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Celebrating 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 21, No. 28 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 07.18-07.24.13
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic changes command Alexander to retire after 33 years of service ■ ceremony Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic salutes as he is piped aboard during the opening of his retirement and change of command ceremony on Naval Station Norfolk, July 12. Left: Incoming Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, Rear Adm. Dixon R. Smith addresses guests during the ceremony. ■ more local changes of command See A11 for the recent change of command from Navy Warfare Development Command.
By David Todd Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs
NORFOLK
Members of Navy’s Mid-Atlantic (MIDLANT) Region said farewell to Rear Adm. Tim Alexander and welcomed new commander, Rear Adm. Dixon R. Smith, during a change of command ceremony held in Hangar LF-59 on Naval Station Norfolk, July 12, home of the HSC-28 Dragon Whales. On hand for the ceremony was Vice Adm. William D. French, Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) and Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, who served as the guest speaker. The audience of hundreds ranged from local government and community officials, fellow flag and commanding officers, to regional staff, family and friends. Capt. Mary M. Jackson, Chief of Staff, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic served as master of ceremonies and Capt. Bruce Boyle, Regional Chaplain, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic provided the invocation and benediction. The presentation of colors was executed by the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Honor Guard and ceremonial music was provided by the U.S. Fleet Forces Band, with the national anthem being sung by Musician 3rd Class Emily Charleton. Alexander took a moment to welcome distinguished guests, friends and families, and thanked the individuals who contributed their time to make the ceremony a success. He then gave a brief introduction for French.
» see NRMA | A10
Photos by MC2 Gregory White
USS Bush makes history, traps X-47B By MC3 Brandon Vinson USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) made history, July 10, with the successful arrested landing of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demon-
An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator completes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), July 10.
strator (UCAS-D). In previous months, Bush and the Navy UCAS program catapult launched the X-47B demonstrator and performed touch-and-go landings on the carrier deck in preparation for this final event.
The landing marks the first time any unmanned aircraft has completed an arrested landing at sea.
» see X-47B | A9
MCSN Brian Stephens
TIME CAPSULE PLACED ON CVN-78
Shaun Worones (left) and Jerry Womack weld the cover on a time capsule aboard the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).
Capsule to memorialize carrier namesake’s lifetime achievements
Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division welded a time capsule inside the flight deck control room of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), July 11. The time capsule contains items that were placed under the 555-metric ton island during a ceremonial event in January by Susan Ford Bales, the ship’s sponsor and daughter of the late president, as well as shipyard and
FPO CHANGE Effective immediately, family, friends and businesses sending mail to Navy mobile units must use a nine-digit ZIP code to ensure delivery.
» see A2
Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Public Affairs
January, Ford Bales placed a sandstone piece made of the same stone used in the construction of the White House and the U.S. Capitol. The piece was embedded with a unique coin she designed, as well as five official seals representing her father’s service to the nation. The sandstone and other items placed under the island by shipyard and Navy leadership were sealed inside a steel time capsule along with a description of the items and the Navy tradition.
Capt. Jake Johansson, commanding officer, Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads (NSA HR), and other dignitaries, spoke to more than 200 administrators, counselors and educators throughout the state for the Military-Connected Child Education Expo, Luncheon and Workshop presented by the Darden College of Education, which was held at Old Dominion University (ODU), July 10. The subject of military-connected children and the services provided to military families was the focus for the event. “All children are important, but military children bring a unique set of circumstances with them when they walk into that school or classroom,” said Johansson. Johansson, who moved to the Hampton Roads area in the spring of 2012, wanted to ensure that his three young sons would have all the support and resources that they would need while they transitioned to a new city and a new school.
» see FORD | A9
» see TEAMS | A9
U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries | John Whalen
NEWPORT NEWS
By Katisha Draughn-Fraguada
NORFOLK
Press Release Huntington Ingalls Industries
Navy, state educators discuss militaryconnected children
Navy leadership. “This Navy tradition is even more special today because it’s happening three days before what would have been President Ford’s 100th birthday,” said Rolf Bartschi, NNS’ vice president, CVN 78 carrier construction. “Among the items are those that commemorate President Ford’s lifetime achievements. We are proud to honor him and we feel privileged to provide the ship’s force with such an important piece of our nation’s history.” During the island-landing event in
DEPUTY USFF Adm. Bill Gortney promotes Nora W. Tyson to vice admiral in a ceremony held at USFF headquarters onboard Naval Support Activity Norfolk, July 15.
» see B1
CORVETTE CONVENTION RIDES INTO HAMPTON ROADS Nearly 2,000 Corvette enthusiasts will ride to the 2013 National Corvette Restorers Society National Convention at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, July 21 - 25.
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» see C1