I love the PPA. For what we did to Fremm, it could do maybe as much as 100% of the same job for less money and go faster. That said a gray hull NSC could still be useful. Even an OPC with the 20V engines andd doubling up the electric motors would make a fine design. You could also use a higher output genset with the same number of valves (the ones from Korea's FFX batch II & III. So many easy wins we aren't even investigating.
As for the PC fill in, manned versions of the hull selected for MUSV. Very flexible seaframe with lots of speed and range.
Lombrum Naval Base? That only took five years to negotiate, and I'd bet the Australian's had more to do with this than anything our State Department might have accidentally contributed.
Also, my understanding is Port Morseby is absolute shithole with a crime rate that would scare people from New Orleans.
But, as our host often points out? You gotta' fight with whatya' got on hand.
BTW? How are we going to supply this base with items that can't be flown in? Charter Chinese owned ships?
I agree with needing PC/light Frigate/Corvette but there are problems. Were are we going to get the sailors to man these vessels? Where are we going to get the larger maintenance facilities to take care of them, can we get some tenders and/or dry docks because we don't have enough facilities to take care of what we have got now (paint anyone). How about the cargo ships and tankers to get bullets/beans/gas to these new locations and ships?
Wonder if buying OPCs and paying regional partners to take the missions is an alternative. Then we might be able to get them built quick/fast and in a hurry by the Koreans and or Japanese.
We have probably got 5 years to get what we need in place in the Pacific. We need to get anything we can get our hands on .
Another item is port limitations. There was discussion about sending an EPF and LSD to Kimbe, New Britain, PNG. There wouldn't be good liberty, and there's not enough fendering for the thin hulled EPF at the port. I'm looking at some of those harbors, and while they could work, will they support a reasonable US presence?
Also, in many ways, for operations other than war, the USCG is better set up for working with other Navies. A closer mission profile and ship size.
It's about 3800 miles from Honiara Airport on Guadalcanal to the nearest point on the Chinese mainland. That's a long flight in whatever the Chinese use for transports, but doable. You have to fly between Taiwan and the Philippines, and in time of war that might be iffy, but it could still be done. In WW2 the Japanese wanted Tulagi for a seaplane base and started building on airfield on Guadalcanal, on the site of what became Henderson Field and is now Honiara Airport. The purpose of that airfield in WW2, when it was in Japanese hands, was to interdict supply lines to Australia. Or, from Honiara to Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea is about 680 miles, or to Seven-Mile Drome, excuse me, Jackson International Airport at Port Moresby, about 880. I see why the Japanese wanted Guadalcanal in 1942, but given that the Chinese today would face the same problems of logistics that the Japanese did back then, you have to wonder what possible use they could have for a base that far from the Middle Kingdom. It could always be to annoy the US and Australia, make us wonder why the wily Chinese are putting in the effort in such a remote location, but that's not a safe assumption. So what do the Chinese want with Guadalcanal? Something, obviously, but what?
The object needs to be a long term relation, not a one night stand. So, rather than starting the conversation by nominating a specific class or classes of ships, I would start by determining which classes of ships or OPVs could be mostly supported by the PNGDF on site, but might need depot level support in Australia. With that starting point, we might be exploring a significantly smaller class of vessel, such as the USCG FRC, but with a longer ranged weapon suite.
I would also be in discussions with PNG about multiple locations for our forward logistics bases and anchorages for our floating drydocks…… Do we have any left? I qualified as a Docking Officer in USS Competent (AFDM 6) in 1989; it is now owned by a commercial firm in Indonesia, at the other end of the island chain from PNG.
OBTW - Whoever came up with the idea for this visit and agreement - Recommend immediate promotion.
The UFO circus has little to do with this, more to do with the scandals going on, e.g. Democratic contributor SBF of FTX fame won't be charged with campaign contribution violations.
Showing my age, but the old Perry class FFG, with a H-60 detachment assigned would have worked well. The helicopter detachment could be utilized for various humanitarian missions. Unfortunately, they are no longer in the fleet. Just opinion of an old sailor.
It's about time, the South Pacific has been 'in-play' for over a decade now. State Dept, along with DoD is finally getting around to some soft-power activities and relationship shoring-up
The US response to the volcano eruption in Tonga last year was pathetic, meanwhile China shows up and donates several tons of gear to include a bunch of tractors and generators.
While I understand we've allowed Australia and the Kiwi's to take the lead in this part of the world, after all this is their backyard, they also had a tendency to treat Pacific Islanders as cheap, seasonal labor force for their domestic needs rather than supporting efforts towards self-sufficiency.
I love the PPA. For what we did to Fremm, it could do maybe as much as 100% of the same job for less money and go faster. That said a gray hull NSC could still be useful. Even an OPC with the 20V engines andd doubling up the electric motors would make a fine design. You could also use a higher output genset with the same number of valves (the ones from Korea's FFX batch II & III. So many easy wins we aren't even investigating.
As for the PC fill in, manned versions of the hull selected for MUSV. Very flexible seaframe with lots of speed and range.
And I'll use this moment to pitch an EPF that can land on a beach as the solution for LSM. Marines want fast and light. That would complement what they are doing. This is still very much a work in progress, but: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z2LetuTE4cdRAohqC6ihHT8oMWR7YrtPK5yK4Fg8HGw/edit?usp=sharing
Or how about adding a few more National Security Cutters to CG fleet?
Lombrum Naval Base? That only took five years to negotiate, and I'd bet the Australian's had more to do with this than anything our State Department might have accidentally contributed.
Also, my understanding is Port Morseby is absolute shithole with a crime rate that would scare people from New Orleans.
But, as our host often points out? You gotta' fight with whatya' got on hand.
BTW? How are we going to supply this base with items that can't be flown in? Charter Chinese owned ships?
This is the type of mission/ environment that a Cyclone class would be ideal for.
I would be happier if we sent troops to the Rio Grande. I guess we must defend PNG. If we don't Tonga or Tahiti might be next.
I agree with needing PC/light Frigate/Corvette but there are problems. Were are we going to get the sailors to man these vessels? Where are we going to get the larger maintenance facilities to take care of them, can we get some tenders and/or dry docks because we don't have enough facilities to take care of what we have got now (paint anyone). How about the cargo ships and tankers to get bullets/beans/gas to these new locations and ships?
Wonder if buying OPCs and paying regional partners to take the missions is an alternative. Then we might be able to get them built quick/fast and in a hurry by the Koreans and or Japanese.
We have probably got 5 years to get what we need in place in the Pacific. We need to get anything we can get our hands on .
USS Canberra (LCS-30) can stop there on the way back to CONUS.
Since USCG will be in the area soon, that is a prudent tow ship opportunity, if needed.
Another item is port limitations. There was discussion about sending an EPF and LSD to Kimbe, New Britain, PNG. There wouldn't be good liberty, and there's not enough fendering for the thin hulled EPF at the port. I'm looking at some of those harbors, and while they could work, will they support a reasonable US presence?
Also, in many ways, for operations other than war, the USCG is better set up for working with other Navies. A closer mission profile and ship size.
It's about 3800 miles from Honiara Airport on Guadalcanal to the nearest point on the Chinese mainland. That's a long flight in whatever the Chinese use for transports, but doable. You have to fly between Taiwan and the Philippines, and in time of war that might be iffy, but it could still be done. In WW2 the Japanese wanted Tulagi for a seaplane base and started building on airfield on Guadalcanal, on the site of what became Henderson Field and is now Honiara Airport. The purpose of that airfield in WW2, when it was in Japanese hands, was to interdict supply lines to Australia. Or, from Honiara to Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea is about 680 miles, or to Seven-Mile Drome, excuse me, Jackson International Airport at Port Moresby, about 880. I see why the Japanese wanted Guadalcanal in 1942, but given that the Chinese today would face the same problems of logistics that the Japanese did back then, you have to wonder what possible use they could have for a base that far from the Middle Kingdom. It could always be to annoy the US and Australia, make us wonder why the wily Chinese are putting in the effort in such a remote location, but that's not a safe assumption. So what do the Chinese want with Guadalcanal? Something, obviously, but what?
War plan Orange… a thing in 35-41 and a thing now.
The object needs to be a long term relation, not a one night stand. So, rather than starting the conversation by nominating a specific class or classes of ships, I would start by determining which classes of ships or OPVs could be mostly supported by the PNGDF on site, but might need depot level support in Australia. With that starting point, we might be exploring a significantly smaller class of vessel, such as the USCG FRC, but with a longer ranged weapon suite.
I would also be in discussions with PNG about multiple locations for our forward logistics bases and anchorages for our floating drydocks…… Do we have any left? I qualified as a Docking Officer in USS Competent (AFDM 6) in 1989; it is now owned by a commercial firm in Indonesia, at the other end of the island chain from PNG.
OBTW - Whoever came up with the idea for this visit and agreement - Recommend immediate promotion.
Seabees already doing work here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6784035/us-navy-seabees-with-nmcb-5s-detail-papua-new-guinea-take-over-nmcb-4
The UFO circus has little to do with this, more to do with the scandals going on, e.g. Democratic contributor SBF of FTX fame won't be charged with campaign contribution violations.
Showing my age, but the old Perry class FFG, with a H-60 detachment assigned would have worked well. The helicopter detachment could be utilized for various humanitarian missions. Unfortunately, they are no longer in the fleet. Just opinion of an old sailor.
It's about time, the South Pacific has been 'in-play' for over a decade now. State Dept, along with DoD is finally getting around to some soft-power activities and relationship shoring-up
The US response to the volcano eruption in Tonga last year was pathetic, meanwhile China shows up and donates several tons of gear to include a bunch of tractors and generators.
While I understand we've allowed Australia and the Kiwi's to take the lead in this part of the world, after all this is their backyard, they also had a tendency to treat Pacific Islanders as cheap, seasonal labor force for their domestic needs rather than supporting efforts towards self-sufficiency.
Good News, the stoned on drugs, gender benders and LGBTQ corrupt government of the US sleeping giant is being awakened by war drums in the SW Pacific.
Let's hope they don't mess this up.