Flagship 08.12.2021

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 1

IN THIS ISSUE

Infrastructure equipment The Infrastructure Pillar Team (IPT) has several goals, one of which is Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) equipment improvement initiative. PAGE A5

VOL. 28, NO. 32, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com

August 12-August 18, 2021

Navy, Virginia Beach agree to explore leasing land onboard Naval Air Station Oceana for economic development

Navy Leaders discuss COVID response, unmanned intelligence on final day of SAS 2021

By MC1 Brittney Kinsey

Defense Media Activity Public Affairs

line and other essential military activities would remain secured behind the installation’s fence line.

The Navy would retain ownership of the leased land while Virginia Beach would find businesses that are compatible with the installation’s mission as the Navy’s East Coast master jet base.

“This agreement will allow the city to provide installation support services to attract potential tenants for the sites under a lease from the government for economic development that are consistent with Navy requirements to build partnerships whereby all are working together for their mutual benefit in both the short and long term,” the proclamation says.

The agreement was signed by Rear Adm. Charles “Chip” Rock, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, and Dyer.

“Future Base Design shows the Navy is

BALTIMORE, Md. — Leaders turned their focus to COVID-19, force health protection efforts and security in the maritime domain for the final day of the Sea-Air-Space 2021 Exposition (SAS), an annual event hosted by the Navy League of the United States.

The exposition, held Aug. 2-4 at the Gaylord National Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, brings together the U.S. defense industrial base, private-sector U.S. companies, and key military decision makers for an innovative, educational, and professional maritime-based event.

Surgeon General of the Navy, Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham praised the work of the Navy’s preventive medicine teams as a “secret weapon” in the fleet’s COVID response arsenal.“It was an extremely challenging environment and it remains a challenging environment” said Gillingham. “The challenge we faced extended beyond force health protection into public health where we were able to provide support. The USNS Comfort’s arrival in New York was a marquee event and the preventive medicine units were crucial to responding to the Navy’s public health efforts.”

Vice Adm. Scott Conn, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities (OPNAV N9), shared his thoughts on the future of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and the need within the DoD to maintain a competitive advantage in the unmanned arena.

“The world’s a different place today.

At the end of the Cold War, there was an anomaly in history that the U.S. had a monopoly on key critical technology, and that’s no longer the case. We don’t have a monopoly on range and precision and because of that we need to expand our

Turn to Economic Development, Page 7

Turn to COVID, Page 7

Bobby Dyer, the Mayor of Virginia Beach, signs the Proclamation for Partnership during a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Air Station Oceana. This agreement between the Department of the Navy and the City of Virginia Beach was ceremoniously signed by Dyer and Rear Adm. Charles Rock, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, signifying the furtherance of the Navy’s and the city’s commitment to each other regarding the potential utilization of certain Naval Air Station Oceana land parcels. (MEGAN WOLLAM)

By Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Navy and the city of Virginia Beach signed a proclamation today expressing their commitment to explore leasing land onboard Naval Air Station Oceana for economic development.

Under the concept known as Future Base Design, the Navy, in partnership with the city, could lease about 400 acres of underutilized land on the installation to private businesses in exchange for in-kind consideration that could provide for building maintenance and other infrastructure projects on the installation.

Developers and businesses could gain access to prime real estate in Virginia’s largest city that’s situated near Interstate 64, the oceanfront resort area and has quick access to the Port of Virginia.

Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer said the city is looking to bring in some high-tech companies that could provide good jobs for

new college graduates and people leaving the military.

“We’ve got to bring in those new businesses and companies,” Dyer said. “We’re running out of space (in Virginia Beach) in terms of land for development, but this just gives us a plethora of opportunities that we can take forward. This is a win-win for everybody.”

Future Base Design is intended to reduce the Navy’s infrastructure costs, eliminate expenditures and redirect savings toward its primary warfighting missions of enabling, generating and increasing naval power.

Future Base Design also creates economic and private business development by creating opportunities to integrate public and private services currently provided by and accessible to only Department of Defense affiliated personnel, such as housing, dining, retail and recreation, among others.

While portions of the base could be opened to the public in Future Base Design, the flight

USS Gerald R. Ford conducts final explosive event, completing full ship shock trials

By Program Executive Office Aircraft Carriers Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) successfully conducted a third explosive event off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida marking the completion of the ship’s Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST), August 8.

Shock Trials validate a ship’s shock hardness and ability to sustain operations in a simulated combat environment using live ordnance.

During the four-month testing evolution, the first-in-class aircraft carrier withstood the impact of three 40,000-pound underwater blasts, released at distances progressively closer to the ship.

“The Navy designed the Ford-class carrier using advanced computer modeling methods, testing, and analysis to ensure the ships are hardened to withstand harsh battle conditions,” said Capt. Brian Metcalf, manager for the Navy’s future aircraft carrier program office, PMS 378.

“These shock trials have tested the resiliency

www.flagshipnews.com

www.facebook.com/ The.Flagship

www.twitter.com/ the_flagship

of Ford and her crew and provided extensive data used in the process of validating the shock hardness of the ship.”

Metcalf said that the goal of the tests is to ensure that Ford’s integrated combat systems perform as designed and added “the tests demonstrated—and proved to the crew, fairly dramatically—that the ship will be able to withstand formidable shocks and continue to operate under extreme conditions.”

CVN 78 is returning to the Tidewater area for a six month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). As the PIA begins, teams will conduct additional detailed inspections, assess any damage sustained during the shots, and continue modernization and maintenance work in advance of workups for the ship’s deployment in 2022.

Rear Adm. James P. Downey, program executive officer for aircraft carriers, rode the ship during the first and third shock evolutions, and Turn to Shock trials, Page 7

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) successfully completes the third and final scheduled explosive event of Full Ship Shock Trials while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 8. (MC3 NOVALEE MANZELLA)

Brace for shock

USS America

Thirty-four years separates the current U.S. aircraft carrier undergoing Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST), USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), and the last aircraft carrier to complete FSST, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). For two Sailors, a father and son, the same number of years separates a shared shock trials experience. PAGE A3

USS America Expeditionary Strike Group begin operations alongside Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra and HMAS Ballarat ; and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force JS Makinami (DD 115) in support of the Combined and Joint Battle Problem (CJBP). PAGE A4

Chief of Naval Operations

Vice Adm. Bill Merz succeeded Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy, N3/N5, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. PAGE A6

THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY South Hampton Roads: Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered right to your door for free!

Signup today!

Call 222-3900

2

The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

CREDO: Understanding different personalities and perspectives

CREDO participants take part in an activity during a workshop as part of the CREDO retreat. (COURTESY PHOTO)

By Cmdr. Edward Erwin

CREDO Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK — Conflict is inevitable. It is not a matter of if we will experience conflict, but rather it is a matter of when we will face conflict. Though exasperating and frustrating, conflict is a natural part of life. While there are many causes of conflict in terms of differences in beliefs, values, traditions, etc., one major source of conflict that creates misunderstandings and impairs communications is simply a difference of personality types. In fact, understanding different personalities and perspectives at home and at work can help defuse a crisis.

For example, my wife Rhonda and I have a wonderful marriage of many years, but we do have different personality types, and that in part is what drew us together. After all, as the old adage reminds us: “Before we get married opposites attract, but after we get married opposites attack.” This profound observation underscores how our attractive qualities can in time embroil us in a number of battlefields in family life and on the job. Several times I have “cleaned” the house only to be informed by my wife that I “straightened up” the house. Was this an issue of semantics? Was my wife totally wrong? Or dare I wonder: was I totally wrong? Or it could have been perhaps an issue of personality types?

My wife is a detail-oriented person, and I am a big-picture person. No Genghis Khans in this debate, just a difference of personality traits.

These days we have no arguments whatsoever—that is, to say about the household chores.

Housecleaning services can work wonders! But more foundational is the understanding that both my wife and I have different personality types: that is both the magic and the mystery of a great marriage. My personal anecdote illustrates the significance of understanding and appreciating different personalities and the unique perspectives that color our perceptions of events that can quickly deteriorate into conflict.

Dr. Kathryn Briggs and Dr. Isabel Myers, an amazing mother-daughter team of psychologists, formulated a personality inventory called the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). It is a wonderful tool to help discover an individual’s personality type. The MBTI is used by universities, corporations, religious institutions, and the military to foster self-understanding, family harmony, and departmental unity with the end result of resolving divisive issues often derived from temperament preferences. A case in point, an introvert says, “I want to stay home and read a book.” By contrast, an extrovert states, “I want to go to a party with my buddies.” Now, the husband and wife find themselves in an argument stemming from their basic personality

traits. A verbal skirmish can break out over whether someone is more about sensing or intuitive. For instance, the person at the office who loves details wants the facts and figures, and the visionary believes that we can miss the forest for the trees, especially when it comes to budgets. If you have ever watched Star Trek, you will know that Spock is the thinker, and Dr. McCoy (Bones) is all heart as the feeler, and there is conflict between these important leaders in almost every episode. Finally, in the MBTI configuration, the judging (structured and agenda-driven) can run the perceiving (spontaneous and flexible) team members crazy with anger. The MBTI insights help us understand that we are not necessarily divisive in our psychological make-up but different. When we can accept that our different personality types at the waterfront or on the home front are the lenses by which we see the world around us, it can help us relax and remove suspicions of distrust from those we normally respect.

These practical lessons from the MBTI are just a few points that you can discover with your spouse or Command during a CREDO retreat. If you are interested in attending a marriage enrichment retreat or personal resiliency retreat with CREDO, please visit https:// www.facebook.com/credomidatlantic/in

DOD offers discounted rates for campgrounds nationwide

By David Vergun DOD Public Affairs

The Defense Department recently launched an online guide to U.S. joint-service campgrounds and facilities that can be accessed via computer or mobile devices.

“Best Kept Secrets” connects activeduty service members and their families, National Guard, Reserve, DOD civilians and retired military members with campground sites that offer lower rates as compared to non-DOD campground sites.

With a new look-up feature, users can search by state to easily locate the campground of their choice, contact information, details on reservation policies, and a list of amenities and activities available at different locations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance states that outdoor activities, such as campground visits, are safer than indoor activities.

The campground guide was produced by DOD’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Resale Policy Office. MWR provides the resources to help service members connect with recreational opportunities.

Easter Posey Campground, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Editorial Staff Military Editor | MC1 Maddelin Hamm, maddelin.hamm@navy.mil Managing Editor | Ensign James Caliva, james.caliva@navy.mil Graphic Designer | Trisha Irving, trisha.irving@virginiamedia.com

Flagship, Inc.

MNV Military Manager | Ski Miller, ski.miller@virginiamedia.com Advertising Inquiries | Ski Miller, ski.miller@virginiamedia.com Free Classified Advertising, 757-622-1455 Distribution/Home Delivery, Distribution@pilotonline.com

Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA): Rear Adm Charles W.“Chip”Rock Regional program manager for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA): Public Affairs Director | Beth Baker The Flagship® is published by Flagship, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense (DOD) or the United States Navy, under exclusive written contract with Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.

This civilian enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of the paper, including advertisements, are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S. Government, DOD, or the Department of the Navy (DON). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD; DON; Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic or Flagship, Inc. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase,use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Department of Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic.

Stories may be submitted via email to news@flagshipnews.com.

The Flagship® is published every Thursday by Flagship, Inc., whose mailing address is located at PO Box 282501, Norfolk, Va. 23510. © 2021Flagship, Inc. All rights reserved

order to learn more and register for upcoming programs.* If you would like to speak with a Chaplain about an urgent crisis situation, the Duty Chaplain number for the Hampton Roads Area is 1-757-438-3822.

Even as every coin has two sides, so there are at least two sides to every argument.

Being right on an issue is less important than being in right relationships that are positive and healthy. After all, wouldn’t you rather be snuggled up in bed with your wonderful spouse and a little wrong than to be a lot right sleeping on a cold and lonely couch by yourself? Acceptance, forgiveness, open-mindedness, grace, and humility are some of the virtues that make life endurable and enjoyable! Socrates once said, “Know thyself!” And I would add, “Know thyself—and family and friends!” We should not only understand, but appreciate that we are all diverse and unique individuals with different personalities and perspectives. And that breakthrough is the beginning of peace in the office, at the house, and aboard the ship. Conflict is inevitable, but peace is a choice!

CREDO was established in 1971 as a Navy program to help enhance the quality of life for military members and their families through effective life skills and strategies by way of inspirational retreats, workshops, and classes.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 3

Brace for shock, fatherson share shock trials experience 34 years apart

By USS Ford Public Affairs NORFOLK— Thirty-four years separates the current U.S. aircraft carrier undergoing Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST), USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), and the last aircraft carrier to complete FSST, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). For two Sailors, a father and son, the same number of years separates a shared shock trials experience.

Aviation Maintenance Administrationman (AZ) 1st Class (Retired) Gary Campbell Sr., from Marcellus, New York, served on Roosevelt in 1987 as a petty officer 2nd class during FSST, and currently, Master Chief Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) Gary Campbell Jr., from San Diego, California, is serving on Ford during her FSST. Campbell Sr. experienced four planned explosive events on Roosevelt, the fourth carrier of the Nimitz-class, and Campbell Jr. has undergone just the first two of three planned explosions on the first-in-class Ford. Both agree that shock trials are difficult to appreciate until a person experiences that first shock.

“The first one sounded like a shotgun blast right behind my head even though it’s 100s of yards out in the water,” said Campbell Jr. “It felt like it was right here, right behind my head.”

Aside from the father-son lineage, the Campbells are not straight generational Sailors, but they have several family members that have served in the Navy, including during World War II and Vietnam. Campbell Sr. said he always felt that two of his sons were destined for military service.

“For Gary and our second son Matthew, we knew pretty early on they would go into the Navy,” said Campbell Sr. “Gary ended up in the surface world or engineering world and Matthew became an officer through the STA-21 (Seaman-to-Admiral) program. The rest is history as they say.”

Father and son served in different eras, in different areas of their ships, and at different times in their careers, but as Sailors must, each did their part with their shipmates depending on them. Campbell Sr. was a hoseman for Repair Locker 6⁄7 with seven years active service during FSST, standing ready to combat any fire that ignited following each shot. The departmental Shock Trials Coordinator for Reactor depart-

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) successfully completed the second of three scheduled explosive events for Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST). (MC3 ZACHARY GUTH)

ment with nearly 20 years of service, Campbell Jr. plans procedures for pre and post-shock maintenance and testing, and ensures proper monitoring and recording of equipment parameters before and after the shock.

Both agree that actually experiencing the sound and intensity of a shock can be an eye-opener for the crew, but also results in a professional response based on the training and expertise of a skilled warfighter.

“The situation dictates the response,” said Campbell Sr. “When Sailors experience realworld events, that’s when they really demonstrate their toughness.”

“They [Reactor department watch standers] did a great job!,” added Campbell Jr. “They took their actions just as they were trained, completed all their testing and documented as required. I couldn’t imagine it going any better than it has gone. They step up at every turn and get the job done, and I am very impressed with their performance.”

Campbell Sr. said it was not until he came across a few news articles and reports about the historical significance of Ford’s shock trials that he began to consider the significance of his and his son’s shared experience.

“It didn’t sink in until I saw some articles that talked about Ford being the first carrier to do it [FSST] since Roosevelt did. That’s when I thought ‘oh, wow, interesting! - I hope Gary enjoys it.’ ” The importance of Ford’s shock trials is not lost on Campbell Jr. either.

“We know a lot of smart people put a lot of ideas into this ship… the base design is solid. It’s

great to see were proving the ship is functional to not just us, but everyone else out there,” said Campbell Jr. “To go through shock trials and know we can survive this, and we can continue to operate and do what the nation needs us to do with this class of ship is pretty exciting.”

For Sailors, navigating an uncertain, potentially dangerous operation such as FSST can be enjoyable while also requiring focused training and hard work.

“It’s been a lot of fun, getting to see the ship respond,” said Campbell Jr. “But, the thing I am most proud of is how the Sailors have responded.

They have worked really hard and done a great job! Getting to see the watch standers take their actions; they’re taking the right actions just how they were trained, and the equipment has responded very well.”

Each shock, progressively closer to the ship, comes with it’s own sound, feel and effect.

Campbell Jr. said he didn’t notice a lot of difference from shock one to two on Ford, while the experience of Roosevelt’s last shot stuck in the memory of Campbell Sr. “The two shots were pretty comparable,” said Campbell Jr. “The noise was about the same, but we were more prepared for it. The shockwave didn’t feel too much different, but the way things responded, it was pretty clear it was more intense. I’m curious how this third one is going to feel, since this is the max shot.”

“That fourth shot was a doozie! It felt like the ship rose out of the water and settled back down as the blast subsided,” added Campbell Sr. Both Sailors said they were proud to be a part of naval history and believe that everyone

walk in our

founders’ footsteps

And get the real story behind the history.

You can’t know history till you know the whole story. A visit to the eight destinations that make up the Founders District is a chance to see history unfolding before your eyes – but in a fun, modern way. Learn about America’s first permanent English Colony, retrace Capt. John Smith’s route, and see how Pocahontas lived. You’ll see how Virginia Indians, early English settlers and West-Central Africans came together in the 17th century to forge a new world.

Plan your trip at TheFoundersDistrict.com

Jamestown Settlement

involved will have something memorable to look back on.

“You guys are going to really have something to look back on someday,” said Campbell Sr. “You will be able to say ‘yeah, we did the first one — we had to go through the hassles, the trials and tribulations, but we did the first one.’ That feels good, that we were able to put it together.”

“Knowing that we are that one generation of Sailors that get to do this, and to get to do it on this class is pretty exciting,” added Campbell Jr. As Ford prepares to get underway for the last shock of her shock trials, Campbell Sr. shared his advice.

“When they tell you to brace for shock, you brace for shock,” said Campbell Sr. “Be prepared for anything. It’s going to be closer; it’s going to be a whole lot louder and it’s going to shake a whole lot more. You never know how the people will respond; the ship will respond. Expect the worst and hope for the best.”

Campbell Jr. had his own advice and encouragement for the Ford crew.

“Fall back on your training. Everything the ship does is to survive a moment like this,” said Campbell Jr. “This crew has done amazing things; continue to do what you have been doing. You may not realize it, but you are ready.”

Ford is preparing for the last explosive event of FSST. The U.S. Navy conducts shock trials of new ship designs using live explosives to confirm that our warships can continue to meet demanding mission requirements under the harsh conditions they might encounter in battle.

For more news from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN78

4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

NAVWAR addresses readiness today and modernization for tomorrow at SeaAir-Space 2021

By Naval Information Warfare Systems Command Public Affairs Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) joined nine commands from across the information warfare (IW) community to discuss how to apply digital and information technology for future fleet readiness under, on and above the sea during the 2021 Sea-Air-Space Exposition at the Gaylord National Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland August 2-4.

Now in its fifth year at the event, the Navy’s IW Pavilion featured a leadership speaker series, an engagement zone and technology demonstrations. Collaboration among IW commands is the key to success in the ever-evolving cyber and technology environment and the pavilion demonstrates the teamwork between the commands to support the fleet. Navy commands participating included: • Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (N2N6) • Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Tenth Fleet (FCC/C10F) • Navy Information Forces Command (NAVIFOR) • Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) • Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) • Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC) • Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific • Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic P • rogram Executive Office Manpower, Logistics and Business Solutions (PEO MLB) • Program Executive Office Digital and Enterprise Services (PEO Digital) Vice Adm. Jeffrey Trussler, deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare (OPNAV N2N6), kicked off the IW Pavilion speaker series by discussing IW community priorities.

“As the fleet operates much more forward and much more distributed, there is more of a need for tools to be available to the warfighter in a way that we can quickly evolve and modernize them as operational environments

change,” said Trussler. “In the information warfare community, our number one priority is providing the Fleet with the capabilities they need and want.”

During his slot in the IW leadership speaker series, NAVWAR Commander Rear Adm. Doug Small chose to facilitate a dialogue with the audience by hosting a question and answer session. He fielded questions on a variety of subjects including digital engineering, data security and classification, the use of experimentation to test new technology and collaboration with Marine Corps.

He also stressed the importance for industry partners to participate in classified industry days as a way to understand requirements.

“We never want industry to wonder about capability gaps,” said Small. “I want you to know exactly what we are working on and why, so when the time comes to close a gap, we are ready to go as quickly as possible. I want you to be able to align every dime of your investments towards what the Navy, Marine Corps and Joint Force needs.”

While at the event, Small also joined the panel “Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2): Navigating the Netted Battlespace” where he discussed Project Overmatch, a high priority Navy initiative aimed at delivering a more lethal, better-connected fleet of the future by connecting manned and unmanned platforms, weapons and sensors together in a robust Naval Operational Architecture that integrates with JADC2 for enhanced Distributed Maritime Operations.

Critical to this initiative is the development of networks, infrastructure, data architecture, tools and analytics that support the operational and developmental environment that will enable sustained maritime dominance for years to come.

Project Overmatch leverages the latest in digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), networking technologies, as well as the Navy’s commercial, cloud-enabled, development, security and operations (DevSecOps) pipeline, known as Overmatch Software Armory, for improved fleet readiness worldwide.

“We are trying to find a way to ‘unthink’ the

The U.S. Navy’s Information Warfare (IW) community is featured at the Sea-Air-Space 2021 exposition with the Information Warfare pavilion. (ROBERT FLUEGEL)

way we acquire and deliver capability,” said Small. “Let’s do it the way the rest of the world works by delivering software and applications and take away the other stuff so we can unleash the creativity of our entrepreneurial software developers.”

Taking advantage of being back to in-person, face-to-face interaction, the IW Pavilion featured the engagement zone, where attendees had the opportunity to join program managers and other subject matter experts for informal, sit-down conversations in 10 sessions throughout the three-day conference. These dialogues help to facilitate the process of connecting government and military leaders with industry partners with the goal of improving today’s technology and working to modernize capabilities for the fleet, as quickly as possible.

“My hope is that our engagement zone provided attendees with a clearer understanding of how important cultures of experimentation, adaptation and risk-taking are for the future of our Navy,” said Greg Hays, senior scientific technology manager for Rapid Prototyping, Exercises and Demonstrations (RPED) at NIWC Atlantic. “I addressed the need for government to lower the barriers of entry for our industry partners and accelerating contractual options. The more agile we become in procuring key technologies, the more likely we are to outmatch our adversaries in information warfare.”

Additionally, the IW Pavilion featured demonstrations focused on data science, applications for AI and ML, mobile applications, virtual air traffic control technology and

unmanned underwater vehicles.

One of the demos provided by NIWC Pacific was the Ambient Intelligence Speech Interface (AISI) project which is developing the capabilities to bring the next generation of digital assistants to Naval command and control.

Using AI and ML to understand who is talking and what they are saying, speech can be used as an intuitive way for decision makers to get the synthesized and timely information they need.

“With a modular design that can integrate deep learning techniques with a range of tools developed in-house and from industry, we are tailoring the AISI framework to handle the unique challenges presented by Naval environments,” said Jeffrey Bennett, a machine learning scientist at NIWC Pacific. “This demonstration highlighted some of the AISI capabilities to show attendees how intelligent, natural interactions can enable the future of information warfare.”

Hosted by the Navy League of the United States, the Sea-Air-Space Exposition is now the largest maritime exposition in the United States and continues as an invaluable extension of the Navy League’s mission of maritime policy, education and sea service support.

About NAVWAR: NAVWAR identifies, develops, delivers and sustains information warfighting capabilities and services that enable naval, joint, coalition and other national missions operating in warfighting domains from seabed to space and through cyberspace. NAVWAR consists of more than 11,000 civilian, active duty and reserve professionals located around the world.

USS America Expeditionary Strike Group participates in combined and joint battle problem

By Lt. Cmdr. Sherrie A. Flippin,

Commander Expeditionary Strike Group 7 Public Affairs

CORAL SEA — USS America Expeditionary Strike Group (AMA ESG), along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), begin operations alongside Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Canberra (L 02) and HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155); and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force JS Makinami (DD 115) in support of the Combined and Joint Battle Problem (CJBP), August 5-8.

“It should come as no surprise that our blue-green team will continue to operate with like-minded nations in order to promote stability and the international rulesbased order,” said Rear Adm. Chris Engdahl, commander Expeditionary Strike Group 7.

“Operations such as these ensure our forces can come together, if called upon, to defend shared interest in the region and respond to

USS America (foreground) and HMAS Canberra conduct maritime manoeuvres during the US-led Large-Scale Global Exercise 21 in the Western Pacific, August 5. (COURTESY PHOTO)

conventional or non-conventional threats.”

CJBP is one of many operations nested under the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Large Scale Global Exercise (LSGE) 21. LSGE 21 is global command and control exercise, with a regional focus, to enhance integration of the U.S., allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. in conjunction with like-minded partners and allies will operate across several bases in the region and project sustained combat power. During CJBP, surface units will conduct complex maneuvering, refueling at sea, and integrate aviation assets through helicopter cross-

deck opportunities.

Royal Australian Navy, Commodore Flotillas, Commodore Mick Harris highlighted the opportunities that LSGE 21 presents for Australia.

“Australia always looks forward to working and training with our like-minded partners and friends to address shared security challenges in our region,” Commodore Harris said. “This exercise with the USS America Expeditionary Strike Group and JS Makinami represents an opportunity to enhance our ability to seamlessly integrate anywhere in the world.”

Each training evolution was planned and coordinated among units and will be executed as multi-domain operations in order to provide commanders with numerous options for executing processes and maneuvers.

Events are based on a continuum of scenarios and designed to test operational concepts.

Together, the forward-deployed ships of ESG 7 and elements of the 31st MEU are operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serve as a ready response force in support of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

TOGETHER WE WIN $

52,000 IN 52 WEEKS TO 52 WORTHY CHARITIES

“Rosie’s has really stepped up in helping non-profit organizations in New Kent County. Hundreds of pounds of food were given that greatly benefit our food pantry (that has been feeding the hungry since 2008). Now, we are so excited to accept this $1,000.00 gift! This donation will be a great addition to the building fund for our new Food Pantry building set to break ground in 2022. Thank you Rosie’s!”

Melanie King

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

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

Through the charitable program, Rosie’s Gives Back, Colonial Downs Group has made monetary and in-kind donations of more than $1,348,500, and has logged over 1,100 service hours in Virginia communities.

Must be 18 or older. Problem Gaming? Call the Virginia Help Line at 1-888-532-3500.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 5

NNSY employee Ursula Jones works with equipment. (SHELBY WEST)

Infrastructure equipment improvements: The tools you need when you need them

By Jason Scarborough

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, VA — The Infrastructure Pillar Team (IPT) has several goals, one of which is Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) equipment improvement initiative. This is to improve overall industrial plant equipment readiness by enhancing maintenance efforts and to create a long-term, self-sustaining and transparent maintenance program that improves maintenance availabilities and their lifecycles.

Utilizing rapid improvement techniques, the team is pursuing several parallel options for maintenance on all Capital Investment

Properties (CIP), core equipment, and high-impact Industrial Plant Equipment (IPE). The IPT has commenced the development of an organic specialized electronics maintenance team consisting of active duty personnel, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual maintenance costs. The IPT has launched several large preventive maintenance contracts with more contracts to follow keeping vital IPE at top operating condition. The team has reorganized small organic maintenance teams and developed an organic preventive maintenance program until the Preventive Maintenance Program matures where all items can be addressed at the required frequency. Preventive main-

tenance is critical to extending the life of any piece of equipment. A robust preventive maintenance program can lead to a 70 percent decrease in corrective maintenance.

Preventive maintenance minimizes downtime for NNSY’s Capital Investment Properties, core, or high-impact IPE. Down time for back shop IPE can have a direct impact for projects on the waterfront. Equipment Initiative Lead Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-4) Michael Mendez said, “Our workforce must have the tools they need when they need them. Supporting our workforce and fostering a culture that displays a facilities maintenance team that is actively engaged and responsive to

their maintenance concerns is paramount to NNSY.” The new IPE trouble desk will allow anyone with any question regarding the equipment to make one phone call to 757-396-3805 and be provided a direct line to the answer they seek. The trouble desk is also available for reporting any downed or degraded piece of IPE. The trouble desk works with NNSY’s Industrial Engineering Branch’s (Code 983) embedded engineers and the Equipment Maintenance Branch’s (Code 900F12) maintenance team to provide answers on status. These small maintenance divisions in the last year have taken 1,400 corrective maintenance items backlogged and lowered that number to approximately 130 items. Challenges and improvements still lay ahead for the IPT, but the framework and strategy is in place.

“With the launch of all of our target goals and these programs self-sustainability these items are excellent examples of pillar team efforts,” said Mendez. “While there is room for these new programs to improve, these items represent the tremendous efforts to prioritize industrial equipment and importance of our workforce. Shipmates helping shipmates, easy day!”

HARD-TO-FIND AND OBSOLETE PARTS YOU CAN TRUST

SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS DESIGNED TO KEEP FLEETS & SYSTEMS OPERATIONAL, READY AND SAFE 757-434-9123 | ctgsales@ctgnow.com | CTGNOW.COM ©2020 CTG is a registered trademark of Crestwood Technology Group, Corp. All rights reserved.

Follow us on LinkedIn

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

New Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy

By U.S. Navy Office Of Information Public Affairs WASHINGTON, D.C.— Vice Adm. Bill Merz succeeded Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy, N3/N5, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations August 6.

Merz is a native of San Diego, California, and a career submariner. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering, and subsequently earned master’s degrees from the Catholic University of America and the Naval War College. His most recent assignment was Commander, Seventh Fleet.

The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/ N5) is the principal advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) on Navy strategies, plans, and policies, including planning and coordinating the global employment of naval forces.

Vice Adm. Bill Merz, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, addresses the crew of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during an admirals call, June 2 (MC2 VINCENT ZLINE).

THOSE WHO SERVE COULD

SAVE MORE WITH A SPECIAL

MILITARY DISCOUNT 109 Volvo Parkway Chesapeake

757-549-1772

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076 a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2020 GEICO. 20_549328606

UNBRIDLED FUN

DINING | SPINNING | WINNING

OVER $170,000,000 IN JACKPOTS PAID. OPEN UNTIL 4AM DAILY. 1 9 9 6 P OW E R P L A N T P KWY | H A M P TO N , VA 2 3 6 6 6 | R O S I E S G A M I N G .CO M Must be 18 or over. Problem Gaming? Call the Virginia Help Line at 1-888-532-3500.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 7

COVID

from Page 1

operational reach,” said Conn during panel discussions.

Conn said the Navy must look at those challenging operational problems and determine how to use unmanned systems in the air, on the surface, and undersea to achieve the warfighting advantage at the tactical level.

“Our first job is to prevent crisis and conflict from happening in day to day operations and ISR is a part of that,” he said.

Acting Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Thomas Harker delivered remarks during a luncheon, urging attendees to continue embracing partnerships among industry, public, and private organizations in order for the Navy to thrive.

“Partnership and trust are at the heart of all we do. Protecting our world also requires mutual support and respect from our allies and partners that serve by our side. True partnership is a two-way street built upon trust; open, honest communication; and the recognition of values that bond us in service. In order to maintain our Fleet we must maintain our partnerships.” said Harker.

Shock trials from Page 1

observed the historic trials, first-hand. “FSST has proven a critical investment in the Fordclass development,” said Downey. “The ship and crew performed exceptionally in these very strenuous conditions and continued their operations throughout the shock events, demonstrating the ship’s ‘fight-through’ capability.”

“We’re designing and building these aircraft carriers to sail in some of the world’s most contested security environments. So when you think about the threats to warships posed by non-contact blasts and the number of sea mines in the inventories of navies around the world, the gravity and consequence of these shock trials really come into focus. The Navy’s ongoing investment in the design, including this modeling, will help ensure the resiliency of Ford’s integrated, mission critical systems in underway threat environments.”

Downey added that the trial’s ultimate success hinged on the extraordinary performance of ship’s force, in coordination with crews on several surface and aviation platforms that support FSST. “The countdown to the actual shot is choreographed down to the smallest detail, and the coordination between the ship and the other surface and aviation platforms, as well as the on-scene environmental scientists has been impressive.”

Balancing combatant testing and environmental mitigation FSSTs are complex evolutions, conducted during a precise operating schedule in compliance with exacting environmental mitigation requirements, respecting known migration patterns of marine life and protected species.

Ford’s shock trials required exacting coordina-

Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham, Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy, speaks during the“COVID Response and Post-Pandemic National Security”panel at the Sea-Air-Space 2021 exposition (MC1 JOHN GRADIN).

tion across multiple Navy/Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) organizations and experienced FSST teams.

Prior to each shot, the FSST team notified mariners to avoid the test area, and implemented extensive protocols to ensure the safety of military and civilian personnel participating in the operation. A team of more than a dozen scientists, biologists, and observers were assigned to Ford, nearby support vessels, and observation aircraft. Observers used high-powered lenses to detect marine life at great distances, through ocean waves and white caps.

During the sequence of events leading up to each shot, crews operated in a heightened state of watchful readiness in anticipation of the ultimate go/no-go decision, which had to be made between 4:00 and 8:00 a.m. on the day of the scheduled blast.

Ford’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, was the tactical commander that ordered the go/no-go decision, based on the interplay of several crucial variables, such as ship and crew readiness, weather, and sea state, as well as pre-set environmental mitigation measures, designed to protect any marine life spotted within the test area.

“Safety was always the driving consideration throughout the shock trials,” recalled Lanzilotta.

“So, once we were ready and in position, pausing the countdown to the shot could really test our focus and persistence.”

“In spite of months of detailed preparation, you can’t always count on the weather,” he said.

“But the crew hung in there, and showed the great tenacity and professionalism reflective of their pride in our Warship.”

“So many pieces had to fall into place to execute Ford’s FSSTs within the testing window,” said Capt. Lanzilotta. “Success required equal measures of technical expertise, trust, and courage—traits you’ll find in

great supply on Warship 78 and throughout the entire Ford Shock Trial Team. These shots have only strengthened my confidence in the durability of this ship, and the excellence of the crew who came out here to own it, and absolutely crushed it.”

The U.S. Navy has conducted FSSTs over several decades, most recently for the Littoral Combat Ships USS Jackson (LCS 6) and USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) in 2016; as well as on the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) in 2008, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) in 1990, and the guided missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) in 1987. The last aircraft carrier to execute FSST was USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in 1987.

The Navy conducted the Gerald R. Ford shock trial testing in accordance with Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction 9072.2, and as mandated by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016. The first two shots of the FSST sequence occurred on June 18 and July 16.

USS Gerald R. Ford is the newest and most advanced aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy. The ship closed out a successful 18-month Post Delivery Test & Trials period in April, during which the crew completed all required testing, accomplished planned improvements and maintenance ahead of schedule, and learned valuable lessons to increase the reliability of Ford-Class systems. At the same time, the ship also served as the sole East Coast platform for conducting carrier qualifications.

The Gerald R. Ford-class represents the first major design investment in aircraft carriers since the 1960s. CVN 78 is engineered to support new technologies and a modern air wing essential to deterring and defeating nearpeer adversaries in a complex maritime environment.

Rear Adm Charles Rock , Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, speaks with guests at a change of command ceremony after signing the Proclamation for Partnership with Bobby Dyer, the Mayor of Virginia Beach (MEGAN WOLLAM).

Economic Development from Page 1

committed to finding innovative solutions to save taxpayer dollars, contributing to further economic growth of the region, providing world-class services to our Sailors and ensuring Naval Air Station Oceana will be here for generations to come,” Rock said. “This partnership is a great example of why the Navy is proud to call Virginia Beach and all of Hampton Roads home.”

NAS Oceana is home to all East Coast strikefighter units and is one of Virginia Beach’s largest employers.

The installation, including Dam Neck Annex and Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress in Chesapeake, supports about 10,500 active-duty Navy personnel, 10,000 family members and 4,500 civilian personnel.

Quick Approvals So You Can Hit the Road Faster Let Navy Federal help you save on your next new or used car.

• Get a decision in seconds • Enjoy rates as low as 1.79% APR1 • Lock in your rate for up to 90 days • Save with exclusive military discounts Easily apply with our mobile app2 or online.

navyfederal.org/auto

Insured by NCUA. Credit and collateral subject to approval. Rates subject to change and are based on creditworthiness, so your rate may differ. Rates only available for New Vehicles. New Vehicles: 2020, 2021 and 2022 model years with 7,499 miles or less. Minimum loan amount is $30,000 for terms of 85-96 months. Other rates available for Used Vehicles and Late Model Used Vehicles.

Visit navyfederal.org/auto for more information. 2Message and data rates may apply. Visit navyfederal.org for more information. © 2021 Navy Federal NFCU 14022 (7-21)

1

Our Members Are the Mission

8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 1

uarterdeck

Veteran’s story Retired Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Byron Rowe tells his story.

Page B3

USS Porter during sea trials. Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center completes USS Porter CNO Availability on time. (PHOTO COURTESY)

Forward deployed regional maintenance center completes USS Porter availability on time

By Carly Compton

Forward Deployed Maintenance Center Public Affairs

NAVAL STATION ROTA — Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC) Detachment Rota completed the USS Porter (DDG 78) Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) on time, July 17. The SRA is the largest availability completed by FDRMC Rota to date.

“FDRMC Rota worked hand-in-hand with our industry partner, Navantia to deliver the

USS Porter back to 6th Fleet and we continue to set the bar for excellence in forward deployed maintenance. The close relationship between our team and the contractor, allowed us to accommodate all work and expeditiously complete the availability on time,” said the USS Porter Project Manager, Dickson Ramirez.

Work completed included major preservation efforts and important repairs to the ship.

Captain Gustavo Vergara, Commanding Officer of FDRMC praised the Rota detachment saying, “FDRMC’s Rota detachment went above

and beyond to complete this comprehensive availability on a compressed timeline. The teamwork between our FDRMC team, Navantia, and ship’s force, ensured this availability went smoothly and was an overwhelming success.”

The USS Porter (DDG 78) is an Arleigh Burke Class destroyer that provides multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. She is currently homeported at Naval Station Rota, Spain, supporting the 6th Fleet mission.

FDRMC provides contract management oversight, fleet technical assistance, voyage

NIWC Atlantic unveils new innovation center

By Steve Ghiringhelli CHARLESTON, S.C. — Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic community members attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 27 unveiling a new innovation center at the command’s Expeditionary Warfare (ExW) Department headquarters building.

Designed to integrate teams and better develop capabilities for the warfighter, the Expeditionary Systems Integration and Innovation Center (ESIIC) Bay, or ESIIC Bay, is a state-of-the-art modular lab built with maximum flexibility in mind. Mobile workbenches are on casters, bays are open, modular electrical busways are configurable, and more than 3,500 linear feet of cable tray deliver multiple capabilities, including ubiquitous Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN) access.

Peter C. Reddy, NIWC Atlantic executive director, stressed the critical importance of the renovated infrastructure for Sailors and Marines. “The requirements to communicate, hide and fight in the Pacific are unlike anything we have seen to date and critical to our nation’s success.”

Focused on naval integration, Reddy said success in the Indo-Pacific theater will depend on naval forces’ ability to sense and communicate across systems in a highly contested environment.

“Since NIWC Atlantic is the lead systems integrator for many of these systems, we are in a unique position to resolve technical interoperability challenges and identify opportunities to go faster and be better,” he said.

The ExW workforce oversees NIWC Atlantic’s integration work for the U.S. Marine Corps — more specifically, Marine Corps Systems Command, the organization responsible for overseeing every technology and system placed into the hands of Marines.

The overarching goal of the two-year, multi-million-dollar Laboratory Revitalization Demonstration Program project was to support faster technology transitions to the warfighter.

Two months ago, ExW production teams began moving equipment into ESIIC Bay, which is located on the north side of the

repair and diving and salvage to Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Europe and the Middle East and for Deployed ships in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

For more information on Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC), visit https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/RMC/ FDRMC/ For more information on Arleigh Burke Class destroyers, visit https://www.navy.mil/ Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2169871/destroyers-ddg-51/

Navy’s first TH-73A “Thrasher” arrives at NAS Whiting Field By 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

the new Marine Air Defense Integrated System.

In addition to speeding the delivery of capabilities to the fleet, the new spaces are expected to boost employee morale and teamwork.

“This renovation is the first of several

MILTON, Fla. — The first operational TH-73A “Thrasher” training helicopter landed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field in Milton, Aug. 6.

The helicopter will be assigned to Training Air Wing (TW) 5 and will replace Chief of Naval Air Training’s (CNATRA) TH-57B/C Sea Ranger as the undergraduate training helicopter for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

The helicopter made the two-day transit to the base from the Leonardo Helicopters facility in Philadelphia, where the aircraft was manufactured. CNATRA leadership welcomed the aircraft alongside representatives from Leonardo Helicopters, Vertex Aerospace, who will provide maintenance support for the TH-73A, in addition to local community leaders.

Leonardo Helicopters is contracted to deliver 31 additional Thrashers this calendar year for a total of 130 through 2024 before the Sea Ranger’s scheduled sundown in 2025 and will provide the Navy the capacity to train several hundred aviation students per year.

The TH-73A incorporates a modern avionics suite with a fully integrated flight management system, automatic flight control system, and independent, digital cockpit displays to both pilot stations. It boasts increased performance in power, speed, payload, and endurance over the Sea Ranger, making it comparable to fleet aircraft. These upgrades will help bridge capability and capacity gaps to better prepare newly winged naval aviators as they transition to fleet replacement squadrons for postgraduate training.

In addition to new helicopters, the full Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS) includes aircrew training services that provide availability on new simulators, a modernized

Turn to NIWC Atlantic, Page 7

Turn to Trasher, Page 7

Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic Executive Director Peter C. Reddy and Expeditionary Warfare (ExW) Department Head Ashlee Landreth toured the new Expeditionary Systems Integration and Innovation Center (ESIIC) Bay, or ESIIC Bay, July 27 at NIWC Atlantic’s ExW headquarters building in the old Navy Yard following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. (JOSEPH BULLINGER)

headquarters building in the old Navy Yard.

Each open, interconnected lab space in the 36,000-square-foot facility supports integration work in everything from amphibious assault vehicles, joint light tactical vehicles and advanced reconnaissance vehicles to terrestrial collections, mixed reality, biometric operations and

2

The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

Heroes at Home

Q: When will I be placed on the Housing wait list?

A: Much of our housing does not have a wait; however, if housing is not immediately available for occupancy, you will be placed on the housing wait list immediately upon establishing your eligibility for housing. Eligibility cannot be established without a complete application package provided to the HSC. Generally, your departure date serves as your control date for placement on the wait list.

NAVY HOUSING Norfolk (757) 445-2832 JEBLCFS (757) 462-2792 Oceana/Dam Neck (757) 433-3268 Yorktown (757) 847-7806

(ISTOCK)

Grab dog days by the tail, before it’s too late

By Lisa Smith Molinari

Fun fact: the phrase “the dog days of summer” actually refers to the weeks during late July and early August when the Sun is aligned with Sirius, otherwise known as the “Dog Star.”

However, to those of us who aren’t astronomy geeks, this expression conjures visions of those hot, sticky, mosquito-ey days when you could fry and egg on the sidewalk and water the plants with your sweat mustache.

However, these days are also — DUN, DUN, DUN — the last days of summer break for most military families stationed across the globe.

As a kid, summer seemed to go on forever, because it was an endless loop of the same activities, week after week: running barefoot, jumping through sprinklers, slurping popsicles, sweaty afternoon naps, jumping off the high dive at the community pool, arguing in the neighbor’s rumpus room over a game of Monopoly or Clue.

But today, summer flies by faster than your older brother on a back yard Slip ‘n Slide, because modern families tend to be over scheduled year round with sports, lessons, camps and activities. Now, with only a week or two of summer left for most military families, it’s time to have a last blast of fun before it’s too late.

“But, but, but … there’s nothing to dooooo,” you say in a whiney voice. WRONG. Believe it or not, wherever you are in the world, there are LOTS of fun to be had before summer

break ends. Don’t waste these last precious days laying around watching “Practical Jokers” reruns under your air-conditioning vent, because before you know it, you’ll be up at 7:00 am facing nine months of car pools, homework, sports practices, parent-teacher conferences, bus schedules, permission forms, band recitals, fundraisers and packed lunches.

Military installations may look olive drab and boring, but hidden among the utilitarian buildings are organizations that are great resources for recreation, travel, sports, activities and fun. Military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (“MWR”) programs have roots in the American Revolution, when “sutlers” were appointed to provide for soldiers’ personal needs. Later, “Canteen Associations” were organized as centers for social functions to promote esprit de corps.

Today, MWR provides military personnel with not only social functions, but also trips, lessons, recreation, sports, concerts, activities, movies and more. Here are just a scant few of the fun you can find on your military installations’ MWR websites before school is back in session: In Japan, schedule a tee time at Taiyo MCCS Golf Course in Okinawa. See the Waterfalls of Saga through MWR Sasebo Travel & Tours.

In Yokosuka, hike Mt. Fuji if you’re feeling daring, or take the kids bowling if you’re too hot and sweaty to be outside. At Camp Zama, bring your blow-up unicorn and family to Flick and Float Movie Night at the pool.

In Germany, hop on a quick bus trip from Stuttgart to Paris, or hang from a cliff on a “hohengluksteig” (high ropes course) in Klettersteig. In Italy, have lunch on the Amalfi Coast, plan a family picnic at Gaeta Olde Mill Inn Park, try canyoning outside of Vicenza, go spelunking outside of Aviano, or go paddle boarding in Sicily.

Enter the Korea-wide Hiking and Cycling Challenge. Near Seoul, careen down the tracks at Belle Foret Extreme Luge and Ranch through Humphry’s MWR Outdoor Recreation.

Go snorkeling in Pearl Bay through MWR Bahrain.

In Hawaii, go see the Preacher Lawson Comedy Show at Joint Base Pearl HarborHickam, register for the Kalepa Trail Hike at PMRF Barking Sands, or rent a pontoon boat at Kaneohe Bay. Why not throw an end-of-summer party in Chievres, Belgium and rent a popcorn maker, a slushy machine, and a dunk tank? Or, get medieval in Lakenheath, England and rent a pig roaster and a blow up castle? Go caving in Wales, or make some cheese in Spain.

Spend a weekend at Alaska’s Seward Military Resort and go ziplining, or take a sunset cruise from Pelican Pete’s Marina at GTMO. Book a room at one of MWR’s Armed Forces Recreation Resorts in Hawaii, Florida, Germany, Korea or Japan.

Last call, folks — Grab the dog days by the tail and have some last-minute summer fun!

American Red Cross Support for Military Families

By Military Onesource

The American Red Cross offers important support to service members, veterans and their families. You’ll find the Red Cross in hometowns across America, on military installations around the world and deployed with the armed forces to Afghanistan, Kuwait and Djibouti.

The American Red Cross can help you: • Reach a loved one through its worldwide emergency communication network • Access emergency financial assistance and services • Prepare for and recover from a disaster • Cope with deployment • Learn first aid and more For more than 130 years, the American Red Cross has helped service members, veterans and their families during emergencies, supporting them in a number of ways.

Emergency communications The Red Cross’s network of emergency communication centers across America and around the world will help you notify a family member of an emergency, such as a death or serious illness. Call 877-272-7337, or your local Red Cross if stationed overseas, and you will be asked for: • The service member’s name, rank, social security number and unit address • The name of the person with the emergency and its nature

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charles Harris, assigned to the USS Freedom (LCS 1), embraces his daughter during a homecoming celebration at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif., Aug. 7, 2013.

(DANIEL YOUNG)

• Contact information for medical authorities Financial assistance The Red Cross works with the military aid societies to provide you funds in an emergency.

The Red Cross will also connect you with other potential financial resources.

Disaster assistance The Red Cross will connect you with emergency food and shelter and help you find support for your physical and mental health needs during a disaster.

Worldwide community education American Red Cross workshops and training classes can help you and your family cope with challenging times.

• The Coping with Deployment course was designed to help family members meet the challenges that may arise throughout the deployment cycle. The course is offered at no charge in English and Spanish, online and in person.

• The Reconnection Workshops help service

members, veterans and their families through the transition home after deployment. Each workshop focuses on a specific area, such as managing anger, supporting children, building communication, reconnecting with others and recognizing post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

• Other Red Cross courses can help prepare you and your family for emergencies while boosting your employment skills. Courses include nurse assistance training, CPR and first-aid training, swimming instruction, lifeguarding, water safety instruction and babysitter training.

Red Cross Volunteer Opportunities When you volunteer for the Red Cross, you help your community while building your resume. Learn about the different volunteer opportunities by contacting your local Red Cross.

The American Red Cross has a long history of helping service members and their families. Contact them for support and emergency assistance when you need it.

Mid-Atlantic Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) programs and services are designed to help you make the most of your military experience, and they’re all available to you at no cost.

FUNCTIONS AND/OR SERVICES FFSC PROVIDES: ClinicalCounseling(Individual, Couples,a nd Child Counseling) Personal Financial Management Information & Referral Family Employment Assistance Transition Assistance Family Advocacy Program Deployment and Mobilization Support Ombudsman Support Relocation Assistance Parenting Programs Stress and Anger Management Command Support Crisis Support SuicidePrevention SAPR Support

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 3

Veteran’s story inspires growth and healing for returning warriors

By Cmdr. Kris Hooper

Navy Region Southeast Reserve Component Command Public Affairs

AUSTIN, Texas — In 2004, retired Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Byron Rowe was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served initially with the Iraqi Intervention Forces participating in the Battle of Fallujah.

While assigned to the headquarters element of an advisory support team (AST), he was responsible for leading teams of Navy corpsmen with Marines assigned to coalition battalions fighting in some of the most intense urban warfare since World War II. His corpsmen provided medical support in the field, sometimes under fire, while teaching Iraqi forces combat medicine practices and techniques. They also coordinated follow-up medical care for serious casualties and the return of the remains of coalition soldiers killed in combat.

The group’s day-to-day task of identifying deceased soldiers and processing their remains was particularly difficult and emotionally draining, resulting in combat stress each sailor had to cope with while performing their duties.

Once their tours were over, de-mobilized active duty Sailors returned to their regular commands and Reserve Sailors to their civilian lives. Some had physical injuries, but even more faced psychological challenges from their experiences that could go unnoticed initially by even close family members and friends, and untreated for years.

Many, including Rowe, faced suppressed emotions and haunting memories in a completely different environment where they didn’t have the common bond of experience shared with fellow service members who could relate.

“We fix the obvious injuries our Sailors and Marines have that we can see on the outside, but often don’t fix the things we can’t see, painful things they may be going through on the inside,” he related.

“I had trouble transitioning back at work and re-connecting with my family, the people I loved most in the world,” said Rowe. He described how he couldn’t even focus on the simplest tasks at work and became reclusive, eventually turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.

Rowe, a 26-year veteran, served as the keynote speaker and guest singer for the national

anthem during the Returning Warrior Workshop (RWW) hosted by Navy Region Southeast Reserve Component Command Fort Worth (RCC Fort Worth) July 23-25 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Austin, Texas.

His presentation, while humorous at times, exhibited a vulnerability and honesty encouraging Sailors and their family members to open up and get the help they need.

Rowe currently serves as a Veterans Outreach program specialist with the Vet Center, a readjustment counseling organization in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Health Administration, and has always believed in the importance of giving back.

He is grateful to participate in the RWW program because it was directly responsible for putting him on the path to recovery.

“I believe I owe my sobriety, the survival of my marriage, my career, my happiness and wholeness to this program,” said Rowe. “If I can help some other returning service member or their family in even the smallest way, I’m happy to do it.”

Returning Warrior Workshops are a component of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP) designed to help ease the transition of Active and Reserve Component Sailors returning from deployments and individual augments.

They provide returning Sailors with the opportunity to reconnect with their loved ones, share their experience with others who also returned from mobilization, and learn about many valuable resources available to assist them with reintegration.

Commander, Navy Region Southeast Reserve Component Command Capt. Mark Hofmann thanked attendees for their service during his welcome presentation and encouraged them to seek assistance if needed. “I hope you leave this RWW feeling appreciated and with contact information for service providers available to support you, having learned a little bit more about yourself in the process,” said Hofmann.

Personnel Specialist First Class Natashia Handley of RCC Fort Worth attended the RWW to help with any travel, pay, or administrative issues the returning warriors have experienced and to honor them for their service.

Handley expressed the sentiments of other staff members by saying, “It’s really gratifying to see the returning warriors get a chance to

Retired Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman and keynote speaker Byron Rowe holds the audience spellbound as he recalls events from his mobilization to Iraq in 2004 where he witnessed firsthand the results of intense combat operations during the Battle of Fallujah. Rowe spoke with service members and guests during the Returning Warrior Workshop (RWW) in Austin, TX. (CMDR KRIS HOOPER)

relax and tell their story, knowing there are people here who care about them, support them and are happy to give them the recognition they deserve.”

The RWW in Austin was the first conducted in-person by RCC Fort Worth since the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the country and began shutting gatherings in March of 2020.

The support staff was grateful for the return to face-to-face workshops. “The pandemic further isolated our returning Sailors which is exactly what we worry about most,” stated table facilitator Kandi Debus from Navy Region Southeast’s Family Readiness Program.

Several resource organizations had representatives present to provide referrals including Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), Military OneSource, Psychological Health Outreach Program (PHOP), and Wounded Warriors.

Dallas Hale, an Air Force veteran and PHOP clinical counselor stated, “Once a client comes to us or is referred to us, our job is to determine what types of resources we can put them in touch with to best serve their needs, whether it be college or employment assistance, financial and mental health counseling, or a range of other support services.”

These services can help reintegrate Sailors from all walks of life, those with very different backgrounds and experiences.

Roxanna Carrillo, a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Specialist for RCC Fort Worth, has been involved with the program for nine years in multiple regions. Carrillo

acknowledged, “Attendees often arrive unsure of what to expect from the weekend, and while each gain something different, they all depart with the common assurance they have a Navy family who cares about them, who wants them to speak up if they’re struggling, and who will assist them in seeking the appropriate programs and resources.”

LT Megan Roberts, one of the RWW attendees, volunteered as a nurse to serve aboard the Mercy-class hospital ship USS Comfort (T-AH-20) when it was deployed on short notice to New York City in March 2020 as the pandemic began to spike. She was deeply honored by citizens lining the piers in New York harbor holding signs to welcome the ship and the services it would provide in very uncertain times. Still, Roberts found it emotionally challenging to deal with the fact her deployment orders had no expiration date so they literally had no idea how long they would be needed or exactly what they would be doing. She was able to speak about the stress these unknown factors created and to process the experience with others in Austin.

Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman, Dawn Scheetz, attended the RWW in Austin with her husband as the culminating event of her 26 years of service in the Navy Reserve. She reflected on what it meant by stating, “The most important thing to me as a chief was to be able to provide guidance and resources to my Sailors who needed help. These Returning Warrior Workshops do the same thing.

They are providing me with the resources I need to deal with anger issues built up over time. This was a really good way to finish my Navy career.”

WEST SHORE HOME

EXCLUSIVE SHOWER & BATH SALE OFFER EXPIRES

8.22.21

20% OFF

SHOWER & BATH PROJECTS PAYMENTS AS LOW AS

BCI

$99 A MONTH

*

OFFER EXPIRES 8.22.21

EXPERIENCE A SWIFT, NO-HASSLE REMODEL WE MAKE SHOWER AND BATH REMODELING EASY!

West Shore Home makes it easy, but only because we have experts. Our installers are employees, never sub-contractors, so they’re going to make sure the project gets done right. The most important thing though is that we make it easy for the customer. We can install your beautiful new bath in one day, and you can be using it the next – no disruption to your life.

Hassle Free Process: Through your FREE home or online consultation, you can design the bath of your dreams and have it installed with our 5-star in-house installers with peace of mind. We also offer different financing options that fit your budget.

Beat the Grout: Because there’s no grout to scrub and our products are mold, mildew, and crack resistant, cleaning your new bath or shower is a breeze. By simply wiping the nonporous surfaces, you can effortlessly maintain a clean bathroom space.

OVER 10K

5-STAR REVIEWS

FREE IN-HOME DESIGN CONSULTATIONS WHEN YOU CALL TODAY!

We Stand By Our Products: We provide a Limited Lifetime Workmanship Warranty with our showers and baths!

ONLINE CONSULTATIONS AVAILABLE We can design your shower or bath in an online contactless design consultation.

CALL NOW FOR THIS EXCLUSIVE OFFER! EXPIRING SOON! New orders only. 20% off is equal to 20% of the total project. *$99/month payments based on an average $8,500 project at 6.99% APR for 120 months.

Fixed APR during the life of the loan. Subject to credit approval. Financing for GreenSky® consumer loan programs is provided by federally insured, equal opportunity lender banks. NMLS #1416362 Wall surround styles and options vary per state. Minimum purchase may apply. See design consultant for details. Other restrictions may apply. Expires August 22nd, 2021. 2705176338

757-280-2257

4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command (NCDOC) battle watch captains and current operations officers provide the watchstanders and incident responders on the current status of Large Scale Exercise 2021 (LSE 21). (REBECCA SIDERS)

FCC participates in LSE 2021

By MC2 William Sykes U.S. 10Th Fleet Public Affairs

FORT MEADE, Md. — U.S. Fleet Cyber Command / Commander, U.S. 10th Fleet (FCC/C10F) is participating in the U.S. Navy’s largest exercise of its kind in decades.

Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2021, taking place from August 3-16, is a live, virtual, and constructive, globally-integrated exercise that spans multiple fleets. LSE 2021 is designed to refine how maritime operations across multiple Fleets are synchronized, in support of the joint force. This exercise is the first naval and amphibious large-scale exercise conducted since the Ocean Venture NATO exercises launched in 1981, during the Cold War. “While it may be unusual for regionally based fleets in this exercise to work simultaneously on a global problem set, this is something we do every day at 10th Fleet,” said Vice Admiral Ross Myers, Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Navy Space Command/U.S. 10th Fleet. “As the Navy’s only numbered fleet with global reach, we support warfighters in multiple areas of operation, providing them the network security, offensive and defensive cyber operations, space operations and signals intelligence capabilities to take the fight to the adversary in the maritime cyber and space domains. This exercise will be a valuable opportunity to test our forces’ abilities to operate in a contested information space,

integrating information warriors all over the globe under simulated combat conditions.”

As the only truly global Maritime Operations Center (MOC), FCC/C10F’s integration and coordination with multiple maritime component commanders in the synchronization of cyber and space operations is essential to the employment of a global warfighting force.

“We are making sure that from a SIGINT (Signals Intelligence), Cyber and Space perspective, we are layering and integrating those capabilities into Navy missions,” said Captain Matthew Ghen, FCC/C10F MOC Director. “We are coordinating, MOC to MOC, to ensure full use of these capabilities.”

FCC/C10F acts in two capacities, as exercise planning and support to execution as well as training audience and participant.

FCC/C10F in a planning capacity acts as the Information Warfare (IW) Syndicate lead, ensuring IW support to the various Distributed Maritime Operation hypotheses, which are integrated in the multiple storylines.

“FCC/C10F has been involved in planning for LSE 2021 since 2019, with an emphasis on the IW domain,” said Matt Dawson, Assistant Chief of Staff for Training & Exercises / MOC Training Director.

“Our planners stepped up and created the Information Warfare Community (IWC) Syndicate to lead all IW domain-wide planning efforts for exercise design and support of Large-Scale Exercise. They’ve had a very

significant role in the actual design of LSE 2021. Our focus is taking what we would normally do in other exercises and applying those affects from a 10th Fleet perspective into LSE 2021. A lot of that has been planning with 6th Fleet in conducting live network maneuvers and things of that nature.”

LSE 2021 spans across three naval component commands, five numbered fleets, and 17 time zones. Supporting sustained 24/7 operations will test C10F headquarters personnel in their ability synchronize across the clemency and will be a challenge as they continually work to provide support to maritime component commanders.

“While we do have very deliberate things planned with 6th Fleet, we are really exercising the fact that we are a global fleet and we have multiple mission sets that need to be carried out in a global wartime effort,” said Dawson. “A challenge we expect is finding ourselves in a multi-threat environment while balancing demands and requirements of multiple geographic fleets under the auspices of one global fleet. This isn’t something we generally exercise or stress during an exercise, so it’s going to force the command to flex the global mission and the support they have to provide to multiple areas during a multiple crisis scenario.”

Many of FCC/C10F’s subordinate task forces and groups are involved with the exercise and are located throughout the globe, each bringing their own unique capabilities

to the exercise.

“It’s an enterprise-wide effort,” said Dawson. “It’s safe to say that a significant amount of our subordinate commands are either very much directly participating in the exercise or at least providing response cells for the exercise scenario.”

This exercise provides a unique opportunity to integrate and enhance MOC to MOC operations while gaining a better understanding of Fleet Design in a high end fight.

“We’re going to get a good sense of how Information Warfare contributes to Distributed Maritime Operations,” said Dawson.

“A lot to the other fleets are going to get a better understanding of how information warfare contributes to their operations, how integrated and involved they really are, and what an important part FCC/C10F plays as the global Information Warfare fleet commander out there. We can expect to learn a lot, as we do every year through other exercises. We’re going to learn a lot about MOC to MOC communications integration and synchronization. The Navy will be forced to look at how we actually operate within distributed maritime operations in a significantly communications denied/ degraded environment. That’s what the Navy and we, FCC/C10F, will probably get out of this exercise.”

FCC is responsible for Navy information network operations, offensive and defensive cyberspace operations, space operations and signals intelligence. C10F is the operational arm of Fleet Cyber Command and executes its mission through a task force structure similar to other warfare commanders. In this role, C10F provides support of Navy and joint missions in cyber/networks, cryptologic/signals intelligence and space.

For news and information from Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command / U.S. 10th Fleet, visit www.FCC.navy.mil/ or follow us on Twitter @USFLEETCYBERCOM and on Facebook @USFLTCYBERCOM.

Defense Department announces Service Cross reviews for African American and Native American war veterans

By DOD Public Affairs WASHINGTON, D.C. — On August 2, 2021, the Secretary of Defense directed the Secretaries of the Military Departments to review Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, and Air Force Cross Medals previously awarded to African American and Native American Veterans for valorous actions performed during select conflicts to determine if such Veterans’ actions warrant award of the Medal of Honor. The reviews directed are as follows: African American Veterans: Review Service Crosses awarded to such Veterans for valorous actions performed during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. (Note: The Departments of the Army and Navy already performed reviews for said World War II Veterans.)

Native American Veterans: Review Service Crosses awarded to such Veterans for valorous actions performed during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The Secretary of Defense directed the review to ensure African American and Native American Service Cross recipients

are afforded the same opportunities to have their valorous actions reviewed for possible upgrade to the Medal of Honor as previously afforded to their Asian American, Native American Pacific Islander, Jewish American, and Hispanic American counterparts.

The Service Crosses awarded to Asian American, Native American Pacific Islander, Jewish American, and Hispanic American war veterans for valorous actions during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War were reviewed for potential upgrade to the Medal of Honor pursuant to Public Laws 104-106, 107-107, and 114-328. There was no requirement to show the Veteran was discriminated against to be included in the review. Instead, the laws merely required that the Veteran belong to the specified class or group.

The Secretary of Defense-directed Service Cross Reviews ensure equitable treatment of African American and Native American Service Cross recipients from a standpoint of having their valorous actions reviewed for potential upgrade to the Medal of Honor.

There is no requirement to show that the

(COURTESY PHOTO)

qualifying Veteran was subject to discrimination in order to be included in the review, just as there was no such requirement for the previous Asian American, Native American Pacific Islander, Jewish American, and Hispanic American Service Cross reviews.

The reviews will be separately led by the Military Department Secretar-

ies, and the results of the reviews are due to the Secretary of Defense by August 2, 2026. For more information please visit: https://media.defense.gov/2021/ Aug/06⁄2002824544/-1/-1⁄0/SD-MEMO-SERVICE-CROSS-REVIEWS-FOR-AFRICAN-AMERICAN-AND-NATIVE-AMERICAN-WAR-VETERANS.PDF.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 5

Detroit Sailor serves family and others through recruiting

By Navy Recruiting Command Public Affairs FLINT, Mich. — One Sailor is determined to give back to others what the Navy gave to him and his family.

Fire Controlman 1st Class Ellizar Abalos grew up in Makati, Philippines, and came to the United States in 1993 after his mom got a job opportunity as a nurse at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Abalos spent most of his childhood in Ferndale, a nearby suburb of Detroit, and graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor in music education and master in education from Western Michigan University. He then went on to be a teacher for eight years, working at both Hopkins High School and East Pointe High School. After his daughter was born in 2014, he was inspired to follow in his family’s footsteps and met with a recruiter from Benton Harbor, Michigan.

“I wanted to build a good foundation for her future,” said Abalos. “I thought the Navy was a good route, especially since my family had built their foundation in the USA through serving in the Navy. My grandfather and cousin were both hospital corpsmen. Gramps retired as a senior chief in 1990, while my cousin served from 20022010 and is a Purple Heart recipient.”

Abalos enlisted as a fire controlman and reported to his first command in 2015, the USS San Diego (LPD 22) at Naval Base San Diego. During his time there, he purchased his first home, welcomed his second child into the world and went on two deployments, which allowed him to travel to 12 ports: Guam, Thailand, Singapore, Hawaii, Jordan, Italy, San Francisco, Greece, Mexico, Philippines, Vietnam and Syria. Those deployments fueled his wanderlust and became his favorite part about being in the Navy.

“I seriously love to travel,” said Abalos.

“Being able to visit six of the seven continents has been a blessing for me. I have wonderful memories of my travels and the experiences I’ve had with shipmates and newfound friends from various countries.”

After his deployment, he was recognized for his ability to play the flute, saxophone, clarinet and trumpet by being able to perform with the U.S. Navy Band Southwest and the Japanese Navy Band for a performance at Naval Base San Diego in 2017.

In 2021, Abalos saw the opportunity to return to his hometown on recruiting duty at Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Heartland. His time there has enabled his wife to work on completing her nurs-

Fire Controlman 1st Class Ellizar Abalos, a recruiter assigned to Navy Talent Acquisition Group Heartland, is featured as Recruiter in the Spotlight.

(NAVY RECRUITING COMMAND)

ing degree at his alma mater, Wayne State University.

Abalos’s creative methods and new approaches to bring public attention and interest to the Navy within his local community have ranged from playing the piano in the middle of a mall to providing unique social media content in diverse online groups. His passion and drive not only has him redefining the methods and modes of prospecting, which are needed to be successful in a challenging and unprecedented time in our nation, but they have also created a competitive drive and renewed sense of hunger within his fellow local recruiters.

“I have to be flexible, so face-to-face contact, social media or phone calls are just a few of the ways I find people to join the Navy,” said Abalos. “In today’s world, you have to try different avenues.”

After six months of recruiting, he has learned that he has a love for helping people change their lives through the Navy.

“Recruiting is important for me because of the people,” said Abalos. “If I can leave recruiting having just helped every prospect achieve their dreams, help their family or change their legacy — it would be like giving

back to the Navy what it has afforded me in the last seven years.”

Abalos enjoys giving back to the community by using his musical talents, volunteering at Habitat for Humanity and helping his neighborhood out with community projects.

“I perform with the Ferndale Community Concert Band and the M-1 Jazz Band,” said Abalos. “I show up to rehearsal right after work, so most days I’m in uniform. I get thanked for my service constantly, and once in a while, I’ll get an inquiry about joining.

Showing the community that we’re people with talents and personalities outside of the Navy is a good way to show that Sailors are individuals.”

Now as a first class petty officer, Abalos is currently working on renewing his professional teaching certificate and obtaining his doctorate in education. He was also able to buy a second house for his family in Detroit and plans to transfer to the Reserves or try to be a hometown recruiter in Michigan so that he can be around his family while staying in the Detroit area.

“One thing my wife tells me is that the Navy has given me that opportunity

through mentorship and training others, and it’s true,” said Abalos. “My sole purpose in life is to provide for my family. I am happy that I am able to provide my children with a paid college education and support my wife in her pursuit of a nursing degree.

A lot of this would not have been possible if it were not for the Navy and its benefits.

Having joined the Navy at 30, I felt that I had a lot to give in terms of my experience with relating to people. Recruiting has allowed me to use some of the skills I have to offer as a prior teacher.”

Navy Recruiting Command consists of a command headquarters, three Navy Recruiting Regions, 26 NTAGs and 64 Talent Acquisition Onboarding Centers that serve more than 1,000 recruiting stations around the world. Their mission is to attract the highest quality candidates to assure the ongoing success of America’s Navy.

For more news from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, go to http://www. cnrc.navy.mil. Follow Navy Recruiting on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NavyRecruiting), Twitter (@USNRecruiter) and Instagram (@USNRecruiter).

Commander, Submarine Squadron 16 holds change of command

By MC1 Ashley Berumen

Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs

KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) —Commander, Submarine Squadron 16 (CSS-16) held a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, August 6.

Capt. Todd Nethercott relieved Capt. William Patterson as the commodore of CSS-16 in a ceremony held at the base’s chapel.

Commander, Submarine Group Ten Rear Adm. John Spencer was the guest speaker at the event and praised Patterson for a job well done.

“Bill and his team succeeded in training, mentoring and certifying both the USS Florida and USS Georgia crews for continued forward-deployed operations,” said Spencer.

These forward-deployed operations spanned three combatant commanders, directly supporting their overseas contingency operations and missions vital to national security for the United States. I’d like to clarify that this is no small task.”

Patterson is a native of Holliston, Massachusetts and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a Bachelor of Arts in physics, and holds a master’s degree in Military Operational Art and Science from the Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama.

He assumed command May 2019 and credits his successful tour to the tenacity of the CSS-16 staff who supported the four Ohio-class guided-missile submarine crews.

“Through all of our challenges you and your teams have performed superbly and the Squadron’s record these last two years stands as a testament to your professionalism and tenacity,” said Patterson. “[USS] Florida received a Meritori-

Capt. Todd Nethercott, incoming commodore, Commander, Submarine Squadron 16, salutes the sideboys as he departs the change of command ceremony held at the chapel onboard Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia Aug. 6. (MC1 ASHLEY BERUMEN)

ous Unit Citation following successful completion of the longest submarine deployment on record, [USS] Georgia successfully deployed with both crews fully certified, another SSGN first, and Georgia Blue [crew] earning the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy for most improved ship in the fleet. Additionally, [USS] Wyoming beat all of the previous “best ever” marks as they completed their Engineering Refueling overhaul and transitioned back to Squadron 20. Individually, these accomplishments are impressive.

Together, during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are truly remarkable.”

Under his command, USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) returned to homeport after completing a more than two-year overhaul at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, USS Georgia (SSGN 729)

(Gold) received the 2020 Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy, USS Florida (SSGN 728) received a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and his staff supported USS Georgia’s nearly year-long at sea forward-deployment.

Nethercott, the incoming commodore, is a native of Wyoming, and was commissioned through the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

He assumes command after serving at the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the Nuclear Operations Division Chief where he was responsible for nuclear procedures and assessments, nuclear strike operations, and nuclear surety.

During the ceremony, Spencer awarded

Patterson with the Legion of Merit for his service as the squadron’s commodore.

Patterson will now serve as a Senior Executive on the Fellowship Council for Foreign Relations in New York.

CSS-16 provides the nation with a unique and formidable independent warfighting capability by certifying assigned Ohio-class guided-missile submarines for special warfare, strike and autonomous operations in support of national objectives.

Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is homeport to all East Coast Ohio-class submarines.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Group 10, visit https://www.sublant.usff. navy.mil/CSG10/ or https://www.facebook. com/submarinegroupten.

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

Navy boot camp and current photo of Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Jennifer Cardenas, who is attached to Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Monterey Detachment Goodfellow. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

One Chief’s journey of overcoming odds and achieving dreams

By Center For Information Warfare Training Public Affairs

GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — Many Sailors who join the Navy face challenges and hardships that are exclusive to the military, such as deployments, being away from loved ones, and moving to new locations every few years. But, Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) (CTI) Jennifer Cardenas, who is attached to Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Monterey Detachment Goodfellow, faced several other unique challenges.

Cardenas was born and raised in Puerto Rico and joined the Navy shortly after 9/11. Around that time, she was already talking to a Navy chief recruiter, but the direct attack on American soil is what helped pull the trigger in the decision to serve her country.

Being from Puerto Rico, Cardenas did not know English, and only spoke Spanish, but her recruiter said they would help her learn English in boot camp. While in basic training, she soon learned that the Navy wasn’t going to teach her English, but instead they only taught her basic Navy terminology. To overcome the language barrier she faced, she used a little Spanish to English dictionary and studied it whenever she could. She would also listen for commands and follow suit with the other recruits, even if she did not know what the recruit division commanders had ordered.

During her challenging time at basic training, Cardenas received continued support back home from her recruiter, who acted as a mentor for her for years to come. While in boot camp, Cardenas would use the little phone time she got to talk with her recruiter and get advice, which ultimately helped her finish and head off to Defense Language Institute (DLI) for language training.

While there, she was subject to unkind treatment from a few members of her leadership due to her struggles speaking and understanding English. She was threatened with being discharged for failure to adapt or being dropped from DLI and being sent to the fleet as an undesignated Sailor.

Cardenas’ dream from the start of her naval career was to become a CTI chief petty officer, so despite her difficulties, she requested a Captain’s Mast to explain that she deserved a fair chance just like every other Sailor who met the minimum requirements, nothing more and nothing less. The commander made a deal to allow her to pursue Tagalog, a language spoken in the Philippines, but if after two months she was falling behind, she would be dropped from the course.

Cardenas took the chance given to her and began the grueling journey of not only learning English, but Tagalog, too. Whenever she was not in class, she would have her English-Spanish dictionary, as well as her English-Tagalog dictionary, to help her. She ended up cutting out Spanish from her life entirely, such as listening

to Spanish songs and TV shows, in order to fully immerse herself in learning the new languages.

This proved especially hard because it made her lonely and homesick. Her hard work finally paid off, however, as she graduated second in her class after 64 long weeks.

Shortly after graduating from DLI, she arrived at her first duty station in Hawaii, where she was recognized for her hard work with a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Joint Commendation Medal as a junior E-5.

From Hawaii, Cardenas transferred to Advanced Language Response Team out of Fort Meade, Maryland, and attended school to learn Hausa, a language spoken primarily in Northern Nigeria. Unfortunately, joint assignments were cancelled before she could really use her language skills. Instead, she was deployed to Iraq in 2009 as a National Security Agency analyst.

While in Iraq, she was meritoriously promoted to first class petty officer.

From there, she transferred back to DLI in Monterey, California, to serve as a military language instructor for Spanish. Ever since she met her chief recruiter in Puerto Rico, she dreamed of becoming a chief. She loved what chiefs stood for and wanted to be like her recruiter and other chiefs that had mentored and helped her along the way. Her motivation to be a chief drove her to do outstanding work at DLI and she was recognized as Instructor of the Year.

After her instructor tour, Cardenas qualified

as aircrew, where she flew missions in South America. It was there that Cardenas promoted to chief petty officer after 13 years of naval service.

Cardenas attributed her promotion to those that helped her, stating, “I had awesome mentors and friends who helped me improve myself.”

Due to her language barrier, those mentors helped her write evaluations and emails in a way that was understandable. Her mentors would not sugarcoat her flaws either — they offered direct, truthful feedback, which might seem harsh or blunt to some, but only helped Cardenas become a stronger, more confident leader.

When asked what the best advice she could give to someone facing these incredibly tough challenges, she said, “Be humble and don’t forget where you came from. Always work hard and help those around you.”

Despite the odds against her and the challenges a non-native English speaker faces in, not only the Navy, but in America, she conquered them and achieved her dream of making chief.

After making chief, Cardenas did a tour in Key West before finally arriving to IWTC Monterey Detachment Goodfellow to serve as a Spanish instructor once again.

IWTC Monterey Detachment Goodfellow is aligned under IWTC Monterey. As part of the CIWT domain, they provide a continuum of foreign language training to Navy personnel, which prepares them to conduct information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.

With four schoolhouse commands, a detachment, and training sites throughout the United States and Japan, CIWT trains approximately 26,000 students every year, delivering trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services. CIWT also offers more than 200 courses for cryptologic technicians, intelligence specialists, information systems technicians, electronics technicians, and officers in the information warfare community.

For more news from Center for Information Warfare Training domain, visit https://www. public.navy.mil/netc/centers/ciwt/, www.facebook.com/NavyCIWT, or www.twitter.com/ NavyCIWT.

Palauan President, Austin discuss Indo-Pacific security concerns

By Jim Garamone DOD Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. met with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Pentagon to discuss ways to strengthen the ties between the two nations to provide for a secure and free Indo-Pacific.

The Republic of Palau is 340-plus islands strategically placed in the Western Pacific bordering the Philippines. The nation became independent in 1981 and entered a Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1994.

Palau is heavily dependent on tourism and has some of the best scuba diving spots in the world. While the nation has felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic — tourism has been curtailed — it has been very successful in combating the virus itself.

“Today, you have, as I understand it, zero confirmed cases,” Austin said at the beginning of the meeting with the president.

“And Palau is the first country that vaccinated 80 percent of the population,” said Austin, adding that the statistic is impres-

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. for a meeting at the Pentagon, Aug. 5. (COURTESY PHOTO)

sive.

Austin began the meeting by thanking President Whipps for the service of his father in the U.S. Army during the 1960s.

As part of the compact, Palauns serve in the U.S. military. Austin noted that 500 of the president’s countrymen serve today.

“I want to underscore that the Department of Defense is deeply committed to our defense responsibilities as a part of the Compact of Free Association, and we look forward to successful negotiations of the economic assistance provisions of that compact that will strengthen our strategic

partnership and help us to promote a free, open and secure region,” Austin said.

Palau hosts U.S. forces, and, as the Indo-Pacific becomes ever more important to the United States, the nation will play a greater role. “We appreciate the opportunity to also deploy equipment to Palau that lets us exercise our joint capability and enhanced deterrence,” the secretary said.

“The U.S. military presence in Palau and across the Pacific Islands is deeply important to our shared goals of partnership and prosperity, and we are grateful for your cooperation and hospitality.”

Whipps told Austin that the partnership between Palau and the United States is special. He said during a recent meeting on Guam, the DOD personnel said they were committed to defending the homeland, and Palau is part of the homeland, he said.

“I always say that presence is deterrence,” Whipps said. “I was fortunate a few weeks ago to be watching U.S. special forces conduct exercises in Palau. It was extremely exciting to see what they’re capable of doing. We want to continue to strengthen the partnership because we believe in a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 7

Trasher

NIWC Atlantic

curriculum, and a new contractor logistics support contract for Thrasher maintenance and flight line support.

“Using current cockpit technologies and a new training curriculum, AHTS will improve pilot training and skills and ensure rotary wing and tilt-rotor aviators are produced more efficiently at a higher quality and are ready to meet the fleet’s challenges,” CNATRA Rear Adm. Robert Westendorff said. “AHTS will meet our advanced rotary wing and intermediate tilt-rotor training requirements through 2050.”

The TH-73As will be housed in a temporary hangar at NAS Whiting Field, while construction of a new helicopter maintenance hangar on base is slated to begin in 2023. Leonardo Helicopters also recently established a TH-73A maintenance support team at Santa Rosa County’s new aviation customer service hangar at Peter Prince Airport in Milton.

“This delivery signifies a new era for Naval Aviation training,” said Capt. Holly Shoger, Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program Office (PMA-273) program manager.

“The combined government and contractor team set new standards to meet much needed requirements in the fleet. We are proud to develop and provide these new capabilities that will improve pilot training for many years to come.”

The TH-73A Helicopter Instructor Training Unit (HITU) team under TW-5 at NAS Whiting Field will use the first Thrasher to validate the modernized curriculum efforts, which is a requirement prior to training student naval aviators with the new curriculum in the new system.

“The simple cockpit design and layout, pushbutton and toggle switch interface, advanced navigation and communication capabilities, and rapid control response make it the ideal train-

steps we are taking to modernize our labs and facilities for the ExW workforce,” said Ashlee Landreth, ExW Department head.

“The improved space allocations and the immediate availability of key network resources will provide more efficiencies and collaboration across the department.

These workforce improvements will fundamentally advance how we pursue naval integration.”

The renovations comprised two major elements: the sweeping lab spaces and the private training and conference area. The latter, which can be configured as a video teleconferencing setting or one large training environment, will be completed later this year.

Naval Facilities Engineering Command — Southeast supported the design and construction of the renovations while onsite project management was conducted by Mike Kane, NIWC Atlantic Facilities project manager and liaison to ExW. Landreth said teams from all four ExW divisions now have around-the-clock access to the fully integrated, MCEN-equipped facility to continue supporting key design, prototyping and development projects for the Marine Corps and Special Operations Command.

Reddy, who toured the new facility with Landreth to be briefed by team leads in various sections, urged the workforce to keep collaboration paramount in their minds.

“Talk to each other, discuss how you can help each other, and work hard to exceed the warfighter’s expectations,” he said. “Your work in the years to come will ensure we continue to design, develop and deliver key capabilities that will enable a naval expeditionary force in readiness.”

from Page 1

from Page 1

The Navy’s first TH-73A Thrasher arrives at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton Aug. 6.

The TH-73A will be assigned to Training Air Wing 5 on base and will replace the TH-57B/C Sea Ranger as the undergraduate rotary and tilt-rotor helicopter trainer for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. (MC2 JASON ISAACS)

ing aircraft and the perfect stepping stone to any service rotary wing platform,” said Cmdr.

Dustin Robbins, TW-5 AHTS Fleet Integration Team (FIT) officer in charge. “With its all-digital cockpit and fully integrated Flight Management System coupled with superior power and speed margins, the TH-73A is a lot of fun to fly.”

PMA-273 at Naval Air Systems in Patuxent River, Maryland, oversees the AHTS and TH-73A, and will determine the final disposition of the 35-year-old TH-57 Sea Ranger, which is scheduled to sundown in fiscal years 2022 through 2025.

The TH-73A Thrasher is named for the brown thrasher, a bird common to the skies over the Southeastern United States including Northwest Florida. The inconspicuous, yet territorial, bird is a fearless defender known for its low-level flying prowess.

TW-5 is comprises three primary fixed-wing

and three advanced helicopter squadrons and trains aviators from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and allied nations.

Headquartered at NAS Corpus Christi, CNATRA comprises five training air wings in Florida, Mississippi and Texas, which are home to 17 training squadrons. In addition, CNATRA oversees the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, and the training curriculum for all fleet replacement squadrons.

For aircraft information, visit https://www. cnatra.navy.mil/aircraft-information.asp.

Quick Facts The Navy’s first TH-73A “Thrasher” arrived at Training Air Wing 5 Aug. 6.

The TH-73A will replace the TH-57B/C “Sea Ranger” as the undergraduate rotary and tilt-rotor helicopter trainer for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

END OF

SUMMER SALE

NO DOWN PAYMENT

PEAK SEASON FOR ROOFING

Is your roof ready for fall/winter?

NO MONTHLY PAYMENT NO INTEREST UNTIL 2023 PLUS

60%

OFF

LABOR

SCHEDULE YOUR FREE ESTIMATE TODAY

(757) 210-4425 WWW.PARAMOUNTBUILDERS.COM/PARAMOUNT-PILOT

Your Hometown Exterior Remodeler for 30 Years PARAMOUNT BUILDERS, INC. IS FAMILY-OWNED, AND OPERATED SINCE 1991

ROOFING • WINDOWS • SIDING AND TRIM • GUTTER PROTECTION

POP

On iberty

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 1

A Weeknight Dinner

Ease and convenience can go a long way toward creating weeknight meals that bring the entire family together. PAGE C4

(COURTESY PHOTO)

NEON Festival Returns October 21 & 22

By Downtown Norfolk Council

NORFOLK, Va. — The sixth annual NEON Festival will take place in the NEON District of Norfolk on October 21 and 22, from 6 to 10 p.m. This free festival is presented by Business Consortium for Arts Support and Old Dominion University in partnership with the Downtown Norfolk Council and the Chrysler Museum of Art. The evening festival encourages visitors to explore and discover the NEON District, Norfolk’s first official arts district, anchored by the Chrysler Museum of Art and Harrison Opera House and extending to The Plot on Granby Street. Now an established draw in Norfolk’s robust event calendar, the NEON Festival attracts more than 4,000 visitors to the NEON District for two nights of programming. The event creates dozens of cultural opportunities for

the local creative community, on average presenting more than 50 artists, makers, dancers, musicians and performers. The 2021 festival includes: • Live glass demos at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio and the Museum open late on Thursday • Dynamic exhibition opening at d’Art Center with refreshments, make & take, art for sale and DJ on Friday • The Plot Beer Garden and main stage entertainment from local community groups on Friday • Public art tours led by Norfolk Tour Company both evenings • New public art projects unveiled from visual art students at Governor’s School of the Arts • Pop-up art galleries in NEON District businesses and venues • Programming from Teens with a

Purpose, Governor’s School of the Arts, Hurrah Players, WHRO, 757 Makerspace, Bhav Brigade, Tidewater Burners and more As in every year prior, NEON Festival programming is sourced from a free open call, making the art and entertainment entirely community driven. The open call to artists is available now until August 20, 2021. Applications can be submitted here. Visual artists (2D and 3D), musicians, bands, entertainers, dance troupes, theaters, performance artists and cultural organizations are encouraged to apply. A variety of spaces will be available on both evenings at multiple stages and venues. All applicants will be notified of invitation to participate by August 30, 2021. Questions can be directed to info@neonnfk.com.

Additional sponsors include Rutter Mills, Sway Creative Labs, Work Program Architects and VisitNorfolk. For festival sponsor-

ship opportunities, participation, venues or programming, please contact Rachel McCall at the Downtown Norfolk Council or call 757-623-1757.

Norfolk’s first official arts district, NEON (New Energy of Norfolk), is home to longtime cultural institutions like the Chrysler Museum of Art and Harrison Opera House as well as studio-based ventures like d’Art Center and the Rutter Family Art Foundation, all providing artists a place to make, create and show. Within a few short blocks you can see a muralist at work, take in an improv comedy performance at Push Comedy Theater, watch a live glass-working demonstration, shop for unique home goods, get a tattoo or dine out at an eclectic restaurant. Learn more at NEONNFK.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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

TYLER, THE CREATOR COMING TO CHARTWAY ARENA

By Chartway Arena

NORFOLK, Va. —Today, Tyler, The Creator announces his Spring 2022 North American tour with Kali Uchis, Vince Staples and Teezo Touchdown. The announcement arrives on the heels of his critically-acclaimed album CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 charts upon its release, as well as a trio of sold-out, underplay shows in Los Angeles, Dallas and New York City the week following the album’s release, a show-stopping performance at this year’s BET awards, and a headlining set at Lollapalooza 2021. Kicking off February 10th, 2022, the tour will see Tyler play thirty-four arena shows before concluding the run on April 8th. Tickets are on sale this Friday, August 6th at 10AM local time via callmeifyougetlost.com.

CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST is the follow-up to Tyler, The Creator’s 2019 Grammy-winning album IGOR, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart, with 8 of the album’s songs also charting on the Billboard Hot 100. IGOR was also recognized in Best Album of the Year lists by Billboard, Complex, GQ, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone and more and the same year Tyler was named Wall Street Journal Magazine’s Innovator of the Year and GQ Magazine’s Man of the Year.

Listen to CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST above, see full tour routing below and

(COURTESY PHOTO)

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

2

The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

Community Submit YOUR events, news and photos

The Flagship welcomes submissions from our readers online.

Please submit events here: www.militarynews.com/users/admin/calendar/event/ Please submit news and photos here: www.militarynews.com/norfolk-navy-flagship/submit_news/

Virginia Stage Company and Public Works VA, in Collaboration with Norfolk State

By Virginia Stage Company Norfolk — Virginia Stage Company and Public Works Virginia, in collaboration with Norfolk State University Theatre Company, present the World Premiere of The Earth Remembers: a new musical song cycle. Thanks to funding from the N.E.A. (National Endowment for the Arts), this new Public Works piece was originally scheduled to premiere in August, 2020, but was postponed due to the global pandemic.

The Earth Remembers is a contemporary, original musical about the history of the Hampton Roads community and shines a light on the different cultural voices, past and present, that make up the unique community of the 757.

Once Upon A Rhyme creative team, Ronvé O’Daniel (music & lyrics) and Jevares Myrick (music & orchestrations) are the playwrights.

Anthony Mark Stockard, of NSU Theatre Company, directs.

This fully realized Public Works Virginia production uses a pageantry style of music, movement and large scale puppetry to tell the story of Hampton Roads. Cameo performance groups include Teens With a Purpose, Atumpan Edutainment, and Philippine Cultural Center School of Creative and Performing Arts, and Red Crook-ed Sky. Performances are free but are limited to a 200 seat capacity for social distancing requirements and masks will be mandatory to wear inside during the performances. Performances run from Friday, August 13th, through Sunday, August 15th.

Free tickets can be booked here: https://www. vastage.org/ter There will also be a free pre-show performance by local music artist and Teens With A Purpose lead teaching artist, Testimony. Learn more about his music here: https://www.instagram.com/officialtestimony/ Public Works Virginia believes that all people have the right to theatre. This large scale presentation contains opportunities for all members of our Hampton Roads Community to participate at various levels regardless of prior experience.

ABOUT THE EARTH REMEMBERS: This episodic song cycle tells the History of Hampton Roads in a way you’ve never heard it before. Using rap, jazz, gospel, and rhythm & blues, we hear stories and meet characters foundational to who we are today. Watch this sneak peek.

ABOUT THE CREATORS: Ronvé O’Daniel is a songwriter, lyricist, composer, playwright, and rapper. He was the recent participant in the TheatreWorks Silicon Valley New Works Festival, as well as the Johnny Mercer Writers Colony Residency at Goodspeed Theater. He was also the recipient of Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference’s Georgia Bogardus Holof Lyricist Award — given to only one lyricist every summer who exemplifies a promising career in musical theater writing. Ronvé’s music was recently featured in the Letters to the Presi-

dent concert at New York City’s historical Great Hall to celebrate Cooper Union’s 160th anniversary. Additionally, Ronvé was featured as a performer and writer for Rafael Casal and Daveed Digg’s (Blindspotting and Hamilton) #BARS Workshop at The Public Theater. You can keep up with him at ronveodaniel.com.

Jevares C. Myrick is a New York-based award winning Producer, Composer/Orchestrator Singer, Actor, Dancer, and Choreographer. Co-Creator and Composer/Orchestrator of the new, multi-award winning musical “Once Upon A Rhyme”. BROADWAY CREDITS: The Book of Mormon (Current Swing, Understudy, and Dance Captain) NATIONAL TOUR CREDITS: The Book of Mormon (1st & 2nd National Tour). REGIONAL THEATRE CREDITS: Guys and Dolls (MUNY), Heart of Rock and Roll, Smokey Joe’s Café, All Night Strut, Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, Grease, Ragtime, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Sophisticated Ladies, and many more. TELEVISION/ FILM CREDITS: The Originals (Choreographer, and actor). He is a five time Suzi Bass Award Nominee with 2 wins. Jevares is also an Ovation Award recipient for Best Male Vocalist.

ABOUT THE DIRECTORS: ANTHONY MARK STOCKARD returns to Virginia Stage after having previously directed The Wiz. The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival has honored him with multiple Meritorious Achievement Awards for Excellence in Directing for his productions of Topdog/Underdog, The Brothers Size, Black Nativity, Broke-ology, and The Color Purple.

Anthony has directed more than 60 productions for professional and university stages.

He proudly serves as director of Virginia’s most nationally recognized collegiate theatre program and America’s #1 Most Nationally Recognized HBCU Theatre Program of the last five years, NSU Theatre Company. Since his arrival to NSU, drama and theatre has gained historic national recognition and acclaim and record-breaking audience attendance. He is the Founding Director of the brand new BA in Drama & Theatre Program at Norfolk State University. Recent honors received were national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for Distinguished Production & Performance Ensemble and Distinguished Performance by an Actor in a Play for the production The Brother’s Size. The production beat out more than 1,300 productions that were entered in the festival and involved more than 200,000 students nationwide. In July of 2017, the company won Best Fine Arts Program at the HBCU Awards in Washington, D.C. where Stockard was one of four national finalists for Male Faculty Member of the Year.

Anthony has also appeared as an actor in four VSC productions of A Christmas Carol and in The Parchman Hour as Martin Luther King Jr., How I Learned What I Learned as August Wilson, The Wiz as Uncle Henry, I Sing the Rising Sea as Langston Hughes and The

(COURTESY GRAPHIC)

Tempest as King Alonzo as well as many other off-Broadway and regional theatre productions. He holds a B.A. in Theater Arts from Alabama State University and an M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University.

He was recently named one of 25 Game Changers in American Theater; is an inaugural recipient of the 50 Under 50 Award at his alma mater, Alabama State University; is a presidentially appointed NSU Honors College Senior Fellow; is the recipient of the College of Liberal Arts’ 2015 Certificate of Achievement; the NSU Theatre Company’s 2016 Outstanding Dedication & Service Award and NSU Student Government Association’s 2016 Honor & Appreciation Award. He is the former Producing Artistic Director of Aldridge Repertory Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama.

He holds memberships and affiliations with Stage Directors & Choreographers Society, Actors Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, The Association for Theatre in Higher Education and The Society of American Fight Directors. He currently sits on the boards of Region IV of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Cloverdale Playhouse in Montgomery, Alabama and Virginia Theatre Conference. He holds a M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University and a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Alabama State University. www.nsu.edu/drama — www. anthonystockard.com PATRICK MULLINS Recently adapted, directed and starred in Virginia Stage Compa-

ny’s 2020 production of A Christmas Carol, a 4 person cast due to the global pandemic and social-distancing. Other recent directing and adaptation projects include The Tempest with music by Jake Hull and puppetry by Paperhand Puppet Intervention; The Taming of the Shrew, a synth-pop fantasia mixing Shakespeare’s text with the music of Jacki Paolella; Beneath the Surface, an immersive performance event at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens; The Tempest with music by Jean Sibelius performed with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at Chrysler Hall; Swingtime Salute, a 1940’s music revue on the deck of the USS Wisconsin; and Midsummer Fantasy Festival — an immersive Shakespearean festival/visual art installation/ performance event in Town Point Park. Patrick has directed work across the country, is a professor at Old Dominion University, and is a frequent collaborator with Norfolk State University Theatre Company. He holds an MFA in acting from the University of South Carolina. Pmull.com Virginia Stage Company is southeastern Virginia’s leading theatre destination, normally serving an audience of over 58,000 annually both at the Wells Theatre and throughout the community. Since the shutdown in March, 2020, the Stage Company has pivoted to online content and has shared over 7,000 hours of free virtual content that has served more than 13,000 participants across the country. Virginia Stage Company’s mission is to “enrich, educate, and entertain the region by creating and producing theatrical art of the highest quality.”

First-Ever NashFest Music & Food Festival to Debut at Town Point Park on September 18

By Festevent Norfolk, VA — The first-ever NashFest 757 Music & Food Festival will make its longawaited debut at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront on Saturday, September 18. A one-day celebration of the iconic culture of Nashville, the festival runs from noon to 8pm and features national and local recording artists, mouth-watering hot chicken, barbecue, line dancing, craft beer and whiskey tastings, interactive experiences, and much more for what promises to be one of Hampton Roads’ hottest new summer events.

The musical lineup is headlined by singer-songwriter and country music artist Keith Anderson, as well as the soulful southern rockers Georgia Thunderbolts, Hampton Roads native and Nashville recording artist Celeste Kellogg, and electrifying blues guitarist Clarence Spady.

In addition to the music, the festival will also boast an authentic dining experience with local restaurants, food trucks, and chefs crafting a regional spin on Nashville-inspired cuisine, such as hot chicken, barbecue, mac & cheese, biscuits, and more. Guests can also enjoy both craft beer and Jack Daniel’s whiskey tasting experiences.

And, if that’s not enough, additional entertainment includes line dancing lessons, lasso competitions, neon sign exhibits, authentic shopping and apparel, guitar displays, Nashville-inspired selfie stations, and much more.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information and FAQs, head to bit. ly/NashFest21 or Festevents.org. View the complete music lineup, as well as artist bios, below. Additional information, including a list of food and retail vendors, will be announced

soon.

NASHFEST MUSIC LINEUP: Clarence Spady (Blues) — 12:30-2:00pm Celeste Kellogg (Country) — 2:30pm-4:00pm Georgia Thunderbolts (Southern Rock) — 4:30pm-6:00pm Keit h Anders on (C ount r y) — 6:30pm-8:00pm KEITH ANDERSON | KeithAnderson. com | Singer/songwriter Keith Anderson’s latest song “I’ll Bring The Music” sums up Anderson to a T. That is one thing that you can always say about this academic athlete from Miami, Oklahoma, who has always excelled at anything he has put his mind to is he WILL bring the music. His debut record, Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll, was certified Gold and garnered two Top 10 hits in “Pickin’ Wildflowers,” and “Every Time I Hear Your Name”. This success Anderson to be named country music’s No. 1 New Male Artist of 2005 and he has remained a star on the scene ever since.

GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS | GeorgiaThunderbolts.com Hailing from Rome, Georgia, at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the Georgia Thunderbolts rise up with a scorching signature style steeped in soulful southern swagger. On, Can We Get A Witness, their full-length debut set to be released in October of this year for Mascot Records, the quintet — TJ Lyle [vocals, harp, piano], Riley Couzzourt [guitar], Logan Tolbert [guitar], Zach Everett [bass, keys], and Bristol Perry [drums] — conjure a tried-and-true spirit through a fresh fire.

CELESTE KELLOGG | CelesteKellog.

(COURTESY GRAPHIC)

com A Nashville recording artist via Hampton Roads, Celeste Kellogg is a rising star on the country music world, having burst onto the scene in recent years with charted singles and “There’s A Beach Somewhere” and “Country Swagger”, which had its music video filmed on the Battleship Wisconsin in Downtown Norfolk. The local product has opened for country stars Scotty McCreery, Eric Paslay, Easton Corbin, Brett Eldridge, LeAnn Rimes, Canaan Smith and many more.

CLARENCE SPADY | ClarenceSpady.com Clarence Spady has been described as “the future of the blues” (Bill Dahl, Chicago Tribune) and plays with depth and sensitivity, effortlessly combining blues, jazz, funk, latin, and rock into his own unique style. Spady’s moving guitar play, rough street-edged vocals, songwriting, and live improvisations are highlighted with every performance. Spady has released three albums over the course of his illustrious career, including the highly-acclaimed Surrender, released earlier this year.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 3

4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

Food

Veal Tex Mex Stuffed Shells (COURTESY PHOTO)

A Simple Yet Delicious Weeknight Dinner

By Family Features Ease and convenience can go a long way toward creating weeknight meals that bring the entire family together, which is why it’s helpful to focus your favorite dishes around main ingredients that simplify dinner routines.

Versatile proteins like veal open many possibilities from decadent, romantic meals to easy and beginner-friendly options. Its flavor is light, making it a blank canvas for discovery by pairing it with different combinations of sauces, spices, cheeses and more.

You can be confident in the taste of veal as your main ingredient in these Veal Tex Mex Stuffed Shells, a quick and easy dinner perfect for hectic weeknights. Requiring just over half an hour in the kitchen, jumbo pasta shells are loaded with taco-flavored ground veal and melted cream cheese then topped with your favorite taco sauce.

It offers a new, exciting recipe to add to the family menu while also providing nutrition; a 3-ounce serving of veal includes 27 grams of protein, which is more than half of the daily value for a 2,000-calorie diet.

Discover more quick and easy recipe ideas at Veal.org, funded by Beef Farmers

and Ranchers.

Veal Tex Mex Stuffed Shells Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 6 1 pound ground veal ½ cup diced onion ½ cup diced poblano pepper 1 package (1 ¼ ounces) taco seasoning ½ cup water 4 ounces cream cheese 2 cups shredded colby jack cheese, divided 20 jumbo pasta shells 1 ½ cups salsa

1 cup taco sauce Preheat oven to 350 F. In large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground veal, diced onion and diced pepper until meat is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes.

Stir in taco seasoning and water.

Break cream cheese into chunks and add to skillet; simmer 3-4 minutes, or until cream cheese melts into veal mixture.

Remove from heat and add ½ cup colby jack cheese; stir to combine.

Bring large pot of salted water to boil and add pasta shells. Cook according to package directions and drain.

Immediately separate shells on plate to avoid sticking together.

Pour salsa into 13-by-9-inch baking dish and spread to cover bottom.

Fill each pasta shell with 1-2 tablespoons veal mixture and place in baking dish.

Top stuffed shells with taco sauce and sprinkle remaining colby jack cheese on top.

Bake 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and shells are heated through.

Kid-Friendly Brain Food for Busy School Days

By Family Features Starting a new school year, whether in the classroom or online, brings excitement for kids of all ages. Opportunities to see friends, make new acquaintances and explore new areas of interest abound.

Along with the exciting times can also come early mornings with hectic moments getting ready, including making sure that lunches and snacks are packed for the day ahead. Keep fresh grapes from California on hand as an easy, fresh staple ready to drop into lunches and pack as a portable snack — no need to peel, cut or slice.

Heart-healthy grapes are brain food too, and a healthy choice any time of day to help fuel young minds in the classroom or after school.

Grapes also pair well with other healthy ingredients to create fun and tasty snacks such as these Peanut Butter Grape Bites. Involving your kids in the process can be beneficial, and is as simple as asking them to complete one of several child-friendly tasks: rinsing grapes, measuring ingredients or, perhaps the most fun part, dipping grapes in peanut butter, coconut, dark chocolate or almonds.

Providing children with ways to help in the kitchen can give them a sense of accomplishment while teaching them important skills like math and how to follow instructions.

To find more back-to-school recipes for kids and families, visit GrapesFromCalifornia.com.

Peanut Butter Grape Bites (COURTESY PHOTO)

Peanut Butter Grape Bites Prep time: 10 minutes Bake time: 5 minutes Yield: 12 pieces 12 California grapes, any color, chilled ⅓ cup natural peanut or almond butter ¼ cup shredded coconut

¼ cup chopped dark chocolate ¼ cup chopped almonds Place wax paper sheet on baking sheet.

Dip each grape in peanut butter or almond butter to coat half then dip in either coconut, dark chocolate or almonds, alternating with each grape.

Transfer grapes to baking sheet then chill until ready to serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 70 calories; 2 g protein; 4 g carbohydrates; 5 g fat (64% calories from fat); 1.5 g saturated fat (19% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 25 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 5

Health

Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ronald J. Place, director of the Defense Health Agency, makes remarks during a panel discussion on the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Post-Pandemic National Security at the Sea-Air-Space Conference and Exposition at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, August 4 (JACOB MOORE).

Senior Medical Leaders Discuss COVID-19 Response

By Jacob Moore

MHS Communications

At the beginning, the key to tackling the emerging COVID-19 pandemic was to quickly develop a comprehensive understanding of the virus, and then put a plan in place to fight it, explained Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ronald J. Place, director of the Defense Health Agency.

Place’s remarks came during a panel discussion on the COVID-19 response and post-pandemic national security at the Sea-Air-Space Conference and Exposition at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor in Maryland, August 4.

The panel was moderated by Dr. Eric Thompson, vice president and director of strategy, policy, plans and programs for the Center for Naval Analysis, and included Place, Navy Surgeon General Rear Adm. (Dr.) Bruce Gillingham and Coast Guard Rear Adm. (Dr.) Dana Thomas, director of health, safety and work-life for the Coast Guard.

Early in the pandemic, Place said, the

mission of military and public health officials was, first and foremost, to understand how to frame the problem.

“What is it? How do you diagnose it? How is it transmitted? How can you protect yourself from it? How can you treat it? What are the right diagnostic tools?” were some of the questions asked in early 2020,Place said.

Another concern Place shared was whether the Department of Defense had the correct systems in place to combat the disease, either at individual locations or throughout the department.

Quick action and early understanding of the virus drove the number of DOD laboratories that were able to test for COVID-19 from 11 in February 2020 to approximately 177 currently.

The integrated nature of the Military Health System pre-pandemic greatly assisted in DOD’s readiness, Place said.

“We have a system in place that knows how to [integrate care]. We have a system in place that knows how to talk to each other. We have a system that has a centralized logistics arm, a centralized pharmacy arm. We already had

on-the-shelf pandemic plans,” said Place.

While perhaps not perfect or designed for a pandemic on the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic these pre-existing plans helped position the DOD to respond.

Gillingham added that these plans extended to working with other agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to support the civilian pandemic response outside of the DOD. “To General Place’s point, the framework was there. The way that we were set up within the Military Health System lent itself (to the response),” said Gillingham.

“Early on, we established a really good battle rhythm of interagency coordination.”

He also commended Place and the DHA for their coordination of vaccine distribution.

“Hats off to General Place and his team at the Defense Health Agency for providing the central coordination, and establishing and leading the OPT, the Operational Planning Team to say, “how are we going to distribute the vaccine?” and then work-

ing through the services to execute,” said Gillingham. “That really is a very effective model that I think we can leverage into the future.”

Gillingham said that he is continuing to push his sailors to get vaccinated and, for him, getting vaccinated is a “game changer.”

“We continue to push for our force to get vaccinated. It’s a readiness issue for us, first and foremost. If you’re vaccinated, you’re much less likely to get very ill or be hospitalized, so you’re going to be in the game,” said Gillingham.

We would not send our folks into combat without flak and Kevlar. The enemy, this time, is a virus and we have a biological body armor for them to take and use to protect themselves,” he added.

Place also took the opportunity to remind those in attendance that the battle against COVID-19 is not over.

“I think one of the things that many of us believe - which is a fallacy - is that [COVID19] is going to go away. It’s not going away, just like influenza is not going away. And the thing about many viruses is they tend to mutate, and they tend to do things that keep them alive.”

He noted, however, that the DOD medical team has an “insatiable curiosity,” and that medical research within the department is in a continuous process of improvement.

The full discussion can be found here.

Debunking AntiVaccine Myths with Scientific Facts

By Janet A. Aker

MHS Communications

Even after months of vaccinations, and nearly one million service members have received a vaccine, myths and misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines still abound.

However, the science behind the vaccines, and the effectiveness of those vaccines remain.

Some of the reasons why military personnel say they are not getting vaccinated include: • Skepticism about the effects of the COVID19 disease on young, healthy service members • Questions about the vaccine’s possible longterm side effects that could emerge years later • Changing information about the COVID19 vaccines and the virus itself • Concerns about a baby’s health in a pregnant service member • Fears among male service members about their future fertility Many of these concerns stem from false, inaccurate, or misleading information gathered from social media and misinformation super-spreaders.

Fact: The belief that young people cannot become seriously ill from catching the coronavirus is false. And newer, anecdotal reports suggest the virus’s Delta variant is causing more serious illness in young people compared to versions of the virus that were spreading last year.

The Truth About Side Effects Fact: Even the young and healthy can still become infected and be a vector for spreading the virus, so everyone should get vaccinated to protect others, if not just themselves.

Fact: While there have been some rare but serious side effects detected after vaccinations — including an inflammation of the heart muscle and a neurological condition called Guillen-Barre syndrome, most of these cases recover. The Food and Drug Administration has months of data on the vaccines. That is from the more than 165 million people who are fully vaccinated in the U.S. Fact: The messenger RNA vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are based on a safe vaccine platform for which data go back to the 1990’s, and the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine also is based on tried-and-true technology.

Fact: FDA is moving forward on full approval for COVID-19 vaccines, which may allay fears about long-term side effects. Pfizer submitted the vaccine for full approval July 16 for those ages 16 and older, according to the FDA.

A Norwegian soldier administers a COVID-19 vaccine to U.S. soldier at Ayn Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, on June 4, 2021. Norwegian Soldiers volunteered to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to U.S. soldiers, coalition forces, and civilian contractors. (Spc. CLARA SORIA-HERNANDEZ)

Moderna said it could apply for full approval before year-end.

On July 22, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine’s safety and effectiveness benefits still outweigh its rare risks for Guillen-Barre syndrome, and other side effects.

All three vaccines have rare adverse events including myocarditis/pericarditis, an inflammation of the heart. However, the ACIP decided that currently, the benefits still significantly outweigh the risks for COVID-19.

Fertility Questions “The questions have changed over time, but the infertility issues remain” on the minds of pregnant service members at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, said Dr. Y. Sammy Choi, chief of the Department of Research at Womack Army Medical Center.

The science, however, backs the fact that there are no signs of harm to the fetus.

Fact: Of the more than 69,000 pregnant women vaccinated against COVID-19, there are no signs of harm to the fetus. In fact, babies born to vaccinated women are born with immune responses against the virus.

An April 22 study in the “New England Journal of Medicine” tracked 35,691 pregnant women. Compared to a control group of pregnant women pre-COVID, “women who had received the vaccine did not experience an increased rate of miscarriages or adverse neonatal outcomes,” the article states.

Fact: The vaccines have no known impact on fertility in men. The dangers of losing fertility are greater from actually getting COVID-19, especially among men who have

circulatory issues that could result in erectile dysfunction (ED).

A study in the journal “Andrology” found that “there is preliminary evidence in a reallife population of ED dysfunction as a risk factor of developing COVID-19 and possibly occurring as a consequence of COVID19.” The study was observational and does not prove causality, but it will lead to more research to delineate the effects of SARSCoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and male reproductive health, Choi said.

A research letter published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association” June 21 found that “sperm counts were not lowered in men receiving either of the mRNA vaccines.”

Fact: U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said in his July 15 report on handling health misinformation: “During the COVID19 pandemic, health misinformation has sowed confusion, reduced trust in public health measures, and hindered efforts to get Americans vaccinated.”

There are other reasons service members are citing for not getting vaccinated, Choi said. From his discussions with soldiers at Fort Bragg, these include: • Service members have a choice to refuse because the vaccine is not mandated as it is still under Emergency Use Authorization.

That could change if and when the vaccines are fully approved.

• Some people believe that the vaccine does not really work, otherwise the president would have mandated it. It remains unclear what the president is thinking about full vaccination mandates just yet.

• Some believe that COVID-19 will have

little effect on service members personally.

This is generally true as the chance of severe disease is small, Choi said.

• Many unvaccinated service members believe that if they got sick, there would be little societal effect. This is false because an infection can lead to mutations, as shown by the Delta variant, Choi said.

• The vaccinated are having breakthrough cases. This is true but only in very small numbers.

• The vaccine is not working since officials are discussing boosters. This is false.

Boosters are to enhance efficacy, Choi explained, adding: “If the vaccine was not really working, we would not give boosters, but a completely different vaccine.”

• Some experts, including PhD scientists and medical doctors, have told the public not to get the vaccine. Unfortunately, this is true, he noted • If things are as bad as the CDC says, why have some states reduced mask mandates instead of increasing them (a recent argument)? Unfortunately, this is also true and depends on the viewpoints of individual state leaders rather than medical experts • Seemingly smart elected officials, including some doctors, are providing mixed messages. This is true and happens all too often, Choi pointed out.

To counter such false reasoning, federal and state governments and the military continue to tailor their pro-vaccination messages very carefully. Already, in recent weeks there has been an uptick in Americans getting vaccinated as the number of those infected with the Delta variant increases exponentially.

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, August 12, 2021

Estate Sales Estate Sales

Garage/Yard Sales, etc.

Announcements WEST NECK COMMUNITY SALE Treasures of all kinds to be held at the Villages of West Neck inside the Village Hall at 2580 Signature Dr. on Sat., Aug.14 from 8:00am until 1:00pm.

Subscribe to The Pilot today.

VIRGINIA BEACH Everything must go. Clean out of tools, yard equipment, items left from tenants, and other garage-type stuff. starts at 7 am Saturday the 14th. 4808 S Oliver Dr

Cockatoo, too.

Pick a pet in the CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE.

757-446-9000 PilotOnline.com

ESTATE SALE 1837 Green Hill Rd., Va. Beach Green Hill Farms, Near Cox High Fri. & Sat., Aug. 13 & 14 8:30 AM-3 PM Fine high-end furnishings, everything is in excellent condition. Waterford crystal, fine China & porcelains, paintings & prints, pair of 5 candle holder bronze cherubs, beautiful upholstered sofas & chairs, beds, chests, mirrors, lamps, din. rm. furniture, Maitland Smith console table, unique decorative items, like new cherry kit. cabinets, rugs, tables, chairs, costume jewelry, more. Pics soon on EstatesSales.net. Cash or Check only. Va Beach Antiques, Larry Zedd, 757-422-4477. virginiabeachantiquecompany.com

Jump start your day.

Early home delivery

757-446-9000 • PilotOnline.com

Subscribe to The Virginian-Pilot today.

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

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPS

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

Misc. Merchandise For Sale

ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR

GERMAN SHEPHERD Beautiful Female, AKA Papers, All Shots, 4 months old $2500 OBO Call: 757-739-3948 GOLDEN RETRIEVER $500

Jazzy electric wheelchair, excellent condition 3 years old. $1800.00 Text to 757-647-6634. Pick up only, cash Early home delivery. 757-446-9000 or PilotOnline.com

Early home delivery. 757-446-9000 or PilotOnline.com

AKC Vet checked,shots,wormed, family raised, only females left, $1,000 (c)434-728-3403 (h)434-724-7217 HAVACHON PUPPY’S Born July 23, 2021 Ready for forever homes the week of Sept. 22 4 females, 1 male --First Shots, vet checked $995.00 252-473-5619

9 mo old female Golden Retriever.

Updated with all shots and is house/ kennel trained. Playful, loving and friendly girl! Text 623-313-6184

LONGHAIRED MINIATURE DACHSHUND 2 Merle F, $2500/ea . 3 M Red & Blacks, 2 F Red & Black, 1 Black Male, $1500/each Ready to Go Aug 14th & Aug 18th Very Cute, Playful, Home raised, Call or Text 717-6580232

GOLDENDOODLES 10 weeks, 1st shots & wormed, 2 chocolate, 2 partis. $1,150 Call (757) 421-7708

MALE YORKSHIRE TERRIER 2 AKC males First shots Family Raised parents on site Va Bch 757235-1634 $1200 EA

757.622.1455 | placeanad.pilotonline.com CONCRETE, BRICK & TREE REMOVAL Landscaping, Top Soil, Press Wash’g, Yard Clean Up & Home Repairs. 757-714-4848

S & H ENTERPRISE 20 YRS. Concrete Exp. All types of concrete work driveways, stamped & exposed.

We accept credit cards. 757-652-4050. www.shabazznva.com

B & J MOVING Reasonable Rates, Licensed & Insured. bandjmoving.com 757-576-1290

Home Improvements ADDITIONS, SUNROOMS, ROOFS, Decks, more. Member BBB. 757-986-3777. www.builderscorporation.com AIR DUCT CLEANING UNIVERSAL DUCT CLEANING FREE INSPECTIONS MEMBER BBB. 757-502-0200

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

Call Sylvester: 757-371-1911

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

BEST PRICE EXTERIORS 757-639-4692 Siding, Windows, Trim, Roofing. FREE ESTIMATES! Lic. & Ins’d. Lowest Prices & Top Quality Work. No Repairs. BBB A+ Rating

YOUR PERFECT

JOB

IS WAITING

BRICK AND STONE REPAIRS Steps, Walls, Foundations, etc. Virginia Beach Native. Masonry Contract. 40+ yrs Known As Stone Smith USA. Semi-Retired - A Legend In His Own Mind! Earl Smith 757-270-0578. Please Leave Message.

You Won’t Find A Better Man! FRANK’S SIDING & REPAIRS Repairing Siding & Trim. Small jobs.

Lic/Ins. Low Prices. BBB A+ RATING 757-227-8964 PEST/TERMITE CONTROL Universal Pest & Termite.

FREE INSPECTIONS. 757-502-0200.

(Mention This Ad and Get $25 Off)

Lawn and Tree Service ★ 100% DRAINAGE & YARD CLEANUP ★ Shrub & Tree Removal, Pruning, Tractor Work & Grading, French Drains, Mulching, Fences. ★★757-282-3823★★

LEAF RAKING AND CLEANUP Grass cutting, Weed Control, Mulching & Trimming, Planting. 25 yrs exp. 918-4152 YARD CLEAN UP - GRASS CUTTING, WOOD FENCE REPAIR & BUSHES Weed Eating, Blowing, Reasonable prices.

Call 757-477-2158

★★★AFFORDABLE TREE SERVICE★★★ Josh 757-998-5327 Theo 757-515-6933

Roofing

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

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

Over 30 yrs -business, BBB 757-377-2933

GODWIN TREE SERVICE 25yrs. Trimming, Topping, total removal. Free est. Winter Pandemic Discount; Lic’d & Ins’d 757-2371285 or 757-816-3759 BBB Member

ROOF REPAIR Shingles/flat/flashing/coating/asbestos removal. 757-718-1072

Stop wasting time searching for jobs. Find the right jobs with tribune publishing recruitment services.

We work hard to make your job search easy. With our expansive network of distinguished employers from coast to coast and advanced job matching technology, you’ll find opportunities that match your skills, your personality and your life.

Search jobs. Post your resume.

Stand out from the crowd.

jobs.pilotonline.com

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, August 12, 2021 7 Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

Motorcycles and ATVs

Classic, Antique Cars

Boats & Watercraft

WELSH CORGI Cute & Playful, Home Raised. 4 Females, 3 Males; 2 Tri-Colored, 5 Black & White. Ready to Go 8/25. $1100/ each. Call or Text 717-658-0232

1991 HARLEY DAVIDSON Soft Tail Custom. Motor 81.6 CI, Model FXSTC. 73,211 original miles.

We did a very extensive restoration

by Leonard at Hampton Roads Harley Davidson in 2007. Lost interest in riding, stored in climate controlled garage, lots of spare parts. Must see show bike! $13,500. Serious Inquires Only. Contact: 757-373-3332

VOLKSWAGEN 1979 BEETLE

BOAT FOR SALE 2019 Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC, Mercury 60HP with approximately 20 hours.

White with red stripe. Many extras.

22000 Text 757-870-7067

YORKSHIRE TERRIER PUPPIES Reg., Vet. Chkd., Shots, GENIUS Genes, Social - Family Raised, Pretty & Playful, M/F, 8 Wks., Great Bridge, Ches., $2,700 Call: (757) 672-7797

2000 HARLEY DAVIDSON HERITAGE SOFTAIL 22500 MI custom paint, custom seat, carborator, asking $6000 757-645-3564

Autos for Sale

CHEVROLET 2019 EQUINOX

LT. Like new, 16,800 mi, bumper-bumper fctry wrnty, remote start, nav sys, blue tooth wireless, back up cam/ park assist. $27K. 757-439-8886

FORD 2005 THUNDERBIRD

50th Anniversary. Red with hard top, 61,260 mi, $16,500. 757-481-3259

General Help Wanted OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR CPA firm seeking a FT detail-oriented individual with positive attitude & excellent work ethic. Fax resume 1-757-461-3670 or email ed@jmcplc.com.

INFINITI 2008 G35

Well maintained, 97k miles. $8,900.

757-613-7775

KIA 2003 SEDONA

Van, V6 3.5, 96K & 4 Dr. $3,500 OBO. (757) 228-6656.

MERCEDES-BENZ 2011 E-CLASS

Convertible …no damage or rust history. 95% original. Same owner 20 plus years .. show quality. Runs and drives perfect. No issues $18,500 Neg. Beautiful yellow w black top, camel interior 757-472-9934

Trucks and SUVs

CHEVROLET 2017 TAHOE

LT Package, 4WD, navigation, leather, sunroof, TV/DVD, tow pkg, warranty, all serviced, runs & looks great. $35,900. 757-620-7570. Va. Dlr.

CHEVROLET 2021 TAHOE

Z71 All Pros package, off-road pkg, 4WD, leather, quad seating, full sunroof, tow package, 8000 miles, factory warranty, showroom new, $74,900. 757-675-0288. Va. Dlr.

Classic, Antique Cars

FORD 1983 BRONCO

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

Early home delivery.

4wd, automatic, 150k miles, new tires, new battery, cd player, needs new or rebuilt engine, and paint job, $2000 OBO, text Ruth 757-418-2255

Shop smart.

Save big! Sunday (and every day).

757-446-9000 or PilotOnline.com

Good news.

Early home delivery.

757-446-9000 PilotOnline.com

FORD 2007 F150

Conv. 40k mi. Blk w beige new tires.

Gorgeous Must see. $24,650 photos on autotrader 9193244391

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

GLEN L10 SAILBOAT 1985 Wooden. Sailed for 1yr - stored inside garage since $200obo 757-419-0177

4WD, Harley Davidson, 124,000 mis, clean. $15,900. 757-439-7717 va dlr

GMC 2000 JIMMY

157k mi., cold AC, alot of new parts. $3,000 OBO. Call: 757-647-0328

Wanted Automotive

Jump start your day.

Early home delivery 757-446-9000 PilotOnline.com

ABSOLUTELY ABLY ACQUIRING AUTOS All Makes & Models, Best Price Paid!!

FREE TOWING. 757-749-8035 AUTOS ACCEPTED-ANY YEAR Make or Model. Top Dollar, Fast, Free Towing. 757-737-2465, 252-232-9192

Subscribe to The Virginian-Pilot today.

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

Fun & Games

Early home delivery.

757-446-9000 or PilotOnline.com

YOUR PERFECT

JOB

IS WAITING Search jobs. Post your resume.

Stand out from the crowd.

jobs.pilotonline.com

Sudoku

CryptoQuip

Last week’s CryptoQuip answer Whan a man tries to compel you to buy a boat, would you consider it a sails pitch?

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

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

8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, August 12, 2021