November 2014
Welcome Aboard Cdr. James Bird, NSA Souda Bay Executive Officer command synchronized and which will provide ample opportunity for training and selfimprovement. Long range, he Reporting on-board NSA Souda stated he wants to work to Bay on 9 November, Bird noted “ensure that NSA Souda Bay has the appropriate manpower his first impression of Crete was “positive. “ Bird went on to to meet the base’s expanding state that “I enjoy the Mediter- mission. Secondly, I will look to streamline processes as much ranean cultures, with the relaxed pace of life, deep rooted as possible, to reduce the manpower and resource overhead of culture and language, and the administrative and routine thousands of years of history within easy reach. I have been tasks. Both of these goals will to other areas in Greece previ- work to reduce the strain on individual members of the NSA ously with the US Navy and Merchant Marine and recently Souda Bay team, and will allow had the honor to attend the fes- us to flex to contingencies withtival of the Virgin Mary at the out breaking.” cathedral in old town, Chania as well my family and me help- As the Executive Officer, Bird said he has an open door policy ing out with an olive harvest. Both activities were thoroughly and will give “any Sailor, Chief, Officer, U.S. Civilian enjoyable experiences.” Employee or locally hired civilBird notes that “I will be spend- ian 15 minutes of my time to discuss anything. What I ask is ing much of my first several months working to understand that first discuss the topic with your chain of command, then the processes that make this base function, and ensuring that schedule a time with Maria Simben, the Commanding OfNSA Souda Bay has a set of ficer’s secretary, to meet with instructions and SOPs that me. I value open communicaclearly define those processes and policies, and are clear and tion, as it gives me the inforeasy to follow. Additionally, I mation I need to continuously improve the organization. I am a firm believer that a solid command routine is that foun- look forward to my three years here as XO of NSA Souda Bay, dation from which flexibility and to the opportunity to work that makes the U.S. Navy so with every one here.” effective is built.” sonnel Exchange Program Officer assigned to the Australian Amphibious Task Group Staff.
As with any installation or command, change is inevitable and here at Souda Bay, we are no different which is why we would like to welcome aboard our new Executive Officer, Cdr. James Bird, his wife, Michelle and their two children, Kaylee and Liam to “Team Souda.”
Prior to arriving at Souda Bay, Bird was trained as a Navy Nuclear engineer where the importance of process and procedure were a way of life. He also served as Division Officer on USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), Reactor Electrical Division Offer on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN -71), Combat Systems Maintenance Officer on USS Essex (LHD-2), Staff N4 for Amphibious Squadron Eleven, and Executive Officer for USS Denver (LPD-9). Additionally, he One short term goal on Bird’s served as a Shift Engineer at horizon is him looking to codiNuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, NY and as a Per- fy a routine that will keep the
Welcome Aboard Sir, and Welcome to Team Souda!
“Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~ Mark Twain
Inside this issue: Welcome Cdr. Bird
1
Fleet Activity
2
VIP Events
3-5
Awards Quarters
6
Petty Officer Frocking
7
Noteworthy Events
8-10
Advancement Made
11
Thanksgiving at Galley
12
Personal Property Office Upgrade
13
Messlords
14
MWR Happenings
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Produced by NSA Souda
NSA SOUDA BAY - THE BEACON
SERVING THE FLEET On any given day NSA Souda Bay’s team of more than 800 professional Sailors, Airmen, and Civilians work together to perform our mission: To extend Joint and Fleet war fighting capability through operational support to U.S., Allied and Coalition Forces deployed within the EUCOM/CENTCOM/AFRICOM AOR by providing, operating and sustaining superior facilities dedicated to forward operations of ships, aircraft, detachments, and personnel. The imagery on these pages provides a glimpse of NSA Souda Bay’s professionals supporting air and maritime operations.
(Nov. 5 and 25, 2014) Top: USS Florida (SSGN-728) arrives at Marathi NATO pier complex Bottom: USS Cole (DDG-67) arrives in Souda Bay for a scheduled port visit.
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NSA SOUDA BAY - THE BEACON
VIP Events (November 8, 2014) In honor of the Hellenic Air Force Day and Archangel Michael, Patron Saint of the Air Force, Capt. Mike Moore and Cdr. Clifford Allen attend a ceremony held at the Hellenic Air Force 115th Combat Wing.
(November 7, 2014) Capt. Mike Moore, Commanding Officer of NSA Souda Bay, attended a ceremony for the Fallen Air Force Comrades in Chania in recognition of the Hellenic Air Force Day.
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NSA SOUDA BAY - THE BEACON
VIP Events (November 21, 2014 ) In honor of the Hellenic Armed Forces Day and the Virgin Mary’s Day, Patroness Saint of Chania, NSA Souda Bay’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Mike Moore, attends a religious ceremony at the Orthodox Metropolis Church of Chania followed by a parade through the city.
(November 14, 2014) Brigadier General Andreas Daskalakis, Chania Chief of Police, holds an office call with NSA Souda Bay’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Mike Moore.
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NSA SOUDA BAY - THE BEACON
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VIP Events (November 25, 2014) NSA Souda Bay’s Command Triad, Commanding Officer, Capt. Mike Moore, Executive Officer, Cdr. James Bird, and Command Master Chief, CMDCM Kurtis Szyszka visit the USS Cole (DDG-67).
(November 12, 2014 ) Operations Manager of the Daily Care Center for the Autistic, Eleni Synnefakis, thanks volunteers from U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay during the grand opening of the center. 71 Sailors and Airmen volunteered over 350 man-hours during a 5-day community relations painting project.
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NSA SOUDA BAY - THE BEACON
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November Awards Quarters
Navy Commendation Medal (NCM)
Navy Achievement Medal (NAM)
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM)
Navy Ball Letter of Commendation (LOC)
MAC Ramiro Estrada
MA2 James Summey MA3 Elizabeth Bianco MA3 Prentis Walker
YN1 Ladunn Monday
MAC Dionne Robinson MA1 Arnaldo Alejo MA1 Johnny Lara MA1 Kyle Stewart MA2 Stephani Adams MA2 Lindsey Bakke MA2 Gregory Waymaster MA3 Elizabeth Bianco MA3 Sharon Covary MASN Megan Brown
Letter of Commendation (LOC) ABEAN Adrian Brown MASA Nicholas Reynaga
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Petty Officer Frocking Ceremony
First Class Petty Officers:
Second Class Petty Officers:
LS1 John Bariffe GM1 Corey Tucker MA1 Nicholas Miller MA1 Peter Noll AO1 Cameron Hinton
MA2 Elizabeth Bianco MA2 Carlos Marroquin, Jr. MA2 Joseph Riccadonna MA2 Tajloi Wilson MC2 Andrew Brame IC2 Jessica Berry
Third Class Petty Officers MA3 Jose Aguilar MM3 Meghan Ambrose MA3 Alexander Blackburn MA3 Terry Edwards MA3 Michael Goodwin MA3 Corey Kirkwood MA3 Kailyn Mills MA3 Morgan Parlan MA3 Johnathan Scott MA3 Caitlin Thomas MA3 Katie True
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Noteworthy Events (November 4, 2014 ) The Civilians of NSA Souda Bay hosted a luncheon for the security department and thanked them for their hard work and dedication to ensuring the safety and security of NSA Souda Bay and her personnel. The Sailors were treated to a pot-luck style luncheon.
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NSA SOUDA BAY - THE BEACON
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Noteworthy Events Indoc class for November 2014
HAZWOPR CLASS (November 20, 2014) NSA Souda Bay’s Environmental Department hosted a 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPR) class for base Sailors and civilians. Bringing the HAZTRAIN instructors to Souda Bay allowed the new hazardous waste handler and waste accumulation point operators the opportunity to get the full course. “The OSHA course is beneficial to all as it is easily transferrable in the civilian world and as such, have just given our military personnel an extremely useful tool no matter where they are stationed next, as well as a skill which will make them more marketable should they decide to leave the Navy,” noted Julie Shane, NSA Souda Bay’s Installation Environmental Program Director.
November Region Court-Martial Results The following reports the results of Special and General Courts-Martial assembled within Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia. General Court-Martial - In Naples, Italy, an E-3 was tried for sexual assault and assault consummated by a battery. On 6 Novmeber 2014, the military judge returned a verdict of not guilty. Special Court-Martial - None
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Noteworthy Events (November 6, 2014 ) Left to right: NSA Souda Bay’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Mike Moore, presents the 2013 National Multi-Family Customer Service Award for Excellence to Mr. Giannis Grivas. The award was won based on the responses from Sailors living in unaccompanied housing. Capt. Moore presents Ms. Despoina Koutsoumani and Sevasti Zachariou a Certificate of Appreciation for 15 years and five years, respectively, of dedicated service to the United States Government.
(November 19, 2014 ) NSA Souda Bay’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Mike Moore, addresses his Sailors during the holiday safety stand-down held at the base gymnasium. The stand-down brought together various speakers from the installation, as well as a spokesperson from the local police department. All presenters briefed “Team Souda” on tips for a safe winter/ holiday season.
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Advancement Made, Goal Achieved - A Sailor’s Point of View
(Nov. 26, 2014) Left: IC3 Jessica Berry stands in ranks prior to being frocked to IC2. Middle: IC1 Todd Lanterman pins 2nd Class crows onto the collar of IC2 Berry during the frocking ceremony. Right: NSA Souda Bay’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Mike Moore, presents IC2 Berry with her frocking Letter.
Story by Peggy Bebb NSA Souda Bay Public Affairs
a time-honored Navy tradition by IC1 Todd Lanterman.
Twice a year the Navy holds advancement exams to offer Sailors the opportunity to advance in the petty officer ranks. September saw many nervous Sailors gathered in the galley taking part in the second cycle of the exam of 2014.
Frocking has been a common practice throughout U.S. Naval history. Naval History and Heritage Command states “Navy Regulations as early as 1802 have personnel assuming the uniform of the next higher rank, not necessarily with higher pay, when appointed by proper authority to assume the duties and responsibilities of that rank prior to the actual promotion.”
One of those Sailors was (then) Interior Communications 3rd Class Jessica Berry. After months of studying with partners, using flash cards, taking quizzes and reading her manuals over and over, Berry felt as prepared as she could be going into the exam.
In early Navy years, it was necessary to “frock” someone in order to fill an unforeseen vacancy or when deemed necessary to “swell the ranks” during war Flash forward to November, results were time, especially during the Civil War, released and NSA Souda Bay’s Comaccording to Naval History and Heritage manding Officer, Capt. Mike Moore, Command. stepped into the Petty Officer Indoc class to announce those that were advanced. In today’s Navy, both enlisted and OfficIC3 Jessica Berry had just earned anoth- ers can be “frocked.” When selected for er chevron and became IC2, achieving promotion, but waiting for their promoher first long term goal since entering the tion “line number” to be released (which U.S. Navy. can take up to a year), a commander can allow the Officer or Sailor to assume the “This is a huge stepping stone for me new rank. They don’t get paid until and paves the path for my next goal, their promotion line number is actually making First Class,” notes Berry. “I am released but they can at least wear the excited to start the next phase of my Na- rank. vy career.” When asked how she felt her role would On November 26, Berry stood alongside change now that she had made rank, her fellow Shipmates and was frocked in Berry stated “I know that with higher
authority comes higher responsibility. I am now in a position to look after my junior Sailors and I am responsible for them. I am excited and look forward to the added responsibility I am given upon making Second Class.” Berry noted that although she is undecided about staying in the Navy or pursuing another career path, “I do know that no matter which I choose, the Navy will have helped me so much more than I could have realized. I am thankful for this opportunity.” As the calendar year ends and 2015 is but a few sunsets away, the next round of advancement exams are just over the horizon. Berry recommends that everyone “study and find what works for you. Make sure to study the things you do not quite understand or know. Those are the hardest to study and to keep studying. Also, do not forget BMR/ PMK. I found a website that worked wonders for me. It has many quizzes for most of my manuals and it shows the correct answers. Navybmr.com helped me study and this will be the website I will use to study for the first class exam in a few years.” Congratulations IC2 Jessica Berry. Bravo Zulu on a job well done.
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Wardroom, Chief ’s Mess and FCPOA Serve Up Tasty Thanksgiving Meal
Top left: (from left to right) NSA Souda Bay’s Food Services Officer, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Julius Marzan, Commanding Officer, Capt. Mike Moore, Supply Officer Lt. Wilfredo Oteromatos, Command Master Chief, CMDCM Kurtis Szyszka and U.S. Air Force Det 1/ 95th RS Commander, Lt. Col. Gyorgy Laczko, gather together prior to the opening of the galley for the Thanksgiving meal. Top right: Lt. Oteromatos, left, and Capt. Moore, 2nd from left, prepare to serve a Thanksgiving meal to two security force personnel. (photos provided by Mrs Jennifer Moore)
Story by Peggy Bebb NSA Souda Bay Public Affairs (Nov. 27, 2014) At this small strategic location in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the majority of our military population are unaccompanied or Single Sailors serving a one-year tour. During the holiday season, it can be hard even for those here with families whom are away from their stateside friends and family while serving overseas, but for our Junior Sailors, it is much more difficult this time of year. Without having their mother or grandmother’s home-made pies to not being able to spend the day watching football with friends, Thanksgiving can be a lonely time for them, which is why the wardroom, Chief’s Mess and the First Class Petty Officer’s Association (FCPOA) spent the day at the galley serving a specially prepared Thanksgiving meal to our Sailors and Airmen of Souda Bay. With the traditional fixings, such as ham, turkey the favorite sides and pies for dessert, the galley staff worked long
and hard to prepare the meal which would give our Sailors a “taste of home.” Logistics Specialist 1st Class Gidel Torres, Postal Leading Petty Officer and FCPOA Treasurer, took the opportunity to serve her fellow shipmates as part of an outreach from the FCPOA. Torres noted that the FCPOA wanted to “serve and deliver food to those that were on duty to spread the spirit of Thanksgiving to our Shipmates that are away from their homes during this occasion. We wanted to show our support by serving our galley patrons and by giving the galley workers a break from serving and washing dishes.”
Counselor Chief Aaron Castillo as to why he and his fellow Chiefs helped serve the Sailors during the meal. “We want them to know that senior leadership really cares about them.” With a steady flow of patrons throughout the meal hours, the galley staff and assistants kept the pace going and brought a little holiday cheer to our Sailors.
“I feel privileged,” remarked Torres. “Giving back to the community gives me a sense of pride, especially seeing the galleys patrons and Sailors smile while serving them in the line. This was my first Thanksgiving in Greece and I did not expect this many customers to show The true spirit of giving was felt all the up. Overall, it was a very rewarding way up the chain of command as Capt. experience and very humbling to serve Mike Moore, NSA Souda Bay’s along with the officers, chief petty Commanding Officer, helped serve food officers and my fellow first classes.” alongside Lt Oteromatos, Fleet Logistics Support, Site Souda Supply Officer, and Bravo Zulu wardroom, Chiefs Mess and others from the wardroom, chief’s mess First Class Petty Officer Association. and FCPOA. Thank you for taking the time out of your holiday schedule to bring a smile to “I just wanted the junior Sailor to know the face our Sailors here at Souda Bay. that we care about them,” noted Navy
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Renovations Complete on NAVSUP FLCSI Personal Property Office
Top left: Mary Alber, left, addresses NAVSUP FLCSI and IAP Worldwide Services personnel prior to the ribbon cutting on the newly refurbished personal property office, located in building five. Right: Evgenia Ioannou mans the newly refurbished customer service counter in the personal property office. The counter was acquired from a piece of furniture that was brought to Souda Bay after the closing of the Larissa base. The counter sat in the RUBB for the past three years prior to the personal property office putting it to use in their newly renovated office space. had been in storage in the RUBB for three years,” noted Alber. A total cost estimate for the refurbishment was $300 for painting materials.
With the new set-up, the personnel of the personal property office can better serve the customers as the office is (November 4, 2014) With a joint effort “more customer oriented,” noted Marifrom NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center na Baxevani. “The office staff can see Site Souda personnel and IAP WorldThe new design has opened up space customers when they come in and there wide Services, NSA Souda Bay’s person- which allows for better services for those is a lot more space and a waiting area. al property office received a much need- visiting the office on official business. ed makeover. With the customer service desk/ With a new office environment and a receptionist, the personal property office fresh atmosphere, the personal property When asked why the office needed the now has the ability to provide a sign-in office is already welcoming new custommakeover, FLCSI Deputy Site Director, sheet and direction services to the cusers to the renovated spaces. “We have Ms. Mary Alber stated “the space was tomers. Alber mentioned “we also have received numerous positive comments not user friendly and it had been 15 a waiting area where brochures and infrom customers and visitors on the imyears since any painting. Basically the formation can be perused prior to cusprovements,” remarked Alber. space needed a facelift.” When aptomers meeting with counselors.” proached about the need for an office With a mere $300 spent, this can classify redesign, IAP contractors worked hard With the refurbishment, the personal as a “successful” self-help project by all to come up with the current floor plan property office has the ability to directly involved. Bravo Zulu NAVSUP FLCSI that is now more user-friendly. support the Fleet and Warfighter by and IAP Worldwide Services and con“providing privately owned vehicle and gratulations on using ingenuity, departWhile trying to accommodate the refur- household goods shipping and receiving mental man-power and fresh ideas to bishment with a self-help project, Alber services for service members and their complete this office refurbishment and and her team were able to acquire old families. If the Fleet and Warfighter’s saving the installation and government office furnishings from the recently uppersonal needs aren’t met, then their money in the process. graded Fleet Logistics Center. They focus shifts from mission requirements went on to acquire “the customer service to personal needs,” explained Alber. counter from the Larissa closing that Story and photos by Peggy Bebb Public Affairs
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Celebrity Chefs, “Messlords,” Bring Culinary Delight to Souda Bay
Left: Chefs Brian Duffy, left and Stretch are pictured with NSA Souda Bay’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Mike Moore while, right, they are pictured with Logistics Specialist 1st Class Courtney Smythe. (Nov. 3, 2014) Navy Entertainment, Armed Forces Entertainment and NSA Souda Bay’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department brought two celebrity chefs to the installation to prepare signature dishes for those that wished to partake in the buffet-style meal. Stretch and Brian Duffy are a part of the Messlords, “a group of crazy chefs that love to entertain and cook for our U.S.
Troops all over the world,” according to the Messlords Facebook page.
to go behind the scenes in the MWR dining facility, Graffiti's to show the cooks how to prepare the dishes the chefs were putting together.
Providing entertainment, boosting morale and educating through culinary demonstrations to the US military and their families Stretch and Duffy personally engaged and is the primary purpose of the group. served each customer as they came through the serving line and answered Here at Souda Bay, the two-man crew took questions of those who chose to ask. Their the opportunity to not only cook up some interaction was genuine as well as enterof their signature dishes, but took the time taining.
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Massage Chairs at MWR and Nick Pike Juggling, Stunt, Comedy Act (November 2014)
Thanksgiving at the Liberty Center (November 27, 2014)
32nd Athens Classic Marathon (November 9, 2014)
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