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Public Affairs Officer Howard Sam Samuelson Assistant Public Affairs Officer Courtney Pollock Leading Chief Petty Officer MCC(SW) Ben Farone
Explore Asakusa Page 4
Editor MC2 (SW) Michael Doan Skywriter Staff MC2(SW) Michael Doan MC2 Matthew Duncker
ATSUGI PARTICIPATES IN MISHAP DRILL Page 8
Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka Webmaster Noriko Yamazaki
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Return & Renunion Seminar Page 10
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ON THE COVER
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MEMBERS OF KANAGAWA PREFECTURE EMERGENCY SERVICES RESCUE A SIMULATED INJURY DURING AN AIRCRAFT MISHAP DRILL (PHOTO BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN)
Turning the Page
A look back at Skywriter news from past decades and what’s happening today.
Left,
children
dress
up as zombies during a haunted house held on base Oct. 30, 1993. B e l o w,
3
a
photo
pose during
N A F A t s u g i ’s P u m p k i n Patrol Oct. 28.
OCTOBER 2017
OCTOBER 1993
for
Sailors
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC2 MATTHEW DUNCKER
I
n northeast Tokyo, at the very end of the Ginza Line on the Tokyo Metropolitan Subway, lies a part of the city that has existed for over a century when Tokyo was known as Edo. This particular district of the city, Asakusa, lies next to Taito City and is known for its reverence to the past history and culture of Japan. Asakusa was originally established as Edo’s entertainment district. While today other areas of the city, such as Shibuya
and Roppongi have become synonymous with entertainment, it has not diluted this neighborhood from still being a very busy tourist destination. Asakusa has become world renowned for its temples, restaurants and shops selling traditional Japanese souvenirs. South of Asakusa Station is the enormous Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). This gate was originally built 941 and has been repaired and rebuilt several times over 4
the years, the last being in 1960. The most notable features that immediately stand out are the two Shinto deities that stand watch over the gate, Raijin and Fujin, the gods of thunder and wind who are the namesakes of the gate. At its center is a giant red lantern and if you look underneath there is an ornate carving of a dragon. The gate itself is a popular spot for photos and the entrance way to the rest of Asakusa. Once visitors pass through the gate they come to Nakamise-dōri, a long street of shops selling various goods and snacks for visitors to the area. Wafting through the air is the smell of baked sweets, roasted nuts and yakitori. Here visitors can get the aforementioned food but also buy traditional Japanese gifts such as kimonos, geta (traditional Japanese sandals) and ukiyo-e prints (wood block paintings). Various izakayas and shops are featured on streets that branch off the main strip.
At the end of Nakamise-dōri, beyond the Hōzōmon or “Treasure House Gate” lies Sensō-ji Temple, Asakusa Shrine and Asakusa Temple. Sensō-ji Temple is the most famous of the three as it is Tokyo’s oldest temple, being founded around 645 AD. Sensō-ji is dedicated to Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy and, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization, is the most widely visited spiritual site in the world with over 30 million visitors annually. Guests can participate in temizu, a Shinto washing ritual. The smell of incense permeates as a large basin in the center of the shrine area is designated for guests to light incense and pray. While Asakusa is outside of many of the normal tourist destinations it is certainly one steeped in the history and culture of both Tokyo and the nation of Japan. It is an important area to seek and explore in a land that has a deep and storied history. 5
YOU HURT. WE HELP. MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS
By Commander Sophia Lawrence, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Branch Health Clinic Atsugi
S
eptember is Navy Suicide Prevention Awareness for someone who may be vulnerable to suicide can Month, but what can we do not only annually, be a game changer. Let your shipmate, co-worker, staff, friend, and love ones know that you are worried but every day to prevent suicide? We can advocate and support suicide prevention about them and want to support them. Allowing them to express their feelings can be cathartic and initiatives 365 days a year. can help them take the first small step in getting the With the holiday season fast approaching, the days professional help they need. for many can be very difficult. There is so much to do, attend and plan, which can bring up feelings of being Listen: Extend a proactive, sympathetic, and non-judgmental ear, and pay attention to online overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, and depressed. conversations and posts. Don’t judge and try not to Equally, this is also a time where people may feel act shocked. Remember to take any and all person aware of the void left by separation from loved ones, considering suicide seriously. and their own personal loneliness which can further Encourage Help: Although the support of friends lead to suicidal thoughts. and relatives is crucial for people who may be at risk To those not in the grips of suicidal depression and for suicide, it is not enough. Often more formal help despair, it is difficult to understand what drives is also needed. Part of reaching out to vulnerable so many individuals to take their own lives. But a individual is linking them to relevant services. suicidal person is in so much pain that he or she sees (Chaplain, Mental Health, Military Crisis Line at no other option. 1-800-273-TALK). HOW CAN YOU HELP? If they won’t go for help or if you don’t think they Increase awareness and knowledge on what we can will do so fast enough, tell someone else right away. do to preventing suicide and save lives. Don’t keep it a secret, even if he or she made you Know the warning signs and trust your instinct. If promise - you could be saving his or her life. you are worried about someone, it’s worth taking the next step. Most people who commit suicide don’t want to die, they just want to stop hurting. Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the signs and taking them seriously.
Now you know the warning signs for suicide and ways in which you can help - but don’t keep this important information to yourself. During the month of September, during the holidays, and every day, make a difference! Preventing suicide is an “All Reach out: The act of showing you care and concern Hands” evolution. 6
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PREFECTURAL PREPAREDNESS OFF BASE AIRCRAFT MISHAP DRILL
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN
N
aval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi participated in an aircraft mishap drill with emergency services from Kanagawa Prefecture at the Kanagawa Prefectural Disaster Prevention Center in Hiratsuka, Oct. 16.
procedures for communication and access control.”
“The purpose of the drill was to carry out prompt and precise initial response measures in coordination with related Japanese and U.S. organizations,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) Jack Scott, NAF Atsugi Salvage Officer. “It was to mutually confirm and deepen the understanding of
between all of the different organizations and ensuring that we can do it effectively in a real-time situation will cement our abilities to respond to any incident like this.”
After the first responders came onto the scene and were able to assess the damage, each of the agencies to respond set up command tents to coordinate their efforts The drill consisted of multiple hands-on to control the scene with other responders. exercises involving procedures to respond “The communication aspect of the drill was to and contain an aircraft mishap off base probably the most important,” said Scott. and the rescuing of injured personnel. “Understanding the flow of information
Local emergency agencies responded first to the drill site to simulate the travel time 8
of NAF Atsugi’s responders. Upon the arrival of Commander Navy Region Japan (CNRJ) Fire and Emergency Services, they provided assistance fighting the aircraft fires. “This assistance ensures that during the mitigation process, all known hazards associated with fighting an aircraft fire are known and a joint extinguishment and rescue procedure is followed and executed as planned,” said Randall J. Lowry, CNRJ Fire and Emergency Services assistant chief of training. “Aircraft fires are vastly different from fighting structural or building fires and here at NAF Atsugi it is one of our primary missions.” Though the chance of a crash is rare, training like this provides NAF Atsugi personnel and local community responders the opportunity to coordinate their response plans and effectively prepare. “The cooperation was outstanding, and I was extremely impressed with the ability and professionalism of our host nation first responders,” said Scott. “They put on a great exhibition of their abilities and showed a deep commitment to the joint response with the U.S. officials.” Near the end of the drill, all of those involved formed up and were given a message of thanks from NAF Atsugi Command Officer Capt. Lloyd B. Mack.
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“Thank you to our partners in the Kanagawa Prefectural Police and our local Japanese first responders,” said Mack. “Thank you for helping us prepare for a day we all remain to committed to avoiding, but for which we must remain prepared.”
RETURN & REUNION P R E PA R I N G F O R T H E T R A N I S T I O N
STORY BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN PHOTOS BY NAF ATSUGI PUBLIC AFFAIRS
O
ne of the more well-known transitions that Sailors and their families make is adapting from military life to civilian life at the end of their naval career, but a lesser talked about transition is the change from living on the ship, being deployed and away from their loved ones to coming home.
idea is to identify healthy strategies to cope with the stress of reintegration while hearing other spouses’ experiences with welcoming their Sailor home.”
Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) is hosting a Return and Reunion event on Nov. 8, 2017 at the base chapel from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to help family members with that transition.
“Homecoming is so exciting! However, it is also a little frightening for everyone, the service member and the family members to whom she or he is returning,” said Long Lake, Minn., native Robin Wosje, event cocoordinator. “Sometimes, I think, we have such high expectations about this blissful reunion we forget that it is also stressful. We want everything to be perfect, but that just isn’t the reality.”
Anybody who has or will experience a deployment is welcome to attend to share and hear others’ experiences.
“The purpose of this event is to really get spouses to open up and talk about the difficulties they face when their Sailor returns home from deployment,” said Chicago, Ill. native Sarah Devine-Powell, event co-coordinator. “The 10
When those times are not perfect, your command’s services are there for you to use. From senior leadership sharing their experience, command chaplains, FFSC, multiple programs and more. “It allows us to delve into some of the hardest parts of reunion,” said Wosje. “It helps us to feel like some of the thoughts and emotions we experience are OK and normal and it gives us tools to cope with some of the emotions that sometimes can be out of control.” Some people may get caught up in the excitement of finally being reunited with their loved ones and not realize some changes that may have occurred while their loved ones were away. “While there are some predictable emotional ups and downs that people go through on any deployment, it is good to remember no two deployments or reunions will be the same,” said Tomah, Wis., native Command Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. David S. Schleusener. “Even those with a lot of prior experience can find some reunions more difficult than expected. People change and circumstances change. Give yourself some slack if you hit a rough stretch.” The return and reunion will also have NAF Atsugi Commanding Officer Capt. Lloyd B. Mack and Ellen Bloom, clinical counselor, sharing their experiences. “This information is important because it gives spouses a chance to address some of the difficulties surrounding homecomings and connect with others who have or had similar experiences,” said Powell. This event is just one of many ways your command offers support. Even if you feel that you don’t need support, you could end up being the support that someone else needs. 11
ONE HOUSE
TWO MISSIONS STORY AND PHOTO BY MC2 MATTHEW DUNCKER 12
H
e said he would never build a railroad like this. Putting two separate commands, with two totally different missions under the same umbrella but Capt. Brian Erikson, from Devil’s Lake, N.D., Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72 and Commander, Fleet Air Forward (CFAF), says not only does it work but its also been very successful.
forces,” said Bridges. “Bottom line: We boldly do what others won’t.” While CFAF handles support of the warfighter and the maintenance of equipment, CTF-72 handles the operations. It is mainly composed of anti-submarine warfare aircraft and maritime airborne surveillance platforms such as P-3 Orion and EP-3 reconnaissance “Success,” said Erkison. “That is attributed to over planes operating on land bases in support of U.S. 7th 1,700 fantastic Sailors and Marines that make up Fleet. both commands.” “We’re prepared to execute the full range of In 2013 a decision was made to have CTF-72 and contingency and combat operations and deter CFAF to operate as two separate commands under adversaries through presence and credible combat a single commander, effectively making it a “dual capability,” said CTF-72 / CFAF Command hatted” command. Due to this, there is often a Master Chief Jonathan M. Carter, a West Point, Va. native. “Task Force 72 focuses on building misconception that they are one and the same. “Here, onboard Naval Air Facility Atsugi, both patrol and reconnaissance interoperability through commands are located in the same building and have engagements with U.S. agencies, military services the same commander,” said Erikson. “It is easy to and allied and partner nations to enhance regional security.” get confused by the two hats.” CTF-72 reports to Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet
BOTTOM LINE: WE BOLDLY DO WHAT OTHERS WON’T and is responsible for theater maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations. CFAF reports to Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) as the executive agent outside the contiguous United States for aviation intermediate maintenance, aviation supply and 7th Fleet theater air logistics.
“CFAF supports CTF-72 and CTF-72 deployed forces with aviation maintenance, aviation supply, and operational logistics,” said Bridges. “In other words CTF-72 is a customer of CFAF.” Both commands also work alongside their counterparts in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Fleet Air Forces and maritime patrol aircraft squadrons fostering an environment of greater interoperability in the region. “CTF-72 conducts numerous bilateral and multilateral exercises with JMSDF Maritime Patrol Aircraft,” said Erikson. “Additionally, our staffs meet daily to discuss further interoperability and future operations. CFAF also enjoys a good relationship with JMSDF Commander, Fleet Air Force Staff here in Atsugi, routinely meeting on ways to increase maintenance and operations support in Japan.”
“CFAF has four distinct missions: aviation maintenance, aviation supply, operational logistics, and Type Wing/Model Manager (C-12),” said CFAF Deputy Commander, Capt. Jody G. Bridges, from Dowagiac, Mich. “We support readiness and enable warfighting effectiveness of forward deployed naval forces operating in 5th and 7th Fleet.” As the executive agent for CNAF, CFAF executes manning, training, equipping, and sustaining functions for forward deployed naval force aviation units, aviation capable ships, forward operating sites, airfields, and air facilities. “We provide last mile logistics to forward deployed
While CTF-72 and CFAF have separate responsibilities and separate chains of command, they do in fact interact with one another on an operational level.
Even though these two commands share the same the same building and the same Commander, they are both totally different and distinct from one another. One command supports maintenance and logistics while the other handles maritime patrol operations yet in their difference of missions they share the same overall objective, to promote safety and security in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility. 13
PHOTO BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
Naval Air Facility Atsugi
HOST NATION RELATIONS OFFICE HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DEPARTMENT’S PRIMARY MISSION?
Japanese media and anti-U.S. political groups, running Japanese NAFA (HNRO) Facebook and twitter, organizing NAF Atsugi’s Host Nation Relations Office (HNRO) open base events, volunteers and cultural programs are just mission is to be a bridge between NAFA and the host nation few of many tasks that HNRO take care of. community. Through daily communications, in-depth HOW DO THE SERVICES YOU PROVIDE SUPPORT coordination and engagement programs with various civil THE COMMAND’S MISSION? and non-civil entities, we work to minimize any negatives The goal of HNRO is to assist NAFA to have good and to foster positives in the community that would create a communication, understanding and positive relationships solid foundation forNAFA, CVW5 and 30+ tenants, to fully with the off-base community. Through tireless grass-roots operate and complete their missions in Japan efforts, we pave a solid ground for NAFA and support WHAT PRIMARY SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE AND WHO ARE YOUR PRIMARY CUSTOMERS?
all tenants to complete necessary operations as smooth as possible. We proudly provide our services since we HNRO serves as the U.S.-Japan point of contact and believe that ultimately, our work contributes to fostering intermediary on behalf of NAFA in significant, time- and strengthening the U.S. - Japan alliance, the most vital demanding relationships with officials of government of partnership in the world. Japan, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), local SOMETHING SPECIAL... governments and community leaders in matters of mutual HNRO runs two Japanese cultural programs: the Sa-do interest and concern regarding military and civil affairs. (Japanese Tea Ceremony) Club and Kids Taiko (Japanese When the NAFA leadership attends meetings and events drum) Team. Both perform at various on and off-base involving host nation participants, we provide translations. events in the community, contributing to the mutual Also, we are the point of contact for command level community understanding and friendship between two countries. relations’ events and community services to deepen HNRO runs everything with only three MLCs! friendship with local community members. Furthermore, one of the significant roles of HNRO is to provide host nation HOW CAN YOUR CUSTOMERS REACH YOU? perspectives and adviceto NAFA leadership on various issues We are reachable by email and phone. Our e-mail is M-ATinvolving on and off-base communities. Dealing with jet noise NAF-HNRO@fe.navy.mil and phone is 467-63-4454 or issues, aircraft mishaps, TFOA(things falling off aircraft), DSN 264-4454. 14
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF VOLUNTEERS WHO OFFERED THEIR TIME TO THE YAMATO STATION CLEANUP DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.
Capt. Boyd Lt. Cmdr. Hightower Lt. Jg. Theidiris Lt. Jg. Perrin CW05 Valentine CSCS Ricardo ABE1 Abad AM1 Dionido CS1 Geconcillo LS1 Hammar BU1 Sanchez CS1 Tenchavez LS2 Abraham YN2 Aguila GSM2 Chum ABE2 Clarete AT2 Domingo LS2 Domingo HM2 Doung QM2 Lancaster LS2 Palenfo LS2 Sumilang LS2 Strickhouser AM2 Tabije CE3 Castillo PS3 Guerrero CS3 Kewasia HM3 Malig PSSN Harris Sam 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. VFA -115 75th Anniversary The Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 celebrated their 75th anniversary Oct. 10, aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) with a formation flight. VFA-115 is one of the oldest active aviation squadrons in the Navy, a legacy going back to the beginning years of World War II. The squadron participated in the Korean War, the Vietnam War and in Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. It has also gone through three name changes and its pilots have flown five different airframes since World War II. BHC Bldg. 984 Ribbon Cutting On Friday, October 27, 2017, the Branch Health Clinic’s (BHC) administrative and occupational health support offices, Building 984, celebrated with a ribbon cutting. This was a $2 million renovation project which started in October 2016. Some of the services which have been moved to the bottom level of this building include: Patient administration, Women Infants and Children (WIC) Office, Overseas Screening, Preventative Medicine, Translator Services, and Industrial Hygiene. Special thanks to Naval Air Facility’s Public Works and Base Communications Office, Naval Hospital Yokosuka Facilities, and BHC Atsugi’s Facility Petty Officer, HM1 Reynolds. HSM-51 Change of Command In a ceremony in the squadron’s hangar Oct. 19, command of the “Warlords” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51 was
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passed from Cmdr. Carey Castelein to Cmdr. Christopher Morgan. Castelein assumed command of the Warlords in July 2016. During his time as commanding officer, the squadron deployed five MH-60R helicopter detachments and has overseen a total of 2,118 flight hours. Originally established in 1991 as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51, today HSM-51 trains and supports combat ready detachments of pilots, aircrew and maintenance technicians for deployment in support of 7th Fleet. Ombudsman Appreciation Luncheon On Oct. 18, the NAFA community took time to honor the service of 25 Ombudsman from the base and tenant commands during an Ombudsman Appreciation Luncheon at Club Trilogy. The Ombudsman program was introduced to the U.S. Navy on Sept. 14 by then CNO Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and serves as the communication link between command leadership and Navy families. CNATT Det. Atsugi CoC The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Det. Atsugi, Japan, hosted a change of charge ceremony at the Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi Club Trilogy ballroom Oct. 12. Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) 5 Norman M. Valentine turned over responsibilities to CWO4 Aris J. McKenzie during the ceremony, where NAF Atsugi Commanding Officer Capt. Lloyd B. Mack served as presiding officer. Valentine retired after the ceremony, marking the end of his 33-year U.S. Navy career.