Well there was a poll on this thread at one point to see the numbers, but I dunno where it went. Regardless, thanks to everyone for everything you've done for us!

 

Current United States Army, active duty. I'm a 96B Intel Analyst. Been in almost 3 years now. I'm stationed out of Ft Hood, Texas, now almost done with my 15 months here in Iraq

oh yeah, this is my 1st post on this board as well

 

Hey Poisoned Pony A Big Thank-You for what & who you are from everyone here Be safe Think safe Get Your Butt Home ! Happy 4th of July

 

Active Duty Air Force here.

 

United States Marine Corps Reserve 0331 machine gunner and combat lifesaver.

 

USAF active duty. stationed at offutt afb ne. 1A351 Airborne communications and electronics specialist. been in about 4 years now

 

Me, USN-Retired, Disabled Nam Vet. Oldest son Sgt 173rd Airborne. Currently deployed (again). Youngest son, Basic Training, Ft Benning, GA. Graduates Thursday, then off to AIT.

 

5 years in the navy for me, from 84 - 89. I was a Gunners Mate assigned to Turret 1 of the USS New Jersey. The first picture below is me on top of the right gun when I was gun captain. The other picture is what I like to call the "Big Bang Theory".... Also known as a 9 gun broadside.


Proud to serve and of those who serve now!

 

wow thats impressive piper....

i would hate to be anywhere near that without some kind of hearing protection.

 

Actually, it was not very loud inside the turret. The gas ejection air that came on when you opened the breach was quite loud. But the guns weren’t, largely due to the 17� of armor plate on the face of the turret.

 

holy crap!!!!

 

That's badass! How far does the ship slide with a full broadside? I think I remember reading 1/2 mile somewhere.

Is the diffrence in water color along the axis of the ship due to the shockwave?

 

The skipper was asked that once and he responded that it doesn't even blip the GPS. You have to remember that gun has a recoil system that allows the gun to recoil 4 feet, the gun it's self weighs 144 tons sitting on it's trunions, The turret weighs in at 2200 tons, and lastly, the ship displaces 58,000 tons of water when she draws 40 feet of water. That is a lot to move around.
Nope, she doesn’t even rock when firing… She is a very stable gun platform. It was a kick to load her and watch the gun recoil… it was like a freight train coming at you!


The white caps on the starboard side are caused by the shockwave from the guns. An interesting fact is that they measured 18 psi on the bow when they fired guns. On one of the very few times I got to see the guns fire from the outside I was maybe 75 feet from the muzzle. The pressure from the blast is like a big hand that just pushes you back a step. It is really hard not to step backwards when they fired.
The light blue you see in the picture is just from the ships wake. And it was also common for other ships to cruise in our line to watch the shoot as well.

 

Reserved for what? It's "Reserve" What about National Guard folks? Reserve and National Guard are not the same thing.

 

now thats cool! i love those ol'e P-51's the could really hang with those ME262's

 

oh i would also like to thank all of you for serving our country it truly means alot to me that your not another lame *** person stating how we shouldnt be in Iraq and the soldiers arent doing a good job, because they are doing the best they can and thats what counts really.

8 more years and im in the army! wooo

 

Police Officer - Leavenworth KS and was in the Air Force Security Forces

 

Sure is a small world, think I work with you occasionally.

 

3rd Brigade, U.S. 7th Calvary, Montana Territory
Scalped ,so discharged as unsightly to the public(tattoos are OK though..go figure)
USAF took me 1960/1964..they like bald guys, cuz they can wear smaller helmets

 

Active Army Air Defense- 14S - Stinger in Germany for 5 years, a year in El Paso as Range Control and 2 years in the Reserves as a 25F Signal Unit, soon to be OPFOR with 75th Training Division here in Houston