August 5, 2011
vol. 1 i. 13
Slimy Wogs
History of the Shellback Ceremony
Talisman Sabre 2011
TALISMAN SABRE 2011 Photos by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Mel Orr
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and Germantown (LSD 42) were in the Coral Sea in support of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011 which enhanced joint combat readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Australian air, land and maritime forces, and focused on crisis action planning and execution of emergency response operations.
Commanding Officer: Capt. Daniel Grieco Executive Officer: Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Ralston Command Master Chief: CMDCM(SW/SS) David Unnone Public Affairs Officer: Lt. j.g. Clinton Beaird Editor: MC1(SW) Todd Macdonald Newsletter Staff: MC1(SW/AW) Jerry Foltz MC2(SW) Brian Dietrick MC2 Aaron Pineda MC2(AW) Steven Khor MC3(SW) Alexandra Arroyo MC3 Mel Orr MCSN James Norman
Produced by Media Services division, Ext. 4155 Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ussblueridge View this issue online: www.issuu.com/ussblueridge
August 5, 2011
Blue Ridge is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the USS Blue Ridge. All news releases, photos or information for publication in Blue Ridge must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer.
vol. 1 i. 13
On the cover: Able Seaman Megan Burgess
from Adelaide, South Australia works alongside U.S. Navy Sailors in the flag mess aboard 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) during Talisman Sabre 2011.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Pineda
Talisma n
Slimy
Histor
Wogs
y of the Shellba ck Cerem
Sabre
ony
2011
Australian Military Forces Lend a Hand for Talisman Sabre Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Pineda
Aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), it became a common sight to see Australian military personnel in work spaces and on the deck plates as the mission was executed. Together with these important allies, the U.S. Navy conducted the largest exercise of it’s kind, Talisman Sabre. One of those allies was Able Seaman Megan Burgess from Adelaide, Australia. Burgess has been in the the Royal Australian Navy for seven years and was temporarily embarked on Blue Ridge from HMAS Cairns as a flag staff cook. She said she had a great time working with Americans. “It has been good fun,” she said. “I was able to work with a great group of guys who taught me some new recipes and always joked around with me about converting pounds and ounces to the metric system.” Working in the flag mess was not the first time Burgess had been exposed to Americans. As a crew member of HMAS Sydney she visited
the west coast of the U.S. She said the experienced left a big impression on her. “Everything is massive in America,” said Burgess. “Shopping centers are huge and restaurants have themes. I think the American personality is much more out there.” Burgess said if the opportunity to work along side the American military presented itself again she would take it. “I’d definitely do it again,” she said. “It just so interesting to see our Navies operate, the differences and similarities.” Electronic Warfare Petty Officer Oliver Stojanovski from Perth, Western Australia echoes Burgess when he described his experience aboard Blue Ridge. “It was a different but good experience,” he said. “Its opened my eyes to how our Navies work together and it’s been awesome to meet people and form the friendships I have.” Stojanovski said he worked with American Sailors before although in a different environment. “I was on ABOT [Al-Basra Oil Terminal] with the U.S. Navy’s Naval Coastal Warfare Unit for five months,” he said. “ It was a very different experience than being on a ship though because there (ABOT) it was much more like being stationed with the Army or Marine Corps. Blue Ridge has allowed me to see how the U.S. Navy operates in a maritime environment.” Stanajovski said he’s never been to the
U.S. but Chicago will definitely be on his list of places to visit when does. “I want to go see the Bulls play,” he said. “When I was a kid Michael Jordan was my favorite player and they were the team to go for. I guess you could say I’m a bit of a bandwagon fan.” Stanajovski followed another NBA star as well. “My second favorite player was Mougsy Bouggs because he’s short like me,” he said. He’s only 5’6” and could slam dunk the ball!” Sailors weren’t the only Australian military on the ship. Airmen from the Royal Australian Air Force were making their presence known as well. For Communication Information Systems Controller, Ben Mason from Newcastle, New South Wales his experience on the Blue Ridge was a new chapter in working with the Americans. “This was my first time on a Navy ship and I didn’t get seasick so I guess it was good,” joked Mason. “I worked in the Middle East with the American Air Force and Army for two-years. This has been a great opportunity for me to do something different. It’s not everyday you can say you’ve been underway on an American ship.”
LEARN THESE PHRASES TO MAKE YOUR STAY IN BUSAN MORE ENJOYABLE: Hello arn-young-hah-say-yo Pleased to meet you pun-gup sum-nee-da Thank you kum-sar-hum-ne da Goodbye arm-yong-hee-care-say-ya Yes nea No are-nee-ya Sorry mee-arn hum-nee-da How much all-my air-yo
CURRENCY EXCHANGE as of August 4, 2011
U.S. Dollar Korean Won 1 1,060 5 5,302 10 10,604 25 26,510 50 53,020 100 106,040
B
usan is Korea’s second largest city with close to four million people. The city is famous for its seafood and beaches as well as the Hallyosudo Waterway with its picturesque islands. Although primarily known as a huge shipping port, the city has many steep hills which creates a very unusual mix of mountains and ocean. Haeundae has become Korea’s most popular beach. During the summer, especially on weekends, the area becomes a wall of humanity. Even during the colder seasons, people still flock here to walk along the boardwalk, fly kites in the ocean breeze and look for shells in the sand. Busan’s close proximity to the ocean gives it milder winters than other places in Korea, enabling people to enjoy the night life in more comfort. As a major port of call for international shipping, the harbor area has a thriving district that caters to the thousands of sailors and other visitors who pass through each year. Busan’s younger generation frequents the “3 daes” of Busan: Haeundae, Taejongdae and Pusandae. The area known as the “Texas Street” near the main train station in Busan has many businesses that cater to the local Russian population, as well as the crews of foreign ships. Because of the Chinese presence, the area was designated to serve the commercial and entertainment needs of American soldiers and businesses were set up there during the 1940s and 1950s to cater to them.
Busan, South Korea
Called the summer capital of South Korea, the city of Busan attracts tourists from all over the world to it’s beaches. Luxury hotels and a carnival boardwalk line Haeundae Beach. * Information on this page is recommended by the writer and is not an endorsement by 7th Fleet or USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)
The History of the
Shellback Ceremony Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mel Orr
Wog day is a long naval tradition commemorating a Sailor’s first crossing of the equator. This tradition dates back to ancient times when ships first sailed the world. It was originally created as a test for seasoned Sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capable of handling long rough times at sea. Sailors who have already crossed the equator are nicknamed “trusty shellbacks” and those who have not are “slimy pollywogs,” or simply “wogs.” These wogs go through a series of trials before facing King Neptune and his royal court to be judged whether or not they are worthy enough to become shellbacks. As early as the 19th century, the linecrossing ceremony was a brutal event, often involving beating pollywogs with boards and wet ropes. Sometimes victims were thrown over the side of the ship, dragging them in the surf from the stern. An account recorded on Sept. 25, 1708, by Woodes Rogers, an English privateer, describes one aspect of the ceremony’s brutality: “This day, according to custom, we ducked those that had never passed the tropic before. The manner of doing it was by a rope thru a block from the main-yard, to hoist `em above half way up to the yard, and let `em fall at once into the water; having a stick cross thru their legs, and well fastened to the rope, that they might not be surprised and let go their hold.” Efforts to curtail the line-crossing ceremony did not begin until the 1980s. Now most navies have since instituted regulations that prohibit physical attacks on Sailors undergoing the ceremony. Today, wog day is a fun-spirited ritual often involving tame physical fitness and light-hearted activities. It does however, maintain the customs and traditions of the ceremony involving King Neptune and his royal court.
Know? Did You
Sailor Q A &
“How did you spend your time while on liberty in Cairns?”
Compiled by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman James Norman
CS1 Jeffrey Legaspi
“I had a blast going on a MWR Great Barrier Reef dive tour. I saw fish that were longer than I am tall.”
LCDR Joseph Morrison NCC Charles Tibbetts
“I got to enjoy a game of golf in Cairns with some local Australians. The weather was great!”
“I went to see Captain America and also had some lamb at a nice Italian restaurant.”
SHSN Krista Stelzner
PSSN William Baldwin
ET3 Andrew Paul
“I went snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and it was amazing! I also had a kebab for the first time.”
“I went snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef and saw a crocodile that was as large as a cow.”
“Cairns was an awesome city! I had a really good time at the COMSERVs and had some good BBQ.”
Similar Ceremonies in the U.S. Navy
The Order of the Golden Dragon - crossing the international date line The Order of the Ditch - passing through the Panama Canal The Order of the Rock - transiting the Strait of Gibraltar The Safari to Suez - passing through the Suez Canal The Golden Shellback - crossing where the equator crosses the international date line The Emerald Shellback - crossing where the equator crosses the prime meridian The Golden Dragon - crossing the equator at the 180th meridian The Realm of the Czars - crossing into the Black Sea The Order of Magellan - circumnavigating the Earth
Congratulations to the Chief Selectees PS1 Achilles Amante MM1 John Atwood PS1 Aurora Caasi ET1 Scott Cassin
CS1 Jerome Feliciano IT1 Aquinor Hollingsworth MM1 Carlos Jones AG1 Chi Maxey
QM1 Andrey Mihaylovski IT1 Dewayne Poole
Davy Jones’ Locker is actually a reference to the evil spirit who presided over all of the seas’ demons. Over time it has come to mean the sea itself. The origins of the name are unclear. The superstition was popularized in the early 19th century.
Thank You Notes From Our Australian Counterparts During Talisman Sabre 2011
Damage Control Olympics
Photo by MCSN James Norman
Damage Controlman Fireman Steven Woolums (left), Damage Controlman Fireman Aaron Laughlin and Damage Controlman Fireman Michael Rodriguez man a hose during the Damage Control Olympics held on July 23.
Photo by MCSN James Norman
Machinst’s Mate Fireman Joshua Tuggle hammers a wedge into a leaking pipe during the Damage Control Olympics held on July 23.
Photo by MCSN James Norman
Machinst’s Mate Fireman Majorie Yandoc assists Logistics Specialist 1st Class Ivy Cristobal on pipe patching during the Damage Control Olympics held on July 23.
Photo by MC2(AW) Steven Khor
Chief Electrician’s Mate Neiladrian Guan and Gunnery Sergeant Elwin Zubiri participate in the tug-of-war competition during the Damage Control Olympics held on July 23.
Photo by MC2(AW) Steven Khor
Damage Controlman Fireman Alina Barba (center) assists Engineman Fireman Ivy Ancheta don firefighting ensemble during the Damage Control Olympics held on July 23.
For more pictures, stories and videos... find us!
Facebook.com/USSBlueRidge