Vol. 72, No. 1
January 2, 2014
www.cherrypoint.marines.mil
CNATT Marine earns Instructor of the Year LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT
LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS
Sgt. Martin Sanchez, Jr. presents his plaque for the Naval Education and Training Command’s 2013 Junior Instructor of the Year for his work at Cherry Point’s Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Marine Detachment Dec. 20.
Cherry Point radar, control Marines maintain safety, keep eyes on sky PFC. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS MCAS CHERRY POINT
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, Cherry Point’s radar room and control tower never shut down. The air traffic controllers who oversee Cherry Point’s airspace and runway operations issue clearances and feed information to pilots and aircrew on the ground and in the air. Their mission, to prevent collision of aircraft and ensure smooth flow of traffic, is vital to Cherry Point’s mission and national security. Cherry Point’s ATC controls over 5,000 square miles of airspace. Attention to detail, mission focus and teamwork are all imperative to the safety of Cherry Point service members and civilians in surrounding communities. “Every day is a different scenario, nothing is ever exactly the same. There are so many things the runway can be used for so every day is something different,” said Lance Cpl. Michael Van, an ATC specialist. “Even though I am a supervisor, I am still constantly learning new things and new ways to operate.” Marines in the tower and radar room fill several, unique roles. Each crew member has a job to do, whether it is granting access, watching the radar from the ground, directing aircraft and vehicles on the runway or feeding information to pilots. All jobs are essential to daily mission accomplishment. The controllers aim to keep the air and ground space safe and accident free. Ensuring safe operations can be exhausting so teamwork and proficiency are key, according to Van. “Maintaining safety is everyone’s responsibility,” said Van. “We take breaks and switch on and off like pilot and co-pilot so we don’t get burned out.” ATC Marines cross-train constantly to learn and sharpen their proficiency in each function of the ATC. The Marines conduct simulations and exercises to test their understanding and proficiency in their assigned roles and to identify ways to improve. See RADAR page A2
The Naval Education and Training Command recognized a Cherry Point Marine for excellence in the Naval Aviation training program recently during the NETC Sailor and Instructor of the Year Competition. Sgt. Martin Sanchez, Jr., a deceptive electronic countermeasure course supervisor, earned the 2013 Junior Instructor of the Year Dec. 12 for his work at Cherry Point’s Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training. As an instructor since 2010, Sanchez has led some 28 individual classes consisting of nearly 100 aviation training Marines at CNATT, totaling over 6,300 instruction hours. Sanchez is also slated for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program in 2014. The Instructor of the Year Program recognizes Marines and Sailors from across NETC who excel in their assigned roles both on and off duty. Sanchez earned the distinction for his professional acumen and character, helping to shape the future of aviation Marines. Each Marine and Sailor selected this year led with pride across NETC, according to Rear Adm. Don Quinn, the commander of NETC. “The Sailor of the Year and Instructor of the Year honors are earned through hard work and dedication to perfecting their craft; they are preparing the next generation of Sailors and Marines,” said Quinn in a statement to NETC Public Affairs. “They have earned this distinction through the leadership they demonstrate even when no one is looking, and the mentoring of others, both junior and senior alike.” For Sanchez, the distinction as an Instructor of the Year stands as a testament to Marine Corps’ aviation technical training. His efforts will strengthen future generations of Marine aviation, said Sanchez, who will report for Officer Candidates School this month. “I chose to become an instructor because I wanted a chance to give back to the Navy and Marine Corps communities that gave me the skills needed for success,” said Sanchez. “As an instructor, I am fortunate to be in a position where I can significantly influence the quality of training provided to future avionics technicians of the Navy and Marine Corps. This is something that I take seriously because the diversity and potential impact each Sailor and Marine brings to the fight.”
President Obama makes Christmas Day phone calls COURTESY STORY III MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
Senior Chief Petty Officer Vilma T. Rodriguez received a phone call Christmas Day from President Barack Obama, while celebrating the holiday with friends at Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan. “In my 18 - almost 19 - years in the Navy, I’ve never experienced anything like this,” said Rodriguez, an independent duty corpsman with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “To receive a call from the president, it’s a big deal,” she added. “I felt honored that he took time to show his concern for the well-being of my family.” The president wished Rodriguez a Merry Christmas, and thanked her for her hard work during Operation Damayan, the military relief effort in the Republic of the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. The Marines assembled with Rodriguez also had an opportunity to wish the president a Merry Christmas. Calling service members on Christmas has become a tradition for the commander in chief, and this year Rodriguez was selected for her performance during Operation Damayan. Rodriguez responded to the crisis providing essential medical care for the U.S. military response team, but was also affected personally by the storm. Rodriguez, a native of Tacloban, one of the hardest hit areas, lost her brother and cousin to the typhoon. Dealing with her own personal crisis, Rodriguez prioritized the needs of others over her own, dedicating herself to the relief effort. Rodriguez impressed Master Chief Petty Officer Eric S. Anderson, command master chief of III
MCAS CHERRY POINT
PFC. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS
CMC visits Helmand, delivers helmets
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Exercise Forager Fury II concludes
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Service members give back during holiday season
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GUNNERY SGT., LAWRENCE W. WATTERS
Senior Chief Petty Officer Vilma T. Rodriguez speaks with President Barack Obama over the phone Christmas day, while celebrating the holiday at a friend’s home on Camp Shields, Okinawa, Japan.
Workshops prepare Marines, Sailors, families for deployment PFC. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS
Staff Sgt. Ralph F. Pyles III, an approach controller with the Air Traffic Control tower, watches as an aircraft touches down on a Cherry Point runway Nov. 21.
MEF, who ultimately nominated her for the phone call. While working alongside her in the Philippines, Anderson and Master Chief Petty Officer Donald C. Schrader, command master chief of 3rd MLG, both took note of her selfless attitude despite her personal loss. “She always had a smile on her face; she was very resourceful,” said Schrader. “She had her priorities all in order - to the mission first.” “She’s a very humble person, she always puts others before herself,” he added. “She’s got a heart of gold.”
Whether for the first time or after several deployments, leaving home and family always comes with heightened levels of stress and responsibility for the Marine leaving and the family left at home. Deployments can be exciting and scary all at the same time. Each rotation brings challenges and hardships for service members and their family, according to Amy Zier, the readiness and deployment support trainer with Marine Corps Family Team Building. “Every deployment is differ-
ent,” said Zier “There may be unique challenges or different situations that you may not have faced before or could not have foreseen.” MCFTB and Cherry Point’s Marine Corps Community Services work together to ensure that Marines, Sailors and their families prepare for all aspects of the Marine Corps and the challenges of the Marine Corps life, including deployments, said Zier. Zier said two common challenges facing families before deployment are communication and expectations. “Challenges include differing expectations about the frequency
or availability of communication, understanding the emotional cycle of deployment, and spouses, significant others and family members fear of isolation while their Marine is away,” said Zier. “There is also a fear of not being able to handle all of the household and family responsibility on their own.” MCFTB offers several Life Skills classes to help Marines and Sailors and their families prepare for deployment. The classes help families improve their communication skills, and helps spouses maintain a connection with their See DEPLOYMENT page A2
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