Frank Cable Partners With Locals To Serve Subic Communities

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David R. Krigbaum, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs

SUBIC BAY, Philippines (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), completed a week-long series of community service (COMSERV) projects, July 30.

Cable, in port for repairs, provided tended support to the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763). Their duties kept them busy, but many Sailors also dedicated their spare time helping the local communities in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City, and Subic City.

Command Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Ronald Rinaldi, who organized many of the COMSERVs, said that these types of projects are seen as an integral part of Navy's mission while in foreign countries, especially in this part of the world.

"COMSERVs exist mostly these days as a part of larger strategy to build partnership and interaction with the people of the nations whose ports we visit," said Rinaldi.

The projects included performing repair work in schools, handing out clothes to local children, organizing a beach clean-up and tree planting effort, and finally, playing soccer with the children in the community.

Sailors also spent time at the International Children's Advocate Orphanage, home to 30 deaf and blind children, painting classrooms and spending time getting to know the children. Frank Cable's medical staff was on hand to conduct medical and dental exams. The children sang and danced to show appreciation and to celebrate all the hard work.

"It is not very often that we have this kind of opportunity," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Lea Devera. "I am fortunate enough that I get to serve my fellow Filipinos, while at the same time doing what I do as part of the Health Services Department."

Devera said that she enjoys the sense of fulfillment she gets from helping the community. Like other Frank Cable Sailors from the Philippines, Devera she just wanted to help make an impact in a unique way by acting as a translator, as well as a caregiver.

At Ilwas Elementary School, Frank Cable's medical staff again conducted medical and dental examinations. The medical staff taught the children about proper nutritional health and exercise, which is the current topic for National Nutrition Month in the Philippines.

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Rufino Vegamora, also a Filipino, spoke to the children at the elementary school and led them in group physical training.

"It was a perfect opportunity to focus on its importance, which is basically an everyday norm and culture in the Navy," said Vegamora. "Physical Fitness in the Philippines has suddenly become popular in the past three years, and I'm hoping I can contribute to preventing it from just becoming a trend."

During their stay, 182 Sailors performed over 1,000 hours of community service, while the medical and dental teams treated hundreds of patients. Rinaldi said he was proud of the Sailors and what they accomplished with their service.

"It was an overwhelming and special feeling to be among this elite group of Sailors," said Rinaldi. "Never once did I have a thing to worry about. They understood what needed to be done, and they did it; far exceeding expectations."

Cable performs maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

Golden Knights Lead Team USA at Military World Games

By Tim Hipps

U.S. Army Installation Management Command

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 26, 2011 – The U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team won four medals, including gold in the women’s overall country competition, to lead Team USA athletes at the 5th Conseil International du Sport Militaire Military World Games here.

Two Air Force women’s soccer players flew their teammates and track and field athletes to Brazil aboard a KC-10 Extender, but a parachute team of soldiers skydiving from planes triumphantly brought home more than half of Team USA’s medals.

Golden Knights Sgt. 1st Class Elisa Tennyson, Sgt. 1st Class Angela Nichols, Staff Sgt. Laura Dickmeyer, Staff Sgt. Danielle Woolsey and Staff Sgt. Jennifer Schaben combined to win gold in women’s formation skydiving and silver in team accuracy -- giving them CISM gold in the women’s overall country competition for the first time in program history, according to the U.S. Army Golden Knights website.

Team USA’s quartet of Golden Knights Sgt. 1st Class Brian Krause, Sgt. 1st Class Kurt Isenbarger, Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Davidson, and Staff Sgt. Sean Sweeney took the bronze medal in men’s formation skydiving on July 22. Belgium won the gold and Germany took the silver.

As the Army’s official aerial demonstration team, the Golden Knights perform parachute demonstrations at air shows, National Football League and Major League Baseball games and other special events to connect the Army with the American people.

The Golden Knights also have competition teams that travel the world to events. The team was founded in 1959 and is stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Baltic Operations 2011 Participants Meet on Soccer Field

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Collin Turner, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

KIEL, Germany (NNS) -- Spectators gathered at the Kiel naval base soccer fields in Germany to watch Sailors stationed aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) and USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) take part in a sports-day hosted by the German navy June 4.

Sports day is an event that is designed for recreation and friendly competition, helping to build long lasting partnerships between the different nations involved.

Participating teams fielded their soccer players for a thirty-minute, round robin, single elimination tournament.

"Well it's always great to get a workout in and play some soccer," said Lt. Cmdr. Tiffany Hill, Mount Whitney's operations officer. "Most importantly, it's a great time to play soccer against some of our partner nations."

Taking part in the day's festivities were teams from France, Germany, Holland, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States.

"These events are important, because they allow us to strengthen ties with other nations, and there is no better place to do that than here in a sport setting," said Yeoman 3rd Class Conner Slomka, an administrative clerk assigned to Mount Whitney.

Sports day was held days before maritime forces representing 13 countries begin the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2011, a multinational naval exercise focusing on peace and security in the region.

BALTOPS has been held since 1971, in the Baltic Sea and regions surrounding it and is sponsored by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa, Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet.

During the exercise, Sailors will work closely with other personnel from partner nations, both on land and at sea, and will become familiar with countries' military practices and procedures.

Some of the events scheduled for the upcoming exercise range from traditional activities to new emerging missions. The traditional activities include mine clearance operations, anti-submarine warfare and surface-to-air defense, while the newer emerging missions include counterpiracy and small-boat attack.

BALTOPS will conclude later in the month with the partnering nations once again engaging in social events during Kiel Week, Europe's largest sailing event.

Pacific Partnership Builds Understanding through Soccer Competes in Papua New Guinea

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Farrington, Pacific Partnership 2011 Public Affairs

LAE, Papua New Guinea (NNS) -- The Pacific Partnership soccer team played an exhibition match against a Lae, Papua New Guinean team May 29, giving Sailors the chance to strengthen relationships during Pacific Partnership 2011.

A crowd of more than 5,000 locals were in attendance to see the two teams play, what's often called, the world's most popular sport.

Lt. j.g. Kristen Laraway, an alternate on the All-Navy Women's Soccer team, and the only woman on the 17-person team, was inspired by the crowd.

"Having that many people come out to cheer us on was an unreal experience," Laraway said. "The crowd's energy inspired both teams to come out and give it their all."

The first half of the game was competitive, but with two minutes left before the half, a member of the Papua New Guinean team made a fast move for the goal and scored.

Going into the second half, the two teams battled back and forth for control. The Pacific Partnership team went on to score two goals, followed by one of the New Guineans scoring a goal.

With the game tied at 2-2 and two minutes remaining, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Ricardo Cisneros scored the winning goal, sending the crowd into an uproar.

"It felt great to score the game winning shot in front of such an electrifying crowd," said Cisneros. "The other team gave us a great game. It's definitely one I will never forget."

Following the post-game custom of most competitive sporting events, the teams shook hands and congratulated each other on a great match.

"Winning or losing the game wasn't the point of coming out here to play," said Laraway. "It was about coming together with the residents of Lae and bonding through sport."

Developing relationships and the bonds of friendship are two of the ways the Pacific Partnership mission enhances interoperability. Cultural exchange through sports, music, and tours are key elements of that mission objective.

Pacific Partnership is an annual humanitarian aid initiative sponsored by the U.S. Pacific Fleet, aimed at improving interoperability between host and partner nations. Now in its sixth year, Pacific Partnership 2011 will continue to Timor-Leste and the Federated States of Micronesia following their mission in Papua New Guinea.

"The Pacific Partnership mission has given us the chance to provide medical, dental and engineering projects to the people of Lae, but it also gives us the opportunity to get out and socialize with them on a personal level," said Laraway.

During the past five years, Pacific Partnership has provided medical, dental, educational, and preventive medicine services to more than 220,000 people and completed more than 150 engineering projects in 16 countries.