My visit to the US Navy Reserve Fleet in Bremerton, WA

JEFFHEAD.COM ^ | 16 Sep 2005 | Jeff Head

[Jeff Head]

Note: Click on any of the pictures in this report for a larger image.

Over the 2005 Labor Day weekend we drove from Idaho to Bremerton, WA to visit my daughter and son-in-law (active duty US Navy) and our two grandsons. A secondary reason was to take a look at the US Navy reserve fleet there in Bremerton and to see any current US Navy vessels in the yards.

The trip over was very beautiful and pleasant. There is a lot of very beuatiful scenary between Idaho and Washington. Here are some pictures of some of that scenary.

Once we arrived in Bremerton, we greated and spent time with our daughter and her family, including the birthday celebration of our four year-old grandson.

We were able to spend a good deal of time down by the water, which is somethiong I always enjoy. Here are some good views across the Sound to Seattle...which is just about close enough for yours truly.

Now, for the principle reason and point of this post. There in Bremerton, to the west of the Naval Shipyards, is the anchorage for the component of the reserve fleet harbored there. The ships are older, but still very modern and capable by the rest of the world standards. Here are some pictures I got of those naval ships...awaiting faithful service if ever required.

A picture of the entire reserve fleet, and a close-up of the USS David R. Paul, DD-971


The guided missile frigates, USS George Phillips and Sides, FFG 12 and FFG 14, and the guided missile AEGIS cruiser USS Vincennes, CG 49


The aircraft carrier USS Ranger, CV-61.


The aircraft carrier USS Independence, CV-62.


The aircraft carrier USS Constellation, CV-64. Notice the F-14 on deck.

The US Naval reserve fleet there in Bremerton represents several frigates and destroyers, an AEGIS cruiser, three full deck aircraft carriers, and several amphibious and support ships. Those ships alone, if in service, would be more powerful by themselves than the naval capabilities of over 90% of the other nations in the world. The United States maintains a significant number of such anchorages for reserve fleets around the United States. Many of those ships are in mobilizaton category B status, meaning they are mothballed for reactivation in times of crisis. Others are awaiting disposal and categorization, either for sale to foreign allies, foru use in naval exercises, or awaiting scrapping. .

On this trip, as an added bonus, we were able to observe two US Navy front line vessels, the USS John Stennis and USS Ohio, in port undergoing maintenance and significant upgrades and refit at the Bremerton Naval shiptards. I got several pictures of them and here are a couple.

The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS John Stennis, CVN 74.


The guided missile submarine, the USS Ohio, SSGN 726, just completing the significant refit from a SSBN, and preparing to put to sea.

Thanks for taking the time to share this family trip with us, and the pride we have in the UNited States military and the loyal men and woman who works so hard to defend our liberty and the fundamental moral values that define our way of life, and all of those who give so much of themselves to maintain and serve that cause.

Jeff Head
Idaho, USA
Author of the THE RISING SEA DRAGON IN ASIA

[Jeff Head]

I figured at this point only Wisonsin and Iowa would even be considered in an emergency...though if things were bad enough...who knows?

The Ruskies respected them...as did anyone on the receiving end of her main batteries.

Anyhow, I personally do not agree with the rapid decomissioning and scrapping of all of the Spruance class. I know the Burkes are more all-around multi-mission capable. But if things ever go up, we are going to need a lot of ASW platforms and they were very effective for that and (with the VLS) the land attack mode as well.

Anyhow, thanks for the input on the thread.

[Frank_Discussion]

"Good for you, keep her battle ready!"

If only. ;(

She's wonderful, but never again available for active duty.

[Jeff Head]

I agree on both counts. The BBs would be good to have around and the SSGNs are going to be very valuable...quiet too!

[Jeff Head]

It wasn;t in too bad shape back then...but I would love to see her again. Next time we get down home, I will have to take the trip down to see her.

[ArmyTeach]

Thank you! This is a wonderful set of pictures! I hope you enjoy the personal visits and extend our appreciation. Hearts are with our service men and women.

[Jeff Head]

I will...and I will! It was a wondeful trip for me and the wife both.

[Frank_Discussion]

You won't regret it.

[IGOTMINE]

When did you go to Sea School? I was MARDET on the Kittyhawk 87-89.

[Allen H]

AWESOME pics Jeff!!! Wow thanks. I am adding them to my picture library of military ships and aircraft. Thanks MUCH!!! Glad you had such a good trip! And those kids are too adorable. 8) Tenacious cute gene in your family huh? 8) Thanks again for the pics.

[tanknetter]

I agree on both counts. The BBs would be good to have around and the SSGNs are going to be very valuable...quiet too!

NP on your earlier reply.

The BBs are great and very flexible platforms. It's a shame that the extended range shells (40nm and GPS-guided 100nm range subcalibre sabots) never made it into service before they were gone.

But they are old and incredibly manpower/maintenance-intensive. Every Marine I know was a HUGE advocate of them ... until they saw what GPS-guided, all-weather smart weaps launched from orbiting B-52s could do.

A good case could be made that with forward-thinking upgrades (extended-range, GPS-guised shells for the 16" rifles, replace the existing 5" twins with the 62 caliber 5" mount, put a VLS farm in amidships, etc) they would be phenominal core ships for SAGs. But at what cost and what expense to other programs?

[jimtorr]

Thanks for the pictures, Jeff. I have family in Port Orchard, across the way from Bremerton. I haven't been up there for several years, now.

I remember as a small boy taking the ferry across the channel for a tour of the New Jersey as she lay in mothballs. I don't recall the tour, just the very small ferry boat.

My uncle there had an ashtray made from the butt of 5" shell that he claimed was an expended shell from the New Jersey. Lost in time, now, it is.

[badpacifist]

I went to high school in Bremerton. My mom still lives there. When the USS Missouri was there, it was the first place we took visitors. The USS New Jersey used to sit right next to it. You can see that in the opening shots of An Officer and a Gentleman when Richard Gere parks his motorcycle across from the two battleships.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Maybe someone with more up to date knowledge can clarify this: When the Iowas first sailed, they used Number 6 fuel to fire their eight boilers. After being returned to duty from one of their retirements, Iowa, NJ and Wisconsin were converted to Number 2 oil.
When did this happen?

[Jeff Head]

Thanks...we'll look forward to it now, just as much as I did as a young boy back in the 60s.

[tanknetter]

Maybe someone with more up to date knowledge can clarify this: When the Iowas first sailed, they used Number 6 fuel to fire their eight boilers. After being returned to duty from one of their retirements, Iowa, NJ and Wisconsin were converted to Number 2 oil. When did this happen?

I'm not familiar with that particular terminology. According to Malcom Muir, all four Iowas were converted from black oil to lighter Navy distillate fuel as part of their 1980s reactivation (one of their capabilities was to be able to draw upon their vast bunkerage to refuel their gas turbine powered escorts) ... that may be what you are asking about.

[Jeff Head]

Thank you! That cute gene, as is obvious, all comes from the better half's side...hehehe. And that's how it should be.

If you want some more good military pics, check out the US Navy pics for each vessel type on the PLAN vs USN comparison page at the following site I maintain:

[Jeff Head]

Well...the DDX ships are getting cut back and cut bak. I believe the BBs could be made into awesome arsenal ships with all of the upgrades you also mentioned. Wish they would give it a go...couldn;t be more expensive per copy than one DDX.

[Jeff Head]

We spent some time in Port Orchard, in fact the pics of the reserve fleet from the south were taken from there.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Number 6 is 'black oil" that looks and smells like asphalt...
This must mean that 6 oil was used through the Viet Nam period. The Iowas could carry 2.2 million gallons of oil. Glad I didn't get the job of cleaning out the bunker tanks.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Great shots thanks for posting them. My elder son is finishing his Navy Nuke training today and has been assigned to the USS Ohio which apparently will be in port for another year at least for the refitting.

This conversion is one which I had been wondering about for a while since it appeared to me that the need for strategic missile launchers was now less than the need for tactical one. Looks like the Navy was thinking along the same lines.

BTW who is the old coot with the cute kids? (Just kidding)