Monday, May 16, 2011

USS Carl Vinson Welcomes Republic of Philippines President

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Byron C. Linder, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

USS CARL VINSON, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 welcomed aboard the president of the Republic of Philippines May 14.

Benigno Aquino III, the president of the Republic of Philippines, arrived on board Carl Vinson as the ship was transiting to Manila Bay, Philippines, for a scheduled port visit.

Aquino greeted Carl Vinson Sailors as he toured the bridge, flight deck control and pri-fly areas. More than 100 Filipino Sailors gathered in Carl Vinson's Hangar Bay 2 to meet Aquino and take a group photo with the president.

"It is very exciting to visit the Carl Vinson," said Aquino. "We are very proud, and because of what you do here, we have peace and stability to make progress in our country."

Following Aquino's remarks, the Sailors surrounded him to shake his hand and take personal photos.

Senior Chief Personnel Specialist (SW/AW) Raymond Gloria, born in the Philippines, explained the importance of Aquino's visit to the ship.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet the president. His family is well-known, and they have made a lot of changes," said Gloria. "Most of the people out here have left their homeland for one reason or another. Being recognized by the president of their homeland of birth or nationality, they know they're welcome."

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Jourdan Borcena, from San Diego, will be making his second trip to the Philippines, where he plans to meet his parents.

"I didn't expect the president. I thought there would just be some military personnel, and I was pretty surprised. It brings a lot of morale since there's such a large number of Filipinos on board," said Borcena.

"It's an honor to have the president visit our Sailors. My father was in the Navy, and he took me as a young boy to visit the Philippines. It's great to come back," said Capt. Bruce Lindsey, Carl Vinson's commanding officer. "The strength of the ship are the Sailors, and whether Philippine or U.S., Sailors are one and the same."

Carrier Strike Group 1, consisting of Carl Vinson, guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and Destroyer Squadron 1's guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 104) and guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67), are transiting to Manila Bay, Philippines, as part of a western Pacific deployment.

FISC San Diego Helps Improve Center for At-Risk Youth

By Candice Villarreal, Fleet and Industrial Supply Center San Diego Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- More than 30 Sailors and civilians assigned to Naval Supply Systems Command's Fleet and Industrial Supply Center (FISC) San Diego showed up to help improve the appearance of a San Diego youth center May 7.

Command personnel showed up early and divided into groups to clean up, prep and paint portions of the San Diego Youth Services (SDYS) Golden Hill Youth Center alongside SDYS staff members and children.

The non-profit SDYS organization works to stabilize the lives of at-risk youth and children who are homeless and in crisis. FISC San Diego has partnered with the group to coordinate volunteer efforts like beautification projects, activities and mentoring programs.

"Some of these kids, the situation they're in is very difficult," said Equipment Operator 2nd Class (SCW) Ericka Pilling. "There isn't a whole lot of funding and they're already struggling with life at a young age. It's nice to be able to help them out, interact with them, and get to know them,and their goals and dreams while working hand-in-hand in their own backyard."

The project was complemented by a lunchtime barbecue, where Commanding Officer Capt. David Pimpo and Executive Director Mike Stames, cooked hot dogs and hamburgers for the volunteers, children and staff.

"These kids are really fun to be around and work with," said Equipment Operator Constructionman Roy Marquis. "It was a great way to spend a Saturday; sharing some of your time to help out others in our community and working on a project with your co-workers outside of the normal work environment. The best part, though, is that you can tell these kids appreciate it just as much as we enjoy doing it."

FISC San Diego, one of seven supply centers under Commander, Fleet and Industrial Supply Centers (COMFISCS), provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other Joint and Allied Forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

COMFISCS comprises more than 5,700 military and civilian logistics professionals, contractors and foreign nationals operating as a single cohesive team providing global logistics services from 110 locations worldwide. A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., COMFISCS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.