Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #Sealift
Most recents (19)
My dear friend, fellow US Merchant Marine veteran, @MaritimeCollege shipmate, and @gCaptain contributor Dr. Sal is making waves 🌊. What began as a favor, covering a @BBC interview so I could be at my daughter's birthday, has grown into a tsunami of maritime expertise...
...historical insights, and - YES! - investigative journalism! 🚢
His channel has reached top government officials, influenced maritime policy, held Admirals accountable, promoted critical #Sealift, advocated for @AMMWWII veterans & diminished seablindness worldwide 🌍
His channel has reached top government officials, influenced maritime policy, held Admirals accountable, promoted critical #Sealift, advocated for @AMMWWII veterans & diminished seablindness worldwide 🌍
I'm honored to have played a small part in its journey and success!
(Y'all are welcome for hounding Sal to improve the thumbnails! 😉)
Bravo Zulu Salvatore!
(Y'all are welcome for hounding Sal to improve the thumbnails! 😉)
Bravo Zulu Salvatore!
1/Joint RDY-SPF Hearing: Posture and Readiness of the Mobility Enterprise
Commander of @US_TRANSCOM and Administrator of @DOTMARAD are now testifying.
Hang on!
youtube.com/live/XGB5ejRaL… via @YouTube
Commander of @US_TRANSCOM and Administrator of @DOTMARAD are now testifying.
Hang on!
youtube.com/live/XGB5ejRaL… via @YouTube
@US_TRANSCOM @DOTMARAD @YouTube 2/Van Ovost, "We are a generation late in recapitalizing our readiness #sealift fleet."
Average age of Ro/Ros = 44 years old
17 of the 44 ships are 50 years or older.
Average age of Ro/Ros = 44 years old
17 of the 44 ships are 50 years or older.
3/One link comment to the staffers at @HASCRepublicans @HASCDemocrats.
Ann Phillips is the Administrator of the Maritime Administration and Commandant of the US Maritime Service. Her placard should indicate Administrator Phillips and not her retired naval rank.
Ann Phillips is the Administrator of the Maritime Administration and Commandant of the US Maritime Service. Her placard should indicate Administrator Phillips and not her retired naval rank.
1/Today's moment of #Sealift comes just before the Battle of Midway. On May 23, 1942, while testing demolition charges on the islands fuel tanks, an accidental detonation destroyed 400,000 gallons of aviation fuel.
2/Pacific Fleet used the recently offload Hog Island freighter Nina Luckenbach to load 500 tons of bombs and 84,000 gallons of avgas. Escorted by destroyer Mustin, she arrived on May 31.
3/The ship arrived on May 31 and due to the lack of stevedores (the ship's crew do not usually move and operate the cargo gear in ports), the crew improvised cargo nets to offload bombs & barrels of avgas.
The 3rd Mate, an old steam-schooner sailor manned the winches.
The 3rd Mate, an old steam-schooner sailor manned the winches.
I wonder if I am the only one hitting refresh every ten seconds on the DoD Budget Material Website
🤓
comptroller.defense.gov/Budget-Materia…
@salisbot
🤓
comptroller.defense.gov/Budget-Materia…
@salisbot
It's Posted!
I don’t know half of what’s being said in the thread but I do know enough to realize the future of warfare is changing before our eyes.
One thing about the US Military that continually shocks & surprises me is their willingness to share ideas openly in full view of the public.
Sure lots of secrets about weapon capabilities & such are classified but our crown jewels are not hightech weapons its our warriors minds
Sure lots of secrets about weapon capabilities & such are classified but our crown jewels are not hightech weapons its our warriors minds
And that is open for all to see. If you follow the right people here on Twitter you will see where military strategy is moving and @CIMSEC @USNIProceedings USMC Gazette will fill in most gaps.
Someone sent me @brentdsadler excellent essay entitled "For the Larger Navy U.S. Needs, American Shipping and Shipbuilding Must Be Revived," from Oct 2022.
1/
heritage.org/defense/commen…
1/
heritage.org/defense/commen…
Brent has three key takeaways; and all of them are right on point. I will, however, take exception with a few of his supporting points.
2/
2/
No question that US is too dependent on foreign industrial base for much of its production in case of conflict.
3/
3/
2/ My first favorite quote:
"Campaigning requires discipline...In service of strategic prioritization, we will focus day-to-day force employment on a more narrow set of tasks than we do currently."
➡️Look fwd to see how this is implemented, esp by the Navy in the IndoPacific.
"Campaigning requires discipline...In service of strategic prioritization, we will focus day-to-day force employment on a more narrow set of tasks than we do currently."
➡️Look fwd to see how this is implemented, esp by the Navy in the IndoPacific.
3/ "Working with Allies and partners, we will build and exercise force elements needed in crisis or conflict, such as infrastructure, logistics, command and control, dispersal and relocation, and mobilization."
➡️This means #SEALIFT
@mercoglianos @johnkonrad @zach_ota
➡️This means #SEALIFT
@mercoglianos @johnkonrad @zach_ota
1/ Started browsing Army FM-3-0, to look at it form the Maritime angle and also regarding #Sealift.
This will be a rambling🧵over several days ....
@mercoglianos @zach_ota @Navy_Hipple @cdrsalamander @cgberube @WDMills1992 @salisbot @johnkonrad @NavMechEng @will_yale
This will be a rambling🧵over several days ....
@mercoglianos @zach_ota @Navy_Hipple @cdrsalamander @cgberube @WDMills1992 @salisbot @johnkonrad @NavMechEng @will_yale
2/ Firstly, the word counts:
"Maritime" is found 232 times, but mostly in part of a list of the various domains
"Sealift" is found 9 times
"Maritime" is found 232 times, but mostly in part of a list of the various domains
"Sealift" is found 9 times
3/ There is an entire chapter on the Maritime Domain:
Here are the table of contents for that chapter
Here are the table of contents for that chapter
1/ Industry Engagement Day event for the DoD Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER).
Opportunity for #SeaPlane ideas.
@david_alman
@zach_ota
defense.gov/News/Releases/…
Opportunity for #SeaPlane ideas.
@david_alman
@zach_ota
defense.gov/News/Releases/…
2/ Components will propose experiments to be conducted in near-term Joint exercises and compete for RDER funding. The Secretary will select among proposed experiments based on alignment to the Joint Warfighting Concept and potential to yield demonstrable warfighting utility.
3/ Hope someone in recommending leasing 🇯🇵US-2 #SeaPlanes for:
⚓️ Support to USMC EABO
⚓️ Contested Logistics support
⚓️Combat SAR
⚓️Illegal Fishing Patrol
⚓️ISR
⚓️ASW
@zach_ota
@SEA_NFAO
@MarSec_Bradford
⚓️ Support to USMC EABO
⚓️ Contested Logistics support
⚓️Combat SAR
⚓️Illegal Fishing Patrol
⚓️ISR
⚓️ASW
@zach_ota
@SEA_NFAO
@MarSec_Bradford
Get your 🍿🍿🍿 & Buzzword Bingo Cards ready.
😎
😎
2/ Rep Courtney explaining the Sealift Subcommittee Mark....
Mentions #Sealift and designates MARAD for design & construction for up to 10 ships for NRDF.
@mercoglianos @johnkonrad
Mentions #Sealift and designates MARAD for design & construction for up to 10 ships for NRDF.
@mercoglianos @johnkonrad
@mercoglianos @johnkonrad 3/ Rep Wittman on #Seapower Subcommittee also discusses shipbuilding numbers and need to expand the size of the Navy fleet.
1/The @USTRANSCOM_CDR and Administrator of @DOTMARAD
testified before the @HASCRepublicans & @HASCDemocrats on the current state of #Sealift & its future is bleak.
The purchase of two 24yr old ro/ros does not negate the loss of 3 LMSRs & 3 ex-MPS...
testified before the @HASCRepublicans & @HASCDemocrats on the current state of #Sealift & its future is bleak.
The purchase of two 24yr old ro/ros does not negate the loss of 3 LMSRs & 3 ex-MPS...
2/Even the creation of the Tanker Security Program with the intent of flagging in 10 tankers and the Maritime Security Program of 60 ships is a band-aid on the problem and does nothing to stimulate ship construction or infrastructure development.
3/The reason that the @USNavy is floundering, is the same thing that the #sealift fleet is sinking - the lack of investment in our maritime infrastructure in both military and civilian ship construction.
There are examples of 3 nations where it works.
news.usni.org/2022/03/28/fy-…
There are examples of 3 nations where it works.
news.usni.org/2022/03/28/fy-…
1/Cargo Ships As Missile Carriers Is One Of The Navy's Options To Offset Cruiser Retirements
The Navy needs more ships to carry missiles in order to overcome the loss of Ticonderoga cruisers, five of which could be retiring this year.
thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4…
The Navy needs more ships to carry missiles in order to overcome the loss of Ticonderoga cruisers, five of which could be retiring this year.
thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4…
2/@USNavy, that operates completely unarmed underway replenishment ships under @MSCSealift, with commercial merchant mariners, now wants to place VLS on board to offset the loss of cells from decommissioned cruisers.
This is notwithstanding the current condition of the fleet.
This is notwithstanding the current condition of the fleet.
3/I usually do not usually differ with @RepElaineLuria, but on this one - while agree it could be done - I dont think they should.
The concept of arming a cargo ship is even worse. First, we don't have enough for our #sealift mission. Second, what is the status of the mariners?
The concept of arming a cargo ship is even worse. First, we don't have enough for our #sealift mission. Second, what is the status of the mariners?
1/Your moment of #sealift comes courtsey of the @USMC.
Latest word is USNS GySgt Fred W. Stockham of Maritime Prepositioning Squadron 2 based in Diego Garcia, which has just completed an extensive shipyard availablity, along with its cargo, has been told not to backload.
Latest word is USNS GySgt Fred W. Stockham of Maritime Prepositioning Squadron 2 based in Diego Garcia, which has just completed an extensive shipyard availablity, along with its cargo, has been told not to backload.
2/The ship arrived at the Marine Corps Depot at Blount Island on Feb 14 and was scheduled to commence backload as part of the routine maintenance cycle. @MSCSealift & the crew were told that is was cancelled. The ship will be shifted into a reduced operating status.
3/ The ship is one of three LMSRs assigned to MPSRON 2. Sisler is currently up in Norway conducting an exercise and USNS Seay is in the shipyard in Boston scheduled to backload next.
There are questions about some of the other ships.
There are questions about some of the other ships.
1/It’s Time For A National Maritime Strategy
I would add just a few comments to the article posted by @HudsonInstitute
breakingdefense.com/2021/08/its-ti…
I would add just a few comments to the article posted by @HudsonInstitute
breakingdefense.com/2021/08/its-ti…
2/One has to go back to 1920 when the nation had a comprehensive National Maritime Strategy with the passage of the Merchant Marine Act, known as the #JonesAct
3/The Chinese Belt and Road Initiative includes a maritime component to ensure the adequate supply of raw materials and export of goods. China had developed multiple sea routes and land corridors, while also building the largest commercial merchant fleet & shipyards in the world.
My favorite week of the year!
It is Strategic #Sealift week @CIMSEC. Every day, new pieces drop and thanks to @US_TRANSCOM in sponsoring the event.
Looking for some great ideas for @MSCSealift, @DOTMARAD & the merchant marine.
cimsec.org/strategic-seal…
It is Strategic #Sealift week @CIMSEC. Every day, new pieces drop and thanks to @US_TRANSCOM in sponsoring the event.
Looking for some great ideas for @MSCSealift, @DOTMARAD & the merchant marine.
cimsec.org/strategic-seal…
1/THE FOURTH ARM OF DEFENSE: AMERICA’S MERCHANT MARINERS
"Ocean-borne transport is largely taken for granted by the American public."
cimsec.org/the-fourth-arm…
"Ocean-borne transport is largely taken for granted by the American public."
cimsec.org/the-fourth-arm…
2/ACROSS THE EXPANSE: THE SEALIFT DILEMMA IN A WAR AGAINST CHINA
"The U.S. military must address its critical sealift vulnerabilities in fuel capacity, operational security, and vulnerability to uncommitted partners to win an expeditionary Sino-U.S. war."
cimsec.org/across-the-exp…
"The U.S. military must address its critical sealift vulnerabilities in fuel capacity, operational security, and vulnerability to uncommitted partners to win an expeditionary Sino-U.S. war."
cimsec.org/across-the-exp…
1/The latest from @LexNextDC in @TheNatlInterest on #sealift. The focus in the article is on the 45 surge sealift ships held by @DOTMARAD and 15 by @MSCSealift being 45 years old & declining readiness. It focuses on some options but misses the biggest problem...
2/"Buying new ships built in U.S. shipyards is prohibitively expensive. Building new ships in foreign yards is politically and strategically unattractive."
This leaves few options to rectify this situation and ensure the US can deploy forces from CONUS...
This leaves few options to rectify this situation and ensure the US can deploy forces from CONUS...
3/Option one is, "to purchase commercial vessels which would then be converted to become militarily useful for the Ready Reserve Force."
The problem is the commerical market is on fire and ship prices have spiked, nearly quadrupled.
gcaptain.com/hot-market-qua…
The problem is the commerical market is on fire and ship prices have spiked, nearly quadrupled.
gcaptain.com/hot-market-qua…
@DavidLarter @SamDavaham @ConsWahoo @JerryHendrixII @cdrsalamander 1/The Liberty ship could carry 10k tons at 11.5 knots and took days to weeks to load/unload. ULCS can sail at 24 ktsband carry 200k and offload in a port in about 2 days.
The US maintains a fleet of geared & fearless containerships through the Maritime Security Program...
The US maintains a fleet of geared & fearless containerships through the Maritime Security Program...
@DavidLarter @SamDavaham @ConsWahoo @JerryHendrixII @cdrsalamander 2/MSP provides $5M/ship/year for 60 vessels=$300M. The ships provide capacity and service on key routes for the military - such as APL western Pacific routes. They also provide employment for crews who can be used for surge sealift in @DOTMARAD & @MSCSealift...
@DavidLarter @SamDavaham @ConsWahoo @JerryHendrixII @cdrsalamander @DOTMARAD @MSCSealift 3/The cost barely covers the differential to remain US flag, the ships are all foreign built, and the capacity is not enough to sustain a true peer-to-peer conflict. Currently the US merchant marine has a total of 180 ships.
COSCO has over a 1000.
lines.coscoshipping.com/home/Services/…
COSCO has over a 1000.
lines.coscoshipping.com/home/Services/…
The @USNavyCNO in his testimony #HASC placed #sealift for @US_TRANSCOM @MSCSealift @DOTMARAD as the second strategic area for the ship construction budget, behind Columbia SSBN.
His concept is to buy old versus build new.
This is the WRONG APPROACH.
1/
appropriations.house.gov/events/hearing…
His concept is to buy old versus build new.
This is the WRONG APPROACH.
1/
appropriations.house.gov/events/hearing…
2/The @USNavyCNO notes that it would cost $300-500 million to obtain new ships, vice used ships at $20-25 million with 20 years of life. Here is what is wrong with that statement.
First, their market analysis has alerted the ship owners of US government interest...
First, their market analysis has alerted the ship owners of US government interest...
3/This interest, along with a massive uptick in commercial market, will make ships much more expensive plus conversion costs.
Second, this follows what was done after 1991, when @DOTMARAD added ro/ros to their fleet. Ships built back then had longer service lives than today...
Second, this follows what was done after 1991, when @DOTMARAD added ro/ros to their fleet. Ships built back then had longer service lives than today...
1/This @thedailybeast story does not capture the complete picture of the events unfolding on the vessels operated by @MSCSealift. These ships provide needed fuel & support to naval combatants.
MSC ships represent 1/5th of the active @USNavy fleet...
thedailybeast.com/theyve-been-tr…
MSC ships represent 1/5th of the active @USNavy fleet...
thedailybeast.com/theyve-been-tr…
2/They have a divided command chain between @US_TRANSCOM & @USFleetForces. The Navy doesn't like the #sealift mission & want to divest itself of the transport ships but keep the underway replenishment ships like #USNSAmeliaEarhart. The problem is they don't have enough sailors.
3/Since 1972, the Navy has operated UNREP ships with merchant marine crews. Since 2010, all Navy auxiliaries have mariners on-board, although some serve under master mariners & others under line naval officers - referred to as hybrid manning.
