Royal Mace November 2014 BAM Gram-- MIYF!

Skipper’s Domain

Greetings Mace family as we wrap up an extremely successful deployment cycle aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). We’re just preparing to launch on our final catapult shots from the deck of the aircraft carrier, as we return to friends and family back at Naval Air Facility Atsugi. It’s been a terrific deployment for the Mace team. We began our “fall patrol” back in September with a massive joint exercise called VALIANT SHIELD that involved many other units from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Navy. We flew alongside counterparts from USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) and Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN as they participated in the exercise en route to combat operations in Iraq. We also had the chance to integrate with counterparts from the USAF flying F-22 Raptors and F-15C Eagles, honing our integrative tactics as part of our evolving multi-service approach to Air-Sea Battle.

During the VALIANT SHIELD operations, we also had the opportunity to practice our air-to-ground skills at an island range north of the island of Saipan called Farrallon de Medinilla, part of the Marianas island chain. To demonstrate the extent of U.S. presence and interests in the Pacific, if you were to ask yourself how far it is from the territory of the U.S. to the territory of Japan, how many miles would you guess? Perhaps a few thousand, from Japan to the west coast of California, or perhaps to Hawaii? In fact, the distance from Farallon de Pajaros, the northernmost island in the Marianas chain, to the island of Minami-called South Iwo Jima), is not much over 300 miles. This demonstrates geographically how closely linked we are with our ally Japan in our mutual efforts to ensure peace and stability in the Western Pacific.

At the conclusion of VALIANT SHIELD, Royal Mace Sailors had the chance to enjoy a well-deserved break at the relaxing vacation destination of Guam. Maces had the chance to explore the underwater environment by scuba and snorkel, hit the links at some fantastic golf courses, and relax on white-sand beaches. Many Mace families took the fairly short flight from Tokyo to join their dads/moms/husbands/wives for a family vacation that featured many of the comforts of home, but with the fantastic hospitality associated with the Chamorran traditions of this tropical isle.

An autumn WestPac deployment often features some typhoon-dodging, and unfortunately an uncooperative typhoon cut our visit to Guam a day short, as the carrier departed early to avoid risk of damage to the ship or the embarked aircraft on the flight deck. We then headed toward the waters of the Philippine Sea, and then on to operations in what has been described by many as the “world’s most contentious body of water,” the South China Sea.

Mace Sailors were looking forward to a planned port call to Manila, especially those Maces with family ties to this close U.S. partner in the Western Pacific. However, in the wake of an ongoing investigation of a severe crime against a citizen of the Philippines, the planned port visit was curtailed. One the way into Manila harbor however, Maces and other sailors aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON had the chance to view the

CMC’s Corner

NOVEMBER  2014  Vol.  5  /  No.  3  

MIYF BAM Gram

CDR C. Spencer Abbot “Soupbone” Commanding Officer

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CDR Adrian “Boa” Calder Executive Officer

historic island of Corregidor at the mouth of Manila Bay as the ship transited to and from the harbor. Corregidor was once the site of a Spanish fort, and was captured by the forces of U.S. Commodore Dewey during the Spanish-American War in 1898. During the early months of World War II, in March 1942, after being ordered to depart the Philippines by President Roosevelt, General MacArthur escaped from Corregidor by PT boat, dodging Japanese ships for two days until arriving in Mindanao, later making a speech about his departure from the Philippines with the famous statement: “I shall return” (he did, and so shall the Maces). On our way east from Manila, Mace officers were given a superb history lecture by CDR Dave Wolynski, the ship’s Intelligence Officer and a World War II history buff, on the Battle of Leyte Gulf, which took place in late-October 1944. In fact, the lecture was particularly appropriate both geographically and chronologically, seventy years later to the day, in exactly the same waters where we found ourselves, as we made our way back toward the Marianas once again. We soon had a chance to visit Guam once more, an opportunity to relax and finish the port call that had been cut short by a typhoon several weeks before. As we headed home, we were able to enjoy some cooler climes, as we operated with our Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) counterparts in a major bilateral exercise called KEEN SWORD. Many JMSDF officers visited the ship to help organize the exercise and coordinate our operational efforts, and Mace pilots enjoyed this outstanding opportunity to work alongside officers and Sailors from the JMSDF, and as well from USAF units operating from both mainland Japan and the Ryukyu chain island of Okinawa. As deployment began drawing to a close, we as well had the chance to recognize the performance of some outstanding Mace leaders during the 2014 deployment cycle, as we chose AD1(AW/NAC) Teyronn Jackson and AO2 (AW/SW) Brenda Perez as Royal Mace Sailor of the Year and Junior Sailor of the year respectively. These are the two most important individual awards that the squadron bestows each year, and a hearty Bravo Zulu goes out to these two very effective and well-respected Royal Mace leaders. As the deployment concluded, Carrier Air Wing FIVE Commander CAPT William Koyama, recognized the Mace Maintenance Department as the finest in CVW-5 with the “Golden Wrench” award for the fourth Quarter of FY14. Mace pilots also won the coveted TOP HOOK award for both of the two line periods of the fall patrol, leaving the competition in the dust with a 3.75 GPA and a 98% boarding rate. As the squadron returns to friends and family in the Land of the Rising Sun, and a well-deserved break over the holidays, our sincere thanks goes to all those who supported us through this year’s arduous deployment cycle. Best wishes to all for the happiest of Thanksgivings, as we have much to be thankful for. I am thankful indeed to serve with the finest team of Sailors and officers in the Fleet. Thanks for all your hard work in the defense of our country and her interests in the Asia-Pacific during this very successful WestPac deployment for VFA-27/CVW-5. MIYF!

XO’s Alley

Welcome home Maces! For many, December is simply the last month of the year, but for those serving with the FDNF, it means much more. This is typically the time of year that we return to our families from a year filled with deployments and detachments. It is the only time of year that we are able to let down our guard, recharge our batteries and reflect on the success our squadron has had over the last year. The accomplishments are too many to list, but needless to say, this has been the most successful year the Royal Maces have seen in recent history. We will be bidding goodbye to our senior Department Head and friend, LCDR Justin Halligan. LCDR Halligan was responsible for the operational budget, scheduling, and asset management during the trans-Pacific detachment to NAS Fallon, NV, as well as during the entire 2014 Western Pacific deployment. As a testament to his extraordinary capabilities, LCDR Halligan received the CVW-5 nomination as 2014 Pilot of the Year across all F/A-18 operational squadrons. He will be sorely missed. He, along with the Maintenance professionals led by LCDR Peter McMorrow, LT

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Matt Purvis, and MMCPO George Nieder, led the command in flying 2,940 flights and 4,820 flight hours. It was an extremely successful and productive year for the Royal Mace team. Of course, no organization thrives without the hard work and dedication of its people. The real credit goes to the men and women maintainers, safety professionals, and administrative personnel who are grinding it out in less than optimal working conditions. They were the true thoroughbred work horses that made it all happen and I am always in awe of their capabilities. It does not get much better than the flawless fly-off our Maintenance Department orchestrated on November 21st, as we returned to NAF Atsugi. Every member of the Mace family can be justifiably proud of the achievements accomplished over the past year and deserve the time over the holidays to unwind and decompress. We hope families are able to enjoy this long-awaited and well-deserved break. Whether it's taking the time to reconnect with family and friends, or getting off base to visit other parts of our host nation, I wish all of you a safe and happy Holiday season. MIYF!

CMC’s Corner

Maces, family & friends, welcome once again to the CMC’s Corner. We are almost home and have had a great deployment. I am extremely proud of all the great work that everyone has done to keep the squadron fully mission capable. Every Mace has really proven their worth both at work and when enjoying our other mission, “Liberty,” in foreign and U.S. ports. We didn’t have a single significant “liberty incident” for both portions of our deployment this year, and that says a lot about the quality of Sailors that we have. It also shows that we are taking care of each other just as we would take care of our own family. Maces Taking Care of Maces! As you may have seen on the command Facebook page we have given out many awards, warfare qualifications, and advanced several personnel under the Command Advancement and Accelerated Advancement Programs. Our aircrew won the “Top Hook” Award and we also selected our Junior and Senior Sailors of the Year. What this really means that not only are our Sailors working hard to keep the jets mission-ready so the pilots can meet their flying and training requirements, they are also making personal accomplishments to improve themselves as Sailors, giving them a better opportunity to move up the ranks and provide for their families. Huge thanks are in order to our phenomenal Ombudsmen, Roxy Glodowski and Heather Barrera, for doing such a great job at home, keeping our families informed via Facebook and email. They also went the extra mile to personally build specialized Halloween candy bags for each Mace Sailor on the ship. Skipper, XO, and I delivered the candy a few days before our second Guam port visit and the Sailors loved it!

As we make our way home, some exciting news is upon us!! Many of you may know that this time of year the petty officer results are due to be released. I am looking forward to congratulating a handful of newly selected Leaders and helping to prepare them for the next step in their career. Advancement results have been really good for the Maces, and I expect this will continue because of all the great work we do on a daily basis. Good things come to good people!

I have been onboard for 10 months now and continue to be amazed at how well the command is doing.

Of course this is because we have the best Sailors in the Fleet. Just to make it clear when I say Sailors I mean both officer and enlisted personnel in our command. I meet with one Sailor each day and 99.9 percent of them have nothing but good things to say about our command.

Finally, when we return home there will be a much anticipated opportunity to reconnect with our loved

ones. Because of the quick change in circumstances, following homecomings we sometimes encounter issues and argue over small things that don’t really matter. Remember in the end that our family is who we go home to when it is all said and done. Don’t let the insignificant things detract from your time together, and enjoy a great

CMDCM(AW/SW) Rudy Johnson Command Master Chief

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break together over the holidays. As always if you need me for anything my door is always open and my phone is always on—I’m ready to help whenever needed. Keep taking care of each other and everything else will take care of itself.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE ACCOMPLISHMENT DURING THE 2014 FALL PATROL?

“One of my personal accomplishments would be Sailor of the Day. It felt nice to be recognized for what I am doing and to represent my work center and squadron that way.” – AZAN Christian Liming

“Watching the newly reported members of the command learn and adapt to their jobs and life at sea. Getting the mission accomplished no matter how much the schedule changes or supplies get low, they show great resiliency.” – ATC Carlo Querubin

“Just spending quality time with great friends like my bud LT Jeff Spencer-- what a guy!” – LT John Islin

ROYAL MACE OMBUDSMEN

Hello Maces!! Just a few words from us- PLEASE get on our email distribution list if you are not already. You

may be missing out on some great information and opportunities! Not everything can be posted on Facebook. Shoot us an email with your name and anyone else (spouse) you would like to receive our emails. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions, thoughts, or just to say "Hi"! We're here for YOU!

Contact information:

Roxanne Glodowski Heather Barrera 080-9424-2223 (cell) 080-4650-6444 (cell) 264-5736 (DSN) 264-5322 (DSN)

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OPERATIONS UPDATE: 2014, A YEAR IN REVIEW

LCDR Justin “Jugs” Halligan, Operations Officer The Royal Mace mission is to be prepared to conduct sustained combat operations from sea on short notice in support of national policy. We will be ready to provide fused ordnance on target, on time, anytime, anywhere. This statement is even more important as part of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces, as we are always “on call” as part of America’s 911 Air Wing. In order to be prepared year-round, every Sailor, Chief, and officer of VFA-27 must do his or her part to support the almost non-stop flight operations that are required to maintain the proficiency of our pilots. Without our meticulously maintained fleet of 13 F/A-18E Super Hornets, with full combat mission capable systems, we are merely just airplanes, or merely just pilots.

In Fiscal Year 2014 (Oct 1, 2013 – Sept 30, 2014), the Maces set the bar in Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW-5), by completing 2,938 sorties, and 4,820.2 hours of flight time. Almost all of the flights are dedicated to a syllabus designed to take our newest pilot and make him a combat-ready flight lead. The syllabus is known as the Strike-Fighter Weapons Tactics (SFWT) syllabus, and is designed to teach a pilot to first expand his basic knowledge of our systems and tactics as a wingman, and then eventually to become a flight lead for two aircraft (Section Lead), and then as a flight lead for four aircraft (Division Lead). Since the F/A-18E Super Hornet is a multi-role aircraft, each pilot must master the basics of Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground combat, as well as master the 20+ weapons that can be carried on a Super Hornet.

This year we advanced over 60% of our pilots to the next level of their qualifications. LT Tarr earned his Level IV qualification or Division Lead, LTs Oakes and Bolstad earned their Level III qualification or Section Lead, and LTs Spencer, Matson, Moore, and Case earned their Level II qualification or Combat Wingman. The Level II and III syllabi consist of about 16 or so flights and require hours of study and preparation prior to the actual brief, and then extremely thorough debriefs. The Level IV syllabus consists of 5 flights, but each one of them requires at least 9 aircraft to be airborne to complete the event, making the training as realistic as possible. Qualifying as a Level IV pilot is the capstone of a Lieutenants’ first tour, and one that every Royal Mace Junior Officer is on their way to completing.

Fiscal Year 2014 was also a year of firsts for CVW-5 and VFA-27. The year started off with a call for help from the typhoon-ravaged Philippines, and many Sailors of VFA-27 found themselves lending a helping hand on the ground in Tacloban or “ground zero.” In order to make room on the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON for the increased helicopter operations and to support MV-22 Osprey operations, we sent a small detachment of maintainers, aircrew, and airplanes back to Atsugi so that we could continue to train our more junior pilots. This was a huge success as the squadron did not skip a beat in terms of combat readiness. CVW-5 and VFA-27 also found themselves in Fallon, NV for the first ever CVW-5 Air Wing Fallon. This is training that only U.S.-based Air Wings typically have the chance to participate in, but after our successful detachment in 2013 to Fallon, VFA-27 led the way for the rest of the Air Wing and we received the most advanced training that any Atsugi-based squadron has ever received. With a second trans-Pacific detachment under our belt in two years, the Maces were ready to go back to sea, more lethal than ever before.

After getting underway in May, and executing some Unit Level Training, we headed to Korea to participate in some bilateral training with the South Korean military just off their coast. Almost every exercise that we participate in has the overall goal of fostering mutual understanding of each other’s capabilities, as well as make sure that if the time were to come, we could operate as one collective unit in collective defense of our mutual allies in the Pacific. We also incorporated the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and participated in the Tri-Lateral Exercise along with our Republic of Korea (ROK) counterparts. After a short break in August, we were back to sea and headed south to Guam for the biannual exercise Valiant Shield. This exercise is the largest U.S.-only exercise in the Pacific, and consists of all four branches of the U.S. Military. With over 18,000 service members, 200 aircraft, and 20 ships, this is truly a massive exercise that allows everyone a chance to sharpen their skills and learn the subtleties of each service’s capabilities.

2014 truly was a remarkable year for VFA-27, and it was an All Hands effort! I want to personally thank every Mace for their hard work, and their family and friends reading this for their continued support. I know that VFA-27 will continue to lead the way in CVW-5 and Strike-Fighter aviation into this year!

MIYF!

VFA-27 deploys aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward deployed aircraft carrier, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73).

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MACE FACE

PICTURE BOARD

(clockwise from top left)

ADAN Burton practices for his “Final Checker” qualification on Mace 201. Chief

Warrant Officer Ballard is promoted to CWO3. AD3 Bullimore is frocked to E-4

through the Command Advancement Program. LCDR Daniels is promoted to O-4.

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MACE FACE

PICTURE BOARD

(clockwise from top left)

LT Nigus launches a missile from a Mace jet. MACE 200 receives fuel from an Air

Force tanker. A Mace pilot launches off of USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73).

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MACE FACE

PICTURE BOARD

(Clockwise from left)

AMC Berumen is pinned by ADC Huiracocha during a CPO Pinning Ceremony

onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). HM3 Gumiran is selected as “HM of

the Month” onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73). MACE 200 passes by

the island of Iwo Jima onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73).

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Ombudsman: Mrs. Roxanne Glodowski [email protected] Mrs. Heather Barrera

AWARDS/QUALIFICATIONS/PROMOTIONS NAVY AND MARINE CORPS COMMENDATION MEDALS

AZCM Gilbert Armijo

NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ACHIEVEMENT MEDALS

AZC Maribel Alfaro LS2 Stevileigh Barr AM2 Daniel Buabeng AZ2 Israel Davis AT2 Christopher Glover AT2 Zachary Hays AD2 Robert Hill AT2 Alan Kurth AD3 Karl Hunsaker

MILITARY OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE MEDAL

AZC Nyree Harland AE1 Daniel Lapikas

SAILOR OF THE YEAR

AD1 Teyronn Jackson

JUNIOR SAILOR OF THE YEAR

AO2 Brenda Perez

ROYAL MACE OF THE MONTH

September – AD3 Jacob Bullimore October – AME3 Matthew Harp

JUINOR SAILOR OF THE QUARTER

4th Quarter – AO2 Brenda Perez

SENIOR SAILOR OF THE QUARTER

4th Quarter – AT1 Mark Brummerstedt

ROYAL MACE SPONSOR OF THE QUARTER

3rd Quarter – AO2 Joey Smith

ROYAL MACE WORKCENTER OF THE QUARTER

4th Quarter – Shooters

ENLISTED AVIATION WARFARE SPECIALIST (EAWS)

IT2 Michaelrobert Akim AO2 Jesse Gravley AZ2 John Martin MA2 Dimitris Mack LS2 Naby Toure YN3 Dominic Allen AO3 Jamilla Anthony AO3 David Benitezsantiago IS3 Chanice Gray AE3 Collin Gibson AE3 Dylan Walton AMAN Cody Chapman AEAN Gerardo Romero AEAN Devon Thompson AOAN Mark Thompson AMAR Hector Barba

ENLISTED SURFACE WARFARE SPECIALIST (ESWS) AO2 Reon D. S. Branche AO2 Brenda Perez

Birthdays September YN3 Dominic Allen AO2 Ronald Baker AO3 David Benitezsantiago AMC Rene Berumen AO2 Reon Branche AN Paolo Delacruz AME3 Dilshani Desilva AD3 Matthew Fletcher AO2 Jesse Gravley HM3 Jordan Gumiran CWO2 Donovan Gummerus AME2 Scott Jackson AE2 Mario Mirone LT Andrew Moore AD3 Hector Munoz AVCM George Nieder LT Christopher Nigus AZ2 Paul Palmer LT Matthew Purvis AM2 Carlo Quintano AO3 Edwin Rios AM2 Yuankun Song ADAN Sharina Watson AE2 Samuel Willson AA Gilbert Yanez October AEAN Breleigh Bias CS3 Joshua Bush PR2 Jamal Edwards AOAA Chad Ellis LS1 Miguel Garcia AE2 Gary Garratt AO1 Johnathan Groves LT John Islin AA Joseph Kinsey AT1 Tyrone Miller AT2 Aaron Norton AO3 Gregg Pendleton AM1 Les Paul Tamayo AEAN Devon Thompson November ADAA Elisha Dickerson AOAN Benjamin Powell

BIRTHDAYS (CONTINUED)

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/VFA-27-Ombudsman/119635844742237

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NEW MACES FAREWELLS

LCDR Derek Burns AECS Evaristo Bonilla AME1 Renisson Armstrong AM1 Nicholas Mathis AT2 Justin Vanleer AM3 Matthew Norman AM3 Michael Sullivan AN Hayash Garcia PSSN Kevin Goodrich LSSN Ishanti Priest AEAA Breleigh Bias AEAN Roman Rodriguez ADAA Jake Brooks AA Anthony Cruz AEAA Patrick Irving AMAA Johnny Phan AEAR Caleb Buckner AR Corey McLean LSSR Colin Riley CSSR Dustin Rust

AZC Maribel Alfaro AOC Sean Cox PS3 Gregorio Roble AO2 Charles Blake AM2 Dhan Angelo Calo AO2 Ruben Colchado AZ2 Christopher Corbino AZ2 Israel Davis IT2 Harley Dominguez AT2 Christopher Glover AT2 Zachary Hays AT2 Alan Kurth YN2 Brandon Small AO3 Kenneth Adams AO3 Benjamin Burnell LS3 Vincent Diaz AD3 Carsten Friesen AO3 Nicole Herald AD3 Karl Hunsaker CSSN Chevaun Robinson AN Cody Smith