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The Gryphon's Beak

June, 2021

RADM Flag

Flag Sends

June 1st marks the second anniversary of the beginning of my term as Fleet CO. It is also the 227th anniversary of the Glorious First of June, the Fourth Battle of Ushant, where British Admiral Lord Howe defeated the French.

It may be becoming a tradition to make Fleet-affecting announcements on this date. I can think of worse days or traditions, so I will roll with it. Two years back, I set out some goals and ideas I wanted to see happen. Then COVID shut a lot of that down. I have been promoting returns to normalcy for some time now, hoping to see us all in a place to once more move the bar forward.

The goal here should be to remain safe, be comfortable in your actions, and not pressure others. We all have our own comfort levels, it’s important to keep that in mind. I strongly encourage everyone who is willing and able to get out and do things this summer. Other people need not be involved – a walk in a park is something, as is a BBQ. We all suffered some mental impact from being forced to not do things last year, and recovery from that is vital. Especially if you don’t feel you suffered an impact.

Let’s be safe out there, but also be out there.

THE TRADITION LIVES!
OAK FOREST

Oak Forest Arms

Comings & Goings

BuPlan Directive 2105-01
LTSG John FAIRBAIRN, RMN HMS Javelin

You are hereby directed to report to LCDR John Chambers, Director, where you are to assume the duties of Research Assistant for the Office of TRMN Historical Society.

Fail not in this charge at your peril.

••••

BuPlan Directive 2105-02
LTSG James MORPHEW, RMN HMS Havoc

You are hereby directed to report to LCDR John Chambers, Director, where you are to assume the duties of Yeoman for the Office of TRMN Historical Society.

Fail not in this charge at your peril.

••••

I am please to inform the Grand Alliance that the PAMA’s Warfare School, in the Tsingtao College of Naval Specialization, is now officially open for students. I encourage all those interested in this topic to enroll. And if you have completed training at another academy, consider cross training across multiple services for better integration during joint action.

I would also like to provide notice that we will be opening our Special Services School soon with the Medical School to follow.

I encourage all to try the unique educational experience of PAMA and enjoy the beauty of Potsdam.

••••

Gryphon Fleet Directive 2105-A

Effective 1 June 2021, Rear Admiral of the Green Wayne Bruns, Baron Grosvenor, Royal Manticoran Navy, is appointed Deputy Commanding Officer, Second (Gryphon) Fleet. Admiral Bruns, repair aboard the Flag where you will take up the duties required in service of the Queen of Manticore.

HMS Havoc Blood Drive

A year ago, HMS Havoc launched in central Indiana.

I encourage you to come join the crew of HMS Havoc June 1st – June 30th as we celebrate! HMS Havoc will be hosting several events throughout the month. Each week we will watch a Navy related movie in honor of our Naval heritage. We will also be playing World of Warships each week to further our knowledge of Naval Tactics. Because we are all about giving back to our community and the country in general we are hosting a Blood Drive.

Between June 1 and June 30, donate blood and post a photo of you doing so to the HMS Havoc Discord (https://discord.gg/fgCVSTVk5v). Preferably in uniform of some kind. There will be an award for all who donate!

If you can donate COVID plasma, and do, please say so. I will track that separately.

If you cannot donate blood, and can support the mission of your local blood bank in another way, post that too. Thank you, and let’s be about it!

Havoc will also be hosting weekly movie nights featuring…

Down Periscope (June 4th)
Hot Shots! (June 11th)
GalaxyQuest (June 18th)
Stargate (June 25th)

And every Sunday at 7pm Eastern they will be playing World of Warships. Join in and help HMS Havoc celebrate their 1st anniversary!

 

June Reports

This is a reminder that your Chapter and MarDet reports are due between the 1st and 10th. One thing I found amazingly helpful when filling them out was to use an online document (Google Docs, Word Online) to keep things organized as they happened. Then, when the reporting month hit, I could just copy and paste them into the reports form, and be done. No trying to remember what happened two months ago at the last minute!

And a reminder that Marksmanship submissions are due the 20th of the month, so we have time to correlate and get things set for the award issuance.

Marines – you now have a new online form to fill out for Bi-Monthly reports. The link is below. It will send the reports to your command triad, your Ship’s CO and to ComForceCom. Please use this form to send in your report that is due on the 5th.

There is only one stipulation with the form at this time. Please do not use autofill. Autofill does not work properly and that information is deleted in the report. You can copy and paste information into the report but forgo the autofill function.

https://buships.trmnbureaus.info/rmmc/

Upcoming Events

As conditions improve, in-person conventions are beginning to be scheduled, and hopefully held. We will be monitoring the situation, and providing updates as they are received. If you are planning a presence at a convention, please let us know, and we will review for Fleet Event status.

ChiCon8 Take To The Stars
TRMN Social Hour

Join us for TRMN Social Hour every Saturday evening at 7PM Central.

There is a wide range of guests, from our own Space Lords to members of BuNine, authors like Chuck Gannon, Eric Flint, Marko Kloos, and some guy named David Weber. Following the recorded AMA-format with our guests, the floor is open to free-form discussion & hanging out. Links for each Social Hour are posted in the Forums, and on the main Facebook page.

Hope to see you there!

Crossed pulsars

Marksmanship Update

By order of CO 2nd Fleet, the following marksmanship awards are issued effective 1 June, 2021:

RIFLE MARKSMANSHIP CERTIFICATE:

  • CAPTJG Ben OVERMYER, RMN HMS Valkyrie

PISTOL SHARPSHOOTER AWARD:

  • CIVILIAN Jacob BRUNS, SFC HMS Invincible
  • S2C Aaron Michael SCHAFER, RMN HMS Havoc

RIFLE SHARPSHOOTER AWARD

  • CAPT Larry FRENCH Sr, RMMC MARDET Demon
  • CAPTJG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
  • S2C Aaron Michael SCHAFER, RMN HMS Havoc

PISTOL EXPERT AWARD:

  • ENS Dylan BRADLEY, RMN HMS Valkyrie
  • LTCDR John Ryan CHAMBERS, RMN HMS Havoc
  • LTSG James MORPHEW, RMN HMS Havoc
  • PO3 Jesse Robert LINN, RMN HMS Havoc
  • PO3 Daniel Nathan SPEARS, RMN HMS Havoc

RIFLE EXPERT AWARD:

  • LTSG Patrick ANDERSON, RMN HMS Invincible
  • LTCDR John Ryan CHAMBERS, RMN HMS Havoc
  • MSGT Jessica GAZDIK, RMMC MARDET Valkyrie
  • CDR Cate HESSER, RMN HMS Hellhound
  • LTSG James MORPHEW, RMN HMS Havoc
  • PO3 Jesse Robert LINN, RMN HMS Havoc
  • PO3 Daniel Nathan SPEARS, RMN HMS Havoc

GSN CHAMPION SHOTS MEDAL:

  • CPO Stephanie Kay BERLIEN, GSN HMS Valkyrie

PISTOL HIGH EXPERT MEDAL:

  • RADM Wayne BRUNS, RMN HMS Invincible

The Tradition Lives!

For CO 2nd Fleet:

Issued by:

KEVIN WALSH, NS
Senior Chief Petty Officer, RMN
2nd Fleet Range Officer

Gryphon’s Wings Fleet Relief Project

On May 23rd we launched the Gryphon’s Wings Fleet Relief Project. The response has been overwhelming, and I am humbled by the generosity of our members.

We are currently in the midst of a Global pandemic. However, while we are all in the same storm, we are navigating the waters on different ships. Sometimes these waters will be more than we can handle on our own, and we need an extra hand on deck. We want you to know that the 2nd fleet is here for you. 

To that end, we are asking for donations to create an emergency relief fund to be used for TRMN 2nd Fleet members. This fund’s target is to provide immediate short term relief of an urgent crisis. For example: Sending someone grocery money for a weeks worth of groceries (as a lot of food banks are running out of food, short on volunteers, and closing), providing gas money for a week so someone can still travel back and forth providing care-giving to a family member, covering the co-pay cost of a doctors visit, and other small emergency expenses. Anything helps. I am asking for a $5 monthly commitment – the cost of a Starbucks coffee – to assist. Please join me, and those who have already donated, in making TRMN more than just a fan group. Click here, or the banner below, to donate. Meet the Test.

At the same time, we know some are being affected by the effort to combat the virus,including job loss, other reduction of income, medical difficulties, etc. This can result in a tough choice between shelter, transportation, food, or medical care. That is an impossible choice no one should be required to face, and we want to help how we can.

To apply for a Visa Gift Card for you or another member, please click here.

Only the 2nd Fleet CO will see who the requester and/or the potential recipient is.  This will never be held against you in any way. We don’t ask for or expect repayment. This is not charity, we are simply keeping the RMN tradition of seeing that a Queen’s Navy is well rested, well fed, and healthy before going into battle. And this is a battle where victory will be measured in not just survivors but in the quality of that survival.

Gryphon's Wings

To request assistance, please click here.

A Matter Of Honor RMN LARP

A Matter of Honor is a multi-day, live-action role playing event set in David Weber’s expansive literary Honorverse. Held in November 2021, the event will offer players three days of exciting adventures and full immersion within Weber’s colorful science-fiction world. Within the interior of the decommissioned USS Edson in Bay City, Michigan, nearly 200 players will serve as the crew of the HMS Ballista, a heavy cruiser of the Royal Manticoran Navy with a mission of unparalleled importance. Each player will receive a uniquely-written character whose backstory and abilities will shape the actions and relationships of the player moving through the weekend event. Participants will need to work carefully with each other – and sometimes against each other – to fulfill duties and objectives unique to their character and the mission at large.

A Matter of Honor will be held from November 12 to 14th, 2021 and will run non-stop until the conclusion of the event. Unlike other QAG events, A Matter of Honor does not have specific “lights out” times and will run continuously from start to finish. Player sleep times will still mean activity for others, and each character will be assigned a specific schedule of on-duty, off-duty, and rest periods to simulate the rigors of space-bound life in the Manticoran Navy.

A Matter of Honor is an official Honorverse event and – while produced by Quest Adventure Gaming – is being carried out in cooperation with David Weber, the BuNine Team, and The Royal Manticoran Navy. The event will closely follow the canonical universe of the books, with frequent and obvious references to source materials. While participants are not required to be familiar with the Honorverse, a familiarity with the books is strongly recommended and will certainly assist players in their understanding of their characters and the in-game setting.

Most of the Matter of Honor event will be hosted aboard the USS Edson, a decommissioned Forrest Sherman-class destroyer from the Cold War era. Now a national historic landmark at the Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum in Bay City, MI, the vessel’s interior will serve as the HMS Ballista (CA-586). Players will have access to the vast majority of the ship’s sizable inner-workings, with various locales serving as key game locations and player accommodations. Many of the Edson’s actual controls will be temporarily fitted with a networked system of touch-screen panels and computer interfaces, allowing players to collectively navigate the Ascendant through a virtual simulation of deep space.

In addition, specific encounters and plot points will take place at additional sites in the Bay City/Saginaw area to serve as other vessels and planets within the Honorverse. At various points, players may have the opportunity to explore these additional locations, adding a sense of depth and scale to the overall player experience.

For more information or to register, visit https://matterofhonorlarp.com/.

A Matter of Honor Logo

May Honors – Awards

Knight Grand Cross, Order of Queen Elizabeth

RADM Geoffrey STRAYER, RMN HMS Demon
CDRE Justin F. DUPRAS, RMN HMS Demon

Knight Commander, Order of Queen Elizabeth

CAPTSG Jill MCTAVISH, RMN HMS Valkyrie
CDRE Misty Rose WHITE, GSN HMS Galahad
LTSG John FAIRBAIRN, RMN HMS Javelin
CAPTSG Rick MATHENY, RMN HMS Invincible

Knight Companion, Order of Queen Elizabeth

SMCPO Bill LOCHEN, RMN HMS Invincible
LTCDR Patrick Ardan GIESE, RMN HMS Invincible

Knight, Order of Queen Elizabeth

LTCDR Debra FLIGOR, RMN HMS Hotspur

Officer, Order of Queen Elizabeth

CAPTJG Gordon KLEIN-LEBBINK, RMN HMS Ajax
LTCDR John Ryan CHAMBERS, RMN HMS Havoc

Member, Order of Queen Elizabeth

CAPTJG James Mike MOYER, RMN HMS Death Claw
LCPL Shawn “House” HUISMAN, RMMC HMS Merlin
LTCDR Lisa Ann WIEDEMANN, RMN HMS Vixen

Medal, Order of Queen Elizabeth

CDR Julie CHASE, RMN HMS Lodestone
SCPO Jeremy PORT, RMN HMS Musashi
CIVILIAN Elizabeth NEITZ, SFC HMS Invincible
RSM Eric LEE, RMMC MARDET Invincible
CDR Cate HESSER, RMN HMS Hellhound
PO2 Charles J HERO, RMN HMS Musashi
PO2 Richard HERTEL, RMN HMS Invincible
PO2 Danielle E OSTACH, RMN HMS Demon
CPO David PELLETIER, RMN HMS Hexapuma
PO3 Dimitri DALLAS, RMN HMS Gryphon
LTSG James MORPHEW, RMN HMS Havoc

Navy Achievement Medal

CAPTSG Samuel DIETZMANN, RMN HMS Demon
CAPTJG Kerry KUHN, RMN HMS Hexapuma
LTCDR Lisa Ann WIEDEMANN, RMN HMS Vixen

Manticoran Combat Action Medal

10th Award

CAPT Richard DAVENPORT, GSN HMS Death Claw

3rd Award

CDR Richard James SAMS, RMN HMS Merlin

 

Space Service Deployment Ribbon

S3C Robert B HALL Sr, RMN HMS Havoc
S3C Thomas Brent HALL, RMN HMS Havoc

Armed Forces Service Medal

S3C Robert B HALL Sr, RMN HMS Havoc

Ranks on awards are listed at the time of award, and may have changed by publication.

May Honors – Promotions

Congratulations are extended to the following members on the occasion of their promotions as noted.

Board Promotions
Timothy Bailey, RMN, HMS Musashi, to Captain, Senior Grade
Richard Davenport, GSN, HMS Death Claw, to Captain
Sherman Day, RMN, HMS Demon, to Rear Admiral of the Red
Rick Matheny, RMN, HMS Invincible, to Captain, Senior Grade

HMS Death Claw

  • Laurie Davenport to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 16 May, 2021

HMS Enterprise

  • David Whitesell to Petty Officer 2nd Class, effective 9 May, 2021

HMS Hexapuma

  • Brian Stone to Spacer 1st Class, effective 18 May, 2021
  • Madi Greg to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 18 May, 2021

HMS Samurai

  • Randy Dale Smith to Spacer 1st Class, effective 26 May, 2021
  • Matthew James Barkow to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
  • Brandon Joshua Berryhill to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
  • William North Cornelius Jr to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
  • Jericho Salizar Cornelius to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
  • Gabriel Michael Cornelius to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
  • Seth Alan Cornelius to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
  • John E Gerschoffer to Spacer 2nd Class, effective 26 May, 2021
  • Richard Scott Krouser to Private First Class, effective 26 May, 2021
  • Steven Frederick Thomson to Private First Class, effective 26 May, 2021
  • Gordon J Snyder to Civilian Two, effective 26 May, 2021

Fleet Command & Staff Information

CO, Gryphon Fleet

CO, Gryphon Fleet

co@gryphonfleet.org

Rear Admiral of the Green Geoffrey Strayer, GCE, KR, SC, OG, CGM, GS

Baron Oak Forest

XO, Gryphon Fleet

XO, Gryphon Fleet

Rear Admiral of the Green Wayne Bruns, GCE, OM, KCGL, MC, OC, CR, SC, OG, CGM, GS, QBM, CBM, PC

Baron Grosvenor

Bosun, Gryphon Fleet

Bosun, Gryphon Fleet

bosun@2ndfleet.trmn.org

Senior Master Chief Intelligence Mate
Kevin Walsh, NS, QBM

Chief of Staff

cos@gryphonfleet.org

Captain, Senior Grade Zach McCauley

Flag Captain

co@hmsgryphon.trmn.org

Captain, Junior Grade Christina Swanson

Flag Lieutenant

flaglt@gryphonfleet.org

Captain Junior Grade Kerry Kuhn

Fleet Medical NCOIC

medical@gryphonfleet.org

PO2 Steven Bobula

Intelligence Specialist

intel@2ndfleet.trmn.org

Lieutenant Commander David Oliver Kling

JAG Ombudsman

Vacant

Legalman

legalman@2ndfleet.trmn.org

CPO Christina R Doane

Operations Officer

operations@gryphonfleet.org

Lieutenant Commander Patrick Giese

Personnel Officer

Captain (SG)
Jamey Salsberg
KDE, MC, OC

Range Officer

marksmanship@2ndfleet.trmn.org

Senior Master Chief Intelligence Mate
Kevin Walsh, NS, QBM

RMACS Liaison

ascl@gryphonfleet.org

Captain, Junior Grade Christina Swanson

Training Officer

bosun@hmsgryphon.trmn.org

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Derek Firehawk Sauls

Gryphon Fleet Order of Battle

Task Force 21

Covering Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Task Group 21.1 shoulder patch

Task Group 21.1

LAC Wing 30

HMLAC Gungnir, Willmar, MN
HMLAC Superior, Duluth, MN
SMLAC Arminius, Minneapolis, MN

Destroyer Squadron 265

HMS Javelin (DD-264), Big Lake, MN
HMS Lodestone (DD-64), Elk River, MN
HMS Merlin (CA-270), St. Cloud, MN

Independent Commands

HMS Hellhound (DD-446), St. Paul, MN
HMS Invincible (SD-455), Plymouth, MN
HMS Juno (BC-726), Willmar, MN

HMS Leonidas (BC-584), Grand Forks, ND
HMS Valkyrie (SD-355), Minneapolis, MN

Task Group 21.2 shoulder patch

Task Group 21.2

Independent Commands

HMS Borzoi (DD-438), River Falls, WI
HMS Gawain (DD-481), Madison, WI
HMS Musashi (BC-775), Milwaukee, WI

Task Force 22

Covering Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and the Lower Peninsula of Michigan

Task Group 22.1 shoulder patch

Task Group 22.1

LAC Wing 62

GSNLAC Lilla Björn, Marquette, MI
HMLAC Scythe, Portage, Indiana

Independent Commands

HMS Apollo (CL-80), Lafayette, IN
HMS Demon (CLAC-62), Des Plaines, IL
HMS Gryphon (SD-153), Indianapolis, IN
HMS Hexapuma (CA-412), Rockford, IL
HMS Hotspur (DD-02), Rantoul, IL
HMS Samurai (CL-356), Goshen, IN
HMS Vixen (DD-174), Chicago, IL
HMS Wolfhound (DD-437), Mt. Prospect, IL

Task Group 22.2 shoulder patch

Task Group 22.3

Cruiser Division 711

HMS Death Claw (CA-437), Cincinnati, OH
HMS Sabrepike (CA-417), Franklin, OH

Independent Commands

HMS Ajax (BC-545), Windsor, Ontario
HMS Beowulf (BC-739), Lansing, MI
HMS Enterprise (BC-480), Rochester Hills, MI
HMS Galahad (DD-478), Columbus, OH
HMS Helen (BC-570), Fruitport, MI

Echelon Commanders

Task Force 21

Task Force 21

RADM Wayne Bruns

Task Group 21.1

Task Group 21.1

CAPTSG Jill McTavish

Destroyer Squadron 265

Destroyer Squadron 265

CAPTSG Paladin Meyer

Task Group 21.2

Task Group 21.2

CAPTJG Timothy Bailey

Task Force 22

Task Force 22

CDRE Justin Dupras

Task Group 22.1

Task Group 22.1

CAPTSG Michael Flanagan

Task Group 22.3

Task Group 22.3

CAPTSG Jackie Snedden

Cruiser Division 711

Cruiser Division 711

CAPTJG Kevin Johnson