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 NNS130907-02. Chinese Navy Ships Visit Hawaii -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76402 NNS130908-03. USS Freedom VBSS Team Trains with Brunei Navy during SEACAT -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76409 NNS130906-26. Minnesota Commissioning Carried Live Saturday Morning at 10 (EDT) -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76401 NNS130906-09. Mexico's Director of Naval Aviation sees Gulf Coast training firsthand -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76388 NNS130908-04. USS Denver Remembers USS Peary, Departs Darwin, Australia -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76408 NNS130908-01. Boxer ARG Enters 7th Fleet AOR -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76406 NNS130906-18. Fortune Favors the Bold During 1813 Battle of Lake Erie -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76396 NNS130907-01. Bonhomme Richard Chiefs, Officers Offer Fast Paced Mentoring -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76403 NNS130906-02. Commander, CSG 11 Visits USS William P. Lawrence -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76377 NNS130906-01. USS Tucson Departs for Western Pacific Deployment -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76378 NNS130906-28. Military Lounge Dedicated at R.I. State Airport -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76393 NNS130906-14. Norfolk Ship Support Activity Holds Change of Command -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76391 DNU -- Headlines for Thursday, September 6, 2013: In this edition of All Hands Update, we discuss one of the DOD's confidential and anonymous suicide prevention programs. -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18810 DNU -- Week in Review August 31st - Sept 6th 2013 -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18811 NNS130908-06. Current All Hands Update -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=76385 NNS020708-16. This Day in Naval History - Sept. 08 -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=2430 Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day -- http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=161237 -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130907-02. Chinese Navy Ships Visit Hawaii By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Cynthia Clark, Pacific Fleet, Public Affairs Pearl Harbor (NNS) -- Three People's Liberation Army-Navy [PLA(N)] ships pulled into Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Sept. 6, for a routine port visit. The crewmembers of the Luhu-class destroyer Qingdao (DDG 113), Jiangkai-class frigate Linyi (FFG-547) and Fuqing-class fleet oiler Hongzehu (AOR 881) are scheduled to participate in receptions and sporting events with their American counterparts. In addition to those events, they will also have the opportunity to visit the historical sites of Hawaii, including the newly unveiled statue of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander during World War II. The visit will be topped-off with a one-day search-and-rescue drill, Sept. 9. "Like our Pacific Fleet Commander of today, Adm. Haney, Fleet Adm. Nimitz believed in a strategy of collaboration and cooperation to reinforce openness and enhance trust," said Rear Adm. Rick Williams, commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. "Through greater understanding we can ensure a peaceful and stable future not only for Hawaii and the Pacific, but also for the world." This visit is part of a planned series of military-to-military exchanges between the two nations. Earlier this year Adm. Cecil Haney, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited China, as the guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) made a port visit to Zhanjiang. The guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) will be hosting the Chinese ships this weekend, which will also conduct dialogues to build confidence and mutual understanding between the two nations. Rear Adm. Williams continued to stress the importance of these exchanges, as he continued through his welcoming remarks. "Here in Hawaii, we are committed to doing our part to build regional stability," he said. "Working with other nations in the Asia-Pacific we can develop increased understanding to deal with common challenges in this region including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, piracy prevention and search and rescue missions." Williams also stressed the importance of training in this area, building our future together and strengthening operational proficiency like the search-and-rescue drill. "We're including a search and rescue exercise that includes maneuvers," he said. "We're going to have helicopters working together and working the airspace deconfliction, and we're going to be doing small boat operations back and forth, to all the ships, and we're going to be doing communication drills." The last port visit by PLA(N) ships to Pearl Harbor was in September of 2006. Engagements such as this port visit, offer the U.S Navy an opportunity to build a positive and constructive relationship with the Chinese navy while encouraging multilateral cooperation, enhancing transparency and mitigating risk. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cpf/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130908-03. USS Freedom VBSS Team Trains with Brunei Navy during SEACAT By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Karolina A. Oseguera, COmmander Task Force 73, Public Affairs USS Freedom, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USS Freedom's (LCS 1) visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team conducted a boarding exercise with the Brunei Navy Sept. 7 as part of Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) 2013. "Training with other countries has been a great opportunity," said Engineman 2nd Class Chat Rushing, a Freedom VBSS team member. "It is helpful to see how they do things and to learn from them." Freedom is one of three U.S. ships along with a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft participating in the exercise. The boarding exercise with the Royal Brunei Navy is Freedom's second major event during SEACAT, following a boarding series with the Royal Malaysian Navy Sept. 4. The dry cargo and ammunition ship, USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9), also acted as a simulated vessel of interest during two separate boarding events with the Thai and Malaysian navies this past week. The boarding event began when a team from the Royal Brunei Navy Patrol Vessel (PV) Darussalam 80 boarded Freedom based on information provided by a Bruneian maritime patrol aircraft. After the boarding was complete, Freedom's VBSS team had an opportunity to board Darussalam. During the exercise, participants went through and secured engineering and bridge spaces and searched for pre-staged personnel who role-played as suspects. As with previous boarding events during SEACAT, evaluators from the U.S. Navy Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training (MCAST) group supervised both teams and provided hands-on training in boarding techniques and procedures. MCAST divided participants into bridge and engineering sweep teams, and set up scenarios to challenge both the Bruneian and U.S. groups. After the boarding events were complete, a debrief was held to exchange best practices and lessons learned. "The training went well," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Bruno Doamaral, a MCAST member. "I could tell the Bruneians had previous boarding experience, and overall they were very receptive to our training and eager to learn. They were already applying techniques we taught them from previous training operations." 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. 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 information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from Commander, Task Force 73, visit www.navy.mil/local/ctf73/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130906-26. Minnesota Commissioning Carried Live Saturday Morning at 10 (EDT) From Defense Media Activity -- Navy NORFOLK (NNS) -- Check out live online coverage of the commissioning of the Navy's newest Virginia-class attack submarine Minnesota (SSN 783) Sept. 7, 2013 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on the Navy Live Blog. The broadcast, orginating from Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va. can be found online at http://navylive.dodlive.mil/ and will feature a hosted, interactive live chat. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Ellen Roughead, wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and a Minnesota native, will serve as ship's sponsor. In the time-honored Navy tradition she will give the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!" Minnesota, the 10th ship of the Virginia class is named in honor of the state's citizens and their continued support to our nation's military. Minnesota has a long tradition of honoring its veterans of wars past and present. The state is proud to be home to 46 Medal of Honor recipients that span from the Civil War to the Vietnam War. "Minnesota and the success of our Virginia-class submarine program prove that acquisition excellence is a key element of building the future fleet," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "The work of the more than a thousand shipyard craftsmen and engineers who built this boat have helped make the Fleet stronger and our nation safer. Their dedication and expertise led to the delivery of the world's most advanced submarine almost a year ahead of schedule and on budget." This will be the third ship to bear the state name. The first USS Minnesota, a sailing steam frigate, was commissioned in 1857 and served during the Civil War, remaining in service until her decommissioning in 1898. The second Minnesota was commissioned in 1907. On Dec. 16, 1907 she departed Hampton Roads as one of the 16 battleships of the Great White Fleet sent by then-President Theodore Roosevelt on a voyage around the world. She continued her service through World War I and was decommissioned in 1921. Minnesota will provide the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. She will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable her to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements. Designated SSN 783, Minnesota is built to excel in anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Capable of operating in both the world's shallow littoral regions and deep waters, Minnesota will directly enable five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence. The 7,800-ton Minnesota is built under a teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries. A crew of approximately 134 officers and enlisted personnel will operate the 377-feet long, 34-foot beam vessel, which will be able to dive to depths of greater than 800 feet and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. Minnesota is designed with a nuclear reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship - reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130906-09. Mexico's Director of Naval Aviation sees Gulf Coast training firsthand By Ensign Courtney Vandament, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Mexico's director of naval aviation visited Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) to see aviation training first hand, Sept. 3-4. Rear Adm. Jose Macedo met with Capt. Douglas Heady, commanding officer, Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) to discuss how the U.S. Navy conducts training, and how Mexican personnel are trained like their U.S. counterparts. "Mexico is increasing its capabilities and the training they are getting here in the U.S. is critical to those efforts," said Heady. "The Mexican students who we have seen come through training have been exceptional students and will bring crucial skills back to their Navy." After meeting with Heady, Macedo was given a tour of Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) and Water Survival Training. "Training in water survival is a required skill that you hope never to use," said Capt. James Vandiver, commanding officer Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC). "ARSS is a unique school that provides our young rescue swimmers with the knowledge and skills to live up to their motto 'so others may live.' "It was a pleasure to have such an outstanding leader and aviator on board to tour our command," he continued. "NASC takes great pride in our world-class training and greatly enjoys our international partnership. With his current position and his past experience as a T-34 flight instructor, he has a great appreciation for all we do in the NASC school house." While at Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC), Macedo saw firsthand how the school uses a blended learning solution of instructor-led classrooms, simulation and hands-on training labs to efficiently train Sailors and Marines who enter the service, with little or no experience to become aviation mechanics or technicians. "It is always an honor to showcase NATTC's top notch instructors, and state of the art training facilities for our partners," said Capt. Alan Dean, NATTC commanding officer. "NATTC graduates over 15,000 Sailors and Marines annually to serve as technical experts in the Naval Aviation Enterprise, as well as students from our international partners. Today's visit by Rear Admiral Macedo was an excellent opportunity for us to exchange ideas with our Mexican neighbors as well as show him the many training opportunities available at NATTC." Naval aviation continually trains students from partner nations. NETSAFA is the Navy's agent for providing the needed training and ensuring international students successfully complete their training. Aviation preparation courses offered by Naval Education and Training Command Security Assistance Field Activity International Training Center (NITC) prepare international students to succeed with subsequent U.S. Navy training pipelines. Cmdr. Russell Van Diepen, officer in charge of NITC, said, "Our international military students benefit immensely from the challenging courses that develop the foundation of aviation knowledge and skills that will prepare flight students for the demanding flight syllabus. Our international partners are immersed in concepts of leadership and how the U.S. Navy values the success of its service members." Following his visit to NAS Pensacola, Macedo toured Training Wing 5, located at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, where he observed the training pipeline of the T-6B Texan II aircraft and the TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopter. He wrapped up his tour of the Gulf Coast with the United States Coast Guard helicopter training in Mobile, Ala. For more information about Naval Air Technical Training Center, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/cnatt/nattc/Default.aspx. For more information about Naval Aviation Schools Command, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/nascweb/. For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnet/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130908-04. USS Denver Remembers USS Peary, Departs Darwin, Australia By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Lindahl, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk DARWIN, Australia (NNS) -- Chief selectees aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9) held a wreath laying memorial in honor of sunken destroyer USS Peary (DD 226) as they departed Darwin, Australia, Sept. 8. Peary was sunk just outside of Darwin Feb. 19, 1942 after she came under attack by Japanese dive bombers during World War II, resulting in 88 deaths and 13 injuries. "This signifies that we have not forgotten the legacy left behind by those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom," said Chief Machinist's Mate (Sel) David C. Jumper. Denver's visit to Darwin served primarily as a liberty port for the crew and followed a working port visit in Dili, Timor-Leste. Sailors and Marines had the opportunity to participate in community service projects and enjoy some personal time while in port. Denver is on patrol with the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group, commanded by Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, and is currently participating in Exercise Koolendong with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk, visit www.navy.mil/local/pacennorfolk/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130908-01. Boxer ARG Enters 7th Fleet AOR By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Brian Biller, Boxer Amphibious Ready Group Public Affairs USS Boxer (LHD 4), At Sea (NNS) -- The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (BOXARG) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Sept. 5. BOXARG consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18), the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). "We are thrilled to have this opportunity to strengthen relationships with our allies and partners in this dynamic region," said Capt. Malcolm Potts, commodore of Amphibious Squadron One (PHIBRON 1). "We share interests and values with many throughout the vast areas of the Pacific, and we look to build upon our relationships and common understanding of each other's strengths. We look forward to continuing the long and distinguished Navy and Marine Corps history of operating throughout the Pacific and being Ambassadors for the United States." While in the 7th Fleet, the BOXARG will conduct exercises and port visits to enhance maritime partnerships and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The U.S. 7th Fleet AOR spans 48 million square miles, from the International Date Line to the Western Indian Ocean. The BOXARG will participate in various exercises and events highlighting the longstanding military partnership and enduring friendship between the United States and its allies. Boxer left its homeport of San Diego, Aug. 23 for a scheduled deployment to the 7th Fleet and U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Boxer's last deployment to 7th Fleet was in 2011. The BOXARG follows in the wake of countless ships, aircraft and Sailors that deployed to the region over the past 100 years, continuing the Navy's ongoing commitment to maintain security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from USS Boxer (LHD 4), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd4/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130906-18. Fortune Favors the Bold During 1813 Battle of Lake Erie By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (AW) Tim Comerford, Naval History and Heritage Command Communication and Outreach Division WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry was undermanned and pitted against what was once known as the greatest naval force on earth, in a naval battle where the British Empire expected victory. During no other naval battle during the War of 1812 were the Americans so unprepared for action. During no other battle were the navies so evenly matched, as Lake Erie. Perry had little time and even less manpower to build ships of war. The fate of the new nation of the United States depended on the battle's outcome. Perry's naval career began when he was 13 years old as a midshipman in his father's - a captain during the Quasi-War - ship; he had a taste for both maritime life and command. By 1812, the 26-year-old Perry, now a lieutenant, had served in two wars, though he had no actual experience of fighting an enemy under fire. Though an officer of promise, his record was blemished by the sinking and loss of his first command, the schooner Revenge. Though exonerated at a court of inquiry, this incident resulted in Perry taking a leave of absence and likely influenced the Navy Department's decision to ignore his requests for a blue-water command at the start of the war. There were many reasons that the U.S. and Britain were at war in 1812, but Naval History and Heritage Command historian Charles Brodine points out two reasons close to the Sailors' hearts. "The maritime issues were the Royal Navy's forcible seizure of American Sailors from U. S. merchant vessels to serve in British warships, known as impressment and their interference with our neutral trade," Brodine, a part of NHHC's Histories and Archive Branch said. "Estimates of Sailors impressed by the British prior to the American declaration of war range from 6,000-10,000. On 1 June of 1812, in a message to Congress, President Madison cited these two issues-impressment and the violation of American neutral rights on the high seas-as evidence that Great Britain was already engaging in de-facto warfare against the United States. Seventeen days later, a divided Congress passed and the president signed a formal declaration of war." According to Brodine, the central strategic objective of the Madison administration was to invade and occupy Canada, which former President Thomas Jefferson boasted could be accomplished by the "mere matter of marching" U.S. troops across the Canadian border. "What the Madison Administration learned fairly quickly was that you can't invade Canada - you can't support land operations - unless you control the Northern lakes separating the U.S.-Canadian border," Brodine explained. "Because of the nature of the terrain and the extreme distances over which the rival armies had to contend, naval support was essential to support the logistics of land-based operations. "Hence there was an effort to build ships on the Ontario and Erie." In late September of 1812, Daniel Dobbins, a salt merchant and a ship's captain from Pennsylvania, who had been captured by the British twice since the beginning of the declared war, came to Washington to speak with the Secretary of the Navy and the President. "When he went to Washington, he was actually bringing intelligence. They warranted him a Sailing Master and provided him money to go back to Erie, Pennsylvania and begin work on gunboats that would form an important part of Perry's squadron on the southeast shore of Lake Erie," Brodine said. Dobbins received permission from President James Madison and $2,000 from Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton to build four gunboats to help defend the U.S. settlements bordering Lake Erie. "To command the planned naval forces on Lakes Ontario and Erie, Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton selected Captain Isaac Chauncey, the commandant of the New York Navy Yard and an officer with combat experience, and more importantly, experience in directing ship building," Brodine explained."Chauncey was given the choice of making his headquarters on Erie or Ontario. He chose to hoist his flag at Sackets Harbor on that latter lake, although he retained administrative and operational direction over U.S. naval forces on both lakes." Sackets Harbor, on the shores of Lake Ontario, would remain a hotbed of activity between the British and the U.S. for the rest of the war. Anxious to join the fight against Great Britain in an active capacity, Perry solicited and received departmental permission to serve under Isaac Chauncey on the Northern Lakes. Commodore Chauncey eagerly welcomed the energetic Perry to his undermanned corps of officers. In February 1813, Perry, now promoted to master commandant (today's equivalent of commander), received Chauncey's orders to go to Erie and oversee the construction of the naval force being built there.was given orders to move to the 17-year-old settlement of Erie. The hamlet consisted of approximately 500 people in different occupations mostly revolving around the booming salt trade, 49 clapboard (like a log cabin) houses, one tannery and one blacksmith. Erie's ship construction was to be assisted by the booming city of Pittsburgh with its populace 6,000, 130 miles to the south. Dobbins, who had started building two shipyards in the bay, encountered many problems. He had a lack of trained craftsmen, little accommodation for workers and a lack of materials, especially iron for nails and the making of adzes, axes, and chippers. Every detail of the Erie ships had to be made by hand. There was not a gallon of paint, or oil, or a single pound of iron or copper within a hundred miles. All guns, sails, rope, cannon, cannon balls, and powder could only be moved to Erie primitive roadways. On March 26, 1813, Perry and a skeleton crew of trained men arrived in Put-in-Bay and he swiftly recognized the magnitude of his task. Five months earlier, Dobbins had started the construction of four gunboats, but, with the lack of supplies and manpower, little was accomplished. The town was defenseless against a British force and the Canadian side of Lake Erie was filled with British sympathizers. Perry used his official powers to summon able Sailors from the Black Rock Naval Station in New York. He also went to Pittsburgh to make contracts for the needed supplies to outfit ships. He then gave an order for 65 cannons sent from Washington D.C. and Sackets Harbor. Finally, with the help of Gen. William Harrison, commander of the Army of the Northwest, he fortified the settlement and gained soldiers to defend his shipyards from the British. It seems that Perry had brought luck with him. "There are a number of examples where he enjoyed good luck," Brodine said. By April 1813, Perry's "Fleet in the Wilderness" had begun to take shape with two gun boats, Porcupine and Tigress.. In May, 150 carpenters and ship builders arrived in Erie, joined by sail-makers and riggers and block-makers from Philadelphia. Three months later two brigs, Niagara and Lawrence, weighing 480 tons each as well as two more 80-110 ton ships, Ariel and Scorpion had been launched. Lawrence, taken as Perry's command ship, was named after his friend James Lawrence who was killed on the USS Chesapeake a few months before. In nine short months Perry's fleet went from being trees standing in the Pennsylvania wilderness to Navy ships ready for war. Perry himself evaded death, as more than a 100 men there had died fro -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130907-01. Bonhomme Richard Chiefs, Officers Offer Fast Paced Mentoring By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Matthew M. Bradley TIMOR SEA (NNS) -- Chief petty officers and officers from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) provided career and personal guidance to first class petty officers during a "CPO 365" Speed Mentoring event, Sept. 5, 2013. Modeled after speed dating, first classes met up one-on-one with BHR chiefs and officers for quick two-minute chats where they discussed who they were and what they were looking for in their career and personal lives. "Sailors had the opportunity to sit down across from someone they may have never had the chance to talk to," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Nicholas Fessler, a BHR mentorship coordinator. "It's easy to find ourselves confined to our workspaces unable to receive and provide mentorship. This event allowed for us all to come together, in one location, to discuss effective means for personal and professional growth." By bringing the chief's mess, wardroom, and first class petty officers together all in one place, Bonhomme Richard was able to greatly strengthen professional ties around the ship, said Bonhomme Richard's Command Master Chief Scott McCreery. "It was a huge success, I think everyone got a lot out of it," said McCreery. "One of the primary goals of 'CPO 365' is mentorship, and I believe we were able to not only provide a unique opportunity for first classes to interact with chiefs and officers whom they may not see very often, but also, hopefully, be able to strike up more long term mentorship relationships." Sailors were able to seek advice from role models who have achieved some of the same goals they may have set for themselves. "One of our jobs as leaders is to train our replacements," said Capt. Daniel Dusek, Bonhomme Richard's commanding officer. "Whatever goals our first class petty officers have for their career, be it wearing anchors, or joining the officer ranks, someone has been where they are now, and can provide valuable advice on achieving those goals." McCreery said he would like to see more speed mentoring events in the future. "While, it's not technically part of the 'CPO 365' program, I would like to see us involving our second class petty officers in an event similar to this," said McCreery. For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk, visit www.navy.mil/local/pacennorfolk/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130906-02. Commander, CSG 11 Visits USS William P. Lawrence By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Carla Ocampo, USS William P. Lawrence Public Affairs RED SEA (NNS) -- The commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 visited guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), Sept. 4. Rear Adm. Michael S. White met with officers and chiefs, and toured some of the ship's spaces. While touring the ship, White also met with Sailors in their workspaces and presented Sailors with coins for their hard work. "It meant a lot to be recognized by the admiral, especially when we have an important task at hand," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (SW) Alyssa Dial. "It was a good experience to have a one on one conversation with him." Before departing the ship, White addressed all-hands over the ship's announcing system, thanking Sailors for their hard work during deployment. "I know it's difficult, but I ask that you work through it and we'll do it as a team," said White. "We'll watch what goes on back in the United States, we'll be given our orders and when the mission is complete we'll head back home. It is a delight to be aboard William P. Lawrence, your reputation is tremendous. I couldn't be more proud to have you in the Nimitz Strike Group and I look forward to seeing you on the horizon as we make our transit back." William P. Lawrence departed her homeport San Diego Jan. 14 for her maiden deployment and is currently in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. For more news from USS Nimitz (CVN 68), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn68/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130906-01. USS Tucson 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 on the submarine piers on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam as the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Tucson (SSN 770) departed Sept. 5, for a deployment to the Western Pacific region. Tucson's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Ted O'Harrah said the submarine and her crew are excited to get underway to have the opportunity to operate forward deployed in support of national objectives. "I am very proud of Tucson's crew for the hard work and dedication they have shown in preparing for an overseas deployment," said O'Harrah. O'Harrah said of the 133 Sailors who will be deploying, just over half of the Sailors will be on their first deployment. O'Harrah said Tucson's goal is to safely and effectively conduct coordinated operations to help establish conditions for regional stability. Throughout the deployment, the crew will train to improve skills, knowledge and experience. O'Harrah added that he is grateful to the crew's family and friends because without their support and sacrifice, Tucson could not be successful. Tucson is the second ship of the United States Navy to bear the name of the Arizona city. It is the 59th Los Angeles-class attack submarine and the 20th of the improved Los Angeles-class attack submarine to be built. Twelve vertical launch missile tubes for Tomahawk cruise missiles provide Tucson with great offensive capability. Retractable bow planes give the ship increased maneuverability and under ice surfacing potential. For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/subpac/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130906-28. Military Lounge Dedicated at R.I. State Airport By Bob Krekorian, Naval Station Newport Public Affairs WARWICK, R.I. (NNS) -- A new military lounge for men and women of the armed forces who enter and leave Rhode Island from the Theodore Francis Green (TFG) Airport was dedicated in a ribbon cutting ceremony, Sep. 6. The Rhode Island Military Organization (RIMO) lounge will be a place where members of the military can meet family and friends upon return flights from deployment or who are preparing for departure to their duty station. The effort to establish a lounge within the TFG airport complex specifically for the military was started two years ago by RIMO, a non-profit 501(c)3 volunteer organization. The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC), in partnership with RIMO, agreed to donate the space for the lounge. "We can't thank our military, veterans, and their families enough," said Kelly Fredericks, RIAC president and CEO. "I can see in Rhode Island that we really love our military," he said. "Conceived a few years ago, this lounge is now a reality," he said. According to Fredericks, the airport is one of the highest and busiest military traveler destinations in the United States. The RIMO lounge is located on the second floor of the airport, in the hallway behind the Delta ticket counters, next to the Hope Reflection Room. The lounge will be supported by a staff of volunteers from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The lounge will also provide transportation and lodging information for military members who may be stranded or in need of assistance with travel plans. The lounge will provide snacks, drinks, internet, and television, as well as information about Rhode Island military and veterans' programs. "This is an historic event," said Chief Master Sgt. Lori Ashness, Rhode Island Air National Guard, who is a RIMO founding member and vice president. "This is one of the few military lounges at an airport in the United States that is managed by an organization other than the USO," said Ashness. The project to establish a military lounge at the airport turned out to be a collaboration between RIMO volunteers, RIAC, many businesses, and individuals who made generous donations of manpower, equipment, furnishings, and services to prepare the lounge. The project was also supported with government grants and donations from veterans' organizations and the Girl Scouts. A shadow box will be donated by the National Guard Association of Rhode Island for lounge visitors who want to leave a command coin souvenir. An local art therapist, who works with service members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, will donate art work to decorate the walls. "All of this was one in the name of providing comfort for our military and their families," said Ashness. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130906-14. Norfolk Ship Support Activity Holds Change of Command By Deborah Burkett, Norfolk Ship Support Activity Public Affairs NORFOLK (NNS) -- Norfolk Ship Support Activity (NSSA) Regional Maintenance Center (RMC) held a change of command ceremony Sept. 6 in Norfolk. Capt. William J. "Bill" Galinis turned over command to Capt. Steven L. Stancy. The command is responsible for providing surface ship maintenance, management and oversight of private sector maintenance and fleet technical assistance to ships in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, ships aligned to its detachments in Bahrain and Naples, Italy. They are also responsible for the floating dry dock DYNAMIC (AFDL-6). "Capt. Galinis' sound leadership, coupled with an intense focus on execution and process improvement, enabled the command to provide unmatched support to the Fleet," said Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center (CNRMC) Rear Adm. David J. Gale, keynote speaker at the event. "He also drove the full implementation of our community's most prominent surface maintenance initiatives to improve surface maintenance support," said Gale. "His efforts improved the organizational structure, business processes, and standard operating procedures of NSSA." Under Galinis' direction in 2012, NSSA continued to rebuild and grow, especially in the core mission areas including Fleet Technical Assistance, Depot-level Contractor Administration and Quality Assurance, and Intermediate-level support to the Fleet. Last year, NSSA supported maintenance availabilities consisting of 16 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) availabilities, 148 continuous maintenance availabilities (CMAVs), and 141 emergent maintenance (EM). They also executed more than 11,000 technical assist visits in support of Fleet Operations in 2nd (Atlantic), 6th and 5th Fleet operating areas, as well as several successful Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) inspections. "I look forward to leading the Norfolk Ship Support Activity and working with our numerous ship maintenance partners, providing superior material condition to the ships, submarines, and aircraft carriers and their operational commanders," said Stancy. Stancy is a 1987 graduate of Northwestern University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering, and also holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He served aboard USS Julius A. Furer (FFG 6), USS William H. Standley (CG 32), and USS Aries (PHM 5). His shore duties include serving as an Engineering Duty Officer at the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility in Yokosuka, Japan, a Navy Diving and Salvage officer at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Fla., as the engineering officer at Supervisors of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair Portsmouth, Va., and in 2004, he became the Amphibious and Auxiliary Ship Class Team Leader when the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) was formed. In July 2005, he was assigned as the military deputy project superintendent for USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY). In January 2007, Stancy deployed to Baghdad, Iraq as an Individual Augmentee (IA) supporting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' reconstruction effort. After his IA tour, he returned to NNSY as the production resources officer. Stancy then returned to Yokosuka, Japan as the 26th commanding officer of the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center, where he was responsible for the maintenance, modernization and repair of the U.S. 7th Fleet's forward deployed naval forces in Yokosuka and Sasebo, Japan, and as the assistant chief of staff for Maintenance and Engineering for Commander, Naval Surface Force, Atlantic. Stancy then reported as the assistant chief of staff for Maintenance and Engineering for Commander, Naval Surface Force, Atlantic. "Although most Americans may not know it, they can sleep peacefully at night, in part, because of the talent and unwavering devotion to duty of the NSSA workforce as it operates around the clock, and around the world, said Stancy. For more information about Norfolk Ship Support Activity, visit https://nssa.nmci.navy.mil or www.navy.mil/local/nssa/. NNS130908-06. Current All Hands Update From Defense Media Activity-Navy WASHINGTON (NNS) -- All Hands Update features one one-minute newscast. First one-minute newscast - - Headlines for Friday, September 6, 2013: DoD Provides Suicide Prevention Programs to Service Members. http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18810 http://youtu.be/NsVgOzbkGDA 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- NNS020708-16. This Day in Naval History - Sept. 08 From the Navy News Service 1923 - In disaster at Point Honda, Calif., seven destroyers run aground through faulty navigation. 1939 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaims a limited national emergency and increases enlisted strength in the Navy and Marine Corps; also authorizes the recall to active duty of officers, men and nurses on the retired lists of the Navy and Marine Corps. 1954 - U.S. signs Manila Treaty forming SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization). 1958 - Lt. R. H. Tabor, wearing a Navy-developed pressure suit, completes a 72-hour simulated flight at altitudes as high a 139,000 feet. It was another step in the development of the Navy spacesuit, which NASA accepted in 1959 for use by Mercury astronauts. For more information on 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).