CDR Salamander - LCS-1: a "no-go" - Raw Intel

May 10, 201214 yr

First - I am not happy that Galrahn scooped me on this message ... but hey, no one's spies are perfect ... ahem ...

.... but, this is not a shock to the front porch.

2. SENIOR INSPECTOR COMMENTS: USS FREEDOM (LCS 1) IS EVALUATED AS A "NO-GO" AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO PROCEED WITH THE SCHEDULED SPECIAL TRIAL (ST). FREEDOM'S CREW AND CONTRACTORS

WERE NOT PREPARED

FOR THE INSPECTION. BOTH ENTITIES WERE

UNFAMILIAR WITH THE CONDUCT OF INSURV

MATERIAL CHECKS.

EXECUTION OF THE SOE WAS VERY POOR

. THERE WAS

CONFUSION BETWEEN CONTRACTOR AND CREW RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF EQUIPMENT CHECKS. THE INSPECTION EXPERIENCE LEVEL FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE CREW IS LOW ALTHOUGH THEY DID DEMONSTRATE A GOOD POSITIVE ATTITUDE. THE CREW AND CONTRACTORS NEED TO CONTINUE TO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE SHIP'S EQUIPMENT, OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES, IMPROVE IN PRESENTATION/DEMONSTRATIONS AND AGGRESSIVELY MANAGE/COORDINATE SOE. THE SHIP WAS CLEAN.

SEVERAL AREAS REQUIRE PRESERVATION. SAFETY PROGRAMS ABOARD THE SHIP ARE NON-EXISTENT.

THE SHIP DID DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO SELF-ASSESS. HOWEVER, THEY ARE

NOT AGGRESSIVELY REPORTING AND PURSUING RESOLUTION OF THE DEFICIENCIES

THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED.

This isn't a "first in class" issue and I do not fault the CO, XO, CMDCM or the crew. These are excellent men and women - and good Sailors.

Here is why most of the problems above exist - there isn't time. There is only a 24-hr day. Even when properly manned, a ship has a challenge getting the basics done.

LCS is undermanned. As a result it will always have preservation problems, safety problems, poor procedures and execution, and not enough hours to resolve identified problems inside their lifelines - much less look for new ones.

It is baked in the cake. They have been set up to fail by bad theory and happy talk.

Oh, and 10-month deployments rotating crews? You'll wear that ship down even more.

While we are on the topic of INSURV - if you don't follow DODBUZZ on twitter, you need to.

You remember the hissy-fit I threw about the CYA classification of INSURV by the present CNO when he was doing ADM Roughead's bidding?

LOLZ!

INSURV classification trips up even Navy on LCS conference call -- speakers say they want reporters to see it, but PAO backs off that.
â€” dodbuzz (@DoDBuzz) May 9, 2012

Murdoch said he expects INSURV acceptance report on LCS 3 by Friday & urged reporters to read it to see high quality of ship. But no dice
â€” dodbuzz (@DoDBuzz) May 9, 2012