Cullom News

Vice Adm. Phillip Cullom
Chief of Fleet Readiness & Logistics, lead coordinator on the Navy's additive manufacturing efforts, explains for those new to 3D printing why the Navy is interested in this technology, and what it is already contributing. Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Rapid Prototype Lab is saving the Navy thousands of dollars on the Gerald R. Ford-class of aircraft carriers. Instead of traditional wood or metal mockups of ship alterations, which help to prevent expensive rework, the lab prints much cheaper plastic polymer models – in hours, rather than days or weeks. Now all four Navy shipyards have 3D printers working on similar, and other, ways to benefit the Navy.

The U.S. Navy hosted its first 'Maker Faire', a series of workshops titled, "Print the Fleet," to introduce 3D printing and additive manufacturing to Sailors and other stakeholders attending a two-day event held at Combat Direction Systems Activity (CDSA), Dam Neck, a Navy warfare center. The Navy's event took place on the heels of the first White House Maker Faire, held June 18. The White House event showcased the work of entrepreneurs and forward thinkers from around the country, as well as students exploring Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related skills. "When you consider the cost and vulnerabilities of our existing Navy logistics and supply chains as well as the resource constraints we face…

Each year, the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) celebrates excellence in naval engineering by recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in one or more facets of the industry. 2012 Gold Medal Award (Engineering) Recipient - RADM Thomas J. Eccles, USN Presented annually since 1958, the Gold Medal is given to an individual who has made a significant naval engineering contribution in a particular area during the past five years. The 2012 Gold Medal Award will be presented by VADM Kevin M. McCoy, USN; Commander, NAVSEA, at the ASNE Honors Gala on Thursday, February 21, 2013. 2012 Harold E. Saunders Award (Lifetime Achievement) Recipient - Mr. Michael F. Tangora Presented annually since 1977, the Harold E.

The U.S. Navy successfully concluded its final alternative fuel demonstration for the year today with the Dec. 7-9 operational tests of the 50/50 algae-derived, hydro-processed algal oil and petroleum F-76 blend in a Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) amphibious transport vehicle at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City. The tests also marked the fastest speed achieved to date by a U.S. Navy surface craft using alternative fuel blends, as LCAC 91 reached speeds the crafts maximum speed of 50 knots, Dec.

The U.S. Navy conducted a full power demonstration of a Riverine Command Boat (experimental) (RCB-X) powered by alternative fuel, Oct. 22, at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Testing and evaluation of alternative fuels from the 49-ft. RCB-X boat supports the Secretary of the Navy's efforts to reduce the fleet's reliance on fossil fuels and is part of a series of progressively complex tests and evaluations scheduled through 2012. These exhibitions will culminate in 2012 with a Green Strike Group of U.S.

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (GW) (CVN 73) with its crew of approximately 3,200 Sailors departed , April 7, to begin its journey to , to replace USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) as the ' only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier. Commanded by Capt. Dave Dykhoff, the carrier will be the flagship for the George Washington Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm. Phil Cullom and comprised of: Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17; guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59); homeported in Norfolk, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40 and the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99); homeported in Mayport, Fla. "Our Sailors, our families and the Navy have put together a tremendous effort to prepare GW for all aspects of this transition…

By Capt. Four Canadian ships completed training with the George Washington Carrier Strike (GW CSG) Group Feb. 29 following the completion of their Task Group Exercise 02-08 while at sea off the coast of Florida. The destroyer HMCS Iroquois (DDG 280), frigates HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH 332), HMCS St. John's (FFH 340), oil replenishment ship HMCS Preserver (AOR 510), and the submarine HMCS Corner Brook (SSK-878) trained cooperatively with USS George Washington (CVN 73), USS Farragut (DDG-99), USS Boone (FFG-28) and USS Kauffman (FFG-59). Two haze-gray ships, Farragut and Boone, slipped out of the Mayport, Fla., basin to join four others of a slightly different color.

The Department of the Navy is in the final stages of completing revisions to its Foreign Area Officer (FAO) Program, a program mandated by the Defense Department last April. Rear Adm. (sel.) Phil Cullom, N5SP director of strategy and policy, said the purpose of the community is to work relations between the State Department and the Defense Department at a foreign embassy and to facilitate naval forces that would come into an area so that they could be effective with the host nation. "This community will help us win 'the long war' in ways we probably thought were not as important in the past," said Cullom. Also as an FAO, an officer could be attached to a fleet commander and provide cultural expertise to assist with relations with the fleet commander's area of responsibility.