Flagship March 21, 2013

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Celebrating 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family

Vol. 21, No. 11 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 03.21-03.27.13

NAVY LAYS KEEL FOR PCU JOHN WARNER

Photos by MCSN Scott Barnes Former Sen. John Warner addresses guests during the keel laying ceremony for Pre-Commissioning Unit John Warner (SSN 785).

Submarine named after five-term Virginia senator Press Release Team Submarine Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS

The Navy celebrated the keel laying of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John Warner (SSN 785) at Huntington Ingalls Industries – Newport News Shipbuilding (HII -NNS) in Newport News, March 16. The submarine is named for former five-term U.S. Senator from Virginia and Secretary of the Navy John Warner. In a time-honored Navy tradition, the initials of Jeanne Warner, the submarine’s sponsor, were welded onto a steel plate that will be permanently affixed to the submarine’s hull. Jeanne is a long-time sup-

porter of military families and is active in many local Virginia-based charities. Making the ceremony unique, the submarine’s namesake also had his initials welded onto the plate. “The Navy and the Submarine Force are honored to have Mrs. Warner serve as the sponsor for the future USS John Warner,” said Capt. David Goggins, Virginia-class program manager. “The event marks the first major construction milestone for the submarine and helps forge a special bond between Mrs. Warner, her submarine and her crew

■ about the submarine Virginia-class submarines are designed to dominate the world’s littoral and deep waters while conducting antisubmarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operation forces support; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions.

that will last for years to come.” PCU John Warner’s keel laying is the submarine’s first major event since it began construction in March of 2010. The submarine is on-track to continue the Virginia-class program’s trend of delivering sub-

marines early to their contract delivery dates and meeting the incredibly stringent standards expected of U.S. submarines. “John Warner’s keel laying is a special day for our Navy, the Commonwealth of Virginia and our shipbuilding partners,”

said RearAdm. David Johnson, Program Executive Officer for Submarines. “Building the Virginia-class is a team effort and the skill and commitment of the entire shipbuilding team is evident in the first-time quality and operational successes of these front-line platforms.” PCU John Warner is the 12th submarine of the Virginia-class and the second of the block III construction contract. Virginia-class submarines are built under a unique construction contract between HII-NNS and General Dynamics Electric Boat.

Mathew Shilling, an employee of the Newport News Shipyard, welds the initials of Jeanne and John Warner on a steel plate during the keel laying ceremony for Pre-Commissioning Unit John Warner (SSN 785).

Warner’s keel laying is the first of several major shipbuilding milestones for the Virginiaclass program in 2013. PCU Minnesota’s (SSN 783) commissioning is scheduled for Sept. 7 and PCU North Dakota’s (SSN 784) christening is expected this fall. PCU Delaware (SSN 791) will begin construction on Sept. 2.

■ memorial Sailors pay their respects during a memorial service at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story for Navy Diver 1st Class James Reyher and Navy Diver 2nd Class Ryan Harris, from MDSU-2, who died on Feb. 26.

San Antonio receives second ‘Battle E’ By MC3 Lacordrick Wilson Amphibious Squadron Four Public Affairs

NORFOLK

The crew of the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) received the Battle Efficiency, or Battle “E” award, March 7. The Battle “E” award is a tribute to the ship’s overall readiness and was determined by a year-long evaluation of San Antonio’s accomplishments during training exercises and various command inspections. The San Antonio was nominated by Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) Four and has received the Battle “E” two years in a row while under the leadership of Commanding Officer Cmdr. Neil Koprowski. “I am overwhelmed with excitement and pride for the ownership of a second Battle ‘E,’” said Koprowski. “The Sailors have put in hard work to sustain our superior ship performance, and winning this award demonstrates to the Navy that this is the world class crew that I know it is.” Personnel aboard the San Antonio are now authorized to wear the Navy “E” ribbon and Battle “E” device. “It’s great to have the crew wear the Battle ‘E’ ribbon for the second consecutive time,” said Command Master Chief Timothy Bailey. “This achievement is a true reflection of the crew’s commitment in demonstrating excellence in every evolution and the day-to-day workloads.” San Antonio’s consecutive wins sets a standard for other ships in the fleet, one that Navy leadership believes is achievable.

» see BATTLE E | A7 CARR DECOMMISSIONED The guided-missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52) was decommissioned at a ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, March 13. In 27 years, she deployed 13 times and traveled as far North as the Arctic Circle, South to the Equator, East to the Indian Ocean and West to the Eastern Pacific. » see A8

Navy divers remembered MC2 Steven C. Hoskins

Press Release Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH

Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 held a memorial service for two Navy divers aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, March 14. The ceremony honored Navy Diver 1st Class James Reyher, 28, of Caldwell, Ohio, and Navy Diver 2nd Class Ryan Harris, 23, of Gladstone, Mo., who both died while conducting dive operations at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Mary-

land last month. Reyher and Harris died while diving at Aberdeen Proving Ground’s Underwater Explosion Test Facility, also known as the Super Pond, Feb. 26. Cmdr. Michael Runkle, Commanding Officer, MDSU 2, spoke of the challenges Navy Divers face and offered words of comfort to the crowd of more than 400 service members, civilians, families and friends. “We come together to honor ND1 James Reyher and ND2 Ryan Harris, two extraordinary men who made the ul-

CNP VISITS NORFOLK Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk addressed Sailors during an all hands call at Naval Station Norfolk, March 18.

» see B1

BAND JOINS VA SYMPHONY Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is joining the Virginia Symphony Pops for two high voltage performances of their swingin’ hits, March 22 - 23.

» see C1

timate sacrifice serving as Navy divers,” he said. “These heroes, and those like them, understand and accepted dangers, not for fame or fortune, but for their friends, for their families and for their country.” The memorial included remembrances and sea stories of Reyher and Harris from fellow Navy divers and concluded with the playing of taps. An investigation to determine the cause of the accident is currently ongoing and is being conducted by Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2.

2013 NMCRS FUND DRIVE The goal of the 2013 NMCRS Fund Drive is to have 100 percent contact with all service members, March 1 - 31. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/WggMMo.