media advisory | photo opportunity · week-long commissioning celebration culminating with the...
TRANSCRIPT
April 22, 2016
MEDIA ADVISORY | PHOTO OPPORTUNITY CONTACT Daniel Mecca | [email protected] (o) 716-633.1218 ext. 200 (mobile) 716.206.4413
WHAT:
The USS Little Rock LCS Commissioning Committee official announcement of plans for commissioning of the new USS Little Rock LCS 9 to take place at Canalside in Buffalo NY.
Commander Paul Burkart, Commanding Officer, LCS CREW 109 Warhawgs is visiting Buffalo for a few days to meet with the local commissioning committee and discuss the plans for the week-long celebration and commissioning for the USS Little Rock LCS 9.
WHO: Scheduled to speak:
Maurice L. Naylon, Chairman, Commissioning Committee New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul Congressman Brian Higgins Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz Mayor Byron Brown Buffalo Bills HOF Quarterback Jim Kelly, Buffalo Celebrity Ambassador Steve Chase, USS Little Rock Association Director Commander Paul Burkhart, USN
WHEN: Tuesday, April 26, 2016 10:00am – 11:00am WHERE: Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park Fantail of USS Little Rock
One Naval Cove ��� Buffalo, New York 14202
Alternate location in the event of rain – inside Red Exhibit Building across from Naval Park Gift Shop
April 25, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2016 CONTACT Daniel Mecca | [email protected] (o) 716-633.1218 ext. 200 (mobile) 716.206.4413
BUFFALO, NY – She weighs in at just over 3,400 tons, is 389 feet long, 57.5 feet wide, can move at speeds in excess of 40 knots… and she’ll be at Canalside in Buffalo sometime in the spring of 2017. The USS Little Rock LCS 9, one of the newest US Navy ships, will make her way to Buffalo for an official Commissioning Ceremony – an event that marks the time when a new ship officially enters the US Navy fleet. LCS 9 and her crew are expected to be in Buffalo for a week-long commissioning celebration culminating with the official Commissioning Ceremony and gala. A local Commissioning Committee, led by Maurice L. Naylon III, was established in November 2015 as a special committee under the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, Inc. – a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The USS Little Rock LCS 9 Commissioning Committee is a non-federal entity and not part of the Department of Defense or Department of the Navy. The Committee is an all-volunteer effort responsible for the oversight and organization of activities in support of the Commissioning Ceremony. In addition to organizing, managing, funding and producing the activities and events for the Commissioning week, the Committee is charged with raising money to fund a number of scholarships and initiatives. Net proceeds will benefit scholarships for students in our community as well as provide financial support for the decommissioned USS Little Rock on permanent display at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park at Canalside. “The mission of our committee is to pull-together a first class event – something fitting of the historical significance of this commissioning.” commented Naylon. “We also have the responsibility of raising money to fund initiatives that will honor and preserve the legacy of both ships that carry the name USS Little Rock.” “While Buffalo has the privilege of hosting this great ship, her crew and her officers, we tip our hat to the great people of Little Rock Arkansas who are supporting this event and will share in the pride we feel in the commissioning of the new USS Little Rock LCS 9. The event is historic for LCS 9, her crew, the Navy and all of Buffalo and Western New York as this will be the first time in the 240-year US Navy history, that a new ship is commissioned alongside her namesake. The original USS Little Rock, was in service from August 27, 1944 until her decommissioning in November 1976. It is the only remaining Cleveland class ships and is now on permanent display at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park at Canalside.
April 25, 2016
In August 2015, Buffalo NY was selected as the host city for the Commissioning of the new USS Little Rock (LCS 9). The new USS Little Rock (LCS 9) is a littoral combat ship. The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program is a bold departure from traditional Navy shipbuilding programs based on its use of innovative acquisition, construction, manning, training and operational concepts. These lighter, faster and technologically advanced warships are designed to operate in close to shore environments. More information the USS Little Rock LCS 9 Commissioning Committee can be found at www.usslittlerocklcs9.org. USS Little Rock LCS 9 Commissioning Committee social media accounts include: Facebook: USS Little Rock – LCS 9, on Twitter: @usslittlerock9, and on Instagram: usslittlerocklcs9. More information on the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation can be found at www.buffalorenaissance.org. More information on the US Navy LCS ships can be found at http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=1650&ct=4
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April 26, 2016
USS LITTLE ROCK LCS 9 COMMISSIONING COMMITTEE OVERVIEW The USS Little Rock LCS 9 Commissioning Committee was established in November 2015 as a special committee under the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, Inc. – a 50(c)(3). The Committee is a non-federal entity and not part of the Department of Defense or Department of the Navy. The Committee is an all-volunteer effort charged with oversight and organization of activities in support of the Commissioning Ceremony of the USS Little Rock LCS 9 in Buffalo NY. In addition to organizing, managing, funding and producing the activities and events for Commissioning Week, the Committee is charged with raising money to fund a number of scholarships and initiatives. Net proceeds will benefit scholarships for students in our community as well as provide financial support for the decommissioned USS Little Rock on permanent display at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park at Canalside. COMMITTEE ROSTER CHAIRMAN Maurice L. Naylon III VICE-CHAIRS Daniel P. Mecca* Heidi Anne Raphael Wayne P. Sorrentino* ACTION TEAM COMMITTEE MEMBERS Michael A. Adelizzio Donald A. Alessi William R. Barden Michael J. Billoni Donald K. Boswell David W. Carapetyan* Kaitlin McGee Chmura William S. Cleary Ryan P. Coate John A. Cooper Christopher P. Covelli Patrick J. Cunningham Howard D. "Sandy" Curlett III* Ronald H. Deschenes Michael R. Farley Ronald K. Hortman Louis W. Irmisch, MD Eugene K. Kershner Dr. William Keresztes* Drew D. Kinder Charles F. Kreiner, Jr.* Angelo T. LoGalbo Kathleen D. Martin
Paul J. Marzello, Sr.* Robert D. McFarland Terence G. McGuire Wayne W. Mertz* Melissa Kate Miller John A. Moffat* Stephen A. Monaco Mary L. Nowakowski, MD William E. Nowakowski John P. Nusbaum Joseph E. Pawli* Thomas A. Prince Ronald A. Raccuia Robert C. Singer* Leon H. Smith III Richard Stancampiano* Douglas R. Stevens Van Taylor Roger W. Triftshauser William R. Wagner Ronald A. Walker Dionne L. Williamson Bryan C. Wittman Roger L. Woodworth
*Action Team Leaders
April 22, 2016
USS LITTLE ROCK CL 92, CLG 4 / CG 4 HISTORY
CL 92
U.S.S. Little Rock (CL 92) was laid down by Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, PA on 06 March 1943; launched on 27 August 1944 sponsored by Mrs. Sam Wassell; and commissioned 17 June 1945 with Capt. William E. Miller in command. Five additional Commanding Officers would command the Little Rock during her service as CL 92.
After shakedown off Cuba and training along the Atlantic coast, Little Rock departed Newport, RI, 21 October for South America. Following a five month cruise to many Latin American countries the cruiser returned to Norfolk VA on 23 March 1946. For the next two months she performed exercises off the east coast and in the Caribbean, before sailing for Europe on 04 June 1946. After operating with the 6th Fleet throughout the summer the Little Rock returned to Norfolk on 27 September 1946.
From September 1946 to 1949, the cruiser performed east coast exercises, operated in the Caribbean on training maneuvers, and sailed to the Mediterranean during 1947 and 1948.
Little Rock was decommissioned 24 June 1949 and joined the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at New York. To see a list of places the ship and crew of CL 92 visited, go to the "Places visited by the U.S.S. Little Rock ..." page.
The U.S.S. Little Rock was later removed from its mothballed status in the Reserve Fleet, reclassified as CLG 4, and then extensively retro-fitted before being put back into service as a guided missile cruiser. Go to the CLG 4 History page for more information.
CLG 4 / CG 4
On January 13, 1957, the U.S.S. Little Rock arrived at the New York Shipbuilding Corp. in Camden, NJ for conversion to a guided missile cruiser. Her hull designation was changed from CL-92 to CLG-4 on May 23, 1957. Following conversion, the Little Rock arrived at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on May 6, 1960 and was commissioned on June 3, 1960. Senator J. William Fulbright (D-AR), gave the principal address to a crowd of more than 2,000 people. Little Rock was placed into commission by Rear Admiral Charles H. Lyman, Commandant of the Fourth Naval District, and Captain J.O. Phillips, Jr. assumed command. The Little Rock, now "converted" to a missile cruiser had had all her guns removed except for a triple 6" and a double 5" mount, both forward. The conversion also included adding spacious "flag" accommodations which would provide for several admirals during Little Rock's second life. During the next sixteen years, under the command of no less than fourteen skippers, the Little Rock would distinguish herself as a peacetime naval vessel.
April 22, 2016
Departing Philadelphia 9 February 1961, Little Rock sailed for her first European cruise in her new role. After 6 months operating with the 6th Fleet and NATO units, the guided-missile cruiser returned to Norfolk in September. While operating in the Caribbean, 18 November 1961, Little Rock was ordered to the waters off Santo Domingo to provide an element of stability during the uncertainty and unrest which plagued that country as rival factions vied to fill the political vacuum created by the assassination of Trujillo. During the first part of 1962 Little Rock operated out of Norfolk, visiting the Caribbean, Bermuda, and various ports on the East Coast. Entering drydock at Portsmouth, VA in March, she spent the remainder of the year in Portsmouth. For the next 4 years Little Rock annually sailed to the Mediterranean, joining the mighty 6th Fleet, serving as its flagship in 1963, as it maintained the peace in southern Europe and the Middle East. During the months between deployments to the Mediterranean, she operated off the East Coast, in the Caribbean, and off northern Europe with units of NATO countries. Remaining on the East Coast during 1966 for overhaul and refresher training, she resumed a schedule of annual rotation to the Mediterranean in January 1967. Little Rock acted as COMSIXTHFLT, home ported in Gaeta, Italy, from 1967 to 1970, and from 1973 to 1976. In June 1975, in keeping with the Navy's change of ship designations, Little Rock became CG-4. To see a list of places the ship and crew of CLG-4 / CG-4 visited go to the "Places visited by the U.S.S. Little Rock..." page. Little Rock was decommissioned and stricken 22 November 1976. She arrived at Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park on 15 July 1977, and is presently open for visitors! It is estimated that as many as 30,000 served aboard the USS Little Rock during her time in service. Now, as a floating museum at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, she averages 70,000 visitors each year, guests coming from every state in the union, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and more than 102 countries. More information on the USS Little Rock and the USS Little Rock Association can be found at www.usslittlerock.org.
FREEDOM VARIANT
LITTORAL COMBAT SHIPBY THE
NUMBERS
1,976,000Gallons of water per minute that go through the ship’s 4 waterjets… can Þ ll an Olympic
sized swimming pool in 20 seconds
200,000+Total number of nau cal miles FREEDOM variant LCS ships have transited… opera on
proven over mul ple deployments
12,750 Total number of jobs supported by LCS FREEDOM
1000+ Total number of tracks the new radar can handle simultaneously (>50% increase)
360 Average cost in millions for ships under the block buy contract
150 Percent increase in the number of ports that LCS’ shallow dra enables
98 Total crew berthing for LCS – less than half the number for the frigate it is replacing
96Maximum number of hours to swap out a mission package… most swaps conducted in
less than 24 hours
77
Number of ships that LCS and the new Frigate program replaces:• 51 decommissioned FFG-7 Oliver Hazard Perry Class frigates
• 12 decommissioned MHC-51 Osprey Class coastal mine hunters
• 14 MCM-1 Avenger Class mine countermeasures vessels – par ally opera onal ß eet that will be
re red by 2021
45+ FREEDOM’s top speed in knots… fastest surface combatant in the ß eet
40 Percent of reconÞ gurable shipboard space in FREEDOM’s hull for future missions
37 Number of states with LCS FREEDOM suppliers
16+Number of months USS FORT WORTH (LCS 3) deployed to Southeast Asia – longest for
surface combatant in over 40 years.
9 Number of FREEDOM ships in produc on or in material procurement
8+ Number of miles that the shipyard took out of workß ow
3-2-1Represents the Navy’s revolu onary approach for LCS:• 3 – number of crews rota ng between 2 ships – currently rota ng every ~4 months
• 2 – number of ships rota ng between US and Forward Opera ng Sta on
• 1 – 50% of LCS are always forward deployed vs. 4 or 5 to 1 ra o for Arleigh Burke Destroyers (DDGs)
3Types of mission packages – an -surface (deployed), an -mine (going through
cer Þ ca on tes ng), an -submarine (tes ng components)
2 Number of years ahead of schedule that USS FREEDOM opera onally deployed
1Single most a ordable
surface combatant
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Commander
Paul R. Burkhart, USN
A native of Rochester, New York Commander Burkhart enlisted in the Navy in August 1984 and entered Recruit Training in July 1985.
Upon completion of Recruit Training he reported to Basic Electronics and Electricity School followed by Electronic Technician “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. His enlisted assignments included Special Communications Division NSGA, Northwest, Chesapeake, Virginia from 1986 to 1988, USS BELKNAP (CG 26), homeport in Gaeta, Italy, 1988 to 1990, USS BRISCOE (DD 977), 1990-1992, and Fleet Training Center Norfolk, Virginia, 1992 to 1996 as an Electronics Technician “C” School instructor. During this tour he was selected to the Enlisted Commissioning Program. He attended Norfolk State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronic Engineering Technology and was commissioned as an Ensign in May 1998.
Commander Burkhart’s officer sea assignments include Damage Control Assistant in USS ARTHUR W RADFORD (DD 968), 1998 to 2000, Navigator in USS HAWES (FFG 53), 2000 to 2002, Combat Systems Officer in USS STUMP (DD 978), 2003 to 2004, Anti-terrorism/Force Protection Officer in Commander Destroyer Squadron 22, 2004 to 2006, Navigator in USS WASP (LHD 1), 2008 to 2009, and Damage Control Assistant in USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7), 2011 to 2013.
Commander Burkhart’s shore assignments include Force Combat Systems Officer for Commander Naval Surface Forces Atlantic, 2006 to 2007. His billet was shifted over to stand up Commander LHD Class Squadron, where he served as C5I Officer, 2007 to 2008, and Force C5I Requirements Officer in Naval Expeditionary Combat Command, 2009 to 2011.
Commander Burkhart is assigned as Commanding Officer of LCS CREW 109, PCU LITTLE ROCK (LCS 9).
Commander Burkhart’s personal decorations and awards include: Navy Commendation Medal (nine awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), and Good Conduct Medal (three awards).
CMDCS(SW/EXW/IDW) Joseph Reynolds, USN
A native of Westport, MA Senior Chief Reynolds enlisted in the Navy in December of 1994 and entered Recruit Training in February 1995. Upon completion of Recruit Training he reported to Yeoman “A” School in Meridian, MS. His duty assignments include: Security Detachment, Roosevelt Roads; USS RAMAGE (DDG 61); Iceland Defense Force; Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes; Navy Cargo Handling Battalion TWELVE; and NCTAMSLANT Detachment Rota, Spain. He served as the Command Senior Chief, MCM Crew EXULTANT and is currently the Command Senior Chief, LCS Crew 109. Senior Chief Reynolds has qualified as Enlisted Surface, Expeditionary, and Information Dominance Warfare Specialists and earned his Master Training Specialist certification. His decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), and various unit and campaign awards.
CS3 Angelo Hurst Culinary Specialist, Third Class Petty Officer
Third Class Petty Officer Hurst is a native of Detroit, MI. In May of 2011, he completed his basic Navy Recruit Training in Great Lakes, IL. Petty Officer Hurst joined the Navy as an Undesignated Seaman
Recruit advancing to Seaman Apprentice during his 2 week familiarization “A” school.
His first tour was on the USS LAKE ERIE (CG-‐70) during which he converted to the Culinary Specialist rate and advanced to Third Class Petty Officer. Petty Officer Hurst is now attached with the LCS crew 109, residing in Mayport, FL.
Before the end of his tour on the USS LAKE ERIE, Petty Officer Hurst deployed to 7th fleet and received
his Enlisted Surface Warfare (ESWS) device, received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal along with many other command awards and certificates.