NNS150313-19. SECNAV Announces Ship to Be Named After First MCPON, Delbert D. Black
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-14. Navy Releases Revised Maritime Strategy
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-07. Navy Tests Expanded Fitness and Child Care Hours
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-25. NMCP's Deployability Clinic Consolidates Services for Wounded, Ill or Injured Sailors
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-24. ASW Intel Support Getting on the Same Page
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-21. More Than a Thousand Abraham Lincoln Sailors Participate in Region-wide COMREL
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-13. DoD Authorizes Global War on Terrorism Medals for Operation Freedom's Sentinel
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-12. First Afghan Woman Pilot Flies with Blue Angels
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-11. USS Cole Wraps up Deployment, Returns to Norfolk
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-10. Northcom Chief Discusses Threats to Homeland
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-08. Sexual Assault Reports: Week of March 2-8, 2015
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-04. U.S., Republic of Korea Navy Affirm Strategic Alliance
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-03. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Completes Motor Generator Restoration Ahead of Schedule
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-02. Submarine Squadron 1 Holds Change of Command Ceremony
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-01. Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) Hosts Meeting with Navy Officers and New Inductees
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
DNU -- In today's edition of All Hands Update, applications for the fiscal year 2016 Seaman to Admiral program are now being accepted and the U.S. Naval War College celebrates Wome's History Month with release of an oral history project telling the story of the women who served in the Waves.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
DNU -- Office of Naval Research is developing a program to assist ships navigating through the ice in the Arctic.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
DNU -- Naval Beach Unit 7 establishes sister command with Japanese Ship Supply and Repair Facility Kore in Sasebo Japan.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
DNU -- Week in Review March 7th - March 13th, 2015. A look back at your Navy in Action. Photos and video submitted by the Fleet. Submit your photos via www.navy.mil
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
NNS150313-15. Current All Hands Update
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS011215-14. This Day in Naval History - March 13
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day
-- http://www.navy.mil/list_
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NNS150313-19. SECNAV Announces Ship to Be Named After First MCPON, Delbert D. Black
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Stuart B. Phillips, Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus announced that the future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer (DDG 119) will be named USS Delbert D. Black after the first master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON) at a ship naming ceremony held at the Navy Memorial in Washington March 13.
The ceremony was attended by numerous distinguished visitors, to include MCPON Black's surviving widow, Mrs. Ima Black, as well as the current MCPON, Mike Stevens.
As Stevens introduced SECNAV to the audience, he hinted at the name of the future ship about to be revealed to the public.
"I think it's safe for me to say that the ship that's about to be named will always be manned at 100 percent in the Chief's Mess," said Stevens. They won't have trouble keeping chiefs on it, but I know they will have trouble getting chiefs to transfer off it."
After his introduction, SECNAV explained that the role of the office of the MCPON is to act as an advisor to the chief of naval operations and to represent Sailors and their families.
"The MCPON doesn't just care for our Sailors and Marines though," said Mabus. Through partnerships with our spouse organizations, he also is the voice for the hundreds of thousands of family members. For them as well, he is an educator, a spokesperson, an advocate."
Mabus went on to say that in 1967, Master Chief Gunner's Mate Delbert Black was selected to be the senior enlisted advisor of the Navy, a title later changed to master chief petty officer of the Navy. Mabus explained the significance of naming a ship after an individual, and why MCPON Black was chosen for this honor.
"In the Navy, per traditional ship-naming convention, our destroyers are named after naval heroes," said Mabus. A list of his tough duty assignments may give us a small glimpse of the service Master Chief Black gave to this country, but it doesn't even begin to cover the numerous lives he touched or personal sacrifices he made for his Sailors and our Navy. He is a true hero."
Mrs. Ima Black, a WWII veteran of the Navy's Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) was greeted with applause as she addressed the audience and spoke about what the ceremony meant to her.
"Good morning Shipmates," she began. It's a beautiful day. A beautiful day to name a ship the USS Delbert D. Black. So let me tell you a little something about this wonderful Sailor that I was married to for fifty years. As has been said, he was a gunner's mate, so that meant that he spent a lot of time at sea. He loved the sea. I often wanted to ask him, who do you love more - me or the sea?"
She explained that upon taking the office of the MCPON, her husband started from scratch, with no real formal direction, and laid the foundation of what that office has become today.
"At the end of four years, the office was up and running and we were ready to retire," said Ima. We retired in 1971, and soon we heard that there would be a ship named the USS Delbert D. Black. In my heart I knew that one day this would happen, I just didn't know it would take so long. Thank you Mr. Secretary. And Mr. Secretary, when you go to Pascagoula, would you tell the shipbuilders to please hurry up, I'm running out of time!"
Born July 22, 1922, in Orr, Oklahoma, Delbert D. Black graduated from high school in 1940 and enlisted in the Navy on March 14, 1941. Upon completion of recruit training in San Diego, California, he was assigned to USS Maryland (BB 46) and was aboard in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Surviving the attack, Black's career went on to span thirty years, culminating in his selection as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on Jan. 13, 1967.
For more information on MCPON's activities, visithttps://www.facebook.com/
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NNS150313-14. Navy Releases Revised Maritime Strategy
From the Navy Chief of Information Office
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The sea services released a new maritime strategy, March 13, a plan that describes how the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard will design, organize, and employ naval forces in support of national security interests and homeland security objectives.
The new strategy titled, A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower: Forward, Engaged, Ready, accounts for changes in the global security environment, new strategic guidance, and a changed fiscal environment.
The essential functions of the maritime strategy released in 2007 were adjusted to include a new function called "all domain access" which underscores the challenges forces face in accessing and operating in contested environments.
The new strategy emphasizes operating forward and engaging partners across the globe, especially in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
The strategy calls for increasing the Navy's forward presence to 120 ships by 2020, up from about 97 ships today. This includes forward-basing four ballistic-missile-defense destroyers in Spain and stationing another attack submarine in Guam by the end of 2015.
The Navy is scheduled to increase presence in Middle East from 30 ships today to 40 by 2020.
The strategy reinforces the continued need to strengthen partnerships and alliances by stressing the importance of operating in NATO maritime groups and participating in international training exercises.
Additionally, the strategy outlines plans to maintain readiness by implementing the Navy's Optimized Fleet Response Plan which improves readiness and leads to a predictable cycle for maintaining, training and deploying carrier strike groups and amphibious ships.
The document features four sections: Global Security Environment, Forward Presence and Partnership, Seapower in Support of National Security, and Force Design: Building the Future Force.
To view the full version of the new strategy document, visithttp://www.navy.mil/maritime.
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NNS150313-07. Navy Tests Expanded Fitness and Child Care Hours
From Navy Installations Command Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- - Beginning next month Navy Installations Command will extend Child Youth Center and MWR Fitness Center hours of operation in several locations as part of a pilot program to provide greater services to support Sailors and their families.
Three locations were selected to support the pilot, including Naval Base in Bremerton, Wash., Joint Expeditionary Base in Little Creek, Va., and Naval Station in San Diego, Calif.
"The pilot program in Bremerton will include extended hours for Child Youth Programs at the Child Development Center and the fitness center," said James Baker, division chief for Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Navy Installations Command. "The pilot will also include extended hours at fitness centers at other selected bases in Little Creek and San Diego," added Baker.
The locations were chosen for the pilot because of their proximity in fleet concentration areas where work requirements extend beyond a normal work day.
According to Baker, the pilot will determine whether the extended hours are useful for Sailors and their families. This initiative is in keeping with the Navy's 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative to provide services across a spectrum of readiness and wellness areas to enhance combat effectiveness.
The pilot program will begin in April and continue for six months at each participating installation. The Child Youth Program hours in Bremerton will expand by four hours Monday through Friday, operating from 4:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Child Development Center. The fitness center hours at each location will be expanded from 90 hours to 118 hours per week and will operate Monday through Friday from 4:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on weekends.
The pilot program will measure usage and staffing levels required to support the extended hours, and determine whether the expanded hours can be affordably extended to other facilities across the Navy.
With more than 50,000 personnel located at 70 installations under 11 Regions worldwide, Commander, Navy Installations Command ensures requirements necessary to train and operate the Navy's Fleet are maintained and ready. Navy installations are responsible for facilitating the manning, training and equipping our fighting force, and support Navy families through Family and Community Services programs.
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NNS150313-25. NMCP's Deployability Clinic Consolidates Services for Wounded, Ill or Injured Sailors
By Rebecca A. Perron, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Medical Center Portsmouth celebrated the establishment of the Deployability Clinic with a ribbon cutting and open house March 12. The clinic offers a one-stop shop for medical and administrative services for Sailors who are designated as wounded, ill or injured.
"We are here for one reason, and that is to take care of people in uniform and help them get prepared to return to the (fleet)," said Cmdr. Kevin Brown, director for Public Health Services. "Our ability to (care for these patients) with efficiency, with skill and with grace is what this team is all about."
The concept focuses on improving the efficiency and continuity of care for wounded warriors. The clinic combines the deployability section that previously was a part of the Military Personnel Office with a Medical Home team composed of a doctor, nurse and several corpsmen.
"I credit you guys with taking a vision and turning it into what works for the patients you care for every day," said Capt. Darin Via, NMCP commanding officer. "This was an area that you know there were a lot of variants. We were doing things differently throughout. As we focus on being a high reliability organization, we must ensure that we minimize variants to get optimal outcomes. Our focus is on value and readiness."
Realizing that there is potential for the clinic to make an even greater impact on care, Via encouraged the team to develop ways to expand their services.
"I know you just moved in, but my challenge to you is to recognize other areas of care that can be brought under the Deployability Clinic umbrella, such as sea duty or overseas screenings," Via added. "I think you are already leading that challenge to make this even bigger and take it to the next level."
The clinic staff began seeing patients in January, and has already formed a rapport with their patients, consolidating care and setting the standards for processes and expectations.
"Those who we see are going through the Physical Evaluation Board process, people on a Medical Board, Limited Duty and wounded warriors," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bradley Hubbell, a corpsman on the Medical Home Port team. "We are their Medical Home. Instead of them being seen through the Family Medicine Clinic, they see one provider here as their primary care manager to keep the continuity of care."
There are 330 patients assigned to the clinic's PCM, and she treats 12 to 14 patients a day. The nurse and the corpsmen on the team see additional patients who require a lower level of care. The clinic offers same-day acute care appointments in the morning, and established appointments throughout the rest of the day.
"They are here to have treatment success and then return to the fleet," Hubbell said. "As part of the Medical Home model, we see anything from medication refills to specialty care referrals to 'now I need this procedure.' We do everything Family Medicine can do, just for this specific population."
As an assistant deployment coordinator, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Chloe Easter is a liaison who helps on the administrative side.
"I track the members from the moment they step on board the command until they detach, whether they are transferring to the fleet or separating from the Navy," Easter said. "I ensure they are being seen routinely throughout their limited duty. I make sure they have access to timely appointments and that they get to those appointments.
"If the member has a condition that does not get better, they are put on a Physical Evaluation Board. If they are found fit for full duty and are returning to the fleet, I assist them with contacting the detailer for orders and completing the necessary sea duty screening and administrative aspects of preparing to transfer."
As the clinic developed, the team of corpsmen had a crucial role in creating the operational procedures for the clinic. Hubbell was previously stationed at Naval Hospital Pensacola, Florida, and had helped merge the Medical Home and Pediatrics clinics there. He used lessons learned from that experience to help shape the Deployability Clinic into what it has become today.
"The feedback I've received is they like the fact it's a one-stop shop now," Hubbell said. "We get good feedback and constructive criticism that we use to continue to refine the processes."
For more news from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, visitwww.navy.mil/local/NMCP/.
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NNS150313-24. ASW Intel Support Getting on the Same Page
From NAVIDFOR Public Affairs
NAVY INFORMATION DOMINANCE FORCES, SUFFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- For the first time in the Navy, there will be a fleet-wide qualification standard for personnel providing intelligence support to theater anti-submarine warfare (TASW) operations. The new qualification standards will also enable the Navy to track, and if necessary, recall, qualified personnel who have trained to the same standards.
As the global submarine threat grows, the Navy recognized the need for a fleet-wide personnel qualification standard (PQS) that qualified personnel to the unique skillsets necessary for effective intelligence support to TASW operations. As potential adversaries continue to invest in their submarine forces, it's important to note that the U.S. Navy is the only military service capable of performing the TASW mission.
The Navy must be prepared to provide full-spectrum situational awareness of this threat to fleet and combatant commanders. To answer that call, Navy Information Dominance Forces (NAVIDFOR) Command and Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic (SUBLANT), joined forces to develop a new qualification standard that going forward ensures fleet and combatant commanders have the qualified personnel necessary to provide intelligence support to TASW operations.
As Capt. Tim Unrein, director of Intelligence for Submarine Forces Atlantic (SUBLANT), stated, "This is a mission set that will be with us for a long time. It is definitely a growth industry. We have to be ready."
Background:
Prior to having a common TASW qualification standard, various commands had disparate 'Intel for TASW Qualification Cards'. These Intel for TASW Qualification Cards detailed the skillset and expertise necessary to stand the Intel Watch for TASW operations.
The issue was that different Intel for TASW Qualification Cards existed in at least six different commands. Navy Mine and ASW Command (NMAWC), SUBLANT/Commander Task Forces (CTF) 84, SUBPAC/CTF-34 and CTF's-54, 69 and 74 all had qualification cards that were very extensive and covered much of the same content, but there lacked a fleet-wide standardization they all could adhere to. Because standards were not the same, varying standards meant that a person qualifying on one command's set of qualification cards risked having to unnecessarily requalify at another command.
In addition to this less-than-ideal situation, the Navy had no way to track personnel who had completed their TASW qualifications. The issue was further exacerbated by the fact that a majority of TASW watch floors (with the exception of CTF-74) are manned almost exclusively by part-time reservists. The result was the Navy was losing significant readiness opportunities by not having the ability to track (and if necessary) recall fully qualified reservists who had invested a substantial amount of time completing the requirements to stand watch - which sometimes took up to 18 months to qualify.
The Solution:
A New "Intelligence Support to Theater ASW PQS" Leading to an additional qualification designator (AQD) (for officers) or a tracking Navy enlisted classification (NEC)
SUBFOR Commander Vice Adm. Michael Connor's guidance to the undersea warfare enterprise was, to "get on the same page." It was the catalyst that drove the effort to find a solution to the dissimilar TASW qualification standards.
Beginning in the spring of 2014, the leadership of COMSUBLANT N2's Navy Reserve component (NR SUBLANT INTEL), with the support of the COMSUBLANT N2, began to engage with key stakeholders. The intent was to build consensus around fleet-wide standards and methods for tracking qualifications under a new AQD and NEC. While on a coordination visit to NMAWC in March 2014, Cmdr. Nate Bailey, commanding officer, NR SUBLANT INTEL, researched the numerous intelligence-related AQD's in the Navy.
"It was startling to discover, and quite frankly somewhat embarrassing to realize, that there were over two dozen intelligence support-related AQD's covering everything from targeting, HUMINT (human intelligence) management, support to SOF (special operations forces), collection Management, etc. - and not one covering the undersea warfare domain - and ASW in particular - a Navy-only mission."
Bailey went on to say, "Considering the growing threat, it became obvious that, from a combat readiness perspective, we not only needed a robust, fleet-wide qualification standard in the form of a PQS to support this mission, but a new AQD and tracking NEC in order to provide the Navy with the means to identify and supply qualified IDC (Information Dominance Corps) personnel to support this mission when required."
A Trifecta: Total Force Approach / Two-TYCOM Collaboration / Cost-Effective Solution
After the stand-up of NAVIDFOR on Oct. 1, 2014, the SUBFOR N2 reached out to NAVIDFOR N7 about collaborating on the development of new intel support for the TASW PQS. That December, Lt. Karen Beth Jasper, NAVIDFOR's lead for Intelligence Training and Requirements, coordinated a PQS Working Group consisting of active and reserve TASW stakeholders. In addition to having subject matter experts who had cross-functional IDC expertise in the meteorology and oceanography (METOC) communities, the working group brought together key stakeholders from SUBLANT/CTF-84, NR SUBLANT INTEL, SUBPAC, CTF-76, NMAWC and Commander Undersea Surveillance System (CUSS).
Within two months of its establishment, the group had developed a PQS that was then released for the required 30-day fleet review. The review was completed in early February and is expected to be implemented by the summer of 2015.
NAVIDFOR and SUBLANT's efforts to create a standardized PQS shows how type commands (TYCOMs) can work together to improve efficiencies and fill gaps and seams to improve readiness across the Navy. As a TYCOM, NAVIDFOR was able to leverage expertise across IDC communities to support the needs of SUBFOR, while also addressing a critical readiness need to better train intelligence personnel supporting the TASW mission. These efforts also show the value TYCOMs bring to ensure the Navy has recall-ready personnel available as operational requirements dictate.
Additionally, tracking NEC's earned after completion of a rigorous PQS is a cost-effective solution as opposed to an expensive 'C' school. Bailey concluded. "Anticipating the threat, increasing Total Force readiness, addressing operational needs, and developing innovative cost-effective solutions has been the foundation of this initiative from the beginning. It's great to see it come to fruition." Bailey said.
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NNS150313-21. More Than a Thousand Abraham Lincoln Sailors Participate in Region-wide COMREL
From USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- More than 1,300 Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) volunteered in the Hampton Roads region, March 13, marking the command's fourth time to give back to the local area in mass.
"I'm extremely proud of our Sailors, not only for the work they have performed on board the carrier, but also for the way they conduct themselves off duty. It truly is great to see them giving back to the community in such diverse and impactful ways," said Capt. Todd Marzano, executive officer, USS Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln Sailors volunteered at 29 different locations from Norfolk to Suffolk to Virginia Beach and cities in between providing countless hours of community assistance that consisted of everything from cleaning parks to mentoring elementary children.
"These opportunities are great to show that we not only serve in the military, but we are here to serve the community as well," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate Airman Recruit Yousuf Baig, who volunteered at the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation with 39 of his fellow Sailors from Lincoln's Air Department. "It is a great feeling knowing that you are helping out the people locally especially at a place like this, where you can come back and see the efforts of your hard work. I plan on walking these trails as often as I can now."
Lincoln Sailors have participated in three previous command-wide COMREL events since the aircraft carrier and its crew arrived in Norfolk in August 2012. Since 2012, Lincoln Sailors have volunteered nearly 35,000 hours of community service in the Hampton Roads area positively impacting more than two million people.
While Sailors from Lincoln's Air Department cleaned trails at Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation, other Sailors from the carrier's Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department straightened headstones of the fallen and completed various landscaping work at cemeteries in downtown Norfolk.
"Today we are here at the Elmwood Cemetery to pay our respects to Sailors and Soldiers from previous wars buried here," said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Shelldon Hunter. "We will straighten headstones and complete landscaping work, as well as paint fences all to show our appreciation of what this site represents."
Historic Cemeteries Volunteer Jane Oakes appreciated the Sailors assistance today in Norfolk.
"It is just a massive job here, they work totally on volunteers and a lot of us are retired and it's so nice to have strong backs and strong hands to be able to help us," said Oakes.
While Sailors beautified cemeteries in Norfolk, other Sailors assigned to Lincoln's Combat Systems Department volunteered at 10 different schools in Newport News to coincide with National Reading Month. Other Sailors volunteered with the local Boys and Girls Club of America.
"It shows that we care about the people here," said Lt. Vahe Sarkissian, Lincoln's Psychiatrist, who volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of America, in Newport News. "I have always been about giving back to the community, I didn't grow up in the best neighborhood so these kinds of programs help family members and friends stay out of bad places."
Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate Anthony Richardson, assigned to Lincoln's Safety Department coordinated a volunteer event with the Elizabeth River Project.
"Participating in community relations events as often as we do as a command is an opportunity to give back to the Hampton Roads community in ways that people living here can benefit from," said Richardson.
Cmdr. Maurice Buford, Lincoln's chaplain, who coordinates the command's overall community relations events, reflected on the massive impact the Sailors have on the local communities they live and work in.
"We have found that by coordinating these massive one-day volunteer outreach opportunities involving our Sailors it positively impacts the countless community members and organizations they will interact with along with the communities at large," said Buford.
Gunner's Mate 1st Class Landis Green may have said it best when he summarized the meaning of volunteering.
"To me, community is a way that we show support to those that support the military. They support those who serve so I guess this is our way of saying thanks," said Green.
Lincoln is currently undergoing Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. 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/.
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NNS150313-13. DoD Authorizes Global War on Terrorism Medals for Operation Freedom's Sentinel
From the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of Defense announced March 12 that Operation Freedom's Sentinel is now a qualifying operation for award of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Service members deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Freedom's Sentinel continue to be recognized through award of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. However, service members deployed abroad in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel outside of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal area of eligibility are now eligible for award of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Those service members deployed in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel who have previously been recognized with the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for other qualifying operations are eligible to wear a service star on the medal or ribbon device.
Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jessica Wright approved award of the Global War on Terrorism Medals for Operation Freedom's Sentinel, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2015, in a memorandum signed March 11.
Full eligibility criteria for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service medals are contained in Department of Defense Manual 1348.33, Volume 2, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD Service Awards Campaign, Expeditionary, and Service Medals. Additionally, lists of operations and areas of eligibility are available at:http://prhome.defense.gov/RFM/
Service members should contact their respective military departments for additional guidance.
To learn more, please view the department's memorandum [http://www.defense.gov/
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NNS150313-12. First Afghan Woman Pilot Flies with Blue Angels
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer Lebron, Navy Blue Angels Public Affairs
EL CENTRO, Calif. (NNS) -- The Afghan Air Force's first female fixed-wing pilot visited the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, and flew in a Blue Angel's jet at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California, March 11.
Capt. Niloofar Rahmani flew her orientation flight in the back seat of a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet with Narrator and VIP pilot, Blue Angel #7, Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss.
"This was a wonderful opportunity to share the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps with a representative of another nation," said Blue Angels Commanding Officer and Flight Leader Capt. Tom Frosch. "It also provided the opportunity for our squadron to ask questions and learn more about Afghanistan's Air Force."
"When I heard I was going to fly with the Blue Angels, I was so excited," Rahmani said. "That was the first time that I felt [G-forces] while flying."
Rahmani was recruited to join the Afghan Air Force in 2010 at the age of 18. She graduated from flight school and completed her first solo flight in 2012. Rahmani also attended advanced flight school and qualified to fly the C-208, a military cargo aircraft. She said she hopes to fly the C-130 in the future.
Rahmani's road to success has been challenging and dangerous, she said.
"It was not easy finishing flight school, it was very hard, but someone had to accept the risk so that other women can do what they dream," Rahmani explained.
She and her family received death threats from the Taliban because of her career choice, but she says it's her responsibility to be an example for young girls coming up behind her.
"You can't just see yourself as a woman, but as a human and believe in yourself," Rahmani said.
First Lady Michelle Obama recently honored Rahmani's bravery, commitment, and empowerment of women and girls in Afghanistan. Rahmani and nine other women were awarded the Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award for 2015 at an award ceremony last week.
For more information about the Blue Angels, visitwww.BlueAngels.navy.mil.
For more news from Navy Blue Angels, visitwww.navy.mil/local/blueangels/
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NNS150313-11. USS Cole Wraps up Deployment, Returns to Norfolk
By Ensign Hannah Taylor, USS Cole Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations (AOO).
Cole, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, departed Norfolk, Aug. 22, 2014 and spent the deployment supporting U.S. national security interests in Europe.
The ship transited more than 40,000 miles, participating in Exercise Mavi Balina, a multilateral, anti-submarine exercise hosted by Turkey, a passing exercise with the French navy's Charles De Gaulle Carrier Strike Group, and multiple passing exercises with Romania, Turkey, Israel, and France. Cole also conducted maritime security operations in support of Operation Active Endeavour.
Cmdr. James Quaresimo, Cole's commanding officer, said he was proud of the outstanding performance of his crew during the deployment.
"They prove time and time again why we are the best Navy in the world and Cole the best ship in the Navy," Quaresimo said. "Patrolling the Mediterranean Sea providing ballistic missile defense is important to enhancing global security. It is a capability unparalleled by others. Operating forward in the Black Sea and conducting operations with our allies was extremely rewarding and something our Sailors can be proud that they were involved with."
More than just operational integration with NATO allies, the deployment allowed Sailors to learn much about the world beyond America's shores. Visiting six ports in five countries, Cole crew members volunteered more than 500 hours in eight community relations events for local charities and organizations.
"Cole's contributions to fleet operations will have a long-lasting effect, and it was the men and women of Cole who flawlessly provided that contribution," Quaresimo said.
Sailors also made time for individual accomplishments as well, with more than 40 Sailors advancing to their next pay grades and eight being selected into new job ratings. Cole also pinned 11 new surface warfare officers and more than 75 new enlisted surface warfare specialists.
For one of these warriors, 24-year-old Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Casey Ludwig, there were other accomplishments.
"My favorite part of being deployed was when we had a port visit in Haifa, Israel," Ludwig said. "I was able to go up in a man-lift and repair the bridge wings, ensuring their integrity."
A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Ludwig reported to the ship in July 2013. Of all the port visits during deployment, he enjoyed Piraeus, Greece, more than anywhere else.
"Piraeus, Greece, was actually on my bucket list. I always wanted to go to Athens and see Athena's Temple and the first Olympic track. It was beautiful, especially the scenery."
From new dads meeting bright-eyed babies to young, junior Sailors greeting proud parents, Cole Sailors look forward to enjoying quality time with their families this month while preparing for the ship's maintenance phase this summer.
For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/surflant/.
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NNS150313-10. Northcom Chief Discusses Threats to Homeland
By Cheryl Pellerin, DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The most dangerous threats to the U.S. homeland include transnational criminal networks, homegrown violent extremists and cyberattacks, Navy Adm. William E. Gortney told a Senate panel March 12.
The commander of U.S. Northern Command and of North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Northcom's fiscal year 2016 budget request.
Addressing the panel, Gortney began with his assessment of threats in defense of the homeland, from the most likely to the most dangerous.
The likeliest threat, the admiral said, is a transnational criminal network that operates by using what he calls seams between Northcom, U.S. Southern Command and U.S Pacific Command; seams between U.S. interagency partners and the combatant commands; seams between the United States and its partner nations; and seams within those countries themselves.
*Closing the Seams*
"In those seams," Gortney told the panel, "people are moving drugs [and] money. As the [committee] chairman said, they're moving product for profit through those seams."
He added, "We need to close those seams, because ... if someone wants to move something that will do great damage to our nation, that is where they will come."
About homegrown violent extremists, the admiral described an effective and sophisticated social media campaign on the part of extremists, aiming to stir up distrust and incite harm to American citizens.
On the cyber threat, Gortney said his command is responsible for defending known networks and helping lead federal agencies in the aftermath of a cyberattack.
*Significant Cyber Threat*
"But it's far more significant in that a cyberattack [could] directly affect critical infrastructure that I rely on to defend the nation, and that we rely on for our nation to operate. I see that as a significant threat," he said.
For example, Gortney said, "a cyberattack in Ottawa would take out the northeast quadrant of our air defense sector. It would effectively be a mission kill. So not only would it affect my ability to do my mission, more importantly we as a nation rely on this same infrastructure to operate -- whether it's banking, rail, aviation, power or movement of water."
He added, "All these things have critical infrastructure that we must have, and they need to be hardened against an adversary."
International threats to the homeland include North Korea, China, Russia and Iran, the admiral told the panel.
*Ballistic Missile Threat*
In written testimony, Gortney said the past year has marked a notable increase in Russian military assertiveness.
"Russian heavy bombers flew more out-of-area patrols in 2014 than in any year since the Cold War. We have also witnessed improved interoperability between Russian long-range aviation and other elements of the Russian military, including air and maritime intelligence collection platforms positioned to monitor NORAD responses," the admiral said.
Such patrols serve a training function for Russian air crews, but some are clearly intended to underscore Moscow's global reach and communicate displeasure with Western policies, especially those involving Ukraine, he added.
Russia also is progressing toward its goal of deploying long-range, conventionally armed cruise missiles with increasing stand-off launch distances on its heavy bombers, submarines and surface combatants, Gortney said.
*Defending North America*
"Should these trends continue," the admiral said, "over time NORAD will face increased risk in our ability to defend North America against Russian air, maritime and cruise-missile threats."
Other states that may seek to put North America at risk with ballistic missiles include North Korea and Iran, he said.
"North Korea has successfully test-detonated three nuclear devices," the admiral said, "and through its space program has demonstrated many of the technologies required for an intercontinental ballistic missile that could target the continental United States."
North Korean military parades have showcased the new KN08 road-mobile ICBM, he said, adding that when deployed, the system will complicate the U.S. ability to provide warning and defend against an attack.
*The Sequestration Effect*
"Iran has likewise committed considerable resources to enhancing its ballistic missile capabilities," Gortney said, "and has already placed another satellite into orbit this year, using a new booster that could serve as a demonstrator for ICBM technologies."
But Gortney told the panel that the likeliest and most dangerous threat to his ability to protect the homeland is sequestration.
"That's because of how sequestration affects the ... services as they implement the sequestration effect ... which leads to a hollow force," Gortney said, adding that sequestration slows development of the U.S. technological advantage that makes it possible to outpace future threats.
*Slowing Missile Defense*
Sequestration also would affect missile defense, the admiral said.
The services can generate some flexibility in spending by tapping into readiness funds or delaying delivery of a capability, but the Missile Defense Agency does not have a readiness account they can go to, he explained.
The agency would have to go to new starts, Gortney said, putting on hold the long-range discrimination radar, improvements to the advance kill vehicle and a multi-object kill vehicle -- all part of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System.
Holding up such work would hinder the United States' ability to outpace the growing proliferation of ballistic missiles, he added.
*The Arctic: Growing in Importance*
Responding to questions about the Arctic, Gortney, who is assigned as the DoD advocate for Arctic capabilities, said he and his team are working to determine what requirements will help inform DoD operational plans on the future of the Arctic.
Gortney also will make recommendations for all of DoD, not just the services, about necessary investments there, he said.
"The Arctic requires advocacy and partnerships from within and outside the Northcom area of responsibility," he said in written testimony, "as the region grows in importance to our national security over the next few decades."
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NNS150313-08. Sexual Assault Reports: Week of March 2-8, 2015
By the Office of the Chief of Information
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- This week's overview of alleged sexual assaults was compiled based on seven initial reports across the Navy from March 2-8. This timeframe reflects only the receipt of the initial reports; five occurred outside the report period and two were unknown. Each report will be fully investigated. Looking at this snapshot in time, we see the following:
* One report was from an event that occurred on-base and six were from events that occurred off-base.
* Among the seven alleged offenders, two were officers, one was E3 and below, two were civilians and two were unknown.
* Seven of the alleged offenders were male.
* Four of the reported incidents were alleged to be service member on service member, two non-service member on service member and one was unknown.
* Among the seven alleged victims, three were officers and four were E3 and below. Five of the alleged victims were female and two were male.
To contact a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator at the Department of Defense Safe Help Line, call (877) 995-5247.
To learn more about Navy's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program, visit www.sapr.navy.mil.
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NNS150313-04. U.S., Republic of Korea Navy Affirm Strategic Alliance
By Lt. j.g. Courtney Keiser, Destroyer Squadron 15 Public Affairs
PYONGTEAK, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy ships concluded the maritime portion of exercise Foal Eagle March 11.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), and USS Lassen (DDG 82) operated with total of 16 ROK Navy ships in port and at sea for seven days on both coasts of the Korean peninsula. Additionally, USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) is the first littoral combat ship to operate as part of Foal Eagle's maritime participants involved in the exercise.
"U.S. and ROK Navy ships executed numerous combat readiness events and continued to build on our common operational experiences," said Cmdr. Chase Sargeant, commanding officer of John S. McCain (DDG 56), command flag ship for Foal Eagle West coast operations. "Foal Eagle is a key exercise for our navies to develop better interoperability and strengthen the US-ROK commitment to stability in the region."
Exercise Foal Eagle in an umbrella of regularly-scheduled, annual exercises that are the culmination of many months of planning and based on realistic training scenarios. The exercises demonstrate the continued U.S. commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance and enhances operational readiness.
"The relationship between U.S. Navy and ROK Navy is strong and extends beyond Foal Eagle," said Capt. Christopher Sweeney, deputy commander, Destroyer Squadron 15, embarked aboard John S. McCain executing Foal Eagle. "We continue to execute, flex, and discuss tactics, techniques and procedures with ROK Navy throughout the year, which make major exercises such as Foal Eagle valuable for testing our combined tactical responses and continue to enhance our readiness posture."
Destroyer Squadron 15, responsible for seven forward deployed U.S. destroyers and approximately five rotationally deployed destroyers in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, is U.S. lead for maritime operations in Foal Eagle. Destroyer Squadron 15 commands and controls advanced naval warfare exercises as part of Foal Eagle such as anti-air defense and anti-submarine warfare evolutions, opposed replenishment drills and naval surface fire support (NSFS) operations.
Fort Worth, deployed with the surface warfare mission package, provided key capabilities for sea to land combat operations as part of Foal Eagle's maritime component, as well as introducing new forms of technology that will be folded into the overall mission sets.
"Fort Worth's warfighting capability is aligned to the maritime mission on the Korean peninsula - critical to our ability to protect and maintain stability in the region," said Capt. Shan Byrne, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 15. "We are pleased to add LCS to the U.S. Navy's enduring presence in the Korean Theater of Operations."
Michael Murphy, John S. McCain, and Lassen, each with a crew of about 300 Sailors, will continue patrols throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Fort Worth will remain deployed to the region as part of a 16-month rotational patrol. Each ship is equipped to conduct independent operations, with a carrier strike group, or with other partner navies to demonstrate U.S. commitment to security and stability across the region.
For more news from Commander Task Force 70, visitwww.navy.mil/local/ctf70/.
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NNS150313-03. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Completes Motor Generator Restoration Ahead of Schedule
From Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD, Maine (NNS) -- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) completed restoration of the motor generator set for the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) three days ahead of schedule Feb. 23.
PNSY was already restoring a motor generator set for Rhode Island, a process that typically takes 12 to 18 months, when Trident Refit Facility (TRF) Kings Bay informed the shipyard they wanted to replace the motor generator set during the upcoming availability - 10 months earlier than the regularly scheduled overhaul. To support the timeline of this change, TRF Kings Bay required the completed MG set on site by Feb. 26.
"Rapidly and efficiently responding to fleet maintenance needs is an important part of the Portsmouth mission," said Shipyard Commander Capt. William Greene. "The workforce came together to show once again that we are the Navy's center of excellence for submarine maintenance, overhaul and repair."
To support the adjusted delivery date, engineering and production reprioritized their work and the MG team worked through a holiday weekend snowstorm and completed full machine assembly and setup for final testing. Testing was completed successfully and the motor generator was shipped to TRF Kings Bay, arriving three days early.
PNSY is the Navy's Designated Overhaul Point for 500 kilowatt motor generator set. Motor generator overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard remains a vital element of the Navy's submarine maintenance industrial base. As a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command, PNSY is committed to maximizing the material readiness of the fleet by safely delivering first-time quality work, on time, and on budget.
For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visitwww.navy.mil/local/navsea/.
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NNS150313-02. Submarine Squadron 1 Holds Change of Command Ceremony
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Swink, Submarine Force Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The commanding officer of Submarine Squadron 1 passed on his duties March 12 during the time-honored tradition of a change of command ceremony at the historic submarine piers of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Capt. Harry Ganteaume, commanding officer of Submarine Squadron 1, was relieved by Capt. Timothy Rexrode.
Submarine squadron commanding officers are also known by the honorary title of commodore.
Commodore Ganteaume expressed gratitude for the team effort his staff put forth in supporting submarine crews and praised submarine commanding officers and crews that he served with at Squadron 1.
"The highlight of my tour will always be bidding farewell to deploying crews, excited about going out to do what they have been training and preparing for," said Ganteaume. "As well as welcoming them back, six to seven months later; Sailors filled with and immense sense of pride about what they have accomplished."
The ceremony's guest speaker, Rear Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander of Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), praised Ganteaume for his leadership on the waterfront and looks forward to working with him again as he transitions onto the staff of COMSUBPAC.
"Harry, throughout your tour you fostered teamwork and enabled the development of people and systems integral to our national security, now, and into the future," said Sawyer.
During Ganteaume's 18-month tour as commodore, the squadron prepared five submarines for deployment; welcomed the arrival of the newest Virginia-class submarine to the waterfront, USS Mississippi (SSN 782); and oversaw the completion of the first-ever major maintenance availability of a Virginia-class submarine at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.
"Your team's successes are successes for the submarine force, the U.S. Navy, and for our nation," said Sawyer.
Ganteaume, who calls Richmond, Virginia, home, was awarded the Legion of Merit during the ceremony for his command of Submarine Squadron 1, serving from October 2013 to March 2015.
On hand in the first rows of the attending audience were family and friends of both Ganteaume and Rexrode, who were all warmly greeted by Sawyer.
As Rexrode assumed command of Submarine Squadron 1, he thanked Ganteaume for his leadership and thanked his family for their unwavering support.
"I am humbled and very grateful for the opportunity to come here as commodore," said Rexrode, who is from Spencer, West Virginia. "Most of all, to the entire team here in Pearl Harbor that works so hard to get submarines ready, to get them out to sea, I look forward to being part of that team."
Submarine Squadron 1 was first established in May 1941 at New London, Connecticut. On Oct. 1, 1945, Submarine Squadron 1 moved to the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, and has remained there ever since.
For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.csp.navy.mil and www.navy.mil/local/subpac/.
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NNS150313-01. Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) Hosts Meeting with Navy Officers and New Inductees
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leonard Adams, Defense Media Activity
ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- The Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) held their two-day spring quarterly committee meeting in Arlington, Virginia, March 11-12.
The committee discussed topics focused on, but not limited to, the Navy's increasing female accessions and the status of enlisted women on submarines.
"With the resending of the 1994 rule and the ground combat inclusion opening the door for the Navy to be able to change the policy, the wonderful news here is as of 21 January the submarine force policy was officially changed," said Capt. Rodney E. Hutton, commander, Trident Training Facility, Kings Bay, during his remarks at the meeting. "So as of today I can stand here and I can tell you, all ratings and all NEC's in the submarine force are open to women,"
During 2014, DACOWITS continued to follow the Department of Defense's and the services ongoing implementation of their plans to open closed positions and units to women no later than Jan. 1, 2016.
"Our overarching strategy in the Navy is to increase the presence of women in operational billets as well as across all jobs and ranks," said Cmdr. Renee Squier, head of Diversity, Inclusion and Women's Policy at the office of the Chief of Naval Personnel. "We hear from our Sailors, both men and woman and the top three challenges that they are facing and the reason that they are leaving is the same, the challenges about having a family, the challenges for work life balance, and geographic stability,"
DACOWITS was established in 1951 and is composed of civilian women and men who are appointed by the Secretary of Defense to provide advice and recommendations on matters and policies relating to the recruitment and retention, treatment, employment, integration, and well-being of highly qualified professional women in the armed forces.
In addition, during the meeting retired Vice Adm. Carol M. Pottenger, along with three others, received their induction into the committee. Qualified candidates are selected to serve as DACOWITS committee members on the basis of their experience with the military or with women's workforce issues.
Pottenger obtained her commission through Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps at Purdue University in 1977. She was one of the first women selected for sea duty. Pottenger reported aboard USS Yosemite (AD 19) as engineering division officer and completed a Mediterranean deployment. She also served aboard USS Yellowstone (AD 41) and USS Kiska (AE 35) and USS Shasta (AE 33) in 1996, USS Bridge (AOE 10) in 2001.
The Committee is composed of not more than 20 civilian members, representing a distribution of demography, professional career fields, community service, and geography.
For more information about the Navy's Office of Women's Policy, visithttp://www.public.navy.mil/
NNS150313-15. 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 Friday, March 13, 2015: Applications Are Now Being Accepted for FY-16 Seaman to Admiral Program; U.S. Naval War College Celebrates Women's History Month
http://youtu.be/IqNnGRV217s
http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
Second one-minute newscast-
- Office of Naval Research Develops Program to Assist Ships While Navigating through the Ice in the Arctic
http://youtu.be/9acNk34u9JM
http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
Third one-minute newscast-
- Naval Beach Unit 7, Japanese Ship Supply and Repair Facility Kore Come Together as Sister Commands
http://youtu.be/C8mALhMKlSU
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).
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NNS011215-14. This Day in Naval History - March 13
From Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division
1941 - USS Ericsson (DD 440) is commissioned. She is the third US Navy warship named for Swedish inventor John Ericsson.
1944 - Torpedo bomber aircraft from Composite Squadron Ninety-Five (VC 95) based on board escort carrier Bogue (CVE 9), along with USS Hobson (DD 464) and USS Haverfield (DE 393), Canadian frigate HMCS Prince Rupert and RAF Flying Fortress (No. 220 Squadron) sink German submarine U 575 in the North Atlantic.
1952 - During the Korean War, counter-battery engagements by USS Manchester (CL 83), USS James E. Kyes (DD 787), USS McGinty (DE 365) and USS Douglas H. Fox (DD 779) are supported by aircraft from Task Force 77 silence enemy guns at Kalmagak during the Siege of Wonsan.
1963 - USS Albany (CG-10) and aircraft from Navy Airborne Early Warning Squadron Four aid five ill crewmembers of Norwegian freighter Jotunfjell.
1982 - USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) is commissioned at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Corp, Newport News, Va. The warship is the third in the Nimitz-class of aircraft carriers and is homeported at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif.
1993 - USS Montpelier (SSN 765) is commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk, her homeport. The boat is the 15th in the Los Angeles-Improved class of attack submarines.
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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 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.
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NNS150313-14. Navy Releases Revised Maritime Strategy
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-07. Navy Tests Expanded Fitness and Child Care Hours
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-25. NMCP's Deployability Clinic Consolidates Services for Wounded, Ill or Injured Sailors
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-24. ASW Intel Support Getting on the Same Page
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-21. More Than a Thousand Abraham Lincoln Sailors Participate in Region-wide COMREL
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-13. DoD Authorizes Global War on Terrorism Medals for Operation Freedom's Sentinel
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-12. First Afghan Woman Pilot Flies with Blue Angels
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-11. USS Cole Wraps up Deployment, Returns to Norfolk
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NNS150313-10. Northcom Chief Discusses Threats to Homeland
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-08. Sexual Assault Reports: Week of March 2-8, 2015
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-04. U.S., Republic of Korea Navy Affirm Strategic Alliance
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-03. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Completes Motor Generator Restoration Ahead of Schedule
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-02. Submarine Squadron 1 Holds Change of Command Ceremony
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS150313-01. Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) Hosts Meeting with Navy Officers and New Inductees
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
DNU -- In today's edition of All Hands Update, applications for the fiscal year 2016 Seaman to Admiral program are now being accepted and the U.S. Naval War College celebrates Wome's History Month with release of an oral history project telling the story of the women who served in the Waves.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
DNU -- Office of Naval Research is developing a program to assist ships navigating through the ice in the Arctic.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
DNU -- Naval Beach Unit 7 establishes sister command with Japanese Ship Supply and Repair Facility Kore in Sasebo Japan.
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
DNU -- Week in Review March 7th - March 13th, 2015. A look back at your Navy in Action. Photos and video submitted by the Fleet. Submit your photos via www.navy.mil
-- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
NNS150313-15. Current All Hands Update
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
NNS011215-14. This Day in Naval History - March 13
-- http://www.navy.mil/submit/
Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day
-- http://www.navy.mil/list_
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NNS150313-19. SECNAV Announces Ship to Be Named After First MCPON, Delbert D. Black
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Stuart B. Phillips, Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus announced that the future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer (DDG 119) will be named USS Delbert D. Black after the first master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON) at a ship naming ceremony held at the Navy Memorial in Washington March 13.
The ceremony was attended by numerous distinguished visitors, to include MCPON Black's surviving widow, Mrs. Ima Black, as well as the current MCPON, Mike Stevens.
As Stevens introduced SECNAV to the audience, he hinted at the name of the future ship about to be revealed to the public.
"I think it's safe for me to say that the ship that's about to be named will always be manned at 100 percent in the Chief's Mess," said Stevens. They won't have trouble keeping chiefs on it, but I know they will have trouble getting chiefs to transfer off it."
After his introduction, SECNAV explained that the role of the office of the MCPON is to act as an advisor to the chief of naval operations and to represent Sailors and their families.
"The MCPON doesn't just care for our Sailors and Marines though," said Mabus. Through partnerships with our spouse organizations, he also is the voice for the hundreds of thousands of family members. For them as well, he is an educator, a spokesperson, an advocate."
Mabus went on to say that in 1967, Master Chief Gunner's Mate Delbert Black was selected to be the senior enlisted advisor of the Navy, a title later changed to master chief petty officer of the Navy. Mabus explained the significance of naming a ship after an individual, and why MCPON Black was chosen for this honor.
"In the Navy, per traditional ship-naming convention, our destroyers are named after naval heroes," said Mabus. A list of his tough duty assignments may give us a small glimpse of the service Master Chief Black gave to this country, but it doesn't even begin to cover the numerous lives he touched or personal sacrifices he made for his Sailors and our Navy. He is a true hero."
Mrs. Ima Black, a WWII veteran of the Navy's Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) was greeted with applause as she addressed the audience and spoke about what the ceremony meant to her.
"Good morning Shipmates," she began. It's a beautiful day. A beautiful day to name a ship the USS Delbert D. Black. So let me tell you a little something about this wonderful Sailor that I was married to for fifty years. As has been said, he was a gunner's mate, so that meant that he spent a lot of time at sea. He loved the sea. I often wanted to ask him, who do you love more - me or the sea?"
She explained that upon taking the office of the MCPON, her husband started from scratch, with no real formal direction, and laid the foundation of what that office has become today.
"At the end of four years, the office was up and running and we were ready to retire," said Ima. We retired in 1971, and soon we heard that there would be a ship named the USS Delbert D. Black. In my heart I knew that one day this would happen, I just didn't know it would take so long. Thank you Mr. Secretary. And Mr. Secretary, when you go to Pascagoula, would you tell the shipbuilders to please hurry up, I'm running out of time!"
Born July 22, 1922, in Orr, Oklahoma, Delbert D. Black graduated from high school in 1940 and enlisted in the Navy on March 14, 1941. Upon completion of recruit training in San Diego, California, he was assigned to USS Maryland (BB 46) and was aboard in Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Surviving the attack, Black's career went on to span thirty years, culminating in his selection as the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on Jan. 13, 1967.
For more information on MCPON's activities, visithttps://www.facebook.com/
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NNS150313-14. Navy Releases Revised Maritime Strategy
From the Navy Chief of Information Office
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The sea services released a new maritime strategy, March 13, a plan that describes how the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard will design, organize, and employ naval forces in support of national security interests and homeland security objectives.
The new strategy titled, A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower: Forward, Engaged, Ready, accounts for changes in the global security environment, new strategic guidance, and a changed fiscal environment.
The essential functions of the maritime strategy released in 2007 were adjusted to include a new function called "all domain access" which underscores the challenges forces face in accessing and operating in contested environments.
The new strategy emphasizes operating forward and engaging partners across the globe, especially in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
The strategy calls for increasing the Navy's forward presence to 120 ships by 2020, up from about 97 ships today. This includes forward-basing four ballistic-missile-defense destroyers in Spain and stationing another attack submarine in Guam by the end of 2015.
The Navy is scheduled to increase presence in Middle East from 30 ships today to 40 by 2020.
The strategy reinforces the continued need to strengthen partnerships and alliances by stressing the importance of operating in NATO maritime groups and participating in international training exercises.
Additionally, the strategy outlines plans to maintain readiness by implementing the Navy's Optimized Fleet Response Plan which improves readiness and leads to a predictable cycle for maintaining, training and deploying carrier strike groups and amphibious ships.
The document features four sections: Global Security Environment, Forward Presence and Partnership, Seapower in Support of National Security, and Force Design: Building the Future Force.
To view the full version of the new strategy document, visithttp://www.navy.mil/maritime.
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NNS150313-07. Navy Tests Expanded Fitness and Child Care Hours
From Navy Installations Command Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- - Beginning next month Navy Installations Command will extend Child Youth Center and MWR Fitness Center hours of operation in several locations as part of a pilot program to provide greater services to support Sailors and their families.
Three locations were selected to support the pilot, including Naval Base in Bremerton, Wash., Joint Expeditionary Base in Little Creek, Va., and Naval Station in San Diego, Calif.
"The pilot program in Bremerton will include extended hours for Child Youth Programs at the Child Development Center and the fitness center," said James Baker, division chief for Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Navy Installations Command. "The pilot will also include extended hours at fitness centers at other selected bases in Little Creek and San Diego," added Baker.
The locations were chosen for the pilot because of their proximity in fleet concentration areas where work requirements extend beyond a normal work day.
According to Baker, the pilot will determine whether the extended hours are useful for Sailors and their families. This initiative is in keeping with the Navy's 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative to provide services across a spectrum of readiness and wellness areas to enhance combat effectiveness.
The pilot program will begin in April and continue for six months at each participating installation. The Child Youth Program hours in Bremerton will expand by four hours Monday through Friday, operating from 4:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Child Development Center. The fitness center hours at each location will be expanded from 90 hours to 118 hours per week and will operate Monday through Friday from 4:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. and from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on weekends.
The pilot program will measure usage and staffing levels required to support the extended hours, and determine whether the expanded hours can be affordably extended to other facilities across the Navy.
With more than 50,000 personnel located at 70 installations under 11 Regions worldwide, Commander, Navy Installations Command ensures requirements necessary to train and operate the Navy's Fleet are maintained and ready. Navy installations are responsible for facilitating the manning, training and equipping our fighting force, and support Navy families through Family and Community Services programs.
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NNS150313-25. NMCP's Deployability Clinic Consolidates Services for Wounded, Ill or Injured Sailors
By Rebecca A. Perron, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Medical Center Portsmouth celebrated the establishment of the Deployability Clinic with a ribbon cutting and open house March 12. The clinic offers a one-stop shop for medical and administrative services for Sailors who are designated as wounded, ill or injured.
"We are here for one reason, and that is to take care of people in uniform and help them get prepared to return to the (fleet)," said Cmdr. Kevin Brown, director for Public Health Services. "Our ability to (care for these patients) with efficiency, with skill and with grace is what this team is all about."
The concept focuses on improving the efficiency and continuity of care for wounded warriors. The clinic combines the deployability section that previously was a part of the Military Personnel Office with a Medical Home team composed of a doctor, nurse and several corpsmen.
"I credit you guys with taking a vision and turning it into what works for the patients you care for every day," said Capt. Darin Via, NMCP commanding officer. "This was an area that you know there were a lot of variants. We were doing things differently throughout. As we focus on being a high reliability organization, we must ensure that we minimize variants to get optimal outcomes. Our focus is on value and readiness."
Realizing that there is potential for the clinic to make an even greater impact on care, Via encouraged the team to develop ways to expand their services.
"I know you just moved in, but my challenge to you is to recognize other areas of care that can be brought under the Deployability Clinic umbrella, such as sea duty or overseas screenings," Via added. "I think you are already leading that challenge to make this even bigger and take it to the next level."
The clinic staff began seeing patients in January, and has already formed a rapport with their patients, consolidating care and setting the standards for processes and expectations.
"Those who we see are going through the Physical Evaluation Board process, people on a Medical Board, Limited Duty and wounded warriors," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bradley Hubbell, a corpsman on the Medical Home Port team. "We are their Medical Home. Instead of them being seen through the Family Medicine Clinic, they see one provider here as their primary care manager to keep the continuity of care."
There are 330 patients assigned to the clinic's PCM, and she treats 12 to 14 patients a day. The nurse and the corpsmen on the team see additional patients who require a lower level of care. The clinic offers same-day acute care appointments in the morning, and established appointments throughout the rest of the day.
"They are here to have treatment success and then return to the fleet," Hubbell said. "As part of the Medical Home model, we see anything from medication refills to specialty care referrals to 'now I need this procedure.' We do everything Family Medicine can do, just for this specific population."
As an assistant deployment coordinator, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Chloe Easter is a liaison who helps on the administrative side.
"I track the members from the moment they step on board the command until they detach, whether they are transferring to the fleet or separating from the Navy," Easter said. "I ensure they are being seen routinely throughout their limited duty. I make sure they have access to timely appointments and that they get to those appointments.
"If the member has a condition that does not get better, they are put on a Physical Evaluation Board. If they are found fit for full duty and are returning to the fleet, I assist them with contacting the detailer for orders and completing the necessary sea duty screening and administrative aspects of preparing to transfer."
As the clinic developed, the team of corpsmen had a crucial role in creating the operational procedures for the clinic. Hubbell was previously stationed at Naval Hospital Pensacola, Florida, and had helped merge the Medical Home and Pediatrics clinics there. He used lessons learned from that experience to help shape the Deployability Clinic into what it has become today.
"The feedback I've received is they like the fact it's a one-stop shop now," Hubbell said. "We get good feedback and constructive criticism that we use to continue to refine the processes."
For more news from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, visitwww.navy.mil/local/NMCP/.
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NNS150313-24. ASW Intel Support Getting on the Same Page
From NAVIDFOR Public Affairs
NAVY INFORMATION DOMINANCE FORCES, SUFFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- For the first time in the Navy, there will be a fleet-wide qualification standard for personnel providing intelligence support to theater anti-submarine warfare (TASW) operations. The new qualification standards will also enable the Navy to track, and if necessary, recall, qualified personnel who have trained to the same standards.
As the global submarine threat grows, the Navy recognized the need for a fleet-wide personnel qualification standard (PQS) that qualified personnel to the unique skillsets necessary for effective intelligence support to TASW operations. As potential adversaries continue to invest in their submarine forces, it's important to note that the U.S. Navy is the only military service capable of performing the TASW mission.
The Navy must be prepared to provide full-spectrum situational awareness of this threat to fleet and combatant commanders. To answer that call, Navy Information Dominance Forces (NAVIDFOR) Command and Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic (SUBLANT), joined forces to develop a new qualification standard that going forward ensures fleet and combatant commanders have the qualified personnel necessary to provide intelligence support to TASW operations.
As Capt. Tim Unrein, director of Intelligence for Submarine Forces Atlantic (SUBLANT), stated, "This is a mission set that will be with us for a long time. It is definitely a growth industry. We have to be ready."
Background:
Prior to having a common TASW qualification standard, various commands had disparate 'Intel for TASW Qualification Cards'. These Intel for TASW Qualification Cards detailed the skillset and expertise necessary to stand the Intel Watch for TASW operations.
The issue was that different Intel for TASW Qualification Cards existed in at least six different commands. Navy Mine and ASW Command (NMAWC), SUBLANT/Commander Task Forces (CTF) 84, SUBPAC/CTF-34 and CTF's-54, 69 and 74 all had qualification cards that were very extensive and covered much of the same content, but there lacked a fleet-wide standardization they all could adhere to. Because standards were not the same, varying standards meant that a person qualifying on one command's set of qualification cards risked having to unnecessarily requalify at another command.
In addition to this less-than-ideal situation, the Navy had no way to track personnel who had completed their TASW qualifications. The issue was further exacerbated by the fact that a majority of TASW watch floors (with the exception of CTF-74) are manned almost exclusively by part-time reservists. The result was the Navy was losing significant readiness opportunities by not having the ability to track (and if necessary) recall fully qualified reservists who had invested a substantial amount of time completing the requirements to stand watch - which sometimes took up to 18 months to qualify.
The Solution:
A New "Intelligence Support to Theater ASW PQS" Leading to an additional qualification designator (AQD) (for officers) or a tracking Navy enlisted classification (NEC)
SUBFOR Commander Vice Adm. Michael Connor's guidance to the undersea warfare enterprise was, to "get on the same page." It was the catalyst that drove the effort to find a solution to the dissimilar TASW qualification standards.
Beginning in the spring of 2014, the leadership of COMSUBLANT N2's Navy Reserve component (NR SUBLANT INTEL), with the support of the COMSUBLANT N2, began to engage with key stakeholders. The intent was to build consensus around fleet-wide standards and methods for tracking qualifications under a new AQD and NEC. While on a coordination visit to NMAWC in March 2014, Cmdr. Nate Bailey, commanding officer, NR SUBLANT INTEL, researched the numerous intelligence-related AQD's in the Navy.
"It was startling to discover, and quite frankly somewhat embarrassing to realize, that there were over two dozen intelligence support-related AQD's covering everything from targeting, HUMINT (human intelligence) management, support to SOF (special operations forces), collection Management, etc. - and not one covering the undersea warfare domain - and ASW in particular - a Navy-only mission."
Bailey went on to say, "Considering the growing threat, it became obvious that, from a combat readiness perspective, we not only needed a robust, fleet-wide qualification standard in the form of a PQS to support this mission, but a new AQD and tracking NEC in order to provide the Navy with the means to identify and supply qualified IDC (Information Dominance Corps) personnel to support this mission when required."
A Trifecta: Total Force Approach / Two-TYCOM Collaboration / Cost-Effective Solution
After the stand-up of NAVIDFOR on Oct. 1, 2014, the SUBFOR N2 reached out to NAVIDFOR N7 about collaborating on the development of new intel support for the TASW PQS. That December, Lt. Karen Beth Jasper, NAVIDFOR's lead for Intelligence Training and Requirements, coordinated a PQS Working Group consisting of active and reserve TASW stakeholders. In addition to having subject matter experts who had cross-functional IDC expertise in the meteorology and oceanography (METOC) communities, the working group brought together key stakeholders from SUBLANT/CTF-84, NR SUBLANT INTEL, SUBPAC, CTF-76, NMAWC and Commander Undersea Surveillance System (CUSS).
Within two months of its establishment, the group had developed a PQS that was then released for the required 30-day fleet review. The review was completed in early February and is expected to be implemented by the summer of 2015.
NAVIDFOR and SUBLANT's efforts to create a standardized PQS shows how type commands (TYCOMs) can work together to improve efficiencies and fill gaps and seams to improve readiness across the Navy. As a TYCOM, NAVIDFOR was able to leverage expertise across IDC communities to support the needs of SUBFOR, while also addressing a critical readiness need to better train intelligence personnel supporting the TASW mission. These efforts also show the value TYCOMs bring to ensure the Navy has recall-ready personnel available as operational requirements dictate.
Additionally, tracking NEC's earned after completion of a rigorous PQS is a cost-effective solution as opposed to an expensive 'C' school. Bailey concluded. "Anticipating the threat, increasing Total Force readiness, addressing operational needs, and developing innovative cost-effective solutions has been the foundation of this initiative from the beginning. It's great to see it come to fruition." Bailey said.
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NNS150313-21. More Than a Thousand Abraham Lincoln Sailors Participate in Region-wide COMREL
From USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- More than 1,300 Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) volunteered in the Hampton Roads region, March 13, marking the command's fourth time to give back to the local area in mass.
"I'm extremely proud of our Sailors, not only for the work they have performed on board the carrier, but also for the way they conduct themselves off duty. It truly is great to see them giving back to the community in such diverse and impactful ways," said Capt. Todd Marzano, executive officer, USS Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln Sailors volunteered at 29 different locations from Norfolk to Suffolk to Virginia Beach and cities in between providing countless hours of community assistance that consisted of everything from cleaning parks to mentoring elementary children.
"These opportunities are great to show that we not only serve in the military, but we are here to serve the community as well," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate Airman Recruit Yousuf Baig, who volunteered at the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation with 39 of his fellow Sailors from Lincoln's Air Department. "It is a great feeling knowing that you are helping out the people locally especially at a place like this, where you can come back and see the efforts of your hard work. I plan on walking these trails as often as I can now."
Lincoln Sailors have participated in three previous command-wide COMREL events since the aircraft carrier and its crew arrived in Norfolk in August 2012. Since 2012, Lincoln Sailors have volunteered nearly 35,000 hours of community service in the Hampton Roads area positively impacting more than two million people.
While Sailors from Lincoln's Air Department cleaned trails at Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation, other Sailors from the carrier's Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department straightened headstones of the fallen and completed various landscaping work at cemeteries in downtown Norfolk.
"Today we are here at the Elmwood Cemetery to pay our respects to Sailors and Soldiers from previous wars buried here," said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Shelldon Hunter. "We will straighten headstones and complete landscaping work, as well as paint fences all to show our appreciation of what this site represents."
Historic Cemeteries Volunteer Jane Oakes appreciated the Sailors assistance today in Norfolk.
"It is just a massive job here, they work totally on volunteers and a lot of us are retired and it's so nice to have strong backs and strong hands to be able to help us," said Oakes.
While Sailors beautified cemeteries in Norfolk, other Sailors assigned to Lincoln's Combat Systems Department volunteered at 10 different schools in Newport News to coincide with National Reading Month. Other Sailors volunteered with the local Boys and Girls Club of America.
"It shows that we care about the people here," said Lt. Vahe Sarkissian, Lincoln's Psychiatrist, who volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of America, in Newport News. "I have always been about giving back to the community, I didn't grow up in the best neighborhood so these kinds of programs help family members and friends stay out of bad places."
Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate Anthony Richardson, assigned to Lincoln's Safety Department coordinated a volunteer event with the Elizabeth River Project.
"Participating in community relations events as often as we do as a command is an opportunity to give back to the Hampton Roads community in ways that people living here can benefit from," said Richardson.
Cmdr. Maurice Buford, Lincoln's chaplain, who coordinates the command's overall community relations events, reflected on the massive impact the Sailors have on the local communities they live and work in.
"We have found that by coordinating these massive one-day volunteer outreach opportunities involving our Sailors it positively impacts the countless community members and organizations they will interact with along with the communities at large," said Buford.
Gunner's Mate 1st Class Landis Green may have said it best when he summarized the meaning of volunteering.
"To me, community is a way that we show support to those that support the military. They support those who serve so I guess this is our way of saying thanks," said Green.
Lincoln is currently undergoing Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. 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/.
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NNS150313-13. DoD Authorizes Global War on Terrorism Medals for Operation Freedom's Sentinel
From the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of Defense announced March 12 that Operation Freedom's Sentinel is now a qualifying operation for award of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Service members deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Freedom's Sentinel continue to be recognized through award of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. However, service members deployed abroad in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel outside of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal area of eligibility are now eligible for award of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Those service members deployed in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel who have previously been recognized with the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for other qualifying operations are eligible to wear a service star on the medal or ribbon device.
Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jessica Wright approved award of the Global War on Terrorism Medals for Operation Freedom's Sentinel, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2015, in a memorandum signed March 11.
Full eligibility criteria for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service medals are contained in Department of Defense Manual 1348.33, Volume 2, Manual of Military Decorations and Awards: DoD Service Awards Campaign, Expeditionary, and Service Medals. Additionally, lists of operations and areas of eligibility are available at:http://prhome.defense.gov/RFM/
Service members should contact their respective military departments for additional guidance.
To learn more, please view the department's memorandum [http://www.defense.gov/
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NNS150313-12. First Afghan Woman Pilot Flies with Blue Angels
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer Lebron, Navy Blue Angels Public Affairs
EL CENTRO, Calif. (NNS) -- The Afghan Air Force's first female fixed-wing pilot visited the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, and flew in a Blue Angel's jet at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California, March 11.
Capt. Niloofar Rahmani flew her orientation flight in the back seat of a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet with Narrator and VIP pilot, Blue Angel #7, Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss.
"This was a wonderful opportunity to share the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps with a representative of another nation," said Blue Angels Commanding Officer and Flight Leader Capt. Tom Frosch. "It also provided the opportunity for our squadron to ask questions and learn more about Afghanistan's Air Force."
"When I heard I was going to fly with the Blue Angels, I was so excited," Rahmani said. "That was the first time that I felt [G-forces] while flying."
Rahmani was recruited to join the Afghan Air Force in 2010 at the age of 18. She graduated from flight school and completed her first solo flight in 2012. Rahmani also attended advanced flight school and qualified to fly the C-208, a military cargo aircraft. She said she hopes to fly the C-130 in the future.
Rahmani's road to success has been challenging and dangerous, she said.
"It was not easy finishing flight school, it was very hard, but someone had to accept the risk so that other women can do what they dream," Rahmani explained.
She and her family received death threats from the Taliban because of her career choice, but she says it's her responsibility to be an example for young girls coming up behind her.
"You can't just see yourself as a woman, but as a human and believe in yourself," Rahmani said.
First Lady Michelle Obama recently honored Rahmani's bravery, commitment, and empowerment of women and girls in Afghanistan. Rahmani and nine other women were awarded the Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award for 2015 at an award ceremony last week.
For more information about the Blue Angels, visitwww.BlueAngels.navy.mil.
For more news from Navy Blue Angels, visitwww.navy.mil/local/blueangels/
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NNS150313-11. USS Cole Wraps up Deployment, Returns to Norfolk
By Ensign Hannah Taylor, USS Cole Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations (AOO).
Cole, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, departed Norfolk, Aug. 22, 2014 and spent the deployment supporting U.S. national security interests in Europe.
The ship transited more than 40,000 miles, participating in Exercise Mavi Balina, a multilateral, anti-submarine exercise hosted by Turkey, a passing exercise with the French navy's Charles De Gaulle Carrier Strike Group, and multiple passing exercises with Romania, Turkey, Israel, and France. Cole also conducted maritime security operations in support of Operation Active Endeavour.
Cmdr. James Quaresimo, Cole's commanding officer, said he was proud of the outstanding performance of his crew during the deployment.
"They prove time and time again why we are the best Navy in the world and Cole the best ship in the Navy," Quaresimo said. "Patrolling the Mediterranean Sea providing ballistic missile defense is important to enhancing global security. It is a capability unparalleled by others. Operating forward in the Black Sea and conducting operations with our allies was extremely rewarding and something our Sailors can be proud that they were involved with."
More than just operational integration with NATO allies, the deployment allowed Sailors to learn much about the world beyond America's shores. Visiting six ports in five countries, Cole crew members volunteered more than 500 hours in eight community relations events for local charities and organizations.
"Cole's contributions to fleet operations will have a long-lasting effect, and it was the men and women of Cole who flawlessly provided that contribution," Quaresimo said.
Sailors also made time for individual accomplishments as well, with more than 40 Sailors advancing to their next pay grades and eight being selected into new job ratings. Cole also pinned 11 new surface warfare officers and more than 75 new enlisted surface warfare specialists.
For one of these warriors, 24-year-old Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Casey Ludwig, there were other accomplishments.
"My favorite part of being deployed was when we had a port visit in Haifa, Israel," Ludwig said. "I was able to go up in a man-lift and repair the bridge wings, ensuring their integrity."
A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Ludwig reported to the ship in July 2013. Of all the port visits during deployment, he enjoyed Piraeus, Greece, more than anywhere else.
"Piraeus, Greece, was actually on my bucket list. I always wanted to go to Athens and see Athena's Temple and the first Olympic track. It was beautiful, especially the scenery."
From new dads meeting bright-eyed babies to young, junior Sailors greeting proud parents, Cole Sailors look forward to enjoying quality time with their families this month while preparing for the ship's maintenance phase this summer.
For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/surflant/.
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NNS150313-10. Northcom Chief Discusses Threats to Homeland
By Cheryl Pellerin, DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The most dangerous threats to the U.S. homeland include transnational criminal networks, homegrown violent extremists and cyberattacks, Navy Adm. William E. Gortney told a Senate panel March 12.
The commander of U.S. Northern Command and of North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Northcom's fiscal year 2016 budget request.
Addressing the panel, Gortney began with his assessment of threats in defense of the homeland, from the most likely to the most dangerous.
The likeliest threat, the admiral said, is a transnational criminal network that operates by using what he calls seams between Northcom, U.S. Southern Command and U.S Pacific Command; seams between U.S. interagency partners and the combatant commands; seams between the United States and its partner nations; and seams within those countries themselves.
*Closing the Seams*
"In those seams," Gortney told the panel, "people are moving drugs [and] money. As the [committee] chairman said, they're moving product for profit through those seams."
He added, "We need to close those seams, because ... if someone wants to move something that will do great damage to our nation, that is where they will come."
About homegrown violent extremists, the admiral described an effective and sophisticated social media campaign on the part of extremists, aiming to stir up distrust and incite harm to American citizens.
On the cyber threat, Gortney said his command is responsible for defending known networks and helping lead federal agencies in the aftermath of a cyberattack.
*Significant Cyber Threat*
"But it's far more significant in that a cyberattack [could] directly affect critical infrastructure that I rely on to defend the nation, and that we rely on for our nation to operate. I see that as a significant threat," he said.
For example, Gortney said, "a cyberattack in Ottawa would take out the northeast quadrant of our air defense sector. It would effectively be a mission kill. So not only would it affect my ability to do my mission, more importantly we as a nation rely on this same infrastructure to operate -- whether it's banking, rail, aviation, power or movement of water."
He added, "All these things have critical infrastructure that we must have, and they need to be hardened against an adversary."
International threats to the homeland include North Korea, China, Russia and Iran, the admiral told the panel.
*Ballistic Missile Threat*
In written testimony, Gortney said the past year has marked a notable increase in Russian military assertiveness.
"Russian heavy bombers flew more out-of-area patrols in 2014 than in any year since the Cold War. We have also witnessed improved interoperability between Russian long-range aviation and other elements of the Russian military, including air and maritime intelligence collection platforms positioned to monitor NORAD responses," the admiral said.
Such patrols serve a training function for Russian air crews, but some are clearly intended to underscore Moscow's global reach and communicate displeasure with Western policies, especially those involving Ukraine, he added.
Russia also is progressing toward its goal of deploying long-range, conventionally armed cruise missiles with increasing stand-off launch distances on its heavy bombers, submarines and surface combatants, Gortney said.
*Defending North America*
"Should these trends continue," the admiral said, "over time NORAD will face increased risk in our ability to defend North America against Russian air, maritime and cruise-missile threats."
Other states that may seek to put North America at risk with ballistic missiles include North Korea and Iran, he said.
"North Korea has successfully test-detonated three nuclear devices," the admiral said, "and through its space program has demonstrated many of the technologies required for an intercontinental ballistic missile that could target the continental United States."
North Korean military parades have showcased the new KN08 road-mobile ICBM, he said, adding that when deployed, the system will complicate the U.S. ability to provide warning and defend against an attack.
*The Sequestration Effect*
"Iran has likewise committed considerable resources to enhancing its ballistic missile capabilities," Gortney said, "and has already placed another satellite into orbit this year, using a new booster that could serve as a demonstrator for ICBM technologies."
But Gortney told the panel that the likeliest and most dangerous threat to his ability to protect the homeland is sequestration.
"That's because of how sequestration affects the ... services as they implement the sequestration effect ... which leads to a hollow force," Gortney said, adding that sequestration slows development of the U.S. technological advantage that makes it possible to outpace future threats.
*Slowing Missile Defense*
Sequestration also would affect missile defense, the admiral said.
The services can generate some flexibility in spending by tapping into readiness funds or delaying delivery of a capability, but the Missile Defense Agency does not have a readiness account they can go to, he explained.
The agency would have to go to new starts, Gortney said, putting on hold the long-range discrimination radar, improvements to the advance kill vehicle and a multi-object kill vehicle -- all part of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System.
Holding up such work would hinder the United States' ability to outpace the growing proliferation of ballistic missiles, he added.
*The Arctic: Growing in Importance*
Responding to questions about the Arctic, Gortney, who is assigned as the DoD advocate for Arctic capabilities, said he and his team are working to determine what requirements will help inform DoD operational plans on the future of the Arctic.
Gortney also will make recommendations for all of DoD, not just the services, about necessary investments there, he said.
"The Arctic requires advocacy and partnerships from within and outside the Northcom area of responsibility," he said in written testimony, "as the region grows in importance to our national security over the next few decades."
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NNS150313-08. Sexual Assault Reports: Week of March 2-8, 2015
By the Office of the Chief of Information
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- This week's overview of alleged sexual assaults was compiled based on seven initial reports across the Navy from March 2-8. This timeframe reflects only the receipt of the initial reports; five occurred outside the report period and two were unknown. Each report will be fully investigated. Looking at this snapshot in time, we see the following:
* One report was from an event that occurred on-base and six were from events that occurred off-base.
* Among the seven alleged offenders, two were officers, one was E3 and below, two were civilians and two were unknown.
* Seven of the alleged offenders were male.
* Four of the reported incidents were alleged to be service member on service member, two non-service member on service member and one was unknown.
* Among the seven alleged victims, three were officers and four were E3 and below. Five of the alleged victims were female and two were male.
To contact a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator at the Department of Defense Safe Help Line, call (877) 995-5247.
To learn more about Navy's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program, visit www.sapr.navy.mil.
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NNS150313-04. U.S., Republic of Korea Navy Affirm Strategic Alliance
By Lt. j.g. Courtney Keiser, Destroyer Squadron 15 Public Affairs
PYONGTEAK, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy ships concluded the maritime portion of exercise Foal Eagle March 11.
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), and USS Lassen (DDG 82) operated with total of 16 ROK Navy ships in port and at sea for seven days on both coasts of the Korean peninsula. Additionally, USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) is the first littoral combat ship to operate as part of Foal Eagle's maritime participants involved in the exercise.
"U.S. and ROK Navy ships executed numerous combat readiness events and continued to build on our common operational experiences," said Cmdr. Chase Sargeant, commanding officer of John S. McCain (DDG 56), command flag ship for Foal Eagle West coast operations. "Foal Eagle is a key exercise for our navies to develop better interoperability and strengthen the US-ROK commitment to stability in the region."
Exercise Foal Eagle in an umbrella of regularly-scheduled, annual exercises that are the culmination of many months of planning and based on realistic training scenarios. The exercises demonstrate the continued U.S. commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance and enhances operational readiness.
"The relationship between U.S. Navy and ROK Navy is strong and extends beyond Foal Eagle," said Capt. Christopher Sweeney, deputy commander, Destroyer Squadron 15, embarked aboard John S. McCain executing Foal Eagle. "We continue to execute, flex, and discuss tactics, techniques and procedures with ROK Navy throughout the year, which make major exercises such as Foal Eagle valuable for testing our combined tactical responses and continue to enhance our readiness posture."
Destroyer Squadron 15, responsible for seven forward deployed U.S. destroyers and approximately five rotationally deployed destroyers in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, is U.S. lead for maritime operations in Foal Eagle. Destroyer Squadron 15 commands and controls advanced naval warfare exercises as part of Foal Eagle such as anti-air defense and anti-submarine warfare evolutions, opposed replenishment drills and naval surface fire support (NSFS) operations.
Fort Worth, deployed with the surface warfare mission package, provided key capabilities for sea to land combat operations as part of Foal Eagle's maritime component, as well as introducing new forms of technology that will be folded into the overall mission sets.
"Fort Worth's warfighting capability is aligned to the maritime mission on the Korean peninsula - critical to our ability to protect and maintain stability in the region," said Capt. Shan Byrne, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 15. "We are pleased to add LCS to the U.S. Navy's enduring presence in the Korean Theater of Operations."
Michael Murphy, John S. McCain, and Lassen, each with a crew of about 300 Sailors, will continue patrols throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Fort Worth will remain deployed to the region as part of a 16-month rotational patrol. Each ship is equipped to conduct independent operations, with a carrier strike group, or with other partner navies to demonstrate U.S. commitment to security and stability across the region.
For more news from Commander Task Force 70, visitwww.navy.mil/local/ctf70/.
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NNS150313-03. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Completes Motor Generator Restoration Ahead of Schedule
From Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD, Maine (NNS) -- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) completed restoration of the motor generator set for the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) three days ahead of schedule Feb. 23.
PNSY was already restoring a motor generator set for Rhode Island, a process that typically takes 12 to 18 months, when Trident Refit Facility (TRF) Kings Bay informed the shipyard they wanted to replace the motor generator set during the upcoming availability - 10 months earlier than the regularly scheduled overhaul. To support the timeline of this change, TRF Kings Bay required the completed MG set on site by Feb. 26.
"Rapidly and efficiently responding to fleet maintenance needs is an important part of the Portsmouth mission," said Shipyard Commander Capt. William Greene. "The workforce came together to show once again that we are the Navy's center of excellence for submarine maintenance, overhaul and repair."
To support the adjusted delivery date, engineering and production reprioritized their work and the MG team worked through a holiday weekend snowstorm and completed full machine assembly and setup for final testing. Testing was completed successfully and the motor generator was shipped to TRF Kings Bay, arriving three days early.
PNSY is the Navy's Designated Overhaul Point for 500 kilowatt motor generator set. Motor generator overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard remains a vital element of the Navy's submarine maintenance industrial base. As a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command, PNSY is committed to maximizing the material readiness of the fleet by safely delivering first-time quality work, on time, and on budget.
For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visitwww.navy.mil/local/navsea/.
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NNS150313-02. Submarine Squadron 1 Holds Change of Command Ceremony
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Swink, Submarine Force Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The commanding officer of Submarine Squadron 1 passed on his duties March 12 during the time-honored tradition of a change of command ceremony at the historic submarine piers of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Capt. Harry Ganteaume, commanding officer of Submarine Squadron 1, was relieved by Capt. Timothy Rexrode.
Submarine squadron commanding officers are also known by the honorary title of commodore.
Commodore Ganteaume expressed gratitude for the team effort his staff put forth in supporting submarine crews and praised submarine commanding officers and crews that he served with at Squadron 1.
"The highlight of my tour will always be bidding farewell to deploying crews, excited about going out to do what they have been training and preparing for," said Ganteaume. "As well as welcoming them back, six to seven months later; Sailors filled with and immense sense of pride about what they have accomplished."
The ceremony's guest speaker, Rear Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander of Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), praised Ganteaume for his leadership on the waterfront and looks forward to working with him again as he transitions onto the staff of COMSUBPAC.
"Harry, throughout your tour you fostered teamwork and enabled the development of people and systems integral to our national security, now, and into the future," said Sawyer.
During Ganteaume's 18-month tour as commodore, the squadron prepared five submarines for deployment; welcomed the arrival of the newest Virginia-class submarine to the waterfront, USS Mississippi (SSN 782); and oversaw the completion of the first-ever major maintenance availability of a Virginia-class submarine at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.
"Your team's successes are successes for the submarine force, the U.S. Navy, and for our nation," said Sawyer.
Ganteaume, who calls Richmond, Virginia, home, was awarded the Legion of Merit during the ceremony for his command of Submarine Squadron 1, serving from October 2013 to March 2015.
On hand in the first rows of the attending audience were family and friends of both Ganteaume and Rexrode, who were all warmly greeted by Sawyer.
As Rexrode assumed command of Submarine Squadron 1, he thanked Ganteaume for his leadership and thanked his family for their unwavering support.
"I am humbled and very grateful for the opportunity to come here as commodore," said Rexrode, who is from Spencer, West Virginia. "Most of all, to the entire team here in Pearl Harbor that works so hard to get submarines ready, to get them out to sea, I look forward to being part of that team."
Submarine Squadron 1 was first established in May 1941 at New London, Connecticut. On Oct. 1, 1945, Submarine Squadron 1 moved to the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, and has remained there ever since.
For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.csp.navy.mil and www.navy.mil/local/subpac/.
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NNS150313-01. Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) Hosts Meeting with Navy Officers and New Inductees
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leonard Adams, Defense Media Activity
ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- The Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) held their two-day spring quarterly committee meeting in Arlington, Virginia, March 11-12.
The committee discussed topics focused on, but not limited to, the Navy's increasing female accessions and the status of enlisted women on submarines.
"With the resending of the 1994 rule and the ground combat inclusion opening the door for the Navy to be able to change the policy, the wonderful news here is as of 21 January the submarine force policy was officially changed," said Capt. Rodney E. Hutton, commander, Trident Training Facility, Kings Bay, during his remarks at the meeting. "So as of today I can stand here and I can tell you, all ratings and all NEC's in the submarine force are open to women,"
During 2014, DACOWITS continued to follow the Department of Defense's and the services ongoing implementation of their plans to open closed positions and units to women no later than Jan. 1, 2016.
"Our overarching strategy in the Navy is to increase the presence of women in operational billets as well as across all jobs and ranks," said Cmdr. Renee Squier, head of Diversity, Inclusion and Women's Policy at the office of the Chief of Naval Personnel. "We hear from our Sailors, both men and woman and the top three challenges that they are facing and the reason that they are leaving is the same, the challenges about having a family, the challenges for work life balance, and geographic stability,"
DACOWITS was established in 1951 and is composed of civilian women and men who are appointed by the Secretary of Defense to provide advice and recommendations on matters and policies relating to the recruitment and retention, treatment, employment, integration, and well-being of highly qualified professional women in the armed forces.
In addition, during the meeting retired Vice Adm. Carol M. Pottenger, along with three others, received their induction into the committee. Qualified candidates are selected to serve as DACOWITS committee members on the basis of their experience with the military or with women's workforce issues.
Pottenger obtained her commission through Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps at Purdue University in 1977. She was one of the first women selected for sea duty. Pottenger reported aboard USS Yosemite (AD 19) as engineering division officer and completed a Mediterranean deployment. She also served aboard USS Yellowstone (AD 41) and USS Kiska (AE 35) and USS Shasta (AE 33) in 1996, USS Bridge (AOE 10) in 2001.
The Committee is composed of not more than 20 civilian members, representing a distribution of demography, professional career fields, community service, and geography.
For more information about the Navy's Office of Women's Policy, visithttp://www.public.navy.mil/
NNS150313-15. 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 Friday, March 13, 2015: Applications Are Now Being Accepted for FY-16 Seaman to Admiral Program; U.S. Naval War College Celebrates Women's History Month
http://youtu.be/IqNnGRV217s
http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
Second one-minute newscast-
- Office of Naval Research Develops Program to Assist Ships While Navigating through the Ice in the Arctic
http://youtu.be/9acNk34u9JM
http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.
Third one-minute newscast-
- Naval Beach Unit 7, Japanese Ship Supply and Repair Facility Kore Come Together as Sister Commands
http://youtu.be/C8mALhMKlSU
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).
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NNS011215-14. This Day in Naval History - March 13
From Naval History and Heritage Command, Communication and Outreach Division
1941 - USS Ericsson (DD 440) is commissioned. She is the third US Navy warship named for Swedish inventor John Ericsson.
1944 - Torpedo bomber aircraft from Composite Squadron Ninety-Five (VC 95) based on board escort carrier Bogue (CVE 9), along with USS Hobson (DD 464) and USS Haverfield (DE 393), Canadian frigate HMCS Prince Rupert and RAF Flying Fortress (No. 220 Squadron) sink German submarine U 575 in the North Atlantic.
1952 - During the Korean War, counter-battery engagements by USS Manchester (CL 83), USS James E. Kyes (DD 787), USS McGinty (DE 365) and USS Douglas H. Fox (DD 779) are supported by aircraft from Task Force 77 silence enemy guns at Kalmagak during the Siege of Wonsan.
1963 - USS Albany (CG-10) and aircraft from Navy Airborne Early Warning Squadron Four aid five ill crewmembers of Norwegian freighter Jotunfjell.
1982 - USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) is commissioned at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Corp, Newport News, Va. The warship is the third in the Nimitz-class of aircraft carriers and is homeported at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif.
1993 - USS Montpelier (SSN 765) is commissioned at Naval Station Norfolk, her homeport. The boat is the 15th in the Los Angeles-Improved class of attack submarines.
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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 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.
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