BEACON October-November 2018
The Beacon Warfighting First, Operate Forward, Be Ready Warfighting First, Operate Forward, Be Ready
Commanding Officer, NSA Souda Commanding Officer, NSA Souda BayBay Capt. Ryan T. Tewell Capt. Ryan T. Tewell Executive Officer Executive Officer Cmdr. Cmdr.Werner WernerRauchenstein J. Rauchenstein Command Master Chief Command Master Chief CMDCM Brian Neal McDonough CMDCM T. Olds
Beacon Staff/Public Staff/Public Affairs Affairs Office Office Beacon JackyFisher Fisher Jacky
Public Affairs Officer, 266-1244 Public Affairs Officer, DSN: 266-1244
JoelDiller Diller Joel
Assistant Public Affairs Officer, 266-1392 Assistant Public Affairs Officer, DSN: 266-1392
KostasFantaousakis Fantaousakis Kostas
Community Relations, 266-1348 Community Relations, DSN: 266-1348
MC2 Kelly Agee Contact Email (All PAO personnel): Contact Email (All PAO personnel):
Public Affairs Specialist, DSN: 266-1642
SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil
TheBeacon Beaconisisthe theprofessional professionalonline onlinenewsletter newsletter NSA Souda Bay Public Affairs. Information contained The ofof NSA Souda Bay Public Affairs. Information contained in The The Beacon Beacondoes doesnot notnecessarily necessarilyreflect reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, Department in the official views of the U.S. Government, the the Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy. Editorial content is prepared by the Public Affairs Office of Defense or the Department of the Navy. Editorial content is prepared by the Public Affairs Office of of NSA Souda Bay. NSA Souda Bay. Articlesfor forpublication publicationininThe TheBeacon Beacon should submitted to SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil Articles should bebe submitted to SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil Story submissions must be routed through tenant command or departmental senior leadership. Story submissions must be routed through tenant command or departmental senior leadership. Securityand andpolicy policyreview reviewmust mustbebecompleted completed before submissions considered for publication. Security before submissions cancan be be considered for publication.
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Contents
Beacon layout design by Kostas Fantaousakis, Public Affairs
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) enters port in Souda Bay, Greece, Oct. 6, 2018. Winston S. Churchill, homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (MC2 Class Evan Thompson)
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Triad Corner
CMC McDonough Welcome Message
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FFSC Supports USNS Trenton SAPR
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The Gouge
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Navy Ball 2018
13 St. Francis Animal Blessing
22 Seabees Haunted House
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A Visit Full of Memories Navy Veteran returns to Souda after 49 years
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Happy Tails
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Chief Pinning
ON THE COVER: Gerry, a Military Working Dog assigned to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, wishes the U.S. Navy a Happy 243rd Birthday on board the installation October 11, 2018. (Photo by Joel Diller, Public Affairs)
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Triad Corner
Kalimera Team Souda,
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arriors, it has been a whirlwind six weeks since Kim and I have reported on board. I would like to convey to each of you, who make up this extraordinary team we have here, my deepest thanks and appreciation for your steadfast professionalism, welcoming attitudes, and unyielding willingness to assist in bringing me up to speed on all aspects of base operations. Since our first day on board we have been greeted, helped, and accepted by everyone here with the utmost grace and openness. Kim and I have felt like part of your Souda Bay Family almost instantly and for that I am eternally grateful. Efcharisto! As I continue to make visits to every part of this installation and through each department and tenant command, I know I will continue to be impressed. Just as I am every morning I pass through India Gate and am greeted by our professional Contact Sentries, or when I am visiting the Marathi Pier facility and see our Port Ops team working hand-in-hand with our Naval Munitions Sailors supporting our warships on deployment, and also our IT professionals at NCTAMS working hard every day to keep our communications lifelines up and operational. I have been equally as impressed through my interactions thus far with our liberty, administrative, personnel, and family support teams. For those I have not had the opportunity to meet, observe and learn from yet, be certain that I am more than excited to do so.
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I want to remind every person in all jobs, both military and civilian, that your effort is appreciated, and it is absolutely mission critical. I have heard through many conversations that you are working hard to execute your duties, and you are proactively challenging the “status quo” where it makes sense to improve our operational and business practices here. Please continue to do so your opinion matters and I want to hear it! This past weekend, Kim and I had the opportunity to go downtown in Chania for the Oxi Day parade, and I am glad we did. It gave us the chance to learn about the proud Greek culture on a day that is important, not just to the Greek Nation, but also to the outcome of WWII. I urge each of us on Team Souda to get out, get offbase, and get involved in this country’s heritage. If you do, I guarantee that you will gain a greater respect for our host nation, and a greater realization of the importance of our presence and our mission here. In closing, again, many thanks for your warm reception, and I am looking forward to meeting each and everyone in the coming weeks! "E tan e epi tas" (come back with your shield or on your shield)
~ CMC McD
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N AV Y B A L L 2 0 1 8 Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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Forged by the Sea... Page 7
Navy Ball 2018
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Photo Gallery
he Navy celebrated its 243rd birthday and the theme this year “Forged by the Sea," which represents the aspirational outcome of every Sailor’s journey in uniform. NSA Souda Bay's Navy Ball ceremony was held at the Avra Imperial Hotel in Kolybari, Greece.
Master Chief Brian McDonough, Command Master Chief, Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, born in 1971, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Shelby Mann, born in 1999, cut the cake the oldest and youngest Sailors, respectively attending the Ball this is a tradition at all Navy Birthday Balls.
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A visit full of memories...
Story and photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
Capt. Ryan T. Tewell, commanding officer NSA Souda Bay, poses for a photo with Mark Aronoff, a former Aviation Support Mechanic 3rd Class Petty Officer, who was stationed onboard USS Tallahatchie County (AVB-2) during his tour of NSA Souda Bay.
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s you enter the waiting room outside of the Commanding Officer and Executive Officer offices of Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Greece, several black and white vintage photos of old Navy jets and ships hang on the walls. The one photo that stands out the most is a huge print of a massive Landing ship, tank (LST). This 6,000 ton, 382 feet long, 54 feet wide ship that had 265 quarters for 180 squadron members is the USS Tallahatchie County (AVB-2). She could beach anywhere an airfield existed, unload 14 mobile support vans. Why was this ship so important? What was her significance to NSA Souda Bay? Well, back in the 1960s she dropped off squadrons to help support NSA’s mission. One of these Sailors was 17–year-old and three months Aviation Support Mechanic 3rd Class Mark Aronoff. Forty-nine years later Aronoff is touring NSA Souda Bay and sharing his story and experience stationed on the base and the island of Crete. The Navy is continuously changing its uniforms,
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regulations and the different missions that is performs or helps support. NSA Souda Bay is no different. When Aronoff was stationed on island the AVB’s ported here to provide fuel, squard parts, technicians and facilities to help operate an airstrip for patrol and carrier aircrafts, there were no base facilities. Currently the base has a barracks, galley, housing office, administration depart and enough facilities to support …..Sailors. Our mission today is too extend Joint and Fleet war fighting capability through Operational Support to U.S., Allied and Coalition Forces deployed within the United States European Command/United States Central Command/United States Africa Command area of responsibility by providing, operating and sustaining superior facilities and services dedicated to combat readiness and the security of ships, aircraft, detachments and personnel. “Everything has changed, nothing is the same,” said Aronoff as he recalled the Souda Bay of his past. “The only thing that is the same is the landing strip. It has
Mark Aronoff and his wife Rita Aronoff stand in front of the base marque that is displaying their visit.
all changed. The buildings, we didn’t have buildings. We had a hangar and we had an Officer’s quarters and we also had an enlisted quarters, and a Fleet Message Exchange but all of that is gone.” Even though the landscape and mission of NSA Souda Bay has changed drastically the human element and the main reason Aronoff returned 49 years later remained the same. “It hasn’t changed much, as far as the people… they are fantastic, that is one of the reasons why I wanted to come back," said Aronoff. "The Tallahatchie County was home ported in Naples at that time but
I like the Greek people. The island is fantastic and it has turned into a tourist meca per say, and that is fine. Both me and my wife have done cruises, we’ve gone to Mexico. I’ve been all over north America but to me this is one of the nicest spots in the world.” Writers Note: This is just a snippet of what will be published in the event of the 50th anniversary of the installation be declared a detachment, Team Souda is excited to have reached such a big landmark and hope you stay tuned for more of Mark’s story. The USS Tallahatchie County (AVB-2) ported on Marathi.
Aviation Support Mechanic 3rd Class Mark Aronoff poses for a photo.
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FFSC Supports USNS Trenton SAPR Story by Joel Diller. Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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SA Souda Bay’s Fleet and Family Services Center (FFSC) Director and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Kirsten Diller, visited with the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Trenton (T-EPF-5) senior leadership and Sailors involved in their Sexual Assault Prevention Response (SAPR) program to discuss ways to improve and maintain their program while on deployment in the Mediterranean. Diller discussed SAPR-related topics with Trenton’s Executive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Smith, to ensure Trenton Sailors have a compliant, proficient and functioning SAPR program to succeed in an environment where commands must be quick to adapt to changing conditions and requirements. "The Sailors aboard Trenton are a truly wonderful group and their commitment to bringing their SAPR program up to date and ensuring the proper trainings are conducted is spectacular,” said Diller. “They have been a pleasure to work with and get to know, despite the distance, and I greatly look forward to our ongoing relationship and ability to support their efforts from Souda Bay."
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St. Francis Animal Blessing
Daisy and Bobby, the only cats in attendance were
blessed.
BU2 Rebekah McPherson brought her dog Nugget to be blessed.
MA3 Jeff Myer, a MWD handler, brought Gerry to the ceremony. Gerry was clearly the most excited animal on the lot.
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t. j.g. John Bethell, command chaplain for NSA Souda Bay, held a ‘Blessing of the Animals’ ceremony for parishioners and animal lovers alike. Since the 13th century, the celebration known as the ‘Blessing of the Animals’ has been conducted in churches around the world each October in honor of Francis, the patron of animals and the environment. On an October Sunday morning people bought their pets, some adopted right from the streets in Crete, to receive a blessing in the name of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals. Even a military working dog (MWD) on hand to receive a blessing.
MAC Lindsay Jazwinski brought her dog Maui to the ceremony.
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ECO CHALLENGE Unexpected Turns...
Story and photos by Jacky Fisher, Public Affairs
2000m Swim “When I got home and saw this dog, I thought he was going to die,” said Bob Beck from the NSA Souda Bay Auto Sales store. “He had a broken leg and some broken ribs as well as many deep gashes all over his body. We took him that night for X-rays and then the next day he had surgery to fix his leg. He need more than 150 stitches.” It took Gunner close to four months before he got all the pens removed from his leg and another month before he learned to trust what ended up being his new family “The way he has recovered and the love he gives us back every day is amazing,” said Beck. “He is so playful, smart, kind and loyal. He’s a tremendous watch dog; what a blessing to have Gunner in our life.”
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ou never know what turn your day can take if you’re willing to change your plans, and how that change of mind can impact the life of another. Last December, Mike Gramolini, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay’s Safety Officer, Despina Jouanaki Beck, and her nephews, Andreas and Lefteris, were driving to a local village when they spotted what they thought was a deceased dog along the National Highway. But in their rear view mirror they saw the dog’s head pop up. There was a choice to be made. “We immediately turned the car around and parked in front of the injured dog to protect him from other cars that could have otherwise hit him. We wanted to see what we could do to help him,” said Gramolini. “He was badly hurt with a large injury to his leg. We tried to lift the dog in the car but he was in too much pain.” Finally a good Samaritan pulled over, Giannis, who helped to carefully lift the injured black lab mix in to the car. The concerned animal lovers rushed to the nearest Veterinarian clinic in Chania where the doctor immediately set up for emergency, and as it turned out, life saving surgery. The pup was named Gunner, a tip of the hat to the Aviation Ordnance Community. Several months later Gunner has recovered from both his injury and surgery. But even better, he is a beloved family member of the Beck family. Page 14 Page 14
If you’re challenged to unexpectedly change your plans, inconvenience your schedule, possibly your home, and even your wallet, imagine what the payoff could be for you … and maybe even for someone else. Even someone with four legs and a tail. Happy tails, Gunner!
Be On the Look Out to Help Out
Story by Jerry Hollenback, Safety Director
several Sailors walked past without offering assistance. A Greek worker saw me and immediately started helping. He was older than the Sailors, so maybe it is something learned over time. If you walk into a worksite and see an unsafe condition, do you keep on walking because making someone safe is not your job? not tryingCall to make anyoneor feel694-043-1157 guilty as much as I’m POC: Kostas Fantaousakis, Community Relations I’m Specialist. 266-1348 trying to draw attention to the word “culture”. Having a • E-mail: konstantinos.fant.gr@eu.navy.mil culture of BASE PRIDE, a culture of HELPING OTHERS, and a culture based on safety means not thinking twice • All Hands emails are sent calling for volunteers about what you should do. If this sounds a lot like Honor, • Ask to join the ComRel projects volunteers distro list.and Commitment that’s because it was supposed Courage he other morning I walked past an empty water bottle to. Got a ComRelofidea? Contact foringuidance. Want toPA Participate inWhen a Community Outreach Project? to Participate Project? next to the sidewalk Want building 58. Later in the day Ia Community you seeOutreach trash, don’t worry that it’s not yours. saw it again, but this time I picked it up and threw it in the Do the right thing and keep your base clean (huuum, POC: Kostas Fantaousakis, Community Call 266-1348 or 694-043-1157 POC: Kostas Fantaousakis, Community RelationsRelations Specialist.Specialist. Call 266-1348 or 694-043-1157 We volunteer, but ALWAYS provide quality service! recycle bin. Why didn’t I do that earlier? It wasn’t my job, I possibly a bumper sticker there or maybe even a hashtag •konstantinos.fant.gr@eu.navy.mil E-mail: konstantinos.fant.gr@eu.navy.mil never put it there and it wasn’t my trash. I actually thought movement?). • E-mail: • All Hands emails are sent for volunteers more about it •after I passed it earlier in the morning; others When someone needs help, offer your time. If you see an All Hands emails are sent calling forcalling volunteers • Ask to join the ComRel projects volunteers distro list. could have picked it up. Why they? unsafe • Ask to join thedidn’t ComRel projects volunteers distro list. condition or an unsafe worker, do what you can to We can compare the incident above to idea? so many other PA for make the condition safe. Got a ComRel Contact guidance. ComRel Contact PA for guidance. things that weGot do ina our lives. idea? Our office was moving It takes baby steps to get to the point where our thoughts Wehave volunteer, but ALWAYS provide qualitybecome service!our actions, and where our actions become part of temporarily (like so many done due to construction We volunteer, but ALWAYS provide quality service! activities). I was carrying heavy items out to a truck, and our culture.
Want to Participate in a Community Outreach Project?
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Local Kids Learn about Fire Prevention Photos and story by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
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he NSA Souda Bay Fire & Emergency Services department is teamed up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere™,” which works to educate the public about basic but essential ways to quickly and safely escape a home fire. Fire Prevention Week was held 7 to 13 October 2018 on base at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay. Among many of the week’s activities, the Fire & Emergency Services team hosted children from the Mavromataki and Theodoropoulos Private Schools to educate them on fire safety.
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Community Outreach
by Kostas Fantaousakis, Public Affairs
Volunteers from the Second Class Petty Officer Association organized a yardwork project at the Daily Care Center for Individuals with Dissabilities (KIFAAMEA) in Chania, Greece.
Sailors from NSA Souda Bay, participated in a beach nad park clean-up at the Agioi Apostoloi area in Chania.
NSA Souda Bay's Chapel, in coordination with Public Affairs, collected and organized a clothing donation delivery to the Horizon Association that supports children with cancerous diseases.
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THE GOUGE EVENTS - FLIGHTLINE ACTIVITY - PORT OPERATIONS
AMMO TRANSFER USNS TRENTON &OPERATIONS USNS CARSON CITY
Magnetic Silencing Facility T
he Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ships USNS Trenton (T-EPF 5) and USNS Carson City (T-EPF 7) moored near one another in Souda Bay, Greece, during a routine port visit. Trenton and Carson City are two of nine expeditionary fast transport ships in Military Sealift Command's inventory. (Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs)
EMMANUEL COLLEGE
USS winston s. churchill (DDG 81) two time WINNER
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he Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) enters port in Souda Bay, Greece, Oct. 6, 2018. Winston S. Churchill, homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (Photos by MC2 Evan Thompson)
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USS ARLEIGH BURKE (ddg-51) T
he Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) departs Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, following a scheduled port visit Oct. 16, 2018. Arleigh Burke, homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. (Photo by MC2 Justin Yarborough)
USS bulkeley (ddg 84)
E VISIT
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SS Bulkeley (DDG 84) arrived at port at NSA Souda Bay on Oct 1, 2018. USS Bulkeley is anArleigh Burke-class destroyer and is the 34th destroyer of its class. (Photos by U.S. Naval Forces Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet twitter page
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Please tune in to the new monthly U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa podcast series "On the Horizon; Navigating the European and African Theaters," featuring Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Italy, is now available at iTunes and Sound Cloud. In Admiral Foggo's 3rd podcast, he discussed the start of Trident Juncture, USS Harry S. Truman above the Arctic Circle, his recent trip to Iceland and their importance to NATO, NATO's response to Russia and his recent article in the Royal United Services Institute journal. On the Horizon: Navigating the European and African TheatersĂŽ is available on Sound Cloud, iTunes, Stitcher.com and Spreaker.com https://soundcloud.com/user-561475303/on-the-horizon-episode-3 https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-horizon/id1435476433?mt=2 https://www.spreaker.com/user/10758933/on-the-horizon-episode-3 https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/public-affairs-officer/on-the-horizon-navigating-the-european-andafrican-theaters Page 20
Community Outreach
NEXCOM Provides Comfort Post-Hurricane Michael
by Kostas Fantaousakis
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The local NEX Panama City management team is working closely with base leadership to ensure they have the supplies they need to fulfill their mission including pallets of water, tarps, grills, charcoal, generators, batteries and other supplies to assist with the cleanup. In addition to merchandise, NEXCOM’s Telecommunication Program Office worked with its nationwide contractor, ViaSat, to establish three WiFi hotspots at different common areas across the base so Sailors and DoD personnel can contact their loved ones. Navy Lodge Pensacola, Fla., is supporting military members from NSA Panama City by ensuring rooms are available for those displaced due to the storm.
Community Outreach
n the aftermath of Hurricane Michael and at the request of the Naval Support Activity Panama City, Fla., base leadership, the Navy Exchange Service Command sent a Mobile Retail Facility (MRF) to by Kostas Fantaousakis help with the needs of the mission essential personnel onsite to help in the cleanup effort.
Once NEXCOM received word that the NEX MRF was needed, three associates from NEXCOM Mid-South District and Headquarters gathered at the NEX Pensacola September 15.Center Sailorstofrom Souda Bay and Airmen Distribution loadNSA merchandise before headingfrom to the 5th Reconnaisance Squadron, volunteered for a beach cleanup at the scenic beach in Kalathas, Akrotiri. NSA Panama City. The NEX MRF arrived on-site on Oct. sixteenth. Sailors from NSA Souda Bay delivered a significant “The NEX MRF is stocked with basic health and amount of clothing donations collected by NSA's Chapel to the Smile of the Child Community Market on January 26. ”The comfort items as well as food and cold drinks, saidMarket retiredprovides food and clothing for a large number of families free of charge and is the largest childChief support organization in Crete. Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) employees Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi, Executive Officer, NEXCOM. “Because it’s mobile, the NEX MRF can be prepare to open a mobile Navy Exchange (NEX) on board Naval Support Activity Panamafor City, Fla., Oct. 17, 2018. driven into areas on base where15.Sailors areNSA working September Sailors from Souda Bayand and Airmen from the 5th Reconnaisance Squadron, volunteered a beach cleanup at the scenic beach in Kalathas, Akrotiri. The mobile NEX will provide goods for personnel on base living, making it easier for them to get the merchandise Hurricane disaster relief and cleanup efforts they need. We will continue to NSA do everything weacan to amount ofasclothing Sailors from Souda Bay delivered significant donations Michael collected by NSA's Chapel to the Smile of the Child Community Market on January 26. The Market provides food and clothingby for aMC3 large number of families free continue. (Photo Devin Bowser) support the base during this difficult time.” of charge and is the largest child support organization in Crete.
Want to Participate in a Community Outreach Project?
Want to Participate in a Community Outreach Project? POC: Kostas Fantaousakis, Community Relations Specialist. Call 266-1348 or 694-043-1157 POC: Kostas Fantaousakis, Community Relations Specialist. Call 266-1348 or 694-043-1157
• • •
• E-mail: konstantinos.fant.gr@eu.navy.mil E-mail: konstantinos.fant.gr@eu.navy.mil • All Hands emails are sent calling for volunteers All Hands emails are sent calling forprojects volunteers • Ask to join the ComRel volunteers distro list. Ask to join the ComRel projects volunteers list. Got a ComRel idea? Contact PA fordistro guidance.
We volunteer, but ALWAYS provide quality service! Got a ComRel idea? Contact PA for guidance.
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We volunteer, but ALWAYS provide quality service!
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Sea Bees Haunted House Story and photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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arkness and heavy fog surrounds you as you enter. What will it look like? What frights await? You creep into the next room, too scared to look back. It’s been an annual tradition for Seabees to use their skills to create a haunted house during the week of Halloween at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece. This spooktacular event runs the last week before Halloween and is a fundraiser for the annual Seabee Ball in March. This year’s event raised $800 in donations. The haunted house was located at the Public Works building and consisted of rooms themed with different frights. Ranging from a creepy carnival scene to a reenactment from the video game/movie ‘Silent Hill’. According to Construction Electrician 2nd Class Nicholas Connelly, who ensured everything was in track from set designs, to ordering costumes, to even playing a ringleader in the creepy carnival, their skills as Seabees gave them a huge advantage of pulling off a frightening haunted house. “We are all aspects of a construction company,” said Connelly. “We are plumbers, electricians, carpenters, engineers, mechanics, and even equipment operators. We had the knowledge, the tools and we have the will. We actually all cross-train with each other, making us well-rounded Seabees.” During the process of building and putting on the haunted house the “show still went on” with the Public Works Shop. They equally distributed people between daily jobs and work that needed to be done for the haunted house. Page 22
“Believe it or not, work did not stop,” said Connelly, “Day-to-day requirement were still a priority throughout the whole haunted house event. It was hardest on the days when the haunted house actually started; that is when we felt the kick. The hours were really hard, but we all kept pushing. Everyone did a great job, even though we were all super tired at the end of every night. We did a flawless job in my eyes.” For Construction Mechanic Striker Patrick Steiner, a participant and part of the heavy medal portion of the haunted house and the lead of his shop in the haunted house, this was his first year celebrating Halloween since he has been in the Navy. “I have been in the Navy for three years,” said Steiner. “My previous two years I was an undesignated seaman. So I was on a ship and we didn’t get the opportunity to really celebrate Halloween because we were always out to sea. This would be my first time actually celebrating Halloween in the Navy. I’m loving it. It was a great opportunity for me. Any chance I get for a holiday I go for it.” Not only was he happy to celebrate Halloween, he was also glad other people on the island had the same opportunity. “They don’t really celebrate Halloween here,” said Steiner. “It kind of gives them a taste of home. They can come and feel like it is Halloween because everyone just wants to be at home during the holidays. I’m glad we could help everybody on base to include the Greek people to come together and experience something that turned out to be pretty awesome.”
CECN Angel Guevara-Anderson/Creepy Clown Working on the haunted house was a learning experience and a way for the Seabees to show not only their skills, but for more creative Sailors, to be able to use their creativity in the process, which allowed junior Sailors to learn more of their rate. “I think from a command perceptive there was a tremendous amount of knowledge gained throughout the whole process,” said Connelly. “We were are framing walls and building structures, allowing the junior Sailors to do their jobs and learn more about their rate.” Even though many hours were spent on the project, Public Works Sailors felt sad about the end of this year’s haunted house. “It is bitter sweet because you put all that time into it,” said Steiner. “You kind of don’t want it to end, but at the same time you are so relieved that it is.”
Jenifer Adkins Ripped face member
CE2 Nicholas Connelly/Ringmaster
UT3 Logan Hamblin/Leatherface
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Story and photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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Chief Pinning Ceremony
n September 14, 2018 the Souda Bay team, service members and family members gathered at the Souda Bay gym for the Navy Chief Pinning Ceremony, FY 2019 to pin chiefs from NSA Souda Bay and chiefs from the USNS Trenton (T-EPF-5) military detachment (MILDET). (front row from left to right) Chief Logistics Specialist Ana Anagaran, NSA Souda Bay; Chief Yeoman Angela Blum, USNS Trenton Mildet; Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Gaylord Calibuso, NSA Souda Bay; Chief Engineman Brandon Lovell, USNS Trenton MILDET and Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Mikel Mongehansicker.
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Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Mikel Mongehansicker, USNS Trenton MILDET is donned with a chief cover at the Chief Pinning Ceremony, FY 2019.
Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Gaylord Calibuso, NSA Souda Bay salutes as a newly appointed Navy chief.
Chief Logistics Specialist Ana Anagaran, NSA Souda Bay gets pinned at the Chief Pinning Ceremony, FY 2019.
Chief Yeoman Angela Blum, USNS Trenton MILDET gets pinned at the Chief Pinning Ceremony, FY 2019.
Chief Engineman Brandon Lovell, USNS Trenton MILDET gets pinned at the Chief Pinning Ceremony, FY 2019.
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Reenlistments Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
MA3 Tessa Graffis '(top left), MA3 Justin Merrill (top right) and MAC Gonzalo Hernandez (left) with CWO4 Marcus Watkins
CONGRATULATIONS! Page 26
Awards at Quarters October 2018
Photo by Jacky Fisher, Public Affairs
AWARDEES Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal MA1 LEYBA
Letter of Commendation MASA BERGH MASN DAVIS MA3 BANUELOS AC3 EVANS OS3 JONES MA3 SERRATO MA3 YOUNG
LN Civilian of the Quarter MS. TSAGKARAKI
CONGRATULATIONS AWARDEES!
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Maritime Bi-lateral Training
Story and photos by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
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.S. Special Operations Forces, Hellenic Navy Special Forces, and Hellenic Forces participated in bi-lateral training exercises in Souda Bay, Greece.
This kind of training strengthens the relationship with Greek naval and coast guard forces, as well as NATO maritime Special Operations Forces across Europe.
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