Recent DADT news:
More below the fold. Read more
A Navy Times article on test pilot Cmdr. Eric “Magic” Buus’ flight of the F-35C highlighted his description that the jet was easy to fly:
Cmdr. Eric “Magic” Buus was the first Navy test pilot to fly the F-35B and C. But hearing his take on it, you have to wonder how much the Lightning II variants really need a warm body in the cockpit.
The speculation will continue: Some theories already exist that the F-35 was purpose-built to one day be unmanned, despite its cockpit.
In the US Air Force, aviators generally — though not always — command aviation units. (Aviators do sometimes command non-aviation units, but even those units are often support elements to a flying mission.)
In the Navy, though, command above a certain level requires you to drive a boat. So that’s what fighter pilots (“Naval aviators”) do.
The Navy Times notes new commands have opened up for aviators working their way up the ship command system. Apparently, aviators often serve as second-in-command of a carrier, then command a non-carrier vessel, then return to command a carrier.
Of course, the article also notes that giving aviators these commands eliminates more slots from the Surface Warfare Officers — the guys whose actual jobs is to command the boats.
The USS Bataan recently conducted a burial at sea for former US Navy Sailors, some veterans from World War II.
“Raise the church pennant and lower the colors to half mast,” was spoken in a solemn and firm tone over the ship’s general announcing system. The ensign was lowered and the burial detail prepared to send their shipmates to the deep…
“Being buried at sea is meaningful,” said Bataan Chaplain Cmdr. Steven Souders. “It has tradition. So as Sailors begin to see these traditions, it begins to build that legacy in them.”
The families…will receive a ceremonial folded flag, and the shell casings from the rounds fired during the 21-gun salute. A letter from the captain, a chart listing the latitude and longitude of where the cremains were committed, and still photos of the ceremony will also be provided.
The use of a “church pennant” may be unfamiliar to most. Under US law (4 USC 1) the Naval church pennant is the only flag or pennant which may be flown Read more
According to the Department of Defense, Clifford Stanley, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, issued the plan to implement repeal of the policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to the service secretaries (memo here). The plan reportedly follows the prior implementation plan closely. The Air Force says training will “soon begin,” while the Navy has already set its schedule.
The Air Force Times notes the training and logistical requirements of Read more
Ensign Michael Izbicki, a 2008 US Naval Academy graduate, previously sued the US Navy to gain status as a conscientious objector.
A Connecticut news outlet reports Izbicki has been granted an honorable discharge; he, in turn, is dropping his lawsuit.
Importantly:
He’s not getting out of the Navy scot-free. As part of his honorable discharge, Izbicki will have to reimburse the Navy for his education at the Naval Academy. Normally men and women attend the service academies free of charge.
Update: Also covered and with background at the Christian Post and GetReligion.org.
Via the ADF.
FoxNews recently reported on the US Navy’s attempts to develop laser-based weapons that might be used for a variety of purposes, including ship and anti-aircraft defense.
Lasers have come a long way in the military already. The US Air Force flys a 747 with a laser in the nose (the “Airborne Laser,” or ABL) that can shoot down ballistic missiles; it doesn’t take much to imagine what else that laser could be pointed at or used for. A laser-equipped C-130 has engaged ground targets to mixed success, and Boeing reportedly used lasers to down small UAVs.
There is still a long way to go, though. According to the article, the development team is attempting to create a full-size prototype by 2018.
Just one question: Will the Navy create it in time to put these laser weapons on the USS Enterprise?
Bruce Fleming has had a long — and tumultuous — career as a professor of English at the US Naval Academy.
In 2009 he wrote an Op-Ed claiming the USNA inappropriately lowers its standards to increase its racial diversity, a claim he has made elsewhere. He claims he was denied a “standard” pay raise as a result. He filed a complaint which has now been settled “to the satisfaction of both parties,” according to the Academy.
Fleming has criticized the existence of the military institutions, complaining they create mediocre officers and “promulgate” a “conservative worldview” that includes “religion.” Despite such complaints, he seems content to take a paycheck from the Navy to teach there, as he has for more than Read more