The Flagship 12.12.2024

familyhousing department and

New luxury homes available for Little Creek families

ByAprilPhillips

JEBLCFS Public Affairs

VIRGINIABEACH,Va Leadershipfromacross

Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS) recently had an opportunity to tour the installation’s newest family housing units The new construction was enabled through the partnership between the Navy and Liberty Military Housing (LMH)toprovidehighqualitypublic/privateventure housing for families These luxury three-story units are part of the Navy’s commitment to quality of life improvementsforSailorsandtheirfamilies “Thisshowsourcommitmenttomakingincremental improvements,” said Jeff Guild, military affairs

directorwithLMH.“Gettingitdoneanddoingithere atLittleCreekisfantastic.”

The new construction features three-story three and four bedroom units in the Sandpiper Crescent neighborhood, with square footage ranging from about 2,600 to 3,000 square feet. There are several luxurytouches,includingquartzcountertops,white, soft-close cabinets, a gas range and state-of-the-art vinyl plank flooring The phased plan is to build 224 unitsoverfiveyears Fundingforthefirst80unitshas alreadybeenapproved. Yeoman 1st Class Hyletta Floyd who works in the JEBLCFSadministrationdepartment,wasoneofthe

Last of the Sea Dragons to qualify on the

ByCommander,NavalAirForceAtlanticPublicAffairs

NORFOLK,Va Thelasttwonavalaviatorstoqualifyto operate the MH-53E Sea Dragon are completing the final phases of their training while assigned to training squadron Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 12 inNorfolk.

Lt Keven Humphreys one of the last two naval aviators to qualify to operate the MH-53E Sea Dragon, stands by an aircraft. Humphreys and Lt Jack Griffin are completing the final phases of their training while assigned to trainingsquadronHelicopterMineCountermeasuresSquadron (HM)12inNorfolk.

Lt JackGriffinandLt KevenHumphreys,aresettoclose the chapter on the aircraft’s 42-year history of qualifying pilotstooperatethestoriedMH-53ESeaDragon.

This specialized helicopter renowned for its Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) capabilities is drawing closetotheendofitsoperationallifewithasunsetceremony planned for March 2025 The MH-53E, introduced to the U.S. Navy in 1982, has long served as a critical asset in mine hunting,sweeping,andneutralization,aswellasaheavy-lift aircrafttransportingtroopsandequipment.

Since 1986, HM-12 has qualified over 580 naval aviators tooperatetheMH-53Espanningnearlyfivegenerations

As the Navy phases out this iconic aircraft, Griffin and Humphreyswillbethelastpilotstomasteritsuniqueskill set while the last two remaining squadrons HM-12 and HM-15 prepare for the sundown of this aircraft type model series Both men originally set their sights on servingasnavalofficersbutdidnotinitiallyenvisionbecoming

naval aviators

Humphreys credits his inspiration to join the aviation community from experiences a close friend of his brothers shared after joining the U.S. Marine Corps to serve as a fighterpilot.

“Growing up, I looked up to my best friend’s brother,” Humphreysrecalled “IknewIwantedtoserveandbecome aleaderinthemilitary butbecomingapilotwasn’tinitially partofmyplan.Seeinghimasaleaderandapilotwaspretty cool,though.

Griffinemphasizedwhathelikesbestaboutservinginthe MH-53Ecommunity

“The MH-53E community is extremely tight-knit,” Griffin said “There is a close relationship between pilots and aircrewmen. Everyone is down-to-earth and focused on the mission. I really appreciate how well the crews work togethertogetthejobdone.”

As the MH-53E nears its retirement, Griffin and Humphreys are still preparing for their final missions and upcoming overseas deployment and will continue to enhancetheirproficiencywiththeaircraft

CourtesyStory

Navy New London Public Affairs Office

GROTON Conn. Naval Submarine

Base New London (SUBASE) hosted a watersystemtabletopexercise(TTX)with state and local partners November 13 to ensureinstallationwaterserviceresilience

The TTX focused on incident information sharing procedures and emergency response and recovery operations related to a hypothetical incident impacting the water system on SUBASE.

The exercise was not in response to any specific threat impacting the base water system or its supplier Groton Utilities Rather, the TTX supported efforts led by the Navy to periodically review and improve the preparedness and resilience of installation water service systems, such as SUBASE’s.

TheDirectorofWaterSecurityandResiliencefromtheOfficeoftheAssistantSecretary of the Navy for Energy Installations, andEnvironmenttraveledfromthePentagon to SUBASE to observe the exercise

“Navy installation water systems are critical physical infrastructure,” said Lisa Aboud. “Potable and drinking water safety as well as fire system water availability are essential to base operations and ensuring our Navy meets its mission.”

Supporting the exercise were state and local partners including representatives from Region 4 of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP); Ledge Light Health District (LLHD); and Groton Utilities.

SUBASE Emergency Manager John Varone, who coordinated the exercise and servedasfacilitator,highlightedthesignificanceofcommunitypartnerparticipation

“Opportunities to train and exercise emergency plans as a team with our state and local partners are invaluable,” said Varone “This tabletop exercise allows us toproactivelypracticemulti-agencycollaboration, collectively identify ways to keep thebasepopulationsafe,andjointlyensure thehardeningandresilienceofoursystems and response.”

The“whatif”crisisscenarioofthetabletop exercise tested participants in what they would do if the installation’s water supplywascompromised notonlyinthe hours following a system attack, but also in the days after as the crisis was resolved.

The TTX was developed as an open

New homes from Page 1

firstfamiliestomovein.Shelivestherewith herwifeandfourchildren.

“It is a huge improvement,” she said. “We were on top of each other at our other house.”

discussionwheretheSUBASEEmergency Management and Training Team could inject realistic scenario details, such as the revelation of an apparent insider-threat attackonthesystem,oraskparticipantskey questions tokeeptheexerciseprogressing

SUBASE’s water is supplied from Groton Utilities and provided to the base’s end-users via the installation’s extensive underground water delivery system. In addition to Groton Utilities participation, the base Public Works Department had many members of its Utilities and Energy Management Division join in the exercise

“We wanted to get our base techniciansalongsideexpertsfromoutside,”said Commander Austin Rasbach, SUBASE Public Works Officer “Putting everyone togethertowalkthroughtheprocesshelps to break down any stove-pipes between organizations and anticipated response actions.”

As a result, Rasbach felt the exercise successfully provided insight into the teamwork,partnerships andrelationships necessary to ensure an effective and efficient multi-agency, incident response

Similarly, Varone positively noted, that asresiliencefollowingthelossofamission critical resource like water was the focus of the event, participants quickly saw the importanceofestablishedcontinuityplans and the value of good emergency public information.

SUBASEExecutiveOfficer Commander BradBoyd,whoobservedtheexercise,was pleased that the SUBASE team as well as community partners managed to collect a number of lessons learned, and together theywillnowseektoincorporateimprovements into the response plan.

“Planning and preparing for incidents that have significant impacts on the health and safety of our Sailors and base are only one part of ensuring our readiness to respond, said Boyd “Exercises like this TTX are the other crucial aspect. They allow us to test our plans and continually improve.”

Aboud praised the SUBASE exercise

“The Navy has a new policy in place standardizing the framework for overseeing evaluating and maintaining our drinking water systems across the shore enterprise, said Aboud. “It’s great to see first-hand that installations like SUBASE arenotonlyfocusedonwatersystemoversight and monitoring but also on challeng-

Herwifeechoedthatsentiment.“Thefact that there’s three floors and the kids have theirownspacegivesthemasenseofprivacy andtheirindividuality,”saidAmberFloyd Theseunitsaren’ttheonlyimprovements for military families There are also major renovations completed and in progress for legacy housing units in the Shelton Circle andGelaPointneighborhoods Theinterior renovations have the same luxury features as the new construction, and the exteriors includenewroofs siding andgaragedoors JEBLCFS Housing Director Tiffany

Sea Dragons from Page 1

“We are excited to be here, Griffin said. “We lovewhatwedoandwhere wearerightnow.”

A special ceremony will be held to honor Griffin and Humphreys as they mark the end of an era and their place in history as preparations are being made to sundown the MH-53ESeaDragon.This event will celebrate their contributions and the legacy of an aircraft that hasplayedapivotalrolein NavalAviationhistory

Lt JackGriffin,one ofthe last two naval aviators to qualifyto operate the MH53E Sea Dragon,stands next to an aircraft.Griffin and Lt Keven Humphreys and Lt JackGriffin are completing the final phases oftheirtraining while assigned to training squadron Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 12 in Norfolk.(U.S.NAVYPHOTO)

Comrie said these efforts are important in the Hampton Roads real estate market, whichisverycompetitive.“Thisisanexcitingtimeforfamilyhousing,”shesaid “These efforts will significantly enhance the quality of life for our military families for years tocome.” While completion of these construction projectswilltaketime thereisnodoubtthat the push to improve military housing familiesishavinganeffect.

Editorial Staff ManagingEditor | MCC Amanda Kitchner

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

““Thesenewunitsarealreadyimproving life for families at Little Creek, and it’s only thebeginning,”saidJEBLCFSCommanding OfficerCapt.DavidGray “Theconstruction ofnewhousingandtherenovationstoexisting units will ensure our service members have safe, comfortable housing they can all be proud of and it demonstrates the Navy’s commitment to quality of life improvements.”

ing exercises like this that help improve water service management, operations, and resilience.”

The Navy’s new water service resilience

efforts are outlined in CNICINST 5090.7, Naval Drinking Water Program Management Ashore.

GROTON,Conn.– Naval Submarine Base NewLondon (SUBASE) hosted awatersystem tabletop exercise (TTX)with state and local partners November13 to ensure installationwater service resilience.(PHOTOBYPETTYOFFICER3RDCLASSMAXWELLHIGGINS)

Sailors from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown volunteer during annual NJROTC inspection at York High School

ByMaxLonzanida Naval Weapons Station Yorktown

YORKTOWN Va Sailors from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown travelled to nearby York High School on Thursday November 21st to volunteer as inspectors during the school’s Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Area Manager’s Inspection (AMI). This was the first major inspection for many of the high school cadets who stood smartly in formationonthehighschool’sgymfloor Additionally this unique community relations event withYorkHighSchool’sNJROTCunitmade for many positive interactions between the installation’sSailorsandhighschoolcadets

PreparationsforthisculminatinginspectionstartedearlythatmorningwithaScheduleofEventsbriefgivenbytheunit’smilitary advisor, retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Harold Gibbs Gibbs advised the installation’s Sailors on grading criteria and what general naval science questions to ask of the cadets Sailors were also given a grading rubric which provided some guidelines regarding uniform and personnel inspections Gibbscautionedthatthiswasthefirst tasteofamilitaryinspectionformanyofthe high school cadets standing in ranks on the gymfloor Inspectionscommencedafterthe command was given by the unit’s ranking seniorcadetsstandingsmartlyinuniformat thefrontoftheformationsofcadets

AnAreaMilitaryManager’sisconducted annually, and NJROTC units across the country complete this semi-formal inspection. On the slate for this particular inspectionincludedavisitfromtheNJROTCarea manager, an impressive drill team demonstration, a pass and review and individual inspections conducted by the installation’s Sailors The NJROTC unit at York High School is one of the oldest on the Virginia Peninsula. It serves students in grades 9-12 at York High School, Bruton High School, Grafton High School and the York River Academy. The curriculum, as overseen by the higher Naval Education and Training Command of which this NJROTC unit falls under, consists of classroom instruction throughout the year It also includes communityserviceactivities drillcompetitions fieldmeets visitstonavalactivitiesand other military oriented training. Uniforms, trainingaids,travelallowanceandasubstantial portion of the instructor salaries are provided by the U.S. Navy as promulgated byOPNAV5761.1.

Culinary Specialist First Class John Paul Pedero, assigned to the installation’s award-winningScudderHallGalleywasted notimewithhisinspections Hestartedwith a ranking cadet standing at attention at the

frontofoneoftheformations Hisfirstseries of questions were associated with general knowledge of U.S. Navy leadership. Follow on questions were associated with general orders and the various enlisted and officer ranks of the U.S. Navy Pedero noted that “I spentallfouryearsofmyhighschooldoing this[NJROTC],soIknowwhatthesecadets are going through. I know its very stressful for them.” During follow on inspections, Pederocalmlyaskedcadetstotakeabreath, encouraged them to relax and slow down withtheirresponses

Chief Thelma King NWS Yorktown’s CommandCareerCounselorhadthedistinct opportunitytoinspectmembersoftheunit’s color guard and ranking cadet leadership Master-at-Arms Second Class Michael ZotooandInformationSystemsTechnician Second Class Brooke Rinehart, assigned to the installation’s Security and N6 departments respectively, took to inspecting and gradingarankofcadetswiththesamerubric andguidelinesthatwereprovided.Thelast set of uniform and personnel inspections were completed Master-at-Arms Second Class Gilbert Gonzalez and Master-atArms First Class Matthew Hollingsworth, both assigned to the installation’s Security Department. It was noted by both GonzalezandHollingsworththatthiswasthefirst realinteractionwithSailorsthatmanyofthe 9th and 10th grade cadets had; and in some instances itprovedtobequiteanordealfor thecadets

The last rounds of inspections were completed by 0930. Shortly thereafter, the unit’s drill team took to the gym floor and executed an impressive drill demonstration. This was met with roaring rounds of applause by parents and the contingent of Sailors who watched from the bleachers Awards were presented to nearly a dozen cadetswhoreceivedaperfectscoreontheir personnel inspections; all thanks in part to themeticulousandregimentedinspections conducted by the contingent of NWS YorktownSailors Apassandreviewofthenearly 200cadetsenrolledintheNJROTCprogram concludedtheeventsforthemorning Gibbs, theNJROTCunit’smilitaryscienceinstructor summarized this successful COMREL event. He noted that “I cannot emphasize the gratitude we have for Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and the Sailors who assisteduswiththisinspection.HugeBravo Zulu to NCC [Thelma King] and CS1 [John Paul Pedero] who went above and beyond.” Lastly,parentSamanthaNawrockisummarized this successful community relations event, “as a parent with two student Cadets intheYorkNJROTCunitthatparticipatedin thisinspection,thankyouforyoursupport!”

(November21 2024) NavyCareerCounselorChiefThelma King Command

CareerCounselorassigned to NavalWeapons StationYorktown,inspects NJROTC cadets fromYorkHigh School NJROTC as part oftheirannualArea MilitaryInspection (AMI).Chief Kingwas one ofseveral Sailors fromvarious departments at NavalWeapons

YORKTOWN,Va

(carrier)variants.

FRCE marks 150th F-35 induction

ByJoeAndes Fleet Readiness Center East Public Affairs

MARINE CORPS AIR

STATION

CHERRY POINT, N.C. Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) marked a milestone in itssupportoftheF-35LightningIIprogram when the depot recently inducted and completed modifications on its 150th F-35 andreturnedtheaircrafttotheFleet.

FRCEistheleadsitefordepot-levelmaintenance on the F-35B Lightning II and has conducted modifications and repair on the MarineCorps’shorttakeoff-verticallanding variantoftheaircraftsince2013 Thedepot has also worked with the F-35A (conventional takeoff and landing) and F-35C (carrier)variants

“The F-35 plays such a crucial role in our nationaldefense,”saidFRCECommanding OfficerCapt.RandyBerti.“Itisthenext-generation strike aircraft weapon systems for the Navy, Air Force, Marines and our allies It gives our warfighters unprecedented capabilities We’re extremely proud of the supportweprovideforthisaircraft.

“TheF-35wascompletelynewwhenthe first aircraft was inducted in 2013,” continued Berti. “There were a lot of unknowns. Inductingour150thF-35highlightshowfar we’vecomeandhowdedicatedandinnovative our people are. They were constantly breaking new ground and they continue to dothattoday.”

Dustin Schultz, an aircraft planner and estimator with FRCE’s F-35 team was one ofthosetrailblazers

“Everythingwasbrandnewinthebeginning,” said Schultz. “From engineering support to tooling and logistics, we were starting from scratch. We had one aircraft with six of us working on it Now we have

130 artisans working on the F-35 alone That’salotofgrowth.

“Wehaveotheraircraftprogramsthatare sundowning,”hecontinued.“TheF-35isfillingthatgapnowaswemoveforward.”

AccordingtoIkeRettenmair,FRCE’sF-35 branch head, the depots F-35 workload has grown exponentially over the years and is expectedtoexpandfurther

“IwasinthehangarasaHarriermechanic when the first F-35 rolled in, said Rettenmair “We’ve grown from that one stall to whatwillsoonbemultiplehangarsofF-35s The F-35 plays such a significant role in the U.S. military with more and more continuing to enter the Fleet. The number of F-35s usedbyinternationalpartnersisalsogrowing Our F-35 workload goes hand in hand withallofthis.”

As the F-35 program continues to grow atthedepot,RettenmairsaidFRCEcontinuestoexpandanddevelopkeyF-35support elements FRCEdeclaredcapabilityonitsfirstF-35 component - meaning FRCE is now a verifiedsourceofrepairandtestingforthatitem in2020 Sincethen,thedepothasdeclared capability on approximately 76 different componentsfortheLightningIIandcontinuestostandupcapability

In 2023, FRCE personnel became the first within the Department of Defense to performthesuccessfulassemblyofaliftfan clutch for the F-35B Lightning II aircraft outsideoftheoriginalmanufacturer’sfacility. Additionally F-35B vertical lift fan testingandprocessingfacilitiesarescheduledto comeonlineatFRCEinearly2025

ThedepotisalsocapableofbringingF-35 support to the warfighter when and where it’s needed FRCE’s F-35 Rapid Response Team, made up of highly skilled, cross-

trained aircraft maintenance professionals, can deploy at a moment’s notice to any location, from a Marine Corps Air Station halfway around the globe to a Navy aircraft carrierafloatintheIndo-Pacificregion.

FRCE’s F-35 support isn’t limited to aircraft repair and modification or component capabilities Don Werner an aircraft planner and estimator with FRCE’s F-35 team,saidthelessonslearnedandtheinnovation that occurred over the years while expanding FRCE’s F-35 program have also foundtheirwaytothewarfighter.

“There are so many entities within FRC East working on things you would never even think of,” said Werner “They create things and come up with ideas that enable ustogetaircrafttothewarfighterevenfaster while saving money in the long run. They create things that make the job easier and thesegoouttothewholeFleet.”

Inadditiontomechanics,Wernersaidthe team includes quality assurance personnel, parts and logistics experts, planners, engineers and even fabric workers who design and produce heavy-duty protective covers for the aircraft’s tires intakes and other parts

“Youcanseepeoplerighthereatthedepot working on all these things,” said Werner “They’redesigningit,goingdowntomanufacturing and coming up with the tools or equipmentourpeopleneedbecausethere’s nobody out there that’s going to get it to us insuchatimelymanner.”

Schultzsaidthewarfighterbenefitsfrom theinnovativeprocessesandproceduresthe depot’s F-35 team has come up with over theyears

“We’vehadmanymodificationsthatcome through here that we were performing for thefirsttimeever,”saidSchultz.“Themanu-

Talking Shop: Celebrating NNSY’s

ByTroyMiller

NorfolkNavalShipyard’s(NNSY)Electronics Shop(Shop67)maintains,modernizes,troubleshoots, overhauls, tests and repairs electronicssystemswhichessentiallyprovidetheeyes ears mouth (communicators), compass (GPS) and firepower for our submarines, aircraft carriers and surface ships for U.S. Navy Fleet The“eyes”areyourradar(RadioDetectionAnd Ranging), “ears” being sonar (Sound Navigation and Ranging), “mouth” (radio communications and telecommunications), “compass” navigations/gyro/GPS (Global Positioning System),weapons/firecontrol fiberopticsand C6ISR(Command,Control,Communications Computers CyberdefenseandCombatSystems and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), fly-by-wire, Lightweight Wide Aperture Array (LWWAA) and Optical Hull Fitting (OHF). Shop 67 has personnel spread out through NNSYanditsremotelocationssupportingFleet Maintenance Submarines (FMB), Off-Yard CarriersGroup NuclearRegionalMaintenance Department (NRMD) and Naval Submarine BaseKingsBayShop67Electronics Shop67consistsofthefollowingsections: Submarine Waterfront Section: Supports Engineering Combat Systems Code 293 Communication, Radar and ESM Systems, Code 294 Sonar and Navigation and Code 295 Sail Mechanical, Towed Array Handling Systems andOpticalAlignments Carrier/Surface Waterfront Section: Supports Engineering Combat Systems Code 293Communication,Radar,Code294Navigation and Code 295 Optical Alignments, Code 271 Carrier Fire Control and IC and Code 273 CVNRadar,ITandExteriorCommunications

facturerwouldsaythismodisgoingtotake 10,000hoursandourartisansandengineers would go look at it and end up saving thousandsofhoursbecausetheycameupwitha new way to do the job that nobody else had thoughtof.”

AccordingtoRettenmair thesuccessand expansionoftheF-35programatFRCE,lies withthedepot’spersonnel.Hecreditedtheir dedicationandinnovationasinstrumentalin establishing the reputation of FRCE’s F-35 program.

“We’ve made a name for ourselves as the F-35 facility for depot maintenance,” said Rettenmair ”It shows the trust and confidence the enterprise has in FRC East to do this work. That trust is a testament to the people working here who’ve earned us this reputation.

He said everyone at FRCE, no matter what their job, is committed to supporting the Fleet by providing the highest quality, combatreadyaircraftandcomponents “Every day when we come to work, we knowwhywe’rehere,”saidRettenmair “We deliverproductbacktotheFleetsothewarfighterhaswhatheorsheneedstofightand win. The people working here take a lot of prideinthat.

FRCE is North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, with more than 4,000 civilian, military and contract workers Its annualrevenueexceeds$1billion.Thedepot providesservicetothefleetwhilefunctioning as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander,FleetReadinessCenters Learn more at www.navair.navy.mil/frce or https://www.facebook.com/FleetReadinessCenterEast.

NAVSTA Norfolk celebrates 22 years of Arbor Day

ByBoatswain’sMateThirdClass JessicaNunes

NAVSTA Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va Capt Ray Glenn, executive officer, Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk and Command Master Chief Ian Thompson accepted the “Tree City USA” award on behalf of NAVSTA Norfolk during the annual Arbor Day observation at Arbor Park on NAVSTA Norfolk,Dec.4,2024

The National Arbor Day Foundation, alongside the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, presents the “Tree City” program. For a community to be eligible for this award, it must fulfill four key requirements:establishaboard,commission,or unitfocusedontreecare,implementacommunitytreecareordinance allocateabudgetoftwo dollarspercapitafortreeplantingandupkeep, andholdapublicobservanceofArborDay.

Arbor Day was first established in the United States by Julius Sterling Morton, who later served as Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland. He designated a specific day for tree planting in Nebraska, which occurred on April 10 1872 On that day, it is estimated that approximately one million trees were planted throughout the state The observanceofArborDaygainednationalattention in 1883, thanks to efforts by the American ForestryAssociation.

This year signifies the 22nd anniversary of NAVSTA Norfolk’s collaboration with the Virginia department of Forestry, as they come together to plant a sapling in the designated area.Theceremonywouldbeginat9a.m.with Glenngivingtheopeningremarks

“Each of these trees start with someone planting a seed, today we have the chance to continue that legacy as we celebrate Arbor Day,” said Glenn. “Let’s reflect on the way we can nurture our planet where there’s plenty of treesconservingresourcesorsupportingrestorationefforts everyactioncountsandwhenwe worktogetheroureffortsmultiply.”

Followingtheopeningremarks Glennreada proclamationinreferencetoNAVSTANorfolk’s continuedcelebrationofArborDay.

“Let us remember that the tree we plant today will stand as a testament to our commitment to the planet it will grow tall and strong providing benefits we may never fully see but that others will reply upon, so let’s pick up our shovels plant our tree and leave a legacy of green for generations to come,” said Glenn “I, CaptainRayA.Glenn,ExecutiveOfficer Naval StationNorfolk,proclaimDecember4,2024as theAnnualNavalStationNorfolkArborDay.

Once finished, Glenn proceeded to sign the proclamation, after which Glenn and Thompson then grabbed golden-blade shovels and began to fill the hole with the first scoops of soilforthenewsapling,ayoungGrannySmith appletree lessthanayearold.

In light of the successful Arbor Day celebration this year, all participants are looking forwardtotheupcomingeventin2025

NAVFAC Washington Commanding Officer selected

ByNatashaWaldronAnthony

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Washington

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington Commanding Officer Capt. Omarr Tobias has been selected for promotion to rear admiral (Lower Half), marking a historic milestoneasthefirstBlackflagofficerinthe CivilEngineerCorps’history

TheselectionwasannouncedbyNAVFAC Commander Rear Adm. Dean VanderLey, Nov. 13 Tobias, who has commanded NAVFACWashingtonsinceJune2023,will bring his extensive facilities engineering expertise and leadership experience to the flag officer ranks at a crucial time for naval infrastructure.

His selection comes as the Navy implements Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm.LisaFranchetti’sProject33;astrategic initiative launched in September 2024 that identifies seven critical targets to enhance naval readiness by 2027. One of these key targetsfocusesonrestoringthecriticalinfrastructurethatsustainsandprojectsthefight fromshore.

“Our CNO laid it out for us in our Project 33targets torestoretheshore,fromwhich weprojectthefight.So,wehavetogetafter it,” said Tobias, emphasizing the urgency of the mission. “The future needs involve us beingabletotrulyassessourrisk.Weunderstand our infrastructure has risk associated with it. So, it’s our job to make sure that we understand and communicate those risks

Civil Engineer Corps Rear Admiral

NAVFACWashington Commanding Officer, RearAdm.(Select) OmarrTobias.(PHOTO BYNATASHAWALDRONANTHONY,NAVAL FACILITIESENGINEERINGSYSTEMSCOMMAND WASHINGTON)

andmitigatethemwherepossible.”

AgraduateofNorthCarolinaAgricultural andTechnicalStateUniversity,Tobiasjoined the Navy through the collegiate program before attending Officer Candidate School and Civil Engineer Corps Basic School. Throughout his career, he has emphasized theimportanceofteamworkandmaintainingapositiveattitudeinleadership

Underhiscommand NAVFACWashington has aligned its efforts with Project 33’s ambitious goals while increasing retention ratesandstrengtheningcommunityengagement.“Thesearebig,audaciousgoals,andI lovetoachievebig,audaciousgoals,”Tobias said. “With the teammates we have the officers, the enlisted, the civilians and all the families who support us we have the best.Andwiththat,we’regoingtohitthose targetsandevenmore excitingtimes. Hisleadershipphilosophycentersonthe power of teamwork and positive attitude “Human beings function best when we worktogetherasateam,”Tobiasexplained. “There might be a day where I come in and I’m not at my greatest, but you are, and you help pick me up, and there might be a day when you come in and you’re not at your greatest, but I am. And we pick each other up, and that’s how we achieve great things, workingtogether.”

To junior officers and engineers starting theircareers,Tobiasofferswordsofencouragement:“Thankyouforyourchoice Thank youforyourservice Thechallengeslaidout by our CNO present a great opportunity to meet the challenges and exceed them It’s a funtimetobeintheCorps.”

Tobias credits his success to strong family support, particularly mentioning his mother’s influence as his first leadership model and his wife Toni’s ongoing support throughouthisnavalcareer “Itisagreatjoy to serve in the Navy, but it is a sacrifice for our families and for folks who are loving us andsupportinguswhilewegodoourthing,”

henoted.

As he prepares to assume his new role, Tobias remains focused on NAVFAC’s critical mission within Project 33’s framework

NAVFACWashington Commanding Officer, RearAdm.(Select) OmarrTobias during PWO Symposium,Nov.12 2024,Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Washington,D.C (PHOTO BYNATASHAWALDRONANTHONY,NAVAL FACILITIESENGINEERINGSYSTEMSCOMMAND WASHINGTON)

Truman arrives in Marseille, celebrates Thanksgiving

ByLt BrandonDedmon

Uss Harry S Truman

MARSEILLE,France TheNimitz-class aircraftcarrierUSSHarryS.Truman(CVN 75), the Italian Navy Carlo Bergamini-class frigate Carabiniere (F 593), and embarked Carrier Air Wing One (CVW 1), arrived in Marseille,France,on28Nov.

The port visit comes just after the two-month point on deployment, following over a month of operations with Allies and partners in the North and Norwegian Seas Today, Sailors are excited to enjoy liberty immersingthemselvesinMarseille’s renownedhistory,cuisine,andculturewhile engaging with the community over the Thanksgivingholiday.

TheUnitedStatesandFrancecontinueto coalescearoundcollectivedefense,exchang-

ing dialogue and culture in the process, exemplified by the Truman Strike Group’s arrival in Marseille France is the first Ally oftheUnitedStates withtiesdatingbackto the American Revolutionary War, and the UnitedStatesisoneofonlyafewAllieswith whom the Marine Nationale has a strategic planforenhancedcooperation.

“Icouldnotbemoregratefulforthewarm welcome by the French government and, morespecifically,thecityofMarseille,”said Capt. Dave Snowden, commanding officer of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). “The strong partnership between our countries isbuiltonsharedvalues mutualrespect,and a steadfast commitment to the rules-based internationalorderthroughtheNATOAlliance The established, shared naval framework between our countries fortified through both world wars enhances our

global,high-endwarfightinginteroperability and gives Fleet commanders tailorable optionsincompetition,crisis,andconflict.”

Before stopping in France the HSTCSG including Carabiniere (F 593) and the Spanish Navy Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate Méndez Núñez (F-104), transited the Strait of Gibraltar for the Mediterranean Sea Nov. 25 The strike group completed the NATO-led maritime vigilance activity Neptune Strike (NEST) 24-2 Oct 31, underscoring the U.S. Navy’s commitment to boosting combined force interoperability and enhancing integrated deterrence with NATO Allies including Italy France Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdomtodeliverpowerforpeace NEST 24-2 was the sixth iteration of the vigilance activityestablishedin2022 The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike

Group is deployed in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, supporting U.S. Naval Forces Europe-AfricainthedefenseofU.S.,Allied, and partner interests. The carrier strike group includes the flagship USS Harry S. Truman(CVN75);CarrierAirWing(CVW) 1, with nine embarked aviation squadrons; staffs from CSG-8, CVW-1, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; the Ticonderoga-classguided-missilecruiserUSSGettysburg (CG 64); and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missiledestroyers,USSStout(DDG 55)andUSSJasonDunham(DDG109). HSTCSG’s mission is to conduct prompt andsustainedcombatoperationsatseaand maintain a forward presence through sea control and power projection capabilities You can find more information on DVIDS athttps://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN75

LCS Training Facility Atlantic renamed to SCSTC MAYPORT

byKimberlyLansdale

Surface Combat Systems Training Command

MAYPORT, Fla. Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Training Facility (LTF) Atlantic (LANT) is officially renamed to SCSTC MAYPORT, Dec. 01.

“In recognition of the increasing future ship laydown requirements and dispersal plan for operating forces in the Mayport, Floridageographicalarea,todaywerename the LTF LANT to SCSTC Mayport,” explained Capt. George A. Kessler, Jr., commodore,SCSTC “Overthelastseveral years, this learning site has adapted to changing circumstances and today, as we targetachievingreadinessforpotentialwar with China by 2027, we must ensure our warfighters are better trained, more proficient,andmoreeffectiveatdeliveringcredible combat power across the surface fleet andpartnernationstoprotectournational interests and defend the global commons The name change defines the command’s criticalmissionoftrainingallsurfacewarfighters.” The significance of SCSTC Mayport is the training it provides to the waterfront. With the changes in final number of hulls and crews for the LCS-1 variant ships, SCSTC has been able to exploit the train-

ingresourcesalreadyinMayporttodeliver atruesurfacecombatsystemsschoolhouse to the Mayport waterfront, similar to the schoolhouses in Hampton Roads and San Diego

“In addition to the 33 LCS courses we will continue to offer SCSTC MAYPORT will immediately provide Micro-Miniature (2M) Repair courses to the Mayport waterfront, explained Capt. Daniel A. Reiher, commanding officer, SCSTC MAYPORT. “As the number and types of shipsinMayportexpands,SCSTCMayport will also expand with delivery of training capabilities such as the Reconfigurable CombatInformationCenterTrainer capable of training multiple AEGIS combat system baselines and the Anti-Submarine Warfare [ASW] Tactical Employment Trainer, capable of training all variants of the SQQ-89 sonar suite. Our training portfolio is expected to grow focusing on the ASW capabilities soon to be resident at Naval Station Mayport, offering courses in ASWtactics,ASWfirecontrolsystemsand acoustic analysis.”

These training systems are part of Surface Training Advanced Virtual Environment Combat Systems (STAVE-CS), the Director, Surface Warfare’s (OPNAV N96) program of record. STAVE-CS was introduced nine years ago as a means to

investintrainingtechnologies,devices,and facilities to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and availability of all surface training As more STAVE-CS training solutions are delivered to SCSTC MAYPORT, future courses, including AEGIS Tactical Action Officer will be available to the waterfront.

“Our warfighters must be ready to fight andSCSTCMayportprovidesthehigh-end tacticaltrainingneededtoensurewarfighting readiness, which leads to security for our country and our allies and maintains thefreedomoftheseaswesorichlyenjoy,” said Kessler Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC), headquartered in Dahlgren Virginia, falls under the Naval EducationandTrainingCommand(NETC), ledbyRearAdm.JeffreyCzerewko.SCSTC is a training organization that consists of 15 global learning sites and detachments Its mission is to provide the U.S. Navy and our allies with highly trained warfighters tomaintain,operate,andtacticallyemploy surface combat systems across the spectrumofoperations Annually SCSTCdeliverstrainingtoover37,000U.S.NavySailors aswellas700internationalSailorsfrom27 partner nations For information about Surface Combat Systems Training Command, visit https:// www.netc.navy.mil/SCSTC DAHLGREN,Va (Nov.01, 2024) Surface Combat SystemsTraining Command (SCSTC) MAYPORT’s official logo.(U.S.NAVYLOGO/ GRAPHICBYZACKLOESCHE)

SSP STEM leads attend offsite training at the U.S. Naval Academy to empower local communities

ByEdvinHernandez

Strategic Systems Programs

ANNAPOLIS Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) coordinators and leads from the Department of Navy’s (DoN) Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) visited the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) in October 2024 to participate in specialized STEM outreach training The workshop, which was led by the Naval Academy’s STEM Center for Education and Outreach, provided SSP employees with a new approach and set of ideas to inspire interestinSTEMcareersforK-12students

SSP, headquartered at the Washington Navy Yard in the District of Columbia, has an expansive footprint across the countryandintheUnitedKingdom.Statesidehowever,it’s FieldActivitiessuchasStrategicWeaponsFacility,Atlantic (SWFLANT)inKingsBay,Georgia,andStrategicWeapons Facility, Pacific in Bangor, Washington, maintain an active presence with its local community The command, which is led by SSP Director Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe Jr., is keen onrecruitingthebrightestmindsacrossthetechnicalfield; andforSSP’sSTEMandOutreachProgramOfficethatstarts atthegrassrootslevel.

“STEM teaches kids real-world application to what they arelearning, CarenSpahrsaid,theSWFLANTContinuous Improvement Coordinator “When students see a direct relationshipfromsomethingthatintereststhemtoanactual career, it helps them focus their studies So many students andteachersareunawareofalltherelatedcareerstheycan pursue,includingjobsthatsupportthegovernment.STEM demos, like the ones we do with elementary and middle schools showchildrenhowourworkinthedefensesector isrelatedtotheircurriculum.”

USNA’s STEM Center is focused on providing STEM outreachtolocalandnationalcommunities,includingthose that are underserved, to influence students and teachers in theengineeringdesignprocess.Thecenterisaddressingan urgentNavyneedinrecruitingmoreyoungpeopletopursue careersinSTEMprofessions

“STEMengagementhelpsleveltheplayingfieldforchildren,” Spahr said. “Many of them, especially in the Title I schools don’t have access to learning outside of school hours Somehaveparentswhoaresobusytryingtoputfood on the table that they don’t have time, money or energy to involve them in these subjects It is critical, now more than ever, that we invest in these children, especially with technologygrowingfastereveryyear Themoreexposurewecan givethemandthemoreresourceswecanprovidetoteachers willequipstudentstothrive.”

The workshop at the Naval Academy was an opportunity for SSP STEM leaders like Spahr to learn hands-on defense-related STEM activities they can bring with them totheclassroom.Someexamplesincludedrustingadogtag creating a long-range paper glider, and manipulating artificial intelligence to aggregate images These activities are specifically designed to introduce students to several engineeringdisciplinessuchaselectrical,aeronautical,mechanical, and biological, and use affordable, low-cost materials forassemblyprojects

SSP personnel also used the offsite training, which they attend almost every year to collaborate with other STEM leaderswithinDoNandlearnedhowtoindependentlylead theseactivitiesforaclassroom AccordingtoDavidAragon, the Flight Systems Command Liaison, the lessons learned attheworkshopwillsupportSSPpersonneltransferknowledge of these activities to the teachers and enable better STEMlearningforallstudents

Arepresentative from the U.S.NavalAcademy’s STEM CenterforEducation and Outreach explains aeronautical principles using a papergliderto NavySTEM representatives inAnnapolis in October2024.Strategic Systems Programs employeeswho attended the event learned newhandson defense-related STEM activities theycan bring to the classroom at theirlocal communities Each activity is specificallydesigned to introduce students tovarious engineering disciplines such as electrical,aeronautical, mechanical,and biological,and use affordable,low-cost materials forassemblyprojects.(U.S.NAVYPHOTOSBYDAVID ARAGON)

“ThisexperiencedirectlyimpactsSSP’sabilitytoengage with teachers and children and local communities by placingallwhoattendedonthesamesheetofmusicandcreates awiderSTEMnetworkthroughouttheNavy,”Aragonsaid “Wesharedourmissionattheworkshopandwherewecome from alongwithwhatwearetryingtoaccomplish.Itwas greattoformaconnectionwithotherNavySTEMpersonnel that we wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to engage withinourhometowns.”

Today, SSP’s STEM leaders are taking a proactive step in training their future workforce by hosting field trips and supporting science-based school events year-round The team’s main goal is to expose K-12 students to real technological problems that can be solved in the classroom and demonstratinghowittranslatestoNavyapplication.According to Aragon, some of these technical projects include assembling a robot ball and creating an obstacle course for ittotravelthroughorputtingtogetheravirtualworldusing programing applications which ignites curiosity, exploration,andcreativity

For the command, one of the most important things to understand in continuous STEM learning is how the studentsandteachersinteractwiththematerial.

“OurSTEMengagementleadsdeveloprelationshipswith

Aworkshop attendee prepares to test his papergliderat the U.S.NavalAcademy(USNA) inAnnapolis in October2024. The USNA’s STEM CenterforEducation and Outreach hosted a STEMworkshop and demonstrated easy low-cost material assemblyprojects NavySTEM representatives can introduce to theirlocal communities.Strategic Systems Programs STEM leads used this opportunityto networkand participated on hands-on science projects at the base

base-areaSTEMeducatorsandschoolsonhowtoestablish andgrowSTEM-focusededucationprograms,”SWFLANT STEM Engagement Lead Jeffrey Brewer said. “Our main objective is to leverage the existing programs within the schoolsandsupportteachers Receivingfeedbackfromthe educators gives us critical information to improve STEM curriculumforfuturegenerations.”

By creating accessible STEM programs for students within the SSP communities there is hope it will create a lastingimpactthatwillinfluencethemtothinkaboutcareers withintheDepartmentofDefense

“YearsagoIwastoldthat‘kidsdon’tcarewhatyouknowtheycarethatyoucare,’”Spahrsaid.“Thesekidswillrememberthatsomeonewhoworkswithmissilesandsubmarines cametotheirschoolandshowedthemsomecoolstuff They will remember that they did something clever. They will rememberthatwecared,andtheymightjustwanttowork foranorganizationthatrepresentsthosevalues.”

SSPtakesaproactiveapproachtosuccessionplanningby connecting STEM outreach directly to its talent pipeline Thisincludesseniorleadership,developmentalemployees, andstudentinternsbecominginvolvedinSSP’slocalecosystem to promote the mission of the organization. According toDr GregBouton,theSSPSTEMActionOfficer,thiscontinuity helps strengthen the program’s relationship with its communityandpeople

SSP is the Navy command that provides cradle-to-grave lifecyclesupportforthesea-basedlegofthenation’snuclear triad. The command provides training, systems, equipment, facilities and personnel responsible for ensuring the safety,security,andeffectivenessofthenation’sSubmarine LaunchedBallisticMissile(SLBM)TridentII(D5LE)StrategicWeaponSystem.

uarterdeck

CenterDivision Newport’s Undersea Warfare Combat Systems Department won a 2025 BlackEngineeroftheYearAward in the Modern-Day TechnologyLeaders categorywhich

ByPublicAffairsOffice

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport

NEWPORT, R.I. Six Naval Undersea WarfareCenter(NUWC)DivisionNewport employeeshavebeenselectedaswinnersof the 2025 Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) Science, Technology, Engineering andMath(STEM)programinvariouscategories Dr Derke Hughes an engineer in the Undersea Warfare (USW) Sensors and Sonar Systems Department, is the winner ofBEYA’sSeniorInvestigatorAward,which honorsresearchanddevelopmentengineers who are leaders in advancing basic science knowledge or discovering, developing, and implementing new technology. For over 23 years Hugheshasbeenandcontinuestobe a basic and applied scientific pioneer in the areaofbio-mimeticsoundtransduction.

Specifically, he has been the principal investigator at Division Newport, working on a Division Newport and Department of Defense,DefenseAdvancedResearchProject Agency-funded project that explores and seeks to understand the sound production capability of the cicada’s transduction mechanism from biologic, physiologic, engineering signal processing modeling

and simulation perspectives In the past year Hughes has created technical memoranda about hydrophone drift caused by sea conditions and a sensitivity analysis on hydrodynamic coefficients for torpedo and salvo weapons The hydrophone study analyzed the sea current and wind speed to determine the uncertainty between the GPS information on the buoy compared to the hydrophone’s actual location below the water surface “His significant STEM achievementsstoodoutamongotherapplicants, resulting in this prestigious honor, theannouncementstates WinnersofBEYA’sModern-DayTechnologyLeadersAward,whichhonorsengineers who are shaping the future of engineering, science and technology, include Hadi Bah and Andrew Eatman both from the USW Combat Systems Department, and Brian Souder and Chris Williams both from the USW Sensors and Sonar Systems Department. As technical program manager infrastructure lead, Undersea Warfare Decision Support System Team, Bah, distinguished himself as a technical leader and innovator Last year, he accepted a year-long temporaryassignmentwiththeProgramExecutive OfficeIntegratedWarfareSystems support-

ByPublicAffairsOffice

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport

NEWPORT, R.I The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport’s commitment to providing the fleet with critical warfighting capabilities was on display Nov. 22 as it welcomed Dennis Boyer, a member of the Senior Executive Service and deputy commander, UnderseaWarfightingDevelopmentCenter (UWDC), for a full day of tours and discussions

“Division Newport consistently delivers new technologies and capabilities within its technical design and in-service engineeringroles Itisstrategicallyimportantto show the deputy commander the status of the latest and greatest items that are being designed and developed in our laboratories,” Division Newport Technical Director MarieBussieresaidduringthevisit.“These new technologies will be rapidly fielded in thefleet,butthisisanopportunitytogetan advanced look and work cooperatively to develop and modify the tactics and proceduresbeforetheyareondeployment.

UWDC,underthedirectionofViceAdm. Robert Gaucher, Commander, Submarine Forces (COMSUBFOR), enhances undersea warfighting capabilities and readiness across the theater, operational and tactical levels of war. The center, based in Groton, Connecticut, with detachments in Norfolk, Virginia and San Diego, California, develops doctrine for how multi-domain undersea warfare platforms integrate with each other, including the incorporation of artificialintelligenceandmachinelearning UWDC oversees several groups working together to enhance submarine operations, includingtheArticSubmarineLab,Tactical Analysis Group and the Navy’s submarine AggressorSquadron(AGGRON).

“With UWDC as a supporting command to COMSUBFOR, it has insight into the undersea capabilities that need to be delivered today or within the next few years,” Bussiere said. “Our tours and discussions were tailored with that in mind, along with

PCU John F. Kennedy

Sailors engage with Boston community during namesake visit PageB4

ingtheprincipleassistantprogrammanager attheWashingtonNavyYardinWashington D.C. Working with personnel from NUWC Division Keyport and Naval Sea Systems Command 05N, Bah successfully developed and integrated critical software that ensures all U.S. and allied submarines can safelyoperatesubmergedwithoutcollision. Through his analysis, Bah recognized that thenewsoftwarecouldbeinstalledonolder Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services hardware platforms Being able to use the software on older platforms ensures that there will be no gap in warfighting capabilities The work marked the culmination of four years of systems engineering,softwaredevelopmentandtesting HehasbeenemployedatDivisionNewport since2016.

Eatman, integration lead for the Tomahawk Weapons Control System, began his career at Division Newport in 2017, workingasaTomahawkWeaponsSystem(TWS) test engineer He currently serves as the integration lead for the Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TWCS) in the BYG-1 Combat and Weapons Control System. Eatman is responsible for preparing for the test and fleet delivery of all variations of TWCS In submarine combat control

Vice Admiral Gaucher’s ‘audacious goals’ for executing the submarine force’s strategicvision.” Inhisroleasdeputycommander,Boyeris responsible for rapid delivery of new USW technologies and tactical guidance to fleet operators aswellasconsultingwithvarious senior Department of Defense (DoD) leadersandprivateresearchorganizationsonall aspectsofUSW. RetiringasaU.S.Navycaptainin2019after 35yearsofactiveduty,heisnostrangertothe warfare center as he served as commanding officer of Naval Station Newport from September2014toAugust2017 MoreinformationaboutBoyer’scareerisavailablehere.

“I am a well-informed fan of NUWC, he said. “I often tell people to go to NUWC, because I don’t think they have an appreciation for the amount of experimentation thatgoesonhere.”

During her opening remarks, Bussiere provided an overview of Division Newport and detailed her three priorities as technical director: warfighting readiness, leadershipandworkforcebrilliance andtechnical andbusinessexcellence.Sheexplainedthat while Division Newport is fully invested in preparing for any conflict that might arise, the future cannot be mortgaged. Boyer agreed.

“There’sthispushfor2027,butifitdoesn’t happen, it’s not like the calendar ends,” he said.

After some early discussions, Boyer toured several facilities where subject matterexpertsupdatedhimonthewarfare center’s efforts in strike tactical operations fleet experimentations, capability deliveries and new payloads integrated within the combat system. Boyer also toured an unmannedunderseavehicle(UUV)labora-

systems there are multiple baselines and each baseline contains different launcher configurations The last two baselines that Eatman supported had over 48 different TWCS configurations a tremendous task which he successfully completed. “With an eye toward efficiency and cost savings, Eatman decreased the TWS server count by 50%, resulting in a reduction to acquisition cost, physical footprint and power consumption for the fleet, the award states “Theseeffortshavestreamlinedtheprocess and reduced the time required for system integration and lab-based testing, which allowsfortheteamtobemoreefficientand produce better outputs for the overall testingschedule.”

Souder is currently serving as the engineering team lead of the Ocean Operations Group inside of the Maritime Surveillance SystemsportfolioforthePrototypesDevelopment Branch in the Undersea Warfare SensorsandSonarSystemsDepartment.In addition to his role as team lead, Souder is also the Division Newport site director for Special Mission Ships Activity Williamsburg at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Cheatham Annex, in Virginia. Following

tory, which is expanding the reach of platforms by providing unmanned systems to performdangerousorroutinemissions The visit also included extensive discussions on torpedoes, communications, countermeasures andcommandandcontrol.

Themissionsandgeographiclocationsof DivisionNewportandUWDChavecontributedtoacloseworkingrelationship Leadershipofbothorganizationsmeetperiodically fortechnicalexchangesanddeepdivesinto critical gap areas and capability enhancements The warfare center’s technical departments and UWDC’s working groups alsointeractregularly

“On any given day, there are members from both organizations at each other’s facilities,”Bussieresaid.“UWDCoperators consistently come to Division Newport to see the latest version of systems, evaluate the requirements and provide feedback to thedesigners.”

NUWC Newport is the oldest warfare center in the country, tracing its heritage to the Naval Torpedo Station established on Goat Island in Newport Harbor in 1869 Commanded by Capt. Chad Hennings NUWC Newport maintains major detachments in West Palm Beach, Florida, and AndrosIslandintheBahamas,aswellastest facilitiesatSenecaLakeandFisher’sIsland, New York, Leesburg, Florida, and Dodge Pond,Connecticut.

Joinourteam!NUWCDivisionNewport, one of the 20 largest employers in Rhode Island, employs a diverse highly trained educated, and skilled workforce We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists,andotherSTEMprofessionals,aswell as talented business, finance, logistics and othersupportexpertswhowishtobeatthe forefront of undersea research and development Please connect with NUWC DivisionNewportRecruitingatthissite-https:// www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NUWC-Newport/Career-Opportunities/ and follow

@ NUWC-Newport and

@ NUWCNewport.

Holiday safety: Important tips to keep in mind

ByDarrylOrrell Center For Security Forces

The Center for Security Forces Safety Manager shared helpful safety tips and reminders with staff in preparation for the upcomingholidayseason Thebriefwasgiven during the command’s quarterly all-hands callatJointExpeditionaryBaseLittleCreekFortStory,Nov.21.

“Avoid running cords and wires across common walking areas keep outdoor steps and stairs clear and make multiple trips instead of carrying so much you’re unable to see where you are going,” said Fred Christian,safetymanagerattheCenterforSecurity Forces,speakingaboutholidaysafety.

AccordingtotheConsumerProductSafety Commission(CPSC),duringthe2023holiday season,14,900peopleweretreatedathospital emergency rooms because of holiday decorating mishaps The CPSC also states that Thanksgiving Day is the peak day for cooking-relatedfires

“Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from all heat sources, including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, and space heaters,”emphasizedChristian.“Also,never useyourkitchenoventoheatyourhome!”

Truman

ByLt.Cmdr CourtneyCallaghan,Lt

BrandonDedmonandLt CamilaHealey

USS Harry S Truman

TheHarryS.TrumanCarrierStrikeGroup (HSTCSG), including Italian Navy Carlo Bergamini-class frigate Carabiniere (F 593), and the Spanish Navy Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate Méndez Núñez (F-104) transited the StraitofGibraltarfortheMediterraneanSea, Nov.25 followingoveramonthofoperations with Allies and partners in the North and NorwegianSeas

“Two months into deployment, and the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group has experienced an unprecedented amount of operations with our NATO Allies and partners,” said Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of the HSTCSG. “It is truly impressivetowatchtheseamlessintegration ofthearmedforcesofsomanycountriesand multitude of ships and aircraft all operating as a unified fighting force It is an absolute testament to the strength and versatility of theNATOAlliance.”

HSTCSG arrived in the North Sea on Oct. 15, immediately engaging with Allies and partners, starting with the Portuguese Navy Frigate NRP Francisco De Almeida (F 333) and Royal Norwegian Navy replenishment oilerHNoMSMaud(A-530).Almeidaseamlesslyintegratedintothecarrierstrikegroup as an immediate force multiplier, where the ship served as a horizon reference unit for the carrier and conducted Helicopter, Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (HVBSS) operations During that time, Maud provided the neededfuelfortheArleighBurke-classguided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG109)andUSSStout(DDG55)todetach as a surface action group to conduct maritimeoperationsintheBarentsSea,wherethe shipsenhanceddomainawareness,deterred adversaries, and practiced campaigning in theArctic.Onthewayback,bothshipspulled into Tromsø, Norway, for fuel, supplies, and restandrelaxationforthecrew

“It is important that U.S. naval forces demonstrate a calibrated presence in the Arctic by conducting routine operations in the region, said Cmdr Desmond Walker, commander officer of Stout. We must take on all opportunities to enhance our capabilities toward potential campaigns around the world.”

In a display of transatlantic military cooperationandpowerprojection,HSTCSGunits conducted dual carrier strike group operationswiththeUnitedKingdomRoyalNavy’s aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09) for the 7-day NATO-led maritime vigilance activity Neptune Strike (NEST) 24.2, Oct. 24-31. The two carrier strike groups transferred operational authorities to NATO to

The Naval Safety Center recommends placing turkey fryers at least ten feet away from any structures and on a level surface Ensuretheturkeyoritemtobecookedisfully thawed,alwaysmonitorthefryer,andhavea drypowderormultipurposefireextinguisher nearby.

Christian also highlighted the importance of ensuring chimneys are cleaned and inspectedbyaprofessional,andifspaceheaters are used in the home, ensure they have a safety tip-over switch and are turned off beforebed.

The CPSC cites cooking as the leading cause of residential fires, and the average number of cooking-related fires occurring on Thanksgiving Day is 14,000, which is more than three times the daily average for theremainingyear

“Peopleshouldperformsmokeandcarbon monoxide alarm checks every month and replace units that are more than ten years old, said Christian. “Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of poisoning in the United States.”

Christian further explained that smoke alarmsshouldbeinstalledoneverylevelofa homeandplacedinthebedroomsandoutside ofsleepingareas,eitherontheceilingorhigh

on the wall. For family members with hearingdifficultiesorwhoaredeaf,installspecial alarms strobe lights or bed-shakers to alert themofdanger

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that the Thanksgivingholidayweekendisthebusiest time of the year to be on the road. According to NHTSA, there were 326 people killed in trafficaccidentsin2022,ofwhich43percent werenotwearingtheirseatbelts Ontheeveof Thanksgiving Day, 35 percent of 100 drivers killedinfataltrafficaccidentswereimpaired byalcohol.

“When traveling, plan early,” encouraged Christian. “Ensure you have an emergency kit,especiallyiftravelinginremoteareas.Be well rested, leave early, and anticipate heavy traffic.Mostimportantly,ensureeveryonein the vehicle is buckled in properly no matter howlongorshortthetraveltimewillbe.”

The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 20,000 studentsannuallyinForceProtection,Expeditionary Warfare, Code of Conduct, Law Enforcement,andSmallCraftOperations It hastraininglocationsacrosstheUnitedStates and worldwide, “Where Training Breeds Confidence

conduct coordinated surface and air operations including complex air defense anti-submarinewarfare,andmaritimestrike operations

Vigilance activity provides an example of the long-standing strategic partnership between the United States and its NATO Allies over the last 80 years. Today, upholding the international, rules-based order is more important than ever Harry S. Truman participated in the first Neptune Strike vigilanceactivity thencalledNeptuneShield,in Feb. 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; marking the first time the United States placed a carrier strike group under NATO’scontrolsincetheColdWar.

Before and during NEST, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 squadrons flew a multitude ofmissionswithseveralcountriestoinclude Czech and Swedish Air Force JAS-39 Gripens DanishF-16FightingFalcons RoyalNavy and Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 Joint Strike Fighters Finish F/A-18C Hornets. The ability to plan and fly tactical missions with Allies and partners explicitly demonstrates NATO’s combat credibility in the air, expanding the striking range of any carrier strikegroup FollowingNEST,thestrikegroupdisaggregatedtoconductportvisitsacrosstheregion.

Harry S. Truman and Carabiniere navigated the Oslofjord with the Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen-classfrigateThorHeyerdahl(F314) to visit Oslo, Norway At the same time, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg went to Helsinki, Finland, andStoutwenttoGothenburg,Sweden.

While at anchor in Norway, Harry S. Truman, Vice Adm. Jeffrey Anderson, commander of U.S. 6th Fleet, and Chargé d’Affairesa.i.EricMeyeroftheU.S.Embassy to Norway hosted a 700-person reception featuring Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre as the distinguished visitor. Gettysburg and Stout also hosted receptions and office calls withhostnationcivilianandmilitaryleaders

MEDITERRANEAN SEA(Nov 25,2024) From front to back, theArleigh Burke-class guidedmissile destroyerUSS Stout (DDG 55) the Nimitz-class aircraft carrierUSS HarryS.Truman (CVN 75),the Italian Carlo Bergaminiclass frigate Carabiniere (F593), and the Spanish Álvaro de Bazánclass frigate MéndezNúñez(F104),transit the Strait ofGibraltar Nov.25.USS HarryS.Truman,the flagship ofthe HarryS.Truman CarrierStrike Group (HSTCSG),is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S.6th Fleet area ofoperations

At the conclusion of their port visit, Harry S. Truman and the Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate Roald Amundsen (F 311)headednorthintotheNorwegianSeato operate above the Arctic Circle, echoing the 2024 Department of Defense Arctic Strategy’s“Enhance,Engage,andExercise”tenants by enhancing our ability to campaign in the Arctic, engaging with Allies, and exercising withcalibratedpresence

“Operating in the Arctic requires comprehensive coordination and adaptability,” said Capt. Dave Snowden, commanding officer, USS Harry S. Truman. “Our ship is no stranger to these waters and, while these conditions are a proving ground that tested the ship, crew, and air wing, Team Truman and Tarbox demonstrated that we are capable of operating anywhere and anytime as a combatreadyteam.”

In an increasingly dynamic region, Harry S. Truman’s integration and collaboration with Allies and partners is a testament to NATO’s combined force interoperability, combat-crediblecollectivedefense,andflexibility of threat response in a region seeing increasedstrategicimportanceduetoclimate shiftsandglobalcompetition. ThecarrierstrikegroupconsistsoftheflagshipUSSHarryS.Truman(CVN75);Carrier AirWing(CVW)1withnineembarkedaviation squadrons; staffs from CSG-8 CVW-1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64); and two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Stout (DDG 55) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG109). HSTCSG’s mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea and remainthecornerstoneoftheNavy’sforward presence through sea control and power projectioncapabilities Youcanfindthemon DVIDS at https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/ CVN75



a distinguished 20-plus year career as U.S. Navy submarine officer, Souder joined Division Newport in 2021. As operations manager, he established lasting processes to institutionalize effective tools to supervise and coordinate technically complex industrial-level at-sea operations in multiple oceans, often simultaneously and in coordination with multiple Navy fleet commands at once. “He consistently exceeds expectations, as he models dedication and leadership to the warfighter,” the award states.

Williams currently serves as the multi-function towed array (MFTA) fleet support baseline lead for the SQQ-89(V) Surface Ship Undersea Warfare Towed System Engineering Team. As baseline lead, he performs hardware/systems engineering to the OK-410 and MFTA systems for the AN/ SQQ-89 Surface Ship Sonar program. In parallel, Williams is the in-service engineering agent for towed arrays, coordinating and providing direct support to the lead systems engineer, engineering team lead and technical program manager as necessary, ensuring that all fleet needs are met. In the past year, he specifically performed troubleshooting for MFTA, TB37 and TB37A. He also provided in-service and repair for depot and intermediate maintenance activities, often having to provide support and travel at the last minute both

for domestic and Japan Foreign Military Sales systems.

“Over the past nine years at Division Newport, Williams has contributed greatly to the improvement, advancement and success of the towed array systems through troubleshooting, problem solving, and communication,” the award states.

Tiffany Jackson-Henderson, an analyst and systems engineer in the USW Combat Systems Department, won a Science Spectrum Trailblazers Award, which honors engineers who are actively creating new paths for others in STEM.

Jackson-Henderson received the Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award, which honors engineers who are shaping the future of STEM. During the past 12 years at Division Newport, Jackson-Henderson has steadily assumed roles of increased complexity and responsibility. She currently serves as a Payload Control System (PCS) engineer for Submarine Combat and Weapons Control Program Office, finding technical solutions for the warfighter. Working out of the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., Jackson-Henderson provides technical direction and oversight for the PCS on the AN/BYG-1 combat system. Before that she served as the PCS integrated project team lead at Division Newport. In this role, she oversaw a team of approximately 20 government and contractor technical personnel, and managed the tasking, schedule, budget and deliverables for the team. “In addition to being a leader at work, Jack-

son-Henderson is also a leader in her community,” the award states. “She has supported engineering workshops for grade school students and coached a middle school mathematics team that advanced to the state championship.”

The award winners will be recognized at the 2025 BEYA STEM Awards ceremony to be held during the BEYA Stem Conference, Feb. 13-15, 2025, in Maryland.

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

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

PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) Sailors engage with Boston community during namesake visit

ByPettyOfficer1stClassTyrellMorris

PCU John F. Kennedy (Cvn 79)

Sailors assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), which will be the U.S. Navy’s newest Ford-classaircraftcarrier,visitedtheship’s namesakecityofBoston Massachusetts,on Nov. 21-22, 2024

ForthePCUJohnF.KennedySailors,this visitwasanopportunitytoconnectwiththe ship’s namesake city and the rich heritage that can be found throughout Boston.

“Our crew takes great pride in carrying forward our namesake’s legacy of service, courage, and dedication,” said Capt Doug Langenberg commanding officer of PCU John F. Kennedy “Namesake visits like oursinBostonprovideanexcellentopportunityforourSailorstobuildrelationships and reinforce the strong ties between our shipandthecityPresidentKennedycalled home.”

Duringthetwo-dayvisit,Sailorsengaged with the Boston community through variousactivities,includingoutreachateducational institutions and interactions with veterans at a local Veterans Affairs healthcare facility

“It’s a privilege to visit Boston alongside these outstanding Sailors who represent the more than 1,900 crewmembers assigned to PCU John F. Kennedy,” said PCU John F. Kennedy Command Master Chief Craig Johnson. “Nothing beats visitingthecityinpersontotrulyappreciatethe special connection of President Kennedy and the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier.”

OnNov.21,Sailorsmetwithmidshipmen from the Boston Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) for a leadership panel. The day continued with the Sailors’ support to the Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) New England where they engaged with local high school students interestedinnavalcareers Laterintheday theytouredtheJohnF.KennedyPresidential Library and Museum, learning more aboutthelifeandlegacyoftheship’snamesake.

The following day, Sailors visited a local Veterans Affairs hospital, where they met

with veterans, shared stories, and showed appreciation for their service—the day continued with an engagement at the Boston Children’s Museum, where Sailors connected and shared the Navy’s mission and values

ForAviationOrdnancemanAirmanGregory Hussey a native of Pembroke, Massachusetts assignedtoPCUJohnF.Kennedy spending time at the local Veterans Affairs hospital was a meaningful experience “There is truly nothing better than giving backtothosewhocamebeforeus,”Hussey said. “It’s an honor to show our appreciation for the veterans who stood the watch before us, and especially to meet a plank owneroftheoriginalJohnF.Kennedy,who is a Brookline native.”

The namesake visit concluded with a reception hosted by the Navy League, wheremembersoftheship’screwengaged withlocalleadersandcommunitymembers inhonorthesharedhistorybetweenJohnF. Kennedy and the Boston community PCU John F. Kennedy is the second aircraft carrier in the Ford Class, the first new class in more than 40 years

At 1,092 feet in length and 100,000 tons CVN 79 represents dramatic advances in propulsion, power generation, ordnance handling, and aircraft launch systems.

These innovations will support a higher sortie generation rate at significant cost savings when compared to Nimitz-class carriers TheGeraldR.Fordclassalsooffers a considerable reduction—approximately $4billionpership inlifecycleoperations and support costs compared to the earlier Nimitz class

The new technology and warfighting capabilities that John F. Kennedy brings to the fleet will transform naval warfare, supporting a more capable and lethal forward-deployed U.S. naval presence In an emerging era of great power competition, CVN 79 will serve as the most agile and lethal combat platform globally with improvedsystemsthatenhanceinteroperabilityamongotherplatformsinthecarrier strike group and with the naval forces of regional allies and partners

BOSTON (November22 2024) Sailors assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU)John F.Kennedy(CVN 79) pose fora group photo with staffandvolunteers at theWest RoxburyVeterans Affairs Medical Centerduring a namesakevisit to Boston, November22

BELOW:BOSTON(November 21 2024) Sailors assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU)John F.Kennedy(CVN 79) pose fora group photo with Executive DirectorAlan Price during a tourofthe John F.KennedyPresidential Libraryand Museum fora namesakevisit to Boston, November21

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT The

littoral combat ship USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) returned to Naval Station Mayport, Fla. following a deploymenttotheU.S.5thFleet,6thFleet,and2nd Fleetareasofoperations,Nov.26 Indianapolis deployed in March 2024 as a dual-crewed command, conducting two exchangesofcommandbetweenLCSCrew 112 and LCS Crew 118 This final deployment marked LCS Crew 118’s second 5th Fleet deployment in 2024 and the consolidation of the crews into a single command. LCS Crew 118 deployed on May 5, 2024 to the U.S. 5th Fleet operating area to support theU.S.Navy’smissiontopromotefreedom of navigation and the rules-based internationalorder

tomaintaininggooddiplomaticrelationsin the Middle East which allowed Standard Missile shooters to reposition to deal with bad actors in the Red Sea. I think it’s pretty special that we were able to provide the 5th Fleet commander with more tools and options to aid in the free flow of commerce throughacontestedwaterway.”

Shortly after arriving at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, LCS crews 118 and 112 merged and integrated a detachment from the “High Rollers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 into the crew Indianapolis and HSC 28 supported operations as part of Task Force 52 The ship also worked with Task Force 59 the Navy’s first unmanned and artificial intelligence development force, to validate crewless technology and mesh networks Indianapolis also supported other interoperability initiatives and aviation training events with regional partners

familieswhosupportthem withoutthem none of this would be possible,” said Cmdr William Green, USS Indianapolis’ ExecutiveOfficer Indianapolisvalidatedthelittoralcombat shipconceptbothoperationallyandthrough administrative successes During the final months of an 18-month deployment, IndianapoliscompletedaMobilityAviationReset, two Initial Ship Aviation Team Training events to support HSC 28.7 and HSC 28.9, certified in Explosive Safety and Cyber Security, and demonstrated navigational excellence during a mobility navigation assessment.

The ship’s deployed maintenance and repair experiences were supported by Forward Deployed Regional Maintenance Center (FDRMC) and included maintenance availabilities in locations throughout theMiddleEastregion,andRijeka,Croatia.

form designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation.Itisdesignedtodefeatasymmetric “anti-access” threats and can support forward presence maritime security sea control,anddeterrence

U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse comprises 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez CanalandtheStraitofBabalMandebatthe southerntipofYemen.

U.S.SixthFleet,headquarteredinNaples Italy,conductsthefullspectrumofjointand navaloperations,ofteninconcertwithallied and interagency partners to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in EuropeandAfrica.

U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domainsintheAtlanticandArctictoensure access, deter aggression, and defend U.S., allied,andpartnerinterests. Longest in

“What this team of amazing Americans achievedoverthecourseofthisdeployment willpaydividendsinthemaintenanceplanning and tactics development arenas for years to come,” said Cmdr Matthew Arndt, USS Indianapolis’ Commanding Officer “AstheworkhorseoftheArabianGulf,Indy executed the lower tier missions necessary

“Thisdeploymentclearlymarksasignificantchapterintheship’shistoryandserves as proof the LCS class is capable of fulfilling operational and strategic goals across all theater of operations, but most of all, this deployment records the mountainous amount of teamwork, dedication and grit from our Sailors and their friends and

“Theresilienceandflawlessperformance ofthiscrewduringthishistoricdeployment have exemplified the highest standards of naval excellence,” said Command Senior Chief Darrell Shelton, USS Indianapolis’ Senior Enlisted Leader “Their unwavering dedicationandskillensuredmissionsuccess andstrengthenedourmaritimecapabilities.”

LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused plat-

Carderock Black Engineer of the Year: Jamar Young

ByBrittnyOdoms

Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division

For a humble Naval surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division employee like Jamar Young, winning awards isn’t somethingthathestrivesforwhendoinghiswork Butthis year Young has been recognized as a Black Engineer of the Year(BEYA)Modern-DayTechnologyLeader Young, a scientist at Carderock in the Tactical Decision AidsBranch,startedwiththecommandin2013asacontractor supporting the Signatures Guidance Systems Branch. In July 2016, he was hired as a government employee on the Information Technology Specialist career path. At the time of hiring, young had already received his Bachelor of Science in geographic information systems from the UniversityofMaryland,CollegePark,in2011andhisMaster of Science in information systems from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2014. Once being hired as a federal employee, Young decided to go back to school and received his Master of Science in computer science from JohnsHopkinsUniversityin2021,whilecontinuingtowork fulltimeforCarderock Duetohisworkethic,Youngtransitioned from the Information Technology Specialist career pathtotheComputerScientistcareerpathin2023

In his current role, he manages the day-to-day requirementsoftechnologyusers reachesouttosponsorsforfunding for Carderock’s in-house software, and works with the development team. He also regularly volunteers to every UnderseaWarfareCommander’sTaskForce(CTF)location aroundtheworld,providinghands-on,face-to-facesupport where he introduces and instructs users in the latest operationalcapabilities Young has supported over 30 sites and fleet customers

on a regularly These customers include everyone from the OfficeofNavalIntelligencetotheentirecommunityofU.S. submarines, Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare (TASW) commands such at CTF 54/74 in Yokosuka, Japan; CTF 69 in Naples, Italy; CTF 34 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and CTF 84 in Norfolk, Virginia; Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency(DARPA);Navyresearchlabs;Navywarfarecenters; Defense University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs); andmultipleDoDcontractors

“ItisMr Young’smixofskill,knowledge,self-drive,determination,andwillingnesstohelpthatmakeshimmyrecommendationfortheBEYAProfessionalAchievementaward,” Tactical Decision Aids Branch Head, Matthew Kapus said. “He never slows down, never complains, never gives up, does the work before being asked, fixes problems before theyarise,anddoesitwithhumilityandasmilewhilealways beingwillingtohelpanyone.”

Along with being a mentor to multiple junior employees bothcontractandgovernment,Younghasalsopersonally developed, maintained and trained others in creating authority to operate packages, designed systems for risk managementframeworkaccreditation,andensuredcybersecurityprotectionsareappliedaspartofthesystemsengineeringandconfigurationmanagementprocess

“Iwork,Ididmyjobandjustsohappenedtohavegotten anaward,”Younghumblysaid.

Hecreditshismentorswithhelpinghimtowinthisaward: Ernest Lemmert, Matthew Kapus, Richard Loeffler and DavidSracic.

“Mr.Youngisatrustedandtalentedseniorscientistonour teamandaprimeexampleofthetypeofengineerthisaward was intended to recognize,” Ship Signatures Department Head,PaulShangsaid.

Summer Lecture Series: Dr. Sarah Wolff - Forging the future of Naval materials

ByBrittnyOdoms

Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division

Dr SarahWolff,assistantprofessorinthe mechanical and aerospace department at The Ohio State University (OSU), participatedinhersecondyearasasummerfaculty fellow at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division through the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Summer Faculty ResearchProgram.

During her time with Carderock, Wolff researched laser-based additive manufacturing and specifically the fabrication of complex,multi-materialmetallicpartswith superior microstructures and mechanical parts She capped off her studies with the presentation of a lecture on the topic for Carderock employees and other fellows at theendofthesummer

Over the 10-week fellowship Wolff workedwiththephysicalmetallurgyandfire department to conduct research and imagingofmetaladditivemanufacturing.Shealso workedonanalysisofprintedpartsthrough alaserhotwireprocessthatCarderockuses

“It was really beneficial for me for a vari-

etyofreasons,”Wolffsaid.“Mybackground and research are very fundamental [and] therearen’t[many]applicationstowhatI’m working on, so working at Carderock was a really good combination of fundamental science and then how it [connects] to some ofthenavalapplications.”

Her metal additive manufacturing research was conducted with the magnetic materials group at Carderock who, along with Wolff spent the summer focused on researching the imaging process to print a variety of magnetic metals called “FeIron aluminum metals.” The metals are specializedmagneticmaterialsthatcanbemolded to different shapes and sizes when a magneticfieldisapplied.

The imaging done within the process helps capture key information that can determine whether or not a part is likely to be sustainable or have any defects The developmentofnewmanufacturingmaterialsensurestheNavy’sfleetismoreresistant to saltwater corrosion and also allows new opportunities to refine the additive manufacturingprocessfornewmetals

Warfare Center logistics leaders gather to chart future of NAVSEA logistics

ByFrankKaminski

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport

Senior logisticians from across Naval Sea Systems Command gathered at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport, Nov. 5 7, forthesemi-annualWarfareCenters Logistics Community of Practice meeting

The event brought together more than 30 senior logisticians from across NAVSEA’s logistics sphere including from multiple Warfare Centers, Warfare Center Headquarters,NavalSeaLogisticsCenter and NAVSEA Sustainment Directorate—to share insights, discuss strategic priorities and explore the future of NAVSEA logistics Attendeeslistenedtopresentations,participated in discussions, and toured NUWC Division, Keyport’s labs and facilities

The meeting featured both structuredpresentationsandopendiscussions designed to promote candid, in-depth exchanges on pressing topics The conversations centered on organizational alignment wartime readiness and competency readiness, three areas critical to the Navy’s operational and logistical resilience

These themes are also key focus areas of the Chief of Naval Operations Navigation Plan 2024, which outlines a strategy for building a more ready, lethal capable force in the face of emerging threats

“Thiseventprovidedaconstructiveenvironmentforlogisticsleadershipacrossthe WarfareCenterstoprioritizeourcollective strategicplanningeffortsinto[these]three focusareas,”saidNUWCDivision,Keyport Chief Logistician Wendy Kierpiec. “These discussionscreatedabaselineofknowledge and awareness of the WC logistics enterprise for all who attended and highlighted similarities differences and challenges across the WCs. Mary Westlake, command chief logisticianatNavalSurfaceWarfareCenterDivision,PortHueneme,providedanoverview of the community of practice, outlining its mission, goals, membership, key achievements from fiscal year 2024 and priorities for fiscal year 2025 She called for a shift inlogisticsstrategy urgingthecommunity tomovebeyondefficiency-focusedmodels toward a more agile, capability-driven approach.

“We’ve been efficiency driven and now we need to be effective driven, but where

can we hone our focus?” she said Westlake added that logistics should be viewed as a core capability, not just a supporting function, and that once the warfighter starts to think about it in this way, NAVSEA will see a meaningful shift in its strategic logistics approach. Also of interest were presentations by Capt. Martin L. Edmonds, NAVSEA 06 Deputy Commander for Sustainment/ Chief Logistician, and Jeffrey Koe, NSWC Division,PortHuenemeTechnicalDirector andLogisticsCoPCo-Champion.Edmonds discussedNAVSEA’slogisticsvision while Koe focused on the importance of logistics collaboration for fleet support.

Edmonds, who is leading the standup of the NAVSEA Sustainment Directorate whichconsolidatesNAVSEA’slogisticsand sustainment support functions to improve efficiency and effectiveness— highlighted the critical importance of collaboration to fleet readiness

Edmonds added that this meeting providedavaluableopportunityforcollaboration and alignment across the NAVSEA enterprise

“I believe these meetings are invaluable, as they foster mission alignment, capture

value streams across the Warfare Centers andNAVSEAenterpriseandbuildstronger cross-functional teams that drive optimal performance,” he said Cal Bostick and Jean Nelson, branch managersatNSWCDivision,IndianHead, discussedtheimportanceofbeingprepared andadaptableandtheneedtobalancelongterm planning with short-term needs

“Yougotowarwithwhatyou’vegot,not with what you want,” said Bostick, adding, “Sometimes you can’t necessarily pick the date or the year that you’re going to war— you have to be ready all the time.”

The meeting encouraged honest debate on a wide range of challenges facing the community,includingdataaccuracy,logisticsmetrics,fiscalyear2025auditreadiness and the establishment of wartime logistics frameworks NSLC Commanding Officer

Capt. Dave Jones praised the collaborative atmosphere, face-to-face interactions and candid dialogue

“[Warfare Centers] as a whole have a lot of great logisticians all working to ensure ourshipsarereadyandthatthesailorshave the support they need to accomplish the mission,” said Jones “I was really encouragedwiththeLOGCoP,especiallythefocus

toward pivoting to wartime footing andhowthisteamcansetconditions now to surge when needed.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore cutting-edge innovation and logistics infrastructure at NUWC Division, Keyport through guided tours of several key facilities, including the Lightweight and Heavyweight Torpedo Intermediate Maintenance Activity Automated Material Handling Facility and Depot Maintenance Facilities They also observed live technology demonstrations in several of the command’s labs, including the Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality lab, UNMANNED UNDERSEA VEHICLE Research & Design Lab, andRapidPrototypingandAdditive Manufacturing facilities

Reflecting on the event, Kierpiec described it as “an extremely productive engagement that will drive meaningful progress in NAVSEAlogisticsandthatexemplified the professionalism and teamwork of our community.”

The next semi-annual meeting of the Warfare Centers logistics communityofpracticewillbehosted by NSWC Division, Newport, May 6—8. Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport is headquartered in the state of Washington on the Puget Sound, about 10 miles west of Seattle To provide ready support to Fleet operational forces at all major Navy homeports in the Pacific, NUWC Division, Keyport maintainsdetachmentsinSanDiego California and Honolulu, Hawaii, and remote operating sites in Guam; Japan; Hawthorne, Nevada; and Portsmouth, Virginia. At NUWC Division, Keyport, our diverse and highlyskilledteamofengineers,scientists, technicians, administrative professionals and industrial craftsmen work tirelessly to develop maintain and sustain undersea warfare superiority for the United States Are you ready to join one of the largest and most dynamic employers in Kitsap County? We are continually hiring engineers, scientists and other STEM professionals—as well as talented experts in business, finance, logistics and support roles—so if you are eager to be at the forefront of undersea research and development, we want you on our team. Explore our exciting job opportunities at nuwckeyport.usajobs.gov and take the first step towardbuildingyourcareeratNUWCDivision, Keyport.

JamarYoung Scientist,Naval SurfaceWarfare Center CarderockDivision.(PHOTOBYBRITTNYODOMS)

USS George H.W. Bush completes 10-month maintenance period and sea trials on-time

ByLt.Cmdr MadisynHansen

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

NORFOLK, Va The Nimitz-class aircraftcarrierUSSGeorgeH.W.Bush(CVN 77) returned to Naval Station Norfolk after on-timecompletionofan10-monthPlanned Incremental Availability (PIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) and sea trials, Nov. 16 “On-time completion of our PIA, and subsequentseatrials,isaproductofboththe Avenger’srock-solidteamworkwithNorfolk NavalShipyardandthetirelessdedicationof ourSailors,”saidCapt.RobertBibeau Bush’s commanding officer “Through full ownership of the work package, complete integ-

rityeverystepofthewaywithoursuccesses and challenges, and forward-leaning deck plate leadership on both the ship and at the shipyard, we were able to get the ship back inactionandreturnlethalitytotheFleet.”

George H.W. Bush’s maintenance period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard focused on modernization efforts, structural repair, and preservation work. Warfighting sensor andsystemupgradeswereinstalledincreasing the warfighting capability of the ship, and multiple areas received preservation to include tanks, voids, weapons elevators, areas of the flight deck and hangar bay, the mainmastandexterioroftheship,aswellas general repairs to the hull, and mechanical andelectricalinfrastructure.

Additionally, there were many Quality of Service improvements made during modernizationthatimprovelifefortheSailors living onboard. In addition to upgrading crew living spaces, combination ovens in the ship’s galley modular refrigeration equipment,Wi-Ficapabilityandacomputer networkupgradewereinstalled.

“The Avenger and NNSY team applied the true spirit of ‘Get Real, Get Better’ by embracing the red and owning, communicating,andaggressivelyattackingchallenges on a daily basis to ensure that we got back outtoseamorecapable,moreadaptable,and morelethalthaneverbefore,”saidBibeau

Following the ship’s departure from NorfolkNavalShipyard Bushcompletedsea

trials Sea Trials is a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the ship’s systems and equipment are sufficiently working after a maintenanceavailabilityperiod.Thisperiod oftimeallowedthecrewtopracticedamage control, deck seamanship and flight deck operations simulating real scenarios that Sailorsencounteratseaduringfutureoperations BushisinthebasicphaseoftheOptimized FleetResponsePlanfollowingseatrials

Warrant Officer 3 David Burston provided some insights to the meal time shift. “It boiled down to looking at what works with one of our larger tenant commands, the Marines across the street at the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment (MCSFR),” stated Burston during an interview conducted at the galley At the time of the interview, the galley’s dedicated Culinary Specialists and contractors were busy preparing for lunchtime “Their schedules weresocompressedinthemorningafterPT andtheneedtobeatmorningcolorsontime They have to be at morning colors by 0800 andthatleftthemwithverylittletimetosit downandeat,”henoted. Comments received via their comment box in the galley, along with soliciting feedbackregardingbreakfasttimesfromservice members during their previous quarterly menureviewboardsalsoreflectedtheneed forchange “Onceyouburnallthosecalories during an intense morning PT, you need to refuel. You can’t walk around on an empty stomach or simply try to wolf down a to-go tray That is a recipe for a long and hungry day.Soitallboilsdowntohowwecanmeet their needs, and shifting the breakfast meal timewasawin-win.”

In the end, after incorporating feedback from their dedicated team of Culinary Specialists and civilian contractors, installation leadership concurred with the recommendation to implement new breakfasttimesfrom0630-0830Mondaythrough Friday and from 0800-0930 on the weekends Lunch and dinner hours are slated for changes as well, with lunch being from 1100-1300 and dinner being from 16001730 daily Burston noted that this change allowed their dedicated team more time to prepare the mealtime options as opposed tobeingrushedtomeetthedemandsofthe hungryservicemembersintheservingline

“Anytime you rush something, it enhances themarginoferror.Implementingthisshift inlunchanddinnerhoursalonewillincrease productivityandimprovethequalityofwhat we serve,” noted Burston. He also that this change decreases the chances of hot food simply sitting on the serving line; thereby decreasingfoodwaste. Lastly feedback from their quarterly menureviewboardandincorporatingfeedback from the comment box over the past fourmonthsnettedsomeeasyfixestowhat they offer “They asked for more fruit, and not only that, more variety of fruit. They

asked for additional meat offerings for our cookedtoorderomelets Sowelookedinthe NAVSUP catalog and we found what they were looking for, it was a simple fix and we gotitdelivered,”notedBurston. “Additional feedback came up with portion control. I mean, if you are still hungryandyourportionwassmallforwhatever reason, by all meals jump back in line andtheyarewelcometogetasecondportion because we do understand that our Sailors andMarinesgethungry,especiallyifweare servingsomethingthatispopular.”Henoted thatpopularmealsarealwaystheirchicken

quesadillas, grilled salmon along with their burger and taco days which get eaten up quickly In sum, “because 95 percent of these changerequestsoriginatedfromtheservice members that we serve, I see the simple shift in meal time hours as a win-win. We adjustedourworkflowtomeettheirneeds; welistenedtowhattheyneededbecausein theendwearehereforthem Wewanttobe able to meet their needs and for me and the rest of our team here, I’m excited for these changesinourgalley.”

U.S. 2nd Fleet hosts Fleet Medical Symposium

ByPettyOfficer1stClass

KrisLindstrom Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet

NORFOLK, Va Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Health Service Support team hosted the2024FleetMedicalSymposiumatNaval WarfareDevelopmentCenteraboardNaval StationNorfolk,Jan.30-31,2024

Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander, U.S 2ndFleet,kickedoffthetwo-dayconference speaking about how critical it is that 2nd Fleet and Navy Medicine remain synchronizedformissionreadinessandsuccess

“This year marks the sixth anniversary since2ndFleetwasreestablished,andtoday wefaceadangerousandunpredictablesecurityenvironment,”Perrysaid.“Ourmission

is more critical than ever in increasingly contested environments, and we remain committed to setting the conditions for successwithyourmedicalteams.”

This year’s symposium brought HamptonRoadsareamedicalteamstogetherwith representatives from U.S. Marine Corps, U.S.5thand6thFleettosynchronizehealth servicesupportandshareoperationalmedicine best practices and lessons learned to ensure mission readiness across Fleets and services

RearAdm.PamelaMiller,medicalofficer oftheMarineCorpsandvicechiefofBureau of Medicine and Surgery for Reserve Policy and Integration, believes it is imperative thatMarineCorpsandNavyhealthservices work to align efforts to the greatest extent

possible

“Leadersatalllevelsinoperationalhealth service support of both services must seek opportunities to train as we fight,” said Miller “Integraltoourfuturetrainingisthe concept that we must partner not only as a Naval Force but as a Joint Force. We must gainefficienciesandeffectivenessregarding ourmaterielmanagementandhealthservice support capabilities to optimize the critical supportprovidedtothewarfightingeffortof ourSailorsandMarines”.

Capt. Carolyn Rice, fleet surgeon of U.S. 2nd Fleet, explained that synchronizing with the medical communities drives the evolutionofmedicalprocesses.

“Our Symposium focused on the road to crisis specifically the medical response to

includepatientmovementandcoldweather operations,” said Rice “It was truly a ‘One NavyMedicine’responseandagendatoalign andlearnfromrecentdeployersandexperts andleveragenovelsolutionsandcapabilities tosupportWarfightingandthewarfighters.”

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

FormoreU.S.2ndFleetnewsandphotos, visit facebook.com/US2ndFleet, https:// www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/, X - @US2ndFleet, and https://www.linkedin.com/company/ commander-u-s-2nd-fleet

and Oliver made the drive to Harrisonburg on the morning of Monday, March 4th from Yorktown to accept the prestigious award during the VWEA’sannualconference Nominations for the awards are made throughout the Commonwealth by the public owned treatment works and locally by the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) Theconditionsforthenomination and award include consistent achievement of a 100% compliance rate with the issued pretreatment permit requirements and regulations for a minimum of five years in thePlatinumLevelCategory,andademonstration of dedication and commitment to pollution prevention (P2), waste reduction/elimination, or conservation through the implementation of an Environmental ManagementSystem(EMS). NavalWeaponsStationCheathamAnnex currently holds one of the longest continuous compliance records within the Tide-

water Region of Virginia and the HRSD operatingarea,withover20yearsofcontinuouscompliancewiththeindustrialwastewaterpermitandregulations In2023,HRSDhonoredCheathamAnnex (CAX)forexemplarypermitcomplianceand outstandingpollutionpreventionmeasures in calendar year 2022 HRSD recognized CAX and other area installations and businesses who treat their wastewater before discharging it into HRSD’s system. This effort helps protect waterways and other natural resources within the region. HRSD recognizedCAXwithaDiamondExcellence Award for Pollution and Prevention (P2) in 2023 for perfect compliance from 20032022; one of the longest standing perfect compliance records thus far. NWS YorktowngarneredaPlatinumAwardforperfect compliance from 2018-2022. In 2023, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story also received a P2 DiamondExcellenceAwardfortheirpollutionandpreventioneffortsfrom2010-2022.

HRSD awarded Gold awards for pollution and prevention to Naval Support Activity-Hampton Roads’ Portsmouth Annex, NavalAirStationOceana’sDamNeckAnnex and to Coast Guard Training Center Yorktownaswell. AbouttheVirginiaWaterEnvironmental Association (VWEA). VWEA is a member association of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and collaborates with many other industry organizations, such as WEF and the Virginia Section of the American Water Works Association. VWEA currently has more than 1,750 WEF and VWEAmembers Theirincludecivil&environmental engineers, biologists, chemists, local&stategovernmentofficials treatment plant managers and operators laboratory technicians students professors environmentalscientists,equipmentmanufacturers &distributors

Volunteers join forces with local organizations to combat hunger in the community

SaidThomas-Monroe

ByTellyB.Myles

Supervisor of Shipbuilding Newport News

The partnership highlights the commitmentoftheseorganizationstomakeadifference in the lives of community members They were able to collect and prepare an impressiveamountofdonatedfood.

Sean Bullock Chief Petty Officer Joshua Lassiter andPamelaThomas-Monroe along withdedicatedvolunteers,workedtirelessly to sort, package, and deliver the generous donationstothePeninsulaFoodbank.Their

NEWPORT NEWS, Va The Tidewater Chapter of the Federally Employed Women, in collaboration with the SupervisorofShipbuilding,ConversionandRepair, Newport News Chief Petty Officer’s Association, spearheaded a remarkable effort to tackle food insecurity in the local community Teaming up with the Peninsula Foodbank, they organized an impactful Food Drive,heldthroughoutthemonthofMarch, providingvitalsupporttofamiliesinneed.

efforts ensured that the food reached the most vulnerable individuals and families in the community, providing them with a lifelineduringchallengingtimes

“Even a little kindness can have a big impact. When we donate to the Food Bank, wemightnotseethedirecteffect,butittruly makesadifferenceinthelivesofothersand a blessing when we seek nothing in return. Let’s keep working together to support our communities I’m incredibly thankful for everyone’s generosity and participation.”

The success of the Food Drive would not havebeenpossiblewithouttheoverwhelmingsupportfromSupervisorofShipbuilding employee’sdonationsofnon-perishablefood items, demonstrating their commitment to helping those in need. Their contributions, combined with the hard work and coordinationofthevolunteers madeasubstantial differenceinthelivesofnumerousfamilies

Chief of Chaplains of the Navy tours Huntington Hall

ByTellyB.Myles

Supervisor of Shipbuilding Newport News

NEWPORTNEWS,Va Inavisitaimed at strengthening mental and spiritual well-being alongside physical fitness, Rear Adm. Gregory Todd, Chief of Chaplains of theNavy touredtheHuntingtonHallNaval BerthingFacilityon14May.

Todd’svisitcenteredontheArmedForces Wellness Center (AFWC) located within Huntington Hall. He expressed keen interest in the facility’s current operations and future plans, particularly regarding the integration of mental health and spiritual healthservicesalongsidetheexistingphysical fitness programs This focus on holistic wellness reflects the Navy’s growing recognition of the importance of comprehensive well-beingforservicemembers

Capt. Randell Buchanan, Quality of Service Director for Supervisor of Shipbuilding Newport News, highlighted the Admiral’s appreciation for the efforts made to improve living conditions for Sailors at HuntingtonHall.TheAdmiralcommended the recently updated furniture and expressed strong support for the ongoing QualityofServiceinitiatives.

OpenedonJanuary29th,2024,theAFWC at Huntington Hall in Newport News, Virginia offers valuable resources specificallyforSailorsassignedtounitsatNewport News Shipbuilding The center provides personalized health coaching and access to advanced fitness testing technology These services empower Sailors to take charge of theirphysicalwell-being.

The visit also served as an affirmation of the Navy’s commitment to improving the living conditions of its personnel, as evidencedbytheongoingQualityofService initiatives TheNavycontinuestostrivefora healthy and supportive environment for its personnel,recognizingthattheirwell-being isintegraltothesuccessoftheirmissions

HSC-9 fuses naval tradition and modern trends on ceremonial aircraft

ByLt.JacobRyan Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic

HelicopterSeaCombatSquadron(HSC)9 hasfusednavaltraditionandmoderntrends with a personalized touch by painting their ceremonial squadron aircraft, an MH-60S Seahawkhelicopter,andaddinganewtwist to National Tattoo Day observed annually onJuly17

HSC-9’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr RobertW.Knoerzer,providedaninsidelook onthecreationoftheirupdatedceremonial aircraft that features historical and more currenttattoosonaircraft610.

“The idea started from, Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Timothy Drexler who has an affinity for tattoo art and passionfornavaltraditions gatheredimages of tattoos that represented naval traditions and blended them to symbolize a melding between heritage and the junior Sailors,” Knoerzersaid.

Knoerzer added that many of the tattoos were chosen to represent various deployments around the world. “This aircraft has becomeourmascottorepresentHSC-9and ourSailors pastandpresent.”

With good energy and a meaningful messagetopresent,twoweeksofcombined effort has quickly passed and shown fruit with the hard work by the squadron to prepare the aircraft for future ceremonies, and other events HSC-9 participated

in Fleet Week New York in May 2024 and displayedaircraft610atvariousNavalAviationevents

“From hand drawing, precision cutting eachlayer,andfinallylayingthepaintdown

toactualizetheirinspiration,theamountof effortandthoughtthatwentbehinddrafting a design the combined so many traditional Sailor tattoos into a unified idea is nothing lessthanamazing,”Knoerzersaid.

Drexler discussed the inspiration for this project that has served to change the commandcultureatHSC-9

“With my 23 years of active-duty naval service coming to a close, it was an absolutehonortobechosenbymycommanding officer and given the opportunity to leave onelastingmarkofmypersonalpassionand increase the knowledge of heritage for the command and Navy Though tattoos don’t win wars, they do tell the stories They enhance our history and are a major part of thebondsharedbetweenmanySailors,past and present. These stories and traditions makeupourhistoryandarethefoundation onwhichourNavyhasbecomethegreatest intheworld,”Drexlersaid.

Drexlerresearchedcurrentandhistorical tattoosandwasresponsibleforresearchinga collectionoftraditionalnavy-relatedtattoos whichwerecreateddrawnbyhand.

“This has become a celebration of traditional Navy history while at the same time connecting it with the younger culture,” Knoerzer said. “The younger generation of Sailors are really into tattoos right now, so it’sacelebrationoftraditionofNavyhistory with our junior Sailors and also our squadronmascot. The tattoos that were selected for the aircraftwerechosenfromtattoosthatwere emblematic of naval tradition and deploymentsaroundtheworld.

USS Laboon returns home from deployment

ByUnitedStatesFleetForces Command

NORFOLK Va The Arleigh Burkeclass guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG58)returnedtoNavalStationNorfolk, Virginia, from an independent deployment to the U.S. 2nd, 5th, and 6th fleet areas of operation,Sept.1. Laboon deployed for 279 days to the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf ofAden,ArabianSeaandtheMediterranean SeaprovidingdeterrenceanddefensetoU.S. partners Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, was on the pier to welcome home the crew ofLaboon.

“We are honored to welcome back the men and women of USS Laboon who have proven their proficiency and resolve throughoutademandingdeployment,”said Hakimzadeh “From safeguarding critical maritime routes to deterring threats in volatile regions, Laboon’s crew has exemplified the very best of our Navy’s tradition of excellence We are deeply proud of what theyhaveaccomplished,andwethankeach Sailor and their families for their unwaveringdedicationtoournation’ssecurity.”

While independently deployed, Laboon participated in the multi-national Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Babal-Mandeb,andGulfofAden.Insupport of freedom of navigation, Laboon and her crewcounteredmultipleattackscarriedout by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in the RedSea.

“It has been a challenging nine month deploymenttohostilewaters butthisteam demonstratedtimeandagainjusthowcapable our warships are and that we have the best trained most professional warfighters in the world ready to bring the fight to any

enemy,”saidCmdr EricBlomberg,Laboon’s commandingofficer

Chief Petty Officer Rickey Gisclair attributesLaboon’ssuccesstotrainingandteamwork.

“This deployment really embodied why we train so hard and every Sailor stepping up to fulfill their role in a challenging environment, saidGisclair

While on deployment, a refrain heard frequentlyonboardwas:“Ifwehavetofight; we fight and we win!” Laboon is named for Pittsburgh, Pa native John Francis Laboon who left to serve his country as a U.S. Naval officer After attending Carnegie Technical Institute(nowCarnegieMellonUniversity), hewascommissionedattheNavalAcademy and served as the communications officer, gunnery and torpedo officer and execu-

tive officer on USS Peto (SS 265), a Gatoclass submarine in World War II. During a WesternPacificpatrol,whileunderintense enemyfire,herescuedadownedpilotfrom heavily-minedwatersandwasawardedthe Silver Star Shortly after the war, he left the NavyonlytobecalledbacktodutyasaChaplaintobecomeFatherJohnFrancisLaboon or“FatherJake.”

Duringtheir5thFleetoperations,Laboon upheld the tradition of Father Jake, rescuing three mariners in distress in the Gulf of Aden who had been stranded adrift at sea fortendays

U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the IndianOcean.Theexpansecomprisesof20

countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez CanalandtheBabal-Mandeb.

NAVEUR-NAVAF headquartered in Naples Italy,operatesU.S.navalforcesinthe U.S.EuropeanCommand(USEUCOM)and U.S.AfricaCommand(USAFRICOM)areas of responsibility U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrumofjointandnavaloperations U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domainsintheAtlanticandArctictoensure access, deter aggression, and defend U.S., allied,andpartnerinterests.

U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) is responsibleformanning,training,equipping and employing more than 125 ships, 1,000 aircraft, and 103,000 active duty service members and government employees and providing combat-ready forces forward to numberedfleetsandcombatantcommanders around the globe in support of U.S. nationalinterests USFFCalsoservesasthe Navy’s Service Component Commander to bothU.S.NorthernCommandandU.S.StrategicCommand,andprovidingnavalforces insupportofjointmissionsasCommander, Naval Forces Northern Command (NAVNORTH) and Commander Naval Forces Strategic Command (NAVSTRAT). USFFC is the Strategic Command Joint Force Maritime Component Commander (JFMCCSTRAT),andexecutesTaskForce Atlantic in coordination with U.S. Naval ForcesEurope Foranyinquiries,contactusffc_nflt_pa@ us.navy.mil. For more news from USFFC, visit www.usff.navy.mil and for more information visit www.facebook.com/usfleetforcesorwww.twitter.com/usfleetforces

ByMaxLonzanida Naval Weapons Station Yorktown

YORKTOWN, Va –

Nearly half of the registeredstudentsatOliverC.Greenwood Elementary School in Newport News, Virginiareceivedfreebackpacksalongwith schoolsuppliesduringtheirBack-to-School event on Friday, August 23rd This was just in time for the school year to start Monday, August 26th. The clear backpacks which were mandated by Newport News Public Schools last year, were handed out handed out by a contingent of Sailors from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and Marines assignedtotheMarineCorpsSecurityForce Regiment.Thisuniquecommunityrelations event also enabled the service members to receivesomevolunteercreditanddelivered awaveofsmilesfromstudentsinattendance duringthesuccessfulevent.

Earlier in the week, a working party comprisedofSailors(andoneloneAirman) convened at the installation’s Youth Center to prepare the backpacks. During that busy morning, 240 clear backpacks were packed with folders, pencils, glue sticks, crayons

and other requested school supplies The school supplies were purchased with grant fundsreceivedfromtheBoysandGirlsClub ofAmerica’sMilitaryServicesDepartment; whichadministersthe9/11Day-AmeriCorps grant. The Youth Center applied for the grant earlier in the year, resulting in a grant in the amount of $2,500.00 to implement theproject.Thisisthefirstevergrantaward forNWSYorktown’sYouthCenterfromthe BoysandGirlsClubofAmerica(BGCA).

Jerry Graham, NWS Yorktown’s Youth Center Director, shared some insights to the award. “Our youth had an opportunity topack240backpackswithschoolsupplies and healthy snacks on Tuesday, August 20th. They were joined by several activeduty personnel that volunteered as well This all took place at the Youth Center,” said Graham. He also noted some of the objectives of the grant itself “The goal is to transformtheanniversaryoftheSeptember 11, 2001, tragedy into a day of doing good. The 9/11 Day has become a National Day of ServiceandRemembrance[andis]thelargestannualdayofserviceinAmerica,”noted Graham.

The clear backpacks stuffed with school supplies and snacks were crammed into vehicles by staff members at the Youth Center and transported to Oliver Greenwood Elementary School. Once unloaded, they were staged at the Youth Center’s exhibitorboothjustbeforethedoorsopened at 4:00pm for their Back-to-School Event.

Jami O’Connor, NWS Yorktown’s School Liaison, noted that “there is a good populationofmilitary[affiliated]studentsatGreenwood Elementary and we have children fromtheYouthCenterthatalsoattend. She, along with staff members from the Youth Center and the contingent of Sailors and Marines from the installation were in place whenthedoorsopened.

Like clockwork, once the doors opened, a flood of excited students queued up at a check-in table in the school’s gym. Once checked in, they, along with their parents wereabletovisitwiththevariousexhibitors in the auditorium and check out their new classrooms Staff members from the installation’s Youth Center were also on-hand at an exhibitor table with giveaways and a wealth of information regarding programs

and service offerings available to military affiliatedchildrenandfamilies. There was also a line of excited students who queued up to receive free backpacks. There were several parents who noted that they had not purchased a clear backpack in time for school to start on Monday, August 26th. On hand to alleviate the need for that essential back to school item were the Sailors and Marines who handed out the free backpacks to the eager students The crush ofexcitedstudentsandtheirparentseventuallypackedtheschool’sgym;andtoalleviate thequeue,theservicememberstookarmfuls ofbackpackstothemainentrancefoyerand hallwayareastodistributethem.Thismade for many smiles and positive conversations withbothstudentsandparents By 5:30pm all of the backpacks had been distributed by the service members They gathered briefly for a group photo before heading back to the installation after this successful community relations event that wasspearheadedbytheinstallation’sYouth Center

Naval Station Norfolk Sailors honor the life of Military Working Dog Max

out explosives assisted in apprehending suspects andensuredthesafetyofourSailorsandcivilians

The remembrance ceremony began with opening remarks from Capt. Matthew Schlarmann, the commanding officer of NAVSTANorfolk.

“Today, we gather to honor and remember a remarkable companion, a devoted service member, and a cherished friend: Military Working Dog Max, said Schlarmann. “While he may have walked on four pawsratherthantwo,Maxservedournation withunparalleledcourage,loyalty,anddedication, embodying the very spirit of what it meanstobepartofourmilitaryfamily.”

As Schlarmann spoke, he went over the deep bond between Max and his handler, Master-at-Arms1stClassMichealHopkin.

“Today, as we reflect on Max’s life and service we also acknowledge the unique bond between military working dogs and their handlers,” said Schlarmann. This relationship is built on trust, communication, and an understanding that transcends words. To Max’s handler, MA1 Micheal Hopkins, who stood by him through thick and thin, we express our deepest gratitude YourcommitmenttoMaxandtoourmission didnotgounnoticed.Together youexemplified what it means to serve with honor and compassion.

After concluding his remarks, Schlarmann stepped down from the podium, and Hopkinstookthestagetotalkabouthistime withMWDMax. “I stand before you today to honor MWD Max, a truly exceptional partner and companion,” said Hopkins. “On June 14, 2024, I had the honor of becoming his last handler The first time I saw Max in his kennel I thought, “Why is he standing like that?”AnyonewhoknewMaxwouldrecognize his unique stance, with his front legs slightly bowed like he was puffing out his chest. That stance became his signature, a displayofconfidencethatdefinedhim.” Hopkins would go on the explain how Max’s experience made up for his novice nature as a handler Following these statements Hopkins would deliver what Max meanttohim. “His dedication and instincts were beyond special,” said Hopkins. “I knew I could rely on him completely Even now I believe somewhere across the rainbow bridge Max is still working still driven by that same unstoppable spirit. Max was more than just a military working dog; he was the