Navy News Service

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. You are subscribed to Navy News for U.S. Navy. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Navy News Service NNS130616-01. 19th CARAT Malaysia Begins, Brings New Capabilities to Build Maritime Partnerships -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74854 NNS130613-26. Naval Special Warfare Honors Fallen Sailor -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74820 NNS130615-05. Navy Region Northwest Changes Command -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74852 NNS130615-04. USS Cheyenne Returns from Western Pacific Deployment -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74851 NNS130613-25. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and IMF Ask for Volunteers for Industrial Work -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74810 NNS130616-02. USS Monterey Celebrates Father's Day at Sea -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74855 DNU -- Headlines for Friday, June 14, 2013: Navy Advancement Exams Undergo Fine Tuning; Navy Reminds Sailors to Practice Cyber Safety -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18542 DNU -- Exercise Eager Lion Kicks Off in Aqaba, Jordan -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18544 DNU -- Week in Review June 8th thru 14th -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18546 DNU -- Former Sailor Discusses Lessons He Learned in the Navy -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18541 NNS130613-19. Current All Hands Update -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74804 NNS020418-25. This Day in Naval History - June 17 -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1389 Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day -- http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=153382 -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130616-01. 19th CARAT Malaysia Begins, Brings New Capabilities to Build Maritime Partnerships From Task Force 73 Public Affairs KUANTAN, Malaysia (NNS) -- The 19th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and the Malaysian Armed Forces commenced with the arrival of a U.S. Navy task group to Kuantan Naval Base, June 15. The task group includes the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) with embarked Destroyer Squadron 7 staff, the dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) with embarked USMC Landing Force, the diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50), and, making her debut as a CARAT particiapnt, the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1). Continuing through June 23, CARAT Malaysia 2013 consists of ten days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security concerns, develop relationships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces. "2013 marks the 19th year the United States and Malaysia have conducted CARAT," said Rear Adm. Jeffery Harley, commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet and executive agent for CARAT Malaysia. "As one of the original partners, the Malaysian Armed Forces have been part of CARAT since the beginning. This long-standing collaboration through CARAT is a model for how our naval forces can continue to work together." CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste. CARAT Malaysia is also one of the key exercises that Freedom will participate in with regional navies and other U.S. Navy units during her maiden deployment to Southeast Asia. As a littoral combat ship, Freedom's size and capabilities are comparable with ships operated by many regional navies. Fast, agile and mission-focused, littoral combat ships are designed to operate in near-shore environments and employ modular mission packages that can be configured for surface warfare, mine countermeasures, or anti-submarine warfare. Training events in each CARAT phase are tailored based on available assets and mutual training goals that span across a broad range of naval capabilities. CARAT Malaysia 2013 will focus on combined operations at sea, amphibious landing events, diving and salvage training, and maritime security scenarios. The exercise will also feature military operations symposia, jungle survival training, tactical combat casualty care, sporting events, community service projects and public band concerts. More than 1,200 U.S. Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Malaysia 2013. The USMC Landing Force Company is comprised of Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment with an attachment from 2nd Amphibian Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division from Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Also participating in CARAT Malaysia are medical professionals and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) evaluators from Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command (MCAST), Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 (NMCB), divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 (MUDSU), P-3C Orion and MH-60 aircraft, and the U.S. Seventh Fleet Band, Orient Express. For more Pacific Fleet news, visit www.cpf.navy.mil . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-26. Naval Special Warfare Honors Fallen Sailor From Naval Special Warfare Group ONE Public Affairs CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Support Activity 1 (SA-1) held a memorial service for Chief Cryptologic Technician (Technical) (EXW/IDW/SW) Christian M. Pike at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, June 13. Pike died March 12 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany as a result of combat-related injuries sustained on March 10 while conducting stability operations in the Maiwand District of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Addressing a crowd of more than 200 NSW members and honored guests, Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus, commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, talked about the outstanding character and professionalism Pike exemplified to his fellow service members. "He was bright, fit, motivated-exactly the type of person that you want as a shipmate," said Pybus. "His technical skills and savvy enabled his team to hunt down high level bad actors in Afghanistan. He loved what he did." "I have no words to help ease the loss of Christian. Instead, I have committed, and on behalf of Naval Special Warfare, to remember him. You, his teammates, are obligated to honor his precious life with persistent remembrance. Carry Christian with you going forward; embrace this family as your own." A courageous Diana Pike, the mother of Chief Pike, then took the podium to talk about how her son became the man his Team, friends and family came to love and respect. "I taught them how to shoot guns and a bow, and how to camp [and] how to do all the things I thought they might need," said Diana. "When I was cutting a palm tree once, I fell out of the tree and impaled myself on my knife going down. Christian duct taped it closed. That's just kinda who we are. The three of us have had a great life, and we have had a great deal of fun. I guess Christian is his mother's son." Diana explained that although she is responsible for setting her son on the path that led to March 10, she does not feel guilty because that path was the one Chief Pike fully embraced and loved. "He led the life he chose. He was so happy. And happiness is all any mother would want for their children. I want to thank you all for making my son so very happy," added Diana fighting back tears with smiles. "He loved his job, he loved the Navy and he loved his teammates." Chief Pike's long time friend, Cryptologic Technician (Collection) First Class (EXW) John P. Goodson, spoke to Pike's character and how he was someone he could look up to. "We started in training together the exact same day. I was very competitive with him because not only was he a big, tough guy he was [also] incredibly intelligent," said Goodson. "As much as I wanted to out-perform him, I had to admit at the end of the day I had so much to learn from him. Chris was there to rein me in. He was just that kind of guy. He knew how to get the best out of someone [and] how to make someone the best version of their self." For his heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy, Chief Pike was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Valor. He is the first SA-1 service member to be killed while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy . For more news from Naval Special Warfare Group 1, visit www.navy.mil/local/nswg1/ . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130615-05. Navy Region Northwest Changes Command By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice William Blees, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest BREMERTON, Wash (NNS) -- Navy Region Northwest held a change of command ceremony on Naval Base Kitsap at the Bremerton Gymnasium, June 14. Rear Adm. Mark Rich was relieved by Rear Adm. (select) Bette Bolivar. "Mark placed his priorities in taking care of people," said guest speaker Vice Adm. William French, commander, Navy Installations Command. "Mark Rich and the Navy Northwest team did this and did it well." Rich was recognized for several accomplishments during his tour, including: managing an annual budget of more than $470 million during fiscally challenging times; leading environmental stewardship projects that resulted in improved resource management and multiple national awards; and in actively engaging Northwest media, government officials and community members, strengthening key relationships and the Navy's Pacific Northwest operating environment. Before being relieved of command, Rich thanked his team for their work and dedication. "Everyone in the Northwest command has shed blood, sweat and tears, and I thank you for it," said Rich. Before stepping down he shared some words with Bolivar. "You are the right person, at the right place, in the right time," said Rich. "The Pacific Northwest is more unique than most." Bolivar took the podium after Rich and addressed the audience. "I know I have some big shoes to fill, literally, but you can rest assured you left Navy Region Northwest in the right hands," said Bolivar. "I am extremely proud and excited to take command today. Thank you for the warm welcome." Navy Region Northwest encompasses six states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Alaska. It is the Navy's third largest fleet concentration area with approximately 23,000 active duty Sailors, 17,000 DoD civilian employees, 6,000 reservists, 40,000 family members and 35,000 Navy retirees. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy . For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest, visit www.navy.mil/local/nwpacen/ . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130615-04. USS Cheyenne Returns from Western Pacific Deployment By Lt. j.g. Victor Perez, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The last of the improved Los Angeles-class submarines, USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), returned home June 14 to Pearl Harbor after completing a successful six-month Western Pacific deployment. With a crew of approximately 150 Sailors, Cheyenne visited Subic Bay, Philippines; Busan, South Korea; Yokosuka, Japan; and Guam. Cheyenne's deployment allowed the crew to test the capabilities of the ship, employ the ship tactically and test their ability to conduct sustained forward-deployed operations away from port. "The crew enjoyed the last six months a lot. We started with an end in mind, which was the safe execution of the deployment, mission accomplishment and a safe return to our loved ones who have supported us every day since we left. To them, I say Bravo Zulu," said Cheyenne's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Noel Gonzalez. "I am very proud of the way our crew has taken care of each other, how we have safely enjoyed all the ports we visited and the international relationships we established in each port. Now, it's time to spend time with our families, who have also made a sacrifice and shown their commitment by letting us Sailors do what we do best. "I hope my crew enjoys the time they get off and that they continue to take care of each other as they have done all deployment," he said. Cheyenne, one of the most capable fast-attack submarines in the U.S. Navy, embodies a fighting spirit whose enhanced war-fighting capabilities include vertical-launch cruise missiles, advanced sonar systems and a state-of-the-art engine room. This sophisticated design provides Cheyenne the ability to operate in any of the world's oceans, making the ship ready for any mission. More important than the design of the vessel is the crew. Cheyenne's highly trained crew is what truly makes this submarine a fierce warship. The crew's professionalism and aptitude makes them the backbone of the submarine fleet. "Hooyah, Cheyenne," exclaimed Cheyenne's Chief of the Boat, Electronic Technician Master Chief Michael Hinkle. "It's been a long six months, and our guys have maintained their professionalism and kept the ship safe under stressful conditions. I want them to get out there and enjoy their time off with their family and friends," he said. Homeported in Pearl Harbor, USS Cheyenne is named after the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Ship's Sponsor, Ann Simpson, wife of former Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming, christened Cheyenne on April 1, 1995. The ship has lived by the city's motto, "Live the Legend." In 2001, Cheyenne earned the distinction of the first to strike when she was the first ship to launch Tomahawk missiles in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since then, the submariners aboard have modified the motto to "Ride the Legend," representative of the warrior spirit of the crew and the pride they take in their mission and sponsor city. Today, their mission is to relax and enjoy being home after serving our country at sea. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy . For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/subpac/ . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-25. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and IMF Ask for Volunteers for Industrial Work By Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility Public Affairs BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (IMF) sought shipyard volunteers to help overcome a staffing shortage of more than 600 mechanics, a result of the Navy-mandated hiring freeze. Despite being exempt from Defense Department-wide employee furloughs, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and IMF is struggling to minimize the hiring shortfall on planned availabilities for the submarine USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23), the Trident ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737), the submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22) and the nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Shipyard Commander Capt. Steve Williamson asked interested parties to put their name on the volunteer list. He is seeking both shipyard employees, with specialized experience who have moved into management, and unskilled workers who can perform basic manual tasks to allow the more experienced employees to fill in for the vacant mechanic positions. "We are at a pivotal point," said Williamson. "We are going to rely on the talent of this command to step up and earn the trust we were given with the furlough exemption. Let me give you the bottom line here. We need you. We must do something different, so we can do what we have been asked to do." The potential volunteer's list is being built rapidly. People can be assigned to where they are needed and where their initiative and skills can support the workload. A process is in place to match the volunteers' skills with the work that needs to be accomplished. During fiscal year 2013, all four naval shipyards are exempted from furloughs, as there is a critical need to return nuclear powered submarines and aircraft carriers to the fleet. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and IMF was preparing to offer jobs to more than 600 mechanics before the Navy mandated a temporary hiring freeze. Already, the volunteer initiative has been well received by the shipyard employees, and it is expected the volunteer program will remain in place until staffing returns to required levels. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy . For more news from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility, visit www.navy.mil/local/PSNS/ . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130616-02. USS Monterey Celebrates Father's Day at Sea By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Billy Ho, USS Nimitz Public Affairs USS MONTEREY, At Sea (NNS) -- The crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) celebrated Father's Day while underway in the Arabian Gulf, June 14. Preparations for the event began over a month earlier when Monterey's Family Readiness Group (FRG) met to create a banner to send to the ship. On the banner, family members wrote Father's Day messages, posted pictures and created handprints to send to their loved ones. "When the banner arrived I opened it up to get the dimensions so that I could find an appropriate place to display it when the time came," said Master Chief Lawrence Linton, the ship's command master chief. "It gave me a great feeling knowing that this would lift the spirits of the dads on board the ship. It really makes my day when I can see a huge, genuine smile on a Sailor's face." Yeoman 1st Class James Chaney was excited to see a message from his fiance. "I was surprised to see her message," said Chaney. "It took me a moment to find it, but it made me very happy. It's a great feeling knowing that someone back home cares for you." On June 14, the ship's officers hosted a steel beach picnic for the crew in recognition of Father's Day. While the wardroom cooked and served barbecued steaks, bratwurst and chicken, members of the crew fished, played games and relaxed. "The steel beach picnic was a huge success and a great way to show our appreciation to all fathers on board," said Lt. Andrew Lundgren, the ship's supply officer. "It was also a great morale boost for the crew. It gave everyone a chance to unwind and take their minds off work." For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy . For more news from USS Nimitz (CVN 68), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn68/ . NNS130613-19. Current All Hands Update From Defense Media Activity - Navy WASHINGTON (NNS) -- All Hands Update features four newscasts today - one two-minute newscast and three one-minute newscasts. Two-minute newscast- - U.S. Third Fleet Holds Change of Command http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18536 http://youtu.be/BnFB-EjKC3Y First one-minute newscast- - Headlines for Thursday, June 13, 2013: President Proclaims Week of June 9th National Flag Week; Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013 Gets Underway http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18537 http://youtu.be/EbedWAIUk_s Second one-minute newscast- - Join the conversation: You Asked, We Answered http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18538 http://youtu.be/MGblIc-Oi3k Third one-minute newscast- - Naval Medical Center San Diego Celebrates Surf Clinic's Fifth Year http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18539 http://youtu.be/6Fexj7aJL7I Defense Media Activity - Navy usually produces four All Hands Update (AHU) newscasts each day - one two-minute newscast and three one-minute newscasts. AHU can be seen throughout the day and evening on the Direct-to-Sailor (DTS) satellite television service available aboard 160 ships of the fleet and via the Navy Web site at www.navy.mil. Check your local DTS program schedule for air times. AHU can also be seen throughout the world on the American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS). -USN- -USN- -USN- -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS020418-25. This Day in Naval History - June 17 From the Navy News Service 1833 - USS Delaware enters drydock at Gosport Navy Yard in Norfolk, Va., the first warship to enter a public drydock in the United States. 1870 - USS Mohican burns Mexican pirate ship Forward. 1898 - Navy Hospital Corps established. 1940 - Chief of Naval Operations asks Congress for money to build two-ocean Navy. For more information about naval history, visit the Naval Historical Center Web site at www.history.navy.mil. -USN- -USN- -USN- Navy News Service is the official news wire service of the U.S. Navy, containing stories recently posted to the Navy Web site at www.navy.mil. It is a product of the Defense Media Navy - 6700 Taylor Rd., Fort Meade, MD 20755. Reprints should be credited to the Navy News Service (NNS). For the latest in Navy news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil. For all Navy-related questions, review the FAQs posted at www.navy.mil or visit www.history.navy.mil. Media queries should be directed to the Navy News Desk at (703) 697-5342. -USN-   Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support@govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Navy. Navy News Service is the official news wire service of the U.S. Navy containing stories recently posted to the Navy web site at www.navy.mil. It is a product of the Defense Media Activity - Navy, 6700 Taylor Ave, Fort Meade, MD 20755. Reprints should be credited to the Navy News Service (NNS).