What’s Inside...
Public Affairs Officer Howard Sam Samuelson Assistant Public Affairs Officer Courtney Pollock
CPO SELECTEES
Page 4
Leading Chief Petty Officer MCC Ben Farone Editor MC3 Matthew Duncker Skywriter Staff MC3 Jason C. Bawgus MC3 Matthew Duncker
ADVANCEMENT EXAM
Page 6
Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka Webmaster Noriko Yamazaki
Facebook.com/naf.atsugi
RONALD REAGAN RETURNS FROM PATROL
Page 10
CHECK OUT OUR NEW CAPTAIN’S CALL VIDEO
Youtube.com/NAFAtsugi
@NAFAtsugiJP www.issuu.com/nafatsugi
ONLINE
ON THE COVER RELIGIOUS
2
PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS STEFFAN STEELE POSES FOR A PHOTO HOLDING THE ENSIGN. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 3RD CLASS JASON C. BAWGUS/ RELEASED)
Turning the Page
A look back at Skywriter news from past decades and what’s happening today.
Left,
Sailors
attached
to
3
PHOTO BY MC3 MATTHEW DUNCKER
Naval Air Facility Atsugi and JMSDF Atsugi Air Base participate in the annual Bon Odori Festival at NAF Atsugi in 1986. Below, NAF Atsugi and JMSDF personnel perform a traditional Japanese dance at the Awa Odori festival in Yamato City, July 2016.
4
NAVY SURGEON GENERAL VISTS NAF ATSUGI BHC PHOTOS BY MC3 Jason c. bawgus
Vice Adm. C. Forrest Faison III, Navy Surgeon General and Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery answers questions during an all hands for U.S. Navy Branch Health Clinic (BHC) Atsugi at the Atsugi Convention Center. During the visit, Faison toured the spaces of the Branch Health Clinic which provides primary health services, dental services and flight medicine to approximately 30 commands and activities stationed aboard NAF Atsugi.
5
Final Preperation for Advancement STORY BY MC3 Matthew Duncker NAF Atsugi Public Affairs
The fall advancement cycle is once again upon us as the first, second and third Thursdays in September see Sailors test for a chance to advance to the ranks of petty officer third class through petty officer first class. While the number of Sailors who advance to the next rank fluctuates every cycle and varies between the different rates, the basic preparation that can be done is consistent amongst everyone. “In preparation for your exam and after determining eligibility, you should print out the most current bibliography from your rate and read over it in its entirety,” said Los Angeles native, Chief Personnel Specialist Ronald Ching from Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) Atsugi. “The bib tells you what you need to know to help prepare you for advancement.” Sailors should start preparing for the exam by navigating to the “Career Management” tab on Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) and clicking “Navy Advancement Center. “Each rating’s bibliographies can be found there and provide the list of information required to study for the exam. “Looking up the bibliographies, having the required information is a huge component to the test taking process,” said Ching. “Without knowing what to specifically study for, a Sailor can get lost and not succeed.” Once Sailors know what resources and study materials are available to them, they can begin using websites such as Navy Personnel Command (NPC) (www.npc.navy.mil), the Navy Advancement site (www.navyadvancement.com), the Navy-wide
6
Advancement Exam Prep (www.navybmr.com) and Google to find the documents listed on the bibs. If all else fails, they can turn to department leadership for assistance they may need. Long Island, N.Y. native, Legalman 1st Class Shante Davidson said, once you have the information, its best to develop study techniques to help with the exam. “Getting together with study groups of others in your rate or rank and using flash cards can help prepare Sailors for the exam,” said Davidson. “Varying the methods for preparation keeps studying from becoming too routine.” In addition to the mental component of test-taking there is physical side that Sailors must also follow to help them better prepare for the test said Ching. “Having the study material is key but it’s just one part of being successful and preparing for the advancement exam,” said Ching. “Taking advantage of the liberty hours by creating a regular study schedule, sleeping regularly and eating right can go a long way to helping a Sailor prepare for the exam.” “When the exam is a week or two away, it’s best to just overview the main points for your specific exam and focus on any areas you have issues with to better prepare,” said Davidson. “This helps, so that the night before you can rest and not have to cram at the last minute which can hinder you.” “What we want is for Sailors to be prepared, ready to take the exam and advance to the next rank, the next level,” said Ching. For more information on the Navy Advancement Center, visit https://www.nko.navy.mil. For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/.
ARE YOU READY TO PCS? STORY BY MC3 Matthew Duncker NAF Atsugi Public Affairs
For Sailors, Permanent Changes of Station (PCS) are common with the peak moving season from April to August each year. Generally, a Sailor can be expected to move to a new duty station every three years and planning for the move is key. Naval Air Facility Atsugi’s command career counselor, Navy Counselor 1st Class David Pruitt, a native of Grants Pass, Oregon, said that time is the biggest factor when PCSing to a new location. “It’s good to start planning your move as soon as you are notified of your next duty location,” said Pruitt. “Determining what the cost of living is at your next duty station and researching what your new Basic Allowance for Housing will be is information a Sailor should research before moving.” With so many things to take care of in such a short period of time, Sailors might find themselves flustered and unsure of where to start. “First is to always create a little file folder for multiple copies of your orders, passports, shot records, military member medical records and all necessary paperwork,” said Pruitt. “Organizing and storing your paperwork is key, then if anything happens you’ll be prepared in case of a sudden emergency.” 7
According to Pruitt, another concern is the packing and safe transportation of personal household goods to your next duty station. Upon receiving the hard copy of your orders, contact the Personal Property Office to set up your move and get your items ready to be stored and transported. “Once Personal Property has been contacted, start to take inventory of any expensive household items, television, computers, etc.,” said Pruitt. “By having an inventory, and photographing your personal items, a Sailor can be prepared in the event of having to fill out an insurance claim for any damages that may incur.” Pruitt said proper planning and organization is the most important part of insuring a smooth PCS move. “Don’t assume that you will be contacted and this will be done for you,” said Pruitt. “You will only be able to accomplish so much without hard copy orders but if you plan ahead, get your documents organized, pack your belongings as quickly as possible, the move will end up being an easier transition.” For more information on shipping your items contact NAF Atsugi Personal Property office at 264-3131.
15 YEARS TO THE DAY STORY BY MC3 Jason Bawgus / photos by CMDCM Michelle o’grady naf atsugi public affairs
Even though it seems like so long ago I can still remember walking into my 5th grade classroom after gym class and seeing my teacher sitting at his desk staring at the television in disbelief. It wasn’t long after that my grandmother came to pick me up from school. I had no idea what was going on but she was crying and rushing me back to her house where the same broadcast was on. I eventually asked what was going on. I had no idea of the gravity of the situation but I can still remember feeling that something was just wrong. Everyone has memories of that day. Where they were and what they were doing. Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12’s Command Master Chief (CMC)
8
Michelle O’Grady took time to share hers. CMC O’Grady was a Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 2nd Class aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) returning from a deployment to the Arabian Gulf and conducting a Tiger Cruise when the attacks happened. “I remember walking through the mess decks and seeing a lot of people crowded around the TV watching footage of the first tower bring hit,” said O’Grady. “At that point, the news reporters didn’t know what happened, but seeing the tower on fire and all of the people running for safety – it was shocking.” O’Grady’s father Richard Ressler was one of the Tigers aboard and can also remember the immediate change that happened aboard the ship. “We were still some distance from our first stop off the coast of California where we were to offload the Marine contingent at Camp Pendleton. We had no TV
or mass media communications from which to receive news of the terrorist attack on New York. As the day progressed we got more details and the mood on the ship changed from one of joy at returning home to a true wartime atmosphere. Sea Sparrow missiles were loaded and all gun positions were manned,” said Ressler. “This was a different ship on September 11th. Most areas of the ship were now off-limits to Tigers and my daughter was back to work. We could watch air operations in restricted areas but were not allowed to roam around the ship as before. Many Tigers started to hang out in the mess hall where there was a TV but the signal was weak and little could be learned.” America had been attacked, it was unthinkable. Seeing the fire stations from around the country sending their engines and working together without a hitch was unbelievable. American flags hung from every house and the feeling of patriotism spread as America began to piece together what had just happened. “I heard other Sailors and their family members making comments about how worried they were about family and friends that live and work in New York City; they had no way at that time to contact them to see if they were okay because all of our communications were locked down,” said O’Grady. “As more information was released and we found out that it was a terrorist attack, we all went from a mindset of being excited to return home after a six month deployment to wanting to turn the ship around. Sailors who were due to separate from the Navy when we pulled into port requested to reenlist instead. The patriotism and love for our country was unlike anything I had ever seen during my lifetime.” As the anniversary of 9/11 begins to grow older, the Navy will soon be seeing new Sailors who weren’t alive when the tragedy happened; how could someone begin to describe that feeling? “The best way to describe what happened on 9/11 to someone that didn’t live through it is to imagine
9
waking up, turning on your TV and seeing your worst nightmare unfold, plane crash after plane crash without any explanation,” said O’Grady. “I didn’t think there were ever going to stop. Watching people scream and cry as they ran for safety; watching other people as they plummeted to their death from the upper floors of the towers. Once I learned it was a terrorist attack, I couldn’t help but imagine the worst case scenario, that the attacks were going to continue across the U.S. and that we wouldn’t be able to stop it.” Often we forget that if called upon we will have to drop everything, put plans on hold and go defend our country. This is just one of many stories out there about that terrible day. I asked CMC O’Grady what the conversation was between here and her father when he was getting ready to depart the ship in California. “When the ship pulled back in, there wasn’t a homecoming like you would normally see. The bases were locked down in FPCON Delta and all of the Tigers had to find their own way home… all of the airports were shut down so nobody knew how or when they were getting home, or if it was going to be safe. I wasn’t able to get off the ship and spend time with my Dad like we had planned because the security posture of the ship had changed and more Sailors were required to stand duty,” said O’Grady. “At that point, the Captain wasn’t sure if the ship was going back to the Arabian gulf or if we would be able to go on leave. Everything was at a standstill. As my Dad left the ship, he told me how proud he was of me and how impressed he was of the crew of the USS Boxer. He said he knew regardless of what happened, our country was in good hands.”
10
Reagan & CVW-5 Return for Mid-Patrol Break STORY and photo by MC3 Nathan Burke USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Public Affairs
The U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) concluded the first segment of its 2016 patrol and returned to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) July 26. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group conducted 53 days of strike group operations in the Western Pacific, including the waters south of Japan, Philippine Sea and South China Sea to improve combat readiness, develop cohesion as a strike group and engage partners in the region. “I am exceptionally proud of this crew for their professionalism and precision throughout each evolution,” said Capt. Buzz Donnelly, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “Their operation of this warship and its assets demonstrates our unique warfighting capability and represents the true strength of our country’s forward-deployed naval forces.” The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group conducted air-defense drills, surface and subsurface surveillance, basic and advanced strike training, electronic emissions control training, U.S. Air Force integration, extended flight operations, coordinated maneuvers, and other exercises. Over the course of the patrol, more than 600 sorties were flown in support of air defense operations and more than 300 sorties were flown in support of anti-surface and anti-submarine missions. “Our team’s skillset, ability to focus on the basics, and energy got us through,” said Cmdr. Patrick Boyce, Ronald Reagan’s operations officer. “Not only did we get through it, but we broke records. Our logistics support operations and air operations were probably more instrumental than ever in our daily strike group successes.” Ronald Reagan completed multiple replenishments-at-sea, including the largest one the ship has ever completed, demonstrating the ship’s ability to sustain operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. “Our accomplishments during this time at sea demonstrate our ability to effectively use our resources to continue the forward progress of our unmatched power in the air and at sea,” said Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, Ronald Reagan’s executive officer. Ronald Reagan also conducted dual-carrier operations with the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group that allowed the strike groups to practice warfighting techniques in close proximity. “The ability to maneuver and integrate with other platforms and communicate with our allies is vital to our success,” said Donnelly. “Operating together with our Reagan strike group, with the Stennis strike group, with Military Sealift Command, and with our allies and partners during this patrol has enhanced our levels of communication and coordination.” During her patrol, Ronald Reagan hosted international military and civilian officials to increase governmental interoperability and fortify foreign partnerships and alliances. “Meeting with our partners and allies in the region is an extremely important part of our mission,” said Donnelly. “Growing an open dialogue and staying engaged shows our commitment and dedication to our friends in the region.” While operating close to homeport, Ronald Reagan and crew are slated to complete a rigorous inspection of all ship’s systems to ensure the ship is able to conduct sustained operations at sea now and for the remainder of its service life. Ronald Reagan provides a combat-ready force, which protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/ usnavy. For more news from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cvn76/.
11
FROM BLUE TO GREEN
10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE UNIFORM CHANGE Courtesy of All Hands Magazine
1. Beginning Oct. 1, 2016, the NWU Type III will be authorized for wear as the Navy’s primary shore working uniform and will be issued to new accessions and recruits beginning Oct. 1, 2017. While the NWU Type I will be phased out over the next three years, Sailors may wear the NWU Type I or III, but effective Oct. 1, 2019, all Sailors will be expected to wear the NWU Type III as their primary working uniform when ashore or in port. 2. This change is the first step in a multiphased process that will streamline the Navy’s uniform requirements. In the end, we expect this will achieve cost savings by consolidating the number of uniforms the Navy manages and Sailors wear. Savings will also be achieved through a reduction in organizational clothing and management money required. 3. Sailors may wear the NWU Type III issued by their command, but are required to return them prior to transfer or prior to the mandatory wear date of Oct. 1, 2019, whichever comes first. Sailors will be expected to procure NWU Type IIIs upon availability in their assigned area. 4. Sailors will be able to buy NWU Type III components for personal wear through Navy Exchange uniform stores and call centers once NEXCOM has sufficient inventory on hand, expected during 2017. 5. Enlisted clothing replacement allowance will be
adjusted to cover costs of these uniform changes and requirements. However, by law, commissioned officers are currently entitled to a one-time uniform stipend ($400), paid at the beginning of their careers. An additional stipend cannot be granted without a change in law. 6. NWU Type II will continue to be issued by authorized organizations when needed. 7. Effective immediately, Don’t Tread on Me and Reverse U.S. Flag patches are authorized for optional wear on NWU Type II and Type III at the discretion of unit commanding officer as described in NAVADMIN 174/16. 8. Women E7 and above, are now authorized to wear men’s uniform khaki pants without belt and buckle with the khaki overblouse. Wear with the tuck-in shirt is not authorized due to the visible gigline issue. 9. Navy sweatshirt and pant logo is replaced with a silver reflective lettering “NAVY” to align with the logo on the Navy Physical Training Uniform shirt and shorts. 10. Uniforms that are no longer authorized for wear must have insignia, accessories or features removed that identify the item as a military uniform component prior to being able to be worn as civilian clothing or giving it away/selling them.
12
Courtesy of All Hands Magazine
1. Under DoD policy, a transgender service member is one who has received a medical diagnosis that gender transition
is medically necessary; this includes service members who intend to begin transition, are undergoing transition, or have completed transition and are stable in their preferred gender. 2. Service members who transition gender in accordance with this policy will be subject to the same standards and procedures as other members of their preferred gender with regard to their medical fitness for duty, physical fitness, uniform and grooming, deployability, and retention. 3. Service members seeking information about gender identity and transgender service can speak with their chain of command, military medical providers, judge advocates, the equal opportunity office, and any number of community outreach programs. 4. The new DoD instruction establishes a process for currently serving service members who receive a medical diagnosis indicating that gender transition is medically necessary. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2016, the military services are required to provide necessary medical care relating to gender transition in accordance with Medical Guidance forthcoming from DoD. 5. Service members will use the facilities associated with their gender as recognized in DEERS, unless granted an exception to policy by their chain of command. When a transgender service member’s gender marker is changed in DEERS, that member will use facilities associated with that new gender marker. For more information on the DOD’s new Transgender policy please visit http://www.defense.gov/News/SpecialReports/0616_transgender-policy, or read ALNAV 053/16
13
PHOTO BY MC3 MATTHEW DUNCKER
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
Naval Air Facility Atsugi
NAF ATSUGI FIRE DEPT. How do you describe your department’s primary What can you tell us about your department/group mission? that others may not know? Our mission is best summed up by our motto, “Protecting Those Who Defend America”. We serve the NAF Atsugi community with a two-prong, proactive and reactive mission. Our Fire Prevention Division takes a proactive approach in reducing the risks of a fire occurring, and minimizing the danger to life safely if one does happen. On the operations side of our department, the firefighters constantly train and maintain a ready posture to respond to any emergency our community may face.
The hard work our inspectors and firefighters continually put into their jobs has resulted in numerous awards for our department. Some of the more notable awards include Department of Defense Best Fire Department of the Year; Department of Defense Fire Prevention Program of the Year; Department of Defense Civilian Fire Officer of the Year to name a few. These awards provide a glimpse of the outstanding dedication CNRJ Fire & Emergency Services personnel embody every day.
How do the services you provide support the Something special... command’s mission? We will be having an Open House on October 8, Anytime an emergency occurs, it has the potential to bring the command’s mission to a crawl, if not a standstill. If we are able to prevent an emergency situation from occurring, or to quickly mitigate one that has occurred, the command is able to complete its mission with as little impact as possible. For a deployed service member, knowing their loved ones on Atsugi are in good hands improves morale and allows better concentration on the mission.
2016 to kick off our Fire Prevention Month activities. Watch for our advertisements in September with all of the details.
HOW CAN YOUR CUSTOMERS REACH YOU?
For non-emergencies call 264-3250. For emergencies from a base telephone call 911 (just like in the States), from a cell phone call 046-763-0911 and when you are off-base call 119.
14
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF VOLUNTEERS WHO OFFERED THEIR TIME TO THE YAMATO STATION CLEANUP DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER
THE FOLLOWING COMMANDS PROVIDED SIGNIFICANT VOLUNTEER SUPPORT:
CAPT JOHN BUSHEY
LS2 HERRING
CWO5 VALENTINE
AT2 HOADLEY
PS2 HILL LS2 INGRAM PSC CHING
IS2 JACOBS
AZC SALAS
AWR2 LOBIONDO PS2 MENDOZA
PS1 BANTUGAN
BU2 MILLER
AM1 CENTENO
ABH2 NAVAL
PS1 FERNANDEZ
PS2 ORTIZ
AWF1 GOTTENBOS PR2 PAGUIRIGAN LS1 GUTIERREZ
AO2 ROBINSON
PR1 HURICKS
ABH2 SERRANO
IT1 KENNY
LS2 STRICKHOUSER
LS1 PALAD
AD2 WELSH
PS1 PANAVARAVATN
PS1 PEREZ
YN3 AGUILA
IS1 RAGSDELL
PS3 COLUNGA
AD1 REPIZO
AD3 DENSON
LS1 TURNER
AWF3 GARCIA
CE1 VALDRIZ
PS3 HINTZ
EA1 VILAR
AT3 KRIVOS
LS1 WHATLEY
BU3 LAGUESSE
EO2 ADHIKARI
LSSN CODAY
AS2 BORROMEO
PSSN GONZALEZ
CS2 CALAGUAS
PSSN LAROCK
AS2 CARRILLO
YNSN ZERTUCHE
PS2 CANTRELL
ATAN AIKEN
SW2 COLE
ATAN DICKEY
PS2 COUSINS
AA HORGA
AM2 DELAROSARIO
AN PARDE
PS2 GERKEN
NORIYASU ITO
PS2 GO
JENNA PARDE
AWR2 GRIFFIN
SAM SAMUELSON
THANK YOU!
Flight Line News Briefs are compiled monthly news reports from squadrons, tenant commands, departments and command groups aboard Naval Air Facility Atsugi.
MWR
MWR’s Summer Reading Program concluded August 5 with and a pool party held at the Outdoor Pool. The annual library program drew participation from Atsugi community members of all ages. After totaling the reading minutes from 304 participants, the results showed that readers collectively logged more than 83,000 minutes throughout the summer. Prizes sponsored by the USO were given out during the pool party.
Security
NAF Atsugi Security Department conducted Exercise Citadel Pacific 2016 (CP-16) August 29-September 2. This annual exercise is designed to enhance the training and readiness of U.S. Navy Security Forces to respond to threats to the installation and its tenants.
VFA-195
VFA-195 completed the second Benkyoukai training event between Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) and Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW-5) 15
on August 5. The “Benkyoukai” event – named for a Japanese word reflecting partnership and collaborative learning – incorporated Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) between F-4EJ Phantom II aircraft of the JASDF 302ND Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS), F/A-18E Super Hornets of VFA-195, and E-2C VAW115. This historic event marks the second time in more then a decade the United States Navy tactical aircraft have worked directly with the JASDF, building upon the goal of providing efficient interactions and advanced tactical training between Japanese and United States forces.
Branch Health Clinic
Vice Adm. C. Forrest Faison III, Navy Surgeon General and chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery gave an all hands call for U.S. Navy Branch Health Clinic (BHC) Atsugi personnel on August 12 at the Atsugi Convention Center. During Faison’s visit, he also toured BHC and spoke with leadership.