AWARD WINNING
JOURNALISM 2013 Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards has recognized in Civilian Enterprise News Publications: First Place:The Flagship
More than 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 23, No. 36 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 09.10-09.16.15
JEBLCFS powers up new electric substations
Below: Rep. Scott Rigell, R-Va., 2nd District, and project officials cut the ribbon at a ceremony aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little CreekFort Story.
MCSN Amy M. Ressler
By MCSN Amy Ressler Navy Public Affairs Support Element East
VIRGINIA BEACH
Joint Expeditionary Base Little CreekFort Story (JEBLCFS) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for two new electrical substations on Sept. 2. “The new sub-station directly supports the warfighting mission,” said Hector Arellano, the deputy works officer for JEBLCFS. “Most everything we do here now is high
DOE seeks applicants for next Solar Ready Vets course By Douglas Morfield Fleet and Family Support Center Norfolk
NORFOLK
The Department of Energy (DOE) and Tidewater Community College (TCC) is partnering to support the free training of transitioning Sailors in an intensive skillsbased, solar photovoltaic (PV) workforce development training program. DOE has completed successful pilots in Fort Carson, Colorado; Camp Pendleton, California; and Hampton Roads, with most, if not all, service members receiving job offers with major solar companies. The last Hampton Roads five-week pilot course is scheduled to be conducted in Hampton Roads (TCC Chesapeake Campus) in late October to
» see SOLAR VETS | A7
CHECK US OUT ONLINE! www.flagshipnews.com
www.facebook.com/ The.Flagship
www.twitter.com/ the_flagship
intensity electric consumption, so this will give us reliable power to do training.” The existing power facilities on base were constructed in 1954 consisting of one sub-station and lacking redundant capabilities. The aging substation was damaged in a fire in 2009 then was repaired and limped along until the completion of the new substation in May, according to Arellano. Funding the new electrical power substation is part of the obligation we have to our men and women on the very front lines,
according to Rep. Scott Rigell, R-Va., 2nd Congressional District. “The duty that we have to our service members is to give them the best training in the world,” said Rigell. “We want to make sure they are trained as well as they possibly can be and that they have the best equipment that we can possibly give them, so that our loved ones can come home. When we lose a whole day of training, that could have been that little difference that kept a service member safe and out of harm’s way.”
IKE’S JUNIOR SAILORS GO TO SEA FOR FIRST TIME By MC3 Madailein Abbott USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN
For many of the newer Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), nicknamed “Ike,” the ship’s sea trials marked their first time out to sea. From high-speed turns during rudder swing checks and damage control drills, to living aboard 24 hours a day, Ike’s junior-most Sailors finally got the chance to test their sea legs and be part of an operational ship. Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Tyler Sanders said his first underway wasn’t quite what he expected. “I thought it was going to be chaotic, honestly, but it was actually pretty fun,” he explained. “My favorite part was being out in the channel when we were transiting through downtown Portsmouth.” Sailors gathered to experience the sights and sounds of being underway and
JEBLCFS is the major east coast operating base supporting overseas contingency operations. Resident commands provide front line support personnel and the training venues that hone the skills of those front line operators. JEBLCFS provides support and services to 144 shore-based resident commands and 18 homeported ships and is home to the only east coast Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training facility; and provides training venues for special warfare teams.
Fort McHenry visits Gloucester for Schooner Festival By Lt. j.g. Erica Park USS Fort McHenry Public Affairs
MAYPORT, FLA.
most agreed it was very satisfying. “My favorite part about sea trials was seeing the open water, the sunrise and sunset from the hangar bay,” said Yeoman 3rd Class Kirsten Cavanah. “It was absolutely beautiful to see those from the ship for the first time.”
The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) and her crew will visit Gloucester, Massachusetts, beginning Sept. 4, to participate in the 31st annual Gloucester Schooner Festival. The visit supports the Navy’s public outreach program, which brings ships into communities not regularly frequented by the sea services. Fort McHenry Sailors and Marines will take part in festivities in and around the Gloucester Harbor during the weekend. They will provide a color guard for the
» see IKE | A7
» see GLOUCESTER | A7
MCSN Anderson W. Branch Sailors test the countermeasure washdown system on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).
USS GRAVELEY, TRUMAN CARRIER STRIKE GROUP DEPARTS NAVSTA NORFOLK TO BEGIN COMPTUEX The guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Sept. 2, to participate in a scheduled composite training unit exercise as part of the Harry S.Truman Carrier Strike Group.
UNIFORM UPDATE The Chief of Naval Personnel released a uniform policy update in NAVADMIN 208/15, Sept. 1, providing details of upcoming uniform releases and the end of wear date for some little worn uniform components.
» see A2
» see B5
THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY South Hampton Roads: Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered right to your door for free!
Sign up today! Call 222-3965