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NNS080124-12. Pro Golfer Visits Boxer, Donates $170K to United Through
Reading
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Michael E. Miller
Jr., USS Boxer Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Professional golfer, Rory Sabbatini donated $170,000
to the United Through Reading (UTR) program while visiting USS Boxer
(LHD 4) Jan. 23.
The program allows service members to stay connected to their children
while deployed. Service members are video taped reading a children's
book and then mail the recording to their children for them to read
along at home. UTR provides deployed commands with the books and DVDs at
no cost to service members.
The founder of UTR, Betty Mohlenbrock; Chief Executive Officer of UTR,
Sally Zoll; and Director of UTR's military program, Kara Dallman, were
all at the ceremony to accept Sabbatini's donation, the largest donation
ever from a single contributor in the program's 19-year history.
"We cannot thank you enough," said Mohlenbrock to Sabbatini. "For
helping us expand this program and its benefits to many, many more
service members and their families."
Sabbatini, who is in San Diego for a golf tournament, said his donation
to UTR is a way for him to show his great appreciation to the men and
women of the military, and the sacrifices they make miles away from
friends and family.
After presenting the donation, Sabbatini came aboard Boxer to record a
reading of his own for his children to view while he is away
participating in golf tournaments.
"Being away from family is very difficult, especially for long periods
of time," added Sabbatini. "To be able to help this great organization
facilitate that for these men and women is something my wife and I
really wanted to do."
The non-profit organization has served more than 220,000 service members
and their families through its community outreach programs and regular
participation in military deployments.
For more news from USS Boxer, visit
www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd4/.
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NNS080124-11. PCU George H.W. Bush Calibration Lab Generates Unique
Training
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kyle P. Malloy, PCU George H.W.
Bush Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance
Department calibration lab from the Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) George
H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is maintaining their Sailors' skill sets, despite not
having a facility of their own, while the aircraft carrier is under
construction at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard.
PCU Bush's calibration lab is currently sending their Sailors to a
variety of alternate calibration labs for supplemental work experience.
The Navy calibration technicians are responsible for ensuring equipment,
with a quantitative measure, works accurately in accordance with the
system's specifications. Although there is no calibration lab yet aboard
PCU Bush, the department's personnel continue to work and train hard.
"We are always actively looking to keep our guys employed in what they
do," said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class (AW) Robert Derr,
leading petty officer of PCU Bush's calibration lab.
According to Derr, the Sailors will commute to work in calibration labs
throughout the surrounding Hampton Roads area. The department has
maintenance agreements with both military commands and civilian
counterparts where the Sailors perform extensive work with specialized
equipment, gaining applicable experience.
"Working with different commands provides an overall, well-rounded
training," said Derr.
Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class (AW) Stephen Rolka, a
calibration technician aboard PCU Bush, has been stationed with the
command for about a year and has worked in a variety of cooperative labs
in the area.
Rolka said the training is a good opportunity for the new Sailors who
have never worked in a calibration lab before.
"The early training is very effective for them, giving them more
experience so when we move aboard the ship, there is less of a learning
curve for them," said Rolka.
The department uses this kind of training so its technicians maintain
and improve their job skills in calibration.
"Calibrating is not an easy job, keeping up with it is important," said
Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Kyle Arnold, a calibration
technician aboard PCU Bush.
Sending Sailors to work in other environments proves to be beneficial
for both sides involved. "Our guys are helping enhance other ships,"
said Derr.
The Sailors learn more about their jobs, and the receiving lab gains
more workers for their job force.
"It's a good opportunity to network with other people throughout the
fleet. It helps establish a good rapport with people you might work with
later," said Rolka.
For Arnold, working in other labs has not only helped improve his job
skills but also gives him a better idea of the type of people who work
in his rate.
"At first, I was anxious to work in other calibration labs, but I
realized that everyone in this rate has similar goals and everyone is
easy to get along with," said Arnold.
Derr said the external training the department is now doing helps keep
the Sailors prepared for the work load required of them once they move
aboard the aircraft carrier.
"I need these guys to know what they're doing before we get on the
ship," said Derr.
The department will continue to outsource its Sailors to other labs
until the calibration lab moves aboard the aircraft carrier is available
to use.
For more news from PCU George H.W. Bush, visit
www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn77/.
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NNS080124-10. SECDEF Announces Flag Officer Nominations
From the Department of Defense
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Robert M. Gates
announced Jan. 24 that the president has made the following nominations:
Vice Adm. John C. Harvey Jr. has been nominated for reappointment to the
grade of vice admiral and assignment as director, Navy Staff, N09B,
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington. Harvey is
currently serving as deputy chief of naval operations for manpower,
personnel, training, and education, N1, Office of the Chief of Naval
Operations and Chief of Naval Personnel, Arlington, Va.
Rear Adm. Mark E. Ferguson III has been nominated for appointment to the
grade of vice admiral and assignment as deputy chief of naval operations
for manpower, personnel, training, and education, N1, Office of the
Chief of Naval Operations and Chief of Naval Personnel, Arlington, Va.
Ferguson is currently serving as chief of legislative affairs, Pentagon,
Washington.
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NNS080124-07. Navy Employee Named Engineer of the Year
By Darrell Waller, Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center Public
Affairs
PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command's
Engineering Service Center (NAVFAC ESC) has selected its 2007 Engineer
of the Year.
Douglas F. Burke, a materials engineer in the ESC's Waterfront Materials
Division, was acknowledged for his outstanding leadership and service as
an integral member of NAVFAC's team of life-cycle facilities experts and
is widely regarded as the Navy's foremost expert in the field of
concrete materials.
Burke initiated and has represented the Navy in the development of a
novel methodology to predict the future performance of concrete
structures. This innovative technique has garnered national support
within the concrete industry.
"This revolutionary technique exemplifies NAVFAC's strategic plan to
translate sustainability goals for construction and repair of facilities
into quantifiable action throughout the Navy," said NAVFAC ESC's
Commanding Officer, Capt. Gregory J. Zielinski. "More importantly, it
will provide the military with an effective tool to accurately predict
the service life of new and existing structures, saving millions of
taxpayer dollars."
Burke has led the evaluation of numerous strategically critical
facilities, including bridges, piers and dry docks for the Navy. Early
use of the innovative methodology aided in the development and
validation of the 100-year performance life for the Navy's new floating
modular hybrid pier. Application of the methodology will lower
life-cycle costs of new construction and allow engineers to optimize the
selection of remediation strategies for existing facilities.
In the future, NAVFAC will employ the methodology to meet sustainability
goals and validate that new construction complies with the Navy's
performance objectives.
Burke is a 1998 recipient of the George W. Goethals Medal, the highest
honor presented by the Society of American Military Engineers, for his
leadership in developing a new national standard for coated steel
reinforcing.
Burke received his Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Oregon
State University and a Master of Arts from California State University,
Northridge, in Test and Evaluation Engineering. He is a registered
Professional Engineer in California and Oregon and has authored numerous
technical papers on concrete durability.
For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit
www.news.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.
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NNS080124-05. Naval Station Pearl Harbor Provides Furniture for Local
Homeless Shelters
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron,
Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to combined bachelor housing at
Naval Station (NAVSTA) Pearl Harbor joined hands with movers from the
Hawaii public housing authority during a three-day move, Jan. 22-24, to
transfer more than $160,000 worth of furniture and mattresses from
Gabrunas Hall, bachelor enlisted quarters on board NAVSTA Pearl Harbor,
to the state of Hawaii.
The furniture will be used to help furnish homeless shelters on the
island of Oahu and provide families who reside in the shelters a better
quality of life.
"The ability to help the homeless is something everyone should take a
part in," said Storekeeper 2nd Class (SS) Danny Hines, assigned to
Combined Bachelor Housing at NAVSTA Pearl Harbor.
More than 147 dressers, 147 mattresses, 147 night stands, 146 desk
chairs, 143 lamps, 74 refrigerators, and 74 microwaves were donated to
the state of Hawaii during the three-day project.
"This is a great program because it can help out the state," said Chief
Culinary Specialist (SCW) Joseph Macias, wardroom leading chief petty
officer, NAVSTA Pearl Harbor. "The program doesn't have a large budget
and for us to help provide them with furniture and mattresses is
enormously helpful to their operation."
The move is part of an ongoing program between NAVSTA Pearl Harbor and
the Hawaii public housing authority, with three donations of furniture
taking place in 2007; this is the first of 2008.
"We change out the furniture in the barracks every seven years," said
Macias. "Once we get close to the seven-year mark, we give a call to the
state to see if they can take any furniture prior to us shipping it to
DRMO."
Helping Hawaii's homeless is a priority for Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle,
and the Navy has generously donated supplies for area homeless shelters.
"We're just fortunate that the Navy is helping us out," said Adam
Burson, homeless program specialist, Hawaii public housing authority.
The state of Hawaii has had four emergency and transitional shelters
open in the last two years and the donated furniture, has improved the
quality of life for those who live in the shelters.
"Days like this are beneficial for the people in the shelters," said
Burson. "This furniture gives them a comfortable place to live, not just
a roof over their heads."
The next furniture move is scheduled to take place in early February, as
agreed between NAVSTA Pearl Harbor, the Hawaii public housing authority
and the state of Hawaii Department of Transportation.
For more news from Commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visit
www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrh/.
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NNS080124-06. Daily News Update for January, 24, 2008
From the Navy News Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Daily News Update features six newscasts each day -
one two-minute newscast and five one-minute newscasts.
Two-minute newscast-
- Naval Station Naples, Italy, focuses on recycling during the garbage
collection strike.
First one-minute newscast-
- Headlines from around the fleet: Africa Partnership Station arrives in
Sao Tome; the 2008 Calendar For America is released.
Second one-minute newscast-
- The Thrift Savings Plan gives service members a way to secure their
financial future.
Third one-minute newscast-
- The Navy prepares to implement the new Task Force Uniform in the
fleet.
Fourth one-minute newscast-
- Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, hosts the Japanese Motorcycle Safety
Team.
Fifth one-minute newscast-
- Naval Station Pearl Harbor hosts a cheerleading clinic for youth.
Naval Media Center produces six Daily News Update (DNU) newscasts: a
two-minute newscast and five one-minute newscasts. DNU can be seen
throughout the day and evening on the Direct-to-Sailor (DTS) satellite
television service available aboard 160 ships of the fleet and via the
Navy Web site at
www.navy.mil. Check your local DTS program schedule for
air times. DNU can also be seen throughout the world on the Armed Forces
Radio and Television Service (AFRTS).
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NNS020108-14. This Day in Naval History - Jan. 25
From the Navy News Service
1922 - Cruiser USS Galveston (CL 19) lands her Marine Corps detachment
at Corinto, Nicaragua, to reinforce the Managua legation guard during a
period of political tension.
1945 - Navy surface forces bombard Japanese positions at Iwo Jima.
1963 - The 1st Seabee Technical Assistance Team arrives in Vietnam.
For more news from the Naval Historical Center, visit their Navy
Newsstand page at
www.news.navy.mil/local/navhist.
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Navy News Service is the official news wire service of the U.S. Navy,
containing stories recently posted to the Navy Web site at
www.navy.mil.
It is a product of the Naval Media Center, 2713 Mitscher Rd. SW,
Anacostia Annex, D.C., 20373-5819. Reprints should be credited to the
Navy News Service (NNS).
To subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Navy News Service, visit
http://www.news.navy.mil/tools/subscribe_navnews.asp.
Stories for publication consideration should be submitted by e-mail to
navynewsservice@navy.mil or be submitted online at
www.news.navy.mil/submit/.
For the latest in Navy news from around the fleet, visit
www.navy.mil.
For all Navy-related questions, review the FAQs posted at
www.navy.milor visit the Naval Historical Center's Web site at
www.history.navy.mil.
Media queries should be directed to the Navy News Desk at (703)
697-5342.
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V/r,
LT Jennifer Cragg
Naval Media Center
2713 Mitscher Rd.
Building 168
Anacostia Annex, DC 20373-5819
(202) 433-0574
Jennifer.cragg@navy.mil
