A new project for 2016. I’ll be uploading US Navy documentary and training films from the archives to YouTube. I’ve created a new YouTube channel for this, US Navy Movies, which will keep the content separate from my Royal Navy channel.
Here are a few samples.
In 1963, a USMC KC-130F loaned to the US Navy for carrier on-board delivery (COD) trials, became the largest and heaviest aircraft to land and take off from an aircraft carrier. To date (2014) the record still stands.
USS Forrestal (CVA-59) and KC-130F Hercules, 1963.
During the trials aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59), the KC-130F completed:
KC-130F Hercules take-off from aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59), 1963.
The pilot of the Hercules was US Navy test pilot Lieutenant James H. Flatley III (later Rear Admiral) who received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his participation in the trails.
Score one for equality.
Here Are The First 4 Women In History To Complete Marine Infantry Training
via Instagram
Every Marine knows Opha Mae Johnson, the first woman who ever enlisted in the Marine Corps.
Now almost 100 years later, the first four females in history have completed the grueling 59-day infantry evaluation course, three of which are graduating Thursday at the Marine Corps School of Infantry in Camp Geiger, CNN reports.
Delta Company’s Harlee “Rambo” Bradford [pictured middle] and these three other female Marines started as a group of 15 enlisted women, the first to volunteer for a Marine Corps pilot course. The group comes as a result of the announcement made in January from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and General Martin Dempsey, to integrate women into previously closed combat jobs across all service branches.
For the duration of training, the female students were required to meet the same standards as their males counterparts. The women’s physical strength as well as their ability to keep up with men on the battlefield were highlighted on what many consider the most demanding course event — a 12 1/2 mile march in combat gear.
The hike lasted no more than 5 hours while each student hauled almost 90-pounds of gear, at nearly a 4 mph pace (almost a jog), rifle included.
The women still must pass a Combat Fitness Test with male scoring in the next two days, but the test is largely superficial for the women, despite being officially scored. Every Marine in every job field usually takes both a basic Physical Fitness Test and CFT at the beginning and end of their course curriculum.
These women have already passed both tests with male standards upon entry to the course.
Unfortunately, qualifying doesn’t mean entry into the infantry ranks quite yet. These four are just part of a 100-Marine pilot program aimed at testing the viability of women in Infantry training.
“The women who graduate from infantry training on Thursday will not be assigned to infantry units, nor will they earn an infantry occupational specialty. They will report to their originally slated schoolhouses to earn a non-combat MOS,” Capt. Carey of SOI-East wrote via email.
The Corps plans to send more female Marines through this pilot course within the next year. Currently there are 11 women in Echo Company and 8 in Alpha Company, the two companies behind Delta in training.
Women in other sister service branches are also excelling in their combat training. By the end of this year, six women sailors are expected to become the first formally assigned to a Riverine combat company.
(UPDATE: Bradford reportedly incurred an injury to her leg this past weekend. The injury prevents her from taking the basic fitness tests, a requirement for Marines prior to heading to their next command. Though she has completed the coursework, Bradford will heal up, take the test, and graduate will a following company, sources tell us.
An earlier version of the story said 4 Marines would graduate this week. Because of Harlee’s injury, that number has been revised to 3.)
EDIT: We have removed the names of two of the women.
We think this is an awesome historic accomplishment, which is why we originally included the names. But our determination was that unless they wanted to introduce themselves, we’d let them publicize their success on their own terms.
http://www.businessinsider.com/four-female-marines-pass-infantry-training-2013-11
“In World War II, Marine Corps Major Greg ‘Pappy’ Boyington commanded a squadron of fighter pilots. They were a collection of misfits and screwballs who became the terrors of the South Pacific. They were known as the Black Sheep.”
131101-N-PM781-001 CAMP LEGEUNE, N.C. (Nov. 1, 2013) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus presents Sgt. Joshua Moore, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, with a Navy Cross medal. Moore earned the award for his heroism during combat operations in 2011 while deployed to Northern Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Arif Patani/Released)
US Navy awards $508 million contract modifcation for F-35 propulsion systems.
United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $508,214,419 modification to the previously awarded F-35 Lightening II Lot VI low rate initial production advance acquisition contract (N00019-12-C-0090). This modification provides for the procurement of 18 F135 conventional take off and landing (CTOL) propulsion systems for the U.S. Air Force; six short take-off and vertical landing propulsion systems for the U.S. Marine Corps; and seven carrier variant propulsion systems for the U.S. Navy. In addition, this contract procures three F135 CTOL propulsion systems for Italy; two CTOL propulsion systems for Australia; one F135 CTOL spare propulsion system for Italy; and one F135 spare propulsion system for Australia. This modification also provides for program labor, engineering assistance to production, non-recurring sustainment efforts, service and country specific requirements, depot activation efforts, and long-lead hardware. Work will be performed in East Hartford, Conn. (67 percent); Bristol, United Kingdom (16.5 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (16.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2016. Fiscal 2012, aircraft procurement Air Force, fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement Navy, and international partner funding in the amount of $508,214,419 will be obligated at time of award, $422,680,150 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps ($211,858,131; 42 percent); the U.S. Air Force ($210,822,019; 41 percent); and the international partners ($85,534,269; 17 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.
DoD awards $7.9 million cost reduction contract. Just one of those things that make no sense when you first read it, but hopefully makes sense after the contract has run its course successfully.
McKinsey & Company Inc., Washington, D.C., is being awarded a $7,963,647 firm-fixed-price contract (HQ0034-14-F-0004) to provide support to the F-35 operating and support cost reduction effort and the Collaborative Work Center. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., and Washington, D.C., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 27, 2015. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. Washington Headquarters Services, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
A US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey Aircraft from the USS Kearsarge, lands onboard HMS Illustrious during Cougar 13. Photographer: L(Phot) Nicky Wilson.
(C) 2013 – Jeff Bacon
Naval Matters 