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UFO Houses, Ruins of the Future, now just a memory [30 Pics]

Marcus Hirn — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:16:08 +0000

UFO Houses: Orange

Sanzhi Pod City – abandoned two years after it was begun, it lay abandoned for 28 years before finally being torn down. Up until that time, it was known as the mysterious “ruins of the future”. Photo Credit: Cypherone

Introduction

The weird and wonderful Sanzhi Pod City, or UFO houses (on account of their flying saucer-like shape), was an abandoned resort complex in Taiwan. Pod City was marketed as a holiday resort for U.S. military personnel posted to East Asia.

The original idea for the UFOs came from Sanjhih Township plastics manufacturer Yu-chou Co. The first construction license was issued in 1978 and the idea for the design came from Matti Suuronen, an architect from Finland, but construction stopped in 1980 when Yu-chou went bankrupt.

Unfortunately his company went bankrupt in 1980 and the project work was stopped. Efforts to revive the project didn’t succeed. There were several accidents which many superstitious said were due to damage to some Chinese dragon during construction activities. Many also felt that the area was haunted. End result was that the entire township was abandoned, left uncompleted and soon became a ghost town.

Ultimately the buildings were scheduled to be torn down in late 2008, despite an petitions to retain one of the structures as a museum. It is understood that this was not agreed to and work on demolition began on 29 December 2008. The following images are a tribute to the UFO Houses in Sazhi, or the Ruins of the Future.
[35 Pictures]

Hint: Use the “j” and “k” keys to jump from one picture to the next.

UFO Houses: yellow

Photo Credit: Jill’s colorful world

UFO Houses: Common area pool.

Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: view from inside

Due to its unusual architecture and reputation as a ghost town, its fame soon spread and it became a tourist spot but the decay continued. Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: Common area pool

UFO houses (aka pod houses) were a set of abandoned pod-shaped colourful buildings in Sanchih (or Sanzhi), Taipei, Taiwan. Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: reflection in broken window

Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses decay

Soon after, the project was abandoned in 1980 due to financial losses, lack of investment and a number of deaths during construction. Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses inside decay

Left to the mercy of time and vandalism, the deserted Santzi Pod City found itself on the tourist map because of its wacky architecture and other-worldly appearance. Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: HDR

During its dereliction, Sanzhi Pod City has served as the subject of a film and been used as a filming location by MTV. Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: view from roof

Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: interior decay

Photo Credit: Cypherone

Pancaked UFO House

Legend has it that the doomed resort and associated loss of life can be attributed to a Chinese dragon sculpture that was disturbed in order to widen an approach road during construction. Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: Gray sky

Others suggest the site was once a burial ground for Dutch soldiers, when the Netherlands established Taiwan as a colony after 1624. Photo Credit: hsuyo

UFO Houses: Landing pad for alien kids?

Photo Credit: Jill’s colorful world

Reflecting upon UFO Houses

Long a curiosity for people driving along the north coast between Tamsui and Keelung, the “UFO” houses as they are known locally — a group of freakish looking, brightly colored, run-down buildings that were once supposed to become a holiday village — made the headlines recently following the Taipei County Government’s decision to demolish them. Photo Credit: Hsuyo

UFO Houses: A bit spooky looking

These odd, circular, frisbee-shaped houses remind many people of UFOs, hence the name. Prior to being torn down, the site was often used as a location for photographers because of its unusual atmosphere and beautiful coastal setting. Photo Credit: Jill’s colorful world

UFO Houses: red alien skylight?

Construction work on the compound was never finished and the site has been abandoned for nearly 30 years. Photo Credit: Jill’s colorful world

UFO Houses: without windows look a bit like pink PacMan

Photo Credit: Jill’s colorful world

UFO Houses: not much privacy

There where oft-heard rumors that many people have seen ghosts near the complex or the high number of unexplained traffic accidents on the nearby road. Photo Credit: Jill’s colorful world

UFO Houses: pacific sunset

One of the designers behind the UFO houses said that there were lots of rumors about the site, but most of them were false: “First of all, the site is definitely not haunted”. Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: broken pipeline

There were also rumors that more than 20,000 skeletons were discovered at the site when construction work began and that it was the scene of several murders. Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: Balcony views

“It is traditional in the construction business to pay your respects to any spirits at the site of a new project before you start work. It had nothing to do with the ghost stories.” Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: beautiful ocean views

Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: red sunset

Photo Credit: Cypherone

Earth from the ISS: Lake Powell and South Western Colorado

Photo Credit: Hsuyo

UFO Houses: ocean view

Photo Credit: Jill’s colorful world

UFO Houses: once majestic

Photo Credit: Cypherone

UFO Houses: collapsed ceiling

They found that each UFO consisted of a reinforced concrete construction covered by fiber reinforced plastic. Earthquakes could damage such a construction and cause leaks and there was no way to fix such problems. Photo Credit: Cypherone

Nothing remains of the UFO Houses

Despite an online petition to restore one of the buildings as a museum, Sanzhi Pod City demolition work began on Dec. 29. 2008 Photo Credit: Cypherone

Google Street view of UFO Houses

Photo Credit: Google

One strike – One Kill! US Navy Seals – Bad to the Bone [28 Pics]

Marcus Hirn — Wed, 25 May 2011 14:07:08 +0000

Navy Seals – Frogmen
Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.
The Navy Seal ETHOS (continued to following 26 pics):

In times of war or uncertainty there is a special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation’s call. A common man with uncommon desire to succeed.

Introduction

Navy SEALs are a special breed of warrior who conduct special operations in any environment, but who are uniquely trained and equipped to operate from, around and in maritime areas. SEALs take their name from the environments in which they are trained to operate: sea, air and land. Their small highly trained teams usually work quietly at night conducting some of the nation’s most important missions. SEALs are constantly deployed throughout the world to protect national interests.

Navy SEALs and their high speed boat driving counterparts, Naval Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen, form the operational arms of the Naval Special Warfare community, which is headed by the Naval Special Warfare Command. NSW acts both as the Navy’s special operations force as well as the
Navy component of the U.S. Special Operations Command, which is responsible for all U.S. special operations forces.

NSW training and preparation stresses an enduring commitment to individual initiative, personal responsibility
and mission accomplishment. Naval Special Warfare goes to great lengths to ensure that its
forces are capable and prepared.

The following images are all available on the Navy Seals website and if you click on any image you will find a
wallpaper sized version (to almost all images). I have also added the Navy SEAL ETHOS as caption to the images.
They are, as the title says; BAD TO THE BONE!

[28 pictures]

Hint: Use “J” and “K” keys (after the page finish loading) to navigate from picture to picture.

Navy Seals – Bad to the bone

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America’s finest special operations forces to serve his country, the American people, and protect their way of life. I am that man

Navy Seal

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of those I have sworn to protect.

Navy Seals – through any terrain

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

By wearing the Trident I accept the responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn every day.

Navy Seals – Leapfrog

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond reproach.

Navy Seals – Pushed to the limit

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves.

Navy Seals – Will not be stopped

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC,

I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions.

Navy Seals – Late night exercise

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

I voluntarily accept the inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others before my own.

Navy Seals – Flipping over boat

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

I serve with honor on and off the battlefield.

Navy Seals – Graduates

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men.

Navy Seals – Airborne

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

Uncompromising integrity is my standard.

Navy seals – Red Smoke

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

My character and honor are steadfast.

Navy Seals – Frogment and Submarine

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

My word is my bond.

Navy Seal – Emerging from water

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission.

Navy seals – On a submarine

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC,

I lead by example in all situations.

Navy Seals – the ninjas of war

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

I will never quit.

Navy Seal – Water warrior

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

I persevere and thrive on adversity.

Navy seals – Sunset smoke

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies.

Navy Seal designated marksmen

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

If knocked down, I will get back up, every time.

Navy Seal – red flare

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission.

Navy Seal – Sunset sentry

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

I am never out of the fight.

Navy Seals pistol

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

We demand discipline. We expect innovation.

Navy Seals – Beach Silhouettes

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

The lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me – my technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail.

Navy Seals – the elite fighting force

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

My training is never complete. We train for war and fight to win.

Navy Seals – silhouettes

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my mission and the goals established by my country.

Navy Seals – Beach landing

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

The execution of my duties will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that I serve to defend.

Navy Seals – Sun Halo

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

Brave men have fought and died building the proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold.

Navy Seal

Photo credit: Navy SEAL & SWCC.

In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail. (end of Navy SEAL ETHOS)

Nuclear Explosions – I am become Death [34 Pics]

Marcus Hirn — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 09:49:15 +0000

Nuclear explosion: Operation Crossroads – BAKER
Test:Baker; Date:July 24 1946; Operation:Crossroads; Site:Bikini Atoll lagoon, Marshall Islands; Detonation:Underwater, depth – 90ft(27.5m); Yield:23kt; Type:Fission;
Second test in the Crossroads operation and the 5th nuclear explosion in the mankind’s history. Baker was the continuation of the study of the nuclear weapon effects on the naval vessels and personnel. The bomb has been encased in a watertight shell and placed beneath the landing ship LSM-60. LSM-60 itself has been placed approximately in the center of the target fleet which consisted of 71 vessels. Closest to the device was the aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga. To study the effects of the heat, blast and radiation numerous lab. animals, plants and even biological warfare agents were brought in and placed on the target ships.
Eight ships were sunk or capsized: USS Saratoga, USS Arkansas, the submarines USS Apogon and USS Pilotfish, the Nagato, LSM-60, the concrete dry dock ARDC-13, and the barge YO-160. Eight more vessels were severely damaged.
The explosion lifted several million tons of water in the air. In its apogee the water column was 2000ft(600m) high with walls 300ft(100m) thick. Obviously the explosion generated huge waves in the ocean. Aircraft carrier USS Saratoga’s stern was rising 43ft(13.5m)! above the surface, on the crest of the first wave.
The entire lagoon has been contaminated with radioactive particles. Matter of fact, for the first 24 hours after Baker detonation the radiation levels were lethal, and remained very dangerous for the next week. Nuclear explosion Photo: US Navy/Wikicommons

Introduction

“I am become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds.” Quote: Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer

Nuclear Explosions – “The effects could well be called unprecedented, magnificent, beautiful, stupendous and terrifying. No man-made phenomenon of such tremendous power had ever occurred before.” Quote: General Thomas Farrell.

Mushroom clouds forms as the center of the explosion is VERY HOT and hot air rises from the middle, pulling up the rest of the explosion (the smoke and debris) from the surrounding area. The middle rises faster because it’s hotter, so it becomes more of a mushroom shaped.

You can never look straight at a nuclear explosions for the same reason you can’t look at the sun. The the momentary flash of a nuke is MUCH brighter than the sun (for a tiny fraction of the second), which will overload your optic nerves. You don’t even have time to blink or turn your head.

We will end the intro with a quote from Dr. Kenneth Bainbridge, Director of Trinity Test: “Now we are all sons-of-bitches.”

Hint: Use “J” and “K” keys to navigate from picture to picture.

Nuclear explosion: Operations Castle – ROMEO
Date:March 26, 1954;
Operation:Castle; Site:Barge in the Bravo crater, Bikini atoll;
Detonation:Barge Shot; Yield:11 Mgt; Type:Fission/Fusion;
Originally Romeo test was the 6th in the Operation Castle schedule. However, extremely successful Bravo test changed the schedule, and Romeo has been moved to second position. The device used in the Romeo test, Runt I, was a larger version of the device used in Bravo test. It measured 224.9 inches in length, and had a diameter of 61.4 vs. 179.5×53.9 in Bravo device. The difference was in the fuel. Runt I used inexpensive, unenriched Lithium (7.5% Li6 isotope) deuteride. Original yield projection was 4 mgt, with the range of 1.5Mgt-7Mgt. As you can see no one was certain how this device would work. Mainly it was an experiment to see if the cheap thermonuclear fuel would work.
After Bravo test the projected yield has been doubled, 8Mgt, and the maximum yield increased to 15 Mgt. The explosion yielded 11 Mgt. Hence, it was almost 3 times higher than the original prediction.
Romeo was the first US nuclear test conducted on the barge. Considering that multi-megaton explosions were practically costing an island per explosion, there were no other choices. For the reference, the Romeo barge has been anchored in the Bravo crater. Nuclear explosion Photo: US Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration – Nevada Site Office

Nuclear explosion: Operation Dominic: AZTEC
The AZTEC detonated 27. April 1962 on Christmas Island, It was a 410 kiloton Nuclear Bomb.

Nuclear explosion: RANGER
RANGER Operation – 1951 – Photograph of detonation; specific test not identified. Nuclear explosion Photo: National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office

Nuclear explosion: TRINITY
Trinity was the code name of the first nuclear weapons test of an atomic bomb. This test was conducted by the United States Army on July 16, 1945, at a location about 35 miles (56 km) southeast of Socorro, New Mexico, at the White Sands Proving Ground, Trinity was a test of an implosion-design plutonium device. The weapon’s informal nickname was “The Gadget”. The Trinity detonation produced an explosive power equivalent to the explosion of about 20 kilotons of TNT. This date is usually considered to be the beginning of the Atomic Age. Nuclear explosion Photo: Wikicommons

Hydrogen Bomb explosion: Operation Castle: BRAVO
Castle Bravo was the code name given to the first U.S. test of a dry fuel thermonuclear hydrogen bomb device, detonated on March 1, 1954 at Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, as the first test of Operation Castle. Castle Bravo was the most powerful nuclear device ever detonated by the United States, with a yield of 15 megatons. That yield, far exceeding the expected yield of 4 to 6 megatons, combined with other factors, led to the most significant accidental radiological contamination ever caused by the United States. Fallout from the detonation — intended to be a secret test — poisoned the islanders who had previously inhabited the atoll and returned there afterwards, as well as the crew of Daigo Fukuryū Maru (“Lucky Dragon No. 5″), a Japanese fishing boat, and created international concern about atmospheric thermonuclear testing. Hydrogen bomb Photo: Wikicommons

Nuclear explosion: Operation Dominic, CHAMA
Yield: 1.59 Megatons
Location: Johnston Island. Date: 18.Oct.1962.

Mushroom Cloud: Dominic: TRUCKEE

Nuclear explosion: Operation Buster: DOG

Nuclear explosion: FIZEAU

Nuclear explosion: Upshot Knothole – ANNIE
Operation Upshot-Knothole, ANNIE EVENT – a tower event conducted on 17 March 1953. Nuclear explosion Photo: Wikicommons

Nuclear explosion: Licorne thermonuclear test in French Polynesia, Pic 1
Nuclear explosion Photo: Pierre J./French Army

Nuclear explosion: Licorne thermonuclear test in French Polynesia, Pic 2
Nuclear explosion Photo: Pierre J./French Army

Nuclear explosion: Licorne thermonuclear test in French Polynesia, Pic 3
Nuclear explosion Photo: Pierre J./French Army

Nuclear explosion: Licorne thermonuclear test in French Polynesia, Pic 4
Nuclear explosion Photo: Pierre J./French Army

Nuclear explosion: Operation Hardtack 1: OAK
Test:Oak; Date:June 28 1958; Operation:Hardtack I; Site:Enewetak Lagoon; Detonation:Barge, 8.6ft elevation from the surface;
Yield:8.9mgt; Type:Fission/Fusion;
Oak was a test of prototype device for TX-46 system designed in Los Alamos. A 8.9 Mgt detonation. Oak became 6th largest nuclear detonation even conducted by US.

Nuclear explosion: Operation Hardtack 1: OAK
Nuclear explosion Photo: Wikicommons

Nuclear explosion Ivy: MIKE
Test: Mike; Date:October 31, 1952;
Operation:Ivy; Site:Elugelab Island, Enwetak atoll; Detonation:Surface; Yield:10.400 Mgt; Type:Fission/Fusion;
The device called Sausage, detonated in the Mike test was the first true thermonuclear bomb ever tested. However, the Sausage was not a deliverable weapon. It was an enormous, complex device, 80 inches wide and 244 inches long. The entire assembly weighted 82 metric tons.
The explosion yielded 10.4 Mgt. Mike’s fireball measured 3 miles. The cloud formed by Mike shot was immense. Stabilized, it reached 135 000 ft high, and stretched 60 miles in diameter, which eventually spread over 1000 miles.
Mike destroyed the entire Elugelab island. The crater formed as a result of the explosion measured 6240ft(1.5Km) across and 164ft(53m) deep. Following the test, high levels of radiation covered most of the Enwetak atoll.
This was 4th largest test ever conducted by US, (the largest at that time). For comparison, this is more then all allied bombs dropped during WW II together. Nuclear explosion Photo: National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office

Nuclear explosion: UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE
GRABLE EVENT – Part of Operation Upshot-Knothole, was a 15-kiloton test fired from a 280-mm cannon on May 25, 1953 at the Nevada Proving Grounds Nuclear explosion Photo: National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office

Nuclear explosion: GEORGE
Nuclear explosion Photo: Wikicommons

Operation Plumbbob – PRISCILLA

Nuclear Bombs: Little Boy and Fat Man replicas
Nuclear explosion Photo: Atomic Archive

Nuclear explosion, Operation Castle: ROMEO
Romeo was the first US nuclear test conducted on the barge. Considering that multi-megaton explosions were practically costing an island per explosion, there were no other choices. Nuclear explosion Photo: zvis.com

Nuclear explosion, Operation Hardtack, UMBRELLA
Test:Umbrella; Date:June 8 1958; Operation:Hardtack I; Site:Enewetak Lagoon; Detonation:Underwater, depth – 150ft; Yield:8kt; Type:Fission

Nuclear explosion, Operation Hardtack, UMBRELLA

Nuclear explosion, Operation Redwing: SEMINOLE
Nuclear explosion Photo: Nuclear Weapons Archive

Nuclear explosion, operation Dominic: YESO
Test:Yeso; Date:June 10 1962; Operation:Dominic; Site:20 Mi. S of Christmas Island; Detonation:B-52 Airdrop, altitude – 8,325ft; Yield:3.0mgt; Type:Fission/Fusion; Wikicommons

Nuclear explosion, operation Dominic: YESO

Nuclear explosion, Operation Upshot-Knothole: ANNIE
Date : March 17, 1953
Operation : Upshot, Review : Annie, Location : Knothole, Nevada Test Site, Area 4, Load : 16 kt. Nuclear explosion Photo: Wikicommons

Nuclear explosion Rhéa
Picture of an atmospheric nuclear test in French Polynesia, August 1971. The test took place on the 14th August, 1971, was a thermonuclear warhead codenamed Rhéa and yielded 1000 kt. It took place in Moruroa, and the picture was taken at about 60 km from ground zero. Nuclear explosion Photo: Pierre J.

Nuclear explosion: Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Atomic bomb mushroom clouds over Hiroshima (left) and Nagasaki (right), During the final stages of World War II in 1945, the United States conducted two atomic bombings against the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, the first on August 6, 1945 and the second on August 9, 1945. These two events are the only active deployments of nuclear weapons in war to date. By executive order of President Harry S. Truman, the U.S. dropped the nuclear weapon “Little Boy” on the city of Hiroshima on Monday, August 6, 1945, followed by the detonation of “Fat Man” over Nagasaki on August 9. Within the first two to four months of the bombings, the acute effects killed 90,000–166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000–80,000 in Nagasaki. Nuclear explosion Photo: Wikicommons

Nuclear explosion: UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE
Nevada Proving Ground – Complete destruction of House No. 1 located 3,500 feet from ground zero, by the March 17, 1953 atom blast at Yucca Flat. The time from the first to last picture was 21/3 seconds. The camera was completely enclosed in a 2-inch lead sheath as a protection against radiation. The only source of light was that from the bomb. Nuclear explosion Photo: National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office

Nuclear bomb: Trinity Site Obelisk
Looking at the Trinity Site obelisk, head-on. The black plaque on top reads:
Trinity Site Where The World’s First Nuclear Device Was Exploded On July 16, 1945
Erected 1965 White Sands Missile Range J Frederick Thorlin Major General U.S. Army Commanding
The gold plaque below it declares the site a National Historic Landmark, and reads:
Trinity Site has been designated a National Historical Landmark
This Site Possesses National Significance In Commemorating The History of the United States of America
1975 National Park Service United States Department of the Interior Nuclear bomb site obelisk Photo: Wikicommons

Honor to great service – the Military Sealift Command [26 Pics]

Marcus Hirn — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:14:25 +0000

Ready Reserve Force ship MV Cape Texas rides out a storm in the Mediterranean Sea in early March 2003. Cape Texas and 30 other RRF ships transported cargo for the U.S. Army’s Fourth Infantry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom (CC Military Sealift Command).

Introduction

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. MSC’s mission is to support our nation by delivering supplies and conducting specialized missions across the world’s oceans. Their website explains what they do in more detail. However we found a bunch of images in their photo library as well as in their annual reports (spaning all the way back to 2001). We realized these Images are much too cool and magnificent to just display on the Navy’s website. The MSC is after all the guys that keeps all going. Without them no operations would be possible. These images are a tribute to their courage and resolve as well as honor their great service. [26 pictures]

Aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk receives fuel from MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe while steaming through the central Pacific Ocean. The ships took part in the Rim of the Pacific exercise off Hawaii in July with units from Australia, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, South Korea, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Photo by MCSN Anthony R. Martinez. (CC Military Sealift Command).

Guided missile destroyer USS Howard, left, and fast combat support ship USNS Rainier cruise in formation during an underway replenishment mission. Photo by PH3 Mark J. Rebilas, USN (CC Military Sealift Command).

A rainbow arcs over USNS Mercy (CC Military Sealift Command).

Hospital ship USNS Comfort rounds the tip of Manhattan Friday evening, Sept. 14, 2001 as smoke billows from Ground Zero. The ship’s personnel moved quickly to convert Comfort from a medical and surgical facility to a logistics support facility in response to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Sept. 11. Photo by Richard Perry/Courtesy of The New York Times. Military Sealift Command).

MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock conducts an at-sea refueling with amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga, left, and amphibious assault ship USS Essex, right, in the Gulf of Thailand. Guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem and amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry trail the formation. The ships participated in Exercise Cobra Gold, an annual Thailand and U.S. co-sponsored military exercise designed to train U.S. and partner Asian-Pacific forces. Photo by MC2 Gabriel S. Weber. (CC Military Sealift Command).

A gunner’s mate fires a line across to MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha from amphibious assault ship USS Saipan during an underway replenishment in the Mediterranean Sea. Photo by MC3 Gary Johnson (CC Military Sealift Command).

Fuel lines connect MSC hospital ship USNS Comfort and MSC dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Robert E. Peary during Comfort’s four-month humanitarian and civic assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean. Photo by A1C Ashley Garcia. (CC Military Sealift Command).

Fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (bottom) sails with aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman in the Mediterranean Sea. Ammunition ship USNS Mount Baker accompanies them during a simultaneous replenishment. An F-14 Tomcat launches from Truman. Photo by PH2 John Beeman, USN (CC Military Sealift Command).

Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, left, and guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio, right, take on supplies from MSC fast combat support ship USNS Arctic in the Atlantic Ocean. Photo by ET3 Paul Haze. (CC Military Sealift Command).

USS Halsey receives two Sailors from USNS Big Horn by high-line transfer (CC Military Sealift Command).

MSC fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe pumps fuel to aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (front) and guided missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (back) in the Pacific. Photo by MCSN Stephen Rowe. (CC Military Sealift Command).

USNS Lewis and Clark sends a fuel probe to USS Porter (CC Military Sealift Command).

Rough seas pound the hull of MSC fast combat support ship USNS Arctic as it sails alongside aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman while preparing for a replenishment at sea in the Atlantic Ocean. Photo by MC3 Joshua Moore. (CC Military Sealift Command).

USS Nimitz steams behind USNS Bridge (CC Military Sealift Command).

Cargo is transferred from large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Watkins to MSC-chartered ship Mighty Servant I and then loaded onto hovercraft for delivery to shore during a demonstration to test the concept of sea basing. Sea bases will allow the military to deploy U.S. forces and their cargo from the sea instead of pierside (CC Military Sealift Command).

USNS Sisler (CC Military Sealift Command).

Personnel aboard MSC ocean surveillance ship USNS Able use firefighting hoses to deter simulated attackers in a rigid-hull, inflatable boat in the Pacific Ocean. Photo by MC2 Bryan Reckard. (CC Military Sealift Command).

Civil service mariners aboard fleet ocean tug USNS Apache demonstrate heroism as they fight a fire aboard a commercial freighter off the coast of Liberia in August 2006. Their efforts earned them recognition from the United Seamen’s Service, as part of the annual Admiral of the Ocean Sea Awards (CC Military Sealift Command).

Marine equipment is driven off MSC Maritime Prepositioning Ship USNS 1ST LT Baldomero Lopez and onto a floating roll-on/roll-off discharge facility at sea for transport to shore in Thailand during Freedom Banner ’08. Photo by MC2 Brian Caracci. (CC Military Sealift Command).

Sailors and soldiers disembark an Army Landing Craft Mechanized onto a floating causeway (CC Military Sealift Command).

A Navy helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan during a weapons off-load between Reagan and MSC ammunition ship USNS Flint in the Western Pacific in April. Photo by CMC Spike Call. (CC Military Sealift Command).

MSC Maritime Prepositioning ships MV 1st Lt. Jack Lummus and MV 1st Lt. Alex Bonnyman made history in January in the Republic of Maldives while supporting Operation Unified Assistance. For the first time ever, a light amphibious recovery craft, or LARC, traveled up the stern ramp of an MPS while she was underway. The LARCs were used to transport water from island to island within the Maldives (CC Military Sealift Command).

MSC command ship USS Mount Whitney, which supports U.S. 6th Fleet, is pierside in the harbor of Gaeta, Italy. Photo by MC3 Eddie Harrison. (CC Military Sealift Command).

A rigid-hull, inflatable boat from Maritime Prepositioning Ship USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham helps search for survivors of the capsized commercial passenger ferry MV Princess of the Stars June 25, 2008. The ferry capsized during Typhoon Fengshen in the Philippines. (CC Military Sealift Command).

Ships participating in the multinational NATO exercise Brilliant Midas 2006 patrol the waters off the coast of France after a day of training. Photo by MC2 Leonardo Carillo. (CC Military Sealift Command).