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 NNS130730-04. Freedom Gets Underway to Support First Overseas Crew Swap -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75658 NNS130730-05. Talisman Saber 2013 Wraps Up Aboard USS Blue Ridge -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75656 NNS130730-02. USS Santa Fe Departs for Western Pacific Deployment -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75654 NNS130729-52. Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Enters 6th Fleet -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75649 DNU -- Headlines for Tuesday, July 30, 2013: World War II Japanese Good Luck Flag Returned to Japan; USS Pearl Harbor Arrives in Solomon Islands to Support Pacific Partnership -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18706 NNS130730-01. Pacific Partnership Arrives in Solomon Islands -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75652 DNU -- Carrier Strike Group 10 Commander Addresses Truman Sailors -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18707 NNS130730-09. MCPON Visits Fallon -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75661 NNS130730-12. DoN Presents Rear Adm. Wayne E. Meyer Memorial Award for Acquisition Excellence -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75660 DNU -- Vice President Joe Biden Visits Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Service Members -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18705 NNS130730-16. Training's Force Master Chief Makes 'Port' Visit to Great Lakes -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75666 NNS130730-17. Farrier Firefighting Facility Hosts Annual Memorial for USS Forrestal -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75668 NNS130730-10. The Navy's History of Making WAVES -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75662 NNS130730-08. Medical Units Make Strides Toward Interoperability -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75623 NNS130730-18. Current All Hands Update -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=75659 NNS020718-18. This Day in Naval History - July 30 -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=2621 Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day -- http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=156300 -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130730-04. Freedom Gets Underway to Support First Overseas Crew Swap By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Karolina A. Oseguera SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- As the deployment to Southeast Asia draws to a close for USS Freedom's (LCS 1) "Gold" crew, an advance team of "Blue" crew Sailors is in Singapore to participate in a brief sea trial that began July 30, as part of the upcoming crew swap. The crew swap is a key milestone during Freedom's maiden overseas deployment to Southeast Asia, and marks the midway point. During the underway, Freedom will conduct a series of watch stander exchanges designed to refresh the incoming crew on key LCS operations and procedures, covering seamanship, navigation, naval gunnery, and damage control. The advance team arrived July 26, and will be joined by the full "Blue" crew soon for a series of shore-based events that will continue into next month. "This underway will allow the advance team of Crew 101 (also known as the "Blue" crew) to become familiar with routine LCS operations in this part of the world," said "Gold" crew operations officer, Lt. Cmdr. Charles Harris. "We will conduct several evolutions - including flight operations, small boat operations and gun shoots - to support the turnover process." The "Gold" crew's command master chief explained that part of the turnover also includes ensuring the incoming crew's senior enlisted leadership continues the professional development and morale building events that have given his crew the successes of the last four months. "It is nice to see the finish line," said Freedom's Command Master Chief Kenneth Jablecki. "The crew has worked hard these past five months and we are going to continue to work hard this underway to make sure we turnover a fully functional ship to the Blue crew. We need to ensure they achieve mission success not only for the Freedom but for the LCS program as a whole." Freedom's first rotational deployment to Southeast Asia began March 1, when the ship departed San Diego and commenced a Pacific Ocean transit that included port visits in Hawaii, Guam and Manila. Since arriving in Singapore April 18, Freedom has participated in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX), two separate phases of the bilateral naval exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) with Malaysia and Singapore, and hosted thousands of visitors from throughout Southeast Asia. Throughout the deployment, Freedom will remain home-ported in San Diego. Fast, agile and mission-focused, littoral combat ships are designed to operate in near-shore environments and employ modular mission packages that can be configured for surface warfare, mine countermeasures, or anti-submarine warfare. For more news from Commander, Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/local/ctf73/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130730-05. Talisman Saber 2013 Wraps Up Aboard USS Blue Ridge By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joshua Karsten, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs CAIRNS, Australia (NNS) -- The biennial joint U.S.-Australian exercise Talisman Saber 2013 concluded with a ceremony hosted by the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) in Cairns, Australia, July 29. Talisman Saber is a joint exercise sponsored by U.S. Pacific Command and Australian Defence Force (ADF) Headquarters Joint Operations Command that incorporates components of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, the Australian Defence Force and other government agencies from each country. U.S. non-government organizations (NGO) included USAID, Red Cross and Departments of State, Justice and Agriculture and Australian NGOs included the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Civil Corps and the Asia-Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence. "TS-13 has been a great demonstration of the alliance between the U.S. and Australia," said Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, III, commander, U.S. Pacific Command. "I want to thank each and every one of you for your great performance during this important operation." Talisman Saber is a realistic and challenging exercise that improves both nations' ability to work multilaterally and prepares them to be poised to provide security regionally and globally. More than 70 different major training events were thrown at the combined team of watchstanders, analysts, planners, and managers, with a team of training observers watching closely. "The most important thing I do as 7th Fleet commander is build relationships with allies, partners, and friends; with various naval peers in the region; with other service peers, Army and Air Force," said Vice Adm. Scott H. Swift, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet and TS13 commander. "That's Talisman Saber." Providing command and control of the exercise from Blue Ridge, the combined task force supported each component of land, air, sea and special operations in the area surrounding Australia. Based on fictional scenarios, the exercise included combined Special Forces operations, parachute drops, amphibious landings, land force maneuvers, urban and air operations and the coordinated firing of live ammunition from a range of in-service weapons systems used by exercise participants. The fictional scenarios were designed to bring the different branches of the Australian and U.S. military together in a combined environment. "For Australia it's been very valuable; the U.S. bringing to the activity and scale that we are not used to but we're comfortable working. So the layout of integration was high," said Australian Brig. Gen. David Coghlan, TS13 deputy commander. "Aboard the Blue Ridge, I had about a hundred Australian defense personnel who have integrated very well and throughout the fleet." The closing ceremony took place aboard Blue Ridge and was a chance for Locklear to speak to both 7th Fleet and ADF members. The ceremony also included distinguished guests ble James Choi, crisis response control group lead for Talisman Saber, Niels Marquardt, U.S. consul general, and Australian Army Gen. David Hurley, chief of Australian Defence Force. Talisman Saber included more than 27,000 U.S. and Australian personnel, was aimed at improving ADF and U.S. combat readiness and interoperability as a Combined Joint Task Force. The exercise was designed to enhance multilateral collaboration in support of future combined operations, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. This exercise was a major undertaking and illustrated the closeness of the US and Australian alliance and the strength of the military-to-military relationship. For more news from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c7f/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130730-02. USS Santa Fe Departs for Western Pacific Deployment By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Steven Khor, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Family and friends bid farewell to the crew on the submarine piers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam as the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) departed July 29, for a deployment to the Western Pacific region. Santa Fe's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Timothy Poe said the submarine and her crew are excited to get underway to the Western Pacific and train on numerous mission areas as well as participate in theater security cooperation engagements. "Santa Fe is in excellent condition. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard personnel have worked diligently to ensure the ship is in even better condition than when she was commissioned," said Poe. Poe said of the 140 Sailors who will be deploying, 80 of the Sailors will be on their first deployment. Poe said Santa Fe's goal is to build the next generation of warfighters. The Sailors will qualify in submarines and gain the critical experience and knowledge to propel the submarine force for many years. Poe added that the crew will serve with honor and commitment that will reflect greatly on the U.S. Navy and her namesake city of Santa Fe, N.M. For Culinary Specialist Seaman Dustin Bullock, a first deployment brings much excitement. "I'm pretty excited about it! It's going to be a learning experience. I am looking forward to the port visits, seeing the different cultures and lifestyles and trying different things," said Bullock. Santa Fe is the second ship to be named in honor of the capital city of New Mexico. For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/subpac/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130729-52. Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Enters 6th Fleet By Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs Office USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) (NNS) -- Ships and embarked squadrons from Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) entered U.S. 6th Fleet's area of responsibility (AOR), July 26 and 29th. Guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), entered July 26, followed by strike group flagship and aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) July 29. This is the first time HST CSG has entered the 6th Fleet AOR since its last deployment in 2010. In addition to the five ships, Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group also includes embarked Carrier Air Wing 3 and its squadrons; Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 32 "Swordsmen," VFA-37 "Ragin' Bulls," and VFA-105 "Gunslingers;" Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 "Checkerboards;" Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126 "Seahawks;" Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 "Zappers;" Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 "Dusty Dogs;" Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 "Swamp Foxes;" embarked 1st Combined Destroyer Squadron staff and Military Sealift Command, fast combat ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8). While in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, HST CSG will be supporting maritime security operations (MSO) and theater security cooperation efforts. MSO are set conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn75/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130730-01. Pacific Partnership Arrives in Solomon Islands By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Godbee, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West HONIARA, Solomon Islands (NNS) -- Amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) arrived in the Solomon Islands for Pacific Partnership 2013, July 29. Pearl Harbor will work alongside the Royal New Zealand Navy's HMNZS Canterbury (L421) as New Zealand takes phase lead for the mission in the Solomon Islands. "New Zealand will be coordinating activities on the ground," said Royal New Zealand Navy Capt. Anthony Millar, Pacific Partnership 2013 deputy mission commander. "We're looking forward to exercising our role as people who have quite a bit of recent experience in the Solomon Islands. We're relishing doing our part for this country's capacity building." During the mission the Pacific Partnership team will hold a number of engineering projects, medical civil action projects and veterinary projects to improve the Solomon Island's overall disaster preparedness. "We're looking forward to working with host and partner nations to help improve upon the Solomon Island's existing infrastructure," said Lt. j.g. Tyron Burke. "We have a lot of events scheduled throughout the Solomon Islands that I think will be beneficial to all of the parties involved." Burke also expressed his excitement to experience another culture and see firsthand places where U.S. Marines and Sailors fought during World War II. "The Battle of Guadalcanal was fought here nearly 71 years ago," said Burke "It's an honor to not only pay homage to those who served before me, but also help the people of the island better prepare themselves for a disaster that could occur in the future." Conducted annually since 2006, Pacific Partnership is the largest disaster response-preparedness mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Working at the invitation of each host nation, Pacific Partnership is joined by partner nations that include Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, Japan, Malaysia Singapore, South Korea and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130730-09. MCPON Visits Fallon By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Terry Matlock NAVAL AIR STATION FALLON, Nev. (NNS) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(AW/NAC) Mike D. Stevens visited Naval Air Station Fallon July 24. This marked Stevens' first visit to the base since assuming the role of MCPON earlier this year. During the visit, he met with senior leadership throughout the base, held an all hands call, Chief Petty Officer call, ate lunch with the Sailors at the base galley, toured Navy Munitions Command, and Navy family housing and Morale, Welfare and recreation (MWR) facilities. "It's always good to be back at NAS Fallon," said Stevens. "Every time I come here and have the chance to meet with Sailors, civilians, and Navy families I am leaving rejuvenated and recharged." MCPON used the visit to discuss topics impacting today's Navy and the Sailors who make it run. He also highlighted his "Zeroing in on Excellence" initiative. "My initiative provides us with a universal theme we can apply to our respective positions without distracting from or adding to our existing individual roles," said Stevens. "The initiative provides a solid framework around which we can build sound and lasting readiness." Stevens also highlighted areas such as deployments and uniforms before opening the floor to a question-and-answer session with the Sailors. The questions were centered around the future for retirement, tuition assistance, and changes to the advancement system, as well as the Information dominance warfare qualifications. MCPON was extremely impressed by the quality of the questions and recommendations he received from the Sailors at the E-6 and below all hands call. "These Sailors are true professionals who asked the tough questions and gave well-thought input on how to improve our Navy," he said. For Yeoman Seaman Recruit Kadijah Jones, the MCPON all hands call was the first all hands call in her Navy career and it left an impression. "He really made me pay attention," said Jones. "I like the answers he gave to our questions. He addressed everything in depth and I was extremely impressed with his view on not wanting to start any new programs but becoming experts at the ones already in place. I am in total agreement with that." MCPON also toured Navy family housing and the Liberty Center while at NAS Fallon. "We are proud of our housing and the quality of life we give to Sailors and their families," said Director of Military Relations Robert Jones. "MCPON needed to know that our focus has always been on the families and their needs. We will always strive to exceed expectations. As seen by our resident's satisfaction surveys that is exactly what we are doing." MCPON received a brief on the MWR program and all Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) programs from Terry York, MWR department head. York talked about funding issues and cutbacks, but provided assurances that the programs, although slightly limited to save money, are still a viable alternative to off-base programs and entertainment, Fleet engagements are intended to provide senior leadership with a frontline assessment of Sailors and what they are doing in the fleet. For more news from Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, visit www.navy.mil/local/mcpon/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130730-12. DoN Presents Rear Adm. Wayne E. Meyer Memorial Award for Acquisition Excellence By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Todd Frantom WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) Sean Stackley presented Rear Adm. Thomas J. Eccles with the 2012 Rear Admiral Wayne E. Meyer Memorial Award at the Pentagon July 30. Eccles earned the award for superb technical proficiency and programmatic skills over the course of his highly successful career as an Acquisition Professional. In his final assignment as the Chief Engineer for the Naval Sea Systems Command, he worked hand-in-hand with the NAVSEA Program Executive officers to balance technical requirements and affordability to arrive at the best solution for the operational forces. Before reading the citation and recognizing this year's recipient, Stackley recognized all previous winners for their important contributions to the Navy and what the award embodies and why these individual are recognized. The RADM Wayne E. Meyer Award, the most prestigious of the Department of the Navy Acquisition Excellence awards, recognizes a DON individual who exemplifies the highest examples of acquisition excellence and whose achievement brings significant credit to the DON acquisition community. "This award, in my mind, represents not only the accomplishments of this individual but more importantly the character of the individual," said Stackley. "The Navy could not have had a finer Chief Engineer on watch the last five years taking care of our current and future fleet and all the technical and programmatic issues that come with that, and helping senior leadership understand the challenging things that we deal with on a daily basis in order to make the critical decisions they need to make to keep the Navy on course." Eccles' efforts have saved the Department of the Navy countless resources over the last three years and through his personal involvement with the NAVSEA portfolio, he has been responsible for shaping the formidable and dominant capability delivered to Sailors and Marines at war. Eccles skills also made him the ideal candidate to lead the Navy in several independent evaluations and special investigations. He led an in depth review of the Littoral Combat Ship program at a critical time in program's development and highlighted the need for an additional acquisition workforce to oversee this vital Navy program. He was appointed to the National Academy of Engineering committee, which examined the Deep Water Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Finally, Eccles led the U.S. technical team that supported the Republic of Korea joint international investigation into the loss of RoK warship Cheonan, which included diving and salvage of evidence operations, State Department negotiations, and accident cause determinations through analysis of weapons damage. "Your willingness and ability to work across any of the DOD programs, working with specs to solve the most pressing issues and especially getting senior leadership to understand and helping them make those key decisions to keep the Navy on course exemplifies a good leader and you have defined the position with character and competence to what a Chief Engineer is," Stackley said. "We are all extremely proud and you for receiving this award but most important you have our respect and admiration." For more information on the DoN Acquisition Excellence Awards, see https://acquisition.navy.mil/home/acquisition_workforce/don_acquisition_excellence_awards -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130730-16. Training's Force Master Chief Makes 'Port' Visit to Great Lakes By Sue Krawczyk, Training Support Center Great Lakes Public Affairs GREAT LAKES (NNS) -- Force Master Chief Jon Port, Naval Education and Training Command, visited Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes to get a firsthand look at training commands, as well as their efforts to raise sexual assault awareness and prevention among the Sailors, July 24. Port met with members of the local chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) to praise them for their efforts in raising awareness of a variety of issues among the students including sexual assault and alcohol abuse. "Your positive message of a life of service as Sailors and the rewards that come with that is the key to successfully getting the message across," said Port. "CSADD is always supported, but not driven. You're not directed and CSADD is yours; your thoughts, your initiative, your program, and your videos that end up on YouTube. That's all your creativity and we are extremely impressed with everything you're doing." Port visited with students and staff at the Surface Warfare Officer School Command Unit (SWOSU) Gas Turbine System Technician and Engineman schools. There, he focused on the Navy's mission and the importance of personal and professional readiness to support and execute the Navy's mission. At the Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU) Port was shown the blended learning used to train and prepare Sailors for their upcoming roles in the fleet. Chief Operations Specialist James Reilly, an instructor at the Operations Specialist (OS) "A" School at CSCSU, led Port through a variety of labs including the chart plotting and the Ship Self-Defense System (SSD) lab simulator. "We've tried to implement more standup, hands-on classroom so the students get an opportunity to really grasp concepts that they wouldn't otherwise be able to understand," said Reilly. Port was shown the seamanship trainer, or USS White Hat, where Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Anthony Lopez, an instructor at the CSCSU Boatswain's Mate (BM) "A" School covered the basics of the BM training and Surface Common Core training program. "I think his visits with the staff and students of TSC, SWOSU and CSCSU was important to his understanding of our mission and focus on training tomorrow's Sailors," said TSC Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Jeffrey A. Kirby. Additionally, Port experienced firsthand the by-stander intervention training and was impressed with the students' willingness to express their experiences and situations with their Navy Military Training Instructors (NMTI). "As NETC's Force Master Chief, he has heard about what Great Lakes is doing to train Sailors on sexual assault and prevention and how we indoctrinate new Sailors into follow-on military training and professional development," said Kirby. Port shared his deepest respect with each staff member for what the staff does, the sacrifices they and their families make and the importance of their efforts. "I think it lifted the instructors' spirits to know that the highest levels of NETC leadership understand the scope of their efforts and it's not unrecognized or under appreciated," said Port Port was grateful for the opportunity to speak with staff and students at Great Lakes and expressed his high regard for the instructors. "The attitude and professionalism of the instructors here is exactly what you hope it would be. Despite an increase in the number of Sailors coming through training, despite increase or decrease in money or equipment, it never changes the attitude of the instructors," said Port. "The instructors stay focused, stay professional, and they provide the Sailors with exactly they need for the fleet. They are the reason fleet readiness starts with training." For more news from Training Support Center, Great Lakes, visit www.navy.mil/local/tscgl/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130730-17. Farrier Firefighting Facility Hosts Annual Memorial for USS Forrestal By David Todd, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy's Farrier Firefighting Facility at Surface Warfare Officers School Command (SWOS) Engineering Learning Site in Norfolk held its annual USS Forrestal (CVA 59) memorial ceremony with the support of the USS Forrestal Association, July 26. For the first time in 30 years, the annual ceremony was held indoors. The event is held each July in honor of the 134 service members who died as a result of a fire that broke out aboard Forrestal during the Vietnam conflict while the ship was on Yankee Station in the Tonkin Gulf. An additional observance was held at Arlington National Ceremony on July 29. In attendance was Cmdr. Blane Shearon, director of Fleet Enlisted Engineering Training, SWOS who introduced guest speaker Kenneth V. "Ken" Killmeyer, the USS Forrestal Association historian and crew survivor, and retired Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate Joe Costello, who serves as the memorial services coordinator. The audience included former Forrestal crew members, surviving family members, Sailors, instructors and guests. Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate Charles Branch from the SWOS Engineering Learning Site served as master of ceremonies. The invocation and benediction was provided by Lt. Cmdr. Chris E. Hester, chaplain aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The presentation of colors was executed by Naval Station Norfolk color guard and the national anthem was sung by Dean Englert. "I did the first one [ceremony] in 1981 in Washington, D.C. and they merely had a prayer and nothing visual," said Costello. "A young fellow that was in damage control on the ship suggested two-by-four's and the [American] flags. So we stopped by Beach Ford and said we are looking for 134 flags and they said 'no problem.' We made the name tags, and couple years later, we added the pictures. It has since been a feature with us every year." The American flags were prominently displayed in front of the main stage with the words "First In Defense - Forever In Dignity" painted on the display. Memorabilia from and about the ship was on display throughout the room, and a video was played during the ceremony that announced each service member's name that died in the tragic fire as their photo was displayed on the projector screen. A bell was tolled for each name while the solemn sound of bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" in the background. According to historical documentation, a massive fire broke out on the flight deck of Forrestal after a Zuni rocket from an F-4 Phantom jet fighter was accidentally launched on July 29, 1967. The rocket struck a parked A-4 Skyhawk jet, spilling fuel that caught fire. The fire spread to nearby planes on the ship's deck and detonated a 1,000 pound bomb, spreading the fire further, which set off a chain reaction of explosions that killed many of the initial first responders. It took a full day before the fires could be fully contained and the fire is said to be one of the most devastating in naval history. The Navy has since changed the way it handles damage control aboard ships and all Sailors are now required to go through firefighting training to prevent future disasters. One of those who died in the initial explosion during an attempt to extinguish the fire was Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Gerald W. Farrier. The Farrier Firefighting Facility is dedicated in his honor. "The Navy is steeped in history," said Shearon. "While we continue to modernize and develop techniques and procedures through the years, it's the lessons that are learned by those that have gone before us that we take forward and really create the foundation for the Navy we have today." "[The ceremony] is highly important because all of these Sailors and Marines gave their lives for us today," said Branch. "Because of what they went through, not only for this school, Navy Sailors are able to fight fires on the ships and insure that damage control, or any type of firefighting, doesn't become the end of their lives." For Killmeyer, who was only 20 years old at the time of the incident, that frightful day in July will forever be remembered in his mind. During his presentation, he took on the difficult task of transporting the audience back to the flight deck during the fire as he recounted the vivid details. "Different people are reminded by the event even though they are on their daily path, whatever it might be, at home," he said. "It might be an odor, a fire department call, a loud unexplained explosion or noise that takes them back to the time this occurred." When describing the fire, with tears in his eyes, Killmeyer said it's still very difficult to talk about the incident, but advised to not "take anything for granted because every day is precious." "It's an event that changed every one of us," he said. "It makes us more appreciative of our daily life. Those 134 didn't get to do what we did," referencing that those who died in the fire were unable to experience the many joys that life bestows. Another fire survivor in attendance was retired Chief Warrant Officer 3rd Class Fred Stanley, an engineer at the time, recalled being in the ship's galley for lunch when the fire occurred. As he was traversing to his battle station, located in the generator room, the first bomb went off. "It shook the ship and we almost fell ... that's how hard that bomb blast was," he recalled. "It kept going on and on. We didn't know what was going on ... at first we thought maybe someone got a rocket or something in from the North [Vietnam] and started a chain reaction. We had no idea what started it and it was quite some time before we realized what had happened." Stanley wore a black in memoriam T-shirt for the ceremony that featured the names of the 134 service members on the back. "Because of what we went through together as a crew, it's dear to my heart," he said. "So I usually keep up with it and go to the reunions, I'm a member of the association and I'm here every year for this memorial." "When they read the names it brings me back to the day it happened," he continued. "Every time I see a reading of the names or every time we do anything with the ship itself or watch a tape of the fire, it puts you right back to that day. It's something that never goes away." The ceremony concluded with a moving rendition of "Taps" by Englert, which was followed by a gathering of those in attendance who partook in food, refreshments and a ceremonial cake. For more information on the USS Forrestal Association, visit www.uss-forrestal.com, or find USS Forrestal Association on Facebook. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from Commander, Navy Region Mid Atlantic, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrma/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130730-10. The Navy's History of Making WAVES By Chief Jessica Myers, Office of Women's Policy WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Women throughout the Navy, past and present, will celebrate the 71st anniversary of Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) July 30. Commands are encouraged to increase their knowledge and awareness of the contributions of women to our Navy. On July 27, more than 45 women gathered at a special WAVES anniversary event held in Virginia Beach, Va., to commemorate the service and sacrifice of Navy women, including two WAVES who served during World War II. The event, hosted by the Tidewater Tidal WAVES organization, has been held annually for more than 11 years. Navy participants included Senior Chief Yeoman Norma Schrader and Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Betty Allen, who both served as WAVES during World War II. "It has been an honor to meet women who served and laid the foundation for women in today's Navy," said Rear Adm. Ann Phillips, the event's guest speaker. "It is important to remember their contributions and the impact they had and will continue to have as servicewomen's opportunities expand." Today, having the opportunity to meet WAVES who served during World War II is very rare, but meeting a World War II WAVES who retired from 20 years of naval service, is even more so. Schrader happens to be both. During Schrader's time, women were not afforded equal rights within the Services. It was not until 1972, after the Equal Rights Amendment was passed by Congress, that women were allowed to serve equally with men. The following year, in 1973, pregnancy as a reason for mandatory separation was abolished. Before 1973, women were automatically discharged if they became pregnant. Many WAVES decided not to continue to serve due to this rule. Schrader, however, was one of the rare women that made it through a full twenty-year Navy career. "If I was able it to do it all over again I definitely would," said Schrader. Although women have served in every major American conflict, WAVES did not gain a foothold in Navy service until well after World War I. After World War I, only a small corps of Navy nurses were left on active duty. The majority of Navy nurses and all enlisted women (Yeomen (F), also known as "Yeomanettes"), had been sent home. It wouldn't be until 23 years after first officially serving during World War I that Navy women would return to general service in 1942, during the height of World War II. The Navy was preparing to accept not just a large number of enlisted women, as it had done during World War I, but also female commissioned officers. The initial response to the recruitment of women was overwhelming and leadership quickly realized these new Navy women had to be managed, training establishments had to be rapidly set up, an administrative structure needed to be put in place, and uniforms needed to be designed. WAVES were easily identified by their classic uniform design, which became a prominent feature on World War II Navy recruiting posters. The Navy still uses basic elements from the original WAVES uniforms seven decades later. Though modified slightly over time, the original WAVES combination cover has become a traditional and historic symbol which represents Navy women's heritage. Naval Reserve Lt. Cmdr. Mildred Helen McAfee, a prominent educator and president of Wellesley College, was selected as the first female commissioned officer and the first wartime director of the WAVES on August 3, 1942. Though many challenges had to be overcome, within only one year, more than 27,000 women wore the WAVES uniform. McAfee would eventually guide the growth of the WAVES to a force of more than 80,000 Navy women, who would serve in a variety of occupational specialties. Traditionally women would fill secretarial and clerical jobs; however, the wartime demand required thousands of Navy WAVES to perform duties as air traffic controllers, cryptologists, draftsmen, meteorologists, and translators. At the end of World War II, Navy women were uncertain about their future serving in a peacetime Navy. Many WAVES faced the same demobilization process that had occurred after World War I. McAfee left the Navy in 1945, eager to return to her position at Wellesley College, and Cmdr. Jean Tilford Palmer was named her successor. Palmer immediately began work on legislation to authorize permanent status for women in the regular Navy. To help convince Congress, Palmer partnered with Cmdr. Joy Bright Hancock, who was the assistant director (plans) of the Women's Reserve until 1946, and Capt. Ira Nun of the Judge Advocate General's staff. A fleet-wide survey was conducted, a meeting was held with the chairman of the House Committee on Naval Affairs, and various committee hearings followed. Eventually a bill was drafted to establish a permanent place for women in the regular Navy, but more work was still needed to accomplish this goal. As the congressional process continued, Palmer left the Navy in 1946, naming Hancock as the new director. Newly promoted to captain, Hancock brought a vast amount of experience to the position, having worked at the Bureau of Aeronautics from 1934-1942, having served as an enlisted Yeomen (F) during World War I, and as a military spouse (twice widowed). Hancock immediately began working where Palmer had left off; mustering the backing she needed to win approval for her proposal. When the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing met in 1947, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz testified on the necessity of retaining women in a permanent status. 0It was argued that the WAVES's superior work during the war demonstrated women's manual dexterity, patience, attention to detail, and ability to endure monotonous work. On June 12, 1948, the Women's Armed Services Integration Act was signed. Later that same year, the position of Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Women (ACNP(W)) was created from the original WAVES leadership position. This eventually evolved into the Office of Women's Policy, today known as OPNAV N134W under the Chief of Naval Personnel. Today women continue to make indispensable contributions to our Navy mission and operations. More than 66,000 women serve in the Navy in the active and Reserve components, comprising 18 percent of our Navy force. There are currently 38 female flag officers, two female fleet master chiefs, and one female Force master chief in the Navy. For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel - Navy Office of Women's Policy, visit http://www.npc.navy.mil/AboutUs/BUPERS/WomensPolicy. For more information about the history of women and their numerous contributions to the Navy, visit http://www.history.navy.mil/special%20highlights/women/women-index.htm. For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel - Office of Diversity and Inclusion, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp-diversity/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130730-08. Medical Units Make Strides Toward Interoperability By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Brian P. Biller, USS Boxer Public Affairs SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Several weeks of integrated training among the Medical Department aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4), Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 3, Shock Trauma Platoon (STP), and Air Combat Element Medical from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) culminated in a six-hour 'final exam' aboard amphibious assault ship July 24. The Fleet Surgical Team (FST) Pre-Deployment Trauma Training Course (PTTC) course is unique to the waterfront in its team-based approach to medical training, specifically trauma resuscitation. Designed by Cmdr. (Dr.) Tuan N. Hoang, commander, Amphibious Task Force (CATF) surgeon and FST-3 officer in charge, FST PTTC is the first of its kind in the surface medical community and is an invaluable tool in preparing units for deployment. The course concluded with multiple hyper-realistic patient scenarios and real-time chaos in order to better prepare the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) for an upcoming deployment. "Today is the composite of all the training that we have done through the PTTC, including the didactic lectures, intense combat scenario-based simulations, cadaveric laboratory and now, putting everything together in a hyper-realistic, intensive, multi-wave mass casualty scenario designed to stress the team, and find its upper limit," said Hoang. "We try to make everything as realistic as we possibly can, as if we are taking real casualties." Hoang, who is also the course's director, explained that the course pushes a team-based approach to educate corpsmen to physicians and surgeons how to effectively triage, stabilize and treat single patient, multiple victims and mass casualties in combat environment. Multiple four-person teams consist of a doctor and three corpsmen, working alongside one another, responding to numerous combat trauma scenarios. "Communication is always the most challenging part, when you have that many injured and you're dealing with people on flight deck triage, patients out there, patients in here," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Nicholas Eadie. "[I give]props to all of the recorders for keeping track of the patients, as no one was lost, and everybody got taken care of." Time is of the essence, and in an environment where seconds can literally mean life or death, the key to success is integrated team-based training. "I think it's critical that we are integrated," Hoang said. "The ship's Medical, FST, STP and ACE, all have different requirements, skill levels and skill sets," he said. "If we are able to get the entire team exposed and trained to this kind of difficult, intense, fast-paced combat environment, it will be easier for the team to adapt in real word scenarios," Hoang said. The exercise is timed and graded; giving on-site feedback and helping the team increase their efficiency. Additionally, hyper-realistic simulators which can actually move, react, bleed, be cut open and have surgery performed on them, added realism and training depth that did not exist previously. The team had their work cut out for them stopping bleeding, removing shrapnel, resecting injured organs in the hectic environment of triaging and treating multiple casualties. "Everyone has done a phenomenal job," said Hoang. "From a team standpoint, they communicated well, everyone in the team knew what their position and other's were and they functioned as a well-oiled machine." To hone a scalable, tailorable capability like this would allow ships like Boxer and the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) to insert into any area and have trained teams from across the Navy Medical spectrum provide a mobile medical facility, which could handle a multitude of medical contingencies, from combat casualties, to humanitarian aid and disaster relief with greater speed, efficiency and proficiency. "That is our mission...a capability where we can modularize and standardize our training capability, so if we have to surge another team to support a larger national tasking like a humanitarian aid mission, if there's a request to augment with another surgical team...since they've already been through the course, it's possible that they just fall in and be ready to go, there is no further training required," said Hoang. "Drills should be taken seriously, this is how we're going to react" said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Albert Delacruz, Advanced Lab Technician for FST 3. "It showed how when all the moving parts that make up medical department...when they work together, how we can take care of our Sailors and Marines when they're hurt." According to Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/FMF/AW) Allan Antonio, Boxer Medical's leading chief petty officer, the groups received high marks from the assessors. "The exercise went extremely well," Antonio said. "The energy, the momentum, the fluidity of combined medical assets set the bar in responding to a real world scenario, in saving lives and in employing Navy medicine." Boxer ARG is currently making preparations for an upcoming deployment, and her medical team has done their best to train like they fight. "I'm looking forward to seeing the team functions in the real world environment. I hope that we don't have to, but I think we as a team, are ready," said Hoang. For more news from USS Boxer (LHD 4), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd4/. NNS130730-18. Current All Hands Update From Defense Media Activity - Navy WASHINGTON (NNS) -- All Hands Update features two one-minute newscast today. First One-minute newscast- - Vice President Joe Biden Visits Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Service Members http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18705 http://youtu.be/r0bbDL3s-sI Second One-minute newscast- - Headlines for Tuesday, July 30, 2013: World War II Japanese Good Luck Flag Returned to Japan; USS Pearl Harbor Arrives in Solomon Islands to Support Pacific Partnership http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18706 http://youtu.be/Kj9GKqRXKgY 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- NNS020718-18. This Day in Naval History - July 30 From the Navy News Service 1918 - Units of First Marine Aviation Force arrive at Brest, France. 1941 - Japanese aircraft bomb USS Tutuila (PR 4) at Chungking, China; First Navy ship damaged by Axis during World War II. 1942 - FDR signs act establishing Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). During World War II, more than 80,000 officer and enlisted women served in the WAVES. 1944 - Naval Task Force lands Army troops near Cape Opmarai, New Guinea. 1945 - Japanese submarine, I-58, sinks USS Indianapolis (CA 35) in Philippine Sea; 316 out of 1,199 crew survived. -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). For the latest in Navy news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil. For all Navy-related questions, review the FAQs posted at www.navy.mil or visit www.history.navy.mil. Media queries should be directed to the Navy News Desk at (703) 697-5342. -USN-   Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support@govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Navy. 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 Activity - Navy, 6700 Taylor Ave, Fort Meade, MD 20755. Reprints should be credited to the Navy News Service (NNS).