AWARD WINNING
JOURNALISM 2013 Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards has recognized in Civilian Enterprise News Publications: First Place:The Flagship
More than 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 23, No. 47 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 11.26-12.2.15
An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, launches from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) to conduct their first missions over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
USS Kearsarge Harriers join fight against ISIL MCSA Ryre Arciaga
USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group Public Affairs ARABIAN GULF
Naval aviation rejoined the fight against ISIL Nov. 19, when AV-8B Harriers from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced) launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) to conduct their first missions over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). The last naval aviation missions in support of OIR were Oct. 17, from amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). “We will continue to work with our coalition partners to drive ISIL out of Iraq and Syria,” Commanding Officer of VMM-162 (REIN) Lt. Col. Brian T. Koch said. “We
operate around the clock to defend America, and to keep our families at home safe.” VMM-162 (REIN) is the aviation combat element of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), currently embarked with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). Capt. Augustus P. Bennett, commander, Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), said the Sailors and Marines under his charge are prepared for what lies ahead. “The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 26th MEU, along with our coalition partners are here to degrade and destroy ISIL’s current operations under OIR,” Bennett said.
USSBainbridge
Local ship conducts exercise USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) fires its MK 45 5-inch lightweight gun during a live-fire exercise Nov. 18. Bainbridge, an Arleigh Burke-class guidedmissile destroyer is currently conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.
» see KEARSARGE | A4
Ensign Morgan Witten
NMCP Corpsman Named Navy Medicine East Sailor of the Year By MC1 Gary Johnson Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Asterik Knotts, from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP), was selected as the Navy Medicine East (NME) 2015 Sailor of the Year (SOY). The announcement was made by Commander of NME Rear Adm. Terry Moulton during a ceremony Nov. 19, at NMCP. Twenty first class petty officers, one from each of the military treatment facilities and
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■ local winner Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Asterik Knotts, from NMCP, was selected from 20 first class petty officers, one from each of the military treatment facilities and commands that comprise NME.
USS HARRY S. TRUMAN DEPLOYS By MCSN A.O. Tinubu USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs
commands that comprise NME, competed for the honor. The competition included corpsmen, as well as members of rates that provide support in a medical setting. This is the second consecutive year that the NMCP candidate was selected for NME SOY. “It was truly a blessing to hear my name called, especially with the caliber of the candidates present,” Knotts said. “There were a lot of really qualified people who made up that group, and it made me feel really great, but very humbled.”
The ceremony began with remarks from host of the competition and Command Master Chief (CMC) of NME Command Master Chief Christopher Hill. “There was some very stiff competition this year, because all of the petty officers consistently perform at such high levels,” Hill said. “The regional CMCs had to put in some very long hours to make sure we picked the best candidate, and I am confident that we did.”
» see NMCP | A4
» see TRUMAN | A4
KEEL LAYING The keel of the Arleigh Burke-class PCU Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) was laid Nov. 16, in Bath, Maine, signifying the beginning of the destroyer’s construction.
HERITAGE Sailors from the Navy Medicine OperationalTraining Center celebrated National American Indian Heritage Month with an observance ceremony and pot luck luncheon. » see B7
CHRISTMAS TOWN OPEN Busch Gardens® ChristmasTown™ opened Friday! Featuring more than eight million lights, it’s one of the largest Christmas light displays in North America.
» see A5
NORFOLK
Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) said their goodbyes to friends and family prior to getting underway on a scheduled deployment Nov. 16. The current deployment is part of an on going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations in the U.S. 6th and 5th Fleet areas of operation. Truman, serving as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, completed a composite training unit exercise in September prior to deployment. “The Strike Group has operated and trained extensively to excel in complex and challenging scenarios designed to ensure deployment readiness,” Commander of CSG 8 Rear Adm. Bret Batchelder said. “We are ready. Our Sailors are dedicated,
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