Let’s not forgot all those NATO countries that stood true to that alliance in support of America after 9/11. Denmark committed a Battalion strength for almost 20 years to Afghanistan, losing 44 KIA. The current administration appears to have a very short memory.

So say we all!

It’s got to be the space parents #BSG #battlestargalactica

Which is how it works onboard warships currently. The battle is fought from the Ops Room deep in the centre of the ship. Ship’s Captain and Principal Warfare Officers have their action stations there. The Navigator stays on the bridge with the bridge team to steer the ship and keep visual lookout

So say we all

That is a totally realistic decision that many a sailor has faced in the past - especially in the world wars. The most important thing is the Ship, she is at the centre of everything we do in the Navy. Without her we are nothing. Battlestar Galactica, the show, depicts this sentiment really well.

This ensures that if there is a fire or flood in the ship, it can be isolated to the compartment it is in & is less likely to spread. Without it, you could lose the ship much more easily if the worst were to happen. As an aside, in the MiniSeries, Tigh saves the ship by sealing & venting 5 frames.

Back to the RN advert…PWO, upon ordering ‘action stations’ then orders ‘assume damage control state 1, condition Zulu’ DC state 1 is another way of saying ‘action stations’. Condition Zulu indicates the highest level of watertight integrity for the ship. Basically all doors and hatches are closed.

In the RN, you also put an extra layer of protective clothing on. Horrific losses & injuries sustained in the Falklands War led to the Navy issuing fire retardant overalls and ‘antiflash’ hood & gloves to all personnel from then on. General service life jacket is also worn in a pouch round the waist

This puts the ship at the highest readiness to fight - everyone stands to their post & doesn’t leave it until they are stood down from action stations. It’s an uncomfortable state to be in for a protracted period. The episode ‘33’ is a good depiction of this - 5 days at ‘action’ would be horrific.

The marine engineers (MEs) and some logisticians (chefs especially) hold positions ready to fight the ‘internal battle’ - to keep the systems running that allow the actual battle to be fought, but also to crew the Damage Control parties - fighting the fires & floods to keep the ship in the fight

What is action stations? Every member of the Ship’s Company goes to their pre-designated position for battle. Commanding Officer will go to the Ops Room (CIC), Navigator & Officers of the Watch to the Bridge, Gunners to the upper deck to crew the guns etc - ready to ‘fight the ship’

Adama’s Cabin is an Action Station nightmare…all those stacks of books & historic artefacts he’s got littered around the place, it would take him (or rather his steward!) a day to secure for action. I know there’s no floods in space, but a vacuum will suck that shit across the compartment & kill you

This is to prevent projectile hazards if the ship has to turn hard or if any ordnance penetrates the ship. Also, if there is a flood, it prevents detritus getting in the way of those fixing the holes in the ship’s side and it stops stuff clogging up the suction pumps used to remove the flood water.

Note also in his preamble he directs that all compartments are to be ‘fully secured for action, including Christmas decorations.’ This doesn’t mean lock all the doors. It means EVERYTHING is to be put away in lockers, drawers, and firmly affixed to the bulkheads in normal stowages.

Invariably when intelligence/the threat dictates it, a ship will be ordered to action stations - note the Principal Warfare Officer (PWO) makes the pipe on the main broadcast giving a quick assessment of the threat and gives the order ‘hands to action stations’.

Definitely not. But do watch the EJO one in the sequence it was aired in, starting with the mini series. And stay off Reddit to avoid spoilers, there are some huge plot twists that you really need to enjoy without knowing they are coming. I’m so jealous, wish I could wipe my brain and watch afresh.

Watched this episode last night. Unbelievably good. Thankfully #BSG is streaming on ITVX in the UK at the moment, so I can get my fix without lugging my mini DVD player with me.