The SWO Picture Gallery for those so inclined

[Alpha_Echo_606]

USS Cowpens fires its CIWS.
PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 19, 2012) The forward deployed Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) fires its Phalanx close-in weapons system (CIWS) during a weapons test while underway. Cowpens is part of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, the U.S. Navy’s only forward deployed carrier strike group based out of Yokosuka, Japan and is currently conducting a routine Western Pacific patrol. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul Kelly/Released) 120919-N-TX154-128

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

01/04/2013
NIGHT REFUELING
U.S. sailors man a refueling station aboard the guided-missile cruiser the USS Mobile Bay during a replenishment with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, Dec. 28, 2012. The Mobile Bay is deployed with the John C. Stennis Strike Group to conduct maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Armando Gonzales

 

[Jim123]

...fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys ...

I looked up the ship's namesake on a whim- and I learned something new. Joshua Humphreys was the shipbuilder who designed the frigate Constitution and her sister ships and it was his shipyard that built the first United States.

Humphreys' yard built United States while five other yards each built one ship (this contract scheme, rather than all construction at one site, was intended to stimulate local economies). By the time all six frigates were finally complete the total cost was more than double the Secretary of War's original predictions- and history records that the Secretary dutifully kept the President and Congress informed of the overruns... but now acquisitions belongs in a separate thread

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

130102-N-LV331-302 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 2, 2013) Quartermaster 3rd Class Justin Shepler, from Sierra Vista, Ariz., uses a statometer aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) to gauge the ship's distance away from the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) during a replenishment-at-sea. Mobile Bay is deployed with the John C. Stennis Strike Group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Armando Gonzales/Released)

 

[KBayDog]

I looked up the ship's namesake on a whim- and I learned something new. Joshua Humphreys was the shipbuilder who designed the frigate Constitution and her sister ships and it was his shipyard that built the first United States.

Humphreys' yard built United States while five other yards each built one ship (this contract scheme, rather than all construction at one site, was intended to stimulate local economies). By the time all six frigates were finally complete the total cost was more than double the Secretary of War's original predictions- and history records that the Secretary dutifully kept the President and Congress informed of the overruns... but now acquisitions belongs in a separate thread

So, do you come to Milwaukee often?

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

130102-N-XQ375-339 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 2, 2013) Cmdr. Michael Meredith, center, commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), and other Sailors observe a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188). Jason Dunham is deployed with the John C. Stennis Strike Group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deven B. King/Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

121230-N-LV331-145 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Dec. 30, 2012) Sailors practice firefighting in an engine room aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) during a drill. Mobile Bay is deployed with the John C. Stennis Strike Group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Armando Gonzales/Released)

 

[Homer J]

Some SWOtivation for you.

 

[Renegade One]

130102-N-LV331-302 U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 2, 2013) Quartermaster 3rd Class Justin Shepler, from Sierra Vista, Ariz., uses a statometer aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) to gauge the ship's distance away from the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10) during a replenishment-at-sea. Mobile Bay is deployed with the John C. Stennis Strike Group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Armando Gonzales/Released)

Never use a small, hand-held LASER range finder when you can use a statometer...

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Some SWOtivation for you.


View attachment 11954

You actually had me going until "His NMCI account works flawlessly".

 

[swerdna]

Few things like a sunset in San Diego.

 

[swerdna]

Never use a small, hand-held LASER range finder when you can use a statometer...

A LASER range finder wouldn't work at that distance...plus the statometer is more accurate.

 

[Renegade One]

A LASER range finder wouldn't work at that distance...plus the statometer is more accurate.

I'm sure you're right. I was just using what I learned in AOCS:

and my belief that handheld military rangefinders operate at ranges of 2 km up to 25 km. Even the short-range thingies would seem to work for UNREP approaches.

 

[swerdna]

I'm sure you're right. I was just using what I learned in AOCS:

and my belief that handheld military rangefinders operate at ranges of 2 km up to 25 km. Even the short-range thingies would seem to work for UNREP approaches.

I can't really say much about your equation, but (based on my experience) the LASER rangefinders were only good within 500 yards. One of the hardest parts is finding a part of the ship to get a good reflection back. Statometer is a tried and true piece of equipment that is often neglected on the bridge.

 

[Renegade One]

...but (based on my experience) the LASER rangefinders were only good within 500 yards. ..

You chose poorly...

Statometer is a tried and true piece of equipment that is often neglected on the bridge.

As are signal flags and flashing lights…in the age of LPI secure comms...

But…I'm admittedly out of my swim lane...

P.S.: Just for the sake of accuracy, it's a "stadimeter"...