Flagship 12.16.2021

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, December 16, 2021 1

IN THIS ISSUE

Active Shooter Exercise

Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk hosted an Active Shooter Exercise, Dec. 8. PAGE A2

VOL. 28, NO. 49, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com

December 16-December 22, 2021

Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham, Navy surgeon general and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, in collaboration with the American Medical Association, hosts a live discussion with Navy Medicine senior leaders designed to increase diversity in the medical field. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Navy Medicine Hosts Discussion on “Black Men in White Coats” Documentary

By André Sobocinski

Navy Bureau Of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs

FALLS CHURCH, VA — Across the United States, African Americans represent only two percent of all practicing physicians and 2.6 percent of dentists—despite comprising 13 percent of the country.

The disparity in medicine is greater among black males who remain underrepresented in U.S. medical schools. In fact, over the last 40 years the number of black men who applied to medical schools has dropped.

This alarming trend—and the existing structural obstacles for black men becoming clinicians—are the subject of the American Medical Association (AMA) documentary, Black Men in White Coats. On December 10, 2021, the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) hosted a discussion panel to explore some of the film’s themes.

The event featured introductory remarks by

Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham, Navy Surgeon General, who noted that African Americans make-up 4.4 percent of the Medical Corps, 4.7 percent of Dental Corps and a total of 8.3 percent of total staff corps officers in Navy Medicine.

“We need to make a serious investment in increasing representation in the medical workforce and advancing inclusion within our communities,” said Gillingham. “That starts by objectively assessing where we are today, how we got here and making a commitment to addressing those issues head on by developing executable solutions.”

Capt. F.A. McRae, Navy Medicine’s Diversity Officer, served as moderator for panel that was comprised of six health care providers and military leaders—Capt. Daryl Daniels, Deputy Director, Medical Systems Integration & Combat Survivability and a general surgeon; Capt. Kevin Prince, Commanding Officer, Naval Medicine Readiness Training Command (NMRTC) Charleston, South Carolina, and a

dentist; Capt. Rodney Scott, an endodontist with the Naval Postgraduate Dental School Bethesda, Md; Capt. Sennay Stefanos, an orthodontist with NMRTC Annapolis, Md; CAPT Sharese White, an orthopedic surgeon at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital; and Capt. Kevin Meyers, Commander, Naval ROTC Unit at The George Washington University.

For most of the panelists the desire to become clinicians began early in their lives and was fostered through families and mentors.

Achieving their professional goals was not without challenges though and along the way they encountered little in terms of diversity in their chosen professions.

CAPTs Scott and White noted the rarity of seeing people of similar backgrounds within their daily professional environments. “You get used to being one of the only or one of a few,” noted Scott. “I feel a documentary like this reminds us that it is a problem that we all need to be aware of. We need to let people know that there are opportunities for you and people who

U.S. Navy Officer Completes Maiden Deployment of Newest Royal Canadian Navy Ship

By MC1 Kris Lindstrom U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. — A U.S. Navy surface warfare officer returned to Naval Station Norfolk after deploying aboard the Royal Canadian Navy’s newest ship, Dec. 9.

Lt.j.g. Kyle Luchau, a division officer aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 80), volunteered to embark the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship HMCS Harry DeWolf (AOPS 430) in August as a liaison officer and completed the ship’s maiden deployment, a circumnavigation of North America.

Harry DeWolf transited the Northwest Passage, a sea route connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, as part of Operation Nanook, the Canadian Armed Forces’ signature Arctic operation, with the U.S. Coast Guard.

“Harry DeWolf is fully equipped to Turn to Deployment, Page 7

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Turn to Documentary, Page 7

CNRMA CREDO Team teaches personal resiliency to Sailors and families

By MC1 Maddelin Hamm

Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs

The Royal Canadian Navy’s first Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship HMCS Harry DeWolf (AOPS 430) is moored along the pier at Naval Station Norfolk, Dec. 9. Harry DeWolf, the first in its class, is conducting her maiden deployment, a circumnavigation of North America, with embarked members of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. (KRIS LINDSTROM)

Culture Encompasses All

www.flagshipnews.com

look like me, who look like us have to be out there reminding people that you can achieve if you try and if you know it is a possibility.”

“Seeing this film reminded me of all of the progress that still needs to be made,” stated Capt.

Daniels. “But it was great to see another generation of leadership come in and take on the challenge.”

The “Black Men in White Coats” initiative was the brainchild of Dr. Dale Okorududu as a response to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) report showing a decrease in black male applicants to medical schools. Over the last several years the “Black Men in White Coats” initiative has resulted in a film, a book, live discussions and interactive events with the purpose of bringing attention to the inequities in medicine, building mentorships and inspiring the next generation of black males to enter medicine.

The film looks at ways to change the current

Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) unveiled its Strategic Framework to the workforce, a tool that would be used to communicate the shipyard’s path forward to achieving its vision of delivering ships on time, every time, everywhere to protect America.

PAGE A6

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Sailors, assigned to Hampton Roads commands, attended a one-day, personal resiliency workshop at the Westin Hotel in Virginia Beach, Va. Dec 8.

Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic’s (CNRMA) Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO) team of Navy chaplains and religious program specialists organized the retreat and invited Sailors and their family members from commands around the Hampton Roads region to attend.

During the retreat, participants learned about themselves by considering different “lenses” from which to view their lives from.

They learned that by sometimes looking too Turn to CNRMA, Page 7

Celebration

USO Center

Parishioners of Naval Station Norfolk’s Our Lady of Victory Catholic Chapel gathered to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the chapel, Dec. 8.

PAGE A4

The USO HRCV Healthy Military Family Initiative offers a holistic approach to healthy eating by providing service members and their families with connection to food resources, healthy eating educationand spouse employment information.

PAGE A3

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The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, December 16, 2021

Naval Station Norfolk’s Security Forces neutralize the active shooter during the installations large scale Active Shooter Exercise. The exercise was a cooperative effort and the culmination of four months of planning between NAVSTA Norfolk’s Security Forces, NAVSTA Norfolk Fire and Emergency Services, Naval Criminal Investigative Services, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Norfolk Police Department and Norfolk Fire and Emergency Services. (MC3 JOSEPH T MILLER)

Naval Station Norfolk Conducts Large Scale Active Shooter Exercise

By Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs

NORFOLK, VA. — Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk hosted an Active Shooter Exercise, Dec. 8.

The Large Scale Exercise was a cooperative effort and the culmination of four months of planning between NAVSTA Norfolk’s Secu-

rity Forces, NAVSTA Norfolk Fire and Emergency Services, Naval Criminal Investigative Services, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Norfolk Police Department and Norfolk Fire and Emergency Services.

“This exercise will allow us to improve and test our Security Forces and First Responders.

Additionally we will see how all participating

entities work together during the stress of a realistic simulation,” said Capt. David Dees, Naval Station Norfolk Commanding Officer.

“This event will identify areas to improve how we coordinate and communicate internally and with the participating organizations.”

The scenario took place at the installations Air Operations building where a disgruntled

Sailor pulled the fire alarm, which initiated response from Fire and Emergency Services.

Upon their arrival the shooter shot one of the firefighters which then initiated response from Naval Security Forces. The shooter then reentered the building where Security Forces along with supporting organizations cleared the building room by room until finding and neutralizing the shooter.

“We have nearly 70,000 people who live and work on our installation and it is our job to make sure they are safe,” said Dees. We want them to be able to come to work in a safe and secure environment. These exercises help us make sure we can do that.”

NAVSTA Norfolk’s newly opened Emergency Operations Center was also activated during the drill and served as a central command and control facility, providing support to the on scene responders.

Following the exercise, all entities conducted a debrief and discussed lessons learned which will be incorporated into future training for continual improvement.

NEXCOM to end its Afloat Personal Telecommunications Service

By Kristine Sturkie

Navy Exchange Service Command

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — After 26 years, the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) is officially ending its Afloat Personal Telecommunications Service (APTS) on Dec. 31, 2021. APTS provided personal calling on board select deployed U.S. Navy ships, using high quality satellite connectivity. Phone service will continue to be provided for ships deployed by Dec. 31, 2021.

“It has been an honor to support our deployed Sailors and Marines with the ability to call loved ones back home,” said Mary Johnson, Vice President, NEXCOM’s Telecommunications Program Office. “However, due to a decline in demand along with an increase in operations and maintenance expenses with ongoing testing and popular usage of satellite Wi-Fi technology, the service has become unsustainable.”

As part of this service, NEXCOM sold AT&T worldwide prepaid phone cards in

the ships store. These cards can still be used ashore on landline and wireless phones in all foreign and domestic ports where AT&T has a presence.

In 1994, the Chief of Naval Operations designated NEXCOM as the Navy’s program manager for unofficial personal telecommunications. NEXCOM’s Telecommunications Program Office (TPO) serves as the Navy’s program manager for all ashore and afloat personal use telecommunications. The Ashore Program provides a variety of telecommunications services on Navy installations worldwide. By contracting with various vendors, TPO provides Wi-Fi services for NEX locations, brigs, Navy hospitals, unaccompanied housing, overseas family housing and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities such as Liberty Centers, libraries, Child Development Centers, RV parks and bowling alleys. In addition, hospitality telecommunications services, including Wi-Fi and in-room telephones, are provided to Navy Lodges and Navy Gateway Inns & Suites (NGIS) locations worldwide.

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

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A Sailor onboard USS Wasp uses a shipboard phone while underway. After 26 years, the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) is officially ending its Afloat Personal Telecommunications Service (APTS) on Dec. 31, 2021. (COURTESY PHOTO)

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

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, December 16, 2021 3

USO Center provides holistic approach to financial and health wellness for service members

By Michelle Stewart

JEBLC Fort Story Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — In a small wooden-façade building on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, that formerly housed the United Service Organization Center and lunch counter, is the small organization with a larger mission than providing weekly lunch meals.

The USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (USO HRCV) Healthy Military Family Initiative offers a unique and holistic approach to healthy eating by providing service members and their families with connection to food resources, healthy eating education, opportunities in financial wellness and spouse employment information.

Two Parts of One whole The Healthy Military Family Initiative Center, Building 1604,located at 1604 Amphibious Drive near the Cove Marina, is the first prong of this program. The HMFI provides emergency food supplies for service members who are struggling to put food on the table. They also offer a bi-monthly distribution of food, healthy cooking classes with a chef, cooking on a budget classes and a new initiative of budgeting classes coordinated with Fleet and Family Service Centers and community partners.

“Members who are in need are directed to the HMFI by their commands or the Warfighter and Family Support Center,” said USO Executive Director Paula Moran. “We feel that this program now offers more of an impact for our military and their families than just providing lunches through the week. We are looking to improve the physical, emotional and mental wellness of our military and their families,” she said. “We want to help military members get out of their current situation and be able to take care of themselves and their families.”

“This assistance is a temporary fix,” said Kenny Miller, Center Operations and Program Manager. “Our goal is to help educate service members on how to best take care of their

Kenneth Miller, USO Center Operations Program Manager, Christina Wyman, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia Senior Administrative and Operations Manager and USO Executive Director Paula Moran sort food in preparation for the Healthy Military Family Initiative Center center’s busy season. (MICHELLE STEWART)

families. Not everyone learned how to budget or cook healthy, so we are here to help bridge that gap.”

The shelves in the facility are lined with food provided from various sources to include NEX and Fort Story Holmes food drives, and donations from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. Distribution takes place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. — 2 p.m.

The USO Hampton Roads and Central Virginia Outdoor Adventure Team, Building 3370, located at 3135 11th Street, is the second prong of this program. OAT is a peer-led health and wellness program designed for service members and their families to connect over physical challenges to encourage sustainable healthy living.

The team focuses on four core pillars: wellness, sleep, nutrition and resiliency. Additionally, the program has the adaptability to include wounded, ill, and injured service members as a supplement to their ongoing physical rehabilitation efforts. The facility hours of operation are Monday — Friday 0700 to 1500.

During the holidays, the USO HRCV will be taking holiday cheer to the single service members in the barracks. A Mobile Holiday party is planned that will provide games and goodie bags. The schedule for JEBLCFS is December 4, 9 a.m. — noon.

Another Program is Operation Holiday Spirit. This program is for families who may be experiencing difficulties through the holiday season. Through this program, our local USO connects businesses and individual applicants vetted through commands. A wish list is sent to the adoptee so members can purchase gifts the families could not otherwise afford.

This program helps to bridge the gap between these military families and the community.

Commands should download the form to submit nominations.

Individuals can chose to donate to this program as well. More information can be found at https://hrcv.uso.org/programs/operation-holiday-spirit.

Educational Services In addition to the nutrition assistance and education, the USO HMFI offers a wealth of

information on transition services for military personnel and their families.

“The USO Pathfinder Transition Program helps members create a plan for life after the military service through free one-on-one support,” said Kenny Miller, USO Center Operations Program Manager.

“This program offers professional credentialing and certification that will help both the military member and spouse while on active duty and in the transition process. The program’s focus areas are education, employment, financial readiness, mentoring and veteran’s benefits.

Additional information can be found at www.

USO.org/transition.

“We are excited to be partnering with ASYMCA which allows us to make a greater impact,” said Christina Wyman, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia Senior Administrative and Operations Manager. “While military members are aware of the Navy Marine Corps Relief, the Warfighter and Support Center and American Red Cross, we want them to know that we are an additional resource for our service members as well.”

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4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, December 16, 2021

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Services celebrated The Feast of Immaculate Conception followed by mass with Our Lady of Victory parishioners Dec. 8. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Naval Station Norfolk celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

By Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. — Parishioners of Naval Station Norfolk’s Our Lady of Victory Catholic Chapel gathered to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the chapel, Dec. 8.

Presiding at the solemn liturgy was Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Services, with many service members, local dignitaries, and Navy leadership in attendance for the Holy Mass which followed.

During the mass, Broglio spoke about

the history of the name of the Immaculate Conception and its importance. The origin dates from December 6, 1708 where the Feast was first celebrated by Pope Clement XI as a holy day of obligation. Then in December 8, 1854 Pope Pius IX declared to be an essential principle of faith in the Catholic Church. This catholic celebration is a public holiday in many countries.

“The Feast of Immaculate Conception is often misinterpreted as the conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb but it actually refers to the conception of Mary herself,” said

Broglio. “The word immaculate” refers to Mary — the mother of Jesus Christ, was herself conceived without original sin.”

In addition to the Adoration and Mass, the visit also commemorated the 80th Anniversary of the chapel it was held. Our Lady of Victory Catholic Chapel was commissioned in early 1940, as war raged in Europe and Imperial Japan was seeking to expand its empire across the Pacific. Consecrated on Christmas Eve, 1941, the chapel was named in honor of Mary, to whose mediation in the Catholic League’s victory in the great naval

battle of Lepanto in 1571 was attributed.

The title of the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Victory, recounts the power of intercessory prayer, in particular, the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As the proud history of the community was recounted, the vibrant faith of current chapel members was on display as the Archbishop spoke of the significance of the Body of Christ on Earth gathering on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

“Despite present difficulties and the hardship imposed by the pandemic, the faithful were encouraged to look forward to the future with confidence, calling upon the Patroness of the United States to intercede in times of difficulty,” said Father Kevin Fimian. “A sign and symbol of God’s own life and love for the world, this faith community strives to live its vocation, an open community, welcoming to all.”

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, December 16, 2021 7

CNRMA from Page 1

closely at the details of life one can miss the bigger picture.

“We call it a personal resiliency workshop because [here] people grow in their ability to cope and their ability to understand who they are, which will hopefully make them better Sailors, better family members - better friends,” said CNRMA’s CREDO Deputy Director Lt. Cmdr.

Michael Monroig.

Sailors also completed an interactive activity, which required them to answer a series of questions about themselves to determine their most dominant personality type. Participants then discussed their traits in groups to gain greater insight into their type and the types of other participants.

They also worked on creating positive change in their lives by identifying limiting self-beliefs and barriers to change. During this exercise, participants shared their fears, flaws and future goals with each other bringing an element of accountability to the activity.

“The event provided a level of comfort for everyone, including myself, to live in our truth without being afraid of criticism and or repercussions.” said Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Neva Shante, assigned to the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).

Meals were provided at the retreat and curriculum booklets and notepads were given to participants to facilitate active learning.

Contact your local CREDO office at credo_ cnrma.fct@navy.mil, if you are interested in attending a CREDO retreat in the future.

Documentary from Page 1

trajectory including fostering greater dialogue in communities of color. Part of the film takes place in a Dallas barbershop where Dr. Okorududu and a pre-med student named Travon Manning have a frank conversation about existing barriers. For Capt. Prince having that open dialogue is essential for addressing the existing issues and cited the scene as among the film’s most powerful. “Back when I used to have hair I used to go to the barber shops to get my hair cut,” related Prince. “I can tell you we solved world hunger, we solved poverty, we sent people to Neptune while in the barber shop getting my hair cut. It is a laboratory for ideas and thought.”

Of course seeing more people with similar backgrounds and experiences can have a significant impact on the career paths young people choose. The panelists agreed that it is important for men and women of color to work in their communities so that the next generation can understand the opportunities that are available, and conceptualize what is possible.

In the film Dr. Okorududu remarks that, “If you don’t have a seat at the table you are on the menu.” Panelists discussed this point and examined some of the obstacles to entering medical schools. For Capt. White the filtering out of black males from Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics [STEM] programs is an underlying issue that has fed into this problem. “The reason why there aren’t more male

U.S. Navy Chaplain Lt. Reginald Anderson-Exum, assigned to Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, speaks at a CREDO Personal Resiliency Retreat in Virginia Beach, Va. Dec. 9, 2021. Attendees at the one-day retreat learned about different personality traits and how to implement effective changes in their personal and professional lives. (MCSN JORDAN GRIMES)

doctors is not because the med schools are not letting them in,” stated White. “It’s because their dream is getting killed before they even get to that point. I think we need to start thinking a little bit earlier as to how we get more black men to go to medical school and it starts with why if there is a large concentration of black men in a community, why are they filtered out of programs that are STEM based and once you do have them there how are they filtered out in college?”

The panelists agreed that it is essential to introduce black males to these programs earlier in their lives. Capt. Prince stated that grades fifth through 9th was especially a vital period. “This is a timeframe when you see them formulating their opinions about the world, themselves and their environment,” said Prince. “It is a very inquisitive timeframe.”

Capt. McRae closed out the panel discussion by emphasizing the value of diversity, inclusion and equity across the health care system and the U.S. Navy, stating: “We know that with our shared resolve, we can, and will, increase diverse representation amongst health care providers in our Nation and cultivate an environment of inclusion and equity with the Navy Medicine Team.”

Clearly, much work still needs to be done to address the problem of diversity in medicine and the discussion and film should be considered a clarion call for change rather than the end goal. As Capt. White explained, “The energy we are putting into highlighting the problem needs to go into fixing it.”

Deployment from Page 1

handle almost anything that the Arctic can throw at it during the navigable season,” Luchau said. “It is technologically advanced in every way. I have learned so much about how the Royal Canadian Navy operates in this area and its plans for this new class of ship.”

The goal of the deployment was to demonstrate the capabilities of the new vessel, promote interoperability, foster positive relationships with local communities, and establish a more resolute presence in the Northern Region.

Rear Adm. Steve Waddell, vice commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet and an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, coordinated the exchange opportunity. Luchau earned ship qualifications and took part in various Royal Canadian Navy traditions while embarked.

“I earned my bridge watch keeping ticket and took my first watch as primary officer of the watch with charge in vicinity of the Aleutian Islands,” Luchau said. “We saw many whales during the watch which required constant stopping and maneuvering in order to avoid them.”

Harry DeWolf continued its circumnavigation with a Panama Canal transit before its first operational tasking in support of Operation Caribbe, Canada’s contribution

to U.S. Enhanced Counter-narcotics operations under U.S. Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATFS). An embarked U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment augmented the ship’s crew, leveraging the service’s unique capabilities and authorities to perform law enforcement operations in international waters. Their inclusion in the team aboard Harry DeWolf allowed several narcotics seizures and strengthened relationships with regional partners.

Harry Dewolf ’s patrol efforts contributed to the recent offload of approximately 26,250 pounds of cocaine and 3,700 pounds of marijuana worth about $504 million from the USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) in Port Everglades, Florida, on Nov. 22.

“The ship has become a home and the crew family to me,” Luchau said. “I wake up each day and am without words regarding the incredible journey that I was blessed to be on and the contribution that I am proudly making to future U.S. operations.”

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

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.

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uarterdeck

Jackson Native Recognized On Nov. 4, retired Navy Capt. William“Ben” McNeal’s accomplishments were on full display at the annual Department of the Navy Acquisition Excellence Awards Program.

Page B6

After 80 Years, Infamy of Attack on Pearl Harbor still remembered

By MC3 Maxwell Higgins

Subase New London Public Affairs

A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel (USV) sails in the Gulf of Aqaba off of Jordan’s coast, Dec. 12, during exercise Digital Horizon. U.S. Naval Forces Central Command began operationally testing the USV as part of an initiative to integrate new unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into U.S. 5th Fleet operations. (CPL DEANDRE DAWKINS)

NAVCENT Launches Saildrone in Gulf of Aqaba for Exercise Digital Horizon

By NAVCENT Public Affairs

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.s. 5Th Fleet

AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) began operationally testing a new unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Gulf of Aqaba, Dec. 12, as part of an initiative to integrate new unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into U.S. 5th Fleet operations.

NAVCENT commenced exercise Digital Horizon while launching a Saildrone Explorer USV into the water for the first time from the Royal Jordanian naval base in Aqaba, Jordan. Last month, U.S. and Jordanian naval leaders announced the base would become a joint hub for Saildrone operations in the Red Sea. “These are exciting times for Task Force 59 as we team with the Royal Jordanian

Navy to establish our hub for Red Sea operations in Aqaba and deploy some of our new maritime robotics,” said Capt. Michael Brasseur, commander of NAVCENT’s new task force for unmanned systems and artificial intelligence.

The Saildrone Explorer is a 23-foot-long, 16-foot-tall USV reliant on wind power for propulsion. The vessel houses a package of sensors powered through solar energy for building a shared picture of the surrounding seas.

“Our Saildrones leverage machine learning and artificial intelligence to enhance maritime domain awareness, extending the digital horizon with a sustainable, zero-carbon solution,” said Brasseur.

After establishing Task Force 59 in September, NAVCENT is in the early stages of integrating unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into the U.S. 5th Fleet

operational environment.

In October, the task force integrated and evaluated new MANTAS T-12 USVs alongside crewed ships in the Arabian Gulf during exercise New Horizon. On Dec. 4, the task force initiated at-sea operational tests for a MANTAS T-38 USV off the coast of Bahrain.

Ongoing evaluations of new unmanned systems in U.S. 5th Fleet help drive discovery, innovation and fleet integration. The U.S. Navy is learning important lessons that will inform future operational employment.

The Middle East region’s unique geography, climate, and strategic importance offer an ideal environment for unmanned innovation through multilateral collaboration. The area includes the world’s largest standing maritime partnership, Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean.

New London, Conn. “[On] December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan,” said President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the nation following the tragic events of that day.

Sailors from Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London and Naval Submarine School joined community leaders, veterans, and citizens in Norwich, Connecticut to honor those lost in that infamous attack eighty years ago as the Norwich Area Veterans Council led a Remembrance Ceremony at City Hall, Dec. 7.

“I stand before you, along with these Sailors from Naval Submarine School, representing some 6,500 active duty shipmates serving at our Nation’s first and finest submarine base,” said SUBASE Command Master Chief Kellen Voland, a guest speaker at the event. “I am so honored and thankful that we are all here to remember and to participate in this event. I say that I am thankful that we are here purposefully.”

The attack killed 2,403 U.S. personnel, including 68 civilians, and destroyed or damaged 19 U.S. Navy ships, including 8 battleships. It was a tremendous loss and a severe blow to U.S national security. The defense of Hawaii and the U.S. west coast could have been in even more peril had it not been the case that three aircraft carriers of the U.S. Pacific Fleet were out to sea on maneuvers at the time of the attack.

Voland recounted the story of then Commander Cassin Young, commanding officer of repair ship USS Vestal (AR-4) in Pearl Harbor during the attack. Young had assumed command of Vestal after completing his tour of duty as SUBASE’s 12th Executive Officer in 1941.

Blown off the repair ship but managing to get back on board, Young was able to lead his crew in getting fires aboard Vestal under control and in assisting in the rescue of survivors from nearby battleship USS Arizona, critically damaged in the attack.

The families of two Norwich Sailors lost aboard Arizona attended the ceremony and were presented flowers by Submarine School Sailors in veneration of their family member’s sacrifice.

“This December 7, 2021, we gather to remember those Connecticut shipmates and brothers-in-arms,” said Voland “We mourn Harry Carlson and Mike Quarto of USS Arizona and all those lost eighty years ago.”

A bell was tolled for Carlson, Quarto, Turn to Pearl Harbor, Page 7

Bilateral Exercise CARAT Bangladesh 2021 Concludes, reinforces shared commitment to regional security

By Lt.j.g. Mohammad Issa

Command Destroyer Squadron 7 Public Affairs

CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh — As part of the 27th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series, CARAT Bangladesh 2021 concluded Dec. 9, following nine days of virtual, in-person and at-sea engagements that enhanced collaboration between the Bangladesh Navy and U.S. Navy and focused on shared maritime security challenges of the region.

U.S. assets participating in CARAT Bangladesh included the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) and embarked MH-60S Seahawk helicopter of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21. U.S. personnel included staff from Commander Task Force (CTF) 72, CTF 75, CTF 76, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, U.S. 7th Fleet Band and U.S. Embassy Dhaka.

The exercise focused on the full spectrum of naval capabilities and featured cooperative evolutions that highlight the ability of Bangladesh and the U.S. to work together towards the common goal of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“As maritime nations with a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, we used CARAT to contribute to regional maritime security by enhancing our ability to work side-by-side at sea as well as in the planning process,” said Capt.

Tom Ogden, commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7.

The at-sea phase took place in the Bay of Bengal, where U.S. Navy assets were joined by

Cmdr. Travis Dvorak, commanding officer of USS Tulsa (LCS 16), explains ship operations to Bangladesh Navy officers aboard the Independencevariant littoral combat ship during a reception for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh 2021. (MC1 DEVIN LANGER)

ships and aircraft from the Bangladesh Navy for partnered training focused on building interoperability and strengthening relationships. The exercise featured complex at-sea training to demonstrate the bilateral force’s ability to work together through numerous events including divisional tactics designed to practice maneuvering as ships sail together in

complex formations. Other focus areas included surface warfare, replenishment-at-sea, search and rescue, a gunnery exercise, and exchanges between Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians.

The virtual subject matter expert exchange events featured a variety of joint training opportunities, to include maritime aviation, maritime

domain awareness (MDA), Women, Peace & Security (WPS) symposium, and EOD and mine countermeasures.

The intergovernmental organization personnel from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provided training through Turn to Exercise, Page 7

2

The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, December 16, 2021

Heroes at Home

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Finding meaning in the space between

By Lisa Smith Molinari

At ten in the morning, our kitchen was still dark. The sun wouldn’t wind its way around to this side of the house until mid-afternoon. Built in the 1800s when a servant was relegated to cook unseen and unheard, our kitchen was neither bright nor cheerful at this time of day. But it was where the coffee was located.

I sat at our island, sipping my second cup, trying to get my act together. There was a mountain of laundry to do, Christmas gifts to order, pork to defrost, tumbleweeds of dog hair to sweep up, and computer work waiting in my cramped, chilly home office. I needed motivation, energy, positivity. But all I felt was a vague sense of apathy, boredom and guilt.

I wondered why, I often found myself stagnating in this dreary mindset. The pandemic had done a doozy on my daily routine. Before “stay at home” became a virtue, I got up and out of the house most days, doing computer work at coffee shops, going to the base gym, meeting military spouse friends. I’d come home from my outings, feeling like our house was a cozy refuge to enjoy.

But now, after two years of staying home, our house felt like a trap. I was the servant, imprisoned in the dark kitchen, with nothing to look forward to but a day of drudgery. I

shook my head, trying to reorder my irrational thoughts.

The logical side of me knew that we had a wonderful life. I was proud of my husband’s 28 years of service in the Navy. After retirement, we’d found a historic house in a charming New England village, close enough to the Navy base that we could hear the national anthem most mornings. We were building a nice group of local friends. My husband and I had good jobs, both of us working remotely. Our three children, in their twenties and doing well, live near enough to bop in to entertain us often.

While the chores waited, I wracked my brain to understand why I regularly descended into melancholy, when life was so obviously good.

I suspected that the problem was my warped way of thinking. To me, I was either succeeding or failing, winning or losing, starving or feasting, full or empty, all or nothing.

When our family had hard times — deployments, health issues, disappointments, stress — I rose to the occasion, proud of my ability to hit serious challenges head on. When we experienced good times — births, milestones, graduations, promotions, travel, holidays — I embraced those moments with a happy heart.

Perhaps, I struggled with the periods in between extremes. The days when time stretches out before me, with nothing particularly exciting or challenging on the horizon.

When I go through the motions, thinking all I have to show for myself is an empty dishwasher and a lousy pork roast. My mind plays tricks, telling me I’m wasting my life.

I looked down at my half empty cup of lukewarm coffee and realized, I needed to change my attitude. I noticed our yellow lab dozing on his dog bed beside the refrigerator. “Time to wag the dog,” I thought.

I clicked the button on our kitchen radio, humming along with Bing Crosby’s “Marshmallow World” while I flicked on lights to brighten our kitchen. After stuffing wet laundry into the dryer and sweeping up dog hair, I cranked the portable radiator in my chilly home office and lit a scented candle to make it cozy for my afternoon computer work. I smiled at my luck at finding a jar of applesauce to go with the defrosting pork for dinner.

The microwave emitted its melody, indicating that my lukewarm coffee was piping hot again. While waiting for it to cool, I marked items off my to do list, recognizing that each seemingly mundane daily task is equivalent to laying a brick on the path of life’s journey.

Every matched pair of socks, vacuumed rug, day of work, errand run, litter box scooped, and sidewalk shoveled is progress. Each day we move forward, step by step.

I sipped, with newfound awareness. My cup was not only half full, it actually runneth over.

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

Voting While You’re Away From Home: The Absentee Voting Process

SuicidePrevention SAPR Support

By Military Onesource

When military life takes you away from home, you and your family can use absentee ballots to ensure your voices are heard on Election Day. It only takes a few quick steps to cast your vote no matter where you are in the world: Getting started with absentee voting To make sure you cast your absentee ballot correctly: • Complete the Federal Post Card Application. The Federal Voting Assistance Program encourages the use of the FPCA to register to vote, request an absentee ballot and update any contact information. You can fill it out online with an assistant’s help, download a PDF version or pick up a hard-copy version from your unit voting assistance officer.

• Visit vote.gov. Active-duty military and eligible dependents currently stationed in the same voting jurisdiction where they are registered to vote or who want to register can visit vote.gov for more information.

• Sign and send the FPCA to your local election office. Your local election office is in the county where you have established residency. Most states accept the FPCA by email or fax, while other states require that it be sent by mail. You can find the email, mailing address and phone number of your election office online. You can also ask your voting assistance officer for the contact information.

• Receive your absentee ballot. After election officials process your FPCA, they will send you a blank ballot. In Section 5 of the FPCA, you can request to receive your ballot by email.

• Vote, sign and return the ballot. After voting and signing your ballot, return it to your state prior to the ballot return deadline. Many states accept the ballot by email or fax while some require that it be sent by mail. Check your state’s specific guidelines and recommended deadlines for military and military families at FVAP.gov.

(COURTESY PHOTO)

Votes from service members and their families who are away from their home state matter in every election. The outcome of a close race often can’t be announced until after absentee ballots are counted.

How to handle voting issues If you don’t receive your ballot on time and the deadline is approaching, or if you don’t know your state’s deadline: • Use an emergency backup ballot. If you do not receive your requested state ballot and are in danger of missing the ballot return deadline, your voting assistance officer can help. They can provide you with an emergency or backup ballot called an SF 186 Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, or you can use the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot online assistant to help you fill out the form. All states accept this ballot for federal elections. In most states, voters need to have previously submitted an FPCA earlier in the election year to be eligible to use a FWAB. • Know your state’s absentee deadline. Every state sets its own due date for absentee ballot requests and ballot returns, so make sure you know it ahead of time. Learn everything you need to know about your state’s deadlines by selecting your state from the FVAP.gov homepage. Also, the Military Postal Service Agency estimates mail delivery times from all over the world before each election, which eliminates guesswork. To be on the safe side, follow the recommended mailing dates.

• Submit a new FPCA every year and every time you move. Add this task to your moving checklist so you’ll be prepared for every election cycle.

Where can I go for help?

You can get assistance online or face-to-face: • Get to know your voting assistance officer.

The voting assistance officer at your installation is responsible for assisting you with the absentee voting process, including providing the necessary forms for you to register to vote. If you’re new to installation living, you can look up their contact information or ask your sponsor for help.

• Become familiar with all the resources available through the Federal Voting Assistance Program. FVAP works to ensure that service members and their eligible family members are aware of their right to vote and have the tools and resources they need to successfully do so ─ from anywhere in the world. The FVAP website includes helpful fact sheets addressing your FPCA and your absentee ballot. It also includes service-specific information, details for spouses and eligible family members, applications and contact information. You can also call 800-438VOTE (8683) or email them at vote@fvap.gov.

Your vote matters and, no matter where you are, you have the right to cast your ballot in every election. Learn more about primary elections, keep track of your state’s primary election dates and take these simple steps to ensure your voice is heard on Election Day.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, December 16, 2021 3

Peter C. Reddy, Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic’s executive director, presents checks totaling $15,000 to Sherman Bierly (left) and Harrison Smith (right) of SAIC on Dec. 9 for the company’s two winning submissions in the command’s Palmetto Tech Bridge (PTB) Prize Challenge. (COURTESY PHOTO)

NIWC Atlantic Announces Prize Challenge Winners at CDCA

By Steve Ghiringhelli

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command Public Affairs

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic announced the winners of its Palmetto Tech Bridge (PTB) Prize Challenge on Dec. 9 during the Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA)’s annual gathering.

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) received the $7,500 top prize for its platform designed to provide attribute-based, access-controlled multilevel security (MLS) applications. SAIC also won $7,500 for its LoRa/ LoRaWAN geolocation submission to provide warfighters Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT) in environments where signals are either denied, degraded or unreliable.

The PTB Prize Challenge is one of several agile and innovative approaches used at NIWC Atlantic to help the U.S. Navy and its joint partners identify technology solutions that turn the ingenuity of everyday Americans into the warf-

ighter’s most advanced technologies.

The winning submissions were announced during the closing ceremony of the CDCA, one of the East Coast’s largest conferences for connecting military engineers and scientists with leading technology developers.

NIWC Atlantic Executive Director Peter C. Reddy thanked the crowd for attending and congratulated the prize challengers and winners.

“Discovering new technologies that increase the resilience and effectiveness of the warfighter is a driving force behind much of what we do at NIWC Atlantic,” Reddy said. “We welcome these latest technology proposals in the MLS and A-PNT domains and thank each one of these innovators who took the time to apply, plan and present their ideas.”

Runners-up in each category received honorable mention: Sertainty for its MLS submission and Laine Technologies for A-PNT. In collaboration with the PTB Prize Challenge, the CDCA ran an “Innovation Pitch Jam” competition in additional technology focus areas. Approximately 1,500 attendees voted on

the presentations, and each winner received the CDCA’s “People’s Choice Award.”

“Running the pitch jam with our CDCA partners is just one example of how the Navy and industry are working together to seek innovative technologies that provide improved capabilities to our warfighters,” said Don Sallee, one of NIWC Atlantic’s top experts in acquisitions planning.

In recent years, more and more federal agencies are turning to prize challenges as a way to crowdsource technical concepts and software-based solutions directly from the public.

Prize challenge submissions may lead to additional follow-on, proof-of-concept presentations and acquisition opportunities.

Sallee said one of the challenges with prize challenges is in defining the exact nature of the problem, also known as a capability gap.

“As an organization that wants to build off of innovative ideas and various acquisition approaches, we don’t want to too narrowly focus these challenges,” he said. “If we do, it limits an innovator’s ability to really understand what we

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are getting at or how their technology may be applicable.

“That’s why we are working very hard to understand this new innovation ecosystem comprising start-ups, academia, industry and public institutions,” he added. “By expanding our partnerships, we will more rapidly transition advanced capabilities to our men and women in uniform.”

This was the PTB’s second prize challenge in a year. In addition to exploring prize challenge opportunities, the PTB engages off-base entities across South Carolina and the greater Southeast Region to encourage creative research, facilitate rapid acquisition actions and sponsor unique problem-solving events among diverse industry and academic partners.

PTB emphasizes “dual-use” technologies — solutions that benefit both national defense and regional economy interests.

About NIWC Atlantic As a part of Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, NIWC Atlantic provides systems engineering and acquisition to deliver information warfare capabilities to the naval, joint and national warfighter through the acquisition, development, integration, production, test, deployment, and sustainment of interoperable command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, cyber and information technology capabilities.

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4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, December 16, 2021

Pete Hay, instructional lead for SimSpace, reviews concepts from the current lesson for the train-the-trainer Cyber Defense Analyst Basic Course at Information Warfare Training Center Corry Station, Dec. 8, 2021. (KURT VAN SLOOTEN)

CIWT Pilots Cyber Defense Analyst Basic Course

By Kurt Van Slooten

Center For Information Warfare Training Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. — The Center for Information Warfare Training is gearing up to pilot its new Cyber Defense Analyst Basic (CDA-Basic) Course beginning on Jan. 24, here at Information Warfare Training Center Corry Station.

This is significant as it is the first ever 2000 level, classroom-delivered training course to be developed and executed within the Persistent Cyber Training Environment (PCTE), a training platform that replicates the digital environment the students will encounter when conducting cyber defense operations.

“The integration of PCTE into cyber defense training is really a game-changer,” said Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (Networks) Aaron Manning, Cryptologic Technician Networks (CTN) Rate Training Manager. “In the Navy, we don’t train Sailors to fight fires with PowerPoint and discussions; you put a hose in their hands, a team at their back, and point them in the direction of the fire. We have to train our cyber warriors the same way.”

In preparation for the pilot course, the cyber professionals, both military and civilian, that will be teaching the course are currently going through the course themselves, taught by contractors working for SimSpace.

The CDA-Basic Course was developed by a team of subject matter experts (SMEs) with experience ranging from traditional business

and banking to working for the Department of Energy and Department of Defense. It was derived from best practices across industries and based on practical experience and lessons learned from working in the field.

Developed under the federated training concept, once validated by U.S. Cyber Command, the course will also be immediately executable by the joint services in their own schoolhouses without special equipment or classroom requirements, and with classroom materials available from anywhere in the world. The federated training concept allows all services train to a single standard using the same courses.

“Initially we provided the required tasks, knowledge, skills and abilities we needed trained to the course developers when we asked them to develop the curriculum,” said Manning. “Once the curriculum was complete, we assembled a team of SMEs from the joint services to validate the course design, provide input and offer feedback, which enabled us to improve the course and significantly shorten the final validation process.”

Manning explained that during development and validation they had to overcome barriers such as the integration of a Learning Management System, ensuring Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) standards were adhered to, as well as training non-cyber experts to review and approve content.

“While developing the course we had to break traditional course doctrine, and with the help of PCTE shift the students experience from strictly knowledge based to one

that replicates the digital environment that is inherent in PCTE,” said Chief Cryptologic Technician (Networks) John Moleskey, CIWT DCO SME and training manager.

“The use of PCTE allows for the creation of muscle memory ‘Reps and Sets’ of tactics, and demonstrating skills and abilities with the latest cyber weaponry in our arsenal.”

Regardless of these challenges, Manning continued, the course was planned, designed, developed, and delivered in 12 months, at less than half the cost of traditional curriculum development. The way the curriculum is structured also allows it to be updated in real-time, as needed, to reflect developments in the field.

In addition, the team integrated Moodle as the Learning Management System (LMS) for the course, almost four years ahead of schedule and without the $30 million price tag previously attributed, said James Buchko, CIWT’s Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO) Program Analyst. Incorporating the LMS provides the ability for both the student and their commands to track their academic progression throughout their career. The ability to see where a person is strong and weak over an extended period of time could allow for tailored training and may eventually assist in talent management and assigning the right personnel to the right job.

Moleskey said the team put particular care into coordinating efforts from the other services and getting their input into the final course output to ensure that it is truly a joint course.

Prior to enrolling in the CDA-Basic Course,

students must complete the Joint Cyber Analysis Course (JCAC) or their service’s equivalent accession-level training. JCAC introduces students to some of the fundamentals of networks and provides basic cyber training.

“During the course students will start with a brief refresher on some of the advanced topics from JCAC,” said Manning. “Next they will learn the structure and functions of a Cyber Protection Team (CPT), advanced scripting techniques to extrapolate data and perform analysis, and common tasks and concepts to prepare the them to enter the Host Analyst (CDA-H), Network Analyst (CDA-N), or Cyber Threat Emulation Operator (CTEO) follow-on training.”

After completing training, before reporting to their ultimate duty station, they will complete a Joint Qualification Standard (JQS) to certify them as a fully-capable analyst at the apprentice level. Certified apprentice analysts have several possibilities for their next assignment. Some of those include being assigned to a CPT, to a Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command as an analyst, or as a DCO deployer on an aircraft carrier, amphibious assault ship, or at a joint command with a defensive cyber mission.

Through experience and advanced on-thejob training, the apprentice analysts will qualify at the journeyman and master levels. They also may have the option to return to school for another discipline within the CDA pipeline or CTEO. 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.

For more news from Center for Information Warfare Training organization, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cid/, http://www. netc.navy.mil/centers/ciwt/, http://www.facebook.com/NavyCIWT, or http://www.twitter. com/NavyCIWT.

Benjamin Russell NJROTC Exceeds Christmas Toy Drive Goal

By James Stockman

Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. — Benjamin Russell High School (BRHS) Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) gave 175 toys to the Tallapoosa County Dept. of Human Resources Dec. 9.

The unit collected the gifts at the school from Nov. 10 to Dec. 3 during a Christmas toy drive organized by Cadets Bethany Mask and Kaelana Carver and in partnership with the Dept. of Human Resources.

“Our original goal was to collect 100 toys,” said Carver, a senior and fourthyear naval science student. “Thanks to the support from the entire school — students, teachers, faculty and parents — we crushed that goal by almost 100%. It is a true testament to the giving nature of the Benjamin Russell [High School] family.”

Over the next couple weeks, the Dept. of Human Resources will distribute the toys to underprivileged families throughout Tallapoosa County.

“The Tallapoosa County Department of Human Resources is thankful for our community partners that enable us to provide such wonderful Christmas gifts to our children we serve,” said Angie Scott, Dept. of Human Resources social service supervisor. “It is

Benjamin Russell High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Cadets Bethany Mask and Kaelana Carver present gifts collected during the unit’s Christmas Toy Drive to Tallapoosa County Dept. of Human Resources Supervisors Angie Scott and Teresa Amason. The toys will be distributed by the Dept. of Human Resources to underprivileged families throughout the county. (COURTESY PHOTO)

commendable that this NJROTC group of students took on this task to help provide for others and is greatly appreciated.”

Cmdr. (retired) James Stockman, BRHS’s senior naval science instructor, presented Carver and Mask with certificates of appreciation and a command coin for organizing the toy drive.

“It is these small efforts that can make big differences in the lives of so many people,” said Stockman. “Cadets Carver and Mask should be proud in knowing that they brought the ‘Christmas spirit’ to many deserving fami-

lies throughout Tallapoosa County.”

NJROTC is a citizenship development program, established in 1964, that instills service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment in students in secondary educational institutions. Today, there are more than 600 units at high schools and military academies across the United States including units in Japan and Guam.

Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), headquartered at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, oversees the NJROTC

program and 98% of all initial accessions training for the Navy, except the officers produced by the U.S. Naval Academy.

This includes the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program with more than 60 units at colleges and universities across the country, Officer Training Command in Newport, Rhode Island, and Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes.

For more information about NJROTC, visit www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC/NJROTC. For more news about NSTC, visit www. netc.navy.mil/NSTC.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, December 16, 2021 5

Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune’s Communication Center is a centralized department responsible for collecting and relaying information to help expedite response efforts during an emergency. The employees are knowledgeable on protocols for emergency situations such as hazardous material spills, active shooter, and fires to name a few. (MICHELLE CORNELL)

We are NMCCL: Communication Center – “The Heart of the Medical Center”

By Michelle Cornell

Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune Public Affairs

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, — Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune’s Communication Center works similar to a human heart. Like a heart pumps blood to the rest of the body, employees of the Communication Center say they help pump information to the rest of the medical treatment facility.

The main purpose of the center is establishing a centralized department responsible for collecting and relaying information to help expedite response efforts during an emergency. One of the task after receiving a call is to initiate the proper notification system.

This can include phoning, paging or making an announcement over the intercom system throughout the medical center.

“We are known as the ‘heart of the Medical Center,’ ” states Tesina Barrett, a three-year employee of the center. “You have seconds

between life and death to call in a code, to be able to respond quickly, and get it right.”

The Communication Center is staffed with nine employees, and is open 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year including weekends and holidays.

Employees monitor more than just phones; they keep watch over a variety of systems throughout the main medical center as well as in other buildings owned by NMCCL across the installation.

“This job is very unique,” says Melissa Warren, supervisor. “You will not find many jobs anywhere like this one. Every moment is different and there is a crazy amount of information you have to know and learn as an employee.”

Communication Center employees monitor refrigeration units, heating and cooling systems, medical equipment and patient monitoring systems. Should any of those systems fluctuate or malfunction the team

activates the notification system.

The employees are knowledgeable on protocols for emergency situations such as hazardous material spills, active shooter, and fires to name a few.

According to Warren, these protocols are constantly changing, and her staff has to be proficient at keeping up with those changes and to know how to prioritize properly.

“You have to have people who care and, especially, people who are willing and eager to learn,” Warren states. “You have to know how to gauge and ask questions, to make sure the proper information is being relayed, and people are being notified properly and quickly.”

There is a breadth of experienced employees at the center ranging from just hired to 27 years. This is helpful as training a new employee can last anywhere from 6 months to a year.

“My favorite part of this job is the uncer-

tainty of not knowing what is on the other end of the phone,” said Michael Cordoza, who has been employed at the center for 15 years.

“The phone call could be something simple, or an EMS emergency. We constantly have to stay up on code SOPs [standard operating procedures] and notification processes. It’s a lot of fun; everything is constantly changing.”

The center’s employees know they are a vital part of the medical center, and they want other staff members to know they are available to answer questions and to help.

“A lot of other staff here at the medical center don’t know what we do on the back end,” Barrett expressed. “We are communicators, and we help the hospital run as smoothly as possible.”

If you are a patient or staff member and experience an emergent situation while at the main medical center, please dial 910-450-4911 or 450-4911 directly from a phone within the center. For all branch clinics and NMCCL properties on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, please call 911 in the event of an emergency.

The “We are NMCCL” initiative highlights the accomplishments of employees, clinics and offices of Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune.

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, December 16, 2021

Capt. William“Ben”McNeal speaking at his retirement ceremony at the Navy Memorial Plaza in Washington, D.C. in May 2021. (ELISHA GAMBOA)

Jackson Native’s Shining Accomplishments Recognized by U.S. Navy

By Elisha Gamboa

Naval Information Warfare Systems Command Public Affairs

JACKSON, MS — On Nov. 4, retired Navy Capt. William “Ben” McNeal’s accomplishments were on full display at the annual Department of the Navy Acquisition Excellence Awards Program. The Department of the Navy Acquisition Excellence Awards Program recognizes individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions in enhancing competition and promoting innovation in support of the Navy and Marine Corps acquisition programs.

McNeal, a Jackson, Miss. native, provided unique contributions to the Navy workforce during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and stood out as a prime example of a leader who exhibited professional excellence and innovation.

As a reflection of his leadership and ability to provide the Navy with expanded telework capabilities, the Naval Enterprise Networks Program Office (NEN) that McNeal led was awarded the Dr. Al Somoroff Acquisition Award for Program Office of the Year. Under his direction, the program office implemented creative and

effective management processes resulting in lower costs and better buying power— ultimately saving the Navy more than $258 million in fiscal year 2020. McNeal was also chosen as a finalist for the 2021 Program Manager of the Year Award for his exceptional leadership in addressing the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to support and advance NEN priorities.

In October 2020, McNeal was appointed the Deputy Program Executive Officer (acting) for the Program Executive Office for Digital and Enterprise Services (PEO Digital). As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the globally distributed Navy workforce moved to a remote work environment. The new environment required vastly expanded network access and new tools for interaction and productivity that allowed Sailors, Marines, civilians, and contracted support staff to work safely in a remote environment. Despite facing budget shortfalls and equipment shortages caused by a global manufacturing slowdown, McNeal’s leadership and expertise enabled the Navy to safely execute critical functions and maintain continuity of operations amid the onset of the COVID-

19 pandemic.

“As a result of your staunch leadership, dedication, and expertise, you and your team really did make a difference—a significant difference,” said Michael Moran, Vice Admiral and Military Deputy for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition. Speaking at McNeal’s May 2021 retirement ceremony, Moran went on to praise the captain for leaving a legacy of continued improvement and advancement. “The program [NEN] has never been in better shape. Congratulations on a great tour and a great career. You and your family left the Navy better than you found it, and no one can ask for more.”

Before his most recent accomplishments in NEN, McNeal led an impressive 30-year career worthy of recognition. Beginning in 1991, McNeal earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Southern University. After commissioning into the Navy through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship Program, McNeal began his career aboard the USS Kalamazoo in Norfolk, Va. While aboard the Kalamazoo, he earned special designations as a surface warfare officer and earned a master’s in public administration from Troy

State University. McNeal then attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., from 1995 to 1997, where he earned a master’s in applied physics. While enrolled, McNeal was selected for lateral transfer to the Engineering Duty Officer Community.

In 1998, McNeal reported to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and served in a variety of roles.

In August 2001, McNeal was assigned to the USS Wasp in Norfolk, Va. During his time aboard the Wasp, he made a post-9/11 5th Fleet deployment. Following his tour, McNeal reported to the Installations and Logistics Directorate of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) as the Pacific Fleet afloat installations and strike group manager. In July 2005, McNeal reported as an officer in charge of SPAWAR Systems Facility in Yokosuka, Japan. From August 2010 to August 2017, McNeal served as the deputy program manager, and subsequently program manager, of the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) network system. On Aug. 1, 2017, McNeal assumed command of the Naval Enterprise Networks Program Office, overseeing the acquisition and continued development of the network portfolio, including one of the world’s largest intranets—the Navy Marine Corps Intranet. In the last position he held before his retirement, McNeal served as the Deputy Program Executive Officer (acting) for PEO Digital in Washington, D.C. Last May, McNeal received a well-deserved formal retirement ceremony at the Navy Memorial Plaza in Washington, D.C. Surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, McNeal was honored for his 30 years of service to his country and the Navy. The Jackson, Miss. native is leaving behind an impressive legacy following a full, successful career in the U.S. Navy.

PHIBRON 11, JMSDF discuss future integration in Kure, Sasebo bilateral talks

By Lt. John Stevens

Amphibious Squadron 11 Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan — Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 leadership and staff conducted bilateral talks with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) counterparts from Kure Naval Base, Dec. 8-9 at U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo.

The December visit followed initial November talks in Kure with JMSDF Commander, Landing Division 1, during which the staffs discussed ways to integrate, interchange, and innovate, furthering U.S.-Japan alliance and partnership.

“My counterpart, Commodore Matsumi, and I both believe that integrating our staffs — putting JMSDF officers aboard our ships, and vice versa — is critical to developing our relationship,” said Capt. Greg Baker, PHIBRON 11 commodore. “Learning how best to command and control each other’s assets will help us build an enduring process for the future. A word that I am shamelessly taking from the Landing Division is interchangeability. I believe that best describes our combined vision for the end state with the JMSDF.” The December staff discussion focused on future exercises, operations, and engagements PHIBRON 11 will conduct with their

Cmdr. Bryan Gallant, the executive officer aboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), conducts a tour of the ship’s well deck for allies from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Japanese counterparts, including coordinated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, which is one of PHIBRON 11’s many capabilities. Baker said meeting regularly with partners and allies is key to successfully integrating blue-green teams from both nations — the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, along with the JMSDF and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force — to exercise multi-domain capabilities together.

Staff talks allow commanders to plan for future operations, work through challenges or lessons learned, while building toward greater collaboration when their forces oper-

ate together in the maritime environment.

“Our Alliance with Japan is stronger than ever because of close and constant engagement at all levels, and it’s never been more important to the region than it is right now,” said Baker. “Together, we are committed to working through many of the same fundamental issues, for the long-term benefit of both nations.”

The Sasebo-based PHIBRON 11 is the Navy’s only continuously forward-deployed amphibious squadron. It includes the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), amphibious transport dock ships USS New

Orleans (LPD 18) and USS Green Bay (LPD 20), and dock landing ships USS Ashland (LSD 48) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47).

The ships of PHIBRON 11, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, are a flexible, self-sustained crisis response force capable of a wide range of missions including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. This blue-green team is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, December 16, 2021 7

Builder 3rd Class Tristan Hieb, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, surveys the police station project site at Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. (MC3 BRANDON BLEVINS)

NMCB-5 Strengthens Partnerships in Marshall Islands

By MC3 Brandon Blevins

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Public Affairs

MARSHALL ISLANDS — The U.S. Navy Seabees with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5’s Detail Marshall Islands are building a police substation checkpoint on Ebeye, Marshall Islands.

The Seabees support the Kwajalein Atoll Local Government (KALGOV) by teaching basic construction skills to the recent high school graduates working at the Republic of Marshall Island’s National Training Council (NTC).

The purpose of this joint effort is to help the Marshallese have a more professional and strategic location for police. It will help control the entry and exit of any unaware personnel surrounding the dock and help the NTC gain experience in construction methods honed by the Seabees.

On various days of construction, NTC provides five to 14 personnel to learn the process, from leveling the ground and compaction to building formwork for the foundation.

Seabees are assigned to work with different Marshallese from NTC and instruct them on the process and function of construction.

Pearl Harbor from Page 1

and each of the seventeen Connecticut residents who lost their lives during the Pearl Harbor attack.

“Remember Pearl Harbor,” concluded Voland. “Today we do, and may we never forget.”

Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London Command Master Chief Kellen Voland delivers remarks during a Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony held at the city hall of Norwich, Connecticut. The ceremony marks the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor bombings in Oahu, Hawaii. (MC3 MAXWELL HIGGINS)

“The Ebeye police checkpoint project has provided a tremendous opportunity for the U.S. Navy Seabees to work side by side with our Pacific partners and allies in the Republic of Marshall Islands,” said Ensign Trygve McCrea, the officer in charge at NMCB-5’s Detail Marshall Islands. “As a result, it has not only strengthened our military footprint in the Pacific but also provided a half dozen Marshallese young men the opportunity for a better life through their apprenticeship programs.”

The Seabees have had the opportunity to share their knowledge of construction with

Exercise from Page 1

their Global Maritime Crime Programme, and the Bali Process Regional Support Office (BP-RSO) provided subject matter expertise on combatting people smuggling and human trafficking by sea.

“I am confident that this visit of USS Tulsa, including performing exercises with Bangladesh Navy at sea, is a milestone in enhancing the relationship between our navies in greater mutual maritime cooperation,” said Capt. A. N. M. Ishtiaq Jahan Farouqee, commanding officer of Bangladesh Navy guided missile frigate BNS Bangabandhu (F 25). “Frequent interaction by naval diplomacy of such kind, gives us an opportunity to exchange views and nourish our relations.”

The CARAT exercise series, celebrating its

local Marshallese that will help them gain work experience and give them the chance to find a job whether in the Republic of Marshall Islands, Australia, or even in the United States.

“I have learned a lot with [the Seabees],” said Alik Lemari of Ebeye Marshall Islands, who works with NTC. “And it will help me get a job with the job corps or a job in Hawaii where I eventually would like to move and work.”

“The Seabees are using this opportunity to build an enduring partnership with the Republic of Marshall Islands and KALGOV that will leave something for the Marshallese to have for years to come,” adds McCrea.

The U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to NMCB-5 are deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific, strengthening their alliances and partnerships, and providing general engineering and civil support to joint operational forces. Homeported out of Port Hueneme, California, NMCB-5 has 13 detail sites deployed throughout the U.S. and Indo-Pacific area of operations.

27th anniversary, is designed to address shared maritime security concerns and strengthens partnerships between regional navies. With nearly a half century of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Bangladesh, the two countries continue to work closely together to advance a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and secure Indo-Pacific.

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed destroyer squadron in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore, functions as ESG 7’s Sea Combat Commander, and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements.

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

8 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, December 16, 2021

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, December 16, 2021 1

Comforting Classics Delicious, heartwarming snacks offer a simple and savory way to bring everyone in from the cold while enjoying comforting flavors together. PAGE C4

Broadway’s Tony award-winning musical, You Can’t Stop the Beat! Hairspray, takes over Chrysler Hall

“Good Morning, Baltimore”- Niki Metcalf as“Tracy Turnblad”in Hairspray. (JEREMY DANIEL)

Interview conducted by Yiorgo The New York Times declared “If life were everything it should be, it would be more like HAIRSPRAY. It’s irresistible! It is fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!”

The New Yorker called Hairspray, “an exhilaratingly funny and warm-hearted musical comedy.”

You too can experience Broadway theatre at it’s finest this Friday through Sunday, December 17th-19th as, ‘You Cain’t Stop the Beat! Hairspray’ brings it’s national tour here in Norfolk, Virginia at Chrysler Hall.

Tickets can be bought at this link https:// www.sevenvenues.com/events/detail/hairspray I recently had the pleasure of talking to Christopher Swan who plays the father, Wilbur Turnblad.

Yiorgo: Why should people come to see this production of ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat! Hairspray?

Christopher Swan: First of all, the timing in our country right now, the magnificence of this show, the talent in the show, the message, the music, the love. It really is a show for all ages, for all types, for all people.

It comes at a crucial time in our country right now, coming out of this pandemic with so many things shut down. We are trying to come back and regain some normalcy and I think there is no better way to do it than to come and see Hairspray. Your optimism in humanity will be restored. It is a magical, magical show and if you are feeling down, come for the two hours of Hairspray and you will leave with the happiest feeling

“I Know Where I’ve Been”– Toneisha Harris as“Motormouth Maybelle”and company in Hairspray. (JEREMY DANIEL)

inside of you.

Y: Without giving away too much, can you tell us what the story is about?

CS: At the beginning of the play, it’s a simple story about 16 year old Tracy Turnblad in 1962 Baltimore, whose dream is to dance on the local TV dance show. She is judged and rejected for superficial reasons and she does not understand why. In her journey to become a dancer on the show, she makes new friends in the African American community and realizes that they are

also being marginalized from dancing and expressing themselves in the show and the community. She becomes in her own way an activist for change and with her new friends, they try to achieve it. In essence, it’s about the different groups of people trying to communicate and realize that the greater good, is the greater good for all of us.

Y: You play Tracy’s father, Wilbur Turnblad. Tell us about your role.

CS: It’s my first time playing him and I am really so happy that I am playing this role.

He is the most optimistic character that I have ever played in my life and it makes it a real joy to inhabit him every night. He is Tracy’s dad and husband to Edna. He is a family man who seems to live for making sure his wife and daughter are safe, happy and always laughing.

Y: What was your audition process like?

CS: The audition process these days is so different because of covid, I couldn’t believe it. I don’t think anybody in the cast auditioned live in the room with the producers like years past. It was done strictly on zoom calls and video submissions. For some of us old timers, it’s like oh my God, you just hope you’re pressing the right buttons on the phone, have the right angle, that your sound is coming through because I did not have a lot of confidence in it. Luckily our wonderful touring Director Matt Lenz, who I had worked with in ‘Christmas Story’ knew me and trusted me and could fill in the blanks if my video was not up to speed. So that said, I felt well prepared, I chimed in on a zoom call with all the casting directors and musical directors, read my sides and sang the song they gave me. I had to accompany myself, so I had to press play on a tape recorder, sing along with the tape because there is no accompanist for you, so you cross your fingers and hope you impressed them and they want to see more and put you in the show.

And that’s the other thing, a lot of castings are about matchups and that the actors Turn to Hairspray, Page 3

Military Circle Mall Community Vaccination Center Expands Vaccination to include Pfizer-BioNTech Booster for Persons 16-17 Years of Age FromVirginia Department of Health NORFOLK, Va.— The Community Vaccination Center (CVC), at the former Macy’s department store location at Military Circle Mall (MCM) located at 880 N. Military Highway, Norfolk is now offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination booster for persons ages 16 through 17 years of age.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster for persons ages 16 through 17 years of age was endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday, December 9. Individuals who are 16 or 17 years of age should receive the Pfizer booster dose at least six months after completion of primary vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

“Now that the presence of the Omicron variant has been confirmed in Virginia, booster vaccines help to broaden and strengthen immunity in those who are fully vaccinated,” said Dr. Parham Jaberi, Chief Deputy Commissioner for VDH and Acting Director for Norfolk Health District. “If you are eligible, now is the time to get the booster to help strengthen our community and to stop the spread of the virus. And if you haven’t been vaccinated, now is the time.

All persons 5 years of age and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.”

While there are many unknowns about the Omicron variant, the Virginia Department of Health continues to work with state and federal partners and is actively involved in tracking the

Omicron variant, studying it to learn its characteristics and assess any potential threat it may pose to the public. For now however, the best way to prevent infection with the new variant or previous strains is to get vaccinated, wear a mask in indoor settings where social distancing cannot be maintained, getting tested upon any sign and symptoms of illness, and staying home if ill.

All COVID-19 vaccinations, pediatric and adult, will continue to be offered at the MCM. The vaccine remains FREE and open to those working or living in other jurisdictions including those traveling from other states. The MCM community vaccination center is open 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays. Since the MCM’s reopening as a CVC on October 9, more than 26,000 vaccinations have been provided.

Appointments for vaccination are strongly encouraged to avoid extended wait times, but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, visit Norfolk/VAB and input “23502” into the zip code search bar to schedule an appointment at the MCM vaccination center, or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1). The Norfolk COVID-19 hotline (757) 683-2745 can also assist with general questions or scheduling appointments.

Those who have an appointment should plan to arrive no earlier than 20 minutes prior to the appointment time. Anyone who has received a prior COVID-19 vaccine should bring their vaccine card or their vaccine record with a QR

(ISTOCK)

code. Those under 18 years of age require the presence of a parent or guardian.

The experience of getting a COVID-19 vaccine will be very similar to the experience of getting routine vaccines. Parents can check out these tips on talking to their child about what to expect. For more about vaccinating children and teens, parents can visit the CDC website.

Individuals who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster dose may choose which vaccine product they would like to receive as a booster. For those individuals that choose a different product than their primary series,

VDH urges you to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider who can assist you in making the best decision for your own situation.

FREE COVID-19 Testing will continue at the MCM on Mondays from 2 p.m. — 6 p.m. until the end of the year.

Testing is available for ages 3 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Only PCR testing is available at the MCM; rapid testing is not available.

Testing is provided at no charge, identification is not required, and pre-registration is not needed.

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

2

The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, December 16, 2021

Community Submit YOUR events, news and photos

The Flagship welcomes submissions from our readers online.

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

(COURTESY PHOTO)

TCC selected for New America New Models for Career Preparation initiative

By Laura J. Sanford Tidewater Community College was selected to participate in the second cohort of the New America New Models for Career Preparation initiative. TCC is one of six colleges selected nationally for the program.

Supported by the Lumina Foundation, the New America New Models for Career

Preparation aims to better understand how community colleges — with the support of public policy — can build quality, non-degree programs. The initiative was launched to develop new career preparation models that offer faster, more affordable and equitable employer-aligned pathways for non-degree pursuing students to find their way into high-quality jobs.

Hope House Foundation Hosts 9th Annual Hogs For Hope From The Hope House Foundation NORFOLK, Va. — Hope House Foundation invites everyone to celebrate the New Year at Hogs for Hope on January 1 from noon to 6 pm. The 9th annual event at Hank’s Filling Station, 4301 Colley Avenue in Norfolk, includes a pig pickin’ and oyster roast.

Enjoy live music with the Grant Austin Taylor Trio and Better by Tuesday. The all-you-can-eat menu includes pulled pork, oysters, hoppin’ john, collards, chili and cornbread.

Tickets are $35 per person that can be purchased at hankshogsforhope. com. Cash bar. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ events/225109113096960.

Proceeds from the Hogs for Hope support the programs of Hope House Foundation, the only organization in Virginia that provides support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities exclusively in their own homes. The funds provide necessities for people who receive services such as assistance with food, medical expenses, dental care, clothing and housing. For more information, visit hopehouse.org or call (757) 625-6161.

(COURTESY PHOTO)

At TCC, the $50,000 grant will evaluate ways to expand the Job Skills Training Program (JSTP) and pre-hire programs with additional industries. JSTP is a comprehensive approach to job skills training and placement for those wanting to enhance their employability, change careers, or are unemployed or underemployed. With the help of regional partners, successful participants

receive resources, soft skills training, industry credentials and a direct-hire pipeline.

“The New America Grant through Lumina will greatly support our efforts to provide workforce solutions to our community that will benefit our students and regional employers,” said Tamara Williams, TCC’s Vice President for Workforce Solutions. “We are grateful for the funding and opportunity to be part of this second cohort as we know it will help with the economic growth in our region.”

TCC joins County College of Morris in New Jersey, Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa, Lone Star College in Texas, Mott Community College in Michigan and Sacramento City College in California for the second cohort of the New America New Models cohort.

For information about workforce training and this initiative, contact Williams at twilliams@tcc.edu.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, December 16, 2021 3

Hairspray from Page 1

jive with each other. So for this one. they had to trust their instincts with what they saw on tape and hope they have that chemistry and that blending. We bonded incredibly fast.

We started rehearsing in mid-October and because of covid it was for about two weeks.

There was some apprehension if we could do a play of this magnitude in two weeks.

They took a look at us and we showed them that we were ready for the National tour. We have such an amazing cast, so dedicated to making the show so good, that we met our goal and hit the ground running after the two week rehearsal. We had a great opening month in California and we are working our way to you guys.

Y: Do you have a funny anecdote you can share?

CS: It’s been such a whirlwind. We hit the ground running. I don’t really have anything too big and that shows how good our production crew and our costume people are. Everything has been running pretty smoothly and that’s a real credit to our stage management and everybody. I have a minor one to share. In one of my scenes, I have a party popper that I pop when I first enter and at the very first opening night, I pulled it and it did nothing. I went on with the scene and said to myself, I need to prepare a joke in case it happens again, but since then, it has always worked.

Y: Tell us a little bit about your life story growing up.

CS: I was born in Norfolk, Virginia at the Naval Hospital. My dad Fredrick Swan, was in the Navy and served on a couple of destroyers while he was there. He continued to serve his commission in Norfolk and when I was two months old my mom and I went back to New England, where both of my folks are from and we settled in their home state of Connecticut. My father

Christopher Swan. (COURTESY PHOTO)

eventually joined us, we moved to Vermont where he became a teacher and a very well known painter specializing in landscape art. His work is displayed in many galleries in Vermont.

Y: How did you fall in love with musical theatre?

CS: At my dad’s school where he taught, the teachers did the Musical ‘Bye Bye Birdie’

as a school fundraiser and they needed a kid in it. My dad asked me if I wanted to do it and I said yes. It was on the big high school stage and I played a wise cracking kid with a solo. I think that was the moment that I said, wow, I want to feel like this the whole time. From that moment on, I did as much theatre as I could in high school and community theatre. When I turned

18, I enlisted in the military. I was a food service person with the 299 Combat Engineers Battalion in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and I was blessed to be able to do community theatre there. I loved it and I decided this is what I want to do. After I completed my two year enlistment, a month later, I was at the Boston Conservatory working on my degree in musical theatre.

Y: Can you share a pinch me type moment?

CS: Yes indeed. It happened recently.

As Wilbur in Hairspray, I have a wonderful duet and dance with Andrew Levitt who plays my wife Edna, called ‘Timeless To Me’. It’s a wonderful little soft shoe number, showing their love and connection to each other. Well, the actual creator of the show 20 years ago, Jack O’Brien and Jerry Michell, the original choreographer, who came up with the most amazing choreo 20 years ago, he won the Tony for it, came in to teach us our number. I was literally dancing with Jerry Mitchell. His energy and enthusiasm 20 years later was just so evident. We were all tickled that he was in the room.

And then when he was injecting his love and support for our production, that sent us over the moon. That’s something I’ll never forget and so grateful to be able to work with the original creators of the show.

Hairspray is so special to everyone involved with it. We are very proud of the show and excited to share it with America right now. I also want to thank our audiences, past, present and future who have or will be coming to see us and in some cities they have to wear masks, get tested and show vaccination status. The fact that they have to go through all that, means so much. It shows how important musical theatre still is and how much it’s so loved and appreciated. Thank you, thank you to all the theatre going public.

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 16, 2021

Food

Warm Up Winter with Comforting Classics

By Family Features Whipping up family favorites all winter long is a perfect activity to keep loved ones warm in the kitchen while avoiding the bitter chill outdoors. Delicious, heartwarming snacks offer a simple and savory way to bring everyone in from the cold while enjoying comforting flavors together.

Lean on beloved ingredients like go-to RAGÚ sauces when it’s time to come together for quick bites. The possibilities are nearly endless with delicious recipes using classics like the RAGÚ Old World Style Traditional or RAGÚ Simply Traditional options.

Hearty flavors can take away the chill of winter in recipes like Snowman Pizza Bombs, Polenta Bites and Baked Tomato Goat Cheese Dip. Easy to make and fun to create together, these simple snacks are perfect for a cold afternoon spent together in the kitchen or watching a family-movie marathon.

Originally started by an Italian mother more than 80 years ago, RAGÚ sauce, known for its distinctive yellow cap, is the perfect have-on-hand pantry staple to help you create easy and delicious home cooking. As an invaluable resource and family favorite since 1937, RAGÚ sauces easily allow anyone, regardless of gender or culinary skillset, to “cook like a mother” and serve up delicious, homemade favorites.

The brand’s rich heritage and array of sauce choices ensures that your next cold-weather day spent inside will be elevated with family-favorite snacks and easy and taste-tempting meals made with RAGÚ.

Find more recipes perfect for warming up this winter at Ragu.com.

Baked Tomato Goat Cheese Dip Recipe courtesy of Marzia Aziz of “Little Spice Jar” Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 4-6 Nonstick cooking spray 2 cups RAGÚ Simply Traditional Sauce 3 cloves garlic, divided ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped, divided ⅛-¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 log (10-10 ½ ounces) goat cheese, softened at room temperature 2teaspoons olive oil, plus additional for brushing, divided ¼ teaspoon fresh thyme kosher salt, divided pepper 1 large baguette, sliced on bias blistered tomatoes, for serving (optional) Position one rack in upper third of oven and one in lower third. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray small, round baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Add sauce to small bowl. Grate in two garlic cloves then add ⅛ cup basil and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine then pour sauce into baking dish.

Smash goat cheese log into ball. Place ball between two sheets plastic wrap. Using hands, flatten cheese into thick, round disc about 1 inch smaller in diameter than baking dish. Remove goat cheese from plastic wrap and place in center of sauce.

Drizzle cheese with 2 teaspoons olive oil.

Sprinkle with fresh thyme, kosher salt and pepper. Bake on lower rack, uncovered, 20-25 minutes, or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is warmed through.

Place baguette slices on baking sheet.

Drizzle or brush with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake crostini on upper rack 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. When bread is done, remove from oven, cut last garlic clove in half and rub cut side on bread.

Top dip with remaining basil and blistered tomatoes, if desired, and serve with crostini.

Baked Tomato Goat Cheese Dip. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Polenta Bites. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Note: To make blistered tomatoes: Heat skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add 1 pint cherry tomatoes to dry skillet and let sit 1 minute. Lower heat to low, toss tomatoes with 2 teaspoons olive oil and cook 2-3 minutes, or until tomatoes are about to burst. Remove from heat; sprinkle with pinch of salt and pepper.

Polenta Bites 1 tube (18 ounces) polenta 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil 1 jar (24 ounces) RAGÚ Chunky Tomato,

Garlic and Onion Sauce 1 package (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella 2 sprigs, rosemary, destemmed and chopped 3 basil leaves, chopped 1 block (8 ounces) hard Parmesan cheese Cut polenta into slices. In skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat; fry polenta slices 10-12 minutes on each side until crispy and golden brown.

In saucepan over medium heat, warm sauce.

Place polenta slices on tray and sprinkle with mozzarella. Place ½ teaspoon warm sauce on each slice then sprinkle with chopped rosemary and basil. Grate hard Parmesan onto each slice for topping.

Snowman Pizza Bombs 1 tube (11.8 ounces) pizza dough 1 jar (24 ounces) RAGÚ Old World Style Traditional Sauce 1 package (6 ounces) pepperoni slices 1 package (6 ounces) Canadian bacon slices 1 package (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese 4 tablespoons melted butter 1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning 1 package (8 ounces) mozzarella cheese slices Decorative vegetables (optional): multicolored sweet peppers olives spinach mushrooms cherry tomatoes Preheat oven to 400 F. Cut pizza dough into 12 squares. On each square, place ½ teaspoon sauce and evenly top with pepperoni, Canadian bacon and cheddar cheese.

Pinch corners of dough together to round into balls then place in muffin tins.

In small bowl, mix melted butter, garlic powder and Italian seasoning; brush generously over dough balls.

Bake 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from muffin tin and carefully shape dough balls into circles; place on baking sheet. Cover with mozzarella slices and bake until melted.

Create snowman faces by decorating each with peppers, olives, spinach, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, if desired. Use remaining sauce for dipping.

Morning Recipes Perfect for Making Memories

By Family Features With the weather cooling, it’s the perfect opportunity to spend some time in the kitchen to try out fun recipes and create special moments with family and friends.

Pancakes and waffles provide deliciously easy ways to make mornings memorable at the breakfast table with those you love.

Regardless of what you have going on during the day, a warm stack of pancakes or waffles can bring everyone to the table.

Putting together a delicious, crowd-pleasing stack doesn’t have to be a big to-do with recipes like Butter Pecan Waffles and Banana Walnut Pancakes. You can make breakfast the highlight of your family’s day with just a handful of ingredients in each recipe that offer a warm, comforting twist to a breakfast time favorite. These pancake and waffle creations are delicious and easy enough to become go-tos for nearly any occasion.

One of the keys to delicious pancakes and waffles is the mix you use. Consider an option like Pearl Milling Company, which has offered delicious taste and light and fluffy texture for more than 130 years. Its pancake mix varieties are easy, convenient, delicious options for memorable breakfasts.

Topped with its rich and delicious syrup, its taste and quality can be passed down to future generations.

An additional benefit: Simple yet flavorful recipes like these allow the whole family to help in the kitchen, providing bonding opportunities and valuable lessons as you make them together.

For more memory-making breakfast time ideas, visit pearlmillingcompany.com.

Butter Pecan Waffles Yield: about 6 waffles (4 inches each) Browned Butter: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ cup chopped pecans 1 cup Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake & Waffle Mix ¾ cup milk, plus additional if necessary, divided 1 egg Pearl Milling Company Syrup, for topping toasted pecans, for topping (optional) To make browned butter: In small skillet over low heat, place butter. Increase heat to medium-low, stirring butter with heat-proof spatula. Cook and stir until butter reaches desired brown color. Remove from heat and stir in pecans.

Place pancake mix in large bowl. Add ¾ cup milk, egg and browned butter. Stir until large clumps of batter disappear. If batter seems too thick, add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time to reach desired thickness.

Let batter stand 4-5 minutes before cooking.

Pour batter into lightly greased waffle iron. Bake until steam stops or as directed by waffle iron instructions. Top with syrup and toasted pecans, if desired.

Banana Walnut Pancakes Yield: about 20 pancakes 2 cups Pearl Milling Company Original Pancake Mix 1 ½ cups milk 2 eggs 2 tablespoons oil 2 bananas, mashed Homemade Whipped Cream: 1 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons sugar

Butter Pecan Waffles. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Toppings: 1 banana, sliced, for topping 2 jars (5 ounces each) walnuts in syrup 24 ounces Pearl Milling Company Syrup Place skillet over medium heat.

In large bowl, stir pancake mix, milk, eggs, oil and mashed bananas.

Spread ¼ cup pancake batter on skillet.

When pancake begins to bubble, use spatula to flip. Cook until golden brown on each side. Repeat with remaining batter.

To make whipped cream: In small bowl, whip heavy cream and sugar until thickened.

Top pancakes with homemade whipped cream, banana slices, walnuts and syrup.

www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, December 16, 2021 5

Health

Remembering the Military Medical Heroes of Pearl Harbor

By Claudia Sanchez-Bustamante MHS Communications

Every December 7, Americans and the U.S. military commemorate the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and recognize that “day of infamy” as the one that officially brought the United States into World War II. For the Navy medical corps, Pearl Harbor offered the first large scale medical emergency in decades, according to André Sobocinski, a historian and publications manager for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Falls Church, Virginia.

“The attacks on Pearl Harbor opened up a new era of surgical therapy and provided the first exposure to wartime issues of flash burns, compound fractures and shock,” Sobocinski said.

On the 80th anniversary of the Japanese attack on America, we still honor the service men and women of the medical corps, who selflessly aided the hundreds of injured and burned causalities that day at military hospitals and triage sites around the harbor.

“From their first realization of an enemy attack, the doctors, dentists, nurses, and corpsmen were unexcelled in personal bravery, in determination, in resourcefulness, and in their capacity to put into practice previously formulated plans,” the Naval History and Heritage Command wrote in its account of the attack.

“There was an overwhelming need to go into immediate action, retrieve the casualties, and provide medical services - to do what we were trained to do,” said Sobocinski.

“They did this not knowing if a third attack was imminent.”

The Attack and Its Aftermath The surprise attack began at 7:55 a.m. in Hawaii and lasted one hour and 15 minutes. A total of 2,403 U.S. personnel died in the attack, including 68 civilians; another 1,178 were wounded; 159 U.S. aircraft were damaged; 169 were destroyed; 16 ships were damaged and three were destroyed, according to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Half of all the casualties were from the crew of the USS Arizona, a battleship that sank in Pearl Harbor with most its crew onboard.

The medical crews worked around the clock treating second- and third-degree burns, shock as well as shrapnel and machinegun wounds, and other injuries, Sobocinski said.

The medical teams worked in a patchwork of locations, including the “battle dressing stations and sick bays of the war ships; aboard the hospital ship Solace; at first-aid stations; at the dispensaries of the two naval air stations; the Marine Corps Air Station at Ewa; the Defense Battalions of the Fleet Marine Force; the Navy Yard, and the Section Base at Bishop’s Point; at a ‘field hospital’ which was set up in the Officers’ Club of the Navy Yard; and at the Mobile Base Hospital and the U.S. Naval Hospital at Pearl Harbor,” according to the Naval History and Heritage Command’s account.

“Nurses, physicians, and medical corpsmen triaged, stabilized, and transported those likely to survive, while staging the dead behind the building,” according to a historical account from the Army Medical Department.

“The emergency room at Tripler Hospital was quickly flooded with patients from

For her service at Pearl Harbor, Army Nurse Corps Maj. Annie G. Fox was the first woman to be awarded the Purple Heart, in 1942. (Courtesy of www.wartimeheritage.cOM)

the battlefield, but the staff was able to sort patients appropriately to the wards, to the operating room, or provide comfort care as they died,” according to the Army Medical Department’s account.

And “at Schofield [Barracks] Hospital, collaboration between tireless doctors, nurses, and corpsmen was key to providing life-saving surgery and care.”

Army nurse Myrtle M. Watson was the only nurse in the orthopedic ward at Schofield Hospital during the attack. As the bombing started, “she helped protect patients by piling mattresses around them for cover,” according to an account from the Department of Veterans Affairs. “For three days, Watson continued working around the clock, with only a skeleton crew to assist” her and only a dim flashlight at night.

Heroes Rise Despite the chaos and shock, medical personnel rose to the challenge and several later received valor awards to honor acts of personal courage and bravery.

As the Japanese bombs started raining down on the U.S. Navy’s fleet at Pearl Harbor, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Hugh Alexander, the senior dentist aboard the USS Oklahoma, became trapped below deck in a compartment where the only means of escape were several portholes.

The ship, struck by several torpedoes, began to capsize. Alexander knew he could not fit through the portholes, but he looked around and found the thinnest men from among those trapped and helped them squeeze through the narrow openings to relative safety.

Alexander died in the Pearl Harbor attack and was honored posthumously with a Silver Star for valor in combat.

“Continuing his intrepid action until the end, Lieutenant Commander Alexander gallantly laid down his life in order that

his shipmates might live,” his Silver Star citation reads.

Navy Pharmacist Mate Second Class Ned Curtis of the USS Nevada was later honored with a Navy Cross for his actions that day. Curtis “braved the enemy bombing and strafing attacks to attend to a wounded officer,” Sobocinski said. Curtis transported the officer to safety, but Curtis also suffered severe burns that required extended hospitalization.

Army Nurse Corps First Lt. Annie Fox was the head nurse at Hickam Field Hospital, which was near Pearl Harbor and converted to an evacuation hospital during the attack.

“Fox assembled the nurses and volunteers to help care for the wounded,” according to the account published by the VA. “She assisted doctors with surgical procedures while the battle outside continued. When the wounded began to arrive at an overwhelming rate, she administered pain medicine and prepped patients for transfer to other hospitals.”

For her service at Pearl Harbor, Lt. Fox became the first woman to be awarded a Purple Heart in 1942. (Although in 1944 the commendation was replaced with a Bronze Star).

Navy Nurse Corps member Ann Danyo Willgrube was an operating room nurse on the newly commissioned hospital ship USS Solace when the attack began.

“The ship shook, and everyone ran out on deck to see what happened,” she wrote in a letter her brother found as he cleaned her house in the 1980s, according to an Army article.

I looked out the porthole in my room and saw smoke pouring out of the [USS] Arizona,” Willgrube wrote in the letter.

“The next minute, our chief nurse burst into the room and told me to dress quickly and report to the quarterdeck for duty because the [Japanese] were bombing us.”

Navy Nurse Corps Lt. Grace Lally, known as “Tugboat Annie” for her years of duty at sea, was the chief nurse aboard the Solace during the attack. Lally and her staff, including Willgrube, helped set up emergency wards for the wounded, a majority of whom were burn victims.

According to the Pearl Harbor Museum’s account, the crew treated nearly 300 wounded servicemen. (This Department of Defense video tells more stories about the female military nurses of Pearl Harbor.)

As a hospital ship, the Solace did not come under fire and was one of the few ships to remain undamaged. But seeing its sister ships under attack, “hospital corpsmen boarded small boats and steamed into the wreckage of the USS Arizona,” Sobocinski said, braving “an inferno as they retrieved several wounded sailors.”

The Solace received 132 patients - over 70% were burn victims - and Mobile Hospital # 2 received 110 casualties, Sobocinski said.

In the days following the attack, many of those same corpsmen had the “grim task” of searching for the remains of service personnel in the harbor.

“At the naval hospital, a team of a Navy pharmacist-warrant officer, a dentist, and pathologist were tasked with identifying a seemingly unending flow of bodies, most without identification tags and many unable to be identified through fingerprints,” said Sobocinski.

“They prepared the bodies for the first burials of victims that took place on December 8.”

Flu Vaccination Rates are Running High Across the Military This Year

By MHS Communications Flu vaccination rates among service members are running far higher this year compared to the same period during previous years.

Its a positive sign that military health officials say could reduce the amount of illness impacting individuals and limit the strain on local hospitals and clinics that are already very busy due to the ongoing pandemic.

So far, about 64% of active-duty service members have received a flu shot. At this same time last year, the rate was 44 percent and in 2019 the rate was 52%, health officials said on Nov. 29.

“Immunization activities throughout the Military Health System are doing a great job this season getting influenza vaccine in the arms of service members, but we aren’t quite to the finish line yet,” says Army Lt. Col. Christopher Ellison, a doctor of pharmacy, the Defense Health Agency’s operations director for the Immunization Healthcare Division; and the military lead for the Department of Defense’s Influenza Vaccination Program.

“We still have some service members who need to get vaccinated in order to reach the Defense Department’s force-wide goal of 90% vaccinations by Jan. 15.”

Several factors may be influencing the relatively high rates of flu vaccination to date.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have increased awareness about the importance of the flu vaccine, prompting some service members to get their shots early in the season.

(Individuals can get their flu shot and a

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kindal Kidd, from Neodesha, Kansas, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) medical department, administers a flu shot to a sailor in the ship’s hangar bay. Ford’s medical department is vaccinating the entire crew against the flu virus to ensure the crew remains medically ready as the ship prepares to go out to sea. (ANGEL THUY JASKULOSKI)

COVID-19 vaccination or booster shot on the same visit to a hospital or clinic).

The pace of flu vaccinations is also higher because the vaccines, which the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) distributes to all military hospitals and clinics, arrived earlier than in previous seasons.

In 2020, large supplies of flu vaccines did not begin arriving at military health facilities until September, and it was not until December that a vast majority of the vaccines were distributed.

This year, supplies began going out in August, and more than 90% were shipped and ready for patients by October, when the flu season usually begins. (Typically, the flu

season runs October-May and peaks between December-February.)

“Our military hospitals and clinics are fantastic at mobilizing flu drives when they have vaccine on hand, and DLA did an outstanding job of getting vaccine out to the military hospitals and clinics this year,” Ellison said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine. But people 65 and older or with underlying conditions, pregnant women, infants, and young children are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. It’s particularly important for those populations to get their shot.

All military members are required to get an annual flu shot. Check with TRICARE for locations and dates where flu vaccines may be available for service members. For all Military Health System beneficiaries, shots are available at military medical treatment facilities (MTFs) and at military installations.

All military health system beneficiaries can use an online portal to schedule a flu shot or a COVID-19 booster shot. The portal, known as the Defense Health Agency Appointing Portal, or DAP, began supporting the vaccine efforts on Oct. 11.

More information on the flu vaccine is available at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/ flushot.htm

6 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, December 16, 2021

Misc. Merchandise For Sale

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

FIREPLACE WOOD FOR SALE $270/Cord. Please Call NO Texting Clifton at 757-478-9914

BOSTON CROSSES

CHOW CHOW

GERMAN SHEPHERD PUPPIES 5M, 3F, pure bred, parents on site. $500. 757-714-5505

FURNITURE- VIRGINIA BEACH Ta b l e - $ 10 0 , C h a i r s - $ 10 , D e s k , Shelves, Workout Machine-$30, Treadmill, Sm Frig-$250, MORE, flat boat-$650 (757)288-0190

Misc. Merchandise For Sale #01A BLACK SIFTED TOPSOIL 6 yds $290. Mulch $30/yd; Compost $30/yd. Rock, playground mulch, firewood, lawn care. D Miller’s 536-3052

1 BIG ELECTRIC FIREPLACE Brown wood, heats good. $300 obo.

Cash. 757-853-3976 55 GALLON FISH TANK Includes everything but the fish. $150.

757-481-5564

Good news.

Early home delivery.

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6FT 3 PC BIG OUTSIDE ELECTRIC JOY DISPLAY with lights on metal frame. Gold & brown. $300 obo. Cash. 757-853-3976

GOLDEN RETRIEVER AKC Vet Checked, Current Shots , Health Guarantee, Mom & dad on site. Xmas puppies, 252-338-7775

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets AKC ENGLISH LABRADOR RETRIEVERS

Christmas Puppies Ready To Go! Champion/Hunt Bloodline.

DOB 10/06/2021. Yellow & Choc $1,500. M & F. Call/Text Wendy: 804-943-5746 https://marketplace.akc.org/breeder/ w e n d y - p l e a r- 9 3 74 1 / l a b r a d o rretriever/296589.

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Christmas stocking stuffer that wiggles, shots started. $950. 274-2381.

CHIHUAHUA Male, born 10/3, lots of accessories. $600. 252-679-7426

We have two male cinnamon colored chow chow puppies available for their forever home. Born October 15th. 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 12/12

GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPY Akc registered, male, 14 weeks old, $750, call 252-336-2666 MALTESE

CHOCOLATE LABRADOODLES DALMATION Maltese boy needs a forever home.

Born 11/5 Rehoming fee $1875 Call or text #7573756858 Chocolate labradoodles Shots and vet check scheduled for December 21 just in time for CHRISTMAS! $1000 2 females, 1 male 252-202-9755 or 252-202-0699

SHIH POOS UTD, home raised, gorgeous coats, ready 12/11. $1,350. 978-846-9449 Re-homing Dalmatians due to illness in the family. 2 males available, 4 & 5 yrs old. $500. Call/text 757-685-2639

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757.622.1455 | placeanad.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.

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

Hauling 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.

(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

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 FRANK’S SIDING & REPAIRS Repairing Siding & Trim. Small jobs.

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

YOUR PERFECT

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IS WAITING

HOME INSULATION UNIVERSAL INSULATION DOCTOR Attic Insulation Crawl Space Insulation FREE Inspections. 757-502-0200

Lawn and Tree Service

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

CUSTOM ROOF COMPANY Quality Work. Licensed & Insured.

757-329-2224

PARKER TREE SERVICES Mulch, trim shrubs, landscaping. Free Estimates. 757-620-9390

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

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

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

Professional Services

LANDSCAPE SPECIALIST For all your landscaping & lawn care needs give us a call.

Renovations, monthly maintenance, mulching, fall cleanups. Buddy 757-535-0928

Roofing

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

FREE ROOFING ESTIMATES JAYHAWK EXTERIORS 757-963-6559 www.jayhawkext.com ROOF REPAIR Shingles/Rubber/Slate/ Metal/Chimney Flashing. 757-718-1072

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www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, December 16, 2021 7 Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

Motorcycles and ATVs

Classic, Antique Cars

SHIBA INU PUPPIES

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

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

Autos for Sale

ACURA 2009 TL APR Registered.Ready for adoption 1-16-22. 4M, 3F.$1800. Taking deposits now. Call 757-630-7378 LaVon SHIHPOO

Clean, runs great, loaded, 1 owner, $8,500. 757-343-0270

BUICK 2001 CENTURY

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

CHEVROLET 2007 CORVETTE

Available Dec 15th. Just in time for Xmas. 850.00. Deposit will hold.

Call or Text 252-325-9990 YORKIES 9wks, 1st shots & wormed, have parents. $1,150. Call: 757-421-7708

3000 orig. mis., auto, glass roof, HUD display, chrome wheels, car cover, 100% new, all serviced & inspected. $33,850. 675-0288. Va. Dlr.

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

DODGE 2021 CHALLENGER

FORD 2005 FOCUS

VIRGINIA BEACH Ocean Front Area; 1 furn’d br, no smkg/ pets. $595+dep incl utls. 757-718-1813 CHESAPEAKE Sunrise Hills, furn/unfurn room, central air, washer/dryer, satellite TV. $170/wk + dep. 757-718-0698.

SL-500 Conv 75k mi good cond clean blue/gray int, hardtp, $8700 Call: 703-283-9998

Trucks and SUVs

CHEVROLET 2020

Z71 Crew Cab. 19,000 original mis., factory warranty, RST package, 4X4, bedliner, loaded, 1 local owner, looks new, $47,800. 675-0288, Va. dlr.

FORD 2006 F250

CHRYSLER 2006 CROSSFIRE

1500 original miles, Scat Pack Package, 392 Hemi, factory warranty, sunroof, car cover, loaded, 100% brand new. Local, 1 owner. $51,900.

757-675-0288. Va. Dlr.

Room For Rent

MERCEDES-BENZ 1997 SLCLASS

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

LINCOLN 1998 TOWN CAR

Estate Car. 9400 miles. That’s correct only 9400 original miles!

Leather, loaded, clean & nicest in the country! Garage kept, showroom new, $13,900. Call for photos or information, 757-675-0288, Va. Dlr.

MERCEDES-BENZ 1992

SL. 59K original mis., convertible/ hardtop, leather, gar kept, new insp, all serviced. Showroom new. Car cover. $11,900. 675-0288. Va Dlr

XL SD/SC, 5.4L, 4WD, runs and drives well, 96,000 miles, terminal rust damage, $2000 or best offer cash only, 757-495-8138

HONDA 2006 ELEMENT

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

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

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

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

Don’t pay full price!

With The Virginian-Pilot’s coupons and sales inserts, shop smart and save big every week!

MERCEDES-BENZ 2011 E-CLASS

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

MINI 2015 COOPER S

Travel/Camping Trailers

Low miles, leather, new inspection, all serviced, auto trans, runs & looks great, S Package. $17,400.

757-675-0288. Va. Dlr.

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

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Fridays in The Pilot

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

Fun & Games

Sudoku

CryptoQuip

Last week’s CryptoQuip answer

Clothing ensembles so goofy-looking that they make passersby crack up: apparel of laughs.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

Religious Services 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 16, 2021