Comments on: Colombian assistance key to drug interdiction & regional stability

By: Stocker61

Stocker61 — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:07:00 +0000

I was on the Dallas in ’79, too. Too many hours in CIC looking at a radar screen. Bob, is that you?

By: CWO-4 Ret. Charles A. Kelley

CWO-4 Ret. Charles A. Kelley — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:18:00 +0000

You will find that the Dallas will be capable of meeting all of it’s duties for you. It is a formidable ship and not one to be trifiled with by the Chinese or anyone that gets in her way. Keeping her maintained will be costly but worth the effort for your intended use. Yes I am proud to see you put her out as the frontliner. After serving on seven cutters in the Coast Guard the Dallas was the height of my career and an engineers challenge that for three years was never a dull moment from the day I stepped on board. If I can give you one piece of advice, it’s this. When checking the gas turbine overspeed trips, never start the engines and rev them up to do it. I wrote the procedure in the instruction manual on how to do it using instruments only and it’s the way Pratt Whitney has it set up to do it. Alot of things came up along the way that Pratt Whitney didn’t teach us about the gas turbines. Good luck, God bless, take care of our girl and she will take care of you. Chuck

By: CWO-4 Ret. Charles A. Kelley

CWO-4 Ret. Charles A. Kelley — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:50:00 +0000

I never once said they didn’t have the smarts to operate it. I served with many Philipinos during my 28 year career and never saw a single one that couldn’t hold down his rate or rank. I still tell you that the cost to operate this ship after 45 years will streach any budget. My reference to the limited operation of the gas turbines is soley due to the tremendous amount of fuel it takes to feed these beasts, not their ability to operate them. Since they have so many pesos why not build their own new fleet and stop using hand me downs. A few new ones would probably feel pretty good under their feet for a change. And, pal, don’t ever refer to me as un-American. I have been there and done that, have you?

By: KAREY1954

KAREY1954 — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:11:00 +0000

DALLAS TO MUCH HISTORY TO LET GO KEEP HER IN THE U.S.A. GOD BLASS U.S. COAST GUARD DALLAS

By: KAREY1954

KAREY1954 — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:05:00 +0000

i was on dallas 1979 i will never forget to bad seh cant stay in the u.s.a.

By: Alfathomas30

Alfathomas30 — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:55:00 +0000

“Philippine navy didn’t have the smarts to operate it” is kinda rude statement there buddy. As humans, we can learn anything that is taught to us. Did you know how to operate this ship before you got on her? without training? just plain old you and your street “smarts”?. You have to remember that Filipinos are highly adaptive to any type of situations, it’s skilled workers are “highly trainable”. You also must remember that the Philippines is now a fossil fuel producing country and has added billions of pesos a year to its military spending. Your underestimation of the Filipinos is uncalled for and is very unAmerican.

By: Shen_echavia

Shen_echavia — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:23:00 +0000

we have our severeignty, our dignity, our honor, our people, and a coountry to defend. As of the moment it is the only thing we could rely on against the threatening chinese gov. you must be proud that we will put it as our frontliner against a super power not just as a support.

By: CWO-4 Ret. Charles A. Kelley

CWO-4 Ret. Charles A. Kelley — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 17:24:00 +0000

I think what Conners and I agree on is the magnitude of cost to operate a “378″. There was never an intent to deny that the Phillipine Navy didn’t have the smarts to operate it. Maybe it’s you that doesn’t know the difference between an Atherton and a Dallas. How well are you versed in the operation of combination Diesel/Gas Turbine power systems with Variable Pitch propellers and the tremendous cost to operate and maintain. Not to mention the thousands of other high tech systems needing constant maintenance. Again, I only question the decision to take on the cost, not the ability to operate Dallas. Maybe another 37 years will tell, huh!
CWO-4 Ret. Charles Kelley

By: CWO-4 Ret. Charles A. Kelley

CWO-4 Ret. Charles A. Kelley — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:40:00 +0000

Paul Conners, you’re right. The cost to maintain and operate a “378″ will be more than the Philappine Navy can afford unless we pay for it. I would venture a guess that the Gas Turbines under their operation will see very little if any service since the cost for fuel and replacement of an engine are almost intolerable. I believe operating a vessel of this size and complexity is a little more than they are bargaining for. I believe they should be thinking of something between 150-200 ft. with straight diesel power or at least smaller more efficient gas turbines. You had better believe that when the CG or Navy sees fit to decommission a vessel it has reached the point of not being efficiently sound to keep it running. I hate to see the “Big D” go into retirement from our service and I do wish the “P” navy fair winds and good sailing with her.

CWO-4, Ret. Charles (Uncle Chuck) Kelley

By: Paul Connors

Paul Connors — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:10:00 +0000

After 45 years of service to the USCG, I wonder just how long the Philippine Navy will be able to maintain her in anything resembling full operational service, especially as a warship that will probably be used for anti-piracy. Not to knock the Hamilton class cutters, but I think the Philippine Navy might be better off taking on some of the Perry Class frigates the USN is getting rid of.