Flagship August 14, 2014

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JOURNALISM 2013 Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards has recognized in Civilian Enterprise News Publications: First Place:The Flagship

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Vol. 22, No. 32 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 08.14-08.20.14

serving the Hampton Roads Navy family

LINCOLN SAILORS SAVE NAVY $6 MILLION By MC2 Danian Douglas USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS

Photo by MC3 Lorelei Vander Griend Sailors guide an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Valions of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

Pentagon spokesman explains objectives of Iraq operations By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON

U.S. air operations in Iraq reflect a commitment to relieving the humanitarian issue in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan region and to protecting American personnel, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said Aug. 8. Kirby discussed the situation in Iraq with Chris Cuomo on the CNN program “New Day.” The admiral is in New Delhi with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Two U.S. F/A-18 aircraft dropped 500-pound laser-guided bombs on a mobile artillery piece near the regional capital of Irbil today. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was using this artillery to shell Kurdish forces defending Erbil where U.S. personnel are located, Kirby said in a statement earlier today. Yesterday, U.S. aircraft dropped food and water to thousands of people seeking refuge on Mount Sinjar to escape ISIL fighters. “We’re committed to two things,” Kirby told Cuomo. “One is trying to relieve the humanitarian issue there on Mount Sinjar, and of course being prepared and ready to conduct airstrikes to protect American personnel … in Irbil and potentially even in and around Baghdad.” The airstrikes also will try to help Iraqi security forces, the admiral added, “as they go after the ISIL threat inside their country, to their people [and] to

their sovereignty. Ultimately, this is an Iraqi fight.” Kirby noted that ISIL’s progress in Iraq has been swift and that the terrorist group is well-led and well-resourced. But the larger picture is mixed, he said. “We have seen them strengthened there in the north, and that’s what led to the humanitarian disaster on Mount Sinjar -- this exodus of these people,” he said. “But toward the south and in and around Baghdad, we continue to see Iraqi security forces stiffen their resistance. They’re being assisted by Shia militia.” Throughout the country, Kirby said, the fight is not uniform. On the humanitarian emergency for the Yezidis on Mount Sinjar, the problem is one for the international community to help in solving, the admiral said. “The international community has … responded with some humanitarian assistance, the government of Iraq provided some humanitarian assistance, [and] we’re chipping in to that effort as well,” he added. Kirby said President Barack Obama was clear in his remarks last night that the world must attend to the behavior of the ISIL terrorists. “These ISIL terrorists are simply brutes,” the admiral said. “They’re thugs. They’re murderers. They have no regard for human life or human dignity. And it’s not just Christians or the Yezidis they’re threatening. “We do believe they pose a threat not just to Iraq, but to the region, and they do have aspirational desires to threaten

The United States is not just standing by idly. We are working very hard on this. There is a sense of purpose and urgency here.”

western targets, to include the United States and American citizens,” he continued. “There’s no question about that. … And our focus is helping the Iraqis deal with this threat inside their country and in the broader region.” The U.S. military focus on the region has intensified over many weeks, he said, with an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, increased intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activity over Iraq, assessment teams on the ground, advisors working in joint operation centers in Baghdad and Irbil, and now conducting air operations. “The United States is not just standing by idly,” Kirby said. “We are working very hard on this. There is a sense of purpose and urgency here. But … this is ultimately an issue the Iraqi government has got to come to grips

» see OBJECTIVES | A7

Navy F/A-18s strike ISIL targets From Navy Public Affairs

ARABIAN GULF

Two U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets assigned to Carrier Air Wing 8 embarked on USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) struck Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets near Erbil, Iraq, Aug. 8. Bush is operating in the Arabian

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Gulf on a scheduled deployment to U.S. 5th Fleet. The F/A-18s dropped 500 pound laser-guided bombs against ISIL artillery targets. Carrier Air Wing 8 aircraft assigned to the Bush carrier strike group include the “Golden Warriors” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87 (F/ A-18); “Valions” of VFA-15 (F/A-18); “Fighting Black Lions” of VFA-213 (F/A-18E/F); “Tomcatters” of VFA-31

USS VELLA GULF ENTERS BLACK SEA The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) has entered the Black Sea, Aug. 6, to promote peace and stability in the region.

» see A4

» see SAVINGS | A7

-Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby, Pentagon Press Secretary

relatednews

PRESS RELEASE

The efforts of the PM13 deck removal team aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) have shaved nearly $6 million off the cost of the ship’s refueling complex overhaul (RCOH). At a cake cutting ceremony Aug. 6 to celebrate 100 percent completion of tile removal, Lincoln’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Karl O. Thomas, showered praise upon the men and women who make up the team. “Thank you very much for your hard work on reaching this milestone,” Thomas said. “It is because of your efforts that we are able to stay ahead of schedule and get the ship back to the fight.” The PM13 team consists of Sailors reassigned from departments throughout the ship who prepare the steel

subfloors on the ship for re-tiling. Many of them had never used tools such as sledge hammers, pneumatic and electrical demolition hammers and deck crawlers needed to complete the arduous tasks. The team started the project in November 2012. Originally, PM13 only removed tile and furniture from the steel subfloors in preparation for the installation of new furniture and flooring. In April 2014 the PM13 team took on the additional task of removing studs and equipment foundations welded to the deck, all in preparation for new equipment and tile installation. Lincoln Chief Engineer Cmdr. Vincent Janowiak estimates the Navy saved millions of tax payer dollars simply by having Sailors work in areas such as PM13. “In addition to the cost savings, what we are really

(F/A-18E); “Bear Aces” of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 124 (E-2C Hawkeye); “Garudas” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 (EA-18G); “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 (MH-60S); “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 (C-2A); and the “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 (SH-60B/MH-60R).

Photo by MC3 Andrew Schneider

US, Guatemalan service members commence city library project By MC1 Rafael Martie Southern Partnership Station Public Affairs

PUERTO BARRIOS, GUATEMALA

U.S and Guatemalan service members supporting Southern Partnership Station 2014 (SPS-JHSV 14) began renovating the city library, July 30. Over the next three weeks, U.S. Marine Corps 8th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB) personnel, U.S. Navy Seabees from Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202 and Guatemalan army engineers will paint the building, refurbish areas outside the library, replace light fixtures, overhaul doors, upgrade the restrooms, repair plumbing, improve electrical capacity, and various other projects. “The library needed work for some time and hundreds of students use this facility to further their education,” said Hilli Medina, city librarian. “I am very grateful for the assistance of the military from both countries.” The city library also supports the community who may need to research for job or recreational purposes. “I am excited to work with the U.S. military on this project because it is in the center of town and a great place for students and adults to research information,” said Lt. Jorge Antonio De La Loma de Leon, officer in charge of the Guatemalan army engineers supporting the library project. U.S. personnel supporting the project are looking forward to completing the renovations on the library with their host nation counterparts and making an impact on the people here in the city. “It is an awesome experience to be involved in this proj-

» see PROJECT | A7 SYRIA Specialists neutralize chemical materials from Syria and contribute to what the OPCW confirmed as the destruction of 74.2 percent of Syria’s chemical stockpile.

SUMMER SLIM DOWN Dieters can stay on track no matter where life takes them with these simple tips.

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