www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, September 15, 2022 1
IN THIS ISSUE
Deployed Truman sailors become U.S. citizens
Petty Officers 3rd Class John Gacad and Francisian Manaog became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony aboard the USS Harry S. Truman. PAGE A2 VOL. 29, NO. 35, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
September 15-September 21, 2022
NORFOLK (Sept. 9, 2022) USS San Jacinto (CG-56) returns to Naval Station Norfolk after a regularly scheduled deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operations, Sept. 8. San Jacinto was deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in support of theater security cooperation efforts and to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS RYAN SEELBACH)
USS San Jacinto returns home from 9-month deployment By USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. — The Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) returned to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk after a nine-month deployment, Sept. 8. San Jacinto, part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG), operated in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations from Dec. 14 until late August. San Jacinto, under the command of Capt. Christopher Marvin, was a critical component to various bi-lateral and multi-national surface, subsurface, and air defense exercises, sailing more than 60,000 miles. Participation in these interoperability exercises with the British, Italian, Hellenic, Spanish, and French navies allowed the strike group to demonstrate U.S. commitment to security and stability for all in the region.
The ship also served as a key player in the NATO-led enhanced vigilance activities Neptune Strike 22 and Neptune Shield 22, demonstrating NATO’s ability to integrate the high-end maritime capabilities of allied aircraft carrier strike groups, amphibious ready groups and marine expeditionary units to support the defense of the alliance. “This deployment was an overall success by allowing us to showcase our ability to flex during an unpredictable period and show the brilliance and resiliency of this crew, putting the ship’s versatile capabilities on full display and highlighting the support we have from our families and loved ones back home,” said Marvin. “From conducting multi-national exercises that strengthen ties with our regional allies and contribute to our continued success day to day, I could not be any prouder how the crew stepped up in a huge way to accomplish the mission.”
San Jacinto also participated in dual and tri-carrier operations with the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) and Italian carrier ITS Cavour (C 550) and their carrier strike groups, and the crew conducted port visits throughout Europe including in Rota, Spain; Souda Bay and Piraeus, Greece; Venice, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Valletta, Malta; and Split, Croatia.. These operations and port visits allowed the Sailors to further strengthen the bonds between the U.S. Navy and its allies and partners. “Many people focus on the carrier, but the cruiser and destroyers in our strike group are every bit as vital. San Jacinto has been our work horse, sailing with the Truman day and night and remaining ready for any task,” said Rear Adm. Paul Spedero Jr., commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8. “Capt. Marvin and his team were fantastic. They were always ready to protect the
carrier, work with our allies and partners, and train with other ships and aircraft. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), commanded by Capt. Gavin Duff, serves as the flagship of the HSTCSG; additional elements include the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, commanded by Capt. Patrick Hourigan; and the staff and guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28, commanded by Capt. Blair Guy, which have included: USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Gravely (DDG 107), USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98). The strike group also participated in a Cooperative Deployment with the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Fridtjof-Nansen class frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310), who returned home to Norway in May.
Norfolk sailors and families run in remembrance of 9/11 By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Emily Casavant NORFOLK, Va. — Naval Station Norfolk’s Morale Wellness and Recreation Department held it’s second annual 9/11 Remembrance Run 5k onboard NAVSTA Norfolk Sept. 09, 2022. This was the first year that the event was held in-person with COVID-19 causing 2021’s event to be a virtual on-your-own run. “It’s important to do things like this because we’re living in some harsh times in our nation right now but we’re all here together and maybe a little bit of that can help ease the issues that we’ve got going on today,” said MWR Fitness Coordinator, Toni Leary, who’s mother was on the USS George Washington and deployed to New York in response to 9/11. Members of MWR along with NAVSTA Norfolk’s Fire Station 1 set up a fitness challenge for runners to take part in after they crossed the finish line. The challenge was a relay race that included a weighted rope pull, a fire house roll-up, 9 tire jumps and 11 tire slams in recognition of 9/11 and the efforts made by first responders. “I was on active duty when September 11th happened and it was a really tragic, sad day,” said First Officer for Southwest Airlines, Retired
Lt. Col. US Marine Corps Guy Ravei. “Some of the people who are in the service today weren’t even born when it happened so it’s important to remember those things. As I get older and after retiring, it’s nice to get back amongst people who are in the service who are like minded and want to support our country and remember a really tragic day.” The run began at historical McClure Field and followed the instillations waterfront and marina. The fastest runner finished in under 23 minutes while others walked, some with strollers and young children. After the run, all of the participants were invited to enjoy a cookout style lunch, music, a recovery station and a free raffle for tickets to Busch Gardens and passes for Portsmouth museums. “I don’t think anyone easily forgets the events of 9/11,” said Anthony Benning, MWR Fitness Coordinator. “But we have a lot of Sailors that weren’t even born yet, so it’s important to have these types of events because it’s going to spark the thought of what they’re all about for that younger generation.” The event was made possible by local sponsors including the Commissary, the WaR program, P3T Pregnancy Postpartum Fitness and First Command Financial Advisors
USS Somerset visits namesake to honor 9/11 www.flagshipnews.com
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The crew of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) visited Somerset County, Pa., to attend the 21st Anniversary Observance of September 11 at the Flight 93 National Memorial. PAGE A3
(Sept. 09, 2022) Participants begin running the 9/11 Remembrance Run 5k onboard Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 09, 2022. The event was the first 9/11 Remembrance Run 5k held in person on base and is set to be an annual event. (US NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS EMILY CASAVANT)
Military members volunteer during Servicing Our Schools Initiative
More than 250 military members volunteered during Naval Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads’ “Servicing Our Schools”initiative PAGE A4
September is Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrate with words from sailors and a delicious recipe PAGE A6
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