Special Notices
Navy Christens Littoral Combat Ship
The Navy’s littoral combat ship (LCS) Freedom was commissioned on 8 November 2008 during a ceremony at Veteran’s Park, Milwaukee, WI.
Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter delivered the ceremony’s principal address. The ship’s sponsor, Birgit Smith, is the widow of Army SFC Paul Ray Smith, who was killed in action during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
As the initial LCS, the 378-foot Freedom will be the first to carry this class designation. Freedom (LCS 1) is one of two LCS sea frames being produced. Independence (LCS 2) was commissioned on 4 October 2008.
A fast, agile, and high-technology surface combatant, Freedom will be a platform for launch and recovery of manned and unmanned vehicles. Its modular design will support interchangeable mission packages, allowing the ship to be reconfigured for antisubmarine warfare, mine warfare, or surface warfare missions on an as needed basis. The LCS will be able to swap out mission packages pier side in a matter of days, adapting to tactical situation demands.
Freedom is an innovative combatant designed to operate in shallow water environments to counter challenging threats in coastal regions, specifically mines, submarines, and fast surface craft. The LCS is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots and can operate in water less than 20-feet deep. (DoD Release No. 932-08, 5 November 2008.)
Iwo Jima Association of America
The Iwo Jima Association of America (IJAA) (formerly the Combat Veterans of Iwo Jima) will sponsor two upcoming events:
26 February–1 March
Educational and Historical Symposium
Fredericksburg, VA
13–20 March
Reunion of Honor Tour
Guam and Iwo Jima
In September 2008 the former Combat Veterans of Iwo Jima organization changed its name to Iwo Jima Association of America. The mission of the IJAA will be to promote the historical and scholarly study of the battle of Iwo Jima. It is organized exclusively for charitable and education purposes. The IJAA will fund, support, and sponsor activities, such as symposiums, lectures, tours, and gatherings of Iwo Jima veterans. The IJAA is opening its membership to other veterans who are interested in keeping the memory of the battle of Iwo Jima alive. For more information, contact by e-mail, Director@IwoJimaAssociation.org; call 703–212–8128; or visit the IJAA web site at www.IwoJimaAssociation.org.
MCJROTC Positions Available
Woodbridge High School in Bridgeville, DE, is advertising for both a senior Marine instructor and Marine instructor for their Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) program. Certification requirements for this position may be found at www.mcjrotc.org. Retired Marines or Marines eligible for retirement, and who meet certification requirements, may apply for either position by contacting Heath Chasanov, Assistant Superintendent, 16359 Sussex Highway, Bridgeville, DE 19933 or www.teachdelaware.com.
Correction
John Pomfret’s rank in the byline for “Getting Out of Dodge Faster,” (MCG, Nov08) should read LtCol John Pomfret, USMC(Ret). The Gazette apologizes for the error.
MECEP Looking for Reserve Officers
The Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECEP) Preparatory School is looking for Reserve officers with backgrounds in education to teach English, history, math, and science during the summer 2009 session in Quantico. This session will run from 26 May through 1 August. Teaching candidates should send inquiries and resumes to the MECEP Prep Director, LtCol Michael Moffett, at mmoffett@ccsnh.edu or call 603–271–7736.
