USS Columbia Changes Command

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Khor

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Columbia (SSN 771) held a change of command ceremony today, May 15, as Cmdr. Patrick Friedman was relieved by Cmdr. David Edgerton as commanding officer, at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park.

Friedman expressed his appreciation in working with outstanding Sailors while having command of the submarine.

"My hat is off to you; you are truly professionals and represent the very best in our force," said Friedman. "Being here today is a testament to your commitment to hard work and the ideological principles that form the basis of Columbia's success."

During his more than two years in command, Friedman successfully led a Western Pacific deployment during which the submarine's crew earned a 2014 Battle Efficiency "E" award. Friedman commanded his submarine through a technologically advanced tactical development exercise, subsequently earning Columbia the highest possible grade on an operational reactor safeguards exam.

The ceremony's guest speaker, Capt. Leonard Dollaga, commodore of Submarine Development Squadron 12, praised Friedman for a job well done.

"Patrick, on behalf of all your shipmates, thanks for everything you have done," said Dollaga. "Mission accomplished, Patrick!"

During the ceremony, Friedman was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, recognizing his success while in command of Columbia from October 2012 to May 2015.

As Edgerton assumed command of Columbia, he thanked Friedman for turning over an accomplished crew and boat.

"You have set a high bar for Columbia and I assure you that we will continue to maintain the high standards that you have established," said Edgerton. "To the crew of Columbia, you are the best and brightest in the Navy and I am honored to be your commanding officer. I look forward to serving with you as we continue Columbia's proud tradition as the defender of freedom on the seas."

USS Columbia, commissioned in 1995, was the last Los Angeles-class submarine to be built at Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. One of the most versatile ships in the world, the submarine is capable of executing numerous dynamic mission functions including long-range Tomahawk strike capabilities, anti-submarine and surface ship tracking operations, surveillance and intelligence gathering, and special operations force insertions.

Troops, Veterans Honored at Armed Forces Day Ceremony

By Shannon Collins

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

ARLINGTON, Va., May 16, 2015 – As the last notes of “Taps” echoed off the stones of the Tomb of the Unknowns today, service members representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard and veterans from World War II and the Korean War slowly dropped their salutes.

Tour groups of people visiting Arlington National Cemetery witnessed the changing of the guard, followed by honor guards from each of the service branches marching up in file and rendering honors as the colors were posted.

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was joined by all five senior enlisted service advisors in a wreath-laying ceremony at the tomb to mark the 65th annual Armed Forces Day. Afterward, the U.S. Army Concert Band performed patriotic music at a free concert.

‘We Celebrate … with the Fallen’

The wreath will be on display for the day at the Tomb of the Unknowns to honor those who gave the last full measure, “but Armed Forces Day honors all service members past and present,” Battaglia said.

“We celebrate Armed Forces Day with the fallen,” the sergeant major said.

“What better place for us to thank those who played such an integral role in protecting America’s freedom and liberty? Like many national burial grounds across the globe, here are harbored and housed America’s heroes, the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have, for more than 240 years, proudly and courageously worn the cloth of our nation,” he said.

“At Arlington today, we are encircled by those brave and courageous men and women, past and present, active, reserve and National Guard, living veterans and our fallen, all who have proudly served and continue to serve our country,” Battaglia said.

Veterans Remember

For Marine Corps veteran Brian Long, who served four years as a mortarman during the Beirut Conflict with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, Armed Forces Day was a reunion with his unit and with Battaglia.

“I haven’t seen this group of Marines since 1980,” said the former sergeant. “It was an opportunity to renew some acquaintances and regain some familiarity. [Battaglia] worked for me as a young lance corporal, and 35 years later, he’s the senior enlisted advisor. We’re very proud of him.”

Long said he was honored to be at the event because he has had a member of his family serve in the armed forces in one conflict or another since World War I through Vietnam and into Afghanistan and Iraq.

“My father was a World War II veteran,” he said. “We lost him a number of years ago, but he was a [prisoner of war] who fought in Europe. It’s special to be here surrounded by what it means to be an American and to be able to share this with brothers from all of the armed forces. It’s an honor to be here for Armed Forces Day.”

Vietnam veteran Clifford Barnes arrived at Arlington via an Honor Flight from Austin, Texas. He served in the Army for 41 years and said the event was indescribable.

“You just can’t describe what it feels like to be here,” he said. “The hair on the back of my neck was standing up. I was getting butterflies. I really enjoyed it. It brought back all of the worthwhile things I’ve done.”

An Opportunity to Educate the Public

Army Sgt. 1st Class Steven Ogbuehi, a power station sergeant at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, said he was honored to attend the event as well.

He said events such as Arlington’s Armed Forces Day ceremony are important, “especially to educate our public, give them an opportunity to see some of the activities we do every day, even if it’s just a ceremony like the one today.”

The ceremony made an impression on Kensi Gray, 14, from the Concord Christian School tour group out of Knoxville, Tennessee.

“I thought it was amazing,” she said. “The discipline they had was incredible, staying out there in the sun and staying completely still. They must have had a lot of practice to be able to do that.”

She said she was surprised at seeing all of the different uniforms and enjoyed seeing the veterans rendering their salutes. She also said armed forces should be recognized.

“People give their lives for us every day. The least we can do is honor them in this way,” Gray said.

Helicopter Crew Recovery Efforts Continue in Nepal

From Joint Task Force 505 News Releases

KATHMANDU, Nepal, May 16, 2015 – The recovery of a UH-1Y Huey helicopter that went missing May 12 and was later discovered on May 15 has resumed today, 8 miles north of Charikot, in the Dolakha district of Nepal.

The recovery effort resumed at 6:30 a.m. Nepal Standard Time. Nepalese special forces, U.S. Marines, and Air Force pararescuemen were inserted near the wreckage site and worked together to gather information about the helicopter and its crew.

Eight separate sets of remains have been discovered since the recovery effort began. They have yet to be positively identified. Additionally, the cause of the mishap has not been determined.

The aircraft belonged to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469, from Camp Pendleton, California and arrived in Nepal directly from Exercise Balikatan 2015, which was underway in the Philippines.

Humanitarian Assistance Mission

JTF 505 arrived in Nepal April 29 to conduct humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations following the April 25 magnitude-7.8 earthquake. The crashed helicopter was supporting casualty evacuations following a second earthquake of magnitude 7.3 that occurred May 12.

The U.S. and Nepalese service members aboard the Huey “were determined to go forward with their duties, eager to contribute to our mission to alleviate suffering and come to the rescue of those in need,” U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler, the Joint Task Force 505 commander, said during a press conference May 15.

“The United States military will remain committed to our mission here in Nepal,” he said.

A UH-1Y Huey arrived in Nepal today to replace one of the two remaining Hueys deployed May 16 in support of Operation Sahayogi Haat. A second UH-1Y is expected to arrive in Nepal May 17 to replace the other remaining Huey.

The aircraft are scheduled for routine maintenance and the arrival of the new helicopters ensures uninterrupted support for the humanitarian assistance mission.