Dahlgren Source - February, 2015

Dahlgren Vol. 26, No. 2, February 2015

What’s Inside

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Dahlgren tests preparedness Facility takes part in Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield anti-terrorism event Andrew Revelos Naval Support Activity South Potomac

CSCS captures five education and training excellence awards

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NSWC scientist wins NATO Science and Technology Award

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Local Fleet Reserve Association ralliying to help homeless veterans

Michelle Obama praises controversial movie ‘American Sniper’

Pubic affairs officer is CSCS’s 2014 civilian of the year

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Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield 2015 was conducted Feb. 2-12 across the U.S. Navy, including at Naval Support Facilities Dahlgren.

“Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield is U.S. Fleet Forces’ directed exercise and annual capstone anti-terrorism event designed to evaluate Navy antiterrorism plans,” said Ed Patuga, Naval Support Activity South Potomac training officer. The annual exercise was highlighted by an active shooter scenario Feb. 11.

Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Jessica Maffett portrayed the active shooter, roaming about a building looking for potential victims while first responders, See EXERCISE, page 3

U.S. Navy photo by Zack Shelby

Navy firefighters and paramedics work with members of King George Fire and Rescue to treat someone with simulated gunshot wounds

Sailor remembered for Pearl Harbor role Marty van Duyne News Net News Petty Officer Doris “Dorie” Miller became an unlikely hero when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

The mess attendant had arisen at about 6 a.m. and was below deck on the USS West Virginia collecting laundry when the alarm sounded general quarters Dec. 7, 1941.

When he arrived at his battle station, he discovered his antiaircraft battery magazine had sustained severe torpedo damage.

See SAILOR, page 8

Dahlgren’s Official, Unofficial base newspaper • We’re all about Dahlgren

Petty Officer Doris “Dorie” Miller receives the Navy Cross from Admiral Chester Nimitz, at an awards ceremony May 27, 1942 aboard the USS Enterprise. The medal was awarded for heroism during the attach on Pearl Harbor.

U.S. Navy photograph/ National Archives

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February 2015 • THE SOURCE

NSWC’s Anderson wins science award John J. Joyce NSWC Dahlgren Division Corporate Communications A U.S. Navy scientist recently received the 2014 NATO Science and Technology Organization’s Scientific Achievement Award, the Navy announced.

NATO Chief Scientist Major Gen. Albert Husniaux, conferred the award to Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division principal scientist Steve Anderson for his impact on the MSG-088 Task Group’s work on data farming in support of NATO. “It was a great honor to collaborate with some of the most talented people I have ever met,” said Anderson regarding the prestigious U.S. and international scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and

military personnel in the task group.

The collaboration enabled Anderson and his colleagues to achieve their objective - assess data farming capabilities worldwide to impact the development of improved decision support to NATO forces.

The Scientific Achievement Award recognizes outstanding contributions in the context of activities in aerospace science and technology or aerospace systems applications.

Calling Anderson’s contribution to the mission of the NATO Science and Technology Organization, “outstanding,” Husniaux recognized the NSWCDD scientist for his “extensive co-operative research in the field of decision support using modeling and simulation and, in particular, data farming.”

“The task group combined results of assessments and explorations to not only recommend, but to demonstrate a way forward for implementing data farming methodologies and processes in the NATO modeling and simulation context,” according to the citation. “In this way, the task group achieved what no individual nation could achieve alone, a codified process for data farming that is ready and appropriate to support NATO decision making.”

Anderson’s research specifically applied to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief planning.

For example, he used modeling and simulation to explore the

Steve Anderson effectiveness of the Future Naval Capability project called the Transformable Craft, or T-Craft, in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

This potential future U.S. and allied Navy air cushion vehicle could serve many purposes, including the transport of equipment and personnel between locations at sea and ashore during humanitarian assistance, disaster recovery, and major combat operations.

Moreover, T-Craft complements U.S. Naval Sea-Basing strategy as a leap-ahead technology. Initial designs propose a fuel-efficient craft capable of self deployment during open ocean transits.

T-Craft will enable high speed shallow-water transits while fully loaded with at least four M-1 tanks, good sea-keeping during cargo transfers at sea, and amphibious operations capability.

Anderson briefed findings

of his NATO work to myriad groups, from the NATO Technical Review, hosted by the Swedish Defense Research Agency, to the Modeling and Simulation World Conference where his paper won “Best Paper in Defense, Homeland Security and First Responders.”

“I would encourage anyone with an opportunity to participate on a NATO panel or working group to do so,” he said. “If you go with an open mind and a willingness to listen, it will change you perspectives in so many ways.”

MSG-088 participation included members from the eight countries cited in the award -Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Singapore, Sweden, Turkey, and the United States but also included visitors from France, Holland, Portugal, and the United Kingdom.

“I am continuing to do what I can, personally and professionally, to address the grand challenges identified by this NATO technical working group,” said Anderson, who co-founded three non-profit research and education organization to help address these challenges: The International Association for Foresight and Solutions; The Institute for Confronting Global Challenges; and The Foundation for Prediction, Mitigation and Planning (www.ffpmp.org).

“MSG-088 focused upon prevention planning and intelligent responses to probable and likely events,” said Anderson.

“There exists a great deal of data around the world that can be

studied to identify trends. Many trends are disturbing, and have the potential to destroy huge investments and potentially cost millions of lives. I am a firm believer that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We need to establish a robust ‘data observatory’ to support novel interdisciplinary research, and do what we can to make the world a better place for our children and grandchildren.”

Under the NATO Science and Technology Organization, Scientific Achievement Award candidates must have made significant contributions to activities sponsored by the organization during the preceding four years.

Formed in 1998 by the merger of the Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development and the Defense Research Group, and stemming from a reorganization of the Research and Technology Organization, the Science and Technology Organization is the largest NATO group for defense science and technology.

Encompassing a network of over 3,000 scientists and engineers from across the alliance and its partners, the Science and Technology Organization promotes and conducts co-operative research and information exchange across the full spectrum of defense research, develops and maintains a long-term NATO research and technology strategy, and provides advice to all elements of NATO on research and technology issues.

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THE SOURCE • February 2015

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U.S. Navy photo by Zack Shelby

Cpl. Andre Roy, a police officer at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, advances toward a role-playing active shooter during Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield. In the background, Navy training evaluators observe the police officers’ response. Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield is an annual Navy exercise intended to enhance force protection and practice working with mutual aid agencies and first responders from King George and Westmoreland counties.

EXERCISE from page 1 such as police, firefighters and emergency services personnel worked to apprehend her, tend to victims and subdue the situation.

“The purpose of the active shooter/IED (Improvised Explosive Devices)/mass casualty exercise is to evaluate NSASP’s ability to respond to and recover from such an event,” Patuga said.

“It is also designed to evaluate Navy Air and Missile Defense Command’s emergency action and response plan.”

By investing valuable time and resources, NAMDC was able to test its emergency plan and at the same time provide its work force and building occupants with guidance on how to prepare for and respond to active shooter crisis situations,” Patuga said.

“King George, Colonial Beach, and Charles counties’ fire/ emergency medical personnel participation provided the opportunity to exercise mutual aid agreements with our neighboring communities,” Patuga said. “The EOD (Explosive

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Ordinance Disposal) detachment provided the technical expertise in responding to the simulated IED threat. Naval Criminal Investigative Service provided information and awareness of what could be expected should such an event occur within the NSA South Potomac fence lines.

Branch Medical Clinic Dahlgren and the casualties’ role players enhanced the realism and training experience of exercise participants through application of moulage simulations for injuries.”

Although the exercise was

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designed to provide invaluable scenario-based training, the exercises are also crafted carefully to deter the possibility of serious injury.

“Safety is paramount and has always been an integral part of planning and conducting an integrated exercise at NSA South Potomac,” said Patuga. “The drill package and scenario events list were safely vetted using the operational risk management matrix.”

Patuga also said the exercise was Naval District Washington’s

capstone event and one of the capstone events across five Navy regions. Being the capstone installation, NSASP had more requirements to meet than the other installations within NDW,” Patuga said. He added that the NCIS Security Training and Assessment Team were onboard to evaluate the security force response procedures.

“Conducting the exercise was a great opportunity as always to train for and continuously improve to provide the best response possible,” Patuga said.

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February 2015 • THE SOURCE

Group looking to help homless veterans Richard Leggitt The Fleet Reserve Association, which represents active duty, reserves and retired members of the U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, will have a midyear meeting Feb. 19-21 in Fredericksburg, including a Friday program on providing help for homeless veterans.

William Whitt, of King George, president of Fleet Reserve Association Branch 207, which represents members in the King George and Westmoreland area, said the meeting will include association branches from Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The meeting, which will be at the Hospitality House, 2801

Plank Road, will host a number of speakers at the Feb. 20 session who will discuss the efforts by the Veterans Administration and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services to provide assistance to wounded warriors, especially those who are homeless, Whitt said.

Brandi Jancaitis, the executive director of the Virginia Wounded Warriors Program for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, will speak at the 2 p.m. session and will discuss current Virginia efforts to help hundreds of homeless veterans throughout the state.

Matt Leslie, director of Housing Development for the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program, said the state has redoubled its efforts in recent years to provide help for veterans seeking assistance, especially those who are homeless.

“There’s a bunch of resources available,� Leslie said. “We try to coordinate resources and housing first. We do an assessment that focuses on the vulnerability of the individual veterans. Then, we try to house them and wrap services around the housing.�

Among the challenges facing wounded warriors and other veterans in Virginia are mental illness, unemployment, posttraumatic stress disorders, health problems and homelessness.

Leslie said help is available from the Veterans Administration, several state agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Services, and other organizations, including the Fleet Reserve Association.

Jancaitis leads a statewide team of professionals who monitor and coordinate behavioral health,

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rehabilitative assistance and support services for veterans and their families. Jancaitis, the wife of an active duty soldier, has been with the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program since 2010.

Whitt said veterans and active duty military personnel from King George, Westmoreland and the Fredericksburg area are welcome to attend the Friday session and participate in discussions with Jancaitis and other speakers. There is no cost to attend the Friday program, Whitt said.

In addition to Jancaitis, there will be speakers available to discuss with veterans and active duty military many current issues facing them including Medicare, Social Security, the Affordable Care Act, TRICARE, and problems with the Veterans Administration.

Learn more William Whitt president of Fleet Reserve Association Branch 207 said it has more than 100 members who meet every second Saturday of the month at Ryan’s Steak House in Fredericksburg.

For information about the Fleet Reserve Association, veterans and active duty personnel can call Whitt at 540-907-2377. Information about the Virginia Wounded Warriors Program to help homeless veterans can be obtained by calling 877-2851299.

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First Lady: ‘American Sniper’ shows complex journey

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She commented on the film while “I have had the chance to visit our opportunities. “You don’t have to center an entire addressing a Got Your 6 screenwriters’ wounded warriors at Walter Reed, go event as part of her Joining Forces to base after base. I’ve been able to sit movie or create a special episode on down with groups of caregivers and these issues,� she said. “These folks initiative.

She told the crowd she had just military spouses and hear about their can just be ordinary characters in the communities you create — a seen “American Sniper� saying, “and struggles and their triumphs.�

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She said if characters are depicted in that way, it will emphasize “the way we hope our country will welcome back our veterans — not by setting them apart, but by fully integrating them into the fabric of our communities.�

She lauded the industry for efforts in accurately portraying diversity issues, such as gay rights, interracial marriage and military families. “And our Joining Forces initiative has worked with Dreamworks and iHeartRadio to create a series of powerful public service announcements), including one I

did with some animated penguins,�

Obama said.

The First Lady urged industry leaders to reach out to organizations that can provide guidance in accurately portraying both men and women in the military, veterans, and their families in a realistic manner, as opposed to just focusing on positive or negative extremes.

She says an accurate depiction of military life may help prospective employers be more inclined to consider hiring veterans and military spouses.

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THE SOURCE • February 2015

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Lansdale earns Civilian of the Year award Brian Deters Center for Surface Combat Systems

Center for Surface Combat Systems announced its domain wide 2014 Civilian of the Year, Jan. 29.

Capt. Bill McKinley, CSCS commanding officer, commended Kimberly Lansdale, CSCS’ public affairs officer, for her selection, saying it was an honor to give this award to her not only for a job welldone, but also for having an essential role in the success of CSCS. “Being a Public Affairs Officer is a very challenging and critical job,” McKinley said. “Kimberly takes on every task with tremendous positive energy, providing results always greater than expected, on time or even before deadlines. Her ability as PAO to gather and present the facts on a very short timeline is truly impressive.”

Mr. Edward Gohring, CSCS executive director, says Lansdale has a tremendous array of responsibilities in her job as PAO. Submitted photo “The PAO position at CSCS is Kimberly Lansdale, left, the Center for Surface Combat Systems’ public affairs officer, was named its 2014 critical in supporting theand Navy Swap out of your old vehicle into a new Education and Training Center Civilian of the Year.

Ford during Summer Swap Out Sales (NETC)our Strategic Communications initiatives that support the training mission success and most deserves Lansdale was thrilled to learn of Event, with DISCOUNTS Plan for Learning Centers’ staff mission,” Gohring said. “Kimberly to represent CSCS as its domain her selection for the award. and implementing programs and plays a significant role in our civilian of the year.”

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as the 2014 Domain Civilian of the Year,” she said. “The CSCS domain illustrates what an organization should consist of; a hardworking, inspirational team dedicated to its mission and I am very grateful to be part of such a team. As a public affairs specialist, each event, visit, article, media interview, and other public relations activity are essential to the command because it is an opportunity for CSCS to inform others about who we are, our goals, and the future of surface combat systems. CSCS is a training command that shapes the Sailors of today and tomorrow and it is a privilege to tell its story. I hope I have been a successful narrator for not only CSCS itself, but for also the men and women in uniform.”

The Center for Surface Combat Systems’ mission is to develop and deliver surface ship combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority. Its staff oversees 14 learning sites and provides almost 70,000 hours of curriculum for close to 700 courses a year to more than 40,000 Sailors. The training center uses a mix of blended learning comprised of instructor led classes, hands-on labs, simulation and computer-based training.

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February 2015 • THE SOURCE

Navy gives CSCS five training awards Kimberly M. Lansdale Center for Surface Combat Systems Center for Surface Combat Systems was named a recipient of five 2014 Naval Education and Training Command Training Excellence Awards for superior accomplishment supporting NETC’s training vision Feb. 2.

The annual award recognizes commands that demonstrate the highest standards of training excellence and produce highly trained, top-quality sailors who are mission ready and meet the needs of the Fleet.

The award is composed of three categories: The Learning Center Training Excellence “T” Award, the Training Support Center Training Support Excellence “TS” Award, and the Functional Excellence Awards. CSCS received the Business Administration and Support (Yellow “T”), Total Force Management (Red “T”), Curriculum Management (Black “T”), Training

Production Management (Green “T”), and Training Support Management (Bronze “T”) awards.

“CSCS continues to excel in making combat systems training better for Sailors and the Fleet,” said CSCS Commanding Officer Capt. Bill McKinley.

“These training awards illustrate the perseverance, strong work ethic, and enthusiasm of the CSCS staff throughout our headquarters and 14 learning sites.”

The Center for Surface Combat Systems mission is to develop and deliver surface ship combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority. CSCS headquarters’ staff oversees 14 learning sites and provides almost 70,000 hours of curriculum for close to 700 courses a year to more than 40,000 Sailors. The training center uses a mix of blended learning comprised of instructor led classes, hands-on labs, simulation and computer-based training.

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THE SOURCE • February 2015

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February 2015 • THE SOURCE

SAILOR from page 1 He went on deck and was assigned to carry wounded sailors to safety before being ordered to the bridge to aid the mortally wounded ship’s skipper, Capt. Mervyn Bennion.

Despite enemy strafing and bombing and in the face of a serious fire, Miller assisted in moving his mortally wounded captain to a place of greater safety, He later manned and operated a 50-caliber Browning anti-aircraft machine gun until he ran out of ammunition and was ordered to abandon ship.

During the attack, Japanese

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aircraft dropped two armoredpiercing bombs through the deck of the battleship and launched five 18inch aircraft torpedoes into her port side.

Though Miller had been temporarily assigned to Secondary Battery Gunnery School on the USS Nevada 18 months prior to the attack, he was not trained on the 50-caliber Browning.

Miller’s description of firing the gun is described in records of PearlHarbor.org.

“It wasn’t hard,” he said. “I just pulled the trigger and she worked fine. I had watched the others with these guns. I guess I fired her for

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“I just pulled the trigger and she worked fine. I had watched the others with these guns. I guess I fired her for about fifteen minutes.”

Petty Officer Doris “Dorie” Miller

about fifteen minutes. . . . They were diving pretty close to us.”

He was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary courage in battle

by Admiral Chester Nimitz on board USS Enterprise at Pearl Harbor on May 27.

In presenting the medal, Nimitz said, “This marks the first time in this conflict that such high tribute has been made in the Pacific Fleet to a

member of his race and I’m sure that the future will see others similarly honored for brave acts.”

His next assignment was to the newly constructed USS Liscome Bay. Miller was killed when the carrier was torpedoed and sunk Nov. 24, 1943 during Operation Galvanic in the Gilbert Islands.

In addition to the Navy Cross, Miller’s awards also include the Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Miller was born in Waco, Texas in 1919. He had three brothers and worked on his father’s farm.

He was a fullback on his high school football team and became the heavyweight-boxing champion on the USS West Virginia.

A Knox Class frigate was commissioned the USS Miller in

his honor Jun, 30, 1973. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority dedicated a commemorative bronze plaque of Miller at Miller Family Park, U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor Oct. 11, 1991.

On Feb. 4, 2010 Miller was one of four sailors honored in a grouping of four distinguished sailor stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

Miller’s legacy still impacts African-American sailors.

Rear Adm. Rick Williams, commander of the Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, reflected on Miller’s actions in his African-American History Month message this year.

Chief Mass Communications Specialist Sam Spain lauded Miller as one of the African-American’s who paved the way in a Naval District Washington African America History Month article.

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Miller, seated left, talking with three other sailors and a civilian, during his visit to a Naval training station in January 1943. He is wearing the Navy Cross medal, awarded for heroism during the Pearl Harbor attack.

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U.S. Archive records indicate African-Americans served alongside Colonists from days of the Continental Navy during the American Revolution.

During the Civil War, about 18,000 African Americans served as sailors in the Union Navy.

These sailors are included in the National Park Service’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System.

The Navy had never been segregated until soon after President Woodrow Wilson took office. In 1913, Wilson segregated the U.S. Armed Forces.

Segregation in the Navy continued throughout World War II when most African Americans were relegated to jobs as stewards

or mess men.

During Worl War II, the Navy integrated the USCGC Sea Cloud and USS Mason, ships commanded by white officers with AfricanAmerican crews.

Eleanor Roosevelt, President Franklin Roosevelt’s wife, was a catalyst for integration and insisted African-American sailors be given jobs for which they were trained.

In 1946, the Navy adopted a policy of integration and equal rights for African-Americans.

However, the policy was not initially widely implemented.

African-American enlistments dropped severely during 1947 and President Harry S. Truman formed a committee that recommended

sweeping reforms and called for ending segregation in the military.

In 1948, Truman signed Executive Order 9981 ordering the integration of the armed forces.

The Defense Department Personnel Policy Board drafted a policy to abolish all racial quotas and fully integrated the services by July 1, 1950. The Navy proposed a recruiting program to enlist African-Americans.

By February 1952, AfricanAmericans became a minority in the Navy’s Stewards’ Branch.

Integration was fully implemented throughout all U.S. service branches by time the country entered the Korean War. — Marty Van Duyne