Category: Defense

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

Sitting amongst an animated group of abuelos, Spanish for grandparents, are Sailors from Navy Medical Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Rota. The Sailors are here for a weekly community relations (COMREL) event at La Asociación de Familiares de Enfermos de Alzheimer y otras Demencias «El Arenal de Rota» (AFA EL ARENAL DE ROTA) in Rota, Spain. While they may speak different languages, they have found commonality in laughter, smiles, and shared activities.

“It’s a mutual enthusiasm to see our friends each week,” said Lt. Ryan Twaddle, a general dentist at NMRTC Rota. “The abuelos know we come on Tuesdays, and we look forward to talking about our weekends, upcoming fiestas, past vacations or time spent with family.”

Twaddle and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Rocio Jimenez Lopez, assigned to dental/prosthodontics department, wanted to incorporate an ongoing service opportunity for NMRTC Sailors within the local community.

“The NMRTC Rota MWR team wanted to start regular service opportunities for our staff, but we wanted a COMREL that matched our mission as caregivers,” explained Twaddle.

For Jimenez Lopez, the reason was a bit more personal. She is originally from Seville, Spain, so connecting Sailors with locals was important to her.

They approached Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota Community Relations Specialist, Alejandra Tirapu Lucero, to see what opportunities were available locally. After some research, they visited the association and decided it would be a perfect fit.

“Although we aren’t providing healthcare, our experience in bedside manner and developing rapport with patients helps us connect with the abuelos,” said Twaddle.

Each week the Sailors are warmly welcomed by the abuelos and staff to the center. The Sailors then break off into group – typically with one Spanish-speaker per group – to begin the coordination-focused activity prepared by the staff. Jimenez Lopez has taken the lead on serving as an on-site liaison between the staff, abuelos, and Sailors.

“Some weeks we color, make crafts and sort items to maintain hand skills,” said Twaddle. “Other times we chat with abuelos while they do their physical therapy or complete their computer activities. Often times though, they will start singing and soon the whole room will erupt in clapping, singing and music!”

While the center only provides care for 60 participants, the ripples are felt throughout the Rota community. Javier Martin, the psychologist for the center, estimates that there are over 600 persons within the Rota community with a cognitive behavior such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, etc. Extend that to their families and the number grows to approximately 1,800 impacted community members. The time, energy, and involvement put forth by the NMRTC Sailors of this COMREL is felt throughout the community.

One volunteer told the story of shopping in Rota and being asked where she worked. When she said the base hospital, the employee responded, “There’s a group from the hospital that visit my mom each week. She really looks forward to those visits.”

This type of validation is why Twaddle and Jimenez Lopez started this COMREL – to find commonality, share their daily life and cultures, give back, and enrich their time stationed here. For many involved – both Sailors and residents – this weekly COMREL has become a highlight.

As the group continues to evolve and change with upcoming PCS season, Twaddle and Jimenez Lopez are confident that this COMREL will continue because all the Sailors who participate enjoy the interactions with locals.
“It’s easy to have a routine: wake up, go to work, go home, repeat,” said Twaddle. “COMRELs provide an opportunity to positively disrupt your day, develop new relationships and experience more of what a duty station has to offer.”

Jimenez Lopez agrees, adding that for many of the unaccompanied Sailors, the COMREL can be their home away from home. “This can be their Spanish abuelos!”

NMRTC Rota serves as a force multiplier in Navy Medicine’s strategic global medical support mission throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East while also supporting operational readiness and maintaining a strategic repository of expertise at the Naval Hospital Rota military treatment facility within the Iberian Peninsula.

As the “Gateway to the Mediterranean,” NAVSTA Rota provides U.S., NATO and allied forces a strategic hub for operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. NAVSTA Rota is a force multiplier, capable of promptly deploying and supporting combat-ready forces through land, air and sea, enabling warfighters and their families, sustaining the fleet and fostering the U.S. and Spanish partnership.

Source: United States Navy (Medical)

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC – A physical therapist assigned to Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Camp Lejeune is named Navy Medicine’s Senior Physical Therapy Officer of the Year for 2023.

Lt. Cmdr. Laura Riebel, a native of Fairfax, Virginia, was awarded the recognition designated for Medical Service Corps officers. The award recognizes compassion, accountability, professionalism, and leadership within medical and subspecialty fields of Navy Medicine.

“I’ve always tried to be very involved in the command with different actions that are taking place both within my role and through different collaterals as well. I also as serve different positions outside of my command,” said Riebel, who serves as the department head for Rehabilitation Services at Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune.

Riebel serves as the Federal Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Program Executive where she selects different presentations on work and research done in the military and Veteran’s Affairs to showcase at their annual conference each year.

“Lt. Cmdr. Riebel’s robust involvement in multiple Navy Medicine collaterals, have far-reaching impact throughout the Medical Service Corps and serve to strengthen our tri-service partnership in the Defense Health Agency,” Captain Kevin Brown, Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune director and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command commander, said in his recommendation letter.

Riebel’s commended work can be tracked back to her last command, Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois, where she was the assistant clinical director for the medical clinic. She proposed ideas for how to incorporate faster recovery for patients that were on a medical hold by changing some of the programming they were doing in the physical rehabilitation clinics. Riebel also proposed how to get recruits who were recovering from their injuries to pass their fitness tests by allowing them to do alternative cardio, which up until then was not allowed.

“Lieutenant Commander Riebel’s accomplishments while collaborating with RTC will have lasting effects on the fleet,” said Brown. “She singlehandedly proposed three initiatives on methods to reduce attrition and overuse injuries at boot camp. All three garnered overwhelming support and were implemented.”

The work of Riebel and her staff impacts approximately 40,000 beneficiaries through a variety of sub-clinics like physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

“I became a physical therapist because I love human anatomy and physiology and the concept that when moving the correct ways, our bodies can do so much to heal ourselves,” said Riebel. “I’m so honored to be a part of the Navy PT community, providing these services to our service-members and beneficiaries around the globe that have a lasting impact on our patients’ quality of life every day.”

Next up for Riebel and the PT staff of NMCCL are preparations for the new Warfighter Readiness and Rehabilitation Center located at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The new center will expand PT staffing and capabilities for active duty and TRICARE beneficiaries.

Source: United States Navy (Fleet Command)

by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jimmy Ivy

20 February 2024

NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. —

USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) returned to its homeport of Naval Station Mayport, February 18, 2024, following a near 3-month surge deployment.

The ship deployed Dec. 1 to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations as part of deterrence efforts in the region following the outbreak of conflict in Israel.

Deploying with Mayport sister ship USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), Delbert D. Black demonstrated the operational practicality of relieving carrier strike group warships while on station. Upon entering the Mediterranean Sea, Delbert D. Black and The Sullivans relieved USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) and joined the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. Drawing on crew proficiency and lessons from a Pre-Deployment Emergent Integrated Training event, Delbert D. Black was immediately capable of performing escort, screening, and warfare commander functions expected of Carrier Strike Group units.

“The seamless integration of Delbert D. Black into ongoing operations established proof of concept for sustained and continuous combat operations at sea, which enhancing the surface Navy’s ability to fight and win,” said Cmdr. Adam Stein, commanding officer of Delbert D. Black.

Following the departure of Gerald R. Ford, Delbert D. Black continued presence operations in the Mediterranean Sea, enabling options and flexibility to operational commanders in theatre. Delbert D. Black went on to integrate operations with elements of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two, conduct joint training evolutions with the Italian Navy, and provide ballistic missile defense to the European continent.

“For many Delbert D. Black Trailblazers, departing for a surge deployment can be jarring, but I quickly learned how resilient the Sailors of this command were,” said Master Chief Keona Johnson, Command Master Chief (CMC) of Delbert D. Black. “We were ready for anything on this deployment, but still maintained high morale while answering our nations call. This crew was able to maximize qualifications and become stronger warfighters. I am a proud CMC because of this team and look forward to sailing safe again with all of my Sailors!”

During the 79 days underway, the ship’s crew conducted seven underway replenishments, logged more than 180 flight hours, sailed more than 21,000 nautical miles, and safely transferred 1.2 million gallons of fuel with zero mishaps. The crew operated at sea for a continuous period of 46 days through the holidays. Delbert D. Black’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) team hosted multiple events to help the crew keep their spirits up while away from their families.

“With the surge deployment, the crew spent the holidays at sea, but that did not stop the holiday spirit,” said Ens. Rachel Anthony, Delbert D. Black’s MWR Fun Boss. “While underway the crew enjoyed 20 MWR events, which included redecorating the main deck in holiday decorations, a lip sync battle and some delicious grilled cheese made by the command triad.”

USS Delbert D. Black commenced their trans-Atlantic voyage the beginning of February to return to Mayport, coming home to a warm reception by friends and family on the pier.

“I was fortunate to return home from deployment on my birthday this year and was greeted by my family,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class Tyler Pascale. “Seeing the birthday signs and welcome home signs along with my nephews smiles makes it all worth it.”

Delbert D. Black is an Arleigh Burke-Class destroyer named for the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON), the Navy’s most senior enlisted rank. MCPON Black is known as a trailblazer for his initiatives that improved quality of life for the Navy’s junior ranks, and established the importance and value of having an empowered enlisted force in the Navy.