THE
BEACON U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece
February 2021
The Beacon
THE BEACON Warfighting First, Operate Forward, Be Ready
Warfighting First, Operate Forward, Be Ready
Commanding Officer, NSA Souda Bay Capt. Ryan T. Tewell Capt. Rafael C. Facundo COMMANDING OFFICER Executive Officer Michael Mosi EXECUTIVE Cmdr. OFFICER WernerCmdr. J. Rauchenstein COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM Brian McDonough Command Master Chief CMDCM Neal T. Olds THE BEACON NEWSLETTER PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER ASSISTANT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIALIST PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
Beacon Staff/Public Affairs Office
Carolyn Jackson Joel Diller Kostas Fantaousakis MC2 Kelly Agee
Public Affairs Officer, 266-1244 HOW TO CONTACT US Assistant Public Affairs Officer, 266-1392 Joel Diller EMAIL SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil ONLINE www.cnic.navy.mil/SoudaBay Community Relations, 266-1348 Kostas Fantaousakis PHONE +30 28210-21348 WRITE PSC814 BOX 1, FPO, AE, 09266 FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK facebook.com/NSASoudaBay SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil Contact Email (All PAO personnel): FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @NSA_SoudaBay FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM instagram.com/NSASoudaBay Jacky Fisher
TheBeacon Beaconisisthe theprofessional professionalonline onlinenewsletter newsletterofofNSA NSASouda SoudaBay Bay Public Affairs.Information Information contained The Public Affairs. in The Beacon notdoes necessarily reflect the official views views of theof U.S. the Department contained in Thedoes Beacon not necessarily reflect the official the Government, U.S. Government, the of Defense or the Department of the Navy. Editorial content is prepared by the Public Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy. Editorial content is prepared by theAffairs PublicOffice of NSA Souda Bay. Affairs Office of NSA Souda Bay. for publication The Beacon should be submitted to SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil ArticlesArticles for publication in The in Beacon should be submitted to SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil Story submissions must be routed through tenant command or departmental leadership. Story submissions must be routed through tenant command or departmental senior senior leadership. Securityand and policy review must completed before submissions canconsidered be considered for publication. Security policy review must bebe completed before submissions can be for publication.
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Contents February 2021
36
First COVID-19 Vaccinations Administered
4
6
Triad Corner
Around NSA Souda Bay
22
44
by CAPT Rafael Facundo, Commanding Officer
Chief Pinning Ceremony
Awards, Reenlistments, Events, Operations
Day In The Life: Training
12 Souda Spotlight
IT2 Marco Duarte Meet the New Leaders
52
Word on the Street:
If you could travel to any time, when would you go?
Front Cover: Chief Air Traffic Controller Daniel Ferdinand salutes as he passes through the sideboys during a Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony Jan. 29. Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs. The Parting Shot: Hospital Corpsman Seaman Jesse Peterson prepares a dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 12. Photo by Joel Diller, Public Affairs.
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Triad Corner
Team Souda, How many of you are up for the challenge of walking into the Fitness Center and bench pressing 225 pounds right now? If you haven’t been training for it, you likely can’t do it without injuring yourself, no matter how much you ‘hope’ you can. Many of you have heard me say that I don’t like the word ‘hope.’ I like action. Simply ‘hoping’ for something to happen is a fool’s errand. Wishful thinking doesn’t keep an operation running. And it doesn’t let you succeed in the Fitness Center, or at whatever your personal goal might be. Making a plan and then executing it is what leads to mission accomplishment. Measured, consistent movement forward is what gets you to your goal. What do we do then, when life throws us a curveball like COVID-19, changing our lives drastically in ways we never could have imagined at this time last year? Or when we receive a year-long overseas assignment without our families? Or we get bad news from home? This is when we must be resilient – which is our ability to overcome adversity rather than letting it overwhelm us. Being resilient allows you to count on yourself, not to simply ‘hope’ for a positive outcome. It gives you control, even in the most difficult Page 4
circumstances, by helping you come to terms with what you can’t control and finding ways to navigate within those boundaries. Consider Medal of Honor Recipient Vice Admiral James Stockdale. He served on active duty in the regular Navy for 37 years, most of those years as a fighter pilot aboard aircraft carriers. Shot down on his third combat tour over North Vietnam, he was the senior naval prisoner of war in Hanoi for seven and one-half years – tortured 15 times, in solitary confinement for over four years, in leg irons for two. An excerpt of his story is found in this Navy.mil article*: It was late morning on Sept. 9, 1965, when Stockdale, flying a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, left the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA 34) for a mission over North Vietnam. Soon after, he flew into a tree-top flak trap. Within seconds, the Skyhawk was on fire and Stockdale ejected over a small village. Then he heard bullets ripping through his parachute canopy. No sooner than he disengaged from the chute when villagers defending their community got the “quarterback sack of the century,” Stockdale stated in a 2001 Academy of Achievement interview**. The pilot was tackled by 10-to15 young men who beat him for three or four minutes until a police official took Stockdale into
custody. His injuries included a broken bone in his back and a badly broken leg. Stockdale knew the broken bones in his left leg would likely cripple him for life. He recalled the teachings of Epictetus, a Greek-speaking Stoic philosopher Stockdale studied while earning his master’s degree in philosophy at Stanford University just three years earlier. Epictetus, born a slave, had undergone torture that left him permanently injured: “Lameness is an impediment to the leg, but not to the will; and say this to yourself with regard to everything that happens. For you will find such things to be an impediment to something else, but not truly to yourself.” Stockdale was transported to Hanoi and imprisoned in the Hoa Lo Prison, or Hanoi Hilton as the prisoners of war called it. Over the course of nearly 8 years in captivity, Stockdale led his fellow prisoners by example, as noted in the citation for his Medal of Honor, which he received in 1976: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while senior naval officer in the Prisoner of War camps of North Vietnam. Recognized by his captors as the leader in the Prisoners' of War resistance to interrogation and in their refusal to participate in propaganda exploitation, Rear Adm. Stockdale was singled out for interrogation and attendant torture after he was detected in a covert communications attempt. “We had a war to fight and were committed to fighting it from lonely concrete boxes,” Stockdale said during his Academy of Achievement interview. “Our very fiber and sinew were the only weapons at our disposal. Each man's values from his own private sources provided the strength enabling him to maintain his sense of purpose and dedication. They placed unity above self. Self-indulgence was a luxury that could not be afforded.” When asked in the same interview how he survived psychologically, Stockdale replied, “I don’t know. I didn’t feel like I had more vitality than the next one. I had things to do. I was alone
a lot, and I found ways to talk to myself and to bolster my own morale. I was getting occasional letters from my wife, Sybil. And she would from me. She probably wrote 50 and I got six, and I probably wrote 20 and she got two or something like that.” Stockdale and his fellow POWs were released on Feb. 12, 1973, during Operation Homecoming. “When I was released, I called Sybil, of course, and we had a very, very loving conversation. She said, “How is your – how are your wounds?” And I said, “Well I can’t bend one leg, and I can’t raise one arm, but I think the walk kind of gives me a sense of style.” And she laughed on that. She thought that was wonderful that I was making fun of that leg business.” Stockdale navigated nearly 8 years of hell with commitment, patience, a sense of humor, and an action-oriented approach – qualities of a resilient person. What are you navigating? COVID lockdowns? Being away from your family? Learning a new job? Whatever it is, know this: Just like we train our physical muscles, your resiliency muscle is something you can train and make stronger – no matter what personal challenges you face. We have resources right here to help you make a plan. Denise Prendergast at Fleet and Family Support Center is a Resiliency Counselor and can work one-on-one with you or she can facilitate small group sessions. You can reach her at 266-1690. Stay Strong and Stay Safe!
~ Skipper
*You can read the full article at: https:// usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/2015/11/13/navylegend-vice-adm-stockdale-led-pow-resistance/ **You can find the Academy of Achievement interview here: https://achievement.org/achiever/ admiral-james-b-stockdale/#interview Page 5
AROUND NSA SOUDA BAY Awards
Reenlistments
Events
Operations
Staff Sgt. Logan Holbrook Reenlistment Ceremony Photo by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
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taff Sgt. Logan Holbrook recites the Oath of Reenlistment given by Capt. Lissette Loughlin, information integration officer, 488th Intelligence Squadron, during his Jan. 4 reenlistment ceremony on the wing of an RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft. Holbrook, a native for Hornell, N.Y., is an airborne cryptologist language analyst and has been in the Air Force for 5 and a half years and at NSA Souda Bay for 2 months. He reenlisted for 5 more years. Holbrook said about his time at NSA Souda Bay, “It’s great. It’s beautiful. Definitely the reenlistment was a highlight of my deployment.”
Yeoman 3rd Class Dante Miner Reenlistment Ceremony Photos by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
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eoman 3rd Class Dante Miner recites the Oath of Reenlistment given by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Timothy Thurman, administration officer, during his Jan. 5 reenlistment ceremony in front of Building 1. Miner, a native of Detroit, Mich., has been in the Navy for 7 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 2 years. He reenlisted for 3 more years. Miner is a member of the Administration Department and said his role is, “to assist my leading petty officer, (Yeoman 1st Class), and the (administration officer) with all the paperwork and correspondence – all the necessary things that I need to do on my end to make their jobs better.”
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He said he aspires to learn more about his job and to be promoted in the next three years and that it was his grandfather who inspired him to reenlist. My late grandfather always wanted to join the Navy but he was unable to because he chose to take care of his family instead. So one of his wishes was for his grandsons to do it, so I did it in his honor.
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Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Kyle Kaniper Reenlistment Ceremony Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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aster-at-Arms 3rd Class Kyle Kaniper recites the Oath of Reenlistment given by Lt. Michael Spoke, command chaplain, via a cell phone held by Master-at-Arms Seaman Apprentice Connor Horton during Kaniper’s reenlistment ceremony Jan. 15. Kaniper, a native of Pensacola, Fla., has been in the Navy for 4 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 2 months. Kaniper is a member of the Security Department, standing post at the front gate and conducting roving patrols to keep Team Souda safe. He said his favorite thing about his job is the people he works with.
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(The) Security Department has great people and leadership. Everyone looks (out) for you and for each other and helps you to become a better master-at-arms and Sailor.
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Master-at-Arms 1st Class Michael Decarli Reenlistment Ceremony Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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aster-at-Arms 1st Class Michael Decarli recites the Oath of Reenlistment given by Ensign Christopher Gibbs, security officer, during his Jan. 19 reenlistment ceremony at the military working dog kennel. Decalri, a native of Evansville, Ind., has been in the Navy for 9 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 3 months. He reenlisted for 4 more years. Decarli is the Security Department’s kennel master and military working dog division leading petty officer, managing the explosive detection, drug detection and deployment training programs. He said his passion is helping the military working dog handlers train and get ready for deployment.
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I love K-9 and the working dog world. I like trying to make the military working dog unit a positive place for everyone to work.
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Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Ruple Frocking Ceremony Photos by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
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ewly-appointed Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Ruple receives his third class petty officer crow from Lt. Michael Spoke, NSA Souda Bay command chaplain, during a ceremony on Jan. 5 in front of Building 1. Ruple, a native of Spokane, Wash., has been in the Navy for 1 year and 8 months and at NSA Souda Bay for 1 year. Ruple is a member of American Forces Network Detachment Souda Bay where he is a radio DJ. He said he was not expecting to be a radio broadcaster because at “A” school he was trained on photography, videography and multimedia – not radio. Ruple will depart from NSA Souda Bay for Norfolk, Va., this month for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). “I’m glad that I actually got the chance to be a radio DJ here in Greece,” said Ruple. “But going on to the Fleet to do what I was actually trained to do – I’m excited to show what I got – show if my training has paid off, or not.”
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I feel like I’ve definitely put in a lot of good work and I feel like it’s paid off and it just makes me want to keep going. I’m excited to see what else the Navy has to offer and definitely going to try and make them proud.
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RENTER’S INSURANCE Do you have coverage and is it sufficient? Importance of Renter’s Insurance When living in government housing or on the economy, it is important to be covered with renter’s insurance. The Department of Defense does not provide renter’s insurance for government-owned/leased housing or rental housing on the economy. So, it is your responsibility – military members and civilians – to ensure protection of your possessions and liability coverage if there is an accident or natural disaster. It is important to have sufficient coverage on your renter’s insurance policy, too. Renter’s insurance generally covers your personal property, so a basic policy may not cover the cost of damages you made to your unit or rental home. Below are examples where residents have been charged for damage they caused to their homes. The military member or civilian did not have renter’s insurance, or their policy did not cover the damage they caused, so they were financially responsible. Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Resident put hot barbecue coals into a trash can next to the garage. The trash can caught fire and caused $15,000 in damages.
Resident did not adequately tighten the water supply hose to the washing machine, which allowed a slow leak to go undetected. It resulted in extensive mold growth behind the wall. Repair costs were more than $10,000.
Resident’s child clogged the toilet, causing an overflow and several thousand dollars of water damage to the home.
Understanding your Renter’s Insurance Policy It is important to understand what your renter’s insurance covers. Coverage varies between insurance providers. Some policies do not cover accidental damage you cause to your home like in the examples listed above. Other companies cover it under the liability coverage of the policy. And some companies may require you to purchase additional coverage beyond the basic policy, such as water and sewer backup coverage. To be sure your renter’s insurance covers costs for building damage you may accidentally cause. Ask the insurance agent, “Will my policy cover costs my landlord charges me to repair damages I cause to the rental unit? For example, if my child accidentally clogs the toilet or sink causing a water overflow and the flooring must be replaced?” If the answer is no, ask if the agent if there is supplemental coverage offered or look at other insurance policies that provide coverage for these types of damage. Protect yourself from unexpected expenses. Renter’s insurance is relatively inexpensive, often less than $20 a month depending on your coverage. Also, you may be able to bundle it with your auto insurance and save money. Your installation’s Legal Services Office is available to discuss insurance policy terms and conditions before you buy the policy.
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Souda Spotlight
Story and photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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Information Technology Specialist 2nd Class Marco Duarte
Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic Detachment Souda Bay
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nformation Systems Technician 2nd Class Marco Duarte, from San Diego, joined the Navy in April 2018 and was stationed at NSA Souda Bay in May 2019. He said he joined the Navy to find a career path. He chose the information technology job field because he was inspired by his step dad who is a Navy contractor and instructs information systems technicians. Duarte currently works at the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, Atlantic Detachment Souda Bay, where he helps Team Souda with network services and computer issues.
What does a typical day look like in NCTAMS?
We are a local network service center, so we support NSA Souda Bay and tenant commands for network services. We keep track of tickets, making sure that if people are having issues with their computers that we get them back to being operational, that is our primary duty. For example, if a user calls about something that is internal, like if their Outlook isn’t working on their computer, they will call the Help Desk in Naples. Then the Help Desk creates a ticket on a system called Remedy. After that they push it over to the Naples ITs and see what they can do remotely … if they can’t solve the problem it is then pushed to us so we can investigate and trouble shoot on our end. Now with COVID-19 and teleworking, we make sure that different users can switch from their desktop to laptops so they can work from home. We can assist them if they bring their work stations here, to (NCTAMS). We can look at the workstation directly and fix the issue. Most of the time these issues occur because of software changes or programs that need to be updated.
will open more job opportunities for Sailors that can transfer to the civilian world. Also, it’s a growing industry … so you won’t have issues when you get out of the Navy looking for a job. What do you like to do outside of work? Sight-seeing and hiking, I really enjoy doing that, mainly for the photographs. When I am all the way on the top of a hill or mountain I enjoy taking time to stop and appreciate the view and nature. Also, I have the collateral duty as the senior RA (resident advisor) for the barracks… I create watch bills for the RAs. Every single day an RA will have duty, where the main priority is to make sure that the quality of life is up to par. If they hear a resident complain, they report the issue to Navy Gateway Inns & Suites. For example, if there is no hot water in their room. Also, we run barracks clean-ups every Monday, and conduct room inspections. I like it because I like the management position, I get to oversee the other RAs. It also feels good that I get to help people who live in the barracks with their quality of life.
Any advice for a Sailor wanting to become an IT?
What is something you want Souda Bay to know about NCTAMS?
I would highly recommend it, because being an IT provides a lot of field experience and the opportunity to get numerous qualifications, including security plus and network plus, which
We are here to help, we are a service center. We are all here to support the mission, whatever we can do to assist. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Page 13
Souda Spotlight - Meet the New Leaders Story and photo by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
Cmdr. Michael Mosi
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Executive Officer
mdr. Michael Mosi, a native of Cheverly, Md., enlisted in the United States Navy as an Ocean Systems Technician, Analyst in December 1992 under the Delayed Entry Program. In 2001 he was commissioned through the University of Florida’s NROTC program where he earned his undergraduate degree. Mosi received his Wings of Gold in May 2003, holds a Master of Business Administration from Webster University and is a graduate of the University of Foreign Military & Cultural Studies (Red Team Member). Mosi comes to Team Souda from Naval Support Activity Mid-South, Millington, Tenn., where he served as the executive officer. He brings experience from five deployments and participation in several operations. He said that he has “energy for days”, strives for excellence, and motivates and empowers people to do what they’re trained to do.
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Why did you decide to join the Navy? School. So, long story short, it was to go to school to become a doctor. Where I got derailed to become a naval aviator? God knows. But yeah, I joined for school. What experience in your career best prepared you for your role here? Most recent and immediate preparation is having done the job once before. So I’ve been an XO over at Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, Tenn. I was fortunate and unfortunate in the sense that I had the opportunity to build the way I did business from the ground up because I had a 6-month gap in the position when I took over. The bad thing is there was a 6-month gap so I had to learn the hard way. So I guess going through that process of having to understand everything without having someone give me a turnover has really been the best teacher preparing me for this particular job. Additionally, of course, having the benefit of having worked with all the peers that I’ve worked with, great leaders in the past, great Sailors that have mentored from both below and above, have all prepared me for this job now. What are you looking forward to most about your time in Greece? Some travel. That was one of the major decisions that my family and I, my wife and I made, in coming. My wife talked about travel and I had done extensive travel already being overseas so much, but then offering the same opportunity to my wife and especially to my kids. What I want to be able to do this time around is if I can’t do it personally, at least to afford my wife and kids the opportunity to travel out here. Once the lockdown is lifted, where are you going? Athens. Athens, first. So, of course having
the African decent and African background, we’re looking for international stores that have African foods. My wife cooks all the traditional meals and Athens is a place she has heard has a good variety of those stores. Plus, you’re overseas you hear nothing but Athens, Athens, Athens, Greece. You turn on International BBC’s weather channel and they talk about Greece, it’s Athens, Greece, so when you come to Greece — you got to go to Athens. What do you like to do in your free time? Play pranks on my kids [laughs]. I’m a family man, so it’s spending time with the kids, spending time with my wife. If it’s travel, it’s travel. If it’s cooking, it’s cooking. I like to cook as well. If it’s joshing around, that’s what I do. Before the wife and kids it was all travel, all about getting around. Now, it’s all about sharing these experiences with the family. What do you want Team Souda to know about you? I have energy for days. If they see me upbeat and happy all the time it’s not a fluke, it’s who I am. It’s not going to die down. And then, I strive for excellence in everything that I do and I expect that everybody that is with me on Team Souda gives me their absolute, personal best at striving for excellence. I don’t think we can achieve excellence because excellence is a high mark, but as long as we give our personal best effort toward attaining excellence we’re going to drive ourselves to being top notch and a well-oiled machine. I’m also extremely happy to be here. The people here have been phenomenal. To come to a place that calls themselves a Team before I even get here is a battle already won. Teamwork is what really is going to get us through everything. I talk about giving the absolute personal best, with all the energy I’ve got I’m going to give you my absolute personal best, no matter what. Page 15
Souda Spotlight - Meet the New Leaders
Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Salcido
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Operations Officer
t. Cmdr. Ryan Salcido, a native of Temple City, Calif., graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 2004 and enlisted in the Navy as an Avionics Technician. He was selected for Officer Candidate School in 2008. He earned his Wings of Gold as a Naval Flight Officer in October 2009 and was selected to fly the EA18G Growler. He studied Network Operations at the Naval Post-Graduate School and holds a Collection Management Fundamentals certificate from the Defense Intelligence Agency. Salcido comes to NSA Souda Bay from the “Gauntlets� of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 where he served as the operations, administrative and safety officer assigned to Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2) aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). He brings experience to Team Souda of more than 1000 flight hours, 22 combat missions, and 312 carrier arrested landings over multiple deployments and operations. He is stationed here with his wife and two sons. Page 16
What is the role of the operations officer? Operations is everything that we do to support all of the military missions. So, it’s the airfield. It’s the port. It’s helping aircraft get the fuel they need, and get the munitions and the ammunitions that they need to go execute their mission. It’s bringing in the ships so they can bring on (passengers) drop people off and do the logistics they need. And everything that encompasses: working lodging, working security, working with ammunition, and working with the fuel depot. There’s a lot pieces – people don’t really realize that just for a jet to take off 500 people have touched that in some way through the supply chain or through the logistics or support or even just safety, making sure that we are conducting operations safely and in accordance with our procedures and in accordance with our instructions.
group operations, and both of those times we had a lot of engagement with internationals, coalitions, allies and partners, all supporting operations. So, I feel like both of those jobs are going to help prepare me for realizing the stakeholders that are involved, all the complexities to actually making all the aircrafts and ships do what they need to do and getting through to support them. What are you looking forward to most about your time in Greece? We’re really looking forward to just the climate. This island is incredible. We’re looking forward to exploring. I love swimming and being in the water. The wife likes to hike, so it seems like it’s going to be awesome. I am also looking forward to this mission. I feel like we do some pretty badass stuff here and I’m looking forward to being a part of the team.
I need to make sure that we are synchronized and that the team has what they need to be What do you like to do in your free time? successful. I want to be in the water as much as possible Why did you decide to join the Navy? and be hanging with the family. I like to swim but I do want to get into diving, maybe spear When I was in college I was a bike fishing or diving, so I would like to try that. messenger in Manhattan so I had been to the Twin Towers and (was) familiar with New What do you want Team Souda to know York, so I definitely think it was that call to about you? service right after (9/11). So, I graduated I think I have a pretty good sense of humor so in ’04 and that was a hot and heavy time, let’s make it fun. Feel free to make fun of me I mean the wars were just starting to ramp and I’ll do the same to you. up, we didn’t know what was going on, so I figured I’d serve for a few years and maybe We have two boys: an 8-year-old and an make some money, but I feel like I just 11-year-old. Gabriel and Ilias. Funny thing is, wanted to serve. But I liked it so I decided to we named Ilias, which is a very Greek name, stay in. in Japan. Never even thought about coming to Greece, never knowing anything about What experience in your career best Greece, we just picked the name because prepared you for your role here? it felt like a good name, and we tell people I have both been at the (Combatant his name and they are ‘oh’ and know how to Command) level at (Pacific Command) where pronounce it. I worked at Camp Smith, which is PACOM headquarters, as well as at a strike group for an admiral out in Japan working in strike Page 17
Souda Spotlight - Meet the New Leaders
Ens. Christafer Sobbing
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Air Operations Officer
ns. Christafer Sobbing, a native of Red Oak, Iowa, enlisted in the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician and was assigned to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., where he served for 12 years. In 2020, he commissioned as an officer and said he has completed 54 days in Restriction of Movement status while traveling between schools and duty stations. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Iowa in 2006. As the air operations officer, Sobbing said his role is to make sure the department has everything they need to bring aircraft in and out and prepare for larger movements. "I take care of the Navy-assist side of it," said Sobbing. "Making sure we have the personnel in the places to be able to help have all that stuff happen. And I stay in the know of everything that they’re doing so that I can make sure that we have support for everything." Page 18
Why did you decide to join the Navy? When I initially joined I was working at a professional theater. The reason I joined up is because I wanted to see the world. They were not doing touring shows there and I was like, “Okay, what do you do to see the world?” Well, you join the Navy — you end up on an aircraft carrier and see the world. So I joined the Navy, got stationed at Oklahoma City at Tinker Air Force Base, the TACAMO (Take Charge and Move Out) community, and served there for the next 12 years. It’s one of those places where once you get there they don’t let you leave, really. So, the only way to leave was to get commissioned as an officer. So I made it to chief there and then put in my (Limited Duty Officer) package, picked up LDO, waited the year and a half, and went through all the schools. What experience in your career best prepared you for your role here? I think just being in aviation and having worked the maintenance control desk. Maintenance control is where we make sure the jets are up and all maintenance is done on it. I had the responsibility of releasing the jets as ‘safe for flight.’ So, it’s basically just knowing what I need to do to get an aircraft up and out is what has helped me more than anything. What are you looking forward to most about your time in Greece?
going back 10,000 years with some of the archeology digs … you have so much history from ancient Greece, to the Minoans over in Knossos, to things that are within a 100 years of WWII, so it’s just amazing. What do you like to do in your free time? I like to exercise. I like to run — I haven’t got to run as much as I like to. I like hiking. Getting into those hills is just great. I keep seeing the mountain over there and I keep waiting for the country to open up all together so I can go climb that thing. (I’m a) big history buff. Love to read. I’m a book maniac to some extent. So I’m looking to get into the book stores here, too. I play guitar poorly — it’s mostly for myself and it’s one of those things where you play guitar and nobody needs to hear it so you do it quietly in a room. I like watching basketball, so (I'm a) big NBA fan. What do you want Team Souda to know about you? My first name is spelled strange. C-h-r-i-s-t-a-f-e-r. My parents thought they were spelling the German spelling; it happens they weren’t. They were just creating something completely new that has affected most of my life. I have to explain to people – everyone tries to correct my name and assume I spelled it wrong and tried to fix it for me, but no, no that’s how it’s spelled.
I’m a big history buff. One thing I love is just classical history and obviously there is a huge amount of history here. So being able to get out and do some of the hikes around all the different areas. Because I mean Crete by itself has history Page 19
Souda Spotlight - Meet the New Leaders
Timothy Dias
T
Fire Chief
imothy Dias, a native of Paauilo, Hawaii, and NSA Souda Bay’s Fire Chief, comes to Team Souda from Naval Air Station Key West, Fla., where he served as the fire chief.
Dias brings experience of 34 years as a firefighter and 15 years as a fire chief to Team Souda, along with firsthand knowledge of NSA Souda Bay’s Fire & Emergency Services department, serving as Team Souda's fire chief from 2006 to 2009 and again from 2012 to 2013. Dias leads a team of both U.S. and Greek firefighters to prevent fires and emergencies through inspections and education. They are prepared 24/7 to respond to medical, structural and flight line emergencies, if required.
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How did you start your career as a firefighter?
What are you looking forward to most about your time in Greece?
I’ve been a firefighter since ’87. I actually got into the military to become a firefighter. On the Air Force side they actually have a technical school, so joining that service they provide the actual fire academy … so I got in the Air Force as a guaranteed firefighter and then after there I went back to Hawaii as a county firefighter. And then I got out of that because I missed traveling. So I got back into the federal system as a civilian because in the county you are landlocked, it’s an island, so actually coming in federal allowed me to travel the world again as a federal firefighter. I love the job regardless, so in any service, any discipline as far as Navy, Army, Air Force, I can work in all three of them and I can travel anywhere but in the same career field, so my career still stays the same.
Just enjoying being involved in a community again, like I used to. We definitely know the area and a lot of the people in Greece and in Crete itself, so for us it’s actually coming home. We actually look at this as being our retirement home. After we’re done here I’ll be retiring soon and staying here.
What experience in your career best prepared you for your role here?
What do you like to do in your free time? Paddle boarding, diving. That’s pretty much the biggest thing – getting on the water. So even in the wintertime if it is a nice day I’ll get out on the board. What do you want Team Souda to know about the Fire Department? We’re here to serve, plain and simple. We’re here to serve and take care of our customers. Any need, any help, we’re here to support them.
Well my previous experience here, of course, is number one. But two, I used to be the regional fire chief in [Navy Region] Southwest so it gives me a better perspective on being a better fire chief, so that’s probably the biggest thing. I’ve been a fire chief since 2006, bouncing around, (gaining) a lot of that experience and bringing it back here again I’ll be a better fire chief than I was before – a lot more experienced.
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Chief Pinning Ceremony
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Story and photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
SA Souda Bay held its FY21 Chief Pinning Ceremony at The Anchor Jan. 29, commemorating the promotion of five new chiefs: Chief Information Systems Technician Sharonica Burnom, Chief Air Traffic Controller Daniel Ferdinand, Chief Master-at-Arms Danny Royer, Chief Electricians Technician Daniel Sharp, and Chief Information Systems Technician Justin Storey.
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During the ceremony, Chief Air Traffic Controlman Cameron Collier read the Chief Petty Officer's Pledge and Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Daniel Hemingway read the poem Anchors of the Chief. Following the pinning of the new chiefs, Command Master Chief Brian J. McDonough welcomed them into the mess and read the Chief Petty Officer Creed. Christopher Williams, NSA Souda Bay’s airfield manager and a retired Navy Master Chief Air Traffic Controller addressed the new chiefs and the NSA Souda Bay family.
“Today I expect each of you to always be ready, ready to avoid surprise (in) whatever form it may present itself. But also, if we are surprised, that you rise to the occasion and respond accordingly because we all will be counting on you as the chief … Please, don’t forget those Sailors past and present who have played a role throughout your successful career. Reach out and say thanks … Take care of our Sailors by continuing to lead, guide, train and mentor them as you have done thus far. Remember, officers are Sailors too. Again, shipmates, congratulations and welcome to the mess.”
Williams said a chief holds many responsibilities: always being ready for challenges, leading junior Sailors and guiding junior commissioned officers.
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Chief Information Systems Technician Sharonica Burnom C
hief Information Systems Technician Sharonica Burnom, a native of Houston, has been in the Navy for 11 years and 9 months and at NSA Souda Bay for 2 years. Burnom will depart NSA Souda Bay for the guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113), assuming the role of combat systems chief. Her duties will include taking care of all information systems and message traffic aboard the ship. Burnom said being a Navy chief means impacting her Sailors' lives in a positive manner. “Being a Navy chief is no longer about me. It's always been about the Sailors, being able to see them progress and see their successes,� said Burnom.
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C
Chief Air Traffic Controller Daniel Ferdinand hief Air Traffic Controller Daniel Ferdinand, a native of New Brunswick, N.J., has been in the Navy for 14 years and at NSA Souda Bay for a year and a half.
Ferdinand is the Air Operations Department training chief, keeping track of his Sailors' training, making sure they are conducting on-the-job training properly and that they are receiving their air operations qualifications. Ferdinand said his Sailors have helped him become a Navy chief, and that "now it is my turn to give them the resources that they need to replace me one day." Ferdinand said he will make certain his Sailors, "understand what they are here for and that they are recognized for the good work that they do.�
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Chief Master-at-Arms Danny Royer
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hief Master-at-Arms Danny Royer, a native of Lyndon, Ill., has been in the Navy for 12 years and at NSA Souda Bay for one year. Royer is the Security Department’s Charlie Section chief, conducting administrative work, making sure his Sailors are receiving awards and their security qualifications, and that the watch bills are made. Royer said being a Navy chief means being there for his Sailors by giving them a voice while making sure everything comes together to support the mission. “Being a chief means setting the example, doing the right thing, so our Sailors ... know what to do (and) what to look for," said Royer. “To be that guidance to help them grow both professionally and personally. Also, to hold them accountable when we need to.”
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C
Chief Electronics Technician Daniel Sharp hief Electronics Technician Daniel Sharp, a native of DeMotte, Ind., has been in the Navy for 13 years and deployed at NSA Souda Bay 4 months.
Sharp is a member of Special Boat Team 20, providing combat service and technical support to his unit. He said his new role will be grooming and mentoring junior Sailors. Sharp said being a Navy chief means, “having that vast network of the brothers and sisters in the mess. To reach out no matter what (is needed) ... somebody is going to have the answer.�
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Chief Information Systems Technician Justin Storey C
hief Information Systems Technician Justin Storey, a native of Darmstadt, Germany, has been in the Navy for 13 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 11 months. Storey is the senior enlisted advisor for Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic Detachment Souda Bay where he mentors Sailors, liaisons for the technical director and ensures the installation’s telecommunications are operating smoothly. He trains junior Sailors to become qualified for future assignments around the Fleet. Storey said that becoming a Navy chief means taking care of the future generation of the Navy. “[It means] making sure that we have a sense of heritage, making sure that we actually lead from the front and continue setting the standard day in and day out,” said Storey.
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NSA Souda Bay's new chief petty officers stand with the chief's mess in front of Building 1 following the pinning ceremony on Jan. 29.
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Community Relations
Volunteers enjoy a day picking oranges at a local farm Story by MC3 Timothy Ruple, American Forces Network, Det. Souda Bay
S
ailors and civilians from Naval Support Activity Souda Bay participated in a community outreach project picking oranges at a local farm Jan. 26.
The volunteers spent the afternoon helping Mary Olsen, a retired University of Maryland program coordinator, gather oranges from the many orange trees she has on her property. Page 32
They were joined by Nikos Anastasakis, a local national employee of NSA Souda and caretaker of the trees and the property. Anastasakis was the liaison for this event and NSA Souda Bay’s Chaplain, Lt. Michael Spoke, led the charge. After picking more than 100 bags of oranges, volunteers said they were happy to be able to give back to the local community. The collected bags were donated to the Daily
Volunteers pose with Mary Olsen and her family after an afternoon of picking oranges in her orange grove Jan. 26. Photo courtesy of Carly Spoke.
Care Center for Children and Young Adults in Chania and to the Mouzouras Community Center. “This was a great opportunity for Sailors to help out the local community,” said Spoke. “Everything from the harvesting and donation delivery. A huge added bonus was being taught the natural and organic ways of farming in the Greek culture. This will be an outreach event that all who participated will
never forget. Events like this really epitomize what Team Souda is all about!” Olsen thanked the volunteers for their hard work and added that she always appreciates the extra helping hands in her orange grove. This project was one of 17 community outreach projects volunteers from NSA Souda Bay have participated in around the local community since Sept. 2020. █ Page 33
ABOVE: Volunteers pick oranges at a local orange grove on Jan. 26. Photos by MC3 Timothy Ruple, AFN Souda Bay. LEFT: Air Traffic Controller Airman Madison Harvey carries bags of oranges he collected during the community relations event on Jan. 26. Photo by MC3 Timothy Ruple, AFN Souda Bay.
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TOP: Volunteers pose with donated bags of oranges at the Mouzouras Community Center, Jan. 26. Photo by MC3 Timothy Ruple, AFN Souda Bay. BOTTOM: Volunteers pose with donated bags of oranges at the Daily Care Center for Children and Young Adults in Chania, Jan. 26. Photo courtesy of Carly Spoke.
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First COVID-19 Vaccinations Administered Jan. 11 Story by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
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SA Souda Bay received an initial allocation of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 9. The vaccine doses were administered in accordance with the Department of Defense phase-driven vaccine distribution plan to vaccinate U.S. military and civilian personnel in a prioritized order. The first group of personnel vaccinated included those providing direct medical care and maintaining essential security and installation functions.
TOP: U.S. Navy Sailors, assigned to Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Sigonella, load a box of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines inside a C-26D Metroliner onboard NAS Sigonella for shipment to NSA Souda Bay, Jan. 9. Courtesy photo from NAS Sigonella Public Affairs. BOTTOM: Nick Rozakis, a member of the Air Cargo team, and Eleni Charokopaki, a member of the Air Operations department, receive the installation’s first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from Naval Air Crewman (Mechanical) 2nd Class Jean-Pierre Gasca, assigned to Naval Air Station Sigonella’s Operations Department, on Jan. 9. Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs.
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Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Caleb Newbill unloads NSA Souda Bay’s initial shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Jan. 9. Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs.
“Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is our best weapon at stopping COVID in its tracks,” said Navy Capt. Rafael C. Facundo, NSA Souda Bay’s Commanding Officer. “It will protect you, your shipmates and your families. I will get vaccinated when it is my turn to receive the vaccine, and I encourage everyone on Team Souda to get the vaccine when it is offered.” Facundo said after the initial distribution, and as more vaccine becomes available, additional personnel will have access to the vaccine.
Cmdr. Christopher Worley, senior medical officer, said, “The data we have tells us that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and it is effective. I got it because I know that it is my best defense against the coronavirus.” Worley said because it will take time to get everyone vaccinated, it is important to continue to wear appropriate masks, practice physical distancing and wash hands frequently, even after receiving the vaccine. Facundo said receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is voluntary at this time and reiterated that the NSA Souda Bay community is still required to follow host nation and DoD guidance regarding face coverings, social/physical distancing and group gatherings.
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Caleb Newbill opens NSA Souda Bay’s initial shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine while Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Nicole Mattera checks the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine guideline sheet; Newbill positively verifies the temperature monitor of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines; Mattera and Newbill positively verify the temperature monitor reading of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs. OPPOSITE: Newbill stores NSA Souda Bay’s initial shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Jan. 9. Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs.
Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that the COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be highly effective at preventing the coronavirus. Clinical trials have shown they are safe and effective, and the known and potential benefits outweigh the known and potential risks of COVID-19 vaccines, which is why they were issued an Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Page 40
Administration. For more information about COVID-19 and the latest information about the DOD’s vaccine distribution plan, visit: https:// www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/ Coronavirus/ █
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Branch Health Clinic staff receive their initial Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations on Jan. 11. TOP: Hospital Corpsman Seaman Jesse Peterson receives the vaccine from Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Zak McBride. MIDDLE: Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Zak McBride receives the vaccine from Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Caleb Newbill. BOTTOM: Cmdr. Christopher Worley, senior medical officer, receives the vaccine from Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Zak McBride. Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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Navy Capt. Rafael C. Facundo, NSA Souda Bay’s commanding officer, receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Zak McBride at the Branch Health Clinic Souda Bay, Jan. 11. Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs.
“
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is our best weapon at stopping COVID in its tracks.
”
- Capt. Rafael C. Facundo, Commanding Officer
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A Da In Th
Story and photos by M
Audrey Champagne, installation training officer, evaluates a drill.
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t is 9 a.m. The sky is gray, the wind is howling, rain hits the road as a man in handcuffs is escorted by a master-at-arms into a security patrol car. This is all a play, an act – this is drill day for Naval Support Activity Souda Bay. Rain or shine, departments around the base perform training drills so they can keep Team Souda safe. The person in charge of managing these training drills is a Superwoman and her secret identity is Audrey Champagne, installation training officer. Champagne is in charge of multiple training
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activities on base, such as helping build drill packages, giving drill briefs, evaluating drills, managing the training team classrooms and proctoring exams. She is a retired Navy chief and has been an installation training officer since 2007 and NSA Souda Bay’s training officer since January 2017. Currently, Champagne is responsible for making sure that NSA Souda Bay maintains its training qualifications and is prepared for its yearly assessments. More importantly, she ensures departments can safely practice their responses to specific events, such as an active shooter
ay he Life: Training
MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
scenario, so if a real-world situation does occur the base can react efficiently and effectively. Building a Drill Package On this day, the installation training team starts building a drill package, which is an important part of making sure Team Souda knows how to perform the drill properly. Champagne manages its development, which starts six months before a drill is scheduled. This massive 42-page document is the roadmap for the drill, showing participants where they need to go and how to get there. It contains the training objectives; a
detailed script on how the drill will be conducted to meet those objectives; a map of the locations on base that will be used; a list of the training props such as fake weapons, fake identification cards, a fake improvised explosive device; a list of potential hazards that can occur during the drill; and an operational risk management plan to mitigate those risks. Champagne builds the drill package using information received from subject matter experts in various departments across the installation. For the past five months, Master-at-Arms 2nd Page 45
Audrey Champagne conducts a drill brief for the Installation Training Team.
Class Anette Anaya has been one of these SMEs. Anaya creates the section of the drill package for the Security Department’s Blue Force – the people being evaluated. It includes scenarios such as active shooter, improvised explosive device response and detaining a gate runner. She also makes the security forces watch bill that dictates where everyone in the Security Department will be placed during the drill. Anaya also inputs every line item Security wants to achieve during the drill, every evolution that will be run, onto the operational risk management sheet. It includes all the possible hazards in the drill and how to assess and manage those risks. For example, no one can have a real firearm in the training area. Anaya said training is essential for NSA Souda Bay’s security forces. “Drills are very important because we are training our reliefs here at Souda Bay. We train our Page 46
Sailors to respond if something were to happen in a real-world scenario. It isn’t just during drills … we are training them on how to fight how they would in real life.” Brief The day before a drill, Champagne holds a briefing in the training classroom for the Installation Training Team members. This team consists of specialists in a specific job field who will evaluate their counterparts during the drill. For example, a firefighter will evaluate a fellow firefighter. Every drill must have safety observers who make sure everyone participating is safe. The team goes over the drill package to make sure everyone understands their roles in the drill. Champagne said if someone doesn’t understand their responsibility for the drill, this is their time to ask. “The goal of the brief is to make sure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to the drill … If anything needs to be adjusted, they
Emergency services personnel respond to a simulated gunshot victim during an Installation Training Team exercise on Jan. 26.
will do so,” she said. Drill Day It’s pitch black outside. You wouldn’t expect many people to be on base at 6:30 a.m., but the training classroom holds Team Souda members – wearing their masks and socially distancing because of COVID-19. This is the day they all have been preparing for, drill day. Today the base will train on how to respond to a protest, a gate runner, an improvised explosive device and an active shooter. Champagne stands behind a podium at the front of the training classroom calling out names from a muster sheet. She makes sure she has ‘eyes on’ everyone participating. They receive their safety vests and radios and are dismissed. Next, Champagne meets with the Sailors being evaluated during the drill, to validate that everyone is present, ready for duty, and that their gear was checked during their morning guard mount. Then, she is on the move again and heads
outside. Champagne checks the weather and evaluates the area, making certain nothing unexpected is going on that could impact the drill. After this, everyone conducts a radio check to make sure that all the evaluators and safety observers can communicate during the drill. Once this is over, they all call “safe and ready to train.” Finally, the executive officer relays to the commanding officer “safe and ready to train.” The drill starts. The executive officer is the training team lead, ensuring the training team properly plans, briefs, executes and debriefs exercise events that align with the needs of the command. Champagne said he provides her with guidance for future exercises based on previous exercise events. In that role he is responsible for the overall controlling of an exercise event. During the drill, the commanding officer is the incident commander. He typically manages the incident from the Emergency Operations Center on base, but can also manage from an alternate location if necessary. Page 47
A master-at-arms is evaluated by Installation Training Team members during an exercise on Jan. 26.
“The CO’s job is to see the big picture, how the incident has impacted base personnel and our mission and to figure out how he can minimize the impact and get NSA Souda Bay back online,” said Scott Tucker, Emergency Operations Center officer. “For example, he might need to communicate with region if there was an aircraft crash on the runway and notify them that they can’t support anymore aircraft arriving or departing the flight line.” The commanding officer receives input from the Incident Management Team. This team consists of approximately 35 members, including department heads, subject matter experts and senior Team Souda members from all of the departments on base. Around 17 to 20 of them will be working with the commanding officer in the EOC. “The incident commander’s focus needs to be on the incident itself and getting the incident under control, contained, and dealing with any hazards and casualties,” said Tucker. “So, the last thing he needs is to be worried about where and how he is going to get that support. We are here to support and help him look at the big picture.” Everyone from the Team Souda members in Page 48
the EOC to Team Souda’s boots on the ground training teams are following the master sequence of events in the drill package. There is no improvising. “It is like a play and we follow line-by-line,” said Champagne. “These people have a role to play and it’s all based off of that script, and we follow the script. There are no rogue actors. We are not ad-libbing. None of that is allowed because it throws everything off and it could cause a confusion.” During the drill a loud voice blasts throughout NSA Souda Bay. This is the Giant Voice, which reminds everyone every 15 minutes that the base is in a training environment. It provides additional instructions such as to shelter in place or go into lock-down. Champagne stressed that everyone on base should listen to and follow the Giant Voice instructions. “The lockdown is for their safety and the safety of the Security Forces,” she said. “If you have all these people running around, (the Security Forces) cannot focus on the critical event because they are trying to clear all these people walking around the base. And it sets (up those not following the instructions) to be harmed too.
If it is an active shooter, if you are out and about, you are a target.” Champagne’s role is listening to the Blue Force, the team being evaluated. The controllers evaluate the Blue Force by validating that they are executing the pre-planned responses and hazard specific annexes. After the drill is over, all participants attend a debrief meeting, where the ITT gives the Blue Force an opportunity to discuss what went well and where they need to improve. The training team members also provide their perspective on areas for improvement. Then, they let the Blue Team go, and the ITT talks about everything that occurred during the drill. They start grading and evaluating and determining if the drill was effective, if the team was effective, and if the objectives were met.
Tracking Training Champagne manages professional development training for the command. She tracks all the training for civilians and coordinates with the military departmental training officers to make sure they have attended required training. “I am managing all that to make sure that people are getting that done and meeting their requirements,” said Champagne. She also co-chairs the Planning Board For Training meeting with the executive officer and maintains the calendar of upcoming events. █
“(I like it) when we have a successful drill, and we are all in agreement on things that need to be fixed and when we are in agreement with our deficiencies,” said Champagne. Additional Responsibilities: Training Classroom Champagne also manages the training classroom schedules and ensures the classrooms are cleaned properly. During the COVID-19 pandemic, both sides of the classrooms must be reserved to regulate the number of people inside to ensure they can maintain a 6-foot distance from each other. She also checks the equipment, such as the overhead projector and speaker, to make sure they are working properly. Exams She provides training support to the installation by proctoring exams. Champagne said she provides water quality exams for Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command personnel, proctors professional development exams for the Air Force through Air University of Maxwell Air Force Base, and conducts qualification exams for Fire and Emergency Services. Page 49
Team Souda, Here's What Your Training Department Wants You To Know! Audrey Champagne
MA2 Anette Anaya
Installation Training Team Officer
Installation Training Team Member
“
Training is a big deal for us, especially during drill days. Listen to the giant voice; we get it, it is a training day, but for us it is serious. Everyone needs to be in the same mindset that we are … we are training to protect this base, we are training to fight.
”
Scott Tucker Emergency Operations Center Officer
“
Let's say you decide you want to go kayaking, so you buy a kayak but you never use your kayak. They have different levels of kayaking experiences from easy, moderate to expert. Then one day you decide to go on a kayak adventure and it is the expert adventure. But, you haven't trained, you haven't done any
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“
I learn from other people all the time … the hardest part of my job is the rotation, but also in the same sense there is so much wealth of knowledge that comes through here. This is the Fleet. When I was at the Naval Yard it was more of a political type of position, I’m working with Sailors here, I am working with professionals that know how to do this, and they have been in the Fleet. I didn’t have this many MAs or all these other rates, mainly civilians. Here I have constantly continued to learn. From 2017 to now, my knowledge base on this position has grown almost 100 percent.
”
preparation for it so, what is going to happen to you? You are not going to be prepared. If we don't train together, if we don't work together, if we don't build those relationships, when the time comes and an incident occurs we are not going to be able to successfully handle the situation.
”
Giant Voice Three types of
Mass Notification
W arnings
“SEEK COVER INDOORS”
+ seek indoor cover + avoid windows + unlock doors, provide others shelter
“LOCK DOWN”
on base active shooter + seek indoor cover away from shooter + secure windows and doors + turn off devices that can give away your location
“SHELTER IN PLACE” outside air hazard
+ seek indoor shelter + shut down outside ventalation systems + cover doors, windows and vents with tape and plastic
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Word on the Street If You Could Time Travel When Would It Be?
“I would want to travel to the 90s when everything was plain, simple and fun.” Air Traffic Controller Airman Cyril Formentera Air Operations
“The 1800s when people were still exploring, discovering and learning new things about the world.” Laurie Henley Public Works Page 52
“2000 and I would invest all my money in Bitcoin because today I would be a billionaire.” Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Elijah Stowers Security
“1800s, cowboy times when things were simpler.” Culinary Specialist 1st Class Jason Taylor Housing
“The future. I think it would be like a sci-fi movie and we have neat technology and flying cars.” Evgenios Karfakis Navy Exchange Mart
“October 2021. I would like to see what the state of COVID is and what the travel policies are and if we would be able to spend time with family in a normal way.” Legalman 1st Class Erica Tabia Legal Page 53
Word on the Street
If You Could Time Travel When Would it Be?
“I’d like to go back to 1995 so I can talk to my mother again, two years before her passing, to get to know her better.” Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Nicole Mattera Branch Health Clinic
“Pre-COVID, there was more happiness.” Kiki Iliakis Fire Department
“Before COVID started, so I could travel more before the lockdown.” Aviation Support Equipment Technician Joshua Escobar Air Operations Page 54
“Back to the 1600s so I can help create and build structures.” Builder Constructionman Ernest Dearing Public Works
“To 1985, so I could watch Back to the Future in theaters.” Alex Gutierrez Port Operations
“I would like to go back to when I visited Prague because it is like walking into a fairy tale. The castles and scenery are beautiful.” Thanasis Anagnostopoulos Fleet's Inn Galley
“100 years into the future. I want to see where my grandkids are at and what’s happening in the future.” Rachael Vargas NAVFAC Page 55
Word on the Street
If You Could Time Travel When Would it Be?
“1980s because the culture of the 80s was neat.” Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Adrien Strauss NAVFAC
“I wouldn’t want to, because the past makes us who we are today and the future has to be a mystery for us to live our lives.” Greek Tech. Sgt. Dimitris Paikos Greek Representatives Office
“I would go a week in the future and find out the lottery numbers. Then, I would come back and be rich.” Tech. Sgt. Harold Andrews Detachment 1, 95th Reconnaissance Squadron Page 56
“Back to the final night of 300 to let Leonidas and his troops know that their sacrifice was remembered throughout the ages.” Nikos Ornerakis Admin
“I’d go with my husband to the future, so we can go and colonize Mars.” Lia Agapitou Housing
“2009, so I could invest in Bitcoin.” Personnel Specialist 1st Class John Braun Admin
“Back to elementary school. We were happy and didn’t have the worries of adulthood.” Heleni Mavromati Fleet's Inn Galley Page 57
Word on the Street
If You Could Time Travel When Would it Be?
“1975, to see Led Zepplin live in New York.” Mass Communication Specialist Timothy Ruple American Forces Network
“When I was a child, because this is when friendships began and the innocent times of childhood.” Christina Grilli Fleet's Inn Galley
“Forward two years to make sure this cornoavirus is behind us.” Angela Chatgikis Navy Exchange Page 58
“I would travel to the caveman age to see when they discovered fire and how.” Master Sgt. Randy Garcia Detachment 1, 95th Reconnaissance Squadron
“The 80s: big hair, Karate Kid, Cyndi Lauper and legwarmers. ‘Nuff said!” Artemis Mihelaki Command Management
“Miami in two years, when COVID is over.” Zarina Khaitoua Navy Exchange Market
“The 60s or 70s when muscle cars were a big thing.” Joshua Aponte Auto Hobby Shop Page 59
10 Signs of a
Healthy Relationship By Kirsten Diller, Director of the Fleet and Family Support Center
D
o you know the signs of an unhealthy relationship? I bet several ideas came to mind right away. You probably came up with examples of “bad” behavior you personally experienced or observed in relationships. However, if I asked you, “What are the signs of a healthy relationship?” would you have many examples to formulate your response? Unfortunately, it’s easier for most people to identify “bad” relationship characteristics than “good” ones. Let’s change that! Love, acceptance, and connection are common experiences pursued by humans, which is the reason we spend time developing relationships. Fostering and maintaining quality relationships is not easy, and people often find themselves in unhealthy relationships that are scarring and negatively influence future relationships. You can end the cycle by investing in relationships defined by love in its best form, explained by the “10 Signs of a Healthy Relationship” from joinonelove.org on the following page. Now for a tough question: are YOU the unhealthy one in the relationship? It’s OK if you are because acknowledging this fact is a step in the right direction. There is ALWAYS potential for change. We have the ability to choose to be healthier and make positive decisions.
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1. Comfortable Pace The relationship moves at a speed that feels enjoyable for each person.
5. Healthy Conflict Openly and respectfully discussing issues and confronting disagreements nonjudgmentally.
2. Honesty You can be truthful and candid without fearing how the other person will respond.
6. Trust Confidence that your partner won’t do anything to hurt you or ruin the relationship.
3. Respect You value one another’s beliefs and opinions and love one another for who you are as a person.
7. Independence You have space to be yourself outside of the relationship.
4. Kindness You are caring and empathetic to one another and provide comfort and support.
9. Taking Responsibility Owning your own actions and words. 10. Fun You enjoy spending time together and bring out the best in each other.
8. Equality The relationship feels balanced and everyone puts the same effort into the success of the relationship.
If you would like to discuss healthy relationships in more detail or engage in couples counseling, stop by the Fleet and Family Support Center in Building 11 or give us a call at 266-1690. We would love to help!
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The Parting Shot...
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