT SITREP: Depart-ment Head, MNC (SW) William Andrzekewski.
Well the Mine Assembly Team has done it onceagain. Great job on the recent exercise inPanama City Fl, despite any and all set backsy’all did a fantastic job. MNC (SW) Rambo, MN2(SW) Mozek, MN3 Gardner, MNSA Johnsonalong with MOMAU ELEVEN successfully de-ployed and recovered 40 MK 74 VEMS and 18MK 75 VEMS. What a great turn out, yall are thebest. The buck doesn’t stop there though, seemsthat our work doesn’t ever end. We are lookingforward for our next big exercise. We would alsolike to recognize TSM for their excellent perfor-mance and successful outcome of the FCA held25-26 APR.
SUPPLY DEPARTMENT SITREP: DepartmentHead: MNC (SW) Leonard Rambo.
CONGRATULATIONS to MN1 (SW) Mounsey andhis wife Tony on the birth of their new baby girl,Summer Cheyenne, born 12 Apr 2006. We wouldlike to also congratulate MN2 (AW) Stevens on thebirth of her baby girl born 03 APR 2006.
We would like to thank MN2 Piccione for the tourhe gave to MWTC and distinguished guest on 12Apr 2006. Your efforts and familiarity with the shopprocedures and equipment were extremely useful.
We would also like to recognize MN1Dominguez, MN3 Reinertsen, and MN3 Gardneron their assistance with the tour given to FlorenceMiddle School on 26 Apr 2006. MN1 Dominguezgave a great show of our facility, MN3 Reinertsenwas, as always, helpful in the service questions,and MN3 Gardner finished with a description ofthe MK 74 and MK 75 VEMS.
For Greeks, ambrosia was OK,But used up all a sailor’s pay.Then, in a more enlightened age,Tars worked for grog instead of wage.
But as for me, I love to hugA good old Navy coffee mug.Its fragrance cuts the salty airAnd wafts me far away from there.
It’s best when made so it can standWithout the mug, just in your hand,And crusted mugs from watches backAre germ free, if your coffee’s black.
Beware the canned milk on the bridge;It’s likely never seen a fridge,And if it fails to pour or run,It’s left from World War Two (OR ONE!).
But don’t spill coffee on your boots;Your socks will soon start growing roots.And if it penetrates the deck,The panicked crew could cause a wreck.
Way down below, the engine crewPrefers an even stronger brew,And sometimes as they ply their craft,They use the stuff to grease the shaft.
When Navy coffee’s thick and black.It guards against a heart attack.And if it’s strong enough, I’m sure,It functions as a cancer cure.
But best of all, it makes the days,Pass quickly in a caffeine haze,Before your teeth have all turned brown,You’ll find you’re back in Norfolk town!
~Author Unknown~
NAVY COFFEEWith thanks to Pooch Troutman ...
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MCMMCMMCMMCMMCM NEW NEW NEW NEW NEWSSSSS
The U.S. Navy’s Mine Warfare (MIW) communityorganized air, surface, and underwater MineCountermeasures (MCM) assets to conduct theGulf of Mexico (GOMEX) 06-2 May 1-9 in thecoastal waters of Panama City Fla., to train andassess MCM mission readiness and operationalcapabilities. GOMEXs are a regular part of theNavy’s advanced-phase MIW pre-deploymentpreparations.
“I have to commend Naval Surface WarfareCenter Panama City for outstanding support,”said CAPT Jonathan Tobias, Commander ofMine Countermeasures Squadron THREE. “Imean, not only are the waters here ideal fortesting airborne, surface, and sub-surface forces,but we also have most of our technical MineWarfare experts resident in a centralized geo-graphical area.”
Supporting Tobias’s remarks, Naval SurfaceWarfare Center Panama City’s (NSWC PC)Branch Head for Airborne Fleet Readiness AllenHawkins – also serving as In-Service Engineer-ing Agent for Airborne MCM systems – describedNSWC PC’s wealth of expertise as one-stop-shopping for this type of naval preparation.
“Collectively speaking, my personnel have ap-proximately 319 years of Airborne MCM experi-ence. So, our community of scientists and techni-cal experts are serving as a dependable andconstant knowledge base for the Navy’s Sailorswho will be MCM trained; but, may likely rotateout of the community after a period of two to threeyears,” Hawkins said.
While monitoring and coordinating GOMEXoperations from NSWC PC’S ExpeditionaryWarfare Integration Facility (EWIF), Tobias saidthe facility and personnel provided a Commandand Control (C2) capability that included readily-available technical support in case of any unfore-seen equipment failures.
EWIF personnel described, in particular, thesupport lauded by Tobias.
“We provided access to the Secret InternetProtocol Router Network (SIPRNET), Non-Classi-fied Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNET),Tactical Satellite Communications, laptop com-puters, overhead projectors, and office space, allin a secure environment, including technicalsupport if any problems arose,” said EWIF Elec-trical Engineer David Silnutzer. “I think having allthis available in our facility makes Panama Cityan economically efficient place to conduct Fleetexercises like GOMEX.”
MIW and MCM expertise has long resided withinthis small and specialized community, accordingto Matt Prager – a specialist from Commander,Mine Warfare Command’s (CMWC) ConceptDevelopment and Experimentation Division.
GOMEX PREPGOMEX PREPGOMEX PREPGOMEX PREPGOMEX PREPARESARESARESARESARESMINE WARFMINE WARFMINE WARFMINE WARFMINE WARFAREAREAREAREARE
FOR DEPLOYMENTFOR DEPLOYMENTFOR DEPLOYMENTFOR DEPLOYMENTFOR DEPLOYMENTAND FLEETAND FLEETAND FLEETAND FLEETAND FLEET
INTEGRAINTEGRAINTEGRAINTEGRAINTEGRATIONTIONTIONTIONTION
COMINEWARCOM Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV)Platoon equipment is loaded onboard USS Pioneer (MCM-9)pier side at Naval Support Activity Panama City in preparationfor Mine Countermeasures (MCM) operations during GOMEX06-2.
By Dan Broadstreet, NSWC PC Public Affairs & Tony Fuller,CMWC Concept Development
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Prager added that this particular GOMEX wouldincorporate off-board testing of some UnmannedUnderwater Vehicle (UUV) mine hunting technol-ogy, which would ultimately be mainstreamed intothe Fleet at large.
“Mainstreaming mine warfare into the Navy’sFleet as part of Expeditionary Strike Groups andCarrier Strike Groups is, in part, the Navy’s wayof reducing mine hunting and neutralizationtimelines,” Prager said. “Building platforms suchas the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) that incorpo-rate more automation and use of UUVs, will helpcreate an in-stride - or organic - MIW/MCMcapability for our Fleet.”
Operating tactically from USS Pioneer – anMCM-1 Class Ship that also participated inGOMEX 06-2 – was LTJG Melissa Flores, Of-ficer in Charge of the CMWC UUV Platoon.
Flores strongly agreed with Prager’s statementthat UUV technology used during GOMEX 06-2would ultimately be mainstreamed throughout theFleet.
Flores explained how the technology played asignificant role during the exercises.
“We were part of the ship’s combat system andwere embarked just like divers were embarkedon the USS Chief. The Surface Mine Counter-measures Commander tasked us as one of theCaptain’s assets,” Flores said. “So, we were fullyintegrated in GOMEX: everything we did was partof the GOMEX tactical scenario. And obviously, itturned out to be very effective because we endedup getting a lot of time in the water.
“Initially we weren’t sure how much they weregoing to employ the UUVs, but we ran the ve-hicles a total of 98 hours with six people,” Floressaid. “We were trying to identify the issues inoperating off-board sensors like how muchsituational awareness is needed; and, whether ornot the system provided enough information.Also, we assessed our capability to use these
UUV systems in such a way that we were able tomultitask.”
Flores explained that multitasking meant theUUVs were deployed in certain areas forminehunting purposes, which after drop-off of theUUVs enabled the ship to travel elsewhere toconduct other MCM tasks.
“In other words, we tested whether the ship couldhunt while the UUVs hunted; because, basicallyour UUVs operate as off-board sonars,” Floressaid. “Then, we simply picked up the UUVs later.We are definitely providing inputs to Panama Cityon our data sets so they can continue improvingunmanned systems.”
According to Prager, this type of collaboration inthe testing and evaluation of UUV technology willhelp shorten MCM timelines and will help indeveloping ships with re-configurable mission-module packages.
“Exercises that employ our UUVs like this alsohelp us reduce risk as well,” Flores added, “whichis the other measure of effectiveness for minewarfare.”
Flores explained that UUVs helped by hunting themost dangerous zones – a one-nautical-milearea that has been identified around known minethreats, which enables MCM platforms to searchfor additional mine threats present in the sur-rounding areas.
“And in many cases, we did find additionalmines. So, had the ship been hunting in thoseareas, hopefully they would have detected them,but it’s much safer having a UUV do it; and, veryeffective in helping us keep ships out of thosedanger zones,” Flores said.
“This technology helps take Sailors out of thewater and harm’s way,” Prager added.This is an important capability to achieve, ac-cording to LT John Porter, who explained that hadthis been a real-world threat scenario, ExplosiveOrdnance Disposal Mobile Units (EODMU)would have to, and in many cases still do, dive topersonally neutralize mines.
“EODMU SIX Detachments TWO and FOURparticipated in GOMEX 06-2 by diving on variousexercise-mine contacts and visually identifyingthem as mine or non- mine-like objects,” Portersaid.
Consequently, developing UUV technologies toreduce MCM timelines and risk – to both diverand fleet platforms – remains a high priority,according to Karl Morris, Head of NSWC PCFleet Readiness Branch.
“It is one of the highest priorities of today’s andtomorrow’s Navy,” Morris added. “That is, toautomate ships with UUV technologies.”
(Left to Right) MNC Isauro Sedillo and LTJG Melissa Floresreview tactical plans, while MNC Tomas Hernandez maintains
a watchful eye over small boat operations.
Photo by Wade Sigstedt
22
KURE, Japan – U.S. Navy and Japanese Mari-time Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) units recentlyparticipated in an annual MINEX/EODEX exer-cise. Two forward deployed U.S Navy minecountermeasures ships and 19 JMSDF ships,with the staffs of Commander Mine Force(COMINEFORCE) JMSDF and CommanderMine Countermeasures Squadron ONE(COMCMRON ONE), augmented by Com-mander, Mine Countermeasures DivisionELEVEN (COMCMDIV 11), and ExplosiveOrdnance Disposal Mobile Unit FIVE (EODMU5) Detachments 51 and 53, proceeded from porton 14 February in support of the MINEX/EODEX06-1JA. During the ensuing two weeks, the teamof U.S. and Japanese forces, joined by U.S. andJapanese P-3 and MH-53 aircraft, performedvarious mine warfare missions, including surfaceand aerial mine laying, Surface Mine CounterMeasures (SMCM), and Underwater MineCounter Measures (UMCM).In the opening days of the exercise JDS BUNGO(MST-464), and P-3 aircraft from the ScreamingEagles of the Navy’s VP-1 and the JMSDF VP-66 performed aerial and surface mine layingoperations, establishing minefields in Japan’sInland Sea. Then, during the first phase of theexercise, USS GUARDIAN (MCM 5) and USSPATRIOT (MCM 7) and JMSDF mine warfareships conducted focused mine hunting andminesweeping training against moored andbottom mines. U.S. and Japanese EOD diversembarked in the mine warfare ships conductedtraining in support of mine neutralization opera-tions. BUNGO and JDS URAGA (MST 464)acted as command and control platforms for theMine Countermeasures staffs.U.S. and JMSDF forces kicked off phase two ofthe exercise with a replenishment at sea evolu-tion during which PATRIOT and GUARDIAN tiedup alongside the anchored BUNGO and took fuel.During these evolutions crews from both thedelivery and receiving ships had the opportunityto visit and tour the others’ ships. Other opportu-nities for interaction included the exchange ofship riders between GUARDIAN and PATRIOTand many of the JMSDF ships along with theembarkation of COMCMRON ONE andCOMCMDIV 11 personnel aboard BUNGO.Daily interaction between the U.S. and Japanesepersonnel participating in the exercise gavemembers of both forces an appreciation for thedifferences in tactics, techniques, and proce-dures used by the two countries in operations.Moreover, U.S. personnel gained new perspec-tive on life aboard a Japanese ship.LCDR Kevin Hagen of COMCMRON ONE
USS PATRIOT (MCM-7) breaks away from JDSBUNGO (MST-464) after conducting a mooredalongside replenishment during MINEX/EODEX06-1JA.
described the exercise as “groundbreaking,” asU.S. and Japanese forces performed combinedoperations to clear a lane between two exerciseharbors within the inland sea. COMCMRONONE and COMCMDIV 11 staff worked closelywith the staff of COMINEDIV 51 to expand theclearance of a six-mile long channel from 400 to1000 yards wide. The two staffs directed JDSYAAEYAMA, JDS HACHIJO, GUARDIAN, andPATRIOT, combined with their embarked EODdetachments, in the completion of this task. Theculmination of the exercise was the lead throughof BUNGO by YAEYAMA and PATRIOT, whileHACHIJOand GUARDIAN conducted precursoroperations. Each ship showcased its skill inmaneuvering and visual communications in thesuccessful completion of the exercise.
JMSDFJMSDFJMSDFJMSDFJMSDFMINEX/EODEXMINEX/EODEXMINEX/EODEXMINEX/EODEXMINEX/EODEX
IT IS OF INTEREST TO NOTEIT IS OF INTEREST TO NOTEIT IS OF INTEREST TO NOTEIT IS OF INTEREST TO NOTEIT IS OF INTEREST TO NOTETHATHATHATHATHAT WHILE SOMET WHILE SOMET WHILE SOMET WHILE SOMET WHILE SOME
DOLPHINS ARE REPORDOLPHINS ARE REPORDOLPHINS ARE REPORDOLPHINS ARE REPORDOLPHINS ARE REPORTEDTEDTEDTEDTEDTO HAVE LEARNED ENGLISHTO HAVE LEARNED ENGLISHTO HAVE LEARNED ENGLISHTO HAVE LEARNED ENGLISHTO HAVE LEARNED ENGLISH
— UP TO FIFTY WORDS— UP TO FIFTY WORDS— UP TO FIFTY WORDS— UP TO FIFTY WORDS— UP TO FIFTY WORDSUSED IN CORRECT CONTEXTUSED IN CORRECT CONTEXTUSED IN CORRECT CONTEXTUSED IN CORRECT CONTEXTUSED IN CORRECT CONTEXT
— NO HUMAN BEING HAS— NO HUMAN BEING HAS— NO HUMAN BEING HAS— NO HUMAN BEING HAS— NO HUMAN BEING HASBEEN REPORBEEN REPORBEEN REPORBEEN REPORBEEN REPORTED TO HATED TO HATED TO HATED TO HATED TO HAVEVEVEVEVE
LEARNED DOLPHINESE.LEARNED DOLPHINESE.LEARNED DOLPHINESE.LEARNED DOLPHINESE.LEARNED DOLPHINESE.
Carl Sagan (1934 - 1996)
23
Association of Minemen 32nd Annual Reunion & Meeting20-22 October
Panama City Beach, FL at the Boardwalk Beach Resort and HotelAssociation of MinemenP.O. Box 71835Charleston, SC 29415
Please return the reservation form as soon as possible to the address above to expedite your regis-tration for reunion events. Your tickets will be made available at the Early Bird, General BusinessMeeting, Dinner, and Picnic.
Name :____________________________________ AOM Member #_______________Spouse / Guest Name(s): _________________________________________________Address: ______________________________________________________________City: ________________________________ State: ____________Zip :_______-____Phone: ( ) ______________________ E-mail: ______________@______________
The Early Bird, October 20th: This year we’ll be hosted by the AMVETS post 47 located near theNavy Base just off of Hwy 98 on Panama City Beach. This year we’ll try a yummy seafood boil toaccompany some of the refreshments. We will ask for a small donation to cover expenses.
AMVETS Post 478317 Front Beach RoadPCB FL, 32407850-234-0995
Dinner Meeting, October 21st:Dinner Tickets @ $26.00 ea. X ______ Ticket(s) = $________________This year our dinner choices start with the house salad, and the entrée choices are London Broil,Seafood Newberg and Chicken Picatta. Desert will be cheesecake or key lime pie. (This priceincludes all taxes and gratuities.) Please indicate your choice and quantity of entrée below:
¨London Broil #_____ meals¨Seafood Newberg #_____ meals¨Chicken Picatta #_____ meals
The Picnic, October 22nd: We’re reserving the Navy Base MWR Picnic Grounds and Beach for thisyear’s “grill and chill” starting at 1100. Those of you who remember the AOM Reunion during thesummer of 1996 will recall that this is a great facility. Base access will require a photo ID and we’lladd your name to a list at the Main Gate.
Picnic Tickets @ $12.00 ea X ______ Ticket(s) = $________________(Age 7 to 12 years $5.00, under 7 years FREE)Picnic Tickets @ $5.00 ea X ______ Ticket(s) = $________________
Number of children attending picnic age 6 and under________________
Annual Dues: @$15.00 October 2006 to October 2007 (5 year max) $____________Your label has your paid to date, e.g., October 2005 is your paid to date.(New or reinstatement member add $5 application fee)
Museum Donation: Tax deductible $_____________________
AOM General Fund Donation: Tax deductible $_____________________
AOM Scholarship Donation: Tax deductible $_________________ ___
Dinner total $_____________________
Picnic total $ _____________________
Checks payable to: Association of Minemen TOTAL ENCLOSED: $_________________ (No cash please)
Association of MinemenP.O.Box 71835
Charleston, SC 29415-1835
Non ProfitU.S. Postage
PAIDCharleston SC
NO. 270
Return Service Requested
1974 32 YEARS 2005
NAME________________________________ RANK/RATE/CIVTITLE ________
STREET______________________________ DATE _________________________
CITY_________________________________ TEL __________________________
STATE__________ZIP_____________ SIGNATURE _______________________
ELGIBILITY______________________APPROVED _____________________
Application fee $5 NOTICE: To maintain membership, dues of $15.00Annual Dues $15 must be paid annually by the month of October.
The dues expiration date is October in the yearMail Checks to: above your name on your mailing label.AOMPO Box 71835Charleston, SC 29415-1835
NEXT AR NEXT AR NEXT AR NEXT AR NEXT ARTICLE DUE DATICLE DUE DATICLE DUE DATICLE DUE DATICLE DUE DATE IS 1 SEPTEMBER 2006TE IS 1 SEPTEMBER 2006TE IS 1 SEPTEMBER 2006TE IS 1 SEPTEMBER 2006TE IS 1 SEPTEMBER 2006
