Navy reinstated "Fleet Problem"

[Devildoc]

Back in the 20s and 30s the US Navy had "Fleet Problem," a complex scenario requiring most of the Navy's ships and usually involving scenarios which came to pass (i.e., the use of carriers to strike an enemy carrier beyond the horizon, a la Midway). Admirals King, Nimitz, and Halsey pointed back to the Fleet Problem before WWII, stated those 'war games' were instrumental in the success in the Pacific. The Navy reinstituted the Fleet Problem a couple years ago.

Pacific Fleet reveals ‘prepare to fail’ training for rapid-fire warfare

 

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[DC]

This was a huge Naval disaster on the Coast of California where Vandenberg AFB, Ca is. The wrecks happened just pre WW I, and ships are still visible from shore. They are located not far fro SCLC 6 which is where Shuttle Missions were planned but never took place.

Honda Point disaster - Wikipedia

ETA. The ships involved simply sailed directly into the Coast of Ca.

And the one ship that didn’t sail into the rocks the captain was court-martialed for dereliction of duty go figure that

 

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[DC]

Yep. Always wanted to dive that site but never happened. Did dive the USS UTAH in Pearl Harbor.

 

[Devildoc]

They all were expected to follow the lead ship and not lose their assigned spot in the flotilla. So if one ship sails into the coast, they should all sail into the coast. Following orders supersede common sense, or so it seems.

Another lesson that was applied in World War II, Halsey was called to task during the two typhoons in which his subordinate ships stayed in formation at the risk punishment rather than exercising individual judgement to take safer courses. The boards of inquiry stated that the captains should have the freedom to take whatever action is necessary to save their ships.

 

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[DC]

The destroyers of Honda point near Vandenberg | Channel Islands Dive Adventures LLC

 

[DC]

Honda Point disaster - Wikipedia

 

[Devildoc]

The USN is so very tied to tradition. I wish we had more Navy folks here for a couple of reasons, one being to help with those traditions. It seems that little has changed through the decades and the wars. The Navy seems slow to change, and ship’s Captians still pay the price for errors. It’s the only Navy we have, and it has served us long and well.

One of the things I love--and hate--about the Navy is its' traditions. It is a schizophrenic organization for sure, quick to change in some areas, so resistant in others.