Flagship 10.21.2021

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, October 21, 2021 1

IN THIS ISSUE U.S. Navy’s 246th Birthday

Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads hosted a ceremony and cake cutting in celebration of the U.S. Navy’s 246th Birthday on Oct. 13 PAGE A5 VOL. 28, NO. 42, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com

October 21-October 27, 2021

U.S. Naval Oceanography participates in LSE 2021

By Lt. Bobby Dixon

Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Public

Affairs

A Russian Udaloy-class destroyer interacts with USS Chafee (DDG 90), while Chafee conducts routine operations in international waters in the Sea of Japan. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO)

Statement Regarding USS Chafee (DDG 90) with Russian Navy Destoryer

By Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet PEARL HARBOR - The statement from the Russian Defense Ministry about the interaction between our two Navy ships is false.

While USS Chafee (DDG 90) was conducting routine operations in international water in the Sea of Japan on Oct. 15, 2021, a Russian Udaloy-class destroyer came within approximately 65 yards of USS Chafee (DDG 90) while the ship was preparing for flight operations. The interaction was safe and professional. Although Russia issued a Notice to Airman and Mariners (NOTAM/NOTMAR) in this area for later in the day, the NOTAM/NOTMAR was not in effect at the time of the interaction. At all times, USS Chafee conducted operations in accordance with international law and custom. The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate where international law allows.

A Russian Udaloy-class destroyer interacts with USS Chafee (DDG 90), while Chafee conducts routine operations in international waters in the Sea of Japan. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO)

Military and civilian Naval Meteorology and Oceanography professionals around the world provided oceanographic, meteorological, hydrographic, and astrometric data to fleet partners during Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2021, a global evolution that involved every aspect of the U.S. Navy.

LSE 2021, which took place in August of 2021, was a scenario-driven, globally integrated exercise that provided high-end training at sea and ashore against a challenging adversarial force.

“The complexity and rapid pace of the exercises relied on the ability of our 2,500member team to provide environmental data in real time to increase decision space and maneuvering space for the Fleet,” said Rear Adm. Ron Piret, commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (COMNAVMETOCCOM) and CTG 80.7.

Throughout LSE 2021, the CTG 80.7 Maritime Operations Center MOC maintained a 24/7 watch for situational awareness of the physical battlespace requirements, coordinated with the Fleet to identify and prioritize operational requirements, and ensured TG 80.7 remained aptly postured to support warfare commanders in theatre. The MOC serves as the Fleet’s primary gateway into the expertise and data that the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography community collects around the world.

LSE 2021 is a training exercise conducted

by U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and U.S. Naval Forces Europe designed to refine how we synchronize maritime operations across multiple Fleets, in support of the joint force.

The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO), subordinate command of COMNAVMETOCCOM, is responsible for oceanographic, hydrographic, bathymetric, geophysical and acoustic data collection, and provides the Fleet with the environmental knowledge needed to maintain maritime superiority. NAVOCEANO used a variety of platforms, including T-AGS oceanographic survey ships, satellite sensors, buoys, and unmanned undersea systems to execute the various operational facets of LSE 2021.

Working in tandem with mission partners across the Naval Oceanography enterprise and Fleet Commanders around the world, NAVOCEANO personnel completed nearly 40 products for the Fleet exercise, exploiting data collected from the littoral (near-shore) zone to the deep-water environment.

“The NAVOCEANO team provided numerous near real time environmental prodTurn to LSE 2021, Page 7

Navy Sets Timeline and Discharge Details for Those Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine

By The Navy Public Affairs Office

WASHINGTON - With COVID-19 vaccines now mandatory for all military members, the Navy has announced plans to start processing for discharge those who refuse vaccination without a pending or approved exemption.

The Navy’s mandate began at the end of August after the release of the Secretary of Defense memo instructing military departments to enact the new vaccination requirement for DoD uniformed personnel who are not medically or administratively exempt. With the release of ALNAV 062⁄21 and NAVADMIN 190⁄21, all service members were given 90 days to comply.

Now, NAVADMIN 225⁄21, released Oct. 13, sets a deadline for all active-duty Sailors to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 28, while those in the selected reserve have until Dec. 28. The message also outlines the consequences for failing to comply.

This deadline makes Nov. 14 and Dec. 14 the final days active and selected reserve, respectively, can receive the second of the two required shots for a two-dose vaccine or the single dose of a one-dose vaccine, and complete the 14-day

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waiting period required to achieve full vaccination.

Sailors must be prepared to execute their mission at all times, in places throughout the world, including where vaccination rates are low and disease transmission is high. Immunizations are of paramount importance to protecting the health of the force and the warfighting readiness of the Fleet.

“To date, over 98 percent of active-duty U.S. Navy service members have met our readiness responsibility by completing or initiating a COVID-19 vaccination series, ensuring the continued readiness of our worldwide deployable Navy” said Adm. William Lescher, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, in the message.

The Navy’s policy goal is to achieve a fully vaccinated force against the persistent and lethal threat of COVID-19.

“Tragically, there have been 164 deaths within the Navy family due to COVID-19, far exceeding the combined total of all other health or mishap related injuries and deaths over the same time period,” wrote Vice Adm. John B. Nowell, Jr., the Chief of Naval Personnel. Of those, he Turn to Vaccine, Page 7

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class James Owen, from Tobyhanna, Pa., administers the Pfizer vaccine to a Sailor onboard Naval Air Facility Atsugi Sept. 8, 2021. COVID-19 vaccination is now mandatory for Active Duty and Ready Reserve Department Of Defense service members who are not medically or administratively exempt. (PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS RAFAEL AVELAR)

Children’s Festival

Honors

Ice Pilots

Sailors, assigned to Naval Station Norfolk’s Security department participated in the city of Norfolk’s 32nd annual Children’s Festival Oct. 2.

PAGE A6

Twenty-six Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC) employees were recognized for their exemplary performance of duty and commitment to Navy civilian service during an awards ceremony, Oct. 14.

PAGE A4

Arctic operations specialists (AOS) are commonly referred to as ice pilots, and they maneuver submarines through dangerous waters of the Arctic.

PAGE A2

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The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

Mechanical engineering technician Clement Morris, right, with the Fleet Readiness Center East Precision Measurement Center, tests the lab’s new laser tracking system with measurements on an UH-1N medium fuselage repair fixture at FRCE’s facility in the North Carolina Global TransPark in Kinston while James Moffitt, also a mechanical engineering technician, observes the data collected by the tracker. (HEATHER WILBURN)

New precision measurement equipment poised to support improved production timelines

By Heather Wilburn

Fleet Readiness Center East Public Affairs

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERY POINT, N.C. — In military aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul operations at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE), the workforce is accustomed to seeing oversized dimensions: the 79-foot span of an H-53 main rotor, for example, or the 84-foot spread of a fully expanded V-22 Osprey. But smaller measurements are common, too — and for those, the depot relies on the team at its Precision Measurement Center (PMC), which routinely works in increments as small as a ten-thousandth of an inch.

Recent equipment acquisitions in the PMC — a component of the Advanced Measurement Services and Reverse Engineering Labs (AMSREL) Division of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Engineering Department at FRCE — will allow the program to perform these precise measurements more efficiently. A new optical comparator and laser trackers allow mechanical engineering technicians to more easily assess items small and large, including aircraft components, support fixtures and more — improvements that will help FRCE continue to improve product quality and drive down turnaround times.

An optical comparator allows technicians to inspect the geometry and measure the dimensions of small manufactured parts and assess whether those dimensions are within tolerance to required specifications. The tool uses lights, mirrors and lenses to magnify the parts and cast a two-dimensional image to a screen, allowing for non-contact measurement and

evaluation, which prevents potential damage to the parts. At FRCE, the optical comparator is primarily used in first article inspections, a process that involves measuring prototype parts created by defense contractors before the companies begin full production of the items, said mechanical engineering technician James Gray.

“When the contractors start making parts, they’ll send us a run of them to inspect, so that we’re confident the item is being produced to specification,” Gray explained. “The shipment typically comes with criteria, with a drawing and a checklist. And we’ll examine the parts, record the actual value and then certify our findings.”

Thanks to technological advances, the new machine provides the ability to obtain more detailed measurements with higher precision than the version it replaced, Gray said, which improves overall accuracy. The new optical comparator is accurate to within five ten-thousandths of an inch, he explained, which is about one-fifth the width of a human hair. It also offers innovative features including the ability to write a program to automatically measure certain characteristics of a specific part, and the addition of new digital tools that allow for the export of data.

“It gives us more flexibility and detail than the older technology,” Gray said. “And it’s much faster when you’re measuring the same type of part with the same criteria multiple times — you can save a routine for that part and then basically click ‘go.’ You run the program, and the machine will measure everything for you and report back whether it’s within tolerance or out of tolerance.”

ICE PILOTS: NAVIGATORS OF THE ARCTIC

By MC1 Alfred Coffield

Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. — Arctic operations specialists (AOS) are commonly referred to as ice pilots, and they maneuver submarines through dangerous waters of the Arctic.

More specifically, ice pilots embark Navy submarines and act as the commanding officer’s advisor for navigation and safe operation in the Arctic. They are responsible for training crews to operate in the challenging and harsh environments under the Arctic ice, and they navigate the boat through different types of ice.

Jason Cooper, an AOS with Underwater Warfighting Development Center

(UWDC), Detachment Arctic Submarine Laboratory (ASL), works closely with Commander, Submarine Forces (COMSUBFOR) in Norfolk, Virginia.

There are only 21 Ice Pilots employed by the Navy to date, and as the newest, Cooper is enjoying every minute of the job.

“I spent 30 years active duty as a submariner, and I get to work with the best Sailors in the world’s most powerful Submarine Force,” Cooper said. “Most submariners won’t get the chance to operate in the Arctic; I get to do it full-time with ASL.” As the ASL representative for COMSUBFOR, Cooper is responsible for providing recommendations and analysis to the Operations Command Center with regard to

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

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The ability to write an automated program for individual parts measurements will likely have the biggest influence in allowing FRCE to complete first article inspections more efficiently, which helps move the needle on eventual turnaround time and readiness impact, Gray said. That impact will only increase as more routines for more parts are added to the programming inventory.

“We’re saving time on the front end, and improving the quality and quantity of what we can do for the warfighter,” he added. “We measure parts here all the time, and the more you use it for, the more time you’re saving … and the better it gets.”

The new optical comparator is already producing results in the PMC, said Michael Wagoner, Metrology Engineering and Precision Measurement Center branch head at FRCE. “The new equipment has already made a difference in our output; we have reduced our overall turnaround time on first article inspections by 10 percent,” Wagoner said. “The team really came together to ensure we were able to obtain this new equipment. The results have been worth the effort.”

Laser tracker systems offer accurate three-dimensional measurements by projecting laser beams to reflectors mounted on the object to be measured. The machines calculate dimensions by measuring two angles plus distance. These multifunctional tools are used at FRCE for a number of roles, from calibrating support equipment fixtures to aligning weapon systems to ensuring precision placement of critical aircraft components.

The laser tracker system has a wide variety submarine operations in the Arctic. He also serves as the embarked AOS and technical director for major submarine ice exercises (ICEX) in direct support of Arctic deployments by the Submarine Force.

Cooper expects to participate in future ice exercises as a pilot for submarines.

ASL is responsible for developing and maintaining expertise in Arctic specific skills, knowledge, equipment, and procedures to enable the submarine force to safely and effectively operate in the unique Arctic Ocean environment.

The Atlantic Fleet Submarine Force numbers 32 submarines and more than 15,000 highly trained and motivated officer, enlisted, and civilian personnel providing submarine support to the Atlantic, Arctic, Eastern Pacific, Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic’s principal responsibility remains the operation, maintenance, training and equipping of submarines in support of fleet and national tasking.

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of applications in a range of locations, but is a specialized piece of equipment used by technicians who are highly trained in its usage, said James Liesse, laser tracker management operations lead at the PMC. “We do a lot of support of the aircraft lines, for the V-22 and H-53 lines. Our workload is such that we take the trackers out to the aircraft — that’s where we normally go with them,” he said. “All we do is tracker work, and we get called up to measure a lot of different things.”

Properly-calibrated trackers are accurate within approximately 30 ten-thousandths of an inch at distances up to 260 feet. This accuracy makes the laser tracker an ideal candidate for measuring precision placement of items like the K-fitting on the MV-22 Osprey, a joint that combines panels on the aircraft’s wings. When conducting a replacement, artisans must place the new fitting within 30 one-thousandths of an inch of the original fitting’s location, Liesse explained.

In addition to improved accuracy, the new systems offer a distinct advantage over legacy versions: They can be operated by one person, rather than requiring a team of two.

“With the handheld devices that come with the new trackers, taking a lot of these measurements can be a one-man show,” Liesse explained. “We have two new trackers, so we can send two people out in different directions and cover twice as much ground.”

This means reduced wait times for equipment and fixture calibration, large item measurements and other services the laser tracker team provides, which translates to time saved in returning aircraft to the fleet, Wagoner said.

“These trackers replace aging equipment and provide state-of-the art capability to reduce laser tracker inspection turnaround times,” Wagoner said.

FRCE is North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, with more than 4,000 civilian, military and contract workers. Its annual revenue exceeds $1 billion. The depot provides service to the fleet while functioning as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers.

Jason Cooper, an arctic operations specialists (AOS) with Underwater Warfighting Development Center (UWDC) works closely with Commander, Submarine Forces in Norfolk, Virginia. AOS are referred to as ice pilots, and maneuver submarines throughout the dangerous waters of the Arctic. (MC1 ALFRED COFFIELD)

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, October 21, 2021 3

Members of NAVSTA Norfolk celebrate the Navy’s 246th Birthday, Oct. 13.(COURTESY PHOTO)

NAVSTA Celebrates Navy’s 246th Birthday

By OS3 Sindy Lopez

Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs

NORFOLK — Members of Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk came together at the command galley to celebrate the Navy’s 246th birthday.

Sailors and civilians gathered at the galley for a celebratory meal while still following Center for Disease Control guidelines. The culinary specialists at NAVSTA Norfolk prepared special dishes and cake for the event.

Chief Culinar y Specialist Victor NunezMarte and Chief Warrant Officer Nicole Campbell organized the event. Both were involved in organizing last year’s event as well.

NAVSTA Norfolk’s Triad was in attendance, with the Commanding Officer, Capt. David Dees explaining the significance of the event, and why it is celebrated.

“It is important every year we reflect on the great history of our United States Navy,” said Dees. “Every generation of Sailors builds

upon those who have gone before them, who have paved the way for them. Reflecting on and remembering this legacy empowers our Navy and is part of what makes this Nation the greatest in the world.”

This year, the theme of the Navy’s birthday is “Resilient and Ready” which speaks to the Navy’s ability to get through disasters, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

The words “resilient” and “ready” couldn’t describe NAVSTA Norfolk better, as the base and its personnel have stayed vigilant and

quick to respond to all of the uncertainties of the past year. The base has strived to stand as an example of why the United States Navy is considered the best fighting force in the world.

Before the Navy became the United States’ dominant naval force and protector of maritime trade routes, it was known as the Continental Navy, which consisted of two vessels with ten carriage guns, a proportional number of swivel guns and crews of 80 men. Two years after the American Revolution, the Continental Navy was disbanded and later reinstated in 1774.

It wasn’t until 1974 that the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) recognized the Navy as it is today. Every year since then, the CNO has encouraged a Navy-wide celebration of its history and heritage.

Although the celebrations of the Navy’s birthday have looked different the past few years, Sailors around the world still proudly celebrate the two century’s worth of traditions and keep the legacy of the Navy alive.

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4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

NAVSUP BSC Honors Outstanding Civilian Service

By Thomas Zimmerman

NAVSUP Business Systems Center

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Twenty-six Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC) employees were recognized for their exemplary performance of duty and commitment to Navy civilian service during an awards ceremony, Oct. 14.

During the ceremony, Capt. Gene Cash, commanding officer, NAVSUP BSC, recognized the contributions of more than 600 civilian employees and presented the command’s annual awards for 2021.

“Today, we’re going to take time to reflect on the accomplishments of this year’s top performers. This is also a time to honor an amazing group of people, our NAVSUP BSC workforce,” said Cash. “Without your extraordinary efforts and daily sacrifice, NAVSUP BSC would not be what it is today. It is you who brings the innovative ideas, products, and solutions to accomplish our mission, increase fleet readiness, and strengthen the Navy’s supply chain.”

Craig Lawrence, director, Business Management department, was recognized as NAVSUP BSC’s Leader of the Year for his performance as the Logistics Solutions department acting director and deputy director.

“He relentlessly worked to lead, empower, and inspire individuals in the department to act as positive change agents and drive our organization forward,” said Brian Zirbel, executive director, NAVSUP BSC. “Craig held the highest standards as a leader of leaders within the Logistics Solutions department. This drives his attitude and performance, displaying the characteristics of an individual dedicated to the mission and visualizing a strategic vision for the future.”

Ian Parker, an information technology specialist for Technology Services department, received the NAVSUP BSC Senior Employee of the Year award for accomplishments as a system administrator for the Infrastructure Services branch.

“The recognition is pretty incredible,” said Parker. “As a team, we all work very hard. It’s great to see the work we have done stand out and be recognized in this way. I’m very thankful.”

Anne Harmes, an information technology specialist for the Core Business Solutions department, received the Junior Employee of the Year award for performance as the Shipboard Supply Management System lead user interface and user experience designer for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces branch.

“It’s an honor to receive this award as a recognition for my work,” said Harmes.

Capt. Gene Cash, commanding officer, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Business Systems Center (BSC), addresses the workforce during a virtual Employee Recognition and Awards Ceremony onboard Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg. During the ceremony, Cash recognized the contributions of more than 600 civilian employees and presented the command’s annual awards for 2021. (COURTESY PHOTO)

“This inspires me to keep pushing forward every day.”

Eric Benner, assistant activity contract technical representative for the Technology Services department’s Command IT Support branch, was named Command Support Employee of the Year for supporting the max-telework posture and Navy/ Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) technical refresh at NAVSUP BSC. “This award means a lot to me. We all work very hard as a team, and to be recognized for that is very humbling,” said Benner. “I’m very happy to have received this award.”

The Ordnance Information System (OIS) team received NAVSUP BSC’s Team of the Year award for improved processes and customer service while achieving audit readiness and enhancing cybersecurity posture.

“This award is a huge morale booster. The team has spent a lot of time committing to the command and the warfighter, especially during COVID,” said Amanda Johnson, who accepted the award on behalf of the OIS team. “This is huge, and I’m hoping that it makes their day.”

NAVSUP BSC Team of the Year recipients included: Gary Bojo, Eric Buck, Kevin Buie, Erin Crawford, James Dibble, David Dobos, Andrew Filer, Robert Frey, Kayla Hengst, Matt Henry, Amanda Johnson, Timothy

Kautzmann, Tom Knee, Michael Mckenzie, Mafe Sabar, Anand Sharma, Anthony Spittel, and Steve Walkling.

Navy Meritorious Civilian Service (NMCS) awards were also presented to three NAVSUP BSC employees.

Judithanne Anderson received the NMCS award for her service as Financial and Air Clearance Transportation System program manager from 2003 to October 2021.

Richard Lima received the NMCS award for his performance as the NAVSUP ERP Business Office functional integration manager from September 2018 to October 2021.

“It’s an honor to receive something this important for the work I have done here,” said Lima. “This award was unexpected but very much appreciated.”

David Patterson received the NMCS award for his service as the NAVSUP NMCI program manager from March 2010 to September 2021.

“This is an award for me, but this is really an award for everyone who works in the NMCI program office and in the field at [NAVSUP] Fleet Logistics Centers, Weapon Systems Support, and Headquarters,” said Patterson. “I may be the face of NMCI for NAVSUP, but those are the people that put in the hard work.”

Following the presentation of awards, Diane Billman, former NAVSUP BSC Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Enterprise Business Office team lead, was inducted into the NAVSUP BSC Hall of Fame.

During her 37-year career with NAVSUP BSC, Billman held a variety of leadership positions with projects such as Navy ERP Enterprise Business Office, Defense Logistics Management System, and Conventional Ammunition Information System.

“Diane’s leadership, high standards, and exemplary behavior has been a beacon of success for the command, other employees, and many projects throughout her tenure.

Congratulations, Diane. Thank you for your steadfast leadership, and welcome to NAVSUP BSC’s Hall of Fame,” said Cash.

Also recognized during the ceremony was the NAVSUP BSC Barrier Analysis Team, who received the Human Resources and Equal Employment Opportunity Community Support Team/Group Award from the Department of the Navy Civilian Human Resources earlier this year.

NAVSUP BSC provides the Navy with information systems support through the design, development, and maintenance of systems in the functional areas of logistics, supply chain management, transportation, finance, and accounting and is one of 11 commands under Commander, NAVSUP. For more information about NAVSUP BSC, visit https://www.navsup.navy.mil/ public/navsup/bsc/.

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Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Celebrates the U.S. Navy’s 246th Birthday

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Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Public Affairs

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Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads hosted a ceremony and cake cutting in celebration of the U.S. Navy’s 246th Birthday on Oct. 13 featuring guest speaker Capt. Ben Snell, Director, Intelligence and Information Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

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6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

Master at Arms 2nd Class Robert Herbstreith and Master at Arms 1st Class Molly Crawford bring their assigned Military Working Dogs (MWD), Batman and Tina, to meet Norfolk Police Officers and their mascot, Justice, while volunteering at Norfolk’s 32nd annual Children’s Festival. While there, the Naval Station Norfolk Security Department members interacted with families and children at a static display and held meet and greats with their MWD’s, Batman and Tina. (EMILY CASAVANT)

Naval Station Norfolk’s Security Department Attends 32nd Annual Children’s Festival

By MC2 Emily Casavant

Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs

NORFOLK — Sailors, assigned to Naval Station Norfolk’s Security department participated in the city of Norfolk’s 32nd annual Children’s Festival Oct. 2.

The festival took place at Waterside District’s Town Point Park from 10am-

3pm and hosted many types of vendors and performers from the local area for families to enjoy. NAVSTA Norfolk’s Security Department was represented by their Military Working Dog (MWD) unit with three Sailors and two military working dogs.

“These events are important for the team of handlers to spread the word about the Military Working Dog Program,” said

Master at Arms Chief Roy Holmes, Kennel Master for Naval Station Norfolk’s MWD department. “Also, it’s great to get the Sailors out and about to break up the normal routine of working on base.”

Due to COVID-19, the city of Norfolk did not hold the Annual Children’s festival in 2020. This year, they welcomed thousands of visitors back to the park along with the local

businesses and programs who participated.

“We all had a great time educating the children and answering all their questions,” said Master at Arms 1st Class Molly Crawford, MWD’s leading petty officer. “It’s always refreshing hearing things that they come up with and it’s fun watching them try on the gear since it is so big on them.”

Crawford and her shipmates set up an interactive table with training gear used for the dogs and the trainers to show children and their families. The working dogs, Batman and Tina, were brought out to socialize as well. While there, the Sailors answered many questions about their jobs and MWD’s and posed for photos with children.

“Hopefully we can inspire some of the children to fill our role in the future when they grow up,” said Crawford. “You just never really know how something like this event can inspire a child and I think that’s really great.”

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, October 21, 2021 7

LSE 2021 from Page 1

ucts that can only be produced here with the continuation of comprehensive, expertise and high performance modeling. As a direct result of our command’s efforts, decision makers were armed with unique knowledge that enabled victory in the exercise, just as it will in real world operations,” said Capt. Ken Wallace, commanding officer, NAVOCEANO. The exercise also included evaluations of experimental technology from a variety of warfare areas including unmanned technologies.

“LSE 2021 gave the Naval Oceanography Operations Command (NOOC) the opportunity to flex our capabilities, especially in regards to the new Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare (EMW) mission.” said CAPT Garstka, commanding officer, Naval Oceanography Operations Command. “The NOOC demonstrated the ability to answer daily short-fused requests for information for both Undersea Warfare (USW) and EMW. The Reach Back Center (RBC) coordinated with both Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) and Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO) in order to provide the most accurate and timely products that resulted in well-informed tactical decisions.”

During LSE 2021, Fleet Numerical Meteorological and Oceanography Command (FNMOC), which delivers Naval Oceanography’s high performance computing and modeling capability, provided more than a dozen customized modeling products and generated terabytes of environmental data at every classification level to inform and enable the front lines.

“FNMOC is where it all starts. Every decision made relies on the accuracy of the information fed into and delivered by our assured numerical models.” Capt. Christi Montgomery, commanding officer, FNMOC. “Each and every day, FNMOC ensures that the decision makers have the most accurate and timely data, at all

Vaccine from Page 1

noted, 144 were not immunized. The vaccination status of the remaining 20 remains undetermined.

To oversee the administrative discharge process for those refusing the vaccine, the Navy established the COVID Consolidated Disposition Authority (CCDA). This, Lescher wrote, will “ensure a fair and consistent process” for separation determinations.

The Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) is the CCDA for the administrative separation processing of Navy service members, with the Chief of Navy Reserve (CNR) providing support to the CCDA for cases involving Navy service members in the Selected Reserve. The Vice Chief of Naval Operations retains authority for non-judicial punishment and courts-martial.

Administrative actions may begin as soon as a Navy service member meets the definition of “refusing the vaccine”, which is a Navy service member who received a lawful order to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, is not or will not

classification enclaves, to maintain the safety of Naval operations and to ensure the greatest tactical advantage over our adversaries. LSE 2021 demonstrated FNMOC’s continued dedication to our mission and the mission of Navy Meteorology and Oceanography.”

The U.S. Naval Observatory’s (USNO) Precise Time Department exercised a degradation of timing dissemination via Network Timing Protocol and other continuity of operations applications.

LSE 2021 merged live and synthetic training so Sailors and Marines across the globe simultaneously exercised the same battle problem.

It tested warfighting concepts like Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO), Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) and Logistics in a Contested Environment (LOCE) and helped Sailors and Marines build the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s complex maritime environment.

LSE 2021 included 36 ships underway, ranging from aircraft carriers to submarines, and more than 50 virtual units and an unlimited array of constructive units, in addition to the Sailors, Marines, Government civilian and contract employees assigned to command and training staffs providing support to the exercise.

“Timing data is foundational to Command and Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Targeting (C5ISRT) and directly impacts every Department of Defense kill chain.” said Capt. Dave Kuehn, Superintendent, USNO. “It’s imperative we understand and exercise the continuity of precise timing delivery across the Fleet.”

The two-week exercise involved approximately 25,000 Sailors and Marines, spanning five U.S. numbered fleets, three Marine Expeditionary Forces, and 17 time zones.

Fleet Weather Center Norfolk (FWC-N) provided daily operational area forecasts off the east coast of the United States in support of LSE 2021. The team in Norfolk exercised the ability to answer short-fuse request for information in regards to Meteorological and Ocean-

ographic (METOC) support. The four watch teams from FWC-N coordinated with the Strike Group Oceanography Team (SGOT) onboard the USS Kearsarge and the METOC team at U.S. Fleet Forces and the detachments to forecast for underway ships participating in LSE 2021.

“During LSE 2021, we executed Fleet Weather Center Norfolk’s mission, which is to provide timely, comprehensive, and tactically relevant METOC products and services in direct support of Fleet training and readiness.” said Capt. Erin Acosta, commanding officer, FWC-N. “These Sailors handled the increased workload with ease; coordinating throughout the planning and execution to identify potential gaps and seams in order to ensure complete coverage. I couldn’t be prouder of the work these Sailors do every day!”

The exercise was a progression of scenarios that assessed and refined modern warfare concepts, including distributed maritime operations, expeditionary advanced base operations, and littoral operations in a contested environment.

Fleet Weather Center San Diego (FWC-SD) delivered full spectrum operational METOC capability across the Indo-Pacific during LSE 2021 from its watch floor in San Diego and leveraged unique capabilities and expert personnel from subordinate commands.

“This was a great challenge for our team and I am proud of how expertly each part of the Command came together from across the Pacific to exercise our ability to fight and win in a complex high-end contest,” said Capt.

Stoughton, commanding officer, FWC-SD. “The lessons we are taking away from Large Scale Exercise 21 are invaluable and our force is better for it.”

Naval Oceanography Anti-Submarine Warfare Center Yokosuka, JA delivered specialized forecasts for airborne Mobile Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft and acoustic ASW detection predictions and other undersea forecasts.

Strike Group Oceanography Team San Diego (SGOT-SD) deployed a Mobile Environmental Team (MET) afloat on USS John P.

be fully vaccinated on the date required by the order, and does not have a pending or approved exemption request.

Effective immediately upon the release of the message, commands shall not allow Sailors refusing the vaccine to promote or advance, reenlist, or execute orders, with the exception of separation orders, until the CCDA has completed disposition of their case. Transfer orders may be cancelled by Navy Personnel Command.

For officers and enlisted serving in Navy leadership roles refusing the vaccine, they will be notified immediately in writing that they have five days to either begin a vaccination series or request an exemption before being relieved and have detachment for cause initiated.

Senior leaders are members of command triads and those key staff positions, including any flag officer or flag officer select, regardless of their current billet. A complete list of these positions is found in the message.

With COVID-19 vaccination now mandatory, commanders, commanding officers, or officers in charge, with the concurrence of the first flag officer in the chain of command, are

authorized to temporarily reassign Navy service members who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of exemption status, based on operational readiness or mission requirements.

Commanding officers must identify those refusing the vaccine and verify that the Sailors have an initial counseling NAVPERS 1070⁄13, or “Page 13”. Within thirty days of a Navy service member refusing the vaccine, reporting seniors must submit a special evaluation or fitness report. In addition to documenting failure to comply with individual medical readiness responsibilities, the report shall document other facts as appropriate, including any misconduct related to UCMJ Art. 92.

Commands are required to report Sailors refusing the vaccine to Commander, Navy Personnel Command. Rules differ depending on whether the member is an E-6 and above or officer, or an E-5 and below. Information on reporting procedures for each, along with points of contact, are available in the NAVADMIN. For Navy service members refusing the vaccine, the CCDA also retains the authority for administrative processes regarding removal of warfare qualifications, additional qualifica-

The 100-foot meteorological tower at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge with the setup crew.

Left to right: Edward Martin and Bradley Hunsaker of DPG Meteorology, and Stephen Aagard of Jacobs at Dugway Proving Ground.

(COURTESY PHOTO)

Murtha as part of Expeditionary Strike Group 3, and surged another MET forward to Pearl Harbor, HI with Command Task Force 34 and Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. They delivered tailored weather forecasts for on-shore and at-sea USMC and USN assets.

Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) demonstrated the critical nature of assured, DoD focused, tropical weather system tracking and avoidance by enabling live exercise assets to proceed during peak tropical season. tion designations (AQD), Navy Enlisted Classifications (NEC), or sub-specialties, except in cases where removal authority is otherwise authorized by law or Executive Order. The CCDA may also seek recoupment of applicable bonuses, special and incentive pays, and the cost of training and education for service members refusing the vaccine.

Those separated only for vaccine refusal will receive no lower than a general discharge under honorable conditions. This type of discharge could result in the loss of some veterans’ benefits.

Navy service members who started terminal leave on or before the applicable deadlines are administratively exempted from vaccine requirements.

Sailors seeking an exemption to the vaccine mandate can apply for medical reasons or a religious accommodation. Details on how to apply for each are available in NAVADMIN 190⁄21.

Complete information on the administrative ramifications of vaccine refusal can be found in NAVADMIN 225⁄21. Information on the Navy’s COVID-19 policy is in ALNAV 062⁄21 and NAVADMIN 190⁄21.

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8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, October 21, 2021 1

uarterdeck

Volunteers in Bahrain Community

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command participated in a community support event at Bahrain Mobility International in Isa Town, Bahrain, Oct. 16. PAGE B6

Australia, India, Japan, and U.S. Kickoff Phase II: MALABAR 2021

(from left to right) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Indian Navy INS Satpura (F 48), Royal Australian Navy fleet-replenishment vessel HMAS Sirius (O 266), Arleigh Burkeclass guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), Izumo-class helicopter destroyer JS Kaga (DDH 184), UNK (D 55), and Murasame-class destroyer JS Murasame (DD 101) transit the Bay of Bengal as part of MALABAR 2021, Oct. 12. (COURTESY PHOTO)

By USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs BAY OF BENGAL — Maritime forces from Australia, India, Japan, and the United States began Phase II of Exercise MALABAR 2021 in the Bay of Bengal, Oct. 11.

The U.S. Navy hosted this year’s annual maritime exercise which includes a variety of highend tactical training, including specific interactions that are designed to enhance interoperability between the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Indian Navy (IN), Japan Maritime Self Defense

Force (JMSDF) and U.S. maritime forces.

The first phase of MALABAR, which began in August, included maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations, live-fire gunnery events, replenishments-at-sea, cross-deck flight operations, and maritime interdiction operations in the Philippine Sea. The current phase is being conducted in the Bay of Bengal.

Planning and executing multinational exercises in two phases allows participating nations to

operate and train in two different regions of the Indo-Pacific.

The second phase will consist of surface and air expendable mobile anti-submarine warfare training target exercise (EMATTEX), cross-deck helicopter operations, surface gunnery exercise, and replenishments-at-sea. The intent is to enhance integrated maritime operations between the Quad countries within the Indian Ocean Region.

“MALABAR 21 improves the compatibility of our forces in support of our mutual desire for unmatched maritime security in

Navy surgical teams first to participate in Army’s Strategic Trauma Readiness Center (STaRC) training

the global commons,” said Rear.

Adm. Dan Martin, commander, Carrier Strike Group 1. “Unit integration during complex task group maneuvers further demonstrates our ability to effectively work with our Indo-Pacific allies and partners and win in any contested maritime environment.”

Elements of the Royal Australian, Indian, Japanese, and American maritime forces routinely operate together in the Indo-Pacific, fostering a cooperative approach toward regional security and stability.

“The participation of HMA

Ships Ballarat and Sirius in MALABAR Phase II builds our collective ability to meet shared challenges in pursuit of an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific,” said Cmdr. Antony Pisani, commanding officer HMAS Ballarat. “Close cooperation with key partners with India, Japan, and the United States fosters our professional mariner relationships and enhance our interoperability.”

U.S. Navy participants for phase two included Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, consisting of Turn to MALABAR 2021, Page 7

Warrior Challenge Recruiter Awarded for Heroic Efforts

By Navy Recruiting Command Public Affairs

Members of the 555th Forward Surgical Team assess a simulated patient during training with Brooke Army Medical Center’s Strategic Trauma Readiness Center of San Antonio (STaRC) at Camp Bullis Military Training Reservation, Texas. (COURTSEY PHOTO)

By Canadian Forces Lt. Cdr. Paul Newell

Expeditionary Strike Group 2 Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas — Fleet Surgical Teams Two and Four made recent medical history, becoming the Navy’s first FSTs to complete the Army’s rigorous Strategic Trauma Readiness Center of San Antonio’s (STaRC) trauma readiness training course.

Funded by C ommander, Surface Forces Atlantic, members from the two Navy surgical teams

attended the three-week Armyled training at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

The course, based on Army curriculum for their forward resuscitative surgical teams, was adapted for the Navy FSTs with a focus on the types of realistic, iterative, and stressful scenarios necessary to build Role II trauma readiness within austere shipboard environments.

“We were able to push the Navy FSTs to their limits so they can handle any challenges they may encounter on the ship” said Army Col. Tyson Becker, STaRC Director.

The program consisted of three distinct phases — didactic hands-on training, shipboard simulated field exercises, and Level I trauma with real patients at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), the only Level I Trauma Center within the DoD. Becker said the services use of different terminology and size and scope of a Navy Fleet Surgical Team compared to that of an Army Forward Resuscitative Surgical Team provided an opportunity to learn from each other in a joint environment.

Turn to Surgical, Page 7

It was July 17, and Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Peter Doyle was taking part in an obstacle course race when a runner ahead of him collapsed.

Doyle jumped into action, taking life-saving steps. For his actions, Doyle earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Doyle, a 26-year-old Warrior Challenge Recruiter, looks for candidates who display the same characteristics he showed that day in July - peak physical condition, mental soundness, and a willingness to go above and beyond while under extreme duress. He looks for the best and brightest candidates who will hopefully one day become members of the U.S. Navy’s special operations forces team.

Thinking back on that day, Doyle said, “instinct took over. I asked him if he was alright and got no response.

I immediately began CPR and yelled for the nearest course manager.”

According to the Englishtown emergency services, Doyle’s actions directly related to the positive outcome of this incident.

Doyle didn’t fully process everything until after the patient was taken away in an ambulance.

“After everything was said and done, I had time to reflect on what happened,” said Doyle. “I’m just happy I was there to help.”

His award highlighted his actions and quick thinking. The end of his award, while similar in nature to every award given, rings especially true in Doyle’s case. Doyle’s actions reflected credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest

Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Peter Doyle has been featured in this week’s Recruiter Spotlight.

(GUNNER’S MATE 1ST CLASS PETER DOYLE)

traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Navy Recruiting Command consists of a command headquarters, three Navy Recruiting Regions, and 26 Navy Talent Acquisition Groups that serve more than 1,000 recruiting stations across the world. Their combined goal 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/MyNAVYHR), Twitter (@USNRecruiter) and Instagram (@USNRecruiter).

2

The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

Heroes at Home

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Game Day: A play by play

By Lisa Smith Molinari Football-shaped bowl of nuts is on the coffee table. Starter log is sputtering in the fireplace. Dog has been walked. Wings are in the oven.

Official play begins.

My husband, Francis, ensconced in his tattered college sweatshirt, workout pants he bought himself at TJ Maxx, and ratty old sheepskin slippers, surveys the family room field, attempting to locate the best seating formation for maximum game-viewing comfort. Beer in hand, he glances around to be sure I am not in the room, then positions himself in front of my favorite spot on the couch.

Francis doesn’t utilize his quadriceps to gradually lower his weight into a seat like most human beings. Rather, the instant his knees break their upright locked position, he disengages all muscles, allowing his entire torso to plummet toward his desired location. Interestingly, Francis, all three of his brothers, and their father are infamous chair wreckers, leaving snapped legs, warped springs, and crooked recliners in their wakes.

As if seized with temporary paralysis of his lower extremities, Francis’ knees buckle, sending his girth rocketing toward our aging couch with violent impact. GUH-GLUNK! Unnecessary roughness.

Entering the room, I see our son, Hayden, on the floor munching a bag of tortilla chips, and Francis in my seat. Hoping a bit of nagging will

roust him, I harp, “Hey Hon, if you insist on watching the game from my favorite spot, could you at least sit down gently? That spring under you clunked like it’s broken or something.”

“God help me,” he grumbles under his breath.

I settle temporarily for the other end of our couch, and realize that Francis’ offensive move requires a smarter defense. “Would you poke the fire Honey, you know how unpredictable those starter logs can be.”

Francis glares suspiciously, but I feign ignorance, “Have the Seahawks colors changed?” Just as Francis steps toward the fireplace, I employ a slide-lift-blitz maneuver to regain my territory.

But when I reach the center cushion, our dog appears, licking my face.

Pass interference.

GUH-GLUNK! “C’mon, let’s get some points on the board!” Francis yells after swiftly retaking my rightful seat. To add insult to injury, he lobs his ratty sheepskin-slippered foot into my lap and slurps the last of his beer.

Unsportsmanlike conduct.

“Hey, Mom.” “Yes,” I mutter, trying to hide my gritting teeth.

“Are those wings done yet?”

“Not yet, but…” I look over just as Hayden tips the bag of chips over his open mouth, triggering a mini-avalanche of corner crumbs which cascades into his mouth, eyes, shirt, and the freshly-vacuumed family room carpet, “… I’m fairly certain you’ll survive.”

Just then, the cells of my brain call a

huddle, and a new play is formed.

Time out.

While Francis and Hayden laugh at silly beer commercials like simpletons, I disappear to the kitchen, returning a few minutes later with a heaping tray of hot wings. Like some kind of modern day June Cleaver, I smilingly dole out platefuls to my unsuspecting husband and son.

And then I wait, nibbling patiently on a stalk of celery.

As expected, they dig right in, Hayden meticulously dissecting each tiny radius, ulna and humerus, then sucking each finger from base to tip. Francis, on the other hand, plops whole wings into his open mouth, and after manipulation with teeth and tongue, pulls the bones out from his pursed lips, stripped clean of meat, as well as fat, skin and cartilage.

“Whew!” Francis exclaims, wiping his brow with a saucy napkin, “Spicy, hu?!”

Hayden is the first casualty, running to the kitchen for a soda. Francis tenaciously sweats through another wing or two before abandoning his position in search of cold beer to sooth his burning lips. Thanks to a few extra shakes of hot sauce, my play worked. With the coast finally clear, I muster what’s left of my middle aged agility.

Hail Mary.

Reentering the room, Francis sees me, firmly seated in my favorite spot on our couch. I pump my upturned hands in the air while wiggling my knees back and forth, in a pompous victory dance.

Score.

Living Overseas on Military Pay: What to Expect

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

By Military Onesource

Overseas or OCONUS PCS orders can be exciting, especially if you’ve never been outside of the CONUS. The military can help you with the added costs of an international move and living expenses abroad.

Here are tips for finding free military moving services, getting OCONUS allowances and budgeting for daily living expenses.

Overseas pay and allowances Your service branch will help you move your household goods and even a personally owned vehicle to a new overseas duty station. This financial help is generally a one-time reimbursement of moving costs. You can start figuring out those costs by visiting the PCS & Military Moves page to register for OCONUS moving help.

However, there are additional pays and allowances you may receive during your time overseas above your regular basic pay. Two of the main allowances overseas personnel receive are an overseas Cost of Living Allowance and an Overseas Housing Allowance. Qualifying service members are also able to receive benefits from the Family Supplemental Subsistence Allowance Program program.

• Overseas Cost of Living Allowance: This allowance helps service members afford the higher living expenses incurred at some overseas installations. It depends on location, rank and number of dependents, and may change from paycheck to paycheck based on fluctuations in the exchange rate. Use the official Overseas COLA Calculator to see how much COLA to expect at overseas installations.

• Overseas Housing Allowance: This allowance helps service members pay for overseas housing “on the economy,” or off-base in the surrounding civilian neighborhood. You apply for OHA through your local housing office or commander.

When you find housing, submit DD Form 2367, “Individual Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) Report.” You can use the official OHA Calculator to see current OHA rates for overseas installations.

• Family Supplemental Subsistence Allowance Program: This is a Department of Defense program that supplements an eligible active service member’s household income if it’s below 130% of federal poverty guidelines (maximum payment is $1,100 per month). FSSA is only avail-

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.

(COURTESY PHOTO)

able for members with at least one dependent in their households who are serving overseas (not including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam). For more information about the FSSA program or any other assistance, members should contact their family support center, command or community services financial management counselors. The FSSA Application, DD Form 2857 is available on the WHS DOD Forms website.

Common overseas expenses for OCONUS moves Those moving and OCONUS allowances, in addition to your basic pay, help with major expenses while you’re overseas. With careful budgeting you can also manage daily living expenses like these: • Exchange rates: Local currency fluctuations affect both Overseas COLA and OHA payments. You will be paid in U.S. dollars, but how much that dollar can buy will depend on the local currency’s exchange rate. Use the official Overseas COLA and OHA calculators to determine the current pay system exchange rates and how a currency change may affect your payment. Prepare to pay a small fee whenever you need to convert cash dollars into the local currency.

• Storage unit fees: You may not be able to take everything overseas with you. If you are not authorized nontemporary storage at government expense and you need to store items, you’ll need to budget for the monthly fee of a storage unit.

• Overage baggage fees: Military moving services have weight limits on how much they’ll ship to your new home. If you go over your weight limit, you’ll have to pay added moving fees.

• Car and local travel expenses: Before you ship your car overseas, consider the local cost of gas and maintenance. Many service members buy a used car when they arrive at

a new station, then sell it before they return home. Without a car, add local transportation options like train or bus passes to your budget.

• New clothing: OCONUS moves may mean dressing for different climates. See if you should purchase parkas or swimsuits in the United States and ship them over. It may make more sense to buy them after you arrive.

• Cultural expenses: The adventure of living in a new place also means paying for things you may not expect. For example, in some countries you’ll only receive a utility bill once or twice a year — but that bill will be much higher than a “regular” monthly bill. You may also need to pay for drinking water at restaurants, rather than getting it for free. Ask your local sponsor for help budgeting for possible expenses like these.

• Foreign sales taxes: New countries usually mean new sales taxes. Be prepared to pay higher local taxes on goods and services.

• “Homesick” expenses: You may be craving peanut butter, but it may be hard to find or is very expensive overseas. Try checking with your base commissary or exchange first for deals on American products, or you can ask friends or family back home to ship them to you in care packages.

This is just an overview of the many financial decisions you may make during your OCONUS move and time living abroad. If you’d like some help planning and budgeting for your overseas adventure, you can schedule a free consultation with a Military OneSource financial counselor. They can give you a hand whenever you need it — before your move, while you’re settling in or when you’re coming home.

Financial counselors are just one way Military OneSource connects you to the services, programs and information you need to live your best MilLife. Let us give you a hand today.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, October 21, 2021 3

Sailors man the rails on as the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) returns to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka following a five-month deployment. During Ronald Reagan’s deployment, the ship transited 43,000 nautical miles operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to assist with Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Allies Refuge in support of U.S. drawdown operations in Afghanistan. Ronald Reagan returned to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility and took part in multi-carrier operations, which included 15,000 Sailors from six partner nations upholding collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. (SEAMAN NATASHA CHEVALIER)

Champions of Freedom Return from 5th and 7th Fleet Deployment

By MCCS Michael Ojeda

Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron 15 Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan — The “Champions of Freedom” of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and members of Detachment 701 of the Naval Oceanographic Antisubmarine Warfare Center (NOAC) returned from deployment, Oct. 16.

DESRON 15 and NOAC embarked aboard America’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) for deployment while serving as the Sea Combat Commander (SCC), a tenant of the Composite Warfare Commander structure.

The SCC directly reports to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 for duties involving Anti-Surface and Subsurface warfare in defense of strike group assets.

“I am happy to see our Sailors return from

a long deployment to the Fifth and Seventh Fleet,” said Capt. Chase Sargeant, Commodore, DESRON 15. “Split staff operations allow my staff to operate at sea while maintaining a theater surface watch in support of 7th Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan. These Sailors have consistently proven that they are able to adapt to anything including the addition of Fifth Fleet tasking.”

Throughout the deployment, the SCC team participated in many Theater Security Cooperation events involving naval forces including, but not limited to, Singapore, India, Pakistan, United Kingdom, France and Germany. During these events the SCC and partner nations seamlessly operated, trained, and communicated together while exercising integrated maritime operations in an all-domain warfighting environment.

Professional integrated engagements allow

the U.S. Navy and allies the opportunity to build upon existing strong relationships and improve collective readiness and response to any situation.

“The interoperability we enjoy with surface forces from partner nations around the world provide us the unique ability to meet at-sea and immediately operate at an advanced level. This highlights the enduring nature of our alliances,” said Capt. Walt Mainor, Deputy Commodore, Embarked Sea Combat Commander. “I am happy to say that this SCC team of professionals is the backbone of that interoperability as they always seek to coordinate operations like these to reinforce our mutual commitments to international maritime norms and promoting regional stability no matter where we are in the world.”

Additionally the SCC team found them-

selves at the crossroads of history while supporting the withdrawal of United States Forces during Operation Freedom Sentinel and civilians during Operation Allies Refuge. “It’s an honor to be on the frontlines of history supporting something that I can tell my children I was a part of when they grow up,” said Chief Intelligence Specialist Issac Tolliver from Houston, TX. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, consists of Carrier Air Wing 5, DESRON 15 and was accompanied on this deployment by Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97).

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed fleet in the world, and with the help of a network of alliances and partners from 35 other maritime-nations, the U.S. Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict.

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4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) arrives in San Diego for a scheduled homeport shift. Germantown shifted homeports from Sasebo to San Diego after serving as a forward-deployed ship in U.S. 7th Fleet since Jan. 5, 2011. (MC2 KEVIN LEITNER)

USS Germantown completes forwarddeployment to Japan, arrives in San Diego

By Lt. Cmdr. Lauren Spaziano

Expeditionary Strike Group Three Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO — Amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) arrived in San Diego Oct. 15, after a decade of forward-deployed service in the Indo-Pacific region operating out of Japan.

As part of the U.S. 7th Fleet’s Forward-Deployed Naval Forces in Japan, Germantown worked alongside allied and partner nations to provide security and stability in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“We are excited to welcome Germantown and her crew to the team,” said Rear Adm. Wayne Baze, commander, Expedition-

ary Strike Group (ESG) 3. “They made an incredible impact in the Indo-Pacific as a forward-deployed ship, and I know they will continue to excel in San Diego.”

Since 2011, Germantown has participated in numerous operations and exercises across the Indo-Pacific including Cobra Gold, Valiant Shield, Kamandag, MTA Sama Sama, and Tiger Triumph 2019, the first U.S.-India bilateral exercise to feature all three joint services — Army, Navy, and Air Force.

During an innovative achievement in June, Germantown resurrected a World War II-era waterborne ambulance concept during a certification exercise. Installing a medical shock trauma section on German-

town’s Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) added another link in the “heal chain” to get wounded Marines from the battlefield to critical care.

“I am immensely proud of the hard work and incredible performance of our crew in 7th Fleet,” said Cmdr. Cullen Greenfield, commanding officer of Germantown. “As we transition to 3rd Fleet and ESG 3, this crew continues to display its trademark resiliency and warfighting capability with early renewal of warfare certifications in both the Communications and Intelligence mission areas, and a seamless instream offload of Marines after San Francisco Fleet Week.”

Most recently, Germantown participated

in Talisman Sabre 21, marking the third time the ship has taken part in the U.S.-Australia bilateral exercise with partner support from Canada, South Korea, and Japan.

Germantown demonstrated their ability to act as a force multiplier in amphibious assaults, providing critical back-up through embarked LCU. Germantown also completed Advanced Integrated Training and Certification Exercise (AIT/CERTEX), a demanding multi-faceted exercise where the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron 11 conducted exercises ranging from non-compliant vessel boarding, boat raids, underway replenishments, and amphibious landings with air support provided from amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6).

Germantown sailed from San Diego on Jan. 5, 2011, replacing USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). USS Rushmore (LSD 47) will replace Germantown later this year.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, October 21, 2021 5

NAVWAR’s Involvement in Cyber Center of Excellence Supports Cyber Ecosystem of the Region

By Kara Mcdermott

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO, CA — Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) enterprise’s continued involvement with the San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE) demonstrates the command’s strong commitment and contribution to cybersecurity, as well as the importance of partnering with industry to better support the mission of protecting the fleet.

CCOE is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating San Diego’s cyber economy, positioning it as a global hub of innovation and aims to create opportunities and collaboration in the cyber community.

NAVWAR is among the many industry-leading cyber organizations involved with the CCOE, with Executive Director John W.R. Pope III, Command Information Security Officer Mark Compton and Navy Cybersecurity Program Office (PMW 130) Program Manager John Armantrout serving on the Board of Advisors.

“This partnership is a great example of the kind of relationships required for cybersecurity to be successful,” said Armantrout.

“Communication of risks, mitigations and upcoming capabilities is the key type of information sharing for all parties across a cybersecurity team. Having CCOE and their industry partners at the table allow for collaboration on a meaningful level.”

Building and Maintaining Regional Cyber Talent CCOE is partnering with the San Diego Workforce Partnership (SDWP), City of San Diego, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp, NAVWAR and others on a regional cyber talent pipeline called CyberHireSD. Funded by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation, CCOE will lead new cyber employer engagement and Talent Pipeline Management for incumbent workers in IT and cybersecurity roles. CyberHireSD is expected to serve 185 participants during the two-year grant. Among those participants, 90% are expected to complete training activities and receive at least one industry recognized credential; about 80% who were previously unemployed will gain employment; and about 1% of incumbent workers will get promotions or pay raises through

(COURTESY GRAPHIC)

this grant.

Another key CCOE initiative is the Underrepresented in Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program, developed in partnership with NAVWAR. Hosted alongside other CCOE members and San Diego’s community colleges, this program aims to reach underrepresented populations and increase diversity and inclusivity in the cyber talent pipeline.

This cyber apprenticeship/student employee program includes numerous resources to allow students to learn more about cybersecurity and how to find job opportunities in the field, including prep sessions and matchmaking career events.

Since launching the program in 2019, CCOE and NAVWAR have partnered with the San Diego Community College District, Southwestern College, San Diego Continuing Education and National University, yielding 30 student-employee hires.

The program was originally created by the emeritus advisor of CCOE and former executive director of NAVWAR, Pat Sullivan, to address the lack of diversity in the technical field, specifically in four-year college programs. Mimi Rosado, Deputy of Corporate Programs at Naval Information Warfare Center (NWIC) Pacific, was a driving force behind both CyberHireSD and the Underrepresented in Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Program.

Mark Compton and members of the NWIC Pacific team are also working with the CCOE and the National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR) to pilot NFAR Cyber, a cybersecurity neurodiversity train-

ing and internship program launching in the spring of 2022.

Additionally, Senior Scientific Technical Manager Jara Tripiano and PMW 130 Technical Director Rachel Bondi serve on CCOE’s Women in Cyber Advisory Group, partnering with the Girl Scouts and SynED on a series of workshops for girls to learn about cybersecurity careers and earn their cyber badges. SynED is a non-profit organization that offers career coaching and training from industry experts.

Exploring the Region’s Cyber Impact NAVWAR enterprise employees Sunny Fugate, Mike Karlbom and Doug Lange, served on the CCOE and San Diego Regional EDC’s “Securing the Future: AI and San Diego’s Cyber Cluster Study” advisory group to quantify the economic impact of the region’s cybersecurity cluster and explore the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies.

San Diego is now home to more than 870 cyber firms and 12,400 cyber professionals that generate an annual economic impact of $3.5 billion, a 15% increase since a 2019 cyber industry study. NAVWAR directly employs a third of all cybersecurity workers in San Diego and its presence is a contributing factor for many cyber companies to remain located in the city.

Check out the full report for helpful stats and resources: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/ stories/a9f3ae2a753945e4b1f99da11da37fa8 Developing Challenges for Collaborative Solutions Lisa Easterly, CCOE President and CEO, Sullivan and Armantrout have been review-

ing U.S. Cyber Command challenges and other Department of Defense priorities to develop a framework for San Diego industry, academia and government to partner on collaborative solutions. The goal of these partnerships is to feed the start-up community and support defense and critical infrastructure, focusing on priorities like cybersecurity, AI/ML, 5G, autonomous vehicles, maritime and space.

CCOE will be working with PMW 130 on an AI and data science challenge as part of the U.S. Navy-hosted Hack the Machine event to be held later this year.

CCOE is also partnering with the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) and NAVWAR for NSIN Hacks, focusing on virtual reality dashboards for cybersecurity analysts to take part in next spring.

NAVWAR is developing the challenges for this hackathon, with CCOE engaging with the cyber industry, promoting and reporting on the challenges and proposed solutions.

In additional to involvement in CCOE programs and initiatives, the NAVWAR enterprise also provides the CCOE with subject matter experts for podcasts, local events and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) community outreach to encourage continued education and interest in the cybersecurity field.

“We are grateful to NAVWAR for their continued support of our mission to accelerate San Diego’s cyber economy,” said Easterly. “Our collaboration with NAVWAR is vital to increase growth and diversity in the cybersecurity field and promote innovation.”

difference in people’s lives. I am certain he is doing great things for the Navy back in the states and hope to see him in a Navy leadership position in Rota someday.”

Through his guidance and mentoring, the Expeditionary Projects Team executed over 90 active construction projects across 30 countries, valued at over $80 million.

These projects supported Humanitarian Assistance; the Presidents Emergency Plan for Aids Relief and the Walter Reed

Army Institute of Research and were done in collaboration with U.S. embassies and Partner Nation Ministries.

NAVFAC EURAFCENT executes approximately $1 billion per year in construction, professional engineering and facilities services for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and NATO commands in countries throughout Europe, Africa and Central Command where the Navy is the DoD lead agent for military construction.

NAVFAC

EURAFCENT names Military Engineer of the Year

By Lisa Woodbury Rama

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Europe Africa Central 5 Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy — Capt. Joseph D. Harder III, Commanding Officer, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Europe, Africa, Central (NAVFAC EURAFCENT) announced Lt. Michael A. Roster, P.E., CEC the NAVFAC EURAFCENT Military Engineer of the Year for 2022 in an all-hands email sent Oct. 13.

A 2012 University of Arkansas graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Roster departed NAVFAC EURAFCENT earlier this year and is currently working on the Dry Dock Modernization program at Kings Bay, Ga. Prior to his reassignment, Roster served as Deputy Expeditionary Engineering Business Line Leader for a command with an area of responsibility spanning three continents.

He expertly managed a diverse team of ten engineering and acquisition professionals comprised of DoD Civilians, Italian Local Nationals and Spanish Local Nationals.

Some of his achievements include: assisting in the development of a charter establishing processes for a new Expeditionary Projects Team (XPT); serving as the Command Emergency Management Coordinator throughout the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the leader and manager for emergency construction plans in Somalia.

“During my time at NAVFAC EURAFCENT I was fortunate to have many unique and mission critical opportunities. Every challenge provided the exposure necessary for me to lead, learn, and grow as a naval officer and professional engineer. I am honored to receive this award and will remain forever grateful for the dedication and mission focus of the Expeditionary Projects Team. Without the XPT, these achievements would not have been possible,” said Roster.

As the Assistant Operations Officer for the Expeditionary Engineering Team, Roster was part of a team responsible for executing

Capt. Joseph D. Harder III. (COURTESY PHOTO)

overseas humanitarian, disaster assistance, and civic aid projects in support of strategic lines of effort.

“Mike was enthusiastic about all of the projects we were involved in, said Jose Hernandez, Project Manager, Expeditionary Projects Team, Naval Station Rota Spain.

“Many were aimed at improving the quality of life for people living in difficult circumstances or in poor areas and I know he took pride in knowing that they would make a

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

Sailors assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Coastguardsmen assigned to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia participate in a community relations (COMREL) event at Bahrain Mobility International (BMI) in Isa Town Oct. 16. (COURTESY PHOTO)

NAVCENT Volunteers in Bahrain Community

By U.S. Naval Forces Central Command

/ U.S. 5Th Fleet Public Affairs

NAVA L SU P P O RT AC T I V I T Y, BAHRAIN — Personnel assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) participated in a community support event at Bahrain Mobility International (BMI) in Isa Town, Bahrain, Oct. 16.

More than 80 service members and civilians from multiple NAVCENT commands and partner-nation militaries volunteered to assist with cleanup efforts and beautification projects at the facility, as well as engage in programs with children and staff. Volunteers included Sailors, Marines, Coastguardsmen, Soldiers, and international service members assigned to Combined Maritime Forces.

“This is an amazing opportunity for us to support the local community and strengthen our relationship with our host-nation partners,” said Cmdr. Aaron Carlton, NAVCENT deputy chaplain. “Engaging our Sailors with the community demonstrates our continued commitment to the Kingdom of Bahrain.”

Volunteers organized storage units and conducted general cleaning of the facilities

during the full-day event. Volunteers also interacted with children by participating in mobility-focused activities such as ‘freeze dance’ and ‘wrap the mummy.’

“This was a great chance to give back to our host nation, get to know the community and work together as team,” said Chief Electronics Technician Select Keith Schraitle.

BMI is a non-governmental humanitarian organization that provides speech therapy, occupational therapy and other special needs services for the Bahrain community.

NAVCENT is headquartered in Bahrain and includes the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet as well as the world’s largest maritime partnership, Combined Maritime Forces.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, October 21, 2021 7

SPACE FORCE: VCSO visits SSC, shares vision for new field command

Surgical

from Page 1

By Staff Sgt. Andrew Moore LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — U.S. Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David D. Thompson met with Guardians and Airmen during his visit to Space Systems Command Oct. 4, marking his first visit to SSC since its activation.

Thompson, who is the first VCSO in USSF history, made resolute expectations for the newly formed field command during an All Call with SSC Guardians and Airmen.

“SSC needs to re-energize its approach to seeing, understanding and rapidly developing while fielding new capabilities to keep us ahead of threats that we see from China and others,” Thompson said.

Noting the important mission that SSC has in the space domain, Thompson stressed to its members to help the U.S. Space Force hasten its pace.

“We have to ask members of SSC to tell us what they need in order to change policy and regulations, and even work with congress to change laws that will allow us to move faster,” Thompson said.

Furthermore, Thompson recognized the importance of bringing prosperity to SSC through ever-expanding partnerships in the acquisitions community.

“Commercial companies are moving so rapidly,” he stated. “We need to develop partnerships with the commercial sector to understand what they are doing as well as be able to

Still, he concluded that the bottom line remained familiar for all participants.

“It was relatively easy to adapt to the Navy Team as the principles of saving lives and providing Role II surgical care is the same regardless of service,” Becker added.

With STaRC’s mission to help surgical teams sustain the life-saving surgical skills needed to provide Role II care in often hectic environments, the FSTs were challenged with multiple scenarios to include ship-to-shore and en-route care simulations. These conditions demanded damage control resuscitative care and surgery in stressful environments all while developing individual and team roles that emphasized effective communication “The STaRC training provided necessary and needed training to ensure FST competency and proficiency,” said Capt. Shauna O’Sullivan, FST-Two Officer in Charge and course attendee.

“The hands-on and repetitive training

U.S. Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David D. Thompson, addresses Space Systems Command Guardians and Airmen at an all call inside SSC’s Gordon Conference Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, Oct. 4, 2021. (COURTESY PHOTO)

MALABAR 2021

leverage it to our benefit.”

Thompson re-emphasized the roles of leadership for SSC as well as other field commands that will help build a more lean and agile U.S. Space Force.

“We have to put authority and responsibility back into the hands of the senior materiel leaders to give them the authority and resources to stay engaged at a strategic level.” Thompson continued. “But leave them alone to do the business we have trained them to do.

aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70); Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2; Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57); Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106); and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.

Representing the Indian Navy is Rajput-class guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay (D55), Shivalik-class multi-role stealth frigate INS

from Page 1

approach utilizing different patient models with the pinnacle of training occurring on live patients in an actual trauma center as a team — this is what builds the FST currency and confidence,” said O’Sullivan.

Chief Hospital Corpsman Falicha Garret of FST Four said the three weeks of training greatly exceeded her expectations. A surgical technician for 13 years who had never worked in an actual trauma bay nor assisted patients outside of the operating room, said she took home unparalleled knowledge and experience from her time at Brooke and other training elements.

“The knowledge, hands-on, and experience I gained at STaRC is far superior than any other medical and pre-deployment training I had the privilege to attend,” Garret said.

“After participating in STaRC with our team, I now know the capabilities of my teammates in actual life-and-death situations,” said Lt. Cmdr. Stacy Coulthard, a general surgeon with FST Two. “My team does not just have a theoretical knowledge of how to assess, care for, and treat traumatic injuries, they have now actually done so multiple times with living patients.”

Satpura (F48), and a P-8I maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.

JMSDF participants included Izumo-class multipurpose operation destroyer JS Kaga (DDH 184), Murasame-class destroyers JS Murasame (DD 101).

Royal Australian Navy participants included Anzac-class frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) and HMAS Sirius (O 266).

Under Commander, U. S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, October 21, 2021 1

Healthy Holiday Baking Taste is the most important aspect of most holiday spreads, particularly when it comes to favorite baked goods and desserts. PAGE C4

Race Ace. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOT WHEELS)

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour will take over the Norfolk Scope Arena with a Halloween theme

Interview conducted By Yiorgo

Children young and old will have their Halloween wishes come true October 30th and 31st at the Norfolk Scope Arena as the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour makes its triumphant return after two years with three exciting, fun filled shows. The drivers and FMX riders will be wearing Halloween costumes and everyone attending is encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes. The best costume will win a Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live prize pack.

With an all new lineup and seven monster trucks such as: the car-eating, fire-breathing, transforming Megasaurus, the brand new Bigfoot Midwest Madness, the debut of Racer Ace, the never before seen, 12 foot, dinosaur design Mega Wrex, a free-style motocross and so much more, the only place to be Halloween weekend is at the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour at the Norfolk Scope.

For more info and tickets go to https://www. sevenvenues.com/events/detail/hot-wheelsmonster-trucks-live-1 With us today are Hot Wheels husband and wife drivers Darron and Rebecca Schnell.

Yiorgo: Rebecca, super congratulations on being the first female driver for Hot Wheels.

Rebecca Schnell: Thank you. I am humbled for that honor. It has always been a goal of mine

Rebecca Schnell

Darron Schnell:

to change this world someway, somehow and to be able to do that is something that I am super passionate about and such a blessing. While I get to hold the title of the first female driver in the Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live tour, there are quite a few females behind the scenes that may not be recognized but without them our shows

would not be as successful. And that is true for the men behind the scenes that produce our shows as well.

Y: Why should people come to the Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live show and what should they expect to see and experience, specifically with this being

Halloween theme?

RS: Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and we are doing something really special with the show in Norfolk. We as drivers get to dress up as well, so we are going to have a lot of fun with this. We invite everyone to dress up in their Halloween costumes and prizes will be given away. At this particular show, there are more monster cars coming than we ever had in an arena, so I am very excited that we are going to showcase some of the new trucks that Hot Wheels has put together. We also have the Freestyle motocross guys and the car-eating, fire-breathing, transforming Megasaurus which is always a huge crowd favorite. So I don’t know why anyone would not want to come and watch 10,000 pound machines jump up in the air, do donuts and have a good time with the fans because that is what we are truly about, celebrating families being together and having a good time.

Also, everyone that holds an event ticket can come about two hours before the show, enter our crash zone, come down to the floor, see our monster trucks up close and personal and meet all of the drivers of the events.

Y: How does the show work?

RS: We are a competition show. We go head to head with each other and at the end of the day, whoever has won the most events and has Turn to Hot Wheels, Page 3

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore Present Pillars of Promise Awards From The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore Norfolk, VA — Last year, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shote (FSEVA) distributed more than 19 million pounds of food and 15 million meals to help feed neighbors experiencing food insecurity. That could not happen without the tireless support of thousands of volunteers and supportive businesses and organizations.

During this year’s fourth annual Hunger Summit, being held on Wednesday, September 22, the Foodbank will honor some of those volunteers and supporters who have gone above and beyond in service to our most vulnerable neighbors. Each of the following recipients of the Pillars of Promise Awards have demonstrated an exceptional level of dedication in support of the four pillars of the Foodbank’s Strategic Plan, representing how the organization is fulfilling its mission to lead the effort to end hunger in our community: Lead, Feed, Strengthen, and Transform.

LEAD • Candy Hayes — A twice a week volunteer, Candy maintains a constant presence on social media, educating her followers on food insecurity, participating in Hunger Heroes or actively attending Women

Ending Hunger activities.

• Team Rubicon — A nonprofit organization that pairs veterans with first responders to serve in times of disasters and humanitarian crises, Team Rubicon stepped in when it was decided it was safer to have the same group of volunteers rather than varying groups each shift working at the Foodbank during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Simply put, it is one of the most effective volunteer groups in recent memory, packing 19,031 boxes or bags and bagging 9,341 pounds of produce.

FEED • Jon Frankel — An active-duty Chief in the U.S. Navy, Jon brings a level of energy and efficiency to his Foodbank service that is a marvel to behold. Beyond his nearly 300 hours of service, he is constantly recruiting fellow sailors to serve alongside him.

• Wesley Community Center — A beacon of hope in Portsmouth for at-risk and vulnerable individuals, Wesley Community Center provides nutritious food, clothing, mental health screenings and referrals, tutoring, senior services, and more. The Community Center partnered with the Foodbank to launch a Food Hub offering food plus holistic wraparound services to address the root causes of hunger in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

STRENGTHEN • Betty Darden (Donor) — A staunch

Chief at Norfolk Naval Base (HM-14), Jon Frankel. (COURTESY PHOTO)

supporter and incredible ally, she is always willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate hunger in the community. No obstacle is too big for her. Betty is a long-time supporter of the Foodbank, who is committed to ensuring that no child, family or individual goes to bed hungry.

• Manna Café — Originally established to provide free lunches on the Eastern Shore, this group of dedicated volunteers quickly pivoted when the pandemic hit, becoming a D-TEFAP (Disaster — The EmerTurn to Foodbank, Page 3

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, October 21, 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/

(COURTESY GRAPHIC)

LITTLE FEAT RETURNS WITH A MASTERPIECE

By The Sandler Center VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Making a truly great live rock and roll album is an enormous challenge, so difficult that they are a rarity. Waiting for Columbus is a consensus member of that very exclusive club.

After two years of Covid-enforced silence, Little Feat has big plans for its return to the stage. Hard on the heels of their November “By Request” tour, they are planning a March-April 2022 tour that will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the legendary Waiting for Columbus, replicating the album at every stop.

Little Feat will return to the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach on Wednesday, April 20 at 8 PM with Amy Helm as support. Tickets go on sale this Friday, October 22 at 10 AM and can be purchased at YnotTix.com or by visiting the Sandler Center Box Office located at 201 Market Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Tickets are priced at $59.50, $79.50, and $95.00. To receive the exclusive presale code to purchase tickets before the general public, join the Sandler Center Cyber Club at SandlerCenter.org. The presale for this show will be Thursday, October 21, from 10 AM to 10 PM.

Jerry Garcia once said that making a studio album was like building a ship in a bottle; with skill and oceans of patience, you could make something beautiful. But playing live and recording it was like being on a ship in a raging storm. Feat’s trademark blend of California rock, funk, folk, jazz, country, rockabilly, and New Orleans swamp boogie rested on a base of improvisational skill and jazz-based chops that made their live shows special, and on Columbus those abilities are on triumphant display.

In August 1977, the band brought along a recording team to four shows in London

and then three in Washington, D.C., and they captured sonic gold. Backed by the Tower of Power horn section, with whom they’d recorded Feats Don’t Fail Me Now, they romped through extended versions of a stellar song selection that included “Fat Man in the Bathtub,” “Spanish Moon,” “Dixie Chicken”, “Sailin’ Shoes,” and “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now,” as well as the iconic truck driver’s lament, “Willin’,” the song that got Lowell out of the Mothers of Invention and gave birth to Little Feat. Generations of listeners have worn out the original vinyl, and the digital world will carry that heritage forward.

Hearing it again is something every Feat Fan looks forward to. It’s time to lace up your dancing shoes.

Little Feat 2021-22 features Bill Payne (keyboards, vocals), Kenny Gradney (bass), Sam Clayton (percussion and vocals), Fred Tackett (guitars and vocals), Scott Sharrard (guitars and vocals), and Tony Leone (drums).

Virginia War Memorial Now Accepting Applications For 2022 Marocchi Memorial Scholarships From The Virginia Department of Veterans Services RICHMOND — The Virginia War Memorial has announced that applications for its 2022 Marocchi Memorial College Scholarships are now being accepted.

One scholarship of $2,500 is available to any student enrolled in the senior class of an accredited public or private school or homeschool program in the Commonwealth of Virginia. New this year, an additional $2,500 scholarship is available for a student currently enrolled in a Virginia public or private college or university and is participating in a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program.

Senior high school age applicants must also plan to enroll and participate in an ROTC program at a Virginia public or private college or university that will lead to a career in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. All applicants must possess an unweighted minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 and must be U.S. citizens or hold permanent residence status at time of application. Students do not have to participate in an ROTC program at the high school level to apply.

“This year, we are pleased to announce that for the first time, our Marocchi Memorial Scholarships will be available to both a graduating high school student and to a

student currently enrolled in a state college or university,” said Dr. Clay Mountcastle, Virginia War Memorial Director. “These scholarships were established and intended to reward Virginia students who participate in ROTC at the college level and wish to pursue a career in military service.”

The Marocchi Memorial Scholarships were established and are funded by friends and family of the late Rear Admiral John Marocchi of Rappahannock County, Va. and are administered by the Virginia War Memorial Foundation.

Admiral Marocchi served in the United States Navy for decades in a career that spanned World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. A recipient of the Purple Heart and Legion of Merit, the Admiral was one of the few Navy officers to complete Army Airborne training.

He also served as a trustee of the Virginia War Memorial for more than fifteen years.

All applications for the 2022 Marocchi Memorial Scholarships must be received

by Sunday, April 24, 2022. Complete details, including application forms and a list of required documents, are available online at www.vawarmemorial.org/ learn/contests-scholarships/marocchi or by contacting Virginia War Memorial Assistant Director of Education Morgan Guyer at morgan.guyer@dvs.virginia.gov or 804.786.2060.

Marocchi Memorial Scholarship Logo (COURTESY GRAPHIC)

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, October 21, 2021 3

I went to see it and Darron and I had instant chemistry. He grew up on a farm in South Dakota, I grew up in a tiny town in North Carolina with both of us being farm kids. We have very similar interests and that’s what makes it work for us. We are both goal driven and it’s been the best time doing that stuff together.

Darron Schnell: Working with Rebecca has been filled with both challenges and rewards, much like a marriage. On one hand, being with anyone every minute is difficult. On the other hand, we have been blessed with the one thing that most marriages have conflict over, that is time. We have had to learn to communicate on a whole different level because we are not only married, but also teammates. She has to put what her truck is doing into a language that I understand, and I’m challenged to give her driving lessons in a way that her brain understands. She is extremely analytical in her thought process so she wants everything step by step.

Y: When did you know you had fallen in love with Rebecca?

DS: I knew I was interested in Rebecca the day we met. She was a very strong, independent type of girl. I knew I loved her and wanted to spend the rest of my life with her a couple of

months into our relationship. Her family went through a pretty serious car accident. Through that process, I saw strength and character in her that blew me away. She was the one that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

Y: Rebecca, the first time you drove professionally was in Europe. Tell us about that experience.

RS: Europe was a completely different experience for this tiny town girl then I had ever did not expect to be held in such celebrity status.

We are a luxury when we come to see them.

When we end the show we do a walk around the arena on foot and wave. In America most of the fans get up and leave. In Europe they do not leave their seats until all of us have left the floor.

We traveled all over Europe. I also won my first freestyle event in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Y: What was that first time, winning feeling, like?

RS: I’m not going to be shy about this. I went over to do my tour as a brand new rookie driver.

I had driven my truck three times before it was shipped overseas. I went in with the mentality that I am not here to win anything, I am here to learn and grow as an individual and become a better driver while I was there. When I won, I dropped to the ground and started crying

because it was so humbling for me.

Y: Now you are driving the brand new Bigfoot Midwest Madness. Tell us about that.

RS: Bigfoot Midwest Madness is the first ever collaboration with Hot Wheels and Bigfoot. It’s a very beautiful 1979 Bigfoot body that I am very fortunate to pilot. Darron has been working for Bigfoot for the last 13 years. This year he is piloting the Hot Wheels Race Ace that will make its debut at the Norfolk Scope.

Y: Darron, you’ve loved the monster truck Bigfoot ever since you were three years old.

DS: It is totally surreal to me. I remember growing up watching them on TV as big personalities and now, working with them through the years, they are even nicer than I imagined as a kid. They are normal people who are doing what they love, just like me.

Y: Darron can you share a wow, pinch me moment for you?

DS: One was going through the arches at the Los Angeles Coliseum. It is a national monument. The Pope has spoken there, the Olympics were held there. They told us at the drivers meeting, you cannot hit this, it’s irreplaceable. I am driving a monster truck at this arch, with three inches on each side of my tires, then I jump on there and back in the stadium.

Going overseas was incredible. I grew up a farm kid from South Dakota. I never thought I’d get paid to go to another country and perform. Each step along the way has been such an honor. To see the little kids come up, a big smile on their face, light up like a Christmas tree. I remember being that little kid being so starstruck that I couldn’t imagined. People there are so genuinely nice.

They offer their clothes off their backs. I talk to drivers and now being on the other side of it is the best experience I could ever imagine.

Y: What are you looking forward to the most at the Norfolk show?

DS: With the Halloween theme, it will be such a change of pace with everyone dressed up in costumes. We like interacting with fans, we enjoy entertaining and this particular show in Norfolk will be one of the highlights of the year. The Hot Wheels atmosphere is great to begin with and when you put that cherry on top, it will be an absolute, awesome weekend. See you all there.

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

cants that is far beyond her years. For every meal that the Foodbank provides, SNAP provides nine, so her work is demonstrably moving the needle on closing the meal gap in our community.

• Bridgette Berthold and Green Run High School — One of FSEVA’s strongest and longest TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) partners, Bridgette and the Healthy School Market at Green Run High School have worked diligently to help vulnerable students and their families, providing 100 households fresh produce and shelf stable items monthly during the pandemic. Green Run High School students co-designed programming that included trauma informed nutrition education and three successful Zoom live cooking demos with local “celebrity” chefs. Parents

commented that not only was the food that was provided for them to prepare a huge help, but these events also enabled them to spend quality time with their teenagers, as they shared in the joy of learning new recipes, as a family.

THE FOUR PILLARS Each one of these pillars is aligned with FSEVA’s strategic plan to eliminate food insecurity: Lead: Increase community awareness about the causes, consequences and disparities associated with hunger and food insecurity in Southeastern Virginia and on the Eastern Shore. Mobilize the public to advocate for hunger-relief programs serving vulnerable adults and children Feed: Expand healthy food service options in underserved, low-income neigh-

borhoods. Increase access to healthy food in communities with a high prevalence of food insecurity and poverty rates.

Strengthen: Diversify food, funding and volunteer resources to scale and sustain hunger-relief initiatives. Nurture a workplace culture where employees are engaged and feel valued.

Transform: Collaborate with traditional and non-traditional partners to promote food security and positive physical health outcomes. Collaborate with higher education and workforce development partners to implement comprehensive solutions that help individuals access living wage careers.

More information, please contact Senor Director of Communications David Brandt at 757-627-6599 or dbrandt@foodbankonline.org.

Hot Wheels from Page 1

the most points at the end of the series wins the Truck Cup and that’s what we are all going after.

It’s a big trophy that we carry around. We keep up with who wins the most trophies and at the end, there is a grand prize for that.

Y: Where were you born and where did you get your passion for driving?

RS: I was born in Stoneville, North Carolina. It is a very small town. From early in my childhood I recall being taken to tractor pulls, and I have always been a farm girl and interested in large vehicles with jacked up tires. I met my now husband Darron in 2009 and he actually works for the same team that I do and also pilots a monster truck.

When I met him, I had never seen a Monster truck up close. I’m a bit of a daredevil so even though I was not supposed to, I climbed up on the monster truck and we hit it off pretty well. Darron has been racing on the team for 13 years now. I went to nursing school as a Registered Nurse and for the last seven years, I would fix all of Darron’s broken parts on the weekends when I was not working at the hospital.

He is responsible for me being behind the wheel. I grew up riding horses and competing and I had made it known early on that I loved competition and that I would love to get behind the wheel. The owners of the company took notice and offered a driving position for me in 2019. I debuted as a monster truck driver in January-February 2020 in the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live European tour. Then Covid hit. After about a 19 month delay, we are back full force. So now I am full time monster trucking and part-time nursing.

Y: You have been married for two and a half years now. What is it like for both of you to be working together, in the same line of work, teaming together, competing against each other and being together 24/7?

RS: I can tell you that I was blessed to literally marry my best friend. Darron has supported everything I wanted to do. We spend all of our time together. In the pit, during the show we act like husband and wife. But as soon as the helmets go on, we are each other’s competitors and that’s how it should be.

Y: What made you fall in love with Darron?

RS: I always joke with Darron that it was all about the monster truck. It was the reason that he and I are together. It caught my attention,

Foodbank from Page 1

gency Food Assistance Program) agency, serving more than 200 households weekly.

In addition to providing food, volunteers also provide information for additional resources and continuously check on seniors to ensure they have what they need, especially those facing transportation barriers.

TRANSFORM • Katelyn Steide — Just 17 years old, she has logged more than 50 hours contacting neighbors, helping them take advantage of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). She has demonstrated a level of maturity and empathy working with appli-

Bigfoot. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOT WHEELS)

4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

Food

Lemon Cake.(COURTESY PHOTO)

Healthy Holiday Baking Swaps

whisk until just combined.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 60-75 minutes until top is golden and cake tester comes out clean. Transfer cake to rack and let cool 30 minutes.

Run knife around edge of pan, invert cake

onto rack and let cool completely, 2 hours.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar, lemon zest and lemon rings right before serving, if desired.

Sugar Cookies with Orange Glaze Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 36 Cookies: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup cake sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup Pompeian Light Taste Olive Oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ½ teaspoon almond extract 2-3 tablespoons unsweetened milk of choice Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar, plus additional if needed, for thickening 2-3 tablespoons fresh orange juice ⅛ teaspoon salt orange slices or blood orange slices, for topping sugar, for topping To make cookies: Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease baking sheet.

In large bowl, stir flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt to combine.

Add olive oil, vanilla extract and almond extract. Stir until crumbly dough forms.

Add 2 tablespoons milk; stir until soft dough ball forms, adding more milk if needed.

Place dough ball on lightly floured surface. Roll out dough until ¼-inch thick.

Using jar lid or other circular object, cut out cookies; place on baking sheet. Repeat until all dough is used.

Bake 8-10 minutes; do not overbake. Set aside to cool.

To make glaze: In small bowl, stir powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons orange juice and salt until thick glaze forms. Add more juice, if needed, to thin out glaze or add more powdered sugar to thicken.

When cookies are cooled, glaze them.

Top with orange slices or blood orange slices and pinch of sugar.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons cocoa powder wafers or fruit, for dipping In medium bowl, whisk heavy whipping cream and espresso powder until blended.

In large bowl, use hand mixer to beat cream cheese until smooth. Add Mascarpone cheese

and beat until combined. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating after each addition.

Add vanilla extract; beat mixture. Add espresso mixture; beat until soft peaks form.

Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Spoon mixture into serving bowl. Sprinkle with cocoa powder. Serve with wafers or fruit.

By Family Features Many holiday hosts tend to pull out their most treasured family recipes when entertaining loved ones. After all, taste is the most important aspect of most holiday spreads, particularly when it comes to favorite baked goods and desserts.

Put a better-for-you twist on your baked classics this holiday season by swapping out less healthy cooking fats like butter, canola oil and vegetable oil with an option like Pompeian Light Taste Olive Oil. Ideal for baking desserts like this Lemon Cake or Sugar Cookies with Orange Glaze, as well as frying, this light tasting olive oil provides a healthier take on your holiday recipes without impacting the taste you and your guests love. This olive oil is high-quality and authentic, backed by a brand that has been perfecting the craft of olive oil since 1906.

Find more better-for-you holiday recipe inspiration at Pompeian.com/recipes.

Lemon Cake Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 1 hour, 15 minutes Servings: 30 1 ⅓ cups Pompeian Light Taste Olive Oil, plus additional for oiling pan 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sugar ¾ cup brown sugar 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 ¼ cups whole milk 3 large eggs 1 ½ tablespoons grated lemon zest, plus additional for garnish (optional) ¼ cup fresh lemon juice ¼ cup limoncello powdered sugar, for garnish (optional) dried sweetened lemon rings, for garnish (optional) Heat oven to 350 F. Oil 8-by-12-by-2-

Sugar Cookies with Orange Glaze. (COURTESY PHOTO)

inch pan with olive oil and line bottom with parchment paper.

In bowl, whisk flour, sugars, salt, baking soda and powder. In another bowl, whisk 1 ⅓ cups olive oil, milk, eggs, lemon zest, juice and limoncello. Add dry ingredients;

A Sweet Coffee Treat

By Culinary.net Do you know that moment when something sweet hits your taste buds and a smile instantly spreads across your face? It’s almost magic to some. To others it’s just simply bliss. This holiday season, try something that’s simple yet sophisticated for an easy way to ensure smiles all around.

Try an Easy Tiramisu Dip because whether you’re relaxing at home, having a small get-together with friends or joining your annual family gathering virtually, this dip is sure to spread culinary cheer.

The recipe starts with “easy,” and it holds true to its name. With a short list of ingredients and only a handful of instructions, this is something you can whip up (literally) in just a few moments. Also, using minimal tools in the kitchen is always a plus for at-home chefs.

The only appliance needed to make this recipe is a mixer.

The outcome is fluffy, rich and sweet with a hint of espresso. It’s not overpowering, however, so little ones or non-coffee lovers can still enjoy this delicious dip.

This is also a unique dessert because it can be served cool or chilled. If you are planning to take a sweet treat to a party this holiday season, this is nearly perfect. No oven time needed and simple to serve to kids and adults alike.

Serve with ladyfingers or fruit to bring that sweetness to a whole new level, and it’s topped with a final sprinkle of cocoa powder to give it that extra appeal. You do eat with your eyes first after all.

Give this one a try and see the faces of your loved ones light up with joy this season. This creamy, tasty dip is sure to impress.

For more easy dessert recipes, visit Culinary. net.

Easy Tiramisu Dip. (COURTESYPHOTO)

Easy Tiramisu Dip Servings: 4 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon espresso powder 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 8 ounces Mascarpone cheese ½ cup powdered sugar

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, October 21, 2021 5

Health

Soldiers training for operations. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Train your brain for

By HPRC Your brain is continuously evolving and growing, which is sometimes called having “plasticity” or being “malleable.”

Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, is your brain’s ability to change itself in both structure and function in response to your environment, any experience, feeling, or injury. This ability to change and form new pathways in response to lost function or injury demonstrates how resilient and adaptive the human brain can be.

In addition, there are things you can do regularly to help improve your ability to think, learn, and perform well.

Who benefits from brain plasticity?

Everyone benefits from the brain’s ability to “rewire” or create new neuropathways.

Brain plasticity is the foundation for learning throughout your life span, and it’s what helps repair damaged neural pathways after a brain injury. Starting in infancy, a child learns to walk and talk because of brain plasticity. New learning can continue well into old age and even after a brain injury such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

For many years, healthcare providers and researchers used to think once the brain was injured, there was little hope for recovery.

They also believed that adult brain cells and neuropathways were “fixed” or incapable of change. However, recent studies using brain imaging techniques have changed their understanding of the brain’s continued ability to grow and rewire. For example, cognitive functions can be damaged after a mild TBI, but brain exercises and “games” can

help create new neuropathways and improve cognitive function.

Moderate and severe TBIs typically involve greater damage to brain cells and neuropathways, and patients might need more time to recover. Rehabilitation (a retraining of neuropathways) after TBI includes “teaching compensation” or learning alternate ways of doing things to optimize the reorganization of the injured brain. Both compensation and reorganization are processes dependent on brain plasticity, and neuroplasticity is possible even many years after an initial brain injury.

Neuroplasticity and mental resilience Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapy practice that induces changes in brain structure (as seen by neuroimaging) and function leading to positive outcomes for mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In CBT, mental health professionals guide you through gaining an awareness of inaccurate or negative thinking patterns, so you’re able to think more clearly and respond more effectively to situations.

Neuroplasticity and physical resilience Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT or CIT) is a rehabilitation technique used in patients who have lost function in a limb due to brain injury. The “unaffected” limb (usually an arm) is restrained, forcing use of the “nonfunctional” limb. With repetitive practice, the brain rewires and learns to use the “affected” limb again.

Boost your brain health Dr. David Brody, director of the USU-affiliated Center for Neuroscience and Regener-

ative Medicine, emphasizes, “Whether you’re recovering from a TBI or just want to optimize your brain’s health, there are things you can do on a regular basis to promote brain plasticity.”

Be active. Aerobic exercise and regularly moving your body can help increase brain plasticity. Exercise increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a growth protein in your brain that promotes survival and neurological activity of brain cells.

However, after a TBI, your brain first needs time to rest. Exercising too soon after a TBI also might slow down the healing process and delay recovery. As always, before beginning an exercise program or return to duty/ return to play, check with your healthcare provider.

Eat healthy meals and snacks. What you eat is another important factor impacting brain plasticity. Diets consisting of high amounts of sugar and unhealthy fats (trans and saturated fats) can adversely affect brain plasticity. Omega-3 fatty acids, however, are often touted as “brain food” because they make up a large percent of brain tissue.

Omega-3s can be found in oily fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel, and sardines and in plant sources such as walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and soy beans. In addition, antioxidants (specifically vitamins E and C), polyphenols (flavonoids, resveratrol, and curcumin), vitamin D, and some B vitamins are promising in their support of increasing brain plasticity, but more studies are needed.

The connection between nutrition and brain plasticity is a growing field of research, so it’s important to ask your doctor before making

any dietary changes.

Learn something new. Enriched environments and new experiences encourage brain plasticity. When you learn something new— such as a new instrument, language, skill, or sport—new neuropathways are created in your brain. So, try challenging your brain!

If you’ve been thinking about taking up the guitar, now’s the time.

Get your ZZZs. Sleep is restorative and keeps neural circuits from overloading. It allows your brain time to reset, reorganize, and clear out toxins too. This keeps your brain functioning efficiently, so you can think and process information effectively when you’re awake. If you’re having trouble sleeping, these 10 healthy sleep habits can help.

Brody explains, “Sleep is vital to the brain’s and body’s wellbeing. It’s one of the first things I assess when treating service members with traumatic brain injury. This is because so much of our brain’s and body’s functions are impacted by sleep. Consistently experiencing healthy and restorative sleep causes a cascade of additional benefits, such as improved cognition, mood, energy, and physical fitness.”

Practice effective coping skills. Chronic stress has a negative effect on positive neuroplasticity. Extreme stress might lead to engaging in negative coping strategies such as substance abuse or addictive behaviors, which can affect your brain’s healthy plasticity. Instead, boost your focus and resilience with meditation and deep breathing.

Bottom line Your brain’s resilience and its ability to reorganize and create new neuropathways is amazing. It enables new learning, allows for adaptation to new situations, and even helps with recovery after a brain injury. Check out other resources from Human Performance Resources by CHAMP (HPRC) at the Uniformed Service University for researchbased facts on Total Force Fitness to optimize military performance.

More Than 95% of Active Duty Have Received COVID-19 Vaccine

By Janet A. Aker

MHS Communications

More than 95% of the 1.4 million active duty service members have received at least one dose of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the latest figures from the Defense Department.

The total percentage of active duty service members fully vaccinated was 83.7%, while an additional 13.0% have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Oct. 13.

Overall, the DOD has administered more than 5.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Military Health System beneficiaries as of Oct. 13.

That means there were more than 3 million first doses, and 2.5 million second doses administered. There were also 234,894 single doses administered.

The percentages do not take into account those who have received either a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine or an additional shot due to a compromised immune system.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available under an Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can be used interchangeable with the Comir-

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Mickaela Aguillard, right, assigned to the dental department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), administers a COVID-19 vaccine to Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Mckenzie Ingram, also assigned to the Stennis, while aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) on Sept. 8.

naty vaccine, which was given full approval

by FDA on Sept. 23.

“COVID trends are moving in the right direction. At least in part due to our vaccination efforts, there are fewer infections, hospitalizations are down, and lives are being saved,” said Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ronald Place, director, Defense Health Agency.

“While we’ve reached an important milestone, there’s more to be done. We must continue our efforts to vaccinate the force and encourage healthy behaviors. How

much COVID-19 impacts our lives is at least partially up to us.”

All of the service branches have set deadlines for getting their entire force vaccinated.

• Airmen and Space Force Guardians must be fully vaccinated — including a two-week period after a final shot — by Nov. 2. Air National Guardsmen and reservists have until Dec. 2. These are the tightest deadlines among the military services.

• The Army deadline for all active duty soldiers is Dec. 15, while guard and reserve

troops have until June 30, 2022.

• The Navy deadline is Nov. 28 for active duty sailors and Marines, while the reservists date is Dec. 28.

Among National Guard and Reserves, 33.5% were fully vaccinated as of Oct. 12 and 20.8% were partially vaccinated.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced a mandate Aug. 24 for all military service members to receive vaccinations following the FDA’s Aug. 23 approval of Comirnaty.

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

HIGHLAND LYNX KITTENS $1150

VIZULAS

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Dogs, Cats, Other Pets BOSTON TERRIER

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ROOF REPAIR Shingles/Rubber/Slate/ Metal/Chimney Flashing. 757-718-1072

Miscellaneous Services

LEAF RAKING & CLEANUP Weed Control, Mulching & Trimming, Planting & Transplanting. 25 yrs exp. 918-4152

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757-944-7316

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8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

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