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2004-11-23 Down Under

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Posted by Steve 2004-11-23 11:40:51 AM|| || Front Page|| [1 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The latest Atlantic Monthly has an article about the likelihood of a submarine blockade of Taiwan if the island decides to declare independence.
It mentioned that an Australian diesel sub had snuck up on and "sunk" a U.S. missile boat during a recent exercise, and that the Chinese also use them.
Sounds like the Navy wants more high-quality friends to practice with.

Posted by Baltic Blog 2004-11-23 12:58:47 PM|| 2004-11-23 12:58:47 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Gee, I wonder if the Aussie sub commanders go through the RN's Punisher course.

Posted by Cheaderhead 2004-11-23 4:46:49 PM|| 2004-11-23 4:46:49 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 CH:
Some do. The US and Brits both accept allied navies in their courses, though AFAIK, no US Navy officer has been through the Punisher, nor a RN officer through the US course.
So, as a guess, I would say there have been Aussies in each. How many, or what percentage, I dunno.

Posted by jackal 2004-11-23 6:39:12 PM|| [http://home.earthlink.net/~sleepyjackal/index.html] 2004-11-23 6:39:12 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 Don't forget pirates.

Seems like all the locals want to talk about the pirate problem but not do anything about it. Probably because they all benefit from it in some way. A rash of sudden disappearances would solve the situation quite nicely. And if the odd Indon or Malay patrol craft gets "lost", well, there's a lesson to be learned there, too.

Posted by Chuck Simmins 2004-11-23 7:28:05 PM|| [http://blog.simmins.org] 2004-11-23 7:28:05 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 Tne RN course is called Perisher, not Punisher. Here is a story from the Spring 2003 edition of Undersea Magazine by the first USN officer to attend, LCDR Stpehen Mack.

Posted by Zpaz 2004-11-23 8:40:18 PM|| 2004-11-23 8:40:18 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Perisherâs tradition for handling an unsuccessful student is not to make him aware of his failure until a small boat approaches to remove him from the submarine. Unknown to the unfortunate officer, his sea bag has already been packed by a member of the crew and brought up for the transfer. Upon departure, he is presented with his personal gear and a bottle of whisky, never again to return to submarine service.

Ouch.

Posted by Zpaz 2004-11-23 8:43:50 PM|| 2004-11-23 8:43:50 PM|| Front Page Top

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