Enhance Your Career Through Conversion — Active duty and reserve Sailors can change ratings and enhance their careers via the Career Waypoint (C-WAY) information technology system. A Career Navigator Skill Set list can also be accessed; the list displays available ratings which are classified as undermanned, fully manned, or overmanned.
Ships Sail into New York Harbor, kicking off Fleet Week New York 2014 — On May 21, USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS McFaul (DDG 74) arrived in New York City to celebrate New York’s 26th annual Fleet Week. Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsman will take part in several events which include community-centered activities, a Memorial Day parade, and ship tours.
West Loch Disaster Victims Remembered During 70th Anniversary — 70 years have passed since a blast aboard LST 353 set off a chain reaction of explosions which sank six LSTs and damaged several others during the preparation for the invasion of Saipan. 163 men lost their lives and 396 were wounded; nearly one-third of the casualties came from the Army's segregated African American 29th Chemical Decontamination Company. Ceremonies commemorating the anniversary of the West Loch disaster were held both at the site of the incident on May 20 and at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater on May 21.
TR Launches Missiles During Combat System Ship Qualification Trial — During a Combat System Ship Qualification Trial (CSSQT) on May 21, the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) launched multiple NATO Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSMs) to “verify the defensive capabilities of the missile system are functional and effective.” The ESSM, a surface-to-air and surface-to-surface semi-active missile, has nearly twice the effective range as the NATO Sea Sparrow (NSSM).
Skyraider Makes Move From Oceana to New York City — The A-1 Skyraider series prototype known as “Spad” has found a new home. After more than 40 years on display at Naval Air Station Oceana, the aircraft was transported to New York City’s Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. Spad’s new home aboard the USS Intrepid (CV-11) brings the Skyraider full circle; the aircraft made history during the Vietnam War when Lt. j.g. William T. (Tom) Patton shot down a MiG-17 over Vietnam while flying a Skyraider from the deck off the Intrepid in October 1966.
Speaking up for our Silent Warriors on Memorial Day — In remembrance of more than 3,000 WWII submariners who remain on “Eternal Patrol.”
Aegis Ashore System Conducts Successful Flight Test — On May 20, the Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Navy and sailors at the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Complex and Pacific Missile Range Facility, successfully conducted the first flight test involving components of the Aegis Ashore system. The test saw a simulated ballistic missile acquired, tracked and engaged by the Aegis Weapon System.
John S. McCain, Mustin Sailors, Shimoda Citizens Celebrate 160 Years of U.S., Japan Partnership — Sailors from the USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) and the USS Mustin (DDG-89) joined the celebrations during the 75th annual Black Ship Festival held in Shimoda, Japan from May 15-19. Nearly 600 officers and crew from the two ships took part in the festivities, which included visiting local schools, marching in a parade, and participating in sporting events.
Benjamin F. Stoddert — President John Adams appointed the first Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin F. Stoddert, 217 years ago on May 18, 1798. The appointment of Stoddert, who successfully organized a capable U.S. Navy fleet, changed the way that Navy was run.
FORMULA WON: Air Combat Electronics Program Office sails off with military honors — Individuals and teams alike from NAVAIR’s Air Combat Electronics Program Office (PMA-209) have received five awards for various achievements in the last six months, among them the Copernicus Award, the Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC2) award, and the Rookie of the Year award.
These stories originally published by Navy News Service during May 15-23, 2014. For more Navy news, go to: www.navy.mil/.