Surface Line Week 2011 Concludes

From Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Surface Line Week 2011 (SLW) concluded with an awards ceremony and picnic on board Naval Base San Diego, Aug. 19.

SLW is a 10-day contest sponsored by, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SURFPAC) that features a series of activities dedicated to friendly competition in a variety of seamanship and sporting events.

"We had nearly 2,500 participants in 33 different events and the Sailors did a great job," said Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Vice Adm. Richard Hunt. "We have been celebrating SLW for 30 years. SLW gives us the opportunity to come together as a community, enjoy camaraderie, and participate in friendly competition."

Commands were categorized according to size, and trophies were awarded for first, second, and third place in each category. In the large command category, USS Peleliu (LHA 5) took home the top prize and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) took second place. In the medium command category, USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) came in first place, USS Stockdale (DDG 106) second, and USS Benfold (DDG 65) third. For the small command category, USS Warrior (MCM 10) placed first, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron was second, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit placed third. Individual winners in their respective categories were also announced and awarded.

"Peleliu's Sailors have been very enthusiastic about participating in all the events for Surface Line Week," said Peleliu Commanding Officer Capt. James Cox. "I'm very proud of them and they've done a great job. They dove into the competition full of enthusiasm, did very well, and we were able to take home the first place trophy. This is just a continuation of what the Sailors have done and will continue to do."

This year, participants competed in events, including perennial favorites such as basketball, softball and golf, along with damage control, ship handling and marksmanship.

"SLW overall was a great success this year. There was a lot of participation and the Sailors brought their best game to each event," said Lt. Jasmine Gough, coordinator for SLW. "The Sailors were competitive, but they never lost sight of being a good shipmate, and they supported one another even if they were not on the same team."

"This is the first time I've participated in Surface Line Week," said Yeoman Seaman Nick Jones. "It was cool to see everyone competing against each other. Next year I'm going to sign up for more events."

Navy Departs the City of Roses

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Nathan Lockwood, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest Public Affairs

PORTLAND, Ore. (NNS) -- Fleet Week came to an end as the three visiting Navy ships departed the Tom McCall Waterfront Park sea wall in Portland, Ore. and began transiting the Willamette River, June 13.

The guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and guided-missile frigates USS McClusky (FFG 41) and USS Ingraham (FFG 61) were in Portland along with vessels from the Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers and the Royal Canadian Navy, in celebration of the 104th Annual Portland Rose Festival.

"It's a nice opportunity that the Sailors can come here and have some fun," said Gladys Stanton, Rose Festival Softball Tournament volunteer.

Stanton also said just being part of something that provides a little payback to the Sailors is her favorite part of the festival.

More than 5,000 visitors toured the Navy ships, allowing the public to interact with and see the character of the Sailors and the capability and quality of the ships. Festivities for Sailors during Fleet Week included several officially-hosted parties, a waterfront carnival, sports tournaments and the Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade.

"It's been outstanding, the support of the public and outpouring of friendliness has been overwhelming," said Cmdr. Ron Candiloro, executive officer of Navy Recruiting District Portland. "Portland Navy Week is the chance the Navy gets to show off and the community really responds to it."

"I think the Navy being able to come out here is good for the community," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Erik Wilkins, assigned to USS Lake Champlain (CG 57). "It also gives the Navy a chance to see how much the community does for us."

The arrival of the USS Charleston in 1907 marked the first visit From a Navy vessel.

Navy Ships Arrive in Portland for 104th Annual Rose Festival

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Nathan Lockwood, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West Det. Northwest

PORTLAND, Ore. (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), and Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates USS Ingraham (FFG 61) and USS McClusky (FFG 41) arrived in Portland, Ore. to celebrate the 104th annual Rose Festival, June 9.

Throughout the week, Sailors will have an opportunity to enjoy premier events of the festival including the Rose Festival Golf Tournament and Rose Parade, live music, food, entertainment and various sports competitions among ships.

"I'm excited to be here 'cause the people here are nice and really like the military," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Steven Santillanes, stationed aboard USS Lake Champlain. "It's a positive event because people get to experience the Navy up close and personal."

The Portland visit offers the public an opportunity to tour the ships and meet Sailors as they showcase their ship's capabilities.

"It is very different to see something that you don't see a lot of from where I'm from," said Mark Gilchrist, of Longview, Wash. who embarked aboard Lake Champlain on the ship's transit into Portland. "I think it puts a real personal touch on the Navy. I got to talk to the crew members, and I brought some young ones that had a chance to see what it was like and if the Navy was something they would be interested in."

In addition to the three U.S. Navy ships, ships from U.S. Coast Guard, the Canadian Maritime Forces and the Army Corps of Engineers are also participating in Fleet Week.

Navy warships have been coming to the City of Roses since USS Charleston's visit in 1907 and are considered a highlight of the festival.

USS Higgins Makes Port Call to Maldives

By Ensign Samantha J. Carnahan, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

MALDIVES (NNS) -- USS Higgins (DDG 76) arrived in the Maldives, Feb. 25, in support of the U.S. Navy's agreement to provide maritime domain awareness (MDA) to the Maldives Coast Guard.

The port visit will also give crew members the chance for cultural and professional exchanges with the people of the Maldives.

"Our port visit is just one small action that reflects our nation's continued commitment to the Western Pacific," said Cmdr. Rome Ruiz, USS Higgins commanding officer. "We view this port visit as another excellent opportunity to increase our friendship with the people of the Maldives."

While in the Maldives, Higgins Sailors will participate in a variety of activities including maritime security training, a joint physical training (PT) program with the Maldivian navy, a women's outreach seminar and a reception with tours for more than 100 distinguished guests.

Higgins Sailors will conduct a PT exercise with Maldives Naval Defense Force (MNDF) to familiarize MNDF with the U.S. Navy's fitness model. The exercise will include a warm-up and workout that incorporates the Navy operational fuel and fitness system which is the latest fitness exercise initiative implemented by the Navy. There will also be a discussion that includes aspects of the physical fitness assessment (PFA), how the Navy prepares for the PFA, and an open question and answer session.

Female Sailors will partake in a women's outreach program led by Lt. Megan Granger, USS Higgins weapons officer. There will be a tour, lunch, and then an open discussion about women in leadership roles.

For recreation, Higgins Sailors will have the opportunity to discover the Maldives by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) renting an island exclusively for the crew. The crew will be able to experience the local culture through the beach, food, and renting outdoor gear for snorkeling and diving.

This port visit represents an opportunity to promote peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region and is an outward demonstration of U.S commitment to the Maldives and fostering relationships throughout South Asia.

USS Higgins is assigned to the Carl Vinson Strike Group homeported in San Diego, and has been operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility since departing in January 2011.

Prior to the Maldives, the ship made a port visit to Phuket, Thailand, and participated in a passing exercise with the Royal Thai Navy.

The Carl Vinson Strike Group consists of the flagship USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, guided-missile cruisers USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and the embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1. Ships assigned to DESRON 1 include USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Rentz (FFG 46) and USS McClusky (FFG 41).