www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, May 25, 2023
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IN THIS ISSUE USS John C. Stennis holds change of command ceremony Capt. J. Patrick Thompson relieved Capt. Cassidy Norman as commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) during a change of command ceremony held May 18, 2023 at Newport News Shipbuilding. Page A3 VOL. 31, NO. 19, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
May 25-May 31, 2023
NORFOLK, Va. (May 19, 2023) – Rear Adm. Scott Gray, former commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA), speaks to staff members during a change of command ceremony held at NRMA headquarters on Naval Station Norfolk May 19, 2023. Gray was relieved by Rear Adm. Wesley McCall during the ceremony. BELOW: Rear Adm. Scott Gray, former commander of Navy Region MidAtlantic (NRMA), speaks to staff members during the change of command ceremony. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS MADDELIN HAMM)
Region Mid-Atlantic changes command By Nina Basantes NRMA Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. — Rear Adm. Scott Gray was relieved by Rear Adm. Wesley McCall as commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA) during a ceremony at NRMA headquarters, onboard Naval Station Norfolk May 19. Gray assumed command of the Navy’s Mid-Atlantic region June 30, 2022. During his tour, he provided a full spectrum of shore installation management, services to operating forces and Navy families within NRMA’S area of responsibility. He fostered a workforce that energetically resolved the Navy’s most complex challenges to sustain the fleet, enable the fighter, and support the family. Pending senate confirmation, Gray will be promoted to the rank of Vice Adm. and report as Commander, Navy Installations Command in Washington, D.C. Rear Adm. McCall is a native of Tahlequah, Oklahoma and a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. McCall previously served as commander of Navy Region Southeast. As the naval shore installation management headquarters for the Mid-Atlantic region, NRMA provides coordination of base operating support functions for forces throughout the region in support of the fleet, fighter and family.
NAS Oceana qualifies Military Working Dogs By MCS3 Noah J. Eidson Naval Air Station Oceana’s Military Working Dog Division qualified two dogs for their patrol certifications on May 16, 2023. The dogs, Xxazu and Liza, will move on to the next step of their training to further develop their skills, preparing them for various real world scenarios. “Our process is very rigorous but also heavily scripted to quickly familiarize the dogs with the training process, so we will move on to different scenarios and improve the dogs’ responsiveness now that they are certified,” said Master-at-Arms First Class Vincent Nicholford, the unit’s kennel master. The dogs have spent the last three to six months undergoing methodical training and building a bond with their handlers to become qualified military service dogs. Establishing a strong relationship between an MWD and its handler is crucial to their ability to accomplish their mission as a team. “The bond between a dog and their handler is the most vital part of a successful
partnership, because at the end of the day, this is not just your partner but a member of your working family,” said NAS Oceana Precinct Officer Glenn Holden. “You need patience in order to properly build that relationship.” As part of their certification, MWDs Xxaxu and Liza performed multiple tests including an obstacle course, aggressions tests, and breach and clearing exercises. Both dogs passed with flying colors. The division is required to have six certified military working dogs, so the next step for the team is continuing to qualify future MWDs - an important task this team does not take lightly. “The bond between a dog and their handler is key to success, and it takes one hundred percent effort on both ends in order to achieve the level of success that we require,” said Nicholford. “Our mission is to build a relationship that is unbreakable.” For more information on how to become a Navy Master-at-Arms, visit: https://www. navy.com/careers/master-at-arms
Officer Glenn Holden performs a stage identification check in order to test Military Working Dog Liza’s ability to follow orders, May 16, 2023. Liza completed the test as part of her patrol certification. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MC3 NOAH J. EIDSON)
Navy Expeditionary Medical Unit rotations provide ongoing support in the Middle East www.flagshipnews.com
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The 30-member team conducted Role 2 enhanced (2E) shore-based capabilities at Erbil Air Base in Iraq, where they provided life, limb, and eyesight saving care to the U.S. Armed Forces, DoD civilian contractors, and multi-national coalition forces. Page A2
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