Deployment 2011

Mobile Triage and TrauMa CenTer eMbarks!

By: FC2(SW) Charles D. Slagle
of the Howard. For many of us its the first time on a ship and everyone onboard has been extremely accommodating in helping us learn the ropes. FC2: Speaking of being stationed aboard a ship, what are the good/bad parts of being temporarily attached to a surface vessel like the USS Howard? LCDR Schranz: The great thing for us is to be able to get out of the hospital and see what the real Navy is all about. We are all working towards our surface warfare qualification while we are out here so weve had the opportunity to meet sailors of all different rates and learn about their jobs. Weve been able to have some fun with freshwater wash downs, dragon challenge, sweatex, and steel beach picnics. Weve had plenty of time to get

Volume 4

August 2011
our medical training in and even get qualified in basic damage control. Unfortunately we havent had the chance for any port calls as of yet but operational demands come first, so we understand. FC2: Sir, I would like to thank you very much for your time and the job that you and your team perform onboard USS Howard! Do you have any words for the crew? LCDR Schranz: All of us would like to thank the crew of the Howard for the warm welcome. From the moment we got here, the crew brought us into the fold and made us feel like one of their own. In particularly wed like to thank COMMS, ADMIN and the galley staff for all the support they offered while we were embarked. We enjoyed our time on board and wouldnt mind sticking around while you cruise back to San Diego, so feel free to invite us back anytime. A Very Special Thank You to CAPT Gandee and LCDR Schranz for being a part of the USS Howard family during our mission in 5th Fleet!

During USS Howards mission in 5th Fleet, we were entrusted with a team of highly trained and professional medical personnel. Their mission is a simple idea that maintains a high level of logistics and cooperation to ensure its success. They provide the most expeditious medical care to our people on the ground; triage and trauma care that only a mobile team can provide. I had a chance to catch up with LCDR Craig Schranz and ask him about the new mobile medical team onboard USS Howard, led by CAPT Cheryl Gandee. FC2 Slagle: Good Afternoon sir, there are many folks on the ship that would like to know how the medical team plays a role in our mission in 5th Fleet, what does ERSS mean, and what is its role onboard USS Howard? LCDR Schranz: ERSS stands for Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System. We are a mobile trauma team thats prepared to do emergency surgery and resuscitation close to the point of injury. Were made up of an ER physician, general surgeon, Nurse Anesthetist, two nurses and four corpsmen (two surgical techs, one independent duty corpsmen and one general corpsman). Our goal is to stop the bleeding, keep them breathing and get them transferred ASAP to a higher level of care. Our presence forward in the field makes it more likely that any seriously injured personnel get faster treatment and a better outcome. FC2: Thank you sir, has integrating into USS Howard been a smooth process for your team? LCDR Schranz: Its been great being part

The mobile Triage and Trama Care unit serves Ice Cream during an Ice Cream Social.

A Word From the executive oFFicer

of professionalism. Then in Fifth Fleet they shifted gears countering piracy and the acts of violent extremists, they transitioned smoothly and readily always ready to take on the next task whether it be getting ready for INSURV, launching helicopters and boats, on-loading stores, or standing long and vigilant watches keeping the transit lanes and billions of dollars of trade/commerce safe. As the Executive Officer, I drive a lot of the administration on the ship, which sounds awfully boring and tedious, but it comes with some proud moments when I get to sign the cover sheets of Personal Qualification Standards documenting the completion of new qualifications and read aloud at awards ceremonies the Enlisted Surface and Air Warfare Qualifications and other awards that highlight all of the tremendous individual learning and accomplishments of this fantastic crew. Every day I wake up and put on my uniform, I am reminded of the privilege and honor it is to wear this uniform. I know that I am part of the finest Navy in the world, and I am humbled to be part of such an organization. There are many that wore the uniform before me, in honor and sacrifice who came together in a unity of purpose and upheld the finest traditions. I am empowered in the sense that we are defending the greatest country in the world and have the opportunity to work among the nations finest men and women. We are all part of this amazing tradition, in fact, as HOWARD celebrates the 10th anniversary of her commissioning this October 20th her 10th birthday so to speak our crew will pause and reflect on the contributions of this ship and those of the men and women that have served on her. TEAM HOWARD brings a lot to the game, from the newest of antisubmarine warfare systems to the best trained crew in the Pacific. But it is the combination of experience, energy and attitude that make HOWARD unique. We have heard time and again that HOWARD is a great place. Our visitors all want to come back, embarked staffs depart for other assignments and write back requesting to return. When a challenge presents itself TEAM HOWARD pulls together and gets it done. I truly believe that HOWARD could do any mission no matter how daunting and do it well. It is the caring and committed attitude that makes the difference. I want to thank the Crew of USS HOWARD for your dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence. Your work every day makes a difference that goes far beyond what we each accomplish individually. Thank you for all that you do to make HOWARD ready for anything. It takes a lot to be ready and at the root of it all is family readiness. The HOWARD team is made up of a much larger family that extends to all those that support the Sailors onboard. Your sacrifice enables each of us to do our jobs and plays a huge role in any success we have. Military families give up a lot to enable their Sailors to make a difference. And for that we are all very grateful. Thank you.

The HOWARD Team has performed superbly throughout a very diverse deployment with different missions, focuses and goals. As Ambassadors they proudly represented the United States Navy during our Cooperation Afloat Readiness and training engagements in the nations of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, participating in community relations, training and sporting events that helped to build partnerships and friendships with the navies of these nations. From liberty to underway engagements, HOWARD Sailors performed to the highest standards

depArtment oF the month : WeApons

By: FCC(SW) Bell
Weapons Department consists of three divisions, Combat Acoustics, Combat Gunnery, and Combat Missiles. Each division has a unique job, and each is what makes this fine Navy Ship and Warship. Weapons Department is led by LT Chris Morris as the Weapons Officer, or WEPS. WEPS ensures the proper operation and maintaining of every weapons system . He is also directly in charge of the Force Protection and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure Team (VBSS). His leadership ensures the USS Howards success in the war fighting effort. Each division consists of a Division Officer, Leading Chief Petty Officer, and a Leading Petty Officer. Combat Acoustics Division consists of the Sonar Technicians. Their Division Officer is ENS Aleksandr Litvachuk, his title is the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer, or ASWO. Senior Chief Ty Ouren is the Leading Chief Petty Officer, with STG1 Jesse Byrd as the Leading Petty Officer. The primary mission of CA Division is to hunt submarines. This is a large mission that has a whole lot of intricate parts that must be performed in order for USS Howard to be successful in this regard. USS Howard has been more than successful in the past year with more active contact time than any other ship in its Strike Group, this is saying a lot! Our technicians and operators are some of the best in the fleet and are able to prove it time and time again. Whether conducting final certifications, training exercises such as COMTUEX, JTFEX, SHARAMs, or completing real world tasking, they are, as the saying goes, a cut above the rest. Combat Gunnery Division, is the division nearest to my heart. Its run by ENS John Lloyd as the Gunnery Officer, GUNNO. Their LCPO is GMC Frank Parks, and LPO is FC1 John Mallum. CG owns every gun on Howard, from the smallest of the 9mm Berretta handgun to the 5 62cal Light Weight Gun Mount and all between. CG can be considered the work horse of Weapons Department as they are responsible for over 20 different programs, 14 magazines, all small arms and crew served weapons qualifications for the crew, and each major gun system onboard USS Howard. To say that they work hard is an understatement. With the help of the other two weapons Department divisions and some help from outside divisions, CG ensures the weapons readiness of USS Howard is at its highest level. Combat Missiles Division, CM, is led by ENS Jennifer Malherek as the Strike Officer, Strike. Their LCPO is FCC Matt Rife, and LPO is FC1 Ian Heller. CM owns and operates the Vertical Launching System that keeps Howard sleeping soundly at night. Without the efforts of the VLS Gunners Mates, our air warfare protection would not exist. CM also runs the secret squirrel world of the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. Not much is known about these crazy guys except that they are good at their job. They have continued to prove so scenario after scenario. The Tomahawk technicians are proud to be the only offensive weapon onboard Howard. Maybe my opinion is slightly biased, but without Weapons Department the Mighty Howard would be an overgrown tug boat. Weapons Department puts the War in Warship. Hoo Rah!

Sailors in the Weapons department work together to toss the Killer Tomato over the side of USS HOWARD to serve as a target for the 5 inch gun.

hill 488
By: EM1(SS) Seina
All wars have stories of battles being fought and won by brave and gallant heroes fighting against insurmountable odds, this one is from the Vietnam War and a man named Jimmie Howard. Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Jimmie Howard, out of San Diego, CA, led the brave men of the 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Recon Battalion, 1st Marine Division in a war on Hill 488. Hill 488 is a small piece of land approximately 25 miles northwest of Chu Lai, Vietnam. He and his men were dropped there late the afternoon of June 13th, with the mission of observing and reporting the activities of any Viet Cong in the area. Two days would pass before they would get the word from a Special Forces patrol that a whole battalion of the Viet Cong was headed right for Hill 488. When SSgt Howard received this word he began planning with his men and setting up his defense of the Hill. Men were sent down to the listening posts around the hill to ensure they werent taken by surprise. At the first sounds of the enemies present, Howard pulled his men up to within 5 to 6 feet of the top of the hill, an area with a lot of boulders and craters to provide cover, and thus began the defense of Hill 488. The 18 Marines, armed with naught but rifles, 4 grenades each, and 2 grenade launchers began the fight against a battalion of Viet Cong armed with .50 Caliber machine guns, automatic weapons, grenades and mortars. The first human wave of assailants came against the Hill at 1000, surrounded by the enemy, Howards men held their fire until they were sure they knew what they were shooting at. For 20 minutes the firefight went on when the Viet Cong pulled back, just to attack again at 1045. Staff Sergeant Howards men were backed up with mighty air support from Hueys and jets. But all their air support couldnt make an assist because it was too dark. They could not tell the friend from foe. Finally a flare ship was called in to drop flares and provide lighting. All this time SSgt Howard was on the radio with his air support telling them where to drop the flares and where to drop the bombs. The bombs were being dropped so close that the Marines could feel the heat from the explosions. Still the Viet Cong did not give up, they persisted and the Marines fought on. When the Viet Cong would shout at his Marines, Howard would have his men laugh at the Viet Cong. As his men ran out of ammo and grenades, he had them throw rocks at the Viet Cong, not knowing any better they would run from the rocks and made better targets of themselves for Howards Marines. Throughout the night Howards men fought off the Viet Cong. His men fought through multiple wounds, running out of ammo, they would pick up ammo from their more seriously wounded comrades and their dead, so they could keep firing. SSgt Howard all this time was on the radio directing his air support, keeping the Viet Cong of the top of the Hill, and giving his men a fighting chance to survive. Hand to hand combat, hospital corpsman wounded and fighting, and down to only 7 of his 18 Marines in any shape to fight, SSgt Howard and his Marines never gave up. Finally after sunrise a Marine reactionary company was flown in to assist and get Howard and his Marines off the Hill. 43 Viet Cong were found dead around the Hill, with body counts being estimated at much higher. SSgt Howard and his men became the most decorated platoon in the almost 200 years of U.S. Military history, earning Purple Hearts for all 18 Marines, living or dead, 4 Navy Crosses were awarded, as well as 13 Silver Stars. And on August 21, 1967, President Johnson awarded SSgt Howard the highest honor a military man can receive, a Congressional Medal of Honor. President Johnson said of SSgt Howard he was a professional marine and typical of the men who endure the savage heat of battle abroad so that their countrymen may walk in peace here at home. And that is the story of namesake of our fine ship. The story of a man, a hero, a father and a Marine, SSgt Jimmie Howard.

(LEFT) Jimmie Howard in Chu Lai Hospital. (RIGHT) The Medal of Honor Passageway onboard the USS Howard honors the memory of the ships namesake.

By: ENS Ashley Valanzola

the hoWArds - pArt oF our FAmily

work for the Veterans Administration, finally enjoying normal work hours at home. A few of the Howards still live in San Diego today, making it easy for our ship to stay in contact with them. We are lucky in the sense that we still have a strong bond with our sponsor family. They frequently join us onboard for ship tours, family day cruises and tiger cruises. This past January, the ship had the honor of holding a memorial service for Jimmie L. Howard onboard. The commanding officer at the time, CDR Scott Switzer summarized our relationship with the Howards when he said: We are very fortunate to have such a strong relationship between the ship and each of the Howard family members; they are more than just a ship sponsor, they are an extension of our crew family. With that said, the Howard is excited to welcome Yvonne and Yvette onboard in Hawaii for the Tiger Cruise back to San Diego.

When I took over the job as Public Affairs Officer (PAO), I wasnt entirely sure what my predecessor meant when she said Id be getting some interesting things in the mail about the Howard. Little did I know, one week into having this new position, I found a large manila envelope lying on the wardroom table addressed to PAO. I picked it up, brought it back to my room and started sifting through the contents. I was surprised and treated to personal pictures, letters and emails of 1st Sergeant Jimmie E. Howard and his family. One of his close friends- Howard Garlinger, who served with Jimmie Howard, was in contact with a Mr. Steve Hunt who thought the crew would enjoy the photographs and letters that Mr. Garlinger sent him. The contents in this manila envelope led me to wonder about the Howards, who they were and where they were from. Jimmie Howard married Theresa Maria Azevedo, originally of Shanghai in February, 1951. They met in San Diego when Jimmie Howard was a young Marine and Theresa was a nineteen year old recent graduate of Point Loma High School. Together they had seven children: Jimmie, Yvonne and Yvette , Barbara, Linette, Darlene, and Joseph. The Howard family lived in San Diego for many years, in a house in Ocean Beach. The seven children attended Point Loma High School, each growing up to enter different career fields ranging from school teacher to reserve police officer and Dominican Sister. When Jimmie Howard retired from the Marine Corps after several tours in Korea and Vietnam, he went to

Gunnery Sergeant Jimmie E. Howard

Gunnery Sergeant Jimmie E. Howard receives the Medal of Honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson on 21 August 1967.

Bravo Zulu

The First Class Petty Officers Association would like to recognize the following Sailors for their dedication and hard work during the first few weeks of deployment. Keep it up!

From the First clAss petty oFFicers AssociAtion

Yn3 OrOs

for currently filling the billet of a 2nd class petty officer. He continues to stay in high spirits throughout deployment. Big pat on the back to you!

BM3 Lewis
for doing a lot of preservation work of our spaces and he has spent much of his own time in doing so. I think he deserves an At-A-Boy too. Have a great night. for all his hard work as JOD, in charge of all the store rooms, reefers and freezers. It has been a challenge and he has been doing wonderful! Have a nice day.

Cs3 rOCaMOra

a BZ tO aLL the COOks and Fsas FOr dOing a super jOB - thank YOu! Ctt2 rieBe and Ctt2 knudsOn
For spending two full days trying to fix the starboard SLQ antenna. The tech manual didnt have very much information about the fan unit or the wiring, but they were able to take apart the antenna and re-wire every component flawlessly. Now our electronic support and electronic attack capabilities are restored on that side.

a BZ tO aLL spY teChs FOr nuMerOus hOurs trOuBLeshOOting their sYsteM! CtMsa MarinaCCi and et1 MCFarLane For all their professional quality photographs taken to support the command during special operations. Well done!

Howard Family and Friends, With the everyday hustle and bustle we as Navy families face sometimes daily obligations can become overwhelming. When a spouse is deployed the tasks can become even more complicated to complete. It can take time and routine to ensure a smooth transition. Remembering important dates and time frames can become part of that complexity of completing tasks.

A word from our ombudsmAn...

August is Immunization Awareness Month. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Immunization shots or vaccinations are essential. They protect against diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, polio, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). Immunizations are important for adults as well as for children. Recommended vaccinations begin at birth and continue throughout life. Back to school time is here and your childrens immunization records need to be up to date. Immunizations are not only important for your childs health, but also a requirement for school attendance. Vaccine-preventable diseases and deaths still occur in the U.S. affecting children, adolescents and adults. Your immune system helps your body fight germs; it basically remembers the germ to fight it again. With the exception of safe drinking water, there is no other health improvement strategy with such a tremendous effect on reducing disease and improving health. Immunization is critical for mission readiness. Now is the time to review your individual and family immunization records with your physician. Service members deploying overseas, should receive all required immunizations before leaving stateside. Military families can transfer often and keeping track of important paper work can prove difficult. Important records and paperwork filed in one location can assist you in ensuring you have all records on hand. It is best that both parents know where immunization records are located for their children. TRICARE realizes the important role of immunizations as part of a healthy lifestyle. Beneficiaries can receive all necessary vaccinations through military treatment facilities and TRICARE network and non-network providers. Take the time to ensure you and your dependents immunizations are up to date. Review immunization records for all necessary immunizations. For a general list of immunization schedules please visit the CDC website here: http://www.immunize. org/cdc/schedules/ Terra Cramer Command Ombudsman

Happy Birthday to Howard Sailors with Birthdays in the Month of August!

MRFA MARTINEZ, IT3 HEARD, AZ3 KIELAU, FC3 ABLEY, BM2 DIEGOBELLO, GM2 WARNER, SR MUSTOE, AW1 GILLIGAN, CTM2 UPSON, ET2 HERRICK, QM3 PAULETTE, FCSN SNARR, EM3 REYNA, SH3 MOHLER, FC3 MISURELLI, LT TORRES, STG3 NGUYEN , CMDCM BRADY, LTJG DEFREVAL, CTTC MCCULLAR, ET2 FIELDER, CWO2 FRANKLIN, ENS CARTER, OS2 ROGERS, GM2 TAMEZ, AZ2 STAPLES, FC2 HAFF, DCFN HITT, LTJG JAMES, FC1 HELLER, CTT2 KNUDSON, LTJG GREEN

hAppy BirthdAy!

August esWs/eAWs
Congratulations to the following Howard Sailors on earning their Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist(ESWS) or Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist(EAWS) qualifications!
AT1 DUC C. DUONG, AD3 BENJAMIN D. BEACH ATAN LORENA AGUILAR BM3 ZACHARY T L. LEWIS ET3 JEFFREY T. AVEDISIAN ET3 KEITH R. KREML GM3 COREY J. PELCER GSM3 SETH O. RINGSTAFF GMSA ALLISON R. CASEY GSMFN CLAUDE S. ZELI CSSN MICHAEL A. PHIPPS CSSN MICO L. TAWATAO EMFN MATTHEW R. EASON SN REBECCA K. GRAY OSSN YU T. CHAN SA KAELA A. SMITH ITSA SALINA N. TREVINO OSSA ALFRED C. ZEMKE

A Welcome surprise From the commAnding oFFicer

By: BM3 Vogel

The CPO Selectees take part in one of Howards Iron Chiefs Mess events. (Left) CTRC(Sel) Errol and BMC(Sel) Hill serve food on the line, while (Right) MAC(Sel) Zielinski returns newly washed plates.

I wanted to share this story with the Howard family. My husband Christopher has been deployed since February 2011. He is stationed on the USS Boxer, soon after that I deployed in April. Boxer has had a tough deployment; fiveplus months in 5th fleet, river city for LONG periods of time. Needless to say, its been very hard with dual military spouses both deployed at the same time trying to communicate with each other about the most basic of things. (Have you checked to see if the student loans got paid?) Commander Bergmann called me into her stateroom in August and said that she was going to the Boxer; she said that she was trying to work it out with them and see if I could go with her to see my husband. But, she also said if it didnt happen I wasnt allowed to be upset. I waited for word from her and to no avail she wasnt able to get me onto the flight over to the Boxer. Even though I wasnt upset, I sure was disappointed. I would have to wait until October to see him; and it wouldnt be so bad, we only had a little over two months left on deployment. I went onto the bridge to stand my watch as the captain flew off Howard and went towards the Boxer. Forty Five minutes later, the bridge gets a phone call. LTJG Ellison told me to head down to the flight deck, my husband is on his way to Howard to see me. Commander Bergmann arranged to have him flown to Howard so I could see him. This is my first deployment married and I have to say, it is a little nerve racking to see someone that you are so used to seeing for the first time in six months. I dont know how spouses and kids do it. I waited in the hangar bay anxiously as the helicopter landed. Chris walked through the door and it was like I saw him yesterday. We never skipped a beat. We had about four hours to talk and to catch up about everything. Its a rare treat to have the commanding officer think about their junior enlisted people as Commander Bergmann did. We wanted to thank her for the opportunity you provided for both of us during these two very long deployments we both have been on.

Chief Petty Officer Selectees MAC(Sel)Zielinski, CTRC(Sel) Errol and BMC(Sel) Hill assist the rest of the CPO Mess in hosting a Steel Beach Picnic.

congrAtulAtions to our cpo selectees!

A big congratulations to Howards newest Chief Petty Officer selectees! Over the past few weeks, these first class petty officers will go through a rigorous indoctrination program and become chiefs on 16 September. Our three sailors are: BMC (SEL) Jesse A. Hill, 30 whose hometown is Tucson Arizona, is married to Nicole and has two children Peyton 3, Logan 8 months. BMC (SEL)s previous commands include the USS Dewey, USS Chafee and NRD Phoenix/NRS Tucson. BMC (SEL) has been in the Navy for eight years. CTRC (SEL) John R. Errol, 43, whose hometown is Boston Massachusetts. CTRC (SEL) s previous commands include USS Spruance DD-963, Office of Naval Intel, RTC Great Lakes RDC DUTY. MAC (SEL) Paul Zielinksi, 45 comes from Houston Texas and is married to Maria. They have four children, Justin who is a specialist in the US ARMY, Joshua, Erika and Christian and two grandchildren, Tristin and Peyton. MAC (SEL) has been in the Navy for ten years and previous commands include NSA Bahrain, MOBSECRON 3, DET 31, CNRSW Security Dept.

Words Home

By:

Fc2(sW) cierrA Wyre

Hi Dad and Aunt Mad. I am safe and will be home shortly. Im enjoying my time on my last deployment on Howard. Love, Corey Hi Alex, cant wait to see you on the pier. Time cant come soon enough. Love, Afred

Hey mom! I cant wait to see you, Gail, Jasmine and Sneezy in November. I love you lots and Ive appreciated all the support youve given me. Love, Ashley V.

Howard Dragons: Freshwater Washdown

Jr. Dragon Corner

color me!

Jr. Dragon Joke of the Month

Q: What was the name of the Pirates Wife? A: PEGGY!!!

Jr. drAgon Word oF the month: aVasT

AVAST is the Nautical way to say Stop! Wouldnt stop signs look funny if they said Avast instead?

Dragon Times news sTaff

Editor in Chief: ENS Ashley Valanzola Assistant Editor: FC2(SW) Charles Slagle Layout Editor: CTMSN Rebecca Marinacci Staff Writers: ENS Ashley Valanzola OS1(SW) Eric Peoples FC2(SW) Cierra Wyre EM1(SS) Joseph Seina IT2(SW) Stefani Wells BM3(SW) Meryl Vogel