At this Moment – Secretary of Homeland Security is in Portsmouth, VA

Secretary Janet Napolitano is wrapping up a demonstration by the Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) in Portsmouth, Va.  D-5 PA will have a post on their website updating the visit later today.

How Well Do You Know Your Coast Guard Leaders

How well do you know your Coast Guard leaders?  Do you follow the many Social Medial tools being used by leadership today.  Do you crack the newspapers, read Navy Times, and follow what you’re leaders are saying.  What they say in a multitude of different environments paints a picture in many cases.

See if you can link Admiral Thad Allen, Secretary Janet Napolitano, Master Chief Skip Bowen to the statements below.  We’ll publish the answer with links to the statements on Wednesday.

1. “The men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard stationed in Kuwait work courageously every day to promote security in the Middle East and defuse threats before they reach our nation’s shores.”
2. “As a humorous addition to the story … Admiral Allen knew the facts from a different point of view.  The “stalker” was one of his seamen on the GALLATIN!”
3. “With a direct line of communication available to members, there will always be a tension between the traditional chain of command and the need to be responsive to members.”
4. “By my mere presence, you know this is important.”

Navy – Keep Focus on Motorcycle Safety

Compiled from multiple Navy sources.

From the Chief of Naval Operations to the Master Cheif Petty Office of the Navy, Combatant Commander and local Commanding Officers, Navy had kept the focus on Motorcylce Safety.

Acting Secretary of the Navy B.J Penn said May 1 that motorcycle safety is a priority for the Department of the Navy and that he looks forward to a time when motorcycle safety is so instilled in the nation’s culture, that never again does the Navy have to grieve another man killed or lost to motorcycle accidents.

In fiscal 2008 the U.S. Navy experienced a total of 33 fatalities and the USMC had experienced 25. In the three years, fiscal 2006 to fiscal 2008, there were a total of 139 deaths across the Navy and Marine Corps.

Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) sponsored a safety fair with presentations from Voice for Road Safety (RADD), Street Smarts and more than 30 vendors promoting safety May 14.

More than 4,000 Sailors and personnel from NBSD and other bases in the San Diego metro area listened to briefs about road safety, motorcycle safety, responsible drinking and drinking and driving.

“We need to maintain our warfighting readiness, and we can achieve that by educating and leading our Sailors down the right path, said Capt. Rick Williamson, NBSD commanding officer. “In order to provide safety and security to our nation, we must first provide that to our Sailors.”

Service members from Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bangor came together to promote motorcycle safety April 20.

Sailors and Marines from the Marine Corps Security Force (MCSF) Battalion, NBK Bangor, sponsored a group motorcycle ride to increase the importance of riding safely in a group setting.

“Today we’re gathering everyone that owns a bike in the battalion,” said Master Sgt. Jared Barela, MCSF Battalion operations chief, “whether it is a street bike, dirt bike, ATV, etc.; and what we’re trying to do is educate them on better and safer ways to ride.”

Marinette Marine Shipyard Builds Navy Littoral Combat Ship Fort Worth

The future USS Freedom (LCS 1), the first ship in the Navy's new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class, is underway Monday, July 28, 2008 to begin Builder's Trials in Lake Michigan. Builder's Trials test propulsion, communications, navigation and mission systems.

From Program Executive Office Ships Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) — The keel for the future littoral combat ship, USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), will be laid July 11 during a ceremony at Marinette Marine Shipyard in Marinette, Wisc.

Keel-laying has traditionally been the first step in ship construction, when shipbuilders laid down the lengthwise timber that would become the ship’s backbone.

During the scheduled event, a shipyard welder will attach the future ship’s plaque to the keel, and U.S. Rep. Kay Granger will confirm that the keel was laid “straight and true.”

“Starting construction on the third ship is an exciting milestone to reach,” said Capt. Jim Murdoch, LCS program manager within the Navy’s Program Executive Office, Ships.

“Reaching the Navy’s goal of a 55-ship class depends on getting LCS into serial production, which will lead to high quality ships being delivered to the fleet on cost and on schedule.”