Coronado Common Sense

Troops Around The World

 

 

NAPLES, Italy (May 22, 2012) Renowned financial expert Suze Orman talks to military community members at Naval Support Activity Naples about financial responsibilities and investment plans. Orman's visit featured her financial advice followed by a question and answer session with audience members. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Howard / Released)

 

EAST CHINA SEA (May 22, 2012) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) assess simulated flooding damage during a damage control flooding drill. McCampbell is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and is underway in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Declan Barnes / Released)

 

 

EAST CHINA SEA (May 22, 2012) Yeoman 1st Class Alofaaga Aveina, right, prepares first aid supplies for Personnel Specialist 1st Class Matthew Nelson as he begins first aid treatment on Yeoman 2nd Class Durell Overton during a medical training team exercise aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85). McCampbell is forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew R. Cole / Released)

 

GUAM (May 22, 2012) Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, the U.S. Navy Surgeon General and Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, offers the traditional handshake giving Yeoman 2nd Class Cecilia Mitchell a coin on the mess decks of the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). Nathan leads a global healthcare network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high-quality health care to more than one million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in air, under the sea and on the battlefield. While in Guam, Pacific Partnership is scheduled to gain more than 300 additional medical and engineering personnel from U.S. and partner nation militaries, as well as non-governmental organizations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Roadell Hickman / Released)

 

 

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 21, 2012) Boatswain's Mates 3rd Class Steven Crawley and Amber Seger stand lookout watch on the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Wasp is en route to Fleet Week New York 2012, which will commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. More than 6,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will arrive in New York aboard six Navy ships, three Coast Guard Cutters, and 12 coalition ships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kristina Young / Released)

 

SOUTH CHINA SEA (May 21, 2012) Ensign Stephanie Berger and Lt. Steven Shelden look at the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) from the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52). Pearl Harbor and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations, as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Behnke / Released)

USS Carl Vinson Strike Group Completes Deployment, Returns To San Diego May 23rd

 

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)

 

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) - Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), and guided missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) will complete a six-month overseas deployment, returning to their homeport of San Diego at Naval Base Coronado and Naval Base San Diego Wed., May 23.

USS Carl Vinson serves as the flagship for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, led by Rear Adm. T.K. Shannon, which also consists of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1.

"The successful completion of this deployment is a testament to the high quality of men and women who volunteer to serve in our Navy," said Shannon.  "Whether supporting U.S. and coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan; preventing piracy; or taking on our Navy's tradition of ambassadorship during overseas port visits to Hong Kong, Dubai, India and Australia, our strike group Sailors represented our country with great distinction and honor."

"This was the ship's second deployment in 18 months, and the crew performed superbly," said Vinson's Commanding Officer Capt. Kent D. Whalen. "I could not be more proud of my crew."

CVW-17 encompasses the "Sunliners" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81, the "Stingers" of VFA-113, the "Redcocks" of VFA-22, the "Fists of the Fleet" of VFA-25, the "Garudas" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134, the "Tiger Tails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, the "Rawhides" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 and the "Red Lions" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15.


Throughout the deployment, CSG-1 completed the following:

• Flew 1,085 Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) missions, totaling 6,600 total flight hours. This included close air support missions, support for coalition ground forces, airborne electronic warfare missions and airborne command and control missions.

 

• Delivered 7,283 pounds of ordnance and expended 1,717 rounds of 20mm ammunition in support of OEF.

 

• Conducted exercises with coalition countries and other nations, including Singapore, Britain, India and Australia.

 

• 818 Sailors volunteered for 37 community relations projects and professional exchanges while enjoying port visits in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, India and Australia.

 

• Carl Vinson earned the 2011 Commander Naval Air Forces Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") award for West Coast-based aircraft carriers.

 

• Carl Vinson hosted former CBS Evening News anchor and 60 Minutes correspondent Dan Rather for a three-day visit as the subject of a segment for the television news magazine: Dan Rather Reports.  Halsey hosted Fox News Oliver North as part of the television news program "War Stories with Oliver North."

 

• Carl Vinson sailed more than 55,600 nautical miles.

 

• 676 Sailors earned their Enlisted Surface and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualifications.

 

Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line.

-- USN -

 

Submitted by LCPO Public Affairs
Commander, U.S. Third Fleet

Navy To Conduct Public Meetings In City of Imperial Beach And City of Coronado

Coronado, Calif. --- All interested parties are invited to attend the informational open house meetings conducted by the U.S. Navy, in regards to the release of the Naval Base Coronado (NBC) 2011 Air Installations Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) study.

The foundation of an AICUZ program is an active local military installation’s effort to work with local, state, regional and other federal agencies, and community leaders to encourage compatible development of land adjacent to military airfields.

One purpose of an AICUZ program is to protect the health, safety and welfare of civilians and military personnel by encouraging land development which is compatible with aircraft operations.  The AICUZ program also recommends land uses that are compatible with elevated sound level, accident potential zones and obstruction clearance criteria associated with military air field operations.

A copy of the study can be downloaded. These meetings are open to the public. There is no charge to attend these meetings.

The schedule is as follows:

City of Imperial Beach

May 30, 2012 | 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Imperial Beach Community Meeting Room

825 Imperial Beach Boulevard

Imperial Beach, CA 91932.

City of Coronado

May 31, 2012 | 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Coronado Public Library, Winn Room

640 Orange Avenue

Coronado, CA  92118

 

 

Submitted by Naval Base Coronado Public Affairs Office

Coronado Naval Complexes Meeting Today

 

There will be a Coronado Naval Complexes Coordinating Group Meeting today—Monday, April 16th from 3:00 to 4:00 PM. The meeting will take place in the Coronado City Hall Council Chambers, located at 1825 Strand Way. The topic of discussion will be the bridge and strand traffic volumes. The public is invited to attend.

Air Installations Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) Study has been updated

Coronado, Calif. --- Naval Air Station North Island and Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach, Air Installations Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) Study has been updated.  The study is an update from the original 1984 Naval Air Station North Island AICUZ study and 1989 Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach AICUZ study. The 2011 AICUZ study identifies aircraft noise and accident potential zones created by anticipated flying operations at both installations.

The data derived from the AICUZ study is intended for use by local citizens and governmental officials involved in land use planning and community development. The goal of the AICUZ program is to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens in the surrounding communities while preserving the operational capabilities of Naval Air Station North Island and Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach.

An electronic copy of the AICUZ study can be readily accessed at:
http://www.navyregionsouthwest.com/external/content/document/4275/1363575/1/AICUZ_Report_FINAL_CNO%20Approved.pdf

Hard copies of the AICUZ study can be located at:

Coronado Public Library
640 Orange Avenue
Coronado, CA 92118

San Diego County Library
Imperial Beach Branch
810 Imperial Beach Blvd

 

Submitted by Naval Base Coronado Public Affairs Office

 

7 Plead Guilty To Fraud At NAS North Island

 

SAN DIEGO — Federal officials in San Diego say four Navy employees and three defense contractors have pleaded guilty to fraud tied to a wide-ranging corruption scheme at a Naval air station that involved more than $1 million in bribes.

U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy announced the pleas Wednesday.

 

Prosecutors say the defense contractors gave the civilian employees at the Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, Calif., more than $1 million in bribes, including cash, retail gift cards, flat screen television sets, luxury massage chairs, furniture, appliances, bicycles, home remodeling services and model airplanes.

 

In return, prosecutors say the civilian officials placed millions of dollars in fraudulent orders with contractors.

 

The employees worked for a program that maintains Navy aircraft.

 

 

Source: Julie Watson | The Associated Press | March 28, 2012

 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony For Child Development Center At Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado Today At 9:30AM

 

CORONADO, Calif. -- The Naval Base Coronado will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Child Development Center at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, Wednesday, March 28 at 9:30 a.m.

Speakers will include Rear Admiral Garry Bonelli, Deputy Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command and Captain Yancy Lindsey, Commanding Officer, Naval Base Coronado.

 

This is the first Child Development Center at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado after nearly 10 years. Navy child and youth programs are among the highest quality in the nation, we are able to better serve our military families and provide them the best possible care for their children with this new facility.

The Child Development Center has the capacity to accommodate 112 children.  The facility contains supporting outdoor play/activity areas, staff and visitor parking, drop-off area, service access and trash enclosure, and surrounding landscaping.

 

 

Submitted by Naval Base Coronado Public Affairs Office

John W. Finn Hall Dedication Ceremony Today

Coronado, Calif. - Naval Base Coronado will dedicate a new combined bachelor housing facility in honor of the late John W. Finn, who was one of 15 Navy men who received the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  The ceremony will take place at Naval Air Station North, March 26, 2012 at 2 p.m.

The John W. Finn Hall dedication ceremony is open to those with base access.  Pearl Harbor Survivors and special guests have RSVP'd to attend the dedication ceremony. Scheduled speakers include: Rear Admiral Dixon Smith, Commander, Navy Region Southwest; Captain Yancy Lindsey, Commanding Officer, Naval Base Coronado; and Captain David Lepard, Force Weapons Officer, Naval Air Forces.

The new combined bachelor housing facility is part of the Navy's homeport ashore initiative, aimed to get all qualified Sailors ranked E-4 and below assigned to ships into barracks rooms to improve their quality of life, when their ships are in port.

-USN-

Mock Attack Plays Out In San Diego Bay

 

At approximately 0900 yesterday morning, a small watercraft rushed to attack a Navy security vessel that was escorting the cruiser USS Princeton in the San Diego Bay. Armed with AK-47s, the "terrorists" were no match for the Navy's mounted machine guns and quickly retreated to the shoreline.

 

Eager to get away from their smoking vessel, they abandoned ship and clamored up the North Island hillside looking for shelter.

 

Suddenly, a loud explosion was heard as the small army worked its way to the Base Recycling Center and entered the building. Rapid gunfire ensued and the Navy security forces engaged to neutralize the threat.

 

Whatever was going on?

 

 

Navy Police arrived and worked their way along the buildings . . .

 

. . . and then sheltered behind the parked cars as they edged closer and closer to the inhabited building.

 

Once inside, there was plenty of gunfire and then the action moved to a building farther inland where the final shootout took place.

 

 

The U.S. Navy Firefighters and Paramedics arrived with lights flashing . . .

 

. . . and quickly organized to evaluate and tend to the wounded.

 

 

Injured were placed on gurneys . . .

 

. . . and then wheeled to ambulances so that they could be transported to the hospital.

 

This event, dubbed Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield, was part of a large-scale, nationwide anti-terroism and force protection training exercise. The Navy—in co-operation with the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, City of San Diego Office of Homeland Security, Port of San Diego, San Diego Police Department, Red Cross and other organizations—performed the drill to better hone their skills in responding to any potential threats.

 

 

 

This "terrorist" was just a very convincing actor.

San Diego Navy Bases Participating In Major Security Exercise

 

The Navy is conducting part of a large-scale, nationwide anti-terrorism and force protection training exercise at San Diego-area bases and installations March 19-24.

Held annually, Exercise Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield enhances the training and readiness of Navy security personnel to respond to threats to installations and units. It is not a response to specific threats, but is regularly scheduled for practical experience and learning.

The Navy will be working this year with other military and local, state and federal agencies to enhance the training scenarios. The Marine Corps, Coast Guard, City of San Diego Office of Homeland Security, the Port of San Diego, San Diego Police Department and the Red Cross are just some of the organizations participating.

 

News Release from Public Affairs Office, Navy Region Southwest