Category: United States of America

Source: United States Navy

National Clean Energy Action Month provides a valuable opportunity for the DON to spotlight the importance of energy as a strategic asset and catalyst for mission success. Amongst this year’s successes are advancements in enhanced energy security and shore and operational energy issues, Enhanced Use Leases (EULs) and Marine Energy Development (MED), the Energy & Water Analysis Tool (EWAT), the development of the Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) Serial titled “Shore Energy Goals,” and youth education and outreach.

Underlying all of these efforts is a DON strategy focused on three Cs – Climate, Communities, and Critical Infrastructure that emphasize execution of core strategies via the 3 Pillars of Energy Security – Reliability, Resiliency, and Efficiency.

“Energy security is mission success,” said Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment Meredith Berger. “As we celebrate Energy Action Month, we reflect on the ambitious energy goals we’ve set and the great progress we’ve made throughout the year that ensure we continue to build a climate-ready force. Our Sailors and Marines rely on and respond to energy issues in their daily operations, and the DON’s persistent focus on energy security coupled with our strategic partnerships with the community enable mission success for our Naval force.”

Increased energy security was at the forefront in October with the release of an industry request for information (RFI) to explore concepts for the development of nuclear power facilities to support increased energy security at seven Navy and Marine Corps installations in the United States. The responses are expected to enable the Department to further consider alternative carbon-free shore energy opportunities and build upon the DON’s commitment to enhance energy security as a responsible community partner.

New focus has also been given to the intersection of shore and operational energy issues, to bridge the gap between installations and the warfighters they serve. Amongst the installation efforts being explored are pier-power assessments at naval bases to ensure ships and submarines receive resilient and quality power. Other efforts focused on the warfighter include a renewed opportunity for a Masters of Operational Energy degree at the Naval Postgraduate School that will equip graduates with the essential skills required to enhance their effectives in the modern battlespace whether on a ship, submarine, aircraft, or on land.

Energy partnerships with States and industry benefit both the Navy and the communities we live in. Enhanced Use Leases (EULs) are one way that the DON works with our neighbors to ensure energy resilience. The Navy recently entered into two EULs that, upon completion, will provide more than 250-megawatts of renewable energy to the local utility, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), and full-base resilience for the DON in the event of a grid outage. As part of the EULs, the Kūpono Solar site provides clean, renewable energy and battery storage to approximately 10,000 homes on O‘ahu while offsetting 50,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. The Pu`uloa Energy site, currently in development, will provide additional renewable energy generation and battery storage, improving island-wide power reliability and contributing to the State of Hawai’i’s goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045.

In pursuit of innovative renewable energy technologies, the DON’s Marine Energy Development (MED) program explores ways to ensure marine energy – a consistent, clean, and renewable power source – remains a reliable and sustainable energy source for naval facilities and remote applications. As part of the program, the DON’s Wave Energy Test Site (WETS), situated at Marine Corps Base Hawaii on O’ahu, Hawai’i, is the United States’ first and only grid-connected wave energy test site playing a vital role in advancing cutting edge wave energy technology by providing a dynamic real-world environment and supporting wave energy converter

(WEC) developers. Another Department of Energy project, Ocean Energy, is also scheduled to be grid-connected at WETS within the year.

In April 2024, the DON launched the Energy & Water Analysis Tool (EWAT) online dashboard that provides timely, accurate installation energy operational data, for agile and responsive energy resilience investments and operational decisions. The next phase of EWAT will include an increased cadence of data reporting, the inclusion of project pipeline impacts on future usage, and the addition of enhancements to track progress against energy and water conservation, carbon-pollution free electricity, and renewable energy goals. Together, they will improve resilience and readiness by ensuring that the Navy and Marine Corps are maximizing the resources they rely on for quality of life, training, logistics, and combat support: energy and water.

Aligned with the Department of Navy’s Climate Action 2030 strategy and the objectives of Executive Order 14057, the Navy continues its commitment to drive energy innovation and prioritize environmental responsibility. As part of this, the DON released the fifth CSO Serial titled “Shore Energy Goals”, which builds on the DON’s commitment to enhance energy security and targets that commitment with sustainability practices and concrete actions that fortify the reliable, resilient, renewable energy Navy installations and communities need.

A renewed focus on youth education was brought to the forefront when Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment Meredith Berger spoke with Sea Cadets and Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets at a climate and energy technology demonstration in September where she discussed the importance of climate and energy. Berger also joined DON researchers and engineers at the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station in Times Square during Climate Week NYC where they showcased technologies, such as hydrogen-powered fuel cells, small unit power systems, water-conserving firefighting nozzles, atmospheric water generation, and green concrete, to educate students on the DON’s commitment to climate action and inspire them to explore careers in climate and energy focused roles.

“Having these young Sea Cadets and NJROTC cadets – the future of our nation – learn about our climate and energy technologies was a fantastic way to kick off Climate Week in NYC,” said Berger. “They clearly understand how climate change is impacting our world and how climate readiness is mission readiness for the Navy.”

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment serves the Department of the Navy and the nation by enhancing combat capabilities for the warfighter through a focus on communities, critical infrastructure, and climate action. Specifically, the portfolio focuses on renewable, reliable, resilient energy sources, sustainability and construction, maintenance and sustainment of infrastructure, protecting the safety and occupational health of military and civilian personnel; environmental protection in support of mission readiness, planning and restoration ashore and afloat; and conservation of natural and cultural resources.

Source: United States Navy

Thank you to NIAF for this incredible recognition. It is truly an honor to be with you this evening to receive the Leonardo Da Vinci Award for Military Service.

As you just saw in the video, my grandparents came to America in search of the American dream – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and new opportunities for their families.

They arrived with the firm belief and the strongest of convictions, that if you worked hard, learned all you could, and did things the right way that you and your family would find success in this new world.

My grandfather, Rebello Franchetti, a seasoned stonecutter, lived those values, as did my grandmother, Chiarina Rhea, the matriarch of our family. Together, they laid a strong foundation for my father, Lawrence Franchetti to be the first person in our family to go to college, become an engineer and find his success as a plant manager.

Through the example they set they passed on those same values – values you’ve heard a lot about tonight, to me. And I passed them on to my own college freshman, Isabel Maria Franchetti, who studied Italian and learned about our Italian heritage firsthand, when we lived in Italy as part of our Navy journey.

There is no doubt that those values and the love and support of my family laid the foundation for my success as a naval officer and as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations.

But, there is also no doubt that this award and my every success I’ve had is owed to our amazing team of Navy Sailors and civilians. People who come from across the rich fabric of America. People with who I’ve had the opportunity to serve with over all these 39 years.

So, as we sit here tonight enjoying this friendship and this wonderful dinner, many of our Sailors are deployed. They’re standing the watch very far from home and far from their family. In fact, on any given day, roughly 110 ships and 70,000 Sailors and Marines are deployed operating around the world and around the clock to preserve our Nation’s security and prosperity, to deter any would-be adversary, and stand ready to fight and win decisively, if called. I could not be more proud of our Navy team.

And, they are doing it alongside Allies and partners, including the very capable Italian Navy, and just in case you didn’t see it in the news, our Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group just wrapped up a series of operations with the Italian Carrier Strike Group, ITS Cavour in the Indo-Pacific, and I can say with confidence that the partnership between the U.S. Navy and the Italian Navy grows stronger every single day. So, thank you again to NIAF. Thank you to all of you.  I could not be more proud of my Italian-American heritage or more grateful for the values that helped pave my way. Thank you very much.

Have a great night!

Source: United States Navy

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, a native of Rochester, N.Y., received the Leonardo Da Vinci Award in Military Service from the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), at the NIAF 49th anniversary gala, Oct. 26.

This award recognizes significant achievements and societal contributions by Italian Americans.

Franchetti was one of six Italian Americans honored this year.

Her full remarks are below:

“Thank you to NIAF for this incredible recognition. It is truly an honor to be with you this evening to receive the Leonardo Da Vinci Award for Military Service.

As you just saw in the video, my grandparents came to America in search of the American dream – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and new opportunities for their families.

They arrived with the firm belief and the strongest of convictions, that if you worked hard, learned all you could, and did things the right way that you and your family would find success in this new world.

My grandfather, Rebello Franchetti, a seasoned stonecutter, lived those values, as did my grandmother, Chiarina Rhea, the matriarch of our family. Together, they laid a strong foundation for my father, Lawrence Franchetti to be the first person in our family to go to college, become an engineer and find his success as a plant manager.

Through the example they set they passed on those same values – values you’ve heard a lot about tonight, to me. And I passed them on to my own college freshman, Isabel Maria Franchetti, who studied Italian and learned about our Italian heritage firsthand, when we lived in Italy as part of our Navy journey.

There is no doubt that those values and the love and support of my family laid the foundation for my success as a naval officer and as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations.

But, there is also no doubt that this award and my every success I’ve had is owed to our amazing team of Navy Sailors and civilians. People who come from across the rich fabric of America. People with who I’ve had the opportunity to serve with over all these 39 years.

So, as we sit here tonight enjoying this friendship and this wonderful dinner, many of our Sailors are deployed. They’re standing the watch very far from home and far from their family. In fact, on any given day, roughly 110 ships and 70,000 Sailors and Marines are deployed operating around the world and around the clock to preserve our Nation’s security and prosperity, to deter any would-be adversary, and stand ready to fight and win decisively, if called. I could not be more proud of our Navy team.

And, they are doing it alongside Allies and partners, including the very capable Italian Navy, and just in case you didn’t see it in the news, our Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group just wrapped up a series of operations with the Italian Carrier Strike Group, ITS Cavour in the Indo-Pacific, and I can say with confidence that the partnership between the U.S. Navy and the Italian Navy grows stronger every single day. So, thank you again to NIAF. Thank you to all of you.  I could not be more proud of my Italian-American heritage or more grateful for the values that helped pave my way. Thank you very much.

Have a great night!”

Photos from the ceremony can be found here: LINK.

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.”