[NAVY]- Navy News Service -- 1 Oct. 1997

[VNIS]

-USN-
Table of contents for 41/97
Top News and Policy
NNS4101. CNO sends Navy Birthday Message
NNS4102. USS George Washington CVBG, USS Guam ARG ready to
deploy
NNS4103. VALIANT BLITZ is a success for two carriers
NNS4104. CNO completes week-long visit to Med Sailors
NNS4105. DOD earns EPA environmental award
Personnel Notes
NNS4106. BUPERS future home to get facelift
NNS4107. BUPERS Lists Important Dates for Navy Personnel
Around the Fleet
NNS4108. Navy's final Antarctic season gets rolling
NNS4109. Navy dedicates diving display
NNS4110. Reserve dental program begins Oct. 1
NNS4111. Naval Reserve squadron wins aviation competition
NNS4112. DOD starts Military Assistance Program web site
NNS4113. Status of the Navy
-USN-
Top News and Policy
NNS4101. Navy Birthday Message from CNO
WASHINGTON (NNS) - "As we celebrate our Navy's 222nd
birthday on 13 October, we should take a moment to reflect
upon the tremendous accomplishments of this exceptionally
busy and successful year in our Navy's history. In
operations from Albania to Zaire, from the Caribbean Sea to
the Arabian Gulf, and aboard ships life USS Constitution and
USS Seawolf, the United States Navy continues to excel,
providing forward presence and crisis response in support of
our nation's vital interests.
"I spent much of my first year as CNO traveling the
world and talking with Sailors. Wherever I visited, I
observed the same thing -- motivated, dedicated men and
women who continually challenge each other to improve
personally and professionally, making our Navy even better.
I spoke with Sailors who are exploring exciting new
technologies and embracing tactical and operational
innovation, constantly honing warfighting skills. I watched
Sailors help those in need under extraordinary
circumstances, in places like Guam following an airliner
crash, and in Albania and Sierra Leone when evacuating non-
combatants from chaos. Around the globe, every day of the
year, our Navy is enhancing the security of our nation,
friends and allies.
"We have much to be proud of in the United States Navy.
Our future has never been brighter. We must always remember,
however, that today's success if built upon the sacrifice
and hard work of those who served before us, creating a
legacy of over two hundred years of excellence. As our Navy
celebrates another birthday, let us emulate our predecessors
by strengthening the Core Values of honor, courage and
commitment. Given such values, our course into the future
will remain straight and true.
Happy 222nd birthday, United States Navy. Full speed
ahead!"
Editor's Note: Chief of Naval Operations ADM Jay L.
Johnson recently videotaped a message recognizing the Navy's
upcoming 222nd birthday. The CNO's message has been added to
the end of Navy/Marine Corps News show #740, which will be
distributed 3 Oct. Commands are encouraged to show this
message at Navy Birthday balls and other command-sponsored
functions.
-USN-
NNS4103. USS George Washington CVBG, USS Guam ARG ready to
deploy
NORFOLK (NWSA) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73)
Carrier Battle Group (CVBG) and USS Guam (LPH 9) Amphibious
Ready Group (ARG) will begin a six-month overseas deployment
Oct. 3.
Deploying with the aircraft carrier will be nine
tactical aircraft squadrons, a group of six cruisers,
destroyers and frigates, a fast combat support ship and two
submarines. Traveling with Guam will be dock landing ships
USS Oak Hill and USS Ashland, amphibious transport dock USS
Shreveport and more than 2,000 Marines from the 24th Marine
Expeditionary Unit.
The George Washington CVBG and Guam ARG will replace
the John F. Kennedy CVBG and Kearsarge ARG who have been
forward-deployed during the past five months to regions
including the Mediterranean Sea, the Adriatic Sea near
Bosnia, the Arabian Gulf and off the western coast of
Africa.
Kearsarge departed its Norfolk home port early for
deployment in response to tensions in Zaire. In order to
keep Kearsarge's deployment to six months, the ship will
leave the Mediterranean early and conduct a turnover with
Guam in the central Atlantic.
"The George Washington Battle Group is deploying to the
Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf with the most capable
ships, aircraft and Sailors," said RADM Michael G. Mullen,
the battle group commander. "The battle group is a blend of
ships on their final deployment and the Navy's newest
technological marvel, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS
Carney, making its maiden deployment."
USS Guam, USS South Carolina (CGN 37) and USS John
Rodgers (DD 983) are making their final deployment.
The mobility and flexibility of the carrier battle
group and amphibious ready group make them the force of
choice for a wide range of regional contingencies. In recent
months, ships, aircraft, Sailors and Marines from East Coast
stations have participated in humanitarian and evacuation
operations in Albania and Africa, logistical support
operations in Bosnia, and forward presence/deterrent
operations in the Arabian Gulf.
-USN-
NS4103. VALIANT BLITZ is a success for two carriers
YOKOSUKA, Japan (NWSA) -- After two days of bilateral-
carrier air operations in the Philippine Sea, exercise
VALIANT BLITZ concluded recently.
The participation of aircraft carriers USS
Independence(CV 62) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) provided an
invaluable opportunity to demonstrate power projection in a
unique environment.
"During a contingency in the Asia-Pacific region,
multiple aircraft carriers would be critical to a successful
resolution of the crisis," said LCDR Terry Sutherland, USS
Independence's public affairs officer. "VALIANT BLITZ
allowed the two carriers to operate and train together as
they would in a real-world scenario."
Conducting exercises like VALIANT BLITZ can be
difficult due to the deployment schedules and operational
commitments of carriers around the world.
However, according to CDR Juno Jamison, Combat
Directions Center officer, "Training between two carriers is
extremely valuable because it allows us to work together as
a team. VALIANT BLITZ has taught us how to coordinate our
strike plans more effectively if the need for force arises."
The exercise concluded with both carriers and their
airwings working together to break the simulated opposition
of several Air Force and Marine Corps aircraft while making
an air-to-surface strike approximately 200 miles from
Kadena, Okinawa.
With the conclusion of VALIANT BLITZ, Nimitz will
continue its 'around-the-world' cruise and Independence will
continue flight operations in the western Pacific.
Independence's airwing returns to NAF Atsugi Sept. 27 and
the ship is scheduled to return to her home port of
Yokosuka, Japan, Sept. 29.
-USN-
NNS4104. CNO completes week-long visit to Med Sailors
by JO2 Chris Alves, CNO Public Affairs
WASHINGTON D.C. (NWSA) -- Chief of Naval Operations
Admiral Jay L. Johnson, recently completed a visit to
forward-deployed Sailors on ships and shore stations in the
Mediterranean.
During his week-long visit the CNO addressed more than
5,000 Sailors and Marines stationed onboard the forward-
deployed ships USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Carter Hall (LSD
50), USS Simon Lake (AS 33), and USS LaSalle (AGF 3), and at
shore stations in Souda Bay, Crete; Sigonella, Sicily; Rota,
Spain; and Naples and Gaeta, Italy.
"I believe that the Navy's future in the Med is a
bright one," ADM Johnson said. "That's why I spent a week
visiting as many sites as I could."
The CNO said he traveled to the Med to provide
information, receive feedback and observe Sailors and
Marines in action, but his first priority was to give these
forward-deployed men and women a positive message.
"I want to thank each and every Sailor and Marine for
what you do every day in the Med," he said at each stop.
"I'm very grateful for what you do for the Sixth Fleet, the
theater and our allies."
Regarding feedback from Sailors, the CNO said, "I hear
about issues that concern all of us like advancement, the
future of the Navy, where we're going programatically with
the new systems, and what the manpower quality of life
impacts will be as we reshape ourselves.
His visit gave Sixth Fleet Sailors the opportunity to
hear from the Navy's top uniformed leader, and it gave the
CNO an opportunity to hear Sailor's issues, concerns and
ideas. "This gives me, the Master Chief Petty Officer of the
Navy and all of us on the Navy Leadership team fresh input
from the fleet that's invaluable. It's also a great chance
for me to re-calibrate myself on the realities that exist
over here," he said.
"As an observer, I've been very much taken with the
appearance, pride and the professionalism that shows itself
on the great platforms here, and all the bases I've
visited."
ADM Johnson also had the chance to see construction at
Souda Bay, upgrades at NSA Gaeta, Italy, and the housing and
schools at the Navy support site north of Naples. "What's
happening in Naples is the model for the future," he said.
-USN-
NNS4105. DOD earns EPA environmental award
by JO2 Jeremy Allen
WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- Several Department of Defense
agencies were honored by the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Sept. 26 for their accomplishments in protecting the
earth's ozone layer.
Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, who accepted the
awards on behalf of the department, praised the efforts of
the military and civilian men and women who contributed to
the success.
"When I think about DOD's environmental efforts, I
think about Teddy Roosevelt . . . as the original
environmental president, he also knew we could not run
roughshod over the land," said Secretary Cohen. "The spirit
of Teddy Roosevelt is present today in the 25 million acres
of land that are under U.S. military stewardship."
The Navy was recognized for it's contributions to DOD
earning the EPA's "Best-of-the-Best Stratospheric Ozone
Protection Award."
The individual Navy contributor to this award was Mr.
Joel Krinsky, Director, Environmental Engineering, Naval Sea
Systems Command, who established and manages the Navy's $800
million program to eliminate Ozone Depleting Chemicals (ODC)
from shipboard air conditioning and fire fighting protection
systems.
Two Navy commands making significant contributions were
Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and Naval Surface Warfare
Center - Carderock Division (NSWC-Carderock). NRL served as
the premier Navy center for identifying, testing,
demonstrating and validating ODC replacements critical to
Navy safety and survivability. NSWC-Carderock used new
technology to eliminate 90,000 pounds of ODC from the air-
conditioning and refrigeration systems aboard 100 Navy ships
worldwide.
With the help of all the Armed Forces, the DOD reduced
its average facility use of energy by 15 percent from 1985
to 1996, more than any other large federal agency in the
world.
Secretary Cohen summed up the responsibility the
military has as environmental leaders in reducing greenhouse
emissions tied to global climate change.
"Even as the Armed Forces protect national security,"
he said, "they are also helping to protect global security
in the larger sense - the health of the planet we pass on to
our children."
-USN-
Personnel Notes
NNS4106. BUPERS future home to get facelift
by JO2 Jeremy Allen
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Sailors visiting their detailers
after June 1998 will find themselves walking into the Bureau
of Naval Personnel's new "business type" complex facilities
at Naval Support Activity, Memphis, Tenn.
The work to be performed provides for site demolition,
utility relocation, road closures and realignment,
construction of two entry features for buildings, new
walkways, curbs and lighting. Work is scheduled for
completion by June 1998.
-USN-
NNS4107. BUPERS Lists Important Dates for Navy Personnel
Oct 1 Fiscal Year 1998 begins
Applications for MECP board due to Pers-251
Oct 2 Cryptology O-5 Command board convenes
Oct 6 Active O-8 Line/Staff board convenes
Reserve O-8 Line/Staff board convenes
Oct 7 Reserve O-3/O-4 Continuation board convenes
Reserve O-5/O-6 Continuation board convenes
Oct 13 U.S. Navy's 222nd Birthday
Columbus Day (observed holiday)
Oct 14 Transfer/Redesignation board convenes
Aviation Dept. Head Screening board convenes
Oct 20 Supply Corps Commander Sea board convenes
Regular O-4 Line/Staff Continuation board convenes
Oct 21 NAVAIR Major Acquisition Command slate (O-6) board
convenes
Joint Specialty Officer board convenes
Oct 24 NAVSEA Slating Panel convenes
Oct 26 Daylight Savings Time ends (set clocks back one
hour)
Oct 27 Surface Major Command board convenes
Canvasser/Recruiter - IRAD board convenes
Metoc O-5/6 board convenes
Oct 28 NavAir Acquisition Command Slate (O-5) board
convenes
Oct 30 Biannual Supply Corps Internship Screening board
convenes
Oct 31 O-4 (active) and O-3 (TAR/Inac.) Fitreps due
Mid-term counseling due for E-9, and E-3/2/1
-USN-
Around the Fleet
NNS4108. Navy's final Antarctic season gets rolling
courtesy U.S. Naval Support Unit Public Affairs
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (NWSA) -- The 42nd and final
operating season of the U.S. Navy's Operation Deep Freeze
began Sept. 30 with the first U.S. Air Force flight to
Antarctica carrying cargo and passengers.
In March 1998, the U.S. Navy will disestablish Naval
Support Force Antarctica in California and U.S. Naval
Antarctic Support Unit in Christchurch, and hand over its
function in the U.S. Antarctic Program to the New York State
Air National Guard's 109th Mobility Air Wing and civilian
contractors.
The U.S. Antarctic Program will be supporting more than
120 science projects, involving more than 600 scientists and
technicians. Projects include continuing study of ozone
layer depletion, fossil microorganisms, Antarctic Dry Valley
lakes, marine ecosystem research, searches for meteorites,
surveys of hydrothermal vents, auroral imaging,
seismography, Gamma-Ray astronomy, meteorology, biological
adaptations of Antarctic marine organisms and a social study
of the effects of wintering-over on Antarctic personnel.
The Antarctic Artists and Writers Program will send
landscape photographers and painters to the ice to record
images of the drama of the Polar terrain.
One of the major projects on this year's science plan
is a six-nation geological drilling project at Cape Roberts.
The project will get samples of 30- to 100-million-year old
sedimentary rocks from a sea ice platform in the spring.
>From these studies, scientists will gain clues to the early
evolution of the Earth.
One of the biggest changes this year will be the
greater presence of the Air Guard, as they take over LC-130
flight missions from the Navy.
There will be a formal disestablishment ceremony Feb.
20, 1998. The unit will officially disestablish March 31.
The Navy also plans to unveil a memorial plaque
honoring the 50 American scientists, civilians and military
personnel who have perished in Antarctica since 1955.
-USN-
NNS4109. Navy dedicates diving display
by NAVSEA Public Affairs
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (NWSA) -- The Mark V diving suit and
helmet, known as "Jake" to generations of Navy divers,
became a permanent part of the U.S. Navy Memorial in
Washington, D.C., Sept. 25.
The Mark V served as the Navy's primary diving
apparatus for nearly 70 years. Introduced by Navy Gunner
G.D. Stillson in 1912, the idea for "Jake" was modeled after
the British Royal Navy tests of 1906-1907 aimed at making
diving in great depths practical and safe.
"Jake" was born in 1915 as a compilation of several
designs: the U.S. Morse and Schrader helmets, the British
Seibe Gorman and the German Draeger Werk helmets. Originally
designed principally for use in submarine rescue, the 190-
pound "Jake" served as "the diving suit" of the U.S. Navy
until 1983 when it was replaced by the Mark 21. The new
design incorporates the Demand System, conserving air over
the previous continuous flow Surface Supply Dive System.
Navy divers have served in a variety of ways including
locating and neutralizing confederate mines in front of Rear
Admiral Farragut's ships; rescuing 33 crew members from the
sunken submarine USS Squalus (SS 192) in 1939; conducting a
massive World War II harbor clearance in Pearl Harbor and
other operations in North Africa and Europe; harbor
clearance during the Korean Conflict; riverine salvage in
Vietnam; and recovery of the Space Shuttle Challenger
wreckage.
Navy divers recently recovered the remains of victims
from TWA Flight 800, along with more than 95 percent of the
wreckage. Today's Navy divers lead the world in the fields
of ship and marine salvage, underwater ship repair,
underwater construction, explosive ordnance disposal, combat
diving and biomedical research.
-USN-
NNS4110. Reserve dental program begins Oct. 1
WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- In early September, enrollment
information and applications were mailed to more than
780,000 members of the Selected Reserve describing a new
benefit called the TRICARE Selected Reserve Dental Program
(TSRDP).
The enrollment package provides details about this new,
low-cost, voluntary dental program which will be available
Oct. 1 to Selected Reserve personnel of all branches of the
military services who live in the 50 United States, the
District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands.
Humana Military Healthcare Services Inc. (HMHS),
contractor for the program, conducted the mailing. The TSRDP
enrollment package explains the program and includes an
application form, a benefits brochure, a postage- paid reply
envelope and a toll-free telephone number which Reserve and
National Guard personnel can call if they have questions.
Eligible personnel will be able to enroll at any time.
Reservists who want to enroll in the plan must have at
least 12 months of service remaining, and must initially
enroll for 12 months. After the initial 12-month period,
Reservists may enroll on a month-to-month basis as long as
they remain eligible and pay their premiums.
"Readiness has always been priority one. This is an
affordable benefit that will significantly increase the
dental health readiness of our Selected Reservists," said
Deborah R. Lee, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve
Affairs. "I would highly encourage all eligible personnel to
take advantage of it."
The Department of Defense will pay 60 percent of the
monthly premium. Enrollees will only pay $4.36 per month.
In return for this premium, Reserve and National Guard
enrollees will receive covered diagnostic, preventive and
emergency services, with no additional out-of-pocket costs.
For covered restorative services, E-4s and below will pay a
10 percent cost share and E-5s and above will pay a 20
percent cost-share. For covered oral surgery, E-4s and below
will pay a 30 percent cost-share and E-5s and above will pay
a 40 percent cost-share. There is no deductible for the
TSRDP, but the maximum benefit available is $1,000 per
enrollment year for covered services.
Active Guard/Reserve (AGR), and Selected Reserve
members on extended active duty (beyond 30 days), active
duty members, retired members, members of the Standby
Reserve, Retired Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve and
family members are not eligible for this plan. The plan is
not available to Reservists living in Europe, Asia or areas
outside the 50 United States, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The toll-free number at HMHS to call about the TRICARE
Selected Reserve Dental Insurance Program is 1-800-211-3614.
-USN-
NNS4111. Naval Reserve squadron wins aviation competition
by LT John Perry, VP-66
WILLOW GROVE, PA. (NWSA) -- Combat Aircrew One (CAC- 1)
of Naval Reserve Patrol Squadron 66 (VP-66), based at Naval
Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) Willow Grove, Pa.,
won first place in the 1997 International Maritime Patrol
Aviation (MPA) Symposium held Sept. 12 in Jacksonville, Fla.
The squadron competed against MPA crews from France, Canada,
Spain, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, as well as against
five active duty U.S. Navy crews.
Commander Patrol Wing 11 hosted the third annual
antisubmarine warfare symposium. U.S. East and West Coast
Wings were represented by crews from NAS Brunswick, Maine;
NAS Jacksonville, Fla.; NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.; and NAS
Barbers Point, Hawaii, as well as the MPA Fleet Replacement
Squadron, Patrol Squadron 30.
Naval Reserve Squadron VP-62's maintenance department,
from NAS Brunswick shared in the victory by helping VP-66
prepare and maintain the aircraft for the competition.
-USN-
NNS4112. DOD starts Military Assistance Program web site
WASHINGTON (NWSA) -- The Department of Defense recently
announced a new DOD web site designed to assist military
members and their families in meeting the challenges of
military life.
Ultimately, the Military Assistance Program Site
(MAPsite) at dticaw.dtic.mil/mapsite/ will function as an on-
line, 24-hour family center, delivering information,
training and family support services designed to augment
installation family programs. The first phase of MAPsite
implementation focuses on relocation and financial
management. Each section features check-ups, tips, planners
and calculators to make moving and budgeting easier for
military personnel and their families.
MAPsite serves as the flagship for a growing suite of
interdependent DOD family support websites, including the
Standard Installation Topic Exchange Service and Defense
Outplacement Referral Service. The next component, a website
for and about military teens, is currently in beta-testing.
Child care and employment components are also under
development.
For additional information contact Jean Marie Ward,
Office of Family Policy, (703) 696-1702, ext. 126.
-USN-
NNS4113. Status of the Navy: Sept. 29, 1997
Personnel:
394,290 active duty
56,335 officer
333,955 enlisted
4,000 midshipmen
209,419 civilians
228,074 Ready Reserve Force:
95,914 SELRES/132,160 IRR
Aircraft: 4,698
Ships: 355
Underway: 158 ships (48%)
Deployed: 104 ships (33%)
56,205 personnel
Exercises: 4
SSNs at Sea: 31 (42%)
Carriers/Airwings at Sea:
USS Constellation (CVW-2): transit, east Pacific
USS John F. Kennedy (CVW-8): ops, Mediterranean
USS Nimitz (CVW-9): port visit, Hong Kong
USS Abraham Lincoln: ops, east Pacific
USS Enterprise: local ops, west Atlantic
USS Carl Vinson: ops east Pacific
LHAs/LHDs/LPHs/MCS at Sea:
USS Kearsarge/22nd MEU: port visit, Rota
USS Peleliu/13th MEU: ops, west Pacific
Ships assigned to the Middle East Force:
USS O'Bannon, USS Elrod, USS Rentz, USS Stethem, USS
David R. Ray, USS Ardent, USS Dextrous
Ships assigned to the South Atlantic Force:
USS Comte De Grasse, USS DeWert, USS Whidbey Island,
USS Zephyr, USS Squall, USS Sand Lance, USCGC Harriet Lane
Other Exercises/Operations:
UNITAS 38-97, east Pacific
SCICEX-97, north Atlantic
DYNAMIC MIX 97, Mediterranean
COUNTER DRUG OPS, Caribbean/east Pacific
Information source: OPNAV Staff
-USN-

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