August 5, 2016• VOL. 73 • NO. 22• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 757-458-4520
A Splash of Summer
Local children are shown playing in water fountains as well as using squirt guns during the Splash Pad Mega Party at the Youth Center on Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, July 23. (Photos by IC1 Steven Jaquin.) SGT Natasha Price Photojournalist
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he First Class Petty Officer Association gave back to the community of Guantanamo Bay by hosting the Splash Pad Mega Party at the Youth Center July 23, 2016. According to ND1 Joshua Crowder, who is a Navy diver and the President of First Class Petty Officer Association, the Splash Pad Mega Party is basically an event to boost the morale of the children here at Guantanamo Bay. The outdoor water event gives the children the opportunity to play with other area children as well as some of the parents. Water balloons, squirt guns and fountains were provided as the main source of entertainment for the party. Also, volunteers, music and pizza were provided during the five hour event, said Crowder.
A splash pad has water showers in a recreation area with little or no standing water. This helps eliminate the risk for drowning while children play safely. BM1 Lance Stoeckel, a Port Services LPO, attended the event with his daughter after hearing about the event and its turnout last year. “Events like this are important for the base because it brings the community together”, said Stoeckel. “It’s an awesome event where kids were having fun and adults were too.” When asked what he liked most about hosting this event, Crowder stated it’s getting told by kids that it’s the most fun they’ve had here. There will be another Splash Pad Mega Party right before school starts Aug. 21, 2016, said Crowder.
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. David Culpepper congratulates ND1 Joshua Crowder, left, on his selection as Sailor of the Week, July 26-Aug 1, and MA3 Sydney Grooms, right, on her selection as Sailor of Week, August 2-8.
ND1 JOSHUA CROWDER
MA3 SYDNEY GROOMS
emergency recompression chamber team was recalled for two injured civilian recreational divers. Neurological examinations were conducted on the two patients and both were found to have symptoms of Arterial Gas Embolism, a potentially life threatening diving illness if not promptly treated. The patients were transported from the hospital to the dive locker and were treated using a Recompression Chamber Treatment Table-6, an operation in which both patients are treated with 100% oxygen for approximately five hours. Both patients had complete relief of symptoms upon surfacing from the treatment. ND1 Crowder was responsible for the diagnosis, treatment and post-observation of the patients. He and his team flawlessly executed all phases of the operation.
■Currently working on: Bachelors in Psychology ■Sailor of the Week Because: MA3 developed and executed a
■Job/Department: Port Ops/ Divers ■Age: 27 ■Hometown: Yakima, WA ■Hero: Adrian Shala and Adrian Schweizer of “Adriatique” ■Movie: Saving Private Ryan ■TV Show: Archer ■Hobby: Spearfishing, cooking and djing ■Currently working on: Degree in Supervision/Management. ■Sailor of the Week Because: On July 4, the Dive Locker
VOL. 73 • NO. 22
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
■Job/Department: Access Control/ Security ■Age: 21 ■Hometown: Milledgeville, OH ■Hero: Mi Abuela ■TV Show: Grimm ■Movie: A League of Their Own ■Hobby: Softball ■Book: House of Night Series
new plan to verify the impounded vehicles that still had their license plates accounted for, in order to avoid further theft of the plates on base. While verifying, MA3 was swarmed with flying insects that bit her significantly and Grooms persevered through the situation to get the task completed. Also, in unique situations where she was the only representative in the office, demonstrated superb Navy Core Values to an unusually high peak of customers simultaneously meeting and exceeding their expectations and overall mission requirements.
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. DAVID CULPEPPER CMDR. DENNIS MOJICA CMDCM (SW/AW) RODD TOOKER
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER/EDITOR PHOTOJOURNALIST PHOTOJOURNALIST
JULIE RIPLEY MC1 KEGAN KAY ARMY SGT NATASHA PRICE
The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services with a circulation of 535.
USS Carney Aids in Rescue of 97 Migrants in Mediterranean Sea
August 5, 2016• PAGE 3
Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Weston Jones U.S. Naval Forces Eurpoe and Africa/ U.S. 6th Fleet
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he Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) aided in the rescue of 97 migrants adrift in the Mediterranean Sea, July 29. Carney provided aid for the migrants until the SOS Mediterranee ship MS Aquarius arrived and took the migrants to safety. “Today Team Carney aided in the rescue of 97 migrants while operating in the Mediterranean Sea. Seeing the plight of these desperate migrants and the danger they were in was humbling. As Sailors we make our living on the high seas. We were honored to help these 97 people to safety. My crew acted with the upmost professionalism and compassion and I couldn’t be more proud of them.” -Cmdr. Kenneth Pickard, commanding officer, USS Carney (DDG 64) QUICK FACTS: *96 men and one woman were onboard the small craft. *SOS Mediterranee was founded in 2015 and is an independent European humanitarian association whose objective is to operate in different maritime routes and conduct sea rescue operations.
*Members of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) embark with SOS Mediterranee and provide care until the refugees can be turned over to the proper authorities. *USS Carney (DDG 64) forward deployed to Rota, Spain, is currently attached to the USS Wasp (LHD-1) Amphibious Ready Group that is operating in U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. * U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook. com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/ naveur/.
Photo courtesy of navy.mil
The Magical Five MC1 Kegan E. Kay Photojournalist
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he U.S. Coast Guard has a long standing history with Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and has had a permanent aviation detachment, part of Air Station Miami, established on the installation since 1981 shortly after the Cuban Exodus of 1980. The Coast Guard continued to provide aid and assistance in the 1990’s with the Haitian and Cuban refugees and that legacy of support continues today. After Hurricane Sandy rendered their old office unusable the unit makes due with their smaller offices inside the Air Terminal at Leeward and the walls are lined with the awards and mementos of the proud history the detachment maintains. Personnel and manning have also shifted throughout the years as the detachment was once around 30 members strong it now has only five making up the unit. It could be said the unit is made up of five magicians. While not the typical dealers of tricks and illusions, they non the less perform magic to carry out their missions while wearing many hats. “We’re small, there is only five of us, but we’re pretty big,” remarked Storekeeper 3rd Class Phylicia Miller. “We do a lot here in Guantanamo Bay and have a lot going on in our quite little world.” Each member is important in maintaining the unit’s mission and the various collateral duties each hold make the effort and work appear seamless and flawless to outside perception.
The detachment provides mission-critical support to forward deployed aircraft and cutters as well as supply and logistical support to Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay port security units, migrant support, and operational needs. “[Air Station Miami]’s primary mission is search and rescue,” said Chief Storekeeper David Knapp. “We still do search and rescue but we also do drug interdiction missions, and migrant handling. We are really just an extension of them.” Air Station Miami is the busiest search and rescue installation and supporting them keeps the Guantanamo Bay five very busy and like magicians, they keep their audience unaware of what’s up their sleeves. Working in Guantanamo Bay brings its own set of issues especially in regarding to transportation of personnel or shipping supplies to and from the island as anyone stationed here in Guantanamo Bay can attest getting off the island is no easy feat. The unit keeps an inventory of parts and supplies for the cutter and aircraft and supplies for migrants such as towels and blankets and other necessary items. They provide maintenance, replenishment, shipping and even logistical support in regards to transportation of supplies or personnel. “We are the only Coast Guard forward supporting unit in the Caribbean,” said Knapp. “Everyday is unique.”
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
August is National Immunization Awareness Month Yan Kennon Naval Hospital Jacksonville Public Affairs
mmunizations represent one of the greatest public health I accomplishments of the 20th century. Navy Medicine is a national leader in preventative health, and Naval Hospital
Jacksonville joins with partners nationwide to recognize August as National Immunization Awareness Month. Vaccines are safe and save lives. Patients should talk with their primary care manager about which vaccines are right based on age, health, job, lifestyle and other factors. Parents are encouraged to make sure children are up to date on vaccines. Children are at an increased risk for disease and can spread disease to others in play groups, child care centers and classrooms, and to babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer and other health conditions. “Getting children vaccinated according to recommended immunization schedules is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children from serious diseases,” said Cmdr. Jesse Geibe, NH Jacksonville director for public health. “Now is the time to check with your primary care manager or our immunizations clinic to find out what vaccines your child needs.” Vaccines can protect babies from 14 serious diseases before turning age 2. After 6 months of age, children are recommended to receive the annual flu vaccine, and additional vaccines between ages 4 and 6. It’s very important that babies receive all doses and receive each one on time. If a child falls behind the recommended immunizations schedule, vaccines can still be given to “catch-up” before adolescence. Pre-teen and teen vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including meningitis, septicemia, and cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Young adults also need vaccines to stay protected, especially when college-bound, because protection from childhood vaccines can wear off with time. College students may be at increased risk for vaccine-preventable diseases like meningococcal disease. There are misconceptions that vaccines are just for children,
but people never outgrow the need for immunizations. They are recommended throughout life based on age, lifestyle, occupation, travel and medical conditions. Each year, tens of thousands of adults in the U.S. needlessly suffer, are hospitalized, and even die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines. Even healthy adults can become seriously ill and pass certain illnesses on to others. Adults (including pregnant women) should receive the flu vaccine annually. Every adult should have one dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine, if not received as a teen, and a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster every 10 years. Women should stay current on vaccines before becoming pregnant, including an annual flu shot (which is safe during pregnancy). Additionally, pregnant women should receive a vaccine against whooping cough (pertussis) during each pregnancy, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks. These vaccines protect mom and baby. Women who are planning to become pregnant should talk to their provider, prior to becoming pregnant, to determine if vaccines are needed. To find out more, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov. Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, NH Jacksonville’s priority since its founding in 1941 is to heal the nation’s heroes and their families. The command is comprised of the Navy’s third largest hospital and five branch health clinics across Florida and Georgia. Of its patient population (163,000 active and retired Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, Guardsmen, and their families), about 85,000 are enrolled with a primary care manager and Medical Home Port team at one of its facilities. To find out more or download the command’s mobile app, visit http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/navalhospitaljax. For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www. facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy. For more news from Naval Hospital Jacksonville, visit http:// www.nvy.mil/local/nhjax/.
SEASON Jamaican HURRICANE IS HERE Independence Day Aug. 6
MOVIES
THE CLASSIFIEDS
To place an ad please send an e-mail to PAO@GTMO.NAVY.MIL
FOR SALE: Apple Mac Mini Desktop (Mid2011) - 2.3 i5 256 GB SSD + 500 GB HDD + 8 GB RAM $550. Contact Mark at 75849.
The
Scoop
ENERGY PSA As an attempt to conserve energy, it is being asked of all tenants that when exiting your home or room for more than 4 hours, please raise your thermometer approximately 10 degrees from your “at home” setting. This operational control will lessen electricity demand, generator operational hours, and fuel costs... and thus, lowering electricity bills to our customers and the U.S. Government. Thank you for your assistance. FORENSICS LECTURE There will be a Forensic Investigations Lecture Series on Credit Card Fraud, Fingerprint Science and Technology and Interview and Interrogation. Class can hold up to 15 students and counts as continuing education training and college credit for both undergraduate and graduate.
Contact Inst. Deron Jenkins at A class will be held Aug. 11 at 78628 for more information. Bldg. 2164. The Fire Warden class will be at 10 a.m. and the Fire Watch class will be at POST OFFICE NEWS 11 a.m. Reservation required. Attention Postal Customers- if Please call 4403 or 4611. you are mailing 2 or more TUFF boxes you are encouraged to JSMART SELF CARE make an appointment between 8 DAY and 9 a.m. before the post office Come by and relax with opens. Making an appointment will yoga starting at 9 a.m. on the prevent long waits in line during waterfront pavilion Aug. 13. regular hours of operation. Call LS3 You’ll also have access to Borromeo or Mr. Smith at 2156. massage chairs and therapy dogs. Open 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. UNITED THROUGH READING The JTF Chaplain’s Office would DRIVER IMPROVEMENT like to invite you to come in and There will be a driver record a video of yourself reading improvement class on Aug. a book to send home to your kids. 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Please contact their office at 2571 the 2nd floor of Bldg. 760. For for more information. seat reservation contact the Safety Office at 4655/4526. DANCE LESSONS Department Heads must Interested in Salsa and Bachata approve member to attend dance lessons? Come to the and complete the 8 hour class Community Center Fri., August 5 requirements. from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be a social dance after the lessons STUDENT MEALS from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. Come FARM Applications for the SY put on your dancing shoes and 16/17 for free and reduced learn something new. For more meals are now available at information please contact Chelsea the NEX Customer Service Garcia at 75033 or 79065. Counter. Full price meals are $2.50 for Elementary and PLANT NURSERY MEETING $2.75 for Middle/High School. Volunteers are needed! There will be a meeting Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. in SPLASH PAD PARTY the Red Cross building off Sherman The First Class Association Ave. Learn what the nursery does will host the second Splash and earn volunteer hours. Call Pad Party at the Youth Center 77634 for questions. August 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. FIRE WARDEN/FIRE WATCH
OMBUDSMAN
CONTACT INFORMATION:
NAVSTA: Jamie Yeich
Carrie McCormick Kendra Keesey E-mail: ombudsmannsgb@gmail.com Phone: 84792
NAVAL HOSPITAL: TC Bacon E-mail: Ombudsman.usnh.gtmo@gmail.com Phone: 55379
August 5, 2016• PAGE 7
DOWNTOWN LYCEUM
FRIDAY 8 p.m.:
Suicide Squad
10:30 p.m.:
The Shallows
AUG 5
R
PG13
SATURDAY AUG 6 8 p.m.: Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates R
10 p.m.: SUNDAY 8 p.m.:
Ghostbusters PG13
AUG 7
Ice Age: Collision Course PG
MONDAY 8 p.m.:
Finding Dory (LS)
AUG 8
TUESDAY 8 p.m.:
Jason Bourne
PG
AUG 9
R
WEDNESDAY AUG 10 Central Intelligence (LS) 8 p.m.: PG13
THURSDAY 8 p.m.: The BFG
AUG 11
PG
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
Fleet and Family Support Center
UPCOMING CLASSES NFCU: SAVINGS: PLANT A SEED: Aug. 10, 1400-1500 at FFSC. Learn the basics of saving money and where to begin while still balancing a manageable budget. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls associated with loans and credit cards. RESUME BASICS: Aug. 16, 1000-1200 at FFSC. This class provides an overview of civilian and federal resume formats. This workshop will help you construct a resume that gets you noticed! Includes information on writing your objective, accomplishment statements, and knowing the focus of each resume format.
To register or for more information please call 4141 or 4153. Hours of Operation are: Mon-Fri., 0730-1630.
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY Passport waiver letters will no longer be issued. All civilian personnel travelling to/from Guantanamo are required to have a current/non-expired passport. The U.S. Embassy in Jamaica will be on island the week of Aug. 15 to accept tourist passport applications. For more information, contact the Legal office at 4834 or 4575.