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Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

Nick,

TX for the feedback. I was certain that you'll would do well but its nice to know it was well received.

J

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

Thanks, John. The presentation went well from my perspective. Speaking about the previously classified mission of SOSUS and our history in a brewery was surreal. I came prepared with in-depth notes and I'd spent a lot of time researching information. But... as luck would have it they failed to provide a lectern or podium for me to use those notes and I ended up having to wing it. Probably just as well. If I'd used my notes it would have dragged on too long.

I was honored to be in the presence of Kathy, Nick, Heidi BruMar, Tim and Sandy Cornett, Dick Rentner, Ron Millar, Lisa Knight, John Glass and several other IUSS, Cold War warriors. They provided moral support. Dick even corrected one point in my presentation - the definition of the old Yankee patrol pattern in the Atlantic "TOPSY". He did so privately after the presentation of course! Heck, I was still in High School when he and Tom Moore coined the phrase at COSL. How would I have known? (<:

The audience consisted mostly of grey and white haired, retired senior military and Civil Service folks from Cold War era Operational and Intelligence agencies. Their questions were pretty direct and detailed but I think we fielded each one just about right. I refused to go into too much detail about current IUSS operations although I did cover the new NOPF Dam Neck expansion.

One interesting attendee sat in the first row directly in front of us. The real-life "Jonesy" (part of a 3-person composite) from Tom Clancy's "Hunt for Red October," STS1 Steve "Scooter" Schutt, USS Dallas (SSN 700), spoke with both Nick and I before and after the presentation. He seemed to have a pretty good understanding of our System and our value to the fight and asked though provoking questions during the presentation.

I've agreed with the Director of the Cold War Museum to let him exhaust all fun raising efforts before releasing the presentation elsewhere. They sold 57 tickets at $35 a pop and many more are being sold for a video recording. Eventually, I hope to provide that same presentation to other interested parties here locally in Hampton Roads (CUS staff, NOPF Dam Neck OPS department, Hampton Roads Naval Museum, etc.). I've also been asked to give the presentation during the 65th reunion weekend for family members and interested attendees. Probably on Saturday morning or afternoon somewhere. I haven't figured out how or even if I could do that yet.

- Jim

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

Jim, I hate to rain on your parade again, but actually the acronym TOPSY was Tom Moore idea along with Chief Maultsby, Lt Jack King and another OTI whose name I can’t remember. I was the new guy in COSL Analysis at that time.

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

Ah! The wise one. Thanks, Yoda. :pray: :wink:

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

Any chance that NCC (ret) Gordon Daly was either aware of the presentation or perhaps attended.
A few year ago at one of the Cheatham get togethers, Gordon expressed his thoughts on creating some sense of of a SOSUS display in a museum environment. If he wasn't there or aware, it would be nice if he could be made aware of your terrific efforts and accomplishments in this area. As I am proud of you and your team, Gordon will be ecstatic.

Nice going team Donovan

J

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

John, Not sure if he was there. At least I didn't speak to him. Do you have current contact info for Gordon?

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

Pat has facebook interface with his wife Ellen. Pat's out today but i'll have her contact Ellen to direct Gordon's attention to the web site. I'm quite sure you will hear from him.

TX for the reply.

J

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

To clarify my TOPSY comment.

I my presentation I used the term “Tracks On Patrolling Soviet Yankees” as was provided to me a few days before the presentation.

Dick said it was actually “Track Of Patrolling Submarine Yankee”.

Sounds similar but is technically different.

And this ladies and gentlemen is why we depend so much on Warrant Officer Rentner to proof read and edit our annual Cable Newsletters.

- Jim

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

I still remember the day one popped up, very unexpectedly. Among the calls I took that day at COSL was from the JCS, during which he told me we better be right. It was a sphincter moment but we prevailed. One of the more stressful days I can ever recall...

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

Correction: Make that "In my presentation….." Just one more reason we depend on Dick's editing skill.
:face_with_rolling_eyes: :nerd_face:
- Jim

To clarify my TOPSY comment.

I my presentation I used the term “Tracks On Patrolling Soviet Yankees” as was provided to me a few days before the presentation.

Dick said it was actually “Track Of Patrolling Submarine Yankee”.

Sounds similar but is technically different.

And this ladies and gentlemen is why we depend so much on Warrant Officer Rentner to proof read and edit our annual Cable Newsletters.

- Jim

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

I'm not familiar with the TOPSY acronym, probably after my time at East Coast NAVFACs. The Pacific had a (different) acronym as well that I no longer remember. However, while searching for a clue that would remind me I stumbled upon this interesting web site. (See link).

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

Jerry: YEMPA = Yankee Eastpac Missile Patrol Area

Re: Cold War Museum Presentation of SOSUS

That's it! Thanks, Jack.

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