The official publication of the USS Emory S. Land
THE
LANDMARK
SUMMER 2018
V 9 | 6-7
Inside this issue PG. 7 Red, White and Blue Day PG. 13 MTA Safety PG. 15 Medical Department
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ESL
THE COMMAND TRIAD COMMANDING OFFICER | Capt. Douglas A. Bradley EXECUTIVE OFFICER | Cmdr. Robert J. Lopez COMMAND MASTER CHIEF | CMDCM William T. Greene THE LANDMARK MAGAZINE STAFF PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER | Lt. Daniel Moore LEADING PETTY OFFICER | MC1 Oliver Cole QUALITY ASSURANCE | MC1 Steven Khor LEAD EDITOR | MC2 Alex Miller SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER | MC2 Daniel Willoughby STAFF JOURNALIST | MC3 Destinyy Reed STAFF JOURNALIST | MCSN Benjamin Zuercher The Landmark 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, Dept. of Defense, Dept. of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the ESL. All news, photos, and information for publication in The Landmark Magazine must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer of the USS Emory S. Land. The Landmark Magazine is produced by ESL Media Services department. ESL is manned by an integrated crew of Sailors and civilian mariners under the administrative control of Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and operational control of the Commander, Task Force 74. As a forward-deployed naval force, ESL is tasked to provide epeditionary, intermediate-level maintenance and repairs, hotel services, and logistics support to deployed GuidedMissile and Fast-Attack submarines deployed in the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of operation. REPRODUCTION OF ANY PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MUST BE AUTHORIZED BY THE PUBLISHER AND CREDITED TO THE LANDMARK MAGAZINE AND THE CONTRIBUTORS INVOLVED.
Hull Technician Fireman Brittany Timmons mans the rails as the ship transists the San Francisco Bay on its way to Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo, California. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Destinyy Reed
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VALLEJO ARRIVAL PHOTOS ON PAGE 07 LEADERSHIP
Pg. 03 - The Commanding Officer Pg. 05 - The Executive Officer
FEATURES
Pg. 07 - Red, White, and Blue Day Pg. 11 - 39 for 39: ESL’s Birthday Pg. 13 - MTA Safety Pg. 15 - Department in the Spotlight
WHAT IS MTA? The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) undergoes maintenance in order to repair and preserve the life of the ship.
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Capt. Douglas Bradley Commanding Officer, USS Emory S. Land
Arrival Highlights
I think the first highlight was seeing the California coast and the first glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge appear on the horizon. Manning the rails as we passed under the grand Golden Gate was a special moment and marked the Navy’s return to this historic port city. I think all of the crew will remember passing under the bridge, seeing the famous San Francisco waterfront landmarks, and driving by Alcatraz Island. Between the US Coast Guard helicopter flying around us followed by the local news helicopter overhead, it was a grand entry to this beautiful port. The second big highlight was rounding the turn into the Napa River making our approach to the shipyard. We were greeted by the entire city of Vallejo along the river bank and in small boats cheering for our ship’s arrival. The Vallejo city Mayor declared it “Red, White and Blue Day” and the town was all-in with festive clothing and banners – this was the finest welcome I have ever received and it was pretty special considering that this was not even our homeport. Following our arrival, various officials, town business owners, and citizens hosted the crew for a fantastic arrival reception at the Mare Island Shipyard Museum. I know this was highlight for all of the crew and I am very appreciative to the citizens of Vallejo who took the time to welcome us so enthusiastically and mark the historic return of the Navy to Mare Island. My last big arrival highlight belongs to the crew for quickly transitioning the very next day into ‘shipyard mode’ and executing a complete move off of the ship for the next 60 days. Although we had many unknowns departing Pearl Harbor, thanks to the collaborative efforts between COMSUBPAC staff, Travis Air Force Base, and ESL advance teams, we were able to partner with the Air Force to secure food and lodging arrangements for the crew at Travis AFB enabling us to execute our move off perfectly on schedule and get the shipyard working on plan!
Working Together
The shipyard environment is truly a partnership between the ship and shipyard in order to accomplish the mission of repairing the ship. My MSC project team and Navy crew have worked hand-in-hand with Mare Island Dry Dock LLC every day in order to get the conditions right on the ship for safe work on schedule and the shipyard has proceeded with safe work and providing the services we need. This partnership has been vital to our joint success since even before we arrived.
Command Involvement
My three focus areas for the crew in MTA are safety, security, and being good community ambassadors. Whether it is when we are just out in town taking in some good liberty or a sponsored community relations event, I want to ensure that
EMORY S LAND represents the best of the Navy and leaves Vallejo better than before we came. So far, we have had three sponsored COMRELs to give back to our host community. The first was a beautification and restoration project at the historic Mare Island Naval Cemetery where our crew removed an estimated 4500 pounds of debris and planted flags at the gravesites. We were also able to participate in the grand 4th of July celebration in Vallejo as part of the parade through town; and also were fortunate to have several sailors represent the Navy as part of a military appreciation event on the field before the start of an Oakland A’s baseball game. ESL sailors have delivered being great ambassadors here in the North Bay area and I look forward to future opportunities to give back to the community before we leave.
Upcoming Events
Our first approaching milestone in MTA will be habitability restoration. At this point, we will be able to restore our award winning MSC galley service (2017 and 2018 David Cook Awards) and moving the crew back on-board. This will be the first sign that our ship is coming back to life, work is nearing completion, and to start shifting our focus to readying the ship for sea again. I look forward to getting our ship back to service so that we can go back to supporting the fleet!
Closing Remarks
Every day I am reminded of the exceptionally talented MSC and Navy crew here in the shipyard making this MTA a success. I greatly appreciate all-hands efforts to maintain safety on and off the ship, ensure our ship’s security, and represent well in the community as good ambassadors – keep it up we are halfway done! I also want to recognize the great support and sacrifice of the families of sailors in MTA who remain in Guam. Thank you for your continued support to the ship and your sailor while we are deployed to the shipyard! This is a great opportunity to stay connected together via the ESL Family Readiness Group. I would also like to say a huge THANKS to one of our fantastic co-ombudsman, Nicole Jacobson. She will be leaving the ESL family in July with her husband who has been re-assigned to Groton, CT. As Nicole departs, know that you are still in good hands with two awesome co-ombudsman – Valerie Maigue and JT Tilman. Lastly, I would like to give a shout out to the awesome, 350 plus ESL sailors who are part of the stay-behind team in Guam, temporarily assigned to USS FRANK CABLE (AS 40). This group is actually a majority of the total crew footprint and has remained in vital positions in the Guam maintenance organization, providing outstanding fleet support repairing submarines and ships, supply, and administrative support. Keep up the great tender teamwork, you are not forgotten!
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Cmdr. Robert Lopez Executive Officer, USS Emory S. Land
Interview conducted by MCSN Zuercher
MCSN: Did you ever go into the yards during your previous ESL tour? XO: I have not been in the yards onboard ESL. In the past however, I was stationed onboard a submarine in the yards back in 1991. The one constant that has not changed is that the crew ensures the ship is always in a safe condition and remains clean. There are always potential fire and trip hazards, a vigilant crew can prevent any mishaps. It is an important job and we are relying on each member, including myself, to do a part. MCSN: Mare Island has a long history with the Navy. How does our ship’s MTA continues that legacy? XO: The first Navy ship to see service here in 20 years is huge. With MIDD and ESL working together as a team to ensure success, I am confident that the proficiency and expertise gained will allow for us to build upon the newly established relationship. MCSN: Most Sailors have shifted into a different set of responsibilities during the MTA, how can they make the most of their time and continue to progress? XO: MTA provides unique opportunities for our personnel. It is the perfect time to get into shape, qualify something new or just expand your knowledge of the ship and watch
standing. MCSN: What are some locations you have seen in the Bay Area that you would recommend to Sailors looking to explore? XO: I haven’t explored much, but I just came across some hiking trails by Lake Berryessa, Cold Canyon Natural Reserve. It looks like a lot of fun to hike the trails with great views of the lake below. Of course I am always looking for someone to bike some trails, any takers? MCSN: Are there any triathlons or similar events coming up that you or other Sailors could participate in? XO: It’s funny that you ask, Travis Air Force Base is hosting a triathlon July 29th. It’s only a 500 yard pool swim, followed by a bike and 5k run. I hope to see you out there. MCSN: Is there anything you’d like to add, sir? XO: I just want to add that the shipyard period is temporary and ESL must be ready to execute tasking the moment we get underway. With the limited touch time, leadership is really relying on our personnel to execute plans to ensure our success.
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Citizens of Vallejo, California welcome submarine tender USS Emory S. Land as she pulls into Mare Island Dry Dock, May 31. Land is the first Navy ship to be serviced in Vallejo since 1996. Land’s arrival date has been dubbed “Red, White and Blue Day” in Vallejo.
Photos by USS Emory S. Land Public Affairs
VALLEJO WELCOMES EMORY S. LAND
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Emory S. Land Sailors man the rails as the ship pulls into Vallejo, California.
Emory S. Land offficers man the rails as the ship passes under the Golden Gate Bridge on its way to Vallejo, California.
Emory S. Land Sailors raise the ensign shortly after arriving at Mare Island Dry Dock in Vallejo, California.
39 39 f o r
Emory S. Land Celebrates 39 Years
Submarine Tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) celebrated a major milestone in July 2018: her 39th birthday. Since commissioning in July 1979, Land has provided a valuable service to the fleet as an expeditionary submarine tender. She has visited countless ports, traveled across the oceans time and time again, and continues to be an asset
to the Navy’s silent service after nearly four decades. “It’s a historic moment to celebrate that the ship with hull number 39 turned 39 this July,” said Capt. Douglas A. Bradley, Land’s commanding officer. “I appreciate all of the Sailors who have crewed her in the past and present to keep her going strong for 39 years. Well done. Happy birthday Team Land!”
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SAFETY COMES
FIRST By MCSN Benjamin Zuercher
During the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land’s maintenance period, the crew is in a hazardous environment. Work at a dry dock presents many challenges in which safety is paramount. To help maintain safety during this period is the job of the ship’s Safety Petty Officers. “We make sure our people stay safe,” said Machinery Repairman 3rd Class Quran Coleman, a Safety PO aboard ESL. “We are constantly looking around for anything that could be dangerous. For instance, there are low pipes, uneven flooring, and construction happening all around us that could injure someone.” To help with safety on the ship, Sailors were issued personal protective equipment (PPE); including a hard hat, shatter proof glasses and a personal flashlight. It is the responsibility of each Sailor to wear their PPE and Safety POs help ensure this is met. “Someone could get seriously injured if they hit something and they’re not wearing their PPE,” said
Coleman. Land’s acting Command Senior Chief Paul James said that Safety POs set the standard when it comes to safety on the ship during the MTA. They may not receive a direct thank you, but they are appreciated aboard the ship. “They’re unsung heroes,” said James. “It may not seem like much, but one pole or beam that’s hanging overhead could easily cause a concussion. Safety petty officers identify these hazards and try to mitigate or eliminate them by posting signs saying do not enter or putting cushions on equipment or material.” “But it’s not just the duty of the Safety POs to be vigilant; every member of the crew has a responsibility to look out for one another’s safety and the safety of the ship,” said James. “There aren’t enough Safety POs to do everything,” said Coleman. “Anyone on the ship can see and fix something if it’s wrong. If you see someone not wearing their PPE call them out. If you see something that’s not safe, notify the command.”
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DEPARTMENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT By MC1 Steven Khor
MEDICAL
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“The most gratifying part of being a hospital corpsman is that I get to not only help Sailors feel better, but to get better.”
Hospital Corpsmen on Emory S. Land are the ship’s enlisted medical personnel that respond to medical emergencies and tend to a Sailor’s medical needs. During Land’s maintenance period (MTA), there are many hazards present in the environment that Sailors could be exposed to. Low hanging material, uneven deck, sparks and fumes, and numerous equipment and parts that are left out all could have the potential to injure personnel or even worse. “It is important to have medical on the ship to provide a rapid first response for an assessment of injured or sick personnel,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Eloy Rodriguez, an Independent Duty Corpsman assigned to the Land and originally from Edinburg, Texas. We can assess and stabilize the patient for transport, and are able to communicate to emergency medical services. However there are some challenges for the corpsman during the maintenance period. “Most of our equipment except for emergency equipment is in lay-up at the moment, so sometimes you have to be
able to work around that,” said Rodriguez. “Also, if someone is not on duty or on the ship the options can be limited for what medical care we could provide at the away from the ship.” Rodriguez said to mitigate these challenges there are measures in place to help ensure the Sailors are well taken care of if needed. “We are working with the Travis Air Force Base hospital to get Sailors seen if they are having any medical concerns, despite manning limitations during the MTA or if there is an emergency. We also have access to all of our medication and medical consumables for routine care, so if anyone needs to be seen on board we can. Prior to coming to MTA we projected out for any items that we may run out of or utilize more frequently.” Rodriguez said the most rewarding part of the job is to be able to give care to the Sailors. “The most gratifying part of being a hospital corpsman is that I get to not only help Sailors feel better, but to get better,” said Rodriguez. “It is the best feeling to offer assistance to someone and to know that you had a part in their healing process.
HM3 Gregory To and HM3 Bryanna Perry tend to a patient during a medical emergency drill at sea.
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BE 2 0 1 8
safe respectful honest ready