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 NNS130613-11. Navy Secretary Describes Progress in Combating Sexual Assaults -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74811 NNS130613-13. Understanding Reenlistment Opportunity in Career Navigator -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74814 NNS130613-02. Eisenhower Strike Group Departs U.S. 5th Fleet AOR -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74800 NNS130613-01. Pacific Partnership 2013 Arrives in Tonga -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74794 NNS130613-22. Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune Adds Twist to Substance Abuse Training with Rum and Vodka -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74815 NNS130613-12. Mabus Advocates Cutting Number of Camouflage Uniforms -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74812 NNS130613-08. Nimitz Responds Quickly to Shipboard Fire with No Disruption to Mission -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74807 NNS130613-10. Commander, U.S. Africa Command Visits USS Samuel B. Roberts -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74802 NNS130613-16. Top DoD Health Official Visits Nation's Medical Center -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74801 NNS130613-05. Pacific Partnership 2013 Opens Mission in Tonga -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74796 NNS130613-14. NAF Misawa Shatters CNFJ Energy Conservation Goal -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74795 NNS130613-03. NSGL Picked As Top Federal Agency for Chicago -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74798 NNS130613-20. Norfolk Sailor Boxer Trains in the Ring -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74756 DNU -- U.S. Third Fleet Holds Change of Command -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18536 DNU -- 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 DNU -- Join the conversation: You Asked, We Answered -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18538 DNU -- Naval Medical Center San Diego Celebrates Surf Clinic's Fifth Year -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18539 DNU -- Navy ARG + Marine Corps MEU + 19 partner nations = Eager Lion 2013 -- http://www.navy.mil/viewVideo.asp?id=18540 NNS130613-19. Current All Hands Update -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=74804 NNS020418-22. This Day in Naval History - June 14 -- http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=1386 Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day -- http://www.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=153178 -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-11. Navy Secretary Describes Progress in Combating Sexual Assaults By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is not concerned about sexual assault in the service. He's angry. The Navy has been taking steps for years to combat the scourge of sexual assault in the ranks, Mabus told the Defense Writers Group here this morning, and has two cultural barriers to break down. The first culture that has to change is the "one that says this is OK, or that it is not really serious," he said. "The other is the mindset of a victim who says, 'I'm not going to report this, because nothing will happen. I won't be taken seriously, it won't be investigated, and it will hurt my career.'" The Navy is aiming resources at where it has a problem, the secretary said. The Air Force has had a problem of sexual assault at basic training, he noted, and the Navy has had a problem at its follow-on schools. "We've have put a lot of attention at our 'A' schools," he said. As the service finds programs that work, Mabus said, officials export them to other commands. The "A" school initiatives started at Great Lakes, Ill., and have moved on to Navy schools in San Diego and Pensacola, Fla. The Navy has been aggressive, the service's top civilian official said. "We're sending shore patrols out -- the first time in a long time we've done that," he added. "We're stressing bystander intervention." The service also is continuing efforts to cut alcohol abuse, because a large number of sexual assaults have had an alcohol component, the secretary said. Another area of focus zeroes in on what happens if an incident happens. "Is it reported? How quickly and how well do we respond?" Mabus said. "Is the command climate right for people to report?" Tied to this is victim assistance, he added. How local officials help the victims in these cases is important to him, Mabus said. Finally, investigation and prosecution is important to the Navy. Mabus has authorized more money to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service for more investigators and more resources. "It was taking up to 180 days to investigate an incident," he said. "Initially, we think we can get this down to 80 days." The Navy also is spending more to train its lawyers in these cases, the secretary said. Measuring what works and what doesn't also is part of this effort, Mabus said. "Can we figure out what the best practices are?" he asked. "We're beginning to make some headway there." Mabus said he thinks taking away a commander's right to overturn a conviction is long overdue. "Right now, if you are convicted of sexual assault, you are referred to a board of inquiry to see if you'll be allowed to stay [in the service]," he said. The notion that "if you're convicted, you're out" is the way to go, he added. The secretary said he looks at sexual assault as an internal attack that must be dealt with. "We're finding pretty dramatic results in places like Great Lakes, where we've rolled out these programs," he said. "Our job is to get them fleetwide." -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-13. Understanding Reenlistment Opportunity in Career Navigator From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- With the introduction of Career Navigator, Sailors have improved opportunities to stay Navy, officials said June 13. "This new program is a change to how we do business for enlisted Sailors," said Navy Personnel Command Force Master Chief (SW/AW/EXW) Leland E. Moore. "We dismantled PTS and created a reenlistment process more advantageous for Sailors." Under Career Navigator, Sailors who desire to reenlist can now request approval 13 months prior to the end of their enlistment, or operative extension if they extended service. Knowing Sailors' desires to reenlist or separate is critical to accurately predict the number of Sailors the Navy will have in each skill set, rate and pay grade in order to manage manning needs of the Fleet. In return, most Sailors will receive a reenlistment quota on the first look. The new policy is as follows: * All non-nuclear E-6 Sailors with command approval will receive reenlistment approval on their first application. * Sailors E-5 and below who desire to reenlist and have command approval and are in the open category for reenlistment will receive a reenlistment approval on their first application. * Reenlistment for Sailors E-5 and below in skill sets included the balanced category will be based on manning in their year group. A Sailor's year group is based in the fiscal year they attend Recruit Training (i.e., entered boot camp December 2009 makes them YG 2010). Command approved Sailors in undermanned year groups will receive approval on their first application. * Sailors E-5 and below in skill sets that are competitive or overmanned year groups in the balanced category will be compared to their peers and any special reenlistment requirements when they apply in Career Navigator and the available in-rate re-enlistment quotas will be awarded to the top performers. Sailors can only request an in-rate quota four times, 13 to 10 months prior to the end of their contracts. That way, all Sailors will know at least 10 months out from the end of their contracts if they will be able to reenlist in their current rating. Even though there are fewer times a Sailor can request an in-rate quota, the number of quotas hasn't been reduced. Instead, more quotas will be granted each month so Sailors don't have to wait as long for a result. Non-nuclear Sailors who are not approved to reenlist in rate may apply for rating conversion or apply for transition to the Selected Reserve in Career Navigator. These Sailors will have up to four more looks for conversion nine to six months from their end of service. Command approval to reenlist is a major part of the new process; your chain of command will have a big say in whether or not you are approved to reenlist. Sailors may improve their conversion opportunity by taking the Armed Forces Classification Test to improve their initial ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) score. This may expand the number of ratings they qualify for. Sailors not granted an in-rate or conversion opportunity will still have additional time to request to join the Navy Reserve, all the way up to three months from the end of their active service. In-rate or conversion applications are not authorized at this stage 5 to 3 months from the end of their contract. Currently there are only nine overmanned ratings, accounting for approximately 800 Sailors. Sailors in overmanned year groups applying for a reenlistment in overmanned ratings have limited opportunity and should consider a rating conversion to remain in the Navy. "Approximately 75 percent of Sailors requesting reenlistment will receive approval on their first application and all Sailors will know at least 10 months from the end of their contract whether they will be able to reenlist in their current rate," said Moore. "For most Sailors E5 and below who are command-approved to reenlist, you will have approval on your first request, within approximately 30 days." Sailors can check manning levels in their rating by viewing community health slides published monthly in the Enlisted Community Management section of the Navy Personnel Command Web site. This information can help a Sailor determine the career opportunity within their community. The slides feature a snapshot of community health by year group. Sailors can also see if their skill set is in the open, balanced, or competitive reenlistment groups by reviewing this information, also posted on the NPC website. To review a community health slide visit the enlisted community management section of the NPC website at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/enlisted/community/Pages/default.aspx , then select the community followed by specific rating in the left column. Complete details and guidance for nuclear and Reserve communities can be found in NAVADMIN 150/13. For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-02. Eisenhower Strike Group Departs U.S. 5th Fleet AOR By Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs USS DWIGHT D EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) departed the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), June 13, after spending three months operating with and supporting U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). The IKECSG re-deployed to the U.S. Fifth Fleet AOR in March 2013 after departing in November 2012 and spending two months back at its homeport in Norfolk, Va, conducting training for the crews and critical maintenance on the ships. "The strike group's surge deployment was critical to maintaining continuous presence at an important time," said Vice Adm. John W. Miller, Commander Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces. "Despite the short rest at home, The IKE returned ready and performed with renowned pride and professionalism." During IKECSG's second period of operation in the area, the Strike Group was accompanied by German frigate FGS Hamburg (F220). It marked the first time a German ship joined an American carrier strike group to this AOR for a full deployment. While in the Arabian Gulf and North Arabian Sea, IKECSG conducted maritime security operations, theater security cooperation engagements, and command and control support operations for coalition forces in Afghanistan. "The Five-Star Warriors of IKE did a spectacular job supporting our embarked Air Wing squadrons and patrolling the waters in this area of operations," said Capt. Marcus Hitchcock, commanding officer of IKE. "I could not be more proud of them as a team and as individuals. They have worked hard to stay sharp and motivated while operating safely and accomplishing every mission -- on time and to perfection -- since finishing workups and our first deployment in 2012." Aviators from embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 flew 1,362 sorties and more than 8,033 flight hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). "As coalition forces begin to transition out of Afghanistan, support from the air became increasingly vital during this deployment," said Capt. Terry Morris, commander of CVW-7. "Our pilots, the ship and air wing staffs aboard IKE planned and executed the mission expertly." While in the AOR, the IKECSG team conducted 32 replenishment-at-sea (RAS) evolutions moving more than 10,000 pallets of cargo, travelled more than 17,000 nautical miles, and had port calls to the Kingdom of Bahrain and Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. "It's been a privilege to watch the IKECSG team operate over the last year," said Rear Adm. Michael Manazir, strike group commander. "From supporting Operation Enduring Freedom to protecting the economic commons, providing the necessary security and stability for free trade, this strike group made a difference in this important area of the world. I'm proud of what we accomplished and of each Sailor who played a part on this team." The U.S. 5th Fleet AOR encompasses nearly 2.5 million square miles of water, including the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. IKECSG consists of Dwight D. Eisenhower, CVW 7, guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66), German frigate FSG Hamburg (F220) and Destroyer Squadron 28. For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn69/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-01. Pacific Partnership 2013 Arrives in Tonga By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Samantha J. Webb TONGATAPU, Tonga (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) arrived in Tonga, the second mission port of Pacific Partnership 2013, June 12. Pacific Partnership, currently in its eighth iteration, is a mission that brings U.S. military forces, partner nation military forces, and non-governmental organization volunteers together to conduct disaster-preparedness activities. While in Tonga, mission personnel are scheduled to conduct a variety of projects including school renovations, harbor surveys, medical and dental screenings, water catchment and filtration installations, basic veterinary care and training, educational health fairs and boating safety training. New Zealand Air Force Group Captain Darryn Webb, the mission deputy commander, said the extensive planning and cooperation of individuals with different skills is what brings Pacific Partnership together. "We're going to have to have complete collaboration in order to maximize the team skill sets," said Webb. U.S. Army Capt. Linda Jones, the project lead for a nursing conference scheduled to take place at the Vaiola Hospital in Tonga, said that Tongan nursing students will be able to choose which topics Pacific Partnership medical staff will teach about, based on need and interest. "Our main goal is to teach them to teach others," said Jones. "This can be such a great benefit to everyone involved, and I really hope for a wonderful exchange." Jones said she thinks that skilled nurses are one of the most important elements in disaster relief efforts. After a disaster strikes, nurses are often the first line of care in the triage process. Webb said that he has heard from the mission planning team on the ground that the people of Tonga can't wait to see the faces of Pacific Partnership. "They are excited about the services, skills and support that we're going to bring," said Webb. Pacific Partnership is the largest disaster-response preparation mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Pacific Partnership is also scheduled to visit the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati and Solomon Islands. The mission, which was born out of a response to the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, has now grown in scope and size. This year's partner nations include Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea. For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, visit www.navy.mil/local/pacensandiego/. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-22. Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune Adds Twist to Substance Abuse Training with Rum and Vodka By Anna Hancock, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune Public Affairs CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (NNS) -- Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune (NHCL) added a twist to the command substance abuse awareness and prevention training with a dramatic reading from Outside the Wire's "Rum and Vodka" on the hospital quarterdeck, June 12. The reading served as a catalyst for a discussion about substance abuse, alcoholism, stigma and how substance abuse affects lives, careers and relationships. The program was co-sponsored by Headquarters Marine Corps Safety Division and Marine Corps Community Services Marine and Family Programs Division and hosted by the naval hospital. The command's Pastoral Care Department brought the program to NHCL to supplement the Navy and command's training programs on substance abuse. "The playwright wrote this during a period in his life where he frequently drank alcohol in excess," said Bryan Doerries, artistic director and co-founder of Outside the Wire. "We came to you, not to tell you we are like Navy Sailors, but to perform a play and distance ourselves from you and to engage in dialogue with you." Actor Brendan Griffin read an excerpt from the one-man play, depicting a dramatic, fictional confession of a 24-year old who on a three-day drinking binge loses his job, cheats on his wife and nearly destroys his family. By drinking, the character believes he can cope with his anger, shame and disappointment with a life he feels he did not choose for himself. The reading ended on a dramatic note by the character exclaiming he can no longer bare it, intentionally leaving the ending open to interpretation. Shortly after, the artistic director escorted two Sailors on the stage who shared their personal interactions with substance abuse and how it affected their lives. Both talked about how they overcame the challenges and moved forward with successful careers in the Navy. The artistic director then facilitated a dialogue between members of the audience and the panel. "In a health-care facility that cares for Marines and Sailors, there are many who are diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI)," said Cmdr. Julie Green (Dr.), directorate of surgical services after the director asked for feedback about why people drink. "Sometimes they choose to drink to get the calming or relaxing effect which helps mitigate their TBI symptoms. It is our responsibility as health-care workers to recognize if or when that happens and get them help." Doerries noted how the playwright's drinking continued for 17 years and led to eventual organ failure, what he called gradual suicide. "Which leads me to my toughest question," said Doerries. "What would you do if you knew someone who didn't recognize they may have a problem? Or who was afraid to ask for help? How would you help them?" According to the command master chief, in keeping with the Navy's Keep What You've Earned campaign against substance abuse and the Navy's ship, shipmate, self-culture, one of the first steps in getting help or helping others starts with the Sailors themselves. "If you see a shipmate who normally performs at a certain level or when you ask him or her how the day is going and you notice that they don't respond how they typically would, ask them, 'Hey shipmate, are you OK?,'" said Command Master Chief Edward Moreno. "A lot of Sailors have trouble asking for help when they need it. It's up to us to take care of one another and look out for each other." The command intends to continue reaching out to Sailors, staff and patients to lessen the stigma surrounding asking for help and to increase the education about substance abuse and the resources offered by the command. "The feedback on the program was fantastic. Watching how engaged the Sailors were and hearing how they trusted each other enough to open up to the audience and share such personal stories was touching," said Lt. Cmdr. Paul Rumery, NHCL's staff chaplain. "It was clear that in some way, substance abuse affects most people directly or indirectly, and that we are all willing to help each other and make sure our lives, our careers stay on a positive track." For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy . For more news from Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, visit www.navy.mil/local/nhcl/ . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-12. Mabus Advocates Cutting Number of Camouflage Uniforms By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy Secretary Ray Mabus would like to see the number of different camouflage uniforms in the military come down. "The notion that we have all this camouflage doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me," he told the Defense Writers Group this morning. He said the "blueberries" -- which is what sailors call their blue cammies -- work only when sailors fall overboard. The secretary said he would support an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Bill for fiscal year 2014 that would mandate a single camouflage uniform for all the services. At one time that was the case. In the late 1980s, all services wore the battle-dress uniform -- a green, brown and black uniform that grew out of Army research, said Lt. Col. Jerry Pionk, an Army spokesman. For the Gulf War, the Army also developed the "chocolate chip" uniforms worn in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. The Marines broke away from the "uniform" uniform when they went with their digital cammies in 2002. Not to be outdone, the Army also went digital with the Army combat uniform, using the universal combat pattern. The Air Force followed, and then the Navy went digital with its blueberries. In all, there are 18 different camouflage uniforms, including one issued to service members deploying to Afghanistan. There probably won't be just one camouflage uniform for all situations, Mabus acknowledged. "But we can go to two or three," he added. "It's still progress." A proposed amendment to the fiscal 2014 defense budget bill before Congress would require the services to adopt one camouflage pattern, with a wear date of 2018. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-08. Nimitz Responds Quickly to Shipboard Fire with No Disruption to Mission From USS Nimitz Public Affairs USS NIMITZ, At Sea (NNS) -- A fire occurred aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the ship's electrical equipment while the ship was underway in the Indian Ocean within U.S. 7th Fleet's operating area June 7. No Sailors were injured during the event or the response, and the ship and embarked air wing remain operable and in a safe, stable condition. The ship's underway firefighting team and watchstanders responded to the electrical fire, set fire boundaries and extinguished the fire. The extent of the damage remains to be determined. An assessment team, led by Puget Sound Naval Shipyard from Bremerton, Wash., is en route and will further evaluate the damage. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Nimitz is homeported in Naval Station Everett, Wash., and is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-10. Commander, U.S. Africa Command Visits USS Samuel B. Roberts By Lt. j.g. Fredy Jurkowitsch II, USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) Public Affairs AUGUSTA BAY, Italy (NNS) -- Gen. David Rodriguez, commander, U.S. Africa Command, visited the guided-missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58), during the ship's visit to Augusta Bay, June 11. During the visit, Rodriguez, and Capt. John Esposito, commander, Task Force 65, toured the ship with Cmdr. Robert Williams, Samuel B. Roberts commanding officer. Rodriquez concluded his visit with an address to the ship's crew, and with administrating the oath of enlistment for some attendees. "It is not everyday that you get a four-star General to reenlist you," said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Michael Terry. "This will be one of the highlights of my naval career." For many Sailors, the visit was a chance to recharge. "The deployment has been interesting thus far due to being a part of a multi-faceted mission," said Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Brian West. Samuel B. Roberts, homeported in Mayport, Fla., is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of responsibility. For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/ . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-16. Top DoD Health Official Visits Nation's Medical Center By Bernard S. Little, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Public Affairs BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) was visited by the top Department of Defense health affairs official to hear the concerns and issues of staff, wounded warriors and their families, June 7. Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary, defense for health affairs and director, TRICARE Management Activity, met with WRNMMC senior leadership staff, and wounded warriors and their families. Woodson, a vascular surgeon and brigadier general in the U.S. Army Reserve, serves as principle advisor to the secretary of defense for health issues. He manages all TRICARE health and medical resources, supervising and administering TRICARE medical and dental programs, serving nearly 10 million beneficiaries. In the military health system (MHS) worldwide, there are more than 133,000 military and civilian doctors, nurses, medical educators, researchers, health-care providers, allied health professionals and health administration personnel. While on active military duty, Woodson was "on the ground," deployed to Saudi Arabia when Operation Desert Storm began, and he deployed to Kosovo, and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has also served as a senior medical officer with the National Disaster Management System, where he responded to the attack in New York City, Sept. 11. Last week at Walter Reed Bethesda, Woodson praised staff, and called this "a transformative period in the MHS." "Change is often difficult because it creates a sense of turbulence, but in many cases, change is necessary," said Woodson. "I want to say, 'Thank you for the job that you do.' It's not an easy thing to do." Woodson credited some "amazing" things accomplished in the MHS during the last ten years. He cited the improvements in medical evacuations, which have saved many lives, the innovations in telemedicine, allowing "sophisticated care" to be delivered in remote areas, and the lowering of mortality rates. The senior defense health advisor encouraged people to build on these improvements and innovations, because of the DoD's mission of caring for the nation's heroes and their families. "Going forward, we have to figure out how to get things in balance, said Woodson. "I recognize there's a growing tension between services being able to train, equip and modernize the force versus what we need to do to continue to provide superb care, access to care, [and a] medically-ready force. We have a responsibility to modernize the medical force." For the future, the military medicine team needs to be more joint and integrated. "We [also must] appreciate what our civilian colleagues do," said Woodson. "Civilians are a very important part of our organization. We need them." Woodson ensured the hospital staff that their thoughts are of concern. "I would remind you, your feelings are being felt throughout the entire MHS as we work through this transformative and [fiscally-challenging] period," said Woodson. "I cannot do this [and] your leadership cannot do this without you. We need you to surface the issues, continue to motivate and inspire and not get demoralized with the process. We will solve these issues together and on the other side, be stronger for it. Thank you for all you do." After meeting with the Walter Reed Bethesda staff, Woodson visited wounded warriors and their families on the wards to inquire about the care they are receiving at the Nation's Medical Center. For more news from National Naval Medical Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nnmc/ . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-05. Pacific Partnership 2013 Opens Mission in Tonga By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga (NNS) -- Tonga leaders and citizens participated in a ceremony alongside of U.S., partner nation service members and non-governmental organization volunteers to mark the commencement of Pacific Partnership 2013, June 12. "It means a lot for the Kingdom of Tonga to have Pacific Partnership come back again after the successful missions in 2009 and 2011," said Tonga Navy Cmdr. Solomone Savelio, Pacific Partnership 2013 Tonga coordinator. "We are very grateful and thankful to the people of America and the government for allowing Pacific Partnership to come back." Pacific Partnership provides the opportunity to enhance the collective ability to provide disaster relief assistance and is scheduled to spend ten days working closely with local citizens and civilian agencies in schools, hospitals and villages. The Pacific Partnership 2009 and 2011 missions in Tonga treated a combined total of 8,527 patients, cared for more than 100 animals and conducted 12 engineering construction projects, including school buildings, bathrooms and water catchment systems, and medical clinics. This year, Pacific Partnership members plan to continue to work together with the Tongan people to do more of these projects, and expand upon what they have accomplished thus far. "Pacific Partnership will be a great opportunity for the whole country," said Tonga Defense Services 1st Lt. Latu Vahai, the first Tongan graduate from the United States Military Academy. "It will be a great contribution to our communities because of what I've seen in past programs." Ribbon cutting ceremonies are expected to take place at each of the newly renovated and constructed sites. "We are going to work on five different projects, mainly in schools and clinics," said French Army Marine Maj. Geangerome Solignac, French Marines Infantry Platoon officer in charge. "We expect to do the whole job in eight working days, so it's a very busy working program." Tongan leaders and citizens expressed their excitement to work alongside the entire Pacific Partnership team. "I think there will be an improvement to the overall economy and country," said Vahai. "When we build up the schools, I think there will be a great future. I am so thankful to all the countries who are here." In addition to the medical, dental, engineering, veterinarian and subject matter expert exchange missions, the Pacific Partnership team and Tongan citizens also expressed their excitement to build friendships, exchange in each other's cultures and to learn from one another. "There will be a lot of community relations that I am looking forward to, such as playing sports and the donations of books," said Savelio. "We value our relationships and friendships, and we will build that in the next 10 days by enhancing cooperation and coordination in order to do better in the future with natural disaster response." This year marks the eighth iteration of the Pacific Partnership mission, which was born out of the devastation when a tsunami swept through parts of Southeast Asia. Since then, the mission has been fostering relationships with nations and organizations in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Pacific Partnership builds a team approach to disaster response-preparedness, so that when crises such as the 2009 magnitude 8.0 earthquake and tsunami that devastated Tonga, Samoa and America Samoa occur, the international community is better prepared to respond swiftly and decisively. For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, visit www.navy.mil/local/pacensandiego/ . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-14. NAF Misawa Shatters CNFJ Energy Conservation Goal By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lisa Reese, Naval Air Facility Misawa Public Affairs NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa Public Works Department has reported the command has far exceeded the installation-level energy conservation goals, June 13. "The changes we've made in our consumption of energy at NAF Misawa benefits this installation in many ways," said Lt. Dustin Glazier, NAF Misawa public works officer. "Starting in March, we originally wanted to reduce our energy consumption for the rest of the year by at least $35,000. However, within the first two months we ended up saving over $100,000, which is about 300 percent of our initial goal. We made this happen by doing two things. Since winter heating accounts for 80 percent of our energy usage here, we immediately had the maximum heating temperatures set to no more than 66 degrees [Fahrenheit], and air conditioners set to no higher than 80 degrees [Fahrenheit] in the summer. The second step we took was to instruct personnel to self govern. We asked them to take steps to conserve energy within their work spaces." Additionally, NAF Misawa was able to conserve energy by consolidating some of their barracks facilities. The command moved the Navy Misawa Sailors into one barracks building. By consolidating Navy Misawa personnel into one complex, this enabled NAF Misawa Supply personnel to put one of their barracks and one of their Navy Gateway Inns and Suites buildings into contingency status. This way, the structures require minimal heating and electricity use. "We're not actively using these buildings, but they are also not shut down completely," said Chief Culinary Specialist Proceso Canlas. "Occasionally, we will have additional squadrons deploy to Misawa, so if needed, we can quickly have the buildings prepared for whatever use may come up in the future. But for now, we have all our forward-deployed personnel in one building which makes it easier for us to manage, and less costly in the long run." Navy Misawa Sailors also helped in exceeding NAF Misawa's energy goals. Through self-governance, they were able to rapidly achieve significant levels of energy efficiency. Primarily, by ensuring lights were turned on only when needed, and computers and printers were shut down at the conclusion of the work day to ease back on electricity. The installation's usage of electricity, water, and steam are tracked each week. If there appears to be an increased trend or influx of certain utilities, Public Works Department personnel will work with the respective building managers to look for ways to reduce usage, while ensuring the installation mission is not negatively impacted. "It feels great to see how much we've accomplished in such a short period of time," said Construction Electrician 2nd Class Andrew Perryman, NAVFAC Far East Detachment's installation energy manager. "The changes, overall, might seem insignificant, but in the bigger scheme of things we've conserved more energy and saved more money than initially projected. I think all Navy Misawa personnel should feel good about the impact they have already made, and will continue to make in the future." For more news from Naval Air Facility Misawa, check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nafmisawa . For more news from U.S. Naval Air Facility Misawa, Japan, visit www.navy.mil/local/nafmisawa/ . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-03. NSGL Picked As Top Federal Agency for Chicago By Naval Station Great Lakes Public Affairs NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES, Ill. (NNS) -- The Federal Executive Board (FEB) of Chicago, representing all Federal Agencies and employees in Chicago, selected Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) as the Federal Agency of the Year for 2013. NSGL Public Works Department Environmental also won an award for the Federal Green Challenge. Congratulations to Cmdr. Mike Crafts, NSGL public works officer, and Matt Wollert, NSGL environmental director, and their teams. "This is a huge honor for the base and everyone!" said Capt. Randy Lynch, NSGL commanding officer. "All employees should be extremely proud of themselves for a job well done! This was a tough competition with all of the other Federal organizations in Chicago and we were picked as the best!" The Chicago FEB represents over 55,000 Federal employees, postal employees, and military personnel. They work for 43 agencies in 186 offices located in the metropolitan Chicago area that includes the eleven county area of Cook, DuPage, McHenry, Lake, Will, Grundy, DeKalb, Kendall, and Kane counties in Illinois, and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana. The Chicago FEB also serves approximately 8,861,000 people who reside in the Chicago metropolitan area. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy . For more news from Commander, Navy Region Midwest/Naval Station Great Lakes, visit www.navy.mil/local/midwest/ . -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS130613-20. Norfolk Sailor Boxer Trains in the Ring By Jim Kohler, NAVSUP FLC Norfolk Office of Corporate Communications NORFOLK (NNS) -- A Norfolk Sailor has spent much of his off-time training as a boxer with dreams of overcoming odds to find glory in the ring. By day, Ship's Serviceman 2nd Class Eric Chandler, resale operations management (ROM) II technician, carries out his duties with the Navy Supply (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk, Operations Department, Fleet Assist Team. When he isn't on duty, he is "putting in work" by running, lifting weights and other training to be the best boxer he can be. "I'm up at 4:30 running before work," said Chandler. "After work, I'll lift weights or go to the gym to box. I train three times a day, six days a week." Chandler, a six-year Navy veteran, trains at the Box-N-Go Gym in Norfolk. He has only been boxing for two years, and his first fight was barely over a year ago. Since then, he has won several fights including some by knockout. Last year, he was selected for the Navy's All-Navy Boxing Team. His fighting weight is 201 pounds putting him in the heavyweight class for amateur boxing. As an amateur fighter, he participates in fights sanctioned by USA Boxing, the national governing body for Olympic-style amateur boxing. It is overseen by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Boxing Association (AIBA), formerly the United States Amateur Boxing Federation, that sets the rules. "I really enjoy the mental aspect of boxing," said Chandler. "To me, boxing is like a chess match. When I'm in the ring, my job is to hit a guy who has trained to not get hit, without getting hit myself. You have to think two or three steps ahead of your opponent all the time or you won't win many fights." Chandler's goal is to turn professional by the age of 28. His next fight is in Wilson, N.C., June 29. For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsup/ . 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- NNS020418-22. This Day in Naval History - June 14 From the Navy News Service 1777 - John Paul Jones takes command of Ranger. 1777 - Continental Congress adopts design of present U.S. Flag. 1847 - Commodore Matthew Perry launches amphibious river operations by Sailors and Marines on Tabasco River, Mexico. 1940 - Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Naval Expansion Act to construct ships to increase Navy's tonnage by 11 percent. 1985 - Steelworker 2nd Class Robert D. Stethem of Underwater Construction Team 1 was killed by militant Shi'ite hijackers of TWA Flight 847. He later received a Bronze Star for his heroism. 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).