Month: October 2024

Source: United States Navy

The free event, which has been held nearly every year since 2016, allows 5th graders from Virginia Beach City and Chesapeake Public Schools to receive an exclusive sneak peek of the Air Show performances, including the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels and the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team; vendor booths and activities; and numerous STEM Laboratory exhibits. It’s estimated nearly 8,000 students and more than 1,500 teachers/chaperones were in attendance this year.

Students were able to engage in a multitude of environment-based activities to learn how to become better stewards of the environment, such as play a Jeopardy-style trivia game to test their knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay, recycling, and watersheds; and compete in a head-to-head recycling relay to determine if discarded items were recyclable or trash. Additionally, many of the questions asked were derived from the Virginia Standards of Learning curriculum to help reinforce state education, and meet stewardship and literacy goals embodied in the EPA Executive Order 13508 for Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration outreach commitments.

“It was fun to engage with students on topics so close to where we all live – seeing what they know, and share information to help protect the Chesapeake Bay,” said Vincent Orazi, Natural Resource Management Specialist. “It was good experience.”

An interactive watershed model further showed students how pollutants, such as pet waste, oil, fertilizer, and detergents can adversely impact water quality by entering our waterways, pollute stormwater, and impact outside activities like swimming and fishing.

“It’s great to see the students captivated by our hands-on demonstration,” said Dawn Friedrichs, PWD Oceana EV Drinking Water and Environmental Management System Program Manager, noting students used oil absorbent fabric to cleanup oil spills in aquatic and marine environments in the display. “Interaction and visualization go a long way in helping them retain what they’ve learned.”

Students also learned the importance of recycling, proper waste disposal, natural resource conservation, and how to prevent household and industrial pollutants, trash, and yard debris from entering our waterways.

“I’ve been participating in the NAS Oceana Air Show STEM Lab since 2017, and I’m amazed every year by the great questions asked by these students,” said Tara Fisher, PWD Oceana EV Water, Tanks, and Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) Program Manager. “We really enjoy interacting with them, and we hope our message of stormwater pollution prevention sticks with them throughout their lives.”

NAVFAC MIDLANT provides facilities engineering, public works and environmental products and services across an area of responsibility that spans from South Carolina to Maine, as far west as Illinois, and down to Indiana. As an integral member of the Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic team, NAVFAC MIDLANT provides leadership through the Regional Engineer organization to ensure the region’s facilities and infrastructure are managed efficiently and effectively.

For additional information about NAVFAC MIDLANT on social media, follow our activities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/navfacmidatlantic and on Instagram @navfacmidatlantic.

Source: United States Navy

Peay graduated from Fairfield Central High School in 2006.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Winnsboro.

“Growing up in Winnsboro, I learned the value of hard work and determination,” said Peay. “It’s a small town where everyone knows each other, and the sense of community taught me the importance of perseverance and supporting one another. That work ethic, ingrained in me from my early days, has been my guiding light throughout my Navy career. It’s the backbone of every challenge I’ve faced and every goal I’ve achieved. The lessons from Winnsboro have stayed with me, reminding me to always give my best, no matter the circumstances. It’s that unwavering commitment to hard work and community spirit that has shaped who I am today.”

Peay joined the Navy 18 years ago. Today, Peay serves as a hospital corpsman.

“I joined the Navy because I wanted to carve my own path and take control of my future.” said Peay “I dreamed of going to college, but I also wanted to earn that opportunity myself, to stand tall knowing I worked hard for it. The Navy offered me that chance—to learn, grow, and serve my country, all while building a foundation for my dreams. It was a decision fueled by a desire for independence and a commitment to my own potential. Every challenge I’ve faced and every lesson I’ve learned has been a step toward becoming the person I always hoped to be.”

Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay provides health care to the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay community, which consists of approximately 4,500 military members, federal employees, U.S. and foreign national contractors and their families. The hospital also operates the only overseas military home health care facility providing care to elderly special category residents who sought asylum on the installation during the Cuban Revolution.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Peay serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations. “Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Peay has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy was the moment I saw my name on the list for Medical Service Corps Officer,” said Peay. “It felt like a culmination of all the sleepless nights, relentless training, and unwavering commitment. That moment was a testament to the perseverance and dedication that fueled my journey. It wasn’t just about the rank; it was about the recognition of all the sacrifices and hard work. Knowing that I had earned this honor through sheer determination made it incredibly fulfilling. It’s a milestone continually reminding me of the power of resilience and the incredible heights we can reach when we commit fully to our goals.”

Peay can take pride in serving America through military service.

“Serving in the Navy means everything to me,” said Peay. “It’s about safeguarding the freedom we all cherish, ensuring the security of our nation, and creating a pathway to a better life—for myself and countless others. It’s a profound commitment to a cause greater than any individual, and it’s given me a sense of purpose and belonging. The Navy has not only provided me with a stable and secure career but also with the opportunity to grow, learn, and forge a life filled with meaning and pride. Every day I serve, I’m reminded of the incredible impact we have on the world, and that is the greatest honor of all.”

Source: United States Navy

“Mobile’s maiden deployment to 7th fleet was incredibly successful, and we are extremely proud of the accomplishments of both crews,” said Capt. Douglas Meagher, commodore, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. “Mobile operated alongside other U.S. Navy assets as well as international allies and partners to not only strengthen our relationships but to demonstrate the tactical capabilities and strategic value of littoral combat ships.”

Mobile participated in freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, maritime domain awareness and patrol alongside the Philippine Navy, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2023, Malaysia’s Langkawi International Maritime Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA 2023), and Noble Dingo with the Royal Australian Navy. Mobile also participated in trilateral exercises alongside the French Navy and Royal Australian Navy, multinational maritime cooperative activity exercises with Philippine Navy, Royal Australian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and bilateral operations with the Royal Netherlands Navy and Italian Navy.

“I am particularly proud of the resiliency and self-sufficiency that our Sailors demonstrated throughout the deployment,” said Cmdr. David Gardner, commanding officer of Mobile Gold crew. “Mobile operated for extensive periods of time outside of the normal U.S. Navy logistics umbrella, which necessitated deliberate planning and at times time-critical actions to ensure that Mobile was fully mission-ready despite the prolonged operations and distance from shore-based support. The man-hours and money saved through Mobile’s self-sufficiency and can-do attitude was a key to our success.”

Mobile was showcased at the International Maritime Defense Exhibition (IMDEX) Asia 2023 at Changi Naval Base in Singapore. The exhibition included displays and tours of 22 warships from 13 countries.

Mobile participated in CARAT Thailand 2023, a bilateral exercise between Thailand and the United States designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability.
Mobile was an active participant in LIMA 2023, which included industry stakeholders, government, and military officials from more than a dozen countries dedicated to the maritime and aerospace sectors for defense, civil, and commercial applications. Apart from exhibits, forums and conferences, LIMA 23 also organized various activities such as cultural exchanges, flight simulators, technology talks, and career fairs for participants.
Mobile conducted bilateral operations with the Royal Netherlands Navy in the South China Sea to improve allied interoperability and conduct complex scenarios to improve combined readiness. The operation was followed by a separate bilateral operation with the Italian Navy that was also held in the South China Sea.

“These Sailors are returning home to their families with significant operational experience. Given the nature of our minimally manned crew each of these Sailors has amassed hundreds of hours of experience in specialized evolutions, both in real-world events and through training while deployed,” said Gardner. “The result is Mobile Sailors are highly qualified within rate and rapidly advancing in their careers. Mobile flies both the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Surface Warfare Officer pennants as a visual indication of our highly warfare-qualified team.”

Mobile is homeported in San Diego as a part of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century threats. LCS integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.
For more news from Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/comlcsron1/ or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/COMLCSRONONE/.

Source: United States Navy

LOVELAND, Colo. (Aug 28, 2024) — Brothers Jacob Wheeler, 17, and Mark Wheeler, 19, of Loveland enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear engineering program this summer through Navy Recruiting Station Fort Collins. The brothers joined the Delayed Entry Program within weeks of each other with Jacob enlisting in July and Mark in late August. While their parents are unaware that Mark has joined, the brothers plan to surprise them at graduation with help from their recruiter, Aviation Electronics Mate 2nd Class Erika Bravo.

The Wheeler brothers, born in Greeley and raised in nearby Kersey, come from a family rooted in hard work. Their father, an electrician, and their grandfather, a farmer, instilled in them a strong work ethic and an appreciation for hands-on skills. Jacob initially joined with plans to become a Navy SEAL and persuaded his brother Mark to enlist in the Navy’s nuclear engineering program, primarily for the educational benefits.
“I convinced him,” Jacob said, adding that the nuclear program offers not only strong pay but also the potential for a high-paying career after their service.Mark, who was not initially set on joining the Navy, became intrigued by the technical education offered through the nuclear program.
“They’ll teach me calculus, thermodynamics and nuclear physics,” he said. “That sounds fantastic!”

Both brothers are excited about the educational opportunities. While Mark admits he isn’t fond of traditional schooling, he looks forward to the fast-paced, targeted learning environment of the Navy.
“I don’t enjoy going to school,” Mark said, “but I love learning. This job is more about the knowledge than the pay for me.”

After completing boot camp at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, the Wheeler brothers will attend Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina. The school, which lasts about two years, will train them to operate and maintain nuclear reactors aboard Navy submarines and aircraft carriers. Upon graduation, both Jacob and Mark will be promoted to E-4 and receive their contract bonuses.
Although both will attend Nuclear Power School, the brothers are unsure if they will be stationed together after training.

“There aren’t a lot of nukes in the Navy, so they need to spread us out,” Jacob said, though he remains hopeful they will attend school together, as he believes Mark would make a great tutor.
The brothers are slated to ship out in November, before Thanksgiving. Their cousin, who lives in Chicago, has already warned them about the harsh winter weather in the Great Lakes, but the brothers are eager to take on the challenge. Jacob is especially excited about life aboard a Navy vessel. “It sounds fun!” he said.

Looking beyond their service, Jacob is already considering his future.
“If I still need more money after the Navy, I’m sure there are many opportunities for nuclear engineers,” he said.

Jacob has long-term goals that include entrepreneurship and working with cars, while Mark is excited about the skills and experiences he’ll gain during his Navy career.
The brothers’ family is mostly supportive, though their older sister isn’t thrilled that her roommates will be leaving. The brothers, who live with their older sister, also have younger siblings who don’t live with them. They see their Navy service as a way to set a good example for their younger siblings and feel proud of the path they are taking.

Pets also play an important role in the Wheeler household. Mark’s cat, Katie, will stay with his fiancée while he’s away, while Jacob’s ball python and pit bull puppy will stay with family members until he completes his training. Both brothers are eager to reunite with their pets after graduating from Nuclear Power School.
The Wheeler brothers are confident their decision to join the Navy’s nuclear engineering program will open doors to exciting careers, both during and after their time in uniform. As they prepare to embark on this journey, they do so with pride and a strong sense of family legacy.

Navy Talent Acquisition Group Rocky Mountain encompasses Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and parts of Idaho, Nebraska and Kansas. It provides Navy recruiting services from more than 30 dispersed offices across the region.