Sun sets on carrier qualification for USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)


PACIFIC OCEAN (April 18, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's mate (Handling) 2nd Class Nick Smith, left, shares a laugh with Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Jasper Barrera as the sun sets on the final day of carrier qualification aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is underway performing Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Gary A. Prill

Three more ships on their way to new homeport, San Diego!
Three of the eight mine countermeasure ships will continue the transfer from 2nd Fleet's Area of Responsibility to 3rd Fleet.
The three ships will depart Naval Station Ingleside's waterfront and begin a month-long journey to their new homeport in San Diego.
USS Champion (MCM 4), USS Devastator (MCM 6) and USS Pioneer (MCM 9) are set to leave for a permanent change of duty station in accordance with the Department of Defense Base Relocation and Closure Commission's directed closure of Naval Station Ingleside. One of the three remaining ships will set sail once maintenance and upgrades are complete. Two other MCM ships will be heavy lifted.
This is the second phase of ships moving to San Diego. USS Warrior (MCM 10) and USS Chief (MCM 14) arrived at their new homeport at Naval Base San Diego April 17.
The moves are part of the consolidation of mine warfare surface assets in to align resources, consolidate expertise and increase cost savings in maintenance, training and operations.
In addition to the MCM ships changing homeports, other mine warfare commands moving to the West Coast include: MCM Crews, MCM Class Squadron, MCM Squadron 1, MCM Squadron 3, Mobile Mine Assembly Group and Mobile Mine Assembly Unit 15.

BHR: Flight deck cleaning 'Zamboni' gives aircraft carriers a cleaner wake
by Dave Nystrom
ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy's newest flight deck cleaning technology – the Mobile Cleaning Reclaim and Recovery System (MCCRS) - is powerful and environmentally safe.
The MCRRS vehicle uses hydrocyclone technology, which does not require soap, uses only pressurized water, and reclaims and recycles the spent cleaning water. Everything from oil, fuel and loose bolts on deck can be vacuumed into the MCRRS. Oil and other hazardous materials are separated out into waste concentrates so they can be properly disposed of, while the water can be recycled for cleaning. The MCRSS can be used while underway and in port.
"The Office of Naval Research (ONR) funded MCRRS as a Small Business Innovative Research initiative," said Steve McElvany, ONR's program manager overseeing its development. "The system was designed specifically to address the need for a flight deck cleaning vehicle that is also environmentally safe."
Testing of MCRRS aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) began in 2009 and delivered impressive results. "The equipment is sort of like a 'flight deck Zamboni' used for a hockey rink – you drive it around, it makes a little bit of noise, and you see a clean smooth line after you're done," said Tracy Harasti, an environmental protection specialist from the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock, and contract manager for ONR.
Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling 3rd Class Ryan Dodge who tested the MCRRS aboard Bonhomme Richard in San Diego, noted a number of the benefits from this ONR-funded technology.
"It uses higher water pressure than compared to the old scrubber we used to use, which gives it a deeper cleaning," he said. "This is better for us … helps us maintain the flight deck better and makes it look nicer, too."
Debris, fuel, oil and hydraulic fluids are hazards to personnel and aircraft, and must be continually removed from a flight deck. The manual process — known as a "scrub-ex" and familiar to many aviation boatswain's mates — is time-consuming, uses saltwater and special detergents, which can corrode metal.
The MCRRS improves safety of flight for personnel by removing debris, which can damage a jet engine or cause harm to personnel. It also improves the coefficient of friction of the flight deck non-skid.
"It really does steam-clean the flight deck," added Dodge.
ONR provides the science and technology (S&T) necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps' technological warfighting dominance. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in S&T with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning, and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1400 people, comprised of uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.

SAN DIEGO (April 17, 2009) Sailors walk across the brow as the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS San Francisco (SSN 711) arrives into its new homeport at Naval Submarine Base Point Loma. San Francisco was placed in the dry dock facility after colliding with an uncharted undersea mountain approximately 350 miles south of Guam Jan. 8, 2005. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Rialyn Rodrigo

USS San Francisco arrives San Diego
by MC2(SW/AW) Michael Story
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS San Francisco (SSN 711) sailed into San Diego harbor April 17, where it arrived at its new homeport at Naval Submarine Base Point Loma.
This journey comes after a three-year restoration period at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS and IMF) in Washington state.
The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine collided with an uncharted undersea mountain Jan. 8, 2005, and was placed in the dry dock facility for repairs after a 5,600-nautical mile open ocean transit from Apra Harbor, Guam to PSNS and IMF.
After leaving the dry dock facility April 7, the submarine successfully completed sea trials and began her transit toward San Diego.
"Sea trials went well and the San Francisco is in great material condition. We put her through a rigorous, comprehensive set of tests and she performed superbly," said San Francisco Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Nathan Martin.
The change of station to San Diego is a result of the Navy's plan to maintain 60 percent of the submarine force in the U.S. Pacific Fleet, as outlined in the 2006 Quadrennial Review.
"It's been a lot of hard work up in Washington, but I'm really glad that we're down here [in San Diego]," said Lt. Paul Carnan, San Francisco's quality assurance and electrical assistant officer. "A lot of other guys on the boat put a lot of effort forward and I think it shows. We had successful sea trials and we're all really glad to be down here and to be operational now."
"The crew had done an outstanding job of preparing themselves, their families, and the ship for San Francisco's return to service and change of homeport," Martin said. "They worked very hard to make this process and the ship successful. Their dedication and determination have been awe-inspiring. I couldn't be more optimistic about the future of San Francisco and her exceptional crew."
This submarine is the third U.S. Navy ship to carry the name San Francisco.
Commissioned April 24, 1981, San Francisco is crewed by approximately 12 officers and 115 enlisted personnel.

Olympic athlete joins Navy, fulfills lifelong dream
by MC1 David McKee
LOS ANGELES (NNS) -- A former Olympian joined the U.S. Navy and departed for Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, R.I. April 19.
Larsen Jensen, who won a silver medal in swimming during the Olympics Games in Athens in 2004 and a bronze medal during the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, was sworn into the Navy during a ceremony at Navy Recruiting District Los Angeles Headquarters.
"I've been tremendously blessed. I've gone to a great university. I've gone to the Olympics. Now I want to give back to the country that has been so generous to me with opportunities," said Jensen, a Bakersfield, California native and graduate of the University of Southern California.
Jensen will face 12 weeks of physically and mentally challenging training.
"The constant state of stress that begins the moment a prospective officer candidate arrives on deck, continues to the moment they take the oath to become a United States Navy officer," said Lt. j.g. Sarah Sirkin, a graduate of OCS who currently serves aboard USS Anzio (CG 68). "You can be a star college athlete or a nuclear scientist and there is no guarantee that you will even make it to day three of training. Only the very best will be invited to commissioning day," said Sirkin.
"I fully understand this will be a tremendous task, and I hope my Olympic training can help me at Officer Candidate School," said Jensen.
After OCS, Jensen hopes to go to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training.
Almost 100 men applied to become a SEAL officer. Of those, 38 were selected for the board and out this six were selected to go on the BUD/S.
Unlike the nuclear officer, civilian and chaplain programs, there is no SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) officer program. Both enlisted and officers attend BUD/S.
"Becoming a SEAL in the officer community isn't an easy task," said Officer Recruiter Chief Navy Counselor (SW) Robert Weekes.
"Ascension to the wardroom in the SEAL community is more prominent than in most ratings, so it is very competitive," Weekes said.
But between the first day (of BUD/S) and the day he pins a gold trident above the left pocket of his uniform, Jensen knows the rigors of Rhode Island are still ahead.
"I am taking a very narrow view of the big picture. I am going to remain focused on going one step at a time," Jensen said.

Makin Island: Signed, sealed, delivered to U.S. Navy
by Ens. Lauryn K. Dempsey
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- More than 900 crew members from the future USS Makin Island (LHD 8) marched aboard their ship April 16 in a historic delivery ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB), Gulf Coast.
The crew marched in a two-company formation, the Argonaut and Nautilus, to symbolize the two submarines that delivered the Marine Raiders to Makin Island during World War II.
After almost four years as Prospective Commanding Officer of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Makin Island (LHD 8), Capt. Robert G. Kopas officially signed the DD-form 250, granting custody of the ship to the U.S. Navy.
Conceived in 2000, the ceremony was a culmination of many years of hard work.
"Makin Island has seen three different Presidents of the United States, four Secretaries of the Navy, four Chiefs of Naval Operations and four presidents of NGSB, along with hurdles during the process," said Capt. Jeffrey Riedel, program manager, Amphibious Warfare Program.
"It's a great sense of accomplishment to finally deliver the ship," said Jeff Davis, LHD 8 ship director. "It's a great ship, and the last two years have been very trying and very difficult. We have had to work through a lot of issues: materials, manpower and natural disasters. The men and women of NGSB have done a great job completing this quality ship."
NGSB personnel are not the only ones who have had to deal with the obstacles of building a revolutionary ship. The ship's crew began reporting to Pascagoula in late 2005.
After two years of preparing and working toward Makin Island's delivery, Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 2nd Class Nicholas Ayres brought his family along to thank them for their patience in the process.
"As I told all my junior Sailors, you know that lump you get right here (in your throat)," said Ayres.
"That's called pride and I've got a lot of pride in Makin Island. My wife and son have seen all the long hours we've worked and all the hard work we've put in, and I wanted them to be a part of history."
"With the delivery of Makin Island, the crew and I look forward with anticipation to completing the path of bringing Makin Island to the fleet," said Kopas. "We deeply appreciate the support we've received, and promise to all of you that we will sail her as she was designed, a warship ready for any tasking our nation requires, no matter where it is!"
The crew is now working and living aboard the ship, while preparing for sail-away, when Makin Island will transit around South America to its future homeport of San Diego, where it is scheduled to be commissioned on Oct. 24, 2009.

Sailors over 40 get a boost
The Navy now offers a fitness program designed for senior personnel called Senior Health Assessment Program Enterprise (SHAPE). It is targeted for active duty service members 40 years of age and older. The program is designed to optimize performance and increase retention of senior Navy personnel.
The SHAPE program is offered out of the Admiral Prout Field House Gym at Naval Base San Diego. However, the program coordinators are able to bring their assessment program to your command. SHAPE is designed to educate and motivate senior active duty personnel, 40 years of age and over, to achieve long-lasting health through permanent behavior change. This is done by providing services tailored to the specific physical and situational needs of each individual.
The program attacks fitness from a physical activity and a nutrition stand point. The program provides a structured fitness program where participants can receive a personal trainer and a personalized fitness assessment, as well as counseling on how to increase physical activity outside of structured exercise and incorporating it throughout their day. Contractors carrying out the program also provide basic dietary guidance, supported by a registered dietitian at CNIC headquarters.
Get or stay ahead of the PRT curve! Join your fellow “Over 40” service members and be a part of SHAPE. To make an appointment or for more information contact the SHAPE Program Coordinators at (619) 556-7444.

Navy commissions guided missile destroyer Truxtun
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy's newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, Truxtun, will be commissioned Saturday, April 25, during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony in Charleston, S.C.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Carol Leigh Roelker and Susan Scott Martin, descendants of the ship's namesake, will serve as sponsors of the ship. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when they give the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"
Designated DDG 103, the destroyer honors Commodore Thomas Truxtun (1755-1822) who embarked upon a seafaring career at age 12. When the Navy was initially organized, he was selected as one of its first six captains on June 4, 1798. Assigned command of the USS Constellation, one of the nation's new frigates, Truxtun put to sea to prosecute the undeclared naval war with revolutionary France. On Feb. 9, 1799, Truxtun achieved one of his most famous victories when Constellation battered the French warship L'Insurgente into submission in one of the most illustrious battles of the quasi-war with France.
Five previous Navy ships have been named Truxtun: a brig launched in 1842, two destroyers DD 14 and DD 229, a high speed transport APD 98 (initially designated a destroyer escort DE 282), and a nuclear-powered frigate (DLGN) later re-designated cruiser CGN 35.
The 53rd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, Truxtun will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Truxtun will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to apply maritime power to protect U.S. vital interests in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world.
Cmdr. Timothy Weber, a native of Decatur, Ga., will become the first commanding officer and lead the crew of 276 officers and enlisted personnel. The 9,200-ton Truxtun was built by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Ingalls Operations, Pascagoula, Miss. The ship is 510 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 59 feet, and a navigational draft of 31 feet. Four gas turbine engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots.

PACIFIC OCEAN (April 18, 2009) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) scrub the flight deck after a week of aircraft carrier training flight operations. Ronald Reagan is underway conducting Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Lex T. Wenberg