Avionics facelift Page 2
Lean Six Sigma Page 5
Rotors and Wings
Groundhog Day Feb. 2 VOLUME 70, NUMBER 4
Pax opens self-service electronic tax filing By Connie Hempel NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs Tax season is underway and whether you’re anticipating a cash refund from your return or expecting to pay the IRS, the legal office at Naval Air Station Patuxent River and its team of volunteer tax assistants is ready to help by providing electronic filing. “We can save you anywhere from $15 to $125 in preparation fees when you file your basic taxes here,” said Chief Legalman (SW/ AW) Stacey Mincey, Naval District Washington Region Legal Service Office at NAS Patuxent River. The Navy’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Electronic Tax Filing (VITA/ELF) program offers active-duty and retired service members, their family members and some Reservists free self-service electronic tax filing for basic taxes. There is also an IRS-trained and certified volunteer on-hand to help during the filing process. This year, more than 10 people have volunteered as a VITA representative at the legal office here. Some are returning volunteers. When using the VITA/ELF services, individuals will be seated at one of two stations set up for electronic self-service filing. The individual will complete their own tax returns by entering information on the computer with a VITA rep on-hand to help and answer
See Taxes, Page 12
Page 8 NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MARYLAND
JANUARY 31, 2013
Combat Exclusion Rule rescission adds 5,500 Navy jobs for women
SecDef sets completion deadline for early 2016
By Connie Hempel NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs Changes continue to be made in how America’s Armed Forces protect freedom, and these changes aren’t limited to technology. On Friday, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta strengthened America’s freedomfighting forces as he and Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey announced their decision to rescind the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule, allowing women serving across the board to fill combat positions previously closed to them—237,000 positions DOD wide. “To maintain our warfighting edge, it is essential that all of our people be diverse in experience, background and idea,” said Capt. Ted Mills, NAS Patuxent River commanding officer. “To maintain the strongest Navy in the world, we must continue to pull from the largest possible talent pool.” During a news conference Friday, Pa-
netta and Dempsey said the DOD’s goal for rescinding this exclusion is to ensure DOD’s mission is met with the best-qualified and most capable people, regardless of gender. “Women have shown great courage and sacrifice on and off the battlefield, contributed in unprecedented ways to the military’s mission and proven their ability to serve in an expanding number of roles,” Panetta said. Nearly 16 percent of the Navy’s active force is women—roughly 15 percent DOD-wide. With the rescission of the combat exclusion, these women may now find themselves eligible for the 5,500 positions Navy-wide from which they were previously excluded. This includes more than 400 Navy positions in the Coastal Riverine Force and more than 5,000 Navy positions in the Marine Corps Ground Combat Element. Women Sailors assigned to the Marine Corps Ground Combat Element billets will be required to meet physical standards determined by the Marine Corps. The positions affected by this rescission are not yet open to women, but services must have an implementation plan to Pa-
See Jobs, Page 4
U.S. Navy photo by Connie Hempel
Hospitalman Victoria Guthrie, Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River, checks a patient’s vital signs before his visit with a provider. The hospital corpsmen rate is one of the Navy rates affected by the Combat Exclusion Rule rescission announced last week which opens more opportunities to women service members.
HX-21 V-22 pilot receives Air Medal By Jim O’Donnell V-22 Joint Program Office Public Affairs
A pilot for one of the two V-22s that rescued a downed F-15E pilot from Libya in March 2011 was recently recognized for her actions during an award ceremony at the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 hangar at NAS Patuxent River. Marine Corps Capt. Rebecca Massey, now assigned to HX-21 as a test team pilot, received the Air Medal with ‘V’ for valor Jan. 14 for her actions as a member of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 Reinforced supporting the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in spring 2011. The 26th MEU was embarked on the Wasp class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) supporting Operation Odyssey Dawn, the armed suppression of the Libyan government’s air defenses and ground forces in March 2011 when an F-15E aircraft was downed near Benghazi, Libya. Massey was part of the MEU Tactical Recovery of Aircraft Personnel (TRAP) recovery team on alert for this type of event and along with another MV22 and two CH-53 Super Stallions responded. The F-15E has a crew of two aviators, a pilot and weapons officer, both of which ejected safely from the aircraft, however, the crewmembers became separated after ejecting. The weapons officer was recovered by
U.S. Navy photo
Marine Corps Capt. Rebecca Massey receives the Air Medal with “V” for Valor from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 commanding officer, Cmdr. Wade McConvey, during an award ceremony at the HX-21 hangar on Jan. 14 at NAS Patuxent River. Massey received the award for her actions rescuing a downed U.S. Air Force F-15E pilot during Operation Odyssey Dawn in March 2011. Massey was a pilot onboard one of two MV-22s that rescued the downed Airman and is now a test team pilot assigned to HX-21. rebel forces allied against the Libyan government, but the pilot landed in hostile territory. Massey, the co-pilot of her aircraft, and her MV-22 wingman were in the air for the recovery within two hours of the initial report of the crash. The TRAP team was directed to the location of the F-15E pilot and maneu-
vered to recover the pilot. Massey’s wingman made the landing while Massey’s crew circled overhead preparing for the return back to USS Kearsarge. Upon recovery of the F-15E pilot, which took less than 90 seconds on the ground, the TRAP team proceeded back to Kearsarge for a total round trip of more than
300 nautical miles (345 miles) in less than 90 minutes. Massey said it was a humbling experience to receive the Air Medal and attributed the accolades to her fellow TRAP teammates. “I am very honored to have received this medal, but the credit really should go to my crewmates and squadron maintainers who made it possible for me to help rescue the F15E pilot. Massey also credits the Osprey for making that mission easy to accomplish. “I really enjoy the flexibility that this aircraft provides, and it’s a joy to fly,” said Massey, who has flown Ospreys for nearly six years. “Although I believe this mission could have been accomplished by other legacy USMC TRAP assets, I don’t think any other aircraft could have done it as quickly or efficiently.” Massey joined HX-21 in July 2012 and according to V-22 Joint Program Office Program Manager Marine Corps Col. Greg Masiello, her experience and professionalism are a welcome addition to the program. “We are grateful to have Capt. Massey here at Pax and as part of the larger ‘Osprey Nation,’” Masiello said. “Capt. Massey exemplifies the professionalism we find in our MAGTF officers serving forward and aboard ships everyday in our corps. The fact that she, her flight crew and wingmates were able to respond faster than any legacy asset is testament to the Marines ‘standing the watch’ and the versatility of the V-22.”
Tester
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Thursday, January 31, 2013
First dual aerial refueling for F-35C
Countdown to Solid Curtain/ Citadel Shield
19 Days
U.S. Navy photo by Donna Cipolloni
When faced with an active shooter, remember these three words: Escape, evade, engage.
What to do in an active shooter/hostage situation
Courtesy photo by Lockheed Martin
Two F-35 Lightning II carrier variants completed an aerial refueling for the first time Jan. 18. Test pilots Navy Lt. Christopher Tabert and Dan Canin of Lockheed Martin flew CF-1 and CF-2 respectively, with a KC-130 from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20 at NAS Patuxent River. The F-35C carrier variant of the Lightning II is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with its larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear to withstand catapult launches and deck landing impacts associated with the demanding aircraft carrier environment. Initial carrier trials for the F-35C are scheduled for 2014. The F-35C is undergoing flight test and evaluation at Pax River prior to delivery to the fleet.
NAVAIR teams give Coast Guard HC-130H an avionics facelift By Paula A. Paige Program Management (AIR-1.0) Public Affairs Office Descending onto the runway, the orange and white HC130H was a flight of vivid color against the fading autumn landscape of Naval Air Station Patuxent River. For the crew navigating the arrival of the U.S. Coast Guard aircraft from Elizabeth City, N.C., on Dec. 7, beauty wasn’t just skin deep. Coast Guard aircraft 1504 (CG1504), featured a refreshed interior avionics cockpit display, recently updated with new hardware and software, thanks to two teams from the Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) Program Management organization, known as AIR1.0. Since 2008, a team composed of the Coast Guard, NAVAIR’s Air Combat Electronics Office (PMA-209), the NAVAIR/U.S. Coast Guard Coordination Office and defense industry officials have worked together to modernize the aircraft cockpit. Called an Avionics 1 Upgrade, or A1U, the modifications included changes to the Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ ATM) systems as well as a new Automatic Flight Control System. The arrival of the airplane starts a nine-month ground and flight-test program scheduled to be performed here at Pax in coordination with the Navy Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 20. The A1U will help the Coast Guard meet its goal to have the legacy aircraft flying until 2027 as well as support other Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) objectives, said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Randy Meador, HC130H deputy project manager. “The Coast Guard needed to
U.S. Navy photo by Kelly Schindler
A modified Coast Guard HC-130H lands at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Dec. 7. The Air Combat Electronics Office (PMA-209) provided an avionics 1 upgrade, or A1U, that will help the Coast Guard keep the aircraft in operation until 2027, an official said. update its legacy HC-130H aircraft, which are about 20 to 25 years old, with new state-of-the-art avionics and air traffic management systems.” Additionally, A1U improves HC-130H aircrew situational awareness, increases flight safety, addresses obsolescence issues and concerns and increases overall mission effectiveness, Meador said. “These upgrades will provide better integration and data exchange with the common operational picture, helping the USCG and DHS achieve maritime domain awareness.”
See Avionics, Page 5
By Donna Cipolloni Tester staff writer It’s everyone’s nightmare. While the chances of your encountering an active shooter may be slim, recent headline events prove it’s not improbable—and working on a military installation makes it more likely. The Department of Homeland Security defines an active shooter as an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area, typically through the use of firearms. Should the situation ever occur at NAS Patuxent River, security personnel here want you to remember these three words: Escape, evade, engage. “Get out as soon as you can, any way you can,” said Sgt. James Williams, Naval District Washington police training officer assigned to NAS Patuxent River. “Familiarize yourself with your work area and know it well. Don’t just locate doorways, but windows, stairwells or even a loading dock that can be used as a means of exit.” Williams advised taking along your cell phone and grabbing your ID card, if you can, but don’t spend a lot of time doing so; and don’t necessarily run for the elevator. “They’re slow and you’re in a confined space,” Williams explained. “You may not know when the door will open or who will be on the other side.” “If you’re unable to escape; hide wherever you can,” he said. “If you can’t hide, barricade yourself in place. Know what furniture in your office you can move to block a doorway—desks, cabinets, tables. If there’s nothing like that, think outside the box and pile up chairs, tables, boxes and trash cans—any type of debris to slow down their progress.” Williams suggests not hiding in a conference room or lunch room, if possible, because rooms where large numbers of people gather are what an active shooter might look for. When phoning the police, give as much detailed information as possible such as the location of the shooter, number of shooters, what the shooter is wearing, number and type of weapons being used, any distinctive physical appearance, your own location and how many are injured, Williams said. As an absolute last resort, it may be necessary to engage the shooter. “Pick up whatever you can to use as a weapon, sneak up from behind, if possible; but remember that you’re going into a gunfight with basically your bare hands,” he said. “Don’t stop until the shooter is neutralized because once you engage, you become their target.” When police do arrive, ask for an ID to be slipped under a door or phone the dispatch office to verify an officer’s name before opening a door to anyone. Cooperate fully and follow their directions to the letter. Don’t grab at anyone and don’t
See Solid, Page 5
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Thursday, January 31, 2013
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Dunn reenlists for five years U.S. Navy photo by Donna Cipolloni
Snow removal crews at NAS Patuxent River found themselves busy around the installation last week as the first snow of the season fell in Southern Maryland, dumping 4-6 inches.
First snowfall provides educational opportunity on reporting procedures By NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs Office
U.S. Navy photo by Donna Cipolloni
Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (AW) Matthew Dunn, right, commits to five more years of Navy service during a reenlistment ceremony Jan. 23 officiated by Lt. Michael Peck. Dunn has served in the Navy for seven years, four months.
News briefs On base: NEX mini-mart hours change for Feb. 1
The Navy Exchange mini-mart is conducting its annual inventory Feb. 1 and is open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pay at the pump remains available.
Valentine’s Day Whoopie Pies
Order by Feb. 8 The Naval Air Station First Class Petty Officers Association is holding a Valentine’s Day Sale of Red Velvet Whoopie Pies with delivery to NAS Patuxent River and Webster Outlying Field on Valentine’s Day. Cost is: One for $1; six for $5; and 12 for $9. Orders deadline is noon Feb. 8. Contact Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Christopher Robbins at christopher.robbins@navy.mil.
Lincoln Housing Fire Safety Campaign
Wednesday, 10 a.m. Center Stage Theater Learn how to keep you and your family safe. Learn fire safe habits in your home and work place. Learn how to talk to your children about the hazards of fire. Presented by the Naval District Washington Fire and Emergency Services, Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Attendance by at least one adult member of each household in Lincoln Military Housing is mandatory per the NAS Commanding Officer.
Junior Sailors’ Sweetheart Dance
Feb. 8, 7-10 p.m. Lincoln Military Conference Center Sailors E-5 and below are invited to this free red and white ball-themed dance. Music is provided by DJ in A Box, sponsored by the MWR Liberty Program. Photo taking, finger foods, punch bowl and a chocolate fountain are also available. Prizes for best dressed couple and best dressed single male and female. Child care provided from 6-10:30 p.m. at the Religious Program Center, building 401. To register for child care, contact Aviation Machinists Mate 2nd Class (AW) Christian Yambao at christian.yambao@navy. mil or 301-757-6290.
Pilot Ground School
Through May 20, 5-8 p.m. Building 336 off of Cedar Point Road A Patuxent River Navy Flying Club Private Pilot Ground School course meets Mondays. The course prepares students for the FAA knowledge test, a pilot certificate prerequisite. The course is also accepted by Naval Air Systems Command in partial fulfillment of the required biennial 80 hours of professional training. Visit the Patuxent River Navy
Last week’s snowfall provided employees an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the installation’s new Employee Reporting Procedures instruction and prepare for situations that may cause a change to the base status. NAS Patuxent River Instruction 12610.7G, which outlines the base status messages, employee expectations and how to get base status updates, was updated at the start of the year and is available on the MyNAVAIR website under Instructions and Notices. Employees without access to MyNAVAIR should get assistance from their supervisor. Calling 301-342-BASE (2273) offers the of-
Flying Club or contact Joe Dziewit at 301-862-1110 or Al Piranian at 301-342-8555.
Where’s Gnorman?
Somewhere in this issue we’ve hidden Gnorman the gnome. Be the first to call in his location and receive two free Center Stage Theater movie tickets; good for any Center Stage movie. Contest calls are not taken after 4:30 p.m. Friday. The same person cannot win more than once a month. Congratulations to last week’s winner, Aimee Superior. Call the Tester staff at 301-342-4163.
Off base: St. Mary’s County education budget
Tuesday, 6 p.m. Central Administration Building 23160 Moakley Street, Leonardtown The St. Mary’s County Board of Education seeks public input for 2013-2014 operating budget. SMCPS employees and community members are invited to participate in this Budget Forum. Speakers are encouraged to provide comments in writing to allow the Board to give consideration to all inputs. For more information, call 301-475-5511, ext. 177.
St. Mary’s Common Scholarship Applications
Submission deadline: March 15 This year’s St. Mary’s Common Scholarship application is now available for download at smcbeca.org. The Common Scholarship Application features 39 different scholarships offered by local businesses, organizations and individuals. Last year, more than 100 local scholarships worth approximately $250,000 were awarded through the Common Scholarship Application. The Seventh Annual Scholarship Awards Event is 4-5 p.m. May 17 at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center.
Free tutoring for military families
Family members of National Guard, Reserve and active-duty military in grades kindergarten through 12 are eligible to receive one-to-one academic support 24/7. Help is available in 16 subjects, including algebra, physics, history, grammar and essay writing, plus advanced placement classes and test preparations. Students can get step-by-step homework help or ask a tutor to just proofread their work. For more information or to connect with a tutor, visit www. Tutor.com/military.
Scholarships for Military Children
Applications for the 2013 Scholarships for Military Children Program are now available at the NAS Patuxent River Commissary and online at www.MilitaryScholar.org. Applica-
ficial base status, 24/7. This line is updated as soon as leadership determines a change to the base status is necessary. At the same time, this status change is relayed to local media and is posted on www.Facebook.com/NASPaxRiver. Employees can also get up-to-date emergency notifications affecting the installation on numerous devices—home/cell phone, personal email, pager—by registering with AtHOC. To register, log in to an NMCI computer and go to www.ready.navy.mil, hover over Stay Informed and click on Wide Area Alert Notification. Follow the instructions for the NDW Region. Those without access to an NMCI computer or are having difficulty registering should email their contact information to the installation’s emergency management department at jerome.ray@navy.mil or eric.wolf@navy.mil.
tions are due by close of business Feb. 22 to any commissary.
Wings over America scholarships
These college scholarships are for family members of Sailors in the U.S. Navy’s Aviation community: officer and enlisted, active duty, retired, honorably discharged or deceased. Eligible applicants must be a high school senior or already enrolled in college. Prequalification forms are now available at www.WingsOverAmerica.us.
St. Mary’s County Weather Notices
St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services and Technology has created an application for residents to receive watches, warnings and advisories as issued from the National Weather Service. Residents can register at www. co.saint-marys.md.us, clicking on the E-Notices link and following the Weather Notices instructions.
Volunteer opportunities: STARBASE-Atlantis Mentors
Become a mentor for the STARBASE 2.0 After-School Mentoring Program at Spring Ridge Middle School. Sessions are 2:15-4:15 p.m. Thursdays until March 21. Mentors are paired up with two to three students to assist them with group projects using LEGO MINDStorms Robots and NXT programming. An in-house competition is also planned. Call 301-342-2789.
Expanding Your Horizons Southern Maryland
Interested in helping the next generation girls get excited about math and science? For the first time, an Expanding Your Horizons chapter is being brought to Southern Maryland on March 2 at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center. This one-day event dedicated to promotes interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for middle school girls. Email eyhsomd@gmail.com or visit www.etouches.com/ehome/52690/EYHSoMD.
Calvert County schools robotics coaches
The following Calvert County public schools are in need of robotics coaches: Appeal Elementary, 4-6 p.m. Thursdays; Southern Middle, 3:40-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. A mock competition is March 9.
Science Expo
Huntingtown High needs judges and at least two technical demonstrations or exhibits for its Science Expo on Feb. 23. Supervisory permission is required prior to signing up. A charge number to cover labor during these programs is available with the outreach office. Contact the Navy’s Calvert County education coordinator, Julie Lemmon, at julie.
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Thursday, January 31, 2013
Parish receives MSM Go Red celebrates 10 years
American Red Cross raises awareness with National Wear Red Day Friday
By Mindy Ashton Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River Wellness Clinic
U.S. Navy photo by Gary Younger
Rear Adm. CJ Jaynes, commander, Fleet Readiness Centers, left, presents Capt. Jim Parish with a Meritorious Service Medal with a Gold Star in lieu of Fifth Award on Jan. 23 for his service as COMFRC chief of staff and director of business operations from June 2011 to January 2013. Parish recently transferred to the Office of the Navy Inspector General at the Navy Yard..
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women—mothers, sisters, daughters, friends—and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. In fact, look at these startling statistics from the American Heart Association: Heart disease causes one in three women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute; An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease; Ninety percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease; Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease and the gap between men and women’s survival continues to widen; and While one in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, heart disease causes one in three deaths each year. Heart disease in women requires more attention, more research and swifter action. Although heart disease is recognized as the No. 1 killer of women, the American Heart Association notes only one in five American women believe heart disease is her greatest health
members. Reservations are necessary and can be made at FFSC or by calling 301-342-4911. The FFSC is always looking for a few good volunteers, too. Call for details.
Paying for Those Holiday Bills
Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Looking for ways to deal with holiday spending? Focusing on paying off those bills is a good idea for getting the New Year off to a good start. This workshop explores tips to help get on the right start to easing holiday debt-load.
Interviewing Techniques Hours of Operation Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. All classes and seminars are held at the Fleet and Family Support Center, 21993 Bundy Road, building 2090, unless otherwise noted. Workshops and seminars are open and free for active-duty and retired military, and their family
JOBS
Continued from 1 netta by May. Once they are in place, assignments will be made through the normal personnel assignment process. All of the positions affected must be open by January 2016. Senior women Sailors are expected to be assigned to units before junior women Sailors to provide leadership, mentorship and support. This rescission does not open all of the closed positions. Where the assignment of women to specific position or occupational specialties is in conflict with the DOD’s guiding principles of integration, exceptions to this policy will be
Wednesday, 1-4 p.m. Prepare for that upcoming job interview by practicing personal presentation skills such as answering common interview questions, writing follow-up and thank-you letters, and negotiating job offers.
threat and only 24 percent of those getting heart-related studies are women. And, guess who’s less likely to call 911 when they’re experiencing symptoms of a heart attack—women. In fact, women are more likely to call 911 for someone else than themselves. Aimed at increasing awareness, the American Heart Association started a Go Red for Women movement 10 years ago, and it’s been impacting the health of women. During the last 10 years, the American Heart Association attributes this awareness campaign with saving more than 627,000 women from heart disease and preventing 330 women from dying per day. Women who Go Red are more likely to make healthy choices, according to the heart association, as statistics show that in the past 10 years, nearly 90 percent have made at least one healthy behavior change, more than one-third have lost weight, and more than 50 percent have increased their exercise. The American Heart Association has also recorded six out of 10 women having changed their diets in the past 10 years, more than 40 percent check their cholesterol levels, and onethird of the American woman population has talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans. Find out more about the Go Red campaign at www.GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay.
This class is designed for those moving anywhere in the U.S. or overseas. Receive expert information about the travel and pay, household goods shipments, stress management, budgeting for your move, housing concerns, moving with kids, cultural adaptation, plus specific overseas information.
Marriage is a Work of Heart
Feb. 7, 3:30-5 p.m. The goal of this class is to provide couples with new ideas and tools to help them continue to build together the marriage they envisioned. Join us and practice Speaker Listener Technique to enhance communication even on the toughest issues.
Playgroup at Glen Forrest Community Center
Smooth Move—Home or Abroad
Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. Moms, dads and caregivers are invited to bring their children for playtime at the Glen Forrest Community Center.
considered by the Secretary of Defense. As for special operations openings, services were tasked by the Chairman to proceed in a deliberate, measured and responsible way to assign women to currently closed positions as physical standards and operational assessments are completed and as it becomes possible to introduce cadres as described above. All services and the U.S. Special Operations Command must complete all studies in this area by the first quarter of fiscal year 2016. The Navy also continues to assign women Sailors to afloat units based on the following conditions: As reasonable privacy and appropriate berthing arrangements are completed; as female officer and enlisted leadership assignments can be implemented; and as ships’ schedules permit.
Currently, privacy, berthing and leadership requirements restrict 19,000 Navy positions to women, mostly in enlisted ranks, onboard submarines, Frigates, Patrol Coastal Craft and Mine Countermeasure Ships. About a year ago, DOD rescinded its co-location policy which excluded nearly 14,500 positions from women service members. After an extensive review by the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the effects of that rescission, the Joint Chiefs of Staff unanimously concluded that now is the time to end all unnecessary gender-based barriers to service. “Assignment of women to currently closed positions enhances our ability to fight and win today, while building on the ability to win tomorrow,” Mills said.
Feb. 7, 9-10 a.m.
Naval Air Station Patuxent River • tester@dcmilitary.com • www.facebook.com/NASPaxRiver The name Tester is a registered mark in the state of Maryland. This paper is published by Comprint, Inc., 9030 Comprint Ct., Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, (301) 948-1520, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Navy, under exclusive written contract with Naval District Washington. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of the Tester are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Navy. The appearance of advertising in this publication,
Capt. Ted Mills
Commanding Officer
Capt. Ben Shevchuk Executive Officer
including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Southern Maryland Newspapers and Printing of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected.
Cmd. Master Chief William Lloyd-Owen
Command Master Chief
Connie Hempel
Public Affairs Specialist
Donna Cipolloni Staff Writer
Editorial content is edited, prepared, and provided by the Public Affairs Office. News copy should be submitted by Friday to be considered for the following week’s edition. All material is edited for accuracy, brevity, clarity, and conformity to regulations. To inquire about news copy, call 301-342-4163 or fax the Tester at 301-8639296.
Commercial advertising may be placed with the publisher by calling 301-862-2111.
Breton Helsel and Deirdre Parry
Copy/layout editors
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Tester
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Rankin retires after 20
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Test Pilot School XO earns Army Lean Six Sigma award By Donna Cipolloni Tester staff writer
U.S. Navy photo by Logistics Specialist Seaman John Tran
Capt. Clifford Scott, Naval District Washington Naval Supply Systems Command’s Supply Management Department director, left, presents Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Robert Rankin with his Fleet Reserve Certificate after completing 20 years of Navy service.
AVIONICS
Continued from 2
The Coast Guard is a component of DHS. Eleven operational and one nonoperational prototype HC130H aircraft are scheduled for the upgrades. Beyond maritime authority, the upgrades will allow the Coast Guard to safely fly the HC-130H for the next 10 to 15 years, said PMA-209 Program Manager, Capt. Tracy Barkhimer. “It will allow the Coast Guard to fly the airplane into areas with the most stringent air traffic management requirements, thereby increasing the reach and support of the Coast Guard.” The upgrades include a one-of-a-kind instrument panel with six multifunctional displays, explained Coast Guard Cmdr. Douglas Williams, the Long Range Surveillance Emerging Technology Requirements Officer for the service’s Office of Aviation Forces base in Clearwater, Fla. “The Rockwell-Collins displays, in addition to the previously installed engine instrument display system, are the cornerstone of the avionics upgrade,” Williams said, adding that the new digital displays incorporate all the information of the legacy analog instruments, from altimeters to artificial horizons, to weather radar and more. For Navy Capt. Tom Popp, the NAVAIR/Coast Guard liaison officer, the
U.S. Navy photo by Kelly Schindler
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Robert Hurst, left, and U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Doug Williams discuss the Coast Guard HC-130H’s avionics 1 upgrade with a visitor after it landed at NAS Patuxent River, Dec. 7. The Air Combat Electronics Office (PMA-209) provided an A1U, which includes Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management upgrades and a new Automatic Flight Control System, to the prototype aircraft.
About NAVAIR’s U.S. Coast Guard Coordination Office Mission: The NAVAIR/U.S. Coast Guard Coordination Office coordinates support to the majority of Coast Guard efforts at NAS Patuxent River Leaders: Capt. Tom Popp, NAVAIR/U.S. Coast Guard liaison officer; Thomas Esposito, program manager How long they’ve existed: Approximately 12 years How NAVAIR supports the Coast Guard: A sea-going service, the U.S. Coast Guard shares common challenges with the Navy and Marine Corps of operating and managing aviation assets both at sea and on land. The office and the NAVAIR/USCG liaison officer are the conduit through which the Navy/Marine Corps support Coast Guard aviation. This support spans aircraft test and evaluation, project support, decision support, prototyping and systems integration. planes’ landing at Pax marks the start of the newest phase of the program. “It is rewarding to see the aircraft now fully modified and undergoing rigorous
testing at Pax River,” Popp said. “This is the result of hard work and cooperation by the Coast Guard’s aviation acquisition team, NAVAIR and industry.”
U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Executive Officer Army Lt. Col. Gregory Fortier is a black belt, but martial arts training wasn’t required. Fortier is a practitioner of Lean Six Sigma, a business methodology used by the Army to streamline business processes that help save time and money. After four weeks of intensive training, Fortier earned his black belt—an advanced level of LSS certification aimed at developing team leaders who are able to lead project improvement, and have the experience and skill set to mentor and coach other project team members. It all started for Fortier back at Redstone Army Airfield and the Redstone Test Center (RTC), where he was the commander of the Aviation Flight Test Directorate. “It was really fortuitous timing,” Fortier said, noting that Army Test and Evaluation commander, Maj. Gen. Genaro Dellarocco, had mandated all of his subordinate commanders be black belt certified. While a Base Realignment and Closure had the organization reestablishing itself in Redstone Arsenal near Madison County, Ala., more than 200 miles away from their previous location at Ft. Rucker in Dale County, Ala., the group took the opportunity to search for “efficiencies and ways to conduct a cleaner Flight Test operation,” Fortier explained. Working with his sponsor, RTC Commander Col. Steve Kihara, Fortier identified his project—the Aviator Training Hour Reduction process improvement initiative—and concentrated his efforts on becoming more efficient in the scheduling and execution process to reduce the number of redundant pilot training hours. “The cost to train aviators is inherent,” Fortier said, “but we streamlined
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interfere. “When we enter a situation like that,” Williams explained, “we don’t know what’s going on and everyone is considered a threat until we can sort it out. You may be asked to get down on the ground or even be
Courtesy photo
Under Secretary of the Army Joseph W. Westphal, Ph.D., left, and Lt. Gen. William Grisoli, director, Army Office of Business Transformation, right, present Army Lt. Col. Gregory Fortier, U.S. Naval Test Pilot School executive officer, with the NonEnterprise Level Black Belt Project Team Award at the Army’s Lean Six Sigma Excellence Awards Program, held Jan. 10 at the Pentagon.
reduction in quarterly training flight hours and a saving of $13 million through fiscal year 2018. Several other tertiary benefits were realized by the organization. “As we marched through the project, we developed and implemented our own internal master database,” Fortier said. “We called it FIMAST—Flight Information
Management Scheduling Tool—where every pilot and engineer in the organization had an icon on the computer that they could click on and input a scheduled flight event that would roll up real time into the central database for both the operations and maintenance officers.” Fortier said they would review the database every hour, prioritize pilots and aircraft, and ultimately lean out redundant flights. “It was the first time in the organization’s 50-year history where it truly had a digital flight scheduling tool with 100 percent accuracy and a unique data mining capability,” Fortier said. In January 2013, Fortier received the Non-Enterprise Black Belt Project Team Award at the Army’s Lean Six Sigma Excellence Awards Program at the Pentagon for his work at RTC. Since arriving at NAS Patuxent River in February, Fortier has already integrated himself with Air Speed, the Navy’s version of LSS, and is working closely with Mike Duncan, a master black belt at Naval Air Systems Command, to explore cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives within the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.
handcuffed. Cooperate for everyone’s safety.” In the event a hostage situation occurs, attempt to remain calm and do whatever you can to survive at all cost, advised Williams. “A hostage situation can last from minutes to days,” he said, “but know that help is on the way. Think of it as being a POW. Self-preserva-
tion is the key to survival. Don’t give up hope.” There have been two exercises conducted at Pax in the past few years to prepare employees, law enforcement, and fire and emergency personnel for an active shooter scenario. Maybe this year’s Solid Curtain/ Citadel Shield will be number three. Will you be ready?
the mission and found a way to use our personnel and airframes more efficiently.” Utilizing the steps he learned in LSS, Fortier defined his problem; targeted what he wanted to reduce; determined what metric—or existing data—he wanted to measure; improved the current process; and then ran a pilot program to see if the improvement was working. The result, a 61 percent
“The cost to train aviators is inherent, but we streamlined the mission and found a way to use our personnel and airframes more efficiently.” — Army Lt. Col. Gregory Fortier
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February Special: Book three, get one free There is only source of happiness in life, to love and be loved. Come fall in love with NRC. Book three nights or more between Feb. 11 and 18 and receive one night free; excludes waterfront cottages. Guests staying at NRC Solomons on Valentine’s Day receive a Mylar balloon and a rose.
Shred Day at FFSC
For all MWR news, visit http://cnic.navy.mil/Patuxent and click on Fleet and Family Readiness, or visit www.facebook.com/NASPaxRiver.
Free Home-Buyers’ Seminar
Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Frank Knox Building, building 2189, room 154 The Virginia Housing Development Authority leads this free firsttime homebuyer class. Learn about the entire home-buying process including: Personal finances, credit and credit scoring, qualifying and applying for a loan, choosing the right home and what happens at closing. Register by calling 301342-3846.
Mattapany Day Camp Registration
MDC registration begins Feb. 25. Mondays through Wednesdays are registration days, and Thursdays and Fridays are for payment appointments. Registration schedule is: Current school-age children program patrons, Feb. 25 through March 1; active-duty military, March 4-8; DOD civilians, March 11-15; and contractors, March 18-22. Registration forms and packets are available after Feb. 1 at the Rassieur Youth Center and online at http://cnic.navy. mil/Patuxent, click on Fleet and Family Readiness, Support Services and then Mattapany Day Camp. Camp runs June 10 through Aug. 16.
NRC Solomons
NRC Solomons facilities are open to active-duty and retired military, and DOD civilians. To make reservations, call 410-296-7301.
1036020
Feb. 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Keep personal documents out of the hands of identity thieves by bringing them to the Fleet and Family Support Center, 21993 Bundy Road, building 2090, for the professional shred event. Not sure what to keep and what not to keep, call the FFSC Financial Educator at 301-342-5442.
Customized Creations registrations
Register at Customized Creations or call 301-342-3569. Arts and Crafts Spring Fling Vendor registrations for the second annual Spring Fling begins in February. Registrations are open to military, DOD civilians and contractors, and sponsored guests based on the following schedule: Feb. 7, active-duty and retired military; Feb. 11, past crafters; Feb. 19, DOD civilians and contractors. Craft spaces are $60. Tables and chairs are also available for rent. The event is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20 at Drill Hall.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
p.m. Tuesdays at Drill Hall. Cost is $10 for active-duty military and $20 for all others. Pre-registration is required. Organizational meeting is 11:30 a.m. Feb. 5 in the Bowling Center. Intramural Dodgeball Tournament Wednesday, 10 a.m. Open to active-duty, Reservists and retired military, their family members, and members of the Civilian Fitness and Sports Program. Teams wanting to compete in the tournament should be represented at the Organizational Meeting. Mission Nutrition Feb. 7 Mission Nutrition is a free one-day class for active-duty military only; spouses are welcome. Nutrition topics include: Weight control, mindless and emotional eating, planning meals and more. There is also a group exercise class during lunch hours once a month. To register, call 301-342-5449.
Drill Hall
Register at the Fitness and Sports Office or call 301-757-1194. Intramural Table Tennis Tournament Tuesday, 10 a.m. Active-duty, Reserve and retired military and members of the Fitness and Sports Program are invited to participate in the Annual Table Tennis Tournament at the Drill Hall. A pre-tournament meeting is before the tournament begins with play starting immediately after. Points to Fitness Program Register by Tuesday Begins Feb. 12, runs 10 weeks Earn as many points possible by logging food intake, working out daily, weighing in weekly, losing pounds and making your goal weight. A grand prize is awarded to the person with the most points. A free workout starts at 4:30
The Liberty Program sponsors free or reducedprice events for NAS Patuxent River active-duty E1E6. Liberty is a component of the Single Sailor Program. Civilian guests are not allowed to participate unless otherwise stated. For more information about Liberty programs, call 301-342-4208 or visit http:// cnic.navy.mil/Patuxent, click on Fleet and Family Readiness, Things to Do and then Liberty Programs. Future trips planned are: • Feb. 2: Snowboard/Ski Trip • Feb. 3: Superbowl Party • Feb. 14: Cupids Revenge • Feb. 23: Snowboard/Ski Trip • Texas Hold ‘em: Tuesdays • Game Night: Wednesdays • Movie and Munchie Night: Thursdays
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Wednesday, Jan. 30 6:30 p.m., The Hobbit (3D) The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands. Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him; he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities. A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know. Rated: PG-13 (2 hr, 50 min) Thursday, Jan. 31 6:30 p.m., Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away (3D) Two young people journey through the astonishing and dreamlike worlds of Cirque du Soleil to find each other as audiences experience the immersive 3D tech-
nology that allows them to leap, soar, swim and dance with the performers. Rated: PG (1 hr, 31 min) Friday, Feb. 1 6:30 p.m., Guilt Trip Andy Brewster is about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime, and who better to accompany him than his overbearing mother Joyce. After deciding to start his adventure with a quick visit at Mom’s, Andy is guilted into bringing her along for the ride. Across 3,000 miles of ever-changing landscape, he is constantly aggravated by her antics, but over time he comes to realize that their lives have more in common than he originally thought. His mother’s advice might end up being ex-
actly what he needs. Rated: PG-13 (1 hr, 36 min) 9 p.m., This is 40 Writer/director/producer Judd Apatow brings audiences “This Is 40,” an original comedy that expands upon the story of Pete and Debbie from “Knocked Up” as we see first-hand how they are dealing with their current state of life. Rated: R (2 hr, 14 min) Saturday, Feb. 2 4 p.m., Parental Guidance Old school grandfather Artie, who is accustomed to calling the shots, meets his match when he and his eager-to-please wife Diane agree to babysit their three grandkids when their type-A helicopter parents go away
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for work. But when 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane’s old school methods of tough rules, lots of love and old-fashioned games, it’s learning to bend—and not holding your ground—that binds a family together. Rated: PG (1 hr, 45 min)
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9 p.m., This is 40
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Sunday, Feb. 3 2 p.m., The Hobbit (3D)
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Thursday, January 31, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Rotors and Wings
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Responsible for 40 percent of naval aviation aircraft, the Program Executive Office for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs supports the Navy and Marine Corps with platforms and sensors that sustain America’s global operational readiness
What is PEO(A)?
T
he Program Executive Office for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Assault and Special Mission Programs (PEO(A)) supports eight major Acquisition Category (ACAT) I programs, an ACAT II program, two ACAT III programs, seven ACAT IV programs and eight abbreviated acquisition programs.
Tactical activities
Photo courtesy of Sikorsky
CH-53K to replace CH-53E
Acquisition programs
PMA-207 – Tactical Airlift, Adversary and Support Aircraft Program Office PMA-261 – H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office PMA-264 – Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems Program Office PMA-274 – Presidential Helicopters Program Office PMA-275 – V-22 Joint Program Office PMA-276 – USMC Light/Attack Helicopters Program Office PMA-290 – Maritime, Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office PMA-299 – H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopters Program Office
•Speed to the Fleet •Affordability
Strategic activities
•Navy and Marine Corps Future Vertical Lift •Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare Interoperability •Marine Corps Digital Interoperabil-
ity
D
Rear Adm. Paul Grosklags Program Executive Officer
eployed on ships and ashore, PMA-261’s H-53 helicopters prove their heavy-lift mission is essential in combat and humanitarian relief operations worldwide. • The CH-53K Ground Test Vehicle, above, was mounted to its pedestal on Jan. 16 to begin ground-based flight checks. • The CH-53K will be the most capable, heavy-lift marinized helicopter ever produced. • The CH-53K will reach Initial Operational Capability in fiscal 2018. • The CH-53K will be the only shipboard-compatible aircraft that can fulfill 100 percent of current and future U.S. Marine Corps heavy-lift requirements, and remains the sole active developmental manned rotorcraft program within DOD. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Chandler Hasemeyer
Since its introduction in 1956, the H-1 “Huey” helicopter has been supporting the warfighter at home and abroad, and will continue to do so well into the 21st century. Here is a quick snapshot of the history of the venerable aircraft.
1968
USMC procures AH-1G Cobra
1956
1956
First H-1, affectionately known as the Huey, enters service for U.S. Army
1972
2008
Parent organization PMA-276 established
UH-1Y approved for full rate production
2013
2021
100th UH-1Y enters service Jan. 16
Last AH-1W expected to be retired
2021
The Huey: Supporting the troops for over 50 years 1964
1986
UH-1E specially designed for USMC begin deliveries
USMC begins operating AH-1W
2010
AH-1Z approved for full rate production
2015
Last UH-1N expected to be retired
PMA-290’s P-8A Poseidon from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1 of Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., basks in the morning sunset at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The aircraft is preparing to participate in exercise Valiant Shield 2012. The P-8A is the U.S. Navy’s newest Anti Submarine Warfare platform, replacing the P-3C.
Poseidon set to replace Navy’s workhorse, Orion
A
fter 50 years of service, U.S. Navy P-3 Orion squadrons are starting to transition to the P-8A Poseidon. This year, the Navy will add the P-8A into the deployment cycle. The first P-8A squadron, VP-16, is in transition training at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., and is scheduled to deploy this December. This will be the first ever P-8 deployment and will be augmented by P-3 and EP-3 squadrons to fulfill Global Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Force requirements and continue to do so until transition is complete in 2019. Here are some key facts about the Navy’s new maritime, patrol and reconnaissance aircraft: • Replacing the aging P-3C Orion, the P-8A Poseidon
will serve Maritime, Patrol and Reconnaissance aviation for decades. The P-8A will be employed globally in broadarea maritime and littoral operations. •The P-8A is a long-range anti-submarine warfare aircraft with additional capabilities in anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. •The arrival of the P-8A will improve how the U.S. Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance aviation forces train, operate and deploy. •The P-8A is designed as an open-architecture, netcentric aircraft that allows for rapid and affordable modular upgrades to meet evolving threats and diverse mission requirements.
The PEO(A) Portfolio
Including PMA261, PMA-276 and PMA-290, the PEO(A) portfolio comprises the following:
U.S. Marine Corps photo
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Niemi
PMA-275 procures, fields and supports effective, suitable and affordable V-22 systems for the Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command, ensuring assault, infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions are met.
PMA-274 provides helicopter transportation to the president and vice president of the United States, members of the president’s Cabinet and foreign dignitaries as directed by director, White House Military Office.
U.S. Navy photo
PMA-299’s MH-60R is replacing the aging SH-60B and SH-60F; and the MH-60S has replaced the H-46D, HH1N and H-3. This MH-60S Seahawk is shown delivering ammunition to USS George H.W. Bush in the Atlantic Ocean on Jan. 16, 2013.
U.S. Navy photo
PMA-207 is responsible for the C-12 Huron, F-5 Tiger II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-26 Metroliner, UC-35 Citation, C-20 Gulfstream, C-9 Skytrain, C-37 Gulfstream, C-40 Clipper and the K/C-130 Hercules/Super Hercules and Harvest HAWK (above).
U.S. Navy photo
PMA-264 procures air deployed, electro-mechanical acoustic sensors designed to relay underwater signals associated with ships and submarines to remote sensors, which provide the capability to detect, localize and track submarines.
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Thursday, January 31, 2013
Our CHILDREN A comprehensive guide to your child’s future
Tester
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Our CHILDREN A comprehensive guide to your child’s future SCHOOL
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Julie Robbins, Director
MSDE License #08-124839 MSDE Accredited Child Care Center
Founded in 1956, St. Peter’s School has a rich tradition of teaching a rigorous curriculum in a Christian enviroment. Children of all faiths are welcome!
Archbishop Neale School
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Call 301-934-2289
Anchored in Christian Virtues
Registration for 2013-2014 School Year Mar. 8, 2013 (by appointment) 9:00AM-1:00PM Mar. 11, 2013 - 2:30PM-6:30PM Open House Dates: Jan. 29, 2013 - 8:30-10:30AM , Feb. 12, 2013 8:00-11:00AM (Catholic Schools Week)
Grade Eight students pictured with the Little Sisters of the Poor, after loading donations collected by the school community.
Archbishop Neale School
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Thursday, January 31, 2013
Around town St Mary’s County events: Little Flower School Lunch Buffet Fundraiser
Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Outback Steakhouse Buffet includes: Chicken, steak, rice, Caesar salad, bread and butter, and a drink. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and can be purchased by calling the Little Flower School at 301-994-0404.
Family History: Where do I start?
Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Charlotte Hall library Adults learn how to start a genealogy search: Using charts, library sources and websites, and how to organize information what they find. Free workshop. Must register by calling 301-884-2211.
Poetry Open Mic Night Wednesday, 6:30 p.m.
Leonardtown library Poets of all ages can come and share their original poems or favorite ones. Open to the public.
US Naval Academy Alumni Dinner
Register by Thursday Event: Friday, 7:30 p.m. Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training, Piney Point The Greater Southern Maryland Chapter of the USNA Alumni Association invites all alumni and friends of the Academy to its annual “Dark Ages” dinner. Cost is $37 per person. Installation of officers and GSMC president’s remarks to follow dinner. Register online at www.navyalumni. org or email to richard.l.snyder@saic.com.
Calvert County events: What Happens at the Library After Hours? Through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Calvert library, Prince Frederick
Register and drop off a stuffed animal at Teddy Bear Camp to find out what goes on at the library after hours. Return Feb. 9 from noon to 2 p.m., bring a picnic lunch and watch the overnight exploits of the Teddy Bear “campers” on a big screen, read stories, play games and make s’mores. For more information, contact Robyn Truslow at 410-5350291 or visit http://calvert.lib.md.us.
Writers by the Bay
Today, 7-8:30 p.m. Calvert library, Prince Frederick Looking for a writers’ group? All writers and would-be writers are welcome to come for critique and camaraderie.
First Free Friday
Friday, 5-8 p.m. Calvert Marine Museum Free admission to the museum the first Friday of every month. Meet the Calvert County Watermen who will share their experiences in the maritime gallery from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Hear the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition in the auditorium starting at 6:30 p.m.
TAXES
Continued from 1 questions. Some of the basic information VITA volunteers can provide individuals with includes special tax credits the person may qualify for such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. While regulations limit stateside Navy legal offices providing VITA/ELF services to filing only basic taxes, the self-service center allows people to electronically file a simple federal tax return and a simple state tax return. “Individuals with more complex taxes should seek filing assistance through the IRS or in the private sector,” Mincey said. Those qualified to use the VITA/ELF services at the legal office must bring with them a valid photo ID, W-2 forms for all jobs held by family mem-
bers, correct social security numbers and dates of birth for all family members, employer ID numbers for child care providers, bank and routing numbers, child care and education expense statements, a copy of last year’s return and any other tax forms received such as mortgage and bank interest statements. A completed VITA intake form is also required and is available at the legal office, building 409, room 219. This is an appointmentonly service. Appointments are available from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1-3 p.m. weekdays, beginning Monday and running through April 15. To make an appointment, call the legal office at 301-3427643. Last year, Navy VITA volunteers helped nearly 60,000 active-duty and retired service members and their family members file taxes, saving service members more than $6.9 million in tax preparation fees.
Scoreboard As of Jan. 25
Intramural Volleyball
Intramural Bowling Big Ten WSI Goat Locker Hang ‘em High JMWS Rollin’ Thunder Wafwots Spare Time High-n-Low Lucky Strikes
48-16 45-19 37.5-26.5 35-29 34-30 30.5-33.5 27-37 23.5-40.5 21.5-42.5 18-46
Intramural Graybeard Basketball Lunch Crew The Crew W.W.D. Phenoms Loggies VX-23 Paxsca HX-21 VX-1 Old but New 9092
4-0 4-1 4-1 4-1 3-2 3-2 1-3 1-4 0-5 0-5
Monday/Wednesday Grateful Digs Notorious D.I.G. Shaw Road Redemption Need For Speed Tuesday/Thursday Brew Crew Servin’ It Up Great Balls of Fire Set to Kill A/O
3-0 3-0 0-3 0-3 3-0 2-1 0-0 1-2 0-3
Intramural Basketball Monday/Wednesday Grind Time VQ-4 P&P Rangers Osprey Tigers VX-23/TC-7 Tuesday/Thursday Bomb Squad Ballsohard U Mag-49 VX-1 A/O Top Notch
1-0 1-0 1-0 0-1 0-1 0-1 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-1
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Rassieur Youth Center celebrates Flight Month By Keetje Straub NAS Patuxent River Youth director
In honor of Flight Month in January, two guest speakers addressed a crowd of 65 eager youths at the Rassieur Youth Center and came bearing props that helped them better explain their presentations. Among the guest speakers was the Naval Air Station Patuxent River Command Master Chief William Lloyd-Owen who discussed the topic of flight from the perspective of an air vehicle handler aboard an aircraft carrier. He explained how that shipmate basically guides the plane to its parking place on the carrier, hopefully without being blown overboard and having to put his “float coat” to work. During his presentation, Lloyd-Owen wore a “cranial” helmet which is worn to protect a person’s brain and ears. Adding to the full visual effect, he also donned very dark goggles for the crowd. The CMC also explained what job the blue shirts perform: putting chains on the planes to secure them to the deck, and showed a model of the EA60 Prowler, an aircraft that lands on a carrier. This prompted many questions from the young audience. “I really enjoyed seeing the kids’ animated faces and their eyes lighting up whenever I showed them something,” Lloyd-Owen said. “When you explain things to them, you can see their minds taking it all in.” The second guest speaker, Mike Warner, is a youth center parent and is assigned to Naval Air Systems Command H-60 helicopters (PMA-299). Warner talked about his passion for planes and explained how the love you have for model airplanes, and experiments dealing with planes and flight, can become a lifelong career. Starting out making model airplanes as a youth, Warner went on to earn an aeronautics degree, then became a student at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School where he flew planes, and now he’s an engineer creating software for simulators. Warner also taught the youths about lift and demonstrated what would happen to an aircraft if the air is weaker on one side than the other. He demonstrated further with a remote helicopter which caught everyone’s
Courtesy photos by Rashanna Griffin-Walker
Mark Warner, Naval Air Systems Command H-60 helicopters (PMA299), shows Madeline Lumpkins how to operate a remote control helicopter during the center’s Flight Month in January. attention and they loved being able to take turns controlling it. “If anyone is ever asked to make a presentation like this, I’d recommend they do it,” Lloyd-Owen said. “I had more fun than the kids.” Playful backdrops to the presentations included the interior of a plane made from cardboard, complete with all the bells and whistles, and an airline ticket booth for the dramatic play center—courtesy of Kathy Younger and Patricia Feliciano, program assistants in the School Age Care Program. Younger and Feliciano also decorated the center with donated photos of all types of aircraft for the month-long Flight Month celebration. To thank the guest speakers, 11-year-old Cory Ellis assumed the officer of ceremonies duties and presented Lloyd-Owen and Warner with a coin for character and leadership—a military tradition.
Naval Air Station Patuxent River Command Master Chief William Lloyd-Owen showcases an EA60 Prowler aircraft model during his speech to the youths at the Rassieur Youth Center during Flight Month in January.
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CLEARED JOB FAIR
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NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! Know an outstanding caregiver or non-profit organization that deserves to be recognized? Nominate them for our Wounded Warrior Caregiver of the Year Award presented by DCMilitary Family Life. Write a short essay about an individual or organization that has provided exceptional assistance to a Wounded Warrior during their time of need over the past year. Submissions will be collected and judged based upon their recent sacrifices and contributions made in order to care for Wounded Warrior(s). 5 finalists from each category will be chosen by a panel appointed by Comprint Military Publications and all will be invited to attend an awards luncheon where the winners will be publicly announced. All finalists will appear in the June issue of DCMilitary Family Life magazine. Cash prises will be donated to the winners and top finalists.
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Tired of Being Tired? Bonnie, a 36 year old mother of two, was constantly tired, “I go to bed at nine every night but I’m still exhausted. My husband complains that I snore, so I know I’m sleeping. But I’m still afraid to drive in the afternoon for fear of falling asleep at the wheel.” There are many theories that try to answer questions about why we sleep but nobody can say definitively what purpose it serves. In contrast, what we know about lack of sleep is very clear. Sleep, one of the most necessary elements of human survival may also be the most mysterious. There are many theories that try to answer questions about why we sleep but nobody can say definitively what purpose it serves. . In contrast, what we know about lack of sleep is very clear. Sleep deprivation impacts the human body and mind in both simple and complex ways. More serious and often long term effects can include high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity and diabetes. It is estimated that 45% of all heart attacks and strokes occur during sleep. Milder consequences may include the inability to concentrate, diminished reaction time, short term memory loss, irritability, and confusion. Knowing the negative side effects should be great incentive to get a good night’s rest on a regular basis, but for people like Bonnie, this is easier said than done. The most serious and common cause of sleeplessness is OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by recurrent episodes of upper airway collapse during sleep, causing an obstruction that partially or completely restricts air flow. This is sometimes confused with common snoring. Not everyone who snores has OSA. On the other hand, people with OSA almost always snore. In addition, they are often heard gasping for breath, snorting, and are generally restless sleepers, tossing and turning throughout the night. OSA sufferers actually stop breathing for several seconds multiple times throughout the night. REM or deep dreaming sleep eludes them. They are in imminent danger of developing the serious conditions listed above. OSA must first be professionally diagnosed before it can be successfully treated. This is done by a sleep test that is interpreted by a physician, board certified in sleep medicine. Traditionally, this has only been done at a sleep center. The patient arrives in the evening and spends the night at the center hooked to sensors which record breathing and brain patterns. While the sleep center provides excellent data and results for the person who goes to the lab and falls asleep, it does require that the individual can actually fall asleep in an unfamiliar environment, and without the natural routine they are traditionally accustomed to. Sleep centers are not convenient for patients like Bonnie who are unable to leave their children overnight while participating in a sleep study. Besides the cost and inconvenience, the time needed to commit to the center has deterred thousands of people from seeing if their snoring and fatigue are caused by OSA and ultimately treatable. Modern advancements in medical technology have provided the ability to have a small sleep monitor worn by the individual while they sleep in their own bed. The takehome sleep test is much less expensive than going to a sleep lab, allows for a better (more familiar) nights rest, and can be done at the patient’s leisure. Bonnie remarks, “If it weren’t for the availability of an at-home sleep test, I would still be suffering from OSA.” If a patient is diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, it is usually treated in one of two ways. The first is through the use of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) machine
which is about the size of a small space heater that is hooked up to an electrical source. It provides positive airflow to the mouth and nose through a mask that is situated over the face and connected to the main unit with hoses. This method has been around for decades and provides good results when used as prescribed. For patients who are unable or refuse to wear a CPAP, the second option might be a better fit. FDA approved oral sleep appliances (similar to an athletic mouth guard) position the lower jaw to eliminate or decrease snoring and OSA by opening the upper airway. These devices are usually covered by medical insurance if the patient is diagnosed with OSA. The CPAP is provided by the medical professional, while the oral appliance must be provided by a dentist trained in sleep dentistry. David Cooper, a sleep dentist in Lexington Park, “We work closely in a partnership with a medical doctor who is also certified as a sleep specialist to ensure
that the patient is being treated comprehensively.” Bonnie, a patient of Dr. Cooper’s found out that she had moderate OSA after getting the results from her take-home sleep study. She was unable to tolerate wearing a CPAP, and was subsequently fitted with an oral appliance. “It is unbelievable how different I feel! I had no idea how serious and disruptive OSA was.” To see if you should proceed with an athome sleep study, visit: www.sleeptest.com/ take-a-sleep-test. This site will provide you with an online Epworth test which will determine the likeliness of OSA or another sleep disorder. If your score dictates, you should have a sleep study performed at home or at a sleep center. To find a local doctor to provide at-home sleep studies, visit www.sleeptest.com/find-local-help and enter your zip code. SleepTest.com is a free, nationwide site that helps unite sleep disorder sufferers with local providers of
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sleep tests, sleep appliances and many other resources to help them rest well and learn more about their potential affliction. Dr. Cooper of Tidewater Dental is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines. When asked about the new appliances that can be used for OSA, he said, “It’s a win-win situation across the board. If the patient has mild to moderate OSA, they can frequently be treated with an oral appliance. We manufacture the appliance and the patient sleeps soundly again.” He continues, “Medical insurance pays the bulk of the bill and everyone is happy. The response from patients fitted with an oral appliance, and their spouses is so positive that they literally tell me it is life changing. This makes me very proud to be of service to them.” To find out if you would benefit from a sleep study, you can contact Dr. Cooper at his Lexington Park office at 1-877-606-8304.
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