Chancellorsville Experiences Chamorro Culture in Guam

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Raymond D. Diaz III, USS Chancellorsville Public Affairs

APRA HARBOR, Guam (NNS) -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) arrived in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a port visit, July 27.

Chancellorsville's visit to Guam marks the crew's first port call as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to be with Chancellorsville visiting Guam," said Chancellorsville's Command Master Chief Jonas D. Carter. "This will be a first time visiting, not only for myself, but for most of the crew."

During the visit, Chancellorsville Sailors will participate in community relation projects at a nearby school and summer camp where they will interact with local students by playing sports, reading, and other activities.

Also, Guam is host to many local Chamorro restaurants and shops alongside familiar stateside establishments where Sailors can dine and shop.

"Many of the Sailors will take advantage of the MWR [Morale, Welfare and Recreation] tours, local shopping, eating venues, and, of course, the two community relation opportunities, all of which, gives us the chance to experience Chamorro culture," said Carter.

Chancellorsville is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific region.

Jacksonville Visits Singapore During Western Pacific Deployment

By Ensign Nicholas Lucania, USS Jacksonville Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Jacksonville (SSN 699) arrived in Singapore for a port visit as a part of its Western Pacific deployment, July 27.

After a successful completion of Talisman Sabre 2015, the joint exercise coordinated with both the Australian and New Zealand navies, the Sailors of Jacksonville were excited for its arrival in Singapore.

"The crew flawlessly executed their third leg of deployment," said Master Chief Electronics Technician Kevin Rollert, the chief of the boat aboard Jacksonville. "Singapore is another excellent port of call for Jacksonville. It will be a great break for the crew before heading back out to sea."

For the majority of Jacksonville, this was their first time visiting Singapore. The crew was looking forward to exploring the city, meeting with their Republic of Singapore Navy counterparts and partaking in projects with the local community.

"We have heard a lot about the great liberty in Singapore," said Chief Logistics Specialist Aaron Hardardt. "We are very fortunate for the port calls we have experienced while deployed and are excited for Singapore."

Throughout the remainder of Jacksonville's 2015 Western Pacific deployment, its crew of 141 Sailors will be participating in additional joint exercises with foreign navies and executing various missions vital to national security.

"I am truly proud of Jacksonville's major accomplishments so far," said Cmdr. Matthew R. Boland, Jacksonville's commanding officer. "I am looking forward to the challenges awaiting Jacksonville during our next segment of deployment."

Jacksonville was commissioned May 16, 1981 and is homeported in Pearl harbor, Hawaii. It measures more than 360 feet long, displaces 6,900 tons and is one of the most capable submarines in the world. Jacksonville supports a wide range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare and naval special warfare.

Throughout its proud 34-year history, Jacksonville conducted thirteen world-wide deployments. Jacksonville continues to respond to all challenging tasking, living up to its motto of "The Bold One."

Navy to Commission Submarine John Warner

The Navy will commission its newest fast attack submarine, the future USS John Warner (SSN 785), during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, VirginiaVa. The event will be live streamed at http://navylive.dodlive.mil under webcast.

John Warner, designated SSN 785, honors Sen. John W. Warner for a lifetime of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to the United States of America as a trusted leader, statesman and public servant. He wore the uniform of our nation as both a Marine and sailor and served as the 61st Secretary of the Navy, 1972-1974.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert, will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Jeanne Warner, wife of Sen. Warner, is serving as the ship’s sponsor. In a time-honored Navy tradition, she will give the order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”

"The commissioning of USS John Warner marks the beginning of what is expected to be 33 years of distinguished service for this great submarine - a fitting tribute to a man who served his nation for so long as a sailor, a Marine, a United States Senator and, as one of my most esteemed predecessors as Secretary of the Navy," said the Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy.

"This ceremony is not only a celebration of a man who dedicated so much of his life to his country and to the Department of the Navy, but also a reminder of the partnership our Navy shares with the shipbuilding industry in Senator Warner's home state of Virginia and the continued success of the Virginia-class attack submarine program."

Warner (SSN 785) is the 12th Virginia-class fast attack submarine. While other Virginia-class submarines have been named after U.S. states, SSN 785 holds the distinction of being the first to be named after a person. This next-generation attack submarine provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. It will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable them to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.

Warner has the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; mine delivery and minefield mapping. It is also designed for special forcesSpecial Forces delivery and support, a subject Warner worked on throughout his career in the U.S. Senate.

Virginia-class submarines are 7,800 tons and 377 feet in length, have a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. They are built with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.