By Jim Garamone WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2014 - Education and the willingness to move are keys for anyone getting ahead in federal service, the deputy director of resources at U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, said in a recent interview. Rhonda Diaz, a member of the senior executive service, discussed federal service and the growing number of Hispanic Americans. Hispanic American Heritage Month begins today and runs throughOct. 15. Diaz said she believes it is important to recognize Hispanic Americans, as their efforts were often neglected in the past. In addition, she said, the month is important so others "are exposed to our culture, our traditions and really understand the contributions we have made to the United States, and DoD as well." Hispanic American population is growing According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanic Americans make up just over 17 percent of the U.S. population, and that percentage is growing. Diaz, who will leave her post in Germany next month to move to be the director of the Army Civilian Human Resource Agency, entered federal service in 1988 as a GS-7. She said she has seen a tremendous growth in the number of Hispanic Americans in government. "And that is a good thing," Diaz said. "We still have a long ways to go, but we do see a positive trend with more Hispanics entering the workforce." Diaz said she believes more Hispanic Americans should be in senior positions. Many Hispanic Americans serve in entry-level civilian jobs and as junior enlisted personnel in the military, she noted. More Hispanics needed in senior positions Diaz added that she would like to see Hispanics in more-senior civilian positions, senior enlisted positions, and as commissioned officers. Still, she said, "we are seeing more and more Hispanics growing into leadership and management positions." Education is key to this process, she said. "In the personnel community, we are actively trying to recruit Hispanics," she said. "Over time, as they go through their careers, you are seeing more and more [Hispanic Americans] emerge to be leaders." Mentorship is important Mentorship programs are helpful, she added, and all young workers, no matter their ethnicity or race, should participate in them. When she talks to young men and women, Diaz said, she stresses the importance of education -- the more, the better. "Even a bachelor's degree isn't the magic key it once was," she said. "Science and technology, math and foreign language expertise -- our Hispanic community can bring those skill sets to the department." Seek responsibility From the beginning of her federal career, Diaz said, she has sought out jobs with more and more responsibility and jobs that would broaden her experiences. Her first job, she said, was in classification at McClellan Air Force Base, California. "It gave me a perspective of all the different jobs that are available," Diaz said. She then moved to Lindsey Air Station in Wiesbaden, Germany. Work overseas "It was an absolutely amazing opportunity," Diaz said. "I think anyone who works for the Department of Defense as a civilian should try to go overseas." Back in the United States, Diaz worked at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, and then moved on to be an action officer at DoD's regionalization and modernization office, where personnel offices were merged into regional personnel centers. Diaz moved to the Defense Personnel Data System, where she said she "learned how to talk IT talk," and then moved to the Office of Personnel Management, where she headed the Enterprise Human Resources Integration Initiative. "That really increased my experience," she said. She came back to DoD and was the program manager for the Defense Civilian Personnel Data System, and served as the deputy director of the Civilian Personnel Management Service -- now called the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service. Her move to Stuttgart gave her experience at a combatant command, and she will start at the Army Civilian Human Resource Agency in October. Selfless service Many people have helped her along the way in her career, Diaz said. One thing they all impressed on her was that a federal career is "more about selfless service and less about the paycheck," she said. "It gives you a sense that you are accomplishing something for the greater good," she added. Diaz said her family lives within an hour of where she was brought up, and that they regarded her move to California in 1988 "as a big move." Her job has taken her from the Horn of Africa to the capitals of Europe and all through the United States. Her family regards her as "kind of the gypsy," she said. "I think they are proud of me." |
Monday, September 15, 2014
Executive Discusses Hispanic American Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrates Cultural Diversity
By Amaani Lyle
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2014 - Since 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson was in office, America has observed National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to celebrate the contributions and culture of citizens of Latin American descent.
Today's start of National Hispanic Heritage Month also marks the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, while independence days for Mexico and Chile are observed, respectively, Sept. 16 andSept. 18.
In an interview with The Pentagon Channel, Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Juan G. Ayala, Marine Corps Installations Command facilities service division commander, noted history shows Hispanics have made an impact in all walks of the military, government and industry.
Diversity is an asset
"It's an important time of the year to highlight the contributions Hispanics have made not only to the military but to the nation as a whole," he said. "If you look at the last 12 years of war and ... the contributions of Hispanics, you'll see they've participated in every operation and they've done so with distinction ... with honor and they'll continue to do so."
Ayala emphasized the importance of diversity within the Marine Corps and beyond not only as a reflection of the country, but as an impetus to increase military efficiency and readiness.
"Only 1 percent of the population of the United States is in the military," Ayala said. "We're not different because we're Hispanics, we are Americans and we reflect what this country is about and what the founding fathers wanted it to be."
The eldest of nine children, Ayala recounted his own journey to the Marine Corps, noting that his late parents were immigrants who had little grasp of the English language.
"I remember seeing my neighbors go into the Marine Corps and they were completely different people when they came back ... I was very impressed," the general said. "I thought I could really give back by joining ... and ever since I was in the fifth grade I knew I wanted to become a United States Marine."
Important values
Values such as selflessness, hard work, dignity, and respect for all mirror the Marine Corps' core values, Ayala said.
"After 35 years, I still had that good baggage from my family and that work ethic; it's just a reflection of who we are," said Ayala, adding the same principles apply in battle.
"We don't leave a Marine behind -- it's all about your unit, your leadership and your Marine," he said.
Ayala said his role models come from various backgrounds.
"We don't get here by ourselves -- it's on the backs and shoulders of a lot of great people," he said.
The general credited his father, as well as Marine Corps' commissioned and noncommissioned officers of all backgrounds, who mentored him and guided his career.
Prepare for the future
The general said his best advice to younger generations is to finish education in both high school and college to prepare for future leadership roles in the military and industry, each of which rely on diversity to increase their effectiveness.
"It's not about getting numbers for numbers' sake," Ayala said. "[Diversity] makes us more ready to fight and defend our nation."
Ayala also said he encourages service members to join celebrations at bases and installations and to reach out to Hispanics to learn about their stories.
(Follow Amaani Lyle on Twitter: @LyleDoDNews)
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Star-Spangled Banner Waves at Fort McHenry
By Navy Seaman Kameren Guy Hodnett
Navy Public Affairs Support Element East
BALTIMORE, Sept. 14, 2014 - Visitors and special guests watched today as members of the U.S. Army's 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), with the help of War of 1812 re-enactors, hoisted a 15-star, 15-stripe, full-size replica Star-Spangled Banner flag over Fort McHenry here at the "By Dawn's Early Light" flag-raising ceremony.
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Star-Spangled Banner replica
At precisely 9 a.m., guns blasted and the crowd of onlookers fell silent as service members raised a 30-foot by 42-foot replica of the flag that 200 years ago inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Defence of Fort McHenry," which would later become America's national anthem.
"It is a great pleasure for me to be here at this historic site and historic city of Baltimore as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of our Star-Spangle Banner," said former Secretary of State and retired Army Gen. Colin L. Powell, the event's guest speaker.
The American flag is "a piece of cloth I have loved all my life and have served under for over 40 years,' Powell added.
Celebrating history
The special ceremony capped a weeklong series of events at the fort for Baltimore's Star-Spangled Spectacular, a celebration commemorating the bicentennial of the Battle of Baltimore and the national anthem.
The fort played host to a number of special events and activities including commemorative ceremonies, living history demonstrations and interpretive programs during the Star-Spangled Spectacular.
The city's celebration, which concludes Sept. 16, also includes visits by more than 30 ships from the U.S. and foreign nations, as well as an airshow performance by U.S. Navy's Blue Angels.
Dr. Biden Cheers-on Athletes at Invictus Games
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2014 - Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, traveled to London to cheer on Team USA athletes as they compete in the 2014 Invictus Games.
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More than 400 competitors from 14 nations are participating in the inaugural Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded warriors to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their countries.
Games named after English poet's work
The games are named after William Earnest Henley's 1875 poem titled "Invictus," which he wrote while recovering from an intensive surgery that saved his second leg from being amputated. The games, which are taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, began Sept. 10 and run through tomorrow.
The United States is one of 14 teams participating, and includes 98 military athletes: 22 from the Army, 20 from the Marine Corps, 22 from the Navy, 22 from the Air Force and 12 from U.S. Special Operations Command. Of the service members, 53 are active duty and 45 are veterans.
Praising athletes' energy, spirit, resilience
Team USA's athletes "are incredible," Dr. Biden told NBC "Today" show host Lester Holt this morning.
She praised the athletes' "energy, and their positive spirit and their resilience."
"They make Americans so proud," she added.
Meeting Prince Harry
Dr. Biden watched some basketball at the Invictus Games today with Britain's Prince Harry.
After attending the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Prince Harry was inspired to host an international adaptive sports event in the United Kingdom. The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who holds the rank of captain and continues to serve in Britain's armed forces, announced the 2014 Invictus Games in March.
Dr. Biden commented on Prince Harry's role in founding the Invictus Games. The prince, she said, "saw our Warrior Games in Colorado, and so now he's brought it to a global scale, and we have 14 countries and 400 athletes competing and it's been great."
Pre-games barbecue for USA athletes
Last week, Dr. Biden and the Vice President hosted a barbecue for Team USA athletes at their Naval Observatory home in Washington, D.C. In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Biden told the athletes that the barbecue "is not just a way to celebrate your achievements in making the U.S. Team; it is also a small way of saying thank you -- to our heroes -- thank you for your service and your sacrifice."
"You inspire me ... you inspire all Americans," she added.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Biden launched the "Joining Forces" initiative that supports U.S. service members, military veterans, and their families.
Navy Identifies Missing Hornet Pilot
From a U.S. 7th Fleet News Release WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN, Sept. 14, 2014 - The Navy today announced it has identified Lt. Nathan Poloski as the missing F/A-18C Hornet aviator and declared him presumed deceased. Poloski, 26, hailed from Lake Arrowhead, California. On Sept. 12, Poloski was involved in an apparent collision between the F/A-18C Hornet he was flying and another Hornet aircraft during routine flight operations in the western Pacific Ocean. The other pilot involved in the incident was rapidly located and received medical attention. After an extensive search, the Navy yesterday ended search-and-rescue efforts for Poloski. A 2009 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Poloski reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 94, based in Lemoore, California, in April, 2014. "Nathan was an outstanding person, naval officer and aviator," said Navy Cmdr. Michael Langbehn, the commanding officer of Poloski's squadron. "My personal thoughts and prayers are for his family, friends and shipmates as they endure this immeasurable loss." Following the apparent collision the Navy conducted an extensive search for Poloski, covering more than 3,000 square miles using the USS Carl Vinson, guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill, guided-missile destroyers USS Gridley, USS Sterett, USS Dewey, helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73, P-8 Poseidon aircraft from Guam, and satellite imagery. The search was unable to locate or recover any remains of the missing aviator. Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, Carrier Air Wing 17, and USS Carl Vinson will hold a memorial service on board USS Carl Vinson to honor the life and service of Lt. Poloski at a date and time to be determined. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
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Onlookers Salute 'Old Glory' at Fort McHenry
By Navy Seaman Kameren Guy Hodnett
Navy Public Affairs Support Element East
BALTIMORE, Sept. 14, 2014 - Visitors and special guests watched today as members of the U.S. Army's 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), with the help of War of 1812 re-enactors, hoisted a 15-star, 15-stripe, full-size replica Star-Spangled Banner flag over Fort McHenry here at the "By Dawn's Early Light" flag-raising ceremony.
|
Star-Spangled Banner replica
At precisely 9 a.m., guns blasted and the crowd of onlookers fell silent as service members raised a 30-foot by 42-foot replica of the flag that 200 years ago inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Defence of Fort McHenry," which would later become America's national anthem.
"It is a great pleasure for me to be here at this historic site and historic city of Baltimore as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of our Star-Spangle Banner," said former Secretary of State and retired Army Gen. Colin L. Powell, the event's guest speaker.
The American flag is "a piece of cloth I have loved all my life and have served under for over 40 years,' Powell added.
Celebrating history
The special ceremony capped a weeklong series of events at the fort for Baltimore's Star-Spangled Spectacular, a celebration commemorating the bicentennial of the Battle of Baltimore and the national anthem.
The fort played host to a number of special events and activities including commemorative ceremonies, living history demonstrations and interpretive programs during the Star-Spangled Spectacular.
The city's celebration, which concludes Sept. 16, also includes visits by more than 30 ships from the U.S. and foreign nations, as well as an airshow performance by U.S. Navy's Blue Angels.
Water Pressures in Central Asia
- Kyrgyzstan is looking at a bleak winter of energy shortages because of low water levels at the Toktogul reservoir and hydropower plant. Energy insecurity and resentment are growing and have proved to be major catalysts in the downfall of successive Kyrgyz administrations. Only mass labour migration and authoritarian tactics have prevented similar upheavals in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
- Attempts at comprehensive regional solutions have foundered on mistrust. The three countries (and international backers) should act in the Ferghana Valley border areas to end annual competition and conflict over water by seeking step-by-step solutions rather than an all-inclusive resource settlement. If Uzbekistan will not join, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan should work bilaterally.
- Uzbekistan’s irrigation system desperately needs modernisation. Researchers suggest that 50 to 80 per cent of water used for agricultural irrigation is lost.
- The failure in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to provide basic services greatly increases the perception that their governments are weak and corrupt and provides a rallying point for opposition movements that seek to oust them.
- The donor community, including China, the EU and Russia, should support the region in modernising its water infrastructure, building in effective anti-corruption measures and focusing on direct impact at community levels.
Owner of Tax Return Preparation Franchise and Health Provider Business Sentenced to Prison for Tax Fraud, Healthcare Fraud and Money Laundering
A man formerly of Raleigh, North Carolina, and now of Miami, was sentenced today to serve 135 months in prison for tax fraud, healthcare fraud and money laundering crimes in two separate cases in federal court, announced Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ronald A. Cimino of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Ripley Rand for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Claude Arthur Verbal II was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term, to pay restitution of $4,078,584 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and to pay $2,382,378 to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. On April 9, Verbal pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, one count of aiding and assisting the preparation of false tax returns, one count of healthcare fraud and one count of money laundering.
“Mr. Verbal’s sentence sends a clear message to those who operate fraudulent tax return businesses,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Ronald A. Cimino of the department’s Tax Division. “The Justice Department will continue to prosecute and seek just punishment against those who prepare fraudulent tax returns.”
The Tax Case
Verbal was the owner of Nothing But Taxes (NBT), a tax return preparation franchise with 10 branches throughout the state of North Carolina that operated from 2005 to at least 2012. Verbal personally prepared false tax returns for clients of NBT and taught and encouraged his employees to do so as well. Verbal and NBT employees frequently offered clients a dramatically larger tax refund if the client agreed to make a cash payment to their tax preparer. These cash payments were over and above the flat return preparation fee that NBT charged every client, whether or not their return was falsified.
From 2005 to 2007, Verbal personally prepared dozens of false tax returns on a computer at NBT’s location on Fayetteville Street in Durham, North Carolina. One such return was a 2006 tax return for an NBT client that falsely reported the client had a Schedule C business and a dependent, which Verbal knowingly prepared and electronically filed with the IRS.
The most common types of falsifications at NBT were false dependents, false Schedule C businesses, false tip income, false Earned Income Tax Credits and false education credits. Verbal falsified returns using these items and taught his managers and line employees how to do so as well. Verbal and many of his employees facilitated the purchase and sale of false dependents at NBT by purchasing the names, dates of birth and social security numbers of individuals from the community for use as false dependents on other clients’ tax returns.
“Mr. Verbal’s fraudulent schemes victimized taxpayers in multiple ways, damaged the Medicaid program and the many patients who rely on it,” said U.S. Attorney Ripley Rand for the Middle District of North Carolina. “We will continue to work with law enforcement and the victimized agencies to shut down these types of fraud schemes, hold the fraudsters accountable, and return the ill-gotten gains to the programs for which they were intended.”
In November 2010, one of Verbal’s employees informed a U.S. probation officer of the fraudulent practices at NBT’s location on Fayetteville Street. The probation officer informed Verbal of this fraud and he falsely denied knowledge of it. Afterward, Verbal took steps to keep the profitable Fayetteville Street location open and to continue operating as usual, but to also further distance himself from the fraudulent practices. In order to do this, Verbal transferred the electronic filing privileges for that NBT branch to a nominee. Verbal and others jointly persuaded a relative of Verbal who allowed Verbal to use their name to apply for new electronic filing privileges for the Fayetteville Street location. In exchange, Verbal and his wife paid the relative $10,000, and the relative had no role in operating NBT, no professional tax experience and no knowledge of the fraud that was occurring at NBT.
Later, in 2012, the IRS shut down electronic filing privileges at all 10 NBT branches due to persistent fraud. Verbal re-applied for electronic filing privileges twice for all NBT locations, first in the name of the relative and, when that attempt failed, in the name of another relative who had no knowledge of NBT’s business.
The Healthcare Fraud Case
According to court documents, Verbal was the owner and operator of Infinite Wellness Concepts (IWC), a Medicaid behavioral health provider with locations in Burlington, Durham and Greensboro, North Carolina. IWC was contracted to provide group therapy, intensive in-home services, and enhanced mental health and substance abuse services. Verbal acquired at least $1 million in fraudulently obtained funds from the Medicaid program. The fraudulent activities included:
· changing diagnosis codes so that codes with higher reimbursement rates could be billed;
· falsely inflating the number of clients treated during group therapy;
· billing for services not rendered and submitting false treatment notes in support of the services not rendered using forged signatures from counselors and therapists;
· unqualified personnel conducting therapy; and
· creating fraudulent clinical assessments and creating clinical assessments prepared and signed by unqualified preparers.
Verbal used the proceeds of the tax and healthcare fraud schemes to make extensive purchases of luxury cars, homes and jewelry. The money laundering charge to which Verbal pleaded guilty relates to the purchase of a $52,000 diamond ring with the proceeds of healthcare fraud.
“It is both despicable and illegal when scammers like Claude Verbal cheat the Medicaid program and its beneficiaries by billing for badly needed services for poor and mentally ill patients – services that were never actually provided or were provided by unqualified staff -- just so that Verbal could build a $700K+ bank account and go on a diamond-encrusted shopping spree with the ill-gotten money,” said Special Agent in Charge Derrick L. Jackson of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Atlanta Regional Office. “Verbal’s audacious, greed-fueled fraud cheated both taxpayers and needy patients; now, thanks to our hard working investigators and our law enforcement partners, Verbal will pay dearly for his reprehensible crimes.”
“Today’s sentence is the strongest type of affirmation that criminals such as Mr. Verbal, who commit tax fraud and engage in other criminal activities, will be forced to bear the consequences of their actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Holloman for IRS-Criminal Investigation. “We, along with our law enforcement partners are committed to working together in bringing individuals such as Mr. Verbal to justice.”
In the course of the healthcare fraud investigation, law enforcement authorities seized $765,917 from bank accounts controlled by Verbal, a 2011 Toyota Camry and four pieces of diamond jewelry, including a 7-carat diamond ring. The United States initiated a civil forfeiture action alleging the properties constituted proceeds traceable to the healthcare fraud and on Sept. 19, 2013, U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Eagles entered an order forfeiting the property to the government.
The tax case against Verbal was investigated by agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Chut for the Middle District of North Carolina and Trial Attorney Jonathan Marx of the Tax Division. The healthcare fraud case against Verbal was investigated by agents of HHS-OIG, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, the North Carolina Department of Justice’s Medicaid Investigations Division and IRS – Criminal Investigation, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Hamilton for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Former Defense Contractor Sentenced to Prison for Theft of Employee Payroll Taxes and Pension Plan Contributions
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Dr. Biden Cheers-on Athletes at Invictus Games
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2014 - Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, traveled to London to cheer on Team USA athletes as they compete in the 2014 Invictus Games.
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More than 400 competitors from 14 nations are participating in the inaugural Invictus Games, an international sporting event for wounded warriors to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their countries.
Games named after English poet's work
The games are named after William Earnest Henley's 1875 poem titled "Invictus," which he wrote while recovering from an intensive surgery that saved his second leg from being amputated. The games, which are taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, began Sept. 10 and run through tomorrow.
The United States is one of 14 teams participating, and includes 98 military athletes: 22 from the Army, 20 from the Marine Corps, 22 from the Navy, 22 from the Air Force and 12 from U.S. Special Operations Command. Of the service members, 53 are active duty and 45 are veterans.
Praising athletes' energy, spirit, resilience
Team USA's athletes "are incredible," Dr. Biden told NBC "Today" show host Lester Holt this morning.
She praised the athletes' "energy, and their positive spirit and their resilience."
"They make Americans so proud," she added.
Meeting Prince Harry
Dr. Biden watched some basketball at the Invictus Games today with Britain's Prince Harry.
After attending the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Prince Harry was inspired to host an international adaptive sports event in the United Kingdom. The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who holds the rank of captain and continues to serve in Britain's armed forces, announced the 2014 Invictus Games in March.
Dr. Biden commented on Prince Harry's role in founding the Invictus Games. The prince, she said, "saw our Warrior Games in Colorado, and so now he's brought it to a global scale, and we have 14 countries and 400 athletes competing and it's been great."
Pre-games barbecue for USA athletes
Last week, Dr. Biden and the Vice President hosted a barbecue for Team USA athletes at their Naval Observatory home in Washington, D.C. In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Biden told the athletes that the barbecue "is not just a way to celebrate your achievements in making the U.S. Team; it is also a small way of saying thank you -- to our heroes -- thank you for your service and your sacrifice."
"You inspire me ... you inspire all Americans," she added.
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Biden launched the "Joining Forces" initiative that supports U.S. service members, military veterans, and their families.
Navy Suspends Search for Hornet Jet Pilot
From a U.S. 7th Fleet News Release
WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN, Sept. 13, 2014 - After an extensive search, the Navy today has ended search-and-rescue efforts for the pilot of one of the F/A-18C Hornet aircraft that crashed Sept. 12 approximately 250 nautical miles off the coast of Wake Island.
The pilot assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 94 has been presumed deceased.
"This is an exceptionally difficult time for the friends and family of the missing pilot and the Navy community," said Navy Rear Adm. Christopher Grady, commander of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. "We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy."
The identity of the pilot will not be released until the family notification process is complete.
Navy units involved in the search-and-rescue efforts included USS Carl Vinson, USS Bunker Hill, USS Gridley, USS Sterett, and USS Dewey, along with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15 and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 and P-8s from Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron 5 in Guam.
The two F/A-18C aircraft, one assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 94 and the other assigned to VFA 113, had launched from the flight deck and were in the process of proceeding to their initial stations when they apparently collided approximately seven miles from the ship.
One pilot was recovered by helicopter shortly after the crash and transported to USS Carl Vinson for medical care. The rescued pilot has since been released from medical facilities aboard the ship.
VFA 94 and VFA 113, both based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, are part of Carrier Air Wing 17, assigned to the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
