USS Vandegrift Returns to San Diego Following Rescue at Sea — The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) arrived at Naval Base San Diego April 9 following the rescue of a family with a sick infant on a disabled sailboat approximately 1,300 miles south of San Diego. The rescue at sea was a joint-interagency rescue effort involving Navy, Coast Guard and California Air National Guard personnel that started April 3 after the Coast Guard received a distress call from the sailing vessel, Rebel Heart, requesting assistance for a sick one-year old child.
CNO Speaks at Sea-Air-Space Dinner About Joint Force Interdependence — During his remarks, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert broached a new topic, "In a complicated world and facing a period of relentless demand on naval forces," Greenert said, "it's time for our services to adapt and to come together to get the most out of this period."
USS Donald Cook to Enter Black Sea — The forward deployed guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) will enter the Black Sea to promote peace and stability in the region, April 10. The U.S. Navy routinely operates ships in the Black Sea consistent with the Montreux Convention and International Law. Donald Cook's mission is to reassure NATO allies of the U.S. Navy's commitment to strengthen and improve interoperability while working toward mutual goals in the region.
Navy R&D Leadership Sign World Health Day Proclamation — Leadership from Navy Medicine Research and Development and Naval Medical Research Center attended a World Healthy Day 2014 commemoration ceremony at the National Museum of Health and Medicine (NMHM), April 7. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) web site, the theme for this year's World Health Day is vector borne-diseases: "Small Bite, Big Threat." Vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue, affect a variety of populations, predominantly in areas where there is a shortage of access to acceptable housing, safe drinking water and sanitation. In many cases individuals that are malnourished and those with weakened immunities can become quite susceptible.
Sailors, Marines Participate in Bataan Death March Remembrance — Sailors and Marines participated in a 63 lap hangar-to-flight deck run and a moment-of-silence April 9, commemorating the 72-year anniversary of those lost, and those who survived the Bataan Death March. The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) is one of two U.S. naval vessels to have borne the name "Bataan" which memorializes the valiant resistance of American and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula in the dawning days of World War II and the rigorous Bataan Death March that followed in April 1942.
Innovation and Supporting the Warfighter — The Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition hosted a panel of maritime officers to discuss innovations and supporting the warfighter, April 8. Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder said the goal is for the U.S. service team to always have the advantage. "I don't ever want our Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen in a fair fight. I want them to always have the technological advantage. We owe it to them," Klunder said.
Fleet Week Sets Sail for New York City; Ships Announced — Fleet Week New York, now in its 26th year, is the city's time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. The weeklong celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984. It is anticipated that nearly 1,500 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will participate. Three U.S. Navy ships and two U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) cutters will participate in the 2014 Fleet Week New York, May 21-27.
U.S. 7th Fleet MH370 Update — The U.S. Navy team operating the towed pinger locator (TPL) onboard Australian defense vessel Ocean Shield detected pinging signals, April 6.
The detected signals are consistent with sounds that would come from a black box. The TPL heard consecutive pings at one second intervals. At the time of detection the TPL was at a depth of 300 meters, which is well above the optimal search depth where a black box would typically be detected.
Nominations Sought for Research Achievements in Personnel — The Navy's Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP), Vice Adm. Bill Moran, is seeking nominations for the Adm. Jeremy M. Boorda Award for Outstanding Integration of Analysis and Policy-making, from now until May 30. The award recognizes outstanding research contributions to the Navy's Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPTE) domain — work that impacts MPTE resources, improves MPTE processes and increases overall personnel readiness.
US Navy and Vietnam People's Navy Build Confidence during NEA 2014 — The U.S. Navy and Vietnam People's Navy began the annual Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) April 7. This year marks the fifth consecutive NEA Vietnam and the 10th year that U.S. Navy ships have called upon the port of Da Nang. USS John S. McCain last visited Da Nang in August 2010 as part of the inaugural NEA Vietnam, which coincided with the 15th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam.
These stories were published by Navy News Service during April 5-10, 2014. For more Navy news go to: www.navy.mil/.