Briefs
Advertiser Staff and News Services
NAVY
Greeneville has 'scrape'
An inspection revealed the USS Greeneville received a "scrape" about six inches wide and four feet long after colliding with an amphibious transport ship in the northern Arabian Sea on Jan. 27, Navy officials said.
"We expected the damage to be minor," said Pacific submarine fleet spokeswoman Lt. Cmdr. Kelly Merrell.
The damage was identified on a stern stabilizer plane that punched a hole in the starboard side of the USS Ogden's hull about 15 feet below the waterline, officials said.
The Pearl Harbor-based submarine was preparing to transfer two sailors to the Ogden via inflatable boat from the transport ship when the accident occurred. There were 5-foot sea, cloudy skies and 15-knot winds when the collision occurred at 9:55 a.m. local time.
An investigation into the collision is under way by 7th Fleet Capt. Don Aiken, operations officer for Commander, Task Force 70.
After the contact was made, the Greeneville sailed to the island base of Diego Garcia.
"The Greeneville is not the only ship involved here, so the investigation will look into the actions of both the ships," Merrell said.
Merrell said the Greeneville would need repairs, but she was not sure if it would take place at Diego Garcia, or when the sub returns to port here.
Last year, the Greeneville collided with the Ehime Maru fisheries training vessel in waters off O'ahu, killing nine Japanese men and boys.
Historian to discuss subs
Author and historian William Still, a professor adjutant at the University of Hawai'i, will present a program on U.S. submarines before and after World War I at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 at Bowfin Park.
The lecture will be based on Still's upcoming book on World War I submarines to be released by the Naval Institute Press.
Still will discuss the early days of the U.S. submarine force and life aboard the undersea craft. He also will give an update on the excavation of Confederate submarine Hunley. Call 423-1341.
Quality of life topic of survey
Approximately 17,000 Navy men and women will be asked for input on quality-of-life issues in a questionnaire this month.
The survey, administered by the Navy Personnel Research, Studies and Technology Department of the Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn., asks about areas of Navy life critical to sailors and their families.
Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr. said the results will "help us focus our quality-of-life efforts to ensure we do the right things for them and their families."
Sailors selected to receive the survey will be sent a notification letter approximately two weeks prior to the survey's arrival.
JOINT EXERCISE
Units practice raid, rescue
Various units participated in joint training at several installations around O'ahu Jan. 22-24 in what was an unusual cooperative effort.
Among the scenarios, which made use of the Schofield Barracks East Range, was a combined arms raid using artillery, aviation, Air Force and naval gunfire units.
A combined search-and-rescue mission scenario followed, with the goal of rescuing an A-10 jet pilot who was "shot down" by enemy fire.
After planning and preparation at Dillingham Army Airfield, the rescue crews sent A-10s to the Kahuku Range to suppress the "enemy" and provide support for a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
There are no A-10s on O'ahu, and the training was made possible by the Boise Air National Guard, which provided the aircraft for the mission.
