Norfolk-Based Strike Group Making a Difference in Haiti
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® Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family Vol. 18, No. 6, Norfolk, VA FLAGSHIPNEWS.COM February 11, 2010 Congressman John Murtha dies at 77 COMPILED BY FLAGSHIP STAFF their deepest condolence for the death of Rep- resentative John Murtha (D-PA) at Virginia Rep. John Hospital Center in Arlington, Va. Murtha, a Pennsyl- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus thanked vania powerhouse Murtha for a life of service to the nation. in Congress for 36 “The Navy and Marine Corps extend its deep- years and an ear- est sympathies to the family of Chairman Murtha ly ally for Speaker during this difficult time. Both in uniform and in Nancy Pelosi in the halls of Congress, Chairman Murtha dedi- her rise to the top cated his life to serving his country both in the of the House, died Marine Corps and Congress. His unwavering Photo by MC2 Kevin S. O’Brien Monday, Feb. 1, support of our Sailors and Marines, and in par- President Barack Obama delivers remarks to an audience of Sailors and as a result of com- ticular our wounded warriors, was well known Marines before introducing President Barack Obama during a visit to plications from Congressman and deeply appreciated. The men and women of U.S. Naval Air Station Jacksonville. During his visit he also met with gold recent surgery. John Murtha (D - PA) the naval service and all who have served will star families-families that have lost a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan, to An announce- sorely miss this strong proponent of selfless ser- personally thank them for their sacrifi ce. ment from his offi ce said Murtha died at 1:18 vice to our nation,” said Mabus. p.m. at the Virginia Hospital Center, where he Murtha a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, DoD releases defense reviews, had been admitted last week after having his gall- the 77-year-old Democrat won national fame for bladder removed at Bethesda Naval Hospital. 2011 budget proposal, 2010 war The U.S. Navy leadership expressed today See MURTHA, A11 funding supplemental request PRESS RELEASE processes were broadened and From Department of Defense deepened by the analysis and Norfolk-based Strike Group conclusions contained in the WASHINGTON — Presi- Quadrennial Defense Review.” dent Barack Obama Feb. 1 sent The fiscal 2011 base budget to Congress a proposed de- request represents an increase making a difference in Haiti fense budget of $708 billion for of $18 billion over the $531 bil- fiscal 2011. lion enacted for fiscal 2010. PRESS RELEASE The budget request for the This is an increase of 3.4 per- Carrier Strike Group Two Public Affairs Department of Defense (DoD) cent, or 1.8 percent real growth includes $549 billion in discretion- after adjusting for inflation. The PORT-AU-PRINCE — The ary budget authority to fund base DoD needs modest real growth sailors assigned to Carrier Strike defense programs and $159 billion to maintain, train, and equip Group 2 (CSG 2) fi nd themselves to support overseas contingency the forces that sustain our war- in a unique position to render as- operations (OCO), primarily in Af- time efforts. sistance to the relief efforts in ghanistan and Iraq. The fiscal 2011 OCO request Haiti. They are “Boots dry” in This proposal continues the will provide additional resourc- Port-Au-Prince. reform agenda established in es needed to sustain U.S. forces The Norfolk-based Strike Group, the 2009 DoD budget request in Operation Enduring Freedom which will eventually embark on and builds on the initiatives – in Afghanistan and elsewhere America’s newest Aircraft Carri- identified by the 2010 Quadren- – and Operation Iraqi Freedom. er, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN nial Defense Review (QDR) and Included are funds for pay and 77), travelled in large numbers in 2010 Ballistic Missile Defense benefits, logistics and other the direction of Haiti shortly after Review (BMDR). support, force protection, con- the devastating earthquake struck The QDR examines DoD strat- tinuing efforts to counteract the nation Jan. 12. There are now egies and priorities. It assesses improvised explosive devices, 172 sailors from the Strike Group the threats and challenges that as well as funding to fully sup- taking part in Operation Unifi ed the nation faces and re-balances port the buildup in Afghanistan Response, most of them living in DoD’s strategies, capabilities, and to carry out a responsible tents and working in the Joint Task and forces to ensure the U.S. drawdown in Iraq. Force (JTF) Haiti command cen- military has the flexibility to “The choices made and pri- ter just outside the United States address today’s conflicts and orities set in these budget Embassy in Port-Au-Prince. tomorrow’s threats. requests and strategic defense Not yet embarked on CVN 77 as The BMDR evaluates the bal- reviews reflect America’s com- it conducted Sea Trials and Flight listic missile threat to the U.S. mitment to succeed in the wars Deck Certifi cation, the Strike and its allies and articulates we are in while making the in- Group was in a unique position of policy. It determines the appro- vestments necessary to prepare availability after the earthquake priate role of ballistic missile for threats on or beyond the ho- struck to assist in the humanitar- defense in the country’s na- rizon,” said Gates. ian assistance mission. Initially, tional security and military Also accompanying the 2011 the staff reported to Naval Station strategies. budget proposal is a fi scal 2010 Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to stand- “The fiscal 2011 budget re- supplemental request of $33 bil- up the Joint Logistics Hub at the quest builds on the reforms lion to support the added costs base air strip. In that capacity, CSG begun in last year’s defense of the President’s new strategy in 2 provided the command and con- budget,” said Defense Sec- Afghanistan and strengthen U.S. trol and expertise to manage the retary Robert Gates. “These force levels with approximately movement of food, water, medi- substantial changes to allocate 30,000 additional troops. cal supplies and relief personnel to defense dollars more wisely and reform the department’s See DOD, A11 See HAITI, A11 U.S. Navy photo by LS1 Kelly Chastain Bystander intervention: Looking out for your shipmates BY FLTCM (SW/AW) TOM HOWARD Fleet Master Chief, U.S. Fleet Forces Command ery Sailor should be trained, brought up to of a sexual nature or perpetrates sexual ha- and the fallen. “Shipmate” is a fi re-hard- speed on the term and made aware of the rassment. ened, selfl essly earned title that boasts, “I A recent incident involving a female Sail- affect it can have on this horrible yet avoid- Incidents of sexual assault erode the very am a United States Sailor!” or in San Diego has me very concerned, able assault. fabric of our Navy culture; shipmates take We, you and I, must strive for an environ- and at the same time, encouraged by the ac- I recall recently a situation where a young care of shipmates, and it’s impossible to ment where behavior of this nature [sexual tion of someone who stepped up to ‘do the girl was sexually assaulted by a group of think that at one moment we can expect a assault] is not tolerated and bystanders in- right thing’. males while upwards of 20 people may shipmate to be there when we need them in tervene when a shipmate is being forced to The Sailor from one of the local com- have witnessed the assault but stood idly by the event of crisis or damage and the next do something against their will. mands was being harassed by a male Sailor and did nothing. I cringe each time I think moment attempt to assault them, in this case Here are some ways to act through by- from another command while in a public about how this could happen. in a sexual nature. The two do not coexist. stander intervention: area of a new single Sailor bachelor hous- There can be many forms of bystand- In a recent opportunity to “defi ne” what • Let your friends know that sexual as- ing unit, and the situation quickly escalated er intervention. It could be someone who a shipmate is and means, Chief Aviation sault or any form of sexual misconduct isn’t to what could be defi ned as a physical sexu- witnesses an accident and calls for help, or Electronics Technician Brown wrote: “Ship- going to work with you and you’re going to al assault. Although others observed what perhaps someone who directly steps in or mate” is a term with inherent connotations engage if confronted with it. was going on but weren’t quite sure wheth- supports a shipmate when he or she is ex- of teamwork, camaraderie and belonging. • Don’t hesitate to speak up upon an ob- er to involve themselves, a female bystander periencing some type of harassment. It embodies duty, honor, courage, commit- servation of a potential victim in a hostile quickly intervened, removed the victim from The fact is, all of us may be bystanders ment and excellence. “Shipmate” exclaims situation. Make sure the victim is okay and the situation, and convinced the victim to re- at some point in one way or another to a the spirited commonality of all Sailors: One seek assistance. port the incident to base police. broad spectrum of events leading to sexu- Team! One Fight! It illustrates hardships • If you are uncomfortable with approach- This is a perfect example of why ‘By- al violence. Each of us may be faced or may shared, victories won.