NNS150223-20. Navy Surgeon General, Force Master Chief Applaud Science, Collaboration at U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 Cairo, Egypt
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-15. Abraham Lincoln's Medical Department Trains Crew Members on CPR
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-12. Navy's Voluntary Education (VOLED) Program Realigning
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-11. USNA Hosts STEM Educator Training
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-10. Leave-Use It or Lose It
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-09. Meet SPAWAR's New Chief Engineer
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-08. USS Vandegrift Bids Farewell After 30 Years of Naval Service
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-07. Officer Women Leadership Symposium Scheduled for March
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-02. USS Kearsarge Conducts Force Protection Exercises
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-01. Bonhomme Richard Arrives in Malaysia
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
DNU -- In today's edition of All Hands Update, the Department of Defense announces Operation Freedom�s Sentinel qualifies for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center kicks off Year of the Military Diver.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
DNU -- Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control provides service members and their families with resiliency programs.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
DNU -- Sailor reflects on diversity in America from service members who have gone before him.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
NNS150223-16. Current All Hands Update
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS011213-34. This Day in Naval History - Feb. 23
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day
-- http://www.navy.mil/list_
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-20. Navy Surgeon General, Force Master Chief Applaud Science, Collaboration at U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 Cairo, Egypt
By Capt. Dora Lockwood, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs
CAIRO, Egypt (NNS) -- The Navy's surgeon general and Hospital Corps force master chief (FORCM) completed a visit to U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3), Feb. 17.
Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, Navy surgeon general and chief, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and FORCM Sherman Boss received an overview of current projects and ongoing infectious disease surveillance efforts in Egypt and Africa while visiting NAMRU-3 facilities.
During an all-hands call with Sailors, civilians and Egyptian scientists, Nathan applauded the research and scientific work being done by the employees at NAMRU-3.
"I am humbled by your work, your knowledge," said Nathan. "I want you to know how much I appreciate what you do here. I want you, the Egyptians, the military and the civilians, to understand that even though my office is very far away, I'm very much aware of what you do."
Nathan emphasized the importance of the work and the significant impact the scientific research has on global health.
"There are so many diseases in the world. Some diseases are carried by birds, some by mosquitoes, some by the water, some in the soil and some are transmitted from person to person," said Nathan. "This region and more and more of the world are depending on you to identify, to understand and to help prevent these diseases. There are so many people around the world who do not know you, yet whose lives will be changed for the better because of you and what you do."
Nathan concluded by expressing his appreciation for the long-standing collaboration between the U.S. Navy and the Egyptian scientists.
"You have kept the science and the goodness of the NAMRU in Egypt going for many, many years," said Nathan. "Thank you for being great partners and great examples of what different nations can do when they come together for the rest of the world. You make the world a better place."
NAMRU-3, established in 1946, is the oldest Department of Defense overseas military medical research facility and one of the largest research laboratories in the North Africa-Middle East region. The NAMRU conducts research and surveillance to support military personnel deployed to Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. NAMRU-3 works closely with the Egyptian Ministry of Health, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
U.S. Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high quality health care to more than one million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.
For more news from Navy Medicine, visit www.navy.mil/local/mednews/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-15. Abraham Lincoln's Medical Department Trains Crew Members on CPR
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Huot, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- On board the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sailors assigned to the medical department work hard to keep the crew trained and knowledgeable, especially when it comes to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
CPR is an effective life-saving technique that, when used correctly, saves lives and sustains the functions of the nervous system to prevent brain damage to a victim.
"All year long on board Lincoln we are offering CPR classes," said Lt. Cmdr. Tarail Vernon, ship's nurse. "Our goal is to have as many Lincoln Sailors as possible trained in CPR as we continue through our overhaul."
CPR classes are held twice a month and particular ratings on board, including Sailors assigneed to the security department, are required to complete this vital training. CPR instructors utilize an exemplary training program, provided by the American Heart Association, that teaches the skills of adult CPR, the usage of the automated external defibrillator, child CPR and the significance of these skills.
According to Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Arthur Thomas, by having every Sailor on board trained in CPR, the reach of medical response across the ship is extended, which increases the chances of saving someone's life in the event of an emergency. Sailors are required to re-qualify every two years, but are advised to seek additional training to refresh themselves.
"By holding bi-monthly training, we are increasing the likelihood that our Sailors will be able to perform life-saving actions instinctively and automatically in order to save a shipmate's life if the situation arises," Vernon said. "Training in CPR is the key to life. It is better to know CPR and not need it than to need it and not know it."
Sailors who have completed CPR training are issued a CPR Heart Saver card from the American Heart Association. This gives CPR-qualified Sailors the ability to lend a hand if a situation should arise, no matter where they may be.
"The first responder can be the most important part of saving another human life," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Samirah Abdullah, a CPR facilitator and administrator. "In the moment you may be scared but the training kicks in."
For more information on CPR, see the American Heart Association website or contact your medical officer.
Lincoln is currently undergoing RCOH at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News.
Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz-class to undergo an RCOH, a major life-cycle milestone. Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.
For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visitwww.navy.mil/local/cvn72/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-12. Navy's Voluntary Education (VOLED) Program Realigning
From Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) will administratively realign the Navy's Voluntary Education (VOLED) program under Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC) in Pensacola, Florida, Feb 23.
According to Rear Adm. Mike White, commander of the Naval Education and Training Command, the move will be administrative and will have zero impact on the purpose, mission or abilities of VOLED.
"For the Sailor using VOLED, the change will be seamless and transparent," said White. "In fact, each of the 33 Navy College Offices worldwide and the Virtual Education Center (VEC) will remain unchanged; they will retain the same physical locations, the same telephone numbers, the same email addresses, and the same commitment to serving service members."
VOLED will continue to support Sailors with dedicated, committed assistance and counseling to help them develop tailored plans to meet their educational and credentialing goals.
VOLED is currently celebrating 40 years of Sailors' educational successes through diverse programs including tuition assistance, numerous testing programs, the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) - where Sailors can complete courses while on type 2 and 4 sea duty, and the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) - which provides Sailors with the opportunity to earn a certificate of apprenticeship from the U.S. Department of Labor by documenting tasks of their Navy rating while on the job.
Regardless of the educational goal, Navy College Offices and the Virtual Education Center are available to assist Sailors in accelerating their future.
For more information on Navy Voluntary Education, visit the Navy College Program website: https://www.navycollege.navy.
For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visitwww.navy.mil/local/cnet/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-11. USNA Hosts STEM Educator Training
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Wilkes, U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (NNS) -- The U.S. Naval Academy's (USNA) Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program hosted a STEM Educator Training Workshop for K-12 teachers Saturday, Feb. 21, in Rickover and Michelson Hall.
More than 70 STEM educators participated in the day-long event. USNA midshipmen and faculty provided a hands-on and project-based learning experience in topics such as design, bio-terrorism, physics and mechanics, applied math, alternative energy, computer programming and cryptography, and engineering.
"Today we have formal educators of elementary, middle, and high schools from as far away as Chicago and Memphis, as well as teachers from Maryland, and they are rotating through project-based learning modules in STEM topics," said Angela Moran, USNA professor of mechanical engineering and STEM Outreach director. "The educators rotate through three of five offered modules this morning and in the afternoon they will learn about engineering design and focus on putting that into practice in their classrooms."
One of the main goals of the STEM Educator Training Workshop is to increase instructor excitement for learning STEM topics so that they may share what they have learned with their students.
"The more enthusiasm that they can apply in the classroom, the more excited the students will be about math, science, and technology," said Lt. Cmdr. Tim Shivok, USNA physics instructor. "The United States needs more teachers that teach math and science so that we can develop people that will study these fields in the future."
The day-long workshop offered K-12 teachers an opportunity to engage more fully in their educational fields by exploring and testing ideas in a creative and hands-on environment.
"It's a great experience because the facilitators can make the workshop apply to each of the different grade levels and the learning topics are very diverse," said Helen Shields, biology teacher at Crofton Meadows Elementary. "I think that it's great that this free opportunity is offered to educators and that it's able to give us a different perspective of STEM topics."
The culminating event of the workshop was an engineering design competition. During the competition, the teachers formed groups and were tasked with designing a STEM project for their classrooms that incorporated the educational tools and lessons that they learned from the modules earlier in the day.
"This experience has been very eye-opening for me because I'm seeing many aspects of different STEM programs that I can take back to my own students," said Ultra Vaughn, freshman biology instructor from Chicago, Illinois. "The modules were very fun and I think the kids would really get into some of the ideas that I have seen today."
"We tell the teachers that the most infectious way of teaching is to learn right along with their students," said Moran. "When they are excited about what they are doing, the kids can see the difference and pick up on it."
For more news from U.S. Naval Academy, visit www.navy.mil/local/usna/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-10. Leave-Use It or Lose It
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Military service members' February leave and earning statement (LES) will carry a reminder that as of Oct. 1, any accrued leave more than 60 days will be lost.
Since 2008 Sailors have been allowed to carryover up to 75 days of leave each fiscal year as authorized by Congress. That authorization will end at the end of fiscal year 2015 after which leave carryover will revert to 60 days. In general, any leave balance in excess of 60 days on Sept. 30, 2015 will be lost.
Service members' LES may have an incorrect use/lose leave balance. Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) is reprogramming pay systems to account for the return to the 60 day leave carryover by the June 2015 LES.
Sailors should check their LES and talk with their Command Pass Coordinator (CPC) for help understanding their correct use/lose balance.
There are some specific exceptions. Sailors with more leave days than the authorized carryover limit, who are also assigned to hostile fire or imminent danger pay areas or deployed on a ship or mobile unit for at least 60 continuous days, may apply for special leave accrual (SLA) to retain any excess leave days. This request is typically done at the command level. Instructions on how to apply for and administer SLA are outlined in MILPERSMAN 1050-070.
Sailors are encouraged to work with their commands to manage their leave balances throughout FY15.
Commands with questions on leave policies should contact their local Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) or call the NPC Customer Service Center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (1-866-827-5672).
For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visitwww.navy.mil/local/cnp/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-09. Meet SPAWAR's New Chief Engineer
By Tina C. Stillions and Krishna M. Jackson, SPAWAR Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Rear Adm. John W. Ailes is chief engineer (CHENG) for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). His background includes ballistic missile defense, combat system development and multiple tours on cruisers and destroyers, specializing in combat systems. He has served as the executive officer of the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) and as the first commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Chaffee (DDG 90).
His most recent leadership role was as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules major program manager.
"In my last job, we developed mission packages and equipped ships that are now deployed," said Ailes during an interview Feb. 19. "It's very different from my new role as the systems engineer for all of SPAWAR's systems and the Navy's technical authority over cybersecurity and information technology."
Despite the differences in running the LCS Mission Module Program to now serving as SPAWAR's CHENG, Ailes has the right skills and outlook to move forward with the organization's cyber warfighting and interoperability vision.
"SPAWAR has a central role as the Navy's designated technical authority for information technology and cybersecurity," he said. "Our team has the Navy's premier expertise in how to defend a network against a cyber-attack and how to exchange data across networks. We work with other System Commands and the Program Executive Offices to provide them with the specifications and standards they can incorporate in the systems they build."
On the topic of cybersecurity, Ailes believes it is critical to look across networks and enclaves from a holistic perspective and view them as adversaries do.
"This perspective enables us to prioritize our focus on the greatest risks currently facing the Navy enterprise. We can also use it to address cybersecurity upfront in the design of the new systems the Navy acquires, develops and installs," he said. "However, it is not enough just to defend the networks against outside attack; we also need to monitor what is going on inside them."
In some of the recent and highly publicized exploits of commercial networks, there was a huge exfiltration, or pushing out, of data.
"The key to preventing this is to watch network traffic to ensure large quantities of data cannot be transferred without anybody noticing. Continuous, network-wide monitoring is critical," said Ailes. "You have to be watching for data exfiltration in all the places that have potential entry points for your adversary. We have the cyber defense expertise to address this issue at SPAWAR and we're codifying it in specifications and standards that we are making available to all Navy programs."
Ailes said achieving interoperability across systems that are procured as individual systems is key to his role as CHENG.
"As the engineering directorate in SPAWAR, we look across networks and systems to deliver a capability that is interoperable by design," he said. "We achieve that goal through specifications and standards as well. One of the things that we're doing is going through ships and airplanes, determining where the interfaces are, and then documenting them. We are very focused on getting systems to work together, since this is needed to complete a task or mission."
Working the "system of systems" problem is central to ensuring the interoperability of systems the Navy is collectively fielding in order to provide capability to the warfighter. It is equally critical from a cybersecurity perspective. Developing and fielding systems in a stovepipe manner creates seams an adversary can exploit to access a system or network.
Ailes said there are concrete steps to take to make networks more secure, such as looking at what can be done to detect adversaries trying to enter networks and determining what actions we can be taken if a breech is detected, something he said is well understood in the world of command, control and computers and information.
"We live in that world all the time," said Ailes. "SPAWAR has years of experience in securing networks and we're now able to leverage that expertise across the larger Navy, especially as the threat expands beyond outward facing webservers, which have historically been the space where attacks occurred."
With more than 30 years in the Navy, Ailes has travelled the world onboard many cruisers and destroyers. During his first tour at sea aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) as a strike warfare/communications officer, he had the honor of meeting Rear Adm. Grace Hopper, a pioneer in early computer technology who helped develop the computer language known as COBOL.
Hopper asked Ailes and his team to identify how many computers were on the new Aegis cruiser.
"I told her we really didn't know how many computers we had and that the answer would depend on where you draw the line. Is a wristwatch a computer? It has a computer in it. How far down do we go," he said. "She told us it was important to know and, ironically, that's what we're doing today. We're counting all the computers and seeing how they are wired together and what vulnerabilities they have. We are using this knowledge to engineer them to be more secure."
A lot has changed since Ailes' days as a young officer on Bunker Hill. He has learned to stay ahead of the ever-evolving world of information technology. It is one of the biggest challenges faced by the information warfare community, along with balancing costs.
"Technology is moving very quickly. One of our challenges is to maintain the rigor that provides Sailors with a good training package and good logistics support, while also providing capability as fast as technology is going," said Ailes. "In our overarching design process, we have to think about our plan to make a system that we can refresh with new technology. I would tell you that keeping pace and ensuring we provide the Sailor with the most capability that we can is certainly a challenge. It's also part of the excitement of the engineering job."
To help the Navy keep up with the rapid advancements in information technology, Ailes believes cloud computing will offer an advantage over the classic client-server infrastructure currently used. He sees the move to the cloud as a positive step toward increasing security for Navy computing, while at the same time decreasing costs. He believes the cloud architecture, with its service-oriented nature, is inherently scalable and simplifies security, due in part to the reduced attack surface and the ability to provide controls at appropriate points in the network.
"The cloud offers the promise of being able to add capability over time, without having to change the applications," said Ailes. "Moreover, if everything is in the cloud, it can be protected in the cloud. We can provide layers of security and back-up data in multiple places that are physically dispersed. Our challenge is of course that in the Navy, we must also be able to operate while disconnected from the larger cloud, and we are wrestling with that now."
As the Navy prepares for increased budget constraints, Ailes said it is important to think about how to ensure SPAWAR continues delivering robust capabilities while lowering costs. He points out that continually replacing obsolete systems to k
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-08. USS Vandegrift Bids Farewell After 30 Years of Naval Service
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Liam Kennedy, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) concluded 30 years of service during a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, Feb. 19.
Vandegrift's keel was laid on Oct. 15, 1982 and commissioned on Nov. 24, 1984. Vandegrift and other Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates were built to replace World War II-era destroyers and 1960s-era frigates.
"This ship has been very integral to the Navy's mission since its commissioning. The ship and its class have been the workhorses of the Navy for over 30 years," said Cmdr. Kevin Ralston, commanding officer of Vandegrift. "This ship has carried over one million tons of military hardware in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 2004 was the first ship to visit Vietnam since 1975 and served for six years overseas as forward deployed to 7th fleet."
Approximately six former commanding officers and 400 former plank owners, crew members and their families were in attendance for the ceremony.
"When you bring up the name Vandegrift, you're talking on the levels of Bull Halsey and Chester Nimitz," said Maj. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, commanding general, 1st Marine Division. "He is the top echelon of the Marine Corps. His leadership helped us to win over the undefeated Japanese military at Guadalcanal and his no bended knee speech helped keep the Marine Corps from being absorbed by the Army."
Also present was Serina Vandergrift, great-granddaughter of General Alexander Vandergrift, the ships namesake. In 1982, she helped to christen the ship at 11 years old.
"It was a full-circle moment," said Vandegrift. "It was amazing that 30 years ago I was the youngest person in history to help christen a ship into service and now I am here to help decommission the ship out of the service. It really does feel like the end of an era."
Vandegrift recently returned from a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operation Martillo, a joint, combined operation involving the U.S. and 14 European and Western Hemisphere partner nations, targeting illicit trafficking routes in the waters off of Central America. Vandegrift intercepted approximately nine tons of cocaine and disrupted numerous other illegal drug shipments.
"In 2014, we helped to confiscate 800 kilos of cocaine from potentially reaching the streets of America," said Ralston. "The cocaine's street value is estimated at $3 million. This has been one of our crew's proudest achievements and one of the most defining moments in our ship's history."
Vandegrift has completed an around the world deployment, forward deployed service, supported multiple war on terror efforts and busted multiple shipments of drugs within its 30 year history.
"It's been an honor to serve aboard the Vandegrift," said Operation Specialist 2nd Class Bryan Parsonage, assigned to Vandergrift. "I've learned so much with the crew here. With it being an older ship you learn the basics and beginnings of the Navy. Everything is manual and it makes the Sailors get down to the nitty gritty."
For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, visitwww.navy.mil/local/
For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, visitwww.navy.mil/local/
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-07. Officer Women Leadership Symposium Scheduled for March
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The annual AcademyWomen Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) will be held March 6-7 at the Women In Military Service for America (WIMSA) Memorial, Arlington, Virginia.
Held annually, OWLS includes educational and professional development workshops, seminars and exhibits designed to enhance the professional knowledge of attendees while increasing overall awareness of issues affecting women in the military. The symposium offers an invaluable opportunity for female officers, midshipmen and senior enlisted to benefit from the open dialogue, career enhancing information, and mentoring opportunities.
While all service members are eligible, ideal candidates for the symposium include outstanding officers, midshipmen, and senior enlisted, who are at a career decision point. All 66 available Navy-funded registrations will be coordinated through the Navy Office of Diversity and Inclusion - Women's Policy. To obtain a conference registration reservation, contact Lt. Tawney Nakamura at (703) 604-5077 or tawney.nakamura@navy.mil. Registrants must be from the local National Capital Region. Uniform for Navy personnel will be service khaki for E-7 and above and service uniform for E-6 and below.
Individual commands are not authorized to expend travel funds, including lodging, transportation, and meals and incidental expenses (M&IE). Travel funding for those who are attending in an official capacity has already been coordinated and approved; all other travel is not authorized. Lunch will be provided on March 6 and 7 for those attending. All other meals will be purchased by the attendee.
More information can be found on the AcademyWomen website at
http://academywomen.org/
For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visitwww.navy.mil/local/cnp/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-02. USS Kearsarge Conducts Force Protection Exercises
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aren Everett, USS Kearsarge LHD 3 Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conducts its Force Protection Exercises (FPEX) at Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 19, as part of the ship's certification process.
"FPEX is an exercise of evolutions designed to test the effectiveness of our anti-terrorism plan, preplanned responses (PPRs) and our security training team," said Lt. j.g. Billy C. Newell, Kearsarge's security officer. "It is evaluated by Commander Carrier Strike
Group (CSG) 4 Anti-Terrorism Office."
Newell said that Sailors are expected to demonstrate competence in executing responses, weapons handling ability and the capability to defend the ship and crew during FPEX.
"It prepares and tests the crew's ability to defend against asymmetrical tactics used by terrorists and pirates, as well as successfully operate in potential high risk environments," said Newell.
Master-at-Arms 1st Class Michael S. Mahan, leading petty officer for the security team, said he was confident in the success of the Kearsarge security force.
"We have some motivated Sailors. I've got to give it to them. They come from different rates and assist the master-at-arms with jobs that aren't even really required or what they came in for," said Mahan. "We have mess cooks, we've got airmen, we've got engineers... we've got everybody! They learn a little part of what a master-at-arms does and they're expected to fight to protect the ship. I think they're doing very well. I think we'll come through this very well."
Newell said he also believed that Kearsarge Sailors would complete FPEX successfully. He said his belief was based on past performance as well as current performance.
"I believe we are performing well," said Newell. "We successfully completed Afloat Training Group (ATG) 1.4 with a 99% and we are still operating at that tempo."
Kearsarge completed ATG's Anti-terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) basic phase 1.4 certification in October. This certification is the pre-requisite for FPEX.
FPEX is the final step for the ship's security certification. Possible scenarios include, but aren't limited to, observation, active shooter, personal and vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (IEDs), floating IEDs, water and swimmer attacks.
"It's like the Super Bowl for security," said Mahan. "These are critical things that we have to be prepared for in our security on board the ship so that we can react to protect the ship while we are overseas. It's about making sure that we can handle all of these scenarios and follow our PPRs," said Mahan.
Success demonstrates the crew's readiness for deployment.
"Our security team is put through Security Reactionary Force (SRF) basic and advanced courses, as well as small arms, crew served weapons and less lethal weapons training," said Newell. Mahan said that the security team has been preparing for about a year, making sure that everyone is qualified and trained to protect the ship.
"We have to pass these things or the ship can't deploy," said Mahan. "If we can't successfully secure the ship, it jeopardizes security."
Along with Kearsarge, the guided-missile destroyers USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) also participated in the two-day exercise hosted by CSG-4.
For more news from USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), visitwww.navy.mil/local/lhd3/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-01. Bonhomme Richard Arrives in Malaysia
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam D. Wainwright, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs
SEPANGGAR, Malaysia (NNS) -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Malaysia's sub-district of Sepanggar for a scheduled port visit in Kota Kinabalu, Feb 23.
During the visit, Bonhomme Richard Sailors and Marines will be involved in various community service projects, hosting tours of the ship, sporting events, as well as enjoying the sites of this quickly expanding city of 600,000 people. Kota Kinabalu is a popular gateway for people travelling to Sabah or Borneo and is one of the major commercial and industrial cities in all Malaysia.
"The men and women of BHR have waited a long time for a liberty port and everyone's excited for this visit," said Bonhomme Richard Commanding Officer Capt. Joey Tynch. "It's no small feat getting a steamship back to sea after a long time pierside and I couldn't be more proud of how hard everyone worked to get us back underway after our extended time in the yards."
Bonhomme Richard is the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.
"We're glad to be back at sea, working shoulder to shoulder, with the Marines of the 31st MEU as we continue to refine all aspects of our amphibious capability and engage with our partner nations in the Pacific," said Tynch. "We're thrilled to be in Malaysia representing the United States Navy and Marine Corps Team and can't wait to take in everything this country has to offer from sea level to the summit of Mount Kinabalu."
Bonhomme Richard ARG is currently under the tactical command of embarked Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11, Capt. Heidi Agle and reports to Commander, Amphibious Force U.S. 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Hugh D. Wetherald, headquartered in White Beach, Japan.
For more news from USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), visitwww.navy.mil/local/lhd6/.
NNS150223-16. Current All Hands Update
From Defense Media Activity - Navy
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- All Hands Update features three one-minute newscasts today.
First one-minute newscast-
- Headlines for Monday, Feb. 23, 2015: DoD Announces Operation Freedom's Sentinel Qualifies for The Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center Kicks Off Year of the Military Diver
http://youtu.be/ut67YoxURtE
http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
Second one-minute newscast-
- Building Resiliency for Service Members and Their Families
http://youtu.be/c15jeZHBrHk
http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
Third one-minute newscast-
- Sailor Brings Perspective on Diversity in America from Service Members Who Have Gone Before Him
http://youtu.be/RR1lgGcq5Ks
http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
Defense Media Activity-Navy produces All Hands Update (AHU) newscasts each day. AHU 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. AHU can also be seen throughout the world on the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS011213-34. This Day in Naval History - Feb. 23
From Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division
1795 - The U.S. Navy Office of Purveyor of Supplies is established.
1919 - The first ship named for an enlisted man, USS Osmond Ingram (DD 255), is launched.
1944 - In an overnight raid, Task Force 58 planes bomb the Japanese at Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam in the first raid of the Mariana Islands.
1945 - Four days after landing on Iwo Jima, an invasion where uncommon valor was a common virtue, the United States flag is raised on Mt. Suribachi.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
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 Navy - 6700 Taylor Rd., Fort Meade, MD 20755. 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 www.history.navy.mil.
Media queries should be directed to the Navy News Desk at (703) 697-5342.
-USN-
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-15. Abraham Lincoln's Medical Department Trains Crew Members on CPR
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-12. Navy's Voluntary Education (VOLED) Program Realigning
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-11. USNA Hosts STEM Educator Training
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-10. Leave-Use It or Lose It
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-09. Meet SPAWAR's New Chief Engineer
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-08. USS Vandegrift Bids Farewell After 30 Years of Naval Service
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-07. Officer Women Leadership Symposium Scheduled for March
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-02. USS Kearsarge Conducts Force Protection Exercises
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS150223-01. Bonhomme Richard Arrives in Malaysia
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
DNU -- In today's edition of All Hands Update, the Department of Defense announces Operation Freedom�s Sentinel qualifies for the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center kicks off Year of the Military Diver.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
DNU -- Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control provides service members and their families with resiliency programs.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
DNU -- Sailor reflects on diversity in America from service members who have gone before him.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
NNS150223-16. Current All Hands Update
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
NNS011213-34. This Day in Naval History - Feb. 23
-- http://www.navy.mil/search/
Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day
-- http://www.navy.mil/list_
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-20. Navy Surgeon General, Force Master Chief Applaud Science, Collaboration at U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 Cairo, Egypt
By Capt. Dora Lockwood, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs
CAIRO, Egypt (NNS) -- The Navy's surgeon general and Hospital Corps force master chief (FORCM) completed a visit to U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3), Feb. 17.
Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, Navy surgeon general and chief, U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, and FORCM Sherman Boss received an overview of current projects and ongoing infectious disease surveillance efforts in Egypt and Africa while visiting NAMRU-3 facilities.
During an all-hands call with Sailors, civilians and Egyptian scientists, Nathan applauded the research and scientific work being done by the employees at NAMRU-3.
"I am humbled by your work, your knowledge," said Nathan. "I want you to know how much I appreciate what you do here. I want you, the Egyptians, the military and the civilians, to understand that even though my office is very far away, I'm very much aware of what you do."
Nathan emphasized the importance of the work and the significant impact the scientific research has on global health.
"There are so many diseases in the world. Some diseases are carried by birds, some by mosquitoes, some by the water, some in the soil and some are transmitted from person to person," said Nathan. "This region and more and more of the world are depending on you to identify, to understand and to help prevent these diseases. There are so many people around the world who do not know you, yet whose lives will be changed for the better because of you and what you do."
Nathan concluded by expressing his appreciation for the long-standing collaboration between the U.S. Navy and the Egyptian scientists.
"You have kept the science and the goodness of the NAMRU in Egypt going for many, many years," said Nathan. "Thank you for being great partners and great examples of what different nations can do when they come together for the rest of the world. You make the world a better place."
NAMRU-3, established in 1946, is the oldest Department of Defense overseas military medical research facility and one of the largest research laboratories in the North Africa-Middle East region. The NAMRU conducts research and surveillance to support military personnel deployed to Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia. NAMRU-3 works closely with the Egyptian Ministry of Health, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
U.S. Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high quality health care to more than one million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.
For more news from Navy Medicine, visit www.navy.mil/local/mednews/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-15. Abraham Lincoln's Medical Department Trains Crew Members on CPR
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Huot, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- On board the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sailors assigned to the medical department work hard to keep the crew trained and knowledgeable, especially when it comes to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
CPR is an effective life-saving technique that, when used correctly, saves lives and sustains the functions of the nervous system to prevent brain damage to a victim.
"All year long on board Lincoln we are offering CPR classes," said Lt. Cmdr. Tarail Vernon, ship's nurse. "Our goal is to have as many Lincoln Sailors as possible trained in CPR as we continue through our overhaul."
CPR classes are held twice a month and particular ratings on board, including Sailors assigneed to the security department, are required to complete this vital training. CPR instructors utilize an exemplary training program, provided by the American Heart Association, that teaches the skills of adult CPR, the usage of the automated external defibrillator, child CPR and the significance of these skills.
According to Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Arthur Thomas, by having every Sailor on board trained in CPR, the reach of medical response across the ship is extended, which increases the chances of saving someone's life in the event of an emergency. Sailors are required to re-qualify every two years, but are advised to seek additional training to refresh themselves.
"By holding bi-monthly training, we are increasing the likelihood that our Sailors will be able to perform life-saving actions instinctively and automatically in order to save a shipmate's life if the situation arises," Vernon said. "Training in CPR is the key to life. It is better to know CPR and not need it than to need it and not know it."
Sailors who have completed CPR training are issued a CPR Heart Saver card from the American Heart Association. This gives CPR-qualified Sailors the ability to lend a hand if a situation should arise, no matter where they may be.
"The first responder can be the most important part of saving another human life," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Samirah Abdullah, a CPR facilitator and administrator. "In the moment you may be scared but the training kicks in."
For more information on CPR, see the American Heart Association website or contact your medical officer.
Lincoln is currently undergoing RCOH at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News.
Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz-class to undergo an RCOH, a major life-cycle milestone. Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.
For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visitwww.navy.mil/local/cvn72/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-12. Navy's Voluntary Education (VOLED) Program Realigning
From Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) will administratively realign the Navy's Voluntary Education (VOLED) program under Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC) in Pensacola, Florida, Feb 23.
According to Rear Adm. Mike White, commander of the Naval Education and Training Command, the move will be administrative and will have zero impact on the purpose, mission or abilities of VOLED.
"For the Sailor using VOLED, the change will be seamless and transparent," said White. "In fact, each of the 33 Navy College Offices worldwide and the Virtual Education Center (VEC) will remain unchanged; they will retain the same physical locations, the same telephone numbers, the same email addresses, and the same commitment to serving service members."
VOLED will continue to support Sailors with dedicated, committed assistance and counseling to help them develop tailored plans to meet their educational and credentialing goals.
VOLED is currently celebrating 40 years of Sailors' educational successes through diverse programs including tuition assistance, numerous testing programs, the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) - where Sailors can complete courses while on type 2 and 4 sea duty, and the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) - which provides Sailors with the opportunity to earn a certificate of apprenticeship from the U.S. Department of Labor by documenting tasks of their Navy rating while on the job.
Regardless of the educational goal, Navy College Offices and the Virtual Education Center are available to assist Sailors in accelerating their future.
For more information on Navy Voluntary Education, visit the Navy College Program website: https://www.navycollege.navy.
For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visitwww.navy.mil/local/cnet/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-11. USNA Hosts STEM Educator Training
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Wilkes, U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (NNS) -- The U.S. Naval Academy's (USNA) Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program hosted a STEM Educator Training Workshop for K-12 teachers Saturday, Feb. 21, in Rickover and Michelson Hall.
More than 70 STEM educators participated in the day-long event. USNA midshipmen and faculty provided a hands-on and project-based learning experience in topics such as design, bio-terrorism, physics and mechanics, applied math, alternative energy, computer programming and cryptography, and engineering.
"Today we have formal educators of elementary, middle, and high schools from as far away as Chicago and Memphis, as well as teachers from Maryland, and they are rotating through project-based learning modules in STEM topics," said Angela Moran, USNA professor of mechanical engineering and STEM Outreach director. "The educators rotate through three of five offered modules this morning and in the afternoon they will learn about engineering design and focus on putting that into practice in their classrooms."
One of the main goals of the STEM Educator Training Workshop is to increase instructor excitement for learning STEM topics so that they may share what they have learned with their students.
"The more enthusiasm that they can apply in the classroom, the more excited the students will be about math, science, and technology," said Lt. Cmdr. Tim Shivok, USNA physics instructor. "The United States needs more teachers that teach math and science so that we can develop people that will study these fields in the future."
The day-long workshop offered K-12 teachers an opportunity to engage more fully in their educational fields by exploring and testing ideas in a creative and hands-on environment.
"It's a great experience because the facilitators can make the workshop apply to each of the different grade levels and the learning topics are very diverse," said Helen Shields, biology teacher at Crofton Meadows Elementary. "I think that it's great that this free opportunity is offered to educators and that it's able to give us a different perspective of STEM topics."
The culminating event of the workshop was an engineering design competition. During the competition, the teachers formed groups and were tasked with designing a STEM project for their classrooms that incorporated the educational tools and lessons that they learned from the modules earlier in the day.
"This experience has been very eye-opening for me because I'm seeing many aspects of different STEM programs that I can take back to my own students," said Ultra Vaughn, freshman biology instructor from Chicago, Illinois. "The modules were very fun and I think the kids would really get into some of the ideas that I have seen today."
"We tell the teachers that the most infectious way of teaching is to learn right along with their students," said Moran. "When they are excited about what they are doing, the kids can see the difference and pick up on it."
For more news from U.S. Naval Academy, visit www.navy.mil/local/usna/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-10. Leave-Use It or Lose It
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Military service members' February leave and earning statement (LES) will carry a reminder that as of Oct. 1, any accrued leave more than 60 days will be lost.
Since 2008 Sailors have been allowed to carryover up to 75 days of leave each fiscal year as authorized by Congress. That authorization will end at the end of fiscal year 2015 after which leave carryover will revert to 60 days. In general, any leave balance in excess of 60 days on Sept. 30, 2015 will be lost.
Service members' LES may have an incorrect use/lose leave balance. Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) is reprogramming pay systems to account for the return to the 60 day leave carryover by the June 2015 LES.
Sailors should check their LES and talk with their Command Pass Coordinator (CPC) for help understanding their correct use/lose balance.
There are some specific exceptions. Sailors with more leave days than the authorized carryover limit, who are also assigned to hostile fire or imminent danger pay areas or deployed on a ship or mobile unit for at least 60 continuous days, may apply for special leave accrual (SLA) to retain any excess leave days. This request is typically done at the command level. Instructions on how to apply for and administer SLA are outlined in MILPERSMAN 1050-070.
Sailors are encouraged to work with their commands to manage their leave balances throughout FY15.
Commands with questions on leave policies should contact their local Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) or call the NPC Customer Service Center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (1-866-827-5672).
For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visitwww.navy.mil/local/cnp/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-09. Meet SPAWAR's New Chief Engineer
By Tina C. Stillions and Krishna M. Jackson, SPAWAR Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Rear Adm. John W. Ailes is chief engineer (CHENG) for the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR). His background includes ballistic missile defense, combat system development and multiple tours on cruisers and destroyers, specializing in combat systems. He has served as the executive officer of the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) and as the first commanding officer of the guided-missile destroyer USS Chaffee (DDG 90).
His most recent leadership role was as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules major program manager.
"In my last job, we developed mission packages and equipped ships that are now deployed," said Ailes during an interview Feb. 19. "It's very different from my new role as the systems engineer for all of SPAWAR's systems and the Navy's technical authority over cybersecurity and information technology."
Despite the differences in running the LCS Mission Module Program to now serving as SPAWAR's CHENG, Ailes has the right skills and outlook to move forward with the organization's cyber warfighting and interoperability vision.
"SPAWAR has a central role as the Navy's designated technical authority for information technology and cybersecurity," he said. "Our team has the Navy's premier expertise in how to defend a network against a cyber-attack and how to exchange data across networks. We work with other System Commands and the Program Executive Offices to provide them with the specifications and standards they can incorporate in the systems they build."
On the topic of cybersecurity, Ailes believes it is critical to look across networks and enclaves from a holistic perspective and view them as adversaries do.
"This perspective enables us to prioritize our focus on the greatest risks currently facing the Navy enterprise. We can also use it to address cybersecurity upfront in the design of the new systems the Navy acquires, develops and installs," he said. "However, it is not enough just to defend the networks against outside attack; we also need to monitor what is going on inside them."
In some of the recent and highly publicized exploits of commercial networks, there was a huge exfiltration, or pushing out, of data.
"The key to preventing this is to watch network traffic to ensure large quantities of data cannot be transferred without anybody noticing. Continuous, network-wide monitoring is critical," said Ailes. "You have to be watching for data exfiltration in all the places that have potential entry points for your adversary. We have the cyber defense expertise to address this issue at SPAWAR and we're codifying it in specifications and standards that we are making available to all Navy programs."
Ailes said achieving interoperability across systems that are procured as individual systems is key to his role as CHENG.
"As the engineering directorate in SPAWAR, we look across networks and systems to deliver a capability that is interoperable by design," he said. "We achieve that goal through specifications and standards as well. One of the things that we're doing is going through ships and airplanes, determining where the interfaces are, and then documenting them. We are very focused on getting systems to work together, since this is needed to complete a task or mission."
Working the "system of systems" problem is central to ensuring the interoperability of systems the Navy is collectively fielding in order to provide capability to the warfighter. It is equally critical from a cybersecurity perspective. Developing and fielding systems in a stovepipe manner creates seams an adversary can exploit to access a system or network.
Ailes said there are concrete steps to take to make networks more secure, such as looking at what can be done to detect adversaries trying to enter networks and determining what actions we can be taken if a breech is detected, something he said is well understood in the world of command, control and computers and information.
"We live in that world all the time," said Ailes. "SPAWAR has years of experience in securing networks and we're now able to leverage that expertise across the larger Navy, especially as the threat expands beyond outward facing webservers, which have historically been the space where attacks occurred."
With more than 30 years in the Navy, Ailes has travelled the world onboard many cruisers and destroyers. During his first tour at sea aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) as a strike warfare/communications officer, he had the honor of meeting Rear Adm. Grace Hopper, a pioneer in early computer technology who helped develop the computer language known as COBOL.
Hopper asked Ailes and his team to identify how many computers were on the new Aegis cruiser.
"I told her we really didn't know how many computers we had and that the answer would depend on where you draw the line. Is a wristwatch a computer? It has a computer in it. How far down do we go," he said. "She told us it was important to know and, ironically, that's what we're doing today. We're counting all the computers and seeing how they are wired together and what vulnerabilities they have. We are using this knowledge to engineer them to be more secure."
A lot has changed since Ailes' days as a young officer on Bunker Hill. He has learned to stay ahead of the ever-evolving world of information technology. It is one of the biggest challenges faced by the information warfare community, along with balancing costs.
"Technology is moving very quickly. One of our challenges is to maintain the rigor that provides Sailors with a good training package and good logistics support, while also providing capability as fast as technology is going," said Ailes. "In our overarching design process, we have to think about our plan to make a system that we can refresh with new technology. I would tell you that keeping pace and ensuring we provide the Sailor with the most capability that we can is certainly a challenge. It's also part of the excitement of the engineering job."
To help the Navy keep up with the rapid advancements in information technology, Ailes believes cloud computing will offer an advantage over the classic client-server infrastructure currently used. He sees the move to the cloud as a positive step toward increasing security for Navy computing, while at the same time decreasing costs. He believes the cloud architecture, with its service-oriented nature, is inherently scalable and simplifies security, due in part to the reduced attack surface and the ability to provide controls at appropriate points in the network.
"The cloud offers the promise of being able to add capability over time, without having to change the applications," said Ailes. "Moreover, if everything is in the cloud, it can be protected in the cloud. We can provide layers of security and back-up data in multiple places that are physically dispersed. Our challenge is of course that in the Navy, we must also be able to operate while disconnected from the larger cloud, and we are wrestling with that now."
As the Navy prepares for increased budget constraints, Ailes said it is important to think about how to ensure SPAWAR continues delivering robust capabilities while lowering costs. He points out that continually replacing obsolete systems to k
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-08. USS Vandegrift Bids Farewell After 30 Years of Naval Service
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Liam Kennedy, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) concluded 30 years of service during a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, Feb. 19.
Vandegrift's keel was laid on Oct. 15, 1982 and commissioned on Nov. 24, 1984. Vandegrift and other Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates were built to replace World War II-era destroyers and 1960s-era frigates.
"This ship has been very integral to the Navy's mission since its commissioning. The ship and its class have been the workhorses of the Navy for over 30 years," said Cmdr. Kevin Ralston, commanding officer of Vandegrift. "This ship has carried over one million tons of military hardware in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, in 2004 was the first ship to visit Vietnam since 1975 and served for six years overseas as forward deployed to 7th fleet."
Approximately six former commanding officers and 400 former plank owners, crew members and their families were in attendance for the ceremony.
"When you bring up the name Vandegrift, you're talking on the levels of Bull Halsey and Chester Nimitz," said Maj. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, commanding general, 1st Marine Division. "He is the top echelon of the Marine Corps. His leadership helped us to win over the undefeated Japanese military at Guadalcanal and his no bended knee speech helped keep the Marine Corps from being absorbed by the Army."
Also present was Serina Vandergrift, great-granddaughter of General Alexander Vandergrift, the ships namesake. In 1982, she helped to christen the ship at 11 years old.
"It was a full-circle moment," said Vandegrift. "It was amazing that 30 years ago I was the youngest person in history to help christen a ship into service and now I am here to help decommission the ship out of the service. It really does feel like the end of an era."
Vandegrift recently returned from a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operation Martillo, a joint, combined operation involving the U.S. and 14 European and Western Hemisphere partner nations, targeting illicit trafficking routes in the waters off of Central America. Vandegrift intercepted approximately nine tons of cocaine and disrupted numerous other illegal drug shipments.
"In 2014, we helped to confiscate 800 kilos of cocaine from potentially reaching the streets of America," said Ralston. "The cocaine's street value is estimated at $3 million. This has been one of our crew's proudest achievements and one of the most defining moments in our ship's history."
Vandegrift has completed an around the world deployment, forward deployed service, supported multiple war on terror efforts and busted multiple shipments of drugs within its 30 year history.
"It's been an honor to serve aboard the Vandegrift," said Operation Specialist 2nd Class Bryan Parsonage, assigned to Vandergrift. "I've learned so much with the crew here. With it being an older ship you learn the basics and beginnings of the Navy. Everything is manual and it makes the Sailors get down to the nitty gritty."
For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, visitwww.navy.mil/local/
For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, visitwww.navy.mil/local/
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-07. Officer Women Leadership Symposium Scheduled for March
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The annual AcademyWomen Officer Women Leadership Symposium (OWLS) will be held March 6-7 at the Women In Military Service for America (WIMSA) Memorial, Arlington, Virginia.
Held annually, OWLS includes educational and professional development workshops, seminars and exhibits designed to enhance the professional knowledge of attendees while increasing overall awareness of issues affecting women in the military. The symposium offers an invaluable opportunity for female officers, midshipmen and senior enlisted to benefit from the open dialogue, career enhancing information, and mentoring opportunities.
While all service members are eligible, ideal candidates for the symposium include outstanding officers, midshipmen, and senior enlisted, who are at a career decision point. All 66 available Navy-funded registrations will be coordinated through the Navy Office of Diversity and Inclusion - Women's Policy. To obtain a conference registration reservation, contact Lt. Tawney Nakamura at (703) 604-5077 or tawney.nakamura@navy.mil. Registrants must be from the local National Capital Region. Uniform for Navy personnel will be service khaki for E-7 and above and service uniform for E-6 and below.
Individual commands are not authorized to expend travel funds, including lodging, transportation, and meals and incidental expenses (M&IE). Travel funding for those who are attending in an official capacity has already been coordinated and approved; all other travel is not authorized. Lunch will be provided on March 6 and 7 for those attending. All other meals will be purchased by the attendee.
More information can be found on the AcademyWomen website at
http://academywomen.org/
For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visitwww.navy.mil/local/cnp/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-02. USS Kearsarge Conducts Force Protection Exercises
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aren Everett, USS Kearsarge LHD 3 Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conducts its Force Protection Exercises (FPEX) at Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 19, as part of the ship's certification process.
"FPEX is an exercise of evolutions designed to test the effectiveness of our anti-terrorism plan, preplanned responses (PPRs) and our security training team," said Lt. j.g. Billy C. Newell, Kearsarge's security officer. "It is evaluated by Commander Carrier Strike
Group (CSG) 4 Anti-Terrorism Office."
Newell said that Sailors are expected to demonstrate competence in executing responses, weapons handling ability and the capability to defend the ship and crew during FPEX.
"It prepares and tests the crew's ability to defend against asymmetrical tactics used by terrorists and pirates, as well as successfully operate in potential high risk environments," said Newell.
Master-at-Arms 1st Class Michael S. Mahan, leading petty officer for the security team, said he was confident in the success of the Kearsarge security force.
"We have some motivated Sailors. I've got to give it to them. They come from different rates and assist the master-at-arms with jobs that aren't even really required or what they came in for," said Mahan. "We have mess cooks, we've got airmen, we've got engineers... we've got everybody! They learn a little part of what a master-at-arms does and they're expected to fight to protect the ship. I think they're doing very well. I think we'll come through this very well."
Newell said he also believed that Kearsarge Sailors would complete FPEX successfully. He said his belief was based on past performance as well as current performance.
"I believe we are performing well," said Newell. "We successfully completed Afloat Training Group (ATG) 1.4 with a 99% and we are still operating at that tempo."
Kearsarge completed ATG's Anti-terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) basic phase 1.4 certification in October. This certification is the pre-requisite for FPEX.
FPEX is the final step for the ship's security certification. Possible scenarios include, but aren't limited to, observation, active shooter, personal and vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (IEDs), floating IEDs, water and swimmer attacks.
"It's like the Super Bowl for security," said Mahan. "These are critical things that we have to be prepared for in our security on board the ship so that we can react to protect the ship while we are overseas. It's about making sure that we can handle all of these scenarios and follow our PPRs," said Mahan.
Success demonstrates the crew's readiness for deployment.
"Our security team is put through Security Reactionary Force (SRF) basic and advanced courses, as well as small arms, crew served weapons and less lethal weapons training," said Newell. Mahan said that the security team has been preparing for about a year, making sure that everyone is qualified and trained to protect the ship.
"We have to pass these things or the ship can't deploy," said Mahan. "If we can't successfully secure the ship, it jeopardizes security."
Along with Kearsarge, the guided-missile destroyers USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) also participated in the two-day exercise hosted by CSG-4.
For more news from USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), visitwww.navy.mil/local/lhd3/.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS150223-01. Bonhomme Richard Arrives in Malaysia
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam D. Wainwright, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs
SEPANGGAR, Malaysia (NNS) -- The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Malaysia's sub-district of Sepanggar for a scheduled port visit in Kota Kinabalu, Feb 23.
During the visit, Bonhomme Richard Sailors and Marines will be involved in various community service projects, hosting tours of the ship, sporting events, as well as enjoying the sites of this quickly expanding city of 600,000 people. Kota Kinabalu is a popular gateway for people travelling to Sabah or Borneo and is one of the major commercial and industrial cities in all Malaysia.
"The men and women of BHR have waited a long time for a liberty port and everyone's excited for this visit," said Bonhomme Richard Commanding Officer Capt. Joey Tynch. "It's no small feat getting a steamship back to sea after a long time pierside and I couldn't be more proud of how hard everyone worked to get us back underway after our extended time in the yards."
Bonhomme Richard is the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is currently deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.
"We're glad to be back at sea, working shoulder to shoulder, with the Marines of the 31st MEU as we continue to refine all aspects of our amphibious capability and engage with our partner nations in the Pacific," said Tynch. "We're thrilled to be in Malaysia representing the United States Navy and Marine Corps Team and can't wait to take in everything this country has to offer from sea level to the summit of Mount Kinabalu."
Bonhomme Richard ARG is currently under the tactical command of embarked Commander, Amphibious Squadron 11, Capt. Heidi Agle and reports to Commander, Amphibious Force U.S. 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Hugh D. Wetherald, headquartered in White Beach, Japan.
For more news from USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), visitwww.navy.mil/local/lhd6/.
NNS150223-16. Current All Hands Update
From Defense Media Activity - Navy
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- All Hands Update features three one-minute newscasts today.
First one-minute newscast-
- Headlines for Monday, Feb. 23, 2015: DoD Announces Operation Freedom's Sentinel Qualifies for The Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center Kicks Off Year of the Military Diver
http://youtu.be/ut67YoxURtE
http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
Second one-minute newscast-
- Building Resiliency for Service Members and Their Families
http://youtu.be/c15jeZHBrHk
http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
Third one-minute newscast-
- Sailor Brings Perspective on Diversity in America from Service Members Who Have Gone Before Him
http://youtu.be/RR1lgGcq5Ks
http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
Defense Media Activity-Navy produces All Hands Update (AHU) newscasts each day. AHU 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. AHU can also be seen throughout the world on the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
NNS011213-34. This Day in Naval History - Feb. 23
From Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division
1795 - The U.S. Navy Office of Purveyor of Supplies is established.
1919 - The first ship named for an enlisted man, USS Osmond Ingram (DD 255), is launched.
1944 - In an overnight raid, Task Force 58 planes bomb the Japanese at Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam in the first raid of the Mariana Islands.
1945 - Four days after landing on Iwo Jima, an invasion where uncommon valor was a common virtue, the United States flag is raised on Mt. Suribachi.
-USN-
-USN-
-USN-
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 Navy - 6700 Taylor Rd., Fort Meade, MD 20755. 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 www.history.navy.mil.
Media queries should be directed to the Navy News Desk at (703) 697-5342.
-USN-
댓글 없음:
댓글 쓰기