Navy News

Navy News Service for Thursday, September 24, 2009

NNS090924-04. CFAY Celebrates Contributions at Hispanic Heritage Celebration
– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48527

NNS090924-11. Navy Adds a Year to NROTC Obligation
– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48535

DNU — Naval Support Activity Naples holds a pinning ceremony for its new chief petty officers.
– http://www.navy.mil/swf/mmu/mmplyr.asp?id=13189

NNS090924-09. NNMC Helps Cancer Patients, Survivors through Art
– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48529

DNU — Marine recruits learn marksmanship skills.
– http://www.navy.mil/swf/mmu/mmplyr.asp?id=13193

NNS090924-02. Scholarships Offered to Sea Services Family Members with Alaska Residency
– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48531

DNU — Headlines from around the fleet: Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet releases a farewell podcast to Sailors; U.S. Fleet Forces Command launches a new blog site.
– http://www.navy.mil/swf/mmu/mmplyr.asp?id=13190

NNS090924-07. Coast Guard Coxswain Transports Boarding Teams
– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48429

DNU — The Marine Corps implements new suicide prevention programs.
– http://www.navy.mil/swf/mmu/mmplyr.asp?id=13191

NNS090924-06. National Weather Service Names Whiting Field ‘Storm Ready’
– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48517

DNU — Seabees participate in a community relations project during exercise maritime pre-positioning force.
– http://www.navy.mil/swf/mmu/mmplyr.asp?id=13194

NNS090924-01. EPC 09 Holds Oil Spill Preparedness Training
– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48530

DNU — Sailors in the Hampton Roads area participate in a military sports bike course.
– http://www.navy.mil/swf/mmu/mmplyr.asp?id=13192

NNS090924-05. Moneywise in the Military Visits CFAY
– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48521

NNS090924-08. Current Daily News Update
– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=48539

NNS020724-34. This Day in Naval History – Sept. 24
– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=2806

Eye on the Fleet – U.S. Navy Photo of The Day
– http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=76484

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NNS090924-04. CFAY Celebrates Contributions at Hispanic Heritage Celebration

By Dan Bowen, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) — Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) honored the diverse contributions of Hispanic-Americans at a Hispanic Heritage Celebration held at the Chapel of Hope Sept. 17.

The celebration featured remarks by Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Santos, Master Chief Master-at-Arms (SW) David Aguilera and Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Ashleigh Dickey.

There were also musical performances; Erumi Kuwaori performed a stirring solo and Master-at-Arms 1st Class Rogerio Gomez entertained the crowd with a traditional accordion performance.

There was also a tribute to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic justice in the 220 years the court has existed. The theme of Hispanic Heritage month this year is “Embracing the fierce urgency of now.”

The monthlong celebration, which began Sept. 15 and will last until Oct. 15, celebrates the influence of Hispanic culture reflected in every aspect of American life, from politics to education to music and television.

“What unites Hispanic-Americans is a fundamental respect for the traditions and values of their native lands combined with a strong commitment to the American dream,” said Santos. “Throughout the month we celebrate the Hispanic community and pause to reflect on Hispanic values: faith, family and patriotism. These values are American values, the Hispanic dream – the hope of a better future – is the American dream.”

Today, more than ever, Hispanic-Americans play an integral role in shaping the American experience.

According to www.america.gov, Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in the United States.

The Hispanic population is projected to nearly triple, from almost 47 million to 133 million, from 2008 to 2050, and will jump from 15 percent to 30 percent of the population. The celebration of Hispanic Heritage began in 1968 with Public Law 90-498. The law authorized an annual presidential proclamation for Sept. 15 and 16 Hispanic Heritage Week.

That week was selected to correspond with Independence Day celebrations in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua whose independence is celebrated on Sept. 15 and Mexico which celebrates its independence on Sept. 16.

“It (Hispanic Heritage month) brings us together,” said Gomez. “No matter what race, religion, or culture you are, we are all on one team.”

For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, visit www.navy.mil/local/cfay/.

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NNS090924-11. Navy Adds a Year to NROTC Obligation

From Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) — The secretary of the Navy approved a plan to increase the active duty Minimum Service Requirement (MSR) for Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Navy-option scholarship recipients.

NAVADMIN 257/09 dated Sept. 5 notes all NROTC Navy-option scholarship recipients who sign an NROTC contract for receipt of undergraduate educational assistance on or after July 1, 2010 must obligate to serve in the Navy for five years active duty instead of the previous four years.

According to Naval Service Training Command, which oversees the NROTC program, the reason for the added year of obligation is to better manage the Navy’s surface warfare community stabilization and nuclear power accessions.

This change will standardize NROTC and U.S. Naval Academy MSR years and establish consistency among all unrestricted line communities, with the exception of the longer aviation requirements.

“This brings the (NROTC) program in line with the Naval Academy, so everyone has to stay (on active duty) the same amount of time,” said Cathy Kempf, a former Navy commander, who now heads the selection and placement department for NROTC at Naval Service Training Command’s Officer Development Directorate in Pensacola, Fla.

“It levels the playing field for junior officers and gives them the chance to serve in a staff position and as a division officer, where they’ll get leadership experience,” she said. “With two different assignments, they’ll be better equipped to decide if they want to stay on active duty or not.”

The revised policy will impact the class of 2014 as they begin academic studies in fall 2010 and sign a service agreement upon acceptance of education assistance. This policy change will not affect the MSR for Marine Option, Navy Nurse Program, or College Program.

The NROTC program was established to educate and train qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the Navy or Marine Corps. The program offers full tuition scholarships, plus book and lab reimbursement and a monthly stipend at our nation’s most competitive and elite universities. More than 1,000 Navy Ensigns and Marine Corps Second Lieutenants are commissioned annually through the NROTC program.

For more information about NROTC, visit https://www.nrotc.navy.mil.

For more news from Naval Service Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/greatlakes/

I am so glad they have learned the error of their ways.  I have had many shipmates who were deployed in a IA status and then forgotten by their commands.  Be-it Families at home on their own, or even during eval seasons.  The folks who were out standing the watch always seem to be shafted during Evals.  This has changed through the years and now the Navy is really stepping up their game. BZ!

IA Program Coin

From U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) — Individual augmentee (IA) spouses were treated to an IA-focused Web-based radio show presented by Navy Wife Radio April 21 addressing news, policies, and challenges affecting IA Sailors and families.

Members from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, the Navy’s executive agent for the IA Continuum, and Expeditionary Combat Readiness Command (ECRC), welcomed Navy Wife Radio’s invitation to provide IA spouses the latest information on support efforts for IAs and IA families during their IA tour.

“Families do not have access to the military email system or plan of the day. They do not attend quarters or department meetings. If we want to put the word out to families we need to do so through ‘family channels’ as well as military channels, that way the Sailor and the family have access to the information,” said Samantha Hand, ECRC Family Readiness team member, and participant in this week’s show.

Adm. Jonathan Greenert, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, provided assurances and advice in a recent message to IA Sailors and families.

“I can assure you we will value your service, and we will continue to care for your family. Also, as you go through this process, take the time to talk to other IA Sailors and Navy families who have already answered this call,” Greenert explained.

Navy Wife Radio’s IA-focused Webcast radio show this week was a direct result of feedback from their listeners – Navy wives.

“They (IA spouses) want to know how will having their Sailor deployed to a war zone affect their marriage, will he come home different and how do they stay connected,” said Wendy Poling, NavyWifeRadio.com executive producer and co-host, and Navy wife of former IA. “They want to know what type of support they should be receiving from their command. Plus, the Navy is making great strides in taking care of IA families, and we want to highlight that and inform the families.”

Started in 2007 by Poling’s self-proclaimed “crazy idea to have a radio show featuring military spouses” after she got XM radio in her car, Navy Wife Radio now has a new social networking site, MyMilitaryLife.com. This features member blogs, photos, events, forums, groups and videos, and provides readers and listeners the opportunity to give immediate feedback.

“The instant communication with people living your same lifestyle is life changing. Our show and sites exist to support, encourage and re-energize military spouses,” said Poling.

The weekly Navy Wife Radio show is every Tuesday evening at 10 EST, and can be downloaded anytime. IAs and IA families can still listen to this week’s show at www.navywiferadio.com. It addressed options to dealing with common challenges spouses have during IA deployments and recent policy updates.

“I’ve been very surprised at the support we have received, it has all been positive,” Poling added. “The Navy has made huge progress in this area, but still has a lot of work to do. I think it’s a great sign how leadership is supporting Navy families in new ways. Taking care of Sailors and families is what it is all about and we are passionate about the Navy family.”

This week’s show also discussed the Navy’s latest efforts to more effectively communicate IA news and information to IAs and their families.

The first stop for basic IA information is www.ia.navy.mil. In addition The “Navy Individual Augmentees” Facebook page has over 300 fans receiving current IA news, photos, and discussions between IAs and IA families. The twitter.com/Navy_IA page has over 150 followers receiving tweets with news snippets and links for IAs.

According to Hand, all of these efforts are important to IA families and the Navy.

“Spouses play a significant role in the decision many Sailors make to ‘Stay Navy’. Effective communication to and from the command is often a key factor in the decision making process,” Hand explained. “Most importantly, communicating with the IA families shows that the Navy is as committed to providing traditional support services for the family, before, during and after the IA deployment, as the family is to supporting their Sailor’s decision to ‘Stay Navy’”, she explained.

According to Poling, Navy Wife Radio hosts an IA-focused show about once a quarter.

For more news from Individual Augmentee, visit www.navy.mil/local/IA/.

The Sailor was aboard a small boat conducting a routine procedure to secure drains from the ship’s catapult system when he was crushed between the small boat and the ship’s hull. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The Sailor’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin

USS John C. Stennis arrived in Singapore April 24 for a scheduled port visit during a six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.

An investigation into the cause of the accident has been initiated.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c7f/

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Marc Rockwell-Pate, Commander Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Public Affairs

Safety First!

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) — With the weather getting warmer across most installations, Navy leadership is encouraging Sailors and their families to think ’safety’ before participating in outdoor activities or traveling during the approaching critical days of summer.

“The ‘Critical days of Summer’ is a time period that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day,” said Bill Turnbull, the Safety Program director for Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia. “This time period is more dangerous for mishaps, because service members and their families are taking vacations and getting involved in outdoor activities that are high risk.”

According to Chief of Naval Air Training instruction 3058.1, some of the high-risk recreational activities service members and their families participate in are dirt biking, hunting, jet skiing, and scuba diving to name a few. Most of the time, people get hurt performing these high-risk activities because they are not physically prepared.

“People try to go right into their summer sports and activities after sitting around during the winter months and end up injuring themselves,” added Turnbull.

One Naples area Sailor feels the warm weather encourages military members to act before they think instead of considering their safety first.

“During the spring and summer, people try to do too much all at one time,” said Yeoman 2nd Class (SW) Jessica Ibarra. “People want to be adventurous and play stunt double, but then are like ‘Oops, I shouldn’t have done that.’”

Besides being the season for outdoor activities, the critical days of summer is also the time of year when service members and their families travel, putting them at a higher risk for motor vehicle mishaps. Although many people consider alcohol the number-one cause of personal motor vehicle (PMV) mishaps, Turnbull said that is usually not the case.

“Fatigue is biggest factor involved with PMV incidents,” said Turnbull. “There are also other major factors such as excessive speed, familiarity with the road, and longer road trips.”

To ensure service members and their families return from their trips safely, the Navy offers a variety of two-wheel and four-wheel vehicle educational and training courses, including the AAA Driver Improvement Program, the Motorcycle Basic Rider Course, and the Motorcycle Experienced Rider Course. These courses can not only improve your skills, but also lower your insurance costs.

In 2008, more than 110 Sailors and Marines lost their lives in traffic-related mishaps. Though males ages 18-26 are statistically more likely to be in a Spring or Summer mishap, Turnbull said that it can happen to anyone.

“Most mishaps occur because people are unprepared,” added Turnbull. “People need to understand the risks of their activities, take actions to mitigate those risks, and consciously accept the risks they are taking. Don’t just jump into something before you have thought it out.”

According to the Naval Safety Center Web site, Sailors should fill out an Individual Off-Duty Risk Assessment before participating in any high-risk activities or going on trips. This form is designed to quantify off-duty risk potential and focus on intervention and prevention strategies.

For more information about recreational and motor vehicle preventive strategies and training for both afloat and ashore, log onto safetycenter.navy.mil.

Navy News Service for Thursday, December 04, 2008

NNS081204-06. CNO Talks with Regional Media in Chile

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41245

DNU — Headlines from around the fleet: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead visits Chile; The Navy begins rollout of new working uniform.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11868

NNS081204-14. NAVSEA Program Helps Ships Set Record for Fuel Savings

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41251

NNS081204-12. Essex Increases Joint, Combined Interoperability During Fall Patrol

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41244

NNS081204-03. Navy, Air Force Improve Interoperability During Drill in Japan

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41061

NNS081204-05. Naval Academy Awarded Meritorious Unit Commendation

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41238

DNU — USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) returns to Naval Station Norfolk following a four month humanitarian mission.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11870

NNS081204-09. USS Denver Completes First FDNF Patrol

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41232

NNS081204-10. Navajo Code Talker Headlines Yokosuka’s American Indian Heritage Celebration

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41235

NNS081204-08. Ishigaki Community Leaders Visit Essex

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41230

DNU — Commander, Canadian Land Force Atlantic visits USS Freedom (LHA 1)

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11869

NNS081204-07. Sailors Give Back to Hawaiian Community with 19th Annual ‘Operation Aloha’

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41229

NNS081204-11. Yokosuka Sailors, Locals Dance Into Holiday Season

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41242

DNU — Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan’s First Class Association donates their time and gifts to a local orphanage.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11867

NNS081204-04. Religious Assistants Play Supporting Role in Caring for Troops

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41102

DNU — A tribute is paid to the Army for their efforts in the past Army Navy football games.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11871

DNU — Navy Region Northwest holds tryouts for the All-Navy wrestling team.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11872

NNS081204-13. Current Daily News Update

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41258

NNS011210-07. This Day in Naval History – Dec. 04

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=286

Eye on the Fleet – U.S. Navy Photo of The Day

– http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=67089

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NNS081204-06. CNO Talks with Regional Media in Chile

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Rebekah Blowers, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs

VALPARAÍSO, Chile (NNS) — The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Gary Roughead, spoke with regional media in Chile during his visit Dec. 1-2.

Roughead spoke about the importance of building and maintaining global maritime partnerships through counterpart visits and participation in international conferences like Exponaval.

“I think Exponaval is a perfect example of how navies and maritime forces can come together and discuss the issues we see in the future and how we can work more closely together,” Roughead said.

CNO also addressed the re-establishment of Fourth Fleet and how vital it is for the region.

“Look at what Fourth Fleet has done in the last seven or eight months: significant humanitarian assistance, significant disaster relief, significant exercises that have improved our capabilities to operate together – all very important things. Fourth Fleet is a way to be more effective in conducting those types of operations,” Roughead said.

Reporters were very interested in the recent Russian-Venezuelan exercises being conducted in the Caribbean. When asked Roughead replied, “As I see it, the Russian Navy and Venezuelan Navy are exercising together. If it’s for positive reasons, I don’t have any concerns about that.”

For more news from Chief of Naval Operations, visit www.navy.mil/local/cno/.

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NNS081204-14. NAVSEA Program Helps Ships Set Record for Fuel Savings

From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA’s) Incentivized Energy Conservation (i-ENCON) Program recorded another banner year for ship fuel conservation in fiscal year 2008, the i-ENCON program manager announced Nov. 28.

According to the i-ENCON Program Manager Hasan Pehlivan, the program helped Navy ships save more than 1 million barrels of oil in fiscal year 2008, enough to fill the 12-gallon gas tanks of more than 3.5 million cars resulting. This resulted in a record cost avoidance of more than $136 million.

The i-ENCON program is one of two major initiatives comprising the Navy’s Energy Conservation (ENCON) Program, spearheaded by NAVSEA’s Marine Engineering team. Committed to reducing ships’ energy consumption by 10 percent each year, i-ENCON is a hands-on “Meet the Fleet” initiative. Program sponsors conduct routine meetings with ship operators to review specific fuel-saving procedures and recommend quarterly awards for ships with the most fuel-efficient operations.

According to Pehlivan, i-ENCON rewards leading fuel conservers among underway surface ships with special recognition and cash incentives up to $90,000. Each quarter, he said, approximately 100 ships qualify for cash awards. Award money is routed to each commanding officer’s discretionary funds, which are often used to buy items like damage control gear or to augment the ships’ welfare and recreation programs.

“The incentives are very important to i-ENCON’s success,” Pehlivan added. “It’s a volunteer program that requires real commitment from ships’ commanding officers, chief engineers and main propulsion assistants. I receive calls and emails from ships every day wanting to know how they can participate and improve their fuel performance.”

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.

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NNS081204-12. Essex Increases Joint, Combined Interoperability During Fall Patrol

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson, USS Essex Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) — The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) arrived in Sasebo after the completion of a successful fall patrol Dec. 4.

The Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESX ESG) departed Sasebo Sept. 19. Throughout the deployment, Essex Sailors, along with Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducted numerous bilateral training exercises with countries throughout the region in an effort to enhance amphibious interoperability.

“This fall patrol was extremely successful, from training Marines to completion of [major training evolutions],” said Capt. Brent Canady, Essex commanding officer. “The enthusiasm and can-do attitude from Essex Sailors during this patrol was a great example of their professionalism and pride for being onboard.”

Major exercises included the Evaluation Exercise (EVALEX), the Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX), the Korean Interoperability Training Program (KITP), and ANNUALEX 20G.

From Oct. 2 to Oct. 10, EVALEX tested Sailors’ and Marines’ ability to work together during a series of virtually non-stop amphibious warfare evolutions. Well-deck operations included a variety of simulated beach insertions and reconnaissance missions and employed landing craft utility vehicles, combat rubber raiding crafts, landing crafts air-cushioned vehicles, and amphibious assault vehicles. Flight-deck operations were also extensive, drawing from the resources of the 31st MEU’s Marine Attack Squadron 223 (VMA-223) and Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (HMM-262).

“This year’s exercise was particularly important because we were working with a brand new MEU,” said Lt. Delbert Tony, Essex’ assistant operations officer. “It’s the first time we have worked together as a group. It would be a detriment if we had a real mission and had not yet worked together as a team; EVALEX really helps prevent that.”

The exercise tested the perseverance of Sailors and Marines on the flight deck, with flight quarters often lasting up to 12 hours daily, incorporating AV-8B Harrier jet airplanes, CH-53E Sea Stallion, CH-46E Sea Knight, AH-1Z Super Cobra and UH-1N Huey helicopters. Despite long hours, ESSEX finished EVALEX on a successful note and carried that momentum on to PHIBLEX.

PHIBLEX, which involved two weeks of ground, air and naval integration training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, took place Oct. 15-27. Training scenarios included live arms fire, small unit tactics, and boat-raid training exercises intended to improve both countries’ collective war-fighting capabilities.

“The work we’ve done with our friends and allies in Japan, Korea and the Philippines is instrumental to our commitment to peace and stability in the Pacific region,” said Canady.

After a successful PHIBLEX, Essex Sailors enjoyed a four-day liberty call in Subic Bay, where they conducted two community friendship-building projects at the New Cabalan Elementary School and the Social Development Center for Girls. Activities included minor repair work, painting, English lessons and personal interaction with the children.

“The main goal is to be ambassadors of goodwill and friendship,” said Cmdr. Chin Dang, Essex’ chaplain. “That goodwill works both ways. When a Sailor goes out and does something good for someone in need, it makes them feel good about themselves, too.”

During KITP, Essex Sailors collaborated with their ROK counterparts through multiple amphibious training scenarios, including simulated air strikes and combined beach support operations.

U.S. and ROK forces hit the beach together, employing more than 50 AAVs and every type of aircraft in the 31st MEU’s arsenal.

“Interoperability is very important,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ben Sigurdson, Essex’ assistant air officer. “It allows both countries to see the inner-workings of the other and how they operate together. We’ve done bilateral exercises like this in the past with ROK forces and learned a lot, and this exercise also proved beneficial.”

ANNUALEX 20G gave Essex Sailors another chance to strengthen ties with one of the closest allies in the region. This time, the U.S. and Japanese Navies focused on enhancing military-to-military relationships, improving command and control, air, undersea and surface warfare through training.

With the deployment winding down in mid-November, Essex Sailors still found a way to stay focused for the ship’s unit level training assessment-certification (ULTRA-C), which tested departmental training teams on their abilities to evaluate themselves.

“We tried to make our scenarios as realistic as possible,” said Capt. Troy Hart, Essex’ executive officer. “There is always some degree of simulation in what we do, but our scenarios and damage are as real as they can be, which is essential to good training.”

Those scenarios challenged Sailors shipwide, forcing multiple departments to work together in a total ship survivability exercise (TSSE) and mass conflagration drill. Both drills were run simultaneously after a simulated missile struck the ship, prompting every department to spring into action.

The successful ULTRA-C was followed by a liberty call in Hong Kong. During the visit, Sailors had the chance to meet local citizens, experience local customs and traditions and enjoy the many recreational activities.

For many Essex Sailors, the cruise was their first taste of life underway.

“This was my first cruise, and I’d say my favorite part was definitely Hong Kong,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Alexis Stephens. “It was a great experience to be able to visit the waterfront and take in the scenery. It’s something I definitely wouldn’t be able to do if I wasn’t stationed onboard.”

With the Hong Kong port visit behind them, Essex Sailors had just one more major hurdle before returning home. The ship’s unit level training assessment-engineering (ULTRA-E) ran Dec. 1-4 and tested the mettle of everyone in the engineering department as they went through an intense series of main propulsion equipment drills and fire drills.

Upon arrival in Japan, Essex Sailors immediately began a unit level training assessment-anti-terrorism/force protection (ULTRA-ATFP), designed to test their ability to defend the ship against a terrorist attack. Once completed, many Essex Sailors will be looking forward to spending the holidays at home.

“Being underway so much can be challenging, but it’s a really good feeling to be home for the holidays,” said Seaman Apprentice Justin Mitchell. “I’m really looking forward to just being able to take some time off and relax for a little while because we’ve worked hard for the last few months.”

According to Canady, the hard work exhibited by Essex Sailors throughout the deployment has not gone unnoticed.

“I am proud to command and serve on board Essex. The Sailors here are the most professional and hard working in the Navy,” said Canady. “It’s great to finish fall patrol and come home and spend time, much deserved time, with our family during the holidays.”

Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. expeditionary strike group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy’s forward-deployed amphibious force commander. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

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NNS081204-03. Navy, Air Force Improve Interoperability During Drill in Japan

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Brian Naranjo, Commander Fleet Activities Misawa Public Affairs

MISAWA, Japan (NNS) — Navy and Air Force personnel increased operational readiness and interoperability during a mass casualty drill that took place as part of a triennial Air Force Unit Compliance Inspection at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17.

“Our working with Navy assets here very realistically prepares us for what we’re probably going to be doing down range in a joint environment,” said team leader Air Force Staff Sgt. Kyle Scritchfield.

The veteran airman and firefighter has been assigned to Misawa Air Base since April but recalled working with Sailors on Okinawa 2006-2007. He said “with modern warfare, and all the joint operations that we have,” joint training is the right way to do business on Misawa.

The exercise, aimed at increasing interoperability and strengthening the ties between the sister services, included realistic scenarios. One simulation involved a downed aviator requiring immediate medical assistance from a passerby.

Equipment Operator First Class (SCW) Clifford Martin was told in the morning to “be ready,” but he had no idea what situation exercise planners would throw his way, he said.

“You always plan for the worst, and hope for the best,” Martin said. “Whether it’s an exercise, or a real-life situation, you have to be ready.”

The simulated scenario required Martin reacting when discovering a”downed aviator” who “suffered” leg injuries.

“I’ve been involved in a lot of drills and exercises, but I’d never seen anything like this before,” said the Seabee of the realistic-looking “injuries.”

Martin, a graduate of the Seabee Combat Lifesaving Course, sprung into action, providing necessary “lifesaving” support. In addition, he ensured emergency services were notified and stabilized the patient until first responders could arrive.

Once the Misawa Air Base firefighting team arrived, Martin worked closely – as needed – with the team to monitor the aviator’s condition prior to a medical evacuation.

“He was a great help relaying the information through 9-1-1, which freed up time on-scene. When we got there, he had a good grip on what was going on, and he relayed a lot of information. Instead of going in blind, it gave us a jump start on the situation,” said Scritchfield.

In the case of the exercise, the interoperability of the services proved critical. Members of the evaluation team credited Martin with “saving” the aviator’s life.

“EO1 [Martin] did a great job,” said Chief Damage Controlman (SW/AW) Danny Kenney, a member of the Misawa Air Base Exercise Evaluation Team which critiqued all first responders during the event.

“His response was really good. Based on the speed of his reaction, this poor aviator has a great chance to survive.”

For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Misawa, visit www.navy.mil/local/cfamisawa/.

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NNS081204-05. Naval Academy Awarded Meritorious Unit Commendation

From U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (NNS) — The Naval Academy received the Meritorious Unit Commendation from the chief of naval personnel (CNP) Dec. 3.

Vice Adm. Mark E. Ferguson, CNP, presented the citation to the more than 4,000-strong Brigade of Midshipmen during a lunchtime ceremony held in the academy’s dining facility, King Hall.

The award recognized the academy’s significant achievements from June 1, 2007, through Aug. 31, 2008. The Meritorious Unit Commendation recognizes superior mission accomplishment and is comparable to achievements which would merit the presentation of a Bronze Star Medal to an individual.

The award, signed by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, specifically cited the academy’s leadership development and alignment with the fleet; record low plebe-summer attrition; highest graduation rate of any service academy; academic and athletic achievements; community service; diversity outreach efforts; and serving as an institution of national prominence, including hosting the 2007 Annapolis Middle East Peace Conference.

According to Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler, “This award is a testimony of the focus and hard work of the Naval Academy team, exemplified by the professionalism of the Brigade of Midshipmen and the dedication of the great faculty and staff we have at this national institution.”

This is the Naval Academy’s second Meritorious Unit Commendation. The last time the Naval Academy received the Meritorious Unit Commendation was in 1998.

For more news from U.S. Naval Academy, visit www.navy.mil/local/usna/.

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NNS081204-09. USS Denver Completes First FDNF Patrol

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Joshua J. Wahl, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. Japan

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) — The Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9), of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESX ARG), returned to its forward-deployed home of Sasebo, Japan, Dec. 2, concluding its first patrol as a member of the Navy’s forward deployed naval forces (FDNF).

Denver, which replaced USS Juneau (LPD 10) as the Navy’s only permanently forward deployed LPD, successfully wrapped up three intense months of arduous amphibious exercises in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Denver’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Kent D. Whalen, the deployment symbolized the Navy’s commitment to peace and stability in the region and helped foster stronger relations with allies in Southeast Asia.

“The Denver Navy-Marine Corps took great leaps to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue our professional relationships with our allied armed forces,” Whalen said. “I couldn’t be prouder of what the crew of this great warship accomplished through hard work, both ship and shore, training and community building.”

Denver and units of the ESX ESG departed Sasebo for the fall patrol after a summer maintenance and training period. Okinawa was the first stop, as Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked and immediately joined their Navy teammates for a three-day evaluation exercise (EVAL-EX), prior to weighing anchor and continuing on its fall patrol.

With the embarked MEU and equipment, Denver arrived on station in the Republic of Philippines in early October, to participate in the bilateral amphibious landing exercise PHIBLEX. Denver conducted several operations with Philippine Marines including: helicopter raids, boat launches, and off-loading Marines and equipment in the Subic Bay area.

Members of the crew took advantage of the opportunity to spread goodwill, thanks to a community service project while visiting Subic Bay. They delivered clothes, school supplies, repaired campus buildings and played games with the children of Cabalan National High School.

“Helping the children who are not as fortunate as us was the best part of the underway,” said Quartermaster 3rd Class (SW) Carlitos Cirilo. “I hope by us being there and helping out, we could really make a positive influence in their lives.”

With the completion of PHIBLEX, Denver continued with the ESX ESG as they steamed to the Republic of Korea for a chance to enhance joint combat readiness during a five-day Korean interoperability training program exercise.

“The whole Denver blue-green team really came together throughout the scope of exercises and amphibious assessments we endured this underway,” said Whalen. “The fall patrol went very smoothly. Denver never missed a beat.”

Sailors of the transport dock manned the rails during the ship’s homecoming at Fleet Activities Sasebo. As a successful underway was nearly behind them, Denver friends and family members were on the pier, eagerly waiting to greet their Sailors.

“I am so happy to be back,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (FMF/SW) Arturo J. Adame. “My wife and two children are my strength when I’m out there underway. Seeing their eyes light up and those big smiles reminds me every time why my job is so important and why we are here.”

For more news from Essex Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd2/.

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NNS081204-10. Navajo Code Talker Headlines Yokosuka’s American Indian Heritage Celebration

By Ben Avey, Commander Fleet Activities Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) — Sailors, Marines and civilians celebrated National American Indian Heritage Month at an event featuring a World War II Navajo code talker, a Sailor and a civilian — all members of the Navajo tribe — at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) Chapel of Hope Nov. 13.

National American Indian Heritage Month is an opportunity for Americans to learn more about the history and heritage of its native people. Opportunities such as these are welcomed by Navajo tribal member Yeoman 2nd Class Priscilla Nelson.

Raised on a Navajo reservation in Arizona, Nelson was pleased the Navy was taking time to recognize different cultures by observing various ethnic heritage and history months.

“It recognizes each individual race by celebrating their heritage each month, like November is ours,” said Nelson. “Be proud of who you are, where your coming from; embrace your heritage.”

She volunteered to speak at the event and to model her pow-wow fancy shawl dancer outfit to help teach her shipmates about her native culture. In addition to offering insights into her life, Nelson helped to introduce the featured speaker, a fellow Navajo and World War II Marine Corps code talker, Samuel Smith Sr.

“I was told the guest speaker was going to be a Navajo code talker. That meant the world to me because I have grandfathers, uncles, my clan, who served in World War II as code talkers, and to meet one in person, to speak to a group of Sailors and Marines is a very big event for me,” Nelson said.

Smith was greeted with a rousing ovation and gave a detailed description of his life in the service of his country. Eager to become part of the war effort in the summer of 1943, Smith lied about his age in order to join the United States Marine Corps. In short order, he was sent to Oceanside, Calif., where he began training at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base to become a member of the legendary code talkers.

Serving two years and nine months in the Pacific with the 4th Marine Division and seeing combat in the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima, it was an emotional moment when he returned.

“I’m thankful, I’m honored, to be here talking with you,” said Smith.

Along with 40 other Marines in attendance, Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Alexander A. Carlson spent his lunch hour at the event to hear Smith speak.

“It’s such a great opportunity, just to hear the story, to thank an old Marine. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” Carlson said.

The event also featured Navajo tribal member Arlene Wise.

For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, visit www.navy.mil/local/cfay/.

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NNS081204-08. Ishigaki Community Leaders Visit Essex

By Lt. Denver Applehans, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

USS ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) — Several community leaders from Ishigaki, Japan, visited USS Essex (LHD 2) Nov. 28 for a tour and lunch while Essex steamed by the island community.

Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, welcomed the group and thanked them for coming out to tour Essex and learn more about the U.S. Navy and how Sailors work with their Japanese allies.

“It was a great opportunity to show these community leaders from Ishigaki what we can do as an ESG,” said Landolt. “It is through face-to-face meetings like this that we educate and broaden leaders’ knowledge on the stability types of operations we bring to the region.”

The trip included a short presentation on how the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is assembled and the capabilities the ships and marine expeditionary unit possess.

The group then toured Essex from the bridge down to the well deck and learned how the Essex is capable of a wide-spectrum of operations from launching aircraft and small boats to supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Essex is the flagship of Amphibious Force 7th Fleet and is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan. Amphibious Force 7th Fleet is the Navy’s only forward Deployed amphibious force commander and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/ctf76/.

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NNS081204-07. Sailors Give Back to Hawaiian Community with 19th Annual ‘Operation Aloha’

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael Hight, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

HALEIWA, Hawaii (NNS) — Sailors from Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, Pacific (NCTAMS PAC) joined volunteers to provide and serve a hot holiday meal to the homeless in Haleiwa, Hawaii on Nov. 27.

The NCTAMS PAC Sailors, along with the Waialua Community Association and Girl Scouts from Troops 360 and 530, shared Thanksgiving spirit with others by giving back to the community.

“This is the nineteenth straight year we have hosted Operation Aloha,” said Capt. Janet Stewart, commanding officer, NCTAMS PAC. “Everyone at the command looks forward to this event each year.”

Operation Aloha is a Thanksgiving Day tradition during which volunteers offer a holiday meal, including entertainment, for Oahu’s North Shore community.

Sailors and civilian employees along with their family members dedicated long hours throughout the year to raise funds and collect canned food items in preparation for the event.

“This year we raised just over $18,000 and collected 5,000 pounds of non-perishable food items,” said Lt. Ralph Stephens, NCTAMS PAC technical control division officer and this year’s coordinator. “We have also received many charitable contributions, including 30 turkeys, from local companies.”

Every year, the Waialua Community Center hosts the Thanksgiving dinner. With the help of children from St. Michael’s School and Wahiawa Girl Scouts the simple gymnasium is transformed into a festive hall.

“It’s great to see the children willing to help out so openly,” said Stephens. “Not only are we making an impact on the lives of those less fortunate, but also the lives of the community’s youth.”

“This is just one of the many great things our military does throughout the year for the local community,” said U.S. Rep. Mazie K. Hirono. “Residents of all ages open their hearts for each other and we become one big family.”

At the end of the day, more than 400 people enjoyed the meal put together by the NCTAMS PAC team.

“In 26 years in the military, this is by far the most heart-warming experience that I have ever had the pleasure to be a part of,” said Stewart.

For more news from U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cpf/.

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NNS081204-11. Yokosuka Sailors, Locals Dance Into Holiday Season

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Derek J. Hurder, Fleet Public Affairs Center Japan

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) — Sailors from various Yokosuka commands volunteered to spread holiday cheer to disabled Japanese locals during a “Disco Dance Party” Dec. 3 at the Yokosuka Social Welfare Center.

The community relations project (COMREL), sponsored by the local Miura Fujisawa Shinkin Bank, attracted more than 50 Sailors who spent the day dancing to American and Japanese pop music with members and students of the center.

Participants were eager to participate in the event and teach local community members some dance moves.

“For me, it’s an honor to be here and show these people that we care,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class (SW) Abraham Aguilarherrera, a Mexicali, Mexico, native currently stationed aboard USS McCampbell (DDG 85). “We’re here to build a relationship with the community. If I can do that, I’m happy.”

“I love Japan, and I thought coming to the COMREL would be that much more fun,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Nicholas Schaaf of Chicago, also stationed aboard McCampbell. “I try to take full advantage of interacting with people and welcoming them just as much as they’ve welcomed me.”

During a break in the music, the visiting Sailors and their hosts enjoyed a magic show, a quick game of basketball and some much-needed refreshments.

Schaaf said he was excited to help his host community.

“I love dancing in my off time,” he said, “so coming in here and teaching them a few steps is fun.”

“We’re here to build a relationship with the community,” Aguilarherrera added. “You just feel the moment with them when you make them happy. They’re a pretty good community here. They have a good relationship with everybody. I’m just trying to make at least one day a little better.”

Schaaf agreed.

“It makes me happy that we’re making them happy. It’s a mutual thing.”

For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, visit www.navy.mil/local/cfay/.

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NNS081204-04. Religious Assistants Play Supporting Role in Caring for Troops

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Vaughn Larson, Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) — Chaplain’s assistants (CA) and religious program specialists (RP) play an important role in allowing chaplains to focus on his or her three main missions – counsel, teach and preach.

“An RP or CA are the eyes for the chaplain,” explained Religious Programs Specialist 3rd Class Jason Lail, an RP for Joint Task Force (JTF) Guantanamo’s Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion. “I get a sense of the morale. Sometimes it’s easier for an enlisted [Sailor] to come up to another enlisted rather than the chaplain.”

Army Pfc. Alecia Stevenson, a CA for the 525th Military Police Battalion, agreed.

“I find I can relate,” said Stevenson. “If you want to sit down and talk, we’re always here.”

In addition to a friendly ear, these assistants can offer Sailors religious literature. If the discussion warrants, the chaplain can be consulted.

Army Staff Sgt. Dilfred Pascual, a CA from the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, oversees Lail and Stevenson in their duties.

One of the most important duties for a CA or RP is to provide security for the chaplains, who do not carry or use weapons. That is more a concern for the battlefield than at the JTF, according to Lail. He escorts chaplains through the “pods” inside the detainee camps.

Assistants also help set up the chapel for worship services and other religious offerings.

“I’m not Catholic, but I know how to set up for a small mass and an extremely large mass,” Lail said. “As a religious program specialist, you can hold onto your faith, but you have to work with all faiths. You could work for a Jewish chaplain or a Mormon chaplain. You have to know about those faiths.”

Lail has another duty – distributing religious items such as prayer caps, prayer beads and prayer rugs to enemy combatants detained by the JTF.

“Those items are not necessarily sacred in any way,” Lail explained. “It assists them with their practice. It’s also good for one person to know about why these items are important to [the detainees] – the guards have other duties to be concerned with.”

Lail is mindful of his behavior because his actions reflect on the chaplain section.

Assistants are also involved in morale efforts, such as cookouts for personnel.

This is the first deployment for both Lail and Stevenson. While not quite what they expected, both said they have grown into their roles here.

“It’s a good job,” Stevenson said. “It’s good to be here for the Soldiers.”

“I like what I do – I like it a lot,” Lail said. “I’m helping people, maybe indirectly. It really is all about the troops.”

For more news from Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit www.navy.mil/local/jtfgtmo/.

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NNS081204-13. Current Daily News Update

From the Navy News Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Daily News Update features six newscasts each day – one two-minute newscast and five one-minute newscasts.

Two-minute newscast-

- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan’s First Class Association donates their time and gifts to a local orphanage.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11867

First one-minute newscast-

- Headlines from around the fleet: Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead visits Chile; The Navy begins rollout of new working uniform.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11868

Second one-minute newscast-

- Commander, Canadian Land Force Atlantic visits USS Freedom (LHA 1).

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11869

Third one-minute newscast-

- USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) returns to Naval Station Norfolk following a four-month humanitarian mission.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11870

Fourth one-minute newscast-

- A tribute is paid to the Army for their efforts in the past Army Navy football games.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11871

Fifth one-minute newscast-

- Navy Region Northwest holds tryouts for the All-Navy wrestling team.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11872

Defense Media Activity Anacostia produces six Daily News Update (DNU) newscasts: a two-minute newscast and five one-minute newscasts. DNU can be seen throughout the day and evening on the Direct-to-Sailor (DTS) satellite television service available aboard 160 ships of the fleet and via the Navy Web site at www.navy.mil. Check your local DTS program schedule for air times. DNU can also be seen throughout the world on the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).

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NNS011210-07. This Day in Naval History – Dec. 04

From the Navy News Service

1918 – President Woodrow Wilson sails in USS George Washington for Paris Peace Conference.

1943 – Aircraft from USS Lexington (CV 16) and USS Independence (CVL 22) attack Kwajalein Atoll, sinking four Japanese ships and damaging five others while only three U.S. ships suffered damage.

1944 – USS Flasher (SS 249) sinks Japanese destroyer Kishinami and damages a merchant ship in the South China Sea. Flasher is only U.S. submarine to sink over 100,000 tons of enemy shipping in World War II.

1965 – Gemini 7, piloted by Cmdr. James A. Lovell, is launched. This flight consisted of 206 orbits at an altitude of 327 km, lasting 13 days and 18 hours. HS-11 helicopters from USS Wasp (CVS 18) lead the recovery efforts.

1983 – Aircraft from USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and USS Independence (CV 62) strike against the anti-aircraft positions in Lebanon that fired on U.S. aircraft Dec. 3. Two U.S. Navy planes are shot down in the strike.

For more information about Naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

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Navy News Service is the official news wire service of the U.S. Navy, containing stories recently posted to the Navy Web site at www.navy.mil. It is a product of the Defense Media Activity – Anacostia, 2713 Mitscher Rd. SW, Anacostia Annex, D.C., 20373-5819. Reprints should be credited to the Navy News Service (NNS).

For the latest in Navy news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.

For all Navy-related questions, review the FAQs posted at www.navy.mil or visit the Naval Historical Center’s Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

Media queries should be directed to the Navy News Desk at (703) 697-5342.

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Navy News Service for Wednesday, December 03, 2008

NNS081203-19. Navy Working Uniform Details and Instructional Video Announced

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41215

DNU — Headlines from around the fleet: The Secretary of Defense Robert Gates decides to stay in office; USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) finishes Continuing Promise 2008.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11862

NNS081203-01. Deputy Secretary England Announces Departure

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41227

NNS081203-12. Wasp Exceeds Aviation Readiness Expectations

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41213

NNS081203-08. Seabees Get Potable Water Flowing in Djibouti

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41179

NNS081203-06. Lincoln Honored for Retention Record

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41111

NNS081203-14. Sigonella FISC Streamlines Camp Lemonier’s Logistical Operations

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41186

NNS081203-11. Helicopter Squadron Returns from Deployment with Kearsarge

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41222

NNS081203-13. Blue Ridge Builds Relationships Then Departs Hong Kong

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41205

NNS081203-15. Rota Fire Department Lights Off New Training Center – Literally

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41190

DNU — USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) returns to San Diego.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11861

NNS081203-05. Sailors Unite for Suicide Prevention

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41223

NNS081203-09. Wasp Celebrates Chaplain Corps Birthday, Mission of Service

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41228

NNS081203-17. Chief of Chaplains Visits CFAY, Praises Chapel of Hope Team

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41234

NNS081203-10. Bataan Hosts ‘Boots-on-the-Deck’ Program

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41225

NNS081203-18. Yokosuka FFSC Emphasizes Responsible Holiday Spending

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41233

NNS081203-16. USS Arizona Survivors Honor Fallen Shipmates

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41231

DNU — The British Royal Navy celebrates the Trafalgar Battle with Sailors at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11866

NNS081203-07. Navy Exchange Jacksonville Lights “Giving Tree”

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41129

DNU — USS Boxer (LHD 4) Sailors say “Go Navy, Beat Army”.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11863

DNU — Combat Systems Engineering Sailors say “Go Navy, Beat Army

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11865

DNU — Misawa Air Base, Japan Sailors celebrate Thanksgiving.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11864

NNS081203-02. Current Daily News Update

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41220

NNS011210-06. This Day in Naval History – Dec. 03

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=285

Eye on the Fleet – U.S. Navy Photo of The Day

– http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=67056

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NNS081203-19. Navy Working Uniform Details and Instructional Video Announced

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) — The Chief of Naval Personnel released detailed information about the delivery schedule, manner of wear and occasion for wear for the Navy Working Uniform (NWU) Dec. 2 in NAVADMIN 343/08.

An instructional video was also posted on the NPC Web site www.npc.navy.mil/commandsupport/usnavyuniforms/ and on NKO at https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/portal/alertscommunity/home/whatsnewonnko.

According to the message, the NWU is intended for year-round wear and shall be the standard working uniform ashore. The NWU will replace working utilities, tropical working uniforms, wash khakis, winter working blue, aviation working green, and non-tactical/environmental usage of camouflage utility uniforms.

The NWU is designed to be worn in sea and ashore environments that do not require special clothing (e.g., flight, flight deck, engine room, etc.). Unless otherwise prescribed by the regional commander, the NWU is authorized to be worn at all facilities on base, while commuting to/from work and home via POV, public transportation, and on government/military flights to/from OCONUS locations.

Routine stops while commuting are not authorized with an exception for genuine emergencies, such as medical emergencies and vehicle breakdowns.

For environmental extremes the following modifications are authorized when granted by appropriate authority.

(1) The NWU shirt may be removed on job sites or in work spaces.

(2) NWU trousers may be worn unbloused on job sites or in workspaces.

(3) During the winter or inclement periods, the parka hood is authorized for wear in addition to head gear. Black leather gloves are authorized.

The NWU will be available for purchase via designated Navy Exchange Uniform Centers as follows:

Dec 08 – Navy leadership (flag officers, commanding officers/OICs, (9580/9579/9578) command master/senior chiefs, and chiefs of the boat) via Navy Exchange Uniform Support Center at 800-368-4088 or 757-502-7450.

Jan 09 – Tidewater

Apr 09 – Southeast

Jul 09 – Northeast

Oct 09 – Capital region

Jan 10 – Western/northwest

Apr 10 – Gulf region

Jul 10 – Hawaii

Oct 10 – Europe/Japan/Guam

All existing working uniforms will continue to be authorized for wear until December 2010. Sailors who have not been issued NWU’s at recruit training command or purchased NWU’s while assigned to an active rollout location must maintain their current working uniforms until the NWU is available in the area assigned. This policy also applies to Sailors wearing the new service uniform announced earlier in 2008.

FY08 and FY09 clothing replacement allowances have been adjusted to facilitate purchasing four sets of NWU shirts and trousers by December 2010. Reserve component Sailors will receive their uniforms via their respective Navy Operational Support Centers.

For more information on uniforms and uniform policy, visit the uniform matters Web site at www.npc.navy.mil/commandsupport/usnavyuniforms/.

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.

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NNS081203-01. Deputy Secretary England Announces Departure

From the Department of Defense

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England announced Dec. 2 that he will not be staying with Secretary Robert Gates in the Obama Administration.

“I congratulate President-elect Obama for retaining Bob Gates as secretary, and I salute Bob Gates for his continued commitment,” England said.

“However, it’s time for me to leave. When I came into government in early 2001, I anticipated serving for two to four years. After almost eight years, it’s now time for me to turn over the reins to a successor. Also, it’s most appropriate for the new administration to name its own deputy.”

England said he will stay for some time past Jan. 20, if requested, to assure a smooth transition.

England added, “It’s been an astonishing time to serve the nation under President Bush and alongside Secretaries Don Rumsfeld and Bob Gates, each of whom I greatly admire. I thank the brave men and women of our military, and their families, for their service and sacrifice, and for the honor of serving them.”

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.

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NNS081203-12. Wasp Exceeds Aviation Readiness Expectations

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew McCord, USS Wasp Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) — USS Wasp (LHD 1) Air Department completed the first phase of the aviation readiness qualification (ARQ) Nov. 20 with a “superior” display of proficiency during the drills.

“When the Afloat Training Group (ATG)–Atlantic inspectors came on board they said that these were the best drills they had seen in a very, very long time,” said Wasp Air Training Team Leader Chief Warrant Officer Benjamin Marshall. “The drills were so good that they want to bring a film crew out here to record us so they can show it to other ships in the fleet on how it should be done.”

ARQ is a necessary assessment that each large deck ship must pass to be considered deployment-ready. More specifically, it is designed to ensure that all air department personnel are fully qualified and that the aircraft equipment is in proper working order.

The assessment is composed of three sections – a drill portion, a materials portion and an operational portion which allows the crew to demonstrate their abilities to launch and recover both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Wasp completed the first two assessments during ATG’s visit and will complete the third once the ship departs Norfolk Naval Shipyard, in Portsmouth, Va., where it is currently wrapping up a maintenance period.

“We need to show that our air department personnel are qualified in their positions in order to get underway and execute the mission,” said Wasp Flight Deck Leading Chief Petty Officer Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handler) Omar Lee. “We need to show that we are ready and capable of going into a combat zone and that we can do it effectively.”

In preparing for the ARQ, Wasp faced two challenges: Training “green,” inexperienced Sailors and teaching them in a shipyard environment not necessarily conducive for success.

“With 40 percent departmental turnover, we had more than 50 new bodies, many of them straight out of [apprenticeship] school,” said Wasp Assistant Air Officer Lt. Cmdr. William Delmar. “Taking that demographic into consideration, and considering that we were training in less-than-perfect conditions on the ship, they performed beyond expectations. It was the best set of drills I’ve seen, and I credit our air training team for their training and leadership.”

Marshall noted that those less-than-perfect conditions also created compressed training schedules in some instances.

“We’ve been preparing on the flight deck for the last seven to eight months. But, with the hangar bay, with all the work that has been going on, we were only able to prepare for the last three days,” he said. “We had to learn to integrate [a repair locker] that had a lot of new guys, and they did an awesome job. We were coming in at 5 a.m. every morning, and we worked hard all the way until about 5 p.m. every afternoon to get it done.”

Sailors who participated in the drill were understandably pleased with their performances, as high-fives, handshakes and even hugs abounded at the conclusion of the assessment.

“We stayed late, and we worked hard, and we showed them we’re ready,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 2nd Class Courtney Godfrey. “Sometimes it’s hard being in the yards. But, when we knew ATG was coming, we knew that meant the yard period was almost over. We were pumped up, and now at the end of it, we know we’re ready to go catch birds (land aircraft).”

For more news from USS Wasp (LHD 1), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd1/.

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NNS081203-08. Seabees Get Potable Water Flowing in Djibouti

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SCW/SW/AW) Ronald Gutridge, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 Det. Horn of Africa Public Affairs

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (NNS) — A crew of four Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, based out of Naval Base Ventura County, Calif., is currently constructing a second reverse osmosis water purification unit (ROWPU), aboard Camp Lemonier to provide additional potable water to meet the camp’s demand.

The treatment of water is necessary to prevent various waterborne diseases such as typhoid and dysentery. Treatment processes must control certain chemical and physical characteristics of water such as hardness or unpleasant taste. The function of the ROWPU is not only to make water safe for human consumption but also make water less scale forming and more suitable for use in laundries, shower facilities, dining facilities and other places.

With the help of the Pacific Architects and Engineering (PAE) contract employees, the Seabees are installing three, 63 inch by 113 inch water filters, called reverse osmosis, or RO elements, mounted on a concrete foundation that the Seabees previously constructed.

These elements are the backbone of the ROWPU system and are critical to the purification of untreated water. After the first RO element was installed, half the crew started connecting the plumbing and 18 pneumatic control valves, used to control water pressure and flow, as the other half continued placing the remaining two filters.

“This particular project is providing this crew a lot of valuable training on the ROWPU’s,” said Utilitiesman 2nd Class (SCW) Sammy German, project crew leader. “Being deployed to a part of the world where clean water is almost impossible to access, this system improves the quality of life for not only service members but to everybody that lives or works on this camp. My crew is proud knowing what they are doing will benefit future deployments here for years to come.”

The ROWPU can produce potable water from a variety of raw water sources such as wells, lakes, rivers and oceans. The water for Camp Lemonier’s ROWPUs is supplied by six wells located in the surrounding Djibouti area and one well on camp.

The camp currently uses an estimated 190,000 gallons of water per day produced by the main ROWPU. Once complete, the second ROWPU will produce an additional 350,000 gallons of potable water per day. Not only will it produce the additional water, it will also act as a backup system for when the main ROWPU is being cleaned or serviced.

Because of the strict quality control guidelines, the water is tested for purity on a daily basis and meets or exceeds all required standards according to the Camp Lemonier Medical Department. The Seabee crew will also install an air-operated auto backwash system used to clean the second set of RO elements. A timer system will be installed to control the backwash periods between the two systems, ensuring potable water is being produced at all times. With the proper cleaning and maintenance, these filters are designed to last for more than 20 years.

The camps drinking water supply was certified as potable Oct. 27, potentially saving the military more than $3 million a year in bottled water needed for the camp personnel’s daily needs according to Camp Lemonier’s Supply Department.

Before the certification, Camp Lemonier depended on several outside vendors to supply potable water. Rising costs and uncertifiable water was an ongoing battle. Also, the dependability of on-time delivery was always at stake. By early February 2009 the second ROWPU is scheduled to be fully operational, providing enough certified potable water to meet the camp’s water demand.

“It puts my mind at ease knowing that when I brush my teeth or have a drink out of the fountains at the dining facility, it is healthy and safe,” said Constructionman Thong Nguyen of NMCB 4, “It is a good feeling to know that I took part in making this possible.”

NMCB 4 is on a six-month deployment in support of Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa, completing missions in various countries in Eastern Africa.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb4/.

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NNS081203-06. Lincoln Honored for Retention Record

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Geoffery Lewis, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) — USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) achieved a milestone by making the Navy’s Retention Honor Roll fourth quarter fiscal year and received the Retention Excellence Award Nov. 19 for the first time in five years.

Commands must have 48 percent or more of their first-term Sailors reenlist to get the award for retention excellence. Last quarter, 61.9 percent of Lincoln’s reenlistments were by first-term Sailors. In the quarter before that, 65.6 percent were first term, said Senior Chief Navy Counselor (AW/SW) Dena Scott, of Littleton, Colo.

“We have a very proactive career development team,” Scott said. “They ensure Sailors receive career development boards along with the proper tools and information to make an informed decision about staying Navy.”

Commands that receive the retention honor roll for the quarter are allowed to fly the honor roll pennant for the next quarter; those that receive retention excellence may fly the pennant for a year and can paint their anchors gold.

Incentives for Sailors, such as educational benefits and selective reenlistment bonuses (SRB), were major contributions to Lincoln receiving the award.

Depending on the award level for a given rating and Navy enlisted classification (NEC) code, Sailors can receive an SRB from $5,000 to as much as $100,000 for reenlisting.

Lincoln Sailors received nearly $2.5 million this past quarter in combined SRBs. Sailors who reenlisted the quarter before that raked in more than $1.7 million, bringing the grand total to roughly $4.2 million.

Although incentives often make the decision to stay Navy that much easier, some continue to serve simply because they like what they do and the people with whom they work. Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Eric Schmidt, Lincoln’s command master chief, said a command’s ability to retain its talented personnel is a direct reflection of morale.

“If morale is high, retention is high. If morale is low, retention is low,” Schmidt said. “The fact that this command hadn’t earned the recognition several years is an indicator of just how far we have come. Bravo Zulu to the command career counselors for their great work.”

For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn72/.

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NNS081203-14. Sigonella FISC Streamlines Camp Lemonier’s Logistical Operations

From Commander, Navy Region Europe Public Affairs

SIGONELLA, Italy (NNS) — Commander Navy Region Europe (CNRE) and Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) Sigonella personnel led a Lean Six Sigma (L6S) continuous process improvement (CPI) value stream analysis (VSA) event Oct. 22-24 at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti (CLDJ), to streamline logistical operations in the Horn of Africa (HOA).

Under the policy guidance of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Commander, Naval Forces Africa, a team of 24 personnel developed a strategy for improvement, leveraging lean concepts and tools designed to restructure the logistical lifeline for HOA-based forces.

“This approach of bringing together key logistics stakeholders facilitated a successful review of ‘as is’ distribution and logistics processes,” said Capt. Brian Sheppard, the logistics lead for AFRICOM.

One of the first goals for the L6S team was the development of an improvement strategy for short and long-term objectives at CLDJ that highlight six key areas: contracting acquisition and requisition process, internal and external theater DoD air and surface transportation routes, commercial air shipment processes, and forward stock positioning, delivery and receipt to warfighters in the theater.

“This review helped target key areas for improvement, which led to our consensus on short and long-term goals and objectives that will result in necessary change and excellent overall improvements,” said FISC Sigonella Commander Capt. John Camuso.

According to Camuso, these six strategies focus on the identification of requirements; acquisition services; transportation; reverse supply chain management and fuels processes; and fulfillment of requirements.

Since transitioning under the scope of AFRICOM and CNRE on Oct. 1 of this year, Camp Lemonier’s future as an enduring base has continued to evolve and solidify, driving the need for a comprehensive review of the logistical infrastructure that supports the camp’s evolving mission requirements.

Though a L6S stream analysis normally takes four to five days, Camuso said this team was able to achieve it in two because of hard work and prudent planning.

“The team did a great job with prior planning and preparation to ensure all necessary components of the VSA were meet in just two days,” said Camuso. “Because of this, the entire mission was a resounding success.”

Lean Six Sigma is an organizational performance improvement methodology. It is a fusion of Six Sigma, which focuses on identifying and eliminating variation in a process and Lean, with its focus on waste reduction. L6S represents the most highly evolved, process-focused approach for business improvement and was formally adopted by the Department of Defense in 2006.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Europe, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnre/.

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NNS081203-11. Helicopter Squadron Returns from Deployment with Kearsarge

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Coleman Thompson, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Atlantic

NORFOLK (NNS) — Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 Detachment 5 returned Dec. 2 after a four-month deployment with USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in support of the humanitarian/civic assistance mission Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.

CP 2008 provided medical and civil engineering support to several U.S. partner nations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. HSC 28’s objective during the mission was to provide transportation for personnel and cargo.

“We built a couple schools, and we gave them medical treatment that they couldn’t really afford,” said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class (AW) Jonathon Dudley. “A lot of the reactions that we got from the people were positive; they liked it a lot.”

While underway, HSC 28 provided disaster relief to Haiti after the country was hit with hurricanes and tropical storms in September.

“We provided a lot of assistance in Haiti after the hurricane,” said Lt. j.g. Robert Kersey, the detachment’s maintenance officer. “We provided assistance, took in food and transported people. It felt great to help out people when they needed it.”

CP 2008 represented the United States’ high regard and respect for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Navy’s commitment to supporting partner nations.

“It felt good knowing that we could actually help out,” said Dudley. “It let the people know that we’re not just a war machine, but we can be a force for helping out people.”

For more news from Commander, Air Forces Atlantic, visit www.navy.mil/local/comnavairlant/.

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NNS081203-13. Blue Ridge Builds Relationships Then Departs Hong Kong

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Charles Oki, Fleet Public Affairs Center Japan

HONG KONG (NNS) — USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff Sailors departed Hong Kong Nov. 30 after a successful five-day port visit.

The port visit was an opportunity for Sailors to explore the major metropolis, its rural areas and experience its diverse culture.

After anchoring in Victoria Harbour Nov. 25, the crew of Blue Ridge was given the opportunity to experience Hong Kong through a variety of Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) tours. Sailors visited cultural sites such as the Po Lin Monastery and the nearby Tian Tan Buddha statue – the world’s tallest seated Buddha statue – as well as popular tourist attractions such as the Happy Valley Racecourse and Hong Kong Disneyland.

For Gunner’s Mate 1st Class (SW) Christopher Powers, from Buffalo, N.Y., the thriving port of Hong Kong offers something new to do every time he visits.

“I love Hong Kong. It’s my third time being here,” said Powers. “When I came into the military, I wanted to see the world, and I think its easiest when you take tours like these because you don’t have to worry about scheduling it on your own or finding a liberty buddy who wants to go with you.”

Approximately 100 Sailors used some of their time off to participate in six community relations (COMREL) projects throughout Hong Kong. Sailors volunteered at large charitable organizations like Crossroads International, a Hong Kong-based nonprofit organization that takes donations in Hong Kong and distributes them around the world to those who have been struck by natural disasters or poverty. Sailors also spent time at the Fu Hong Society for the Disabled, a home for children with mental or physical disabilities.

“The COMREL project was a memorable and fun experience for both the kids and the Sailors who participated,” said Chief Fire Controlman (SW/AW) Eduardo Pareno from Antioch, Calif., who spent time with children at the Sze Wu Shu Min Nursery School. “I had so much fun and felt like a kid again. As a Sailor, I was honored to take part in the project.”

Despite being away from their forward deployed port of Yokosuka during Thanksgiving Day, the Blue Ridge and 7th Fleet crew still celebrated the holiday by taking part in a feast on the mess decks with all the classic turkey day dishes prepared by the ship’s award-winning food services division.

Some Sailors were also able meet locals through the “Meals in the Homes” program, which brought Sailors into local homes and businesses through sponsorship of an expatriate or local citizen.

Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Kevin Ruiz, from Redding, Calif., said being able to enjoy a home-cooked meal far from home was a great experience.

“It was a blast,” said Ruiz. “Our host made us an awesome home-cooked meal, and her kids were fun to play with. I would recommend ‘Meals in Homes’ to everyone. I really enjoyed it, and I’m going to do it every chance I get.”

Blue Ridge is commanded by Capt. Thom W. Burke and serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Blue Ridge is the flagship for Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

For more news from USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), visit www.navy.mil/local/lcc19/.

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NNS081203-15. Rota Fire Department Lights Off New Training Center – Literally

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Paul Cage,Naval Station Rota Public Affairs

ROTA, Spain (NNS) — Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota’s Fire Department conducted its first burn exercise Nov. 26, officially opening a $450,000 state-of-the-art fire training center, the first of its kind in Navy Region Europe.

The new facility was funded by Commander, Navy Region Europe and will be used by NAVSTA Rota firefighters along with personnel from within the theater.

“This first burn, we wanted to make sure there were no bugs in it,” said Mark Brusoe, NAVSTA Rota Fire Department training officer. “Everybody that was working today got live fire experience in both of the burn rooms. These guys are all full qualified and certified firefighters, but we wanted to see how our burn center reacted to fire. It reacted very well and we are pleased with the results.”

The cement and metal-framed facility is two stories tall with roof access and also has a flat roof to perform all types of ladder and rescue operations. The inside has a small room that will double as a kitchen for firefighters to use in training fighting grease fires.

For many of the firefighters, unless they have responded to actual emergencies, this burn was the first live structural fire they have seen since graduating from the DoD Fire Academy.

“This allows us to practice responding to single story and multi-story emergencies that we respond to on and off base but in a controlled environment,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Handling 1st Class (AW) Tony Rice. “This facility gives us the opportunity to train how we fight. And being that this is the only one of its kind in Navy Region Europe, we look forward to training with other firefighters from throughout the region.”

NAVSTA Rota is a new fire training hub for Navy Region Europe. On Dec. 1, firefighters from Sigonella and Sicily, both in Italy, and Souda Bay, Crete, came to the base to attend fire instructor one and fire inspector three courses that are only offered in Rota and nowhere else in Navy Region Europe.

“As an enduring base, this really fits into the plans of Region Europe consolidating resources. We can provide the training right here,” said Capt. Bill Mosk, NAVSTA Rota commanding officer. “To bring in folks from all around the region to [use] this training facility and use it as a central site for firefighters from all [is] not only great for Rota but for the whole region.”

For more news from Naval Station Rota, Spain, visit www.navy.mil/local/rota/.

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NNS081203-05. Sailors Unite for Suicide Prevention

From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs

MILLIGNTON, Tenn (NNS) — The Navy rolled out a new Suicide Prevention poster series Dec. 2 that encourages Sailors in distress to reach out for help and encourages shipmates to look out for each other.

“Sailors helped design the posters and determined what the messages would be,” said Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie Chavez, Behavioral Health Program manager for the Navy. “They were passionate on how to best help each other and represent the sense of community in the Navy.”

The series consists of four posters that will become available through normal supply channels starting in December. The themes of the posters range from, “How many Sailors does it take to save a life? Just one.” to “Got Big Problems” showing a group of Sailors working together, demonstrating that suicide prevention is an all hands evolution.

Recognizing the signs that a shipmate is in crisis is the first step and then taking the appropriate action is how anyone can save a life.

“If people remember to ACT, Ask, Care, Treat,” said Chavez, “They will be on the right path. Don’t be afraid to ask someone if they are thinking of taking their own life. Care enough to let the person know that suicidal feelings are temporary and that depression can be treated and then get help. Treat – take them to an emergency room or walk in clinic, don’t leave them alone, take action, remove means, such as guns, stockpiled pills, ropes, and sharp objects,” said Chavez.

Most people give some warning of their suicidal intentions to a friend or family member. Take all suicide threats seriously. To find out more information and to see a list of the warning signs go to www.suicide.navy.mil.

For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/.

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NNS081203-09. Wasp Celebrates Chaplain Corps Birthday, Mission of Service

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class(SW/AW) Toni N. Burton, USS Wasp Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) — More than 600 Sailors aboard amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) gathered to celebrate the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps’ 233rd birthday Nov. 26.

“The service of the chaplain corps is to see to it that the objective faith and moral principles prevail, [are] well-protected and serve for the benefit of the common good of the military organization as a whole,” said Lt. Fulgencio Legaspi, Wasp deputy chaplain.

The observance recognized the chaplain corps’ rich tradition and history, in addition to their vision and mission.

“As we increase the [number] of men and women in the armed forces, the faith groups also [grow] proportionally,” Legaspi said. “As the faith groups increase in numbers, there is a need to have a ’shepherd’ to accommodate and meet their needs according to their beliefs and practices.”

The vision of the chaplain corps states: “Mission ready Sailors and Marines, and their families, demonstrating spiritual, moral and ethical maturity supported by the innovative delivery of religious ministry and compassionate pastoral care.”

Legaspi said part of his job as a chaplain is to provide spiritual guidance for those who seek it and to ensure individual beliefs remain.

“Chaplains have [always] been there to provide religious ministry and support to those of their own faith,” Legaspi said. “[Chaplains] facilitate for all religious beliefs, care for family and friends and advise commanders to ensure the free exercise of religion.”

The observance also recognized religious program specialists, an enlisted rate that provides support and contributes to what chaplains do for Sailors.

“The chaplain corps provides the support of all faiths and the moral well being of troops and Sailors alike. It is an honor for me to work with them,” said Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Byrd.

“To take a day to step back and respect the founding of the chaplain corps and its 233rd birthday shows that we still need a strong base of moral support. The observance of this fine group of Sailors (chaplains) provides remembrance of their naval heritage and what it means to be a chaplain and also reminds everyone that we have higher support.”

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Susan Neely said she appreciates what the chaplains do for the Navy.

“It was pretty good to acknowledge [chaplains] because they help so many people. They keep my morale up,” she said.

Legaspi said the he feels personal satisfaction in knowing that chaplains, in some way, contribute to the well-being of all people. This observance proves that in many ways, he said.

“This celebration means a lot to me as a chaplain on this ship,” said Legaspi. “With the many changes going on, indications that we, as individuals, are continuously moving forward as dynamic [people] providing change for the betterment of all and the world we live in.”

For more news from USS Wasp (LHD 1), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd1/.

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NNS081203-17. Chief of Chaplains Visits CFAY, Praises Chapel of Hope Team

By Ben Avey, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) — Chief of Navy Chaplains praised the work done by local chaplains and religious program specialists at the Chapel of Hope while on board Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) Nov. 17.

Rear Adm. Robert Burt met with the religious ministries team during a breakfast briefing at the chapel.

“The Chapel of Hope probably has the most robust command religious program in the Navy,” said Burt. “I am very, very pleased with the work our chaplains are doing here,” said Burt.

Visiting for the first time since becoming chief of chaplains, Burt spent several days on board CFAY attending religious services, conferring with chaplains and debriefing with local leadership on the needs of area personnel.

At the breakfast, Burt was provided with an extensive briefing by Cmdr. Derek Ross, Religious Programs command chaplain The briefing detailed the extent to which local chaplains work to provide spiritual and personal growth for area personnel on shore and while at sea.

CFAY command religious programs include 30 worship services, 10 bible studies, youth programs, religious education and community focused service for the estimated 27,000 active duty Sailors, family members, Department of Defense Educational Activities personnel, federal government employees and contract workers from more than 80 tenant commands at CFAY. The CFAY command religious program serves all 11 forward-deployed ships homeported in Yokosuka.

While it is no longer one of the forward-deployed ships, Burt shared his personal connection to many enlisted Sailors who once served aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63).

In the early 1970s, Burt served on Kitty Hawk as a data processor. He regularly attended the ship’s religious services, sang duets with a shipmate for the congregation and befriended the ship’s chaplain. It was aboard Kitty Hawk that Burt realized his life’s calling and decided to combine his love for the Navy and his religious devotion by serving in the Chaplain Corps.

After completing his enlistment, Burt received his Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Eugene Bible College and his Master of Divinity degree from Western Evangelical Seminary. He rejoined the Navy as a commissioned officer and almost 30 years later, became the 24th chief of Navy chaplains.

“We were really honored that the chief of chaplains was able to take time away from his extraordinarily busy schedule to come out here and spend time with our chaplains and religious personnel,” Ross said. “It was an honor.”

For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, visit www.navy.mil/local/cfay/.

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NNS081203-10. Bataan Hosts ‘Boots-on-the-Deck’ Program

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jeremy Grisham, USS Bataan Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) — Naval leaders visited USS Bataan (LHD 5) Dec. 2 to tour aviation, supply and weapons department spaces as part of Naval Aviation Enterprise’s (NAE) “Boots-on-the-Deck” program.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. George Trautman, deputy commandant for aviation, and more than 30 senior members of the Naval Aviation Enterprise and Surface Warfare Enterprises toured Bataan during the day-long conference.

Boots-on-the-Deck enables naval leadership to meet with Sailors and Marines to discuss issues and address concerns in order to improve ship’s processes.

Bataan was modified early last year, during a planned maintenance availability, to house MV-22 Osprey aircraft part and supplies and will be the first ship to embark Ospreys during a deployment.

“The first time you do anything, you’re going to learn on the journey,” said Trautman.

The group toured a variety of spaces that will be impacted by the Osprey embark and talked with personnel from the ship’s crew in order to better understand what they need to succeed.

“I think it really shows us that these leaders care,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class (AW) James Power, who works in Bataan’s hydraulic shop. “I think it will help solve a lot of the problems before we actually have them.”

The leaders wrapped up the day with a discussion on how to assist Bataan and other Wasp-class ships in their Osprey modifications and how to make operational process improvements while looking toward the future.

“I think everyone found this [visit] beneficial,” said Trautman. “We got some positive feedback. This was a very historic opportunity for this ship, the MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) and NAE; and I appreciate Bataan for hosting us.”

For more information on management and strategic planning, read “Moneyball” by Michael Lewis, part of the Navy’s Professional Reading Program.

Bataan is the fifth ship of the Navy’s Wasp-class ships. She was commissioned Sept. 20, 1997, and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name. CVL-29 was an Independence-class light aircraft carrier that was commissioned in November 1943. After serving in both World War II and the Korean conflict, CVL-29 was decommissioned in 1954.

For more news from USS Bataan (LHD 5), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd5/.

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NNS081203-18. Yokosuka FFSC Emphasizes Responsible Holiday Spending

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder, Fleet Public Affairs Center Japan

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) — Sailors and family members stationed at Fleet Activities Yokosuka took advantage of a series of classes offered by the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Dec. 1 designed to provide guidance on responsible holiday spending. The courses are available throughout the month of December.

The class series includes topics such as developing a spending plan, holiday spending, savings and investing and credit management.

“The importance of watching your money during the holiday season is to prevent what we call a ‘holiday hangover,’” said FFSC financial educator and command financial specialist coordinator, Michael Spiltener.

“That’s when the bills start showing up in the mail in January, February, and March, and you have to pay them off. So you were happy during the holidays because you were purchasing everything and all of a sudden, all the bills start showing up. You’re going to have to cut back on everyday expenses and things you were normally spending money on to pay off these debts and credit card bills.”

While the holiday season provides an excellent time to put the financial lessons into practice, Spiltener says the center aims to provide year-round education.

“For the Fleet and Family Support Center financial program, we offer seven classes every month. The most common comment we get is ‘I wish I would have come sooner,’” he said. “That’s why we offer the classes every month – so everyone has an opportunity to come to it.”

Spiltener explained the importance of including military spouses and family members in the classes.

“A lot of times the spouses are the ones who control the purse, so it’s great to have them as an audience,” he said. “They can start talking to their spouses on the ships that are away, so they can figure out how much they are going to spend so they don’t get these surprise bills in the mail.”

For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, visit www.navy.mil/local/cfay/.

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NNS081203-16. USS Arizona Survivors Honor Fallen Shipmates

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) — Six former crew members of the battleship USS Arizona (BB-39), including five survivors of the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, visited the USS Arizona Memorial and the Punchbowl National Cemetery Dec. 2.

The Sailors visited the historic sites to honor fallen service members as part of the USS Arizona Reunion Association’s annual meeting, taking place this year on Oahu.

As they arrived at the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center (AMVC), survivors were greeted by an honor cordon of Sailors and Marines and a performance by the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band.

“It was great to be honored by that line of Sailors and Marines,” said 88-year-old Lauren Bruner, a fireman third class at the time of the attack. “By doing that, they showed a great deal of respect for us.”

The former Arizona Sailors and members of the reunion association paid tribute to their fellow crew members as they toured the USS Arizona Memorial.

“Many gave their life for the country and what we believe in and to honor them is no greater respect than that,” said Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Matthew Tutt, assigned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor. “The survivors were here when the attack took place and they stepped up out of the devastation to help save Pearl Harbor.”

After departing the Arizona, the visiting Sailors honored their fallen shipmates during a wreath-laying ceremony, including Taps and a 21-gun salute.

“It’s a big honor for me,” said 90-year-old Glenn Lane, a radioman third class at the time of the attack. “I have many friends on the shrine wall who are still aboard the ship and the least I can do for them is to pay my respects.”

“I lost a lot of buddies on that ship,” said Bruner. “The last time I was here was in 1991. I’m 88 now and I have to honor them as much as I can while I can.”

On Dec. 7, the USS Arizona Reunion Association will hold a ceremony at the AMVC followed by a floral tribute and the internment of Arizona Sailor Seaman 1st Class Charles Gueria.

The USS Arizona Reunion Association was organized on Dec. 4, 1976 in Tucson, Arizona by 21 shipmates who served aboard the ship at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.

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NNS081203-07. Navy Exchange Jacksonville Lights “Giving Tree”

By Quatermaster 2nd Class Nicole Soto, Naval Air Station Jacksonville Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) — Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS Jax) Navy Exchange (NEX) held its second annual lighting of the “Giving Tree” in the NEX courtyard Nov. 20. The tree offers a way for NEX patrons to help a child, who is a little less fortunate, have something special for Christmas.

Children from the NAS Jax Child Development Center made ornaments to decorate the tree. The back of each handmade ornament has a child’s name, gender, age and clothing size.

During the event, children gathered around the tree to sing Christmas carols and help NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr. count down to the lighting of the tree. “This is such a great program and a great opportunity to partner with the NEX and give back to those less fortunate than ourselves,” said Scorby.

“We feel that the base is a big family, and we want the families on the base to know that we support them. The giving tree is a community outreach program for NAS Jax that involves the NEX, USO (United Services Organization) bring Christmas cheer to families that need a little help this holiday season,” said NEX Service Operation Manager Pat Schaaf, organizer of the event.

NEX customers can select an ornament off the tree, register their name at Personalized Services inside the NEX and purchase or make gifts for the child. The gifts need to be turned in to Personalized Services by Dec. 15. The USO will then wrap and deliver the presents.

The USO worked with all tenant commands of NAS Jacksonville through their command master chiefs. They put compiled a list of children from NAS Jacksonville families who they felt could benefit from the giving tree.

Santa Claus even stopped by for the annual tree lighting.

“I think this is a great idea. All boys and girls deserve to have a very merry Christmas,” he said, cheerfully.

For more information on how to help a NAS Jax child this Christmas, visit the Navy Exchange or contact the USO.

For more news from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, visit www.navy.mil/local/nasjax/.

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NNS081203-02. Current Daily News Update

From the Navy News Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Two-minute newscast-

- Harry Smith visits USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11849

First one-minute newscast-

- Headlines from around the fleet: High Speed Vessel 2 Swift supports Southern Partnership Station; a new Navy Web site offers educational resources to Navy children.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11850

Second one-minute newscast-

- Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command visits USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) on Thanksgiving.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11851

Third one-minute newscast-

- USS Freedom (LCS 1) celebrates Thanksgiving.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11852

Fourth one-minute newscast-

- Mother and daughter brought come together aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) for Thanksgiving.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11853

Fifth one-minute newscast-

- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Sailors say “Go Navy, Beat Army.”

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11854

Defense Media Activity Anacostia produces six Daily News Update (DNU) newscasts: a two-minute newscast and five one-minute newscasts. DNU can be seen throughout the day and evening on the Direct-to-Sailor (DTS) satellite television service available aboard 160 ships of the fleet and via the Navy Web site at www.navy.mil. Check your local DTS program schedule for air times. DNU can also be seen throughout the world on the American Forces Radio and Television Service.

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NNS011210-06. This Day in Naval History – Dec. 03

From the Navy News Service

1775 – Lt. John Paul Jones raises the Grand Union flag on the Continental Navy ship Alfred. It is the first American flag raised over an American Naval vessel.

1940 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt embarks on USS Tuscaloosa (CA 37) to inspect bases acquired from Great Britain under the Destroyer-for-Bases agreement.

1983 – Two F-14s flying over Lebanon were fired upon by Syrian antiaircraft artillery.

For more information about Naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

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Navy News Service is the official news wire service of the U.S. Navy, containing stories recently posted to the Navy Web site at www.navy.mil. It is a product of the Defense Media Activity – Anacostia, 2713 Mitscher Rd. SW, Anacostia Annex, D.C., 20373-5819. Reprints should be credited to the Navy News Service (NNS).

For the latest in Navy news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.

For all Navy-related questions, review the FAQs posted at www.navy.mil or visit the Naval Historical Center’s Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

Media queries should be directed to the Navy News Desk at (703) 697-5342.

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Very Respectfully,

Marie Tillery

Navy.mil News Editor

Defense Media Activity – Anacostia

Navy News Service for Tuesday, December 02, 2008

NNS081202-01. CNO Visits Chile, Attends Exponaval Conference

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41203

DNU — The Secretary of the Navy visits USS San Antonio (LPD 17).

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11845

NNS081202-09. Chief of Naval Operations Names Next Generation Enterprise Network Chief

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41219

DNU — Headlines from around the fleet: Tricare extends a filing waiver; The departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs launch a new website for wounded warriors.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11844

DNU — USS Freedom (LCS 1) transits through 15 locks.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11843

DNU — USS Nassau (LHA 4) sends message to support Naval Academy football team.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11847

NNS081202-07. NAVFAC Southwest Recognizes Safety Excellence

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41156

NNS081202-06. Yokosuka Opens Energy-Efficient, Environmentally Friendly Power Plant

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41169

NNS081202-05. Advancement Information, Advice Available Free Online

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41195

DNU — USS George Washington (CVN 73) sailors move off the ship and into the barracks.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11848

NNS081202-04. Essex Sailors, Marines Sharpen Amphibious Warfare Skills During Fall Patrol

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41185

NNS081202-02. Bataan Wraps Up First Phase of Pre-Deployment Work-ups

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41123

NNS081202-03. Maritime Civil Affairs Sailors Dig Up Past to Learn Lessons For Future Missions

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41159

NNS081202-08. Bataan SKs, PCs Preparing For Merger

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41197

DNU — The commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Command anticipates more Seabees in Rota, Spain.

– http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11846

NNS081201-05. Current Daily News Update

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=41198

NNS011210-05. This Day in Naval History – Dec. 02

– http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=284

Eye on the Fleet – U.S. Navy Photo of The Day

– http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=67021

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NNS081202-01. CNO Visits Chile, Attends Exponaval Conference

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Rebekah Blowers, Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs

VALPARAÍSO, Chile (NNS) — The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead is visiting Chilean Naval personnel and bases and will participate in the 2008 International Exponaval Conference in Chile this week.

While in Valparaíso, CNO met with his counterpart, the Chilean Commander in Chief, Adm. Rodolfo Codina and other Chilean Navy leaders. Additionally, he toured the off-shore Patrol Vessel (OPV) PZM-81 “Piloto Pardo,” the Type-23 Frigate “Lynch” and observed a “change of the guard ceremony” at the Chilean Naval Academy.

The conference includes naval leaders from 28 countries throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America. Exponaval provides a platform for meeting and exchanging ideas and experiences among the participants.

CNO said conferences like this are essential to keeping the lines of communication open between the U.S. Navy and its maritime partners and friends around the world. CNO also praised his Chilean Navy hosts.

“Its important for both of our navies to be able to meet and to talk about the opportunities we have before us and for me to be able to express my appreciation to Admiral Codina for the great work that his Navy does in so many places. And, we will look at ways we can continue to do more together,” Roughead said.

For more news from Chief of Naval Operations, visit www.navy.mil/local/cno/.

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NNS081202-09. Chief of Naval Operations Names Next Generation Enterprise Network Chief

By Eddie Riley, Next Generation Enterprise Network Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead named the commander of Naval Air Forces Atlantic on Nov. 20 to the lead the Department of the Navy’s largest, enterprise-wide IT initiative as the new Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for the Next Generation Enterprise Network System Program Office (NGEN SPO).

As ACNO (NGEN), Rear Adm. John W. Goodwin will oversee the DoN’s development, acquisition and deployment of NGEN – the follow-on to the Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) contract that ends Sept. 30, 2010.

The NGEN SPO, a first-of-its-kind organization in the DoN, was approved by the CNO and CMC earlier this year. It brings together the DoN’s governance areas for NGEN – policy, resources and requirements, acquisition, and fleet readiness, support and operations – under a single command. The elevated coordination at the ACNO level will ensure stakeholders are included in the design and implementation process and help facilitate a smooth transition from NMCI to NGEN with continuity of services to end users.

The SPO includes all of the functions of the existing NGEN, NMCI and OCONUS Navy Enterprise Network (ONE-NET) program offices. It resides within the Navy staff, leveraging the institutional support of both CNO and Headquarters Marine Corps staffs.

Goodwin will join the NGEN SPO early next year. Interim ACNO (NGEN), Rear Adm. David G. Simpson, will lead the SPO until Goodwin arrives. Simpson continues to set the foundation for the office as the NGEN resource sponsor in his assigned position as the director of Navy Networks on the deputy chief of Naval Operations for Communication Networks (OPNAV N6) staff. Marine Corps Col. David M. Hagopian will continue to serve as the deputy director, NGEN SPO.

The NGEN initiative is focused on re-establishing government design and operational control over Naval networks, creating a more secure and agile intranet, and recruiting and developing the future Naval IT workforce. It is a central pillar in the department’s goal of building the Naval Network Environment (NNE), the DoN’s vision for a highly secure reliable enterprise IT system that provides ready access to data, services and applications when and where it is needed. The NGEN SPO will coordinate continued service for existing shore and garrison networks, including NMCI; support consolidation of legacy networks; and direct the transition to NGEN while providing implementation oversight to enable enhanced capabilities within the future NNE by 2016.

Goodwin, a native of Dublin, Ga., graduated from the University of South Carolina, commissioned in May 1975, and designated a naval aviator in 1977. Goodwin’s first assignment was to the Attack Squadron 66, flying the A-7E Corsair. He completed deployments with Carrier Air Wing 14 and USS Constellation (CV 64) while assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 25, flying the FA-18 Hornet. Goodwin’s first command was Strike Fighter Squadron 94 in August 1992. He has served as executive officer of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), and commanding officer of USS Rainier (AOE 7), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.

The NGEN initiative is currently in the pre-decision phase with a requirements document approved earlier this year by the CNO and CMC. A system specification, currently under development, will further define the required system functions and performance parameters. The acquisition approach, currently under draft, is expected to be based on a notional segmentation concept that breaks existing network functions into groups and separates services into those that may be run by the DoN and others that could be outsourced. Under the current NMCI contract, network services are provided by one prime contractor. The DoN has released four Requests for Information and held one Industry Day to get feedback from the Information Technology community on the NGEN initiative.

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.

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NNS081202-07. NAVFAC Southwest Recognizes Safety Excellence

By Lee H. Saunders, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) — Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest recognized individuals and groups in the command Nov. 3 for their exceptional safety performance with the first NAVFAC Safety Through Awards and Recognition (STAR) ceremony in San Diego.

“We are here today to acknowledge and reward exceptional safety performance, both at the individual and organizational levels, throughout NAVFAC Southwest,” said Capt. Robert Fahey, NAVFAC Southwest executive officer. “This ceremony allows us to come together as a team to acknowledge the efforts and accomplishments of these outstanding individuals and groups.”

Award categories included individual annual employee safety excellence, work center and code annual safety recognition, public works department (PWD) and resident officer in charge of construction (ROICC) safety excellence and command annual safe employee excellence.

STAR awards for individual annual employee safety excellence went to one employee at each NAVFAC Southwest PWD and ROICC office. Criteria for individual annual employee safety excellence STAR Awards were outstanding sustained safety program support and three years with no injuries or significant property damage. STAR Awards for work center and code annual safety recognition went to shops and self-help divisions with no injuries and illnesses; 90 percent training completion; no property or vehicle damage exceeding $10,000; and 90 percent medical monitoring attainment. STAR awards for PWDs and ROICCs safety excellence awards went to PWDs, ROICCs, integrated product teams, business lines, support lines, and command staff with 25 percent reduction from previous year’s injuries and illnesses; no property or vehicle damage exceeding $10,000; no contractor fatalities; 90 percent training completion; no Class A, B, or C crane mishaps; and 90 percent medical monitoring attainment.

Nelio G. Alcantara, NAVFAC Southwest electrical engineer, received the top STAR Award for command annual safe employee excellence as well as a Meritorious Civil Service Award for his strong support of the command’s safety program. Alcantara’s proactive leadership led to the successful execution of 49 construction contracts and task orders that executed 158,000 man-hours with no lost time due to accidents or property damage.

“The program is intended to recognize individuals and groups that make significant contributions to the command’s safety program,” said Capt. Steve Wirsching, NAVFAC Southwest commanding officer. “Focus is on innovation and acts that promote a safety culture and advancement in community safety awareness.”

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.

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NNS081202-06. Yokosuka Opens Energy-Efficient, Environmentally Friendly Power Plant

By Mark Elrod, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) — Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) officially opened its new, energy-efficient co-generation plant during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 12.

“This project more than doubles the amount of 60 hertz power, which is the power that the ships use, and more than doubles the power at CFAY,” said Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Far East Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Kiwus.

“Also, this is going to be done at a cost savings, and it’s very friendly and very good for the environment. So, there are all kinds of benefits to this project. It’s a fantastic project. The results of this project are phenomenal.”

The Co-Gen plant is expected to greatly increase energy efficiency at CFAY, which will use expanding gases from combusted fuel to turn turbines to create electricity, according to NAVFAC Far East Resource Efficiency Manager Michael Gabiga.

“A ribbon-cutting, normally, is to commemorate the end of a successful project,” said Noresco Construction Service Project Management Director Brian Neely. “In the case of an [energy saving performance contracting project], it’s kind of just the very beginning of a long-term relationship. That’s the 20-year service phase that we’re going to go into.”

“Over the next 20 years in a joint effort between NAVFAC Far East utilities department and Noresco Energy Advance, we’re going to own, operate, maintain, keep this plant running and making steam and power for the plant,” Neely said.

The co-generation (Co-Gen) plant project took more than three years to complete. During that time, those involved say they faced unique challenges when working to finish the project within the scheduled timeline, such as the language barrier between contractors who speak different languages and having to build a power plant that would generate both 50 and 60 hertz electricity.

“This is one, if not the largest [energy saving performance contracting project] ever completed,” said Noresco Construction Service Vice President, Jerry Riley. “It was large; it was complicated; it was time-sensitive; it was mission-critical, and it involved such a wide range of entities and individuals that all had to come together to serve a common objective.”

For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, visit www.navy.mil/local/cfay/.

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NNS081202-05. Advancement Information, Advice Available Free Online

By Ed Barker, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) — Sailors prepping for advancement have all the tools they need available free of charge via Navy resources, including the Navy Advancement Center, but some sites on the Internet are charging Sailors money for advancement information.

Perhaps unknowingly, Sailors are spending their money by paying for what is available free of charge. The most current and authoritative advancement information for active-duty and Reserve Sailors is available from their command career counselors and visiting the Navy Advancement Center’s Web site at https://www.advancement.cnet.navy.mil.

“Everything you need to be successful on the advancement exam is available for free from the Navy,” said Master Chief Electrician’s Mate Robert McCombs, command master chief for Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC), Pensacola, Fla. “In fact, our sites are where the commercial venues get a lot of their information. Sailors don’t need to go out and buy commercial products in order to advance.”

Professional military knowledge and rating-specific references for advancement are just a click away. Two of the most popular products available through the Advancement Center Web site are the Sailor’s profile sheet and the Advancement Exam Strategy Guide, said McCombs.

The profile sheet is specific to the individual Sailor and uses results from previous examinations to show the Sailor where his or her weaknesses are in comparison to their peers. The report shows them what areas they need to improve in order to be competitive on the test. Sailors can use their profile sheets to build their study program by topic and subtopic.

The Advancement Exam Strategy Guide contains a bibliography specific to the examination that the Sailor will take.

“A Sailor can go to the exam section, look up their specialty and download their information including the bibliography,” said McCombs.

“We give them the references we use for exam questions, so it’s just a matter of becoming familiar with the material.”

To help Sailors understand what skills and knowledge exam developers are assessing, specific rating information is broken down by paygrade into topic and subject areas for all exams in the rating. This section of the Web site also includes information on “how to prepare for and take an advancement exam.”

“If a Sailor uses their past profile sheet(s), which shows their weak areas compared to their peers, along with the bibliography and topics/subtopics, they can develop a more focused study product than any commercial product can provide,” said McCombs.

Kirk Schultz, head of Advancement Assessment Concepts at NETPDTC, said that there are many other Navy-sponsored Web sites Sailors can visit to help with their advancement needs.

“Since just about everything has gone electronic, many Navy and Department of Defense instructions are available through the Web. Additionally, we intend soon to provide the capability for Sailors to link to many of their references directly from the advancement site,” said Schultz.

“Our site has features and helpful tools to better prepare for upcoming exams such as access exam to statistics by rating, non-resident training courses, as well as final multiple computations charts,” said McCombs.

Sailors without direct access to a computer should see their educational services officers or command career counselors for instructions on where computer access can be obtained and for other information they need to prepare for their next advancement examination.

For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnet/.

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NNS081202-04. Essex Sailors, Marines Sharpen Amphibious Warfare Skills During Fall Patrol

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson, USS Essex Public Affairs

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) — The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) arrived in Okinawa, Japan, to debark the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Nov 30.

“When we began fall patrol in September, many of the 31st MEU Marines had never been on board a Navy ship. We gave them a warm Essex welcome and then fully integrated them into the shipboard routine,” said Capt. Brent Canady, Essex commanding officer.

“The Marines worked closely with Sailors to accomplish a very challenging fall patrol that sharpened our amphibious warfare skills continuing to make Essex “Always Ready,” for any operational tasking.”

Sailors and Marines worked side-by-side throughout the deployment, as they conducted extensive, bilateral exercises with Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of the Philippines, and enjoyed liberty in various ports throughout Asia.

Major exercises included the Amphibious Landing Exercise, conducted with the Philippines; ANNUALEX 20G, conducted with Japan; and the Korean Interoperability Training Program.

“It was an eye-opening experience being on board for the first time,” said Lance Cpl. Jacob Jordan, from Canon City, Colo. “I had to learn a lot, but it all paid off in the end because we learned what we’re capable of as a team. The camaraderie between Sailors and Marines is stronger than you think. When we’re on shore and they’re at sea you don’t see it, but that all changes when we’re on board together.”

According to Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SW/AW) Christopher White, the kind of integrated training Sailors and Marines took part in on fall patrol is essential to mission readiness.

“This training is important because we need our guys to be better prepared when a real scenario presents itself,” said White. “You never know when you’ll be called upon to do this stuff for real, and maintaining a high level of readiness is paramount.”

Jordan, a maintenance specialist with the 31st MEU, agreed.

“It’s our job to make sure we have good communications with the Sailors and the Marines on the beach. “Training is a big part of making sure we know how to do our job and making sure they have what they need.”

Sailors and Marines also enjoyed liberty together in Subic Bay, Philippines; Okinawa, Japan, and Hong Kong. Deployments like fall patrol provide an excellent opportunity to experience the unique culture of many locations, explained Jordan.

“Hong Kong was awesome,” said Jordan. “There are so many people there from different cultures…from London, Australia, America, and the architecture is just spectacular.”

While Jordan will not join the MEU when they return to Essex next year for spring patrol, he said he’s looking forward to his next opportunity to deploy on a Navy ship, wherever it may be.

The post-patrol offload began early Nov. 29 with the fly-off of the 31st MEU’s Aviation Combat Element (ACE), during which 31st MEU and Essex Combat Cargo Marines off-loaded all the ACE’s remaining arsenal of aircraft, including CH-53E Sea Stallion, CH-46E Sea Knight, AH-1Z Super Cobra and UH-1 Huey helicopters.

The offload continued throughout the day, as they moved approximately 60 pieces of rolling stock, and 300 pieces of MEU cargo, capping off another successful fall patrol.

The 31st MEU is the only permanently forward-deployed MEU, maintaining a presence in the Pacific Ocean at all times as part of III Marine Expeditionary Force and is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan.

Essex is the lead ship of the only forward-deployed U.S. expeditionary strike group and serves as the flagship for CTF 76, the Navy’s forward-deployed amphibious force commander. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with a detachment in Sasebo, Japan.

For more news from USS Essex (LHD 2), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd2/.

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NNS081202-02. Bataan Wraps Up First Phase of Pre-Deployment Work-ups

From USS Bataan Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) — The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) returned to its homeport of Norfolk Nov. 23 following a successful expeditionary strike group integration exercise (ESGINT) with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22 MEU) and vessels from the Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).

ESGINT is a pre-deployment exercise designed to test the fundamental capabilities and shipboard interoperability between vessels from the strike group and the 22 MEU.

“This underway gave Bataan as well as other participants of the Bataan ESG Blue/Green team the opportunity to work together and formulate a more cohesive combat team,” said Lt. Ronald Ocheltree, assistant operations officer. “It was also an experience that we will all learn from and will continue to use to build our teams for future work-ups, ultimately leading to a successful Fifth Fleet deployment.”

Bataan’s Sailors and Marines will continue preparing for deployment by completing a composite unit training exercise (COMPUTEX) and certification exercise (CERTEX) early next year.

“Our main mission aboard Bataan is as the Marine Air Group Task Force (MAGTF), a mission that consists of a complete package that will allow us to deploy with a complete and trained command group and air and logistics element in which teamwork is the base of our foundation to become a combat-ready ESG,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Stewart Stout, of the 22 MEU.

The Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group is comprised of Commander, Amphibious Squadron 2; Bataan; USS Porter (DDG 78); USS James E. Williams (DDG 95); USS Anzio (CG 68); USS Ponce (LPD 15); USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43); Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22; Tactical Squadron 21; Fleet Surgical Team 6; Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2; ACU 4; and Beachmaster Unit 2.

Bataan is the fifth ship of the Navy’s Wasp-class ships. She was commissioned Sept. 20, 1997 and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name. CVL-29 was an Independence-class light aircraft carrier that was commissioned in November 1943. After serving in both World War II and the Korean conflict, CVL-29 was decommissioned in 1954.

For more news from USS Bataan (LHD 5), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd5/.

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NNS081202-03. Maritime Civil Affairs Sailors Dig Up Past to Learn Lessons For Future Missions

By Lt. Joshua Frey, Maritime Civil Affairs Squadron 1 Public Affairs

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (NNS) — To help prepare for eventual deployments, Sailors from Maritime Civil Affairs Squadron (MCAS) 1 completed training Nov. 20 on the Works Progress Administration (WPA) programs conducted in San Diego during the 1930s.

During the last month, Sailors from various maritime civil affairs teams (MCATs) learned about federally-funded civic assistance projects conducted by the WPA as a recovery effort during the Great Depression. By creating and upgrading public parks, roads, monuments and buildings, the WPA helped create jobs and drastically decrease unemployment across the United States.

As part of their training, MCAS-1 personnel visited San Diego State University (SDSU) for a tour led by Anthropology Chairperson, Dr. Seth Mallios.

“We set up the tour to help us get ideas from a civic assistance mission that took place in our own country in the not-too-distant past,” said Maritime Civil Affairs Team Leader Lt.j.g. Gabriel Gomez, a civil engineering corps officer.

In 2006, Mallios, an archaeologist, uncovered a series of previously unknown murals at SDSU that were created by local artists working for the WPA in the 1930s. The murals were discovered during upgrades to older buildings at SDSU, many of which were built by the WPA, including the original Aztec Football Stadium.

“The New Deal is very important in American history because it enabled the country to recover from the greatest economic disaster it had ever faced,” said Mallios. “The structures in San Diego and at San Diego State University are physical reminders how the country recovered.”

For more news from Maritime Civil Affairs Squadron 1, visit www.navy.mil/local/necc.

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NNS081202-08. Bataan SKs, PCs Preparing For Merger

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Pedro Rodriguez, USS Bataan Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) — Storekeepers (SKs) and postal clerks (PCs) aboard multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD5) are preparing to face the challenges of the newest rating merger in the United States Navy effective Oct. 1, 2009.

The rating merger to form the new logistics specialist (LS) rate has been approved, according to NAVADMIN 326/08, released Nov. 17.

“SKs and PCs already work together here on the ship,” said Bataan’s Stock Control Expediter, Storekeeper 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jorge Bañuelos-Gonzales of San Fernando Valley, Calif. “I think with this merger, we will find faster ways to expedite parts through the mail that are critical to the ship’s mission.”

Bataan’s supply department has conducted the cross-training necessary to make a smooth transition.

PCs and SKs work alongside one another to ensure all personnel have the same working knowledge to support the mission.

PCs are becoming familiar with the new LS rating – tracking orders and shipping and receiving supplies – while working in a division previously run by storekeepeers.

“I’ve learned that some of the things we (PCs) do are very similar, but others have more responsibilities,” said Postal Clerk 3rd Class Edwin Rumley, ship’s post master.

Storekeepers are also working in the ship’s post office to become familiar with their new duties and responsibilities.

The merger is intended to improve efficiency and support optimal manning. Some additional anticipated benefits include reduced infrastructure costs and improved customer service.

The merger will apply to all active-duty personnel, full time support and selected Reserve Sailors in the SK and PC ratings.

For more news from USS Bataan (LHD 5), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd5/.

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NNS081201-05. Current Daily News Update

From the Navy News Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Daily News Update features six newscasts each day – one two-minute newscast and five one-minute newscasts.

Two-minute newscast-

- USS Freedom (LCS 1) transits through 15 locks.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11843

First one-minute newscast-

- Headlines from around the fleet: Tricare extends a filing waiver; The departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs launch a new Web site for wounded warriors.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11844

Second one-minute newscast-

- The Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter, visits USS San Antonio (LPD 17).

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11845

Third one-minute newscast-

- The commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Command anticipates more Seabees in Rota, Spain.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11846

Fourth one-minute newscast-

- USS Nassau (LHA 4) sends message to support Naval Academy football team.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11847

Fifth one-minute newscast-

- USS George Washington (CVN 73) Sailors move off the ship and into the barracks.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11848

Defense Media Activity Anacostia produces six Daily News Update (DNU) newscasts: a two-minute newscast and five one-minute newscasts. DNU can be seen throughout the day and evening on the Direct-to-Sailor (DTS) satellite television service available aboard 160 ships of the fleet and via the Navy Web site at www.navy.mil. Check your local DTS program schedule for air times. DNU can also be seen throughout the world on the American Forces Radio and Television Service.

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NNS011210-05. This Day in Naval History – Dec. 02

From the Navy News Service

1775 – Congress orders the first officers’ commissions printed.

1908 – Rear Adm. William S. Cowles submits a report to Secretary of the Navy recommending the purchase of aircraft suitable for operating from Naval ships on scouting and observation missions.

1941 – The first Naval armed guard detachment (seven men under a coxswain) of World War II reports to liberty ship SS Dunboyne.

1944 – Two-day destroyer Battle of Ormoc Bay begins.

1965 – USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) and USS Bainbridge (DLGN 25) become the first nuclear-powered task unit used in combat operations with the launch of air strikes near Bien Hoa, Vietnam.

For more information about Naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

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Navy News Service is the official news wire service of the U.S. Navy, containing stories recently posted to the Navy Web site at www.navy.mil. It is a product of the Defense Media Activity – Anacostia, 2713 Mitscher Rd. SW, Anacostia Annex, D.C., 20373-5819. Reprints should be credited to the Navy News Service (NNS).

For the latest in Navy news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.

For all Navy-related questions, review the FAQs posted at www.navy.mil or visit the Naval Historical Center’s Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

Media queries should be directed to the Navy News Desk at (703) 697-5342.

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Navy News Service for Thursday, June 19, 2008

NNS080619-12. CNO Praises Navy Recruiters

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37957

NNS080619-11. Navy Family Housing in Hawaii Reduces Carbon Footprint

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37946

NNS080619-10. Continuing Promise Brings Peruvian Minister of Defense to Boxer

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37951

NNS080619-09. Ronald Reagan CSG Arrives in Hong Kong

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37950

NNS080619-08. Thailand Phase of CARAT Closes

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37949

NNS080619-07. Under Secretary Bradshaw Visits NSA Naples

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37948

NNS080619-06. Thai Navy Doctors Discover Prevention is First Choice aboard USS Tortuga

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37944

NNS080619-05. Former Sailor Interred at USS Utah Memorial

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37913

NNS080619-02. USS Kitty Hawk, USS George Washington to Conduct Turnover in San Diego

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37945

NNS080619-01. COMSUBFOR Visits NJROTC Cadets at Rickover

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37939

NNS080619-13. Daily News Update for June 19, 2008

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=37958

NNS020418-28. This Day in Naval History – June 20

– http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1392

Eye on the Fleet – U.S. Navy Photo of The Day

– http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=60372

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NNS080619-12. CNO Praises Navy Recruiters

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Doug Kimsey, Naval War College Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) — Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead praised the work recruiters of the sea services are doing to assure the Navy and Marine Corps continue to attract quality people, June 17.

Roughead’s comments came during a media availability following his keynote address at the Current Strategy Forum (CSF), which is being held at the Naval War College. CSF invites more than 1,400 public servants, business leaders, military scholars and active, reserve and retired officers to enter into a discussion about future strategy and policy for the maritime services.

“(Recruiters) are meeting their goals and bringing in quality people. I can’t say enough about the work they do in a very demanding environment,” Roughead said. “It is hard work. Only 28 percent of men and women in America today even qualify for military service. And all branches have to compete.”

Earlier this year, Roughead said attracting good recruits is key.

“To me the biggest challenge is to make the young people of our country aware of the opportunities and the excitement that exists in the United States Navy,” Roughead said. “The term that I use is that we have to make it possible for young people, diverse young people, to find the Navy. Because once you find it, the future explodes.”

The CNO also commented on the motivation of today’s Navy and Marine Corps recruits.

“Fifty-one percent of today’s Navy came in after 9-11. That tells me there still are young men and women who see purpose in serving and are excited to serve.”

For more news from Naval War College, visit www.navy.mil/local/nwc/.

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NNS080619-11. Navy Family Housing in Hawaii Reduces Carbon Footprint

By Don Rochon, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) — The Navy and Marine Corps’ Public-Private Venture (PPV) housing contractor in Hawaii, Forest City Military Communities, held a photovoltaic (PV) “commissioning” ceremony June 16 at a Navy family housing community center to help commemorate a prestigious energy award they received.

The ceremony at the Halsey Terrace community center took place on a picture-perfect day, and it highlighted the abundant Hawaiian sunshine as an important energy source for the 477 PV panels that lined the rooftops of the center’s buildings.

The 477 PV panels will deliver 107 kilowatts (kw) of peak energy capacity, enough power for 10 homes. The 107 kw of renewable electrical energy means that 270 barrels of oil a year will not have to be used to generate the same amount of electricity. It also means that annually, 140 tons of carbon and sulfur dioxide will not be placed into the environment.

In addition to the hundreds of PV panels soaking up the sun, many dignitaries were on hand to also bask in the beautiful Hawaiian sunshine, including Governor of Hawaii Linda Lingle, Thomas Kimbis, director, Solar America Showcases for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), John Wallenstrom, senior vice president of Forest City Military Communities Hawaii, Rear Adm. Townsend Alexander, commander, Navy Region Hawaii, and Rear Adm. Michael Giorgione, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific.

“This is a very significant event for the Navy in Hawaii, and Navy Region Hawaii is absolutely committed to energy conservation and exploring alternative sources of energy,” said Alexander. “Our Sailors who live in these homes and the others built by Forest City know that when they deploy, their families are safe and are living in good quality homes and neighborhoods, and that is one thing they don’t have to worry about.”

Lingle praised the military and Forest City for making renewable energy a high-priority.

“Every step forward is an important step as we make this transformation away from an over dependence of oil, and toward one of energy independence and energy security,” she said.

The Halsey Terrace PV project was selected by the DOE in 2007 as one of three premiere Solar America Showcases projects. The DOE provides technical assistance to large-scale (in excess of 100 kw), high-visibility solar installation projects that have the ability to impact the market for solar technologies through large project size, the use of a novel solar technology, and/or use of a novel application for a solar technology.

“The Solar America Showcases program is part of the Solar America Initiative, a presidential initiative designed to lower the cost of solar electricity so that it’s competitive with grid electricity by 2015,” said Kimbis during the ceremony.

With the prestigious selection by the DOE, a dedicated team of scientists and technical specialists in renewable energy development came to Hawaii to complete a comprehensive survey and analysis of Navy and Marine Corps housing properties on Oahu for Forest City.

One recommendation from the study was the development of solar photovoltaic renewable power to supplement energy purchases. Thus, the Halsey Terrace Community Center PV energy system was born, making it the first solar PV system being installed in Navy-Marine Corps family housing on Oahu. With this system, the PV-generated electricity will be sold back to the NAVFAC Hawaii grid in a net-metering arrangement.

“While Hawaii Navy and Marine Corps family housing has been a leader in the million solar roofs initiative for solar hot water heating, this is the first Navy family housing photovoltaic system project undertaken by a public private venture,” said Brad Davis, NAVFAC Pacific PPV Program Manager. “This is a giant step in harnessing opportunities to reduce family housing dependency on electricity.”

Over 6,500 Navy family homes have been privatized in Hawaii as part of an overall 61,500 privatized home portfolio nationwide.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.

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NNS080619-10. Continuing Promise Brings Peruvian Minister of Defense to Boxer

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Jarvis, USS Boxer Public Affairs

USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) — USS Boxer (LHD 4) hosted Peru’s Minister of Defense, Antero Flores Araoz; the United States Ambassador to Peru, P. Michael McKinley; and distinguished visitors, June 13, as part of Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.

CP is a collaborative effort between the United States and military partners, non-governmental organizations (NGO) and partner-nation support organizations to build strong partnerships that can be called upon in the event of a regional situation requiring cooperative solutions.

The group toured the ship’s medical spaces to learn about Boxer’s medical capabilities, while also meeting with Peruvian patients being treated aboard. The guests then attended a luncheon in the ship’s wardroom, held in their honor.

“The ship brought with it many health professionals who came for civic humanitarian work, but they don’t do the work here alone,” said Flores. “The work was accomplished by in collaboration with professionals from our own sectors of health. The collaboration allows us to give medical attention of the best quality.”

Following the luncheon, the group traveled to the town of Barranca where they toured the mission’s medical and engineering operations ashore. At a press conference there, the Peruvian Minister of Defense praised the Continuing Promise mission coming to his country.

“Some of you say that this was an invasion. Sure they invaded us, but they invaded us with medicines, with surgical equipment, with medical care, and with cooperation,” Flores said. “I want to thank the United States for the great work they are doing.”

Boxer’s mission exemplifies the U.S. maritime strategy which emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.

For more news from USS Boxer, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd4/.

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NNS080619-09. Ronald Reagan CSG Arrives in Hong Kong

By Lt. Ron Flanders, Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs

HONG KONG (NNS) — The six ships and more than 7,000 Sailors of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) arrived in Hong Kong June 19 for a scheduled port visit.

The strike group is comprised of the flagship, the Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14; and the ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7; the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), the guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) and the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43).

The port is the first stop for the strike group in its 2008 Western Pacific deployment.

“Our Sailors could not be more excited,” said Capt. Kenneth Norton, USS Ronald Reagan commanding officer. “Hong Kong is one of the greatest cities in the world, and our young men and women will have ample opportunities to take it all in.”

More than 300 strike group Sailors are scheduled to make a difference in the Hong Kong community, participating in community relations (COMREL) projects at local schools, elderly care centers and charity foundations.

“Hong Kong is a place I’ve always dreamed of visiting,” said Storekeeper 1st Class (SW) Tina Pugh, volunteer for one of the COMRELs. “When I participate in COMRELs and do things for other people, I feel better about who I am and my place in the world.”

Currently in the U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of responsibility (AOR) as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to promote cooperation, security, and stability in the region, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is commanded by Rear Adm. Phil Wisecup.

For more news from USS Ronald Reagan – Ronald Reagan Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn76/.

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NNS080619-08. Thailand Phase of CARAT Closes

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dan Meaney, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SATTAHIP NAVAL BASE, Thailand (NNS) — The Thailand phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008, ended with a closing ceremony at Sattahip Naval Base, June 16, following five days of exercises at sea.

The formal ceremony included elements of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Royal Thai Navy and the Marine Corps standing at attention in ranks along a two-mile-long pier before assembled ships from the Thai fleet. Bugles sounded and Sailors aboard every vessel saluted as senior officers drove to and from the ceremony.

Rear Adm. Nora W. Tyson, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific, commended the assembled Sailors and Marines for staying the course despite rough seas, rainy weather and overcast skies to complete what she called the “most successful CARAT Thailand ever.”

The exercises of this phase included visit, board, search and seizure training, gunnery training, nine community relations projects, a joint engineering civil action project between Thai and U.S. Seabees, joint medical and dental civil action projects between the two country’s sea services and a drone exercise in the Gulf of Thailand. During the drone exercise, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) corvette HTMS Sukhothai scored a direct hit on an incoming drone at sea with a missile. Nearly 100 cross-decked personnel were involved in the joint training.

Additional training included cross training between an embarked diving and salvage team from USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) and their Thai counterparts, and a mine clearing operations exercise conducted in the Lam Theian Harbor.

Vice Adm. Chanchai Charoensuwan, deputy commander, Royal Thai Fleet, expressed his appreciation and recognized the U.S. contribution to the exercise.

“We’ve had a very good relationship for a long time,” Charoensuwan said. “We’ve strengthened our bonds of friendship, and we know we are even more prepared to work together to face any possible regional crises because of this friendship.”

With handshakes, military honors, bugle calls and a setting sun, the ceremony brought this year’s Thailand CARAT phase to a conclusion.

Ships participating in CARAT include USS Tortuga (LSD 46), USS Jarrett (FFG 33), USS Ford (FFG 54), USNS Safeguard and USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC 722). A detachment from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 is embarked on Tortuga, and a unit from Hawaii’s 3rd Marine Regiment, Combat Assault Company is also participating in the exercises.

CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military exercises between the United States and Southeast Asia nations designed to promote operational readiness and cooperation.

For more news from Commander, Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/local/clwp/.

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NNS080619-07. Under Secretary Bradshaw Visits NSA Naples

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Marc Rockwell-Pate, Commander, Navy Region Europe Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) — The Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy Patricia Bradshaw visited Naval Support Activities (NSA), Naples, Italy, June 18-19 to discuss the Department of Defense’s (DoD) present and future civilian policies.

“My goal for this visit is to inform the DoD civilian employee’s what the Department of Defense strategies are,” said Bradshaw. “I can accomplish that by reaching out through town hall meetings where I can also get input from people who are working on the ground.”

During Bradshaw’s two-day visit, she held three two-hour long town hall meetings, covering in detail the DoD’s continually evolving guidelines on civilian employee benefits, how employee’s work experience is evaluated, and pay/advancement issues; all of which are covered in the DoD’s current civilian management system, the National Security Personnel System (NSPS).

“Historically, if you talked to civilian employees who worked overseas and came home, they would tell you that their experience was not valued as much as it should have been,” said Bradshaw, a 30-year veteran of the DoD’s human resources division. “Now, that experience is becoming more important than ever with joint enterprises and jobs that go beyond Army, Navy and Air Force.

“The military has a career track, for example the Navy’s five-vector model,” added Bradshaw. “Civilian employees will now have a career track too.”

Phillip Mancici, a management analyst for Commander, Navy Region Europe (CNRE) Naples, said that because he is still relatively new in the DoD’s civilian system, the “five-vector model” track Bradshaw presented at the meeting excited him because it illustrated a career track and the potential for advancement.

Along with discussing NSPS, Bradshaw also covered the DoD’s recent push to utilize civilian employees for crisis management teams. The DoD hopes to do this by gathering information on employees’ additional skills, such as an ability to speak a foreign language, and place it in an easily accessible data system, said Bradshaw.

Even though she covered many important topics, Bradshaw said receiving input from employees and service members is the greatest benefit to holding town hall meetings.

“I believe that we can never reach out enough to get ideas and reactions from people and see what is happening around the DoD workforce,” said Bradshaw. “That’s where you learn, getting out and talking to people.”

“Our diverse civilian workforce is critical to the overall success of our mission throughout Europe and Africa,” said Adm. Mark Fitzgerald, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe. “Interaction with our senior civilian leadership like Patricia Bradshaw helps ensure they have a voice as well as a greater understanding of workforce issues that may impact them today and in the future.”

For more news from COMNAVEUR/COMSIXTHFLT, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.

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NNS080619-06. Thai Navy Doctors Discover Prevention is First Choice aboard USS Tortuga

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dan Meaney, Commander Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SATTAHIP, Thailand (NNS) — Medical teams from the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) rode USS Tortuga (LSD 46) to observe the operation of a ship’s medical department, June 15, during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2008.

The Thai medical riders spent five days at sea aboard USS Tortuga. The CARAT exercise provided them with their first experience at sea as well as their first opportunity to observe shipboard medical and dental departments in action.

“So much of what we do—our two navies—is similar: the physical exam cycles, the dental check-ups and many of the procedures,” said Cmdr. Puthaparn Prasan, an RTN nurse. “But I found something new that is very interesting and could be something we in the RTN will institute.”

Prasan found that her U.S. counterparts place a high emphasis on preventive medicine to avoid medical problems while underway, especially following port visits. The creative ways U.S. Navy medical personnel promote prevention made her think about how the Thai Navy could learn from the U.S. Navy. Specifically, she felt the RTN could emulate U.S. Navy shipboard health fairs.

Several times a year, Tortuga’s medical and dental departments hold underway health fairs shortly before the ship pulls into port. At these fairs, they focus on personal health. They held the most recent health fair prior to arriving in Thailand for CARAT. Health professionals set up stations featuring information on sexually transmitted diseases, oral hygiene, pregnancy awareness, women’s and men’s health, condom use, sun safety, cholesterol awareness and high blood pressure. They also made tests for blood pressure and cholesterol available.

The Sailors usually stop by the health fair simply because it gives them a break in their workday. But, by the time they leave they are more health conscious than when they came in and, not surprisingly, the Sailors’ behavior during the port calls is more subdued, relaxed, and healthy. “It’s really a win-win situation,” Dr. Kathiria said.

During the CARAT deployment, the ship is holding a Biggest Winner contest. However, Dr. Kathiria said it’s really about the biggest loser—-the Sailor who loses the most weight before they reach their home port in Sasebo, Japan. The ship regularly holds contests challenging Sailors to lose weight and quit smoking while on deployment.

Although Dr. Kathiria said Tortuga has also started offering healthier food choices on the mess-decks, Prasan weighed in with his own suggestion for improving the diets of Tortuga’s Sailors.

“Start serving Thai food on your Navy ships,” Prasan said. “Then you’ll be getting somewhere!”

CARAT is an annual series of bilateral military exercises between the United States and Southeast Asia nations designed to promote regional cooperation and operational readiness.

For more news from Commander Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/local/clwp/.

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NNS080619-05. Former Sailor Interred at USS Utah Memorial

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (AW) Eric J. Cutright, Fleet Public Affairs Detachment Hawaii

FORD ISLAND, Hawaii (NNS) — Pearl Harbor survivor and former crew member of USS Utah (AG-16) had his ashes returned to his former ship during an internment ceremony held at the ship’s memorial on Ford Island, Naval Station Pearl Harbor, June 11.

Petty Officer 1st Class Jimmy Oberto’s ashes were taken by National Park Service divers and one Navy diver who placed the remains inside the sunken ship to rest with his lost shipmates.

Oberto is the seventh crew member of the Utah to have his ashes interred inside the ship.

Oberto’s family members flew to Hawaii from Arizona to fulfill his last request. In attendance were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

“His family made it all possible,” said retired Master Chief Yeoman Jim Taylor, liaison for the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. “The Navy performed, as its usual outstanding self rendering honors to him, along with the National Park Service divers and the Navy diver.”

“He gave me all the information before he passed away and said that after he was gone, I was to follow through and complete this for him,” said Oberto’s daughter, Leean O’ Malley.

“It’s just a big deal,” said Oberto’s grandson, Raymond O’ Malley. “It’s something he asked me to participate in and do, which is why I received his flag here today. It’s just a very big deal to me.”

Oberto who was getting ready to go on liberty so that he could attend a music festival, found himself instead on his ship when it was attacked by the Japanese on Dec. 7, 1941.

“He scrambled to safety to the main deck from the third deck and somehow managed to get off the ship,” said Taylor. “He ended up sliding across the side and the bottom of the ship, which ended up cutting him pretty badly because of the barnacles on the side of the ship.”

Oberto then swam to shore, mostly underwater to avoid strafing bullets from the Japanese aircraft, according to Taylor. When Oberto reached Ford Island he ran to safety and was placed on another ship where his injuries were cared for.

“He witnessed tragedy with dead bodies all over the place and even dead bodies being towed,” said Taylor. “It was something he remembered all his life.”

Oberto served four and a half years in the Navy in which he was crew member on both the Utah and Brooklyn-class light-cruiser, USS Honolulu (CL-48).

He survived the Japanese attack on his ship at Pearl Harbor and was a veteran of thirteen naval battles across the Pacific Theater.

After the Navy, Oberto saw his time spent as a disc jockey, a musician in the Chicago Orchestra, a cook, and a music teacher.

He passed away April 16, 2007, at the age of 85.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.

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NNS080619-02. USS Kitty Hawk, USS George Washington to Conduct Turnover in San Diego

From Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) — The USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and USS George Washington (CVN 73) turnover originally planned for early June in Pearl Harbor will now take place in San Diego in August as a result of the fire that occurred aboard George Washington on May 22.

Kitty Hawk will then proceed to Bremerton, Wash., to complete her decommissioning on schedule. George Washington’s schedule has not yet been determined.

The Chief of Naval Operations has directed a Manual of the Judge Advocate General investigation headed by the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, headquartered in Pearl Harbor, to determine the cause of the fire. Additionally, the Navy is conducting a Safety Investigation Board by the Naval Safety Center, Norfolk. The Navy is accumulating lessons learned on this incident to be shared with the fleet.

The U.S. Navy assessment of the mechanical, electrical, electronic and structural systems affected by the May 22 fire aboard George Washington is substantially complete. Damage to George Washington is primarily electrical in nature with limited structural and mechanical associated damage. Fire and heat affected electrical cabling and components in approximately 80 spaces of the more than 3,800 spaces on George Washington.

The repair work is being performed by U.S. Navy Shipyards and by private-sector shipyards in the San Diego area. An estimated completion date, as well as an estimated timeframe for George Washington’s arrival in Japan, has yet to be determined.

The Navy is working with crewmembers from USS Kitty Hawk and USS George Washington and their families to minimize the impact of these events. This is the Pacific Fleet’s top personnel priority.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cpf.

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NNS080619-01. COMSUBFOR Visits NJROTC Cadets at Rickover

By John Sheppard, Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs

CHICAGO (NNS) — Vice Adm. John J. Donnelly, Commander, Submarine Force, visited Hyman G. Rickover Naval Academy in Chicago, June 12.

Force Master Chief (SS) Jeff Garrison and Donnelly’s wife, Mimi accompanied Donnelly.

They were escorted aboard by Rear Adm. Arnold O. Lotring, commander, Naval Service Training Command (CNSTC); Retired Cmdr. Michael Tooker, commandant at Rickover; Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Cadet Alexis Contreras, Rickover battalion commander; and Michael Biela, Rickover’s principal.

Lotring, Biela, Tooker and Contreras escorted their guests on a walking tour of the school and were greeted by cadets and teachers.

Cadet Anthony Mead took the opportunity to quiz both Lotring and Garrison separately about their jobs in the Navy. Mead began his conversation with Lotring by exclaiming, “You were on one of my tests!” Lotring is in the NJROTC chain of command as CNSTC.

More than 75,000 cadets are enrolled in NJROTC programs worldwide. NJROTC instills in high school students the values of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment. Rickover boasts 311 students this academic year and next year they will expand to their capacity of 450 students, according to Tooker.

“We teach our freshmen physics, which is unusual,” said Derrick Svelnys, physics teacher at Rickover. The Academy holds a nuclear physics summer school program with nearby Argonne National Laboratory in Dupage County, Ill., every June.

ACT scores have risen at Rickover since it opened, according to Tooker.

“One of the reasons we’ve become so successful is because the civilian staff is so dedicated,” said Tooker.

Twenty-three teachers are assigned to the school. Students spend as much as two-and-a-half hours a day in the Academy’s after-school program.

“It’s great to have these guys [NJROTC cadets] here,” said Biela. “They’re amazing.”

“It’s such an honor [Donnelly's visit],” said Cadet Carmen Correa, a sophomore at Rickover. “It’s great having him here.”

Rickover, which opened in 2005, is located on the campus of Senn High School, a Chicago public school. Rickover is one of four military academies in the city supported by the Chicago Public School system and offers a college preparatory curriculum with an emphasis on science and history.

It was named in honor of Adm. Hyman G. Rickover, a graduate of Chicago’s Marshall High School and “Father of the Nuclear Navy.” Donnelly’s first command assignment was as commanding officer of the ex-USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) from 1991 to 1994.

The following day, Donnelly participated in a recruit graduation ceremony at the Navy’s only boot camp, Recruit Training Command (RTC) at Naval Station Great Lakes.

“As you leave today, you will join another team, the Navy team,” Donnelly told the recruits during his remarks at the ceremony. “That is the team that makes America’s maritime forces the finest that the world has ever seen.”

RTC transforms 40,000 recruits into Sailors annually.

During the visit, Donnelly toured RTC facilities, including the state-of-the-art physical fitness center “Freedom Hall”; the recruit barracks “USS Arizona” (all barracks at RTC are named after ships); and the “Battle Stations 21″ training facility.

Donnelly had the opportunity to interact with recruits during “pizza night,” a pre-graduation event.

Donnelly assumed command as the Commander, Submarine Force, in 2007. He is responsible for all U.S. submarines and their crews and for all foreign submarine operations when assigned to NATO.

For more information about Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, visit https://www.njrotc.navy.mil.

For more news from Naval Service Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/greatlakes/.

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NNS080619-13. Daily News Update for June 19, 2008

From the Navy News Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) — Daily News Update features six newscasts each day – one two-minute newscast and five one-minute newscasts.

Two-minute newscast-

- USS Essex’s (LHD 2) Sailors take a tour through the jungles of Pattaya, Thailand, during a port visit.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11127

First one-minute newscast-

- Headlines from around the fleet: The Navy is accepting applications for duty aboard USS Constitution; The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is wrapping up pre-deployment training in Indiana.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11128

Second one-minute newscast-

- Construction Battalions assigned aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) renovate schools in Barranca, Peru.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11129

Third one-minute newscast-

- Veterinary Care Teams assigned to USS Boxer (LHD 4) began the final phase of Continuing Promise 2008 by visiting farms in Vegueta, Peru.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11130

Fourth one-minute newscast-

- Command Indoctrination Courses at bases worldwide help Sailors find housing.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11131

Fifth one-minute newscast-

- The base football team at Yokosuka, Japan, allows Sailors to compete against other services across Japan.

http://www.navy.mil/dnu.asp?id=11132

Naval Media Center produces six Daily News Update (DNU) newscasts: a two-minute newscast and five one-minute newscasts. DNU can be seen throughout the day and evening on the Direct-to-Sailor (DTS) satellite television service available aboard 160 ships of the fleet and via the Navy web site at www.navy.mil. Check your local DTS program schedule for air times. DNU can also be seen throughout the world on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).

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NNS020418-28. This Day in Naval History – June 20

From the Navy News Service

1813 – Fifteen U.S. gunboats engage three British ships in Hampton Roads, Va.

1815 – Trials of Fulton I, built by Robert Fulton, are completed in New York. This ship would become the Navy’s first steam-driven warship.

1898 – U.S. forces occupied Guam, which became first colony of United States in the Pacific.

1913 – First fatal accident in naval aviation, Ensign W. D. Billingsley killed at Annapolis, Md.

1934 – Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet Adm. Frank Upham reports to Chief of Naval Operations that based on analyses of Japanese radio traffic, “Any attack by (Japan) would be made without previous declaration of war or intentional warning.”

1944 – Battle of Philippine Sea ends with Japanese losing two aircraft carriers and hundreds of aircraft.

For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil.

Service dress khaki wear tests underway

By Mark D. Faram – Staff writer
Posted : Thursday May 1, 2008 7:12:58 EDT
Service dress khaki wear tests underway

Wear tests of a throwback service dress khaki uniform have begun at six Navy locations and will continue through the summer.

“Sailors should be aware the service dress khaki [tests] for E-7 and above are underway and they will soon see this uniform out and about,” said Rob Carroll, head of the Navy Uniform Matters office.

The khaki tests are part of a number of wear tests currently underway around the Navy. Other wear tests include attempts to improve the current enlisted service dress white and blue “crackerjacks.”

Chiefs and officers will test the khaki uniform in Washington, D.C.; Norfolk, Va.; Millington, Tenn.; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Newport R.I.; and Yokosuka, Japan. Carroll said testers are expected to wear the uniform as a travel uniform, too.

The uniform, popular during World War II, was worn through the Vietnam War. It was done away with in sweeping changes by then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt.

The tests will run through Aug. 25.

Wear testers will fill out online surveys and participate in focus groups about the uniform, Carroll said, and sailors who had frequent contact with those wearing the uniforms also will take part in focus groups.

Article from NavyTimes: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/04/navy_khakiweartest_043008w/