4 The Flagship | www.flagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, May 27, 2021
This Memorial Day weekend, NEX customers can #RunForThisMoment with the virtual 5K run May 27 – 31, 2021. (COURTESY GRAPHIC)
NEX patrons #RunForThisMoment on Memorial Day Weekend
By Kristine Sturkie
Navy Exchange Service Command Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — This Memorial Day weekend, NEX customers can #RunForThisMoment with the virtual 5K run May 27 — 31, 2021. Participants can run at their own pace to the virtual finish line, accompanied by live musical performances and entertainment. The first 1,500 to register for the virtual 5K will receive a free commemorative medal, while supplies last. Registration opened May 17 on myNavyExchange.com/NEXtLevel5K. “This run gives our patrons the opportunity to remember and a chance to sustain
the memory of those we’ve lost while serving in the U.S. military,” said Navy Exchange Service Command’s (NEXCOM) Command Master Chief Dayna Winn. “By dedicating your participation to a fallen hero, you can share who they were and how they impacted your life. By honoring their sacrifice, you can add to their legacy. We are proud to offer this virtual 5K race to our military members and their families.” In addition to the 5K virtual run, NEXCOM will be hosting the 2nd annual NEX Grill Master Contest beginning May 19. Authorized patrons are invited to send a video of them grilling their favorite recipes. Contes-
tants will be judged on originality of the recipe, the appearance of the final dish and the excitement the grill master provides on the video. The highlight of the weekend will be musical performances developed in collaboration with MWR Navy Entertainment. The weekend kickoffs off with a concert by Switchfoot live from the USS Midway in San Diego. The long weekend will continue with performances by 18 additional artists May 28 - 31 including Noah Schnacky, Kameron Marlowe, Weathers, Tessa Violet, and Charlie Starr from Blackberry Smoke. Concerts can be viewed on the @NavyExchange Facebook. The sched-
uled concerts are as follows: Thursday, May 27 (all times are EDT) 8 PM - Switchfoot Friday, May 28 6 PM — The Orphan The Poet 7 PM — Derek Jones 8 PM — Kesley Bou 9 PM — Walker County 10 PM — Kameron Marlowe Saturday, May 29 2 PM - Everette 4 PM — Charlie Starr 6 PM — Georgia Webster 7 PM — Carbon Leaf 8 PM — Carolyn Miller 9 PM — Tessa Violet 10 PM - Weathers Sunday, May 30 2 PM — Tyler Booth 4 PM — Thad Cockrell 6 PM — Josh Gallagher 7 PM - Anson 8 PM — Jameson Rodgers 9 PM — Ben Kweller 10 PM — Noah Schnacky The #RunForThisMoment is the first in a series of five virtual 5K races the NEX will be hosting throughout the year. A limited edition challenge coin will be given to anyone who participates in all five races, while supplies last.
Navy exercises option for second guided missile frigate From PEO USC Public Affairs WASHINGTON — The Navy awarded a contract option to Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build its second Constellation Class Guided Missile Frigate, officials announced. “The Navy Program Office is pleased to award the option for the USS Congress (FFG 63) to our industry partner Fincantieri Marinette Marine,” said Capt. Kevin Smith, major program manager for Constellation Class Frigate (PMS 515). “As the second ship of the Constellation Class Frigate Program, the USS Congress will provide a highly capable, next-generation surface combatant that our Navy and Nation needs.” The future USS Congress (FFG 63) will be built at FMM’s shipyard in Marinette, Wisc. where preparations are being made to begin construction on lead ship USS Constellation (FFG 62). Like its sister ship, FFG 63 will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations. Shipboard systems will include an Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) radar, Baseline Ten (BL10) AEGIS Combat System, a Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), communications systems, MK 110 57mm Gun Weapon System (GWS) and added capability in the
A cross-warfare center team, including Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, is developing a total ship Frigate Readiness Assessment Model (FRAM) for the new Constellation-class frigate, FFG 62, which is nearing completion of the design phase. (COURTESY GRAPHIC)
Electronic Warfare/Information Operations area with design flexibility for future growth. The Constellation Class Frigate will be an important part of the Navy’s future Fleet. It represents the evolution of the Navy’s small surface combatant force with increased
lethality, survivability, and improved capability to support the National Defense Strategy across the full range of military operations. It will help conduct distributed maritime operations more effectively and improve the Navy’s ability to fight both in
contested blue-water and littoral environments. The acquisition process for the Navy’s Constellation Class Frigate began in 2017. Since then the Navy has worked closely with industry to balance cost and capability.