Navy League of the United States, Twin Cities (MN) Council: March 2011

"So states the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association:

"Fighter Pilot" is a state of mind, not a job title. Therefore, not all people who fly fighters are fighter pilots, nor do all fighter pilots fly fighters…

Mathew Joseph La Porte, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets – Air Force ROTC scholarship – never got the chance to be an Air Force fighter pilot, but if a German Ace – Adolf Galland (104 aerial victories) – is a credible source to correctly define the breed – "the spirit of attack born of a brave heart" – then Cadet La Porte's death on April 16, 2007 was that of a true fighter pilot in every sense."

http://blog.projectwhitehorse.com/the-intersection/v-sheepdogs-and-white-horses/2-story-of-a-fighter-pilot-the-story-of-cadet-matthew-joseph-la-porte/

1. USS Nassau LHA 4 (one of the great Tarawa class Big Deck Amphibs) is set to decommission on March 31. She provided 32 years of honorable service, with thousands of sailors and marines calling her 'home' on multiple deployments. She is a capitol warship in the United States Navy, lead ship of her ready group.

2. USS Nassau's relief is Precomissioning Unit America LHA 6, now under construction in Mississippi, but not set to commission for at least 2.5 years.

3. USS Kearsarge LHD 3 launched Harriers from her deck this past weekend to support the military action in Libya. Navy blogs are openly wondering why a US Navy carrier wasn't in the area for this action, and there's much back and forth on this. Along with USS Kearsarge LHD 3, the French are deploying De Gaulle, and the Italians the carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi

4. As you may have followed, the USS Ronald Reagan CVN 76 Strike Group continues to provide humanitarian support, and the USS Essex LHD 2 Amphibious Ready Group arrived last weekend to provide additional support. It appears we have 20 ships operating in Japanese waters.

5. There has been a voluntary evacuation of US Military dependants out of Japan, as Secretary Gates has authorized money for families to relocate due to radiation concerns, and Carrier Air Wing 5 was repositioned to Guam

6. March 19 represents another anniversary of sorts for the families of USS Franklin CV 13 sailors. USS Franklin CV 13 was hit on March 19, 1945 having maneuvered closest to Japan of any Essex class carrier, and it cost her. Two bomb hits from one aircraft, which was immediately shot down by other ships in the task group. 724 sailors are still 'on deployment', but the effort to save Franklin goes down in the annuals of US Navy damage control as one of the most heroic ever. She was completely restored, but never served again.

7. USS Florida SSGN - the first time a former ballistic missile submarine converted to a guided missile submarine, was used in combat. This has to be historically significant, because no ballistic missile submarine has ever fired a shot in anger going back to the 60's, so while she was converted out of that role, it doesn't change the fact that this is the first time this hull type fired in war.

8. USS Bataan LHD 5 Amphibious Ready Group is set to deploy 3-5 months sooner than planned, likely this week due to the situation in Libya.

Announcing The Keel Authentication Ceremony of Precommissioning Unit Minnesota

On Friday, May 20, 2011 the Keel Authentication Ceremony for fast attack submarine PCU Minnesota SSN 783 took place. This is a time-honored tradition that typically marks the start of the life of this ship.

The key parts of the ceremony include welding the signature of the ships sponsor into a plate which will be displayed w/in the ship, with the announcement that 'the keel has been truly and fairly laid'.

It was a great Navy day and a great Minnesota day!

The last time a keel ceremony for a ship named Minnesota took place was in 1903 - in the same shipyard no less.

PCU Minnesota SSN 783 is a Virginia class fast attack submarine.

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The Birth of A Mighty Warship

In July 2008, The United States Navy announced the naming of a Virginia-class fast attack submarine - the future USS Minnesota SSN 783.

Today, Precommissioning Unit Minnesota SSN 783 is under construction in Newport News, VA. She carries the legacy of two previous ships named 'Minnesota'. The first was a Sloop of War that served in the Civil War and fought in the first battle between ironclads, and the second was BB 22, who was part of The Great White Fleet and served until 1922.

SSN 783 is scheduled to join the fleet in 2013!

A Flag for PCU Minnesota SSN 783

On March 10, 2011, a Minnesota State Flag flew over the State Capitol in honor of PCU Minnesota SSN 783. The Certificate of Authenticity was signed by Governor Mark Dayton. This flag will be donated by the Twin Cities Council of the Navy League to the Prospective Commanding Officer and crew of PCU Minnesota.

Why March 10? The first USS Minnesota, a Sloop of War, was part of the battle between the USS Monitor and CSS Virginia which occured on March 9, 1862. USS Minnesota was grounded at the time, saved by USS Monitor, who's sailors put themselves in harms way by manuvering between USS Minnesota and CSS Virgina, which came out to try and sink USS Minnesota on March 9. USS Minnesota was freed by US Navy tugs on March 10, 1862.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Monday, March 28, 2011

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Friday, March 25, 2011

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Monday, March 21, 2011

Great Navy Links!

Precommissioning Unit Minnesota SSN 783 Tentative Schedule

Virginia Class