Navy's Public Affairs Command Earns Unit Commendation

By NPASE Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy's Chief of Information (CHINFO) awarded Navy Public Affairs Support Element (NPASE) the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) in a ceremony held at the command's headquarters onboard Naval Station Norfolk July 17.

Rear Adm. Dennis J. Moynihan presented the Navy's only public affairs command with the MUC for "consistently demonstrated unparalleled success in communicating the Navy's strategy and its effects to the American public and the international community." Signed by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, the award recognizes performance comparable to that which would merit a Bronze Star Medal, or achievement of similar caliber in a non-combat situation.

Moynihan expressed his thanks and appreciation to the NPASE personnel.

"You have made this entire community so proud," said Moynihan.

During the award period of Jan. 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011, NPASE personnel provided public affairs and visual information support to 75 military missions while embarked on 127 ships. Additionally, NPASE personnel supported humanitarian assistance-disaster relief missions for Pakistan floods, the Haiti earthquake and the Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Deven King from the NPASE East detachment in Norfolk, Va., said he appreciates the diversity of NPASE missions.

"We deploy on different platforms, in different areas of operation and support humanitarian missions," said King. "I'm very proud to be a part of this unique command."

NPASE is comprised of 16 active duty and reserve detachments in Navy fleet concentration areas across the U.S., Europe and the Pacific. The command provides expeditionary public affairs forces supporting the Fleet and Component Commanders with scalable and immediate deployable force packages trained and equipped to support current and emerging Public Affairs requirements.