As has been our tradition since 2000, we feature additional surface warfare coverage in the January issue. This year we have a strong lineup of solid content. In addition to six features in the article well, surface warfare issues are addressed in multiple departments, from Now Hear This to Charting a Course to Professional Notes.
There is more good news on the surface warfare front. The Surface Navy Association (SNA) selected two Proceedings authors to recognize at its 29th National Symposium in Crystal City, Virginia, 10-12 January. Captain George Galdorisi, U.S. Navy (Retired), will receive SNA’s Literary Award for his March 2016 article, “A Potent One-Two Punch.” Lieutenant Commander Ryan Hilger, U.S. Navy, will receive the Honorable Mention Award.
The Naval Institute will be at the SNA Symposium in force. In addition to having a booth on the exhibit floor with copies of new Naval Institute Press books and copies of Proceedings and Naval History, many Naval Institute staff members from CEO retired Navy Vice Admiral Pete Daly to Proceedings editors, USNI News reporters, and Press editors will attend.
This issue leads off with a powerful article by Marine Major Michael A. Lippert—“Life or Death in 250 Milliseconds.” Major Lippert examines the costs in lives and aircraft in aviation mishaps and makes a case for installing automatic collision avoidance systems in Navy and Marine Corps fighters. We asked veteran naval aviator and Naval Institute Board member retired Admiral Tim Keating to read an advance copy of this article. Admiral Keating provides a nice message that accompanies the article.
Against this dropback of good news, we regret to share long-time editor Fred Schultz has decided to depart our team. Fred joined the periodicals team in 1989, first as an editor on Proceedings, then editor-in-chief of Naval History (1993-2005), and then most recently as managing editor/senior editor until last month. Fred was the editor of our Pearl Harbor coverage in the December issue.
While an accomplished editor, Fred had a special talent in getting and conducting interviews with a long list of interesting and famous people. Fred interviewed: Robert Ballard, Ernest Borgnine, Tom Brokaw, Art Buchwald, Ken Burns, Dick Cheney, Walter Cronkite, Jim Lovell, David McCullough, Herman Wouk, and Anthony Zinni, just to name a few. Many of his interviews were published in History Makers (Naval Institute Press, 2000).
Fortunately for Proceedings and Naval History readers and the staff, Fred will continue to do some freelance assignments.
Fred H. Rainbow
Editor-in-Chief
Life Member since 1976