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Archive for the 'Proceedings' Category
By LCDR Benjamin "BJ" Armstrong
"There is, at all events, no perplexity exceeding that with which men of former times haven't dealt successfully."
– CAPT Alfred Thayer Mahan
Back in 2003 Dr. Andrew Krepinevich, Barry Watts and Bob Work (now the Under Secretary of the Navy) coined the term "A2AD," for the growing Anti-Access, Area Denial threat posed by the proliferation of long range missiles systems, precision munitions, and satellite technology that will make operations in the littorals more challenging for 21st century naval forces. They were right when they wrote that ignoring the threat "appears to be a huge gamble and one that neither prudence nor history could recommend with much confidence." The challenge of A2AD spreads from the shores of the Arabian Gulf to the South China Sea and beyond with players like Iran, China, and North Korea continuing to develop and spread the capabilities and technologies like the C-802 anti-ship missile and FAC's like the Chinese Houbei that has come to symbolize part of the threat.
While it is cast as a threat based on rapidly modernizing, high technology weapons the A2AD threat is actually nothing new in the annals of naval history. Despite the description of certain technologies, like the Chinese DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile, as "game changing" and "revolutionary" there are still basic principles of naval strategy and tactics that apply to these weapons. At the turn of the last century the United States and the naval powers of the world faced a similar challenge. Modern technology was advancing weapons systems and making it harder for naval forces to get close to the enemy's shores. The eminent naval strategist and historian Alfred Thayer Mahan (ATM) wrote on the subject, and offered some thoughts that may be worth considering as the world once again faces A2AD challenges.
In 1911 ATM published the lectures he originally gave at the United States Naval War College in the decade leading up to the start of the 20th century as the book Naval Strategy: Compared and Contrasted with the Principles and Practice of Military Operations on Land. In it he discussed the A2AD threat which developed after he gave his original lectures. "It seems appropriate here to mention, if only incidentally, certain changes in the weapons with which war is waged," he wrote, continuing "the progress of the submarine, the immensely increased range of the automobile torpedo, and the invention of wireless telegraphy," were significant changes to the technology of naval warfare. According to ATM the introduction of these new weapons would have an important impact on the development of naval tactics, however, "these consequences will not change the principles of strategy," which apply to naval warfare.
In his essay "Considerations Governing the Disposition of Navies," published in May of 1902, ATM also discussed torpedo boats and "the added range of coast guns, which keeps scouts at a much greater distance than formerly, and the impossibility now of detecting intentions which once might be inferred from the conditions of masts and sails." However, ATM's continued discussion reminds us that the technologies which make A2AD a challenge are not exclusive of one side in the fight. He says that "on the other hand the sphere of effectiveness has been immensely increased for the scout by the power to move at will, and latterly by the wireless telegraph." Today there are differences of distances, stand-off ranges, and communications and ISR, but these are the same issues faced over a century ago.
ATM made some suggestions on the tactical and operational level to approach the A2AD threats of his day. He suggested that by taking advantage of high speed and large numbers, "it should be possible to sweep the surroundings of any port so thoroughly as to make the chance of undetected escape very small, while the transmission of the essential facts – the enemy's force and the direction taken – is even more certain than detection." Today ATM might call for numerous and inexpensive unmanned systems to work the near shore and scout deep inside the enemy's coastal WEZ.
Despite the fact many strategy and history students are taught ATM only cared about big guns and battleships, in his concept of the modern fleet which would face the early 20th century A2AD threat ATM wrote "the vessels nearest in are individually so small that the loss of one by torpedo is militarily immaterial; moreover, the chances will by no means all be with the torpedo boat." After calling for small combatants which can take the fight in close in search of the torpedo boats, while assuming some individual risk, ATM suggested that a group of cruisers sail further out from the enemy's A2AD threat range. The cruisers are able to sprint to the support of the smaller ships if needed but also able to discover other enemy concentrations, or fall back to support the main battle fleet. ATM pointed out that the main battle fleet has great freedom to maneuver. He said the main force of the fleet can be hundreds of miles away, connected to the scouts, small combatants, and cruisers by wireless and "in a different position every night, [it] is as safe from torpedo attack as ingenuity can place it." The point is as valid today as it was at the dawn of the last century. The ocean is a large expanse and in order for the enemy to attack, he has to be able to find you. Even satellite surveillance and broad area ISR can only cover a portion of the maritime domain.
ATM believed there was nothing about the early 20th century A2AD threat that fundamentally changed the way naval strategy was developed, or how naval wars were led. There would be changes to tactics, and the requisite adjustments to operational planning that those changes required. He also made the point that a properly balanced Navy, with small combatants, cruisers, and the main battle fleet was required for success in any naval conflict. However, at its heart countering A2AD is more about applying the intellectual rigor to overcome the time, distance, speed differences than it is about fundamental changes to naval strategy; as ATM wrote "war is a business of positions." In the end, naval commanders must also remember it takes two to have a fight, and the idea is to ensure the enemy is dealing with as many, or more challenges, than you are. You threaten him too and as ATM wrote, "These probabilities, known to the enemy, affect his actions just as one's own risks move one's self."
Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending a change of office ceremony for the Navy Chief of Information (CHINFO) in the "Sail Loft" of the Washington Navy Yard in Southeast Washington, D.C. It was a gala event, that paid tribute to the incredible work ethic, energy and achievements of RDML Denny Moynihan during his four and a half-years on the job. RDML Moynihan was relieved by RDML John Kirby, another super-charged officer who is highly regarded in the Navy and the Navy Public Affairs community for his support of Admiral Mike Mullen as Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and most recently, as the military spokesman for Secretary Leon Panetta in OSD Public Affairs.
By nature of his position as CHINFO, which supports the Office of the Secretary of the Navy and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, RDML Kirby will have a direct impact on the Navy and Navy programs and people every day. He has myriad responsibilities that he will want to prioritize, but in many cases, the 24 hour news cycle will modulate and modify his priorities as current events involving U.S. Naval Forces unfold around the globe. As CHINFO, he will be one of the most important architects of the Navy's Strategic Communications strategy.
Accordingly, he may want to examine our current "brand." In enterprise terms, Strategic Communicators employ the marketing strategy of "branding" to focus on the objectives achievable with the goods and services that the company can offer its clientele. For example, the American Marketing Association (AMA) definition of a "brand" is a "name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of other sellers."
Sounds very business-like doesn't it? But, let's agree that the Navy has achieved some incredible efficiencies by adapting industry best practices to streamline support to the warfighter-Lean Six Sigma for example. So it follows that we might embrace "branding" as a method of unifying our strategic message to a target audience.
Since I joined the Service, we've adopted many different brands, even before the term and the enterprise approach became popular. Do you recall:
"It's Not Just a Job… It's an Adventure!"
"Let the Journey Begin!"
"Navy, Accelerate Your Life!"
And our current brand. "Navy. A Global Force for Good!"
Defining the target audience is part of the discovery process in adopting a brand. Those in the Human Resources aspect of what we do tell me that the target audience is the quality young men and women that we recruit annually to join our Service. We want the best and brightest from the pool of eligible young Americans. With an all-volunteer force, opportunities to learn new skills and be assured of job security, although necessary, are not enough – you need an appealing tagline! Human Resource specialists tell me that our current brand sells well with the Millennial Generation. Those joining our ranks today want job skills and a career, but they also want to make a difference-to be a part of a global team that has a raison d'etre- i.e. to make the world a better place. Recruiting, however, is normally tied to the economy and right now, our recruiting and retention statistics are pretty good. That could all change in a heartbeat with a major change in our economy, so it makes sense to keep a regular drumbeat on the theme of recruiting. Our brand is intended to attract and retain the very best, our challenge is to identify the Navy as a choice worth considering in the minds of those choosing and the minds of those providing advice and counsel.
I wonder however, if new recruits are the only audience? Shouldn't our brand also appeal to the American taxpayers and their direct representatives on Capitol Hill? To the teachers, counselors, parents and coaches—those figures America's youth look to when trying to figure out their personal way ahead? The point is that the "brand" has to appeal to a broad audience, with different levels of experience and different perspectives. The challenge is to reach and appeal to this wide audience with a clear and concise message of who we are.
In the marketplace, brands appeal to consumers and stifle the competition. Consumers of our brand are the American people, who want a safe and secure environment with conflicts resolved far from our shores. Our competition in the market of national security could be a peer competitor, a downright enemy of the state, or worst case – apathy and the belief that national security is someone else's job. So, how will our brand keep us moving forward and deter our adversaries? This is an important question, if in fact you subscribe to the theory that our brand has multiple target audiences. Could we or should we change our brand to send a different message or a message to a different audience. I don't have a good answer to these questions, so I thought we might benefit from the wisdom of the crowd–hence the reason for this blogging effort?
The CNO has given us three simple tenets and only six words on which to base our day-to-day fulfillment of our duties: Warfighting First! Operate Forward! Be Ready! Does our brand convey these three tenets? Do we need more than one brand for more than one audience? Do we need a brand at all?
I always liked the poster of the Aircraft Carrier that you see in many Navy Facilities-"90,000 tons of diplomacy." A picture is often worth a thousand words, but that picture combined with that caption conveys many things about our Navy and our great country. It champions our industrial base and the United States' ability to construct and operate not one but eleven nuclear powered aircraft carriers. It illustrates our ability to operate from our sovereign territory—the flight deck of the carrier—anytime and anyplace where our national interests may be threatened or where a helping hand may be needed. It epitomizes our ability to take the fight to the enemy far away from our shores. Finally, it sends the message that when diplomacy or deterrence fails, standby! American resolve and wherewithal will be there, ready to act if called upon. Perhaps we should adopt a brand that does all that?
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Those of you who may have read the addresses which Admiral Knight delivered to various classes that were received and graduated during his term as president of the college, must have been struck not only by his complete grasp of the subject of the higher education of officers, and by his profound philosophical reflections, but also by his remarkable eloquence and by his peculiar and, for a naval officer, unusual ability in expressing his thoughts in clear, forcible and elegant phrase.
I know of no officer who is his equal in this respect, and this necessarily places his successor at a disadvantage. I shall therefore make no attempt to charm your ears by polished periods or demand your attention to abstract reflection, but shall confine my remarks principally to a plain recital of certain experiences in peace and in war, designed to illustrate by concrete examples some of the practical advantages of the application of War College principles and methods in general service. Whether or not these experiences will interest you will depend upon the value you may place upon them.
But in the first place let me state that it is with sincere regret that I have to apologize to the members of the graduating class, and also to the members of the staff, because of my many unavoidable absences from the college and the time-consuming occupations which have prevented my enjoying the more intimate association with them which I earnestly desired, and fully anticipated when I resumed my duties as president one year ago.
But, though I have not been able to take as active a part in the work of the college as I desired, and as I hope to take hereafter. I beg to assure the class that my interest in their studies has been none the less earnest, and that I thoroughly appreciate the spirit with which they have entered into their work and the assistance they have thereby rendered the college in its primary mission, which is the development of principles, and training in the application of these principles to practical situations.
The class now about to be graduated is not only the largest but, in some respects, the most distinguished that has ever taken the course at the college, certainly so in respect of the average rank and experience of its members; and they therefore have it the more in their power to promote the welfare of this institution, and consequently the welfare of the navy as a whole, by the influence which it will be their privilege and their duty to exert when they return to general service.
This service will include many of the navy's most important activities. Some of these will be in positions of command involving various degrees of responsibility for the success of the organizations and the personnel committed to your charge. It has been the object of the college not only to develop and define the principles of naval warfare, but to indicate the methods by which these principles may be applied with the maximum success. I have considered you, and would have you consider yourselves, hardheaded practical men who have been engaged for a year, not in purely academic speculations upon the theory of warfare, but in working out the best methods of increasing the fighting value of the navy as a whole. I am sure that you understand and believe that the teachings of the college are eminently practical, and that the service would be greatly benefited if all of our officers could take the course. As this is manifestly impracticable, it follows that if the whole commissioned personnel of the navy is ever to acquire a working knowledge of the principles and practice of naval warfare, it must be through the effort and influence of the college graduates exerted upon the personnel under their command.
It would, of course, be desirable if more or less systematic instruction and training could be given whenever circumstances permit, as is the case with the considerable personnel now immobilized in the Philadelphia navy yard. These conditions are, however, temporary and wholly exceptional, and it is recognized that such a War College extension would not be practicable in the active fleet to anything like the same degree.
Russian Naval Base in Cuba?
By UltimaRatioReg
Russia has been increasing the reach of its navy in recent years, sending warships further afield as part of an effort to restore pride project power in a world dominated by the U.S. military.
That throws a wrench in our Maritime Strategy, it would seem. Or does it? What should our reaction be, militarily? And what, diplomatically? Should there be any?
Iraq Chemical Weapons Moved to Syria Before 2003 Invasion?
By UltimaRatioReg
James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence in the Obama Administration, thought so.
From the Daily Beast:
Whether or not sensitive weapons technology was moved to Syria is a hotly disputed question in the intelligence community. James Clapper, now the Director of National Intelligence and formerly the director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, said in 2003 that he believed materials had been moved out of Iraq in the months before the war and cited satellite imagery.
If the Bashar al-Assad regime falls, and should the securing of the chemical and biological stockpiles of Syria be necessary, what would be the effect if some of those materials and munitions bear Iraqi markings?
Former Iraqi General Sada asserted that Saddam's chemical stockpile was lifted, in his book "Saddam's Secrets" and summarized by Investor's Business Daily:
As Sada told the New York Sun, two Iraqi Airways Boeings were converted to cargo planes by removing the seats, and special Republican Guard units loaded the planes with chemical weapons materials.
There were 56 flights disguised as a relief effort after a 2002 Syrian dam collapse.
The IBD article also mentions Israeli General Yaalon's assertions, and those of John Shaw regarding Russian assistance in the form of former KGB General Primakov:
There were also truck convoys into Syria. Sada's comments came more than a month after Israel's top general during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Moshe Yaalon, told the Sun that Saddam "transferred the chemical agents from Iraq to Syria."
Both Israeli and U.S. intelligence observed large truck convoys leaving Iraq and entering Syria in the weeks and months before Operation Iraqi Freedom, John Shaw, former deputy undersecretary of defense for international technology security, told a private conference of former weapons inspectors and intelligence experts held in Arlington, Va., in 2006.
According to Shaw, ex-Russian intelligence chief Yevgeni Primakov, a KGB general with long-standing ties to Saddam, went to Iraq in December 2002 and stayed until just before the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003.
Anticipating the invasion, his job was to supervise the removal of such weapons and erase as much evidence of Russian involvement as possible.
An interesting statement from Brian Sayers, the director of government relations for the Syria Support Group:
We believe that if the United States does not act urgently, there is a real risk of a political vacuum in Syria, including the possibility of a dispersion of chemical weapons to rogue groups such as Hezbollah."
What of a regime such as Saddam Hussein's in Iraq that was suspected of actively attempting to peddle such weapons?
Should these suspicions surrounding Iraq's possible pre-invasion transfer of its remaining chemical stockpile be confirmed, the silence being heard in the media regarding them will have been deafening.
Just in case folks still wanted to debate the existence of Syria's stockpile, I think we might have our answer. How many carry Iraqi markings? How many, Russian?
Bringing Sanity to the F-35 Discussion
By LT Kurt Albaugh
This post is part of a group covering a Lockheed Martin media event for the F-35 Lightning II. For an analysis of the fighter's potential as an unmanned aircraft, visit news.usni.org. For my discussion of the Joint Strike Fighter as an international acquisitions program, visit the NextWar blog at the Center for International Maritime Security.
The F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter, has seemed to be the third rail of defense acquisitions. The aircraft program's costs and operational role have been thoroughly discussed both here and elsewhere. When USNI kindly offered me the opportunity to represent them at a Lockheed Martin event, I felt daunted by the volumes of ink spilled to date on the subject. But, I think the JSF program as suffered from polemic coverage and needs some measured commentary. I learned a lot and hope this knowledge serves as an antidote to the vitriol surrounding this aircraft:
- Whatever its costs and however well the F-35 does or does not fit American strategic and operational interests, nobody says it isn't an impressive aircraft in its own right. This is a point worth saying out loud. At one point, we were shown infrared video from a test flight. We could see on the camera an outline of a Joint Strike Fighter on the tarmac – that was the place where the aircraft was parked 45 minutes before. The F-35 could sense the difference in solar heating of the runway caused by the aircraft's shadow after that amount of time – incredible! While I think President Eisenhower's statements on the military-industrial complex are worth heeding, America and its partners are pioneering impressive new technologies to increase our military capabilities. The bottom line: how can we best leverage the capabilities of the F-35 in a continually evolving threat environment? And how can we use technologies pioneered in this program to support other platforms? Answering these questions would allow the United States to recoup more of its significant investments in this program.
- Lockheed was open to discussing the different cost estimates of the program. I was expecting to have a certain figure placed in front of me. But Sam Grizzle, Lockheed's Director of Communications for Aviation, admitted on the subject of costs that "other folks may come up with a different number." This transparency impressed me. Further, Lockheed employed an interesting defense of the JSF program's cost. We often compare the JSF to other acquisition programs in the present or to similar ones of the past. Essentially, they argued that you would have to compare the JSF program to whatever alternative DoD would have pursued (each service independently pursuing different strike fighters, for example). It's difficult to prove a negative – so we ultimately can't know whether a different program might have been a better alternative. I can think of many counter-arguments to this line of reasoning, but they only made my head hurt. Ultimately, people with differing views on the cost of the program will continue to circle each other in a rhetorical dogfight, but the aircraft is in production and so I think that discussion is moot for those in uniform. Our civilian government will make financial choices to meet our national priorities. A very interesting dialogue does remain, however, on how the aircraft will be employed, and this is where we as a community can contribute – Galrahn has some interesting thoughts on the JSF as a command and control platform and I wrote a piece on unmanned JSF's for news.usni.org.
- Many have noted that the Navy's F-35C has a single engine like all other variants – at first blush, this lack of redundancy would give me pause if I were alone over the ocean at night. But the F-35's engine is shrouded as a stealth measure. I asked Lockheed officials whether this might mitigate foreign-object damage and increase the engine's resiliency. They said, "That's an interesting question." I was surprised that they hadn't studied this in detail. The bottom line: is the F-35's single engine more reliable and survivable compared to past engines? Claiming that two engines are better because that's how we've done it in the past is flawed reasoning. It's also neglects our history, as many of the retired fighter pilots in the room reminded me. In 1958, the Navy was deciding between the single-engine Vought F8U-3 and the twin-engine McDonnell F4H. The safety record of twin versus single-engine airplanes was examined and determined to not be a deciding factor. The only twin-engine airplane at the time was the A3D Skywarrior, which had two engines because it was too big to be powered by only one. At 40,000 lbs. of thrust, the JSF doesn't need two engines by this measure. Also, looked at from a different side, having two engines simply doubles the chance that one fails. There are control and stability issues on one engine and it's unclear whether a dual-engined JSF could reasonably make a carrier landing on a single engine. Personally, I'd like to see more data – and anyone wanting to have a reasoned discussion of this issue should as well.
- I learned a lot about the international program, which I'll cover extensively at the other blog I contribute to, CIMSEC's NextWar blog.One interesting note: the event showed USNI's influence in stark relief. Once the floor was open for questions, the first two focused on the Chief of Naval Operations' recent Proceedings article "Payloads over Platforms." These questions weren't from me, but from bloggers from other venues. It was a moment that underscored how much the Naval Institute frames the discourse on maritime security.
Lockheed was reluctant to discuss the piece, at one point Lockheed's Bob Rubino joked "CNO's article? Didn't see that…" Many have taken the CNO's piece – especially his discussion on the limitations of stealth – as an indictment of the F-35 program. But if you read the piece closely, I think a better summary would be that stealth is important, but isn't the sole determinant of a successful aircraft.
The Joint Strike Fighter inspires strong feelings in both supporters and detractors, and so it's difficult to have a measured discussion of the program. What's clear is that the Navy, the United States, and many allies and partners are counting on the program's success. After today, any discussion of the program that isn't constructive towards that end holds little interest for me.
This is the final installment in my series of posts on William Sims and what his discovery and development of continuous aim fire a century ago can tell us about junior leaders and innovation. They are part of the remarks that I delivered at NWDC's Junior Leader Innovation Symposium.
A Junior Officer and a Discovery.
The Gritty Truth of Junior Leader Innovation
Years after serving as the Navy's Inspector of Target Practice, as World War I raged, Rear Admiral William Sims was sent to England to command all U.S. Naval Forces based there. Promoted to Vice Admiral, he arrived as the U-boat Wolfpacks of the German Navy were decimating the supply lines across the Atlantic. The British Isles were on the verge of starvation. The Royal Navy had been completely ineffective against the German submarines as they massed their battleships to take on the German Imperial Navy's High Seas Fleet.
When Admiral Sims arrived he was approached by a group of young Lieutenants who brought him an idea which the Royal Navy had refused to implement. These Lieutenants were the Commanding Officers of a new class of warship called a Destroyer, and they believed that working together they could convoy supplies across the Atlantic and take on the Wolfpacks, swarm against swarm. The Royal Navy's Admiralty refused to adopt the new tactics. Sims requested more destroyers from the States, and told the Royal Navy that the US would help out if they tried the young JO's ideas.
The convoy system showed results almost immediately. The convoys were so successful and so vital to the war effort that Sims – the very definition of a Battleship Admiral – cabled back to Washington and told the Department of the Navy to stop building Battleships and put all shipbuilding into Destroyers … all because he listened to a group of Junior Leaders with a good idea.
After the war was over, Sims took over as the President of The Naval War College. He made adjustments to the curriculum and he started running officers through war games. These war games included early work on a war plan that could be used for a conflict in the Pacific. The work that Sims started on the Pacific plan, which became War Plan Orange, suggested that the U.S. Navy should look into investing in a new kind of ship … the aircraft carrier. The Battleship Admiral, who championed Destroyers because of the tactical and operational innovation of junior leaders, turned to the birth of naval aviation because of the ideas of his subordinates at the War College. The Milwaukee Journal wrote that Sims "continued to be a thorn in the fat flesh of the naval hierarchy during his entire career."
What can we learn from this story?
First, you have to know where your expertise lies. You have to study, and do the deep research needed to understand why things are the way they are. You have to understand that you don't know everything, and like Sims working with his wardroom mates and his gunner's mates, you have to work to identify challenges and problems. It's important to admit that you don't know everything. Once you admit it, start learning as much as you can. Alfred Thayer Mahan wrote, "The study of history lies at foundation of all sound military conclusions and practices." The key element in his principle is that we have to study and develop our expertise.
Find a way to talk about your idea. Take Sims' warning to heart though and don't be insubordinate, don't write a letter to the President (it's probably not going to get you anywhere today anyway). However, you need to engage both inside the system and outside the system. Inside the Navy and the Military you have NWDC concept development. You have SUBFOR's TANG that we heard about from VADM Richardson earlier. And we have some of the resources that Dr. Fall from ONR described. You also have your chain of command. You can submit changes to TTP's and manuals, NATOPS changes, or write white papers to submit up the chain. Outside of the lifelines there are also options. Write an article for USNI's Proceedings or write up your idea for one of the online publications like USNI Blog, Small Wars Journal, Information Dissemination, or the Next War Blog at the Center for International Maritime Security. We can also engage with the community professional organizations like Naval Helicopter Association, Tailhook, or the Surface Navy Association.
Third, find something you believe in and demonstrate your own grit. You have to want to do this. This isn't a fast or sure way to a fitrep or an eval bullet. This isn't necessarily going to get you another ribbon for your chest candy. This is for the combat effectiveness of the Service. This is about professionalism. You have to be willing to spend 2 years writing 13 reports that everyone appears to be ignoring. You have to be willing to invest the time and energy and hard work needed to see your idea through. Christopher Hitchens wrote in his book Letters to a Young Contrarian, "Don't expect to be thanked, by the way, the life of an oppositionist is supposed to be difficult."
Finally, we all need to learn to listen. This is especially true as we become more senior. Today we may be the junior leaders, but that means tomorrow some of us will be the mid-grade leaders, and in the future some of us will be the senior leaders of the Navy. Sims is proof that when you remember it's not about you but instead it's about the idea and about the Service, you can continue to innovate as you are promoted. However, as a senior officer or senior enlisted it takes more listening and more encouraging of your subordinates, because they're likely to have the next great idea…like convoys or aircraft carriers. Having senior leaders that listen, and who become the champions of the great ideas of their subordinates, is just as vital as having junior personnel with innovative ideas.
There's a reason why the title of my last slide says "Lessons Observed." These lessons are just ideas that I've pulled from this story. William Sims offers us all a great example to learn from. However, whether or not these observations actually become lessons learned … that's up to you.
The author would like to thank VADM Daly, Bill Miller, and Mary Ripley from USNI for encouraging his involvement with the NWDC conference.
USS Iowa BB-61 Arrives at San Pedro
By UltimaRatioReg
The lead ship of the magnificent Iowa-class battleships, the fastest and most advanced gun ships every to put to sea, has arrived at her new home, Berth 87 in San Pedro, opposite the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, itself newly renovated.
Iowa (BB-61) was saved from her Suisun Bay purgatory, and the cutting torch, and will be open for visitors on 7 July. The veteran of World War II and Korea was recommissioned in 1984, and suffered the tragic explosion in Turret 2 in 1989, which killed 47 sailors.
She now is the last of the four of her namesake class to be preserved, with New Jersey (BB-62) in Camden NJ, Wisconsin (BB-64 and Scott's beloved Big Badger Boat!) in Norfolk, VA, and Missouri (BB-63) at Pearl Harbor, near Arizona (BB-39), forever in her watery depths at Berth F-7.
As a museum battleship, Iowa joins her sisters, and USS Massachusetts (BB-59) at Fall River MA, and USS Alabama (BB-60) in Mobile Bay, the two surviving South Dakotas, and the Grand Dame of US battlewagons, the venerable USS Texas (BB-35) at Galveston, TX. (Texas is the lone second-generation Dreadnought still extant, and saw service in both World Wars following her commissioning in 1914.)
Iowa began her journey from the "Mothball Fleet" in Suisun Bay in October 2011, to Richmond CA to repair and restore, scrape and paint, and replace rotted teak decks that are the inevitable result of twenty years' time at the mercy of the elements. She also received the sprucing befitting a lady whom will be in the public eye. From there, she passed under the Golden Gate one last time late in May, and arrived off Los Angeles on Friday.
Many thanks to all those folks whose pictures I used in this post.
As Mr. Robert Evans points out, I am guilty of a most egregious omission. USS North Carolina (BB-55) is preserved beautifully in Wilmington NC. Shame on me for missing the "Showboat". Especially since it was a favorite destination during my two tours at Lejeune!!!
A Junior Officer and a Discovery
By LCDR Benjamin "BJ" Armstrong
On 6 June, I was invited to speak at Navy Warfare Development Command's Junior Leaders Innovation Symposium. NWDC put on a great event and a lot of good material was presented. You can visit the website and find the slides that went with the presentations, as well as a lot of great reading material like LT Ben Kohlmann's article on Disruptive Thinkers from Small Wars Journal (Ben also presented) and LT Rob McFall's call for tactical innovation here at USNI Blog (Rob also spoke immediately following my presentation).
The following is the first section of the remarks that I prepared to deliver to a standing room only crowd of 230+ Junior Officers and Junior Enlisted which gathered at NWDC's headquarters in Norfolk, and the 200+ that joined us online via DCO. As I said, these are my prepared remarks, so if NWDC posts the video online you'll surely find differences since I worked from notes rather than reading directly from the page as well as some mistakes. I've broken the material into three blog posts. This is the first section which tells about Lieutenant William Sowden Sims' discovery of continuous aim fire and how he developed his discovery, a new gunnery technique which revolutionized naval warfare. The next post we'll look at what he did after developing his idea in order to get the Navy to adopt it. Finally we'll look at what Sims learned during his career about innovation and what we can observe from the history.
Good afternoon everyone. I'd like to start this afternoon by thanking Admiral Kraft and the team here at NWDC for inviting me to be a part of today's event. We've had a lot of interesting speakers this morning, full of experience and expertise in innovation. I'm not going to be one of them. I'm just here to tell you a story. I'm a Sailor just like you, maybe not as young as some of you anymore, but with the same desire to make my Service better and more effective. The only reason I'm up here is that I've done a little research and I've got a story to tell you about a Junior Leader who changed the USN from his stateroom on a ship while deployed in the Pacific.
This is a picture of Vice Admiral William Sowden Sims. William Sims wasn't always a Vice Admiral though. In 1900 he was a Lieutenant, fresh off staff duty in Europe as an intelligence officer. He had orders to China Station to join the U.S. Navy's newest and most powerful battleship, the USS KENTUCKY. He arrived aboard the battleship having studied the early Dreadnaught battleships of Europe and the gunnery practices of both potential allies and potential adversaries alike.
Sims checked onboard and discovered that the Navy's "newest and most powerful" may have been new, but it certainly wasn't powerful. There were a number of problems with the ship. The hull was armored under the waterline, but the sides and gun turrets were open and un-protected. The gundecks were so low to the waterline that when the ship was fully loaded and took heavy seas water would pour into the turrets. And there was no separation of the magazines and the weatherdecks and gundecks, so a hit from an enemy shell could directly access the magazines.
Sims was incensed. He set about recording the deficiencies. In a letter to a friend he wrote: "The Kentucky is not a battleship at all. She is the worst crime in naval construction ever perpetrated by the white race."
Sims was a man who had strong opinions. However, he was part of KENTUCKY'S crew, and he couldn't really change the design of the ship while they were on China Station. So, as he earned his qualifications and began standing his bridge watches, he looked for a way to make the ship better through what today we call tactics, techniques, and procedures or TTP. It was while steaming through the South China Sea and along the coastal cities of China that he met a man from the British Royal Navy who would serve as an inspiration.
Percy Scott was a Captain in 1900, and the CO of the HMS TERRIBLE. Scott was a bit of a pariah, and part of the reason he was on China Station was because of a longstanding feud that he had with an Admiral who was on shore duty back in the home islands. China was as far away from England as they could send him. Scott had developed something that he called "continuous aim fire" and it was a TTP that would revolutionize naval warfare, but he couldn't get anyone to catch on that it was important.
Gunnery hadn't changed much since the days of USS Constitution battling it out with the British frigates in the War of 1812. The gun director would estimate the distance to the enemy ship, set the elevation of the gun, and then each time the ship rolled he tried to time the firing so that the shell would hit the enemy. The technique was the reason why most sea battles in the age of sail took place at very close range. This was neither a very accurate way to shoot, nor a very rapid way to engage the enemy.
Scott re-geared the elevation gear on his heavy guns and added new telescopic sights. The new gearing allowed the gun directors to move the gun continually as the ship rolled, and the new sights allowed them to keep the weapon aimed directly at the enemy ship. This meant that gun crews could fire as fast as they could reload.
Aboard KENTUCKY, LT Sims watched the TERRIBLE conduct gunnery practice and he realized this new technique would change naval warfare. A battleship using continuous aim fire could take on an entire squadron of enemy that wasn't. Accuracy increased dramatically and the rate of fire could quadruple, which resulted in hit rates that increased over 1000% on some ships. Sims immediately sent a report back to the Bureau of Ordnance in Washington, D.C.
Sims befriended Scott, and learned exactly how the Brits were accomplishing their dramatic results. He set about modifying the gear on KENTUCKY and teaching his gunners the new techniques. Soon, KENTUCKY was performing nearly at the same level as TERRIBLE. Sims wrote another report, detailing KENTUCKY's experience with continuous aim fire, outlining how to modify American guns, and laying out the procedures to be used. Sims waited. And he waited. And he waited. He heard nothing.
His reports arrived at the Bureau of Ordnance at the Washington Navy Yard. They were read, but the claims of the young Lieutenant out on China Station were outlandish and unbelievable. The reports were filed away in a basement file cabinet and were forgotten. The Bureau of Ordnance had developed the procedures that were in use throughout the Fleet and had designed the guns that were mounted on American Battleships. American hardware and American Sailors were the best in the world, they told themselves. Nobody even considered "what if" the reports were true…they simply couldn't be. Silly Lieutenant.
NEXT: The Gritty Truth of Junior Leader Innovation


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One day last winter, Verne Rider stopped by the two-story house with its wheelchair ramp and Stars and Stripes flying from a pole, and presented a hard-to-refuse offer to its homeowners.
Rider, a military and veterans affairs caseworker, had received a call from a colleague saying that the owner of Closets by Design in Exton was looking to donate a makeover for a local disabled veteran.
Immediately, Rider thought, How about Jim McGuire?
Rider has known the decorated Vietnam War vet since 2005, when he worked on McGuire's behalf to replace his Purple Heart and Air Medal, stolen shortly after McGuire returned home from the war in 1968.


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All MLS Playoffs Posts
Bradley Wright-Phillips not joining Jamaica for upcoming World Cup qualifiers
Bradley Wright-Phillips revealed on Sunday that he has not yet made a decision as to whether he will play for Jamaica, and that he will not join the Reggae Boyz for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Red Bulls defense stifles D.C. United during semifinal series
Dax McCarty and Bradley Wright-Phillips made the difference on the scoreboard, but it was the defense that really stepped up during the course of the 180 minutes.
Red Bulls hold off feisty D.C. United to return to East finals
The New York Red Bulls advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight year after Bradley Wright-Phillips scored late to give them a 1-0 win over rival D.C. United.
Kamara's extra-time winner lifts Crew to East final
Kei Kamara's extra-time winner helped the Columbus Crew eliminate the Montreal Impact, and book a spot in the Eastern Conference finals.
FC Dallas eliminates Seattle in penalty shootout to reach West finals
FC Dallas advanced to the Western Conference finals of the MLS Cup Playoffs after defeating the Seattle Sounders, 4-2, in a penalty shootout.


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Rhode Island single-family home sales jumped 17.2 percent in January, to 545 from 465 a year ago, marking the strongest January for sales in 11 years, according to The Warren Group. more
By PBN Staff
CHARLESTOWN – Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty recently announced the sale of 159 Surfside Ave. for $4 million. It is the highest sale in Charlestown in three years, according to data provided by the Rhode Island statewide Multiple Listing Service. more
Jared the Galleria of Jewelry has opened a store at the Warwick Mall, the first entrance of the Akron, Ohio-based retailer into Rhode Island. more
GM2 Associates Inc. has opened a Rhode Island office at The Foundry corporate office center, at 235 Promenade St. more
A new neighborhood association has formed to represent the interests of downtown Providence residents. more
Duane Boucher recently was named the 2016 president of the statewide Multiple Listing Service. The principal broker of Boucher Real Estate in Woonsocket, Boucher was twice named the Northern Rhode Board of Realtors' top-producing Realtor. more
Jeni Pardo de Zela has been appointed chief marketing officer of Mott & Chase Sotheby's International Realty at the firm's new Providence office. Prior to this role, Pardo de Zela was marketing director of Lila Delman Real Estate and project manager … more
In the last few years the state has taken steps toward alleviating some of the financial pressures felt by retirees, but some tax professionals believe more could be done to prevent those in their twilight years from leaving the Ocean State. … more
By Eli Sherman | email@example.com | 10/22/15
Single-family home sales rose nearly 37 percent in February, making it the best February in a decade, according to The Warren Group. more
By PBN Staff
Owner: Verve Inc. (Glee Gum) Architect: Jonathan Bell and Ian Baldwin, Dual LLC Contractors: Jay Greenwood Construction Cost: $200,000 Use: The 1926 Harold Gordon … more


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The service was above awesome!
Staff was always friendly & helpful, not even sure where to start.... The bath tub or the bed?? Both were heaven. Balcony was a little cold to sit outside but the view of the square was really great!
Thank you very much for posting your review of our hotel. We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your room and our location. Sorry we couldn't warm it up outside but it won't be long before Spring and Summer are here.
Hope to see you on your next trip to The Woodlands.


text: A Roundup of Cozy, Cute Cloud Pillows Beth Callaghan May 18, 2012 Pillows & Throws Home Share Pin Email Share Pin Email Cloud Pillow from Little Nest Box on Etsy Perhaps it's the spring weather, but I've been feeling the cloud aesthetic lately. A pillow is the perfect medium for a cloud motif, too, since the two are so often connected in our imaginations. What kid, flying on a plane for the first time, hasn't wondered what it would be like to sleep in the clouds? Hence, the cloud pillow roundup. We've highlighted just a few of our favorite cloud pillows on the web. Some are available for purchase, and others you can DIY. From knitted to printed to sewn and appliqued, they're all sweet. Which one is your favorite? (Images: as linked above) MORE CLOUD DECOR ON APARTMENT THERAPY: • Kids Decor: Cloudy with a Chance of Cute • 5 Cloud Mobiles to DIY • A Floating Cloud Bed Share Pin Email


text: WomanSource Catalog & Review: Tools for Connecting the Community for WomenIn this classic, Deanna Sclar does a wonderful job of explaining the how-to's of car repair so that anyone can figure it out. What impresses me most is that she makes no assumptions about what you already know–everything is clearly mapped out. The book starts by listing the tools you'll need as a home-mechanic, along with photos of the beasts, and brief descriptions of what they are usd for and what to look for when buying them. It goes goes on to clearly explain just how a car works to look for when buying them. It goes on to clearly explain just how a car works form bumper to bumper. Each chapter is devoted to a specific system of the car with an explanation of how it works and how to fix it when it doesn't. Best of all, Deanna includes tips and pointers alond the way to make the job go smoother and a glossary for all those parts and terms that you can never remember. Doing your own repairs can go a long way toward boosting your confidence and disproving the "helpless female" stereotype, as well as saving you time and money.


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Illuminated Gingerbread Castle
Additional Information
Step 1
*Brand confectionery coating.
Step 2
Prepare Grandma's Gingerbread Recipe with dark molasses. Cut pattern pieces and bake on cookies sheets lined with non-stick parchment paper. Cut 1 hexagon roof, 5 large bottom tier walls with window cut out, 1 large bottom tier wall with door scored and door window cut out, 2 large bottom tier walls (1 cut in half lengthwise) to be used as center support, 1 square roof and 4 top tier side walls with window cut out. Bake pieces and cool overnight before assembling.
Step 3
Prepare base board. Tape two 16 in. cake circles together, crisscrossing corrugated lines for added strength and cover with Fanci-Foil Wrap. Center hexagon roof pattern on board and mark as position guide with toothpick. Use bottom tier roof pattern as a guide to cut six 1 5/8 in. holes in base with craft knife.
Step 4
Assemble gingerbread castle. For bottom tier, turn hexagon roof upside down. Attach 6 side walls, 1/2 in. from edge using melted candy; brace until set. Attach one half wall to front and one half wall to back of full for support with melted candy; brace until set. Turn hexagon tier upright and attach to base board with melted candy.
Step 5
For top tier, decorate on waxed paper covered board. Cut all windows from yellow treat bags; cut 2 layers of each window pattern and attach to outside of window with royal icing. Pipe tip 4 zigzags around windows and door and attach mini chocolate-covered candies. Attach mini fruit jellies slices with icing for windowsills. Attach towers to corners with melted candies. For top tier, attach 2 small towers in front and 2 medium towers in back with melted candy.
Step 6
For base tier, attach 2 small towers by sides of front door, followed by 2 medium towers on sides and 2 large towers on back. Outline windows on top tier with tip 2 and attach towers and A-frame canopy on main roof. Attach jumbo rainbow nonpareils to tops of towers with royal icing. Position top tier on base tier and trace place using black FoodWriter?; remove top tier.
Step 7
Thin down a small amount of royal icing and ice turrets and A-frame canopy on main roof and sprinkles immediately with sparkling sugars. Attach sour cherry candies to towers with royal icing. Spatula ice roof tops on both tiers and create icicles on overhangs.
Step 8
DO NOT ICE AREA ON BOTTOM WHERE TOP TIER WILL BE PLACED. Continue to ice outside tier outline. Attach spice drops to edge of roofs with icing. Position main roof on top tier and attach sour cherries to peak. Spatula ice base board and position spice drops along walkway and around board. Position top tier on base tier; do not set in icing.
Step 9
For presentation with lights, remove top tier. Turn on flameless votive lights and place 6 in openings under base board. Place one votive without holder on roof area. Place top tier on top over votive.
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Grandma's Gingerbread Recipe (use dark molasses)
Light Cocoa Candy Melts® Candy
White Sparkling Sugar
spice drops
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Mini fruit slice jellies
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Cookie Sheet
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16 in. Cake Circles
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A dusting of Sparkling Sugar gives your Ice Castle cake its frosty finish. Romantic Castle Cake Set provides the towers and turrets, door and windows that make this majestic design suitable for your royal family!
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Give your birthday tables a bright new look when you add our Rainbow Fun Cups!
These bright Rainbow Fun Cups showcase bright stripes around the top of the cup and a rainbow between two fluffy clouds with the words Happy Birthday. Eight Happy Birthday Rainbow Paper Cups which hold 9 ounces each are included in each package. Choose these Rainbow Fun Cups for the next party you host.
This tableware pattern is a Shindigz exclusive!
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La Cigale - Koh Tao - Thailand
La Cigale - Koh TaoLa Cigale
Address: 19/11 Mu 1 Sairee Beach
Phone Number: +66896505476
Geolocation: 10.106158, 99.828239
La Cigale Rates & Reservations
- Book your room
- Book your room
La Cigale Reviews
La Cigale average rating
8.9 out of 10 based on 72 user reviews.
8.9 out of 10 based on 72 user reviews.
Check Availability and Book Now....
If you experience any problems with the above search please click here
La Cigale - Koh Tao Description
La Cigale is conveniently located in the popular Taa Then Bay area. The hotel offers a wide range of amenities and perks to ensure you have a great time. All the necessary facilities, including free Wi-Fi in all rooms, 24-hour security, daily housekeeping, grocery deliveries, printer, are at hand. Guestrooms are designed to provide an optimal level of comfort with welcoming decor and some offering convenient amenities like internet access - wireless (complimentary), air conditioning, wake-up service, desk, mini bar. Enjoy the hotel's recreational facilities, including hiking trails, snorkeling, massage, garden, before retiring to your room for a well-deserved rest. A welcoming atmosphere and excellent service are what you can expect during your stay at La Cigale.
La Cigale - Koh Tao classifies itself as a 3 star hotel.
N.B. Please note that the star ratings are interpreted generously by the hotels in many countries.
N.B. Please note that the star ratings are interpreted generously by the hotels in many countries.
La Cigale - Koh Tao Facilities
N.B. Please note that these are considered correct at the time of publishing, but may no longer be available. If any of the facilities are absolutely essential for you please check when booking. Please do not assume that all are included in the room rate.
La Cigale Hotel Facilities
- 24-Hour Room Service
- Airport Transfer
- Babysitting
- Bicycle Rental
- Car Hire
- Car Park
- Coffee Shop
- Concierge
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
- Laundry Service
- Room Service
- Safety Deposit Boxes
- Smoking Area
- Tours
- Valet Parking
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas
La Cigale Room Facilities
- Air Conditioning
- Balcony / Terrace
- Bathrobes
- Coffee / Tea Maker
- Complimentary Bottled Water
- Desk
- DVD / CD Player
- Fan
- Hair Dryer
- In Room Safe
- Internet Access - Lan (Complimentary)
- Internet Access - Wireless (Complimentary)
- Kitchenette
- Microwave
- Mini Bar
- Refrigerator
- Satellite / Cable TV
- Shower
La Cigale Sports and Recreation
- Garden
- Massage
Online Reservation - click here
reserve your discounted La Cigale room now!
reserve your discounted La Cigale room now!


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Rick James
23,264 views
Rick James
23,264 views
PS, do not eat out in Hawaii unless you like spit, feces, dirt in your food. Word up.
when he shows up in the ER overdosing pretend to run a code but let him die.
Local is brave because he knows he will get no jail time for hitting a white person, while the white person will get jail time for defending himself. Local knows the white guy will not beat him to death is he loses the fight, while the white guy knows that if he starts winning the fight, the other locals will come over and put him in a coma or a coffin. been to Hawaii, all islands several times, the locals are ALL rude, racist, and hostile towards whites. Forget Hawaii, go to Fiji, the Caribbean, etc. The locals have trashed Hawaii anyway. Let the lava and inbreeding get rid of these fake natives.


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Carl Froch: The Jab and Right Hand, The Tools To Win
By Chris LaBate
WBC super middleweight champion Carl Froch (28-1, 20KOs) is planning to use his long jab to control the action against Andre Ward (24-0, 13KOs), the WBA champion, when they collide in a Super Six unification bout on October 29th at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The Nottingham star wants to keep Ward at bay with the jab and then bang him with the right hand as he tries to come inside. But if all else fails, Froch is ready to go to war.
"If I can keep him at range and every time he steps in - threaten him with the right hand or land the right hand and hit with it on the head or the body, and dictate the fight behind the jab. Plan A - is to hit and not get hit, use my jab, box and move. But if it comes down to it, I'll put it on him and take him into deep water and hit him with some heavy shots," Froch told Sky Sports Ringside.
[QUOTE=Dedication;11077693]Kessler tried that too, and guess what, he got starched[/QUOTE] Manny starched Hatton, Donaire starched Montiel, Sergio starched Williams Ward did NOT starch Kessler Carl will give it everything he has as always, but Wards superior speed, technique, and more…Comment by freedom213 on 09-04-2011
[quote=The Weebler II;11080843]it's not Froch's instinct to sit on the outside, instinctively he looks to brawl and have a tear-up, his trainer has tried to discourage this where it wasn't needed. imo at most he might stay on the outside…Comment by junior gong on 09-04-2011
[QUOTE=Dedication;11077693]Kessler tried that too, and guess what,[B] he got starched[/B][/QUOTE] What a steaming pile of piss.Comment by Light_Speed on 09-04-2011
[QUOTE=JED46;11083220]After watching that vid, I'm glad he did! Look at how many times Dirrell holds, look at how many times he bends down so low that his head is below his waist! Froch was right to rough him up. Good…Comment by JED46 on 09-04-2011
[QUOTE=Light_Speed;11082874]A Carl Froch fan talking about fouls lol. You know how many times he hit Dirrell behind the head, hit during the break, hit him in the back, headlocked him and threw him down? [/QUOTE] After watching that vid, I'm…Post a Comment - View More User Comments (27)


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Outdoor Research Lost Coast Mitt - Men's
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Voter fraud claim is political
Voter fraud—by whom? Is it by a few misguided souls who somehow think that they can scam the election game through the use of false ID, or, are they really the proposers and proponents of legislative action who should know (and probably do know) that the goal of their action is to disenfranchise thousands of voters who may not agree with the economic or political goals of such legislative proponents, i.e., a state senator from Fremont? Perhaps justice would be more fairly served if such proposers and their proponents were denied the "right" to vote.
Many readers may recall two of the greatest examples of voter fraud in recent American history, namely, Florida in 2000 A.D. and Ohio in 2004 A.D., both of which were orchestrated by—not a few misguided individuals—but one of our major political parties, the party that claims to have a corner on American values that.elevates it to some level of moral superiority. Hah!
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Kings Place
Bach B Minor Mass, London Bach Singers, Feinstein Ensemble, Kings PlaceSunday, 03 April 2016
The B Minor Mass comes in many shapes and sizes. Martin Feinstein opts for a bright and bijou approach, with period instruments, one to a part, and a choir of ten. The small ensemble sometimes lacks finesse, but makes up for it in dynamism, passion...Read more...
10 Questions for Jazz Quartet EmpiricalTuesday, 16 February 2016
Described by Courtney Pine as "the most exciting jazz band to come out of the UK" and hailed in the press as the new young lions, Empirical broke cover in 2007, topping album of the year charts with their self-titled debut and picking up wins at the...Read more...
Piano Circus, Juice Vocal Ensemble, Kings PlaceFriday, 27 November 2015
It is not surprising that Piano Circus rarely play on six real pianos (although the photo on last night's programme cover shows just that). The expense, the stage space required and the logistical complexity all militate against it. But the sound...Read more...
Cordelia Williams, Kings PlaceWednesday, 14 October 2015
The music of Olivier Messiaen lends itself ideally to the kind of multimedia project created by Cordelia Williams. His titles tell stories of terror and redemption, Man, men, God and angels. His chords burst with colour, not only the green and gold...Read more...
Sacred Imaginations, Kings PlaceSunday, 28 June 2015
This was one of the most crazily ambitious music projects of the year so far. Co-curators Sam Mills and Susheela Raman, with generous sponsorship, assembled their favourite musicians in different styles from Greece, Lebanon, Ethiopia and Russia...Read more...
Continuum Ensemble, Headlam, Kings PlaceSunday, 21 June 2015
Zeitoper, single scene micro-opera for modern times, enjoyed a brief vogue in the Weimar era, but disappeared as fast the Republic itself. This programme from the Continuum Ensemble resurrected four examples, all from the years 1927-28, to offer a...Read more...
Songlines Encounters, Kings PlaceSunday, 07 June 2015
The fifth Songlines Encounters Festival at Kings Place brought together artists from around the world, offerering a powerful cultural kick-back against all manner of extremist positions. The opening Thursday featured young Portuguese Fado singer...Read more...
Mikhail Rudy, Kings PlaceSaturday, 28 March 2015
Opening It's All About Piano!, a short but packed festival shared between Kings Place and the Institut français in Kensington, Mikhail Rudy made a rare appearance in the UK. The premise was unusual if hardly revolutionary, a meeting of music and...Read more...
Mari Kvien Brunvoll, Kings PlaceThursday, 05 March 2015
Mari Kvien Brunvoll - Norwegian improviser, singer and composer - enters the Kings Place stage more like a pianist's page-turner than the night's sole performer, and sits cross-legged at her pedals. Dressed in a neutral dark grey, she doesn't seek...Read more...
Orpen, Françoise-Green Piano Duo, Aurora Orchestra, Kings PlaceSaturday, 14 February 2015
Teetering on the edge of a Steve Reich weekend, Friday's concert in the Minimalism Unwrapped series at Kings Place gave us a very mixed grill called "Pulses: Steve Reich and his Influences". In the process it didn't offer all that much of the...Read more...
In C, London Sinfonietta, Kings PlaceSunday, 11 January 2015
There's nothing like Terry Riley's In C to reawaken a past epoch. Of variable length, built from 53 melodic fragments, this minimalist construct of 1964 was almost designed to be performed and experienced lying on cushions in a marijuana haze –...Read more...
Ode to the Human Spirit, Kings PlaceThursday, 01 May 2014
Who knew the human spirit needed such bureaucratic care? The celebration of International Jazz Day, founded by UNESCO in 2011, at King's Place last night was nothing if not well cared-for. Sponsored SGI-UK, an arm of the global Buddhist movement,...Read more...
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Road trip for research
Twenty-three University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students hit the road in April to take part in the 15th-Annual UW-System Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity.
Twenty-three University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students hit the road in April to take part in the 15th-Annual UW-System Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity.
Long hours spent puzzling over an abstract concept, mastering a particularly tough sonata or perfecting a critical laboratory procedure—This is the life for hundreds of University of Wisconsin Oshkosh professors.
The science of geology, which combines aspects of chemistry, physics and biology, captured Lauren Bane's attention during an introductory class her freshman year at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
The discipline, medium and scale may change, but Andrew Redington has always been drawn to the visual arts. In high school and college, he gravitated to theatre and set design, even completing an apprenticeship with the Santa Fe Opera before [...]
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh students, faculty and alumni explore what it means to be "smart" in today's society as well as how to navigate the alphabet soup of IQ and other standardized test scores and stay sharp throughout life.
There's a new chancellor on campus with a distinguished resume, an ear for listening and the drive to make a difference in higher education affordability and student success.
Last October, 10 top UW Oshkosh alumni traveled back to campus during Homecoming Weekend 2014 to be honored by the Alumni Association for their many accomplishments in their careers and their communities.
Ceramists, water colorists, graphic designers, art teachers and artists of all sorts have made the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh their new home base.
Vibrant, colorful paintings greet visitors to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's new Alumni Welcome and Conference Center (AWCC). These generous gifts from the Kohler Foundation Inc., which complement the building's light-filled hallways, include works that were originally commissioned by BMO [...]
With the opening of the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center (AWCC) on campus this spring, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's 83,000-plus alumni have a new place to call home.


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Robert Cray Band w/ Mavis Staples – 2014 Tour
Northern Lights Theater – Milwaukee, WI
All photos by Dan DeSlover – Concert Capture
Blues guitarist Robert Cray brought his band and special guest, Mavis Staples, to the Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee for a pair of shows on Feb. 9 and 10. Given the six Grammy awards between the two artists, both shows were packed at the intimate theater.
Continue reading the rest of this review (and find more great photos) at The Examiner!
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BOWMAC serves the Public Safety community through high-quality, hands-on training and Emergency Management software. We are comprised of a group of individuals, each with between 20 and 40+ years of police, fire, emergency management, and training experience in public safety.
May 24, 2016 Volume 4, Issue 4
Hurricane Season Approaches FEMA is reminding those on the East Coast that the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season starts on June 1 and lasts until November.
April 26, 2016 Volume 4, Issue 3
The CDC Recently Announced the Zika Virus More Dangerous Than First Thought REDITM users should monitor the status of the Zika virus as summer approaches..
March 17, 2016 Volume 4, Issue 2
Announcement — Educational Institutions and Preventing Violent Extremism The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Partner Engagement, released an unclassified document entitled "Preventing Violent Extremism.
REDI™ for Emergencies
REDI™ for Emergencies is the simple web-based software program available remotely 24/7 to meet your needs.
REDI™ Login
To login to your user account, click on a link and you will be taken to a login page where you will need a username and password to gain access.
REDI™ for School Emergencies II
REDI™ for School Emergencies III
REDI™ for Campus Emergencies I
REDI™ for Campus Emergencies III
REDI™ for Municipal Emergencies III
REDI™ for Public Authority Emergencies
REDI™ for Financial Emergencies


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Amazon (AMZN) paid $200M+ for its Viacom (VIA) streaming deal, Reuters reports. The news service adds the deal will run for more than two years and features "a deeper library of content" than what Viacom provided Netflix (NFLX). The deal is said to be Amazon's largest ever, though it should be noted the Epix deal's price tag could grow thanks to milestone payments. Regardless, Reuters' figure backs up Reed Hastings' April remarks about Amazon and Hulu "bidding more aggressively" for content. Netflix's Q1 EPS beat had much to do with margin improvements stemming from slowing content cost growth (liabilities up only $100M Q/Q to $5.7B).
Amazon (AMZN) paid $200M+ for its Viacom (VIA) streaming deal, Reuters reports. The news service...
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Comments (6)
Meanwhile, Netflix is customarily spending over four million per episode on its so-called "original content!" That is going to obviously exceed $200 million for Netflix.
Tvaddic: I have said that Netflix has been spending too much on stuff like House of Cards. Maybe they need to have a few such shows, but $4 million per episode?
Does anyone have a clue what the actual value that these streaming deals give the streamer? 200 million is no number to sneeze at when I've yet to see any real idea of the value they provide. Amazon and Netflix seem to be like Indiana Jones when he drops down in the Last Crusade onto the invisible bridge hoping its there based on the sand he threw. They might have an inkling but until a tangible value is attached its all faith.
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Plymouth Whitemarsh's primary focus in Friday night's season opener against Perkiomen Valley will be keeping dual-threat quarterback Rasaan Stewart somewhat under wraps.
Stewart, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior, threw for 1,617 yards and ran for 1,206 last year in guiding the Vikings to an 8-3 overall record and a 7-2 mark in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.
"He's real good," PW coach Dan Chang said. "We're going to try to mix things up on defense against him, give him different looks, do our best to confuse him."


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There's been a blitz of TV ads in the past week paid for by Mitt Romney supporters trying to define President Obama for Pennsylvania voters.
You can hardly change channels without seeing another commercial paid for by a group other than the candidate's campaign.
Would it be so bad if the candidates' proxies spent as much time and money outlining the admirable traits of the person they want to be president? There's some of that, but too little.
Romney, in particular, should be filling in some gaps. Instead, with steps like refusing to release tax information that would help voters figure him out, he allows his opponent to tell them who he is. For example, it wouldn't be so easy for Democrats to call Romney "Robin Hood in Reverse" or "Romney Hood" if he would fill in the blanks on his tax plan.


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June 27th, 2013 09:51 PM #1Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2012
- Posts
- 1,011
Summer Inspired Names - shealahtoba
Summer -(the obvious one)
Soleil- Sun in the French language
Fleur- So many flowers around
Barry- where I live, so many berries grow. Mm. Juicy!
Oceane- Ocean, water. Beach!
Dune- as in sand dune, beach, I think we are getting into nature names!
Breeze- a cool summer breeze
Tanner- Nickname tan, as as in suntan
Wave- Water, waves, beach, unisex name.
Nikko- Japanese name that means sunlight
Zelia- A Spanish name meaning sunshine.Shealah
Teenberry, name loving girl.
Lucy, Madeline, Caroline, Kylie, Bryn, Audrey/Aubrey, & Sierra
Eli, Caden, Camden, Riley and Caleb
Guilty Pleasures:
Clementine & Tiara
June 28th, 2013 01:23 AM #3Senior Member
Kylee, Married to JarrettMama to Bodhi Jameson
- Join Date
- Jun 2013
- Location
- Arkansas
- Posts
- 107
Rafferty Quinn | Waylon | Arlo
Scarlett Kaia Genevieve | Clementine Ruby Lucille | Tallulah Willow Jade
For my FULL name list, go here : www.babynames.com/namelist/9839415
June 28th, 2013 02:07 AM #5Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jan 2013
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- 889


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Wedge Shims, Rigid, Black, PK30
- Item# 4NFH9
- Mfr. Model# 48620
- Catalog Page# 2758
Using 360° Viewing:
- Rotate: Use top-to-bottom, side-to-side by use of mouse arrow.
- Zoom In: Double click on image.
- Zoom Out/Reset: Put photo at full zoom & then double click.
- Shipping Weight 0.4 lbs.
Product Details
Technical Specs
- Item Wedge Shims
- Type Rigid
- Material Polypropylene
- Thickness (In.) Tapers from 0.245 to 0.035
- Thickness (mm) Tapers from 6.223 to 0.889
- Size 1.15 x 1.92 x 0.245"
- Color Black
- Temp. Range (F) Up to 446
- Application Stackable With Interlocking Horizontal/Vertical Ridges, Can Support Up To 2,000 Lbs
Compliance and Restrictions
Alternate Products
Alternate Products may not be identical in style or function to original selection. Please compare below for more information.
Item # 4NFH8PRECISION BRAND
Price $61.35 / pkg. of 200
Alternate Search Terms
Nonconductive Shims (280)
Nonmetallic Shims (280)
Plastic Shims (280)
Precut Shims (244)
Customer Reviews
Product Reviews Disclaimer:
Grainger is neither responsible for, nor does it endorse, the content of any product review or statement posted. Any statements posted constitute the statements of the poster and are not the statements of Grainger. The statements posted by Grainger employees with the Grainger employee badge represent the views of such employees and are not the statements of Grainger. Grainger makes no representations as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any product review or statements posted, including those posted by employees with the Grainger employee badge, and is not liable for any losses, injuries or damages which may result from any such product review or statements. Use of any linked web site provided in a product review or post is at the user's own risk.


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by Ken Tilger – Band Education Specialist – Each year in previewing the new band releases, we keep an ear out… read moreSeptember 26th
recommended by Barb M., Keyboard and Folk Music Specialist The three volumes of "Complete Works for Piano"… read more
Stanton's has built a reputation as "The Sheet Music Specialists".
Can't attend one of our clinics? Visit Stanton's Virtual Workshop.
In just a few minutes you can have your favorite song printed and ready to play.
Online Service for Music Educators.
Title: Jazz Play Along V071 Cole Porter Classic
Voicing/Format: Jazz Method
Publisher: Hal Leonard Publishing Corp
Composer: Porter, Cole
Catalog #: 00843073
Artist: Astaire,fred
Series: Jazz Play Along
Description: Bk/Cd Price: $16.99


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Hotels in CHESHIRE
- Hotel list
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- Train stations
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Hover above the icons to see hotel photo and details.
Click the hotel to go to the main hotel page.
Hotels near CHESHIRE
Nunsmere Hall Hotel Oakmere4 star hotel
Wall Hill Farm Guest House Lower Whitley5 star hotel
The Alvanley Arms - Inn Oakmere4 star hotel
Floatel Hotel Northwich3 star hotel
- Tarporley Road, Lower Whitley, Chesh, United Kingdom, WA4 4EZ (Map)
Willington Hall Hotel Tarporley3 star hotel
Hill House Farm Hotel Tarporley4 star hotel
Macdonald Portal Golf & Spa Hotel Tarporley4 star hotel
- 50 High Street, Tarporley, United Kingdom, CW6 0AG (Map)
Best Western Forest Hills Hotel Frodsham3 star hotel
Wincham Hall Hotel Northwich2 star hotel
Holiday Inn Runcorn3 star hotel
The Old Hall Hotel Frodsham3 star hotel
Daresbury Park Hotel Warrington4 star hotel
Daresbury Park And Spa Warrington Hotel3 star hotel
Britannia Daresbury Park Hotel Warrington4 star hotel
- Park Lane, Pickmere, Chesh, United Kingdom, WA16 0JX (Map)
Wild Boar Hotel Tarporley3 star hotel
The Park Royal-Qhotels Warrington4 star hotel
Higher Huxley Hall Hotel Chester3 star hotel
Peckforton Castle Hotel Tarporley4 star hotel
Campanile Runcorn Hotel2 star hotel
New Hall Farm B&B Beeston3 star hotel
- Higher Burwardsley, Higher Burwardsley, Chesh, United Kingdom, CH3 9PF (Map)
Rookery Hall Hotel And Spa Nantwich4 star hotel
Hotels near CHESHIRE
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Rapid Equipping Force (REF)
What is it?
The REF serves as a solutions catalyst, canvassing the military, industry, academia, and the science community for existing and emerging technologies. The REF maintains a direct support relationship with the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization and the Army Asymmetric Warfare Group. The REF forward teams are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to identify and evaluate deployed force needs and desired capabilities.
What has the Army done?
What continued efforts does Army have planned for the future?
Why is this important to the Army?


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I Dig It
By InMotion Software, LLC
Open iTunes to buy and download apps.
* "campaign mode is surprisingly deep, and continued mastery takes a long, enjoyable time.", MacWorld
* "I Dig It has kept me coming back for more. I'm a sucker for games that have a great art style, and there are few games that rival that of I Dig It.", Touch Arcade
* Bringing elements of strategy and classic arcade gameplay together with an interesting plot make this game stand out from the rest, justifying its number one position in the App Store", Gamer Syndrome
Fallen on hard times, farmer Lewis converts an old bulldozer into a fantastic high-tech "diggin" machine. Help him dig up stuff to sell (60+ unique diggings) in a race against the clock to pay the mortgage and save the farm (campaign mode).
In addition there are 8 mini-game challenge matches, plus open-ended free play mode and even a tutorial game mode for beginners, offering hours of game play.
Manage fuel, temperature, and damage while searching for diggins. Sell them at the farmhouse to earn cash. Save cash to pay the mortgage, upgrade your digger, or make repairs. Use the on-screen "analog" joystick, or touch-screen to control digger movement. Watch out for rocks and caverns that disrupt your path. Have fun!
What's New in Version 1.12
- Bug fixes
- Campaign now has the correct time requirements
iPhone Screenshots
Customer Reviews
Still great
Like many others have said this has great replay-ability, even over the course of years (been playing on and off for about 5 years now). Thanks dev's! It would be nice to have it optimized for i6+ though.
Knowing this game is still being updated to this very day really blows the back of my head off. I spent countless hours playing this on my iPhone 3GS and it's good for a short 5 minute play or long sessions. Stop reading this n GO DOWNLOAD!
You guys are awesome!
I don't know of any other app developer that would still maintain an app that is at least 5 years old. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a mark of a great company.
- $0.99
- Category: Games
- Updated: Feb 11, 2015
- Version: 1.12
- Size: 13.9 MB
- Language: English
- Seller: InMotion Software, LLC
- © 2008-2014 InMotion Software, LLC
Compatibility: Requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.


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History is filled with tales of "newcomers" running for political office or candidates who "don't have a chance" and are written off by the press. Yet sometimes such candidates spark a fire among the electorate and actually get the attention of the press. Some persevere against the odds, shock the established political world and actually win. Time will tell if Herman Cain becomes the next political newcomer to be elected and I, for one, am thankful he's in the presidential race.
Herman Cain's lack of political experience makes him willing to propose bold ideas, to try new solutions to the challenges that face our nation. There's a sense among the people disconnected from the system (myself included) that our political leaders aren't listening, or can't feel our pain. Cain clearly isn't part of the "establishment" or the permanent political class because he has proposed a tax reform that would simplify our tax code, ending deductions and closing loopholes. Details aside, he is willing to think big, to challenge the status quo.
As government added layers of spending to our budgets and countless deductions to our tax code it strengthened the establishment and biased itself further against common sense or meaningful reform, thereby distancing itself from the people it is meant to represent. That's because each deduction has its own constituency and is in fact a special interest. Basically that means that each has reams of lawyers, lobbyists, consultants and bureaucrats working diligently in Washington to preserve its special status. I take advantage of personal deductions on my taxes but would readily trade them in for a flatter, more fair system which would save me on my overall taxes and certainly on my accounting bill. It just makes good sense. Cain's mere willingness to propose something simple and sensible is his appeal. If Herman Cain continues to rise in the polls we will soon be barraged with ads from all the different special interests represented by those deductions discouraging us from voting for Cain because of all the goodies we would lose.
Never mind that a more basic and fair tax code with lower taxes overall would stimulate job growth in our country, those in the political establishment see such a bold proposal as a possible threat to their own jobs. Now other candidates have been inspired to propose real tax reforms and soon we will witness good old-fashioned politics of fear. Groups will lobby to preserve specific deductions, other candidates will fight testily and the more generic political groups will work to preserve their power or influence, making it difficult to discern who is slinging which arrow and why.
And let's not forget the press. Over-focused as they are on the small, the controversial and the sensational. they will generally focus on the arrows being thrown at candidates and their proposals instead of challenging others to propose new solutions. If the press would spend more time honestly airing thoughtful proposals that are put forth instead of highlighting the best debate quips, we might have a truly interesting race with serious choices. Sadly, the press gives air to the attacks, thus spurring more attacks.
I know this story well. A "fresh face" appears on the political scene and puts forth new proposals that challenge the status quo and then is attacked viciously on his proposals and then his character. Many of these challengers don't make it, and some shouldn't. Others win and fight to improve things in our nation only to be worn down over time, to tire of fighting the system, becoming more cautious, political and hollow. Thus the system creates empty suits, adept at giving sound-bites to the press and talking points to voters and raising money to be reelected. Understandably, few modern day politicians put forth big ideas or proposals to truly shrink or reform our government, preferring instead to obfuscate or to punt to committees. Thank you, Herman Cain, for running and for inspiring better dialogue.
We've had enough empty rhetoric and false hope and need honest political discourse. In making decisions this election cycle ask what a candidate is for. Pay attention to the negative ads but pay closer attention to the groups behind the ads and remember they might be fighting to maintain the status quo. Small steps and small ideas won't bring about real change in this nation. If a candidate isn't willing to think big in a campaign and to really engage in discussion of what ails us how can we ever find real solutions? Big business and big government are the status quo and they are sure to have their lobbyists, lawyers and representatives hard at work behind the scenes this election season. If we, the disconnected and common taxpayers, want to be heard, it is we who need to pay close attention, ask probing questions and then make our voices heard on election day.
- Keywords


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2011-03-31 / Obituaries
Robbie Marion Knipstein
February 9, 1923 - March 28, 2011
On March 28th, Robbie passed into the loving arms of God. She was born February 9, 1923, in Carmine, TX to Bob and Blanche Zwernemann. Seven years later, her sister Betty (Carlton) was born. The family moved to Giddings, TX when she was a senior in high school.
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