December 2017 - January 2018
The Beacon Warfighting First, Operate Forward, Be Ready
Commanding Officer, NSA Souda Bay Capt. Brad J. Collins Executive Officer LCDR Joshua F. Jones Command Master Chief CMDCM Neal T. Olds
Beacon Staff/Public Affairs Office Jacky Fisher
Public Affairs Officer, 266-1244
Joel Diller
Assistant Public Affairs Officer, 266-1392
Kostas Fantaousakis
Community Relations, 266-1348
MC2 Chase Martin
Public Affairs Specialist, 266-1642
Contact Email (All PAO personnel):
SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil
The Beacon is the professional online newsletter of NSA Souda Bay Public Affairs. Information contained in The Beacon does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy. Editorial content is prepared by the Public Affairs Office of NSA Souda Bay. Articles for publication in The Beacon should be submitted to SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil Story submissions must be routed through tenant command or departmental senior leadership. Security and policy review must be completed before submissions can be considered for publication.
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Contents
Beacon layout design by Kostas Fantaousakis
A scenic view of the Venetian Harbor in Chania. Greece is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. (Photo by LT Andrew Stopchick, NSA Souda Bay)
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State of the Base
The Gouge
Community Outreach
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16 Awards & Frockings
Santa Run Chania 2017
Base Events & Information
ON THE COVER: A Santa is spotted paddle-boarding in Chania's Old Harbor during the sixth annual Santa Run Chania on December 26, 2017. Personnel from Naval Support Activity Souda Bay were among the jolly masses sharing in spreading good cheer. (Photo by Joel Diller)
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State of the Base
Team Souda,
W
e closed out 2017 very quietly … with an almost routine optempo, completely unlike how we performed throughout the year. 2017 was packed with accomplishments, ‘firsts’, and even record-breaking events.
I’d like to start by thanking all of those that stood watch over the holidays. Our ability to allow some members leave while maintaining our mission effectiveness is a testament to how you, Team Souda, professionally conduct yourselves each and every day. We kicked off 2017 with two port visits conducted by USS George H.W. Bush. This evolution tested and stretched every single department on this installation both topside and at the piers. When we had to repeat Page 4
the same thing over again in less than 30 days … your effort remained phenomenal! With Bush in the AOR, it gave us the unique opportunity to support the airlift of 100 HOME (Help Our Military Endure) care packages sent by Baily Uzelmeier, a patriotic young lady, in Texas. With guidance from both Legal & Supply, the packages were sent here as their intermediate stop. Coordination continued with Air Ops, VRC-40’s beach det, and both Bush and Souda’s Public Affairs teams, resulting in many Sailors enjoying the normal trappings of a well-packed home care package. First in the Region and setting the bar high, our Security team along with the EOC and Audrey Champagne (a department of one) positioned this installation to be the first to pass FEP. Many months
of preparation, hard work and training paid off, and we set the standard for other installations to follow. Along with being in Regions’ sights, NSA Souda Bay was in PBS’ spotlight where we were featured in the series, This is America & The World. I was proud to tout our mission of supporting fleet, fighter and family to the host, Mr. Dennis Wholey. I had the opportunity to speak to the close and reciprocal relationships we have with the Hellenic Navy at the Marathi NATO pier complex and the Hellenic Air Force here on the 115th Combat Airwing base. This event would not have happened if not for the assistance of Effie Papadakis (the Protocol ‘Army of one’) and the Public Affairs teams from here and Region. Despite the many moving parts, it could not have gone any better.
Navy Exchange Souda Bay had a banner year themselves, being awarded the 2016 Bingham Award for category 5 (sales between $4 and $9 million dollars). Although Souda Bay is considered a ‘small installation’, throughout the year our population grows with transiting units, some here for a few days, others for months. NEX personnel proved themselves dedicated to the mission of supporting you. We’re blessed to have them as a part of Team Souda. You’ve seen Public Works Department working on the base, such as the on-going project cutting in to the main road causing a slight detour. That work is in coordination with the N6 sponsored project to deliver fiber optic connectivity to us and bolstering, among other things, better internet connection. What you may not have seen is PWD at work in the middle of the running track located just past the auxiliary parking lot. It doesn’t look like much now, but when
complete there will be a smooth, rubber coasted surface people can use to stretch and do calisthenics; a welcome change for future PRTs. We closed the year with the annual Christmas gift and food drive in support of four local organizations that care for and feed many children and families in the community. The Command Chaplain and PA worked with Sailors from NSA Souda Bay and organizations like the newly minted Souda Bay Overseas Support Group and the Souda Bay Retiree Association to deliver what was characterized as ‘a record number of donations’ by the directors of the organizations. Amazing!
I could go on, but you get the idea. From topside to Marathi, NSA Souda Bay stands ready to meet each and every challenge. One month into 2018 and we’re gearing up for another busy year. I anticipate 2018’s State of the Base report will be full with more accomplishments. Keep up the pace, keep your head on a swivel, and thank you for your continued service.
~ CO
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THE GOUGE EVENTS - FLIGHTLINE ACTIVITY - PORT OPERATIONS
renovation walkthRough
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ol. Ioannis Birmpilis, commanding officer, Hellenic Air Force 115th Combat Wing (left), Bruce Gale, Foreign Nation program manager (center) and Capt. Brad Collins, commanding officer Naval Support Activity Souda Bay (right), conduct a walk-through of the renovated armory facility and dormitory December 18, 2017.
frg bake sale
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hildren from the Souda Bay Overseas Support Group advertise for Kids Christmas Bake Sale on base in the Navy Exchange parking lot December 12.
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ass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Petty Officer Mario Soto interviews Susan Arico and her children to advertise the Souda Bay Overseas Support Group’s Kids Christmas Bake Sale on December 6 (left). Mrs. Arico and her children participated in the collection and delivery of holiday gifts (right) Page 6
sECURITY dRILL
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aster-at-Arms Petty Officer 3rd Class Kierra Bradley, Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 2nd Class Gerardo Preciado, and Master-at-Arms Seaman Hannah Hill participate in a training exercise on base December 6, 2017.
home care packages delivery
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arines from Combat Logistics Battalion 6 (CLB-6), part of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) Crisis Response-Africa unit out of Sigonella, Italy, received some holiday cheer upon their arrival at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay. Twenty HOME – Help Our Military Endure – care packages sent from Ms. Bailey Uzelmeier of Houston, Texas, were waiting to greet the Marines just before Christmas Eve. CLB-6 finished a deployment where they taught the Uganda People's Defense Force how to use the lightweight water purification system to purify water from a water source in Jinja, Uganda. On their return trip to Sigonella the unit transited through NSA Souda Bay 23 December 2017 for a one-night layover. To learn more about HOME, visit www. helpourmilitaryendure.org or www.facebook.com/ HelpOurMilitaryEndure. Page 7
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Community Outreach Project
NSA Souda Bay's Multicultural Heritage Committee organized a park clean-up community outreach project in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "Day of Service" federal holiday at the Agioi Apostoloi park in Chania, Greece.
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Delivery of Holiday Gifts and Donations Photos by Kostas Fantaousakis, Public Affairs
December 22, 2017. The boys from the Daily Care Center for Children and Young Adults of Chania join NSA Souda Bay volunteers for a group photo during the delivery of holiday gifts to the Center.
December 21, 2017. Lt. Carl D. Scroggs, NSA Souda Bay Command Chaplain, with Deputy Mayor of Chania, Ms. Eleftheria Alifieraki, at the Chania Municipality Community Support Center (Κοινωνικό Παντοπωλείο). Volunteers delivered a significant amount of school supplies and holiday gifts for local families in need supported by the center.
December 21, 2017. Volunteers from NSA Souda Bay delivered holiday gifts including sports shoes for all girls to the St. Nektarios Girls Care Center of Chania.
December 21, 2017. Volunteers from NSA Souda Bay delivered a significant amount of food supplies and a brand new bicycle including safety gear to the Smile of the Child Organization in support of their Christmas Bazaar. This organization stands by missing children, children with health issues and in need of support and is the largest child support organization in Greece. Page 9
Santa Run
Chania
Photos and story by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
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Spreading Good Cheer at the Santa Run Chania
he sixth annual Santa Run Chania filled the streets of downtown Chania with a sea of red and white Santa suits on December 26, 2017. Spotted among the jolly masses sharing in spreading good cheer were personnel from Naval Support Activity Souda Bay. Registered participants were given a numbered bib, bracelet, whistle, and a full Santa suit to wear. While the Santa-enthusiasts assembled in the schoolyard of the First Chania High School, a master of ceremonies dressed as an elf rallied the crowd as a live band blasted rock music. Like the moment Santa arrives on the rooftop, the time finally came for a squad of Santa’s elves to lead the parade out of the yard, down the main street, and toward the Old Venetian Harbor. Whistling and singing all the way, the parade-goers funneled through the city streets, occasionally stopping to perform a group wave or to gather around a table to grab a cup of cheer (or juice for the underage Santas). Upon reaching the Old Harbor plaza by the Mosque of the Janissaries, some Santas formed a giant circle to dance the Kalamatianos, a traditional Greek folk dance, while other Santas were spotted in the harbor cruising along in boats and on paddle boards. The parade completed its circular route and made its way back to the starting point where more live music and festivities were enjoyed by all into the cold, December night. No official time was kept and no medals were awarded because all the participants were winners, and proceeds from the registration went to aid local children in need. According to its website, the Santa Run was started by a group of friends, which then turned into a volunteer group, for the sole purpose of raising money for institutions that take care of children with health issues. The group has donated 320,000 euros to four institutions, and this year they hope to raise an additional 100,000 euros for the children in need. For more information on this annual event hosted by Santa Run Chania, go to www.santarunchania.com. If you’re on the island for Christmas 2018, consider participating in this holiday event. Page 10
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New Motorcycle Training Coming 2018
Story by Jerry Hollenback, Safety Director
Fiscal year 2017 saw the biggest rise in motorcycle fatalities in the Navy and Marine Corps since 2008. The Marine Corps will begin implementing a new motorcycle training program called the Rider’s Essential Skills Training (REST). The new training will emphasize basic fundamentals along with advanced safety techniques for riding at higher speeds (a skill set not provided in current Motorcycle Safety Foundation training). The Navy has decided to use REST as well, and riders should see a change to the current curriculum later this year.
Photo by MC2 Chase Martin
In the meantime if you ride, don’t ever get complacent. Curves and intersections are where most riders die. Keep learning about your motorcycle’s capabilities, share information with other riders, take more classes, practice what you learn, and ride safe!
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Want to Participate in a Community Outreach Project? POC: Kostas Fantaousakis, Community Relations Specialist. Call 266-1348 or 694-043-1157 • E-mail: konstantinos.fant.gr@eu.navy.mil • All Hands emails are sent calling for volunteers • Ask to join the ComRel projects volunteers distro list.
Got a ComRel idea? Contact PA for guidance. We volunteer, but ALWAYS provide quality service!
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Awards at Quarters January 2018 Photo by Jacky Fisher
AMC HING MA1 CROCKETT MA1 BUTH MA1 KAIWI MA1 SPEARS ABH2 GRAY
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AWARDEES
AC2 LORENZO BM2 STUCKERT MA2 KING MA2 SOMERS MA2 WARD MA2 WOLFF
ABH3 GRAY AC3 CASE MA3 JONES MA3 KRUM MA3 KNORR MA3 ORLOFF
MA3 SHEFFIELD ABHAA KEMP MASN SMITH