Gotland Homeward Bound

NEWSFLASH: DATELINE - JULY 11, 2007 from the Navy Dispatch :The HMS Gotland, the diesel electric submarine that was loaned to the United States by Sweden has finished her 2 year stint and is going home. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Jennifer S. Kimball). According to the Navy Times article , "US and Swedish officials decided [in February] to end the agreement and work with other countries to provide similar training to the pacific fleet..."

Other participating countries in negotiation: Chile , Peru and Columbia (which have been participating since '01, just not in the pacific) and Brazil.

Finding Nemo Submarine Salute by Navy

Steve Perez, from the OC Register did a great article on the OC's blog about the ceremony and
the history of the submarine ride. What was interesting was for those who were handicapped and 'closterphobic' there is a room that resembles the insides of the sub and you can watch it on the big portal (screen). Go to this link and click on the link to "navy salutes nemo" (yes, bypass the write-up about the celebs being at the opening) and watch the video.

Myself and the OS will be going there as the OS says 'one of these days' when I'm free to report
to review the ride, personally.

Going deep,
DPG

This blog investigates: History of the DBF insignia

The DBF Pin

In 1969, in one of those heated discussions on who is superior - diesel vs nukes- someone on the USS Barbel suggested that there should be a pin specifically for the diesel submarines who have to fill in for a nuclear submarine because it needed to be repaired. So, there was a contest to commission a design of the pin. ETR3(SS) Leon Figurido had the winning design. When the Barbel was docked in Yokosuka, the pins were made and sold at cost. Now, you decide which
source of information to read: wikipedia and/or submarine sailor.com . I like submarinesailor.com's version.

USS DOLPHIN SAILOR DOING COLORS

We wish everyone a safe and happy independence day.

Vintage photo of sailor on Dolphin.

Update: We believe that the Dolphin sailor is John Riemensehender... DPG

Website Found

Go to this website and see for yourself. It has a community just for those who served in the services. So far, the Marines and Navy webpages work. You can look up and hook up with your ol'e buddies from waaay back. Take a gander. Its called TOGETHERWESERVED.COM

Watching out,
DPG

(thanks "JD" for the heads up)