GSEC (SW) USNR Bob Volpe one of my co-workers ran into GSCM (SW) USNR Bob Schiller at the Washington Navy Yard. Bob Volpe was executing his orders IAW with his 40-hour week normal duties and GSCM (SW) Schiller, as a TICONDEROGA plank owner and drilling reservists. Nice to have two guys with deckplate experience supporting our gas turbine initiatives.
A day doesn't pass that I don't receive email from an ex-GS or retired GS that talks about how the Navy helped them make a smooth transition into the civilian power generation world. Read on.
From: James Strange
Subject: Checking in.
I have been real busy the last few months. The startup I am working on in North Carolina is almost complete. I will be heading down to central Florida to do another one the first of June.
James Strange
GSM3 DD 972 & DD 992
powerplantop@earthlink.net
From: Jones, George C.
George.Jones@pseg.com
Subject: Saying hello
Hey there master chief. This is GSM1(sw) USNR George Jones. You were my detailer when I happened to be active duty. I served aboard USS Briscoe, SIMA Norfolk, USS Puget Sound, USS Arleigh Burke and USS Arctic. I'm now a gas turbine technician for Public Service Electric and Gas here in New Jersey. All of my training and experience landed me this great job thought I'd let you know. Gas Turbines were and still are the way to go. V/R GSM1(SW) George Jones USNR
Here is a non-GS that has made some awesome drawings and sketches of Navy ships.
From: davidsyes
davidsyes@naughtycal-artkitekture.com
Subject: Reveille! Reveille! Hello, Chief. Have you seen this site?
www.tpub.com/gtss/index.htm
Just a site I came across.
My name is David Syes. I served 1984?1988, departing as an RM 2 (frocked). USS "Flexible" Flint AE 32/ServGru1/Oak/SF/Alameda/Concord, Dec/85 Jan 86 to Mid March 1986, then RMA & C till 10/86. Reported abd USS "Jammin' John" John A. Moore FFG 19/NRF/SDgo/CMEF inchop Jan/Feb 88, but NavOp 13/88 saw me out in March 88.
I read MOST of your site and find it very refreshing, interesting, and reminiscent. Actually, I FIRST saw your site in 1999 or 2000 and then caught up with it again this morning, 2 April 2003.
I draw ships & subs, for hobby, but now to try an make income I am (gearing up to be) selling copies of my blueprints for my most recent incarnation of my version of the USS Arleigh Burke. Due to being lain off in 2001, and only 2 months or paid work June/Jul 2001, I decided to make my own corporation, and after several false starts, decided to start out with what I know: create paper navies in enough detail to "spook" people. I spooked my "bubble head" prospective recruiter with my SSNs I was designing in high school in 1980?1984.
My web site is www.naughtycal-artkitekture.com and on it are (the then?unlabeled) snapshots (which don't do the paper any justice) of my 2 ships, some of my several subs, many books and mags I've read, the tentative and semi?plausible initial scenarios to set up the "fractured world environment" and so on.
Tons of detail are in my drawings. I've bunks for 36 Officers, 23?32 CPOs, 354?363 Enlisteds, and 20?29 "Special Detachment".
The ship carries 2,216 TONS F?76, 42.64 Tons Lube, 147.86 Tons AvGas/JP?5, 489 Tons potable water, and can hold 41.10 tons (1313 cuft) CHT.
She has 4 AMRs and 2 MERs. In them are 6 distiller plants, and 5 AC plants.
For all you CG47/Model 139/K17 maintenance personnel. Be on the lookout for technical documentation that re-calibrates the speed and temperature control unit in LOCOP for better starting with the new effusion cooled liners and ultimately the new air assist fuel nozzles.
AG9140 generator sets, DDG 68 and above, stay aware of a technical directive that replaces the plate that incorporates the suction pipe and strainer for the generator oil tank. The old configuration had the suction strainer and piping placed too high above the bottom of the lube oil tank. In situations where the ships rolled and pitched the suction strainer could be above the oil level.
There are TDs out there for the 501-K17 and 501-K34 engines that install a redundant magnetic chip detector in the engine oil system. The existing chip detector, in the oil return port of the main lube and scavenge pump, now has a "partner" in the bottom of the accessory gearbox to detect metallic particles in the engine oil system. Either one will turn the warning light on at LOCOP if ferrous particles are present.
NSWCCD-SSES will be releasing several essential technical manuals on CD in the near future. The Model 104 Intermediate Level Maintenance Manual, a new Model 139 Intermediate Level Maintenance Manual and the AG9130 Organizational Level Maintenance Manuals will soon be just a mouse click away.
Now a lot of you GS types that converted way-back-when were former Engineman. Read below about one-huge diesel ! Thanks to GSCM(SW) Retired, Bob James, bjames@titan.com that provided this information. Read on!
Subject: Now that's an engine!
The Wartsila NSD (Sulzer) RTA96?C two?stroke diesel engine is the most powerful and most efficient piston prime?mover in the world today. Bore ?just under 3'2" (965mm). Stroke ? just over 8'2" (2489mm).
Available in 6 through 12 cylinder versions (all inline). Engine weight exceeds 2000 tons in the 12 cylinder version (the crankshaft alone exceeds 300 tons).
Point of maximum continuous power is 89,640 HP (66,844kW) at 100RPM with the 12 cylinder version. Point of maximum fuel economy is 53,244 HP (37,704kW) at 90 RPM.
The 12?cylinder engine exceeded 100,000 horsepower during overspeed testing (all of 101.5 RPM!) while under test at Japan's Diesel Union works.
Fuel consumption at maximum power is 0.278 lbs/HP/hour (BSFC). Fuel consumption at maximum economy is 0.260 lbs/HP/hour.
At maximum economy the Sulzer engine exceeds 50% thermal efficiency (i.e. more than 50% of the fuel going into the engine is converted to power). For comparison, consider that automotive and small aircraft spark?ignition engines have British Standard Fuel Consumption figures in the 0.40?0.60 lbs/HP/hour range and 25?30% thermal efficiency.
Even at its most efficient power setting, the Sulzer 12 cylinder consumes nearly 1,660 gallons of heavy fuel oil an hour.
Don't forget the valuable information about commercial gas turbine technology that the Western Turbine Users, Inc. provides. I just read a great article about water washing (general forum) and how valuable it is to have the rinse water hot/warm. There were some responses by ex-Navy GS types (Brian Hulse) about how much more efficient the water wash is when the rinse water is heated. Check out the link listed below.
From: Larry Flood
theflood@cox.net
Subject: WTUI Forum
New post in the WTUI General Forum:
www.wtui.com/generalforum_frm.htm
Larry Flood
WTUI Webmaster
Got to run. Lots happening back here, inside and outside the beltway of the Nation's Capitol. Keep the email coming, turbines turning and the bow into the wind.
GSCS(SW), Retired, Mike Kensinger went to work in Philadelphia at the old Navy Yard for the same company that I have been gainfully employed for the last several years. Mike will support the efforts of the Navy Marine Gas Turbine life cycle managers. I remember Mike from my days as an instructor and his pre-commissioning tour on CG 49 VINCENNES.
Rich Foxwell wants everyone to know that he has a new email address.
"Richard Foxwell" rjfox57@comcast.net
Hi Joe, This is Rich Foxwell GSMC (ret) I'm listed on the web site and I
am sending my new email address so my info can be updated.
Thanks
GSCS(SW) Pratt signs in from the LAKE CHAMPLAIN. Pratt, a GSM1 at the time, and I commissioned TICONDEROGA and it looks like he is still moving up.
GSCS, Pratt,L. prattl@lake?champlain.navy.mil
There is a bunch of retirees that do a lot of good for the veterans and those spending time in VA hospitals. The Kitchen Table Gang has a great website! See below.
Charles Taliaferro" alertfive@sbcglobal.net
We are not selling you anything. This is simply an
invitation for military veterans and friends to visit us at:
www.kitchentablegang.org
Charles Taliaferro
THE KITCHEN TABLE GANG TRUST
Talking with some folks at FTSCPAC last week and they stated the new air assist fuel nozzles are looking good even after 4000-5000 hours of operation in both K17 and K34 engines. Looking back at all the nozzles I changed in my career, it is almost an incentive to go back on active duty and not have to worry about fuel nozzles coking and carboning up. But, just to reflect back, the early T53 gas turbine engines (think 1964) had starting fuel nozzles and main fuel nozzle (fuel vaporizing tubes as they were called). To keep the start fuel nozzles from carboning up after the start cycle, a speed sensitive switch actuated a solenoid to port compressor bleed air through the nozzles after start. I worked on that engine for several years and never had a problem starting it and the start fuel nozzles, even after hundreds of hours of operation, looked like new.
GSCM (SW) Retired, W.T. Smith is reported to be working for GE Power Systems on the installation side of their house. I got this "mess deck rumor" from GSCM (SW) Retired Lancaster who finally got a chance to run his plant this week up around Minneapolis - St. Paul. Didn't need that peaking station on line until the hot weather hit and the air conditioners were set on stun.
Reports that the decommissioned ARTHUR W. RADFORD will get a chance to show her stuff again as the test platform for the DD (X) class ship once they lock in on the "technology" that will be used on the next surface combatant ship.
Below is great feedback from the civilian gas turbine world. All is not perfect there either.
Kretschmer, Lewis Lewis.Kretschmer@pgnmail.com
Subject: A Bad Day in a Civilian Power Plant
Was just browsing through some old newsletters and you spoke of what goes
on in civilian power plants. Have I got a story for you.
In the world of the illustrious GE Frame 7FA turbines, they have discovered a problem that will blow the doors off your turbine compartment. Mind you, the Frame 7 means the back end of your compressor is 7 feet across. These turbines have 14 combustor "cans" which I could crawl inside. The bottom 7 cans have a flex line that goes down to a 4" header that goes to your false start drain tank. There is a valve in this line that opens with compressor discharge air pressure and SHOULD spring closed when the turbine coasts down. What they believe is happening is if this valve sticks closed and doesn't vent your unburned fuel oil, the header heats up from your combustor cans which fire well over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit and this 4" header explodes.
GE, in their infinite wisdom has issued a Technical Information Letter warning operators to verify several valves are open after the turbine has shut down to ensure this line doesn't fill up with raw fuel oil. If you want to know what happens when this particular valve does not open and you have a bad day, check out these attached pictures. This happened last Thursday afternoon at another plant owned by the same company I work for. As our management here has said "Apparently they weren't as diligent as we have been about checking these valves." Just thought I'd share that with you.
P.S. I do not have the space to post the digital photos he attached but it would make the old waste oil drain tank in Number 3 GTG Room on a SPRUANCE backing up with fuel oil into the engine looking like a cakewalk.
A couple of websites are provided below that I always seem to get calls about. www.nvr.navy.milis the official Naval Vessel Registry. This is a public site; no password required. The site offers many options for searching by class, ship name, designation.
The mind is a fragile thing I can't remember if I provided this information about Navy surface ships websites.
www.hullnumber.com/ and www.destroyers.org/
GSEC (SW) Skinner continues the tradition of the GS rating established by those few sailors that began the rating backing in 1977.
Brandon Skinner
brandonr69@sbcglobal.net
Subject: GS News letter
Joe,
Thanks for putting out this newsletter. There are some very helpful tips
in here. I'm getting ready to go down to MS. to pre?com DDG?95. Wish me
luck.
Thanks again,
Brandon Skinner GSEC(SW)
Simple fix soon for FADC (Full Authority Digital Control) indicator/pushbutton switches. The lamps will soon be replaced by LEDs that will burn a lot cooler and last a lot longer.
Another great website that I use from time-to-time is www.gasturbines.swri.org which is well organized and presents an abundance of technical, design and operational issues relating to industrial and aero-derivative turbines.
CWO3 Helton signed in and provided me with a great wesite that is entitled "Navy Knowledge Online." I had to register and get a password but it was worth the few minutes I spent in front of the PC. Read below.
All,
I have to put a note in to tell you to share the news that the navy is
changing at light speed! The Revolution in Training the CNO has envisioned is upon
me as I fill the Department Head position for MP/AUX at the old Fleet Training
Center San Diego.
NKO is open to log into for all active and retired navy. See for yourself
what's happening to the future of engineering in the fleet. I attended three
working groups in the fall of last year and this spring to develop the tasks that
an engineer should be completing to get from the deck?plate to the EOOW's
chair. We took over 250K line items and reduced it to 16.5K tasks. No more
repetition, if you learned to phone talk once then you don't have to sign it off
ever again.
Gentlemen that's only one tiny piece of 0.020 safety wire for this engine to
hold together. I highly encourage all to head to this website and log in.
Good health and advancements to all.
CWO3 John Helton
Head MP/AUX Engineering Dept
Center for Naval Engineering Site
San Diego, Ca
92136
Website: wwwa.nko.navy.mil/portal/index.jhtml
Here is the information for a new website that another former GS has up and running:
GSE3 Lopez gsmgse@yahoo.com
Hello Master Chief,
I have no clue on how I found your page. Good thing that I did. Can you please go to my site and give me some pointers. All input would really be useful. Can I put your link on my page? What is your main URL? I hope you can pass my URL onto to others. Thanks for your time.
I forgot the link.www. gsmgse.net
V/R,
GSE3 Lopez
Another GS signs in that is gainfully employed by GE. Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. Just trying to put six pounds of fecal matter in a five pound container.
Jeff Ouellette jeffrey.ouellette@ps.ge.com
How you doing?? I stopped by to catch up and it seems you are busy with
other issues. Hope all is well with you and yours. Look forward to your
updates in the future.
Thanks,
Jeff Ouellette
Ex ? GSM1
LHD 8 will be a gas turbine powered vessel with diesel generator sets. Sort of the same concept we have on the AOE 6 class ships. What started out as one class of gas turbine powered surface combatants has grown to and entire surface Navy of gas turbine powered ships!
GSCM (SW) Leo Lentz has got his fleet reserve date and is looking for a challenging position that will fully utilize his gas turbine expertise. I will stand before you and personally offer my reference for this superb technician. You can contact him through me via this website.
Dan Schmidt phone home ! The last time we heard from Dan Schmidt he had found a used turbine engine for one of the PHMs that a private group was trying to restore and run. The turbine was a YTF 39, which is the aircraft predecessor of the LM2500. But that is the last word. No foilborne, high speed operations. Try gse2schmidt@ameritech.net
Have a great Summer. I will try to be timelier with the newsletter and keep you informed and entertained.
GSEC (SW) USNR Bob Volpe one of my co-workers ran into GSCM (SW) USNR Bob Schiller at the Washington Navy Yard. Bob Volpe was executing his orders IAW with his 40-hour week normal duties and GSCM (SW) Schiller, as a TICONDEROGA plank owner and drilling reservists. Nice to have two guys with deckplate experience supporting our gas turbine initiatives.
A day doesn't pass that I don't receive email from an ex-GS or retired GS that talks about how the Navy helped them make a smooth transition into the civilian power generation world. Read on.
From: James Strange
Subject: Checking in.
I have been real busy the last few months. The startup I am working on in North Carolina is almost complete. I will be heading down to central Florida to do another one the first of June.
James Strange
GSM3 DD 972 & DD 992
powerplantop@earthlink.net
From: Jones, George C.
George.Jones@pseg.com
Subject: Saying hello
Hey there master chief. This is GSM1(sw) USNR George Jones. You were my detailer when I happened to be active duty. I served aboard USS Briscoe, SIMA Norfolk, USS Puget Sound, USS Arleigh Burke and USS Arctic. I'm now a gas turbine technician for Public Service Electric and Gas here in New Jersey. All of my training and experience landed me this great job thought I'd let you know. Gas Turbines were and still are the way to go. V/R GSM1(SW) George Jones USNR
Here is a non-GS that has made some awesome drawings and sketches of Navy ships.
From: davidsyes
davidsyes@naughtycal-artkitekture.com
Subject: Reveille! Reveille! Hello, Chief. Have you seen this site?
www.tpub.com/gtss/index.htm
Just a site I came across.
My name is David Syes. I served 1984?1988, departing as an RM 2 (frocked). USS "Flexible" Flint AE 32/ServGru1/Oak/SF/Alameda/Concord, Dec/85 Jan 86 to Mid March 1986, then RMA & C till 10/86. Reported abd USS "Jammin' John" John A. Moore FFG 19/NRF/SDgo/CMEF inchop Jan/Feb 88, but NavOp 13/88 saw me out in March 88.
I read MOST of your site and find it very refreshing, interesting, and reminiscent. Actually, I FIRST saw your site in 1999 or 2000 and then caught up with it again this morning, 2 April 2003.
I draw ships & subs, for hobby, but now to try an make income I am (gearing up to be) selling copies of my blueprints for my most recent incarnation of my version of the USS Arleigh Burke. Due to being lain off in 2001, and only 2 months or paid work June/Jul 2001, I decided to make my own corporation, and after several false starts, decided to start out with what I know: create paper navies in enough detail to "spook" people. I spooked my "bubble head" prospective recruiter with my SSNs I was designing in high school in 1980?1984.
My web site is www.naughtycal-artkitekture.com and on it are (the then?unlabeled) snapshots (which don't do the paper any justice) of my 2 ships, some of my several subs, many books and mags I've read, the tentative and semi?plausible initial scenarios to set up the "fractured world environment" and so on.
Tons of detail are in my drawings. I've bunks for 36 Officers, 23?32 CPOs, 354?363 Enlisteds, and 20?29 "Special Detachment".
The ship carries 2,216 TONS F?76, 42.64 Tons Lube, 147.86 Tons AvGas/JP?5, 489 Tons potable water, and can hold 41.10 tons (1313 cuft) CHT.
She has 4 AMRs and 2 MERs. In them are 6 distiller plants, and 5 AC plants.
For all you CG47/Model 139/K17 maintenance personnel. Be on the lookout for technical documentation that re-calibrates the speed and temperature control unit in LOCOP for better starting with the new effusion cooled liners and ultimately the new air assist fuel nozzles.
AG9140 generator sets, DDG 68 and above, stay aware of a technical directive that replaces the plate that incorporates the suction pipe and strainer for the generator oil tank. The old configuration had the suction strainer and piping placed too high above the bottom of the lube oil tank. In situations where the ships rolled and pitched the suction strainer could be above the oil level.
There are TDs out there for the 501-K17 and 501-K34 engines that install a redundant magnetic chip detector in the engine oil system. The existing chip detector, in the oil return port of the main lube and scavenge pump, now has a "partner" in the bottom of the accessory gearbox to detect metallic particles in the engine oil system. Either one will turn the warning light on at LOCOP if ferrous particles are present.
NSWCCD-SSES will be releasing several essential technical manuals on CD in the near future. The Model 104 Intermediate Level Maintenance Manual, a new Model 139 Intermediate Level Maintenance Manual and the AG9130 Organizational Level Maintenance Manuals will soon be just a mouse click away.
Now a lot of you GS types that converted way-back-when were former Engineman. Read below about one-huge diesel ! Thanks to GSCM(SW) Retired, Bob James, bjames@titan.com that provided this information. Read on!
Subject: Now that's an engine!
The Wartsila NSD (Sulzer) RTA96?C two?stroke diesel engine is the most powerful and most efficient piston prime?mover in the world today. Bore ?just under 3'2" (965mm). Stroke ? just over 8'2" (2489mm).
Available in 6 through 12 cylinder versions (all inline). Engine weight exceeds 2000 tons in the 12 cylinder version (the crankshaft alone exceeds 300 tons).
Point of maximum continuous power is 89,640 HP (66,844kW) at 100RPM with the 12 cylinder version. Point of maximum fuel economy is 53,244 HP (37,704kW) at 90 RPM.
The 12?cylinder engine exceeded 100,000 horsepower during overspeed testing (all of 101.5 RPM!) while under test at Japan's Diesel Union works.
Fuel consumption at maximum power is 0.278 lbs/HP/hour (BSFC). Fuel consumption at maximum economy is 0.260 lbs/HP/hour.
At maximum economy the Sulzer engine exceeds 50% thermal efficiency (i.e. more than 50% of the fuel going into the engine is converted to power). For comparison, consider that automotive and small aircraft spark?ignition engines have British Standard Fuel Consumption figures in the 0.40?0.60 lbs/HP/hour range and 25?30% thermal efficiency.
Even at its most efficient power setting, the Sulzer 12 cylinder consumes nearly 1,660 gallons of heavy fuel oil an hour.
Don't forget the valuable information about commercial gas turbine technology that the Western Turbine Users, Inc. provides. I just read a great article about water washing (general forum) and how valuable it is to have the rinse water hot/warm. There were some responses by ex-Navy GS types (Brian Hulse) about how much more efficient the water wash is when the rinse water is heated. Check out the link listed below.
From: Larry Flood
theflood@cox.net
Subject: WTUI Forum
New post in the WTUI General Forum:
www.wtui.com/generalforum_frm.htm
Larry Flood
WTUI Webmaster
Got to run. Lots happening back here, inside and outside the beltway of the Nation's Capitol. Keep the email coming, turbines turning and the bow into the wind.
GSCS(SW), Retired, Mike Kensinger went to work in Philadelphia at the old Navy Yard for the same company that I have been gainfully employed for the last several years. Mike will support the efforts of the Navy Marine Gas Turbine life cycle managers. I remember Mike from my days as an instructor and his pre-commissioning tour on CG 49 VINCENNES.
Rich Foxwell wants everyone to know that he has a new email address.
"Richard Foxwell" rjfox57@comcast.net
Hi Joe, This is Rich Foxwell GSMC (ret) I'm listed on the web site and I
am sending my new email address so my info can be updated.
Thanks
GSCS(SW) Pratt signs in from the LAKE CHAMPLAIN. Pratt, a GSM1 at the time, and I commissioned TICONDEROGA and it looks like he is still moving up.
GSCS, Pratt,L. prattl@lake?champlain.navy.mil
There is a bunch of retirees that do a lot of good for the veterans and those spending time in VA hospitals. The Kitchen Table Gang has a great website! See below.
Charles Taliaferro" alertfive@sbcglobal.net
We are not selling you anything. This is simply an
invitation for military veterans and friends to visit us at:
www.kitchentablegang.org
Charles Taliaferro
THE KITCHEN TABLE GANG TRUST
Talking with some folks at FTSCPAC last week and they stated the new air assist fuel nozzles are looking good even after 4000-5000 hours of operation in both K17 and K34 engines. Looking back at all the nozzles I changed in my career, it is almost an incentive to go back on active duty and not have to worry about fuel nozzles coking and carboning up. But, just to reflect back, the early T53 gas turbine engines (think 1964) had starting fuel nozzles and main fuel nozzle (fuel vaporizing tubes as they were called). To keep the start fuel nozzles from carboning up after the start cycle, a speed sensitive switch actuated a solenoid to port compressor bleed air through the nozzles after start. I worked on that engine for several years and never had a problem starting it and the start fuel nozzles, even after hundreds of hours of operation, looked like new.
GSCM (SW) Retired, W.T. Smith is reported to be working for GE Power Systems on the installation side of their house. I got this "mess deck rumor" from GSCM (SW) Retired Lancaster who finally got a chance to run his plant this week up around Minneapolis - St. Paul. Didn't need that peaking station on line until the hot weather hit and the air conditioners were set on stun.
Reports that the decommissioned ARTHUR W. RADFORD will get a chance to show her stuff again as the test platform for the DD (X) class ship once they lock in on the "technology" that will be used on the next surface combatant ship.
Below is great feedback from the civilian gas turbine world. All is not perfect there either.
Kretschmer, Lewis Lewis.Kretschmer@pgnmail.com
Subject: A Bad Day in a Civilian Power Plant
Was just browsing through some old newsletters and you spoke of what goes
on in civilian power plants. Have I got a story for you.
In the world of the illustrious GE Frame 7FA turbines, they have discovered a problem that will blow the doors off your turbine compartment. Mind you, the Frame 7 means the back end of your compressor is 7 feet across. These turbines have 14 combustor "cans" which I could crawl inside. The bottom 7 cans have a flex line that goes down to a 4" header that goes to your false start drain tank. There is a valve in this line that opens with compressor discharge air pressure and SHOULD spring closed when the turbine coasts down. What they believe is happening is if this valve sticks closed and doesn't vent your unburned fuel oil, the header heats up from your combustor cans which fire well over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit and this 4" header explodes.
GE, in their infinite wisdom has issued a Technical Information Letter warning operators to verify several valves are open after the turbine has shut down to ensure this line doesn't fill up with raw fuel oil. If you want to know what happens when this particular valve does not open and you have a bad day, check out these attached pictures. This happened last Thursday afternoon at another plant owned by the same company I work for. As our management here has said "Apparently they weren't as diligent as we have been about checking these valves." Just thought I'd share that with you.
P.S. I do not have the space to post the digital photos he attached but it would make the old waste oil drain tank in Number 3 GTG Room on a SPRUANCE backing up with fuel oil into the engine looking like a cakewalk.
A couple of websites are provided below that I always seem to get calls about. www.nvr.navy.milis the official Naval Vessel Registry. This is a public site; no password required. The site offers many options for searching by class, ship name, designation.
The mind is a fragile thing I can't remember if I provided this information about Navy surface ships websites.
www.hullnumber.com/ and www.destroyers.org/
GSEC (SW) Skinner continues the tradition of the GS rating established by those few sailors that began the rating backing in 1977.
Brandon Skinner
brandonr69@sbcglobal.net
Subject: GS News letter
Joe,
Thanks for putting out this newsletter. There are some very helpful tips
in here. I'm getting ready to go down to MS. to pre?com DDG?95. Wish me
luck.
Thanks again,
Brandon Skinner GSEC(SW)
Simple fix soon for FADC (Full Authority Digital Control) indicator/pushbutton switches. The lamps will soon be replaced by LEDs that will burn a lot cooler and last a lot longer.
Another great website that I use from time-to-time is www.gasturbines.swri.org which is well organized and presents an abundance of technical, design and operational issues relating to industrial and aero-derivative turbines.
CWO3 Helton signed in and provided me with a great wesite that is entitled "Navy Knowledge Online." I had to register and get a password but it was worth the few minutes I spent in front of the PC. Read below.
All,
I have to put a note in to tell you to share the news that the navy is
changing at light speed! The Revolution in Training the CNO has envisioned is upon
me as I fill the Department Head position for MP/AUX at the old Fleet Training
Center San Diego.
NKO is open to log into for all active and retired navy. See for yourself
what's happening to the future of engineering in the fleet. I attended three
working groups in the fall of last year and this spring to develop the tasks that
an engineer should be completing to get from the deck?plate to the EOOW's
chair. We took over 250K line items and reduced it to 16.5K tasks. No more
repetition, if you learned to phone talk once then you don't have to sign it off
ever again.
Gentlemen that's only one tiny piece of 0.020 safety wire for this engine to
hold together. I highly encourage all to head to this website and log in.
Good health and advancements to all.
CWO3 John Helton
Head MP/AUX Engineering Dept
Center for Naval Engineering Site
San Diego, Ca
92136
Website: wwwa.nko.navy.mil/portal/index.jhtml
Here is the information for a new website that another former GS has up and running:
GSE3 Lopez gsmgse@yahoo.com
Hello Master Chief,
I have no clue on how I found your page. Good thing that I did. Can you please go to my site and give me some pointers. All input would really be useful. Can I put your link on my page? What is your main URL? I hope you can pass my URL onto to others. Thanks for your time.
I forgot the link.www. gsmgse.net
V/R,
GSE3 Lopez
Another GS signs in that is gainfully employed by GE. Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. Just trying to put six pounds of fecal matter in a five pound container.
Jeff Ouellette jeffrey.ouellette@ps.ge.com
How you doing?? I stopped by to catch up and it seems you are busy with
other issues. Hope all is well with you and yours. Look forward to your
updates in the future.
Thanks,
Jeff Ouellette
Ex ? GSM1
LHD 8 will be a gas turbine powered vessel with diesel generator sets. Sort of the same concept we have on the AOE 6 class ships. What started out as one class of gas turbine powered surface combatants has grown to and entire surface Navy of gas turbine powered ships!
GSCM (SW) Leo Lentz has got his fleet reserve date and is looking for a challenging position that will fully utilize his gas turbine expertise. I will stand before you and personally offer my reference for this superb technician. You can contact him through me via this website.
Dan Schmidt phone home ! The last time we heard from Dan Schmidt he had found a used turbine engine for one of the PHMs that a private group was trying to restore and run. The turbine was a YTF 39, which is the aircraft predecessor of the LM2500. But that is the last word. No foilborne, high speed operations. Try gse2schmidt@ameritech.net
Have a great Summer. I will try to be timelier with the newsletter and keep you informed and entertained.
Down sizing and right sizing? Whenever we begin to get involved with designing smaller ships with digital electronics and minimally manned crews, we also start to re-shape the way we respond to damage control situations. The September 22nd edition of the Navy Times talks about a New Damage Control Plan. What they fail to see in the future is a Navy without the necessary "middle grade petty officers" and junior grade officers to train the younger troops and operate the equipment safely. Mustering a damage control team with experienced sailors will become a real challenge. The Afghanistan and Iraq situations will cause re-enlistments to plummet and recruiting to drop drastically. The Navy will not stand-alone, as fewer soldiers and sailors will want to spend months "in-country" or floating off the coast at GQ. I spend time at least once a week at a local Marine base and Army base and there isn't a big line to re-enlist and take your chances with an RPG in Iraq. Bottom line, 100 men including a helo detachment on the next generation of surface combatants under "ideal conditions" MIGHT work, but will be a personnel management Everest to stay on top of.
Here is a guy that parlayed his Navy experience with a great degree program and to make him a highly marketable product.
From: "Michael Blond"
Subject: Many thanks for this website
Dear Joe Fiorillo,
Many thanks Master Chief for a very informative website.
I got out in 1996 as a GSE1 (SW) after 10 years to pursue an engineering degree, after getting out it took me almost 2 years to get back into school but that's another story, what I ended up with was a hybrid degree incorporating all the Navy experience and schools and computer programming. I was able to get approximately 50% of my degree from Naval experience; Bravo Zulu to Navy Training programs and that entire senior enlisted who made this possible.
I have, more recently, been looking for job opportunities in the Washington DC area in the Electrical/Electronic Controls arena, although I would like very much to work with Gas Turbine controls again it seems difficult to break into the civilian Gas Turbine community any suggestions or ideas to peruse would be greatly appreciated.
Now would be the time to get into some great sea story : ) ...but I'm not very good at those... isn't funny you only remember the good times, the "great adventures of West Pac or Unitas or the Med Cruise", the people you worked with who became an extended family. My career in the Navy included some of the best and most rewarding times. I just didn't know it at the time : ).
I know I need to start building contacts again within the community, too bad there isn't some sort of GS alumni group or association for those within the Gas Turbine community ... or perhaps there is, do you know?
Many thanks for any help you can provide.
BTW: I served with Pat Carbone aboard USS O'Bannon DD 987, I see you have had some correspondence from him. Thanks for posting his email addresses I will try contacting him.
Regards,
Michael O. Blond GSE1 (SW) formerly
20707 #J Crystal Hill Circle
Germantown, MD 20874
(301) 540 9161
I saw Frank Baumgarner twice in the last twenty years or so. Once when he was getting out at SSC Great Lakes and again down in the Pascagoula area when I was commissioning CG50. Frank was a sharp GSE and a plank owner on CARON.
From: "Frank Baumgarner"
Subject: I finally tripped over this page...
Hello Joe,
I'm Frank Baumgarner (GSE1), served with you as an instructor at AGT in Great Lakes. We spent a lot of hours in the gym. I got some great back saving pointers from you. I've heard rumors of your site, but was never given any specifics. Web surfing today (Sun. 9/7), I selected a link by mistake, and it turned up Ramblings. I've spent the last hour perusing your writings. Good job! My Navy career I served USS Little Rock CG4, and in the gas turbine field USS Caron, DD970, and AGT GLakes. I got out at the 10yr mark. I have history with your compatriot Dave Wright, lost touch with him but I found again. Better warn him! He is one of the best chiefs I worked for (don't tell Lancaster, I have to BS him the same way). I've been in touch with Steve Lancaster over the years.
I'm working for Smurfit Stone Container in Long Beach, CA (14 yr) as an operating engineer. We decommissioned an LM5000 'heat the oil before leaking it onto the ground' package last year. The cogen business here on the west coast is hurting in many areas. Couldn't have been better timing to find some of the info. We will probably close this mill < 6 mos, I'm going to start putting feelers out.
Keep up the good work! I'll keep checking back in.
Frank Baumgarner
2041 San Anseline Ave. #2
Long Beach, CA 90815
(310)766 7517 Cellular
This gentleman just found the website and looks like he can provide a service to folks working the civilian power generation world.
From: "Scott"
Subject: Gas Turbines Parts and Support
Good Day Joe,
I stumbled across your web site as I as searching for tooling to drill
fasteners for lock wire. Great web site by the way. I worked in the
thermal spray coatings industry for the last several years concentrating
on the gas turbine (land, marine, & aero) industry. My previous
experience was spent supporting jet engine test and development, mainly
GEAE, GEPS, WPAFB (Wright Patterson Air Force Base), RR, and PW, mostly
engineers. I supplied all kinds of components Mil Spec & Commercial
nuts, bolts, fasteners, fittings, Hi Temp metals, electrical connectors,
SST pipe, fittings, flanges, gaskets, and the list goes on. Everything
surrounding test & development was a hot rush due to the cost of having
a test cell down ($10,000 $100,000 per hour). So, we developed
resources in which to find stock or have parts made quickly in order to
service our customers. I have just recently started my own company
providing this same type of service to the gas turbine overhaul shops,
utilities, GEAE, GEPS, WPAFB, RR and several others. Joe, if you or
anyone you know could use these types of service please let me know. We
specialize in hard to find parts and can find most anything within the
time frame needed.
Sincerely,
Scott Hudson
Industrial Supply & Support
11863 Solzman Road, Suite 6
Cincinnati, OH 45249
Office 513 530 0300
Fax 513 530 0316
Cell 513 233 5625
Sounds like this guy is a pretty sharp sailor and in it for the long haul.
From: "Warren, GSM1"
Subject: Greetings
Hey Master Chief,
My name is GSM1(SW) Jemal Warren off of USS The Sullivans DDG 68. I
Found your newsletter searching the net, and I am glad that something like
this exist. I've read just a small portion of what is written, but have
already gain a wealth of knowledge. I came into the Navy in 1990 and went
through P.E. Basics then "A" School. I received orders to USS Oldendorf
DD 972. In 1996, I did an Instructor Tour at Great Lakes, teaching "C" and
"A" school. I transferred in 1999 to the ship I'm currently on. I call for
orders next month. Please keep up the newsletter and if there is something I
can do to contribute, let me know.
V/GSM1(SW) Warren
Now I remember once going aboard the HEWITT for some training while I was in San Diego waiting for orders to go to Pascagoula to commission the MERRILL. When I went through the chow line at lunch the supply officer wanted me to pay for my lunch. I told him that I wasn't on separate rations, was single and had this green ID card that sort of made me a part of the team and at that moment, a hungry part of the team. He was persistent and I just told him to talk to my MPA who was dining in the wardroom. But when you read the following, you sort of get the feeling that some folks don't appreciate what it means to serve our country.
Monday, Sept. 15, 2003
Feds Charge Wounded GIs for Hospital Food
Marine Staff Sgt. Bill Murwin suffered a partial amputation of his left foot after a grenade exploded inside his Humvee in Iraq. The feds picked up his hospital bills ... but charged him $243 for food. "Holy smokes," he said. "I'm in the hospital, and they're going to charge me for my food?"
Only three days after he received his first bill for the meals he ate at a U.S. military hospital in Germany, he got an angry past due notice threatening to send his account to a collection agency.
"Murwin, like thousands of other military personnel hospitalized every year, is expected to reimburse the government $8.10 per day for food. That's standard procedure because of a law Congress passed in 1981. But it has angered many military families over the years," the St. Petersburg Times reported.
"When Rep. C.W. Bill Young, R Largo, and his wife, Beverly, heard about the problem, they personally paid Murwin's tab. Then the congressman introduced a bill to change the rules."
The congressman noted that the soldiers "were sent to war by their country. Many of them will be handicapped for the rest of their lives and we're asking them to pay $8.10 a day for their food! There's something really wrong with that."
The rationale for the rule: Most servicemen get $8.10 a day as a "basic allowance for subsistence." The government, fearing that double dipping is going on, tries to take the allowance back from those so lucky as to be dining on hospital grub.
"If I could be king for a day, I'd stop it in a minute," said Maj. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, who commands the Army hospitals in the eastern United States.
A young sailor finds the website and read an article I posted in November 1998. He provides some good insight into what is happening aboard the haze gray underway homes that these sailors serve on. The operative word in this article that this sailor eludes to is his CMC, She..read on,
From:
"Yeaples Davis L GSM3 DDG 84"
Subject: Nov 98 issue
My name is GSM3(SW) Yeaples,
I was reading your November 98 article and noticed your comment about
ESWS. And I would have to totally agree with you ESWS is a joke anymore it
means nothing in the Navy. I have been in the Navy 3 years and this is my
third ship, "DDG 84 USS BULKELEY" I crew swapped and decommissioned 2 older
frigates, the Estocin FFG 15 and the USS Samuel Elliot Morison FFG 13.
Onboard both frigates I got every in rate qual from PSM, OIL KING, ASM to
ESWS as a FN. I make 3rd and get here to this ship and they decide ESWS
Doesn't mean anything, CMC wants me to mess crank. I was under the
impression if you had a pin you never went back again. My chain of command
fought it for over 2 months straight and got my name off the list but CMC
says I will go.... at the same time she musters all "re-qual participants"
on the mess decks and gives us a lecture on ESWS and how we are not doing
the right job by not already re-qualifying it. I know it looks good to have
it and it makes me proud to wear it but it means nothing anymore and
sometimes makes me want to not wear it for that fact. On a lighter note I
heard you mention about RIMSS, it is one of the greatest things I have saw
in a long time. It made it able to have no HPAC's, Air Flasks, and all the
associated piping. It is also very low maintenance and so far from what I
have seen it is flawless. We will see what the future has to tell for the
life span and the aging effects of it though. You also mentioned
Master Chief Winquest. He was the Master chief at GS "A" School back in
early 2001 when I went through there... I have a lot of respect for the man.
GSCS (SW) Retired, Roger Monroe is doing well up in Michigan. This past Spring he visited GSCS(SW)/LT. Retired, Ken Darnell down in Mississippi and then headed back up through Graceland to see Elvis. Roger and Ken Darnell are old shipmates from many years gone by. Roger is a Plank owner on the SPRUANCE. Ken Darnell is a Plank owner on the MERRILL and TICONDEROGA.
GSCM(SW) Vallance, still serving and is an MGTI at ACU-4. He has put together some great color drawing of the LM 2500 start time line, LM2500 lubrication system, LM2500 fuel system, Allison (K34) start time line, Allison fuel system and Allison lubrication system. If you are interested contact him at jvallance@acu4.spear.navy.mil."Vallance"
An old time GS kind of guy signs in:
From: "wayne"
Hi Joe Fiorillo,
I was cruising through the web last night at what must've been hyper speed for my ISP here in Puerto Rico, coqui.net, looking for an engineer with ABB steam turbine experience when after 5 hours and probably 6 web pages I stumble across this website of and for ex Navy GS's. I am so glad to see so many GSM's and GSC's doing so well. I was an ENFN that was transferred from the ENFN classification to GSM since I was a grad of CODOG at 32nd Street, assigned to the USS CANON PG90... of course this re classification occurred after Carter decommissioned the PG CANON and the GALLOP on the west coast and it coincided with the new rate needs. So in 1976 I was a ENFN, 1977 a GSM3 and 1979 GSM2... 1980 a GE Field Representative... 2003 a Turbine Specialist performing distortion analysis of Large Steam Turbines up to 600Mw....ALL based on my EN A school, the CODOG and GSM Basic C schools. So don't ever let anyone say the USA doesn't reward hard work and dedication!
In any event I've been probably the luckiest and most fortunate GSM to leave the Navy after 4 and am tremendously grateful for the opportunity the USN gave me at both my commands.... USS CANON PG90 (Sailor of the Sargasso Sea) and the USS JOHN YOUNG DD973 (Plank Owner) I operated with the FLAGSTAFF and the PEGASUS doing war maneuvers and refueling underway.
Now I've been in the power generation business ever since my discharge in 1979 and doing quite well with large utilities all over the USA and internationally... even though I moved on to the steamers it was because they are bigger (and that means bigger bucks) but I still have my heart with those aero-derivatives!!
Thanks for having this website and I hope it doesn't fade away!
Lloyd Wayne Staten
Alignment Engineering, LLC
Ponce, Puerto Rico
wstaten@hotmail.com
ferrisa@coqui.net
Just got the word from a co-worker here that CG47 and CG50 will be decommissioned this fiscal year, 2004, and within the same month. Being a plank-owner on both, I plan on being at one if not both ceremonies.
Let's get some feedback from the folks in both industry and the Navy about on-line water wash. Most of my friends that work commercial, turbine power plants swear by on-line water wash. I haven't got much feedback from any reliable Navy organization that has evaluated on-line water wash on both the GTMs and GTGS. If you're a RIMSS equipped ship, starting and stopping the generator set for water washing isn't such a challenge to the equipment. The "others" out there with the HP/LP starters know how taxing it is on the equipment to motor and inject the soap and rinse solutions. So lets here from a few of the experts in this field.
Well I started this newsletter in September and here it is October and I am about to wrap it up and give it to Dave Wright (who will hassle me about why it is late) for posting. Keep the email coming and the ideas flowing. Stay in touch!!