NAVCENT Commander Visits Lincoln

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan P. Idle, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- The commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Gulf, March 19-20.

During his visit, Vice Adm. Mark Fox met with leadership from Abraham Lincoln, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9. He also toured the ship and spoke to Sailors during an all-hands call.

Fox discussed numerous topics including Operation Enduring Freedom, the future of cyber warfare and the importance of the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

"We as a nation have interests all over the world," Fox said. "The Strait of Hormuz, and this particular part of the world in general, are vital to the overall wellbeing of the global economy, and we are all interconnected."

He thanked the crew for all the long hours and months of work they have put in supporting the mission and maintaining stability in the region.

"I fully understand the nature and the challenges of the mission we've given to all of you," he said. "You guys have been on a really tough schedule, but you're all doing some incredibly important work. I appreciate it."

Fox acknowledged the professionalism of the men and women serving on the ship and throughout the strike group.

"You are the role models of what our nation is all about," he said. "You come together from all over different parts of our large country to serve and do something that is so much bigger than yourselves."

He concluded by thanking the crew for their service to the country and for their devotion to duty. "Thanks for your service," he said. "It's an honor to be aboard Abraham Lincoln. God bless you all, and thank you for what you're doing."

CSG 9 is comprised of Lincoln, CVW 2, guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and DESRON 9, which consists of guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Momsen (DDG 92). The strike group is in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Flags lowered to half-staff Friday in Wisconsin for U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jesse J. Grindey

Flags at Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities across the state will fly at half-staff Friday (Mar 23) in honor of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jesse J. Grindey of Hazel Green, Wis., who lost his life while serving his country in Afghanistan. The Guard will render these honors in accordance with an executive order issued by Gov. Scott Walker.

EXECUTIVE ORDER # 64 reads:

Relating to a Proclamation that the Flag of the United States and the Flag of the State of Wisconsin be Flown at Half-Staff as a Mark of Respect for Staff Sergeant Jesse J. Grindey of the United States Army Who Lost His Life While Serving His Country During Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan

WHEREAS, on March 12, 2012, Staff Sergeant Jesse J. Grindey, a member of the 287th Military Police Company, 97th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Riley, Kansas, United States Army, died while serving his country in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Jesse J. Grindey provided faithful and honorable service to the people of the State of Wisconsin and the people of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the people of Wisconsin mourn the death of Staff Sergeant Jesse J. Grindey; and

WHEREAS, a memorial service will be held for Staff Sergeant Jesse J. Grindey on March 23, 2012;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SCOTT WALKER, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by federal and state law, do hereby order that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin shall be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds, and military installations of the State of Wisconsin equipped with such flags beginning at sunrise on Friday, March 23, 2012, and ending at sunset on that date.

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All Wisconsin state government facilities are covered by the governor’s order and a 2007 amendment to the U.S. Flag Code now requires all federal facilities in Wisconsin to comply. Other government agencies, businesses and private residences with flagpoles may also honor Staff Sgt. Jesse J. Grindey by lowering their U.S. and Wisconsin state flags to half-staff during the daylight hours on March 23.

Sailor-driven Food Drive Helps Hampton Roads Community, Foodbank

By David Todd, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Personnel from Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic (HELSEACOMBATWINGLANT) held a competitive food drive throughout the month of February called "For The Love of Food." The event generated more than 6,700 pounds (3.3 tons) of canned food, and the winning team was announced, March 16.

The food drive was originally started as a way to generate healthy competition between the squadrons and training schools, and to promote camaraderie amongst the service members, but ultimately it became an effective campaign to combat hunger in Hampton Roads.

Approximately 2,900 personnel participated from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Seven "Dusty Dogs" (HSC-7), Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fourteen (HM-14) "Vanguard," HM-15 "Blackhawks," HSC-2 "Fleet Angels," HSC-84 "Red Wolves," HSC-28 "Dragon Whales," HSC-9 "Tridents," HSC-26 "Chargers," Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Atlantic, and Airborne Mine Countermeasures Weapon Systems Training School. All of the proceeds went to support the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

"About three years ago when I was at a Marine Corps Command I came up with the idea for a competitive food drive within sections," said Lt. Jeffrey Ross, chaplain, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic. "Now that I'm in the 'Wing,' I thought it would be interesting to do a competitive food drive between the squadrons ... just to see what the results were."

With the assistance of Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Angelique Tulp, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Atlantic, the two calculated the results weekly and reported them to squadrons to help promote participation. As an added bonus, Ross spoke with the skippers to allow a 24-hour special liberty to the winners.

"RP2 [Tulp] put together some flyers and promotional posters, we contacted all the squadrons and got a point of contact," said Ross. "Then we literally turned it over to the squadrons and let them do whatever they wanted to do individually. So we had different squadrons doing different things, competition-wise within each squadron."

Money was also collected to purchase food and additional items needed by the Foodbank including: diapers, baby formula, jars of baby food, bottled water, soup and potted meat.

The results far surpassed Ross' original goal and the Sailors proved to be self-driven for the greater good of the community.

"I was hoping [for] 2,000 cans," said Ross. "I figured it would be neat to tell the commodore that I raised a ton of food; 2,000 pounds."

"It was a slow process at the beginning," said Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Elizabeth Lor. "We all started trickling in a couple cans at a time per person. When it came down to the last two days, everybody pitched in and we went out and got as [many] cans as we could."

When the competition came to a close, HSC-7 was crowned the winners. They raised 2,650 cans, which worked out to be approximately 11.4 cans per person. To keep the competition fair for squadrons who had fewer participants, the number of participants in each group was divided by the total number of cans collected, thus giving them the amount of cans collected per person.

"It was a great way for them to demonstrate a little bit of competitive spirit, and at the same time, do it for a good cause," said Cmdr. Brian S. Knowles, executive officer, HSC-7. "We are relatively new to Norfolk and I think it's really a great way for us to get involved with the Norfolk community in the Hampton Roads area."

Ross said he hopes this food drive will inspire other commands to get involved.

"The reality is, we think of the holiday season as a good time to give, but February comes around, you're in the middle of winter, and most of the Foodbanks run dry," he said. "And that's actually when the need starts."

Face of Defense: Marine is MP by Day, Mechanic by Night

By Marine Corps Cpl. Garry J. Welch

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

ABOARD USS ESSEX AT SEA  – Every Marine and sailor aboard the USS Essex serves a crucial role in the success of the mission, but Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Samantha A. Sabalboro serves two.

Sabalboro, an airframe mechanic with Marine Attack Squadron 311, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, was assigned to assist the master at arms in maintaining safety and good order for the more than 2,000 service members on ship.

Her responsibilities require an eight-hour shift every day, which normally is followed by rest and relaxation. But Sabalboro ends her day shift by donning her maintenance gear and making her way toward the AV-8B Harriers she is trained to maintain.

The 21-year-old native of Norfolk Va., said she enjoys the work, the chance to meet new people and the opportunity to gain valuable experience outside of her normal specialty.

“Doing both jobs is not challenging for me. I like to stay busy,” said Sabalboro. “Working as a patrolman helps me gain more confidence in the way that I talk and take charge of something.”

During a normal day, if Sabalboro is not working with the master at arms office, she spends 10 to 12 hours servicing AV-8B Harrier airframes, repairing the body, landing gear and other vital parts.

Although fairly new to the job, Sabalboro still knows just how important her job is to pilot safety and mission completion.

“If we failed to install a panel correctly, then it could potentially fall off midflight and injure somebody on the ground, or get sucked into the intake of the engine and bring the entire plane down,” Sabalboro said. “If we didn’t fix the landing gear right, then it may not come out when it needs to, and the plane would crash when it landed.”

While working as a patrolman, Sabalboro spends helps the master at arms office with administrative work or patrols the ship looking for safety issues and activities contrary to Navy and Marine Corps regulations.

“She does an excellent job here. She is always on time and comes in with a good attitude,” said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos L. Jones, anti-terrorism training supervisor with Amphibious Squadron 11. “I usually see her back in her shop wearing her coveralls working after she leaves here, so she definitely keeps herself busy.”

Many Marines help the master at arms office with policing the crew, and their involvement is paramount to the completion of the Navy’s military police mission.

“I think that without the Marines’ support, we wouldn’t be able to do our job,” said Navy Lt. j.g. Antonio Williams, the USS Essex security officer. “With more than 2,000 people on board, with just the guys I have, we wouldn’t be able to maintain law and order here. So their augmentation is definitely a huge benefit to us.”

Sabalboro even helped the 31st MEU complete its certification exercise. Acting as a part of the master at arms clearing team, she helped to ensure the route from the flight deck to the brig was clear when mock enemy prisoners of war were brought aboard.

“Overall, she is doing pretty well. She is filling two billets and still progressing in both of them,” said Marine Corps Staff Sgt. David Camacho, an aircraft division chief with Marine Attack Squadron 311 and a native of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sabalboro is said she eager to continue working as a patrolman and airframe mechanic throughout the 31st MEU’s deployment to the Asia-Pacific region.

Navy Brings ROTC to Rutgers

From Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Rutgers University President Richard L. McCormick participated in a signing ceremony March 21 to formalize an agreement to bring the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program to Rutgers for the first time.

The new agreement between the U.S. Navy and Rutgers University provides an opportunity for Rutgers students to earn a commission in the United States Navy or Marine Corps through the NROTC program, and marks the first time since 1972 that the NROTC program is available to college students in the state of New Jersey.

"I am pleased we are bringing professional military education and training to diverse, world-class educational environments like Rutgers," said Secretary Mabus. "While this is a great opportunity for the Navy, Rutgers faculty, students and surrounding communities will benefit from the unique opportunity to know firsthand the pride, professionalism, and versatility of our Sailors and Marines."

NROTC unit staff will begin to arrive at Rutgers in the spring of 2012, and the first Naval Science classes will be taught in the fall semester of 2012. Rutgers's diverse student population and stellar international reputation in engineering and the sciences makes the university a good fit for the Navy and Marine Corps as it seeks to meet global challenges during a time of increasing technological demands.

"Rutgers is delighted to start the Naval Science program on the New Brunswick Campus and honored to offer a Naval ROTC experience to New Jersey students," Rutgers University President Richard L. McCormick said. "The program will provide outstanding scholarship and career opportunities for those who enroll and prepare selected men and women for commissioned service in the United States Navy or Marine Corps."

"Establishing Naval ROTC at Rutgers enriches and strengthens the military and educational experience of Rutgers students, and also adds to the quality, effectiveness and diversity of our Navy and Marine Corps officer ranks," Mabus said.

The NROTC program develops young men and women morally, mentally, and physically, and instills in them the highest ideals of honor, courage, and commitment. The program educates and trains young men and women for leadership positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps.

Devloping Navy and Marine Corps leaders and ensuring the professional growth of Sailors and Marines makes them invaluable assets to the Department of the Navy. Those programs are important parts of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Department.