www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, April 21, 2022 1
IN THIS ISSUE
Sailor for 2021
Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) selected its Sailor of the Year (SOY) for calendar year 2021, April 1, onboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort Story. PAGE A7 VOL. 29, NO. 15, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
April 21-April 27, 2022
FORREST SHERMAN RETURNS TO NORFOLK
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) returns to its homeport, Naval Station Norfolk, April 13, 2022. Forrest Sherman deployed to the European theater of operations and participated in a range of maritime activities in support of Naval Forces Europe and NATO Allies. (PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS ANDERSON W BRANCH)
Courtesy Story
Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) returned home to Naval Station Norfolk following a surge deployment, April 13. Forrest Sherman operated with NATO Allies and partners in the Eastern Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic Sea over the past three months. The crew conducted over 200 hours of flight operations, 11 drills with NATO Allies and partners, six strait transits and six replenishments-at-sea. The drills required close coordination of maneuver-
ing operations, cross-deck flight operations, and flashing light and flag-hoist drills with navies from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. During the deployment, Forrest Sherman completed port visits to Stockholm, Sweden, and Gdansk, Poland, strengthening the U.S. commitment to security in the region. While in port Stockholm, the crew hosted Ambassador Erik Ramanathan, the U.S. Ambassador to Sweden; Rear Adm. Ewa Skoog Haslum, chief of the Swedish Navy and commander maritime component command (MCC); and several Swedish flag officers. In port Gdansk, members of the crew volunteered in a community relations event where they assisted in the packing, loading, sorting
and distribution of donations to Ukrainian refugees in the Gdansk region. “The Forrest Sherman crew displayed their ‘Relentless Fighting Spirit’ during this deployment,” said Cmdr. Greg Page, commanding officer of USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98). “Their dedication to executing the mission is evident in their hard work. They are deeply committed to each other and this ship, which was evident when they were tasked to prepare for this deployment under a condensed certification timeline. The crew was excited to showcase our ship’s capabilities while operating with NATO Allies and European partners in theater.” U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in
USS Mitscher Returns to Norfolk After Surge Deployment By Petty Officer 3rd Class Dan Serianni USS Mitscher (Ddg 57)
NORFOLK, Va. — Nearly 300 Sailors arrived home to Naval Station Norfolk aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) following a surge deployment to the European theater of operations, April 16. Mitscher rapidly deployed in January to join the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. This was the ship’s second homecoming in several months. Mitscher returned from an extended nine month deployment with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group in September 2021. While deployed, the ship conducted presence operations and defense of the HSTCSG with the Greek, Italian, Norwegian
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“The Forrest Sherman crew displayed their ‘Relentless Fighting Spirit’ during this deployment,” — Cmdr. Greg Page, response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.
EOD Expeditionary Support Unit 1 Holds Change-of-Command By Lt. John Mike
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One
A Sailor assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57), embraces his wife after the ship’s return to homeport, Naval Station Norfolk, April 16. ( MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS RYAN SEELBACH)
and Turkish navies. “No nation can confront today’s challenges alone,” said Cmdr. Thomas McCandless,
commanding officer of Mitscher. “A more resilient and rapidly Turn to USS Mitscher, Page 7
CORONADO, Calif. — Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 1 welcomed its newest leader during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., April 15. Cmdr. Blake Whittle relieved Capt. Patrick Brown in front of friends, family members, and EODESU-1 personnel as part of an outdoor ceremony at the unit’s headquarters. Brown took command of EODESU-1 in July 2020. Under his leadership, EODESU-1 achieved a 100% success rate on Immediate Superior in Command and Type Commander inspections, and his Sailors’ efforts earned the unit its first Battle
Suffolk Award
SkillBridge Program
Lt. Cmdr. Chad Thompson, an Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) Emergency Medicine resident, was recognized by the City of Suffolk at their annual awards ceremony, April 5. PAGE A3
On May 23, 2022, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and their industry-hiring partners are bringing an Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) SkillBridge Program to Naval Station Norfolk.
Efficiency Award. “You placed an immense amount of trust in me and [leadership], and I thank you for that,” said Brown, as he likened the unit’s culture to that of a large family. “To be the head of this household is amazing and humbling.” Brown’s next assignment will be as director, ordnance logistics (N42) at U.S. Pacific Fleet in Hawaii. Director, Logistics, Fleet Supply and Ordnance, N4, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Rear Adm. Dion D. English, used his keynote address to highlight the dedication of Brown and his team. “Their duties are difficult, important and often unpraised,” said English, who served as the unit’s commanding officer from Turn to EOD, Page 7
Inauguration Ceremony
The command religious ministries department hosted a Torah and Ark inauguration ceremony in the ship’s foc’sle April 10. PAGE A2
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