Skywriter - February 1, 2017 by Naval Air Facility Atsugi

What’s Inside...

Public Affairs Officer Howard Sam Samuelson Assistant Public Affairs Officer Courtney Pollock

BARRACKS RENOVATION

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Leading Chief Petty Officer MCC(SW) Ben Farone Editor MC3 Matthew Duncker Skywriter Staff MC2(SW) Michael Doan MC3 Matthew Duncker

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

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Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka Webmaster Noriko Yamazaki

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AIMD

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ON THE COVER NAF ATSUGI CMDCM, MASTER CHIEF VALISSA TISDALE POSES FOR THE COVER OF THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF SKYWRITER(U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MC3 MATTHEW C. DUNCKER)

Turning the Page

Pictured from left, the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force joint honor guard parades the colors at a dedication ceremony for Alliance Park at Naval Air Facility Atsugi. Below, NAF Atsugi Commanding Officer Capt. John Bushey delivers remarks during a 9/11 memorial service held at Alliance Park.

PHOTO BY MCC BEN FARONE

JAN. 2010

A look back at Skywriter news from past decades and whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening today.

HOME IMPROVEMENT STORY AND PHOTO BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN

aval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi Sailors living in building 1290 are experiencing changes in their living conditions as part of a barracks renovation that began in December, with the renovation scheduled to be completed by late February. Over the course of the renovations, Sailors have received new furniture, appliances and updated lounges. “This is their home,” said Ralph Agustin, unaccompanied housing manager. “We are trying to make them more comfortable while staying in the barracks. That is our main goal.” Some of the changes to the rooms include a new refrigerator, microwave, bed, mattress, nightstand, desk and a chair. “The work was contracted through Commander Navy Installations Command,” said Agustin. “They had the contractors come to the barracks to take out all of the old appliances and furniture from the room before bringing in the new stuff.” More than 470 rooms housing 440 Sailors were updated to provide an improvement in

living conditions in the barracks. “The rooms are really nice,” said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Eric Laster, a building supervisor for the barracks. “It really boosts up morale because they get to come home to a nicer home. We always want to update the building and make sure Sailors are getting everything they need.” Sailors may find their own reasons as to what part of the renovation they enjoyed most. “It was a big improvement,” said Yeoman 3rd Class Wencevincent Aguila, who works at NAF Atsugi’s administrative office. “I found it very refreshing to have the change and they gave us so much more room to store our personal belongings.” The lounges in building 1290 have been upgraded and now feature a new 65-inch TV, foosball tables, pool tables and a pingpong table. Scheduled improvements for the barracks are new blinds and draperies, said Agustin, with those being the last of the scheduled renovations for building 1290.

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P H O TO S B Y M C C B E N FA R O N E

Command Master Chief James Osborne, Command Master Chief / Command Senior Chief detailer, Navy Personnel Command, from Charlotte, N.C.,took questions on detailing procedures during an all hands call at the Atsugi Convention Center on Jan 12. The visit was part of a multi-stop tour through Japan to discuss Sailor 2025, the Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s program to improve and modernize personnel management and training systems. Sailor 2025 incentives include increasing training opportunities for Sailors, making adjustments to evaluations and fitness reports, extending hours and capacity at child development centers, and increasing paternity leave days. 5

AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

R E M E M B E R I N G T H E PA S T, L O O K I N G TO T H E F U T U R E

P H O T O S B Y M C 3 M AT T H E W C . D U N C K E R

uring the month of February, all uniformed services Department of Defense wide will commemorate African-American Heritage Month. This observance is to recognize the struggles and accomplishments of African-Americans throughout the history of our nation. Here at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, we asked Sailors what this month means to them and to share any words they would like to impart to future generations. L e g a l m a n 1 s t C l a s s S h a n t e D a v i d s on Paralegal Judge Advocate, Command Service Representative “Being an African-American woman in the military isn’t just a matter of national history for my culture or ethnicity. I have a lot of history in my family. My grandfather, he was a steward in the United States Navy at a time when he had no other choice of rating. So, now that we have the freedom we have, I say use it, grant it, get the education you need to get and make your mark in the military and find out ways you can make history in the military.”

C h i e f A i r Tr a f f i c C o n t r o l l e r J e a n V i n c e n t Air traffic control facility officer “This month means a great deal. Especially for the people who are to come behind me and see that there is an African-American Chief and that they can get there. All the people who have come before me and I have followed and seen some African-Americans that I followed as well. I have taken tips from them on how to be successful. Always try your best and you can always do better no matter what.”

L i e u t e n a n t B r i a n W i l l i a m s V FA - 11 5 F / A - 1 8 E S u p e r H o r n e t P i l o t “There are many African-Americans who have paved the way for me to be able to achieve my dreams. It has been my dream ever since I was a little boy and I definitely appreciate everyone who has come before me and allowed me to do this. Follow your dreams and whatever you want to do just put your mind to it, find out the path in order to achieve that dream. Line up your goals and achieve what you want to, one at a time, and before you know it you will be living your dream.” 6

M V- 2 2 O S P R E Y D E P OT- L E V E L REPAIR FACILITY OPENS IN JAPAN STORY AND PHOTO BY MC2 RICHARD L.J. GOURLEY

embers of Fleet Readiness C e n t e r We s t e r n P a c i f i c ( F R C W P ) j o i n e d J a p a n e s e c i t y o ff i c i a l s , i n d u s t r y executives, and self-defense force leaders in a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the first, Japan-based, depotl e v e l M V- 2 2 O s p r e y r e p a i r f a c i l i t y a t the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Kisarazu air field on Jan 12. T h e h a n g a r b a y f a c i l i t y, u n d e r c o n t r a c t with Fuji Heavy Industries, is critical to maintaining the entire forward-deployed M a r i n e C o r p s M V- 2 2 O s p r e y f l e e t . “ T h e M V- 2 2 i s a s t r a t e g i c a s s e t f o r us here in Japan,” said Capt. Matthew E d w a r d s , c o m m a n d i n g o ff i c e r o f F R C W P. “ O p e n i n g t h i s f a c i l i t y i s a win-win situation for the Japan-U.S. alliance; it will allow us to continue to sustain Marine Corps aircraft, and the Japanese will gain important experience on working with the aircraft.” FRCWP worked hard with the JGSDF and Fuji Heavy Industries to make this

event happen on time. “ We h a d t o c o o r d i n a t e t h e d e v e l o p m e n t of the facility and ensured that it fell w i t h i n s p e c i f i c a t i o n s . We p r o v i d e d aircraft support equipment, and also had to train Fuji Heavy Industries technicians to use the Department of Defense supply system,” said Scott D e L o r e n z i , M V- 2 2 l o g i s t i c s m a n a g e m e n t specialist. “Despite these types of challenges, we are still on schedule.” Once depot-level maintenance begins a t t h e f a c i l i t y, F R C W P, w h i c h i s b a s e d at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, will provide engineering support, material, and technical data for the life of the contract. Tr a i n i n g f o r t h e J a p a n e s e a i r c r a f t maintainers has been provided by the 1 s t M a r i n e A i r c r a f t Wi n g ( M AW ) , a n d i s e x p e c t e d t o c o n t i n u e m i d - J a n u a r y, w i t h t h e f i r s t O s p r e y t o u n d e rg o d e p o t - l e v e l m a i n t e n a n c e s h o r t l y t h e r e a f t e r.

A TALK WITH THE CMC

three or four years and I looked at my high school memory book and it said “Where do you want to be in 20 years?” and in my book it says “ A n E - 9 i n t h e N a v y. ” S o , I g u e s s I fulfilled that goal! Growing up poor A N I N T E R V I E W W I T H N A F A T S U G I in Mississippi, I wanted something COMMAND MASTER CHIEF VALISSA TISDALE s t a b l e a n d t h e m i l i t a r y w a s s o m e t h i n g s t a b l e w h e r e I c o u l d h a v e a c a r e e r. I N T E R V I E W B Y M C C B E N F A R O N E My brother joined two years before I PHOTOS BY NAF ATSUGI PUBLIC AFFAIRS did. He only did three and a half years before he got out. I saw what the Navy did for him, how it matured him. I saw h e n y o u f i r s t j o i n e d t h e N a v y, that he was in the Navy and he liked did you always have your it, so I thought I could like it too. sights set on becoming a Command Master Chief? What, for you, was the “lightbulb W h e n I f i r s t j o i n e d t h e N a v y, I moment” when you knew you wanted planned on going for the long haul, t o m a k e a c a re e r o f t h e N a v y ? staying in as long as I can. I do It was probably at my nine year mark r e m e m b e r, w h e n I ’ d b e e n i n f o r

when I was in Meridian, Mississippi. I w a s s t a t i o n e d d o w n t h e r e a n d I s a w, for the first time, a Second Class P e t t y O ff i c e r, r e t i r e a t 2 0 y e a r s a n d I said to myself, I want to be further than that when I get to my 20 years. So I set the goal of at least making it to First Class at 20 years and when I kept picking up rank I said, let me see what I can do for the next one, a n d t h a t ’s w h a t m o t i v a t e d m e .

is just to let the Sailors know they have an advocate if they have any issues, and to be a trusted advisor to t h e S a i l o r s . To m a k e s u r e t h e y f e e l comfortable enough to come talk to me as their CMC. Also, on the commandside of the house, to make sure the command is good to go, passing inspections and whatever have you… On each side, I want to make sure people are comfortable coming to me.

W h a t a re s o m e o f t h e g o a l s y o u hope to accomplish during your t o u r a s A t s u g i ’s C M D C M ? This command is already a great command! When I was here at HSM77, I always saw the base doing d i ff e r e n t t h i n g s , w o n d e r i n g , h o w d o they do that? So my goal for here

W h a t a re a f e w o f t h e p r i o r i t i e s you’ll establish, or continue on with, d u r i n g y o u r t o u r h e re ? The main priority I have is to make sure people are enjoying themselves. E v e r y b o d y h a s t o d o a j o b ; t h a t ’s w h a t we’re here for but enjoy your job! I’d like to get more things here for MWR, 9

If you could give the third class version of yourself one piece of advice, what would it be? Set goals. Set goals and stick to t h e m ! D o n ’t l e t a n y t h i n g s w a y y o u away from them. Not everything that is shiny is good for you. Stick to the goals you set for yourself and continue to reach for them. What was your favorite duty station and why? I’ve been in for 27 years; my favorite duty station would probably have to be my first tour as CMC down in HSM77. I’ve had a lot of great commands b u t b e i n g a C M C i s a b i t d i ff e r e n t . Yo u ’ r e i n v o l v e d i n a l l a s p e c t s o f t h e command, not just leading Sailors. Yo u ’ r e i n t o w h a t ’s g o i n g o n i n t h e command, trying to keep them going in the right direction; plus, keeping your Sailors heading in the right direction to move up in their careers. (While at HSM-77), my CO and XO, we worked together like three peas in a pod, so that made things a lot e a s i e r. T h e s u g g e s t i o n s I h a d f o r t h e command, they took them on board and we worked together towards those goals. In the squadron, life is totally d i ff e r e n t f r o m s h i p ’s c o m p a n y, l i k e I ’ m u s e d t o , b u t t h e s q u a d r o n l i f e - i t ’s a smaller asset and you’re more like a f a m i l y.

for the Sailors. Things that are what they like to do these days. Just to boost that up a bit. I f I re a d y o u r b i o c o r re c t l y, t h i s i s y o u r t h i r d t o u r h e re i n t h e F o w a r d D e p l o y e d N a v a l F o rc e s . H o w d o e s d u t y h e re c o m p a re t o e l s e w h e re i n the Navy? Yo u h a v e t o m a i n t a i n y o u r m i l i t a r y b e a r i n g w h e r e v e r y o u g o , b u t i t ’s a little more important over here because you’re representing the United States. One Sailor is representing all o f t h e m i l i t a r y, s o i t ’s n o t t h a t S a i l o r t h a t m e s s e d u p , i t ’s t h e m i l i t a r y t h a t messed up. I think it helps people mature a little bit, being over here, because you are held to such a high standard, being overseas.

Any other pearls of wisdom you’d like to impart? To o u r S a i l o r s , y o u j o i n e d t h e N a v y t o s e e t h e w o r l d . Yo u c a n ’t j u s t h o m e s t e a d i n o n e s p o t . Yo u h a v e t o g e t o u t t h e r e a n d g o f o r i t . Yo u h a v e t o take those hard duties and those hard billets, and enjoy it. Make it the best f o r y o u . Yo u ’ l l n e v e r k n o w w h a t y o u ’ l l enjoy until you try it. 10

N A F AT S U G I CAPTAIN’S CALL ♦ DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT ♦ ATSUGI ALL STARS INFORMING THE COMMUNITY, SERVING THE FLEET twitter.com/NAFAtsugiJP facebook.com/naf.atsugi youtube.com/NAFAtsugi 11

THEONE STOP SHOP S T O RY B Y A I M D & NA F AT SU G I P U B L I C A F FA I R S P H O T O S B Y M C 2 M I C H A E L D O A N

ircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AIMD) at Naval Air Facility Atsugi increased their repair capabilities in support of MH/SH-60 Sea-hawk helicopters in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). AIMD Atsugi’s Airborne Low Frequency SONAR (ALFS) shop came online with the official certification of a new reeling machine test bench equipment set (RMTBES) which repairs the AN/AQS-22 reeling machine. The ALFS shop and hydraulic shop Sailors use the new equipment to repair parts that otherwise would have to be shipped to a repair facility stateside. “We are the only overseas AIMD that has the dynamic damper test set (DDTS) and ALFS capability,” said Cmdr. Shawn Reams, AIMD officer-in-charge. “The implementation of this capability streamlined the local supply system to provide expeditious support to MH-60 squadrons deployed to the AOR. It is saving the Navy excessive repair and shipping costs.” “It is nice to see that at least when it comes through the supply system it’s not just stopping here for a week before it is put on another truck,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Nolan J. Prader, work center supervisor for the ALFS shop. “We can actually accept the gear, look at it and see what we can do with it, then determine if it is fixable or not.” To meet the demand and operate the capability, AIMD Atsugi Sailors have worked and trained with Fleet Readiness Center Southwest Sailors and artisans. Additionally, on-site specialized training from Thales Underwater Systems Engineers and Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service

Center (NATEC) has been conducted. In fact, the hydraulic shop maintains repair capability for dampers, which keep blades aligned while in flight, allowing technicians to repair, perform operational checks and certify components ready-for-issue. The current repair capability equates to a cost saving of $1.5 million. “We are above 30 dampers that are ready for issue, which is a lot since our first damper come to us in September,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Abraham Munoz. This capability will help decrease cost of parts by keeping them on station but will require more man hours to complete the work. “There were only three other locations that had the DDTS and before we had this capability the dampers would be beyond capability maintenance,” said Munoz, leading petty officer for the hydraulic shop. “Now that we have the first forward-deployed DDTS, they can send them to us where we will break them down, inspect them and order the parts we need. This saves time and money.” These capabilities are used to support aircraft from squadrons based in Atsugi or those passing through the AOR. “Increasing I-level (intermediate level) repair capabilities within 7th Fleet increases warfighter readiness at a reduced cost to the enterprise,” said Capt. Jody Bridges, Deputy Commander, Fleet Air Forward. “I am proud of the Sailors of AIMD Atsugi, who demonstrate daily how valuable their services are in maintaining forward-deployed Naval aviation readiness at the best cost.” AIMD Atsugi has invested in these capabilities and is ready for the challenge.

PHOTO BY MC3 MATTHEW DUNCKER

DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT

Naval Air Facility Atsugi

VRC-30 Detachment 5

How do you describe your departments primary What can you tell us about your group that others mission? may not know? VRC-30 Detachment Five is one of five detachments operating out of VRC-30 based in San Diego, California. We operate autonomously as a bigger part of a whole. We are permanently forwarddeployed to NAF Atsugi as part of “America’s 911 Air Wing”, CVW-5, able to deploy at a moment’s notice.

The “Providers” of VRC-30 Det.5 are the long-range critical logistics support element to the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group. Detachment Five’s mission includes the transport of high-priority cargo, mail, duty passengers and Distinguished Visitors between the USS Ronald Reagan and shore bases throughout the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia.

How do the services you provide support the Something special... command’s mission? We have the unique opportunity to conduct As our squadron nickname, “The Providers” illuminates, we are the high priority logistics arm of the Carrier Strike Group. Through careful and precise coordination we extend the supply chain of the USS Ronald Reagan Strike Group throughout the AOR, allowing it to operate independently from port as it maintains the freedom of the seas.

paradrops in Guam during the off season. We work with an EOD team and join their training in the technique of free fall jumps, static line jumps and airborne drop of a combat equipped raiding craft, both over land and water.

HOW CAN YOUR CUSTOMERS REACH YOU? http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrj/installations/ naf_atsug i/about/tenant_command s/c v w_5/ vrc_30det5/contact_us.html 14

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF VOLUNTEERS WHO OFFERED THEIR TIME TO THE YAMATO STATION CLEANUP DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY.

THE FOLLOWING PARTICIPANTS PROVIDED SIGNIFICANT VOLUNTEER SUPPORT:

CAPT BUSHEY LT MCKEE ADCS PATTERSON AZC SALAS HM1 AYTON LS1 ELLIOTT UT1 GASPAR PR1 HURICKS LS1 JOHNSON AZ1 MCCLELLAND AWR1 REHBERG AWR1 WUEST AM2 DELROSARIO LS2 HERRING AT2 HOADLEY AE2 KEYES AM2 MAYOR AZ2 MONICO AM2 MURAKAMI AS2 NG LS2 NUBAR AM2 NUNEZ AM2 OCTAVIANO AZ3 CAMPBELL AT3 KRIVOS AM3 PILKINGTON AN HORGA YNSN ZERTUCHE HOWARD SAMUELSON

THANK YOU!

Flight Line News Briefs are compiled monthly news reports from squadrons, tenant commands, departments and command groups onboard Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

NAF Atsugi Master Chief Valissa Tisdale checked into NAF Atsugi as the new Command Master Chief for the installation on Dec. 26, 2016. For more on her story, go to page 8 for our interview with the CMC.

VFA-195 On Jan. 11, the Dambusters hosted members of the Iwakuni City Council in preparation for the squadron’s upcoming permanent duty station change from NAF Atsugi to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni. Visitors were briefed on the squadron’s rich history and the Dambusters’ mission as forwarddeployed warfighters in Carrier Air Wing Five. The distinguished guests also toured VFA-195’s hangar for a closer view of the F/A-18E Super Hornet while squadron pilots and maintainers fielded questions on the Navy’s premier strike fighter aircraft.

FFSC Fleet and Family Service Center Atsugi Japan, hosted a TransitionsAssistance Program / Goals Plans Success (TAP/GPS) workshop. During the week of

January 9-13, Freddie London and Steven Mourey facilitated the workshop of 34 students who were transitioning out of the military. The students were briefed on topics such as managing transition, job search, education and career options. Through this workshop participants gained the necessary knowledge that ensured a smooth transition back into civilian life.

FRCWP On Jan. 12, Fleet Readiness Center Western Pacific (FRCWP) leadership attended the grand opening of the first Japan-based MV-22 Osprey repair facility on JGSDF Camp Kisarazu. For more on this story, go to page 7.

NAVSUP An award ceremony was conducted on Jan. 17 by NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka (FLCY) Commanding Officer for material employees who earned National Defense Transportation Association Military Unit Award. They received a letter of appreciation from FLCY CO for their outstanding performance. On behalf of site Atsugi, Lt. Eom received the award plaque on Jan. 26 at Yokosuka.

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