February 26, 2015

1

2

Public Affairs OfficerHoward Samuelson

Assistant Public Affairs Officer

Mrs. Natalie Stamey

Leading Petty Officer MC1(SW/AW) Barry Riley

EditorMC1(SW/AW) Barry Riley

Skywriter StaffMC3 Jason C. Bawgus MC3 Ryan G. Greene

Host Nation Relations Masako TakakuraSumie Maruyama

Ikumi Tanaka

WebmasterNoriko Yamazaki

ContributorsMWR Marketing

FFSCCommissary

Public AffairsNavy Exchange Public Affairs

The Tenant Commands

KPP JOINT DRILL

LEA MAKES DIFFERENCE

ON THE COVERCulinary Specialist 2nd

Class Michael Neal, of Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s Far East Café, prepares pork chops for the base’s monthly special meal. Photo by MC3 Ryan G. Greene.

CAPTAIN’S CALL AT VFA-195

In this edition of Captain’s Call the NAF Atsugi Executive Officer and CMC visit VFA-195 to bring you the latest news and updates from around the base. Click the video to watch, or visit here.

Page 4

What’s Inside...

Page 3

Page 6

MILITARY SAVES WEEK

Story by MC3 JASON BAWGUSMaster-at-Arms (MA) stationed at

Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi work long hours, weekends and holidays standing watch at the gates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Some of these Sailors have chosen to spend their hard earned days off by volunteering at various community events around the base through the Law Enforcement Association (LEA).

“The LEA is an organization for Sailors E-5 and junior that caters to the odd schedule of those in the MA rate,” said LEA President Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Justin Hamilton. “We wanted to make sure that the young Sailors that arrive at NAF Atsugi have a positive role model to follow and instantly have access to a group of people that are willing to take them off base and show them there is more to Japan than bars or nightclubs.”

Hamilton wants people to know that the LEA is much more than just a social club and that it’s not only for Security Personnel.

“We will take anyone who wants to go out and help make a difference in the community,” said Hamilton. “We just wanted to make it easier for MA’s to be a part of the group, not make a group of just MA’s.”

The organization offers members a chance to get out and volunteer throughout the community by events such as cleaning

up different areas on and off base, or collecting food for a food drive.

“We will get a group of volunteers together to go clean up a train station or parking lot somewhere out in town,” said Hamilton. “We also gave gotten the opportunity to visit a local orphanage and interact with the kids there.”

While at the orphanage the volunteers will get the chance to interact with the kids by playing sports,

working on arts and crafts, or beginning to teach some of the kids English.

“My favorite volunteer opportunity is getting the chance to go to the orphanage,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Amore Escalante. “Cleaning up train stations is great, but you actually get to see the difference you are making at the orphanage when you see the kids’ faces.”

The LEA also fills another important role which is the development and mentoring of young Sailors.

“I think it is very important that we offer a support system to Sailors that are new to the Navy or new to a foreign country,” said Hamilton.

“We want to give those Sailors the opportunity to talk to someone

who isn’t their direct superior but still be someone a little

older that has experienced something similar to

whatever it is they are going through.”

In this way the LEA isn’t only providing guidance to young Sailors, bus also providing leadership and

mentoring opportunities to some of the more senior members that may not have

that opportunity in their everyday job.

“We know that we aren’t only the future of the Navy, but the future leaders of the Navy. And we want to make sure that

future is bright,” said Hamilton. “We want our members to take

the initiative and hold each other to a higher standard than is expected.”

LEA STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE

LEA President MA2 Justin Hamilton discusses upcoming events with NAF Atsugi CMC Michael D. Wilkins.

3

4

Exercise financial fitness by participating in programs that promote financial security.

FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 1

PHOTO BY MC3 JASON BAWGUS

February is the month of the military saver and during this time, installations across the globe offer classes and services to help military members and their families better manage their finances.

As part of this month’s events, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC) is offering one-on-one counseling sessions and group presentations to help bring financial awareness and accountability to base community members.

“This program is hugely important for anyone on NAF Atsugi who is interested in

“At the beginning of each year, many individuals and families reflect on what was accomplished financially in the previous year, and what can be improved upon in the New Year,” said FFSC financial educator, Naval Support Activity Mid-South Stacy Livingston-Hoyte. “Military Saves Week is an excellent opportunity to allow experts to assist with that annual financial review.”

The campaign is a combined effort between the DoD and the Consumer Federation of America. In accordance with NAVADMIN 011/11 command leadership is urged to tap into local organizations such as banks, credit unions, public affairs offices and Fleet and Family Support Services. Enlisted advisors, installation relief societies, spouse groups, and child and youth programs are also additional resources.

“Self-education is key,” said Livingston-Hoyte. “Spending a few minutes each day capturing financial news and headlines can empower anyone to become a better money manager.”

“Financial readiness is a decision Sailors make by setting financial goals and working toward them, “said Director, Navy Staff Vice Adm. John Bird. “Sailors and their families can become military savers by making a personal commitment.” For more information on Military Saves Week and other material, please call Morgan at 264-3372 or stop by the NAF Atsugi FFSC today.

organizing their finances,” said FFSC Personal Financial Advisor Brad Morgan. “I am here year-round to work with anyone trying to get their finances in order and this program brings a big spotlight to this topic.”

This initiative is part of the Military Saves Campaign, a year-round social marketing campaign to persuade, motivate and encourage Department of Defense employees to save money and reduce consumer debt. The campaign reaches out to service members, spouses, youth and civilian employees.

According to Military Saves, a founding organization of this

initiative, community members are responsible for upholding

stringent rules regarding financial solvency. As such, it’s in the interest

of the member to learn strategies for saving money and how much is right for them, given their life goals.

In 2011 NAVADMIN 011/11 instructed commands to create a culture that encourages savings and financial readiness in order to better position Sailors in an ever-changing economy. The campaign is designed to alter money-handling behaviors

through education on achieving long-term

financial fitness.

Story by MC3 rYAN g. gREENE

ATSUGI STARTS SAVING

5

Story by MC3 JASON BAWGUS

6

NAF ATSUGI AND LOCAL COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS TEAM UP FOR JOINT EXERCISE

Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi hosted a joint exercise with emergency responders from the local Kanagawa prefectural government at the base’s air terminal on Feb. 19.

The exercise consisted of several different simulated emergencies, each showcasing the interoperability of the base’s emergency responders and their local Japanese counterparts.

“On behalf of all agencies participating in the mishap drill, I think we can all be proud of our significant efforts to prepare for the type of accident we all work hard every day to avoid,” said NAF Atsugi Executive Officer Cmdr. Matthew Ligon. “Today’s preparation drill reminds us of two important lessons: first that as much as we hope they never happen, accidents can happen. Second, if we must live with the reality that accidents happen, we can develop safe, clear and

effective strategies to prepare for them.”Each of the scenarios, which ranged from

an aircraft fire to a car accident requiring the jaws of life, required full communication between every participating agency.”That is what today was all about working closely with our safety, first response, law enforcement and firefighting partners here in Japan,” said Ligon. “Today was a demonstration of our united commitment to ensuring the safest outcome in the event of an aircraft accident.”

The exercise was completed without incident, even though the freezing cold rain provided an additional obstacle for all parties involved.

“Our priorities were clear; Reacting quickly, preserving public safety, securing the accident site and rendering it safe,” said Ligon. “Now all we need to do is review our responses and processes, compare notes, and strengthen our accident response program.”

Story by MC3 JASON BAWGUS

6

77

8

9

10

MACS STACEY HOLMES SPEAKS AT THE BASE’S ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION

ATSUGI OFFICERS’ SPOUSES ASSOCIATION & ATSUGI’ WIVES ASSOCIATION PARTICIPATE IN KIMONO WEARING EVENT

SAVED ROUNDSPHOTOS FROM AROUND THE NAF ATSUGI COMMUNITY

AT2 CHRISTOPER ROBINSON, HSM 77, REVIEWS INVENTORIED ITEMS BEFORE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION

LT. LOGAN PECK, VFA 115, TAKES PART IN A BENEFIT CONCERT AT THE ATSUGI CONVENTION CENTER

11

SAVED ROUNDSPHOTOS FROM AROUND THE NAF ATSUGI COMMUNITY

AESA & AOSA DONATE $500 A PIECE TO NAVY MARINE CORPS RELEIF SOCIETY

CommuITy ChAmPIoNS

AIMDPR1 IbRAgIMov

AD1 ARIosAD1 gAlvezAD1 ChuAAs1 FAlleR

CNATT DeT ATsugIATCs RexRoThAD1 CARRIllo

CvW-5PR1 huRICks

huRICks, MA. PeRPeTuAlIT1 YAMoMo

YAMoMo, gIselle

hQ ADMINYN2 gARDNeR

hsC-12Ao3 lATsoNAz2 sIuFuA

AM3 beAsleY

hsM-51AWR2 gRIFFINYN2 APoDACA

IT2 bRoWNAT1 hugheY

bhC ATsugI ClINIChN hAll

NAvsuP FlC sITe ATsugIAbF1 CARANDANg

ls2 heRRINglssN PRYoR

NPPsC DeT. ATsugIPs3 hINTz

PAosAMuelsoN, sAM

vAQ-141AM3 sANChezlTJg JohNsoN

PR2 PeTeRsAD3 Dugue

AMe2 DelgADoYN2 sTeveNs

vRC-30 DeT 5ls2 zAgAlA

Az2 YoRklT ReARDoN

CFAFls1 MARTIN

AIMDPR3 PAguRIgAN

PR3 bosTIl

AIR oPsAbh3 NAvAl

Abh2 goNzAlesAbh1 AlAYoNAbe2 buIsoN

NAFACAPT busheY

CvW-5YNsN oWeNsYN2 lezCANo

AT2 CHRISTOPER ROBINSON, HSM 77, REVIEWS INVENTORIED ITEMS BEFORE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION

LT. LOGAN PECK, VFA 115, TAKES PART IN A BENEFIT CONCERT AT THE ATSUGI CONVENTION CENTER

The Following is a lisT oF This monTh’s

YamaTo sTaTion Clean-up

parTiCipanTs.

11

12