Fire Controlman News

The guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) returned to its Naval Station Norfolk homeport Dec. 23, completing a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation. The ship departed May 23, to support anti-submarine exercises and operations in the North and Norwegian seas, as well as maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf. The ship and crew of more than 300 Sailors, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 22, also conducted presence operations and goodwill activities with partner nations. "I am extremely proud of this crew," said Cmdr. Allen Siegrist, the ship's commanding officer. "These Sailors performed exceptionally well in a multitude of missions and across all theaters.

The search for a U.S. Navy sailor missing from guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) has been called off after three days of exhaustive searching. U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard assets ended their search efforts just after sunset June 9 for Fire Controlman 2nd Class Christopher W. Clavin, who went overboard June 6 at about 3 p.m. while Normandy was conducting training 80 miles off the coast of Cherry Point, N.C. Personnel observed Petty Officer Clavin fall into the water…

Representatives from the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) educated the surface warfare community on who they train and how they support the Fleet at the Surface Navy Association (SNA) Symposium January 12-14. Capt. Bill McKinley, CSCS commanding officer, oversees 14 learning sites and is responsible for combat systems training across the rates of fire controlman, operations specialist, gunner’s mate, sonar technician surface, mineman, interior communications electrician, and electronics technician.

Naval forces and liaisons from India, Japan and United States begin Exercise Malabar 2015, Oct. 16, through air defense collaboration. The featured cooperation consists of aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Carrier Airwing (CVW) 1, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) and Indian frigate INS Shivalik (F 47). Exercise Malabar is an annual event designed to enhance naval cooperation through engagement with India and Japan while demonstrating U.S. Naval presence in the Indo-Asia region. "We launched aircraft from TR to simulate scenarios to exercise the Indian's self-defense," said Lt. Sean McDonnell, Normandy's air defense officer.

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has recently approved a new non-skid coating for use onboard Navy ships. “The new type of coating provides a quick and easy non-slip surface that ship’s force apply themselves,” said John Wegand, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock Division non-skid engineering manager. NSWC Carderock is a NAVSEA field activity. As a Technical Authority, NAVSEA is accountable for the technical engineering elements of ship maintenance, modernization, construction, design and safety. “The new ‘peel & stick’ variety offers a 66 percent cost savings when compared to covering a similar area using traditional non-skid,” said Cruiser Class Squadron (CGRON) Combat Systems Analyst Chief Fire Controlman (Surface Warfare) Anthony Belbeck.

Contrary to the romanticized portrayal of pirates that have populated folk tales and captured youngsters' imaginations, modern-day pirates pose a clear and present threat to lives, commerce and the environment as they lurk over shipping lanes attacking ships and crew without regard for nationality or cargo. Piracy in the Gulf of Aden not only poses a threat to global commerce, but also threatens aid delivery by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to victims of the ongoing civil war in Somalia.

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Andrew Jackson, a native of Ray Town, Mo., launches a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) from the Combat Information Center aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70). Lake Erie fired a single modified tactical Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) and successfully impacted a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite approximately 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) over the Pacific Ocean, as it traveled in space at more than 17,000 mph. U.S. By Gerry J. The missile fired from a U.S.

Official U.S. Navy file photo of the guided missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84). Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Mullen announced the guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) as the winner of the calendar year 2005 and 2006 USS Arizona Memorial Trophy Winner in a message delivered to the fleet July 12. Established in 1995, the award is presented to the ship demonstrating the greatest combat readiness in strike warfare, surface-fire support, anti-terrorism and force protection, and anti-surface warfare during a two-year competitive cycle. “The Arizona Trophy is a real source of pride for us, especially when viewed against the overall level of incredible readiness throughout the fleet,” said Cmdr. John Beaver, Bulkeley’s commanding officer.

Sailors aboard the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) held a wreath laying ceremony July 9 to honor the sailors of USS Wahoo (SS 238). Nearly 64 years after they were lost in the La Perouse Strait, north of Hokkaido, Japan, the crew of Wahoo received their final farewell. “It was an extreme honor and privilege to preside over this solemn and long-awaited ceremony,” said Rear Adm. Douglas J. McAneny, the commander of Submarine Group 7 based in Yokosuka, Japan. “The accomplishment of U.S. Navy submarines during World War II underscores the relevance and importance of submarines in today’s world. This ceremony brings closure to the families of the men of Wahoo; one of the greatest fighting submarines in the history of the U.S. Wahoo’s final resting place remained a mystery for 63 years.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) returned home to Naval Station Pearl Harbor on April 7 after a three-month deployment with Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG). Cmdr. Brad Cooper, commanding officer of Russell, said he is very proud of the command’s flexibility and motivation to support its tasking. “We deployed in early February with the Ronald Reagan Strike Group as part of a surge deployment [of] forces moving to the Central Command region. The Reagan was the backbone of Western Pacific, engaging allies, participating in bi-lateral and multi-lateral exercises, and engaged in the U.S. Seventh Fleet maritime influence strategy,” Cooper said. Russell, which deployed Feb.

While meeting at the Western Conference Exposition (West 2007) here Jan. 31 to discuss future shipbuilding options, senior Department of the Navy officials also took the opportunity to expound on Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen's 1000-ship Navy concept. Vice Adm. John G. Morgan, Jr., deputy chief of Naval Operations for Information, Plans and Strategy and Rear Adm. Michael C. Bachman, commander of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, explained that the 1,000-ship Navy is a network of international partner navies who will work together to create a force capable of standing watch over all the seas. “A new naval era is coming and we’re doing exciting things in preparation for it,” Morgan said.