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 NNS130905-07. CNO Details Navy's Fiscal 2014 Budget Realities -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76359 NNS130905-20. CNP Reminds Great Lakes Sailors to Keep Standing the Watch -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76373 NNS130905-01. The Navy Carrier Strike Group: Epitomizing the CNO's Tenets -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76218 NNS130905-03. USS Freedom VBSS Team Trains with Malaysian Navy during SEACAT -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76354 NNS130905-23. Feds Feed Families in Guam -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76374 NNS130905-15. NEX Newport Unveils Navy Reading Display -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76364 NNS130905-13. Lincoln Chief Selectees Hammer Away with Habitat for Humanity -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76367 NNS130905-12. Sharing Why "Being There Matters" in Baltimore -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76362 NNS130905-02. NMCB 3 Seabees Visit Shipboard 'Steelworkers' -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76351 NNS130905-08. September is National Preparedness Month - Ready Navy Asks, Are you Ready? -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76361 NNS130905-06. Feds Feed Families 2013 Campaign a Success -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76358 DNU -- Headlines for Thursday, September 5, 2013: USS Minnesota to be Commissioned; Financial Readiness Affects Mission Readiness -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18809 NNS130905-24. Current All Hands Update -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76375 NNS020724-06. This Day in Naval History - Sept. 05 -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=2779 Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day -- http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=161051 -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130905-07. CNO Details Navy's Fiscal 2014 Budget Realities By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Even without the uncertainty caused by budget negotiations, it will take years for the Navy to recover from the effects of sequestration, the chief of naval operations told an audience at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington Sept 5. Sequestration and the effects of the continuing budget resolution damaged readiness, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert said. The Navy's budget reduction was $11 billion, the admiral said. The service cancelled five ship deployments, and the reduction cut into the service's surge capacity, he added. "Usually, we have three carrier strike groups and three amphibious ready groups able to respond within a week," Greenert said. "We have one now, and that's going to be the story in fiscal 2014." The reduction in fiscal 2014 is $14 billion. The service exempted military manpower from the cuts, and this would mean 14 percent reductions for all other accounts, the admiral said. Barring help from Congress in the next budget, he told the audience, the Navy will have to cancel half of its ship availability. "We will cancel a lot of aircraft availabilities," he added. "If we restored the budget after [fiscal 2014] and said, 'You have a full-up operations and maintenance budget,' it'll take about five years to get that backlog in aircraft maintenance down." Navywide, the service will reduce training for those not deploying, Greenert said. Some air wings will fly and aircrews will receive training, he said, but officials are uncomfortable with the amount of flight hours. Shipbuilding will drop in fiscal 2014 also. "I would see the loss of a littoral combat ship, an afloat-forward staging base and advanced procurement for a Virginia-class submarine and a carrier overhaul," Greenert said. "We might lose two more - a submarine and a destroyer - if we are unable to reprogram and move money into those accounts." The Navy will lose about 25 aircraft, from helicopters to P-8s to F-35s, the admiral said. "We need about a billion dollars to get into the operations and maintenance account and a billion into the procurement accounts so we can get it into shipbuilding, which will be my No. 1 priority in the Navy," he said. Beyond fiscal 2014, Greenert said, the bywords will be forward presence, readiness of deployed forces, developing and stressing asymmetric capabilities and new technologies, and cyber capabilities. "We will reduce force structure in this plan, but we have to do it while preserving the right capacity to do one [major combat operation] in the future," he added. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130905-20. CNP Reminds Great Lakes Sailors to Keep Standing the Watch From Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) -- The Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) visited Naval Station Great Lakes, Sept. 4-5, and urged Sailors to "keep the watch over our Navy ethos." Vice Adm. Bill F. Moran, making his first visit to the Great Lakes "A" Schools and the Navy's only boot camp, Recruit Training Command (RTC), since being named CNP in August, was able to observe and discuss accession training with the leadership of the base, Navy Region Midwest (NRMW), Training Support Center (TSC) and Naval Service Training Center (NSTC). "You are the gatekeepers of our Navy. You have the experience and you have stood the watch. Use that experience to lay the foundation for the next generation," Moran told more than 800 Navy Military Training Instructors (NMTI) at TSC and Recruit Division Commanders (RDCs). "Your work is paying off. The watch you are standing here is showing dividends." Rear Adm. Dee L. Mewbourne, NSTC commander, hosted CNP during his visit that included stops at several TSC and RTC training facilities. "Having Vice Adm. Moran come here was a wonderful opportunity for him to see the great work the man and women serving up here are doing to forge the future of our Naval service," said Mewbourne, who oversees 98 percent of all officer and enlisted accessions training in the Navy. "Vice Adm. Moran speaks about instilling and continuing trust, balance and stability during his watch as CNP," said Mewbourne. "We wanted him to see that he can trust us with the training of the Navy's newest Sailors. We wanted him to see that from boot camp through the training pipeline and until we hand them off to the fleet, our training is very balanced and very stable." CNP began his visit at TSC where he toured many of the "A" Schools and preparatory schools. "CNP got a more in-depth look at TSC and the learning centers and I thought each one of them did a great job of showing him the hands-on training that goes on here," said Capt. Henry "Hank" P. Roux Jr., TSC's commanding officer. "There's a belief out in the fleet that we're still primarily a computer-based training (command) and our objective was to show him that it's a combination of hands-on training with some computer-based training to supplement the student's learning." Moran also met and had lunch with enlisted Sailors that make up the station's Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) chapter. The CSADD program was designed as a resource for active and reserve Sailors, Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) candidates and Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) programs to promote good decision making processes, enabling leadership development and influence among peers at the most junior levels. "We were very happy that the admiral wanted to see what we are doing here with CSADD at Naval Station Great Lakes," said Fire Controlman Seaman Sean O'Dell, 24, from Miami, president of the chapter who is waiting orders to the Tomahawk Missile School in Dam Neck, Va. "I think it's important that we were able to tell him that we are actively and successfully getting (TSC) students involved in volunteer opportunities and sports and other events here on base. Having the admiral come here and see firsthand what we are doing and what the Sailors are doing is one of the best things they can do. It shows the students that they care and they are involved in the day-to-day lives of the Sailors that are here and what we are doing to better ourselves and make ourselves ready Sailors for the fleet." CNP spent the rest of his first day touring the schools and training facilities at TSC. He visited and talked with NMTI instructors, facilitators and students at schools under the command of Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU), such as, Boatswain's Mate, Operations Specialist, Quartermaster and Hull Technician "A" Schools. He also visited the SEAL Pre-BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition) and EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Preparatory schools. "It was an outstanding opportunity to show the Chief of Naval Personnel what we do here and what our goals are to instruct our students before they make it to the fleet," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Jeremy Allan, 34, from Boston, and the Surface Common Corps Leading Petty Officer at BM "A" School. While at the school Allan escorted CNP on board USS White Hat, a replica of a ship inside the school building that teaches future boatswain mates line handling, underway replenishing, hoisting the anchor and lowering and raising small boats. "I think it's very important for your higher chain of command to visit training commands and to know what you do on a daily basis," said Allan. On his second day at Great Lakes, Moran visited RTC. He then ate lunch with several soon-to-graduate recruits and held an all hands call for Sailors at RTC with the other area commands. "One of the central skills sets we try and imbue in all Sailors that come to Great Lakes is the notion of standing the watch and being responsible for their duty at any given time and place. We are standing the watch for our nation," said Moran. "We are out there preserving our freedom around the world." CNP also held an question and answer period where he answered questions on manning, rate mergers and the budget. "Things are tight and will get tighter," said Moran. "But as CNP, I will work on behalf of Sailors and their families to make actions match words and earn your trust. I will work to balance the force with the right number of Sailors, make sure they are in the right jobs, and have the right skills. No matter how technically advanced our Navy becomes, it will always be the people, men and women like you, that will continue to stand the watch and continue to make our Navy the finest the world has ever known." -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130905-01. The Navy Carrier Strike Group: Epitomizing the CNO's Tenets By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Benjamin Malvezzi ARABIAN SEA (NNS) -- U.S. carrier strike groups (CSG) continue to be a primary representation of Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert's key tenets when he released his Navigation Plan for the Navy for 2014 to 2018 the week of Aug. 16. The CNO's three tenets - "Warfighting First," "Be Ready" and "Operate Forward" - originated from his Sailing Directions, which provide the overall vision to guide the Navy. According to Greenert, "Warfighting First" means that "our first consideration is the ability to fight and win today, while building the ability to win tomorrow: it is why we have a Navy." CSGs are formed and disestablished on an as-needed basis to support our nation's warfighting ability. They are composed of a variety of platforms capable of performing various missions. Strike groups are generally made up of one aircraft carrier with an embarked carrier air wing (CVW), which usually encompasses nine squadrons comprised of approximately 65 aircraft. The aircraft carrier serves not only as a flagship, but also maintains, arms, launches and recovers aircraft, enabling them to provide combat air support to warfighters ashore, perform search and rescue missions, make early warning detections, assist in vertical-at-sea-replenishments, guard ships and combat targets on land, in the air, at sea and also provide anti-submarine capabilities. Also included is at least one Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, which supports the CSG with multi-mission capabilities. Cruisers are proficient in air warfare, surface warfare, undersea warfare and naval surface fire support. A destroyer squadron consisting of at least two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers and/or Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigates plays a key role in providing anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG), consisting of more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines, is a cohesive, ready force that is certified to operate effectively and safely to accomplish all assigned missions. HST CSG consists of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) along with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 and its squadrons: Strike Fighter Squadron (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"; the embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group 10 and 1st Combined Destroyer Squadron; guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Gettysburg (CG 64); and guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) and USS Mason (DDG 87). CNO's second tenet, "Be Ready," means to "harness the teamwork, talent and imagination of our diverse force to be ready to fight and responsibly employ our resources." These resources that comprise the HST CSG started visibly forming shortly after Harry S. Truman's completion of its 17-month long docking planned incremental availability in July 2012. In October 2012, CVW-3 embarked aboard Harry S. Truman for the first time in two years to complete a 24-day reintegration period underway. A few months later in January 2013, HST CSG completed a composite training unit exercise designed to certify the strike group as a deployment-ready fighting force. HST CSG further sharpened its warfighting proficiencies through a sustainment exercise in June. Lastly, elements of the strike group participated in Fleet Synthetic Training-Joint, which was a simulated exercise facilitating U.S. and coalition forces' ability to work together and prepare for theater operations. Months of preparation culminated with the HST CSG deploying July 22 and exemplified the CNO's third and final tenet - "Operate Forward." HST CSG is operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility as our nation's "away team," forward deployed and ready to respond where it matters, when it matters. From maritime security operations to theater security cooperation, our nation has a reliable force that can go to the fight, deter aggression and win. This is why we're here. This is what it's all about. Although we're still in the early stage s of our deployment - just slightly more than a month - we can look forward to plenty of challenges as well as opportunities. Nonetheless, whatever comes our way, the men and women of HST CSG will remain ready and be at the front line of our nation's efforts. For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn75/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130905-03. USS Freedom VBSS Team Trains with Malaysian Navy during SEACAT By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Karolina A. Oseguera, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USS Freedom's (LCS 1) visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team conducted a boarding exercise with the Royal Malaysian Navy Sept. 4 as part of Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) 2013. Freedom is one of three U.S. ships along with a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft participating in the exercise. "Freedom is a great fit for an exercise like SEACAT that focuses on maritime security and boarding scenarios - capabilities that are part of the surface warfare mission package," said Capt. Paul Schlise, commander, Task Group 73.1/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. "Having Freedom as a dedicated SEACAT asset while the ship is already deployed in the region is a huge value for this multilateral exercise." SEACAT highlights the value of information sharing and multilateral cooperation in scenarios that give participating navies hands-on practice in maritime security operations. The two-week exercise began Sept. 2 at Singapore's Changi Naval Base where liaison officers from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United States began working together to track vessels of interest and develop boarding plans. The boarding events occur in several at-sea locations across maritime Southeast Asia with naval assets from each participating nation. In the first boarding event of SEACAT, a team from the Royal Malaysian Navy ship KD Pahang (171) boarded Freedom. After completion, Freedom's VBSS team had an opportunity to board Pahang. Evaluators from the U.S. Navy Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training (MCAST) team supervised both teams and provided hands-on training in boarding techniques and procedures. "We are very appreciative of the training we received from the Freedom," said Sub-lieutenant Wan Akmal Zaki, a boarding officer from Pahang. "The greatest benefit from this training is being able to apply our differences in culture, environment and communication as a training element to prepare us for the challenges of compliant boardings." During the exercise, participants went through and secured engineering and bridge spaces and searched for pre-staged personnel who acted as suspects. The MCAST group divided participants into bridge, engineering and sweep teams, and set up unpredictable scenarios to challenge both the Malaysian and U.S. groups. "The Malaysians conducted boarding differently than we do," said Chief Fire Controlman Benjamin Carroll. "But the differences helped reinforce our baseline tactics and we were able to learn different techniques that we never thought of before - that training is very valuable." After the boarding events were complete, both teams met on Freedom to exchange best practices and lessons learned. "It was a great experience to be able to board another county's ship," said Fire Controlman 1st Class Darrell Caudill. "There is no better training than facing real life challenges. Encountering the unfamiliar brings new tests and new ways of thinking." As SEACAT continues through Sept 12, Freedom will participate in more boarding events. The exercise is one of the key engagements with regional navies during Freedom's maiden deployment to Southeast Asia. Since arriving in the region, Freedom has also participated in Singapore's International Maritime Defense Exhibition, and two phases of the bilateral exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) - CARAT Malaysia and CARAT Singapore. For more news from Commander, Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/local/ctf73/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130905-23. Feds Feed Families in Guam By JoAnna Delfin, Joint Region Marianas, Public Affairs HAGATNA, Guam (NNS) -- Sailors from the U.S. Naval Base Guam Chapel delivered more than 400 pounds of donated non-perishable food items to the local food shelter Kamalen Karidat in Hagatna, Guam Sept. 5 as part of the DoD-wide Feds Feed Families campaign. Military members, dependents, families and DoD civilian employees on island donated more than 21,000 pounds of non-perishable food items to Guam's local charitable organizations including Kamalen Karidat and the Salvation Army shelters during the campaign from June 1 to Aug. 28. Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class Yegor Kasatkin said he was glad to participate in the annual event and give his part to the local community to help those in need. "It's definitely a pleasure to be part of this initiative," he said. "I am not the only one who did this. I would not be able to succeed without the help all of the armed forces and the tenant commands that supported us." Kasatkin added that programs such as Feds Feed Families allow local communities to see how the military helps not only protect our nation but to nourish it as well. "It reflects good on the Navy," he said. "It is the force for good." Kamalen Karidat General Manager Deacon Frank Tenorio accepted the donation from the servicemembers and said he was very grateful for the generous contribution from the DoD community. "The military are so kind in coming in voluntarily," he said. "They could do other things after their working hours. They are doing a lot of things for the island on their off time, so we're very thankful for the military's action in caring." Tenorio added that since the food kitchen opened more than 10 years ago, the military has been a great contributor to the organization donating food, supplies and even their time to serve dinner at the facility. "When the military is doing this they find some commonness with the local community," he said. "It shows the reality...as if the military is not isolating themselves from us." The annual Feds Feeds Families campaign is a voluntary effort undertaken by federal employees to bring non-perishable food items to their offices for distribution to local food banks. In 2012, the federal government totaled 7.3 million pounds of food items. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, visit www.navy.mil/local/guam/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130905-15. NEX Newport Unveils Navy Reading Display By Daniel S. Marciniak, U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- The Chief of Naval Operations Professional Reading Program (CNO-PRP) celebrated the grand opening of its new book display at Navy Exchange (NEX) Newport, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on board Naval Station Newport, Sept. 3. In a ceremony that featured U.S. Naval War College (NWC) president Rear Adm. Walter "Ted" Carter and professors Toshi Yoshihara and James Holmes, co-authors of reading list book, "Red Star over the Pacific," the NEX unveiled the display and sales area to a small crowd of Sailors, patrons and Navy Reading enthusiasts. "We wanted to create a space where our Sailors and patrons could browse and add to their collection of the Navy Reading program," said Lisa Ballejo, general manager of NEX Newport. "It's a good way to learn about the heritage and history, of not just about the Navy, but about world events that happened in the past and what analysts are predicting for the future." Established in 2006, the CNO-PRP has grown from a simple idea of "let's put books of quality in the hands of our Sailors," to a large-scale effort that has distributed more than 100,000 books to ships, squadrons and bases around the world. The NEX has played a significant role in that effort. "At every point since the program was established, the Navy Exchange has been there with us as our strongest partner," said NWC professor John Jackson, the program's manager. Developed to facilitate professional development and encourage a life-long habit of reading and learning among Sailors, the program includes 42 books organized under the three tenets of the CNO's navigation plan: "warfighting first," "operate forward," and "be ready." "The beauty of this program is that we've gotten the books to the ships," said Carter, who oversees the program on behalf of CNO. "They're in the wardrooms, they're in the ready rooms." Carter said the reach of the program and the quality of books selected are part of what makes the Navy's reading list stand out. "The CNO is very interested in the books that are in this program," said Carter. "We're going to continue to look at what are the most relevant books out there to put in the hands of our Sailors." Sailors can help to shape the list by sharing their book suggestions and general feedback with the Navy Reading team, via Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NavyReading or email at navyreading@usnwc.edu. "We're all working towards a common goal, and that's to enhance the professionalism of our Navy," said Jackson. "As the program's motto says, we should all 'read to be ready.'" For a list of titles, visit http://www.navyreading.navy.mil. For more news from Naval War College, visit www.navy.mil/local/nwc/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130905-13. Lincoln Chief Selectees Hammer Away with Habitat for Humanity By Mass Communication Seaman Jonathon Lockwood, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs HAMPTON, Va. (NNS) -- Chief Petty Officers (CPO) and CPO-selectees from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) helped build a house as part of a Habitat for Humanity community relations project (COMREL) Sept. 4. Other Sailors from the Lincoln have been assisting at the Habitat for Humanity build site since July 31. With the house completely framed, the CPOs and CPO-selectees provided the necessary muscle to get the house closer to completion. "It is a great way to give back to the community," said Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Wilbert D. Strickland. As part of the selection process the CPO-selectees participated in group activates to strengthen team building and camaraderie. "Community service and building camaraderie through working hard together is one reason to bring the selectees here," said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate Cliff Shelley. "At the same time, helping out the community and showing a big Navy presence teaches you time management and how to prioritize your tasks." The selectees were given the opportunity to work with an organization, such as Habitat for Humanity, that gives to those in need, as well as the opportunity to learn something new in a different expertize that they might not have the chance to work in, according to Strickland. "It's great. I wanted to get into woodworking so this is a great opportunity to start learning the craft. I never been involved with the program before coming out and building it," said Chief (select) Interior Communications Electrician Henry R. Hernandez. "Being a part of the bigger group and doing the group activities is about giving back to the community through COMRELS." Habitat for Humanity normally requests 10 or more people to volunteer for its construction projects. The CPOs and CPO-selectee volunteers numbered more than 30, all eager to be a part of something bigger in the community. "A helping hand gets the job done. The more helping hands and the more people you have listening and following orders, the more that you will get done," said Franklin Hampton, assistant construction supervisor for Habitat for Humanity who has welcomed the assistance from USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors. "I like them. They have been great. They follow orders and are always eager to work and get the job done." Since returning from deployment in August 2012, Lincoln Sailors have volunteered more than 5,000 hours in various communities in the Hampton Roads area. Lincoln is currently undergoing a refueling and complex overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn72/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130905-12. Sharing Why "Being There Matters" in Baltimore By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse Dick, Navy Office of Community Outreach BALTIMORE (NNS) -- Americans here now have a better understanding of the Navy and its role in preserving the nation's security and prosperity following high-level engagements between a Navy admiral and area Baltimore leaders Sept. 1-4. Rear Adm. Anatolio B. "A.B." Cruz, III, Reserve deputy director Maritime Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, met with government officials, corporate executives, civic groups, and local media. Cruz shared how the Navy protects and defends America on the world's oceans; how the Navy is deployed around the world around the clock; and how the Navy is ready to defend America at all times. "No better way to kick off Navy 50-50 Baltimore than to sit down with news anchor - and Navy "brat" - Lisa Robinson of WBAL-TV's Sunday Morning News to talk about America's Navy and its importance to this country's national security and economic vibrancy," said Cruz. Cruz's itinerary included a meeting with a Baltimore City Hall official, interviews with the local NBC and CBS affiliates, pre-race ceremonies at the Baltimore Grand Prix, meeting Veterans at Loch Raven VA Community Living and Rehabilitation Center, an executive meeting at Marlin Steel Products, an executive meeting and tour of Under Armour, and a high-level speaking engagement at the Baltimore Rotary Club luncheon. "It was an exciting honor to take part in the opening ceremonies at the Baltimore Grand Prix," said Cruz. "Especially sharing the stage with some outstanding local military heroes and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Brian Miles Thatcher." Executive outreach - engagements between senior Navy leaders and their government, civic, education and corporate counterparts - has become a focus of effort in recent years, as the Navy works to increase understanding of the Navy's mission and role in America's national security strategy. The effort is particularly critical in areas of the country, which do not enjoy a significant everyday Navy presence. For more news from Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO), visit www.navy.mil/local/navco/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130905-02. NMCB 3 Seabees Visit Shipboard 'Steelworkers' By Builder Constructionman Laine Pulfer, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Roughly 20 Seabee steelworkers from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 met the "Steelworkers" of USS Stethem (DDG 63) during a tour aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Sept. 4. According to tour guide Fire Controlman 1st Class Travis Boatwright the visit provided an opportunity for Seabees to see the dynamics of shipboard life and pay homage to DDG 63's namesake. "It was great to be able to show some actual steelworkers the ship," said Boatwright. "It's an amazing crew that does its best to live up to the Seabee steelworker name." For the Seabees, seeing coffin lockers, tunneling through scuttles and water-tight doors provided a classic Navy experience for a group more accustomed to jungle warfare, desert patrols and Marine Corps-guided combat training. "The junior warfighters who have never seen a ship were blown away by the customs, tight living conditions and the basic compactness of shipboard life," said Steelworker 1st Class Avery Thomas. "It gave them some true appreciation for their chosen career path and a rare chance to identify with a side of the Navy they may never fully experience." Stethem is part of Destroyer Squadron 15, forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. One of the first battalions commissioned during World War II, NMCB 3's legacy stands strong in its ability to build and fight anywhere in the world as either a full battalion or as a group of autonomous detachments, simultaneously completing critical engineering and construction missions. For this deployment, NMCB 3 has split into 9 details to perform critical construction projects in remote island areas such as Timor-Leste, Tonga, Cambodia and the Philippines. The teams will also conduct operations in Atsugi, Yokosuka and Okinawa, Japan; Chinhae, Republic of Korea and China Lake, Calif. The Naval Construction Force is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. They provide deployable battalions capable of providing disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support. NMCB 3 provides combatant commanders and Navy component commanders with combat-ready warfighters capable of general engineering, construction and limited combat engineering across the full range of military operations. For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb3/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130905-08. September is National Preparedness Month - Ready Navy Asks, Are you Ready? From Commander, Navy Installations Command Ready Navy Program WASHINGTON (NNS) -- September is National Emergency Preparedness Month. Commander, Navy Installations Command's (CNIC) Ready Navy Program asks Sailors and their families to make certain they are prepared if an emergency occurs. "National Preparedness Month reminds us all to be informed, make a plan, build a kit, and stay informed, not just for a month, but every day," said Jeff Sanford, CNIC emergency management specialist, "Ready Navy provides a road map and creates a state of mind for Navy personnel and families to be and stay prepared for any potential hazard throughout the year, something leadership takes very seriously." Ready Navy is a proactive Navywide emergency preparedness, public awareness program. It is designed for the Navy community, to increase the ability of every person and family on or near Navy installations to meet today's challenges head on and plan and prepare for all types of hazards, ranging from hurricanes and earthquakes to terrorist attacks. By exploring the links on the Ready Navy site, you will: * be informed of potential hazards and what to do before, during, and after an emergency, * understand the steps to make an emergency plan that includes what to do, where to go, and what to take with you, * learn to build a kit to support basic needs for a minimum of three days, and * access tools and resources to help you and your family prepare for emergency situations that could arise at any time with no warning. Navy Personnel and families are strongly encouraged to strengthen emergency planning at home, as well as at work, by reading and following the tips and information found at www.Ready.Navy.mil. Be Ready Navy! We are. Are you? For more information on how to prepare for any disaster, visit http://www.ready.navy.mil. Follow us @ReadyNavy. Ready Navy is a CNIC-sponsored emergency preparedness program. For more news from Commander, Navy Installations Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cni/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130905-06. Feds Feed Families 2013 Campaign a Success By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alexandra Snyder, Defense Media Activity-Navy WASHINGTON (NNS) -- With schools beginning across the country, children once again have access to school nutrition programs. To help fill the need this summer when they didn't, the fifth-annual Feds Feed Families campaign collected over 900,000 pounds of non-perishables for distribution to food banks across the fleet. "Feds Feed Families is a summer long food-drive to benefit the National Capital Area Charitable campaign program, where pounds of food and other non-perishable items are collected to support families across America," said Rama G. Latin, Department of the Navy Charitable Campaigns Administrator. "Without access to nutrition programs, children and families across the country may be at risk of hunger in the summer. At the same time, donations dip in the summer months as donors take a vacation or change their routines." Since the program's inception, Navy and Marine personnel have placed boxes at collection points across bases worldwide, ensuring that all Department of the Navy staff and service members have the chance to donate, with chaplains collecting donations on board ships. Nearly 75 percent of this year's donations came from Department of the Navy entities, surpassing last year's collection goal and helping more than 500 food charities in the Washington, D.C. area alone, said Dylan Menguy, coordinator, media and events for the Capital Area Food Bank. "Feds Feed Families is one of our biggest food drives of the year," said Menguy. "It a way for us to help act as a stop-gap for the times when kids are being fed daily at school, at least for breakfast and lunch, and when those children have that vital source of food cut off during the summer months. Feds Feed Families helps us bridge that gap." Although the campaign officially ended August 28, 20 percent or more of the child population in 40 states and Washington, D.C. will continue to live in food insecure households, and those still wanting to make a difference for them can bring their donations to their local chaplain's office who can distribute it to food banks and charities in the local area. "The need to run this program is great; our generosity to run this campaign is greater," said Latin. "With this campaign, we are helping communities in every state and area around the fleet." NNS130905-24. Current All Hands Update By Defense Media Activity Washington (NNS) -- All Hands Update features one one-minute newscast. First one-minute newscast - - Headlines for Thursday, September 5, 2013: USS Minnesota to be Commissioned; Financial Readiness Affects Mission Readiness http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18809 Defense Media Activity - Navy usually produces one two-minute All Hands Update (AHU) newscast each day. 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- NNS020724-06. This Day in Naval History - Sept. 05 From the Navy News Service 1775 - Adoption of first uniforms for Navy officers. 1813 - USS Enterprise captures HM brig Boxer off Portland, Maine. 1918 - USS Mount Vernon torpedoed by German submarine off France. 1923 - U.S. Asiatic Fleet arrives at Yokohama, Japan, to provide medical assistance and supplies after Kondo Plain earthquake. 1939 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders Navy to form a neutrality patrol to report the presence of foreign warships within 300 miles of eastern United States. 1946 - USS Franklin Delano Roosevelt (CVB 42) and four escorts visit Greece to underscore U.S. support for the Greek government, which faced a communist insurgency. 1990 - USS Acadia (AD 42) departs San Diego for first war-time deployment of mixed gender crew on combat vessel. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil. -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).