The sailors of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 22 returned to NAS (1) See network access server.

(2) (Network Attached Storage) A specialized file server that connects to the network. A NAS device contains a slimmed-down operating system and a file system and processes only I/O requests by supporting the popular Jacksonville, Fla., on 15 December 2008, having completed a five-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This was the final deployment for VS-22–the Navy’s last S-3B Viking squadron–which marked its deactivation de·ac·ti·vate
tr.v. de·ac·ti·vat·ed, de·ac·ti·vat·ing, de·ac·ti·vates
1. To render inactive or ineffective.

2. To inhibit, block, or disrupt the action of (an enzyme or other biological agent).

3. with a 29 January ceremony at NAS Jacksonville, and officially deactivated on 31 March.

The Checkmates’ final year was a whirlwind of activity that included a partial deployment aboard George Washington (CVN (Card Verification Number) See CSC. 73) and a boots-on-the-ground deployment to Iraq.

On 7 April 2007 VS-22 along with CVW-17 embarked George Washington for the first leg of a deployment that ended with the carrier changing its homeport from NS Norfolk, Va., to Yokosuka, Japan. While on board the carrier, the Checkmates participated in the Partnership of the Americas exercise which included passage through the Straits of Magellan.

The Checkmates returned to NAS Jacksonville on 27 May 2008. Less than a week after returning from what was supposed to be its last deployment, VS-22 received orders to deploy to Iraq as a land-based squadron. The boots-on-the-ground and eyes-in-the-sky deployment required the carrier-based squadron to operate from Al Asad Air Base in Al Anbar Province in the western part of the country. VS-22 had 45 days to train and transition into an expeditionary squadron in the Iraqi desert.

To meet the demands of this mission, each of the 205 squadron members completed antiterrorism an·ti·ter·ror·ist
adj.
Intended to prevent or counteract terrorism; counterterror: antiterrorist measures.

——————————————————————————–

an and desert survival training, in addition to qualifying with the M-16 rifle and M-9 pistol, prior to their deployment. In July the Checkmates flew their four Vikings to Iraq with nearly the entire squadron aboard an Air Force C-5 Galaxy The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a military transport aircraft designed to provide strategic heavy airlift over intercontinental distances. It is the largest American military transport and one of the largest military aircraft in the world, designed to carry outsize and oversize cargo. .

“Within a week of arriving in theater, we were flying operational missions using LANTIRN LANTIRN Low-Altitude Navigation & Targeting Infrared for Night (Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night) pods to locate improvised explosive devices, conduct border surveillance, and provide full-motion video Video transmission that changes the image 30 frames per second (30 fps). Motion pictures are run at 24 fps, which is the minimum frequency required to eliminate the perception of moving frames and make the images appear visually fluid to the eye. to commanders throughout Iraq,” VS-22 CO Cdr. Stephen Fimple said. “We flew more than 340 combat support missions encompassing over 1,600 mishap-free flight hours in Iraq.”

The LANTIRN pod proved vital to the Vikings’ mission in Iraq. The LANTIRN’s terrain-following radarTerrain-following radar is an aerospace technology that allows a very-low-flying aircraft to automatically maintain a constant altitude. It is sometimes referred-to as ground hugging, terrain hugging or nap-of-the-earth flight.
….. Click the link for more information. enabled pilots to maneuver and conduct surveillance at low altitudes during day and night missions. According Lt. Jason Tarrant, the squadron flew about 80 percent of its nontraditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance An activity that synchronizes and integrates the planning and operation of sensors, assets, and processing, exploitation, and dissemination systems in direct support of current and future operations. This is an integrated intelligence and operations function. Also called ISR. combat missions at night.

“The Vikings’ infrared capability was invaluable for taking away the cover of darkness from enemy combatants,” Tarrant said. “The Checkmates routinely detected heat signatures of vehicles, shelters, people, and IEDs (improvised explosive devices)–and relayed that information to convoys and combat teams in the affected area.”

VS-22 was established as Air Antisubmarine Squadron 22 on 18 May 1960 flying the S-2 Tracker The Grumman S-2 Tracker (previously S2F) was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft to enter service with the US Navy. . The squadron’s role evolved over the years from antisubmarine warfare to antisurface warfare, electronics warfare, reconnaissance, and refueling. The Checkmates have flown the S-3B Viking since 1987.

Though the Iraqi deployment proved to be the Viking’s last, the aircraft’s reliability never wavered. “Our VS-22 maintenance personnel displayed tireless dedication to keep these soon-to-be-retired birds mission ready.” Tarrant said. “We sustained a 100 percent sortie completion record.”

After leaving Iraq and returning to NAS Jacksonville on 15 December 2008, the Checkmates had a quick turnaround of a different sort–deactivation. The deactivation ceremony took place on 29 January with current and former squadron members gathering to say farewell to the Checkmates and the S-3B Viking.

“I’m proud to have served with VS-22 and just as sad that we now come together for its deactivation,” said retired Capt. Danny Powers who once served as VS-22 CO and gave the deactivation ceremony’s keynote address. “I was fortunate to have flown both the S-2 Tracker, or Stoof, and the S-3 Viking, or War Hoover. There are lots of sea stories I could tell–like the Cuban missile crisis Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962, major cold war confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union. After the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the USSR increased its support of Fidel Castro’s Cuban regime, and in the summer of 1962, Nikita Khrushchev secretly decided to and astronaut recoveries, as well as surveillance and pilot rescue ops off the coast of Vietnam. Instead, I’ll just say that the Stoof and its crews were there when they were needed.”

In his closing remarks, Fimple added, “It’s a bittersweet bittersweet, name for two unrelated plants, belonging to different families, both fall-fruiting woody vines sometimes cultivated for their decorative scarlet berries. farewell for us to deactivate de·ac·ti·vate
tr.v. de·ac·ti·vat·ed, de·ac·ti·vat·ing, de·ac·ti·vates
1. To render inactive or ineffective.

2. To inhibit, block, or disrupt the action of (an enzyme or other biological agent).

3. this squadron and close our chapter in Naval Aviation history. I’m grateful to Capt. Powers and the previous generations of the VS community who established the legacy of pride, professionalism, and dedication that shaped the Checkmates. The vital importance of the missions we conducted will never be forgotten. I’ll miss the ‘old Hoove’–but most importantly, I’ll miss the sailors, chiefs, and officers of the VS community.”

Without any better answer:

Typhoon Beating F 15? Yes.

Just PR talk? Hell yes!

Thanks

and its taken 30 years to achieve this

In U.S. military service, the Short 330 was designated the C-23A Sherpa. The C-23B Sherpa was similar to the C-23A, but with cabin windows.[3] The Short 360 derivative was modified by replacing the rear fuselage of the Shorts 360, with its single tall fin, with the twin tail and rear loading ramp of the Short Sherpa. The modified Short 360 was designated C-23B+ and C-23C.

Afghanistan helicopter shortage: government to buy 30 Chinooks
10 November, 2009 06:19:00 Thomas Harding

The Government will finally bow to pressure to relieve the shortage of helicopters in Afghanistan by making an emergency purchase of up to 30 new Chinooks, it has been disclosed.

It has taken the Ministry of Defence almost four years to recognise the impact on operations that the lack of helicopters has had with severe pressure put on politicians after soldier’s deaths have been blamed for the shortages.

It is hoped to build up the Chinook fleet from the current 38 to about 70 allowing the possibility of almost doubling the numbers of aircraft currently in Afghanistan to 20.

But it is unclear where the funding will come from as Gordon Brown has yet to promise more cash for the defence budget. The estimated £1 billion bill could either come from cuts in other defence programmes or out of the Treasury reserve.

Bob Ainsworth will also have to fight hard in the Pentagon to get the Chinooks off the Boeing production line ahead of American orders if they enter service within the next two years.

The purchase represents a “seismic shift” of the military helicopter fleet that will cancel competition to buy 120 medium lift helicopters under a plan known as Vision 2020.

“Vision 2020 could be sanctioned by ministers as early as this month and a deal signed with Boeing in time to beat next year’s deadline of a general election, followed by a strategic defense review,” a defence source said.

The MoD is said to have abandoned a competition for a new medium lift helicopter in favour of the Chinooks because the aircraft is “already out there and meeting our demands in theatre”.

“The Chinook has proven its capabilities and the most expedient move is to purchase more but we will need significant numbers to push more into theatre,” the defence source said

The change means that the planned expenditure of £3.5 billion on 120 new medium helicopters over the next 10 years is unlikely to go ahead.

But some military commentators believe that the move ahead of the general election might be good politically but is “stupid” tactically as it could make a platoon of 30 soldiers in a single helicopter more vulnerable to ground fire than spread among three helicopters.

The military helicopter fleet will be trimmed down to just four types of aircraft with the Chinook as heavy lift, Merlin medium lift, the Super Lynx utility and Apache attack helicopter.

The entire Merlin fleet is likely to be “marinised” so it can be used by the Royal Navy but still available for land operations.

http://www.military-world.net/Afghanistan/2738.html

about time friggin numbnuts

Navantia Launches First Naval Action Ship for Spanish Navy

(Source: Navantia; dated Oct. 16, 2009)

(Issued in Spanish; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

The San Fernando-Puerto Real shipyard on October 16 launched “P41 Meteor,” the first of four Maritime Action Ships for the Spanish Navy. The ceremony was godmothered by Elena Salgado Méndez, Minister of Economy and Finance, and was also attended by the President of SEPI, Enrique Martinez Robles, the President of Navantia, Aurelio Martínez Estévez, as well as the supreme commander of the Spanish Navy, Admiral Manuel Rebollo Garcia.

This vessel is the first in the initial series of four Navantia-built BAM ships for the Spanish navy, according to Executive Order signed on 31 July 2006, but is expected to eventually involve a total of 10 units. Delivery of the lead ship is planned for late 2010.

The construction of these ships will bring Navantia 3,130,000 hours of work, 270,000 of them in engineering, and workload until 2011.

It is a vessel of moderate size, high performance, great versatility in terms of missions, a high level of commonality with other Navy ships and reduced acquisition and service life costs.

Its main missions are:
– Protection and escorting other ships
– Control of shipping
– Control and neutralization of terrorist and piracy
– Operations against drug trafficking and human trafficking
– Rescue and Salvage
– Support for crisis situations and humanitarian
– Control of fishing laws
– Control of environmental legislation and anti-pollution

Main characteristics:
– Length overall: 93.90 m
– Maximum Beam: 14.20 m
– Height to Flight Deck: 7.2 m
– Full load displacement: 2,575 t
– Draft: 4.4 m
– Maximum speed: 20.5 kts
– Range (at 15 knots): 8,000 miles
– Crew: 35
– Additional capacity: 35 people.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/art…nish-navy.html
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1476454&postcount=149

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that in general there are a finite number of topics that get played out over and over. r.a.m was the same way. s.m.n. was the same way. Eventually people get sick of it and move on just so another bunch can come in and repeat the process. If it weren’t for the occasional gold nugget I’d have left ages ago. There are a few unique/professional boards that seem to avoid that for the most part but they are few and far between.

Thats exactly right…..Then you return lurking about:)

family
people that work for me
drivers
taxi drivers

French fighter planes grounded by computer virus

French fighter planes were unable to take off after military computers were infected by a computer virus, an intelligence magazine claims.

by Kim Willsher in Paris UK Daily Telegraph

Last Updated: 11:43AM GMT 07 Feb 2009

French fighter jets were unable to take off after military computers were attacked by a virus Photo: AFP

The aircraft were unable to download their flight plans after databases were infected by a Microsoft virus they had already been warned about several months beforehand.

At one point French naval staff were also instructed not to even open their computers.

Microsoft had warned that the “Conficker” virus, transmitted through Windows, was attacking computer systems in October last year, but according to reports the French military ignored the warning and failed to install the necessary security measures.

The French newspaper Ouest France said the virus had hit the internal computer network at the French Navy.

Jérome Erulin, French navy spokesman told the paper: “It affected exchanges of information but no information was lost. It was a security problem we had already simulated. We cut the communication links that could have transmitted the virus and 99 per cent of the network is safe.”

However, the French navy admitted that during the time it took to eradicate the virus, it had to return to more traditional forms of communication: telephone, fax and post.

Naval officials said the “infection”‘ was probably due more to negligence than a deliberate attempt to compromise French national security. It said it suspected someone at the navy had used an infected USB key.

The Sicmar Network, on which the most sensitive documents and communications are transmitted was not touched, it said. “The computer virus problem had no effect on the availability of our forces.” The virus attacked the non-secured internal French navy network called Intramar and was detected on 21 January. The whole network was affected and military staff were instructed not to start their computers.

According to Liberation newspaper, two days later the chiefs of staff decided to isolate Intramar from the military’s other computer systems, but certain computers at the Villacoublay air base and in the 8th Transmissions Regiment were infected. Liberation reported that on the 15 and 16 January the Navy’s Rafale aircraft were “nailed to the ground” because they were unable to “download their flight plans”. The aircraft were eventually activated by “another system”.

Liberation also reported that Microsoft had identified the Conficker virus in the autumn of 2008 and had advised users from October last year to update their security patches. IntelligenceOnline reports that “at the heart of the (French) military, the modifications were, for the most part, not done.” It was only on the 16 January “three months later” that the navy chiefs of staffs began to act.

“At that point, the chiefs of staff and the defence ministry had no idea how many computers or military information systems were vulnerable to having been contaminated by the virus,” said Liberation.

The French press also reported that the only consolation for the French Navy was that it was not the only ones to have fallen victim to the virus.

It said that a report in the military review Defense Tech revealed that in the first days of January 2009 the British Defence Ministry had been attacked by a hybrid of the virus that had substantially and seriously infected the computer systems of more than 24 RAF bases and 75 per cent of the Royal Navy fleet including the aircraft carrier Ark Royal.