Flagship 11/10/16

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Navy Region MidAtlantic announces Sailor of the Year. See A11 for more!

More than 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family

Vol. 24, No. 45 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 11.10-11.16.16

ARG/MEU team flexed combat power during OOL By Capt. Jean F. Durham Wasp Amphibious Ready Group Public Affairs MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) conducted precision air strikes with AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters during combat operations in support of Operation Odyssey Lightning (OOL). These operations highlight the flexibility of the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG)/Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) team and the amphibious transport dock platform. “This deployment and this operation has been a vivid illustration of the impressive capabilities of the ARG/MEU team,” Amphibious Squadron 6 Commander Capt. F. Byron Ogden said. “From the remarkable amount of ordnance expended from aircraft flown off Wasp’s deck during the first 2 1/2 months of OOL to the groundbreaking airstrike efforts taking place from the deck of the San Antonio, the Wasp ARG has been very busy. As we’ve proven, this ARG/MEU team is a flexible and lethal force that will continue to operate effectively across both the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.” The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) elements, elements of which are embarked on San Antonio, are conducting precision strike operations against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) targets in Sirte, Libya. San Antonio’s Sailors and Marines are maintaining all organic capabilities of the LPD-class ship, while simultaneously providing air support to the Government of National Accord (GNA)-aligned forces fighting to retake Sirte from the grasp of ISIL. “This action shows the incredible flexibility and combat power that the MEU and Navy-Marine Corps team bring to the fight,” 22nd MEU Commanding Officer Col. Todd Simmons said. Approximately 2,500 Marines and Sailors with the 22nd MEU departed Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in June to deploy to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility with the Wasp ARG. The MEU serves as a seabased, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious missions across the full range of military operations. “Conducting strike operations in support of OOL highlights the versatility of the amphibious transport dock ship,” San Antonio Commanding Officer Capt. Darren Nelson said. “San Antonio, being the first of her class, has been at the leading edge of the Navy’s development of LPDs. Now we are making full use of this amazing ship with the 22nd MEU’s Air Combat Element carrying out precision air strike operations off of our flight deck.” San Antonio completed a relief in place (RIP) with Wasp, Oct. 23. Wasp had been conducting precision strikes in support of OOL since, Aug. 1. San Antonio is deployed as part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. Commander, Amphibious Squadron 6 commands the Wasp ARG, which consists of Wasp, San Antonio, and amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LPD 17). For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/ U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.

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PO2 Adam Austin Marines, assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), load ordnance on an AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), Oct. 27. The 22nd MEU, embarked on San Antonio, is conducting precision air strikes in support of the Libyan Government of National Accord-aligned forces against Daesh targets in Sirte, Libya, as part of Operation Odyssey Lightning.

New Navy College website a hit with Sailors By Ed Barker Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center Public Affairs VIRGINIA BEACH

The redesign of the Navy College website has proven an immediate hit with Sailors, and feedback about virtual capabilities, response times, and improved access has been overwhelmingly positive. According to Navy Voluntary Education (VOLED) Director Ernest D’Antonio the new virtual features are helping his team to meet their key goal of improving customer service. “The chat feature is extremely popular, primarily due to a current average pick-up time of only

one minute,” D’Antonio said. “For simple or quick questions, no one wants a long wait, and adding chat to the website and Virtual Education Center’s toolkit was a great solution.” Career Counselor for the Naval Operation Support Center in Denver, Colorado, Petty Officer 1st Class Karen Collings said since the “Mile High” Reserve Navy is distant from the fleet’s resources, the new website is very helpful. “It’s great to see a VOLED product that gives equal access for the Reserves,” Collings said. “As a command career counselor, I absolutely love the website and its 24/7

DOD offers refreshed “Frame of Choice” Eyewear Program By Julius L. Evans Naval Medical Logistics Command Public Affairs YORKTOWN

Naval Ophthalmic Support and Training Activity (NOSTRA), Yorktown, has announced active-duty military members have a newly refreshed selection of eyewear frames to choose from. The “Frame of Choice” updates were made and are now available, Nov. 3. James Darrah, director, NOSTRA Quality Operational Support noted, “The new frames come in a variety of plastics and metals, and reflect current styles in today’s commercial market. With the exception of the ‘Elite’ frame, all other old Frame of Choice spectacles from the 2004 program have been removed.”

» See VOLED | A9

» See EYEWEAR | A9

NNSY HOLDS APPRENTICE CLASS OF 2016 GRADUATION AT CHRYSLER HALL By Anna Taylor Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Affairs NORFOLK

Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) celebrated 172 apprentice program graduates during its annual ceremony at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk, Nov. 3. The graduates, representing 23 trades across the shipyard, have successfully completed a four-year training program which includes academics, trade theory, and on-the-job experience. Upon graduation, the apprentices will receive a Technician Career Studies Cer-

Tonight, after successfully completing the apprenticeship, you become leaders.” -Vice Adm. Thomas Moore

tificate and will be converted to the journeymen level of their trade. “Four years ago, you volunteered to enter into a significant and honorable profession,” Shipyard Commander Capt. Scott

Brown said. “Today, you graduate from the Apprentice Program as journeymen, the next generation of leaders at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. I am tremendously proud to be standing in front of you and humbled to be speaking to you tonight.” Commander of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Vice Adm. Thomas Moore was the evening’s keynote speaker. “Tonight, after successfully completing the apprenticeship, you become leaders,” Moore said. “Our Navy needs leaders like you to perform the work we have in front of » See GRADUATES | A9

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