U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece
BEACON September/October 2019
The 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
BeaconAffairs Staff/Public Public Office Affairs Office Jacky Fisher
Public Affairs Officer, 266-1244
Carolyn Jackson Joel Diller
Public Affairs Officer, DSN 266-1244 Assistant Public Affairs Officer, 266-1392
Joel Diller Kostas Fantaousakis
Assistant Public Affairs Officer, DSN: 266-1392 Community Relations, 266-1348
Kostas Fantaousakis
Community Relations and The Beacon Designer, DSN: 266-1348 SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil Public Affairs Specialist and The Beacon Assistant Designer, DSN: 266-1642
Contact Email (All PAO personnel): MC2 Kelly Agee Contact Email (All PAO personnel):
SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil
The Beacon Beaconis is the the professional professionalonline onlinenewsletter newsletterof ofNSA NSASouda SoudaBay Bay Public PublicAffairs. Affairs.Information Information contained The in The Beacon not does necessarily reflect the official the U.S. the Department contained in Thedoes Beacon not necessarily reflect the views officialofviews of theGovernment, 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 Public Office of NSA Souda Bay. Affairs Office of NSA Souda Bay. for publication in The Beacon should be submitted to SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil ArticlesArticles for publication in The Beacon should be submitted to SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil Story submissions must be routed through tenant command or departmental senior leadership. Story submissions must be routed through tenant command or departmental senior leadership. Securityand andpolicy policy review must completed before submissions be considered for publication. Security review must bebe completed before submissions cancan be considered for publication.
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Contents
The NSA Souda Bay team observes a moment of silence during the 2019 September 11th Remembrance Ceremony. (Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs)
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Triad Corner by CMDCM McDonough
Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony
Eco-Challenge
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"Can Do" Seabees
Upcoming Events
Greece's Day of "No"
Cover Photo: Athletes participating in this year's Eco-Challenge shake hands during a moment of sportsmanship and friendly competition. (Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs)
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Triad Corner
Hello Team Souda, Whew! What a busy few weeks we’ve had here at Souda Bay – and what tremendous accomplishments by the entire team! I can’t tell you often enough how proud I am of you and everything you do each day to support the Fleet, the war fighter, the mission, and EACH OTHER. To that end, let me say “Bravo Zulu” to our 18th Annual Eco-Challenge warriors and to everyone involved in making this an incredible event. I especially want to thank the MWR team – they always make sure we have fun, exciting activities to participate in! To all the athletes on the 10 teams that ran, hiked, biked, swam and kayaked September 7 — job well done! It took physical and mental toughness to persevere – especially in the Cretan heat – and you all embodied the spirit of Team Souda, partnerships and camaraderie! Speaking of Team Souda, let’s welcome our newest teammates. We have a lot of new faces on base and while that means we have a lot of new hands to help us accomplish the mission, we also have a lot of new folks who don’t necessarily know the ropes yet. Please take a moment to share your knowledge – fueling hours, the best time to do laundry, your favorite places on the island … for Sailors and Page 4
civilians alike, a smile really can make someone’s day. You know what else can make someone’s day? Seeing YOU over the holidays. Whether you are going home to visit family and friends or exploring somewhere in Europe, it isn’t too early to start planning your holiday travel. Talk to your supervisor and schedule your leave, but please be flexible with your dates. The Skipper, XO and I want everyone to have time off to enjoy their holidays but we also need to stay mission ready. We are counting on Team Souda leaders to put holiday plans in place. We also are counting on each of you to look out for your teammates. September is Suicide Prevention Month but taking care of each other is a yearround responsibility. It is easy to feel disconnected, especially when we are far from home. Invite your new teammate to share a meal and check on the Sailor you haven’t seen for a few days. We talk a lot about creating a healthy environment here; building and caring for relationships is one of the ways we build a strong, resilient team. Many of you also continued to build your careers this month, taking the E-4. E-5, and E-6 Advancement Exams. And you will take this year’s second cycle
of the Physical Fitness Assessment at the end of the month and into October. This is one of the most important indicators that you are fit and ready to serve so make certain you are prepared! I’ll close by congratulating our new Chiefs who were pinned September 13. They went through a rigorous process designed to make sure we select the best-
qualified leaders and I am confident they will make us and the Navy proud. I am so proud to be a part of the team and family here in Souda Bay,
~ CMC McD
Save the Date!
All NSA Souda Bay personnel are invited to come celebrate the Navy’s 244th Birthday. Ticket sales start soon and must be purchased at MWR prior to the event. Page 5
"Chiefs Are Charged with Changing Lives" FY20 Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
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FY20 Chief Petty Officer Pinning Ceremony
The newly-appointed chiefs, Air Force Tech. Sgt. (Master Sgt. select) Keisha Webster, Master Sgt. Erin Barger and Navy Chief Information Systems Technician Donald Davis, join the NSA Souda Bay’s Chief Mess in singing “Anchors Aweigh.”
Chief Master-at-Arms Michael Mann introduces the new chiefs during the ceremony.
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Chief Information Systems Technician Donald Davis is pinned with chief petty officer anchors by his father, Bobby Reak, and Chief Aviation Structural Mechanic Jeremiah Goodwin.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. (Master Sgt. select) Keisha Webster is pinned with chief petty officer anchors by Tech. Sgt. Clarissa Padilla.
Chief Information Systems Technician Donald Davis receives his chief petty officer cover from Senior Chief Information Technician Rebecca Wiser.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. (Master Sgt. select) Sgt. Keisha Webster receives her chief petty officer cover from Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Travis Turner.
Master Sgt. Erin Barger is pinned with chief petty officer anchors by Chief Master-at-Arms Tanisha ScruggsThomas and Chief Logistics Specialist Christopher Saulsberry.
Master Sgt. Erin Barger receives her chief petty officer cover from Senior Chief Information Technician Rodolfo Ruiz, Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Travis Turner and Senior Chief Information Technician Rebecca Wiser.
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Awards at Quarters
Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
September Awardees Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Letter Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeffrey Swain Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Kerry Ford Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Daniel Keaton Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Jeremy Sullivan
Letter of Commendation Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Eddie Estrada Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Ronald Banks Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Oscarine Diaz Air Traffic Controller Airman Apprentice Sarah Holt
Local National Civilian Employee of the Quarter, First Quarter 2019 Sarantos Tzanakakis, Fire Department For superior performance of duty as Fire Captain while assigned to NSA Souda Bay from January to March 2019.
Junior Civilian Employee of the Quarter, First Quarter 2019 Eftihios Doxakis, MWR For superior performance of duty as a Morale, Welfare and Recreation maintenance worker while assigned to NSA Souda Bay from January to March 2019. Page 10
September 11th Remembrance Ceremony Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
The NSA Souda Bay community gathers in front of Building 1 for a September 11th Remembrance Ceremony, Sept. 11, 2019.
NSA Souda Bay Commanding Officer Capt. Ryan T. Tewell and Information Systems Technician 1st Class Donald Davis bow their heads as Tech. Sgt. Keisha Webster gives the invocation during the ceremony.
Fire Chief John Rodgers, Flight Surgeon Lt. Col. Stefanie Shaver and Master Chief Master-at-Arms Jacob Urette place wreaths symbolizing the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
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Eco-Challenge Promotes Competition, Builds Camaraderie Story by Joel Diller. Public Affairs. Photos by Joel Diller and MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs.
The sun beats down on Crete’s rugged Akrotiri Peninsula as athletes compete in NSA Souda Bay’s Eco-Challenge, a timed team competition consisting of five outdoor sports events: hike a mountain gorge wearing a weighted backpack; run along narrow, asphalt roads; bike through villages and fields; swim in cool, crystal-clear water; and kayak the choppy waves of Souda Bay. Why? For the spirit of competition, because competition builds camaraderie. For 18 years, U.S. and Greek athletes have banded together to challenge their bodies and their minds. The spirit of the event, said Morale, Wellness, and Recreation Fitness Director Byron Gale, is not just about winning, but about bringing people together. “It’s about the teamwork of five people completing events together, events that maybe they didn't believe they could do before, but their team gives them the
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encouragement to finish,” said Gale. “And it’s about Team Souda, our host-nation military and our local community working behind the scenes to make it happen, which is special to watch.” Athletes are not the only participants relying on teamwork for a safe and successful outcome. Since NSA Souda Bay’s fire and security departments can only respond to on-base emergencies, coordination with the Hellenic military units, police, and local community is vital for the athletes’ safety on Crete’s narrow roads and choppy seas. The teamwork occurring behind the scenes is what makes the Eco-Challenge successful, said Gale. Partner organizations such as the Hellenic Air Force, the Hellenic Navy and NATO Missile Firing Installation provided ambulances, doctors and rescue divers. The Hellenic Police stopped traffic and provided escort vehicles during the bike and run events, while the local Hellenic Navy emergency room had doctors standing by to assist.
The Fitness Center staff took care of the athlete’s health and safety leading up to the event by providing workout routines designed specifically for each event and riding the routes with the participants. During the event, they provided drinks, food and energy gel at each station. Identical backpacks, bicycles and kayaks are also provided, so there are no excuses when event day finally arrives.
7:15 a.m. - 10.4 km Hike On the morning of September 7 as the sun peaks above the horizon, hikers and runners congregate in the Agia Triada Monastery parking lot for their safety briefing. When Byron Gale yells “Begin!”, hikers wearing backpacks weighing 15 percent of their body weight march the mountain pass toward the Gouverneto Monastery atop the Stavros Mountain range. At the mountain’s top, the hikers descend a stone path through the Avlaki gorge toward an abandoned monastery where they reach the mid-point, make an about-face, retrace their steps, and finish in the monastery’s parking lot.
7:30 a.m. - 14.5 km Run In the opposite direction of the hike, runners await another announcement to take off through the Cypress trees lining the monastery’s lane. Hand-painted white arrows on the pavement direct the runners along the roads passing Chania Airport and through Mouzouras Village. Proceeding along a 3-kilometer down-hill stretch along the Intermodal road, which connects NSA Souda Bay in Mouzouras village with the Marathi NATO Pier Facility located on Souda Bay, the runners complete the event on the lane to Loutraki Beach.
9 a.m. – 38.5 km Bike Beginning at Loutraki Beach, the “Tour de Akrotiri” bike route takes riders through fields, olive groves and vineyards; by Kalathas, Tersanas and Stavros beaches; and through Mouzouras, Chorafakia and Kampani villages. Ensuring the riders’ safety, Hellenic Police provide the convoy’s escort vehicles and post officers at village intersections. Finishing at the Agia Triada Monastery, the bikers complete their journey over the Akrotiri peninsula. Page 13
1:30 p.m. – Awards Ceremony When all five events are complete, there is a collective sigh of relief from the hikers, runners, bikers, kayakers, and swimmers that their test of body and mind is over. A luncheon and awards ceremony at the NAMFI Officer’s Club at Marathi Beach is held for the athletes to enjoy American and Greek foods as they join their teams to hear the results announced and cheer for the winners.
10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 4.3 km Kayak Split into two waves, each kayaking event begins with five kayakers lined up along the Port Operations boat ramp located on the Marathi NATO Pier Facility. Upon the start, they paddle the calm Minoan Basin water but face larger waves in the open sea. The kayakers are followed by NSA Souda Bay Port Operations boats carrying rescue divers as they pass around an island in Souda Bay before reaching dry land at Loutraki Beach.
Athletic competitions, such as the Eco-Challenge, allow athletes to test their abilities and validate their hard work. It is also a platform to display the larger purpose – the U.S. Navy’s partnership with its NATO and Hellenic military allies. As the host-nation for NSA Souda Bay, it is understandable that U.S. Department of Defense leaders routinely call Greece an important NATO ally due to its strategic location in the Mediterranean and the joint and multinational exercises conducted in the region. NSA Souda Bay Commanding Officer Capt. Ryan T. Tewell tackled the bike portion of the challenge and said the Eco-Challenge is one of his favorite events of the year. He noted the event is about more than just the competition between the military organizations on Crete. “It’s a symbol of the cooperation and the coordination that happens every single day here on the Akrotiri Peninsula between the Hellenic Navy, the Hellenic Air Force, two NATO organizations (NAMFI and NMIOTC) and NSA Souda Bay,” said Tewell. “It’s one of my favorite things every year and I am honored to participate.”
12:30 p.m. - 2,000 meter Swim At Loutraki Beach, the swimmers tread through the sand and wade out into waist-deep water. When indicated to start, some immediately start their forward crawl stroke, others charge deeper on foot. As the swimmer’s make their way through the open sea, their brightly colored swim caps are spotted as they round the Marathi fishing pier. Upon reaching shallow enough water to stand, the athletes charge out of the water onto Marathi Beach. Page 14
Members of NSA Souda Bay's Morale, Welfare & Recreation department pose for a group photo after the highly successful event. (Photo by Fotis Angelidis, MWR)
Team Results:
First Place: Service members of the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre. Time: 4:47:41 Second Place: Service members of the 115th Combat Wing, Hellenic Air Force. Time: 4:51:52 Third Place: Service members of the Hellenic Naval Base in Souda. Time: 5:05:01
Individual Athlete Awards: 10.4km Hike: Ioannis Belesis, service member of NMIOTC. Time:1:04:09 14.5km Run: Michael McCarroll (NSA Souda Bay, Team: Souda Striders). Time:1:03:05 38.5km Cycling: Ioannis Zentelis, service member of 115th Combat Wing. Time:1:14:09 4.3km Kayak: Dan Shirley (NSA Souda Bay, Team: Souda Striders). Time:0:28:07 2000m Swim: Konstantinos Tsopanikos (NSA Souda Bay, Team: Fire Department). Time:0:28:21
Outstanding Achievement Award:
Jeremy Lim (NSA Souda Bay, Team: Souda Crab Meat). Times: 14.5km Run: 1:16:52, 2000m Swim: 0:32:29
The team from the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre is recognized for having the fastest overall combined time. They are wearing olive wreaths, similar to those awarded during the ancient Olympic Games where there were no gold medals, as a symbol of achievement for those who do not compete for possessions, but for virtue.
Capt. Ryan T. Tewell, commanding officer, NSA Souda Bay, congratulates Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Jeremy Lim as the winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award, given to the participant who displays self-sacrifice and team camaraderie. Lim, originally signed up for the swim, filled in for an ill teammate and ran 14.5 kilometers for team Crab Meat. He then competed in the 2,000-meter swim, finishing in third-place.
Athletes with the best individual times pose for a group photo with Brigadier General Kleanthis Karatsin, Commander, NATO Missile Firing Installation. (Photo by Fotis Angelidis, MWR)
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18th Eco-Challenge
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e h t Into ! ! ! t h g i l pot
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THE GOUGE EVENTS - FLIGHTLINE ACTIVITY - PORT OPERATIONS
AMMOtransfer TRANSFER OPERATIONS ammo
Magnetic Silencing Facility N
avy Munitions Command Atlantic Detachment Souda Bay loaded ammunition onto the Military Sealift Command dry cargo ammunition ship USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE-13) August 17 at the Marathi NATO Pier Facility. Sailors operated forklifts to move the pallets of ammunition and transported them by truck to the pier so they could be lifted by a crane onto the Medgar Evers. (Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee)
USS florida VISITS SOUDA BAY
EMMANUEL COLLEGE two time WINNER
T
he Ohio-class cruise missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) arrives in Souda Bay, Greece, for a scheduled port visit, Sept. 7. (Photos by Joel Diller, Public Affairs)
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INTEGRATED TRAINING DRILL
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ailors assigned to NSA Souda Bay and Explosive Ordnance Mobile Unit Eight Detachment Europe, Rota, Spain respond to a simulated improvised explosive device incident during an Integrated Training Team drill at the Marathi NATO Pier Facility, August 13. (Photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs)
sUICIDE pREVENTION MONTH
E VISIT
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eligious Program Specialist 1st Class Kalli Hoevelman, Fleet and Family Support Center Director Kirsten Diller and Chief Master-at-Arms Maritza Richardson cut a cake for Suicide Prevention Month during a special meal in the Galley, Sept. 9. Suicide Prevention Month is held in September and is the starting point for year-long conversations about how to help promote a culture supportive of psychological health, emotional wellness, protective factors, connectedness and seeking help. (Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs)
FLASH POINT LEADERSHIP COURSE T
he NSA Souda Bay Fire Department hosted Frank Viscuso, retired deputy fire chief and author; he spent time with the NSA Souda Bay team August 20-22 teaching his Flash Point leadership course. Viscuso said, “The three questions to ask yourself daily to get the results you want are: 1. What must I keep doing? 2. What must I stop doing? 3. What must I start doing? (Photo by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs)
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"Can Do" Seabees Lay Fountain for Ammo Lockers Story and photos by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
Seabees smooth concrete poured for the foundation of an ammunition locker.
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Builder Constructionman Charles Stankye directs concrete into a trench.
eabees are “Can Do” people. They can build, they can fight and they can do it anywhere. The Seabees perform construction for NSA Souda Bay to enable departments such as security forces to accomplish their mission of protecting the installation.
planning. Plunk said they must first plan out the build and estimate the cost before submitting it to the requester for a review. Once the job is accepted, all the tools, materials and equipment are gathered to complete the job.
NSA Souda Bay security forces was in need of two ready service ammunition lockers; one on the airfield and one at the Marathi NATO Pier Facility – so the Seabees were called on to help make it happen.
The manual labor portion of the project can now begin. Supplying the labor themselves, the Seabees use shovels and jack hammers to clear the area where the new pads will be placed.
According to Chief Gunner’s Mate Kevin Founds, this project makes ammunition and weapons more accessible to security forces and security teams from visiting ships.
“That means some days we were out there in the hot sun from 0600 to 2100 swinging hammers and shoveling rock,” said Plunk.
Builder 3rd Class Meghan Plunk, project manager, said preparation for a concrete pad is a long process which requires communication throughout the entire project. “Every process of a project must flow in order to complete the project on schedule,” said Plunk. “In order for this to flow, communication is key. Everyone has their part and position, and everyone must be dedicated to put in 100 percent effort to the completion of the project.” This project, like all Public Works projects, requires
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Once the ground is level, a wooden form is constructed and a rebar grid is laid in the center. Braces hold the forms in place as the Seabees backfill with dirt to ensure the form’s integrity. Finally, cement is poured into the frames to form the foundation for the lockers. “After performing a project like this a wave of pride flows through every Seabee who had their hands in the project,” said Plunk. “Not only a pride in their work, but a pride in the ones that they have built alongside who have become their family."
Airfield Expansion Increases Capacity, War-Fighting Support Story and photo by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
A Navy installation, like an aircraft carrier, is a complex platform – a system of systems – designed to support war-fighting commands from the shore. The airfield, which provides parking, refueling, passenger, and cargo handling services, is a vital piece of the air operations system. At NSA Souda Bay, a military construction project is expanding the airfield to increase the support provided to aircraft that transit throughout the Europe, Africa and Central regions. The NSA Souda Bay airfield, located adjacent to the runway shared with the Hellenic Air Force’s 115th Combat Wing and Chania International Airport, has an apron with five parking spaces for large aircraft (i.e. KC-10 Extender, C-17 Globemaster III) and 10 for medium aircraft (i.e. C-130 Hercules, C-40A Clipper) to park and refuel. This construction project will add four more large aircraft spaces and equip six existing medium aircraft spaces with in-ground fuel hydrant stations.
Jones, NSA Souda Bay operations officer. “If capacity drops we lose the flexibility to support multiple, highpriority missions.” Jones said increasing airfield capacity provides combatant commands with more opportunities to use the installation for operational support. Why is it important to have an in-ground fuel hydrant station at each space? Without an in-ground fuel hydrant station, jet fuel must be transported from an aircraft ready fuel storage tank to the aircraft with a fuel truck – or multiple fuel trucks – depending on the size of the aircraft. Installing a fuel line from a tank directly to the parking spaces saves time and reduces costs.
Why is more aircraft capacity needed at NSA Souda Bay? The airfield enables other departments to provide key services to the installation. The logistics supply chain manager, Navy Supply Systems Command, relies on the airfield to handle incoming aircraft for transportation of material, repair parts, postal mail, and food. The Air Mobility Command terminal relies on airfield services to transport incoming and outgoing personnel and cargo. To make full use of the increased capacity gained by the airfield apron expansion, a future military construction project will construct the Joint Mobility Processing Center, a building with three passenger gates, cargo warehouse and office spaces, to enable air operations to process more passengers and more cargo. On a wider scale, when military operations planners perform mission analysis in the Europe, Africa or Central Command area of operations, they determine which bases have enough infrastructure in place – such as airfield capacity – to support their requirements. “Airfield capacity is critical because it directly impacts the level of support we can provide,” said Cdr. Josh
Bill Delano, NSA Souda Bay airfield manager, said this project allows an aircraft to fuel continuously from a hydrant that might otherwise use three to five trucks of fuel, saves wear and tear on the trucks and makes them available for smaller aircraft that only require one fuel truck. “Since we only have three fuel trucks, they would have to go back to the tank to refuel the trucks, which takes an hour per truck,” said Delano. “This saves time versus having trucks make multiple trips to refuel.” The airfield expansion project began in 2016 by adding five large aircraft parking spaces with in-ground fuel hydrant capability. Work to add additional parking spaces began in April 2019 and is expected to be completed in February 2021.
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Sailors build beds & pens for their four-legged friends Story and photos by Kostas Fantaousakis, Public Affairs
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olunteers from NSA Souda Bay participated in a day of hard work, fun and affection August 30 at the Souda Animal Shelter in Chania. Elizabeth Iliakis, the founder and director of the shelter, said they rely on volunteers to help feed the dogs, play with them and help with repairs. “We appreciate NSA Souda Bay Sailors supporting the shelter,” she said. “At the moment we provide shelter for almost 100 dogs. During the last three weeks we received over 35 puppies.”
Building secure pens is essential for the shelter because not all dogs are alike, Iliakis said. Some dogs like to run around and play while others need privacy and do not like to get out of their secure space in order to interact with other dogs. Human interaction provided by Sailors can help them overcome their fears and socialize. And there are always puppies around that need some extra protection. The day’s main project was breaking down wooden pallets and using the wood to build beds for the dogs so that they do not have to sleep on the ground.
Sailors taking part in the community outreach project helped with a number of tasks including feeding the animals and opening small packages of food and transferring them into large containers to make it easier to feed the dogs. In addition, they tackled building and repair work. Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Hailey Dodson and Masterat-Arms Seaman Rebecca Lane volunteered by building a pen for a small number of puppies using chicken wire, a mesh commonly used to secure areas for animals. Page 22
Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Annette Anaya feeds and socializes with the dogs.
Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Hailey Dodson & Master-at-Arms Seaman Rebecca Lane helped build a pen for the puppies.
Sigfried Sneyers, a builder from Belgium, is a regular volunteer at the shelter and provided the tools for the construction work. He said pallets can’t be used as beds because a dog could be injured if it got its leg trapped in the gaps between slats. Sailors built 10 beds in a single day, which was an impressive feat for volunteers with no building background, Sneyers said. Iliakis noted that the beds, “will help our four legged friends sleep in a safe area.” “Sailors are helping out a lot because the dogs are constantly biting and breaking stuff apart,” Sneyers said. “Dogs get bored, especially at night, and need stuff to chew on so repairs are always needed.”
Breaking down pallets is no easy job but the Sailors' work ethic was more than enough to get the job done.
Volunteer and Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Annette Anaya said, “I always wanted to help animals and every small step counts. Playing with animals, as well as owning one, is very comforting and relieves anxiety and stress. It is a good way to give back to the local community and help them support stray dogs.” Volunteer and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Oluwabusuyi Ayeye said he was excited to participate in the outreach event. “We get the chance to travel and visit another country and we are so happy to come to this island where everyone is so friendly and we feel welcome here,” he said. “The least we can do is give back to the community. The shelter does a great job of helping stray dogs so we might as well join their efforts and give a helping hand.” Find out about upcoming community outreach events by emailing SoudaBayPAO@eu.navy.mil.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Oluwabusuyi Ayeye & Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Hunter Rice stand on top of the newly-built wooden beds.
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Prepared, Not Scared: Celebrating National Preparedness Month Story by MC2 Kelly Agee, Public Affairs
1.
Save Early for Disaster Costs
Tucker said having financial peace of mind is a proactive way to reduce stress in a disaster situation. He said having renter’s, property and car insurance is the best way to ensure you will have the necessary financial resources to help you repair rebuild, or replace whatever is damaged. 2.
Make a Plan to Prepare for Disasters
Having an emergency kit built and ready to go is an important part of planning for disasters, Tucker said. Having a kit at home, at work and in your car makes sense, since you don’t know where you will be when disaster strikes. You’ll also want a portable kit that you can take with you if you need to evacuate. 3.
Teach Youth to Prepare for Disasters
The Ready Navy website offers several fun activities to help plan for disasters with children, including a treasure hunt to find emergency supplies in the house and a word search game for winter storm terms. September is National Preparedness Month which makes it the perfect month to learn how to get through a disaster safely without going broke. NSA Souda Bay’s Emergency Management department is offering solid advice for how to be "Prepared, Not Scared" during an emergency.
4.
Scott Tucker, Emergency Management’s dispatch manager, said that having the right information will help inform the decisions one makes when planning for disasters.
Tucker said being prepared is about thinking ahead and asking the right questions: “Do I have a plan in case this happens? Am I going to be able to communicate with my family members, if they are here? Do I have the basic supplies that I need to get me through until we can get things back up and running?”
“A key to being prepared is making sure you are planning for your loved ones, whether it is your human loved ones or your animal loved ones,” said Tucker. “People need to think about if they have any family members with special needs such as a pregnant spouse or a family member that takes medications.” Each week of National Preparedness Month focuses on a different topic: Page 24
Get Involved in Your Community’s Preparedness
Being prepared in your local community is vital, especially when living overseas, Tucker said. Be sure to understand local safety warnings and where the nearest Red Cross and shelters are located.
For more information about National Preparedness Month, visit www.Ready.Navy.mil.
Emergency Kit Are you prepared?
Water At least one gallon per person per day for at least three days.
First Aid Kit One of the most important items that will come in handy just in case you sustain an injury during a disaster.
Personal sanitation supplies Items such as moist towelettes (one container for every two people in the household).
Food Nonperishable food to support everyone in the household for at least three days. Include canned goods with low salt and high liquid content.
Prescription medications Enough for at least three days.
Flashlight One flashlight for every two people in the household
Can Opener Make sure it is a manual just in case power is lost.
Dust masks or a cotton t-shirt Bring one for every member of the household to help filter the air.
Money At a minimum, $100 in local currency.
Other items to consider: Infant formula, diapers, food and water for your pet, extra batteries, paper plates, matches in a waterprrof container, whistle, sturdy shoes, hats and gloves, sleeping bag, weather appropriate clothing for each person, paper and pencil, books, games and toys. Design by MC2 Kelly Agee
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NSA So September Sept. 24: It’s a Bummer End of Summer Where: MWR Fitness Center at 7 a.m. Join us in a 5k run and earn a free T-shirt.
Sept. 24: Mixed Martial Arts Cage Crusader Meet and Greet Where: Shipmates at 5 p.m. MMA instructors will teach fighting fundamentals in a variety of martial arts: ground/jiu-jitsu, wrestling, grappling, fighting off of back, takedown defense and muay thai.
Sept. 23: Hispanic Heritage Month Special Meal Where: Galley from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sept. 26: Biathlon
Where: MWR Fitness Center at 4:30 p.m. Swim 500 meters and run a 5k.
Sept. 26: Karaoke Night
Where: Shipmates at 6:30 p.m. Show off your singing talent.
Sept. 27: Battle of the Departments
Where: Softball Field from 12 to 4 p.m. Join MWR for some fun in the sun as we say goodbye to summer. Events include a Wacky Olympics bumper ball and a barbecue.
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Upcomin Εκδηλ
ouda Bay’s
ng Events λώσεις
October
Oct. 2: Oktoberfest
Where: NEXMART parking lot from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Enjoy German street food, music and yard games.
Oct. 9: Navy Birthday Meal
Where: Galley from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Oct. 12: Animal Blessing
Where: NEX parking lot from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be a pet blessing in honor of the Feast of Saint Francis. Bring your furry, feathered, or otherwise friend.
Oct. 18: 244th Navy Ball
Where: AVRA Imperial Hotel at 6 p.m. Celebrate the Navy’s Birthday (open to all NSA Souda Bay personnel). Ticket sales start soon and must be purchased prior to the event at MWR.
Oct. 26: Trunk or Treat
Where: NEX Parking Lot from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Decorate your trunk and hand out candy. Register your vehicle today at the Community Recreation office in Building 61.
Oct. 28: “Ohi Day”
Greek holiday commemorating Oct. 28, 1940, the day the Greek prime minister Ioannis Metaxas rejected Italian dictator Benito Mussolini’s ultimatum for free passage to occupy strategic points in Greece. See page 29 for more.
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Community Outreach Photos by Kostas Fantaousakis, Public Affairs
Sailors from #USSRamage (DDG-61) volunteered for a community outreach project September 11, helping to clean up Stalos beach in Chania, Crete. Bravo Zulu and a job well done for helping preserve the scenic environment!!!
IT’S NOT TOO EARLY TO PLAN FOR HOLIDAY MAIL!
In October, the U.S. Postal Service will release recommended mailing dates to make sure cards and packages reach their destination by Dec. 25. Visit the Post Office for more information! Page 28
Information and images: Encyclopedia.com, Wikipedia
October 28, a day of national celebration in Greece, is remembered as the day Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas rejected an ultimatum from Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on October 28, 1940. It is named “Ohi” (Greek word for "No") Day in remembrance of the Greek resistance to the Italian invasion during World War II. On this day, military and student parades take place in Athens and in all major cities across Greece.
invasion of the Soviet Union), and caused losses, especially in aircraft and paratroopers, during the airborne invasion of Crete. The Greek struggle received exuberant praise at the time – most prominently from Winston Churchill, who said: “Hence we will not say that Greeks fight like heroes, but that heroes fight like Greeks.”
A History Lesson In the summer of 1940, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini adopted an increasingly menacing stand towards Greece, authorizing the torpedoing of the Greek cruiser Elli, stationed off the island of Tenos, on August 15. On the eve of October 28, 1940, Italy's ambassador in Athens handed an ultimatum from Mussolini to Metaxas demanding free passage for Italian troops to occupy unspecified "strategic points" inside Greek territory. Metaxas rejected the ultimatum with the words "Alors, c'est la guerre" (French for "Then, it is war."). In this he echoed the will of the Greek people to resist, a will which was popularly expressed in one word: "Ohi" (Όχι). Within hours, Italian troops began attacking Greece from Albania. The Italian invasion of northwest Greece was quickly repulsed by Greek forces, who captured a substantial area of southern Albania before coming to a halt due to atrocious weather. The Italian forces were stronger in artillery and mortars than the Greeks and enjoyed absolute superiority in air forces – but the Italians did not exploit their advantage properly. The Greek Army spent all their available resources on defense and counterattack and as a consequence put up little resistance to Operation Marita (the German attack on the Greek mainland) in April 1941. Despite the ultimate triumph of the Axis powers during their campaign in Greece, the Greek resistance to the Italian invasion, according to several historians, greatly affected the course of World War II. More specifically, it has been argued that the need for a German intervention in the Balkans delayed Operation Barbarossa (code name for the German
�ree� �ol�ier� �elebra�n� �e� �ear's on the Albanian Front, 1 January 1941.
Painting of Alexandros Alexandrakis depicting Greek soldiers in Greek-Italian War (1941) during a bayonet charge.
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Learn to Reduce Online Threats During Cybersecurity Month Story by Joel Diller, Public Affairs
Stolen passwords. Data breaches. Identity theft. Divulging sensitive information. These can be the results of bad judgement, policy violations, or simply using weak online security measures.
He also has a few tips for NSA Souda Bay personnel to reduce the risk of a cyber threat in the workplace:
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is held every October to emphasize personal accountability and stress the importance of taking proactive steps to enhance cybersecurity at home and in the workplace. In the Navy, cybersecurity is an area where all personnel “man the equipment” and their actions, either deliberate or unintended, can lead to vulnerabilities across the entire organization.
“If ‘password’ is your password, then all a cybercriminal needs is your email address to access your account. If you are working on a system and you are required to use a password, well, you do not want to post your user name and password on the computer, because you have now given an insider threat all they need to access your account.”
NSA Souda Bay Information Systems Security Manager Darrell Nichols said that making people aware of the cybersecurity threats they face on the job is an important part of the risk management framework that goes into implementing an effective cybersecurity policy.
Use a strong password and make it hard to guess.
Use two-factor authentication. “When available, you want to use two-factor authentication with either your Department of Defense CAC card or with your alternate token to be able to log in to a DoD website or network. It’s an added layer of security.
“Once people become educated and understand what they need to do it really does have an impact on the risk,” said Nichols. “By making them situationally aware then they can understand not to procure, issue or utilize flash media devices on Navy Networks – such as plugging a USB drive into the computer since USB drives are not authorized (per JTF-GNO 10-004A/NETWARCOM CTO 1-04), and lower the risk.”
“Two-factor authentication can also apply to your cell phone and personal email account. When you log into your personal email account it will ask you, ‘Hey, is this really you or not?’ That’s a better way of doing it – because you have to have the phone … so if somebody was to get to your user name and password but doesn’t have access to your phone – good luck.”
NSA Souda Bay has a high turnover rate of personnel because many Sailors are on one-year orders. Nichols said that since people are constantly coming and going it is important when they first arrive to educate them to treat the Navy networks like a weapons system.
“If you get any kind of DoD email from a non-digitally signed or encrypted e-mail, without the little red ribbon or yellow lock, don’t download any of the attachments.
“Like a weapons system – a weapon you might have – you would not just leave that weapon laying around loaded for anyone to use,” said Nichols. “The same thing goes for your Common Access Card or alternate token. You’re not just going to leave your CAC card or alternate token laying around for someone else to use.” Page 30
Pay attention to digital email signatures.
“The best step is to come talk to us first and then we’ll help with the verification process. Because it could be a trick – it could be phishing – and we want to go look at it so we can have our eyes on it. It also gives us an opportunity to show the individual while we’re there ‘Yeah, this is a phishing attempt’ or ‘No, it looks like this is legitimate.’” Use caution when posting on social media.
“If you post about a specific date and time a ship is arriving an adversary can use that information to cause harm. ‘Tweets sink Fleets. Think before you post.’ – just as the poster says. “One of the latest scams is actually called ‘Sextortion. If anybody contacts a Sailor, or anyone that’s in the military, and is like ‘Hey, let’s develop an online relationship’ and it maybe turns into some kind of sexual encounter or whatever have you, and then they try to extort you for classified information. You need to let us know immediately so we can go ahead and resolve that! You need to go tell a security person. You can let me know or you can let the command security manager know. Just please let us know so we can actually go and do something about that.” Each week during the month of October, Nichols will
place a presentation covering a different aspect of cybersecurity on the N6 department’s intranet page at: https://g2.cnic.navy.mil/tscnreurafswa/NSASOUDABAYGR/N6/N64CS/SitePages/Home.aspx. Topics will include: the anatomy of a cyber intrusion, cybersecurity is an all-hands effort, protecting your shipmates by protecting yourself, enhancing protection while increasing resiliency, and getting from vulnerable to cyber-secure. Nichols also said that if you experience any suspicious activity on your government computer you should contact the N6 department immediately by calling DSN: 314-266-1338 or visit them in Building 58 Room 20. For more information about the Navy’s Cybersecurity Month, visit www.navy.mil/cyberawareness/.
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