USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ TRIBUTE TO THE USS TARAWA (LHA-1)& FReeper Brian Wells ~ January 20 2003

January 20, 2003 | snippy about it

[snippy_about_it]

Our very own FReeper bkwells is deployed on the
USS TARAWA (LHA-1)

Tarawa's Mission
Global events continue to spotlight the requirement to successfully project power from the sea. Tarawa's capabilities make her the world's most formidable amphibious power projection platform. Her primary war fighting mission is to land and sustain United States Marines on any shore during hostilities. A "national asset," the Tarawa's location and readiness are briefed daily to the National Command Authority.

Characteristics,Tarawa Class (This information is derived from US NAVY Fact Files.)

USS Tarawa (LHA-1) Tarawa class, General Purpose Amphibious Warship
Description: Primary landing ships, resembling small aircraft carriers, designed to put troops on hostile shores.
Features: Modern U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships are called upon to perform as primary landing ships for assault operations of Marine expeditionary units. These ships use Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), conventional landing craft and helicopters to move Marine assault forces ashore. In a secondary role, using AV-8B Harrier aircraft and warfare helicopters, these ships perform sea control and limited power projection missions.
Background: Amphibious warships are uniquely designed to support assault from the sea against defended positions ashore. They must be able to sail in harm's way and provide a rapid built-up of combat power ashore in the face of opposition. The United States maintains the largest and most capable amphibious force in the world.
Specs
Builders: Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss.
Power Plant: Two boilers, two geared steam turbines, two shafts, 70,000 total shaft horsepower
Length: 820 feet (249.9 meters)
Beam: 106 feet (31.8 meters)
Displacement: 39,400 tons (40,032 metric tons) full load
Speed: 24 knots (27.6 miles per hour)
Ships:USS Tarawa (LHA 1), San Diego, Calif.
USS Saipan (LHA 2), Norfolk, Va.
USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3), Sasebo, Japan
USS Nassau (LHA 4), Norfolk, Va.
USS Peleliu (LHA 5), San Diego, Calif.
Crew: Ships Company: 82 officers, 882 enlisted an embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit of 1,900 plus
Armament: Two RAM launchers; two Phalanx 20 mm CIWS mount; four 25 mm Mk 38 machine guns; five .50 caliber guns;
Commisioned: May 29, 1976
Aircraft
(Actual mix depends upon mission)
Nine CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters -heavy lift aircraft
Twelve CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters -medium lift aircraft
Four AH-1W Cobra Helicopters -attack aircraft
Six AV-8B Harrier attack aircraft -close air attack and support aircraft
Two UH-1N Iriqouis helicopters -command and control aircraft
Landing Craft
1 LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion)-Air cushion craft for transporting, ship-to-shore and across the beach, personnel, weapons, equipment, and cargo of the assault elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.
2 LCU (Landing Craft Utility)-Landing craft are used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore.
Tarawa mission Link

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She's a beauty! Eagle of the Sea

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A RAM missile being launched from the USS Tarawa

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PhalanxClose-In Weapons System-----------Mark 38 ~ 25 mm machine gun system

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Marines from 13MEU train for an amphibious assault on a beachhead

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Four AV-8B Harriers await launch from the flight deck of the USS Tarawa.

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An LCU leaves the welldeck of the Tarawa while two CH-53's commence flight operations off her port side

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A CH-153 heavy lift helicopter takes off of the flight deck.

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An AH-1W Cobra attack helicopter hovering by in the Persian Gulf.

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well deck

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USS Tarawa off the coast of Yemen

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The Official USS Tarawa Ship's Photo

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The Battle of Tarawa ~ History

The Central Pacific's Gilbert Islands were strategically important to the Allies in World War II. Tarawa, an atoll in those islands, was the scene of a major amphibious assault and on of the proudest testaments to valor in U.S. Marine Corps history.

Japan's Rear Admiral Shibasaki Meichi was quoted as saying before the assault that it would take the American forces "a million men and a hundred years" to capture the atoll. The Japanese had backed up this boast with an elite force of almost 5,000 men and heavily fortified the island of Betio in the southwestern corner of the atoll. Since capturing the islands three days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese had spent two years positioning coastal defense guns, antiaircraft guns, anti-boat guns, light and heavy machine guns, and an airstrip they could use to strike at allied troops stationed in the area. The atoll was strategically vital to both sides, and the stage was set for one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific.

The Allies were faced with serious problems in capturing Tarawa. The big coastal guns would keep the Navy guns either under constant fire or at bay, and the Japanese had used sunken ships and other pieces of metal to create obstacles which blocked the avenues of approach from the sea. The approaching craft would have to slow down to maneuver, putting them in prearranged ambush sites where they would be subject to deadly, concentrated fire from fortified positions. The next line of obstacles included a double apron of barbed wire, log barriers, and concrete obstacles which surrounded the island. After breaching these defenses, the Marines would still be faced with the beach itself, where the Japanese had fortified heavy machine guns which created a series of interlocking fields of fire in addition to antipersonnel mines and anti-vehicle mines in the fringing reefs where the boats would have to land. With the added benefit of antiaircraft guns and planes of their own, the defenders were well prepared for any assault.

The Allies had to take Tarawa, however, and on November 19, 1943 the assault began. Faced with the near-impossible odds and hounded from all sides, the Marines made it to the beach; by the last day of battle the Japanese had been forced into the east end of the the three-mile long island. They had prepared a series of fortified positions to fall back on in their retreat, and had defended each one almost to the last man. Those three miles may be some of the longest in Marine Corps history, as they slowly advanced at a terrible price. Organized resistance on Tarawa ceased by 1:30 PM on the third day.

The Battle of Tarawa took 76 hours and cost the lives of 1,020 Marines. The list of Americans wounded was listed as high as 2,296. The cost was much higher for the Japanese defenders- of the 4,386 elite troops on Betio, only 146 were left alive.

Four Marines received the Medal of Honor for their heroism, three of them posthumously. The fourth, Colonel David M. Shoup, Commanding Officer of the 2nd Marines and Betio Island Assault forces, later became the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

USS Tarawa (LHA-1) website

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Introducing FReeper Brian Wells (bkwells)

I am married with 2 kids, a boy age 8 and a girl age 4. We have lived in Las Vegas for almost 3 years now.

I am an Air Force brat and have moved around all my life. In fact, when I hit the 10th grade, that was my 8th different school! Graduated from Hirschi High School in Wichita Falls, TX in 1985 and joined the Navy in Feb 1986.

I have been stationed aboard the USS MT WHITNEY (LCC-20), NAS Kingsville TX (Where I met my wife!), the USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64), Guam, Brunswick Maine, and now the USS TARAWA (LHA-1).

I am a Senior Chief Petty Officer (E-8) and my field is Meteorology (AG rating in Navy lingo - Weather Guesser for slang Navy lingo).

My primary job is running the weather office but as with all Navy ships, I have other duties throughout the ship among them:

Operations Department Leading Chief Petty Officer (I'm the senior enlisted man within my department), I am in charge of a Repair Locker during Battle Stations - we fight fires, control flooding, run a denomination station in case of chemical,biological, or nuclear attack, etc.... and I run a duty section when we are inport.

It's more than enough to keep me busy!

Places I've been:

England, Belgium, Portugal, France, Copenhagen, Ft Lauderdale, St Thomas, Nassau, Curacao, Trinidad-Tobago, Acapulco, Vancouver, Hawaii, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, Australia (Perth, Sydney, and Darwin), Jebal Ali UAE, Bahrain, and Seychelles.

Sat off the coast of Kuwait Cit, and sat off the coast of Aden Yemen in support of Operation Determined Response after the terrorist bombing of the USS COLE.

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[snippy_about_it]

Thanks.

Order Online

[tomkow6]

I'll be doin' steaks on the Weber tonight for supper!

[tomkow6]

Any "special" precautions with wrapping it? I've heard that the packages are opened & inspected before they get to the final destination.

[MeekOneGOP]

Here is a great gif I lifted from the APOD thread this morning...

Jupiter's Moon - Io

[snippy_about_it]

When I was sending to the USS TR I tried to make sure everything in the package was obvious, and even included a note and a list of items on top. Hope that helps.

[tomkow6]

MMMMMMMmmmmmmm! Steaks on the grill!

[Johnny Gage]

You guys ROCK!

I think it's great when we hear from freeper who are actually "on the lines" and on active duty.

Brian, this one's for you!

____________________________________________________________

Time Out: 10:15
KMG-365

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning Troops, families, veterans, Canadian, Israeli, Great Britain, Australian, New Zealand, and Taiwanese allies (and everybody else). Thank you for taking such good care of the USA.

Today in Anchorage, Alaska:

Sunrise 9:46am
Sunset 4:35pm

Hi 34F
Lo 24F

AM flurries, cloudy

Actual yesterday in Anchorage:

Hi 31F
Lo 23F

State Hi 49F Annette
State Lo -15F Eagle

[Soaring Feather]

Good Morning Kathy

[tomkow6]

TO:USS TARAWA (LHA-1)

SALUTE!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Outstanding, snippy. Thank you, Sir, bkwells, for your service to our country.

God bless and watch over all of our troops.

[tomkow6]

TO:

Senior Chief Petty Officer Brian Wells

SALUTE!

AND GOD BLESS YOU!

[tomkow6]

Hey! No FAIR! You are WARMER than CHICAGO!

[snippy_about_it]

Great graphic.

I am anxiously awaiting Brian's arrival to the thread and hopefully some of his shipmates. Lord only knows what kind of schedule they are keeping out there or how the satellite reception is today.

I last heard from him yesterday morning early EST. I'll keep checking in while doing a few chores around the house.

[Johnny Gage]

AIR POWER
AH-1W Super Cobra

The AH-1W Super Cobra is a day/night marginal weather Marine Corps attack helicopter that provides enroute escort for assault helicopters and their embarked forces. It is the only western attack helicopter with a proven air-to-air and anti-radar missile capability. The primary mission of the AH-1W aircraft is as an armed tactical helicopter capable of helo close air support, low altitude and high speed flight, target search and acquisition, reconnaissance by fire, multiple weapons fire support, troop helicopter support, and point target attack of threatening armor. The AH-1W provides fire support and fire support coordination to the landing force during amphibious assaults and subsequent operations ashore.

The AH-1W is a two-place, tandem-seat, twin-engine helicopter capable of land- or sea-based operations. The rear seat pilot is primarily responsible for maneuvering the aircraft. The front pilot controls the aircraft's weapons systems, but he also has a full set aircraft controls. The AH-1W distinguished itself with its more powerful T700-GE-401 fully marinized engines and advanced electronic weapons capability. The AH-1W has significantly improved power available in high altitude, hot environment, and single engine performance. The Super Cobra is armed with a 20mm turret gun, TOW, Hellfire, Sidewinder, Sidearm missiles, and 5 inch or 2.75 inch rockets. The HELLFIRE Missile System increased ordnance delivery and firepower capabilities. The AH-1W Super Cobra provides full night-fighting capability with the Night Targeting System (NTS). The Night Targeting System (NTS) further enhanced the AH-1W's warfighting capability by adding FLIR sensor, CCD TV sensor, Laser Designator/Rangefinder, Automatic Target Tracking and FLIR, and CCD TV video recording.

Current AH-1W assets are comprised of a mixture of new production AH-1Ws and aircraft block upgrade AH-1Ts remanufactured into the AH-1W aircraft. By the early 1980s, USMC aircraft inventory was declining due to attrition; a fully navalized helicopter was sought. In 1983, the USMC contracted with BHI for 44 AH-1Ws. An upgrade to the AT-1T, the AH-1W was received in 1986. The Tactical Navigation System (TNS) was placed in all production and block upgrade AH-1W aircraft delivered since February 1991. Previously delivered AH-1Ws are retrofit with TNS prior to CCM/NTS induction. The NTS/Canopy/Cockpit Modification (CCM) replaces the existing canopy, nose faring, and copilot/gunner instrument panel to make provisions for the NTS and adds the TNS, CDU-800, to the front cockpit. Additionally, a communication/ navigation upgrade, ECP 1686, incorporated an ARC-210(V)Electronic Protection (EP) Radio, an ARN-153 V-4 TACAN, and an AN/ASN-163 Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (EGI) commencing in 1996.

Night Targeting System (NTS) TECHEVAL was conducted from May through Septempber 1993 by VX-5 at Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (NAWC-WD), China Lake; Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona; White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; Bridgeport, California; and on amphibious ships at sea. Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) (OT-IIIA) commenced in February 1994 and concluded in May 1994. NTS OPEVAL was conducted from May through September 1993 by VX-5 at Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (NAWC-WD), China Lake; Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona; White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico; Cold Lake, Canada; and on amphibious ships at sea. Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) commenced during July 1994 and ended in April 1995.

The NTS upgrade provides increased mission, safety and performance characteristics and incorporates a Canopy/ Cockpit Modification to the front cockpit. The approved OSIPs which include the ARC-210 (v) EP Radio, the ARN-153V(4)TACAN and the Global Positioning System/Embedded Inertial Navigation System (EGI) AN/ASN-163 (V) will also enhance the AH-1W Weapon Systems upon their incorporation.

The NTS is a modification of the existing M-65 TOW Missile System that offers a fire control system providing the flight crew with the ability to detect, acquire, track, lock-on, range, and designate targets under day, night, and adverse weather conditions. ECP 1648R4, Canopy/Cockpit Modification is the ECP that modifies the aircraft to accommodate the NTS. The front cockpit of the AH-1W has been modified to facilitate the addition of the NTS. This modification has also resulted in increased efficiency in the front cockpit and helps divide cockpit workload between the front and rear cockpits. Specifically, the additions and deletions are: Expansion of the ASQ-205 Cockpit Control System (CCS) to include the front cockpit; re-design of the instrument panel to include a more IFR compatible flight instrument cluster; addition of a 5" x 5" Multi-Function Display (MFD) in the front cockpit; and addition of the ANVIS HUD system with control heads in both cockpits. The Night Targeting System (NTS) includes the following hardware changes to the AH-1W: modification of the M-65 telescopic sighting unit (TSU) to accomodate the FLIR; an extended Optical Relay Tube (ORT) to accommodate a CCD TV camera; and a ddition of a Laser Designator/Rangefinding System (LDRS).

ECP-1674 Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite reduces aircraft vulnerability with electronic countermeasures. The suite is designed to alert and protect the aircraft from surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles. The AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System (MWS) provides a visual and aural warning to flight crews of missile detection, while at the same time the MWS will initiate countermeasures by sending an eject signal to the AN/ALE-39 Countermeasures Dispenser Set (CDS). The AN/AVR-2 Laser Warning Receiver detects pulsed laser light (such as a rangefinder) directed at the helicopter and warns the crew of this activity. It provides an audio alert and identifies the threat by its type and location relative to the helicopter. The AN/APR-39A(V)2 Radar Detection System is a passive omni-directional detection system which receives and displays information to the pilot concerning the radar environment surrounding the helicopter.

The AH-1W is operated in eight composite HMLA squadrons composed of 18 AH-1 and 9 UH-1 aircraft. The AH-1W is curretnly being outfitted with a Night Targeting System/Forward Looking Infrared Radar that provides laser rangefinding/designating and camera capabilities.

The Marine Corps deployed 4 of 6 active force squadrons (48 AH-1Ws) to Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The deployment required no additional augmentation to squadron support personnel and only one Bell Helicopter technical representative. During Operation Desert Storm, the AH-1W comprised less than 20% of the attack helicopter force deployed, yet flew more than 50% of the total attack force flight-hours. In the entire Desert Shield/ Desert Storm campaign, SuperCobras flew more than three times the number of hours per aircraft per month than any other attack helicopter. And during the "100 Hour War," its reliability and 92% mission readiness rate were superior to all other attack helicopters by as much as 24%... without any factory-supported maintenance augmentation. Perhaps most impressive, this record was amassed under some of the most adverse environmental conditions ever endured in modern warfare. Temperatures consistently reached the 57-63°C (135-145°F) range. A mix of fine granite/limestone sand dust the consistency of talcum powder, was a constant threat to man and machine. And the air was often filled with a black concoction of burning oil and blowing sand The final result? Marine Corps crews and their AH-lWs destroyed 97 tanks, 104 armored personnel carriers and vehicles, 16 bunkers and two antiaircraft artillery sites.

Future Upgrades include provisions for an Inflatable Body And Head Restraint System (IBAHRS). The IBAHRS itself will be incorporated upon receipt of the system. An operational requirement has been identified for a Wing Tip Armament Station modification and retrofit. Upon approval, this upgrade will be incorporated into the AH-1W airframe and will include as a minimum provisions for integration of up to six (6) universal weapons stations. The Cockpit Integration Requirement identified in the Operational Requirements Document for the AH-1W Mid Life Upgrade will be targeted by the 4 Bladed program which is being studied as another future AH-1W weapon system enhancement.

Contractor: Bell Helicopter TEXTRON, Inc. (Prime), General Electric, Kollsman Inc.
Power Plant: Two General Electric T700-GE-401 Turboshaft engines.
Each engine delivers 1,690 horsepower.
Accommodations: Two seats, in tandem (pilot in rear, copilot/gunner in front)

Performance:
Climb rate: 1,925 feet per minute
Maximum altitude: 14,750 feet
Maximum attainable speed: 170 knots (195 mph)
Maximum cruising speed: 152 knots (173 mph)

Countermeasures: AN/ALE-39 Chaff system and SUU-4/1 Flare dispensers

Armament: One M197 three barrel 20 mm gun (mounted under the nose with 750 round ammo container)
Underwing attachments for:
four TOW missiles,
eight Hellfire missiles,
or one AIM-9L Sidewinder missile
Can also be equipped with Zuni rocket launchers

Never exceed speed (Vne): 190 knots
Maximum level speed at S/L: 152 knots
Rate of climb at S/L: OEI 244 m/minute
Service ceiling: More than 4,720 m

[Bethbg79]

GOOD MORNING TROOPS!!

GOOD MORNING CANTEEN!

[snippy_about_it]

Cheryl's Cookies available online

[Kathy in Alaska]

"Hey! No FAIR! You are WARMER than CHICAGO!"

Neener, neener, neener!! For what it's worth, I hate this weather in winter. This morning the drive to work was on sloppy roads. The weather is supposed to get colder, which means ICE!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Bless This House sung along with this morning,
twice because I love this song for our troops USO Canteen, and
Prayer of Protection said for all who enter the USO Canteen Freeper Style,
including our troops, our veterans, their families and our allies.
Welcome to all who come to honor our troops and veterans,
for whom this USO Canteen was created.

A PRAYER OF PROTECTION

The light of God surround you
The love of God enfold you
The power of God protect you
The presence of God watch over you
Wherever you are, God is,
And all is well.
Amen.

Wherever you are, God is, and all is well!

[Bethbg79]

Good morning Ms Kathy :) How are ya today?