USS Gettysburg Best Ship in Atlantic Fleet
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CHINFO Award Winner Vol. 56 • Issue 19 www.nsmayport.navy.mil www.mayportmirror.com THURSDAY, May 15, 2014 Best Of The Best Mayport Commissary Named Best In U.S. See Story, Page 7 Battle ‘E’ For Hué USS Gettysburg Best By Lt.j.g. Anastasia Abid USS Hué City (CG 66) Public Affairs The Ship In Atlantic Fleet guided missile By Ensign cruiser Kiley Provenzano USS Hué USS Gettysburg Public Affairs City (CG The guided-missile cruis- 66) was er USS Gettysburg (CG awarded 64) was awarded the 2013 its Battle Battenberg Cup by Adm. Bill Efficiency Gortney, commander, U.S. Award by Commander, Naval Fleet Forces Command, May Surface Forces. 6. Receiving the Battle ‘E’ An annual honor that award denotes sustained supe- rewards the “best all around” rior performance throughout in crew achievement, the the year. Consideration for the Battenberg Cup is presented Battle ‘E’ requires excellence to only one of the more than in at least four of the five cat- 100 eligible surface ships, egories: Maritime Warfare, aircraft carriers, and subma- Engineering/Survivability, rines in the Atlantic Fleet. Command and Control, “When every Sailor is com- Logistics Management, and mitted to the same mission, CNSF Ship Safety. Through to the same goals, and to the -Photo by MC2 Lorenzo J. Burleson grueling inspections, certifica- same principles - from the tions, assessments, and sus- wardroom to our great chief Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) salute during a com- tained superior operations at petty officer’s mess, down to mand photo on the forecastle. Gettysburg was just awarded the 2013 Battenberg Cup for the sea, ships are evaluated and our newest seamen - we are Atlantic Fleet, an annual award signifying the “best all around” in crew achievement. then nominated by their imme- guaranteed success in every- diate superior in command. thing for which we strive,” excellence.” continued with 99 percent Association Leadership Selection for the Battle ‘E’ is said Gettysburg Command Through a steady focus on of Gettysburg petty offi- Award, while another crew- truly an honor, and serves as Master Chief (SW/AW) the positive development of cers qualifying as Enlisted member received the 2013 a testament to the hard work, Daniel Hacker. Sailors as a command priori- Surface Warfare Specialists. AFCEA Copernicus Award pride, and dedication of the “Our Sailors have ty, the crew was awarded the In addition, the crew fea- for Information Warfare Hué City crew. been through an incred- Gold Anchor award for per- tured a finalist in both the Excellence. “Winning the Battle ‘E’ is sig- ible amount in the past year. sonnel program excellence. Surface Force Atlantic Backed by a long-term nificant because it shows that This award is a testament to The ship had the Atlantic (SURFLANT) Sailor of commitment to junior offi- my ship strives for excellence,” their dedication and com- Fleet’s lowest attrition rate the Year and Shiphandler cer training and develop- said Ensign Savanna Reynolds. mitment to the ship and our and nearly doubled the of the Year competi- ment, Gettysburg recently “It’s great that all our hard nation.” Navy-wide advancement rate tions. Three Gettysburg returned from deployment work over the past year has Gettysburg’s success starts during last fall’s advance- Sailors received the pres- with a focus on “people ment cycle. The excellence tigious Navy and Marine See Gettysburg, Page 10 See Hué City, Page 10 Mayport Gears Up For USS Stark Memorial From Staff Capt. Wes McCall. Stark was decommissioned Several members of the 1987 worked to provide information NS Mayport will host a USS On May 17, 1987, while on at Mayport in 1999. In order crew of Stark will attend the and support services to the Stark memorial ceremony on patrol in the Arabian Gulf, 37 to preserve the tradition once service. The service will fea- families of crew members. May 16 at Mayport’s Memorial Sailors died when two Iraqi the ship was retired, the Naval ture accounts of some of the Mayport’s Memorial Park Park. The ceremony will be missiles struck USS Stark. Order of the United States, events that occurred follow- at 10 a.m. and guest speak- Despite the severe damage North Florida Commandery, ing the attack, both aboard was established Aug. 1, 1987, er for this year’s event is NS inflicted, the heroic efforts of assumed sponsorship for the ship and here in Mayport, with the dedication of the Mayport Commanding Officer, Stark’s crew saved the ship. memorial service. from crew and volunteers who Stark monument. Check us out Online! Vicksburg Drill Brings Navy, City Together Page 4 mayportmirror.com 2 THE MIRROR, NS MAYPORT, Thursday, May 15, 2014 practice disaster response scenarios, 6th, Chick-fil-A handed out thousands HURREX is a great reminder for all of free chicken sandwiches, chips and residents of Naval Station Mayport and cookies to Naval Station Mayport CAPTAIN’S Jacksonville to start putting together a Sailors and civilian personnel. What CORNER plan for the upcoming hurricane sea- a great gesture and morale builder. I the outstanding job our personnel have son that officially begins on June 1st. keep saying it - and Jacksonville keeps performed in maintaining our gear. There were 13 named storms in 2013. proving me right – this community They went so far as to say our gear We have been extremely fortunate in knows how to show its appreciation. was ranked among the very best in the Jacksonville not to be directly hit by Lastly, we have two chances over the Southeast Region. Once again, the a hurricane, but Tropical storm Beryl next few weeks to honor those Sailors Capt. Wesley McCall pride and professionalism the team at in 2012 should remind us all that it who came before us. On Friday, we will NS Mayport Air Operations has displayed with their doesn’t have to be hurricane strength hold the annual USS Stark memorial Commanding Officer hard work and dedication to the job to cause a lot of damage. Over the next ceremony at 10 a.m. at Memorial park, shines through and proves why Naval several weeks, The Mirror will pub- across from the Gas Station. Everyone Station Mayport produces the “Finest lish tips on being prepared for natural is invited to join us as we remember Shipmates, Service to the Finest Fleet.” disasters like hurricanes, along with its the 37 Sailors who died after Stark was I have travelled all over the world Thanks to all of the donors who annual Hurricane Preparedness Guide. struck by two Iraqi missiles while on with the U.S. Navy and there is no gave during the active duty fund drive Make sure to pick up a copy and start patrol in the Arabian Gulf. Historically, doubt in my mind that the best and the for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief building your list of supplies for your former crew members and families brightest have converged here to work Society. I just received the numbers pack-up kit. It never hurts to prepare have attended the event. It will be a and support the warriors and families from NMCRS Director Bill Kennedy early. great opportunity for today’s Sailors of Mayport. One great example of that and I am proud to announce that we Last week, USS Vicksburg, SERMC, to say thank you for their service and dedication and determination is our exceeded this year’s fund raising goal Jacksonville Fire Department and sacrifice. very own Mayport Commissary, which with a total $216,000 raised. Bill and Mayport’s Fire and Emergency The second event is the 72nd has just been awarded the Bill Nichols I both want to thank our key person- Services participated in a coordinated Anniversary of the Battle of Midway Award for the Best Large Commissary nel for their dedicated hard work in ship-fire drill. It was a great training Commemoration Dinner and Program in the United States for FY2013. helping Sailors and retirees in their evolution designed to test and stress on June 7 at the Renaissance World Congratulations to Ed Kleckner and all time of need. A big thank you also goes the coordinated response of the ship, Golf Village Resort in St. Augustine. the great people at our Commissary for out to the patrons of Navy Exchange installation and local community. The keynote speaker is Vice Admiral earning this tremendous recognition Mayport for helping the Exchange raise Valuable lessons were learned and the Mark I. Fox, Deputy Commander, U.S. and thanks for everything you do every just under $20,000 for the fund drive. great support and cooperation between Central Command. day to support the Fleet, Fighter and Your generosity will most certainly organizations both in and outside the Ticket prices for Active Duty and Family. Again, congratulations and help one of our own. fence line demonstrates once again Spouses: E-6 and below - $25; E-7 keep up the great work. Over the past two weeks, Naval why Naval Station Mayport is so spe- to O3 - $40; O4 to O5 - $50, O6 and Special thanks to MWR Mayport Station Mayport has joined bases cial. There aren’t many places that so above - $65. Prices for Civilians and and all our volunteers for last Friday’s throughout the United States by par- many departments and commands can Retirees - $65. Mayport Music Fest featuring Blue ticipating in the annual hurricane come together and work seamlessly The evening includes fine dining October and The Cab. Although the preparedness exercise, HURREX/ well together, but Mayport is one of and a memorable program.