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Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family
Vol. 20, No. 5 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 02.02.12
Navy diver dies conducting at-sea operations Press Release Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH
BABY COULDN’T WAIT NMCP staff helps mom give birth on lawn By Rebecca A. Perron NMCP Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH
An off-duty nurse and staff from several departments at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) sprang into action to help a patient who began to give birth on the lawn adjacent to the parking garage, Jan. 24. Aviation Mechanic Airman (AW) Minna Siebert, Strike Fighter Squadron 106 at Naval Air Station Oceana, experienced the early signs of labor that morning, but did not leave for the hospital until she felt contractions. Her husband, Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW/ AW) Cody Siebert, USS Iwo Jima, left work to drive her to the hospi-
She was coming much faster than I thought she would. All I could think about was the pain.” - Aviation Mechanic Airman (AW) Minna Siebert
tal, expecting that when they sped away from their Hampton home, they would get to the hospital for a routine birth. Cody said his wife experienced contractions throughout the drive, and she squeezed his hand with every one, turning it white by the time they arrived at NMCP. He located a parking spot just inside the garage on the ground floor and parked. Then her water broke.
“I didn’t notice her water break, but after we got out of the truck, she said she couldn’t walk, so I threw her bag back into the truck and tried to carry her in the ‘ready position,’” Cody said. “But after walking 50 feet, she asked me to put her down. She said the baby was coming and she didn’t want the baby to fall on the ground.” Cody helped his wife get into the birthing position as bystand-
Ramage returns to homeport Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs
NORFOLK
» see RAMAGE | A14 SAILOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS Commands select dedicated Sailors for the 2011 Sailor of the Year awards. Check out The Flagship’s coverage of the events.
» see A4-A6
ers either ran to get help or tried to shield the couple with their jackets. Despite a mild January temperature in the 60s, according to Cody, they knew mom and baby would be susceptible to the cold and needed some sense of privacy. “She was coming much faster than I thought she would,” Minna said. “All I could think about was the pain. I didn’t realize how many people were around us trying to help. I only knew of the people right in front of me.” A nurse who was leaving the medical center after her shift was walking nearby and thought the person on the ground might be
» see DELIVERY | A14
East Coast SEAL community celebrates 50 years of service
By MCSN Samantha Thorpe
Two hundred fifty Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) returned to Naval Station Norfolk from an eight-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, Jan. 27. Ramage departed, May 20, 2011, and is one of six Atlantic-based ships equipped with the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). This return home marks her third deployment in four years in support of the ballistic missile defense strategy. While deployed, she conducted maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the Mediterranean Sea. Ramage conducted naval exercises with five countries and completed a rescue-at-sea after finding an Egyptian fisherman adrift 100 nautical miles from land. After recovery, the ship returned him to his home county. The ship visited 18 ports in seven dif-
Rebecca A. Perron Aviation Mechanic Airman (AW) Minna Siebert and Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Cody Siebert with Rylee Payton one day after her birth.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal 2nd Class Taylor Gallant, 22, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 12 embarked aboard the Canadian Navy ship HMCS Summerside, died while conducting diving operations off the coast of North Carolina in the Atlantic Ocean, Jan. 26. The service member was transported to Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune and was pronounced dead on arrival. Gallant, a Winchester, Ky., native enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2008. After completing Navy EOD training, he reported to EODMU 12 in November of 2010. He earned the Good Conduct Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and the Pistol Marksman Medal while in the Navy. EODMU 12 Sailors were operating with HMCS Summerside in preparation for Bold Alligator 2012, an amphibious training exercise. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and the Naval Safety Center are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Cmdr. Eric Bray, EODMU 12 Commanding Officer, extended his condolences to the Gallant family. “My thoughts and prayers are with all who are suffering the loss of Petty Officer Gallant. He was a great shipmate and friend to the entire EOD community we will miss him dearly,” he said.
By MC2 William S. Parker Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Public Affairs
roots from Vietnam
VIRGINIA BEACH
MC2 Meranda Keller Naval Special Warfare Group 2 gathered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Naval Special Warfare Community.
HISTORICAL ALL-FEMALE FLIGHT TAKES PLACE ABOARD USS CARL VINSON Five “Tigertails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One Two Five (VAW-125) flew a historic flight, Jan. 25, when they participated in the Navy’s first all-female E-2C Hawkeye combat mission. » see B4
We can trace our
Naval Special Warfare Group Two hosted a 50th Anniversary ceremony, Jan. 27, at the Navy SEAL Heritage Center at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story to honor and celebrate the rich history and heritage of the Navy SEAL community. The ceremony commemorated 50 years of service by generations of SEALs, since President John F. Kennedy established the program on Jan. 1, 1962. Navy Special Warfare personnel, past and present, support technicians and distinguished guests gathered to listen to a host of speak-
to Grenada, Panama, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan and some other places unknown to the rest of the world.” - Capt. Tim Szymanski, Commander, Naval Special Warfare Group Two
» see SEALS | A3 POLAR PLUNGE Seize the freeze at the 20th annual Polar Plunge Winter Festival benefiting Special Olympics Virginia, Feb. 3 - 4, between 6th and 9th streets on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
» see C1
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