April 2014 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 25. United States Navy News Continued from Page 6.
the only active-commissioned steel-hulled sailing vessel in U.S. military service. “USS Constitution may be (America’s) oldest commissioned warship, but the Eagle is also one of the world’s premier sailing vessels,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Christopher Haws, Constitution’s sailing master, who trained aboard Eagle in 2012. “The crew that’s going (in 2014) will gain more of an appreciation of what it’s actually like to sail a square-rig vessel like Constitu- tion back in her heyday.”
Eagle will be docking in Morehead
City, N.C. March 27-30 and will be available for free public tours during that time. USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship afl oat, actively de- fended sea lanes against global threats from 1797 to 1855. Now a featured destination on Boston’s Freedom Trail, Constitution and her crew of U.S. Navy Sailors offer com- munity outreach and education about the ship’s history and the importance of naval seapower to more than 500,000 visitors each year.
Executive Offi cer of USS Connecticut Relieved
From Submarine Force Pacifi c Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, HI (NNS) -- The exec- utive offi cer of the Bremerton, Wash.-based fast attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22) was relieved of his duties March 8 due to a loss of confi dence in his ability to serve as executive offi cer. Lt. Cmdr. Brett J. Sterneckert was removed from his position by Rear Adm. Phillip G. Sawyer, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacifi c Fleet, based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
An NCIS investigation into the circum- stances leading to Lt. Cmdr. Sterneckert’s relief is ongoing.
Sterneckert, who had served aboard Connecticut since June 2012, has been administratively reassigned to Submarine Group 9 in Bangor, WA.
Department of the Navy Releases Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Proposal From The Offi ce of the Chief of Information WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of the Navy released its proposed $148 billion budget for fi scal year 2015 (FY15), March 4.
The budget is part of the $495.6 billion defense budget President Barack Obama submitted to Congress the same day. Rear Adm. William Lescher, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Budget, briefed media at the Department of Defense budget press conference about the Navy and Marine Corps portion of the budget. “Our budget comes during a period of
increased fi scal austerity and uncertainty, and at a time when the Combatant Com- manders’ demand for naval forces continues at very high levels,” said Lescher, “There were tough choices made in developing this budget, but it provides the resources that allow us to preserve our warfi ghting advantage in a thoughtful, responsible way.” This year’s budget submission prior- itizes funding for forward presence and continues to make critical investments in people and future capabilities.
The proposed budget sustains presence by providing money for ship steaming, fl ight hours, maintenance and base operations. It funds amphibious ready group and carrier strike group deployments, supports the three ballistic missile defense (BMD)-capable destroyers joining the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) in Rota in FY15, and provides
continued support for the rebalance to the Pacifi c, with $46.8 billion overall in opera- tions and maintenance.
Additional investments are proposed for retaining Sailors through the Quality of Service initiative. The Navy seeks to reduce manning gaps at sea and improve the sea-to- shore fl ow of personnel.
The Navy has also requested $38.4 billion for ship, aircraft, weapons and other procurement for programs including Littoral Combat Ship, P-8A Poseidon aircraft, Vir- ginia class submarines and the Mk-48 heavy weight torpedo.
Research and development priorities include the Ohio-class replacement subma- rine, next generation jammer and Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS), as well as developing electromagnetic spectrum and cyber capa- bilities.
The Navy FY15 budget is a $15 billion decrease from the level forecast in last year’s budget submission and is a $38 billion re- duction over the Future Year Defense Plan from the FY14 Presidential Budget. “We’re confi dent this budget makes the right choices where needed,” said Lescher. “Within our fi scal limitations, this is the budget to continue to ensure near- and long- term wholeness, and to remain the world’s most capable Navy,” Lescher said. For more information on the bud- get:
http://www.finance.hq.navy.mil/fm- b/15pres/
BOOKS.htm or visit the Navy Live Blog Navy FY15 Budget: Preserving Presence and Warfi ghting Capability at
http://navylive.dodlive.mil/?p=25297.
USS Winston S. Churchill Fleets Up By Ensign Jaylyn Hagen, USS Winston S. Churchill Public Affairs NORFOLK (NNS) -- From one proud Texan to another, command of the Arleigh Burke destroyer, USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), offi cially changed hands Feb. 28. Past and present crew members, friends, and family attended the time-hon- ored change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, to watch as Cmdr. Christine O’Connell of Houston, assumed command of the 10,000-ton guided-missile destroyer from Cmdr. Chris Stone of Duncanville, Texas.
O’Connell attended Humble High School in Houston and earned her commis- sion from the United States Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Sys- tems Engineering. After serving as the ship’s executive offi cer for the last 20 months, she “fl eets up” and is expected to command the ship for approximately 18 months. “I have had the privilege of work- ing with the Sailors and families of USS Winston S. Churchill for the last year and a half,” said O’Connell. “Few crews are more dedicated or more accomplished than these extraordinary men and women. I look forward to continuing our service together for the next 18 months as we perform our nation’s tasking.”
Stone began his 18-month tour as DDG 81 commander in August 2012, just after the ship departed for its most recent nine-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility. He led the ship through joint naval exercises and operations with Canada, the United Kingdom, Jordan, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and made history by participating in the fi rst U.S. Central Command joint counter-piracy exercise between the United States and the People’s Liberation Army (Navy) of China. “It has been the ultimate honor and priv- ilege to serve as commanding offi cer of USS Winston S. Churchill,” said Stone. “From senior to junior, the Sailors here support
GULF OF MEXICO (Aug. 19, 2013) The Ingalls-built amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Somerset (LPD 25) transits the Gulf of Mexico during builder’s sea trials. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. by Steve Blount/Released)
each other and face every challenge with teamwork and professionalism, excelling at every turn.”
“This is by far the most professional and accomplished group of Sailors I have had the honor of calling my shipmates in 20 years of service.”
Stone is moving to Washington D.C. to assume the position of Executive Assistant to Director Surface Warfare (OPNAV N96). USS Winston S. Churchill is the fi rst U.S. warship to be named in honor of Sir Winston Spencer Churchill (1874-1965), best known for his courageous leadership as Britain’s Prime Minister during World War II and the 16th warship to be named after a foreign national. The 13-year-old warship is in the middle of its basic phase, preparing to certify for its upcoming deployment in 2015.
Newest Navy Warship Commissioned in Philadelphia By Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Elena Pence, USS Somerset Public Affairs
PHILADELPHIA (NNS) -- USS Somerset (LPD 25), the Navy’s newest amphibious transport dock ship, commissioned during a formal ceremony at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia, March 1.
USS Somerset represents the heroic ac- tions of the 40 crew and passengers of United Flight 93, honoring their collective sacrifi ce and the tremendous courage displayed in the face of overwhelming adversity. Had it not been for their brave actions, the terrorists would have likely reached their intended target and countless more lives may have been lost.
Thousands of guests, including mil- itary veterans and family and friends of the crew, witnessed the ship coming to life and enter the naval service. Distinguished guests included the Chief of Naval Opera- tions (CNO), Adm. Jonathan Greenert and the Honorable Pat Toomey - United States Senator, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Commandant of the Marine Corps,
Gen. James F. Amos, delivered the principal address and spoke of the ship and employ- ment to the nation.
“Somerset is a welcomed edition to the Fleet, make no mistake, this vessel along with the other San Antonio Class Amphibi- ous ships represent America’s commitment to security around the world,” said Amos. “When this ship sails the world’s oceans, she will carry the spirit and determination and the fi ghting spirit that has always defi ned America.”
Somerset’s commanding offi cer, Capt.
Thomas L. Dearbon, spoke of her crew and her namesake’s heroic actions. “We are here today to not only honor and pay tribute to the heroes of United Flight 93, but also to celebrate the commissioning of this great ship USS Somerset,” said Dearborn. “Somerset will leave a legacy that will never be forgotten by those wishing to do harm to this country. A ship is but a steel vessel, it is the crew that brings the ship to life. USS Somerset is truly a fi ne warship and the crew that mans her, is second to none.” At the conclusion of the remarks, Som-
erset’s ship sponsor, Mrs. Mary Jo Myers, the wife of former Joint Chiefs of Staff retired Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, gave the time-honored command to “man our ship and bring her to life!”
“[Flight 93 passengers and crew mem-
bers] exemplifi ed such courage and bravery that day as they sacrifi ced themselves to protect others and to rally our nation they were indeed the fi rst warriors in this war on terrorism,” said Myers. “Today we come to- gether as families, but mostly as Americans to celebrate and witness this momentous occasion and wish the USS Somerset and her crew Godspeed.”
The commissioning was the culmi- nation of a week-long celebration in Phil- adelphia honoring the ship, her crew and the legacy of the 40 passengers and crew member of United Airlines of Flight 93. The ship will be homeported in San Diego. For more news from USS Somerset
visit:
www.public.navy.mil/surfor/lpd25 Or follow them on Facebook at: www.
facebook.com/somersetlpd25
For more news from Pre-Commission- ing Unit Somerset (LPD 25), visit www.
navy.mil/local/lpd25/.
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