Expeditionary Forces Train for Rapid Response

By Ens. Jonathan Smith, Expeditionary Strike Group 2 Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Members of Expeditionary Strike Group 2 (ESG-2), Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), and 2nd Marine Logistics Group conducted an annual, rapid-response planning and loading exercise (LOADEX) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Aug. 27-28.

Experts from across the commands trained together by loading, unloading and moving personnel and equipment from land to sea and back using ship-to-shore connectors and amphibious shipping. The goal of the exercise was to strengthen rapid response capabilities to support recovery efforts following domestic and foreign disasters.

"It's vital to conduct these exercises together to continually figure out what works and what doesn't work - before a crisis hits - to maximize our effectiveness," said Cmdr. Christopher Wells, USS Whidbey Island's (LSD 41) commanding officer.

The exercise included creating load out plans and moving equipment which can be used for disaster response. Loads included cargo re-supply vehicles, forklifts, and generators, which were loaded onto to amphibious ships, USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and USS Arlington (LPD 24). The ships would then transport the equipment to impacted areas during disaster relief operations.

Multiple loading methods, including Navy's Improved Modular Lighterage System (INLS) and side port operations were tested in order to validate various load configurations and options. INLS, constructed and operated by Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 (ACB-2), is a floating dock system which can form ferries, causeway piers, or ships' ramp roll-off discharge platforms, to offer adaptable delivery methods of vehicles and critical supplies.

"We are uniquely capable of supporting Defense Support of Civil Authorities, similar to the way we enabled logistics in Haiti," said Cmdr. John Anderson, executive officer of ACB-2. "We support logistics over the shore including ship-to-shore transportation of equipment and material. This is a valuable training opportunity to expand our interoperability with supported agencies."

Transport using amphibious shipping holds several advantages to include simultaneous delivery of large amounts of personnel, equipment and supplies for immediate use. In addition, seaward delivery reduces stress on recovering roads and bridges, which typically follow natural or manmade disasters.

"The amphibious force has been called the 9-1-1 force of the Navy because we provide quick and effective response," said Master Chief Petty Officer Peter Dyksterhouse, USS Whidbey Island's command master chief. "I like to think of LSDs as the pick-up truck of the force... when you need something big moved; you always rely on that friend with the truck to get the job done."

Amphibious forces have responded to numerous crises, in support of local and federal governments, to include Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Katrina and the 2010 7.0-magnitude earthquake that devastated the nation of Haiti.

The Navy's East Coast based disaster response is divided into two distinct command and control structures. Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) is led by NECC to provide support to U.S. federal or local governments, if requested. ESG-2 oversees foreign Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Response (HA/DR) to include providing recommendations to assist planners in developing an executable plan.

"As the combat cargo assistant, my role is to validate, educate and guide collaborating forces during the scenario as well as provide plan deconfliction, if necessary," said Gunnery Sergeant Mario Pacheco, ESG-2's combat cargo assistant.

In addition to overseeing and managing the readiness of the amphibious fleet, ESG-2 is a joint, rapid and robust deployable staff. Through oversight of 24 tenant commands, ESG-2 supports the entire range of military operations to include theater security cooperation events and major combat operations.

Seal Beach Harbor Patrol Unit Sailors Rescue Surfer

By Gregg Smith, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Public Affairs

SEAL BEACH, Calif. (NNS) -- A harbor patrol boat crew from Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach rescued a local surfer during extremely heavy wave conditions off the coast on August 27.

While on patrol escorting a ship into Anaheim Bay, the security Sailors observed a person in distress near the entrance of the harbor breakwater.

"I couldn't believe that there was someone in the water way out there," said Master-at-arms Second Class Devin Terry.

A hurricane off the coast of Mexico had created much higher than normal swells of over twelve feet, high surf, and dangerous rip currents throughout the southern California coastal region.

"It was the worst I've experienced in my ten years in the Navy," said Master-at-arms Second Class Robert Craven, "It was just horrible out there."

The Sailors carefully maneuvered their boat near the surfer and quickly determined that he needed help.

"He said that he had been stuck there for over an hour and a half, fighting the water," said Craven.

The surfer, a 30-year-old man from Lawndale, Calif., was picked up and later transferred to an Orange County Sheriff's Department patrol boat for the trip back to dry land. The Navy security boat crew meanwhile resumed their patrol.

"He was really thankful, and really happy to get out of the water," said Terry.

We're in this Together: One Suicide is One Too Many

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Johans Chavarro, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Detachment Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Starting in September the Navy will be promoting the message "Every Sailor, Every Day," to encourage all Sailors, leaders, families and members of the Navy community to strengthen their connections with those around them in accordance with Suicide Prevention Month.

Unfortunately, suicide is currently one of the top causes of death in the Navy, claiming the lives of approximately 44 Sailors in 2013 alone and, according to Navy Personnel Command, 39 lives so far in 2014.

While these statistics suggest a decrease in frequency of total suicide fatalities from previous years, the numbers show that some Sailors are still finding themselves with nowhere to go and no other option.

In an organization that requires the cooperation and unity of every Sailor to accomplish its mission, one suicide is one too many.

So, how do we keep moving forward?

According to Lt. David Broderick, a psychologist at Makalapa Mental Health Clinic Pearl Harbor, in addition to the web of resources that target raising awareness, reduction and response to suicide, it is also increasingly important to "get ahead of the problem" and address the social challenges and stigmas that may lay at the crux of the issue.

"Efforts need to continue to be made towards de-stigmatizing and being more empathic about suicide so that the person asking for help doesn't feel overwhelmed with asking for it," said Broderick. "If people are hesitant to go and talk to their chain of command about feeling depressed or hopeless, because they worry their career might get affected, or because maybe they're not yet at that point of really wanting to hurt themselves, then things can certainly end up escalating the longer they wait."

Lt. James Ragain, a chaplain attached to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, echoed Broderick's sentiments, saying there are a lot of social challenges and stigmas that come with suicide.

"For the person that may be having thoughts about suicide, there's certainly the stigma of, 'am I going to be seen as different?' Or, 'are people going to treat me as weak?,' said Ragain. "And on the other end there's the taboo of asking difficult questions about people's lives and asking the question we're trained to ask, 'are you thinking about suicide?' We may think that by asking this question this person may reject us and cost us a friendship."

As Ragain described, the programs that are available work effectively to equip individuals with the know-how and insight to identify external indications and red flags, as well as providing help to those who need it, but, "oftentimes the tools can be like giving cough syrup to someone who needs an antibody. We need to get below the surface."

"If they can't open up to anyone, or if they don't feel safe opening up to anyone, and no one is there to ask that clear and direct question, 'are you thinking about suicide?,' then the situation can certainly snowball out of their control," said Ragain.

Lt. Cmdr. Kaarin Coe, a social worker and the Suicide Prevention Coordinator at Military and Family Support Center Pearl Harbor, said that while the task of asking a shipmate or co-worker if they are having thoughts of suicide or are in need professional help may seem daunting, it is important to keep in mind the Navy's core values to intervene when something is out of place in the work place, as well as with those around us.

"The Navy's greatest asset is their people," said Coe. "Nothing moves, flies, or sails without someone at the helm - whatever form that may take. When we take care of each other, we ensure our Navy stays not only 'Fit to Fight,' but focused on the mission. When we get people support sooner rather than later, they are able to either maintain their ability to be mission focused, or return to duty faster than if they wait until there is a crisis. I believe this is the cornerstone of our core values."

Ragain said to continue moving forward it is crucial that Sailors and individuals find the honor, courage and commitment to initiate early avenues of communication with those that may be showing signs of suicide.

"When someone starts that internal dialogue about suicide and they have someone they can talk with about what's going on in their life, it lets them get everything out onto the table, and for a lot of people it's like a huge weight's been taken off their shoulders," said Ragain. "For others, as they listen to themselves talk about suicide and about their issues, it's almost like they convince themselves not to do it because they now have that connection with someone and they know they're no longer alone."

Because of this, it is imperative that Sailors and individuals remain perceptive to changes in behavior and attitude of someone who they may suspect is struggling emotionally, said Ragain.

"One thing that happens when people are thinking about suicide is they give out invitations to people, to connect with them and talk about their feelings," said Ragain. "I use 'invitations' as opposed to 'warning signs,' because what they're doing is inviting other people to talk about this major decision they're going to make in their life. These invitations may come in the form of the things they say like, 'there's no hope for me, things will be better once I'm gone.' Or as blatant as, 'I'm going to kill myself.' Invitations also come in the form of their appearance, or how they isolate themselves from other people."

Coe said that anyone can become susceptible to suicidal thoughts, thus it becomes important that everyone recognize their role as a resource by remaining vigilant to the signs that may be out of the ordinary with their co-worker or shipmate.

"Being aware of changes in mood, demeanor, and behaviors are key in recognizing early that something may be going on," said Coe. "Knowing the resources available can also help get someone to the support they need sooner."

Once contact and communication is established, Sailors and individuals can then move on to subsequent resources that will work more directly to provide the support and help necessary.

At this stage in the Navy, Broderick suggested that commands continue to stress that Sailors seek help and resources.

"Commands need to continue stressing that and eventually people may find themselves more willing, or not as nervous, to seek help and go talk to someone," said Broderick.

"The clinic is a place for everyone to come for outpatient treatment for whatever life stresses they may have going on," said Broderick. "We offer therapy groups here to individuals with psychologists and social workers. We also have psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychiatrists available here to work on the medication aspect. Our mission is to get people back to work and to feel stronger about going back to work."

But to accomplish this mission first requires one to make that uncomfortable effort and ask that difficult question, "are you thinking about suicide?"

It is only through increased empathetic and open communication that this can be achieved, said Coe.

"The more a difficult topic is discussed open and honestly, the more it breaks down the taboo/stigma. Recognizing that we all need help at different points in our lives is key."

From September 1-30, "I Pledge to ACT," a web-based effort, will take place to encourage all Sailors, families and members of the Navy community to take steps in building personal resilience, supporting their shipmates and intervening if they notice signs of distress. The pledge is completely anonymous and available to all audiences through the NPC website, www.public.navy.mil.

For more information about suicide prevention, visit

www.chaplain.navy.mil - Navy chaplains have 100 percent confidentiality and cannot break this without the person's consent. If someone isn't sure where to start, chaplains can also help someone figure out where they need to go for help.

Search for missing pilot continues

by 104th Fighter Wing
104th Fighter Wing

8/28/2014 -  BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. -- The search for the missing 104th Fighter Wing pilot continues through the night in the Washington National Forest near Deerfield Valley, Virginia.

The Air Force F-15C Eagle aircraft the pilot was flying crashed at approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday; radio contact with the pilot was lost about 25 minutes earlier.

As of 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, approximately 10 search-and-rescue teams were on the ground searching along logging roads, fire trails and forest roads. The terrain is too treacherous for off-road ground searches in the dark, according to Corinne Geller, Virginia State Police Public Relations Manager.

As many as four helicopters have been conducting aerial night searches, with additional assets en route.

Throughout the day Wednesday, at least 100 state police, sheriff's deputies and fire and rescue personnel had been on scene, along with up to seven helicopters supporting aerial search missions, said Geller. The Air Force has secured the crash site, she continued.

The search for the missing pilot and the investigation into the crash are ongoing.

Niagara Airmen load mobile dental clinic bound for Dominican Republic

by Staff Sgt. Stephanie Sawyer
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

8/27/2014 - NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- Members of the 30th Aerial Port Squadron here loaded medical equipment onto a C-17 aircraft out of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Aug. 26.

A 36-foot motor home, converted into a mobile dental clinic was also part of the load destined for the Dominican Republic under the Denton Cargo Program, a constitutional amendment which allows the U.S. Armed Forces to provide free transportation of donated goods to areas of need on a space available basis.

"This was the first time [we've loaded] this type of vehicle on a military aircraft," said Master Sgt. Todd Russell, 30th APS.  "We just had to go slow with the whole loading process to ensure all safety precautions were met and that the vehicle was loaded properly without damage to the aircraft or the vehicle itself."

The clinic was donated by the Flying Dentists Association, who provide care to the less fortunate both locally and abroad, and is to be used in a batey, a migrant workers camp, as well as other small communities in the surrounding area that wouldn't otherwise have access to dental care.

"It's a good program for us to be involved with as it allows us more training on real world mission equipment rather than our standard training scenarios that we do," said Russell. "Plus, all the cargo is going to help out people from impoverished countries get medical attention that may otherwise not be available to them."

Dr. Bill Maher and James Neill are local coordinators for this endeavor and have been involved since 1999.

"None of this could be accomplished without the Air Force," said Maher.

The mobile dental clinic will service approximately 30,000 people in the Dominican Republic.