Medal of Honor recipient celebrates 100th birthday in San Diego county


LA POSTA, Calif. (JUNE 28, 2009) Retired Navy Lt. John William Finn arrives at La Posta Inn during his 100th birthday celebration. Finn was presented the Medal of Honor by Adm. Chester Nimitz in September 1942 for heroism during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Finn manned a .50-caliber machine gun during the first attacks by Japanese aircraft as they flew over Kaneohe Bay. Finn continued to attack enemy plains despite being hit five times by strafing fire. He is the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient. U.S. Navy photo by Antonio D. Ramos

Congratulations from the president



WASHINGTON (June 23, 2009) U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and Kim Ghanbari put Navy Ensign shoulder boards on Ghanbari's husband, Haraz Ghanbari, during Ghanbari's commissioning ceremony in the White House Oval Office. Ghanbari is an Associated Press photographer assigned to the White House. White House photo by Pete Souza

Camp Pendleton MCCS slates
Fourth of July Beach Bash
This awesome event will start at 7 a.m. For details and information
http://www.mccscp.com/beachbash/

Fourth of July FREEDOM Festival
presented by MWR and SeaWorld
Saturday, July 4
3-9 p.m.
Join MWR for the biggest and best Freedom Festival celebration this 4th of July at the Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command Complex in Point Loma. Admission is FREE. The fun kicks off at 3 pm with a cannon salute from the tall ship, Californian, and continues through the day with LIVE entertainment, an inflatable “Fun Zone”, carnival rides and a Car Show presented by USA Federal Credit Union until 9 p.m. with a grand finale fireworks display over the bay you won’t want to miss! Be sure to bring your beach chairs, blankets and picnic or a little cash for some tasty summertime treats. Event is open to all MWR patrons and escorted guests. For more information call (619) 767-4689. For directions, MAPQUEST the following address: 32444 Echo Lane, San Diego, CA 92147.

Command change at Naval Base Coronado
Captain Anthony “Tony” Gaiani, commanding officer, Naval Base Coronado, passed the trident of command to Captain Yancy Lindsey during a Change of Command ceremony on Thursday, July 2, at Naval Air Station North Island.
In August, Gaiani will be promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral Lower Half when he assumes his next position as Commander, Navy Region Midwest.
Naval Base Coronado is made up of eight Navy facilities. Those facilities are: Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Navy Auxiliary Landing Field San Clemente Island, Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach, Silver Strand Training Complex, La Posta Mountain Warfare Training Facility, SERE Training Facility Warner Springs, and Camp Morena. More than 30,000 Sailors, civilians, contractors, and reservists work daily on NBC installations.
Welcome Capt. Lindsey. Fair winds and following seas to Capt. Gaiani.

Milius, Antietam return from deployment
Sailors aboard USS Milius (DDG 69) and USS Antietam (CG 54) arrived at Naval Station San Diego July 2, after completing a seven-month deployment. Milius is commanded by
Cmdr. Kendall Gennick and falls under the command of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 led by Capt. Kerry S. Gilpin. Milius deployed independently during the seven-months, participating in five multi-national exercises and numerous patrols and training missions. Antietam ended its deployment with participation in the annual joint force exercise, Northern Edge in Alaska. Northern Edge is a large-scale exercise based on command and control interoperability and the detecting and tracking of units at sea, in the air and on land.

BOOST program disestablished
GREAT LAKES (NNS) -- Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST), a program intended to help junior Sailors become officers, was officially disestablished June 30, after being incorporated into the Seaman to Admiral-21 Program (STA-21).
The original BOOST program was a nine-month program that offered active duty enlisted men and women between the ages of 18-24 the opportunity to receive 10 months of extensive academic preparation in order to become more competitive for selection to the Naval Academy, Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program and Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship programs.
STA-21 is a commissioning program in which candidates maintain the pay, benefits, and privileges they enjoy as an active duty Sailor and receive a scholarship to attend a university. STA-21, now going into its ninth year, is a full-time undergraduate education and follow-on commissioning program, which provides selectees up to 36 month to complete their bachelor's degree.
For more information about STA-21, including eligibility requirements, visit https://www.sta-21.navy.mil/.

CNP answers questions from around the fleet
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- In a podcast released June 26, the chief of Naval Personnel answered questions asked by Sailors during All Hands Calls held around the fleet.
Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson, chief of Naval Personnel, reinforces that people remain a priority to Navy leadership as evidenced by Navy's offering of a highly competitive benefits package, in addition to the creation of policies and programs that encourage a life-work integration.
Healthcare, education and training, annual pay increases, and more than 60 incentive pays are a few of the benefits discussed in the podcast.
"It is a great time to be in the Navy," said Ferguson. "We have terrific leaders, great benefits, and a great spirit on the deck plates. The Sailors performing extraordinary jobs are our most valuable asset and we will do everything in our power to support their quality of life."
The podcast also addresses the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.
To listen to the complete podcast, visit http://www.navy.mil/ media/audio/cnp/CNP_ Podcast%20FLEET%20 FEEDBACK_2A.MP3

Defense Travel System will make reserve travel easier
by MC2 Ryan Hill
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Navy Reserve is making an effort to save money and make Reservists' jobs easier by using the Defense Travel System (DTS). The Reserve Force has already rolled out DTS at Navy Operational Support Center Everett, Wash., and plans on making it operational nationwide by the end of May 2010.
The Department of Defense uses DTS to book travel related expenses for temporary assignments. Military members use it to book flights, hotels and rental cars for work-related assignments.
Presently, the Reserve is only required to use the Navy Reserve Order Writing System (NROWS) to bring Reserve Sailors on active duty for short periods. The requirement to use both DTS and NROWS will shorten the time to book travel and receive travel claims.
"A Reservist will put their orders in NROWS and go through the standard approval process," said Cmdr. Donald Ross, director of Force travel for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC). "Once the orders are fully approved, NROWS will export the approved orders and related data into DTS. The Reservist will then log into DTS and select their desired airline flight, lodging and rental car in accordance with requirements of the Joint Forces Travel regulations. This new system will replace the much more labor and manpower-intensive Legacy travel system."
Using DTS in conjunction with NROWS will also make any needed changes in travel plans a lot easier.
The DTS will also make it more convenient when a Reservist returns home from traveling. When a Reservist comes back from their trip, they will no longer have to file a paper travel claim. They will be able to document their expenses on a voucher in DTS. They will then be able to fax their receipts in to a computer that will scan and attach them to the voucher. This will all amount to the Reservist being reimbursed within 72 hours. This quicker repayment of funds may lead to a greater willingness to travel in support of Navy missions, which in turn leads to more Reservists being ready now, anytime, anywhere.
CNRFC is currently on schedule to roll out the new NROWS DTS to the Northwest Region by the end of July, with subsequent staggered rollouts to Regions Midwest, Mid Atlantic, Southeast and Southwest.
For more information on the Navy Reserve Force, visit the Navy Reserve Web site at https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil.>

Support Centers maintain family readiness, assist spouses with job search
by Bruce Moody
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- "Helping Navy Families Work" is the theme of Family Employment Readiness Month, observed in July at Fleet and Family Support Centers around the globe.
The centers are using the month of July as an opportunity to promote the no-cost consultations their employment experts provide to military family members.
Established by law as part of the Military Family Act of 1985, the Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) provides assistance to military family members in developing, improving or continuing their professional careers while sharing in the military member's lifestyle.
An average of 10,500 spouses receive assistance annually through FERP.
The Navy recognizes that frequent moves create career challenges for military spouses. The program assists participants in planning careers which are compatible with the mobile military lifestyle.
Although FERP is not a job placement service, its employment professionals can assist family members with individual counseling, workshops and seminars.
Family members can expect to learn valuable skills such as resume writing, interview techniques and dressing for success. Further educational exploration opportunities include such areas as self-directed job searches, federal employment strategies, career planning and financing a career change.
FERP partners with the Department of Defense, the Department of Labor, Military Spouse Corporate Career Network, Navy League, Avue Central and the Department of the Navy's employment Web site, www.donhr.navy.mil. These organizations allow visitors to post their resumes and search for job openings on their Web sites.
Megan Vargasdiaz, a Navy spouse living in San Diego, wrote to thank her local Fleet and Family Support Center for the help she got from the FERP counselor Bob Miley.
"Not only was his information very insightful," Vargasdiaz wrote, "but his grasp of knowledge was readily evident. I just spent a good amount of time benefiting from Bob's expertise! I greatly appreciated his help and patience, and I am sure his help will make a huge difference in my search for employment."
The Family Employment Readiness Program is one of several provided by the Fleet and Family Support Program, which enhances Sailor readiness and family preparedness, thereby contributing to mission readiness. The program is committed to promoting self-reliance and resilience and empowers Navy families to meet the unique challenges of the military lifestyle.

USS Stethem Arrives in Russia
VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (NNS) -- USS Stethem (DDG 63) arrived in Vladivostok, Russia, for a scheduled port visit July 1. The visit provides an opportunity to promote stability in the Asia-Pacific region by demonstrating that the United States and Russia are committed to a regional partnership and the growth of foreign relations.
Stethem's commanding officer was greeted with a bread and salt ceremony, which is a traditional Russian welcome ceremony, attended by Russian military and civilian dignitaries.
"The welcome shown here is deeply appreciated as we work to foster an open and continued relationship between our two nations," said Stethem's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Shan Byrne.
Events planned during Stethem's visit to Vladivostok include involvement in the City Day celebrations, meetings with military and civil dignitaries, participation in sporting events, community service projects and academic conferences.
This is the second visit to Vladivostok by Stethem. During the previous visit in May 2008, crew members enjoyed their time during events related to Victory Day.
Stethem is named in honor of Petty Officer Robert Stethem, killed by terrorists on the hijacked TWA Flight 847 in 1985. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for the heroism he displayed that day.
Stethem is part of Destroyer Squadron 15 and is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, as part of the 7th Fleet.
Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, the U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, covering 52 million square miles with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time.

Undersea Warfare Training Range final OEIS/EIS released
by MC1 (SW/AW) Bleu Moore
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Navy released a Final Overseas Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Statement (OEIS/EIS) that examined potential effects of an Undersea Warfare Training Range (USWTR) June 26.
The study published the results of an extensive environmental analysis associated with the establishment of an instrumented sonar training range off the East Coast of the United States for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training.
The preferred alternative identified in the EIS would locate a USWTR approximately 50 nautical miles offshore of northeastern Florida in the Jacksonville operating area.
The Navy's use of sonar, and the ability to test and train with it, is critical to U.S. operational readiness and national defense. The Navy needs this range because it increasingly operates in littoral, or near-shore, environments. A major potential threat to Sailors and ships are very quiet diesel-electric submarines that operate in such waters. USWTR's proposed 500-square-nautical mile range would directly improve the readiness of Sailors who detect underwater threats by allowing them to train in shallow, littoral waters.
ASW is a perishable skill that must be continually honed, both by the technicians who operate the sonar systems and the fleet assets that deploy the technology. Sailors must be ready to defend themselves and the nation on the first day of combat. Having an instrumented training range on the East Coast will ensure that Sailors can conduct realistic training in all the scenarios they may face in future combat operations.
"Having USWTR will provide a significant enhancement to our ASW training effectiveness," said Jene Nissen, environmental acoustics policy manager, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. "With an instrumented range a training event can be analyzed in real time and after the fact to determine what was done right and what was done wrong. From the information we can make corrections to the training, as well as our tactics and procedures to improve a ship, submarine or aircraft's ability to conduct ASW."
The Final OEIS/EIS is available to the public online at http://projects.earthtech.com/uswtr/. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the secretary of the Navy or his designated representative will announce a Record of Decision in the Federal Register later this summer.

VA sends stimulus payments to veterans
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has requested the Department of the Treasury to make $250 payments to eligible Veterans as part of President Obama’s recovery plan.
The first payments were sent Monday, June 22. All payments were distributed by June 30.
As part of the recovery plan, VA is making onetime payments of $250 to eligible Veterans and survivors to offset the effects of the current economy. VA estimates $500 million in payments will be made to approximately 1.9 million Veterans and eligible beneficiaries as part of this measure.
To be eligible for the payment, VA beneficiaries must have received VA’s compensation, pension, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), or spina bifida benefits at any time between November 2008 and January 2009.
Also, beneficiaries must reside within the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
No application is necessary. VA used its existing payment records to determine eligibility for the $250 payment.
Beneficiaries will receive their payments the same way they receive their monthly VA benefits - either by direct deposit or in the mail. This payment is not countable in determining eligibility for VA pension or Parents’ DIC. The law allows one $250 payment per person.
The payment is tax-free. VA beneficiaries who also receive benefits from the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board will be paid through those agencies, and will therefore not receive the payment from VA.
VA will spend more than $1.4 billion as part of President Obama’s economic recovery plan to improve services to America’s Veterans. VA’s Internet site – www. va.gov/recovery – provides current information about VA’s work to deliver its portion of recovery act funds to benefit Veterans.



PORT HUENEME, Calif. (June 29, 2009) A barge distributes tons of armored rock on top of a confined aquatic disposal cell during the last phase of dredging at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme. The port, the only Navy-owned and operated deep-water port between San Diego and Washington state, is being dredged to a depth of 35 feet. Contaminated sediments are placed in the containment cell in the center of the harbor and clean sand is used to replenish a local community beach. U.S. Navy photo by Vance Vasquez