Wisdom of DADT Policy

Eliminating Bill Clinton's DADT (Don't Ask, Don't Tell) policy will empower unscrupulous gays to file grievances publicly. To avoid disruptions of good order and discipline, unfavorable press, and resulting slumps in recruiting, the military will be compelled to either waste resources attempting to prove negatives legally [impossible], or grant undeserved promotions.

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Wasteful costs will be magnified as academy-educated officers depart closets to assist former and prospective lovers with undeserved fitness report ratings.

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Likely grievances will involve lawsuits based on alleged homophobic discrimination in denial of promotions or plum assignments. Since gay servicepeople are currently prohibited from identifying their sexual orientations, such grievances have not been possible.

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If/when gays serve openly, civilian military lawyers and JAGs will find groundbreaking ways to sue the DoD, military branches, or the U.S. Government. As taxpayers, you and I will foot the bills, of course. Unfortunately, many voters are unaware of the lawyer-driven agenda, so far.

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The wisdom of DADT will become obvious when the first in-service lawsuit is filed. At that point, expect an avalanche. Will it be too late for taxpayers?

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Submarines are always silent and strange.

Infamous Terrorists Come to Blows

In what may be Mr. bin Laden’s second public communication in several days, if authenticated, the terrorist leader of al Qaeda blames the United States and developed countries for not halting climate change.

by Juan Caruso

Answers: Sub Mystery Questions - Jan. 25, 2010

ANSWERS above (no one answered either question correctly):

QUESTIONS of the WEEK for Jan 25, 2010 were:
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1) Who is the familiar actor?
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2) What was the name of this movie?
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Submarines are always silent and strange.

If history repeats: 3 perils

.................................................... -1- China Turns Aggressive
The Vikings were neither the first nor last peoples to turn from trading with others to conquering them. Indeed, history indicates it is almost axiomatic that trade partners end up warring with each other: "First we trade, and then we fight."
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Before World War I, the economies of Britain, France and Germany were largely dependent on trade -- somewhere between a third and a half of total gross domestic product for each. Much of that trade was with one another. It led some turn-of-the-century theorists to argue that the nations' growing economic interdependence would make war obsolete.
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They were wrong. - James Carafano: Trade is no substitute for strong defense, January 25, 2010.
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.................................................... -2- U.S. Lawyers Gone Bad
Attorney Scott W. Rothstein ( Nova Southeastern University's Law School – J.D., 1988) this morning pleaded guilty to all five counts against him in what prosecutors have described as South Florida’s largest investment scam totaling $1.2 billion.
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Rothstein agreed to forfeit the entire $1.2 billion, including 24 parcels, luxury cars, boats, jewelry, sports memorabilia, business interests and bank accounts, much of which had been auctioned off on Saturday.
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Since last May, Rothstein is the sixth lawyer to be convicted of/plead guilty to a major financial crime. - Lawyer Kickers pro bono: In the Public's Benefit - Installment 2010-1, January 27, 2010.
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.................................................... -3- Venezuelan Energy Crisis Spreads
History always seems to find a way of repeating itself: The Power of Operation Blackcurrant
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Older past members of the Submarine Service will well remember this period for the discomfort in working in sub-zero temperatures in the strong draught of cold air required by a submarine’s diesel engines, which, connected to the boat’s generators, provided this useful reinforcement to the country’s energy supplies. - Ron Cox: The cold winter of 1946-47 was made worse by the frequent breakdown of the country's power stations, January 8, 2010.
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Submarines are always silent and strange.

Best Male Menu for Super Bowl 2010

Icelandic men were recently spoiled by their wives and girlfriends. Men received gifts or traditional dinners on Bóndadagur or Husband's day, which fell on the beginning of Þorri (January 22 this year -- this past Friday). Rams’ testicles are the most popular treat—and have also become a popular export product.

In some places the man of the house received treats, in others it was up to him to treat others. There is even a tradition that the man of the houseshould run a lap around the house in his knickers. The husband's favourite food was also usually served.

There is great interest for Icelandic balls in Asia and the US, Ágúst Andrésson at the meat processing company Kjötafurdastöd Kaupfélags Skagfirdinga told Fréttabladid.

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I'll say. Imagine if the Rams had made it to the Super Bowl this year!

Submarine Mystery Question of the Week - Jan. 25, 2010

Early in a fairly successful 1997 mystery-thriller, the WW2 poster (at Left) appears on a hallway wall.

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Twelve minutes from the end of the same movie, the long-haired guy (Bottom Left) appears on a Boston wharf wearing a USS Ohio (SSBN-726) ball cap. In addition to Boston, the movie was also filmed in Florida, and right here, in New York City.

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Otherwise, this film had NOTHING obvious to do with submarines. [Difficulty of this question set = Skimmer (explained below)]

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QUESTIONS of the WEEK:

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1) Who is the familiar actor?

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2) What was the name of this movie?

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Answers: Friday, unless all are given correctly by a reader beforehand. Since CAV of Gus Van Horn fame is very observant and also happens to reside in the vicinity of this mystery actor, CAV may have a decisive advantage.

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Molten Eagle's Submarine Questions of the Week

----Difficulty levels in ascending order

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--------Skimmer (average for surface sailors)

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--------Submerged (average for submariners)

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--------Test Depth (dolphins usually required)

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--------Oulie (C.O.B. level)

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--------Beyond Crush Depth (requires help from above)

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Submarines are always silent and strange.

Obama: The Last Benefit of Doubt

OBAMA State of the Union
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The next State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama's first, is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 9 p.m. eastern.
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Look for THIS only:
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Obama must, for the first time in his administration, clarify a NATIONAL vision acceptable to the MAJORITY of Americans. Failure to do so convincingly will be ruin for his party in 2010 (period).
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Obama's detail, or the continued lack thereof provided earlier will either remove all doubt about the primacy of redistribution of non-union, middle-class wealth, in his agenda, or it will unwittingly confirm the continued destruction of American sovereignty and capitalism that heretofore have benefited the entire U.S. population (with minimal self-effort) since 1964.
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This time, for the first time, voters are watching more critically. Lack of transparency will be obvious in either Obama's lack of specificity or his coming failure to follow through on it.
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I am willing to offer the benefit of the doubt UNTIL Obama's state of the union address affirms otherwise. Specificity is required now. If Obama tries to hedge or obfuscate his actual intent again, may the Submariners' Hymn send him to the bottom of his erstwhile, fraudulent, political career with all due dispatch!
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Time will soon tell, and I vote, encourage others to vote, and expose voter fraud at every turn, regardless of the party involved. Bring it on, President Obama.
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To socialist countries around the world, you lose!

Not a combat deployment, but

Yesterday, we asked readers to identify what obviously appears to be missing in news photos of the military's Haiti relief effort to date. Here are typical photos showing U.S. troops delivering supplies and rations in Haiti. Reminded me of loadouts on our longer, submarine deployments.
The Haiti relief effort is definitely NOT a combat operation. So, where are any females, who can do the work of men?
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Looks like U.S. submarines getting female crew members had better not expect much help from their women with pre-deployment stores load outs. Ever had to get underway fast? Those load outs were an all-hands (not on watch) evolution. Hmmm!
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Submarines are always silent and strange.

Answer to Yesterday's Mystery Question and a Submariner Issue Appears to Have Silently Surfaced

ANSWER: Yesterday's photo (with identifying names) from Mystery Question.

Note: Commenter Jay's answers were correct, and comments have been closed.

-----------------------------------------------------

Has a Big Issue for Submarines just surfaced?

We have all seen scores of news photos (as above) showing U.S. troops delivering supplies and rations in Haiti. Reminded me of loadouts on our longer, submarine deployments.

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Notice what appears to be missing, however? Answer tomorrow.

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Submarines are always silent and strange.

Mystery Question of the Week 1-20-2009

Recognize the American attorney on the (L)eft and the one on (R)ight, above?

Answer tomorrow.

Imagine the DOT.com Meltdown with a Huge U.S. Body Count

"On Ustafish subs, LORAN-C replacement modules were kept in a rugged, interior-cushioned, gasket-sealed box known as the coffin. This was certainly not before the era of S.I.N.S. nor SATNAV, but it was before the Chinese anti-satellite missile test in 2007." - Juan Caruso

After that, every thinker knew that China's Greatest Military Threat is no longer its Submarines. China or other nation could wreak havoc here, without much cost. Will strategic and tactical weapon systems be operable after intentional satellite disruptions? Some U.S. senators have their doubts... others either know more robust backups, or are acting incredibly short sighted.

The Associated Press, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 - Plug being pulled on decades-old navigation system - Over the protests of some U.S. senators and others who say the LORAN network should be maintained as a GPS backup, most of the nation's LORAN transmission towers will be turned off Feb. 8, with the remainder being shut down by Oct. 1.

Submarines are always silent and strange.

Electric Boat malpractice investigation ongoing -

Poor journalism strikes again...

subsafe - portions of submarines systems exposed to sea pressure or critical to flooding recovery.

None of the welds in question involve so-called "subsafe" portions of the recently delivered sub USS New Mexico (SSN-779). Electric Boat and the Navy concluded that the welds in question pose no immediate risk "on the ships that were underway," said Rear Adm. William H. Hilarides, the Navy's program executive officer for submarines.

Electric Boat notified the Navy "immediately" after it uncovered the issue Dec. 1, said Robert A. Hamilton, a company spokesman.

"We are thoroughly evaluating all work performed by the individual," Hamilton said.

"An important factor is that this was identified internally and fixed internally."

Hamilton is exactly correct. Why is this 1-1/2 month-old story breaking on a weekend? Because it has little if any merit.

Hint:

In 2007, the US Navy found that Northrop Grumman employees had used incorrect metal to fuse together pipes and joints on submarines under construction which could have led to cracking and leaks. In 2009, the Navy and the company found that bolts and fasteners in weapons-handling systems on four Navy submarines, including New Mexico (SSN-779), North Carolina (SSN-777), Missouri (SSN-780), and California (SSN-781)', were installed incorrectly, delaying the launching of the ships while the problems were corrected.[6]

The focus on quality-control processes at Electric Boat is intended to distract the spotlight that's been on Northrop Grumman over the last two years for more serious issues. This enables Northrup Grumman to win undeserved USN contracts. answer: Politics.

Look who first published this non-story: Newport News Daily Press. Yes, the home of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding Newport News.

Submarines are always silent and strange.

Most Interesting (Submarine?) Picture

ALERT
Early background on Capt. Graf's dismissal as USS COWPENS commanding Officer is reflected below.
Although still accurate, an UPDATED treatment has been posted here.

waif - noun; Etymology: [of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse veif a flapping thing]

1 a. (Nautical Terms) a piece of property washed up by sea, but unclaimed.

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Facing the Russian bear in this U.S. Consulate photo is then CO of USS Cowpens (CG-63), who was relieved of duty Wednesday after being punished for “cruelty and maltreatment” during her time in charge, the Navy announced. In an unusual move, she is being permitted to continue on to an assignment in the Pentagon.

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What makes this photo interesting is reassignment of an otherwise waif to the current bastion of political correctness and gender bending, our Pentagon.

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Still don't get it? Ask yourself why the story was published at a French submarine portal.

“Le Portail des sous-marins”: Le commandant d’un croiseur de l’US Navy relevée pour ‘actes de cruauté’

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Wonder how Capt. Graf will be connected with submarines (sous-marins), can we guess?

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Any way you wish to look at this, the story is far from over. More at Neptunus Lex here and at I Like The Cut Of His Jib !!, where, if Navsurfer's incredible allegation is true, Graf committed an outrageous act unbecoming of any officer, much less a ship's CO:

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Navsurfer said...[color emphasis added]:

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I know Holly Graf. I have also served in afloat command--successfully and in the same AOR as COWPENS.This situation was about her putting her hands on an officer's throat in a fit of anguish, thus the IG investigation. Not a forgivable act for any CO, but eerily explicable if you know this CO and her negative temperment (as many, including former reporting seniors, did). That she doesn't have to show cause to retain her commission, and will be continuing on to her next tour at the Pentagon reflects poorly on a service that prides itself on its ability to self correct. She needs to be shown the door and relesaed back to the civilian genpop.

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Submarines are always silent and strange.

Questions of the Week: The New Jersey / Philadelphia Earthquake (Rhetorical)

Telegraph.c0.UK - Haiti earthquake: history of natural disasters to hit the country

1946
The largest recorded earthquake in modern times on the island of Hispaniola was an 8.1-magnitude temblor that produced a tsunami and killed 1,790 people. Centered in the Dominican Republic, it extended into Haiti.

The Watchung Outliers include six areas of hilly rock outcropping of volcanic origin. All six are along the western edge of the Newark Basin adjacent to the Ramapo fault system.

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Submarines of any nation submerged in the Atlantic vicinity of Hispaniola are not indicated on the chart. Some readers may recall that back in January 22, 2007, M.E. related Submariners Are Not Superstitious: Submarine pyroclastic eruptions. As it happens, the first underwater eruption was not documented until 1990.
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Naval vessels certainly would have detected such seismic activity, whether sailors felt it or not. '
As seen in the leftmost chart (larger circles indicate larger quakes) what is common in the Pacific (see coast of South America) has been fairly uncommon in the Atlantic.
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Odds of a major quake in the NJ-PA area are considered low. Yet, can it really be dismissed?
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Submarines are always silent and strange.

Update: Iran's Transportation 'Accidents'

The latest transportation 'accident':
JANUARY 13, 2010, Wall Street Journal - Bomb Kills Tehran Professor
A remote-controlled bomb killed a Tehran University physics professor near his home early Tuesday, in what Iranian authorities called an assassination backed by Western powers, including the U.S. and Israel. ...Mr. Mohammadi was a member of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from 1980 to 2003, according to the official Iranian Fars news agency, which is affiliated with the IRGC. He was the head of the physics department at Tehran University and deputy director of the university's college of sciences.

Prof. Mohammadi's membership in Iran's broadly defined nuclear-science brain trust also raised questions about whether the attack was related to the country's controversial nuclear program. Iran says it is pursuing a peaceful nuclear program, but Western officials allege it is seeking weapons.

From another report:
Deputy White House press secretary Bill Burton said Iran’s accusations of U.S. involvement “are absurd.” Ali-Mohammadi didn’t work for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, according to a statement on the organization’s Web site.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Our prediction:

July 17, 2009 - "[T]he best course is still the transportation accident predicted all along (December 22, 2006) and for which there has just been a conveniently timed reminder..."

"The aircraft all of a sudden fell out of the sky and exploded on impact, where you see the crater," a witness told Press TV from the crash site. ... Conversations between the pilot and the ground were normal and did not indicate any technical problems, the network's Web site reported, citing the managing director of Iran's airport authority without naming him. Some witnesses say the plane caught fire before crashing, Press TV said. source

Predictions Some Will Not Like

1. Skype to offer video teleconferencing service on LG, Panasonic TVs - PREDICTION: SUCCESS
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- REASONING: Free teleconferencing (Video phonecalls to Skype subscribers) This irresistable facility will mushroom in nuclear fashion. QUESTION - Which of the major phone companies is going to buy out Skype? BellSouth? Verizon? Alltell?
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2. 3D TV is being billed as possible industry saviour - PREDICTION: BALONEY
- REASONING: Major demographic counter-trends (aging populace) still govern. Notice in the accompanying PEW chart (above) three trends...
1. Gamer percentage declines with advancing age.
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2. Women gamers comprise the lesser percentage of all gamers. As the overall population ages, women will comprise the greater surviving segment (actuarially). That automatically limits the gamer population by skewing it toward relatively less interested females.
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3. Gamers cannot save the TV industry. The major appeal would have to be 3-D movies, not games. Why? Because the majority of TV viewers are not gamers, and the appeal of 3-D TV, even movies, is much less than the appeal 3-D games. Most TV viewers, therefore, will not find 3-D TV that compelling. With gamers, however, the reverse is TRUE; 3-D is VERY COMPELLING.

Al Qaeda Developing Advanced Airliner Explosive and Ignitor

The U.S. has a Department of Homeland Security and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Few realize that Al-Qaeda has not been idle in its own advanced research efforts for terrorist acts.

How it works

A critical number of Al-Qaeda suicide bombers (PART A) successfully board a U.S. bound commercial airliner in a dry desert location. Two (PART B) suicide bombers board the same airliner with reserved seats in the midst of the PART A group. Both groups turn overhead air supply nozzles to OFF positions.

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PART A

This group, explosivees who have been trained in radical mosques by Mr. Methane-type Imams consume large quantities of flatulence-producing foods such as potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, milk and lactose-feeding bacteria. They reserve adjacent seats on one side of the aircraft.
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PART B

The two human fuses sit in the midst of PART A suicide explosiveees. When hydrogen reaches approximately 45% in air the human fuses, who have been sitting atop special jihadist prayer mats combing their beards ignite the hydrogen cloud with a static spark created by touching their metal rimmed eyeglasses together.

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CURRENT STATUS

At this time, the required number of PART A terrorists is still prohibitive at greater than 240.

Al Qaeda hopes that an introduction of certain methane-producing beans to the aforementioned suicide diets will enrich the explosive gasses so fewer terrorists will be needed.

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Continuous recruiting for more suicide trainees has been increasingly problematic. The replacement rate has been very high with drop outs saying the concept stinks, and Bin Laden himself complaining about the oppressive need for more foot washing facilities in related training camps.

Future Reference #2 Three-Card Monte (Russian Kilos)

UPDATE: WALL STREET JOURNAL, JANUARY 5, 2010 Chinese Evade U.S. Sanctions on Iran
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The public relations value of military submarines can sometimes be hinted by the publication of related photography. The unusual transfer below was obviously not intended to be a covert affair between Russia and China. Rather, it was a graphic message (public domain) underscoring communiqués (diplomatic domain) to a Western state concerning Taiwan.



Veteran submariners will appreciate that since the earliest days of military submarines (e.g. Turtle, Hunley) such vessels have been subjected to 'cloaking' (submarines are always silent and strange). When sub secrecy has been relaxed, observors more alert than Hugo may wish to consider why. An apparent malfunction can actually be a convenient cover story for reshuffling or upgrading submarines. Even children learn to ask, Where is Waldo?
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What are we to think then, when Russia's navy would rather incur another black eye (Submarine accident reflects crisis in navy) than explain last November's Alrosa incident? Strange, no photos of Alrosa under tow or in a drydock have been published since.
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Molten Eagle's author, an investigator, is accustomed to elevating coincidence. Sudden news blackouts of both Sarov and Alrosa, subs of similar size and specialized capabilities are not to be dismissed. While we mention two Russian subs, we certainly cannot rule out a game of Three-card Monte involving other Kilo(s).
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Submarines are always silent and strange.

Yesterday's Submarine Science Fiction + DARPA

Curious "fine print" of America's strategic insurance policy by Michael L. McHugh, Captain, U.S. Navy .

What is the Debye–Falkenhagen Effect? The increase in conductivity of an electrolyte solution, such as an ocean, when the applied voltage has a very high frequency is known as Debye-Falkenhagen effect.[1]

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Investigation of the Debye Effect for Submarine Detection Navy SBIR 2010.1 - Topic N101-037 Opens: December 10, 2009 - Closes: January 13, 2010

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The new SOSUS? Navy using optical sonar sensors to enhance submarine detection and alleviate maintenance problems - WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — Sonar experts from the Northrop Grumman Navigation Systems Division in Woodland Hills, Calif., envision a vast ocean-floor optical sensor array that can detect and track some of the world's quietest submarines through minute phase shifts of light.

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Submarine Detection From Space: A Study of Russian Capabilities.
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists September 01, 1994 Marsh, Gerald E.

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Finally, in what may be the simplest and submarine dection process, Novel Approach to Anti-Submarine Warfare - AUNs. So, are Iran's subs really as undetectable, as some 'experts' say? Our DoD will be the ultimate judge.

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Submarines are always silent and strange.

NOVA's Killer Subs in Pearl Harbor Premiers Tonight on PBS

Check your TV listing for local times (8 PM EST).

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During WWII, the Imperial Japanese Navy built and deployed hundreds of different submarines, but on the morning of December 7th, 1941, they debuted a particularly secret weapon—the Type A Ko-Hyoteki midget submarine. Five of these small subs furtively made their way toward Pearl Harbor with the mission to attack U.S. battleships from below. At a quarter the size of common fleet subs, the midgets were a technological marvel, far outperforming their western counterparts. In this interactive, explore a model of the Ko-Hyoteki deployed in the attack.—Parks Stephenson

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More from the NOVA Preview or a Podcast. The 5 subs were not 'midgets', just small. Females or Hugo Chavez would have been excellent fits.

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Submarines are always silent and strange.

Submarine Mystery Questions - Jan 1, 2010 - Answers

Questions and Background posted on Jan 1, 2010. Difficulty level: Surfaced (average for navy)

ANSWERS:
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1) Identify the underlying facility's (name, country, and purpose).
ANS: Pionen is located Located below 30 meters of bedrock in central Stockholm, Sweden.
The facility is an NOC (Network Operations Center) for Bahnhof, one of Sweden’s largest ISPs.
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2) The facility contains a submarine klaxon from which country's submarine?
Bahnhof installed the warning system from an original German submarine.
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3) Diesel generators shown were designed for submarines of what country?
Backup power generation is handled by diesel originally engines designed for German submarines.
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4) Diesel generators of the type shown are currently used on subs of what country?
The diesel engines are currently in use on North Korean subs.
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5) What is the make and alleged output of the diesel generators?
The Maybach MTU diesels produce 1.5 MW of electrical power.
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Facility related YouTube


Submarines are always silent and strange.

Submarine Mystery Questions - Jan 1, 2010

BACKGROUND: Selected photos (above) of a unique facility bear uncanny resemblences to submarine / spaceship interiors. In fact, the resemblance does not end with mere appearances. The facility has atmosphere control, redundant power, and simulated daylight. Submariners would easily be comfortable working within such a commercial environment.
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QUESTIONS (NEW [see note# 1] degree of difficulty is surfaced level):
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1) Identify the underlying facility's (name, country, and purpose).
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2) The facility contains a submarine klaxon from which country's submarine?
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3) Diesel generators shown were designed for submarines of what country?
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4) Diesel generators of the type shown are currently used on subs of what country?
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5) What is the make and alleged output of the diesel generators?
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ANSWERS: Monday
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note #1 - Difficulty levels in ascending order:
Surfaced (average for navy)
Submerged (average for submariners)
Test Depth (dolphins usually required)
Oulie (C.O.B. level)
Beyond Crush Depth (requires help from above)
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Submarines are always silent and strange.