IN THIS ISSUE KEEPING US SAFE AND SECURE – THANK YOU NAVY SECURITY FORCE! Thank s to the Navy Security Force for the security blanket they place upon us each and every day ❯❯See A2 VOL. 28, No. 25, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com 07.09.2020_07.15.2020 MC2 Logan Kellums The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) steams in formation with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during dual carrier operations with the Nimitz and Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Groups (CSG). Dual carrier operations unify the tactical power of two individual CSGs, providing fleet commanders with an unmatched, unified credible combat force capable of operating indefinitely. The CSGs are on scheduled deployments to the Indo-Pacific. WASHINGTON The Navy stood up a special task force June 30, to Task Force One Navy address the issues of racism, sexism and other destruc- tive biases and their impact on naval readiness. “Task Force (TF) One Navy” will be led by Rear Adm. established to combat Alvin Holsey who will report his findings to the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Mike Gilday via the Navy’s Chief of Personnel, Vice Adm. John B. Nowell, Jr. discrimination in the Navy “As a Navy – uniform and civilian, active and reserve - we cannot tolerate discrimination or racism of any kind. From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs ❯❯ See | A7 sensors to look for the ship in distress “Search and rescue VAW-124 Aviators teaming and set-up a search pattern,” said Ol- son. “I’m proud of the work the crew “is a contingency we did. This event provides further evi- with U.S. Coast Guard to dence that when it comes to assisting prepare for because mariners in distress, the Navy and the Coast Guard work well together.” you never know when safeguard Mariners When the distress call was heard over VHF Channel 16 mariners at sea and in we will have an oppor- By Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg person crew aboard VAW-124’s E-2C the this case in the air from the Hawk- Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs Hawkeye were manning the skies eye crew responded said Capt. Samson tunity to assist a ship or above Hampton Roads they heard a C. Stevens, U.S. Coast Guard, Com- NORFOLK potential Search and Rescue (SAR) mander, Sector Virginia who added it an aircraft in distress While the nation is battling with distress call announced on the Urgent was all hands on deck response. Cmdr. Matt Olson COVID-19 naval aviators assigned to Marine Information Broadcast and “We received a report of a vessel Airborne Command & Control Squad- took action. taking on water near Smith Island off lead on locating the stranded vessel ron (VAW) 124 aboard Naval Station “Search and rescue is a contingency the Virginia Peninsula, and Lt. Burke was VAW-124’s Lt. Casey Burke. Norfolk were assisting the U.S. Coast we prepare for because you never know and crew responded to our Urgent Mar- “It was nice to be able to utilize my Guard to respond to a potential mariner when we will have an opportunity to ine Information Broadcast, in addition training in order to assist the Coast in distress in the waters off the Atlantic assist a ship or an aircraft in distress,” to CG HH-60, small boat, and local Guard with their Search and Rescue Ocean, June 24. said Cmdr. Matt Olson, VAW-124 com- partner boats,” said Stevens. response,” said Burke. The U.S. Coast Guard Sector, lo- manding officer. “Burke’s crew identified a capsized Other aviators that assisted with this cated in Hampton Roads, has a large For Olson, he believes the quick re- vessel with two persons in the water, Search and Rescue event included Lt. geographical territory to cover, and action of Hawkeye crew and the U.S. helping us to quickly vector assets to Simon Hallberg, Lt. Steve Dine, Lt. with the Fourth of July approaching in Coast Guard is evidence that the two the scene and confirm the nature of Jackson Jones, and Lt. Eric Triassi. a few days, having other Department of branches form a great team. distress,” said Stevens. “The VAW plat- Cmdr. Jonathan Faraco, VAW-124 Defense assets to rely upon makes all “The crew was monitoring channel form made a big difference in prioritiz- executive officer emphasized the value the difference. 16 when they heard the distress call. ing our responses.” of manning, training, and equipping On Wednesday, June 24 as a five- They immediately used the aircraft’s One of the naval aviators who had ❯❯ See | A7 AIRLANT visits NAVSEA’s new com- Sailor saves Fleet Area Control mander visits Nor- lives on land and Surveillance folk Naval Shipyard Machinist’s Mate 2nd Facility Virginia Class Nathaniel Just days after taking the helm Capes Atkins, never ex- www.flagshipnews.com of Naval Sea Systems Com- pected to use this Rear Adm. John F. Meier, mand (NAVSEA), Vice Admi- training during his Commander,visited the ral Bill Galinis visited Norfolk liberty time not “Giant Killers” of Fleet Naval Shipyard (NNSY) on aboard the ship, www.facebook.com/ Area Control and Surveil- June 30 The.Flagship lance Facility . ❯❯See ❯❯See A3 A5 ❯❯See A4 Sign up THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY today! Call www.twitter.com/ 222-3900 the_flagship South Hampton Roads:Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered right to your door for free! A2 | www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | 7.9.2020 MC3 Skyler Okerman U.S. Navy police officers Thane Fredin, center, and Michael Cameron, right, approach a simulated suspect vehicle during an entry control point penetration drill at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Feb. 6, 2020 supporting exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2020. The exercise is a two-part, anti-terrorism force protection exercise that is being conducted nationwide on Navy installations, Feb. 3-14. The annual exercise that is not in response to any specific threat but is used to evaluate the readiness of fleet and installation security programs. Navy Security Forces is at times inappro- priate. They must be viewed as Law En- Keeping us safe and secure – Thank you forcement. When they are dealing with you, you are a citizen regardless of your pay grade and job position. Yes, they Navy Security Force! should be treating each citizen with the Captain Monty Ashliman information. Gathering this information is credentials should be carried on our per- utmost in respect and professionalism, and necessary, and often when a turn-around is son at all times. Please do not get upset if they are not, leadership wants to hear NORFOLK required, it turns up individuals who with the Sentry for requiring you to do so. about it, as we demand the utmost in should not be onboard our installations, or Ensure you have your ID card prior to professionalism from our NSF. A Sentry A culture in which security is a normal simply someone is lost. Bottom line is that leaving for the installation, and ensure you not explaining to you what they are doing part of our everyday routine is vital to turn-arounds prevent individuals from have your ID card with you before you is not being unprofessional. In the execu- managing our security risks onboard our gaining access to our installations that do leave the installation (i.e. you did not leave tion of their duties, they are not obligated installations. Each and every person not have the credentials to do so. it in your workstation at your desk). If you to explain to everyone as to what they are onboard our installations (i.e. military, Vetting is another requirement in order forget your ID card at home, or at work, it doing. This distracts from the duty they contractors, government employees, de- to ensure only individuals with appropri- is extremely easy to call a co-worker, are trying to perform. We must comply pendents, guests etc.), regardless of pay- ate background checks are allowed to be friend or family member to either escort with their direction. If you would not grade, must do their part in order to ensure onboard our installations (and this if for you onto the installation or bring you your behave a certain way with Norfolk Police, the security of our installations each and unescorted individuals). Vetting ensures ID card. Do not expect the Sentry will Virginia Beach Police, or Virginia State every day. Our security is ALL of our we do not have people onboard our instal- allow you onto the installation without the Police, please do not behave that way with responsibility. lations that should not be there for every- proper credentials, no matter who you are. our NSF. Our NSF always strives to de- With the currently growing civil unrest one’s safety and security. Intent. Realize an important aspect of escalate any situation. None of us should in some communities across our Nation, in Scanning and 100% ID card checks our NSF’s job at the ECP is to take an subscribe to the theory that nothing will addition to recent tragic events onboard ensure we only have authorized personnel unknown vehicle and its driver / passen- happen onboard our installations and that our Navy installations in the Shore Enter- who have the appropriate credentials to be gers, or a pedestrian, and ensure all indi- no threat exists as recent tragic events have prise, now is a critical time to reflect on onboard the installation. Defense Biomet- viduals have the proper credentials to unfortunately proven. The environment how we as a populace must do our part in ric Identification System (DBIDS) is a access the installation.