October 2007 - Posts

• struggle over Hawaii Superferry high speed vessel appears over

  Photo courtesy of Austal USA website Over the past few months, there has been a real struggle going on in Hawaii over whether a futuristic vessel, an Austal 107 Meter long catamaran fast ferry, will be allowed to sail between Oahu Island and Maui and Kauai, respectively.  In many ways, this is a great illustration of many modern dilemmas: on one hand, you have an overwhelming majority of the population including all elected parts of government being opposed by a small but very vocal and active minority backed up by the Hawaii Supreme Court blocking the company Hawaii Superferry, from operating this ship.   You have the people from Oahu, who comprise 90% of the population of Hawaii, who seek better and cheaper ways to get to the other islands, opposed by those that think their pristine beaches will be ruined by increased numbers of tourists and visitors.  Finally, you have business and governmental leaders favoring better ways to move goods and services inter-island opposed by a very adamant collection of environmentalists who steadfastly oppose almost any new measures, in this case, primarily citing the threat to whales that may occur from these 40 knot vessels.   I can see all sides of this issue and think everyone has a point, to a point.  There was a time not so long ago that I was in the middle of a group trying to bring so called high speed vessels into the US military.  We were opposed by traditionalists, especially in the Navy, and vehemently opposed by the US shipping industry since the only viable manufacturers then were two companies in Australia, Incat and Austal, and Fincantieri in Italy, with other less capable shipyards around the globe.  The US industry rep’s cited the Jones Act, one of the most trade protectionist laws in the world that goes back 80 years which basically says if you have a vessel that goes from one US port to another, it must have been built in the US.  That’s why cruise liners always stop in Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean between US port visits. Austal in the end opened a yard in Mobile Alabama to make this ship.   Someday, I will write much more on the high speed vessel drama.  For awhile, four were operated by the US military, every one a resounding success.  But that number has dwindled to two and the program lags, as frankly, every procurement program in the US military seems to do these days.  I actually started writing a screenplay about the whole high speed vessel program and one day will finish it.  It has almost everything: international intrigue, lazy and incompetent government officials, advanced technology, combat operations, flashbacks to historical periods including US President’s, bravery and incredible seamanship, and I could easily throw in some romance between a US Navy Special Boat Combatant Chief and a beautiful Aussie shipyard gal.  Did I mention the lazy and incompetent government officials? Good.   In the end, it appears the vessels will sail in Hawaii.  I think this is a good idea and we will watch to see how this all evolves.  I hope the environmental concerns will be addressed and that Hawaii Superferry will turn out to be a good corporate steward.   Posted Oct 31 2007, 10:19 AM by Otto with no comments Filed under: hawaii, high speed vessels, ships

• US News magazine interviews John Kao, concerned for our innovation abilities

  John Kao is the creator of the above image (used with permission) which is the blueprint for what our facility will someday look like.  US News magazine has a good interview with him where he expresses concern for America's ability to innovate: Innovation doesn't happen by itself. A lot of organizations don't have sophisticated ideas about innovation. In a company, you need to have a leader who articulates change. Then you need a "coalition of the willing" who can drive that intention into the organization. There's a lot of discussion about an "energy president" or an "education president." I think we need an "innovation president." The country is at a crossroads. The next 13 months of national dialogue are critical because some problems are not easily reversible. It's going to take a generation to solve our education problem, for example. I couldn't agree more, as we say here: process, network, facility .....will provide the incubator and way forward.... Posted Oct 27 2007, 01:45 PM by Otto with no comments Filed under: innovation, facility, Kao

• Friday Fun Photos (3) Airdrops: dropping water on fires and resupplying paratroopers

  There is certainly nothing fun about the devastating fires ravaging Southern California but we did want to show a photo of the incredible support the DOD has provided to this effort.   An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85, lifts a full 420-gallon extinguishing trough from a local reservoir near the raging wildfires in San Diego, Calif., Oct. 23, 2007.  U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chris Fahey Paratroopers from the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division watch as Combat Delivery System bundles carrying food and water float to the ground in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Oct. 11, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micah E. Clare      Posted Oct 26 2007, 04:52 PM by Otto with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Afghanistan, friday fun photos, fire, airdrops

• First, Sesame Street and Big Bird, now, the best mapping of the fires in SD, public broadcasting rocks!

  Does anyone except our man WSnumbers and me find it a little disconcerting that the best place for news from San Diego is from the local public television channel?  How is it that in technology thick San Diego City and County, they are relying on people that get their funding from the pledge drives in which you get a tote bag or a coffee cup? We salute the folks at KPBS.org but are a little dismayed with the local government response.   And keep checking Bruce Henderson’s most awesome site here.  Now he’s posting near 3-d like images.   Posted Oct 24 2007, 12:18 PM by Otto with no comments Filed under: San Diego, fire, PBS

• NASA and the Air Force to send UAV's to southern California

  It looks like the NASA and the DOD are starting to move. Defensenews.com is reporting that NASA will send a Predator and the Air Force will provide a Global Hawk.  Once they decide to move, the defense juggernaut can get going.  While I would say they were a day too slow, it is welcome news to see these assets being put to good use.   From the article by Vago Muradian:  A NASA spokesman said the agency’s Ikhana UAV — a version of the Pentagon’s Predator B built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems — is being readied for a nine-hour mission from the Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base near Lancaster, Calif. The Air Force plans to fly its Global Hawk by Northrop Grumman on daily 16-hour missions over the coming seven days from Beale Air Force Base near Sacramento, Calif., one source said.  I’m not sure whether Excalibur had any effect, but I actually posted a recommendation on Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff’s blog here. The comment was posted to FEMA Director Paulison’s post which he wrote while flying to San Diego.  My comment hasn’t shown up yet, perhaps it never will, but at least we tried….   Posted Oct 24 2007, 11:45 AM by Otto with no comments Filed under: USAF, UAV, San Diego, fire, NASA

• The time for "this is a perfect storm" comments is over, suck it up and get a grip

  I lived for about 7 years in San Diego, in the hills above the stadium which is now the major evacuation point.  I am noticing that on a few of the TV channels, especially "Geraldo" , there is almost a mood to declare victory.  I admit I have not analyzed the total impact, but think this is premature.  Either way, the local officials need to do a lot of self searching before they look ahead.  This was not their finest hour. There was a complete breakdown in information dissemination.  People should be fired.  It is not acceptable in the age we live in for websites to go down for hours.  It is not acceptable for civilian bloggers and public television stations to have better website than the local government.  I ask: at what level of incompetence do you find this acceptable: the lack of information sharing? the lack of  new of what the road scene is doing?  Posted Oct 24 2007, 12:50 AM by Otto with 1 comment(s) Filed under: San Diego, fire

• Ceremony to present the Medal of Honor Flag to the Mom of Lt. Michael Murphy

  I just had the honor and privilege of attending a moment of history: the first presentation of a Medal of Honor Flag to the Mom of Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy.  The ceremony was quite simply flawless and intense.  Picture this:  the circular Navy Memorial, surrounded by masts displaying flags from the sea services, a large group of guests in seats facing the honored guests, backed up by the Navy Band with state flags arrayed behind them.  The audience was diverse, with at least 4 Medal of Honor recipients including former SEALs Senator Bob Kerry and Tom Norris, a contingent of about 50 firefighters from New York City firehouse that he became friends with, and teammates, midshipmen, veterans and average Americans, a sight to behold.   The speakers included the CNO, the SECNAV, his local Congressman, and Vice Admiral Joe Maguire, his then skipper at Naval Special Warfare Command.  The most intense and poignant speaker was Michael Murphy’s Dad Daniel.  I wish I could repeat his whole speech but one point stood out for me:  We celebrate the lives of our hero’s who die in this struggle while our enemies celebrate their death.  As he said, who in this struggle is on the correct path?   After the speeches, the Navy Honor Guard surrounded a detail led by A Navy Lieutenant, and brought forward the Medal of Honor Flag to present to Mrs. Murphy.  The Honor Guard had been arrayed on either side of the seated observers, and as the detail marched forward, the Honor Guard come to present Arms with their Springfield Rifles with fixed bayonets.  The two sailors on the detail snapped the flag out, and as they refolded the flag, the Navy Band played “America the Beautiful.”  The officer commanding the detail presented the flag to the CNO, who then presented it to Mrs. Murphy.  This was followed by a song and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.     After the ceremony, I was able to go to the reception and meet many friends and teammates, but especially chat with the Firefighters from New York City, here’s the previous post on them.  These guys so struck me as being so like special ops guys that the difference was just in the uniform, and of course, the New York accent.  I actually met the webmaster of their site, where I had previously linked and told him how cool it was for him to create the tribute to Lt. Murphy.  Later, the Firefighters went back upstairs to the Navy Memorial to present a plaque to the SEAL Team guys.  There is an incredible and understandable bond between an organization that sends its men and women into burning buildings and a group that sends its men into near impossible circumstances.   As I told the two sailors that folded the flag today, this was history.  The Medal of Honor Flag was only created in 2003, by an Act of Congress.  No sailor had been awarded the Medal of Honor since Vietnam, while a Marine and Army soldier had received one for heroism in Iraq and two Army Special Forces sergeants had received theirs from Somalia, all posthumously.     Folks, despite what our pathetic New York Times (called New York Slimes tonight by one of the firefighters), this man was a hero and his life and sacrifice must be remembered.  God Bless Lt. Murphy, his family, all our men and women first responders, and all our men and women overseas on the front lines.that jock up every day, and all our men and women in harms way so you and I can live this life.     Posted Oct 23 2007, 11:45 PM by Otto with no comments Filed under: Afghanistan, Navy SEALs, Medal of Honor

• Get em in the air now! The Air Force should provide air support immediately

  Air Force Photo of Predator UAV Now they are reporting largest evacuation in California history..... The US Air Force flies U-2’s, Predator’s, Reaper, and Global Hawk UAV’s out of Beale AFB north of Sacramento CA and Creech AFB, outside of Las Vegas NV.  I bet they launch ten training sorties a day.  Rather than fly over fake targets, these aircraft could provide help to real Americans.  The USAF should be directed to immediately provide US NORTHCOM, FEMA, DHS, and the State of California as much support as they can handle including downlink vans, personnel, etc  as required.  The UAV’s could also “fire” their lasers to pinpoint the exact latitude and longitude of the hottest spots in the fires for precise application of ground crews or aerial tankers.   Let’s see..750,000 people on the move, 2 dead, and about 1000 homes destroyed, let’s guess they cost 500K a piece, we’re looking at 500 million dollars in destruction, just in the house….how long can this wait?  Now, here’s the ultimate irony…the Predators and Reapers are made in San Diego….   Posted Oct 23 2007, 05:00 PM by Otto with 2 comment(s) Filed under: USAF, UAV, San Diego, fire

• Action this day! need a single integrated common operational picture and UAV's now!

  OK folks, this is now approaching Kartina levels in terms of evacuations, 500,000 on the move, Governor Swarzenneggar is speaking at this moment...here's some thoughts on what's needing to happen now: 1. plan for this evacuation for a week, you can extend to the right, but one week minimum  2. the State of California needs a single integrated common operational picture (SICOP), make that feed available on the web and to any media outlets that desire to live stream 3. Post on the SICOP the following: location of fires, areas threatened, smoke vulnerability area, power outages, roads closed or traffic limited, designated shelters and what supplies they have/don't have, desingate areas AWAY from the shelter areas where people can drop off supplies, then aggregate and dispense to the shelters as required, the SICOP needs to be updated hourly 4.  The Air Force needs to offer 24 hour UAV support from either Beale or Creech AFB's, provide downlink capability to Governor's staff, establish at least two orbits, one in LA and one in SD County, "map" all the fires, then provide localized coverage as required.  This needs to happen NOW!  This is EXACTLY the kind of thing that our Air Force could and should be doing 5.  The staffs working this need to think ahead, not react, what's next?  Is the power grid going to go from the fires?  Will the water supply withstand all the demand and if not, are you prepared to get more?  Do the road allow food/medicine to arrive in time? Posted Oct 23 2007, 03:05 PM by Otto with no comments Filed under: USAF, UAV, San Diego, fire

• Discovery on the way...Godspeed to Pam Melroy and her crew!

  I just watched the Space Shuttle Discovery launch on HDNet (Nothing like watching and listening to the HD launch) and it appeared flawless.  Excalibur wishes best of luck to Colonel Pam Melroy (USAF Ret.) and her crew.  I knew Pam years ago when we were stationed at Barksdale together, she flew KC-10’s and I flew B-52’s.  Their mission is to deliver the Harmony Module to the International Space Station, one of our advisor’s is Bill “Shep” Shepherd, first commander of “Alpha” the name of the ISS.  Godspeed and our best wishes for a successful mission! Posted Oct 23 2007, 12:05 PM by Otto with no comments Filed under: ISS, NASA

• San Diego officials: deer in the headlights look

  I just watched the briefing from the San Diego officials on their actions and their requests.  I will be charitable today and just say the elected officials are doing their best.  In my humble opinion, they have been overwhelmed and there is no reason they should be.  If you are involved with any kind of disaster preparation, emergency services, or city planning and haven’t run through the most unbelievable scenarios in your planning and exercises, then you are leaving your fate up to luck, and you have no business being in office.  Everyone needs to “wargame” their situation and plan for the worst, hope for the best. This is clearly not happening in San Diego.  Our thoughts and prayers go to those in the fire’s path and all those on the fire line. Posted Oct 23 2007, 10:40 AM by Otto with 1 comment(s) Filed under: San Diego, fire

• Citation for the award of the Medal of Honor to Lt. Michael Murphy, US Navy

  The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005.       While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar   Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged, enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy's team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers who revealed their position to Taliban fighters.  As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team.       Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force.  The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of his team.  Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men.  When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates.  Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into an open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call.  This deliberate heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire.  Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team.         In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom.  By his selfless leadership, courageous actions, and extraordinary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.   Posted Oct 22 2007, 11:27 PM by Otto with no comments Filed under: Afghanistan, Navy SEALs, Lt. Murphy

• San Diego County fire: where is the local government? Where is the emergency services? GET IT TOGETHER People

  First and foremost, I am not criticizing anyone on the fire line, anyone fighting the fire on the ground, flying aerial tankers, or out getting people to evacuate.  And for those of you that say I am writing from my basement and don't know what it's like fighting a fire, you are correct.  But I have spent much of my adult life preparing contingency plans for some of the most high end operations our nation might have been involved in and post 9/11, post Katrina, the response I am seeing from California and San Diego is not acceptable.  There is NO EXCUSE for not having a consolidated picture of the fire, what we would call in the military a common operational picture.  A 20 year old with Google Earth, with some inputs, could have this picture built and maintained with no problems, in a couple of hours. Civil servants at all levels have to stop worrying about their jobs and start worrying about the lives and property they are entrusted to help secure.  The information being passed to the residents is WAY TOO LITTLE.  You have to start thinking about how to help the people instead of being concerned for your jobs.  And if you think I am being too harsh, BRING IT ON!  Sow me how you have been proactive, show me how you have done your best to inform the public, show me your successes and I will not only apologize, I will make a $5,000 donation to the San Diego charity of your choice.  What I am saying is that as of this point, the command and control structures of San Diego County have not performed up to par. Check out the SD County website for their latest here: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dmpr/emer/index.html And now check out Bruce Henderson’s website here:    http://and-still-i-persist.com/?cat=50 Now, tell me who has their act together? Why isn’t there Civil Air Patrol aircraft flying over the county to map the area?  Why isn’t there an integrative government map for planning.?  9/11 was over 6 years ago, Katrina, 2 years ago, now this? C’MON ON!!!!   Posted Oct 22 2007, 11:15 PM by Otto with 1 comment(s) Filed under: San Diego, fire

• new website with more information than on any government site: And Still I persist

  h/t to http://www.instapundit.com/ Point to this EXCELLENT site covering the SD County fires http://and-still-i-persist.com/?cat=50 map below from there uploaded at 1330L (Pacific time) http://and-still-i-persist.com/?cat=50 Former Marine Bruce Henderson has an excellent blog above with lost of drawings and photoes, best stuff seen to date on the fires  Here is a Googlemap fire plot This appear to be a result of the PBS station in San Diego Posted Oct 22 2007, 04:51 PM by Otto with no comments Filed under: San Diego, fire

• San Diego wildfires: does anyone in local government have a clue? Where is the public information spokesperson?

  Many will remember the scenes in Apollo 13 when Gene Kranz (played by Ed Harris) went around the room getting everyon's take for launch (CAPCOM-GO, Medical-Go, Engines-Go, etc) and they could then make a educated call on what actions to take.  If this is not being done in Southern California, there should be some people getting fired and politicans should be voted out of office.  We live in a world that is awash in information, computers, and technology that should all be mastered in a case like this, not cause people to get overwhelmed.  Right now, there should be multiple command posts checking the sdituation and all coordinating with each other.  What kinds of information should be tracked: power grid, fire locations, traffic conditions, weather inc visibility, cell phone useage and other forms of comunication, the stability of the internet, hospitals, old folks homes, schools, etc etc, etc. This is much like fighting in a moving battle, the fire is the enemy and will take lives, property, disrupt travel and business, and require the constant shifting of resources.  But, much of this information should be made available to the public to allow them to deal with it, especially in the case of the old or infirm, young kids and animals (I know there are lots of farms in these areas of SD County)  decide when to evacuate and to where.  Right now, the institutions of SD County are failing.  From reports we are getting, the local media is not only cluless, it's passing on bad information: graphics showing fire everywhere, not where it really is.  You lose power, you lose ATM's and most gas stations.  If you are in SD and LA area, time to fill the gas tank up and get some cash, not to mention a "go bag" with emergency items in case you are evacuated. Folks, this could as easily been a leak from the Nuclear Power Plant at San Onofre power plant or an outbreak of desease.  Or a terror plot.  Or any of a hundred things.  Southern California is completely dependant on it's freeways and highways. To not have a robust information dialogue going on via the internet, radio, TV, and local law enforcement is pathetic. Posted Oct 22 2007, 12:25 PM by Otto with 3 comment(s) Filed under: San Diego, fire