Naval Station Norfolk's 46th Commanding Officer Takes Charge

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Edward Guttierrez III, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, East

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Capt. Douglas J. Beaver assumed the duties as commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk (NSN) after relieving Capt. Robert E. Clark Jr. during a change of command ceremony aboard the installation Aug. 7.

"I look forward to working with you, Capt. Richard McDaniel (prospective executive officer) and Command Master Chief (William) Carabello, in the coming months to continue the world-class service the men and women of Naval Station Norfolk provide to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet," said Beaver.

Beaver reported to NSN in February 2014 to act as Clark's executive officer, supporting the present NSN mission. A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, he graduated from Virginia Tech and was commissioned through the NROTC program in June 1991. His shore tours include Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center in Fallon, Nevada; officer-in-charge of the Weapons and Tactics Unit at Airborne Early Warning Wing Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia; placement officer at the Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tennessee; action officer on the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Arlington, Virginia; and Fleet Readiness Reporting and Assessment Branch head on the U.S. Fleet Forces Command staff in Norfolk. Beaver has accumulated more than 2,900 flight hours in 10 different aircraft types.

NSN houses the largest concentration of U.S. Navy forces. As the world's largest naval station, its ships and aircraft support U.S. European and Central Command theaters of operation and the Caribbean. According to retired Capt. David A. Culler Jr., NSN's 44th commanding officer and guest speaker, there is no higher honor than to lead the Navy's largest installation.

"Naval Station Norfolk has the highest caliber of dedicated military and civilian personnel on the planet, doing their part every day to keep this strategically important installation focused on supporting warfighting readiness with absolute precision," said Culler. "Having that caliber of individuals is a blessing for any commanding officer."

Clark assumed command of NSN in February 2014 and will retire in November following 26 years of naval service. A Virginia native, his personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Gold Star), Navy Commendation Medal (3 Gold Stars), Navy Achievement Medal (2 Gold Stars) and various other personal and campaign awards.

"To the Sailors and civilians of Naval Station Norfolk, you've made me so incredibly proud, "said Clark. "I can't thank you enough for your hard work and dedication to Naval Station Norfolk and the entire fleet. It has truly been an honor and privilege to serve as your commanding officer."

"Since 1917, Naval Station Norfolk has prepared and supported the fleet in every conflict since World War I," said Culler. "Our nation, our people, our children and our grandchildren live a little safer and freer because of the exceptional support this installation has provided to the fleet, our warfighters, and their families - the mission has always been crystal clear and it has required great commanding officers...to ensure mission success regardless of the challenges and circumstances."

Navy to Commission Submarine John Warner

The Navy will commission its newest fast attack submarine, the future USS John Warner (SSN 785), during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, VirginiaVa. The event will be live streamed at http://navylive.dodlive.mil under webcast.

John Warner, designated SSN 785, honors Sen. John W. Warner for a lifetime of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to the United States of America as a trusted leader, statesman and public servant. He wore the uniform of our nation as both a Marine and sailor and served as the 61st Secretary of the Navy, 1972-1974.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert, will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Jeanne Warner, wife of Sen. Warner, is serving as the ship’s sponsor. In a time-honored Navy tradition, she will give the order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”

"The commissioning of USS John Warner marks the beginning of what is expected to be 33 years of distinguished service for this great submarine - a fitting tribute to a man who served his nation for so long as a sailor, a Marine, a United States Senator and, as one of my most esteemed predecessors as Secretary of the Navy," said the Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy.

"This ceremony is not only a celebration of a man who dedicated so much of his life to his country and to the Department of the Navy, but also a reminder of the partnership our Navy shares with the shipbuilding industry in Senator Warner's home state of Virginia and the continued success of the Virginia-class attack submarine program."

Warner (SSN 785) is the 12th Virginia-class fast attack submarine. While other Virginia-class submarines have been named after U.S. states, SSN 785 holds the distinction of being the first to be named after a person. This next-generation attack submarine provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. It will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable them to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.

Warner has the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; mine delivery and minefield mapping. It is also designed for special forcesSpecial Forces delivery and support, a subject Warner worked on throughout his career in the U.S. Senate.

Virginia-class submarines are 7,800 tons and 377 feet in length, have a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. They are built with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.

Kearsarge, 26th MEU Complete ARG Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aren Everett, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Sailors from the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) returned to homeport at Naval Station Norfolk July 2, after participating in the KSGARG/MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) Exercise off the U.S. Atlantic coast.

The KSGARG consists of the Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4, 26th MEU, the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51).

"Our major objective is to make sure we get the Marines where they need to go," said Chief Warrant Officer James Edward Gray III, Kearsage tactical information warfare officer. "In order to do that, you've got to protect the ship from being damaged, hit or attacked. Every ship has a role to play in all of that."

During the exercise, the ARG was tested in every possible type of warfare situation. One of the last exercises was a strait transit, which was like the capstone of ARGMEUEX, according to Gray.

"They threw everything at us," said Gray. "Just watching the communication flow through combat, to the bridge, and then to the warfare commanders, made me think we were doing well. We weren't taking any damage; there was no reason for us to set GQ, so everything was happening pretty smoothly."

"For a person who doesn't know what they're getting into, going on the watch, knowing that it's going to happen, is kind of unnerving," said Gray, "but once you get there and sit in the seat it becomes more like an opportunity to be on the varsity team and play in the big game, so to speak. Once you start doing it you don't want to stop. It's pretty fun."

The KSGARG is scheduled to participate in the composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), which is the final certification before deployment. Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 4 oversees and conducts both ARGMEUEX and COMPTUEX.

Gray said that this will be the seventh COMPTUEX of his career.

"It's like ARGMEUEX on steroids," said Gray. "There'll be a lot of what they call 'free play' involved, where they'll get off the script and maybe one night you'll wake up to hearing that we're in the middle of doing something with other ships that are not necessarily on our team. It's going to be interesting."

The KSGARG is scheduled to deploy in fall 2015.