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Tin Can Sailors
(Last
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US-Indonesian
Navy Exercise Highlights Joint At-Sea Training
Release Date: 5/25/2011 3:02:00 PM
From Task Group 73.1 Public Affairs
JAKARTA, Indonesia (NNS) -- Three U.S. Navy ships arrived in Jakarta,
Indonesia, May 25 for the beginning of the 17th annual Cooperation Afloat
Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia exercise.
The first phase of CARAT features events ashore, such as engineering and
damage control training exchanges, joint medical, dental and civic action
projects and joint community service projects at local schools.
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Japanese
Family Thanks
U.S. 7th Fleet
Release Date: 2/6/2012 5:36:00 AM
From U.S. 7th Fleet
Public Affairs
TOMAKOMAI, Japan (NNS) -- The owner and family members of a Japanese fishing
vessel, found missing by the U.S. Navy during Operation Tomodachi, visited
the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) to say "thank you," in
Tomakomai, Japan, Feb. 5.
Shiho Orikasa and her family visited the crew to show their appreciation and
gratitude for their help in locating their missing boat and helping Japan during the
March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami.
"Thank you for inviting my family and I. I am happy to see you. We are
appreciative of all your efforts in Japan," said Shiho.
During Operation Tomodachi, Shiho sent an e-mail entitled "I am a
14-year-old Japanese," to the 7th Fleet public affairs office asking for
help in locating her father's fishing ship, after seeing images of the ship
named HOUKI MARU NO.23 on the 7th Fleet website,
www.c7f.navy.mil.
Lt. Cmdr. Mike Morley, the public affairs officer for Commander Task Force
73, volunteered to help the 7th Fleet public affairs office on board Blue Ridge during Operation Tomodachi, replied to Shiho's
email.
Morley said 7th Fleet would look into getting details of the latitude,
longitude and exact time the photographs were taken.
"We are also researching to see if there is more current information on
where the ship may be now," Morley wrote back. "We will keep you informed of
what we find."
Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) had
encountered the missing ship March 13, 2011. The coordinates of the ship's
location from that day were given to the family to use with the help of the
Japan Coast Guard to locate the ship.
Two weeks after Curtis Wilbur's crew saw the missing the ship, Shiho emailed
Morley that the Japan Coast Guard had located and retrieved the fishing
vessel.
"It was fantastic to hear the Japanese Coast Guard had found the ship. It
was a fortunate series of events that all started when Shiho had the courage
to send that first e-mail, asking for help in finding her family's ship,"
said Morley.
While on board Blue Ridge, the Orikasa
family received a tour of the ship's spaces and presented crewmembers with
flowers. With the help of a translator, Yoshie Ushimaru, Shiho's father also
expressed his appreciation for the Navy's help.
"At the time when he thought he had lost his ship, he didn't have any hope,
but he ended up finding the ship and now he is able to (continue fishing),
so once again he really wants to thank the U.S. Navy," stated Ushimaru.
Capt. Charles Williams, 7th Fleet chief of staff, also presented a thank you
gift to the family for coming aboard the ship and expressed what a privilege
it was to help them.
"It was a pleasure and certainly an honor to be of any help to you and of
course to Japan,"
said Williams.
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff and Marines
from Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team-Pacific (FAST-PAC) are in Tomakomai
for a port visit to participate in the 63rd Sapporo Snow Festival.
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Navy
to Begin Tests on Electromagnetic Railgun Prototype Launcher
Release Date: 2/6/2012 1:38:00 PM
By Grace Jean, Office of Naval Research Public Affairs
ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- The Office of Naval Research's (ONR)
Electromagnetic (EM) Railgun program will take an important step forward in
the coming weeks when the first industry railgun prototype launcher is
tested at a facility in Dahlgren, Va., officials said Feb. 6.
"This is the next step toward a future tactical system that will be placed
on board a ship some day," said Roger Ellis, program manager of EM Railgun.
The EM Railgun launcher is a long-range weapon that fires projectiles using
electricity instead of chemical propellants. Magnetic fields created by high
electrical currents accelerate a sliding metal conductor, or armature,
between two rails to launch projectiles at 4,500 miles per hour to 5,600
miles per hour.
With its increased velocity and extended range, the EM Railgun will give
Sailors a multi-mission capability, allowing them to conduct precise naval
surface fire support, or land strikes; cruise missile and ballistic missile
defense; and surface warfare to deter enemy vessels. Navy planners are
targeting a 50- to 100-nautical mile initial capability with expansion up to
220 nautical miles.
The EM Railgun program, part of ONR's Naval Air Warfare and Weapons
Department, previously relied upon government laboratory-based launchers for
testing and advancing railgun technology. The first industry-built launcher,
a 32-megajoule prototype demonstrator made by BAE Systems, arrived at Naval
Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Jan. 30. One megajoule of energy is
equivalent to a 1-ton car traveling at 100 miles per hour.
"This industry prototype represents a step beyond our previous successful
demonstrations of the laboratory launcher," Ellis said.
The prototype demonstrator incorporates advanced composites and improved
barrel life performance resulting from development efforts on the laboratory
systems located at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and NSWC-Dahlgren.
The EM Railgun laboratory demonstrator based at NSWC-Dahlgren fired a world
record setting 33-megajoule shot in December 2010.
The industry demonstrator will begin test firing this month as the EM
Railgun program prepares for delivery of a second prototype launcher built
by General Atomics.
In the meantime, the Navy is pushing ahead with the next phase of the EM
Railgun program to develop automatic projectile loading systems and thermal
management systems to facilitate increased firing rates of the weapon.
"The next phase of the development effort is to demonstrate the ability to
operate at a firing rate of significant military utility," Ellis said.
ONR recently awarded $10 million contracts through Naval Sea Systems Command
to Raytheon Corp., BAE Systems and General Atomics to develop a pulsed power
system for launching projectiles in rapid succession. These new contracts
kick off a five-year effort to achieve a firing rate of six to 10 rounds per
minute.
BAE Systems and General Atomics also are commencing concept development work
on the next-generation prototype EM Railgun capable of the desired firing
rate.
ONR provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and
Marine Corps' technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a
leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries,
1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 industry partners. ONR employs
approximately 1,400 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract
personnel, with additional employees at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C. |
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Night
Furies Integrate as Multi-Purpose Air Wing Aboard James E. Williams
Release Date: 2/5/2012 7:48:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel J.
Meshel, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs
USS JAMES E. WILLIAMS, At Sea (NNS) -- The Night Furies of Helicopter
Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42, Det. 10 assisted the Enterprise
Carrier Strike Group throughout a composite training unit exercise
(COMPTUEX) by participating in numerous exercises Feb. 2.
The detachment is contributing to exercise Bold Alligator 2012, the largest
amphibious exercise in the past 10 years, as a multipurpose air wing
embarked aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS James
E. Williams (DDG 95).
"We are a support detachment that specializes in anti-submarine warfare
(ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASU)," said Lt. Hector B. Ferrell,
maintenance officer and a pilot for Det. 10. "We integrate, deploy, and
participate in any mission the ship is tasked with."
Two SH-60B Seahawk helicopters aboard the destroyer can be sent at any
moment to deter piracy and hostile forces, assist vessels in distress, or
provide reconnaissance through integration with shipboard combat systems
using the helicopter's radar and forward-looking infrared camera (FLIR).
"Our radar sets us apart from other Navy helicopters," said Lt. Cmdr. Chris
M. Conlon, Det. 10 officer in charge. "We're able to go beyond the horizon
and extend the view of combat systems."
"Hawklink," a mechanism for connecting the ship to the helicopter's systems,
provides secure communications and data transfer to increase the collective
defense of the ship and the strike group.
"Hawklink is a great tool for us," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class
Nicholas J. Higginbotham, an anti-surface and anti-submarine tactical
air-controller aboard James E. Williams. "It allows the two-way flow of data
between us and the helicopter for correlation and concurrence on contacts."
This bird's-eye view offered by the unique systems of the Seahawk deliver
the ship and the strike group a more accurate and detailed picture of both
undersea and surface contacts. This detail benefits the mission by providing
better assessment of the situation and helps protect the assets within the
strike group by identifying and potentially engaging hostile forces.
These immediate threats, and situations which necessitate the need for air
support, require the detachment to be capable of quickly launching
helicopters at any given moment.
"We're always on 'alert 60,'" said Conlon. "That means we have to get the
aircraft off the deck in 60 minutes."
As soon as communication is received necessitating the use of helicopters,
the flight deck is immediately prepped for launch, the pilots are briefed,
and the helicopter is then sent to either perform a mission or assess the
overall situation and relay that information back to the ship.
Along with the primary mission of ASW and ASU, the detachment also conducts
vertical replenishments, medical evacuations, search and rescue operations,
personnel transfers, reconnaissance, and other functions according to the
mission.
The versatile nature of the detachment calls for both the aircrew and
maintainers to consistently adapt to unknown operational requirements.
"We have completed six underway periods in a 10-month work-up cycle, and
flown over 550 hours in approximately 100 days while embarked on James E.
Williams," said Conlon. "We have trained extremely hard in support of our
mission sets and are looking forward to finally getting out there on
deployment and performing them for real."
Join the conversation about Bold Alligator 2012 on social media using #BA12. |
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Navy
Misawa Sailors Complete Lone Sailor Snow Sculpture
Release Date: 2/5/2012 8:49:00 PM
By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel
Sanford, Naval Air Facility Misawa Public Affairs
SAPPORO, Japan (NNS) -- After fours days of enduring sub-freezing
temperatures and driving snow, the Navy Misawa Snow Sculpture Team completed
its 'Lone Sailor' sculpture Feb. 4, just in time for the 63rd Annual Sapporo
Snow Festival here.
The six-man team, comprising Sailors assigned to Naval Air Facility Misawa
or one of its tenant or deployed commands, worked diligently through the
week to create the sculpture from nothing more than a six-foot-by-six-foot
block of compressed snow - give or take a few inches.
"The block's measurement weren't quite as advertised," said Snow Team Leader
Christopher "Billy" Knox, who sketched out the intended design on graph
paper prior to arriving in Sapporo.
"Transferring the sketched draft of the Lone Sailor from graph paper to the
block was a bit of a challenge because we had to make adjustments on the
fly. But once we made compensations for its actual size, it was easy to
chalk up some proportionate graphing lines."
Following the tedious process of measuring and drawing out equally distanced
horizontal and vertical lines, the team used the lines to draw out the
design on the snow using markers. Upon completion, the team began to sculpt.
Carefully sheering away excess snow and ice, it wasn't long before a Navy
white hat began to take shape.
"Once we got an idea of how it would all look, we started chipping away and
eventually began making some headway," said Cryptologic Technician
Collection Seaman Herschel Moore, a native of Bandera, Texas,
and snow team member. "I think the biggest challenge arrived when we had to
make the face. Ensuring the face and ears were even on both sides took some
effort."
Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Zachary James said his biggest
challenge was working in the
Sapporo
weather.
"The cold," said the Seattle
native. "Out here in the elements, eight hours at a time, it can take its
toll. You're dealing with frozen hands, frozen toes, but we're dressed warm
and in layers so it hasn't been very detrimental."
By the end of the first day, a human form began to take shape, and with
every subsequent day, progress was made before the team retired each night.
"The team's performance has been outstanding," said Knox, who hails from
Chapin, Ill. "They are extremely motivated; a lot of
heart and soul went into this whole project."
The team's prodigious effort also drew an audience of onlookers each day.
Team members were inundated with questions and photo requests, which they
were always willing to provide with a smile.
"The fellas love interacting with the locals that passed by each day," said
Knox. "Many of the spectators were very curious about what we were making,
where the original 'Lone Sailor' is located, and the overall meaning of it.
It may have slowed down our progress some, but getting the opportunity to
interact with the Japanese people is the most gratifying part of this whole
project."
Every member of the team seemed enamored with Sapporo and its citizens.
"The city has been amazing," said Moore. "The people are so nice and kind, they
go out of their way to make you feel welcome."
That may be the reason Knox decided to add a late addition to the
sculpture's base. On the final day of sculpting, Knox added a small display
made of snow just underneath the sculpture's chin. On it, he carved out the
Japanese Kanji symbol for friendship: "tomodachi."
"We may not speak the same language, but I think we understand the important
relationship we share with each other, " said Knox. "We want the locals who
come out and see the sculpture to know that our hearts and friendship is
here with it. We're happy to live and serve in Japan."
This is the 29th year that Navy Misawa has sent a delegation of Sailors to Sapporo to build a
sculpture and represent the base during the festival. The 63rd Annual
Sapporo Snow Festival runs from Feb. 6-12, 2012.
The 2012 Navy Misawa Snow Sculpture Team consists of Knox, James, Moore,
Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Alvin Zuilan, originally from San Diego, Electronics Technician 2nd Class James Johnston,
originally from Kaneohe, Hawaii, and Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Trevor
Teschel, a native of Pensacola,
Fla. |
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USS
Mustin Arrives in Ishikari
Release Date: 2/7/2012 5:19:00 AM
By Ensign Margaret Morton, USS Mustin Public Affairs
ISHIKARI, Japan (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer
USS Mustin (DDG 89) arrived in Ishikari for a port visit Feb. 6.
Mustin's arrival corresponds with the start of the 63rd Annual Snow Festival
held in Sapporo.
While in port, Mustin Sailors will have the opportunity to join tourists
from around the world to admire the amazing works of art the festival has to
offer in the form of ice.
In addition to viewing the ice sculptures, Sailors also plan to partake in
some of the many winter sports offered in the region such as skiing,
snowboarding, and bushwalking.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the many statues and trying the regional
cuisine. This is my first Japanese port outside of Yokosuka," said Gas Turbine Systems Technician
(Mechanical) 1st Class Hugo J. Perez. "I'm excited for an outstanding
cultural and culinary experience. I especially want to try the seafood."
The Ishikari port visit gives the Mustin crew a chance to interact with the
Japanese people in order to build upon the existing relationship with one of America's most
important allies in the Pacific region.
"I anticipate the officers and crew to join in the many events associated
with the festival and to gain an even greater understanding of the country
and people that we partner to protect with the Japanese Self Defense Force,"
said Mustin's commanding officer, Cmdr. Scott A. Tait.
Mustin is one of seven destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15,
forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet. |
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USS
Wayne E. Meyer Bids Farewell to Manila
By MC1 (SW/AW) Grant P. Ammon, John C. Stennis Strike Group Public Affairs
Feb. 3, 2012
MANILA, Republic of the Philippines
– The guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) departed Manila, Republic of the
Philippines (RP) Feb. 1 after a four-day port visit.
During their visit to RP’s capitol city, Wayne E. Meyer hosted ship tours
for local military and civilians as well as volunteered their time to
community service projects.
“The United States
has a close and long standing relationship with the Republic of the Philippines,”
said Lt. Cmdr. Peter Hoegel, executive officer of Wayne E. Meyer. “They are
one of our most valued allies in the Pacific.”
The stop in Manila was the last overseas port visit scheduled for Wayne E.
Meyer’s maiden deployment, and leadership aboard enjoyed the opportunity to
meet and engage with the Philippine Navy, while the crew took in the sights
of the capitol city and experienced the country’s unique culture.
“The Philippine Navy is always great to interact with and there is a lot
that we can learn from each other,” said Hoegel. “This visit was also a
well-deserved break for the crew and we all enjoyed the great hospitality,
art and cuisine here.”
For relaxation and cultural activities, the ship’s Morale, Welfare and
Recreation (MWR) program organized a variety of local tours and events for
the Sailors.
“I really had fun visiting Manila and sightseeing,” said Cryptologic
Technician (Technical) 3rd Class Alicia Harry. “The MWR tours were great
opportunities to get out and see the city.”
For a few Sailors aboard Wayne E.
Meyer, visiting Manila
was a chance to visit family for some and a return home for others.
For Cmdr. Leopoldo Albea Jr., Wayne E. Meyer’s commanding officer,
the port visit returned him to the homeland of his father, Leopoldo Albea
Sr., a retired mess management specialist master chief in the U.S. Navy.
Albea Sr. returned to RP after retiring with more than 28 years of
service.
“For me, stopping in the Philippines was like coming full
circle,” said Albea Jr. “It was with a deep sense of pride that my father
was able to start a career in the United States Navy, and I felt that same
sense of pride as Filipino-American returning in command of USS Wayne E.
Meyer.”
Wayne E. Meyer, part of the John C. Stennis Strike Group, departed its
homeport of San Diego July 29, 2011 for a
scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of
operations.
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Wayne
E. Meyer Sailors Volunteer in Manila
By MC1 (SW/AW) Grant P. Ammon, John
C. Stennis Strike Group Public Affairs
Feb. 3, 2012
MANILA, Republic of the Philippines
– Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG
108) participated in a Community Service (COMSERV) project Feb. 1, during a
port visit to Manila, Republic of the Philippines.
A group of 12 Sailors volunteered at Batasan Hills government housing
project located in the Quezon City area of
Manila, and spent the day assisting in the
construction of homes for low-income families, visiting with local families,
and distributing heath and sanitation items donated by Project Handclasp.
"We wanted to help in the building of homes for the less fortunate," said
Ship's Serviceman Seaman Erika Brooks. "The project coordinators showed us
what needed to be done and we all picked up our shovels and got to work. The
work was hard but I could tell the people living there really appreciated
our efforts."
Assisting the Sailors was a team of freshmen students from Quezon City's
Claret
High School who were also
volunteering to help in the village's building efforts.
"Working side-by-side with the high schoolers, I made it my personal goal to
set a good example. I wanted to show them what could be accomplished with a
strong work ethic and teamwork," said Brooks. "When we took breaks the kids
would ask us a bunch of questions about the United States.
They were really in to American pop culture, and I enjoyed the interaction
we had with them and the people from the village."
For Brooks, that sense of appreciation expressed by residents at Batasan
Hills was worth the hard work.
"Working on this project, and seeing and hearing from the locals how much
they appreciated us being there made this an experience I won't forget. We
were shoveling for hours but their appreciation gave me a great feeling of
pride and accomplishment," said Brooks.
During the day walls were constructed and friendships were made, but it
wasn't only the residents of Batasan Hills that benefited from the project.
"Projects like these do great things for communities in need, but it's also
good for our Sailors," said Senior Chief Electrician's Mate Crisanto Flores,
the COMSERV coordinator aboard Wayne E. Meyer. "It gets them out into the
communities and many of them really get a lot from serving those that need
help."
Wayne E. Meyer, part of the John C. Stennis Strike Group, departed its
homeport of San Diego July 29, 2011 for a
scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of
operations. Click
here for photos. |
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Stennis
Strike Group Visits Singapore
By John C. Stennis
Strike Group Public Affairs
CHANGI, Sigapore – Ships from the
John
C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG), including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier
USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74),
guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), and guided missile destroyers
USS Dewey (DDG 105) and USS Pinckney (DDG 91), arrived in Singapore for a
scheduled port visit Jan. 26.
“The U.S. Navy has been visiting Singapore for more than 100 years,”
said Rear Adm. Craig Faller, commander of the JCSSG.
“They are one of our closest partners in the region and an invaluable
ally in our counter-terrorism and maritime security efforts.”
While in port the ships plan to host a formal reception for
local and foreign dignitaries and conduct various community service projects
while Stennis’ Morale, Welfare and Recreation program is offering a variety
of local tours and activities to Sailors as well as trips to neighboring
islands.
“This is one of the most diverse places in the world,” said
Lt. Cmdr. Tiffany Dodson, a medical officer aboard Stennis.
“I’m really looking forward to experiencing the many cultures here,
as well as trying the laksa.”
The JCSSG is currently deployed in the
U.S.
7th Fleet area of operations conducting maritime security operations and
cooperative engagements with regional partners.
The strike group consists of Stennis, aircraft from
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9,
Mobile
Bay, and ships from
Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21. |
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USS
Halsey Gives Aid to Yemeni Dhow
Release Date: 1/22/2012 12:51:00 PM
From
Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs
USS HALSEY, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Halsey (DDG 97) responded to a call of
distress from M/V Albrouj, a Yemeni dhow that was en route to Somalia from Yemen,
while the U.S. ship was
conducting helicopter operations in the Gulf of Aden,
Jan. 19.
The guided-missile destroyer Halsey, which was two hours away from the
position of the dhow, immediately responded to the distress call. The
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 air crew quickly relayed
the vessel's position to Halsey. The ship responded quickly. Upon arriving
on the scene, the ship launched two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB's) to
provide assistance. Two electricians from Halsey conducted an investigation
along with Albrouj's boat engineer, and discovered a faulty alternator and
four dead batteries. The ship provided the dhow with two batteries to allow
the crew to safely continue their voyage to
Somalia.
"We quickly realized that the problem lay with the alternator and that the
batteries were being drained extremely fast," said Electrician's Mate 2nd
Class (SW) Clinton D. Easley, one of the Halsey electricians who boarded the Yemen dhow. "By
providing them with a couple of spare batteries that we had onboard, the
problem was solved and the dhow was quickly on its way."
"All mariners who sail the oceans should respond quickly to a fellow
mariner's distress call. The sea can be an unforgiving place, when your
vessel is adrift and without power," said Commodore Aage Buur Jensen from
Commander Combined Task Force (CTF) 151. "I'm very pleased with the swift
assistance that USS Halsey rendered on this occasion."
Halsey is currently the flagship of CTF-151 conducting counter piracy and
maritime security operations.
Halsey has recently assumed the role of flagship to Commodore Aage Buur
Jensen, Royal Danish navy and his multinational CTF-151 command staff.
CTF-151 transferred command from the Pakistani navy who were stationed
aboard the USS Kidd (DDG 100).
CTF-151 is one of three task forces assigned to combined maritime forces.
Established in February 2002, the Task Force's key mission is to conduct
counter-piracy operations in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden,
Somali
Basin, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. It protects and defends the legitimate use
of the ocean by fisherman and merchants, and stands ready to assist any
mariner in distress.
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Haney
Assumes Command of
U.S. Pacific Fleet
Release Date: 1/20/2012 11:44:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda
Dunford, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Adm. Cecil D. Haney, former deputy of the U.S.
Strategic Command, relieved Adm. Patrick M. Walsh as commander of the U.S.
Pacific Fleet during a change of command ceremony onboard Joint Base Pearl
Harbor-Hickam, Jan. 20.
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert presided over the
ceremony and praised Walsh for his service in the Navy and the impact his
leadership had on the command.
"He's had a marvelous career. He knows what it means to take care of a
family, he knows what it means to take care of a command, and he's
encouraged his staff to do the same," said Greenert to a crowd of almost 900
attendees. "He's (Walsh) all about being ready, he's harnessed that Pacific
Fleet teamwork, the talent and resources."
Greenert also praised Walsh for his ability to foster strong international
relationships. "Pat has been committed to the building and improving of our
relationships in and around the Western Pacific."
Under Walsh's command, U.S. Pacific Fleet provided humanitarian relief for
numerous countries struck by natural disasters including Operation Tomodachi,
a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief effort conducted in response
to the earthquake, tsunami and subsequent radiological crisis that impacted Japan in March
2011.
Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Adm. Robert F. Willard praised Walsh
for his work leading all
U.S.
military support efforts during Operation Tomodachi.
"As the magnitude of this epic disaster reached an unprecedented scale of
any of our experience, my senior staff implored me to assign our senior-most
joint warfighting commander to lead the U.S. response. That morning Adm. Pat
Walsh assembled elements of his joint task force staff and prepared to
depart for Japan,"
said Willard. "Everyday I observed Pat's organization, initiative,
imagination and drive to provide Gen. Oriki (Japan Joint Staff) and his
forces every service they required, including nuclear engineering expertise
on an unprecedented scale. Such leadership will never be forgotten in Japan nor in the
Pacific Fleet. That is the legacy of Admiral Pat "Sponge" Walsh."
"In this region, sea power is an essential element of national power," said
Walsh. "In the Pacific Century, sea power resumes its traditional role in
the sea-lines of communication. It's an instrument of peace; it's an
instrument of stability; it's a protector of trade and development."
He warned that other nations are gauging our commitment, particularly in
light of budget constraints.
"They are watching with keen interest the effect of the U.S. economic
challenges, the strain of more than a decade of war on the Navy's ability to
remain forward, to remain engaged and ready," said Walsh.
But he stressed that the Navy has overcome such challenges before and
remains committed to maintaining regional stability.
"Let's be very clear: we have been here before," said Walsh. "We have faced
austere economic cycles in the past. And while the American public has kept
faith with the Navy, they have not changed their view of our mission or
their expectations of our response to crisis conditions."
Walsh, who is retiring after 34 years in the Navy, is confident in Haney's
capabilities and leadership.
"If ever there were a person who's ready for the challenge to assume command
of the Pacific Fleet with all its complexities, with all of its challenges
and who has worked and held critical leadership positions at every level,
it's Cecil Haney," said Walsh.
After reading his orders and assuming command, Haney thanked "our
international allies and partners and our local community for (their)
enduring relationship with the U.S. Navy" and expressed enthusiasm about his
tour at Pacific Fleet.
"I look forward to getting acquainted with you and building on the
foundation of trust and mutual respect that Adm. Walsh has nurtured," Haney
said. "The U.S. Navy has been a dutiful servant of the nation and its
people, and a champion of freedom, security and prosperity abroad. In the
Pacific, our history is rich and we have played an integral role in
furthering those principles to better the lives of others."
Haney said he will work with the other military services to support U.S.
Pacific Command to enhance "maritime security and freedom of the seas with
the talented men and women of Pacific Fleet and our allies and partners."
Haney said he is "most grateful to Adm. Walsh for his unparalleled
leadership of Pacific Fleet and tireless efforts strengthening critical ties
to enhance security of the region" as well as the Sailors "headquartered
here and on station across the Pacific (who) performed remarkably across a
wide spectrum of our Navy's mission areas."
Haney is the 33rd naval officer to command the Pacific Fleet since it was
established in February 1941 with headquarters at Pearl
Harbor. A graduate of the United States Naval
Academy with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Oceanic Engineering, Haney is also a recipient of the Vice
Admiral James Stockdale Leadership Award for 1998.
The world's largest fleet command, U.S. Pacific Fleet encompasses 100
million square miles from the west coast of the
United States into the Indian
Ocean. The Pacific Fleet consists of approximately 180 ships,
nearly 2,000 aircraft and 125,000 Sailors, Marines and Civilians. U.S.
Pacific Fleet staff report administratively to the CNO and operationally to
U.S. Pacific Command, whose headquarters are at Camp H.M. Smith. |
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US
Naval Observatory Donates Rare Book to Library of Congress
Release Date: 1/20/2012 8:08:00 PM
By Geoff Chester,
U.S.
Naval Observatory Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The U.S. Naval Observatory's (USNO) James M. Gilliss
Library donated a copy of a rare book to the Thomas Jefferson collection at
the Library of Congress Jan. 20.
Rear Adm. Jonathan White, commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography
Command (CNMOC), presented a Latin version of Sur la Figure de la Terre,
written by the 18th century French mathematician and philosopher
Pierre-Louis Moreau de Maupertuis, to Dr. James H. Billington, the librarian
of Congress to help the library recreate its collection of books that were
once owned by Thomas Jefferson.
While serving as the U.S.
ambassador in Paris in 1789, Jefferson
ordered a copy of Maupertuis' Latin version, Figura Telluris de Maupertuis,
which was published in Leipzig, Germany in 1742. It was one of a
number of books he selected from a catalogue issued by a book seller in Strasbourg, Armand Koenig.
The book was ordered June 29, 1789. It was sent to
Jefferson
and was included in a bill from Koenig dated July 17. It was entered without
price by Jefferson in his undated
manuscript library catalogue.
In 1815, Jefferson sold his books to the
Library of Congress to restart its collection after the burning of the
original library in the War of 1812. His library - now on display in the Thomas Jefferson
Building of the Library of Congress -
was considered one of the finest in the United States at the time.
Over the years the Library of Congress' copy of Figura Telluris de
Maupertuis was lost. The USNO library has two copies of the work, the
original French edition printed in 1738, and the Latin version from 1742.
Lt. James M. Gilliss purchased the French version and a copy of Maupertuis'
Astronomie Nautique in 1843 in
Paris. USNO has no record of when the Latin version
was purchased.
The USNO library was established in 1842 with an $800 allotment from the
$25,000 appropriation which funded the observatory's first permanent home in Washington's Foggy Bottom
district. Today it holds more than 80,000 titles and is considered to be one
of the world's premier astronomical libraries.
USNO's mission includes determining the positions and motions of the Earth,
sun, moon, planets, stars and other celestial objects, providing
astronomical data; determining precise time; measuring the Earth's rotation;
and maintaining the master clock for the
United States. |
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USS
Nitze Sailors Practice VBSS Operations
Release Date: 1/20/2012 11:53:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeff
Atherton, Enterprise Strike Group Public Affairs
USS NITZE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class
guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) participated in a visit, board,
search and seizure (VBSS) training exercise, Jan. 18.
The scenario tested the ability of the VBSS team to conduct a boarding after
pirates attacked a vessel.
"They hit us hard," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Jehovani Berrocales,
the assistant boarding officer for the VBSS team. "The scenario was
difficult. This proves we need to be ready for anything."
The VBSS team boarded a training ship with personnel playing the role of
foreign sailors to give the team a sense of what it may be like to actually
board another vessel.
"We usually board the ships to verify their paperwork and documentation but
also to make sure they do not have any contraband or weapons onboard," said
Chief Fire Controlman Matthew Bergroschtje, boarding officer for the VBSS
team.
In this case, a mock distress call was received from the training vessel and
the VBSS team responded.
"When it happens for real, it is usually just like the training," said
Berrocales.
After a search of the vessel, there were no pirates found remaining aboard.
"We need to be able to think on our feet," said Berrocales. "If there are
non-compliant people, we need to know what to do immediately."
In most cases, the VBSS teams visit the other vessel to give them supplies
and check documentation.
"Our guys are gaining experience and they are taking the training
seriously," said Bergroschtje. "We need to get on the other vessel and help
the people who need help."
"We will take them food, water and medical supplies," said Berrocales. "It
is important to have a good relationship with the local boats."
At the end of the event, the team accomplished their goals.
"Everyone did really well," said Bergroschtje. "There are always areas to
improve in but all major objectives were met."
The crew of the training vessel in the scenario was taken care of and the
VBSS team helped restore power and operations to the vessel.
"It is very intense training," said Berrocales. "You don't know how you will
react until you are in the situation and our guys did very well."
Nitze is part of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, which is underway
conducting a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX is
designed to bring every part of a strike group together to work effectively
and efficiently as one cohesive unit, ensuring overall readiness prior to
regular deployment.
Click here for photo. |
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CNO
Sees Hawaii
as 'Gateway' to Operate Forward
Release Date: 1/20/2012 5:05:00 AM
By Mass
Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The chief of naval operations (CNO) appeared on local
Fox affiliate television station KHON2's Wake Up 2day morning show in Honolulu, Jan. 19.
CNO Adm. Jonathan Greenert talked to news anchor Olena Heu about the
strategic importance of Hawaii
and the Pacific region.
"Hawaii
is really the gateway to the western Pacific," said Greenert. "Here in
Hawaii, you have a hospital, a shipyard. You have
ships, aircraft, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guard and Airmen. Really,
this is our gateway. It is probably the most important strategic base for
the western Pacific, which is the centerpiece of our strategy."
In the morning show, Heu asked how potential budget cuts will impact the
Navy and specifically the Navy in
Hawaii. Greenert provided no details but emphasized
the strategic importance of Asia Pacific and of
Hawaii
as a base to operate from.
"It's a matter of where the proper investments should be to really align
with our strategy," adding, "Hawaii
and the Pacific are key to our strategy and that will be reflected in the
budget."
Adm. and Mrs. Darleen Greenert arrived in Hawaii, Jan. 18, to meet with Sailors and
their families and to participate in the U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) change
of command ceremony, Jan. 20. Adm. Cecil Haney, former deputy of U.S.
Strategic Command, will be replacing Adm. Patrick Walsh as PACFLT commander.
On Thursday morning, Darleen Greenert visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
(JBPHH) and toured the Center
Drive Child
Development
Center
with Joint Base Commander Capt. Jeff James. She also visited the Ford
Island
Community Center and was
invited to visit the homes of several military families, where she discussed
quality of life issues.
After Adm. Greenert's morning show, the CNO held an All Hands Call with more
than 500 Sailors at Sharkey Theater on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
"We are so lucky to have a generation who give much more than themselves to
a larger institution, and we have a generation of people who are dedicated
to our country," said Greenert. "I just want to say thank you to them and
thank you to the people of Hawaii
for supporting these Sailors and their families. They are truly the land of Aloha. It's a privilege to be here."
With a world map as a backdrop, Greenert fielded questions and talked about
the Navy's overall strategy not only in the Pacific region but to the entire
world. He said that at any given time, there are about 100 ships forward
deployed around the world, more than half of which are in the Pacific
region.
"The focus of the Navy in the future is the Asia Pacific region - where you
are," said Greenert.
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Stennis
Strike Group Enters 7th Fleet Area of Operations
Release Date: 1/19/2012 9:31:00 AM
From John C. Stennis Strike Group Public Affairs
USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG)
entered the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations(AOO) Jan. 19 after nearly
three months supporting Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and New Dawn
(OND), as well as maritime security operations and anti-piracy efforts in
the U.S. 5th Fleet AOO.
While operating in the seas surrounding the Arabian Peninsula, JCSSG played
a pivotal role in the drawdown of U.S.
forces in Iraq and
provided aviation support to coalition ground troops in Afghanistan.
After conducting weeks of command and control support operations to
coalition forces in OND, an E-2C Hawkeye from the "Golden Hawks" of Carrier
Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 112 embarked aboard Nimitz-class
aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) flew the last Navy aviation
mission over Iraq Dec. 18.
"Flying the last Navy air mission in Iraq was a historic achievement for
all of us," said Capt. Dale Horan, commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9
embarked aboard Stennis, the flag ship of the strike group.
"Everyone in this strike group played a part in making that happen and it's
a part of history we will always share," Horan said.
In January, after transitioning from OND to supporting operations in Afghanistan,
JCSSG forces thwarted an attempted pirate attack on a Bahamian-flagged cargo
vessel, then freed a group of Iranian mariners held captive by the same crew
of suspected pirates.
"This was a well-executed display of the mutli-mission capability of the
carrier strike group and a testament to the professionalism of our Sailors,"
said Stennis' Command Master Chief Stanley Jewett.
In the 7th Fleet AOO, the strike group plans to conduct several readiness
exercises with partner countries in the region as well as visits to Singapore and the
Philippines
before preparing to head back to the United States.
"The manner in which we've conducted ourselves and executed our mission is
indicative of the character of our Sailors and the spirit of our country,"
said JCSSG commander, Rear Adm. Craig Faller. "While we have much to
accomplish before returning home, and I'm confident that we will finish our
deployment with the same level of professionalism and personal conduct we've
displayed throughout."
The JCSSG consists of Stennis, the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG
53), aircraft from CVW 9, and guided missile destroyers USS Pinckney (DDG
91), USS Kidd (DDG 100), USS Dewey (DDG 105), and USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG
108) from Destroyer Squadron 21. |
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Navy
Solar Farm Construction Underway
Release Date: 1/18/2012 8:52:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua
Cassatt, Public
Affairs Center
San Diego
CHINA LAKE, Calif. (NNS) -- The Navy made another leap into renewable energy
integration Jan. 18 with groundbreaking on a new 118 acre solar farm in
China Lake, Calif.
Construction of a SunPower Corporation 13.78 megawatt solar photovoltaic
power system officially got underway at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China
Lake
following a mid-morning ceremony at the sprawling weapons development base.
"This is the largest solar project in the Navy," said Assistant Secretary of
the Navy for Energy, Installation and Environment Jackalyne Pfannenstiel.
"It demonstrates tangible progress toward national energy independence and
reaching the Department of the Navy's energy goals."
SunPower's Oasis Power Plant product, a fully-integrated, modular solar
block consisting of 31,680 solar panels, is expected to generate more than
30 percent of NAWS China Lake's
annual energy load.
"The weapons division here is the consumer, and with that consumption
requirement comes responsibility," said Rear Adm. Mat Winter, commander,
Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division.
"This project gives us the opportunity as the major consumer of the energy
to look into our own processes and practices," Winter said. "As we are more
efficient in executing and continuing to do our mission it frees up
resources for us to provide to our war fighter."
The solar farm integration, which is made possible through a 20-year power
purchase agreement (PPA), will allow the Navy to buy electricity below the
retail utility rate and reduce costs by an estimated $13 million over the
next 20 years.
The PPA involves no initial out-of-pocket expenses for the Navy and will
provide increased energy independence and reliable, emission-free solar
power to NAWS China Lake
beginning at the end of this year.
"The Navy has a longstanding record of identifying energy and water
conservation opportunities across our facilities," said Rear Adm. Dixon
Smith, commander, Navy Region Southwest. "We are continuing to transform our
culture from one of consumption to one focused on conservation."
NAWS China Lake's solar farm is representative of the Navy's energy
initiative, laid out by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus in 2009, which
aspires to achieve 50 percent of the Navy's shore-based energy requirements
produced by alternative sources by the year 2020.
"We face a global energy challenge, which is for us a national strategic
imperative that we solve," said Capt. Clifford Maurer, Naval Facilities
Engineering Command Southwest commanding officer. "There was an
extraordinary level of effort that went into market research, industry
partnering, preparing complicated acquisition documentation, navigating
complicated regulations and incentives, and doing technical analysis."
Under the 20-year federal solar PPA, SunPower will build, operate and
maintain the solar power system that uses the company's high-efficiency
solar panels, and which it guarantees through a 25-year warranty. SunPower
has worked with federal agencies since 1999 and has installed more than 25
megawatts of solar power systems at government facilities, including solar
power plants at Navy installations in Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, and Coronado, Calif.
"We are so honored to be here today," said Howard Wenger, president of
SunPower. "It really is a testament to the commitment and leadership of many
people in the Navy, and the base here in China Lake,
that we are here today celebrating this very significant groundbreaking."
NAWS China
Lake is located in the Western Mojave
Desert region of California.
The installation is the Navy's largest single landholding, representing 85
percent of the Navy's land for research, development, acquisition, testing
and evaluation of weapons systems. The two ranges and main site of NAWS China Lake cover more than 1.1 million acres, an area larger
than the state of Rhode Island. |
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USS
Porter Completes Live-Fire Exercise
Release Date: 1/19/2012 1:00:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jesse L.
Gonzalez, Enterprise Strike Group Public Affairs
USS PORTER, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class
guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) successfully completed a
live-fire exercise of its entire array of gun weapon systems while underway
conducting its composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with the
Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Jan. 17.
Porter fired 47 blank load and powder rounds plus three illumination rounds
from the MK-45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight gun at a moving target that was
approximately four nautical miles away, said Ensign Lauren M. Chatmas, the
ship's ordnance officer.
Porter also successfully fired 55 rounds from the MK-38 25mm machine gun,
300 rounds from the M2 .50 caliber machine guns, 600 rounds from the M240
machine guns and 200 rounds from the MK-15 20mm close-in weapons system
(CIWS), said Chatmas.
"Each station is manned by a number of qualified individuals," said Chatmas.
"For the M240 machine guns, .50 caliber machine guns and the MK-38 25mm
machine gun, there is at least two Sailors per station."
According to Chatmas, most Sailors assigned to the gun mounts are gunner's
mates and fire controlmen, but there are also some other qualified rates,
such as sonar technician (surface). The MK-45 5-inch/54 caliber lightweight
gun typically requires four gunner's mates to man the gun control computers
and other equipment, as well as a crew of Sailors in the projectile magazine
to reload the weapon if necessary, said Chatmas.
"There is also a fire controlman stationed in combat at the Mk-46 Optical
Sight System to visually lock on a target," said Chatmas. "We currently have
six crew-served weapons mounts that have weapons on them, and more mounts
that will be armed and manned while on deployment."
Live-fire training events are important to improve crew proficiency at
countering smaller sized, asymmetric threats. The maneuverability of the
NAVAIR remote-controlled targets and having the ship moving at 15 knots
presents a more realistic and challenging training opportunity, said Cmdr.
Martin F. Arriola, Porter's commanding officer.
"For the Sailors, the immediate feedback of seeing rounds impact maneuvering
targets is immeasurably important and builds tremendous confidence," said
Arriola.
Arriola said the importance of well-trained Sailors is critical to the
successful completion of any mission. The ability to repeatedly and
successfully execute tasking when the call comes is probably the most
valuable outcome of any training.
"I am proud to serve with the men and women that make up "Team Porter"
because they are professionals of the highest caliber who have proven time
and time again that they are ready for any challenge," said Arriola. |
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Porter's
VBSS Team Prepares for Deployment
Release Date: 1/19/2012 10:10:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jesse L.
Gonzalez, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs
USS PORTER, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the visit, board, search and
seizure (VBSS) team aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer
USS Porter (DDG 78) conducted training while underway Jan. 18.
Porter is underway in the Atlantic Ocean to
better prepare for real-world threats it may encounter on deployment.
Maritime interception operations require VBSS teams to intercept and
determine the nature of vessels of interest. VBSS teams will board and
search these vessels to determine if the vessel is hostile, said Ensign Bo
Doran, the VBSS officer aboard Porter.
"Training works to prepare the team mentally and physically for real-world
events," said Doran. "The VBSS teams need to train in order to develop the
proficiency necessary to carry out missions effectively."
The 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation are primarily where the VBSS team
will combat trafficking and piracy.
Piracy and the threat of terrorist activity impede commerce between the U.S. and its
allies, said Fire Controlman 1st Class Christian A. Echeverri, a senior
member of Porter's VBSS team.
"In the Mediterranean we encounter a lot of
trafficking of drugs, oil and sometimes even weapons," said Echeverri. "When
we are in 5th Fleet we focus on piracy, protecting our allies' waterways and
helping vessels in distress."
VBSS teams also establish positive relationships with local militaries.
These relationships improve cooperation when there are reports of pirates or
other illegal activities in the area.
Sailors must meet specific pre-requisites, including weapons qualifications,
physical fitness standards and swimming proficiency before they join a VBSS
team
"Serving on the VBSS team is a tremendous responsibility but it's a real
honor and a privilege to be entrusted with such responsibility," Doran said. |
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Dewey
Aids Sinking Iranian Fishing Dhow
Release Date: 1/18/2012 5:10:00 PM
By Ensign John Tanalega, USS Dewey Public Affairs
USS DEWEY, At Sea (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105)
rendered aid to the crew of a sinking Iranian fishing dhow in the central
Arabian Sea, Jan. 18.
At 7:53 a.m. local time, an MH-60R Seahawk from the "Raptors" of Helicopter
Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 spotted the disabled fishing vessel, Al
Mamsoor, with one person on board. The vessel was tethered to one of two
other dhows nearby.
"Our first priority was to make sure that all the crew (of the fishing
vessel) was safe," said Lt. Will Jourdan, pilot of the helicopter. "After we
identified the vessel and reported it to back to the ship, we remained on
scene."
Dewey travelled to Al Mamsoor quickly to assist the Iranian fishermen who
had fled the sinking dhow and boarded the other dhows.
The destroyer's visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team was sent to
communicate with the displaced crew members and determine their needs.
"Once we talked with their captain, it was clear that they needed food and
water," said Lt. j.g. Jason Dawson, the VBSS team leader.
For more than two hours, the VBSS team provided food, water, medical and
hygienic supplies, and confirmed that the dhow's crews did not need
additional fuel.
While rendering aid, they learned that the Al Mamsoor crew fought flooding
for three days before finally abandoning their vessel.
After ensuring the safety of the crew and providing approximately 150 pounds
of supplies, the VBSS team departed the scene and returned to Dewey.
"I'm very proud of my team," said Dawson. "The crew of the dhow knew that we
were there to help, and we did."
Dewey, part of Destroyer Squadron 21, is conducting maritime security
operations while on a scheduled deployment with the John C. Stennis Strike
Group.
The commander of the strike group, Rear Adm. Craig Faller, commented on
Dewey's assistance to the Iranian mariners. "I am extremely proud of our
John C. Stennis Strike Group Sailors for demonstrating once again their
readiness to render life-saving assistance at sea." |
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Better
Chow, Cooked from Scratch: Navy Food Management Team in Action
Release Date: 1/18/2012 9:52:00 PM
By Story by Candice Villarreal,
NAVSUP Fleet Logistics
Center San Diego Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO
(NNS) -- When NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) San Diego's Navy Food Management Team (NFMT)
crossed the brow to depart USS Stockdale (DDG 106) Jan. 13, they knew the
crew would be eating well.
NAVSUP FLC San Diego's NFMT visited the guided-missile destroyer for a
four-day period to conduct a routine assessment for the ship's food service
divisions.
The assessment - or "assist visit" - covered areas like sanitation
practices, inventory procedures, record keeping and inspection. Unlike most
shipboard assessments, however, there was an added incentive for the crew at
the end: better meals, cooked from scratch.
"What we do is conduct our assessments, and then based on the results, we
conduct specialized training in the areas we think could benefit them, but
we always place a special emphasis on scratch cooking," said Chief Warrant
Officer Andrew Pickins, the team's lead analyst.
Scratch cooking is a hands-on cooking style that uses fresh ingredients and
recipes to create home-made meals that are individually crafted from start
to finish. Due to the operational tempo and manpower restrictions in the
Navy's galleys, daily menus often alternate between heat-and-serve dishes
and freshly prepared selections.
"We look at the standard course menus with the culinary specialists and
teach them how they can spice them up," said Pickins. "We focus on teaching
them to cook from scratch as much as possible, and we'd like to see 50
percent of all meals prepared that way."
The team's goal is to enhance the skills of culinary specialists to provide
better food service throughout the Navy's general messes. The NFMT is
comprised of Sailors in culinary rates at pay grades at or above E-7 which,
according to Pickins, ensures the trainers not only boast finely-tuned
culinary skills, but also have the firsthand experience of running their own
food service operations at sea and ashore.
Aboard Stockdale, NFMT trainers scanned the day's pre-planned menu of
chicken chalupas, beef tacos, beef stir-fry and egg foo young and taught the
Sailors to make each dish from scratch, rather by than using heat-and-serve
alternatives. The end result: wholesome, hearty meals, freshly crafted and
seasoned to perfection.
"Stockdale received us very well," said Pickins. "The Sailors were very
receptive to the training we provided and I think they enjoyed the meals
they created. When we train them one day and we return to see them applying
those skills the next day, we consider that a success."
The Navy Food Management Team conducts assist visits for commands across the
west coast every 18 months to provide CS-types with both refresher and
advanced training.
"We're providing Sailors with a skill, and in the end it makes a big
difference throughout the fleet," said Pickins. "Taking something out of a
box and heating it up is not a skill, and that's not the kind of cooking
that will make them competitive when they get out of the Navy and go into
the private sector. When culinary specialists take scratch cooking skills
and put them to work, everybody benefits and morale improves. The cooks take
more pride in what they do and Sailors on the mess decks get to enjoy some
really good food."
While at-sea staples like hot dogs and chicken nuggets will never disappear
completely, the training offered by NFMT professionals ensures that Sailors
answering the call of duty are offered more selections that bring them a
little taste of home.
NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center San Diego, one of seven fleet logistics
centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides global
logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial
commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other joint
and allied Forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation,
fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and
consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous
material management, and integrated logistics support.
NAVSUP GLS comprises more than 5,700 military and civilian logistics
professionals, contractors and foreign nationals operating as a single
cohesive team providing global logistics services from 110 locations
worldwide.
A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa.,
NAVSUP GLS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500
military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through
logistics. |
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NAVSUP
Command Master Chief Applauds WWII Veteran for Heroic Actions
Release Date: 1/19/2012 4:31:00 PM
By Debbie
Dortch, Naval Supply Systems Command Corporate Communications
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (NNS) -- A representative from Naval Supply Systems
Command (NAVSUP) attended a ceremony honoring a World War II ship's steward
in Mountain View, Calif., Jan. 17 for his lifesaving actions
during the Battle of Okinawa.
During the ceremony, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus presented veteran Carl
Clark, 95, with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat
Distinguishing Device. Clark's heroic
actions following a kamikaze attack on USS Aaron Ward (DM 34) saved the ship
from sinking and many lives.
NAVSUP Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Sidney Dawson Jr. who attended the
ceremony, leads today's enlisted supply community of more than 28,000 active
and Reserve Sailors, which includes culinary specialists.
Clark
served as a ship's steward - a job which has evolved into today's culinary
specialist (CS).
CSs perform duties similar to those of their ship's steward predecessors,
who prepared and served meals, in addition to a variety of other maintenance
duties.
"It's an extreme honor and privilege for me to be able to connect with Mr.
Clark," Dawson
said. "Stewards like Mr. Clark have made it possible for me to serve in the
capacity that I do now and I stand on their shoulders today, along with
nearly 8,000 CSs.
"Today, CSs are being afforded more training opportunities both ashore and
afloat, learning a variety of cooking and presentation techniques that
result in better food throughout the Navy. Training like this, coupled with
guidance from their community leaders, ensures CSs are given every
opportunity to be creative in the kitchen, to produce a variety of
from-scratch dishes, and to proactively build menus their crews will enjoy
and remember," Dawson said.
"Being a culinary specialist today is a challenging but rewarding Navy
career choice," said Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Kathryn Thompson. "A
Sailor has the ability to be a Navy chef for the commander in chief to
running a Navy Galley afloat and/or ashore. Every day there are more and
more opportunities for us to train with industry, to earn real-world
culinary certifications, and to cook from scratch with fresh ingredients.
The hard work and long hours are there but seeing the smiling faces of
Sailors we serve is the epitome of 'service to others.' I wouldn't want to
be anything else in the Navy.
"I think if Mr. Clark were to see today's Navy culinary specialists at work,
he'd be very thrilled to see how far the CS rating has come since World War
II and the respect CSs garner from all those who serve," Thompson said.
NAVSUP is responsible for quality of life issues for the naval force,
including food service, postal services, Navy Exchanges, and movement of
household goods. In addition, NAVSUP oversees logistics programs in the
areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting, resale,
fuel, transportation, and security assistance.
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