All MIDPAC Ships Receive Green "H" Award

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Commander, Navy Surface Group Middle Pacific (CNSG MIDPAC) announced that all 11 of its Hawaii-based Navy surface ships received the 2010 Force Health and Wellness Award, or the Green "H", May 6.

"The Green H Award is a milestone we all can take pride in as it encompasses everything from Safety/Operational Risk Management to Tobacco Cessation, all of which affect the lives of our most precious resource - our people," said Vice Adm. D. C. Curtis, the Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SURFPAC). "Without the professional oversight of SURFPAC's very own medical department, the awareness and execution of these programs would not have achieved this impressive milestone."

The purpose of this unit award is to recognize the Sailors aboard ships who demonstrate their dedication to helping Sailors make constructive changes in their life by conducting activities like cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, smoking cessation courses, regular health fairs, fitness sessions and education on healthy living.

"It has never happened before," said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Timothy George, the independent duty corpsman program manager for CNSG MIDPAC. "This is the first time that we have attained a hundred percent of our ships getting Green H. It also tells that more focus is being placed on health and wellness programs on board these ships. It means these ships have realized that a healthier ship is a better ship to go out a fight with."

The ships under CNSG MIDPAC include USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS Chosin (DDG 65), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), USS Crommelin (FFG 37), USS Hopper (DDG 70), USS Lake Erie (CG 70), USS Okane (DDG 77), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Reuben James (FFG 57) and USS Russell (DDG 59).

"My personal congratulations to all commands that made submission and special recognition is extended to this year's winners," Curtis said in an official message. "You have again demonstrated unfailing commitment to the health and wellness of our Sailors, our Navy's most valuable asset. Their welfare is absolutely essential to our readiness and to the success of our mission. Continue to provide tools and awareness to out Sailors so they may be successful."

The qualifying period for this award was from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2010. Ships that receive the COMNAVSURFOR Force Health and Wellness award can paint a Green "H" on the ship's bridge wing. Hash marks are painted below the "H" to indicate sequential awards. Commands awarded the Green "H" five consecutive times are authorized to paint a green star above the Green "H".

"It took a constant push to remind Sailors how important fitness, safety and mission readiness," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW) William Triplett, the independent Corpsman assigned to Port Royal. "It was only accomplished through a collaborative effort from the drug and alcohol prevention advisor, command fitness leaders, Morale, Welfare and Recreation, safety officer and the food service officer. Without their help and drive, we would not have been able to pull this off."

Port Royal and Hopper received their 12th consecutive Green H award.

"For most, I think it shows that our decrease in alcohol related incidents, physical fitness assessment failures and reduction in overall mishaps has not gone unnoticed," said Triplett. "This ship has come a long way in a short time and her crew is finally reaping the rewards for getting her back in the game."

Koa Kai Trains Above, Below and on Sea Near Hawaii

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico Commander Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Surface Navy and other combatant units are participating in an integrated training environment called Koa Kai 11-2 in waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, March 31 to April 5.

Conducted by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31, Koa Kai is a semi-annual exercise event for mid-Pacific Navy combatant units, including submarine and aviation assets. The designation "11-2" signifies the second iteration of the exercise in fiscal year 2011.

"My expectations are to take full advantage of the six days at sea," said Capt. David Welch, the commander of DESRON 31. "We'll accomplish quite a bit in terms of training and certification readiness for each of the independent deployable units."

Guided-missile destroyers USS Russell (DDG 59), USS O'Kane (DDG 77), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) and USS Chafee (DDG 90); and guided-missile cruisers USS Lake Erie (CG 70) and USS Port Royal (CG 53) are participating in the semi-annual exercise.

"Our focus is to prepare our ships, which are all independent units, preparing them for forward deployment operations to either 7th or 5th Fleet, depending on where they are scheduled to operate," said Welch.

Attack submarines were also included in the exercise as they provided submarine familiarization training to surface and air units.

Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37, Patrol Squadrons (VP) 9, 47 and the 407th, which is a Canadian Air Force P-3 squadron, participated, as well.

Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oilier USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) also took part in the exercise, not only to provide key services to Koa Kai participants but also to serve as a high-value unit from which ships rallied and protected.

French navy frigate FS Prairial (F 731) also joined the ship-maneuvering portion of the exercise.

"We've got some great resources out here with our submarines, our ASW squadrons and our ships," said Welch. Welch said that because each of these units is so busy in port, Koa Kai gave them rare opportunities to put so many assets at sea at once.

In one exercise, Port Royal, Russell, Chafee, Chung-Hoon and Prairial operated in unison performing ship maneuvering and formation.

Cmdr. Justin Orlich, executive officer of Chung-Hoon, said that Hawaii-based destroyers do not normally perform work-ups in a battle group environment.

"It provides us with a higher-level intermediate training that we don't normally get by being out here in Hawaii," said Orlich. "In the old days, we had to go to San Diego to work in a strike group before deploying, which took up a lot of time. It was time away from family and time away from our own training."

Orlich said that the ability to work with other ships in close proximity and in an integrated environment allowed Chung-Hoon to prepare for its upcoming deployment.

In another exercise, Chief Fire Controlman Robert Jennings, assigned to Chung-Hoon, led a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team to Yukon.

Jennings said that the exercise allowed his team to integrate its newer members. The VBSS team had four new members added for a total of 15 VBSS trained Chung-Hoon Sailors.

"We run drills per quarter, but to be able to use a USNS ship, that's something we get to do once or twice a year," said Jennings. "It's a good opportunity to get aboard another ship of a similar design to what we get to see on deployment."

VBSS teams are used extensively for maritime interdiction and anti-piracy operations.

"We have a crew that's very experienced," said Orlich. "I think we have a very well-trained crew. What's super about Koa Kai is that it affords the crew the opportunity to flex and see them at a higher-level. It's nice to have the opportunity like this to showcase our crew in this type of environment."

Service Members Set the Pace for Great Aloha Run

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Eric J. Cutright

HONOLULU (NNS) -- Service members from all five branches participated in the 27th Annual Great Aloha Run which began in downtown Honolulu on Feb. 21.

The Great Aloha Run is 8.15 miles in length starting at Aloha Tower and ending inside Aloha Stadium.

The military formation called the "Sounds of Freedom," comprised of more than 3,500 men and women began the race seven minutes early at 6:53 a.m. during a silent start.

"It felt great to be a part of the Sounds of Freedom out here today," said Lt. Shawn Osborne, command chaplain onboard USS Port Royal (CG 73). "It really motivates you when you have everyone cheering you on. You don't really think about the time and the distance too much."

Lt. j.g. Kyle Aquino, assigned to USS Port Royal (CG 73), spoke of the military's involvement in this year's race.

"I feel that it is really important for the men and women that make up our Armed Forces to come out and show our presence and represent," said Aquino. "I think that the people were just excited to see us out there and participating."

The military presence has been lower in recent years due to an increase in deployments but still managed higher numbers this year than in the previous decade.

"Back in the late 80's we had 10,000 Sounds of Freedom and we were [previously] up to like 32,000 on the course," said race director, Carol Jaxon. "That would have been 22,000 local people running and the rest being military. I do know that definitely in the last decade this is our biggest number."

The Great Aloha Run is recognized as one of the top 100 road races in the country since its inauguration back in 1984, which drew in approximately than 12,000 runners.

Over the past 27 years the Great Aloha Run has raised approximately $8.6 million in support of more than 150 non-profit health and human service organizations as well as community service groups throughout Hawaii.

"It's important that we help our community because that's what it's all about. This race is for the people, by the people, and all the money goes back to the people," said Carole Kai Onouye, race founder.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Hawaii, visit www.navy.mil/local/pacenhawaii/.