Navy

SAN DIEGO — The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) hosted a Friends and Family Day Cruise, Jan. 24.

​More than 850 family members and friends of Abraham Lincoln and Carrier Strike Group 3 Sailors got to see firsthand what their loved ones do onboard as they got underway with the crew from Naval Air Station North Island in the morning and returned later that evening.

“I think it was a great opportunity for friends and family who have not had a chance to be onboard a warship to experience what our ship does at sea,” said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Larry Pugh, one of the enlisted event coordinators. “I hope those who had the chance to be on this cruise walked away with a greater appreciation of what their Sailor does on a daily basis. It was an awesome turnout.”

Sailors and guests began the day with an early sea and anchor evolution, getting underway at 8 a.m. Participants then gathered on the flight deck for a narrated, guided tour of the San Diego Bay as Lincoln navigated toward open waters. Sailors conducted dozens of tours throughout the day to acquaint visitors with the ship’s operational capabilities. Guests also participated in interactive lessons on damage control in the hangar bay. Guests enjoyed lunch onboard, and were given the opportunity to buy Lincoln memorabilia.

“Everything was wonderful,” said Darrell Thorp, a guest aboard during the cruise. “The food display was great and everyone onboard was so polite. The chance for us family members to move around the ship freely and take everything in has been amazing.”

An air-power demonstration, held on the flight deck in the afternoon, showcased F-35C Lightning II and F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jets from Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9). The jets launched, landed and overflew the family and friends gathered on the flight deck.

​Abraham Lincoln recently concluded a seven-month deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility and is scheduled to commence a Planned Incremental Availability maintenance period in the coming months.

NORFOLK, Va. – The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) hosted former crew members and family as part of the ship’s 35th commissioning anniversary celebration, Jan. 23.

Named after the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, the San Jacinto was formally commissioned on Jan. 23, 1988 by Vice President George HW Bush.

In the years following, thousands of Sailors solidified the ship’s place in history by conducting missions for operations including Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Most notably, the ship launched the first Tomahawk Cruise missiles ever in battle during Desert Storm. In addition to combat operations, San Jacinto also served in many presence operations, to include the most recent deployment to U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, sailing more than 60,000 miles.

“While the Sailors of San Jacinto have changed over the last three and a half decades, the impact of their hard work, here and abroad, will never be taken for granted,” said Capt. Christopher Marvin, San Jacinto’s commanding officer. “The sense of pride ‘Gunslingers’ have for this ship and what she has accomplished for our nation will be a part of them forever. This reunion gives us a chance to remember all that the ship and collective crew has accomplished over the years.”

The commissioning anniversary events were an opportunity for current and former crew members, colloquially known as “Gunslingers,” to share stories, reconnect, and celebrate the legacy of the ship. Activities included tours for former crew and their families and a formal dinner. The tours allowed former crew members to reflect on their time aboard and share their memories with family members.

“The 35th Anniversary marked a major milestone in San Jacinto’s storied service history,” said Cmdr. Glenn Atherton, San Jacinto’s executive officer. “(The) celebration was unique and also allowed for ‘Gunslingers’ past and present to share sea stories, learn about each other, and see how the ship has changed over her venerable career. For many, this might have been their last opportunity to board San Jacinto while she’s in active service.”

Guests included Vice Adm. Jim Kilby, Rear Adm. (Ret.) Rob Katz, and four former commanding officers.

“Working with the crew of San Jacinto shaped me and my experience in the Navy,” said Vice Adm. Jim Kilby, deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

San Jacinto is scheduled to decommission at the end of the fiscal year and currently serves under Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8.

For more news from CSG 8 and USS San Jacinto, visit:

www.facebook.com/CSG8

https://www.facebook.com/USSSanJacinto,

https://www.surflant.usff.navy.mil/cg56

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (Jan. 23, 2023)– Rear Adm. Brad Collins, commander of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central (EURAFCENT), toured Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti (CLDJ), surveying the Command’s unique capabilities and operational relevance during his visit, January 20, 2023.

Capt. Brian R. Iber, commanding officer of CLDJ, accompanied Collins during

his tour of the base medical facilities, barracks, Airfield, and other up

and coming projects on CLDJ, giving him a deeper understanding of the

ongoing mission of the base over 20 tenant commands.

As the camp continues to expand and will most likely do so for years to

come, the base tour included many construction sites, with half built

architecture and visions of what the future holds for Camp Lemonnier.

“This installation is so important to what goes on in this AOR,” said

Collins, who participated in an All Hands Call and a coining ceremony at the

conclusion of his visit.

“What you are doing here is making an impact, not only does it play a part

in larger geo-political issues with players outside the base here in

Djibouti, but how things happening on this continent can affect other

regions outside of Africa as well.”

Iber concurred with Collins statement, and went on to say “We are a

dedicated team, working together to provide the best service and support for tenant commands, service members and transient assets supporting the

operations in the EURAFCENT AOR and will support however necessary in the future .”

As one of Navy Region EURAFCENT’s nine installations, CLDJ serves as an

expeditionary base for U.S. military forces providing support to ships,

aircraft and personnel that ensure security throughout Europe, Africa and

Southwest Asia. The base enables maritime and combat operations in the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-Africa relations.

2022 has marked another lifesaving and mission driven year for the ASBP. It’s been a busy year, too, with memorable blood drives, the transition from one ASBP Division Chief to another, and the removal of a major travel blood donor deferral that affected many.

Mid-year, there was a changeover in ASBP leadership, with Navy Capt. Leslie “Les” Riggs becoming Division Chief. Prior to this new role, Riggs was serving as the Head of Blood Services Department at Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command Camp Lejeune located in North Carolina. Riggs complimented previous Division Chief Army Col. Audra L. Taylor and the ASBP community. “[They] did an outstanding job of developing a strategic plan that encompasses the needs of our DoD, DHA, and the ASBP. [Taylor] maneuvered the ASBP through one of its most difficult times with COVID, CCP production, and DHA transition, and she did it all with a tightening budget.”

One of the most impactful events of the year was the FDA removal of a deferral that had affected many donors. Blood donors who were once deferred for geographic risk factors related to Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), commonly referred to as “Mad Cow” disease, or for receiving a blood transfusion in the U.K., France or Ireland during certain periods of time, may now be eligible to donate, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. These changes were released by the FDA during the month of May, and they were fully implemented within the ASBP by August. Before this, in 2020, the FDA initially lifted the deferral preventing those who have lived or served in many European countries from donating blood.

“Blood safety is always our top priority,” stated Riggs. “With the newly released FDA guidelines regarding the vCJD deferral, we are excited to welcome back donors who were previously deferred and now have the opportunity to save lives for our warfighters and families in need. It is a welcomed change.”

The most successful blood drive this year took place during Army ROTC Cadet Summer Training in Fort Knox, Ky., from June 26 to August 15. “The blood drives with the ROTC cadets are invaluable to our mission,” shared Public Health Service Capt. Janet Cliatt, ASBP Deputy Division Chief. “They’ve been a great success thanks to the cadets’ willingness to donate as well as the partnership we have with the Army Cadet Command’s leadership. We’re trusting that success will continue this year and thousands of wounded service members and their families can have a second chance at life and recover from illness and injury thanks to everyone’s generosity and teamwork.”

A second memorable drive from this year took place at Fort Wainwright, Alaska where 2022 marked the first time the ASBP held a multi-day drive in the state. The “Arctic Thunder” blood drives took place between August 23 and August 25.

“The overwhelming donor support and commitment over the three-day event will have lasting impacts to Soldiers, civilians, and family members of the ‘Arctic Angels’,” shared Army Maj. Joshua Martinez, Armed Services Blood Bank – Pacific Northwest (ASBBC-PNW) director. “We hope to continue collaborating with Fort Wainwright, Bassett Army Community Hospital, and the 11th Airborne Division to host more blood drives and training opportunities in the future.”

The ASBP not only worked diligently with a mission focus on collections but also in connection with collaborations within the Defense Health Agency, the DoD and private sector organizations within the blood banking community. These collaborations included further work on implementation of MHS Genesis, emergency whole blood programs and military working dog blood program.

Another cherished annual event was the Armed Services Blood Bank Center – National Capital Region (ASBBC-NCR)’s 12th Annual Army vs. Navy blood donor challenge, held from November 3 through December 6.

A major highlight of the year was announcing and presenting the 2022 ASBP Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) to its honoree, retired Navy Commander Michael “Mike” C. Libby. Riggs complimented Libby on his accomplishments regarding his tenure as Division Chief, sharing that “[Libby] is well-deserving of this lifetime achievement award, and the ASBP was fortunate to have such a dedicated and hardworking leader.”

Each year, the ASBP strives to excel at its mission of providing quality blood products and services for all customers worldwide during both peace and war. With the winter season comes a critical need for donations, as historically there is a nationwide donation shortage during these months while the need for blood products remains steadfast.

The program is thankful for all the donors and supporters who help make its mission possible. 2023 is sure to bring new opportunities and challenges to the program, all of which will be taken on by the team of dedicated donors, supporters, leaders and ASBP staff. To join the team of donors that make the ASBP’s mission possible, visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil and schedule a donation today.

About the Armed Services Blood Program

Since 1962, the Armed Services Blood Program is the official blood program of the United States military. Our mission is to provide quality blood products and support to military health care operations worldwide; from the battlefield to the local hospital, whenever and wherever needed. The ASBP collects, processes, stores, transports, and distributes blood products to service members, their families, retirees and veterans in peace and war. In an ASBP Enterprise view – Military Health Affairs, Defense Health Agency, Service Blood Programs and Combatant Commands – we operate under common goals, metrics, procedures, and work together to shape the future.

The ASBP is one of four organizations tasked with providing a safe blood supply to the nation. Our program also works closely with our civilian counterparts in times of need to maximize the availability of this national treasure.

To find out more about the ASBP or schedule an appointment to donate, please visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with ASBP staff members or get the latest news, follow us @militaryblood on Facebook and Twitter, and @usmilitaryblood on Instagram.