USS Bremerton (SSN 698) Returns to its Namesake

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Lawrence Davis, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-Class attack submarine, USS Bremerton (SSN 698) returned to its namesake city, May 25.

The submarine, which is homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was recently adopted by the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Navy League and welcomed upon arrival to Naval Base Kitsap's pier with a formal ceremony.

"We're very happy to be here. The Navy League and the Mayor of Bremerton have shown great support to this ship and its crew, and it's just been outstanding," said Cmdr. Caleb Kerr, commanding officer, USS Bremerton.

The visit marks the submarine's first return to its namesake in approximately two years.

"Anytime we get a chance to have our namesake come back it's just wonderful," said former USS Bremerton Commanding Officer (1985-1988) retired Capt. Alan Beam of the Bremerton-Olympic Navy League. "Our goal is to support the troops and the Sailors and make sure they know how much we appreciate their work."

The submarine is visiting Bremerton before its upcoming deployment.

"This is a great opportunity for some outreach with the city that shows us so much support," said Kerr.

USS Bremerton is the 11th submarine of the Los Angeles-Class and is the oldest submarine in the U.S. Fleet, commissioned March 28, 1981.

Fleet Week Ships' Sailors of the Year Honored at Navy League Luncheon

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) J. C. J. Stokes, USS Wasp Public Affairs

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- The Navy League United States Fort Lauderdale Council honored service members during their annual Enlisted Person of the Year luncheon in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., April 28.

Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen received awards from Rudy Oetting, president NLUS Fort Lauderdale Council, Debbie Ingram, Broward County Navy Days, and guest speaker Command Master Chief Anthony Josey, Expeditionary Strike Group Two.

"I am glad to see many Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard here today," said Josey. "Throughout the history of our Navy, from its birth in 1775 to today, Sailors have been the driving force of our Navy, defending our nation above, on, and below the sea. These fine Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen carry on that proud tradition 200-year-old tradition."

As an example of Sailors being the driving force of the Navy, Josey, mentioned Fleet Forces Sea Sailor of the Year, Wasp's Chief Ship's Serviceman (Sel) (SW/AW) Angela Zamora.

"Out of approximately 266,000 Sailors only four were chosen as the best of the best in our Navy, and it is my pleasure to have her here at this luncheon with us today," said Josey.

Zamora, a native of Ecuador, came to America when she was 15 and she could not speak English. She enlisted in the Navy and is the first ship's serviceman selected as Fleet Forces Sea Sailor of the Year.

"It is an honor to be here," said Zamora. "It really touched me when I received a standing ovation, it was a little overwhelming. When people came to congratulate me and thank me for my service, all I could say was no thank you, because it was you all whose shoulders I stand on."

According to Oetting, a former Marine, it's a matter of patriotism.

"I'm not a flag waver, but I've served my country like my father did in WWI. Being a part of the Navy League is a way for me to give back to the Navy and the men and women in uniform. This is why we do the luncheon, to show our appreciation for enlisted service members while they are here for fleet week because they are the workers. Thank you all for being here and serving our country. Semper Fi," he said.

With over 600 members, NLUS Fort Lauderdale Council has been serving Fort Lauderdale by providing a unit for the local Sea Cadets, raising awareness about the Navy and its benefits, and helping Sailors and Marines feel at home when they are away from their families.

Wasp is in Port Everglades April 25-30 as part of Fleet Week, which this year commemorates the War of 1812 Bicentennial. Overall, there are about 3,000 Sailors and Marines and six ships in attendance. The War of 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration is part of a series of city visits by the Navy that take place over the next three years. The commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812 is a salute to all Sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who have served in our nation's conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world today.

2012 Sea Air Space Expo Continues

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Shannon Burns, Defense Media Activity - Navy

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (NNS) -- The second day of the 2012 Sea-Air-Space Exposition, held at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Convention Center April 17, focused on today's technology and the future of the Navy.

Numerous panel, floor speaker and roundtable sessions took place covering these topics. During the Sea-Air-Space Luncheon keynote speaker Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert talked about these topics as well as the Tenets.

Several classes of Navy vessels were discussed at the expo including the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). According to the LCS program manager, LCS is a critical part of the Surface Force's ability to provide credible capability for deterrence, sea control, and power projection around the world. It is a fast, agile, networked surface combatant designed to operate in the near-shore environment but still capable of open-ocean tasking.

"Littoral combat ships brings tremendous capabilities to our Navy, they allows us to deploy ships, to exercise with our neighbors, and increase our engagement and our presence," said Capt. John Neagley, program manager, Littoral Combat Ship. "They address three specific capabilities and gaps: mine warfare, surface warfare, and anti-submarine warfare."

Another type of Navy vessel discussed was the Virginia-class submarine - designed for multi-mission operations in the littorals while still retaining what the prgram executive officer describes as the submarine force's strength in traditional open-ocean, anti-submarine, and anti-surface missions.

"The Virginia-class submarine is the replacement for the Los Angeles-class submarine and it will be the work horse for the fast attack fleet for years to come," said Rear Adm. (sel.) Michael Jabaley, program manager for Virginia-class submarines, Program Executive Officer Subs. "We've so far delivered eight to the Navy out of a total program of 30 submarines, they're performing wonderfully in the fleet and will continue to do so for decades to come."

Also discussed at the expo was the new class of aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford-class carrier, the first new class of aircraft carriers in almost 40 years. They are nearly identical in size to the Nimitz-class carriers, but are designed with upgraded hulls, mechanical, electrical, and electronics capabilities.

"The Gerald R. Ford-class carrier is the Navy's next generation of aircraft carriers," said Capt. Chris Meyer, program manager, Future Aircraft Carriers Program for Naval Sea Systems Command. "It builds on a legacy of U.S. aircraft carrier capability; it provides improved capability for the future with reduced total ownership costs and reduced crew size. We are able to have more capability with less ownership costs."

The Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition includes three days of seminars and demonstrations highlighting the latest maritime-related technologies and solutions. The symposium provides an excellent opportunity for Navy policy and operational leadership to interact with industry representatives to discuss and debate common interests and concerns.

"We are the nation's first responders, there is no doubt about that, we deter, we assure access, and we protect security, and we're there to protect prosperity," said Greenert. "This, and our future role, led me to three tenets. Warfighting has to be first. We have to be confident, we have to be proficient at what we're doing and we have to be relevant. Number two, we have to operate forward. That's where we're most effective and that's where we've always been most effective in our Navy. Number three, we have to be ready for today's challenges today."

NAVAIR Programs to Take Center Stage at 2012 Sea-Air-Space Expo

By Marcia Hart, Naval Air Systems Command Public Affairs

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- Naval officials from several Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) programs are scheduled to conduct press briefings at Navy League's annual Sea-Air-Space Exposition from April 16-18 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Md.

The briefing schedule is as follows:

Monday, April 16:

11 a.m.

Rear Adm. Jeffrey Penfield, Fleet Readiness Centers (FRC) commander, will brief FRC initiatives at the NAVAIR Pavilion, Booth 437.

Col. Greg Masiello, V-22 Joint Program (PMA-275) program manager, will brief the V-22 Osprey in the Chesapeake 6 Conference Room.

2 p.m.

Rear Adm. Randy Mahr, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) commander, will lead a team of experts in addressing small-business opportunities at the NAVAIR Pavilion, Booth 437. Topics include doing business with NAWCAD, partnering, technology transfer and future needs of NAWCAD from industry.

Capt. Frank Morley, program manager for the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265), will brief F/A-18 and EA-18G programs in Chesapeake 6 Conference Room.

3 p.m.

Vice Adm. David Architzel, commander, NAVAIR, will moderate a Performance Based Logistics panel in Potomac Ballroom AB.

4:15 p.m.

Rear Adm. Donald Gaddis, program executive officer for Tactical Aircraft, PEO(T), will brief tactical aircraft initiatives at the NAVAIR Pavilion, Booth 437.

Tuesday, April 17:

9 a.m.

Tim Gowen, director of the Naval Aviation Center for Rotorcraft Advancement (NACRA), will discuss its latest projects, which are projected to advance the design of the next generation of Navy helicopters, at the NAVAIR Pavilion, Booth 437.

9:30 a.m.

Vice Adm. David Architzel, commander, NAVAIR, will serve on the Systems Command Challenge: Meeting Requirements in an Era of Austerity panel in Potomac Ballroom AB.

Capt. Brian Corey, program manager for the Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-242), will brief Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System at the BAE Systems Booth 537, Room 1.

10 a.m.

Capt. Aaron Rondeau, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office's (PMA-290) deputy program manager for the P-8A Poseidon, will brief the P-8A program in the Chesapeake 6 Conference Room.

11 a.m.

Rear Adm. Bill Shannon, program executive officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, PEO(U&W), will brief PEO(U&W) initiatives at the NAVAIR Pavilion, Booth 437.

2 p.m.

Capt. Patrick Smith, program manager for the Multi-Mission Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-266), will brief Fire Scout in the Chesapeake D Conference Room.

3 p.m.

Rear Adm. Paul Grosklags, program executive officer for Air ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs, PEO(A), will brief PEO(A) initiatives at the NAVAIR Pavilion, Booth 437.

Capt. James Hoke, program manager for the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-262), will brief Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Air Systems in the Chesapeake D Conference Room.

4 p.m.

Capt. Jaime Engdahl, program manager for the Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) Program Office (PMA-268), will brief UCAS-Demonstration in the Chesapeake D Conference Room.

Wednesday, April 18:

11 a.m.

Rear Adm. Mat Winter, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) commander, will brief "The Navy's Weapons and Armament Center: How Innovation Drives Success in Arming the Fleet" at the NAVAIR Pavilion, Booth 437.

1:45 p.m.

Keith Sanders, assistant commander for Acquisition, will brief Program Management (AIR 1.0) initiatives at the NAVAIR Pavilion, Booth 437.

2:30 p.m.

Cmdr. Brandt Moslener, U.S. Navy Test Pilot School commander, will discuss training programs for naval aviators and engineers at the NAVAIR Pavilion, Booth 437.

For more information about NAVAIR's speaker lineup, call (240) 577-0384. For information about the 2012 Sea-Air-Space expo, go to www.seaairspace.org/program.html.

The Sea-Air-Space Exposition is open to active duty, Reserve and retired U.S. military personnel, U.S. government employees, members of Congress and their staffs, invited guests of the Navy League, representatives of exhibiting companies and foreign embassies as well as Navy League members. The expo is not open to the general public.

For more news from Naval Air Systems Command, visit Navy.mil/local/navair/.

PCU Minnesota and Deployed Minnesota National Guard Share Banner Exchange

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The crew of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Minnesota (SSN 783) showed their solidarity and support for the "Red Bulls" of the Minnesota National Guard's 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division serving in Kuwait by participating in a banner exchange in late March.

The concept for the exchange was launched in late February by Cmdr. John Fancher, PCU Minnesota's (SSN 783) commanding officer and Col. John Morris, state chaplain for the Minnesota National Guard.

"One team, one fight," said Morris. "We honor the crew of the USS Minnesota and greatly respect their critically important mission."

Fancher and Morris both agreed that they wanted to use this banner exchange to demonstrate to the deployed national guardsmen from the land of 10,000 lakes that the crew of Minnesota appreciates their service.

"My crew and I wanted to participate in this banner exchange to show our support for those deployed and provide a direct link with our crew aboard PCU Minnesota," said Fancher.

With the crew's signatures and well wishes written on the banner, a second banner to be signed by the "Red Bulls" were carried by Morris more than 6,000 miles to Kuwait. The banner was later signed by the Minnesota National Guardsmen and returned to Norfolk affixed with signatures from Kuwait.

"Our deployed citizen-soldiers were eager to sign the banner to express their appreciation for the crew of their home state's namesake, PCU Minnesota," said Morris. "More than a decade of war has forged strong bonds amongst all military branches within the profession of arms, and the Red Bulls know that the Sailors serving aboard the Minnesota will bring great pride to our state for years to come."

Morris recently attended the annual Minnesota Navy League meeting. The League's Vice President Brian Skon relayed what Morris shared with the League and the impact the banner had on the deployed National Guardsman from Minnesota.

"The PCU Minnesota signed banner brought to Kuwait was well received," said Skon. "In fact, so many Red Bulls wanted to sign the banner being sent back to PCU Minnesota in gratitude that people back home were thinking about them, including the crew of Minnesota, that a lottery had to be taken to sign the banner."

As a result of the response of the banner exchange, the Minnesota Navy League made copies of the two banners, one resides in the offices of PCU Minnesota and another resides in Kuwait to show support from home.

Under construction and set for delivery in 2013, PCU Minnesota will be the 10th of a projected 30 Virginia-class submarines. This will be only the third ship to be named after Minnesota, with the last one being more than a century ago in 1905.