---------------------------------------------------------------- The United States Navy on the World Wide Web A service of the Navy Office of Information, Washington DC send feedback/questions to comments@chinfo.navy.mil The United States Navy web site is found on the Internet at http://www.navy.mil ---------------------------------------------------------------- NavNews for Friday, December 20, 2002 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Did you know? The first "issue" of All Hands was printed as the Bureau of Navigation News Bulletin No. 1 (dated Aug. 30, 1922). Twenty years later, the title was changed to Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin. As America claimed "Victory in Europe" on the cover of June 1945, the magazine's new banner read, All Hands, and the name stuck. This first issue, along with many others, is now available online at http://www.news.navy.mil/allhands.asp. By early Jan. 2003, all 80 years of All Hands will be available on the Navy NewsStand. NNS021218-19. VFW, Navy MWR and NEXCOM Help Sailors Phone Home -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5129 NNS021219-02. Third Fleet Orchestrates Largest Navy Force Protection Exercise -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5123 NNS021218-16. New Year Brings Good News for Sailors with Childcare Needs -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5100 NNS021218-18. USS George Washington Battle Group Returns Home -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5087 NNS021219-01. Hawk Warriors Meet ESWS/EAWS Challenge -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5020 NNS021218-26. Submarine Sailors Get Games From Game Industry -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5115 NNS021218-24. USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors Get the "Right Spirit" -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5107 NNS021218-23. Pearl Harbor Reunion of a Different Sort -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5093 NNS021218-17. Constellation Underway With Help From Skinny Dragons -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5096 NNS021219-05. Navy Marine Corps News for the Week of Dec. 23 - 29, 2002 -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5136 NNS021219-04. Daily News Update for Dec. 19, 2002 -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=5145 NNS011212-08. This Day in Naval History - Dec. 20 -- http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=324 Eye on the Fleet - U.S. Navy Photo of The Day -- http://www.news.navy.mil/list_single.asp?id=3779 -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS021218-19. VFW, Navy MWR and NEXCOM Help Sailors Phone Home By Ingrid Mueller, Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation Public Affairs MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Ladies Auxiliary VFW, Navy's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Division and the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) are providing Sailors worldwide with free calling cards this holiday season. Through "Operation Uplink," the VFW is providing 200,000 free 60-unit prepaid telephone calling cards to service members based or deployed overseas. Navy MWR has taken the lead on Navywide distribution of the VFW calling cards, ensuring all of the Navy's deployable forces and Sailors assigned overseas receive a card. "We are proud to help VFW with distribution of their phone cards. The cards will be mailed to the attention of the command master chief or senior enlisted advisor at each command to help ensure that no Sailor will be overlooked," explained Bill Winters, head of the Special Projects and Programs Section for Navy MWR. "Our target is to put the cards in the hands of Sailors during the holiday period," he said. Running parallel with VFW's Operation Uplink calling card initiative, Navy MWR, through a commercial sponsorship agreement with AT&T, is providing 15-minute prepaid "Homeland" calling cards to Sailors assigned to the continental United States. "We are thankful for AT&T's continued support of our Sailors and their families through the commercial sponsorship program," said Winters. In addition, NEXCOM, in conjunction with AT&T, is providing $20 calling cards to Sailors and Marines deployed (at sea) aboard U.S. Navy ships with AT&T Ocean Service phones. "Sailors and their families make tremendous sacrifices. As Navy MWR professionals, we need to do whatever we can to provide them with programs and services that will have a positive impact on their ability to do their mission," emphasized Winters. "Providing Sailors with the phone cards so they can call loved ones is a way we can impact readiness, and say 'thank you' for serving our country. Bottom line is, 'mission first, Sailors always,'" he said. For related news, visit the Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/navymwr. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS021219-02. Third Fleet Orchestrates Largest Navy Force Protection Exercise By Journalist 2nd Class McClain Shewman, 3rd Fleet Public Affairs SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The bridge of USS Oldendorf (DD 972) was filled with commotion as orders and information were passed during a recent Force Protection Exercise (FPEX). An integral portion of the exercise was set at Pier 8 on Naval Station (NAVSTA) San Diego, where a slew of scenarios took place. Oldendorf was the central hub of information for the pier. The purpose of an FPEX is to test deployable ships for the possibility of a real-world attack. A number of random injects, ranging from unidentified small boats speeding around the harbor to unidentified protestors assailing the pier gate, were part of the Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT)-managed FPEX. It was the Navy's largest FPEX to date. "It was the largest because it encompassed three different areas. It required excellent command and control and communications amongst the battle group participants," said Capt. Bob Rochfort, COMTHIRDFLT force protection training officer. This FPEX included seven ships and more than 5,000 Sailors participating in exercises in San Diego, Bremerton, Wash., and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. "We do these exercises to assess the ship's posture of readiness to go overseas. But also, from a larger standpoint, (we do this) to test command and control within the battle group itself. That's an important factor," said Rochfort. "When we do assess them, we're able to view potential vulnerabilities the ships have in time to get them fixed before they hit a [foreign] port." The scenarios? Four Navy ships were moored at a pier in a foreign nation. That nation's patrol boats and security force recently went on strike, leaving the U.S. ships to fend for themselves in unfamiliar territory. "This force protection training is in response to terrorist actions that have actually happened and killed dozens of Sailors over the last 10 years - going back to the mines against USS Princeton (CG 59) and USS Iwo Jima (LPH 2), and the attack against USS Cole (DDG 67)," said Cmdr. Chuck Gaouette, commanding officer (CO) of Oldendorf and Pier 8 senior officer present afloat (SOPA). "This is the real war. Everything else is a possible war, but this is response to a real war that we're actually fighting now. This should be the area that we're best at." As the Pier 8 SOPA, Gaouette's job was to coordinate all the resources of the ships located on the same pier. USS Benfold (DDG 65), USS Rushmore (LSD 47), USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and Oldendorf all shared the same goal during this intense three-day exercise. They worked together as a team to combat the situations thrown at them. Spanning the exercise across three days afforded the COMTHIRDFLT FPEX team to test every Sailor on the participating ships, ensuring a thoroughly trained battle group. "Ships have daily duty sections, but when a small boat or an aircraft threatens the ship, you don't just respond with the duty section," said Gaouette. "You respond with everybody from the CO down. Throwing a lot of manpower at it seems to be part of the learning curve." With quality training in hand and a fundamental knowledge base to build on, our deployable Sailors now have the experience to deal with any contingency. "At best, this training will keep our Sailors from having to respond to a serious threat because ultimately, we're training them to solve these situations before they escalate. The safety of our Sailors is paramount and that's why we do these exercises," said Rochfort. For related news, visit the Commander, 3rd Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c3f. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS021218-16. New Year Brings Good News for Sailors with Childcare Needs By Ingrid Mueller, Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation Communications Group MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -- The new year will bring plenty of good news for Sailors with childcare needs. With Jan. 1 looming, the Navy is promising parents increased accessibility to childcare facilities and assistance in understanding how and what their children are learning at daycare. At the same time, the Navy has decided not to increase childcare fees in 2003. "The Navy is freezing the price of childcare at the 2002 rate for another year, so Sailors and their families will not see an increase in weekly childcare fees. This will help address the childcare affordability issue for our junior Sailors, which was one of the issues brought forward by Navy families during the Family Team Summit," explained Sharon Peterson, the head of the Community Support Branch for the Navy's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Division. MWR is responsible for the Navy's Child Development Programs. More than 200 Navy service members and their families gathered at the first Navy Family Team Summit last August to share their ideas and experiences, along with discussing areas of possible improvement in the lives of Sailors. Childcare fees was one of the hottest issues debated. There will be one exception to the price freeze, however. "Navy bases that were charging the minimum fee in 2002 will have to (charge) at least at the DoD minimum fee for 2003, which has increased slightly," Peterson said. "We don't believe that will affect very many, if any, of our Sailors." Some Sailors may also have some extra money in their pockets next year thanks to the expansion of the Category I total family income range, which determines the weekly childcare fee range. Those who fall in Category I pay the lowest fees for childcare. Category I, which currently includes Sailors with a total family income of $23,000 or less, will be expanded to $28,000. These changes will have a positive effect on some of the Navy's most junior Sailors. For example, a Sailor who has a total family income of $24,000 currently falls in Category II and pays $69.50 weekly for childcare in the Mid-Atlantic Region. In 2003, the same Sailor will drop down to Category I and pay only $57.50 a week. When totaled, that Sailor will save $624 per year in childcare fees (savings of $12 per week for 52 weeks). The DoD establishes the income categories and fee ranges. The Navy will implement the income category changes on or before Feb. 14. In addition, the childcare fees that a Sailor pays, which is based on total family income, will be determined using the December 2002 Leave and Earnings Statement. This will ensure the January 2003 military pay raise will not result in increased childcare fees for Sailors who will move to a higher income category. The Navy is committed to providing quality child development programs for Sailors and their families. Now, MWR professionals are working hard to increase the accessibility of high-quality childcare. Beginning in 2003, the Navy will offer expanded childcare on a regular basis at two test sites in Navy Region Mid-Atlantic and Navy Region Hawaii to address a need for increased accessibility to childcare. An additional test site overseas is also being explored and will be determined at a later date. "The goal is to help address the needs of two-career couples, single parents, shift workers and others by providing access to round-the-clock childcare in a home-like atmosphere," explained Peterson. "Sailors will be offered two options for guaranteed expanded-hours childcare." The first option is through certified Child Development Home (CDH) providers. These providers will be paid an additional subsidy to provide guaranteed expanded hours childcare at the test sites. In the CDH program, one adult provider offers care in on-base government housing or off-base civilian housing. CDH providers receive the same high-level training and background screenings as Child Development Center (CDC) caregivers. Providers also receive unannounced monthly inspections and training visits on a regular basis. The CDH program is a cost-effective way of expanding a command's childcare capacity and helps meet the needs of parents with infants, toddlers, school age children and children with special needs. The second option will be offered in a Navy Child Development Group Home (CDGH) setting. Navy CDGHs were authorized in January 2002 as a new alternative to increase the availability of quality, affordable childcare. CDGHs can be implemented in either on-base government-owned or leased housing, or in off-base civilian housing. CDGHs are small, home-like and conveniently located. At the same time, they provide more adults to supervise children and give children the opportunity to socialize in larger groups. CDGHs have a minimum of two providers for up to 12 children. Navy MWR professionals are also helping parents understand how and what children are learning. "The Navy has an established, solid child development program that uses Emergent Curriculum, which is a systematic teaching approach that begins with observing children in their creative play. The curriculum is based on standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)," explained Dr. Gwen Boyd, head of the Navy's Child Development Section. The Navy's MWR professionals continue to develop forward-moving programs and services to help meet the needs of our Sailors and their families, today and tomorrow. "Parents who attended the Family Team Summit and Sailors we interviewed in focus groups indicated to us that affordable, quality childcare is their number one quality of life issue, and that it had a major impact on their readiness and ability to do their mission. They also indicated that childcare was a very important factor in their decision to stay Navy," emphasized Dr. Boyd. "That's why we work so very hard to take good care of their children - so Sailors can take care of the Navy." For more news from around the fleet, go to the Navy NewsStand Web page at www.news.navy.mil. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS021218-18. USS George Washington Battle Group Returns Home From Second Fleet Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- More than 7,500 Sailors and Marines assigned to the ships and squadrons of the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Aircraft Carrier Battle Group (CVBG) will return to Norfolk this week, completing a six-month combat deployment in the Arabian Gulf, in addition to operations in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. On Dec. 20, returning units include USS George Washington; Commander, Destroyer Squadron Two; the guided-missile cruisers USS Normandy (CG 60) and USS Monterey (CG 61); the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Mahan (DDG 72); and the fast combat support ship USNS Supply (AOE 6). The embarked squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 17 will fly off Dec. 19. During their six-month deployment, George Washington launched approximately 10,000 sorties. These sorties included offensive strike missions, designed to dislodge both Taliban and Al-Qaida operatives. In August, George Washington and Normandy, steamed into the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the southern no-fly zone over Iraq. Carrier Air Wing 17 sorties marked the first time in a year that aircraft launched from a U.S. carrier would patrol the skies over Iraq in conjunction with other coalition aircraft. "Again, we were there, dropping weapons when necessary to ensure that there would be a safe no-fly zone in southern Iraq," said Read Adm. Joseph A. Sestak Jr., George Washington Battle Group Commander. "We then came to 6th Fleet and maintained our readiness at an extraordinarily high level, ready to respond if our nation asked us to." Ships of the George Washington Battle Group also participated in numerous exercises with allies in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. This included Med Shark 2002, a joint task force exercise with the Royal Moroccan Navy and Air Force. In this exercise, USS Mahan and USNS Supply worked alongside four Moroccan warships, conducting maneuvering, flashing light and air-tracking exercises; boarding, undersea warfare and restricted transit drills; and surface gunfire exercises. While deployed overseas, battle group ships visited 16 different countries, including Scotland, England, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Malta, Greece, Slovenia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. All of the Sailors and Marines with the George Washington Battle Group deployed from the Hampton Roads area June 20 and were relieved by the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Battle Group, which departed Norfolk Dec. 5. Other ships of the battle group scheduled to return later this winter include the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59), the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) and the destroyer USS Arthur W. Radford (DD 968). For related news, visit the Commander 2nd Fleet/Striking Fleet Atlantic Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c2f. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS021219-01. Hawk Warriors Meet ESWS/EAWS Challenge By Journalist 3rd Class (SW) Charise Cunningham, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Underway time for many USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Sailors means time for them to gain knowledge about America's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier by earning enlisted surface (ESWS) or aviation warfare (EAWS) specialist designations. Earning an EAWS designation signifies an individual has acquired professional skills, knowledge and experience in the naval air warfare mission. The ESWS designation signifies that a Sailor is fully competent in their rate, as well as areas of damage control and maintenance material management, and has a general knowledge of engineering, operations and combat systems, according to Kitty Hawk instruction 1414.2C, which provides guidance for the ship's warfare programs. Nearly 200 Sailors qualified ESWS or EAWS during the fall underway period, and according to Chief Aviation Storekeeper (AW/SW) Ali Kadi, Hawk's EAWS coordinator, the number of Sailors qualified this cruise really made him proud. "Tonight at the pinning ceremony, I feel very proud to see 74 of my shipmates getting pinned (through) the program that I help coordinate. Next cruise will be even better because we saw how successful this underway period was, and I will only try to make it better," said Kadi, following a recent ceremony recognizing Hawk's newest aviation warriors. Hawk's commanding officer, Capt. R. D. Barbaree Jr., was especially pleased with Hawk's newest warfare warriors. "The thing that impressed me the most was the number of airmen and seamen that I pinned. We are training our Sailors earlier as to how to defend this great warship," said Barbaree. "It felt so good to have earned my pin and be recognized for it," said Airman (AW) Natalie Scott. When the CO (commanding officer) pinned it on my chest, I popped tall, and I believe that to be one of my proudest Navy moments." According to Barbaree, Kitty Hawk Sailors pulled back into Yokosuka feeling accomplished, having learned a great deal during this recent underway period. For related news, visit the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cv63 or www.kittyhawk.navy.mil. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS021218-26. Submarine Sailors Get Games From Game Industry By Journalist Seaman Woody Paschall, Naval Submarine Base New London Public Affairs GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The workday has ended aboard USS Toledo (SSN 769). There are four people on the mess deck. One sits at the forward end watching music videos on the wide screen television. One is preparing the evening meal and frequently vanishes into the galley before reappearing with more dinner items. The duty officer pores over a stack of paper. Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SS) Jose Rodriguez sits with a black box as he fills out a form. When he finishes the paperwork, his attention is drawn to a 13-inch screen high up on the bulkhead. He steels his nerves and focuses intently as he begins his mission, uncovering an alien secret and destroying mankind's nemesis: the Covenant. This mission is new to the submarine fleet. This year marks the first time the Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA), a U.S. trade association representing American computer and video game publishers, assembled donations from those publishers to provide video gaming systems to Sailors aboard submarines. In all, representatives from the makers of the Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Gamecube, Sony PlayStation and Sony PlayStation 2 game systems made donations. "Our armed forces have always shown remarkable skill and dedication to protecting our country, and indeed, the world, from all manner of threats, and especially so over the past year," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the IDSA. "While overseas on active duty, our troops can't enjoy many of the things they relax with at home, so we decided to bring the games they love to them as our small way of saying 'thanks.'" The Sailors using the systems reciprocate the appreciation that the IDSA has for the armed forces. "It's a blast," said Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Jason Hicks. "Most everyone enjoys it." While the Toledo's crew enjoys having the system, they know the work still comes first. According to Rodriguez, only submarine-qualified Sailors can use the system, and even after the submariners are qualified in undersea warfare, they still have responsibilities to their shipmates and the boat. The Sailors recognize that it is their responsibility to see that those obligations are met. "We do have a curfew on the Xbox," said Rodriguez. "And it doesn't come on during working hours. We make sure the everyday routine comes first." But with the heavy load the submariners endure, another entertainment option is appreciated. "(Before), we could either spend time watching TV or movies," said Electronics Technician 1st Class (SS) Chris Durette. "This gives us more choices." According to Durette, Sailors throughout the Toledo enjoy the system. "The forward guys play it," said Durette. "The aft guys play it. You get so many people that want to play, sometimes you have to wait." The ISDA gathered over 70 game consoles and more than 1,700 games to give to the submarine fleet. "The generosity the IDSA displayed in making these game consoles and games available to our people is outstanding," said Force Master Chief Donald Kultti, U.S. Submarine Force. "We are really working our people hard these days, and this sort of thing permits them an escape from the demanding schedule that requires perfection out of them all." For related news, visit the Naval Submarine Base New London Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/subasenlon. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS021218-24. USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors Get the "Right Spirit" By Journalist 2nd Class Ryan Hicks, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs ABOARD USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Abraham Lincoln's (CVN 72) command Drug/Alcohol Program Advisor (DAPA) sponsored a "Right Spirit" party Dec. 7 at Naval Station Annex Bahrain's Desert Dome to promote the idea that Sailors don't need alcohol to have a good time. The two-hour party centered on a talent show, but also included giveaway prizes ranging from 150 T-shirts to three mink blankets, three walkmans and a few perfume sets. Keeping with the theme of non-alcohol beverages, water and soda were available at a stand near the stage at no cost. The "Right Spirit" Campaign, adopted by the Secretary of the Navy in 1996, is designed to deglamorize alcohol use and prevent binge drinking. The "Right Spirit" Campaign isn't about prohibition, however. The motto for "Right Spirit" says it all - "It's about choice." It's also about reminding all hands, from seaman to admiral, of leadership, responsibility and accountability, and to support an individual's choice not to drink. Chief Storekeeper William Bell, Abe's DAPA representative, coordinated the event with the help of departmental and squadron DAPA representatives as well as the Chief Petty Officer, 1st Class Petty Officer and Mustang Associations. The talent show featured Sailors out of their usual uniforms doing everything from singing, rapping and playing guitar to hula dancing. Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Glenn Young has been in the Navy for 19 years, but a Navy-sponsored alcohol-free event was something new for him. "I've never seen anything like this," he said. "A party where it says it's okay not to drink and still have a good time and be yourself. "I think it's a great idea ... promoting that you can have a good time, you don't need to drink alcohol, and still enjoy yourself in today's Navy." After the party finished, Bell had nothing but positive things to say about the event. "We accomplished what we wanted to," he said. "It was about choice - it wasn't about prohibition. Everybody had a great time, and I think it worked out fantastic. (The party) was a great promotion for the 'Right Spirit' campaign, and that's what we set out to do." The next "right spirit" party is scheduled to be sometime during Abraham Lincoln's upcoming planned incremental availability. For related news, visit the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn72. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS021218-23. Pearl Harbor Reunion of a Different Sort By Senior Chief Journalist Phil Eggman, COMSUBPAC Public Affairs PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- You could call it a family reunion, and it happens every year. Like clockwork, Mary Kreigh comes to Hawaii to visit her twin sister, Nancy. However, this is not a typical reunion, because Nancy doesn't really live here. According to Mary, her father, Chief Yeoman Albert T. D. Wagner, had a plan for the final resting place of his daughter, Nancy, who died prematurely in the Philippines. Wagner had his daughter cremated and wanted to spread her ashes at sea. In fact, he was storing her urn in his locker aboard his ship, USS Utah (AG 16). All he needed was a chaplain, and he could commit his baby to the sea. That was the plan, but Japanese warplanes changed all that on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. Utah had just pulled into Pearl Harbor for the weekend of Dec. 6-7 and moored at berth Fox 11 on the west side of Ford Island. It had just finished its duties as a target ship for the fleet. One of the first ships hit during the surprise attack by Japanese naval forces, Utah took two torpedoes in her port side. Within 12 minutes, the ship capsized, taking the lives of six officers and 51 Sailors, most trapped aboard the vessel. The others were killed from Japanese strafing attacks while they were swimming for shore. In all, 58 Utah Sailors died that day. Fortunately, Wagner survived that day, but his daughter's ashes went down with the ship. "After the Navy tried to salvage the ship, my dad tried in vain to recover my sister's ashes," said Mary. "I never really knew my sister. She died when she was only two days old." But that doesn't matter to the Wagner family. Mary still visits the Utah Memorial on Ford Island every year from her home in Lompoc, Calif., to remember. This year, she had company. Dolores Higdon and her husband, Ray, came to the Utah Memorial to remember Dolores' 21-year-old brother, Electrician's Mate 1st Class Rudolph Martinez. Martinez died that morning 61 years ago. Joining them was Utah survivor Gean Seltzer and Pearl Harbor Medal of Honor recipient John Finn. The small group laid wreaths at sunset Dec. 6 in memory of those who died and then threw flowers from 58 leis into the water between the memorial and the rusting ship before observing evening colors. "I am so happy to be here," said Dolores, referring to their impromptu gathering. "Last year, we had an incredible ceremony from boats to mark the 60th anniversary of the attack. But this was no less moving. There is a certain calm here, especially at sunset. It was meaningful." Mary agreed. "I feel nothing but pride and pleasure that my sister is in such magnificent company," she said. "I love coming here to remember her and to honor them all. I could not ask for anything better than for her to be tenderly, carefully looked after by America's finest." For related news, visit the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrh. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS021218-17. Constellation Underway With Help From Skinny Dragons By Lt. j.g. Jason Gaudette, Patrol Squadron 4 Public Affairs PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- The USS Constellation (CV 64) Battle Group, homeported in San Diego, is now underway and mission ready, thanks in part to the "Skinny Dragons" of Patrol Squadron 4 (VP-4). Members of VP-4, based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, recently traveled to San Diego to participate in the joint fleet exercise (JTFEX) for the Constellation Battle Group and the composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) for the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Battle Group. The JTFEX was the last series of exercises for Constellation's battle group before they departed San Diego for a six-month deployment. The COMPTUEX was held to prepare Carl Vinson for its upcoming JTFEX, to be held early next year. A total of seven aircrews and 15 maintenance personnel participated in the 17-day event. JTFEX and COMPTUEX are used to evaluate the overall effectiveness of each battle group in each of their primary mission areas. During the exercise, the P-3 Orion aircrews flew almost around the clock, participating with other ships and submarines in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and surface intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The nature of the exercises allowed aircrews to hone their ASW skills and gain valuable real-world experience. "The training was incredible," said Lt. Rick Pool, an upgrading tactical coordinator with Combat Air Crew 9. "Both the battle group and the maritime patrol aircraft crews gained a better understanding of their respective roles within the tactical picture." VP-4 flew 50 events for a total of more than 270 hours. The maintenance personnel assigned to the detachment worked around the clock to service the aircraft and keep them flying. In January, VP-4 will again travel to San Diego to support the Vinson battle group during its JTFEX. With this continued dedication and support, the group will be ready to tackle any challenge they face during their upcoming deployment. For related news, visit the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrh. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS021219-05. Navy Marine Corps News for the Week of Dec. 23 - 29, 2002 From the Navy News Service (NNS) -- The following stories are airing on Navy/Marine Corps News. This 30-minute program is seen by military members and their families via the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS), stateside public access cable channels and military base commander's channels. This week on Navy/Marine Corps News, Dec. 23-29: - Secretary of the Navy Gordon England announces the name of the Navy's newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier at a ceremony at the Pentagon, USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). - Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Admiral Gerry Hoewing talks about the forthcoming increases in pay and basic allowance for housing. - A well-known author visits the crew aboard USS Nicholas (FFG 47) as part of a campaign to re-introduce a World War II book give-away program. - The Navy's Lifelines Service Network and "Dear Abby" team up to help keep holiday messages flowing to service members overseas. - MCPON Minute: Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Terry Scott talks about serving overseas. - FACTOID: Who is responsible for naming every new ship? - Secretary of the Navy Gordon England's holiday message. - Sailors aboard Ford Island, Hawaii, keep the airspace safe for military and civilian aircraft. - We'll show you a Sailor who endures high pressure to qualify as a Navy diver. - The DEFY program in Sigonella, Sicily, gives children the tools they'll need to avoid substance abuse and build personal development. - Sailors stationed in Japan are recognized at the "JANAFA" awards for their efforts to keep our international relations strong. - Keep up to date with what's happening with the War on Terror at www.defendamerica.mil. - FACTOID: In addition to aid for diving accidents, what are decompression chambers used for? - Find out what the Marine Corps is doing to get the word out about suicide prevention. - A Sailor from USS Saipan (LHA 2) has fun on liberty in New York City. - Morale, Welfare and Recreation hosts a Christmas party for the family members of USS Constellation (CV 64) crew members. - We'll give you a look at some of the stories making the news in 2002 on Navy/Marine Corps News. Compiled on tape #252, the show is on its way to the fleet. We need your input on the show, so call our Feedback Line at DSN 288-6277 or (202) 433-6277 and leave a message. Send e-mail to: nmcn@mediacen.navy.mil. -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS021219-04. Daily News Update for Dec. 19, 2002 By the Navy News Service WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The following stories are airing on Television Direct-to-Sailor (TV-DTS), a satellite television service available aboard 160 ships of the fleet and via the Navy NewsStand Web site at www.news.navy.mil. Two-minute newscast- - Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark visited Coastal Systems Station, Panama City, Fla., to view new technologies being developed for the U.S. Navy. - A member of the Navy Leap Frogs parachute team participated in a record-setting 300-person formation jump in Elroy, Ariz. One-minute newscast- - The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Camp Lejeune, N.C., assumed operational and planning control of its subordinate elements in preparation for its upcoming deployment as the U.S. 6th Fleet's landing force. Navy News Service headlines newscast- - Sailors with childcare needs have more accessibility to childcare facilities without an increase in fees. - The USS George Washington (CVN 73) battle group returns to Norfolk, Va., this week. Daily News Update features three newscasts each day -- one two-minute cast, a one-minute cast and a one-minute Navy News Service headlines cast. Daily News Update can be seen broadcast throughout the day and evening on the Direct-to-Sailor satellite network. Check your local DTS program schedule for air times. Daily News Update can also be seen throughout the world on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS). -USN- -USN- -USN- NNS011212-08. This Day in Naval History - Dec. 20 From the Navy News Service 1822 - Congress authorizes the 14-ship West Indies Squadron to suppress piracy in the Caribbean. 1941 - Adm. Ernest J. King is designated commander in chief in charge of all operating naval fleets and coastal frontier forces, reporting directly to the President. 1964 - USS Richard E. Kraus (DD 849) completes a successful emergency mission in aiding the disabled American merchant ship, SS Oceanic Spray in the Red Sea. 1974 - Clearance of the Suez Canal for mines and unexploded ordnance completed by Joint Task Force. 1989 - Operation Just Cause begins in Panama. 1998 - Operation Desert Fox in Iraq ends. -USN- -USN- -USN- NavNews (NNS) is the official newsletter of the U.S. Navy, containing stories recently posted to the Navy NewsStand Web site at www.news.navy.mil. It is a product of the Naval Media Center, 2713 Mitscher Rd. SW, Anacostia Annex, D.C., 20373-5819. Reprints should be credited to the Navy News Service (NNS). Subscribe: To subscribe to NavNews by e-mail, send an e-mail message to listserv@mediacen.navy.mil with "subscribe navynews" (without quotes) in the body. To unsubscribe, type "unsubscribe navynews." Submit Content: Stories for publication consideration are to be submitted via the Navy NewsStand "Submit Story" page at www.news.navy.mil/submit. General Information: For further information about NavNews by e-mail or the Navy NewsStand, contact the editor of Navy NewsStand, Stephanie Collins, at collins@mediacen.navy.mil, DSN 288-0575 or (202) 433-0575. For the latest in Navy News, visit the Navy NewsStand at www.news.navy.mil. For all other Navy information-related questions, contact the Navy News Desk at (703) 697-5342. -USN-