Month: July 2022

Source: United States Navy

PACIFIC OCEAN – The patient lies on the reclining chair with dental instruments neatly lined on a tray beside them. Bright lights shine in their eyes as the dentist picks and prods at their teeth and gums. The instruments rattle as both the dentist and the patient try to stay still through the rolls and pitches as the ship sails through rough seas.

Amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli’s (LHA 7) Health Services department, dental division, maintains dental health for more than 1,200 deployed Sailors and Marines.

“If you don’t have good teeth, it could mean you’re out of commission for the mission,” said Hospitalman Katherine Palacio, assigned to Tripoli’s dental division.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poor dental health can lead to other issues, such as infections, heart disease and even cancer. Lt. Jennifer Kolin, Tripoli’s dental officer, said preventing these conditions is a vital aspect of mission readiness. “Making sure personnel are able to do their job is the most important part of my job,” said Kolin. “If they’re having any sort of dental issues and their mind isn’t where it needs to be, then it hurts our mission. My goal is to support everyone I can on Tripoli.”

Much like their landlocked civilian counterparts, Tripoli’s dental corpsmen specialize in oral health. Despite being on a warship instead of in a clinic, they are well-equipped to deal with standard dental examinations. They are also trained to perform special procedures, such as making crowns to restore a damaged or missing tooth. “We focus on your teeth, your mouth, and your jaw health,” said Palacio. “Good breath is also a bonus.”

Kolin and Palacio both agree the best part of working in dental division is interacting with the crew. “My favorite part of my job is meeting people and interacting with patients,” Palacio said. “When people come in with a toothache, I like to help make them feel better.”

“I love meeting everyone on the ship,” said Kolin. “Everyone has to come see me once a year, and I feel fortunate that’s the case. I love asking people about their day, and having them tell me about their job and about different parts of the ship.”

Many Sailors will face roaring jets without flinching or fight blazing fires without hesitation, yet still find themselves quaking in the dentist’s chair; an amusing contradiction, Palacio pointed out.

Whether they are alleviating people’s fear of the dentist, or filling cavities, Tripoli’s dental corpsman are prepared to use every instrument in their arsenal to fix happy smiles.

Source: United States Navy

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) announced July 5 that it will begin rewarding individuals for voluntarily providing information that leads to the detection of illegal maritime activity and seizure of illicit cargo in waters across the Middle East.

NAVCENT is establishing a program for the first time to reward individuals who voluntary report information that meets specific criteria under the Department of Defense Rewards Program.

“Launching this program represents another example of our commitment to this region and its security,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of NAVCENT, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. “This also enhances our vigilance and supports counterterrorism efforts, which are essential to safeguarding the free flow of commerce.”

NAVCENT could potentially reward a maximum $100,000 payout for information or nonlethal assistance that supports counterterrorism operations or leads U.S. naval forces to successfully seize illicit cargo such as illegal weapons or narcotics. Rewards can also be non-monetary and include items like boats, vehicles, food or equipment.

U.S. citizens are not eligible for rewards under the program.

Last year, illicit cargo seizures in the Middle East skyrocketed after U.S. and multinational forces increased patrols in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea.

U.S. 5th Fleet warships seized nearly 9,000 illicit weapons, three times the amount seized in 2020. Additionally, the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces seized illegal drugs worth $500 million in street value, a higher amount than the previous four years combined.

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The region is comprised of 21 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

Tips can be reported by calling +973 3914-5845. The phone line is staffed by personnel with regional language expertise. Individuals with information can also report online by going to https://dodrewardsprogram.net.

For additional information on how to report a tip or reward eligibility criteria, go to NAVCENT’s website at https://www.cusnc.navy.mil/DoD-RP/.

Source: United States Navy

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) and embarked Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Rijeka, Croatia, July 4, 2022, to complete a scheduled maintenance availability and to strengthen relations with a key NATO ally.

The maintenance period, termed a mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR), allows the ship to complete corrective and preventative maintenance that cannot be accomplished while at sea. This necessary work allows the ship and her crew to continue their mission in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe (NAVEUR) area of operations. The ability to conduct the MDVR in Croatia provides a wealth of benefits to the ship and crew.

“Croatia is an incredible ally and such a beautiful country with a long, fascinating history and culture,” said Capt. Eric Kellum, Arlington’s commanding officer. “Conducting our mid-deployment voyage repair provides an excellent opportunity to conduct a deliberate reset and refresh on our equipment and for the Sailors and Marines. Our ability to work maintenance and resupply overseas with trusted allies and partners enables our sustained global presence.”

The ship’s arrival to Rijeka comes after nearly four months of deployment to the NAVEUR area of operations. Throughout their time in the region, the ship’s crew and embarked Marines have participated in a variety of exercises and operations with allies and partners. These exercises have taken the ship up north to Iceland for exercise Northern Viking, throughout the Mediterranean in support of exercises Alexander the Great and EFES with Greece and Turkey, respectively, and off the coast of Tunisia in North Africa for exercise African Lion.

“This deployment has been an incredible experience. We have successfully completed four major exercises with over 30 NATO allies and partners,” said Kellum. “The Navy-Marine Corps team has conducted themselves with precision and excellence on time, every time!”

Sailors and Marines aboard Arlington will also have the opportunity to participate in recreational activities in Rijeka and surrounding areas to include: a tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park, a chance to explore KRK Island and Town of Moscience & Charming Opaija, a tour of Vrelo Cave and Lakeside Fuzine, and a tour of Pula and Rovinj, Croatia. Throughout their time in port, Sailors and Marines will have the opportunity to reinforce interpersonal bonds between the United States and Croatia.

The Kearsarge ARG and embarked 22nd MEU are under the command and control of Task Force 61/2. The ARG consists of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3); Arlington; and the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44).

Embarked commands with the Kearsarge ARG include Amphibious Squadron SIX, 22nd MEU, Fleet Surgical Team 2, Fleet Surgical Team 4, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Assault Craft Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 4, Naval Beach Group 2, and Beach Master Unit 2.

Amphibious ready groups and larger amphibious task forces provide military commanders a wide range of flexible capabilities including maritime security operations, expeditionary power projection, strike operations, forward naval presence, crisis response, sea control, deterrence, counter-terrorism, information operations, security cooperation and counter-proliferation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with our Allies and Partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) anchored out in Victoria, Seychelles, July 3, 2022, for a scheduled visit.

The port visit comes shortly after the passing of the ship’s namesake, Medal of Honor recipient retired Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) 4 Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams. Williams passed away on June 29, 2022, at the age of 98.

“I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of retired CWO4 Williams,” said Capt. Chad Graham, commanding officer of USS Hershel “Woody” Williams. “He truly was an American hero, one whose example and courage we try to emulate in all that we do onboard. It is an honor and privilege to be the commanding officer of the vessel that bears his name.”

As the ship prepares to mark Woody’s life in a future remembrance ceremony, Capt. Graham and the ship’s crew look to another important mission. While in Victoria, the crew will be afforded the chance to strengthen relations with the people of the Seychelles while representing the Navy and Military Sealift Command as well as their namesake to the local population.

“This port visit in Seychelles is bittersweet to the crew, as it allows us a much needed break but also time to celebrate the life of our ship’s namesake,” said Capt. Chad Graham. “The crew proudly carries the name Hershel “Woody” Williams to every port and nation we visit, each sailor an ambassador of his legacy.”

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first ship named after the Medal of Honor recipient, following his actions in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. He was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the second World War and his decades of service to his community and his country left a lasting legacy that will surely carry on for years to come.

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first warship permanently assigned to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. The U.S. shares a common interest with African partner nations in ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, because these waters are critical for Africa’s prosperity and access to global markets.

The ESB ship class is a highly flexible platform that operates across a broad range of military operations. Acting as a mobile sea base, they are part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to support missions assigned.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

Source: United States Navy

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Centennial celebration culminates with the 100th anniversary of its founding on July 2, 2023. The coming months are an opportunity for the nearly 3,000 NRL employees to highlight past, present, and future scientific achievements and imagine the technological breakthroughs and innovations in its second 100 years.

“For nearly a century, NRL employees have been at the forefront of innovation and research, and we are excited to honor this centennial as we look to the next 100 years,” said Peter Matic, Ph.D., NRL’s Centennial Celebration Coordinator. “We are planning and coordinating events to celebrate this momentous occasion and share our legacy with a wider audience in the coming year.”

NRL is recognized worldwide for its technical leadership in basic and applied research spanning disciplines from the seafloor to outer space.

“The researchers at NRL unravel the impossibilities of today while delivering advanced capabilities to meet tomorrow’s challenges,” said NRL Commanding Officer Capt. Gregory Petrovic. “The talented men and women at NRL have delivered many firsts for our nation and the Navy. The list of breakthroughs and achievements is already long, and NRL will continue its legacy of delivering innovative capabilities to the Fleet and American people in the next century.”

In its first century of operation, NRL developed surveillance, meteorological, and GPS satellites; operational radar; and information security used aboard ships. Other notable achievements, among many, include pilotless first unmanned radio-controlled flight, the concept of using nuclear power for submarines, and more accurate weather modeling and forecast systems.

The lab is also home to numerous award-winning scientists, including the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1985 awarded to Jerome Karle, Ph.D., for his contribution in the development of direct methods for the determination of crystal structure; the National Medal of Technology in 2005 to Roger Easton for his extensive pioneering achievements in spacecraft tracking, navigation and timing technology that led to the development of the NAVSTAR-Global Positioning System (GPS); and the Thurlow Award in 1995 to William Burns, Ph.D., for his contribution to the development of the fiber-optic gyroscope.

Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels broke ground and established the U.S. Navy’s first modern science-and-technology-research facility on Dec. 6, 1920. Daniels was inspired by American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison when Edison said, “The Government should maintain a great research laboratory, jointly under military and naval and civilian control.”

Edison editorialized his idea for a center of innovation that could develop “military and naval progression” to modernize warfighting and prevent catastrophes in a New York Times Magazine article on the contemporary sinking of RMS Lusitania in 1915.

“For a century, NRL spearheaded research that has not only made our Navy and country stronger, it has also impacted the lives of billions of people, and has lived up to the spirit of what Edison envisioned,” NRL’s Director of Research, Bruce Danly, Ph.D. said. “As we look to our 100th year, the Lab and its scientists continue expanding our knowledge and developing the tools needed for All-domain Naval Power.”

Learn more about NRL’s centennial and join in the celebration by visiting https://www.nrl.navy.mil/USNRL100 or search #USNRL100 on social media.

About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL is located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.
 
For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at (202) 480-3746 or nrlpao@nrl.navy.mil.