Aug. 20, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 83
DAILY DIGEST
DIAMONDS IN THE Story by MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.
I
SKY
t was early morning Feb. 1, 1956, when the Navy’s newest attack squadron (VA) was commissioned at Naval Air Station, Miramar. The commissioning ceremony gave birth to the “Blacktails” of VA-146, the sixth squadron to join Air Group 14. The first insignia for the new squadron was approved in November 1956, which consisted of two concentric circles, a yellow Mach wave symbol and a yellow globe. VA-146 started with only a handful of F9F8 Cougars upon its inception and departed for its first deployment aboard USS Hornet (CVA-12) in January 1957. It was in 1959 when the squadron decided to change the nickname to the “Blue Diamonds.” In May 1964, the squadron moved to their current home, Lemoore Naval Air Station, Calif., and simplified the insignia to coincide with the new nickname in 1968.
“One of our mottos is ‘once a diamond, always a diamond.’ So, we remember all of our diamonds, and all the ‘Blue Diamonds’ never forget this command,” said Cmdr. Thomas “Onion” Heck, commanding officer of VFA-146. “I’ll tell you, from all the commands I’ve been in the past, the camaraderie and cohesion in this command is one like I’ve never seen before. That makes me feel proud.” The squadron has gone through several aircraft transitioning stages and has supported several combat operations, including Vietnam. In December 1971, VA-146 became the first Navy squadron to use a laser-guided bomb in combat. The “Blue Diamonds” lost two aviators during combat over Vietnam, one of whom was the tenth commanding officer of VA-146, Cmdr. Herbert B. Loheed. The Distinguished Flying Cross was posthumously awarded to Loheed for his actions. VA-146 was designated to what it is today as Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 in the spring of - Continued on page 3 -
Sailor of the Day
Story and photo by MCSN Kole Carpenter
A
19.
viation Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Logan Fosenburg, from Shady Cove, Ore., was named USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) Sailor of the Day Aug.
“It feels good,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting it at all.” Fosenburg performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Demonstrating superior knowledge of F/A-18E electrical and related systems, he troubleshot and repaired more than 550 maintenance items to include 214’s failed reduced authority throttles system. He played a key role as work center 220 Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff Ruth
Divisional Technical Publications Librarian by maintaining 30 maintenance instruction manuals. His efforts ensured all publications had recent updates resulting in outstanding aircraft availability and the Squadron’s 98.5 percent sortie rate. Additionally, his uncompromising dedication to safety standards as Final Checker directly impacted the command’s flawless performance during high tempo operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom missions. To his shipmates with hopes of the same recognition, Fosenburg said, “Just do your job to the best of your abilities, and don’t complain.”
Executive Officer CDR John Cummings
Editor MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke
Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre
Public Affairs Officer LCDR Karin Burzynski
Lead Designer MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III
Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions are subject to review and screening. ”Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.
2
By MC3 Chris Bartlett
- Continued from page 1 1989, and transitioned to use of the F/A-18C Hornet. “The squadron is unique because we have the oldest jets in the air wing, by far,” said Lt. Matt Langford, avionics/armament division officer (DIVO). “Our squadron is special in that the maintainers and the people who work on the jets do a pretty phenomenal job maintaining them.” The squadron has a history of awards including the Top Hook Award for 24 consecutive years, a record in naval history, and 22 consecutive years without a class “A” mishap. “The most satisfying part of my job is getting the jets up where they are,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Robert Buschman, from Arnold, Mo. “It takes a lot of work to get them where they are. It makes us feel good knowing that we are contributing to helping out the ‘big picture,’ we’re getting it done.” The F/A-18C Hornet requires different maintenance than other aircraft, and because of its age, it involves diverse skillsets and high attention to detail. “We have a lot of pride in the fact that we are like the blue-collar squadron,” said Langford. “We don’t have a lot of the toys that the other squadrons do, and we still effectively go out and support the missions on ground.” According to Langford, VFA-146 is the hardest working squadron when it comes down to maintenance proficiency.
Plane captains run checks on an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 on the flight deck.
“Mostly just seeing how hard the maintainers work is very rewarding,” said Langford. “Seeing how many jets we get off the ship every day, and then being a DIVO is rewarding because I see the work firsthand.” The “Blue Diamonds” hold high standards for themselves, and many within the squadron agree that the family atmosphere and companionship is unlike others. “It’s a pretty tightly knit command,” said Buschman. “I know our shop alone is like nothing I’ve ever seen, and this is my fourth command. How we deal with everything day to day, how we deal with it together, we make it as fun as we can.”
FROM THE TOP
HAGEL VS.
SEXUAL
ASSAULT By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service
D
efense Secretary Chuck Hagel today announced seven new initiatives to strengthen and standardize the department’s sexual assault prevention and response effort. In a memo to the field, Hagel called elimination of sexual assault in the military one of the department’s top priorities. “This effort requires our absolute and sustained commitment to providing a safe environment in which every service member and DOD civilian is free from the threat of sexual harassment and assault,” he wrote in a statement. “Our success depends on a dynamic and responsive approach. We, therefore, must continually assess and strive to improve our prevention and response programs.” On May 6, 2013, the secretary directed the services and defense agencies to strengthen the program in commander accountability, command climate, victim advocacy and safety. The secretary’s initiatives
Electronics Technicial 1st Class Rachel Preston, left, assigned to USS Freedom (LCS 1) talks with the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) the Honorable Chuck Hagel.
announced today strengthen these areas further. They include: -- The secretary directed the services to improve victim legal support. He directed the service secretaries to create a legal advocacy program to provide legal representation to sexual assault victims throughout the judicial process. He set Nov. 1, 2013, as an initial operating capacity for this and for it to be fully functional by Jan. 1, 2014. -- Hagel directed that pretrial investigative hearings of sexual assault-related charges are conducted by Judge Advocate General officers. -- The secretary directed service secretaries to enhance protections calling on them to develop and implement policies allowing for the reassignment or transfer of members accused of committing sexual assault or related offense. Hagel wants this done in order to eliminate continued contact while respecting the rights of both victims and the accused. -- Hagel is requiring timely follow-up reports on sexual
4
assault incidents and responses to be given to the first general or flag officer within the chain of command. -- He also directed the DOD Inspector General to regularly evaluate closed sexual assault investigations. -- Hagel ordered the service secretaries to standardize prohibitions on inappropriate behavior between recruiters and trainers and their recruits and trainees across the department. -- And, Hagel directed the DOD general council to develop and propose changes to the Manual for Courts-Martial that would allow victims to give input during the sentencing phase of courts-martial. The new measures should strengthen the department’s sexual assault prevention and response programs, the secretary said. “Remember, we are all accountable and responsible for eliminating this crime from our ranks,” Hagel said in the memo.
AE2 Justin Blair checks for corrosion on an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter.
6
AE3 Jesse Fox cleans the canopy of an F/A-18F Super Hornet on the flight deck.
By MC2 (SW) Devin Wray
By MC3 George J. Penney III
LS2 Lisa Hood operates a forklift in preparation for moving supplies in the hangar bay.
By MCSN Kole Carpenter
AE2 Justin Blair checks for corrosion on the propeller of an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter.
By MCSN Kole Carpenter
THROUGHTHE LE NS
TV
30 nel 29 Ch annel 6 Channel 7 Chan Channel 5 Channel 0800 / 2000 Ext r act
1000 / 2200 I Can Do Bad All By Myself 1200 / 0000 All About Ste ve 1400 / 0200 Lov e Ha ppens 1600 / 0400 Couples Ret reat 1800 / 0600 Fam e
Julie & Julia The Natur al
Whip It
Amelia
The Hu rt Locker
Pandorum
town Poltergeist China
Sur rog ates
This is 40
The M ari ne: Homecom ing
eba ll: Esc ape From Zom bieland Dodg Pla net Earth A Tru e Under dog Story Wa nderlust The Infor ma nt
Hellboy
Par anorm al League Activity of Ext r aor din ary Gen tle men
Inception
Eas y A
PT 109
02 - AFN News 03 - AFN Xtra 04 - AFN Sports
05 - 8MM Movies 06 - 8MM Movies 07 - 8MM Movies 08 - ROLLER 09 - NTV
10 - FLIGHT DECK 11 - CNN 29 - DVD MOVIES 30 - DVD MOVIES
Tr ansporter
Jack the Gia nt Slayer
ON THE COVER: An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 prepares to land on the flight deck. - Photo by MCSA Kelly M. Agee