15 minute read
AROUND NSA SOUDA BAY
Meritorious Advancements
Story and Photos by MC2 Kelly M. Agee, Public Affairs
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Capt. Rafael C. Facundo, NSA Souda Bay’s commanding officer, meritoriously advanced five Sailors March 16 during a ceremony in front of Building 1. During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Scott Gray, commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central, gave challenge coins to Team Souda’s newly-promoted Sailors for the outstanding work they do. Congratulations Shipmates!
Newly-appointed Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Henry Waterman
Waterman, a native of Gaston, N.C., has been in the Navy for 2 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 8 months.
As a member of the Air Operations department, he makes sure incoming aircraft will have a parking spot on the flight line and that they receive fuel. Waterman said the third class petty officer’s crow is a reflection of his hard work.
“To me it is the symbol of the hard work that I’ve put in up to this point,” said Waterman. “It is also a reminder that hard work doesn’t go unrecognized.”
Newly-appointed Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Jordan Wang
Wang, a native of Edgewood, Ky., has been in the Navy for 1 year and 8 months and at NSA Souda Bay for 1 year and 4 months.
Wang is a member of the Security Department, where he stands watch at the gate. He is also duty arms qualified, which means he is responsible for issuing weapons to the master-at-arms in his section; making sure all weapons are returned to the armory; and for cleaning and maintaining the weapons.
Wang said his section helped him receive his new crow.
“I’ve been working hard to try and get to this point,” said Wang. “It shows that hard work pays off. Also, I can’t be where I’m at without my section, Alpha section. They really pushed me hard to get where I’m at. I give my success to them.”
Newly-appointed Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Logann Parker
Parker, a native of Columbus, Ohio, has been in the Navy for 4 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 7 months.
Parker is a member of the Security department’s Military Working Dog division, where she trains her military working dog, Astra. Parker and Astra search vehicles and buildings to keep Team Souda safe.
Parker said earning her 2nd class petty officer crow motivates her to keep learning about her career field.
“I’d like to thank everyone in the kennel because they all played a part in getting me here,” said Parker. “It also relit a fire in my love for the Navy. I’ve always loved my job but I’m ready to expand on the MA rate and get more information in K-9 in general.”
Newly-appointed Master-at-Arms 1st Class Brittany Adkins
Adkins, a native of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., has been in the Navy for 10 and a half years and at NSA Souda Bay for 2 years.
Adkins is a member of the Security Department, standing post at the front gate and conducting roving patrols to keep Team Souda safe.
Adkins said she is happy her hard work resulted in earning her 1st class petty officer crow.
“I fully believe that I have put in the effort to earn this advancement and I am highly grateful for being chosen to put on the crow of a first class petty officer.”
Newly-appointed Master-at-Arms 1st Class Luis E. Reynosoluna
Reynosoluna, a native of Los Angeles, has been in the Navy for 9 years and 3 months at NSA Souda Bay for 1 year and 9 months.
Reynosoluna is a member of the Security Department, where he is the Weapons Division leading petty officer. He is also the repair parts petty officer and a member of the Command Resilience Team.
Reynosouluna said the 1st class petty officer crow symbolizes leadership.
“I hope by earning this crow I can lead more junior Sailors and help them achieve their goals and help them with their career paths.”
Newly-appointed Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Tierra Steeples
Steeples received her Certificate of Advancement from Navy Capt. Rafael C. Facundo during an awards ceremony March 30.
Steeples, a native of Lynchburg, Va., has been in the Navy for 2 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 1 year.
Steeples is a member of the Security Department, standing post at the front gate and conducting roving patrols to keep Team Souda safe.
Steeples said she plans on mastering her job field and taking care of junior Sailors.
“I want to master my job and then take care of my junior Sailors. So, execute the mission first and then take care of the Sailors executing the mission.”
Newly-appointed Legalman 1st Class Tyler Belz
Belz was mertirouisoly advanced by Capt. Christopher Greer, commanding officer, Region Legal Services Office Europe, Africa Central, during a virtual ceremony on March 18. Pictured above, Legalman 1st Class Erica Tapia shows off Belz's new 1st Class Petty Officer crows in front of Building 1 March 31. Belz, a native of Long Island, N.Y., has been in the Navy for 6 years and 5 months and at NSA Souda Bay for a year.
Belz is a member of the Legal Department, processing legal documents and helping with military justice and legal assistance for Team Souda members.
Belz said the crow symbolizes the knowledge that gets passed down from leaders to junior Sailors.
"I want to pass the same lessons that have been passed to me from previous leaders because as a first class I want to be able to pass that knowledge to my junior Sailors. By doing this I can help them grow and achieve success the same way my leaders helped me achieve success.” Page 29
Navy Region EURAFCENT Commander Recognizes Team Souda Sailors
Photos by MC2 Kelly M. Agee, Public Affairs
Rear Adm. Scott Gray took time during his visit March 16 –17 to recognize a few of Team Souda's Sailors for the outstanding work that they do. Congratulations Shipmates!
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Natalie Ruiz
Chief Boatswain's Mate Passion Richmond
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Scott Fontana
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Ryan Motley
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Eddie Estrada
U.S. Sixth Fleet Commander Recognizes Team Souda Members
Photos by MC2 Kelly M. Agee, Public Affairs
Vice Adm. Eugene Black III recognized NSA Souda Bay team members for their outstanding support provided to the Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on March 26.
Congratulations to our outstanding team members!
Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Edward Watson, Air Operations
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Aisling Glover, Port Operations
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Daniel Keaton, Port Operations
Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Jason Reese, Port Operations
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Frankie Perez, Port Operations
Master-at-arms 1st Class Ryan Young, Security Department
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Nathan Taylor, Security Department
Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Jylene Lopez, Security Department
Utilitiesman Constructionman Brandon Salmon, Public Works
Utilitiesman Constructionman Ryan Sanders, Public Works
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelly M. Agee, Public Affairs Photo by Kostas Fantaousakis, Public Affairs
Manolis Mavomatakis, Public Works
Stavros Kopasis, Morale Welfare, and Recreation
Sophia Manos, Morale Welfare, and Recreation
Team Souda Members Receive Awards for Supporitng USS Eisenhower Port Visit
Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
Navy Capt. Rafael Facundo, commanding officer, recognized Team Souda members during a ceremony on March 30 for their outstanding support provided during the Nimitiz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) port visit in March.
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals: Lt. Elsie Dominquez, Military Sealift Command (not pictured) Chief Boatswain's Mate Passion Richmond, Port Operations Chief Master-at-Arms David Dwyer, Security Department Chief-Master-at-Arms Christopher Fajkus, Security Department Chief-Mater-at-Arms Sarah Horvath, Security Department
Letter of Commendation George Drikakis, Port Operations Effie Papadakis, Protocol (not pictured)
Chief Boatswain's Mate Passion Richmond, Port Operations
Chief Master-at-Arms David Dwyer, Security Department
Chief Master-at-Arms Christopher Fajkus, Security Department
George Drikakis, Port Operations
Chief Master-at-Arms Sarah Horvath, Security Department receives her Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from Capt. Facundo on March 31.
“Fair Winds and Following Seas” to Cmdr. Werner Rauchenstein
Story and photos by MC2 Kelly M. Agee, Public Affairs
Cmdr. Rauchenstein salutes as he is pipped ashore.
NSA Souda Bay held a retirement ceremony for Cmdr. Werner Rauchenstein on March 12 in the Chapel. The ceremony celebrated Rauchenstein’s 28 years of service in the Navy, in which he served as NSA Souda Bay’s executive officer from February 2018 to February 2021.
During the ceremony, Rauchenstein said his goodbyes and thanked Team Souda for their hard work and support.
“The leaders in the wardroom and civilian department heads past and present have given me all the support that I required of them and much more,” said Rauchenstein.
“We have given ourselves to our missions and to Team Souda and we have grown together personally and professionally.
The same can be said for all of our Sailors and all of the civilians, Greek and American. Our team does not succeed without each and every one of them. You bring your unique brand of excellence, each of you, your own challenges and your best efforts here to Chania. We are not perfect, none of us, we grow and succeed together. I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for all your love and support.”
Cmdr. Rauchenstein cuts his retirement cake in the galley.
Cmdr. Rauchenstein receives his retirement letter from Navy CAPT Rafael C. Facundo, commanding officer.
Seabee Birthday Ceremony
Photo by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
NSA Souda Bay celebrated the 79th anniversary of the Naval Construction Forces, known as Seabees, by holding a ceremony in The Anchor on March 5. The ceremony also commemorated the 179th anniversary of the Navy Facilities Engineering Systems Command and 154th anniversary of the Civil Engineer Corps.
Chief Builder Jason Dardano, oldest Seabee, and Utilities Constructionman Recruit Zared Shultz, youngest Seabee, cut the cake in keeping with the longstanding tradition to recognize the oldest and youngest Seabees present.
ATC2 Emily Feldmann Reenlistment Ceremony
Story and photo by MC2 Kelly M. Agee, Public Affairs
Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Emily Feldman received her Certificate of Reenlistment from Navy Capt. Rafael C. Facundo, commanding officer, during her March 29 reenlistment ceremony in front of Building 1. Feldmann, a native of Anamosa, Iowa, has been in the Navy for 6 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 2 and a half years. She reenlisted for 2 more years.
Feldmann is a member of the Administration department where she assists Chief Navy Counselor Martha Madera, the command career counselor, with the paperwork for reenlistments, extensions and career development boards to help Sailors with their careers.
Feldmann said she reenlisted because she wants to finish her conversion into the Navy Counselor community and learn more about the rate to help her fellow Sailors.
"When I was on the (USS John C. Stennis) I saw a lot of Sailors that had problems utilizing their Navy benefits and I wanted to help them. I want to help Sailors in their career path, whether it be rate conversions, Sailors deciding to stay or Sailors that decide to get out of the Navy," she said.
Sailors Deliver Clothing Donations To Local Community Center
Photo by Lt. Michael Spoke, Command Chaplain
Volunteers from NSA Souda Bay delivered clothing donations to the Mouzouras Community Center on March 18. NSA Souda Bay's Chapel collects donations in support of the local community and schedules deliveries several times a year.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Arrives in Souda Bay
Photos by MC2 Kelly M. Agee, Public Affairs
Nimitz-class carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) arrived in Souda Bay, Greece, on March 20 for a scheduled port visit while on a routine deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national interests and security in Europe and Africa. To learn more about how Team Souda supported Dwight D. Eisenhower during its stay in Crete, read 'A Day in the Life: Supporting an Aircraft Carrier During Covid-19 Pandemic' on page 6.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) arrives in Souda Bay March 20.
Sailors look on as the Dwight D. Eisenhower moors pierside March 20.
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Suramy Marquez stands watch on the harbor patrol boat March 20.
CSADD Organizes Successful School Supply Drive
Story and photos by MC3 Timothy Ruple, AFN Souda Bay
NSA Souda Bay’s Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions participated in a School Supply Drive Feb. 22 to March 12.
The goal of the community service project was to collect donations for boys and girls who attend the Elementary School of Pazinos in Chania. CSADD coordinated with Lt. Michael Spoke, NSA Souda Bay command chaplain, and the base Public Affairs Office to arrange the delivery with the Parents’ Association President of the Elementary School of Pazinos, Yannis Kalitsakis.
CSADD Sailors volunteered to create donation boxes. They also set them up around NSA Souda Bay and spent three weeks raising awareness for this school supply drive. “It was an honor to be able to participate in this awesome community relations event,” said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Tierra Steeples, NSA Souda Bay’s CSADD president. “We look forward to being able to continue to give back to the community in the future and we want to thank everyone who took the time to volunteer. We especially want to thank those who donated, you are what made this event a true success.”
This is the third community service project that CSADD has been a part of during fiscal year 2021. In November 2020, the group collected food and clothing donations in Thanksgiving-themed baskets and delivered them to the Mouzouras Cultural Association; and in December 2020, they delivered holiday gifts to the St. Nektarios Girls Care Center and Daily Care Center for Children and Young Adults in Chania.
Utilitiesman 3rd Class Dodanin Agumedo (left), Yannis Kalitsakis, Parents’ Association President of the Elementary School of Pazinos (center), and Lt. Michael Spoke, command chaplain (right), unload boxes of donated supplies at the Elementary School of Pazinos, March 16.
Can You Handle the Heat? MWR Holds a Hot Wings Eating Contest
Story and photos by MC2 Kelly M. Agee, Public Affairs
Tears well up in Sailors‘ eyes as they chomp their way through plates of chicken wings doused in a variety of ridiculously hot sauces. You can see the pain in their eyes, but they won’t give up; they have made it this far. The Sailors are fighting to become the one and only champion of MWR’s Hot Wings Eating Contest. months. Ochs said he has always loved the challenge of eating spicy foods.
“I’ve done a couple of spicy food challenges on my own, not official ones,” said Ochs. “I’ve ordered ghost peppers online just to try them, and have tried a ton of different levels of hot sauces.”
Five NSA Souda Bay Sailors participated in a Hot Wings Eating Contest hosted by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department March 9 at the Liberty Center. The MWR Department continues to hold morale boosting events while following COVID-19 measures.
Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Drake Ochs, Gunner’s Mate Seaman Tezhane Williams and Aviation Ordnanceman Kamellen Gill enjoy free wings at the event.
“We have been trying to look up events that will help the Sailors get out of their rooms and not feel alone during the pandemic,” said Angelaki. “The chicken wings contest is very popular in the states and we wanted to make them feel like they are at home.”
The contest was open to all active-duty military members. There was no time limit to the contest; the Sailor who ended up eating the most wings was the winner of the contest and the first place prize was bragging rights. There were three levels of wings: mild, hot and extra hot.
Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Drake Ochs is the brave soul who won the challenge with a whopping 13 wings. Ochs, a native of Newton, Ill., has been in the Navy for fours years and at NSA Souda Bay for three Most importantly, Sailors from departments ranging from Security, Naval Munitions Command to American Forces Network laughed, listened to music, while enjoying free wings with each other during the event.
“I’ve had a good time tonight. You really get to bond with your fellow Sailors on the base and (eat) free food,” said Ochs.
Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Drake Ochs, the winner of the contest, finishes off his final wing.
For more Liberty Center activities check out MWR’s facebook page at https://m.facebook. com/cretemwr.
TRANSCOM Commander Visits NSA Souda Bay
Photos by MC2 Kelly M. Agee, Public Affairs
Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, commander, U.S. Transportation Command visited the installation March 23-24.
During the visit he toured the installation and the Marathi NATO Pier Facility.
Capt. Facundo greets Lyons as he arrives at the installation March 23.
Lyons, second from right, speaks with NSA Souda Bay team members in the air terminal on the installation March 24.
Lyons, right, speaks with Hellenic Navy Commodore Ioannis Sarrigiannis, commander, Hellenic Naval Base Souda, middle, and Navy Capt. Rafael C. Facundo, commanding officer, NSA Souda Bay, left, at the Marathi NATO Pier Facility, March 24.
MWR Sports New Radio-Controlled Cars
Photos by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation team has some new toys for Team Souda to play with – remote-controlled cars. The Triad took the four Traxxas Rustler VXL RC cars out for a test drive around a temporary track on the ballfield March 2 … and they approved!
In April, MWR will be holding Racing Competitions on the softball field:
Thursday, April 8 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 10 from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 22 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24 from 3 to 5 p.m.
The event is open to all adults. First and second place winners will receive MWR gift cards. Registration deadline is two days before each event at Community Recreation in Building 61. For more information, call 266-1355.
Cmdr. Michael Mosi, executive officer; Navy Capt. Rafael Facundo, commanding officer; and CMDCM Brian McDonough, command master chief; take the RC cars for a test drive around the track on the ballfield March 2.
Joshua Aponte-Rivera, MWR manager, sets up a remotecontrolled car on the ballfield March 2.
