Month: February 2023

Source: United States Navy

According to Jessica Sabo, associate director for ACE’s learning evaluations department, the purpose of this visit was to determine how the Sailors’ occupational standards, knowledge and skills on the job translate to college credit recommendations.  Approximately 30 Sailors participated in the face to face and virtual review.

Sabo, who has been working with ACE for about 11 years, really enjoys this type of work.

“I really love doing these reviews because you can see how military training supports the objectives of the DoD, and how it helps the servicemembers’ development,” Sabo said.  “It’s really rewarding, meeting with people directly who are going to benefit from these credit recommendations.”

John Clayton, a CNATT training specialist, served as the liaison between the organizations.

“We are always very grateful to come down to CNATT,” Sabo said. “They (the CNATT staff) are always very welcoming and provide us with the information we need to do our jobs here.”

Source: United States Navy

Staff and honored guests gathered under a crisp, late morning light of another resoundingly sunny Lemoore day to honor the changing of command and welcome another leader to helm the schoolhouse.
 
While in command of CNATTU Lemoore, Sanchez was responsible for more than 135 personnel daily, encompassing 56 courses of instruction, while serving a student population of more than 300. Sanchez took the reins of the schoolhouse during the COVID pandemic and continued his predecessor’s work of keeping the campus of CNATTU Lemoore a safe learning environment. He was able to navigate the turbulent skies of the global pandemic and guide his Sailors and Marines through to safety–keeping a steady throughput of Sailors and Marines with no interruptions to the courses taught.
 
Swinney, who has been CNATTU Lemoore’s executive officer since October 2021, reflected on his working relationship with Sanchez.
 
“Thank you for everything,” Cmdr. Swinney said in regards to Cmdr. Sanchez.  “It has been a very humbling experience serving with you the last 18 months.  I’ve known you for a while, but this is the first time I’ve been able to work side-by-side with you.  You will be greatly missed, and we all wish you the best in your retirement!”
 
Swinney also had a message for the Sailors, Marines and civilian staff members. 
 
“There’s always a better way, and I encourage you to find it.  Embrace innovation, seek out efficiencies, that’s how we all ‘Get Real and Get Better,’” Swinney said. “Our mission statement says it all.  All of you ARE the foundation of our success.  You take new Sailors and Marines and give them the final training required to go to the fleet and support Naval Aviation.  Just like I’m certain you all remember the names of your “C” school instructors, everyone you teach will remember you as well.  Let that sink in, your impact on them will make ripples for decades to come.”
 
Swinney was born in Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego, California, and raised in Claremore, Oklahoma.  He graduated high school from Foyil High School in Oklahoma and completed his associate degree in avionics from Spartan School of Aeronautics. After working in the civilian sector for a few years, he joined the U.S. Navy in August 1991.
 
After completing recruit training, Swinney attended Aviation Electronic Technician “A” School and became an intermediate-level aviation electronic technician. In September 2001, he was initiated into the chief petty officer mess and in 2005 he was commissioned under the Limited Duty Officer program. He completed his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Embry Riddle University.   
 
His enlisted tours of duty include Fighter Squadron (VF) 101, Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana as a part of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD), Sea Operations Detachment (SEAOPDET) based out of Norfolk, Virginia; Naval Air Maintenance Training Unit (NAMTRAU) based out of Oceana, Virginia, and the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
 
As an officer, his tours of duty include Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic (FRCMA), HSC 23, the Theodore Roosevelt, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific (CHSMWINGPAC), USS Boxer (LHD 4), and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41.
 
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (ten awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), and various unit and service awards.
 
Lemoore staff also welcomed Cmdr. Chabonnie “Sonny” Alexander as their new executive officer.
 
CNATTU Lemoore equips Sailors and Marines with the necessary skills and abilities to function at the highest technical standards in Naval aviation, primarily focused on the F/A-18 Hornet and the associated maintenance testing equipment. Not only does CNATTU Lemoore give the highest quality training available to the naval aviation community, they are at the forefront of Sailor 2025 Ready Relevant Learning, Broad Unscheduled Rapid Support Training Courses, and have encompassed, encouraged and propagated a culture of warrior toughness at the schoolhouse.
 

Source: United States Navy

NHHC’s Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) used information and imagery provided by Dr. Tamaki Ura, from the University of Tokyo, to confirm the identity of Albacore, which was lost at sea Nov. 7, 1944.

“As the final resting place for Sailors who gave their life in defense of our nation, we sincerely thank and congratulate Dr. Ura and his team for their efforts in locating the wreck of Albacore,” said NHHC Director Samuel J. Cox, U.S. Navy rear admiral (retired). “It is through their hard work and continued collaboration that we could confirm Albacore’s identity after being lost at sea for over 70 years.”

Japanese records originating from the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records (JACAR) covering the loss of an American submarine on Nov. 7, 1944, guided Dr. Ura’s missions. The location mentioned in the records matched a separate ongoing effort by UAB volunteers to establish the location of the shipwreck.

Dr. Ura’s team collected data using a Remotely Operated Vehicle to confirm the historical data. Strong currents, marine growth, and poor visibility on site made it challenging to fully document the wreck or obtain comprehensive images. However, several key features of a late 1944 Gato-class submarine were identified in the video.

Indications of documented modifications made to Albacore prior to her final patrol such as the presence of an SJ Radar dish and mast, a row of vent holes along the top of the superstructure, and the absence of steel plates along the upper edge of the fairwater allowed UAB to confirm the wreck site finding as Albacore.

The wreck of Albacore is a U.S. sunken military craft protected by U.S. law and under the jurisdiction of NHHC. While non-intrusive activities, such as remote sensing documentation, on U.S. Navy sunken military craft is allowed, any intrusive or potentially intrusive activities must be coordinated with NHHC and if appropriate, authorized through a relevant permitting program. Most importantly, the wreck represents the final resting place of Sailors that gave their life in defense of the nation and should be respected by all parties as a war grave.

Albacore was constructed by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, CT and commissioned on June 1, 1942. Before being lost in 1944, she conducted 11 war patrols and is credited with 10 confirmed enemy vessel sinkings, with possibly another three not yet confirmed. Albacore earned nine battle stars and four Presidential Unit Citations during her career. Six of the ten enemy sinkings were enemy combatant ships, ranking her as one of the most successful submarines against enemy combatants during World War II.

For more information on Albacore, please visit https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/a/albacore-ss-218-ii.html

NHHC, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for preserving, analyzing, and disseminating U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy’s unique and enduring contributions through our nation’s history and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC comprises many activities, including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, 10 museums, USS Constitution repair facility, and the historic ship Nautilus.

Source: United States Navy

NHHC’s Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) used information and imagery provided by Dr. Tamaki Ura, from the University of Tokyo, to confirm the identity of Albacore, which was lost at sea Nov. 7, 1944.

“As the final resting place for Sailors who gave their life in defense of our nation, we sincerely thank and congratulate Dr. Ura and his team for their efforts in locating the wreck of Albacore,” said NHHC Director Samuel J. Cox, U.S. Navy rear admiral (retired). “It is through their hard work and continued collaboration that we could confirm Albacore’s identity after being lost at sea for over 70 years.”

Japanese records originating from the Japan Center for Asian Historical Records (JACAR) covering the loss of an American submarine on Nov. 7, 1944, guided Dr. Ura’s missions. The location mentioned in the records matched a separate ongoing effort by UAB volunteers to establish the location of the shipwreck.

Dr. Ura’s team collected data using a Remotely Operated Vehicle to confirm the historical data. Strong currents, marine growth, and poor visibility on site made it challenging to fully document the wreck or obtain comprehensive images. However, several key features of a late 1944 Gato-class submarine were identified in the video.

Indications of documented modifications made to Albacore prior to her final patrol such as the presence of an SJ Radar dish and mast, a row of vent holes along the top of the superstructure, and the absence of steel plates along the upper edge of the fairwater allowed UAB to confirm the wreck site finding as Albacore.

The wreck of Albacore is a U.S. sunken military craft protected by U.S. law and under the jurisdiction of NHHC. While non-intrusive activities, such as remote sensing documentation, on U.S. Navy sunken military craft is allowed, any intrusive or potentially intrusive activities must be coordinated with NHHC and if appropriate, authorized through a relevant permitting program. Most importantly, the wreck represents the final resting place of Sailors that gave their life in defense of the nation and should be respected by all parties as a war grave.

Albacore was constructed by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, CT and commissioned on June 1, 1942. Before being lost in 1944, she conducted 11 war patrols and is credited with 10 confirmed enemy vessel sinkings, with possibly another three not yet confirmed. Albacore earned nine battle stars and four Presidential Unit Citations during her career. Six of the ten enemy sinkings were enemy combatant ships, ranking her as one of the most successful submarines against enemy combatants during World War II.

For more information on Albacore, please visit https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/a/albacore-ss-218-ii.html

NHHC, located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for preserving, analyzing, and disseminating U.S. naval history and heritage. It provides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy’s unique and enduring contributions through our nation’s history and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services. NHHC comprises many activities, including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology, Navy histories, 10 museums, USS Constitution repair facility, and the historic ship Nautilus.