www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, August 8, 2024
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IN THIS ISSUE
NAS Oceana recognized for keeping community waterways safe NAS Oceana and Dam Neck Annex, along three other Navy installations, received Hampton Roads Sanitation Department’s Pretreatment Excellence Award July 30, 2024. Page A2 VOL. 32, NO. 29, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com
August 8-August 14, 2024
Cmdr. Kurt Davis, Executive Officer, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown welcomes Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti during a pivotal visit to Huntington Hall to assess Quality of Service (QoS) initiatives and engage with Navy leadership at Newport News, Virginia, July 31, 2024. (PHOTOS BY TELLY MYLES, SUPERVISOR OF SHIPBUILDING NEWPORT NEWS)
CNO makes pivotal visit to Huntington Hall By Telly Myles
Supervisor of Shipbuilding Newport News
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti made a pivotal visit to Huntington Hall to assess Quality of Service (QoS) initiatives and engage with Navy leadership at Newport News, Virginia, July 31, 2024. Cmdr. Kurt Davis, Executive Officer, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and Command Master Chief Mike Avallone, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Newport News welcomed the CNO and provided an overview of ongoing efforts to enhance the lives of Sailors stationed in Newport News and are housed at Huntington Hall. A primary focus of the discussion centered on ongoing improvements to living conditions during critical ship lifecycle phases such as Pre-Commissioning, Refueling Complex Overhaul, and Decommissioning at Newport News Shipbuilding a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. “We’re committed to providing our Sailors with the best possible environment to live and work,” said Avallone. “This includes ensuring access to nutritious food
options, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, and comfortable living spaces.” Specific initiatives discussed during the visit included: Living Conditions: Improvements and upgrades to furniture, televisions, and kitchen appliances and equipment. 24-Hour Fitness Centers: Increasing gym availability to accommodate Sailors’ varying schedules and encourage regular exercise. New Fitness Equipment: Investing in modern workout equipment to enhance the overall fitness experience for Sailors. Accompanied by Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Gumbleton, took the time to pull Avallone aside. “We specifically discussed the food options for Sailors in Huntington Hall and how we can possibly improve it,” said Avallone. “The everyday challenges of Sailors work life balance is something the Vice Admiral stressed as a need to improve and making improvements now will impact the future of how our Sailors perform when we need to take the fight to our opponents.” The visit to Huntington Hall is part of a
broader Navy-wide initiative to prioritize Sailor well-being and address challenges
faced by personnel serving in demanding environments.
NAVFAC Atlantic holds change of command By JC Kreidel
Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic
Rear Adm. Jorge R. Cuadros relieved Rear Adm. Maria L. Aguayo as commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), Atlantic, in Norfolk, Virginia August 2. Cuadros is the 35th commander to oversee NAVFAC Atlantic. He will also serve as the U.S. Fleet Forces Civil Engineer and Director, Fleet Installations and Environment (N46), U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Rear Adm. Dean A. VanderLey, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, and Chief of Civil Engineers presided over the ceremony and awarded Aguayo a Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct.
He praised Aguayo for a wide array of accomplishments that included the start of the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP), the Navy’s top infrastructure priority. To date, SIOP currently has over $6 billion of construction under contract and nearly $600 million of equipment in procurement, across the four naval shipyards. Two of those shipyards, Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, are within the NAVFAC Atlantic area of responsibility, and VanderLey cited her “being front and center, on the east coast, standing up the organization, maturing the organization and shepherding some very significant projects.” VanderLey also noted Aguayo’s masterful role in myriad responsibilities including the Turn to Change of Command, Page 2
Rear Adm. Maria L.“Lore”Aguayo welcomes Rear Adm. Jorge R. Cuadros as her successor as the new commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Atlantic aboard Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, Lafayette River Annex, Aug. 2, 2024. (PHOTO BY MICHAEL MORRIS, NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SYSTEMS COMMAND ATLANTIC)
Mid-Atlantic Motorcycle Training Team and Naval Safety Command Host Event Highlighting Free Motorcycle Safety Courses The free courses provide riders with the basic mental and physical skills required for riding and consist of both classroom and on-cycle instruction. PAGE A6
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