[formerE36M3/4/5]

We never got anywhere that close to a major conflict but we were up in the Pacific near Japan when search operations where being conducted for the KAL007 airliner shot down by the Russians. We played chicken for a couple of weeks with the Russian Navy and since I was in weapons (missile radar division) we pretty much stayed in the work center for that time. We were as close to the Russians as we normally got to our own supply ships during UnRep!

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Llarry

The U.S. intelligence collection ship program took into account international law and norms of international behavior. For many years, the Soviet Union and then Russia conducted intelligence collection near U.S. installations and fleet operations. China has done the same in recent years. As long as those ships remain in international waters, the U.S. takes no action. To our disadvantage, we expected the same of Israel and North Korea....

We were headed on a WESTPAC with the Tarawa, LHA1, on its first venture westward. We were between Hawai'i and Guam, in a loose diamond formation with the Tarawa in the center and a Russian AGI (a "fishing trawler" with about a thousand radio antennas) decided it would be a good idea to bust right through the formation. We did nothing to deter their operation. We even sent a course and speed change command, from the secret code book, over an unsecure radio They followed us to Eniwetok and anchored on the other side of the island. They stayed a couple of days and then left.

[Boomer 2019]

The porcupines followed us everywhere we went in the Tonkin Gulf sometimes getting really close. Two instances stick out in my mind. The "trawler" was very close abeam the starboard side aft. We could easily see each others faces. A bunch of guys on the flight deck got together, dropped trou, and mooned the Ruskies. All of us on both ships were laughing our ass's off. Then the voice of God (the Flight Deck Officer) boomed from on high "Knock it off aft". Party over.

The second instance was when a "trawler" had come very close again on the starboard side but closer to amidships, and would not respond or comply with orders to change course to starboard. It must have been the Captain who authorized this particular message. A group of about 20 fully armed Marines was assembled on the #3 elevator (starboard side aft of the Island). the elevator was then lowered, and the Marines raised their weapons. Lo and behold, Ivan then changed course and departed.

There are many documented instances of US Navy and Soviet forces exchanging pleasantries, and good natured insults over the years. It keeps things light in what could otherwise be a tense situation, and besides we're guys, we're pigs, and guys the world over do that kind of stuff.

[Llarry]

A few photos of Soviet & Chinese intelligence collection ships (AGIs); the Soviet ones are from the Cold War era and the Chinese one is current. While some (like the first photo) are little more than converted fishing trawlers, some (the other two) are quite elaborate and no doubt are very capable SIGINT ships.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Llarry

A few photos of Soviet & Chinese intelligence collection ships (AGIs); the Soviet ones are from the Cold War era and the Chinese one is current. While some (like the first photo) are little more than converted fishing trawlers, some (the other two) are quite elaborate and no doubt are very capable SIGINT ships.

But the trawlers are so stealthy. Who would guess they were intelligence gatherers?

[Llarry]

The ocean-going minesweeper ex-USS Lucid (MSO 458) is a museum ship in Stockton, California. The Lucid was commissioned in 1955 and decommissioned in 1970. Apparently she has been in pretty poor shape for a number of years but is getting fixed up.

Anyway, somewhere onboard or in the vicinity is a storage area for some elusive items that many a sailor has been unable to find over the years.

[formerE36M3/4/5]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

But the trawlers are so stealthy. Who would guess they were intelligence gatherers?

[Llarry]

U.S. Navy uniforms: I came on active duty in January 1970 and of course got my initial issue of uniforms (dress blues, undress blues, dress and summer whites, dungarees and all the accessories) no doubt at a cost to the taxpayers of over a hundred dollars. I liked the uniforms back then. I got out in January 1974 upon expiration of my enlistment and then came back in in June of the same year. In the meantime, the Navy had decided that the time-tested "sailor suit" was too old-fashioned and did away with the whitehat and did away with all the old uniforms. So I had to buy all new uniforms. Fast forward to the late 1970s and the old "crackerjack" uniforms were back. Great! I was a PO1 and before I had to buy all new uniforms again, I made Chief and had to buy all new uniforms anyway -- but if memory serves, when you made Chief you got a smallish special uniform allowance to help.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I like the current uniform situation, although I'm a long way from the Navy and don't see them except in photos these days. I also applaud the move to unisex uniforms: I see that females are wearing "crackerjack" blues and whites these days and female officers are wearing the same hats as males. Good!

Before the Navy, I was in the Marine Corps Platoon Leader Candidate program and had a week of training left when I quit the program, as I knew I could not get the Chinese language training I wanted as a Marine officer. The Marines have more or less remained steadfast in wearing the best-looking uniform of all the services. I've read that the initial issue of uniforms for Marines is the most expensive by far of all the services and the reason is the dress blue uniform. Attempts by the budget-cutters to eliminate the issue of dress blues to new Privates have been stoutly resisted by the Marines; the Marine Corps dress blue uniform is apparently a major factor in getting recruits to join up.

P.S. It's hard to find decent photos of Navy & Marine uniforms online...,

[Boomer 2019]

I am also of the Crackerjack era, and I still think they were the best looking of the Navy uniforms. Now I realize that this shot is in an informal setting as opposed to an official function, but the neckerchiefs! Mine was always smooth, rounded, and perfectly tied. It said "I give a shit". Even in a bar at 3AM, or staggering up the gangway with the guys. Squared away.

I'm in here.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Boomer 2019

I'm in here.

You were a Barn Owl! In the Navy Air sense, that's Old Navy! What rate?

And what could be more formal than a change of command ceremony?

[ezaircon4jc]

Speaking of uniforms... What's with the change from dungarees to camo? it's pretty hard to hide on a pea green and off white ship wearing dark blue camo! What are they hiding from anyway? I found getting into a locker a much easier way to hide.

[Boomer 2019]

Watch it there young'un. AO2 (with the stash). The ceremony took place 2 days after my 22nd birthday while we were puttering about in the Yellow Sea waiting to see if the Nukes we had loaded on the flight deck would be used to light off WW3. At that age we were all capable of multi-tasking. Our mascot "Hooty" was also front and center for the official send off for CMDR Georges "Frenchy" Le Blanc, and the assumption of command of CMDR Donald McConnell. Good guys the both of them.

[Lady Jane]

What is Bosun's Punch? Navy Grog?

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

W hat is Bosun's Punch? Navy Grog?

You'll have to join the U.S. Navy to find out.

Bosun's Punch is a tool that you send a new sailor to go fetch. "Go see the Bosun and get a Bosun's Punch ASAP!" The new sailor finds a Bosun and makes the request, gets a painful punch to the arm and is now wiser.

Now, I'm willing to be corrected on Navy grog, but grog came to the U.S. Navy from the Royal Navy. Grog = Watered-down rum ration issued daily to the crew. The U.S. Navy went to "dry" ships in the early 20th century (with much grumbling, of course) but grog was discontinued long before.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rum_ration

A bit off-topic, but I think the RN and perhaps other Commonwealth navy officer's messes may still maintain spirits for officer's discreet consumption. Visiting USN officers are frequently startled at being offered a whiskey before dinner.

I can personally attest to the fact that USN submariners turn a blind eye to a wee bit of alcohol consumption now and again -- or at least they did in the Diesel boat days.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Llarry

You'll have to join the U.S. Navy to find out.

I'd rather prostitute myself.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Llarry

... The U.S. Navy went to "dry" ships in the early 20th century (with much grumbling, of course)...

.

During Nato exercise the US Sailors loved to crosspoled to a Canadian ship (beer machine beside the pop machine) or Dutch ship (buy the beer by the case)

[Llarry]

Speaking of crackerjacks, I like the way they've recently added stripes to the whites. (I believe the fake eyelashes are not required.)

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Boomer 2019

I'm in here.

So you were aboard during the fire in January 1969?

[Llarry]

Tonkin Gulf -- I flew missions in the S. China Sea in 1973 but never made it north to the Tonkin Gulf. Plenty of folks did.

[formerE36M3/4/5]

Originally Posted by Llarry

edited....
Anyway, to make a long story short, I like the current uniform situation, although I'm a long way from the Navy and don't see them except in photos these days. I also applaud the move to unisex uniforms: I see that females are wearing "crackerjack" blues and whites these days and female officers are wearing the same hats as males. Good!

Before the Navy, I was in the Marine Corps Platoon Leader Candidate program and had a week of training left when I quit the program, as I knew I could not get the Chinese language training I wanted as a Marine officer. The Marines have more or less remained steadfast in wearing the best-looking uniform of all the services. I've read that the initial issue of uniforms for Marines is the most expensive by far of all the services and the reason is the dress blue uniform. Attempts by the budget-cutters to eliminate the issue of dress blues to new Privates have been stoutly resisted by the Marines; the Marine Corps dress blue uniform is apparently a major factor in getting recruits to join up.

P.S. It's hard to find decent photos of Navy & Marine uniforms online...,

I agree 100% the Marines have the sharpest uniforms, by far!

I was in '77 - '83 when we had a mixed bag of uniforms, Crackerjacks, Salt & Peppers, dungarees.... Rumor had it the Salt & Peppers were designed by some Admiral's wife because she thought the CJ's were too childish, no idea if there's any truth to that.

I too like the newer uniforms, especially the "working" uniforms.

[Llarry]

Here's a good photo of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force "helicopter destroyer" (light aircraft carrier) JS Kaga (DDH 184) with the recent modifications to allow operation of F-35B STOVL fighters.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by Llarry

recent modifications to allow operation of F-35B STOVL fighters.

I guess they had to re-enforce the deck to prevent it from melting by the jet downward exhaust. Right?