People Planes Places.

JOSN Dan Ball

Scan Pattern

The Sailors and Marines aboard Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) received a symbol of America following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks: the flag flown at "Ground Zero" in New York City. This is the same flag that was raised by three New York City firefighters in a recent photograph which some media have compared to the historic image of U.S. Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima in WW II. On 23 September, New York Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani signed the flag and gave it to C1NCLANTFLT Adm. Robert J. Natter, with the intent that it be flown over naval forces deployed overseas in response to the terrorist attack. Adm. Natter accepted the flag and directed that it be sent to Theodore Roosevelt. "This flag represents the spirit and courage of all Americans 2 he said. "It has incredible meaning for all our Sailors and Marines, and we're proud to fly it aboard our most powerful warships. It will serve as both a remembrance and as a motivator for our forward-deployed nav al forces." The Navy will return the flag to the New York City Fire Department when the TR battle group returns from deployment.

OPM ADOPTS CARRIER

On 26 October the captain and the 5,500 crew members of Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) were adopted and feted by Kay Cole James, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and employees of the federal agency headquartered in the Theodore Roosevelt Federal Building, Washington, D.C. The adoption of the carrier will be marked by months of special projects, including the delivery of care packages to crew members containing baked goods, snacks, books and magazines. A 12-foot-long banner signed with greetings from OPM employees will also be delivered.

Navy personnel who are thinking about ways to invest their money for retirement should look into what the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) has to offer. Active duty members and reservists in any pay status can start signing up to make TSP contributions that offer significant tax incentives. Much like a 401(K), the TSP is designed to provide retirement funds for military members. It is transferable to other retirement accounts and not tied to the military retirement system.

Enrollment forms are available on the Navy Personnel Command website at www.persnet.navy.mil or www.bupers.navy.mil; as well as at www.tsp.gov by selecting the "Uniformed Services" option. When completed, forms should be turned in to the servicing personnel support detachment or the ship's personnel office. The hardest decision is selecting the investment choice and the amount to contribute. All investment funds are fully explained in NAVADMIN 258/01 and at www.tsp.gov.

The open season for enrollment ends on 31 January 2002. For personnel who missed the special enrollment period, others are available: 15 May through 31 July and 15 November through 31 January annually.

Reserve personnel who are ordered to active duty for more than 30 days can make TSP selections outside an open season. Also individuals who enlist, reenlist after a break in service or accept a commission in the regular Navy or the Naval Reserve will be able to participate in TSP outside of regular open seasons. They must enroll within 60 days of being sworn in to active duty or entering in a pay status with the reserves.

For more details go to www.tsp.gov and select "Questions and Answers" under the "Uniformed Services" option.

Records

SECNAV Gordon R. England reported that FY 2001 was the best year ever for Navy and Marine Aviation Class A mishaps. The Department of Navy led the way for the Department of Defense with a 35 percent reduction from FY 00.

The HS-11 Dragonslayers passed 10 years of Class A mishap-free operations on 9 October 2001.

VMGR-252 passed 375,000 Class A mishap-free hours on 11 May 2001.

Rescues

On 26 August 2001, Boxer (LHD 4) responded to a distress call from a sinking Taiwanese fishing boat 640 miles off the coast of Guam. The boat had suffered an engine room fire and was flooding. Boxer's search and rescue teams arrived on scene to find the boat's crew preparing to abandon ship. The SAR swimmers deployed with life rafts, picked up the crew and waited for Boxer's rigid hull inflatable boat, which transported the fishermen back to the amphibious assault ship. The victims stayed on Boxer as guests until the ship reached Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

RELATED ARTICLE: A Civilian Salutes the Military

"You Don't Know Me"

By Linda Ellis (c) 2001

Although you don't know me,

every day I think of you.

I worry about your safety

and I pray for you, too.

Although you don't know me, and

my face you've never seen,

I picture you on a carrier

or flying an [F/A-18].

Although you don't know me,

please know that I care.

Though strangers, we are family

in the beliefs that we share.

Although you don't know me,

I know the work that you're doing

and the pride in our country that you

are renewing.

Although you don't know me,

you have my utmost respect

for it's the future of my children

you are there to protect.

Although you don't know me

and we've never met,

the gift that you're giving

is one I'll never forget.

Although you don't know me,

many tears I have cried

as I try to imagine

what you're feeling inside.

Although you don't know me,

while you're there and I'm here,

I'll ask God to watch over

each brave volunteer.

Although you don't know me,

my heart beats with hesitation

when I hear you're being deployed

to an "undisclosed location."

Although you don't know me,

I know there are few who would dare

to go where you're going

by land, sea or air.

Although you don't know me,

I know the fears you must hide

for [an aircrew] in uniform

is bravery, exemplified.

Although you don't know me,

please know by this poem

that I'll pray for you faithfully

until your safe return home.

Although you don't know me,

you've made me one proud civilian,

but you need to know today

that I'm only one... in a million!

CIVILIANS EMBRACE NAVY CORE VALUES

JOSA Sara M. Gray

Enterprise (CVN 65)

A rainbow of color flashes by as Sailors swarm the flight deck aboard Enterprise (CVN 65). The jeans and t-shirts of civilian personnel blend in among the Navy red, purple, green, blue and yellow shirts. These civilians will never forget 11 September 2001, the day the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City were destroyed, killing thousands of Americans.

According to Tracey Ford, Morale Welfare & Recreation Center representative, the disaster was scary but it also taught an important lesson: "If there is any good that's to come from it, it is that Americans realize our nation is not invincible."

Robert Harmon served in the Navy for 10 years and was on his fifth deployment including military and civilian service. The system technician for the Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night system added, "We need to figure out what we are going to do for this war on terrorism and find the groups that are responsible and deal with them."

Although civilians on board Enterprise are not charged with defending the United States, their commitment to the ship remains steadfast. Enterprise has since returned stateside but even with the possibility of a late homecoming, these civilians were determined to be right there beside the rest of the crew. "Enterprise pays my check so I have to go where they tell me," Ford said. "But if given a choice, I wouldn't go home. I want to be out here helping as much as I can."

Even though the civilians share with Navy personnel the hardship of being away from their families for an indefinite period of time, they put Enterprise before their own wants and needs. "My son turned three in October and I have been gone half his life," Harmon said. "I would rather be with my family, but I feel that it is my duty to stay out the whole time to help this air wing."

While the World Trade Center tragedy devastated many lives, it also brought out the Honor, Courage and Commitment of the civilian personnel aboard Enterprise.

CHANGE OF COMMAND

Carl Vinson (CVN 70): Capt. Richard B. Wren relieved Capt. Bruce W. Clingan. 6 Oct.

HSWINGSLANT: Capt. James V. Pendley relieved Capt. Mark K. Adrick. 28 Sep.

NAS Oceana, VA: Capt. Cary A. Silvers relieved Capt. Skip Zobel, 27 Sep.

NAVFORKOREA: Radm. Gary R. Jones relieved Radm. William D. Sullivan. 7 Sep.

VAW-121: Cdr. Thomas J. Quinn relieved Cdr. Kevin W. Oakes. 26 Oct.

VAW-78: Cdr. Walter Adlmann relieved Cdr. Peter Kattmann. 7 Sep.

VAW-117: Cdr. John Oberst relieved Cdr. Rick Pawlowski, 4 Sep.

VF-143: Cdr. Calvin H. Craig relieved Cdr. William C. McMasters. 26 Oct.

VFA-136: Cdr. Thomas M. Downing relieved Cdr. Robert L. Rountree. Jr., 8 Nov.

VFA-137: Cdr. David M. Dober relieved Cdr. Michael S. White. 20 Sep.

VRC-30: Cdr. Joseph F. Demarco relieved Cdr. John M. Kennedy. 26 Oct.

VS-33: Cdr. Ross A. Myers relieved Cdr. Colin B. Chaffee. 6 Sep.

VS-38: Cdr. William Hart relieved Cdr. Justin Cooper. 5 Oct.

VT-4: Cdr. Rick L. Sadsad relieved Cdr. Alan F. Johnson. 14 Nov.