The Waterline
June 6, 2013
Vol. XXX No.22
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NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
Battle of Midway 71st Anniversary Commemorated at U.S. Navy Memorial By Patrick Gordon NDW Waterline writer
The Battle of Midway took place from June 4-8, 1942, and is considered to be a turning point for the Allies in the Pacific campaign of World War II. The battle proved to be the first decisive victory by the United States in the war with Japan. Prior to the battle, the forces of Imperial Japan had been gaining ground throughout the Pacific, and had been taking a toll on U.S. forces in the process. Though only seven months after the surprise attack on U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the Battle of Midway sent a message to all that the U.S. would stand and fight in the Pacific. While it was a decisive victory for the U.S., it was hard fought. By June 8, the Japanese Imperial Navy had lost four of its aircraft carriers, one cruiser, and nearly 250 aircraft in the battle. Though victorious, the U.S. still suffered losses of men and materiel with one aircraft carrier and one destroyer sunk. At the U.S. Navy Memorial’s commemoration, representatives of the Navy, Marine
Corps and Coast Guard were all present to honor the sacrifice and service of those who fought decades ago for the nation’s freedom. After the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard paraded the colors, Adm. John Richardson, director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, laid a wreath in front of the memorial in remembrance of the battle’s 71st anniversary. “Our wreath ceremony here in Washington, D.C., serves as the cornerstone for many similar ceremonies throughout our Navy,” said Chief Musician Courtney Williams, event master of ceremonies. “Let it be known that as Adm. Richardson places this wreath, others are being presented around the world in honor of those who fought in the Battle of Midway. We pause to remember and honor the spirit of Midway in our Navy, Marine Corps, Coast guard, and in our nation. We pause to honor all those who have served or are serving with honor, courage and commitment.” Veterans of the Battle of Midway were honored guests during the ceremony.
See Midway, Page 7
U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Patrick Gordon
Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Adm. John Richardson delivers remarks during a wreath laying ceremony at the Navy Memorial commemorating the 71th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway was the turning point in the Pacific War and set the stage for the United States to win the Second World War.
SummerAllergiesandPests:ExperiencetheSeason,NottheSymptoms By Patrick Gordon NDW Waterline writer
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Mark Logico
Lt. Brian Heintschel, assigned to the entomology division of Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine (NEPMU) 6 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, studies a sample of insects collected from ships and shore facilities. Medical entomology is the study of insects, spiders, ticks and mites, collectively referred to as arthropods, and the diseases they transmit. Naval District Washington wants personnel to be prepared to prevent insect-borne diseases and allergies this spring and summer.
Around the Yard page 2 Link directly to www.dcmilitary. com /waterline on your Smart phone
Spring and summer are a time when more people are enjoying the great outdoors in Naval District Washington (NDW). But this time can be marred by allergies and illnesses common to the region this time of year. According to the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), allergies to various things can affect people at different times of the year, but during the spring and summer many can suffer from pollen allergy, commonly known as “hay fever.” People who are allergic to certain pollens can experience symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, congestion, and fatigue. “Plant, grass and tree pollen are the major causes of seasonal allergy in the region,” said Lt. Lonthol Srun, command infection control officer at the Washington Navy Yard Branch Medical Clinic. “We advise members to stay indoors between five and ten in the morning. It is recommended that outside
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activities should be arranged for late afternoon or after a heavy rain, especially when the pollen levels are lower. It is also important to avoid exposure to pollen by keeping home and car windows closed and to keep cool with air conditioners.” Srun explained that most people will endure a seasonal allergy for a few weeks once or twice a year with relatively mild symptoms, but some people may end up with more serious complications such as sinusitis and asthma. “Sinusitis is the inflammation or infection of the four pairs of cavities behind the nose,” said Srun. “Sufferers may experience pain over the eyes, around the nose, or in the cheeks just above the teeth if the cavities are congested. Asthma is a lung disease that constricts or blocks the airways, which may lead to wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and other breathing difficulties.” Because pollen is so prevalent, medication might be necessary to alleviate some of the symptoms caused by an allergy. The
Underwater Archeology Receives Rare Torpedo page 7
See Summer, Page 9
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Thursday, June 6, 2013
Career Navigator Goes Online, Will Use ‘Career Waypoints’ From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs The Navy is bringing together all enlisted career management policies, processes and multiple information technology systems under the umbrella of the Career Navigator program in order to provide Sailors with tools and information to plan and execute their career decisions as announced in NAVADMINs 149/13 and 150/13 released May 30. “Our goal is to provide Sailors with career opportunities across the continuum of Active and Reserve service,” said Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, director of military personnel plans and policy. “We have dismantled PTS and created a reenlistment process that is more advantageous for Sailors. We’re simplifying the process and providing information sooner, giving our Sailors interactive capability that will enable more transparency and feedback capability and ultimately allow Sailors to be more actively involved in managing their careers.” Career Navigator will use Career Waypoints (formerly Fleet RIDE) as the IT system that supports key Sailor decisions about which way to go next in their career. Career Waypoints will include the enlisted career management processes that allow Sailors to give their intentions to re-
U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Erik Foster
Yeoman 2nd Class Syrena Pratt takes the Oath of Enlistment from Capt. George Vassilakis, commanding officer of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), during a reenlistment ceremony aboard an SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter. Bataan is in the Atlantic Ocean conducting routine training and qualifications.
enlist, reclassify, designate into a rate, convert or transition between the Active Component and Reserve Component. Accordingly these processes will be called: Reenlistment (formerly Perform To Serve (PTS)), Reclassification (formerly production management office (PMO)), PACT designation (formerly rating entry for general apprentice (REGA)), Conversion and Transition. Changes to the system, policy and process names will occur in the next few months. Beginning June 3, Sailors will receive results of reenlistment applications earlier and the process will align with orders negotiation. Sailors will find out if they’ve been approved sooner, and have more time to apply for orders through the Career Management System Interactive Detailing (CMS-ID), in the Reenlistment Career Waypoint for active duty. All Sailors will continue to indicate their intentions to reenlist or separate with their career counselor. They will submit their intentions through their career counselor 13 months before their active obligated service, as extended (SEAOS), one month earlier than before. Sailors can still change their minds after this initial submission, and are encouraged to let their career counselors know if they’ve
See Navigator, Page 10
Around the Yard What safety tips can you offer for the “101 Critical Days of Summer?”
I would say drink a lot of water and stay well hydrated. Airman Hayden Shrewsbury U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Washington, D.C.
The Waterline
Commandant, Naval District Washington Rear Adm. Patrick J. Lorge NDW Public Affairs Officer Edward Zeigler Waterline Staff Photojournalist MC2 Kiona Miller Writer Pat Gordon Copy Editor/Page Designer The Gazette/Comprint Military Publications Lorraine Walker All stories must be submitted by 4 p.m. the Thursday prior to publication. E-mail stories to: waterline.ndw.fcm@navy.mil or bring/mail to: The
Drink enough water. if you’re running around in the heat, don’t get so dehydrated that you get into trouble. Bill Hansell Building 196 Washington Navy Yard
Waterline, 1411 Parsons Ave. SE, Suite 205, Washington Navy Yard, 20374. Submissions should be free of military times and should contain the first and last names with ranks/rates, warfare qualifications, job titles and duty station/command of all persons quoted or referred to. All submissions must also include the author’s name and office or telephone number where they can be reached. If you have further questions, call or contact the editor at (202) 433-9714, fax (202) 433-2158. This commercial enterprise Navy newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services, retirees, DOD civilians and their family members. Contents of The Waterline do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. government, Department of Defense or the U.S. Navy, and does not imply endorsement thereof. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute
Definitely take care of your skin and wear plenty of sunscreen if you’re going to be out in the sun. Airman Derek Hansen U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Washington, D.C.
endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Navy, Naval District Washington or Comprint, Inc., of the products or services advertised. This paper is published by Comprint, Inc., 9030 Comprint Ct., Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, (301) 9481520, a private firm in no way connected with DOD or the U.S. Navy, under exclusive contract with Naval District Washington. To place display advertising, please call (240) 4737538. To place classified advertising, call (301) 6702505. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. The editorial content of The Waterline is edited and approved by the public affairs office of Naval District Washington.
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This Week in Navy History June 6
1944 - In Operation Overlord, Allied invasion fleet, consisting of more than 2,700 ships and craft, land troops on the beaches of Normandy, France, in the largest amphibious landing in history.
June 7
1819- Lt. John White on merchant ship Franklin, anchored off Vung Tau, is first U.S. naval officer to visit Vietnam. 1917 - U.S. sub chasers arrive at Corfu, Greece, for anti-submarine patrols. 1942 - Battle of Midway ends with loss of USS Yorktown. 1944 - Construction of artificial harbors and sheltered anchorages off Normandy coast begin. 1991 - Joint Task Force Sea Angel ends relief operations in Bangladesh after Cyclone Marian.
Photo courtesy of the Naval History and Heritage Command
Landing ships putting cargo ashore on one of the invasion beaches, at low tide during the first days of the operation, June 1944. Among identifiable ships present are USS LST-532 (in the center of the view); USS LST262 (third LST from right); USS LST310 (second LST from right); USS LST-533 (partially visible at far right); and USS LST-524
June 8
1830 - Sloop-of-war Vincennes becomes first U.S. warship to circle the globe. 1853 - Commodore Matthew Perry arrives at Uraga, Japan, to begin negotiations for a treaty with Japan. 1880 - Congress authorizes the Office of Judge Advocate General. 1937 - Observation of total eclipse of the sun by U.S. Navy detachment commanded by Capt. J. F. Hellweg, participating in the
National Geographic Society - United States Navy Eclipse Expedition at Canton Island in the Phoenix Islands, Pacific Ocean. USS Avocet (AVP-4) was assigned to this expedition. 1958 - Navy and Post Office deliver first official missile mail when USS Barbero (SS317) fired Regulus II missile with 3000 letters 100 miles east of Jacksonville, Fla., to Mayport, Fla. 1960 - Helicopters from USS Yorktown (CVS-10) rescue 54 crewmen of British SS Shunlee, grounded on Pratus Reef in South China Sea. 1962 - Medical team from Naval Hospital, Bethesda, Md.; Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, Md.; and Naval Preventative Medicine Unit No. 2 Norfolk, Va., sent to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, to fight epidemic of infectious gastroenteritis. 1967 - USS Liberty (AGTR-5) attacked by Israeli forces in Mediterranean.
Md., holds first formal graduation exercises. Previous classes graduated without ceremony. 1896 - Authorization of first experimental ship model tank.
June 9
1944 - Four U.S. Carrier Groups, consisting of 15 carriers, begin attack on Japanese positions in the Marianas. 1948 - The Women’s Armed Forces Integration Act provides for enlistment and appointment of women in the Naval Reserve. 1970 - After earthquake in Peru, USS Guam (LPH-9) begins 11 days of relief flights to transport medical teams and supplies, as well as rescue victims. 1990 - Cmdr. Rosemary Mariner becomes first Navy woman to command fleet jet aircraft squadron.
1882 - Establishment of Office of Naval Records of the War of the Rebellion (became part of Naval Historical Center). 1942 - First Navy photographic interpretation unit set up in the Atlantic. 1959 - Launching of USS George Washington (SSBN-598), first nuclear powered fleet ballistic missile submarine, at Groton, Conn.
June 10
1854 - U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis,
June 11
1853 - Five Navy ships leave Norfolk, Va., on a three-year exploring expedition to survey the far Pacific. 1927 - USS Memphis (CL-13) arrives in Washington, D.C., with Charles Lindbergh and his plane, Spirit of St. Louis, after his non-stop flight across the Atlantic. 1944 - U.S. battleships off Normandy provide gunfire support. 1953 - Navy ships evacuate 20,000 Koreans from West Coast Islands to safety south of 17th parallel.
June 12
Navy Announces Fleetwide Rolling Thunder Roars onto Women’s Uniform Survey Walter Reed Bethesda By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Journal staff writer
U.S. Navy photo by Brian Walsh
Recruits undergo a uniform inspection at Recruit Training Command, the Navy’s only boot camp. Approximately 16,000 randomly selected female officers and enlisted are being asked to participate in the online survey on the fit, design and durability of Navy uniforms in a fleet-wide survey announced in NAVADMIN 127/13. By Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs Approximately 16,000 randomly selected female officers and enlisted are being asked to participate in the online survey on the fit, design and durability of Navy uniforms in a fleet-wide survey announced in NAVADMIN 127/13. Letters were mailed April 30 to participants notifying them of their selection and providing instructions on accessing and completing the survey. The online survey will be open for approximately 90 days. The decision to do the fleet-wide survey was made after interviews and focus groups determined that there was a need to gather
more feedback on women’s uniform concerns and recommendations. Survey questions will address levels of satisfaction with service dress, service and working uniforms and components. The survey will also ask about fit and hip-towaist ratio of slacks; the comfort of shirt collars; and preference for shirt lining, shoulder stitching and yoke on service uniform shirts. For more information on uniforms and uniform policy, visit the Navy Uniform Matters website at http://www.public.navy.mil/ bupers-npc/support/uniforms/pages/default2.aspx. For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.
Members of Rolling Thunder roared onto Naval Support Activity Bethesda Friday to visit wounded warriors, their families and staff at the Nation’s Medical Center. “It is support and team-building, but also it’s an intimidation factor,” said Army Sgt. Lucas Robert Oppelt, a wounded warrior in recovery at Walter Reed Bethesda. “You hear the bikes and it’s a sweet sound,” said the Soldier, injured last Memorial Day weekend by an improvised explosive device while serving as a medic with the 82nd Airborne Division. “Coming here and seeing the bikes is pretty neat,” Oppelt added. “It’s the camaraderie and knowing people still care, especially for the guys who are still inpatients. I know it felt good when I was in [the medical center] to have people coming in and thanking us for our service.” He said it’s really special to have Rolling Thunder come during Memorial Day. “It’s good to see people really know what it is about, rather than, ‘hey, we get a weekend off, we can go party.’ It’s all about the veterans and people who fought for this country.” Rolling Thunder member Dave Blackmore rode his bike from Ohio to Washington, D.C., for the annual event, something he’s done for more than 10 years to show his support for wounded warriors and to bring full accountability for prisoners of war (POWs) and those missing in action (MIA) from all U.S. wars. “We’re not a motorcycle club, but when we do the demonstration, we ride the bikes to raise awareness,” Blackmore explained. “When you’re on the bike, and you hear something coming down the road sounding like rolling thunder, it gets people to pay attention. “There are children 10 and 11 years old now, and for all of their lives, we’ve had
Photo by Bernard S. Little
Army Sgt. Lucas Robert Oppelt (right), injured by an improvised explosive device while serving as a medic with the 82nd Airborne Division during Memorial Day weekend 2012 in Afghanistan, is thanked for his service and sacrifice by a member of Rolling Thunder when the group came to visit the Nation’s Medical Center on May 24. people in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Blackmore added. “We want people to realize there’s a reason we can live as we do - because of the guys here and overseas who are doing things for their name and for their sake.” A member of Rolling Thunder for more than 15 years, Bob Lavariere served in the Marine Corps during Vietnam, and rode his bike from Conway, Ark., to D.C., for the Memorial Day Weekend event. The former Marine explained why he came to Walter Reed Bethesda to visit wounded warriors. “I came here to thank them for their service, and to hopefully, maybe, put a smile on their face, because of what they’ve been through and what they got to look forward to in the future,” he said. Rolling Thunder’s main event, attended by tens of thousands of motorcyclists, occurs every Sunday before Memorial Day when its members make a slow ride from the Pentagon parking lot, across the Memorial Bridge and to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
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Thursday, June 6, 2013
NSA Washington-JBAB Fleet Family and Fun CAREER SUPPORT AND RETENTION The Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP)
Offers an array of services and benefits to transitioning service members, including computers setup for individuals to go online to different job banks, college and scholarship resources and career assessment tools. Resume Writing Workshops are offered which includes Federal Resume Writing Interview Skills, information on veterans’ benefits and a professional resource library; Two TAP Seminars and one Executive TAP Seminar - five-day programs - are offered monthly sponsored by the departments of Labor and Veteran Affairs, and include information that will benefit the transitioning military member.
Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP)
Offers seven basic services, which include job search strategies, job readiness, resource information, job referral service, individual counseling assistance, career planning and links to education and volunteer opportunities.
Personal Financial Management (PFM)
Program offers individual and family financial counseling, financial classes, and is responsible for the Command Financial specialist training in the Region (NDW).
Improve your speaking skills with Helmsmen Toastmasters
Join us Thursdays, 7:30-8:45 a.m., at the Pentagon Library and Conference Center. Toastmasters is an international organization that helps everyone speak, think, lead and listen better. For more info, contact Carl Sabath at carl.sabath@osd. mil, 703-695-2804, or Elizabeth Femrite at elizabeth.m.femrite.civ@mail.mil, 571256-8674. Remember, great Helmsmen say, “Yes!” To learn more about Helmsmen Toastmasters, visit http://helmsmen.toastmastersclubs.org
Centralized Scheduling
Military and Family Support Center (MFSC) located on Joint Base Anacostia Bolling introduces a comprehensive centralized scheduling service for your individual appointment needs. One call to our screeners gets you an appointment for pre-separation briefs, employment services, clinical counseling, personal financial management, relocation, deployment and a host of other programs and services. MFSC is here to support you and stands ready to assist with every career and life change. Contact our Centralized Scheduling Center for individual, marriage and family counseling, individual resume assistance, financial counseling, relocation assistance or deployment/reintegration support. Please call 202-685-6019 to schedule an appointment.
Pre-Separation Briefings
Service members preparing to transition from military to civilian life are required by law to attend a pre-separation counseling briefing. The pre-separation brief is designed to make transitioning military members aware of all the services and benefits
available to them and their family members under Transition GPS. These briefings will provide the information necessary to make more informed decisions. For your convenience the pre-separation counseling briefing is available through one-on-one appointments at Military and Family Support Center and can be made through Centralized Scheduling at 202-685-6019.
DEPLOYMENT READINESS/ FAMILY SERVICES Life Skills Education
Provides presentations to help commands meet requirements, as well as enhance operational and personal readiness including parenting skills training, couples communication, anger and stress management, conflict resolution, Child Abuse Awareness, Spouse Abuse Awareness and suicide prevention. Trainings can be customized to fit needs of the command.
New Parent Support Program (NPS)
Assists new parents in coping with the demands of parenting and military life through parenting education and training and home visits to new parents prior to delivery and after delivery; information and referral for military and community resources; child development screenings and monitoring. All active duty members and their families who are pregnant and or have children in the home from infancy to three years old are eligible for these home visitation services.
Deployment/mobilization/readiness
Assisting Sailors and family members prepare for deployment, manage separations and reunite and reintegrate with families and community through services including the Family Accountability and Assessment System, Individual augmentee (IA) Indoc Course and Deployed Family Fun Days.
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Provides assistance to service members with special needs children and family members with medical needs including resource referral to medical, counseling and educational services, support groups and care providers. Assists in finding duty stations where needs are met. Mandatory enrollment per OPNAVINST 1754.2D.
FFR/MWR Phone numbers Fitness Centers Washington Navy Yard, bldg. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-2282/2829
Information, Tickets & Travel (ITT) Ticket Office, WNY Bldg. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-2484 Travel Office, WNY Bldg. 184 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 685-8299
Food & Beverage Catering & Conference Center, WNY Bldg. 211 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-3041/4312 Mordecai Booth’s Public House, WNY Bldg. 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 678-0514
Military and Family Support Center MFSC, JBAB Bldg. 72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-6151 MFSC, JBAB Bldg. 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 767-0450
Other Important Numbers FFR Administrative Office, WNY Bldg. 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-3659 FFRP Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-4052 MWR Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-4662 MWR Marketing Department, WNY Bldg. 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-5912 Regional Child Placement Office, JBAB Bldg. 414. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-3055 Family Housing Office, JBAB Bldg. 414 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-0346 Liberty Program/Center, JBAB Bldg. 72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 685-1802 Outdoor Recreation/Equipment Rental, JBAB, Bldg. 928 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 767-9136 Navy Gateway Inns & Suites, JBAB, Bldg. 602 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 404-7050
this phase. Staff will be located on the first and second floor of building W-22 for assistance. For more information please contact the Fitness Center at 202-433-2829/2882 or visit their website site at www.cnic.navy. mil/nsawfitness.
tional briefing to discuss how to utilize a budget to track income, savings, expenses and indebtedness, family financial spending plan strategies to help bridge the possible 20 percent cash flow gap and stress management tools and techniques. To register, please call 202-433-6151.
JBAB Daddy/Daughter Dance
Dads Basic Training - Dads and Moms Partners in Parenting
June 15 | 1 to 3 p.m. | JBAB Bolling Club | $12 In celebration of Father’s Day join us for the 6th Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance. You see your little princess growing up so fast, join us for this event as the memories are sure to last. Activities include dancing, crafts, contests and fun! Attire is semi-formal. For reservations call 202-563-8400.
Summer Party at the Pub
Fitness Center Renovations - Phase 2 will begin June 10
The first floor locker rooms will be closed during this phase of the renovation project. The fitness equipment on the first floor, the second floor locker rooms, and third floor group exercise area will be available for use. All group exercise classes will resume in the 3rd floor group exercise area at the beginning of Phase 2. The front desk and first floor laundry area will also be closed during
June 20 | 4 to 8 p.m. | Mordecai Booth’s Public House Celebrate the first day of summer at the Pub! There will be a DJ, drink specials and giveaways. For more information contact the NSAW Marketing Department at 202433-5912 or nsaw.merketing1@gmail.com
Managing Your Finances During Furlough
June 20 | 11 a.m. to noon or 4 to 5 p.m. | WNY, Bldg. 101 Many families and individuals already feel financially stressed, worries about the impact of current budget constraints can add to the tension. Join the Military and Family Support Center staff in an educa-
June 27 | 3 to 5 p.m. | JBAB, Bldg. 72 - Military & Family Support Center For dads and moms with children age 0 to 1 year. All ranks and branches are welcome! Using a combination of group discussion and a dads breakout group and a moms breakout group, we will explore the joy and wonderment as well as the trials of parenthood. The dads breakout group is led by a dad and will include the topics of soothing a crying infant, infant care, preparing for a baby and what to do now that they are here, and how to enjoy being an active Dad as well as open group discussion. The moms group will include the topics of breast and formula feeding, preparing for your baby and what to do now that they are here, safe sleep, and maternal instincts as well as open group discussion. Learn about the first few months of your baby’s life and how positive parenting is important for infant growth and development. Prepare your home and relationship for the changes that are needed when a baby arrives so that you can enjoy being a parent and experience the fulfillment of being partners in parenting. To register please call 202-433-6151or 202-767-0450.
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Thursday, June 6, 2013
NDW News Follow NDW on Facebook and Twitter
NDW has a Facebook fan page in order to provide updated information to all NDW residents, tenants, employees (military, civilian, and contractors), and the American public. Show your support, “Like Us,” and become a fan to see exciting news relating to the Naval District Washington. www.facebook.com/NavDistWash Follow us on Twitter @navaldistwash http://twitter.com/NavalDistWash NSAW has a Twitter page for the Washington Navy Yard to provide the public with up-to-date operating hours of the Navy Yard portion of DC’s Riverwalk. Follow us on Twitter @WNYRiverwalk http://twitter.com/WNYRiverwalk.
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Furlough, Position Descriptions Top Town Hall Discussion
From Enemies to Allies: An International Conference on the War of 1812 and its Aftermath
Registration is open for the premier conference on the War of 1812 highlighting the most current findings about Maryland’s unique contributions to the nation’s Star-Spangled heritage. The conference is scheduled for June 12-15 at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. From Enemies to Allies commemorates the bicentennialof the War of 1812 and the resulting two-century special relationship between the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. This three-day conference includes field trips to Maryland 1812 sites, presentations by leading experts from three nations and networking receptions. Sessions include such subjects as “Privateers,” “The Enslaved Chesapeake,” “African-American Combatants,” and “Chesapeake Victims.” Registration includes a special reception and tour of “Seas, Lakes & Bay: The Naval War of 1812” exhibit, continental breakfast, Friday lunch, shuttle service and a flash drive of presented papers. To register, visit www.starspangled200.com/FETA
AFPAK Hand Receives Bronze Star
Courtesy photo
Commandant of Naval District Washington Rear Adm. Patrick Lorge presents the Bronze Star medal to Lt. Jason Gregoire, Afghanistan-Pakistan (AFPAK) Hand. Gregoire was presented the bronze star Feb. 1 for his service deployed as an AFPAK Hand serving as a counterinsurgency advisor for the Commander of International Security Assistance Force and Overseas Contingency Operations from April 2011 to May 2012. During that time period, he was embedded on over 20 combat missions with Afghan and Coalition forces to include one major engagement which his counterinsurgency advisory skills and leadership proved instrumental in saving both Afghan and Coalition lives. Gregoire is currently conducting his AFPAK Hand Out-of-Theater (OOT) tour at National Intelligence University. The AFPAK Hands program was stood up in 2009 by then Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, to establish a cohort of experts that specialize in the complexities of Afghanistan and Pakistan language and culture. These members provide persistent engagement on regional issues while advising leaders and commanders throughout the levels of governance and command. An AFPAK Hand is committed to more than 40 months with the program. During those months, a service member engages in 10 months of training, nearly two years of deployment in-theater in Afghanistan or Pakistan, and one year out of theater in the U.S. For more information on AFPAK Hands visit http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/CA REER/LANGUAGE_CULTURE/Pages/AFPAKHands.aspx.
Photo by Bernard S. Little
Cynthia Hilsinger asks Walter Reed Bethesda leadership a question during a town hall meeting last week in Memorial Auditorium. By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Journal staff writer Civilian employees at Walter Reed Bethesda will begin receiving furlough letters within the next two weeks, Rear Adm. Alton L. Stocks announced during town hall meetings at the medical center last week. The Walter Reed Bethesda commander explained to staff, the 11-day furlough affecting most federal civilian employees here, begins with the pay period starting July 7, and will be one day per week through the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30. Originally, Department of Defense civilians faced a possible 22-day furlough, but because of efforts to deal with the budget shortfall, that included a deficit at Walter Reed Bethesda, those furlough days were cut in half. Those efforts included a reduction in staff travel, overtime, compensatory time and contracts. Walter Reed Bethesda Chief of Staff, Army Col. Ramona Fiorey, acknowledged any non-paid involuntary days off for staff, “is a very sensitive and emotional issue” affecting civilian employees individually, and Walter Reed Bethesda as an organization. “We knew this was possible, but it is still hard to accept,” Fiorey stated in an email to all staff members earlier this month. “I hear from leaders and managers who are concerned about how their staffs are doing. I also hear concerns from staff members about the welfare of their leaders and managers. The genuine care happening daily not only for our patients, but for each other, is heartening, as is your perseverance. Every one of you is valued and appreciated for your dedication to the mission of this hospital.” The position description (PD) classification review of federal civilian jobs at both Walter Reed Bethesda and the Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical Command (JTF CapMed), was another topic of discussion during the town hall. The process involved the review of approximately 4,000 civilian positions to ensure every job description across the JTF CapMed was properly classified with the appropriate series and grade. Stephanie Rainey, Civilian Human Resources Center (CHRC) director, explained the objective was to have PDs standardize or “generic,” so they could be implemented regionwide to easier fill positions at various military
treatment facilities within JTF CapMed. Sandy Lehman, deputy director of CHRC, added that after the review, which was completed earlier this year, the majority of position actions are going to be reassignments. She explained reassignment is a change of an employee from one position to another without promotion or change to lower grade, level or band. In discussing information technology (IT) improvements at Walter Reed Bethesda, Navy Lt. William Walders, chief information officer, said reliability of the medical center’s network has been increased because of recent system upgrades. He added IT customer service hours have also increased, with the service center now open from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. weekdays, and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., on weekends. Also, on call support is available 24 hours at 301-295-6300 or 301295-2664. Wireless service has also been installed in all patient clinical areas in the medical center, and cell phone reception has been upgraded at locations on base where it was previously not available, the Navy lieutenant added. Walders said in October, there were approximately 4,500 outstanding IT trouble tickets, and that number has been reduced to now a little more than 200. “That’s pretty significant. We fixed our processes and focused on some areas of improvement. We took a lot of feedback from staff on customer service and how we can better do business,” he explained, crediting the “herculean effort” of the IT operational team with the improvements. “Our goal is to get [trouble tickets] to zero, and answer [service tickets] within five days,” Walders said. Following Walders, Chief Hospital Corpsman Derek Eaton encouraged full staff participation in the Command Climate Survey, currently underway and running through June 10. The survey, focusing on equal opportunity, morale and organizational effectiveness at Walter Reed Bethesda, can be completed on any workspace computer via the intranet. Responses are confidential, he said. “Last year, we had about 31 percent of the command staff participate; hopefully, we get more than that for this survey. You’ve heard, ‘What You Do Matters,’ well what you say matters [in the Command Climate Survey],” the chief added.
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The Brenner Assignment: The Untold Story of the Most Daring Mission of World War II Book review Reviewed by Cmdr. Youssef Aboul-Enein The Brenner Assignment: The Untold Story of the Most Daring Mission of World War II by Patrick K. O’Donnell. Published by DaCapo Press, New York. 272 pages, 2008. This past September, Patrick O’Donnell, published a very readable account of American covert operators on a specific and vital assignment during World War II. A handful of American men and women of the Office of Special Services (OSS), the ancestor of the Central Intelligence Agency, would be inserted behind Nazi lines to undertake a crucial mission of sabotaging the Brenner Pass. This vital pass was among the most important logistical links between Germany and Italy through the Alps Mountains. The team would undergo intrigue, suspense, romance and betrayal, but in today’s environment of counter-insurgency these lessons from the past are refreshed in our collective memories to learn the complexities of asymmetric warfare. It also is a lesson on the need to tolerate eccentricities in the name of putting together a talented team for special missions, analysis, or providing support to missions. Howard Chappell was found at Fort Benning, Ga., where he was training a new crop of students to be paratroopers in the summer of 1943. In today’s military he would likely be dismissed, as before becoming a paratrooper and officer, he would get in frequent fights. As a private, in order to police him and save his career,
the commanding general of the 37th Infantry bawled him out, and then made him part of his personal bodyguard. The general would be impressed by this private and his tactical skills, and recommended him for an officer’s commission. Chappell arrived at Officer Candidate School (OCS) with his shirt ripped to shreds; he had gotten into another brawl. From there he would go to become a master paratrooper, he would also teach street fighting techniques in jump school. His risk taking style caught the attention of Col. Garland Williams, who introduced him to Gen. “Wild” Bill Donovan, founder of the OSS. Chappell would be in charge of training the nucleus of America’s shadow soldiers who would fight within the borders of Nazi Germany. The group would be called the German Operational Group (OG). Readers will delight in the recruits brought together for this covert unit. They included Salvador Fabrega, a French Foreign Legionnaire, veteran of the Spanish Civil War, and owner of
a boat restaurant. Deserting the French Foreign Legion, he talked his way as a stow-away for a ship bound for New York. Amazingly he hustled his way to become a maitre d’ at New York’s famous Copacabana Club. He was a guy who could con his way through any situation and was master scrounger. The team lead for the Brenner Assignment was Lt. Steve Hall. He was born in China and took a worldwide journey after graduating from Andover College. Dropping out of Harvard he spent a year skiing and climbing the Italian Alps. He was a scholar and athlete, dropping out of Yale to enlist as a private in the U.S. Army, and as an enlisted solider wrote a regimental history of his unit from the Revolutionary War that so impressed his chain of command that he was sent to officer school. He would be betrayed and captured by the Nazi SS, tortured and executed, but not before causing much disruption to the Nazis in the Brenner Pass. In the gorge of Digonera, he would coordinate with partisans forcing the surrender of thousands of SS and German Army troops. The book contains many adventures, heroism and details, and is a recommended read for those with a passion for small unit operations. The Nazi executioners of Hall would be brought before a military tribunal, War Case #36, and the three lead conspirators sentenced to death and hanged in July 1946. Editor’s Note: Cmdr. Aboul-Enein maintains a regular book review column in Military District Washington newspaper, Waterline.
RECP Initiated to Save Energy, Funds Why did the Navy decide to start RECP? In September 1998, OSD issued a policy to transfer responsibility for the payment of utilities from PPV projects to residents. The Navy is implementing the RECP program now that most PPV housing is individually metered. Research shows that residents use 20+ percent less in utilities when they are directly responsible for utility payments. The RECP helps to bring PPV utility usage in line with usage in private communities, and results in savings that will be reinvested to improve PPV community quality of life. NDW’s weekly RECP column will be providing you with tools and information on how to get smart with the Navy’s Resident Energy Conservation Program. RECP for electricity only is scheduled to start for NDW in October 2013. If you have specific questions regarding RECP, please email them to waterline.ndw.fcm@navy.mil and your question might just be featured on our column.
Naval Support Activity Annapolis Welcomes New Commanding Officer
From U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs
Naval Support Activity Annapolis held a change of command and retirement ceremony May 30 in Mahan Hall on the Naval Academy Yard. Capt. Logan Jones relieved Capt. Thomas Reese as commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Annapolis. Jones, a native of Garden City, Kan., graduated from the Naval Academy in 1987 with a degree in oceanography. Following commissioning, he completed the naval nuclear power training program before reporting to his initial assignment on board USS Yorktown (CG 48). He subsequently served on board USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Cole (DDG 67). Jones commanded USS Reuben James (FFG 57) from 2004 to 2006 then returned to USS Enterprise as the Reactor Officer. He also served on the commander’s staffs at Naval Air Forces East and U.S. Joint Forces Command. Prior to taking command of Naval Support Activity Annapolis, he commanded USS Vicksburg (CG 69). He holds a Master of Science in joint command, control and communications from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., and a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College.
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Alexia Riveracorrea
Outgoing commanding officer Capt. Lang Reese salutes Rear Adm. Patrick Lorge, commandant of Naval District Washington, during a Naval Support Activity Annapolis change of command and retirement ceremony in Mahan Hall on the Naval Academy Yard May 30. During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Patrick Lorge, commandant of Naval District Washington, welcomed Jones to Annapolis and recognized Reese for his commitment to NSA Annapolis and the Navy. “He’s a leader,” said Lorge. “He has led us, mentored us and mentored countless junior officers and sailors, molding our Navy into what it is today through his simple, constant, lasting service.” Lorge presented Reese with the Legion of Merit. As the commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Annapolis from March 2011 to May 2013, Reese oversaw the groundbreaking for the new Navy Exchange and Commissary complex and a large-scale joint security drill in partnership with the City of Annapolis in support of the Navy-wide security
exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield. NSA Annapolis is home to more than 600 military and civilian employees and numerous facilities, including military housing, the award-winning bachelor enlisted quarters, and the Fleet and Family Support Center. The base maintains the yard patrol craft used for the Naval Academy seamanship training program for midshipmen and provides support services to the Chesapeake Bay Detachment at Randle Cliff, Md., and the Navy Operational Support Center in Baltimore. Reese is a native of Washington, D.C. He received his commission and Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation from the Naval Academy in 1982 and is retiring after more than 30 years of Naval service.
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NHHC Underwater Archeology Branch Receives Rare Torpedo
By MC1 Tim Comerford Communication and Outreach Division Naval History and Heritage Command
Naval History and Heritage Command’s (NHHC) Underwater Archeology Branch (UAB) at Washington Navy Yard received the crated remains of a historic and rare Howell Torpedo, May 30. The Marine Mammal Program’s trained Navy dolphins, of the Space and Navy Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SPAWAR), found the century-old torpedo off the coast of San Diego in March. “The Howell torpedo was very important in the development of submarine warfare,” said Alexis Catsambis (PhD), NHHC UAB archeologist and cultural resource manager. “In the mid-19th century we get the beginnings of propelled submarines and towards the end of the 19th century we start getting torpedoes that extend the range between vessels in battle. By the turn of the century we are looking at over the horizon battles. The torpedoes are sort of the beginning of that phase.” The torpedoes are a rare find and
all of the known Howell torpedoes now belong to NHHC museums. “There were only 50 in existence, and we now have the third one that is still around today,” said Blair Atcheson, NHHC UAB Historic Preservation and Outreach Coordinator. “There is one at the Naval Undersea Museum and one at the Naval War College.” NHHC’s UAB assists the Director of Naval History and the Department of the Navy in all matters related to the science of underwater archaeology and the identification, research, interpretation, preservation, conservation, inventory, and management of U.S. Navy’s historic sunken military crafts. The Howell torpedo, named for Lt. Cmdr. John A. Howell, the primary contributor, was developed between 1870 and 1889. The Howell, the first propelled torpedo, was 11-feet long, made of brass and It had a range of 400 yards, a speed of 25 knots, and a warhead filled with 100 pounds of explosive. “We have been coordinating with them and they have been keeping it wet in fresh water for us” said Atcheson. “They managed to go through the channels and find us. They
contacted Dr. Robert Neyland, head of UAB. We were able to talk to them and tell them what to do to preserve the artifact until we could manage to get it to D.C.” NHHC started the process of readying the torpedo for conservation by putting it into tubs of fresh water. These tubs slowly leech out the salt from the artifact. After that, UAB will try to stabilize the artifact, from the different materials that the torpedo is made from, and it could take time to disassemble and then reassemble the torpedo. “It’s kept in water because it was found in a salt water environment,” said Atcheson. “If you let artifacts that have been in salt water dry out, they expand. We need to get the salt out, otherwise it will deteriorate the artifact.” The torpedo is an important find for the Navy. “Our objective is not to rush this, it is to be done right,” said Catsambis. “Eventually we will be putting it on display at a Navy museum, potentially the National Museum of the United States Navy. It’s that important of a piece.” For more information on Naval History and Heritage Command vis-
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 David Cothran
Dr. Alexis Catsambis, left, cultural resource manager, and Blair Atcheson, historical preservation coordinator, both from the U.S. Navy Museum at the Washington Navy Yard, move a late 19th century Howell torpedo. The torpedo was discovered by a team of Navy dolphins off the coast of San Diego and is scheduled to undergo months of restoration by a Navy archaeological team. it the Command’s website at www. history.navy.mil or Facebook at www.facebook.com/navalhistory.
MIDWAY
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U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Patrick Gordon
Speakers, including Rear Adm. Peter J. Brown, assistant commandant for Response and Policy of the Coast Guard, Major General John M. Croley, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation (MOB) of the Marine Corps and Adm. John Richardson, director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, praised them for their dedication and duty during such a harrowing battle. “It is my honor and a privilege to welcome our Midway veterans here,” said Richardson. “We are forever grateful for the bravery and sacrifice that you, your shipmates and your families demonstrated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on those
For more news from Naval History and Heritage Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navhist/.
important days 71 years ago, for the rest of the war, and every day since.” At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Midway veterans were presented with personal copies of the proclamation naming June 4 as “Battle of Midway Day,” signed by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert. A reception was then held in their honor at the Navy Memorial, where guests chatted and shook hands with the veterans. “I really enjoy these events,” said Howard Snell, retired Chief Sonar Technician. “I was here last year and about four years ago. I had a chance to get together with some of the other veterans. Some of them that were here last year have died. I see Admiral [William] Houser has passed away. He was a great Sailor. But I enjoy my time here. I always do.”
Sailors, Cost Guardsmen and Marines attend a wreath laying ceremony at the Navy Memorial to commemorate the 71th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway was the turning point in the Pacific War and set the stage for the United States to win the Second World War.
Services Deliver F-35 Initial Operational Capability Timelines to Congress From Navy Office of Information The Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps delivered a joint report to congressional defense committees May 31 to establish the date and details of the initial operational capability (IOC) of each service’s variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, as directed by the National Defense Authorization Act.
Congress directed the Secretary of the Air Force and Secretary of the Navy to provide a report that details the IOC dates, requirements, and capabilities for each of the F-35 variants by June 1. The Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy will achieve IOC once they acquire enough aircraft to establish one operational squadron with enough trained and equipped personnel to support the various missions
prescribed by each service. Based on the current F-35 Joint Program Office schedule, the Air Force F-35A will reach the IOC milestone by December 2016, while the Marine Corps F-35B will reach the IOC milestone by December 2015. F-35C, attached to Navy carrier air wings, will reach the IOC milestone by February 2019.
See F-35, Page 8
U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Patrick Gordon
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Ethics Symposium Focuses on Justice in Healthcare By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Journal staff writer
Focusing on the theme “Embracing the Principle of Justice in Healthcare,” Walter Reed Bethesda hosted its 2nd Annual Healthcare Ethics Symposium May 14-16. “In recognition of the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, the focus of our symposium this year [was] guided by a reflection on how the concept of justice influences and defines our practices in health care,” explained Army Capt. (Dr.) Robert J. Walter, chair of the Walter Reed Bethesda Ethics Committee, and director of the National Capital Area Regional Healthcare Ethics Consortium. Dr. Rueben C. Warren, director of the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care and professor of Bioethics at Tuskegee University, called King a health care advocate. Quoting the famed civil rights leader, Warren stating, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” Nearly 300 health care practitioners, including social workers, psychiatrists, nurses, bioethicists and physicians, attended the three-day symposium, according to Chaplain (Maj.) Stephen Pratel Sr., chaplain clinical ethicist for Walter Reed Bethesda and project officer for the event. “We’re excited about where we are taking ethics at this institution. We come from a great tradition, both here at Bethesda and the old Walter Reed, of ethical reflection and instruction,” the chaplain continued, adding “Justice is an essential aspect of health care.” “Ethics, for me, is literally having a reverence for life,” Pratel added. “That is what [the symposium] is about - having a deeper reverence for life, and to be inspired in areas of ethical behavior and health care.” He explained this entails health care practitioners possessing a commitment for “justice, fairness and equality in all we do.” The military “sets the pace and tone for the world” in doing this, and Walter Reed Bethesda is “the flagship for military medicine,” he said. In the delivery of patient care, one’s training, morale, values and integrity are important, explained Army Col. Ramona Fiorey, Walter Reed Bethesda chief of staff, in welcoming attendees to the symposium. She added for patient-centered care, it’s vital to reach an understanding of the “complex and emotional situations” which can occur to assist patients and their families with arriving at “the best decision, the right decision.” “Wounded warrior care is not just about the medical needs; it is the care of the whole total person,” said Dr. Edward Gabriele, Navy Medicine Ethics and Integrity executive director. “When we care for our wounded warriors, our heroes, we’re caring not just for them as individuals, but we’re also caring for their families and their local communities. Thirdly, the question comes up how does our sense of wounded warrior care move me, the ordinary citizen, to care more for a world that Dr. King pointed out to us in his own day, as wounded by the horrific tragedies of racism, sexism, prejudice and discrimination against so many people.” “Public health requires that we strive to be our best self in the doctor’s office, in the hospital, in the research laboratory, in the public health setting, whether it be in the private or public setting, whether in be in the military or civil service, we’re required to be our best self,” Warren said. “Do the right thing as you do things right.” Dr. Judith M. Feder, professor of public policy at Georgetown University, concluded the symposium with a discussion of the Affordable Care Act, saying, “We all would be better off with a quality health care system benefitting everyone, [and] getting rid of the injustice of treating some people and not all.”
SAFETY
Continued from 7 “The F-35C represents a critical capability, really a revolutionary capability, that will significantly enhance the ability of our carrier air wings to continue to operate in contested battlespace,” said Rear Admiral Bill Moran, Chief of Naval Operations’ Director of Air Warfare. “We look forward to introducing and fully integrating this important capability into our air wings.” Navy leadership believes the F-35 will revolutionize capability and operating concepts of naval aviation using advanced technologies to find, fix, and assess threats, and, if necessary track, target, and engage them with le-
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thal results in all contested environments. The F-35C carrier variant of the Lightning II is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear; features used to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. The F-35C is undergoing flight testing and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to fleet delivery. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program is a joint, multinational program. In addition to U.S. armed forces, the F-35 increases operational flexibility and interoperability with the eight other international partners participating in the development of the aircraft. They are the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark, and Norway.
For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,
visit www.dcmilitary.com.
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Webster Field Team Extends Lifespan of Critical Radar Part By Donna Cipolloni Tester staff writer
Navy pilots often describe landing on an aircraft carrier as “landing on a postage stamp in the middle of the ocean.” Lt. Patrick Bookey, with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, is dual-qualified to fly both the F/A-18 Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and has done his fair share of carrier landings. Approaching at a speed of 150 knots or about 172 miles per hour - Bookey has roughly five minutes from the time he can visually see the carrier until the time he touches down on a mere 500 feet of landing space, in full throttle, and catches a single arresting wire that forcibly brings his 33,000-pound Hornet to a stop in seconds a feat that might be described as something close to a controlled crash. But what happens if he can’t see the carrier? “If the weather is bad, or for a nighttime landing, we’ll utilize ACLS [the Automatic Carrier Landing System] for guidance to the ship,” Bookey said. ACLS is a Precision Approach Landing System (PALS) that provides electronic guidance to carrier-based aircraft and allows landing in all weather conditions. Simply put, ACLS uses radar data to determine the proper path of descent, sending corrections to the plane’s autopilot ensuring the aircraft flies to and on the correct glide slope. When engaged, a PALS such as ACLS provides critical hands-off landing for the pilot. One of the radars essential to ACLS is the SPN-46, installed on every U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.
“The SPN-46 was built in the ‘80s and due to the high cost of replacement systems, life-cycle extensions have become an increasing reality,” said Joe Bailey, deputy director of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Surface Systems Services (4.5.12) located at Webster Outlying Field in St. Inigoes, Md. One highly specialized component of the SPN-46 dual-band antenna is a dichroic sub-reflector. “There were only enough antennas to service the fleet,” Bailey said. “If one failed, they’d have to do without until an existing asset was repaired. With the antennas near the end of their lifetime, we needed extras to change them out. We needed to extend their life-cycle by 20 to 25 years.” The original equipment manufacturer of the sub-reflector was long out of business, and while a replacement vendor was sought, most were unwilling to undertake the risk of failure as the original tooling was aged and without documentation. “Everyone was reluctant to bid,” Bailey said. “The drawings we had were not real fabrication-quality drawings, and some of the materials and processes originally used to make the sub-reflector are now obsolete.” One company agreed to produce the product at a cost of $1 million for 10, with a one-year lead time. Unwilling and unable to spend that much money, Bailey and a handful of engineers, technicians and artisans at Webster Field’s 4.5.12 Technical Center of Excellence (TCE) decided to try reverse-engineering the necessary processes and producing the part themselves. Existing drawings and parts were analyzed and a prototype was fabricated within six weeks at the TCE Rapid Prototyping facility.
U.S. Navy nighttime photo by PH3 T.J. Talarico. Inset courtesy photo
Sparks fly during an aircraft carrier nighttime landing as an F/A-18 Hornet tailhook scrapes the deck before catching the arresting wire. Inset from left, Keith Mattingly and Shaun Wathen were two members of the Webster team that reverse-engineered a radar component essential to the Automated Carrier Landing System which assists pilots landing on carriers. Bailey said success in forming the delicate and precisely etched copper screen of the sub-reflector was quickly achieved; procedures for composite layup were refined; trial tests were run and the optimum material with the necessary properties to avoid degrading the radar signal were identified and chosen. The final result - a modified SPN-46 antenna with new sub-reflector - was then certified for shipboard landing by personnel at
the 4.5.8 Landing Systems Test Facility at Pax River. “It took us six months and we produced 10 for less than $100,000,” Bailey said. “We can build them now for $3,500 each.” Bailey is understandably proud of the team effort and its accomplishment. “It’s a good success story,” he said. “The warfighter and taxpayer are presented with an excellent product at a great price and within the required timeframe.”
SUMMER
of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics.” WNV is one of a family of viruses that can be transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes can become infected with WNV by feeding on birds that have the virus in their bloodstream. Once a mosquito is infected with the virus, it can transmit the virus to humans, birds, horses or other mammals through a bite, though it is not spread from person to person. “Ideally healthy humans will usually not develop any symptoms,” said Edward Lewis, safety and occupational health specialist with Naval Support Activity Washington. “However, when symptoms of infection do occur, people feel like they have the flu - low-grade fever, headache, and occasionally swollen lymph glands. If you think you have been infected with the West Nile Virus, contact your family physician. More at risk are the elderly and children, and prevention is the key.” Prevention of both Lyme disease and WNV includes avoiding areas where the disease is known to exist, utilizing insect repellant, and covering exposed skin while outside. After going through wooded areas, perform a thorough body check for ticks, carefully removing any at the head with a pair of tweezers. To reduce the presence of mosquitoes, homeowners should limit the amount of standing water around their houses, particularly in gutters, planters and children’s pools. For more information on season allergies, Lyme disease and WNV, visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/. For more news on events in NDW, visit www.facebook.com/NavDistWash.
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NIAID suggests certain medications - either over-the-counter or prescription - to treat allergies such as antihistamines, topical nasal steroids, cromolyn sodium, or decongestants. Srun added that allergy sufferers should become accustomed to what their allergic triggers are to better keep away from them. “If something irritates you, avoid it,” said Srun. “That’s the motto that allergy sufferers must adopt. By tuning into your allergy triggers, you can rein in your reactions.” Certain diseases also become more common during the spring and summer, among them West Nile Virus (WNV) infection and Lyme disease. Lyme disease is common in the MidAtlantic and Northeast areas of the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. The CDC describes typical symptoms to include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic “bull’s-eye” rash. If Lyme disease is suspected, a family physician should be contacted to start treatment before the disease becomes more serious. “If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks; laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods,” said the CDC website. “Most cases
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made a change as soon as possible. “Knowing Sailors’ intentions is critical to accurately predict how many Sailors we will have in each skillset, rate and paygrade going forward” said Kurta. “This ensures the maximum opportunity to reenlist in rate for those Sailors who desire to stay, offers opportunities for Sailors to convert to a new rate or transition between components, and improves advancement opportunity.” All eligible and command-approved E-6 Sailors will be approved for reenlistment on their first application, according to officials. While there is still a need for Sailors to tell their career counselor their intentions, if they want to reenlist and have command approval to do so, they will be given reenlistment approval on their first application. Soon, as the IT system is updated, Sailors and their commands will receive confirmation immediately upon submittal. Navy officials say 100 percent of eligible, command approved Sailors in skillsets that are open (undermanned) or balanced will also receive approval to reenlist on their first application, and within 30 days. This will also become immediate with planned IT updates. The changes will give eligible and command-approved E-5 and below Sailors answers about reenlistment requests earlier. This process has also been aligned with orders negotiation so Sailors will have more time to negotiate for the orders they want. Sailors in skillsets that are competitive or overmanned, or that have special requirements such as the nuclear community, will receive information sooner about their ability to reenlist in rate, or opportunity to convert to a different rate or transition to the Reserves. Many of these Sailors will also receive approval to reenlist on their first application depending on the manning in their year group. According to Kurta, with this new design, approximately 75% of Sailors who want to reenlist will be approved on their first application and all Sailors will know at least 10 months from the end of their contract whether they will be able to reenlist in their current rate. “Each month, we have been processing approximately 12,000 reenlistment applications,” Kurta said. “This number is expected to decrease significantly since the majority of Sailors will not have to apply for multiple months before receiving a decision. Sailors not approved to reenlist in rate will have additional time to apply to convert into another rating where opportunity exists. “ For Sailors who are in overmanned or competitive skillsets will have up to 11 monthly reviews grouped into three phases beginning 13 months from their expiration
Thursday, June 6, 2013
of SEAOS. Each phase will present the career options available to a Sailor. The first phase provides Sailors with four reviews starting 13 months from SEAOS with three options of in-rate reenlistment, conversion to another rating or transition into selected Reserves (SELRES ). In the second phase, Sailors who have not been given the go ahead for reenlistment in-rate will be given four more reviews with the options of conversion to a new rate or transition into SELRES. Inthethirdandfinalphase,Sailorswillreceive up to three reviews to transition into SELRES. Other changes to improve Sailors’ career management include updates to rating designation for Professional Career Track (PACT) Sailors, rating conversions for Reserve Sailors, and Reserve component to active component augmentation. These updates will be supported by several information technology enhancements to Career Waypoints and are also effective, June 3. The second change automatically generates partial applications for PACT Sailors who meet minimum qualification requirements. The NAVADMIN also modifies policy to allow time in rate (TIR) Sailors to apply for a rating entry designation (RED) quotas. The final process changes impact Sailors in the Reserve Component, as part of continuum of service initiatives announced in NAVADMIN 114/10. Starting June 3, SELRES and voluntary training unit (VTU) Sailors will be able to request active duty augmentation through the transition module within Career Waypoints, provided they meet specific program requirements. The program is being expanded to include FTS opportunities and to allow conversions into ratings with available quotas provided Sailors meet program requirements. Additionally, SELRES Sailors will be able to request conversion to an undermanned SELRES rating through Career Waypoints, instead of routing paper packages to PERS8 for approval. Previous Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) restrictions are now lifted for augmented members. Reserve Component Sailors who augment onto active duty may be eligible to receive SRB based on current active duty SRB authorizations and their amount of continuous active duty service. To be eligible for SRB, Reserve Sailors must have completed at least 17 continuous months of active Naval service (other than active duty for training), but not more than 20 years of active military service at some time in their career. To ensure all requirements are met, visit the SRB page of the NPC Website. To learn more about the Career Navigator program, Sailors may speak with their chain of command, career counselor, read the NAVADMIN, or call NPC customer service center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC, (1-866-827-5672) or e-mail at CSCMailbox@navy.mil.
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