OPSAIL 2012 ARRIVES IN HAMPTON ROADS PAGE 14 VOLUME 52 NO. 22
MAY 31, 2012
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA
INSIDEJET
SOYS ADVANCED TO CHIEF PETTY OFFICER
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DAM NECK ANNEX
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Homecoming for CWV-17, VFA-81
CHAMBERS FIELD
Oceana XO guest speaker at Chesapeake Memorial Day service BY CATHY HEIMER Jet Observer
VFA-106 PILOT IS EMS VOLUNTEER
PAGE 6 Volunteers are needed to help at Dam Neck Annex June 2, 9 a.m. to noon, for Clean the Bay Day. The event in its 24th year, will be taking place across the Chesapeake Bay, including naval installations. For more information, contact Oceana/ Dam Neck Coordinator Lt. Corey Bott at 4927828 or corey. bott@navy.mil.
Capt. Kit Chope, executive officer of Naval Air Station Oceana, movingly called on Americans to not only remember the fallen veterans but to support those rePhotos by Harry Gerwien turning from war today, during the May ABOVE: For the second time in less than one year, CVW-17 was greeted by happy families as they celebrated a 28 Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterhomecoming on the NAS Oceana flightline. CVW-17, with the “Sunliners” of VFA-81, arrived home on May 23, folans Memorial in front of Chesapeake City lowing a six-month deployment on board the West Coast-based aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operations. Returning to Naval Station Norfolk were the “Tigertails” of VAW-125, Hall. “It’s a day when all Americans, regardand the “Rawhides” of VRC-40, detachment 5. BELOW: Sunliners’ Super Hornets fly over NAS Oceana. less of ideology, race, creed or political persuasion, join together to acknowlFrom Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs CVW-17 departed Dec. 1 aboard the San Diego- edge the sacrifices of those who joined based nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vin- together to answer our nation’s call,” said and USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs son (CVN 70) and headed for the Western Pacific be- Chope, who served as the guest speaker. The “Sunliners” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) fore arriving in the U.S. 5th Fleet/Central Command Other military participating in the cer81, the “Tigertails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Area of Responsibility (AOR). While there, they par- emony were the color guard from Maticipated in Operation rine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 24, at Squadron (VAW) 125, Enduring Freedom in Dam Neck Annex and Lt. Stephen Griffin, and the “Rawhides” of support of Maritime Se- a Navy chaplain from the Surface Force Fleet Logistics Support curity Operations. In ad- Ministry Center. Squadron (VRC) 40,dedition, CVW-17 aircraft tachment 5 returned The observance is hosted by the Chestook part in the Bahrain apeake Mayor’s Commission on Veterans home to NAS Oceana International Airshow, Affairs.“It’s to bring recognition to all of and Naval Station NorExercise Beacon Flash our servicemen and women that we’ve folk Chambers Field May 23 following their in Oman and Exercise lost. It’s time to reflect on their sacrifice six-month deployment Malabar in India. USS and what it means to the community,”exas part of Carrier Air Carl Vinson serves as plained Carl M. Dozier, vice chairman of Wing (CVW) 17. the flagship for Carrier the commission. In addition to VFA-81, CVW-17 includes the “Sting- Strike Group (CSG) 1, which also includes Destroyer “For many of us, this day is much more ers” of VFA-113, the “Redcocks” of VFA-22, the “Fists Squadron (DESRON) 1. than ‘blowout sales,’ picnics and a day off of the Fleet” of VFA-25, the “Garudas” of Electronic from work,” said Chope as he noted how Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134 and the “Red Lions” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15. — See CVW-17 Page 9 — See Memorial Day Page 8