TESTER Naval Air Station Patuxent River
Vol. 72, No. 48
Celebrating 72 Years of Community Partnership
NMCRS helps with holiday budgeting Page 2
Wounded Warrior Page 4
Commandant’s Corner Page 10
December 10, 2015
Navy puts 13-game win streak on line vs Army The rivalry continues… Navy Midshipmen vs. Army Black Knights 3 p.m. Dec. 12 Franklin Field, Philadelphia Televised on CBS Fun facts: • During the 1893 game, a rear admiral and brigadier general got into a heated argument that nearly led to a duel, resulting in the two teams not competing against each other for five years. That incident also prompted the game’s move to the neutral location of Philadelphia – centrally located between both military academies. • Two cats, a dog and a carrier pigeon enjoyed brief reigns as the Navy mascot, but goats have served without interruption since 1904.They are cared for by 16 handlers made up of five midshipmen from the first, second and third classes. Goat handlers undergo rigorous training prior to handling Bill on the field. • In this year’s game, the Midshipmen will wear all new uniforms including hand-painted helmets featuring seven of the historic ships that are part of the U.S. Navy Fleet. Specific helmets are worn based on a player’s position.
See STREAK, Page 10 U.S. Navy graphic illustration by Shawn Graham/Facts compiled by Donna Cipolloni
Blue Angels brief Pax River, prepare for 2016 air expo By Donna Cipolloni NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs
Two representatives from the events office of the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels addressed a packed conference room in Administration, Building 409, Dec. 2. Blue Angel No. 7, Navy Lt. Tyler Davies, and Blue Angel No. 8, Marine Corps Capt. Corrie Mays, met personnel from across NAS Patuxent River to discuss the exacting requirements, logistics and planning necessary to stage a Blue Angels demonstration at the installation’s planned 2016 air expo, Oct. 27-30. Attending the slide show briefing conducted by Davies and Mays, were NAS Commanding Officer Capt. Heidi Fleming and Executive Officer Capt. Scott Starkey, who will have command of Pax River by the date of the air expo. Also present were representatives from air operations, air traffic control, security, fire and emergency services, medical, aviation safety, airfield division, public works and public affairs, among others. Outside organizations included the FAA and a special ops representative from the county sheriff’s office. “We’ll cover a lot of details and specifics; don’t leave here with questions unanswered,” advised Mays, who added that the Blue Angels are on the road 300 days of the
U.S. Navy photo by Shawn Graham
Lt. Mark Stanfield, left, and Lt. Clay Martin, both assigned to the NAS Patuxent River Air Expo Planning Committee, look over an airfield diagram with U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Corrie Mays and Navy Lt. Tyler Davies of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels. The 2016 NAS Patuxent River Air Expo is scheduled Oct. 27-30. year, in 35 different cities doing 70 different demos from March through mid-November. “Everywhere we go, we try to the utmost extent to keep every single thing as predictable for us as possible because, above all else, safety comes first.” Arranging the visit and briefing was NAS
Search and Rescue Officer Lt. Mark Stanfield who, serving as the Blue Angels base liaison, is responsible for any and all coordination between Pax and the demonstration squadron. “I’m honored to represent NAS Patuxent River and work closely with this famous and highly-respected flight demonstration team,”
Stanfield said. “I’ll be working almost every week to keep in contact with agencies and personnel here while relaying information to and from the Blue Angels team; but none of what I do is possible without the hard work of everyone around me.” Air show support required off the installation includes hotel rooms; transportation; convenient access to food and gym facilities; and community outreach assistance. Aboard Pax River, that support extends to a myriad of areas including hangar space; security; dedicated ground support equipment; fuels; life flight; FAA waivers; briefing rooms; air show set up; and more. Pax personnel serving on the air show committee were instructed to read the Blue Angels’ online support manual and then refer to their particular appendix for the required checklists and timelines to be met. As the briefing ended, Fleming addressed the group before they dispersed. “The Blue Angels are pros when it comes to air shows and, clearly, they’re very detail oriented and have things very well scripted,” she said. “When they ask for something by a certain time, let’s shoot ahead of that time. They fly with precision, and they act with precision and professionalism — and we will do the same.”