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Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family
Vol. 20, No. 16 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 04.19.12
Roosevelt Sailor pulls 34,000 pound jet for Wounded Warriors By MC2 (EXW) Joey Morgon USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH
Something like this requires a whole different level of endurance.”
Strapped in a yellow harness, a USS Theodore Roosevelt Sailor pulled a 34,000-pound F/A-18C Hornet aboard Naval Air Station Oceana during an event to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, March 31. Standing at 6 feet, 2 inches and 304 pounds, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) (AW) - Aviation Boatswain’s 2nd Class Brian Gray grabbed Mate (Handling) (AW) a rope and dragged himself and 2nd Class Brian Gray the aircraft the required 75 feet in 23.23 seconds. “It wasn’t as hard as I expected,” laughed Gray. “Getting started was the hard part.” The event featured both the petite and powerful. Those new to strength sports watched as seasoned strongmen chugged water out of gallon jugs and warmed up with jump ropes and giant tires. More than 50 people showed up to try and pull the aircraft as an event for Brute Strength Gym in Norfolk. Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-15 hosted the jet pull, which raised more than $3,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project. “I wasn’t surprised he did it since he’s exactly the type of person you would imagine doing something like that, always in the gym lifting weights and eating right,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) (AW/SW) 1st Class Gerard W. K. Dindial. “When I heard he went out there and signed up, I knew right away that his heart was in the right spot, that he was doing it for the community and for the TR. He’s always talking with junior Sailors about nutrition and eating right, and helping them with their routines.” Gray, who came in 6th place, is a long-time weightlifter, though he has never participated in strongmen events. He’s never even pulled a car, much less a fighter jet. “This is a different kind of competition,” said Gray. “I’m used to pure strength competitions. Something like this requires a whole different level of endurance. I’m really excited though, it’s a jet! How often can someone say they’ve pulled a jet?”
MC3 Sean Hurt Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Brian Gray, assigned to the air department of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), pulls an F/A-18C Hornet in a jet pulling contest at Naval Air Station Oceana.
NSA HR celebrates Month of the Military Child with Fun Run
Kids eagerly take off at the start of the Month of the Military Child Fun Run at Capt. Slade Cutter Athletic Park, April 11.
CNO CONDUCTS NAVSTA NORFOLK ALL HANDS CALL ABOARD USS BUSH By MC2 (SW/AW) Joshua K. Horton Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk
Katisha Draughn NORFOLK
■ month’s history The Month of the Military Child was established in 1986 by former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger to underscore the role military children play in the Armed Forces community.
By Katisha Draughn Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Public Affairs
NORFOLK
Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads (NSA HR) set a day aside to celebrate military children during the inaugural Month of the Military Child Fun Run at Capt. Slade Cutter Athletic Park, April 11. April has been designated as Month of the Military Child to celebrate the unique contributions, commitment and sacrifices military children make on behalf of our country. “This month gives us the opportunity to celebrate military children,” said
Capt. Charles Melcher, Commanding Officer of NSA HR. “These children go through so much having parents who are in the military, and we want to set a day aside just for them so they can have fun and just enjoy being kids.” And having fun is just what they did.
SAILORS COMPLETE 5-MILE WALK HONORING FALLEN IN BATAAN DEATH MARCH Eighteen Sailors from USS Bataan took part in a five-mile walk in the Great Dismal Swamp, April 7, as part of events commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the infamous Bataan Death March of World War II. » see A8
Approximately 85 children, ages 6 to 13, participated in the half mile and one mile runs. The 6 to 9-year-olds ran a half mile, and the 10 to 13-year-olds ran one mile. Afterwards, the kids had refreshments and played in inflatable bounce houses. Chief Hospital Corpsman Bryan Zimmerman brought his two sons, Alexander, 8, and Avery, 7, to the run and was very appreciative that the Navy hosted the event. “I think it’s great to have a month specifically designated for military children,” he said. “A lot of times
» see FUN RUN | A9
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert conducted a Naval Station (NS) Norfolk all hands call aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), April 13. Greenert addressed sea and shore Sailors from more than 100 tenant commands during the event, providing an opportunity to communicate directly with him. Among the topics discussed during the all hands call were operational tempo (OPTEMPO), educational benefits and Enlisted Review
Don’t become a bystander. If you see something, intervene.” - CNO Adm. Jonathan Greenert
Boards (ERBs). To kick-off the event, Greenert laid out three key points he called “Sailing Directions,” that are a model of how the Navy intends to operate going forward into the future: ■ Warfighting First
» see CNO | A9
2012 SUMMER TRAFFIC & RECREATION SAFETY STANDDOWN TRAINING
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS
Presentations are open to all ashore and afloat commands and will promote pre-Memorial Day and Critical Days of Summer Safety.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.This year’s theme is, “Hurts One, Affects All. Prevention of Sexual Assault is Everyone’s Duty.”
Where: Naval Station Norfolk, Building C-9 When: May 14 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Contact Sewells Point Safety Office at 322-2917/28 for more Information.
Help raise awareness by joining the conversation on social media by using #SAAM.