Skywriter — November/December 2022

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

CMDCM CORNER

With Command Master Chief Weba Roberts

Shipmates,

The Liberty Center in BLDG 77 is an amazing venue for our single and unaccompanied Sailors. They have video games, movies and a theater area, you can check out laptops and other electronic equipment, and they also provide free dinner once a month. They also have old school video games ready available to play upon entering.

They have activities and events every week including free Japanese classes. Sailors also utilize the staff for help with everything from college homework to helping to find cheap airline tickets to the US. One of the best services they provide is tours at a very discounted price.

Unfortunately, some of these tours get cancelled because Sailors don't sign up by the required date. Please help utilize the center and go and check out all the services they provide!

November 11, 1920

December 1, 1945

On This Day...

November 28, 1775

December 21, 1861

Capt. Sue S. Dauser, Navy Nurse Corps, receives the first Distinguished Service Medal awarded to a nurse for her leadership of Navy nurses during World War II.

Lenah S. Higbee becomes the first woman to be awarded the Navy Cross for her service as a nurse in World War I.

Birthday of the Chaplain Corps after Congress adopts the first Rules for Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies.

Congress authorizes the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award, for Naval enlisted personnel.

Thanksgiving 2022

Capt. Manning Montagnet and Command Master Chief Weba Roberts served Thanksgiving meals to Sailors, their families, and other NAF Atsugi community members Nov. 24, 2022 over at the Far East Café Galley during a special meal hosted by the Galley Staff in celebration of Thanksgiving day.

U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Avelar

Newly commissioned JMSDF officers visit Naval Air Facility Atsugi

NAF ATSUGI, Japan - Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi welcomed newly-commissioned Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) officers as apart of a command familiarization brief conducted in the command headquarters building, Dec. 7.

In all, a total of 29 officers hailing from the JMSDF 203rd Air Training Squadron from Chiba Prefecture were in attendance. Each officer is currently in training on the Lockheed P-3 Orion platform, and upon completion of the program will then proceed to their next duty station.

NAF Atsugi Executive Officer, Cmdr. Zathan Baker provided the brief, which covered various aspects of the installation, ranging from an introduction of facilities, it's history, to include the purpose and mission of it tenant commands, mainly those of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, HSM-51 and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12.

"I remember back when I was a newly-commissioned Ensign, I did not know much about NAF Atsugi, so for these officers to

receive this opportunity to learn about this installation is a huge plus for them, said JMSDF Fleet Air Wing Four Public Affairs Officer, Lt. Takumi Fukumoto, who also coordinated the visit. "My hope is that each of these officers walk away feeling a since of wanting to engage more with U.S. Sailors to help further deepen our relationship with each other."

Upon completion of the presentation, Baker shared his experience as a pilot of both rotary and fixed-wing platforms,

then conducted a question and answer session.

"What I hope the officers gain from this experience is the fact that NAF Atsugi is a shared and collaborative effort between the U.S. and Japan and that we need each other's support to complete our missions here in the area of responsibility," said Baker.

For those in attendance, the brief enabled them to learn much more about NAF Atsugi than they bargained for.

Cmdr. Zathan Baker, executive officer, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan briefs newly commissioned officers attached to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force 203rd Air Training Squadron from Chiba Prefecture, Japan on NAF Atsugi’s mission and vision during their visit onboard the installation.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Rafael Avelar

NAF Atsugi Public Affairs Office

"Prior to coming here I was already somewhat familiar with NAF Atsugi, but todays' brief further deepened my understanding about the base and its capabilities, and one example would be the US' ability to provide disaster relief to the magnitude that it can," said Ens. Reina Saito, who is from Osaka, Japan.

Furthermore, Saito said that she was looking forward to her next duty station which could

possibly be at NAF Atsugi or another base with US service members.

"In the near future, I want to not only experience working alongside our US Navy counterparts, but also to make friends, practice my English and share cultural exchange," said Saito.

NAF Atsugi has been home to Sailors and their families for nearly 60 years and is part of

the only permanently forward deployed, co-located Air Wing, Carrier Air Wing Five. NAF Atsugi supports 26 award winning tenant commands, with a focus on guaranteeing mission accomplishment, while also ensuring the success of the command community and youth programs.

Cmdr. Zathan Baker, executive officer, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan briefs newly commissioned officers attached to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force 203rd Air Training Squadron from Chiba Prefecture, Japan on NAF Atsugi’s mission and vision during their visit onboard the installation.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Rafael Avelar

MWR Atsugi's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Capt. Manning Montagnet was joined by our very own Santa over at Taylor Field Nov. 30, 2022 as he flipped a switch turning on our HUGE Christmas tree to be lit all season long, kicking off the holiday season with musical performances by the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, s’mores, refreshments, and more!

U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Avelar & Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ange Olivier Clement

(NAFA SARC – Shacquanda Clark)

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

Welcome to the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Naval Air Facility Atsugi's installation chapel, the most distinctly Japanese-style building on the installation. Please take a moment to review some of the programs and services the Command Religious Program (CRP) has to offer for Sailors and the community.

Worship services are held in the Chapel, Bldg. 79, on the corner of Sherman Ave. and Oriskany St. Our Administrative offices are located in NAFA HQ, Bldg. 949's first deck, accross from the Atsugi Fleet and Family Support Center. Our Office hours are Monday - Friday 0730-1630

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• Praise & Worship Teams

• Youth & Children's Programs

• Various Charity Support

• Operation Feed the Homeless

• Operation Taste of Home

• Operation Care Package

RELIGIOUS MINISTRY TEAM

COMMAND CHAPLAIN

LCDR J. D. Rozendaal (Evangelical)

RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALISTS

RP1 (FMF/IW/SW/AW) K. L. Castaneda

RP2 (FMF) T. P. Bellagamba

CREDO WORKSHOPS/ TRAINING

• Marriage Enrichment

• Relationship Enhancement

• Personal Growth

• Resiliency

• Suicide Prevention

• Suicide Intervention

• Personality Assessment

• Self-Awareness Asssessment

Need to talk..?

Our Chaplain, Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Rozendaal, has an open door policy. Please feel free to stop by any time. You can also schedule an appointment by calling 264-3202, or by speaking with a chapel staff member. if you have emergent needs after hours, please call the Duty Chaplain at 080-5026-6358 for assistance.

Santa Claus and the NAF Atsugi Chaplain's Office delivered presents to children at the Mominoki-en school for the disabled in Ayase Dec. 13, 2022. The Chapel of the Good Shepherd has been visiting Mominoki-en with Santa to deliver gifts donated by the NAF Atsugi community in the spirit of Christmas for over 35 years!

U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Avelar

For Appointments: 264-3959 or 0467-63-3311

"Here

The Final Word

WITH NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI COMMANDING OFFICER CAPT. J. M. MONTAGNET

NAF Atsugi community,

Recent changes have been made to the USFJ liberty policy. These changes are in effect, and some of them are substantial. The biggest things to take away from the policy changes are that curfew is now age-based and no longer rank-based. So, if you are 19 years of age or below, you are subject to curfew between the hours of 1:00 am and 5:00 am. Also, there is no longer a liberty buddy program requirement for any personnel.

Another important change is the prohibition of the public consumption of alcohol between 0100 and 0500 for all personnel off-installation. So, please don't drink alcohol from 0100 to 0500 when you are out in town. This does not apply if you are in an off-installation residence, quarters, or a hotel room. These are all very important things for all of us to keep in mind when out in town.

We also want everyone to please be aware that changes or additions to this policy can be made by each installation commanding officer; so individual bases may have slightly different or more stringent rules. At this time, I do not plan to do so. So, the USFJ policy is the same for NAFA. So with that in mind, there are plenty of opportunities for us all to go out and have an amazing time while serving here in Japan. When doing so, please remember that all of us have an obligation to ourselves and to the citizens of the host nation to be responsible for our conduct ashore. This begins with making sound decisions while on liberty and remaining cognizant of our surroundings and also remembering how important it is for us to just be good shipmates and look out for our buddies' best interests!

In closing, I would like to say that 2022 has been a great year for team NAFA and the entire world as we begin to return to normal. I just wanted to take a moment to thank every one of you for all that you do for the Navy, our community, and our host nation during this festive time of the year. During this year, we invited our neighbors back in to celebrate the Wings of Spring, our Red, White, and Boom 4th of July event, and Bon Odori. We celebrated promotions, retirements, and commissioning's. We welcomed Ambassadors, Mayors, and Admirals. And we supported the fleet, all of our Sailors, co-workers, and their families.

We could not be prouder of all of the hard work, dedication, and achievements that our Sailors and civilian employees exemplify every day here at NAF Atsugi. Because of your commitment, we have maintained our good health and continued to be mission-ready this year. We hope that everyone will be able to celebrate with their loved ones, if not in person, then virtually and may this holiday season bring you tidings of comfort and joy.

So, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all, and we'll see you in 2023!

CAPT John M. Montagnet Commanding Officer

U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan