TESTER Naval Air Station Patuxent River
Vol. 73, No. 2
Celebrating 72 Years of Community Partnership
Rocket man Page 2
Top Hook pilot honor Page 4
Commandant’s Corner Page 5
January 14, 2016
Reflections on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The ultimate measure of a man Commentary by Shawn Graham NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs
U.S. Navy photo illustration by Shawn Graham
Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and social activist who played a key role in the American civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. The federal holiday honoring King is observed on the third Monday in January.
In 1955, in Montgomery, Ala., Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a crowded bus. This silent protest sparked the boycott that brought Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., to national prominence. Historic events in our country’s history were unfolding around him. These events needed a leader and King became that leader. Gandhi’s teachings and the path to nonviolence King was a humble man who had a broad and deep understanding of the needs of his nation, coupled with a persuasive eloquence that none of his detractors could match. King was also a man with a vision of pacifism and nonviolence. His life both personally and professionally would center on the teachings of his personal hero, Mahatma Gandhi. King said Gandhi’s work influenced his life, writing an article for the “The Christian Cen-
See MLK, Page 3
Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield countdown: 18 days Suspicious? If You See Something, Say Something By Donna Cipolloni NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs
The annual Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield anti-terrorism force protection exercise, Feb. 1-12, is also an opportunity for the employees and contractors at NAS Patuxent River to be reminded of the part we can play in our own security. “If You See Something, Say Something” is a national campaign that raises public awareness of the indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, as well as the importance of reporting suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement. Informed, alert communities play an important role in keeping our nation safe, and personnel at Pax River play a vital role in keeping our installation safe by being aware of their surroundings and reporting to our security department any suspicious activity, packages or persons they may observe. What is considered suspicious? • Vehicle parked in an odd location • Package/luggage left unattended • Mail received with hand-applied postage; poorly addressed or misspelled labels; vague or no return address, excessive packing tape; stains or discoloration; odor, visi-
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Alystria Maurer
Employees should remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, persons or packages. ble wires or foil • Window/door open when it’s usually closed • Person asking questions – above normal curiosity – about a building’s purpose, operations, security procedures, shift changes • Individuals loitering; repeated observation of a building with binoculars or camera; taking notes or measure-
ments; sketching floor plans; use of non-traditional aircraft around base How to report an observation: • In an immediate emergency situation, phone 911 • To report a suspicion, phone Pax River security at 301342-3911 • Suspicious activities at any installation can also be reported by phoning the Naval District Washington Dispatch Center at 202-433-3333 • Indoors, if you decide a package is suspicious, leave it alone. Tell your supervisor and clear the area before calling security • Make the call from a desk phone; don’t use a cell or any device that transmits a signal as that can activate an explosive device • If outdoors, call security and keep your distance from the package; take note of anyone who may be watching the package or doing something inconsistent in the area • For suspicious individuals or activity, phone security and describe in as much detail as possible who or what you saw, when you saw it, where it occurred and why it’s suspicious For more information, visit the Department of Homeland Security website at www.dhs.gov and search “If You See Something, Say Something.”