Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport

Fair winds and following seas to Ruth Fisher, a branch manager in #NUWCDivisionNewport’s Weapons Electrical Systems Branch of the Undersea Warfare Weapons, Vehicles, and Defensive Systems Department, who retires on July 26 after 25 years, 5 months and 14 days of service. As a branch manager and engineer, Ruth supported a team of engineers, scientists and technicians that provide technical expertise in heavyweight and lightweight torpedoes in development, technical support, testing and delivery of torpedoes to the fleet. Ruth earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science/applied mathematics at the University of Rhode Island (URI) in 1983 and then went on to pursue a Master of Business Administration from URI in 2011. Her most memorable experience at Division Newport was being part of the weapons software team and receiving the Technical Director Award for Technical Excellence for torpedo enterprise response to a fleet urgent operational need. “I enjoyed working with many talented people, and the support from management, which I needed it the most,” she said. The most significant change she has seen during her time at Division Newport is the advancement of computers. “The changes and updates to the computer are amazing — when I started in 1978 as a student, we used punch cards!” Ruth volunteered as a Girl Scouts leader for 15 years. Upon retirement, she plans to catch up on many things, including home renovations, knitting, crocheting, and sewing projects, as well as traveling, visiting family and spending time with her husband. Best of luck in your retirement Ruth and thank you for your many years of service! #WhatWeDoMatters #underseawarfare

Julie Kallfelz, who heads the Northeast Tech Bridge at #NUWCDivisionNewport, will have a vested interest as she and family members head to Paris this week to attend the Summer Olympics — her daughter Emily is representing the U.S. in the Women’s Rowing Four event. “We’re off-the-charts proud and just so excited for her,” Julie said. “It’s been a long road. You get to this level, for any athlete, and you appreciate how narrow a slot it is to get to this level of performance and this level of competition. Just a tiny sliver of the population is even physiologically capable.” Good luck Emily and the USRowing team! Read the full story at: https://lnkd.in/eJ2Qty2f #WhatWeDoMatters #2024Olympics

Three leaders at #NUWCDivisionNewport each were presented the Department of the Navy (DON) Meritorious Civilian Service Award during the command’s Annual Awards ceremony held on June 20. Congratulations to Jay J. Melillo, director, Customer Advocate Office and Field Team Operations Office; Thomas Carroll, Other Transaction Authority program manager, Strategic Planning Office; and Chris Kenney, head, Procurement Division in the Contract Department, who were presented the third highest honorary civilian award bestowed by the U.S. Navy for their outstanding achievements. Read the full story at: https://lnkd.in/e_9aTiSx #WhatWeDoMatters #underseasuperiority

July’s technical focus theme is “Torpedoes and Defensive Systems,” which puts the spotlight on the Undersea Warfare Weapons, Vehicles, and Defensive Systems Department. Preparing Navy warfighters with the weapons and defensive systems needed to combat and deter threats is a service Division Newport has expertly provided since its origins as the Naval Torpedo Station. (U.S. Navy video by Shawn Procuniar) #NUWCDivisionNewport #WhatWeDoMatters #FleetSupport

ICYMI, Individual and team accomplishments from the 2023 calendar year were celebrated at NUWC Division Newport’s Annual Awards ceremony held on June 20. There were 183 award winners in 26 award categories. (U.S. Navy video by Shawn Procuniar) #WhatWeDoMatters #NUWCDivisionNewport #innovations #FleetSupport

#NUWCDivisionNewport's workforce continues to maintain the highest level of service to the fleet, and those efforts are highlighted in the command’s 2023 Annual Overview. “2023 was another productive and successful year at Division Newport,” Commanding Officer Capt. Chad Hennings said. “We would like to thank the workforce for their tremendous efforts. With many changes and challenges throughout the Navy and the warfare center enterprise, the need for our expertise has only increased. Whether the task is repairing submarine systems, establishing cybersecurity, prototyping a new vehicle, or improving our facilities, this team has answered the call.” Read about the Overview and find a link to the document at: https://lnkd.in/etskP3GB #WhatWeDoMatters #underseasuperiority

Congratulations to Molly “Meagan” Haradon, a junior computer software engineer in the #NUWCDivisionNewport’s Weapons Software and Computer Systems Branch in the Undersea Warfare Weapons, Vehicles and Defensive Systems Department, who was named the Society of Women Engineers Helen Martha Sternberg Award winner for 2024. The annual award recognizes a female mathematician, computer scientist, or computer engineer who has worked at Division Newport between six and 24 months and has shown significant progress in her major area of study and plans on attaining her graduate degree. Read the full story at: https://lnkd.in/eMzHTyi5

Meet Gary Ross, a U.S. Navy veteran, who serves as a protocol/public affairs specialist in #NUWCDivisionNewport’s Corporate Operations Department and continues our “Meet a NUWC veteran” series. Originally from Naperville, Illinois, Gary received a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois in 1996. He went on the earn two more degrees, a master’s in mass communications and media studies from San Diego State University in 2007 and a master’s in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, in 2011. Gary’s last role was serving as the U.S. Navy War College public affairs officer. In his current role as protocol/public affairs specialist, Gary communicates information about NUWC Division Newport programs, activities and missions to both external and internal audiences, and organizes VIP visits to the command. He served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years, from September 1988-91, and then again from March 1996-August 2023 with assignments on the USS Independence (CV 62), USS Elrod (FFG 55) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and has received seven medals including, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals and two Defense Meritorious Service Medals. His most memorable moment during his time in service was being part of the Ronald Reagan Strike Group supporting military operations in the Arabian Gulf in 2006. His time serving in the U.S. Navy has affected his life greatly. “I received a college education, I met my wife, had two kids, saw much of the world, met new friends and colleagues, and have passed that legacy to my children,” Gary said. “It’s great to serve for a cause greater than yourself.” #WhatWeDoMatters #underseasuperiority

Individual and team accomplishments from the 2023 calendar year were celebrated at #NUWCDivisionNewport’s Annual Awards ceremony held on June 20. There were 183 award winners in 26 award categories. Roughly 200 employees reviewed 311 nominations to determine the winners. Division Newport Commanding Officer Capt. Chad Hennings congratulated the winners and thanked the nominees for their efforts. “What all of the nominees have done in the past year is really quite incredible,” Hennings said. “Ultimately, what you do every day is develop and bring capabilities to the fleet. Thank you for all of your hard work in 2023.” Technical Director Marie Bussiere welcomed everyone to the ceremony and noted that the awards are a reminder of the important work that takes place daily at Division Newport. “These awards underscore why ‘What We Do Matters,’” Bussiere said. “Every day you demonstrate your unique support to the fleet and commitment to delivering critical capabilities to our warfighters." Read the full story at: https://lnkd.in/e8PWaq6y #WhatWeDoMatters #underseasuperiority

Congratulations to Marc Boyd who was recently hired as the head of #NUWCDivisionNewport’s Corporate Communications Division. As the command’s new public affairs officer, he will oversee three branches — Public and Congressional Affairs, the Visual Information Branch, and the Corporate Research and Information Center. Boyd comes to Division Newport after serving four years in a public affairs position with the U.S. Department Housing and Urban Development in Providence, and one year with the U.S. Space Force and its predecessor organization, the Air Force Space Command. Read the full story at: https://lnkd.in/eNeDzZky #WhatWeDoMatters