December 5, 2014• VOL. 71 • NO. 46• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090
FFSC Hosts Friends and Family Tour
NS Guantanamo Bay residents and guests enjoyed a special Friends and Family tour, Nov. 26. More than 40 base residents and guests participated in the three-hour tour. Photo by Emily Kolenda Kelly Wirfel Public Affairs Officer
aval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay’s Fleet N and Family Support Center (FFSC) hosted a special Thanksgiving Friends and Family tour,
Nov. 26. More than 40 base residents and out of town guests participated in the three hour tour which featured stops at the lighthouse, Cuzco Cemetery, Cable Beach, Camp X-Ray, Radio GTMO, Marine Hill and even a visit to the “Old Banyan Tree.” “Having knowledgeable volunteers such as Stacey Byington, USNH Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs Officer and Maria Blanchard, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Marketing Manager helped tremendously because of their historical knowledge of the base,” said Sara Van Gorder, FFSC Work
and Family Life Specialist. “We are always looking to increase our knowledge base and information to share with the community.” According the Van Gorder the group consisted of several new families, visitors and also families who will be departing NS Guantanamo Bay soon. “For those who are entertaining family and friends over the holidays, this is a great way to show off all aspects of the base,” said Van Gorder. “We talk about the entire history of the base from the initial landing in the bay to our current missions and accomplishments.” FFSC will be hosting another holiday Friends and Family tour on Dec. 24 at 0900. Those interested in participating are asked to RSVP by calling 4141 or 4153.
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. J.R. Nettleton congratulates ND1 Cortez on his selection as Sailor of the Week.
Congratulations to Naval Stations Newest 3rd, 2nd, and 1st Class Petty Officers Third Class Petty Officers LS3 Merritt MA3 Boatwright MA3 Bouchard MA3 Buell MA3 Campbell MA3 Coady MA3 Cooper MA3 Kinder MA3 Lewis MA3 Lief MA3 Medina MA3 Mervine MA3 Negrete MA3 Volk VOL. 71 • NO.46
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Second Class Petty Officers BU2 Allbritton LS2 Cooper LS2 Prendergast MA2 Cuddeback MA2 Howard MA2 Morris MA2 Moser MA2 Yusten
First Class Petty Officers QM1 Reddick QM1 Rivera MA1 Ybarra YN1 Roodhouse
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. JOHN NETTLETON CMDR. COLIN CASWELL CMDCM (SW) JEFFERY TIDWELL
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
KELLY WIRFEL MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA
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 900.
Officials Highlight Health, Wellness Resources for Military Families
December 5, 2014• PAGE 3
Earl Bittner
NAVFAC Southeast Public Affairs s efforts continue to strengthen service members and their families, Pentagon officials held a Bloggers Roundtable to highlight the myriad resources available to tackle the unique military and transitional challenges those who serve may face. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy Rosemary Freitas Williams, Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff senior enlisted advisor, and Navy Command Master Chief Petty Officer Terry Prince, Defense Health Agency senior enlisted advisor, discussed military family health and welfare and the value of Military OneSource. “We are keen on having a safe and happy holiday season [but] there’s a lot of stress around the holidays, which is unavoidable,” Williams said. Military OneSource She urged military families feeling such stress to look to Military OneSource, a call center and online resource that can assist with a range of issues and situations, regardless of base or status. “It’s for folks maybe having a difficult time, they could be caregivers, they could be [children], or maybe a spouse of a deployed person,” Williams explained, adding that the toll-free 800-247-HELP line is available and comes with 12 free counseling sessions, per issue, per person. “Help is no more than an average distance of about 3.2 miles away,” she noted. Williams also said that job assistance and a range of resources are available to all types of DoD families, including same-gender couples. “Every resource that’s available to Lisa Battaglia [wife of Sgt. Maj. Battaglia] is available to our same-gender spouses,” Williams said. “We’ve added a number of resources that pertain directly to samegender couples in the military so they can help navigate military life and whatever unique challenges they face.” Transition GPS Helps Separating, Retiring Troops As advisor to both Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and the
A
Chaplain’s
chairman, Battaglia said in addition to the health, welfare, and education of service members, he’s also heavily engaged in helping them manage transition. The Transition GPS program, he said, will better prepare military members whether in separation or retirement. “This will have a significant impact in setting successes for service members to become productive members of society once that reintegration takes place, regardless if they are active duty, Guard or Reserve,” Battaglia said. “It leads them to three tracks: one for higher education, another track for those with a desire to enter the workforce and the newest track, which came from service members themselves, is entrepreneurship.” Seeking Command Sponsorship Input For those who still serve, especially in remote locales, Battaglia also pledged to help improve the command sponsorship process. He said he and his family have personally made 17 moves during his career. “[Permanent-change-of-station] to us is a natural body clock ... versus Korea where it might be a junior enlisted person’s first [permanent change-of-station] move,” Battaglia said. “If we get it wrong, then it just means more stressors are placed on a family.” Battaglia said he plans to travel to bases in Korea and Japan in February to speak to troops in the field to gauge junior enlisted experiences and address their concerns. “With the reshaping of our force, there can be some expectations now that some of the transfers and PCS moving may not be as frequent as it used to be,” Battaglia said. “I’m open to ideas as to how to make command sponsorship anywhere on the globe better.” Operation Live Well Meanwhile in health matters, Prince said the Defense Health Agency and Tricare has developed tools, resources and original content through its program, Operation Live Well, for service members and their families across the forces. “We’re focusing on integrative wellness, physical activity, sleep, nutrition, tobacco-free living and mental wellness,” he said.
Corner
Arrivederci CDR Gabriel Mensah
NS Guantanamo Bay Command Chaplain
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 verse 1 says: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” After 18 months at GTMO, it is time for me to move on and take up other challenges. Over the course of the 18 months, I have met a lot of wonderful people who have helped me grow spiritually. To those amazing people I would like to express my sincere thanks. For those who do not know, this is my second tour at GTMO. I was
here from February 2009 to March 2010. Coming back to GTMO the second time was extremely painful for me. But then I remembered the words of St. Teresa of Avila, “Trust God, you are where you were meant to be.” These words were my guiding principles the past 18 months. My relief, Commander Mode, is already onboard. I trust that you would extend a cordial welcome to him and assist him in any way you can so that he will be successful during his tenure as the Commander Chaplain. So as they say in French, “Au Revoir, et Bonne Chance!”
JEA Teams With MWR To Host “GTMO’s Got Talent” MC2 Scott Pittman RADIO GTMO
The Junior Enlisted Association and the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department of Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay held the “GTMOs Got Talent” and “Minute to Win It” competitions Nov. 29 at the Windjammer Ballroom. The talent show portion of the event consisted of eight different performances including six singers, a magician and a juggler. Each act was scored by four special-guest judges, and the top three performances were awarded custom paddles. “I heard about it about two months ago,” said Specialist Raul Sanchez, the participant who came in first place. “I’ve always done talent shows, not for any particular reason other than that it’s fun to get up on stage and sing.” It was hard work taking the idea behind “GTMOs
Got Talent” from the voting floor of a JEA meeting and putting all the pieces together at the show. It involved coordination between several key players, including JEA chair holders and members of the MWR staff. “One of the roles of liberty is to partner with junior enlisted groups around the base,” said Katie Stanley-Prestesator, MWR Liberty Director. “We are getting the faces of the JEA out there and show what they can do.” Children from the audience played the MTWI games, during which they had to inflate balloons, launch rubber bands at cups, keep balloons in the air, and knock ping-pong balls out of a box by dancing.
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
CNO releases Navy’s Position Report From Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs
T
he Navy’s top leader released a detailed report Friday that highlights the U.S. Navy’s progress toward its vision, plans and current goals. The Position Report 2014 was posted to Navy’s website and to the leadership page of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Jonathan Greenert. The document reviews the Navy’s progress over the last year in pursuing objectives laid out in the Sailing Directions and Navigation Plan 2015 - 2019, which can also be found on CNO’s leadership page. “Just as we rely on a position report to aid navigation at sea, Position Report: 2014 allows us to ‘take a fix” on where we are today,” said Greenert. “It identifies the ‘course and speed’ changes necessary to stay on track while countering the ‘set and drift’ caused by emerging challenges or institutional issues that tend to take us off our intended track,” he said. Greenert highlighted several areas across the service where Navy intends to build upon its 3 tenets of Warfighting First, Be Ready and Operate Forward. From
information on ships and platforms to changes in presence the document highlights progress and continuing efforts. One of many highlights included the development of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (O-FRP); a new readiness construct that improves maintenance and training predictability, ultimately providing stability for deploying Sailors, Marines and their Families. The Navy continues to rebalance its forces to the AsiaPacific region, as noted in the report by the end of the fiscal year 2014 there were 41 ships and submarines based in theatre. In keeping with the tenet of Operating Forward Greenert said the Navy is on track to establish a fifth Amphibious Ready Group in the Pacific by 2018. “It will be the most advanced and capable ARG in the fleet with one amphibious assault ship and two amphibious dock ships.” CNO was clear in his Position Report that the Navy has an eye to the future with superb Sailors, Civilian, and their Families that have enabled the Navy to remain, ready, forward and engaged during challenging times.
NAVFAC Southeast Awards $7.7 Million Contract to Small Business Earl Bittner
NAVFAC Southeast Public Affairs
N
aval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $7.72 million firm-fixedprice task order Nov. 21 for the refurbishment of Taurman Avenue electrical substation at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Islands Mechanical Contractor, Inc., a small business based in Middleburg, Fla. was awarded the contract. “The award to replace Taurman substation is a major milestone that will improve energy conservation and reliability for Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and its Supported Commands,” said NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding OfficerCapt. J.R. Nettleton. Recent engineering and inspection reports determined that existing substation equipment and insulators at the Taurman Avenue substation have deteriorated and need to be replaced. Some of the existing equipment is original to the construction of this substation, which was placed into service in the 1960’s, while other equipment was replaced when the substation was renovated in the 1970’s. “Instead of replacing the deteriorated equipment while continuing operations to serve the distribution loads, this project replaces the existing infrastucture by providing a new outdoor substation adjacent to the existing substation,” said NS Guantanamo Bay Public Works Officer Cmdr. Ronald Jenkins. The task order calls for the design and construction of new outdoor substation infrastructure to recapitalize the existing outdoor substation. The project also includes construction of site improvements, a new
metal support structure with concrete foundations and concrete equipment pads, security fencing surrounding gravel interior space, grounding system, medium voltage busing systems, vacuum circuit breakers, liquid filled transformers, enclosed metal-clad switchgear, manual isolation and bypass switches, lightning and surge protection, and a modular enclosure to house solid-state, programmable monitoring, relaying and controlling system equipment. Work is expected to be completed by August 2016. Small business play a vital role in the American economy – employing half of our country’s workforce, creating nearly two out of every three new American jobs, and often being the source of the next great American innovation. NAVFAC Southeast strives to meet its goals building on its success by providing contract opportunities to small businesses. “NAVFAC Southeast is committed to providing the maximum practicable opportunity to small businesses,” said Nelson Smith, NAVFAC Southeast small business deputy. “Every small business award is a win for the taxpayers, the nation and the Navy.” Each year NAVFAC establishes target goals for Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone Small Business, ServiceDisabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and WomenOwned Small Business categories. Smith explained that the maximum practicable utilization of small business concerns is a matter of national interest with both social and economic benefits.
GTMO SHOPPER
MOVIES
E-mail classified ad submissions to
PAO-CLASSIFIEDADS@ USNBGTMO.NAVY.MIL If sent to any other e-mail, it may not be published. Submit your ad NLT noon Wednesdays for that week’s Gazette. Ads are removed after two weeks. Re-submit the ad to re-publish. The Gazette staff and NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, page. The Public Affairs Office has final editorial discretion on all content. Call MCC Keith Bryska at 4520 with your questions or concerns. Please keep ads to a minimum of 5 items.
VEHICLES 1992 Red Geo Tracker $900, 5 speed manual Transmission, I have maintenance Record, For Test Drive Please Call 77219
ELECTRONICS Starband dish system for sale $450 call mark @ 75849 or email skilbert_1981@yahoo.com great for skype in your home 1. SONY BRAVIA KDL-40W600B 40 inch TV asking $350 or Best Offer, 2. BOSE SOLO TV Sound System asking $300 or Best Offer, 3. SONY BDP-S1200 Blu Ray player $50 or Best offer. All items are less than 9 months old. Call 84413
The
scoop
HOLIDAY FLIGHTS Do you plan on leaving the base over the holidays? If so, please be aware there are several changes to the dates the flights will be departing due to the holiday schedule. For more information please check out the base roller. VOLUNTEER Are you passionate about helping others with finances? Would you like to learn about tax preparation and assist junior service members? Well you are in luck! GTMO’s Tax Assistance Center needs volunteers for the 2014 tax year. Requirements are as follows; you must be an E6 or above, your PRD must be later than June 2015, you must be able to complete online self-paced IRS certification training by Feb. 2015 and you must be able to commit 30 or more hours of volunteer work over the course of six months. Call 4692 for more information.
D-Link Wireless “N” Router w/install PENGUIN PATCH CD ($25), Please contract Steven @ W.T. Sampson elementary 55352 New Motorola W270 Cell Phone in the box with SIM card and Charger a $180.00 value for only $70.00. Email Tom at tfedaie@cableone.net CMC Powerlift Transom Jack for Outboard Motor w/install instructions ($100), MARES minimini sten - Pneumatic Spear Gun w/ holster ($75), Please contract Steven @ 55352
Charcoal grill smoker/cooker 35.00, Kingsford dome grill small dent on top with side table and cover 50.00, Glass top bar (very good condition) with 3 chairs (good condition) 75.00, Men’s Mongoose bike, rear tire slightly bent but does not inhibit riding 45.00, GE juicer never used 30.00, Please call 77271 leave message if no answer
MISC
Men’s Jeans and Pants, $5 to $10 each. Please call 77113
December 5, 2014• PAGE 7
DOWNTOWN LYCEUM
FRIDAY 7 p.m.: Nightcrawler 9 p.m.:
Dec 5
R
Horrible Bosses 2 R
SATURDAY
Dec 6
ELF (Will play after the Holiday Parade) PG
SAC MEETING W.T. Sampson School Advisory Committee is holding a meeting Dec. 8 from 1730 to 1830 at the W.T. Sampson Media Center. All parents are invited to attend. For more information call 3500.
SUNDAY Dec 7 6:30 p.m.: The Book of Life
MONDAY 7 p.m.: The Best of Me
Dec 8
ENTRY CLEARANCE As of Oct. 3 the previous Entry Clearance form was rescinded and replaced by SECNAV Form 5512/1. Personnel requesting access to the installation will continue to route forms through their Department Head and Housing prior to submission to the Security Office for vetting. For questions contact 4151 or 2249.
TUESDAY 7 p.m.: Fury
Dec 9
8 p.m.:
PG
St. Vincent PG13
PG13
R
WEDNESDAY 7 p.m.: John Wick
Dec 10
R
THURSDAY Dec 11 The Hunger Games Pt 7 p.m. 1
PG13
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
HOLIDAY ROTATOR CHECK-IN HOURS
OUTDOOR REC.
Hawaiian sling 5’ $30. Call 74148, leave msg if not answer
will be holding their Penguin Patch Party Dec. 12 from 1830 to 2030 in the elementary school gym. Dress in your pajamas and bring a blanket or sleeping bag and watch the animated movies: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas. This event is open to all W.T. Sampson Elementary students and Homeschool students.
JAX/NORFOLK PASSENGERS
KINGSTON PASSENGERS
• 23 DECEMBER FLIGHT-
• •
• 26 DECEMBER FLIGHT-
•
• •
22 DEC CHECK IN AT ANNEX FROM 1300-1800 24 DEC CHECK IN AT ANNEX FROM 0800-1200
• 30 DECEMBER FLIGHT•
29 DEC CHECK IN AT ANNEX FROM 1200-1800
• 02 JANUARY FLIGHT•
31 DEC CHECK IN AT ANNEX FROM 0800-1200
• • •
17 DECEMBER SHOWTIME 0700 16 DECEMBER CHECK IN 14301800 23 DECEMBER SHOWTIME 0700 &1200 22 DECEMBER CHECK IN 08001200 30 DECEMBER SHOWTIME 0700 29 DECEMBER CHECK IN 08001100
USS Arizona Survivor Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua D. Sheppard Defense Media Activity
Donald Stratton’s faded blue home is nearly indistinguishable from its neighbors. An American flag flies proudly in the yard, but that is normal for this community, which lies in the shadow of the U.S. Air Force Academy. The only telltale sign that this house is different is the small license plate placard on the back of his nearly decadeold Lincoln that reads “Pearl Harbor Survivor.” I didn’t quite know what to expect as I walked through the opening of the fence and stepped onto the weathered wooden deck leading to the front door. Stratton was there, along with his wife and son, all waiting to welcome me into their home. Even after 73 years, Stratton not only remembers, but eagerly wants to tell the story of what happened to him on Dec. 7, 1941. That fateful Sunday started as any other did; reveille, chow, holiday routine. It was the same routine that is commonplace onboard Navy vessels to this day. 19-yearold Seaman 1st Class Donald Stratton had drawn the short straw and was part of the duty section that was to remain onboard the Pennsylvania-class battleship USS Arizona. Stratton lingered on deck to grab a few oranges from the recent stores transfer to bring to a friend in sickbay. He was about to head below decks when the first Japanese planes were spotted. As soon as he identified the incoming aircraft as Japanese, Stratton ran to his general quarters station. He made it to the sky control platform before the call to general quarters was made. Stratton’s battle station was located on the foremast of Arizona, above and to the port of the bridge. As the attack unfolded, Arizona was struck by several bombs sustaining major, but repairable damage. Eventually the Japanese hit the forward part of the ship behind the number two turret. This bomb started a chain reaction
that penetrated and ignited the main magazine of Arizona. Stratton, from his battle station had a front row seat to the massive explosion, which would sink Arizona and take the lives of 1,177 Sailors. After the explosion, the dazed and badly burned men on the sky control platform were fighting for their survival. As the fires began to subside, they were able to call for a rope to be thrown over so they could climb to the relative safety of another boat. Stratton, burned on more than 65 percent of his body, had to muster the strength to pull himself more than 85 feet hand over hand above the ruined deck of Arizona. Eventually a mere handful of men were able to use that rope and escape the inferno that was once their home. Stratton was taken from the waterfront to a hospital where his long and arduous road to recovery would begin. Healing over the next year, Stratton was eventually medically discharged from the Navy and returned home. Not one for inaction, Stratton petitioned the Navy to allow him to reenlist. The Navy acquiesced and allowed him to re-join with the stipulation that he go through boot camp again. Upon completing boot camp, Stratton wanted to get back into action. Turning down offers from the Navy to remain at boot camp and push boots, he found his way into the pacific theater of the war and served on destroyers until he was discharged again at the end of the war. As time has passed, Stratton has made the journey to Pearl Harbor numerous times. He has made it his mission that people do not forget the events of Dec. 7, 1941. As we approach the 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, survivors of the attacks are dwindling in numbers. Stratton is one of only nine people still living that were onboard USS Arizona that fateful day. And we will never forget.
December 5, 2014• PAGE 7