Impacts of Sequestration…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
It seems that a lot of the media and commentators are saying there is ‘no big deal’ to sequestration…

I’m not getting ‘deep’ into specifics, there are plenty of articles that DO that.  I’m trying to take a broad brush approach here rather than bog down in minutia… 

However, it IS a huge deal in DOD.  Unlike the rest of the government, DOD is not allowed to reprogram money to different accounts or take hits across all accounts.  The military is pretty much taking ALL of the hit in what is called O&M accounts.  Operations and Maintenance funds are the day-to-day funds that pay for fuel, bullets, beans etc…  And when you add it the fact that there was never a budget actually passed to ‘pay’ for the Defense Authorization Bill; so DOD is operating on a continuing resolution (e.g. FY-12 funding levels), which is effectively a 3-5% cut, and now there is a 15-17% cut coming and only ONE account to take it out of, that is a SIGNIFICANT hit!

The Navy/Marines and Army have already come out and said there will be effectively no training the rest of the year, cancellation/deferment of maintenance (NOT good on ships that have already been deferred), cancelled deployments, extended deployments, and furlough of DOD employees (800,000 x 22 days) or 17,000+ man years of lost work.  

And these are only direct impacts…  And you’re looking at an ineffective military for how ever long this runs and an additional 9-12 months to get back up to speed, based on what we went through under Carter.

Who knows what the status of all the businesses will be that depend on the military???

And the Prez has the balls to get up with fire/police/EMS behind him and claim THEY will be out of work??? They are funded by State/Local agencies, not the federal government!!!  

The left has been wanting to gut the military for years and now it looks like they will succeed…

And it’s business as usual in Washington, DC…

Another Vietnam Memorial…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
This one is located on NB Coronado and is dedicated to the Brown Water Navy and the USCG units that supported coastal operations.    

The memorial includes a ‘wall’ listing the major awards folks received and lists the losses from serving in the various units.

There are three ‘boats’ on display, a “Command Communications Boat”, an ex- LCM that was converted to provide comms, and support to Swift boats and PBRs.  They were ‘dog’ slow (8kts) hence the heavy protection.  The ‘fencing’ around the sides and upperworks was to detonate 40mm grenades and RPGs before they actually hit the boat.

A “Swift boat” (AKA PCF), purpose built for coastal and riverine patrol, this one is painted in coastal ‘colors’ e.g. Navy Gray.  The riverine version had black and green camo paint jobs.  These could run up to 30 kts, were UNARMORED and relied on speed and manueverability.  They had twin 50’s up top and 

As you look forward past the bow in the picture below, you can see part of the memorial wall, and the over/under 50 cal and grenade launcher, correction 81MM closed breech mortar (thanks Master Cheif).

Lastly, a  Patrol Boat River (AKA PBR).  These were lightly armored, 35kts and used for single mission 12-16 hour patrols. They were also relatively ‘small’ compared to the other units, and were the first water jet powered units used by the Navy.

God bless ALL the men that went out and fought these boats…

It’s all good…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
Sometimes things DO come together and these trips are actually worth it.

Today was one of those days…

Lunch with LL, Drjim and Opus was DEFINITELY a highlight of the trip, and once again I’m amazed at the abilities, smarts, random knowledge that folks have.  Opus was definitely the class of the table (her and three grumpy old guys), and she was also the class of the tables in our area, as the waiter kept coming back to see if she needed anything…LOL

She didn’t say a lot, but seeing the sly little smiles occasionally, I can’t help but wonder if they were “boys and their toys smiles”, or “men, well they are good for heavy lifting” smiles.  Truly nice lady though!  LL, well, he fits the term ‘character’ to a T, and ironically it appears we were in the same places at the same times doing different things…

Drjim, while not ex-military, has his share of stories, and what a depth of knowledge on radio and electronics!!!  As usual the conversation was far ranging, funny, sad, and lots of guns and shooting… LOL

I had to bail early, as I was meeting one of my best friend’s sons for dinner.  But I really appreciated the chance to meet these folks and as LL said, but a face and a voice to the blog.  Hopefully we can do that again!

As far as dinner, I meet “Junior” at the hotel and decided to take the kid out for a good steak dinner.  I almost didn’t recognize him, as I haven’t seen him in five years… Sigh…

And he’s not a kid anymore; 32, Marine Staff Sgt, sniper, two tours downrange.  I can’t help but remember bouncing him on my knee as a baby, and remembering him as a tow headed little kid running around with my daughters YEARS ago…

Now, well he’s an impressive young man!  And the waitress though so too…LOL

But his definition of ‘plastic fantastic’ had me cracking up… He used it to define a lot of the California women he’s met…

“Perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect tits, perfect ass; and it’s ALL plastic.”

He told me about one that he had all of two dates with, who was 27 and had already had two sets of plastic surgery!!!

He’s now engaged to a girl back home that he’s known since junior high, and marriage is in the offing later this year.  And yes, she’s a cowgirl (and a shooter too)!

Yep, it’s been a great day… And I got TWO good meals, so I’m one up on my usual trips!!! 

Horse 2.01Beta…

Posted on by March 6, 2013

Well, the dead horse has been flogged back to life yet again…


Horse 2.01Beta will go into prototype in the next 90 days, but there are a ‘few’ problems…


The inclusion of a Camelback (Dromedary v1.1 medium)  22 gal, integral panniers (L/R Ribs 4-9) 1132 sq in, were fairly simple modifications.


The Load Bearing Arm v2.23 (LBA) integration is having problems, as the location between existing shoulder blades and interface with the brain required an additional spotting camera on the end of the LBA, otherwise the horse would rotate his head to try to position the load and move the LBA off target.  Also, the Carrot and Stick (CaS) mod has not proved effective, and the LBA keeps jiggering in to the point that the horse eats the carrot, defeating the purpose of the CaS.  Further testing and possible programming mods may be required.


Installation of the Active Surveillance Sensor (ASS v1.5) above the tail has also presented problems, mainly when the horse takes a s**t. It tries to jump to avoid a perceived stern attack, can’t s**t and then has to reset.  One possible modification is the S**t and Go Blind (SaGB) algorithm that would blind the sensor as soon as the tail is lifted, however the provider is stating that the algorithm is proprietary, and refuses to share code with the ASS team.


The interface team has yet to say yea or neigh to implementation of the SaGB.



A second proposed option is the Compact Optical Realignment Kit 1.1 beta (CORK), which could be used by the LBA to put a CORK over the ASS to allow the horse to s**t in peace.  The concern here is the availability of CORKs and whether they would actually be effective.  


Another issue that has arisen with Horse 2.01Beta is the projected Oats per mile (OPM) and Hay bales per mile (HPM) figures may be optimistic.  One recommendation was to use OPM-M10 (10% molasses added), however there is an issue of getting OPM-M10 in far forward areas. The program manager has decided to go with straight OPM and let the ‘chips’ fall where they may. 


And the whole useful load issue is now under review, since addition of the Camelback, panniers, LBA, ASS (with or without SaGB), and various interfaces has now brought Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW) within 250 lbs of Maximum Field Weight (MFW).  With 100 lbs of OPM or 50 lbs of HPM, and 184 lbs of hydration onboard, useful load ranges between -34 lbs to16 lbs, unless Donkey 1.0 is used as a fuel bowser. Additionally, Horse 2.01Beta is now prohibited from saddle installation due to Camelback and panniers and there is no rider option available as with Horse 1.0. 



One other ‘minor’ problem has arisen, and that is the CG issue. With the addition of the Camelback and LBA, the CG is now out of limits high, reducing angular slope certification to slopes of less than 20 degrees. Proposed modifications including relocating the Camelback to a kangaroo pack were scrapped when it was determined that the kangaroo pack would limit ground clearance, and interfere with pissing in the wind…


The utility of Horse 2.01Beta is negligible, but 14 patents have been filed on the technology, 34 scientific papers are awaiting peer review, and Horse 2.01Beta has figured out how to use the LBA to ‘scratch that itch’, leaving him very contented and happy to continue testing. However, he DOES want the ASS turned off so that he can take a s**t in peace…  And he wants to be referred to as Edward, NOT Ed…


Not that I’ve been bored, or this week has been non- productive or anything like that…
But everyone went away with congratulations for a ‘job well done’!

Sigh…

An earworm…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
Long long ago, as a young sailor, I worked in little theater with a young lady who later went on to Broadway.  I, needless to say, went in a different direction. We used to listen to this in 1972 when I was giving her rides to and from the theater…



Kinda funny to run across this all these years later…

Catch and Release…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
From the NRA, the latest installment of Life of Duty…  20 minutes worth your time (in my opinion).

NRA Life of Duty Features Spokane County Sheriff’s Office in “Catch and Release” Documentary
FAIRFAX, VA – The National Rifle Association (NRA) is pleased to release the latest documentary for the NRA Life of Duty online network, presented by Brownells.
This Patriot Profile, brought to you by Smith & Wesson, shares the frightening story of Michael Northway and Matt Spink, two Spokane (Wash.) County deputies who were shot in the line of duty by a felon who was, once again, back on the street.
With more than 18 felony convictions ranging from drugs to robbery, assault to weapons charges, Charles Wallace was released into an outpatient drug-treatment facility over the objection of law enforcement and the U.S. District Attorney.
On June 19, 2012, Wallace stepped out of a vehicle and began shooting at deputies, during rush hour, on a neighborhood street directly across from a shopping center. Hit by bullets, Northway and Spink were caught completely off guard, and Wallace fled on foot to the home of a woman in her 80s and assaulted her before stealing her car. With a manhunt under way, Wallace later shot at another officer who was only a few feet away but, miraculously, missed.
Overwhelmed and underfunded law enforcement officers continue to face the same criminals over and over again, let down by a system some refer to as “Catch and Release.” Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich allowed NRA Life of Duty TV almost unfettered access so it could reveal how the Charles Wallace incident highlights the dangers of the practice, which increases criminal behavior and endangers everyone. See “Catch and Release,” the story as told by those who lived it, and many others, at: http://www.nralifeofduty.tv.


This is a continuing problem, and seems to be getting worse.  I don’t remember this happening when I was growing up. You got caught, you went to jail until trial and went to jail.  Period, end of subject.  Now it seems as if Judges do what they want to ‘relieve’ overcrowding, rather than get more jails in place… Sigh…

Just ‘horsing’ around…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
This one just kicked over the giggle box… A couple of times…

From Australia, just hours after the horsemeat ‘scare’ in Europe… Gotta love how quick thinking somebody was…

Just substitute the name of your neighborhood supermarket for Tesco.


·       So do you want a burger from Tesco? Yay or neigh?


·       Not entirely sure how Tesco are going to get over this hurdle.


·       The day they went on sale customers were galloping thru stores jockeying for positions at the meat counter


·       Waitress in Tesco asked if I wanted anything on my Burger.  So I had £5 each way!


·       I wonder who’ll be ‘saddled’ with the ones they can’t sell… and who’s going to ‘cart’ them away?


·       Had some burgers from Tesco for my tea last night… I still have a bit between my teeth.


·       A woman has been taken into hospital after eating horse meat burgers from Tesco. Her condition is said to be stable.


·       Tesco are now testing all their vegetarian burgers for traces of uni-corn


·       “I’ve just checked the Tesco burgers in my freezer … AND THEY’RE OFF”


·       Tesco now forced to deny presence of zebra in burgers, as shoppers confuse barcodes for serving suggestions.


·       Said to the missus, “I think these Tesco burgers have given me the trots….


·       “To beef or not to beef, that is equestrian”…..


·       This burger story is one HELL of a tail…


·       A cow walks into a bar. Barman says, “Why the long face?”

·       Cow says “Illegal ingredients, coming over here stealing our jobs!”


·       I hear the smaller version of those Tesco burgers make great horse d’oeuvres.


·       Ever since the missus ate one all I’ve heard is “Nag, Nag, Nag…”


·       These Tesco burger jokes are going on a bit….Talk about flogging a dead horse!

And then there was this…

They should stop horsing around, this is a serious issue!  The independent Tesco franchise owners are claiming they were roped into a raw deal – they’ve been saddled with tons of meat, and are afraid to trot it out between the buns, because of the false advertising.  Bridling at the insult, one Tesco owner quipped, “I should’ve known something was up, when the meat prices were so low – they’re a bunch of horse thieves, as far as I care!  We’ll be pommeled by the media!”  The CEO of the partent company, says to “…never look a gift horse in the mouth…”
He believes it tastes just like beef.  He is willing to stand up in the stirrups, take the mane by the long hairs, and ride this one out.
If you tenderize it, add breading and fry it, I hear that it tastes like chicken.  The sliders are made from Shetland ponies, I heard.  The
bronco burger is the crowd pleaser, though.  It only costs a few bucks! 

h/t JP and Ron

Teh Funny, kinda sorta…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
Uncle Jay sent me the link to this YouTube for comment…



Thankfully nobody died in this one, but it does happen.  Trained pilots flying with G-suits (AKA Speed Pants) can routinely do up to 10G for short periods of time. The Red Bull Air Races are a good example of that…

I personally ‘have’ knocked myself out before during an orientation flight in a TF-18.  Even wearing speed pants and ‘preparing’ myself, I was a ‘bit’ over-enthusiastic on the roll/pull and hit about 7.5G and was out like a light… The pilot recovered and laughed his ass off at me for that one.  It probably took less than 5 sec to put me out, no ‘greyout’ warning, just wham, bam, goodnight.  It was probably 30 seconds before I was fully recovered…

He took over and ‘demonstrated’ greyout and redout to me with positive and negative g’s. It’ truly strange to ‘watch’ your vision go down to a tunnel like looking through a soda straw…

There are numerous reports in the military on this, and one of the more egregious ones were two CF-18 pilots a number of years back that came off Christmas stand-down and immediately went out and did a 1V1 high-G interaction.  At one point apparently BOTH pilots G-locked out and the aircraft passed canopy to canopy with appx 18 inches clearance between the rudders and canopies. They only discovered the NMAC on review of the HUD films.  Sadly another ‘probable’ case of G-lock was the loss of the P-51 at the Reno Air Races last year.   

This is a pretty good link/explanation of G-lock and it’s impact, by Dr. Dougal Watson.  

G- TOLERANCE

Centrifuge and Flying studies have identified man’s tolerance to +Gz with reasonable accuracy. Figure 1 is a +Gz v. Time graph demonstrating the tolerance to +Gz of relaxed subjects not using any G-protection device or manoeuvre.

The area above and to the right of the solid black curve represents the +Gz and Time at which unconsciousness (on average) occurs. The area between this curve and the grey curve is the region of visual disturbances (greyout and blackout) without loss of consciousness. Below and to the left of the grey curve is the +Gz/Time zone where no visual symptoms or G-LOC occur in the average, unprotected person.

The line ‘C’ on figure 1 represents a gradual onset of +Gz at a rate of around 0.5G per second and shows that visual symptoms are likely after about 5 seconds and Loss of Consciousness about 1 second later at +4Gz. Line D shows a slower rate of +Gz onset, in this case visual symptoms will occur after 16 seconds (+4Gz) and G-LOC will intervene after 22 seconds when the acceleration will be +5Gz. Rapid onset of sustained +Gz, as shown in line B will result in G-LOC after about 4 seconds without any warning visual symptoms. However, very rapid onset +Gz that is not sustained at a high level, line A, may well result in no visual disturbances or G-LOC. This last feature is what saves many of our unlimited aerobatic pilots from suffering G-LOC more often, although they pull substantial G they do so for only very short periods

Full article HERE. 

Of note, you can also get ‘redout’ with negative G’s…

h/t Uncle Jay

Random Travel Thoughts…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
Pro travel tip-  Those yoga pants and yoga tops are probably NOT appropriate for airline travel, especially if you don’t wear anything under them, and then sprawl out on the airplane sleeping…  Unless you’re advertising for your night time job.  Just sayin…

The flight attendants kept trying to cover her up the whole time…

And I’m truly thankful for my Nook, so far this trip I’ve read six books, one of them almost 1000 pages long.  And all of them fit in one nice little package!!!

A generation of freeloaders (and picky ones at that)-  At the hotel in San Diego I was sitting on the balcony overlooking the parking lot (such a view) and ‘enjoying’ an early morning cup of sludge.  I watched a set of seagulls ‘patrol’ over the trash cans in the parking lot, then watched one dive onto one particular trash can, dip in and pull out a McDonald’s bag…

It took the bag over to an open spot on the parking lot and drop it, when it didn’t come open, it landed (along with the other three birds) and it grabbed the BOTTOM of the bag and shook it till the contents spread out.  

When I went down and told the manager, she sighed and said they watched them do that every day but ONLY for McDonald’s bags, nothing else!!!

We had a discussion at lunch today about the ‘immigration’ bill(s) floating around including the latest from the administration gives illegals an immediate visa and they can become ‘legal’ in 8 years… However, there is no plan to actually enforce the fiscal self–sufficiency clause so that the illegals don’t immediately and permanently go on welfare (of course THAT is apparently not being enforced anyway)…  Cause if you actually make them ‘work’ for their money they’re not going to vote democrat.  

And I wonder if they really understand what will happen with minimum wage going to $9/hr…  What’s that going to do to prices for consumer goods?  How about the Big Mac?  $8-9 for a Big Mac??? $4/gal milk?  

Gas prices are still rising and no end in sight; because the companies can’t build/upgrade new refineries; while in other countries they can do all the environmental paperwork and build a new refinery in 2 years…

And why can’t we get some of those VW’s and Mercedes cars over here that get 70+ mpg on diesel?  TDI/clean diesel/Blue-e-motion is alive and well and being sold every day in Europe.  Hell in 2010 I had a little Mercedes A140 that got 70mpg (imperial), which equated to about 52mpg US…  And I heard Toyota and others in Japan are dropping the electric cars as a loss leader, and won’t be exporting/selling them in the US.  

And an odd little sunset picture… Dark and gloomy except for one high sirrus that was lit by the setting sun!


And this morning, it was HAILING in San Diego… sigh…

It’s coming…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
According to emails received this afternoon, it appears DOD has bit the bullet and sent out official notice today to DOD employees to expect possible furloughs to commence in 30 days.  

In other notes, under sequestration it gets even worse for the Navy-  4 Carrier Strike Groups (and associated Air Wings) deployments cancelled, 20+ small boy deployments cancelled, 20ish ships scheduled for upgrade/major maintenance cancelled.  Multiple aviation squadrons ‘cold iron’ for 30-60 days at a time, etc…

And of course it’s ALL the Pubs fault… BS…  I think the fiscal impact is going to be HUGE, and sure as hell our ability to defend the country is going in the toilet…  

And you know what is ‘really’ ironic?  Guess who does NOT get furloughed??? 

Congresscritters!!!  GAH!!!