USS Anchorage (LPD 23)

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Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on September 13, 2013 at 4:05pm

Congratulations to ANCHORAGE's newest Chief Petty Officers!

For the family and friends who could not attend, here are my comments from the ceremony.

Good morning friends, families and Shipmates. Welcome aboard for the first Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremony held in ANCHORAGE since she was commissioned. It is a pleasure to have all of you here today as we celebrate the promotion to the esteemed rank of Chief Petty Officer of these five Sailors.

Thank you Petty Officer Ocaba for that beautiful rendition of our National Anthem, a song that born one hundred and ninety-nine years ago, today, during the War of 1812, when the British attacked Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. “By the Dawn’s Early Light“ the next morning, the sight of “Old Glory” and the British ship’s withdrawing from Baltimore, inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner.

A history lesson however is not why we are here today. Today is about Chiefs. The Chief is the backbone of our Navy. The deckplate leaders, the one who make sure every Sailor as the right tools and training to do their job. The seasoned warrior who may not have all the answers, but knows where to find them. The shipmate who will always do what is required to support a Sailor in need.

Only the Navy recognizes this promotion into the senior non-commissioned officer ranks with such distinction. It is not just a pay raise, it is an elevation is status, universally recognized throughout our service.

From my first day in the Navy, 28 years ago, the leader I am was shaped by Chiefs. I quickly realized that a Chief is a force to be reckoned with. I have served with many, all good, some great and a couple truly inspirational. All of them provided me with the training and opportunities that lead to me standing here today.

I want to share just a few insights from one of them, Signalman Chief Ed Piotrowski. Chief Ski was my LCPO when I was a young first class and LPO at TPU. Chief Ski was a foul mouthed, chain-smoking, hard drinking Vietnam Veteran who was proud of his red stripes after 23 years in the Navy. He spoke what was on his mind, he demanded foresight and decisiveness and he always took care of his Sailors. He taught me how to be an LPO, how to encourage rather than discourage and most importantly how to give a second chance. He certainly benefitted from multiple second chances. I talked to Chief Ski a couple years ago, and after I listened to his expletives about the demise of the signalman rate, he told me he wanted nothing more that to visit ANCHORAGE after we were in San Diego and tell the command master chief how he saved a sorry excuse of a FC1 from being an oxygen thief and turning him into an XO. Chief Ski did not live to fulfill that desire, but I know that he is looking down now on this ceremony and while I can’t use his words in mixed company, I know he is pleased to see these new additions to the Goat Locker.

Chief select Amezcuafutake, Chief select Crews, Chief select Bongolon, Chief select Greene and Chief select Rider be proud of your Navy, your shipmates and yourselves. You represent the finest qualities of the American Bluejacket and as you enter the next phase of your career, the future is bright and the opportunities are endless. Take care of your Sailors and they will take care of you. Well done Shipmates, well done!

- Cdr Joel Stewart

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on September 11, 2013 at 11:52pm

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on August 27, 2013 at 3:49pm

Welcome home to our shipmates on our sister ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52). PH returns from a 105-day deployment in support of Pacific Partnership 2013, an annual humanitarian assistance program in the Oceanic region. --MC1

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on August 19, 2013 at 12:16pm

Got AIR? Oliver strikes a pose LOL...

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on August 17, 2013 at 2:44pm

Facebook cover photo featuring members of ANCHORAGE's Air Department...

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on August 3, 2013 at 12:13pm

ANCHORAGE is proud to announce its FY2014 Chief Petty Officer Selectees:

BMC(SEL) Raul Amezcua
CSC(SEL) Jupiter Bongolon
DCC(SEL) Bryan Crews
HMC(SEL) Robert Greene
CTRC(SEL) Hannah Ryder

Congrats, Shipmates! The next few weeks will challenge your bodies and minds and in the process prepare you to enter the Chief's Mess as the already outstanding Sailors you have proven yourselves to be. Best wishes as you accept this newer and greater responsibility! To those not selected, rest assured that ANCHORAGE's success rests upon the shoulders of all our outstanding First Class Petty Officers...

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on July 31, 2013 at 12:52am

ANCHORAGE as the wires are being unwrapped in the DEPERMing crib. --MC1

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on July 30, 2013 at 10:44am

My son gave me his Commissioning Ceremony yearbook...Was put together nicely!

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on July 30, 2013 at 10:31am

Anchorage Successfully Completes Final Contract Trials...
July 29, 2013 at 8:18am

by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Aramis X. Ramirez
USS Anchorage PUblic Affairs


SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Navy’s newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23) moored pierside July 18 in her homeport of San Diego marking the end of a week-long Final Contract Trials (FCT)assessment for the ship’s crew.


FCT is the final assessment from the Navy Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) in which the Sailors and Marines assigned to the crew are responsible for demonstrating the effectiveness of all installed equipment and systems.


Preparations for FCT began when the ship was delivered to the Navy Sept. 17, 2012 and continued through the ship’s commissioning May 4after which the crew conducted two full rehearsals in June.


“For a lot of the crew, this was a long journey that tested not only their knowledge on the systems, but as Sailors,” said Lt. Rob Protsman, Anchorage’s information security officer and FCT coordinator. “Under high tempo, high stress, and a rigorous work schedule, the crew excelled far beyond any I’ve seen and it was amazing to watch.”


Overall, the crew earned a satisfactory rating on all 510 assessments in 28 functional areas. Each inspection is graded on a 100-pointscale with 60 being the minimum passing score. Most inspections garnering a lower tier satisfactory score involved equipment that will be upgraded during the ship’s Post-shakedown Availability (PSA) that will wrap up the ship’s schedule through the end of the year, said Cmdr. Joel Stewart, Anchorage’s commanding officer.


“We had anticipated the few lower passing scores because of issues that remain challenges to this class of ship,” said Stewart. “We’ve assessed them to be correctable and should not affect our schedule. The overall success of FCT is solely based on the tireless efforts, expertise and dedication of this phenomenal crew. They’ve worked hard and I’m proud to say it’s the finest crew I’ve had the pleasure of working with in my 28 years in the Navy.”


Anchorage is currently undergoing Magnetic Treatment (DEPERM) at Naval Base Point Loma’s DEPERMing Station, the fina lpost-commissioning event before PSA.

The procedure reduces the ship’s magnetic signature by charging, or“flashing," the ship’s hull with electromagnetic fields, minimizing its vulnerability to magnetic mines. This will lead into the final phase of pre- and post-commissioning cycles for Anchorage as she heads into PSA to complete system upgrades.


“It’s been a busy two years, but to finally see the ship gofrom metal, wires and cabling, to a fully functional warship is very rewarding,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class Bryan Crews.“Completing FCTs and heading into PSA mean, while demanding, means we get abreather before patting the fresh dust off and getting right back into a high tempo to give the Navy and the nation the fleet asset they expected. I look forward to the next phase of challenges.”


USS Anchorage, the seventh San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, embarks, transports, and lands elements of a landing force fora variety of expeditionary warfare missions as well humanitarian efforts while assigned to Amphibious Squadron Five (PHIBRON 5) and Expeditionary Strike Group Three (ESG 3).

Comment by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on July 23, 2013 at 12:55pm

Anchorage to see refund from shortened USS Anchorage visit...

Federal budget cuts shortened the warship’s stay...

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