Monday, May 23, 2011
Last updated: Monday May 23, 2011, 5:50 PM
The Record
STAFF WRITER
The tremendous bow of the USS New York will cut through New York Harbor and into the Hudson on Wednesday, with its crew manning the rails. The ship will pass the Statue of Liberty and the forever changed skyline of downtown Manhattan, then continue to the George Washington Bridge before turning around and heading for the Staten Island berth it will call home during Fleet Week New York.

U.S. NAVY
The USS New York “We’re ready to go,” said Gunner’s Mate Seaman Michael Kolbeck, 29, of East Brunswick. Kolbeck was one of three crew members who grew up in New Jersey and took time while off duty to answer questions about this special ship as Fleet Week approached.

The bow stem of the USS New York was forged with 7 1/2 tons of steel salvaged from the collapsed World Trade Center. The amphibious vessel will be one of seven Navy ships and Coast Guard cutters taking part in the annual Parade of Ships, which kicks off Fleet Week. Starting Thursday, visitors can tour the ships.

If you go
Wednesday

PARADE OF SHIPS

•What: The ships will go up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge, then turn and head for their Fleet Week ports.
•When: 8:30 a.m. to noon.
•Best places to watch from North Jersey: Anywhere with a view of the Hudson, including Liberty State Park, Jersey City; Alexander Hamilton Park, Boulevard East pedestrian walkway or Weehawken Waterfront Park, Weehawken; Fort Lee Historic Park, Fort Lee; Maxwell Place Park and Pier A, Hoboken.
INTREPID SEA, AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM

•What: A week of activities on the ship and on its pier, including concerts, a special performance of “Wicked” and special demonstrations. Anything on the pier is free to the public. To watch the Parade of Ships from the Intrepid’s flight deck or attend the Memorial Day Ceremony on the flight deck, a ticket to the museum must be purchased.
•When: Wednesday through May 31.
•Where: Pier 86, Manhattan.
•Info and tickets: intrepidmuseum.org.
Thursday

PUBLIC TOURS

•What: Go onboard the Navy ships and Coast Guard cutters. (USS Iwo Jima closed Sunday.)
•When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., through May 31.
•Where: Pier 88, 48th Street and West Side Highway, Manhattan, and Homeport Pier, 455 Front St., Stapleton, Staten Island.
Friday

TIMES SQUARE CONCERTS

•What: U.S. Marine Corps Band.
•When: 2 to 3 p.m.
•What: Navy Band Northeast Jazz Ensemble.
•When: 5 to 6 p.m.
•Where: Times Square, Manhattan.
Saturday

CONCERT

•What: Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble.
•When: 2 to 6 p.m.
•Where: Tappen Park, Staten Island.
Sunday

TIMES SQUARE CONCERTS

•What: U.S. Marine Corps Band.
•When: 2 to 3 p.m.
•What: Navy Band Northeast Popular Music Group.
•When: 5 to 6 p.m.
•Where: Times Square, Manhattan.
“We’re ready to present the ship and answer any questions anyone has, explain different areas of the ship and what our main mission is when we’re out at sea fighting the war,” said Kolbeck.

Seeing these impressive ships up close is always memorable, but a tour of the USS New York, with its Twin Towers steel, is different. The ship’s motto is “Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget.” The ship’s crest simply says, “Never Forget.” The crew hasn’t.

“My shipmates are like family [and] we all hold the meaning to the ship very near and dear to our hearts,” Operations Specialist 2nd Class Shatara Jewell of West Orange wrote in an e-mail.

The USS New York, whose homeport is Norfolk, Va., was commissioned on Nov. 7, 2009 in New York. As part of that week of events, crew members gave tours to first responders and family and friends of people killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

“I cannot adequately express the humbling feeling of giving tours to the families and friends of 9/11 victims, NYC Firefighters, NYPD officers, and Port Authority officers,” Ensign Mauricio Blondet of Springfield wrote in an e-mail. “Their love and admiration towards this ship is what gives all of us the motivation and strength to work hard at performing the ship’s mission.”

Kolbeck agreed that being on the ship creates a special feeling.

“It’s kind of weird sometimes, but there is a connection there,” said Kolbeck, who watched the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks from the open doors of the East Brunswick garage where he worked as an auto mechanic. He wasn’t moved to enlist immediately, but seven years later, he became the third generation of his family to enter the military.

Blondet, 30, who emigrated from Chile to Newark before moving to Springfield, was already in the Navy when the planes struck the towers, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field. He remembers being put on an immediate security detail as his Norfolk base went into lockdown. In 2009, when it was time for his ship selection, he put in his request for the USS New York to be a part of this special crew.

Jewell, 23f, was a high school sophomore sitting in history class. The terrorist attacks motivated her to join the military.

“The USS New York has a special meaning to me because 9/11 is the reason I joined the Navy,” Jewell wrote. “It showed me the importance of protecting what is important to me like family, friends, and protecting my freedom.”

The ship is preparing for a 2012 deployment, but for Fleet Week the crew’s job is to give tours, act as ambassadors, enjoy themselves and visit with family, friends and residents in the area they proudly carry with them wherever they go.

“It is a great honor to be a part of this crew and to represent New York,” wrote Blondet. “I can’t wait to see and experience that welcome we will receive from the people from the tri-state area. It was an amazing experience in 2009 during the ship’s commissioning. It was something I will never forget. I am sure that Fleet Week 2011 will be just as wonderful.”

E-mail: yoriok@northjersey.com

Tags: Crews News, New York Metro, News

Posted By: Submarine Group 2 Public A

Published 02/08/2011 12:00 AMUpdated 02/08/2011 12:36 PM

Rear Adm. Michael E. McLaughlin, Commander, Submarine Group 2, awards CMDCM(SS) Raphael Perez, Command Master Chief, Submarine Group 2, with his end of tour award, a Meritorious Service Medal. Perez received the medal for his meritorious deckplate mentoring, initiative and his experience as a mariner coupled with sound judgement and strength of commitment. He will be relieved by CMDCM(SS) Wesley K. Koshoffer, Command Master Chief, Submarine Development Squadron 12, Feb. 18 and reporting to USS New York (LPD 21).

Command Master Chief (CMDCM) Rafael Perez will say goodbye to Submarine Group 2 (CSG2) and its waterfront Sailors Feb. 18. He will be relieved by CMDCM Wesley K. Koshoffer, Submarine Development Squadron 12’s Command Master Chief, before transferring to USS New York (LPD 21).

Perez’s job as the Command Master Chief (CMC) is to work with the submarine squadrons and major commands CMCs to ensure that enlisted personnel are supported and developed both professionally and personally.

“I have the best job in the world,” said Perez. “I got to meet so many different Sailors and worked with the senior enlisted leadership. I also got to visit the ships and find out what’s really happening at the deck plate. I’ve really enjoyed working with each and every one of them. “

Upon arriving in December 2008, Perez worked to enhance the working relationship between all the CMCs.

“I have such a great relationship with the current squadron master chiefs that there was never an instance where we could not put our heads together, figure out the problem and make Group 2 better.”

Perez leaves the submarine force to expand his naval career as a surface Sailor.

“It’s bittersweet,” commented Perez. “I loved my 24 years in the submarine force…for me to leave is like leaving my brothers behind. But I’m excited about the opportunity of the new challenges and the new experiences that I’m going to come across.”

Perez will not be going to just any ship. As a proud native of the Bronx in New York, the USS New York holds a special meaning for him.

“In my opinion, the New York is the most important ship in the Navy,” stated Perez. “There’s no other ship that represents what the state of New York represents. There is no other ship that has a piece of history in its hull. There were people who died in the horrific attack (on 9/11), and their souls, their blood is in that metal…It is overwhelming. It is an incredible honor. It is the only ship I would leave the submarine force for.”

As a squadron master chief, Koshoffer often worked with Perez.

“Perez is obviously a very talented leader and a large personality in the area. I have big shoes to fill as I come up here to take his job,” said Koshoffer. “He’s done a phenomenal job. He’s at the pinnacle of his career and the top of his game. Now he’s found a new level to go to – something completely new, completely different, and it’s got to be very exciting for him.”

Koshoffer, a native of Newport, R.I., joined the Navy in March 1989. He brings more than two decades of naval experience to the job.

Koshoffer is also no stranger to the Groton area. He did a tour as chief of the boat (COB) on USS Alexandria (SSN 757) and was the command master chief of submarine school before assuming his job at Squadron 12.

“I have my very best friend in the submarine force relieving me,” said Perez, “so I know Group 2 is in great hands. He is the best example of a command master chief that I could think of. I just know that I am leaving the group with a man who cares just as much about submariners as I do.”

Tags: Crews News, News

Relieved Cmdr. Curt Jones in ceremony on Friday

Updated: Friday, 11 Feb 2011, 11:32 AM EST
Published : Friday, 11 Feb 2011, 11:08 AM EST

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Cmdr. William Herrmann relieved Cmdr. Curt Jones as Commanding Officer of the USS New York (LPD 21) during a change of command ceremony held aboard the ship at BAE Systems Shipyard on Friday.

Cmdr. Jones was the first Captain of the USS New York, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, and was part of its commissioning in November of 2009. On February 4, New York successfully passed the Board of Inspection and Survey’s Final Contract Trials.

The USS New York, named to commemorate the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, is built with 7.5 tons of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center towers.

Jones’ next tour of duty will be in Washington, D.C.

Cmdr. Herrmann is a native of Montville, Conn. He was commissioned through the United States Merchant Marine Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation with a minor in Marine Engineering in 1994.

Following graduation, he worked for the National Response Corporation responding to numerous oil spill and environmental incidents to include the coastal oil spill in the Delaware Bay and the Trans World Airlines flight 800 disaster off of Long Island, New York.

After activating his reserve commission, he served onboard the USS Mitscher (DDG 57) as the Damage Control Assistant, First Lieutenant and Training Officer, the USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) as the Operations Officer, the USS Essex (LHD 2) as First Lieutenant, as Amphibious Squadron Five’s Material Officer and onboard the USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) as Executive Officer.

Ashore, Herrmann served an instructor at Surface Warfare Officer’s School, Newport, Rhode Island. He also served with Coast Guard Defense Force East acting as a liaison between the Navy and Coast Guard in matters dealing with Maritime Homeland Defense.

Herrmann earned a master’s of arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from Naval Postgraduate School.

Tags: Crews News, News