SPAWAR FRD Improves Shipboard Combat Readiness — Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) integrated a system of systems operability testing (SOT) capability for combatant ships onboard USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), which just completed an availability and sea trial period utilizing the new SOT combat readiness testing, March 6.
Museum Hosts Women in the Navy Panel — Hampton Roads Naval Museum (HRNM) held a panel discussion featuring a diverse group of retired and active duty U.S. Navy women March 4. In conjunction with Women's History Month, the museum hosted the panel to commemorate women in the Navy for their service and contribution to the fleet. The discussion was moderated by retired Rear Adm. Ann Phillips; Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, the first female commanding officer of a carrier strike group, was one of the featured panelists.
Navy Adds Measures to Enhance Safety During Shipboard Flight Operations — New procedures that will aid surface warfare officers and helicopter pilots while increasing safety during flight operations on destroyers have been successfully tested and recently rolled out to the fleet. "Operator polar plots" (OPP) consist of a series of placard overlays that identify limits and safety considerations that take into account a ship's speed and sea conditions in addition to pitch, roll and relative winds. Based on the height and direction of waves, a specific OPP is used by both the ship's officer of the deck and the helicopter pilot to determine the best options for safely landing a helicopter on a ship's flight deck.
USO Spring Tour Comes to Naples — The USO brought an all-star cast of athletes and performers to the Naval Support Activity Naples high school gym during its Spring Troop Visit, March 3. Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. hosted the interactive event, which was part of his third and final USO tour. The eight-day, seven-country tour is scheduled to visit thousands of service members stationed around the world.
The Blue Angels Kick Off Their 2015 Season — Capt. Tom Frosch, commanding officer of the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron — better known as the Blue Angels — talks about the upcoming air shows.
First Australians Graduate Growler Program — The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) graduated its first five aviators from the training pipeline of the EA-18G Growler during a ceremony at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI) Officers' Club, Feb. 27. Australia currently flies F/A-18 Hornets and F/A-18E Super Hornets so joint cooperation on the new EA-18G Growler is based on a familiar airframe.
Navy Assisting in Search for Missing Hawaii Hiker — U.S. Navy assets in Hawaii are participating in the search for a hiker on Oahu who has been missing since Friday evening, Feb. 27. The search is in consultation with the Honolulu Fire Department.
CNO, CNP Talk Personnel on Conversation with a Shipmate — The Navy's top admiral and personnel chief released another installment March 2 of the Internet video series, "Conversation with a Shipmate." CNO and CNP answered questions regarding modernizing Navy's outdated personnel system, maximizing career-long technical training, moving away from year-group management, and reassessing the Body Composition Assessment (BCA) standards for the biannual Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA).
Happy 100th Navy Reserve: Message from Vice Adm. Robin Braun to the Reserve Force — Vice Adm. Robin Braun, chief of Navy Reserve, wishes reservists a happy centennial.
Navy Reserve Celebrates Centennial Anniversary — Service members and civilians packed the Pentagon Library Conference Center for the Navy Reserve Centennial Kickoff Celebration March 2. Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun delivered the opening remarks, commending Navy Reserve Sailors for being ready then, ready now and ready always, and introduced Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, the centennial's keynote speaker.
These stories originally published by Navy News Service during March 2-6, 2015. For more Navy news, go to: www.navy.mil/.