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Celebrating 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 21, No. 33 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 08.22-08.28.13
MCC James Davis
USS ARLINGTON HOSTS NASA SPACE CRAFT RECOVERY TESTS
■ above NASA engineers, Navy divers and Sailors assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) tow a test Orion capsule into the well deck of Arlington.
By MC1 Eric Brown USS Arlington (LPD 24) Public Affairs
RECP: Mock billing prepares PPV residents before final phase
NORFOLK
After three days of practice, NASA conducted a stationary recovery test of their latest space craft, the Orion, in the well deck of the amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24) while berthed at Naval Station Norfolk’s Pier 12, Aug. 15. This successful test of the fourman, 16-foot capsule paves the way for future testing of NASAs Orion Program, including a West Coast underway recovery test in January and the recovery of a low-orbit module following splashdown in the fall of 2014. NASA plans its first unmanned Orion voyage to take place in 2017, and a manned expedition in 2021. “Arlington is all about ownership and standards, and Arlington is setting the standards for the other ships in our class that will be assisting in the recoveries of Orion space craft,” said Cmdr. Darren Nelson, Arlington’s commanding officer. “To be able to work with NASA on the next manned space capsule is a dream come true for many Arlington crew members – they are very excited about this unique opportunity.” Arlington Sailors and Marines assisting with the recovery in front of, adjacent to and above the well deck throughout the week were joined by more than 75 NASA engineers, designers and technicians from Langley Research Center, Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center. The testing was overseen by
» see ARLINGTON | A9 NEW LIGHT FIXTURES GENERATE SAVINGS New LED lighting installed at Naval Submarine Base New London’s (SUBASE) Morton Hall Gymnasium, Body Works Fitness Center and the Lower Base Gym, Aug. 15, offers patrons a brighter workout and the Navy a lower energy bill.
By MC1 (SW/AW) Molly A. Burgess Flagship Military Editor
NORFOLK
MCC Karen E. Cozza The daughter of a Sailor assigned to the USS Stout holds a sign as the ship prepares to depart from Naval Station Norfolk. Stout departed on a deployment to conduct Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Operations in and around the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations
To continue preparing for the upcoming Resident Energy Conservation Program (RECP) roll-out in the MidAtlantic Region, beginning in October, the first mock bill is scheduled to be sent to residents living in Public/Private Venture (PPV) housing this month. RECP is an Office of the Secretary of Defense energy conservation initiative first introduced to PPV residents in Hawaii in January of 2011.
USS Stout deploys By Ens. Todd Kniffen USS Stout Public Affairs
NORFOLK
The guided missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55), led by Cmdr. Bob Alpigini, deployed from its homeport of Norfolk, Aug. 18. After a whirlwind year that included a successful shipyard maintenance availability and intensive certification and training period, Stout departed on a deployment to conduct Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Operations in and around the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Alpigini expressed his excite-
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ment about bringing what he calls “the Navy’s premiere BMD asset” into the operational fold saying, “As Stout returns to the 6th Fleet area of operations, we’re looking forward to performing our mission in the most dynamic and exciting surface warfare environment in the world today. Our ship and crew are well prepared to do our nation’s business.” Most recently, the ship returned to Norfolk on Apr. 15 following her participation in an intensive training exercise specifically tailored to ships that deploy independently
» see STOUT | A9
■ what it will do The mock bill will give residents the opportunity to see their energy consumption habits and give them the opportunity to help identify any possible maintenance issues.
PNSY returns USS Pittsburgh to the fleet under budget, NAVSEA announced Aug. 15. PNSY conducted the KITTERY, MAINE Pittsburgh pre-inactivaPortsmouth Naval Ship- tion restricted availability yard (PNSY) delivered (PIRA) off-yard at Sub Base Los Angeles-class attack New London in Groton, submarine USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) on-time and » see SUB | A9 Press Release
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Public Affairs
STUDENTS COMPETE IN ROBOTX GAME RoboNation is gearing up for a larger, more competitive, global event that is entering the field of student robotics competitions.
FUNKFEST This year, FunkFest will expand into a full-blown three-day celebration, Aug. 23 - 25, with lively entertainment, cultural presentations, children’s activities, food, art and shopping.
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