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Vol. 76, No. 25
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June 22, 2012
NAS Pensacola says farewell to the HLT Story, photo by Mike O’Connor Gosport Associate Editor
The Navy’s “smallest training aircraft carrier,” NAS Pensacola’s Helicopter Landing Trainer (HLT) IX 514, was taken out of port under tow June 18 en route to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga. Well-known, well-liked and well-used for its purpose of training helicopter aviators in shipboard landing, the HLT was a familiar sight on Pensacola Bay. Sometimes called the “Baylander,” the HLT conducted its final landing operations Sept. 27, 2011, logging 123,830 landings since it began its training mission in Pensacola more than 25 years ago. U.S. Army tugboat Major General (MG) Winfield Scott (LT 805) was commissioned for the tow job, which was expected to take about five days, accord-
NAS Pensacola’s Helicopter Landing Trainer (HLT) IX 514 moves out under tow from U.S. Army tug MG Winfield Scott June 18. The HLT is being taken to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., where a determination will be made concerning its disposition. The ship was wellknown to base personnel and mariners in the area for its thousands of helicopter landing training missions.
ing to vessel master CW4 Joseph Helmsderfer. Once it arrives in Kings Bay, the ship’s ultimate fate isn’t yet decided, said Paul Schaefer, NASP dockmaster. “It’s going there for storage or standby,” he said. “It’s still a Navy ship. It’ll
be up to the higher-ups when it gets over there.” Helmsderfer anticipated no problems with the job, since the Winfield Scott’s tow capacity “can pull a battleship.” Moderate seas were expected but the active-duty Army crew’s
plan was to hug the coast for the most part. The LST was ready for the trip and looked good, he noted. “The Navy and the Navy’s contractors have been great on assisting and preparing the tow,” he said. “Our last couple mis-
sions have been strictly for the Navy, towing barges and fuel barges, but we tow for any Department of Defense (job). As far as the cost estimate … we are saving everybody money,”
See HLT on page 2
‘Ride for Heroes’ stops at NASP By Janet Thomas Gosport Staff Writer
A group of cyclists made some new friends on a visit to NAS Pensacola earlier this week. About 180 Marines lined up along Murray Road and Radford Boulevard to cheer for four recumbent trike riders, including a combat-wounded Marine and two Marine veterans, as they rode by June 19 after an overnight stay on the base. Members of the “Ride for Heroes” team also met with NASP Executive Officer Cmdr. David Jasso and caught a glimpse of a Blue Angels practice flight. The NASP stop was part a coast-to-coast trek to support and provide visibility for all of America’s veterans, according to one of the riders, Dennis McLaughlin of Friendswood, Texas. He said the team is riding for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and spreading the message of the organization’s work. The trip, which began June 10 in St. Augustine, is scheduled to take 62 days. The cyclists plan to travel about 45 miles a day and wind up Aug. 10 at the Marine Corps community celebration at Marine Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. At night, they rest in
VA editorial: Standing strong on mental health for vets NAS Pensacola Marines show solidarity as members of Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund “Ride for Heroes” cycling team pass through NASP June 19. Cyclist in foreground right is medically retired Lance Cpl. Ben Maenza. Photo by LS1(EXW) Heidi Wesenberg
a 37-foot RV support vehicle. Ben Maenza, a 23-year-old double amputee from Tennessee, has a special reason for signing up for the trip. A medically retired lance corporal combat engineer who served in Afghanistan, Maenza was injured Oct. 21, 2010. He is a direct beneficiary of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. He hopes he can inspire people across the country with his effort. “My goal is to motivate people and let
them know that, even when they’re faced with tragedies in their lives, determination and a positive attitude can overcome any obstacle,” he said. After the trip, he plans to continue his education at Lipscomb University in Nashville this fall. Other members of the team are John Gerlaugh of Manassas, Va., and Troy
See Heroes on page 2
Olympian flies with the Angels From Blue Angels PAO
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines took a back seat ride in the Blue Angels No. 7 jet June 12.
Olympic gold medalist and commentator Rowdy Gaines flew with the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, June 12. Gaines, an Olympic gold medalist and this year’s Olympic swimming commentator for the London 2012
Summer Olympics, was chosen as part of the Blue Angels Key Influencer program to fly in a F/A-18 Hornet for a familiarization flight. “It was the most incredible experience of my life,” Gaines said with an ear-to-ear smile after the flight. “I can’t wait to talk about it during the Olympics.”
In today’s all-volunteer force, the Blue Angels are an integral part of Navy and Marine Corps recruiting and retention programs. Key Influencer flights in the two-seat No. 7 jet are intended to generate national media coverage to heighten public awareness in direct support of Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts.
From Jerron K. Barnett VA Gulf Coast PAO
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki often reminds us: as the tide of war recedes we have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to anticipate the needs of returning veterans. As these newest veterans return home, we must ensure that they have access to quality mental health care in order to successfully make this transition to civilian life. Last year, VA provided specialty mental health services to more than 1.3 million veterans – a 35 percent increase since 2007 in the number of Veterans who received mental health services at VA. That’s why we recently announced that VA will add an additional 1,600 mental health staff
See VA on page 2
Published by Ballinger Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Navy. Opinions contained herein are not official expressions of the Department of the Navy nor do the advertisements constitute Department of the Navy, NAS Pensacola or Ballinger Publishing’s endorsement of products or services advertised.