March 7, 2012
Operations Fleet Survey Team Completes Mission in Colombia From U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs Fleet Survey Team (FST) completed survey operations in the coastal waters of Cartagena, Colombia Feb. 23. The FST surveys of Cartagena Bay were part of Oceanographic-Southern Partnership Station 2012 (O-SPS 12) and provided an opportunity to assist Colombia in surveying the area including the Magdalena River in Barranquilla. "The Colombian Navy requested our assistance to map their coastal waters as their survey vessel had been undergoing extensive repairs," said Lt. Keith Plavnick, FST officer in charge. "The hydrographers of the Colombian Navy's Centro de Investigaciones Oceanograpficas e Hidrograficas (CIOH) were very enthusiastic and helpful in our survey operations. We had at least two Colombian naval hydrographers on board each day participating as equal partners during the daily subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) by operating our systems and deploying our sensors from aboard our vessel."
Fleet Survey Team's Lt. j.g. Jon Lagrew, foreground coxswain, and Aerographer's Mate 1st Class Thomas Folds, background coxswain, demonstrate the use of the sonar and GPS equipment of an expeditionary survey vessel to members of the Colombian Navy's Centro De Investigaciones Oceanograficas e Hidrograficas during Oceanographic Southern Partnership Station 12 , Jan. 30, Cartagena, Columbia. Oceanographic Southern Partnership Station is a joint project to demonstrate current technologies and capabilities of the U.S. Navy and to share information on conducting military oceanographic surveys in various environments. U.S. Navy photo by Aerographer's Mate 2nd Class Christopher Kyall
Every aspect of survey missions serve as a form of SMEE, where host nations are encouraged to participate in the mission by working alongside the FST and assisting with handling sensitive equipment and collecting data. "In Colombia's case, the survey team provided a group of expeditionary surveyors with expeditionary survey vessels (ESV) for the express purpose of a SMEE event during O-SPS 12," said Plavnick. The FST utilized a 10-meter SeaArk survey boat that was transported to Colombia on a U.S. Navy C-130 cargo aircraft. Once collected, the data is processed at the Stennis Space Center, which is then sent to the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to update the nautical charts for the areas just surveyed. The host nations receive a copy of the final dataset, which allows them to include the updated information in their charts. The FST conducts about 14 surveys a year around the world. The team uses the Chief of Naval Operations' priority Oceanographic, Hydrographic and Bathymetric (OHB) list, and requests from component commanders like U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USNAVSO) to determine where and when they will conduct their surveys. The surveys aid in the safe navigation of military and civilian vessels traversing the area. Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of U.S. Navy ships to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility in the Caribbean, Central and South America. The mission's primary goal is information sharing with partner nation service members and civilians in the region. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.
Personnel Profile Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Sarah Beemiller Selected for STA-21 By Lt. Cmdr. Ruth Lane, NMOPDD Atlantic, Officer in Charge Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class Sarah Beemiller is one of two aerographer’s mates selected for the FY-12 Seaman-to-Admiral-21 (STA-21) commissioning program. Beemiller detached from Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Professional Development Center Detachment Atlantic in January and will report in February to Officer Training Command Newport for eight weeks of officer-accession training and education at Naval Science Institute. Beemiller will join the Hampton Roads Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at Old Dominion University in June and pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in biological oceanography. Following an expected graduation in May 2015, Beemiller will be commissioned as a naval oceanographer. Beemiller was raised in Florida and joined the Navy in April 2000 at the age of 18. She credits her success to the leadership and advice of Lt. Cmdr. Alan MacNeil, Officer-in-Charge at Naval European Meteorology and Oceanography Detachment Sigonella.
During last year’s Sea Services Leadership Association Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium in San Diego, Calif., Beemiller met Lt. Cmdr. Christine Cochran, a cryptologist at Navy Cyber Forces. Cochran guided Beemiller through the STA-21 application process by helping her establish a plan of action, reading and reviewing her essays, letters of recommendation and recruiting officers for her nomination board.
Lt. Cmdr. Christine Cochran discharges Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class Sarah Beemiller. U.S. Navy photo by Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class Koreana Hennessey
At her recent re-enlistment, Cochran charged Beemiller to “pay it forward” and Beemiller has taken her words to heart, already advising three applicants for this year’s STA-21 board and providing a ‘lessons learned’ presentation to interested personnel at Fleet Weather Center Norfolk, Va.
Awards Michel, Ferrill Named Employees of the Quarter at NAVOCEANO By Lanee Cooksey, NAVOCEANO Public Affairs Officer Gus Michel II and Christy Ferrill have been named employees of the fourth quarter at the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO). Michel, originally from Avondale and a senior grade employee, is the principal scientist and branch technical lead for the Operations Support Branch for the Acoustics Department. In this position, Michel provides both acoustic subject matter expertise and IT technical support for the AntiSubmarine Warfare (ASW) reach back cell (RBC) watch floor. Ferrill, a junior grade employee, is a computer programmer and Mississippi native from Necaise Crossing who resides in Saucier.
Gus Michel II
Christy Ferrill
Visitors USCGC Sherman (WHEC 720) visits Fleet Weather Center San Diego By Lt. DyAnna Frye, FWC San Diego Public Affairs Officer Fleet Weather Center San Diego (FWC-SD) hosted U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Sherman (WHEC-720) for a tour of the command and watchfloor Feb. 14. Capt. Joseph F. Hester, commanding officer, USCGC Sherman, was accompanied by his wardroom and three quartermasters (QMs). The tour was a great success allowing the navigator and QMs to speak to the forecasters and ship routing officers who have delivered weather forecasts. The tour also allowed crew members to clarify information on additional sources of meteorological and oceanographic data while conducting search and rescue missions and enforcing maritime security in the Gulf of Alaska. Hester presented the watchfloor with the Coast Guard Ensign that flew over the ship for three days while operating off the coast of Alaska. During that time USCGC Sherman encountered hurricane force winds, but with the support of FWC-SD, the ship was able to navigate through the hazardous weather. This ensign will be framed and placed on the watch floor to remind FWC-SD sailors of the ultimate goal of safety and mission success.
Capt. Joseph Hester, commanding officer, USCGC Sherman, presents Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Keefer, Fleet Weather Center San Diego, with the tattered Coast Guard Ensign, Feb. 14.
FWC-SD hosts Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, U.S. Tenth Fleet By Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Keefer, FWC San Diego Fleet Weather Center San Diego (FWC-SD) hosted Vice Adm. Michael Rogers, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, U.S. 10th Fleet on Feb.15. Rogers received command briefs from FWC-SD and the Naval Oceanography Special Warfare Center (NOSWC).
Rogers toured the watchfloor, training spaces and observed a demonstration of deployable METOC equipment by Sailors from the FWC-SD Mobile Environmental Team (MET) and NOSWC. The visit provided an opportunity for Rogers to gain an in-depth understanding of the support aerographers mates provide to deployed forces aboard fleet assets and SEAL teams worldwide.
Members of Fleet Weather Center San Diego and Naval Oceanography Special Warfare Center brief Vice Adm. Michael Rogers on current equipment used in the field.
Vice Adm. Richardson visits the Fleet Survey Team Cmdr. Chris Sterbis, commanding officer, Fleet Survey Team, briefs Vice Adm. John Richardson, commander, Submarine Forces, on Fleet Survey Team’s operations and capabilities at Stennis Space Center, Miss. U.S. Navy photo by Kelly LeGuillon
UKHO members tour NAVOCEANO Members of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office tour the Naval Oceanographic Office Feb. 27-29, Stennis Space Center, Miss. From left to right: Kevin Schexnayder, Commander Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command; Ruth Adams, United Kingdom Hydrographic Office; Garry Dawson, United Kingdom Hydrographic Office; Katharine Liddell, United Kingdom Hydrographic Office; and Kathryn Townsend, Naval Oceanographic Office International Programs Lead. U.S. Navy photo by Kaley Turfitt.
Items of Interest Fleet Weather Center San Diego Participates in Naval Research Laboratory’s ARC 12 Research Cruise By Ensign Jeffrey S. Grabon, FWC San Diego Ensign Jeffrey Grabon participated in a research cruise off the southeast coast of South Africa aboard research vessel (RV) Melville during the Agulhas Return Current 2012 (ARC12) expedition, Jan 22-Feb. 9. The investigation, funded by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), collected data along the oceanic front formed by the sub-tropical Agulhas Return Current and sub-polar Circumpolar Current System. The data will aid scientists in understanding the dynamic mixing processes of oceanic fronts of waters with different salinities and temperatures, like the North Atlantic/Labrador and the Kuroshio/Oyashio currents. Grabon deployed, retrieved and monitored data from instruments like the expendable bathythermographs (XBTs), conductivity temperature and depth (CTD), underway CTD (UCTD), acoustic doppler current profilers (ADCPs), a microstructure profiler and a seismic system. The seismic system is typically used for observing the earth’s structure beneath the ocean, but oceanographers have begun to use it for observing temperature gradients within the water.
Ensign Jeffrey Grabon deploys an expendable bathythermograph to obtain a temperature profile during the Agulhas Return Current 2012 research cruise, Jan. 29.
The system is composed of a streamer and a source. The streamer, a towed array of hydrophones, records reflected sound energy from the blasts. The source consists of two air guns which emit compressed air blasts approximately nine meters below the surface. The returned signals are combined into a high-resolution, two-dimensional image plotting return time (depth) versus distance or time. This information combined with measurements from other instruments promises detailed observations not yet published for this area. Grabon found it beneficial to see how NRL is supporting the Navy and the METOC community.
The measurements will help improve ocean models at frontal regions, providing Navy forecasters the most accurate information to aid naval operations.
SMART Students Selected By James Rigney, NAVOCEANO Chief Scientist Every year between August and December, the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service program accepts applications for the DoD Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scholarship-for-service program. Most applicants are current students, continuing education to obtain a bachelor’s, master's or doctoral degree. This past fall was the first time that the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) opened up the SMART retention program to its employees. NAVOCEANO managers will review the applications and by early March, make sponsorship selections. A NAVOCEANO sponsorship includes a mentor, summer internship and a job upon graduation. The SMART Program pays for all scholarship and internship expenses. SMART Scholars will begin their sponsored education in the fall of 2012, and the scholars from this cycle will graduate and come onboard at NAVOCEANO between Dec. 2012 and May 2016.
BOAT Students Tour NAVOCEANO, FST By Becky Burke, NAVOCEANO Public Affairs Attendees of the Basic Oceanography Accession Training (BOAT) class at the Professional Development Center in Gulfport visited the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) and Fleet Survey Team (FST) on Feb. 9. The tour of the commands provided them with the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of naval oceanography commands' missions and capabilities, preparing them for initial tours as meteorology and oceanography (METOC) officers.
From right to left: Aerographer's Mate 2nd Class Christopher Kyall and Aerographer's Mate 3rd Class Tara Flaugher from the Fleet Survey Team (FST) pose with 16 new METOC/Officers from the Jan-Feb. 2012 BOAT Class in front of the 9 meter hydrographic survey vessel, Bayou Bear. Kyall and Flaugher briefed the BOAT students on FST's capabilities and equipment, as part of the BOAT class' introductory tour of the Stennis Space Center commands. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Rino Guerrero
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Rear Adm. Jonathan W. White, USN Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command News 1100 Balch Boulevard, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
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