Month: November 2024

Source: United States Navy

Phoenix Express is a multinational maritime exercise sponsored by U.S. Africa Command and executed by Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. It brings together North African, European, and U.S. maritime forces as part of a global network of navies to enhance cooperation and expertise in maritime security operations in the Southern Mediterranean Sea.

This year marks the 19^th iteration of Phoenix Express. The 10-day exercise is designed to improve regional cooperation as well as enhance maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise, all of which bolster the collective capabilities of participating nations in countering sea-based illicit activity.

“The quality and level of skill the Phoenix Express participants bring to our collective maritime capabilities in the Southern Mediterranean Sea is unparalleled,” said Rear Admiral Jason Naidyhorski, Vice Commander, U.S. 6^th Fleet. “Year after year, nations throughout Europe and Africa return to this exercise to build on already strong partnerships, with a shared goal of reinforcing a safe and secure North Africa, and Mediterranean. The type of training we see here has evolved with each iteration, and this year is no exception.”

Phoenix Express demonstrates high-level capabilities, split between land-based and sea-based phases, and will feature the use of maritime operations centers and a multinational coordination center to enhance information-sharing practices among partners, as well as exercises in ship-boarding, and search and rescue drills. The individual events throughout the exercise will provide participating maritime forces the opportunity to work together, share information, and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures to promote maritime safety and security in the region.

“The foundational partnership and the exceptional bilateral cooperation between the United States and Tunisia, especially in the maritime realm, go back over 200 years. In recent years, Tunisia has led the way in fighting illicit maritime activities, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work side-by-side with Tunisia and other regional allies and partners in a variety of critical areas during this exercise,” said Joey Hood, U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia.

This year, the Commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet will be working alongside African partners to incorporate the use of unmanned systems to demonstrate their use in deterring and detecting illegal actives in African exclusive economic zones.    

Participating nations in Phoenix Express include Algeria, Belgium, Georgia, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Türkiye, Senegal, and the United States.

Phoenix Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. Naval Forces Africa as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns.

Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Source: United States Navy

Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Tanner Kernan, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Reactor Auxiliary Division, acted swiftly to administer CPR to the child after witnessing her being pulled from the water, ensuring her recovery after only an overnight hospital stay.

The incident occurred at an apartment complex’s pool, where Kernan, a native of Coweta, Oklahoma, was spending an afternoon when he noticed a father suddenly dive into the pool with his clothes on to retrieve his daughter. Recognizing the urgency, Kernan observed the father struggling to perform CPR and, with his own emergency training as a volunteer firefighter, quickly intervened.

“I saw she was unresponsive, so I started CPR right away, focusing on chest compressions and ensuring her airway was clear,” Kernan recalled. “She regained consciousness briefly but went unresponsive again, so I repeated the CPR until she finally came to and started crying, which was a huge relief.”

Kernan’s response was all the more remarkable because he executed this life-saving action despite recovering from a broken foot sustained earlier in the year. Although he was still under medical restrictions, he immediately hopped on one foot to reach the girl, ignoring his own pain to prioritize her safety.

“Once she started crying, I knew she was going to be okay,” Kernan said. Crying is often a positive sign, especially in young children, as it indicates a return to consciousness and responsiveness. By the time emergency responders from the nearby Hampton Fire Department arrived, the child was expelling water from her lungs and regaining stability. She was later transported to the hospital as a precaution but was released the next morning with no lasting effects from the incident.

Kernan’s training as a volunteer firefighter was crucial to his response in the moment. Before joining the Navy in 2021, he obtained his certification in CPR and emergency response through his local fire academy.

“If you know CPR, don’t be afraid to use it,” Kernan advised. “It’s a skill that can make the difference between life and death. You never know when you’ll be in a position to save someone’s life, even if it’s a quiet day by the pool.”

The child’s family, residents of the same apartment complex where the pool is located, expressed profound gratitude for Kernan’s actions. They later reached out personally to thank him for his quick thinking and training, recognizing that his expertise saved their daughter’s life.

Kernan was awarded with the Navy Commendation Medal for his heroic actions by Capt. J. Patrick Thompson, commanding officer of Stennis, highlighting service that goes above and beyond a Sailor’s normal scope of duty.

This life-saving event has renewed Kernan’s commitment to a career in emergency medical services. Currently on contract with the Navy, he plans to begin EMT training soon, with hopes of advancing his qualifications as a paramedic. His long-term goal is to further his education and training, ultimately pursuing an advanced degree in emergency medicine.

“I’m grateful to have been in the right place at the right time,” Kernan said. “Even if I never received recognition, knowing I could help someone in need is all the reward I could ask for. I want to keep building on my skills and continue serving others in the best way I can.”

Source: United States Navy

PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River had the opportunity to speak with Judy Polca, a Tricare Prime member who is part of the PMA 271 team at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, regarding her battle with breast cancer. Judy was diagnosed in March of this year and is determined to share her story as widely as possible to encourage women and men to advocate for their health and maintaining preventive health screenings.

Judy has always been diligent keeping up with her annual health screenings and mammograms. As a matter of fact, her last mammogram in September 2023 and previous mammograms showed no reason for concern. In early January of 2024, Judy began to feel pain in her right breast. The pain was not overwhelming, but notable. “The discomfort turned out to be my guardian angel with a pitchfork,” Judy wryly stated.

A few weeks later a lump formed, and she went to see her Primary Care Manager (PCM) who also noted the change in her breast tissue. This visit set in motion the referrals for a mammogram, ultrasound, and an appointment with a breast surgeon to further explore her symptoms.

“One of the more difficult times in this process was waiting for the diagnostic testing results,” said Judy. “I was anxious for these new tests to show me what was going on, but the radiologist said she didn’t see anything and that I should come back in six months. I asked about the pain. She said I should buy a better bra and maybe get it professionally fitted. I was stunned and felt dismissed. I think this is the biggest part of my story I want to share, because if I had followed that suggestion, I would be in a totally different position right now.”

Judy and her PCM spoke after the diagnostic results were available and although those findings did not show areas of concern, Judy was adamant something was not right. A visit to the breast surgeon was the next course of action which led to an MRI and a biopsy. Three months after first noticing the discomfort in her breast, Judy faced the diagnosis of Stage 2A Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC).

The reality of hearing her cancer diagnosis hit Judy hard, but she was determined to fight. She faced six rounds of chemotherapy which resulted in losing her hair and other health challenges during chemotherapy. Fortunately, the six rounds of chemotherapy shrunk the tumor considerably and a lumpectomy was performed to remove the remainder of the area.

Judy credits her family and her PMA 271 work family with providing strong support while she underwent treatment; “Everyone handles this journey differently. Some post it (on social media). Others keep it very secretive. I told myself to just ‘embrace the suck.’ I didn’t ask for this, but I am fighting it on my terms, and I will keep a positive attitude. I am entering the radiation phase and almost done with this battle. I feel really good about beating this because I found it early.”

The National Breast Cancer Foundation shares that 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Judy’s over-arching message is to advocate for yourself; “Get your yearly mammograms, do your self-exams and when you feel like something isn’t normal say something and don’t stop until you know what it is. Cancer is very treatable in the early stages and early detection is key. Don’t wait.”