www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, September 5, 2024 1
IN THIS ISSUE
HM-15 holds change of command ceremony, welcomes new Commanding Officer The“Blackhawks”of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (HM-15) changed commanders during the squadron’s change of command ceremony on Aug. 22 on board Naval Station Norfolk. Page A3
VOL. 32, NO. 33, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com
September 5-September 11, 2024
NORFOLK, Va. (September 1, 2024) Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), is guided by a tugboat during it’s return to homeport. Laboon, assigned to Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG), returned to its homeport on Naval Station Norfolk on September 1 following a deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY CHIEF MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST MATTHEW N. JACKSON)
USS Laboon returns home from deployment By United States Fleet Forces Command Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command
NORFOLK, Va. — The Arleigh Burkeclass guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, from an independent deployment to the U.S. 2nd, 5th, and 6th fleet areas of operation, Sept. 1. Laboon deployed for 279 days to the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea providing deterrence and defense to U.S. partners. Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, was on the pier to welcome home the crew of Laboon. “We are honored to welcome back the men and women of USS Laboon who have proven their proficiency and resolve throughout a demanding deployment,” said Hakimzadeh. “From safeguarding critical maritime routes to deterring threats in volatile regions, Laboon’s crew has exem-
plified the very best of our Navy’s tradition of excellence. We are deeply proud of what they have accomplished, and we thank each Sailor and their families for their unwavering dedication to our nation’s security.” While independently deployed, Laboon participated in the multi-national Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden. In support of freedom of navigation, Laboon and her crew countered multiple attacks carried out by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in the Red Sea. “It has been a challenging nine month deployment to hostile waters, but this team demonstrated time and again just how capable our warships are and that we have the best trained most professional warfighters in the world ready to bring the fight to any enemy,” said Cmdr. Eric Blomberg, Laboon’s commanding officer. Chief Petty Officer Rickey Gisclair attriTurn to USS Laboon Returns, Page 2
NORFOLK, Va. (September 1, 2024) Family and friends wait to reunite with Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58), as Laboon returns to homeport.
NWS Yorktown Sailors and Marines support Back-to-School event in Newport News By Max Lonzanida
Naval Weapons Station Yorktown
YORKTOWN, Va. — Nearly half of the registered students at Oliver C. Greenwood Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia received free backpacks along with school supplies during their Backto-School event on Friday, August 23rd. This was just in time for the school year to start Monday, August 26th. The clear backpacks, which were mandated by Newport News Public Schools last year, were handed out handed out by a contingent of Sailors from Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and Marines assigned to the Marine Corps Security Force Regiment. This unique community relations event also enabled the service members to receive some volunteer credit and delivered a wave of smiles from students in attendance during the successful event. Earlier in the week, a working party comprised of Sailors (and one lone Airman) convened at the installation’s Youth Center Turn to Back To School, Page 2
Newport News, Va. (August 23, 2024) MASN Kanches, assigned to the Security Department onboard Naval Weapons Station Yorktown hands out a clear backpack filled with school supplies to a student at Oliver Greenwood Elementary School in Newport News, VA. The backpacks and assorted school supplies were purchased with grant funds received from the Boys and Girls Club of America’s Military Outreach Services department. The backpacks and supplies were handed out to students at nearby Oliver Greenwood Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. The school was selected due to its population of military affiliated children who are registered for the 2024-2025 school year. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MAX LONZANIDA/RELEASED)
U.S. Second Fleet Completes Operation Nanook 2024 with Multinational Partners
The exercise, which is the largest of its kind in the Arctic, highlighted the ability of multinational forces to operate effectively in the challenging northern environment, further strengthening the long-standing partnership between Canada and the U.S. PAGE A6
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