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Vol. 24, No. 10 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 03.10-03.16.16
Navy’s sixth MCPON passes away Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Public Affairs WASHINGTON
Oscar Sosa Members of the Navy Ceremonial Guard display the Medal of Honor flag during a Hall of Heroes induction ceremony March 1 for Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr., at the Pentagon auditorium.
MEDAL OF HONOR AWARDEE INDUCTED INTO PENTAGON’S HALL OF HEROES By April Grant Navy Office of Information
WASHINGTON
Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr., joined the more than 3,460 other Medal of Honor recipients listed in the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes March 1 during an induction ceremony in the Pentagon auditorium. One day after receiving the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama, Byers was honored with a commemorative plaque that will be displayed within the hall. Byers is being recognized for his valiant rescue efforts
during a hostage situation in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in December 2012. Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson spoke at the event. Work opened the ceremony saying Byers embodied the “remarkable heroism” and “selfless bravery” common to all special operators in the field. “Your selfless and heroic actions in the face of a determined enemy read like a Hollywood script,” Work said. “Your story represents the very best of military men and women ... and the
NMCP offers corpsmen oneof-a-kind training opportunity MC2 Korrin Kim Navy Medical Center Portsmouth Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH
Keeping in line with Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s (NMCP) promise of professional development and readiness, the Healthcare Simulation and Bio Skills Training Center is offering a new course called “HM First,” or hospital corpsman First. This unique course is the first of its kind and offers corpsmen skills that they do not receive in any other training environment. HM First teaches NMCP Sailors clinical skills through realistic simulation training that prepares them for fleetwide assignments. It also bridges the gap between HM “A” School and the fleet, because these are skills that corpsmen typically learn through on-the-job training. “It is not our goal to replicate any other program,” curriculum devel-
» see NMCP | A7
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS MARCH 13 AT 2 A.M.
REMEMBER TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD ONE HOUR!
limitless things that I know you and your teammates will continue to do in the future.” Mabus echoed Work’s sentiments. “I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of a ceremony that recognizes a Sailor. His loyalty to the mission to rescue an American citizen is selflessness in its purest sense,” Mabus said. He also thanked Byers’ family – his wife Madison, daughter Hannah, mother Peggy – and Byers’ team members for their continued support. Richardson said Byers’ actions were “emblematic of this generation’s dedi-
» see MEDAL | A7
MWR, Command Fitness Leaders encourage Sailors to get active all year around
Retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) William “Bill” H. Plackett died peacefully the evening of March 4. He was 78. Plackett became the sixth MCPON Oct. 4, 1985. He relieved Billy C. Sanders and held the job for three years before Duane R. Bushey assumed duties in September 1988. Plackett was born in Paxton, Illinois, and joined the Navy at the age of 19 in 1956. He attended Radioman “A” School in Norfolk and was assigned to the Naval Control of Shipping Office in Bahrain. He served tours aboard Amphibious Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet embarked upon amphibious force command ship USS Mount McKinley (AGC 7), and Commander in Chief Allied Forces Southern Europe in Naples, Italy. Following those tours he reported to Radioman “B” School, and was then assigned to Commander East Force, Naval Control of Shipping Office during the Arab-Israeli War. Eleven years after joining the Navy, Plackett was advanced to chief petty officer in September 1967. He completed successful tours aboard aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CV 59), as an instructor at the Radioman “B” School in Bainbridge, Maryland, and while enrolled in the Associates Degree Completion Program (ADCOP) in Pensacola, Florida, he was advanced to senior chief petty officer. After graduating with honors in December 1972, he was awarded an academic scholarship to the University of West Florida, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in vocational education. Following a second tour aboard Forrestal, he was advanced to master chief petty officer and assumed duties as director of the Communications School, Fleet Training Center, Norfolk. In 1979, he was named command master chief for Training Command, U.S. Atlantic Headquarters, and subsequently became the first force master chief of the Atlantic Fleet Training Command in July 1981. One year later he was selected as fleet master chief of U.S. Atlantic Fleet, under the helm of Adm. Harry Train. Plackett was selected for MCPON in the fall of 1984. During his time in office, he was the driving force behind many initiatives including easily accessible training for command master chiefs, ensuring they’re well-prepared for their leadership roles; leading women’s equal opportunity and integration throughout the force with an emphasis
» see MCPON | A7
By MC3 Jeanyra A. Mateo Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs
NORFOLK
HMC Lestary T. Plair While attending Naval Medical Center Portsmouth’s HM First training, corpsmen use simulation aids and technologically advanced training mannequins to perform exams and procedures, which is part of the HM First curriculum. Photo by
While many commands across the fleet prepare for the upcoming semiannual physical fitness assessment (PFA), Sailors attached to Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk are provided with resources to help them maintain healthy and improve their score in the upcoming physical readiness test (PRT). The PFA is administered twice a year to ensure all Sailors are meeting the Navy standards for physical readiness. Sailors attached to NAVSTA Norfolk will start their PFA cycle the first week of April; therefore, this time is crucial to continue pushing towards a physically
» see FITNESS | A7
RETREAT FOR SAPR VICTIMS NRMA’s CREDO held a first of its kind weekend retreat for survivors of sexual assault at Airfield Conference Center in Wakefield, Virginia, March 4-6.
AWARD The CNO recognized Fleet Readiness Center Southeast in February for its environmental successes with the CNO Environmental Award for Sustainability.
» see A5
» see B4
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy William “Bill” H. Plackett
CWC HOSTS SIXTH ANNUAL ‘A TOAST TO THE HEROES’ The Combat Wounded Coalition, formerly known as Wounded Wear, hosted its 6th annual “AToast to the Heroes” Formal Gala in Portsmouth on Mar. 5.
» see C1
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