[navy] Digest (12/11/2002 18:01) (#2002-50)
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(#2002-50) - Topics this issue:
1) NavNews for Thursday, December 12, 2002, <>
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Date: Wed, 11 Dec 2002 15:40:39 -0800
Subject: NavNews for Thursday, December 12, 2002
NavNews for Thursday, December 12, 2002
NNS021211-05. Ships Return From UNITAS Deployment
NNS021211-02. Pacific Fleet Launches $4 Million Relief Effort for Typhoon-Ravaged Guam
NNS021210-03. Naval Media Center to Broadcast Holiday Musical Tradition to the World
NNS021211-06. USS Columbia En Route to Arabian Sea
NNS021211-03. Carl Vinson Corpsmen Save Shipmate's Life
NNS021210-10. Hawk's Dental Department Ready to Serve
NNS021209-07. Virginia Senator Thanks Norfolk Naval Shipyard for Its National Defense Role
NNS021210-12. Vets Brave Cold to Show Support for Pearl Harbor Rememberance
NNS021211-07. Daily News Update for Dec. 11, 2002
NNS011210-18. This Day in Naval History - Dec. 12
Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=3640
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NNS021211-05. Ships Return From UNITAS Deployment
From Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet
Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The more than 300 Sailors assigned
to Little Creek, Va.-based dock-landing ship USS Portland
(LSD 37) returned to their home port Dec. 6 after a four-month
deployment in support of the multinational naval exercise
UNITAS.
Overcoming the challenges posed by integrating 12 surface
combatants, two submarines, and several helicopters and
fixed-wing aircraft from six different nations was the hallmark of
UNITAS. But the cooperative spirit of the participants meant the
challenges were met.
"The navies are very similar in a lot of ways," said Portland
Commanding Officer Cmdr. Larry Creevy. "In fact, I think a lot
of the South American navies have adapted a lot of our
procedures and tactics, as well as customs, and we've adopted
some of theirs."
Hosted by the Brazilian Navy, naval forces from Argentina,
Spain, Uruguay, Venezuela and the United States engaged in
exercises designed to improve interoperability and foster
understanding among the naval forces of the participant nations.
Rear Adm. Vinson E. Smith, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces
Southern Command, commands the UNITAS task force and is
in charge of all U.S. naval forces participating in the three phases
of the annual exercise.
Portland, along with the embarked 2nd Marine Expeditionary
Force, took part in the amphibious phase, which was conducted
with several South American nations during the ship's
four-month deployment.
The United States was represented by two additional surface
fleet Atlantic ships, Pascagoula, Miss.-based guided-missile
cruiser USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51), and Mayport,
Fla.,-based guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56).
Other Navy units included P-3C aircraft from Patrol Squadrons
92 and 61, two SH-60B helicopter detachments, a Fleet
Maritime Patrol Mobile Operations Control Center, a
detachment from Fleet Composite Squadron 6 and a
communications assistance team.
Under the operational command of Capt. James L. Martin,
Commander, Destroyer Squadron 6, the U.S. task group
engaged in training and operations in a wide range of war-fighting
disciplines with their South American counterparts.
"The operations covered in the UNITAS Atlantic phase
presented a great opportunity for participants to operate and
train in a multi-ship environment," said Martin. "It's not just the
surface portion, but also submarine and air exercises to keep the
crews focused on warfighting skills not normally exercised in this
area of the world."
More than 60 operational events were completed during
UNITAS Atlantic Phase. Each event was designed by naval
experts from all nations involved to resemble to real-world
situations.
"The Brazilian navy was a great host and put together an
excellent schedule of events," said Martin. "This phase of
UNITAS was extremely beneficial for the defense cooperation
among all the participating countries."
After 59 years of existence, UNITAS, the premiere naval
exercise in the region, continues to be a uniting force, bringing
nations together to enhance the region defense and military
interoperability.
For related news, visit the Commander, Naval Surface Force,
U.S. Atlantic Fleet Navy NewsStand page at
www.news.navy.mil/local/surflant.
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NNS021211-02. Pacific Fleet Launches $4 Million Relief Effort
for Typhoon-Ravaged Guam
By Ensign Mike Morley, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- As Guam residents begin
cleaning up the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Pongsona
Dec. 8, the U.S. Pacific Fleet, headquartered in Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, is finalizing plans to airlift more than $4 million worth of
supplies and services from three continents to Guam.
The Navy support personnel includes six structural and three
electrical specialists from Honolulu. They left Hawaii for Guam
on a chartered flight Dec. 10.
A Navy aircraft carrying a large quantity of medical supplies and
pharmaceuticals, along with bottled water, is scheduled to arrive
in Guam Dec. 11.
Pacific Fleet is scheduling transportation for 10 electrical
generators from Honolulu and 10 large electrical generators from
Port Hueneme, Calif. Eleven electrical line repair trucks,
including auger and basket trucks, are being contracted from
Queensland, Australia.
A Pacific fleet task group is working around the clock to get the
relief supplies to Guam as soon as possible, according to Rear
Adm. Donna Crisp, head of Pacific Fleet's Guam typhoon
recovery task force.
"These supplies are earmarked for the Navy on Guam, but the
effects of this relief will be felt beyond the Navy community,"
Crisp added, noting half of the intensive care unit beds at Naval
Hospital Guam were filled by civilian patients from Guam
Memorial Hospital, which sustained heavy damage.
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, Rear Adm. Patrick
Dunne, has been appointed the defense coordinating officer for
the relief efforts. He is providing support to disaster relief
operations and assisting local civil authorities.
The Navy is also assisting Guam's government in helping combat
a major fuel tank fire at Guam's commercial port. On Sunday
night, Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battallion 74
removed debris from Marine Drive, allowing response vehicles
to get to the commercial port. The Navy also assigned a liaison
officer to help coordinate efforts and provided a water tanker
truck to help contain the fire.
Super Typhoon Pongsona passed through Guam with winds of
150-184 miles per hour.
For related news, visit the Pacific Fleet Navy NewsStand page
at www.news.navy.mil/local/cpf.
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NNS021210-03. Naval Media Center to Broadcast Holiday
Musical Tradition to the World
From Navy News Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy Band and the Naval
Media Center will once again join creative forces to present a
live broadcast of "Happy Holidays - U.S. Navy Band Holiday
Concert 2002," from Washington, D.C., Sunday, Dec. 22,
3:00-4:30 p.m. EST.
The 90-minute live concert special is offered as a public service
to the 7 million subscribers of the Dish Network on channels 227
and 9601.
It will also be broadcast either live or on a tape-delayed basis by
cable systems and television stations serving most Navy and
Marine Corps communities. Check local listing or on-screen
programming guides for details, or visit www.navyband.navy.mil
for a complete broadcast schedule.
The program will air overseas via Direct to Sailor Television
(TV-DTS) and American Forces Network (AFN) Dec. 25,
7-8:30 a.m.
This year's concert celebrates the holiday season with traditional
music along with jazz, rock, rhythm and blues, country and
bluegrass renditions of popular holiday songs - and original
compositions written and performed especially for the show by
the talented musicians and vocalists of the U.S. Navy Band.
Featured along with the Navy Band are its highly acclaimed
ensembles, the Sea Chanters Chorus, Country Current, the
Cruisers rock group and the Commodores jazz band.
The U.S. Navy Band is under the direction of Commander
Ralph M. Gambone.
Get together with shipmates, family, friends and neighbors to
enjoy a Navy holiday musical tradition, "Happy Holidays-The
U.S. Navy Band Holiday Concert 2002."
For more news from around the fleet, visit www.news.navy.mil.
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NNS021211-06. USS Columbia En Route to Arabian Sea
From Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet Public
Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- USS Columbia (SSN
771) left family and friends behind Dec. 6 for a six-month
deployment with the USS Constellation (CV 64) Carrier Battle
Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
"Leaving is always difficult for our crew and their families and
even more so during the holidays," said Cmdr. Duane Ashton,
Columbia commanding officer. "We have a great support team
for the families, however, and I am comfortable with the fact that
they will be taken care of while we are deployed."
Columbia was christened in 1995 by former first lady Sen.
Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). The Los Angeles-class attack
submarine is approximately 360-feet long and carries a crew of
130 men.
"The crew has been preparing for this deployment, and we are
all ready to go and do our part for the war on terrorism," Ashton
said. "Every member of the crew is a God-send, and I am truly
blessed to be serving with them."
For more news from around the fleet, go to the Navy
NewsStand Web site at www.news.navy.mil.
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NNS021211-03. Carl Vinson Corpsmen Save Shipmate's Life
By Journalist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Mat Sohl, USS Carl Vinson
Public Affairs
ABOARD USS CARL VINSON, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Carl
Vinson (CVN 70) Sailors took a break from a busy evening of
work Nov. 26 to eat a late meal on the ship's mess decks.
What began like a routine evening, however, took a drastic turn
for the worse when, after completing his meal, one of the young
Sailors slipped into anaphylactic shock and faded from
consciousness.
Had it not been for the quick thinking of two Carl Vinson
hospital corpsmen, the allergic reaction could have taken the
Sailor's life.
Hospital Corpsmen 3rd Class Henry Stephens and Phil Fotia
were standing in the mess line when they noticed their shipmate
appeared to be suffocating.
"Out of the corner of my eye, I caught two guys carrying
somebody," said Stephens. "It looked like they were carrying
dead weight."
Without hesitation, the two corpsmen rushed to the group of
panicked Sailors who were holding their shipmate. From a
distance, it was unclear if the Sailors were just fooling around.
However, once the pair arrived on scene, Stephens quickly
ascertained the severity of the situation.
"When someone is suffering from anaphylactic shock, their
airway swells up and closes as if they were choking," said Lt.
Cmdr. Daniel Hohman, Carl Vinson's senior medical officer,
"(The inflicted Sailor) was being dragged down to his berthing by
his shipmates when Stephens noticed him... another two or three
minutes of delay in getting him to medical would have cost the
Sailor his life or caused him serious brain damage."
After surveying the scene, Stephens had established that the
Sailor had just finished eating fish and was most likely suffering
from an allergic reaction.
"The training we had in 'A' school just sort of took over," said
Fotia, who cleared a path from the mess decks to medical,
allowing Stephens and a few other Sailors to carry the
suffocating victim.
Once in medical, Stephens and Fotia placed the ailing Sailor on
the treatment table and began treatment. To their advantage,
several other hospital corpsmen and medical officers were
already in the medical ward treating a Sailor who had broken his
arm earlier in the evening.
"A lot of things lined up perfectly that evening," said Hohman.
The presence of additional medical personnel, coupled with
Stephens' accurate evaluation of the crisis, allowed for the
proper course of action to be carried out immediately. The
patient was treated with an epinephrine shot, which counteracted
the allergic response and relieved the swelling in his throat.
For Stephens, emergency response had been reactionary. It
wasn't until later that evening, after his shipmate was recovering,
that the flight deck corpsman realized the magnitude of what he
and Fotia had done.
"I thought that I was just doing my job, nothing special," said
Stephens. "After we got done, Fotia turned to me and said,
'You know that you saved that guy's life, right?'"
Two days after the life-saving event, at an impromptu ceremony
held on the aircraft carrier's forecastle, the ship's Commanding
Officer, Capt. Rick Wren, presented Stephens and Fotia with
the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
For related news, visit the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Navy
NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn70.
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NNS021210-10. Hawk's Dental Department Ready to Serve
By Journalist 3rd Class Jeffery Williams, USS Kitty Hawk
Public Affairs
USS KITTY HAWK, At Sea (NNS) -- When people think of
what it takes to keep the crew of an aircraft carrier mission
ready, a dental department may not be first thing that pops into
their heads, but according to members of USS Kitty Hawk's
(CV 63) dental department, it should be.
According to Lt. Cmdr. Steven Pollack, a dentist on the oldest
active war ship in the Navy, the top causes of medical
evacuations during the Gulf War were the result of dental issues.
"Dental issues can become critical, as we've witnessed in
previous wars, and if they're not taken care of in a timely matter,
the results can drastically affect the readiness levels of
personnel," said Pollack.
Hawk's dental department consist of 16 Sailors dedicated to
ensuring the ship's 5,000-plus crew members are always ready
to perform their assigned tasking, according to Lt. Raul
Barrientos of Hawk's dental department.
"If our pilots have a major dental problem or one of our
engineers has a dental problem, it affects the readiness level of
this ship and the Navy. We have to make sure our dental care is
at it's best at all times."
Barrientos went on to add that he thinks the service provided by
Hawk's dental team is the best in the Pacific Fleet by far.
"I don't think there is another dental department in the Pacific
Fleet that is as dedicated and committed to excellence as we are,
and I'd venture to say we're the best at what we do."
Some members of the crew agree that the service provided by
the ship's dental department is among the best they've received.
"I didn't know what to expect when I had to go to the ship's
dental office, but in my opinion, they did an excellent job. I
would say the work they do is just as good or better than the
services provided in the civilian sector," said Boatswain's Mate
2nd Class (SW/AW) Oliver Bobbitt, who recently had a filling
inserted.
Barrientos said he thinks the reason his department is in the
forefront of quality service is because they're committed to the
satisfaction of their patients, no matter what pay grade the patient
is.
"We maintain the thought process that the patient is number one,
because without the patient, there would be no need for a us to
be here," said Barrientos. "So we go out of our way to make
sure they're aware of what we'll be doing and what they should
expect from the procedure we have to perform."
Hawk's dental department can handle almost any dental issue
that is thrown their way. According to Pollack, the only dental
services they can't provide are braces and implants.
"Dental issues are common on Hawk and in life, so we're
prepared for anything, but if we can't handle a situation that
arises, we make sure the Sailor gets the dental attention they
require."
The role played by Hawk's dental department is no different
from the role of any other department aboard America's only
permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier.
"We're here to assist in maintaining the mission readiness of all
crew members, and just like every other department, we're just
a small piece to a giant puzzle," said Barrientos.
For related news, visit the USS Kitty Hawk Navy NewsStand
page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cv63 or
www.kittyhawk.navy.mil.
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NNS021209-07. Virginia Senator Thanks Norfolk Naval
Shipyard for Its National Defense Role
By Steve Milner, NNSY Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Norfolk Naval Shipyard
(NNSY) is truly a national asset, according to Virginia Senator
George Allen (R-VA), who visited the shipyard recently for the
first time in his current position.
"This is, first and foremost, an impressive organization of skills
and talents that are needed by our country," he explained.
Allen described his visit to NNSY as "invigorating," one that
gave him a firsthand opportunity to see how the shipyard helps to
prepare Navy ships for their primary missions.
"With the war on terrorism and the emerging threats to our
nation's security, we must ensure that America's military is
prepared, equipped and trained to defend our freedoms," he
said. "This is where NNSY comes in, by making sure that the
shipyard is run as efficiently as possible, to provide the Navy
with the resources it needs--on schedule, on budget and with
superior quality."
On one of his tour stops, Allen was told how the shipyard's
regional repair center pump operation consolidates work once
performed at numerous Navy locations, while providing a unique
opportunity for NNSY craftsmen to share their skills with Shore
Intermediate Maintenance Activity Norfolk Sailors who will
repair similar components aboard ship.
He also visited areas at the shipyard where torpedo tubes and
vessel shafting are repaired, using state-of-the-art machinery.
And the senator saw how the shipyard's tool-making capabilities
are providing components when off-the-shelf items are not
available.
NNSY Commander, Capt. Mark A. Hugel, explained how his
shipyard is positioning itself for the 21st Century, from
centralizing its waterfront manufacturing facilities to reducing
unneeded floor space, much of which was configured to service
World War II shipbuilding requirements.
NNSY is moving from a trade focus to a process flow, so that
the shipyard can perform its work more efficiently on its basic
product lines and mission. This "Lean Manufacturing" approach
not only supports the implementation of more efficient shop
production processes, but will also reduce building maintenance,
equipment maintenance and energy costs, according to Hugel.
During his familiarization visit to NNSY, Allen toured USS
Wasp (LHD 1), which is undergoing a seven-month docking
phased maintenance availability.
For related news, visit the Naval Sea Systems Command Navy
NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/navsea.
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NNS021210-12. Vets Brave Cold to Show Support for Pearl
Harbor Rememberance
By Journalist 2nd Class Andrea DeVoe, Naval Reserve Naval
Media Center
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Standing at attention with his USS
Mingo (SS 261) hat over his heart, World War II veteran Peter
Keenan watched intently as members of the Navy Ceremonial
Guard passed by with the colors.
Bundled up in his blue jacket, embroidered with a U.S. World
War II Submarine Veterans logo on the back, Keenan was one
of many veterans who braved the cold weather to attend the
Dec. 7 wreath-laying ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial.
Keenan, now a resident of Falls Church, Va., said he tries to
come to the memorial on Pearl Harbor Day on an annual basis.
This year, he watched as U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Steve Stanley,
Deputy Director, Submarine Warfare Division, Office of the
Chief of Naval Operations, placed a wreath by the Lone Sailor
at the memorial.
"I try to come here each year to pay tribute to my fellow
shipmates," said Keenan, who spent three years as a submarine
radioman, 28 months of which came aboard Mingo. "Anytime
they have a ceremony like this, I like to come out and show my
support."
Because he was a submariner, Keenan was not at Pearl Harbor
on the "Day of Infamy," but he was affected by the horrific
attack nonetheless.
"It was such a surprise, brutal attack," Keenan said. "Obviously,
all Americans and all Sailors were affected in some way."
Keenan, who served 20 years as a New York City policeman
after his three-year stint in the Navy, said he is proud to show his
Navy pride, even 60 years later. And, he was quick to point out
that his older shipmates could utilize newer technology to stay in
touch.
"My former shipmates and I get together once a year for an
event," Keenan said. "But for those who can't make it to those
events, we can still stay in touch with the Navy Log (available at
the U.S. Navy Memorial) or even through the Internet. It would
be great to get more veterans at events such as today's."
Chaplain (Cmdr.) Lewis Brown of Naval District Washington,
who gave the invocation at the ceremony, said he has seen a
greater showing of public support at ceremonies such as the
wreath laying since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
"I have seen that the public has a much greater appreciation of
the Navy and of the military in general," Chaplain Brown said.
That support was evident at the wreath-laying ceremony, as a
stranger walked up to Keenan, shook his hand and thanked him
for serving.
The ceremony was held in memory of the sea service members
who lost their lives on the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor.
This year marked the 61st anniversary of the Japanese attack,
where 2,300 Americans lost their lives.
For more news from around the fleet, go to the Navy
NewsStand Web page at www.news.navy.mil.
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NNS021211-07. Daily News Update for Dec. 11, 2002
From the Navy News Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The following stories are airing on
Television Direct-to-Sailor (TV-DTS), a satellite television
service available aboard 160 ships of the fleet and via the Navy
NewsStand Web site at www.news.navy.mil.
Two-minute newscast-
- The government of Guam declared a state of emergency after
Super Typhoon Pongsona hit the island.
- USS Crommelin (FFG 37) rescued 157 passengers from a
sinking vessel off the coast of Ecuador.
One-minute newscast-
- International movie star Jackie Chan paid a visit to USS Kitty
Hawk (CV 63) during the ship's port visit to Hong Kong.
Navy News Service headlines newscast-
- The U.S. Navy Band and the Naval Media Center will present
a live broadcast of the band's 2002 holiday concert Dec. 22.
- Naval Reserve unit commanders will need to complete a unit
readiness survey after an upcoming forcewide readiness stand
down.
Daily News Update features three newscasts each day -- one
two-minute cast a one-minute cast and 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 air times. Daily News
Update can also be seen throughout the world on the Armed
Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).
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NNS011210-18. This Day in Naval History - Dec. 12
By Navy News Service
1862 - Confederate torpedo (mine) sinks USS Cairo in Yazoo
River. 1937 - Japanese aircraft sink USS Panay in Yangtze
River near Nanking, China. 1941 - Naval Air Transport Service
is established. 1951 - First flight of helicopter with gas-turbine
engine at Windsor Locks, CT, demonstrates adaptability of this
engine to helicopters. 1972- Captain Eugene A. Cernan, USN,
commander of Apollo 17, walks on the Moon. Commander
Ronald E. Evans, USN, was the Command Module Pilot. The
mission lasted 12 days, 13 hours and 52 minutes. Recovery by
HC-1 helicopters from USS Ticonderoga
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NavNews (NNS) is the official newsletter of the U.S. Navy,
containing stories recently posted to the Navy NewsStand Web
site at 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).
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