The Navy is adjusting its child care fees beginning Oct. 1 and adding categories for its highest income earners to compensate for six years without increases.

Sailors, civilians and families are closely watching the development of Hurricane Earl Aug. 31 as the storm may become a threat to the East Coast.

After more than 30 years of honorable service to the fleet, USS McInerney (FFG 8), the longest-serving Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate in the U.S. fleet, officially decommissioned during a ceremony held at Naval Station Mayport Aug. 31.

Sailors considering leaving active duty now have an easier path to explore Navy Reserve options prior to separation, and continue to serve and enjoy Navy benefits.

The Naval Safety Center (NSC) is encouraging proper planning for Labor Day weekend, Aug. 4-6, to ensure Sailors and their families enjoy their time off and return safely to work Aug. 7.

The forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) departed Sasebo, Japan, Sept. 1 for a regularly scheduled deployment in the Western Pacific.

USS New Orleans, along with Amphibious Squadron 5, and other embarked units, will return to their homeport San Diego Sept. 2, after completing a three-month independent deployment in support of Amphibious-Southern Partnership Station (A-SPS) 2010.

Three ships of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 — USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Momsen (DDG 92), and USS Shoup (DDG 86) — will get underway Sept. 7 from Naval Station Everett for a scheduled routine deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

Lime all Navy commands, Naval Support Activity Bethesda is gearing up for the fall Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), running Sept. 27 to Nov. 5, and reminding Sailors of the recent changes to readiness requirements.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) (SS/SW) Rick D. West released the following Labor Day message to the fleet Aug. 27.