Jenna Blackstone

Jenna

X-Mas or Christmas?

X-Mas or Christmas?

There seems to be the annual debate over X-mas or Christmas (Chris-Miss).  Many people protest the use of X-mass when referring to the religious holiday.   They claim it is anti-spiritual and degrades the meaning of the celebration.  They claim it is just another example of secularism taking over the real spirit of the season.

They are just flat wrong.  In the theological studies Christ is abbreviated with an X.  The reason for this is that X is the Greek letter Chi, which is was a common abbreviation for Kristos, or Christ.  

When you see X-mass it should not be viewed as X-MASS it should be read CHRIST-Mass a more direct and poignant view of the day than if you see “Chris-miss”. People who get offended at the notion of X-mas are simply unaware of the true meaning of it.  Ironically commercial interests who use X-mas to avoid a religious bias are actually making a point of putting CHRIST back into Christmas.  

USS LOCKRIDGE (DD-5314) Status Report 15MAY2206

DATE: 15MAY2206
FROM: COMMANDING OFFICER, USS LOCKRIDGE DD-5314
TO: COMNAVFOR SIX
SUBJ: Status Report 15MAY2206

Admiral Thompson,

I am pleased to report that since its installation 01MAY2206 the PT-2500 engine salvaged from USS HORTON has been running perfectly and has passed all certifications from the yard.  Superintendent McVickers has signed off on our release and I am proud to report that USS LOCKWOOD (DD-5314) is ready to return to the fleet.

On a side note, Downs Containerized Shipping has donated to USS LOCKWOOD a plaque commemorating our efforts to rescue the crew of SS FREIDA DOWNS.  

Crew strength is at 98 %, stores are at 100% readiness is green across the board.  I would like to note that on our 3 test firings of our new star lance missiles, we scored 100% hits. I would feel more comfortable if we were allowed more exercise with this system, however the uncertain supply of the older missiles precludes further training.  

The replacement for our second utility craft has arrived, we were somewhat shocked to learn that it is a new Assault Scout and not the usual utility craft, however we have been talking to the flight crews and believe we can use it rather effectively.  

I await your further orders.

Respectfully,
Fredrick J. G. Holmes
CDR, USN

USS LOCKRIDGE (DD-5314) Status Report 25APR2206

DATE: 17APR2206
FROM: COMMANDING OFFICER, USS LOCKRIDGE DD-5314
TO: COMNAVFOR SIX
SUBJ: Status Report 17APR2206

Admiral Thompson,


I hesitate to contact you in this matter, but it has been more than two month since the arrival of the salvaged PT-2500 main engine at Henderson Naval Shipyard.  In February Superintendent McVickers had assured me that it would be installed no later than 15MAR2206.   All other repairs have been made including the Mk-113 launcher.  We have had constant drills and I feel LOCKWOOD is read to return to service, except for the as yet to be installed engine.

I have had my crew cross training with other ships at Henderson to keep them in fighting trim.  Most of our engineering gang has even spent down time with the yard workers to help expedite repairs of other vessels.  I have repeatedly asked Mr. McVickers for a new date of installation with no success in finding out when the project will be completed.  He has suggested sealing the hull access for the engine and using LOCKRIDGE to protect Henderson NSY until the repairs can be undertaken.  I disagree with Mr. McVickers on this as LOCKRIDGE is a destroyer and would be best utilized in combat instead of being used as a glorified patrol boat for a rear area base.  

I am not writing to complain about the quality or services offered by the Yard.  I am formally asking for permission to utilize my crew to install the needed engine ourselves.  My CHENG has studied the plans with his staff and they feel that it can be done without using many resources of the yard itself.  Besides drawing on supplies, the only resource we would need is the use of one of the heavy lifting cranes for an estimated 6-8 hours.  If Henderson can not spare a crane, USS PUGET SOUND is berthed next to LOCKWOOD and has several cranes that would be sufficient for the task.  

Our request is made because my crew is eager to rejoin the war effort and to support NAVFOR6 in any way possible.

I eagerly await your answer.

Respectfully,
Fredrick J. G. Holmes
CDR, USN

USS LOCKRIDGE (DD-5314) Status Report 17FEB2206

DATE: 17FEB2206
FROM: COMMANDING OFFICER, USS LOCKRIDGE DD-5314
TO: COMNAVFOR SIX
SUBJ: Status Report 17FEB2206


Sir, as per your request I am reporting on the status of USS LOCKRIDGE. As previously reported, USS LOCKRIDGE entered Henderson Naval Ship Yard on 01DEC2205 to make repairs sustained in battle damage on the first day of the war.

Since arriving, the wreckage of the aft Mk-232 launcher has been removed. The LRR-24c system has been completely replaced and tested; the damaged SSR-15c has been replaced with the newer SSR-15e. One new engine has been installed, the second engine, salvaged from USS HORTON is in transit. The Yard Superintendent assures me that it is estimated that the engine will be installed no later than 15MAR2206. All hull breaches have been repaired.

We still have no word on a replacement for the Mk-232 Missile launcher. Without this vital piece of gear, LOCKRIDGE is only 50% effective for combat operations. As new ship constriction demands all of the production of new weapon systems, I would like to request that a weapon system salvaged from a combat loss be used as to make LOCKRIDGE ready for further combat operations as soon as possible. To this end, I have identified several ships that are damaged beyond repair here at Henderson, awaiting salvage and scrapping.

EDLOE has two Mk-113 launchers. There is only deck space for one launcher, however there is more than ample room below decks for both magazines. The slower rate of fire of the 113 will be negated somewhat by the ability to carry the long range Starlance missiles. The age of the system and the dwindling supply of Starlance missiles makes this a temporary fix at best.

GATES suffered extreme damage but I believe her VLS launcher could be salvaged and installed on LOCKWOOD, however the attending fire control system and related maintenance gear would also have to be added and would likely double our remaining yard time.

OKLAHOMA CITY was ravaged aft, all of her missile systems were destroyed, however she does still have two forward turrets that with some heavy modification, one could be made to fit in place of the Mk-232 launcher. The two guns would have about half of their magazine space than they did on OKC, but they would provide a heavy punch. We could incorporate some of the OKC crew aboard to man the guns, and transfer our Mk-232 qualified crewmen to new ships as to incorporate their battle experience into a green crew.


I await your input on these ideas. With the situation as it is I am eager to return LOCKWOOD to action as soon as possible.

Respectfully,
Fredrick J. G. Holmes
CDR, USN

What a Day!

This was written by Vulturette as an assignment for a class she is taking.

What a day! It’s a lovely spring day, it’s Friday and I don’t have to work. Ah, what a nice feeling. I have decided I am really going to take advantage of this beautiful day. I think about it and try to determine what I want to do. I go to the park and listen to the birds. I was at peace in the park. I enjoyed the sun on my skin and the breeze in my hair. I was in my own little piece of heaven. Then, I notice the time and decided I should leave. I want to let the children enjoy this day too; so I go pick them up after school. We return to the park so that they can enjoy the lovely day, too.

After awhile, they are played out and hungry. I guess I should have expected that with teenage boys. After all, they do eat all the time. So, I decide to let them have a special treat. We all load up into the truck and I take them to one of their favorite places. We make our way to the local fast food Mexican restaurant. They are so excited! We partake in the goodies offered by the restaurant and then make our way home.

When we return home, the boys ask me to join them in playing one of their multiplayer video games. It has been a nice day, so I give in and play the game with them. Of course, I’m not very good at the game and they really enjoy picking on me. Though I consistently lost, I did enjoy myself and had fun – even if it was at my expense. After a bit, I had played enough and made my way downstairs.

I’ve really enjoyed my day, but it has been a bit tiring, too. It will still be several hours before my husband returns home, so I take a nap. I drift off to sleep and I dream of the events of the day.

My dreams start out pleasant enough as I remember my visit to the park. Then, my dream begins to get a bit bizarre. The park is no longer like that which I had visited earlier in the day – it starts taking on the characteristics of the video game. The transformation is slow, but eventually the bright, glossy colors and characters take over the peaceful park I had known just hours before.

It is after all a dream, so there is not much I can do. I’m there for the “trip” and continue the dream during my napping state. Then, the dream took on a strange new twist. Not only was I seeing the park in a new, plastic-like way, but I was in the game! And, I was not alone. The boys were there, too! What a strange lot we were! It was so obvious, even in my dream that we did not belong in that place, but there we were. And then it got a bit more peculiar. We were no longer in the game version of the park, but in the game itself – and someone was playing the game!

What were we to do? In my waking state, I really did not know much about the game, but in my dream, I suddenly knew exactly what to do and how to play. So, alongside with the boys, we ran around the game with our own theme song in the background. We spent our time running and jumping and collecting coins and stars. It was like these prizes were everywhere and we were running in circles. So, we continue our excursion within this game world and collect all of the loot that is available. Then we found ourselves in the challenge round. As it turns out, it was wise for us to collect all of the goodies available because we had to pay our way into the final round. I was a few coins short, so the boys chipped in and gave me the coins I needed to enter into this place. In exchange, I gave each of them a star to show my appreciation.

We enter the final round and find it is a series of tests that we must past together. Our characters run around collecting more tokens and then suddenly we find that we get to race to the finish. We start out running individually, with me in the rear. Then, suddenly, they stop running and wait for me. At first, I’m not sure why, but then I understand. In order to get out of this game, we must join together. We hold hands and run and we win the game. Our prize is that the plastic façade with all the bright colors begins to fade a bit and become more realistic. As we run, the world begins to change a bit and we find ourselves transitioning back to the park just as it had been earlier that day. It was once again beautiful and pristine.

Then, I begin to stir. I’m remembering the strangeness of the dream and I start to come out of my slumber. As I awaken, these strange events pass through my mind and I cannot believe what we encountered in that dream. What a strange series of events. And from this, I believe I learned my lesson. I should never have Mexican food before I sleep!

A Helpful Tip For the Muslim World

It’s a cartoon, get over it.

Your reaction to it is what is making Islam look bad, not a cartoon (and a bad one at that).

USS LOCKRIDGE (DD-5314) Action Report RE: 15JUL2205

DATE: 17JUL2205
FROM: COMMANDING OFFICER, USS LOCKRIDGE
TO: COMNAVFOR SIX
SUBJ: Action Report RE: 15JUL2005

• As per request in your letter of 16 July the following is an account of the operations of USS LOCKRIDGE (FF-3517) on the 15th of July of this year.


• Per orders USS LOCKRIDGE was conducting a routine patrol in accordance with COMNAVINST 2205.321 when at 1600 Hours we received word that several unidentified warships were closing on SS FRIEDA DOWNS, a US Flagged vessel. I issued instructions to Comms to request more information to FRIEDA DOWNS and to send a message to fleet headquarters, advising them of the situation.


• FRIEDA DOWNS reported that two ships were closing on them from astern and had ordered FREIDA DOWNS to heave to and prepare to be boarded for inspection. The radio operator aboard FREDIA DOWNS also transmitted her location and commented that she thought the person issuing the order sounded French and she asked of instructions. I had this information relayed to Fleet. While waiting for the reply FREIDA DOWNS decided to continue on course. She then declared that a shot had been fired across her bow. Her Captain declared and emergency stating that her hull had been breached by additional shots.


• I ordered the navigator to plot a course to intercept. As soon as the plot was in I ordered the OOD to head to the position at flank speed. I notified my intentions to Fleet. I received conformation of my orders and was reminded that the rules of engagement as per COMNAVINST 2202.1912 were in effect. I acknowledged receipt of instructions. Comms attempted to raise FREIDA DOWNS to inform them of our arrival but were successful.


• We received word that COMCUR Three was sending USS Boston (CG 320 and USS Payton (DD 4159) to rendezvous with us at the coordinates provided by FREIDA DOWNS


• After 6 hours at flank speed we arrived near the location indicated in the previous transmissions however, FREIDA DOWNS was not to be seen. Radar picked up a contact off the starboard bow. I ordered General Quarters and depressurization of the ship. Once that was accomplished and all crew donned combat uniforms and breathing apparatus I ordered a turn in the direction of FRIEDA DOWNS. After moving in closer it was discovered that it was debris, presumably from FRIEDA DOWNS. We found a life boat, unmanned and damaged.


• Operations indicated they picked up an engine signature along the bearing we were heading. I requested further instructions from fleet as we started search and rescue efforts. Both our launches set about a search grid of the area. After two hours on patrol Mosquito 2 reported a contact. Before we could ascertain what type, Mosquito 2 was destroyed. Secondary explosions, most likely her two missiles, were reported. None of the crew of 4 survived. Combat reported a contact on the same bearing heading in at high speed. I ordered PDS weapons free. I realize this technically violated COMNAVINST 2002.1912 as we had not been directly fired upon, however I considered the attack on one of our launches as an attack on my command its self. I take full responsibility for the destruction of the fighter.


• As can been seen on the accompanying photo (see attachment 1) the attacking fighter was a Dassault Gazelle strike fighter in French Navy markings. The fighter launched two flight to ship missiles at us. The PDMS destroyed one and another of our missiles destroyed the fighter.


• The Gazelle’s second missile struck USS LOCKRIDGE amidships, starboard side. The impact knocked the LRR-24c long range radar off line and destroyed our SRR-15 array. No hull breach was reported.


• At 2002 hours Combat reported two new contacts to the starboard quarter, via Mosquito 1’s onboard radar. At this time Mosquito 1 reported that they had discovered a life boat belonging to FREIDA DOWNS. We finished repairs and turned to face the new contacts as recovery operations were conducted. 7 souls were rescued.


• Combat identified the two contacts as a French Light Carrier of the Majesté Class and a light cruiser of the Cannes Class. I ordered recovery of Mosquito one. I sent Fleet HQ the information on the contacts. The reply, as our deck log shows, was that Fleet had received word directly from the pentagon that France had declared war on the United States of America. We were ordered to shadow the Carrier and wait for USS Boston to arrive.


• The Cannes Class Cruiser turned and laid in a course for us. Once detected I felt it was best to engage the carrier rather then let it go. I ordered flank speed on an intercept course for the carrier. I ordered the XO to get firing solutions for the torpedoes and missile batteries for the cruiser as soon as we got in range.


• We closed to maximum range for the missiles. We held fire until the cruiser opened with her main guns. I ordered the Weapons Officer to fire a full spread of torpedoes ahead and to the starboard track of the cruiser, whose initial rounds missed. We closed half the distance and I ordered the missile batteries to open fire with two missiles each The Cruiser fired another broadside; I executed hard turn to starboard. The cruiser began to evade our missiles by turning to her starboard track where she ran into four of our torpedoes.


• With the French light cruiser out of action I ordered our two guns to open up as we passed her. She fired he main guns on last time. One of the 6 rounds hit us, destroying the aft missile mount. At this time it appears the cruiser suffered internal explosions and she apparently lost electrical power.


• We changed course back to intercept the carrier. Change reported that there were fires in three compartments from the missile hits we had taken. Weapons reported the aft battery was out of operation until we could get to a yard.


• We received warning that the Carrier had launched four fighters. I ordered weapon free. We launched eight air to air missiles and powered up the CIWS.


• Two of our missiles hit their marks and destroyed two of the fighters. The remaining two launched their missiles at us. I ordered evasive action and fired chaff. One missile went after the chaff, the other three locked on to USS LOCKRIDGE. Radar reported that the carrier had launched six more craft.


• CIWS opened up at 2140 destroying one of the three vampires. One missed us cleanly the other struck amidships. Power was lost through out the ship. CHANG reported that the main engines were on line, however the electrical generator was damaged. Six compartments were partially breached. DC teams were deployed. Lookouts reported that there were six fighters inbound. Emergency power was activated and the forward missile battery opened fire. I ordered WEPS to fire all Ship to flight Missiles at the inbounds. We were still not in range of the Carrier. Her captain stayed jut beyond our range.


• At 2154 power was restored through out the ship. I ordered Radar on line ASAP, I turned to run parallel to the carrier. three of the inbound fighters were destroyed. Of those two managed to launch one missile each, one being a wild shot that missed. The other was destroyed by CIWS The remaining two fighters launched one missile each. I fired a decoy and turned hard to starboard to face the missile and present a narrower target. One missile went for the decoy and the other was destroyed close the ship.


• At 2156 the missile that went after the chaff reacquired USS LOCKRIDGE. It struck on the port quarter, destroying the main machinery room, venting it and three fuel tanks.


• It was at this point that the starboard lookout reported multiple explosions in and on the carrier. The two fighters strafed the bridge, killing the helmsman, the Petty Officer of the Watch and the XO. CIWS destroyed one of the Gazelles. Radar lost contact with the other one.


• Mosquito one reported two successful hits with her missiles, on in the hanger bay and reported that the carrier was ablaze from stem to stern.


• at 2230 CHANG reported all fires were out excepts for the fire in MMR control room.


• 0127 CHENG reported all fires out and patching of the hull started. USS BOSTON arrived on scene.


• 0258 Tow lines and power lines from USS BOSTON rigged.


• Damage Report


• Main Machinery Room/Main engines destroyed


• Aft Mk 232 Launcher Destroyed


• LLR-24c damaged


• SSR-15 Array damaged


• Sick Bay Destroyed


• Four Fuel tanks vented, loss of all fuel in said tanks


• Casualties:


• 23 Dead


• 44 wounded (18 released back to duty)


• Enemy losses


• One Majesté Class Light Carrier Destroyed


• One Cannes Class Light Cruiser Rendered inoperable


• Seven Gazelle Strike Fighters destroyed

1. I accept full responsibility for the damage to USS LOCKRIDGE and the loss of 23 lives.

Respectfully

Fredrick J. G. Holmes
CDR, USN