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Bonhomme Richard flight deck unfit for flight operations, could delay next deployment
Stars and Stripes ^ | 22 Aug 2014 | James Kimber

Posted on 08/23/2014 4:07:48 PM PDT by GATOR NAVY

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To: cva66snipe

The current picture at Norfolk:

One carrier in overhaul (based on the West Coast)

One in post-overhaul

One in maintenance

One on deployment

One post-deployed

Therefore, at most 4 carriers in the basin at once right now.

The other carriers are based on the West Coast and Japan.


81 posted on 08/24/2014 4:50:22 AM PDT by libtoken
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To: cva66snipe

Not even Cheney fit that description sad to say. The downturns began under his Sec of Def watch.
********************************
I worked for Bell Helicopter at that time and Cheney was the one who shut down funds for the V-22 Osprey that significantly delayed the aircraft’s continuing testing, production and deployment to the USAF and USMC. The aircraft is a proven winner, now, but could have been in use much sooner.

I like Cheney’s attitude, but politicians don’t understand, or refuse to listen to aides who do, the impact of just cutting items from their budgets.


82 posted on 08/24/2014 4:52:43 AM PDT by octex
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To: xrmusn

We used to ‘call’ her “Bonnie Dick”...
****************************
LOL at your whole posting.

Same name we called her. The USS Shangri-La was called the “Shi**y Shang”. I had a couple of friends on that ship from our public school days and one time in the Med we were able to visit each others’ ships. ...It really fit the slang name.


83 posted on 08/24/2014 5:25:14 AM PDT by octex
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To: cva66snipe

Nothing like the sound of a deck grinder taking up non skid. Right?
*********************************
You were lucky to be below the Hanger deck! I was in V-2 Catapults and our berthing was only ONE deck below the Flight deck, just below the arresting gear! When we finished our launches for the night, we’d just be starting to get some sleep and the aircraft recovery would begin, with the planes hitting the deck plates about 4-5 feet above our compartment.


84 posted on 08/24/2014 5:38:07 AM PDT by octex
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To: rlmorel

I had three cruises right underneath the wires.
**************************
Similar to what I posted before seeing your comment.
I also served on “Rosie” but finished active duty in 1962.


85 posted on 08/24/2014 5:44:40 AM PDT by octex
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To: GATOR NAVY

I did a shore tour at SIMA Portsmouth, the shop next to ours was the Non-Skid shop. Temperature seemed to be a critical factor. They’d often check the flight deck temp prior to laying ‘skid. They were always busy, but still 1/2 the jobs would be done by contractors, (many of those guys were former sailors).

More than once, there would be a “bad” batch and the stuff wouldn’t adhere correctly. Tedious process, shot peen the flight deck, primer, lay the skid. That primer was instant head ache inducing. The Navy guys would be wearing respirators, the civvy guys, nothing. The fumes that were coming off of that primer had to be killing braincells.

This was 30 years ago, perhaps the process has changed.


86 posted on 08/24/2014 5:55:05 AM PDT by csvset
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To: octex

OMG...I spent a week on the Rosie back in the mid-seventies on exercises down in the Carribean, and it was pretty bad. She was very advanced in years at that point.

LOL...I always wondered why someone thought they could put sleeping quarters below the flight deck right there, but...they were wiser than I. They knew that people would simply get used to it...and we did, didn’t we?


87 posted on 08/24/2014 5:56:49 AM PDT by rlmorel ("Anyone who will shift their stance so fluidly in the pursuit of support isn't worth supporting.")
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To: octex

And, thanks for serving!


88 posted on 08/24/2014 5:57:29 AM PDT by rlmorel ("Anyone who will shift their stance so fluidly in the pursuit of support isn't worth supporting.")
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To: octex

V-2, eh?

The first time I walked all the way forward during flight operations on that deck, I happened to be right by one of the bow cats when it shot, and I nearly crapped my pants. I had no idea that was what it sounded like right next to it without ear protection!

(I was doing that thing on the ship when you are new, where you just start walking around to see where you can go...and happened to walk right up there)


89 posted on 08/24/2014 6:01:15 AM PDT by rlmorel ("Anyone who will shift their stance so fluidly in the pursuit of support isn't worth supporting.")
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To: Chode

Thanks! This is interesting...and irritating too.


90 posted on 08/24/2014 6:02:14 AM PDT by rlmorel ("Anyone who will shift their stance so fluidly in the pursuit of support isn't worth supporting.")
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To: octex

Funny how you can have your own name for your ship, but other people generally know better than to use it. I was on the Kennedy, and everyone, even outsiders, called her “The Big John”.

We used it as a toilet-based reference, but outsiders and the brass who used it clearly didn’t mean it an epithet the way we did!

Some of the nicknames of ships were funny (even if some were tragic in their origin, like “ForrestFire”)

I recall “Sinkin’ Sara” and others...


91 posted on 08/24/2014 6:06:31 AM PDT by rlmorel ("Anyone who will shift their stance so fluidly in the pursuit of support isn't worth supporting.")
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To: GATOR NAVY
Both named of course after John Paul Jones’ ship.

Louis XIV purchased the French East Indiaman Duc de Duras, and placed her under the command of John Paul Jones. Jones renamed her Bon Homme Richard - usually rendered in more correct French as Bonhomme Richard, to honor Benjamin Franklin, the American Commissioner at Paris whose Poor Richard's Almanac was published in France under the title of Les Maximes du Bonhomme Richard.

92 posted on 08/24/2014 6:11:29 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (This is known as "bad luck". - Robert A. Heinlein)
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To: RetiredTexasVet
Luckily it was under warranty and they got double their money back

There may well be a go back on the contractor, if corners were cut.

93 posted on 08/24/2014 6:13:08 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (This is known as "bad luck". - Robert A. Heinlein)
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To: ClearCase_guy

awesome


94 posted on 08/24/2014 6:40:19 AM PDT by dalebert
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To: rlmorel
welcome... if the contractor isn't made to fix this on their own dime, something has to change in the contract process
95 posted on 08/24/2014 6:40:55 AM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -vvv- NO Pity for the LAZY - 86-44)
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To: FDNYRHEROES
I believe you meant “typhoon”, not tsunami...

I believe! You are correct..

96 posted on 08/24/2014 6:59:00 AM PDT by missnry (The truth will set you free ... and drive liberals crazy!)
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To: octex

Same name we called her. The USS Shangri-La was called the “Shi**y Shang”.
= = = = = = = = = = = =
At one time you could have called her ‘Shi**y Shi**y Shang Shang”, after the Movie.....

The Henrico (APA45) was “The Happy Hank”
and Terrell County (LST-1157) “Terrible Terrell”

Must remember though going back to the flat hat days etal, if you are not ‘showing the ships name’ on your sleeve or cap, best not say to much about it one way or another, especially in ‘mixed company’.

Of course, once you transfer off a ship, you are allowed to speak in awe of her but the disparaging remarks are best kept to oneself.

Like they said...
The two best ships(duty stations) one every served on were the one you just left and the one you were going to.

Oh yes, that ‘pecking order’ did not stop at ships.
On board it was Deck V Engine Room followed by the ratings in your own Section.
It went to type ships, squadron ships, Phibs, Cans, Fly Boys, etc etc...

Pride sure runs/ran deep and in the end ALL the Sailors would bond together ‘against’ the Marines and the Marines and Navy would bond together to take on the ‘rest of the world’........


97 posted on 08/24/2014 7:42:17 AM PDT by xrmusn ((6/98)a GUN is like a parachute. If you need one, and don't have one-probably never need one again.)
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To: rlmorel

I always wondered why someone thought they could put sleeping quarters below the flight deck right there,...
************************
I think it was because it provided us a quicker access to our battle stations during general quarters, instead of being several decks below. There were passageways along the port side and catwalks that permitted us to move from the berthing compartment to our stations forward much faster than having to climb ladders. (I carry scars and dents in my shins from the edges of hatch combings while running in near dark to travel about 600 feet to my station during GQ)

Regarding the noise of landings... Yes, we got used to it and slept like logs. ........Thank you for your service, too!


98 posted on 08/24/2014 8:03:04 AM PDT by octex
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To: GATOR NAVY

I remember the monthly “snake” demonstrations in the streets?!

For those that don’t know, young Japanese leftists would form up in half mile long columns about 10 abreast and lock arms with each other. Then they would move down the 4-5 lane street that led to the base snaking back and forth across the street, incredibly, the Japanese riot police always outnumbered them and when thy got down in front of the main gate our Marines would just ignore them and they would fight with the riot police.

Their politics nationally must have been pretty weak though because the base is still there and bigger than ever.


99 posted on 08/24/2014 8:22:26 AM PDT by Cen-Tejas (it's the debt bomb stupid!)
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To: octex
I worked for Bell Helicopter at that time and Cheney was the one who shut down funds for the V-22 Osprey that significantly delayed the aircraft’s continuing testing, production and deployment to the USAF and USMC. The aircraft is a proven winner, now, but could have been in use much sooner. I like Cheney’s attitude, but politicians don’t understand, or refuse to listen to aides who do, the impact of just cutting items from their budgets.

We also lost the F-14 Tomcat program under his watch. An expensive program sure but it ruled the skies. Cheney listens to contractors the most. That was his big downfall.

100 posted on 08/24/2014 10:44:30 AM PDT by cva66snipe ((Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?))
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