What’s Inside...
Public Affairs Officer Howard Sam Samuelson Assistant Public Affairs Officer Courtney Pollock
HOST Nation Case Confernce 2017
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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
MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD
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Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka Webmaster Noriko Yamazaki
Facebook.com/naf.atsugi
TRADING SPACES
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CHECK OUT OUR NEW CAPTAIN’S CALL VIDEO
Youtube.com/NAFAtsugi
@NAFAtsugiJP www.issuu.com/nafatsugi
ONLINE
ON THE COVER A STAGED PHOTO ON A SMART PHONE OF A TEXT MESSAGE CONVERSATION DEALING WITH SEXTORTION(U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN)
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Turning the Page
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Left, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi Childrens Drum Te a m practice taiko drums for the Bon Odori festival held at the installation in Aug. 1998. B e l o w, NAF Atsugi Ta i k o K i d s p e r f o r m a melody of songs at the c i t y o f Z a m a ’s a n n u a l Spring Festival held at Sagamino train station.
PHOTO BY IKUMI TANAKA
JULY 1998
A look back at Skywriter news from past decades and what’s happening today.
BRANCH HEALTH CLINIC ATSUGI HOST
N AT I O N C A S E C O N F E R E N C E 2 0 1 7
PHOTOS BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN
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ost Nation Case Conference 2017 was held at Naval Air Facility Atsugi’s Club Trilogy Ballroom for Navy medical professionals and Japanese health workers. The conference provided a chance for both parties to exchange information from diagnoses to the treatment of patients they received. “This conference gave us the opportunity to meet with local providers in person, share in some of our experiences with mutual patients and give them an idea of the services we can and cannot provide here at the clinic, as well as understand their limitations and abilities to treat patients whom we refer to them,” said Lt. Cmdr. Amanda L. Jimenez Myers, an optometrist at Branch Health Clinic Atsugi.
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S T O R Y B Y M C 3 M AT T H E W C . D U N C K E R
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ilitary children may often experience their parents deploying, attend multiple schools, and face unique situations some non-military children would not understand or ever have to experience. I n 1 9 8 6 , f o r m e r D e f e n s e S e c r e t a r y C a s p a r We i n b e rg e r d e s i g n a t e d A p r i l a s t h e M o n t h o f t h e M i l i t a r y C h i l d i n a n e ff o r t t o r e c o g n i z e a n d a p p l a u d m i l i t a r y families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and the Department of Defense join the military community in celebrating April as the Month of the Military Child. Throughout the month, DoDEA encourages schools to plan special events to honor military children and have administrators and principals incorporate the themes of this month into their everyday duties and r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s . T h e s e e ff o r t s a n d s p e c i a l e v e n t s w i l l s t r e s s t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f providing children with quality services and support to help them succeed in the mobile military lifestyle. To s e e s o m e o f t h e M o n t h o f t h e M i l i t a r y C h i l d a c t i v i t i e s p l a n n e d h e r e a t N A F A t s u g i , v i s i t t h e o ff i c i a l N A F A t s u g i , N A F A t s u g i M W R , a n d A t s u g i F l e e t & Family Center Facebook pages.
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C N AT T D E T. AT S U G I F I N I S H E S
FIRST MOBILE TRAINING TEAM PAINT COURSE
S T O R Y B Y AT C C A S S A N D R A R I C H A R D S
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he Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Det. Atsugi’s Mobile Training Team (MTT) completed its first Paint and Final Finish course at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 on board Anderson Air Base, Guam, March 3. CNATT Det. Atsugi Officer-in-Charge Chief Warrant Officer 5 Norman Valentine commended the Navy and his mobile training teams for their dedication in making this course a success. “Before CNATT Det. Atsugi received authorization to teach our customers in the Fleet, these commands depended on stateside MTT availability,” said Valentine. The 10-day long Paint and Final Finish course is a requirement for service members to safely and properly paint U.S. Navy aircraft. Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Brian Rambharack and Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Jason Snedeker provided 80 hours of instruction to 10 students from HSC-25 Commander, Fleet Air Forward (CFAF), and Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AIMD) Guam. Training included turning a plain section of sheet metal into a completed project with the U.S. naval aircraft national insignia and call signs, and simulating the work Sailors could perform at operational commands. The course provides students with knowledge and skills of aircraft painting. “Painting takes a lot of finesse and patience, and we talk to the students about this at the onset of
the course,“said Rambharack. “Most students don’t consider themselves to be very artistic, and the ability to take these Sailors and bring out their artistic talents from successfully drawing and stenciling is inspiring and brings home the importance of our contribution to the mission.” CNATT Det. Atsugi instructors are required to successfully complete the course material they’ll ultimately teach. Once this training is completed, prospective instructors must practice teaching the course and satisfactorily present the lessons and demonstrations to previously qualified instructors. When an instructor completes these requirements, they qualified to instruct a particular course. The Paint and Final Finish course also requires health assessment screening requirements prior to attending the course as a student. “Many times remote areas have a higher need for training multiple personnel at the same time, and bringing the course to the students can be beneficial to the command versus bringing the students to the school,” said CNATT Det. Atsugi MTT Coordinator Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Gerardo Munizrios. “This program is assisting commands in their efforts and meets the training requirements of forward-deployed personnel. CNATT Det. Atsugi is always looking at ways to maximize training for our deploying service members, to ensure our shipmates are safely trained and ready, and that we’re able to anticipate and react to fleet needs and requirements.” 7
PROTECT YOURSELF W H AT TO K N O W TO PREVENT SEXTORTION
AN INTERVIEW WITH NCIS SPECIAL AGENT MARK R. GARHART INTERVIEW & PHOTO BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN 8
What is Sextortion? Sextortion is a form of sexual exploitation or extortion and it employs a nonphysical form of coercion by threatening to release sexual images, texts, or embarrassing content in exchange for some item of value to the person who is extorting.
be on any type of social media. From there, the conversation whether it be texting or talking on the phone becomes sexual in nature usually very quickly. We don’t see these topics develop over days or weeks but in minutes or hours. They are requesting, basically to ‘I show you mine, you show me yours.’ It doesn’t even have to go that far. It could What do you mean by an item of value? be compromising texts or talking about It can be various things. Most prominently having a sexual relationship with this we see money, probably around 99 person and they could use it against you. percent of the time it is money. But, there can also be other variations. Those What are some other things to be aware could be sexual favors, other sexually of that those scammers may try? compromising pictures, or information. It is an exploitation scheme, so as soon as It all depends on what the extorter wants. the word gets out and people stop falling for it, all the exploiters do is tweak it Where might Sailors run into this? a little bit to lure you in. It may not Most frequently I wouldn’t say that they turn sexual or they may not ask you for run into it as much as it comes at them. pictures but they might find some other There is probably not a Sailor on board thing for you to be embarrassed about who is not linked into social media in and exploit you through that. There are some way, shape or form. Any kind of a great number of iterations that can social media where you are engaging happen given your interaction with that with someone else, particularly when person. you have a public profile where you are not limiting others information, we see What are some risk factors that Sailors individuals reach out and begin to start may have that make them targets of a friendship or start that connection like exploitation? you would on Facebook, like anyone else Forward-deployed members who are would. in areas they don’t know. They are actively looking for people. Employing Who might be the targets of sextortion? social media broadcasting your location. I would say males between the age of Showing on social media that you are 18 and 28, but it is not limited to male a United States Navy member, others or female or any age group. That is recognize that as you are gainfully generally the population we see that is employed. It takes out the leg work for most prominently targeted. finding members that have something to be exploited for. What are some warning signs that you might have been targeted? What are some ways to mitigate Somebody reaches out to you. It is exploitation? someone that you don’t know and they Limit the way for people to identify you want to be your friend and this could on social media. Some websites require
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a name and a profile picture but there are ways you can tweak that so you are less vulnerable. You can change your name to an odd spelling, so the only people who would know them can make that connection. Seeing a profile picture of something besides the actual person makes you less inviting to try to exploit. Most of these problems would stop immediately if no one responded to unknown parties. Something I can’t stress enough is to never send nude or compromising photos. Don’t engage a video chat or any kind of video where you are exposing yourself or performing any kind of conduct that would be embarrassing with anyone whether it be a loved one, a romantic partner, anyone because ultimately that has a chance to get into someone else’s hand.
as possible. They don’t want you to think about what is going on. They don’t want you to consult with another party because common sense is going to be brought into the equation. You might be thinking what are you going to do and that $500 seems like a fair price to keep my dignity intact. But, as we know from any scam, any exploitation, they are going to keep coming back until the well is dry. Don’t pay them money ever. Who should someone go to if they are being exploited? Alert the proper authorities. You have base security, chain of command, and NCIS. Come to NCIS and we will mitigate it as quickly and quietly as we can. Some people may think that being a victim to exploitation will affect your security clearance, but it is how you handled the situation after the fact that could lead to problems further down the road.
What should someone do if they are being exploited? First and foremost, cease all the back and forth with the exploiter. The exploiter is going to try to get the money or whatever they want from you as quickly
If you have fallen victim or suspect this may be happening to you, you can report it to the NCIS Hotline at 1-877-579-3648.
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TRADING S PA C E S S TO RY A N D P H O TO S B Y M C C B E N FA R O N E
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eadership from Commander Fleet A i r F o r w a r d ( C FA F ) a n d t h e J a p a n Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Aircraft Maintenance and Supply Squadron Four (4MSQ) recently initiated a pilot program “Sailor Exchange” aimed at integrating the two forces while building and strengthening the working relationships of the junior enlisted Sailors at each command. Tw o S a i l o r s f r o m A t s u g i ’s Av i a t i o n Intermediate Maintenance Detachment (AIMD), spent two days working alongside their 4MSQ counterparts across the flight l i n e . O n e o f t h o s e S a i l o r s , Av i a t i o n S u p p o r t E q u i p m e n t Te c h n i c i a n 2 n d C l a s s S a b i n e Yo u n g , f r o m C h e s a p e a k e , Va . volunteered for the exchange to see how the same job he does in the Navy is done b y S a i l o r s i n t h e J M S D F. “I volunteered for the JMSDF exchange program because I wanted to experience
how different the Japanese military was, compared to the United States,” said Yo u n g . “ I w a n t e d t o l e a r n a b o u t w h a t they do differently and how they are able to get maintenance done.” A f t e r s o m e i n i t i a l a p p r e h e n s i o n , Yo u n g moved past the culture shock to see what t h e S a i l o r e x c h a n g e h a d t o o f f e r. “I was nervous to volunteer at first, due to being in Japan for only four months. O n c e I v o l u n t e e r e d f o r t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y, I was ready to see what this program was like, and what the differences were b e t w e e n t h e U . S . a n d J a p a n e s e m i l i t a r y. ” O n e o f t h e c r e a t o r s o f A t s u g i ’s S a i l o r e x c h a n g e , C FA F C o m m a n d M a s t e r C h i e f Curtis Blunt, from Chickasha, Okla. describes how he got the idea for the program. “The reason behind it is actually something I saw that was not happening to any great extent between the U.S. Navy 12
a n d t h e J M S D F. R e c e n t l y w e h a d t h e 7 t h F l e e t S a i l o r o f t h e Ye a r c o n f e r e n c e i n Yo k o s u k a a n d t h e g u e s t s p e a k e r w a s N e w Z e a l a n d ’s C h i e f Wa r r a n t O f f i c e r o f t h e N a v y. O n e o f t h e t h i n g s h e s a i d w a s t h a t he and 7th Fleet CMC CMDCM Howat were in their last years in the navy and they built a great friendship over the last y e a r, b u t t h e i r s h a r e d g o a l w a s t o b u i l d these relationships earlier in the navy at the E5 and E6 level. So instead of them lasting two or three years, they’re lasting 13 or 20.” Though this pilot version of the Sailor exchange program lasted only two days, Yo u n g f e e l s t h e p r o g r a m h a s t h e p o t e n t i a l to benefit other Sailors by giving them a chance to foster professional growth and build partnerships with their host nation aviation maintainers. “I would totally recommend this program to other Sailors. It gives them
the opportunity to see a different side of aviation, and also gives them a sense of pride as well that they can take back to t h e i r d i v i s i o n o r w o r k c e n t e r. T h e o v e r a l l program is an awesome idea and it will help us with keeping good relations with the squadron.”
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PHOTO BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN
DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
Naval Air Facility Atsugi
NAF ATSUGI CHILD & YOUTH PROGRAMS How do you describe your departments primary requirements. CDC and SAC provide nutritious mission? NAF Atsugi Child and Youth Programs (CYP) supports military and DoD families as they protect and serve our country. CYP provides high quality, innovative, accessible, and affordable childcare that supports school readiness, and recreational programs for children and youth.
How do the services you provide support the command’s mission?
CYP provides high quality educational and recreational programs for children and youth. Caring, knowledgeable professionals plan developmentally appropriate programs that are responsive to the unique needs, abilities, and interests of children in our Child Development Center(CDC), School Age Care(SAC) program, Teen Center and Youth Sports Program.
meals and snacks daily that meet USDA meal patterns. To enhance their role as professionals, all CYP teaching staff receive ongoing, monthly training by Training and Curriculum Specialists and more than fifty percent of our employees are military spouses creating a high turnover rate.
Something special.. Our CDC has met the standards and achieved a ccreditation status by the National Association
for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and SAC has achieved accreditation by the Council on Accreditation (COA). CYP plan to renovate playgrounds for CDC and SAC.
HOW CAN YOUR CUSTOMERS REACH YOU?
CYP has an open door policy. Patrons can stop by the Director or Assistant Director’s office as needed. They can also contact us by phone at 264-6518 or visit our What can you tell us about your group that others Central Registration Office. We have comment boxes at may not know? the front desk of each facility for parents to voice their CYP receives two annual, unannounced program concerns and opinions. inspections to ensure compliance with all 14
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF VOLUNTEERS WHO OFFERED THEIR TIME TO THE YAMATO STATION CLEANUP DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH.
THE FOLLOWING PARTICIPANTS PROVIDED SIGNIFICANT VOLUNTEER SUPPORT: LTJG ANTON CMC MADISON AWFC AUTRAND AWFC CALHOON AMC MUNIZRIOS ADCS PATTERSON AZC SALAS NC1 ALVAREZ HM1 COLUMNA LS1 HOAG AO1 HUDSON PR1 HURICKS AME1 MILLER AE2 COLLINSPEYREGNE AO2 DEJOIE AD2 DUARTE LS2 ELAZEGUI-ALLEN AO2 GAINES PO2 GARRISON AD2 HERRERA AT2 HOADLEY PS2 LATHROP LS2 LEGARDA AM2 MAYOR AD2 MENDOZA BM2 MERCADO AS2 NG AM2 OCTAVIANO AT2 ORDING PS1 PARROTINA LS2 PETROS AE2 SALOME AE2 SCHULZ YN3 HARRIS YN3 NGUYEN AN AVILES ADAN KAUR AN MCCLAIN ASAN MINNER AN MOUW AEAN ZEMANTAUSKI YNSN ZERTUCHE AMEAA LIZARRAGA 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-195
HSC-12
On March 3 and 4, VFA-195 led a missile shoot exercise off the coast of southern California The event involved aircrew and maintainers from CVW-5, CVW-11, the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center, and Fighter Composite Squadron 12, which provided end-to-end training in the loading and employment of high end air-to-air and air-to-surface ordnance. The highly successful event served to ensure that VFA-195 remains prepared to support allied interests in the Asia-Pacific region. VFA-195 is currently executing a StrikeFighter Advanced Readiness Program detachment to Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada.
On March 30, HSC-12 held their change of command ceremony after returning from their HARP detachment to Kadena. Cmdr. Benjamin Van Buskirk relieved Cmdr. Ralph McQueen as the commanding officer of HSC12. The incoming executive officer is Cmdr. Jose Arana.
VFA-102 On Friday March 3, VFA-102 hosted “Bring Your Kids to Work Day.” This was a terrific opportunity for families to get an up close and personal look at how the Diamondbacks operate. The day began with words from the Skipper. The junior Diamondbacks were then given tours of the hangar, a chance to try on flight gear and sit in the cockpit of an aircraft. The day was concluded with an ice cream social and awards ceremony where everyone was presented a certificate by Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Malandrino. 15
AIMD On March 9, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Aircraft Maintenance and Supply Squadron Four and AIMD Atsugi Sailors kicked off a Sailor exchange pilot program. JMSDF Aircraft Maintenance and Supply Squadron Four Technicians visiting AIMD Atsugi were able to experience AIMD workload and maintenance processes with Aviation Machinist’s Mates, Aviation Structural Mechanics, Support Equipment Technicians and Avionics Technicians and learn from each other. At the same time, AIMD Sailors were sharing their experiences in the JMSDF Aircraft Maintenance and Supply Squadron Four work spaces. To hear more about this exchange, visit page 12.