SINKEX of USS Guam (LPH-9)

[shadowleep]

Ok, for all you that want to see the USS Guam up close I added this video of her in the video response & also will be posting more videos of little snid bits from 1988-1989 from a Med float.

[Toetinger]

A cd and the foil got scratched off. Careless. Sinkex and we didn't get to see her sink. I know it was a long time ago, but you did a really shitty job. Disrespectful to every Guam crew member. I should get over it and let it slide but it just pisses me off.

[nagelsullivan]

@Toetinger I happen to know the previous skipper of the Guam and he thought it was respectful. Remember that the ultimate goal was not to make a video. It was to prepare the Airwing for battle before a deployment immediately following 9/11. I appreciate your constructive criticism.

[IsengardMordor]

What is the depth of the wreck?

[nagelsullivan]

@IsengardMordor Not exactly sure off the top of my head. It was 500 miles due east of Jacksonville.

[dihnat53]

The Guam was my first navy cruise as a midshipman in the summer of 1973. Lisboa, Portugal...then north of the Arctic Circle...the large box painted on the hull in the engine room, with an 'X' in it and the caption "In case of fire, kick here"...more memories than I can recount. It was fashionable at the time to decry the old girl, but looking back on it, that was the best deployment ever. (Every ship I was ever on has been decommissioned now. *Sigh*.)

[jamesditt]

I loved this ship. Could've made a more appropriate music selection for this execution. something with bagpipes maybe. She was a good ship and didn't deserve to sink at the hands of friendlies. The MIGHTY NINE... She was home, and I shall miss her.

Marines: Those of you who sailed on this gal. Happy birthday. I'm dedicating my November 10th to remembering this fine warrior... This awesome MARINE platform. Semper Fi, Devildogs! Semper Fi.

[Toetinger]

I still can't get over what a crappy job this video is. You should have shown her going down. I was onboard from 1977 to 1980. Any shipmates out there?

[tho9900]

@Toetinger I was on her 1989 part of a rapid deployment team, Navy Corpsman attached Green side, leading into GW1... this was the best deployment Navy or FMF I ever made... I first saw this vid on the USS Guam reunion site... It's sad seeing the old lady go down like that...

and @whoever mentioned CWIS etc... with the amount of ordnance being thrown at her it would have only slowed down the inevitable even if all systems were active and the DC teams were at their best...

[Toetinger]

You did a terrible job on this video. Why were not shots of her actually sinking shown. UNSAT. Post the full version so we can see.

[nagelsullivan]

@Toetinger Would if I had it. It was about 10 minutes long. I had a cd with both of them on there and the foil got scratched off. Unreadable.

[geeayevette]

Comment, part two:

Yes, I know there's NO way to accurately duplicate a combat SINKEX as the ship will never be loaded with operational stores. Enviormentalists would just 'scream'..but I digress..I wish to say that the damage control personnel and the ship fitters onboard, (if this were actually an operational scenario), would have, or may have kept her afloat..until she was able to get to the blocks for major repair. Sad to see the 'ol girl die. Thanks for letting me rant a little. Best again

[nagelsullivan]

@geeayevette All hatches were opened to ensure that it sank. (They didn't want to have to manually scuttle it.) However, the SINKEX was carefully coordinated to ensure that everyone got a chance to get get their quals in. The firing order, fuzing, and locations were deliberately chosen.

[Barnman710]

One question, was she at condition "Z" when you guys were firing all of those weapons at her? I am totally amazed as to how long she withstood all of that firepower. I hope you will post the long-form video in the future.

[geeayevette]

@Barnman710 ..Dunno if Zebra was set. But the video is a little misleading to the average person viewing. Let me 'splain..The LPH would have had stores of AVGAS/JP6 and ordnance onboard if this were an operational scenario. This video merely shows (nicely done, if truth be known) the opening of bulkheads on a steel ghost. CIWS (were LPH's so equipped?) may have thwarted an enemy attack..but the truth remains, this vid was not a true representation of an LPH taking a hit operationally. Best.

[navyreviewer]

@geeayevette The purpose of a sink-ex is to test the weapons not the target.

[Barnman710]

I remember her as our sister ship, I was on-board the Guadalcanal from 81-85, and we used the Guam's mess-decks on a couple occasions while ours were being fumigated. I have to say she was a nice ship, and the crew was great to work with. I am amazed at the amount of firepower that was used to take her to the bottom, we always joked that if you aimed a missile midships, that it would split the ship in half and sink rapidly. But in this case she just took it, Amazing.

[Toetinger]

I wish you would have showed the longer version. We can't even see her going down, really. She may still be up somewhere.

[patriot4friendship]

served on the "mighty 9" from dec 87 to may 92. Eng-E div. Gonna always remember the "Guam Burgers" and alot of good friends.

[klass311]

Sunk By the USS Maryland



[Innuendoh]

Sailed on her sister ship... ;)

[srlucido]

Did a Med and Carib cruise on The Guam in 1970/1971 with the 2nd Marine Division from Camp Leguene. Great ship, great Crew!

Can't help but remember how amazing the stars were on the flight deck at night but even better, our smoker's on the second deck against the Navy on Sunday's.

Good Times, hate to see her go.

[Harryteeff]

She was a great ship. A ship that should be remembered with reverance and pride. Too bad you chose this cheesey douchebag music to accompany her demise. Weak...

[Miker3797]

Why music? you ruined it.

[workingpants]

I was a Marine officer aboard USS Guam in 1988-89 as part of the 24th MEU's Mediterranean deployment. Though I understand, I am sad to watch the old Mighty 9 go down this way. I can only imagine how the Sailors feel who spent far more time aboard her. Fair winds and a following sea...

[onebadsarge]

@workingpants I was on her in 89 also. I was a Marine cook.

[G2B1983]

Socomsix19, the USS Guam and the thousands of other U.S. Navy ships are what did in the former Soviet Union with little or no explosions! I doubt many of the Russian ships and subs even carry a full arsenal of weapons. I do remember coming along side several Soviet ships at sea and they looked like rust buckets, many in various states of disrepair with very sad, unshaven, hungry looking sailors on deck.

[socomsix19]

you americans got weak weapon ,.. fire russian weapons and it would be devastated like sseen in the movie red october

[mitchell600]

@socomsix19 Indeed, harpoons, tomahawks always small explosion, russian missiles is big big big... I am on a dutch warship with harpoons and ESM. But damm weak weapons. Only the goalkeeper can probaly safe us :P

[Miker3797]

@socomsix19 how do you say "fuck you" in Russian?

[cabbievonbump]

@Miker3797 "Quinn?"

[trsidn]

hmmm... I was on the Guam from March '82 - Oct '83. North Atlantic and Med cruises. Watched Beirut burn for about 6 months. Don't feel much watching this.

[rjs2005]

Tough ol' lady. I was onboard the boat that finally did her in, I remember that all too well. The battle group hit her with everything she had and she just stood there and took it. In the end, however, there isn't much on the ocean that can withstand the impact of a Mk-48 torpedo, and GUAM was no exception. In a way, GUAM went down in the manner fitting a proper Navy warship, fighting to stay afloat until her crew was safe.

[Georgejmh]

Damn! The Guam was my first ship. I served on her in the OI Division as a Radarman, in 1971. I know what the fate will be for most of these ships, but it DOES STILL HURT!

[nineironrandy]

Wow, Just found about the Guam sinking, I was on aboard her as a Hull Maintenance technician from 1981 to 1983 with two tours in Beirut and 2 weeks in Grenada. It's hard to believe I spent countless hours trying to keep her afloat, while watching the video I couldn't help to think I should be running to my repair stations getting my gear on and trying to save her, I will miss her and it will be strange to know she is not on the seas any more.

[jamesdewer]

@nineironrandy Sorry for your loss. I know its tough to watch your old boat go down.

[MLMintz]

This is the first time I've seen this video too. I was stationed onboard GUAM on the PHIBRON FOUR staff in 1983 just prior to her deployment to Granada (to rescue the American students) and her deployment immediately afterward to Lebanon where she was medical guard ship. Great ship!

CDR M Mintz

[TheFrank5]

I was on the USS Maryland (SSBN-738G) when this was sunk. I remember the sound of the explosions going on for hours as we prebriefed watch sections for this. I was able to take a look at it through the scope before we fired and once more after we came back up to periscope depth to take a look. I remember hearing the sound of the torpedo explosion twice (from bottom bounce) before we felt the shockwave from 7NM out. My father later told me that he flew a helicopter from the deck of the Guam.

[dasboot211221]

@TheFrank5 I was on the USS Maryland (SSBN-738G) from may 2002 - dec. 2006. good times, wonder if Rusty made admiral

[DNAz5646]

Man the girl just doesnt give up lol cant believe it needed a ADCAP after all those munitions

[jers59]

Guam go down in one piece?

[DNAz5646]

it looked bent abit

[fitofnastalgia]

This was my first time seing this video. When I served on the Guam from Feb, 85 (dry dock -philly shipyards) to 87. Im sure that I could have looked forward to seeing it sunk, but seeing it now 22 years after I left her, it really took me back. I went from the Guam to the Conolly DD979. ("Old Navy to New Navy") What a system shock. I'll never forget the good times I spent on Guam from Philly and the Jersey shores, to the Med, to N.O for Mardi Gras! To all you Guam Snipes, thx for the memories..

[gordonemoore]

I was in the first battalion to embark in her (3/8, Carib 5-65). It made me feel old to watch that.

[TimA340]

No whats funny rotorhead is that you right away assumed something jumping on Nagel in a cocky arrogant way as if to say you full of shit Nagel I know whats fact and you aint it. But the truly funny part is he spanked you abit with the facts then put you in your place and you didnt even have the nuts to tell him your sorry for the blatant accusation of misrepresentation because any true gentleman especially a military personnel would have squared it properly. I think Nagel deserves that much.JMO

[FelixA9]

Now if we could have the one where America went down. (It would be interesting to see but no, I really wouldn't want it made public either.)

[gortonk8]

Wow! She took one heck of a beating before going down. I remember thinking that she'd have no chance in a battle and the ol' girl proved me wrong. I spent a lot of time on her (88-93) maintaining the electrical systems and it kind of hurts to see this. Proud of her for staying afloat for so long. She helped save 282 lives in Somalia, one was born aboard ship. "Semper Gumby" was our unofficial motto when I served on her. She served her country well and will be missed.

[PingaHead1234]

She was my home for 8 months during Desert Storm. And she helped save 273 diplomats and families from Somalia that Jan '91. Hard to watch but necessary. Goodbye Big "G". Thanks for the memories.

Cpl Pettit "C" Co. 1st Bn 2nd Marines

[HazeGreyAndUnderway]

40 LGBs?!?!?!?!?! She took a hell of a beating before she went down, huh?

[wrblack1]

Breaks my heart. I loved that old ship, Spent lots of time aboard her with the 4th MAB in 74 and 75. CWO-3 Black, USMC (Ret)

[ricklempke]

Very painful to watch. I spent a lot of long hours fixing that ship. 93-95.

[stephenhutson92]

@ricklempke i was on her from christmas92 till july 94 what div were you in

[MikeDowns66]

Wow! That was tough to watch. I was a sailer on the USS Guam for 3 years. 83-85. I worked with a great crew. BM1 Mike Bowns.

[NormallyAspirated]

As cornball as this may sound, I kind of like to think that the ship was trying to say "I know my fate, but I just want to show y'all what I was made of."

[gizzel345]

I never thought about it that way. Great comment. Thanks,

[gtrgyro333]

Oct 23 1983...25 Year Anniversary.URGENT FURY.What a Hellacious 2 Weeks.Great Job Shipmates.Miss You Guys. RJ Reynolds

[HUNDLEYGUY95]

did they use enough ordanance?, christ almighty

[LesPaulSmacker]

It gave a good fight and die fighting..

[wmorris101]

Man, it hurt to watch that. I went on two deployments on that ship, once with 1/2 C Co. (1st Plt.) in 91 and then again in 92 with 1/6 H/S Co. It was an old rust bucket, but I have a lot of good memories on that boat. They should have sank it in shallow water or made a museum out of it.

[511Wabashavenue]

I miss seeing that ship and my dad on it, who was like SK1 Lynn or something

[bekaht24]

Sorry to see her go. Should have been the Inchon. BM3 Thomas 87-90

[Cta2006]

Nice to see the Norwegian Penguin missile in action :-)

[dawson757]

The Mk 48 was shot by the USS Maryland, my current boat. There is a plaque with several pictures of the ship in various stages of sinking. The torp really broke the keel of the ship as it's designed to do....bye bye Guam.

[deftdrummer]

god damn! the fucker finally sank huh?

[xaenon]

too bad they can't sink it twice.

[imh11621]

wow!

[usnvaught]

can someone get me the full 30 minute version.  I was on the uss spruance and remember that day vividly.

[andrewfl2480]

Hey whats up! Remember me I am former QM3 Spehr. How are you doing?

[usnvaught]

Of course I remember, whats up. I am an STG1 now what have you been up to.

[andrewfl2480]

Well I have been through hell and back. On April 15, 2007 I had a Heart Transplant. I have a claim with the VA for compensation. Doing some research on my medical history I had a undiagnosed heart problem when I was on active duty. Then I had the Smallpox innoculation right before I left the ship. What a mess!

[haulem]

I served on that piece of crap 1976-1980. Good riddance.

[morbidfrost]

its amazing how weak all those missiles are she doesn't even catch fire?

[andrewfl2480]

I was there!! It was one hell of a good time. Like they say practice makes perfect. I miss those days.

Former Quatermaster on the USS Spruanc DD-963

[danpass12]

These 'target' ships are normally instrumented. Helps to validate (or invalidate) designs (like damage capacity, etc)

[KlubMarcus]

I'd prefer that the US Navy sink manned warships from anti-American countries. But unfortunately none of them ever challenge the US Navy on the high seas. So they have to settle for target practice.

[tdishdog]

all that good steel going to the bottom. typical wasteful us navy. hell the taxpayers paid for it anyways

[MyturBinisdrty]

I AGREE

[TasunkaSapa]

Hehe, 2 HARM missiles, 2 Hellfire Missile, 2 Penguin Missiles, 4 Maverick Missiles, CBU-99 Cluster Bombs, about 40 Laser Guided Bombs (LGB) using the MK-82 500lb warhead, 1 air-launched Harpoon Missile, 9 surface-launched Harpoons, Naval gunfire, and finally a MK-48 ADCAP. All they really had to do was try to get the Large Pulsating Hemoroid underway and it would have sunk itself! Hey Who! Remember getting the fricken' pins out and repaired on the aircraft elevators.

MR2 Ray 80'-83'

[cclampe]

I was on her last voyage to the Med. Rumor then was they were going to sell her to Gillette for razor blades. But it is sad to see her sunk over a mile below the water. I wonder if they ever found the space pen I bought in the ship's store before they blew her all to hell? Who out there remembers those "Guam Balls" they made for us when the food was getting low? Mmmm un-seasoned ball of meat, well-done, w/ some rice on the side, and the chow line that went all the way into the Hanger Deck?

[G2B1983]

The Guam was my home from 1983 to 1985. I had seen pics of the SINKEX but the video was really tough to watch. She was a great ship to great crews! Grenada to Beirut and then some.

[anziobean]

I was 81 to 83 I know how you feel

lance Miccio

[golfer1165818]

I know i was born in Guam they sould make a new one considering a lot the ships are in guam

[ronzoni5]

Actually bothered me to watch. Here's to the Mighty Nine!

YN2 Goda

[hirdas]

great, not often they get to sink ships this big..it surved well to the very last. The two penguine missiles had a nice sound..

[windsurfingfun]

yeah, hits below the waterline are devastating.

[LoudS1l3nc3]

thats why ship crews shit in their pants when they hear "submarine alert"

[saltydog45]

Yep,spent years repairing RNZN ships.And one comment I always remember I heard while working in the sonar room"The ones from above will hurt,but the ones from below,will ruin your whole day"

[MCMan85]

Thats one tough little ship

[waif69]

That brought a tear to my eye. Long may she be remembered.

- EM2 J. Shrope

[GodMedia]

May she rest in peace.

-BMSN Emilio Espinosa

[jesseware]

Can't believe they sunk the Mighty Nine!

ABH3 Jesse Ware

[metrofire31]

I served on the Guam from '70-'72. Made two Med cruises and one to Peru. It's really sad to see her sunk like that but I'm proud to have been part of her history

Mike Watson

Atlanta