Vol. 72, No. 5
January 30, 2014
www.cherrypoint.marines.mil
Cherry Point pilots train for night operations LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT
Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467 conducted low light flying evaluations for the squadron’s senior pilots at Cherry Point from Jan. 20-27. Evaluated and certified by flight instructors with Marine Aviation and Weapons Tactics Squadron 1, the HMLA-467 pilots reinforced the principles and skills required to pilot an aircraft in low-light environments. The training and certification allows the squadron’s senior pilot instructors to train and certify new and less experienced pilots for low-light flying operations, according to Maj. Bart Betik, a UH-1Y Venom pilot with the squadron. “The focus of these qualifications is to become more tactically proficient in a night environment,” said Betik, who recertified as a low-light instructor during the training. During training, MAWTS-1 instructors, headquartered at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., look for specific traits, said Betik. Pilots need to show confidence, knowledge and leadership abilities during both regular and low-light flying. See 467 page A7
LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS
A UH-1Y Venom lifts off the Cherry Point flight line Jan. 23 on its way to conduct a low-light flying evaluation for the crew. The training was designed to prepare senior instructors to train and certify new and less experienced pilots.
Cherry Point Marines, Sailors improve combat readiness during MISTEX LANCE CPL. JOSHUA R. HEINS MCAS CHERRY POINT
Marines with Marine Air Support Squadron 1 conducted a Marine Air Command and Control Systems Training Exercise at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue Jan. 21-28. Partnering with Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 and the Tactical Air Operations Center, MASS-1 developed the unit capabilities required to operate in a deployed and austere environment. Living and working in tents, without the amenities of garrison infrastructure, gave MASS-1 a sense of the rigors of operations while
deployed, according to Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Hernandez, the staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the direct air support drill. “The purpose of this MISTEX drill is for the Marines to interact with the different entities they would be with in a deployed environment,” said Hernandez. During direct air support center drills in garrison, MASS-1 simulates a deployed environment virtually, using computers to coordinate notional missions. During MISTEX, however, Marines take to the field and simulate only aircraft and ground forces in an exercise. To simulate a deployed environment, MASS-1 pitched
CNATT instructor, family selected as military Family of the Quarter
tents at Bogue Field where they slept, ate, and worked. The training gave the Marines a chance to understand the overall impact direct air support has in support of possible future operations. “I want my junior Marines to realize that one day what we practice can and will affect someone else, it’s real,” said Cpl. Juan J. Hernandez II, an air support operations Marine with MASS-1. Exercises like MISTEX give junior Marines a preview of what deployed operations require and help MASS-1 sharpen their skills for future operations and exercises, said Hernandez II.
Emergency Operations Center dedicated to AFTP champion
LANCE CPL. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS MCAS CHERRY POINT
Sgt. Bradley Hoover and his wife Sgt. Brenda Hoover will receive the Havelock Military Affairs Committee Military Family of the Quarter Award during a ceremony at El Cerros Mexican Restaurant in Havelock Feb. 4. The ceremony is a way for the Havelock MAC as well as local sponsors and military service members to express their appreciation to the Hoovers for their community and military service. Bradley is an instructor at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training here. Bradley is also the ground safety manager, volunteer service coordinator and Single Marine Program representative within CNATT. Brenda is an administrative noncommissioned officer-in-charge with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14. “The relationship between the community and the military is very important,” said Bradley. “It is vital to keep the bond strong because it makes life easier for both parties.” The Hoovers value the community and the Marine Corps and want to give back by constantly devoting their time to assisting others. Since arriving at Cherry Point in October 2011, the Hoovers volunteered more than 240 hours of their off-duty time to assisting service members and community members around the local area. “My wife and I have been volunteering together since the day we met,” said Bradley. “I didn’t know about the volunteer opportunities that were available until I joined the military and saw how much it was encouraged and I have been drawn to it ever since.” Within their demanding schedules, the Hoovers balance work, time together and community service. They have volunteered on several projects together, serving as as Bocce coaches for the New Bern Special Olympics and coordinating and implementing the building of a house with Crystal Coast Habitat for Humanity. On top of this, Bradley volunteers bi-weekly mentoring a select group of students at Havelock Elementary School, handing out food to families at the New Bern Food Bank and assisting local veterans and seniors at the Neuse River Senior Games. In total, the Hoover family has volunteered more than 300 hours of their free time to local communities across the United States and abroad in Thailand and Afghanistan. “The best part about volunteering is seeing how appreciative people are,” said Bradley. “The look of appreciation on their faces makes volunteering our time worth it.”
News Briefs
A2
HRST Instructors
A6
Aviation Survival
A3
Menus
B2
Announcements
B3
Forward Air Control A5
LANCE CPL. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS
Connie Slappey, Col. Chris Pappas III and James Riemer present a hand-drawn picture of Joseph ‘Richard’ Slappey during a dedication ceremony in his honor at the Emergency Operations Center Friday. Connie is the wife of the late Richard Slappey, Pappas is the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and James Riemer is the director of air station operations.
LANCE CPL. GRACE L. WALADKEWICS MCAS CHERRY POINT
Cherry Point Marines and civilian employees gathered at the Emergency Operations Center to honor a key member of the EOC development team Friday. During the ceremony, the EOC was dedicated in honor of retired Master Sgt. Joseph “Richard” Slappey, who passed away suddenly in Sept. 2010. Slappey served honorably in the Marine Corps for 27 years. At Cherry Point, he served as the training staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge and as a staff officer on the operations staff. After retiring in 2003, Slappey continued to serve as a civilian
Marine with the Mission Assurance Department, specializing in antiterrorism efforts at Cherry Point. “He was responsible for writing the initial order on antiterrorism protection planning and the orders and operations after 9-11,” said James Riemer, director of operations with the EOC. Slappey developed and implemented the EOC’s Mission Assurance Program at Cherry Point, said Riemer. Although he never got to see the new office space, he was instrumental in the design and building of the headquarters building EOC. The dedication ceremony brought together Slappey’s fam-
ily, friends and coworkers to honor his life and accomplishments. “His legacy and foot prints are left on every part of what you see here today,” said Col. Chris Pappas III, commanding officer of Cherry Point. “We are ready today because of his mission and his legacy” While working in the EOC, Slappey earned the 2006 Security and Emergency Services Civilian Marine of the Year Award for his Anti-Terrorism Force Protection Program, said Riemer. This was an extremely significant accomplishment in his life. “He was like a brother to me,” See EOC page A7
With your smartphone download a QR code reader and scan the code.