www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, August 31, 2023
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IN THIS ISSUE
DOD announced changes to the special leave accrual policy for service members The revised provisions reduced the maximum amount of accrued leave that may be retained by a service member at the end of the FY from 120 days to 90 days. Page A3
VOL. 31, NO. 30, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
August 31-September 6, 2023
ABOVE LEFT: Marines assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 26 embark a landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 in the well deck of USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) during a Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) loading exercise (LOADEX). The exercise certified the rapid embarkation of Sailors and Marines to validate deployment readiness in preperation for future destructive weather events. TOP RIGHT: An MV-22 Osprey assigned to the“Thunder Chickens”of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263) lands on the flight deck of USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) in support of Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) LOADEX. ABOVE RIGHT: A landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 prepares to depart the well deck of USS Fort Lauderdale. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS DUSTIN KNIGHT/RELEASED)
Navy and Marine Corps strengthen bond during DSCA Rehearsal By Petty Officer 2nd Class Dustin Knight
USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28)
JOINT EXPEDITIONARY BASE LITTLE CREEK-FORT STORY, Va. — Natural disasters have proven to be unpredictable all over the globe making it even more important to train to respond to those areas that are affected. U.S. Sailors and Marines assigned to USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), along with Expeditionary Strike Group 2 (ESG-2) and 2nd Marine Logistics Group took part in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Full Mission Rehearsal at Naval Base Norfolk, Virginia, and at sea, from August 18 to 22. The exercise certified the rapid embarkation of Sailors and Marines with the II MEF Maritime DSCA Task Force aboard the Norfolk-based Fort Lauderdale, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, to validate deployment readiness requirements in preparation for future destructive weather events along the East Coast and Caribbean Sea.
Fort Lauderdale, assigned to ESG-2, provided naval assets such as multiple landing craft, air cushions (LCACs), which enabled the II MEF Maritime DSCA Task Force to exercise logistical procedures essential for the mission. The integration enhanced the Blue/Green Team’s capabilities and increased mutual interdependence. “We are more prepared to provide support when requested by local and state authorities,” said Rear Adm. Tom Williams, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2. “This training exercised the same team who would respond to a hurricane, natural disaster or any kind of man-made disaster.” During the exercise, Sailors and Marines loaded vehicles, equipment and personnel onto an LCAC and delivered them to the USS Fort Lauderdale, and unloaded crisis response gear onto the ship. Once out to sea, MV-22 Ospreys, assigned to the “Thunder Chickens of “Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263), and LCAC’s, assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 (ACU-4), off-loaded the same gear and personnel and returned them to shore. Although the primary reason for the exer-
cise to ensure mission readiness, a secondary result was a strengthened relationship between the Marines and Sailors. “Any exercise allows us to strengthen the Navy and Marine Corps bond,” said Fort Lauderdale Commanding Officer, Capt. Gill McCarthy. “This particular exercise allows us to demonstrate that the Navy and Marine Corps team is more than power projection through combat operations.” The II MEF Maritime DSCA Task Force, commanded by CLB 26, is designed to respond to a destructive weather crisis rapidly and must be able to recall all forces, move those personnel and all equipment 230 miles, load it onto the USS Fort Lauderdale and be ready to go underway in less than 120 hours from notification. During this rehearsal, they were ready in less than 90 hours. This Task Force provides support to civilian authorities and is comprised of elements from throughout the II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), stationed in the Camp Lejeune, NC area. “Captain McCarthy got it right,” Combat Logistics Battalion 26 Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Zach Embers. “The seamless inte-
gration of our teams speaks to their professionalism and the importance of our naval integration at the service level to maintain this ability to rapidly come together and execute complex amphibious operations bringing aid or other relevant military capability to the point of need.” The Fort Lauderdale looks forward to growing alongside its green counterpart more in the future. “DSCA is a life-saving effort and locally delivered support of devastated communities, said McCarthy. “The flawless integration of Combat Logistics Battalion 26 (CLB 26) and USS Fort Lauderdale exemplifies the Department’s flexibility and power which we will continue to work on more in the future.” For more information on USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) visit https://www.facebook. com/FORTLAUDERDALELPD28. For more information on Combat Logisitics Battalion 26 visit https://www.2ndmlg. marines.mil/Units/Combat-Logistics-Regiment-2/Combat-Logistics-Battalion-26/ For more on Expeditionary Strike Group 2 visit https://www.facebook.com/ESGTWO.
USS Iowa gun barrel ribbon-cutting ceremony held at JEB Little Creek-Fort Story By NRMA Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on base to celebrate the relocation of the historic Iowa-class battleship USS Iowa (BB 61) gun barrel #270L at 1 p.m., Aug. 29. The 66-foot long, 120-ton barrel was transported to JEB Little Creek Fort Story in May of this year and was placed next to the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse following a stop in Portsmouth, Virginia, where it was painted and prepared for memorial display. Transport and salvage of the historic barrel was arranged by the Coast Defense Study Group and the USS Iowa Veterans Association. “We are humbled to welcome this historic piece of Naval history to our base,” said Capt. David L. Gray, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story’s commanding officer. “This barrel will serve as a heritage site to visitors, military members, and veterans alike who will be able to learn about and share the history of the USS Iowa with others in our community for years to come.” This display will honor USS Iowa veterans who served on the battleship during WWII, the Korean War, and the Cold War. Barrel #270L is the last of nine gun barrels from the USS Iowa to be relocated with others on display in Arizona, Delaware and New Jersey.
The USS Iowa (BB 61) gun barrel #270L is now on display at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Aug 29, 2023. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MC2 JORDAN GRIMES)
NAVSTA Norfolk’s Diversity Committee holds Women’s Equality Event www.flagshipnews.com
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Sailors and civilian personnel from around the installation were invited to attend and learn about the history of Woman’s Equality and listen to personal experiences from guest speakers about their time in the military. Page A6
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