San Diego Team Feeds 'Three Presidents Crew' During Historic 3-Carrier Swap

By Candice Villarreal, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center San Diego Corporate Communications

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) San Diego is hard at work providing nourishment for thousands of Sailors this September as it supports the ongoing "3-Carrier Swap" evolution from its headquarters in San Diego.

The command's Subsistence Prime Vendor team, charged with procuring the food that sustains afloat Navy units in the region, is playing a pivotal role in feeding the nearly 9,000 Sailors assigned to the aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) as they make their way through the unprecedented swap. An estimated 1,200 of those crew members will have served aboard all three aircraft carriers as part of the evolution and have been dubbed the "Three Presidents Crew."

"This is the most food we've ever procured at one time and in such a short period," said Monet Bernhardt, prime vendor supervisor. "It's a lot of communication, coordination and busy days, but in this line of work you have to do whatever it takes to get those ships underway."

To date, the San Diego SPV team has processed thousands of line item orders totaling more than $10.5 million in subsistence for the swap, with that number set to increase significantly before the evolution is complete. To put that figure into perspective, a total of more than 200,000 cases of chill, dry and frozen provisions, 23,440 cases of fresh fruits and vegetables and 5,496 gallons of fresh milk were loaded onto Ronald Reagan and George Washington to ready them for sea.

The benefits of the SPV team's support don't stop when the ships set sail. In addition to the pierside load-outs, the command also processed separate container orders for George Washington, ensuring another million dollars' worth of food will be pre-staged and ready for the ship as it arrives in ports along its South American route.

"That's the beauty of logistics," said Commanding Officer Capt. John Palmer. "It is a strategic art to be able to execute vital support for any operation, anywhere around the globe, and at any time. It's what keeps the ships steaming and enables the warfighters to take the fight to the enemy, where it belongs."

Ronald Reagan departed San Diego Aug. 31 to relieve George Washington as the Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan, following a 10-day hull swap. Later this month, George Washington will also depart San Diego to make its way around South America to its destination in Newport News, Virginia, where it will begin its mid-life refueling complex overhaul.

Theodore Roosevelt, currently in the midst of a scheduled deployment, set sail from Norfolk, Virginia, in March and will take Ronald Reagan's place on the west coast upon its return. The SPV team will begin supporting Theodore Roosevelt's requirements as the flattop enters the command's area of responsibility later in its deployment. Those efforts will serve as the command's last leg of support in completing its final phase of the 3-carrier evolution.

"Historically, this is unprecedented," said Michael Novak, subsistence prime vendor operator. "Just because we've got a high-tempo evolution to support doesn't mean the rest of our support to the fleet stops. Playing a part in such a big logistical puzzle is really meaningful work."

Because the SPV team supports all vessels in their area of responsibility, the colossal support required for the carrier swap is in addition to their ongoing subsistence procurement for other ships in their area of operations.

"Our job is to send the Sailors to sea with all of the food and nutrition they need to sustain them as they go out and complete their missions," said Novak. "I think I speak for the whole team when I say we are very proud when we see our happy customers operating forward."

NAVSUP FLC San Diego, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and allied forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

'Run, Walk or Roll' Event Honors the Fallen

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Chris Hubenthal Defense Media Activity - Hawaii

JOINT BASE PEARL-HARBOR HICKAM, Hawaii, September 5, 2015 — Several thousand runners gathered at Ford Island to honor service members who have fallen after 9/11 as part of the 8K Fisher House Hero and Remembrance Run, Walk or Roll event here today.

According to their official website, the Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving medical treatment.

Theresa Johnson, Fort Hood Fisher House manager and founder of the Hero and Remembrance Run, started the event several years later to honor the memory of those who have fallen and those who serve. She said she was motivated to help after losing a family friend, Army Pfc. Timothy Vimoto, in 2007.

“In 2012, sometime in early spring, my son was actually getting ready to go on his deployment,” Johnson said. “Knowing that Timothy had died several years prior, we think about his family every day. I realized that it could be me. I’m a mother of a soldier and a wife of a soldier. I just wanted to do something to honor Tim’s sacrifice and his life, but also honor the service of my husband and my son. That’s where it all began.”

8,000 meters, 7,000 boots

More than 7,000 combat boots, each adorned with a photo of a fallen service member, lined the 8K running route to honor the memories and the sacrifices of the military men and women who gave their lives while serving their country.

“I wanted to do a unique run that would raise awareness but also bring the personal names and faces back,” Johnson said. “What we did was we created the run, and we had a picture of each fallen service member on the boot that you run past. After the run is over, we pick them up and there will actually be a display of the 7,000 all at once.”

Katie Garling, one of the participating runners, lost her husband -- a U.S. Army major -- on July 11, 2014.

“He was a big runner, and since he passed, I’ve been doing a lot more running. And I joined the Survivor Outreach Services Group here and there were a group of us that ran today,” Garling said. “He was a really strong person, and I get on with my life every day because I know that’s what he would want me to do. I think there is no better motivation then seeing all of the boots lined up and honoring the people who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. When you’re tired, just looking at those boots is motivating to make yourself want to keep going.”

Spreading the Message

Anita Clingerman, Tripler Fisher House manager, hopes that the event helps let military families know that Fisher House is there for them.

“It’s one way to tell people that we’re here,” Clingerman said. “There are so many people who don’t know what Fisher House is, and this is a great way to spread the word and let our military families know that we’re here for them. Just talking about the run you get emotional, they paid the ultimate price. I’m honored to be a part of this run.”

Johnson is proud of the teamwork and camaraderie volunteers and participants show during these events.

“This is our fourth here in Hawaii. I couldn’t be more proud because this event is not a fundraiser, everything is done by volunteers. It really is a community event where different businesses have reached out to help us. All this is done by volunteers, from moms with babies strapped on their front and back and service members from all branches. This is bringing everybody together.”

Travis welcomes hero home

By Senior Airman Nicole Leidholm, 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs / Published September 05, 2015

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone, the Airman who helped foil a terrorist attack on a train in France Aug. 21, arrived at Travis Air Force Base Sept. 3, with his mother and brother by his side.

"We're thrilled to welcome A1C Spencer Stone back to America," said Col. Joel Jackson, the 60th Air Mobility Wing commander. "He's here at Travis Air Force Base for continued medical care and rest and recuperation with his family in the local area. We ask that everyone please respect the Stone family's privacy as he continues to heal."

Stone returned home on a KC-10 Extender from Germany with 25 redeployers from Southwest Asia and was greeted by about 300 Airmen and their families from the base.

"We're extremely proud of A1C Stone; it takes tremendous courage and selflessness to place others' safety above your own -- he put into action our core value of 'service before self'," said Chief Master Sgt. Alan Boling, the 60th AMW command chief. "Again, we are extremely proud of these men for their willingness to take action and stop what could have been a terrible tragedy."

Stone was previously assigned to the 60th Medical Operations Squadron pediatrics flight as an aerospace medical services technician.

"A1C Stone is an energetic medical technician and I'm sure he was hoping for more 'action' than he found in the pediatric clinic as his first duty section," said Master Sgt. Tanya Hubbard, the 60th MDOS family medicine residency and pediatric clinics superintendent. "However, he fit into our team seamlessly and always had a great attitude. He is a hard worker and I was happy he was part of our team."

Hubbard added that Stone's Air Force training influenced how the events in France played out.

"I think his awareness training helped him to be sensitive to potential dangers and kept him on his toes as he toured throughout Europe," Hubbard said. "I'm sure that when it came down to the moment, he was able to act on impulse due to those protection skills. In the end I believe it was the core values, Air Force and personal, that guided him that day."

Stone's life forever changed two weeks ago when he and his childhood friends, Oregon National Guard Spc. Aleksander Skarlatos and Anthony Sadler, a Sacramento State college student, were on vacation when an armed gunman entered their train carrying an assault rifle, a handgun and a box cutter. The three friends, with the help of a British passenger, subdued the gunman after his rifle jammed.

"Our Airmen live in an environment of constant change, we learn to adapt quickly and take action; fortunately, Stone's experience and training allowed him to put these lessons into action onboard the train," Boling said. "Stone and his friends did what they thought was right and stopped a dangerous attack and for that we thank them. We wish Stone and the others who were injured a speedy recovery."

Stone is currently an ambulance service technician with the 65th MDOS stationed at Lajes Field, Azores. The Sacramento, California, native will be reassigned to Travis AFB in October.

"We are all very proud of A1C Stone," Hubbard said. "He is humble and will tell you that he doesn't deserve all of the fuss, but that's what makes him special. He acted on survival instincts, but he is naturally a protector and we're thankful that he was in that place at that time."

F-22s arrive in Estonia

U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs

9/5/2015 - ÄMARI AIR BASE, Estonia -- Two F-22 Raptors and one KC-135 Stratotanker arrived at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, today.

The F-22s and approximately 20 supporting Airmen are from the 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The KC-135 aircraft is from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England.

This forward deployment of the Raptors is part of the inaugural F-22 training deployment to Europe and is funded by the European Reassurance Initiative, which provides support to bolster the security of our NATO allies and partners in Europe while demonstrating the U.S. commitment to regional and global security. The F-22s will remain at Ämari for a brief period of time before returning to Spangdahlem to continue their training deployment.

The F-22 deployments to Spangdahlem, Łask  and now Ämari prove that European bases and other NATO installations can host 5th generation fighters while also affording the chance for familiarization flight training within the European theater.

This F-22 forward deployment is conducted in coordination with our Estonian allies and is a demonstration of our continued commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to the enduring peace and stability of the region.