www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, May 23, 2024
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IN THIS ISSUE
Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic dedicates Mariner Skills Training Center Atlantic MSTCLANT was named“Rinn Hall,” after Capt. Paul X. Rinn, a naval officer who led heroic actions to save USS Samuel B. Roberts after the ship struck an Iranian-laid mine while escorting American-flagged merchant ships in 1988. PAGE A3 VOL. 32, NO. 19, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com
May 23-May 29, 2024
The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) returns to Naval Station Norfolk, May 17, 2024, marking their final deployment. Leyte Gulf deployed to the 4th Fleet area of responsibility, seizing 6,470 kilograms of illicit-drugs, a semi-submersible, and conducted theater security cooperation visits. Constructed in 1985 and commissioned in 1987, Leyte Gulf is named after the decisive World War II battle in the Philippine Sea. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS MANVIR GILL)
USS Leyte Gulf returns from final deployment By Petty Officer 2nd Class Porsha Thompson Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. —The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, May 17, 2024, marking their final deployment. Leyte Gulf departed Norfolk, Jan. 28, 2024, to conduct maritime interdiction and theater security operations in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. “The crew of Leyte Gulf is a model for maritime teamwork,” said Vice Adm. Doug Perry, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet. “They partnered with Navy air assets and Coast Guard interdiction teams, showcasing 2nd Fleet’s ability to extend our presence and maintain homeland defense in other fleets.
This is a profound final chapter for one of the Navy’s finest ships, and their crew should be proud of all they accomplished.” During their final deployment, Leyte Gulf embarked the “Valkyries” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50 and partnered with U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 404. The Leyte Gulf team performed maritime interdiction operations and disrupted 4,100 kilograms of cocaine. They detected and seized a self-propelled semi-submersible containing 2,370 kilograms of illicit drugs, which was later destroyed during a sinking exercise. The LEDET boarded and took positive control of three vessels during interdiction operations and removed 15 narcotics traffickers from the narcotics trade. “I admire the resiliency of the crew aboard
Leyte Gulf,” said Perry. “Their commitment to the mission in the South Atlantic enhances maritime security through sustained naval presence.” Leyte Gulf operated with regional partners in the 4th Fleet area and conducted theater security cooperation visits. These combined efforts aimed to strengthen maritime partnerships, enhance U.S. maritime posture, and deter threats of illicit drug trafficking. Named after one of World War II’s largest naval battles, “The Battle of Leyte Gulf” was fought in 1944 in the Philippine Sea. It was a decisive battle that pushed back Japanese naval forces. The ship, which would be forever known as Leyte Gulf, was constructed in 1985 and commissioned in 1987. “This ship is full of history. Each period
brings its own far-off journeys, along with generations of Sailors who have manned the helm,” said Capt. Nathan Diaz, the commanding officer of Leyte Gulf. “Our last deployment was full of Sailors who made their own mark on the story of this great warship. Though our namesake comes from a battle long ago, the U.S. is still performing with a level of combat expertise and professionalism that we’ve always had as we protect the homeland.” U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.
Naval Station Norfolk hosts Annual Education Summit By Boatswain Mate 3rd Class Jessica Nunes
NORFOLK,Va.—NavalStation(NAVSTA) Norfolk hosted the 1st Annual Naval Station Norfolk Education Summit at Vista Point on board NAVSTA Norfolk May 9, 2024. The Education Summit provided information, resources, and connections to institutions of higher learning for over 500 Sailors from 26 different commands, as well as dependents, to support the educational aspirations of all members of the Navy family. The story of the Education Summit began in January 2024 when Bertram Hardnett, from the Navy College Office, and Ltjg Andrew Slattery, the Division Officer for NAVSTA Norfolk’s Public Affairs Office, started planning the brand-new experience. The duo started by gathering representatives from institutions of higher education, planning presentations from sources relevant to helping Sailors and their dependents find exciting and applicable opportunities in higher education, reserving the spaces needed to host the event, and brainstorming an effective and lively marketing campaign. After months of planning, the Education Summit kicked off on May 9, 2024 at 0830 with an introduction from Capt. Janet Days, the Commanding Officer of NAVSTA Norfolk. Days welcomed those in attendance and provided words of encouragement to the Sailors in attendance. “I want you to understand what is available to you as a service member, whether
you stay in two years or twenty you should take advantage of what is given to you,” said Days. “There is more that you can do! It is how you are going to use the services, the programs or how to use the GI bill for yourself or your family!” Following Days’ remarks, presenters from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits Survey, Transition Assistance Program (TAP’s) Educators, U.S. Naval Community College (USNCC), Navy College Program and NAVSTA Norfolk Career Counselors spoke on a variety of topics, touching on subjects such as: professional experiences and opportunities within the Navy, higher education opportunities within the Navy, and using the Navy’s resources for educational success after transitioning into the civilian world. After the presentations, Sailors spoke face-to-face with representatives from over 30 institutions from around the United States. The participating institutions included colleges & universities, trade & technical schools, as well as scholarship and transitioning organizations. From public to private schools, religious to secular schools, technical to liberal arts schools, and west coast to east coast-based schools, the Education Summit served up a rich and diverse fare of educational opportunities to its guests. “The school I found most interesting was the [United States] Naval Community College,” said Ensign Daniel Haley, the Educational Service Officer (ESO) on the USS Gonzalez (DDG-66). “I wanted to
NORFOLK, Virginia (May 9, 2024) Capt. Janet Days, the commanding officer of Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk, and Sailors, assigned to NAVSTA Norfolk, interact with representatives from educational institutions and providers at the NAVSTA Norfolk Education Summit held at Vista Point onboard NAVSTA Norfolk May 9, 2024. The Education Summit provides resources and programs for Sailors interested in different opportunities for higher educations. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY BOATSWAIN’S MATE 3RD CLASS JESSICA NUNES)
learn more about the education resource opportunities for my own personal growth to give to the Junior Sailors from my command. Education is always changing, I’m excited for next year to attend the new seminar because of the new resources.”
With the huge success of this year’s Education Summit, the NAVSTA Norfolk team is excited and looking forward to hosting an even bigger and better Education Summit during its second appearance in 2025.
1st Bachelor’s in Veteran StudiesAwarded by Saint Leo University to Navy Vet For Devon Wilson, being first means something special. Wilson, of Riverview, FL, became the“first of the first”on May 11 as Saint Leo University’s inaugural Bachelor of Arts in Veteran Studies Degree graduate in the nation’s first veteran studies bachelor’s program. PAGE A6
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