Automatic gate testing, West Gate, NAS Pensacola ... NASP Security will be conducting testing on an automatic gate system at the base’s West Gate, starting at 9 a.m. Nov. 18. NASP Security will close the gate periodically during the day to facilitate the tests. The truck lane will remain open.
Vol. 79, No. 45
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
November 13, 2015
DoN, Gulf Power to develop large-scale solar facilities From Navy News Service
WASHINGTON – The Department of the Navy (DoN) and Southern Company subsidiary Gulf Power signed a real estate out grant Oct. 28, to develop two large-scale solar electric generating facilities in Florida that will have an estimated total capacity of 117 megawatts (MW) direct current (DC). On a sunny day, the combined capacity could power approximately 13,600 homes. The agreement specifies solar facility development of approximately 65 MW DC (50 MW alternating current (AC)) at Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) and approximately 52 MW DC (40 MW AC) at NAS Whiting Field (NASWF). The facilities will encompass approximately 290 acres of Navy Outlying Landing Field (NOLF) Saufley at NASP and 300 acres of NOLF Holley at NASWF. Navy Region Southeast Commander, Rear Adm. Mary Jackson, commended the achievement and regional progress. “Our installations and their missions are unique. It is imperative for us to have the regional energy security and resilience needed to provide continuous support to the greater
DoN mission. These new solar facilities are two of the eight renewable generation projects that the DoN is supporting in the Southeast, contributing to nearly 30 percent of the Secretary of the Navy’s goal to bring one gigawatt of renewable energy into production or procurement by the end of 2015.” The commanding officers from NASP and NASWF also stressed the importance of these solar facilities. “Under the auspices of the Secretary of the Navy’s Strategy for Renewable Energy, this project provides an opportunity to assist local and state partners in understanding the DoN’s overall strategy and commitment to renewable energy,” said Capt. Keith Hoskins, commanding officer of NAS Pensacola. “With 11 percent of all DoD flight hours flown out of NAS Whiting Field it is critical to maintain operations, regardless of the circumstances, and this agreement enables us to do so with greater reliability,” remarked Capt. Todd Bahlau, commanding officer of NAS Whiting Field. Gulf Power’s third-party solar energy
See Solar on page 2
The U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, fly by Pensacola Lighthouse as they prepare to pass the center point of the 2015 Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show. • For a two-page photo feature, see pages four and five of today’s Gosport. • For the Blues change of command, see page two. Photo by Bruce Graner
Homecoming air show dazzles crowds By Ens. Anthony Junco NASP PAO
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, finished out the 2015 season with its annual homecoming air show Nov. 6-7 at Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP). An estimated 80,000 enthusiastic fans turned out for the two-day event despite intermittent overcast weather. “Thanks to the concerted effort by
the personnel of NAS Pensacola, the event was a complete success as we showed appreciation to the community for its continued support of the base and the Blue Angels,” said NAS Public Affairs Officer Patrick Nichols. The show recognized the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Prior to the Blue Angels flight demonstration, NASP
See Air show on page 2
DoD VolEd offering Virtual Education Fair Nov. 19 By Ed Barker NETPDTC Public Affairs
As part of an effort to expand the reach of military Voluntary Education (VolEd) and help make higher education accessible for all service members, veterans and family members, the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Program will present its first online Virtual Education Fair Nov. 19.
The online fair is designed to enable members’
Nov. 15: America Recycles Day Joelle O'Daniel-Lopez Environmental Protection Specialist, NAVFAC Southeast PWD
Did you know that every Nov. 15 is America Recycles Day? Initiated in 1997, this day is set aside to raise recyc l i n g awareness throughout the United States and to identify the benefits of making resources available to future
generations. Recycling has many benefits to us all, including environmental and economic benefits. Environmental benefits include preserving landfill space, reducing resource demand, increasing cleaner air by reducing greenhouse gases, reducing pollution by saving water and protecting wildlife habitats, to
See Recycle on page 2
participation from anywhere in the world, help-
ing them get a head-start on the information needed to reach their education goals. The Military Evaluations Program Manager for the Defense Activity for Non Traditional Education Support (DANTES), Taheesha Quarells, said this inaugural online education fair will serve as a pilot for future events and offers several advantages over local
education fairs. “We wanted the virtual education fair to act as a force multiplier, working in conjunction with the services’ education centers to offer service members a greater variety of school options,” said Quarells. “Each of the 43 schools participating in this fair have both online and faceto-face programs, and are currently members of the Servicemembers Oppor-
tunity College (SOC) Degree Network System (DNS). SOC DNS schools have simplified credit transfers and reduced residency requirements making it easier for students to complete degree requirements.” Registration is required to participate, but takes only a few minutes and is anonymous, asking only
See Fair on page 2
Gene Cernan stars at museum’s gala event Story, photo By Jamie Link NASP PAO Intern
More than 265 guests attended a black-tie gala to salute to retired U.S. Navy Capt. Eugene Cernan Nov. 4 at the National Naval Aviation Museum. The event, hosted by Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, featured an exclusive screening of “The Last Man on the Moon,” a documentary by Mark Stewart Productions. Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen, president and chief executive officer of the foundation, was master of ceremonies. Other guests
Astronaut Gene Cernan speaks at the screening of his biopic, “The Last Man on the Moon,” Nov. 4.
included documentary producer Gareth Dodds and Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. A silent auction offered items in-
cluding a unique NASA-themed Fender Stratocaster guitar signed by 12 astronauts, a Speedmaster Moonwatch Apolo XVII and a flight aboard a restored Navy Stearman 708. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and museum programs. Cernan, an electrical engineer, aeronautical engineer, fighter pilot and NASA astronaut, became the 11th and last man to leave his footprints on the surface of the moon in December, 1972. Cernan launched into space three times: in June of
See Cernan on page 2
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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.