[navy] Digest (04/10/2002 18:01) (#2002-15)
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(#2002-15) - Topics This Issue:
1) Today's NavNews (April 11, 2002)
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Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 15:43:02 -0700
Subject: Today's NavNews (April 11, 2002)
NAVAL MEDIA CENTER NavNews by e-mail:
NavNews (NNS) is the official newsletter of the U.S. Navy,
containing stories recently posted to the Navy NewsStand Web
site at http://www.news.navy.mil. It is a product of the Naval
Media Center, 2713 Mitscher Rd. SW, Anacostia Annex, D.C.,
20373-5819. Reprints should be credited to the Navy News
Service (NNS).
You are encouraged to submit stories via the Navy NewsStand
"submit story" page at http://www.news.navy.mil/submit, or you
may still send stories via mailto:pu...@mediacen.navy.mil.
For further information about NavNews by e-mail or the Navy
NewsStand, contact the NavNews editor, Mr. Jerome Mapp --
mailto:ma...@mediacen.navy.mil, DSN 288-4195, (202) 433-4195;
or the deputy chief of publishing, Lt. Brook DeWalt --
mailto:dew...@mediacen.navy.mil, DSN 288-4380, (202)
433-4380.
For all other Navy information-related questions, call the Navy
News Desk at (703) 697-5342.
For the latest in Navy News, visit the Navy NewsStand at
http://www.news.navy.mil.
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NNS020410-08. Navy Adjusts SRB Award Levels
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1284
NNS020410-07. USS Cole Returning to the Fleet
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1287
NNS020409-13. Navy's Top Enlisted Man Says Farewell in Naples
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1229
NNS020410-03. Fort McHenry Completes First Open-Ocean Rolling Airframe Missile Shoot
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1263
NNS020410-01. Retired Navy Captain Awarded Navy Cross
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1260
NNS020409-15. Shucks: A Pearl of Wisdom for Midshipmen
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1267
NNS020409-14. Naval Researchers Honored for Safer Coatings
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1265
NNS020409-12. Flag Officer Assignments -- Brannman, Burkhard, Cellon, Harnitchek, Roesner
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1266
NNS020409-16. NSA Naples Representatives Visit Italian Parliament
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1230
NNS020409-11. NAVEODTECHDIV Supports U.S., Coalition EOD Forces in War on Terrorism
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1224
NNS020410-06. Daily News Update for April 10, 2002
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1283
NNS011216-11. This Day in Naval History - April 11
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=423
Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=1241
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NNS020410-08. Navy Adjusts SRB Award Levels
By Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Experiencing extremely high retention
rates, the Navy is adjusting some Selective Reenlistment Bonus
(SRB) award levels this fiscal year to stay within budget. The
adjustment means two things for Sailors: on one hand, the Navy is
retaining more highly skilled Sailors than ever before; and on the
other hand, the size of some individual SRBs will be smaller in the
future.
SRBs are a retention tool provided by Congress as one of many
incentives for Sailors to "Stay Navy." With continuing high-take
rates of SRB by Sailors this year, the Navy projected budgeted
funds would run out well before year's end, requiring a reduction
of most SRB award levels to meet year-long needs of the SRB
program.
First-term reenlistments are at more than 64 percent, which widely
outpaces the Navy's goal of 57 percent. Mid-career Sailors have
reenlisted this year at better than 75 percent, eclipsing the Navy's
goal of 70 percent.
"The Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations are
enormously proud of the work our Sailors are doing," said Chief of
Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Norb Ryan Jr. "We value their
service because we all have a vital role in our mission.
"So many factors are contributing to our reenlistment rates: a
strong sense of service, fleet leadership, renewed emphasis on
readiness and enhanced pay and compensation initiatives, to name
a few. We had to make this adjustment to maintain the vitality of
the program."
SRB award levels were adjusted to ensure undermanned ratings
and Navy Enlisted Classifications (NEC) continue to receive
appropriate SRBs.
"Once we saw the tremendous number of Sailors reenlisting for
SRB, individual community managers and detailers looked at their
unique manning and skill mix," said head enlisted community
manager (ECM) for the Chief of Naval Personnel, Cmdr. Chris
Arendt. "They were able to balance their community's needs and
budget requirements to ensure SRB adjustments are fair and
equitable across most ratings."
SRB award levels vary based on rating or NEC a Sailor has
earned, and the number of years of service a Sailor has upon
reenlistment. These factors combine to make eligibility zones.
Of the total of 589 eligibility zones, 216 -- or 36 percent -- were
not adjusted at all. There were 140 zones with award levels
adjusted by a level of 0.5, which affects 24 percent of the total
number of zones. Two hundred twenty-two zones, representing 37
percent of the total, had award levels adjusted by a level of 1.0.
Other adjustments affect only 2.5 percent of all zones. No zones
increased their award levels.
Other than adjusting award levels for skills that have improved in
manning level since the last SRB update, all other SRB
certification procedures remain the same.
Sailors in skills that will have SRB award levels adjusted or
eliminated and who have an SRB reenlistment approval in hand
for a reenlistment date after April 30, 2002, must resubmit an SRB
request for a reenlistment date prior to May 6, 2002. This will
ensure they remain eligible for the higher award level. Changes
for all award levels will take effect May 6.
For additional information contact your command career
counselor. Also see NAVADMIN 097/02, available online at
http://www.bupers.navy.mil/messages.html.
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NNS020410-07. USS Cole Returning to the Fleet
By Chief Journalist David Nagle, Naval Sea Systems Command
Public Affairs
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- USS Cole (DDG 67) is
scheduled to depart from Pascagoula, Miss., and return to the fleet
on April 19, after a successful 14-month repair effort following her
arrival aboard the Norwegian heavy transport ship Blue Marlin on
Dec. 13, 2000.
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Ingalls Operations, in
coordination with the Navy's Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Repair
and Conversion (SUPSHIP) Pascagoula, recently completed
repairs to the AEGIS destroyer, which included replacing more
than 550 tons of steel on the exterior plating and major upgrades
giving it more in common with the latest Arleigh Burke-class
destroyers.
Upon its departure from Pascagoula, Cole will return to its
homeport in Norfolk, Va.
Media representatives are invited to participate in an availability on
April 18, and cover the Cole's departure on April 19. Media
wishing to participate should call the Navy/Northrop Grumman
Ship Systems, Ingalls Operations Media Center in Pascagoula at
(228) 769-4375 beginning Thursday, April 11, and no later than 4
p.m. local time, Tuesday, April 16, 2002.
For more about Naval Sea Systems Command, go to
http://www.navsea.navy.mil. More on USS Cole can be found at
http://www.cole.navy.mil.
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NNS020409-13. Navy's Top Enlisted Man Says Farewell in
Naples
By Journalist 1st Class Joseph Kane, Naval Support Activity
Naples Public Affairs
NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- "How many of you think this is a
farewell tour?" asked Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
(MCPON) James Herdt as he stood in front of about 300 junior
Sailors on the piazza at Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy,
recently. As a tentative show of hands inched upward throughout
the crowd, the MCPON laughed and said, "I'm not a rock star!"
As the crowd drew in closer the MCPON continued; "but I am
here to talk to you about why this visit is so important to me. What
really touches me is the idea that you, the people that I see here in
front of me, have not only chosen to serve your country, but
you've agreed to come overseas and do it. That's truly amazing,"
he said.
"When you take a look at what's transpired here in Naples over
the last five to seven years, it is truly eye-watering. There is no
place that we do it better with regards to supporting you and your
quality of life than right here in Naples. It really is the poster child.
I came over here to say thank you for coming here and doing this
job, and I hope that you'll take that message home to your families
and thank them, because this is not easy," said Herdt.
Over the next 45 minutes, the MCPON fielded questions and
talked about some of the issues that are important to Sailors in
today's Navy. "I submit to you that there have been more things
that have changed to help Sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines,
both officers and enlisted, in the last four years than in the first 31
prior to that," he said.
Some of the issues the MCPON talked about included sea/shore
rotation increases, new retirement options, pay increases, the
Thrift Savings Plan, increase in advancement opportunities,
location re-enlistment bonuses, SGLI for family members,
TRICARE for life and the prescription drug benefit.
"In addition to all that," Herdt said, "we've got an explosion of
voluntary education going on right now, and it's going to
fundamentally change our Navy over the next five to 10 years.
That voluntary education explosion started at the E-5/E-6 level
about three years ago. It is now starting to roll into the chief's
mess. This is going to change things big time."
Herdt said Congress is helping out too by continuing to increase
the payout for the Montgomery GI Bill. There is now an effort
underway to authorize GI Bill benefits to be rolled over to family
members.
"And guess what we think is going to happen on Oct. 1 of this
year? -- 100 percent tuition assistance!" said Herdt. "Congress
has authorized us to do that but they didn't give us the extra
money yet, so all of the services are having to figure out how to
get that money out of our existing budget. We're really working
hard on it and we're hoping we'll be able to do that for all the
services."
According to Herdt, all of this is a huge signal that our country
finally gets it. "I sometimes find as I go around the country that
some people think that you join the Navy if you can't do anything
else in life. And I tell them that it's the exact opposite. These are
people who can go do anything else," Herdt said.
"When I go home tomorrow there'll be a new guy in my office.
His name is Master Chief Terry Scott. He is your next MCPON
and I'm going to hand the cutlass over to him. The CNO and I
went through the 5th Fleet in January, and everywhere I went
people asked me, 'Who's going to be the next MCPON?' I said,
'I don't know, but I'll promise you this; we're going to do a better
job this time selecting him than we did the last guy,'" joked Herdt.
"I almost feel disloyal that I'm so excited about moving on and
doing something else with my life," said Herdt. "I've been doing
this for 35 years. My wife and I are going to go down to
Pensacola, at least initially, and take some time off and enjoy life
for a little bit.
"But I do feel a little remorse," Herdt said. And it's not about
traveling; it's not about having the authority or the power to do
what I do, or even the opportunity to do what I do. It is about
saying goodbye to men and women like you. I've been standing in
your ranks now for 35 years and I know how special you are. It is
an incredible feeling to be among you. Our Navy owes you so
much. Our country owes you so much. I mean, here we are,
we're engaged in a struggle for our very lives, and make no
mistake, that's what this is all about. I don't think many people
back in the states really get this, I think it's almost
incomprehensible that there are people in the world that can hate
as completely as these people [the terrorists] do. They want us
dead. They want our way of life dead.
"You are what's going to make a difference," continued Herdt
looking out over the faces of Sailors and Marines. "We can't fail
-- The men and women that wear the uniform, the cloth of our
nation, that are committed to living a life of service. What an
honor it is to stand among you, doing that."
Herdt retires April 22 after 35 years of naval service.
For more information on the Master Chief Petty Officer of the
Navy, go to http://www.navy.mil and select "Navy Leadership."
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NNS020410-03. Fort McHenry Completes First Open-Ocean
Rolling Airframe Missile Shoot
By Journalist Seaman Robert N. Sealover, USS Fort McHenry
Public Affairs
ABOARD USS FORT MCHENRY, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Fort
McHenry (LSD 43), along with the USS Essex (LHD 2)
Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), participated in the first
open-ocean Rolling Airframe Missile Exercise (RAMEX) on April
3.
The closest designated test range to the forward deployed ships of
Sasebo, Japan, is off the coast of Hawaii. That range is where
RAMEXs have always been held until this week. In addition to
being the only practical time for the ARG to conduct the exercise,
the open-ocean exercise presented a more realistic atmosphere
for Fort McHenry's first use of the RAM.
"Up until this point, RAMEX has always been conducted in a
designated, controlled test range environment," said Fire
Controlman Chief Skipper Gatlin, Fort McHenry's weapons
division leading chief petty officer. "This launch added not only a
realistic value, but also lends credibility to the fact that the United
States has both the capability and the technology to accomplish
our goals in any environment."
Before the RAMEX, technicians and operations personnel
involved in the exercise flew to USS Essex, the only ARG ship
that had ever tested its RAM, for a conference and to work out
the details of the exercise.
"We all got together and discussed the sequence of events, who
would do what, technical aspects and safety issues," said Gatlin.
Since this RAMEX was to be conducted in the open ocean, safety
concerns were paramount in everyone's mind. The area, or range,
that would be used to conduct the missile launches had to be
constantly monitored for any commercial or fishing vessels that
might unknowingly put themselves in a hazardous position.
"In CIC (combat information center), we were busy ensuring the
range was safe and clear of any fishing contacts and other
vessels," said Lt. j.g. Gina-Moniqu Nicholls, CIC watch officer.
"We also monitored communications, kept watch over the
operational picture and coordinated everything between our bridge,
CIC and the rest of the ARG."
During the exercise, Essex coordinated the events, which started
when crew members on board USS Germantown (LSD 42) fired
off target drones from their flight deck. The drones were set to
make a 30-mile outbound run, and afterwards turn back to "attack"
the targeted ship.
"Germantown controlled the drones as they came in. Even though
we knew the basic pattern that they would run, they still had some
leeway to maneuver them," said Nicholls.
Fort McHenry was given three drones to intercept, all of which
were successful to some degree. Even though the last two drones
weren't intercepted, Nicholls felt confident that in a real-world
situation they would have splashed an incoming missile.
"The RAM is designed for close-in interception, the last two
drones didn't come in close enough for the intercept range we
used for the exercise," said Nicholls. "Safety concerns for falling
shrapnel kept us from engaging those drones."
"The credit really goes to all our guys who put a lot of hard work
and effort into our tactical operations. It was a job well done for
everyone -- definitely not a one-man show," said Gatlin.
The RAMEX proved the ability of the ARG to demonstrate its
ever-readiness in projecting U.S. military power whenever the
situation arises, a fact that makes this crew proud.
"To be honest, I feel privileged and proud to be involved in this,"
Gatlin said. "It goes along with our objective naval presence
anywhere in the world, and this supports that philosophy."
For more information about USS Fort McHenry, go to
http://www.surfpac.navy.mil/shipsnav/Mchenry/fmchome.htm.
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NNS020410-01. Retired Navy Captain Awarded Navy Cross
By Chief Journalist Michael Foutch, Submarine Warfare Division
Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Retired Navy Capt. Charles W. Rush
Jr., of Port St. Lucie, Fla., a 20-year veteran of the submarine
service, was awarded the Navy Cross 59 years after his heroic
efforts during a World War II combat patrol aboard USS Billfish
(SS 286), in a ceremony held April 5 at the U.S. Naval Academy's
Memorial Hall.
Under the banner emblazoned with John Paul Jones'
admonishment "Don't give up the ship," Rear Adm. Paul F.
Sullivan, director, Submarine Warfare Division, who represented
Secretary of the Navy Gordon England for the presentation, told
the heroic story of the stricken submarine.
Then-Navy Lt. Rush was chief engineer and diving officer aboard
Billfish in enemy-controlled waters of Makassar Strait Nov. 11,
1943, off the coast of Indonesia when the submarine was attacked
by a series of depth charges. As the assault burst stern tubes, hull
fittings and the after pressure hull, the attack also incapacitated all
officers senior to Lt. Rush; many of the crew gave up hope of
survival.
The young officer cooly assumed command of damage control
efforts and spent 12 exhausting hours under continual depth
charge assault by courageously directing actions that saved the
ship, including efforts that maintained the boat almost 170 feet
below test depth. He understood if the Billfish sank much further,
the ocean pressure would crush the ship. After another officer
relieved him from damage-control leadership, he rushed to the
conning tower only to discover no one available to direct evasive
action.
Realizing the enemy had been tracking the submarine from oil
leaking from explosions that ripped open the ship's fuel ballast
tanks, he directed the ship to retrace its path through the strait and
into its own oil slick, confusing efforts from the surface to track
his submarine. Four hours later, the submarine safely surfaced far
from the attacking enemy forces, where he charged the ship's
depleted batteries with a single operable generator to complete the
escape.
"I was not alone when this attack happened," the retired captain
remarked during the ceremony, "and I'm not alone today." He
smiled as he looked over the audience at several members of his
former crew aboard Billfish, as well as friends from his 1941
Naval Academy class who visited Annapolis for this event.
The story of then-Lt. Rush's even-headed leadership under the
difficult stress of enemy attack came to light when the officer
began steps to honor his friend, Navy Chief Electrician's Mate
John D. Rendernick, for his emergency repair efforts that terrible
day. As an independent investigation led to awarding a Silver Star
to the chief before he passed away in December, facts eventually
were revealed that led to the Navy Cross for Capt. Rush.
Over the years, Capt. Rush never lost the pride he had as a
member of the silent service.
"Submarines did the job when no one else could do it. I think it's
important today to maintain our undersea fleet because it is very
important to the security of the U.S.," he said during the
ceremony.
During Captain Rush's 20-year career, he served aboard five
submarines, including Billfish, and began the program leading to
the successful transarctic journey of the Navy's first
nuclear-powered submarine, USS Nautilus (SSN 571).
Since his retirement from the Navy in 1961, Capt. Rush has
served as a representative for a major aviation business and has
served as a consultant for ocean systems and submarine safety
matters.
For more information on submarine warfare, go to
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/cno/n87/n77.html.
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NNS020409-15. Shucks: A Pearl of Wisdom for Midshipmen
By Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Environmental
Protection, Safety & Occupational Health Division (N45) Public
Affairs
CHESAPEAKE MAY, Md. (NNS) -- Midshipmen of the U.S.
Naval Academy (USNA) are volunteering with the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the Magothy
River Association (MRA) and Anne Arundel Community College
to restore oysters to the Magothy River here.
While doing so, the midshipmen are learning natural resources
conservation techniques.
The Magothy River is a branch of the Chesapeake Bay that once
boasted a hardy oyster population, but over-harvesting, disease,
pollution and other natural and manmade pressures have taken
their toll on the bivalve mollusks. Because a single healthy oyster
can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day and remove the
phytoplankton that cause poor water conditions, oysters are an
important part of the Magothy River and Chesapeake Bay
ecosystem.
The midshipmen, all of whom are members of the USNA Marine
Technology Society, took diving classes at Anne Arundel
Community College, where, wearing blindfolds to simulate the
poor visibility of the Magothy River, they learned to search for
oyster beds, out of which they pull up some breeding stock.
The diving classes assist the midshipmen in earning a science
diver rating that will allow them to intern at NOAA.
During the classes, the midshipmen are blindfolded and sent
underwater, where they feel their way along a transit line. Each
knot in the line represents a spot where they are to take a surface
sample; i.e., some oysters. At the designated oyster restoration
project spots in the Magothy River, a system of transit lines with
knots already will be in place, so the divers' training is very close
to the actual method.
After the oysters are collected, they are taken to the boat where
they are measured and tested for disease. Healthy oysters are
then brought to either Piney Point or Horn Point oyster hatcheries
and nurseries for breeding, and once the oyster spawn, or spat, is
ready, it is returned to its natural habitat.
While the divers are below the surface, other midshipmen man the
surface craft, providing safety for the divers and collecting the
oysters.
The midshipmen volunteers will return to the river for more
restoration work in future months.
"Our involvement, aimed at increasing awareness of and
appreciation for the marine environment, illustrates the Navy's
commitment to promote environmental stewardship," said Lt.
Cmdr. Michiko J. Martin, USNA master instructor.
For more information about the U.S. Naval Academy, go to
http://www.nadn.navy.mil. Additional information about the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association is available at
http://www.noaa.gov. For more about the Magothy River
Association, go to http://www.magothyriver.org.
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NNS020409-14. Naval Researchers Honored for Safer Coatings
By Jennifer Huergo, Office of Naval Research
ARLINGTON , Va. (NNS) -- Two Office of Naval Research
(ONR) program officers are co-winners of the second annual
Dual Use Science & Technology Achievement Award. The
recipients are Dr. Lawrence Kabacoff and Dr. Asuri Vasudevan.
The two were recently recognized for their work overseeing a
successful program to develop "nanostructured" ceramic
composite coatings.
Nanostructured materials contain particles that are smaller than
100 billionths of a meter in diameter, or 100 nanometers. Materials
with this ultra-fine microstructure exhibit unprecedented
mechanical properties.
The program, whose funding Kabacoff and Vasudevan directed,
produced new wear- and corrosion-resistant coatings that can be
used as a replacement for the environmentally toxic hexavalent
chromium plating. The coatings were developed by a team of
Navy, university and industry scientists and engineers that
received contributions from Naval Surface Warfare Center,
among others.
In addition to replacing hard chrome, the ceramics-based coating
technology can save the Navy thousands of dollars annually in
maintenance and replacement costs by increasing the life of
components in ships, aircraft and land vehicles. The coating, which
is a nanostructured version of a conventional alumina-titania
ceramic composite, is applied by a thermal spray process that is
safe for the environment and is applied using existing commercial
off-the-shelf equipment.
The Dual Use Science & Technology Achievement Award
recognizes successful dual use technology development and
honors those individuals in the Department of Defense responsible
for its initiation and execution.
"This program exemplifies ONR's emphasis in teaming
government, industry and universities to speed new technology to
the fleet," Kabacoff said.
The coatings are being used on Navy surface ships and
submarines.
For more information about the Office of Naval Research, go to
http://www.onr.navy.mil.
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NNS020409-12. Flag Officer Assignments -- Brannman,
Burkhard, Cellon, Harnitchek, Roesner
Special news release from the United States Department of
Defense
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of Defense Donald H.
Rumsfeld announced today that the president has made the
following nominations:
Navy Capt. Brian G. Brannman, Medical Service Corps, has been
nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower
half). Brannman is currently serving as director, medical
resources, plans & policy division, N931, Office of the Chief of
Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.
Navy Capt. Thomas K. Burkhard, Medical Corps, has been
nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower
half). Burkhard is currently serving as flight surgeon and fleet
medical officer for Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces
Europe, London.
Navy Capt. Richard E. Cellon, Civil Engineer Corps, has been
nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower
half). Cellon is currently serving as commander, Southern Division,
Naval Facilities Engineering Command, North Charleston, S.C.
Navy Capt. Mark D. Harnitchek, Supply Corps, has been
nominated for appointment to the grade of rear admiral (lower
half). Harnitchek is currently serving as deputy commander, Fleet
Logistics Operations, Commander Naval Supply Systems
Command, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Navy Capt. Michael S. Roesner, Supply Corps, has been
nominated for appointment to the rank of rear admiral (lower
half). Roesner is currently serving as commanding officer, Fleet
Material Support Office, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
For more information on the Department of Defense today, go to
http://www.defenselink.mil/today.
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NNS020409-16. NSA Naples Representatives Visit Italian
Parliament
By Jennifer Kalish, Naval Support Activity Naples Housing Public
Affairs
NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- The Naval Support Activity (NSA)
Naples commanding officer recently visited the Italian parliament
in Rome. The rare invitation came from the Honorable Nicola
Cosentino, congressman from the Caserta province. Several
housing department personnel accompanied commanding officer
Capt. Brendan Gray on the trip, including housing director Harry
Brown; deputy director Jose Mascarenhas; real estate supervisor
Pasquale Franco; and realty specialist Pietro Gianfrancesco.
Gianfrancesco emphasized the importance of the event, saying,
"The visit represents a huge step forward in the cooperation of
local governments and the U.S. Navy." He explained that recent
changes in the Italian parliament have increased the opportunity
for partnerships.
Congressmen Cosentino, who holds a seat in the Chamber of
Deputies, arranged for the NSA party to see parliament
committees debating in the Chamber as well as the Italian Senate
of the Republic. The tour included some of the historical rooms of
the parliament building, such as the Yellow Room, which is
furnished with gilded furniture from the royal palace in Caserta.
During the Yellow Room visit, Capt. Gray presented
Congressmen Cosentino with a plaque from NSA Naples to honor
the region that hosts the Navy, and as a gesture of appreciation
for the congressman's hospitality and support for the U.S. Navy
presence in Naples.
The Honorable Domenico Contestabile, senator from the Caserta
province and chairman of the Italian Defense Commission, took
the opportunity to hold a private session with the commanding
officer during which he expressed support for the naval presence
in the Caserta province and regrets for the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks. Senator Contestabile also offered his help on any issues
Americans might encounter.
"It was a chance to emphasize good relationships on both sides,"
said Mascarenhas.
Capt. Gray said the visit was extremely productive. "The Naples
military community greatly benefits by any positive exchange with
the community," he said. "Having the opportunity to meet Italian
lawmakers face-to-face goes a long way toward fostering the
already strong bond between the permanent Italian and temporary
military residents of the Naples community."
For more information on Naval Support Activity Naples, go to
http://www.nsa.naples.navy.mil.
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NNS020409-11. NAVEODTECHDIV Supports U.S., Coalition
EOD Forces in War on Terrorism
By Patrick Dillon, Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Technology Division Public Affairs
INDIAN HEAD, Md. (NNS) -- Since Operation Desert
Shield/Desert Storm in 1990, the Naval Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) in
Maryland has routinely fielded requests for EOD technical
information from both U.S. and foreign EOD forces. These
requests typically range from technical information on specific
ordnance items, weapons systems, specialized EOD and
EOD-related equipment and diving equipment, to technical support
for EOD operations and exercises.
Typically, requests have been responded to within one to eight
hours. However, the ongoing global war on terrorism and renewed
focus on homeland defense promises to significantly expand the
requirement for real-time information.
To meet those requirements, Naval Surface Warfare Center
Indian Head will begin developing capabilities to provide real-time
EOD support to the field, as one of the Advanced Concept
Technology Demonstration (ACTD) projects supported and
funded by the Department of Defense. The Joint EOD ACTD
capability would provide U.S. and coalition EOD personnel a 24/7
tele-link to EOD experts. With this capability, when coalition
partners or U.S. military personnel come across a mine or an
explosive device that they don't recognize, they will be able to
receive immediate expertise. Many of the new and older explosive
devices have not been catalogued or are unfamiliar to the person
on site. Personnel in the field will have the ability to use a palm
device to coordinate back with the experts to send graphic
displays and information on how to dispose of the ordnance safely.
In March, the NAVEODTECHDIV International Programs
Office (IPO) provided information about SA-3 surface-to-air
missiles to German EOD officers after five German and Danish
peacekeepers in Afghanistan were killed and seven injured in an
operation to defuse an SA-3 in Kabul. NAVEODTECHDIV
responded and e-mailed photographs within two hours of receipt
of the request.
That same day, NAVEODTECHDIV IPO received a call from a
counterpart office in Denmark requesting the EOD technical
publication on the SA-3. The Danes received the publication
within eight hours of receipt of their request. Use of the
publication may preclude further unnecessary loss of life to
NATO partners in dealing with additional SA-3s in Afghanistan.
Another recent example of operational reachback for
NAVEODTECHDIV technical expertise involved support for
U.S. forces in Afghanistan. EOD forces in Afghanistan requested
information on disposal operations for the BLU-118B thermobaric
bomb. NAVEODTECHDIV developed procedures to safely
dispose of this ordnance if it does not function properly. It has
provided information to EOD units in Afghanistan on how to
safely deal with the BLU-118B if it is encountered in the process
of investigating caves.
All of the instances reflected above document the urgent need for
an advanced EOD knowledge management system. While
individual initiative has historically overcome obstacles from
communications technology limitations, an institutionalized
application of emergent technologies which will be employed by a
24/7 EOD mission support center will ensure that U.S. and
coalition EOD personnel have an experience and knowledge base
to call upon before disaster strikes.
For more information on Naval Sea Systems Command's Naval
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, go to
https://naveodtechdiv.navsea.navy.mil.
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NNS020410-06. Daily News Update for April 10, 2002
From the Navy News Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The following stories are airing on TV
Direct-to-Sailor (TV-DTS), a satellite television service available
aboard 157 ships of the fleet:
Two-minute newscast-
- The Navy Leap Frogs recently jumped into the Anaheim Angels'
opening day baseball game.
- The Pentagon has recently ordered a reduction in naval forces
committed to the war in Afghanistan.
One-minute newscast-
- The U.S. EP-3E reconnaissance plane involved in the collision
with a Chinese fighter jet last year, forcing an emergency landing
in China, could return to the air as early as next month.
Navy News Service headlines newscast-
- The first week of naval training exercises in Vieques were
successful, despite a new wave of assaults by protestors against
security personnel.
- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Jim Herdt stopped in
Naples, Italy, to say thank you, and talked to Sailors about issues
in today's Navy.
Daily News Update features three newscasts each day -- one
two-minute cast, a one-minute cast and a one-minute Navy News
Service headlines cast.
Daily News Update can be seen broadcast throughout the day and
evening on the Direct-to-Sailor satellite network. Check your local
DTS program schedule for airtimes.
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NNS011216-11. This Day in Naval History - April 11
From the Navy News Service
1783 - Congress declares the end of war with Great Britain.
1900 - The Navy accepted its first submarine, USS Holland (SS 1).
1970 - Launch of Apollo 13, commanded by Navy Capt. James A.
Lovell Jr. Former naval aviator Fred W. Haise Jr. was the lunar
module pilot. While 200,000 miles from Earth, there was an
explosion on board which forced Apollo 13 to circle the moon
without landing. Mission duration was 5 days, 22 hours and 54
minutes. Recovery was by Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 4
from USS Iwo Jima (LPH 2).
1991 - A United Nations ceasefire ends the Persian Gulf War.
For more information about naval history, visit the Naval historical
Center Web site at http://www.history.navy.mil.
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