Watch out Uncle Pug!!!

[k4sdi]

From Reuters news service....
MANAMA (Reuters) - Despite having cutting-edge technology and weaponry, the United States Navy has turned to two California sea lions named Alex and Zachary to help protect its ships in Gulf waters off the coast of Bahrain.
Naval officials said Tuesday the sea lions would be used to locate and mark divers or swimmers that could pose a threat to U.S. warships off Bahrain, headquarters of the navy's Fifth Fleet.
The sea lions have been trained to carry a special clamp in their mouths which they can attach to a suspicious person, Commander John Wood, Special Operations Officer Naval Forces Central Command, told Reuters.
The clamp is attached by a line to a flotation device which marks the swimmer for security personnel to apprehend him. Wood would not explain in detail how the clamp worked or what would stop a swimmer removing it.
"They (the sea lions) are very valuable in terms of capability and they are saving lives," he said. "They can operate wherever we ask them to and are not limited to Bahrain."
The United States is massing ships and troops in the Gulf region ahead of a possible war against Iraq.
Wood said the animals were trained to mark people but not to kill. The mammals can dive to 1,000 feet, swim at speeds up to 25 miles per hour, as well as see and hear better under water than any human or mechanical device the military has.

Watch out UP!!!!!


Mark

Heres the link.........
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=573&e=1&cid=573&u=/nm/20030212/od_nm/sealions_dc

Even has pictures!!!!!

 

[SPEEDSTER]

whoa, sweet. I wonder if its for real or just smoke and mirrors to ward off attacks.

-Mike

 

[Blue Space]

This is no joke I was in the Navy for four yrs and sea lions have played some important parts in the US Navy in the past.

 

[SPEEDSTER]

Blue Space once bubbled...
This is no joke I was in the Navy for four yrs and sea lions have played some important parts in the US Navy in the past.

Well then, I'm really impressed. And I thought all they did was steal gear.

-M

 

[MikeS]

is actually a retired Navy Sea Lion!

 

[diveaustin]

ANYONE CARE FOR A FROZEN MULLET?

 

[Blue Space]

What have you guys done for your country!! Very easy to poke fun SPEEDSTER you seem to do that alot.

 

[diveaustin]

Blue Space once bubbled...
What have you guys done for your country!! Very easy to poke fun SPEEDSTER you seem to do that alot.

DONT KNOW ABOUT SPEEDSTER BUT I REMEMBER PLAYING METALLICA TO GET OLD MANUEL N. OUT OF HIS LITTLE HOUSE. ALL IN FUN THOUGH. NEWS TONIGHT SHOWED TROOPS LEAVING OUT OF FT. HOOD. I SAID SURE WISH THAT WAS ME. MY WIFE SAID WHY. I RESPONDED, JUST FOR SOMETHING TO DO. LOVE TO FLY THROUGH THE SKY, EAT DIRT, AND LET SOMEONE ELSE SORT THEM OUT. 101ST..3/327TH.:tribute:

 

[SPEEDSTER]

Blue Space once bubbled...
What have you guys done for your country!! Very easy to poke fun SPEEDSTER you seem to do that alot.

...actually I served in the United States Marine Corps for 4 years in the infantry, of that over a year on a Navy ship. I actually think I kinda have a right to poke fun at the Navy, I know it first hand.

hmmm, sorry if I poke fun too much, its in good humor, I just think everyone needs to laugh more.

-Mike

 

[Inspector#2]

Keep poking fun, its great. Its every military members God given right to make fun of their own service.

Dave