Mine warfare

Rare torpedo discovered by dolphins arrives at Navy Yard for restoration

By Jacqueline Klimas on June 4, 2013 Diving, EOD, Historical, Mine warfare, Navy, ordnance

The rare torpedo discovered by dolphins off the coast of California arrived safely at the Washington Navy Yard on May 30. Naval History and Heritage Command’s Underwater Archaeology Branch now has the remains of the Howell torpedo, a Navy release said. It is only the third one known to exist; the other two are displayed at the Naval Undersea Museum and the Naval War College. Before arriving in D.C., the torpedo was placed in fresh water, which helps leech the salt out of the artifact, the release said. “It’s kept in water because it was found in a saltwater environment,”…

Ukrainian navy is training killer dolphins

By Jacqueline Klimas on October 15, 2012 Mine warfare, Naval Base San Diego, Navy

They may not be Dr. Evil’s sharks with frickin’ laser beams on their heads, but the Ukrainian navy is getting something pretty close. The Ukrainian navy is beginning to train dolphins to attack enemy combat swimmers using knives and guns that will be strapped to their heads, Russian news site Ria Novosti reported. The dolphins will be used to defend ships in port and on raids, according to the site. A source told the news site that 10 dolphins are currently being trained for “special tasks.” In addition to attacking with knives and guns, these tasks also include locating weapons…

End of an era

By Bill McMichael on December 6, 2011 6th Fleet, Amphibious operations, Amphibious Ready Group, Combat support, Commanding officers, Flight deck certification, Homecoming, leadership, Marine Corps, Marine Expeditionary Unit, Maritime operations, Mine warfare, Navy, Norfolk Naval Station, Odyssey Dawn, Photos, Ponce, Ships, The Middle East

On May 7, 1970, the Beatles released their last single: “The Long and Winding Road.” Last week, the amphibious transport dock Ponce, launched 13 days after the song and commissioned in July 1971, completed its own long journey, coming home for the last time after four decades of service. Those years were filled with significant events. Ponce helped evacuate nearly 300 mostly U.S. and British Westerners from Lebanon during the 1976 civil war, and supported 6th Fleet air strikes on pro-Syrian militia positions in defense of U.S. Marines ashore. It supported military disaster relief in Florida following 1992’s devastating Hurricane…

When finite funds meet infinite needs

By Lance Bacon on January 19, 2010 Aviation, Ballistic missile defense, Carriers, leadership, Maritime operations, Mine warfare, Navy, Pirates, Ships, Submarines

It’s no secret the naval fleet has more gaps than O.J.’s alibi. The Navy is lacking surface vessels, especially amphibs. Submarine and aviation gaps are on the horizon. Even the carrier fleet will drop below requirements for at least three years beginning in 2012. Adding the crushing blow on this already sizable dog pile is the fact that SSBN(X) will cost $80 billion — which the Navy doesn’t have. Unless Congress coughs up the cash, the shipbuilding budget will be cut by half for a whopping 14 years. Ouch. Since it’s very unlikely the Navy will get everything it needs,…

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