59th year, no. 25
Serving the nato, naples and Gaeta military community in italy
USNH Naples Welcomes New Commander
Friday, June 27, 2014
W hat ’ s I nsIde
A High-Caliber Sailor Aboard USS Mount Whitney Page 4
Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan, 37th surgeon general of the Navy and chief of the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, center, renders a salute as Capt. Barth E. Merrill takes command of U.S. Naval Hospital Naples from Capt. Matthew W. Pommer Jr. during a change of command ceremony held in the Support Site Chapel of Naval Support Activity Naples, June 18. (Photo by MC3 Robert S. Price) From U.S. Naval Hospital Naples Public Affairs
Capt. Matthew W. Pommer Jr., Dental Corps, turned over command of U.S. Naval Hospital Naples, Italy, to Capt. Barth E. Merrill, Medical Corps, during a change of command ceremony at the Support Site Chapel of Naval Support Activity Naples, June 18. The presiding officer and guest speaker for the ceremony was Vice Adm. Matthew L.
Nathan, Surgeon General of the Navy and Chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. "Once you've got the job, you're it, and it is important that the crew knows exactly who is in charge and who they are taking orders from,” said Nathan. “This is why we honor this time-honored tradition." Nathan presented Pommer Jr. with the Legion of Merit in recognition of his accomplishments in command. Under his leadership, the command’s Healthcare Effectiveness
BALTOPS 2014 Comes to a Close in Germany Page 6
Data Information Set program went from 24th to number one throughout Navy Medicine and one of only four Navy commands to exceed Defense Health Agency targets. U.S. Naval Hospital Naples achieved a 91 percent on its 2014 audit spot check, which represented the third-highest score throughout BUMED and one of only three commands to achieve “audit ready” level compliance. See NEW COMMANDE Page 6
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Held at Support Site Playground Capt. Scott Gray, commanding officer of NSA Naples, members from Public Works and Housing, as well as children from the community pose for a group photo during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Support Site playground renovations, June 25. "Thanks to everybody who had a hand in making this happen; this is the first renovation of the playgrounds since the place opened up," said Gray. The ceremony was held at playground 20 in the center of the base, near building 2111. All but two of the 22 playgrounds had renovations done over the past eight months, as well as the rebuilt skate park. (Photo by MCC Travis Simmons)
It’s All About Sink or Swim: A Guinness Record Attempt Page 9
Weekly Crime Report Review what happened between June 11 and June 24. Page 5
FRIDAY High 80 / Low 66 Clear
SATURDAY High 81 / Low 64 Clear
SUNDAY High 84 / Low 69 Clear