Dec. 7, 1941
December 7th, 2010 | Aviation Historical Pearl Harbor Sinking World War II | Posted by Bill McMichael
Today marks the 69th anniversary of “a date which will live in infamy” — the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that prompted the U.S. entry into World War II. The Navy regrouped, fought back and, four years later, enjoyed the ultimate payback, hosting the formal Japanese surrender ceremony aboard the battleship Missouri.
The battleship Arizona belches smoke as it topples over into the sea during a Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in a Dec. 7, 1941 file photo. The ship sank with more than 80 percent of its 1,500-man crew, including Rear Adm. Isaac Kidd. The attack left left 2,343 Americans dead and 916 missing. // AP Photo.
The anniversary is being marked at commemorations around the world, chief among them ceremonies at the new Pearl Harbor Visitor Center at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument and on Ford Island, where a memorial commemoration will be held in honor of those killed in the attack on the battleship Oklahoma. (See the schedule by scrolling down here.)
Farewell, Saturn
October 28th, 2010 | Aviation Carriers Maritime operations Navy ordnance Photos Royal Navy Ships Sinking | Posted by Bill McMichael
There may not have been many of you — the former supply ship Saturn’s crew of 160 never included many more than 40 sailors during its 25-year run with Military Sealift Command — but here’s a respectful nod to you and your old ride, which was sunk in the Atlantic Wednesday after the George H.W. Bush Strike Group spent two days attacking the decommissioned ship during a training/sinking exercise. Ships from Destroyer Squadron 22 and aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 8, along with Patrol Squadrons 10 and 45, took part in the tactical training exercise using surface-to-surface, air-to-surface and surface-to-air live fire, U.S. 2nd Fleet announced.
The destroyer Mitscher and the cruisers Philippine Sea and Gettysburg launched missiles, 5-inch guns, Close-In Weapons System, and 25 mm and .50-cal weapons at Saturn. In addition, aircraft and helicopters from CVW-8 launched from the carrier Bush employed bombs and air-to-surface missiles during the two-day exercise — what the fleet called “a unique opportunity to practice combat scenarios, to include tactics and procedures.” The attacks ramped up in intensity over the two-day period; it was the 5-inch rounds that finally did her in. The Navy has put a moratorium on such training sinkings after 2010 to conduct a comprehensive review of the requirements, costs, benefits and environmental impacts of the current process. Saturn, which began life as a British Royal Fleet auxiliary launched in 1966, had a great run. She’s now resting at the bottom of the Atlantic, about 250 miles off the East Coast. So, a toast to the ship and those who served!