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Celebrating 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 21, No. 37 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 09.19-09.25.13
Sailors bow their heads for the invocation during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk.
NavyYard
Navy support continues for WNY personnel, families
The ceremony paid tribute to fallen warriors and the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Press release Naval District Washington
WASHINGTON
MCSN Andrew Schneider
Naval Station Norfolk, region commemorates Sept. 11 » see 9/11 | A6-A7
LINCOLN SEEKS ITS “BIGGEST LOSER” By MC3 Jonteil Johnson USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS
MC2 Josue L. Escobosa Sonar Technician (Surface) 1st Class Robert Moyer, greets his family after USS Mahan (DDG 72) pulled into her homeport of Norfolk.
USS Mahan returns home
Sailors from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) want to name their biggest loser. Weigh-ins began Aug. 29 at command-wide physical training. “I believe this isn’t so much a program as it’s an effort to create awareness of our health and fitness,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Joanna Madrid, senior coordinator for Lincoln’s weight-loss challenge and a member of Lincoln’s Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD). “The idea is to present a challenge and resources to promote a lifestyle change.”
Madrid said the challenge is open to all Sailors, but they must be medically cleared by a medical officer or an independent duty corpsman before beginning. “We want as many people as possible to sign up, but we don’t want to risk injuries,” said Madrid. “One of our main concerns is the safety of the crew throughout this evolution.”
» see LINCOLN | A11
By Ensign Alexander Washofsky USS Mahan Public Affairs
NORFOLK
The guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) returned to Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 13, after an eight-and-a-half month deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Mahan traveled more than 42,391 nautical miles under the leadership of Cmdr. Adam Aycock before turning over to Cmdr. Zoah Scheneman, who in May became the ship’s commanding officer. The crew conducted 26 underway replenishments, 50 weapons exercises, 53 small boat operations, and 15 flight operations with 147 landings and recoveries of heli-
» see MAHAN | A11
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Navy Public Health helps reduce Sleep Lab costs By Hugh Cox Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center
PORTSMOUTH
The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) announced Sept. 11 the development of an evidence-based referral process for Sleep Lab utilization at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) resulting in improved access to care
and $4 - 5 million annual cost avoidance. NMCPHC’s Health Analysis (HA) Department responded to a request from the Sleep Lab at NMCP to develop more effective referral criteria for sleep lab utilization. After careful analysis, HA created several tools the Sleep Lab can use to improve its referral process. According to Capt. Paul
CHIEF PETTY OFFICER PINNING CEREMONIES A time-honored tradition, Chief Petty Officer (CPO) pinning ceremonies took place throughout Hampton Roads this past week. Check outThe Flagship’s compilation of photos and quotes, as well as more on flagshipnews.com.
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Rockswold, HA department head, HA collaborated with the Sleep Lab to develop a data-driven referral process that decreases unnecessary diagnostic sleep studies, unnecessary referrals, and total number of sleep studies. Recommended improvements will increase access to care for active duty Sailors and Marines who need evaluations for sleep disorders. The revised process will also decrease expenditures by approximately $400 thousand per month.
» see HEALTH | A11
The Navy continues to provide support to Navy personnel affected by the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard (WNY) Sept. 16. An emergency family support task force was established to assist victims, workers and families with issues related to the shooting. That task force will be led by Vice. Adm. Bill French, Commander of the Navy’s Installations Command. That support includes several phone numbers established by The Warfighter and Family Support Center for families seeking information about their loved ones who work at the Navy Yard. The numbers, which can also be used to request additional services, are: (855) 677-1755, (202) 433-6151, (202) 433-9713, (202) 433-3234 or (202) 685-6019. Furthermore, critical incident stress management and counseling services are available at (800) 222-0364. Family services counselors and chaplains have also been called into action. Teams of chaplains throughout the region are standing by to provide assistance, as needed, over the next several days. Those in need of chaplain support are encouraged to contact the Warfighter and Family Support Center at (202) 433-6151 or (202) 433-9713. Access to the Washington Navy Yard will be restricted Sept. 17 to mission essential personnel only as the FBI continues its investigation. In a video message (http://goo.gl/ rtUe3L), Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus pledged his support to those affected by the shooting.
» see SHOOTING | A11 ■ From Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel I have been receiving regular updates on the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard, and continue to monitor the situation closely. This is a tragic day for the Department of Defense, the national capital area, and the nation. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this outrageous act of violence, their families, and all those affected by today’s events. I am grateful for the swift response of federal and local law enforcement, and for the professionalism of DOD personnel at the Navy Yard complex. The Department of Defense will continue to offer its full assistance in the investigation of this terrible and senseless violence.
RECP BILLING The Resident Energy Conservation Program (RECP) mock billing has been extended through December for PublicPrivate Venture (PPV) housing residents in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
RIBTOBERFEST RibtoberFest will feature finger-lickin good BBQ, live music, restaurant competitions, and great family fun on Sept. 21 in Downtown Norfolk’s Town Point Park.
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