®
Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family
Vol. 20, No. 20 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 05.17.12
Big E steps it up with Step Afrika! By MCSN Harry Andrew D. Gordon Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs
USS ENTERPRISE, AT SEA
MCSN Gregory White Members of the dance group Step Afrika! perform for Sailors and Marines aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).
Events like this help Sailors broaden their horizons by experiencing different cultures.” - Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Tabitha Gentry
Step Afrika!, the world’s first professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, visited USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during the carrier’s 22nd and final deployment, May 11. Step Afrika! performed for the crew and promoted an understanding of, and appreciation for, stepping, a type of dance during which the body is used as an instrument to create intricate rhythms and sounds through a combination of footsteps, claps and the spoken word. While aboard, members of Step Afrika! toured the ship, ate meals with the crew and met with Sailors during a step workshop and lecture, all before ending the evening with an inspiring hangar bay performance. “This is our first time aboard an aircraft carrier and we are extremely excited,” said Jakari Sherman, the artistic director of the Step Afrika! dance company. “Upon arriving and stepping onto the flight deck, I got
» see STEP | A9
NECC announces formation of Coastal Riverine Force ■ schedule for merger The establishment of Coastal Riverine Force will take place, June 1, at JEBLCFS for CORIVGRU 2 and Imperial Beach, Calif. for CORIVGRU 1. The force’s initial operating capability is slated for October 2012. CORIVFOR will reach Full Operational Capability in October 2014.
Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Jobey French assigned to Riverine Command Boat 803 from Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 2 mans a MK 44 mini machine gun while conducting security escort operations for ships transiting out to sea.
Press Release Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH
MC1 Richard Brunson
Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) is establishing a new command, the Coastal Riverine Force (CORIVFOR), a merger of Riverine Group 1 and the Maritime Expeditionary Security Force (MESF), June 1. CORIVFOR will perform core maritime expeditionary security missions in the green and brown waters bridging the gap between traditional Navy blue water operations and land-based forces, spanning the capabilities that currently reside with the riverine and expeditionary security force. “We are combining maritime expeditionary and riverine forces to preserve a
range of capabilities in brown, blue and green water environments,” said Capt. James C. Hamblet, Commodore of Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 2. “Although Coastal Riverine Force will predominantly perform force protection type missions, when required it will be capable of conducting offensive operations, which will enhance mission effectiveness throughout the force.” CORIVFOR will be composed of active and reserve component unit capable of defending high value assets against a determined enemy and, when ordered, conducting offensive combat
operations. Capable of conducting 24hour operations, CORIVFOR will provide port and harbor security, offshore protection for maritime infrastructure and Military Sealift Command ships operating in coastal waterways. When necessary, elements of this force will provide offensive combat capabilities. CORIVFOR will utilize a mix of maritime expeditionary security and riverine equipment with plans to procure additional craft in the future. It will be comprised of two Echelon IV groups, Coastal Riverine Group (CORIVGRU) 1 homeported in Imperial Beach, Calif.
WAVY’s Cheryl Tan speaks at Navy Region Mid-Atlantic’s Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration By Micheal T. Mink Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs
NORFOLK
WAVY-TV 10’s Cheryl Tan spoke at Navy Region Mid-Atlantic’s Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration, May 14. When Tan was asked why celebrations such as this one are important, she replied, “I so appreciate the efforts like this to raise awareness of Asian
MILITARY SPOUSES RECOGNIZED The Hampton Roads community andThe Flagship, Inc. celebrated the 8th annual Heroes at Home Military Spouse Awards, May 10, in Virginia Beach.
American heritage and accomplishments. I equally love other events that help us learn more about African American, Latino and Hispanic cultures.” She went on to say, “We are all so busy today, yet gatherings like these give us the chance to find out [that] we are all striving for the same thing: healthy families, safe neighborhoods and communities that care.” She added, “I also think events like these have the power to inspire. You don’t
I so appreciate the efforts like this to raise awareness of Asian American heritage.”
» see A10-A11
-Cheryl Tan
typically see too many Asian Americans in the news business. There are more of us now, of course, and that may be because we saw others before us.” The Asian-Pacific American designation encompasses more than 50 ethnic or language groups, including native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. There are now more Asian and Pacific Islander groups than in the past – with 28 Asian and 19
» see MONTH | A9
with squadrons located in San Diego, Calif. at the Naval Amphibious Base. CORIVGRU 2 will be homeported in Portsmouth with active squadrons located at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, a forward deployed detachment in Bahrain, and reserve squadrons located in Newport, R.I. and Jacksonville, Fla. “By combining capabilities, we will be able to provide a more effective way of expanding maritime security both inland and on coastal waterways,” said Hamblet.
NAVSTA GATE 3A CONSTRUCTION BEGINS THIS WEEK Naval Station Norfolk will close Gate 3A on weekends beginning Friday, May 18 due to construction on the canopy. Traffic will be diverted to Gate 2, which will remain open on the weekends. Additionally, every Thursday at 8 a.m. until Friday at 8 p.m., one lane will be closed. Two inbound and two outbound lanes will remain open for traffic until 8 p.m. each Friday when the gate is closed.
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY Preventing motorcycle accidents and fatalities remains a top priority for the DoD, with training and awareness reducing the number of incidents.
KELLIE PICKLER FLIES WITH BLUE ANGELS Kellie Pickler was soaring high, May 9, when she took a flight over MiddleTennessee with the United States Navy Blue Angels.
» see B1
» see C7
This schedule will remain in effect until the construction is complete in early October. All lanes at Gate 3A will be open beginning at 5 a.m. each Monday morning. During this time frame, personnel transiting Naval Station Norfolk are encouraged to use alternate gates. Personnel transiting Gate 3A are encouraged to use caution and be alert for lane shifts.
THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered right to your door for free! Sign up today! Call 222-3990