THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 26, 1995 TAG: 9507250325
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: From staff reports
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
NADEP WORKERS REWARDED: Kenny Walters, an aircraft sheet metal mechanic, and Kirk Meeker, his supervisor, will share an $18,000 productivity award at the Norfolk Naval Aviation Depot for recommending changes in the repair of F-14 Tomcat horizontal stabilizers that in the first year saved the government $3 million. Their idea came from ``simple logic,'' they said. Rather than send the stabilizer to Grumman's plant, they repair it in Norfolk by removing the tip, cutting into the fiberglass and removing the damaged structure and corrosion, then splicing in a new tube.
COMMISSARY ADDITION FINISHED: The Norfolk Commissary has celebrated its grand reopening, marking completion of a $5 million, 19,000-square-foot addition to the 7-year-old facility outside the Norfolk Naval Station. It now has a new delicatessen, bakery and a health and beauty products alcove. The produce area also has been enlarged and a new floor, ceiling and lighting system installed.
BLUE ANGELS IN SEPTEMBER: Oceana Naval Air Station officials are hoping people will plan now to visit their annual air show Sept. 23-24, featuring the Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team. The team is returning to the area for the first time in two years. Other performers also will be on hand. A special private performance will be held Sept. 22 for senior citizens and those with physical limitations. Those needing information about the restricted show may call Oceana Public Affairs office at 433-3131.
COMINGS AND GOINGS
COMMISSIONING:
The guided missile destroyer Ramage, commissioned Saturday in Boston, is scheduled to arrive in its new home port of Norfolk today to join five sister ships of the new Arleigh Burke class. It is named for World War II hero Vice Adm. Lawson Paterson Ramage, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for taking his submarine, the Parche, into a surface attack against an enemy convoy off Taiwan. His ship crippled or sank five others during the 46-minute engagement. The Ramage has a crew of 22 officers and 315 enlisted and brings an annual payroll in excess of $11.4 million.
Coastal patrol boat Whirlwind arrived Thursday to become the newest addition to the Navy's waterfront at the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base. The 170-foot, four-engine ship is designed for special operations support and has a crew of about 25. The Whirlwind is the 11th of 13 ships of its class and was commissioned July 1.
DECOMMISSIONING:
The oiler Savannah will be decommissioned in ceremonies at 10 a.m. Friday at Pier 20 of the Norfolk Naval Station. Commissioned Dec. 5, 1970, the nearly 25-year-old ship's last commanding officer is Capt. Robert E. Besal, who is to become commanding officer of the carrier America.
CHANGE OF COMMAND:
Brig. Gen. Daniel G. Brown relieves Major Gen. David A. Whaley as commanding general of the Army Transportation Center at Fort Eustis. Whaley has been reassigned as the Director of Logistics, Forces Command at Fort McPherson, Ga. Brown formerly was commanding general of the 19th Theater Army Area Command in South Korea.
Rear Adm. Michael W. Shelton relieves Rear Adm. Thomas A. Dames as commander Atlantic Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command in ceremonies scheduled for Aug. 18. Dames will become Commander of the Pacific Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command and Commander, Third Naval Construction Brigade in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Shelton most recently was commanding officer, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment and Deputy Commander, Second Naval Construction Brigade at the Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.
Cmdr. Richard T. Holdcroft relieves Cmdr. Denis V. Army as commanding officer of the destroyer Radford, based in Norfolk. Army is being reassigned to Washington. Holdcroft was previously assigned with the Strategy and Concepts Division of the newly formed Naval Doctrine Command where he concentrated in the area of theater ballistic missile defense.
Capt. John U. Liles relieves Capt. Frank P. Notz as commanding officer of the Navy/Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center in Virginia Beach. Notz is retiring after more than 30 years of service. Liles previously served as commanding officer of the Atlantic Intelligence Command in Norfolk.
Capt. Paul J. Ryan assumes command of the Norfolk-based submarine tender L. Y. Spear from Capt. Jack M. Davis. Ryan last served on the Joint Staff as the Central and East European Chief and European Division Chief. Davis is being reassigned to Washington, where he will become Director of Nuclear and Chemicals Division on the Joint Staff. by CNB