USS Fort Lauderdale holds first change of command

ByPettyOfficer2ndClass

DustinKnight

USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28)

NORFOLK In a time-honored tradition, Capt. James A. Quaresimo the first commandingofficerofUSSFortLauderdale (LPD28),wasrelievedbyCapt.GillMcCarthyduringachangeofcommandceremony attendedbyNavyleadership,family,friends and the crew aboard the ship while in port NavalStationNorfolk,Friday,July7.

Quaresimo, a native of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, became Fort Lauderdale’s first commanding officer after assuming command in September 2020 He led USS Fort Lauderdale through the ship’s delivery, commissioning, and post-delivery tests andtrials.

“It has been an absolute honor and privilege to be the first commanding officer of the Mighty USS Fort Lauderdale.” Quaresimosaid Duringtheceremony,Quaresimothanked thecrewfortheirhardwork,dedicationand service to their country during his time as commandingofficer

“Made of saltwater and excellence, the SailorsandMarinesaboardFortLauderdale representthebestournationhastoofferand Iamhonoredtohavehadtheopportunityto servewiththem.”saidQuaresimo

Also during Quaresimo’s tenure, he led members of the crew on visits to the ships namesake city on many occasions, working withtheciviliancommissioningcommittee to build strong bonds in with the city and itscitizens “Wecannotoverstatejusthowmuchthat means to us to know that we are associated withallofthegreatcitizensofthecityofFort Lauderdale,”Quaresimosaid “Thecommissioningwasamazingduetothehardworkof the commissioning committee. Thank you for your dedication to our great Navy and Nation We truly are forever bonded to all ofyou.”

McCarthy, a native of Templeton, Massachusetts, completed executive and commanding officer tours aboard USS

Russell (DDG 59) prior to assuming duty as USSFortLauderdale’scommandingofficer.

“It is clear to me what an amazing job

Capt Quaresimo has done cultivating the professionalism of this crew,” said McCarthy. “I am humbled to join a team as proficient and professional as the crew of USS FortLauderdale!

TheHonorableMeredithBerger,Assistant SecretaryoftheNavy(Energy,Installations, and Environment) and Fort Lauderdale’s ship sponsor, served as the ceremony’s key notespeakerandspokehighlyoftheship,its crewandCapt.Quaresimo

“Capt. Quaresimo has displayed exceptional leadership as the first commanding officer of the Mighty USS Fort Lauderdale His dedication and hard work have been instrumental in the successful delivery, commissioning,andearlyoperationsofthis remarkable ship,” said Berger “I am confident that Capt. McCarthy will continue to builduponthisstrongfoundationasheleads theUSSFortLauderdale Astheship’ssponsor,Iamproudtobeassociatedwithsucha talented crew and to witness the extraordinaryaccomplishmentsofthisvessel.”

FortLauderdaleisthetwelfthFlightISan Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship of the United States Navy and the first to be named for the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Fort Lauderdale is a warship designed to embark, transport and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionarywarfaremissions

LPDs are used to transport and land Marines, their equipment, and supplies by embarked Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoffandlandingaircraft(MV22).Theseships support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and serve as secondary aviation platforms foramphibiousoperations

For more news on USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) visit https://www.facebook.com/ FORTLAUDERDALELPD28

ByCommander,NavalAirForce Atlantic

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va A group of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (CNAL) Sailors laced up their sneakers for a morning of physical fitness for a Chief’s MesscoordinatedFunRunatMountTrashmoreParkonJune30

Approximately 40 Sailors were in attendanceforthisevent.TheSailorsstartedthe morning with group warm-up exercises before beginning to run around the park’s perimeter The event focused on comradery among Sailors and their Chiefs while promotingphysicalfitness

“[I enjoy] being able to get out of the office and build relationships with people inmydivision,”saidYeoman2ndClassKris McCracken.

The run started on the east side of the park, looped around Lake Trashmore, and finished on top of Mount Trashmore. In total, the group ran approximately two miles Sailors families and dogs were even present for the run enhancing the morning ofconnectivity

“The important stuff couldn’t happen withouteachandeveryoneofyou[Sailors],” said CNAL Force Master Chief (FORCM) Jimmy W. Hailey III to the group after completingtherun “Don’tforgetthat.”

Hailey concluded the event by thanking the attendees for being there and encouraging them to enjoy the upcoming holiday weekend.

CNAL is responsible for seven nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, 54 and the support we get from the Ground SupportBranch.”

Ensuring the equipment remains functional keeps the shop busy This year alone, theGroundSupportBranchisscheduledto performmorethan5,000preventivemaintenanceoperationstokeepthedepot’sground supportequipmentinworkingorder

“In this shop, there’s a lot of variety in the equipmentweservice Wemaintainairconditioning equipment, diesel and gas engines, generators, forklifts, carts used to transport partsthroughoutthefacility,aircraftmaintenance tools and test equipment you name it,” said Tim Washburn, ground support supervisor at FRCE “The common factor is thatallthisequipmentisessentialforaircraft maintenanceoperations.”

The small shop is staffed during all shifts at the facility to ensure that equipment is ready for production work. One mechanic travels between FRCE’s detachments each week to avoid transporting equipment to CherryPointforservicing

“We provide regular on-site support to ensure the work continues,” said Washburn. “If our mechanic can fix a problem there without sending the equipment back toFRCEastatCherryPoint,itsavestimeand keepstheequipmentinservice.”

The shop also provides cranes and operators to FRCE and its detachments, to lift aircraft for transport or remove large components from aircraft. Two mechanics maintain all the straps and slings used for liftingoperations “We are responsible for equipment used inmostshopswithinthedepot, Washburn added “If work slows down in one shop, it affectstheentireproductionline.

FRCE’s Facility and Plant Maintenance ServicesDivisionisresponsibleforkeeping trackofwhenequipmentisdueforpreventive maintenance Equipment is scheduled on a yearly basis but sometimes that plan has to shift to avoid backlogs in the ground supportshop.

“We have to ensure that our preventive maintenance doesn’t create bottlenecks in production,”saidMichaelLyon,equipment and facility services specialist. “That’s why we have to be flexible and move schedules around to balance maintenance with workloadrequirements.”

The addition of next-generation aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II and the CH-53K King Stallion to the depot’s workload creates new challenges for support equipment maintainers Most of the support equipmentfortheseplatformsisspecificto the aircraft and is provided by the aircraft manufacturer Equipment that requires major repairs will be sent to the manufacturer, but the ground support team will be instrumentalinprovidingpreventivemaintenancetothistechnicallyadvancedequipment.Thismeansthatmechanicsneedtobe trained and licensed to maintain these new supportitems.

“We’ll get new gear that doesn’t exist anywhere else on the base, and we have to send people out to learn to use that gear,” said Marshel Patterson, F-35 logistics manager at FRCE. “They receive training with the Marines that can provide on-thejobtraining,thenteacheveryoneelsetouse theequipment.”

New platforms like the CH-53K will also bringnewsupportequipmentchallengesto the shop, because the support equipment that fits the CH-53E will not fit the larger Kmodel.

“Weweretoldtolookatitlikeacompletely different aircraft,” said David Thorpe, H-53 Branch head at FRCE. “It’s a completely differentbeastthanthelastgeneration,and itwillbringnewchallengestosupport.

SupportequipmentmechanicsinFRCE’s GroundSupportBrancharelookingforward totheopportunitytosupportthenewtechnologies, according to Clinton Hall, lead mechanic for F-35 ground support equipmentatFRCE.

“SinceIstartedingroundsupport,thejob hasgottenmoretechnical,morefocusedon electronics,” said Hall. “I really enjoy the challengeoflearningtotroubleshootanew system. For a ground support mechanic, there’s nothing better than putting your handsontheequipment,figuringoutwhat’s wrong and fixing it. When I find a new problem and can solve it so the equipment workslikeit’ssupposedto,IreallyfeellikeI accomplished something. I played a part in supportingthefleet.”

FRCE is North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, with more than 4,000 civilian, military and contract workers Its annual revenue exceeds $1 billion. The depot provides service to the fleet while functioningasanintegralpartofthegreater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; andCommander FleetReadinessCenters

BearySpear powered support systems mechanic in the Fleet Readiness CenterEast (FRCE) ground support shop drains fluid from an aircraft jack.Thisyear mechanics in the Ground Support Branch are scheduled to perform more than 5,000 preventive maintenance operations on more than 2,000 items ofequipment Mechanics checkbearings,change fluids and perform othermaintenance operations,aswell as anynecessaryrepairs to safetystands, powered test and transportation equipment and electric carts.(PHOTOBYKIMBERLYKOONCE, FLEETREADINESSCENTEREAST)

Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6 hosts change of command ceremony

ByLt BrittanyStephens

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two

Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 6 welcomed its newest leader during a change-of-command ceremonyJune29,2023 Cmdr Ryan Schippert relieved Cmdr Leslie Slootmaker as commanding officer of EODMU 6, also known as the “Kegbusters,” infrontofSailors,familyandfriendsatMacArthurCenterinNorfolk, Virginia.

Capt. Karl Haywood, commodore, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group(EODGRU)2,wastheguestspeakerfortheceremony

“A change of command ceremony serves several purposes,” said Haywood. “It provides us an opportunity to bid farewell to an outstandingleader;itallowsustoofficiallywelcomeanewcommandingofficerandtheirfamilytotheteam;butmostimportantly,itallows ustostopandreflectonthesuccessofEODMU6andtocelebratethe bravemenandwomenwhocontributeonadailybasistoitslegacy.”

ThechangeofcommandceremonyisaNavaltraditionthatmarks thecompletetransferofresponsibilityasacommandingofficerfrom one individual to another The ceremony included the “reading of orders”tosignifythistransferofauthority.

Prior to the reading of orders, Slootmaker gave farewell remarks and highlighted the effectiveness and cohesion of the Sailors of EODMU6.

“Our command’s ability to operate at such a high level on deployment,duringtraining,exercises,andoperations,startswithatalented Chief’s Mess and wardroom, and extends throughout every junior Sailor,” said Slootmaker “You followed and led without waiver, and you held each other accountable. Thank you for continuing our legacy.”

After the reading orders, Schippert addressed the crew for the firsttimeas commandingofficer

“TotheKegbustersofMobileUnit6-youhavecontinuedtobuild an unparalleled history of operational excellence in support of the FleetandJointForce,”saidSchippert.“Iamhumbledandexcitedto extendourlegacyintothefuture.”

EODMU 6 is homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) LittleCreekunderEODGRU2.EODMU6providesNavalexplosive ordnance disposal forces that are combat-ready rapidly deployable aroundtheworldtoenabletheU.S.NavyandJointforce

VIRGINIA BEACH,Virginia (Jun. 29 2023) – Cmdr Ryan Schippert, commander Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 6, addresses EODMU 6 Sailors and guests for the first time as commanding officer during a change of command ceremony at MacArthur Center in Norfolk,VirginiaJun. 29, 2023 EODMU 6 is located atJoint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story under Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2, and provides Naval explosive ordnance disposal forces that are combat-ready rapidly deployable

NAVFAC MIDLANT awards contract for custodial services for Naval Medical Regional Trauma Center, MCB Camp Lejeune

ByNavalFacilitiesEngineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic NORFOLK, Va Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic (NAVFAC MIDLANT) awarded Coastal Enterprises of Jacksonville Inc., Jacksonville North Carolina, a $14,339,395 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantitycontractforcustodialservices for Naval Medical Regional Trauma Center (NMRTC), located at Marine Corps Base

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina The work will provide custodial services at: NMTRC, base medical and dental clinics, and the WoundedWarriorscomplex.

WorkwillbeperformedsolelyinJacksonville,NorthCarolina.

The maximum dollar value, including the base period and four option years is $74,798,826 Fiscalyear(FY)2023operation and maintenance (Defense Health Agency) fundsintheamountof$14,339,395wasobligatedviarecurringworktaskorderissuedat time of award and will expire at the end of thecurrentFY Serviceswereprocureddirectlyfromthe procurement list with AbilityOne under Federal Acquisition Regulations Part 8. NAVFAC MIDLANT is the contracting activity(N40085-23-D-0065).

NAVFAC MIDLANT provides facilities engineering publicworksandenvironmental products and services across an area of responsibility that spans from South Carolina to Maine, and as far west as Michigan, anddowntoIndiana.Asanintegralmember of the Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic team, NAVFAC MIDLANT provides leadership through the Regional Engineer organizationtoensuretheregion’sfacilities and infrastructure are managed efficiently andeffectively

For additional information about NAVFACMIDLANTonsocialmedia,follow ouractivitiesonFacebookatwww.facebook. com/navfacmidatlanticandonInstagram@ navfacmidatlantic

NSWCDD personnel assist with successful Northern Edge 2023 exercise

ByMadelineKeenan

Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division

“Nothing goes as planned, even when you go in with a plan. Everything changes whether that’s on our end or above us,” said Mission Analysis Branch head Kendra Miller of the Warfare Analysis and Digital Modeling Department. “That is always a challenge.”

Miller had the opportunity to travel to Alaska for Northern Edge 2023 along with ateamofscientists,engineersandcomputer analysts Theteam,comprisedofpersonnel both on-site and at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), conducted operational assessments on selected experiments and prototypes significantly increasing the exercise’s capabilityandoutcome

Northern Edge is a multi-domain biennialjointtrainingexercisedesignedtoproperlyassess,developandtestprototypesinan environmentthatallowsdatatobecollected

Duringrealisticjointtrainingopportunities

Thefieldtrainingexerciseprovidestheenvironment to practice tactics, techniques and procedures and to explore new capabilities thatcouldpotentiallybenefitthewarfighter, while also exposing the operators to those capabilities The team worked with the prototypes to understand how they would be assessed, whatmeasuresandobjectiveswouldbeused andwhatdataneededcollectinginthefield. Theteamalsocollaboratedheavilywiththe reach-back team located at NSWCDD to provide in-stride analysis and deliverables duringthetwo-weekexercise.

Miller also served as the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD), Research and Engineering Mission Capabilities and Prototyping Experimentation Assessments lead. “I enjoy becoming moreengagedwiththecapabilitiesthatour warfighters are going to get,” Miller said. “Supporting the warfighter is very close to myheart.”

Aftermonthsofintenseanddetailedplanning, the exercise ran from May 8-19 The exercise was conducted at the Joint Pacific-AlaskaRangeComplexandintheGulfof Alaska. Approximately a dozen NSWCDD employeesassistedwiththeexerciseatJoint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, EielsonAirForceBaseinFairbanksandalso inKodiak

“For the capabilities there is no other environmentthatwecantestthemintosee their impact to kill chains in an operational environment,” Miller said “So we take the prototypes out to the exercise and assess how well they are going to do their job and potentiallymakerecommendationsfortransitiontothewarfighter.”

During Northern Edge 2023 the United StatesArmedForceswerejoinedbymilitary unitsfromtheUnitedKingdomandAustralia.Thousandsofindividualsassistedinthe massiveexercise

A major component included the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) program established by Deputy Secretary ofDefenseDr KathleenHicks RDERfacilitatesrapidinnovationandexperimentation throughmulti-componentcoordinationand cooperation.

NSWCDD provided the only reach-back lab for OUSD The team monitored exercise operations through various live feeds, processeddatacollectedduringtheexercise andprovidedin-strideanalysisdaily.

Miller said several improvements were made in communication with the reachback lab compared to two years ago She added that efforts are still being made to identify other areas of improvement and additionalcapabilities.

“The growth and maturity from our employees has been amazing,” Miller said. “They are jumping right in the middle of it all,askingquestionsandveryquicklybecomingthesubjectmatterexperts.Thatisprobablythebiggestthingforme watchingour teamgrowandprosperinthisenvironment.”

ByPettyOfficer2ndClass

SamanthaOblander

Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron 15

PHILIPPINE SEA A Jacksonville Illinois native and 2018 graduate of Jacksonville High School is serving aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS JohnFinn(DDG113).

Petty Officer 2nd Class Madison Rafferty is a gunner’s mate, also known as a GM, servingaboardUSSJohnFinn,forward-deployedtoCommander,FleetActivitiesYokosuka,Japan.

ShesaidshejoinedtheNavybecauseafter researching colleges and “spending hours writing and rewriting application essays” she decided she “wasn’t motivated to do college”afterhighschool.

“Several of my friends had enlisted, and it was a window that had opened to me,” Raffertysaid.“Onedaywhentherecruiters were at school, I stopped by to talk to them and from there it was just a done deal. This wasthepathIwassupposedtogoon.”

First established in 1794, the rate of gunner’s mate is one of the Navy’s original ratings.Ofthe11ratesthatwereestablished bytheNavalActof1794,sixstillexisttothis day.

“A gunner’s mate is someone who maintains the weapons on the ship Multiple differentweaponsystemsmaintainingfrom smallarmstomissiles,”saidRafferty “Ihave somanypeopleaskmeallthetimewhencan theygetonagunshoot,whenarewelaunching missiles, because it honestly does boost some morale We are the ones that essentially will end up protecting the ship at the endoftheday.”

Raffertystruggledtodecidewhatthebest partofherjobis

“Actually getting to fire the weapons is pretty fun in itself, but I also love teaching other people,” said Rafferty. “Some people comeinhavingnevertouchedaweapon,and they are terrified I honestly love being able to teach someone the ins and outs about a weapon or system to the point where they becomecomfortableenoughtounderstand everything Honestly,it’shardtochoosemy favoritepartofthejob.”

USS John Finn was commissioned on July 15, 2013 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and was named after Lt John Finn, the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor during World War II, who was awarded for “extraordinary heroism, distinguished service, and devotion beyond the call of duty.” During the first attack on Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay on December 7, 1941, Finn secured and manned a .50 caliber machine gun in an exposed section of the parking ramp which was under heavy fire. Despite being wounded several times, Finn continuedtomanthisgunandreturnenemy fire until ordered to seek medical treat- ment. After receiving first-aidtreatmenthe returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, Finn inspired those around him to keep up the fight, and much like Finn, Rafferty also wantstoinspirethosearoundher.

“I hope to inspire people to just keep going,” said Rafferty “Going into the military, there were plenty of people that told me I shouldn’t do it because I’m a woman, or that ‘You’ll never make it.’ Here I am five yearslater,makingit.Theamountofthings people tell you you cannot do is ridiculous. So I hope to inspire people to forget all the negative things people say to you or about you, and strive for what you want and don’t letanyonetellyouanythingdifferent.”

John Finn recently from its homeport in San Diego to being forward-deployed to Yokosukaanddespitesomeinitialhesitation, Raffertyistakingitallinstride

“I’ll be honest, I was very much against doingahomeportshiftatthebeginningofall this,” said Rafferty “Since coming to Japan, I’ve learned to like it. There are so many more opportunities that I was unaware of Not to mention, the history and all the temples and monuments you can go visit. Getting to explore is honestly my favorite thingaboutit Thenewfoodsandsnacksare anaddedbonusaswell.”

The Navy was established on October 13, 1775 and while many things have changed in the nearly 250 years since there are elementsofthepastthatstillexistintoday’s Navy Support from family is one of the things that can make serving in the military easier, and you can travel the world.

TurntoJacksonvillenative, Page 5