®
Celebrating 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 21, No. 20 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 05.23-05.29.13 ■ local divers Navy Diver 3rd Class Tom Chlebda of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 splashes into the water to begin a diving operation. MDSU 2, homeported at JEBLCFS in Virginia Beach, is conducting a gross survey diving operation with the help of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office to search for people and vehicles following a simulated bridge collapse MC1 (SW) Dustin Q. Diaz
NAVY DIVERS, LOCAL DEPUTIES DIVE TOGETHER DURING ARDENT SENTRY 2013 Divers based in JEBLCFS join SWAT divers in exercise
Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Schlitz (center) lands in the drop zone at Skydive Suffolk during the 3rd annual Jumping for a Purpose event.
By MC3 Randy Savarese Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 Public Affairs
PARRIS ISLAND, S.C.
Navy Divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 and Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team divers worked together to increase hurricane and disaster response preparedness during exercise Ardent Sentry 13, May 13-17. Exercise Ardent Sentry is an annual North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) exercise focused on Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) scenarios to support civil authorities with military capabilities to save lives, prevent human suffering and mitigate great property damage. Navy and SWAT divers’ goals this week were centered on increasing the effective response of dive teams
» see DIVERS | A14
MC1 Lolita Lewis
Annual ‘Jumping for a Purpose’ gives Wounded Warriors chance to fly high By MC1 Lolita M. Lewis The Flagship Staff Writer
SUFFOLK
How would it feel to leave your worries at the door and clear your mind from 14,000 feet in the air? Several Wounded Warriors had the chance to do just that when they did a tandem jump from an airplane as they participated in the 3rd annual
“Jumping for a Purpose” skydiving event in Suffolk, May 18, sponsored by Wounded Wear. Jumping for a Purpose was established in 2010 when Jason Redman, founder and executive director of Wounded Wear; Matt Thompson, CEO of Troopswap; and Larry Pennington, owner of Skydive Suffolk collaborated together to organize an event that would give back to Wounded
Warriors who had already given so much of themselves to defend our country. “This event is about empowering Wounded Warriors, providing them the opportunity to recognize that their lives did not end with their injuries,” said Redman during the opening ceremony. “It actually just began.”
SECNAV visits USS Monterey By MC3 Billy Ho Navy Public Affairs Support Element East
MANAMA, BAHRAIN
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus visited Sailors aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) while the ship was moored at Khalifa Bin Salman, Bahrain, for a scheduled port visit, May 16. Secretary Mabus visited Bahrain to visit Sailors and Marines stationed or deployed to the region. He also met with U.S. and Bahrain leaders to discuss ways to enhance America’s long-standing partnership with Bahrain and further stability and peace in the region.
» see SECNAV | A14
» see JUMP | A8
CHEF ADOPTS USS BUSH By MC3 Brian Read Castillo USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Public Affairs
USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, AT SEA
MC3 Brian Read Castillo Culinary Specialists 1st Class Demarcos Blow decorates a plate during the “Iron Chef” competition aboard the USS George H.W. Bush.
A professional chef instructor with the American Culinary Federation (ACF) embarked aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) as part of the Adopt-aShip program, to offer hands-on training to the ship’s culinary specialists (CS), May 13. The Adopt-a-Ship program is a partnership between Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) and ACF that
2013 WARRIOR GAMES Team Navy earned a total of 23 medals at the 2013 Warrior Games, including eight gold, five silver and 10 bronze medals.
X-47B ACCOMPLISHES FIRST EVER CARRIER TOUCH AND GO The Navy’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) began touch and go landing operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) May 17.
began in 1998 to provide continuing education to CSs who may not have the opportunity to experience industry practices. The voluntary program provides culinarians, chefs and cooks the opportunity to spend time aboard the ship with CSs, sharing their culinary knowledge and industry experience. Chef instructor Bruce Piatek, who normally teaches students at Le Cordon Bleu, volunteered to come aboard and give training on techniques vital for all CSs.
» see A3
» see B6
» see CHEF | A14 CIRQUESA DREAMQUEST Cirquesa Dreamquest, a new theatrical big top circus experience at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, is scheduled to make its Virginia debut this weekend, May 25. » see C1
MCC (AW) Sam Shavers Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus is rendered honors as he passes through sideboys aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) pierside in Manama, Bahrain.
THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered right to your door for free! Sign up today! Call 222-3965