USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ U.S. Coast Guard National Motor Lifeboat School ~ April 3 2003

U.S. Coast Guard National Motor Lifeboat School ^ | 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub and FRiends of the Canteen

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

U.S. COAST GUARD NATIONAL MOTOR LIFEBOAT SCHOOL

  Purpose:  The motor lifeboat is a standard resource platform used by the U.S. Coast Guard small boat fleet.  The central purpose of the USCG National Motor Lifeboat School is to teach coxswains standard practices and procedures to use in executing their missions.  The emphasis is on the ability to use the motor lifeboat (MLB) in the elements for which it was designed, extreme weather and surf conditions.  The goal of the USCG National Motor Lifeboat School is to promote the highest degree of professionalism in seamanship skills. 

History:  The National Motor Lifeboat School (NMLBS) is located at the mouth of the Columbia River on the United States’ northwestern coast at a Point of land called “Cape Disappointment”.  The river’s strong current runs headlong into the strength of the Pacific Ocean tides at this river mouth and coupled with the frequent storms create some of the roughest waters in the world.  Since 1878 this area, also known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific”, has long been home for the Coast Guard rescue facilities and its predecessor the U.S. Lifesaving Service.  During the 1960’s and early 70’s local Coast Guard units pooled their resources in order to conduct coxswain and crew training on the then new 44-foot Motor Lifeboats.  It was acknowledged that these steel-hulled boats were more capable than the wooden 36-foot lifeboats they were replacing.  The crews manning them were typically very experienced with the leadership of seasoned veterans whose seamanship skills were passed on directly to each new crewmember.  The localized training allowed small groups of Coast Guard crews to share experiences and techniques.  A slow trend of decreasing experience base among Coast Guard crews could also be seen through this period.  The Coast Guard’s Thirteenth District (Oregon and Washington coastal area) sought out a method of sharing the lessons learned through hard practical experience with these junior members.  They established a training curriculum and routinely gathered their resources to put on classes focused at operating the 44-foot lifeboat in the surf environment.  The success of these gatherings in passing on skills was soon recognized as potentially valuable for all lifeboat coxswains nationwide.  The training concept was to use experienced Surfmen from the United States northwest coast to show other coxswains from around the nation how best to use the lifeboat in its designed element.  Resources and budget were identified to give dedicated lifeboats to the newborn school along with personnel to provide maintenance and instruction.  With the establishment of a formalized curriculum the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Motor Lifeboat School was established in 1980 in Ilwaco, Washington co-located with the existing rescue station at Cape Disappointment.   With surf conditions often causing 10 to 20 foot breaking waves and wind/sea state extremes such as Beaufort Force 10 across the wide river mouth (also known as a bar), the location was ideal for the lifeboat school.  Increased training needs and a focus on standardization have caused the lifeboat school to expand through the years.  This included new shore maintenance facilities, offices and classrooms that were dedicated in April 1993.  

Lifeboats:  The USCG National Motor Lifeboat School originally had five 44-foot (13.6-meter) Motor Lifeboats (MLB’s) in its inventory.  The coxswains attending the school from around the nation learned operating skills and maintenance techniques for this boat.  When the fiberglass 30-foot (9.2-meter) Surf Rescue Boat (SRB) was introduced to the Coast Guard inventory in the mid-1980’s, several were assigned to the school and similar skills sets were taught on this fast response supplement to the lifeboat fleet.  This changing inventory of boat types continues today.  The 30-foot SRB has been largely removed from Coast Guard use as well as from the school boat inventory.  The National Motor Lifeboat School was an integral part of the testing and development of the U.S. Coast Guard’s new 47-foot (14.7-meter) lifeboat from the beginning.  A team assigned to the school conducted extensive operational tests of the prototype lifeboat.  Their input was invaluable in improving the design and details before final production was begun in 1996.  The National Motor Lifeboat School now operates a fleet of two venerable 44-foot lifeboats and four of the 47-foot lifeboats.  This mix of old and new boat resources allows the school to provide training on both lifeboat types through the years it will take to fully transition the U.S. Coast Guard to the newest 47-foot Motor Lifeboats.   

The National Motor Lifeboat School is a unique U.S. Coast Guard training center that operates under the Office of Boat Forces (Commandant G-OCS). With a staff of about 40 personnel, it serves the Coast Guard as an operations Center of Excellence for the MLB platform providing "C" school resident training, MLB readiness and Standardization assessments, and 47 foot MLB transition training. The NMLB School is located near the mouth of the Columbia River at Cape Disappointment just outside of Ilwaco, Washington. The area known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific" provides the training grounds for Coast Guard personnel learning to care for and operate the 47 foot MLB.

The origin of the National Motor Lifeboat School comes from seasoned surfmen and crews getting together to share common practices and techniques for survival in these treacherous waters. The NMLB School continues this tradition through its hands-on classes for boat coxswains as well as the engineering and operational managers of the MLB fleet. The class for Heavy Weather Coxswain is one of the only ones in the world that teaches the art of boat operations in extreme weather and surf. The self-righting 47 foot Motor Lifeboat is the backbone of the USCG boat fleet and designed for up to 20 foot surf and 30 foot seas. Students turn classroom preparation into practical experience as they work these boats on the Columbia River Bar.

[Kathy in Alaska]

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Master Sgt. Stephen Sims gives each bomb a number to track the weapons produced and expended. Sims is the production supervisor, or "pad dad," for the munitions flight at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristina Barrett

Click for B-52 Video

Troops hope their work doesn't come home

by Staff Sgt. Kristina Barrett
457th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

04/01/03 - OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (AFPN) -- They descended on a forward-deployed location with one focus: building bombs. Not just any bombs. They wanted to build the kind that don't come back. It is the lifeblood of any ammo troop.

They didn't build for two weeks, just long enough for them to get antsy, wondering when they would get their chance. They conducted routine operations until they could build. But being in ammo is not about paperwork.

It is about building things that go "BOOM."

Once the word came down, the crews hunkered down, braved the weather and started building, and they have not stopped yet. Because the bombs they are building have not come back.

For these airmen from the 5th Munitions Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., there is nothing worse than building a bomb and then taking it apart to go back into the stockpile. "Watching an aircraft come back empty is the ultimate in job satisfaction," said Master Sgt. Stephen Sims. "We build, they bomb - that's the mission and the mission wouldn't happen if it wasn't for our bombs."

Sims' office is the build pad, where every bomb starts its life, and his job title is production supervisor, but everyone calls him the "pad dad." The pad dad controls everything, from safety to munitions control. The build pad is where the squadron's hard work comes together, culminating into the reason for their being and producing what they've been training for.

For the ammo airmen, training is very much a part of the daily grind in the bomb dump. Their mission here has been successful so far thanks to "Ammo Warrior," a monthly training exercise at Minot.

"Ammo Warrior is a generation exercise that keeps us proficient and prepares us for the real world," said 1st Lt. Fransisco Vega, munitions flight commander. "If we're not deployed, we're training to deploy."

Preparing to deploy is not restricted to what happens on the build pad. It starts at home.

"Our main concern was getting families ready, letting them know what to expect and informing them of what was available to them while their spouse was deployed, especially services offered by the family support center," said the lieutenant, who is on his first deployment. "Those who had deployed before shared their experiences and tips on how to handle separation."

Taking care of the families is what Vega believes makes a successful deployment.

"If our people are worried about how their family members are doing, they won't be focused on the job. We want to give them a sense of security."

Many airmen here, as well as their families, had previously felt the sting of separation that deployment brings.

"We've been getting hit hard," said Master Sgt. J.C. Riggs, talking about the unit's deployments to other bomber locations. Riggs is on his second rotation in one year.

Currently on her second deployment in the past six months, and with only two years in the Air Force, Airman 1st Class Zoua Vong doesn't mind the fast rotations.

"I don't have a family so I don't mind deploying. I'm enjoying the opportunity of being able to go different places."

Sims and Vega agree it isn't a hard sell to get ammo troops to hit the road.

"Most ammo troops are already motivated anyway so it wasn't a problem when we knew we were going to deploy again," Sims said.

"Everyone was mentally and physically ready," Vega added. "Ready to take care of what needed to be done."

Minot's ammo troops make up slightly more than one-third of the munitions flight. Rounding out the unit are airmen from four other bases, including reservists called to active duty.

In addition, not all of the airmen on the build pad are "to the bone" ammo troops. Airman 1st Class Jason Hodge is a missile maintenance troop augmented to the ammo unit.

"I volunteered to be augmented because in my career field we don't get to be a part of conflicts like this," he explained. "I wanted to do something different for a while. I'm glad I volunteered because it's great to see those B-52s go. I feel like I'm a part of their mission."

Being part of the mission is what it is all about to these ammo troops, according to Chief Master Sgt. Ricky Quattlebaum, munitions flight chief.

"Here we get to see of the results of our builds. At Minot, we build training (inert) assets," Quattlebaum said. "When inert assets are dropped, all you get is a big thud. The bomb is buried in the ground. Sometimes we do build live assets and we do get feedback, but the purpose and effects aren't the same.

"We're part of a large team that contributes to the success of a larger team," he continued. "Seeing the empty racks and getting a thumbs up from the pilots is one of the most enjoyable and successful feelings an ammo troop can have."

As the building continues, spirits remain high. Every B-52 that returns from a mission and taxies by the build pad is greeted by ammo troops welcoming the crew home and a large flag waving proudly over the pad. The aircraft's wings are empty. The bombs -- their bombs -- aren't coming back. Mission complete.

[Kathy in Alaska]

And lots of prayers that the Iraqi people are liberated, and that all of the "current management" are gone and accounted for and that our troops can stay safe and come home soon. God bless our troops good.

[SAMWolf]

Current Military News
Commander-in-Chief and The Marines

US President George W. Bush (C-L) shakes hands with US marines after he addressed the crowd at PT Hill Field at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina(AFP/Stephen Jaffe)

[Soaring Feather]

Priceless SAM thank you so much!

[tomkow6]

YEAH, so, what's yer point?

[Radix]

Do I have to have a point?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KBay]

Iraqi family risks it all to save American POW
Submitted by: I Marine Expeditionary Force
Story Identification Number: 200343143531
Story by Sgt. Joseph R. Chenelly



MARINE COMBAT HEADQUARTERS, Iraq (April 3, 2203) -- New heroes have surfaced in the rescue of U.S. Army Private First Class Jessica Lynch.

Under the watchful eyes of more than 40 murderous gunmen, the 19-year-old supply clerk laid in Saddam Hussein Hospital suffering from at least one gunshot wound and several broken bones.

As her captors discussed amputating her leg, an Iraqi man leaned to her ear and whispered, "don't worry." Lynch replied with a warm smile.

The man was already working with U.S. Marines to gain the critical information needed to rescue one of the first American prisoners of war in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Just a day earlier, the lawyer from An Nasiryah had walked 10 kilometers to inform American forces he knew where Lynch was being held.

The shocked Marines asked Mohammad to return to the hospital and note certain things. He was tasked with counting the guards and documenting the hospital's layout. Knowing the risk, he agreed to help the young woman he had seen only once.

"I came to the hospital to visit my wife," said the Iraqi man whose wife was a nurse. "I could see much more security than normal."

The man, who, for his protection, will only be identified as Mohammad, asked one of the doctors about the increased security. "He told me there was a woman American soldier there."

Together, the two went to see her. Peering through the room's window, Mohammad saw a sight he claims will stay with him for a life. An Iraqi colonel slapped the soldier who had been captured after a fierce firefight, March 23. First with his palm; then with his backhand.

"My heart stopped," he said in a soft tone. "I knew then I must help her be saved. I decided I must go to tell the Americans."

Just days earlier, Mohammad saw a woman's body dragged through his neighborhood. He said "the animals" were punishing the woman for waving at a coalition helicopter. The brutal demonstration failed to deter him from going to the Marines.

The same day he first saw Lynch, he located a Marine checkpoint. Worried he'd be mistaken for an attacker in civilian clothes, he approached the Marines with his hands high above his head.

"[A Marine sentry] asked, 'what you want?' " Mohammad said. "I want to help you. I want to tell you important information - about Jessica!"

After talking with the Marines, he returned to the hospital to gather information.

"I went to see the security," he said. "I watched where they stood, where they sat, where they ate and when they slept."

While he observed Saddam's henchmen, the notorious regime death squad paid Mohammad's home an unexpected visit. His wife and six-year-old daughter fled to nearby family. Many of his personal belongings, including his car, were seized.

"I am not worried for myself," he said. "Security in Iraq [that is still] loyal to Saddam will kill my wife. They will kill my [child]."

Meanwhile, Mohammad accompanied his friend into Lynch's tightly guarded room. She was covered up to her chin by a white blanket. Her head was bandaged. A wound on the right leg was in bad condition.

"The doctors wanted to cut her leg off," he said "My friend and I decided we would stop it."

Creating numerous diversions, they managed to delay the surgery long enough. "She would have died if they tried it."

Mohammad walked through battles in the city streets for two straight days to get to back to the hospital. His main mission was to watch the guards, but each morning he attempted to keep Lynch's spirits strong with a "good morning" in English.

He said she was brave throughout the ordeal.

When reporting back to the Marines on March 30, he brought five different maps he and his wife made. He was able to point to the exact room the captured soldier was being held in. He also handed over the security layout, reaction plan and times that shift changes occurred.

He had counted 41 bad guys, and determined a helicopter could land on the hospital's roof. It was just the information the Marines needed.

American forces conducted a nighttime raid April 1. Lynch was safely rescued. She has since been transported to a medical facility in Germany.

Mohammad and his family are now in a secure location and have been granted refugee status. He doesn't feel safe in An Nasryah, but he hopes things will improve as the war against the regime advances.

"Iraq is not a safe place while Saddam Hussein is in power," Mohammad said. "He kills the Iraqi people whenever he wants. I believe the Americans will bring peace and security to the people of Iraq."

Mohammad's wife said she wants to volunteer to help injured or sick American forces in the future.

"America came here to help us," he said. "The Marines are brave men. They have been gentle with the Iraqi people. They are taking out Saddam Hussein. For that, we're grateful."

Mohammad's family hopes to meet Lynch in the future.

[grantswank]

WHAT THE HECK DO WE CARE ABOUT MUSLIM OPINION OF THE US?



Rupert Murdoch hit the nail on the head. He said that Americans have “an inferiority complex” about global opinion. The media mogul is absolutely correct.

According to the Associated Press, Murdoch said: "We worry about what people think about us too much in this country. We have an inferiority complex, it seems. I think what's important is that the world respects us, much more important than they love us."

He was addressing the Milken Institute Global Conference.

RESPECT.

That’s the crux of the whole matter. We don’t need to hunger for the world to love us. They won’t. Too many of them are green with jealousy, especially the French leadership. Many hate us. Too bad. We can’t do anything about others’ lack of spiritual excellence.

However, what we can demand of the world is to be treated with respect. Surely winning this war will up the ante on that point! Yes yes yes.

Yet at this moment much of the world does anything but treat America with respect. We are slammed, dunked, knocked around and yanked from right to left.

So what? Again: so what? Again: so what?

We Americans are too poll conscious. Yet honestly we have brought that on ourselves. We feel our pulse too much instead of simply being principled individuals who do and say what is honest and right. Honest and right. That’s all we need to be concerned about. If we don’t have honesty and righteousness, then we need to worry. We should fret — as in Enron, for example.

However, we have a United States President George W. Bush who has finally set the leadership pace when it comes to honesty and truthfulness. In the previous administration we had anything but. Clinton and Wingdings were downright gross in that department, all the while trotting off to church carrying Bibles in hand. Religious yuck.

Yet with Bush and Team, Americans can go to sleep at night concluding that they have been told the truth. So with that in our favor, what the heck do we care about world opinion?

Being glued to the world’s whining and complaining and media madness simply wastes our time and energy. That is why it is so utterly advantageous that the coalition troops don’t know what the liberal media is howling about at homebase. Troops give their time and energy to what counts most — winning the war.

Those of us here in the homeland are pounded with tripe upon tripe. I finally turned the radio off today because the liberal braggart nitwits were “administering” the conflict in Iraq as if they were championing the enemy. Any progress toward coalition victory was presented halfheartedly and with an apologetic tone of voice as well as understatement in reportage. TREASONABLE!

It’s enough to make the logical patriot angry. And so we should be angry. Good and angry. Of course, with that, there is surely a crucial difference between being bad and angry and being good and angry. Bad and angry leads to violence. Good and angry leads to conviction, courage and finally getting something done for the right.

So when the American honest and truthful citizenry gets down right good and angry, we are assured of reason and winning in whatever we set our minds to do.

That brings me back to respect.

With our own consciences at peace about what we believe in and how we defend it, all we need to do each day is demand from the rest of the world a decent respect.

Don’t expect them to love us. Don’t expect them to cooperate with us or congratulate us on a job well done.

They won’t, any more than the Hillary and Daschle clique is smiling about the win war in the Middle East. They look as glum and forlorn as the Republican Guard. The only difference in the US is that the clique can still stay alive while knocking the smithereens out of honest, truthful citizens, starting with the President.

Respect. It is a matter of respect.

Therefore, we may as well dismiss the media idiots who lay guilt trips on us by repeating ad infinitum: “What will the Muslims around the world think when they see all those TV casts of civilians being killed in this conflict?”

(Whine whine whine. Boo hoo. Ring your hands. Shed your tears.)

Well, well. What will they say? They’ll have to say that we live in an imperfect world where there sometimes is war in order to put down the gross — Hussein the Horrible — and keep intact the innocent and law-abiding. In that fracas there can ensue hurt to civilians. When we get to heaven, we won’t have to worry about that. But while here in this spiritually damaged sphere, we do have to live with that.

So what about the Muslim opinion? So what about the Muslim opinion?

Well, they haven’t seemed to care that much in the name of Allah about speaking out against their own Hussein. They didn’t champion in the name of the Koran the slaughtered Iraqis brutalized daily. They — including the esteemed (!) clergy —held their tongues. (Shame!) Why? Because they lack self-respect. That’s it. Again, we come around to respect or lack of respect.

Therefore, the sensitive, conscience-polling Americans need to take a break from their inferiority complexes and guilt trips. They should breathe deeply to consider themselves pretty decent specimens of the planetary public.

Forget the pulse taking. Forget the French. Forget the Muslims. Just live the life of a good conscience.

Pastor Murdoch, you taught us rightly today. Thank you very much.

_________________

chap grant

<//><

[grantswank]

MID ALL THE TRAFFIC OF THE WAYS. . .

Mid all the traffic of the ways. . .
Turmoil within, without,
Make in my heart a quiet place
And come and dwell therein.

A little shrine of quietness,
All sacred to Thyself,
Where Thou shalt all my soul possess
And I may find myself.

[grantswank]

CUES

I would be humbled in this trial.
I need its lesson true.
I've much to learn in Father's school--
Obedience to heaven's cue.

[LaDivaLoca]

OH MY GOOD LORD! Just watched the video and my heart stopped. I hope everyone was OK? Tonk, THANK YOU for all that you do and THANK YOU too to all the men and women who are protecting our shores.

[LaDivaLoca]

AWESOME pictures once again, Sam! The ones of the President especially with the children are so touching. Where was the tissue alert? God bless our Military and our President and may He keep them safe!

I Said a Prayer

for our Troops and Allies

I said a prayer for you today,
And know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart,
although He spoke no word.

I didn't ask for wealth or fame,
I knew you wouldn't mind,
I asked Him to send treasures,
Of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that He'd be near you,
At the start of each new day.
To grant you health and blessings,
And friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness for you,
In all things great and small.
But it was His loving care,
I prayed for most of all.

[SAMWolf]

You have to supply your own tissues.

[SAMWolf]

You have to supply your own tissues.

[SAMWolf]

You have to supply your own tissues.

[LaDivaLoca]

You are on a roll, Chap! These are great stories! THANK YOU!

[LaDivaLoca]

LOL! Yes I have one here at home near my computer and at work too. Thanks, Sam....uh....and I heard you the first time. LOL!

[LaDivaLoca]

[LaDivaLoca]

[LaDivaLoca]

I LOVE THESE PICTUREs!