Scuttlebutt: Official Podcast of the National Museum of the Surface Navy

Emmy-winning aerial cinematographer DAVID ALAN ARNOLD shares the wild reality of flying in the Bering Sea, how he built a career from nothing, and why he looks forward to LA Fleet Week year after year.👇 Follow DavidWebsite: https://davidalanarnold.com/Instagram: ‪@airbornecamera‬ Facebook: ‪@DavidAlanArnold‬ YouTube: ‪@DavidAlanArnold‬ * * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

"The people we're rescuing are trying to kill us."Because we're driven by curiosity and we know both an MH-60 S ("God's chariot") pilot and an aviation rescue swimmer, we thought we should get them together to talk shop. Kevin Borough and Brian Dickinson share behind-the-scenes insights and hair-raising tales in this fascinating glimpse into the world of Navy search and rescue.👉 Links to more from Brian:🎙️ Calm in the Chaos PodcastOfficial sitehttps://www.briandickinson.net/calminthechaospodcast/YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@TheCalmintheChaosPodcast📚 Brian's BooksBlind Descenthttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GWT8E10Calm in the Chaoshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1M62G19👉 Chapter Index for this podcast:00:00 Intro & Catching Up02:41 Empty Nesters and Life Transitions03:10 Brian’s New Book and Future Projects04:03 Potential Everest Movie Adaptation05:16 Kevin’s Background as an MH-60S Pilot06:42 How Long Does It Take to Become Mission Ready?08:32 Rescue Swimmer Training and Qualifications11:43 Staying Physically Ready for Rescue Missions15:19 Carrier Operations and Daily Flight Life16:59 How Pilots and Swimmers Coordinate Rescues22:20 The Unique Trust Inside a Helicopter Crew25:06 Call Signs and Aviation Culture27:26 Responding to a Real Rescue Call32:22 Managing Chaos and Communications During Rescues35:54 Jumping from the Helicopter: Go / No-Go Decisions41:51 When Rescues Don’t Go as Planned43:20 Night Rescues and Operations in Extreme Conditions48:03 Communicating with Survivors in the Water52:57 Kevin’s High-Altitude Death Valley Rescue Story01:00:05 Brian’s Off-Duty Swift Water Rescue01:05:15 Lessons from Veterans and Untold Stories01:06:41 Why Historic Ships Like IOWA Matter01:11:42 What We’re Reading Right Now01:13:05 Final Thoughts and Farewell* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

We went off-roading for this episode. We're off the ship and on the dock, exploring the space that's about to become the Freedom of the Seas pavilion.Curious about anything? Drop your questions in the comments and we'll answer them in the next episode!For visuals check out the YouTube version of this podcast.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Command Master Chief Octavia Harris, USN (Ret.) is one of those amazing humans you feel blessed to have a conversation with. A fortuitous meeting with a savvy hull technician recruiter led to her ground-breaking 30+-year career in the Navy.She sits down with us to talk about what it's like to rise from a 17 year-old recruit to a command master chief. It's a brief masterclass in leadership you'll thoroughly enjoy.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

You want behind the scenes? Boy do we have it for you in this episode. Buckle up and join Kyle Aube, Mike Nguyen, Hall Roosevelt, and Marann Fengler for a bumpy ride!Curious about anything? Drop your questions in the comments and we'll answer them in the next episode!* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Meet PBC's newest board members, Phil Bloom, founder and president of American Scenic Design, and Joshua Wexler, CEO of Fun at Pure Imagination Studios.These two heavy hitters in the worlds of entertainment and amusement park experience design lead the teams bringing the National Museum of the Surface Navy to life aboard Battleship IOWA.They graciously took time out of their busy schedules to sit down with us and share who they are and why they're excited to be part of what we're building.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

We decided you don't have enough chances to hang out with our team and find out what life aboard the battleship is really like, so we're bringing you behind the scenes.Curious about anything? Drop your questions in the comments and we'll answer them in the next episode!* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Our 2025 Freedom of the Seas Award recipient, CDR Victor Vescovo, USNR (Ret.) is epic and remarkable. His list of accomplishments reads like an adventure novel: he's climbed Everest, flown in space, been to the bottoms of all five oceans, found the deepest shipwrecks ever located, and more.What's his WHY? What drives him to push boundaries and take the risks he does? Find out as we return with Season 4 of Scuttlebutt.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Meet Navy flyers Kevin Borough and Jack Tribolet. Neither dreamed of being a pilot - one, in fact, actively avoided it, but both ended up driving rescue helos for the Navy. Buckle up for some hair-raising tales of scary weather in this episode of Scuttlebutt!Find the first half of this podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md7m3fmyKM4* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

We just talked to a rescue swimmer (https://youtu.be/2d_uQT1fHEU?si=R1iF0wvPyeBHfOMm). We figured we ought to talk to his taxi drivers, too.Meet Navy flyers Kevin Borough and Jack Tribolet. Neither dreamed of being a pilot - one, in fact, actively avoided it, but both ended up driving rescue helos for the Navy. How did their journeys take them to the MH-60 Sierra? Find out in this episode of Scuttlebutt!* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Brian Dickinson has been a part of an elite unit in the US Navy: he's a retired Navy aviation rescue swimmer. That not adventurous enough for you? He's also one of two people to have stood on the roof of the world completely by himself.Join us for his incredible story. For more, check out his website and his new book Calm In The Chaos comes out TODAY - Tuesday, Oct 29. You can find it at all the usual booksellers.https://www.briandickinson.net/* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Brian Dickinson has had been a part of an elite unit in the US Navy: he's a retired Navy aviation rescue swimmer. That not adventurous enough for you? He's also one of two people to have stood on the roof of the world completely by himself.Join us for his incredible story. For more, check out his website and his new book Calm In The Chaos comes out next Tuesday, Oct 29.https://www.briandickinson.net/https://youtu.be/tHrEdZqV4FI?si=qWoXEB0LUDTbL0eP* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Battleship IOWA Museum's first chairman of the board and former Iowa state senator Jeff Lamberti joins the gang to reminisce about the adventure of saving the ship from the mothball fleet.Prepare for some laughs as we share previously untold stories from Suisun Bay and Richmond, and the days when the budget was so tight, we had to ration generator hours.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Former Iowa state senator and the first chairman of Battleship IOWA's Board, Jeff Lamberti was there for the pins-and-needles moments back in 2011 when saving the ship was still a huge question mark.He jumped into a Scuttlebutt recording earlier this year to reminisce about those crazy times and how it's really a miracle we're here!* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Here's Part 2 of our conversation with Travis Davis, Vice President of Ship Operations for Battleship TEXAS.In this podcast he shares behind the scenes info on the recent drydocking and restoration of the world's oldest battleship.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

We've been trying to get this guy on the podcast for a while. He's Travis Davis, Vice President of Ship Operations for Battleship TEXAS and he's had an interesting few years.In this podcast he shares behind the scenes info on the recent drydocking and restoration of the world's oldest battleship.Part 2 coming soon.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

We're excited to introduce the latest restored and working space aboard Battleship IOWA. It's the new home for our podcast: IOWA's 1980s TV studio. Welcome to NEPM Studio 61A!In this episode we sit down with IOWA's Innovation Engineering & Technology (IE&T) Team manager Gary Lopes for a chat about what it was like to restore the ship's 1980s television studio to its full glory (working Betamax camera included)... only to see our podcast team move in and get goofy.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Out of the blue a few months ago, we got an email from a young man from the Philadelphia area. Aydin Diaby is 19 and a self-taught model maker. When he and his brother visited Battleship IOWA in April 2023, Aydin was so inspired, he went home, literally made a 4-foot model of the ship on his own, then reached out to let us know what he'd done.We were intrigued, and our communications team - in the person of volunteer Ron Ploof, reached out to get Aydin's story.  Turns out model-making isn't this extraordinary guy's only intriguing interest.We've been so delighted getting to know him, we had to share him with you.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Vice Admiral Nora Tyson, USN (Ret) is a woman of many firsts:- First woman to be navigator on a carrier- First woman to the first woman to command a carrier strike group in 2010 (She embarked with USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH (CVN 77) in the Mediterranean Sea on its maiden deployment in support of operations in both U.S. 6th and 5th Fleets) - First woman to command the forward-deployed Singapore-based Task Force 73- First woman to command a battle fleet- First woman to serve as Commander, 3rd FleetAdmiral Tyson retired from the Navy in 2017 after 38 years of service and in this fascinating conversation, this remarkable sailor shares her journey from enlisting in the Navy in 1979 to high level command.You can check out Part 1 of our conversation with her here:https://youtu.be/SqX3_0o4798?si=1bqu01hs_cpzlc1N* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Vice Admiral Nora Tyson, USN (Ret) is a woman of many firsts:First woman to be navigator on a carrier (USS Lexington)First woman to the first woman to command a carrier strike group in 2010 (She embarked with USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Mediterranean Sea on its maiden deployment in support of operations in both U.S. 6th and 5th Fleets) First woman to command the forward-deployed Singapore-based Task Force 73First woman to command a battle fleetFirst woman to serve as Commander, 3rd FleetShe retired from the Navy in 2017 after 38 years of service and in this fascinating conversation, this remarkable sailor shares her journey from enlisting in the Navy in 1979 to high level command.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

We're back for another season of SCUTTLEBUTT and we're starting off by sharing a new YouTube channel addiction: What's Going On In Shipping (https://www.youtube.com/@wgowshipping).Dr. Sal Mercogliano is a retired merchant mariner and chairman of the history department at Campbell University. In his spare time,  he likes to talk about what's going on in the world of shipping.We had discovered him and reached out to invite him to our podcast so we could talk about shipping and its relation to freedom of the seas, but then a week ago, the MV Dali allision with the Key Bridge in Baltimore really gave us fodder for discussion.Here's part two of our chat. You can catch up with part one here:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1971056/14839626* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

We're back for another season of SCUTTLEBUTT and we're starting off by sharing a new YouTube channel addiction: What's Going On In Shipping (https://www.youtube.com/@wgowshipping). Dr. Sal Mercogliano is a retired merchant mariner and chairman of the history department at Campbell University. In his spare time,  he likes to talk about what's going on in the world of shipping. We had discovered him and reached out to invite him to our podcast so we could talk about shipping and its relation to freedom of the seas, but then a week ago, the MV Dali allision with the Key Bridge in Baltimore really gave us fodder for discussion.Here's part one of our chat.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Los Angeles Port Police Community Relations Officers Stacey Creech and Aldo Morales are near and dear to our hearts here at Battleship IOWA. They have our backs during any event we have that involves the public, most notably LA Fleet Week, and they do everything with kindness and unending good humor.We decided to show them off on our podcast and let you get to know why we love them. PS Did you catch our bad joke? Community Relations Officers - CROs...? A group of crows is called a "murder," so since we only have two of them, it's an attempted murder...?* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Los Angeles Port Police Community Relations Officers Stacey Creech and Aldo Morales are near and dear to our hearts here at Battleship IOWA. They have our backs during any event we have that involves the public, most notably LA Fleet Week, and they do everything with kindness and unending good humor.We decided to show them off on our podcast and let you get to know why we love them. So what's this about murder...? You'll just have to listen to find out!* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Joe Sienkiewicz from NOAA's Ocean Predictions Center (otherwise known as our favorite "weather guesser") is our ace in the hole when it comes to inclement weather that's headed our way. He's been instrumental in helping us stay on top of how to prepare for events like Tropical Storm Hilary.This former tug boat operator sat down with us for a fascinating (did you know the buoys offshore can read the sizes of waves that refract off our breakwater?) conversation about the way weather works in the San Pedro Channel area.(Hear Part 1 of this conversation here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1971056/13561030* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Joe Sienkiewicz from NOAA's Ocean Predictions Center (otherwise known as our favorite "weather guesser") is our ace in the hole when it comes to inclement weather that's headed our way. He's been instrumental in helping us stay on top of how to prepare for events like Tropical Storm Hilary.This former tug boat operator sat down with us for a fascinating (did you know the buoys offshore can read the sizes of waves that refract off our breakwater?) conversation about the way weather works in the San Pedro Channel area.So good, we've got part 2 saved for next time.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Picture it: April 1975. Saigon has fallen. Thousands are frantic to get out. They take to the roof of an apartment building and fly off in the largest helicopter evacuation in history. But where do they go?At least 17 head out to sea and attempt to land aboard USS KIRK, the destroyer-escort where a young Dick McKenna is the executive officer.In this podcast Dick shares his experience over those harrowing days in late April, and describes what it was like when "Operation Frequent Wind" suddenly transformed his ship into a temporary home for over 150 Vietnamese refugees and part of the rescue of over 30,000 people.Appendix:The Knox class destroyer escort USS KIRK was commissioned Sept. 9, 1972.Following Operation Frequent Wind she continued to serve the US Navy until her decommissioning in 1993.She was loaned to the Taiwanese Navy in August of that year, stricken from the US Navy in 1995, and purchased by Taiwan in 1999.She still serves the Taiwanese Navy today.In the years following the fall of Saigon, the US Navy Bureau of Medicine decided to commission a movie titled, "The Lucky Few" to tell the tale of the medical efforts involved in the rescue.Because of "The Lucky Few," the KIRK was featured in Rory Kennedy's Academy Award nominated film, "The Last Days of Vietnam."Operation Frequent Wind remains one of the greatest humanitarian acts in the history of the United States military.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Short answer to that one is an emphatic NO.In this video we're setting the record straight on a few of the inaccurate rumors we've been heard floating around lately. Things such as:- Are we cutting a hole in our hull? - Are we gutting and completely restructuring compartments to make room for the national museum?Find out what we're actually considering and why in this episode of SCUTTLEBUTT.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

We've gotten the question, "Why did you turn the turret" a lot in the last couple of weeks. We get it frequently in response to the out-of-the-box ideas that end up making ship the special place it is.In this podcast episode we answer the "why" behind what we do.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

"Electric" Bill Weinberg and Angelo Salarpi have been Battleship IOWA volunteers since January 2012, when the ship was undergoing initial restoration in Richmond, CA. They dragged Alan Markle into the fray with them a couple of years later. Known in the ship's community as the "three musketeers," this trio makes the 6 1/2 hour trek from the Bay Area to Los Angeles several times a year. What inspires this kind of dedication? Hit play and find out.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

What's it like to go aboard a ship that's been closed up for nearly thirty years and help bring it back to life? Bob Lemmond and Marty Palmiere know.They spent years preparing USS IOWA to rejoin the US Navy's active roster in the early 1980s, were there when then-Vice President George HW Bush recommissioned her, and along with Scott Williamson, took her back to sea.In the second half of our conversation with them, they reminisce about seeing the trademark rooster tail behind the ship at 36 (yes, you read that right) knots, what it sounded like aboard at speeds that high, the feeling of pride to sail on this grand grey lady, and their gratitude at being able to return to the ship they love.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

What's it like to go aboard a ship that's been closed up for nearly thirty years and help bring it back to life? Bob Lemmond and Marty Palmiere know.They spent years preparing USS IOWA to rejoin the US Navy's active roster in the early 1980s, and along with Scott Williamson, were there when then-Vice President George HW Bush recommissioned her.Prepare for some colorful characters telling some completely cool stories - including some unique perspectives of the shakedown cruise - in this week's episode of Scuttlebutt!* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Marty Palmiere, Scott Johnson, and Lonnie Cook (left to right in thumbnail photo) lived through the worst day in Battleship IOWA's history: April 19, 1989. They've lived with the memories ever since.While Marty and Scott have returned to their ship numerous times, 2023 was Lonnie's first trip back since he left in September 1989.After the ceremony on the 19th, they kindly sat down to chat about memories - both the tough ones and some fun ones that demonstrate what life was like aboard the ship during her Cold War commissioning.Marty, Scott, and Lonnie - can't thank you enough for your willingness to share and your candor. Privilege and a pleasure to have you on the podcast. Let's do it again some time!_______________________________________For more information on the Turret II accident, please see the following videos:- Dispelling common rumors and misinformation- A discussion of the technical details according to the official investigations into the incident* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Rear Admiral Charlie Brown, USN (Ret.) finished a twenty-eight year career in public affairs for the Navy last summer as CHINFO - the Navy's chief of information. He worked in the Pentagon and was "the direct representative of the Secretary of the Navy and of the Chief of Naval Operations in all public affairs and internal relations matters."We had a thought-provoking chat with this sharp, down-to-earth leader about the changes he's seen in the handling of communications, the American public's perception of the Navy, and more.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

To close out #WomensHistoryMonth, we have the pleasure of bringing you a delightful interview we did with Commander Jenna Van Zeyl, commanding officer of the Gold Crew of USS SAVANNAH (LCS-28). From astronaut dreams to surface navy command, this Chicagoland native and Naval Academy graduate shares her fascinating path to her present role, some poignant observations about women in leadership roles, and the challenges involved in balancing motherhood with an officer's role in the world's most powerful navy.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Jose Hernandez was a biologist by trade, but his love of sailing changed his life.When he left small sailboats behind in favor of square riggers, he had no idea he would one day be paid to rig one of the grandest remnants of the Age of Sail: USS CONSTITUTION, the oldest commissioned warship still afloat.We sat down with Jose to talk about knots and rig work and how a Cuban from Southern California ended up working his dream job in freezing Boston.Here's the second half of the conversation.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Jose Hernandez was a biologist by trade, but his love of sailing changed his life.When he left small sailboats behind in favor of square riggers, he had no idea he would one day be paid to rig one of the grandest remnants of the Age of Sail: USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship still afloat.We sat down with Jose to talk about knots and rig work and how a Cuban from Southern California ended up working his dream job in freezing Boston.For visuals and more information on the "mouse" discussed in this episode, please check out this article:A Mouse In The Rig* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Walking 300 feet to the nearest restroom, plenty of places to bang your shins, funky electrical systems, guests peeking in your window, and more in Part 2 of our discussion about what it's like to have your office on a WWII battleship. * * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

There are unusual aspects to many workplaces... but can your office nearly float away in a storm?From the significant highs and lows of temperature in this non-heated or air conditioned steel behemoth to overhearing amusing bits of conversation from guests in passageways near our offices, we share the unique and often amusing features of life on Battleship IOWA in 2023.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Judge Eileen Moore served as a combat nurse in Vietnam in the Army Nurse Corp, where she was Lieutenant Eileen Moore. Following Vietnam she went to college, law school, practiced law for ten years, and ultimately was appointed as a judge to the superior court. She currently serves as Justice Moore on the California Court of Appeals. Justice Moore does a great deal of work with veterans as they come through the court system and says her goal is to see that today's service members are not treated in the same despicable manner as were those who served in Vietnam.She was the keynote speaker at our Veterans Day celebration this year and moved us with a poignant speech about Vietnam veterans that included unforgettable stories we had to share.Here is her speech in its entirety.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Back in July, we had author Dale Jenkins on the podcast to talk about his upcoming book, Diplomats And Admirals. Last Thursday, we were privileged to host the release party for the book.We also sat down with Dale and a panel of speakers for a preview of this fascinating new work. From failed negotiations and tragic misjudgments to powerful leaders and heroic deeds, Diplomats and Admirals tells the untold story of the Pacific War from Pearl Harbor to Midway.Diplomats And Admirals is available for purchase in our ship's store and here:https://www.amazon.com/Diplomats-Admirals-Negotiations-Misjudgments-Powerful-ebook/dp/B0BKDQ5BLR* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

We've talked a bit about Escape The Mothball Fleet, our new exploration/adventure aboard Battleship IOWA, but what exactly is it?In this episode of Scuttlebutt, we explain not only what you'll experience when you participate, but how the idea for it developed. It's fun stuff, and it's like nothing you've ever tried before.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Battleship IOWA has an uncanny knack for attracting historical treasures of all shapes, sizes, and several eras. From a guest book signed by FDR and his war cabinet to a Mark-48 bombardment computer, we're always on the lookout for things with relevance to the ship. And opportunities to acquire such priceless artifacts and missing pieces seem to fall into our laps.When we have these chances, what types of items are we eyeing? For example, at the end of 2020, COO Mike Getscher and a couple of our volunteers were given permission to go aboard a decommissioned ship at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard that held the Navy's last remaining cache of spare parts for battleships. What was our team looking for and what did they bring home?Find out in this week's Scuttlebutt!And click here for a look at the "big eyes" mentioned in the video.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

A few podcasts back we got into a discussion about the origins of the word "scuttlebutt." A lot of you looked it up and dropped the meaning in the comments, so we decided to dedicate this week's podcast to ship lingo.We start by explaining a few good ones, then put the sailors in the crowd to the test with a list of terms they had to explain on the fly. Did we stump them? Tune in and find out.Know any we missed? Drop them in the comments!* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

In our last episode we discussed our strategies for preservation. In this one CEO Jonathan Williams describes the direction we're aiming for the next few years, leading up to the opening of the National Museum of the Surface Navy.How do we stay relevant for the future? How do we deliver the message about the importance of freedom of the seas to this and future generations in a way that's interesting and inspiring? How do we connect with our community and a more nation-wide audience?We get into all of that and more in this week's Scuttlebutt.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Every so often, an event of truly epic proportions becomes the stuff of legend. The engagement off Samar during the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf on Oct. 25, 1944 is such an event.Full of humbling, heroic sacrifice, this incredible naval engagement resulted in a U.S. victory that ultimately cost Japan the war.Presented during our Freedom of the Seas awards gala by Rear Admiral Sam Cox, USN (Ret.), Director of Naval History and Heritage Command, here is a fascinating overview of the Battle off Samar. * * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

We finally have CEO Jonathan Williams back in the house, so we corralled him for a wrap up of this year's Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA) conference. The theme was hull maintenance, a crucial part of operating a historic vessel as a museum, and in this podcast episode, we talk about the future of the industry with regard to preserving ships that were never intended to last as long as they have.We referenced a video COO Mike Getscher and his team put together for the conference. You can find it here:HNSA 2022: Love 'Em or Scrap 'Em* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

If you follow this podcast, you know that veterans are a priority at Battleship IOWA. To that end, for over a year, we have been home to the Los Angeles branch of Veterans Peer Access Network (VPAN).  VPAN is a veterans-helping-veterans program that connects retired members of our armed forces and their families with services, resources, and other veterans to help with everything from the transition from military to civilian life to navigating the complexities of the VA system.We invited Program Manager Jesse Mendoza to give us a glimpse inside Battleship IOWA's VPAN branch and to talk about what it's like as an army vet to work aboard a "grey hull."* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

How do we think of preservation when it comes to Battleship IOWA?There are multiple layers to the question. We're a museum, so we have to conserve the ship as an artifact, but we need the functionality of a modern office space. We have to respect the legacies of three generations of sailors (WWII, Korea, the Cold War), who served aboard. We have to keep things relevant for future generations. And we have create connections that pique interest across wide swaths of the population. In this video we discuss our thought process on how we care for, preserve, and plan to ensure this incredible vessel is a fascinating must-see years into the future.* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]

Taking a break from our usual fare to bring you some incredible news: Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson, 64th District stopped by this morning to officially deliver a check for $6.7 million to the National Museum Of The Surface Navy at Battleship IOWA to build the Freedom of the Seas Park Pavilion. Here is the check presentation ceremony in its entirety. It was a great event hosted by Battleship IOWA board of trustees chairman Bruce DD Mac Rae and featuring speeches from Senator Steven Bradford, San Pedro Chamber of Commerce CEO Elise Swanson, Port of Los Angeles Senior Communications Director Arley Baker, and LAUSD board member Tanya Franklin-Ortiz.Thanks to everyone who was there and to all who support projects like this one that will benefit our community for years to come!* * * *Want to❤️ Support the ship? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online⚓ Come aboard for a tour? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit🙋 Volunteer with us? https://www.pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteer🎖️ Get involved in our veterans' programs? https://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/veteranYou can also⭐ Contribute to the National Museum of the Surface Navy https://www.surfacenavymuseum.org/donateFeedback? Questions? Comments?✉️ [email protected]