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NNS080821-15. MCPON Visits Coronado CPO Selectees
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Damien Horvath, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SW/FMF) Joe R. Campa Jr. addressed San Diego area chief petty officer (CPO) selectees Aug. 19.
In his presentation at Naval Air Station North Island, MCPON Campa discussed the guiding principles that chief petty officers are expected to strictly adhere to, as well as expectations and commitments essential to success as a CPO.
"Your role as a chief petty officer needs to be crystal clear," said Campa. "Never put aside your responsibilities as a chief, and always maintain focus on defining yourself as a distinguished chief petty officer."
Campa spent a significant portion of his speech personally engaging selectees in the audience and testing their personal knowledge of CPO history.
"I am proud to have been selected to an elite group of Sailors," said USS Boxer (LHD 5) ENC (SW) (Select) James D. Martini. "MCPON's visit to the selectees was informational and motivating. He let us now what the chief's mess expects of us as well as those Sailors who will be working under our guidance and mentorship."
MCPON discussed in detail the importance of understanding Naval heritage and how that directly affects a CPO ability to lead.
"Having a deep understanding and respect for the history of the chief petty officer's mess will undoubtedly contribute to a chief's ability to lead," said Campa. "Those possessing that knowledge will certainly set themselves apart and succeed as leaders and teachers."
MCPON Campa told the group that the level of effort they put into the Induction process will determine what they get out of it. "Whether a selectee has 10 years in the Navy or 19 years in the Navy, the expectation we have of them is the same; the same level of excitement, the same level of willingness to take on responsibility… So, when I see that, that tells me that the desire to be a chief is still strong and that our Sailors aspire to that. It's really good to see," he said.
For more news from Commander, Navy Region Southwest, visit,
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NNS080821-03. USS Howard Builds Partnerships in SEACAT Exercise
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Scott, Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs
ABOARD USS HOWARD OFF THE COAST OF BRUNEI (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) trained with the navies of Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Republic of the Philippines Aug. 17-20 during the Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) exercise.
The seventh-annual exercise focused on improving the interoperability between regional navies and their ability to collectively intercept vessels using the seas to transport criminals, contraband or terrorists.
During the first day of the exercise, while Howard acted as an opposing force vessel, a commando team from the Brunei Special Forces boarded her. The Royal Navy of Brunei and the Royal Brunei Air Force tracked Howard and assisted the team in the maritime intercept. U.S. Sailors from Heloborne Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (HVBSS) Team 1, embarked aboard Howard, acted as crew members assigned to the rogue vessel.
"The training was a big success," said Lt. Nathaniel Shick, Howard's weapons officer. "The Brunei forces were very professional."
Capt. Rasman, boarding officer for the Brunei special operations unit, agreed that the training was particularly effective. "It was a good platform for future operations. If we do this again, we'd love to come to Howard."
On the second day of the exercise, Howard boarding teams conducted small boat operations in rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), while coordinating with a P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Navy.
During their time operating with partner navies, U.S. Sailors were impressed by the skill of their counterparts.
"They performed professionally and efficiently," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Benjamin Ericson, a member of HVBSS Team 1 who played the role of ship's master aboard Howard for the exercise.
As the boarding team of Bruneian commandos prepared to depart the ship, Howard executive officer Lt. Cmdr. Charles Grassi thanked his ship's guests.
"On behalf of the Captain and crew of USS Howard, it was a pleasure to have you on board, and we look forward to operating with you again," Grassi said.
SEACAT presents its multinational participants with realistic situations involving criminal and terrorist threats requiring international coordination, communication and decision making. U.S. ships involved in the exercise include Howard, USS Tortuga (LSD 46), USS Ford (FFG 54), USCGC Morgenthau (WHEC 722) and U.S. Military Sealift Command ships USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50), USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez (T-AK 3010) and MV Cpl. Louis J. Hauge, Jr. (T-AK 3000). In addition, a U.S. P-3C from VP-16 is participating in the exercise.
Howard is a member of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, currently in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility as part of a routine deployment to promote peace, cooperation and stability in the region.
For more news from Commander Task Force 73, visit
www.navy.mil/local/clwp/.
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NNS080821-13. Kearsarge Sailors Build Strong Bonds During CP '08
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Lange, Continuing Promise Public Affairs
BETANIA, Nicaraqua (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) constructed two new basketball posts for the citizens of Betania Aug. 19 as part of a volunteer community event during Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.
Crew members arrived early to dig holes, cut wood and mix concrete.
This was an absolutely wonderful opportunity to be part of a helping hand," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Travis Matney. "It was a great reflection on what America and working together is all about."
Once construction was complete, the Sailors offered a donation of basketballs and played a pick-up game with the local residents. No one kept score; they just wanted to break in the new equipment and have fun.
"I'm glad I was able to come out here today," said Store Keeper 2nd Class Keith Vanier, "I wish we could do more, but I think even this little bit that we do here will go a long way."
The CP mission addresses the level and scope of health services support and clinical information sharing necessary to improve health outcomes, prolong life, promote training, and enhance prosperity across the region.
After the ship departs Nicaragua, it heads to Colombia, Panama, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.
Kearsarge is under the operational control of U.S. 4th Fleet. U.S. 4th Fleet's area of responsibilities includes the Caribbean, and Central and South American regions.
The Continuing Promise Caribbean Phase is the second of two deployments to 4th Fleet in 2008. The first Continuing Promise deployment was conducted by USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit
www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.
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NNS080821-01. Operation Smiles Begins in Nicaragua
By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Emmitt J. Hawks
PUERTO CABEZAS, Nicaragua (NNS) -- Operation Smile volunteers began screening patients at Nancy Bach Hospital Aug. 18 for cleft lip and cleft pallet surgeries to be performed aboard USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) during Continuing Promise 2008.
Operation Smile is a worldwide children's medical charity that provides free surgery to children born with facial deformities in developing countries.
"We are here in Puerto Cabezas to make a difference in young lives," said George Yarbrough, mission coordinator. "This will be a life changing experience for those involved and a small miracle for the patients. This mission is truly a rewarding experience."
Screenings took place inside a tiny room near the rear of the hospital. Many of the families waiting to be seen had already traveled for days just to reach this moment.
"This is where the miracle begins," said registered nurse Dominique Declerk, as she cuddled a nine-month old infant who made a five-day journey to reach Puerto Cabezas. "We screen the children to ensure they are healthy enough to undergo surgery."
As patients arrive to be screened, they are provided with small brick shelter, makeshift showers and round wooden tubs to wash their clothes.
"It's not much, but it is a place where they may feel safe," said Declerk.
There are more than 20 patients scheduled for cleft lip pallet surgery aboard Kearsarge but if able, the Operation Smile team could perform more.
"Operation Smile wishes to do more," said Declerk. "I recall the organizations first mission in Haiti. We were scheduled to have 60 surgeries, but we accomplished 90. It was amazing, and now we are here for the people of Nicaragua."
While in Nicaragua, CP will creatively address the level and scope of health services support and clinical information sharing necessary to improve health outcomes, prolong life, promote training, and enhance prosperity across the region.
Kearsarge is under the operational control of U.S. 4th Fleet. U.S. 4th Fleet's mission is to direct United States naval forces operating in the Caribbean, and Central and South American regions and interact with partner nation navies to shape maritime environment.
CP is an equal-partnership mission enabling American and partner-nation civil engineers to share ideas to provide effective infrastructure solutions to an array of challenges in order to demonstrate the lasting bonds and shared interests among neighbors.
The Continuing Promise Caribbean Phase is the second of two humanitarian and civil assistance deployments to the Southern Command area of focus for 2008. The first Continuing Promise deployment was conducted by USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific.
For more news on Continuing Promise, visit U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command web site at
www.navy.mil/local/cusns.
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NNS080821-12. Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group Departs Malaysia
By Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) 1st Class Bill Larned Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs
USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Three ships and more than 5,000 Sailors of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 departed Malaysia Aug. 21 after routine port visits highlighted by displays of good will, community service and a variety of cultural tours.
The strike group's flagship, the Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) departed Port Klang.
While in Kuala Lumpur, more than 200 strike group Sailors volunteered to help make a difference in several Malaysian communities by participating in eight community relations projects at local children's homes.
Chief petty officer selectees from Ronald Reagan painted the Agathians Shelter Children's Home in Petaling Jaya, a neighboring city.
"The children's home is a very small house and is Hindu. It receives a lot less financial help than other children's homes in Petaling Jaya. Everyone at the home was grateful for our help," said Chief Religious Programs Specialist (FMF/AW/SW) Marcus Taylor, leading chief petty officer for Ronald's Reagan's Religious Ministries Department.
Sailors also embarked on tours offered by morale, welfare and recreation. Several buses traveled to the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, a shelter used to relocate elephants that disturb crops and farmland. Upon arrival, Sailors watched a 45-minute documentary about the sanctuary's mission supporting the elephants. Afterwards, many Sailors hand-fed the elephants and enjoyed escorted rides atop the elephants, which included a chance to bathe with them in a nearby river.
"The elephant sanctuary was peaceful. You won't get a chance to ride an elephant anywhere else," said Aviation Electrician's Mate Airman Apprentice Daniel Griffith, from VFA-115.
Some Sailors preferred the fast pace of the city to rural Malaysia.
During a tour of downtown Kuala Lumpur, Sailors perused Chinatown, the central market and Independence Square, all against the backdrop of the 88-floor twin Petronas Towers in the Golden Triangle business district.
"It was really interesting viewing different architecture, trying out the local cuisine and talking to the people of Malaysia," said Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (AW) Jaclyn Vargas.
The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is in the U.S. 7th Fleet's area of responsibility as part of a routine deployment to promote peace, cooperation and stability in the region. Homeported in San Diego, Ronald Reagan is the Navy's newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.
For more news from USS Ronald Reagan - Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, visit
www.navy.mil/local/cvn76/.
