Flagship 04.01.2021

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 1, 2021 1

IN THIS ISSUE

Emergency Services earns Governor’s EMS Awards Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire and Emergency Services was recently announced as the winner of The 2020 Governor’s Emergency Medical Services Award Agency. PAGE A5 VOL. 27, NO. 13, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com

April 1-April 7, 2021

(Left to Right) CWO2 Dahlia Black, Cmdr. Melissa Chope, YNSN Shuai Wang and BMC Diana Garcia are just a few of the female Sailors whose leadership contributes to the overall mission success at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Women help lead the way at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown

By Susanne Greene

Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Public Affairs

YORKTOWN — Naval Weapons Station (NWS) Yorktown has a number of female Sailors in leadership positions who contribute to the installation’s overall mission success.

Cmdr. Melissa Chope is the installation executive officer. She has served in the Navy for 28 years and was the first female in her family to join the military.

“I joined the U.S. Navy because I didn’t feel ready for college and the Navy afforded me the opportunity for greater responsibility and experiences, more than I had

in the civilian world at that time,” she said. “I was familiar with the military because of all the men in my family who served.”

Chope’s grandfathers, father and four uncles served in the U.S. Army and Navy. She added that the best career advice she ever received was from her father.

“He would tell me that when

you begin a journey, you can look down the road and the stoplights may look red, but as you approach them, they will turn green one at a time,” she said. “It was his way of reminding me that if I work hard and have faith, everything will work out.”

Cmdr. Chope said she is “thankful for the service and sacrifice of

all the women who paved the way before her.”

Chief Warrant Officer Dahlia Black is the food services officer at Scudder Hall Galley, and has served in the Navy for 20 years.

She joined to help fund her college education and for the opportunity Turn to Yorktown, Page 7

Gator Inn wins Ney NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic 2021 Peggy B. Craig Lifetime Service Award two years in a row Award recipient announced

By Michelle Stewart

JEB Little Creek-Fort Story Public Affairs Office

By Jeffrey C .Doepp

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK — Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic Maintenance Mechanic Work Leader Mario Torres, a 37-year government service career employee at Public Works Department (PWD) Great Lakes, and North Chicago, Illinois native, has been named recipient of the 2021 Peggy B. Craig Lifetime Service Award.

The prestigious award, given each year, was established in 2012 and named in honor of a longtime NAVFAC headquarters employee to recognize civil servants who best personify a career of service, selflessness, and dedication with 20 or more

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Mario Torres was selected as the 2021 Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic, Peggy B. Craig Lifetime Service Award recipient. (Jeffrey C. DOEPP) Turn to Peggy B. Craig, Page 7

VIRGINIA BEACH — Joint Expeditionary Base Little CreekFort Story’s galley, Gator Inn, was recently awarded the 2021 Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Food Service Award in the East Coast General Mess category.

Established in 1958, the award is given annually to Navy galleys of each category of ship and shore commands. Co-sponsored by the International Food Service Executives Association, the objective is to improve the quality of life for Navy personnel and recognize the best general galleys in the Navy.

“Winning the Ney is huge!” said Senior Chief Culinar y Specialist Webster Z. Bailey, from Brewton, Alabama. “It’s the Super Bowl for [culinary specialists] and for our community.”

It shows that all the hard work we put in on a daily basis — the

15 to 18-hour days and sacrifices we make — is worth it.”

The Gator Inn is made up of a team of Sailors and civilians who ensures the galley maintains the highest standards. In addition to the day-to-day duties of the galley staff, they also provided meals to service members who were confined to the barracks due to COVID-19. Everything that went into that level of service earned them the top spot out of 14 galleys in the mid-Atlantic.

“There are a lot of people to thank — the junior Sailors, chiefs, civilians, food service officer and region,” said Bailey. “Most importantly is our leadership who provided the tools we needed to succeed.”

This marks the second year in a row that the Gator Inn has been named the winner. While preparing for the award took the same dedication and hard work as the previous year, submitting Turn to Gator Inn, Page 7

Chief engineer selected for alumni award

IWTC recognized for retention excellence

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk goes live (eRMS) 2.0

Robert“David”Curfman, chief engineer and assistant commander for Design and Construction, was recently inducted as a member of the Virginia Tech Civil and Environmental Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. John B. Nowell, Jr. announced that IWTC Virginia Beach earned the fiscal year 2020 Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education Retention Excellence Award (REA), a repeat winner from 2019.

The FLC Norfolk Advanced Traceability and Control team has recently completed testing, evaluation and process improvement for Electronic Repairable Management Systems. PAGE A3

PAGE A4

PAGE A2

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The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, April 1, 2021

(Courtesy Graphic)

Residents can help protect our local waterways Amy E. Hardy

PWD NSA Hampton Roads Public Affairs

NORFOLK — Have you ever wondered what you can do to help protect the rivers, streams, and waterways near your home?

In addition to serving as our drinking water supplies, these water bodies also provide us with various recreational activities and beautiful scenery. This article is the first of a four-part series to provide you with more information on the common sources of pollution from our everyday activities and, more importantly, habits that you can adopt to prevent this pollu-

tion.

Stormwater runoff results when rain cannot soak into the ground because of impervious surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Stormwater pollution results when stormwater picks up, carries, and discharges various pollutants into storm drains or ditches, and ultimately into the downstream waterways. Pollutants include items such as pesticides, fertilizers, construction site sediments, pet waste, litter, and other items.

Prevention of stormwater pollution is important to: • Prevent contamination of drinking water sources

• Protect our precious water resources for recreational activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating • Protect plant and animal habitats • Preserve the natural beauty of our landscape First, it is important to understand the difference between the sanitary system and the storm drain system. The illustration shows how water from our sinks, showers and bathtubs, clothes washing machines, and dish washers all enter the sanitary system via pipes that are connected to a wastewater treatment plant. Pollutants from these waters then are removed by the treatment plant before being discharged.

By contrast, stormwater, which runs off our rooftops, driveways, roads, and lawns, enters into the storm drain system and discharges directly to nearby streams, lakes or bays without receiving any treatment.

You may have noticed decals near storm drains indicating that the storm drains flow directly to a nearby waterway. NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic installs these decals to educate residents and employees of the Navy installations on stormwater pollution prevention.

Common sources of pollution in the stormwater runoff from our lawns include pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, lawn clippings and leaves, and other substances which may be left uncovered (such as dirt piles, salt piles, paints, oils, etc.). In addition, car maintenance activities such as oil changes and car washing can contribute to stormwater pollution when oil and detergent run into the gutter. Remember to collect all used oil and dispose of it properly. When washing a car, it’s better to wash on grass, which filters the contaminants, or to use a commercial car wash.

IWTC Virginia Beach recognized for retention excellence

From Center For Information Warfare Training Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH — In a recently released Naval message, Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. John B. Nowell, Jr. announced that Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Virginia Beach earned the fiscal year 2020 Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education Retention Excellence Award (REA), a repeat winner from 2019.

The award is intended to recognize commands for sustaining superior levels of military retention, recognizing superior accomplishment in their continuous retention efforts and mastery of executing the basics of Sailor career development.

The daily execution of these programs combined with engaged and committed leadership are critical to achieving fleet readiness and are essential to Sailors, the Family, and the Navy total force.

“As Vice Adm. Nowell stated in the message, the annual benchmarks for the REA remain the measure to determine command who are brilliant on the basics of retaining the most talented Sailors in the Navy and their families,” explained IWTC Virginia Beach Commanding Officer Cmdr. James Brennan. “We have been

very fortunate to retain a robust civilian and military staff who dedicate themselves every day to fulfilling our mission to provide a continuum of information warfare training to Navy and joint service personnel that prepares them to conduct information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations. What has been even more remarkable has been our staff ’s resilience to continue forward during the global COVID-19 pandemic.”

IWTC Virginia Beach currently offers 59 courses of instruction in information technology, cryptology, and intelligence with an instructor and support staff of 278 military, civilian, and contract members who train over 6,600 students every year at five training sites in the Hampton Roads area. It is one of four school houses for Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) and also oversees learning sites at Jacksonville and Mayport, Florida; Kings Bay, Georgia; and Groton, Connecticut to continue aligning information warfare community training.

With four schoolhouse commands, a detachment, and training sites throughout the United States and Japan, CIWT trains over 22,000 students every year, delivering trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services. CIWT also

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offers more than 200 courses for cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, electronics technicians, and officers in the information warfare community.

Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA): Rear Adm Charles W.“Chip”Rock Regional program manager for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA): Public Affairs Director | Beth Baker The Flagship® is published by Flagship, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense (DOD) or the United States Navy, under exclusive written contract with Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.

This civilian enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of the paper, including advertisements, are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S. Government, DOD, or the Department of the Navy (DON). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD; DON; Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic or Flagship, Inc. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase,use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Department of Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 1, 2021 3

Glenda Taylor processes depot level repairable items in eRMS. (JIM KOHLER)

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk goes live with Electronic Repairable Management Systems (eRMS) 2.0

By Jim Kohler

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Public Affairs

NORFOLK — The NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk Advanced Traceability and Control (ATAC) team has recently completed testing, evaluation and process improvement for Electronic Repairable Management Systems (eRMS) 2.0.

ATAC provides tracking, expediting and visibility for Navy and Marine Corps Depot Level Repairable (DLR) components to minimize losses and optimize repair/supply cycle times.

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk manages the ATAC Hub in Norfolk and the Eastern Region ATAC Nodes. The region includes Nodes in Jacksonville, Mayport, Bahrain, Jebel Ali, Sigonella, Rota, Naples and Souda Bay. eRMS is the program ATAC uses to track the material.

In preparation to transition to eRMS 2.0, the ATAC Norfolk team participated in three User Assessment Testing (UAT) phases. During the

testing, more than 400 UAT customer inquiries were submitted to fix, upgrade or re-program the database prior going live. The new system enables chain of custody in every step of processing unserviceable but repairable items, known as retrograde, and meets financial improvement and audit readiness (FIAR) requirements. eRMS was redesigned to provide a better-streamlined solution in tracking and reporting disposition of retrograde assets to ensure that all DLR items are processed and transported to the designated overhaul point or designated stock point (DSP), and is available to all users and customers 24/7. Additionally, this system meets the Department of Defense and Navy’s cyber-security requirements and has the ability to interface with the Navy’s supply chain and financial tools such as ERP. NAVSUP adopted the use of eRMS in October 2002. It is a web-based system that streamlines retrograde processing, allowing proper

identification, packaging and documentation of the retrograde. The implementation provided activities with in transit visibility — or “cradle to grave” visibility to the unit. With eRMS implemented, activities became retrograde manager for their assets, and the system terminated carcass tracking, provided proof of shipment and proof of delivery in real time.

According to ATAC Hub Norfolk Director Judith Burkett, it is extremely important to update systems and processes so they can continue to provide world class logistics support. “It is a financially responsible process to update systems to allow for improved processes as well as improved productivity to allow for more accurate data and customer support,” said Burkett.

Over the last 14 months, ATAC Hub Norfolk actively participated in the eRMS Change Control Board, UATs, and scenarios testing receiving, packaging and shipping for retrograde and stress testing for a successful imple-

mentation. Burkett said the updated system has several advantages. “It is a more FIAR compliant process that allows us more financial responsibility to the fleet and general customer support.”

ATAC personnel began testing eRMS 2.0 in May 2020 and completed the evaluation and testing in December 2020. In preparation to have a successful go live, ATAC had to clear all retrograde prior to implementation. From November 2020 to January 2021, ATAC successfully processed more than 12,000 DLR and 715 contractor returns in the legacy system. The eRMS Legacy transition to 2.0 successfully started Feb. 1, 2021. Through the first week of March, ATAC Hub Norfolk processed nearly 4,000 items, with daily average receipts of 289 and daily average processed of 248 DLR. “The learning process has been relatively uncomplicated at this time and the ATAC team members seem to be extremely enthusiastic when discussing this subject,” said Burkett.

The success of the eRMS 2.0 implementation is a culmination of teamwork by the ATAC team and NAVSUP WSS. “ATAC’s role is to improve support and asset availability to the fleet to ensure the mission continues,” said Burkett. “This is an extremely important role to play in the day-to-day operations of the military. It is with great pride that we provide ATAC services.”

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4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, April 1, 2021

NAVFAC chief engineer selected for distinguished alumni award

By Anthony Cooper

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON — Robert “David” Curfman, chief engineer and assistant commander for Design and Construction, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) was recently inducted as a member of the Virginia Tech Civil and Environmental Academy of Distinguished Alumni.

Curfman, a registered professional engineer in Virginia, is a 1983 graduate and has been a member of the Federal Senior Executive Service since 2014. He assumed his current position in 2019, where his serves as the senior technical advisor and technical authority for the commander, NAVFAC, on facilities design, construction, and engineering issues, as well as leading several key programs in the Navy’s military construction, restoration and modernization, medical facilities design, and ocean facilities programs.

Awarded by The Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Academy of Distinguished Alumni was established in 1998 and, since that time, has recognized 144 members with this honor. Alumni are selected based

on their accomplishments and commitment to the profession of engineering and other careers, and support to the university, nation, and to society as a whole. From amongst the thousands of the department’s successful alumni throughout the world, a select few are chosen for their truly noteworthy accomplishments.

From among his many achievements, Curfman has been recognized as the NAVFAC Engineer of the Year for developing dredging criteria for the U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, received the Secretary of the Navy award for environmental impact planning analysis for at-sea Navy training, and in 2019, led the rapid restoration of Navy facilities at Naval Station China Lake that were damaged by a 7.1 earthquake that year.

Curfman credits his time at Virginia Tech with contributing to his Navy success.

“The technical depth that I received at Virginia Tech in steel and concrete design enabled me to be very qualified for my first job in bridge and waterfront design.

Virginia Tech also created a passion for learning that has driven me to seek knowledge and new challenges throughout my career,” Curfman said.

For more news about Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, visit www. navy.mil/local/navfachq/

Robert“David”Curfman, chief engineer and assistant commander for Design and Construction, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) was recently inducted as a member of the Virginia Tech Civil and Environmental Academy of Distinguished Alumni. (ANTHONY COOPER)

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 1, 2021 5

Navy Region MidAtlantic Fire, Emergency Services earns Governor’s EMS Awards

By MC1 Peter Lewis

Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK — Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA) Fire and Emergency Services (FES) was recently announced as the winner of The 2020 Governor’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Award in the category of Outstanding EMS Agency. NRMA Firefighter and Paramedic Daryl Clements also received The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding EMS Prehospital Educator.

More than a dozen military and civilian providers and agencies from across the commonwealth were recognized during a virtual presentation, for their trusted expertise and commitment to providing the best emergency medical care possible.

“This past year has been particularly challenging, and presented unknown circumstances that have required the adaptation, strength and resilience of Virginia’s EMS providers,” said Gary Brown, director, Virginia Office of EMS. “This year’s award nominees represent the courage and dedication that has been required to respond to the pandemic. I am honored to commend their heroic commitment to saving lives and thank them for their outstanding contributions to Virginia’s EMS System.”

NRMA FES provides exemplary emergency services to the local Navy community, while also partnering with surrounding jurisdictions in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth and Norfolk whenever called upon. In 2020, they responded to more than 7,000 emergency calls.

“I am extremely honored to be nominated by my peers for such a prestigious award,” said Daryl Clements, recipient of The Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding EMS Prehospital Educator. “To be selected above all of the other very qualified nominees is truly the pinnacle of my career. For years, I watched my heroes win local and state awards, never thinking such an achievement was attainable for me. I share this award with my family, the many EMS providers, students, and preceptors who have supported and helped me develop into who I am today. I stand in awe.”

NRMA FES also provided support for

(Courtesy Graphic)

numerous recreational, educational and community service events to Navy families, including support for the Girl Scouts Camp Fury Program; medical support and firefighting and medical science education for 9,000 local students at the Oceana Air Show STEM Learning Lab Day; and other large-scale special events such as Fleet Fest, the USS John C. Stennis homecoming, and the Shamrock and Rock and Roll marathons.

“Our slogan is ‘Protecting those who defend America.’ For me, that is so much more than a saying. That has become my life’s mission,” Clements added. “As a veteran and former U.S. Navy hospital corpsman, I know the sacrifices the Sailors and Marines make

for us daily. I have always felt called to give back to the military community that sacrifices so much for us. I strive to make a positive impact on each civilian and military member we serve.”

Providers developed emergency response procedures and administered emergency training to base lifeguards, which directly resulted in several water rescues and Red Cross Lifesaving Awards for Professional Responders. The agency routinely provides public services to our Navy families, such as station tours for local children, fire safety education, and holiday parades for base housing communities. The hard work, commitment to excellence, and contribu-

tions of NRMA FES, the other awardees, and all emergency service workers will continue to play a crucial role in supporting the people of Virginia.

“Congratulations to all the award winners and my sincere thanks to all the EMS providers in the commonwealth,” said State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver. “Your efforts, whether on a routine call for chest pain or in response to a multi-vehicle crash requiring heroic lifesaving measures, are appreciated by families everywhere. During this pandemic, many of you have stepped in to help administer vaccines, further evidence of your dedication to your communities. You are truly Virginia’s heroes.”

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6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, April 1, 2021

Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) Fall Engagement students observe as their colleagues make their presentations during a Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD)-led virtual event. (BRENTAN DEBYSINGH)

NSWCPD renews STEM charter, continues focus on future workforce

By Keegan Rammel

Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division Public Affairs

PHILADELPHIA — Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) recently released the Command’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) outreach charter and strategic plan, which share an increased focus on the future workforce, for 2021-2025.

The new STEM Outreach Charter lays out six goals to strengthen the STEM education in the Greater Philadelphia Area to strengthen the Command’s future workforce pipeline.

“This revision focused on making sure that all of the programs that we support align with our goals,” said Tristan Wolfe, NSWCPD’s STEM Outreach Program Manager. “Our number one goal is to attract and engage a high achieving, diverse pool of students to the NSWCPD STEM Pipeline. We are doing that by increasing the total number of participants by targeting communities that are underrepresented in the STEM field and enhancing the quality of STEM education in the region.”

NSWCPD connects with students from elementary school to college through afterschool programs, events, and internships.

In Fiscal Year 2020, NSWCPD’s STEM Outreach Program engaged 305 NSWCPD employees, 3,600 students, and 336 educators through 28 events and seven major programs across the Greater Philadelphia Area.

One of NSWCPD’s programs aimed at serving underrepresented communities is the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania STEM Experience Summer Camp that the Command hosts alongside Jefferson University. This program brings Girl

Scouts into the Command’s test sites and labs, as well as gives them the opportunity to engage with STEM professionals who share encouragement and their own stories of finding success in STEM. “Programs like this are important to show the girls that there are more opportunities open to them to work in the science field than just being a doctor,” said Elyse Merkel, a Fuel Systems Engineer and NSWCPD’s lead volunteer for the camp. “I didn’t have any programs like this growing up and I didn’t really get introduced to engineering until college. I think it makes all the difference to connect with middle schoolers with our diverse group of women in STEM and let them see themselves represented in the career field.”

The Command’s second goal is to inspire and improve STEM proficiency in the Greater Philadelphia Area by focusing on equity and increasing technical literacy and to raise awareness of opportunities in the Navy from internships to careers.

These events all help NSWCPD to engage directly with the community, highlighting the importance of the Navy and showcase the variety of STEM careers across the Department of Defense.

“Every year we see more and more how important a STEM education is, both for our Nation and our Navy. We need a well-educated workforce to lead our nation to a successful future,” said Capt. Dana Simon, NSWCPD’s Commanding Officer. “Our STEM program and internships have found some of our most talented employees and they are able to hit the ground running thanks to the skills they bring with them from their time in our programs.”

The Command’s third goal is to grow NSWCPD’s identity and STEM culture through STEM outreach participation.

“NSWCPD Leadership has been incred-

ibly supportive of employees volunteering and that has played a big part in our ability support these programs. We provide funding and resources to our employees to make sure that they feel empowered to engage with the community,” Wolfe said.

Although the Coronavirus Pandemic limited some of the events NSWCPD supports, the Command still connected with students through virtual events, online afterschool programs, and multiple entirely remote internship programs.

In 2020, NSWCPD was responsible for 20 percent of the entire Department of the Navy’s internship programs after several labs were forced to cancel their college focused Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program and high school focused Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program internship programs. NSWCPD shifted the projects to allow all 61 interns to participate virtually. At the end of the internships 17 students interviewed for positions and 15 were offered letters of interest from the Command.

NSWCPD also partners with the Naval Engineering Education Consortium (NEEC), a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Warfare Center-wide program that awards grants to universities to conduct research while offering students first-hand naval engineering experience.

NEEC provides a pipeline of students with relevant experience that can immediately make an impact when brought on board.

The fourth goal is to develop and enhance the NSWCPD workforce through STEM outreach participation.

Volunteering provides NSWCPD employees with an opportunity to collaborate across technical codes and to meet coworkers who they might not have otherwise. NSWCPD’s robotics program mentors work in a variety of different technical

codes and bring different areas of expertise that they can share with each other and the students.

Sean Gallagher, NSWCPD systems engineer and Vice Chair for the Philadelphia Robotics Coalition, explained.

“Being a mentor teaches project management, systems engineering, and public speaking,” Gallagher said. “Particularly for young people coming into the organization, this is an invaluable way to practice skills that they can bring back to NSWCPD.” The fifth goal focuses on building outreach relationships with academia, private industry, and other government organizations to further community support.

The Command is partnered with several universities for RoboBoat and RoboSub, naval robotics competitions that focus on providing participants experience in all facets of the engineering design process for the development of autonomous naval vehicles.

In 2019, NSWCPD partnered with the Philadelphia Robotics Coalition, a nonprofit that supports Philadelphia public high school robotics teams, which helped NSWCPD engineers connect with more than 20 local schools.

“Our partners help increase our reach to schools we haven’t been able to engage with yet and allow us the flexibility to leverage resources we wouldn’t otherwise have access to,” Wolfe explained.

The STEM Outreach Program’s final goal is to track performance, market success, and continuously improve the NSWCPD STEM Program.

“We want to really hone-in on exactly what resources we need on a yearly-basis to make sure that we are meeting the needs of the community and providing support to our employees where needed,” Wolfe said.

“Our STEM Outreach program has grown every year and COVID showed us that we can reach more students across the nation virtually and we plan on taking that lesson going forward.”

NSWCPD employs approximately 2,700 civilian engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel. The NSWCPD team does the research and development, test and evaluation, acquisition support, and in-service and logistics engineering for the non-nuclear machinery, ship machinery systems, and related equipment and material for Navy surface ships and submarines.

NSWCPD is also the lead organization providing cybersecurity for all ship systems.

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 1, 2021 7

Gator Inn from Page 1

for the award was a bit different. Due to COVID19, a process that previously took one day took seven with photographs and videos needing to be submitted in lieu of in-person inspections.

“Our team worked hard in preparing for the inspection,” said Los Angeles native, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Joi K. Constable, who serves as the galley’s leading petty officer. “We performed spot inspections and held more than 50 hours of [culinary specialist] specific training. When we won last year, we asked ourselves, ‘What can we do better?’ and apparently what we did worked.”

Yorktown from Page 1

to travel around the world.

Black said the most rewarding aspect of her job is seeing her junior Sailors advance in rate. “It lets me know my Sailors are listening.”

She added that it feels like a true honor to be recognized.

“I am proud to be one of the many women who are leading the way and breaking barriers in the U.S. Navy,” stated Black.

“It feels good that we are being acknowledged for our achievements.”

Chief Boatswain’s Mate Diana Garcia is the Executive Department leading chief petty officer and has served in the Navy for over 20 years. She oversees the Sailors in Admin, ID Lab, IT Department (N6), Nelson Chapel and Emergency Operations Center.

Garcia recalled that she was not sure what to do after high school, but knew that she was not ready to begin college.

“The U.S. Navy seemed like the perfect fit for me,”

Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Taylor-Nichole Daniels prepares salads at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story’s Gator Inn Galley. (MICHELLE STEWART)

she stated. “I remember, specifically, traveling sounded like the most exciting part.”

She added that most rewarding part of the job is seeing Sailors advance and succeed.

“It is rewarding to see a Sailor overcome challenges that they did not believe they were capable of overcoming,” Garcia said. “I enjoy helping them unlock their full potential.”

Yeoman Seaman Shuai Wang is one of NWS Yorktown’s administrative assistants. She was born in China and has served in the Navy for two years.

Wang said that while pursuing her graduate degree, she discovered just how expensive being an international student could be.

“I didn’t want my parents to pay for my master’s degree and decided to give up on pursuing my education,” she said. “My best friend is in the U.S. Navy and encouraged me to join so that I could complete my education with their tuition assistance and through NCPACE (Navy

College Program for Afloat College Education), and have greater opportunities to support myself in the future.”

Wang said she is working hard in her career and wants to make her family proud.

“Even with the language barrier, I want to show people that you can succeed at your goals if you put in the effort,” she said. “The U.S. Navy is providing a great opportunity for my future.”

Wang stated that the most rewarding part of her job is working with others as a team.

“Each person plays an important role in meeting our objectives,” she said.

“Working on a team creates opportunities for everyone to learn and grow professionally.”

To current Sailors, Wang had a few words of encouragement.

“Do not forget the reason you joined the US Navy,” she said. “You need to trust that you are capable of achieving more than you can ever have imagined, and no matter what happens, never give up on your goals.”

Peggy B. Craig from Page 1

years of service to NAVFAC, the 1st Naval Construction Division, the Center for Seabees and Facilities Engineering, or any subordinate unit.

“Mr. Torres epitomizes what it means to be a civil servant.

He has dedicated himself to providing an exceptional level of pride and professionalism to the Sailors stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes for nearly 37 years,” said NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Commanding Officer Capt. Tres Meek.

“His dedication and resolve to support the warfighter has resounded throughout the workforce, and his commitment to the development and mentorship of his personnel epitomizes the spirit of Peggy Craig and reflects positively on the entire NAVFAC enterprise.

He is truly most deserving of this award.”

Torres’ willingness to try out new things is evident when he volunteered to serve as a first responder on the Facility Response Team for PWD Great Lakes, which provides training for on-water oil spills and recovery efforts. He regu-

larly volunteers for the most difficult tasks, whether it is crawling into steam pits or accessing outdated mechanical rooms. His efforts directly impact the quality of life for 40,000 Navy recruits annually, and thousands of other Navy students and civilians. Additionally, in the last 20 years, more than 10 employees whom he personally mentored have gone on to become work leaders, supervisors, and estimators throughout PWD Great Lakes.

Dedicated to ensuring mission success and placing the needs of the department ahead of his own, Torres did not hesitate when called upon to step in as the project shop supervisor when a hiring freeze kept the position vacant for several months. His flexibility and enthusiasm to support the command has earned him the respect of his coworkers and has reflected well on NAVFAC. His most recent contribution, the $4.5 million project to convert two recruit drill halls into Restriction of Movement barracks, capable of housing more the 1,300 recruits in support of COVID-19 emergency operations, is a great illustration of

this point.

From starting as an apprentice welder after graduating high school in 1984, to his current position as maintenance mechanic work leader, Torres clearly personifies a career of service, selflessness, and dedication.

“It is an incredible honor to have been nominated and chosen for this award, and I am very grateful and humbled,” said Torres, who started his NAVFAC career working half days as part of the Cooperative Work Training program before graduating from high school.

“This is a great milestone in my career.”

Torres credits the success of his career to a work ethic instilled in him by his parents and having a job he enjoys with coworkers who make coming to work a pleasure.

“My family has been there for me my entire career and I thank them, first and foremost,” he said. “There are also so many coworkers and mentors who took the extra time to teach me everything I know, and I thank every one of them for the privilege and honor to work with each of them since day one.”

8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, April 1, 2021

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, April 1, 2021 1

Afloat Education The Navy College Program announced it added Upper Iowa University to the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) program. PAGE B6

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), front, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), middle, the Indian Navy Shivalik-class guided-missile frigate INS Shivalik (F47), rear, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59), sail in formation March 28. (MCSN EDUARDO A. TORRES)

Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group conducts joint force maritime exercise with India From USS Theodore Roosevelt (Cvn 71) Public Affairs INDIAN OCEAN — The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) conducted simultaneous joint multi-domain operations with the Indian Navy and Air Force in the Indian Ocean March 28-29.

Joint integration is key to elevate capability and capacity in the maritime domain. The highly successful exercise occurred on the heels of Secretary of Defense Austin’s scheduled visit to India.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to conduct this exercise with the Indian Navy and Air Force,” said Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine. “Not only do we share a common desire for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, we also share common values and maritime traditions which make training together all the more meaningful. Our value together far exceeds what we can do individually to progress security, stability, and economic prosperity through our enforce-

ment of the international rules-based order that benefits all.”

The exercise focused on complex operations such as anti-submarine warfare, joint air operations, and command and control (C2) integration. It demonstrated the capacity of the two nations to operate together to advance a common vision of Indo-Pacific, ensuring peace and stability.

USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and her embarked Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM 75), the “Wolf Pack”, USS Russell (DGG 59), and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) operated with INS Shivalik (F 47) with embarked helicopter, Maritime Patrol Aircraft (P-8I) from INAS 312 — “The Albatross”, and Indian Air Force aircraft from Squadron No. 222 — “The Tigersharks”. U.S. and Indian forces exercised together seamlessly across all domains, demonstrating the compatibility of our platforms and operations on the sea and in the air.

The TRCSG is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet to help ensure freedom of the seas, build partnerships that foster maritime

security, and to conduct a wide range of operations that support humanitarian efforts and act as deterrence to potential malign actions.

The TRCSG consists of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), Destroyer Squadron 23, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Russell (DDG 59) and USS John Finn (DDG 113).

Theodore Roosevelt’s embarked air wing consists of the “Tomcatters” of Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 31, “Golden Warriors” of VFA-87, “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146, “Black Knights” of VFA-154, “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115, “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75, “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 and “Providers” of Fleet Logistic Support Squadron (VRC) 30 Detachment 3.

TRCSG’s operability in the region directly

USS Mount Whitney donates COVID supplies to host-city Gaeta, Italy

By MC2 Scott Barnes

USS Mount Whitney Public Affairs

GAETA, Italy — On behalf of the crew of the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20), Capt. David Pollard, commanding officer of Mount Whitney, presented critical medical equipment and supplies to a local hospital in Gaeta, Italy, assisting in the resupply of depleted stocks after heavy demand during the peak of the COVID19 crisis.

“This donation is a true sign of friendship and collaboration,” said Cosmo Mitrano, mayor of Gaeta. “This equipment will aid in the fight against COVID-19.”

“The Mount Whitney and its crew are honored to be a part of this community and to call Gaeta its home,” said Capt. Pollard. “It is in large part due to their efforts that we are here today to make this presentation.”

The last of three donation events, the U.S. Navy donated more than $1.3 million in personal protective equipment showing the Navy’s commitment in supporting Italy’s fight against COVID-19. This donation followed similar events held at local hospitals in Campania and Sicily, helping to replenish depleted stocks in heavy demand while the pandemic continues to wreak havoc around the globe.

Included in the donation were stocks of

supports the Chief of Naval Operation’s navigation plan to master all-domain fleet operations, and exercise with like-minded navies to enhance our collective strength.

As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward deployed fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates between 50-70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 Sailors. 7th Fleet’s area of operation spans more than 124 million square kilometers, stretching from the International Date Line to the India/Pakistan border; and from the Kuril Islands in the North to the Antarctic in the South Pacific, providing security and stability to the region. 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security while conducting a wide-range of missions to support humanitarian efforts and uphold international laws and freedoms of the sea.

Theodore Roosevelt departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment to the Indo-Pacific December 23.

For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn71/

USS Fort McHenry decommissions after 33 years of service From U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

Capt. David Pollard, commanding officer of the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney, and Cosmo Mitrano, mayor of Gaeta, Italy, pose for a photo during a medical supplies donation to Gaeta, Italy on behalf of the USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20).

(MC2 Scott Barnes)

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. — The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) held a small, COVID-conscious decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, Florida on March 27 before its inactivation which will occur in April.

Rear Adm. Robert Katz, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2 presided over the ceremony, which included the remaining ship’s crew and several of its previous commanding officer, including the ship’s commissioning commanding officer, Capt. George “Dusty” Rhodes, who retired in 1999 and featured prominently in the ceremony.

“I am humbled to be with you on this bittersweet day as we gather here at Naval Station Mayport to commemorate this ship’s 33 years of commissioned service,” said Katz. “The history of Fort McHenry lies within each of the ship’s Sailors, and it is my hope this pride in their

Turn to Mount Whitney, Page 7

Turn to Fort McHenry, Page 7

2

The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, April 1, 2021

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Supermom and the Easter Bunny: Do you believe?

By Lisa Molinari From the moment I held our first born in my arms, I wanted to be Supermom.

I had a vision of the perfect mother. Calm yet assertive. Generous with affection. Nurturing, protective, patient and kind. Creative and fun-loving. Teacher of life lessons, virtues, practical skills and common-sense.

Early on, I believed that with hard work, I could master the noble skill of raising little human beings into productive, secure, well-adjusted adults. I envisioned our family of five interacting at dinner tables filled with laughter and home-cooked meals, reading books before bedtime, playing “my father owned a grocery store” while rolling down scenic country roads in our minivan packed with nutritious snacks and vacation suitcases.

However, after a decade of hard work, I still wasn’t Supermom. I can’t remember exactly what made me realize this. Maybe it was when Hayden stole a candy bar from the base Shoppette after school. Or was it the time Lilly forged my signature on the parent report about her disrupting her second grade class? Maybe it was that night 13-year-old Anna screamed “I hate

you!” in my face. It could have been any one of those afternoons when I forgot to pick them up from school. I hope it wasn’t that New Year’s Eve party when I drank too much and twerked on our kitchen table in front of them.

Whatever it was, I blamed myself — if only I worked a little harder, was more intelligent, had more patience, I could be Supermom.

It took several more years for me to finally accept the reality I am flawed, just like every mother since the beginning of time. It was impossible to control my children’s destinies, assure their successes, or protect them from every danger, negative influence, or disappointment.

Supermom, I now understand, doesn’t exist.

Now that our three children are in their twenties, I’m on the lookout for signs that, despite the impossibility of perfect parenting, all those years of mothering effort were not in vain. I watch for clues that maybe, just maybe, I did something right.

Hayden, Anna, and Lilly, are in a post-teenage phase where they no longer complain that I’m a complete embarrassment. Instead, they now see me as a humorous curiosity and enjoy pointing out my idiosyncrasies. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, and I’ve noticed a hint of affec-

tion in my children’s eyes when they mock my eccentricities.

I’ve also noticed that my children copy me in other ways, as they establish their own adult habits and routines. Lilly folds her socks the way I always did. Anna makes daily “To Do” lists just like me. And Hayden insists on continuing every holiday tradition that I began when they were small.

When the kids were young, I infused every special occasion — Birthdays, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter — with traditions, foods, and activities I knew they’d enjoy.

I thought their interest in Easter egg hunts, Christmas crafts, and birthday games would wane as they aged, but instead, I see evidence that my efforts as a mother all those years ago eked into their permanent psyches.

Which is why I bought bunny Pez dispensers, pastel foil-wrapped candies, miniature toys, and jelly beans last week. According to Hayden, Easter isn’t the same without an egg hunt with his siblings.

Therefore, I’ll stay up late Saturday night filling 75 plastic eggs for my adult children.

On Easter, in between cooking ham, scalloped potatoes and yum-yum cake, I’ll hide those eggs around our house and yard. They’ll line up for instructions — how many eggs and what colors each person can collect in addition to the “wild card” multicolored eggs. When I yell “GO!” my husband will snap photos of our son (a software engineer with a full beard) and our daughters (taller than me) running, pushing, grabbing eggs and laughing. Inevitably, the dog will steal an egg or two. When the hunt is over, they’ll sit at our kitchen table, open eggs, and negotiate serious candy swaps.

I may have never been Supermom, but watching my adult children relive happy childhood memories and traditions has finally convinced me.

You done good, Mom.

Yorktown, VA’s Erica McMannes Recognized for Her Work Assisting Military Spouses in Finding Employment

FUNCTIONS AND/OR SERVICES FFSC PROVIDES: ClinicalCounseling(Individual, Couples,a nd Child Counseling) Personal Financial Management Information & Referral Family Employment Assistance Transition Assistance Family Advocacy Program Deployment and Mobilization Support Ombudsman Support Relocation Assistance Parenting Programs Stress and Anger Management Command Support Crisis Support SuicidePrevention SAPR Support

From Blue Star Washington, DC — Erica McMannes, a proud military spouse currently stationed in Yorktown, Virginia, is this year’s first honoree of the “Blue Star Community Changemakers award delivered

by CSX.” McMannes, whose recognition comes during Women’s History Month and at the one-year mark of the pandemic in the United States, has been selected for recognition for creating Instant Teams, a remote work solution for military spouses in their local community and across the globe, which she founded in 2016. Her creation of a remote-work solution for military families proved invaluable to spouses who were forced to stop working or lost their job during the national coronavirus crisis.

According to Blue Star Families’ annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey (aMFLS), 22% of military spouses are completely unemployed — three times higher than the national unemployment average. One in three spouse respondents is not employed but actively wants or needs a paying position. The data also shows that 63% of active-duty spouse respondents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and that a quarter of all spouse respondents hold a master’s or doctorate.

Military spouses, according to the aMFLS, state that increasing the availability of flexible work opportunities is their preferred recommendation for solving the issue.

McMannes stepped into action by creating a remote work solution for military spouses across the globe. “Our company has paid out millions of dollars in payroll for remote work and benefits to military spouses and military-connected professionals,” McMannes said. “Right now, we employ just under 300 employees and 96% are military spouses.”

Mid-Atlantic Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) programs and services are designed to help you make the most of your military experience, and they’re all available to you at no cost.

(Courtesy Photo)

McMannes’ ultimate goal for Instant Teams is for it to become the largest employer of military spouses in the United States, and that aspiration is what drives her to continue to seek data that informs Instant Teams’ yearly growth.

“The aMFLS has been a great asset in our narrative and mission at Instant Teams,” said McMannes. “All the data on remote work and military spouse employment really empowers our messaging and our drive to figure out where that business case is and how we can improve that messaging for really building high-quality remote teams with a military spouse workforce.”

“Supporting and honoring our nation’s military spouses is our priority, and being able to recognize Erica for the incredible work she is doing on their behalf is one of the highlights of my experience leading Blue Star Families” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO and Board President, Blue Star Families.

“CSX is excited to be able to elevate the impressive work military spouses are making possible day in and day out,” said Bryan Tucker, vice president of corporate communications. “At CSX, we’re committed to supporting servicemen and women — and with that — their families, so this is an effort that is very near to us.”

Together with Blue Star Families, CSX Pride in Service has supported the launch and growth of six Blue Star Families CSX Community Chapters in Jacksonville, Chicago, Tennessee, Baltimore, Tampa, and Dayton, offering connection points for military families with their civilian neighbors.

CSX is proud to help make available community-based support such as career and skills-training, parks and recreational experiences, book clubs, and other family-based activities, delivering critical resources at key moments of transition.

About Blue Star Families Blue Star Families is the nation’s largest grassroots military family support organization, with a mission to support military families to improve military readiness. Its distinctive approach builds stronger communities around military families through knowledge and programs that address the unique needs of those who serve. Blue Star Families’ nationally recognized surveys and analysis give military families an important voice that informs policymakers and its military family programs. It uses the power of its collective resources and cross-sector collaborations to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of members of military families to strengthen the troops, their families, and our nation as a whole.

For more information, visit bluestarfam.org.

About CSX CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation’s economic expansion and industrial development.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, April 1, 2021 3

A tugboat assists the guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) in getting underway, March 26. (MC2 KRIS LINDSTROM)

USS Arleigh Burke prepares for homeport shift to Rota From Commander, U.s. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. — The guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) departed from Naval Station Norfolk, Mar. 26, commencing the ship’s homeport shift to Rota, Spain.

Arleigh Burke will replace USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) as one of four forward deployed naval forces (FDNF) located in Spain. The ship is named after U.S. Navy Admiral Arleigh Burke (October 19, 1901 January 1, 1996) who distinguished himself during World War II and the Korean War, and served as Chief of Naval Operations during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations. Arleigh Burke, the lead ship of its class of Aegis-equipped guided missile destroyers, was commissioned in Burke’s honor in 1991.

The honor of naming a vessel after a living

figure had only been bestowed four times since 1861.

“As one of the most technologically advanced destroyers in the entire United States Navy, we are excited to provide additional capability to Sixth Fleet operations,” said Cmdr. Patrick Chapman, commanding officer, USS Arleigh Burke. “However, even stronger than the technology we have been outfitted with, is the strength of our crew. Every day we train to be the most effective crew possible — one that is ready for sustained forward presence in the Sixth Fleet Area of Operations.”

Arleigh Burke was the first U.S. Navy destroyer in the world equipped with the AEGIS Weapons Systems and departs for Sixth Fleet with the latest AEGIS baseline 9 upgrades. This higher capability ship is effective in high-threat areas conducting anti-air, antisubmarine, anti-surface, and strike oper-

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To prepare for homeport shift, Arleigh Burke took part in the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group’s Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX is designed to fully integrate a strike group as a cohesive, multi-mission fighting force, and test the group’s ability to carry out sustained combat operations from the sea. Upon completion of COMPTUEX, Arleigh Burke is certified and ready to execute the full spectrum of maritime operations in any theater.

“I am immensely proud of the perseverance of our crew, and of our families who have supported us through our arduous training cycle,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jason Waters. “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the crew was able to remain healthy and continue with one of the most rigorous schedules I have experienced in my career. Arleigh Burke’s crew and families have performed

beyond all expectations. There is no doubt in my mind that we are ready for Sixth Fleet.”

In addition to certifying in support of naval operations worldwide, Arleigh Burke Sailors and their families have been focused on preparing for the move to Spain. Arleigh Burke’s leadership team traveled from Norfolk to Naval Station Rota to participate in educational briefings and question-and-answer sessions concerning the homeport shift process and life in Spain. Naval Station Rota also supported virtual meetings for Norfolk crewmembers and their families to learn about the complicated homeport shift process.

The U.S. Navy will continue to meet combatant commander requirements around the world, but in order to do so, protective steps must be taken to ensure the health and the safety Sailors and their families from exposure to COVID-19.

Arleigh Burke will join USS Ross (DDG 71), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), and USS Porter (DDG 78) as the newest member of FDNF Rota, replacing USS Donald Cook (DDG 75).

Donald Cook will return to her new home at Naval Station Mayport, whereas she was previously homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.

For more news from C2F, visit http://www. facebook.com/US2ndFleet or http://twitter. com/US2ndFleet

4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, April 1, 2021

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Chase Swenson, satellite communications operator, Support Company, 9th Communications Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, deploys a satellite terminal antenna at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. (USMC Cpl. LUKAS KALINAUSKAS)

IPOWER: Improving your energy-informed decisions when it matters most

By Nicholas Pasquini

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Public Affairs

WASHINGTON — U.S. Naval Research Laboratory researchers have developed IPOWER, a software application that simulates energy use, storage, harvesting, and sharing in deployed Army and Marine Corps units to improve energy-informed decision-making.

“Efforts to improve the capability of dismounted soldiers and Marines over the past two decades have been successful, but at the cost of greater energy consumption, weight, and complexity,” said Richard Stroman, a NRL mechanical engineer. “Consequently, there is now a pressing need for energy analysis tools such as IPOWER to help acquisitions officers, doctrine developers, logisticians, and warfighters make conscious energy-saving decisions.”

Continued capability improvements will only be feasible with a clear understanding of the energy options and tradeoffs involved. The complexity of modern warfighter systems has made traditional energy analysis techniques, including gross-averages and environmental assumptions, inadequate and less reliable, Stroman added.

“IPOWER gives users a flexible tool for simulating a wide variety of missions, equipment, unit organizations, and energy management strategies in realistic environments,” Stroman said. “This tool uses sophisticated equipment models and system-level energy analysis, but does so with a simple and easyto-use interface so users can quickly and

easily analyze complex scenarios to understand how equipment, tactics, and the environment influence energy on the battlefield.”

Essentially, the tool uses a climate database to estimate the likely environment, then uses equipment models and mission timelines to compute power flows in the unit. The power flows are used to generate energy metrics, such as the total energy consumed, number of batteries used, when batteries are swapped, and fuel consumed. Users can deep-dive and see details such as battery state of charge or harvested solar power as functions of mission time. Results are presented as interactive plots, charts, and other graphics.

Users interact with IPOWER through a web browser, which can be deployed locally on a stand-alone computer, or on a server with multiple users logging in over a network.

Inputs are recognizable to anyone working with dismounted warfighters.

Further evidence of IPOWER versatility is found in the software structure. The analysis tool can run natively on Windows and Linux operating systems, but is most often distributed as a Docker image. IPOWER can be shared with Department of Defense (DOD) organizations interested in collaboration or adding an energy analysis capability to their applications.

“IPOWER is packaged to run inside software called Docker, which is very common in the software world, particularly in Cloud environments,” Stroman said. “Distributing IPOWER this way simplifies installation and subsequent upgrades, and facilitates an eventual move into a Cloud environment.”

IPOWER also has a well-documented Application Programming Interface (API) to support integration with other applications and facilitates its use for energy simulation tasks unrelated to dismounted warfighters.

An API enables software engineers to “plug” one software application into another to work together.

“A major advantage of IPOWER is users are free to create new equipment and mission activities to tailor the analysis to their needs,” Stroman said. “Users can even create equipment and activities that do not yet exist to explore ‘what if ’ scenarios. The results can then guide research and development and acquisition decisions.”

IPOWER saves data to a local database.

Soon, users will be able to share their custom equipment and missions with an export/ import feature.

All equipment in IPOWER is part of a “system.” Simulations range from a single, individually assigned system to multiple shared systems in a military unit. IPOWER affords its users the capability to configure each warfighter with different systems or apply a standard configuration to multiple warfighters and squads to navigate simulations. The NRL analysis tool applies sophisticated energy management logic to determine when batteries are charged, discharged, and shared among members of the unit.

“Our current goal is to enable quantitative energy-informed decisions about the systems carried by dismounted warfighters — what equipment to carry, how to use it, and what specifications to push for in future

equipment,” Stroman said. “The central idea is that informed decisions can give warfighters access to advanced capabilities without the excessive energy burdens they endure today.

Ultimately, we would like to expand IPOWER to address a broader set of DoD energy challenges.”

IPOWER is sponsored by U.S. Army Program Managers Close Combat Squad (PM-CCS) and Infantry Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Expeditionary Energy Office (E2O), and USMC Systems Command. The Army is currently using IPOWER to answer power and energy questions for future dismounted soldiers, and the USMC is using IPOWER to develop next generation Expeditionary power concepts. The NRL Alternative Energy section has used the tool to analyze USMC Special Operations Command power and energy needs.

The tool is not currently used to plan or manage real-world missions; however, NRL is exploring ways to use it for mission planning in conjunction with Windows Tactical Assault Kit, also known as WinTAK, software used by ground troops to plan and execute missions.

The NRL Alternative Energy Section develops new and improved power and energy sources and systems for the Navy, Marine Corps, DoD, and Intelligence Community (IC). A growing area has been energy-related simulation and optimization tools such as IPOWER. The group explores topics ranging from energy harvesting and storage to largescale power production and vehicle powertrains. Emphasis is on electrochemical devices such as fuel cells and batteries, and related systems such as hydrogen fuel storage, with underpinnings in materials science. The new power/energy sources are designed for sensors, communication devices and vehicles in collaboration with other NRL divisions. Group members also serve as advisors on energy issues related to the Navy, USMC, DoD, and IC. IPOWER is available for license to companies with commercial interest in addition to collaborative partnership opportunities.

For additional information, contact the NRL Office of Technology Transfer at techtran@ nrl.navy.mil.

Defense of Taiwan vital to regional, national security, admiral says

By David Vergun

DOD News Public Affairs

WASHINGTON — The Indo-Pacific is the most consequential region for America’s future and remains the priority theater for the United States.

While Russia, North Korea and violent extremist organizations are a threat to the Indo-Pacific region, China is of most concern, particularly in its stated number one priority of taking control of Taiwan, said Navy Adm. John Aquilino testifying today before the Senate Armed Services Committee. The committee is considering his nomination for commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Aquilino noted that various studies predict that China might decide to launch a military strike against Taiwan sometime between now and 2045.

“My opinion is this problem is much closer to us than most think,” he said.

If China is allowed to take over Taiwan, it would be a severe blow to the credibility of the United States as a strong and trusted partner

A U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion with Assault Craft Unit 5 transports 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit equipment and personnel aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). (USMC Cpl. ISRAEL CHINCIO)

in the region, he said.

To meet this challenge, it will take all elements of national power, working together and with a sense of urgency, he said, adding that allies and partners will also play a key role.

The Pacific Deterrence Initiative is a strong example of the effort required to compete and win in the region, Aquilino said.

The initiative focuses on acquiring advanced military capabilities to deter China, including space-based radars, missile defense, long-range precision fires, logistics, experimentation and innovation, and improved

interoperability and exercises with allies and partners.

In accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. and multinational partners conduct training exercises with Taiwan, he said.

Also, Aquilino said he was encouraged by Taiwan’s purchase of defensive military capabilities.

The need to defend Guam is also incredibly important, he said. That island, west of the International Dateline, hosts thousands of U.S. forces and is home to 170,000 U.S. citizens.

Aquilino noted many important partner-

ships in the region, including the so-called “Quad Partnership” the U.S. has with Japan, Australia and India.

He noted that China’s only partner in the region is North Korea, although China and Russia sometimes conduct joint military exercises.

As the administration’s Interim National Security Strategic Guidance points out, he said, “America’s fate is intertwined with events beyond our shores. Global peace and prosperity depend on our presence in the Indo-Pacific.”

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, April 1, 2021 5

Distinguished visitors observe flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), in the Mediterranean Sea, March 25. (MC3 CAMERON PINSKE)

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower hosts visit for U.S. AFRICOM, Tunisian Defense, U.S. Sixth Fleet leadership From USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs U.S. 6TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY — U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), U.S Sixth Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Gene Black, Tunisian Ministry of Defense Chief of Cabinet, Abdelhak Khemiri, Tunisian Navy Chief of Staff, Rear Adm. Adel Jehane; and Tunisian Air Force Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Hajem visited the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) aircraft carrier, to discuss joint efforts to enhance Tunisia’s maritime security, March 25.

Townsend met with Tunisian Ministry of Defense Chief of Cabinet, Abdelhak Khemiri; Tunisian Navy Chief of Staff, Rear Adm. Adel Jehane; and Tunisian Air Force Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Hajem. Also attending the meeting were Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, AFRICOM intelligence director, Vice Adm. Eugene Black, commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet and deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa; Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander, Carrier Strike Group 2; and Gregory LoGerfo, deputy chief of mission, U.S. Embassy in Tunisia.

“The United States and Tunisia have a long and strong partnership—particularly in the

military sphere. We also share concerns for security in the region,” said Townsend at the conclusion of the meeting.

“Today’s meeting led by General Townsend is symbolic of the strong and enduring partnership between the United States and Tunisia which dates back to the Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1797,” said LoGerfo. “We remain committed to advancing our shared defense cooperation goals to strengthen regional security by combatting terrorism and safeguarding Tunisian sovereignty through enhanced maritime security.”

The delegations discussed the strong relationship with Tunisia as a key partner and a critical ally on NATO’s southern flank.

“As allies, we work together to enhance Tunisia’s security—and thus the region’s security. Today we’re focused on maritime domain awareness and maritime security concerns,” said Townsend.

“Our visit to the USS Dwight Eisenhower reflects the high level of partnership and mutual cooperation with the US Navy,” said Jehane. “The Tunisian Navy is committed to accomplishing its assigned mission of countering threats against our national interests at sea or coming from the sea and to actively participate in the international maritime community effort to make the Mediterranean Sea safe and

peaceful, and therefore ensuring freedom of navigation,” he added.

“We are excited to have hosted U.S. AFRICOM, U.S. Sixth Fleet and the Tunisian defense leadership aboard the flagship of our mighty strike group,” said Rear Adm. Scott F. Robertson, Commander, Carrier Strike Group TWO. “Engaging with key officials helps to provide opportunities that enhance mutual understanding of our combat readiness and capabilities as well as to emphasize the strategic importance in strengthening our partnerships.”

Townsend highlighted the importance of joint training and exercises to increase collective responsiveness and the ability of the two countries’ militaries to operate together.

“By training together we increase our interoperability with international partners while maintaining a high state of readiness to address mutual security challenges and goals.”

Tunisia is a major non-NATO ally, and serves as host or major contributor to U.S. Africa Command exercises such as African Lion and Phoenix Express. Tunisia will serve as a satellite location for African Lion in June 2021. African Lion is a joint, all-domain, multi-national exercise designed to counter malign activity and increase interoperability between U.S., African, and international

partners to defend the theater from adversary military aggression.

The visit follows a series of maritime exercises that the IKE CSG conducted starting in early March with Morocco, and later alongside Italy, Greece, and Turkey, ending in a four-day liberty port visit to Souda Bay, Greece.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is a multiplatform team of ships, aircraft and more than 5,000 sailors, capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions around the globe.

Deploying ships and aircraft of the strike group, commanded Robertson, include flagship USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69); the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61); Destroyer Squadron 22 ships include Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mitscher (DDG 57), USS Laboon (DDG 58), USS Mahan (DDG 72), and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116).

Squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, embarked on Eisenhower include the “Fighting Swordsmen” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, “Wildcats” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131, “Rampagers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83; “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7; “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74; “Screwtops” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 123; “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, and a detachment from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 “Rawhides.”

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Top defense official calls military’s COVID effort “Phenomenal”

By Jim Garamone

DOD News Public Affairs

WASHINGTON — Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks praised the military’s work in both the mission to protect DOD people and readiness, and the mission to support federal, state and local officials.

Combating COVID-19 is “Job 1” for the entire government, President Joe Biden said when he took office; DOD is doing its part.

“I think the military is doing a phenomenal job,” said Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks. She believes this is working in both the mission to protect Defense Department people and readiness and in the larger mission to support federal, state and local officials.

COVID-19 colors every decision the DOD officials make, she said.

The department has to cover readiness and the precautions needed to safeguard the force.

“With regard to our own workforce, starting to really make sure we’re getting shots in arms out into even austere environments: Folks who are deployed in … the [Central Command] theater, [Africa Command] theater, etc.,” she said.

It is in the country’s interest that service members and their DOD civilian compadres are protected, she said. “We need our own workforce to be protected in order for it to be ready,” she said. “[The workforce] needs to get vaccinated, and it needs to have testing protocols.”

“We’ve seen a tremendous drop just here in the Pentagon in the rate of COVID-19 cases from January to February, so we know these efforts are paying off,” Hicks said. “We know we’re protecting our long-term readiness in our workforce.”

It is a whole-of-government approach, and DOD does play its role. From the beginning of the pandemic, National Guardsmen have

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Erika Mendoza, an administrative specialist assigned to Installation Personnel Administration Center, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

(USMC Lance Cpl. BRANDON AULTMAN)

been crucial in aiding their fellow citizens. In addition, active duty medics deployed to New York and Los Angeles and El Paso, Texas, and Chicago and many other areas to help overwhelmed medics. Now, active-duty vaccination teams have deployed around the country in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s efforts to get shots in arms.

DOD medics provided 50,000 shots in one day and also vaccinated 500,000 Americans in under a month.

Hicks also praised the department’s efforts in support of Health and Human Services in regard to vaccine distribution. “It is such a tremendous, phenomenal effort,” she said.

“Now, it’s about making sure that we help stand up civilian capacity that can endure over the long term. We’re here for the surge, if you will.

We know we have to build out that civilian capacity, and we want to make sure we help do that.”

Hicks urged service members and their families to consider being vaccinated. “We took a photo of me being vaccinated [with] my second shot so that we could demonstrate that people shouldn’t be afraid of the vaccination,” she said. “Really, to the extent that they’re in an eligible group, we hope that they’re going out there and getting vaccinated. And I’ll just also say [that] we’re trying

to make sure, as we move now into a period of greater supply, that we have approaches to bring vaccines to make it easier for people to get vaccinated and bring vaccines closer to the workforce.”

Vaccine numbers are moving in the right direction within DOD and in America as a whole. “We’re very worried, of course, about the variants, the UK variant, for instance, and the speed of spread that we’ll see from that,” Hicks said. “I think, as Dr. [Anthony] Fauci and others have said, it’s a race between vaccination and variants; and that’s why masking, social distancing, et cetera, those are all so important even as we’re getting vaccines out there.”

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, April 1, 2021

Captain Jonathan Jett-Parmer, commanding officer, SurgeMain Norfolk, visits Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) to meet with SurgeMain reservist Sailors supporting a variety of ship projects.

(ALDO ANDERSON)

SurgeMain Sailors cover COVID gap, demobilization starts Apr. 1 From Naval Sea Systems Command Office Of Corporate Communication and Supervisor Of Shipbuilding, Newport News Public Affairs WASHINGTON — Beginning on April 1, 850 Navy Reserve Sailors mobilized by the Surge Maintenance (SurgeMain) program and deployed to the four naval shipyards will begin demobilization. The SurgeMain Sailors provide the shipyards with additional capacity to conduct ship maintenance and modernization during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the course of the seven-month mobilization, SurgeMain Sailors worked to arrest and reduce the backlog of work that built up due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In large part due to the SurgeMain Sailors’ efforts, on-going submarine and aircraft carrier availabilities were able to remain on schedule.

In addition to their direct work on availabilities, SurgeMain Sailors also provided valuable technical overhead support, using skills from

their civilian experience to perform critical machinery maintenance, return needed equipment to service and fill key supervisory roles within the shipyard.

The Navy activated SurgeMain in July 2020, to mitigate the impacts associated with 25 percent of the naval shipyards’ production workforce, considered at high risk for severe complications from the COVID-19 virus, being on weather and safety leave at the outset of a pandemic. As a result, the four shipyards were losing approximately 66,000 workdays per month across the four naval shipyards, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery, Maine; Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) in Bremerton, Washington; and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The four public shipyards implemented a number of aggressive health and safety

measures to nearly eliminate the spread of COVID-19 in the shipyard environment, which enabled the full return of the production workforce to the job site, bringing productivity back to near pre-pandemic levels and reducing the need for urgent support.

“The Navy activated SurgeMain during a critical time of need. These Sailors rose to the challenge to help the shipyards deliver combat-ready ships back to the Fleet,” said Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command Vice Adm. Bill Galinis “Now that our shipyard production workforce has almost entirely returned and we’re just about at pre-pandemic levels, the Navy is making the prudent decision to demobilize SurgeMain, allowing Sailors to return home to their families following a job well done.”

Established in 2005, SurgeMain has 2,200 enlisted Reserve Sailors and 240 Reserve officers across 75 units and was created to augment the Navy’s organic civilian shipyard workforce in times of need. SurgeMain Sailors have technical and trade backgrounds that allow them

to have an immediate impact at the shipyards.

“This mobilization was the largest Reserve deployment in NAVSEA history and demonstrated SurgeMain’s ability to rapidly deploy in a crisis and provide immediate support,” said SurgeMain’s Commanding Officer Capt. Rich Sussman. “This deployment strengthened the relationship between the four shipyards and SurgeMain, which will benefit both organizations the next time urgent maintenance needs arise.”

SurgeMain Sailors will return to their assigned Navy Operational Support Centers (NOSC) to finish their administrative demobilization requirements. The Navy Reserve uses the new Distributed Mobilization process which uses NOSCs to mobilize and demobilize a large of number of Reservists quickly to meet operational requirements more effectively. The entire process normally takes one to two months in order to ensure all administrative requirements are met and Reserve Sailors receive all their entitled benefits.

“Since its inception in 1915, the Navy Reserve has responded in every global conflict, including the fight against COVID-19,” said Vice Adm. John Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force. “SurgeMain Sailors are an example of what the Navy Reserve can do for our Navy in a timely and expeditious manner. I’m extremely proud of them for their great work.”

Navy College Program adds 11th academic institution to Navy College Program for Afloat Education

By Cheryl Dengler

Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Navy College Program announced it added Upper Iowa University (UIU) to the Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) program. This is the first addition of a university with new degree programs for NCPACE since it became a standalone program in 2018.

In order to be part of the NCPACE program, academic institutions must offer stand-alone distance-learning courses (does not require the internet during the course; with the exception of a one-time download at the beginning and a one-time upload at the end of the term).

Sailors assigned to type two or four (seagoing) unit identification codes (UICs) can participate in NCPACE. “Up until this point, we had 10 academic institutions offering 320 courses,” said Susan Sutter, the NCPACE program manager. “By adding UIU, we now have 387 courses we can offer Sailors.”

Sailors can begin their education journey with UIU or transfer in from current or previous academic institutions with UIU’s transferability policy.

“Their policy will accept 45 credits towards an associate degree and 90 credits, 78 lower level, and 12 upper levels, toward a bachelor’s degree from JST, CLEP, DSST, and previous college,”

Director of Navy College Office Okinawa, Marchello Delano, outlines available educational benefits such as Navy College Program for Afloat College Education (NCPACE) and Tuition Assistance to the Sailors and Marines of 3rd Medical Logistics Company at Camp Kinser.

(Courtesy photo)

said Sutter.

Additionally, UIU offers four degrees: an associate degree in liberal arts, an associate degree in business administration, a bachelor’s degree in social science, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

“Sailors can complete entire degrees through the NCPACE program or they may select one or more individual courses and then transfer the credits earned to their home school,” said Sutter.

Sutter also believes the program will be both convenient and suitable for Sailors on deployment or for those with little access to the internet. However, they do not need to be deployed to participate.

“UIU’s program is an NCPACE self-paced mail degree program,” said Sutter. “Registered Sailors will receive a link to download course

materials, and they can send their course work via mail, email, or a combination of both.”

Terms start every month and have a term length of six months. Sailors will have the option to extend a term up to four additional months if necessary (fee may be waived with military documentation).

UIU’s Tuition Assistance (TA) and NCPACE undergraduate tuition is $250 per semester hour for active-duty Sailors, reservists, National Guard service members, and their eligible spouses and dependents (with the Military Family Grant).

Sailors can learn more information about UIU by visiting https://www.uiu.edu/ NCPACE. For more information on the Navy College Program, visit https://www.navycollege.navy.

mil. The NCVEC can be reached Monday — Friday, 7 a.m. — 7 p.m. Eastern time, toll-free at 1-877-838-1659. For OCONUS NCO information, visit https://www.navycollege.navy. mil/oconus-offices.htm.

As part of the MyNavy HR Force Development team, Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) provides products and services that enable and enhance education, training, career development, and personnel advancement throughout the Navy. Primary elements of the command include the Voluntary Education Department, the Navy Advancement Center, and the Resources Management Department.

Additional information about NETPDC can be found at https://www.netc.navy.mil/ NETPDC/

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Mount Whitney from Page 1

The official party for the decommissioning ceremony of the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) watch the folding of the colors during the decommissioning ceremony at Naval Station Mayport. (MCSN AARON LAU)

Fort McHenry

from Page 1

namesake guided all who crossed its quarterdeck and reported for duty.”

Fort McHenry was commissioned on Aug. 8, 1987 at Lockheed Shipyard in Seattle.

“During my 17 years of sea duty and four commands at sea, I have no doubt that the Fort McHenry crew was the best with whom I ever served,” said Rhodes. “They were always more than willing to do whatever it took to fulfill the mission. It is remarkable how closely they have stuck together over the past 34 years. I am proud to be among them.”

After arriving in San Diego on Sept. 30, 1987 the ship remained homeported there until 1995 when it replaced the USS San Bernardino (LST 1189) as a forward-deployed ship based in Sasebo, Japan.

Fort McHenry’s maiden deployment to the Western Pacific took place between June 16 and Dec. 16, 1988 as part of an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) along with embarked Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The other ships of the ARG were USS New Orleans (LPH 11),

USS Mobile (LKA 115), USS Ogden (LPD 5) and USS Fresno (LST 1182). During the deployment Fort McHenry participated in exercises Cobra Gold-88, Valiant Usher 88-6 and Valiant Blitz 89-1 and the Sailors and Marines got some well-earned liberty during port visits to Okinawa, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, South Korea and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Over the next few decades, Fort McHenry would homeport shift, and deploy several more times, supporting Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Vigilant Warrior and Enduring Freedom. Its crews would assist with humanitarian assistance efforts domestically, such as oil spill cleanup in the Prince William Sound and internationally, supporting disaster relief efforts in East Timor in 2001, the Philippines and Indonesia in 2004, In Nov. 1994, the ship received the first women to be permanently assigned to the crew—two lieutenants who reported aboard as the Supply Officer and Electrical Officer.

The ship’s final deployment was as part of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Amphibious Ready Group and concluded in July 2019.

While deployed to the Europe, Africa and the Middle East area of operations, Fort

McHenry, along with embarked Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted maritime security operations and provided a forward naval presence in these critical regions.

During the deployment, Fort McHenry Sailors conducted a burial at sea for the remains of 34 veterans and two military spouses, a passing exercise with Egyptian navy ships in the Northern Arabian Sea and conducted more than 15 strait transits and port visits to Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Germany and Latvia. The ship capped off their deployment by participating in exercise Baltic Operations 2019.

“The last crew of Fort McHenry has performed with toughness and resiliency,” said Fabrizio, the ship’s final commanding officer. “Like their predecessors onboard, their efforts during the last phase of the ship’s active service and the inactivation process have been nothing short of amazing.”

The ship will be inactivated on April 16, 2021 and will be designated as Out of Commission in Reserve (OCIR). That same day, it is scheduled to be towed by a seagoing tug to the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia.

masks, gloves, and aprons which were specifically identified as essential in protecting the health and lives of Italian caregivers combatting the COVID-19, as well as other illnesses. Past donations included an ultra sound machine, which was procured in Italy, allowing the Gaeta Hospital to possess lifesaving capability to combat COVID-19.

“The U.S. Navy has been a part of the Gaeta community, and Italy, for over 70 years. Thousands of U.S. Navy personnel have lived and worked here,” said Capt. Pollard. “Italian hospitals regularly treat U.S. service members and their families. It’s only natural that we look for opportunities like this to support our local communities and show our appreciation for our strong and enduring friendship.”

Host nation hospitals regularly accept U.S. service members and their families for care when outside the scope of U.S. military hospitals.

Nearly 10,000 U.S. Navy personnel and families live and work on bases in Naples and Sigonella and call Italy ‘home.’ As Italy implemented national and local decrees restricting movements and closing non-essential establishments, U.S. forces enacted parallel measures. These changes were implemented in line with the Italian government in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect U.S. forces and host nation personnel.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet continue their missions of conducting maritime operations in Europe and Africa, even as they seek ways to help fight the coronavirus and recover from the impact it has had.

The United States stands alongside Italy with concrete measures contained in a $60 million assistance package to help Italian healthcare institutions, NGOs, and the private sector fight the pandemic and prepare the country for future challenges. In addition, U.S. companies have offered over €50 million (or approximately $60 million) in donations and assistance.

Forces stand ready throughout the two theaters, and command leadership remains committed to taking every measure possible to protect the health of forces, as well as local residents. Warships, submarines, and aircraft continue their patrols to deter and defend against threats to U.S., NATO, and partner nations.

Mount Whitney, forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy operates with a combined crew of U.S. Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, April 1, 2021

On iberty

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, April 1, 2021 1

Carla Hall To celebrate spring, Carla Hall, renowned chef, author, and television host, offers two delicious recipes that make carrots the star ingredient of the season. Page C4

(Courtesy Photo)

Virginia Arts Festival Announces 2021 Virginia International Tattoo with New Dates and New Outdoor Venue From Virginia Arts Festival For more than two decades the Virginia Arts Festival’s Virginia International Tattoo has brought a spirit of patriotism, pride, and friendship to Hampton Roads. It is an enormous annual undertaking which hit a roadblock in 2020 when Covid-19 restrictions made presenting a live Virginia International Tattoo impossible.

“We heard from so many disappointed Tattoo fans—many of whom had attended every year,” said the Festival’s Perry Artistic Director Robert W. Cross of the 2020 cancelation. “So we are thrilled to announce that we will be presenting the Virginia International Tattoo again this spring.”

The 2021 Virginia International Tattoo will take place outdoors, with five public performances scheduled June 3-6 at Old Dominion University’s Kornblau Field at S. B. Ballard Stadium.

Some of the world’s great Tattoos take place outdoors, including the legendary Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland. “We’re excited about taking the Tattoo outdoors,” said the show’s producer, Scott Jackson. “The sight of bands marching with precision across the field…the massed pipes and drums in their colorful tartans…flags waving and the fans rising to their feet to sing their favorite service songs—it’s once again going to be a goosebump-inducing experience.”

“Old Dominion University is excited to host the 2021 Virginia International Tattoo

for the first time in the newly renovated S.B. Ballard Stadium,” said ODU Spokesperson Giovanna Genard. “We look forward to partnering with Virginia Arts Festival to continue the tradition of this event in the 757 in a new and unique way outdoors while celebrating diversity, music, military, and the arts.”

Every year, the Virginia International Tattoo is a joyful celebration—but this year’s Tattoo offers powerful new reasons to rejoice.

Marking the nation’s—and the world’s— emergence from a devastating pandemic, the 2021 Virginia International Tattoo will celebrate the power of the human spirit, with inspiring performances including: The finest bands and drill teams of the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps Bagpipers and drummers from throughout the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom (international performers subject to travel ability) Chicago Wheel Jam—daring acrobatics performed inside a steel wheel U.S. Marine Corps FAST Company— heart-stopping feats of dexterity and strength Old Dominion University Band and Drumline—high-stepping performers to an irresistible beat The soaring voices of Virginia Children’s Chorus and Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus And much more!

The show will include a salute to the heroes of the Greatest Generation — our WWII Veterans - which had been planned for the

2020 Tattoo. Plans are underway for a fireworks finale and more spectacular additions made possible by the transfer to an outdoor venue.

The five performances will include a 10:30am matinee on Friday, June 4, which will allow schools from throughout the region and nationally to once again bring their students to experience a lesson in history, patriotism, and musicianship. And one of the most remarkable Virginia International Tattoo traditions continue: Special Audience Night, where children with special needs and their families will be invited to attend the final dress rehearsal for free.

The 2021 Virginia International Tattoo will closely adhere to the most up-to-date CDC safeguards, with information on those as well as parking, dining, and accessibility available on the Virginia Arts Festival website. Tickets for the Tattoo are available online at vafest.org or by phone through the Virginia Arts Festival Ticket Office at 757-282-2822. Discounts available for groups of 10+ by calling 757-282-2819.

A list of performers and performance details are below.

Virginia International Tattoo Old Dominion University’s Kornblau Field at S. B. Ballard Stadium Thursday, June 3, 7:30pm Friday, June 4, 10:30am Friday, June 4, 7:30pm Saturday, June 5, 7:30pm Sunday, June 6, 2:30pm Performances will take place rain or shine.

2021 CAST UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Chicago Wheel JAM Granby High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Old Dominion University Monarch Marching Band Old Dominion University Drumline U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve Band U.S. Marine Corps FAST Company Virginia Children’s Chorus Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus PIPES, DRUMS & DANCERS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Appalachian Piping Academy Pipes and Drums Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums Tidewater Pipes and Drums Virginia International Tattoo Highland Dance Team CANADA Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums (Tentative) UNITED KINGDOM Pipes and Drums of the Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (Tentative) MULTI-NATIONAL Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation Multi-National Ceremonial Detail, NATO *Artists subject to change.

A Note About Covid-19 Virginia Arts Festival is staying abreast of developments surrounding Covid-19, with the guiding principle that the health and safety of patrons, artists, staff and volunteers are the highest priorities. The Festival will continue to follow the orders of local, state and federal authorities regarding guidelines for large gatherings, and will provide updates to patrons as soon as they are available.

NEX Locations to Once Again Honor Vietnam War Veterans Story By Kristine Sturkie

Navy Exchange Service Command

In commemoration of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, select NEX locations will distribute lapel pins to Vietnam Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975. The lapel pins will be given out on a first-come, firstserve basis on Mar. 29 from 11:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m., while supplies last. Social distancing guidelines will be observed.

“The Navy Exchange Service Command has participated in the National Vietnam War Veterans Day commemoration since its inception in 2017,” said Bill Marx, Marketing Promotion Coordinator for NEXCOM. “Since that time, we have expanded it to more of our locations around the world so that we can honor as many Vietnam Veterans for their service and sacrifice. This is an event that our store associates look forward to each year as many of them are Veterans themselves or family members of a Veteran.”

This year, 64 NEX locations will be participating in the event. The NEX locations are NEX Annapolis, NEX Indian Head, NEX Patuxent River and NEX Bethesda, Maryland; NEX El Centro and NEX Corpus Christi, Texas; NEX Memphis, Tennessee; NEX Mechanicsburg

and NEX Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; NEX Port Hueneme, NEX Lemoore, NEX Monterey, NEX North Island, NEX Coronado, NEX China Lake and NEX San Diego, California; NEX Arlington Uniform Shop at Henderson Hall; NEX Portsmouth, NEX Norfolk, NEX Oceana, NEX Little Creek, NEX Yorktown, NEX Dahlgren, NEX Dam Neck, NEX Wallops Island and NEX Cheatham Annex, Virginia; NEX Everett, NEX Bangor, NEX Whidbey Island and NEX Bremerton, Washington; NEX Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.; NEX Colts Neck and NEX Lakehurst, New Jersey; NEX Kings Bay, Georgia; NEX Meridian and NEX Gulfport, Mississippi; NEX Fallon, Nevada; NEX Mitchel Field and NEX Saratoga Springs, New York; NEX Great Lakes, Illinois; NEX Belle Chasse, Louisiana; NEX New London, Connecticut; NEX Newport, Rhode Island; NEX Charleston, South Carolina; NEX Jacksonville, NEX Orlando, NEX Panama City, NEX Key West, NEX Mayport and NEX Pensacola, Florida; NEX Pearl Harbor, NEX Kauai Barking Sands, Hawaii; NEX Atsugi, NEX Yokosuka and NEX Sasebo, Japan; NEX Rota, Spain; NEX Bahrain; NEX Guam; NEX Naples, Italy; NEX Sigonella, Sicily; NEX Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; NEX Singapore; NEX Souda Bay, Greece; and NEX Djibouti.

The lapel pins will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis on Mar. 29 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., while supplies last. The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) is comprised of 14,000 personnel worldwide facilitating six business lines, NEX retail stores, the Navy Lodge Program, Telecommunications Program, Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility, Ships Store Program and the Uniform Program Management Office. (KRISTINE STURKIE)

On Mar. 28, 2017, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act was signed. This act officially recognizes March 29 as National

Vietnam War Veterans Day. For more information on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, visit www.vietnamwar50th.com.

INSIDE: Check out Flagship Values, your source for automobiles, employment, real estate and more! Pages CX-X

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The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, April 1, 2021

Community Submit YOUR events, news and photos

The Flagship welcomes submissions from our readers online.

Please submit events here: www.militarynews.com/users/admin/calendar/event/ Please submit news and photos here: www.militarynews.com/norfolk-navy-flagship/submit_news/

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FEMA, State and Local Partners to Open COVID-19 Community Vaccination Center in Norfolk From FEMA PHILADELPHIA - A COVID-19 vaccination site will be established at the Military Circle Mall in Norfolk, Va., on March 31, 2021.

This vaccination site is a partnership between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Health and Human Services (HHS), Virginia Department of Emergency Management Agency (VDEM), Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the City of Norfolk to support FEMA’s Supplemental Allocation Vaccine Effort (SAVE). The site will be open 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

FEMA and federal partners are planning to support this site through staffing, operations, logistics and vaccine allocations. The Norfolk site, like other federally supported sites across the country, was selected based on data analysis including the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index and other Census data, as well as input from our state and local partners. The central location of the former Macy’s store at

the Military Circle Mall was key to site selection and provides access to over 1.7 million people across 14 nearby localities. It is anticipated that once the facility is running at full capacity, the number of vaccine doses given will meet or exceed 3,000 per day. This site will come with its own vaccination allocation, which will not be drawn from the allocation the Commonwealth of Virginia already receives.

“Vaccinating as many as people as possible, as soon as possible, is critical to ending this pandemic,” Governor Northam said.

“This vaccination clinic will get more shots into arms in one of Virginia’s more populous regions. We are grateful to FEMA and our other federal partners for their support and assistance.”

“The Commonwealth of Virginia appreciates the additional support from our federal partners and FEMA as we race to safely vaccinate Virginians” said State Coordinator of Emergency Management Curtis Brown. “The Norfolk site aligns with the Commonwealth’s

equitable prioritization objective of addressing the needs of our community members who have suffered disproportionately in disasters, while also providing a significant number of daily vaccine doses.”

“Virginia appreciates assistance from our federal partners to ramp up COVID-19 vaccinations. We especially appreciate that the FEMA SAVE site is targeted toward our most vulnerable populations. These community vaccination centers are a great supplement to the vaccination clinics our Local Health Districts have held over recent months and continue to schedule,” said Virginia State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, M.D., M.A. “With everyone working together, we will reach our vaccination goals and turn this pandemic around.”

“We are excited to welcome FEMA to Norfolk’s Military Circle Mall vaccination site as a critical partner in the effort to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19,” Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander said. “The support, resources and presence of the federal

government are greatly appreciated, and we are thankful that our most vulnerable residents will be prioritized.”

The Commonwealth of Virginia has prioritized equitable vaccine allocation to ensure its vulnerable and disproportionately impacted communities do not experience further inequities during this pandemic. The Norfolk site was consequently selected in line with this prioritization model. Similar to other vaccine sites across the Commonwealth, residents interested in receiving a vaccine must register at https://vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 1-877-VAX-IN VA (1-877-829-4682), 8am – 8pm. Language translation is available, TTY users dial 7-1-1. Please note that there are no walk-up appointments available, and individuals who show up without a scheduled appointment will not receive a vaccine.

As of March 16, FEMA has provided more than $4.38 billion to 40 states, Washington D.C., four tribes and five territories for expenses related to COVID-19 vaccination at 100% federal cost share. These funds cover critical supplies, staffing, training, and transportation needs that support increased vaccination efforts.

“Strong partnerships with our federal, state and local counterparts allow us to collectively bring the latest pilot community vaccination site to the Norfolk area. FEMA remains committed to helping Virginians and all Americans during this time. We will continue to collaborate with our partners to provide equitable, diverse, dynamic and innovative opportunities to help stop the spread of this disease,” said Region 3 Acting Administrator Janice Barlow.

ensure the safety of all participants, volunteers, staff, guests, and surrounding communities.

The 46th Annual Norfolk Harborfest is scheduled for Friday-Sunday, June 10-12, 2022.

For more information, go to Festevents. org.

Norfolk Festevents, Ltd., based in Norfolk, Virginia, is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating the most dynamic urban waterfront community in America

through innovative programming and imaginative uses of its historic waterfront spaces.

Norfolk Festevents has garnered international acclaim for its advocacy for public access to waterfronts, outstanding quality programming and development of public spaces, transforming Norfolk into one of the most progressive, fun and livable waterfront communities in the country. Residents, workers, and visitors to Norfolk and The 757 are invited to experience all the fun and excitement of the 2021 season!

Norfolk Festevents Announces 2021 Norfolk Harborfest Moved to Virtual Format From Norfolk Festevents Norfolk, VA — Norfolk Festevents, Ltd. has announced the 45th Annual Norfolk Harborfest: Maritime, Music & Food Festival scheduled for Friday-Sunday, June 11-13, 2021, will be moved to a virtual-only format this year due to state and local COVID-19 guidelines.

“We will miss entertaining the region and beyond here in Norfolk for the annual Harborfest weekend,” said Festevents CEO Ted Baroody. “Safety is always the priority and we are remaining patient with hosting large gatherings. We remain excited to offer a world class lineup of diverse programming and entertainment at Harborfest again soon.”

Although the historic three-day event will not take place in its traditional format along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront, the festival will be celebrated through a week-long series of virtual content, including interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, virtual performances, videos and much more.

In addition, a new “Fest-At-Home” series of activities will be shared including culinary workshops and arts & crafts for fami-

(Courtsey Photo)

lies. Guests who feel comfortable out in public will be encouraged to participate in Harborfest promotions and visit Norfolk’s attractions such as Nauticus, the Ocean View Fishing Pier and area restaurants.

More details on the virtual content, FestAt-Home activities and attractions to visit for the 2021 Norfolk Harborfest will be announced soon.

Norfolk Festevents works closely with health officials, city management and community leaders to develop plans to

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, April 1, 2021 3

(Courtesy Photo)

Bereavement Camps: An Opportunity to Grieve and Heal From Military Onesource Grieving can be a lonely experience. Being with others who are grieving can reassure you that what you’re feeling is perfectly normal.

Bereavement camps, seminars and retreats offer opportunities for you to connect with people who understand how to help you move forward in your grief journey.

Run by professionals and volunteers, the camps are supported by grants and donations, making them available at little or no expense to families. Separate camps are conducted for adults and children to provide unique grieving spaces.

Camps for children and teens Losing a loved one can be especially difficult for children, so finding resources tailored to their needs is essential. Camp time is often

mixed with physical activities and social events like swimming, hiking and games, which can help relieve some of the powerful emotions.

The following groups work to provide grieving children with a comfortable place to talk about their feelings and feel understood: Comfort Zone Camp is a nonprofit bereavement camp that brings together children who have lost a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. The free camps, which are held year-round across the country, include confidence-building programs and support groups for ages 7-17.

The Dougy Center provides a safe place for children, teens, young adults and their families to share their grieving experience through peer support groups, education and training.

Eluna provides comfort, hope and healing

to children of military families and hosts a free weekend-long experience of traditional camp activities combined with grief education and emotional support at Camp Erin.

Good Grief Camps, through the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, pair young survivors with active-duty military and veteran mentors who understand the military and can help these young survivors through their journey of grief. The camps are offered at different locations throughout the United States.

The mission of Snowball Express is to create hope and new memories for the children of deceased service members who died while serving our country since 9/11. In December, they bring children together from all over the world for an all-expenses-paid, four-day gala filled with fun activities, such as sporting events, dances and amusement parks.

Project Common Bond — A program of Tuesday’s Children, the project provides camps and retreats for young adults, ages 15 to 20, who lost a family member because of an act of terrorism. Each summer, new Project Common Bond participants attend a summer symposium focused on global leadership activities, peace building and negotiation, skill building, and collaborative and therapeutic arts, music, drama, movement and sports.

Programs for adults Retreats and seminars are available for adults, as well. They connect survivors with other people who have lost loved ones and teach them coping skills. Consult The Days Ahead for a full listing of support organizations.

You can also contact the Department of Veterans Affairs Bereavement Counseling (202-461-6530) if you’re feeling overwhelmed by grief at any time.

Military OneSource consultants are available all day, every day by phone at 800-342-9647 or click here for overseas calling options. You may also benefit from Military OneSource’s confidential, non-medical counseling service, available face to face, online, through video chat or by phone.

4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, April 1, 2021

Food

Carla Hall Shares Fun and Tasty Carrot Recipes Perfect for Spring From Statepoint To celebrate spring, Carla Hall, renowned chef, author, and television host, offers two delicious recipes that make carrots the star ingredient of the season.

“The thing I love most about the humble carrot is its versatility. It can be a snack, a salad, a dessert, a side dish or the basis for most soups and sauces,” says Hall.

McCormick spices agrees, reporting that recipe searches for roasting carrots is trending over the past year in internet searches and on their website, making it the perfect choice for vibrant spring dishes.

With roasted veggies on people’s minds, Hall created Roasted Carrots-in-a Blanket — a fun, carrot-y spin on the traditional pigsin-a-blanket. The roasted carrots, seasoned with paprika, ground mustard, and rosemary, are wrapped in a light and flaky pastry.

CARROTS-IN-A-BLANKET • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted • 2 tablespoons orange juice • 2 teaspoons honey • 1 teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Organic Ground Coriander • 1 teaspoon McCormick Ground Mustard • 1 teaspoon McCormick Paprika • ½ teaspoon McCormick Rosemary Leaves, lightly crushed • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • ½ teaspoon McCormick Black Pepper Grinder • 1 package (16 ounces) baby carrots • 3 cans (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent roll dough CARROT MUSTARD SAUCE • 2 ½ cup French’s Stone Ground Dijon Mustard • ½ teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon • ½ teaspoon McCormick Black Pepper Grinder • ¼ teaspoon McCormick Pure Lemon Extract • ¼ cup water INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix butter, orange juice, honey, spices, salt and pepper in large bowl. Add carrots; toss to coat well.

Arrange carrots in single layer on large parchment-lined sheet pan.

2. Roast 20 to 25 minutes or just until tender. Allow to cool slightly.

3. For the Carrot Mustard Sauce, transfer ½ cup of the roasted carrots to blender container or food processor. Add mustard, spices, extract and water. Cover. Purée until

(Courtsey Photo)

completely smooth. Set aside.

4. Unroll crescent dough onto clean surface (do not separate triangles). Brush about 2 tablespoons of the Carrot Mustard Sauce evenly over each sheet of crescent dough. Reserve remaining sauce for serving. Use a pizza cutter to cut along perforations, then cut each triangle lengthwise into three separate triangles. Place one cooled carrot on the wide side of each dough triangle, then roll towards pointy ends to wrap carrots in dough. Place wrapped carrots tail-end down about 1 inch apart on parchment-lined sheet pan.

5. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until dough is golden brown, rotating pan halfway through cooking. Serve warm with remaining sauce for dipping.

Makes 32 servings.

Hall also came up with a Warm Carrot Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing.

Layers of roasted carrots are lightly spiced with cayenne and black pepper to complement naturally sweet Granny Smith apples, golden raisins, and pineapple. A simple, creamy lemon dressing drizzled on top adds a slightly tangy pop to finish this bright and colorful dish.

Here, Hall shares some clever tips for creating carrot-inspired meals: • To make the most of your time in the kitchen, peel your carrots using up and down strokes to make sure there are no wasted movements, and you get the job done faster.

• Or buy carrot sticks or baby carrots

to reduce prep and peeling time. You can quickly dice them at home for soups and stews.

• Carrots are beautiful and can be the star of your dish. Adding multi-hued carrots will make simple dishes appear fancy.

• You can use spices, herbs, and other ingredients as supporting cast members to add great flavor and make your dish taste even more amazing.

For Hall’s exclusive carrot recipes along with additional springtime dishes, visit www.mccormick.com.

This spring enjoy delicious foods with people you love. By utilizing the versatile carrot, you can put fun and tasty twists on classic recipes that will make any occasion special.

Pesto Serves 8 Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 10 minutes 2 heads of cauliflower, cut into 8 1-inch cauliflower steaks 1 tablespoon pecan, avocado or olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste For the pesto: 2 cups fresh basil ¼ cup raw pecan halves ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 1 garlic clove

1 teaspoon lemon zest ½ cup pecan or olive oil ⅓ cup shredded parmesan cheese 1. Preheat grill to medium high heat, about 375 to 400 degrees F. 2. Brush sides of cauliflower steaks with oil and add salt and pepper.

3. Grill each side of steak for 4 minutes. 4.

Remove from grill and let rest. 5. Make the pesto: in a food processor, pulse the basil, raw pecans, garlic, salt, pepper and lemon zest until finely chopped. Add olive oil and blend.

6. Transfer pesto to a bowl and add parmesan cheese. 7. To serve, top cauliflower steaks with pesto.

Plant-Based Twists to Classic Summer Dishes

By News USA

With people more focused on wellness and nutrition these days, interest in a plant-based diet is hotter than ever. One easy way to get in on the trend: Pair summer produce with simple ingredients like pecans for a dish the whole family will enjoy.Pecans are a versatile ingredient and are naturally sweet with a rich and crunchy texture. As each one-ounce serving of the nuts offers three grams of fiber and protein, essential vitamins, minerals and heart-healthy benefits, pecans also happen to be one of the tastiest ways to elevate the nutrition of any recipe.In fact, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts — including pecans — as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. A one-ounce serving of pecans has 18g unsaturated fat and only 2g saturated fat.Add a sweet and nutritious crunch to this Mediterranean Pecan Pasta Salad, or swap meat for Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with a nutty and nutritious pecan pesto.Discover more delicious recipes at AmericanPecan.com.

Mediterranean Pecan Pasta Salad Serves 10 Prep time: 15 mins Cook Time: 12 mins ¼ cup salt 12 ounces pasta 4 cups radicchio, sliced 1 cup halved marinated olives ½ cup marinated artichoke, bite-size pieces ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes 1 cup pecan pieces ¾ cup chopped parsley or mint 6 ounces feta cheese 1 orange, sliced 2 cups chopped spinach Lemon vinaigrette and fresh cracked pepper (optional)

Roasted Cauliflower Steaks in a Cast Iron Skillet

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil with ? cup of salt. When water is boiling, add in pasta, and cook about 10 minutes. When pasta is cooked, set aside. 2. In a large, clear bowl, layer half the radicchio, and half of the olives, artichoke, and tomato on top. Next, add half the pasta, ½ cup of pecans, half of the parsley, 3 ounces of feta, and the orange slices. 3. Add the spinach, then repeat layering with the radicchio, olives, artichoke, tomato, pasta, pecans, parsley, feta, and orange. 4. If using dressing, add after layering is complete. 5. Add fresh pepper and refrigerate before serving.

Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Pecan Basil

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, April 1, 2021 5

Health

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Helen Cann, senior medical officer, participates in a pandemic preparation and response virtual engagement in support of Exercise Obangame Express 2021, March 16, 2021.

Obangame Express, conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is an at-sea maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea and West African coastal regions (Trey Fowler).

Eight nations participate in West African virtual pandemic exercise

By Navy Lt. Donyelle Davis Medical experts from six African nations, the United Kingdom and the United States, participated in a Virtual Pandemic Preparation and Response Engagement on March 16, in support of Obangame Express 2021, the largest multinational maritime exercise in Western Africa.

The virtual medical event served as an opportunity for partner nations to discuss infectious disease surveillance and virus outbreak response. Participants included medical leaders from Nigeria, Senegal, Côte D’Ivoire, Gabon, Liberia, and Ghana, along with medical professionals from the U.S. Navy and United Kingdom. These experts exchanged lessons learned from previous epidemics in their respective countries, as well as the unprecedented worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.

“The objective of the engagement, like Oban-

game Express 21, is to increase regional cooperation and interoperability. This event focused on how we can do that from a medical perspective.” said U.S. Navy Lt. Amy Welkie, health security cooperation officer and the event’s coordinator.

“This allowed us to establish and build partnerships with our medical counterparts across the Gulf of Guinea.”

Ghana Armed Forces Capt. Edward Nyarko, public health director at the 37th Military Hospital in Ghana, discussed the role Ghana Armed Forces’ played in the national COVID19 response. Nyarko credits his team’s experience with previous outbreaks, such as the Ebola epidemic and prioritizing response workers’ mental health for his team’s many successes in saving lives in Ghana.

“All of us have one aim, and that is to ensure that we are prepared for any eventuality, especially for disease outbreaks,” Nyarko

said. “NAMRU-3 has been one of our biggest supporters as they are embedded in [the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research].”

Nyarko emphasized the importance of prior multinational partnerships with the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit-No. 3 (NAMRU-3), U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and others.

Through facilitated discussions, the event highlighted collaborations between militaries and local public health departments and the current goal of recovering previously infected military members.

Service members from the U.S. Navy and Royal Navy presented their experiences with outbreak responses in maritime environments.

“Outbreaks are the same whether you’re in a maritime environment or a land environment,” said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Brian Legendre, preventive medicine physician with the Navy Medical Corps. Legendre offered a number of strategies

such as room ventilation, diagnostic testing, increased cleaning protocols, and isolation of sick patients as suggested tools for combating the spread of illnesses on ships.

Participants voiced their shared challenges during early pandemic response, which included shortages in personal protective equipment and limited accommodations for sick patients at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In cross-sharing the challenges and solutions, participants assisted each other in improving professional bio-surveillance methods, and refining other techniques learned throughout the pandemic.

“It’s been fabulous interacting with everyone and seeing how people have sort of faced similar challenges and come up with similar solutions,” said Lt. Col Dan Burns, British Army infectious diseases consultant. “It’s been brilliant, and I feel like we’ve learned a lot from the dialogue.”

Exercise Obangame Express 2021, sponsored by AFRICOM and conducted by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of Gulf of Guinea and West African nations to counter sea-based illicit activity.

When we “Break Bread,” we build social bonds

By Army Maj. Joetta Khan Deputy Director, Nutrition Services Department At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Throughout history, people have bartered, decided the fates of nations, and built friendships all over meals. Within traditional military units there are key social times when meals have historically been shared: hails and farewells, promotions, and celebrating historical dates. Often these are labeled as “mandatory fun”, but perhaps they play a bigger role. The sharing of meals has been shown to improve feelings of closeness, increase satisfaction with life, enhance team performance, and influence food choices.

Within the Total Force Fitness (TFF) framework, the ‘Social Fitness’ domain includes the ability to engage in healthy social networks and promotes overall well-being and for optimal unit performance. The global pandemic has forced physical distancing, closed indoor seating, minimized group size, and discouraged shared meals.

This, in turn, is discouraging the use of social meals in fostering social fitness.

Countering any negative effects on social fitness, team cohesion, life satisfaction, and overall health among military members should be an important consideration.

A team is only as strong as its weakest link, and developing opportunities for social networking can promote team cohesion.

Unfortunately, per the Department of Defense Annual Suicide Report, suicide rates among military members was at an all-time high in 2019, with nearly 26 per 100,000 service members committing suicide. Concerns have already been voiced that the stress of the COVID-19 might drive these numbers even higher in 2020 and 2021.

Eating socially has been shown to influ-

Marines with 1st Marine Division eat a warrior’s breakfast at the awards ceremony for Supersquad 2020, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton last summer (Chad Pulliam).

ence happiness and life satisfaction; specifically participating in evening meals with more people, more laughter, reminiscing and alcohol consumption resulted in individuals feeling closer to those with whom they ate. It therefore makes sense for military leaders to find ways to promote social networking and team cohesion during a pandemic and adding a food element could help support those opportunities.

Social scientists have suggested that the phrase “you are what you eat” should be replaced with “you are what the people in your social circle eat”. Eating habits and food choices seem to be influenced by the social circle that people belong to, so much so that “prior eating habits of friends have been shown to predict current eating patterns”.

Perhaps, now is a time to capitalize on influencing food choices by creating virtual shared food experiences that can promote healthy eating habits and develop

social connectedness.

Ways to Promote Social Connectedness and Fitness over Food during a Pandemic Virtual happy hour - Pick a non-work topic and afford your team an opportunity for everyone to unwind with a beverage or snack of their choice and share in quality conversation.

Virtual networking event - Set up the event to include members of your team based on an interest or a team topic.

Virtual cooking classes - The class could include a specific recipe, with a list of ingredients for each person to pick up ahead of time, so that each participant cooks the recipe and the group eats the final product together. This would promote cooking skills while combining the opportunity for social conversation.

Reach out to your local Military Treatment Facility to see if their nutrition professionals would be willing to provide a class, recipes, or both.

Virtual dinner party - Develop a menu, incorporating fresh foods. Send out the shopping list in advance with the recipe.

Advise all participants to have their food plated and be seated in front of their electronic device at the start of the dinner party. The menu can be as elaborate or as simple as you’d like. Reach out to your local Military Treatment Facility to see if their nutrition professionals would be willing to provide recipes or suggestions for your menu.

Get creative, build your team, and incorporate healthy options to promote health and social connectedness.

To learn more, or get support - reach out to your military medical treatment facility nutrition professionals for assistance incorporating healthy options or seek out additional online resources by accessing the Human Performance Resources by the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP).

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, April 1, 2021

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Tag Sales & Estates Settled.

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Dogs, Cats, Other Pets CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIELS

Purebred, 2 M/1 F, 10 wks, vet chkd, shots, dewormed - $1,500 also 3 M/1 F age 2, must sell! 509-919-6950 FRENCH BULLDOG

422-4477

www.raymondsantiques.com

Early home delivery.

757-446-9000 PilotOnline.com

AntiquesSales & Collectibles Estate

Call 757-222-1742

Virginia Beach Antique Co. Appraisal Service With 40 Years Experience Wanted To Buy CARDS, COMICS, RECORDS & More! Cash Today. 757-636-5466

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Call 757-446-9000 or go to PilotOnline.com

Fawn/white AKC spayed French bulldog. Born Oct. 17, 2017. Healthy and sweet and house/crate trained. $1000.

Email allthingscarolina@yahoo.com for more info.

HAVANESE PUPPIES Havanese pups- CKC registered $1500. Call or text 336-401-6368 for photos and questions.

757.622.1455 | placeanad.pilotonline.com HEALTH CARE PROVIDER Hospital experience, flexible, dependable. 757-287-9561

Concrete/Asphalt Estate Sales CONCRETE, BRICK & TREE REMOVAL Landscaping, Top Soil, Yard Clean Up & Home Repairs. Low prices! 757-714-4848

Care For The Elderly COMPANION AIDE AVAILABLE Light house keeping, & cooking, laundry,& errands, exp’d w. refs. 757-777-8211

Early home delivery. 757-446-9000 or PilotOnline.com

S & H ENTERPRISE 20 YRS. Concrete Exp. All types of concrete work driveways, stamped & exposed.

We accept credit cards. 757-652-4050. www.shabazznva.com

Handyman Services ★GENERAL REPAIRS★ AFFORDABLE. All Handyman, Int & Ext: Flooring, Bathrooms, Small Jobs, Remodel, Rot Repair. 30 Yrs. Exp. BBB A+ Rating.

757-430-2612.

Hauling B & J MOVING Reasonable Rates, Licensed & Insured. bandjmoving.com 757-576-1290

Home Improvements

BULKHEAD & PIER REPAIR Grading & Excavation Services, Free Est 757-262-6511

ROOM ADDITIONS Renovations, Remodeling, Wall Removal.

Free Estimates. Licensed & Insured. 30 yrs. experience. Hawkins Enterprises, 757-466-7272. www.hei-va.com

Lawn and Tree Service ABBOTT’S LAWN CARE We mow, edge, blow & trim bushes, We Don’t Just Cut Your Grass We Manicure Your Lawn Call 757-408-2082.

ADDITIONS, SUNROOMS, ROOFS, Decks, more. Member BBB. 757-986-3777. www.builderscorporation.com

D & W GARAGES 20x24’ $15,995; 24x24’ $17,995; 24x30’ $20,995; w/Slab & Vinyl Siding. 465-0115 or 362-1833. dandwgarages.com

ALL HOME IMPROVEMENTS Custom Home Repairs & Renovations.

Patrick Ellis Ent. Inc. Lic. & Ins. BBB A+ 757-635-6609

FRANK’S SIDING & REPAIRS Repairing Siding & Trim. Lic/Ins. Senior & Military discount!

757-227-8964

LAWN SERVICE Mowing, shrub trimming, flower beds cleaned. All types of lawn work. Dependable service. 757-289-0775

BEST PRICE EXTERIORS 757-639-4692 Siding, Windows, Trim, Roofing. FREE ESTIMATES! Lic. & Ins’d. Lowest Prices & Top Quality Work. No Repairs. BBB A+ Rating

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LEAF RAKING AND CLEANUP Yard Work, Weed Control, Mulching, Trimming, Planting, Transplanting of Shrubbery and Trees. 25 yrs exp. Call 757-918-4152

YOUR PERFECT

HIRE

BRICK & STONE REPAIRS Steps, Walls, Foundations, etc. Virginia Beach Native.

Masonry Contract. 40+ yrs Known As Stone Smith USA. Semi-Retired - A Legend In His Own Mind! Earl Smith 757-2700578. You Won’t Find A Better Man!

IS WAITING

Call 757-446-9000 or go to PilotOnline.com

YARD CLEAN UP - GRASS CUTTING, WOOD FENCE REPAIR & BUSHES Weed Eating, Blowing, Reasonable prices.

Call 757-477-2158

Power Washing SOUTH SIDE PRESSURE WASHING Pressure wash exterior surfaces. For free estimate call 757-337-9991.

Roofing CALVIN’S ROOFING REPAIR LLC Specializes in roofing repair, also guttering, Free estimates, roofing of all types, reasonable prices, Shingles, metal, slate, rubber.

Over 30 yrs -business, BBB 757-377-2933

ROOFING SALE 30 Yr. Architect Shingles $1.99 sq ft.

Labor & Material included, repair, siding.

Class A Lic’d & Ins’d. (757) 345-9983.

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jobs.pilotonline.com

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, April 1, 2021 7 Autos for Sale

LEXUS 2016 IS 200T

Trucks and SUVs

TOYOTA 2014 TACOMA

Low miles, new inspection, all serviced, sunroof, loaded, $19,900.

757-675-0288. Va. Dlr.

MERCEDES-BENZ 2010 S-CLASS

S63. 1 local owner, serviced by local Benz dealer, 24K orig. mis., gar kept, service history, AMG pkg., showroom new, $35,900. 757-675-0288 Va Dlr

Drivers/Transport/Shipping Estate Sales CLASS B DUMP TRUCK DRIVER Exp’d Driver For Construction Company. F/T Call: 757-523-8668

Room For Rent VIRGINIA BEACH - SALEM VILLAGE Furnished Room for rent $900/month.

Utilities included. Must love pets.

Smoking allowed outside. House privileges. (757) 454-2789 SOUTH NORFOLK Clean/Quiet Furn’d Single Occ. Rms. Share BA/Kit $160/wk/$160 SD. Avail Now. Pay Stubs Req’d. 757-379-6688 CHESAPEAKE Sunrise Hills, furn/unfurn room, central air, washer/dryer, satellite TV. $150/week + dep. 757-718-0698.

CHESAPEAKE Full house access, partially furnished, walking park behind house. $650/mo, utilities included. 757-351-9522

Travel/Camping Trailers

PONTIAC 2008 G6

CONSIGNMENTS WANTED! Let us clean, sell, & finance your RV. Snyders RV 499-8000.

4DR Sedan, Black, Low Mileage, Runs Great asking $1800 OBO. Call:757754-7124

TOYOTA 2013 PRIUS

ABSOLUTELY ABLY ACQUIRING AUTOS All Makes & Models, Best Price Paid!!

FREE TOWING. 757-749-8035

1 owner, all svc, new tires, carport, 103k miles. $9,200. 757-464-4261

2000 HARLEY DAVIDSON FLSTC 22500 miles, Heritage Soft Tail, Custom Paint Seat Carburetor & Fish Tail, Garage Kept, $5500. Call: 757-6453564

Sta. Wgn, TSI, AWD, 15,145 mis., white, $18,000. 499-8000. Va. Dlr.

AUTOS ACCEPTED-ANY YEAR Make or Model. TOP DOLLAR, FAST, Free Towing. 757-737-2465, 701-3361

Classic, Antique Cars

Boats & Watercraft

VOLKSWAGEN 2017 GOLF

2005 BMW 1200 RS Outstanding Condition, Clean Title, Garage Kept $12,000.

Call: 757-513-4783

28’ WELLCRAFT, 264 COASTAL Antique Classic Collectible Automobiles. We will purchase your collectible antique car, we will come to you.

For appointment, 757-675-0288.

Autos for Sale

FORD 2015 TAURUS

SEL. $8,900 OBO. Automatic, loaded, back up camera. 757-537-8861

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Wanted Automotive

Motorcycles and ATVs

Staying in the know is easy.

CHEVROLET 1984 EL CAMINO

Crate 350, AT, dual exhaust. $9,000 OBO. 757-363-9899

HONDA 2001 CIVIC

2 Door, 199,000 miles, transmission slips - otherwise good mechanical shape, AC, cruise & power windows! $900 OBO. Call (757) 335-2264

HONDA 2014 ACCORD

LS, 4 Dr. Sedan, Auto, Silver, 40k mile.

Nice & Clean, Asking $9,900.

For More Info 757-291-7213

KIA 2017 SOUL

Trucks and SUVs

CHEVROLET 2017 1500

Crew Cab. 4WD, 35,000 mis., high country pkg., leather, sunroof, nav, loaded, $38,500. 757-675-0288.

FORD 2019 F150

Cuddy cabin, twin 200 Yamaha, radar, ff/gps, vhf, stereo, great fast & stable fishing boat, 1998,$17,320 Call: Jeff 757-715-3442 ALUMINUM BASS BOAT PROJECT HULL 17’ 4” Tracker, 90% stripped. $750.

Free trailer. 757-399-0186

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King Ranch, Crew Cab, 8000 mis., 1 owner, 4WD, tow pkg., full sunroof, factory warranty, showroom new. $54,900. 757-675-0288. Va. Dlr.

HONDA 2014 CR-V

1 owner, 1 driver, non smoker, very clean! $11,300 Call: 757-620-8107

Shop smart.

Save big! Sunday (and every day).

2014 Tacoma TRD Sport 97,500 miles, 4WD, 3inch lift, new tires. $25,500 Call 757-406-0421

52,000 miles, serviced, $10,900. 439-7717. Va. Dlr.

clean,

Subscribe to The Virginian-Pilot today.

Call 757-446-9000 or go to PilotOnline.com

Fun & Games

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757-446-9000 or PilotOnline.com

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8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, April 1, 2021