Peaceful Muslims an Endangered Species?

Background

A very elusive creature may soon become a fish story.  Rarely heard, never actually seen Peaceful Muslims (Muhammadan al Sri Lanka) may soon be declared an endangered species by one of the two U.S. federal agencies, (the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), which administer the Endangered Species Act of 1973.   

Since NOAA already feels significant political pressure to support the highly controversial theory of manmade climate catastrophe, Washington movers and shakers are believed to want the Fish and Wildlife Service to designate Peaceful Muslims as an endangered species until their distribution throughout the U.S. can be restored to "global norms" (~7% in Sri Lanka).  

Significant resettlement of Muslim immigrants will be necessary before the population of tagged Peaceful Muslims reaches a goal. Fish and Wildlife experts estimate it will be at least 30 years to hit the target of an identifiable, peaceful population. To assure adequate immigration, federal and state employment quotas may be mandated by the EEOC. 

One influential brand of Muslims has seems quite un-endangered:
"Muslims should not have to apologize for San Bernardino shooting" - Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Los Angeles chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations 

The other breed (Muhammadan al Sri Lanka) obviously has not.

Artist's Conception

Submarines are always silent and strange.


 

Submarine Questions of the Week: Dec 27, 2015

Background

Today's submarine questions relate to India's submarine force.  After years of backwater stagnation and tragic accidents, the submarine arm of India Navy's (IN) finally appears to be on track for unprecedented growth.  Unfortunately, the rapid pace of force development assures growing pains are in store and pitfalls still remain.  

 
Molten Eagle certainly wishes all of India's brave submariners the safest environment possible in their hazardous undertakings.

Questions of the Week

1 -  What is the current average age of India's sub fleet?

2 -  Recent accidents - the explosion and sinking of INS Sindhurakshak in 2013, killed 18, and fire on INS Sindhuratna last year killed two officers. Unusually thorough accident reviews resulted in implementation of corrective procedures.  Is India's submarine force made up of volunteers?

3 -  India's navy has a submarine school comprised of three schools, the first is a year-long basics school for officers and enlisted.  What are the other two schools?

4 - According to one officer, what was the minimum passing grade (percentage correct answers) he needed to pass his first test (structure) in the basics school?

5 -  Do India's submarine enlisted and officers attend submarine school together?

6 - India's current fleet of operational submarines includes how many and of what classes?

7 - In addition to its operational fleet, how many subs does India have in sea trials and awaiting procurement?

8 - Besides earning an eventual dolphin badge, what unusual distinction separates India's submariners from every other branch of its military service?

9 - What is the stated purpose of the policy referred to in question 8?

ANSWERS:  Saturday, 2 JAN 2016.

Submarines are always silent and strange. 

Now, Will the Second Shoe Please Fall

Background

Monday, September 28, 2015  A Quite Unannounced Secretary of Defense Hopeful? Molten Eagle never believed that Sen Graham entered the race for president with serious hopes of being nominated. Rather, Molten Eagle has always suspected that Sen Graham's campaign was designed to bolster his name recognition in order for the future president (HRC) to be able to appoint him to Secretary of Defense in her cabinet.  Few Americans recognized the name Lindsey Graham, and fewer knew him as a senator from an obscure state. Since his campaign, however, more recognize his name, and a few know he is a retired Air Force colonel (bronze star JAG) and vocal advocate for a strong military. In short, Graham was actually attempting to make himself viable to accept Hillary's offer to be appointed her SecDef.

Sen Graham, who covets military respect, certainly never gained the degree of name recognition he or HRC wished.  Graham was supposed to continue through April, after which he would drop out with the DNC's approval and begin issuing laudatory praises for Hillary in his frequent Sunday talk show appearances.  

Molten Eagle made a telling warning in the event Graham's candidacy ended prematurely (The first shoe...)
 
1 - If Graham ends his campaign before April 30, 2016,

In other words, if Graham found out Hillary planned to abort her own campaign before ... Graham could no longer expect to become her SecDef. Did that just happen? How long will it be before an indictment is issued and the media reports it? 

And Today, December 21, 2015, Graham officially ended his campaign

The Wall Street Journal, Lindsey Graham Drops Out of GOP Presidential Race
Long-shot bid for the White House never gained much traction

So Now...

Prediction (The second shoe?)

1 - If Graham ends his campaign before April 30, 2016, expect Hillary to abort hers shortly thereafter. 

Your Guess...

If the second shoe drops, will HRC be able to avoid indictment and claim withdrawal of her candidacy is for  "health reasons" , or will she still have to face indictment and create her customary court delays for "health reasons"? 
 

Submarines are always silent and strange. 

Submarine Limited Value Quotes of the Month

Background

When it comes to submarine-relater matters ("Submarines are always silent and strange.") the public can be virtually assured that 99.9% of informed quotations about important matters are of limited value due to: historical obsolescence; futuristic speculation, and omission of critical detail.

Quotations excerpted from 2 publications this month illustrate such limited value:

Quotations

1.  "The question that must be posed is thus, what should be done with a second-hand submarine which is in perfectly good condition?" 

Gadi Eisenkot, Chief of General Staff, Israel Defense Forces (IDF), The Jewish Voice, "Israel to Get Dolphin Submarine in 2019; Will Put Oldest Sub Out of Action", Raphael Rahaman,16 December 2015.

M.E. note:  Estimated cost for the replacement sub is 400 million euros ($440 million).  When decommissioned, the older sub could conceivably be: stripped and sold for scrap; sunk in deep water; used in training recruits; traded-in to Germany's HDW; or donated to a friendly country.  Which option(s) is/are actually realistic for Israel, or has an entirely different decision actually been made?

2.  "Russia already has taken steps that would "guarantee neutralizing" any prospective missile defense."

Col. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, Strategic Missile Forces' commander, MOSCOW (AP) ,  Russian general says new weapons will 'neutralize' US shield, Dec 16, 2015.

M.E. note:  Russia's Status-6 torpedo, NATO code name Kanyon, was "leaked" in September and appears to be the Karakayev's neutralizing factor.  Firstly,  how and where does one test a long-range, thermonuclear warhead or a nuclear-powered torpedo nowadays?  If Russia does so with impunity can North Korea and Iran be far behind?  Secondly, Russia's Bulava (missile) tests had many failures.  And underwater tests may make weapons susceptible to capture and analysis.  If not tested at long range, however, what certainty can Russia have of course accuracy and even survival when struck by marine biologics?  Assume Russia decides not to risk testing Kanyon.  Then, accidentally sinking a Carnival cruise liner full of foreign tourists becomes grossly unacceptible. Building the Kanyon is one thing; if Russia ever tests the claimed thermonuclear warhead, the world will know and Russia relegated to remain on the BRICS for a long, long time --- a poor outcome for a talented people.
 
Submarines are always silent and strange.

ANSWERS: Submarine QOTW from 4 DEC 2015

Background

Related information, photo(s) and links for questions are found in the original posting.

Questions of the Week with ANSWERS:

1 - What are this aircraft's stated missions?  ANS: "
The P-8A Poseidon is designed to replace the P-3C Orion as a long-range anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations." - Naval Air Siystems Command   

2 - How much (approximately) does each unit cost before add-ons? ANS: "US$171.6 million" (fly-away cost FY2015)^[6]
 
3 - Ultimately, the Navy plans to buy 108 P-8A aircraft from Boeing. What percentage of the service’s fleet of  P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, which are approaching the end of operational life are slated for replacement?  ANS: As of October 2015, NavAir [ibid.] projected a P-8A inventory of 117 units.  Since the fleet of P-3C Orions being replaced numbers 196 units about 60 % of the Orion fleet (117/196 = 60%) is to be replaced.

4 - What operation is executed in the photo above?  ANS: Flares are seen being deployed from the P-8A in a test. 
 
5 - What is the purpose of the incendiaries shown?  ANS:  The photo displays deployment of countermeasures incendiaries as decoys for heat-seeking anti-airccraft missiles.
 
6 - How does the aircraft defend itself?  ANS:  It may drop depth charges or launch torpedoes. P-8s may also launch Harpoon or SLAM-ER missiles and other weapons.

 7 - Aircraft missile warning systems typically operate at ultraviolet wavelengths to detect plumes of incoming heat-seeking missiles. Ultraviolet sensors, however, are best at detection of relatively older missiles.  Why?  ANS:  Ultraviolet sensors are best a detecting missiles with bright exhaust plumes. Infrared sensors, on the other hand, can be confused by high-clutter backgrounds.
 
8 - What modernized development is used to thwart newer missiles in a more chaotic battle environment?  ANS: P-8As have been/will be equipped with two-color infrared sensors by an AN/AAQ-24 Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) system.  According to Northrop Grumman, employing two separate electro-optical sensors in one system identifies contrasts between missile plume and background clutter to extend detection range against missiles with a wide range of missile propellants, providing crew with a potentially lengthened reaction time.

Brain Teaser  Question (refers to 60% P-3C fleet replacement in #3):  Since the quantity of international subs is increasing as the U.S. fleet is projected to decrease, how would you  compensate for a significant lowering of the U.S. Navy's capability to detect potentially hostile submarines?
 
Submarines are always silent and strange.

Nuclear Sub Officer's Quote of the Month

Background

"The underlying problem is what kind of a woman whose biological clock is ticking really wants to volunteer for submarine duty? " - 9/13/2012 comment by Vigilis @ The Stupid Shall Be Punished

Fast Forward 3 Years

"Sources: Few women choose to stay in submarine force"  (NavyTimes, December 6, 2015)

Quote of the Month 

 [color emphasis M.E.]


"The idea of going back to a fast-attack is exciting, but the other piece of that is just it’s a really demanding job," she said. "So when you want to prioritize your family, you really have to decide if you’re willing to go back to that demanding lifestyle."  -  Lt. Jennifer Carroll, 28 (one of the first women to earn her dolphins in 2012, and now assigned to the Submarine Force integration office in Norfolk)

__________________________________

We must wish the best of luck to Lt. Jennifer Carroll.  She could have all the more Navy pressure placed upon her to stay in subs. However, since the Navy allowed her NavyTimes interview, we suspects her favorable decision to remain in the program had already been made.  Standby for the eventual update: SECNAV Mabus will have to publicize Lt. Carroll's retention in hopes of influencing more women to stay in the dubious "ticking" program.

While assignment of women to subs must still be considered new, the Navy now has over 30 years of experience assigning woman to surface vessels.  Today's retention rate for nuclear-trained women in surface warfare stands at a mere 14 %. Although the biological clock syndrome is across the board, one must remember that submarine duty is quite a bit more demanding due to its limited crew size and the added duties to be accomplished.

How foolish and costly will such political defiance of human nature finally become?  No one yet knows. What is known, however, is this:

1 - Who discounts the powerful, natural influence of women's biological clocks? Answer: politicians of a certain party that considers men and women wholly equal and interchangeable despite centuries of evidence to the contrary?

2 - Who pressured NAVY admirals [admiral is a highly political rank] to assign women to submarine duty? Answer: The current Washington administration, including SECNAV Mabus. 

3 - Who pressured qualified women to volunteer for submarine assignments? Answer: Those admirals, of course, and their obedient underlings.

4 - Who tries to ignore centuries of biological evidence? Answer:  A few would-be authors, feminists, iconoclasts, and certainly a goodly number of patriots. 

Submarines are always silent and strange. 

 

Submarine QOTW - 4 DEC 2015

Background

Today's submarine questions arise from the perspective of a very formidable overhead hunter.  Take a good look at the Navy's P8-A Poseidon which, since 2013, has been gradually replacing its fleet predecessors, the P-3 Orions as the chief U.S. maritime patrol aircraft .

 

Questions of the Week

1 - What are this aircraft's stated missions?

2 - How much (approximately) does each unit cost befor add-ons?

3 - Ultimately, the Navy plans to buy 108 P-8A aircraft from Boeing. What percentage of the service’s fleet of  P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, which are approaching the end of operational life are slated for replacement?

4 - What operation is executed in the photo above?

5 - What is the purpose of the incendiaries shown?

6 - How does the aircraft defend itself?

7 - Aircraft missile warning systems typically operate at ultraviolet wavelengths to detect plumes of incoming heat-seeking missiles. Ultraviolet sensors, however, are best at detection of relatively older missiles.  Why?  

8 - What modernized development is used to thwart newer missiles in a more chaotic battle environment?
   
 ANSWERS:  Wednesday, 9 DEC 15.

Submarines are always silent and strange.