MLB rolls out the red, white & blue


LOS ANGELES (April 14, 2009) Sailors and Marines unfurl a football field-sized American flag at Dodger Stadium during the pre-game activities before a Major League Baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. U.S. Navy photo by MC1 David McKee

Some PCS moves delayed until October
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- The Navy announced plans April 14 to place a temporary hold on selected permanent change of station (PCS) moves in order to remain within budget.
The decision means that as many as 14,000 Sailors who have not already received orders may not be able to transfer until after Oct. 1 when the new fiscal year begins.
Individuals currently under orders will be allowed to rotate as planned.
"Delaying these moves will help us live within the manpower resources we have been allocated," said Rear Adm. Don Quinn, commander, Navy Personnel Command. "We have chosen this path instead of other more painful options, such as involuntary separations. We fully understand the impact on our Sailors and their families, but this was clearly the best option in these extraordinary times."
Exceptions to the PCS hold include orders for Sailors separating from the service, individual augmentees and Global War On Terrorism Support Assignments (GSA), new accessions, organization moves as well as selected Joint Professional Military Education (JPME), graduate education moves and readiness moves.
Navy leaders will continue to work this issue and should additional funds become available, Navy will act promptly to restore these delayed PCS moves.
"We are working very hard to focus the remaining PCS funds on critical moves that are directly tied to fleet readiness," said Quinn.

MCM ships arrive San Diego
SAN DIEGO - Two mine countermeasures ships, USS Chief (MCM 14) and USS Warrior (MCM 10) are arrived at their new homeport at Naval Base San Diego Thurs., April 16. Chief and Warrior are part of Commander, Mine Countermeasures Squadron (COMCMRON) Two, currently located in Ingleside, Texas. The squadron and ships are moving in accordance with the Defense Base Relocation and Closure Commission’s (BRAC) directed closure of Naval Station Ingleside.
This move begins the consolidation of mine warfare surface assets in one location to align resources, consolidate expertise and increase cost savings in maintenance, training and operations.
Naval Mine and Anti-submarine Warfare Command (NMAWC) San Diego will oversee the mission of the MCMs. NMAWC focuses efforts across numerous resource sponsors, systems commands, research laboratories, training organizations and operational commands to ensure Navy-wide competency in the naval mine warfare (MIW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission areas.

Sailor throws first pitch for Padres
by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) David Brandenburg, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- A Sailor from U.S. 3rd Fleet was invited by the San Diego Padres to throw the ceremonial first pitch during the San Diego Padres Military Appreciation Game April 9.
"I've always thought San Diego has been a great military town. They have supported the military really well," said Senior Chief Operations Specialist (SW) John Kelly, who was selected to throw the pitch. "Here today it's a little special for me because I am here to throw the opening pitch."
Kelly was diagnosed recently with leukemia and has undergone various treatments at the San Diego Naval Medical Center.
"The health care that I have received has been top notch, and the help from the Navy community has been amazing," said Kelly.
"This is really an honor for me to throw this pitch because it lets me show my appreciation for my shipmates as well as the community that supports their military."
The opening ceremony included a flag ceremony comprised of Sailors from the San Diego-area, a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" from Marine Corps Band San Diego and a helicopter fly-over by the San Diego Coast Guard detachment.

NAVFAC Southwest awards American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded contracts
by Lee H. Saunders
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest awarded its first contracts funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act April 7 to make improvements in San Diego and San Clemente Island, Calif.
Contracts were awarded to MTM Builders, Inc. of San Diego for more than $813,000 and Q-Max Construction Company of Fullerton for $637,000.
"NAVFAC Southwest is proud to support the president's initiative to put people back to work and jumpstart the economy, while improving the quality of life for our service members, their families and Department of Defense civilians," said Capt. Steve Wirsching, NAVFAC Southwest commanding officer. "These projects will modernize the Navy shore infrastructure within the southwest region."
MTM Builders, Inc. will replace roof mounted boilers in buildings at Naval Base San Diego. The contractor will complete work by October 2009.
Q-Max Construction Company will replace a metal roof on a bachelor quarters building at the Navy Auxiliary Landing Field on San Clemente Island.

USS Hartford commanding officer relieved
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The commanding officer of USS Hartford (SSN 768) was relieved of command April 14 due to loss of confidence.
Rear Adm. Michael J. Connor, commander, Task Force 54 (CTF 54) and commander, Submarine Group 7, relieved the commanding officer of USS Hartford (SSN 768), Cmdr. Ryan Brookhart.
Connor expressed his loss of confidence in Brookhart's ability to command. Brookhart was in command of Hartford when the submarine collided with USS New Orleans (LPD 18) March 20, in the Strait of Hormuz. Although the investigations into the accident are not complete, Connor determined that there was enough information to make the leadership change.
Cmdr. Chris Harkins, deputy commander of Submarine Squadron 8, assumed command of Hartford April 14. Harkins previously commanded USS Montpelier (SSN 765).
Brookhart has been temporarily assigned to the CTF 54 staff in Bahrain.

President Obama praises U.S. military rescue of Maersk-Alabama captain
by John J. Kruzel
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- President Barack Obama praised the U.S. military's rescue of the kidnapped captain of the Maersk-Alabama cargo ship on the waters off the coast of Somalia April 12.
U.S. naval forces freed Capt. Richard Phillips five days after Somali pirates took him hostage.
"I am very pleased that Captain Phillips has been rescued and is safely on board the USS Boxer," Obama said in a White House statement. "His safety has been our principal concern, and I know this is a welcome relief to his family and his crew.
"I am also very proud of the efforts of the U.S. military and many other departments and agencies who worked tirelessly to secure Captain Phillips' safe recovery," he said. "I share the country's admiration for the bravery of Captain Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew. His courage is a model for all Americans."
Navy Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, comended those involved in the rescue.
"This was an incredible team effort, and I am extremely proud of the tireless efforts of all the men and women who made this rescue possible," Gortney said in a U.S. Navy release. Gortney said Phillips' actions, and those of the Maersk-Alabama crew, were heroic.
"They fought back to regain control of their ship, and Captain Phillips selflessly put his life in the hands of these armed criminals in order to protect his crew," he said.
Following the rescue, Phillips was taken aboard the USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) before being flown to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), where he contacted his family, received a routine medical evaluation and is resting comfortably, according to a U.S. Navy statement.
Three pirates were killed during the rescue operation, and U.S. military forces have one pirate in custody, the statement said.

Navy San Diego seeks to identify if there is a need to establish after hours (24/7) childcare facilities
Military jobs aren't eight-to-five and neither are the Navy's Child and Youth Program's Child Development Centers and Youth Recreation Centers. Dozens of Navy facilities and dozens more of Navy-certified home operated childcare services fill with military children each day.
Although thousands of military children enjoy Navy sponsored childcare, the Child and Youth Program is reaching out to discover if 24/7 care options are needed.
"Our facilities provide high-quality educational and recreational programs for military children and youth," says Mary Rotterman, Psy.D, Program Manager, Navy Region Southwest Fleet, Family and Child Programs. "We've heard that a few families have asked for overnight and weekend care as well. We hope to determine the actual need for these extended services."
An online survey can be found on the homepage of www.mwrtoday.com that polls the childcare needs of active-duty military who work shifts or stand watch between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. or on weekends.
"If our families need expanded services we want to know so we can serve them better," Rotterman explained. "We ask all active duty who work nights and weekends to tell us about their needs by completing the survey at www.mwrtoday.com."

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 7, 2009) Sailors on flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) prepare two MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters from the "Eightballers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) for flight operations. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Walter M. Wayman