INSIDE
4
Habitat For Humanity
6 8 10 2
CSADD Olympics
Photos Of The Week
Admiral Howard
Sailors Save Woman From Burning Building Story and photo by MC2 Danian Douglas
Two Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) stormed into a house and rescued an elderly woman from her burning home in downtown Newport News, Va., July 1. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Second Class Devon Bishop and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Third Class Jessica Jusino, both having just finished eating lunch at a nearby restaurant, saw a plume of smoke above the trees down the street before entering their vehicle. The Sailors decided to investigate. As they drove down the street toward the source, they came upon a stunned crowd standing in front of a private house with black smoke billowing out of the enclosed porch. “When we pulled up, we rolled down the window and asked the crowd if everything was OK,” Bishop said. “They said no, and that a lady was inside.” Fresh from completing general shipboard firefighting training at Naval Station Norfolk’s Firefighting Training School three weeks ago, Bishop and Jusino immediately jumped out of the vehicle, and split paths down the sides of the house, looking for an entry point that was not engulfed in smoke or flames. “He went to the right, and I went to the left, knocking everywhere to see if someone would respond,” Jusino said. “When I heard her scream, I yelled to Bishop and told him to kick in the wooden door that led to the kitchen.” After pushing past a freezer that was blocking the bolted door, they encountered the elderly woman feeling her way around and screaming, “No, no no,” thinking that she was being burglarized. “After we told her that her house was on fire and that we were there to help, we helped her out of the house through the back door,” Bishop said. “She was trying to grab some items but we told her we need to get you out
now. Jusino and I then grabbed her walker and took her to the backyard.” After they hurried her safely to the house next door, and placed her in the care of the neighbor, they were then joined by the survivor’s daughter, who had left for work but immediately turned back when she was alerted to the commotion taking place in front of her house, according to Jusino. “The lady was scared, and really didn’t know what was going on, but she was thanking us over and over again,” Jusino said. “We on the other hand were still on an adrenaline rush.” The spirited Sailors said that only when they got back to their vehicle did they realize that they left the windows down, the doors open and the engine running. “I feel stunned,” Jusino said. “I am relieved that we happened to be there at that moment.” Bishop is also still trying to come to terms with what they did. “It’s stuff you always hear about, but never really imagine yourself in that situation,” Bishop said. “Everything we’ve learned, and all the training that has been instilled in us came into play today, with no hesitation.” Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) First Class Derrick Williams, the Sailors’ leading petty officer, said that one of the missions of the aviation boatswain’s mate (handling) rating is firefighting aircraft aboard ships. “In our rating, the worst can happen in an instant, because we’re landing and recovering aircraft which can crash and explode any day” Williams said. “Although the rigorous drills can become repetitive, when tragedy occurs, aviation boatswain’s mates are there to react instinctively and save lives, because that is our primary mission.”
3
Lincoln Sailors Team Up With Habitat For Humanity Story and Photos by MCSN Robert Ferrone
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Hannah Dashiell, a native of Salisbury, Maryland, assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Williamsburg, Virginia June 25, to help build safe, affordable homes. Dashiell along with about 15 other Lincoln Sailors assisted contractors in leveling ground and installing slats as a base for the floor. This wasn’t Dashiell’s first time around a construction site; both her father and grandfather have owned construction companies, so she’s comfortable in that environment. “I’m very familiar with this kind of thing,” Dashiell said. “I can see a final product and I know how we helped get it there.” Other Lincoln Sailors were also eager to get their hands dirty. Information Technician 1st Class Kevin Klier, emphasized the magnitude of the task at hand. “I chose this, compared to other volunteering events, because of the product we’re producing,” he said. “To build houses, that’s a pretty significant thing.” Dashiell said these types of events are good for
anyone who wants get involved with one of Lincoln’s many community relations (COMREL) projects, rather than just the semiannual command-wide COMRELs. “It’s great we do the command COMRELs twice a year,” she said. “But doing these smaller events help build our reputation as Lincoln Sailors.” Dashiell said she is eager to increase Lincoln’s participation at these events. “It helps build your character and our reputation as a command in the community,” she said. “It makes the community think highly of us, and they are more willing to have us come out and help with other things.” Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that builds homes for people who may not be able to afford them. Families are often left homeless following natural disasters, and they struggle to rebuild their lives. According to their website, Habitat for Humanity provides shelter and assistance to those in need. With more than 1,500 local affiliates in the United States, they have helped repair more than 800,000 homes and served more than four million people around the world.
6
Lincoln’s CSADD Participates In Local CSADD Olympics Story and Photos By MCSN Matthew Young
Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) attended a CSADD rally June 26 and 27, in Norfolk, Va. The two-day event consisted of presentations and guest speakers, including Commander, Navy Region Mid Atlantic, Rear Adm. Dixon R. Smith. “Today, Lincoln’s CSADD along with 20 other commands’ CSADD Sailors worked their tails off in teams competing in the CSADD olympics,” said Gunners Mate 3rd Class Hillary Tabor, Lincoln’s CSADD’s event coordinator. “It was a great team building exercise and bonding experience.” The CSADD olympics consisted of 18 different events ranging from a rope pull to team sit-ups while holding a log. Each event focused around team building and camaraderie. “My favorite part of the second day was the camaraderie, the friendship and seeing all of these CSADD groups come together,” said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 3rd Class Natalie Thibeaux.
Even though the CSADD rally was fun, a major component of the event was discussing safety and other topics relevant to young Sailors. “We came out here to gather the regional CSADD groups to discuss various safety topics as a group of people who have the same mindset as far as making good decisions, and to compete in a friendly olympics,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Roderick Turner. During the awards ceremony Friday, Lincoln’s CSADD chapter was presented the CSADD Ship Chapter of the Year Award for 2013. “I encourage everyone within the Navy to join CSADD. It’s such a great experience. It puts you in a better place, gives you a better morale and provides a great group of friends,” Tabor said. “No matter what rank you are you can come into the group and you have a say. You have the opportunity to make the ship a better place and make positive changes.” CSADD groups from as far as Groton Town, Va. came to participate in this event.
A Week With Lincoln
Photo by MCSN Robert Ferrone
Photo by MCSN Christopher Huot
Photo by MCSA Matthew Young
Photo by MC3 Liston
Navy Promotes First Female Four Star Admiral From Defense Media Activity
The United States Navy promoted Michelle Janine Howard to the rank of four-star admiral July 1 during a ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus presided over the ceremony and administered the oath of office. Adm. Howard is the first female four-star in the 238 year history of the United States Navy. “Michelle Howard’s promotion to the rank of admiral is the result of a brilliant naval career, one I fully expect to continue when she assumes her new role as vice chief of naval operations, but also it is a historic first, an event to be celebrated as she becomes the first female to achieve this position,” said Mabus. “Her accomplishment is a direct example of a Navy that now, more than ever, reflects the nation it serves - a nation where success is not borne of race, gender or religion, but of skill and ability.” “Michelle’s many trailblazing accomplishments in her 32 years of naval service are evidence of both her fortitude and commitment to excellence and integrity,” said Adm. Jonathan Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations. “I look forward to many great things to come from the Navy’s newest 4-star Admiral!” Howard, the Deputy CNO for Operations, Plans, and Strategy, relieved Adm. Mark Ferguson III as the 38th Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO). Howard is a 1978 graduate of Gateway High School in Aurora, Colo. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1982 and from the Army’s Command and General Staff College in 1998, with a Masters in Military Arts and Sciences. Howard’s initial sea tours were aboard USS Hunley (AS 31) and USS Lexington (AVT 16).
While serving on board Lexington, she received the secretary of the Navy/Navy League Captain Winifred Collins award in May 1987. This award is given to one woman officer a year for outstanding leadership. She reported to USS Mount Hood (AE 29) as chief engineer in 1990 and served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. She assumed duties as first lieutenant on board the USS Flint (AE 32) in July 1992. In January 1996, she became the executive officer of USS Tortuga (LSD 46) and deployed to the Adriatic in support of Operation Joint Endeavor, a peacekeeping effort in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Sixty days after returning from the Mediterranean deployment, Tortuga departed on a West African training cruise, where the ship’s Sailors, with embarked Marines and U.S. Coast Guard detachment, operated with the naval services of seven African nations. She took command of USS Rushmore (LSD 47) on March 12, 1999, becoming the first African American woman to command a ship in the U.S. Navy. Howard was the commander of Amphibious Squadron Seven from May 2004 to September 2005. Deploying with Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, operations included tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia and maritime security operations in the North Arabian Gulf. She commanded Expeditionary Strike Group Two from April 2009 to July 2010. In 2009, she deployed to CENTCOM theater, where she commanded Task Force 151, Multi-national Counterpiracy effort, and Task Force 51, Expeditionary Forces. In 2010, she was the Maritime Task Force commander for BALTOPS, under 6th Fleet. She was the 2011 USO Military Woman of the Year, and the 2013 NAACP Chairman’s Image Award recipient.
“Michelle Howard’s promotion to the rank of admiral is the result of a brilliant naval career.”
10
Photo By MC2 Armando Gonzales Photo By MCC Peter D. Lawlor
Photo By MCC Peter D. Lawlor Photo By MCC Peter D. Lawlor