5.11 REVEILLE
YOUR VOICE
YOUR SHIP
YOUR NAVY
Photo by MC3 Fidel C. Hart
Capt. Rudy Lupton, Blue Ridge commanding officer, left, receives a helm from the ships’ Command Master Chief David Unnone. The helm is a gift from the Chief Petty Officer’s mess for his time as the ship’s commanding officer.
Master Chief Pinning
May is Asian and Pacific Heritage Month. The theme is, “Diversity, Leadership, Empowerment and Beyond.” There are more than 35,000 uniformed personnel serving in the Navy, including nine admirals, 11 members of the senior executive service and 187 master chief petty officers. Produced by Media Services division, Ext. 4155 View this issue online www.issuu.com/ussblueridge Cover: Capt. Rudy Lupton, outgoing commanding officer. Blue Ridge is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the USS Blue Ridge. All news releases, photos or information for publication in Blue Ridge must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer.
Master Chief Information Systems Technician Okyo Simmons, left, Master Chief Master-at-Arms Warren Britten, and Master Chief Fire Controlman Craig Hohnstein, right, gather for a photo after receiving their Master Chief anchors on the flight deck. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Fidel C. Hart /Released)
Commanding Officer: Capt. Rudy Lupton Executive Officer: Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Ralston Command Master Chief: CMDCM(SW/SS) David Unnone Public Affairs Officer: Lt. j.g. Clinton Beaird Leading CPO: MCC(SW/AW)Allen Onstott Editor: MC3 Fidel C. Hart Copy Editor: MC1(SW) Todd Macdonald Layout and Design: MC3 Fidel C. Hart Cover Photo: MC2 (SW) Cynthia Griggs
Media Services Staff MC1(SW/AW) Jerome Foltz MC1 (SW) Todd Macdonald MC2(SW) Brian Dietrick MC2(AW) Steven Khor MC2 Aaron M. Pineda MC3 Colin Sheridan MC3 Alexandra Arroyo MC3 Melvin Orr MC3 Cale Hatch MCSN James Norman
Special Issue: Change of Command
Attention on deck Meet the Blue Ridge’s 24th commanding officer.
C
aptain Grieco graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1986 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. He completed aviation training and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in December 1987. After initial qualification in the S-3A Viking in December 1988, he was assigned to Air Anti-Submarine Squadron Twenty Two (VS-22). While assigned to the ‘Checkmates,’ he transitioned to the S-3B and deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) participating in Operation Desert Shield and flew 23 combat support missions in Operation Desert Storm. Upon completion of his first sea tour, Grieco was assigned to Fleet Replacement Squadron Twenty Seven (VS-27) as an instructor. During this tour, he held the lead instructor for Electronic Warfare Training of the S-3 community and was the east coast S-3 NATOPS senior evaluator and model manager. Grieco’s next assignment was to Commander Carrier Group Four as his Flag Lieutenant. During this tour he participated in the intermediate and advanced training of five Carrier Battle Groups as well as participated in NATO exercise Strong Resolve 95. Upon detaching from CCG-4 in Oct 1996, he reported to Sea Control Squadron Twenty Four (VS-24). While attached to the ‘Scouts,’ he deployed aboard the John F. Kennedy to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Southern Watch. After attending Naval War College in April 2000, Grieco was assigned to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff in the National Military Command Center as the Assistant Deputy Director for Operations on Operations Team Three. Selected for command, his next assignment was as Executive Officer of Sea Control Squadron Twenty Four (VS-24). He assumed command of the ‘Scouts’ in April 2005 and as Commanding Officer, he deployed the squadron aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) for Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his command tour, the squadron flew 229 overland combat sorties supporting MultiNational Division Southeast, won the CVW-8 Golden Wrench, CNAL Golden Anchor and 2005 Battle “E.” Upon detaching from the ‘Scouts,’ Grieco was assigned as the Executive Assistant to Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet where he was selected for Major Command and Aviation Nuclear Pipeline training. Upon completion of training, he reported to USS George Washington (CVN-73), forward deployed in Yokosuka Japan, as the Executive Officer from Dec 2008 to Oct 2010. Captain Grieco joined USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), the finest command ship in the fleet, in May 2011. He holds Masters Degrees in Business Administration from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and National Security Affairs and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Air Medal (Strike/Flight)(2 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards) and various campaign and unit awards. He has accumulated over 2600 flight hours and 650 arrested landings.
Capt. Daniel Grieco explains the arresting gear on the flight deck aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) to Col. Ah Kheng, commander of Tengah Air Base in Singapore. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan L. Guimont)
Capt. Daniel Grieco escorts Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead on the flight deck aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tanner Lange)
Capt. Daniel Grieco discusses ship formations with Gen. Min Goo Han, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the Republic of Korea, in the flag bridge aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Danielle A. Brandt)
Capt. Daniel Grieco explains flight operations to Rear Adm. Hiroshi Yamamura, commander of Escort Flotilla 4 of the Japan Maritime SelfDefense Force, aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Rachel Clayton)
This page, left: Visitors take in the sakura at Osaka Castle; bottom: The Glico running man billboard lights up Dotonbori. Following page, clockwise from right: Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium, one of the world’s largest; Two mechanical neon demons in Dotonbori; Tsutenkaku Tower, is a symbol of Osaka’s postWWII reconstruction; The six and a half meter Kani Doraku Crab in front of Kani Doraku crab restaurant, is a neon landmark in Dotonbori; Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is Japan’s second-largest theme park.
Visiting Osaka By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Fidel C. Hart
O
saka is the third largest city in Japan, with a population of more than 17 million people in its greater metropolitan area. It is the central metropolis of the Kansai region and the largest of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto trio. Many people consider Osaka to be Japan’s western capital city. People here have their own dialect and conversations are louder. You’ll discover this as you ride on the escalators standing on the right, instead of the left in Tokyo. Then you’ll discover the contrast of popular food compared to Eastern Japan. One similarity that Osaka does have with Tokyo, is the ease of travel by subway, train and bus. The Osaka Unlimited Pass (one-day pass is 2,000 yen) offers unlimited use of trains (excluding JR trains) and buses, free admission to 24 popular sights, and discounts at other locations. The pass includes a handy booklet with route suggestions, coupons and information about all the sites.
WHAT TO SEE Osaka Castle (600 yen, 09001700 daily) is the city’s most known sight. The castle is closest to the Osaka-jo Koen station on the JR Osaka Loop Line. The uniquely shaped 40-story Umeda Sky Building is a city landmark. Take the escalator through midair to the rooftop observatory for an open-air view of Osaka (700 yen, 1000-2230 daily). Sumiyoshi Shrine is one of Japan’s oldest, stretching back 1,800 years. Get there from the Nankai line station. Shitennoji Temple was originally built by Emperor Suiko in 593. Its a five-minute walk from Shitennoji-mae-Yuhiga-oka subway station. You can play all day at Universal Studios Japan (5,800 yen). Take Universal-City Station on the JR Yumesaki Line. City views are best seen from the apex of the Tenpozan Ferris Wheel (700 yen), which is next to the Kaiyukan Aquarium (2,000 yen), one of the world’s largest. The city’s landmark Tsutenkaku Tower was designed by the same man who designed Tokyo Tower.
Information on this page is recommended by the writer and not an endorsement by C7F or USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).
ASK A LOCAL Mamako is a native of Osaka, and after studying filmmaking at UCLA, she returned to roots to make her mark as a director. Osaka’s residents are the fastest walkers in the world (at 1.6 kph), so expect things to be at a faster pace everywhere here. We like speaking in our ‘Kansei-ben’ dialect but you’ll also find more Japanese who speak English here than in Tokyo, especially on your must-see stop at Amerika Mura. ‘America Land,’ as its called, is a district here based on an American neighborhood. Here is why you’ll find teens proudly showing off their dyed-blonde hair and ‘Jersey Shore’ tans while brunching, gossiping and listening to hip hop at Sunny Side Up cafe. This is a vibrant area and the energy is felt from sun up to sun up the next day.
WHAT LOCALS EAT Throughout Japan, Osaka is known as an excellent place to eat, exemplified by the local maxim kuidaore, “eat yourself to ruin.” The best areas for trying kuidaore are probably Dotonbori, Hozenji-
yokocho or Soemon-cho. Entire areas containing nothing but one restaurant after another. Some typical Osakan foods worth trying include battera, okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu. Don’t ask what they are, the beauty is in trying them without knowing.
PORT GUIDE OSAKA
Dotonbori is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka. It is a single street, running alongside the Dotonbori canal between the Dotonboribashi Bridge and the Nipponbashi Bridge in the Namba ward. Dotonbori is famous for its shops, restaurants and its many neon and mechanized signs, including snack/ candy maker Glico’s giant electronic display of a runner crossing the finish line. Originally installed in 1935, the giant neon athlete on a blue track is a landmark in Dotonbori. The six and a half meter Kani Doraku Crab is another neon landmark here. In front of the crab restaurant Kani Doraku, it is mechanized and able to move its arms and eyestalks. Built in 1960, the mechanical billboard soon spawned imitators in Dotonbori, including a squid that puffs steam. Another popular landmark symbol is the blowfish lantern of Zubora-ya. While searching for places to eat in the city, you can pay homage to the man who satisfied your snack cravings by visiting the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum (Free, WedMon 0930-1600). A museum dedicated to the man who invented every college students staple diet, its exhibits
are limited if you do not read Japanese, but it offers two worthwhile hands-on experiences. The “Chicken Ramen Workshop” (500 yen, 90 min.) lets you make your own instant noodles from scratch. “My Cup Noodle Factory” (300 yen) lets you create your own Cup Noodle flavor, which is then made for you in your own designed cup.
SHOPPING Osaka’s most famous shopping district is Shinsaibashi, which is a mix of huge stores, designer fashion houses, and boutiques. Within Shinsaibashi, Amerikamura is said to be the source of most youth fashion trends in Japan. Near Amerika-mura, Horie
is a shopping street of mainly Japanese brand shops. Electronics buyers will want to check out the Nipponbashi area, in particular the “DenDen Town” shopping street. Tenjinbashi-suji shopping street is said to be the longest straight and covered shopping arcade in Japan. The arcade is a live exhibition of Osaka’s daily life since the Edo period.
SPORTS
Osaka hosts four professional sports teams: One of them are the Orix Buffaloes, a Nippon pro baseball team playing home games at Kyocera Dome Osaka. There are two J. League soccer clubs: Gamba Osaka, plays
its home games at Osaka Expo ‘70 Stadium. Another club Cerezo Osaka, plays its home games at Nagai Stadium. Osaka Evessa is the city’s pro basketball team. Evessa has won the first three Japan Basketball League championships.
MUST SEE Peace Osaka is a museum dedicated to the promotion of peace through displays of war. While displaying the affects of bombings on Japan during WWII, the exhibitions depicting atrocities against China, Korea and Southeast Asia are what make this museum truly a must see.
Ship Notes & Navy News
Blue Ridge completes first level ULTRA assessment Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron M. Pineda Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Fidel C. Hart Blue Ridge completed the first level of the Unit Level Training Assessment (ULTRA) May 6. The assessment, conducted by Afloat Training Group Western Pacific (ATGWP), observed Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) drills and ship warfare systems. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Christopher Williams, an ATGWP assessor, explained the purpose of the visit was to evaluate training teams, watch standers, and to ensure the ship is operating at waterfront standards. Williams said the week worth of assessments are one step in the ship accomplishing the ultimate goal of attaining ULTRA E certification. “We [ATGWP] are only one step in the process,” Williams said. “The end goal will
be for the ship to attain the ULTRA E, which includes more assessments and focuses on engineering. Damage Controlman 2nd Class William Julian, a DCTT member, said ATGWP’s visit gave great training from a new perspective. “It’s made the crew much better in combating all types of casualties onboard,” said Julian. “It is always good for someone else to see how we fight casualties. As DCTT and crew members, it gives us the extra eyes looking in and giving guidance throughout the drills.” Julian also commented on the lessons learned during ULTRA. “We knew how to combat casualties
Fair Winds & Following Seas, Captain Lupton
onboard, but we were forgetting about small things like proper battle dress and rigging the de-smoking equipment.” Although there were some discrepancies, Julian says the repair lockers showed up with their heads in the game and performed as a team. “As a whole, we did very well,” he said. “It is unheard of to have a ship do an LTT (Limited Training Team) one week and have the inspection the following week and then on top of that do as well as we did. In the end, we got the job done and as always, we did outstanding.”
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