Sailors use patrol boats during a security mission exercise while training in Long Beach, Calif., Sept. 23, 2020.
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Dangling Duo
Marine Corps Cpl. Jehudi Rodriguez carries military working dog, Sisi, while rappelling from an MV-22B Osprey during training in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 23, 2020.
Statement From the Secretary of Defense, Dr. Mark T. Esper on the Passing of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait
Sept. 29, 2020
Today we mourn the passing of an exceptional friend and partner to the United States, the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Over the course of his nearly six decades of leadership in Kuwait, Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah dedicated himself to advancing the peace, security, and stability of Kuwait and the region in his respective capacities as the Amir, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister.
Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's extraordinary personal contributions strengthened relations between the United States and Kuwait. As Foreign Minister, he shaped Kuwait’s international presence on the world stage following Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. As Amir and commander in chief, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah personally contributed to the modernization of Kuwait’s armed forces and proactive participation in the fight against global terrorism. The Amir championed security cooperation with the United States on mutually shared objectives by hosting and supporting a significant U.S. military presence.
Earlier this month, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, to Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, in recognition of his exceptional meritorious conduct and outstanding leadership of Kuwait and its armed forces.
On behalf of the Department of Defense and the thousands of U.S. personnel that have served in Kuwait and experienced firsthand the dedication of Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to Kuwait and his steadfast commitment to the United States’ partnership, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the State of Kuwait and the family of the Amir during this time.
C-17 Communication
Air Force Senior Airman Sara Gutherie adjusts her headset to communicate with maintainers inside a C-17 Globemaster III during an inspection at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pa., Sept. 17, 2020.
Marine Maneuver
Marine Corps Sgt. Ashton Tanner performs a low level static line jump during training over Camp Davis, N.C., Sept. 25, 2020.
Sports Heroes Who Served: From D-Day Vet to Baseball Legend
Sept. 29, 2020
|
, DOD News
Sports Heroes Who Served is a series that highlights the accomplishments of athletes who served in the U.S. military.
Most baseball fans of the legendary Yogi Berra probably don't know that he also served in World War II.
Berra actually signed with the New York Yankees in 1943, but put his baseball career on hold to join the Navy.
He was a gunner's mate assigned to the attack transport USS Bayfield. As a gunner's mate, Berra was responsible for the operation and maintenance of weapons and other ordnance equipment, as well as small arms and magazines.
The ship's destination: Utah Beach, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
During the invasion, Berra manned a landing craft support vessel from which he said he "sprayed bullets and rockets across the heavily fortified beach fronts before the troops landed."
Berra was wounded in the hand by incoming enemy fire; he was later awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
In the years following his Navy service, he continued to support the troops. In 1950, he participated in a campaign with the Treasury Department to promote the purchase of U.S. savings bonds. In 2009, he received the Lone Sailor Award. and, in 2010, he was honored with the Audie Murphy Award for his Navy service.
Berra the Baseball Legend
As a player, Berra was with the New York Yankees from 1946 to 1963 and the New York Mets in 1965.
He was an 18-time All-Star and won 10 World Series championships as a player — more than any other player in Major League Baseball history. He had a career batting average of .285, while hitting 358 home runs and 1,430 runs batted in. He is also widely regarded as one of the greatest catchers in baseball history.
Berra caught Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. He also holds the all-time record for shutouts caught — 173.
As a manager, he was with the Yankees in 1964, the Mets from 1972 to 1975, and back with the Yankees from 1984 to 1985. He is one of only seven managers to lead both American and National League teams to the World Series.
As a coach, he was with the Mets from 1965 to 1971, the Yankees from 1976 to 1983, and the Houston Astros from 1986 to 1989.
Berra appeared as a player, coach or manager in every one of the 13 World Series that New York baseball teams won from 1947 through 1981. Overall, he played or coached in 22 World Series, 13 on the winning side.
In 1972, Berra was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. That year, the Yankees retired his uniform, number 8. Incidentally, Bill Dickey, the Yankees coach who taught Yogi Berra the finer points of catching, had previously worn number 8 as a catcher for the Yankees in the 1930s and 40s. Both catchers had that number retired by the Yankees. Both catchers served in the Navy in World War II.
Berra the Quotable
Outside of baseball, Berra is widely known for some memorable quotes. Here are just a few of many:
- When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
- You can observe a lot just by watching.
- It ain't over 'till it's over.
- No one goes there nowadays; it's too crowded.
- Pair up in threes.
- He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious.
- The future ain't what it used to be.
- 90% of the game is half mental.
- It's déjà vu all over again.
- A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.
- I never said most of the things I said.
Michigan National Guard Support Statewide COVID-19 Testing Efforts
Sept. 29, 2020
|
The Michigan Air National Guard assisted with free COVID-19 testing to residents of Sturgis, Michigan, and nearby communities Sept. 22, 2020.
In an effort to identify risk associated with the virus and help slow the spread, the 182nd Task Force deployed a team of airmen from Selfridge Air National Guard Base and Battle Creek Air National Guard Base.
"We are doing drive-thru community based testing," said Air Force Senior Airman Daniel Green, 127th Maintenance Squadron maintainer. "A lot of people need to be tested so they can go back to work. We help them out with that."
According to Green, the team had approximately 300 tests for the event, which took place between 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The guardsmen partnered with a local health agency to provide the testing location at Maple Crest Plaza.
"They [the Michigan National Guard] are here to help us with specimen collection for individuals who want to be tested," said Rebecca Burns, Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency health officer. "We are very thankful for their support. We need them here to make this work."
In addition to the testing in St. Joseph County, the guard provided testing in Alpena and Ottawa counties.
"When I heard about the testing mission, I wanted to be on it. We have been on this mission for about five months," Green said. "It is nice to be able to give back to the community."
There are also four more testing events scheduled throughout the week located in Allegan, Ottawa, Wayne and Washtenaw counties. Please contact your local health officials for more information.
These testing sites were a part of an ongoing effort by the Michigan National Guard to partner with a variety of state agencies to provide no cost COVID-19 tests to Michigan residents.
(Air Force Senior Airman Tristan Viglianco is assigned to the Michigan National Guard)
Community Support
Arizona National Guardsmen prepare boxes of groceries for area residents at a food bank in Phoenix, Ariz., Sept. 25, 2020. The Guard continues to support food banks and other community needs during the COVID-19 state of emergency response.
Monday, September 28, 2020
Carolina Test
Army Spc. Regina Martin, assigned to the 251st Area Support Medical Company, South Carolina National Guard, swabs a patient as part of a COVID-19 test in Columbia, S.C., Sept. 18, 2020.
Flag Officer Assignments
Sept. 25, 2020
The secretary of the Navy and chief of naval operations announced today the following assignments:
Rear Adm. Alan D. Beal will be assigned as reserve director, Expeditionary Force Generation with additional duties as reserve vice commander, United States Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia. Beal is currently serving as reserve director, Expeditionary Force Generation, Norfolk, Virginia.
Rear Adm. Shawn E. Duane will be assigned as reserve deputy, Operations, Plans and Strategy, N3/N5, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, District of Columbia. Duane is currently serving as deputy commander, United States Fourth Fleet, Jacksonville, Florida.
Rear Adm. Gene F. Price will be assigned as reserve deputy commander, Naval Information Forces, Suffolk, Virginia. Price is currently serving as commander, Naval Information Force Reserve, Fort Worth, Texas.
Rear Adm. (lower half) James M. Butler will be assigned as commander, Naval Information Force Reserve, Fort Worth, Texas. Butler is currently serving as reserve deputy commander, Tenth Fleet, Fort Meade, Maryland.
Rear Adm. (lower half) Robert T. Clark will be assigned as deputy commander, United States Seventh Fleet, Yokosuka, Japan. Clark is currently serving as deputy commander, Military Sealift Command/deputy commander, Military Sealift command representative to deputy J3, United States Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
Rear Adm. (lower half) Scott K. Fuller will be assigned as director, Reserve Warfare, N0959, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, District of Columbia. Fuller is currently serving as reserve deputy director, Warfare Systems Directorate, N9R, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, District of Columbia.
Navy Capt. William L. Angermann, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as reserve deputy commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia. Angermann is currently serving as reserve component commander, Naval Aviation Training Reserve Component, Corpus Christi, Texas.
Navy Capt. Stephen D. Donald, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as reserve deputy commander, Tenth Fleet, Fort Meade, Maryland. Donald previously served as officer in charge, Over-the-Horizon Qatar, United States Forces-Afghanistan, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
Navy Capt. Terry W. Eddinger, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy chief of chaplains for Total Force/deputy director of Religious Ministries, N097C, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, District of Columbia. Eddinger is currently serving as chaplain, Navy Reserve Navy Installations Command Headquarters, Washington, District of Columbia.
Navy Capt. Gregory K. Emery, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy director, Warfare Integration Directorate, N2/N6, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, District of Columbia. Emery is currently serving as region commander, Naval Information Force Reserve, Fort Worth, Texas.
Navy Capt. Patrick S. Hayden, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy director, Logistics, Fleet Supply, and Ordnance (N4), United States Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Hayden is currently serving as reserve deputy director, Navy Reserve Commander, Pacific Fleet Logistics Readiness Center 120 Headquarters, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Navy Capt. Marc S. Lederer, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy commander, Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia. Lederer is currently serving as commander, Navy Reserve Liaison Office Individual Mobilization Augment Headquarters, Washington, District of Columbia.
Navy Capt. Eric L. Peterson, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy commander, Naval Medical Forces Atlantic, Portsmouth, Virginia. Peterson is currently serving as deputy chief of staff, Navy Reserve Expeditionary Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland.
Navy Capt. Donald M. Plummer, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, Coronado, California. Plummer previously served as chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, Djibouti, Africa.
Navy Capt. Donald Y. Sze, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as deputy commander, Navy Support Command Reserve Component/Marine Corps medical officer, Bethesda, Maryland. Sze is currently serving as fleet surgeon, Navy Reserve Commander Third Fleet Headquarters, San Diego, California.
Navy Capt. Jeffrey S. Spivey, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as director, Maritime Partnership Program United States Naval Forces Europe/Africa/Sixth Fleet, Naples, Italy. Spivey is currently serving as interagency coordinator/staff liaison, United States Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
Sunlit Stare
An airman performs preflight checks before an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker takes off at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Sept. 18, 2020.
Director Duty
Air Force Senior Airman Trey Yelling directs a KC-135 Stratotanker before takeoff at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Sept. 18, 2020.
Starry Flight
A Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet receives fuel from an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker while flying in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept. 22, 2020.
Smoky Silhouette
A Marine walks through a burned and smoky forest during wildland firefighting operations with National Interagency Fire Center personnel near the Sierra National Forest, Calif., Sept. 26, 2020. Hundreds of Marines are helping to fight the Creek Fire in central California.
Smoky Soldier
A soldier walks through smoke on the battlefield during the multinational exercise Combined Resolve at Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Sept. 26, 2020.
Refueling Flight
An Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during training over Poland, Sept. 24, 2020, as part of Astral Knight, a joint multinational exercise.
Sailor Strong
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Riley Adrianyon competes in the high intensity tactical training installation challenge at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Sep. 25, 2020.
Ohio National Guard Extends Food Bank Support Mission
Sept. 28, 2020
|
The Ohio National Guard continues to assist 14 food bank locations and warehouses across the state.
The guard's COVID-19 response began when Gov. Mike DeWine signed a state active duty proclamation to activate personnel from the guard and Ohio Military Reserve to assist with humanitarian efforts, March 18, 2020. About 350 guardsmen are currently supporting the food bank mission.
Federal funding for the National Guard's nationwide COVID-19 response missions has been extended into December. While there are Ohio National Guard units transitioning out of the food bank mission in order to return to civilian and military obligations, new units are being brought in to continue providing assistance at all 14 locations throughout the state.
"The length and scope of this mission has been unprecedented for the National Guard, and our work is not finished yet. I am proud of the efforts of every soldier and Airman who has stepped up when their state needed them," said Army Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general. "The Ohio National Guard has not only significantly increased the productivity of food banks across the state during the pandemic, but our members have also made long-lasting and personal friendships with their food bank partners."
Since mid-March, the guard has packed more than 43 million pounds of food and has distributed more than 50 million pounds of food, as well as assisted in providing more than 700,000 meals to citizens in need throughout the state.
"For the past six months, an extraordinary group of men and women has sacrificed each day to serve their neighbors and friends struggling to access and afford food amid the pandemic," said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director, Ohio Association of Foodbanks. "We are so deeply thankful that the Ohio National Guard will extend its support of this mission for the next three months as we plan together for what's to come in 2021."
Army Col. David Rhoads leads the joint task force headquarters that provides management and oversight to all Ohio National Guard and State Defense Force (which includes the Ohio Military Reserve) support requested through the governor's office.
"We have a team of professionals from communities throughout the state who come with a diverse set of skills to include medical and logistics," Rhoads said. "It is our privilege to be able to continue to serve the citizens of Ohio, and we are prepared to answer the call at a moment's notice should more assistance be needed."
In addition to the food bank mission, the guard is also assisting with community pop-up COVID-19 test sample collections, courier services to transport sample collections to laboratories, personal protective equipment warehousing and logistics and quick response medical teams for temporary assistance at nursing facilities. Previous missions have included collaborating with regional partners to identify and develop alternate care sites to expand medical capacity, and providing medical and operational support at state and federal prisons.
(Stephanie Beougher is assigned to the Ohio National Guard)
Sailors Receive Joint Service Achievement Medal for COVID-19 Efforts
Sept. 28, 2020 |
Sailors with the Force Surgeon's Office, G-10 Division, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, received the Joint Service Achievement Medal for their COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts in a ceremony at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Sept. 3, 2020.
Four sailors received the award for their sustained acts of meritorious service within a joint duty capacity: Navy Lt. Robert G. Miller, medical planner; Navy Lt. Cmdr. Noah Apusen, medical planner; Navy Lt. Joseph Cantwell, medical planner; and Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael J. Strong, administration chief.
"Due to restrictions from the novel coronavirus disease [COVID-19], personnel in the section went from eleven to six," Ms. Elizabeth Colina, deputy force surgeon with MARFORPAC, said. "The team still provided extensive support like any frontline."
Despite restrictions, the awardees continued their daily duties, in addition to requesting a Panther Fusion COVID-19 testing machine and providing personal protective equipment requirements input to the G-4, supply and logistics.
"As a whole, we all agree on this," Strong said. "It was a great experience to witness all of the medical planners come together as a group and work through problem sets outside of our comfort zone. We got comfortable being uncomfortable."
Indo-Pacific Command and MARFORPAC aim to continue recognizing the accomplishments of deserving sailors, according to Colina.
At the ceremony's conclusion, Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Frank Dominguez, the command master chief for MARFORPAC, praised the staff's actions.
According to Dominguez, the work done by Miller, Apusen, Cantwell and Strong ensured a highly efficient and effective response to the COVID-19 global health emergency, and their efforts positively impacted the lives of service members within the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and MARFORPAC areas of responsibility.
"The award recipients kept the commander up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 statistics and requested a [COVID-19 testing machine]," Dominguez said. "They worked collaboratively and tirelessly with INDOPACOM Health Services."
(Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Sasha Pierre-Louis is assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific).
Friday, September 25, 2020
Defense Security Cooperation University Hits One-Year Milestone With Great Success
Sept. 25, 2020
|
, DOD News
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency opened the Defense Security
Cooperation University in September 2019 as part of an effort to
professionalize the SC workforce and to serve as the Department of
Defense's Center of Excellence for the SC community.
A year later, the DSCU is well on its way to meeting the goals it set when it first opened its doors, DSCU President Cara Abercrombie, the school's first and current president, said.
She said despite the obstacles placed in their way by the COVID-19 pandemic, their workforce and university should be proud of what they have achieved together after just a year.
Security cooperation involves all the DOD interactions, programs and activities done with foreign security forces and their institutions. This includes exercises, armaments cooperation, information sharing, collaboration, foreign military sales, ministry advising and humanitarian assistance. Across the Defense Department, about 20,000 personnel are involved in facilitating these activities.
The DSCU, which has campuses in Arlington, Virginia, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was set up to, among other things, provide that workforce with the training they need to excel in their careers, accountability for maintaining standards of ethics and integrity in the work they do, a common body of knowledge based on research and experience, and avenues for continuous intellectual and professional development.
Early on, Abercrombie said, goals were set for workforce development. For instance, each of the 20,000 employees in the SC workforce is responsible for attaining at least a basic-level certification in one of five SC areas of concentration.
Areas of concentration include SC Case Lifecycle Management; Execution Support Management; Planning, Oversite and Execution Management; SC Office Operations and Management; and Acquisition Management.[WJJCDNS(1] Certification levels include basic, intermediate, advanced.
In January, the DSCA set a deadline for employees to complete certification. Abercrombie said 2020 was a "transition year," for meeting that goal, but by January 2021, participation in that certification effort becomes mandatory.
To date, 26 new basic- and intermediate-level courses have been developed by DSCU to provide members of the SC community with the knowledge needed for their professional development.
Already, more than 25,000 discrete courses have been completed by SC members, over 13,000 personnel are in progress toward certification, over 2,000 personnel have completed their basic-level certification, and over 500 are certified at the highest level required for their position.
For SC community members, certification at the most basic level was always going to be virtual, Abercrombie said. But for certification at other levels, and for many other courses the school has available, school leaders expected that students would attend courses in residence at one of its two campuses.
Social distancing requirements changed those expectations.
"The COVID-19 pandemic required us to adapt to a new reality that has demanded extreme flexibility," Abercrombie said. "The SC workforce has risen to this challenge and excelled."
As a result of COVID-19, the school rapidly adjusted expectations and training efforts to accommodate the pandemic and keep SC community members learning. For instance, 20 of the courses the school teaches were rapidly transitioned to virtual experiences as a result of the pandemic. Additionally, the school converted all DSCU executive education courses to be completely online so that SC community members across the globe could attend schooling.
At the one-year mark for DSCU, Abercrombie said the school has accomplished a lot — especially in light of the unexpected burden of COVID-19. But the education of SC community members, she said, must continue unabated.
"Though we have accomplished much, there is still much to do. DSCU's first year has been highlighted by standing up the university, initiating the transition year of the SC Workforce Development Program and adjusting to a completely virtual environment," Abercrombie said. "Now we need to focus on the strategic and more difficult goals of advancing SC as a profession and further strengthening our curriculum and knowledge base while continuing to support those within our SC workforce as they move towards mandatory certification next January."
Testing Site
Members of the Michigan Air National Guard work at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Sturgis, Mich., Sept. 22, 2020. The Michigan National Guard has partnered with a variety of state agencies to provide free coronavirus tests to Michigan residents.
Coronavirus Testing
A Michigan Air National Guardsman administers a COVID-19 test at a drive-thru testing site in Sturgis, Mich., Sept. 22, 2020. The Michigan National Guard has partnered with a variety of state agencies to provide free coronavirus tests to Michigan residents.
General Officer Announcement
Sept. 25, 2020
Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper announced today that the president has made the following nomination:
Air Force Col. Sean K. Tyler for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Tyler is currently serving as the deputy director, Resource Integration, deputy chief of staff, Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
Aerial Fire
Marine Corps Sgt. Nicholas Luber fires a machine gun during a training flight over Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., Sept. 4, 2020.
Broaching Drills
Army National Guardsmen practice broaching drills on an inflatable boat in Cullaby Lake near Warrenton, Ore., Aug. 16, 2020.
Night Watch
A Marine stands watch during a simulated embassy reinforcement exercise in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 13, 2020.
Seahawk Transport
A Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter prepares to transport stores from the USNS John Ericsson to the USS Germantown during a replenishment in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 24, 2020.
Shipyard Spritz
A dock worker cleans the anchor chain of the USS Mount Whitney as the command and control ship undergoes a regularly scheduled overhaul at the San Giorgio Del Porto shipyard in Genoa, Italy, Sept. 24, 2020.
Puppy Love
Coast Guard Adm. Karl Schultz, the commandant of the Coast Guard, pets Bingo, a German shorthaired pointer, in San Diego, Sept. 10, 2020.
Amphibious Ops
An air-cushioned landing craft attached to the USS Germantown conducts amphibious operations off Blue Beach in Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 19, 2020.
Reaper Mission
Valiant Shield
From left: the USNS Charles Drew, the USS Comstock, the USS Shiloh, the USS New Orleans, the USS Chicago, the USS America, the USS Ronald Reagan, the USNS John Ericsson, the USS Antietam, the USS Germantown and the USNS Sacagawea sail in formation with Navy and Air Force aircraft during Valiant Shield in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 25, 2020. The exercise is designed to focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces.
Generator Work
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Sylandy Wright performs maintenance on a generator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Sept. 22, 2020.
Navy to Commission Guided Missile Destroyer Delbert D. Black
Sept. 25, 2020
The U.S. Navy will commission the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, in Port Canaveral, Florida.
Due to public health and safety concerns related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the commissioning is a private event, rather than the traditional public commissioning ceremony.
The ceremony’s principal speaker is Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russel L. Smith.
“Commissioning a ship after the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy is an honor without equal. The Navy has always been and will always be indelibly influenced by the leadership of our senior enlisted sailors epitomized by Delbert Black,” said Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite. “They are the ones who teach both our junior enlisted as well as our junior officers what it means to lead. They lay the keel by which the Navy operates and as such this ship named for one of the most influential master chiefs ever to wear three stars will be a visible reminder of their importance to our Navy. As MCPON, Master Chief Black fought for increased sea-pay, family support programs, expanded uniform guidance and a host of other issues that improved the quality of life of not only junior enlisted, but all sailors and officers. By making life better for sailors, he made our Navy stronger for us all. This ship will undoubtedly continue on his great legacy of service above self.”
USS Delbert D. Black is named for the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, the highest possible enlisted rank and the enlisted representative to the Chief of Naval Operations. Established by the Navy in 1967, Black oversaw the establishment of the senior enlisted advisor position, which eventually became known as Command Master Chief. Black was the first Navy enlisted man to receive the Distinguished Service Medal. Upon retirement from active duty, Black continued his involvement with the Navy through retired and active duty organizations. He still serves as an enduring example for the Chief’s Mess, with his service, character and performance demonstrating the highest ideals of a Navy chief petty officer in the world’s finest Navy.
Mrs. Ima Black, MCPON Delbert D. Black’s widow and a former sailor, will serve as the ship’s sponsor. Mrs. Black served during World War II in the Navy WAVES - Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. During the time-honored ceremony, Mrs. Black will give the first order to “man our ship and bring her to life.”
Built by Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Delbert D. Black is the 68th Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer to be delivered to the Navy and the first to bear his name. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet. These highly capable, multi-mission ships conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence to national security.
Following commissioning, USS Delbert D. Black will be homeported in Mayport, Florida, with sister ships USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) and USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117).
The event will be livestreamed to offer maximum viewing by the general public at https://allhands.navy.mil/Live-Stream.
Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342. Additional information about guided missile destroyers is available online at http://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2169871/destroyers-ddg/.
For more news from Naval Surface Forces, visit www.dvidshub.net/unit/COMNAVSURFPAC and www.public.navy.mil/surfor/.
Additional information about MCPON Delbert D. Black can be found online at: https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/people/master-chief-petty-officers/black-bio.html and https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/people/master-chief-petty-officers/black-bio/black.html.
Leg Lift
Marines participate in a physical training session during an advanced infantry Marine preparatory course in Bardufoss, Norway, Sept. 18, 2020.
Prototype Patrol
Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Rodiguez patrols with a Ghost Robotics Vision 60 prototype during the Advanced Battle Management System exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Sept. 3, 2020.
Army North's New Senior Enlisted Advisor Reflects on COVID-19 Response
Sept. 25, 2020 |
Army Command Sgt. Maj. Phil K. Barretto, the new senior enlisted advisor for U.S. Army North, arrived at Joint Base San Antonio in July from South Korea, where he served as the 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Division command sergeant major.
The new addition to the Strength of the Nation team looks forward to supporting homeland defense and civil authorities, while also securing initiatives to defend America.
Upon his arrival, Barretto hit the ground running, visiting San Antonio medical centers where Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force members are providing support during the local COVID-19 surge.
"My first impression was the amazing medical teams I encountered on the ground," he said. "Right off the bat, I could see that they are caring professionals who work tirelessly every day to save lives throughout our communities."
As U.S. Northern Command's designated lead component to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the support that U.S. Army North provides both locally and across the country is intended to relieve the pressure on the country's overwhelmed civilian medical facilities.
"We work hand-in-hand to support our lead federal agencies in all responses, [including] COVID-19," Barretto said. "Coming from Korea, it's been an eye-opening experience to see firsthand how federal agencies respond to national-level crises."
Barretto is thankful to the joint-service men and women assigned to U.S. Army North who have answered the call during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I am both proud and thankful for their efforts," he said. "Every single day, these men and women are putting on gear and facing one of the greatest challenges our nation has seen in a long time."
Part of U.S. Army North's mission is to remain continuously prepared to support those in need during homeland disasters or emergencies.
"As the Joint Force Land Component Command to U.S. Northern Command, we have to be ready at any time," Barretto said. "This response has sharpened our knife. As a learning organization, we are always looking for ways to improve based on lessons we learn from each response."
The command sergeant major looks forward to continuing his support of the dedicated soldiers of U.S. Army North during his tenure.
"This is a very challenging organization. I have never seen anything like this in my military career," Barretto said. "But I am so proud to lead an organization that works tirelessly to serve our nation and defend the homeland."
Barretto, an Aiea, Hawaii, native, served previously as the commandant of the Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Fort Drum, New York, and as command sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment.
(Lori Bultman is assigned to the 502nd Air Base Wing)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
