Flagship 05/12/16

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Turn to A3 for Part 2 of The Flagship’s Honor Guard series.

More than 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family

Vol. 24, No. 19 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 05.12-05.18.16

KEARSARGE COMPLETES TIGER CRUISE MCSN Ryre Arciaga

By MCSN Daniel Gheesling USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

NORFOLK

The sound of an AV-8 Harrier aircraft taking off from the flight deck, the ship rocking in the middle of the ocean, or seeing nothing but blue water in front of the horizon are just part of the life of Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). To their friends and family members these things exist only in sea stories. However, from May 1-3, many family members and friends, or “Tigers,” had the opportunity to experience life at sea firsthand when Kearsarge hosted a Tiger Cruise at the end of her seven-month deployment. “A Tiger Cruise is a unique opportunity for the families and friends of our Sailors and Marines to come aboard a Navy warship and experience life at sea,” Tiger Cruise coordinator Lt. Michael Greenstreet said. “It gives them a chance to see what their loved ones have been doing for the last seven months.” The Tigers had the chance to not only see what life is like for their Sailor or Marine, but also to learn what they do for the military. It was a two-day show-and-tell in an 844-foot classroom. “It was interesting seeing my Sailor in his work environment that he’s been in for so long,” Evan Bollinger said. “It was nice to see what he does and how he does it. I remember him being a seaman on this ship and now he is a [petty officer] second class.” There was an ice cream social and a karaoke party the first night, with a weapons display and a flyover from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 the second day. “My favorite activity was the .50-caliber gun shoot,” Bollinger said. “It was exhilarating; you could almost feel the recoil. It was really cool.” The ship held several activities in the hangar bay for the crew and Tigers. The ship’s culinary specialists also provided hamburgers, hot dogs and other backyard-style foods in the galley while the games were taking place. “Our Sailors and their families enjoyed everything from cornhole to a small-arms weapons display in the hangar bay,” the ship’s Fun Boss Brooke Webber said. “We also had some of our crew’s firefighting suits laid out for the Tigers and their families to try on.” “It was nice to have a day off with my family,” Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Airman Nicko-

» see CRUISE | A9

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Counselors help NAVSTA Norfolk Sailors reach their goals By AZ2 Justan Williams Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs

NORFOLK

The command career counselors at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk are in a unique position to assist Sailors in reaching their Navy career goals. Established as an enlisted rate in 1972, Navy counselors (NC) manage and advise the career decisions of enlisted Sailors. NCs use their extensive training and knowledge in career planning to lead NAVSTA Norfolk Sailors on the right career path by properly conducting

career development boards (CDBs). “CDBs don’t just benefit the Sailor and the command’s mission, but also the leadership,” leading command career counselor of NAVSTA Norfolk Navy Counselor 1st Class Blossom Marshall said. “CDBs help the chain of command learn more about the Sailor, what motivates them, their family needs, goals in life, and it shows the Sailors we truly do care about them.” CDBs are required within 30 days of reporting, at 12 months on board, and every 12 months thereafter. CDBs may also be conducted for other reasons

AZ2 Justan Williams Navy Counselor 1st Class Blossom Marshall, assigned to Naval Station Norfolk, discusses career options with a Sailor.

such as Career Waypoint decisions, requesting special programs, commissioning programs, advancement, high-year tenure, or by request of the Sailor.

» see COUNSELOR | A9

Spearhead completes APS mission in West Africa MC1 Gregory N. Juday A tug boat moves display ship Barry to transport the ship from the Washington Navy Yard to the Inactive Shipyard in Philidelphia.

SUPSALV supports removal of display ship Barry (DD 933) Naval Sea Systems Command WASHINGTON

The Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) is supporting ship preparations and towing of display ship Barry (DD 933) from Pier 2 at the Washington Navy Yard (WNY), May 7.

» see BARRY | A9

HEROES AT HOME See photos from the 2016 Heroes at Home Military Spouse of the Year Awards luncheon.

MEET EMILY A remote-controlled buoy, created with ONR support, was recently used to rescue nearly 300 Syrian migrants from drowning off the Greek island of Lesbos.

» see A8

» see B3

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Afairs VIRGINIA BEACH

The Navy’s first expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) returned to her homem port at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLC-FS) in Virginia Beach, May 5. Spearhead departed JEBLC-FS Dec. 29, 2015, to participate in Africa Partnership Station (APS) 2016. This was the third deployment for Spearhead in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. “It was a privilege having the opportunity to work alongside our African partner nations in the Gulf of Guinea, and as the APS mission

commander I had the privilege to work with the Military Sealift Command civil service mariners, U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment, U.S., Spanish and Royal Marines, and Sailors with a wide variety of skill sets and backgrounds. The relationships established and trust forged during this deployment is a testament to the dedication that we and our partners have in ensuring that those involved in illegal activity will be held accountable.” APS 2016 Mission Commander Cmdr. Tim Ferracci said. “This deployment was a rewarding experience serving in the Gulf of Guinea and significantly im-

» see APS | A9

MEGADETH CONCERT United Services Organization (USO) in partnership with Naval Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads’ Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) team, hosted the thrash metal band, Megadeth, at a free concert, May 4.

» see C1

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