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Celebrating 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 21, No. 12 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 03.28-04.03.13
EISENHOWER, CARRIER AIR WING SEVEN BEGIN SUPPORTING OEF
Region raises impaired driving prevention awareness Press Release Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs
NORFOLK
Paul Farley
By MC3 Luis Fiallos USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs
USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, AT SEA
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 embarked aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) flew its first combat sorties of its 2013 deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), March 24. The missions provide support to NATO forces on the ground in Afghanistan. The types of support range from electronic warfare and close-air support, to airborne command and control and reconnaissance. “CVW 7 provides aircraft in support of two major operations, one being maritime and the other being overland in Afghanistan,” said Capt. Terry Morris, Commander, CVW 7. “We provide air assets to go overland in a variety of missions, such as combat air support, which provides armed over watch in protection of U.S. coalition
forces, as well as electronic denial and electronic warfare through the use of our EA-6B Prowlers.” Now operating in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of responsibility, CVW 7 is the sole sea-based air wing assisting OEF missions, as IKE and Carrier Strike Group Eight (CSG 8) relieved the departing USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). “There are close to 60,000 uniformed personnel still in Afghanistan and close to 100,000 U.S. coalition contractors that are here in theater,” said Morris. “We are there to respond on call as needed to support them in the event that they are threatened by hostile activities somewhere on the ground.” Rear Adm. Michael Manazir, Commander, CSG 8 emphasized how important this mission is. “One of our roles here in the North Arabian Sea is to support our troops on the ground in OEF. Our aviators from CVW
7 that will fly missions that are upward of five to seven hours long, are going to be supporting the troops on the ground that are trying to ensure stability in Afghanistan prior to the United States withdrawal,” he said. “Every Sailor is involved with each one of those sorties. When we put a pilot in an airplane and we launch that airplane off, it is an entire strike group effort to do that.” Sailors from IKE realize the importance of their everyday jobs to the overall mission. “The aircraft needed to fly OEF missions must be constantly maintained in order to ensure success,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Brandon Smith, assigned to the Patriots of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140. “My squadron is there to make it happen, and inspecting our aircraft before and after every mission ensures the ground troops get the support they need.”
NMCRS FUND DRIVE DEADLINE EXTENDED New deadline set to April 12 Press Release Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs
NORFOLK
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA) announced it is extending the active duty Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) Fund Drive to April 12 in order to achieve 100 percent contact for this year’s campaign. Founded in 1904, NMCRS is a private non-profit charitable organization, sponsored by the Department of the Navy, which operates nearly 250 offices ashore and afloat at Navy and Marine Corps bases throughout the world. The Society provides need-based financial assistance to eligible recipients in the form of interestfree loans and grants, as well
NEW HOMEPORT With first responders waiting on the pier, PCU Arlington arrived in her Norfolk homeport last Friday in advance of an April 6 commissioning.
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as scholarships and interest-free loans for education. In addition, the Society also offers financial counseling, Budget for Baby workshops, thrift shops and a Visiting Nurse Program. “The goal for this year was 100 percent contact … we have not achieved that goal yet,” said Lt. Cmdr. Tammy Royal, NMCRS Mid-Atlantic Region coordinator. “With a two-week extension, we should be able to achieve closer to that 100 percent mark than we are at the third week.” In 2012, NMCRS provided just under $43 million in interest-free loans and grants worldwide – $6.7 million was in 12,934 Hampton Roads financial cases. As of the third week of the campaign, $797,297.62 has been collected in Hampton Roads alone, with approximately 53 percent of the
#SAAM April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Let this be the starting point of becoming a person of action that could one day make all the difference in someone’s life.
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■ above A Sikorsky H-60 Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Nightdippers of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 5 arrives at U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay. HS-5 is attached to Carrier Air Wing 7, embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Navy EOD, divers promote STEM to local students
Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic declared April 2013 as “Region Mid-Atlantic Impaired Driving Prevention Month,” March 22, with the signing of a proclamation. As Sailors and their families experience increased operational commitments and higher levels of stress, alcohol-related incidents are also on the rise. “Every year, accidents involving drunk, drugged, or distracted driving claims thousands of lives, leaving families to face the heartbreak of losing a loved one,” said Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. “We stand with all those who have known the tragic consequences of drugged or drunk driving and we rededicate ourselves to preventing these types of incidents.” In signing the proclamation, Alexander urged Sailors to make responsible decisions and take appropriate measures to prevent impaired driving. The proclamation states that when the command reaches 90 days DUI (driving under the influence) free, a 72 hour liberty will be authorized if the staff has not had a DUI incident during that time period. The incentive will apply to E-6 and below only, and all liberty must be approved by the member’s Chain of Command. A liberty card will be issued and Sailors will have 60 days to use it. “We hope that this will be
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By MC3 Randy Savarese Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH
command contacted. The goal for local contributions for Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic is $5,000. “Last year we collected $4,100,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Donald Blevins, the 2013 NMCRS Fund Drive local command coordinator for Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, who noted that more than $3,000 has been collected thus far through personal donations and fundraisers. “I’m confident that we can reach $5,000 … there are still a lot of vouchers that are out.”
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EASTER EVENTS IN HAMPTON ROADS Check out this week’s Flagship On Liberty section for a list of Easter events for your family! Events include Easter egg hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny and more!
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Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 6 and Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 participated in the Portsmouth Public Schools’ Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) day held at Woodrow Wilson High School, March 23. Explosive Ordnance Disposalman 3rd Class John Ludden from EODMU 6 and Navy Diver 1st Class Frank Horn from MDSU 2 encouraged students and teachers to pursue an interest in the science and technology fields, and provided a handson experience of their equipment to demonstrate real-world applications
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■ about the proclamation Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic signed a proclamation, March 22, declaring April 2013 as “Region Mid-Atlantic Impaired Driving Prevention Month.”
2013 NMCRS FUND DRIVE The goal of the 2013 NMCRS Fund Drive is to have 100 percent contact with all service members. Deadline is April 12. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/WggMMo.