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Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family
Vol. 20, No. 6 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 02.09.12
Whidbey Island, 22nd MEU returns from lengthy deployment By MC1 (SW) Rachael L. Leslie USS Whidbey Island Public Affairs
MOREHEAD CITY, N.C.
Sailors and Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) returned to the United States following a 10 and a half month deployment when the ship pulled into Morehead City, N.C., Feb. 4. After offloading the embarked 22nd MEU Marines, Whidbey Island returned to its homeport at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Ft. Story in Virginia Beach on Feb. 7. Whidbey Island deployed March 23, 2011, as part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which spent the past 10 months supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet area of responsibility. “It was a tremendous accomplishment,” said Whidbey Island Commanding Officer Cmdr. Eric L. Conzen. “I thought the holidays would be the toughest, but we really came together as a ‘naval family’ away from our true families to make it through, enjoying ourselves while we were at it. In the end, we have a great sense of accomplishment – we did what no one else has done in a long, long time.” Whidbey Island Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Kevin Goodrich said the deployment itself is one of the crew’s greatest achievements. “Two years ago this ship was cold, dark and uninhabitable,” said Goodrich. “We brought her through a year-long extended planned maintenance availability, where more than 40 percent of the crew were replaced, brought her through the basic and advanced phases, certified for an independent humanitarian deployment and then, at the last minute, shifted focus to an integrated ARG/MEU deployment. We have met every mission during these past 10 and a half months, and our crew is at the pinnacle of their profession.” Whidbey Island visited 11 ports in eight countries throughout the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibilities. “The opportunity that we were afforded to visit so many different and diverse countries was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the majority of Marines and Sailors on the ship. Having the chance to visit these places was a real treat,” said Marine Sgt. Deric Graham, 22nd MEU. “For me personally, the visit to Cannes, France was the most enjoyable. I got to see the place where the international film festival is held, experience the Mediterranean/French culture, attend a few tours to Saint Tropez and dance and have a good time at an outdoor techno concert.” The Navy-Marine Corps team aboard Whidbey Island participated
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■ achievement One of the biggest achievements for the crew occurred in December when they promoted 36 percent of the crew to the next pay grade.
MC3 (SW/AW) Desiree D. Green
Two years ago this ship was cold, dark and uninhabitable.” - Whidbey Island Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Kevin Goodrich
Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Michael Turley, assigned to weapons department aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), installs an air conditioning unit at Toras Chaim Elementary School during a community service project. One thousand Sailors volunteered at more than 60 sites as part of Harry S. Truman’s Community Service Day.
MC2 Leona Mynes
TRUMAN KICKS OFF INAUGURAL COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY By MC2 Leona Mynes USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH
Approximately 1,000 Sailors assigned to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) participated in Truman’s first Community Service Day, Feb. 1. The one-day project provided about 4,500 community service hours to the Norfolk Botanical Garden, Hope Charitable Services, Mojo Thrift Shop, Keep Norfolk Beautiful, Norfolk city libraries, Nauticus, Samaritan House, Toras Chaim Elementary School, Portsmouth Parks and Recreation facilities and the Norfolk Animal Care Center. “Today gave us a chance to leverage our organization and manpower to help out groups in the Hampton Roads area,” said Cmdr. William Bulis, Truman’s air boss, who volunteered at the Samaritan House in Virginia Beach. “Teamwork is a huge part of this job. A lot of planning went
into making this day happen.” Bulis worked with more than 150 Sailors at Samaritan House and surrounding Virginia Beach locations. Truman participates in community service projects regularly. However, the crew set a goal to give 25,000 community service hours this year. The ship plans to hold a Community Service Day once a month to help achieve its goal. “We are proud to be here helping the Hampton Roads community,” said Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Nakisha Joseph, assigned to Truman’s operations department, who helped replace mulch at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. “The Community Service Day is really all about teamwork, which is what we are all about on Truman.” Truman Sailors enjoyed the opportunity to give back to the community, said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Tataiana Garner, assigned to
Truman’s combat systems department, who helped with interior painting at Toras Chaim Elementary School. “It’s really great for us and it increases morale,” said Garner. “The (community service projects) allow us to work off the ship and in a different environment.” “It’s just a great feeling to know that the Navy is part of our community, and not only is this an organization that protects us and keeps us safe, but it’s also an organization that is dedicated to preserving the community and making the communities they work in better,” said Mordechai Loiterman, principal of Toras Chaim Elementary School in Portsmouth. More than 100 Sailors painted walls, cleaned the soccer field and spoke with children at the elementary school. “I feel a tremendous debt of gratitude to Truman Sailors,” said Loiterman.
LEGOs MAKE MARK IN SHIPBUILDING HISTORY Hundreds of LEGO ships, ranging in length from a few inches to several feet, rested at anchor in the Hampton Roads Naval Museum (HRNM), Feb. 4. “Brick by Brick: LEGO Shipbuilding” drew more than 70 budding engineers.
ADAPTIVE SLED HOCKEY Wounded Warriors took to the ice at Rockville Ice Arena to play a competitive game of adaptive sled hockey for the first time, Jan. 27.
THE MYSTERY OF VALENTINE’S DAY Beyond the candied hearts, big cards and romantic meals, there is a spark of mysterious original intent surrounding the special day.
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U.S. Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) walk off the ramp of amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) after completing a 10.5 month deployment in both the 5th and 6th fleet areas of responsibility.
Navy training, fundamentals help save lives in fiery car crash By David Todd The Flagship Managing Editor
NORFOLK
Timing, training and a bit of luck all played part for a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) midshipman and an officer candidate from Old Dominion University (ODU) who helped rescue a woman and her 2-year-old child from a burning car, Feb. 1. Midshipman 1st Class Jason C. Benning, 22, from Virginia Beach, and Officer Candidate Joshua S. Moore, 26, from Bluffs, Ill. were traveling home from an evening class at ODU when they noticed a single vehicle accident at approximately 8:47 p.m. on Interstate 264 East, near Military Hwy. in Norfolk on the inside set of lanes. “We saw a vehicle on the right side – it just looked like a disabled vehicle
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David Todd Midshipman 1st Class Jason C. Benning (left) and Officer Candidate Joshua S. Moore assisted in the rescue of a woman and her child.
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