Month: August 2023

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Defense News: IWTC Corry Station Alumni One of Navy’s Newest Aerial Vehicle Operators

Source: United States Navy

The Aerial Vehicle Operator (AVO) Warrant Officer Program provides enlisted Sailors with the opportunity to operate carrier-based MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial vehicles. AVOs will be responsible for the day-to-day flying operations of the Stingray fleet. The MQ-25 Stingray is an aerial refueling drone with a length of 51 feet, wingspan of 75 feet, and height of 9.8 feet. It will be the first carrier-based unmanned aerial vehicle in the United States Navy. 
 
Forsythe joined the Navy in June 2010, and after completing “A” school earned the Cryptologic Technician Collection (CTR) rating in April 2011. He completed several tours including Navy Information Operations Command Whidbey Island, Navy Information Operations Detachment Kaneohe Bay, and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Zero (VX 20) before being selected for the AVO program.
 
In January of 2022, Forsythe was the top graduate and one of the first seven to graduate from Officer Candidate School (OCS) for to be selected for the new AVO designator.
 
The Navy received more than 100 applications from active-duty enlisted sailors for the AVO program. Forsythe said after hearing news of his selection his, original plan was to stay in the intelligence community. However, after thinking about what was best for his career and family, he decided to accept the commission and become a plank-owner for the program.
 
He said the training was a tough and rigorous from the time he was selected to his winging day.
 
“The hardest part of this training so far was the first three weeks of NIFE (Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation),” said Forsythe. “During this training you are taking five tests in three weeks, all while learning two topics at a time, one in the morning and another in the afternoon. After that training got easier, but wasn’t easy.”
 
To complete the training, Forsythe completed 22 months of training, only three months of which were near his family.
 
“The hardest was being away from the family,” said Forsythe. “It was longer than any normal deployment.”
 
Reflecting on his time as an enlisted Sailor and looking to the future, Forsythe said, “I loved being a CTR, had a great time, and will never forget what I have done and where I came from. I was the only non-aviation rated Sailor to be selected from the first group of ten. If you have a goal of doing something don’t let one or even two people stop you, their recommendations only matter for the moment and should deter you from trying.”
 
Forsythe explained that after submitting five OCS applications and two Limited Duty Officer packages he earned Wings of Gold in the Navy’s newest Air Warfare community as a warrant officer.
 
Forsythe said his most rewarding career milestones were, “being selected to go Special Projects Aircrew, even though it was short lived in Hawaii. Then my time at VX-20 working with the Triton MQ-4 and getting qualified as an observer on the C-130 (Hercules aircraft) to do tanking flights. This is what probably helped set me up for success in getting selected for the MQ-25 AVO program.”
 
Forsythe is now a proud member of the aviation warfare community, but who will also forever have ties to the intelligence community and all the previous lessons learned, mentorship and leadership he learned will enhance his new community.
 

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Defense News: Keel Authenticated for Future USS Tang (SSN 805)

Source: United States Navy

The keel laying ceremony signifies a major milestone in the life of a ship as the ship transitions to reality. The future USS Tang will be a Block V submarine and the 32nd Virginia Class submarine.

During his remarks, Vice Adm. William Houston, Commander, Submarine Forces addressed the industrial team stressing the importance of their work.

“I look at you, the workers, who build these magnificent submarines and I just cannot thank you enough,” said Houston. “As a submarine force commander responsible for 25,000 Submariners, you give us the best platform to operate in the world.” Houston continued by underscoring the role shipyard workers hold in the defense industry. “You are contributing to an enterprise of defense of the greatest nation in the world in support of freedom and democracy throughout the world.”

In a time-honored Navy tradition, the submarine’s sponsor, Ms. Mimi Donnelly, in collaboration with a welder etched her initials onto a steel plate that will be installed on the submarine. The bond symbolizes the enduring relationship between the sponsor, the ship, and her crew.

Donnelly has a long history of volunteer service to the Navy community. She was awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award for her leadership while serving as the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and as a Senior Advisor to the Submarine Officer Spouse Association.

“I am honored to recognize Ms. Donnelly, as well as the shipbuilders who are here today, to celebrate Tang’s keel laying as we look forward to a long life of service,” said Capt. Mike Hollenbach, Virginia-class program manager. “This is a significant milestone as the submarine begins to take shape in preparation for future delivery to the Fleet where she will enforce our freedom by deterring enemies, protecting our interests and underscoring our nation’s dominance of the seas.”

Tang is the third Navy submarine to be named for the regal blue surgeonfish, chosen in honor of the success both previous namesakes endured in battle.

The first Navy ship to bear the name Tang, SS 306, was commissioned in 1943 and is one of the most storied American submarines in history, with more than 30 enemy ships hit or sunk during battles in the Pacific theater. Tang (SS 306) received four battle stars and two Presidential Unit Citations for service during World War II, and its commanding officer received the Medal of Honor for the ship’s final heroic actions.

The second Tang, SS 563, was commissioned in 1951 and earned four battle stars for service in Vietnamese waters.

Tang will be the 32nd Virginia-class submarine. Boats in this class are the most advanced attack submarines in the world, with superior stealth, firepower and maneuverability than previous classes. They can hit shore-based targets with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and are capable of long-term, stealth surveillance of sea forces, littoral waters or ground targets. Their design also provides for special operation forces delivery and support, mine delivery and minefield mapping, and anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare. These capabilities allow the submarine force to contribute to regional stability and preservation of future peace while operating everywhere international law allows. 

For more information about Virginia-class attack submarines visit:
https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2169558/attack-submarines-ssn/

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Defense News: Bangor Dry Dock Recertifies, Completing Seismic Mitigation Work

Source: United States Navy

In January of this year the Navy restricted submarines from entering certain dry docks in the Pacific Northwest (both at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility and Trident Refit Facility- Bangor) because of seismic concerns identified in recent studies. The Navy team rapidly deployed and implemented a repair technique using dry dock wall reinforcing tie downs.

The three dry docks where tie downs were installed have been recertified. Repairs to the full length of the Bangor dock walls have been completed and the dock was recertified August 10. PSNS & IMF’s Dry Dock 5 was recertified June 30 to dock USS Connecticut (SSN 22) and Dry Dock 4 was recertified April 28 to dock USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735).

“The completion of seismic mitigations at the TRF Bangor dry dock is an incredible milestone,” said Capt. JD Crinklaw, commander, PSNS & IMF. “For the past six months, thousands of personnel have dedicated themselves to ensuring all three dry docks were safely and efficiently brought back into operation, so we could continue our mission. I am incredibly grateful to the team of experts who helped us reach this objective and ensure the readiness and resilience of the Navy’s fleet.”

Construction efforts include drilling holes for the installation of anchors inside the dry dock walls to enhance structural integrity and ensure the safety of the workforce, community, environment, and submarines. The mitigation efforts updated existing emergency response plans to better address the chance of a catastrophic earthquake, along with improved early-warning employee notification systems in the dry docks.

Experts from private industry, Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, TRFB and PSNS & IMF planned and implemented the structural upgrades, with an eye on the Navy’s future needs and in support of the mission to deliver modern, fully-mission capable warships on-time, every time, preserving our national security.

“The upgrades done at Delta Pier will provide the Navy with critical sustainment operations, for our submarines, in the years ahead,” said Capt. Mike Eberlein, commanding officer, Trident Refit Facility-Bangor. “When I look at the amount of work done over the last few months, the precision of that work, and the speed and efficiency of the professionals involved, I am amazed at the capabilities of the Navy to conduct our national security mission.”

These short-term mitigation actions did not affect the nation’s strategic deterrent capability or the ability of the fleet to continue its overall mission. PSNS & IMF remains the primary provider for the maintenance, repair, modernization, inactivation and disposal of ships, submarines, and nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the Pacific Fleet.

Based on future planned improvements to Dry Dock 6, and differences in ship design and the size of aircraft carriers, it was determined immediate seismic mitigations are not required. Aircraft carrier maintenance at PSNS & IMF remains unaffected.

The need for mitigations in the remaining docks will be determined once current efforts are complete and may include stability enhancements for submarine availabilities.

For questions related to this release, please contact the Navy Office of Information at 703-697-5342 or ptgn_chinfonewsdesk@navy.mil.

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Former D.C. Government Employee Indicted on Charges of Fraudulently Claiming District Residency to Obtain Benefits

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Defendant Collected District Medicaid, Food Stamp, and Public Charter School Tuition, While Living in Virginia

            WASHINGTON – Michia Pardlow, 30, now residing in Washington, D.C., was indicted yesterday on 39 counts of fraud and other charges stemming from her false claims of District of Columbia residency, from 2016 to 2020, to obtain D.C. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid benefits, and free tuition for her two children to attend a D.C. Public Charter School. 

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Daniel W. Lucas, Inspector General for the District of Columbia, and Brian Schwalb, Attorney General for the District of Columbia.  This matter was initially discovered by the D.C. Department of Human Services and promptly referred to the D.C. Office of the Inspector General for investigation.

            Pardlow was indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on charges of first degree fraud, first degree theft, false statements, and forgery. Ms. Pardlow is to be arraigned on August 23, 2023, at a hearing before the Honorable Andrea Hertzfeld. The majority of the indicted charges are felony offenses, carrying a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

            According to court documents in the case, Pardlow was a resident of Arlington, Virginia, from 2016 into 2020. The charging documents allege that she submitted signed applications, residency verification forms, and other documents to the District of Columbia’s Department of Human Services and Public Charter School Board claiming and verifying District residency.  The charging documents also allege that in November 2017, she forged a residency verification letter.

            As a result, the documents allege, Pardlow was able to obtain District benefits to which she was not entitled.  Non-District residents are ineligible to receive District SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid benefits. Non-District residents who enroll their dependents in D.C. schools must apply as a non-resident and pay non-resident tuition. Court documents allege that she received more than $149,000 in fraudulent benefits.

            An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

            This case is being investigated by the D.C. Office of the Inspector General and is being jointly prosecuted by the Major Crimes Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Public Corruption Section of the D.C. Office of the Attorney General. 

            In announcing the charges, U.S. Attorney Graves, Inspector General Lucas, and Attorney General Schwalb commended the work of those investigating the case from the Office of Inspector General, including Special Agent Robert Partington.  They acknowledged the efforts of those who are working on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Crystal Waddy. Finally, they commended the work of the late Bayly Leighton, former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney detailed from the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, who initially investigated the case, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Noah Simmons, who is investigating and prosecuting the case.

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Jury Finds District Man Guilty of Aggravated Assault and Other Charges for Disfiguring Woman With Boiling Liquid

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            WASHINGTON – Tesfay Teshale, 51, of Springfield, Virginia, was found guilty yesterday by a jury, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of aggravated assault while armed, malicious disfigurement while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon for an assault that included pouring boiling liquid on the female victim, resulting in second-degree burns on her body, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Pamela Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            The Honorable Jason Park scheduled sentencing for October 27, 2023. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for his crimes.

            The defendant and the victim had dated. According to the government’s evidence, when the victim decided to break off the relationship, the defendant stalked, harassed, and assaulted her because he could not handle the rejection. On June 14, 2019, the defendant cornered the victim, punched her multiple times in the face, knocked her down, and, while she was down, poured an urn of boiling liquid onto her. The defendant then left her there, bleeding, badly burned, and in extreme pain. The victim managed to call for help and District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported her to the hospital where she was treated for contusions, abrasions, and bruises to her face, as well as second-degree burns.

            In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Yang, Zachary Horton, Cara Gardner, Emma McArthur, Chimnomnso Kalu, Nick Coleman, and Dan Lenerz, Paralegal Specialists ReShawn Johnson, Arielle Okpara, and Veronica Yale, Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Cynthia Muhammad, Victim/Witness Advocate Rodgers Dickerson, Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling, Victim/Witness Services Coordinators Katina Adams-Washington, Tonya Jones, and Basizette Stribling, and interns Adam Russell, Izzy Metee, and Louis Villacci.

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shakinah Douglas and Richard Kelley, who investigated and prosecuted the case.