DoD Lab Day — The Defense Department's Office of Acquisition, Technology and Logistics hosted the first-ever "DoD Lab Day" in the Pentagon courtyard, May 14. DoD Lab Day was designed to increase understanding of the complexity and diversity of the DoD lab enterprise. It provided insight into more than 100 Navy, Marine, Air Force, Army and Medical innovations that are advancing the capabilities of our Nation's Force of the Future.
Navy Nurse Corps Celebrates 107th Birthday — Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton staff helped the Navy Nurse Corps celebrate 107 years of service with a cake cutting ceremony May 13. During the ceremony, letters were read from the Surgeon General of the Navy and the heads of the Navy's Nurse Corps, Medical Corps, Medical Service Corps, Dental Corps, Hospital Corps and the Army Nurse Corps thanking the Navy Nurse Corps for their unwavering service. The Navy Nurse Corps was established by Congress in May of 1908. In October of 1908, the first nurses, later called "The Sacred Twenty," reported for duty at the Naval Medical School Hospital in Washington D.C., which is now home of the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.
Abraham Lincoln Officer Presents Plaque to Honor Pioneer Aviator — Cmdr. Todd D. Tavolazzi, strike operations officer assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), presented a plaque on behalf of the Hampton Roads Navy League to Capt. Bob Clark, commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk, during a ceremony commemorating Eugene Ely at Ely Hall, May 8. Tavolazzi and Clark were joined by Capt. Ronald Ravelo, Lincoln commanding officer and Capt. Doug Beaver, executive officer of Naval Station Norfolk as they hung the plaque, which details the significance of Ely above a statue of his likeness in the building named for him. On Nov. 14, 1910, Ely piloted the first aircraft to take off from a ship, the USS Birmingham (CL-2) in Hampton Roads. Ely would eventually land his aircraft safely on Willoughby Spit in Norfolk.
MCPON, CNO Honor the 2014 Sailors of the Year — The Navy's 2014 Sailors of the Year (SOY) were meritoriously advanced to chief petty officer during a ceremony held at the Navy Memorial, May 14. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert served as guest speaker at the pinning ceremony hosted by Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens.
SECNAV Announces Personnel Initiatives — Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced several personnel initiatives May 13 during a speech at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.
Nomination for Next Chief of Naval Operations Announced — Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced today during a Pentagon press briefing that he has recommended Adm. John M. Richardson as the next Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). A career submarine officer, Richardson is currently director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. If confirmed, Richardson will replace Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert who has been CNO since September 2011. Greenert will retire this fall after 40 years of naval service.
Navy Holds Sundown Ceremony for SH-60B Sea Hawk Helicopter — Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Pacific hosted a Sundown Ceremony for the SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter in Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73's hangar at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, May 11. Active duty service members, retirees, and visitors were in attendance as leadership from the helicopter community provided remarks regarding the SH-60B's 30 years of active service in the fleet. The ceremony's guest speaker, Vice Adm. Paul A. Grosklags, principal military deputy, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisitions, reflected on the life of the aircraft.
Navy Strike Fighter Crashes in Gulf - Crew Members OK — A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 crashed at 1:30 p.m. (GMT), today, shortly after launching from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) operating in the Arabian Gulf. The two personnel aboard the strike fighter ejected from the aircraft, survived the crash and were quickly recovered by search and rescue personnel from the ship. The recovered Naval Aviators are being evaluated by medical personnel aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt. Initial reports indicate both are conscious and alert, and without serious injury. The crash was not a result of hostile activity.
Public Health Center Launches Redesigned "Relax-Relax" Website —The Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) announced the launch of its newly redesigned Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW) "Relax-Relax" website, May 13. This tool is designed to help Sailors and Marines reduce psychological and physical wear and tear through deep relaxation and focus exercises set to audio tracks. The updated site offers optimized tools with increased functionality and improved navigation for Sailors, Marines, and their families to help them relax.
SECNAV, CNO Celebrate Centennial Anniversary — Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert, along with prior CNO's, service members and civilians gathered at the Navy Museum at the Washington Navy Yard to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the appointment of the first CNO and the creation of the office of the chief of naval operations staff May 11. The CNO is the senior military officer of the Department of the Navy, a four-star admiral and is responsible to the Secretary of the Navy for the command, utilization of resources, and operating efficiency of the operating forces of the Navy and of the Navy shore activities assigned by the Secretary.
These stories originally published by Navy News Service during May 11-15, 2015. For more Navy news, go to: www.navy.mil/.