Gosport - March 06, 2015

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Time change this weekend: Spring ahead ...

At 2 a.m. Sunday, March 8, clocks will move an hour ahead (or spring forward) to begin daylight saving time. By act of Congress, civil clocks in most areas of the United States are adjusted ahead one hour in the summer months (known as daylight time) and returned back one hour in the winter months (known as standard time). You’ll lose an hour, mornings are darker and evenings are brighter. For more, visit http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/daylight_time.

Vol. 79, No. 9

VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com

March 6, 2015

NASP celebrates Black History Month Story, photo by Janet Thomas Gosport Staff Writer

Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC) Commanding Officer Capt. Janet Lomax speaks during the Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) Black History Month observance Feb. 27 at Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) auditorium. About 350 people attended the event. The theme of the program was “A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture.”

About 350 military and civilian personnel gathered to celebrate African American History Month Feb.27 at Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) auditorium. “A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture” was the theme for a program featuring music, information and an inspirational guest speaker. In opening remarks, NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Keith Hoskins expressed his thanks to the Naval Air Station Pensacola Diversity Committee for producing the program. “We are celebrating the life, history and culture of

those African Americans that have gone before us for a century – their dedication, the struggles of their lives that have brought us to where we are today,” he said.

Before introducing the guest speaker, NCC Antonia Brown presented some examples of African American Sailors who have marked history with firsts and distinguishing the Navy as a force for

freedom and equality: • During World War II the “Golden 13” was the first group of black servicemen to complete officer’s training in the Navy. • Wesley A. Brown became the first black graduate of the United States Naval Academy in 1949. • Edna Young, who was the first black woman to enlist in the regular Navy and later the first black woman to achieve the rank of chief petty officer. • Adm. J. Paul Reason, who became the first black naval officer to wear four stars and assume command of the Atlantic Fleet. • Vice Adm. Michelle Howard, who is recognized for many first accomplishments, but most

See History on page 2

Scientists, students search local beaches for oil study From Kathleen Haughney (FSU) University Communications

The BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill dumped millions of gallons of oil and gas into the Gulf of Mexico nearly five years ago, but the effects still linger. And now, high school students are teaming with worldclass scientists to research the effects of the spill through a unique citizen-scientist program called the Gulf Oil Observers, aka Project Goo. On Feb. 27, 40 high school students from the Marine Science Academy at Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola joined scientists and

educators from Florida State University (FSU) and a NAS Pensacola Natural Resources Department representative at NAS Pensacola to search local beaches for oil patties that formed as a result of the 2010 spill. The students collected samples of small, round clumps of sand mixed with crude oil. These “sand patties” – typically about a half-inch wide – can reveal how oil released in the ocean is degrading and how it is impacting the environment, scientists say. “Here we are continuing the beach monitoring project the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) was doing

High school students from the Marine Science Academy at Booker T. Washington High School search the shores of NASP’s Lake Frederic for “sand patties” of oil. Photo by Mike O’Connor

before,” NASP Public Works Department Student Conserva-

Geocaches bring new level of enjoyment to Blue Angel park Story, photo by Mike O’Connor Gosport Associate Editor

Geocaching – described as “a realworld, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices” – has made its debut at NAS Pensacola’s MWR Blue Angel Naval Recreation Area (BANRA). Seven geocaches have been placed in the recreation area, and the clues to find them are online at www.geocaching.com, said Sarah Everhart, a recreation aide at the park. The caches were published online a few weeks ago. Immediately, there

was interest. “Eight hours after publishing our first one, we had our first ‘finder’,” Everhart said. “We hope it will bring more people to the park, and invite them to learn more about the history of the place.” Geocaches are found all over the world. According to geocaching.com, there are more than 2.5 million caches hidden and 6 million geocachers looking for them. Typically, geocaches are a waterproof container concealed with some skill in a public place. Inside the cache,

See Geocache on page 2

tion Association intern Ryan Klausch said. “The high school

Blue Angel Rock N Fly Are you ready for the encore? By Bethany Chestnut NASP PAO Intern

The Blue Angel Rock N Fly Half Marathon and 5K is back for its encore. The March 21 event marks the second annual Rock N Fly race aboard NAS Pensacola (NASP). The event started last year to bring an organized run back to NASP after the Blue Angel’s Marathon was canceled in 2004. The Rock N Fly was a huge hit last year, selling out and bringing runners from 41 different states. This year, the maximum number of runners allowed is 3,000. Organizers are expecting spots to sell out

See Rock N Fly on page 2

students decided to volunteer and take this up. So they’re learning how to survey for oil on the beach here, and they may be able to use this experience in their future.” The students’ sample finds were photographed, annotated and carefully placed in glass vials for scientific study. “Working outdoors on a beach is a great way to get young scientists out of the classroom and into the field, where they often develop a strong bond to the work,” said Chris Reddy, a scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

See Students on page 2

Navy Reserve celebrates centennial anniversary By MC2(SCW/SW/AW) Jonathan Pankau Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON (NNS) – Service members and civilians packed the Pentagon Library Conference Center for the Navy Reserve Centennial kickoff celebration March 2. Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun delivered the opening remarks, commending Navy Reserve Sailors for being ready then, ready now and ready always, and introduced Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert, the centennial’s keynote speaker. “Serving through the Cold War, I’ve

See Reserve on page 2

Power outage at NASP Corry Station March 8 ...

A major power outage is scheduled at NASP Corry Station March 8. The major buildings of note are the main Navy Exchange (NEX) Bldgs. 3725 and 3745, the Corry Gym (Bldg. 3711), and nearly all the barracks. The outage is scheduled to last from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

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.


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