Navy News Service

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. You are subscribed to Navy News for U.S. Navy. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Navy News Service NNS130711-09. DoN Personnel Receive Stanley R. Arthur Awards for Logistics Excellence -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75310 NNS130711-17. Time Capsule Placed on USS Gerald R. Ford to Memorialize Carrier Namesake's Lifetime Achievements -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75328 NNS130711-18. FY 2012 CNO Environmental Awards Ceremony Goes Green via VTC -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75329 NNS130711-04. DON Awards Recognize Acquisition Excellence -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75314 NNS130711-12. Sailors Donate Food to Local Food Bank -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75320 NNS130711-14. U.S. 4th Fleet Commemorates Fifth Anniversary. -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75324 NNS130711-07. "IdeaFest: Hampton Roads" Focuses on Deckplate Innovation -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75315 NNS130711-08. Panama City Engineers Develop Tools to Reduce USMC Energy Consumption -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75318 NNS130711-02. Change of Command Highlights History, 'Rebalance' in Hawaii -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75309 DNU -- How DOD Furlough Affects Everyone -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18639 DNU -- Families Visit USS Patriot -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18640 NNS130711-21. Current All Hands Update -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75316 NNS020702-13. This Day in Naval History - July 11 -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=2365 Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day -- http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=154994 -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130711-09. DoN Personnel Receive Stanley R. Arthur Awards for Logistics Excellence By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jules Stobaugh, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics presented the 2012 Adm. Stanley R. Arthur Awards for Logistics Excellence to Department of the Navy personnel at the Pentagon, July 11. Vice Adm. Phil Cullom presented the awards from the Pentagon via video teleconference for the first time in an effort to save money during a period of sequestration, enabling awardees from commands around the globe to be present without travel costs. "It is great that we are still able to recognize our outstanding performers across the globe, while saving money, through a virtual award ceremony. The ceremony itself is in keeping with the innovative judicious warrior spirit at the heart of the Admiral Stan Arthur Award," said Cullom. Retired Adm. Stanley R. Arthur, former Vice Chief of Naval Operations, attended the ceremony to personally congratulate the awardees. "Each year, as these awards are presented, I marvel at the ingenuity and focus that the Navy's Logisticians bring to the table. This year is no exception. Improving the collection of data and assembling more meaningful metrics, cost avoidance, reutilization and rehabilitating used equipment/facilities and improving mission capable rates, this year's awardees have raised the bar to a new level. It is my honor to be associated with these extraordinary logisticians," said Arthur. Established in 1997 and presented annually, the awards identify individuals as well as teams who demonstrate professionalism and excellence in the area of logistics. Cmdr. William J. May, from Defense Logistics Agency, was named the 2012 Military Logistician of the Year at the ceremony. Gregory D. Butler, from Naval Supply Systems Command, was named the 2012 Civilian Logistician of the Year. The V-22 Logistics team at Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., received the 2012 Operational Logistics Team of the Year award. USS Ponce (AFSB(I) 15) team, assigned to Military Sealift Command, received the 2012 Joint Logistics Team of the Year award. Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Financial Information Team, from Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems, received the 2012 Acquisition Logistics Team of the Year award. For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsup/ . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130711-17. Time Capsule Placed on USS Gerald R. Ford to Memorialize Carrier Namesake's Lifetime Achievements From Huntington Ingalls Industries NEWPORT NEWS (NNS) -- Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division welded a time capsule July 11 inside the flight deck control room of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The time capsule contains items that were placed under the 555-metric ton island during a ceremonial event in January by Susan Ford Bales, the ship's sponsor and daughter of the late president, as well as shipyard and Navy leadership. "This Navy tradition is even more special today because it's happening three days before what would have been President Ford's 100th birthday," said Rolf Bartschi, NNS' vice president, CVN 78 carrier construction. "Among the items are those that commemorate President Ford's lifetime achievements. We are proud to honor him, and we feel privileged to provide the ship's force with such an important piece of our nation's history." During the island-landing event in January, Ford Bales placed a sandstone piece made of the same stone used in the construction of the White House and the U.S. Capitol. The piece was embedded with a unique coin she designed, as well as five official seals representing her father's service to the nation. The sandstone and other items placed under the island by shipyard and Navy leadership were sealed inside a steel time capsule along with a description of the items and the Navy tradition. Gerald R. Ford's primary hull structure reached 100 percent structural completion in May, bringing more than three years of structural erection work to a close. Work continues on the ship, including the piping and electrical systems and the habitability areas such as the galley and mess spaces. Shipbuilders are also in the process of painting the hull prior to the ship's christening, scheduled for Nov. 9. Capt. John F. Meier assumed command of the ship on July 8. "Gerald R. Ford was first and foremost a man of integrity, and he was also a man of humility," he said at the event. "What a great ideal for today's Sailor and today's shipbuilder and truly for all of us as a nation." Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) designs, builds and maintains nuclear and non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and provides after-market services for military ships around the globe. For more than a century, HII has built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder at its Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding divisions. Employing about 37,000 in Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana and California, HII also provides a wide variety of products and services to the commercial energy industry and other government customers, including the Department of Energy. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130711-18. FY 2012 CNO Environmental Awards Ceremony Goes Green via VTC From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Winners of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Environmental Awards competition, sponsored by the CNO Energy and Environmental Readiness Division, were presented today via Video Tele Conference (VTC) ceremony at the Pentagon. This is the first time the awards ceremony has ever been held via VTC. "It shows that sustainability comes in a lot of different forms and it happens around the world around the clock," said Vice Adm. Phillip Cullom, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics, said of the virtual award ceremony. "It's also really environmentally smart, so we're trying to live it as well as just talk about what we've been doing, affecting and changing the way we do our business in an entirely different way," said Cullom. Based on the cost of last year's ceremony, presenting the awards virtually saved more than $11,000 and significantly reduced the event's environmental footprint. The CNO Environmental Awards program that began in 1994 recognizes exceptional environmental stewardship by Navy ships, installations and people. By presenting these awards the Navy recognizes organization, individuals, and team who have made significant contributions in environmental areas. "What you do is amazingly important," said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, addressing the award winners. "You ensure that we can train, and that we have good relationships with our neighbors, civic groups and governments. We have to do this right, show our responsibility and take care of the environment." Twenty-seven winners were selected in ten award categories. Competition categories include: Natural Resources Conservation, Cultural Resources Management, Environmental Quality, Sustainability, Environmental Restoration, Environmental Excellence in Weapon System Acquisition and Environmental Planning. A complete list of winners along with their submission packages can be found at this link: http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil/environment/awards/cno-environmental-awards/fy12-winners/ For more news from the Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division visit http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil/environment/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130711-04. DON Awards Recognize Acquisition Excellence By Jerry Ray, Director Acquisition Career Management Office WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Three individuals and 10 teams are being honored as winners of the 2012 Department of the Navy (DON) Acquisition Excellence Awards after being selected from a field of more than 75 nominations. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition Sean Stackley congratulated the award winners for "upholding your profession's highest standards to ensure our Sailors and Marines are the best equipped fighting force in the world." Stackley also noted that these awards demonstrate progress in meeting the Secretary of the Navy goals for improving acquisition processes. "We're attacking cost growth, and we're really looking at what the folks on the front lines need. It keeps coming back to the five acquisition principles that SECNAV announced in 2010: clearly identify requirements, raise the bar on performance, rebuild the acquisition workforce, support the industrial base, and make every dollar count. Because of your efforts, the Navy and Marine Corps acquisition programs and processes keep getting better," said Stackley. Captain Paul Ghyzel received the award for Acquisition Professional of the Year. Ghyzel was the program manager for the Communications Satellite Program Office, Program Executive Office (PEO) Space Systems, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) and led a diverse team of professionals, which delivered a complex space communications system with a tenfold increase in capability. The Dr. Al Somoroff Acquisition Award for a major acquisition activity, was awarded to the Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office, for reducing average procurement unit cost, to date, by nearly five percent for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft and for delivering the first Fleet aircraft on time and reducing program costs by hundreds of millions of dollars across the Future Years Defense Plan. The Field Acquisition Activity Award was awarded to the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic for developing acquisition expertise to drastically improve the effectiveness and efficiency of procurement actions by increasing the focus of two competencies on acquisition processes: Logistics Competency and Program and Project Management Competency. The Technology Transition Award was awarded to two teams this year: Intelligence Carry-On Program (ICOP) team and Navy Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM) team. The ICOP team - a joint Office of Naval Research (ONR) and PEO Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) unit level Rapid Technology Transition (RTT) effort - provided a highly successful prototype system which provides multi-source intelligence, analysis, and integrated 3-D operational picture of the battlespace. The ICOP was developed in only eight months as a response to an urgent Fleet requirement. Due to a highly successful operational assessment, the prototype was transitioned into long-term support. The NAVGEM team - an ONR/Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Marine Meteorology Division effort - developed the Navy's new high-resolution global Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) system, which is replacing the long-serving Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS). The NAVGEM system provides several orders of computational efficiency higher than older systems to produce much higher resolution models with the same computational resources. The Expeditionary Contracting Award was awarded to the Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4), Operational Contract Support (OCS) Branch Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force (IMEF) (Fwd). IMEF OCS developed an acquisition plan and strategy which ensured mission critical Afghan Transportation Network (ATN) services continued uninterrupted and expanded the future capability. They also identified reduced requirements, cancelled and reduced the scope of contracts at six different locations for a cost savings of more than $50 million. The Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) Secretary's Cup was awarded to SPAWAR for its small business achievements which have shown a steady upward trend resulting in SPAWAR exceeding all of the established targets in FY12 for small business (SB), historically underutilized business zones (HUBZone), small disadvantaged business (SDB), women owned small business (WOSB), and service disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB). The OSBP Sarkis Tatigian Award was awarded to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) for a small business program which continually exceeds Department of Defense (DoD) Small Business Targets. NSWCDD actively reaches out and inward to raise awareness of opportunities develops focused initiatives that yield measurable benefits. Two individuals received the OSBP Oreta B. Stinson Business Advocate Award: Robert B. Smith and Mark R. Schultz. Smith led the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Executive Small Business Council's Performance Analysis Team. Smith and his team developed an interactive electronic dashboard which allows users across the organization to look at small business performance from organizational, socio-economical, geographical, business unit, as well as several small business initiative perspectives. Schultz was the Environmental (EV) Business Line Coordinator for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Midwest. As a result of Schultz's efforts, EV Business Line executed more than 80 percent of their $9.1 million in annual environmental services through small business contracts. Schultz's small business acquisition strategies substantially improved delivery of environmental products and services to U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps supported commands in the Midwest and beyond. NAVSEA's AEGIS Combat System Engineering Agent Competition Team was selected as the Competition Excellence Acquisition Team of the Year for realizing more than $400 million in savings for the highly complex and difficult competition for the premier Surface Navy Combat System. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), NAVAIR, Persistent Ground Surveillance Systems Team was selected as the Innovation Excellence Acquisition Team of the Year for delivering a smaller, more mobile, affordable surveillance system which, in its initial three competitive orders, yielded savings between 28-32 percent below a government estimate based on previous sole-source efforts. The Small Business Team Award was awarded to Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) and Program Executive Office Land Systems for achieving all of its DON small business targets for the first time in FY12. The formal awards presentation, usually conducted at the Pentagon, was cancelled this year due to the budgetary constraints of sequestration. The award winners are scheduled to receive their awards during presentations at their local commands. The winners with each category are listed below: Acquisition Professional of the Year CAPT Paul Ghyzel, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Dr. Al Somoroff Acquisition Award (Formerly titled Major Acquisition Activity Award) Naval Air Systems Command, Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office. Team members were CAPT William S. Dillon, Martin Ahmad, CAPT Aaron Rondeau, Holli Galletti, Ronald Oblen, CDR Dominic Ca -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130711-12. Sailors Donate Food to Local Food Bank By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob L. Dillon, Navy Recruiting District Houston Public Affairs THE WOODLANDS, Texas (NNS) -- Sailors from Navy Recruiting Station The Woodlands and the station's future Sailors donate jars of peanut butter to a Kiwanis Club July 10, in The Woodlands, Texas. Zach Yeaglin, a representative of the Kiwanis Club, said the club will then donate all of the peanut butter they collect to the Montgomery County Food Bank. "When speaking with the food bank, they said they were in desperate need of peanut butter," Yeaglin said. "Peanut butter is expensive compared to other non-perishable food items, which makes it difficult for them to keep in stock." "Peanut butter is such a multi-functional food," he said. "You can eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is high in protein, fats, calories; it is an essential staple of a diet if you are hungry and down on your luck." This food donation was also an opportunity for Navy recruiters to show their future Sailors how important community service is in the Navy, said Aviation Electrician's Mate 1st Class Timothy Finnen, a recruiter at NRS The Woodlands. Finnen addressed his station's future Sailors and said, "Community service is a vital part of your time in the Navy. Wherever you go, you will be volunteering in the communities you live in. It is very important for us all to get involved, volunteer, and represent the Navy's Core Values of honor, courage and commitment in all our lives outside of the Navy as well." more news from Naval Recruiting District Houston, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrdh/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130711-14. U.S. 4th Fleet Commemorates Fifth Anniversary. By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sean Allen, 4th Fleet Public Affairs. NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- U.S. 4th Fleet marked its 5th anniversary since the numbered fleet was reestablished July 12th 2008 during a ceremony held at Naval Station Mayport July 11th. U.S. 4th Fleet was first established in 1943 as one of the original numbered fleets during World War II. The United States needed a command in charge of protecting against enemy raiders, blockade runners and submarines in the South Atlantic. U.S. 4th Fleet fulfilled that mission until it was disestablished in 1950, and U.S. 2nd Fleet took over its responsibilities. On July 12, 2008, then-Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead reestablished U.S. 4th Fleet, during a ceremony at Mayport. Since being reestablished, U.S. 4th Fleet has succesfully completed several annual deployments in its Area Of Responsibility (AOR) including Continuing Promise (CP), an annual deployment to foster goodwill and demonstrate U.S. commitment and support to Latin America and the Caribbean; Southern Partnership Station (SPS) which conducts joint, multinational and interagency cooperation missions with several partner nations, and PANAMAX an annual partnership-building exercise during which U.S. 4th Fleet serves as the maritime force commander. Each year, regional forces participate in one of the world's largest multinational training exercises focused on defending the Panama Canal, one of the most strategically and economically important waterways in the world. "While the overarching goal of these exercises is to develop and test command and control of forces at sea, training during this will address the spectrum of maritime operations," Rear Admiral Sinclair Harris, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/Commander U.S. 4th Fleet said. U.S. 4th Fleet also played a pivotal role in Operation Unified Response, after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti destroying vast areas of the nation's capital, killing an estimated 230,000 persons, trapping many thousands in wreckage, and leaving over two million without shelter. USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Bataan (LHD 5), USS Nassau (LHA 4), and USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) were sent to Haiti to support relief operations, with coordination through 4th Fleet. Currently 4th Fleet is supporting Counter Transnational Organized Crime (C-TOC) Operations as part of Operation Martillo. Martillo - Spanish for "hammer"- is a U.S., European and Western Hemisphere partner nation effort targeting illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus. U.S. military participation is being led by Joint Interagency Task Force South. "Operation Martillo has been a huge success and demonstrates our clear commitment to work together with our partner nations and interagency community to combat the influence of organized crime and disrupt the flow of illicit drugs into the U.S. More than 80 percent of the narcotics entering Central America makes its way to U.S. markets via maritime littoral routes; with the main conveyance being by speedboats and submersible vessels. By teaming up with our partner nations and allied forces to scrutinize the littorals, our goal is to deny them the ability to transit so that the sea lines are not free for illicit traffic." Said Harris. Operation Martillo is part of the U.S. government's coordinated regional security strategy in support of the White House strategy to combat transnational organized crime and the U.S. Central America Security Initiative. In 2012, 144,606 kg of cocaine, 25,052 pounds of marijuana, and $3.5 million in cash were seized;339 individuals detained 106 assets seized three semi-submersibles disrupted (sunk or seized)during the course of Operation Martillo. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130711-07. "IdeaFest: Hampton Roads" Focuses on Deckplate Innovation From Navy Warfare Development Command NORFOLK (NNS) -- Navy Warfare Development Command (NWDC) is hosting "IdeaFest: Hampton Roads," July 31, at its headquarters on Naval Station Norfolk. Spotlighting personnel on the deckplates and flightlines, IdeaFest: Hampton Roads intends to unlock the innovative potential of the Fleet through information sharing and brainstorming activities. The event will involve Type Commander (TYCOM) leadership and showcase Navy innovation resources to help Sailors contribute ideas that improve readiness or provide warfighting advantages. Central to the event is the sharing of past innovation successes by Sailors whose ideas were adopted into the Fleet. These innovators will then moderate brainstorming sessions helping their peers develop and share rapid innovation across the force. "Deckplate and flightline Sailors are often best positioned to identify warfighting problems and hold key information that leads to innovative, practical solutions to tactical problems. Unfortunately, these solutions are often not shared across the force," said Rear Adm. Terry B. Kraft, commander, NWDC. "We expect the value of the peer groups will be rapid development and implementation of innovative solutions to common challenges." The best ideas developed during the event will be brought forward to TYCOM leadership for implementation. IdeaFest: Hampton Roads participants will also compete in an innovation tournament conducted on the recently launched "CollabLab," NWDC's new online collaborative community. Additional IdeaFest: Hampton Roads agenda items includes: - Carrier Air Wing 8 innovation tournament results - Discussion by a destroyer commanding officer on how he fostered innovation within his command - Breakout group innovation case study discussions - Innovation best practices discussion between breakout groups - "Innovation 101:" What is innovation, why is it important, and what programs can help you advance your ideas - Prizes for innovation tournament and other winners IdeaFest: Hampton Roads is the kick-off to a long-term NWDC waterfront engagement campaign that includes live and virtual innovation tournaments and unit-level education and outreach efforts designed to identify, develop and gain leadership advocacy for innovative ideas coming from the Fleet. Additional IdeaFest events will be held in other Fleet concentration areas. Registration and further information can be found on NWDC's Navy Center for Information website at https://www.nwdc.navy.mil/NCFI/default.aspx. For more news from Navy Warfare Development Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/nwdc/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130711-08. Panama City Engineers Develop Tools to Reduce USMC Energy Consumption From Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Public Affairs PANAMA CITY, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Panama City engineers are developing tools to enable U.S. Marine Expeditionary Forces to more accurately predict energy consumption needs in theater, the Navy announced July 11. NSWC Panama City engineers were asked by Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYCOM) to reduce the energy consumption of Marine Corps Combat Operations Centers, which are mobile, modular command and control centers designed to support deployed Marine units. Together, leaders from MARCORSYCOM and NSWC Panama City analyzed the operations centers and noted that almost 70 percent of all the energy was being used to heat and cool the shelters. The engineers thought there was a better way. In July 2012, Steve Gorin, Expeditionary Systems Division senior systems engineer, visited National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located in Golden, Colo., to determine if they might be able to help. The lab had developed a heat transfer model used for building evaluations that Panama City wanted to try on the shelters. NREL conducted the modeling and NSWC Panama City conducted the validation testing. The model proved to be highly accurate, with the prediction varying from the measured temperatures by less than one degree Celsius over the span of several days. Since heating and cooling of the shelter was where the majority of the energy was consumed, that is where the team focused their efforts. The physics-based shelter model was able to test variables such as shelter material, colors, radiant barriers, air vents, shades and air infiltration rates to determine their effects. Panama City engineers evaluated many variances, one being how much air is being lost due to air gaps in shelter assembly and opening the flap of the doors. What they discovered with a tracer gas test was that the infiltration rate was 10 times greater with one door unzipped than with the tent sealed. NREL engineers modeled a shelter with a radiant barrier, and the model predicted a 26 percent heating or air conditioning saving for a year through its use. Further efforts are underway to determine additional means to reduce energy consumption. "This new computerized model allows users to incorporate shades, radiant barriers and tent colors into the heat transfer calculations to determine the need for heating and air conditioning," said Gorin. Since the model utilizes a weather input file, it can predict tent temperatures anywhere in the world, allowing field units to predict supply needs before deployment. Gorin said the new algorithm and model have been shared with the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army for consideration. Gorin's team has further expanded their efforts using the computerized model that allows them to predict energy consumption in theater and has built an energy compound in Panama City, Fla., that incorporates energy technologies with the potential to further improve field tactics. "We're also looking at hybrid energy systems that will enable the U.S. Marines and the Army to match their supplies to demand," he said. "Unlike your house where you only pay for the energy you consume, the military fires up a generator that frequently is lightly loaded and wastes energy. The hybrid system's aim is to use the generators efficiently by turning the generators off when not needed and using stored or renewable power." The energy team is presently completing an analysis of alternatives for hybrid power systems that will result in new power systems for the U.S. Marine Corps. One of the hybrid solutions is a U.S. Army micro-grid that utilizes six 60 kw generators that are switched on or off as needed. NSWC Panama City is expected to receive a U.S. Army micro grid for project testing this summer. For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130711-02. Change of Command Highlights History, 'Rebalance' in Hawaii By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM (NNS) -- Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific held a change of command ceremony July 10 at the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Rear Adm. Richard L. Williams Jr. relieved Rear Adm. Fernandez "Frank" Ponds as Region and MIDPAC commander. USS Arizona Memorial stood as a backdrop to the ceremony and a constant reminder of World War II history. The ceremony was held in the shadow of the former USS Missouri (BB 63), site of the signing of surrender that ended the war in the Pacific. The event began with the arrival of the official party and parading of colors, followed by the national anthem sung by Seaman Steven Martinez assigned to guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112). Students at Hickam Elementary School were on hand to sing Hawaii Pono'i. Kumu Hula Kaleo Trinidad provided an oli (Hawaiian poem and chant), and Kahu Kelekona Bishaw of Kamehameha Schools offered a Hawaiian blessing and presented lei to the official party. Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet served as keynote speaker, and Vice Adm. William D. French, commander, Navy Installations Command, presided at the ceremony. Every speaker acknowledged the significance of Pearl Harbor's history and each mentioned Hawaii's place in the ongoing rebalancing to Indo/Asia/Pacific. Haney, French, Ponds and Williams each expressed appreciation for the attendance of recently retired U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, senior distinguished visitor. Dozens of other dignitaries and flag and general officers were also in attendance. "Today we salute the efforts of Frank and Carol Ponds and welcome Rick and Susie Williams to the Pacific Fleet and to the Hawaii Ohana," said Haney in his opening remarks. "I know this transition is bittersweet for the Ponds [family], who enjoyed the wonderful aloha and the spirit of Hawaii Ohana." "The presence of so many guests, including distinguished leaders, friends and families from the community, is a clear reflection of the remarkable relationship between our Navy and the Hawaii community as well as the great work by Frank and Carol," said Haney. "Frank has passionately led the charge to balance the budget reduction while supporting the operational readiness of Middle Pacific warships and quality of life initiatives for our most valued assets, our people - our Sailors, our civilians and of course the families that support them." In his opening remarks, French highlighted Ponds' many accomplishments and added, "You will be missed here in Hawaii, but I'm confident you will have an equally impactful tour in San Diego. Our nation is stronger because of leaders like Frank Ponds. I'll miss your bold leadership and sage advice and your insightful perspective on the operational CNIC enterprise, an enterprise you made better every day." French then presented Ponds with the Legion of Merit award. Ponds began his address by saying, "I'm going to give you a couple of words to think about as I give my remarks; the first one is 'teamwork' and the second one is 'thank-you,' because that is how it all happens. Teamwork is essential for success and everything that you've heard today is all about teamwork." Ponds said, "This day provides me with the perfect opportunity to recognize the many faces that Carol and I have encountered over the past 20 months. It's an opportunity to thank those I worked for and worked with for their tremendous hard work, support and their sacrifice." Ponds ended his remarks addressing Williams. "You will soon have the privilege to lead the pride of our Navy. I ask that you give them your all, because I can assure you they will give you all that they have." Following the reading of orders, Williams officially became commander of Navy Region Hawaii, with oversight of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Pacific Missile Range Facility, and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, leading the 11 surface ships homeported in Hawaii. In his opening remarks, Williams congratulated Ponds "for his superb leadership, exceptional expertise in advancing this region and leading all the dynamic challenges facing our Navy and our military today, you did it with class and you're a hard act to follow." Williams thanked his family in attendance and pledged his support to military families. "Without the foundation of a strong household unit to help shoulder the burden of our Navy life, Sailors like us could not do our jobs," he said. Williams is a native of Pittsford, N.Y. He comes to Hawaii after leading the assessments branch for the staff of Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Ponds, a native of Autaugaville, Ala., served as commander since November 2011. He leaves Hawaii to become commander of Expeditionary Strike Group 3 in San Diego. For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrh/. NNS130711-21. Current All Hands Update From Defense Media Activity - Navy WASHINGTON (NNS) -- All Hands Update features four newscasts today - one two-minute newscast and three one-minute newscast. Two-minute newscast- - How DOD Furlough Affects Everyone http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18639 http://youtu.be/NEaovBf-TuY First One-minute newscast- - Headlines for Thursday, July 11, 2013: X-47B Makes Historic Landing; SECDEF Emphasizes Education http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18638 http://youtu.be/NJ5gJLayn5Q Second one-minute newscast- - X-47B Makes Historic Landing on USS George H.W. Bush http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18641 http://youtu.be/EHe946r1YyU Third one-minute newscast- - Families Visit USS Patriot http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18640 http://youtu.be/5X1JMnoGOJE Defense Media Activity - Navy usually produces four All Hands Update (AHU)newscasts each day - one two-minute newscast and three one-minute newscasts. AHU can be seen throughout the day and evening on the Direct-to-Sailor (DTS)satellite television service available aboard 160 ships of the fleet and via the Navy Web site at www.navy.mil. Check your local DTS program schedule for air times. AHU can also be seen throughout the world on the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS). -USN- -USN- -USN- -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS020702-13. This Day in Naval History - July 11 From the Navy News Service 1798 - Reestablishment of Marine Corps under the Constitution. 1919 - Pay Corps renamed Supply Corps. 1943 - Gunfire from U.S. cruisers and destroyers stop German and Italian tank attack against Army beachhead at Gela, Sicily. -USN- -USN- -USN- Navy News Service is the official news wire service of the U.S. Navy, containing stories recently posted to the Navy Web site at www.navy.mil. It is a product of the Defense Media Navy - 6700 Taylor Rd., Fort Meade, MD 20755. Reprints should be credited to the Navy News Service (NNS). 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