Willy's freewill

USS Jason Dunham Takes Part in VBSS Exercise

Story Number: NNS120506-12 Release Date: 5/6/2012 9:47:00 PM 0 Comments   Font Size: A A A 0 0

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Jamieson, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs USS JASON DUNHAM, At Sea (NNS) -- Members of the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) conducted a simulated boarding of training support vessel Prevail (TSV 1), May 6.   The boarding exercise was conducted as a part of the Carrier Strike Group Eight composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) to provide hands-on training to VBSS team members before Jason Dunham's upcoming deployment. "When you do one of these exercises, you never know what to expect," said VBSS team member, Ensign Ryan Kelly. "You have to rely on your training and the other team members, and that is exactly how it is in a real-world situation."       As part of the exercise, the team members boarded Prevail after Jason Dunham established bridge-to-bridge communications and determined Prevail qualified as a vessel of interest.     Once aboard Prevail, team members encountered a crew that was "uncooperative" and discovered contraband, including drugs and weapons.   "At that point, we knew we were going to have to detain the vessel," said team member, Quartermaster 2nd Class David Rodriguez. "We phoned back to Jason Dunham and had them send over the ship-control team."  A ship-control team takes control of detained vessels and consists of damage control, deck and engineering personnel fully capable of controlling and managing any situation a vessel might encounter while transiting to the nearest port.   "We were fully prepared to take control and stay on the ship for 24-48 hours," said ship-control team member, Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Ronald Virgin. After the ship-control team demonstrated their ability to navigate and control the ship both teams were called together for debriefing.   "We had a successful boarding and learned a lot during the exercise," said Kelly. "We just want to keep this momentum going into our deployment. We can't know what we might see out there, but I think we all realize we can trust each other during a boarding. That's all you can really ask."   Jason Dunham is a part of Carrier Strike Group Eight, which is underway conducting a COMPTUEX in the Atlantic Ocean.Orphaned Baby Manatee Rescued at Naval Station GTMO Story Number: NNS120506-13 Release Date: 5/6/2012 9:49:00 PM 0 Comments   Font Size: A A A 0 0 By Terence R. Peck, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- An orphaned baby manatee was rescued by Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, (NS GTMO) personnel at the installation's marina, May 3. The 3-day-old, 77-pound manatee is a West Indian endangered species found sporadically throughout Florida, the Greater Antilles, Central America, and South America. Army Capt. Miriam Lovell, the officer-in-charge of GTMO's Veterinary Treatment Facility, along with Army Staff Sgt. Jamie Jackson and Army Sgt. Jody Gaudrault, both veterinarian technicians, immediately went to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation's marina when they received a phone call from the Port Operations department about the manatee. "Manatees usually don't go into the marina, so we went down there to try and find its mom," said Jackson. Tim Baugh, of MWR Outdoor Recreation, ensured that a boom was placed in the area where the manatee was located and that boaters were notified of the animal's presence. Tiana Armstrong, of Red Cross Disaster and Mississippi Animal Response Team, also worked with the team to ensure that the environment was undisturbed in the hopes that its mother would return. Masters-at-Arms 2nd Class Travis Rader and Masters-at-Arms 3rd Class Sara Tusa were called to assist with the rescue efforts. Rader and Tusa, both with the Naval Station Security department, are in training to become the installation's game wardens. The Naval Station's Natural Resources Manager Jose Montalvo was also on scene to assist with the rescue. As the rescue went on, the team decided to name the manatee "Manny." Jackson and the others entered the water to put the manatee on a stretcher and into a boat. They then went near pier 33, where it was reported that an adult manatee was sighted. "We went out and a manatee was seen, but we didn't know if it was the mom or not. When we released the baby manatee in the same area, the adult manatee swam away and did not try to connect with the baby at all," said Gaudrault. Returning with Manny to the Marina, the team searched for the manatee's mother, while coordination by others was ongoing. Lt. Cmdr. Scott Armstrong, Air Operations officer, NS GTMO was contacted by Lovell to discuss different courses of actions that could be taken to transport the animal. "After collecting input from her and manatee experts stateside, I presented these to Cmdr. David Hughes at Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (N32) and Mr. Jene Nissen of Fleet Forces Command Environmental Services," said Armstrong. "Shortly thereafter, I was contacted by Dr. Frank Stone from the Chief of Naval Operation's Energy and Environmental Readiness Division (N45) who spearheaded the coordination at the Federal level with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS)." After several unsuccessful attempts to find the calf's mother, it was decided that the weakening manatee had to be transported from the Naval Station to preserve its life.    "During the day Dr. Stone and I agreed the best course of action was to transport the manatee on the Station C-12, due to the time critical nature of the problem, as well as the specialized care and monitoring required to protect the manatee wherever it was," he said. "Members of the Manatee Rescue department of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services in Jacksonville, Fla. coordinated with facilities in Florida and Puerto Rico including the Manatee Conservation Center in Bayamón Puerto Rico. Dr. Antonio A. Mignucci-Giannoni of the Center secured agreements and authority from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to request we transfer the manatee to their care for the purpose of saving its life." Before putting the manatee on the aircraft, they had to ensure that the transport would be done safely.    "Naval Aircrewman 1st Class Samuel Arias and I constructed a "Manatee Playpen" by strapping down a foam pad to protect the manatee's body underneath, over which we secured a waterproof tarp to prevent any water intrusion to the aircraft," Armstrong said. "On top of that we put in an inflatable "Kiddie Pool" lined with wet towels which we covered 'Manny' with, and secured a small bucket of water to keep him moist." The manatee was placed on the Naval Station's C-12 and with Gaudrault by its side, transported on a two-hour flight to Isla Grande Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The manatee was then taken to the Manatee Conservation Center located at Interamerican University in Bayamón. Nine members of the Center met the aircraft and immediately provided electrolytes to the slightly dehydrated calf. The caregivers named the calf "Guamá," in honor to a Taino Chief of the eastern province of Cuba, which is recognized as a figure of historic importance for Cuba. The center reported back that the calf is doing well and that it is adjusting comfortably to its new environs.    It is expected that it will take approximately two years before the manatee can be transported back to Cuba and released with a satellite transmitter, according to Montalvo. Saving the manatee's life was the right thing to do, Armstrong said.   "The Chief of Naval Operations instruction 5090.1C has several passages exhorting Commanding Officers to not jeopardize the continued existence, protect, or not endanger species," he said. "It is Navy policy to comply with applicable laws for the protection and management of wildlife resources and directs the Navy to consult with National Fish and Wildlife Services with any actions they may take regarding endangered species."   According to Armstrong, coordination among Naval Station personnel and outside agencies helped to save the manatee's life. "GTMO's strength is its pool of talent and inherent flexibility from the diverse missions we are called upon daily to execute, all of which we marshaled to a successful end," said Armstrong. "Where coordination between the highest levels of government was required, oft lamented inertia was nowhere to be seen, and the inherent drive to get the right things done for the right reasons shone particularly brightly."   Makin Island, Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Groups Turnover Duties Story Number: NNS120506-10 Release Date: 5/6/2012 9:44:00 PM 0 Comments   Font Size: A A A 0 0 From Makin Island and Iwo Jima ARG Public Affairs USS MAKIN ISLAND, Gulf of Aden (NNS) -- The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) were relieved of their duties in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) by the Iwo Jima ARG and the 24th MEU, May 5.   The Makin Island ARG deployed Nov. 14, 2011 and conducted maritime security operations, theater security cooperation engagements, and multiple bilateral military exercises with regional partners within the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR. "I could not be more pleased with the hard work and dedication from every Sailor and Marine," said U.S. Navy Capt. Donald R. Cuddington, commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) Five. "Each individual's outstanding professionalism and dedication to their training during our pre-deployment phase and through this deployment contributed greatly and was the key to the overall success of the Makin Island ARG and 11th MEU team." Following the turnover, Makin Island ARG will depart the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR and return to their homeport of San Diego. "As I look back, every ship had some challenges either before or during this deployment; however, each ship met every challenge or every mission with great commitment and determination to succeed," said Cuddington. "I would say the key to our success was, that the blue-green team always focused on the mission first. It was never a blue mission or a green mission. It was our mission." The Makin Island ARG is comprised of PHIBRON Five, with detachments from Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 11, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 5, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Beach Master Unit (BMU) 1, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1 and ACU 5.   The ships that make up the Makin Island ARG are San Diego-based amphibious assault ship Makin Island, amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52).     The 11th MEU major subordinate elements consist of Battalion Landing Team 3/1, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (VMM) 268 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 11. "The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit has completed every task and exceeded expectations in supporting both U.S. Central Command and U.S. Navy Forces Central Command as a forward deployed Marine air-ground task force," said Col. Michael Hudson, 11th MEU's commanding officer. "The Marines and Sailors have continuously demonstrated the flexibility and adaptability of the Navy and Marine Corps team as they hit every pitch. This journey started over a year ago, during pre-deployment training and we leave here now proud of what we have accomplished.     "As we begin our voyage home to our friends and families in Southern California, we know that the 24th MEU, who is relieving us, is well led, trained and ready to take the next watch as America's forward deployed force," Hudson added. The Iwo Jima ARG includes PHIBRON Eight, with detachments from TACRON 21, FST 4, HSC 22, BMU 2, ACU 2 and ACU 4. ARG ships include Norfolk-based amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story-based amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44). This is the maiden deployment for USS New York (LPD 21), built with seven-and-a-half tons of steel from the World Trade Center, symbolizing sacrifice while having the watch being forward deployed. "We've been working hard to prepare for our new duties in our new theatre, as we recently completed exercise African Lion off the coast of Morocco shortly after departing for deployment, and we are looking forward to getting work done in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR," said U.S. Navy Capt. Mark H. Scovill, commodore, PHIBRON Eight. Embarked with the Iwo Jima ARG is the 24th MEU, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force, comprised of major subordinate elements: Battalion Landing Team 1/2, VMM-261 (Reinforced) and CLB-24.   "The 24th MEU is manned, trained, equipped and ready to serve as U.S. 5th Fleet's forward deployed crisis response force," said Col. Frank Donovan, commanding officer, 24th MEU. "Teamed with our great Navy partners aboard the amphibious ships of PHIBRON Eight, we make a truly flexible, adaptable, decisive, and when required, lethal Navy and Marine Corps expeditionary force. We stand ready to take over for 11th MEU/PHIBRON Five and continue the superior work they have done across the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR. We wish them fair winds and following seas as they begin their transit home." The Iwo Jima and embarked 24th MEU will provide support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.  Leap Frogs Jump into Sound of Speed Air Show Story Number: NNS120506-11 Release Date: 5/6/2012 9:45:00 PM 0 Comments   Font Size: A A A 0 0 By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Fletcher Gibson, U.S. Navy Parachute Team Public Affairs ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (NNS) -- Members of the U.S. Navy Parachute Demonstration Team, the Leap Frogs, performed at the Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, Mo. as part of the annual "Sound of Speed" Air Show, May 5-6. The team performed four jumps over both days, including one jump performed in conjunction with their Canadian skydiving team counterparts, the SkyHawks.   Between performances, the team members took time to meet with the crowd and give some hands-on presentations of some of their skydiving equipment. "It was absolutely amazing," said Sam Buckley, who visited the air show from Savannah, Mo. "I saw the Leap Frogs a couple years ago, and this was even better." This show was especially important to the team because St. Joseph is the hometown of the 139th Airlift Wing. This Air National Guard unit has an extended history of volunteering to assist the Leap Frogs with transportation and jump platforms. "Our show season wouldn't be possible without the 139th's support," said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class Thomas Kinn, the jumpmaster for this event. "They support over half of our shows."   "We're extremely proud of our relationship with the Leap Frogs," added Air Force Col. Mike Pankau, the wing commander for the 139th. "We're grateful to have them here to show the hometown what we do when we're out on the road supporting them."    In addition to the skydiving demonstrations, Sound of Speed also featured both military and civilian aircraft demonstrations and static displays. The show featured aircraft from one-seater stunt planes to Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft, and from WWI-era bi-planes to the ultra-modern F-22 Raptor fighter.   The Leap Frogs next scheduled performance is May 11-13 at the Nashville Navy Week in Nashville, Tenn. The Leap Frogs are based in San Diego and perform aerial parachute demonstrations in support of Naval Special Warfare and Navy recruiting.