U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Petty Officer Christopher Shannon

Scrolling through the blog roll for Wednesday Hero, I found another excellent Mil Blog called echo9er. He recently posted this article, and me being in the 'Seaward way', got all tickled. So after requesting and receiving permission to repost, here it is. GO NAVY!

Submariner Helps Protect Soldiers in Iraq

From Commander, Submarine Force,
U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, Jan. 26, 2006, — Thanks to some help from a Hawaii-based submariner, soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division will be a little safer in Iraq.

Christopher Shannon, command master chief for Submarine Squadron 7, presented about 100 shipboard flash hoods that he collected to Chief Petty Officer Eric Tyler of Naval Security Group Activity Kunia Jan. 20 for use by the soldiers in Iraq.

Shannon is spearheading an effort to send extra Navy flash hoods to soldiers in Iraq. The hoods, which are designed to protect the neck and face from burns while fighting fires aboard Navy ships, have been shown to protect against burns during attacks by improvised explosive devices. Some Army units in Iraq are seeking the hoods to protect their soldiers.

Shannon heard about the need for Navy flash hoods from Tyler, whose brother is stationed in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, 3rd Brigade.

Shannon pulsed the waterfront requesting extra sets. There were about 100 sets gathered from the USS Cheyenne, USS Louisville, USS Pasadena and USS Tucson. Since the hoods were extras, their absence will not take away from the ships’ ability to protect their crews.

Shannon’s ultimate goal is that everyone involved in the convoy be protected with such gear.

“The process was easy, and we are going to stay in touch with these people (101st Airborne Division) and hopefully at a later date provide what we can,” said Shannon.

The flash hoods should arrive in Iraq within days.

Capt. Barry Bruner, commodore of Submarine Squadron 7, lauded Shannon for his efforts in helping to protect soldiers in Iraq.

“(Master Chief) Shannon is the kind of guy who would do anything for those that are on the pointy end of the spear,” he said.

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