“Navigator”
Pearl Harbor Day events set for Dec. 5-7 November 28, 2014
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Volume 5 Issue 47
National Park Service
The National Park Service and the U.S. Navy will host a joint memorial ceremony on Dec. 7 from 7:45 to 9:30 a.m. commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ceremony will take place on the main lawn of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, looking directly out to the USS Arizona Memorial, at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. More than 2,500 distinguished guests and the general public are expected to join current and former military personnel, including Pearl Harbor survivors and other World War II veterans, for the annual observance of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The theme of this year’s historic commemoration, “Preserving the Memory,” focuses on how to keep the story of the attack on Oahu and World War II alive for the nation and the world. This year’s Dec. 7 ceremony will be co-hosted by Paul DePrey, superintendent, WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument, National Park Service, and Rear Adm. Rick Williams, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. The keynote speaker will be Gen. Lori J. Robinson, commander of Pacific Air Forces. Highlights of the ceremony will include music by the Navy’s U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, morning colors, a Hawaiian blessing, a cannon salute by members of the U.S. Army, wreath presentations,
echo Taps, and recognition of the men and women who survived the attack and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country on Dec. 7, 1941. At 7:55 a.m., the exact moment the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor began 73 years ago, a moment of silence will be observed. A U.S. Navy ship will render honors to the USS Arizona and all Pearl Harbor survivors, and a flyover will be conducted above Pearl Harbor. The ceremony will conclude with a “Walk of Honor” by Pearl Harbor survivors and other World War II veterans through an honor cordon of military ser-
vice members and National Park Service men and women. In conjunction with this year’s theme and to connect Pearl Harbor survivors across the U.S. with the commemoration ceremony taking place at Pearl Harbor, the National Park Service is hosting a broadcast via live webcast of this year’s event. Prior to the start of the ceremony, Pearl Harbor survivors and WWII veterans will be interviewed and viewers will get a “behind the scenes” look at the ceremony. Those who are unable to attend the ceremony in person will be able to watch the event in their hometown as it takes place.
Online registration to view the event is required. All those interested in watching are encouraged to visit the following link to signup: http://bit.ly/LiveBroadcastDec7. Public access to the Pearl Harbor 73rd Anniversary Commemoration ceremony The commemoration ceremony is free of charge and the public is invited to attend. Seats for the general public at the commemoration ceremony are limited and available on a first-come, firstserved basis. The visitor center will open at 6 a.m. Seating for the public will begin at 7:15 a.m. Limited public parking at visitor center for ceremony
Additional parking will be available at Richardson Field and Aloha Stadium. Free shuttles will be provided from the stadium to the visitor center. The public is encouraged to arrive early to allow time to park and go through security at the visitor center. Limited public tour schedule for USS Arizona Memorial Due to the morning ceremony, public tours on Dec. 7 to the USS Arizona Memorial will operate on a special schedule. The first public tour will begin at 11 a.m. with the last tour beginning at 1 p.m. Tours begin every 15 minutes and include a 23-minute movie presentation followed by a short boat ride and visit to the memorial. Tickets are free and distributed on a firstcome, first-served basis. Security Cameras are permitted; however, due to strict security measures, camera bags, purses, handbags and/or other items that offer concealment are not allowed. Bag storage is available at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park. Dress code Military dress is summer whites or service equivalent. The civilian dress code for the commemoration is aloha business attire, long pants and collared shirts. More information For more information about the Pearl Harbor Day 73rd Anniversary Commemoration ceremony and special events, visit www.pacifichistoricparks.org. See additional Pearl Harbor Day events on page A-4.
USS Mississippi is newest member of Pacific Submarine Force Story and photo by MC1 Steven Khor
Submarine Force Pacific Public Affairs The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) was welcomed to the Pearl Harbor waterfront at an aloha ceremony Nov. 25, as the newest submarine permanently assigned to Submarine Squadron 1 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The arrival of USS Mississippi makes it the fourth Virginia-class submarine to be homeported in Pearl Harbor, and one of 18 fastattack submarines permanently homeported at the historic base. “The general aura of the crew is that of excitement in becoming part of a great ohana (family) in Submarine Squadron 1 and Sub- Capt. Harry Ganteaume, commodore of Submarine Squadron 1, particimarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet,” pates in a traditional Hawaiian blessing ceremony of the Virginia-class said Cmdr. Tory Swanson, the fast-attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) upon the ship's arrival ship’s commanding officer. “Many at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Nov. 25. were ready to set forth out west like the old frontiersmen, looking and aloha of Hawaii.” supporters, having left weeks earfor adventure in the unknown of The submarine arrived at Pearl lier from Submarine Squadron 4 the Pacific. The crew is looking Harbor to a crowd of families, fel- in Groton, Conn. forward to the sunshine, warmth low submariners, veterans and Swanson noted that Missis-
sippi and its crew started the transition nearly a year ago with assistance from Naval Submarine Support Command Pearl Harbor, Submarine Squadron 1, and several other organizations in the Pearl Harbor area. “The chief of the boat and I have done four changes of homeports in our careers, and we were able to take lessons learned from our experiences to help make the transition fairly seamless for the families,” said Swanson. “Our command philosophy centers on, ‘mission first, Sailors always.’” In January, the crew conducted a deployment night for all of the families to introduce Pearl Harbor staff, housing offices and answer questions families had well in advance of their arrival to their permanent homeport. Additionally, the family readiness group utilized social media to communicate with spouses and families at a moment's notice to answer any difficult questions that arose. Swanson added that this preplanning allowed most all of the families to move to Pearl Harbor seamlessly and have a great sup-
USS Fort Worth arrives at JBPHH
port structure already in place. Swanson said Mississippi’s ship technology, along with a focused and energetic crew on board the vessel, will provide a great variety and coverage for missions vital to national security and any tasking from the operational commanders. Mississippi offers the submarine force’s newest technologies, along with accommodation for special operations forces and dry dock shelter operations. “We are ready to demonstrate our prowess as WESTPAC (western Pacific) warriors and bring the great capabilities and stealth of the Virginia-class to the Pacific Fleet,” said Swanson. “This is the newest submarine in the Pacific Fleet, and we are proud of her material condition and the hard work the crew put into it.” Interest was evident on the pier. Allison Stiller, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for ship programs and also the ship’s sponsor, was present to welcome
See MISSISSIPPI, A-4
The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled port visit. Fort Worth deployed for a scheduled 16-month rotational deployment to Singapore in support of the Navy's strategic rebalance to the Pacific.
U.S. Navy photos by MC2 Diana Quinlan
Officers and enlisted Sailors of the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) observe the ship's mooring operation as it arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled port visit.
USS Hopper holds change of command ceremony See page A-2
USS Columbia returns from deployment See page A-7
JBPHH hosts Hawaii Special Olympics See page B-1
Additional events planned for 73rd anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day See page A-4
Annual Festival of Lights to begin Dec. 8 See page B-3
Navy SAPR program to be held at Sharkey See page B-3