THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 9, 1995 TAG: 9508090488
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
``TICO'' MOST IMPROVED: The Norfolk-based destroyer Ticonderoga has won the Arleigh Burke Trophy for 1994, which recognizes the ship or aircraft squadron achieving the greatest improvement in battle efficiency. Now serving in the Mediterranean with the carrier Theodore Roosevelt battle group, the ship is commanded by Cmdr. Charles T. Bush and has a crew of 29 officers and 345 enlisted.
COAST GUARD CONSOLIDATES: The Coast Guard's Group Hampton Roads and its Marine Safety Office officially opened a joint operations center Aug. 1 at the Portsmouth Support Base near Craney Island in an effort to streamline operations and provide quicker response to the public. The new center combines the watch standers from both units and will monitor all maritime safety issues, including law enforcement, port security, and telephone and radio communications with the maritime public.
DEFENSE BILL IMPASSE: Senate Republicans raised the possibility Tuesday of holding up reconfirmation of the nation's top military officer if the Clinton administration keeps threatening to veto defense legislation. Seeking to gain leverage, Republicans discussed whether to delay the nomination of Gen. John Shalikashvili for a second term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff until the defense authorization bill passes. The administration opposes language in the bill that it says could upset the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty. Republicans want a multi-site national missile defense system, something that is not allowed under the treaty.
- Wire report
COMINGS & GOINGS
COMMISSIONING:
The fast-attack submarine Tucson will be commissioned Aug. 18 at Norfolk Naval Station, where it will be based. It is the 51st nuclear-powered submarine built by Newport News Shipbuilding. Commanded by Cmdr. Duane Baker Jr., the Tucson has a crew of 14 officers and 126 enlisted. It is 360 feet long, 33 feet in diameter and can fire torpedoes, Harpoon and Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus submarine-launched mobile mines.
DECOMMISSIONING:
The fast-attack submarine Bergall was decommissioned Friday at the Norfolk Naval Station after 26 years of service. The nuclear-powered sturgeon-class submarine had eight commanding officers and completed 14 deployments during its career. It was named for a multicolored tropical fish with sharp, needle-like teeth and protective spine that can adapt its coloring to remain undetected.
CHANGE OF COMMAND:
Rear Adm. Michael W. Shelton relieves Rear Adm. Thomas A. Dames as commander of 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 the 3rd Naval Construction Brigade in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Shelton most recently was commanding officer of the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment and deputy commander of 2nd Naval Construction Brigade at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base.
Capt. Bruce R. Bennett relieves Capt. James E. Jaudon as vice commander of the Navy Exchange Service Command. Jaudon is to retire Aug. 31 after 28 years of service. Bennett previously served as commanding officer of the Navy Exchange Service Center Europe, based in Naples, Italy.
Capt. Randall D. Wagner relieves Capt. Alfred E. Ponessa as Commander, Undersea Surveillance, Fleet Combat Training Center, Dam Neck. Ponessa is retiring after 27 years of service. Wagner most recently served as Head of the Undersea Warfare Department for the Office of Naval Intelligence, where he was the senior submarine officer.
Capt. Sharon A. Peyronel relieves Capt. William R. Brinkmann as commanding officer of Naval Security Group Activity Northwest in Chesapeake. Brinkmann is being reassigned to the staff of the U.S. Atlantic Command in Norfolk. Peyronel comes from Panama, where she was commanding officer of Naval Security Group Activity Galeta Island. by CNB