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Vol. 22, No. 3 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 01.23-01.29.14
USNS SPEARHEAD DEPARTS ON MAIDEN DEPLOYMENT
MC3 Andrew Schneider The USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) departs Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.
From Military Sealift Command Public Affairs VIRGINIA BEACH
CNP visits USS Bataan for all-hands call; talks budget, manning, sea pay By David Todd Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs
NORFOLK
MCSN Nicholas Frank Cottone A Sailor aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) stencils his new coveralls.
Bataan Sailors receive first FRV coveralls
Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP) Vice Adm. Bill Moran held an all-hands call aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5), Jan. 21. The reason for the visit was to speak with Sailors in advance of their upcoming deployment and provide them with the latest information on manning, pay and benefits. It also served as an opportunity for him to answer questions from the crew and dispel any myths or rumors that may be around. “The good news in Washington, D.C. is that we finally have a
NECC Public Affairs
USS Bataan Public Affairs
NORFOLK NORFOLK
Sailors aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) received their Flame Resistant Variant (FRV) coveralls Jan. 15, while also preparing for their upcoming deployment.
» see COVERALLS | A7
special insert The Careers and Continuing Education special section provides information for transitioning troops who wish to continue their education or enter the workforce.
» see CNP | A7
We haven’t adjusted sea pay in over 10 years and we are absolutely convinced that it is the right thing to do...” - Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Bill Moran
COASTAL RIVERINE SQUADRON 4 SAILORS RETURN HOME By MC3 Lauren Booher
By MC3 Mark Hays
budget,” said Moran. “The president signed the budget and that’s a big deal … we count every penny right now and to have a budget for the first time in several months where we can actually spend money where we want to spend [it], and on the things that really matter to warfighters ... and to Sailors and families like you, is what’s important.” “There are a lot of things in this budget that are important to you and there are a lot of things we are going to try to do in this fiscal year 14 that will affect and impact you,” he continued. Moran said one of those items is
Sailors from Coastal Riverine Squadron 4 (CRS-4) returned home following a sevenmonth deployment supporting operations in five geographical areas and through four different theaters, Jan. 15. This is the first deployment
CVN 77 BRINGS FAMILIES TOGETHER THROUGH LITERATURE Dorothy Bush Koch, sponsor of USS Bush (CVN 77) and daughter of the ship’s namesake, visited the ship to mingle with the crew and host an event in support of children’s literacy, for Sailors and their families Jan. 14. » see A5
since the squadron merged Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1 and Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 4. “I think our biggest accomplishment was proving that we were the first coastal riverine squadron to deploy since the merger, and we proved not only did it work, but it can work really well,” said Cmdr. Michael Dillender,
MC3 Lauren Booher Electronics Technician 3rd Class Mitchell Marem embraces his wife and child during a homecoming celebration for Coastal Riverine Squadron at Naval Station Norfolk.
» see RETURN | A7
NAVY FUTURE Naval leaders, government officials and private industry members gathered to discuss the surface Navy’s future at the Surface Navy Association Symposium.
The Navy’s first joint highspeed vessel departed Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Jan. 16, for its maiden deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) is expected to remain in U.S. 6th Fleet until May 2014 and sail to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility through the end of fiscal year 2014. While deployed, the ship will undergo planned experimentation and testing to determine the ship’s capabilities. “The JHSV ship class will play an important part in the future of our joint forces in terms of affordability, flexibility, speed and agility,” said Rear Adm. T.K. Shannon, Commander, Military Sealift Command. “Its performance to-date is solid and I think its first deployment will offer us a great opportunity to further demonstrate the important capabilities this new class brings to our fleet.” Spearhead is fast, flexible and maneuverable, ideally suited for rapid intra-theater transport. The ship supports diverse operations, including operational maneuver and sustainment, relief operations in small or damaged ports and rapid transport as an alternative to airlift. “I think the ship will do very well when it joins the fleet. It keeps expanding upon its own capabilities. It’s every
» see DEPLOY | A7
THIS WEEKEND Artifacts roadshow returns to Virginia War Memorial - anyone can bring any piece of military memorabilia to get a free expert review of the items’ historic background.
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