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Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family
Vol. 20, No. 10 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 03.08.12
MCSN Brian Read Castillo Sailors handle de-energized cables on the flight deck aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in preparation for a magnetic treatment (DEPERM).
USS George H.W. Bush completes magnetic treatment By MC2 (SW) Brian M. Brooks USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs
NORFOLK
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) successfully completed a magnetic treatment (DEPERM), March 1. The ship traveled to the Lambert Point Magnetic Treatment Facility located near Portsmouth Naval
Shipyard to undergo the demagnetization process. “DEPERM is used to change the magnetic signature of the ship in order to reduce its vulnerability to magnetic influence sea mine detection,” said Master Chief Machinist’s Mate Chris Michalek, George H.W. Bush Engineering Department’s leading chief petty officer. The DEPERM process for an
aircraft carrier requires more than 9,000 feet of cables in order to produce high and low electromagnetic fields, which affect the surrounding ferrous metals, such as steel and iron, and changes the magnetic signature of that metal, said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Danni Rogers, the DEPERM Facility Officer in Charge and former crew member aboard George H.W. Bush.
Planning for the magnetic treatment began in November 2011 in order to determine the number of cables, personnel and time needed for the ship to complete the process. According to Lt. Andrew Wrobel, electrical officer aboard George H.W. Bush, more than 140 cables were required to wrap the exterior of the ship from bow to
» see BUSH | A7
By MCC Kristen D. Loeding Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH
By Ens. Laura Price USS Fort McHenry Public Affairs
BALTIMORE, MD.
MC3 Tristan Miller Sailors from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) participate in a flag raising ceremony at the Fort Mchenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.
I’ve never seen a flag that big in my life.” - Ship’s Serviceman 1st Class Anthony Udell
“Being from Baltimore, it feels amazing to come back here,” said Powers. “From my 5th grade field
trips here, to now, taking part in something I never thought I’d be a part of.” It took all 15 Sailors to raise the massive garrison flag, which features 15 stars and 15 stripes. The flag serves as a symbol of unity and remembrance for the battle that took place, Sept. 13 14, 1814, when British forces attacked
» see McHENRY | A7
KEARSARGE HOSTS BOOTS-ON-THE-DECK BOD is a one-day event for leaders to help resolve issues
stern, and from the bottom of the keel to the top of the island in order to complete the process. Eighty-six of the cables were pre-staged in the
EOD officer receives White House invitation
Fort McHenry Sailors visit namesake Sailors from Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) visited the ship’s namesake in Baltimore, Md., March 2, to participate in a flag changing ceremony and to tour the historic fort. The visit precedes the ship’s visit to Baltimore for the Commemoration of the War of 1812, in June 2012. Operations Specialist Seaman Joshua Powers, from Baltimore, is one of 15 Sailors who made the drive to Fort McHenry.
■ DEPERM defined DEPERM is used to change the magnetic signature of the ship in order to reduce its vulnerability to magnetic influence sea mine detection.
ficers, senior executive service civilians and subject matter USS Kearsarge Public Affairs experts from provider commands for Boots-on-the-Deck (BOD), Feb. 23. NORFOLK BOD was a one-day event Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) where leadership from the Naval hosted more than 50 flag of- Aviation Enterprise (NAE) By MC2 (SW/AW) Cristina Gabaldon
ELEMENTARY ADOPTS PHIBCB TWO SEABEES Seabees attached to Amphibious Construction BattalionTwo (PHIBCB2) volunteered at Granby Elementary School, Feb. 27, for the Adopt-a-Seabee community service project.Teachers purchased two hour time slots for the PHIBCB2 Seabees to come in and help out in the classroom. » see A4
came aboard to help resolve any interdependent Naval aviation issues affecting the command’s Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) and Supply Department.
» see KEARSARGE | A7
PETTY OFFICERS TO CHIEFS Chiefs took time to meet with first class petty officers to strengthen MCPON’s plan to accelerate leadership learning.
» see B1
The operations officer for Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 12, was selected to attend a dinner at the White House, Feb. 29, to honor Armed Forces members who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom and their families. Lt. Ben Kostka has been in the Navy nine years and has completed three deployments in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom; two to Iraq serving as officer in charge of an EOD detachment and a riverine detachment; and one to Afghanistan serving as the operations officer for Task Force Paladin Southwest. Task Force Paladin Southwest is an EOD mobile unit. EOD mobile units provide deployable command and control for expeditionary and combat EOD operations in support of joint, naval or combined task force commanders. EOD personnel are highly trained, skilled warriors who are experts in explosives, diving, parachuting, weapons and small unit tactics. They render safe all types of explo-
ENJOY YOUR FOOD, JUST LESS OF IT The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans includes the common sense advice to “enjoy your food – just eat less.” That means you’ll need to familiarize yourself with what portion sizes actually should be. » see C4
sive hazards, including conventional ordnance, improvised explosive devices and weapons of mass destruction. Kostka said his first deployment in 2007 was challenging. “I had three months to work-up and prepare for that deployment after reporting to EODMU2, which is short considering the state of Iraq in 2007,” he said. In his later deployments, he was more comfortable and looked to build relationships with local forces. “In 2009, I worked with the Iraqi Coastal Border Guard, training them on small boat tactics. It’s not necessarily a mission you’re trained to do before you deploy, so you have to adapt and improvise as you attempt to build up their skill level and teach them how to take the lead in operations,” said Kostka. “It’s a tough balance to play that role for the military, since there’s little training that we receive prior to deploying on building the capabilities and capacity of partner nation forces.” Kostka has earned the Combat Action Ribbon, the Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Afghan Campaign Medal for his service during his deployments.
SPRING FORWARD THIS WEEKEND On March 11 at 2 a.m. EST, remember to set your clocks forward by 1 hour. The time change is also a good reminder to change the battery in your smoke alarms.