Flagship 12.09.21

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, December 9, 2021 1

IN THIS ISSUE

Decorated WWII Veteran, Dies at 98

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, a wounded World War II veteran who represented Kansas in the House of Representatives from 1961 to 1969 and in the Senate from 1969 to 1996, has passed away He was 98. PAGE A6 VOL. 28, NO. 48, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com

December 9-December 15, 2021

VFA 131 holds Aerial Change of Command

By MC3 Samantha Jenkins

Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va (Dec. 7, 2021) –Captain David Dees, Commanding Officer of Naval Station Norfolk, and Eugene Lambert, Naval Station Norfolk’s Emergency Manager, take part in a ribbon cutting ceremony for opening Naval Station Norfolk’s new Emergency Operations Center. Construction of the state-of-the-art facility began in November 2020 and hosts many advantages over the previous EOC. (Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Joseph T. Miller.)

Naval Station Norfolk Holds Ribbon Cutting for Emergency Operations Center

By Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. — Naval Station Norfolk leadership, as well as military and civilian personnel, who had a role in the in the construction, participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk’s Emergency Operations Center

(EOC) Dec. 7.

Construction of the stateof-the-art facility began in November 2020 and hosts many advantages over the previous EOC. “There are many advantages of the new facility, but I would definitely say the size is the biggest,” said Eugene Lambert, Naval Station Norfolk’s emergency manager. “In the previ-

ous location, everyone was spread out in three different rooms. The new facility allows everyone to operate out of the same space, hearing the same communications, ultimately allowing everyone to have the same situational awareness.”

The previous facility was approximately 400 square feet and the new location is more than 5,000 square feet which

includes areas for planning, operations that deal directly with responders in the field, administration and finance, and logistics.

Other major upgrades allow the teams to see in real time what is happening in an emergency, like a possible active shooter scenario.

Turn to USS Wisconsin, Page 7

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The “Wildcats” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131, stationed aboard Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia, held an aerial change of command ceremony, Dec. 2, to mark a transition of command leadership.

During the change of command event, Cmdr. Erin E. Flint, of Gloversville, New York, assumed all duties and responsibilities as the VFA 131 commanding officer from Cmdr.

Samuel P. Morrison, of Lexington, Illinois.

During his time at VFA 131, the “Wildcats” were part of back-to-back deployments with the air craft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Since arriving home the squadron has completed 7,136 maintenance actions and 198 special inspections encompassing 7,330 total man-hours. They have maintained a full flight schedule with multiple aircraft in planned maintenance. These deployments and accomplishments since arriving back at NAS Oceana won them the Battle “E” award.

The Battle “E” is awarded to the crew of ships and squadrons within the Navy who exhibit excellence in wartime capabilities and optimal mission readiness within their platform and region.

“Naval aviation is the ultimate team sport,” said Morrison. “The ‘Wildcats’ are an incredible team. It takes everyone within the squadron, from the most junior to the most senior, to accomplish that kind of maintenance, administrative and operational success during the year.”

Morrison went on to say that he knows that Flint, one of his best friends in the U.S. Navy, will do an incredible job with VFA 131.

“I am excited to work with the ‘Wildcat’ team,” said Flint. “We have an amazing group of people. They have been resilient and fantastic. It is an absolute pleasure to work with them.”

VFA-131 was the East Coast strike fighter squadron Battle ‘E’ award recipient for fiscal year 2021. The mission of VFA-131 is to safely and professionally provide administrative support, expert maintenance and lethal employment in order to effectively execute the full range of strike fighter missions

Cmdr. Erin E. Flint, commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131, gives remarks during a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Air Station Oceana.

(MC3 SAMANTHA JENKINS)

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society launches Operation Jingle program

By NMCRS Public Affairs NORFOLK — Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society announces the start of Operation JINGLE (Join IN Giving a Little Extra) for 2021. This annual holiday program provides complimentary hotel accommodations to the visiting families of locally stationed service members who are unable to travel home for the holidays. All Hampton Roads area active duty service members are invited to participate in Operation JINGLE, sponsored by the Hotel/ Motel Associations and Visitors Bureaus from Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and the Williamsburg/ Peninsula. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is Turn to Operation Jingle, Page 7

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Harry S. Truman Departs on Deployment www.flagshipnews.com

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The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida for a regularly scheduled deployment, Dec. 1.

PAGE A3

Engineer of the Year

Award

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic commander Rear Adm. Lore Aguayo recently announced Jeff Singer as the 2022 NAVFAC Atlantic Civilian Engineer of the Year. PAGE A4

Federal Energy Management Program recently announced the selection of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic and NAVFAC Expeditionary Warfare Center employees for a 2021 Federal Energy and Water Management Award. PAGE A2

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The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, December 9, 2021

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NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic, EXWC Employees Earn Federal Energy Management Program Award For Contracting Excellence

By Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs NORFOLK — The acting director of the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), Rob Sandoli, recently announced the selection of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic and NAVFAC Expeditionary Warfare Center (EXWC) employees for a 2021 Federal Energy and Water Management (FEWM) Award in the Contracting Category.

The FEMP sets out to distinguish federal employees who developed and implemented exemplary, cost-effective projects and programs that cut energy waste and advance America’s progress toward energy independence, resilience and security, while also advancing federal agency missions. The annual FEWM Awards recognize individuals, groups and agencies for their outstanding contributions in the areas of energy and water efficiency, resilience, and technology achievements; distributed energy; cyber security; and

fleet management at federal facilities.

“On behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy, I would like to congratulate your team on being selected to receive a 2021 Federal Energy and Water Management Award,” Sandoli said. “The award in the Contracting Category recognizes your team’s outstanding contributions related to energy and water cost savings, optimized energy and water use, and/ or the use of advanced and distributed energy technologies at federal facilities in FY 2020.”

Team recipients of the 2021 award include: Production Division Director Russell Gagner and Installation Energy Manager Jackie Hanscome at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY); Electrical Engineer Janice Fishburn at Naval Station Norfolk; and Contract Specialist Dyanne Van Der Kamp and Energy Projects Team Lead Daniel Magro at NAVFAC EXWC. The recipients were recognized for NAVFAC’s energy savings performance contract (ESPC) that will allow PNSY — which maintains, overhauls, and modernizes current and anticipated fleet submarines — to

meet its expected steam and electric load for the next 10 years. The contract was awarded in November of 2019. The ESPC will build a new 7.4 megawatt cogeneration plant alongside the installation’s existing cogeneration plant, provide continued operations and maintenance, repair, and replacement (OMRR) for both plants for an additional 24 years, and install a microgrid capable of supporting this critical system. The project will ensure that the installation can meet all mission-related requirements and will enhance the protection of the Navy’s nuclear platforms.

“All of ESPC projects developed and awarded are a true team effort … it takes the expertise of many to develop and become a successful union between the U.S. government and the energy service company (third party),” said Hanscome, noting the benefit of using ESPCs allows military installations to take advantage of third party financing to procure energy savings and facility improvements, with no upfront costs. “Improvements to these systems work towards the desired end state that allow our systems to be equipped

and able to mitigate, adapt to, respond to and recover from anticipated and unanticipated disruptions that impact mission-essential nuclear fleet operations at the shipyard.”

NAVFAC incorporated new methodologies for improved measurement and verification procedures into the ESPC that enable resilience and reliability for PNSY. These procedures allow the Navy to not only measure performance based on equipment efficiency and availability, but also on specific performance parameters, such as response times.

“This group of individuals truly exemplified what it means to be a team,” said Arnold Agustin, supervisory Energy Manager, NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic. “Despite being separated organizationally within NAVFAC, as well as geographically, they came together and brought their own expertise. The result was a project that will have lasting benefits for the installation for many years to come.”

The award recipients will be honored in March of 2022 at a virtual ceremony and celebration.

NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic provides facilities engineering, public works, and environmental products and services across an area of responsibility that spans from South Carolina to Maine, and as far west as Indiana.

As an integral member of the Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic team, NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic provides leadership through the Regional Engineer organization to ensure the region’s facilities and infrastructure are managed efficiently and effectively.

Unraveling ‘Knotty’ Problems: ONR Helps Launch New Academic Center for National Security Innovation

By Warren Duffie

Office Of Naval Research Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. — According to legend, in 333 B.C. Macedonian ruler Alexander the Great marched into the Phrygian capital of Gordium in modern-day Turkey.

He encountered a wagon with its yoke tied to a pole, secured with a complex knot—called the Gordian Knot—so tightly entangled it was impossible to see where it began and ended.

Local myth said the person who could undo the knot would rule Asia. Studying the Gordian Knot closely, Alexander unsheathed his sword and sliced the ropes. The action is often celebrated as an example of strong leadership bringing a bold solution to a complicated problem.

Recognizing the modern need for bold answers to complex naval challenges, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) has sponsored the creation of Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation (GKC)—a new academic center dedicated to helping the U.S. government re-envision its approach to national security issues. The GKC officially launched on Nov. 30.

“A Gordian Knot is a metaphor for an

intractable problem,” said Chief of Naval Research (CNR) Rear Adm. Lorin C. Selby.

“Today, our nation faces many Gordian Knot problems, from near-peer competition to non-state actor threats, as we reimagine what naval power looks like in the 21st century.

We’re seeking new disruptive technologies, new operational concepts, and new types of program management and mindsets.

“I believe this decade, the 2020s, will be pivotal to the success of our nation,” Selby continued. “I’m excited to help launch the Gordian Knot Center and look forward to seeing how the creativity, innovation and intellectual prowess of its students will strengthen the Navy and Marine Corps of the future.”

The GKC is dedicated to solving pressing national security concerns and empowering students to tackle real challenges at the intersection of commercial technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy) and the instruments of national power (e.g., diplomacy, information, military, economic). It will be based at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, which is located at Stanford in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, the epicenter of the U.S. innovation ecosystem.

The center aims to bridge silos across the

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Department of Defense (DoD), industry and academia—and foster greater innovation by helping to develop and inspire the national security workforce, from employees to senior executives.

It will coordinate resources at Stanford and throughout Silicon Valley to execute three lines of effort: (1) national security innovation education; (2) training for national security innovators; and (3) insight, integration and policy outreach.

ONR’s involvement with the GKC is the newest chapter in a seven-decade partnership with Stanford that began in 1946— when the command awarded grants to Fred Terman, dean of the university’s engineering school. He used the opportunity to set up the Stanford Electronics Research Lab, which advanced basic and applied research in microwave devices and electronics, enabled the university to become a leader in these fields, and sparked the investment and innovation that would create Silicon Valley.

Furthermore, the new center aligns with the CNR’s vision for future naval power—one based on faster development of unmanned, autonomous systems, vibrant partnerships with industry and academia, and reimagined naval formations.

“We as a nation must find ways to acceler-

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ate technology development and delivery to our naval forces,” said Selby. “By combining the expertise of Stanford’s national security policy leaders and Silicon Valley’s deep technology ecosystem, I believe the GKC will cultivate groundbreaking solutions with speed and urgency.”

Joe Felter, the GKC’s director and one of its founders—along with fellow founders, Steve Blank and Raj Shah—agreed: “In the coming decades, the U.S. will be engaged in great power competition with our strategic rivals, and there’s no guarantee we’ll come out ahead. Addressing the challenges facing the DoD and broader national security community demands unprecedented imagination and creativity.”

Learn about the GKC and its mission at https://gordianknot.stanford.edu/.

Warren Duffie Jr. is a contractor for ONR Corporate Strategic Communications.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, December 9, 2021 3

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) departs Naval Station Norfolk as part of Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group’s (HSTCSG) deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (MC2 JOSHUA TOLBERT)

Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Departs on Deployment

By MCCS Mark Schultz

USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

NORFOLK, VA. — The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida for a regularly scheduled deployment, Dec. 1.

Elements of the strike group, commanded by Rear Adm. Curt Renshaw, include flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), commanded by Capt. Gavin Duff; the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56).

In addition, the strike group will include the guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28 commanded by Captain Todd Zenner which include, USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Gravely (DDG 107), and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109). The Royal Norwegian Navy’s Fridtjof-Nansen class frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310) will join the strike group, and operate as part of the strike group throughout

the entire deployment.

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group will be conducting operations to support maritime security and stability in international waters across the globe.

Carrier strike groups have a wide-range of capabilities to respond wherever and whenever required through a variety of mission sets. Additionally, strike groups possess the flexibility and sustainability to fight major wars and ensure freedom of the seas.

The deployment follows months of intense training and preparation to include the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) as well as various international maritime exercises such as Group Sail and Composite Training Unit Exercise, an intense multilateral combined exercise that assessed the strike group’s abilities to conduct military operations at sea and project power ashore in late October.

“The team within the strike group has come together in an impressive manner these last few months,” said Rear Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander, CSG 8. “They have become an

integrated, multi-mission team capable of conducting the full spectrum of combat operations to ensure security in the maritime. I have no doubt that we are prepared for any challenge while on this deployment.”

The strike group units will work alongside allied and partner maritime forces, focusing on theater security cooperation efforts, which help to further regional stability.

“During this training cycle, we have learned how to train and fight side by side whether it is onboard the same ship, in the skies, or across the seas,” said Capt. Gavin Duff, Truman’s commanding officer. “While we serve as the flag ship, we are never nearly as capable or as strong as we are when we deploy as a strike group.”

Along with the U.S. ships; the Royal Norwegian Navy Frigate, HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310), joined the strike group under the Cooperative Deployment Program, which emphasizes the strengthening of defense partnerships and capabilities between the United States and bilateral or multilateral partners.

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“HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen is ready and excited to embark upon this important deployment. The hospitality and professionalism (the) US Navy has provided during our harbor stay and sea periods have been excellent ensuring that we are an integrated asset of Carrier Strike Group 8. It is truly an honor for us to be the first Norwegian cooperative deployer in history. And this marks yet another milestone in the overall defense cooperation between Norway and our most important ally, USA,” said Commanding Officer Ruben Grepne-Takle.

Squadrons of CVW 1 include Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 11 “Red Rippers”; VFA-211 “Fighting Checkmates”; VFA-34 “Blue Blasters”; VFA-81 “Sunliners”; Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 “Rooks”; Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126 “Seahawks”; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 “Dragon Slayers”; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM)72 “Proud Warriors”; and a detachment from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 “Rawhides.”

For more news from U.S. 2nd Fleet, visit https://www.c2f.navy.mil/ and for more information visit http://www.facebook.com/US2ndFleet/ or http://twitter.com/US2ndFleet.

For more news from Truman and CSG-8 visit: https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn75, www.facebook.com/ccsg8, https://www.c2f. usff.navy.mil/csg8/, www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy

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4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, December 9, 2021

Austin Tells Reagan Forum How U.S. Will Take on Challenge of China

By DOD Public Affairs “China is not 10-feet tall,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said at the Reagan Library in California today, and the United States is not a “country that fears competition.”

China is a challenge to the United States and all democracies, but America and its allies will rise to the challenge. “And we’re going to meet this one with confidence and resolve — not panic and pessimism,” Austin said.

Austin noted that President Joe Biden has said the United States is in “stiff competition” with China, and he has said that China is the U.S. military’s “pacing challenge.”

China is using all elements of national power to overturn the international rules-based architecture that has served the world so well since the end of World War II. In his speech to the Reagan National Defense Forum, Austin delved into the competition with China, and what the Defense Department is doing to preserve the rules-based construct.

He noted that the world has seen two decades of “breakneck modernization” by the People’s Liberation Army. “China’s military is on pace to become a peer competitor to the United States in Asia — and, eventually, around the world,” he said. “China’s leaders are expanding their ability to project force and to establish a global network of military bases. Meanwhile, the PLA is rapidly improving many of its capabilities, including strike, air, missile-defense and anti-submarine measures. And it’s increasingly focused on integrating its information, cyber and space operations.”

The last is combat domains with few rules and that increase the risk of escalation and miscalculation, he said.

China is financing key technology sectors that have both civilian and military applications.

China’s nuclear posture is advancing as well, and the secretary said that China will possess at least a thousand nuclear warheads by 2030 and they are building a nuclear triad to deliver them.

“Now, we always assess not just capabilities but also intentions and actions,” he said. “The leaders of the Chinese Communist Party have been increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with the prevailing order — and about their aim of displacing America from its global leadership role. China’s President, Xi Jinping, regularly talks about ‘great changes unseen in the world in a century.’ And he recently assured his fellow Party members that ‘time and momentum are on China’s side.’ ” China has a dismal human rights record and is bullying countries in Asia and Africa. “Beijing is misusing technology to advance its repressive agenda at home and exporting the tools of autocracy abroad,” Austin said.

Given all this, Austin does not see conflict as inevitable. The United States does not want a new Cold War. “We’re determined to deter aggression, and to prevent conflict, and to establish common sense guardrails,” he said. “And our new initiatives are part of a government-wide approach that draws on all tools of national power to meet the China challenge.”

The concept undergirding next year’s National Defense Strategy is “integrated deter-

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivers the keynote address during the 2021 Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Dec. 4, 2021. (Chad J. MCNEELEY)

rence,” Austin said. “It means integrating our efforts across domains and across the spectrum of conflict to ensure that the U.S. military — in close cooperation with the rest of the U.S. government and our allies and partners — makes the folly and costs of aggression very clear,” he said.

He discussed two elements of integrated defense: partnership and innovation.

“First, we’re building on a lesson that I learned over four decades in uniform: In war and in peace, we’re always stronger when we work together with our friends. That defines our approach to the China challenge,” Austin said.

This does not mean the United States will build an Asian NATO or an anti-China coalition like the one that defeated ISIS. “And we’re not asking countries to choose between the United States and China,” he said. “Instead, we’re working to advance an international system that is free, stable and open.”

This means working closely with long-time allies and new partners around the globe, he said. The secretary noted that he has made three trips in 10 months to the Indo-Pacific.

“In every conversation with our partners, I hear the same thing again and again: a call for the United States to continue playing our stabilizing role in the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

“And make no mistake: we will.”

This means more exercises with allies and partners, helping partners build security capabilities, and encouraging European allies to contribute to security in the Indo-Pacific, he said.

All this is in support of the status quo. “We remain steadfast to our one-China policy, and our commitments under the Taiwan Relations Act to support Taiwan’s ability to defend itself while also maintaining our capacity to resist

any resort to force that would jeopardize the security of the people of Taiwan,” he said.

There are real differences — in interests and values — between China and the United States. “But the way that you manage them counts,” Austin said. “We’re going to be open and candid with China’s leaders. As President Biden put it, we need to talk ‘honestly and directly to one another about our priorities and our intentions.’ And big powers should be models of transparency and communication.”

The United States seeks to open lines of communication with China’s defense leaders — especially in a crisis. This should help reduce risk and prevent miscalculations, he said.

America’s unparalleled network of allies and partners is an asymmetric advantage over China. Innovation is another.

“Integrated deterrence requires us to weave together cutting-edge technology, operational concepts and state-of-the-art capabilities to seamlessly dissuade aggression in any form, domain or theater,” Austin said. “That means that innovation lies at the heart of American security.”

There have been incredible advances in artificial intelligence, edge computing and nanotechnology in the United States. “Nobody innovates better than the United States, but we can’t take that for granted, he said.

DOD must change the way it does business or risk losing that asymmetric advantage. “Let’s face it, for far too long, it’s been far too hard for innovators and entrepreneurs to work with the department,” he said. “And the barriers to entry for working in national security are often just too steep.”

It takes too long to get innovation to American service members. Good ideas and capa-

bilities are demonstrated, but often fall into what many call the “valley of death” before capabilities get fielded.

“It’s bad enough that some companies get stuck in the valley of death, but some brilliant entrepreneurs and hungry innovators don’t even want to try to cross it and work with us,” he said.

Austin said the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency — a hothouse for ideas — is now “connecting its top research teams with corporate leaders and U.S. investors so that those teams can build successful businesses with the cutting-edge technologies they develop,” he said. “We’re doubling down on our Small Business Innovation Research program. This program helps fuel American firms to pursue R&D tailored to the department’s unique tech requirements. And so far this year, we’ve awarded funds to more than 2,500 small businesses working on groundbreaking tech.”

The department has opened new technology hubs in Seattle and Chicago to add to the ones already working in Austin, Texas and Boston.

“The goal here is simple: to connect with new talent who will help us compete and win on challenges from countering UAVs to responsibly leading the AI revolution,” he said.

These efforts and more are working, because “when we maintain our technological edge, we maintain our military edge,” the secretary said. “Let me be clear: The United States has an advantage that no autocracy can match: our combination of free enterprise, free minds and free people. Even in times of challenge, our democracy is a powerful engine for its own renewal. So I will put the American system up against any other. And I’ll do so with great pride and total confidence.

NAVFAC Atlantic Announces its 2022 Engineer of the Year

By Michael Morris

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. — Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic commander Rear Adm. Lore Aguayo recently announced Jeff Singer as the 2022 NAVFAC Atlantic Civilian Engineer of the Year.

“As an expert design engineer, Jeff has made a huge positive and lasting impact across the globe,” said Aguayo. “He is an outstanding member of the NAVFAC Atlantic team.”

Singer is a registered professional engineer in both North Carolina and Virginia, and serves as the Senior Project Engineer and Geotechnical Engineering Technical Discipline Lead with the command’s Design and Construction Business Line.

“It is a great honor for me to be recognized as the engineer of the year,” said Singer. “This wouldn’t be possible without the support of my family and colleagues at NAVFAC. I have a great support system both at work and, more importantly, at home.”

Singer, who has over 20 years of engineering experience, holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Old Dominion University (ODU) and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering Geotechnical Engineering from University of Wisconsin Platteville.

According to Singer, he first learned about NAVFAC from a current colleague and fellow geotechnical engineer while taking a Professional Engineer (PE) review course at ODU in 2009. A short time later, he stumbled across a job posting for a geotechnical engineer with

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic commander Rear Adm. Lore Aguayo recently announced Jeff Singer as the 2022 NAVFAC Atlantic Civilian Engineer of the Year. (MICHAEL MORRIS)

NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic, and hired on with the command in 2010, starting his impressive career with NAVFAC. His long career has afforded him an opportunity to work on numerous government and private projects of varying size and complexity.

Projects that include the Aluminum Matting Type 2 (AM2) Expeditionary Airfield (EAF) at Grottaglie, Italy, a key installation in NATO’s defense posture, where he designed and managed construction of the AM2 matting system runway that allows the Italian Navy and NATO allies to perform Field Carrier Landing Practice (FLCP) in a shore environment without diverting critical mission assets.

He has also used his knowledge as a

NAVFAC geotechnical and concrete materials expert to assist the United States Attorney General (USAG) and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) in the recovery of $16.4 million via a settlement announced in February 2021. Using his expertise, he led a forensic team in evaluating the condition of facilities impacted by fraudulent material testing at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ). Over the course of five years, he worked with forensic and cost engineers to determine the impact of deteriorating concrete on CLDJ’s facilities and the Department of Defense’s (DoD) mission. The technical information and efforts by Singer and his team provided the basis for legal action against the contractor

that conducted fraudulent material testing, allowing the USAG and NCIS to succeed in their effort to support personnel safety and protect the Navy’s interests.

Singer emphasized, “The most rewarding have been projects that are developed in conjunction with or in support of a NATO ally, or support of the DoD geotechnical engineering community of practice.”

He will now go on for consideration as the NAVFAC Engineer of the Year award, stacking engineers across the entire systems command enterprise. If successful, Singer is then eligible for additional honors in the National Society of Professional Engineer’s Federal Engineer of the Year award program.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, December 9, 2021 5

Eye on Innovation: Pedal to the Metal Printing: Norfolk Naval Shipyard Makes Strides in Developing Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence

By Kristi R Britt

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Affairs

NORFOLK — Innovation is one of the leading focuses for the Department of the Navy, the enterprise coming together to find new ways to deliver on its mission of protecting America. Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) is charging forward to accelerate continuous process improvement and innovation in the world of metal 3-D printing, developing the Additive Manufacturing (AM) Center of Excellence (CoE) as a one-stop shop for the shipyard and its customers to develop tools and parts in-house.

“The AM CoE is a space we’ve been planning and working to achieve since 2020,” said NNSY Technology and Innovation (T&I) AM CoE Project Manager and AM Lead Jessica Roberts. “Currently the shipyard only has the ability to 3-D print with polymers and plastics; however, these new metal printers will be a game changer for what we can do at America’s Shipyard.

Our first metal printer, a smaller desktop MetalX machine, was installed mid-November, and we’ve already received multiple request s for metal prints. Long-term, these metal printers will be used to develop tools and end-use parts for our workforce, eventually including critical level prints so we can provide our mechanics and Sailors with the quality products they need while saving on cost and/or time. We’ll be able to identify a part, model it, print it, and get it approved and processed so it can be used inside the shops or onboard vessels. This will especially be huge in the acquisition of long-lead parts, obsolete parts, or parts with strange geometries — giving our workforce the control in getting what we need when we need it.”

This facility is the first of its kind across the four public shipyards with plans to house the new metal printers, including two directed energy deposition (DED) printers, a friction stir welding printer, and a powder bed fusion printer. They will be able to print in a variety of materials, including stainless steel, tool steel, nickel alloy, aluminum and more. With these new capabilities, the shipyard could make great strides in developing tools to complement the shipyard’s current capabilities. As the facility continues to be fitted for its future use, the AM CoE team is coming together to begin lining up the processes, procedures, and approvals needed to ensure a standard of excellence is set.

“At America’s Shipyard, it’s all about ONE TEAM serving ONE MISSION,” said Roberts. “This endeavor is a huge testament to teamwork in order to get equipment up and running and to ensure everything runs smoothly. There are many people involved

Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Technology and Innovation (T&I) Additive Manufacturing (AM) Center of Excellence (CoE) Project Manager and AM Lead Jessica Roberts shares one of the 3-D metal printers that are being set up at the shipyard. (SHELBY WEST)

and excited about what we’re doing here, both directly engaged and helping from the periphery. We would not have gotten this far without their support.” Those involved includes the NNSY T&I Lab, Naval Facilities (NAVFAC) Midlant, the Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Office (Code 106), the Production Facilities Group (Code 900F), the Mechanical Group (Code 930), the Facilities Support Branch (Code 985), Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the Engineering Planning Department (Code 200), the Quality Assur-

ance Department (Code 130), the Lifting and Handling Department (Code 700), and the Fire Prevention and Protection Security Department (Code 1128).

The team has been working with shops and codes throughout the shipyard as well as those aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in identifying possible parts to be considered for printing in the future. In addition, the team has also identified other ways the facility and printers can assist the Navy, including providing collaboration and learning opportunities for other ship-

yards, warfare centers, and universities within the community.

“We have our first Education Partnership Agreement taking off in 2022 with Old Dominion University specifically for metal printing so we can bring in students to do research, learn, and get hands-on experience with the printers,” said Roberts.

“We’re also ready and willing to help our fellow shipyards and others within the AM community, providing ways we can collaborate to continue to innovate and explore what these technologies can achieve.”

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6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, December 9, 2021

Bob Dole, GOP Senator, Presidential Nominee and Decorated WWII Veteran, Dies at 98

By DOD Public Affairs Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, a wounded World War II veteran who represented Kansas in the House of Representatives from 1961 to 1969 and in the Senate from 1969 to 1996, Has passed away. He was 98.

Dole, who served as the Senate’s Republican leader from 1985 to 1996, was the last World War II veteran to have been a presidential nominee of a major party. He was the Republican candidate in the 1996 presidential election, and his ticket lost to incumbent President Bill Clinton. He also was the Republican vice presidential nominee in the 1976 election, in which President Jimmy Carter defeated President Gerald Ford.

Dole is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, to whom he’s been married for 46 years.

The senator’s widow served as the transportation and labor secretary and went on to head the Red Cross.

“He was so bashful. It was the third call before he asked me out,” Elizabeth Dole said in a February 2019 NBC interview. “I really

Bob Dole and his wife, Elizabeth Dole, pose for a photo during an honorary promotion ceremony in honor of Bob Dole at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., May 15, 2019. ( SPC. DANA M. CLARKE) Former Sen. Bob Dole, left, with his childhood friend, Bub Dawson, in 1944. Dole received an honorary promotion at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., May 16, 2019.

Dole, who was medically discharged as a captain after being severely wounded in WWII, was promoted to colonel. (COURTESY PHOTO)

liked that. I loved his compassionate heart.

He loved to feel that each day he could make a difference for at least one person in need.

And I loved that he had such a great sense of humor.”

Dole grew up in Russell, Kansas, and was attending college at the University

of Kansas when World War II broke out.

In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps, and in 1944 was commissioned as a second lieutenant with the 10th Mountain Division.

Spotlight: Commemorating World War II He was seriously injured in combat near Castel d’Aiano in the Apennine Mountains southwest of Bologna, Italy, by German machine-gun fire. He was hit in his upper back and right arm, and he fought through a long recovery at Percy Jones Army Hospital, now named the Dole-Inouye Federal Center.

Dole received two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star with “V” device for his attempt to assist a downed radioman during his

service. The injuries left him with limited mobility in his right arm and numbness in his left arm. He received an honorary promotion to Army colonel in a May 2019 ceremony held at the World War II Memorial in the nation’s capital.

In his memoir, titled “A Soldier’s Story,” Dole wrote that he and his fellow World War II veterans were not unique in their service to the nation.

“It’s said often that my generation is the greatest generation,” he wrote. “That’s not a title we claimed for ourselves. Truth be told, we were ordinary Americans fated to confront extraordinary tests. Every generation of young men and women who dare to face the realities of war — fighting for free-

dom, defending our country, with a willingness to lay their lives on the line — is the greatest generation.”

After leaving public life, Dole worked at a Washington law firm and became a television spokesman for commercial products and a political commentator. He also led the Federal City Council, a group of business, civic and education leaders interested in economic development in Washington.

Spotlight: Honoring Our Veterans He served as the national chairman for the World War II Memorial campaign to raise enough money for the national memorial, and he also attended and advocated at events for veterans and people with disabilities.

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, December 9, 2021 7

NORFOLK, Va –Captain David Dees, Commanding Officer of Naval Station Norfolk, and Eugene Lambert, Naval Station Norfolk’s Emergency Manager, cut a cake for a ribbon cutting ceremony for Naval Station Norfolk’s new Emergency Operations Center. Construction of the state-ofthe-art facility began in November 2020 and hosts many advantages over the previous EOC. (Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Joseph T. Miller.)

USS Wisconsin from Page 1

In addition to where the 30 emergency management team members operate out of, the facility also has a training classroom, bunk room, showers and back-up generator, so it can support extended operations.

“The facility isn’t just beneficial to the base,” said Lambert. “We would certainly be able to assist outside the fence line if needed and so everything we have here connects outside.”

Operation Jingle from Page 1

proud to partner with local hotels to offer this great opportunity to our active duty military members.

Operation JINGLE provides a three-night stay in hotels from December 23rd through the morning of the 26th. In 2020, a total of 44 rooms were donated to across the Hampton Roads area, allowing service members to spend the holidays together with their family. The only charge for the room is a non-refundable reservation fee of $10.00 per room, per night, to be paid when the lodging request is submitted.

Reservation fees ensure that all rooms are used.

The entire reservation fee will be donated to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and will be used to help sailors, marines, and their families experiencing financial difficulties, attend Budget for Baby classes, and receive free visits from our Registered Nurses.

To qualify, service members must be stationed and live aboard ships, reside in one of the local barracks, or single sailor PPV. Commands must

If there was a community disaster such as a weather event, NAVSTA Norfolk’s EOC would work with the EOC in downtown Norfolk, as well as law enforcement and Norfolk Fire and Rescue if needed.

“This is a momentous occasion for the installation and we are thankful to all involved with the project,” said Lambert. “This new facility greatly enhances our ability to perform and support extended emergency response and recovery operations to allow the installation to return mission capability and base operations in support of the Fleet.” verify that the rooms will be used for families traveling to and from the Hampton Roads area to spend the holidays with their service member.

Room availability is extremely limited and will be reserved on a first come-first-served basis.

Hotels require 24 hour cancellation in the event rooms cannot be used.

To participate, commands must designate a representative as the command’s single point of contact to coordinate the delivery of applications and confirmation information with the Norfolk Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

Deadline for submission is 15 December.

Commands may request registration forms from Patricia Lewis at Norfolk Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society by calling 757-322-1189 or e-mail patricia.lewis@nmcrs.org or Janelle Hazelton at Janelle.hazelton@nmcrs.org phone 757-322-1175. All incidental expenses incurred during the hotel stay, to include phone calls, laundry services, movies, room service and other meals are the responsibility of the service member reserving the room. Command representatives of underway commands/units unable to meet the 15 December deadline should contact Mrs. Lewis for more details.

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, December 9, 2021 1

uarterdeck

USS Oakland Cmdr. Derek Jaskowiak relieved Cmdr.

Francisco Garza as commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Oakland. PAGE B6

The Arleigh-Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) conducts underway operations. Barry is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (COURTESY PHOTO)

USS Barry Presented Spokane Trophy

By Lt.j.g. Christopher Katzin

Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron 15 Public Affairs

YO KO S U K A , Ja p a n — Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet announced USS Barry (DDG 52) as the Spokane Trophy winner for 2020.

The Spokane Trophy was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt to recognize naval warfighting proficiency. It is presented annually to the U.S.

Pacific Fleet surface combatant ship considered to be the most proficient in overall combat systems readiness and warfare operations.

“Tactical proficiency is fundamental to combat ready ships and battle minded crews,” said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Burke, USS Barry’s Combat Systems Officer, “Through every training evolution and bilateral exercise, we strengthen Barry’s lethal capa-

bilities, ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific by providing a credible deterrent to those that would not embrace recognized international norms.”

Throughout 2020, USS Barry (DDG 52) conducted countless operations throughout the Western Pacific, to include but not limited to: Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs), Taiwan Strait Transits (TSTs), Ronald Reagan Strike Group

NHHC Celebrates 50th Anniversary

By MC2 Ellen Sharkey

U.S., South Korean Defense Leaders Assess State of Alliance

By Jim Garamone DOD Public Affairs

Naval History and Heritage Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD — Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC), the U.S. Navy’s official repository of naval history and artifacts, commemorated the 50th anniversary of its establishment, Dec.1, 2021.

The anniversary celebrates the Navy combining the former offices of the Chief of Naval Operations History Division and the Naval Historical Display Center to form what was then called the Naval Historical Center.

The command’s newly assigned mission included efforts to collect, manage and interpret the records, books and objects that told the story of the Navy’s history. The information would become a resource for educating the fleet, for informing Congress of the Navy’s historical impact on the defense of the nation, and for use at the U.S. Naval Academy to inspire future naval leaders.

Today, these same resources are made accessible to researchers and the public through history-writing programs, research facilities, and the 10 NHHC museums across the U.S. “The Navy of 1971 understood the power of gathering so many history disciplines under one organizational roof,” said NHHC Director Samuel J. Cox, a retired U.S. Navy rear admi-

Escort Duties, United Nations Security Council Enforcement Coordination Cell Operations, and Nine Multi-National Joint Exercises showcasing the United States Navy’s commitment to its partners and allies in the C7F Area of Responsibility (AOR).

USS Barry (DDG 52) was away from homeport for 224 days and traveled over 60,000 nautical miles throughout the Indo-Pacific, not only executing dozens of exer-

The National Museum of the United States Navy, located on Washington D.C.’s Navy Yard, is one of 10 museums attached to Naval History and Heritage Command. (COURTESY PHOTO)

ral. “Each discipline brings a historical perspective that, when combined with the others, allows us to share the Navy’s history in a great variety of ways.”

Since its establishment, NHHC has sought to grow its areas of expertise. In 1996, the command established the Underwater Archaeology (UA) Branch, and in the mid-2000s, all Secretary of the Navy-designated museums were consolidated under the command.

In 2008, Naval Historical Center’s name was changed to Naval History and Heritage Command, and in 2015, the central artifact collection was consolidated into a single facility in Richmond, Va. “Since its inception NHHC has been working to instill historic perspective into current analysis and decision making on a daily basis; and to build a strong foundation of Turn to NHHC, Page 7

cises, certifications, and operations, but doing all the above in an uncertain and ever-changing COVID-19 environment.

“While Barry is one of the most advanced warships in the fleet, our strongest tactical asset is our crew,” said Cmdr. Chris Gahl, Commanding Officer of USS Barry. “No matter the challenge, together we find a way to overcome it and accomplish the mission every time. Our tactical prowess, sustained operational excellence, and combat readiness makes Barry a ‘force to be reckoned with’ in one of the most important strategic regions.”

USS Barry (DDG 52) is the first ship to win both the Atlantic Fleet’s Battenberg Cup and the Pacific Fleet’s Spokane Trophy.

USS Barr y (DD G 52) is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations attached to Commander, Task Force 71 based out of Yokosuka, Japan.

In a complex and changing security environment in the Indo-Pacific, one constant is the ironclad alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today in Seoul.

The secretary and Minister of National Defense Suh Wook spoke after the 53rd Security Consultative Meeting between the two allies.

While the alliance is solid, both men stressed the ways the alliance is changing as it responds to new capabilities, new challenges and new conditions.

In the past, the U.S.-South Korea alliance was solely focused on deterring North Korean aggression.

While this is still important, South Korea is a rising power and Austin said the nation is a force for stability not only on the Korean peninsula, but throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Suh noted the South Korean military participated in the evacuation from Kabul in August, sending C-130s and personnel.

The meeting covered a variety of issues, Austin said. “We discussed a wide range of topics including our unity in the face of the threat from North Korea, and our progress in our bilateral alliances, readiness and training exercises, and the ways that this alliance contributes to stability throughout the Indo-Pacific,” he

said. “We also reaffirmed our shared assessment that [North Korea] is continuing to advance its missile and weapons programs, which is increasingly destabilizing for regional security.”

The two allies remain committed to a diplomatic approach to North Korea, Austin said, but a strong deterrent posture is needed to allow the diplomatic track to work. “We continue to call upon [North Korea] to engage in dialogue, but we also discuss measures to enhance our combined deterrence posture and to defend against the full range of threats,” he said.

The Korean peninsula is one of the places on the globe where conflict could start with little notice, and the forces in South Korea — including 28,000 Americans — must be ready to “fight tonight.” The two defense officials discussed the “fight-tonight” readiness of the combined force and looked at ways to enhance that readiness. “The minister and I also agreed to conduct a full operational capability assessment of our future combined forces command during next fall’s combined command post training,” Austin said. “This represents an important task toward meeting the conditions necessary for [operational control] transition.”

Operational control, or OPCON, transition would shift wartime command of South Korean forces Turn to South Korea, Page 7

2

The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, December 9, 2021

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Dredging your mind for treasures

By Lisa Smith Molinari When we were stationed in Mayport, Florida, my “me time” was spent walking the long, wide stretch of Atlantic Ocean beach that flanked our base housing neighborhood. On days when the kids were in school, I mostly power-walked with fellow military spouses for exercise, but when I was alone and needed to de-stress, I’d slow my pace and scan the trails of flotsam and jetsam for fossilized sharks’ teeth, millions of years old.

I’ve never been one to meditate, but the search for these tiny relics helped to clear my mind of modern day distractions and worries.

My focus became singular, allowing my senses to feel the warm sun, smell the sea breeze, and hear the bubbling surf.

I guess that’s called “being present in the moment.” However, I experienced more than mindfulness on those walks. When I was lucky enough to spot a shark’s tooth washed up among bits of shells, driftwood, seaweed and bottle caps, I’d feel a rush like I’d won something. Inspecting my small prize, I’d wonder at its glossy dark surface and tiny, sharp serrations.

How was it possible that something millions of years old unearthed itself and landed, perfectly-preserved, at my feet? At first, I

thought I was specially-chosen to take care of each minute nugget of ancient history. I later learned that my collection of fossilized sharks teeth came from periodic dredging done to allow Navy and merchant ships to pass from the Atlantic Ocean into the St. John’s River. Although this fact made me feel a little less special, it taught me something important.

Life passes by too quickly. I feel dragged along, wanting to slow down, grasping at moments but being carried on, looking back, searching for what has already passed. Time, fast and fleeting, proceeds without pause, and I fear my life experiences might be lost, forgotten.

This is probably why I have hoarding tendencies. To me, everything from the plastic umbilical cord clamp from my 26-yearold son’s birth to my sparkly dress from from the Navy Ball gets saved, scurried away lest I forget.

But memories aren’t stored in boxes in the attic. Year by year, minute by minute, they deposit themselves in our minds. Layer upon layer of information sifts slowly down, settling like sediment. Memories, faces, phrases, short cuts, names, scenes, times tables, practical skills, scents, music, trauma, book chapters, feelings, trivia, thoughts, quotes, jokes, flavors, movie lines, shame, crochet stitches,

cookie recipes, dance steps.

Without a reason to reconstitute them, those layers of life moments might lay undisturbed and forgotten forever. So, we all subconsciously mine for old bits of data, using them to tell a military spouse friend about that awful deployment years ago, or remembering that mom always added an extra teaspoon of salt to her chocolate chip cookie recipe, or jumping up to do the Cupid Shuffle at a cousins’ wedding.

Fortunately for me (maybe not so much for my friends and family), I dredge my mind’s shipping lanes often, keeping a free-flow of vivid recollections at the ready. An avid storyteller, I love to relay tales of my childhood, or a conversation I had yesterday at the commissary deli, or how I embarrassed myself at a command holiday party years ago. Much to some listeners’ dismay, I feel stories are best told in great detail, with exaggerated expression and a story arc that slopes steeply toward a dramatic finish. Or, at least, a funny punchline.

If you are a storyteller like me, you’ve probably been told that you have “the gift of gab,” or noticed that others roll their eyes when you begin to spin a yarn. Don’t be deterred, because truth be told, the enjoyment of stories is mostly in the telling. It’s a way to slow down the pace of life, grasp moments that are precious or humorous, and make them come alive again for yourself and for others.

Like finding a fossilized shark’s tooth swaddled in the sandy swale, a storyteller’s real gift is delighting in digging for buried treasures, perfectly preserved in time, and bringing them back into the light to re-experience with wistful wonder.

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Sending a Military Care Package: What You Need to Know

Command Support Crisis Support SuicidePrevention SAPR Support

By Military Onesource

Military care packages deliver a welcome piece of home to your service member while they’re away — whether that’s your child, fiancé, sibling or friend. They help both of you stay connected despite distance or duty.

Here are some appropriate ways to send those care packages to your service member throughout their time in the military.

Care packages during boot camp? Letters are better.

When your recruit first left for basic training, you may have noticed that they only took a few things with them. This is because the military provides everything recruits need during boot camp, from meals and housing to basics like toothbrushes or socks. Duplicates from home are stored and only retrieved after graduation.

That’s why most service branches discourage care packages for recruits in boot camp.

In fact, receiving an unauthorized care package may result in a punishment from the drill instructor for their entire unit. So, it’s better to wait until your recruit finishes basic before you send any packages.

Ordinary mail, however, is always allowed.

A letter from home can encourage your recruit during the demands of basic training.

If you do send a letter, use a plain piece of paper and an envelope. It’s okay to send photos, but don’t do things like decorating the envelope — it could cause unwanted attention for your recruit. Plan on two weeks for letter delivery, so time letters to arrive before graduation. Think twice about texting, sending digital cards or email, as your service member will have very limited use of a cell phone, if at all. Use of cell phones is dictated by service branch and drill sergeants.

After boot camp is the time to send military care packages.

Service members who have finished basic training or are on deployment generally have more freedom to receive care packages. Sending a military care package is a great way to show your appreciation and love for your service member and all they do for our country.

If you are a parent or other relative, consider sending the music, toiletries, foods and treats

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your service member likes best. If you are in a relationship with a service member, think about sending notes, cards and small items that remind them how much you care. And, of course, photos from home are always welcome.

Here are some military care package ideas that are appreciated by service members: • Necessities, such as sunblock, socks, underwear, flip-flops, lip balm and powder • Snacks, including chips, salsa, nuts, cookies, beef jerky, non-melting candy and trail mix in packaging that isn’t easily crushed.

Drink mixes in single-serving packets are also a good addition.

• Homemade foods: The most popular items are cookies and “cake in a jar,” which is a cake baked in a canning jar. Again, the key is sturdy packaging to prevent crushing.

• Games, such as playing cards/poker chips, crosswords or puzzle books.

• Stationery is a must if you want to receive any letters from your service member. Send paper, envelopes, address labels and pens, but skip the stamps. They won’t need them.

• Photos and notes that show your support and affection. Maybe get a daily tear-off calendar and write an encouraging note on each page.

Once you know what you want to send, follow these tips to make sure your military care package arrives in good condition: • Seal everything: Individually seal items in plastic bags with zip locks, if possible, to protect items from the elements or to keep them from leaking out.

• Use sturdy packaging: The best packaging is a free Military Care Kit from the U.S. Postal Service, which includes priority mail boxes, tape, custom forms and address labels.

The packaging is free, but the postage is not.

• Provide accurate shipping information: Include your service member’s unit, last and first name, title, DPO/FPO/APO and full ZIP code.

• Take advantage of reduced postage for military mail: You only have to provide standard domestic postage on mail going to an APO or FPO address. For example, if you pay $5 to mail a package in the continental United States, it costs the same to mail it overseas as long as you have an APO / FPO / DPO address and associated ZIP code.

• Complete the customs forms: You need to fill out customs forms for any shipping outside the United States. Customs forms are included with Military Care Kits or can be found on the USPS website.

• Consider shipping time: Most care packages can make it to the Middle East in about two weeks, but some take longer. For holidays, allow about five weeks for delivery.

• Be careful what you send: Check the post office’s prohibited items list to keep items from being rejected. Remember that sometimes packages from home get opened by someone before your service member, so don’t send anything you don’t want strangers to see. Also, don’t send things that are valuable or can’t be replaced — sometimes packages get lost.

Care packages are always good, but sometimes a service member may need a bit more, whether it’s help with taxes as Tax Day approaches or talking with someone who can listen. Do you know that active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members have access to a wide range of individualized consultations, coaching and other services?

This includes relationship and peer-to-peer counseling to tax preparation and financial services to wellness coaches and more. It’s all free and available 24/7 through Military OneSource.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, December 9, 2021 3

Cmdr. Michael Tyree, executive officer aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8) Gold Crew, arrives to take command during a change of command ceremony on the flight deck. LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Jacksonville Native Assumes Command of U.S. Navy LCS

By MC2 Vance Hand

Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO A Jacksonville, Florida native, Cmdr.

Michael Tyree is the newest Commanding Officer of an Independence-variant littoral combat ship.

Tyree became the commanding officer of USS Montgomery (LCS 8) Gold Crew, during a change of command ceremony on November 30th, 2021.

As Commanding Officer, Tyree maintains absolute authority and responsibility to ensure the safe handling of Montgomery and the safety, well-being and proficiency of the crew.

“I am honored and humbled to have the privilege of commanding such an outstanding group of Sailors.” said Tyree. “I look forward to showing the fleet what we can do.”

Prior to serving as the Commanding Officer, Tyree served as Montgomery Gold Crew’s Executive Officer.

Tyree graduated from the United States

Naval Academy in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, he also earned a Master’s of Science degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School in 2012. Previously, Cmdr. Tyree served on two other Jacksonville based ships, Vicksburg and DeWert, as well as commanding USS Chief stationed in Japan.

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. The LCS is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.

IT’S MORE THAN A COLLEGE EDUCATION. THEY’RE MORE THAN PLAYERS.

THAT’S WHAT MAKES THIS

MORE THAN A GAME.

USAA IS PROUD TO PRESENT AMERICA’S GAME.

TUNE IN FOR THE 122ND ARMY-NAVY GAME | SATURDAY, 11DEC, 1500 ET ON CBS USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. No Department of Defense or government agency endorsement. The trademarks, logos and names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners. USAA is not endorsed with or affiliated with the academy. This Academy receives financial support for this sponsorship.© 2021 USAA. 282526-1221

4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, December 9, 2021

National Disability Employment Awareness Month speaker encourages ‘expanding the circle’ for people with disabilities

By Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. — With a highly decorated 35-year career in the Department of Defense (DOD), almost entirely focused on equality, diversity and inclusion, Dr. Claiborne Douglass Haughton Jr., shared his personal story of living with disabilities during a virtual presentation to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport’s workforce on Oct. 21.

“I was born on a plantation in Jim Crow segregated Louisiana, with cerebral palsy and blindness in one eye,” Haughton said. “I wore ‘Coke bottle’ glasses that were so thick, that when I looked at a map I could see people up here in Providence waving at me.”

Haughton, president of Haughton Group LLC based in Arlington, Virginia, who retired in 2002 as acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Equal Opportunity, is now a motivational speaker and consultant. Division Newport hosted him as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, observed each October to recognize the contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces.

“Almost no one, regardless of your race, gender, religion, economic status, or background, will go through life without suffering from some form of physical or mental impairment,” Haughton said. “You are only one accident away from developing a disability. Those of us who are disabled are a constant and visible reminder of the frailty of each member of the human race. We are a minority that ‘temporarily’ able-bodied persons could join at a moment’s notice.”

People with disabilities are being terminated at a disproportionate rate than able-bodied people, according to a recent U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission report.

For those who are employed, most are working menial jobs.

“Believe it or not, in 2021, the most difficult barrier that people with disabilities face is the painful reality that we’re looked upon as less than complete persons,” Haughton said. “This opinion is deeply rooted in ignorance and insensitivity, but many employers are still unaware of disabled persons’ potential. They still think that if you can’t dress yourself, hear a telephone ring, or read a legal brief that you cannot work.”

Overcoming obstacles Haughton shared the many adversities he faced as a child and emphasized the importance of fully including people with disabilities, something he learned from his guardian Marion Wells, as a 12-year resident at the Blundon Orphanage Home in Baton Rouge.

“Miss Wells was a white woman who was often ostracized for her work on behalf of African American children in Baton Rouge,” he said. “She took me to the United Cerebral Palsy Center in Baton Rouge for 10 years, which enabled me to get rid of the steel leg and arm braces so that I could walk.”

“What Miss Wells wanted for all of her children was for us to be judged fairly, and to be given a fair chance,” Haughton said.

After being denied from serving in the U.S. Army because of his disability, Haughton attended Dillard University in New Orleans on a vocational rehabilitation scholarship, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He started his career as a quality assurance trainee in 1967 with the Defense Logistics Agency in Indianapolis, Indiana, and quickly rose in the ranks being promoted to quality assurance packaging specialist.

“Struggling with the dual headwinds of

Dr. Claiborne Douglass Haughton Jr. (on screen), former acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Equal Opportunity, is introduced to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport workforce by Don Gomes (left), Equal Employment Opportunity specialist, on Oct. 21, 2021. Haughton, who is president of the Haughton Group LLC based in Arlington, Virginia, was guest speaker for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. (COURTESY PHOTO)

discrimination based upon race and disability, he decided to switch careers and soon began his journey seeking to advance equal employment opportunity, or EEO, by becoming an EEO specialist,” said Don Gomes, Division Newport’s EEO specialist, as he introduced Haughton.

Haughton was first responsible for reviewing the affirmative action programs for federal contractors. Despite further barriers, he went from an entry-level trainee to a top-level supervisor (GS-16) in just 12 years, becoming one of the first African American charter members of the Senior Executive Service (SES). As the DOD principal director for civilian EEO programs, he served as the ranking career SES equity, diversity, and inclusion official at the Pentagon for 23 years.

In 1990 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law with an intent to provide access, jobs, justice and transportation for people with disabilities.

“We must struggle always to establish and sustain the basic rights of all Americans, and specifically for the 57 million Americans with disabilities,” Haughton said. “The DOD started to develop programs and carry out disability employment programs two decades before the passage of the ADA. I don’t believe that there is another federal agency with a broader and better array of programs for people with disabilities.”

Haughton was leading that charge and he said his most rewarding achievement is being known as the “Father of the Department of Defense Disability Program.”

The disability program was built on five pillars — creating the policy, staffing the organization, building an awards program, creating a college recruitment program, and funding a DOD Computer/Electronics Accommodation

Program.

After initially being denied hiring for a disability program manager position, Haughton took matters into his own hands.

“I quickly learned that creativity is not thinking outside the box — it is the discovery that there isn’t a box,” he said. “So I did my homework on disability matters because you can’t teach what you don’t know, and you can’t lead where you won’t go. I performed the work myself for two years, in addition to my SES leadership duties.”

In 1983 Haughton was permitted to fill the disability program manager position, which went to the late Judy Gilliam, who “due to an accident at a higher level of quadriplegic,” used a motorized wheelchair. Haughton remembers her fondly.

“I love this quote by Judy, she said, ‘I can’t trust myself, I can’t walk up a flight of stairs, I can’t pick up a glass of water, but I can work,’ ” he said.

“And she demonstrated that inspiration starts with aspiration and was quickly promoted from my mentee to a GS-15 position, and she did an outstanding job for me for 19 years.”

In 1984, the Disability College Recruitment Program was founded by another champion pioneer, Paul Meyer. Haughton and his team expanded on that program, which is now called the Workforce Recruitment Program, or WRP, and has hired more than 7,500 students with disabilities for summer and permanent jobs.

Haughton paused to recognize Division Newport’s Michelle Eddy, who is the manager of the Disability Employment Program, for winning an Outstanding Recruiter Award as part of the 2020—21 DOD WRP Awards and urged the audience to help her continue using the WRP to achieve the Division’s disability

program hiring goals.

Prior to originating the DOD Computer/ Electronics Accommodation Program, it was Gilliam who taught Haughton about reasonable accommodation through her own needs to do her job effectively. They pioneered accommodations such as twin voice-activated computers, one at the Pentagon and the other in her nursing home, a “flexi-place” policy allowing her to work at home during inclement weather (better known today as telework), and free, accessible wheelchair taxi service.

“Yes, Judy was living large at the Pentagon,” he said. “The groundbreaking experience to get her the reasonable accommodation she needed fueled our share of dedication to carry out my vision to get reasonable accommodations for all DOD employees with disabilities to do their jobs. To take away the excuse from any manager or supervisor who would say, ‘Yes, I would hire a person with disability, but I can’t afford the accommodation.’ ” In the early 1990s, the DOD granted Haughton and his team $10.7 million and four personnel spaces to launch the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP). To date, CAP has made more than 150,000 purchases to provide accommodations for employees in the DOD and across the federal government.

“Thanks to countless dedicated men and women, the DOD has come a long way in the struggle to improve opportunity and inclusion for individual disabilities,” Haughton said. “But lest we relax or feel complacent, for the eye of the hurricane still has not passed out to sea. We still have work to do because Americans with disabilities, including veterans, make up almost one-fifth of our population.”

Haughton urged the workforce to achieve disability hiring goals, and to share the responsibility for getting this inclusion work done.

“Responsibility to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace is first with the agency head,” said Haughton.

“Secondly, it rests with every manager and supervisor, and it rests with all of us.”

NUWC Division Newport is a shore command of the U.S. Navy within the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, builds and supports America’s fleet of ships and combat systems. NUWC Newport provides research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, undersea offensive and defensive weapons systems, and countermeasures associated with undersea warfare.

NUWC Newport is the oldest warfare center in the country, tracing its heritage to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869. Commanded by Capt. Chad Hennings, NUWC Newport maintains major detachments in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas, as well as test facilities at Seneca Lake and Fisher’s Island, New York, Leesburg, Florida, and Dodge Pond, Connecticut.

Join our team! NUWC Division Newport, one of the 20 largest employers in Rhode Island, employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, and other STEM professionals, as well as talented business, finance, logistics and other support experts who wish to be at the forefront of undersea research and development. Please connect with NUWC Division Newport Recruiting at this site- https:// www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/ NUWC-Newport/Career-Opportunities/ and follow us on LinkedIn @NUWC-Newport and on Facebook @NUWCNewport.

NUWC Division Newport employee wins DOD Workforce Recruitment Program Outstanding Recruiter Award

By Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport Public Affairs NEWPORT, R.I. — Michelle Eddy, manager of the Disability Employment Program in the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport Corporate Operations Department, recently won an Outstanding Recruiter Award as part of the 2020—21 Department of Defense (DOD) Workforce Recruitment Program Awards.

Eddy, a resident of Middletown, Rhode Island, was selected by the DOD Diversity Management Operations Center for her significant contributions to the Department of the Navy’s (DON) overall mission, and to the success of the Workforce Recruitment Program, including promoting and advancing the employment of individuals with disabilities.

Eddy is a true advocate for hiring individuals with disabilities and ensuring equity in the workplace. In just three years, she has made a strong and lasting impression, often volunteering for additional tasks that offer her the opportunity to lead.

Working across Division Newport, Eddy encourages the use of the Department of Labor (DOL) and the DOD Workforce Recruitment Program, a recruitment tool that connects employers with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to demonstrate their abilities in the workplace, ensuring that Division Newport is consistently engaging in recruiting individuals with disabilities.

Eddy informs school coordinators about what is needed from students, the interview processes and what steps have been completed. She gives feedback and seeks feedback to improve her own skills. Eddy makes herself available to candidates during interview periods to allow for flexibility of the students’ schedules and time zones.

She’s always in tune to the candidate’s experience during the interview, easing them as needed and walking them through the process step-by-step, the award states.

For the 2019-20 school year, Eddy was assigned to interview 12 students from the

University of Connecticut. A few weeks prior to the deadline, the DOL Workforce Recruitment Program coordinator informed her that two other recruiters were unable to fulfill their obligations and asked if she could take one of the two schools. In order to alleviate the urgent need to find another recruiter on such short notice, Eddy took on both schools, the award states.

She conducted an additional five interviews for the University of Nevada and another seven for Arizona State University. Overcoming challenges with time zone differences, Eddy submitted her recruiter submission package for all three schools — a total of 24 interviews — prior to the deadline, resulting in all of the accepted students being eligible for potential placement. The DOL specifically cited her as a standout recruiter for the Navy.

Winners were recognized during a virtual ceremony broadcast over the Defense Visual Information Distribution System on July 29. The ceremony can be viewed here: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/808419⁄20202021-dod-workforce-recruitment-program-awards-ceremony NUWC Division Newport is a shore command of the U.S. Navy within the Naval Sea Systems Command, which engineers, builds and supports America’s fleet of ships and combat systems. NUWC Newport provides research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, undersea offensive and defensive weapons systems, and countermeasures associated with undersea warfare.

NUWC Newport is the oldest warfare center in the country, tracing its heritage to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869.

Commanded by Capt. Chad Hennings, NUWC Newport maintains major detachments in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas, as well as test facilities at Seneca Lake and Fisher’s Island, New York, Leesburg, Florida, and Dodge Pond, Connecticut.

Join our team! NUWC Division Newport, one of the 20 largest employers in Rhode

Michelle Eddy, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport’s Disability Employment program manager, recently won an Outstanding Recruiter Award as part of the 2020–21 Department of Defense Workforce Recruitment Program Awards. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Island, employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, and other STEM professionals, as well as talented business, finance, logistics and other support experts who wish to be at the forefront of undersea research

and development. Please connect with NUWC Division Newport Recruiting at this site- https://www.navsea.navy.mil/ Home/Warfare-Centers/NUWC-Newport/ Career-Opportunities/ and follow us on LinkedIn @NUWC-Newport and on Facebook @NUWCNewport.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, December 9, 2021 5

Portland Sailor Shares Commitment to Navy Through Recruiting

By Mc2 Austin Breum

Navy Recruiting Command Public Affairs

PORTLAND, Ore. — As a Naval reservist, Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Benjamin Garrett began his career at Navy Operational Support Center Portland and has been assigned to Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Security Force Bravo Detachment in Bahrain. He applied to be a recruiter and has been in Onboarding since August 2018 for Navy Talent Acquisition Group Portland.

In his current role, Garrett is responsible for preparing future Sailors for basic training and ensuring they have the knowledge and skills required to succeed as they begin their Navy journey. Being a mentor is something that is extremely important to Garrett. Sharing his commitment to the Navy is what led him to be a recruiter.

“I enjoy seeing the recruits get excited over their jobs,” Garrett said. “I like it when I see them wanting to serve and not just wanting a paycheck.”

The enthusiasm that he has for the Navy and its history, and the aspiration to teach others also led him to volunteer as a Naval Sea Cadet instructor. Garrett spends one weekend a month instructing Sea Cadets in Navy core values, basic seamanship, heritage and history.

Garrett takes great pride in mentoring and teaching Sea Cadets. Cadet Samuel Coontz, who recently enlisted in the Navy as a Builder, credits Garrett with giving him multiple opportunities to succeed in the Sea Cadets and the Navy.

“He really taught me a lot of the Navy heritage and traditions along with helping me with leadership roles within the Sea Cadet program,” Coontz said.

Future Sailor Austin Pham, who is in the Delayed Entry Program and will be an Aviation Structural Mechanic, was timid, quiet and fairly shy before Garrett began mentoring him in the Sea Cadets.

“MA2 taught me how to speak up and be noticed,” Pham said. “To step up and take a leadership role.”

When Garrett wanted to join the Navy at 18, he did not qualify. There wasn’t a problem with the ASVAB, a waiver he could not

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Benjamin Garrett steers a boat while conducting a training evolution with a group of Sea Cadets in Portland. Garrett, assigned to NTAG Portland, is featured as Recruiter in the Spotlight. (MC2 AUSTIN BREUM)

obtain nor did he fall out of the height and weight standards. The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which prevented openly gay men and women from serving in the military, kept him from service. He was 15 years old watching the Twin Towers fall in New York. At that moment, he knew he needed to serve. However, while “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was law, all he could do was wait. Nine years later, in 2010, the law was repealed and Garrett still had the same motivation to serve that existed when he was a teenager.

“As soon as the policy changed, I walked into the recruiting office to enlist,” Garrett said.

Growing up in The Dalles, a rural part of Oregon, was difficult for Garrett due to his sexual orientation. Since joining the Navy, he has found an open, supportive and welcoming environment. After 11 years in uniform, he already knows that the Navy will be a career, whether on active duty or in the Reserves.

“The Navy has always been a positive work-

place for me,” Garrett said. “I have grown so much as a person due to the culture of the Navy. I am so proud to be part of the Navy; it’s truly the greatest decision I have ever made.”

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.

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, December 9, 2021

Cryptologic Technician Technical students practice maintenance skills for the AN/SLQ-32(V)6 on Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System (MRTS) 3D trainers at Information Warfare Training Center Corry Station, Dec. 2, 2021. (KURT VAN SLOOTEN)

Navy EW System Maintenance Course Enabled by MRTS 3D

By Kurt Van Slooten

Center For Information Warfare Training Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla.— Four years in the making, the AN/SLQ-32 (V)6 maintenance course using Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System (MRTS) 3D trainers is up and running and has completed two pilot rounds of instruction.

What makes this significant is that prior to this the cryptologic technician technical (CTT) rating school responsible for training all CTT Sailors on the AN/SLQ-32 (V)6 system only had one actual system, with a price tag of roughly $12 million, which was frequently out of commission resulting in wasted training time and money.

CTT Training Lead, Master Chief Cryptologic Technician Technical Ryan Hartman, explained that upon arrival he was tasked with the rollout of a MRTS 3D enabled AN/SLQ-32 (V)6 course to train their maintainers and get their pipeline back up to speed.

“So, I got here in late 2017, the total throughput scheduled for the year was 24 total students, significantly below fleet demand signal,” said Hartman.

Through creative problem-solving, Hartman his team were able to increase the number of student throughput with the system they had, but due to other constraints, they knew that these gains were unsustainable. The mission to create the MRTS 3D trainer enabled classes to train the maintainers was essential, just as the mission of the actual system in the fleet.

The AN/SLQ-32 v6 is the principal electronic warfare system used on many Navy surface ships, a key component of the Navy’s Ship Self Defense System.

Using MRTS 3D trainers was deemed an appropriate solution because they use gaming technology that most Sailors are familiar with. Through 3D imagery and touch-screen displays, the MRTS 3D trainer allows students to learn to interact with and maintain their systems while seeing a life-like environment onboard a ship.

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), Hartman explained originally was to supply two AN/SLQ-32 (V)6 systems for the school to use to train students, but due to power concerns on Information Warfare Training Center Corry Station and the need for the systems in the fleet the school was fielded a single system. The price tag for the second AN/SLQ-32 (V)6 in the form of a MRTS 3D trainer, which was built from scratch, was roughly $5.2 million. This was a significant cost savings, especially considering the majority of the cost was the software, which once developed was owned by the Navy.

Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, responsible for the creation of the MRTS 3D trainers, was in charge of the development of the AN/SLQ-32 (V)6 MRTS 3D trainer. They contracted with ProActive Technologies Inc. to use the USS Bainbridge, a guided missile destroyer, as the subject for image and video capture, and produce the end product.

The AN/SLQ-32 (V)6 maintenance course the way it was originally set up, Hartman said, consisted of one system with six (later eight) students and an instructor. Now with the MRTS 3D classroom, each of the eight students has their own system to work on, as well as a system for the instructor to teach from.

“We just had a second one (AN/SLQ-32 (V)6 MRTS 3D classroom) installed at the

beginning of this fiscal year,” said Hartman, “and we have a third that will be coming online in February. Both of those combined only cost us about $270,000, so that is a drastic savings versus the $12 million for the original system.”

As the course had shifted to using virtual systems, the school determined that the curriculum had to be updated to reflect the new training realities. They began the process in the fall of 2020. Then around Christmas time, Hartman said, they stopped all other work in the office and devoted all their time and effort to revising the curriculum to get it ready for their pilot course that February.

“For the pilot we ended up saving three weeks of time, and it goes back to the fact that every single Sailor had their own system to use, they weren’t all waiting to use the one system,” said Hartman. “Not only did we end early, but each Sailor had more hands-on with the system. They were doing more troubleshooting, they were correcting more faults; which is what the fleet asked us to do, more sets and reps.”

We even added a capstone event, said Hartman, where we try to simulate as realistically as possible what they will encounter on the ship. We have a team of two Sailors that are told that the system is broken and given an error code and given an eight-hours, a typical day-shift to fix it.

Cryptologic Technician Technical 1st Class Zachary O’Connor, course supervisor for the AN/SLQ-32(V)6 maintenance course, said, teaching this course on the MRTS 3D system allows students to troubleshoot and follow procedures more efficiently, decreasing system down time and allowing for smooth transitions to different system components.

An added benefit is he doesn’t have to worry about damage to the real-world system or

the cost to fix it.

Once the new systems are online the accession training pipeline for the CTT’s AN/ SLQ-32 course will be bumped up to 144 seats a year, with the limiting factor being instructors to teach the course. This is well above the Navy’s projected needs for fiscal year 22 and 23.

Hartman said they are continuing to make improvements to the course as they get feedback from the instructors and students. As it is a new way of doing business there will be some fine tuning. They are looking at adding some hands-on with the old system, in a powered down status, as a way of connecting the students to their virtual system knowledge gained on the MRTS 3D trainers.

Between the addition of the MRTS 3D systems and streamlining of the course, the Navy has realized a substantial savings for all SLQ-32 technician “C” schools, said Cryptologic Technician Technical 1st Class Thomas Lindsey, Course Curriculum Model Manager for the AN/SLQ-32(V)6 maintenance course. With the merging of content from a prior prerequisite course and updates to curriculum we were able to reduce the time to produce SLQ-32 technicians by 584 hours, reduce the time students were awaiting instruction by 25 percent, increase fleet throughput, and remove the bottleneck issues for CTT maintenance training pipelines.

These changes have enabled CIWT to exceed annual through-put requirements without lowering the training standard.

During a visit earlier this year, Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, commander, Naval Information Forces, said she was very interested in the MRTS 3D trainer technology and mentioned she may consider adding it as a training tool to IW Live Virtual Construct (LVC) training facilities in all fleet concentration areas.

Center for Information Warfare Training delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services, enabling optimal performance of information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.

USS Oakland Blue Crew Holds Change of Command Ceremony

By MC2 Vance Hand

Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One Public Affairs

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO — Cmdr.

Derek Jaskowiak relieved Cmdr. Francisco Garza as commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Oakland (LCS 24) Blue Crew during a change of command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, Dec. 3.

A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Garza led Oakland Blue Crew through Oakland’s delivery and sail away from Austal Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, to her transit through the Panama Canal during sail around, and finally its commissioning to the fleet in Oakland, California.

Garza then commanded Oakland through final contractor trials, combat systems Ship qualification trials, post shakedown availability, and into basic phase training. His next assignment is Engineering Assessments Pacific (EAP) at Afloat Training Group (ATG) in San Diego.

“What an immense honor it has been to serve with such an amazing group of Sailors as we established the bedrock foundation of this crew and ship that will last for many years to come,” said Garza. “It has been a highlight of my career to lead Oakland.”

Jaskowiak, a native of St. Louis, previously served as Oakland Blue Crew’s executive offi-

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO Cmdr. Derek Jaskowiak, commanding officer aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Oakland (LCS 24) Blue Crew, delivers remarks after assuming command during a change of command ceremony. (MC2 VANCE HAND)

cer before assuming command as Oakland Blue Crew’s commanding officer.

“I am very proud to have been Oakland’s first executive officer and am eager to tackle future challenges as the commanding officer on Oakland’s maiden deployment,” said Jaskowiak.

Oakland is currently working through basic phase qualifications to prepare for future operations.

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. The LCS

is capable of supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.

For more news from Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, visit https://www. surfpac.navy.mil/comlcsron1/ or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/COMLCSRONONE/

8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, December 9, 2021

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, December 9, 2021 1

Wholesome Winter Meals During the winter months when brisk temperatures chill you to the bone, warming up with hearty dishes at the family table can bring everyone together. PAGE C4

Marie Osmond brings her Symphonic Christmas to Chrysler Hall Interview conducted by Yiorgo

The Virginia Arts Festival is delighted to announce that multiple gold and platinum artist Marie Osmond, a legendary country and pop singer, television trailblazer performer, as well as talk show host, dancer, actor and so much more, is bringing her Christmas show ‘Marie Osmond - A Symphonic Christmas’ to Chrysler Hall Monday, December 13th. Filled with holiday tunes and music from Marie’s newest album ‘Unexpected’, this festive concert, performed with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Brent Havens, is sure to bring joy and happiness to those who are young and those young at heart.

With military discounts available, tickets are on sale and available by phone at 757 282-2822 or on line at vafest.org.

Yiorgo: On the phone with us today is the one and only, Marie Osmond. Why should people come to A Symphonic Christmas and what will their experience be like?

Marie Osmond: I am in my sixth decade and as a little girl, Sammy Davis Jr. taught me how to walk on to the stage. There are so many things about live entertainment that I feel we can bring. To me, Christmas is not about the gift.

I don’t remember what I got five or ten years ago, are you kidding, but I do remember events that are special. I tell people, bring your family, go out to dinner, you’ll remember it forever. We have been locked in fear for so long that I feel like we need something that will bring joy, some memories and something we can talk about for generations. Bring generations. I promise you the show will keep everyone interested and they will have a good time. It’s why I quit my residency in Vegas.

Not everyone can go to Vegas, so I want to get this show out and selfishly, it puts me in the Christmas spirit. It’s a really fun show. It’s 90 minutes of bam, bam, bam, bam entertainment.

We will have a full orchestra behind us. This is not a synthesized soundtrack, this is live. I will do ‘Paper Roses’ and some of my hits, I think people want to see that. The joy of it is, that you are going to see these musicians on stage who spent their lifetime being brilliant with their craft.

There’s a lot of people on stage and the music will give you chills. This is my guarantee to everybody, you will leave with Christmas spirit, I promise.

In the Christmas show that I am doing coming out, I am doing

Marie Osmond. (COURTESY PHOTO)

a tribute to our military. It’s life changing. People do not understand what our military families sacrifice. They think they do but they don’t. My dad was an army sergeant.

Y: Tell us about your special guests, David Osmond and Daniel Emmet.

MO: Daniel Emmet is from America’s Got Talent and on my new album ‘Unexpected’ which comes out December 10th, Daniel does ‘The Prayer’ with me on it and we will do ‘The Prayer’ in the show. David Osmond is my nephew, he did ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’, and other great shows. David is an amazing talent with a unique story and the people will see why he is in the show as well.

I know how instrumental Bob Hope was to your family. Can you

Marie Osmond on the USS Wisconsin in 1990. (COURTESY PHOTO)

share a memory with Bob? MO: I was a very lucky person.

I’m the only girl in my family and

when Christmas came around and all these Christmas specials were on TV, they didn’t want

the boys, they wanted the girl.

From Bob Hope to Perry Como to Andy Williams to any show you can imagine during the holidays. Sammy Davis Jr. taught me how to walk on to the stage. I did USO tours with Bob. I’ve been to Saudi Arabia with him. Bob called me up and asked me to do his very last USO tour with him.

We performed in Wisconsin. Oh my goodness, I stood there and sang right before the last shells were shot in Desert Storm. We performed on the bases, it’s something truly life changing.

Y: You mentioned you no longer are doing your residency in Vegas.

MO: Christmas is a special time and one that I’m looking forward to being on tour. It’s been a long time. I’ve been in Vegas for 11 years. It’s been the best stay at home job ever. Now that my youngest daughter is 19 and out of the home, I want more diversity, to go places, to film, to record.

When you are locked down in a residency that’s pretty much all you can do five times a week. So being on the road is what I enjoy doing.

Y: Tell us about your newest album UNEXPECTED to be released December 10th, your love of opera, some of the featured songs that are in Italian, French and Czech.

What was your inspiration?

MO: You know, I’m a little bit country, always have been, always will be, but when I did ‘Sound of Music’ I couldn’t sing ‘Sound of Music’ with a country accent, so I did some vocal training. The lady that worked with me said, Marie, you could sing opera, you’re a high soprano. And I’m like shuuuut uuuuup. For over 20 years, I have been on and off training in opera. The album is called ‘Unexpected’. It’s a love song by Andrew Lloyd Weber. The song says, I can’t believe that I am here.

It’s really to thank my fans for six decades. There’s no way I would have recorded this album because my career would not have been six decades in order to learn to do it if it was not for my amazing fans.

There are some songs on there in Italian. We will do ‘Nella Fantasia’ at the show. It’s not just opera, it’s the Great American Songbook.

Those songs were chosen for a reason. ‘Somewhere’ if you lost someone that you love, one of the most beautiful songs, ‘If I loved you’ was Rogers and Hammerstein’s favorite song they have ever written. Even ‘The Flower Duet’ from the opera ‘Lakme’ is a duet between two women. I think I’m in the Guinness Book of World Turn to Marie Osmond, Page 3

Winterfest on the Wisconsin, is fun for the whole family Interview conducted by Yiorgo

A proud crown jewel in the city of Norfolk is Nauticus featuring the Battleship Wisconsin. Every year, especially pre covid, hundreds of thousands of people have visited and continue to visit year round this beautiful, contemporary, maritime themed, science center and museum.

It is located on the waterfront in downtown Norfolk, Virginia where also the world’s largest naval base is located.

This year Nauticus is proud to bring back the return of Winterfest on the Wisconsin. A celebration of the Battleship Wisconsin decorated in thousands upon thousands of Christmas lights.

Tickets and info can be found at https://nauticus.org/admissions-info/ Yiorgo: With us today is proud local Maury High School Alumni Rehn West, Development Director at Nauticus.

What is Winterfest on the Wisconsin at Nauticus and what will they experience when they come to see it?

Rehn West: Winterfest on the Wisconsin is a holiday celebration.

We deck out the Battleship this year, we have 650,000 holiday lights and guests are able to walk through six unique light zones. The guests can also enjoy our live entertainment, holiday music, tree lighting ceremonies, as well as a very special one-on-one experience with Santa.

We also have great food and drink in the historic boardroom as well as the Grinch who is here walking our decks, meeting the guests and making it both unique and different.

Most notably, each Saturday night we host a lighted sailboat parade.

Nauticus is home to Sail Nauticus, established for at-risk youth in Norfolk Public Schools. We have a fleet of 20 sailboats and we deck them out in Christmas lights and each Saturday at six pm they leave our harbor and head down to the Whiskey Basin next to the Wisconsin on the other side by the Pogoda.

At the very end of the parade, Santa is brought in by the Norfolk Police Chief boat. It is super exciting and brings our community together. It

Winterfest on the Wisconsin. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Turn to USS Wisconsin, 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, December 9, 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/

Cole Swindell. (COURTESY PHOTO)

JUST ANNOUNCED COLE SWINDELL: DOWN TO THE BAR TOUR

From Spectra

NORFOLK — Cole Swindell with special guests Travis Denning and Ashley Cooke are coming to Chartway Arena on March 17, 2022.

The pre-sale will begin Thursday, December 16th at 10AM, and fans can sign up to Chartway Arena’s All Access Club for presale access.

Tickets go on-sale to the general public on Friday, December 17th at 10AM and will be available to purchase at YnotTix.com or at the Chartway Arena Box Office.

About Cole Swindell GRAMMY-nominated superstar Cole Swindell recently released his 12th career single, “Never Say Never” (with Lainey Wilson). “Never Say Never” follows his 10th career No. 1, “Single Saturday Night,” which has logged over 245 million streams globally. In the seven years since Warner Music Nashville debut, Swindell has racked up nine certified Platinum singles, a Platinum-certified debut album (Cole Swindell) and a Gold-certified sophomore

album (You Should Be Here). His massive No. 1 hit “Break Up In The End” was named the NSAI Song of the Year (2019). The Georgia hitmaker has nearly 4.5 BILLION global career streams as well as numerous songwriting honors, lending his pen to chart-topping singles by Luke Bryan and more.

Swindell has played on some of the biggest stages in the world, including making history being the first-ever live radio and TV broadcast from the 57th floor terrace of 4 World Trade Center, overlooking the Freedom Tower. National television performances include the Citi Concert Series on TODAY, Good Morning America, Ellen, the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the CMA and the ACM Awards, the MLB Network and NASCAR. The Georgia native has toured with some of country music’s most acclaimed entertainers, including Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean and Thomas Rhett. He officially became a headliner on his own with his Reason to Drink Tour in 2018 and has since continued to hit major venues across the nation.

About Travis Denning A native of Warner Robins, Georgia,

singer/songwriter Travis Denning has been nominated for CMT “Breakthrough Video Of The Year” for his first No. One and GOLD-certified single, “After A Few.” Accelerating his ascend from a chart-topping single, Denning released his new single “Where That Beer’s Been,” available at country radio now. Both tracks are taken from his recently released debut EP BEER’S BETTER COLD that debuted in the Top 20 of Billboard’s Country Albums chart. Denning first made waves with the release of his Top 40 debut single “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs.” Denning kicked off 2020 as direct support on Dustin Lynch’s STAY COUNTRY TOUR and has previously opened shows for Cole Swindell, Alan Jackson, Riley Green and his first headlining “Heartbeat Of A Small Town Tour.” Denning has been spotlighted for his head-turning sound and was selected this past year as an Opry NextStage recipient and CMA KixStart Artist, as he makes his mark within the industry. Inspired at a young age, Denning developed a love for country, pop, rock and heavy metal and started playing local bars from the age of

16, as he built a strong following from his distinctive songs and raucous guitar solos.

A prolific writer, Denning moved to Nashville and secured outside cuts by Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, Michael Ray and more. Denning’s newest songwriting cut includes Michael Ray’s Top 20 single “Her World Or Mine.” For more information, visit travisdenning.com.

About Ashley Cooke Raised between the coasts of CA and FL, Ashley Cooke is an up-and-coming country artist who is bringing authentic and honest storytelling to her music. The singer/ songwriter developed her love of country music as Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line quickly became the soundtrack of high school. Cooke followed her passion for music to Belmont University where she won the Country Showcase and has been writing and recording music since.

In Oct. 2020, Cooke released her poignant single, “Jealous of the Sky,” written about the pain of losing her best friend to cancer at age 18. The song was followed up with “Sunday Morning Kinda Saturday Night,” which debuted at #1 on the iTunes Country chart. In April, Cooke teamed up with Roman Alexander for a duet on his hit single “Between You & Me,” which garnered two million streams in less than three weeks.

Most recently, Cooke released “Under” which is the second single from her forthcoming project produced by award-winner Jimmy Robbins. “Under” explores the fresh and raw emotions that follow a breakup as the singer begs the question of what it’ll take to finally get over her last relationship, sharing that she’s done everything she knows how to do.

information, books, programs, and online resources to meet the needs of our diverse community for life-long learning. The library system consists of three anchor branch libraries, eight neighborhood

branches, and mobile delivery with an outreach vehicle. All programs are FREE of charge. Visit www.norfolkpubliclibrary.org or call us at 757-664-READ for more information. NPL- Creating a City of Readers.

Bringing Holiday Magic From The City of Norfolk NORFOLK — The Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library and the Norfolk Southside Coalition are partnering to bring families a holiday event. Explore the magic of Santa’s Enchanted Garden at the library on Saturday, December 11, from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The library is located at 2350 Berkley Avenue Ext., next to the Southside Aquatic Center.

Holiday-themed photo stations will be set up throughout the 5,000 square-foot Nature Explorium for visitors to take photographs, including a gingerbread house. The Nature Explorium is an outdoor classroom with interactive learning stations that connect learning, literacy, and an appreciation of nature as a regular part of a library visit for children and families.

Children can meet a non-contact Mrs. Claus and the jolly old elf himself along with children’s book character Lady Bug Girl who will make special appearances during the event. Each child will receive a special gift bag and Grab-n-Go holiday craft. Learn more at norfolkpubliclibrary. org.

Masks are required and visitors must

(COURTESY GRAPHIC)

practice physical distancing. Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 or recently exposed to the virus should not participate.

About Norfolk Public Library: The Norfolk Public Library offers access to

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, December 9, 2021 3

USS Wisconsin from Page 1

brings a lot of new people downtown. It is an annual celebration in addition to being a fundraiser for our Nauticus Foundation which is a non profit with all proceeds going directly back into the Battleship Wisconsin. We are able to restore her to her glory and provide interpretations throughout her deck for many students and visitors year round.

Y: How long has the Winterfest on the Wisconsin been in existence?

RW: Last year was our first year. Pre-Covid we hosted Christmas Town. It was all indoors, a great event, very popular with the public. With Covid, we knew we couldn’t bring our usual 25,000 people indoors, so we decided to try something new and use this great vessel that we have. The Battleship was a silver lining during the pandemic. You can walk outside on the deck, spread out, so what better way to have her serve during the holidays than by decorating her with lights and help to bring joy to people and revenue to our foundation.

Y: Decorating the Wisconsin with Christmas lights can be very challenging. How were you able to pull that off?

RW: Last year we worked with Blue Steel Lighting Design. We went to them with this wacky idea of decking out the Battleship with Christmas lights. We designed this very elaborate light display last year and with the crowd restrictions, we still had over 35,000 people come through, selling out most nights. With the success of last year’s event, we made it an annual event. We opened this year on Veterans Day weekend and we had 2,000 service members visit completely complementary as a way of saying thank you for their service to our country. We really celebrate and are very grateful for our military. This year with the dates that we have and the types of crowds

Marie Osmond from Page 1

Records for singing with the most people in a duet situation, so I decided to do a duet with myself. It’s so much fun. It’s a 17 song album.

I was born on my dad’s birthday. When I was a little girl, he would take me to buy an album every year. You would think I would buy something popular or country but I ended up going to the opera section and

that we are seeing, we expect to bring in 65,000 people to experience Winterfest on the Wisconsin.

Y: I interviewed Marie Osmond the other day. She will be at Chrysler Hall on December 13th with her Marie Osmond A Symphonic Christmas concert and she mentioned that Bob Hope called her and asked her to do his very last USO tour with him. She remembered fondly performing on the Wisconsin. She said she sang right before the last shells were shot in Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia.

RW: Whenever celebrities visited the Wisconsin when she was out to sea or wherever they were stationed, the celebrities signed the ship. We actually still have Marie Osmond’s signature very near the bow of the ship. One of our staff members, Keith Nitka is the Battleship Manager. He served during Desert Storm on the Battleship Wisconsin and was one of the crew members that was there for her performance.

Y: How would you describe Nauticus and what can people expect to see and do when they visit throughout the year?

RW: Nauticus is a Maritime Discovery Center and we are home to our Nauticus museum, which focuses on a fun and engaging stem to stern curriculum for all ages. We are also home to our pride and joy, the Battleship Wisconsin. She is a great teaching tool for everyone and a great representative of our navy. We are home to the Nauticus Sailing Center that supports local students and an adult membership program.

Uniquely, we are the home to the Half Moon Cruise Terminal, Virginia’s only cruise terminal. Our campus is very big and we offer something for everyone here.

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.

Rehn West. (COURTESY PHOTO)

there is a song called ‘Song to the Moon’ from the opera ‘Rusalka’ and it was my first ‘Little Mermaid’ song. I chose to do it kinda like Emmylou Harris with a high soprano in the back in Checoslavakian just to say I could have done it but I don’t think you would have loved the words like I did when I was a little girl. So there are a lot of really fun songs on there.

Y: The album can be purchased at https://www.richardsandsouthern. com/collections/marie-osmond Y: Why did you and John Schneider

co-founded the Children’s Miracle Network?

MO: This is how it happened. We were at an awards show singing together and someone came up and said, would you like to be in this charity and we both said yes. That person then said, John, you can be in it but Marie you can’t because you just did this other charity.

I was like what? So John and I said, there are so many causes out there and they all have to be treated at children’s hospitals so let’s do a charity for children.

We are very unique in the sense that 100% of the money is going to the kids and all the money raised local, stays local and goes to your children’s hospital. We service over 10 million kids a year and have raised over seven billion dollars. Nobody gets paid, I just want the children to be blessed by this.

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.

4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, December 9, 2021

Food

Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Hearty, Wholesome Winter Meals

By Family Features Seeking comfort from the cold in the form of a wholesome meal is a perfect way to cap off a day with loved ones. During the winter months when brisk temperatures chill you to the bone, warming up with hearty dishes at the family table can bring everyone together.

• Full of seasonal flavors with top-notch taste, Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin offers a delicious main course you don’t have to feel guilty about. This easy yet elegant entree puts a unique spin on a dinnertime staple thanks to a crunchy pecan crust.

• With cheddar and ricotta cheeses, sour cream and cavatappi noodles, this Mac and Cheese with Pecan Breadcrumbs is an extra creamy, creative twist on the kid-friendly classic. Pair this family favorite with the pork tenderloin for an easy weeknight combination that little ones can help with in the kitchen by stirring together the cheesy goodness.

This family dinner is made possible with tasty pecans, which are among the lowest in carbs and highest in fiber compared to other tree nuts, helping you stay fuller longer. As a nutrient-dense powerhouse, they have 3 grams of plant-based protein and 3 grams of fiber per 1-ounce serving with 12 grams of “good” monounsaturated fat and only 2 grams of saturated fat. Essen-

Mac and Cheese with Pecan Breadcrumbs. (COURTESY PHOTO)

tial nutrients like thiamin, zinc, copper and manganese — a mineral that’s essential for metabolism and bone health — mean you can feel good about serving pecan-infused dishes to your loved ones.

Visit americanpecan.com to find more winter weeknight recipe inspiration.

Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin Total time: 35 minutes Servings: 6

1 pork tenderloin (about 1 ½ pounds) salt, to taste pepper, to taste ½ cup brown sugar, divided 2 tablespoons soy sauce, divided 2 teaspoons minced garlic ½ cup pecan pieces ¼ cup pineapple juice 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard Preheat oven to 400 F and lightly grease

large baking dish. Season pork tenderloin with salt and pepper, to taste; set aside.

In small bowl, stir ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce and minced garlic.

Spread mixture over pork.

Press pecan pieces into brown sugar mixture on pork. Bake, uncovered, 20 minutes.

In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine remaining brown sugar, remaining soy sauce, pineapple juice and Dijon mustard. Bring mixture to boil; reduce to simmer 3-5 minutes then remove from heat.

Slice pork, spoon sauce over top and serve.

Mac and Cheese with Pecan Breadcrumbs Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 6 8 ounces cavatappi pasta 1 tablespoon butter 1 block (8 ounces) cheddar cheese ½ cup raw pecan pieces 15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese 4 tablespoons sour cream 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground pepper 1 large egg, lightly beaten Preheat oven to 375 F. In salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta cooking water. Return pasta to pot and stir in butter.

Using box grater, shred cheddar cheese.

Using food processor, process ¼ cup shredded cheese with pecans to coarse breadcrumb consistency.

Add remaining cheddar cheese, ricotta, sour cream, salt and pepper to warm pasta.

Stir until thoroughly combined. Add egg; stir. Add reserved pasta water to loosen mixture; stir until smooth.

Pour into buttered 9-inch square or round casserole dish and top evenly with pecan topping.

Bake 30 minutes.

Comfort Holiday Guests with a Satisfying Snack

By Family Features

When guests arrive for the holidays, handshakes and hugs are often the first order of business. However, a satisfying snack to tide hunger before the big meal is likely the next thought on everyone’s mind.

Keeping your loved ones full and content can be done with apples, an ingredient that heightens the flavor and appearance of favorite recipes like Apple Stuffing Bites with Rosemary Gravy. This comforting dish can be shared among the crowd for an easy way to call everyone to the kitchen.

An option like Envy Apples offer satisfying texture and taste with a consistently balanced, refreshing sweetness coupled with a crisp, elegant crunch. Perfect for small plates or use in recipes ranging from dinner to dessert, they also make for an easy snack when eaten fresh out of hand. A crimson red skin over a golden background practically glows, and their white flesh is naturally slow to brown when sliced for fresher flavor in sweet treats.

Visit EnvyApple.com to find more holiday appetizers.

Apple Stuffing Bites with Rosemary Gravy 1 box stovetop stuffing 2 tablespoons butter 2 cups diced Envy Apples ½ onion, diced small Gravy: 3 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 2 cups beef broth

Apple Stuffing Bites with Rosemary Gravy. (COURTESY PHOTO)

2 teaspoons kosher salt 20 turns fresh cracked pepper 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary Preheat broiler.

Cook stuffing according to package directions; set aside and allow to cool slightly.

In large saute pan, melt butter saute apples and onion until tender. Set aside to cool slightly.

Stir together stuffing and apple mixture.

Spread stuffing on sheet tray and allow to cool in refrigerator.

After cooling, form stuffing into medium bites and place on sheet tray lined with parchment paper.

Broil bites 8-10 minutes until golden brown and slightly crispy.

To make gravy: In small pot, melt butter and

whisk in flour. Cook flour 1 minute, whisking frequently.

Whisk in beef broth, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce; bring to boil, whisking frequently. Remove from heat and stir in rosemary. If desired, continue gently simmering gravy to thicken.

Arrange stuffing bites in serving dish and drizzle with gravy. Serve hot.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, December 9, 2021 5

Health

Service men and women from the 779th Aeromedical Staging Facility at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, transported a severely wounded soldier being medically evacuated from Iraq for advanced treatment care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington in this photo from 2009. (DONNA MILES)

Meet the Matriarch of Wounded Warrior Caregivers at Walter Reed

By Thomas J. Walsh MHS Communications

Linda Rasnake has succinct advice for people who are new to the caregiving role. Get a day planner. Take notes. Google what you don’t know. Ask a lot questions - and don’t be intimidated.

Rasnake is a military caregiver who has touched the lives of thousands of wounded warriors and their families in recent years. She has become a sort of matriarch for the tightly knit caregiver community. And the reason that she has been such an effective advocate for military families in crisis is that she has been there herself.

Rasnake’s husband, a medically retired Army sergeant 1st class, suffered a bad fall during a training accident. In 2006, his injuries began to grow worse and he eventually underwent more than a dozen surgeries.

Rasnake spent months in and out of military hospitals while supporting her husband and she often felt that nobody really understood the challenges she was facing.

“The one thing that used to drive me crazy is when a [hospital] employee would say, “I know what you’re going through.” Well - I guarantee you don’t,” she said.

“With me, [the caregivers] know that I know what they’re going through. I’ve been through the struggles. Living in a hotel, making a makeshift kitchen out of a closet - the whole nine

yards - and, still paying your mortgage or rent back home.”

“We just figure out a way to make it work,” she said In the past decade, Rasnake has become a prominent leader and advocate for wounded warriors and their caregivers. She grew into the role naturally as she began spending more time in Washington, D.C. - living out of a hotel for more than a year - while her husband was getting care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) in Bethesda, Maryland.

“I just couldn’t sit around and do nothing and wait for appointments,” Rasnake recalled about her eventual move from Arizona to Washington, D.C. “So, I kind of started pulling the fabulous nonprofits together and doing big, big events, and really doing anything that I could.”

Relentlessly positive and a self-described workaholic, Rasnake was a volunteer at first, but then she was the first person hired for the Warrior Transition Brigade at Walter Reed Bethesda in 2007. Since then, she has tapped her creativity to organize annual family-focused events. She helps with fundraising efforts. Most mornings she posts on social media to lift the spirits of military caregivers and spread the word about small-group events.

She’s the person caregivers call because they know she’ll listen. Rasnake feels it’s her job to help in any way possible, even if the caller

hasn’t been at Walter Reed Bethesda for 10 years or more.

The whirlwind “She’s been wonderful,” said Jan Burkhardt, the mother of a current patient at Walter Reed Bethesda, speaking about Rasnake. “She has been so supportive.”

“Burkhardt’s son, Army Capt. Clayton Burkhardt, was flying a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in June during exercises in Germany when he experienced a seizure. The crew was able to land safely, but a subsequent MRI revealed a brain tumor. In August, the Army captain was medically transported to Walter Reed Bethesda.

Doctors said the treatment would be tricky - the tumor was in an area of the brain that affects speech, making it difficult to remove.

But when a biopsy showed the tumor to be a malignant form of cancer, they brought in a Walter Reed Bethesda neuro-oncologist who was also affiliated with the nearby National Institutes of Health (NIH). The tumor was surgically removed at the National Institutes of Health this fall, on Nov. 12.

“It was very scary,” Burkhardt said. “He’s doing really well,” but has headaches and some speech difficulties. Though he is back at Walter Reed Bethesda, the NIH told mother and son that they’d help him with speech therapy for as long as he needs it.

Meanwhile, Rasnake arranged a small event just for caregivers of loved ones with cancer.

It’ll be a tough road for Burkhardt. He’ll have to start radiation treatment in late December, followed by a lengthy period of chemotherapy.

But his mother feels fortunate that she and her husband are retired travel to the Washington area when needed.

Still, the mother said: “It’s been really tough.”

“It’s been a whirlwind. So we’ve really appreciated Linda and her support, and other folks have been really helpful.”

Undaunted During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020, Rasnake said she could only stay away from the hospital for about a month before telling her boss: “I will figure out how to get people together, safely.”

“With support from not-for-profit groups, she began organizing “grab-and-go” lunches - meals in to-go boxes delivered to Building 62, known as Tranquility Hall, aboard Naval Support Activity Bethesda, the same base that WRNMMC is located. Masked patients would pick up their meals and head back to their rooms. She also set up tables and handed out hand sanitizer, paper products, masks and gloves for patients and their families.

“At least I had eye-to-eye contact, and that was huge,” she recalled. “COVID, for me, took the personal out of what we do, and I really - as did they - missed the personal side of life. Especially where we’re at. You see a mom who’s struggling because her son has cancer. A year ago, you just wanted to reach out and give her a hug, because that’s what she needs. Just that instant bond of hugging her and saying, “I’m here for you. You’re not going through this alone.’ ” Recognizing that her son’s recovery will be a long-term process, Burkhardt said she may find herself helping someone one day, too.

“I hope so,” she said. “We’re in it for the long haul now.”

Self-Care is as Easy as Downloading an App

By Connected Health Communications Office

Life may have an abundance of distractions for everyone. Add the unique situations that those in the military or medical field face and it can be overwhelming.

The phrase “self-care” — the act of taking time for oneself to do something they find enjoyable — has been introduced to the world, and people are starting to prioritize taking a moment for themselves to recharge.

“Every person, no matter what their age or occupation, deals with stress in some way,” said Dr. Kelly Blasko, counseling psychologist and the lead for mobile health clinical integration team at the Defense Health Agency Connected Health Branch. “But for service members, physicians, military partners, and even military kids, to be alert and functioning to their highest ability, taking time to recharge is critical. Developing healthy mental health habits, like prioritizing self-care, should be as important as making sure you are getting enough rest and activity in your day.”

The DHA Connected Health Branch provides several tools that promote mental well-being and help develop self-care habits.

Military Meditation Coach There are 20 new episodes of the DHA’s Military Meditation Coach podcast set to be released this year. Individuals can take a moment to recharge by listening to these episodes that will guide THEM through a relaxing meditation and breathing exercise. While this podcast was made for service members, all can benefit from this podcast.

One listener said, “I love how this series includes a huge variety of meditations and other

Those in the military or medical field face unique situations that cause for overwhelming distractions. The DHA Connected Health Branch provides several tools that promote mental well-being and help develop self-care habits.

exercises … just what I needed!” While another listener said, as a chaplain in the Air Force, he recommends the podcast to those he counsels.

Breathe2Relax For those stressful situations that just keep building over the day, individuals should remember to take a second to breathe. The Breathe2Relax mobile app provides breathing exercises that are documented to decrease the body’s fight-or-flight stress response and help with mood stabilization, anger control, and anxiety management. For users who have a smartwatch, the app can link to the wrist device and track the heart rate when going through the breathing exercises.

One app user said, “I use this with elementary age kids to teach them a technique for

dealing with stress and anxiety. They love it and it works fantastically in reducing their stress level.”

Another user said, “My assigned [post-traumatic stress disorder] psychologist, at the [Department of Veteran Affairs], recommended me this app. I was very skeptical at first but wow.

This app improved my quality of life just with simple breathing techniques. Just follow on screen guidance and audio directions. The app talks to you in a calming tone and takes you step by step through each breath.”

While the app is a great tool for self-care and stress management, users have used it help manage conditions like night terrors, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, blood pressure, and congestive heart failure.

Positive Activity Jackpot For those looking for more of an active selfcare routine, the Positive Activity Jackpot app may be the best tool. This mobile app helps users find nearby enjoyable activities, and will provide activity suggestions. If the user cannot decide on which fun thing to do, they can “pull the lever” and let the app’s jackpot function make the choice for them. Self-care, doesn’t just mean doing activities alone, the app will also suggest inviting other people to participate in the fun.

These tools were developed for the modern digital world. The apps are available for both iOS and Android mobile devices and at mobile. health.mil, and the Military Meditation Coach podcast.

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, December 9, 2021

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

AKC GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIES

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD Full Blooded Australian shepherd puppies available. $600 Red and Black Tricolor. Will be ready after Dec 17. Both parents on site. Puppies have been vet checked tails docked and dew claws removed. Contact Brittany 252-325-4979 for more information located in Ahoskie NC

DOBERMAN PUPPIES $1000 Blk & Rst avail Jan.5 Located in Norfolk. Call or text 757-589-3570

MALTESE/SHIHTZU (MALSHI)

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

Misc. Merchandise For Sale

AKC STANDARD POODLE PUPPIES

55 GALLON FISH TANK Includes everything but the fish. $175.

757-481-5564

Golden puppies born November 25th.

5 males and 6 females ready for a loving home 1/10/22. Parents on site. $1000 (252) 642-3758

CHOW CHOW

AKITA

Wanted To Buy CARDS, COMICS, RECORDS Collectibles. Etc. Cash Paid Today.

Please Call 757-636-5466 Thanks!

Black or Cream. $1,500 Avail Dec 19 Chspk p 757-705-6466 AKC registered litter Akita pups 7 weeks old, 4 males & 2 females available ($1,300). Call 757-871-6629

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

We have two male cinnamon colored chow chow puppies available for their forever home. Born October 15th 2021. Our dogs are family and animal socialized, Utd shot records. These are our last two out of a litter of 6. Call or text 757-972-4582 Eric for more info and photos. Avail 12/14

F1B LABRADODDLE Black & Cream, M &F, Ready Dec 24th Vet Chkd 1st Shots, Dewormed $1300. Call or Text 252-339-2293 GERMAN SHEPHERD MALE PUPPIES AKC Quality German Shepherd Puppies available now, UTD shots, microchipped, parents are OFA and DM clear, amazing temperaments and lines $1500 540-273-7252

Designer Teddy Bear Breed!

Hypoallergenic & Nonshedding Female 8 weeks old and ready for her new home! She is adorable!

Perfect Christmas gift! $1,600. 757-663-2845

GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIES Beautiful purebred light golden, golden and fox red. Parents on site.

Available January 8th. $1,000.

Call Jeffrey @ 804-221-5485

SHIH POOS UTD, home raised, gorgeous coats, ready 12/11. $1,350. 978-846-9449

Early home delivery.

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

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

757-446-9000 or PilotOnline.com

757.622.1455 | placeanad.pilotonline.com Handyman Services ★GENERAL REPAIRS★ ★AFFORDABLE★. All Handyman, Int & Ext: Floor’g, A-Z Jobs, Remodel, Rot Repair. 30 Yrs. Exp. BBB A+ Rating. 757-430-2612.

Concrete/Asphalt Estate Sales S & ENTERPRISE 20 YRS. Concrete Exp. All types of concrete work driveways, stamped & exposed.

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

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

TURNER HANDYMAN SERVICE We are a handyman service, We take care of residential, apartments & commercial.

Anything that handymen do, we can do!

We are a Christian based company. We have special prices for senior citizens.

804-650-5115 or 804-218-1132 You can speak with Tammy Owens.

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

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

Home Improvements ADDITIONS, SUNROOMS, ROOFS, Decks, more. Member BBB. 757-986-3777. www.builderscorporation.com AIR DUCT CLEANING UNIVERSAL DUCT CLEANING FREE INSPECTIONS MEMBER BBB. 757-502-0200 ALL HOME IMPROVEMENTS Custom Home Repairs & Renovations.

Patrick Ellis Ent. Inc. Lic. & Ins. BBB A+ 757-635-6609 BEST PRICE EXTERIORS 757-639-4692 Siding, Windows, Trim, Roofing. FREE ESTIMATES! Lic. & Ins’d. Lowest Prices & Top Quality Work. No Repairs. BBB A+ Rating

YOUR PERFECT

JOB

IS WAITING

BRICK AND STONE REPAIRS Steps, Walls, Foundations, etc. Virginia Beach Native. Masonry Contract. 40+ yrs Known As Stone Smith USA. Semi-Retired A Legend In His Own Mind! Earl Smith 757-270-0578 stonesmithusa@icloud.com You Won’t Find A Better Man! FRANK’S SIDING & REPAIRS Repairing Siding & Trim. Small jobs.

Lic/Ins. Low Prices. BBB A+ RATING 757-227-8964

Lawn and Tree Service

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

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

AMERICANTREESERVICE.CO ★Catering to all your tree & yard needs.★ ★757-587-9568. 30 years experience★ LANDSCAPE SPECIALIST For all your landscaping & lawn care needs give us a call.

Renovations, monthly maintenance, mulching, fall cleanups. Buddy 757-535-0928 PARKER TREE SERVICES Mulch, trim shrubs, landscaping. Free Estimates. 757-620-9390

Professional Services MOWING SERVICES I have a JD tractor with a long-reach, 6-15 ft batwing, and side mowers for hire. Larry 252-333-8557

Roofing CUSTOM ROOF COMPANY Quality Work. Licensed & Insured.

757-329-2224

YARD CLEAN UP WOOD FENCES, BUSHES, & MULCH Weed Eating, Blowing, Grass Cutting. Reasonable prices. Call 757-477-2158

FREE ROOFING ESTIMATES JAYHAWK EXTERIORS 757-963-6559 www.jayhawkext.com

Plumbing ★ HONEST PLUMBING ★ ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS Drains ♦ Fixtures ♦ Water heater 837-6903 OR 510-5970

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

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, December 9, 2021 7 Autos for Sale

Autos for Sale

Trucks and SUVs

FORD 2005 FOCUS

MERCEDES-BENZ 2011 E-CLASS

JEEP 2019 CHEROKEE

ZX4, 5 Spd, fully loaded, $2500 OBO Call 757-228-6656

HONDA 2019 FIT

convertible 41k mi black/beige int svc recs new tires brakes nav XM showroom local $22195 9193244391

MERCEDES-BENZ 2019 220A

Drivers/Transport/Shipping Estate Sales

CDL-A TRUCK DRIVER

FT / LOCAL

3 Yrs exp & clean driving record req.

No weekends. Competitive hourly wages. Regular route Accomac to Waverly. For more info call Blessing’s at 302-684-8990.

Driven 8100 miles, white ext/black int, 4 dr, seats 5 people. Clean title.

1 owner. Smoke free. 100% garage kept. Excellent condition. $40,000.

757-808-4042

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

LX 5DR AUTO AC 1 OWNER $16450.00 TRINITY PRE-OWNED AUTO SALES VA DLR 757-963-2299

Motorcycles and ATVs

HYUNDAI 2018 SONATA

HONDA RUKUS MOTOR SCOOTER Like new (27 miles). $2,200 OBO. 252-480-1689

Clean, runs great, loaded, 1 owner, 1k miles. $9,500. 757-343-0270

BUICK 2001 CENTURY Roommate Wanted KEMPSVILLE LAKE 1 room, use of whole house. $550/mo. Will work with on deposit.

757-831-4165

4DR, fully loaded, 160K mi. $2500 OBO Call 757-228-6656

BUICK 2013 LACROSSE

Cockatoo, too.

Pick a pet in the CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE.

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

SL-500 Conv 75k mi good cond clean blue/gray int, hardtp, $8700 Call: 703-283-9998 SE AUTO ALLOYS 1 OWNER 34K MILES $18750.00 TRINITY PREOWNED AUTO SALES VA DLR 757963-2299

Trucks and SUVs

Wanted Automotive

FORD 2013 FIESTA

LINCOLN 2000 TOWN CAR

MAZDA 2017 MAZDA3

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

Excellent Condition Silver. Asking $3,000. Calls Only: 757-618-0661

4DR AUTO AC GOOD MILES GREAT GAS MILEAGE! 70K MILES $6950.00 TRINITY PRE-OWNED AUTO SALES VA DLR 757-373-4245

FORD 2020 ESCAPE PREMIUM LEATHER FULLY LOADED ONLY 32K MILES $17450.00 TRINITY PRE-OWNED AUTO SALES VA DLR 757-963-2299

SPORT 4DR 5SPD LEATHER 1 OWNER $16750.00 TRINITY PRE-OWNED AUTO SALES VA DLR 757-963-2299

CHEVROLET 2020 MALIBU

MAZDA 2017 MAZDA3

HONDA 2006 ELEMENT

CHRYSLER 2006 CROSSFIRE

Convertible, 32k miles, mint condition. $16,500. 252-312-7727

SPORT 4DR 5SPD LEATHER 1 OWNER $16750.00 TRINITY PRE-OWNED AUTO SALES VA DLR 757-963-2299 Early home delivery. 757-446-9000 or PilotOnline.com

Fun & Games

Boats & Watercraft 1981 32FT TROJAN SEDAN Port Motor New (20 Hours) Both Motors Run, Located in Wanchese, NC $15,000 OBO. Call: 252-339-3747

Jumpstart yourday.

Early homedelivery 757-446-9000 PilotOnline.com

MAC 26 SAILBOAT w. 50 HP Tohatsu Built By MacGregor Yachts 1997 w. heavy duty, E-Z loader 4 wheel trailer $12,250. 757-617-7373 SEL LEATHER ROOF NAVIGATION 1 OWNER 7K MILES $28450.00 TRINITY PRE-OWNED AUTO SALES VA DLR 757-963-2299

LT AUTO AC 23K MILES 1 OWNER $20950.00 TRINITY PRE-OWNED AUTO SALES VA DLR 757-963-2299

XLE LEATHER ROOF NAVIGATION 28K MILES PRICED TO SELL $35750.00 TRINITY PRE-OWNED AUTO SALES VA DLR 757-963-2299

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

FREE TOWING. 757-749-8035

Room For Rent CHESAPEAKE Sunrise Hills, furn/unfurn room, central air, washer/dryer, satellite TV. $170/wk + dep. 757-718-0698.

TOYOTA 2019 HIGHLANDER

MERCEDES-BENZ 1997 SLCLASS

Autos for Sale

ACURA 2009 TL

Classic, Antique Cars

LATITUDE 4X4 V6 AUTO 1 OWNER $22950.00 TRINITY PRE-OWNED AUTO SALES VA DLR 757-963-2299

5 spd, AWD, 174k mi, excellent condition, full service records. $6,750 OBO Call: 757-481-5275

USED TRAILER SALE!!!

OVER 100 Avail. For Boats 12’-38’ BUDGET BOATS: (757) 543 -7595

Shop smart.

Save big! Sunday (and every day).

Subscribe to The Virginian-Pilot today.

Subscribe to The Virginian-Pilot today.

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

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

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

Sudoku

CryptoQuip

Last week’s CryptoQuip answer

What amorous little sounds might you hear from people who are nestling comfily? Cuddle Calls.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

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

8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, December 9, 2021