[navy] Digest (09/11 15:00) (#1998-33)
VNIS
(#1998-33) - Topics This Issue:
1) Navy News Service 38/98 Msg Dated 9 Sept 1998
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Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 01:32:23 -0700
Subject: Navy News Service 38/98 Msg Dated 9 Sept 1998
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Table of contents for 38/98
Top News and Policy
NNS3801. CNO recognizes 50th anniversary of Nuclear Power Program
NNS3802. CNO reaffirms importance of overseas duty
NNS3803. Deputy SECDEF assesses "seamless total force" on first
anniversary
NNS3804. USS Grapple assists with search, rescue of Swissair
Flight 111
NNS3805. Navy Blood Donor Program aids victims of embassy
bombings
NNS3806. Pearl Harbor Sailors, ships depart for Arabian Gulf
NNS3807. Fleet hospital among overseas base closures and
realignments
NNS3808. This week in Navy history: Sept. 16, 1854
Personnel Notes
NNS3809. QOL Issues Rank High With Navy Officials
NNS3810. Boost applications due by Oct. 1, 1998
Awards
NNS3811. VAQ-134 earns aviation safety award
Around the Fleet
NNS3812. Navy's newest ship arrives in San Diego
NNS3813. USS Raven commissioned in Baltimore
NNS3814. Wasp Wins Surface Warfare Competition
NNS3815. Status of the Navy: Sept. 8, 1998
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Top News and Policy
NNS3801. CNO recognizes 50th anniversary of Nuclear Power Program
"It is with great pride that I offer my congratulations on
the 50th anniversary of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. This
historic occasion reflects an unequaled record of professional
excellence and technological breakthroughs.
In early 1955, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine,
USS Nautilus, put to sea. A mere five years later, USS Triton
followed the route of Ferdinand Magellan to become the first
warship to circumnavigate the globe while submerged. That same
year, USS George Washington, our first fleet ballistic missile
submarine, fired the first Polaris missile while submerged. This
amazing enhancement to our national defense was quickly followed
by the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS
Enterprise, guaranteeing America's dominance at sea.
These early successes led to the fleet of nuclear-powered
aircraft carriers, cruisers and submarines that proved so vital to
achieving victory in the Cold War and maintaining the peace today.
As we look to the future, nuclear-powered warships will continue
to protect our nation by offering vital options for preserving the
peace, responding to crises, and prevailing in war.
Nuclear propulsion provides our aircraft carriers with
virtually unlimited range and endurance at high speeds, allows
carrying substantially greater amounts of munitions and aircraft
fuel, and dramatically reduces dependence on logistical support.
These advantages result in increased operational flexibility,
independence and survivability.
Nuclear power also arms our submarines with the stealth and
mobility needed to survive in the most lethal battlespace. Whether
operating independently or in concert with aircraft carrier battle
groups, nuclear-powered submarines are critical to achieving
forward presence, sea superiority and strategic deterrence.
The remarkable contribution of nuclear-powered warships to
our national security results from the commitment and hard work of
thousands of individuals - military and civilian - who have served
and are serving in the Nuclear Propulsion Program. I salute these
patriots and mariners as we commemorate this landmark event. Well
Done!" -- ADM Jay. L Johnson
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NNS3802. CNO reaffirms importance of overseas duty
By JO2 Chris Alves
In a fleetwide message sent Sept. 4, Chief of Naval
Operations, ADM Jay L. Johnson reminded Sailors about the
importance of serving overseas and the rewards such a tour can
provide.
ADM Johnson stressed how our forward-deployed forces are
important to our Navy and our national defense.
"The Sailors of our forward deployed ships, squadrons and
bases are the cornerstone of our naval strategy and a critical
element of our nation's defense," CNO said.
CNO said that overseas assignments are demanding but career
enhancing and are unusually rich in personal experiences.
"The vast majority of overseas assignments are accompanied
tours, so families share in the once-in-a-lifetime experiences,"
he explained.
CNO also reminded Sailors that overseas assignments can also
help them gain professional rewards.
"Completion of a successful overseas tour, afloat or ashore,
can make an important difference on selection boards," he added.
"Ten percent of the force are stationed at more than 170
overseas/out of continental U.S. locations," he said. "We should
all expect to serve at least one overseas tour in the course of
our careers."
"I encourage each of you to take advantage of the personal
and professional rewards of joining this vital team," Johnson
concluded.
More information is available in NAVOP 008/98 (DTG 0422437SEP
98).
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NNS3803. Deputy SECDEF assesses "seamless total force" on first
anniversary
by DOD Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Deputy Secretary of Defense John J.
Hamre and other senior officials commemorated the one-year
anniversary of the historic "seamless total force" memorandum
signed by Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen Sept. 4 last
year.
"We have made great progress integrating our active and
reserve forces into one team, trained and ready for the 21st
century," Hamre said. "Our military leaders are getting the
message. Structural and cultural barriers that reduce
readiness and impede interoperability between active and
reserve personnel are gradually being eliminated."
"We must now assess the progress we have made,
acknowledge those barriers to integration that still exist,
and, most importantly, set our plans into motion," he said. "I
am heartened by the constructive dialogue we have had this
past year and am confident we will build on that momentum."
Cohen's Sept. 4, 1997, seamless total force policy
memorandum recognized the increased reliance on the nation's
reserve forces since the end of the Cold War. The memorandum
builds on the total force policy of previous Secretaries of
Defense dating back to former Secretary Melvin Laird. He
coined the phrase "Total Force," initiating the integration of
active and reserve components in the 1970s.
"Without the daily contributions made by our Reserve forces
around the world, we simply could not accomplish our missions and
protect our national interests," said Charles L. Cragin, principal
Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness). "Total
force integration is not a luxury -- it is a vital necessity."
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NNS3804. USS Grapple assists with search, rescue of Swissair
Flight 111
by CINCLANTFLT Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- USS Grapple (ARS 53) and members of Mobile
Diving and Salvage Unit Two Detachment Charlie are assisting in
the search for and recovery of victims and wreckage from the
Swissair Flight 111 crash.
Grapple, homeported at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek,
Va., was in Philadelphia when tasked to get underway Sept. 7.
Thirty-two Navy divers, using Grapple as a diving platform, are
employing the most current high technology sonar and diving
equipment to assist in the recovery.
Grapple is the Navy's newest rescue and salvage vessel and
brings to the crash site the best in diving and salvage support.
"This ship brings very experienced divers and a highly-
trained crew to assist our Canadian neighbors and help provide
closure to the families whose loved ones died in the crash of
Swissair Flight 111," said LCDR Dave E. Davis, Grapple Commanding
Officer.
Grapple provides the onsite recovery team with additional
experienced divers and a lift capability of up to 300 tons. The
ship's Mark 21 diving system allows the Navy to conduct diving
operations 190 feet beneath the surface safely and efficiently.
Grapple arrived in the vicinity of Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia
Sept. 9.
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NNS3805. Navy Blood Donor Program aids victims of embassy
bombings
by CDR Jerry Holmberg, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Sailors and Department of the Navy
civilians within the continental United States contributed more
than 200 units of blood to help save the lives of people
injured in the terrorist bombings of American embassies in
Tanzania and Kenya.
A joint team of National Naval Medical Center Bethesda and
Walter Reed Army Medical Center personnel produced more than
120 additional units of blood.
Within hours of the explosion, naval hospitals in Europe
sent all available blood to the Landstuhl, Germany, Regional
Medical Center for a combined shipment to Africa.
The Armed Forces Blood Donor Program forwarded the
contributions that helped more than 4,000 injured people. Two
hundred sixty-three people, including 12 Americans, were killed
in the explosions.
"Once again the Department of Defense's Armed Services Blood
Program proved its ability to respond," said CAPT Bruce D.
Rutherford, Director of the Armed Services Blood Program. "One of
our nation's most valuable assets, the Armed Services Blood
Program's Blood Distribution System, continues to make a
difference in how our nation responds to providing medical support
to our citizens as well as the citizens of the world."
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NNS3806. Pearl Harbor Sailors, ships depart for Arabian Gulf
by JO1 David Nagle, Naval Base Pearl Harbor Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Nearly 1,000 Sailors said
good-bye to their families Aug. 31 and left Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, aboard USS Fletcher (DD 992), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG
60) and USS Hopper (DDG 70) as part of a routine six-month
western Pacific and Arabian Gulf deployment.
The ships are joined by two helicopters and 30 additional
Sailors from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37
Detachment Seven, based at Naval Air Station Barbers Point,
Hawaii.
The three destroyers and helicopter squadron will provide
forward presence in the Arabian Gulf as part of the Middle
East Force and U.S 5th Fleet. They will take part in maritime
interdiction operations, supporting United Nations sanctions
against Iraq.
The three destroyers and crews are prepared for this
deployment after several months of pre-deployment work-up
cycles. In addition, Hopper, Fletcher and Paul Hamilton
participated in the recent multi-national Rim of the Pacific
(RIMPAC `98) exercise.
Hopper will celebrate the first anniversary of her
commissioning while underway Sept. 6.
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NNS3807. Fleet hospital among overseas base closures and
realignments
by DOD Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- U.S. Navy Fleet Hospital Enshemer,
Israel, will end operations soon as a result of base and force
realignment actions, Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen
announced Sept. 3.
The hospital is among six overseas DOD installations that
will end or reduce operations. The others belong to the Army and
Air Forces in Germany and Spain.
The actions will take place between now and the end of
1998, and will affect approximately 74 U.S. forces, 18 U.S.
civilians and 150 local nationals.
The U.S. government is not reducing its commitment to Europe.
The affected host nations are vital U.S. allies and key regional
partners with the United States.
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NNS3808. This week in Navy history: Sept. 16, 1854
CDR David G. Farragut took possession of Mare Island,
Calif., the first West Coast Navy Yard.
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Personnel Notes
NNS3809. QOL Issues Rank High With Navy Officials
By Michael McLellan, BuPers Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- In an era in which the Navy has become
leaner, the programs in place to enhance the quality of life for
Sailors and their families are vibrant and, in many cases,
expanding. The Navy has programs that impact all levels and stages
of a Sailor's life.
For example, Family Child Care (FCC), which offers quality
child care in a home environment, is now being offered at many
installations. Many parents prefer this type of child care setting
to an institutional environment. FCC is a "plus," especially to
families with a shift-working parent who need child care at hours
when most child development centers are closed. In a Navy with 57
percent of its members married, 44 percent with children, and 68
percent of spouses working outside the home, the need for quality,
flexible and affordable child care is greater than ever.
Voluntary education is one of the most popular programs in
the Navy. Educated Sailors not only promote faster, statistics
prove they make better Sailors. In 1997, more than 41,000 Sailors
received Navy Tuition Assistance. Today, the program for afloat
college education (PACE) is available on nearly 300 ships and at
12 remote sites. This fall, the program will be expanded to
include upper division undergraduate courses and core graduate
courses. Academic skills learning centers offer help with basic
academic skills using self-paced, computer-based courses. Thus
far, 15 academic skills learning centers are operational, the
newest center opening in Guam. With 99 percent of those joining
the Navy enrolling in the Montgomery GI bill (MGIB), each Sailor's
$1,200 contribution returns up to $15,349.85 in educational
benefits.
Another frequently used program is Transition Assistance
Management Program for Sailors transferring to the Fleet Reserve
or leaving the Navy prior to retirement. The staffs at 68 TAMP
sites worldwide assist Sailors and spouses with career counseling
and job listings, as well as automated programs and resume'
assistance.
Other sample QOL programs include:
The Wind and Surf Resource Center and Internet Cafe opened
last fall in Norfolk. Open year-round, it serves more than 100
Sailors a day, offering free computer use, CD-ROMS available for
check out, an audio/video tape playing center, more than 4,000
reference texts, a drafting/drawing area, fax/copy services, a
comfortable lounge and internet access.
Also in Norfolk, the Naval Station and Branch Medical Clinic
teamed up to open a new, customer-convenient Wellness Center,
which provides health risk assessments, fitness assessments,
exercise prescription, physical therapy and educational classes.
The Direct-To-Sailor system provides real-time news, sports
and entertainment directly into a ship's SITE TV system. It was
successfully tested in USS Guam and aboard other ships with
existing satellite dishes - with rave reviews. DTS allows Sailors
to view two live AFRTS TV signals, hear three live radio channels
and access current print products such as NavNews, Early Bird,
TimesFax and Stars and Stripes Lite. An aggressive installation
schedule for dedicated hardware has begun fleet-wide and will
continue, based on deployment schedules, until all frigate and
above-sized ships are fitted to receive the signal.
Personnel who manage these programs have relocated with the
Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) to Naval Support Activity
Memphis, so their phone numbers have changed. All changed phone
numbers in Washington, D.C., have a recording with the correct
Tennessee phone number. The new numbers are also available on the
BUPERS web site at www.bupers.navy.mil.
All these programs are addressed in NAVADMIN.
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NNS3810. BOOST applications due by Oct. 1, 1998
by Kay Esty, CNET Public Affairs
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Applications for the Broadened
Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) Program are
due at CNET no later than Oct. 1, 1998. Selected individuals
attend the BOOST School in Newport, R.I. for 10 months of
intensive college preparation. Upon successful completion,
graduates receive a four-year NROTC scholarship at a selected
university. Further information about BOOST is available in OPNAV
Notice 1500, 9 Apr 1998 and on the BOOST Homepage at
<www.cnet.navy.mil/newport/boostfrm.htm>.
See your career counselor for assistance in applying if
needed. The OPNAV Notice can be downloaded from
<www.dodssp.daps.mil/usndir.htm>.
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Awards
NNS3811. VAQ-134 earns aviation safety award
by Chris Field, NAS Whidbey Island Crosswind newspaper
WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. (NNS) -- Tactical Electronic Warfare
Squadron (VAQ) 134 has received the Naval Aviation Safety Award
for 1997 from the office of Chief of Naval Operations ADM Jay L.
Johnson.
The award recognizes the Pacific Fleet Electronic Attack
squadron with the best safety record for the calendar year.
With 40,000 mishap-free flight hours, their safety record
ranks first among Prowler squadrons and remains one of the finest
in all of naval aviation. During its 28 mishap-free years, VAQ-134
has made 11 Western Pacific and two Mediterranean cruises.
"This team continues to do business right and safe," CDR
Stephen Rorke, VAQ-134 Commanding Officer, said. "Our chiefs and
petty officers are the strength of this team and they are
responsible for earning our second consecutive Safety 'S' award.
My hat is off to them."
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Around the Fleet
NNS3812. Navy's newest ship arrives in San Diego
by USS Decatur Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Decatur (DDG 73), arrived in her
new home port of San Diego Sept. 4. The guided-missile
destroyer was commissioned in Portland, Ore., Aug. 29.
Decatur will operate with battle groups in high-threat
environments and will also provide essential escort
capabilities to Navy and Marine Corps amphibious forces,
combat logistics ships and convoys.
Decatur will carry Tomahawk Cruise missiles to attack
land targets up to 1,000 miles away and Standard missiles to
intercept hostile aircraft and missiles at extended ranges.
Decatur carries Harpoon anti-ship cruise missiles with a range
in excess of 65 nautical miles. She is also equipped with the
Phalanx Close-In-Weapons System.
Decatur's undersea warfare suite is the most advanced system
in the world. Its Tactical Towed-Array sonar provides long range
passive detection of enemy submarines. Also equipped with a hull-
mounted sonar, she is capable of detecting and tracking submarines
actively and passively. Decatur also has the capability to land
and operate the SH-60B LAMPS MK III helicopter, capable of
conducting undersea warfare or over-the-horizon missions.
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NNS3813. USS Raven commissioned in Baltimore
by DOD Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy's newest coastal mine hunter
ship USS Raven (MHC 61) was commissioned at the Inner Harbor
in Baltimore Sept. 5.
Raven is the 11th ship of the 12 Osprey-class coastal
mine hunters, which are named for birds of prey. Osprey class
ships are the world's largest mine hunters to be constructed
entirely of fiberglass and designed to survive the shock of
underwater explosions.
Raven's primary mission is reconnaissance, classification
and neutralization of all types of moored and bottom mines in
littoral areas, harbors and coastal waterways. It is equipped
with a high definition, variable-depth sonar and a remotely
operated, robotic submarine used to neutralize mines. The ship
is also armed with two .50 caliber machine guns.
Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (MD) delivered the ceremony's
principal address.
Dorothy McDowell Smith is the ship's sponsor. She is the
wife of retired ADM Leighton "Snuffy" Smith Jr., former
Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander-in-
chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe.
Two previous ships have been named Raven -- a schooner
(1813-1815) during the War of 1812 and a minesweeper (AM 55)
(1940-1967) that earned three battle stars as the lead ship of
the class of 93 fleet minesweepers which served in the U.S.
and British navies during World War II.
Raven now joins the U.S. Atlantic Fleet with LCDR Sam Howard
as commanding officer. The ship is homeported in Ingleside, Texas,
with a crew of six officers and 46 enlisted personnel.
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NNS3814. Wasp Wins Surface Warfare Competition
By USS Wasp Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- USS Wasp (LHD-1) took first place
during Surface Warfare Training Week 2-98. Commonly called "sweat
week" along the waterfront, Wasp won numerous individual events to
take the title, including non-maneuvering division tactics , on-
scene leader, the Engineering Officer of the Watch exam, the
intelligence brief, and the search and rescue biathlon.
"Congratulations to all hands," said CAPT T.J. Anderson,
Wasp's Commanding Officer, when notifying the crew of their
achievement.
"It was as an excellent training opportunity as well as a lot
of fun," according to Wasp sweat week coordinator, LT Todd
Prosser. "We used a lot of junior people mixed with senior people
to enhance the training."
Intelligence Specialist Seaman (Surface Warfare) Michelle
Hammitt, a native of Wasilla, Alaska, was on Wasp's Operations
Departments winning team for the intel brief.
"I was the briefer for the intelligence scenario," Hammitt
said. "I brief the Captain and Commodore regularly. When we were
underway in the Med, we did briefings every day."
"The competition was nerve-racking," admitted the two-year
Navy veteran. "It was a real confidence booster."
"I didn't expect to go there," said Damage Controlman Second
Class Bela Radvanyi, from Cleveland, Ohio. He had duty the day of
the event along with Damage Controlman Third Class Andrew Blake.
Together they won the SAR Biathalon, which included swimming,
running, pushups and situps.
"I didn't realize we were going to win it," Radvanyi added,
"I didn't really even `train' for it."
"We had enthusiastic participation in the Damage Control
Olympics, Boatswain Mate Olympics, chili cook-off, and amphibious
warfare events," said Prosser.
"Bos'n said the morning we got there, `OK you're doing
piping,'" said Boatswains Mate Third Class Steven Butcher. "I
couldn't say anything except `OK I'll go practice.'" Butcher, a
Mt. Airy, NC native, has been Boatswains Mate of the Watch for two
years.
"I was nervous," Butcher added. "From what I understand from
Bos'n, I beat first and second class [petty officers]. I figured
they would do better than I did."
According to Prosser, Wasp also placed high in the rescue and
assistance drill, linkex and visual comms. "The attitude was
outstanding," he said.
A total of 27 commands competed in 21 events. USS
Simpson and USS Caron placed second and third respectively.
All three ships have recently returned from deployments.
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NNS3815. Status of the Navy: Sept. 8, 1998
Personnel:
381,203 Active Duty
55,007 Officer
322,181 Enlisted
4,015 Midshipmen
207,136 Ready Reserve Force (94,184 SELRES/112,652 IRR)
202,057 Civilians
Ships: 339
Aircraft: 4,666
Deployed: 106 Ships (31%)
53,376 Personnel
Underway: 162 Ships (48%)
Exercises: 12
Carriers/Airwings at sea:
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)/CVW-14: Arabian Gulf
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)/CVW-17: Mediterranean Sea
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71): Western Atlantic Ocean
LHAs/LHDs/LPHs at sea:
USS Essex (LHD 2)/15th MEU: Arabian Gulf
USS Saipan (LHA 2)/22nd MEU: In transit, Mediterranean Sea
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6): In transit, South Atlantic
Ocean
USS Nassau (LHA 4): Western Atlantic Ocean
USS Wasp (LHD 1): Western Atlantic Ocean
USS Belleau Wood (LHA 4)/31st MEU: Sasebo, Japan
Ships assigned to maritime interception operations:
USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Jarrett (FFG 33), USS Valley Forge
(CG 50)
Other exercises/operations:
UNITAS 1998: Phase 5 (Argentina Coast). Participating ships:
USS Moosebrugger (DD 980)
USS Doyle (FFG 39)
USS La Moure County (LST 1194) with II MEF Marine Forces
Unitas embarked
USS Boston (SSN 903)
Counter drug ops, East Pacific/Caribbean Sea, UNITAS
* Information source: OPNAV staff
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End navy Digest (09/11 15:00)
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