Expanding horizons Page 3
Dental health month Page 7
Over the river Page 13 VOLUME 70, NUMBER 10
NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND
MARCH 14, 2013
Budget cuts impact base taxi, other services By Connie Hempel NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays, Closed
Liberty Center Hours:
When the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, announced March 2 the service’s intention to proceed with spending reductions to align with the Budget Control Act’s fiscal constraints, or sequestration, he outlined a variety of reductions in operations, training and maintenance. Since then, leaders from Commander, Naval Installations Command have dug deep to see what prudent measures could be taken to save money. The Navywide reductions Mabus outlined March 2 impact a variety of efforts, to include ship deployments and humanitarian aid. It also includes a gradual stand-down of flying time for at least three fleet air wings. “These actions are being taken to preserve support for those forces stationed overseas and currently forwarddeployed,” Mabus added. “Reductions in lower-priority forward operations and significant reductions in all other operations, training and maintenance are the results of this selection process.”
Tuesdays, 3-10 p.m. Wednesdays, 2-10 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays and Mondays, Closed
Civilian furloughs
Additionally, the Secretary of the Navy’s message also noted that the Navy’s current civilian hiring freeze remains in effect, and plans to implement government civilian work furloughs continue to be made.
Blue Angels, Air Expo ’13
Reduced NAS services
Direct impacts to NAS Patuxent River that begin Monday include eliminating the base taxi service for Pax, NRC Solomons, Webster Outlying Field and the government leased off-base facilities, and reducing hours at some MWR facilities. “Reduction decisions, though difficult, have been prudent, and in most cases reversible,” said Capt. Ted Mills, NAS Patuxent River commanding officer. “Our goal is to remain mission capable. There is not a uniform answer for all activities. Some effects will not be noticeable until later in the fiscal year. We will prioritize continued funding towards those activities that support life, safety and critical security, as well as those programs that support Wounded Warriors.” The MWR schedules and service that change Monday are:
U.S. Navy photo by Connie Hempel
Jim Kelly, a DOD civilian at NAS Patuxent River, takes a run on one of the treadmills at Drill Hall on Tuesday. Drill Hall patrons will see a change in hours of operation beginning Monday. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Indoor Pool Hours:
Drill Hall Hours:
Weekdays, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Weekdays, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.
While the Blue Angels performances scheduled for April have been canceled, the decision to cancel later performances will be delayed until the latest possible moment, according to a Blue Angels Public Affairs statement released last week. Delaying the decision allows the Blue Angels to proceed with their performances in case funding is restored. With that said, NAS Patuxent River’s Air Expo ’13, which includes a Blue Angels demonstration, is still planned for Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. “Although sequestration has been triggered, we are still hopeful that Congress will pass a balanced deficit reduction plan that the president can sign, and sequestration is ultimately reversed,” Mills said. Since March 6, legislation has been pending for a sixmonth spending measure that would keep the government operating past March 27. However, this legislation is still pending, and it is unknown how the bill might impact Navy cuts or reductions. Additional sequestration information is available at the Navy Live site at http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/03/02/ department-of-the-navy-response-to-sequestration and at http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/03/01/five-things-youneed-to-know-about-march-1/.
Families helping families
NMCRS fund drive runs through April By Connie Hempel NAS Public Affairs Office
As the annual NavyMarine Corps Relief Society fund drive launched this week, volunteers have hit the streets looking to make 100 percent contact, raising dollars and awareness. “Through the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, our Sailors and Marines can get the support they need right here from their family,” Rear Adm. CJ Jaynes, commander of Fleet Readiness Centers and Naval Air Systems Command assistant commander for Logistics and Industrial Operations,
said during the kickoff event Tuesday. “I know with the current budget constraints it will be harder to go out and get as many donations as we’ve had in the past, but a lot of our civilians are retired military and they haven’t forgotten what it’s all about.” Since its beginning 109 years ago, the NMCRS has helped thousands of Navy and Marine Corps families facing financial struggles every year. Whether those struggles are caused from a military move leaving a dual income family to single income, a vehicle in need of repair, or not being able to make ends meet with rent, utilities and groceries, the
NMCRS offers interest-free loans and grants for activeduty and retired military, their family and widows of service members. During last year’s drive, more than $103,000 was raised for the NMCRS at Pax River. With those donated dollars, the NMCRS was able to help more than 250 clients. But it’s not just about the no-interest loans and grants, NMCRS offers financial education, too. “Financial stability contributes to readiness,” said Maureen Farrell, director of the NMCRS office here. “We can help with budgets and building a strategy for the future.” Sometimes people are unsure if NMCRS can help
U.S. Navy photo by Connie Hempel
Capt. Ben Shevchuk, NAS Patuxent River executive officer, talks about the importance of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society in taking care of Sailors and Marines during the annual fund drive kick-off Tuesday. them, but Farrell said if in doubt, call. “If we can’t help, we can put you in contact with who can,” she said.
For more information on the NMCRS or to make an electronic donation, visit www.nmcrs.org or call 301342-4739.
See upcoming Tester issues for information on what services NMCRS provides and how families continue to help families.