USS EMORY S. LAND OFFICIAL PUBLICATION || SEPTEMBER 2017 || VOLUME 8 || ISSUE 9 || TEAM TENDER
LEARNING THE ROPES I-DIV helps new ESL Sailors become acquainted with their surroundings and responsibilites. Pg. 11
MAINTAINING EXCELLENCE Team Tender Sailors perform maintenance on USS Coronado (LCS 4), one of the Navy’s most high-tech ships. Pg. 15
PLUS ULTRA PLURIMUM Learn about Emory S. Land and Frank Cable’s decomissioned sister ship, USS McKee (AS 41). Pg. 35
L ANDM ARK magazine is an authorized publication for Sailors aboard the USS Emory S. Land (AS 39). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by, the United States government, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the USS Emory S. Land. All news, photos, and information for publication in Landmark magazine must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer. Magazine produced by USS Emory S. Land Media Services. USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) is manned by an integrated crew of Sailors and civilian Mariners under the administrative control of Commander, Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and operational control of Commander, Task Force 74. As a forwarddeployed naval force, USS Emory S. Land is tasked to provide expeditionary intermediate level maintenance and repairs, hotel services, and logistics support to deployed Guided Missile and Fast Attack submarines deployed in the 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.
COMMAND TRIAD COMMANDING OFFICER Capt. Douglas Bradley EXECUTIVE OFFICER Cmdr. Robert Lopez COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM William Greene
MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Lt. Bradley Newsad LEADING PETTY OFFICER MC1(SW) Timmy Wakefield MEDIA SERVICES MC1(SW/AW) Oliver Cole
TEAM TENDER Sailors from Emory S. Land and Frank Cable continue to provide vital services to submarines and surface ships in Guam. (Photo by MC3 Daniel Willoughby) 1 | LANDMARK | SEPTEMBER 2017
MC2 Alex Miller MC3(SW) Daniel Willoughby
ON THE COVER: CMC William Greene is navigating the ship blindfolded to show new Sailors the importance of EGRESS.
TABLE OF CONTENTS LEADING INDOC Damage Controlman 1st Class Mathew Reyes, a leading petty officer in I-Div, is responsible for acclimating new Sailors to the command.
PAGE 11
LEADERSHIP Pg. 03 - The Commanding Officer
Pg. 07 - The Executive Officer
FEATURES
Pg. 11 - Guiding ESL’s Newest Pg. 15 - Maintaining Excellence Pg. 21 - Taking Care of the Family Pg. 23 - Remembering our Shipmates
HISTORY
Pg. 35 - Plus Ultra Plurimum
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LEADERSHIP
THE COMMANDING OFFICER THE HIGHLIGHTS
There are a couple of things to highlight as we move through the rest of the year. We have a multitude of new opportunities with the Emergent Repair Facility (ERF) as it continues to develop. We have a number of upcoming community relations events with our sister villages that will help us support the communities of Guam and further the “One Guam” initiative. I’m excited to build on that foundation and grow with our sister villages. Another highlight for fall is football. I’ve been counting down the days until professional football kicks off. The Baltimore Ravens are my home town team, so I’ll be rooting for them. I’m looking forward to the season. WHAT WE DO BEST The Key West availability got dropped on us with fairly short notice. I challenged Repair Department leadership to take charge. The Sailors stepped up to the plate by developing and executing their own plan. We took on a number of unexpected work items that required last minute planning. There were also a number of jobs that changed in scope after things got started. Despite all of the setbacks and potential pitfalls that could’ve derailed their plans, they adapted, overcame and finished the availability on schedule. In the end, we completed one of the highest jobs per week during this availability than had been done for several years. It was a great success all around. Our Sailors recently worked on the littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4). It was a first ever for the maintenance enterprise here in Guam. We successfully completed a Preventative Maintenance Availability (PMAV), giving our Sailors an opportunity to showcase their skills and expand our capabilities into a new platform. Our Sailors completed all their checks two days early. They identified a few material issues and some problems with the ship’s maintenance documentation and fed that back to the ship. Normally 3 | LANDMARK | SEPTEMBER 2017
this type of work is contracted out, but this time we had fleet Sailors doing the maintenance and we finished ahead of schedule. It’s completely different from any other platform I’ve been on and it was fascinating to see what modern ship building is delivering to the fleet. PASSING THE TEST
We just completed an audit from the Bureau of Medicine. The results reflect a strong, growing program. There have been numerous improvements from last year with lots of positive feedback. I was really pleased with that as a great victory for the medical department. We have another big inspection in September that will center around our R-5 division, the Nuclear Regulatory Examination (NRE). The Sailors have put a lot of work into growing R-5 and the capabilities we deliver, so I’m excited to showcase the work they’ve done to an external group. They’ll get to highlight their effort and numerous achievements. This will be a big milestone for them. JUST CALL THE CHIEF Every September we pin the Navy’s newest chief petty officers. It’s a big milestone and great opportunity to celebrate these Sailors while inducting a new class of leadership across the Fleet. There are two sayings that come to my mind when I think of chiefs: “chiefs are the back bone of the Navy;” and when you’re looking for deckplate leadership, the saying is “just call the chief.” I look for a leader who is the expert in their field and leans into every problem as an opportunity to take charge and lead Sailors. A chief is someone you can rely on when something comes up, whether
THE CAPTAIN Capt. Douglas Bradley poses for a photograph on the bridge wing.
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LEADERSHIP
I WANT TO DELIVER THAT MISSION CAPABILITY TO OUR OPERATIONAL COMMANDER AND SHOW THAT WHATEVER THE NEED IS, WE’RE READY AND AVAILABLE AS A MOBILE ASSET. it’s a material problem, operational problem or Sailor issue. When you can call the chief and have the confidence the situation is going to be attacked and handled with expertise, I think that’s the essence of a chief petty officer. If you have a strong chief’s mess on a ship, that ship will perform well. So chiefs, be the expert, step out in front and lead with positive energy. That’s what I look for in chiefs! AT SEA Ships are made to be at sea. I look forward to having the opportunity to exercise our mobility. I want to deliver that mission capability to our operational commander and show that whatever the need is, we’re ready and available as a mobile asset. What I look forward to most is training at sea. There are a lot of things that we have to simulate to prepare for at-sea operations, but getting underway and training at sea is the goal. LOOKING FORWARD There are a couple of things to highlight as we move through the rest of the year. We have a multitude of new opportunities with the Emergent Repair Facility (ERF) as it continues to develop. We have a number of upcoming community relations events with our sister villages that will help us support the communities of Guam and further the “One Guam” initiative. I’m excited to build on that foundation and grow with our sister villages. Another highlight for fall is football. I’ve been counting down the days until
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professional football kicks off. The Baltimore Ravens are my home town team, so I’ll be rooting for them. I’m looking forward to the season. FINAL THOUGHTS Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the USS John S. McCain. We are here and ready to support them at this time. I ask our crew to continue to be respectful of the people while the investigations are in progress. Please do not speculate or be disrespectful, but continue to support them in an appropriate way. I ask the crew to be safe and stay ready.
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LEADERSHIP
THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Interview by MC2 Richard A. Miller
Every Sailor has the ability to be successful and each person makes their own decisions. What you did before you came into the military is irrelevant; you must forge your own path. Find a mentor, educate yourself, qualify and give your best every single day.
You’ve had nearly every role a Sailor can hold in the Navy; from seaman recruit all the way to Executive Officer. You’ve had a chance to observe and utilize many different styles of leadership. What traits do you value the most in a leader? If you ask a dozen Sailors to define leadership, you will likely get 12 different answers. As leaders, we must be able to lead in multiple ways. Every person is different and we must understand those differences to reach each Sailor with our message. Every Sailor is a leader to someone else. I challenge each of you to make yourself better each day. Here are a few of the traits I admire in a leader: Empowerment. You must empower your people to do their job. You cannot do it for them nor can you empower them, only to take it away so you can make the ground-floor decisions. While it’s okay to help guide your Sailors, you should empower them and allow them to drive the solution. Not every solution will be your choice; however you must ask yourself, will it work? If it works, true empowerment allows a person to execute their plan. Listening. Leaders have to listen to understand. You must understand before you can help but sometimes just 7 | LANDMARK | SEPTEMBER 2017
listening is all it takes. It’s often easy to try to find a solution, but sometimes Sailors just want their concerns to be heard. Good leaders don’t just wait their turn to speak. Conceptualization. Leaders must look beyond dayto-day operations and focus on the big picture. Be that visionary that carries our Navy into the future. In order to be a visionary, one must not get caught in the weeds and must see the organization from the 10,000-foot level . Having a good work/life balance can be difficult in the military. How do you find that balance and maintain it? First, I am blessed with a supportive and amazing wife who understands and supports the military. Second, you hear me say it again and again, if you focus on the positives in life, then every day is simply amazing. When I go home at the end of the day, it is all about the family and I devote that time to them no matter how much or how little. I make sure my family understands how important they are in my life. Lastly, I clear my mind and relieve stress through recreation – kiteboarding during windy season, hiking during dry season and PT on a regular basis.
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LEADERSHIP
HARD AT WORK Cmdr. Robert Lopez reviews correspondence in the Executive Officer’s cabin.
ITALY IS BY FAR MY FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT. FROM ROME, TO THE CANALS OF VENICE, TO STANDING ATOP THE LEANING TOWER OF PISA, TO FLORENCE, TO THE AMALFI COAST; EVERY PLACE IS JUST AMAZING. You’ve likely stopped at a lot of ports during your career. Which was your favorite to visit and what sights did you see there? Italy is by far my favorite place to visit. It’s so easy to get around. From Rome, to the canals of Venice, to standing atop the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to Florence, to the Amalfi Coast; every place is just amazing. It’s also easy to fly to Germany, France, or any of the other surrounding European countries. There’s so much culture and scenery to take in and a lot of kind, generous people to meet. What is the most unique meal you’ve had either during a port call or being stationed overseas? I’ve had both horse and ostrich. Most people in the United States either ride horses or keep them as pets, but it’s actually quite common to eat them in Europe. It’s a very lean, red meat with a distinct taste. I didn’t particularly care for it. Ostrich on the other hand was delicious. Did you play any sports growing up? What is your fondest memory? I was big into wrestling. I have so many memories. I wouldn’t say this was my fondest memory, but it’s funny to look back
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on. I had long hair in high school, as people often did back in those days, and I remember right before a match the referee said my hair was too long and I couldn’t wrestle. I went to the bathroom and had my coach cut my hair off so I could get on the mat and win my match. It was jagged and terrible looking. Football season is here. Who is your team and how do you think they will do this year? I’d say about anyone wearing NWUs is representing my favorite team, America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys. They’ve got a few players out right now, but I think we will do well this year. I grew up in Chicago and still like to see the Bears do well, but if I had to pick one team it would be the Cowboys. Do you have a message for the crew? Every Sailor has the ability to be successful and each person makes their own decisions. What you did before you came into the military is irrelevant; you must forge your own path. Trust me, my upbringing was not the best. I have stories that would probably horrify some people but it did not define my career. Find a mentor, educate yourself, qualify and give your best every single day.
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FEATURES
I-DIV
GUIDING ESL’S NEWEST Story and photos by MC3 Daniel Willoughby
When a Sailor checks aboard a new ship, especially their first ship, it can be daunting. Passageways are like labyrinths. Foreign phrases are passed over the 1MC. Everyone passes by knowing exactly where to be and when to be there. The Sailor meets their peers and leadership within their division and, within a couple of days, may be tasked with qualifications and other requirements. It becomes clear to the Sailor that there is a tall hill to climb, a learning curve to overcome.
This is where command indoctrination (INDOC) comes into play. It is a vital tool not only to introduce new Sailors to the command, but also to begin their training and leave a positive lasting impression. An Indoctrination Division (I-Div) was recently created on submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) to provide command policies and information, assimilate newly reported personnel, teach basic responsibilities and expectations, and provide basic damage control, 3M, quality assurance, and security qualifications. I-Div is part of the ship’s training department. The training provided includes both classroom instruction and hands-on events, covering topics such as pride and professionalism, decision making, equal opportunity, uniform policy, operational risk management, damage control, weapons familiarization, and much more. The 8-week INDOC program allows newlyreported Sailors to focus solely on learning essential information and completing basic qualifications prior to reporting to their work center.
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TRAIN HOW YOU FIGHT Engineman 2nd Class Bianca Belton, a member of I-Div, practices an EGRESS during damage control training.
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FEATURES
I-DIV HAS CREATED A STREAMLINED PROCESS TO GET SAILORS QUALIFIED, MAKING THEM LESS DISTRACTED AND MORE USEFUL TO THEIR WORK CENTERS AND DUTY SECTIONS. Damage Controlman 1st Class Victoria Wells, a training department leading petty officer (LPO), said prior to the creation of I-Div, Sailors were often forced to balance getting through indoctrination, completing basic qualifications, and performing regular duties, which proved to be a difficult task for most. “I-Div has created a streamlined process to get Sailors qualified, making them less distracted and more useful to their work centers and duty sections,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class Matthew Reyes, a training department LPO. “We communicate command expectations, get them qualified, and prepare them for success. We provide the first impression for most Sailors coming to the ship, so it’s important for us to be good role models.” Engineman 2nd Class Bianca Belton, a Sailor who has been assigned to I-Div for one month, said I-Div is helping her get acclimated to ship life again after being assigned to a shore command previously.
TOOLS FOR SURVIVAL Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class David Cozart, a member of I-Div, practices using an EEBD, emergency escape breathing device, during damage control training. 13 |LANDMARK | SEPTEMBER 2017
CLASS IN SESSION “It’s a good refresher for things I learned at my previous sea commands,” said Belton. “They help you get all the basic qualifications before you go to your division. I’ve never done quality assurance before, so it seems a little bit overwhelming. They are helping me learn the basics, but I can learn the finer details later. I-Div also allows presenters to come to us for check-in, making the check-in process much easier.” While I-Div is making the indoctrination process easier for new Sailors, it has not come without challenges. “I think the most challenging part of
INDOC is trying to cater to every Sailor, because everyone has different needs when they arrive. One of our main goals is to track and support each Sailor’s needs,” said Reyes. But don’t be misled; Reyes is enjoying the ride. “The most enjoyable part of INDOC for me is the initial meet-and-greet. We get to learn each Sailor’s story and share our own.” Support is exactly what incoming Sailors need when they arrive to a new ship. The tall hill becomes short after a while, and Sailors eventually acclimate. The Land’s unique I-Div gives Sailors the tools and opportunity to excel at their new command.
Chief Boatswain’s Mate Eric Santiago teaches I-Div a lesson on Honor, Courage, and Commitment, the Navy’s core values. This is just one of the many lessons Sailors will learn during INDOC.
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FEATURES
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MAINTAINING EXCELLENCE Story by MC2 Richard A. Miller
Sailors from submarine tenders USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and USS Frank Cable (AS 40) have primarily provided mobile maintenance, weapons handling, logistical support, and hotel services to the Navy’s submarine service for nearly 40 years. However, Team Tender Sailors have always been flexible and capable of adapting to new challenges in order to complete the demanding work needed to keep the Navy’s fleet operational. Sometimes, this means working on platforms outside the submarine community.
THE NEW BREED A helicopter from the Phillipine Navy prepares to land on the flight deck of USS Coronado (LCS 4). (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Devin Ellis) LANDMARK | SEPTEMBER 2017| 16
FEATURES
Emory S. Land and Frank Cable Sailors, collectively recognized as “Team Tender,” spent three days completing maintenance on littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4). Team Tender Sailors were challenged with the responsibility of completing a significant work load in an unfamiliar environment. “Tender Sailors were tasked with completing 242 maintenance items,” said Master Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician Julison Lusung, the Coronado Sailor responsible for supervising the overall maintenance availability. “The maintenance was perfectly executed and I was extremely impressed with Team Tender’s motivation, enthusiasm and effort.” Despite the demanding workload, Sailors were able to complete the maintenance ahead of schedule. “Repair work was originally planned to last five days,” said Lusung. “They were able to complete more than 44% of the maintenance during the first day. That’s a direct reflection of Team Tender’s motivation. By the end of day three, all maintenance items were complete.” Lusung was impressed with the cohesion and teamwork between Team Tender and Coronado Sailors. He credited the Sailors’ strong work ethic and dedication to the mission in creating a positive and productive work environment. “Team Tender and Coronado Sailors worked very well together,” said Lusung. “They were exited to work with each other and very supportive right from the start. The civilian contractors who worked alongside the Sailors were also very supportive. Everyone came together to achieve our common goals.” Coronado usually relies heavily on civilian contractors to complete maintenance. Receiving support from Team Tender was a new experience for most on board. “The LCS platform only has a 60-man crew,” said Chief Hull Technician Greg Otteson, Team Tender’s maintenance supervisor for the work
TEAM TENDER’S CONTRIBUTION SAVED THE NAVY AROUND $300 AN HOUR FOR EACH SAILOR WORKING ON THE DECKPLATES. 17 |LANDMARK | SEPTEMBER 2017
INSPECTION TIME Machinery Repairman 3rd Class Walter Iverson inspects a CO2 bottle onboard USS Coronado (LCS 4).
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FEATURES
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ALL SMILES Sailors from Team Tender’s repair department pose for a group photo on the pier in front of USS Coronado (LCS 4).
completed on Coronado. “Traditionally, Coronado contracts much of their maintenance out to the civilian sector. Team Tender’s contribution saved the Navy around $300 an hour for each Sailor working on the deckplates.” Otteson reported that working on LCS platforms provides tender Sailors with an opportunity to experience a different, newer class of ship and helps prepare them for the next stage in their careers. “It’s rewarding for the Sailors to work on and see this type of ship, especially the first term Sailors with little experience in the fleet,” said Otteson. “Many of these Sailors will spend their next tour on surface vessels like Coronado. Seeing what they’re getting into and the kind of equipment they’ll use helps further their professional knowledge tenfold and gives them new tools for their career.” Both Lusung and Otteson spoke highly of the work ethic of Team Tender Sailors, praising their motivation and dedication. “Team Tender Sailors are highly motivated,” said Otteson. “They work harder than most Sailors I’ve seen in my career. That fact that they completed all Coronado maintenance items 2 days early is a testament to their hard work and dedication to getting the job done.” Otteson said that despite the challenge of working on an unfamiliar ship, Team Tender Sailors rose to the occasion and will do it again whenever the opportunity presents itself. “It doesn’t matter what class it is,” said Otteson. “We’ll come in and get it done.”
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FEATURES
TAKING CARE OF THE FAMILY
Story by MC1 Oliver Cole
The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land is a big ship with a demanding schedule stationed on a small island. The difficulties of a heavy workload in an isolated location can be tough on anyone, especially families. The Family Readiness Group (FRG) lends a helping hand to aid with the challenge.
The mission of the FRG is to help Land families make their time with the command as successful as possible by creating opportunities to build a supportive community through both social and informative events. They work in cooperation with the command ombudsmen to direct families toward readiness resources and services. The FRG currently has approximately 135 active members, including spouses of Navy and civilian personnel attached to the Land. It’s currently led by three board members, filling four positions; Jennifer Johnston is the acting president and secretary; Patricia Stewart is the vice president; and Shelly Park is the treasurer. Johnston acknowledges that many families are often confused by or unsure of the difference between the FRG and the command ombudsman. “Ombudsmen are the command appointed liaisons between the command and the affiliated families,” said Johnston. “The ombudsmen are representatives of the command and the official source of command related information. The FRG is
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READY TO HELP Board members from Land’s Family Readiness Group: Vice President, Patricia Stewart, left, Acting President and Secretary, Jennifer Johnston, center, and Treasurer, Shelly Park, right.
the central organization for support within the families attached to the command. We exist to provide social support and networking opportunities to the families of the commands that sponsor them.” Earlier this June, the FRG partnered with the command during the ship’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation-hosted family day picnic at Polaris Point. The command provided the FRG with a tent as an opportunity for families to meet and speak with the FRG board members about the group and its events. The FRG also hosted a well-supported Valentine’s Day flower sale in
February aboard the Land. The group is consistently active with the command and their families and has events scheduled through next year. “We host coffee socials every first Tuesday of the month at C Street Café,” said Johnston. “It’s an opportunity for family members of our command to meet and get to know one another over coffee.” Johnston said the group is working towards becoming involved with the Trunk or Treat event Naval Base Guam (NBG) Morale, Welfare, and Recreation is hosting in October. They are also planning follow-ups
to last year’s successful children’s Christmas party and this year’s Valentine’s Day flower sale. Spouses and other supporters of the command are invited to attend monthly meetings every second Monday of the month at the NBG Community Center. Each meeting has command representation and guest speakers with information pertaining to various aspects of the military, as well as the unique experience of Guam life. For more information on the FRG, you can contact them at eslfrg@gmail.com.
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FEATURES
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USS JOHN S. MCCAIN
HONORING THE FALLEN Photos from U.S. Navy. Bios provided by Time Magazine.
MCCAIN AT SEA USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) maneuvers alongside the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD) 6 in the Philippine Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by MCSA Gavin Shields) LANDMARK | SEPTEMBER 2017| 24
FEATURES
ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN 1ST CLASS CHARLES NATHAN FINDLEY, 31, MISSOURI Findley’s sister, Toni Greim, says she and Findley spent most of their childhoods “attached at the hip” and “moved around a lot as children with a Navy dad.” After spending some of his childhood in the Kansas City suburb of Parkville and attending high school in the northern Missouri city of St. Joseph, Findley got his GED and found the Navy. Greim, who is 34, said her younger brother was “really into computers.” “It’s crazy how much he excelled, “Greim told WDAF-TV on
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Wednesday. “He’s always graduated first of his class. He became First Class. He’s getting awards; he’s sailing around the world; he fell in love with a woman named Riho and married her.” Findley has an 8-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son who live in Virginia with their mom. Greim said the hard part is “just not knowing” what happened to her brother. “I want to know where my brother is — I want to know what’s taking so long,” she said.
ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN 2ND CLASS KEVIN SAYER BUSHELL, 26, MARYLAND Bushell tried a few jobs after high school but nothing really excited him until he decided to join the Navy, his father said. Thomas Bushell said the service ended up being a good fit for his son, who didn’t mind the regimented schedule or taking orders. When Bushell was growing up, the two of them enjoyed riding all-terrain vehicles in the woods together. Thomas Bushell described his son as an
outgoing man who gets along with everyone. “There was never a mean bone in that boy’s body,” Bushell said. “He was a joy growing up. He was just the sweetest boy,” he said. If his son is gone, it’s because “God wanted him back,” Bushell said. “To me, he had nothing left to prove to the rest of the world or anybody about what kind of man he was,” Bushell said.
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FEATURES
ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN 2ND CLASS JACOB DANIEL DRAKE, 21, OHIO Drake’s fiancée, Megan Partlow, said she has been planning their wedding scheduled for next summer, but now is overwhelmed and unsure how to proceed. Partlow, 20, told the Columbus Dispatch that Drake last texted her on Sunday. Drake’s relatives gathered at their home in the rural Ohio village of Cable, about 50 miles west of Columbus, but she said they aren’t ready to talk. Drake graduated from Triad
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High School, and fellow graduate Boston Gregg remembers Drake once fit himself into a school locker “just to prove a teacher wrong.” Drake’s sister, Veronica Drake, told the Springfield NewsSun that he joined the Navy after high school graduation partly out of a desire to travel. She last talked with him a few days before the collision. “In December he was going to be back in the United States for good,” she said.
ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN 3RD CLASS DUSTIN LOUIS DOYON, 26, CONNECTICUT Doyon enlisted in the Navy in April 2015 and his first ship was the USS John S. McCain. Doyon’s family said Thursday that it’s a very difficult time and they’re still hopeful he’ll be found and come home. Doyon had first reported to the USS John S. McCain in June 2016. “We appreciate the courageous work of the crew in the aftermath of the collision,” the family said in a statement.
Doyon graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 2009. The school was destroyed in a tornado in 2011 and its students were later sent to a new regional Catholic high school, Pope Francis High School. The school says its entire community is praying for Doyon and his family during this uncertain time.
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FEATURES
ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN 3RD CLASS JOHN HENRY HOAGLAND III, 20, TEXAS When looking out from the deck of the USS John McCain, Hoagland often was struck by the immensity of the Pacific Ocean and the sparkling clarity of the stars above. His mother, Cynthia Kimball, said Hoagland knew as a 5-yearold that military service was for him. A recruiter steered him toward the Navy. “He wouldn’t have wanted to be in any other branch,” Kimball
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said Wednesday. “He sends me pictures of just water.” Hoagland spent his early years in Cleveland, Texas, northeast of Houston, and later lived in the Central Texas city of Killeen. He had long expressed an interest in stepping out of Texas and traveling the world, she said. Hoagland enlisted in 2015 and has served aboard the McCain since October as an electronic technician.
ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN 3RD CLASS KENNETH AARON SMITH, 22, NEW JERSEY Darryl Smith called his son “a great young man” who made his family “incredibly proud.” “Kenneth was a great young man, son and sailor,” the elder Smith said in a statement issued by the Navy. “He truly loved his family, the Navy and his shipmates. I am incredibly proud of his service to our country. He will be greatly missed and I am thankful we had 22 wonderful years together.”
The third-generation sailor, who worked in radar technology, was in the fourth year of a seven-year commitment and had considered a military career like his father. April Brandon, who lives in Michigan, told Detroit media outlets that her son joined the Navy out of a desire to serve his country but also for the education it provided. His long-term goal was to develop video games.
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FEATURES
INTERIOR COMMUNICATIONS ELECTRICIAN 1ST CLASS
ABRAHAM LOPEZ, 39, TEXAS
Lopez enlisted in the Navy in December 1997. Before serving on USS John S. McCain, he served on USS Boxer and the USS Curtis Wilbur. During his career, he has been stationed in Japan, Spain, Pearl Harbor, San Diego, and the Great Lakes. He is an enlisted surface warfare specialist and his awards include the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal. In Austin, Gov. Greg Abbott
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released a statement on the two missing Texas Sailors. “These two brave men represent the best Texas has to offer, putting their lives on the line to selflessly serve their country,” Abbott said in a news release. “Cecilia and I ask that all Texans keep the families of these two men, and all those missing from USS John S. Mccain, in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
INTERIOR COMMUNICATIONS ELECTRICIAN 3RD CLASS
LOGAN STEPHEN PALMER, 23, ILLINOIS Palmer loved serving in the Navy because it let him see the world after an eye injury kept him from being an Air Force fighter pilot, brother Austin Palmer said. He said his family is in shock and worried but hopeful after hearing Logan is among the missing. He told WAND-TV in Decatur, Illinois, “I speak for my family when I say that we have put our faith in God’s mighty hands.” The interior communications electrician 3rd class petty officer graduated from Sangamon Valley High School. His family said in a statement released
by the U.S. Navy that his relatives are thankful for all who have offered prayers and support as they await word from the military. They called it “a very difficult time for our family.” The Palmer family attends Life Foursquare Church, where the Rev. Mark Cooper told the (Decatur) Herald and Review there are hundreds of people praying, “pulling together and believing for the best in this situation.” U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis said he’s spoken with Palmer’s mother, Theresa Palmer, and called the family “extremely proud and patriotic.”
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FEATURES
INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN 2ND CLASS
CORY GEORGE INGRAM, 28, NEW YORK A county executive from New York’s Hudson Valley expressed his support and admiration for the bravery of Ingram and his fellow sailors, as well as those involved in the search and recovery efforts. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents, Hubert and Jacqueline, one of our own Dutchess County employees, and his friends and loved ones during this time,” Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said. “We appreciate the brave men and women who are searching for Corey
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and his fellow sailors, and we pray they soon bring these American heroes home.” Ingram’s parents, Hubert and Jacqueline, live in Poughkeepsie, where his mother works for the county’s Department of Social Services. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement that his “heart goes out to” relatives and colleagues of Ingram and his shipmates, who “dedicated their lives to serving our nation.”
INFORMATION SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN 2ND CLASS
TIMOTHY THOMAS ECKLES, 23, MARYLAND Eckels initially wanted to go into the Army, but his mother put her foot down. “Absolutely not,” Rachel Eckels recalled telling her son in an interview with The Baltimore Sun. “They’re the first to go to war, the first on the line,” she said. Eckels enlisted in the Navy before graduating from Manchester Valley High School in 2012, but had to delay entering the service due to medical issues, his mother said. She told the newspaper he was an athlete in school
and loved cooking. Rachel Eckels said he would call her from the ship a couple of times a week and tell her about their port visits in Japan, Vietnam, Australia and Singapore and about life at sea. “At night the sea is so still that it looks like ice or a sheet of water,” she recalled her son telling her. The last call from her son came Sunday morning, but she missed it, she told the Sun. Hours later, her exhusband texted her about the collision, she said.
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HISTORY
PLUS ULTRA PLURIMUM Research and Story by MC2 Richard A. Miller Photos from Naval History and Heritage Command
Learn about the last submarine tender commissioned by the Navy, USS McKee, its 18 years of loyal service to the nation’s submarine service and its relationship to Team Tender.
Submarine tenders have played a pivotal role in the readiness of the Navy’s submarine service and contributed to the success of its missions for more than a century. Tenders and their capabilities have evolved over the years through several generations of Sailors and classes of tenders. Today, only two submarine tenders remain: USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and USS Frank Cable (AS 40). The two tenders and their crews have a close-knit relationship, often swapping hundreds of crew members back and forth to meet mission demands. Land and Cable once had a third member of their friendly sibling rivalry: USS McKee (AS 41). Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS McKee was named for Rear Admiral Andrew I. McKee, a key figure in submarine design from the mid-1920s through the cold war. Before and during World War II, Admiral McKee oversaw submarine planning, design, and construction as the Design Superintendent of the Portsmouth Navy Yard from 1938 to 1945. In 1945, he directed emergency repairs of ships during the assault on Okinawa. Following retirement from active duty, he continued to influence the submarine service as a design and research engineer at Electric Boat in Connecticut. Five years after McKee’s death, his name and spirit were revived with the commissioning of USS McKee on August 16, 1981. 35 |LANDMARK | SEPTEMBER 2017
After sea trials, McKee joined USS Dixon (AS 37), an L. Y. Spear-class submarine tender, in San Diego to support Pacific Fleet submarines. McKee quickly established herself as an important component in the Navy’s submarine community, becoming the first submarine tender certified to support Tomahawk Cruise Missile systems in 1984. The young ship carried its momentum through the decade, earning three consecutive Battle Efficiency “E” Ribbons in 1985, 1986 and 1987. McKee also earned her first Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) in 1986. McKee visited Adak, Alaska in 1987, becoming the first submarine tender to visit the isolated base since World War II. While there, she conducted the first-ever nuclear submarine maintenance availability in Adak. A year later, McKee became the first tender certified to handle weapons for the Tomahawk Vertical Launch System (VLS). During the onset of Operation Desert Storm, McKee deployed to the Arabian Gulf, where she spent six months providing repair services to submarine and surface ships in Jebel Ali, near Dubai. For her role in the operation, she received a second MUC and a fourth Battle “E” award. After USS Dixon decommissioned in 1995, McKee was assigned to provide all
RETURN TO ADAK USS McKee in port in Adak, Alaska with a tended unit alongside, 1987.
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HISTORY
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maintenance and support to submarines based in and visiting San Diego. The ship deployed one final time in 1998, earning a third MUC. Upon returning from deployment, the ship’s crew aided in the construction of shore-based support facilities that have provided maintenance services to submarines long after McKee’s decommissioning. McKee was decommissioned from service in 1999. She still sits afloat at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF) in Portsmouth, Virginia. Despite being struck from the Naval Register in 2006, USS McKee’s impact can still be felt today. She set many standards during her 18 years of service and treaded footsteps her older sisters still follow today. The AS class of ships and their crews keep a healthy competitive spirit. The two remaining submarine tenders battle neck-andneck for the Battle “E” year after year, but McKee’s legacy still makes a bold claim with her motto: Plus Ultra Plurimum, meaning “best of the best.” What would siblings be without some friendly competition?
MCKEE TODAY USS McKee at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Portsmouth, Virginia.
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