Serving the NATO, Naples and Gaeta Military Community in Italy Russell Egnor Navy Media Awards – 2016 Best Newspaper in the Navy
63rd year, No. 20
Friday, May 25, 2018
2017 Sailors of the Year Advanced to Chief Petty Officer USS Gonzalez Conducts Training With Italian Navy Frigate By Navy Ens. Monica Prioleau USS Gravely
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran (far left), the Fiscal Year 2017 Sailors of the Year (SOY) including U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa Shore SOY Chief Legalman 1st Class Jean M. Yuston (third from left), and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven S. Giordano (far right) cut a ceremonial cake after the Sailors were meritoriously advanced to the rank of chief petty officer during the annual Sailor of the Year ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., on May 17, 2018. Throughout their weeklong visit to Washington, the Sailors of the Year and their families toured historic sites and enjoyed special events held in their honor. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Huey D. Younger Jr. From Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Public Affairs
The 2017 Sailor of the Year winners were meritoriously advanced to Chief Petty Officer during a ceremony held at the United States Navy Memorial, May 17. The Sailors meritoriously advanced to Chief Petty Officer are: - Chief Naval Air Crewman (Operator) John Herrman, U.S. Fleet Forces Sea Sailor of the Year - Chief Engineman Brandon Lovell, Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year
- Chief Culinary Specialist Latoya Farrish, U.S. Pacific Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year - Chief Legalman Jean Yusten, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa / U.S. 6th Fleet. “These four outstanding Sailors are a reflection of what first class petty officers across our Navy are asked to be every day, as technical experts, as leaders and as shipmates of character,” said Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Steven Giordano. “We are all extremely proud of their very significant accomplishments.”
The Sailor of the Year Program has recognized Sailors who represent the best of our Navy for almost 50 years. The program was established in 1972 by the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and MCPON John Whittet to recognize Sailors who have demonstrated the highest standards of our Navy, and have proven themselves by their performance, knowledge, and leadership on the deck plates. For the full video of the ceremony, visit http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2018/05/17/sailor -of-the-year-ceremony/.
NATO Forces Fuel Coupons: Explaining Your Tax-Free Benefit By Bartolomeo Di Muccio Foreign Tax Relief Program Director, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia
Foreign Tax Relief Program Director, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Automotive fuel (gasoline and diesel) and motor oil are made available to Department of
Defense (DoD) personnel in Italy on a tax-free basis at a substantial discount over local market prices. The purchase of fuel & oil using tax-free coupons helps make fuel prices here comparable to those in the United States. The NATO Forces petroleum product (POL) coupons, valid from October 1,
2017, through September 30, 2018, are currently on sale at Navy Exchange (NEX), Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), and NATO GAS COUPONS
Page 11
CAPTAIN’S CORNER. . . . . . . . . 2 BASE NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 FFSC CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . 5 SOUND OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 MOVIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 JOBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 TUITION ASSISTANCE INCREASING . . . . . . . . . . . . page 6
HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES . . . . . . page 14
USO TOURS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 WORD SEARCH / COLOR ME 14
The guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez conducted combined operations with the multipurpose Italian frigate ITS Alpino, May 16-17. The training is designed to promote camaraderie and collaboration among NATO partners. The Alpino is making several stops along the U.S. East Coast with Norfolk, Virginia, being the first. Crew Exchange “The crew exchange was highly beneficial to both Gonzalez’s crew and Alpino’s, giving rare insight into each other’s daily routine, Gonzalez Commanding Officer Navy Cmdr. Les Sobol said. “The [passing exercise] was an invaluable opportunity to flex multiple skillsets with our NATO partners at sea,” Sobol added. In addition to the passing exercise, Gonzalez and Alpino conducted visit, board, search and seizure exercises and light communication drills off the coast of Virginia, allowing both crews to gain familiarity and proficiency in tactical maneuvering and communications. “ITS Alpino’s high-end technology and air asset, the SH90, was stunning to view and discuss,” Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Caitlin N. Cannon said. “I truly enjoyed our collaboration and I feel training events like this should be encouraged more often.” Building relationships with allies and working as a warfighting team “is vital to NATO operations,” Cannon added. The USS Gonzalez is conducting basic phase exercises in preparation for a future deployment.