USS Anchorage Holds Change of Command

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Dickinson, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3 Public Affairs

GULF OF ADEN (NNS) -- Capt. J.J. Cummings relieved Capt. Michael McKenna as commanding officer aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) during a change of command ceremony Sept. 3.

This change of command was special for Capt. McKenna because it was his last. He retired after 26 years of service in the U.S. Navy.

"It has been an amazing week, you guys are really lucky to have a talented, energetic and awesome leader," said McKenna. "I know Capt. Cummings and his wife Sarah are going to do a fantastic job here, and I'm very honored to be turning this command over to him."

McKenna, from Missoula, Montana, has more than 3,200 flight hours and 540 arrested landings. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Individual Air Medal (with Combat V), Strike Flight Air Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal (with Combat V).

"I'll leave you with a quote, it's a pretty straight-forward quote, I'm a pretty straight-forward person. It's by Theodore Roosevelt, and I think it really captures why I'm here and why I do what I do," said McKenna. "'There is no greater reward than working hard at a job worth doing.' What we do, the sacrifices we make for our country, it's worth it."

Cummings, a native of Sharon, Massachusetts, attended Aviation Officer Candidate School in November of 1991, earned his pilot wings in October 1993 and completed Fleet Replacement training in the F-14/A Tomcat in June 1995.

"Capt. McKenna, I would like to thank you for the past year, the past week in particular for getting me up to speed with this job," said Cummings. "Without a doubt any future success this ship has is a direct result of the work that Capt. McKenna and the crew have done over the past year."

Capt. Cummings' fleet tours flying the F-14 were with the VF-24 "Fighting Renegades" and VF-211 "Checkmates" aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). After transitioning to the F/A-18F Super Hornet in 2007, he served as executive and commanding officer of VFA-11, the "Red Rippers", aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Ashore, Capt. Cummings served as an F-14 instructor pilot with the VF-101 "Grim Reapers," where he graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapon School (TOPGUN) as a strike fighter tactics instructor. He recently served as the executive officer of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) from May 2013 to May 2015.

"For the crew, it's a complete honor and privilege to be your commanding officer," said Cummings, "I will make the most of this opportunity and work very hard every day to make sure you are the best trained, and most professional Sailors on the planet."

Anchorage, part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, and with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Welcomes New Commander

From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT)/U.S. 5th Fleet (C5F)/Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) held a change-of-command ceremony aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), in port here Sept. 3.

Vice Adm. Kevin M. Donegan relieved Vice Adm. John W. Miller as commander of naval forces in the central command area of responsibility.

Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of U.S. Central Command, said in his remarks that during Miller's tenure, the region has seen tremendous change and new challenges, including the start of combat operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

"Over the past several years, we've thrown a significant number of challenges his way, and he took each challenge in stride and he made sure that the right things were done to manage the various crises and to help move this strategically important region into the direction of increased stability and security," said Austin.

Turning to Miller, he said, "You have done an absolutely amazing job."

Miller assumed command in May 2012. On any given day, he led more than 15,000 U.S. and coalition Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civilians ensuring maritime security and stability throughout 2.5 million square miles of area including the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean, and in 20 countries.

"The contributions made by the U.S. and our coalition partners have been vital to security and stability in this region and the world," said Miller. "Our presence here as we operate forward keeping the sea lanes open and safe is essential not only for the global economy, but also for the goods and services vital to our regional partners here in the Middle East."

During the ceremony, Miller was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Donegan comes to NAVCENT following his most recent tour as the acting deputy chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy. His previous flag assignments include serving as the director of operations for U.S. Central Command and director of Strategy and Policy on the Navy staff. He also commanded Battle Force 7th Fleet and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73), and commanded the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). He also served at the Pentagon as director of the Navy Quadrennial Defense Review, and director of Warfare Integration.

Donegan reiterated the United States' commitment to maritime security in the region along with pledging to strengthen existing relationships and foster new partnerships throughout the region.

"Enhancing maritime security in the region and strengthening relationships will be front and center on my agenda," Donegan said.

He then praised the Sailors serving in the U.S. 5th Fleet, saying, "I fully appreciate the sacrifices our Sailors and their families make serving so far from home", and that he is, "humbled by the opportunity to join such a talented team of leaders and professionals."

"For our friends and partners here in the region, our presence here far from home is a constant and visible assurance that our country takes its commitments seriously and that we are here to stay," said Donegan.

Face of Defense: Air Force Pilot Chases Olympic Dreams

By Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury DoD News Features, Defense Media Activity

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan., September 4, 2015 — It's early morning and the sun is bright and warm but the air is still cool. Sitting on the maroon-colored track, he slides his bright red running shoes onto his feet, grabbing each lace and tying a knot. After preparation, he begins his workout.

Air Force Capt. Daniel Castle, a 349th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, is one of five airmen selected from throughout the Air Force to participate in the World Class Athlete Program, which allows service members of all branches to train as their primary duty.

Castle will spend the next year training to run the men’s 1,500-meter in the 2016 Olympics.

Olympic Dreams

Competing for a spot on an Olympic team is one of Castle’s lifelong dreams, he said.

Castle will be heading back to his alma mater, the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to train at the U.S. Olympic Complex with his former coach. Juli Benson, an academy cross country head coach and track and field assistant coach, specializes in middle and distance runners.

Over the next year, Castle will run nine to 10 times a week, an hour to an hour and a half at a time, totaling 70 to 80 miles each week. He will combine long runs ranging from 15-18 miles, shorter four- to five-mile runs at his aerobic threshold and sprints of 200 to 400 meters with weightlifting three to four times a week.

More Than a Friendly Competition

Running has been a part of Castle’s daily routine for several years now. Even with the hectic duty day of a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, he made sure he ran each day. He often ran during lunch breaks or at 10 and 11 p.m. if the day didn't flex to his schedule.

His highly competitive running career started in college. His senior year, he set the academy record and placed 15th in the NCAA and 20th in the U.S.

Running is more than just a friendly competition, he said.

"Running is something I'm very passionate about, not only for the chance to compete," Castle said. "It's my conduit to decompress from all the stresses in life and I believe in being world class by pushing myself to do the best in everything that I do."

After graduating college, he didn't slow down. Within a year, he completed his master's degree while running 40 to 60 miles each week.

Air Force Core Values

"Determination, the idea of chasing dreams and the Air Force core values have built Castle into the airman he is today," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Shalamar Coleman, the 22nd Mission Support Group noncommissioned officer in charge of group administration.

The Olympics are a year away, but in the meantime, Castle will represent the U.S. this October in Mungyeong, Korea, at the 6th CISM World Military Games, an international military competition held every four years.

Aside from his goals as a runner, Castle said he plans to continue his Air Force career by becoming an instructor at the academy so he can inspire younger airmen to chase their dreams.

"I would love to be able to teach and mentor the next generation of Air Force officers," Castle said. "[I want] to fuel the fire of living passionately."

His drive and desire to improve himself and others comes from his beliefs in the Air Force core values, he said.

'"Excellence in all we do.' I really believe in that," Castle said. "I believe that it is the foundation to a life that is worth living, which has helped drive me to continue running despite five deployments [and] many temporary duty assignments. ... Making time to work out and run every day under the foundation of excellence is what has allowed me this chance, six years later."