TESTER Naval Air Station Patuxent River
VOLUME 71, NUMBER 8
Installation Tests Security Page 2
Center Stage Movies Page 5
Year of the Hawkeye Page 6
Celebrating 70 Years of Community Partnership
Pax Sailor wins CNIC ATC of the Year award
February 27, 2014
Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2014
By Donna Cipolloni Tester staff writer
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ir Traffic Controller 1st Class Jesse Schenemann, Air Traffic Controller training branch chief at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, was recently named the Commander, Navy Installations Command Air Traffic Controller of the Year. Schenemann, who has been at Pax River for five years, was singled out as a deserving candidate for the honor based on his knowledge, expertise and willingness to go above and beyond. “The position he’s holding is normally held by a senior chief petty officer,” explained Lt. Cmdr. Earl Drey, who, along with Senior Chief Air Traffic Controller Joseph Stone, nominated Schenemann for the award. “He’s an E-6 doing the job of an E-8 and that is hard to do at a facility like this. That is one of the most impressive things he does here, and he does it well.” As training branch chief, Schenemann is responsible for the training and professional readiness of more than 70 Sailors, E-7 and below; five DOD contractors; and four flight planning contractors — all while ensuring the facility strictly adheres to Federal Aviation Administration and Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) guidelines. “It’s a huge responsibility; the biggest within ATC,” Drey said. “Because if we don’t have a training program, we don’t have anything.” Through his mentorship, development and leadership of air traffic controllers, Schenemann is responsible for the error-free completion of more than 14,000 radar and tower manned and unmanned operations; and more than 13,000 research, development, testing and
U.S. Navy photo/Donna Cipolloni
CNIC Air Traffic Controller of the Year award winner, ATC1 (AW/SW) Jesse Schenemann, looks out over the airfield at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Schenemann, ATC branch training chief, is the only controller to have achieved the Facility Watch Supervisor designation at both Pax River and Webster Outlying Field. evaluation (RDT&E) aircraft operations. One measure of Schenemann’s success was the highest score rating of “satisfactory” with zero discrepancies earned by the ATC facility during the 2013 ATC NATOPS Quality Assurance Inspection. At the command outbrief, inspectors specifically praised Schenemann for his role. One of only two military Facility Watch Supervisors, he is the only air traffic controller to have achieved the FWS designation at both Pax River and Webster Outlying Field. When asked about the CNIC honor, Schenemann acknowledged it and then quickly recognized the role others played in his accomplishment. “It’s one of the things I’m most proud of in my life, but I didn’t do it alone,” he said. “I’m the product of great leadership and the people I train and work with. I’m in very good company. I enforce the plan, but they’re
See CNIC, Page 10
U.S. Navy photo/MC2 Kenneth Abbate
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Adam Norman, left, and Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Anthony Crooks clear a hallway of the Supply Department building at Naval Air Station Patuxent River during a Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield (SC-CS) 2014 active shooter and hostage negotiation drill, Feb. 20. SC-CS is a two-week Navywide exercise designed to assess Navy anti-terrorism and force protection with events such as active shooters, unauthorized personnel attempting to gain base access and perimeter surveillance. See Page 2 for story and more photos.
Fundraiser helps Sailors, Marines
By Donna Cipolloni Tester staff writer
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ast year, across the nation, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) distributed $48.6 million in interest-free loans and grants to 65,358 clients comprising Sailors, Marines, their eligible family members and survivors. And every one of those dollars was donated. With its 2014 fundraising campaign underway through April 18, NMCRS is once again relying on the generous donations that allow them to provide assistance and support to those experiencing financial difficulties resulting from deployments, separations, family emergencies or other hardships associated with the military lifestyle. “While we do receive some corporate and private support, our biggest donors are the active and retired military community,” explained Maureen Farrell, director of the NMCRS office at Naval Air Station
Patuxent River. “A lot of people think highly of our society and donate. We’re very lucky.” Last year at Pax River, a total of 257 interest-free loans and 30 grants were awarded to clients seeking assistance for a total disbursement more than $196,000. “People who donate often want to know if their dollars are staying local,” Farrell said. “Last year, we collected nearly $92,000 at Pax but disbursed over $100,000 more than that [here]; so I think it’s safe to say their dollars are being spent locally.” Of all the funds distributed last year at Pax, 57 percent went to basic living expenses such as food, rent and utilities; while another 21 percent paid for gas, auto insurance, registrations and repairs. “These are not frivolous loans,” Farrell said. “We’re not going to help people live above their means. We’re here to help those who have a true need. People can count on us being very careful with their money. We have to be.”
U.S. Navy photo/Donna Cipolloni
Sailors volunteering as command representatives for the NavyMarine Corps Relief Society annual fundraiser pick up their materials after the 2014 campaign kickoff, Feb. 24, at Center Stage Theater, where Vice Adm. David Dunaway was the keynote speaker. The sound fiscal practices NMCRS demonstrates in managing its donations are evidenced by the four-star rating it earned from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent charity evaluator. “Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s coveted fourstar rating puts it in a very select group of high-performing charities,” said Ken Berger,
president and chief executive officer of Charity Navigator. “Out of the thousands of nonprofits Charity Navigator evaluates, only one out of four earns four stars — a rating that, now, with our new accountability and transparency metrics, demands even greater rigor, responsibility
See NMCRS, Page 10
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Installation tests security, personnel during Navywide exercise By Connie Hempel Naval Air Station Patuxent River Public Affairs
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aval Air Station Patuxent River kicked off Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield (SC-CS), Feb. 18, packing two weeks with events to test the installation’s anti-terrorism and force protection (ATFP). The annual SC-CS, scheduled to end Friday, is the Navy’s largest security exercise, led by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces and Commander, Navy Installations Command with each installation creating and conducting its own training evolutions. “It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our Sailors, their families, civilians and contractors, as well as community neighbors. We’re better equipped to do that with the training we get through Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield; the exercise improves our readiness and ability to respond to changing and dynamic threats,” said Capt. Ben Shevchuk, NAS Patuxent River commanding officer. “We want our response to any crisis or incident, at any time, to be as seamless as possible; like we’ve done it a thousand times. If we wait until something happens, it’s too late.” Since 2007, SC-CS has given the Navy an opportunity to conduct an inward look at security
and evaluate how well it does with ATFP, said Craig Buist, installation program director for training and readiness. Scenarios organized by Buist and the rest of the installation’s training team, which included NAS and tenant command staff, not only tested the Navy security forces’ ability to respond to threats, the scenarios were also geared to train the workforce. “We do an excellent job when it comes to accomplishing the mission, but we should always take advantage of training opportunities that allow us to enhance safety and security throughout the workforce,” Shevchuk said. “Security at NAS Pax River takes all hands,” he said, emphasizing the importance of reporting suspicious activity. “If you see something, say something,” Buist added. The training team tested the workforce on this concept during week one of SC-CS by staging a photographer at one of the gates who was taking photos through the fence line. “If you see someone taking pictures through the fence line or on the installation without a public affairs escort, call it in to security,” Buist said. “While you may not think it is malicious activity, it’s not authorized and could pose a security threat.”
Some of the other training evolutions held during the two weeks included a falsely credentialed intruder, a gate runner, an active shooter/hostage situation and a bomb threat, each testing the efficiency of first responders, base-wide communication protocols and the response of employees from across the commands at Pax River. A few facility managers demonstrated their evacuation and accountability procedures when their buildings were tested on responding to a bomb threat and a suspicious package. These scenarios also allowed employees in the buildings to experience and practice the evacuation and accountability procedures. Another SC-CS event had employees at the installation’s largest facility, Rear Adm. William A. Moffett Building, practice shelter-in-place procedures when an “unauthorized” person passed through the entry control point. “We had superb tenant participation this year, with all levels of leadership involved ensuring their workforce is trained and ready for unpredictable threats,” Shevchuk said. Aiming to “train like we fight,” Buist also partnered with trainers from local sher-
U.S. Navy photo/MC2 Kenneth Abbate
Security personnel set up a command post outside the Supply Department, Building 588, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River during a Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2014 active shooter and hostage negotiation drill, Feb. 20. The event gathered Emergency Services Teams from St. Mary’s and Charles counties, MEDEVAC from Maryland State Police Trooper 7 and hostage negotiators from St. Mary’s. iff’s departments to secure a mutual aid response for the active shooter/hostage negation exercise event. Held at the supply headquarters, Building 588, the scenario gathered St. Mary’s and Charles counties Emergency Services Teams, MEDEVAC support from Maryland State Police Trooper 7 and hostage negotiators from St. Mary’s. Bringing the community counterparts in for the active shooter/hostage negotiation exercise “allowed us to validate our support agreements and ensure that when the time
comes, our local partners will be by our side in an effort to protect the installation and the community as a whole,” Buist said. “Conducting both active and passive exercise events and by using our training teams to monitor and evaluate those events, we can determine if we are responding according to established procedures,” he said, adding that using the same operating and crisis response plans for the exercises that are used for real-world events “validates our emer-
gency plans and checklists in a safe environment.” Evaluations from each event are used to improve processes and correct any identified deficiencies. “It’s important that we continue to conduct these training events and to evaluate ourselves honestly and critically so that we improve and are able to carry out the mission of protecting the Pax family,” Buist said.w While the two-week
See SC-CS, Page 10
Delivering the goods
U.S. Navy photo/Kristine Wilcox
Recent winners of the Program Management (AIR 1.0) December Spotlight Award, members of the Tactical Training Ranges Integrated Product Team display a Tactical Combat Training Systems (TCTS) pod, which uses built-in GPS satellite tracking to provide feedback to pilots undergoing training exercises. TCTS provides continuous, live, real-time tracking of air exercise participants up to approximately 350 nautical miles from any Remote Range Unit.
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African-American firsts: Paying homage to black history From Chief of Naval Personnel and Defense Media Activity
“Civil Rights in America,” is the theme the nation has celebrated throughout February in honor of African-American/Black History Month. All month long, Tester has joined the celebration by highlighting the vibrant history and culture African-Americans and black Sailors have made through time. The honorable service of African-American Sailors in the U.S. Navy can be found in every major armed conflict since the Revolutionary War. Here are three African-American Sailors whose distinctive contributions have blazed trails and changed the course of history. A full-color brochure on the history of these and other African-Americans in the United States Navy is also available for download through the Naval History and Heritage Command, www.history.navy.mil. A complete educational presentation, including a downloadable educational poster on African-American/Black History month, can be requested from the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute by email at deomipa@us.af.mil. Editor’s note: This is part four of a four-part series.
Frances Wills Thorpe
Harriet Ida Pickens
For Harriet Ida Pickens and Frances Wills Thorpe, Dec. 21, 1944, was one of the most exciting days of their lives. It was the day they were commissioned as officers in the United States Navy. It was also the day they stepped into history as the first African-American women ever to receive such commissions. These two accomplished and well-educated women were more than qualified to serve their country as military officers in a time of war, with only their race standing in their way. However, the remarkable pair would help to tear that barrier down. The two were forever linked when together they were sworn into the U.S. Navy as apprentice seamen, then went on to join the last class of the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School at Smith College in Northampton, Mass.
Fred “Tiz” Morrison Graphics by Willie Kendrick III, Defense Media Activity
As part of the U.S. Navy’s underwater demolition teams, which were a precursor to the current U.S. Navy SEAL Teams, Fred “Tiz” Morrison was the first African-American Navy SEAL/Frogman. Morrison also won the Bronze Star for his heroics in the Korean War as part of UDT Team 12. Morrison was known as an expert in underwater demolitions. He was a veteran of the World War II and was part of UDT Team 1 in 1948. His official rank is U.S. Navy Ensign 2. Nicknamed “The Real Tarzan,” there is little information on the life of Tiz Morrison. He has since passed on, but will always be remembered as the Navy’s first African American Navy SEAL.
NEWS BRIEFS On base: CREDO Retreats Offered
Chaplain’s Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO) retreats are available to all active-duty military and their family members, as well as Reservists on active status and their immediate family members. These retreats invite reflection but do not attempt to “fix” people, define their religious or spiritual experience, or force them to work on issues. Two types of CREDO Retreats are offered in the Naval District Washington region: Personal Resiliency Retreat (PRR) in Ellicott City, Md.; and the two-day Marriage Enrichment Retreat (MER) in Arlington, Va. For more information, dates and preregistration, phone 202-767-5902.
Military Saves Week
Through Saturday Military Saves is a campaign to motivate, support and encourage military families to save money and build wealth. Savers who take the pledge can opt to receive a monthly e-newsletter from Military Saves, as well as a quarterly e-newsletter from America Saves. Military Saves also works with the Financial Industry National Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation,
the defense credit unions, military banks and other non-profit organizations to promote savings and debt reduction. For more information, log on to www.militarysaves.org.
Merit-based College Scholarships
Deadline: March 17 The Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) John Glenn Squadron is accepting applications for our 2014 merit-based college scholarships. Applicants must be Tri-County area high school seniors pursuing a STEM-based college degree who show interest in a career field that will support the Department of Defense. Visit www.mcaajgs.org/scholarship.html to apply.
Commissary Food Drive Underway Through March 30 Shoppers at the Commissary are asked to donate basic non-perishable food items such as canned goods, soups, pasta, peanut butter, etc. Donated food items can be left on the large stand behind the checkout counters for collection. All donations will benefit local area food banks.
Drill Hall Courts Temporary Closing
Drill Hall basketball courts No.1
and No. 2 are secured after 3 p.m. on March 5, 12 and 19 for set up for Navywide exams. Drill Hall playing courts and the fitness area on the varsity basketball floor are secured from 7-11:30 a.m. on March 6, 13 and 20 for the administration of the Navywide exams.
Shelter in Place
Shelter in Place, the use of a safe area inside a building or structure during an event with little or no notice, is a viable course of action during unexpected situations or emergencies. Shelter in Place alerts will be sent out by emergency management through the AtHoc system or electronic/telephone messaging from the Wide Area Alert Notification system. Whatever the Shelter in Place scenario, if you are in a safe area, it is best to remain there until you receive an all clear from emergency management or until law enforcement personnel arrive. Visit www.ready.gov/shelter for more information.
Establishing an Ethos of Energy Conservation
Energy conservation is critical to our Navy as energy bills consume about 28 percent of our annual shore budget and is the single larg-
est cost for our installations. CNIC is initiating a blog and using mediums such as BRITE’s (the Navy’s Shore Energy Conservation mascot) social media sites, www.facebook. com/navybrite and www.twitter. com/navybrite, to get the word out and influence the Navy’s energy consumption culture. Get your story out or participate in our conversation by “liking” Navy BRITE on Facebook or following him on Twitter today. The Navy is embarked on an aggressive approach to shore energy management to meet the aggressive energy conservation goals set by the SECNAV and CNO. When our energy rates or consumption increases, we are forced to cut back elsewhere. Ultimately, there are only two places we can go to get the funding for these “must pay bills” operations and training. Read more on the Official Blog of the US Navy at: http://goo.gl/adbA1r.
Where’s Gnorman?
Somewhere in this issue we’ve hidden Gnorman the gnome. Anyone spotting Gnorman can email tester@dcmilitary.com or phone 301-342-4163 now through 5 p.m. Friday, and include a brief description of where he’s located. All correct answers are entered into a drawing and one name is chosen to
win a Center Stage Theater movie ticket. The same person cannot win more than once per month. Last week’s winner was Cmdr. Chad Ridder, who found Gnorman on Page 8 in the Bravo Zulu photo.
St. Nicholas Chapel Service Schedule Catholic Services
Mass: Sundays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Weekdays at 11:35 a.m. Continuing Catholic Development (CCD): Sundays from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Protestant Services
Worship: Sundays at 11 a.m. Men’s Discipleship: Sunday, 6-7:30 p.m. at the Religious Programming Center Women’s Study: Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m. and Thursday, 10-11:30 a.m. at the Religious Programming Center
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MWR For all MWR news, visit www.cnic.navy.mil/Patuxent and click on the Fleet and Fam-ily Readiness tab.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Triton UAS team earns award Scan to see more MWR events on Facebook.
Phone directory
Energy Zone - 301-995-3869 Liberty Center - 301-342-3565 River’s Edge - 301-342-3656 Information, Tickets and Travel Office - 301-342-3648 Customized Creations - 301-342-6293 Rassieur Youth Center - 301-342-1694
MWR Presents First Leprechaun Leap
March 15, 9 a.m. West Basin Marina Open to all with base access. Pre-registration begins Monday and can be done at the ITT Office. Day of registration begins at 8 a.m. Cost: $10; includes an event T-shirt. Sign-up to Leap with your Command, PMA or Organization; whichever has the largest showing wins a free rental of the MWR Beach House, upon availability.
River’s Edge now open for lunch
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays The Bald Eagle Pub remains closed until all repairs are complete to the River’s Edge Catering Conference Center.
Customized Creations Third Annual Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Show Registration
Craft show is April 26. Registrations are accepted until the event is filled. Craft spaces are $65; table and chairs are also available to rent. Call 301-342-6293.
Rassieur Youth Center Registration for Mattapany Day Camp Ongoing
Military: Tuesday and Wednesday; DOD, March 10-11; and contractors, March 17-18
U.S. Navy photo
Recipients of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award from the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft System Program Office (PMA-262) stand with Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons Rear Adm. Mat Winter, left, PMA-262 Program Manager Capt. Jim Hoke, Charles Lowe, Bob Mroz, Brian Wasel and Jeff Sappington. During an awards ceremony Feb. 19 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Winter recognized the individuals for their contributions to the development of the Triton Unmanned Aircraft System, which will bring an unprecedented 24/7 maritime surveillance capability to the fleet. The Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award is the third-highest civilian employee honor in the Department of the Navy.
Liberty Center Ski/Snowboard Trip to Liberty Mountain Resort
March 8; bus departs at 8 a.m. Cost: lift ticket: $47; lift ticket with gear rental: $77
ITT Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays Building 2655, in front of the drill hall Vacations and tickets are available to all hands, some restrictions do apply. Going on vacation for spring break? Keep in mind some tickets require a 21-day advance purchase. The MWR ITT office sells Disney and Universal packages and tickets, cruises, all-inclusive vacation packages and vacation packages to just about everywhere.
Discounted tickets for following shows available: Mamma Mia! - National Theater Harlem Globetrotters - Verizon Center Blue Man Group - National Theater West Side Story - National Theater The Lion King - Kennedy Center
Philadelphia Flower Show Bus Trip
March Madness Bracket Challenge
Brackets due by March 17. Cost: Free
Go-Kart Grand Prix
March 22; bus departs at 11:30 a.m. Cost: $35
Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus Trip March 23; bus departs at 12:45 p.m. Cost: $13
Energy Zone Zumba Kids
Tuesdays: March 4, 11, 18 and 25, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Cost: $40 per child; $20 for additional sibling or friend Register by Monday
March 6 Bus transportation and admission: $90 Bus transportation with garden tea (only 12 seats): $115
Ballroom Dancing
Thursdays: April 3, 10, 17 and 24, and May 1 and 8, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $48 per person Register by March 28
FFSC All classes are held at the Fleet and Family Support Center in Building 2090 off of Bundy Road unless otherwise noted. Classes are open to active-duty, retired and reserve military. Reservations are necC essary and can be made at FFSC or by calling 301-342-4911.
See more FFSC classes on Facebook.
Classes:
Amazing Newborns: Tuesday, 4-6 p.m. Effective Communication: Wednesday, 9-10:30 a.m. Understanding your Credit Score/Report: Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Welcome to Pax: Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. SAPR Refresher Training: March 6, 1-3 p.m.
Playgroup at Glenn Forest
Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. Moms, dads and caregivers are invited to bring their children for playtime at the Glenn Forest Community Center.
Naval Air Station Patuxent River • tester@dcmilitary.com • www.facebook.com/NASPaxRiver The name Tester is a registered mark in the state of Maryland. This paper is published by Comprint, Inc., 9030 Comprint Ct., Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, (301) 9481520, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Navy, under exclusive written contract with Naval District Washington. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of the Tester are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Navy. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Southern Maryland Newspapers and Printing of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall
be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the Public Affairs Office. News copy should be submitted by Friday to be considered for the following week’s edition. All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity, and conformity to regulations. To inquire about news copy, call 301342-4163 or fax the Tester at 301-863-9296.
Commercial advertising may be placed with the publisher by calling 301-862-2111.
Capt. Ben Shevchuk
Donna Cipolloni
Capt. Heidi Fleming
Frederick C. Fair
Cmd. Master Chief William Lloyd-Owen
Breton Helsel and Deirdre Parry
Commanding Officer Executive Officer
Command Master Chief
Connie Hempel
Public Affairs Officer
Staff Writer Volunteer
Copy/layout editors
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Thursday, February 27, 2014
CENTER STAGE MOVIES Movie Line: 301-342-5033 l Reservations: 301-342-3648 l
l Ticket Prices: E-1 to E-5 category: adults, $3.50 and youths ages 6-11, $2.50. All others: adults, $4.50; youths ages 6-11, $3.50. l 3-D glasses: $1 l Authorized ID required for admission
Thursday, Feb. 27
6 p.m., The Nut Job (not in 3D) Rated: PG (85 mins)
Friday, Feb. 28
Free Showing 3 p.m., Red Tails It’s 1944. As the war in Europe continues to take its toll on Allied forces, the Pentagon brass has no recourse but to consider unorthodox options — including the untried and untested African-American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program. Just as the men are on the brink of being shipped home, they are given the ultimate chance to show their courage. With something to prove and everything to lose, these young airmen take to the skies to fight for their country — and the fate of the free world. Rated: PG-13 (125 mins)
6:30 p.m., Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Rated: PG-13 (106 mins) 9 p.m., Her Rated: R (126 mins)
Saturday, March 1
4 p.m., Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit 6:30 p.m., I, Frankenstein 9 p.m., Her
Sunday, March 2
Sneak Preview - 2 p.m., 300: Rise of an Empire (3-D) Based on Frank Miller’s latest graphic novel Xerxes, and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster “300,” this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield-on the seaas Greek general, Themistokles, attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. Rated: R (102 mins) Note: 3-D glasses are $1 per person. To avoid this charge, movie-goers may bring their own 3-D glasses.
Monday and Tuesday No Movies
Wednesday, March 5
6:30 p.m., Her
Coming Soon: That Awk-
ward Moment and Labor Day
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FRC Division officer retires after 42 years By Gary Younger Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers Public Affairs
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ick Loy has one law and one rule. “Law No. 1 is ‘Gross Tonnage Always Wins,’” said Loy, who is the support equipment 900 division officer for Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic (FRCMA) Site Patuxent River. Loy should know, as he oversees the maintenance and repair of equipment that support every Type/ Model/Series aircraft within the Naval Aviation Enterprise. Rule No. 1? Old Guys Rule. Loy is scheduled to retire Feb. 28, his 61st birthday, with 42 years and four days working at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The past 30 years have been at FRCMA. FRCMA repairs and maintains aircraft and aircraft support components. After a stint at the Pax River Commissary, where he did everything from stocking shelves, working in the warehouse and cutting meat, Loy started his new job as a power support equipment mechanic. “Some of the air-conditioning units I worked on back then are still around,” Loy said. “They may have been reworked a few times, but they’re still around. People just like them.” After a five-year apprenticeship, Loy eventually became a work team leader, becoming qualified on as many as 40 pieces of equipment.
“We had to be certified on every piece of equipment so we could inspect the work,” he said. In 2010, Loy put down his wrenches and took over as division officer. “I now handle the paperwork and keep everyone out of trouble.” When Loy departs, FRCMA will lose his expertise, said Tom Thompson, site deputy director. “His understanding of support equipment is unmatched,” Thompson said. “He not only knows the equipment, he knows the people and the organizations behind the equipment. If we get into a jam, he can quickly get us out.” Thompson says Loy has a great rapport with his team. “Everyone is really going to miss him,” he said. “He’s a fair and consistent supervisor, and has been a good sounding board for leadership.” Throughout the years, Loy has seen change, primarily among Sailors. “Back then, the chief would take you outside and give you the ‘what’s-for,’” he said. “They’re kinder and gentler now. They don’t do that anymore.” While Loy’s successor has yet to be named, he has a piece of advice to pass along. “Be flexible; this job demands it,” he said. “The next person who walks through your door is the most important customer in the world.”
U.S. Navy photo/Gary Younger
Rick Loy, supervisory aircraft equipment maintenance manager for Fleet Readiness Center Site Patuxent River (FRCMA), stands next to one of the myriad pieces of equipment in his shop. Loy retires Friday with more than 42 years in the civil service, including 30 at FRCMA. Loy, who has been married to his wife Bonnie for 38 years, said he is looking forward to retirement with no regrets. “It’s been a long, strange trip to get here, and I accomplished everything I set out to,” he said. Next up for Loy is hunting, fishing and spoiling his two grandsons, Landon and Trevor. “I have Obsessive Compulsive Hunting Disorder,” he said. “I need to take care of that.”
Move-In Mo ve-In NOW NOW at Hopyard Farm F arm
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Pax River Bravo Zulu awards presented for job well done Naval Air Station Patuxent River leaders present employees who receive positive feedback and comments through the Interactive Customer Evaluation system and for going above their normal duty with a Bravo Zulu award as a token of appreciation for a job well done. Here are some BZs presented by the Naval Air Station Patuxent River Commanding OfďŹ cer, Capt. Ben Shevchuk.
Courtesy photos
Michele Maynard, Liberty Center; presented Feb. 21.
Chris Wood, left, Liberty Center; presented Feb. 21.
1039208
OPEN TO EVERYONE ON BASE Active, Retired, Civil Service, Contractor, Other If you are on base you can take advantage of these prices
Liberty Tax at the Navy Exchange announces FLAT FEE pricing on your state and federal tax returns $120 Federal 1040 $35 Each State Visit our Kiosk in the Navy Exchange Food Court or call (301) 373-0838 Proceeds to the NEX help benefit MWR
866-871-1040 LibertyTax.com
FREE Three Day and Two Night Vacation Voucher with Every Tax Return Preparation. See NEX Kiosk for Details. Locally Owned and Operated by a Navy Veteran
1039206
Valid at participating locations. Cannot be combined with other offers or used toward past services. Other exclusions may apply. Void where prohibited by law. Valid 1/29/14-4/10/14 on NAS Patuxent River Only. 1041512
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and commitment to openness. NMCRS supporters should feel confident that their hard-earned dollars are being used efficiently and
responsibly when it acquires such a high rating.” The fund drive should also help to increase visibility for NMCRS. “It amazes me that some of our active-duty service members still don’t know we’re
Sissy Garner REALTOR® Office: 301-862-2169 Cell: 301-904-2733 Home: 301-862-1501 Email: sissy.garner@c21nm.com
For Sale
46019 ROLLING ROAD LEXINGTON PARK, MD 20653
Offered @ $299,900
New Rambler built in Town Creek subdivision and ready to be moved into. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen, dining room and great room is fully open and has cathedral ceilings. Rest of house has 9 foot ceilings. 2 car garage. Deck on the back 8x16. This 1,600 square foot home will have a nitro system septic system, interior sprinkler system. Stainless steel appliances. Home is seated on .57 acres. MLS# SM8118210 1039210
here,” Farrell said. “We want them to think of NMCRS first when they need financial assistance. We hate to see people with 14 percent interest on a loan for auto repair when we could’ve given them that loan for free.” Farrell also wants potential donors to know that while they may have never needed the society, they work with someone who has. “And people alleviated of financial pressure can do a better job,” she said. “Financial readiness equals operational readiness.” Anyone wishing to donate to NMCRS can do so online at www.nmcrsfunddrive.org/ paxriver; service members can donate via allotment. In order to specifically track Pax River donations, and to ensure command recognition, donors are encouraged to contact their command representative and complete a paper form as well. To locate your command rep, contact Farrell at 301-342-4739. “If everyone gave just $5 per month, we could triple the fund drive from last year,” Farrell said. “We’ll make sure the dollars are well spent. They’ll go to the people who need them.”
Thursday, February 27, 2014
AROUND TOWN Calvert County: Makers Market
Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon Annmarie Sculpture Garden, Dowell The place to find handmade, homemade or homegrown products including crafts, hanging baskets, organic skincare products, farm fresh produce, cut flowers, baked goods, batik and fleece clothing, handmade soaps and candles, herbal teas, ornaments, folkart, handmade gifts and more.
Garden Smarter: Bay Wise Gardening
Saturday, 10-11:30 a.m. Price Frederick library Learn the small changes you can make in your gardening habits to lessen your impact on the bay and surrounding environment, thus improving the health of the bay. Our “yardstick” will help guide you.
Steamboats and Wharves of Calvert County
Sunday, 2-3 p.m. North Beach Town Hall Dr. Ralp Eshelman presents a lecture about the steamboats and wharves that once dotted Calvert County.
How to Get Library eBooks to your Device Tuesday, 7-8 p.m. Prince Frederick library Learn how to use Maryland’s Digital
CNIC
Continued from 1 the ones putting in the hard work. Out of all the places I’ve been, [Pax River] has the best cross section of controllers I’ve seen. It’s the most demanding place to work and they always rise to the occasion.”
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Continued from 2 exercise caused some delays and other minor inconveniences at the gates and around the installation, Shevchuk said the events that
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eLibrary and the OverDrive Media Console to check out, download and read library ebooks on your tablet, smartphone, ereader or computer.
St. Mary’s County: Decompression Night at PRNAM
Today, 4-8 p.m. Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Join your friends and coworkers after work for hors d’oeuvres and great company. Live music by Billy Breslin. Cost: $10, nonmembers; $8, members.
Drug Summit for Parents
March 7, 6:30 p.m. Hollywood Volunteer Fire Hall Geared toward families with teens and young adults. Learn about the pathways to drugs use, how drugs are accessed and the attitudes of youth and parents about the use of drugs. Expert panelists; and the personal story of a local mother who lost a child to a drug overdose.
Arsenic and Old Lace
Tonight, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Three Notch Theater,Lexington Park Two innocent old ladies “do in” lonely old men in Joseph Kesselring’s smash hit comedy. Admission: $15, adults; $12, senior/military/student; $10, youths ages 12 and younger. Call 301-737-5447.
With the honor, Schenemann now serves as CNIC’s nominee for the prestigious Vice Adm. Robert P. Pirie Air Traffic Controller of the Year award. That award, presented for outstanding contributions to operational readiness and safety applied by individual Navy and Marine Corps air traffic controllers Navywide, will be presented in late March.
caused them were invaluable training for the safety and security across the installation. “Our main responsibility as the host installation is to protect the people who live and work within our fence lines, and we have a duty to ensure that we do that to the best of our ability,” Shevchuk said.
THE RÉSUMÉ EXPERT “Mobile Service”
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Please call Phyllis Houston at 301-574-3956
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