Guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) departed Naval Station Norfolk for a deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility to participate in anti-piracy and maritime security operations.

"Our crew is ready and motivated for the work that lies ahead," Lt. Alexa Forsyth, Operations Officer, said. "This ship remained focused throughout the training cycle; I am confident that we will be a valued asset for Combatant and Naval Component Commanders."

More than a half century since it was established to confront the Cold War threat, North American Aerospace Defense Command is at a new crossroads as officials in the United States and Canada determine the capabilities it will need to confront emerging challenges and threats in the decades ahead.

When a $200 million aircraft breaks down in a dangerous place like Afghanistan or Colombia, pilots just can't call "Triple A." But they can call on their flying crew chief who, as most aircrew members know, knows everything.

Flying crew chiefs are the mechanics of the sky, flying missions all over the world and a pilot's best friend.

"These guys have saved many, many missions," said Lt. Col. Jeffery Smith of the 300th Airlift Squadron and aircraft commander on this trip across the Pacific Ocean. "They make our job of flying the airplane much easier."

Two Commander, Submarine Group 9 submarines, Trident ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) and guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726), were recognized Jan. 1 by Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet as recipients of the 2012 Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E").

Maine's Blue and Gold crews received the Battle "E" for Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 17, while Ohio's Blue Crew was awarded the Battle "E" for Submarine Squadron 19.

This is Maine's first Battle "E" award since 2007 and Ohio's first since 2009.

The U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Survivability/Lethality Analysis Directorate's state-of-the-art Electromagnetic Vulnerability Assessment Facility here is used to conduct experiments that address the electromagnetic vulnerability requirements of the U.S. Army Weapon and Communication-Electronics Systems.

Electromagnetic vulnerability is the characteristics of a system that cause it to suffer a definite degradation (incapability to perform the designated mission) as a result of having been subjected to a certain level of electromagnetic environmental effects, also called EMV.

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, assigned to the Harry S. Truman Strike Group, welcomed the Navy's first female CVW commander during CVW-3's change of command ceremony Jan 4.

During the ceremony, which was conducted at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Va., Capt. Michael S. Wallace, commander of "Team Battle Axe," was relieved by Capt. Sara A. Joyner.

"We have an amazing air wing and the squadrons make us the lethal fighting force we are," said Wallace, a native of Brookings, Ore. "The air wing is sharp and ready to go. I look forward to watching [Joyner] lead this team we built together."

Video by Air National Guard Training and Education Center

The commander of Navy Region Southeast presented a chief the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism during a ceremony Jan. 3.

Chief Gas Turbine System Technician (Electrical) (SW) Bryain Williams of Transient Personnel Unit/Pre-Trial Confinement Facility (TPU/PCF) Jacksonville received the prestigious presidential award from Rear Adm. Jack Scorby Jr. Williams for rescuing 4-month-old Jimmy Knight from a burning house May 11, 2010 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Williams spoke about those intense minutes as he risked his life to save the young child.

Maneuvering under the thunderous echoes emanating from mortar rounds hitting a fortified position ahead, the Marines bring the precision of an organized assault to the chaos of the battlefield.

Marines and Sailors with Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted a live-fire and maneuver exercise in a collection of hills and valleys, Jan. 4.

One squad at a time, the Marines set out from their campsite to push their way through thick foliage and deep mud on the way to the target.