Iwo Jima begins '101 Critical Days of Summer' Safety

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Natasha R. Chalk, USS Iwo Jima Public Affairs

USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) are participating in '101 critical days of summer,' a campaign which runs from Memorial Day until Labor Day.

 The campaign helps raise awareness in order to prevent possible mishaps that can happen to service members during the summer months. Sponsored by the Naval Safety Center, the program traditionally focuses on motor vehicle safety, water safety, alcohol awareness, sexual assault and suicide awareness.

"The safety office is working with all departments to ensure that the missions and evolutions are completed safely and properly," said Lt. Christopher Neboshynsky, Iwo Jima's safety officer.

With Iwo Jima currently deployed in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility, it is vital that the crew prepare themselves.

"Being deployed to an area where the heat and humidity are higher than back home, we should be extra vigilant in our daily endeavors and in our work environment," said Neboshynsky.

While the campaign focuses on mostly outdoor activities, the safety team's primary focus is deployment concerns: staying hydrated, use of proper gear when participating in sports, safe and responsible consumption of alcohol on liberty and preventing work place mishaps.

"When participating in outdoor activities, Sailors and Marines should be careful, take breaks, hydrate and wear sunscreen," said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Alexander Mabile, Iwo Jima's independent duty corpsman. "Fatigue is the main factor involved in a majority of incidents."

The medical department onboard Iwo Jima recommends every Sailor and Marine drink 32 ounces of water a day to stay hydrated. For those working in hotter than normal environments, the recommended amount increases to 64-72 ounces per day. Soda is not considered a form of hydration.

"Hydration is one of the most important factors in our everyday work especially in the hot environment we are operating in. Because many of us are not acclimated to the local climate we should be careful to not over-exert ourselves," said Mabile.

One of the ship's missions while deployed is promoting diplomacy abroad. The crew of Iwo Jima is charged with being ambassadors for the United States and setting good examples while on liberty.

"We encourage the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) team to follow the Navy's policy for safe and responsible consumption of alcohol and to take care of one another while on liberty," said Neboshynsky.

Neboshynsky expressed that everyone on board should follow established and written procedures because taking shortcuts can lead to injuries or worse.

"Every Sailor and Marine onboard has a role to play in completing the ship's mission. We need for them to carry out that mission safely and bring everyone home," said Neboshynsky.

Iwo Jima and embarked 24th MEU are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Amphibious Ready Group Early Move Announced

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today that the first amphibious ready group (ARG) ship scheduled to shift homeport to Naval Station Mayport, Fla., will arrive in the last quarter of 2013.

The USS New York, the USS Iwo Jima and the USS Fort McHenry, will shift from their current homeport of Norfolk, Va., to Mayport.  The USS New York will be the first to change homeport, followed by the USS Iwo Jima and the USS Fort McHenry in 2014.

Mabus originally announced Feb. 28 that the ARG would arrive no later than 2015.

The accelerated timeline ensures continued viability of the Mayport ship repair industrial base and maintains the capabilities of the Jacksonville fleet concentration area, thereby preserving surge capability and reducing risk to fleet resources in the event of natural or man-made contingencies.

“I am very pleased that the Navy is able condense the time horizon for the arrival of the Mayport ARG,” stated Mabus.  “The move underscores just how important Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport are to our national defense, and how committed we are to strategic dispersal on the east coast.”

For more information, contact Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs at 703-697-7491.

Makin Island, Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Groups Turnover Duties

From Makin Island and Iwo Jima ARG Public Affairs

USS MAKIN ISLAND, Gulf of Aden (NNS) -- The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) were relieved of their duties in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) by the Iwo Jima ARG and the 24th MEU, May 5.

The Makin Island ARG deployed Nov. 14, 2011 and conducted maritime security operations, theater security cooperation engagements, and multiple bilateral military exercises with regional partners within the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.

"I could not be more pleased with the hard work and dedication from every Sailor and Marine," said U.S. Navy Capt. Donald R. Cuddington, commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) Five. "Each individual's outstanding professionalism and dedication to their training during our pre-deployment phase and through this deployment contributed greatly and was the key to the overall success of the Makin Island ARG and 11th MEU team."

Following the turnover, Makin Island ARG will depart the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR and return to their homeport of San Diego.

"As I look back, every ship had some challenges either before or during this deployment; however, each ship met every challenge or every mission with great commitment and determination to succeed," said Cuddington. "I would say the key to our success was, that the blue-green team always focused on the mission first. It was never a blue mission or a green mission. It was our mission."

The Makin Island ARG is comprised of PHIBRON Five, with detachments from Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 11, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 5, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Beach Master Unit (BMU) 1, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1 and ACU 5.

The ships that make up the Makin Island ARG are San Diego-based amphibious assault ship Makin Island, amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52).

The 11th MEU major subordinate elements consist of Battalion Landing Team 3/1, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (VMM) 268 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 11.

"The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit has completed every task and exceeded expectations in supporting both U.S. Central Command and U.S. Navy Forces Central Command as a forward deployed Marine air-ground task force," said Col. Michael Hudson, 11th MEU's commanding officer. "The Marines and Sailors have continuously demonstrated the flexibility and adaptability of the Navy and Marine Corps team as they hit every pitch. This journey started over a year ago, during pre-deployment training and we leave here now proud of what we have accomplished.

"As we begin our voyage home to our friends and families in Southern California, we know that the 24th MEU, who is relieving us, is well led, trained and ready to take the next watch as America's forward deployed force," Hudson added.

The Iwo Jima ARG includes PHIBRON Eight, with detachments from TACRON 21, FST 4, HSC 22, BMU 2, ACU 2 and ACU 4. ARG ships include Norfolk-based amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story-based amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).

This is the maiden deployment for USS New York (LPD 21), built with seven-and-a-half tons of steel from the World Trade Center, symbolizing sacrifice while having the watch being forward deployed.

"We've been working hard to prepare for our new duties in our new theatre, as we recently completed exercise African Lion off the coast of Morocco shortly after departing for deployment, and we are looking forward to getting work done in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR," said U.S. Navy Capt. Mark H. Scovill, commodore, PHIBRON Eight.

Embarked with the Iwo Jima ARG is the 24th MEU, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force, comprised of major subordinate elements: Battalion Landing Team 1/2, VMM-261 (Reinforced) and CLB-24.

"The 24th MEU is manned, trained, equipped and ready to serve as U.S. 5th Fleet's forward deployed crisis response force," said Col. Frank Donovan, commanding officer, 24th MEU. "Teamed with our great Navy partners aboard the amphibious ships of PHIBRON Eight, we make a truly flexible, adaptable, decisive, and when required, lethal Navy and Marine Corps expeditionary force. We stand ready to take over for 11th MEU/PHIBRON Five and continue the superior work they have done across the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR. We wish them fair winds and following seas as they begin their transit home."

The Iwo Jima and embarked 24th MEU will provide support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.

American Legion Hosts Sailors and Marines for Fleet Week

By By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) J.C.J. Stokes, USS Wasp Public Affairs

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla (NNS) -- Sailors from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) and Marines assigned to the Marine Expeditionary Unit 26 embarked aboard Wasp attended the second annual American Legion Post 304 dinner in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., April 28 in celebration of Fleet Week Port Everglades.

American Legion Post 304 (Marshall LaBree) offered the event for the first time last year to the visiting USS Iwo Jima and decided to continue it this year by offering it to Wasp Sailors as a sign of appreciation for their service.

"I am glad I came to this dinner. The hospitality and service shown was excellent," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class (AW) Eddie Berryhill IV, from Wasp. "This entire week in Ft. Lauderdale has been great, but the American Legion dinner was definitely the highlight of my Fleet Week."

The American Legion staff treated service members to food and camaraderie, entertainment, and special military gifts, as well as a chance to greet three WWII survivors who were witnesses to history.

"It was a humbling experience to see those military legends remaining active and thanking me for my service," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) Michael Michaud, from Wasp. "All in one night I was able to meet a Marine who survived Iwo Jima, and two Sailors, one from USS Missouri and the other from USS Waldron, who watched the Japanese surrender to the American forces aboard the Missouri. This was definitely a moment in my life I will cherish forever."

William Eckerth, the Iwo Jima survivor; Richard Klug, from USS Missouri; and Albert Trapanese, from USS Waldron (DD 699) came to the event to greet the men and women serving their country as they once did.

"If I died today I've seen it all," said Eckerth. "I just could not pass up the opportunity to come down and spend time with you. Thank you for coming and spending time with us old guys at the Legion and for serving our country."

Wasp is in Port Everglades April 25-30 for Fleet Week which, this year, commemorates the War of 1812 Bicentennial. Overall, there are about 3,000 Sailors and Marines and six ships in attendance. The commemoration is part of a series of city visits by the Navy that will occur over the next three years, and is a salute to all Sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who have served in our nation's conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world today.

Iwo Jima 'Breaks out the Green' with Consecutive Safety Wins

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Heather W. Hines, USS Iwo Jima Public Affairs

USS IWO JIMA, At sea (NNS) -- In a naval message released March 28, USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) was named 2011 Chief of Naval Operation (CNO) Safety Award winner.

This year marks the second consecutive year the Atlantic fleet-based amphibious assault ship was recognized for safety excellence.

For Iwo Jima Safety Officer Lt. Cmdr Kevin Corrie, the announcement was a bit of a surprise.

"I thought 'since we won last year, they're definitely going to pick someone else this year,'" said Corrie, who has served in the position for the last 22 months.

"Truthfully, it was like getting a Christmas gift you didn't expect to receive," he added. "...I definitely felt proud to be a part of such a notable award, but it's not the Safety Department that earned the award. It's the crew of the Iwo Jima who deserves the real recognition."

Areas of consideration for the award came from the crew's high-operational tempo in support of two separate continuous maintenance availability (CMAV); participation in highly visible Fleet Week events, completing pre-deployment certification exercises; and pre- and post-holiday periods.

"I think that 'safety culture' is driven from the top down," Corrie said. "Our senior leadership demands safety from the get-go, and senior leadership expects safety to be lead by example from the department head down through the ranks and that's the standard."

During the three-month CMAV in February to May, the ship completed a flight deck overhaul, installed key navigation and combat systems upgrades all while recording no serious Class A or B mishaps.

Prior to participating in Fleet Week New York and again in Port Everglades, Fla., the ship netted the highest marks of any ship in the fleet by Afloat Training Group, Atlantic, during Unit Level Training Assessment -Sustainment inspection.

"Iwo Jima is a remarkable ship and the vibe here is great," said Corrie. "This is a hard tour to leave, but I can honestly say that this has been one of the most rewarding tours in my career, tough words most aviators wouldn't dare say.

"I'll be watching message traffic for the three-peat after I depart the pattern for sure," he added.

In addition to the recognition, the winning commands will receive a plaque; a CNO citation; and are authorized to paint a green safety "S" on the bulwark of the ship.

Iwo Jima, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines, deployed March 27 on regularly scheduled, eight-month deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and the 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.