NAVSTA Norfolk, JEBLC-FS and NAS Oceanaconduct change of commands
Secretary of WarPeteHegseth hosts Medal of Honor Recipient U.S. Navy Capt.
(DOWPHOTO BYU.S.AIRFORCE STAFFSGT.MADELYN KEECH)
Secretary of Warinducts NavalAviator andMedal of Honor recipient into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes
CourtesyStory
OFFICE OFTHENAVYCHIEF OF INFORMATION
(Feb.25, 2026) —Lastnight President Donald J. Trump awarded retired Navy Capt. Elmer RoyceWilliams theMedal of Honor at the State of theUnion address at theU.S.Capitol.Today,SecretaryofWarPete Hegseth,SecretaryoftheNavyJohnPhelan, andChiefofNaval Operations Adm. Daryl CaudleinductedWilliamsintothePentagon’s Hall of Heroes for his heroic actions during theKoreanWar.
“Captain RoyceWilliams did what warriors arecalled to dowhenthe moment comes —hestood his ground, took the fight totheenemy,andprotectedhisfellowAmericans. Outnumbered, outgunned, andalone in the sky,heprevailed through sheer skill, courage,andwill,”saidHegseth.“Today,we honor not justaremarkable dogfight, but a lifetimeofquietstrengthandservice.Captain Williams embodies the fighting spirit of the UnitedStatesNavyandthewarriorethosthat keepsthisNationfree.”
Williamswas joined by an audience of family,friends,fellowNaval Aviators,and seniorNavyleaders
“Captain E. RoyceWilliams represents the very bestofthe United States Navy,” said Phelan. “OnNovember 18,1952, flying fromUSSOriskanyandoutnumberedinthe skies over North Korea, he chose to engage toprotecttheshipsofTaskForce77andthe Sailorsaboardthem.Ina35-minutedogfight, he shot down three MiG-15s and severely damagedafourthone.Fordecades,muchof this story remainedclassified, but the facts neverchanged. His courage, airmanship, anddevotiontodutysavedlivesandupheld the highesttraditions of theNaval Service Today, we areproud to formally recognize aNaval Aviator whose examplewill endure forgenerations.”
“I knowhow momentous this moment is,and Inever imagined myself or allowed
NAVSUP WSSTransportation Team Drives
LogisticalReadiness
CourtesyStory NAVSUP WEAPON SYSTEMS SUPPORT
LogisticalExpertsatNavalSupplySystems Command Weapon SystemsSupport (NAVSUPWSS) move critical partsaround the world every day, supportingevery geographicareaofresponsibility.
According to Zach Fittro, transportation distributionoptimizationdepartmenthead, the team is continuously on the lookout for innovativewaystoimprovelogisticsmanagementandefficientlydeliverpartstotheFleet “Conditions areconstantlyevolving, and ourjobistorapidlyadapttotheoperational environment,”saidFittro.“Weregularlymeet withstakeholdersandcommandsaroundthe world to identify,address, and support any transportationconcernstheyhave.”
As part of their support to U.S. Southern Commandoperations,theexpertsprovided comprehensiveplanning,coordination,and
dataintegration to enable informeddecision-making andefficient execution.This included leveragingmapping products to providea common operationalpictureand trackingtransportationmodes and transit times from thecontinentalU.S.tostrategic nodes,withanemphasisoncapturingshipmentvolumeandtotalweight
Furthermore, the Fleet LocatorTeam developed acustomer-centric view of Department of DefenseActivityAddress Codes(DODAACs)foruseinPuertoRico.A DODAACidentifiesspecificunitsandensures materialsareroutedaccurately.Throughthe developmentand implementation of three new codes,the team establishedprecise “ship-to” addressesthat enabled proper routingofcargointoPuertoRicoforonward movementanddistributiontotheFleet “Operationsincontestedareasdon’tjust
SeeNAVSUP WWSonPage7
myselftothinkitwasgoingtohappentome,” Williamssaid.“IimagineditasGodreaching inanddippingHishandintopicksomebody upforthemostunusualreasonsanddisplayinghiminfrontofhisfellowcitizens.” Hecontinued,emphasizingthatthehonor wasneversomethingheexpectedorsought “And to be entirely amazed and appreciativefor the accommodationsand accolades.But that’s so unusual that youdon’t fool aroundthinking that it’s ever going to come your way,”hesaid. “This is Goddoing something usual, with his finger in the pie, andwithhisinfluence.AndwhatdidIhaveto dowithit?Well,Iwastheprincipal,inaway, that is receiving therecognition, but maybe someofthatrecognitionmissestheinfluence thatreallycausedthisspecialrecognition.” Williams wasborninWilmot,South Dakota and enlistedinthe U.S. Armyat16 years old in Ortonville,Minnesota.Upon completion of basic training,hereturned to Ortonville to train with his unit in areserve status until he finished high school.Once he turned 17,Williamswas eligible for the
NavalAviationCadetprogram and joined the U.S. Navy where he began flight training in 1943.Among manyother aviation platforms,WilliamslearnedtoflytheF9F-5 Panther jet and wasassigned to activeduty intheKoreanWar,duringwhichheflew70 missions.Williams went on to serveinthe VietnamWarflyingover110missionsinthe A-4SkyhawkandF-4PhantomfromtheUSS KittyHawk(CV-63).Williamslaterservedas thecommandingofficerofthecommandship USSElDorado(AGC-11)betweenSeptember 1969 and January 1971. He retired from the U.S.NavyasaCaptainin1980
HisMedalofHonor is an upgrade of the Navy Cross he waspreviouslyawarded in January 2023,which wasanupgrade to the SilverStarMedalhewaspreviouslyawarded whileassignedtothe“Pacemakers”ofFighter Squadron781in1953
Additionalinformationonthe Medal of Honorcanbefoundathttps://www.war.gov/ Spotlights/Medal-of-Honor/.
NORFOLK,Va. (NNS)— Howdowe ensureReserveSailors areproficient in the basics of surface warfare? After learning valuable lessons in theNavy’sLarge-Scale Exercise in August2025,Rear Adm. Calvin Foster,deputy commander,Naval Surface ForceAtlantic (SURFLANT), challenged theteamtoelevatethebaselinewarfighting readinessofover2,000Sailorsassignedunder theSURFLANTenterprise.
In Fiscal Year 2026,the SurfaceWarfare Reserveenterprise launched an innovative trainingprogramaligningtothemission“to man,trainandequipassignedsurfaceforces andshoreactivities,ensuringacapableforce forconductingpromptand sustainedoperations in supportofUnited States national interests.” Surface Warfighter InitialFleet Training (SWIFT) prepares mission-ready ReserveComponentSailorsindirectsupport ofSURFLANT’scoremissionbyconsolidating fivemajor training requirements into one intensiveprogram that ReserveSailors can accomplish during coordinated Annual Trainingblocks
The SWIFTprogram enhances thestrategicdepthandoperationalcapabilityofthe fleet by rapidly qualifying Reserve Sailors in basiccourses that are needed for shipboard readiness,sothat when these Sailors arecalled to mobilizetotheir billets, all basicrequirementsarecompletesotheycan assimilate seamlessly and contribute effectivelyfromdayone SURFLANT’sReserveProgramDirector, Capt. Brian Tabinga, identified the initial requirementsthatReserveSailorsassignedto theenterpriseneedtohave.ManyReservists alreadyreceivedmuchofthistrainingifthey werepreviouslyonactivedutyandassigned to warships.SWIFT refreshes skillsand provides new skillstothose ReserveSailors whohaveneverbeenonboardaship.Senior Chief Master-at-Arms EdwardCutie was broughtonboardSURFLANTonActiveDuty forOperationalSupport(ADOS)ordersasthe leadSWIFTCoordinatorandFacilitatorwho translatedthisconceptintoreality.Cutiealso teaches the Security Reaction Force-Basic courseportionofSWIFT
“SWIFT is adirect force multiplier to elevateourcombatsurgereadiness.Inaddition to the steady state operational support providedacrossthewaterfrontonanannual basis,wedeliverawarfighterwithacomplete toolkitofessentialskills—readytostandthe watch,fighttheship,andrendermedicalaid to save alife from dayone,” saidRear Adm. Foster.“Thisprogramdeliverstangiblewarfightingreadiness.” TheSWIFT curriculum combines
hands-on, skills-based courses fundamental to survivabilityand effectiveness aboard anaval vessel.The fivecorecomponents of theSWIFTprogramare:
**Security Reaction Force- Basic (SRF-B):**Equips Sailors with the skills to serveasarmedsentries and actasthe first lineofdefenseforawarshipwheninport.
**TacticalCombatCasualtyCare(TCCC) Tier 1:**Teaches life-saving skills to render medicalaidtoatraumacasualty
**Basic 3-M Maintenance Person:**EnsuresSailors canproperlyperform maintenanceand contribute to thematerial readinessoftheship
**Basic ShipboardFirefighting with SCBA:**Provideshands-ontrainingwithfirefightingequipmenttocombatshipboardfires
The inaugural SWIFT course,held in November2025,resultedin10Sailors successfully completing thedemanding program,proving its immediate valueand effectiveness.This programwill grow in scale to rapidly qualify Sailors across both SURFLANTandCommander,NavalSurface ForcePacificintheirbasiccapability.
“The training is intense, realistic, and hands-on from dayone,” said FireControlman Chief Petty Officer James Annal, a recent graduate of the course.“By consolidating thesecritical schools, SWIFTforges boththeskillsandthemindsetofashipboard warfighter.Youleaveknowingyoucanhandle yourselfwhenitcounts.” Bycompletingthesecourses,ReserveSailorsmeettheirmobilizationrequirementsand
possessaverifiable,holisticsetofwarfighting skills.TheSWIFTprogramisaforcemultiplier to provide ready forces while fulfilling the Navy Reserve’scharge to deliver strategic depth. It stands as atestament to the forward-thinking leadershipwithin the Surface WarfareReserveEnterpriseand its commitmenttobuildingamorecapableand readyNavy SURFLANT mans, trainsand equips assigned surfaceforces andshoreactivities,ensuring acapableforce for conducting prompt and sustained operations in supportofUnited States national interests TheSURFLANTforceiscomposedofmore than70shipsand31shorecommands FormoreSURFLANTnews andphotos, visit www.facebook.com/SURFLANT/, http://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil.
LEFT:Senior ChiefMaster-at-Arms Edward Cutie,left, instructs
Kearsarge conducts F-35B flight operations for the first time
By Seaman Jack Stann
USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3)
ATLANTIC OCEAN Sailors, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), celebrated an importantmilestonethisweekwhenF-35B LightningIIJointStrikeFighters,assigned to Marine Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 542, landedontheship’sflight,Feb.10,2026
This achievement marks the first time that F-35B Lightning IIs participated in operationsaboardKearsarge
“This is a historical and tremendous accomplishment for the Navy—Marine Corps—Kearsarge team,” said Capt Rosie Goscinski,commandingofficerofKearsarge “OurSailorshavetrainedtirelesslyinpreparation to certify our flight deck - all whilst building our combat-credible team, with our integration of the F-35s With these enhanced fifth-generation capabilities, the Blue-Green team always stands together ready to meet the mission—wherever and wheneverwearecalled.”
“OperatingtheF-35BfromtheKearsarge adds real combat capability to Atlantic-based amphibious forces,” said Marine Lt Col.JorgeCouto,commandingofficerof VMFA542 “Itgivesustheabilitytogeneratefifth-generationeffectswhereverthey’re needed, without delay. That only works becauseoftheprofessionalismanddedicationoftheship’scompanyandtheMarines whomaintaintheseaircrafteveryday.”
With the professionalism and technical expertise of the Sailors and Marines attached to the Kearsarge, the AmphibiousReadyGroup(ARG)canbettersupport forcesontheground.
“TheF-35BLightningIIenhancesthefull rangeofARGcapabilities,”saidCmdr Brian Guest, Kearsarge air boss “It is the most capable aircraft to ever support a Marine riflemanonthegroundandallowstheARG tosupporttheaterwideoperationsinapeerlevelconflict.”
Thishistoricachievementdidnothappen overnight.
“Kearsarge required extensive modifications throughout the ship to be able to supportF-35BLightningIIoperations ranging from significant structural upgrades to theflightdeckandtoanextensiveupgrade to the ship’s combat system suite,” said Lt Cmdr ChristopherTaylor,miniboss Sailors worked long hours preparing for theevolution
“Itwasagreatfeelingofaccomplishment, seeing the aircraft land on the flight deck forthefirsttime,”saidAviationBoatswain’s Mate Aircraft Handling 1st Class Marcquan Mundy “It started [during a maintenanceperiod].Airdepartmenthadtocome together gettingpeopletoschools training drillsandmore. New qualifications had to be earned; traininganddrillshadtobepracticedagain and again until the department met standards
“We had to learn the do’s and don’ts of theaircraft,whichisverydifferentfromthe AV-8BHarrierII,”saidMundy “Howtotow it, and where we could and couldn’t touch it.Everythingwasworthit.Thelonghours, setupsandlayups Finally,beingabletosee theproductweinvestedinwasworthit.” Kearsarge’sjourneyfromamaintenance
periodtosuccessfullyintegratingtheF-35B Lightning IIs is an important milestone It culminatesayears-longprocessofupgrades and modifications enabling us to properly supportF-35BLightningIIsoperations
“It has been a rewarding experience,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Aircraft Handling3rdClassLavarrJones “Afterthe long yard period, being able to do my job, with my shipmates in Air Department, has beenreallygreat.”
TheF-35BLightningIIswasintroduced into service in 2015 and is operated by the UnitedStatesMarineCorpswithothervariantsbeingusedbytheNavyandAirForce.
ATLANTIC OCEAN – (Feb 10 2026)
Three F-35B Lightning II sit on the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge. (U.S.NAVY PHOTO BYMASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST2ND CLASS OSCAR PICHARDO)
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ATLANTIC OCEAN – (Feb 10 2026) Two F-35B Lightning II aircraft, attached to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 prepare to land on the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), Feb. 10, 2026 This marks the first time an F-35B Lightning
NavalStationNorfolk welcomes Captain Glenn as new CommandingOfficer
BY RETAIL SERVICE SPECIALISTTHIRD CLASS JAIMIE VASQUEZ
unmatched.”
NORFOLK,Va. —Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolkheldachangeofcommandandretirement ceremony on Thursday,February26at theVistaPointConferenceCenter.CaptainRay GlennwasrelievedbyCaptainMatthewSchlarmann as the53rdCommandingOfficer of the world’slargestnavalbase
Duringthe ceremony Schlarmann was awarded with the Legion of Merit, an honor givenfor exceptionally meritoriousconduct in the performance of hisduties.Thisaward recognized Schlarmann’s2 yearsof service as commanding officer at NAVSTANorfolk.
Schlarmann is retiringafter morethan26years of militaryservice.Hereported to NAVSTA Norfolk and assumed command as the 52nd CommandingOfficerin August2023.Schlarmannhas accumulated 3,000 flighthours intheEA-6BProwlerandEA-18G Growler,including400carrierlandings to his credit. Hisaccolades include theDefenseMeritoriousServiceMedal,MeritoriousService Medal, twoAir Strike Medals (Strike/Flight),three Navy and MarineCorps CommendationMedals,aJoint Service Achievement Medal, twoNavyand Marine CorpsAchievementMedalsandseveralothers forunits,services,andcampaigns.
“Folks,IlovebeingintheUnitedStatesNavy becauseifitwasn’tfortheNavy,Ineverwould havemetsomeofthebestfriendsandmentors, true patriots in everysense of the word,” saidSchlarmann. “Ifitwasn’tfor theNavy, I wouldn’thavehad the chance to work with some of the finestcivilian employees,whose dedicationtothiscountryandthemissionare
Theceremonyfeaturedseveraldistinguished guests includingRear Admiral Stephen D. Barnett,CommanderofNavyRegionMid-Atlantic, Captain Scott Farr (Ret.) anddaughter Avery Schlarmann. Thechangeofcommand ceremonyisatime honored tradition of the U.SNavy, wherethe outgoingcommanding officerisofficiallyrelievedofhisdutiesbythe incoming commanding officer. As part of this traditionbothSchlarmannandGlennreadtheir official orders,exchanged salutes,and madeformalannouncementstotheir superiorcommander,RearAdmiralBarnett.
“Itisanabsolutehonor to standbeforeyoutoday,butlet’s beclear,todayisn’taboutme,” saidGlenn.“It’saboutbidding afond, andslightly reluctant, farewell to atruly remarkable leader,Captain Matt “Squeeze” Schlarmann.”
“Today,asI hang up this uniform for the final time,I’m not filled with sadness,but with aprofoundand immense pride,” says Schlarmann. “It’sthe pride of knowing Istood amongthe small fraction of our nation’scitizens whohaveearned the privilege to wear its cloth acommitment to protect and defendthe very ideals our forefathersenshrined250yearsago.Tohavebeena guardianofthelegacyisthehonorofalifetime Godblesseveryoneinthisroom.Godblessthe UnitedStatesNavyandmostimportantly,God blesstheUnitedStatesofAmerica”
AsSchlarmannconcludedhisfinalremarks, the ceremonycame to aclose.All attendees were welcomed to the lounge area for food anddrinks
JEB Little Creek-FortStory holds change of command ceremony
BY COMMANDER,NAVYREGIONMID-ATLANTIC PUBLIC AFFAIRS
NORFOLK,Va. —Captain KatieJacobson relieved CaptainDavid Gray as commander of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLC-FS) during aceremony held at theBrashearConferenceCenter,February27
“Today, youpass theguidon after an exceptionaltourofcommand,”saidRearAdm.Stephen Barnett,commander,NavyRegionMid-Atlantic, praisingGray’stenure.“Yoursteadyleadership, sound judgment, and genuine carefor Sailors, civilians, andfamilies have left this command strongerandbetterpositionedforthefuture.”
GrayassumedcommandofJEBLC-FS,June 2023.During his tour,heprovided support to explosive ordnance disposal forces,expeditionaryunitsandJointandCoalition partners throughworld-classtrain ing,operational integration, and reliableinstallationsupport.
He fostered aworkforce that energeticallyresolvedtheNavy’s mostcomplexchallenges to sustain the Fleet,enable the Fighter,andsupporttheFamily Gray,anativeofMassachusetts, enlistedintheNavyasanEngineman inAugust1990andhisfirstassignment wasonboardUSSGunstonHall(LSD44).In 1996,GraywasselectedfortheSeaman-to-AdmiralProgramandcommissionedthatsameyear Following commissioning,Grayattended Surface WarfareDivision Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island. He earned aBachelor of ScienceinPsychology from OldDominion UniversityandaMasterofArtsinNationalSecurityandStrategyfromtheNavalWarCollegein Newport,RI.
housing and training thenation’sExpeditionaryForces Jacobson, anativeofSlidell, Louisiana, was commissioned in 2004 from Tulane University NavyReserveOfficerTrainingCorps(NROTC) with aBachelorofScienceinFinance.JacobsonearnedherMasterofScienceinOperations AnalysisfromtheNavalPostgraduateSchoolin Monterey,Calif
Jacobson’ssea duty assignmentsinclude serving as Auxiliaries Division Officer aboard USSDonal Cook (DDG 75), Training Officeron the staff of Commander,Destroyer Squadron TWO-EIGHT,Weapons Officerand Combat Systems Officer onboardUSS Preble (DDG 88).SheservedasExecutiveOfficerand Commanding OfficerofUSS Nitze (DDG 94)whereshe wasrecognized as aVice Admiral James Stockdale LeadershipAward Finalist.
Mostrecently,Jacobsonserved as Commanding Officer,Afloat TrainingGroupNorfolk.
Barnett welcomed Jacobson aboard by reinforcing thestrategic importanceoftheinstallation’smission whileemphasizingherreadinesstomeetit head-on.
“Thisbasesitsattheintersectionofexplosive ordnancedisposalreadiness,expeditionarycapability,jointandcoalitiontraining,andinstallation support—eachessentialtooperationalsuccess,” said Barnett. “I am confident that underyour leadership,thiscommandwillcontinuetodeliver excellenceacrosseverymissionsetandmeetthe challengesaheadwithprofessionalismanddetermination.”
Gray previously served as theCommanding Officer,NavyExpeditionaryWarfightingDevelopmentCenter,VirginiaBeach,Virginia.
Established on October1,2009,JointExpeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story wasthe firstJointBaseinHamptonRoadsandcurrently serves as the country’s premier installationfor
Commander,NavyRegionMid-Atlanticisthe regional coordinator for all shore-based naval personnelandshoreactivitiesintheMid-Atlantic region,whichencompasses20states,13installations,andnumerousNavyReservecentersfrom MainetoVirginiaandasfarwestasIllinois
NASOceana welcomes Capt.Rob Littman as 50th Commanding Officer
BY KATIE HEWETT,NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA
VIRGINIABEACH,Va.—Capt.RobLittman
relieved Capt.Josh Appezzatoascommanding officer of NavalAir Station(NAS) Oceana duringachangeofcommandceremonytoday TheceremonywasheldinVR-56,the“Globemasters,” Hangar onboardNAS Oceanafilled with senior Navy leadership,city officials familyandfriends
Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, commander, NavyRegionMid-Atlantic,servedasthepresidingofficerduringtheceremonyandCapt.Rob Betts,commanding officerofNaval Support ActivityOrlando,wastheguestspeaker
“You never forgot the true purpose of your installation...servingtheNavy’sStrikeFighter WingAtlanticsquadrons,”Bettssaid.“Youput yourarmsaroundthisinstallationandtended to everydetail, no matterhow small. You have lived and breathedNAS Oceana andthe surroundingcommunity.”
During histour, he led19depar in supportof79tenantcomma fourCarrier Air Wings, and mo than34,000personnelacrossNA Oceana,NAS Oceana DamNeck Annex,and NavalAuxiliary LandingFieldFentress.Appezzato executed the 2024 and 2025NASOceanaAirShows, which collectively hosted over 680,000 guests from across Hampton Roadsandaroundtheworld
criticalrelationshipbetweenNASOceanaand theCityofVirginiaBeachandpresentedMayor BobbyDyerwith ahandpaintedhook point, representingthestrongbondbetweenthetwo entities “The hook point is incredible reliable and strong,” Appezzato said. “These qualities strength,reliabilityandtrust—makethehook pointrepresentativeofthebondbetweenNAS Oceana,andtheCityofVirginiaBeach.”
Appezzato,a nativeofAlameda, Calif., is a graduate of University of NotreDame, where he wascommissionedthrough theNROTC programin2000,and wasdesignatedaNaval Flight Officerin2002. Appezzato previously servedasaTOPGUN instructor andmade combatdeploymentswithVFA-22, theFightingRedcocks;VFA-154,theBlackKnights;and VFA-41, theBlackAces.Healso served as the AirBoss on USSGeorgeWashington (CVN zzato will assumecommand as dingofficerofVanderbiltUniverNavalReserveOfficers Training inNashville,Tenn.Littmantakes mmandasthe installation’s 50th mmandingofficer. HeisanativeofMontclair,New Jersey,and a2001 graduate of PennsylvaniaStateUniversity.
Whileincommand, he supported Project SEARCH, aprogram providing on-the-job training to young adults with disabilities.He also assisted the installation’senvironmental team with its “turtle patrol” program,which surveysand protects the nests of federally protectedsea turtles along the DamNeck Annexshoreline. Duringtheceremony,Appezzatoexpressed his gratitude to themanyindividuals he had theopportunitytoworkwithascommanding officer,bothinuniformandinthesurrounding community “ServingasNavalAirStationOceana’s49th commandingofficerhasbeenthehonorofmy Navy career,” Appezzato said.“Being apartof thiscommunityhasbeentheprivilegeofmylife. Truly,nobetterbase,nobetterplace.”
In his remarks, Appezzato highlightedthe
“AsIstepinto my role as the50thcommandingofficer ofNavalAirStationOceana,I amdeeplyhumbledbytheprivilegeofleading sucha talented and dedicatedteam,”Littman said.“TheNavyoftencallsourinstallationsthe ‘foundation’ofour force,and Ibelieve that’s exactlyright.Atruefoundationmustbestrong, reliable,and unwavering. qualitieswestrive foreveryday.
Littmanearned his NavalAviator Wings in November 2003 and hasaccumulatedmore than 3,000 flight hours and700 carrier landings in the F/A-18E Super Hornet. He previouslyservedascommandingofficerofthe“Blue Diamonds”ofVFA-146andwastheexecutive assistanttothecommanderofNavalAirForces Atlantic.HeservedastheNASOceana’sexecutiveofficersinceAugust2024 “Heishonest, forthright, andfearless..., Appezzato said. “I knowthat I’m leaving Oceanainthebestpossiblehands,[with]someonewhocaresasdeeplyasIdoaboutit,withthe convictionandwherewithaltoseeitthrough.”
NAVSUP FLC Norfolk starts new training program for Logistics Support Representatives
By Thomas Kreidel NAVSUP FLC NORFOLK
The NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center
Norfolk Logistics Training Center (LSC) is seeing strong results from its Logistics Support Representative (LSR) ApprenticeshipProgram,whichbeganlastyear
According to LSC Team One Supervisor Thad Berry, after launching the program in mid-2025, the command qualified 75 new LSRapprenticesbytheendoftheyear
BerryexplainedthattheLSRApprenticeship Program is a structured training path designed to provide foundational logistics knowledge to personnel before they qualify atthejourneymanlevel.Thegoalistoensure the entire team of active-duty members, reservists, and civilians has the initial LSR knowledge necessary to progress to more
advancedqualifications
“Once we can get them to the basics, we can take them to the next level,” Berry said “Thisprogramensureseveryonehasthesame knowledgefoundationtogrowfrom.”
The program began with a review of the challengestheteamfacedintraining During this process they identified fundamental knowledgegapsleadinguptothejourneyman qualification.Torectifythis,Berry,alongwith Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Romeika Dillingham,ChiefLogisticsSpecialistGenesisAnderson,LogisticsSpecialistFirstClass JostinShields,andLogisticsSpecialistFirst Class Derrick Pettaway, developed formal lesson plans and conducted twice-weekly training focused on LSR apprentice qualificationstandards.
arequirementspack,whichincludes10areas tobetrainedand“signedoff,”andpassaqualificationboard.Thisrequirementspackageis similartoapersonnelqualificationstandard or warfare designation. The training covers a variety of topics, including fleet logistics center organization, afloat supply department fundamentals postal operations and hazardousmaterialcontrol.
“ByequippingourLSRswithasolidunderstanding of the fleet’s needs, we can ensure they are responsive and provide faster and more accurate support,” said Operations Department Deputy Director Tony Ting “They are an essential member of the team andproactivepartnersinforcegeneration.”
Thesuccessoftheapprenticeshipprogram was so noteworthy that what started at NAVSUPFLCNorfolkhassincebeenimplementedacrosstheentireNAVSUPenterprise
At University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC),you canget college credit for thestripes you’ve earned.Eligibleenlistedservicemembersand previously enlisted veteransmay be able to receiveupto12credits forselectundergraduate courses basedontheir rank andupto90credits in totalfor priorlearning, militaryexperience and training.UMGCoffers
No-costdigital materialsinplace of textbooksfor most courses Reducedtuition foreligible servicemembers &their families
Eachfleetlogisticscenternowoperatesfrom the same instruction and training requirements
“The team saw the direct link between logistics knowledge and mission success and took proactive action to close that gap,” Ting said. “Their speed and ability to scale thissolutionenterprise-wideisaforcemultiplier,directlyincreasingourabilitytosupport distributedmaritimeoperations.”
NAVSUP FLC Norfolk is the largest of eight globally positioned fleet logistics centers providing a full range of logistics business, and support services to mission partners Themorethan1,300Sailors,civilians andcontractorsthatmakeupNAVSUP FLCNorfolksupportoperationsatmorethan 30sitesacrossthreeregionsand12states,plus Washington,D.C.
Logistics Support Representatives from NAVSUP FLC Norfolk with members of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Beach Detachment wait for the ship to arrive. (PHOTO BYJIM KOHLER)
USNCC highlights record growth and milestones in AY 24—25 Annual Report
By Chief Petty Officer Stacy Atkinsricks
U.S. NAVAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
QUANTICO, Va The United States Naval Community College (USNCC) has reached a pivotal point in its mission to deliver naval-relevant education. The institution released its “State of the College AY 24—25AnnualReport”Feb.25,highlighting impactandachievementsthatoccurredfrom August2024toJuly2025
Earlier this month USNCC released its “2024—2025 Academic Year At-A-Glance” informationgraphic,aheadofthefullreport, toprovideasnapshotoftheinstitution’swarfightinginvestments
Thefullreportdetailstheinstitute’stransition from the pilot phase into a period of record growth, sustained performance and achievementofsignificantmilestones
“USNCC maintained a strong student experience and met academic standards while scaling operations,” stated Dr Randi Cosentino PresidentofUSNCC.“Icelebrate the commitment and academic achievementofourenlistedstudents,appreciatethe supportofthenavalservices,navalleadership and commands, and thank the committed USNCCfacultyandstafffortheircontinued service to the USNCC mission and to our servicemembers.”
With significant student body growth to 7,406Sailors,Marines,andCoastGuardsmen, USNCCaimstoprovethatintellectualreadinessisjustascriticaltonavalsuperiorityas the advancements in technology, platforms andstrategy
“The strategic environment confronting the naval services demands more than advanced platforms,” said Cosentino “It requiresanenlistedforcecapableofcritical thinking, disciplined judgment and rapid adaptationincontestedenvironments.”
The AY 24-25 Annual Report further signals that the fleet is driven to meet the challengeofevolvinginprecisionandcombat readinessthroughacademicsuccess.Upfrom approximately 4,600 in the prior academic year,enrollmentincluded6,568Sailors,570 Marines and 268 Coast Guardsmen. These studentsmaintainedanimpressive89%passingrateincoursesresultinginalettergrade. More than 90% of the students surveyed reportedapositiveoverallexperience
TheimpactofUSNCCeducationisbeing recognizeddirectlywithinthefleet.Annual report data shows that 87% of command leaders surveyed expressed that USNCC programs improved their personnel’s abilitytousecriticalthinkingskills
“The United States Naval Community College makes significant investments in education,” said Command Master Chief MarkMarzella,CommandMasterChief,USS Somerset (LPD 25). “Having a resource like USNCCavailabletoourSailors,Marinesand CoastGuardsmenmakesahugedifferencein thegrowthoftheforce.”
Other command survey participants expressed how service members in their charge demonstrated noticeable growth in technical proficiency and professionalism, which led to enhanced performance and missionreadiness
While USNCC’s emphasis remains on developinganenlistedforceofcriticalthinkers,theleapintotheofficerleadershippipeline was significant Forty USNCC students enteredofficertrainingprogramsduringthe academicyear,morethandoublingthepreviousyear’stotal
The report also highlights a major milestone that was reached in November 2024, whenUSNCCwasgrantedCandidacystatus with the Middle States Commission on HigherEducation(MSCHE).Thisachievementmarksacriticalsteptowardfullaccred-
itation and the authority to grant degrees independently,withafinalonsiteevaluation scheduledforFall2026
Looking Forward As USNCC enters the next academic year, the focus remains on strengthening partnerships through the USNCC Consortium, expanding access to educationandoverallacademicgrowth.The institutionisplanningforafuturewith15,000 ormorestudents
The college continues to expand its portfolio to more than 40 accredited degrees and certificates programs available to eligible enlisted Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.LookingaheadtoAY25-26,the institution is set to launch new pathways in high-demandfieldssuchasArtificialIntelligenceandMachineLearning directlyaligningwithemergingnavalpriorities AboutUSNCCFoundedin2019,theUnited States Naval Community College provides educationprogramstothenation’smaritime servicesthatenhanceoperationalreadiness supportwarfightingadvantage,andempower
lifelonglearning USNCCiscurrentlyacceptingapplications forallavailableprogramsforthe2025-2026 academic year Active-duty enlisted Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, as well as Coast Guard Reservists are encouraged to filloutanonlineapplication. For more information and to apply, visit http://www.usncc.edu/.
Navy Advances No Sailor Lives Afloat Initiative by expanding shore housing capacity
By Coleen San Nicolas-Perez COMMANDER NAVY INSTALLATIONS COMMAND
WASHINGTON D.C. The Navy is advancingtheChiefofNavalOperations’No Sailor Lives Afloat initiative, which ensures all Sailors assigned to ships and afloat units haveaccesstohousingashore.
“NoSailorWillLiveAfloatisaboutreadiness, dignity, and trust,” said Adm. Daryl Caudle Chief of Naval Operations “When our ships are in port, our Sailors should be abletorest,recover,andreconnectinsafeand modernhousingashore.Aspartoftheholistic TotalSailor FittoFighteffort,thisinitiative
ensuresweareinvestinginthewell-beingof our people with the same seriousness that we invest in our platforms and capabilities because a ready Navy begins with ready Sailors.”
Commander,NavyInstallationsCommand (CNIC) is leading efforts to expand access to quality housing through accelerated renovations, restoration of offline barracks, expanded temporary lodging options, and partnerships with Public Private Venture (PPV)housingproviders AsofFebruary,approximately4,500Sailors have transitioned from living afloat to residingashore. “Living aboard is for operational neces-
sity, not day-to-day life,” said Vice Adm. Scott Gray Commander Navy Installations Command.“We’recommittedtogivingevery Sailor access to clean, safe, and comfortable housingwhentheirshipisinport.
CNIC has identified several short-term and long-term projects across all major homeports to increase availability of unaccompanied housing These efforts include improving conditions in current barracks, bringing additional rooms back online through additional investments, expanding PPV options, exploring innovative housing solutions,providingtemporarylodgingwhen needed,andadvocatingforanincreasetothe BasicAllowanceforHousing(BAH).
Commander,NavyInstallationsCommand isresponsibleforworldwideU.S.NavyShore installation management, designing and developingintegratedsolutionsforsustainmentanddevelopmentofNavyshoreinfrastructure as well as quality of life programs CNIC oversees 10 Navy regions 70 installations,andmorethan48,600employeeswho are focused on warfighting and manning, trainingandequippingtheShoretofightand win.NavyinstallationsarewarfightingplatformsessentialtoeveryFleetoperation.For additional information, visit: https://www cnic.navy.mil/
NAVSUP WSS
From Page 1
happen,” said Joe Williams, fleet movement and support department head “The transportation and distribution team has a critical role play to ensure the fleet can executeitsmissioninnewlocations.” Thisinitiativeenhancedplanners’ability to accurately assess shipment volumes and associated transit timelines Additionally, the team developed a logistics dashboard to provide visibility of cargo in transit, verification of receipt, and accurate and timely accountabilitytoallstakeholders Establishing material processing opera-
tions in a new environment required close coordination between the carrier strike group, forward logistics, element, and commercial partners Material processing operationsensuredthatcargofromcommercial carriers was received by the forward logistics element, sorted prioritized, and providedtothecorrectshipduringportvisits
The NAVSUP WSS Fleet Movement & Systems Support team provided logistics automation tools, such as the Automated Manifesting System-Tactical (AMS-Tac), to help with this process In December, two membersoftheteamtraveledtoPuertoRico toprovideAMS-TactrainingtoforwardlogisticselementpersonnelsupportingtheGerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. The in-person training provided to 25 Sailors, Airmen,
Marines, and contractors included process assessments to improve operational efficiency,andAMS-Tacsystemconfiguration.
Training was conducted at each of the threelocationswhereAMS-Tacsoftwareand hardware was being employed: Ft Buchannan,MunozAirNationalGuardBase andthe Port of Ponce This resulted in all sites fully implementing the U.S. Navy’s Last Tactical Mileprogramofrecord.
“I witnessed an impressive display of inter-servicesynergybetweentheU.S.Navy andU.S.AirForce, saidNathanMonroe,who provided on-the-ground training support.
“The two services worked in concert to manage the logistics of supplying the USS Gerald R. Ford the world’s most advanced combat platform. By utilizing AMS-Tac,
cargo was efficiently processed for ‘Cargo OnboardDelivery’flights,ensuringtheNavy’s premiervesselforpowerprojectionwasfully supplied.”
NAVSUP WSS provides the U.S. Navy, MarineCorps,andalliedforcestheprogram and supply support for the weapon systems that keep naval forces mission ready With locationsinNorfolk,Philadelphia,Mechanicsburg,andTucson,NAVSUPWSSmanages operationalreadinessforalmost300deployableships,92submarines and3,700aircraft worldwide
Quarterdeck
FormerReactorDepartmentOfficer returns to PCU John F. Kennedy as civilian
expert for Builder’s
Trials
PCU JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN 79)
NEWPORT NEWS, Va Madeline Kanne,aformernuclearsurfacewarfareofficer(SWO-N)onceassignedtoPre-CommissioningUnit(PCU)JohnF.Kennedy’s(CVN 79)ReactorDepartment,returnedtotheship asacivilianengineerwiththeNavalNuclear Propulsion Program, or Naval Reactors, for Builder’sSeaTrials Jan28 Feb.4,2026
“It’sverydifferentdoingtheworkIdonow comparedtobefore,butwe’restillspeaking the same language of naval nuclear power,” Kannesaid.“Iwentfromoperatingtoamore supervisorandbehindthescenesrole Soit’s
cooltoseetheconnectionbetweenthetwo.”
Her first-hand experience on the deck plates now supports her work as a civilian Whenchangestoproceduresareconsidered, sheprovidescrucialinsightintohowitmight impactSailors
“If people want to make changes to a procedureandIcanstepinandsay,wellthat doesn’treallymakesensebecausetheSailors are going to have to do X, Y and Z,” Kanne explained “[Mynavalservice]preparedme perfectlyforthejobI’minnow.”
Initially disappointed that changes to the ship’s schedule meant she would not be aboard for Builder’s Sea Trials as a Sailor, Kanne was determined to return to John F. Kennedy Aftertransitioningtoacivilianrole at Naval Reactors, she advocated to join the integratedplanoperationsteamassignedto JohnF.Kennedy “I expressed my desire to go underway with [John F. Kennedy], and that is how I
was able to come back and go out to sea on thisship,”shesaid.
Her unique position has not gone unnoticed by the ship’s senior leadership As the crewworksalongsideengineersfromNaval ReactorsandHII’sNewportNewsShipbuilding during the intense period of Builder’s Trials, Kanne’s ability to translate operational realities into technical feedback has becomeessential.Capt.MichaelSammataro, the ship’s reactor officer, praised her direct impact on the mission to get the warship readyforthefleet.
“Madelineisawonderfulassettothereactor team as we navigate Builder’s Trials,” Sammatarosaid.“Herexperienceintheplant providesaperspectivefortheNavalReactors andNewportNewsShipbuildingteamsthat only a seasoned naval officer could provide Herguidanceandknowledgeareinvaluable as we bring this ship to life and I’m sure her legacywilllastfarbeyondhertouronboard
thisship.”
During her time aboard John F. Kennedy from2022to2024,Kanneservedasadivision officerandapropulsionplantwatchofficer playing a key role in the ship’s initial reactor startup. A pivotal moment for her and the crew was achieving initial criticality, a complex evolution where a nuclear reactor isactivatedforthefirsttime
“Ourreactordepartmentworkedsohard togetreadytotakethereactorcriticalforthe first time,” Kanne said. “Not many people get the opportunity to do that, but we were preparedandwecametogetherasateam.”
As John F. Kennedy returns to Newport News Shipbuilding following a successful Builder’sTrials Kannesaidsheisconfident andproudofthecrewsheonceservedalongsideasthecrewoftheNavy’snewestaircraft carrierlooksaheadtotheirnextmilestone
Navy realigns base maintenance and public works under shore enterprise
By Coleen San Nicolas-Perez
COMMANDER NAVY INSTALLATIONS COMMAND
WASHINGTOND.C. TheU.S.Navyhas beguntransferringfullcommandandcontrol ofinstallationmaintenanceandpublicworks toCommander,NavyInstallationsCommand (CNIC), directly empowering installation commandingofficerswithgreaterauthority. As of Feb. 22, 2026, approximately 1,700 personnelinfacilitiesmanagementandenvironmentalservicesdivisionswhopreviously worked for Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) now work directlyforinstallationcommandingofficers “Thesuccessofourfleetandourwarfight-
ersdependfundamentallyonthehealthand efficiencyofourShorebases,”saidViceAdm. ScottGray,commanderofNavyInstallations Command.“Thisrealignmentisaboutcutting through layers bringing decision-making closer to the deckplate Our installation commanding officers know their bases best and giving them direct control over maintenance and public works service delivery meanstheycanrespondinamoreappropriatemannertoensurecontinuoussupportfor themission,whetherit’saroutinerepairora criticalinfrastructureupgrade.”
This change gives base commanders the authoritytomakelocaldecisionsontheinfrastructureandservicesneededtoaccomplish their mission. It also ensures every installa-
tion can better support global naval operations by being a more resilient and agile platform.
“Thismovecreatesasinglelineofsupport forthewarfighter,”Graysaid.“Whetherit’sa shipcaptainneedingreliableshorepowerora squadronleaderwithanurgenthangarrepair, they now have one installation commander who is fully accountable for delivering that support.Itremovesambiguityandalignsthe entireShoreEnterprisebehindasinglegoal ofenablingthefleet.”
The transition will not result in any job losses Personnel will now work under a direct command structure that leverages theirskillstoimproveinstallationreadiness Planning for the second of a two-part
phase,whichwillencompassthetransferof remainingpublicworksfunctions isactively underway Commander,NavyInstallationsCommand isresponsibleforworldwideU.S.NavyShore installation management, designing and developingintegratedsolutionsforsustainmentanddevelopmentofNavyshoreinfrastructure as well as quality of life programs CNIC oversees 10 Navy regions 70 installations,andmorethan48,600employeeswho are focused on warfighting and manning, trainingandequippingtheShoretofightand win.Navyinstallationsarewarfightingplatforms essential to every fleet operation. For more information, visit: https://www.cnic. navy.mil/.
Madeline Kanne, a former nuclear surface warfare officer (SWO-N) once assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John F. Kennedy’s (CVN 79) Reactor Department poses in front
Kanne returned to John F. Kennedy as
civilian engineer to test the ship’s reactor systems during Builder’s Trials. Builder’s Trials
2026 Young Investigators: ONR celebratesnew talent tackling warfighterchallenges
By Warren Duffie OFFICE OF NAVALRESEARCH
TodaytheOfficeofNavalResearch(ONR) celebrates the41styearofits YoungInvestigatorProgram(YIP)byhonoringtheClassof 2026YIPawardees Approximately $17millioninfunding will be shared by 23 university professors to conduct innovativescientificresearch addressing criticalnaval warfighterchallenges
“InorderforONRtoenhancethecapabilitiesoftheSailorsandMarineswhodependon us,wemustpartnerwiththebrightestscientistsandengineersconductingthemostinnovativescientificandtechnologyresearch,”said ChiefofNavalResearchDr.RachelRiley.“The YoungInvestigatorProgramisavitalcomponent of this mission, andI am honoredto announcetherecipientsfor2026.”
The ONR YIPisahighly competitive programthatattractsoutstandingearly-career academics in science, technology,engineering andmathematicstopropose innovative solutionstoensuretheU.S.NavyandMarine Corpsmaintainwarfightersuperiority.Prior academicaccomplishmentsandpotentialfor significantscientific breakthroughs arekey elementsoftheevaluationcriteria.
The2026 YIPawardees were chosen fromnearly330applicants—allofwhomare collegeanduniversitytenure-trackorequivalent faculty and whoobtaineda Ph.D.onor afterJan.1,2018.
Awardees represent 22 academic institutions in 11 states,supportinga broadrange of naval-relevant researchtopics, including coastal forecasting,machine learning,additivemanufacturing,autonomousoperations, advancedsensors,dexterousrobotics,hypersonics,decisionsuperiority,oceanacoustics,
ultrafastlasersandadvancedcomposites
The YIP awards support postdoctoral andgraduatestudent stipends and scholarships,theacquisitionoflaboratoryequipment and otherexpenses critical to the planned research. Typicalgrantsare $750,000 over a three-yearperiod Establishedin1985,theONRYIPisoneof thenation’soldestandmostselectivebasic-research, early-career awards in science and technology.Its purpose is to fund tenuretrackacademic researchers,orequivalent, whose scientific pursuits showoutstanding promise forsupporting the Departmentof War,whilealsopromotingtheirprofessional development
View the listof2026 Office of Naval Research Young Investigator awardees at https://www.onr.navy.mil/2026-young-investigators
Courtesy Story NAVALFACILITIESENGINEERING SYSTEMS COMMAND (NAVFAC)MID-ATLANTIC
NORFOLK,Va. —Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic (NAVFACMIDLANT)awardedEnvironmental Chemical Corp., Burlingame,California, a$15,637,425 firm-fixed-priceconstruction contractformobileoperatingroomsatNaval MedicalCenterCampLejeuneinNorthCarolina.
Work willbeperformed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune,North Carolina, andis anticipatedtobecompletedbyMarch2026.
Fiscalyear (FY) 2026 Defense Health program funds in the amount of $15,637,425 willbeobligatedattimeoftheawardandwill expireattheendoftheFY.
This contract wasnot competitively procured underthe authority of 10 U.S. Code3204(a)(2),asimplementedbyFederal AcquisitionRegulation6.302-2,Unusualand compellingurgency
NAVFAC MIDLANT is the contracting activity(N40085-26-C-0006).
NAVFAC MIDLANT delivers comprehensivefacilities engineering,public works, and environmental services across abroad area of responsibility —fromSouth Caro-
lina to Maine,extending west to Illinois and southtoIndiana. As akey component of the Commander,NavyRegionMid-Atlanticteam, NAVFACMIDLANTprovidesstrategicleadershipthroughtheRegionalEngineer,ensuringtheregion’sinfrastructureandfacilitiesare managedwith efficiency,effectiveness,and long-termsustainability.
ForadditionalinformationaboutNAVFAC MIDLANTonsocialmedia,followouractivities on Facebookatwww.facebook.com/ navfacmidatlanticandonInstagram@navfacmidatlantic
Thepriceforschoolbreakfastandlunchat
2027 school year.This is thefirstchangein pricinginfouryears The lunch price forelementaryand secondarystudents’ mealswillbe$3.75 and $4respectively.Breakfastpricesforallgrades willbe$2.25.Therewillbenopriceincrease forstudentswhoqualifyforfreeandreducedprice meals.Per federal guidelines,families qualifying for reduced-price meals will continuetopay30centsforbreakfastand40 centsforlunch. TheHealthy,Hunger-FreeKidsAct(Public Law111-296) requires DoDEA schools,as participants in theU.S.DepartmentofAgri-
culturemeal program, to raisepaid student lunchpricestoalevelcomparabletotherates usedforUSDAreimbursement.
TheDoDEAStudentMealProgrammeets the same USDA guidelines as schools in the continentalUnitedStatesbyprovidingquality nutritional mealsthat contain wholegrains, leanproteins,freshfruitsandvegetables,and milktostudents FormoreinformationontheStudentMeal Program,visitmyNavyExchange.com/smp
Mid-Atlantic Fleet and Family SupportCenters(FFSC) programs andservices are designedtohelp youmake the mostofyour military experience, andthey’re all available to youatnocost.
(GRAPHIC BY OFFICEOFNAVALRESEARCH)
PCU Bougainville conducts ship’s
first change of command ceremony
By Chief Petty Officer Nathan Carpenter USS BOUGAINVILLE
NORFOLK Va Pre-Commissioning
Unit (PCU) Bougainville (LHA 8) hosted a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 20, 2026 Capt. Harry Marsh, the first commanding officer of Bougainville was relieved by Capt. Jimmie JensenIII.
“When I took command you handed me something sacred, said Marsh as he addressed the crew, “You handed me your trust.Yourcareers Insomecases,yoursafety. Thatisnotlostonme Youshowedupearly
Youstayedlate Youheldthelinewhenstandards mattered. You corrected each other when no one was watching I believe with your dedication to each other and focus on your mind, body and spirit, you have built the best command in the Navy Not because itwaseasy butbecauseitwasright.Ihave watchedyougrowfromapre-commissioning crewintoawarfightingteam.AndIcouldnot bemoreproud.
Inthe3yearsMarshservedascommanding officer of Bougainville, he oversaw the delivery of numerous ship-wide systems and the establishment of vital ship’s force programs, all while meeting critical at-sea and overseas manning requirements across theglobe,providingmission-readypersonnel fortraininganddeploymentsandbuildinga
Rear Adm. Neil Koprowski, commander ofExpeditionaryStrikeGroupTwo,presided over the ceremony at the C9 auditorium at NavalStationNorfolk.
“Currently,theshiphas500Sailorsworkingtirelesslyandtrainingdiligentlytodeliver Bougainville to the fleet,” said Koprowski.
“When Captain Marsh assumed command, hewasoneofonlytenpersonnel.Atchange ofcommands,weoftentalkabouttheculture and traditions unique to the ship Under his leadership,theBougainvillecrewisbuilding itslegacy.”
Jensen, a native of Bridgeport, Nebraska, becameBougainville’ssecondcommanding
officerfollowing2yearsastheship’sexecutive officer Prior to his tour at Bougainville, hecommandedUSSGermantown(LSD-42).
“Although my role is changing today, my guiding principles will not,” said Jensen “I willcontinuetostriveeverydaytotakecare ofLHA8Sailorsandfamilies,andbuildwarfightingreadiness
PCU Bougainville (LHA 8) is the third amphibiousassaultshipintheAmericaClass, and is the first ship in its class to include a well deck and a hybrid-electric propulsion system Bougainvilleisunderconstructionin Pascagoula Miss whilethecrewisestablishingandmaintainingqualifications,training, planning, and preparing to operate the ship onceitiscommissioned.
An enduring light of freedom: USS Dwight D. Eisenhower’s continued service to the fleet
Courtesy Story USS DWIGHT
D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69)
On January 21, 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave his second inaugural addressonthestepsoftheU.S.Capitol.The speech,titled“ThePriceofPeace,”reflected the atmosphere of the Cold War strategic environment and the inherent danger of competition between two nuclear-armed superpowers Despite this, he provided a clear vision for the nation—and the world.
“We look upon this shaken earth, and we declare our firm and fixed purpose—the building of a peace with justice in a world where moral law prevails,” Eisenhower stated. “The building of such a peace is a bold and solemn purpose. To proclaim it is easy. To serve it will be hard And to attain it,wemustbeawareofitsfullmeaning—and readytopayitsfullprice.”#_edn1
The crew of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) has always understood thepricerequiredtopursueitsnamesake’s vision. As the ship extends its service life beyond 50 years and trains to confront today’soperationaldemandsandchallenges, PresidentEisenhower’swordsremaintrue
The ship is currently undergoing the hard work necessary to ensure it is prepared to preserve peace—and combat those who threaten it—for years to come. Originally commissionedonOctober8,1977 theEisenhower,orIKEasitisknownthroughoutthe Fleet,hascontinuouslyaddednewplatforms and weapons that empowered it to accomplish the ship’s assigned missions over the last 48 years From the Eisenhower’s first deployments with embarked air wings composedofVietnam-eraA-6Intrudersas well as the then-new F-14 Tomcats to the F/A-18 Super Hornets of Carrier Air Wing
Three today, the aircraft taking off from IKE’s flight deck have evolved tremendouslythroughoutthistime Internally,the Eisenhowerhasaddedmodernradar sonar communication, and weapons capabilities suchastheCIWS,NATOSeaSparrow,and
These internal and external changes have permitted IKE to remain at the leading edge of the Fleet around the globe for halfacenturyandallowsittoremainavaluableassettoU.S.nationalsecuritytoday.On theIKE’spastdeployment,whichbeganin October, 2023, the ship sailed in the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Prosperity Garden to protect U.S. security and economic interests in the Mediterranean and Middle East As a result, the Navy awarded the sailors of the Eisenhower strikegrouptheCombatActionRibbonfor their support of strikes against the Houthi militant group in Yemen as the flag ship of CarrierStrikeGroup2.#_edn3
InMarch,2024theNavyannouncedthat the Eisenhower would continue to serve beyond its expected service-life, extending its decommissioning date until at least 2029.#_edn4 This will require IKE and its crew to once again incorporate new technologyandtacticsastheyprepareforfuture deployments In support of this, the Eisenhower is currently completing a planned maintenance availability period at Norfolk NavalShipyardwhichwillenableittoreturn to sea equipped to conduct any mission it istasked. As part of this maintenance period IKE iscompletingneededrepairsandrefurbishment of critical ship systems to include its nuclear reactors, aircraft launching catapultsystem,andcrewlivingspaces Equally important are the training and qualifications earned by the ship’s crew during this period,betterpreparingthemforupcoming missions Eachdayashundredsofcontractors complete necessary work aboard the ship sailorsmeetthematthebrow departing for specialized schools and training to ensuretheyarereadyforanytestduringthe Eisenhower’snextdeployments Over1,000 IKE sailors have completed over 50,000 hoursofoff-shiptrainingduringthismain-
tenanceperiod.Additionally,criticalwatch standershavecontinuedtoprogressintheir individualqualificationsthroughtemporary assignmenttoshipsaroundtheworld.They havereturnedtotheEisenhowerwithvaluableexperienceandlessonslearned,which ensure the ship will be effective beginning withitsfirstdayatseanextspring
The crew is focused on this goal, taking advantage of each day to ensure the ship is ready for sea trials, workups, and deployment. “Our mission is very clear: to fight and win when our nation calls,” said Capt. Shane Marchesi, commanding officer of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. “Every day in the shipyard we are sharpening our edge, building discipline, honing our skills and improving our ship The IKE team is proving that when we invest in ourselves today, we’llbeabletoanswertomorrow’sfightwith intensityandexcellence.”
The Eisenhower will return to the Fleet at a time when operational demands are as challengingasatanytimeduringitshistory. IKE’s relief from its past deployment—the USSHarryS.Trumanstrikegroup—continued the U.S. Navy’s strikes against the HouthiswhileitsWestCoastcounterparts— theUSSNimitzandUSSCarlVinsonstrike groups—supported American missions throughout the Middle East in response to Iran this past summer Although no longer operatingintheColdWarstrategicenvironmentofitscommissioning,theEisenhower must continue to cooperate with partners from the Baltic Sea to the eastern MediterraneanastheystrengthenNATO’scapacity todefendEurope LiketherestoftheFleet, IKE sailors must be capable of competing withanypotentialadversarythatmayseek tochallengemaritimesecurityandfreedom ofnavigationaroundtheglobewithafocus on the demanding 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet operatingareas
President Eisenhower concluded his second inaugural address with a striking image of America’s role in global affairs “May the light of freedom, coming to all
darkened lands, flame brightly—until at last the darkness is no more.”#_edn5
The U.S. Navy has played a pivotal role in pursuing this goal Over the last 48 years, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the sailors aboard it have traveled around the globe—attimesofpeaceandwar—torepresent that light to all they work with and support As the crew of the IKE prepares to once again return to the Fleet, they are excitedtocontinuethisproudtraditionand are prepared to pay the price necessary to preservepeacewhereveritisthreatened. Thisarticlewaswrittenandsubmittedto USSDwightD.EisenhowerPublicAffairsby U.S.NavyLt NicholasHermberg.
#_ednref1 Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Second Inaugural Address,” January 21, 1957, The AmericanPresidencyProject,theUniversityof CaliforniaatSantaBarbara, accessedAugust 27 2025 https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ documents/second-inaugural-address #_ednref2 “Command History,” USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic, accessed August 27, 2025, https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/Organization/Aircraft-Carriers/USS-Dwight-D-Eisenhower-CVN-69/Command-History/. #_ednref3 Diana Stancy “Ike CSG crew receives Combat Action Ribbon for Red Sea fight,” July 5, 2024, The NavyTimes, accessed September 8, 2025, https://www.navytimes com/news/your-navy/2024/07/05/ike-csgcrew-receives-combat-action-ribbon-for-redsea-fight/. [\[iv]] #_ednref4GaryWarner,“USSEisenhower, second-oldest aircraft carrier in Navy fleet, to stay in service into 2030s,” March 14th, 2024, Stars and Stripes accessed August 27 2025, https://www.stripes.com/branches/ navy/2024-03-13/eisenhower-aircraft-carriers-navy-13310197.html. [\[v]] #_ednref5 Eisenhower, “Second Inaugural Address.”
NORFOLK, VA (Feb 20 2026) – (From left to right) Rear Adm. Neil Koprowski, Commander of Expeditionary Strike Group Two, Capt Harry Marsh commanding officer of the America-
class, amphibious assault ship, Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Bougainville (LHA 8), and Capt.Jimmie Jenson, prospective commanding officer of Bougainville, salute the colors during the ship’s Change of Command Ceremony, Feb. 20 2026 Bougainville is under construction while the crew is establishing and maintaining qualifications, training planning and preparing to operate the ship once it is commissioned. (U.S.NAVYPHOTO BYMASS
CLASS NICHOLAS M.SKYLES)
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NMRTC Bremerton Corpsman helps with life-saving efforts
Clark,alongwithHospitalCorpsmen3rd Class Adam Altreche, Zachary Evans and Dillon Talburt, responded to an urgent call withmedicalsupportforagympatronwho collapsed in the men’s locker room, Feb. 3, 2026
Rendering immediate assistance was a reflective effect of each corpsman enrolled intheHospitalCorpsmanTraumaTraining course
Weweren’texactlysurewhatwasgoingon.
We were doing our own thing in the gym A staffmemberwasaskingifanyonehadmedicaltraining Wesaidwedidandwewentinto thelockerroom.Sawthepersonunconscious, withagonalbreathing[gasping],”saidClark, aBradenton,FloridanativeassignedtoNavy Medicine Readiness Training Command Bremerton.
“We did our assessment, watched over himtomakesureeverythingwasokay,”Clark continued “But he then went into cardiac arrest.Westartedtoperformchestcompressions [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] until theemergencymedicaltechniciansshowed up,whichwasn’tthatlongafter WecontinuedtoassisttheEMTsuntiltheytransferred himtothenearesthospital Wedidwhatwe could.Wedidn’thavemuch butanythingyou candototry…”
“I didn’t think much about it afterwards Wefeltconfidenttobeabletohelpandwere not unnerved at all. It felt like I was doing my regular job as a corpsman, doing what I neededtodotohelpsavesomeone.Wegota pat on the back from our instructors. They werereallyproudofus,”Clarksaid.
Clarkandtheotherswerefortuitouslyable to provide the critical medical care needed by attending the HMTT course, a distinctive partnership between Navy Medicine, Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center and John H. Stroger Jr Hospital of CookCountydesignedtoimprovetheknowledge,skills,andabilitiesofcorpsmen.
Thetrainingconsistedofclassroomtraining at Lovell FHCC followed by multiple weeks of trauma training at Cook County, focusing on Trauma Resuscitation, Trauma Intensive Care Unit, Burn Unit, and the EmergencyDepartment.
Clark and the others received hands-on opportunities to hone treatment skills and clinical knowledge to provide medical care inatraumaenvironment.Theydividedinto teamsandworkedoverlappingdayandnight shifts primarily in the trauma bay. They
observed a lot. They also got a lot of practicalguidanceandinstructiveengagement
“Theinstructorswereveryknowledgeable andtheytaughtusalotaboutmedicine The experiencetherewasamazing Wegottodo alotwhichwedon’tdonormallydo Alotof penetratingwounds,anythingtraumarelated. Mostlymotorvehiclecollisions,”saidClark. It was real-world trauma set in an urban environment. Patients arrived at all hours Manywerebloodied;somewerebandaged allwerebatteredandbruised Theysuffered a grisly array of wounds from stabbings to gunshotstoautomotiveaccidents
The benefits of the training included improvedreadinessandclinicalcompetency increased corpsmen knowledge, skills, and abilities, along with enhanced future partnershipframework.Thevalueofteamwork wasalsocontinuallyemphasized Team dynamics were important Every-
thing, Clark said, in such a trauma environmentiscenteredonteamwork.
“IfeltfortunatewiththegroupIwaswith. Weweretightknit.Eventheinstructorsstated wewereoneoftheirfavoritesclassestheyhad in a long time We were always ready to go andontopofthings Ourclasswasabunchof greatpeople Goodskills,goodmedicine All you’deverneedinacorpsman, statedClark
Clark attests his knowledge gained from the HMTT course was instrumental in knowing how to recognize and response to amedicalemergency Whentheunforeseen happens,asitdid,Clarkwasatrainedcorpsmanpreparedtointuitivelyact.
Clarkisalsoastrongadvocateofthecourse benefits
“I honestly think every corpsman should do Hospital Corpsman Trauma Training to knowwhatkindofmedicaltrainingisneeded. HMTTisvitalmedicaltrainingthatweneed
to know. We don’t get to do this anywhere else,”explainedClark,noting,“Whenwego tofieldmedicine we’reprimarilygoingtodo TacticalCombatCasualtyCare Beingoutin thefieldisvastlydifferentthaninahospital setting With HMTT we learn good medicineinacivilianhospitalsettingthatwejust don’t see every day. It gives us a really good perspective.It’simportant. SincetheinceptionoftheHospitalCorps rate in 1898 when it was man down on the field of battle the cry for “corpsman up’ was a common refrain. Which is exactly what Clark, Altreche, Evans and Talburt did on a coldwinterdayalongtheGreatLakes “Our roots are to prevent people from dying and to also make sure those injured gettothenextechelonofcare,”addedClark.
By Thomas Jones STRATEGIC SYSTEMS PROGRAMS
WASHINGTON Strategic Systems Programs’ (SSP) Rear Adm. Michael Richman,thedeputydirectorforRegionalStrike SystemsandtheNavy’ssenior-mostreserve EDO spoke to Navy Reserve Engineering Duty Officers (NREDOs) on January 27 in Washington, D.C., and discussed the efforts of those serving in this critical community Engineering Duty Officers (EDOs) serve as thetechnicalexpertsoftheU.S.Navy keeping fleets moving forward through a combination of effective leadership and engineering expertise RichmanemphasizedthattheresponsibilitiesofNREDOsarenotsubstantiallydifferentascomparedtoactivedutyEDOs,andthe paththeyfollowismuchthesame
“Other than the amount of time an NREDOhasaverysimilarqualificationpath compared to active duty,” Richman said. “It takesaboutfiveyearstocomplete,culminating in an oral board. From our perspective, once you pass the board you’re fully qualified and have the foundational knowledge toperformthedutiesofanEDO.”
Within SSP NREDOs are heavily integrated into the command’s mission set. ThereisadedicatedreserveforcewithinSSP headquarters,withallfieldactivitieshaving further NREDO representation, supportingallofSSP’sprimaryprograms including Trident,ConventionalPromptStrike(CPS), and Nuclear-armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile(SLCM-N).
“TheEDOreserveforcemissionisfocused aroundthreemainpillars,”hesaid “Thefirst pillarismaintenance orwhatwerefertoas ‘clearthepier,’ensuringthatwegetourfleet outintothefightandthatitstaysinthefight for as long as possible The second pillar of theEDOreserveforceisDiving,Salvage,and Heavy Lift. The third pillar is lethality and missionassurance.”
This third pillar is what SSP’s mission to be the premier provider of cost effective, safe,andsecuresea-basedstrategicdeterrent solutions isbuiltaround.
“This is where our EDOs primarily focus
at SSP and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) support, and supporting program offices,” Richmansaid.“Asaresult,SSPhasadditional command-specific qualification requirements that aspiring EDOs are expected to meetwhethertheyareactivedutyorreservists.”
He further emphasizes that, while SSP doeshaveitsownspecialization,it’simportanttounderstandthatEDOsacrosstheenterprise maintain a core skillset on all three pillars
“Part of my role as the community lead fortheEDOreserveforceistocommunicate wherewe’reatintermsofourforcemakeup and force structure, and where we’re headingintermsofwarfightingreadiness,”Richmansaid.
He also communicated the results of the lasttwoNREDOyearlyexercises
“We make changes in our force structure based on the information we receive from these exercises,” Richman said “Effectively communicatingtheseresultsandthechanges we’re making is critical to refining our individual training plans and our focus to make sure that we’re 100% ready to perform our warfightingfunctionswhencalledupon.”
“How do I fit individual training plan requirements and qualifications into one weekendamonthandtwoweeksayear,and howdoItakeafullyqualifiedEDOandensure thatwhenthey’rerecalledtoactiveduty they can perform seamlessly and transparently withtheiractive-dutycounterparts?”Richman said. “We need to be physically ready, administrativelyready,andmostimportantly everysingleindividualneedstohavethecore capabilities and competencies to perform theirmission.” This mission is integral to the Chief of NavalOperations’“Foundry,Fleet,andFight” message “Foundry covers operational readiness, shipbuilding,andrepair,”Richmansaid.“This exemplifiestheNREDOforcetoitscore and nearly85%ofthe2,400memberEDOreserve forcearedirectlyinvolvedinwaterfrontoperations,fleetsustainment,andfleetrepair Our divingsalvageandheavyliftcapabilitiesare partofthecriticalsupportthatweprovideto the fleet; and finally, our mission assurance andlethalitypillarfitssquarelyintothefight category
For Richman, this community presented the perfect opportunity to blend his professional skills with a call to serve. Initially
working as a civilian engineer for the Navy, Richman found himself with a desire to couplehisengineeringacumenwithservice in uniform, making the EDO pipeline the idealpathforhim.
“I found out that with a master’s degree youcouldgetadirectcommissionasanEDO inthereserveforce,”Richmansaid “Thatwas exactly what I was looking for, so I headed downthepathtomakethathappen.”
Richman holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University a Master of Science in mechanicalengineeringfromtheFloridaInstituteof Technology, and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Purdue University After hisinitialgraduationfromPurdue,Richman receivedhisdirectcommissionasanensign intheNavyReservein1997 Hecompletedhis EDOjourneywhileassignedtotheNAVSEA Theater Nuclear Warfare Unit, becoming fullyqualifiedin2002
After serving for 25 years, Richman was promotedtorearadmiralonOctober1,2022, andwasassignedtoSSPonOctober1,2024, where he provides leadership to the Navy’s SLCM-N and CPS programs The development of these two programs provides sea-basedregionalstrikecapabilitiesforthe warfighter,expandingtheNavy’sdeterrence capabilitiesandensuringthenation’sdefense
A routine lunchtime gym visit turned into anything but normal for U.S. Navy Hospitalman Joseph Clark in Waukegan Illinois. It was corpsman up for man down. Clark, along with Hospital Corpsmen 3rd Class Adam Altreche, Zachary Evans and Dillon Talburt, responded to an urgent call with medical support for a gym patron who collapsed in the men’s locker room, Feb. 3, 2026 Rendering immediate assistance was a reflective effect of each corpsman enrolled in the Hospital Corpsman Trauma Training course. (OFFICIALNAVYPHOTO BY
DOUGLAS H STUTZ,NHB/NMRTC BREMERTON PUBLICAFFAIRS OFFICER)
NHHCannounceslatest digitalpublication
By Staff Sgt. Bryce Hodges NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
Naval History and Heritage Command announcedthedigitalreleaseofitsnewest publicationEducatingtheBluejackets:U.S. NavyEnlistedPolicy,1940—2024,Feb.26, 2026
Inthisvolume,NHHChistorian,Tyler Pitrof traces the evolution of the U.S. Navy’s approach to enlisted education fromWorldWarIItothepresent
The author illustrates that, since the 1970s, the Navy has primarily regarded itseducationprogramsasanincentivefor enlistment. However, advances in technologyhavegreatlyincreasedtheneedfor abstractthinkingandtechnicalexpertise making higher education critical to both warfightingreadinessandoverallmission effectiveness
“Enlisted education and professional military education programs have long been siloed—many programs overlap with and do not consider the function of others”,saidJamesM.Honea,16thMaster ChiefPettyOfficeroftheNavy(retired),in thebooksforward.“Historically theresult hasbeenaneclecticcollectionofadvanced qualificationswithintheserviceandfew mandatory requirements. While a reorganization of the current service education system is ongoing, the purpose of thisprocessisthereforelargerthanmere streamlining: it is a way for the Navy to
havestandarddegreeexpectationsforits Sailors.”
Educating the Bluejackets provides a concise history of U.S. Navy enlisted educationpolicyandenablespersonnelto applylessonsfromthepasttohelpaddress theservice’sfutureeducationalneeds
To download other NHHC publications, visit: https://www.history.navy mil/research/publications/publications-by-subject.html
NHHC located at the Washington Navy Yard, is responsible for the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of U.S.navalhistoryandheritage Itprovides the knowledge foundation for the Navy by maintaining historically relevant resources and products that reflect the Navy’s unique and enduring contributions through our nation’s history and supports the fleet by assisting with and delivering professional research, analysis, and interpretive services NHHC is composed of many activities including the Navy Department Library, the Navy Operational Archives, the Navy art and artifact collections, underwater archeology Navy histories ten museums, USS Constitutionrepairfacilityandthehistoric shipNautilus
For more news from NHHC, visit http://www.history.navy.mil
Book Cover: Image of a Fire Controlman 1st Class Aaron Tadlock monitoring a radar output in the combat information center aboard guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG75). (DEFENSEVISUALINFORMATION DISTRIBUTION SERVICE,140203-N-KE519-012)
On Liberty
Monster Jam returns to the Hampton Coliseum this weekend, March 6-8, and driver Coty Saucier shares stories from the exciting show
Interview By Yiorgo
For those of us, young and old who love big powerful, outrageous trucks Monster Jam is the show to see this weekend, at the HamptonColiseumMarch6th-8th.Itisthe mostaction-packedmotorsportsexperience that you will have this year, featuring world classathleteswhoutilizetheirdrivingskills whilecompetingatthehighestlevelpossible
Every seat in the Hampton Coliseum bringsyouupclosetotheactionasyouwatch theworld’sbestdriverstearupthedirtarena whileshowingofftheirwildandcrazyskills in this all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battlesofspeedandskill,oneofakindexperience You will see the world’s most populartruckslikeGraveDigger®,ElToroLoco®, Sparkle Smash™ and more at the Monster Jamshowthisweekend.
For tickets, times, various discounts including military and more, go to https:// www.hamptoncoliseum.org/events/detail/ monster-jam-13
Yiorgo: Tell us Coty, why should people come to the Monster Jam show? What will theyseeandexperienceiftheyhavenotbeen therebefore?
Coty Saucier: Monster Jam is totally unexpectedandunscripted It’sthecraziest form of motor sports there is We are doing things with these Monster Jam trucks that dirt bikes are doing. That gives you an indicationofwhatthetrucksarecapableof The sky’s the limit with these things They are 12,000 pounds, 1,500 horsepower, 12 feet tall, 12 feet wide, completely custom built MonsterJamtrucks Theyaresupercharged onmethanolfuelandwehaveagoodtime.It’s acombinationbetweenatopfueldragsterand adirtbikemixed,andthat’swhatyougetata MonsterJamtruckevent.
Y:WhatistheMonsterJamPitParty?
CS:It’sreallyagoodtimeforthefanswho get a chance to walk the track, see how big someoftheobstaclesare,whatkindofroom weworkat,theactualspeedway getupclose
tothetrucks,seewhattheyaremadeof,the smell, the fumes and get pictures with the drivers and the trucks It’s a chance to chat with the drivers The name says it all, it’s a pitparty
CS: It’s hard to just pick one thing, I am such a fan of this stuff I have always been a bigfanoftheindustry I’madiehardracer.I lovecompetitiveracing Tostartuptheevent, wedoMonsterJamheadsupracingandthat’s probably one of my favorite elements Free style,wecanjustcutloose,it’snotnecessarily my favorite, I love it don’t get me wrong Thereisnothinglikeahard,honestcheckered flagwincrossingthefinishlinefirst,afterthe finalroundofracingatMonsterJam.
CS: That’s a good question because I’m alwayswatchingthecompetitionnotjustat
The internationally famous Harlem Globetrotters return to the Chartway Arena March 13-14th, Hampton
own and HG star Hammer Harrison tells us about
Interview By Yiorgo
BasketballfansandHarlemGlobetrotter fans get ready to be dazzled all over again with the high-flying fun that is the world famousHarlemGlobetrottersastheytriumphantlyreturntoChartwayArenafortheir annualshowsSaturdayMarch13-14th. And this time it is extra special because astheyproudlysayontheirwebsite,“What started with Curly, Meadowlark, Wilt, and Geese continues on today with Hammer Torch, Bulldog, Cheese, Jet, Wham, Thunder, TNT, just to name a few! Taking inspirationfromthefun-loving&awe-inspiring players of the past, today’s Harlem Globetrotters stars are ready to wow you on the courtandinthecrowd!Bethereastheplayers dunk, and hype the stands as they take ontheWashingtonGeneralswithhigh-flying, all-out fun from start to finish This is the once-in-a-century celebration of 100 Years of Jaw-Dropping “No Way! moves, 100 Years of “Wow!” and 100 Years of Heart-Pounding Thrills! From gravity-defyingdunkstogame-changingtricks,experience the team that redefined basketball! This is history you can feel and a celebration of 100 years of over-the-top fun with all-new surprises like the Golden Basketball by Spalding®. This is a fan celebration fromthemomentyouarrivewithepicnew pre-game magic, unforgettable post-game interactions,andthemostfan-fueledexpe-
The Harlem Globetrotters return to Chartway Arena March 13-14th. (PHOTO
Dragon® will thrill the audience at MonsterJam this weekend, March 6-8, at the Hampton Coliseum. (PHOTO COURTESYOFMONSTERJAM)
Coty Saucier is the driver of Dragon®. (PHOTO COURTESYOFMONSTERJAM)
See MONSTER Jam on Page C2
MONSTER
oureventsbutonYouTubeandsocialmedia.I wanttoseewhattheyaredoing Atourevents I’msittinginthetruckwatchingarookiedo their thing for the first time and we try to helpeachother,seewhattheyaredoingfrom right to wrong, but at the same time, I want to outdo them. I’m going to make sure they remembertheDragon
Y: For those that are coming for the first time can you describe the actual competition process, how it works, who votes, what winnersget,etc?
CS:Thewaythecompetitionworksisthat there are four different competitions in this orderataMonsterJamevent:thereisracing two wheel skills, donut and a freestyle. We goheadtohead,downtothefinaltwoanda winneriscrowned.Withtheskills,thedonut and freestyle competitions, we get judged by the fans At the event, the announcer describes the process of voting by the fans byusingtheirownphones
So at the end of the night the winner gets a trophy. There will be an overall champion ofthatparticularevent.Therearealsopoints given throughout the entire season that are typically about 15 weeks long We start in January and run through May. All those pointsaretalliedupandifyougetenough,you gettogototheMonsterJamWorldFinals
CS:ThisismyfifthseasondrivingDragon. IthinkTheDragondebutedin2012andhas a lot of winnings behind it. Scott Liddycoat, was one of the drivers and now lives in the HamptonRoadsArea.Heisaprohydroplane boatracer
Y: How did you become the driver for Dragon?
CS: I was driving the truck Monster Energy for Monster Jam for 8-9 seasons. ThatcontractranoutandMonsterJamcame
to me and said we need a driver for Dragon and I said absolutely sign me up It is a fire breathing,MonsterJamTruck.Ithasaflamethrower in front of it, powered by propane thatshoots,nojokeabouta20footflameout in the front. Sometimes it’s cool and sometimesitgetsmeintroublebutit’sreallycool to see the fans reaction when it just belches aflameoutinfrontofit.
Y:Doyoucontroltheflameyourself?
CS:YesIdo Eacharenahasdifferentrules and fire marshals are a big thing of what we do They have to ok it before we can use it. I always try to use it in a clever way, like if I’m up on a real slow wheel stand, it’s a real coolphotomomenttoseethetruckstanding onabigwheelstandandthereisabigflame coming out of the front of it. I use it when it’s least expected, to give the fans a wow moment. Oh my God, did that just happen? Wasitsupposedtohappen?Iamincomplete controlofitandIcangetagood15-20bursts outofonepropanetank.
Y: This is a live action packed show and anything can happen. Any anecdotes,
mishaps,funnymomentsyouwanttoshare?
CS: It’s always happening It can be anything with us like laughing about something then trying to outdo each other with a particular stunt. Sometimes the stunt works and sometimes it does not. And if it doesn’t work you get clowned pretty hard As competitive as we are, it’s always fun to jokearound.
Y: Where were you born and what made youfallinlovewithcars,trucks,etc?
CS: I’m from Lafayette, Louisiana and I havealwaysbeenfascinatedwithengines As IgotolderItinkeredwithmotors,collected tools I always fancied the monster trucks and I always wanted to do that someday. I amveryblessedtobedoingwhatIamdoing now, from doing this interview, to traveling theworld,racing,performing,entertaining, Ihavedoneitall.
help in any way possible just to get my foot in the door It slowly snowballed into a part timejob,intoaseasonaljobandfinallyintoa fulltimejob In2014,theyaskedmetodrive the second Monster Energy Monster Jam truck and I have been driving ever since I loveeverythingaboutthewholeprocess It’s beenaride
CS: There were so many, like the events wedidintheOlympicstadiuminAbuDhabi and in Osaka, Japan in an airfield, that was really cool. We also did an entire tour of the bigger cities in Australia. I have toured all overEurope Overall,IthinkIhavecounted 28countriesIhavevisitedandcompetedin, thankstoMonsterJam.
Y:Howaboutapinchmemomentortwo?
CS:Honestly,whenIgottocompete,itwas a last minute schedule change because one guy couldn’t compete and I took his spot at the Louisiana Superdome. That was one of the places I went for my first events as a kid andeventhoughIhadcompetedtherebefore, thistimeIwoneverything,Iwonthewhole event.Icouldn’tbelieveit.Iwasnotsupposed tobethere.Myparentswerethere,myfamily, Iwasoncloudnine Ihavepicturesofmein that parking lot with some of the old trucks thatdon’tcompeteanymore.Iwaslike,look how far I have come Truly a dream come true for somebody that has worked hard to get where they are at and I am proud to say that Also,theydon’tletuskeepthetrophies anymorebutIsaid,Idon’tcarewhattheysay, I’mtakingthistrophyhome Iearnedthisone Itmeanssomethingtome It’shangingloud andproudinmygarageaswespeak.
Yiorgo is an arts, entertainment and sports writer A stage TV and movie actor he is also a sports entertainer, educator, motivational speaker, writer, storyteller and columnist.
MonsterJam will thrill the audience at Hampton Coliseum this weekend March 6-8 2026.
Sparkle Smash™. (PHOTO
rienceinsports.” For tickets and more info, go to https:// www.chartwayarena.com/events/detail/ harlem-globetrotters-100-year-tour-1
** An important note: Any fans with light sensitivity need to be aware that strobing effects will be used during light shows within the Harlem Globetrotters game.**
Here are highlights from my previous interview with Harlem Globetrotter star extraordinaireHammerHarrisonwithavery inspirational,personalstory
Hammer Harrison: When we go out there,wegiveitourall.Wedon’tknowwhat people are going through and our goal is to makesurewetaketheirmindoffit.Wewant tomakesuretheyenjoytheirtimewithus We onlygettwohourstoentertainourfans,sowe want to make sure they get a memory they willneverforget.ComingtoaHarlemGlobetrottersgameisnotjustwatchingabasketball game, it is so much more. Fans can interact with us We have a Magic Pass where fans come out and get personal and up and close withus,askquestions,andshoothoops Make suretogotoourwebsiteatharlemglobetrotters.comtoreadandseealltheeventsthatwe have and the bonuses that fans can get And ontopofallthat,afterthegame,weprovidea pictureandautographsession.Overallitisa greatexperience,sobringyourkidsandyour family We entertain from seven to seventy. It does not matter how old you are, you are goingtolovetheHarlemGlobetrotters
HH:MyfirstnameisDonte Ioriginallygot my nickname of “Hammer because of my powerfuldunkingabilitiesandnailingevery shot.IgrewupinBrooklyn,NewYorkandI currentlyresideinTampa,Florida.
Y: You had a very traumatic, life changing moment at the age of 11. Can you tell us aboutit?
HH:IgotintoasituationandIbrokeallmy rightfingers,wrist,andbothlegs SoIwasnot intosportsasmuchafterthatevent.WhenI wasaround16-17,Igrewsixinchesinoneyear andthat’swhenIactuallypickedupabasketball.Havingthatminorsetbackinspiredme togoharderbecauseIknewIhadalotoftime tomakeup Kidsthatweremyagewereway moreskilledthanme SoIworkedhardinthe morning, in the afternoon and even sometimesatnighttogetmyskillsrightandtoget tomyabilitythatIamrightnow.
Y: How were you first introduced to the gameofbasketball?
HH:IwouldwatchthegreatslikeMichael Jordan, Koby Bryant on TV They definitely inspiredmetobecomeamoreskillfulplayer I watched a lot of game footage and tried to
Globetrotter and Hampton University’s own Hammer Harrison. (PHOTO COURTESY OFHARLEM GLOBETROTTERS)
replicatesomeofthethingsIhaveseengrowingup
Y: You are one of our own. You attended Hampton University Why did you choose to go to HU and what is a fond memory of yourtimethere?
HH: The best thing about my 2 years at HamptonwasthatIwassoughtafterformy basketballtalentsandwasoffereda2yearfull scholarshiptoplayDivision1basketball.This opportunity meant the world to me and my familybecauseIwasafirstgenerationcollege graduate One of my fondest memories was getting the opportunity to face off against Howard University at Madison Square Garden at the Big Apple Classic in front of my family and friends At the time, that was thebiggeststageIhadevercompetedon
Y:WereyouafanoftheHarlemGlobetrotters growing up and if so who were some of theplayersthatyouadmired?
HH: In my adult life I definitely took the timetowatchalltheoldfootageofCurlyNeal, Meadowlark Lemon, Marques Haynes and watchingthoseoldshows,itwasveryastonishing IcouldonlyimagineifIsawthemasa kidwhattypeofimpactitwouldhaveonme
Y:Whatwasthetryoutprocesslikeinjoiningtheteam?
HH: It was just like any basketball team tryout. We did our stretches and drills and thenwedidourindividualstationsandscrimmages Theyarenotaskingyoutospinaball onyourfinger Theydidwanttoseeacouple ofmydunks,butmostlywelookedforgreat peopleandgreatbasketballplayersandgreat
entertainers People ask, did you know all thetricksbeforeyoucameontheGlobetrotters?Thehonestanswerisno Icameinasa greatbasketballplayer.Iplayeddivisionone basketballatHamptonUniversity Iwasand still am a hard worker, very disciplined and I listened. So when I came into the Globetrotters,Ilistenedtothevets Ifollowedtheir leadandworkedmybuttoffeverysingleday learning the tricks, new dunks and how to communicateandentertainpeople
Y: What’s your favorite part of being on theteam?Doyouplaypranksoneachother?
HH: We usually save our pranks for the court,welikemessingwiththefans Weare one big family When a rookie comes in, we thevetsaregoingtoteachyou.WhenIseea rookie come in, I put them under my wing andteachthemsometricks,howtocommunicate with people and how to make people happy. It’s so fun touring with the team. We areawayfromournormalfamilies,soouton the road, all we have is each other. We have a really intense schedule, we play everyday and are gone from four to six months a year straight, so when you see somebody down, weliketopickeachotherup
HH:Ohman,Ihavebeentoover60countries around the world. The most fascinatingplacewasAustralia.Iamarealoutdoors person and into adventure and Australia is a pretty adventurous place I actually went bungeejumpingthereinNewZealand.
When we played at the Barclays Center, in Brooklyn my hometown city was really special. In 2012 we were the first sporting eventtoopentheBarclaysCenterafterJay-Z performed.Thatwasamemorablemoment forme GrowingupinBrooklyn,beingashy kid,tonowperformingatthebiggestCenter that Brooklyn has to offer And of course there’s nothing like performing at Madison Square Garden, but performing at Barclays diditforme
HH:Iamlivingsomeofmyfondestmemories right now on the court I came into this organization as an all-around player I was only known for my fancy dunking ability, a strongpowerfuldunker Ididalotoflowpost moves,alotofhighflyingslamdunksmyfirst couple of years Then I became a better ball handler SonowIamoneofthetopballplayers on the team and that’s because of hard workandthevetsteachingme Aroundmy9th-10thyearwiththeHarlem Globetrotters, I became a showman, so I followed in the footsteps of Meadowlark Lemon. I’m the voice of the crowd, kind of theleaderoutthere,interactingwiththefans andputtingsmilesontheirfaces Thefeeling andreactionIgetoutthereismymentalhigh. Iloveit,Iloveit.
Yiorgo is an arts, entertainment and sports writer A stage TV and movie actor he is also a sports entertainer, educator, motivational speaker, writer, storyteller and columnist.
Harlem
Providefeedback in jointpatient focus groups: mildtraumatic braininjury,ormTBI
By TRICARE Communications
FALLS CHURCH,Va. —Haveyou experienced amild traumatic braininjury, or mTBI, also known as aconcussion? The DefenseHealthAgencyandVeteransHealth Administrationwouldliketohearfromyou Together,they’rehosting avirtual focus grouponFriday,March20at1p.m.ET,invitingpatientstosharetheirexperiencesliving withandrecoveringfrommTBI.
Thisinitiativeaimstolearndirectlyfrom patients to help shape clinicalpractice guidelinesfortreatmentacrossmilitaryand veterancommunities
“Ourteamisseekinganypatientthathasa diagnosisofmTBI—orhadanalterationdue to loss of consciousness,such as post-trau-
matic amnesia,”saidLynn Young,RN, BSN, CIC,Office of Evidence-Based Practice MedicalAffairsattheDefenseHealthAgency “Sharingyourexperience willhelp inform discussionsandgenerateinputsfortheclinicalpracticeguideline.”
Eachfocusgroup needsninevolunteers and lasts abouttwo hours.Participants will providefeedback on anew clinical practice guidelineformTBI ThedeadlinetoregisterisThursday,March12at5p.m.ET
“There areseveral factors that makeyou eligible forTFL.One is your entitlementto Medicare,”saidAnneBreslin,TRICAREFor Life Program Manager,TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency.“Each personbecomeseligibleforMedicarebased on their birth date,orfor those under 65, basedonanillnessordisability.Thisqualifies themforSocialSecurityDisabilityInsurance benefitsand, subsequently,Medicare. For thesereasons,onefamilymember’seligibilityforTFLandMedicaredoesn’taffectother familymembers’TRICAREenrollment.They maystayintheircurrentTRICAREplan.”
Here aresome commonly askedquestions when sponsors or one of their family memberswillsoonbeeligiblefor TFLand Medicare.
Q:WhatisTFL?
A:AsdescribedintheTRICAREandMedicareTurning65Brochure(onlineathttps:// tricare.mil/Publications/Brochures/medicare_turning_65), TFL isMedicarewraparound coverage.TRICARE and Medicare work togethertominimize your out-ofpocketexpenses
Abeneficiary’s TFLcoverage doesn’t extend to their familymembers.Iffamily membersareTRICARE-eligible,they’llkeep theirownTRICAREhealthplan.
Q:Who’seligibleforTFL?
A:TFLisforuniformedservicesretireesand theirfamilymemberswhoareTRICARE-eligible and have MedicarePart Aand Part B, regardless of age or wherethey live. TFL coverageisautomaticonce: YouhaveMedicarePartA(premium-free hospitalizationcoverage)andPartB(premium-basedmedicalcoverage). YoushowasTRICARE-eligible in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Be suretokeep your and your family members’ contact information up to date in DEERS
Q: Is becoming Medicare-eligible a TRICAREQualifyingLifeEvent?
A:IfyouorafamilymemberbecomeseligibleforMedicareatage65,itisn’taTRICARE QualifyingLifeEventforthepersonturning 65 However, it’s aQLE foryour family memberswho areunder age 65.Whatdoes thismean?Thesefamilymemberscanmake eligible changes to their TRICARE health plan.Theymustmakethesechangeswithin 90 daysofthe Medicare-eligible family member’sMedicare-effectivedate To learn more, go to BecomingMedicare-Eligible(onlineathttps://www.tricare. mil/LifeEvents/Medicare).
A: No.Family members who aren’teligible forMedicaremaystayintheircurrenthealth planaslongasthey’reTRICARE-eligible Remember,tohaveTFL coverage,you musthaveMedicarePart Aand Part B. This alsoapplies to people living overseas and thosewithemployer-sponsoredhealthplans Did youonly signupfor MedicarePart A during your Initial Enrollment Period? You maysignupforMedicarePartBduringeither aSpecialEnrollment Period or theannual General Enrollment Period.For example,
didyouopttouseyouremployer-sponsored health coverage instead of MedicarePart B? If so,sign up for MedicarePart Bduring aSpecial Enrollment Period. The Special EnrollmentPeriodisavailable: Anytimeyouoryourspousearecoveredby anemployer-sponsoredhealthplan Up to eightmonthsfollowinglossof employment or loss of an employer-sponsoredhealthplan SignupforMedicarePartBamonthbefore your employment or employer-sponsored coverageends,whicheverhappensfirst.This ensures youhaveMedicare Part Aand Part Band TFL coverage when your employer’s coverageends Checkout theTRICARE ForLife Handbook for details about MedicarePart B sign-upoptions
A: Areyour family members enrolled in a TRICAREPrime or TRICARE Select plan? Theirenrollmentfeemaychange.Forexample:
If youonly have onefamilymember enrolled in TRICAREPrime or TRICARE Select,theenrollmentfeechangestotheindividualrate
If youhavetwo or morefamily members enrolledinTRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select,theenrollmentfeestaysatthefamily rate HealthPlanCostscanhelpyouunderstand yourcosts.YoucanalsocallyourTRICARE regionalcontractor
