Wetting down on USS Ronald Reagan


PACIFIC OCEAN (June 1, 2009) Newly sworn in Lt. j.g. Nick Casaletto, from Evansville, Ind., is soaked by Capt. K.J. Norton, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during the "wetting down" portion of the promotion ceremony aboard Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan is underway on a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Chad A. Bascom

WASHINGTON (June 3, 2009) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead, left, Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) The Honorable Ray Mabus and Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway discuss Navy issues with members of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense regarding the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of the Navy Budget Overview. U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Tiffini M. Jones

MCRD energy program saves $430K annually
by Lee H. Saunders
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego celebrated the completion of a $3.5 million energy project May 12 that will save 2,723 megawatt hours and $430,000 annually with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest energy project consisted of three tasks. The first task was design and install a 275 kilowatt ac power photovoltaic system on top of six MCRD storage warehouse rooftops. The second task required the installation of a backpressure steam turbine generator to produce electrical power for base consumption utilizing excess steam generated from a centralized steam plant. The final task involved the retrofitting of an existing lighting system with an energy efficient lighting system and install motion sensors to control lighting needs in warehouses.
"The installation of the photovoltaic system, the backpressure steam turbine generator and lighting retrofit continue to demonstrate the Navy's and the Marine Corps' commitments to energy management and renewable energy," said Phu Vu, NAVFAC Southwest Renewable Energy senior program leader for the project.
"The extensive partnering between MCRD, NAVFAC Southwest and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) has made this project possible."
The energy created will replace energy normally purchased from off-base suppliers and will reduce the cost of energy to MCRD. The project will make the depot more compliant with the Federal Energy Policy Act known as EPACT 2005 and DoD mandates to increase renewable energy resources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
"This project has been a pleasure to work on with our partners at MCRD and SDG&E, and it represents a great example to every new recruit that the Marines lead not only in defense of American interests at home and overseas but also set the example in protecting our environment with the same vigor and fidelity," said Gary Simon, NAVFAC Southwest construction manager for the project.
NAVFAC Southwest Executive Officer Capt. Robert Fahey and Col. Donald W. Zautcke, MCRD assistant chief of staff, along with Dave Guebert, SDG&E representative, cut the ribbon to commemorate the completion of the latest NAVFAC Southwest renewable energy and energy management project.

28th Annual Multi-Agency Wildland Fire School at Pendleton
Fifty Fire Departments will Participate in Largest Training of its Kind in the Western U.S.
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton will be hosting the 28th annual multi-agency school for wildland firefighting from June 1-5, 2009. The week-long school involves "live fire" scenarios and serves as a vital, hands-on training opportunity at the outset of another potentially active wildfire season in Southern California.
Agencies participating include the U.S. Forest Service, Camp Pendleton Fire Department, Bureau of Land Management, Cal-Fire, several tribal fire departments and county and municipal fire departments from jurisdictions throughout the Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County and Riverside region.
All exercises are planned, supervised and evaluated by certified fire instructors from the Angeles, Cleveland and San Bernardino National Forests.

SAN DIEGO (May 31, 2009) Members of the U.S. Navy Band Southwest "Destroyers," from Coronado, Calif., perform for participants of the 12th annual San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Stephanie Tigner

Court Sides with Navy A-12 stealth attack aircraft contract termination
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has affirmed a judgment upholding the Navy's termination for default of a contract with McDonnell Douglas and General Dynamics for the A-12 stealth attack aircraft.
In 1988, the Navy awarded the $4.8 billion fixed-price contract for development of the A-12, which was to be a stealthy, carrier-based attack aircraft. The program encountered serious technical difficulties, and in 1991, after the Department of Defense refused to approve additional funding for the program, the Navy terminated the contract because it was substantially over budget and behind schedule.
On appeal for the third time, the court of appeals on June 2, 2009 affirmed the 2007 judgment of Court of Federal Claims Judge Robert B. Hodges Jr., holding that the Navy had properly terminated the contract for default.
Under the decision, the contractors are required to repay the government more than $1.35 billion in principal for funds advanced under the contract, plus interest accruing since 1991, for a total sum that currently approaches $2.8 billion.
The Navy is pleased with the ruling of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and believes the decision is well reasoned and correctly decided.

USS Jarrett spearheads DESRON 1 bone marrow drive
by Lt. Steve Ansuini
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Jarrett (FFG 33) hosted the Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1 Bone Marrow Drive to assist in the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), a program designed to search for potential donors for bone marrow transplants, at Naval Base San Diego May 26.
More than 70 Sailors from DESRON 1 responded to the call and are now potential donors. Through a simple cheek swab – no blood or needles involved – these Sailors are now in the national registry.
"If I'm a match for someone I could save their life just because I swabbed my cheek," said Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SW) Brandon Dempster.
Lt. j. g. Joseph Abrutz, damage control assistant, said, "This is a good opportunity for Jarrett Sailors to help others."
Jarrett Sailors joined millions of other potential donors in the national registry who stand by for a potential match. The donor is contacted whenever a match is found. The donation process is simple and conducted by one of two methods: surgical procedure or Peripheral Blood Cell (PBSC) extraction. The surgical procedure withdraws liquid marrow directly from the back of the pelvic bones. The donor, under general anesthesia, will not feel any discomfort; however, most experience some lower back pain for a few days afterward.
The PBSC procedure entails the removal of blood from one arm, filtration of the needed cells and the return of the filtered blood into the other arm. This less intrusive process makes PBSC the most comfortable and preferred method of donation.
The mission of the NMDP is to help people who need a life-saving marrow or blood cell transplant by connecting patients, doctors, donors and researchers to the resources needed to help people live longer and healthier lives. This program could benefit more than 10,000 children and adults with life-threatening diseases this year alone.
"Thank you to the Jarrett Warriors out there that participated in the bone marrow drive," said Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/FMF) Stephen Royall.

Chancellorsville honors former Sailors with burial at sea
by Ens. George Kunthara
USS CHANCELLORSVILLE, At Sea (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) commemorated the lives of eight former Sailors and two Navy family members during a burial at sea May 28.
The ceremony occurred on the ship's fantail where an 18-person honor guard carried out the solemn duty of committing former shipmates to the sea. This is a time-honored naval tradition for military veterans who desired to be buried at sea. With the ship stopped in the water, and a seven-man rifle squad fired a 21-gun salute to honor the sacrifices of each Sailor and family member.
The burial at sea was one of the very first events for Chancellorsville on its 2009 deployment with the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group.
"It's important to remember the past as we continue to go forward," said Lt. j.g. Jonathan Flacke, who helped organize the ceremony. "Something like this really makes us stop for a moment and remember why we are out here."
According to naval tradition, the ship's commanding officer, Capt. John Nolan mailed a personal letter to each of the families of those committed to the sea, including a folded flag, a spent cartridge from each of the three rifle volleys and a chart showing the exact location of the ship at the time of committal.
"As we prepare to head west on our deployment, it is an honor and privilege for our crew to take the time to remember fallen shipmates from the 'greatest generation,'" said Capt. Nolan. "This solemn ceremony is a special part of our naval heritage."

Seabees graduate from toolbelts to black belts
by Lt. Cliff Kelsey
VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. (NNS) -- Students from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, based out of Naval Base Ventura County, graduated from the first Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) course offered by the battalion's training department May 15.
The addition of the course into the battalion's training curriculum was coordinated by Lt. Cmdr. Rafael Miranda, NMCB 4's training officer, and GySgt. Jakub Biziorek, NMCB 4's Marine advisor.
"We wanted to think outside the box and provide the troops with training that would be interesting and motivating," said Miranda. "I have always been impressed with the Marine Corps Warrior Ethos and wanted to incorporate it into the naval construction force."
Students of the course were temporarily assigned to MCMAP instructors, Sgt. Jose Camberos and Sgt. Carlos Cruz, for two weeks rigorous training. They were provided basic combat martial arts training and led through an extremely strenuous physical training program.
Although the course was demanding, 50 Seabees displayed the Seabee "Can Do" spirit and completed the course.
"It was great working with the Seabees." said Camberos. "They were very enthusiastic; everyone had a positive attitude, and they really were interested in learning the program."
With the success of the inaugural module, NMCB 4 plans to provide additional MCMAP courses in the future and pursue further training with the Marine Corps.
"Seabees and Marines often work hand-in-hand in the field." said Biziorek. "Any joint training opportunities we can take advantage of can only improve our understanding of how each other think and operates."
"The Seabee motto is 'We Build, We Fight'." said Steelworker 3rd Class (SCW) Gerardo Martinez, "This course helps us strengthen the 'We Fight' part."

Childhood Development Center earns national NAEYC accreditation
by Mischa Bunnett
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) Child Development Center is one of the first centers to earn accreditation under a newly defined set of standards from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) - the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals.
"We're proud to have earned the mark of quality from NAEYC and to be recognized for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards," said Mischa Bunnett, director for the center. "NAEYC accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our program are getting the best care and early learning experiences possible. This is essential for our families, especially because of the fast paced operations tempo that is required of them. It allows them to focus on the mission at hand."
To earn NAEYC accreditation, NBSD's Child Development Center went through an extensive self-study process, measuring the program and its services against the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards and more than 400 related accreditation criteria. The program received NAEYC accreditation in early May after a site visit by NAEYC assessors.
In the 23 years since NAEYC accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. Almost 8,000 programs, serving one million young children, are currently accredited by NAEYC – approximately eight percent of all preschools and other early childhood programs.
The center scored a 96 out of 100 percent in the rating process. NAEYC accreditation confirms the center's commitment to children and families through the quality of programs it offers.

Navy terminates contract for VH-71 presidential helicopter
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy announced June 1 that it will terminate the VH-71 System Development and Demonstration (SDD) program contract. The announcement follows a Department of Defense (DoD) decision to cancel the existing presidential helicopter replacement program.
The VH-71 was intended to replace both the VH-3D and VH-60N aircraft currently used to conduct presidential support missions.
Navy contract N00019-05-C-0030 and associated work with Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego (LMSI-O), Owego, N.Y., awarded Jan. 28, 2005, for the SDD of the VH-71 program, has been terminated for the convenience of the government.
The under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics issued a VH-71 program acquisition decision memorandum May 15, 2009, which directed the program be cancelled, to include both Increment 1 and Increment 2.

Talon EOD robot demo



ARLINGTON, Va. (May 28, 2009) Master Chief Steve French and Laura Smith operate a Talon EOD robot during an Office of Naval Research Technical Solutions demonstration of the recently completed battery replacement project. The battery replacement project was prompted by a request from the II Marine Expeditionary Force, 8th Engineering Battalion and resulted in a solution provided by Penn State University's Applied Research Laboratory that utilizes standard military batteries. U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams

Vice Adm Locklear visits USS Nimitz



PACIFIC OCEAN (June 1, 2009) Vice Adm. Samuel Locklear, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, addresses the Chief's Mess during a scheduled visit aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California in preparation of a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Matthew Patton