Undisclosed Location in the Pacific Ocean
The US Naval Task Force or Joint Defense Force (JDF-1) is centered on the flagship, USS John F. Kennedy (JFK) with the USS Tripoli, USS America and USS Unknown Soldier (LHAs and Intell collection platform) within three kilometers of the flagship forming a diamond. The USS Wyvern (LCS) is positioned 3 - 5 KM to the rear of the USS Unknown Soldier covering JDF-1's six o'clock position. The USS Leviathan is the lead element posted 20 - 25 Km in front of the flagship. The USS Navassa Island, USS Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ), USS Hermes, HMCS Gander and USS Fenrir are picket ships posted five kilometer from the flagship between the 9 o'clock through the 12 o'clock to the 3 o'clock position forming an umbrella of protection against Air, surface and submersed threats.
Aboard the USS America
Captain Krol sat in his state room going over fitness reports of the officers aboard his amphibious assault ship. A Petty Officer knocked at the door. "Enter!" The Captain commanded.
"Sir, Message from the Kennedy," the sailor announced handing a slip of paper to his ship's captain, then coming to the position of attention.
The Captain focused on the slip of paper as it took it from the sailor, "at ease, sailor." The sailor then slid his left foot to the left and allowed his hands to gather behind his back. The Captain read the note, All JDF one units, receive notification, Admiral Percy Dumas expired this morning due to cardiac arrest. Initiate succession of command per SOP. Captain Krol was taken aback by the brevity of the message. He looked at the sailor, "Was this message confirmed?"
"Sir, yes sir!"
"You're dismissed sailor," the captain quipped. The sailor silently executed an about face and left the Captain's state room to return to his duties. Captain Krol considered the other officers in the Task Force, 'Cole Marshall? Too young. Tiffany Larkin? again, too inexperienced. Frank MacGregor? qualified, but a bit of an odd duck. You know how those submariners are. Rich Sinclair? John Phillips? Other than myself, the only other options to take over as Task Force Commander. Each of the other smaller ships in the Task Force are captained by Commanders or Lieutenant Commanders. The commander never mentioned who would be the next CO if the admiral bought the farm.
Aboard the USS LBJ
"Captain, Albatross five has cleared the hangar deck and is commencing ASW drills ten kilometers off our port bow, heading south," Commander Grimes informed the skipper. The commander of US Naval vessels can often times be referred to as Captain or Skipper even if they are not of the rank Captain. It is a long standing tradition aboard US naval ships to refer to the ship commander as Captain. In this case, Hank Matthews is a Commander, which is equivalent to a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marines or Army. That is the rank authorized to command a Cruiser or Destroyer. The smaller Frigates and Corvettes would have a Lieutenant Commander in command and the smaller missile boats would be captained by a full Lieutenant. The Lieutenant Commander is the equivalent to a Major in the Army and the Lieutenant is equivalent to an Army Captain.
"Roger that, Mister Grimes," The Captain responded as he sipped his coffee. "Any air contacts in the area?"
"No sir, only friendly. The JFK has a flight of four Lightnings up top for air cover, a few other rotary aircraft," the XO told his commander. Helicopters are referred to as rotary or rotary wing aircraft while others are called fixed wing aircraft. The F-35 Lightnings would provide an Air Control Mission (AC) in order to be able to respond to immediate air threat if one should present itself, than leaving the aircraft on deck ready to take off.
The Task Force blundered into destiny.
The US Naval Task Force or Joint Defense Force (JDF-1) is centered on the flagship, USS John F. Kennedy (JFK) with the USS Tripoli, USS America and USS Unknown Soldier (LHAs and Intell collection platform) within three kilometers of the flagship forming a diamond. The USS Wyvern (LCS) is positioned 3 - 5 KM to the rear of the USS Unknown Soldier covering JDF-1's six o'clock position. The USS Leviathan is the lead element posted 20 - 25 Km in front of the flagship. The USS Navassa Island, USS Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ), USS Hermes, HMCS Gander and USS Fenrir are picket ships posted five kilometer from the flagship between the 9 o'clock through the 12 o'clock to the 3 o'clock position forming an umbrella of protection against Air, surface and submersed threats.
Aboard the USS America
Captain Krol sat in his state room going over fitness reports of the officers aboard his amphibious assault ship. A Petty Officer knocked at the door. "Enter!" The Captain commanded.
"Sir, Message from the Kennedy," the sailor announced handing a slip of paper to his ship's captain, then coming to the position of attention.
The Captain focused on the slip of paper as it took it from the sailor, "at ease, sailor." The sailor then slid his left foot to the left and allowed his hands to gather behind his back. The Captain read the note, All JDF one units, receive notification, Admiral Percy Dumas expired this morning due to cardiac arrest. Initiate succession of command per SOP. Captain Krol was taken aback by the brevity of the message. He looked at the sailor, "Was this message confirmed?"
"Sir, yes sir!"
"You're dismissed sailor," the captain quipped. The sailor silently executed an about face and left the Captain's state room to return to his duties. Captain Krol considered the other officers in the Task Force, 'Cole Marshall? Too young. Tiffany Larkin? again, too inexperienced. Frank MacGregor? qualified, but a bit of an odd duck. You know how those submariners are. Rich Sinclair? John Phillips? Other than myself, the only other options to take over as Task Force Commander. Each of the other smaller ships in the Task Force are captained by Commanders or Lieutenant Commanders. The commander never mentioned who would be the next CO if the admiral bought the farm.
Aboard the USS LBJ
"Captain, Albatross five has cleared the hangar deck and is commencing ASW drills ten kilometers off our port bow, heading south," Commander Grimes informed the skipper. The commander of US Naval vessels can often times be referred to as Captain or Skipper even if they are not of the rank Captain. It is a long standing tradition aboard US naval ships to refer to the ship commander as Captain. In this case, Hank Matthews is a Commander, which is equivalent to a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marines or Army. That is the rank authorized to command a Cruiser or Destroyer. The smaller Frigates and Corvettes would have a Lieutenant Commander in command and the smaller missile boats would be captained by a full Lieutenant. The Lieutenant Commander is the equivalent to a Major in the Army and the Lieutenant is equivalent to an Army Captain.
"Roger that, Mister Grimes," The Captain responded as he sipped his coffee. "Any air contacts in the area?"
"No sir, only friendly. The JFK has a flight of four Lightnings up top for air cover, a few other rotary aircraft," the XO told his commander. Helicopters are referred to as rotary or rotary wing aircraft while others are called fixed wing aircraft. The F-35 Lightnings would provide an Air Control Mission (AC) in order to be able to respond to immediate air threat if one should present itself, than leaving the aircraft on deck ready to take off.
The Task Force blundered into destiny.