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    Six Members Of Sub Crew Punished For Pacific Crash
    Navy Takes Action Following Grounding Of USS San Francisco

    By ROBERT A. HAMILTON
    Day Staff Writer, Navy/Defense/Electric Boat
    Published on 3/23/2005

    Six submariners assigned to the submarine USS San Francisco have been punished for dereliction of duty or putting a vessel in danger in connection with a Jan. 8 incident in which the submarine slammed into a seamount in the Pacific, killing one sailor and injuring 98 others.

    The San Francisco was making a trip to Australia when it came to periscope depth to fix its position accurately a little more than 400 miles southwest of Guam. Minutes after diving, and while traveling at a high rate of speed, the submarine hit a seamount in an area where official Navy charts list 6,000 feet of water.

    The executive officer, a lieutenant commander, and the navigator, a lieutenant, received permanent punitive letters of censure, Navy sources said Tuesday.

    The assistant navigator, a senior chief electronics technician, received a similar letter and was stripped of his Navy enlisted classification, which ousts him from the submarine force.

    Three other enlisted men, all members of the San Francisco navigation team, were demoted one rank, one of them from electronics technician 1st class to electronics technician 2nd class, and two others from 2nd class to 3rd class.

    Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Davis, a spokesman for the Pacific submarine force, said Capt. Bradley Gehrke, commodore of Submarine Squadron 15 in Guam, conducted hearings on the charges Tuesday.

    “Six crew members received punishment for actions that led to the grounding,” Davis said. “Because this was a non-judicial proceeding, we're not going to release names.”

    Davis also declined to identify by job any of the submariners punished, and would only confirm that punishment included demotions and letters of reprimand. He said the investigation into the accident “is ongoing.”

    “My understanding is that the investigation is being reviewed and is very close to complete, but I don't have a time when it will be released,” Davis said. He also could not comment on whether there has been a decision on whether the San Francisco will be repaired or scrapped.

    Machinist Mate 3rd Class Joseph Ashley was killed in the Jan. 8 collision when he was thrown more than 20 feet and struck his head on a large pump. Almost two dozen others were injured so badly they could not perform their duties.

    Despite the injuries and extensive damage, the crew got the ship back to its homeport of Apra Harbor, Guam.

    Navy sources have said, however, that the damage to the ship, particularly the alignment of some of the propulsion equipment, is worse than initially believed and that the submarine may have to be scrapped.

    The grounding destroyed three of the four ballast tanks in the bow, shattered the sonar dome and smashed the sonar sphere. In addition, a bulkhead at the front end of the ship was buckled.

    •••

    Sources said the sailors were all punished as a result of an administrative proceeding known as a commodore's mast, which lasted 10 minutes or less for each of the men and focused on two areas of inquiry: whether the crew had obtained the most recent charts on board and whether it exercised sufficient caution when there was evidence that the charts being used might be faulty.

    The punishments, and the lines of questioning, seem to support claims by Navy sources last month that the submarine had not updated its charts with notices to mariners, some dating back to the 1960s and some made as recently as last year, that would indicate a seamount in an area where the water was supposed to be several thousand feet deep.

    In addition, the same sources said, the navigation crew had taken a sounding that showed the water to be thousands of feet shallower than on the charts. Though still showing ample water under the keel for safe operation, the discrepancy should have prompted more caution, the sources said.

    Cmdr. Kevin Mooney, the captain of the San Francisco, was permanently relieved as skipper early last month after an administrative proceeding known as an admiral's mast. Mooney was found guilty of failing to follow “several critical navigational and voyage planning” standards, a Navy spokesman said without elaboration.

    Sources said Mooney is being reassigned to the Trident Training Facility in Bangor, Wash. He is expected to retire from the Navy from that job, the sources said.

    The punishments are likely to be controversial, particularly among submariners, active duty and retired, who contend that the crew should not have been held responsible when the official Navy charts showed thousands of feet of water below the keel.

    India, US set to fix deal on submarines

    Posted online: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at 0031 hours IST




    NEW DELHI, MARCH 22: Overcoming wrangles over product support assurances, India and United States are all set to conclude a major defence deal on American assistance for Indian naval subs in distress and for purchase of submarine rescue vehicles (SRVs).



    The two countries are also in the final stage of working out a deal for purchase by India of 10 retrofitted Lockheed Martin P3C Orions long-range naval maritime spy planes to fill the gaps in the navy reconnaissance capability hit by recent crashes of two Russian-acquired IL-38 aircraft. “We are in intense negotiations and are likely to sign a contract for US cover for Indian naval submarines in distress and for purchase of submarine rescue vehicles by the year-end,” vice chief of the naval staff vice admiral Yashwant Prasad told newsmen here.

    Washington and New Delhi almost finalised a contract for US navy cover to rescue Indian submarines in distress in 1999, when American sanctions following the Pokhran nuclear blasts hit the project.

    Mr Prasad said India had already paid earnest money for the contract which already covered its German-acquired HDW SSK class conventional submarines. “The US experts are now evaluating the Russian supplied Foxtrot and Kilo class submarines to point out alterations to be undertaken on them to make them capable of such air and deep sea rescue by US navy,” he said.

    The supply of submarine rescue vehicles along with flying kits and P3C Orions would be the second largest defence deal between the two countries in recent years.

    The deal, like the previous one for supply of ANTPQ 37 fire-finding radars, would be a government to government contract, naval sources said.

    American aviation giant Lockheed Martin is in strong contention for India’s over $5 billion plan to acquire 125 multi-role fighters. Naval chief admiral Arun prakash is currently in the US on a 10-day official visit and the sale of P3C Orions and contract for submarine rescue vehicles is high on his agenda during talks with Pentagon officials, the sources said.

    Asked about plans to acquire P3C Orions already in service with Pakistan navy, the vice chief of naval staff said, “We are looking at these seriously and they would be part of agenda of the naval chief there.” He said navy wanted these spy planes to be retrofitted giving them enough residual life and was also seeking assurance of total product support.


    U.S. Navy Lays Out 30-Year Fleet Plan
    By CHRISTOPHER P. CAVAS


    The U.S. Navy plans to operate 11 aircraft carriers for the next quarter century, according to a new 30-year force structure plan sent to Congress on March 23. A copy of the report was obtained by DefenseNews.com.

    The plan also shows the service hopes to build up to a dozen of the new DD(X) destroyers — currently estimated to cost about $3 billion a copy — and up to 18 CG(X) cruisers, a derivative of the DD(X) devoted to ballistic missile defense.

    The plan, signed by Navy Secretary Gordon England, is described as an “interim report” on ship levels through fiscal 2035. England, in letters to Congress obtained by DefenseNews.com, said a “final detailed report” will be available this summer that will “more thoroughly address build rates with regard to important issues such as fiscal constraints, industrial base and Global War on Terrorism challenges.”



    The Navy prepared two plans: one for a fleet of 325 ships, another for a smaller fleet of 260 ships. The range of numbers reflects the unknown outcome of new technologies, manning concepts and forward-basing requirements, Adm. Vern Clark, chief of naval operations, explained in congressional testimony last month.

    Key elements of the new force structure plan include:

    • Attack submarines: The Navy plans to maintain a fleet of between 41 and 45 nuclear attack submarines, including four SSGN cruise missile conversions.

    • DD(X)/CG(X): The plan calls for eight to 12 DD(X) destroyers by 2035, along with 15 to 18 CG(X) cruisers.

    • LCS: The plan shows 63 to 82 Littoral Combat Ships by 2035.

    • Sea Basing: The plan calls for 19 to 25 Sea Base ships by 2035, including 14-20 Maritime Prepositioning Force (Future) ships. Both the big and little fleets call for two High Speed Sealift ships and three connector ships to shuttle between the ships and forces ashore.
    Last edited by rickusn; 23 Mar 05,, 23:50.

  • #2
    What's your opinion on what happened to the U.S.S. SanFrancisco crew members, derelect, scapegoats, or somewhere between?

    Comment


    • #3
      Scapegoats IMO, but i'm not totally up to speed on the incident either.

      Comment


      • #4
        The investigation isnt complete nor has enough info been released for us out here to make a definitive judgement.

        On first hearing of this incident I thought it very strange. Was thinking maybe it was an Act of GOD scenario or some type of catastrophic equipment failure(in particular a stern plane casualty). Apparently not the case.

        Then the chart issue came up and at first it was proclaimed that the hazard wasnt on the charts then they backtracked a little.

        I related at this time(from my submarine service experience) that updating charts was a monumental task requiring many hours of work with hundreds of changes at a crack.

        Then the CO was relieved because some critical voyage planning procedures(among others) werent followed.

        I was concerned at the time it was scapegoating time but it is true the CO is ultimately responsible for his Command whether he or anyone overtly fouled up.

        Now this.

        I was hoping it wasnt the case but apparently there was a # of monumental screw-ups. I speculated on the possible causes of the chart problems by the crew ranging from plain old laziness, carelessness, time constraints, or simple human error from fatigue to actually not receiving the updates or the hazard actually not being on any chart.

        But without seeing the investigation report and/or a credible indepth critique of the underlying circumstances its all sheer speculation on what really went went wrong.

        I dont see scapegoating at the moment but its been known to happen in life generally and the USN specifically.

        But it is getting closer to the point where it looks like some serious screwups occured.

        Its a shame and I take no pleasure in the situation.

        Submarining is inherently dangerous. There is so much to do and so many things that can go wrong. Sleep is a luxury and the battle against fatigue neverending.

        I was involved in several somewhat less dramatic and certainly less publicised incidents. Including a major ACT of GOD, a hair-raising catastrophic equipment failure, a failure to follow poper procedures that nearly resulted in death plus lesser acts of carelessness & laziness not to mention fatigue induced incidents.

        There is often a string of failures by a # of people involved in any casualty scenario. The first thing you learn in Sub School(or at least from my recollection) is that there is no such thing as an accident.

        Hope I explained this all fairly clearly. As fatigue isnt confined to submarines. LOL
        Last edited by rickusn; 24 Mar 05,, 04:48.

        Comment


        • #5
          Heres good news:

          Sailors aboard USS San Francisco awarded for bringing damaged ship into port


          by Ken Wetmore, KUAM News
          Friday, March 25, 2005

          A special ceremony was held earlier today for several sailors of the USS San Francisco. Navy spokesperson Lieutenant Arwen Consaul says 65 sailors received awards for their part in ensuring the fast-attack submarine returned safely to port. Among the awardees, 20 received special recognition awards for actions above and beyond the call of duty.

          In addition, a Meritorious Service Medal was awarded to Petty Officer 1st Class James H. Akin. Lt. Consaul says the recognition "is pretty much unheard of for an enlisted sailor to win the medal," noting that it must be signed off on by the President of the United States.

          The 20 awardees were as follows. The term (SS) denotes those enlisted personnel who are “submarine warfare qualified” and wear the coveted dolphin designator:

          Meritorious Service Medal (citations enclosed)
          Lt. j.g. Craig E. Litty
          Petty Officer 1st Class (SS) James H. Akin

          Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
          Lt. Jeff M. McDonald
          Senior Chief Petty Officer (SS) Danny R. Hager
          Petty Officer 1st Class (SS) Christopher L. Baumhoff
          Petty Officer 1st Class (SS) Bryan C. Powell
          Petty Officer 2nd Class (SS) Gilbert L. Daigle
          Petty Officer 2nd Class (SS) Jeremy Y. Key
          Petty Officer 2nd Class (SS) David J. Miller
          Petty Officer 2nd Class (SS) Scott M. Pierce
          Petty Officer 2nd Class (SS) Carnell L. Smoot

          Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
          Chief Petty Officer (SS) Maximum L. Chia
          Chief Petty Officer (SS) Jacob M. Elder
          Petty Officer 2nd Class (SS) Ian P. Cross
          Petty Officer 2nd Class (SS) Matthew R. Thurman

          Letter of Commendation
          Petty Officer 1st Class (SS) Joshua D. Barrow
          Petty Officer 1st Class (SS) Richard T. Bolton
          Petty Officer 1st Class (SS) Scott C. Deranleau
          Petty Officer 1st Class (SS) Benjamin J. Sidwell
          Petty Officer 2nd Class (SS) Joseph D. Anderson

          Comment

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