IN THIS
ISSUE
FLEET WEEK EVENTS, OCT. 6–21 Wide variety of activities honor contributions, sacrifice of service members, families.
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More than 20 years of
serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
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USNS COMFORT DEPARTS FOR PUERTO RICO From Military Sealift Command Public Affairs NORFOLK
The Military Sealift Command hospital ship, USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), departed Naval Station Norfolk and is now underway and making final preparations to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. USNS Comfort can arrive in Puerto Rico as early as Oct. 3, but the final date and arrival location is to be
determined. “The medical capability the ship can deliver can be done underway, it can be done in port, or it can be done at anchor. Between the helicopter capability we have and the boats we have, all of those things together give us the ability to be flexible in our mission,” Commander of forward command element aboard USNS Comfort Capt. Kevin Robinson said. USNS Comfort departed Naval Station Norfolk with more than 800 Navy medical personnel and support
staff with the medical treatment facility (MTF), and more than 70 civil service mariners. The medical personnel will provide a full spectrum of medical care to include general practice, family medicine, nephrology and pediatrics. The civil service mariners operate and navigate the ship, load and off-load mission cargo, assist with repairs to mission equipment and provide essential services to keep the MTF up and running. » See COMFORT | A7
MC3 Brittany Tobin Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Taryn Armington and Sonar Technician (Surface) Seaman Darian Joseph prepare to cast off mooring lines for the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) as the ship departs Naval Station Norfolk to support hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
USS Helena ombudsman receives Ombudsman of the Year Award From Submarine Forces Public Affairs NORFOLK
Graphic by MCC RJ Stratchko Winter uniform shift in Navy Region Mid-Atlantic area will start with Zone 2 on Oct. 2 and Zone 1 Oct. 16.
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USS PONCE RETURNS TO NORFOLK The interim afloat forward staging base had been forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
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A Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet ombudsman was recognized as one of the top ombudsman in the entire Navy. Deanna Jones, the ombudsman of the attack submarine USS Helena (SSN 725), was named one of the recipients of the 2017 Mrs. Sybil Stockdale Ombudsman of the Year Award. “As an ombudsman, Deanna worked tirelessly to learn her new position and sup-
said. “She quickly integrated herself within the command team and took charge of remedying family challenges and potential problems, allowing us to focus on final preparations for deployment. During that deployment we had several family difficulties arise MC1 Nathan Laird that she handled flawlessly, Chief of Naval Operations providing unrivaled support Adm. John Richardson presto Helena’s families.” ents Deanna Jones with a Commanding officers from Sybil Stockdale Ombudsman of the Year award. around the fleet nominated ombudsmen for the prestiport the families,” Helena’s gious award, but Jones’ work former executive officer Lt. Cmdr. Steven Lawrence » See AWARD | A7
SUBMARINES COMPETE IN JAPANESE WATERS USS Key West participated with Japan and Australia in the SUBCOMP exercise to further integration, coordination.
SHARE YOUR MEMORIES Do you have mementos and memories of local places and events? If so, several local organizations want to hear from you.
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THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY Exclusively for military families and veterans in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth.
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