Expeditionary Express - April 2017

EXpeditionary e xpre s s A

Navy

E xpedi t i on ary

Co m bat

C o m m a n d e r ’s C o r n e r Summer Safety

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NECC Overview

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Seabees join Foal Eagle exericse

Salvage Exercise Korea 2017 Wraps up

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CNO’s Reading List

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Com m and

Pu bl i cat io n

Multi-national EOD Exercise Exercise Arctic Specialist 2017

April 2017

Vol. 1 Issue 9

PROTECTING OUR PEOPLE

PROTECTS OUR MISSION

Expeditionary E xpre s s NECC in the Spotlight

Commander’s Corner -- Summer Safety NECC’s Civilian of the Month -- Calvin Polk April, the Month of the Military Child -- What you need to know.

NECC Overview 5

Seabees Join the Foal Eagle Exercise in Korea -- Fifteen Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile

Construction Battalion 5 (NMCB 5) joined the Foal Eagle 2017 exercise, accepting a five-day deadline to train and complete two construction projects with the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) navy construction battalions in Jinhae, ROK, March 13, 2017.

Navy Week Kicks Off in Austin 7

-- Navy Week Austin began March 18 as U.S. Navy Sailors arrived with plans to spend the week interacting with the people, local businesses, and leaders of the city at numerous events and availabilities.

NECC Overview Sailors Conclude Multi-national EOD Exercise Arctic Specialist 2017 -- Sailors

assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8, along with Sailors from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68 and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Detachment Maritime Ashore Support Team (CNE DET MAST), participated in Exercise Arctic Specialist 2017 (AE17), in Ramsund, Norway from Feb. 2-17, 2017.

NECC Holds Day-long Professional Development and Training for Military and Civilian Staff -- NECC held its first monthly iteration of its professional development for the entire Type Command’s civilian and military staff on board Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, March 23.

News You Can Use

Pacific Partnership 2017 Shifts Focuses CNO’s Reading List -- Navy Professional To Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief -- Reading Program.

Members of the United States armed forces and Sri Lankan Protecting Our people, protects our air force and navy exchanged best practices and lessons mission -- Each April, the Navy takes time out learned bilateral Humanitarian Aide/Disaster Relief Symposium at the Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Center in Hambantota, Sri Lanka March 13.

to focus on an issue that runs counter to our Core Values, Navy Ethos and Signature Behaviors.

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how to get help

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Follow us on Social Media

/NavyExpeditionaryCombatCommand

@COMNECC

NECC Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg Comm: (757) 462-4316 ext. 252 Email: jennifer.cragg@navy.mil

NECC Public Affairs Staff Lt. Mary Smith MCC Edward Kessler PO2 (SW/AW) Travis DiPerna

Commander’s

CORNE R

SUMMER SAFETY Team, As we approach the 101 critical days of summer, I want you to refocus your efforts on safety, both on and off-duty.

Our metrics are off to a good start. Current trends show a 10% reduction of all mishaps from this time last year, with an overall decrease in severity and work time lost. As warmer weather will afford us more opportunity to complete training events, I ask that you and your teams continue to be vigilant and apply ORM to your evolutions. Don’t become lax and lose sight of the things that could go off-track. Tactical errors do not need to become strategic mistakes.

For many of us, the 101 days of summer also allows time away from the office with family and friends.

Now is a good time to focus on the recreational safety. Please review COMNECC/COMNECCPACINST 5100.3A chapter 5 (Recreational Off-duty Safety) and implement the useful tools in your planning process. Below are a few examples and activities that also require increased awareness for Summer Safety: - Outdoor activity - Activity during high heat index - Boating and rafting - Swimming - Fireworks Alcohol is all too often a component in these summer accidents. We all know that alcohol, even in small quantities, impairs decision-making and is often a significant factor in many accidents. So before drinking the first adult beverage, plan ahead and think before acting.

I urge each of you to again promote smart decision making and personal responsibility across the Force. Safety must be an everyday concern and a conscious effort, so keep employing Operational Risk Management year round whether on or off duty.

-- Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command/NECC Pacific

Necc’s Civilian

o f

Calvin Polk

t h e

mo nth

demonstration of the NECC and NECCPAC mission, vision, IRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- strategic importance and capabilities of our Navy Expeditionary Combat Force, which ultimately helped target audiences, gain a Navy Expeditionary Combat better understanding of what our Expeditionary force provides Command (NECC) announced its across the Navy and Department of Defense.”

April Civilian of the Month, March 31.

Polk who has been assigned at NECC for less than a year appreciated being recognized as the April Civilian of the Month Calvin Polk, who is assigned as and offered his secret for success.

NECC’s Protocol Officer, was selected for his embodiment “Put your heart, mind and soul in even your smallest acts,” said of the Navy’s core attributes of Polk. “This is the secret of success.” integrity, accountability, initiative and toughness. As outlined in the Polk’s immediate supervisor Capt. Vincent Martinez CNO’s recently released “Navy Civilian Workforce Framework,” emphasized the protocol officer’s strong work ethic.

Polk is a fine example of a Navy civilian who brings a broad spectrum of knowledge, skills and abilities to the our Navy “Mr. Polk’s professional demeanor, attention-to-detail, Team and command according to Nancy Harned, NECC’s and dedicated work ethic ensure the success of all our Executive Director. engagements,” said Martinez. “He is the foundation for the

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TYPE Commander to share and articulate our message,

“As the NECC Protocol Officer, Calvin is an integral member capabilities, and requirements to key civilian and military of the front office team dedicated to planning, directing and leadership.” managing a highly effective Protocol program,” said Harned.

“His efforts directly resulted in the effective communication and

April:

Visit: https://Familyreadiness.com

the Month of the Military Child

By May Jacobs, NECC Family Readiness Director

April is the Month of the Military Child. April is my favorite month because we get to join together to celebrate the Military Child or military brat as I like to call my children and myself.

Between my Seabee dad and my own Navy career, we have more than 50 years of combined service. This means that my father and I both missed many bonding moments with our children. Moments include those major life events that only occur once or those good night kisses they only give when they are little and don’t even get me started on the numerous sporting events we missed.

Like many of you reading this article, I am proud of my service and the opportunity to defend our great country, but it does come with a cost. As military members, we are thanked for our great sacrifice but honestly, I believe that our military children are the ones who should be thanked because they

are the ones who have sacrificed the most. Our children have learned to adapt because they are forced to do so. They are forced to accept that the person they love most is unable to be there for them physically. They are also forced to move just when they are beginning to feel comfortable where they are at.

They have become optimists embracing the fact that when one door closes on a chapter of their life, it means that another one will open, hopefully bringing with it exciting adventures full of new friends and experiences. Unfortunately, as you know, it is not always that easy. Sometimes they encounter some not so good people and have some not so great experiences. Yet, despite it all our military children remain tough.

As parents we need to remember that although our military children are strong, they are still kids! We need to join together to help them get through those challenges life brings.

N E C C

OVERVIEW Seabees Join the Foal Eagle Exercise in Korea

By Petty Officer 1st Class Torrey Lee

Fifteen

Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 (NMCB 5) joined the Foal Eagle 2017 exercise, accepting a five-day deadline to train and complete two construction projects with the Republic of Korea’s (ROK) navy construction battalions in Jinhae, ROK, March 13.

Foal Eagle is an annual, bilateral training exercise designed to enhance the readiness of U.S. and ROK forces and their ability to work together during a crisis.

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 Sailors and Republic of Korea (ROK) sailors listen to a safety brief at the ROK Naval Education and Training Command in Jinhae, ROK.

NMCB 5 is sharing the unit’s field experience with ROK navy construction battalions.

“It’s interesting working with the ROK engineers,” said Lt.j.g. John Watkins, an engineering officer assigned to NMCB 5. “They’re a new force. Their NMCBs are only two years old. They want to partner with the U.S. naval construction force as much as possible and absorb our knowledge.”

NMCB 5 initiated training through a series of in-classroom training sessions. Utilitiesman 1st Class William Murphy talked to his ROK counterparts about Seabee work ethic.

The site included several crisis response situations geared toward construction.

“These are very real scenarios for this area,” said Watkins. “Our ability to integrate with these units brings a huge advantage to both of our countries. We need the ability to complete projects that fit both of our [countries’] standards.”

Equipped with specialists from various construction areas, NMCB 5 has integrated with ROK forces and begun information exchanges.

“Our Seabees are trained to work hard, and they don’t quit until the job is done,” said Murphy. “We bring an ethic that a lot of our partners look for. You give us a deadline and we say ‘let’s go.’ So working with such a junior unit, we can really develop that work ethic here.”

Murphy, who has led five similar projects, said this exercise should be no different from previous exchanges.

After completing the training sessions, the two nations’ units began instruction at the ROK Naval Education and Training Command’s onbase training site.

“We are getting a lot from the U.S. construction battalions,” said Lt. Song Gieun, a ROK construction battalion officer.

He said his Seabees were motivated and even his junior constructionmen were up to the challenge of being field mentors.

Continued from previous page As parents, it is easy to love, support and guide our children, but when we as parents need help to build resiliency, thankfully, programs exist. For this very reason, I have dedicated my life after the military to serving as the NECC Family Readiness Director. I want to make certain that families receive the information they need to support their children should they feel stressed or overwhelmed.

1. The official flower of the Military Child is the Dandelion.

Why? Because they bloom everywhere the winds carry them.

They are hardy and upright. Their roots are strong. They flourish while living side by side their neighbors. Only a dandelion can understand another dandelion. They have learned the ultimate lesson that adventure is everywhere and around every corner.

To help, I’ve started by designing a new blog site containing a library of resources to help you stay informed. You can access the site by going to: www.NECCFamily.blogspot.com. Please help spread the word on this valuable resource.

2. The term military brat that I mentioned at the beginning of this article was used because the acronym BRAT stands for Brave, Resilient, Adaptable and Trustworthy. I think you would agree that is a great way to describe our wonderful military children.

To close out this article, I leave you with two thoughts:

Standing with you cheering on our Military Children!

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N E C C

OVERVIEW Navy Week Kicks Off in Austin

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Schumaker, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Det. Southeast

AUSTIN, Texas -- Navy Week Austin began March 18 as U.S. Navy Sailors arrived with plans to spend the week interacting with the people, local businesses, and leaders of the city at numerous events and availabilities.

Vice Adm. Raquel Bono throws out the first pitch at Texas University’s UFCU Disch-Falk Field during Navy Week Austin.

The week began at the Thinkery, an evolution of the Children’s Museum, on Saturday where Sailors assigned to USS Constitution interacted with children of all ages and Navy Band Southwest performed for visitors.

Vice Adm. Raquel C. Bono, director, Defense Health Agency Medical Corps and the host flag officer for Austin Navy Week, threw out the first pitch at the University of Texas Longhorns’ baseball game Sunday, March 19.

“I think this Navy Week is a great opportunity,” said Bono. “I think people wonder why the Navy would come to Austin, because it’s landlocked, but there’s so much that goes on here that have direct ties to the Navy.”

Throughout the week, Bono will meet with corporate, civic, education, and government leaders in order to increase awareness of the Navy, its mission, and the importance of the Navy to the people of Austin.

Capt. Cassidy C. Norman, executive officer of aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Austin native, Lake Travis High School and University of Texas graduate, will return to his hometown to participate in several Navy Week events including high school visits, speaking with the Rotary of South Austin, swearing in future Sailors at Rodeo Austin, and more.

Along with performances to kick off the week, Navy Band Southwest will have daily public performances at Rodeo Austin where the audience can see the Brass Quintet perform a variety of music. The band can also be seen on Thursday, March 23rd at the City Council Meeting where other Navy assets will be interacting with the public.

“I think the Sailors are going to have a good time,” said Bono. “I can imagine that once they’re exposed to Austin they’re going to want to relocate here. It’s a booming place full of music, arts, and technology.”

“Austin is a center for technological entrepreneurship, and they’re very big in the health and medical field,” said Bono. “A lot of the work and research that’s being done in the area in the different business sectors have a direct impact with where the Navy is trying to go.”

Additionally, Sailors from fast-attack submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) and Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Austin will be engaged with the community during the week. The Sailors will volunteer with Caritas of Austin, Community First! Village, Central Texas Food Bank, local libraries, and several Boys and Girls Clubs.

Historically, Navy Week events draw thousands of attendees to participate and create a dialogue between Sailors and local residents. The events are designed to raise awareness about the Navy in areas which do not have a large naval presence.

Explosive ordnance disposal technicians and divers from EOD Group 1 will provide engaging, dynamic, hands-on displays available to the community throughout the week, including presentations at the Austin Aquarium, local high schools, and Boys and Girls Clubs.

“The Navy’s presence globally is part of what allows Austin to be so successful in their different sectors,” said Bono. “We have an opportunity to meet with a lot of the technology folks here to see what kind of cutting-edge things they have going on.”

Navy Weeks provide the unique opportunity to bring hometown Sailors back to the cities where they grew up, further strengthening the connection between the Navy and Navy Week city.

Ending March 24, Navy Week Austin is the second of 15 Navy Weeks in 2017 which focuses a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America’s Navy closer to the people it protects.

Pacific Partnership 2017 Shifts Focuses To Humanitarian Aid/ Disaster Relief

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Micah Blechner, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

HAMBANTOTA,

Sri Lanka -- Members of the United States armed forces and Sri Lankan Air Force and Navy exchanged best practices and lessons learned during a first-ever, bilateral Humanitarian Aide/Disaster Relief Symposium during a critical Pacific Partnership 2017 Sri Lanka evolution at the Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Center in Hambantota, Sri Lanka March 13.

Hospital Corpsman Unique Mooney teaches two local nursing students how to properly perform CPR during a basic life savings skills course during Pacific Partnership 2017 in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

This symposium, led by the Sri Lankan Navy, focused most of its efforts discussing disaster management and relief response in scenario driven events such as tsunamis and flooding caused primarily by natural disasters.

“Participating in forums like this are of huge value to the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy and Department of Defense as a whole,” said U.S. Marines Capt. Nathan Jensen. “Discussing, coordinating, and practicing humanitarian aide operation with nations throughout South and South-East Asia builds our knowledge base off their organic capabilities as well as showcasing the capabilities we are able to provide.

Jensen went on to explain that these evolutions help build relationships with other nations and promote international military interoperability.

“Because we have preexisting relationships with these countries who are more prone to massive natural disasters we are able to more easily incorporate ourselves as an organization into their disaster management plan and provide immediate relief in any type of conceivable scenario,” said Jensen.

Three pillars of disaster relief were established early in the symposium: immediate engineering needs (i.e. clearing roads and establishing critical supply avenues), a “first-in” capability for water purification, and an initial Command and Control Center for both overall logistical and follow-on manning support (State Department and other NGOs).

“Our biggest hurdle as humanitarian aide planners has got to be access,” said Maj. Charles Hunt, Marine Task Force Commander for Pacific Partnership 2017. “During cases involving natural disasters our main portals of access have usually been literally swept away with the tide.”

After the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti in 2010 both the airport and seaport were ruined. After South Asia’s deadly tsunami of

2004 only one temple was left standing in Hambantota, the one structure built from concrete.

“We have to have a way to project logistics and capabilities into affected areas,” said Hunt. “Land-based capability projection requires airports and roads in order to distribute much needed assistance. Working with our U.S. and Sri Lankan Navy colleagues provides us with an opportunity to exercise our coordinated seabased distribution capabilities.”

Over the course of Pacific Partnership 2017 Sri Lanka, the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and their Sri Lankan counterparts have been discussing and planning many key aspects of disaster relief operations, all of which come to a head on Thursday, March 16 when all players will participate in a Field Training Exercise on the beaches of Hambantota.

“It has been on of the great honors of my career to be able to come and work with my colleagues here in Sri Lanka,” said Jensen. “The sheer magnitude of their desire to work with us has been truly humbling. It is clearly evident from what I have seen they don’t need our help. They want us to be here so we can build that trust and a relationship that forges a working interoperability that ensures we can work with each other seamlessly in times of true need.”

“No one nation can achieve any level of mission success in these areas of operations without help,” explained Hunt. “Playground rules apply in the grown-up world, and here we are in an area of the world that is prone to natural disasters and destructive weather. So, the more friends we all have the better we are able to recover from disasters.”

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific and aims to enhance regional coordination in areas such as medical readiness and preparedness for manmade and natural disasters.

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Sailors Conclude Multinational EOD Exercise Arctic Specialist 2017

By Lt. j.g. Seth Wartak

SANRAMSUND,

Norway -Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8, along with Sailors from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68 and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Detachment Maritime Ashore Support Team (CNE DET MAST), participated in Exercise Arctic Specialist 2017 (AE17), in Ramsund, Norway from Feb. 2-17, 2017.

Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8, along with Sailors from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68 and Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Detachment Maritime Ashore Support Team (CNE DET MAST), participated in Exercise Arctic Specialist 2017.

AE17 is a multinational EOD exercise and this year included multi-service participants from Norway, Denmark, and the United States. U.S. Navy forces participating in the exercise formed an Adaptive Force Package (AFP) commanded by CTF 68.1 to conduct multi-faceted expeditionary operations to include EOD, Mine Countermeasures (MCM), maritime security, and communications in the austere environments above the Arctic Circle.

“The U.S. Navy’s renewed participation in the Arctic Specialist series of exercises highlights our investment, along with our key NATO partners, in the security of critical sea lines of communication while pushing the operational envelope of our expeditionary forces to fight and win in even the most challenging of environments,” said Cmdr. Gareth J. Healy, commanding officer, EODMU 8.

“I could not be more impressed with the performance of this expeditionary AFP and the seamless interoperability with our Norwegian and Danish partners while we all tackle the unique challenges of securing battlespace, both on land and in the water, from potential complex threats. I look forward to our future cooperation with Norway and Denmark, increasing our proficiency in expeditionary operations in arctic environments and reinforcing our operational reach throughout the European theater of operations.”

The exercise was hosted by the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Naval EOD Commando, as a multinational full-spectrum Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) exercise in which partner nations shared tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) in order to achieve greater interoperability when conducting combined operations countering global or regional threats to maritime security.

This exercise forced participants to overcome the challenges of operating north of the Arctic Circle.

AC17 provided a unique opportunity to refocus on EOD and MCM TTPs in both the maritime environment as well as austere operating conditions.

For the first time in more than a decade, EODMU 8’s operational exposure to these challenging environments allowed Sailors to assess and innovate these TTPs while learning from experienced partners.

Additionally, CTF 68 and CNE DET MAST forces were able to conduct high-latitude communications to flex the command and control of Expeditionary Forces during distributed operations.

“This exercise was important from a command and control aspect because the limited amount of satellite resources in this area present significantly communication challenges,” said Lt. Cmdr. Dwight Jefferson, officer in charge, CNE DET MAST. “Arctic Specialist allowed us to flex our capabilities and explore alternative means of communication (that don’t necessarily rely on satellite coverage) to provide the commander reliable command and control.”

EODMU 8, forward-deployed to Naval Station Rota, Spain, provides EOD capability to locate, identify, render safe, recover, field evaluate and dispose of all explosive ordnance, including underwater, biological, chemical and nuclear weapons.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Warrior Transition Program Expands

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist James Brown

NORFOLK,

Va. -- The Navy recently announced that all individual augmentees (IA) serving in CENTCOM or AFRICOM Areas of Responsibility (AOR) will attend Warrior Transition Program (WTP) in Sembach, Germany.

RAMSTEIN, Germany (Feb. 2, 2017) Staff assigned to Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) greet a redeploying Sailor. ECRC hosts the Warrior Transition Program which facilitates individual augmentee Sailors’ reintegration process following a global force management directed deployment by providing combat and operational stress control continuum workshops, collecting gear and weapons, and coordinating onward movement.

(U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist James C. Brown/Released)

Nestled in the Rhineland-Palatinate state of Germany lies the small Army base of Sembach. A tenant command, Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center (ECRC) Sembach Detachment, hosts a 3-5 day Warrior Transition ProgramThird Location Decompression (WTP-TLD) program which focus on redeploying Sailors transitional process amid farmland and rolling hills.

Capt. Joseph Rehak, ECRC commanding officer noted, “Germany provides an ideal location for our Sailors to reflect and rejuvenate after deployments down range in support of continuing operations. I am happy to say that we are now able to provide a much needed break to Sailors redeploying from the CENTCOM and AFRICOM theaters of operations.”

Senior Chief John Conniff, a redeployer from Isa Air Base, said of his experience at Sembach following deployment, “It’s been very relaxing. It’s nice to have the decompression downtime before returning to the states.”

The aim of WTP-TLD is time for the Sailor that is not on the battlefield or on the home front. The process is designed to assist in an IA’s reintegration into life out of the theater of operations, with their families, friends, and careers.

The program consists of instructional time, meeting with mental health and religious program professionals, liberty visits to towns such as Trier and Heidelberg, and individual down time.

Rehak said, “The Warrior Transition Program provides Sailors time to reflect, learn skills and meet partner organizations that will support in the transition from deployment to home life.”

Lt. j. g. Johnny Fugit, a redeployer from USS Ponce, said, “I

found it (WTP) really beneficial. Having a few days to catch my breath and reset has been important and enjoyable.”

The addition of AFRICOM redeployers as well as seeing those from more CENTCOM sites than before may lead to the staff at Sembach seeing a noticeable impact on operations.

Cmdr. Patrick Doyle, ECRC Sembach Detachment officer in charge said, “The staff here is really dedicated to this mission and making sure that every returning Sailor has the best experience possible even as we expect to double the number of people passing through WTP. For us, it’s a wonderful chance to have a positive impact on fellow Sailors.”

Following their time at WTP in Sembach, Reserve IAs will report to ECRC to complete the demobilization process before returning to their Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC).

Active Duty IAs will return to their parent commands.

The Warrior Transition Program facilitates IA Sailors’ reintegration process following a Global Force Management (GFM) directed deployment by providing Combat and Operational Stress Control Continuum (COSC) workshops, collecting gear and weapons, and coordinating onward movement.

ECRC provides processing, equipping, training, certification and proactive family support to ADSW Sailors, individual augmentees and provisional units throughout all deployment phases in support of COCOM requirements, contingency operations, or national crises.

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NECC Holds Day-long Professional Development and Training for Military and Civilian Staff

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Navy

Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) held its first monthly iteration of its professional development for the entire Type Command’s (TYCOM) civilian and military staff on board Joint Expeditionary Base Little CreekFort Story, March 23.

170323-N-XJ788-016 NORFOLK, Va. (March 23, 2017) Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) military and civilian staff gather for a professional development day at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story on March 23. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Travis DiPerna/ Released)

In line with the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) guidance to professionalize the Navy and the Marine Corps team, Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, commander, NECC and NECC Pacific held a day-long training opportunity that focused on three areas: Professional Development, Training, and Counseling.

The co-facilitator of the presentation, Dr. Jeannine Bennett, strategic communication specialist assigned to NECC said, “When you work at a place where you feel good about the work you are doing and know you are making a difference it has an impact on your entire life.”

Brakke kicked off the training and addressed the staff on the overall importance of dedicating an entire day to professional growth.

NECC also hosted two WAVES who reflected on the U.S. Navy’s theme for Women’s History Month: “Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business” and discussed their service with NECC sailors and civilians.

“We are going to take a day out once a month and focus on a topic that will challenge our mind and develop our leadership opportunities,” said Brakke who emphasized the responsibility of the TYCOM to create combat effectiveness.

Brakke also devoted time to go over the U.S. Navy’s expectations when using social media and expected behavior of our Sailors online and offline.

Nancy Harned, Executive Director, NECC and NECC Pacific addressed the CNO’s Navy Civilian Workforce Framework and opportunities for professional growth and development.

“It is our responsibility to invest in our employees, and we are happy for our personnel to improve themselves,” said Harned, who discussed a variety of professional growth opportunities for civilian staff, as well as mentoring opportunities for all personnel assigned to NECC. During the day-long professional development event, NECC held a “Brown Bag” lunch topic called, “Start with the Why” as a way to inspire personnel to think differently about how they communicate with others about the command.

Professional Development Counseling sessions were also included to allow time for supervisors and civilian managers to conduct counseling and mentoring with their employees and Sailors.

NECC and NECC Pacific is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations which is focused on delivering combat-effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.

Seabees Participated in Historic Visit to Camp Peary

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

WILLIAMSBURG,

Va. -Thirteen Seabees assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) took part in a history and heritage visit to Camp Peary, March 17, which was the site of one of the Navy’s first boot camp facilities that trained newly recruited Seabees from 1942-1944.

“The Fighting Seabee” Camp Peary’s famous float.

The history and heritage visit was scheduled to bring awareness to the 75th anniversary of the Seabees on March 5, 2017 and to allow active-duty officers and enlisted Sailors assigned to NECC to hear more about the experiences of the Seabee forbearers who came before them.

On March 5, Seabees worldwide commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Seabees that established a force of more than 325,000 builders who could fight during World War II. For the first seven or eight months after the Navy began recruiting civilian construction workers for the Seabees early in 1942, most of their training took place at the Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC), Camps Allen and Bradford in Norfolk, and at NCTC Camp Endicott in Davisville, Rhode Island. As the Seabees proved their value to the war effort, however, and as their authorized strength continued to increase, it became evident that a larger training facility was needed.

Named after Rear Adm. Robert E. Peary, the famous arctic explorer, Camp Peary was commissioned in November 1942.

Camp Peary was capable of housing and training 40 naval construction battalions at a time. Throughout 1943 and the first half of 1944, newly recruited Seabees received their primary training there.

Construction Mechanic 1st Class Kevin Lowers, who is assigned to NECC, participated in the visit to Camp Peary and discussed his biggest take away when visiting a preserved section of railway lines that once transported Seabees to Camp Peary to begin boot camp training.

In March 1943, builders who could fight signed up to serve in the U.S. Navy. They arrived at Camp Peary via train to undergo

five weeks of training prior to being shipped off to far away destinations. The men who enlisted largely came from careers in building and construction trades.

NECC’s Command Master Chief Corey Heinrich discussed some of the significant take aways from the visit.

“Even being in the Seabees as long as I have, I am still learning about our heritage, I did not personally know about Camp Peary,” said Heinrich.

Cmdr. Eileen D’Andrea helped to coordinate the visit and emphasized the importance of learning about our Navy’s history as well as the rich and diverse Seabee history.

“It is important to remember where we came from and where we started,” said D’Andrea, who added that she has always found it fascinating to examine closely the origins of the Seabees. “It’s important that we remember the conditions our Seabees went through when they first came here.”

Camp Peary also had some famous visitors who met with and encouraged Seabees before they departed to serve in the European or Pacific theaters from 1942 - 1944. Bob Hope was one of those famous celebrities who performed a live radio show on June 8 and June 15, 1943 from the Camp Peary Theater.

Additionally, the movie “The Fighting Seabees” had its debut at the Camp Peary Theater.

NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations, which is focused on delivering combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.

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U.S. Navy Divers Sail Aboard Korean Ship in SALVEX 2017

By Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Micah Blechner

CHINHAE, South Korea, --

U.S. and South Korean navy diving and salvage experts wrapped up nearly two weeks of advanced training today as Salvage Exercise Korea 2017 drew to a close.

U.S. Navy divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 and Sailors from Republic of Korea don scuba equipment during a bilateral exercise, Salvage Exercise Korea 2017.

The bilateral exercise began March 21 and featured joint diving and salvage operations, both in port and at sea.

“We have a waiver to dive with Korean navy systems,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Tim Emge, the diving and salvage officer for Task Force 73.

During the underway phase, U.S Navy divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 embarked on the salvage ship Republic of Korea (ROK) Tong Yeong alongside their Korean navy counterparts, a first for this annual exercise.

“This is a significant milestone; it gives us the ability to deploy divers with limited amounts of gear and perform interoperable dive operations with our partners.”

The training focused on combined diving and salvage operations and subject matter expert exchanges.

Divers from both navies also operated together under complex, realistic training scenarios in waters near the Korean peninsula.

These evolutions exemplified the merits of diving and salvage interoperability between the U.S. and South Korean navies.

SALVEX enables our divers to become familiar with each other’s equipment and capabilities; making it easier for us to work together in the future if a real world contingency operation were to happen, said Navy Master Chief Joshua Dumke, a master diver.

SALVEX 2017 marks the 33rd year of the bilateral exercise, which dates back to 1985.

The longstanding exchange has fostered supreme trust and deepened cooperation between the two navies.

Emge said, “the complexity and the tangible value of the training scenarios get better each year due to the planning, teamwork, and innovation of Sailors from both nations. This exercise allows both navies to enhance our diving and salvage capabilities in a very meaningful way.” Our partnership with [South Korean] navy divers has been a huge success.

SALVEX Korea 2017 is part of Exercise Foal Eagle -an umbrella of regularly-scheduled, annual exercises that are the culmination of many months of planning and based on realistic training scenarios.

The naval portion of the Foal Eagle exercises take place in international waters around South Korea and features a full spectrum of maritime operations.

Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 is a combatready, expeditionary, rapidly deployable force with capabilities to conduct harbor clearance, salvage, underwater search and recovery and underwater emergency repairs in any environment.

N av y P r o f e s s i o n a l R e a d i n g P r o g r a m

CNO’s Reading List

If you haven’t done so already, learn what books have been added to the CNO’s Professional Reading Program.

“Warfare is a violent, intellectual contest between thinking and adapting adversaries. The team that can think better and adapt faster will win. As we prepare for operations and war with an increasingly complex set of potential adversaries, we must do more to sharpen our thinking, learn the lessons from history, and expand our minds. “ “The books on this list are those that have influenced my leadership development.

It is our responsibility as leaders to continue to grow and to always question the status quo. These books have helped me do just that. If you find just one book on this list that challenges you as a leader, then it has been a success. I encourage you to discuss what has challenged you as a leader in our new forum. Remember to never stop striving to expand your mind. “

Below is a partial list of the CNO’s Reading List. For more information and to view the complete list visit www.navy.mil/ah_online/CNO-ReadingProgram/

FOUNDATIONAL READING Strategy: The Classic Book on Military Strategy Military Strategy: A General Theory of Power Control

B. H. Liddell Hart J. C. Wylie The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War Robert B. Strassler The U.S. Constitution James Madison The Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson The Influence of Sea Power on History A. T. Mahan Makers of Modern Strategy: From Machiavelli to the Nuclear Age Peter Paret Principles of Maritime Strategy Julian S. Corbett The Art of War Sun Tzu On War Carl Von Clausewitz

PARTNER NETWORK

NAVAL POWER Atlantic Simon Winchester Toward a New Maritime Strategy Peter D. Haynes The Rules of the Game Andrew Gordon Seapower, A Guide for the 21st Century Geoffrey Till The Conquering Tide Ian W. Toll John Barry, An American Hero in the Age of Sail Tim McGrath Pacific Crucible, War at Sea in the Pacific 1941-1942 Ian W. Toll Six Frigates Ian W. Toll Empires of the Sea Roger Crowley 1812: The Navy’s War George C. Daughan

NAVY TEAM

Meditations Marcus Aurelius All the Factors of Victory Thomas Wildenberg Enchiridion Epictetus Navigating the Seven Seas Melvin G. Williams Grand Strategies in War and Peace

Paul Kennedy Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot

Jim Stockdale The Grand Chessboard Zbigniew Brzezinski The Caine Mutiny Herman Wouk On China Henry Kissinger Service: A Navy SEAL at War Marcus Luttrell World Order Henry Kissinger Outliers: The Story of Success Malcolm Gladwell At Ease: Stories I Tell to Friends Dwight D. Eisenhower In Love and War Jim & Sybil Stockdale Partnerships for the Americas James G. Stavridis The Wisdom of Crowds James Surowiecki

NEws you can use

Protecting Our people protects our mission

By Cmdr. John Leitner, NECC Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Officer

Each

April, the Navy takes time out to focus on an issue that runs counter to our Core Values, Navy Ethos and Signature Behaviors.

That issue is Sexual Assault. It is a problem that affects us all and does not discriminate against gender, race, religions, or sexual orientation.

It is a crime that lowers readiness, degrades unit cohesiveness and causes significant harm to our shipmates. Just one incident is one too many.

This year’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month (SAAPM) theme, “Protecting our People Protects our Mission” offers numerous opportunities to deliver messages on how we care for each other while we work to eliminate Sexual Assault once and for all.

10 Signature Behaviors: 1. Treat every person with respect; 2. Take responsibility for my actions; 3. Hold others accountable for their actions; 4. Intervene when necessary; 5. Be a leader and encourage leadership in others; 6. Grow personally and professionally every day; 7. Embrace the diversity of ideas, experiences, and backgrounds of individuals; 8. Uphold the highest degree of integrity in professional and personal life; 9. Exercise discipline in conduct and performance; 10. Contribute to team success through actions and attitudes.

These Signature Behaviors directly correlate to how we should respond to a shipmate in need, how we should be there for one another and how we must not remain silent when we see an incident developing.

As the Chief of Naval Operations recently stated, “In teams, there are no bystanders. We are all in, every one of us. We have high expectations of each other, Recently, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Pacific hold each other accountable, and we treat each other Fleet released a joint document entitled Signature with respect. We build our teammates up to make Behaviors of the 21st Century Sailor. them stronger. We definitely don’t allow anybody to disrespect another teammate - we close ranks and This document defines 10 Signature Behaviors to protect.” guide us in both the best and worst of times.

It is a true pleasure to watch our Sailors work together If we live by these behaviors, we can eliminate not to raise awareness of Sexual Assault this month. only sexual assault, but other problems such as However the true challenge for all of us is to keep all domestic violence, hazing, and substance abuse, just destructive behaviors in mind every day, on and off to name a few. duty. To LEAD and INTERVENE. We can end sexual assault, but it will take all of us to do so.

@NECC_

/NavyExpeditionaryCombatCommand