Flagship 06.20.2024

the time ofcremation

Norfolk Naval Shipyard honors U.S. Flag and Veterans with annual flag collection

ByKristiRBritt Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Eachyear,wecelebrateFlagDayonJune 14, a holiday instated by President WoodrowWilsonin1916tohonortheadoptionof the U.S. flag in 1777 To carry on this honor and tradition, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Veterans Employee Readiness Group(VET-ERG)heldtheirannualcollectionofwornorusedUnitedStatesflags The flags, which have been collected annually since 2016 from NNSY employees as well as members within the Hampton Roads community, are gathered and donated to Sturtevant Funeral Home as part of their Retire Your Flag Program. The flags are draped over fallen veterans at the time of cremationtohonortheirservice

Thisyear,101flagswerepresentedtoSturtevantduringaceremonyJune11.

“When a veteran choses to be cremated, we lay these retired flags with them as a proper tribute for their service,” said SturtevantFuneralHomeRepresentativeRobie Gardner “It’s an honor to be able to work

with the NNSY VET-ERG in this effort It’s so humbling to see our community come togethertoanswerthecall.”

“This is such a wonderful initiative and I’m glad to see our NNSY team and the community come together to honor our nation’s veterans,” said Deputy Shipyard CommanderCapt.RandyReid.

To learn more about the Retire Your Flag program, visit https://sturtevantfuneralhome.com/retire-your-flag/retire-your-flag

If you are interested in joining the VET-ERG team, meetings occur on the second Thursday of every month at 8 a.m. in the first-floor conference room of Bldg M-32 Meetings are open to all shipyard employees For more information, email the VET-ERG Officer Group at NNSY VET-ERG_Officers@us.navy.mil.

and conventional forces to work together effectively During the event, FDPMU 2 played a crucial role Their mission was to develop and simulate the delivery of agile, scalable, trained,andcertifiedmedicalunits providingenduringsupportforjointforcesincrisis andcombatscenarios

ChiefHospital Corpsman,CobyDavis, the seniorenlisted leaderwith the Navy Environmental Preventive Medicine Unit Two (NEPMU 2),attached to the Forward Deployable Preventive Medicine UnitTwo (FDPMU 2) educates participants about the PG-36 Pressurized glove boxduring the annualTrident Exercise,Jun.5,2024, onJoint ExpeditionaryBase – Little Creek, Virginia Beach,Virginia.The PG-36 allows qualified personnel to safelytest the sample aswell as provide protection forthe outside environment around the sample aswell. Trident is a joint-maritime exercise designed to certifyandvalidate training that is focused on keyareas forspecial operations and conventional forces toworktogether effectively Duringtheexercise,NavyMedicine delivered agile,scalable,trained,and certified medical units to provide enduring support to the Fleet Fleet Marine Force,andJoint Forces in high-end competition,crisis and combat (NAVYPHOTOBYDESMONDMARTIN)

Funeral Home’s Robie Gardner

US, French conduct bilateral Naval exercise in Atlantic

ByPettyOfficer1stClassClayWhaley Commander U.S. 2nd Fleet

The Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) will lead ExerciseChesapeake2024withtheFrench Marine Nationale, from June 13-16, in the U.S.2ndFleetareaofoperations

Exercise Chesapeake aims to enhance interoperability, strengthen the bilateral defense partnership, and increase understandingofalliedcapabilities

“This exercise is a testament to the strengthofourbilateraldefenserelationship with France, our oldest friend and ally, and our shared commitment to global security,” saidViceAdm.DougPerry,commander,U.S. 2ndFleet.

Throughout Exercise Chesapeake, U.S. andFrenchnavalforceswillconductcrossdeck flight and well deck operations to demonstrate and enhance interoperability

Trident 2024 from Page 1

During Trident 2024, FDPMU-2 conducted realistic training showcasing their ability to provide critical support in high-stakes environments “It’s important for the FDPMU to be integrated into this exercise,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman CobyDavis,aseniorenlistedleaderwiththe Navy Environmental Preventive Medicine UnitTwo(NEPMU-2),attachedtoFDPMU 2. “We offer theater validation support for chemical biological agents a unique capabilityoftheNavyFDPMU.Stresstestingour logistics and operations in this exercise is essential for identifying gaps and ensuring ourdeploymentreadiness.”

By 2027, Navy Medicine aims to deliver agile, scalable, trained, and certified medical units to support the Fleet, Fleet Marine Force,andJointForcesinhigh-endcompetition, crisis and combat. This exercise is a step toward achieving that vision, ensuring that Navy Medicine is organized to facilitateallphasesofForceDevelopment,Force Generation, Force Preservation, and full restorationofthewarfighter

A key line of effort for Navy Medicine is the delivery of Expeditionary Medicine Systems (EXMEDS). FDPMU-2’s participation in Trident 2024 is a testament to this commitment. Their efforts are vital in sustaining the readiness and resilience of U.S. forces by mitigating health risks that

Editorial Staff ManagingEditor | MCC Amanda Kitchner

andincreasetheirabilitytooperatetogether effectively Theexerciseprovidesanopportunity to reflect on historic amphibious operations and the enduring defense relationshipbetweentheU.S.andFrance

“A week after the D-Day commemorations in France, this exercise illustrates the dynamism of the historic friendship that linksourtwonationsinthissymbolicplace, the Chesapeake Bay,” said Capt Adrien Schaar,commanderofJeanned’Arcamphibious task group and commanding officer of the Mistral-class amphibious assault and command ship FS Tonnerre (L 9014) “It is also the demonstration of our ability to planandconducthigh-intensityoperations together not only throughout our interoperability,butalsothroughourabilitytointegrateeachother’sassetsonourplatforms.”

Participating units from the U.S. Navy include Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet; Amphibious Squadron 8; USS Carter Hall

(LSD 50); Naval Beach Group Detachment 2; and a detachment from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 U.S. Marine Corps units include Marine Forces Command;IIMarineExpeditionaryForce; 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit; 2nd MarineAircraftWing;2ndMarineLogistics Group;andsubordinatecommands Ofnote,fromtheU.S.MarineCorpsunits takingpart,2ndMarineLogisticsGroupwill havetheopportunitytogethands-onexperiencewithadiversesetofequipment,collaboratingalongsidetheFrenchwithdifferent tactics, techniques, and procedures This integration,aresultofjointandinternational training objectives, serves to enhance relationshipsandenablebothnations’forcesto increaseoverallcapabilities Along with Tonnerre, other participating French Navy units include La FayetteclassfrigateFSGuépratte(F714)andthe9th MarineInfantryBrigade

couldimpaircombateffectiveness

During the exercise FDPMU 2 deployed afieldtentequippedwithadvanceddevices and tools used to identify various chemical threats “The exercise began with logistics coordination, allowing us to tailor our gear

757-262-2852 | amanda.s.kitchner.mil@us.navy.mil

MilitaryEditor | MC1 Maddelin

for specific missions,” said Lt Cmdr Cyrus Haselby, a physician with NEPMU-2 and team lead for FDPMU-2. “We exercised a capability to request specific sub-sets instead of entire gear sets, making us more lightweightandmissiontailored.”

“As we honor the bravery and heroism displayed during the D-Day landings this exercise reinforces our collective resolve to maintain stability and security in our regions,” Perry added. “Eighty years later, the courage shown by all Allied and U.S. forces continues to inspire us as we uphold our commitment to global peace and security.” U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domainsintheAtlanticandArctictoensure access, deter aggression, and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests This capability to project power and provide a flexible, mobile, and ready option for U.S. leaders underpinsAmericansecurityandeconomic prosperity For more information, please visit www navy.milorhttps://www.c2f.usff.navy.mil.

Davisagreedandhighlightedasignificant innovation,“WetransformedasmallBase-X 103 tent (a small tent) into a mobile laboratory with temperature control, achieving validation in a mobile capacity This minimized our footprint while maximizing our analytical capability.” In a laboratory environmentachievingvalidationisessentialfor ensuringaccuracy,dependability,andsafety Theexerciseemphasizedtheimportance of joint force operations Training alongside the Air Force Capability: Critical Care Air Transport Team and the Army Decontamination Team fostered collaboration and understanding of each service’s capabilities “We need to support each other in high-end conflicts or near-peer situations,” said Haselby. “These complementary missionsrequireustoleverageeachother’s strengths.”

Davis underscored the shift towards a more integrated military, “Gone are the days of each branch operating in isolation. It’s essential for us to train with our sister services to understand and recognize each other’scapabilities Thisfamiliarityensures seamless cooperation when we face realworldchallenges.” TheparticipationofFDPMU-2inTrident 2024 highlights Navy Medicine’s strategic commitment to delivering agile and scalable medical support. Their efforts during the exercise underscore the pivotal role of healthpreservationwithinbroadermilitary strategy ensuring the readiness and resilienceofU.S.forces

Bright minds: Students win CNR Scholarship Awards at International Science Fair

ByWarrenDuffie Office of Naval Research

For excellence in research areas such as rocketenginesandautonomousvehicles the DepartmentoftheNavy’s(DoN)Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program recently presented$15,000scholarshipawardstofive students competing in the 2024 Regeneron InternationalScienceandEngineeringFair (ISEF)inLosAngeles,California.

The prizes took the form of Chief of Naval Research(CNR)ScholarshipAwards which recognizestudentsingradesninethrough12 forproducingandpresentingqualityscience andengineeringprojects,andaregivenbythe OfficeofNavalResearch(ONR).

The honors were distributed at ISEF one of the world’s largest science and engineeringcompetitionsforhighschoolers as

part of the Naval Science Awards Program (NSAP),aNavyandMarineCorpsprogram

encouraging American students to develop and retain an interest in science and engineering NSAP celebrates the accomplishments of eligible students at regional and state science and engineering fairs as well aslargeonessuchasISEF.

Anthony C. Smith Sr., director of the DoN HBCU/MI Program, which is located at ONR, presented the CNR Scholarship AwardstotheirrespectivewinnersatISEF Smith, a captain in the Navy Reserve, also presidedoverateamofotherreservistswho wereservingasvolunteerjudges evaluatingstudentpresentationsonscientificrigor and potential application to future naval challenges “It was an honor and a joy to present the CNRScholarshipAwardstothesedeserving students,”saidSmith.“Thesophisticationof

theirresearchpresentations,aswellastheir passion, attention to detail and inquisitive natures, exemplify what the awards seek to spotlight Events like ISEF are valuable for discovering the brightest young minds that couldpotentiallystrengthenthenavalworkforce.”

Thewinnersofthisyear’sCNRScholarshipAwardsare:

„ Timucin Erbas (Acton, Massachusetts)

“Higher-Efficiency Altitude-Adaptive DynamicRocketEngineNozzle”

„ Hannah Jansen (Nokesville, Virginia)

“Impact of Toroidal Propeller Design on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Acoustic SignatureandAerodynamicPerformance”

„ James Nagler (Garden City, New York)

“Project Vision: Assisted Navigation & Waypoint Positioning Through 3D Mapping”

„ Isabella Pinto (West Richland,

Washington) “How Magnetically Suspended Tires Utilizing HighTemperature Superconductivity and Electromagnetism Creates the Most Eco-FriendlyVehicle”

„ Daniel Williams (Newnan, Georgia) “Zenith Soar X-4: Autonomous Drone for Autonomous Drone for Disaster Relief and Detection” Through a global network of local, regional and national science fairs, ISEF enables millions of students to explore their passion for scientific inquiry Each year, a group of these students is selected as finalists and offered the opportunity to compete in the global ISEF science fair for approximately $9 million in awards and scholarships

Warren Duffie Jr is a contractor for ONR Corporate Strategic Communications

Navy Chief earns top honors at Annual Atlantic Fleet and All Navy (East) Championships

ByTellyMyles

Supervisor of Shipbuilding Newport News

Quantico Virginia-ChiefMachinistMate (Nuclear)RobertHughes anAssistantProject Officer at the Supervisor of Shipbuilding,ConversionandRepair,NewportNews, recentlybroughthomeahaulofawardsfrom the2024AnnualAtlanticFleetandAllNavy (East) Rifle and Pistol Championships held at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, fromMay10thto19th.

Hughes a member of the prestigious U.S. Navy Marksmanship Team (USNMT), excelled in both rifle and pistol competitions Notably, he secured the coveted title ofUSNavyChampioninthe2024USNavy, All Navy East Rifle and Pistol Grand Aggregate,theoverallmatchwinner His impressive performance continued withastringofadditionalpodiumfinishes:

„ 3rdPlaceinAllNavyEastRifle

„ 2ndPlaceinAllNavyEastPistol

„ 3rd Place Atlantic Fleet Rifle and Pistol GrandAggregate

„ 3rd Place in both Atlantic Fleet Rifle and Pistolcompetitions

These achievements were further bolstered by earning Excellence in Competition(EIC)LegMedalsinPistolforboththe AtlanticFleet(Bronze)andAllNavy(Gold)

ByLeslieTomaino Naval Safety Command

NORFOLK Va If you’re hitting the beachthissummer NavalSafetyCommand urgesyoutobemindfulofwaterconditions and associated risks Rip currents account for more than 80% of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards According to the United States Lifesaving Association, rip currentsaretheNo 1hazardatasurfbeach, leading to tens of thousands of rescues by lifeguards and over 100 drowning fatalities everyyearintheUnitedStates TheNationalOceanicandAdministration Associationdescribesripcurrentsaspowerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that are prevalent along the East, Gulf, and West coasts of the United States, as well as alongtheshoresoftheGreatLakes Insome cases, rip currents have been measured as fast as 8 feet per second, pulling even the strongest swimmers out from shore. Rip currentscanbeasnarrowas10or20feetin width, though some may be up to 10 times wider The length of the rip current also varies Rip currents begin to slow down as they move offshore, beyond the breaking waves, but sometimes extend for hundreds offeetbeyondthesurfzone

When looking for rip currents, some visual clues include a narrow gap of darker, seemingly calmer water between areas of breakingwavesandwhitewater;achannelof churning choppy water; a difference in the water’scolorandalineoffoamandseaweed ordebrismovingseaward

What to do if caught in a rip current:

„ Relax,ripcurrentsdon’tpullyouunder

„ Don’tswimagainstthecurrent

„ You may be able to escape by swimming outofthecurrentinadirectionfollowingthe shorelineortowardbreakingwaves,thenat anangletowardthebeach

„ You may be able to escape by floating or treadingwaterifthecurrentcirculatesback towardshore.

„ If you feel you can’t reach shore, draw attention to yourself If you need help yell andwaveforassistance.

categories This accomplishment propelled Hughes to the esteemed status of Distinguished Pistol Marksman the highest military award for sustained superior performance in competitive pistol marksmanship After havingpreviouslyearnedtheDistinguished MarksmanAwardinRiflein2019,thismakes him one of few Double Distinguish Marksmenservingonactiveduty Thisdistinction is held by only a select few active-duty and reserveNavypersonnel.

TheUSNMTplaysavitalrole representing the Department of the Navy in national and inter-service competitions Their mission is to cultivate and support Navy marksmanship skills by identifying and training qualified Sailors to compete while promoting safe small arms handling practices Hughes’shootingcareerwiththeUSNMT began in 2016. He consistently participated inFleet/AllNavymatchesandInter-Service RifleMatchesuntil2019 Heevencompeted fortheteamattheNRANationalPistoland CMP National Rifle Matches in 2018 A transfer to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) from 2019 to 2022 unfortunately forced a hiatus from the team, but Hughes made a triumphantreturnin2024

What should you do if you see someone caught in a rip current?

Do not get caught in a rip current trying to save someone else Throw them a flotation device get help from the Beach Patrol andcallemergencyservices Donotattempt a swimming rescue unless you have been trained to rescue a person in the water, are astrongswimmerandhaveflotationforthe victimtohangontowhenyoureachthem.

Well, what about rip tides? Are they the same? Not to be confused with rip currents are rip tides While the terms are often confused, rip currents differ from rip tides Ariptideisaspecifictypeofcurrentassociatedwiththeswiftmovementoftidalwater through inlets and the mouths of estuaries embaymentsandharbors Likeripcurrents onemustremainvigilantandpracticegood riskmanagementintheselocations

Don’t become a statistic. To help you and thosearoundyoustaysafeandmanagerisk, stayawareoftheweather,theocean,thetide andwhatishappeningaroundyou.Inclement weather, such as thunderstorms, tropicalstormsandhurricanesfaroutatsea,can create dangerous waves and currents at the beach,evenonasunnyday. In the United States, you can visit NWS Offices Issuing Surf Zone Forecasts (weather.gov) to see the latest water conditionsbeforeyouheadtothebeach. Formoreinformationonripcurrentsand riptides,youcanvisitWhatisaripcurrent? (noaa.gov)

ByChiefPettyOfficerJohnGrandin

U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

U.S. Navy Deputy Surgeon General Rear Adm. Rick Freedman visited Fisher House to recognize the critical role they play in supporting military families at Naval SupportActivity(NSA)Bethesda,June13 Freedman’s visit highlighted the importance of the Fisher Houses in easing the burden on families of wounded, injured, or ill service members and veterans receiving treatmentatnearbymilitaryhospitals

“Familyreadinessequalsforcereadiness,” said Freedman. “It’s important to know, it goes beyond houses and buildings What FisherHousedoes,isitcreatesthatsenseof caring,ofcommunity,oftrustandbond.Itis incredibleandunlikeanywhereelse.”

Joining them were Dave Coker, the president of Fisher House Foundation, and

Capt. Alan Christian, commander of NSA Bethesda.

“Thehighlightofmyjobisgettingtocome out and meet the people who serve,” stated Coker “When a family walks through our doors wewantyoutoknowthatyourservice is appreciated, and honored and that there arepeopleouttherethatwanttosupportyou inyourtimeofneed.”

Since 1990, more than 50,000 families have utilized the five houses at Bethesda, andover500,000familiesworldwide

“When I first started here, we had many people injured in the war. My job was to makethem,andtheirfamiliesfeelathome,” explained Michael Ybarra Fisher House generalmanagerofNSABethesda.“Weare heretohelpsotheservicemembercanfocus onrecovery.”

The U.S. Navy’s connection to the Fisher Houses started with an observation made

on the grounds of National Naval Medical CenterBethesdabyMs.PaulineTrost the wife of the 23rdChief of Naval Operations, Adm. Carlisle Trost. The first Fisher House was dedicated at Bethesda in 1991 by PresidentGeorgeH.W.Bush.

During the visit, The Walt Disney Companydistributedspecialcarepackages filled with Disney-themed goodies to families staying at Fisher House The initiative is part of Disney’s enduring admiration for U. S. military service members, their familiesandveteransthatincludesthecompany fostering relationships with organizations likeFisherHouseFoundation.

Throughout June Disney will spread joy andatouchofmagictomilitaryandveteran families nationwide and overseas by delivering similar care packages to all 97 Fisher Houses

“My wife and daughter’s favorite charac-

ters are Mickey and Minnie Mouse, them being here is a pleasant surprise for me and my family,” said Cpl. Emmanuel Patterson, Georgia National Guard “I was deployed onmythirddeploymentwhenIgotsickand hadtobetransferredtothearea TheFisher House made it possible for my family to be herewithmeduringmytreatment.

“InNavyMedicine,wehaveasacredcovenant. Our mission is to care for the most deserving men and women in the world,” concluded Freedman. “It’s those who will and have worn the cloth of our nation and our families who support them. There can benohighercalling.”

Navy Medicine represented by more than 44,000 highly-trained military and civilianhealthcareprofessionals provides enduring expeditionary medical support to thewarfighteron,below,andabovethesea, andashore.

NMRC kicks off Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore 2024

ByTommyLamkin Naval Medical Research Command

BALTIMORE NavalMedicalResearch Command (NMRC) will participate in the 2024MarylandFleetWeek&FlyoverBaltimore from June 14-16 at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Sailors from NMRC will engage with the public throughout the weekend at the command’s exhibit, located at the Inner HarbornexttothelittoralcombatshipUSS Marinette (LCS 25) and the Baltimore VisitorCenter “As a Baltimore girl, I’m looking forward totellingpeoplemystory,howtheNavyhas changed my life and broadened my horizons with a scholarship to medical school and then the incredible adventures that followed, said Cmdr Rhonda Lizewski an NMRC researcher who studies infectious disease. “The last Fleet Week I attended was in San Francisco, several years ago as a generalmedicalofficeraboardUSSBonhomme Richard. We manned the rails while passingundertheGoldenGateBridge This time I will be in my own hometown and ready to guide the next generation to their adventure!”

Capt. Franca Jones commander NMRC and Chief Hospital Corpsman Shiva Giri attended the welcoming ceremony at the InnerHarboramphitheaterandtheofficial receptionheldaboardtheUSSConstellation museumshiponJune13

The NMRC exhibit will be open during the duration of the Inner Harbor Festival from11a.m.to8p.m.Thepublicwillbeable to speak with active-duty Navy Medicine officersandhospitalcorpsmen.

“Returning to Baltimore for Maryland Fleet Week is an honor and an exciting experience for Naval Medical Research Command,” said Master Chief Hospital

Corpsman Phillip Jean-Gilles NMRC’s command master chief “It provides an opportunity for the command to showcase its contributions to the Navy and interact withtheMarylandpublic.Beingpartofsuch a significant Navy event in our home state fosters a sense of pride and connection. It also allows us to demonstrate our commitment to supporting the Navy and promoting public awareness of our research and developmentefforts Overall,thisshouldbe arewardingandfulfillingexperienceforour stafftoparticipateinthisyear’sFleetWeek.

NMRC calls Maryland home In addition to its headquarters in Silver Spring, the command has the NMRC Biological Defense Research Directorate located in Frederick; the Clinical Trial Center aboard Naval Support Activity Bethesda; and the DoDBoneMarrowDonorProgramlocated inRockville MarylandFleetWeekisabiannualpublic event that celebrates the contributions of the U.S. sea services and maritime capabilities from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps andU.S.CoastGuard.Throughouttheweek, participantscantourships,experiencemilitarystaticdisplaysandseedrillandmusical performances that showcase the expertise excellenceandpatriotismofAmerica’smaritimeservices InsupportoftheNavy,MarineCorps,and joint U.S. warfighters, NMRC researchers studyinfectiousdiseases,biologicalwarfare detectionanddefense,combatcasualtycare, environmental health concerns, aerospace and undersea medicine medical modeling simulation, operational mission support epidemiologyandbehavioralsciences Fleet week is free and open to the public. Formoreinformationaboutattendanceand scheduled events, visit https://www.visitmaryland.org/things-to-do/fleet-week

ABOVE: BALTIMORE (June 12,2024) Capt.FrancaJones,commander,Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC) and ChiefHospital Corpsman Shiva Giri,enjoythe festivities during thewelcome ceremonyforMaryland FleetWeek& FlyoverBaltimore at the Inner HarborAmphitheater Maryland FleetWeekis a biannual public event that celebrates the contributions ofthe U.S.Sea services and maritime capabilities ofthe U.S.Navy U.S.Marine Corps,and U.S.Coast Guard.(U.S.NAVYTOMMYLAMKIN/RELEASED)

LEFT: Confetti is blown overthe crowd at the conclusion ofthewelcome ceremonyfor Maryland FleetWeek& FlyoverBaltimore at the InnerHarborAmphitheater June 12 2024 (U.S. MARINECORPSPHOTOSTAFFSGT.JACQUELINECLIFFORD)

NUWC Division Newport team wins NAVSEA’s Pandit Metrology and Calibration Innovation Award

ByPublicAffairsOffice

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport

WASHINGTON, D.C. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) DivisionNewportUnderwaterSoundReference Division(USRD)teamfromtheSensorsand SonarSystemsDepartmentrecentlywonthe NavalSeaSystemsCommand(NAVSEA)V.B.

“Kisan” Pandit Metrology and Calibration Innovation Award, which recognizes individualsandteamswhosecontributionshave significantlyenhancedtheNAVSEAmission by enriching the profession and promoting innovative ideas that have resulted in substantial and quantifiable benefits to the Navy ThisisthefirsttimeDivisionNewport haswontheaward.

Teammembersinclude,Dr VictorÉvora, team lead and head, Underwater Sound Reference Division, Michael Bergeron,

ByMichaelWilson Naval Medical Research Command

WASHINGTON,D.C. Researchersfrom the Navy Medicine Research and Development enterprise were recognized at the annual Assistant Secretary of the Navy Research,DevelopmentandAcquisitionDr Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers Awards Ceremony, held at the PentagononJune12th.

The awards, presented to scientists and engineers who have demonstrated superior accomplishments throughout the year, recognized Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (NSMRL)’s Regional Hearing Conservation Program (RHCP) with a 2024 Engineer Team award, and Dr Michael Reddix, a senior research psychologist at Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) Dayton with a Top Scientistaward.

“The enterprise is so often underrepresented in these Navy and DoD-WIDE awards,”saidCapt.FrancaJones,enterprise commander “Tohavetwoofourcommands recognizedforoutstandingworkmeansalot forus andforNavyMedicine.”

Comprised of Dr Stephanie Karch, Dr JeremyFedermanandMr DerekSchwaller, theRHCPteamleadseffortstoincorporate hearing protection device (HPD) fit-testingacrosstheDoD TheRHCPcollaborates with other services, like the U.S. Marine Corps, to validate their experimental HPD fit-training method, which teaches users howtoproperlyfittheirhearingprotection.

“It’s absolutely an honor,” Karch said. “Sometimeswejusttwirlawayworkingon thelittlethingsday-to-day,anddon’tgetto seethebigresultuntilyearslater It’sniceto berecognizedforthebigaccomplishments, and all the work that happened along the way.” Reddix and his team at NAMRU Dayton led the development, field testing and acquiring of laser eye protection spectacles NAMRU Dayton collaborated closely withtheU.S.AirForce’sAirForceResearch Laboratory on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to evaluate these spectacles, leadingtotheirgrowingavailabilityforDoD mission partners and the larger commercialaviationindustry Theeyewearprotects pilot visualization of cockpit instruments against the threat of lasers and laser-based weaponry without detrimentally affecting crew performance

Cameron Castillo, Hannah “Ryann” Cournoyer, Brian Duarte and Joseph Duarte, Matthew Eires, Miguel Vega Eires, Kurt Eyster,CaitlinKean,FranklinLasloII,David Pineault, William Slater, Nicholas Soares, MichaelSt Pierre,TroyVanscoyandRobin Wemmer. The team received their award during a ceremony held at NAVSEA HeadquartersattheWashingtonNavyYardinD.C. onMay16

Theannualawardwasestablishedin2017 in honor of Pandit, who previously served as the NAVSEA metrology and calibration program manager and technical warrant holder who was one of 12 employees that died during a shooting at NAVSEA Headquarters at the Washington Navy Yard in D.C.,onSept.16,2013.

Division Newport’s USRD laboratory provides acoustic metrology services to customers in the U.S. Navy, private indus-

try and academia It also calibrates, maintainsanddisseminatesnationalunderwater acoustic standards to those same customers, ensuring traceability of those measurements to a single reference point. The USRD accomplishes this by operating four measurementfacilitiesthatworkinunison: theAcousticPressureTankFacility(APTF), the Low Frequency Facility, the Open Tank FacilityandtheLeesburgFacilityinVirginia and its supporting Transducer Standards Facility In2023,theLeesburgFacilityperformed morethan80acousticcalibrationeventson submarine towed array systems to address normal and urgent fleet needs The APTF calibrated and verified the operation of nearly 40 submarine critical self-protect systems, ensuring that they met fleet requirementspriortoinstallation.Allofthe facilities directly supported metrology and

calibrationneedsofnumerousfleetproducts in2023,suchasU.S.submarinetowedarray calibrations, submarine critical self-protect systems performance measurements, torpedo sonar measurements, and sample panel material measurements The APTF performed 18 acoustic panel measurement events USRD maintains its appointment as a National Institute of Standards and Technology Designated Institute for Sound in WaterintheUnitedStates Assuch,USRDis responsibleformaintaininganinventoryof nearly800standard/referencetransducers used for making calibrated measurements ofothertransducers

For more information on the USRD visit https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/ Warfare-Centers/NUWC-Newport/ What-We-Do/Detachments/Underwater-Sound-Reference-Division/

Washington,D.C.(June 12,2024) – DerekSchwallerand Dr Stephanie Karch ofNaval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory; Dr Michael Riddix,ofNaval Medical Research Unit Dayton; and Capt FrancaJones,commanderofNaval Medical Research Command (NMRC) pose fora photo following the presentation ofthe annualAssistant Secretaryofthe Navy Research,Development andAcquisition Dr Delores M.EtterTop Scientists and EngineersAwards.The Naval Medical Research and Development enterprise’s eight commands,led byNMRC,are engaged in a broad spectrum ofactivityfrom basic science in the laboratoryto field studies at sites in austere and remote areas oftheworld to operational environments.In support ofthe Navy Marine Corps and joint U.S.warfighters,researchers studyinfectious diseases,biologicalwarfare detection and defense,combat casualtycare environmental health concerns,aerospace and undersea medicine,medical modeling simulation and operational mission support,epidemiologyand behavioral sciences (U.S.NAVYPHOTOBYTOMMYLAMKIN/RELEASED)

joint U.S. warfighters, researchers study infectious diseases, biological warfare detection and defense, combat casualty care environmental health concerns aerospace and undersea medicine medical modeling, simulation and operational missionsupport,epidemiologyandbehavioral sciences NMR&D enterprise scientists and research recognized at 2024 Etter Awards

“It’s always a team effort,” Reddix, a retired Naval airspace experimental psychologist, observed. “I can’t tell you

how much I appreciate my Navy teammates,uniformedandcivilian,whohelped us get here.” The Etter awards presented annually are named after former U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Science andTechnologyDr DeloresM.Etter Etter herself made a statement at the ceremony via a pre-recorded message, thanking this

year’s91recipients,andhailingthemasrole models The enterprise’s eight laboratories led by Naval Medical Research Command, are engaged in a broad spectrum of activity frombasicscienceinthelaboratorytofield studies at sites in austere and remote areas of the world to operational environments In support of the Navy, Marine Corps and

uarterdeck

The U.S.Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) program hosts aTalent Pipeline

including: Stefan Schein,Yolanda Butler,TahirAbdul-Hadi,PatrickCosgrove,Wayne

TurciousAcosto (all

U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) hosts Talent Pipeline Project (TPP) Signing Day with first cohort to join Navy at NSWC Philadelphia Division

ByGaryEll Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division

The U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base(SIB)programhostedaTalentPipeline Project (TPP) Signing Day event at Hilton PhiladelphiaatPenn’sLandinginPhiladelphiaonMay23 2024

Theceremonyrecognizedthelatestwave ofskilledworkersjoiningtheDefenseIndustrialBase(DIB)andfirstcohorttoenterthe U.S. Navy as civilian employees at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division(NSWCPD).

The event marked the culmination of the SIB multiyear effort to develop a robust talent pipeline across the region. Working with partners in industry, academia, and local government, the SIB program has launched training and recruitment initiatives to cultivate the next generation of welders, pipefitters, electricians, and other criticaltradespeople

These programs represent enterprise collaboration and include more than 290 defenseindustryand140academicpartners.

The May Signing Day celebrated more than 2,100 individuals who are now embarking on careers at small and medium-sizeddefenseindustrialbasesuppliersthevitalnetworkofcompaniesthatprovide components, materials, and services critical to new construction and sustainment of our maritime forces Local shipbuilding companies elected officials, and community leaders were on hand to celebrate the

graduatesandwelcomethemintothiscritical defense industry Training Modernization Group (TMG), Inc., in support of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Shipbuilding Industrial Base Task, has the overall lead for the program launched in Philadelphia at NSWCPDinMay2021

“Whenwegetpassionateindustryleaders in the room together focused on a common mission one comes to realize that they are part of something bigger than themselves Andwhenthathappens,thebondsandrelationshipscreatedfostertheenvironmentfor a high-performance team that is necessary to accomplish this mission so critical to the defense of our great Nation,” said TMG’s Bruce Warner, team lead of the PhiladelphiaTalentPipeline,inkickingoffthesigning event and describing the project as the DIB’sconnectivetissue

The U.S. Navy has outlined a once-in-a-generation plan to build one Columbia-Class and two Virginia-Class submarineseachyearoverthenextdecade

The SIB, which includes two prime shipbuilders and more than 16,000 suppliers across the country, faces a fivefold increase in workload and numerous headwinds to successfullymeetthatdemand

The SIB is a vital part of the United States’ national security For decades, this skilled group of industry partners have provided critical components, products and services to ensure the design, construction, maintenance, and modern-

ization of the U.S. Navy fleet.

“It’s an incredibly complex system that deliversnationalsecurity anditisthreatened right now,” said Executive Director, ProgramExecutiveOfficeStrategicSubmarinesMattSermon,SES,duringhiskeynote address

“Ninetypercentofourgoodscomeacross the ocean, 97 percent of data comes under sea. The protection, the freedom of those seas, is fundamental to every single thing we do The free economy that creates jobs and creates the freedom to do what we want with our lives rests on the American worker It rests on that system and ability thatbuildsthefoundationofnationalsecurity,” Sermon added

The millions of hands that ultimately build these great vessels hail from every state in the country, and according to Chris Scafario,executivepresidentandCEOofthe DelawareValleyIndustrialResourceCenter (DVIRC) and TPP partner, it has a vast networkofover16,000suppliersthatrange fromsmall,family-ownedbusinessestovast ship builders The industrial base’s dedicationtothemissionandcontinuedinnovation have enabled the Navy to stay ahead of the curveandanticipateneeds,providingastrategicadvantageandafundamentaldifferentiatorinthedefenseoftheNation.

“Thisprogramhaslaiddownafoundation forustodothistogether,andPhiladelphiais thatfoundation,”Sermonsaid.

As an estimated 20 percent of the Columbia-Class supply chain comes from

FFSP webinars help Navy parents

ByTimothyMcGough

Commander Navy Installations

Command

WASHINGTON Talking to your child about their bodies and sexual health is important in their healthy development fromchildhoodtoadulthood.

Commander, Navy Installations Command’s (CNIC’s) Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) help families overcome the negative stigma of these discussions through a series of webinars titled, “SHAPE” (Sexual Health through ApproachablePreventionandEducation).

“SHAPE webinars are designed for parents and caregivers who are seeking informationonhowtodiscusssexualhealth anddevelopmentwiththeirchild,”saidAmy Fustino,MSS,MLSP,LCSW,clinicalanalyst with CNIC “It’s also for parents who have a child who has exhibited or is impacted by problematic sexual behavior or PSB-CY (Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children andYouth).

SHAPEgivesparentsandcaregiversinformation and tools to effectively respond to theirchild’ssexualbehaviorsandquestions. Facilitatorsteachparentsappropriateterminology to identify body parts in discussions withtheirchild,usingperson-firstlanguage toexpressbehaviorandpromotehealingin incidentsofPSB-CY.

SHAPE was developed to help parents and caregivers become proactive partners tosupporthealthychildsexualdevelopment and prevent or reduce problematic sexual

behavior Thewebinarsgiveparentsage-appropriateresponseswithfactualandhonest conversations

“What you say to a nine-year-old is completely different than what you would saytoateenager;however,itshouldalways befactualandhonest,”saidFustino.“These classes give parents the information to understandwhatisnormativeandexpected at each age and builds their confidence by providingspecificexamplesonhowtheycan respondtotheirchildatvariousages.”

Fustino added a child’s sexual development is a vital aspect of a child’s overall growth, covering biological, psychological, andsocialdimensions

“Despite its importance, many parents feel ill-equipped to talk about this sensitive subject confidently,” she said. “Often, discussionsaredelayeduntilachildreaches puberty yet research indicates that early and frequent education, beginning as early astwoyearsold,producesthebestresults.”

Bysupplyingparentswithaccurateinformation and age-appropriate communicationstrategies,parentswillinturn,beableto empowertheirchildrentogrowinsupportive environments where they can explore theirdevelopmentandsexuality,setboundaries andconfidentlyseekassistance Additionally, such education enables parents to identifyandaddresssignsofabuseorproblematicbehavior,therebysafeguardingtheir children’swell-being

SHAPE gives parents the tools they need toproactivelytalkwiththeirchildrenabout

sexual health and development topics through demonstrations videos and practicalexercises

SHAPE is a modular course that allows learners to attend sections most relevant to theirchild’sagegroup Forexample:

„ Module1 Introducesanoverviewofthe factsandsetsthetoneforlanguage Modules

two through five cover the developmental stages, age-appropriate behaviors, and communicationstrategies

„ Module2 forages2-4

„ Module3 forages5-9

„ Module4 forages10-12

„ Module5 forages13-18yearsold.

This parenting curriculum was designed to be in person at your local FFSC but has nowbeenmodifiedtobeofferedvirtually

“I think this program helps to bridge the gap Frankly this is a difficult topic for most and this curriculum helps to make it approachable,” said Fustino “This curriculumrepresentsafundamentalsteptowards fostering healthy sexual development and mitigating problematic behaviors and instancesofabuseinchildren.”

Fustino,withmorethanadecadeofexperience with CNIC, stated if parents are not teaching their children and having these discussions about sexual development and sexual behavior they will learn from someoneorsomewhereelse

“Today’s kids live in a world where so much can be found online, which is not safeguarded. As parents, we need to ensure that what they learn and are exposed to is

the Delaware Valley and its surrounding regions, Talent Pipeline partner DVIRC is working to support the urgent demand for increased workforce and capacity in the region’s SIB Their goal is to spur broad community engagement to connect more people to the mission—recruiting hiring training and retaining a skilled workforce to support the SIB

“We must all work together to build concrete and accountable actions that will get our Navy ship building plan back on track We need everyone listening and across the Nation to be all in. Not only ship and submarine building and repair industry but the entire Defense Industrial Base,” Commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command Adm.DarylCaudlesaidinarecordedvideo Coached by TMG’s Leilani Hilton, The Philadelphia Region Talent Acquisition and Retention Project Team is energizing and engaging the greater Philadelphia Regioneconomy.Bycreatingandsustaining a maritime and defense industrial base-focused Talent Acquisition and Retention pipeline the team helps to enable employerstore-capitalizetheirworkforcethrough recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining skilled workforce members with critical trade skills for one year as productive and engagednewemployees

“Thisyear,thePhiladelphianetworkhasa totalof35hiringemployersannouncing309 newhires,”Hiltonsaid.

TurntoTalentPipelineProject, Page 2

appropriate,” she said. “Parents should be proactive in supporting their child’s sexual development in the same ways that they support other areas of their development. When parents encourage open communicationandunderstandingfromanearlyage, children are better equipped to assert their rights, comprehend appropriate relationshipboundaries,andseekassistanceiffeelinguneasyorunsafe.”

SHAPE’s goal is to furnish parents with the tools necessary to educate their children on body autonomy, boundaries and consent, so they can prevent and reduce the risk of sexual behaviors, abuse, and exploitation. Armed with accurate information and support, parents can navigate distress,secureassistancefortheirchildren, andfosterapositiveoutlookforthefuture. TolearnmoreabouttheSHAPEwebinars andregister:

„ Step 1: Log on or make a free account at www.MyNavyFamily.com. Follow the on-screen instructions (NOTE: Be sure to enteryourtimezone)

„ Step2:Clickthe“VirtualSHAPE”iconon the home page to access the SHAPE portal fordetailsandresources

„ Step 3: Click the “Upcoming Webinars” tab for course descriptions/upcoming schedules

„ Step 4: Click your chosen date to register Receivereminderemailsandapersonal accesslink.

Formoreinformationcontactyourinstallation’sFFSCatFFSCDirectory(navy.mil).

Rassunako

Justin Holmes MarkByrdJr Ryan Crabill,Brandon Muir and Ranoldo

from theWest Philadelphia Skills Initiative) In front holding the plaque: NSWCPD’s StephanieThomas (left) andVictoria Gonzalez(right).(COURTESYPHOTO)

WWIIVeteranJohn Gleeson,the sole representative from Hawaii embarks on a poignant journeybackto Europe to commemorate the 80th anniversaryofD-Day.(COURTESYPHOTOBYTRACIEHUNTER,WWIIBEYONDTHECALL)

WWII Veteran John Gleeson represents Hawaii at 80th D-Day Anniversary

ByDonaldRandall Commander Navy Region Hawaii

HONOLULU, Hawaii WWII veteran JohnGleesonreceivedahero’ssendoffwhen he departed Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on May 29 for Normandy France, to takepartinthe80thanniversaryofD-Day.

The 100-year-old B-24 Bomber flight engineer was surprised by the fanfare, which included a motorcade escort by the Marine Corps League, a curbside Air Force Honor Guard rendering honors, and a blessing by Navy Region Hawaii Chaplain, Capt. Gary Thornton. Among the 100 friends and well-wishers were Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam Command Master Chief Quentin Newsom,SpecialForcesAssociationChapter VIII,AmericanVeteransHawaii,andPacific Historic Parks Also in attendance were two groups close to Gleeson’s heart: The Hawaii WingCivilAirPatrolandPearlHarborAviationMuseum.

Gleeson joined the Civil Air Patrol in 1980 and served as a commander of the

For example, the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative(WPSI)andthePhiladelphiaIndustrialDevelopmentCorporation(PIDC)Navy Yard Skills Initiative (NYSI) launched a program to train Philadelphia residents for permanent, full-time, union careers starting at$25/hourwithNSWCPD According to PIDC’s Navy Yard website, this partnership aims to increase stability andeconomicopportunityforworkingPhiladelphians It is the bold solution necessary toclosetheopportunitygapinPhiladelphia. For ten years WPSI has solidified its role as one of the highest performing workforce intermediaries in the country by building customized talent solutions that bridge the divide between unemployed Philadelphians seeking opportunity and employers seeking talent. The Skills Initiative runs year-round, cohort-based, jobs-driven training models that harness the hiring power of our area’s majoremployers whilecultivatingitsneighbors’talent.

The pilot program builds a pipeline to NSWCPD’s Industrial Trades Developmental Program (ITDP), a two-year paid training opportunity consisting of trade theory instruction and on-the-job skills training before starting as either a machinery mechanic or electrician. NSWCPD developed the ITDP to ensure the defense and maritime ecosystems have the people and tradesneededtomeetthecurrentandfuture demandsoftheU.S.Navy

WPSI and NSWCPD took center stage duringtheprogram’smainsigningevent.

“NSWCPD, represented by its Technical DirectorNigelC.Thijs,SES,isinitsthirdyear

glider squadron out of Mokuleia. He is also a founding member and former director of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, where hecurrentlyvolunteers,sharinghismessage withyoungergenerations:“Wewonthewar. Enjoyyourfreedom,wealmostlostit.”

The sole representative from Hawaii, Gleeson joined more than 70 other WWII veterans from around the nation on the epic journey back to Europe He was escorted by Tracie Hunter, founder of local veteran organization WWII Beyond the Call, who providessupporttoGleesoninHawaii.

GleesonenlistedintheArmyimmediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor He was 18 years old at the time When he heard news of troops storming the beaches at Normandy, Gleeson wanted to do more.

“At the time I had a very safe job When I heardaboutD-Day,Iimmediatelywenttomy commanding officer and asked him to send meovertogetinthefight.”

Gleesonbecameaflightengineerwiththe famed Eighth Air Force that flew combat missions over Europe During the course of

of the program and is happy to report that three new hires from last year have reached theirfirstyearanniversaryandarereporting 17newhiresthisyear,”Hiltonsaid.

“Thisisamonumentaldayandareallybig milestoneforthecommandandfortheindividualsintheWestPhiladelphiaSkillsInitiativethathaveonboardedwithus,”Thijssaid

“It’s really exciting for me because this is not only the culmination of their own personal journeys but it’s really the culminationofalotofhardworkfromtheHuman Resources and Industrial Services Divisions atNSWCPDthattookmyvisiontoforgethis partnershipandactuallybringthefirstNavy Cohort in one of the Navy’s own initiatives the Pennsylvania Pipeline Who’s best to participateinthisbutus-theNavy,”hesaid.

“I’mreallyexcitedforthisclassandcontinuedpartnershipsintothefuturebecausethe strength of our industrial base is crucial to the Nation’s security and future prosperity,” Thijsadded.

Gathering on the stage with Thijs were the program participants celebrating their one-year anniversary and new hires including: Stefan Schein, Yolanda Butler Tahir Abdul-Hadi,PatrickCosgrove,WayneFuller, Rassunako Person, Andrew Butler, Justin Holmes, Mark Byrd Jr., Ryan Crabill, Brandon Muir, and Ranoldo Turcious Acosto (all fromtheWestPhiladelphiaSkillsInitiative).

When asked about the program, AbdulHadi said, “I’ve been in the program for six months to become a master electrician and I love it. It’s a great program. The Navy is a greatwaytolearnaskilledtrade.”

“Ithinkthisisanexcellentopportunityfor someonelookingforsomethingtodointheir lives,” Person said, adding, “For me, personally, I believe this is a life-changing program and opportunity that they have right here

WWII,theMightyEighthbecamethelargest airarmadaintheworld,compilinganimpressivewarrecord.

Gleeson said he was “overwhelmed” by the opportunity to return to Europe for the 80th commemoration of D-Day. The significance of being the sole Hawaii representative was not lost on him. “I was honored to be asked to go It is going to be hard to look at those 9,000 crosses though. Two 19-yearoldcrewmembersdidnotreturnhomewith us,”herecalled.Gleesonlosttwofriendsfrom his original crew and wanted to honor their memorythroughhisparticipation.

Gleeson spent the days leading up to the commemoration touring Normandy and meeting an energetic and grateful public, eagertoshakehishand.

Gleeson’s daughter, Colleen Roe, who accompanied him on his trip to Normandy, saidherfatherwassurprisedbyalltheattention he received. “Why are all these people greeting me?” Gleeson repeatedly asked her. “Ijustdidmyjob I’mnothingspecial.”

at the Navy Yard I think it’s really special. I found the program through the West Philly Skills Initiative, and I would really like to thanktheInitiativeandIwouldliketothank Mr Thijswhospearheadstheprogram.Withouthim,Iwouldn’tbehererightnow.”

According to the TPP website The PhiladelphiaRegionTalentAcquisitionandRetentionProjectTeamhasdevelopedaWorkforce Pipeline Model. The purpose of the Philadelphia Region Workforce Master Plan is to explain the integrated and synchronized partnershipwhichtransformsthetraditional career and technical education (CTE) paradigm by redefining the customer, supplier, product relationship In the traditional model,theCTEstudentisthecustomer and theproduct“sold”toemployersisCTEgraduates with training and certificates seeking employment.

In this new Talent Acquisition and Retention Pipeline Solution model, the customers are the employers The product is an energized local economy in which employers are enabled to operate a more profitable and productive business by hiring and retaining better employees The suppliers aretheCareer&TechnicalEducation(CTE) programs who enroll students and produce skilled candidates primarily for entry-level positions NSWCPD employs approximately 2,800 civilian engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel. The NSWCPD team doestheresearchanddevelopment,testand evaluation, acquisition support, and in-serviceandlogisticsengineeringforthenon-nuclearmachinery shipmachinerysystems,and related equipment and material for Navy surface ships and submarines NSWCPD is also the lead organization providing cybersecurityforallshipsystems

Navy contributes to Honolulu community through land conveyance

CourtesyStory

Commander Navy Region Hawaii

TheNavyandNationalParkService(NPS) conveyed 400 acres of land to the City and CountyofHonolulutodayinaceremonyon thestepsofHonoluluHale

The Honorable Meredith Berger, AssistantSecretaryoftheNavyforEnergy,Installations and the Environment and Chief Sustainability Officer, met with Honolulu MayorRickBlangiardiandNPSrepresentativeTomLeatherman,toformalizetheland transition.

Thetransferredland,locatedintheKalaeloa area of Oahu, represents the culmination of collaborative efforts between the NavyBaseRealignmentandClosure(BRAC) Office and the Department of the Interior/ NPS, and the City of Honolulu. Transferred to the City and County for no fee under Public Benefit Conveyance regulations the land will serve the people of Honolulu for recreationalactivities,pendingthefinalNPS approval.

“The Navy is thrilled to partner with the City and County of Honolulu, as well as the National Park Service, to make this land transfer possible and ensure it provides a long-term benefit to the community,” said Berger “This land transfer exemplifies the strong collaborative relationship between federalandlocalgovernments Thiscommunity has history and significance, and is one that our institution and our people have called home and we are excited for a bright futureforitandthepeoplewholivehere.”

In 2023, the Navy announced a key commitment of $6 million to the historic KalaeloaareaofOahu,andcontinuestowork with community partners on the Department of Navy’s commitment of funding to modernize the electrical grid supplying the community This critical infrastructure improvement will encourage long needed growthandrevitalization,includinghousing andmixed-usedevelopment

Kalaeloa is located on the site of former Naval Air Station Barbers Point that was active for 57 years of service from 1942 until 1999 when it was closed as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process and transferred to the state of Hawaii. History andsiteremediationdocumentationfortheformerBarbersPointNavalAir Stationisavailableathttps://www.bracpmo.navy.mil/BRAC-Bases/OtherWest/Former-Naval-Air-Station-Barbers-Point/. TheDONBaseRealignmentandClosureProgramManagementOffice’s (BRAC PMO) mission is to expeditiously and cost effectively provide all services necessary to realign, close, and dispose of Navy BRAC properties throughsoundbusinessmanagementpracticesandtransformationalthinking to support the warfighter and provide savings to DON and the federal taxpayer.

TheNavyBRACPMOispartoftheNavalFacilitiesEngineeringSystems Command(NAVFAC) TolearnmoreaboutNavyBRACprograms,visitthe websiteathttps://www.bracpmo.navy.mil.

NAVSUP FLCJ participates in DLA’s Prime Vendor Food Audit

ByTylerGrimes

NAVSUP FLC Jacksonville

Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Jacksonville(FLCJ)participatedintheDefense Logistics Agency’s Prime Vendor Food Audit at US Foods June 12 2024 in Port Orange Florida.

US Foods is the Navy’s current Prime Vendor for all provisions across the Jacksonville Tri-Base Region; an integral and vitalpieceinprovidingwarfightersupport, according to Lt Cmdr Bentley Hodsdon, Logistics Support Officer at FLCJ’s site at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

Lt Cmdr Hodsdon and Willie Moore, DeputyLogisticsSupportOfficer attended the audit, which consisted of 83 random samples across the vendor catalog with inspectorsUSDAandNationalOceanicand Atmospheric Administration, DLA Troop Support, NAVSUP Headquarters, manufacturer representatives, brokers and US Foods senior leadership

“Vendor engagement establishes strong relationships and provides the ties necessary to problem solve and improve processes,” Hodsdon said. “Our end goal, provide the highest level of support. We can’tfightoroperateifwecan’tsustainand feed every Sailor both ashore and afloat.”

Naval SupplySystems Command Fleet Logistics CenterJacksonville participated in the Defense Logistics Agency’s PrimeVendorFoodAudit at US FoodsJune 12 2024 in Port Orange,Florida.(COURTESYPHOTO)

StoryByKaylaPlagge

Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics

Sigonella

Center

A Tiger Team, made up of Program Managers from Naval Supply Systems Command(NAVSUP)Headquarters,visited NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (FLCSI) Site Rota the week of April 29th, wheretheyconductedthefirsteverGemba WalkonanFLC

The past few decades have brought with them a large amount of change and growth to Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota with the growth expected to continue over the next few years, most notably with the addition of two more homeported DDGs This has resulted in the expansion of FLCSI Site Rota’sMission,FunctionsandTasksinorder tofillthevoidandsupportthegrowinglogistical requirements of the Installation and the more than 48 Tenant Commands that callRotahome

A Gemba Walk coming from the Japanese term Genchi Genbutsu meaning “the situation on site” is a fundamental of Lean management developed by executives at Toyota.Thisisoneofthebest“GetRealGet Better” (GRGB) proven problem-solving methodsforleadershiptoreviewandbetter understand processes and how they can be alignedtocurrentandfuturestandardsand goals embrace the red and discover issues as well as listen to ideas directly from the deckplate

The NAVSUP HQ Gemba Team, comprised of Subject Matter Experts from across all of NAVSUPs key product and services, had the objective of reviewing Site Rota’s processes, systems, manning and infrastructure in order to validate the growth requirements and ensure that the Site is well postured to support the growing demands of their customers Being the firsteverGembaWalkconductedatanFLC, NAVSUPisputtingtheGRGBinitiativeinto practice by getting down to the deckplate level, addressing resourcing concerns head on, using a proven commercial industry practice The Gemba Walk also promotes transparencyacrossallemployeesandoften helpstogettotherootcauseofproblems

ThisGembaWalkcomesatamomentous timeforFLCSISiteRotaasthey,inconjunction with NAVSUP WSS, begin to forward stockrepairablesandHAZMATintheaterto supporttheadditionalFDNFDDGsandthe increased naval presence in theater Additionally, the NAVSUP Gemba Walk follows a previous visit last summer by NAVMAC whoconductedaShoreManpowerRequirements Determination (SMRD) where they identifiedtheneedforincreasedmanpower atFLCSISiteRota.

While in Rota, the team walked all the FLCSI Site Rota facilities and met with everyonefromSiteleadershiptoCodeleads to warehouse workers in order to gain an in depth understanding of the resourcing required to enable the Site to support the vastdemandsoftheircustomers Tothatend KeyLeadersfromtheSite’smaincustomers to include CAPT Teague Suarez, NAVSTA Rota Commanding Officer, CDRE Geoffrey Townsend, CTF-68 Commodore, CDR Gregory DeJute, FDRMC Naples-Det Rota OICandLCDRElizabethCourtney,CTF-65 Supply Officer addressed the NAVSUP HQ teamdirectly,explainingthecriticalsupport thatFLCSISiteRotaprovidestotheiroperations activities and investments (OAI) Additionally theleadersvalidatedtheanticipatedgrowth,makingitclearthatthelogisticalsupportwillbeanenduringrequirement.

CAPTTeagueSuarezsaidtotheteam,“Itis essentialtorememberthattheFleetishere inRota.WhilemanyoftheHeadquartersare in Naples and Sigonella, Rota is where we support the Fleet, and where the Fleet will continuetogrow.” By working with NAVSUP HQ Tiger Team, FLCSI not only specified absolute ownership of the assigned mission and involved all the key stakeholders but also elevated barriers that matter most and requiredexternalassistance

The NAVSUP HQ team based out of Mechanicsburg, PA also had the opportu-

nitytogopiersidewheretheywitnessedthe tip of the spear logistical work that FLCSI provides on a daily basis. Of note they met with US Army leadership from the USAV Charles P. Gross who expressed their gratitude for the top quality support provided byFLCSISiteRotaastheyremainprepared to execute a Humanitarian Mission off the coast of Gaza. Additionally, they looked on as the USS Carney who’s Sailors recently received a Combat Action Ribbon for their defensive actions in the Red Sea received critical repair parts from FLCSI Site Rota during their port visit. This impressive pier

sidevisitreinforcedFLCSISiteRotaleadership’sclaimthatRotaistheCenterofGravity intheSixthFleetAORforallthingslogistics. Across the NAVSUP enterprise, there are several initiatives to include IT systems modernization and best practices that have the objective of more effectively and efficiently supporting the warfighter In addition

intothemodernera.

The Perfect Business Partner

Hasyearsofbusiness experience. Doesn’t request thecorneroffice. Always has theinside scoop on businesstrends

NEWS

Newsyou can useand reports about Hampton Roads from a business perspective.

FEATURES

In-depth profiles of localcompanies and business leaders, trends from around the country thatare takingholdinHampton Roads.

LEADS

DATA:Abusinesscommunitybulletinboardofthe latest acquisitions, mergers, new products, community service and otherachievements of Hampton Roads businesses.

CALENDAR: Themostcomprehensivelistingofthe area’s meetings,events andnetworking opportunities.

PUBLIC RECORDS: Weeklylistings of newbusiness licenses and new corporations.

PEOPLE

Briefsabout promotions,new hires,retirements, certifications and other achievements of those in the localbusiness community

EXPERTCOLUMNS

Localprofessionals in the areasoflaw,finance,management, sales andmore, offer adviceand updates of what’s happening within their industries

SPECIAL REPORTS

Inside Business offersquarterly, semiannual special reports with the latest developments,trends andprofiles of companiesand peopleinawide variety of industries

SPECIAL EVENTS & PUBLICATIONS

InsideBusinesspublishes specialprojectscoordinatedwith events to recognize the TopForty Under 40, Best Places to Work, Women in Businessand many more.

Investments in Warfighter Sustainment: NAVSUP FLC Sigonella Site Rota responds to growth in Sixth Fleet Theater

ByKaylaPlagge

Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center

Sigonella

Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (FLCSI) Site Rota, in conjunction with NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (WSS), are responding to the growth in the Sixth FleetTheaterbyexponentiallygrowingthe forwardstockedrepairablesandHAZMAT availabletoNavalforcesacrosstheregion.

ThestockingofmaterialonNavalStation (NAVSTA)Rotaisbeingdoneinresponseto the increased demand signal coming from SIXTH Fleet. With the Forward Deployed

Naval Forces- Europe (FDNF-E) Destroyers (DDGs) homeported in Rota, Spain comprising the primary driver of that demand, materials that once filled CONUS warehouse shelves are being moved to the tip of the spear, closer to the point of need

This initiative comes as NAVSTA Rota prepares to welcome two additional homeported DDGs Historically, FDNF-E ships havestruggledwiththetyrannyofdistance, experiencinglongleadtimesforHAZMAT and mission critical parts stored an ocean away To compound, ships often had to deal with short shelf lives as the bulk of the HAZMAT used in theater moved via water fromCONUS.

Over the next six months, the stocked material will grow to nearly 300 line items andwillbemanagedintwoalreadyexisting NavyWorkingCapitalFund(NWCF)plants, more than 80% of which are critical Depot LevelRepairables Thereareapproximately 140 line items already received and ready for issue, with that number growing by the day.Materialwillbesourcedfromoneofthe plantsforallunitswithCargoRoutingInformation Files in the NAVEUR AOR. While the bulk of the material is understandably DDG focused, NAVSUP FLCSI Site Rota has already filled requisitions from several classes of ships, even providing material to shorebasedcommandoperatingacrossthe

theater Thedecisiontoexpandforwardstocking of material in Rota marks the culmination ofathreeyearpushbyNAVSUPFLCSISite Rota leadership to do so Aligned with Get Real Get Better, NAVSUP FLCSI Site Rota embraced the red and elevated barriers to redistribute assets from a lethargic RealTimeReutilizationAssetManagementplant to rapidly expanding NWCF plants with missioncriticalmaterial. This effort is one of several investments in warfighter sustainment that NAVSUP FLCSIhasinitsportfolio

ByC.ToddLopez

June 11 and 12, more than 1,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid were delivered overtheU.S.military-providedJointLogisticsOver-the-Shorepierthatisattachedto the Gaza shore

ThefloatingJLOTSpier,whichreopened June7afterrepairs,temporarilyshutdown June 9-10, due to high seas. Aid delivery began again yesterday.

“For two days, the temporary pier was not operational due to high sea states,” said Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary SabrinaSinghduringabriefingtoday.“Asof yesterday, June 11, U.S. Central Command resumed the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, with more than 500 metrictonsofaiddeliveredtothemarshaling area, and today, [Centcom] delivered another over 500 metric tons in, as well, to the marshaling area.” Singh said that since May 17 Centcom has assisted in the delivery of more than 2,500 metric tons, or approximately 5.6 million pounds, of humanitarian aid to the Gaza shore for onward distribution. Aid delivered to the shore yesterday and today, Singh said, remains in a marshaling areaforfurtherdistribution.Shealsohighlighted the partnership DOD has with U.S. Agency for International Development for ensuring that aid is provided to Gaza.

“We’re working hand-in-glove with USAID who has been a great partner in callingtogetherdifferentnations,different NGOs[nongovernmentalorganizations]to donateaidtoapopulationthatdesperately needs it,” Singh said. “We are the conduit for getting that aid to the people who need itthemost,butUSAIDhasbeeninstrumentalinmakingsurethatwearegettingthose donationsfromothercountriesandNGOs as well We certainly value their partnership.” According to USAID, the total humanitarian aid that the United States has announcedforPalestinianssincethebeginning of

Austin meets with NATO counterparts ahead of Washington Summit

ByJosephClark DOD News

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III underscoredNATO’senduringcommitment to Ukraine after meeting with his alliance counterpartsinBrusselsonJune14

The leaders discussed Ukraine during a meeting of NATO defense ministers markingthefinalroundofhigh-leveltalksbefore nextmonth’sNATOsummitinWashington.

“Like nations of goodwill around the world, our NATO allies continue to stand up for Ukraine’s sovereignty and self-defense,” Austin said. “And as we prepare for theWashingtonsummit,theNATO-Ukraine partnershipcontinuestodeepen.”

Today’s meeting included discussions on thealliance’sdefenseanddeterrenceinitiatives including progress toward meeting capability requirements for NATO’s new generationofregionaldefenseplans

The defense ministers also discussed defenseindustrialproductiontoensuredeliv-

eryofkeycapabilitiestoUkraineandNATO’s planfortrainingUkraine’sdefenders

Following the discussions, NATO SecretaryGeneralJensStoltenbergsaidthegroup hasagreedtoaplanonhowNATOwilllead future coordination of security assistance andtrainingforUkraine’sarmedforces

The effort will involve nearly 700 NATO personnel and partner countries who will overseetrainingforUkrainianarmedforces at facilities in allied countries The alliance willalsoplanandcoordinatesecurityassistance for Ukraine, manage the transfer and repair of equipment and support the longterm development of Ukraine’s armed forces

“TheseeffortsdonotmakeNATOpartyto theconflict,”Stoltenbergsaid.“Buttheywill enhanceoursupporttoUkrainetoupholdits righttoself-defense.”

NATO leaders will formally launch the effortduringnextmonth’ssummit.

Ahead of today’s meeting, Austin hosted the 23rd iteration of the Ukraine Defense

Contact Group a U.S.-led coalition of some 50countriescommittedtohelpingUkraine defenditselffromRussianaggression.

As he met with members of the coalition on Thursday, Austin underscored the group’s collective commitment to helping Ukraine meet its urgent defense needs and bolster its long-term security amid what he saidisacriticalmomentinRussia’songoing warofaggression.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a critical moment, AustinsaidashekickedoffThursday’sdiscussions “Thestakesofthiswarare high.Ukraine’ssurvivalisontheline Butso isallofoursecurity.

“Noneofuswouldwanttoliveinaworld where [Russian President Vladimir] Putin prevails,” he said. “And we would all be less secureiftyrantsthinkthattheycantrample bordersandcowtheirneighbors.”

Today, Stoltenberg also previewed a new defenseindustrypledgethatwillbeformalizedatnextmonth’ssummit.

The pledge, which is aimed at sending a

sustainable demand signal to industry will allow the alliance to “scale up production and to develop a defense industrial base that’sfitforpurpose,”Stoltenbergsaid. Austin said investment in the defense industrial base “is crucial to the future of ouralliance.”

The defense ministers also discussed the ongoing adaption of NATO’s nuclear capabilities and made further progress translating regional defense plans into concrete requirements and identifying the forces neededtodefendthealliance

“For75years,NATOhasbeenthegreatest defensiveallianceinhumanhistory,”Austin said today. “NATO has prevented conflict, maintained freedom and the rule of law, andupheldtheprinciplesofdemocracyand humanrights

“Westillhavemoreworktodotogether, hesaid.“Andaswelooktowardthesummit in Washington and beyond, I am confident that we will continue to make the United Statesandourworldmoresecure.”

On iberty

TheTowerofPowerperforms.(COURTESYOFVIRGINIAARTSFESTIVAL)

InterviewByYiorgo

WeintheHamptonRoadsAreaareinfor an incredible musical treat this weekend June 21st-23rd as the Virginia Arts Festival 2024WilliamsburgLivereturnsonthelawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburgtoproudlypresentamusicalcornucopiaforeveryone

There, under the shade trees is a musicfilled stage, and the huge lawn will have plentyoffreshlocalfood,regionalcraftbeers andmoreforpurchase

WekickofFridaywiththeworldrenown TheBeachBoys,ledbyleadsingerandcritically acclaimed chief lyricist Mike Love, who, along with longtime member Bruce Johnston, musical director Brian Eichenberger,ChristianLove,TimBonhomme,Jon Bolton, Keith Hubacher, Randy Leago and JohnWedemeyercontinuethelegacyofthe iconic band who have sold over 100 million recordssoldworldwide Betweenthe1960s andtoday,TheBeachBoyshadover80songs chart worldwide, 36 of them in the US Top 40 (the most by a US rock band), and four toppingtheBillboardHot100 Saturday’s headliner is the legendary powerhouse band Tower of Power, who for over 55 years, have delivered the best in funk and soul music with such charting hits like “So Very Hard to Go,” “What Is Hip?, “You’re Still A Young Man” and more.TowerofPowerhascollaboratedand backed such iconic artists as Otis Redding, Elton John, Santana, the Grateful Dead, John Lee Hooker, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, and so many more. Opening for Tower of Poweristheprogressiverock,funkandsoul bandTAUK

We close out Sunday with the Icelandic-Chinese artist Laufey (pronounced lāy-vāy) whose live shows are instant selloutsjustlikethiseventSunday.Laufey,with morethansixmillionTikTokviewsandthe most-streamed jazz debut on Spotify ever, lovesBillieHolliday,ourownEllaFitzgerald and Taylor Swift. Her “Bewitched” album received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Opening for LaufeyisGraceEnger For tickets and more info go to https:// www.vafest.org/williamsburg-live/ Yiorgo: We are fortunate today to have with us the band leader of The Tower of Power for the last 56 years, Emilio Castillo

PressRelease

NORFOLK, Va The TRAFFIX commuter options program, administered by Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), today debuted its renovated office at Naval Station Norfolk as part of ongoing support of regional military bases and personnel. The refreshed TRAFFIX office provides active-duty service members, civilian employees dependents andvisitorswithcommuter information and resources about vanpools, carpools, transit,walking,biking,teleworking and other transportation options available through HRT, TRAFFIX and the Department of Defense Staff at the office coordinate with Hampton Roads military installations on the federal Transportation Incentive Program (TIP) and Mass TransportationBenefitProgram(MTBP).These can save eligible users up to $315 a month to commute via transit or vanpool

world’s largest naval base “This renovation was a labor of love,” Harrell said. “It took hours of hard work from a dedicated team of employees to complete this transformation.”

The office is the latest example of HRT’s commitment to support Hampton Roads militarypersonnel,theirfamiliesandworkers In partnership with Naval Station Norfolk, HRT operates the Base Express, a free shuttle bus service helping sailors and their families, government employees, veterans and Navy contractors move around the base and visit the Navy Exchange (NEX) Mall.

Tell us Emilio, why should people come to the Tower Of Power Show? What will they hear,seeandexperience?

EmilioCastillo: Ours is a highly musical show with the musicality of the band being veryhigh.Therearemanywhodescribeour bandas,‘Themusiciansmusicianband.’We have a high level of musicianship and great singing Wehaveabeautifulnewleadsinger named Jordan John our world famous five piece horn section Tower of Power Horns and a rhythm section that is so funky that if youleavetherewithoutsweatingandwithoutbeingemotionallymoved,thereissomethingwrong Y:Howwouldyoudescribeyoursound? EC: I tell people that we are a soul band. There are a lot of people describing us as funk, and certainly we have a large element of our music that is funk music, but that’s one area of soul music. We play all forms of soulmusic:Wehavethereallysloooowlove

“We help save our service members time and money while connecting them to their communities,” HRT’s president and CEO William E. Harrell said during a ribboncuttingandopenhouseattendedby Capt. Janet Days, the base Commanding Officer, and invited guests “The renovationisalreadypayingoffwithmoreservice members and civilians stopping by than ever before.”

It’sthefirstrenovationofthe120-squarefoot space since it opened in 2008 on the

Starting at the NEX, the Gold Route provides last-mile service from outside the gate, as well as access to HRT buses, shopping, and entertainment off base. The Blue Route, meanwhile, operates exclusively on the base to move sailors around. The Base Express carries between 4,000-5,000 passengers every month. To learn more visit https://gohrt.com/modes/base-express/. “Over the past 18 months, the Base Express has become not just a mode of transportation,butalifelineconnectingour military personnel to their place of duty, shopping and even out into the Hampton Roads community,” Days said. “We appreciate the partnership and the continuity of effort.

“Working together with Naval Station Norfolk,wehavebridgedagapintransportation,” Harrell said “Our mission at HRT is to connect the region with transportation solutions that are reliable safe efficient, and sustainable Our renovated base office,alongwiththepopularBaseExpress, aretestamentstowhatwecandowhenwe work together to achieve a mission.” For more information about TRAFFIX military and employer services visit https://gotraffix.com/employers/.

Community

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS, NEWS AND PHOTOS

The Flagship welcomes submissions from ourreaders online.

Pleasesubmiteventshere: www.militarynews.com/users/admin/calendar/event/ Pleasesubmitnewsandphotoshere: www.militarynews.com/norfolk-navy-flagship/submit_news/

The Beach Blanket Cinema kicks

off June 20 with weekly movies on the beach through August

FromBeachEvents.com

Bringyourblanketorbeachchairandspread outonthesandunderthestarsforanightof familymoviemagic!Allmoviesarefreeand beginat8:30pmonthebeachat29thStreet.

„ Thursday,June20:Soul

„ Thursday,June27:TheLittleMermaid (live-action version)

„ Thursday July11:Wonka

„ Thursday July25:Elf

„ Thursday August1:Migration

„ Thursday,August8:Barbie

„ Thursday,August15:Holes

„ Thursday,August22:FrozenII

Tuesday July 16 - Thursday July 20: Get ready for a Jurassic Experience! This year’s

film festival includes:

„ Tuesday July16:Dinosaur(PG)

„ Wednesday,July17:JurassicPark(PG-13)

„ Thursday,July18:TheLandBefore Time(G)

„ Friday,July19:TheGoodDinosaur(PG)

„ Saturday,July20:JurassicWorld(PG-13)

For more information, visit https://beacheventsvb.com/event/beach-blanket-movie-festival-2024/

balladsthatringyourheartoutlikearag,and wehavetheuptempo sortofhappiersongs that cause you to have fun Then we have the funk tunes like Funk The Dump Stuff, songs that are clever lyrically and hip, stuff like that. We have instrumental music like Squib Cakes It is a really soulful band and rhythmandbluesisourgenre.

Y: Where were you born and what made you fall in love with music and entertainment?

EC: I was born in Detroit in 1950 to a Greek mother and a Mexican father I left whenIwas11in1962rightbeforeIturned12 becausemyparentsmovedtotheSanFrancisco Bay Area in California, we moved to thesuburbsinOakland,Californiaandthat’s where I started the band When I was 17, I metDocKupka,mybaritonesaxplayerand my song writing partner all these years We were called Motowns but we changed the name to Tower of Power. He was the first hippiewehadevermet.

Y:There’sagreatstoryofhowyoupicked up the sax as an instrument. Can you tell us aboutit?

EC: My brother and I and a friend from around the corner, we were going to the swimmingpool Wewenttothemall,allthe young men at the time were wearing these tie-dyedteeshirtsandwehadthegreatidea that we would put three of those tee shirts on, put a shirt over it and walk out without paying We did that and when we opened the door of the store to leave, the manager waswaitingforus Hecalledupmydadand after he made us apologize to the manager and give back the shirts, he took us home, gave us a notebook and said fill it with why you will never steal again and while in your room,Iwantyoutothinkofsomethingthat will keep you out of trouble this summer or youwillnevercomeoutofthatroomagain.

The Beatles had just come out, so we said, we want to play music, dad. He took us to Allegro Music in Fremont California. All the instruments were on the wall. I pointed to the saxophone because where my father worked, there was a show band and the sax player was the coolest guy My brotherthoughtthedrummerwasthecoolest guy, so he picked the drums He rented theinstrumentsthatday,ourfriendJodyhad justgottenaguitar,heknewtheintrotoRoy Oberson’sPrettyWoman.Westartedplaying together,mybrotherbangingonthedrums, me squeaking by, my mother walked into the living room, heard us playing and said, “They are going to be big stars.” I like to tell people I wish I could say we practiced for years and years and then joined the band. Butwediditbackwards.Westartedtheband andwelearnedalongtheway.Ihavebeenin thebandeversince Y:That’sawesome WithFather’sDayjust behindus,itsoundslikeyourdadwasoneof thegoodones EC: My dad was the greatest. He made several decisions that profoundly affected my life One of course was leaving Detroit and going to the San Francisco Bay area. The other was getting me into music and healsotoldmetohireStephen‘Doc’Kupka that profoundly changed my life My dad supported me in every way. Both parents

wereverysupportive.Istartedonthesaxophone, then six months later,I was tired of the sax and wanted to play the organ. He got me several types of organs that I liked Then I said I wanted to play this teardrop typeguitar sohegotmethatone.

Healsogotmealltheseteacherstoteach me those instruments He also got me a music theory teacher who taught me about ear training and taught me about numbers andmusic.Iusedtothink,whyamIcoming to this guy and then one day I was figuring outthoserockandrollsongstoteachtothe band and I realized, oh this is the same as that last tune I heard. All of a sudden, all those numbers fell into place like tetris and after that, I communicated with all the guys in the band by numbers just because of that one teacher thattaughtmemusic theory

Another very profound decision he made for me was he pulled me aside when I was 15 years oldandhesaid,“You have to be the bandleader.” My brother Jack, the drummer, was10monthsolder than me, so he was thebandleader Isaid no Jack is the bandleader And he says “You have to be the bandleader because you are the one that has the musical talent and you are showing all these guys what to do I’ll tell Jack.”Hemademedoit Ididn’twanttodoit becauseIdidn’twantmybrothertobeangry with me He did and I have been the bandleadereversince

Y: You guys got a record deal at a very young age That also is another great story Tellusaboutitplease

EC: When I was 17 my mother said, “We are moving back to Detroit.” I was shocked. The band was tight and I was already writing songs with Doc. I said, I can’t go back to Detroit. My father said, “You and your brothercanstayforoneyear Ifyouhavenot made it by then, you have to come back and live with us.” They left, we had never lived onourownbefore.Wehadtofindaplaceto live,howtopayforit,andin1970,withinone yearwegotsignedbyBillGrahamtoourfirst recorddeal.Nextthingyouknow,IwasvisitingDetroitwithmybandontourandthenI movedthembacktoCalifornia,rentedthem ahouse boughtmymotherahouse bought myparentsarestaurantandthenlostitallat theendofthe70’s. Y:Whatwasthatprocessofgettingsigned like?Howdidithappen?

EC: Everybody wanted to play Bill Graham’s Fillmore Auditorium. All eyes were on San Francisco because the Fillmore Auditorium gave birth to psychedelic music. You know The Grateful Dead Janis Chaplin, Quicksilver Messenger Service Jefferson Airplane Bands were moving to the Bay area from all over so they could performthere.ItwasTHEplacetobe SoBill hadthisthingcalledSoundsOfTheCityand it was Tuesday night auditions. The bands wouldsignupandyouwouldgetaslotinthe

futureandthatwouldbeyouraudition.Bill GrahamhadjustdoneadealwithColumbia RecordscalledFillmoreRecordsdistributed byColumbiaandAtlanticRecordscalledSan Francisco Records distributed by Atlantic Records. In January we got an audition for Novemberandwehadjustgottenbustedfor beingunderage. We were playing at these night clubs after hours From 2-6 AM the bars were closedbutat6AMthebarswouldopen.My youngtrumpetplayerwentandgothimself a screwdriver drink, and ABC busted him and told all the clubs that we could not be playing there because we were under age andtheywouldlosetheirliquorlicense We had not played any high schools in a couple of years None of the high schools wanted us because they did not know who we were and all the clubs we have been playing,wecouldn’t play there anymore. Wewereasbrokeas could be and all we could do was practice and practice for this one audition at theFillmoreAuditorium Bythetimewe got the audition we were so broke, we were at the end of our rope I told the guys I’mgoingback to Detroit to my parents for the holidays and if nothing happens I am not coming back. The band and Doc in particular they were devastated. We played the gig likeourlivesdependedonitbecauseitdid.

Y: What Convinced Bill Graham to sign you?

EC: We went out there. There were four bands. They were the same type of bands, playingsimilarandtheyweresortaaverage. Then we walked out with all these horns, a black singer, looking all disheveled and the crowdturnedaroundandtheystartedwalkingout.WehitthisJamesBrownsongcalled Open The Door instrumental style and it waslikesomebodysaid aboutface because thewholecrowdturnedaroundandstarted walking back. We hit that groove like our lives depended on it, because it did. I saw this head look out from the snack bar That wasBillGraham.Healwayslikedhorns,and he liked rhythm and we had plenty of that Thewholethingwiththepsychedelicsound that had been around for almost four years by then and they were ready for something new Santana,Slytheyhadjusthitthescene andwejustcameattherighttime Hesigned ustoSanFranciscoRecordsandwedidour firstalbum.

We became big in the Bay area and we begantotourtheUS

Y:Thebandhascollaboratedwithawho’s who in the entertainment music industry Canyoushareafavoritemomentortwowith someoftheartistsyoucollaboratedwith?

EC: One of the first sessions we did was withNick“TheGreek”Gravenites,thelead singer for The Big Brother and the HoldingCompany.Hecalledustodothesession. We went down there, had fun, made up some parts, he loved it and then he gave us

moneyandwedidnotexpectthat.Acouple of weeks later, in the middle of the night, Carlos Santana had heard what we did for Nick,hecalledusupandsaidweareherein San Francisco at Columbia Studios and we havethissongcalledEveryoneisEverything We think the horns would sound good on this song Can you guys come over? It’s the middle of the night. We hopped over there, we made up some horn parts and within a week it was on the radio They rushed it out as a single and everybody was saying, Santana, who are those horns? Tower of Powerhornsandthatimmediatelyelevated thehornsectiontoaleveloffamethatgotus awholebunchofotherrecordings

Y:Canyoushareawowpinchmemoment ortwothatyoucan’tbelieveyougottoexperiencebecauseofTowerofPower?

EC: The one I always tell is about Aretha Franklin.WeopenedforArethafournights at the Fillmore Auditorium when she recorded the album Aretha Live at the Fillmore. At the time we were having kind of a war with Bill Graham because our record hadcomeout,wehadwentonourfirsttour there were no records out there, we were sort of fighting with him and this will show youhowclassyhewas,eventhoughwewere in that battle with him legally, he knew we werethebestbandtoopenforArethaandhe putusonthatshow. It was about the third night, it was a big media event, all these writers from the paper newscasters a lot of people backstage so much so that it was too crowded I was standing in the doorway and here comes Aretha She turns sideways because she couldn’t get through the doorway and I couldn’t move so we wound up wedged in the doorway nose to nose and she says, “Tower Of Power, my favorite band.” And I justmelted.

Y:Whatareyougratefulfor?

EC:Iammostgratefulformyrelationship withGod.Ilivedmylifefor20years,bouncing off the walls, a lot of drugs, no faith, no knowledgeofGodandhegotmyattentionin 1988 Isoberedupandgotonaspiritualpath. Doc did the same thing a year later Before you know it, he and I were praying, and the whole band was praying I became a Christian and gave my life to Christ. I read the Bible I study I pray and that’s what makes mylifeasgoodasitistoday.

Y:Whatareyoucurrentlyworkingon?

EC: We finished recording a Christmas album a six song EP and it will be coming out this Christmas and we will do a Christmas tour behind it. It came out fabulous WedidalltheseChristmassongstheTower Of Power way. We have an original Christmas tune that Doc and I wrote years ago called, It’s Christmas And I’m A Long Way From Home It’s about a guy in the military that has to spend Christmas overseas away from his family It’s a beautiful project and it’s going to be called, Tower of Power It’s Christmasandit’sgoingtocomeouttheday afterThanksgiving FormoreinfoontheTowerofPowergoto https://towerofpower.com/

Yiorgo is an arts entertainment and sports writer A stage, TV and movie actor, he is also a sports entertainer, educator, motivational speaker, writer, storyteller and columnist.

Williamsburg Live

Fuel family fun with this easy recipe

ByFamilyFeatures

Betweenwork,after-schoolactivitiesandhomework planning memorable family time is nearly impossible Changing that mindset can start by making mealtime simpler with recipes that serve up big smiles for the wholefamilyandfuelfun,evenonweeknights

Asaquickandeasymealtimesolutionthatgivesfamiliestimebacktomakelastingmemories,Mrs.T’sPierogies are pasta pockets filled with the stuff you love like creamy mashed potatoes, cheesy goodness and other big,boldflavors

You can find a little inspiration in recipes like these Pierogy Burrito Bowls loaded with pierogies cherry tomatoes corn, sliced avocado and homemade avocado mayo crema for a simple meal everyone in the family canenjoy.

No matter how parents switch up their weeknight routines,likeatriptotheparkoranat-homemovienight, pierogies make weeknight recipes like this one possible becausethey’resimpleandeasytoprepare,leavingmore time for parents to do the stuff they love with the ones theylove

FindmorerecipesfitforfamilyfunbyvisitingMrsTsPierogies.com.

PierogyBurritoBowls

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

BurritoBowls:

„ 1tablespoonavocadooil

„ 1bag(2pounds)Mrs T’s4CheeseMedleyPierogies

„ 1cupcherrytomatoes,halved

„ 1cupfreshorfrozencorn,lightlyroasted

„ 1ripeavocado,pittedandthinlysliced

„ 1cuppickledredonions

„ 3/4cupCotijacheese

„ freshchoppedcilantro,forgarnish AvocadoMayoCrema:

„ 1/2cupmayo

„ 1ripeavocado pittedandroughlychopped

„ 1/2lime,juiceonly

Tomakeburritobowls:Inmediumskilletovermedium heat,addavocadooil.Sautepierogiesinbatches,approximately 8 minutes on both sides, until golden brown. Removefromheatandsetaside Dividepierogies,cherrytomatoes,corn,avocado,pickled red onions and Cotija cheese evenly among serving bowls Garnishwithcilantro.

To make avocado mayo crema: In food processor, processmayo,avocadoandlimejuiceuntilsmooth Drizzleavocadomayocremaoverbowls,asdesired.

Take family favorites al fresco – advice for enjoying easy meals outdoors

ByFamilyFeatures

Bright sunshine, warm patios and fresh foods go hand in hand. As warm weather and sunny days call you outdoors, bring the whole family along with favorite meals that blend perfectly with a soft breeze and the subtlesoundsofnature.

Alfrescodiningdoesn’thavetobedifficult.Justgather a few supplies, whip up a favorite recipe or two and ask forahandinheadingoutside.Takethesetipsintoaccount to help ensure your backyard dining goes off without a hitch.

Create a Cozy Spot Dinner in the backyard means convenience and the comfort of your own patio furniture,butyoucanalwaysenhancetheexperiencewithan umbrella to add a touch of shade or a small fan on those still,steamyevenings Ifabusydaymeansalaterdinner hanging strings of soft lighting can help illuminate the table MakeItFresh.Saladseasonmeansfreshingredients fromlettuceandveggiestofavoritetoppingsandbeyond. Add a crisp bite to your next al fresco occasion with this SouthwestRanchTacoSaladfeaturingNewman’sOwn’s Southwest Ranch Dressing The dressing is creamy and smoky with a kick of spice and features no artificial flavors no colors from artificial sources and no MSG, making it a perfect companion for salads and dips In fact, you can enjoy this seasonal salad even more knowingthat100%ofprofitsfromthesaleofthedressinggoes toward helping nourish and transform the lives of childrenfacingadversity

Don’t Forget the Essentials No outdoor meal is complete without a few must-have utensils Avoid trips back and forth from the house by writing a list of everything you need so you don’t head to the deck without forkstoshareasaladornapkinstohelpcleanupthemess. Bringthebasicslikeplates,cups,utensils,napkinsanda clothtorestfoodon.Don’tleavebehindservingspoons, trash bags and other convenience items that make al frescodiningabreeze

ServeaPerfectSaladPartner While a hearty salad alone is enough for a filling al fresco meal, you can take your backyard dining to the next level with the perfect partner for satisfying salads: crudites Arranged neatly onaplatterorboard,aseasonalvarietyofslicedorwhole rawvegetablessuchassnappeas celery,carrots,cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, mini bell peppers, broccoli and morecanmakeforaperfectaccompanimenttonearlyany outdoormeal.Servewithadiportwo,suchasNewman’s Own’s Southwest Ranch Dressing, to complete your al frescoappetizer

Tofindmorealfrescofoodoptionsthatgiveback,visit NewmansOwn.com.

SouthwestRanchTacoSalad

Total time: 25 minutes

„ 1/2headromainelettuce

„ 1pintcherrytomatoes

„ 2smallavocados

„ 1tablespoonextra-virginoliveoil

„ 1poundgroundbeef(80/20groundchuck)

„ 2teaspoonsNewman’sOwnMildTacoSeasoning

„ 1/4cupwater

„ 1can(151/2ounces)blackbeans

„ 11/2cupscannedcorn

„ 1cupshreddedsharpcheddarcheese

„ 2tablespoonschoppedfreshcilantro,plusadditional forserving(optional),divided

„ 1cupNewman’sOwnSouthwestRanchDressing

„ 6ouncestortillachips

Coarsely chop lettuce, halve cherry tomatoes and pit, peelandsliceavocados Setaside

Inlargefryingpanovermedium-highheat,heatolive oil.Browngroundbeef stirringoccasionally 4-5minutes Add taco seasoning and water; cook according to package directions, 5-8 minutes, or until meat is thoroughly cooked. Drainandrinseblackbeans Setaside

Divide lettuce among serving bowls or plates Top withgroundbeef,tomatoes,avocados,blackbeans,corn, cheeseand2tablespoonscilantro.Tuckintortillachips.

Drizzle with southwest ranch dressing and sprinkle withadditionalcilantro,ifdesired

A savory summer dessert perfect for sharing

ByFamilyFeatures

Put delicious desserts back on the menu all summer longwithsavoryfavoritesthatdon’tcallforwastingsunny daysinthekitchen.Single-servesolutionsareperfectfor sharingwithguests whetheryou’rehostingapoolparty orcallingoverlovedonesforabackyardbarbecue

This Peanut Butter Cookie Banana Pudding can be preppedfirstthinginthemorningandrefrigerateduntil it’s time for a treat. Portioned in 1/4-pint canning jars (or small,kid-proofcupstoavoidamess)forindividualservings, you can simply break them out when the dessert belldingsandtopthemwithwhippedtoppingandextra cookies

At7gramsperserving,anutrient-richpowerhouselike peanutscanputabetter-for-youspinonsummersweets Theydeliverthemostproteinofanynutandcontainsix essential-vitaminE,folate,riboflavin,thiamin,niacinand vitamin B6 - and seven essential minerals - phosphorus, iron,magnesium,potassium,zinc,copperandcalcium.

Visit gapeanuts.com to find more protein-packed recipeideas

PeanutButterCookieBananaPudding

Recipe courtesy of Peanut Butter Lovers on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission

„ 1box(5.1ounces)instantvanillapuddingmix

„ 3cupscoldmilk „ 1package(16ounces)peanutbuttersandwich cookies,divided

„ 12canningjars(1/4pinteach)

„ 2-3bananas

„ frozenwhippedtopping,thawed

In large measuring cup, whisk pudding mix and milk until thoroughly combined. Set aside to soft set, about 5 minutes Cut or break six cookies in half and set aside. Pour remainderofpackagein1-gallonbag sealitanduserollingpintocrushcookies.

Spoon layer of cookie crumbs in bottom of each jar, reserving some for topping Top with layer of vanilla pudding Cut one banana in half lengthwise and slice Putlayerofbananasontopofpudding Topbananaswith another layer of pudding Repeat with remaining ingredients Refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, top with whipped topping and sprinkle with crushed cookies Serveeachwithbrokencookiehalf

Note: Twelve 1/4-pint canning jars fit into disposable foil lasagna pan with clear lid for easy refrigeration and transportation.

Understand how TRICARE covers infertility diagnosis and treatment

ByTRICARECommunications

FALLS CHURCH, Va Are you consideringhavingchildren?Ifyou’retryingtoget pregnant, but haven’t been able to, you may have questions about how TRICARE can help “If you’re struggling to conceive, it’s importanttofindoutwhatmightbecausing you or your partner to struggle with infertility,” said Elan Green, chief of the Medical Benefits and Reimbursement Branch of the TRICARE Health Plan at the Defense Health Agency “TRICARE covers certain testsandservicesthatcanhelpdiagnoseand treatunderlyingcausesofinfertility.”

According to the Centers for Disease ControlandPrevention,infertilityisdefined asbeingunabletogetpregnantafteroneyear ofunprotectedsex.Anypersoncanpresent withconditionsthatplayaroleininfertility

Do you think you or your partner may be dealing with infertility? Read on to learn aboutyourdiagnosisandtreatmentoptions.

Infertility diagnosis

First, talk to your primary care manager (PCM)orgynecologist.They’llaskquestions about your medical history They may refer you to a reproductive endocrinologist for moretestsorexams

If medically necessary, TRICARE covers certaindiagnostictestsforinfertility.These

mayinclude:

„ Semenanalysis

„ Hormoneevaluation

„ Chromosomal, immunologic, and imagingstudies

„ Specialandspermfunctiontests

„ Bacteriologicinvestigation

Sometimes there may be an underlying physical cause to the infertility TRICARE covers treatments to correct these types of physicalcauses

Check with your regional contractor beforegettingtheseservices Youmayneed togetpre-authorization,regardlessofwhat TRICAREhealthplanyouhave

Assisted reproductive technology services

Some people seek assisted reproductive technology(ART)servicestoovercometheir

infertility

Although TRICARE doesn’t cover ART services, these services are available on a first-come first-serve basis at a greatly reduced cost. They’re available from eight military hospitals that have obstetrics and gynecology reproductive endocrinology and infertility graduate medical education programs Theeightmilitaryhospitalsare:

„ Walter Reed National Military Medical Center(Bethesda,Maryland)

„ TriplerArmyMedicalCenter(Honolulu,

Hawaii)

„ Womack Army Medical Center (Fort Liberty,NorthCarolina)

„ Madigan Army Medical Center (Joint BaseLewis-McChord,Washington)

„ Brooke Army Medical Center (Fort Sam Houston,Texas)

„ Naval Medical Center San Diego (San Diego)

„ Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (Portsmouth,Virginia)

„ Wright Patterson Medical Center/88th MedicalGroup(GreeneCounty,Ohio)

ART services for severely ill or injured service members

Areyouaservicememberwhogotaseriousorsevereillnessorinjurywhileonactive duty? Did it result in your inability to have children without the use of ART? You may be eligible for coverage of these services under the extended benefit of the SupplementalHealthCareProgram(SHCP).Qualifying service members may receive ART services,includingthefollowing,atnocost:

„ Spermretrieval

„ Eggretrieval

„ In-vitrofertilization(IVF)

„ Intrauterineinsemination(IUI)

„ Blastocystimplantation

„ Cryopreservationandstorageofembryos

In March, the DOD updated its policy on ART for these qualifying service members Now, in addition to the qualifying service member and their spouse, the following people may also get ART services for the servicemember’sbenefit:

„ TRICARE-enrolledunmarriedpartners

„ TRICARE-enrolled third-party gestationalcarriers(ifnotbeingpaid) Are you a qualifying service member, their TRICARE-enrolled spouse or partner,orgestationalcarrier?Youmayalsouse donorsperm,eggs,orembryosthatarepaid out-of-pocketwithanyoftheincludedART services Suchservicemembersalsoreceive prioritywhenseekingthiscarethroughany of the military hospital programs listed above Do you have questions about infertility diagnosis or treatment? Ask your doctor at your next appointment. And no matter what your family planning goals are, learn more about how TRICARE covers men’s health and women’s health services online athttps://www.tricare.mil/HealthWellness/ HealthyLiving/.

WouldyoulikethelatestTRICAREnewssent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.

Ifyou’re trying to get pregnant but haven’t been able to you mayhave questions about howTRICARE can help TRICARE covers certain tests and services that can help diagnose and treat underlying physical causes ofinfertility.