Vice Chief Visits Ike

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathanael Miller, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs

USS EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice chief of naval operations (VCNO), visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)(Ike) for a two-day visit highlighted by an all hands call and meetings with leadership, Aug. 12-13.

As part of the visit, the VCNO, and Navy Total Force/Manpower, Personnel, Education, and Training (MPT&E) Fleet Master Chief, Fleet Master Chief (SW/AW/SCW) Scott A. Benning, took time to thank Sailors for their efforts in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and extended a "thank you" to those Sailors' families back home.

"You are critical to our nation's security and make a difference daily," Ferguson told Ike Sailors. "The importance of what you do to help protect America cannot be overstated. I know how very hard you work, and I recognize the stress that puts on you and your families - thank you for your dedication and sacrifice."

VCNO and Benning both imparted to the Sailors the importance of adaptability and flexibility required in today's global environment. They emphasized that the Navy was changing to meet new demands and that force structure, manning, training and retention would align accordingly to ensure continual readiness.

"The future Navy will be smaller and leaner, but will remain flexible and technologically advanced," said Ferguson. "Today's Navy has never been more relevant or in demand and, I expect that will not change."

Benning echoed these sentiments.

"Today's Sailors are the best trained and most dedicated men and women to wear the uniform of our Navy," Benning said. "Everywhere I go around the world, I'm in awe of the Sailors in our Navy today. They are dedicated, devoted and determined to get the job done under any circumstances."

Ferguson and Benning also had the opportunity to observe several facets of carrier life and engage with Sailors that operate in work environments such as the flight deck, reactor spaces, mess decks and Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD). Additionally, VCNO reenlisted nine Sailors as part of an all hands call.

During the all hands call, the two addressed topics such as fleet-wide total force initiatives, deployment lengths, enlisted retention board (ERB), perform to serve (PTS) and best practices for the Navy family to navigate through day-to-day challenges of military life.

Ferguson said he "does not foresee another ERB in the future." Both he and Benning explained that the Navy is already seeing the positive results of ERB through greater advancement totals and higher perform to serve (PTS) quotas.

Benning spoke about the Navy's focus on improving afloat manning through voluntary and, in some cases, involuntary detailing tools to match Sailors with needed skills to priority jobs at sea.

"Now more than ever, we need highly trained and motivated Sailors in our sea-going jobs," Benning said. "That's where we fight, and that's where we protect against threats coming to our shores. It's also where Sailors will define their careers and set themselves up for success."

VCNO discussed the fact that operational commitments and the need for carrier presence in the world had stretched some deployments, but Navy leadership was keeping a close eye on deployment length and operational tempo.

"The average deployment for an aircraft carrier and embarked carrier air wing, because of the high demand, is a little over 8 months," said Ferguson. "In the future, we expect that number to go back down to around 7 to 8. I do not see 9 month deployments as our new norm, however the world does get a vote. Our Navy must be flexible and prepared to meet the needs of the nation."

Sailors on IKE were appreciative that VCNO and Fleet Benning took the time to thank them and inform them about the present and future outlook of the U.S. Navy.

Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class (SW) Tabatha Chadmon felt honored that the vice chief of naval operations was her reenlisting officer.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," said Chadmon. "This is my second reenlistment, and it's great to have it done by an admiral."

Chadmon was also grateful Ferguson came personally to talk about some of the future changes the Navy is going through to meet world challenges.

"It means a lot," said Chadmon. "It's the vice chief of naval operations coming out to explain this personally rather than just let us hear it through the news. It shows the necessity of it all. It shows that our presence is needed and that we're here to do a job."

Eisenhower and embarked Carrier Air Wing 7 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, conducting maritime security operation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Vice Chief Thanks Boston and Sailors for Navy Week Support

By Lt. Cmdr. Chris Servello, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs

BOSTON (NNS) -- The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) met with Boston city officials and U.S. Sailors July 5 to thank them for their hardwork work during Boston Navy Week.

Adm. Mark Ferguson met with Mayor Thomas Menino at Boston City Hall to thank him for the warm hospitality that the city showed Sailors while USS Wasp (LHD 1) and USS Gravely (DDG 107) were in port for Navy Week.

"Boston is a Navy town with a rich maritime heritage dating back to the earliest days of the American colonies," said Ferguson. "Throughout this week, the citizens of Boston, state and city governments and area businesses have treated our Sailors with warm hospitality."

A celebration of the nation's sea services, Boston Navy Week provides an opportunity for the citizens of Boston and New England to meet Sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen, as well as see the latest capabilities of today's maritime services firsthand.

"Our Sailors have greatly enjoyed their visit," said Ferguson. "This week has been a success in sharing America's Navy with Boston and celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812."

Ferguson also visited Wasp and Gravely to say thank you to their crews for the work they did to showcase America's Navy to the thousands of local visitors who toured the ships and interacted with Sailors.

Wasp and Gravely participation in Boston Navy Week from June 28 to July 6, gave their Sailors the opportunity to tour the city and interact with locals, as well as participate in community relations events.

"I could not be more proud of the Sailors who represented our Navy during Boston Navy Week," said Ferguson. "They were the embodiment of our values of professionalism, service, honor, and integrity, and were outstanding ambassadors for the naval service."

Boston Navy Week is one of many signature events around the country commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and "The Star-Spangled Banner." The commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is a salute to all Sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who served in all the nation's conflicts since then, and who continue defending freedom around the world today.

Since winning independence in 1776, the United States has been a maritime nation, relying on unobstructed access and free use of the world's oceans, which are essential to our national security and prosperity. The performance of America's Sailors and Marines in the War of 1812 set the standards upon which the nation's naval forces continue to build today.

For more information, visit the official Boston Navy Week Web site at www.bostonnavyweek.com or search "Boston Navy Week" on Facebook.

This Day in Naval History - April 23

From the Navy News Service

1918 - USS Stewart (DD 13) destroys German submarine off France.

1934 - In the first Navy movement through the Panama Canal, more than 100 ships transited.

1945 - In only U.S. use of guided missiles in World War II, two BAT missiles release at Balikpapan, Borneo.

1956 - Project Vanguard, earth satellite launching program, assigned to Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air).

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Visits Naval Forces in Europe and Africa

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stephen Oleksiak, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Adm. Mark Ferguson, vice chief of naval operations (VCNO), visited the Naval Support Activity (NSA) in Naples, Italy, Nov. 28, marking the final stop in a series of visits that included U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Africa Command visit over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Other stops included NSA Rota, Spain; NSA Souda Bay, Greece; and Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. During his visits, Ferguson met with senior leadership receiving briefs on current operations and base infrastructure. Accompanied by Chief of Naval Personnel and Navy Total Force Fleet Master Chief Scott Benning, VCNO also held all-hands calls with service members and answered questions at each location.

While in Rota, Ferguson met with Capt. Scott Kraverath, commanding officer of Naval Station Rota, to discuss the plans for stationing four Aegis ships in support of ballistic missile defense there. They also discussed improving the installation to support the ships' crews and their families. "It's important for me to get over here and see the requirements to get [this base ready for the ships' arrival]," said Ferguson.

In Djibouti, VCNO toured Camp Lemonnier and met with Commander, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, Rear Adm. Mike Franken, and the base commander, Capt. Scott Hurst. He presented five awards and conducted one reenlistment before an all hands call, and then enjoyed a Thanksgiving Day meal with Sailors.

In Souda Bay, he toured the guided-missile frigate USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) and conducted a reenlistment for six Sailors prior to conducting an all hands call. Samuel B. Roberts' most recent deployment took her along the east coast of Africa in support of Africa Partnership Station 2011, an international security cooperation initiative aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.

"The Navy's never been more relevant, and we see that in our Sailors across the globe...be they in the western Pacific, doing counter drug operations off South America, operating in Africa Partnership Station, or in the Middle East," said Ferguson. "They're performing extraordinarily well and in demand, contributing greatly to the national strategy and defense of the nation."

Ferguson's visit to Naples included meetings with senior leaders from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, to discuss strategic issues within the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

He wrapped up the visit with one final all-hands call, where he thanked, not just the service members, but their families for all they do.

"I thank all of you for your leadership, for what you do every day and your service to the nation," said Ferguson. "I've been very impressed with the leadership, your attitudes, the facilities that you have, and I think this is a great place to serve. It's been a pleasure to be here, and I'd like to thank you and your families [for what you do]."

Benning answered Sailors' questions about perform-to-serve and the enlisted retention board. He also praised Sailors for their ability to accomplish a variety of tasks outside of their assigned ratings.

"We train across many spectrums and we prepare [ourselves], and honestly it's what the other [military] services love about our individual augmentee Sailors," said Benning. "[Our Sailors] can do more than one thing, and they can do more than one thing at one time, and that makes [our Sailors] a real commodity that they very much desire."

Sailors who attended the all-hands call appreciated the answers they received.

"The answers they gave us were very straight forward and up front," said Hospitalman Nathan Sichone. "I am confident that [Ferguson] will continue to get the job done and represent the Sailors to the best of his ability and meet the needs of the Navy."

This was Ferguson's first visit to Djibouti, Naples, Rota, and Souda Bay, as the vice chief of naval operations.

VCNO Makes First Visit to Bahrain

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tracey L. Whitley, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The vice chief of naval operations (VCNO) conducted an all-hands call with Sailors and Marines stationed at Naval Support Activity (NSA), Bahrain, Nov. 23.

This marked the first time Adm. Mark E. Ferguson III visited service members stationed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) since becoming VCNO in August.

Ferguson, along with Total Force Fleet Master Chief Scott Benning, discussed the future of the force, what is expected of Sailors today, and the importance of theater operations to the Navy and nation.  The two answered questions on a range of topics to include budget cuts, the enlisted retention board, and benefits.

"The Navy may be a smaller force, but our missions have never been more relevant than right now.  I am here with my wife because what we care about most is taking care of you and your families, ensuring that you have the right tools, training and support structure to do your job.  We really have enjoyed spending the Thanksgiving holiday with our Navy family."

Additionally, four Sailors were given the unique opportunity to be re-enlisted by the VCNO.

"I'm re-enlisting for six more years and I feel honored that the Navy's second-highest ranking officer is taking time out of his busy schedule to re-enlist me today," said Yeoman 1st Class Derrick Cunningham.

Ferguson concluded with a few words of encouragement to all those serving in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.

"Around the globe, forward-deployed naval forces are making a difference," said Ferguson. "Specifically in this AOR, your incredible pride and professionalism are a model that other navies around the world try to emulate. Each of you represent the very best our nation has to offer and I thank you for your service."

After the all-hands call, the VCNO held a short meeting with spouses, Fleet and Family Support staff, and ombudsmen. The event was an open forum that allowed spouses to discuss their concerns with the VCNO directly.

"It's very important for me to take the time to thank spouses and those who support our Navy," said Ferguson. "Sailors could not do the wonderful job they do day in and day out without the support of you all."