Fellowship Breakfast Gives GW Sailors Peace of Mind (+ other recent Navy news)

Fellowship Breakfast Gives GW Sailors Peace of Mind

Story Number: NNS040517-02
Release Date: 5/17/2004 9:59:00 AM

By Journalist Seaman Kary Favell, USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- The Command Religious Ministries Department aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) held a breakfast May 14 in observance of the National Day of Prayer. The day gave Sailors a chance to unwind from their heavy mission loads, and reflect on their blessings in a celebration that dates back 52 years.

Observed every first Thursday in May, it has become increasingly popular throughout the United States.

“It’s great to be under way, performing our mission to recognize Sailors who are willing to pause for a moment to come together and pray,” said Lt. Charles Rowley, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7’s command chaplain and an event coordinator.

The National Day of Prayer was established in 1952 by President Harry S. Truman, and since then, prayer breakfasts have become a popular way of promoting spiritual well-being and focusing on America’s spiritual heritage.

“It’s a great way to get Sailors together to share in fellowship,” Rowley said. “We were able to bring all faith groups together to join their hearts and spirits in this opportunity to pray.”

Hearty eating was just the beginning. About 100 Sailors enjoyed spiritual nourishment through prayers for fellow military members, national and international leaders, friends and family. They also enjoyed musical entertainment from Washington’s Christian Fellowship Choir, and even a group sing-along.

“I think the breakfast was a really good way to give thanks for all of the blessings we have,” said Torpedoman's Mate 3rd Class Carlos Hankinlopez. “It was a great way to start my day.”

Rowley was happy with the turnout and said the breakfast was a great success.

“The breakfast was outstanding. We had such great participation from a lot of folks who were willing to give up their free time. We really appreciate all the hard work from everyone involved with the National Day of Prayer breakfast,” Rowley said. “The participants were committed to the cause and understood the significance of the event."

For related news, visit the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn73.

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Coronado, Cowpens Take Part in Shimoda Black Ship Festival
SHIMODA, Japan (NNS) -- The U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Coronado (AGF 11) and USS Cowpens (CG 63) completed an historic port visit here May 14-16 to commemorate the 65th Shimoda Black Ship Festival.

Sailors from both ships took part in a host of activities, including concerts, parades and fireworks, marking the 150th anniversary of the opening of Shimoda port by the U.S. naval fleet led by Commodore Matthew Perry.

“Shimoda is the door through which modern Japan opened ...

New TRICARE Contract Starts in Puerto Rico
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- A new TRICARE contract provides continued health care services to military members in Puerto Rico Effective May 1.

The new contract offers medical benefits to those affected by the area’s naval hospital closure Jan. 31.

"This contract is designed to provide all of our active-duty members and their families with continuous access to health care services," said Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. "We ...

President Nominates New Navy Surgeon General
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Read Adm. Donald Arthur, commander, National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) Bethesda, Md., said May 5 that he is honored by the President’s nomination to become the next Surgeon General of the Navy.

His nomination was announced May 5 by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

Pending Congressional confirmation, Arthur will be appointed to the grade of vice admiral and assume his new position in Washington this summer....

Medical Education Goes Online
BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- Naval Medicine leaders unveiled the Basic Medical Department Officers Course (BMDOC), available via Navy Knowledge Online (NKO), May 1.

Accessed through Navy eLearning on NKO, the BMDOC consists of 15-20 hours of coursework that introduces the business and operational aspects of Naval Medicine’s role in delivering force health protection.

The Naval Medical Education and Training Command (NMETC) developed BMDOC for all Naval Medical Dep...

Groups Arrange Foster Care for Military Pets
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Deploying overseas means leaving friends and loved ones behind. For service members with no one to take care of their beloved dog, cat, bird or other pet, it once meant also having to abandon or turn the pet over to a shelter - never to see it again.

Thanks to two nonprofit groups - the Military Pets Foster Project and Operation Noble Foster - service members can now arrange foster care for their pets while they're gone.

The Military Pets Foster...

USS Columbia Returns from Surge Deployment to Western Pacific
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Following a three month surge deployment to the Western Pacific, the crew members of USS Columbia (SSN 771) returned to their homeport of Pearl Harbor May 10.

According to the nuclear-powered attack submarine’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. Duane Ashton, the Sailors did a great job on their short fused deployment.

“The surge deployment went very well. The crew was able to turn the ship around from a previous deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and...

CNO Thanks NROTC Programs For Creating Future Leaders
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) programs around the nation are creating superb naval officers to lead the Navy Marine Corps team in the 21st century, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Vern Clark said during his May 8 address at the Hampton Roads NROTC commissioning cer...

E-4 to E-6 Advancement Remains Steady
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Sailors taking the March exams for advancement to petty officer 1st class, 2nd class and 3rd class will find the overall advancement opportunity holding steady with previous advancement cycles.

The Navy will promote more than 23,000 Sailors who passed the March advancement ex...

Navy Surgeon General Tours Japan
YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- U.S. Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Michael L. Cowan toured hospital and dental facilities in Japan in the first week of May, including U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka, U.S. Naval Dental Center Far East, and Branch medical and dental clinics Atsugi.

Cowan also spoke about Naval...

Nurse Corps Celebrates 96 Years of Service to Navy
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Nearly 5,000 active-duty and Reservist Navy nurses will celebrate the Nurse Corps’ 96th anniversary May 13.

This anniversary marks a time of change within Naval Medicine as it realigns resources--both personnel and equipment--to better support Sailors and Marines. Naval...

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Official U.S. Navy file photo of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the Navy's newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Following a five-month post shakedown availability, Reagan received its second flight deck certification May 8.

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USS Ronald Reagan Certified Battle Ready
Story Number: NNS040512-07
Release Date: 5/12/2004 9:36:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class Shane Tuck, USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

ABOARD USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- After a five-month post shakedown availability (PSA), crew members of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) made the grade when the ship received its second flight deck certification May 8.

The certification was completed during the ship’s first under way since its maiden port visit to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in November.

With the ship’s air department outfitted and seven squadrons aboard to assist, the only hurdles were the Commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNAP) inspectors.

Certifications began Wednesday and ended Saturday, when CNAP inspectors passed the ship with flying colors.

“We did an outstanding job,” said Cmdr. Will Cooney, air department air boss. “Great leadership in key positions kept all cylinders running smoothly.”

According to Cooney, flight deck certification encompassed all flight operations, not just launching and recovering aircraft. Safety, crash and salvage, fuel certifications and training were some of the many procedures needing qualifications.

Many Sailors who participated in the certification are new to the command and were in need of hands-on training.

“Although we have a lot of young Sailors, they train extremely hard to ensure they’re the best,” said Cooney. “We have a lot of talent in the air department.”

Cooney deemed this certification’s flying schedule more aggressive than the first.

“We launched 150 aircraft the first day, and night operations ran until 2 a.m.,” said Cooney. “It was terrific to have all of our guys doing what they spent so much time training on during PSA.”

According to Cooney, approximately 1,500 Sailors, comprised of the ship’s air department and seven squadrons aboard, displayed seamless teamwork to accomplish their goal.

“Once all hands involved were coordinated, the teamwork was massive,” said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Eric Thibodeaux. “This is the finest department I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Cooney said the team’s main ingredients for success were focus and training.

“With the cooperation of the air wing and all participating departments, this evolution was executed very well,” said Cooney. “Anytime someone from CNAP comes and says you’re doing a great job, it’s a proud moment.”

For related news, visit the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn76.

~ http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=13244

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