Video

WWII-era sea plane breaks up during USS Indianapolis movie shoot

By David Larter on July 9, 2015 Historical, Movies, Navy, Ships, Uncategorized, Video

A movie about one of the great maritime disasters of World War II had a little disaster of its own. A WWII-era Navy sea plane broke up during shooting for an upcoming movie about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis near the end of WWII. A PBY aircraft used to stage the rescue of survivors was being used for the shoot started leaking as it was floating on the surface of the water, said Elizabeth Wolfe, spokeswoman for the film “USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage.” The film crew had to evacuate the plane for safety reasons. The crew attempted to…

‘The Last Ship’ skipper receives shadow box of dad’s awards

By Meghann Myers on June 15, 2015 Ballistic missile defense, Entertainment, Uncategorized, Video

Eric Dane isn’t a SWO. He just plays one on TV. But his late father, William Melvin, was an aviation boatswain’s mate in the Vietnam War era. To honor his service, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus presented Dane with a shadow box of his awards June 12 at the season 2 premiere “The Last Ship” in Washington, D.C., attended by sailors in the area. On the show, Dane plays Cmdr. Tom Chandler, skipper of the destroyer Nathan James and more or less humanity’s last hope of survival against an apocalyptic virus. “I’m here because I love Washington, I love the Navy and…

Video: Ford launches dead weight into the river

By Meghann Myers on June 8, 2015 Aviation, Carriers, Hampton Roads, Newport News, Ships, testing, Video

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford began testing the ship’s new electromagnetic aircraft launch system in Virginia’s James River on June 5, but before they can launch real aircraft, they have to practice. It’s not quite like a real, live flight deck, but it’s close. Gone are the cargo pants, brightly colored turtlenecks and helmets. Instead, a sailor in blueberries and a hard hat mimics the signals of a deck handler before the catapult launches a weight sled out over the river in a graceful swan dive. The slow motion impact with the water at the end is rather dramatic. EMALS testing began June 5, the latest step…

Navy SEAL laughs at Islamic State’s special ops video

By Meghann Myers on April 29, 2015 Amphibious operations, Diving, Entertainment, Fitness, Naval special warfare, Navy, Physical training, SEAL, SEALs, Shooting, Uncategorized, Video

The Islamic State group is trying to work on its special forces prowess. Well, they’ve got their work cut out for them, according to combat vets that viewed a recently released promotional video by the extremist group. The video, first posted by news site Vocativ, features a dozen scenes of training, door breaching and amphibious sneak attacks. There are countless reasons why this whole thing is a giant soup sandwich, a former Navy SEAL told Navy Times in a Wednesday interview. Starting with: Why kind of special ops mission happens in broad daylight? “Well, the only thing that they had…

The Deck Seaman’s Creed: Every sailor a broomsman

By Meghann Myers on March 31, 2015 3rd Fleet, Amphibious operations, Amphibious Ready Group, Gator Navy, Humor, Inspections, Life at Sea, Marine Expeditionary Unit, Maritime operations, Morale, Navy, Uncategorized, Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h71avEN8KYA You’re probably familiar with the Rifleman’s Creed, recited by Marine Corps recruits at boot camp. This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. But have you heard about the Deck Seaman’s Creed? Any sailor (and maybe officer) worth his or her salt knows the deep relationships formed during sweepers. My broom, without me, is useless. Without my broom, I am useless. The video hit the web March 21, posted by (presumably) Seaman Spencer Myers aboard the amphibious assault ship America. Sweep on, Seaman.

‘American Sniper’ trailer drops ahead of Christmas release

By Meghann Myers on October 3, 2014 Navy, SEAL, Video

If you’re looking for some cinematic firefights after Christmas Day presents and brunch, you’re in luck. The film version of former Navy SEAL Chief Special Operator Chris Kyle’s best-selling American Sniper memoir is coming to theaters Christmas Day, the tale of his path toward 160 confirmed kills, the most of any shooter in American history. Actor Bradley Cooper was able to meet with Kyle once before the SEAL was murdered in 2013. “Thank God I got to talk to him once on the phone. It was a very quick conversation. But I did tell him how serious I was about…

VIDEO: Blue Angels pilot makes Rob Riggle squeal for this ‘Top Gun 2 audition tape’

By on April 9, 2014 Aviation, Navy, Video

This post was written by Battle Rattle’s James Sanborn. Comedian and retired Marine Rob Riggle takes to the skies in this “Top Gun 2 audition tape” skit for popular comedy website Funny Or Die. In it, Riggle posits that he’s a dead ringer for the supporting actor post beside the famed flier Maverick. When he mounts up and begins to practice his lines, the Blue Angels pilot goes full throttle in the two-seater F/A-18 Hornet. Spoiler alert: Riggle lets out some kind of squeal, and then passes out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8Pi0-nFKNM In addition to his career as a comedian featured in movies…

VIDEO: Watch Stennis' heart-tugging 3-minute salute to vets

By Kevin Lilley on November 8, 2013 Historical, Navy, Veterans, Veterans Day, Video, World War II

First the video, then a few deep breaths, then some background: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-5kdCdM6So[/youtube] Rather than parades, appliance sales or ribbons one day a year, sailors aboard the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis are paying tribute to veterans on a more personal level — visiting veterans homes as part of the ship’s community-relations efforts. It’s led to one-on-one history lessons and brightened the days of both generations. It also led to the three-minute video above, put together by MCSNs Eric Melone and Jose Hernandez and featuring Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Joseph Hodge during a visit to the Washington Veterans Home in…

Sailors learned how to succeed with brunettes in 1960s

By Jacqueline Klimas on May 8, 2013 Historical, Navy, Officers, Video

Here’s a video presentation sailors won’t see today: a 16-minute lesson in how to succeed with brunettes. The video, produced in 1967, shows how far the service has come in more than 40 years. As the Navy talks about ways to stamp out sexual assault, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s recent announcement that work spaces will be searched for degrading images of women, it is clear that a video like this would never fly in today’s Navy. However, one message of the video is still applicable today: to treat women with respect. [HTML1] If you don’t have time to watch…

Navy homecoming roundup: Elementary school and a Bulls game

By Jacqueline Klimas on April 24, 2013 Carriers, Deployment, Homecoming, Navy, Video

For your daily dose of heartwarming videos, check out the two homecomings below. Though they happen across the country, they have expressions of pure joy in common. The first, from the Kitsap Sun. [HTML1] Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) (AW) David Templeton, Operations Specialist 1st Class (AW) Sean Shenefelt and Senior Chief Machinist’s Mate (SW) Jason Turner made a surprise visit to PineCrest Elementary School in Bremerton, Wash., on Tuesday afternoon. The three sailors, assigned to the carrier John C. Stennis, were scheduled to be home in early May. About 130 kids were at an assembly having a story read to…

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