X-47B Completes First Night Flight — On April 10, X-47B successfully conducted its first night flight over Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
Nebraska Receives Omaha Trophy — USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) was presented the 2013 Omaha Trophy, by Commander, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Adm. Cecil D. Haney, during a ceremony at the Puget Sound Navy Museum, Bremerton Wash., April 11. The Omaha Trophy is awarded annually to USSTRATCOM units who demonstrate the highest standards of performance in the command's mission areas, their role in global operations and the command's continued emphasis on strategic deterrence.
Russian Aircraft Flies Near U.S. Navy Ship in Black Sea — According to a Pentagon spokesman, a Russian attack aircraft repeatedly flew near the USS Donald Cook as it patrolled the western Black Sea on April 12. Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters that the aircraft, an unarmed Russian Su-24 Fencer, “did not respond to multiple queries and warnings from Donald Cook, and the event ended without incident after approximately 90 minutes."
Submarine Force Atlantic Celebrates Birthday — The 114th birthday celebration of the submarine force took place at The Founders Inn in Virginia Beach on April 12 and featured Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, as keynote speaker. Hosted by Vice Adm. Mike Connor, commander, Submarine Force, the celebration was attended by more than 1,000 Sailors, spouses and their guests and paid tribute to the men and women serving the submarine force, their families and those who came before them.
NAVSEA Establishes New Directorate — On April 14, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced the establishment of a new directorate. Led by Rear Adm. Thomas Kearney, the new directorate focuses on lowering acquisition costs and reducing the number of unique components in the Navy's ships and systems. In alignment with the NAVSEA’s strategic business plan, the new directorate serves as the central point of contact for policy, common business processes, and tools for systems commonality, acquisition policy, and the National Shipbuilding Research Program.
NWC Celebrates 100 Years of Distance Learning — The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) celebrates its 100th anniversary of distance-learning education and non-resident programs April 15 in Newport. April 1, 1914, Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels issued General Order No. 89 announcing the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. was "prepared to conduct extension courses by correspondence for the benefit of officers who are not at present available for attendance at the college." Two weeks later, NWC faculty and staff kicked-off their first ever distance learning education program for naval officers serving on the deckplates.
SECNAV Formalizes Return of NROTC to Princeton — The Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program will return to Princeton University. Under a crosstown agreement between the Navy, Princeton and Rutgers University signed on April 15 by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber, NROTC active duty Navy and Marine Corps instructors will lead and teach Princeton NROTC midshipmen on the Rutgers or Princeton campus, providing an opportunity for Princeton students to earn a commission in the United States Navy and Marine Corps through the NROTC program."
Keel Laid for Future USS Gabrielle Giffords — The Navy and Austal USA, a Mobile, Ala. based shipbuilding company, held a keel-laying ceremony for the future USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), the Navy's 10th littoral combat ship (LCS) on April 16. The keel-laying ceremony recognizes the first joining together of a ship's components and represents the formal beginning of a ship. LCS 10 is the 16th ship to be named for a woman and the 13th ship to be named for a living person since 1850.
Center for Service Support Raises Funds, Awareness for Sailors and Families — Along with Center for Service Support (CSS), the Naval Station Newport (NWPT) Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) is currently in the middle of its fundraising season and is trying to raise awareness of financial services available to Sailors and Marines. The annual fund drive supports financial, educational, and other support for active duty and retired Sailors, Marines along with their eligible family members in times of need. The NMCRS, which is sponsored by the Department of the Navy (DoN), is a private, non-profit organization whose programs and services are dependent on charitable donations; the current fundraising cycle ends in just under a month.
USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) searches for victims of sunken Korean Ferry — East China Sea (April 17, 2014) — An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, lands on the flight deck aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) after conducting search and rescue operations near the scene of the sunken ferry Sewol in the vicinity of the island of Jindo. Sailors and Marines aboard of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard are conducting search and rescue operations as requested by the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christian Senyk).
These stories originally published on Navy News Service during April 12-17, 2014. For more Navy news go to: www.navy.mil/.