Flagship 04.15.2021

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 15, 2021 1

IN THIS ISSUE Preventing pollution Stormwater pollution results when precipitation runs over surfaces picking up pollutants waste, litter, etc. These pollutants can significantly threaten aquatic, wildlife and human health. PAGE A2 VOL. 27, NO.15, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com

April 15-April 21, 2021

U.S. Navy Sailors, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), greet the Italian Navy flagship, aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), as it arrives at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, March 26. (MCSA KALLIYAH DEJESUS)

USS John C. Stennis supports NATO allies

By MC2 Rebekah Rinckey

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Public Affairs

NORFOLK — While awaiting overhaul and major modernization efforts, the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) is providing important support to United States’ NATO Allies. Recently, the John C.

Stennis dedicated both resources and personnel to the Italian aircraft carrier, ITS Cavour (CVH 550), and the British aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08).

The John C. Stennis provided essential support to both carriers to increase their collective capacity and capabilities, increase interoperability between U.S. and NATO forces, as

well as support both aircraft carriers’ capabilities to fly F-35B aircraft.

First arriving in Norfolk on Feb. 13, on a mission to attain a safe-for-flight certification operating the F-35B and termed the Italian Navy’s “Ready For Operations” campaign, Cavour has received a number of pier services from the John C. Stennis including refueling, diving operations, equip-

Mighty tiny: The smallest dog with the biggest fight

By MCSA Jordan Grimes

Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK — Dogs. Not only are they man’s best friend, but they are one of the most committed working forces in America to date. When it comes to the military, dogs have worked alongside their human counterparts since as early as the 1800s. However, they weren’t officially recognized as members of the armed services until March 13, 1942, when Dogs for Defense was established. This private organization acted as a recruiting system for the military’s first official K-9 corps.

Since then, the military has experimented with the employment of many different dog breeds. The most commonly used breeds these days are the Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, and Labrador Retriever.

But at Naval Station Norfolk, there’s Turn to Mighty Tiny, Page 7

Master-at-Arms First Class Molly Crawford and her military working dog Tina stand for a photo at Naval Station Norfolk. (MCSA JORDAN A. GRIMES)

Warrior of the Year Award

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Information Systems Technician 1st Class Ruth Freeman was presented with the Wounded Warrior of the Year Award by Navy Safe Harbor Foundation, during a private ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk.

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ment and personnel onload, security, and medical functions. During its campaign, the Italian Navy has worked closely with the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office’s Integrated Test Force out of Patuxent River, Maryland, to obtain official certification to safely operate F-35B aircraft.

“We couldn’t be more excited to host our Italian ally,” said U.S. Navy

Capt. Cassidy Norman, the John C. Stennis’ commanding officer. “The Stennis team fully understands the importance of building trust and cooperation by supporting Cavour’s certification with the newest multirole combat aircraft, the F-35B. We are happy to see our Italian naval aviation counterparts dramatically increase their operational capacity, strengthening our collective capability.”

In addition to supporting Cavour, John C. Stennis provided support to British Allies by sending 17 aviation ordnancemen to the Queen Elizabeth for training last September, to assist in the assembly and movement of ordnance, including for the F-35B, in support of United States Marine Corps Marine Fighter Attack SquadTurn to NATO, Page 7

Sonar technician continues family naval service

By MC2 Cameron Stoner

Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK — A sonar technician is continuing his family’s military service while serving aboard the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS John Warner (SSN 785), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.

Sonar Technician (Submarine) 3rd Class Austin Weisenburg, a native of Mississippi, joined the Navy in 2016 after seeing the opportunities the service had presented his father, and hearing stories from other family members who had served.

“My father has been in the Navy for 18 years and is still going as a master chief for the Seabees,” said Weisenburg. “My younger sister is also in the Navy, and my great grandparents on both sides of my family also served.”

Weisenburg explained his family’s service in the Navy was a driving motivator for his own enlistment into the Navy and the Submarine Force.

“Growing up, my great grandfather on my mother’s side would tell me stories of his time in the Navy,” said Weisenburg. “Hearing his stories and seeing the opportunities it brought my father made me interested in joining. Not much is said about the Submarine Force, which made it all the more interesting to me when I did decide to join.”

Once Weisenburg took interest in the Submarine Force, he knew he wanted to be a sonar technician.

“I heard sonar technicians had the chance to handle weapons such as torpedoes and sometimes Tomahawk missiles, and most people don’t get to do that,” said Weisenburg. “I’m glad I chose to be a sonar technician as some of my favorite memories have been made working alongside my shipmates.”

After successful completion of sonar technician ‘A’ school, Weisenburg reported to John Warner in 2017 and worked quickly to integrate with the boat’s crew and to earn his Turn to Sonar, Page 7

Change is coming to NAS Oceana

Collaboration is key

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Dominion Energy and NAS Oceana have begun discussions for the potential use of an underutilized parcel of NAS Oceana property to support Dominion Energy’s CVOW project.

NNSY employees are following a new motto of “One Mission - One Team” focused on teamwork to move forward and to be successful.

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The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, April 15, 2021

NSWC Dahlgren Division tests G/ATOR System capabilities for U.S. Marine Corps

By John Joyce

Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Public Affairs

DAHLGREN — Navy engineer Danny Mudd looked forward to the arrival of a new U.S. Marine Corps radar system after working on the program for years. When the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system — a mobile unit designed to be stationed anywhere while providing air surveillance and ground weapons locating capabilities — arrived at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), Mudd and his team were ready to provide five weeks of test and evaluation.

“It’s exciting to be able to test an actual system when you’ve been working on it for years,” said Mudd, G/ATOR program team lead and radar operations manager for the Sensor Software Engineering Branch at NSWCDD. “Having the radar in our backyard is a game changer and makes you really appreciate the work that we’ve done here and continue to do.”

Mudd and his team manage the lab productivity that maintains and updates the test assets with the branch’s software support activity lead, Bradley Payne, who provides software development for the G/ATOR system.

“We provide government support to the program office, located in Quantico, and develop test procedures for the radar system,” said Bill Shea, G/ATOR technical program manager in the NSWCDD Sensor Software Engineering Branch. “Our G/ATOR team has supported this program for well over 10 years.”

Shea and his team collaborate with other naval warfare centers, the primary contractor Northrop Grumman and several branches across Dahlgren.

Before participating in integrated field tests, a new version of G/ATOR was brought to NSWCDD to perform interoperability testing

Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Principal Engineer Dr. Terry Foreman, G/ATOR Technical Program Manager Bill Shea and Radar Operations Lead Danny Mudd brief NSWCDD Technical Director John Fiore on the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ ATOR) system at the Potomac River Test Range. (STACIA COURTNEY)

with other systems. Shea and his team prepared for the G/ATOR’s testing schedule by verifying the command’s infrastructure functionality, including power accessibility, radar data recording abilities and data analysis capabilities.

“Having a tactical radar at Dahlgren for our engineering team to utilize, allows the team to develop expert knowledge of the radar’s functionality and capability,” said Shea. “In collaboration across the warfare center and the contractor, the G/ATOR team achieved that ability to field test, collect data and verify theories to improve the radar’s performance and support the warfighter.”

Within the first week of the G/ATOR system’s arrival, command, senior leadership and essential team leads conducted walkthroughs of safety protocols and complete range safety validations before live testing.

For many team members supporting the G/ATOR project, the opportunity to work directly with the system and have accessibility to calculate theories proved beneficial for the warfare center.

“Many people working on the radar program have only seen the G/ATOR in pictures since one wasn’t available until this test event,” said Shea. “The opportunity to engage with the unit at Dahlgren helps software developers under-

stand some of the interfaces they’re building.

They can see firsthand how the software is being used.”

Through collaborative efforts within the department and other divisions across NSWCDD, the G/ATOR team performed central testing evaluations that verified the radar systems detection functionalities and software capabilities. During the test schedule, the G/ATOR team conducted evaluations around the clock during the workweek.

Dahlgren’s G/ATOR team is already planning to expand the sustainment of software capabilities for the G/ATOR system through integrated test evaluations.

Preventing pollution from pet waste

By Amy E. Hardy

PWD NSA Hampton Roads Public Affairs

NORFOLK —Stormwater pollution results when precipitation such as rain or snowmelt runs over surfaces picking up pollutants like pesticides, fertilizers, construction site sediments, pet waste, litter, etc. These pollutants can significantly degrade water quality and threaten aquatic, wildlife and human health. In addition, stormwater pollution impacts our drinking water supplies and use of waterways for recreational activities such as swimming, fishing or boating.

Runoff from our lawns, rooftops, and driveways enter into the storm drain system. This system discharges directly to nearby streams, lakes, and bays without receiving any treatment. Because of this, it is important for us to prevent all pollutants, including pet waste which this article will focus on, from being washed into storm drains.

Pet waste is not only unsightly, but also is a health risk to pets, people and our local water bodies. The problem is that pet waste contains harmful bacteria such as E. coli and fecal coliform, which can make the water unfit for irrigation, drinking water supplies, and recreation such as swimming or fishing. In addition to potentially causing gastrointestinal illnesses in humans such as Giardia and Salmonella, the bacteria from pet waste are harmful to the thousands of species of plants and animals that live in our waterways. Pet waste also contains nutrients that can lead to excessive algae growth in water bodies, which in turn can lead to fish kills and disrupting the water’s natural ecology.

Some important statistics related to these

issues include: • When pet waste decays in our waterways, it uses up dissolved oxygen and releases compounds that are harmful to fish and other aquatic life.

• On average nationally, there are 0.58 dogs per household. Each dog produces approximately 0.42 pounds of fecal waste per day, or about 150 pounds per year. Just think how much waste is produced by the pets in your neighborhood!

• A single gram of pet waste contains an average of 23 million fecal coliform bacteria that can cause disease in humans.

• A single day’s waste from one large dog can contain 7.8 billion fecal coliform bacteria — enough to close 15 acres of shellfish beds.

• EPA estimates that 2 to 3 days of pet waste from a population of 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria and nutrients to temporarily close an entire bay for swimming and shell-fishing. Source: EPA 1993 Preventing pollution from pet waste can be accomplished by simply using a bag to pick up the pet waste and properly disposing of it in the trash. Other facts and tips to make prevention easier include: • Always carry waste bags with you on your walks with your pets.

• Turn pet waste collection baggies inside out over your hand to use the bag as a glove when picking up the waste, and properly dispose of it in the trash. Or even better if possible dispose of the pet waste into the sanitary sewer system where it will be treated!

• Always clean up after your pet, even in your own yard. Your pet’s waste is NOT fertilizer.

• Bury pet waste in your yards at least 5-6” underground away from gardens or ditches,

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to allow it to properly decompose.

Other sources of bacteria include the waste from wild animals and septic systems.

Because of this, it is important to not feed wild animals such as ducks or geese to

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prevent them from congregating in one area and causing spikes in bacteria. Also, the proper maintenance and inspections of septic systems is also important to prevent bacterial pollution to our nearby waterways.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 15, 2021 3

A view of the wind turbines at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (MCC BILL MESTA)

Change is coming to NAS Oceana

By MC3 Michael Botts

NAS Oceana Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH — Rear Adm. Charles Rock, commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA), Capt. John W. Hewitt, commanding officer of Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, and base leadership met with Dominion Energy executives on recently to discuss the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project.

Dominion Energy and NAS Oceana have begun discussions for the potential use of an underutilized parcel of NAS Oceana property to support Dominion Energy’s CVOW project.

The energy company has proposed constructing a switching station on NAS Oceana’s land parcel as part of their larger CVOW project, which when fully constructed, will see nearly 200 offshore wind turbines that will generate enough electricity to power 660,000 homes and will contribute to Dominion Energy’s goal of net-zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions across the 16 states they service by 2050. The

CVOW project will also provide NAS Oceana with immediate cost-savings in their maintenance budget.

“I am thankful for the partnership we have made with Dominion Energy over the last two years,” said Hewitt. “We here at Naval Air Station Oceana understand the importance of this project and what it means to Dominion Energy, the Navy, and the Nation.”

Under a broader project named Future Base Design, NAS Oceana plans to out-lease its underutilized property for potential compatible use commercial development in exchange for in-kind considerations. Instead of receiving a cash payment for leasing the land, an in-kind consideration is a lease agreement mechanism where NAS Oceana can instead obtain services such as road maintenance, HVAC repair, and building façade upkeep, to assist in the overall maintenance and repair of base facilities and infrastructure.

NAS Oceana Future Base Design is an innovative prototype initiative that adds to tradi-

tional base support delivery methods and its goal is to transform, optimize, and modernize installation capabilities and resilience while also reducing the total ownership cost and footprint of NAS Oceana infrastructure.

“Future Base Design looks radical, but when you break down its elements, it really is not,” said Hewitt. “Out-leasing underutilized property for commercial development for in-kind consideration is nothing new, as the Navy has a long-standing Enhanced Use Lease Program.

In fact, we already have arrangements in place, obtained by other transactions, by which we obtain services, such as paving, that we would ordinarily pay for ourselves.”

However, the difference under Future Base Design is the large scale of the initiative where NAS Oceana has the potential to out-lease hundreds of acres across the base.

“The common motivating principle to all the Future Base Design lines of effort is that they enhance the Commanding Officer’s ability to direct available financial resources at the

installation infrastructure necessary for the command’s core warfighting missions,” said Hewitt. “At Naval Air Station Oceana, this means those facilities and functions necessary for generating the U.S. Navy’s naval power to include air operations and training, aviation maintenance, squadron home basing, and other specific requirements for the 71 commands we support.”

NAS Oceana believes that Future Base Design will take between 7-10 years before reaching full maturity.

“This is a long-term engagement approach, not a one-time project,” said Hewitt. “Future Base Design will improve the readiness, quality of life, and safety of the commands that call NAS Oceana home.”

To learn more about Dominion Energy’s CVOW project, you can visit, https://www. dominionenergy.com/projects-and-facilities/ wind-power-facilities-and-projects/coastal-virginia-offshore-wind.

To learn more about NAS Oceana’s Future Base Design and to more closely follow its progress, you can visit, https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ regions/cnrma/installations/nas_oceana/ om/oceana_future.html for any and all future advances to the project.

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4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, April 15, 2021

Employees of Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Metal Inspectors Division (Code 135), shipfitting shop (Shop 11) and welding shop (Shop 26) stand by one of their newest welding mock up pieces. (JASON SCARBOROUGH)

Continuous training, development: Collaboration is key

By Jason Scarborough

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH — Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) employees are following a new motto of “One Mission - One Team” focused on teamwork to move forward and to be successful. One specific example of this has been exemplified between support and production shops in the Metal Inspectors Department (Code 135) during the development of Visual Inspection Continuous Training Development (CTD) areas.

CTD gives employees the ability to maintain proficiency and learn new skills based on their trade. Tasked with developing the Visual Inspection CTD area was Code 135

Non-Destructive Metals Inspector Faith Kinnaird. Kinnaird, new to the position, said, “We mainly inspect welds and their parts and components. We work side-by-side with shipfitters (Shop 11), welders (Shop 26), and pipefitters (Shop 56).”

Kinnaird began reaching out to various production shop personnel to see if the CTD could assist in creating mock-ups and props to enhance training. To help make training and development more effective and productive, the team would simulate as many trueto-real-life scenarios as possible. The team had plenty of prop pieces they could easily use in training, but in reality inspectors would be onboard ships, often times in tight, low-lit spaces and some of the components inspected

are not as easily accessible, so the goal was to simulate these difficult locations.

It was at this point coordinated teamwork and communication between the shops began.

Shops 11, 26, 56 and multiple others began to donate large mock-up pieces or construct new ones to help make training more aligned to what they might actually do on the ship.

This in turn, allowed the production shop employees to get hands-on experience. Shop 26 utilized apprentices for welding and Shop 11 is currently using their new apprentices to build a large mock up piece. Since these shops normally work together on a ship, or in their shops, it only made sense to collaborate and develop a more effective training process.

“I was overwhelmed with the amount of help and support I received through the midst of working around production schedules, my own training schedule, and COVID19 setbacks. Everyone came together and worked as a team, and now Code 135 has a wonderful start to an ever growing Visual Inspection CTD area,” said Kinnaird. “We knew that no matter how efficient our trades internal operations were, we needed to work together to ensure the success of our employees and the shipyard as a whole. By forming this collaborative process between trades/ shops for training purposes, we are ultimately helping build higher levels of morale, efficiency and productivity.”

Code 135 continues to collaborate with various shops to develop the best CTD areas.

The need and requirement for a different approach in training development allowed multiple trades to come together as a team and champion the success of everyone while fulfilling the NNSY mission and continuing to follow the NNSY goal of “One Mission One Team.”

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 15, 2021 5

NAVSUP WSS improving maritime industrial support though NSSSupply

By Kelly Luster

NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Public Affairs

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — “Today, we are engaged in a long-term competition. China and Russia are rapidly modernizing their militaries to challenge the international order that has benefited so many for so long,” said Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Mike Gilday, during virtual remarks at the Surface Navy Association Symposium earlier this year. For our Navy to operate at the strategic edge and win, day-today, it can only do so with staunch support from the Navy’s end-to-end supply chain integrator: NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support.

Working within the framework of Naval Gabriel Crespo, a contractor for American Scaffold, uses a hammer to put a diagonal pipe in place on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft Sustainment System-Supply (NSS-Sup- carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). (MCSA CHRISTOPHER SUAREZ) ply), NAVSUP WSS is forging ahead into this cross-domain, mission-partner-cen- insight and oversight to identify and prioritize We support the four shipyards in myriad ways other job. “There’s what people think we do, tric approach to better coordinate and inte- requirements. In response, Naval Sea Systems including material planning, forecasting parts, and there’s what we actually do,” said Ayers. grate the naval supply chain, end-to-end. Command (NAVSEA), Naval Supply Systems and expediting issues. The bottom line: we help On any given day, he said he coordinates NSS-Supply is confronting the Navy’s need Command (NAVSUP), and DLA signed a identify and solve problems.” between multiple organizations at multiple for a single, strategic-scale, and sustainable memorandum of agreement in August 2018 She said the command continues to expand levels to support material support to indusdesign for a Navy wide supply chain with the to refocus material support at the public competition and deepen partnerships with trial availabilities. He said for every action right mix of organic and commercial activ- naval shipyards. Additionally, NAVSEA and strategic suppliers. that does, or does not a happen in mainteities in order to deliver, project and sustain NAVSUP established a manpower memoranHooper continued, “Many of the vendors nance, there is a ripple affect felt across the the force. NSS-Supply has a total of six pillars: dum of agreement to provide robust person- we rely on to supply the parts necessary for Fleet. “Shipyard operations are extremely Achieve End-to-End Integration, Demand nel to support the reconstitution of shipyard shipyard maintenance are the sole source. The complex,” Ayers said. “As we continue to Management, Optimize Working Capital supply departments. strategic relationships we form and the effec- support our Navy, we must continue to Fund Portfolio, Shape Industrial Base, OptiFleet owned and funded, NAVSEA manages tive communication of contract priorities and improve our support to industrial mainmize Organic Repair, and Increase End-to- the shipyards which have the primary respon- required delivery dates can be the difference tenance. Part of that is understanding the End Velocity. sibility for nuclear carrier and submarine between on-time and delayed delivery, espe- complexities of the supply chain, end to end, As the lead for the End-to-End Velocity maintenance and repair. Some of the duties cially during the ongoing pandemic. With our beyond the shipyards.” pillar, NAVSUP WSS is finding and leverag- of the reconstituted shipyard supply depart- teams working to prioritize contract delivery “We try to anticipate problems and work ing touch points across our supply chains to ments include oversight of all materiel func- timeframes and negotiating partial or incre- with industry partners, and Department of make them run more effectively and afford- tions and improved supply support leading to mental deliveries, it ensures we’re managing Defense organizations to provide a Navy that’s ably. The command is shrinking maintenance on-time delivery of ships and submarines back the whole of the Navy’s supply chain in support ready to fight tonight,” said Ayers. turnaround times and accelerating end-to- to the fleet. of our shipyard customers.”

Ayers said, although there have been great end velocity of spares, reducing costs and Additionally, NAVSUP WSS bolstered its A key decision when Code 500 depart- strides made in maritime industrial support, directly increasing readiness and combat support of the maritime industrial enterprise ments were reestablished was who would lead especially at the public shipyards, we must capability for the fleet. As the end-to-end by establishing teams aligned to the four public the departments. According to Capt. Aaron continue seeking opportunities to improve supply chain integrator, one of those touch naval shipyards. These teams synchronize Ayers, Supply Officer, Portsmouth Naval Ship- readiness across the fleet. “Any days we save points is at the Navy’s four public shipyards closely with the shipyard supply departments yard, being the lead Supply Corps officer at a getting ships and subs in and out of availabiliwhere NAVSUP WSS is helping shape mari- and coordinate with program managers, plan- shipyard, also called the SUPPO, is not what ties, is another day for Combatant Commandtime industrial support, especially in recent ners and contracting officers on behalf of ship- you may think, and it requires a depth and ers and crews to operate in the world’s oceans.” years. But it wasn’t always this way. yard availabilities. Additionally, key leaders breadth of experience found only in senior NAVSUP WSS is one of 11 commands under After a congressional recommendation attend a variety of planning and coordination supply officers. He said from the outside, it may Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure meetings to identify and overcome material look like as though it is just about managing Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employCommission, Defense Logistics Agency’s and readiness challenges across supply chains. shipments on the yard—supply, storage and ing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more Naval Service Supply’s storage and distribu“We are the shipyards’ entry point to WSS,” distribution or SS&D—“but it’s much, much than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, tion functions were consolidated under DLA. said Dyan Hooper, NAVSUP WSS’ industrial more than that,” he said. “Day-to-day opera- NAVSUP’s mission is to provide supplies, The consolidation also disestablished the ship- support division head who leads a robust team tions at all of the shipyards encompasses much services, and quality-of-life support to the yard supply department—a decision which of logistics experts. “Our work will optimize more than what is on the yard—that’s only a Navy and joint warfighter. Learn more at www. directly impacted material support of ship- the cost and increase the value of readiness small piece of the operation,” he added. navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsupyard availabilities because of the lack of Navy by returning strategic assets back to the fleet.

Ayers said the shipyard SUPPO is like no wss and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.

Space Aiders: Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s SurgeMain Sailors work with Navy Competent Persons core group

By Hannah Bondoc

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH — Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) main task is to service the Fleet. This goal requires nothing less than teamwork, a fact understood by Temporary Services’ (Code 990, Shop 99) Navy Competent Persons (NCP)— the core team responsible for confined and enclosed space safety and hot work authorization. Because of heavy workload the group has recently had due to more ships coming in for maintenance, Surge Maintenance (SurgeMain) mobilized six of their Sailors to lend a helping hand.

As part of Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) deployment of SurgeMain reservists across the four naval shipyards, these Sailors have the technical and trade backgrounds necessary to provide quick benefits in managing the workload and assisting a variety of projects.

Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental (Code 106), Confined Space Manager

and Gas-Free Engineer Robert Tew is the lead for the NCPs. “We have developed a core group of NCPs,” Tew explained. “With NCP duties as their primary focus, the group has been able to improve their skills and expand their professional knowledge under direct supervision.”

“Unfortunately, with the workload being so heavy and the limited number of qualified workers available, we hit a point where we had to think outside the box to ensure we could do our part to assist the various availabilities with nonstop execution of production work,” Code 990 NCP Supervisor Ebony Manier said. Under Tew’s direction and in coordination with Code 990, the group made the effort to start qualifying SurgeMain Sailors as NCPs. Like their civilian counterparts, the Sailors chosen for NCP qualification had to complete classroom and on-the-job training (OJT). Training included 40 hours of in-class sessions, 120 hours of OJT, and an interview with Tew. “Their interview with me is the last step in the qualification process,” he said. “If they were success-

ful, then I certified them, allowing them to start authorizing confined space entry and hot work on the ships.”

“It was important to maintain the utmost level of quality in the performance of the job,” Code 990’s SurgeMain Shop Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) Kenneth Johnston explained. “Like any safety position, it is imperative for those that you are working with to trust you and for them to be reassured in your training or qualification.”

After a thorough vetting process, six Sailors were certified as NCPs, providing the help that the core group needed; currently, a second class of SurgeMain Sailors is currently undergoing the training to join them. “While they are still gaining experience every day, they have proven to be reliable and eager to learn,” Tew said.

“I don’t know how we would have been able to take care of two carriers and our submarines without the level of teamwork involved in this initiative,” Manier added.

“On behalf of SurgeMain, I would like to thank the NCP core group and supervisors for their commitment to the Sailors and their success,” Johnston added, “Specifically, Code 990’s Trades Manager Donnie Miller for reaching out to the SurgeMain Program with the idea to utilize our Sailors, Code 990’s Waterfront Director Dellon Baker for his continued support, and finally Mr. Tew for his trust and

SurgeMain (Surge Maintenance) Sailors checking the air for gas in the mock up confined space, another component of their required training to work with the Navy Competent Persons (NCP). (DANIEL DEANGELIS)

faith in our Sailors to execute a program that he is so passionate about and invested in.”

To be able to support such a workload requires nothing less than teamwork, something that has been embodied by this recent partnership between Code 990 and SurgeMain. As Shipyard Commander Capt. Dianna Wolfson’s command philosophy states, “we are One Team supporting One Mission!”

TOGETHER WE WIN $

52,000 IN 52 WEEKS TO 52 WORTHY CHARITIES “Thank you, Rosie’s, for your generous donation. This will greatly help us to continue to feed over 2,500 families and over 7,000 individuals in the Stafford County area, where we have been serving families and children since 1979!”

Brian Gillespie

Executive Director | S.E.R.V.E. Every week in 2021 we will donate $1,000 to a local nonprofit that is providing valuable services in the areas we are located.

Helping those communities around us is at the core of our operational philosophy. We truly believe that high tides raise all ships and we are determined to add value to the communities in which we operate.

Through the charitable program, Rosie’s Gives Back, Colonial Downs Group has made monetary and in-kind donations of more than $1,185,000, and has logged over 1,100 service hours in Virginia communities.

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6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, April 15, 2021

IT1 Ruth Freeman receives Wounded Warrior of the Year Award

By MC1 Peter Lewis

Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK — Information Systems Technician 1st Class Ruth Freeman was presented with the Wounded Warrior of the Year Award

by Navy Safe Harbor Foundation, during a private ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk, April 8.

“IT1 Freeman has exemplified the spirit of the wounded warrior program,” said Kendall Hillier, the Navy Wounded Warrior mid-Atlantic regional program director, and a guest speaker at the event. “She truly sets an example that all other wounded warriors can follow proudly.”

Nominated by Navy Region Mid Atlantic, IT1 Freeman has endured multiple surgeries and radiation treatment at both Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). Despite facing significant challenges due to her illness, IT1 chooses to embrace life and experience new adventures whenever possible.

“Words cannot explain the gratitude that I feel for being selected for this recognition,” Freeman said. “I am both honored and humbled.”

While she has had a many successes, despite her illness, Freeman noted that she has also faced many personal struggles. She gives much of the credit for her continued Information Systems Technician 1st Class Ruth Freeman, the Navy Safe Harbor Foundation Wounded Warrior of the Year, poses for a photo with success to the support she receives from her her husband and son, after an award presentation ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk. (MC1 PETER LEWIS) peers who have faced similar difficulties.

“Having to go through several surgeries supported. We can laugh, cry, vent and feel Freeman continues to demonstrate a high snap out of a funk. It’s important to never give with another on the horizon, weighs heav- loved. They understand the journey and you level of motivation and determination to up no matter how rough it gets, because the low ily on me. There are times when I feel like can’t replace support like that.” achieve new goals in her personal life. She valley moments are temporary.” a failure for not physically being able to be Freeman added that having a strong, actively participates in adaptive athletics, Freeman is currently balancing motherwho I was before the cancer,” she said. “My supportive partner has also been key to keep- including the USO Outdoor Adventure Team, hood, actively pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree friendships with other wounded warriors ing her on the path to success.

Get Set 4 All, Virginia Beach Veteran’s Rowing in Cybersecurity, and training for the 2021 and caregivers provide a normalcy not avail“I have been blessed with a lot of support, Family, USA Cycling, US Rowing programs, Wounded Warrior Games Navy team trials able outside the adaptive world. Having tread but my husband has always been my rock. He’s and The Warrior Games as part of Team Navy. and the 2022 Invictus games. She continues similar paths, perfection is not expected; just gotten me through every struggle, set back and She has been selected to represent Team US at to share her stories, struggles and accomacceptance. They know I am more than my storm,” she stated. “He also celebrated every the next Invictus Games. plishments to show others that they can find scars and my limits, and understand that inch of recovery and won’t let me give up.

“My mantra is take it one day at a time, never a new normal and still be active regardless of recovery is not just physical. Here among Knowing I have him, my family and friends lose hope, and always have faith,” she added. injuries, medical conditions, or life altering my peers, ‘invisible’ wounds are visible and behind me, makes it impossible to quit.”

“These three things help me stay focused and situations.

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 15, 2021 7

Sonar from Page 1

Sonar Technician (Submarine) 3rd Class Austin Weisenburg, assigned to the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS John Warner (SSN 785), poses for a photo at the boat’s homeport of Naval Station Norfolk. (MC2 CAMERON STONER)

NATO from Page 1

ron (VMFA) 211.

VMFA-211 embarking on the Queen Elizabeth with F-35Bs was all part of a larger effort to validate the ability of the aircraft to operate jointly and seamlessly during aircraft carrier operations and maritime power projections while supporting strategic Allies. This allows for a smooth integration among John C. Stennis Sailors, VMFA-211 and the Queen Elizabeth, as she is set to embark on her first deployment later this spring.

The United States seeks to expand its global presence and influence by developing allied nation capabilities to support our shared defense interests. Training with our U.K. counterparts allowed the United States to seek unexplored levels of interoperability and integration, advance future readiness.

These opportunities have allowed the John C. Stennis to maintain warfighting proficiency while also setting the standard as the ship enters refueling complex overhaul (RCOH).

“The scheduled RCOH will modernize this ship to become the most advanced aircraft carrier in the Nimitz class,” said Norman. “We are fortunate to be able to simultaneously work to get this ship back in the fight, and at the same time, support the new aircraft carrier capabilities of our NATO Allies.”

John C. Stennis is partnering with Newport News Shipbuilding to complete RCOH on schedule with a trained, resilient and cohesive crew.

For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www. airpac.navy.mil/Organization/USS-John-CStennis-CVN-74/ or follow along on social media at www.facebook.com/stennis74 on Facebook, stenniscvn74 on Instagram, and @ stennis74 on Twitter.

Mighty Tiny from Page 1

a new rising star in the working dog world: Tina, the Jagdterrier.

The 4-year-old pooch is making big strides in detection for the security forces on base. Her tiny stature has given her a unique advantage in the field. She’s able to get into tight spaces that her larger counterparts would typically struggle with.

“Tina is special because she’s so tiny,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Molly Crawford, Tina’s handler. “If we were to go into tight spaces like a submarine or a ship, it’s so much easier to take a 16-pound terrier, compared to a 70-pound German Shepherd.”

The pair has worked together for five months now, continuously training and refining Tina’s unique set of skills. Her breed was originally used as hunting dogs in Germany, which gives

submarine warfare device.

“Reporting aboard John Warner was challenging because the boat deployed only a couple months later,” said Weisenburg.

“It took me about six months to earn my warfare device while also working to ensure I was still meeting other qualifications. Being pinned by my captain on the boat’s bridge made all the effort worth it.”

Senior Chief Fire Control Technician Justin Thompson, John Warner’s chief of the boat, spoke highly of Weisenburg and commended him for his work ethic and positive attitude.

“Petty officer Weisenburg comes to work each day ready to support the John Warner team,” said Thompson. “Whether we are in port or at sea, he inspires everyone around him through his incessantly positive attitude and tremendous work ethic. Weisenburg and Sailors like him are the reason I have such high hopes for the future of the Navy’s Submarine Force.”

USS John Warner is the 12th Virginia-class attack submarine and the first ship to bear the name of Senator, John Warner.

The submarine was built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, Connecticut, and commissioned Aug. 1, 2015. The 377-foot ship has a current crew complement of 15 officers and 117 enlisted Sailors and displaces more than 7,800 tons of water.

The mission of the Submarine Force is to execute the Department of the Navy’s mission in and from the undersea domain. In addition to lending added capacity to naval forces, the Submarine Force, in particular, is expected to leverage those special advantages that come with undersea concealment to permit operational, deterrent and combat effects that the Navy and the nation could not otherwise achieve.

The Submarine Force and supporting organizations constitute the primary undersea arm of the Navy. Submarines and their crews remain the tip of the undersea spear.

Tina a naturally strong drive to perform well during training and missions alike.

Thankfully, Tina and MA1 Crawford have not been called out to any dangerous missions yet. But if the occasion should ever come, there is comfort in knowing Tina will be ready to help.

As unique as Tina may be though, MA1 Crawford emphasized that she is no more important than any of the other hard-working pups the Navy has employed.

“I would never say that one dog’s [mission] is more important than the other,” she said. “I think that there’s a reason for each and every dog on this installation or in the military working dog program, and they’re all important.

Her small size doesn’t mean that she’s any less or more important.”

Overall, Tina has been a great addition to the working dog family at Naval Base Norfolk. As tiny as she may be, she still manages to keep up with the big dogs and constantly proves that the smallest dogs can have the biggest drive.

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8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, April 15, 2021

THANKS TO ALL THE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.

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$750 INCENTIVE OFFERED BY TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. AND MAY BE APPLIED TOWARD FINANCE OR LEASE CONTRACTS ON NEW TOYOTA VEHICLES, DATED FROM MARCH 31, 2021 THROUGH MAY 3, 2021. TO QUALIFY FOR THE INCENTIVE, AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE OR LEASE YOU MUST (1) BE IN CURRENT ACTIVE DUTY STATUS IN THE U.S. MILITARY (NAVY, ARMY, AIR FORCE, MARINES, NATIONAL GUARD, COAST GUARD AND ACTIVE RESERVE) OR A U.S. MILITARY INACTIVE RESERVE (I.E., READY RESERVE) THAT IS PART OF THE INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE, SELECTED RESERVE AND INACTIVE NATIONAL GUARD; OR A MILITARY VETERAN OR RETIREE (RETIREES HONORABLY DISCHARGED) OF THE U.S. MILITARY WITHIN TWO YEARS OF THEIR DISCHARGE/RETIREMENT DATE; OR A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER OF AN ELIGIBLE U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL, INCLUDING GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMBERS; AND (2) PROVIDE VERIFIABLE PROOF OF MILITARY STATUS OR ACTIVE SERVICE; (3) RECEIVE A SALARY SUFFICIENT TO COVER ORDINARY LIVING EXPENSES AND PAYMENT FOR YOUR NEW VEHICLE; AND (4) RECEIVE CREDIT APPROVAL FROM AND EXECUTE A FINANCE OR LEASE CONTRACT THROUGH A PARTICIPATING TOYOTA DEALER AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. NOT ALL APPLICANTS WILL QUALIFY. ON LEASE CONTRACTS, INCENTIVE MUST BE APPLIED TOWARD THE AMOUNT DUE AT LEASE SIGNING OR TOWARD THE CAPITALIZED COST REDUCTION. ON FINANCE CONTRACTS, INCENTIVE MUST BE APPLIED TOWARD THE DOWN PAYMENT. LIMIT ONE INCENTIVE PER FINANCE OR LEASE TRANSACTION PER ELIGIBLE U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL OR ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLD MEMBER. OFFER NOT COMBINABLE WITH THE COLLEGE GRADUATE INCENTIVE PROGRAM, THE IFI PROGRAM, AND THE LEASE-END REFI PROGRAM. VEHICLE MUST BE TAKEN OUT OF DEALER STOCK. TERMS, CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS APPLY. PROGRAM IS NOT AVAILABLE IN AL, FL, GA, HI, NC, AND SC. ASK YOUR PARTICIPATING DEALER ABOUT THE MILITARY INCENTIVE TERMS IN YOUR AREA. MUST PAY SALES TAX. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. NOT REDEEMABLE FOR CASH. TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES IS A SERVICE MARK OF TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORPORATION (TMCC). TMCC IS THE AUTHORIZED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT AND SERVICER FOR TOYOTA LEASE TRUST. ©2020 TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.2CUSTOMERS CAN RECEIVE $1000 CASH BACK FROM TOYOTA ON TACOMA (EXCLUDES TRD PRO MODELS), $1250 CASH BACK FROM TOYOTA ON RAV4 (EXCLUDES HYBRIDS), $1500 CASH BACK FROM TOYOTA ON HIGHLANDER, COROLLA AND SIENNA OR CAN APPLY CASH BACK TO DOWN PAYMENT. 3LOW MILEAGE LEASE. TERMS AVAILABLE ON APPROVED CREDIT THROUGH PARTICIPATING DEALERS AND TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES (TFS). NOT ALL CUSTOMERS/LESSEES QUALIFY. LEASE EXAMPLE BASED ON 2021 RAV4 LE FWD 2.5L 4-CYL MODEL 4430 WITH MSRP OF $27,905, CAPITALIZED COST OF $24,254, AND A LEASE END PURCHASE AMOUNT OF $18,696. $2,999 DUE AT SIGNING INCLUDES $2,110 CUSTOMER DOWN PAYMENT, FIRST MONTH’S PAYMENT OF $239, AND $650 ACQUISITION FEE. $500 CASH FROM TMS MUST BE APPLIED AS A CAPITALIZED COST REDUCTION (DOWN PAYMENT) THAT IS EXCLUDED FROM DUE AT SIGNING; NO CASH BACK OPTION. DEALER CONTRIBUTION MAY VARY AND COULD AFFECT LEASE PAYMENT. INDIVIDUAL DEALER PRICES, OTHER TERMS AND OFFERS MAY VARY. MUST LEASE FROM PARTICIPATING DEALER’S STOCK AND TERMS ARE SUBJECT TO VEHICLE AVAILABILITY. LESSEE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE, EXCESS WEAR AND USE, AND WILL PAY $0.15 PER MILE FOR ALL MILEAGE OVER 10,000 MILES PER YEAR. $350 DISPOSITION FEE IS DUE AT LEASE END. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH TFS APR CASH, CUSTOMER CASH, APR, APR SUBVENTION CASH. OFFER AVAILABLE IN DE, MD, PA, VA, WV REGARDLESS OF BUYER’S RESIDENCY; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES IS A SERVICE MARK USED BY TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORPORATION (TMCC). TMCC IS THE AUTHORIZED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT AND SERVICER FOR TOYOTA LEASE TRUST. 4CASH ALLOWANCE INCLUDES $1,250 CASH BACK FROM TOYOTA ON CAMRY OR VENZA, WHICH CUSTOMERS MAY RECEIVE FROM TOYOTA OR APPLY TO DOWN PAYMENT, AND $500 BONUS CASH FROM TOYOTA ON CAMRY (AWD MODELS ONLY), $1,000 BONUS CASH FROM TOYOTA ON VENZA, WHICH WILL BE APPLIED TO DOWN PAYMENT.50% APR FINANCING UP TO 60 MONTHS AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED BUYERS THRU TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES. TOTAL FINANCED CANNOT EXCEED MSRP PLUS OPTIONS, TAX, TITLE, LICENSE AND DEALER FEES. 60 MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $16.67 FOR EACH $1000 BORROWED. NOT ALL BUYERS WILL QUALIFY. ALL OFFERS: OFFERS MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE. DEALER FEES ARE EXTRA. VEHICLE SHOWN MAY BE PROTOTYPE AND/OR SHOWN WITH OPTIONS. ACTUAL MODEL MAY VARY. DELIVERY MUST BE TAKEN FROM DEALER STOCK BY 5/3/21 AND IS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. SEE PARTICIPATING CENTRAL ATLANTIC TOYOTA DEALER FOR DETAILS. OFFERS END 5/3/21.

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, April 15, 2021 1

A month of prevention There were one thousand, six hundred and ninety six justifications Navy-wide in 2019 — 90 in the Pacific Northwest - why Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is annually held in April. Page B3

Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group, Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group conduct integrated operations in South China Sea From USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) steams ahead of the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) while participating in Malabar 2020 in the North Arabian Sea. (MC3 ELLIOT SCHAUDT)

Nimitz wins CY2020 aircraft carrier Battle “E”

By MC2 Sarah Christoph, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Public Affairs

NAVAL BASE KITSAP-BREMERTON, Wash. — Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet announced aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as the winner of the CY2020 Aircraft Carrier Battle Effectiveness (Battle “E”) award.

The Battle “E” is awarded to the crew of ships within the Navy who exhibit excellence in wartime capabilities and optimal mission

readiness within their class and region.

Ships are evaluated in a calendar year-long evolution assessing their proficiencies within specific departments.

Nimitz was awarded excellence awards in all 15 individual Battle “E” categories. These categories include Air Department Yellow “E”, Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department Black “E”, Combat Systems Green “CS”, Damage Control Red “DC”, Deck Department White Crossed Anchors with Black “D”, EPEC award, Health Services Blue

“M”, Navigation White Ship’s Wheel, Operations Green “E”, Reactor Red “E”, Safety Green “S”, Supply Blue “E”, Weapons Black “W” and the Carrier Maintenance Purple “E”.

Nimitz, the flagship of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, recently returned to home port following a record-setting deployment spanning 340 days where the ship and crew conducted operations and exercises in the U.S. Third, Fifth and Seventh Fleets. Nimitz is undergoing planned maintenance at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

SOUTH CHINA SEA — The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) and the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) joined forces in the South China Sea to conduct Expeditionary Strike Force operations April 9.

Ships and aircraft from both strike groups coordinated operations in international waters and conducted multi-domain naval integration exercises in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“Combining the capabilities of the carrier strike group with those of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group sharpens our tactical skills and demonstrates our continued dedication to the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific,” said Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine. “The combined Navy and Marine Corps team has been a stabilizing force in this region for more than a century and will continue to support all who share in the collective vision of peace, stability, and freedom of the seas.”

While operating together, the Expeditionary Strike Force participated in a variety of evolutions including tactical maneuvering, and establishing joint command and control communications.

“Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the carrier strike group are a strong example of the value a deployed naval expeditionary force brings to combatant commanders and joint partners in the region,” said Capt.

Stewart Bateshansky, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 3. “This expeditionary strike force fully demonstrates that we maintain a combat-credible force, capable of responding to any contingency, deter aggression, and provide regional security and stability in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability, and prevent conflict.

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 destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59).

Theodore Roosevelt’s embarked air wing Turn to Roosevelt, Page 7

U.S., Tunisian divers complete first bilateral dive engagement in 10 years From U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs BIZERTE, Tunisia — U.S. Navy Divers assigned to Construction Dive Detachment Charlie (CDD/C), a detachment of Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 1, and the Tunisian Navy Specialized Diver Regiment (RPS) conducted the first bilateral dive engagement between the Tunisian and U.S. Navy in nearly a decade.

The bilateral dive engagement featured surface supplied diving, underwater welding, recompression chamber operations, hydrographic survey techniques and maritime infrastructure assessments.

“The activities focused on combined diving operations and subject matter expert exchanges that enabled both navies to improve their proficiency as well as be ready to work together in the future,” said Lt. j.g. William Pelger, UCT 1 officer in charge.

The maritime infrastructure assessments collected engineering data and established condition and capability ratings that will inform future waterfront construction, repair and maintenance plans. This assessment is part of the U.S. Sixth Fleet Maritime Infrastructure Assistance Program (MIAP), which collaborates with partner nations like Tunisia, to ensure key maritime infrastructure supports combined Turn to Tunisian, Page 7

U.S. Navy Divers assigned to Construction Dive Detachment Charlie, a detachment of Underwater Construction Team 1, and the Tunisian Navy Specialized Diver Regiment conduct the first bilateral dive engagement between the Tunisian and U.S. Navy in nearly a decade, in Bizerte, Tunisia.

(COURTESY PHOTO)

2

The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, April 15, 2021

Heroes at Home

Q: What happens after the lease expires?

A: At the end of the initial lease period, the Service member can extend on a month-to-month basis or can opt to sign a new extended lease. The Service member may terminate the lease with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, deployment for more than 90 days, retirement, discharge or a mutual agreement between the Service member and the Landlord. In the case of PCS orders or deployment, an official letter or copy of orders must be presented along with a 30 day written notice

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Bad recipes and why I keep them

By Lisa Smith Molinari Fueled by a rare rush of spring cleaning adrenaline, I lifted the bloated behemoth off of my crowded shelf of cookbooks, careful to catch the loose clippings stuffed haphazardly between her cracked covers. The 30-year-old binder full of collected recipes was surely in need of a good purge after all this time.

She was full of so many yellowing newspaper scraps, hand-written index cards, jagged-edged items clandestinely ripped from magazines in dentists’ waiting rooms, photo copied pages of cook books, and holepunched computer print-outs — she was literally bursting at the seams.

Her bulging faux leather cover had split along its binding. The pages hanging precariously on the rings were a messy combination of baseball card collector sheets containing small clippings, ancient magnetic photo pages plastered with cut outs, and hole-punched sheets of paper.

Something had to be done.

Gripping a pair of scissors and a trash bag, I plunked down on our couch with the slovenly old gal, envisioning her slimmed-down version sitting neatly back on my cookbook shelf within the hour.

With her weight in my lap, I lifted the top

cover, mindful of the splitting spine, and allowed loose recipes from recent years to fall out in a pile beside me. I’d deal with them later.

I was more interested in the musty archives, purging all those old recipes I never used anymore.

The metal rings creaked open like the doors of a Pharaoh’s tomb. Although I’d never part with the dog-eared Betty Crocker Cook Book I’d received as a bridal shower gift, the first thing in the binder was a 50-page supplement which was a non-essential bore. I threw the whole lot into the trash bag with a satisfying “thunk.”

“Ah,” I breathed, and went in for Round 2.

But soon my momentum slowed, as memories crept into my consciousness.

“Turkey Divan” on lined notebook paper brought me back to the early years of our marriage, when I was trying so hard. I’d stopped making this dish a long time ago, but the warm feeling of nostalgia prompted me to turn the page.

“A classic!” I thought, spying “Karen’s Chicken Stew.” Stationed together in the 90s, Karen was my first close Navy wife friend.

She had married a few years before me, so she was my role model in those early years.

She’d made her stew recipe for me when my newborn son was hospitalized with menin-

gitis. It required only condensed soups and basic ingredients thrown into a Crock Pot, but to me it epitomized comfort. For many tours of duty afterward, I made Karen’s recipe for military spouses or friends in need. Hell would freeze over before I’d throw out Karen’s Chicken Stew Recipe.

I got lost in succeeding pages, unable to part with the recollections they inspired. Pepperoni Cheese Bread from my Virginia Beach neighbor conjured afternoons when the kids played in our cul-de-sac. Summer Squash Tart — the fun night I hosted bunco. Oriental Snack Mix — that hilarious military wives’ Polish pottery-shopping road trip. Pumpkin Soup with Maultaschen — my military spouse writers’ group in Stuttgart. Hot Crab Dip — a staple when my best friend since ninth grade and I get together. Kalua Pig — my son’s Weblos Troop crossover ceremony.

Those recipes were definitely worth revisiting, but others would never be referenced again. “Erin’s Beef Dish” produced a bland glop of tough meat and mushy vegetables swimming in grayish gravy. But it was given to me by a Marine wife who was one of the funniest people I’d ever known. “Spinach Rolls” were too labor intensive to ever attempt again, but the dish reminded me of an ego boost that came at a much-needed moment in my life. I’d never made “Sue’s Brownie Recipe” but, strangely, it was written on the back of a copy my deceased father-in-law’s will.

Bent over the heavy book in my lap, I turned the pages, one after the other. I realized that these scraps and scribbles were moments frozen in time, blended with my psyche, baked into my subconsciousness. This was no recipe book — it was a treasured scrapbook.

And it’s a keeper.

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.

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

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How to Create and Maintain Routines

By Military Onesource Most children thrive with routine. Military living is full of change and uncertainty, and maintaining routines can help children feel grounded and secure. Children crave the sense of control that comes from knowing what to expect, especially with regard to sleeping and eating. Routines are especially important during unsettling change and for children who have difficulty with transitions.

As you explore establishing routines, consider the basics. Try to establish regular meal and homework times and set aside time each day for physical activity. Schedules and routines help establish expectations and create a calmer household by reducing the stress and anxiety associated with unpredictability.

Creating routines Establishing routines for your family doesn’t mean scheduling every hour of the day in 10-minute blocks or adding to your already busy life. It means establishing more order around things you already do, like feeding your kids or putting them to bed. Here are some suggestions to help you create achievable routines: • Keep routines simple. Start with the basics — a predictable mealtime, homework routine bedtime ritual.

• Be realistic. If you get home from work at 6 p.m., a 7 p.m. bedtime probably isn’t achiev-

able. Think carefully about your and your family’s schedule to guide your timing, including meals, bath time and reading together before bedtime.

• Be patient. Routines require practice and time for your child to get used to them. Adjust expectations and be patient.

• Try to have meals together as a family whenever possible. When doable, aim to have everyone eat at the same time. Get your child involved and make mealtime run more smoothly by having your child set the table or do another pre-meal task.

• Ease into nap time and bedtime. There’s no on-off switch on your child. Gradually wind down by doing a diaper change, bathroom trip, bath or stories to help them slow down. Older children also benefit from quiet routine before bedtime. Put your devices to sleep as well. Studies show that eliminating blue light exposure a couple of hours before bedtime aids in a restful night’s sleep.

• Keep the same general structure. Use the same sequence of events at nighttime — for example, bath-pajamas-stories-sleep — to avoid delay tactics and other games. Try to keep the weekend routine similar to the weekday as far as snacks and naps.

Maintaining routines • Sticking to your routine may take a bit of discipline on your part. Use these tips to help you stay the course:

• Remind yourself that your child looks forward to certain routines. Your child relies on predictability for a feeling of security.

• Well-established routines can help your child adjust during challenging times. It will be easier for your child to manage deployments, moves or a new sibling if there is comfort and security with respect to schedules.

• Keep your routines simple. The more complex the routine, the harder it will be to maintain. It’s better for your child to have a few expectations that are met than several things that are not consistently achieved.

• It’s okay to shake up the elements of the routine. Let your partner or someone else run the bedtime routine once in a while so your child gets used to others handling the duty. This will come in handy if you’re deployed or if you use a babysitter.

• Be flexible. Your routine may need to be adjusted occasionally because of things outside of your control, like holidays, vacations and daylight saving time.

• Don’t be afraid to adjust your routines.

As your child grows, you will need to adjust elements of the routine to fit with your child’s changes. You might be able to ditch the nap, for instance, but you’ll need to create a new routine for homework. Make small adjustments that best fit your family’s changing schedule.

Check out Military OneSource for parenting-related information, tips and guidance to help your children and family build resilience.

Call 800-342-9647 or schedule a live chat to speak with one of our consultants.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, April 15, 2021 3

Lt. j.g. Tomeka McDonald, from Griffin, Georgia, assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Jacksonville, delivers a COVID-19 vaccination to a member of the community at a community vaccination center in Jacksonville, Florida. (MC3 GRIFFIN KERSTING)

U.S. Navy nurse overcomes life’s challenges, helps community

From Federal Vaccine Response Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An elderly lady took tentative steps forward, her weary eyes moving from the needle laying on the table to the U.S. Navy nurse standing nearby.

The lady whispered nervously, “I am afraid of needles.” In response, U.S. Navy Lt. j.g. Tomeka McDonald thoughtfully gazed at her, and, in her soothing Southern tone, said, “I know how you feel. I will take care of you.”

U.S Navy registered nurse and Georgia native, McDonald was one of the 139 Navy personnel deployed to Jacksonville, Florida, in early March to distribute and provide vaccines at the state-run, federally-supported Community Vaccination Center. To hear her life story is to understand why she joined the U.S. Navy and volunteered to help community members fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early on in her life, McDonald met a nurse at the nursing home where her great grandmother lived.

“I met this wonderful lady named Earnestine Anderson who treated my great grandmother with dignity and respect,” recalled McDonald.

“I told my mother I wanted to grow up to be like

Ms. Anderson.”

McDonald had a trying childhood. During her first few years of her life, her great grandmother raised her, but was not able to teach her the basics of education.

“She was born into slavery and was not educated because her master did not allow it. I battled reading and did not learn to do so until I was in the 3rd grade,” said McDonald.

Her great grandmother was the anchor of her life. When she passed away, McDonald’s life took a turn for the worse.

She recalled being 14 years old, “I found myself spiraling into a place I thought I would never be,” McDonald said. “I became pregnant and dropped out of school in the 10th grade. I worked to make ends meet but not enough to take care of the both of us. I became homeless.”

But McDonald chose to overcome adversity and start a new future for her family.

“I moved into housing at Atlanta Job Corps where I received my general education development and learned a trade,” said McDonald.

According to McDonald, with things improving, she had a turning point meeting a Navy recruiter, Kenneth Sawyer.

“I told my mother I was going to make something of myself so I could take care of my son,”

said McDonald.

Since there was no opening for Corpsman at the time, she signed up to become an Aviation Maintenance Administrator.

McDonald left for boot camp Sept. 26, 2001, to begin what turned out to be a flourishing Navy career. She would be promoted to the next rank on every first try, reaching the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class in six years.

The desire to constantly learn and better herself led her to cross-rate to become a Navy Career Counselor.

“I wanted to help other Sailors with available job options and programs for advancement and re-enlistment bonuses,” she said. “The job was rewarding because I made a positive impact on the lives of more than 250 Sailors.”

Her excellent performance resulted in her back-to-back selections as Sailor of the Year, first in 2012 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, and again in 2013 as a Shore Sailor of the Year finalist at Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

“I was proud of my accomplishments. I learned to network and to perfect my job and duties. I shadowed the leaders and outstanding performers,” said McDonald.

Yet, McDonald never lost sight of her dream to become a nurse. While stationed overseas,

she completed her associate’s degree in Business Studies and continued to focus on college courses to meet the prerequisites for nursing school. Following the dream and working with her mentor and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Rhonaka Williams, McDonald applied and competed for the Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program.

She attended MECP at the Chamberlain University in Atlanta, Georgia, from 2015 to 2018, and was commissioned a U.S. Navy Ensign in the Nurse Corps on April 22, 2018.

For the past three years, as a Maternal and Labor and Delivery Nurse at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, McDonald was responsible for providing continuous care for laboring and postpartum mothers and newborns.

The opportunity to volunteer at the CVC, where she has helped Florida residents and the Jacksonville community, was fulfilling beyond her expectations.

“As a service member, there is no higher honor for me to serve our nation and our community in their time of need, on our home turf, to help families, friends, and neighbors overcome this pandemic,” McDonald said.

“Compassion is a simple hello or giving your seat up for an elder. Your actions will confirm who you are and where you stand. When I am no longer able to serve, then I will have completed my mission.”

U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, remains committed to providing continued, flexible Department of Defense support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the whole-of-government response to COVID-19.

A month of prevention, intervention for a lifetime

By Douglas Stutz

Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. — There were one thousand, six hundred and ninety six justifications Navy-wide in 2019 — 90 in the Pacific Northwest - why Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) is annually held in April.

That’s nearly 1,700 allegations of sexual assaults, sexual trauma, sexual violence.

The ongoing Department of Defense theme for SAAPM is ‘Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission.’ DoD is observing SAAPM by focusing on creating the appropriate culture to eliminate sexual assault and encouraging a personal commitment from every service member to do their part to create a healthy environment.

As part of the Defense Health Agency, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Bremerton is actively engaged in eliminating any type of sexual assault — and harassment — with ongoing education, insight and involvement. There is added emphasis on prevention and intervention.

“SAAPM is important to raise awareness about sexual assault and to promote the prevention of sexual violence. The April campaign was created to help spread information and facts about rape and other sex-related crimes. It is important not only in April, but at all times to spread this message and promote a zero tolerance for sexual assault,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman Jenny Singer, NMRTC Bremerton Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program coordinator.

The Navy is encouraging it Sailors to engage in active intervention to help prevent sexual assault and other destructive behaviors. Prevention efforts are having an effect. The Department of the Navy policy is clear: sexual assault or harassment does not belong in the military.

There are intervention strategies Navy experts recommend that everyone can use to help someone who may be targeted for a sexual assault by a predator.

Direct intervention: Direct intervention involve speaking directly to those involved in the situation. By doing this, you can communicate that a particular behavior is not acceptable nor tolerated at your command, base or community.

Examples: Ask if everything is alright.

Address the concerning behavior and state that you think they could possibly cross a line.

Tell the aggressor to leave the potential target

alone or step away from the situation.

Pull aside the potential target, let them know you are concerned, and /or ask if they would like any help getting home safely.

Enlist Others to Help: Enlisting other trusted people can take a variety of forms, in which you diffuse a potentially risky situation by indirect means.

Examples: Go find the friends of those involved and urge the friends to help remove them from the situation.

At bars and restaurants, tell a bartender, security staff or manager that you are concerned about a potentially risky situation.

Distraction: Distraction is a form of indirect intervention that can help diffuse a potentially risky situation by creating a diversion to interrupt the behavior.

Examples: Ask the aggressor an unrelated question, such as, ‘How do you get to the commissary?’ or ‘Do you know when this place closes?’

This may give the potential target the opportunity to leave the situation. Make up an excuse to help the potential target get away, Such as ‘I think I lost my phone. Can you help me look for it?’

Protocol: If you are unsure of how to safely intervene, or the situation escalates, seek the help of your chain of command or law enforcement.

Personal safety is very important for all involved, including the person doing the direct intervention. Before deciding to actively intervene in a situation, consider the following: Is there a problem or risky situation?

What resources and options are available if I intervene?

Who else might be able to assist me in this situation?

What are the pros and cons of taking action?

Along with direct intervention tactics, ongoing prevention awareness is considered just as imperative. Towards that goal, NMRTC Bremerton has several events planned for this month. There will be a ‘Chalk the Walk’ event, where staff and patients have an opportunity to write positive and supportive messages regarding SAAPM. “The Sailors Against Sexual Harassment and Assault, or S.A.S.H.A., committee is hosting a virtual 5K event, video presentations and weekly internal publications to raise awareness.

We will also have giant teal ribbons on display at the hospital and branch clinics at various times throughout April for personnel to write messages on. We are also planning a few other

Chief Hospital Corpsman Elizabeth Barraza lends support to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton’s annual Chalk the Walk event, where staff like Barraza, as well as patients, have an opportunity to write positive and supportive messages regarding SAAPM. (HN MADELEINE CONNAWAY)

events that brings awareness to victim blaming and destructive myths that surround sexual violence. That’s important. Sexual assault is not the victim’s fault. They didn’t encourage someone to assault them,” Singer said.

In her position, Singer provides oversight of NMRTC Bremerton compliance with SAPR program requirements, ensuring that command members receive general military training, are aware of SAPR resources, and know who — and how - to get timely assistance if needed, such as with the command SAPR victim advocate(s).

“The victim advocates are such a crucial part of the program,” stated Singer. “They provide the ongoing support to the victim and assist them with navigating processes to get the care and services they need.”

SAPR victim advocates provide continuous victim support throughout the incident reporting process, initial and ongoing investigation, as well as any court proceedings. They supply all information to the victim so that he or she can make the best decision and serves as a liaison between the victim and service providers.

Along with local resources like victim advocates, there is the DoD Safe Helpline available around the clock for live one-on-one help and confidential victim assistance: 877-995-5247.

The Military Health System also offers a variety of health and wellness resources to assist any victim, both mentally and phys-

ically. Any type of sexual trauma can be physically and emotionally harmful and can lead to self-harming behavior, including suicidal ideation. Anyone experiencing suicidal ideation can call the Veterans Crisis Line/hotline at 800-273-8255, or visit http:// www.safehelpline.org/ for more information about reporting options, local resources and crisis intervention. They also can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656HOPE) or a local rape crisis center.

“One of the most beneficial tools any person struggling to cope with a traumatic event can receive is support,” exclaimed Chief Engineman John T. Antoine, Substance Abuse Rehabilitation counselor and Mental Health department leading chief petty officer.

According to the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, sexual assault is the nation’s most underreported violent crime. In the U.S, a sexual assault occurs approximately every 90 seconds. Sexual assault does not discriminate. It affects men, women, and children of all racial, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. There has also been an increase in sexual assault reported in DoD. “Everyone needs to know about SAAPM! It takes everyone’s effort to be able to recognize and stop these behaviors early on to ensure a safe environment of trust and respect for each other,” added Singer.

4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, April 15, 2021

Aviation Electrician’s Mate Airman Recruit Chandler Tarpley, from Oklahoma City, Okla., removes paint from a bulk head using a needle gun in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). (MCSN OLYMPIA MCCOY)

Abraham Lincoln completes largest CVN PIA in San Diego

By MCSN Celia Martin

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN — The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) successfully completed the largest planned incremental availability (PIA) on time to support mission tasking, while moored at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) in San Diego during an unprecedented and historic pandemic.

A PIA is critical to prolonging the lifespan of a ship and maintaining material readiness. During this maintenance period, repairs and upgrades were completed that could not be accomplished while deployed and operational.

“We expect these ships to last 50 years,” said Capt. Walter Slaughter, commanding officer of Abraham Lincoln. “This kind of maintenance is critical to repair the wear

and tear on the ship after a long deployment and also to upgrade and modernize our systems to bring them up to current standards.”

Abraham Lincoln’s PIA planning took approximately two years to piece together, resulting in an all-hands collaboration between the ship’s crew, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) workers and multiple civilian contractors. The focus was on updating multiple systems, improving structural integrity and rehabilitating living quarters for the crew.

“Every ship in the life cycle needs time to recuperate after a long deployment,” said Lt. Cmdr. Al Ruiz, Abraham Lincoln’s ship’s maintenance manager. “We were meticulous in the planning of this PIA in order to fully maximize the time and resources to accomplish as much work as possible. It

was truly a team effort between the different department maintenance officers and outside maintenance organizations to execute the complex integrated work schedule.”

During the 6-month-long PIA, the maintenance team surpassed more than 2.6 million man-hours including more than 320,000 hours of ship’s force work overhauling spaces and equipment from the top of the mast to the keel of the ship.

“Many Sailors stepped outside of their ratings to beautify and finish the ship’s topside force maintenance phase,” said Master Chief Aircraft Maintenanceman Kenneth Snider, Abraham Lincoln’s PIA manager. “It was absolutely phenomenal what they were able to accomplish.”

The habitability team alone, consisting of active duty Sailors and civilian contractors, teamed together to update more than 800 lockers and beds, commonly referred to as

racks, in 14 berthings and were responsible for renovating the deck, installing new gear, and painting various spaces.

“The reconstruction of the berthings is important,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Alyssa Martinez, a habitability team member. “It’s our home away from home while we are out to sea.”

The COVID-19 pandemic added an extra layer of complexity for Sailors and contractors assigned to this project. They had to work on an already difficult task while following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Department of Defense health guidance while staying on schedule.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this entire team for the sacrifices they have made,” said Slaughter. “This is a hard business under normal circumstances. It’s even harder under the umbrella of a worldwide pandemic.”

While COVID-19 restrictions and a complex training schedule added strain to this PIA, the Sailors, shipyard workers and contractors came together as one team to finish the work safely and on schedule.

“I’d really just like to say thanks to the entire crew,” said Slaughter. “We asked a lot of these folks, and they were able to adapt, sacrifice and stay flexible to get the job done.”

The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) has launched its NEXt Level Rewards program to give customers even more value and savings when they shop the NEX either in store or online.

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NEX shoppers earn more with NEXt Level Rewards program

By Kristine Sturkie

Navy Exchange Service Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH,Va — The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) has launched its NEXt Level Rewards program to give customers even more value and savings when they shop the NEX either in store or online. This free rewards program offers

customers instant savings, monthly rewards, an annual birthday coupon, exclusive scratch cards and more.

“The NEXt Level Rewards program is a great way for customers to earn rewards for purchasing the products they need for themselves or their families,” said Jeremy Sherman, Vice President, Marketing Innovation & Insights at NEXCOM. “NEXt Level

Rewards is a unique rewards program in that customers can earn rewards whether they’re purchasing a coffee and candy bar in a mini mart, a haircut at the barber shop or making a big ticket purchase in one of our main stores.

We know they have many shopping options and we appreciate that they choose shop their NEX.” Customers can enroll in the NEXt Level Rewards program at any NEX cash register and by creating an online account at myNavyExchange.com and selecting “Yes, Email me sales, promos and events.” Customers who are already Navy Blue Rewards members will be automatically converted to the NEXt Level

Rewards program.

Once enrolled, customers will earn a 2% Rewards rebate on all qualifying purchases, in-store or online, during a calendar month.

After initial sign up, when shopping in store, customers just need to provide a phone number at checkout. When shopping online, customers will automatically earn rewards when making a qualified purchase. Customers will automatically receive an e-Gift Card via email once the minimum qualifying amount of $250 in a calendar month has been met.

For more information on the NEXt Level Rewards program, visit www.mynavyexchange.com/NEXtLevelReward

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, April 15, 2021 5

Vice Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces speaks with Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during a sustainment and logistics visit in Duqm, Oman. (MC3 BIRANNA T. THOMPSON-LEE)

Ships of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group conduct port visit in Duqm From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

NAVA L S U P P O RT AC T I V I T Y BAHRAIN — The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), flagship of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG), and guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) conducted a scheduled port visit in support of logistics and maintenance in Duqm, Oman, April 10-12.

While this was a working port visit, crew members had an opportunity to rest and unwind in a designated liberty area on the pier. These activities were planned and carried out in full compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Defense (DOD) and host nation COVID-19 mitigation

measures.

“I can’t say enough great things about the hard work and dedication shown by the entire IKE team throughout the deployment,” said Capt. Paul Campagna, commanding officer of Eisenhower. “We are excited for the opportunity to take a break from the day-to-day operations at sea and we are grateful to our Omani partners for providing their port facilities and supporting us during this visit.”

During the port visit, Vice Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, visited the Eisenhower and addressed the crew over the ship’s public address system.

“It is wonderful to see the IKE crew out here in the 5th Fleet, still leading the way after having undergone some of the most

demanding conditions from her previous deployment,” said Paparo. “Having been previously stationed aboard as a naval aviator years back and seeing the enduring commitment that the crew brings to today’s mission only reinforces the strength and resilience that’s infused in everything IKE and the strike group as a whole has accomplished in U.S. 6th Fleet and what has carried on into our area of operations.”

While in 5th Fleet, the IKE CSG is operating and training alongside regional and coalition partners, and providing naval aviation support to Operation Inherent Resolve.

Deploying ships and aircraft of the strike group, commanded by Rear Adm. Scott F. Robertson, include the Eisenhower; guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61); and 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, the “Rawhides”.

The 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three chokepoints, critical to the free flow of global commerce.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). (USMC CPL PATRICK CROSLEY)

15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Makin Island ARG enhance bilateral partnership in Indo-Pacific Region By 1st Lt. Pedro Caballero,

15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Public Affairs

SOUTH CHINA SEA — Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked aboard the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) conducted flight-training operations near Singapore within international waters, April 8.

During these operations, U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lighting IIs assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron

(VMM) 164 (Reinforced), 15th MEU also conducted joint training with F-15SG and F-16D multi-role fighter jets from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

“It’s a professional privilege to work and fly with our longstanding partners from the Republic of Singapore while operating in the southern reaches of the South China Sea,” said Maj. Benjamin Boera, future operations officer with F-35B Detachment, VMM-164 (Rein.), 15th MEU. “Flying alongside pilots with the RSAF is a great

experience for us all and helps further promote the F-35B’s 5th-generation capabilities while reinforcing our support and commitment to all partner nations in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Conducting maritime-based engagements with partner nations provides a unique capability to learn and understand each partner’s skills, prepare for real-world operations and further strengthen the longstanding relationships between countries and militaries.

“These operations highlight both the

capabilities of our fifth-generation aircraft and our interoperability with the Republic of Singapore, a deeply valued partner,” said Rear Adm. Fred Kacher, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 7. “The F-35B has been a game-changer in this theater, and I’m grateful for the flexibility and lethality that the entire USS Makin Island/15th MEU team provides our combatant commanders as we contribute to security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The Makin Island ARG and embarked 15th MEU is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, April 15, 2021

Cmdr. Terry McNamara, chief staff officer for Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) receives his one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from Mercedes Fritz, a residency nurse with American Red Cross Yokosuka, during a vaccine distribution at CFAY’s Hawk’s Nest. (RYO ISOBE)

96% of 7th Fleet Sailors vaccinated

By MC2 Shannon Burns U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

PHILIPPINE SEA — More than 14,000 personnel throughout the Navy’s U.S. 7th Fleet — 96% of the force — are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Medical personnel began administering the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination to forward-deployed service members Jan. 5, as part of a fleet-wide effort to protect the force.

“We have been partnering with Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Navy Forces Japan, and 7th Fleet since day one,” said Capt. Joseph F. Penta, U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka COVID 19 vaccine coordinator. “It has been a team effort and our part has been receiving and giving the vaccine efficiently in a setting with all the necessary safety precautions.”

Penta said the vaccine is a vital tool to protect against COVID 19, and a step toward getting back to life as it used to be before the pandemic.

“We are in a pandemic and our principle weapon for ending this and saving lives is the vaccine. We owe it to ourselves, our family and country to make every effort to stop the pandemic and if we succeed we not only save lives, but we help meet the mission of maintaining the world’s strongest Navy,” said Penta.

The process of vaccinating 14,000 personnel was a collaborative effort between leadership, medical personnel, operational commands, and logistics organizations.

“It is an honor to immunize our fleet, alongside our local Navy Medical Treatment Facilities, so we are medically fit and ready to continue our operations in the area,” said Fleet Surgeon Capt. Christine Sears, assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet. “When our Sailors are immunized, they can continue to focus their full attention on our missions and exercises.”

In addition to vaccinating active duty personnel, the 7th Fleet vaccination program also included the Navy’s critical

logistics and resupply organizations.

“I am extremely proud of all the Military Sealift Command Far East personnel, including our civil service and contract mariners, who stepped up to be vaccinated,” Capt. Samuel F. de Castro, Military Sealift Command Far East Commodore. “They understand this is an important readiness issue and just one way we contribute to mission accomplishment.”

In accordance with the Emergency Use Authorization, receiving the vaccine is voluntary. Sailors had questions, and 7th Fleet commands ensured they had the resources to understand what the vaccine was and why it’s important to receive it.

“Given how new the vaccine was, it required a pretty massive educational undertaking to make sure the crew understood how the vaccine works, how it’s regulated, why it’s good to take the vaccine, and how it’s going to help us defeat COVID-19,” said Capt. Fred Goldhammer, commanding officer of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

Some Sailors chose to receive the vaccine because of the protection it offers. Some took it because they personally witnessed the impact of COVID. “I’ve had people back home pass away because of COVID-19. Some family members have gotten it, and they’ve gone through some issues because of it,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Airman Matthew Rolen, assigned to Reagan. “I might be young and healthy, but I might spread it to my grandparents or my uncle, and that’s on me. I recommend everyone get it.”

Leaders throughout 7th Fleet expressed appreciation for the dedication and perseverance Sailors have displayed in facing the challenges of continuing operations with a COVID environment.

“We could not ask for a more tangible and positive commitment to health and mission readiness from our Sailors,” said Capt. Chase Sargeant, commander, Theater Surface Warfare 7th Fleet. “Immunization is seen as the best opportunity to reduce health risk for themselves and their families.”

While the future of COVID-19 may be uncertain, vaccinating the fleet helps personnel stay mission-ready.

As the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet employs 50-70 ships and submarines across the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates and interacts with 35 maritime nations while conducting missions to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Training never stops

By Stephanie Contreras

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO — A Sailor removes their firefighting helmet and loosens their face mask as beads of sweat roll down their flushed face after hours of wear. The 45-minute self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is unstrapped and removed relieving 14 pounds of weight from weary shoulders. This Sailor is an attack team member setting the standard proving every Sailor is a firefighter. And so goes another high-tempo damage control drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

Orchestrating the massive damage control evolutions are a select few Sailors whose job it is to train the crew to fight the ship — the Damage Control Training Team (DCTT).

“We are constantly training Sailors aboard the Abraham Lincoln in order for us to execute our mission,” said Chief Damage Controlman Johnathan Zavatsky, assistant DCTT coordinator. “The damage control team’s role is to prepare and train Sailors to fight the ship should any casualty occur from fire or flooding.”

Basic steps are implemented to teach a new round of Sailors the proper way to combat casualties utilizing a crawl-walkrun method. Starting with proper battle dress and walking through zebra setting to two hit dynamic scenarios, establishing clear expectations gives Sailors a strong foundation to build upon.

“If you don’t train somebody and establish muscle memory, when the adrenaline hits, the panic could cloud their judgment,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Eric Stewart, Abraham Lincoln’s fire marshall. “We are trying to train them through repetition and have what they learn kick in automatically.”

Sailors in overhaul suits approach a simulated fire during a general quarters drill in the hanger bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). (MCSA JULIA BROCKMAN)

As drilling ramps up in preparation for deployment, the crew is being evaluated by Afloat Training Group (ATG). This team inspects knowledge and skill level of all things damage control for DCTT members, repair lockers, flying squad and in-port emergency teams. Once the crew passes these evaluations and is given the stamp of approval from ATG, Abraham Lincoln is closer to being a capable and lethal tool for our nation. The overall goal and mission

of DCTT remains the same regardless of inspections or deployment: properly preparing others to effectively fight the ship.

“Nothing will change as far as training,” said Zavatsky. “Training is training. It is a constant thing that will continue. The only changes that might occur, if any, is if we find a better way to fight a casualty.”

DCTT is comprised of 120 Sailors ranging from officers to hard-charging petty officer 2nd classes and above. Members are placed

in every repair locker and tasked with training Sailors from almost every rate on what to do when they are called to be a firefighter or support a dewatering team.

“DCTT is filled with some amazing Sailors who are really pushing hard in these training cycles to prepare for any real life scenarios,” said Zavatsky. “If you grab a PQS, never stop learning and growing, and have a passion for training Sailors jump onboard and come be apart of the team.”

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Roosevelt

Tunisian

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, “The 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.

The Makin Island ARG is comprised of three ships; amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22); and detachments from the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, “Scorpions” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, Tactical Air Control Squadron (VTC) 11, and Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5.

Also, embarked across the three ships of the Makin Island ARG is the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which consists of the Command Element; the Aviation Combat Element comprised of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced); the Ground Combat Element comprised of Battalion Landing Team ¼; and the Logistics Combat Element, comprised of Combat Logistics Battalion 15.

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/

maritime exercises and operations like Phoenix Express.

“These types of exercises are instrumental for improving maritime security along the North African coastline,” said Pelger. “It was a pleasure to work side by side building important maritime partnerships while sharing best practices, tactics, and diving techniques and procedures.”

The UCT CDDs are specially trained and equipped units within the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force that construct, inspect, repair and maintain ports, ocean facilities, underwater systems and general maritime infrastructure.

UCT is a key component of port damage repair operations during a disaster or contingency.

The U.S. Sixth Fleet MIAP ensures the ability to quickly restore key ports and maritime infrastructure by increasing the collective understanding and available engineering data before a there is a crisis. This project also enhances regional interoperability, disaster response capabilities and fosters new and enduring relationships.

Phoenix Express is an annual all-domain exercise to improve U.S. capabilities and interoperability with European and North African partners, increase partner self-sufficiency in the maritime domain, and assess and enhance the maritime security cooperation of U.S., European, and African regional partners.

U.S. 6th 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.

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The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) flies the American flag as it transits the South China Sea with the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group. (MC3 DARTANON DELAGARZA)

8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, April 15, 2021

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Easy Fish Friday There are simple ways to create wholesome Fish Friday meals and snacks for both kids and grownups, without extra time or work. PAGE C4

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Norfolk Festevents Announces Continuation of Thank Goodness We’re Open “TGWO” Series at Town Point Park From Norfolk Festevents NORFOLK, Va — Norfolk Festevents’ award-winning Thank Goodness We’re Open “TGWO” event series returns to Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront this spring featuring a robust, diverse schedule of family-friendly programming, including live music, movie nights, comedy shows, happy hours, and much more.

“We are excited to bring the community back together safely with our spring version of TGWO,” said Festevents CEO Ted Baroody. “Not only are they enjoyable for our guests, but good for local businesses and the economy.”

The TGWO series, produced in partnership with the City of Norfolk and presented

by Southern Auto Group, debuted in the fall of 2020 and saw sweeping success, bringing a total of more than 2,500 guests to a safe, socially-distant environment across 20 event dates. In addition to being named the “Best Live Music Series” in 2020 by VEER Magazine, the event series also received positive reviews in safety and satisfaction.

On a scale of 1-5, the series earned a 4.5 in guest satisfaction and a 4.6 in guest safety.

Highlighting the springtime events are a wide variety of live music spanning numerous genres, along with the two-day Bayou Drive-Thru event and several Chip & Sip dates.

The Bayou Drive-Thru is a Cajun food and music event that features a drive-thru-style dining experience featuring fresh Gulf Crawfish, beignets, jambalaya, and much more. The Bayou Drive-Thru will also feature live music in the park with performances from Hot Gumbo Brass

Band, Audacity Brass Brand, and Louisiana’s own Jonathon “Boogie” Long. More details, including an official menu and music schedule, will be announced in the future.

Chip & Sip is a waterfront happy hour golf experience that features a water-based interactive target golf game with biodegradable golf balls. Chip & Sip, which made its debut along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront last year, provides the perfect escape from the office doldrums with cool prizes, delicious local food trucks, happy hour drink prices, and unique golfing games.

Additional dates and programming may be added to the series.

All events are free and open to the public, but will include capacity limits based on state and local COVID-19 guidelines. Attendance will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. All events are subject to change. For additional information on Norfolk Festevents and the TGWO series, go to Festevents.org.

View the complete schedule of safe, outdoor events below or online at bit.ly/TGWO2021.

In addition, view our “Guidelines To Know Before Attending” below.

Thank Goodness We’re Open (TGWO) Spring 2021 Series Schedule Thursday, April 15 • Reggae On The River featuring Nature’s Child (Reggae) • 5-8pm Friday, April 16 • Jazz Night In The Park featuring Raw Jazz (Smooth Jazz) • 5-8pm Saturday, April 17 • Elizabeth River Trail Time Treats • 9-11am • Live Music In The Park featuring Paper Aliens (Funk Rock)

• 5-8pm Thursday, April 22 • Live Music In The Park featuring Brackish Water Jamboree (Bluegrass) • 5-8pm Friday, April 23 • Live Music In The Park featuring Wonderland (Rock/Pop) • 5-8pm Saturday, April 24 • Elizabeth River Trail Time Treats • 9-11am Live Music In The Park ft. Anthony Rosano & The Conqueroos (Blues) 5-8pm Thursday, April 29 • Live Music In The Park featuring Tumbao Salsero (Salsa) • 5-8pm Saturday, May 1 • Chip & Sip: A Happy Hour Golf Experience • 12-4pm •“CoCo” Movie Night In The Park • 6-10pm Thursday, May 6 • Elizabeth River Trail Time Treats • 9-11am Friday, May 7 • Live Music In The Park featuring TBD • 5-8pm Saturday, May 8 • Comedy Of Errors featuring the Virginia Stage Company • 1-3pm Thursday, May 13 • Chip & Sip: A Happy Hour Golf Experience • 4-8pm Friday, May 14 • Bayou Drive-Thru

•4-9pm Saturday, May 15 • Bayou Drive-Thru •4-9pm Thursday, May 20 • Live Music In The Park featuring The River Boyz (Country/Rock) • 5-8pm Friday, May 21 •Picnic In The Park featuring 757 Crave • 5-8pm Saturday, May 22 • Comedy Night featuring Tommy Drake & PUSH Comedy • 5-8pm Thursday, May 27 • Chip & Sip: A Happy Hour Golf Experience • 4-8pm Friday, May 28 • Live Music In The Park featuring TBD • 5-8pm Saturday, May 29 • Live Music In The Park featuring TBD • 5-8pm * Admission to Chip & Sip is free, but the target golf game is a pay-to-play experience.

Guidelines To Know Before Attending: • Wear a mask or face covering! Only guests with a face covering will be permitted into the event. Masks or face coverings are required at all times except while eating or drinking.

• Stay in your circle! Guests are required to remain in their designated social circle except when purchasing food and beverages or when using the restroom. In order to keep all guests at a safe distance, each social circle is limited to up to four people. Gathering at the bar, food truck, or stage will not be permitted.

Food and beverages are to be enjoyed your social circles.

• Attendance is first-come, first-serve! All events have a capacity limit and attendance is on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Have a fever or COVID-19 symptoms?

Guests with a fever or symptoms of COVID19, or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days, will not be permitted into the event.

• Feel free to bring a chair and refreshments! Guests are permitted to bring in a chair or blanket to relax in your social circle. Guests are also permitted to bring in a personal cooler with food and non-alcoholic beverages.

• No pets allowed, in accordance with state guidelines.

Spend and Win in Downtown Norfolk April 12-26 From Downtown Norfolk Council NORFOLK, Va. — Downtown Norfolk Council wants to reward you for spending your money in Downtown Norfolk. From April 12 to 26, any purchases made in Downtown Norfolk can earn a chance to win $500 in gift certificates to Downtown businesses.

Four winners will be selected.

How would you spend $500 in Downtown?

You can take your friends to dinner, eat lunch for months, get a pedicure or two, haircuts, beers, concert tickets, Push Comedy Club, a hotel for the weekend, new clothes, Virginia Arts Festival tickets, gifts or any combination. Participation is easy. Just upload your receipts every time you make a purchase in Downtown from April 12 to 26 to the Spend and Win page at DowntownNorfolk.org/ SpendandWin. Winners will be notified on April 28.

“We really want to reward people for spending money and supporting our Downtown businesses,” said Jessica Kliner, director of marketing and communications for Down-

town Norfolk Council. “And by keeping the prize money local, we are able to continue to support and highlight all that Downtown has to offer. It’s a win-win for four lucky people.”

There is no minimum for purchases, and you can enter every time you spend in Downtown. Only one submission per receipt. Then create your own winner’s package. If you’re stuck for ideas, we have plenty. Downtown Norfolk Council will provide gift certificates for the winner’s custom package for the businesses of their choice. Follow Downtown Norfolk on social media for ideas and more information.

Downtown Norfolk Council is a private, not-for-profit membership organization comprised of businesses and individuals working toward a dynamic, attractive and prosperous Downtown. DNC also manages the Downtown Norfolk Improvement District, a 50-block special services district with enhanced services that keep Downtown friendly, safe and spotless. Connect with Downtown Norfolk on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit DowntownNorfolk.org.

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INSIDE: Check out Flagship Values, your source for automobiles, employment, real estate and more! Pages C6-7

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The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, April 15, 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/

Virginia Stage Company, Public Works Virginia to Present Outdoor Tour: Comedy of Errors From Virginia Stage Company Norfolk — Virginia Stage Company’s Public Works Virginia will present Comedy of Errors to public outdoor playing spaces across Hampton Roads. This zany and unexpected adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, adapted by Ryan Clemens (A Christmas Carol, Meet Mark Twain) and directed by Steve Pacek (The Legend of Georgia McBride) goes beyond the schtick to play with the concept of family and the power of belonging. The tour will be presented in public parks, outdoor venues, and The Wells Theatre weekends during May, 2021. Check out vastage.org or our Facebook page for tour schedule updates, and RSVP to your performance here.

The Education Department of Virginia Stage Company had just launched a 2020 tour of Comedy of Errors intended for student audiences just as the COVID-19 global pandemic hit. Around the same time, Steve Pacek was starring in Virginia Stage Company’s comedic hit The Legend of Georgia McBride. Both productions were forced to shut down mid-run. Now, the show has new life thanks to several community partners and outdoor venues.

“Seeing local professional actors alongside emerging artists from our Public Works program is exciting!” says Director of Public Works, Patrick Mullins. “We are very proud of our work with Access Virginia and Armed Services Arts Partnerships that allows us to introduce exciting new talent to the region.”

Steven Pacek returns to Virginia Stage Company to direct this new adaptation of the Shakespeare comedy. See below for information on cast & creatives.

PATRICK MULLINS (Director of Public Works) Recent directing and adaptation projects include The Tempest with music by Jake Hull and puppetry by Paperhand Puppet Intervention; The Taming of the Shrew, a synth-pop fantasia mixing Shakespeare’s text with the music of Jacki Paolella; Beneath the Surface, an immersive performance event at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens; The Tempest with music

by Jean Sibelius performed with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at Chrysler Hall; Swingtime Salute, a 1940’s music revue on the deck of the USS Wisconsin; and Midsummer Fantasy Festival — an immersive Shakespearean festival/visual art installation/ performance event in Town Point Park. Patrick has directed work across the country, is a professor at Old Dominion University, and is a frequent collaborator with Norfolk State University Theatre Company.

He holds an MFA in acting from the University of South Carolina. Pmull.com STEVE PACEK (Director) is thrilled to be back at Virginia Stage Company, and to be creating a piece of theatre for the first time after a year in a pandemic! He was last seen at VSC as Miss Tracy Mills in The Legend of Georgia McBride, and before that, as Sir Henry in The Hound of the Baskervilles. His directing credits include: The Light Princess and The Cat in the Hat (Arden Theatre Co.); The Syringa Tree (Theatre Horizon); God of Carnage (Hangar Theatre); The World Goes Round (11th Hour);

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Basic Witches (Philly Fringe); and [Untitled Project] #213 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Steve is also a teaching artist at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and the Jen Waldman Studio in NYC. He is a co-founder and Associate Artistic Director of 11th Hour Theatre Company in Philadelphia and sits on the Board of Directors for Theatre Philadelphia. They say that laughter is the best medicine. Here’s to healing times for us all...!

MINDY BROWN (Wife, Merchant) This is Mindy’s second production with Public Works and VSC. She played the king’s translator in The Tempest and is thrilled to be joining Public Works again as part of VSC touring company in Comedy of Errors. She grew up in NYC - lived, worked and created many musical interpretations throughout Europe - Los Angeles -New York and Virginia. In The Netherlands she had the honor of appearing in the BEAST DVD with Frédérique Spigt a well known Dutch Musical Artist. She was integrated into the show as a band member, her instrument being her body and creating EYE Music.

RYAN CLEMENS (Dromio of Ephesus, Kitchen Wench) is proud to work both on the main stage and with VSC’s Education Department. VSC patrons may remember Ryan as Mr. Wormwood in Matilda; Trinculo in The Tempest; Lieutenant Brannigan in Guys & Dolls; Vinnie in The Odd Couple; Mortimer in The Fantasticks; Bob Cratchit, Old Joe, or Ghost of Christmas Present in several years’ versions of A Christmas Carol; or as his famous relative Sam Clemens in his one-man show Meet Mark Twain. Originally from Wyoming, Ryan began his career in a travelling Wild West show. He has worked at theaters around the country, including several seasons locally with the Virginia Shakespeare Festival and Tidewater Stage Company. He performs with Plan B Comedy at Zeider’s American Dream Theatre. Ryan holds a BA in Theatre from Western Washington University and an MFA in Acting from Regent University. He also teaches at ODU. www.clemensistwain.com TREZURE COLES (Luciana, Executioner) is a senior drama theatre performance major at Norfolk State University. She is originally and currently lives in Newport News, Virginia.

This is Trezure’s fourth time working under the Virginia Stage Company. Next stop for Ms.Coles will be attending Graduate school at Florida State University: ASOLO Conservatory Acting program.

MIGUEL GIRONA (Dromio of Syracuse) is honored to be a part of such an amazing cast and project. Miguel has been on the boards of many area community theaters such as The Generic Theater, Little Theatre of Norfolk, Williamsburg Players, PCT and Panglossian. Other notable stage appearances include Solario/Solarino in The Merchant Of Venice, Sir Eglamour in Two Gentlemen of Verona and Messalla in Julius

Caesar at the Virginia Shakespeare Festival, Landscaper in Native Gardens and Antipholus of Syracuse in Comedy Of Errors (School Tour) at the Virginia Stage Company, Banquo in Voodoo Macbeth at Zeider’s, as well as Morrocco/Solario/Duke/Tubal in The Merchant of Venice at Quill Theater.

TALJEED HARDY (Antipholus of Ephesus, Assistant Stage Manager) returns to Virginia Stage Company after having previously appeared in The Tempest, and The Wiz co-production with NSU. He has also appeared in August Wilson’s Fences, Black Nativity, Ruined, Gem of the Ocean, The Amen Corner, & A Soldiers Play with Norfolk State University Theatre Company. He is a New Orleans, Louisiana native who has received a BA in Norfolk State University’s award-winning Drama and Theatre degree program. He is the recipient of the NSU Theatre Company’s Best Supporting Actor, Outstanding Leadership, Sustained Academic Excellence, Excellence in Stage Management Awards and will be attending the University of Louisville in the fall to begin receiving his MFA in Performance.

LEVONTE’ HERBERT (Antipholus of Syracuse): Levonte’ returns to Virginia Stage Company after having previously appeared in A Christmas Carol, The Bluest Eye, and The Wiz co-production with NSU. He has also appeared in August Wilson’s Fences, Black Nativity, Ruined, A Soldiers Play, & The Colored Museum with Norfolk State University Theatre Company. He is a Richmond, Virginia native who was in the Inaugural Graduating Class of Norfolk State University’s award-winning BA in Drama and Theatre degree program. He is the recipient of the NSU Theatre Company’s Most Improved Actor, Best Lead Actor and Director’s Awards and is a second year MFA graduate acting student at the University of Southern California.

CANDUNN L. JENNETTE (Duke, Adriana, Kim Karcourtesan) of, Chesapeake, Virginia, has an unwavering love for the arts. Early on she performed at Portsmouth, Virginia’s Willett Hall, in the historic musical of love, The Color Purple, nationally recognized company. Candunn ventured to land the role of “Anna” a DID victim, in “Anna Alone”, with the nationally recognized Norfolk State University Theatre Company.

This led Candunn to win the award for the Best Breakout Actress, with the company.

Shortly thereafter, Candunn took the stage in other productions with NSU, as “Lady in Green” in Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls, “Rose” in August Wilson’s Fences, and a host of other performances. As she completes her Bachelors of Arts in Drama and Theatre Arts, she continues to immerse herself in writing, directing, scenic design, costume design, film work, and voiceovers. Candunn continues to excel and with her deep love and desire to

transform the community, achieving internal and external success.

CANDUNN L. JENNETTE (Duke, Adriana, Kim Karcourtesan) of, Chesapeake, Virginia, has an unwavering love for the arts. Early on she performed at Portsmouth, Virginia’s Willett Hall, in the historic musical of love, The Color Purple, nationally recognized company. Candunn ventured to land the role of “Anna” a DID victim, in “Anna Alone”, with the nationally recognized Norfolk State University Theatre Company.

This led Candunn to win the award for the Best Breakout Actress, with the company.

Shortly thereafter, Candunn took the stage in other productions with NSU, as “Lady in Green” in Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls, “Rose” in August Wilson’s Fences, and a host of other performances. As she completes her Bachelors of Arts in Drama and Theatre Arts, she continues to immerse herself in writing, directing, scenic design, costume design, film work, and voiceovers. Candunn continues to excel and with her deep love and desire to transform the community, achieving internal and external success.

KARESE KAW-UH (Stage Manager) is thrilled to work with such a great company of talent. She previously performed in the VSC’s Comedy of Errors educational tour and A Christmas Carol, served as an Assistant to the Director for Sense & Sensibility and Guys & Dolls, and was the Production Assistant for The Tempest. Karese recently premiered in the one-woman show, “This’ll Only Take a Second,” with the Zeiders American Dream Theatre, served as Guest Musical Director for a local high school’s Musical Theater Showcase, and is also a Kindergarten Teaching Aide. She has a BA in Theater Arts Administration from Christopher Newport University and will be attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa for an MFA in Theater for Young Audiences in the fall.

JO’SIAH SHAN (Pinch/Angelo/Music Director) is proud to be returning to Virginia Stage Company in this production of William Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors. A recent graduate of Norfolk State University, they have served as Music Director for such productions as The Color Purple (2018), Once on the Island (2019), & helped create such original works as A Tribute to Motown (2019). With VSC, they have worked on Shakespeare’s The Tempest (2019), SantaLand Diaries (2019), & A Christmas Carol (2020). They wish a happy & healthy summer season and beyond to you!

Stay HeArtful!

DR. LARRY TAUB (Egeon/Security Officer) A multi-faceted professional with a background in Education of the Deaf. Currently dabbling in theater, gourmet foods, bowling, dancing, traveling, riding bicycles and a Harley Road King.

Kitten Season is Anything but Cute for Animal Shelters From Best Friends Animal Society What may sound cute to the general public causes a shudder every year among animal shelter staff across the country.

“Kitten Season,” as it’s known in the animal welfare field, starts each spring and lasts through fall. Like the term implies, it’s the time of year when un-spayed female cats have most of their litters and animal shelters are inundated by orphaned kittens who need intensive care.

“Cats can become pregnant at just four months old and the duration of feline pregnancy is approximately two months, so un-spayed community cats can have many litters in one season,” said Erin Katribe, veterinarian and medical director for Best Friends Animal Society.

So, what can you do to help? The path often starts with leaving outdoor kittens in place, according to Dr. Katribe, even if it seems like they’ve been abandoned or homeless and should be taken to a shelter right away.

“In most cases, removing the kittens away from where their mother is most likely going to return may end up putting them in even greater danger,” she said. “For shelters with already limited resources—such as money, food, space, and staffing—Kitten Season equates to making difficult life or death decisions for these fragile creatures that require 24-hour care. The large population causes an increased risk of illness and stress-induced problems, often making tiny kittens the most at-risk animals for being killed in shelters.”

“The best thing to do for healthy kittens,” Katribe explained, “is to leave them with their mother, who is often nearby planning to return and care for her babies.”

But watch closely. If mom hasn’t returned

for 10 to 12 hours or if the kittens appear unhealthy, then it’s time to step in. Sick kittens may need veterinary attention right away. But if they are healthy, you can care for the kittens yourself, right from the comfort of your home.

“While caring for neonatal kittens can seem daunting, it is completely doable, and very rewarding. Bestfriends.org offers resources and a video on caring for kittens,” Katribe said. “You can also contact your local shelter, as they may be able to provide training or supplies, especially if you are able to foster the kittens in your home and ultimately, spay or neuter surgery and adoption resources once they are of age to be fixed and find a home.”

Helping kittens that are already at shelters is another way to alleviate the stress of kitten season. “Some shelters have kitten nurseries that operate nonstop, including bottle-feeding every two hours, which requires a lot of people throughout the day and night. Volunteers can help by feeding, preparing food, doing laundry and cleaning cages,” Katribe said. “Fostering is also extremely helpful, as kittens can get even better individualized care in a home environment.”

Kitten fosters can make a short-term commitment that may range from just a week or two to a month or two, depending on the age of the kittens and the foster’s schedule.

Fosters care for the kittens in the comfort of their own homes. Education, supplies and veterinary care are provided by the shelter or rescue, while fosters provide love and attention.

“The goal with neonatal kittens is to get them to about six to eight weeks of age, so they can be spayed or neutered and adopted out,” Katribe said. “We have fosters that will care for several litters during a season and

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others who help out with single kittens. Either way, it all adds up to saving as many lives as possible. Any contribution, no matter the size, is meaningful.”

Here are some other ways to help cats and kittens in your community: • Spay or neuter your pets and encourage your friends and family to do the same.

• Choose to adopt a cat or kitten from a shelter or rescue group.

• Support local efforts to Trap/Neuter/ Return community cats.

• Share about kittens in need on your social media channels and encourage followers to help.

For more information, visit www.bestfriends.org.

About Best Friends Animal Society Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 625,000. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs all across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 3,200 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.

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Spring is Here -- Along With the Harshest Allergy Season Yet From StatePoint Experts predict allergy season to be exceptionally severe this spring, according to the Allergy & Asthma Network. Rising global temperatures and a forecast of warm, dry air this spring after a winter of heavy snow could significantly increase pollen production. This comes after a year many people spent mostly indoors in quarantine.

As you head outside to enjoy the spring weather, allergens like pollen may come as a shock to the system. Spring allergens, which can lead to chronic and troublesome symptoms, such as respiratory irritation, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion, impact millions

of Americans.

“After over a year spent in the confines of our homes during the pandemic, we want to spend as much time outdoors as we can this spring,” says nationally renowned natural health physician and best-selling author, Dr. Fred Pescatore. “Don’t let allergies ruin your long-awaited spring. There are steps you can take to alleviate your allergy symptoms.”

• Rinse Your Eyes. Allergies can cause burning, itching, and tearing in our eyes as well as swelling of the eyelids. Washing your eyes with clean water or an eye wetting product moistens them to provide relief when they are dry and irritated. It also removes allergens that cause eye inflammation.

• Wash Your Clothes Often. When worn outdoors, your clothes can carry small particles back into your home and cause more exposure and allergic reaction. Washing your clothes and taking a shower after outdoor activity can remove lingering allergens.

• Manage Your Stress Levels. Stress can be a powerful force on your physical and mental well-being, and it can pile on quickly. Stress hormones can negatively impact the immune system, increase oxidative stress levels, and inflame seasonal allergy symptoms. When you start to feel stressed, stop and take a breath. If you can, take a walk. Getting quality sleep also helps reduce the effects of stress.

• Add a Natural Supplement. Try adding a natural anti-inflammatory daily oral supplement. Pycnogenol, an extract from French maritime pine bark, is shown in research to reduce the body’s response to histamines without the side effects typically experienced with allergy medications, such as drowsiness. Studies show that supplementing daily with Pycnogenol can substantially reduce the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies, like burning, itchy, or watering eyes, and stuffy, runny, or itchy nose.

“For the many people seeking alternatives to conventional treatment for seasonal allergies, Pycnogenol may represent an effective and completely natural solution, void of any side-effects,” says Dr. Pescatore.

Pycnogenol is available in more than 800 products sold in stores and online. To learn more, visit pycnogenol.com.

With a tough allergy season ahead, remember these tips to manage your allergy symptoms and enjoy the spring season you deserve.

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Food

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Easy Fish Friday options for kids and adults From Brandpoint

Fish Friday is an important part of Lent, and if you honor this tradition, you’re probably looking to add something different to the menu. At the same time, you’re probably not looking forward to the extra effort of making something new.

Fortunately, there are simple ways to create wholesome Fish Friday meals and snacks for both kids and grownups, without extra time or work. Here’s how to do that: Tip 1: Visit the freezer aisle For Fish Friday, you don’t need a complex recipe or expensive fresh fish or seafood to make a splash! Stock up on frozen options and you’ll have plenty of easily prepared meals and snacks to last through Lent and beyond.

“At the end of a long week, it’s nice to have a tasty and convenient frozen seafood product on hand to make Fish Friday a stress-free meal,” says Rachael Hartley, a registered dietitian and nutritionist. “I love that SeaPak has created family-friendly options, like Shrimp Scampi and Popcorn Shrimp, to make it easy to meet the recommended 2-3 servings of seafood a week.”

Tip 2: Strike a balance Even with seafood as the star of your Fish Friday meal, you’ll want to add sides and create a complete, balanced, nutritious dish.

Hartley suggests adding potatoes, rice or grains, as well as steamed vegetables or a side salad. Save even more time by steaming your veggies in the microwave!

Tip 3: Create custom plates Want to jazz up your Fish Friday entrees

even more? Whip up some sauces and ingredients to create custom bowls. While one child might like a certain vegetable or sauce for their Coconut Cod, another might want another side or sauce entirely - and this doesn’t even account for the big kids: grownups! Use teriyaki, hoisin and other pre-packaged sauces as a shortcut.

Tip 4: Pack in the protein To create satisfying meals and snacks that support each child’s growth and development, Hartley recommends including a solid source of protein. The good news is that even if one child wants Shrimp Sea Pals and the other wants Clam Strips, SeaPak frozen foods feature plenty of protein.

“With their playful shapes and great taste, Shrimp Sea Pals make it easy and fun to serve seafood to your family members, even

those who may not always be open to new foods,” Hartley says. “As a dietitian, I love that they are made with whole grains.”

Want another kid-friendly Fish Friday idea? Try this simple recipe for Popcorn Shrimp Mac and Cheese: Popcorn Shrimp Mac and Cheese Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes 4 Servings Ingredients: 1 20-ounce package SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp 1 package macaroni and cheese Milk and butter (if needed to prepare macaroni and cheese) Shredded cheddar or cheese of your choice Directions: Prepare the popcorn shrimp and macaroni and cheese according to package instructions. Pour the macaroni into a serving dish, top it with hot shrimp, and serve the mac and cheese.

Optional preparation: Add finished macaroni to small baking ramekins, top with shredded cheese, and broil for two minutes. Top with hot shrimp and serve the popcorn shrimp mac and cheese.

calories, 0g fat, 3g protein and is very low in sodium (0mg/<1% recommended daily value).

Few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and mushrooms are unique in that they are the only food in the produce aisle that contain vitamin D. Specifically, one serving of raw, UV-exposed, white (90g) and crimini (80g) mushrooms contains 23.6mcg (118% RDA) and 25.52mcg (128% RDA) of vitamin D, respectively.

For more sustainably delicious and nutritious recipes, like the Classic Blended Burger, visit MushroomCouncil.com.

Classic Blended Burger 8 ounces white button mushrooms, finely chopped 1 pound lean ground beef ½ teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 4-6 buns Add chopped mushrooms, ground beef and salt into a large bowl and mix until combined.

Form into 4 large patties or 6 slider-size patties.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the burger patties approximately 4 minutes per side, or to your preferred level of doneness. Remove burger patties from heat and toast buns in the same skillet. Assemble burgers with your favorite toppings and condiments.

The Blend Hot Tip: For extra flavor, saute the chopped mushrooms first with 1 tablespoon olive oil, chopped garlic, salt and pepper. Let briefly cool before blending with meat and forming into patties.

Deliciously easy sustainable eating From Brandpoint Today, consumers are beginning to use one more guideline to determine how to spend their food dollars: sustainability. The public is increasingly curious about where and how their food is produced and what impact it has on the environment - and for good reason. The world’s population is rapidly expanding and it’s estimated there will be over 9 billion people on the planet by 2050.

A healthy diet should include food choices that respect future accessibility to nutritious food and overall global health. Over the past several years, the interest in plant-based foods has skyrocketed, and it’s not just from vegans and vegetarians. A new crop of consumers, dubbed Flexitarians, have emerged and are changing the way newer generations are eating.

From meatless meals to plant-centric plates, there are many ways to eat more sustainably without loss of flavor. Gone are the days of tasteless vegetarian offerings; instead, both professional chefs and home cooks are experimenting with adding more fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains to traditional meat-centric dishes. One example is that of The Blend, a cooking technique that blends finely chopped mushrooms with ground meat. This is a culinary trend that appeals to health professionals and conservationists alike. It’s sustainable, nutritious and delicious, making it healthier on the plate and gentler on the planet.

If it seems like mushrooms are everywhere, it’s because they are. In addition to popular cooking techniques like The Blend, mushrooms are seemingly the star of almost every new food product from jerky and chips to tea and coffee.

And it’s not just an ingredient in new products.

In 2020, few produce items surpassed the popularity of mushrooms. Their taste, accessibility and health benefits have made them popular with Generations X, Y and Z as well as a top seller at grocery stores across the country.

(COURTESY PHOTO)

So why is it that mushrooms are the poster child for sustainable nutrition? It starts on the farm. Mushrooms have a unique growing process unlike any other produce item where they require zero light, require merely 1.8 gallons of water and generate only .7 pounds of carbon dioxide per pound for production.

In addition, the annual average yield of mushrooms is 7.1 pounds per square foot - meaning up to 1 million pounds of mushrooms can be produced on just one acre.

Often grouped with vegetables, mushrooms provide many of the nutrient attributes of produce, as well as attributes more commonly found in meat, beans or grains. According to the USDA’s FoodData Central, one serving (5 medium/90g) of white, raw mushrooms contains 20

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, April 15, 2021 5

Health

Members from all different squadrons on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, came together to put on a parade for the children on base April 30, 2020. April is Month of the Military Child throughout the military (HELENA OWENS).

Children’s well-being contributes immeasurably to force readiness

By MHS Communications

Military service members are not the only ones serving their country. Their families — especially their children — do so as well, showing resilience, support, and strength.

In April, the Department of Defense celebrates military children for their essential role in the force’s readiness — and the Defense Health Agency joins in that celebration with its “Celebrating the Mighty” campaign.

“Military kids are the cornerstone of military families worldwide,” said Kelly Blasko, who has a doctorate in counseling psychology and is the DHA’s Connected Health Branch lead for mobile health clinical integration. “Helping ensure their health and mental well-being enables military parents to focus on serving the country.”

Patti Johnson has a doctorate in clinical psychology, specializing in pediatrics, and supports the DHA’s Behavioral Health Clinical Management Team.

“Military children and youth show their resilience each day by making sacrifices small and large in support of the mission success of their service member parent,” she said. “Their health and well-being contribute immeasurably to the readiness of the force.”

Challenges: Glass half full Military children face unique challenges, including psychological challenges related to military life, explained Blasko.

However, Johnson said, they also experience relatively unique events in comparison to their non-military peers that can positively impact their development and functioning.

“Military kids are more likely to move multiple times during their grade-school years and

have a parent absent for long periods of time in potentially dangerous locations,” said Blasko.

“Unfortunately, they also may learn about difficult topics like injury or death at an early age, but they tend to also learn how to function well in stressful situations.”

Though these factors may greatly stress military kids’ mental health, their resiliency depends on the support they receive. Preparing for deployment as a family can help families handle the stress and changes of separation, noted Blasko.

Still, separations are not new for military kids.

Because of continuous permanent changes of station or parental deployments, they know how to keep connected through letters, video chat, and other means, she added.

Additionally, living in geographically diverse locations - whether in the United States or other countries - exposes them to people who have different world views, perspectives, histories, and knowledge sets, added Johnson.

“This widens their opportunities to learn about different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, languages, and so on,” she said. And “while moving frequently can provide some challenges, research suggests that as a result of military relocations, many military-connected children develop advantageous social skills needed to readily connect and engage with peers as well as adults.”

Their experiences encourage many military-connected children to embrace positive military values such as patriotism, honesty, selflessness, and honor, said Johnson. “The adoption of positive core values likely contributes to enhanced self-worth and promotes healthy social and emotional development in many military youths.”

This can result in kids with strong resilience skills that help them adjust and cope with military-related stressors, explained Johnson.

“These resilient kids adapt to new environments, put themselves out there to make new friends, and sometimes pick up more responsibilities at home,” added Blasko.

Said Johnson: “Overall, the military lifestyle can be a very positive experience for many military-connected children. Military lifestyle experiences can instill a sense of responsibility, independence, tolerance, and maturity.”

However, both experts agree that for some, it can prove stressful, and parents and other important adults should be aware of this possibility and provide support as needed to help all children adjust to this lifestyle.

The whole family must adjust to many new experiences, so planning, communicating openly, creating new routines, and having a plan for keeping connected to the deployed parent are important, explained Blasko.

These can include letter writing, preparing care packages, and connecting via technology when possible, added Johnson.

Other ways families can assist children adjust to deployment and other military-related stressors include: Developing and maintaining healthy family routines and traditions.

Maintaining boundaries and limits for children; they need to know that parents and other adults are in charge and can provide for their social and emotional needs.

Helping children and youths sustain friendships and other social supports.

Helping children and youths sustain normal activities such as church, clubs,

sports, etc.

If possible, keeping children in the same school during deployments. If the family moves during deployment, preparing the child and ensuring a smooth transition by requesting school record transfers, researching the new school online, visiting the new school, principal, and teacher(s) ahead of time.

“Parents and other caregivers also need to find ways to take good care of themselves so that they are physically and emotionally available to support their children,” said Johnson.

COVID-19 During the COVID-19 pandemic, military children have faced additional stressors. For Blasko, COVID-19 just created another type of separation.

As pediatric COVID-19 vaccines are closer to becoming available and the country looks forward to reintegrating into activities outside the home, she recommends the following strategies to help military children ease out of the pandemic lockdown: Keep educated as a family of the required precautions needed for leaving the home, socializing with friends, and going to school - perhaps even have a “COVID-19 family rules” cheat sheet.

Establish a schedule and routine for going to school regardless of whether it’s virtual or in-person: Set times to wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, transition to school, and homework.

Regular exercise, good sleep, and great food are a foundation to help us all cope. If we feel better, we can cope with whatever COVID-19 brings our way.

Resources for military families There are multiple resources available for military children, youths, and families: Installation-based recreational resources, sports teams, psychoeducational or support groups, child and youth services, and family support services are available to help them connect to the military community.

Occupational Therapy Month highlights pros who give everyday help

By London Prince April is Occupational Therapy Month, a chance to highlight a profession that helps people to accomplish the everyday tasks they need to do through the therapeutic use of daily activities.

Occupational therapists often work with people with disabilities, injuries, and mental illnesses to help them get their lives back on track, working on tasks such as learning to walk and strength recovery.

Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) help people who are struggling by providing treatment to improve motor skills, balance, and coordination. OTAs can help anyone at any stage of life and work in settings such as skilled nursing facilities, school systems, children’s clinics, rehab facilities, and orthopedic clinics.

Occupational therapy (OT) dates to 100 B.C. when Greek and Roman physicians including Asclepiades and Celsus used it for the treatment of patients with emotional and mental disorders. Recommended therapy would include travel, therapeutic massages, exercise, conversation, and music to soothe the mind.

“OT month is a time when we can share the awesome work that we do and showcase that OT is here and we can help no matter the issue; from healing wounds and recovering strength, to finding new hobbies and new work interests,” said Army Staff Sgt. William Cox, an instructor in the occupational therapy program at the Medical and Education Training Campus (METC) at Joint Base San

Army Staff Sgt. William Cox, an instructor in the occupational therapy assistant program at the Medical and Education Training Campus at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, observes a student practicing convective thermal therapy (LONDON PRINCE).

Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

“It is a time to not only let the community know who we are, but it also provides awareness to other health care providers by allowing them to offer another resource to their clinics that could help patients in their recovery,” he added.

The METC OTA program trains Army and Navy students to become occupational therapy assistants.

The eight-month program is broken into two phases. In phase one, students are in the classroom learning general studies of occupational therapy and the required skills needed to be an occupational therapy assistant.

Students also get to practice skills in practical labs.

In phase two, students work in two different clinical settings, putting their skills and knowledge to the test in local hospitals and clinics around the city and around the country.

After graduation, active duty Army students are assigned to a military medical treatment facility (MTF) or a holistic health and fitness unit, while National Guard and Reserve students go back to their hometowns and begin working as OTAs. Navy students are assigned to inpatient/outpatient MTFs. Navy OTAs are also stationed at overseas MTFs providing school-related services as part of the Education Developmental Intervention Services team.

“Our program is nationally accredited, and graduates of the program earn an associate

degree from the Uniformed Services University as well the privilege to sit on the national board for certification as an OTA,” said Cox. Army Spc. Zachary Berdan, a student in the program, said that he was happy that he chose occupational therapy as a career.

“This field grabbed me because I wanted to help people recover,” he said. “What I enjoy most about the training is that there hasn’t been a block of instruction that I thought was boring or unnecessary.”

Berdan added that all the instruction has intrigued him, even inspiring him to do more research in his free time.

“I have been learning how emotionally and spiritually rewarding occupational therapy can be,” he said.

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, April 15, 2021

Estate Sales Estate Sales VIRGINIA BEACH/GREAT NECK GIGANTIC ESTATE SALE! 1933 W Twin Cove Rd Fri 4/16 through Mon 4/19 9a-3pm Great Furniture, Antiques, Collectibles, Vintage, Mid Century, Military & Nautical.

Go to ThisNThatCompany.com for details & pictures!

Misc. Merchandise For Sale

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

General Help Wanted

Sales & Marketing

Motorcycles and ATVs

TITLELIST TS2 DRIVER New. 11 degree, Kuro Kage shaft. $275. 757-373-7275

CHIHUAHUA/PUG MIX - CHUG 1 male, 1 female 8 weeks, vet checked and trained, ready to go $950 757-228-6656

MFG. ASSEMBLERS & WAREHOUSE WORKERS Suffolk Mfg. Company seeking exp’d & motivated assemblers & warehouse workers. Prior exp. req’d.

To apply email resumes to: humanresources@kermamedical. com EEO

FLORAL SALESPERSON Full time. Knowledge of flowers a must! Benefits and 401K Call Tom Leffler 757-644-1220

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

WERNER EXTENSION LADDERS 32’ $300, 40’ $365, 30’ scaffold $450.

757-535-2007

ENGLISH BULLDOG $4000 OBO

Wanted To Buy USED MOWER DECK WANTED For Toro Model 74502; 757-617-7373

Blue Tri Female (1 yr) looking for loving furever home. 757-301-1320

LABRADOODLES Cream & Apricot, 8 wks, vet checked, first shots & wormed. $1,000.

252-333-9553

Room For Rent

Healthcare Careers

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

DENTAL HYGIENIST Portsmouth Area, 2days/wk.

Call: 757-488-7786

BICHON FRISE PUPPIES

NURSING

Drivers/Transport/Shipping Estate Sales

Misc. Merchandise For Sale EZE UP 10X10 tent, sidewalls, mesh hanging panels, weight bags, roller bag $425 757-390-1315 FIREWOOD FOR SALE $170/Cord, Delivery Available Call: 757-478-9914 FURNITURE Brown Sofa & Loveseat. Good Condition. $200 OBO Call: 757-353-7897

Adorable white fluff balls. Family raised and loved. Vet checked. AKC. Call or text 757-430-0420. $2500 2 males available. Shots. Wormed.

Birthday 2-17-21 BOXER PUPPIES 1 (M)Fawn & 4 (M)Sealed Brindles CKC Registered; Available 5/15/21 TEXT or CALL 252-562-2808

90 YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION HARLEY DAVIDSON

DELIVERY DRIVER Part-time/ Full Time Wholesale Floral Delivery. Fulltime qualified for benefits Retirees and Vets welcome.

Call Tom Leffler 757-644-1220

General Help Wanted FISHERIES INTERVIEWER Survey captains returning from off shore; Must be able to i.d. Big Game Fish, P/T Through Oct. $19/ hr. Apply Online At QuanTech.com

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

Utilities included. Must love pets.

Smoking allowed outside. House privileges. (757) 454-2789 NORFOLK Furn rm. Park Place area. Drug free.

No pets. $125/wkly+dep 757-578-6869

HIRING ALL SHIFTS

CNA’s 1000k sign on bonus LPN’s 4000k sign on bonus RN’s 6000k sign on bonus Full Time and Part time - competitive pay

MOTORCYCLE

Elizabeth City Health and Rehab 252-338-3975

Part-Time/Seasonal Estate Sales P/T GARDENER/ HANDY MAN 20hrs/wk. Duties Include Planting, Weeding, Watering, & Pressure Washing etc. 757-577-2020

EVO engine, Dyna Wide Glide as seen on cover of Easy Rider Magazine.

Pristine condition, garage kept, never been in the rain. This is the most beautiful Harley Davidson ever built and still is. Ultra low mileage - yes it is really 10,378. Full Harley Davidson maintenance records available. I am the original owner. Has HD tachometer, mustang seat, back rest, luggage rack, chrome drag pipes, sounds awesome, street legal. $7,000 OBO. Preferred method of contact telephone or text to 757-409-1447.

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

2015 BMW R1200RT TOUR/SPORT SHOWROOM NEW

Fully loaded ! Heated Seat/Handgrips, Cruise Control, Sat.Radio, Nav. System. Less than 100 original miles. Clean Title. Was $30,000 new.

Asking $24,000 FIRM. Serious Inquiries ONLY. CALL (757) 647-1187.

757.622.1455 | placeanad.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

Concrete/Asphalt Estate Sales CONCRETE SPECIALIST Aych & Aych Inc. BBB. FREE estimates.

Call Sylvester: 757-371-1911

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

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

757-430-2612.

Hauling (A) FAMILY TRASH MAN-HOUSEHOLD, Demo inside & out, construction sites, dumpster drop off, backhoe work. We haul it all! 20 yrs. exp., lic & ins. 485-1414

ATTICS & GARAGES CLEANED Contents hauled away. Also tree limbs & shrubs. Call: 934-2258 B & J MOVING Reasonable Rates, Licensed & Insured. bandjmoving.com 757-576-1290

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

ALL HOME IMPROVEMENTS Custom Home Repairs & Renovations.

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

YOUR PERFECT

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

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Lawn and Tree Service AMERICANTREESERVICE.CO ★Catering to all your tree & yard needs.★ ★757-587-9568. 30 years experience★

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

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

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

WHITE’S MOWER REPAIR-VA BEACH Pressure Washers & RotoTillers Residential Only. 757-639-6735

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

Labor & Material included, repair, siding.

Class A Lic’d & Ins’d. (757) 880-5215.

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

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ROOF REPAIR Shingles, tar, rubber, slate, metal, asbestos removal. 757-718-1072

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, April 15, 2021 7 Autos for Sale

CHRYSLER 2010 SEBRING

Touring, convertible, 71,500 miles, V6, excellent condition, $5,000, 757363-0716

HONDA 2001 CIVIC

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

LINCOLN 2002 NAVIGATOR

20in tires & rims, 128k miles, runs. $4,000 obo. 222 Inspection James 757-560-3382 or 757-543-9039

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

VOLKSWAGEN 1973 SUPER BEETLE

Trucks and SUVs

FORD 2019 F150

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

TOYOTA 2011 CAMRY

XLE Charcoal Grey Ext./Light Grey Cloth Int. 4 Cyl W/ 54,900 Mi. All Power Seats, Windows, Sunroof. Garage Kept. One Owner - Very Clean.

New Inspection. Reduced: $11,900 Call: 757-966-2417

TOYOTA 2017 HIGHLANDER

4 X 4 LE+ 25k miles, Well Equipped, 3rd Row Seat, Excellent Cond, Toyota Warranty, Tow Package, $27,900, No Processing Fee, Call: 443-235-0304

Don’t pay full price!

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

Boats & Watercraft

28’ WELLCRAFT, 264 COASTAL

MISSING AND DEFINITELY WANTED. ORANGE 1973 VW SUPER BEETLE NAMED “GERTIE” AFTER MY GRANDMOTHER. SHE WAS MY FIRST CAR VIN 1332325451 IF YOU HAVE HER OR FIND HER CALL 412-0506. SHE HAD A CB ANTENNA IN MIDDLE OF ROOFTOP WHEN SOLD HER IN EARLY 90’S. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE OFFER TO BUY FIRST CAR BACK AND BRING HER HOME. I MISS HER AND I KNOW SHE MISSES HOME.

VOLVO 1994 740

Gold. $1,250 Call: 757-615-5612

Classic, Antique Cars

CHEVROLET 1984 EL CAMINO

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

DODGE 1955 ROYAL

Coupe. Hemi V-8, air, disc brakes, show winner, runs & looks great, $33,500. 757-675-0288. Va. Dlr.

Cuddy cabin, twin 200 Yamaha, radar, ff/gps, vhf, stereo, great fast & stable fishing boat, 1998,$17,320 Call: Jeff 757-715-3442

With The Virginian-Pilot’s coupons and sales inserts, shop smart and save big every week!

ALUMINUM BASS BOAT PROJECT HULL 17’ 4” Tracker, 90% stripped. $750.

Free trailer. 757-399-0186 BOAT FOR SALE 2020 tracker pro 170 with trailer 9.9 ELPT motor spare tire minkota edge 45 foot cont low range hook 4x new condition 11000 call 7574792089

Shop smart.

Save big! Sunday (and every day).

We will purchase your collectible, classic, late model autos, we will come to you. Call 757-675-0288.

Fun & Games

Sudoku

CryptoQuip

Last week’s CryptoQuip answer

If a man could come to a costume party dressd as a knife, he’d look really sharp.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

Religious Serivices For your installation’s religious service times visit www. flagshipnews.com⁄ base_ information⁄ religious_services

8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, April 15, 2021