This Day in Naval History - July 18

From the Navy News Service

1775 - Continental Congress resolves that each colony provide armed vessels.

1779 - Commodore Abraham Whipple's squadron captures 11 prizes in largest prize value of Revolutionary War.

1792 - John Paul Jones dies in Paris, France.

1813 - U.S. Frigate President captures British Daphne, Eliza Swan, Alert and Lion.

1920 - Naval aircraft sink ex-German cruiser Frankfurt in target practice.

1943 - German submarine shoots down K-47, the first and only U.S. airship lost during WW II.

1947 - President Harry S. Truman delegates responsibility for the civil administration of former Japanese mandated island to the Secretary of the Navy.

1966 - Launch of Gemini 10 with Lt. Cmdr. John W. Young, as Command Pilot. Mission involved 43 orbits at an altitude of 412.2 nautical miles and lasted 2 days, 22 hours, and 46 minutes. Capsule was recovered by HS-3 helicopter from USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7).

FIRST TALL SHIPS ARE CONFIRMED FOR NEW ORLEANS NAVY/OPSAIL COMMEMORATION

Commemorations of War of 1812 and The Star-Spangled Banner Bicentennials Bring Tall Ships, Navy Vessels, Blue Angels and More to New Orleans, April 17 – 23, 2012

New Orleans, LA – The NOLA Navy Week Host Committee and Operation Sail, Inc. have confirmed the first tall ships coming to New Orleans April 17 – 23, 2012. The historic USCG Barque Eagle will join the Guayas of Ecuador and the Gloria of Colombia in New Orleans at Woldenberg Park.

The U.S. Navy and OpSail will commemorate The Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and The Star-Spangled Banner and have chosen The City of New Orleans as the inaugural destination of a three-year nationwide celebration that will also finish in New Orleans in 2015. For information on the commemoration, visit www.OurFlagWasStillThere.org.

“Being the inaugural city to kick off a three-year nationwide celebration speaks to the greatness of our city,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “We will set the bar high for all cities by demonstrating our experience in entertainment on a massive level.

States, municipalities, and civic organizations have formed host committees to organize the details of the events in each port in concert with Navy officials and OpSail executives. Mayor Mitch Landrieu appointed Mark Romig to be Chairman of the host committee in New Orleans (www.nolanavyweek.com).  Related commemorations will take place on the Atlantic Coast in New York, Norfolk, Baltimore, Boston, and New London. Commemoration events in the Great Lakes will take place in Milwaukee, Chicago, Toledo, Cleveland, Detroit, and Buffalo.

“Our committees have been working steadily to begin ironing out the details that will make up the event,” said Mark Romig, Chairman of the NOLA Navy Week Host Committee. “We are presently looking for sponsoring partners who want to be part of something truly historic and see the opportunity for vast exposure on a national level.”

Built at the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany in 1936, and commissioned as Horst Wessel, the USCG Barque Eagle was one of three sail-training ships operated by the pre-World War II German Navy.  At the close of the war, the ship was taken as a war reparation by the U.S., re-commissioned as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle and sailed to New London, Connecticut, which has been its homeport ever since.

The Guayas, a 914-ton, three-masted barquentine, was named both for the longest river in Ecuador and the first steamship ever built in the Guayaquil Shipyard. The Guayas stretches over 257 feet long, and, like her sister ship, the Gloria, now serves as a training ship. She carries 80 cadets under the guidance of 35 officers and crew members.

Built in 1967, the Gloria is a Colombian barquentine now serving as a school ship, with a crew of 80 cadets. She was modeled after Germany’s Gorch Foch and is able to stay at sea for up to 60 days without external supplies. Launched in 1968 from Bilbao, Spain, she is 178 feet in length and carries 23 sails. Her first long voyage took place in 1970, when she traveled from Cartagena to Sydney, Australia.

“Bringing the tall ships of the world back to U.S. waters for the commemoration of this glorious American milestone excites the imagination,” said Jose Fuentes, chairman of Operation Sail.  “Throughout 2012-2015, millions of people will watch these graceful and majestic sailing ships as they parade together, and celebrate the brotherhood of the sea and our freedoms.”

The week-long 2012 program in New Orleans will include parades of sail, public visitation, a spectacular air show by the Blue Angels, international athletic competitions, and community relations activities. The theme of the event is, “Our Flag Was Still There.”

 “The War of 1812 really signified our rebirth as a Navy and a nation,” Said Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert. “In a few short months, we’ll be celebrating the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. We’ll learn a lot about our Navy over the next twelve months.”

The Navy has invited some 120 countries to send appropriate combat ships as well as their national academy sail-training tall ships to America for the 2012 commemoration events. The Navy and Operation Sail have partnered in producing major patriotic events for more than 50 years.

More ships coming to New Orleans will be announced between now and April 2012.

 

About Operation Sail, Inc.
Operation Sail, Inc. is a non-profit organization established in 1961 with the endorsement of President John F. Kennedy. Backed by a Joint Congressional Resolution, its mission is to advance sail training and promote goodwill among nations. OpSail has produced five international sailing events in 1964, 1976, 1986, 1992, and 2000, each tied to a landmark historical event and culminating in a traditional Parade of Sail in New York Harbor. For more information, please visit www.opsail.org.

Contact: Operation Sail: William G. Armstrong, warmstrong@opsail.org  203-904-8115

About the United States Navy

The U. S. Navy is the sea-service branch of the U. S. Armed Forces. The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. The United States Navy - A Global Force For Good.  For more information, please visit www.navy.mil and www.history.navy.mil. For more information on Navy 1812 Bicentennial activities and events, visit our website: www.OurFlagWasStillThere.org; Facebook: www.facebook.com/Navy1812; Twitter: www.Twitter.com/Navy1812.

Contact: U.S. Navy:  Daniel S. Dayton, daniel.dayton1@navy.mil, 202-685-0210

About New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation

New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation promotes the city as a leisure tourism destination throughout the year. Annually, NOTMC’s marketing campaigns include strategic print, broadcast, and Internet advertising and public relations.  Web sites: www.nolanavyweek.com; www.NewOrleansOnline.com; www.NewOrleansMuseums.com; www.RadioFreeNeworleans.com; www.gonola.com.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewOrleansOnline. Twitter: www.Twitter.com/visitneworleans.

Contact: NOTMC: Lea Sinclair, lea@notmc.com, 504-826-9710.

Multinational Minesweepers Train Together in Baltic Operations 2011

From Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

USS MOUNT WHITNEY, At Sea (NNS) -- Twelve minesweeping vessels representing five different Baltic nations and accompanied by the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), completed a series of close maneuvers, June 12, during Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2011.

The exercise began with the formation of a battle line, followed by an arrow, and concluding with an expanding star burst formation. The USS Mount Whitney served as a flagship and point of reference.

"The seamanship of these vessels and their crews is amazing," said Lt. Cmdr Tiffany Hill, USS Mount Whitney operations officer. "The ships performed flawlessly. To do this in a multi-national environment is an impressive accomplishment.

Ships participating in the exercise included the Latvian ships LNS Jotvingis and LNS Suduvis; Polish vessels ORP Gardno, ORP Druzno, and ORP Naklo; Estonian vessel ENS Ugandi; Germany's FGS Bad Rappenau; the Danish vessel HDNS Havkatten; and Lithuania's LVNS Visvaldis. Two manned drones from the Havkatten also participated.

Now in its 39th year, BALTOPS is a multinational naval exercise focusing on peace and security in the region. Baltic maritime operations continue through June 17.

Baltic Operations 2011 Participants Meet on Soccer Field

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Collin Turner, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

KIEL, Germany (NNS) -- Spectators gathered at the Kiel naval base soccer fields in Germany to watch Sailors stationed aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) take part in a sports-day hosted by the German navy June 4.

Sports day is an event that is designed for recreation and friendly competition, helping to build long lasting partnerships between the different nations involved.

Participating teams fielded their soccer players for a thirty-minute, round robin, single elimination tournament.

"Well it's always great to get a workout in and play some soccer," said Lt. Cmdr. Tiffany Hill, Mount Whitney's operations officer. "Most importantly, it's a great time to play soccer against some of our partner nations."

Taking part in the day's festivities were teams from France, Germany, Holland, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States.

"These events are important, because they allow us to strengthen ties with other nations, and there is no better place to do that than here in a sport setting," said Yeoman 3rd Class Conner Slomka, an administrative clerk assigned to Mount Whitney.

Sports day was held days before maritime forces representing 13 countries begin the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2011, a multinational naval exercise focusing on peace and security in the region.

BALTOPS has been held since 1971, in the Baltic Sea and regions surrounding it and is sponsored by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet.

During the exercise, Sailors will work closely with other personnel from partner nations, both on land and at sea, and will become familiar with countries' military practices and procedures.

Some of the events scheduled for the upcoming exercise range from traditional activities to new emerging missions. The traditional activities include mine clearance operations, anti-submarine warfare and surface-to-air defense, while the newer emerging missions include counterpiracy and small-boat attack.

BALTOPS will conclude later in the month with the partnering nations once again engaging in social events during Kiel Week, Europe's largest sailing event.

NSWC Port Hueneme Hosts VLS Forum, Strengthens Allied Relations

From Naval Sea Systems Command

PORT HUENEME, Calif (NNS) -- Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Port Hueneme hosted an international forum on the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) with nine allied nations, May 18-20.

During the event, NSWC Port Hueneme provided allied VLS users with access to the latest technology in logistics and in-service engineering.

"This event allowed users to discuss issues, exchange knowledge, skills, and lessons learned with system experts at one location," said Stan Wypyszynski, NSWC Port Hueneme VLS FMS project office manager. "It also enables a more efficient and effective way to control total ownership costs and maintain the VLS at the highest level of capability."

The annual forum supports the U.S. Navy's maritime strategy by fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships with international partners. This is the fourteenth year international VLS system users have participated. NSWC Port Hueneme has hosted similar events for 20 years, and created a best practice for other programs to follow.

Foreign navy participants included Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Germany, Canada, Turkey, Japan, Netherlands and Spain.

"This is the most important conference for Vertical Launching Systems," said Gunnar Luckas from the German navy.

"This conference is very useful for us to exchange experiences, exchange knowledge, and improve our performance," said Cmdr. Manuel Golmoyo of Spain.

"There are so many systems to learn," said Cmdr. Shinya Akao, Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force technical liaison officer. "We are working on two new systems, and definitely need to keep in touch with this group."

In addition to the hosting warfare center, other Navy participants included Program Executive Office, Integrated Warfare Systems' Surface Ship Weapons Launchers and International Programs Offices; Surface Combat Systems Center; NSWC Dahlgren; NSWC Carderock; NSWC Indian Head, Detachment Earle Weapons Systems, N.J.; NSWC Corona; SEA21's International Fleet Support Program Office; and the Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity.

The warfare centers are the Navy's principal research, development, test and evaluation assessment activity for surface ship and submarine systems and subsystems. In addition, the warfare centers provide depot maintenance and in-service engineering support to ensure the systems fielded today perform consistently and reliably in the future.

NSWC Port Hueneme, a division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command, integrates, tests, evaluates and provides life-cycle engineering and logistics support for surface warfare systems.