Florida Man Began Downloading Child Porn While Living as Navy Member in Hawaii

New details in the arrest resulting in the biggest child porn bust in state history are upsetting.

John Shearen

Investigators say they found girl’s clothing and even pacifiers when they raided John Shearen’s Leesburg apartment Thursday.

Friday morning, a judge refused to give Shearen bond.  He was arrested Thursday and faces charged for possessing and distributing child pornography.  The arrest affidavit lists the disturbing names and descriptions of many of the videos authorities say they found in his home.

It was some of the other items that had people in the neighborhood even more worried.

Detectives with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are busy cataloguing the 51-year-old’s collection of child pornography.

Shearen, a retired Naval officer, said he began downloading back in 2001 while still living in Hawaii…

More here: Disturbing details in child porn arrest for John Shearen

 

Navy’s First Littoral Combat Ship to Make Stop in Hawaii

The U.S. Pacific Fleet announced today that the Navy’s first littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) will depart her homeport of San Diego on March 1 and deploy to the Asia-Pacific region.

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 22, 2013) The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) is underway conducting sea trials off the coast of Southern California. Freedom, the lead ship of the Freedom variant of LCS, is expected to deploy to Southeast Asia this spring. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James R. Evans/Released)

Making good on a pledge made initially by former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates at the 2011 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Freedom will deploy to Southeast Asia and Singapore for approximately eight months. Marking the first of many planned rotational deployments to the Western Pacific for the new LCS platform, Freedom will conduct maritime security operations with regional partners and allies.

“Freedom’s maiden deployment is another clear signal of the Navy’s enduring commitment to maintain security and stability in the vital Asia-Pacific region,” said Adm. Cecil Haney, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. “Rotationally deploying our new littoral combat ships improves our warfighting capability and directly supports the Navy’s rebalance strategy to the Asia-Pacific.

“Even in the face of potential budget cuts, there should be no doubt that the U.S. Pacific Fleet remains on watch and that we will continue to deploy our most capable units forward to operate with our allies and partners.”

After making initial port visits in Hawaii and Guam, Freedom is expected to participate in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) in Singapore and in select phases of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series in Southeast Asia.

During the first-ever LCS deployment, Freedom will demonstrate her operational capabilities and allow the Navy to evaluate crew rotation and maintenance plans. Fast, agile, and mission-focused, LCS platforms are designed to employ modular mission packages that can be configured for three separate purposes: surface warfare, mine countermeasures, or anti-submarine warfare. Freedom will be initially manned by her “Gold” crew of 91 Sailors to include mission package personnel and an aviation detachment to operate an embarked MH-60 helicopter.

“We are genuinely excited about our deployment,” said Cmdr. Timothy Wilke, Freedom’s Gold Crew commanding officer. “The men and women of Freedom have worked extremely hard to get us to where we are today, and I couldn’t be prouder. We’re ready to get out there, work with regional navies and show the world what this ship can do.”

Freedom will remain homeported in San Diego throughout this rotational deployment to Southeast Asia. Midway through Freedom’s deployment, a crew-swap will be conducted with her “Blue” crew, commanded by Cmdr. Patrick C. Thien.

Why the Honolulu Airport is Named the John Rodgers Airport

Here is the reason why the Honolulu Airport is named the John Rodgers Airport.

…On August 31, 1925 at 2:55 p.m., Commander John Rodgers and his crew left San Pablo Bay, San Francisco in Navy PN-9 No. 1 to attempt the first flight across the Pacific Ocean from the Mainland U.S. to Hawaii.  The plane was forced to land in the ocean at 4:15 p.m. September 1 after running out of fuel about 365 miles from Oahu.

After three days of waiting to be picked up, the heroic crew crafted sails from the wings of the plane and sailed toward Hawaii.  Their food supply was exhausted after the third day and their water ran out on the sixth day at sea.  On the tenth day, they spotted Kauai.  Ten miles off shore they encountered a submarine which towed them safely into Ahukini Harbor and a heroes welcome.  The 1,841.12 statute miles flown from August 31 to their forced landing on September 1 was accepted by the F.A. I. as a new world airline distance record for Class C seaplanes that remained unbeaten for almost five years.

John Rodgers Airport was dedicated March 21, 1927.  The principal speaker at the dedication was the Honorable E. P. Warner, Assistant Secretary of the Navy.  The field was named in honor of the late Commander John Rodgers, who had been Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Station at Pearl Harbor from 1923 to 1925, when he left to command the Navy’s historical flight between the West Coast and Hawaii…

Two years before Lindbergh flies non-stop across the Atlantic, man and machine attempt this same daring feat across the Pacific resulting in a dramatically different outcome.

 

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Inaugural Wounded Warrior Pacific Trials Start Tomorrow

Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, will host the first-ever Wounded Warrior Pacific Trials at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and other locations on the island of Oahu, Nov. 12 to 16.

Nearly 50 seriously wounded, ill and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from across the country will compete for a place on the 2013 Warrior Games Navy-Coast Guard team.

The trials will kick off on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Throughout the week, wounded warriors will compete head-to-head in archery, cycling, track and field, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming and wheelchair basketball.

Participants in the trials include active-duty and retired service members with upper-body, lower-body and spinal cord injuries; serious illnesses; traumatic brain injuries; visual impairment; and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for our wounded warriors, who are eager to demonstrate their abilities – rather than disabilities – in a new competitive arena,” said Haney. “November marks Warrior Care Month, and this year’s theme is ‘Success through Transition.’ I can think of no better time to celebrate the accomplishments of these service members, who have not let illness or injury slow them down.”

Ultimately, 35 athletes will be selected for the Navy-Coast Guard team that will compete at the 2013 Warrior Games, an annual competition among wounded warriors from all branches of military service. The final Navy-Coast Guard team roster will be announced aboard the USS Missouri Nov. 16 at 3:30 p.m. The team is sponsored by Navy Wounded Warrior-Safe Harbor, the Navy’s organization for coordinating the non-medical care of seriously wounded, ill, and injured Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and their families.

A schedule of Wounded Warrior Pacific Trials practice sessions and events is available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/pacific-trials/2012/. Athlete biographies, news and imagery of the competitions will be posted to the website as they become available.

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USS Crommelin Decommissioned Today – Last Stop in Hilo Was During Merrie Monarch

During last years Merrie Monarch, I got invited to tour the Pearl Harbor-based guided missile frigate warship the USS Crommelin and learned at that time that it would be decommissioned later on this year.

USS Crommelin (FFG-37), twenty-eighth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class of guided-missile frigates.

Well today the US Navy released the following release announcing that it is being decommissioned today.

Sailors line up in front of the USS Crommelin while she was ported in Hilo last year

The US Navy reports:

The Navy is retiring a Pearl Harbor-based guided missile frigate after putting the ship to use for nearly 30 years.

The Navy is holding a ceremony on Friday to decommission the Crommelin.

In 2004, the Crommelin intercepted and recovered more than 20 tons of cocaine worth more than $1 billion and detained 29 drug smugglers. It also rescued 96 people adrift at sea.

The Crommelin is named after three brothers from Wetumpka, Ala., who served during World War II.

The oldest became a surface warfare officer while two others died in combat as naval aviators. A monument commemorating their bravery rests in Battleship Park in Mobile, Ala.

The Crommelin entered service in 1983.

While the Crommelin was in Hilo for the Merrie Monarch, Mayor Kenoi’s office proclaimed it to be USS Crommelin day and a small celebration was held for the sailors.

One sailor got to pick and choose who he wanted to have dance with the dancers and I could see big smiles on all the sailors faces as he was calling out names.

You have to know that Hawaii is the place that all sailors in the Navy want to be stationed!

Tahitian Dance for the sailors of the USS Crommelin

I’m glad I got my USS Crommelin Coin before the ship was decommissioned as this buggah just became even more important to me!

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Navy in Hawaii Wins Top Prize for Energy

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam was the big winner today in a ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. recognizing commands that are leading the way in energy security.

CAPT Jeff James, Joint Base Commander, and teams from Hawaii were on hand to receive the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Energy and Water Management Award.

U.S. Navy courtesy photo

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus recognized select commands for leading the Department of the Navy in reducing energy and water consumption, increasing use of renewable energy sources and constructing sustainable facilities, all while maintaining mission readiness.

“These awards demonstrate the progress that we have made in the last three and a half years to change the way we think about and the way we produce and use energy,” said Mabus. “We are working towards these energy goals to help us become a more effective military force to help us accomplish the mission that the nation gives us.”

Navy leaders have shown how renewable energy saves lives on the battlefield and provides independence from foreign sources of energy.

Hawaii Leads

As SECNAV Platinum Command Award winner, the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is authorized to fly the SECNAV Energy Flag for one year. There is also a cash award of $45,000.

The USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) was honored with Platinum level status for afloat commands and will receive a $5,000 award.
Also earning recognition were the Pacific Missile Range Facility, receiving Gold level of achievement, and the USS Hopper (DDG 70), awarded Blue level of achievement.

WASHINGTON (Oct. 3, 2012) Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks at the Secretary of the Navy Energy and Water Management Awards ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial. The awards recognize Navy and Marine Corps installations, ships and squadrons for their notable progress toward the Department of the Navy’s goals of reducing energy and water consumption, increasing the use of renewable energy, and constructing sustainable facilities. (U.S. navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brett Cote/ Released)

“Congratulations to everyone – past and present, ashore and afloat – who earned this tremendous recognition,” said Rear Adm. Frank Ponds, commander of Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. Pearl Harbor-Hickam, USS Paul Hamilton, PMRF and USS Hopper are commended for strong leadership, commitment and advocacy for energy and water management. I am extremely proud that the honors we received recognize our ‘one team’ – both the installations and the waterfront.”

Among the accomplishments leading to JBPHH winning the 2012 SECNAV Energy and Water Management Award include reducing energy consumption by 18 percent in the first year of FOC [full operational capability], constructing photovoltaic systems at five JBPHH facilities and at the Pacific Missile Range, and conducting more than $6.5M in energy and water efficiency projects in fiscal year 2011.

The JBPHH energy team is comprised of Katie Ramirez and Amy Nishijima, installation energy managers, who are also part of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii, as well as building energy monitors who conduct weekly audits of energy usage.
“This is a truly a team award, and represents the collective efforts of every command and individual across the entire joint base,” said Capt. Jeffrey James, commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

“The sheer size and diversity of this base – ranging from SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team One on the Pearl City Peninsula to the Hawaii Air National Guard on Hickam to the Naval Communications/Telecommunications Area Master Station at Wahiawa Annex, and everything in-between-make this recognition all the more meaningful,” he said.

“I couldn’t be prouder to be associated with the outstanding military service members, DoD civilians and families residing onboard JBPHH. It is their commitment and willingness to go the extra mile that make achievements like this possible. As you drive by the flagpole at the JBPHH HQ building and see the SECNAV Energy Award flag proudly waving in the warm trade winds, you can rightly feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that you helped put it there,” James said.

Achievements Recognized

The DoN is cultivating a culture of energy efficiency on shore and at sea resulting in enhanced energy readiness and innovation. DoN is a widely recognized leader in renewable energy production. Equivalent of 19 percent of DoN shore electricity consumption comes from alternative sources.

Eight Navy and Marine Corps commands were recognized for exemplary energy and water savings which resulted in combined energy savings in 2011 of more than 418,500 million British thermal units (MBtu), enough energy for more than 4,144 homes for an entire year. The commands brought new renewable energy systems on line that produce 48,700 MBtu per year, equal to the energy requirements of 482 homes per year. Water savings were more than 37.5 million gallons, equivalent to 57 Olympic-size swimming pools. Cost avoidance in 2011 topped more than $16.7 million.

Navy commands undergo a rigorous evaluation of their overall energy and water management performance and are ranked according to a system of SECNAV award winners, then platinum, gold or blue level of achievement. Ten platinum, 51 gold and 36 blue commands were also recognized during the ceremony.

Mabus emphasized DoN’s aggressive energy and water consumption goals laid out three years ago. These five goals strengthen the strategic, tactical and operational capabilities of the Navy and Marine Corps while enhancing environmental stewardship:

The DoN’s five energy goals are:

.    Increase Alternative Energy Use DoN-Wide: By 2020, 50 percent of total DoN energy consumption will come from alternative sources;
.    Sail the “Great Green Fleet”: DoN demonstrated a Green Strike Group in local operations in 2012 and will sail it by 2016;
.    Reduce Non-Tactical Petroleum Use: By 2015; DoN will reduce petroleum use in the commercial vehicle fleet by 50 percent;
.    Energy Ashore: By 2020, DoN will produce at least 50 percent of shore-based energy requirements from alternative sources; 50 percent of DoN installations will be net-zero; and
.    Energy Efficient Acquisition: Evaluation of energy factors will be mandatory when awarding contracts for systems and buildings.

“We have energy goals that we want to achieve and because of the courage, bold actions and innovations of our winners today, we will achieve these goals,” said Mabus. “We are on the path to create a new energy future that will increase the security of this country because that is what the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps have always done.”

For more news on U.S. Department of the Navy Energy, visit http://greenfleet.dodlive.mil.

USS Crommelin to Visit Hilo for Merrie Monarch Festival

The Pearl Harbor-based guided missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG-37) will visit Hilo April 12-15 to participate in the 49th annual Merrie Monarch Festival. Rear Admiral Fernandez “Frank” Ponds, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, will also attend the festivities at the invitation of The Merrie Monarch Festival director.

Sailors man the rails aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37) as the ship gets underway for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup/Released)

USS Crommelin will greet the Merrie Monarch Royal Court during a pierside welcome ceremony at Hilo Harbor Pier 1 on Friday, April 13 at 11 a.m.  USS Crommelin Sailors, along with Rear Adm. Ponds, will attend the hula competitions and participate in the Merrie Monarch Royal Parade on Saturday, April 14 at 10:30 a.m. along downtown Hilo.  The Navy’s Pacific Fleet Band will also participate in the parade.

USS Crommelin (FFG 37) joins Royal Cambodian Navy patrol craft (PC 1141 and PC 1108) for joint ship maneuvers off southern Cambodia, during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Cambodia 2010. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Robert Clowney/Released)

A select group of Waiakea High School Navy JROTC cadets will have the rare opportunity to embark the ship on its return trip from the Big Island to Pearl Harbor.

Royal Cambodian Navy officers depart USS Crommelin (FFG 37) after opening ceremonies for the second phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Cambodia 2010. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross/Released)

USS Crommelin is a 453-foot long Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate with a mission to escort and protect carrier battle groups, amphibious landing groups, underway replenishment groups and convoys.  Commanding officer Cmdr. Michael Johns leads a crew of about 200 Hawaii-based Sailors.

Navy Looking at OTEC Plans for Hawaii’s Future

… the U.S. military plans to move 8,000 Marines and 17,000 family members to Guam from Okinawa, Japan, by 2014. But these new residents and the expanded military installations are likely to overwhelm Guam’s power grid, which today generates all of its electricity from imported oil.

The Navy thinks “ocean thermal energy conversion” may be the answer to Guam’s future electricity needs – and Diego Garcia’s, Kwajalein’s and Hawaii’s, too…

…But it could start a process that within a generation could have ocean thermal energy conversion providing all the electricity Guam – or Hawaii or Diego Garcia – needs, Lockheed officials say.

More here