— Pentagon leaders honored 17 individuals and six teams as the Department of the Navy's top contributors to basic and applied science and engineering June 12. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition (ASN RDA) Sean J. Stackley and former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition Dr. Delores M. Etter recognized 46 naval scientists and engineers for their achievement, professionalism and technical excellence during a ceremony held at the Pentagon.
USS Chancellorsville Brings Newest Technology to US 7th Fleet — The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and its crew of 350 Sailors entered the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), June 11.Chancellorsville, the first Aegis cruiser to be outfitted with Aegis Baseline 9, will enhance presence in the U.S. 7th Fleet AOR by conducting theater security cooperation engagements and maritime security operations while maintaining stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW: Joint Women's Leadership Symposium focuses on progress and possibilities — The Sea Service Leadership Association (SSLA), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the mentorship and development of military leaders, hosted a women's symposium June 11-12 in San Diego to discuss current issues for women in the military. The 28th Annual Joint Women's Leadership Symposium, which welcomed more than 750 attendees — men and women, focused on opportunities for women while exploring options for the future.
USS Rushmore Aids 65 People at Sea Near Indonesia — USS Rushmore (LSD 47) rendered assistance to 65 people on makeshift bamboo rafts in the waters between the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan and Sulawesi June 10. Shipboard lookouts spotted the distressed persons waving orange and white flags. Rushmore's commanding officer, Cmdr. Thomas Stephens, ordered the launch of a small boat with two search and rescue swimmers to provide assistance. Rushmore Sailors discovered 65 people on sinking bamboo rafts tied together with no means of propulsion, food or water.
Battle of Midway and D-Day Exhibits Impact Personnel from Sailors to Scientists — Equipment and weapons used by U.S. troops in the Battle of Midway and the D-Day invasion are raising awareness and conversations among hundreds of Sailors and civilian technologists at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren.
From Surface Warrior to "American Ninja Warrior:" Norfolk-Based Naval Officer Competes in Network TV Challenge — A U.S. Naval officer wants to become an "American Ninja Warrior." Lt. Deon Graham, a native of Hackensack, New Jersey, competed city trials of The American Ninja television show in San Pedro, California, June 5-7, vying to become the show's top competitor.
SPAWAR Offers Rare Glimpse of Technology —Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SPAWAR) invited news reporters and family members of employees to see what top researchers, scientists and engineers are creating for today's Navy and fleet of the future during an open house June 5-6, celebrating 75 years of service. In a rare veil lifting, technologies still in the early stages of development were on display and demonstrated for visitors and reporters that highlighted the important work that SPAWAR does. Capabilities like 3-D imaging, underwater optical communications and virtual-reality simulators were among other technologies highlighted.
Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Strengthens Bond with Ally France During L'Hermione Weekend — Sailors from Naval Weapons Station (WPNSTA) Yorktown demonstrated the strong ties between France and the United States by volunteering their support during the visit of the replica French frigate L'Hermione in Historic Yorktown, June 5-7. L'Hermione was the ship that brought the Marquis de Lafayette back to America in 1780 to support the siege of the British by General George Washington and the Continental Army that ultimately led to the British surrender on Oct. 19, 1781 and the birth of our nation.
Building a Better Grunt: ONR-Sponsored Technology to Lighten Marines' Loads — Officials at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced June 8 that the organization was presenting the Marine Corps with a 3-D computer simulation program that measures equipment weight, distribution and effects on body mechanics and individual warfighter performance. The program-called ETOWL (Enhanced Technologies for Optimization of Warfighter Load)-and its companion software are being delivered to the Gruntworks Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad, which focuses on individual mobility. Gruntworks serves as a "workshop" to test existing and emerging equipment that would help infantry Marines. Once given to the Marine Corps, ETOWL will be renamed GruntSim.
USS Midway Hosts Battle of Midway Commemoration — Active duty, retired service members and civilians paid honor to Battle of Midway veterans during a commemoration ceremony aboard the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, June 6, which marked the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway took place June 4-7, 1942. During the battle, U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier strike forces defeated an Imperial Japanese strike force that prevented them from capturing Midway Island. The Battle of Midway is an important marker in naval heritage because it is considered to have changed the course of the war in the Pacific by putting the previously thought to be unstoppable Japanese forces on the defensive where they remained until their ultimate surrender, Sept. 2, 1945.
These stories originally published by Navy News Service during June 8-12, 2015. For more Navy news, go to: www.navy.mil/.