Rope Yarn Sunday

Today is "Rope Yarn Sunday" at EagleSpeak. Feel free to wander around and enjoy yourself.

For you viewing pleasure, some Navy-related photos:


Caption:

060506-N-4021H-068 San Diego (May 6, 2006) - The crew of experimental boat ship Stiletto readies the ship as it prepares to launch an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) during Exercise Howler. Stiletto is being tested for its usefulness in littoral combat warfare and interoperable environments. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Damien Horvath

Caption:

060508-N-4021H-066 San Diego (May 8, 2006) - A "Manta" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) launches from the flight deck of experimental boat ship Stiletto during Exercise Howler off coast San Diego. Stiletto is being tested for its usefulness in littoral combat warfare and interoperable environments. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Damien Horvath

Caption:

060506-N-4021H-122 San Diego (May 6, 2006) - Sailors assigned to Naval Special Clearance Team One (NSCT-1) prepare to enter the well deck aboard experimental boat ship Stiletto off the coast of San Diego. Members of NSCT-1 are participating in Exercise Howler. Stiletto is being tested for its usefulness in littoral combat warfare and interoperable environments. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Damien Horvath

More on NSCT-1 here:

Navy Special Clearance Team 1, established on 1 October 2002 from the experimental Very Shallow Water detachment, operated from the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44) before relocating ashore in Umm Qasr. This team consists of Navy SEALS, Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance divers, EOD divers, marine mammals, and the Navy's first operational unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) detachment. The team's wartime role is to prepare covertly near shore areas for amphibious assaults, so port clearance was well within its capabilities.

UPDATE: More on the exercise here. Also includes (at no extra charge!) info on the Manta UAV.

Enjoy!