The Flagship Edition 05.10.18

IN THIS ISSUE VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL TATTOO: Military bands and performers from around the world!.

Vo l . 2 6 , No . 19 No rf o l k, VA | f l ag sh ip ne ws .c om

» See A6

05 . 10 – 0 5 . 1 6 . 1 8

USFF HOLDS CHANGE OF COMMAND, WELCOMES 42ND COMMANDER

MC2 Michael Fiorillo Adm. Chris Grady, center, renders a salute alongside Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, right, and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson, left, during a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

MC1 Gary A Prill From left, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command Adm. Phil Davidson, Air Force Gen. Lori J. Robinson, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, and Adm. Chris Grady render salutes during the parading of the colors to start the USFF change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

From U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs NORFOLK

Adm. Chris Grady relieved Adm. Phil Davidson as commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) and U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command, in a ceremony aboard aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) in port Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, May 4. Nearly 500 civilian and military guests gathered to welcome Grady and bid fair winds and following seas to Davidson as he departs after more than three years in command. Distinguished guests included Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson and Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) Gen. Lori Robinson. Richardson, the guest speaker, summarized “There’s no doubt that our Navy is more agile and lethal by virtue of our ability to connect, combine, and adapt in rapidly adaptable ways — a direct result of [Adm. Davidson’s] keen creativity and intellect.” Davidson, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, is a surface warfare officer and a 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, assumed command of USFF in December 2014. He led the command with a strategic focus supporting the nation’s maritime strategy through operational readiness, training effectiveness, and pro-

fessional and personal development. Davidson expressed his appreciation to the Fleet Forces staff for the accomplishments obtained under his charge. “To make it [the fleet] ready takes an enormous amount of effort, and teamwork. It has been my distinct pleasure to have worked alongside the many proud professionals who make up U.S. Fleet Forces and the Fleet enterprise across the East Coast of the United States,” said Davidson. “I’m often asked how I define, or measure, readiness. Well, I can tell you over the last three years or so, it’s simply been a unit’s performance in combat.” Davidson emphasized as he departs that he is confident that he is leaving the command in the best hands, “Your experience as a Strike Group Commander, the Surface Type Commander here in the Atlantic and as the 6th Fleet Commander and Commander, NATO Striking and Support Forces, will pay great dividends here at U.S. Fleet Forces.” Grady, a native of Newport, Rhode Island, and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, stated his enthusiasm on assuming command and readiness to lead the team with a mission-focused mindset. “We shall succeed by expanding our competitive space with continued investments and developments » See CHANGE | A7

CNO ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF U.S. 2ND FLEET From Navy Office of Information NORFOLK

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson announced the establishment of U.S. 2nd Fleet during a change of command ceremony for U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) in Norfolk, May 4. Second Fleet will exercise operational and administrative authorities over assigned ships, aircraft and landing forces on the East Coast and northern Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, it will plan and conduct maritime, joint and combined operations and will train, cer-

CHECK K US OUT T E!! ONLINE! www.flagshipnews.com

www.facebook.com/ The.Flagship

www.twitter.com/ the_flagship

tify and provide maritime forces to respond to global contingencies. Commander of 2nd Fleet will report to USFF. “Our National Defense Strategy makes clear that we’re back in an era of great power competition as the security environment continues to grow more challenging and complex,” said Richardson. “That’s why today, we’re standing up Second Fleet to address these changes, particularly in the north Atlantic.” Second Fleet was disestablished in 2011 and many of its personnel, assets and responsibilities were merged into USFF.

LINCOLN DEPARTS: The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) departed on an underway, April 24, and is scheduled to conduct three major evolutions — carrier qualifications, Combat Systems Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) and student pilot carrier qualifications. » See A4

MC2 Scott Swofford The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and ships assigned to the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) transit the Atlantic Ocean while conducting composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX).

THE WAIT OF THE WORLD: U.S. Navy and Guatemalan surgical team removed a plexiform neurofibroma from a man’s face at the Hospital de Puerto Barrios in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala during Continuing Promise 2018.

MONSTERS ON THE BEACH: The biggest and baddest monster trucks invade the Virginia Beach Oceanfront this weekend!

» See B1

THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY South Hampton Roads: Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered right to your door for free!

» See C1 Sign up today! Call 222-3900