Not-so-fair winds at farewell
January 17th, 2012 | Deployment Life at Sea Maritime operations Navy Norfolk Naval Station Photos Surface Force Atlantic | Posted by Bill McMichael
The temperature would rise to near 60 in Hampton Roads Tuesday, but winds gusting to 37 mph made it feel 45ish — and it always feels colder down at the Naval Station Norfolk waterfront, where the frigate Nicholas left around 10 a.m.
How windy was it? The line handlers had to go hatless:
Line handlers aboard the frigate Nicholas pull up the mooring lines as the ship prepared to depart Naval Station Norfolk for a regularly scheduled deployment to South America. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kayla Jo Finley
The chop also made for a tricky getaway:
A tugboat assists the frigate Nicholas as it departs Naval Station Norfolk Tuesday. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kayla Jo Finley
And off they went:
Family members watch as the frigate Nicholas heads out to sea. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kayla Jo Finley
Nicholas will be joining other U.S. and partner-nation ships in support of Navy Maritime Interception Operations, according to Naval Surface Force Atlantic.
A new Old Salt
December 15th, 2011 | Chief of naval operations Fleet Forces Command Navy Norfolk Naval Station Officers Photos The Old Salt | Posted by Bill McMichael
By custom, the surface warfare officer with the earliest Officer of the Deck qualification is recognized as the Navy’s “Old Salt” — an award initiated in 1988 by the Surface Navy Association.
On Friday, that distinction will be bestowed on Adm. John Harvey, commander of Fleet Forces Command, in a ceremony aboard the amphibious transport dock ship San Antonio at Naval Station Norfolk.
The current Old Salt is the recently retired Adm. Mike Mullen, who stepped back into civilian life Sept. 30 following four years as the nation’s top military officer and 43 years of service. There was no interim Old Salt, according to Ted Brown, a Fleet Forces Command spokesman.
Harvey, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1973, earned his OOD qual on Oct. 11, 1977, aboard the nuclear-powered cruiser Bainbridge. He assumed command of Fleet Forces in July 2009.
Dec. 20 CLARIFICATION: According to Brown, Harvey earned his surface warfare officer or SWO pin in October 1977. He earned his OOD qual in the spring of that year.
Here’s the Old Salt and the Old Salt-to-be back in 2005, when Mullen, then the chief of naval operations, promoted Harvey to vice admiral.
Rear Adm. John Harvey, left, is promoted to vice admiral by then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen on Nov. 22, 2005. Harvey assumed the duties as Chief of Naval Personnel/Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education. Harvey is now a full admiral and commander of Fleet Forces Command. // U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera
End of an era
December 6th, 2011 | 6th Fleet Amphibious operations Amphibious Ready Group Combat support Commanding officers Flight deck certification Homecoming leadership Marine Corps Marine Expeditionary Unit Maritime operations Mine warfare Navy Norfolk Naval Station Odyssey Dawn Photos Ponce Ships The Middle East | Posted by Bill McMichael
On May 7, 1970, the Beatles released their last single: “The Long and Winding Road.”
Last week, the amphibious transport dock Ponce, launched 13 days after the song and commissioned in July 1971, completed its own long journey, coming home for the last time after four decades of service.
Sailors prepare to handle lines on Naval Station Norfolk's Pier 2 as the amphibious transport dock Ponce makes its final return to homeport. Ponce will now begin the long process that will result in the ship's decommissioning early next year. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stevie Tate
Those years were filled with significant events. Ponce helped evacuate nearly 300 mostly U.S. and British Westerners from Lebanon during the 1976 civil war, and supported 6th Fleet air strikes on pro-Syrian militia positions in defense of U.S. Marines ashore. It supported military disaster relief in Florida following 1992′s devastating Hurricane Andrew. It took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, serving as the flagship of a minesweeping task group that opened the key port of Umm Qasr. Most recently, Ponce, as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supported the NATO strikes on Libya that played a key role in helping rebel forces drive Moammar Gadhafi from power.
It was during that last cruise that the ship’s commanding officer and executive officer were fired by Vice Adm. Harry Harris, then-commander of 6th Fleet — Cmdr. Etta Jones for what investigators said were abuses of power, and Lt. Cmdr. Kurt Boenisch for not standing up to Jones. Jones apologized to the crew in a statement released by her lawyer the same day Ponce returned home last week, saying that she hoped the public “will not overlook their positive story.”
Ponce spent its final operational week supporting air operations for II Marine Expeditionary Force’s air-ground task force. One sailor said he took a lot of pride in being one of the last to man the ship’s flight deck.
“This underway is the last time anyone will fly on Ponce,” Aviation Support Equipment Technician 3rd Class Morgan Butkus was quoted by Ponce’s public affairs office as saying. “How many years have people been here with stuff happening, and this is the last of it.”
Four decades on Ponce, by the numbers: It was served by more than 18,400 sailors and embarked by more than 24,500 Marines; it landed and launched aircraft more than 39,000 times; it was involved in more than 25 major operations; it was commanded by 28 different commanding officers.
The ship will be decommissioned in early 2012 and placed in long-term storage at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia.
Quartermaster 2nd Class Shixi Zhang mans a telescopic alidade on the starboard bridge wing of the amphibious transport dock ship Ponce as the ship gets underway from Naval Station Norfolk for its final scheduled underway period. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathanael Miller
Remembering the captain
November 15th, 2011 | Carriers Commanding officers Memorial service Norfolk Naval Shipyard Norfolk Naval Station Photos | Posted by Bill McMichael
The photo says it all:
Family, friends and shipmates gathered together on board the carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Tuesday afternoon memorial service at Naval Station Norfolk for Capt. Tushar Tembe. Tembe, the commanding officer of the carrier Harry S. Truman, died unexpectedly Nov. 8 after collapsing as he was debarking his ship at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Tembe, 49, a naval aviator, assumed command of Truman last August. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Rob Rupp
Tembe memorial service
November 14th, 2011 | Carriers Memorial service Naval Air Force Atlantic Navy Norfolk Naval Shipyard Norfolk Naval Station Photos | Posted by Bill McMichael
The Navy will hold a memorial service at Naval Station Norfolk Tuesday at 1 p.m. aboard the carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower to honor Capt. Tushar Tembe, who died suddenly Nov. 8 after collapsing at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., as he was debarking his ship, the carrier Harry S. Truman.
“For 27 years, Capt. Tembe has proudly served his country in the United States Navy,” Naval Air Force Atlantic said in a statement announcing the service. “We pause to reflect on the contributions he has made.”
The ceremony will include remarks from sailors “who have had the pleasure of serving with him,” AIRLANT said.
The Truman continues undergoing scheduled maintenance at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
Navy women meet in Norfolk
October 18th, 2011 | Navy Norfolk Naval Station Photos SURFLANT Women in the Navy | Posted by Bill McMichael
SURFLANT hosted an all-day symposium for Navy women today in Norfolk, an event “designed to provide an interactive forum addressing the challenges that affect women in the surface force.”
An eight-women panel has an interactive discussion with audience members attending the 2011 Surface Force Women's Waterfront Symposium held on Naval Station Norfolk. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Kayla Jo Finley
The idea was to provide a forum for women in the surface force and other communities along with discussion opportunities and interaction with successful surface force role models, and simply to network. Breakout sessions were held on topics ranging from child care, women’s policy and mentorship, as well as with officer and enlisted detailers.
The keynote speaker for the 2011 Surface Force Women's Waterfront Symposium was Vice Adm. Carol Pottenger, deputy chief of staff for capability development, NATO Headquarters, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, shown here giving opening remarks. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Kayla Jo Finley
New York, New York
September 13th, 2011 | 2nd Fleet 9/11 Community relations Navy Norfolk Naval Station Pentagon Photos San Antonio class | Posted by Bill McMichael
A Navy amphibious warship returned to its figurative and literal source Sunday, as the crew of the amphibious transport dock ship New York spent Sept. 11 in the Big Apple taking part in events throughout the city honoring victims and responders of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Quartermaster 3rd Class James Kern stands watch on the bridge aboard the amphibious transport dock ship New York as the ship transits to its backdrop location on the Hudson River as part of the commemoration ceremony of the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis
The transport dock ship was named for the city that took the heaviest terrorist blow on that day in 2001, as nearly 3,000 people died when two hijacked jet airliners crashed into two World Trade Center skyscrapers — followed by a jetliner crash into a Pennsylvania field that took the lives of all 40 passengers and crew members, and another that struck the west side of the Pentagon, killing 184 aboard and inside the building.
And its bow was fashioned from 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the shattered buildings, a rebirth being mirrored at the reborn site, where the twin-waterfall memorial built where the twin towers stood was unveiled Sunday.
Embarked aboard USS New York for the transit from Norfolk, Va., to New York Harbor were 170 members of the 9/11 Families Association, including families of victims and first responders, 2nd Fleet said.
Home after the storm
August 31st, 2011 | 2nd Fleet Carriers Enterprise Hurricane Navy Norfolk Naval Shipyard Norfolk Naval Station Photos Ships | Posted by Bill McMichael
The 27 ships that sortied out of Hampton Roads in advance of Hurricane Irene’s arrival last weekend began returning to Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Tuesday and are continuing to come back throughout the week.
The destroyer Bainbridge returns to Naval Station Norfolk after getting underway ahead of Hurricane Irene Aug. 25. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric S. Garst
Also returning to their berths are some of the 28 ships in various stages of maintenance that were sent to safe havens to ride out the Category 1 hurricane, which whipped the region with high winds and generated what the National Weather Service estimates was a 4 1/2-foot storm surge at Naval Station Norfolk.
The aircraft carrier Enterprise returns to Naval Station Norfolk after taking shelter at Norfolk Naval Shipyard during Hurricane Irene. // U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric S. Garst
The sortie was ordered by 2nd Fleet commander Vice Adm. Daniel Holloway as a safety precaution for the Hampton Roads fleet concentration area.
Is your housing area safe?
August 30th, 2011 | Family housing Housing area safety Life at Home Navy Norfolk Naval Station Public Private Venture | Posted by Bill McMichael
In our Sept. 5 issue, on newstands now, we have a report on residents’ concerns over safety in an off-base Navy housing area near Naval Station Norfolk. Using an online Norfolk Police Department database that tracks incidents reported over the previous 90 days, we learned that police had recorded one rape, one aggravated assault, two residential burglaries, four acts of vandalism and one bike theft in the 388-townhome family housing area. The manager of the Ben Moreell Housing Area says those numbers are lower than in surrounding precincts, and he appears to be right. But residents are concerned, say there is more trouble than is reported and give the private security company that is supposed to keep an eye on the area and the Norfolk Police mixed reviews.
How do you rate security in your public private venture or PPV housing area? We’re looking for responses from all over the Navy, not just Norfolk. Feel free to post here or e-mail reporter Bill McMichael at bmcmichael@navytimes.com. Your identity and response will be kept confidential, although we may get back to you for further comment.
An earthquake story
August 24th, 2011 | Admirals Board of Inquiry Earthquake Navy Norfolk Naval Station | Posted by Bill McMichael
Millions of Americans who’d never felt an earthquake now have a story to tell — thankfully, according to reports so far, not one involving widespread destruction or death. The 5.8-magnitude temblor rattled buildings and nerves from Maine to South Carolina at 1:51 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, stunning East Coast residents for whom earthquakes are a rarity. The quake’s epicenter was in north-central Virginia, which hadn’t experienced a quake of this magnitude since 1897.
At Naval Station Norfolk, yours truly and three other reporters covering the Board of Inquiry for former Enterprise skipper Capt. Owen Honors were ensconced on the 3rd floor of the Regional Legal Service Office in an otherwise empty Courtroom 3, set aside as a filing center, during a brief recess.
I was standing next to a table when the floor started wobbling gently, then a fair bit more vigorously. We all froze and looked at each other. I’d never experienced an earthquake but when someone said, “What’s that?”, I said with an odd certainty, “That’s an earthquake.” My eyes were quickly drawn to the 125-lb. TV monitor attached to the ceiling by a thick bracket, not far vertically from the left shoulder of Hugh Lessig of the Daily Press. I joked, “I think you better move.” The bracket held.
It stopped after what seemed like 15 seconds, though it could have been longer. After a few minutes of excited chatter, it was time for the hearing to resume, so we went back to Courtroom 1. It was empty. After a couple of minutes, we collectively thought: Hmm. Maybe they’ve evacuated. So we headed down to the 1st floor. Many personnel had left the building but it hadn’t been officially cleared, so we headed into a waiting room to get the story from CNN.
The hearing resumed a short while later. The first witness was Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, whose secretary said Gortney’s telephonic testimony would have to wait a few minutes because he was “on the red phone with the NorthCom commander.”