Cryptologic Technician News

The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 successfully completed its final pre-deployment assessment, Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), April 21, marking the completion of its condensed Inter-Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC) for an upcoming deployment. COMPTUEX is an exercise that tests a strike group's ability to work and operate as one cohesive unit in a simulated real-world-scenario based training environment. Nimitz was joined by CSG 11, to include Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, to prove their operational capabilities prior to deploying. Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, said COMPTUEX is designed to put a strike group through the highest level of training that we can possible give.

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Adm. Phil Davidson announced the 2015 USFFC Fleet Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year during a ceremony hosted by the Hampton Roads Navy League at the Sheraton Waterside in Norfolk, March 24. Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (AW/SW) Tinisha Franklin, a native of Brooklyn, New York, stationed aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) was announced as the 2015 Sea Sailor of the Year and Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class (AW/SW) Brian McGarrigle, a native of Clearwater, Florida, stationed at Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40 (HSM-40) as the Shore Sailor of the Year. "For the Shore Sailors of the Year standing behind me…

The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) completed the first successful carrier launch of the MK 234 Nulka countermeasure fired from the MK 53 Decoy Launching System (DLS), Dec. 16. Nulka, an Australian Aboriginal word meaning to "be quick," is a rapid-response active expendable decoy (AED) capable of providing highly effective defense for ships against modern anti-ship missiles (ASM). The decoy was developed through a joint effort by Australia and the United States. Australia developed the hovering rocket while the U.S. developed the electronic payload. When launched, the Nulka decoy radiates a large, ship-like radar cross section that attempts to lure ASMs away from their intended targets.

Sailors from USS Carr (FFG 52) completed theater security cooperation events and training to improve interoperability with the Barbados Coast Guard during a four day visit to Barbados, May 4-7. The Barbados Coast Guard has recently increased its forces and conducted more training in an effort to counter narcotic-drug trafficking. Part of that training involved Carr Sailors training the Barbados Coast Guard on U.S. Navy visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) tactics. Lt. Chris Locher, Carr's combat systems officer, briefed VBSS tactics at a new Barbados Coast Guard Base.

Graduating students from the Naval Postgraduate School received a personal congratulations from the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead as they walked across the stage in King Hall during the 2008 Winter Quarter Commencement Ceremony March 28. NPS President Dan Oliver introduced Roughead as an "accomplished professional, a distinguished scholar and a dedicated public servant." He called the 29th CNO an inspirational leader and a strong supporter of NPS. "It is very special for us to have him here so very early in his tour as the Chief of Naval Operations," said Oliver. "I am proud and delighted to have him here with us on the podium today."  Roughead praised the graduates and noted the importance of their experience at NPS.

By Chief William J. Feller, NTTC Corry Station Public AffairsA revolution in Navy training is under way at Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC), Corry Station as the school reached a milestone in cryptologic training. Twelve new Fleet-ready cryptologic technicians graduates became the first Cryptologic Technician Maintenance/Operator (CTM/CTO) class to use the Network-Centric Common Core curriculum.In his recent address to the Naval War College’s annual Current Strategy Forum, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Vern Clark, unveiled “Seapower 21” and introduced the term “FORCEnet,” which refers to Navy efforts to make the concept…

By Journalist 3rd Class Cynthia R. USS Vincennes (CG 49) Sailors, past and present, paid tribute to Vincennes and its 20 years of service to the U.S. Navy during a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego June 29. The guest speaker for the event was the mayor of Vincennes, Ind., Terry Mooney. During the ceremony, he spoke about how the decommission ceremony was a bittersweet moment for him. "Today is kind of a somber day for me. We have had a ship carrying the Vincennes name representing us for almost 70 years, and to not have one now feels like we have lost a loved one," Mooney said. After Mooney addressed the crew and their guests, the commanding officer of Vincennes, Cmdr. Mark J.

A group of 16 Sailors assigned to USS Shoup (DDG 86) got “hands-on” firefighting training at Fremont Maritime Services in Seattle on June 6. “Our training is designed to supplement the drills already performed on board,” said Capt. Jonathan Kjaeruff, president of Fremont Maritime Services. “On board a ship, Sailors are trained to be familiar with their gear and the ship layout, but here we set things on fire and show them how to use the different firefighting agents in realistic situations,” he continued. Realistic scenario drills are important because Sailors need to know how difficult fighting fires can be. “When the adrenaline gets flowing in real emergencies, people tend to freeze up,” said Kjaeruff.

From USS Rodney M. USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) held a ceremony April 7 to commemorate the birthday of her namesake, Marine Sgt. Rodney Maxwell Davis. The ship, commissioned in 1987, was named in honor of Davis who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War. The ship's chief petty officers presented Davis' uniform and awards to the command during the ceremony. The memorabilia will be displayed on the mess decks. The chiefs chose Davis’ birthday to honor both his life and his achievements. Chief Cryptologic Technician Technical David Gwinner, Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician Electrical Kurt Williams, and Chief Sonar Technician Robert Foss presented the display. Harold McConnell, commandant of the Marine Corps League, Sgt. Rodney M.

Transition Assistance Management Program Educator, Susan Pulliam, begins the Career Options and Navy Skills Evaluation Program (CONSEP) course for Sailors. CONSEP emphasizes achieving personal excellence, career and professional development, parallel military/civilian career planning, and personal financial management for 1st term Sailors. U.S. Should I stay in or get out? This is one question that will cross the minds of most Sailors during their enlistments. Even though the question is plain and simple, coming up with that life-altering answer may not be. The Career Options and Navy Skills Evaluation Program (CONSEP) at the Naval Station Norfolk Fleet & Family Support Center…

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (RRCSG), pulled into Naval Station Pearl Harbor on April 9 for a scheduled port visit on the return leg of its 2007 deployment in support of operations in the Western Pacific. “The crew is excited to return to Hawaii because it means we are one step closer to home,” said Capt. Terry B. Kraft, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. RRCSG is comprised of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 7, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. The more than 6,000 Sailors assigned to the Ronald Reagan Strike Group deployed Jan. 27 from San Diego under the Navy’s Fleet Response Plan (FRP), which provides the U.S.

Vice President Dick Cheney spoke to approximately 3,200 Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 1 Sailors, Marines and family members on May 23. While aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), where the event was hosted, Cheney thanked the ESG 1 service members for their hard work in supporting the war on terror and providing humanitarian aid to Pakistan after an October 2005 earthquake there killed more than 70,000 people. "This operation would not have been possible without the effort of ESG 1," said Cheney. Rear Adm. Michael LeFever, commander, ESG 1, said that helping out those in need in Pakistan was different because it was a non-combatant role, but it was a wonderful experience for him and the ESG 1 crew. "It was really a great opportunity to help out.