[navy] Digest (05/01/2002 18:01) (#2002-18)
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(#2002-18) - Topics This Issue:
1) NavNews (May 1, 2002)
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Date: Wed, 01 May 2002 15:30:41 -0700
Subject: NavNews (May 1, 2002)
Today's NavNews (May 1, 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 JO3 Cherri Boggs at --
mailto:bo...@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 information about featuring NavNews stories on your own
local NewsStand page like those you see at
http://www.news.navy.mil/local/, contact the NewsStand Project
Manager, Cdr. W. Scott Gureck --
mailto:gur...@mediacen.navy.mil, DSN 288-0718, (202)
433-0718.
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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NNS020430-09. Chairman of Joint Chiefs Visits Sailors in Japan
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1496
NNS020430-05. Navy Announces DDX Downselect Decision
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1499
NNS020430-04. Submarine Warfare Head Outlines Priorities
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1457
NNS020430-12. Successful USS Saipan Availability Truly a Cooperative Effort
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1486
NNS020430-11. NSWC Port Hueneme Joins Forces with Community in Support of Earth Day 2002
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1487
NNS020430-10. Sigonellan Wins Navy-Wide MWR Essay Contest
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1470
NNS020430-07. Thousands Turn Out for Earth Day 2002
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1474
NNS020430-06. Helping Those in Need Lets This Sailor Shine
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1483
NNS020430-01. May Marks Asian Pacific Heritage Month
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1498
NNS020430-08. Daily News Update for April 30, 2002
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1506
NNS020131-02. This Day in Naval History - May 01
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=743
Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day
-- http://www.news.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=1391
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NNS020430-09. Chairman of Joint Chiefs Visits Sailors in
Japan
By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Michael Raney, Naval Forces
Japan Public Affairs
YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Just days after returning from a
recent underway mission of escorting and protecting merchant
ships from potential threats in the Western Pacific and Indian
Ocean, Sailors of the guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG
63) found themselves hosting their nation's top military officer.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Richard Myers,
visited the Yokosuka-based ship April 29th after spending most
of the day in Tokyo meeting with U.S. and Japanese military and
civilian leaders.
"I think it's really important to get out and meet the people who
do the work," Myers said.
He went on to discuss the additional hardships caused by
extended deployment schedules, recognizing that the American
people stand behind their Armed Forces.
"Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen need
to know that America is thankful for their service, thankful for
their great attitude and thankful for the sacrifices they make," he
said.
Cowpens Sailors said they couldn't have been happier with this
once in a career experience.
"It's outstanding," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW)
Kenneth Filkins, who was standing watch as officer of the deck
(OOD) when Meyers made his way up the ship's brow. "It's
impressive that he'd select our ship to visit. Especially after all of
the missions we've completed recently," he continued.
Myers praised the efforts of Sailors forward deployed here in
Japan, and stressed that America is committed to the War on
Terrorism for the long haul, comparing the pace of operations to
that of a marathon runner, rather than a sprinter.
"I guarantee to you, that what Seventh Fleet Sailors are doing in
terms of our relationship with and protection of Japan is vitally
important," Myers said. "Their service and doing what we ask
them to do is what will make a difference in this War on
Terrorism."
Cowpens' commanding officer, Capt. Charles Dixon, took
advantage of the opportunity to showcase his hard-charging crew
and the impressive hardware on the Aegis cruiser. At every turn,
Myers stopped to pose for photographs and asked members of
the crew about their jobs, families, and morale.
"I think it meant a lot to the Sailors here," said Lt. j.g. Andrew
McGee. "He seemed to visibly appreciate our recent operational
efforts. The crew was thrilled to meet him and excited to tell him
about what the people on Cowpens do here," he added.
Before wrapping up his whirlwind tour of Cowpens, Myers
addressed the crew on the 1MC shipboard announcing system.
He thanked them for a wonderful tour of the ship and for their
continued sacrifices as members of the U.S. Navy.
Gen. Myers then flew by helicopter to nearby Naval Air Facility,
Atsugi, and met with many of the Sailors stationed there.
He stopped by the base Air Operations terminal and Aircraft
Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) to say hello and
meet the Sailors working there. "He was pretty friendly," said
Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class John Plover. "He
asked about my wife and family. It shows that he cares about
people," he said.
Myers then said farewell to his hosts and made plans for visiting
Korea, the next stop on his Asia tour.
For more information on Gen. Myers, go to
http://www.dtic.mil/jcs/core/chairman.html.
For more information on USS Cowpens (CG 63), go to
http://www.cowpens.navy.mil/.
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NNS020430-05. Navy Announces DDX Downselect Decision
From U.S. Navy News Release
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy announced April 29 that
Ingalls Shipbuilding Inc., Northrop Grumman Ship Systems
(NGSS) has been selected as the lead design agent for the DDX
ship program.
This includes the award of a cost-plus award-fee contract in the
amount of $2,879,347,000 for design agent activities such as the
systems design of the DDX destroyer, and the design,
construction and test of its major subsystems. NGSS was the
leader of a team of contractors called the "Gold Team" that
included Raytheon Systems Co. as the combat systems
integrator, and a number of other companies.
Gold Team's proposal also incorporated "Blue Team" member
Bath Iron Works (BIW) as a subcontractor to perform DDX
design and test activities, which will ensure BIW will have the
ability to produce a detailed DDX design and build these ships in
the future.
The award of the DDX Design Agent contract signals the start of
a revolution for the Navy's surface combatant fleet, with the
development of transformational technologies that will create new
capabilities while reducing crew size and yielding significant
combat advantage. DDX is the foundation of a family of surface
combatants, including a future cruiser, CGX, and littoral combat
ship (LCS), providing the nation with a balanced set of
war-fighting capabilities to meet the national security
requirements in the 21st Century.
"The award of the DDX Design Agent contract marks the
beginning of a new family of surface combatants," said Edward
C."Pete" Aldridge Jr., Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. "This program and its
spiral development approach will be the model for Navy
acquisition in the years to come. DDX is the Joint Strike Fighter
equivalent for shipbuilding."
The DDX program will provide a baseline for spiral development
of the DDX and the future cruiser or CGX with emphasis on
common hull-form and technology development. Advanced
combat system technology and networking capabilities from
DDX and CGX will be leveraged in the spiral development of the
littoral combat ship to produce a survivable, capable near-land
platform for the 21st century. The intent is to innovatively
combine the transformational technologies developed in the DDX
program with the many ongoing R&D efforts involving mission
focused surface ships to produce a state-of-the art surface
combatant to defeat adversary attempts to deny access for U.S.
forces.
"DDX and its associated transformational technologies will be at
the core of U.S. Navy capabilities and missions for the 21st
Century," said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern
Clark." These great ships and other members of the family of
surface combatants will transform the Navy fleet, multiply our
combat effectiveness, and play a crucial role in dominating the
future battle space."
DDX ship program slides are available at
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Apr2002/g020429-D-6570C.html.
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NNS020430-04. Submarine Warfare Head Outlines Priorities
By Chief Journalist Michael Foutch, Submarine Warfare Division
Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Looking beyond meeting today's
threats to our nation with an eye on future conflicts, submarine
community planners are seeking to modernize current undersea
warfare capabilities.
RADM Paul F. Sullivan, Director, Submarine Warfare (N77),
says among his division's goals are to seek pioneering,
forward-thinking upgrades to the Navy's current fast-attack and
ballistic missile submarines.
In testimony as part of the Chief of Naval Operations'
appearance before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on
Seapower April 9, Sullivan joined top leadership from
Expeditionary, Surface and Air Warfare communities to offer
lawmakers crucial information on emerging requirements as they
contemplate non-shipbuilding acquisition in the Fiscal Year 2003
Defense budget.
"The key is to continue to deploy similar capabilities on all
submarines," he testified. "Therefore it is imperative that, as a top
priority, we retain a core modernization plan for our ships that
utilizes commercial off-the-shelf equipment and open architecture
systems wherever possible to allow the ability to rapidly update.
With this as a priority, we will be best positioned to handle the
biggest challenges today involving access to the littoral waters
when threatened by mines and quiet, diesel submarines."
The Senate Subcommittee received details on the proposal for
Unmanned Undersea Vehicles (UUV). These autonomous
vehicles launched from an attack submarine torpedo tube can
extend the range of sensors beyond the reach of a single ship,
enabling maritime surveillance and other operations far from
harm's way and extending these capabilities well beyond the hull
of a single
submarine. Ultimately, these unmanned vehicles will be able to
reprogram themselves to react to a threat during execution of its
mission profile.
In addition, the Submarine Warfare Division head also pointed
out the need to upgrade command, control, communications and
computer intelligence systems; radio rooms; antenna capabilities;
combat control systems; and signal intelligence and integrated
undersea surveillance systems. Budget priorities also include
implementation of state-of-the-art maintenance plans, force
protection priorities and improvements for payloads such as
Tactical Tomahawk missiles.
He also offered evidence from the recent Nuclear Posture
Review that reinforced the value of survivable sea based
deterrence currently provided by ballistic-missile submarines, and
looked for continued support for the Trident II missile system,
including D5 missile life extension and SSBN D5 backfit
programs.
Sullivan told lawmakers USS Virginia (SSN 774) remains on
schedule for delivery in the summer of 2004. He stressed the
importance of developing Virginia-class subs to provide the
stealth, special warfare, mine warfare, surveillance, battle group
operations and mission flexibility at a more
affordable price for taxpayers as well as the ability to rapidly and
affordably adapt to advanced technologies yet to come.
Emphasizing the importance of a modern submarine force to the
Navy's overall defense capability in the aftermath of the terrorist
attacks of September 11th, Sullivan pointed out that USS
Providence (SSN 719) and her sister ship USS Key West (SSN
722) were among the first to prepare for battle with Taliban and
Al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan.
Although Providence had reached the end of the ship's six-month
deployment and was headed home that fateful day; they promptly
turned around and positioned in coastal waters, ready to support
Operation Enduring Freedom. The submarine provided cueing to
the Enterprise and Carl Vinson Battle Groups, forwarded
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information and
performed time-critical strike missions. The effectiveness of that
ship, Sullivan said, was in large part due to recent modernization
initiatives including the Submarine High Data Rate antenna, the
Acoustic Rapid Commercial-off-the-shelf Insertion (ARCI)
Sonar System , advanced TB-29 towed array and IT-21 local
area network.
For more information on USS Providence, go to
http://www.ssn719.navy.mil
For more information on USS Key West, go to
http://www.ssn722.navy.mil
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NNS020430-12. Successful USS Saipan Availability Truly a
Cooperative Effort
By Steve Milner, Norfolk Naval Shipyard Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH, Va (NNS) -- Specialists working in the ship
maintenance business will tell you that repairing large deck
amphibious vessels is tough work. But despite the many
challenges associated with this task, Norfolk Naval Shipyard
(NNSY) just logged another success story, with the completion
of a 14-month maintenance availability that began in February
2001 on USS Saipan (LHA 2) at the Portsmouth, Va., facility.
"We completed the ship on schedule, within cost, and with no
surprises to the customer," said project superintendent Jim
Shoemaker. "And we did this despite a 40 percent growth in the
work package."
This $200 million availability included 300,000 man-days, and
the first time that NNSY attempted a project of this magnitude
with the private sector, according to Shoemaker. "This was a
huge milestone for us, working with 60 different contractors on
Saipan," he explained.
He characterized this availability as being a cooperative effort
and a "full partnership," one that included Supervisor of
Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair Portsmouth, Naval Space
and Warfare Center, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet,
Naval Sea Systems Command, ship's force and NNSY.
One of the more challenging aspects of this availability was the
installation of a fuel oil compensating ship alteration, a new
approach for this ship class in which salt water is added to tanks
to stabilize the vessel as fuel is consumed. As part of this system,
piping throughout the ship had to be changed.
In other alterations, an air conditioning plant and a new sewage
system were added.
"We also painted Saipan from top to bottom with a new paint
system that resists ultraviolet light, enabling lower ship
maintenance," Shoemaker said.
The Saipan Project Superintendent is proud of the fact that his
team met its aggressive fixed price goal and was able to return $9
million to the ship, so that other repairs could be accomplished.
Shoemaker said the L Ship community, under the leadership of
the NAVSEA Program Executive Office for Expeditionary
Warfare (PMS 470), established an amphibious ship A team.
This team is implementing policies and procedures to ensure
future successful projects, including two major docking
availabilities that are scheduled to be done at NNSY--USS
Wasp (LHD 1) in the fall, and USS Nassau (LHA 4) next spring.
"The great team effort on Saipan is another demonstration of the
NAVSEA field activities and program office moving from a
confederation to a corporation," said Capt. Mark A. Hugel,
NNSY Commander.
For more information on Norfolk Naval Shipyard, go to
http://www.nnsy1.navy.mil/.
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NNS020430-11. NSWC Port Hueneme Joins Forces with
Community in Support of Earth Day 2002
From Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Public
Affairs
PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) -- Naval Surface Warfare
Center (NSWC) Port Hueneme partnered with several
community organizations to host a "Community Clean Up" in
recognition of Earth Day 2002. The theme this year was "One
Nation, One Earth... Let's Protect them Together." The clean up
took place on Earth Day, April 22nd outside the entrance to
Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC).
The success of the event was due to the enthusiastic participation
of civilians and military from NSWC Port Hueneme, as well as
youth from the local City Corps, Boys and Girls Clubs, and
NBVC Youth Center.
The cleanup objective was to remove trash and debris from the
surrounding neighborhoods and around the perimeter of the
Navy base. The community clean up participants disposed of
cans, bottles, cigarette butts, wrappers, scraps of paper, and a
variety of other debris that littered the ground and plants. The
combined forces worked together to help clean up the
environment and to preserve the beauty of the area.
The local Beach Community Services District assisted with
donations and in trash removal efforts of the event. They
provided gloves, trash bags, and soft drinks to all participants.
"We enjoy teaming up with NSWC Port Hueneme every year to
help clean up our community. The kids are always very eager to
work side by side with the Navy in honoring Earth Day," said
Danny Dujardin, Team Leader of the local City Corps.
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NNS020430-10. Sigonellan Wins Navy-Wide MWR Essay
Contest
By Journalist Seaman Michael Douglas, Naval Air Station
Sigonella Public Affairs
SIGONELLA, Italy (NNS) -- Naval Air Station Sigonella
Electronics Technician 2nd Class Patrick Light recently was
selected as a winner of an all-expenses paid trip in the Navy
Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) "Sands and Slopes"
Contest.
The contest generated attracted about 7,500 visitors to the
MWR web site and 200 entries for the competition, according to
Nilsa Diaz Jarero, MWR marketing staff member. Light will be
departing for the Whistler Ski Resort located in British Columbia,
then on to the Bahamas where he will be staying at the Atlantis
Resort.
Light was one of 10 winners to be selected in this Navy-wide
competition. According to Light, the elements of teamwork and
camaraderie in his submission were the crucial factor to his
selection as a winner.
The contest was a part of MWR's "Saluting Sailors and Their
Families Program." The focus point of the essay was what
individual Sailors would do if they ran MWR for one day.
"My idea was an obstacle course with a spring theme. Events like
running through the daisies, where you have tires painted like
daisies and Pogo Stick events where you're bouncing around on
a spring," said Light.
The news of his winning entry came as quite a shock, According
to Light. "I was floored. I thought somebody was pulling
something over on me. She (Mrs. Light) was just as floored as I
was. We had talked about the idea on a car ride home. We were
just bouncing ideas back and forth. Then we got home, wrote it
up and submitted it. This is huge! I've never won anything like this
before."
Here is the essay that won the lucky couple their big prize:
"If I ran MWR for a day, I would focus my efforts on developing
a team-oriented event to foster camaraderie among Sailors and
their family members while having some exercise and fun.
"The activity would be held during the spring, to capitalize on
people's natural inclination to pursue outdoor activities and
reunite with their friends after a long winter.
"My idea is to have an obstacle course with events around a
theme, such as "Sigonella's Spring Fever Fling", where
participants will perform different tasks before proceeding to the
next ones. Teams will consist of approximately 6 people and may
be formed by friendships or command affiliations.
"Each member would be required to contribute $10 to
participate in the event. MWR would create a festive T-shirt for
the event, perhaps displaying flowers and bouncing springs
around the logo, for team members to wear.
"Obstacle course events, revolving around the spring theme,
would be fun and challenging. For example, one event may be
called "Running through the Daisies", where participants would
jump through tires painted to look like flowers. They could also
"spring" on pogo sticks around wooden painted "tulips", hit a
baseball successfully and run around the bases, and perform
"spring cleaning" tasks like sweeping and disposing of rubbish,
washing a greasy pan, etc. Independent judges would observe
the teams to confirm their successful passage to the next event.
"The grand prize of the event could be a monetary award
acquired from the entrance fees of the participants. If 100 people
participate, teams will play for a jackpot of $1000! Another
alternative for a grand prize is an MWR sponsored "Spring
Break" trip for the team members to a popular beach destination.
MWR would also hold a Barbecue immediately following the
event, with refreshments and a live band to draw the community
to the event.
"I have witnessed and participated in MWR sponsored team
events in the past, such as the Triathlons, and I thought they were
a very effective way to pull active duty and family members
together in a physically challenging activity. The obstacle course
would be a variation of this type of event, but with a less serious
aspect to it, and more of a draw for non-athletes. With the grand
prize, there would also be greater incentives for participation. I
think it would be a huge success!"
For more information on MWR activities and contests, go to
http://www.mwr.navy.mil/.
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NNS020430-07. Thousands Turn Out for Earth Day 2002
By Kaylee LaRocque, Naval Air Station Jacksonville Public
Affairs
NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) --
Nearly 10,000 people visited the numerous booths and exhibits
set up to help celebrate Earth Day 2002 here recently.
Young and old alike went from display to display, talking to
educators, gathering information and free goodies, and creating
unique artwork with recyclable items.
The entertainment stage was busy throughout the day with dance
performances, children's theatrical performances, an awards
ceremony and music by Navy Band Southeast's Top 40 band
"Pride" and several other local groups.
Several commands and departments from NAS Jacksonville
participated in the event. Volunteers from Commander Navy
Region Southeast (CNRSE) and NAS Jax's Environmental
Department spent the day handing out brochures, posters and an
assortment of other giveaways as they explained some of the
programs the base has created to help the environment.
"CNRSE Environmental is continuing to strive in keeping the
general public informed of what our Region and the entire Navy
is doing to be good stewards of the environment," said Ken
Conley, natural resources specialist from CNRSE Environmental
Office. "We continue to look for ways to maintain the Navy's
mission while protecting and conserving the surrounding
environment along the East and Gulf Coasts, as well as the
waters in the Caribbean."
"We're here to help people realize that the Navy is
environmentally conscious," said Aviation Warfare Systems
Operator 2nd Class(AW) Jesse Shotts, an aircrewman with
Patrol Squadron Five (VP 5). "The Navy does extensive
research on the ocean's environment to ensure the exercises we
perform are done correctly. "Our job as part of the Patrol
Squadron community is Anti-Submarine Warfare. When we
conduct our exercises and missions, we drop sonobuoys into the
water, which not only detect the sounds of submarines, but also
make us aware of the presence of marine life in the area."
The first Earth Day celebration began in the spring of 1970 as
part of a nationwide grassroots demonstration. The next year,
United Nations' Gen. U. Thant rang the United Nations Peace
Bell on March 21, 1971. This started the annual celebration of
Earth Day at the United Nations. Each year, the bell is rung at the
moment spring begins, signifying a worldwide commitment to the
protection and care of our planet.
"The Navy appreciates and encourages the participation of
responsible, science-oriented NGOs in our Earth Day festivities,"
said Rear Adm. David Stone, director of the Chief of Naval
Operations Environmental Protection, Safety and Occupational
Health Division. "We work hand-in-hand with civilians,
government agencies, private industry and volunteer organizations
on a regular basis to develop strategies for completing our
missions while keeping the environment clean."
For more information on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, go to
http://www.nasjax.navy.mil/
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NNS020430-06. Helping Those in Need Lets This Sailor Shine
By Airman Elizabeth Enockson, VS-30 Public Affairs
NAVAL AIR STSTION NORTH ISLAND, Calif (NNS) --
Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class Charlene
Stewart of Sea Control Squadron 30 (VS-30) is a hardworking
and dedicated Sailor. So it's not much of a surprise to discover
how much she does for other people too.
"She has only been here a month and a half and already with a
minimal turnover she's been doing an outstanding job," said her
leading chief petty officer, Senior Chief Aviation Electronics
Technician (AW) Wallace Schaefer. "We had just started using a
new computer system that has been giving us a lot of trouble. She
has not only spent invaluable amounts of overtime learning her
job but on making this system work to ensure a smooth
performance of our flight schedule."
Quick changes are nothing new to Stewart. After only six months
in the Navy, she was working at her first command, Helicopter
Anti-submarine Squadron Light 40 (HSL-40), when her legal
officer approached her with a problem of international
importance that she could help with because of her language
skills.
The United Nations was in need of translators to communicate
with Haitian refugees at Camp McClough, Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba. Stewart spoke French, so she quickly found herself
headed to Cuba as a translator.
"It was a very large culture shock," Stewart said. "I was lucky
that one of the translators I had arrived with was the same
nationality as the local culture. She really helped me adjust."
Stewart vividly remembers a six-year-old girl named Michelle,
who lived in Camp Buckley, a camp for AIDS sufferers.
Michelle was one of the youngest in the camp and didn't
understand why she was sick. Still, Stewart remembers the
young girl coming in every day to take her medicines with a smile.
"I remember Michelle saying, 'I'll go to the hospital if it will help
another baby not have to go through what I'm going through,'"
Stewart said.
During her stay in the camp, Stewart met people who changed
her life as she worked to change theirs. One night a powerful
storm dislodged a beam from a building and sent it crashing
down on a woman, leaving a baby she was carrying trapped
under the unconscious mother.
Stewart's quick action and knowledge of CPR helped her save
both the woman and her child. "If I wouldn't have known what to
do, it could have been a terrible tragedy," she said. After saving
the mother and her child, Stewart appreciated the value of CPR
training, so she became a CPR instructor.
Eventually, Stewart was moved to part of the camp where they
placed younger refugees who did not have guardians. Only 20
herself, Stewart felt overwhelmed by the camp's approximately
500 children, some as young as 5. "It was very rewarding to be
given such a large responsibility while still so young," she said.
A boy named Sonson became particularly attached to Stewart.
His sick mother asked Stewart to look after her son if anything
happened to her. Stewart attempted to adopt him but was turned
down by the adoption agency.
But it was the feeling of helping, along with the memories of the
people she served, that make her feel the experience was
worthwhile. "Seeing how I helped people made going to work in
a bad situation worth it," Stewart said. "Whenever I look back it
makes any situation I find myself in look so much better."
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NNS020430-01. May Marks Asian Pacific Heritage Month
By Chief of Naval Personnel, Public Affairs Office
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- "Unity in Freedom" is the theme for
the 23rd observance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
beginning May 1. Since 1979, May has been proclaimed by the
president as the month to celebrate the contributions and
achievements of Asian Pacific Americans.
More than 11 million Americans of Asian Pacific heritage (4.1
percent of the American population) are helping to build our
vibrant nation today. Many ethnic groups are part of the category
Asian Pacific American including those from, Cambodia, China,
Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Micronesia, Philippines,
Polynesia, Thailand, Vietnam and many other Asian and Pacific
lands.
Four Asian Pacific American flag officers have served in the
Navy: Vice Adm. Robert Kihune, Rear Adm. Ming Chang, Rear
Adm. Gordon Chung-Hoon, and Rear Adm. Eleanor Mariano.
Nearly 22,000 Asian Pacific Americans are serving in today's
Navy in the enlisted ranks and over 2,100 serve as officers.
Almost 8.4 percent of today's master chiefs are Asian Pacific
Americans, of these master chiefs, 94 percent are Filipino
Americans. This is the second largest minority representation
after African Americans.
The 2000 recipient of the Federal Asian Pacific American
Council's (FAPAC) Meritorious Service Award was the highest
ranking U.S. Filipino American naval officer currently on active
duty, Capt. Jose R. Corpus.
"My thinking has always been that success in the military is color
blind," Corpus said. "My life in the U.S. Navy has seen the
encouragement of multiple cultures, the reflection of America
itself and the fact that as you look at the Navy today, you see the
faces of many Asians."
The Navy will celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage month
through programs, exhibits, publications and participation in
military and community events recognizing the diversity of
America's diverse heritage. For more information on cultural
heritage months, click on http://www.bupers.navy.mil/mentor.
The Department of Defense celebrates its observance for Asian
Pacific American Heritage month on May 22 in conjunction with
FAPAC conference, May 21-23, in Washington, D.C. For more
information on FAPAC, click on http://www.fapac.org.
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NNS020430-08. Daily News Update for April 30, 2002
By the Navy News Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The following stories are airing on
TV Direct-to-Sailor (DTS-TV), a satellite television service
available aboard 160 ships of the fleet:
Two-minute newscast-
- USS Fletcher (DD 992) will participate in a sea swap during
their upcoming deployment this summer.
- The Naval Services Family Line, formerly the Navy Wifeline
Association, is testing a pilot program called "Compass," a
spouse-to-spouse mentorship program.
One-minute newscast-
- The Director Submarine Warfare, Rear Adm. Paul Sullivan
testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on sea
power recently, as they consider non-shipbuilding acquisition
requirements for fiscal year 2003.
Navy News Service headlines newscast-
- Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Vern Clark presented the
purple heart to Navy Lt. Kevin Schaeffer for injuries sustained
during the September 11th Pentagon attack.
- Everything that needs to be sent to the ships in the Abraham
Lincoln (CVN 72) battle group has to travel through the
Lincoln's four-member beach detachment.
Daily News Update features three newscasts a 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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NNS020131-02. This Day in Naval History - May 01
By the Navy News Service
1898 - Battle of Manila Bay, Adm Dewey defeats Spanish at
Manila, Philippines
1934 - LT Akers demonstrates blind landing system at College
Park, MD in OJ-2 aircraft
1945 - VADM Barbey lands Australian troops on Tarakan
Island, Borneo, supported by naval gunfire
1951 - USS Princeton aircraft attack Hwachon Dam using aerial
torpedoes, only use of this weapon in Korean War
1980 - 11 Navy ships begin operations assisting Coast Guard in
rescuing Cuban refugees fleeing Cuba in overcrowded boats
For more information about naval history, visit the Naval
Historical Center Web site at http://www.history.navy.mil.
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