September 2015 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 7. U. S. NAVY NEWS


USS Maine Blue Crew Conducts Change of Command


By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda R. Gray, Commander, Sub- marine Group 9 Public Affairs


BANGOR, WA (NNS) -- The Blue crew of the ballistic-missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) conducted a change of ceremony at Deterrent Park on Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Aug. 13. Cmdr. Kelly Laing, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, relieved Capt. William Johnson, from East Troy, Wisconsin, and assumed the duties and responsibilities of the Maine Blue crew commanding offi cer.


Johnson assumed command of Maine


Blue crew, Oct. 11, 2012. During his lead- ership, the crew conducted four patrols and successfully completed two dry dock peri- ods. Blue crew earned the 2012 Engineering Effi ciency and Battle Effi ciency (Battle ‘E’) Awards, the 2014 Battle ‘E’ Award, and the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Retention Excellence Awards.


“It has been a tremendous honor to have served with such an outstanding crew- -Sailors that take tremendous pride in their job and work tirelessly toward our mission of strategic deterrence,” explained Johnson. “Maine is a phenomenal engineering mar- vel, but it is nothing without the crew; the true heart and soul that brings Maine to life, takes her to sea, and proudly executes the demands of our nation.” As his fi nal act as commanding offi cer, Johnson pinned submarine warfare devices “dolphins” onto Lt. j.g. Justin Piche and Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Michael De- marco.


“The Sailors of Maine are truly a fam- ily--we look out for each other, take care of each other, push our shipmates to new limits,


celebrate our successes and work together through our challenges,” said Johnson. “The Maine family is what has made my tour so rewarding.”


Laing comes to Maine Blue from


Commander, Submarine Group 9, where he served as the operations offi cer and deputy chief of staff for training and readiness. “I am honored to stand before you today and assume the title, authority and responsi- bility of command of the greatest warship in our Nation’s strategic arsenal, USS Maine,” said Laing. “I am humbled and grateful to now take the torch from Capt. Johnson and continue his legacy of excellence with the team of USS Maine, fulfi lling the mission of nuclear strategic deterrence.” Maine is one of eight Ohio-class ballis- tic-missile submarines homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, providing the surviv- able leg of the nation’s strategic deterrent forces.


A Case for Aircraft Carriers and Air Wings


By Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, Com- mander, Naval Air Forces


SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Today, more than ever, U.S. national interests require the speed, endurance, fl exibility and autono- mous nature of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear powered aircraft carrier, which deploys, operates and is prepared to fi ght as part of a carrier strike group (CSG).


The CSG provides our national com- mand authority with options, access and forward presence that allows for a rapid response to a wide spectrum of threats or natural disasters. Even when faced with con- tested waters and airspace, the composition and maneuverability of a CSG ensures sur- vivability of the carrier while its embarked


Newly Released


Adventures and History from Downeast Maine By Arthur S. Woodward, Beals Island


Lobster Smacks, Lobsters, Lobster Boats, Beals “Lobster Island”


Adventures and History from Downeast Maine...


Great Stories About: Lobster Smacks Old Jonesporters Early Lobster Boat Racing A Truck Driver's Recollection Towing the Beals Bridge Views from the Pilothouse Buying Lobsters and Coastal Sea Stories And much, much more.


$20.00


Plus $3.00 for shipping and handling To order write: Maine Coastal News,


By Arthur S. Woodward


P. O. Box 710, Winterport, ME 04496 or call (207) 223-8846


Moose Island 853-6058


MARINE


Commercial and Recreational Boat Supplies Boat Storage


INDOOR · OUTDOOR · POWER · SAIL 16 to 45 ft. Haul out to 40 tons


Boat Winterization


INBOARD · OUTBOARD · STERNDRIVE Boat Repair ·Restoration WOOD · FIBERGLASS Boat Repowering Save on winter jobs. Shrink Wrap


Hours: M-F 8:00-5:00 Online store: www.mooseislandmarine.com 11.0 BTDB Diesel Generator


carrier air wing uses its integrated capabili- ties to project power, thus enabling the U.S. to continue its role as a key guarantor of peace and stability around the world. CSGs, typically comprised of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier (CVN) and its em- barked air wing, one guided-missile cruiser, a couple of guided-missile destroyers, and a supply ship, train and deploy as a team with well-established integrated tactics, techniques, and procedures that allow for freedom of maneuver in the global com- mons. Operationally, the combined strength of the CSG remains vastly greater than the sum of its parts. As a complex, joint force multiplier, with command and control and organic logistical capabilities, there exists no comparable way to quickly generate the effects crucial to American diplomatic and economic interests that carrier aviation offers.


Carrier strike groups provide access - access often denied or diplomatically slow to attain through other military and civilian channels. CSGs afford options to deny an adversary’s objectives, preserve freedom of action, and assure access for other joint and coalition forces. While political dynamics and host nation sensitivities can restrict the use of land-based aircraft in the initial stages of confl ict, CVNs and their embarked air wings can reach nearly any spot on the globe without having to ask permission. We continue to live in a turbulent and unsettled world, and the strategic options and fl exibili- ty our CSGs provide remain in high demand by our combatant commanders around the world.


When the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant suddenly and viciously expanded across the Middle East in the summer of 2014, and the President needed immediate


options to curb ISIL’s advance, the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group was on station in the Arabian Gulf and ready within 30 hours of being tasked. The Bush CSG was the only strike option on station for the fi rst 10 days of the confl ict and remained there for a total of 54 days as the only viable U.S. option until the order was given to conduct air and cruise missile strikes. Since the be- ginning of Operation Inherent Resolve, in fact since well before 9/11, CSGs continue to be present in that region of the world, with seamless transitions among those strike groups as they rotate in and out. The continuous forward presence car- riers provide around the world comes with a cost. After nearly 14 years of sustained combat operations, Naval Aviation forces must reset and recapitalize in an effort to ensure readiness in the future. The frequen- cy and extended durations of carrier strike group deployments has accelerated the wear on the force and has led to increased main- tenance and repair requirements, resulting in lengthened maintenance availability periods. Deliberate planning and resourcing has Naval Aviation on a path to recover our readiness in the coming months and years, ensuring the carrier force is where it needs to be, when it needs to be there. The value of stability and security operations is often manifested in what does not occur - such as tensions that are quietly defused and do not escalate into armed confl ict. In April 2015, while on station in the Arabian Gulf, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) transited the Strait of Hormuz to the Arabian Sea, joining other forces con- ducting maritime security operations off the coast of Yemen to ensure vital shipping lanes


Continued on Page 8.


32 Tioga Way · Marblehead, MA 01945 (781) 631-3282 (800) 343-0480 www.hansenmarine.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31