Mobile Training Device Keeps Firefighters Ready — The Mobile Aircraft Firefighting Training Device, or MAFTD, is a steel mockup enabling firefighters from Naval District Washington/Naval Air Station Patuxent River Fire and Emergency Services to realistically simulate an aircraft fire for training purposes. Some of the simulated exterior fires include the fuselage, auxiliary power unit, wheel/brake, fuel spills or a tail engine fire. All fire scenarios are triggered and monitored from the "command box," located inside a large semi-truck cab that also hauls the portable device throughout the region for training at other bases.
USS Ingraham Decommissioned after 25 years of Service — Sailors and guests bade farewell to Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) as the ship concluded 25 years of naval service during a decommissioning ceremony on Naval Station Everett (NSE), Washington, Nov. 12. Former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates joined the crew in honoring Ingraham and her many years of service by acting as the guest speaker at the ceremony. Several former crew members, plankowners, friends and family also attended.
Successful International Mine Countermeasures Exercise Concludes — This year's International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) concluded in Bahrain Nov. 13, after nearly three weeks of seminars and training maneuvers. The exercise provided a wide array of maritime operations designed to promote international interoperability, protect global commerce and ensure secure sea lanes. More than 6,500 military service members from more than 40 nations, along with 700 civilian mariners, operated 38 naval ships, 32 civilian merchant vessels and three exercise task forces throughout the Arabian Gulf, the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea.
Constitution Sailors, NBA Players Volunteer at Homeless Veterans Center — Sailors assigned to USS Constitution joined representatives from the Boston Celtics, U.S. Coast Guard and TD Bank for a collaborative pre-Veterans Day volunteer event Nov. 10 at the New England Center for Homeless Veterans (NECHV). The event, sponsored by the NBA and USO, was held as part of the NBA Cares program Hoops for Troops. This year, the program is focusing on "Commitment to Service," in which NBA teams and players participate with military members in community service events around the country.
Each year on November 11, the United States celebrates Veterans Day in honor of all Americans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It was President Dwight D. Eisenhower who issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation, which declared:“In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.” For more information, go to History of Veterans Day.
Prowler: Retiring from Service — As the sun sets on USS George H.W. Bush's (CVN 77) current deployment, it also sets on the illustrious career of the EA-6B Prowler with the Navy. The jet is retiring after 42 years of service, and this deployment aboard the Bush is its last. The Prowler will be replaced by the EA-18G Growler, a variant of the F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-6B Prowler has been the Navy's main aerial platform for electronic warfare since 1972, first seeing service in Vietnam, until October when the jet supported missions over Iraq and Syria while deployed with the Bush.
Office of Naval Research Makes Virtual Training Anywhere, Anytime, a Reality — Marines tested an augmented reality system from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) last week that could revolutionize the way they prepare for battle, allowing them to transform any location into a dynamic training ground. The Nov. 6 demonstration, held outdoors at Lejeune Field at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, was an opportunity for ONR to showcase progress with the Augmented Immersive Team Trainer (AITT). The program brings simulation-based training to Marines in the field so they can train anywhere.
Navy Reaches Out to Energy Industry Leaders for Innovative Ideas for GTMO — Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast hosted over 100 energy experts and Navy leaders Nov. 5 in Jacksonville, Florida to talk about a challenging energy project for Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The focus of this meeting was to hear from energy industry leaders on what creative ideas they could suggest to meet the needs of infrastructure upgrades needed at NS Guantanamo Bay. Examples of projects include photovoltaic, waste to energy, energy efficient generator power and automated controls.
Final Phase of 20th Annual CARAT Exercise Series Kicks Off in Brunei — The 20th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei commenced at Maura Naval Base in Brunei, Nov. 10. Original CARAT partners, Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) have participated since the exercise began in 1995. CARAT Brunei marks the final phase of the 2014 series, which began in May with partner nations in South and Southeast Asia. It provides a credible venue for regional navies to share best practices, foster relationships and enhance maritime security cooperation.
Exercise Keen Sword Aims to Improve U.S., Japan Combat Readiness, Interoperability — The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG) will be operating alongside their Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) counterparts during a bilateral field training exercise, Keen Sword 15, Nov. 11. Keen Sword is the latest in a series of joint/bilateral field training exercises since 1986 involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability of U.S. forces and the JSDF.
These stories originally published by Navy News Service during Nov. 10-14, 2014. For more Navy news, go to: www.navy.mil/.