THE
BEACON U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece
May 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 WernerCDR 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 May 2021
6 Greek Culture:
80th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete
4 Triad Corner
by CAPT Rafael C. Facundo Commanding Officer
12 Around NSA Souda Bay Awards, Reenlistments, Events, Operations
30 Souda Spotlight EO2 Jakob Wallis George Drikakis Mike Tyburski
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Word on the Street:
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Chaplain's Corner: Living the Navy's Core Values (Part 1 of 3)
How to Stay Safe When an Earthquake Threatens
What's Your Favorite Movie?
by Lt. Michael Spoke, Chaplain
Front Cover: Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Logann Parker, a military working dog handler, hides MWD Astra's training tool during a demonstration on base April 12. Photo by MC3 Jacob Vernier, AFN Souda Bay. The Parting Shot: Astra, a Military Working Dog, runs through a tube during a trarining session on base April 12. Photo by MC3 Jacob Vernier, AFN Souda Bay.
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Triad Corner
Team Souda, May brings many reasons to celebrate: May Day, Greek Orthodox Easter, Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you), Cinco de Mayo, and Mother’s Day (May 9, don’t forget to call your Mother!). There are two other days In May that I want to talk about here — May 15, when Greece is scheduled to open for tourists, and May 31, Memorial Day. If everything goes as planned, Greece will officially open to tourists May 15. We expect to be able to move freely around the island for the first time in 6 months. This new-found freedom allows us to travel, spend time with friends, go to restaurants, hang out at the beach — all the things we anticipated doing on a tour in Greece. It also brings a responsibility to keep ourselves and the rest of Team Souda safe. Page 4
You’re going to want to cut loose — get out there and ENJOY! I want you to have fun and explore all the good things Crete has to offer. I also expect you to be smart. Always have a designated driver, or take a taxi home. Obey the speed limit and other traffic laws. Use the buddy system — don’t go swimming, hiking, or to nightclubs alone. Bottom line: Don’t put yourself in a situation where you’ll be watching everyone else enjoy liberty. And remember, whether you are vaccinated or not, social distancing measures are still in place. The PAO team will continue to provide updates via All-hands emails and on the official NSA Souda Bay Facebook page. At the end of the month, on Monday, May 31, we will observe Memorial Day, a day to remember those who sacrificed and died in our nation's service, while fighting for and
defending our right to freedom. These are our brothers and sisters in arms, all taken too early, all giving the most precious thing they had to give — their lives. Let us honor and remember our fallen friends and teammates, and their
families who bear the pain of their loss, in ways worthy of their sacrifice. May is going to be a busy month. Keep your head in the game, watch out for each other, and stay safe.
~ Skipper
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Greek Culture: 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete
Compiled with information from Wikipedia.com by Kostas Fantaousakis, Public Affairs
The anniversary of the Battle of Crete is commemorated in Chania and various villages every year during the week of May 20th. In non-COVID times, ceremonies include parades, floral offerings at memorials and paratrooper reenactments. Due to COVID-19 restrictions this year, modifications to the schedule of events are expected. Many people will visit the Souda Bay War Cemetery, where defending British and Commonwealth troops are buried, and the German War Cemetery at Maleme near Chania, which contains the remains of many of the paratroopers.
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Historic Background The Battle of Crete was a battle fought during World War II on the Greek island of Crete. The battle began on the morning of May 20, 1941, when Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete under the code-name Unternehmen Merkur ("Operation Mercury"). Greek and Allied forces, along with Cretan civilians, defended the island. German casualties mounted quickly as they underestimated the strength of the defenders. Many paratroopers died before they could reach the ground; others, their
equipment tangled in trees, were killed as they struggled to release themselves. In one German battalion alone, about twothirds of the men were dead before the day was over. Everywhere on the island, Cretan civilians joined the battle with whatever weapons were at hand. In some cases, local civilians went into action armed only with what they could gather from their kitchens or barns. The Cretans soon supplemented their makeshift weapons with captured German small arms.
ABOVE: Map of the German assault on Crete. Source: Wikipedia.com OPPOSITE: The Souda Bay War Cemetery. File Photo.
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The civilian population played a significant role in the Greek counter-attacks at Kastelli Hill and Paleochora. Civilians also fought back the Germans to the north and west of Heraklion as well as in the town center itself.
until late in the day on May 21. Eventually, mountain troops went straight into battle and tipped the balance the German way.
German dominance in the air left the defenders facing impossible odds. After six days of hard fighting the Allies had By the end of the first day, the Germans little choice but to evacuate. Parts of the had a foothold near Maleme. The next defending forces pulled back to Sfakia day, they decided to throw everything on the south coast, and from there about into that attack because reinforcements 16,000 troops left the island over four could not be sent in without control of nights. Those who remained were taken the airfield. The German decision to prisoner and would spend the rest of concentrate on Maleme bore fruit. On May the war in camps. Some escaped from 21 it became clear that the New Zealand captivity, taking to the hills and eluding infantry battalions defending the airfield capture for the rest of the war. Cretan and the key high ground overlooking it civilians took huge risks feeding and had withdrawn. The airfield was virtually helping these men. in German hands even though it was still under artillery fire. The German transport The U.S. Army Center of Military History, planes began landing troops. They did so citing a report of the Historical Branch
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of the British Cabinet Office, concludes military historians largely accept estimates of between 6,000 and 7,000 German casualties as correct. The Allies lost 3,500 Soldiers: 1,751 dead, with an equal number wounded, as well as 12,254 Commonwealth and 5,255 Greek captured. After the war, the Allied graves from the four burial grounds that had been established by the German forces were moved to Souda Bay War Cemetery.
A large number of civilians were killed in the crossfire or died fighting as partisans. One Cretan source puts the number of Cretans killed by German action during the war at 6,593 men, 1,113 women and 869 children. German records site 3,474 Cretans were executed by firing squad and at least another 1,000 civilians were killed late in 1944.
ABOVE: More German paratroops landing on Crete from Junkers 52 transports, May 20, 1941. Source: Wikipedia.com RIGHT: Smoke hanging over the harbor in Souda Bay. Source: Wikipedia.com OPPOSITE: German paratroopers landing on Crete, May 1941. Source: Wikipedia.com
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The Souda Bay War Cemetery: the last resting place for those servicemen who died in the Battle for Crete
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he Souda Bay War Cemetery is about 5 km east of Chania on the west of the Island of Crete. It's in a beautiful, quiet location overlooking the sea and is the last resting place of the British Commonwealth war dead who lost their lives May 20-31, 1941, during the Battle of Crete. There you'll find rows and rows of white headstones set in immaculate lawns and decorated with borders of flowers. Little pomegranate trees – the fruit of the underworld – are laid amongst the flowers and shrubs along each row. At the seaward border of the Souda Bay Cemetery there are large bushes of rosemary - the herb of remembrance. Page 10
The Souda Bay War Cemetery. File photo.
These are significant symbols for the last resting place of so many who died in the Battle of Crete. There are 1,527 graves, mostly British, but with a large number of New Zealanders too (447), together with 197 Australians, and other countries that were also represented. Not all those buried here are identified and some headstones bear the legend, “Known only to God”. Visitors can sign a book with comments and feelings, and the entries are testament to the effect this moving place has on people who visit from all over the world. The visitor's book is housed in an enclosure near the entrance gate.
The War Memorial in Sfakia, Crete
Monument commemorating the evacuation during WWII of British and ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) forces from Hora Sfakion in May 1941. Source: Wikipedia.com
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here is a famous war memorial dedicated to the Battle of Crete, located in Sfakia, a small town on the south coast of Crete. The sign reads: “From this bay between 28th May and 1st June 1941 the last Australian, British and New Zealand forces which fought alongside the Greek forces in the fierce struggles of the Battle of Crete against the Germans, were evacuated by British and Australian warships.”
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AROUND NSA SOUDA BAY Awards
Reenlistments
Events
Operations
Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Jason Reese Meritorious Advancement Ceremony Photo by Personnel Specialist 1st Class John Braun, Administration Department
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ewly-appointed Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Jason Reese receives his Certificate of Appointment from Navy Capt. Rafael C. Facundo, NSA Souda Bay’s commanding officer, during his meritorious advancement ceremony on April 9 in front of Building 1. Reese, a native of Chicago, has been in the Navy for 6 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 2 years. Reese is a member of Port Operations and is a qualified coxswain. He drives Port Operations boats, and places an oil boom around ships as they arrive at the NATO Marathi Pier Facility. Reese said advancing to second class means furthering his knowledge of his rate and the Navy. “Being a second class to me means stepping up into more of a leadership position, not only within my own division, but in the command as a whole,” said Reese. Page 12
Equipment Operator 2nd Class Jakob Wallis Meritorious Advancement Ceremony Photo by Utilitiesman Constructionman Ryan Sanders, Public Works Department
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ewly-appointed Equipment Operator 2nd Class Jakob Wallis receives his Second Class Petty Officer crow from Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Fairfield, NSA Souda Bay’s public works officer, during his meritorious advancement ceremony on April 23 in front of the Public Works buildings. Wallis, a native of Rhea County, Tenn., has been in the Navy for 4 years and 9 months and at NSA Souda Bay for 7 months. Wallis is a member of Public Works Department's Transportation shop where he refuels boilers and generators and transfers people, equipment and supplies between NSA Souda Bay and the Marathi NATO Pier Facility. Wallis said he is happy to be promoted because of the responsibility he feels for junior Sailors. “I love a challenge and adding more responsibilities to my list, whether it’s writing evaluations for my junior Sailors or just looking at me as a role model to make them push harder to reach this level,” said Wallis “At the end of the day I have to remember that the junior troops have parents and families back home and they are counting on someone to take care of their child, as a second class we help take care of them.”
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Team Souda Members Receive Awards for Supporting USS Eisenhower Port Visit Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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avy Capt. Rafael Facundo, commanding officer, recognized two Team Souda members for their outstanding support provided during the Nimitiz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) port visit in March.
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Effie Papadakis, Protocol Officer Letter of Commendation
ffie Papadakis, protocol officer, received a Letter of Commendation during an April 8 ceremony in front of Building 1.
Papadakis has worked at NSA Souda Bay since December 1980. As NSA Souda Bay’s protocol officer, she coordinates all aspects of official distinguished visitor’s visits to the installation including official tours, accommodations, schedules, accesses and host nation meetings. She also coordinates and escorts the commanding officer to all official events and meetings with host nation officials. During the month of March, she supported and executed seven distinguished visitor engagements in a period of 10 days. “I feel very honored to be recognized in this way,” said Papadakis. “We all do the job to the best of our ability so it is wonderful when those efforts are appreciated and acknowledged.” Page 14
Lt. Elsie Dominguez, Military Sealift Command Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
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t. Elsie Dominguez, operations officer, Military Sealift Command, received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during an April 23 ceremony in front of Building 1. Dominguez, a native of Queens, N.Y., has worked in the Navy for 5 years and at NSA Souda Bay since January 2021. As Military Sealift Command’s operations officer, she coordinates fueling, sewage and cargo support for U.S. Naval Ships (noncommissioned ships that are property of the U.S. Navy) that arrive and depart from Souda Bay. During Eisenhower’s visit, she stepped out of her normal duties to assist by processing 118 base access requests for 845 Sailors and civilians, during the firstever carrier sandbox liberty at the Marathi NATO Pier Facility. “This is actually my very first award,” said Dominguez. “It is nice to be recognized for my efforts because I am here just as an MSC representative, but I have been able to bleed in to full time support for Navy and the reason I received this award is because I came out of my normal duties and I did assist with a ton of blood, sweat and tears into the strike group pulling into Souda.” Page 15
2020 Civilian Employees of the Year Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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uring an April 23 ceremony in front of Building 1, Navy Capt. Rafael Facundo, NSA Souda Bay’s commanding officer, recognized Team Souda’s 2020 Junior and Local National Civilian Employees of the Year.
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Stelios Saravelakis Local National of the Year
telios Saravelakis, a firefighter with Fire and Emergency Services, is the Local National Civilian Employee of the Year.
Sarvelakis, a native of Chania, has worked at NSA Souda Bay since 2016. As a firefighter, he maintains and tests emergency responder respirators, which protect his fellow firefighters from atmospheric hazards during a fire. He is qualified in Airport Rescue and Firefighting to rescue passengers and crew of aviation accidents and incidents; as an Airfield Rescue and Firefighting Apparatus Driver to operate a fire department emergency vehicle used for rescuing people and combating fires in an aircraft or at an airport; and as a Structural Fire Engine Driver to drive the fire trucks, monitor the water pump and place ladders in the event of a fire. “This award is for me as an individual, but all the team of the Fire Department do exceptional work,” said Sarvelakis. “We all make sure that we keep NSA Souda Bay safe fire-wise, hazmat-wise, aircraft-wise and in every aspect that we operate.” Page 16
Denise Prendergast Junior Civilian of the Year
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enise Prendergast, a resiliency counselor at the Fleet and Family Support Center, is the Junior Civilian Employee of the Year.
Prendergast, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., has worked for the Navy since 2014. She previously served a temporary assignment at NSA Souda Bay for 10 weeks in 2019, helping out the Fleet and Family Support Center. She returned as a permanent Team Souda member in January 2020. As a resiliency counselor, she is both a therapist and a sexual assault and prevention victim advocate, providing Team Souda with trainings and team building exercises, and counseling those who are struggling with a variety of issues. She said in 2020 she also supported other Fleet and Family Support Centers in the Region by providing 100 hours of distance counseling over the telephone and she helped the command stand up its first-ever Incident Determination Committee to address Family Advocacy Program needs. “I am absolutely honored to win this award and be part of such an amazing team,” said Prendergast. “I feel like everyone at FFSC won because I couldn't do any of my job without those two amazing people.” Page 17
Chief Air Traffic Controller Daniel Ferdinand Reenlistment Ceremony Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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hief Air Traffic Controller Daniel Ferdinand recites the Oath of Reenlistment given by Cmdr. Michael Mosi, NSA Souda Bay’s executive officer, during his April 1 reenlistment ceremony in front of Building 1. Ferdinand, a native of New Brunswick, N.J., has been in the Navy for 14 years and 3 months and at NSA Souda Bay for a year and 6 months. He reenlisted for 6 more years. Ferdinand is the Air Operations Department training chief, tracking his Sailors' training to make sure they conduct on-the-job training properly and receive their air operations qualifications. Ferdinand said he chose to reenlist to serve 20 years in the Navy. “This is the last one,” said Ferdinand. “After this I can choose to retire. I’ve absolutely reached that point in my career where this is something that I see myself doing all the way through, for the full 20 years. I’m happy the Navy has decided to keep me around for a little longer. I am going to do my best to accomplish as much as I can for the rest of my service.”
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Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Chelsea Parker Reenlistment Ceremony Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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aster-at-Arms 2nd Class Chelsea Parker received her Certificate of Reenlistment from Ens. Christopher Gibbs, NSA Souda Bay’s security officer, during her April 23 reenlistment ceremony in the Security building. Parker, a native of Baltimore, has been in the Navy for 4 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 4 months. Parker is a member of the Security Department, standing post at the front gate and conducting roving patrols to keep Team Souda Safe. “I decided to reenlist because I would like to further my career in the military,” said Parker. “Also, I really enjoy my job as an MA because I get to interact with many different people every day.”
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Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gehrke Reenlistment Ceremony Photo by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
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taff Sgt. Benjamin Gehrke recites the Oath of Reenlistment given by Lt. Col. Monica Sickler, flight doctor, 95th Reconnaissance Squadron Det. 1 and 21 Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, during his April 22 reenlistment ceremony on the wing of an RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft. Gehrke, a native of Elbow Lake, Minn., has been in the Air Force for 6 years and at NSA Souda Bay for 6 months. Gehrke is a cyber transport systems specialist, making sure the squadron’s network infrastructure is operating properly so they can complete their missions. Gehrke said he wanted to reenlist to travel Europe even more during his next assignment in Ramstein, Germany.
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Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Johamed Rodriguez Reenlistment Ceremony Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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aster-at-Arms 3rd Class Johamed Rodriguez received his Certificate of Reenlistment from Ens. Christopher Gibbs, NSA Souda Bay’s security officer, during his April 29 reenlistment ceremony in the Security building. Rodriguez, a native of Houston, has been in the Navy for 2 years and at NSA Souda Bay for about 2 years. He reenlisted for 5 more years. Rodriguez is a member of the Security Department's Military Working Dog division as kennel support, maintaining in the cleanliness and safety of the kennel and assisting the MWD handlers with their training. Rodriguez said he is reenlisting because he is going to school to become a military working dog handler and has an obligation to serve for 48 more months, the total required service (active duty and reserve commitments) that an individual must serve upon accepting an appointment. “I’m trying to follow down the K-9 road, if I can pick up rank that would be awesome,” said Rodriguez. "One day hopefully I can work my way up to kennel master.” Page 21
Navy Chief, Navy Pride! NSA Souda Bay Celebrates Navy Chiefs’ Birthday Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
The Chiefs Mess salutes during morning colors on April 1.
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eam Souda celebrated the 128th anniversary of the chief petty officer rank on April 1. During the celebration, Chief Air Traffic Controller Daniel Ferdinand and Chief Information Systems Technician Justin Storey raised the American and Greek flags while the Chiefs Mess observed morning colors in front of Building 1. Following colors, Command Master Chief Brian J. McDonough spoke in the Fleet’s Inn Galley about the responsibilities of a Navy chief and how chiefs changed his life. “The Sailors’ lives that we are charged with changing are not just those in our rating, or in our department. They are every Sailor, everywhere,” said McDonough. “I know that we will continue to change lives because that is what the chief does. Happy 128th birthday to every chief petty officer in here, past and present. I could not be prouder of us. Thank you.” The ceremony ended with McDonough, the oldest chief, and Storey, the youngest chief, cutting the birthday cake. Page 22
ABOVE: Chief Air Traffic Controller Daniel Ferdinand, left, and Chief Information Systems Technician Justin Storey, right, attach the American and Greek flags onto the hooks. RIGHT: Chief Information Systems Technician Justin Storey and Command Master Chief Brian J. McDonough cut the cake during a ceremony celebrating the 128th anniversary of the chief petty officer rank at the Fleet’s Inn Galley.
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FFSC Holds Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month Activities Story by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
On April 1, Navy Capt. Rafael Facundo, NSA Souda Bay’s commanding officer, and Kirsten Diller, Fleet and Family Support Center director, hold the proclamation signed by Facundo declaring April to be Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month on the installation. Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs.
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uring April, NSA Souda Bay’s Fleet and Family Support Center held events supporting Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This year’s theme “Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission” reminded everyone to commit to treating others with respect, protecting each other from harm via active intervention, and empowering everyone to speak up or intervene. Kirsten Diller, FFSC director and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, said the FFSC team wanted to inform everyone on Team Souda that it is everyone’s responsibility to fight against sexual assault. She said to raise awareness a proclamation signing was held with the Triad; a ‘Chalk The Walk’ contest was coordinated with Morale, Welfare, and Recreation’s Liberty Center with a gift card awarded for the best sidewalk design with a SAAPM message; and four “Protect Our People” bystander intervention training sessions were held for junior Sailors who reside in the barracks. “If we remain silent when we see inappropriate behaviors, nothing changes and we become part of the problem,” said Diller. “It is important Page 24
to note that SAPR awareness and prevention is not just an April event; it should be an important focus every month. The FFSC team is here to help anyone who has been a victim of a sexual assault.” The winners of the ‘Chalk The Walk’ contest were from Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella Site Souda Bay’s Command Resiliency Team for their design depicting the SAPR Ribbon with this year’s theme “Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission.” Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Dan Shirley, NAVSUP FLCSI CRT lead, said CRT members are trained in Sexual Assault Prevention and Response and hold trainings with their coworkers to relay their knowledge. Last year they held their first training given in the Greek language for host nation employees, he said. For more information about the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, visit FFSC in Building 11 or call them at 266-1690. The SAPR Victim Advocate duty cell phone is available 24/7 and can be reached at +30 694-043-1130.
TOP: The ‘Chalk The Walk’ contest winners from Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella Site Souda Bay pose for a photo on April 26. Pictured from left to right: Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Shirley; Domenica Goniotaki, post office clerk; Logistics Specialist Seaman Daanzae Blandwarren; and Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Natasha Osagie. Photo by Joel Diller, Public Affairs. MIDDLE: The winning design depicting the SAPR Ribbon with this year’s theme “Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission.” Photo courtesy of the Fleet and Family Support Center. BOTTOM: Pictured from left to right: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob Vernier, Gunner’s Mate Seaman Marcel Baines, and Builder 3rd Class Nakina Young demonstrate bystander intervention techniques by role-playing common scenarios Sailors face. Photo by Joel Diller, Public Affairs.
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USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) & USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) Visit Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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rleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and Arleigh Burkeclass guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) visited Souda Bay for a logistics and maintenance period on April 14. NSA Souda Bay provided port operations support to ensure they had the fuel, cargo and ammunition needed for the next stage of their journeys.
ABOVE: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) arrives in Souda Bay. LEFT: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) arrives in Souda Bay. BELOW: Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), left, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), right, are moored pierside in Souda Bay.
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Hero on the Other End of the Line: National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 11-17
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Story and photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
SA Souda Bay’s Emergency Dispatch Center set up an information table around the installation during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 11 – 17 to talk to Team Souda members about how dispatchers help during emergencies. The job of a dispatcher is to answer the phone during an emergency, collecting information from the caller and ensuring the right people with the right equipment are sent to the correct location. To do this, the dispatcher follows a flow chart of specific questions to ask. For example, the dispatcher will always ask about the type of incident and ask the caller to say the address of the emergency and provide a callback number for verification.
Emergency Management Team Members Damage Controlman 1st Class Roneshia Redmond, Sotiris Kagadis and Kiki Fragioudaki pose for a photo at the information table.
Many dispatchers today are trained to provide real-time instructions in CPR and life-saving first aid while dispatching Emergency Medical Service professionals to the caller’s location. When calling dispatch, the most important thing you can do is listen carefully and do exactly what the dispatcher asks you to do; this could end up saving the person in need’s life. Thank you to all of our emergency dispatchers for being ready 24/7 to provide a helpful voice when Team Souda members are in need. For any emergency, always call dispatch before calling your friend, family or chain of command. Contact them by dialing 9-1-1 on base or 282-102-1911 from a cell phone. FAR RIGHT: Kiki Fragioudaki, an emergency dispatcher, explains information that a dispatcher follows during an emergency call to Culinary Specialist 1st Class John Taylor. RIGHT: Sotiris Kagadis, NSA Souda Bay’s Emergency Dispatch supervisor, explains the job of an emergency dispatcher and how to contact them during an emergency. to Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Edward Watson.
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Community Outreach: Tree Planting at Agia Triada Monastery Photos courtesy of Lt. Michael Spoke, Command Chaplain
Volunteers pose for a photo in front of the Agia Triada Monastery on April 24.
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olunteers from NSA Souda Bay participated in a community outreach project by planting trees at the Agia Triada Monastery April 24. The Chaplain's Office, in partnership with the Mouzouras Cultural Association, coordinated the event. Team Souda members and their families came and partnered with members of the community, planting 60 trees while enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the monastery. Page 28
RIGHT: Lt. Elsie Dominguez, operations officer, Military Sealift Command, is all smiles after planting a tree. BELOW: Volunteers pose for a photo with a newly-planted tree.
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Souda Spotlight: Equipment Operator 2nd Class Jakob Wallis Public Works Department Story and photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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quipment Operator 2nd Class Jakob Wallis, from Rhea County, Tenn., joined the Navy August 2016 and has been stationed at NSA Souda Bay since October 2020. Wallis said he joined the Navy because he wanted to explore the world and get an education. Wallis’ previous command was III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan. Currently, he works in the Public Works Department's Transportation shop where he refuels boilers and generators and transfers people, equipment and supplies between NSA Souda Bay and the Marathi NATO Pier Facility. What does a typical day look like in Transportation?
How many different kinds of equipment are there?
I get to work about 6:30 a.m. because that is just something that I’m used to doing, (from) being with the Marines. I’m the transportation shop supervisor and assign jobs to one local national and a Sailor. I’ll check my emails and see what jobs need to be done and at 8 a.m. we will start knocking out the jobs for the day. But also, a lot of our work does happen after hours or on the weekend.
Here at Souda Bay we have Bobcats, forklifts ranging from (4,000 lbs. to 20,000 lbs.), 7-ton stake trucks, fuel trucks, water trucks, buses, a dump truck, tractor trailers, and sweepers that we use to sweep the airfield to keep debris off the airfield to allow aircraft to come on and off the airfield safely.
Our job requests include moving people with their equipment from Marathi to Souda Bay or Souda Bay to Marathi to get to a ship or a plane. We also move supplies to Marathi. For example, when the USS Donald Cook was here we transported food and snacks to help increase their morale. Also, we refuel the generators and boilers. This is really important because the boiler for the Galley gives them hot water to do their food services; when we refuel the barracks they are able to have hot water; and also refueling the generators on Marathi helps the navigation equipment in Joint Tactical Operations Center for ships coming in. What is your favorite thing about your job? We get to drive a lot of equipment, I enjoy that. It is fun and relaxing to me. I also like that we help out a lot of people here. If there is no fuel in the barracks, the gym or Galley, there is no hot water. Knowing that I get to put the fuel in there feels good to be able to help them out.
What is your favorite vehicle you operate? I have a license for 10 different types of vehicles. The most fun is the tractor trailer because it is challenging. Here the roads are really narrow and difficult to navigate because (the tractor trailers) are so big. Here there are a lot of back roads, so we don’t have the luxury of driving on a highway. When you're not at work, what do you enjoy doing? I like golfing. I started liking golf at my first command in Okinawa. I went golfing with one of my colleagues and he got me into it. I like it mainly because it takes a lot of skill, it’s not just something you jump in and do without skill. When I first started I did that and I was all over the place. What is something you want Team Souda to know about Transportation? We (Seabees) all work together. Next month we are going to be assisting the builders in exchanging downspouts on 30 buildings on Souda Bay. So we will be taking them up on lifts and helping them perform maintenance on the downspouts.
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Souda Spotlight: George Drikakis
Port Operations Manager
Story and photo by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
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G
eorge Drikakis, port operations manager, has served for 27 years as Team Souda’s liaison to the Hellenic Navy, coordinating U.S. Navy ship requirements for their port visits to Souda Bay. He said every day brings a new challenge – for example, the same ship could visit twice in the same week and have a different set of requirements each time. By managing their diverse and always changing needs, Drikakis is a key member helping Team Souda fulfill our mission of supporting the Fleet. Where are you from originally? I was born and raised in Africa (in Rhodesia, which became Zimbabwe.) My education was in Africa. After my father passed, my mother put us on the plane and brought us back to Greece and I spent 10 years in Athens. I had a business, but Athens got tiring. I left it and came down to Crete because my parents are originally from Crete. And I met my wife, who I knew from before, from Africa. She was also born and raised in Africa. How did you get started at Port Operations? (My wife’s parents) had a hotel, which was a contract hotel for the U.S. Navy, so I started working there. I worked there for about 10 years and then a job opened up here. The Navy said they were getting ready to open up a business called Port Operations. The position came up, I applied and I got the job. It was me and Lt. Cmdr. Long, who was at the time the original Port Ops officer. What’s a typical day like for you? In the morning, the Lieutenant or Chief goes through message traffic and gives me an update on what is going on. I check my (email) and combining those facts together I meet with the fleet logistics coordinators of the Hellenic Navy. I sit down with the Hellenic Navy captain that is down there and we start hashing out the prioritization, because he controls the NATO ships that come in, including the Hellenic Navy ships that come
in. I’m there as the liaison of the U.S. Navy to the Greek Navy to coordinate of the requirements of the U.S. Navy. What is your biggest career highlight? During the Operation Iraqi Freedom, Turkey denied the U.S. access through their country for the northern attack, so the U.S. government ran the northern attack through NSA Souda Bay. Just to compare numbers: calendar year 2002 we had 125 ships for the whole calendar; March of 2003 I did 128 ships in one month. It was me, a chief, and a lieutenant. I would sleep in here in the office; Public Works had a cot in here for me and I’d take showers in the gym. My wife would bring me my clothes to the gate. If you drove down towards the piers, you’d see (the ships) all lined up waiting to come in. We had 17 ships in one day. The numbers were incredible. That was a highlight. What is your life like outside of the office? I have three children. My daughter is in Canada, but my boys are here. My one boy is a professional soccer player, my youngest one. My oldest son is at university, the Polytechnic here in Crete. Outside (of work) it’s not that exciting. I try to unwind from the day because the phones don’t stop, you know. It’s constant calling, constant changes.
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Souda Spotlight: Mike Tyburski
Emergency Operations Center / Emergency Dispatch Center Manager Story and photo by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
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M
ike Tyburski, originally from Charlotte, N.C., came to NSA Souda Bay in December 2020 from the Regional Operations Center at Joint Region Marianas, Guam. Tyburski served in the Air Force for 12 years and as a civilian in Alaska, Afghanistan, South Carolina and Georgia. He was previously at NSA Souda Bay from September 2014 to October 2018. He said he returned to Team Souda because of the outstanding community and culture here in Greece. What did you do serving with the Air Force? Most of my Air Force career was with firefighting all over the world, that was interesting. My last three years of service were spent with a high-speed engineering unit with the Air Force called the 819th RED HORSE Squadron (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer), working directly with Army Rangers, Army Sappers and some other high-speed guys jumping out of planes, air assault, and lots of tactical medical training. It's a privilege to be a part of a long and distinguished tradition called Airborne. Why did you decide to get into emergency management? It felt more practical to manage emergencies from a 36,000 foot view rather than being on the ground dragging hose – I did that piece. I did it in Afghanistan for a long time. Realworld stuff on a quick response team: plane crashes, pulling people out of Humvees, fires, gunshot wounds – it was enough for me. I would rather manage the situation or emergency support than be in the middle of it. I was able to turn my experience and added education into a practical understanding of emergency management and know what other first responders might want or need on scene or what kind of support they may need. What is a typical day like for you? Multitasking, training, scheduling, taskers,
meeting after meeting. That’s a typical day. The days can shift. We may be busy with a SHOTEX one day and we may be doing a base-wide drill the next. And then I put my EOC hat on and I’m an EOC manager facilitating an Incident Management Team to get through an actual emergency or a training event. What do you like to do outside of the office? I’m 44 years young and I like to think I still have a little bit of that energy underneath as far as having fun and doing different things outside of the office. I love to go rock climbing and free diving. Kite surfing has been one of my biggest hobbies for the last six years. I love to get out on my motorcycle as well. Trying to maintain a routine in the gym has been difficult due to the restrictions but I do the best I can. My wife and I are Greek Orthodox and love attending the different churches and monasteries. What do you want Team Souda to know? I am now designated as a motorcycle coordinator for the base. It’s through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and we basically help the Service Members out here stay safe on the roads, be able to let them drive their bikes on and off the base. Also, the EM team here is pretty resilient, active and ambitious. They want to accomplish a lot and they mean well. Everybody is here for the community service. We sincerely care about our jobs and the people. Page 35
Word on the Street What is your favorite movie and why?
“White Chicks – it is hilarious and I grew up (watching) the Wayans brothers.” Utilitiesman Constructionman Brandon Salmon Public Works Department
“Sweet Home Alabama – it is a cutesy movie and I like romantic comedies.” Irene Vasilakis Morale, Welfare and Recreation Page 36
“In the Land of Blood and Honey – because I really like history movies and I think everyone should know about the Bosnian War.” Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Aisling Glover Port Operations
“The Lord of the Rings movies – I love the books because Tolkien created a new language and world; they did a great job with the films.” Kiki Fragioudaki Emergency Dispatch Center
“A Night at the Roxbury – it was the first comedy I ever watched, so it was my introduction to comedy films.” Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Natalie Ruiz Security
“Gladiator – it is so action packed and the action scenes are at another level. It also started the trend (of movies) based on history, such as 300.” CJ Terlaje Fire Department Page 37
Word on the Street What is your favorite movie and why?
“Mrs. Doubtfire – I like it because it is about a family and you can watch it with your family. It also makes you laugh and cry.” Lina Tzanidaki The Argonaut
“Insidious – it is a very creepy movie. I think a world like that exists. Also, I do believe in an afterlife and good and bad forces. ” Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Holiday NAVSUP
“Scarface – I like the main character and the time period, the early 80s.” Kostas Kavasis Public Works Department Page 38
“The Shawshank Redemption – Morgan Freeman is really good in it and it is the kind of movie you can watch over and over again.” Air Traffic Controller Airman Ethan Smalley Air Operations
“The Great Escape – it is filled with great actors and is very creative when it came to its action scenes.” Mike Varoudakis Navy Federal Credit Union
“American History X – I like the growth of the main character; he learned that what he was doing was wrong and changed. The movie showed that anyone can change.” Master-at-Arms 1st Class Tia Yau Security
“Step Brothers – it is so, so, so funny. ‘It’s the Catalina Wine Mixer!!!’ ” Staff Sgt. Carolyn Helm Detachment 1, 95th Reconnaissance Squadron Page 39
Word on the Street What is your favorite movie and why?
“The Nightmare Before Christmas – I enjoy the songs. It also reminds me of when I was younger.” Information Technician Specialist 2nd Class Gabriel Gonzales Consolidated Reconnaissance Operations Facility
“Men of Honor – I like that the movie represents determination, resiliency and never giving up. I’m inspired by these qualities depicted in the movie.” Chief Warrant Officer 2 Timothy Thurman Administration
“As Good as It Gets – it shows that even if you have problems, love can help you improve yourself.” Kostas Fantaousakis Public Affairs Page 40
“Inception – it is a mind bender. Every time I watch it I think something else is going to happen.” Lt. Michael Spoke Religious Ministries
“When Harry Met Sally – at the beginning none of the characters were getting along and it was funny, but you find out it is a love story. ” Sam Kagadis Emergency Dispatch Center
“Matilda – because it shows that no matter how bad life might be sometimes, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.” Gunner’s Mate Seaman Tezhane Williams Navy Munitions Command
“The Matrix – the story and the cinematography was something that never had been done before.” Chris Channel NAVSUP Page 41
CHAPLAIN'S CORNER By Lt. Michael Spoke, Command Chaplain
Graphic by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
So let’s take a moment and dive in. What is honor? Honor is a driving force that propels us to behave in an ethical manner.
H
onor is the first of our Navy core values. It is meant to be a part of our identity. While I think many of us have a general idea of what the word means, how many of us have stopped to really consider what it takes to be a person of honor or how to work to become a person of honor? How many of us have stopped to really consider why honor matters? Page 42
This immediately leads us to a very big question: Do we know what ethical behavior is? Is it simply avoiding what is bad (not breaking the law)? Aristotle said, “One studies ethics not merely to know what is good, but to be a better person.” Honor, therefore, is not just about what you should or should not do because of orders, laws or restrictions. It is doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Pursuing honor means we are working hard to be a certain kind of person – one who is actively seeking to do what is good. It goes hand-in-hand with integrity and trustworthiness. Let me put it this way. You work on the flight line and you see a piece
of trash. It’s Foreign-Object-Debris, so you have a direct order to pick it up. It is more than expected that you will pick it up, it’s demanded. But if you were walking near The Anchor and saw a piece of trash, would you pick it up? There is no base instruction ordering you to pick it up. How would your values guide you? What is honorable in this situation? To be considered honorable is an achievement. It means you have consistently chosen to act in a trustworthy way. You are committed to behaving in an upstanding manner in all situations, regardless of whether those actions are supervised or ultimately recognized by others. If integrity is “what you do when no one is looking,” then honor is knowing that what you choose to do will be ethical. You have heard it before many times (probably at quarters or safety standdowns) that you are a Sailor 24/7, not just during the working hours. The value of honor compels us to act responsibly in all situations and environments, to fulfill our obligations as moral humans, to hold ourselves and others accountable for every action. Honor is an identity. You either are, or you are not. Your choice impacts everyone around you. We often think of the impact of honor only when someone has behaved dishonorably. Their actions have caused harm, or their actions have broken trust within a community. But the effects of honor are not limited to the consequences of failing to behave honorably. Admiral Arleigh Burke, our longest serving Chief of Naval Operations, once said this, “The integrity of a society or a group
is approximately equal to the lowest common denominator of its people. When the standards are lowered for an individual, the standards of the group or society to which the individual belongs are lowered. Sometimes standards are raised in groups, but more frequently there is a gradual disintegration of standards.” Honor sets the tone for your society around you. What you excuse in yourself, you excuse for the group. What you model for others, sets the precedent for the future. Are we honorable? Maybe the honest answer for us today is “No, I am not honorable... at least not in all areas of my life.” Here is the good news: Honor is built. While failures set us back and force us to work harder to regain the trust and respect of our shipmates and friends, for better or worse, honor is not a static characteristic. You can rebuild it. In the same way I can’t expect to go to the gym and bench 225 pounds if I haven’t put in the time, we can exercise our resolve to do what is right. We need to make the right choices over and over again in order to build that muscle. Being honorable is a continual, daily choice. It is the product of millions of little choices, and maybe some big ones, that reveal our actual character. Be quick to admit failings and mistakes, we all make them, but even more so be resolved to build a better, more honorable you.
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Department of the Nav “HONOR”
I am accountable for my professional and personal behavior. I will be mindful of the privilege I have to serve my fellow Americans. I will: • Abide by an uncompromising code of integrity, taking full responsibility for my actions and keeping my word.
“COUR
Courage is the value that g and mental strength to do w confidence and resolution, temptation or adversity. I w
• Have the courage to me profession.
• Conduct myself in the highest ethical manner in relationships with seniors, peers and subordinates.
• Make decisions and act the Department of the N without regard to person
• Be honest and truthful in my dealings within and outside the Department of the Navy.
• Overcome all challenges highest standards of per decency.
• Make honest recommendations to my seniors and peers and seek honest recommendations from junior personnel. • Encourage new ideas and deliver bad news forth rightly. • Fulfill my legal and ethical responsibilities in my public and personal life.
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• Be loyal to my nation by entrusted to me are used and efficient way.
vy Core Values Charter
RAGE”
“COMMITMENT”
gives me the moral what is right, with even in the face of will:
The day-to-day duty of every man and woman in the Department of the Navy is to join together as a team to improve the quality of our work, our people and ourselves. I will:
eet the demands of my
• Foster respect up and down the chain of command.
in the best interest of Navy and the nation, nal consequences.
• Care for the personal and spiritual well-being of my people.
s while adhering to the rsonal conduct and
• Show respect toward all people without regard to race, religion or gender. • Always strive for positive change and personal improvement.
y ensuring the resources d in an honest, careful • Exhibit the highest degree of moral character, professional excellence, quality, and competence in all that I do.
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How to St
When an
Information provided by ReadyNavy.mil and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
arthquakes are the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of underground rock. Earthquakes can collapse buildings and cause heavy items to fall, resulting in injuries and property damage. The Greek word for earthquake is seismos, and Crete is located in the area of the Mediterranean basin with the most seismic activity, so it is very important to know what to do in case we have an earthquake here.
Secure items such as televisions and objects that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves. Identify a safe place in every room of your home where nothing can fall on you, such as under a table, against an inside wall, or in a doorway. Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with family and coworkers. Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl only as far as needed to reach cover from falling materials. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops. Build an emergency supply kit that includes enough food and water for at least three days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, and a whistle. Consider each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment. Make an evacuation plan and create a family emergency communication plan in case family members are separated during an earthquake. Plan where to meet if you get separated.
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If you are indoors: Do not run outside. There may be falling debris. If possible, DROP to the ground; take COVER under a table or sturdy piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If you are not near any sturdy furniture, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building or in a load-bearing doorway where there is less of a chance of things falling on you. Stay away from windows, light fixtures, unstable furniture, or anything that could fall. If in bed, stay there and cover your head and neck with a pillow. Stay inside until the shaking stops and you are absolutely sure it is safe to go outside. If you are in a high-rise building, expect fire alarms and sprinklers to go off. Do not use elevators. If you are outdoors: Move away from buildings, street lights, and utility wires or anything that could fall. If near slopes, cliffs, or mountains, be alert for falling rocks and landslides. Once in an open area, stay there until the shaking stops.
tay Safe
Threatens
Statistics show that the most injuries in earthquakes are caused by falling debris. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. If you are in a moving vehicle: Stay in the vehicle. Stop as soon as you can in a clear area, away from buildings, overpasses, utility wires, or anything that could fall. Proceed very slowly once shaking stops. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake, and anticipate traffic light outages.
Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves. Be very careful of falling debris in homes or outdoors. This is how most injuries occur. If you are trapped beneath debris: Do not light a match for light. There may be gas leaks in the area. Do not move around or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or piece of clothing to reduce dust inhalation. Tap on a pipe or use a whistle if you have one to help rescuers find you. Shout only as a last resort as it will increase dust inhalation. Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
Expect aftershocks, which can come minutes, hours, or days after an earthquake. If an aftershock happens, “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” Check yourself and others for injuries. If in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building.
Use the telephone only for emergency calls. If you live near the ocean, be aware of possible tsunamis, which are caused by earthquakes off the coast. Once you are in a safe place, muster with your command.
Do not enter damaged buildings.
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The Parting Shot...
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