Service Members Treated to Celebrity Chef Luncheon During Fleet Week

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Mavis A. Tillman, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Iwo Jima (LHD7) Sailors and distinguished guests were treated to a luncheon on board the ship while it was in port for Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011, April 27.

Coral Ridge Country Club Executive Chef Udo Mueller and his staff treated the crew and guests as part of the annual fleet week Celebrity Chef Luncheon. The event features several local chefs who show off the best in South Florida cuisine while giving Navy culinary specialists and ships' crew the opportunity to experience new dishes.

"This is my fourth year participating in this event, and my first time on a ship this size with a big enough kitchen to prepare a whole banquet," said Mueller, who also expressed his amazement at how much food is prepared each day for the crew.

This year's signature dish was Belizean Lobster Salad, Duet of Chilean Seabass, and Braised Beef with Whipped Potatoes.

"We are in Florida, so I chose a tropical kind of food," said Mueller.

Culinary specialists and food service attendants (FSA) worked closely with Mueller and his staff of two sous chefs and two service attendants throughout the meal preparation and presentation, down to garnishing each plate of food and synchronizing service.

"It is important for us to get this kind of opportunity to learn the hands-on tricks of the trade, get some new recipes, and see the talents the chef and his staff showcase," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Kevin Sutton.

"Lunch was amazing," said Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (AW/SW) Claudia Conger. "Everyone at our table was so impressed by the presentation, atmosphere and setting of the event."

The chef, his staff, and distinguished luncheon guests were offered tours of the ship after the meal by Capt. Thomas Chassee, USS Iwo Jima commanding officer.

"Leaving the club house to another location for an event is always nice, but hearing it's on board a United States naval ship was exciting; nothing will ever top that," said J.J. Sehlke, Coral Ridge Country Club managing partner.

Other local celebrity chefs also prepared luncheons for fleet week service members.

More than one hundred and fifty guests and crew members from guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71), fast-attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760), Iwo Jima and U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale were honored through the annual fleet week event.

More than 2,500 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are in South Florida for Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011. The week-long celebration showcases the men and women of the sea services. It also highlights the capabilities of the ships, submarines, SEABEES, Riverine units, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard. Fort Lauderdale honors these men and women through public events and recognition.

For more information on Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011, visit the Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs Center's Navy NewsStand page at https://navcms.news.navy.mil/local/nrse/.

Media outlets interested in covering Fleet Week events should contact Lt. Cmdr. Jonathon Blyth at 202-270-8136.

Sailors Participate in Fleet Week Damage Control Olympics

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Morgan E. Dial, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (NNS) -- Damage Control teams Sailors from the USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), gathered for a competition at the 10th annual Resolve Marine Group's Damage Control Olympics at Port Everglades, Fla., April 26th.

Teams of four to 10 service members competed in five competitions, putting their damage control knowledge and skills to the test. The events included a P-100 pump rigging drill, a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) relay, a pipe-patching competition, a fire fighting drill and a search and rescue drill.

"My favorite event was the SCBA relay because it was so fast-paced," said Damage Controlman Fireman Josh Richardson, a USS Iwo Jima Sailor and native of Salisbury, N.C. "It tested our speed in dressing out in our firefighting ensemble and assembling the SCBA."

The competitions were judged by Resolve Marine Group training personnel and points were awarded for each evolution. At the end of the day, Sailors from the USS Iwo Jima took home the first place trophy for the third time in four years, followed by USS Ross who placed 2nd, and USS Normandy who placed third.

"We run drills like these all the time on the ship, so we were well prepared for every event today," said Richardson.

In between events, service members unwound by listening to live music and enjoying complimentary massages and smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Red Bull energy drink also sponsored the event with a Red Bull van stocked with free energy drinks for participants and attendees.

"It's our way of paying them back and showing our appreciation to Sailors when they are in our hometown," said Todd Duke, Resolve Marine Group's director of fire response. "We have a great time doing it and I think the Sailors enjoy it too."

The Resolve Marine Group trains cruise line and tanker crews in shipboard firefighting, safety and hazmat response.

Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011 has brought more than 2,500 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen to participate in this South Florida tradition, honoring sea services and establishing relationships through community outreach, public tours of sea platforms, and general tourism.

U.S. Navy, U.S.C.G. Ships Arrive in South Florida for Fleet Week Port Everglades

By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Eric Garst, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- More than 2,500 U.S. Navy Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen arrived in Port Everglades, Fla., to participate in the U.S. Navy's largest community outreach program in South Florida, April 25.

Service members from visiting ships USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), USS Ross (DDG 71), USS Normandy (CG 60) and USS Annapolis (SSN 760), joined by elements from Navy Assault Craft Unit Four, USCGC Gannet (WPB 87334) and USCGC Diamondback (WPB 87370), as well as Marines from 2nd Marine Division, are scheduled to take part in a variety of community service projects and recreational activities during Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011.

Broward County Navy Days Chairperson Mary Anne Gray said the ensuing ship tours, community outreach efforts from Sailors, and an extension of South Florida hospitality to members of the sea services has continued for more than two decades.

"Sailors coming in give us the opportunity to show how much we appreciate everything they do and all the sacrifices they have made," she said. "This is also an opportunity for them [Sailors] to get out and show how much they appreciate what we do for them."

Fleet Week Port Everglades has historically interjected thousands of dollars into the local economy.

"Broward County benefits when Sailors go out into the community, visit restaurants, stay in hotels and go shopping," Gray said.

Gray said Broward County residents have been anticipating tours of the six U.S. vessels.

"We have more than 7,000 people that are going to come down to tour the ships, and a lot of them are school children, young kids from JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Candidate program), Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts," she said. "This gives them the opportunity to see the Sailors and a new career they may not have thought about in the past."

More than 2,500 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are in South Florida for Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011. The week-long celebration of the sea services honors the men and women of the military through public events and recognition, and also provides the sea services an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of surface platforms, equipment and the skills of the men and women serving aboard these vessels.

Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Completes Seven-Month Deployment

From USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Nearly 7,000 Sailors and Marines deployed with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) returned to their homeports Dec. 20, following a seven-month deployment.

The Norfolk-based Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) and guided-missile destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and USS Ross (DDG 71) returned after supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq and maritime security operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

"This has been a great deployment because of the hard work and professionalism of our Sailors and Marines over the last seven months," said Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, commander, Harry S. Truman CSG. "Whether conducting combat flight operations in support of U.S. and coalition ground forces in Afghanistan, preventing piracy on the open seas, or interacting with the local community during well-deserved port visits, the strike group represented themselves and their country with the greatest pride and professionalism."

Shortly after departing Norfolk May 21, the Truman CSG participated in the 100th anniversary of French naval aviation celebration. French aircraft landed and catapulted off Truman, while F/A-18s and E-2s from CVW 3 touched down on the French nuclear aircraft carrier CVN Charles de Gaulle (R 91). French maintenance crews embarked aboard Truman to conduct a practice engine change on a French Rafale F3 in Truman's hangar bay.

The Truman CSG joined the 5th Fleet Area of Operations in June 2010 and began combat operations in support of OEF and OND. During the next five months, CVW 3 aircrews flew 2,915 missions into Afghanistan and Iraq, providing vital close air support to coalition forces on the ground.

"Our success in support of OEF and OND is a glowing testament to world-class training, the high caliber of men and women who volunteer to serve and the manner in which they came together to perform as a mission-focused team," said Capt. Jay Bynum, commander, CVW 3. "We are so thankful and blessed to be returning home with all our Sailors, Marines and aircraft and to be reunited with our families to enjoy the holiday season."

While operating in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, several Truman CSG ships rescued mariners adrift at sea. The visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) teams from Winston S. Churchill rescued 62 distressed mariners after their dhow capsized in the Gulf of Aden Sept. 27, while the VBSS team from Oscar Austin provided assistance to two Iranian mariners after their dhow sank Nov. 18.

"Whether conducting counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, operating with the Harry S. Truman in the Northern Arabian Sea, or conducting escort operations and other duties in the Arabian Gulf, the ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 were essential in maintaining peace and stability throughout the 5th Fleet AOR," said Capt. Bob Barwis, commander, DESRON 26.

Returning a few days before Christmas, the leadership aboard Truman is both proud and thankful to have safely achieved so much while deployed for 213 days and traveling nearly 55,000 nautical miles.

"It is truly wonderful to return to our homeport and reunite with our families and loved ones after seven months at sea," said Capt. Joe Clarkson, Harry S. Truman's commanding officer. "With the invaluable support of family and friends throughout this deployment, we accomplished the mission we were sent to do, and it is good to be home to celebrate the holidays with our families."