Gosport - March 22, 2019

Page 1

VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com

Vol. 83, No. 11

March 22, 2019

New commanding officer takes over at NASP From NAS Pensacola Public Affairs

The largest base in Commander, Navy Region Southeast hosted a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola March 14. Capt. Christopher Martin, the NAS Pensacola commanding officer since March 2016, turned over responsibilities of the base to Capt. Timothy Kinsella Jr., during the twohour ceremony at which Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) commander, presided. Martin, a 35-year Navy veteran, retired following the Change of Command ceremony, with Navy veteran and Defense Human Resources Activity Acting Director Jeffrey Register serving as the guest speaker during the retirement portion of the dual ceremony. “I will miss this job and I will miss all of you that I have had the true honor and privilege of working with,” Martin said while addressing the crowd. “Whether it is watching the national ensign raised each morning, saying hello to

(Left to right) Commander Navy Region Southeast Rear Adm. Gary A. Mayes and Commander Naval Education and Training Command Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad look on as Capt. Timothy Kinsella Jr. exchanges salutes with Capt. Christopher Martin at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola change of command ceremony March 14. Photo by Mike O’Connor See page A4 for full coverage of the NAS Pensacola change of command

the color guard as they head out to support a service member’s funeral, talking on the brick (NASP 1), or just driving around this wonderful base that is so stepped in history and grander, I will miss it all.” Under Martin’s leadership, NAS Pensacola received several awards including the fiscal year 2016 and 2017 Secretary

of the Navy Gold Energy Management Awards, the Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Award for Cultural Resources and the Secretary of the Navy Platinum Energy Management Award. Also during his tenure NAS Pensacola received the Retention Excellence Award, its first in seven years.

“I have often heard commanders talking about the burden of command,” he said. “I have to be honest, I never really understood what that meant. If you look at the definition of burden as a noun, you will find this definition; a load, typically a heavy one. Sure it is challenging, but the greatest honor bestowed upon a military offi-

cer is the opportunity to lead.” During the ceremony, Martin was presented the Legion of Merit, an award he attributed to the dedication of the NAS Pensacola service members and staff for ensuring support to the air station’s nearly 80 tenant commands. Kinsella, who previously served as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defense Planner for Supreme Allied Commander – Transformation in Mons, Belgium, addressed NAS Penscola military and civilian staff as their commanding officer for the first time, expressing his appreciation for the opportunity to continue the traditions and legacy for which NAS Pensacola has been known. “To all the aviators out there, this is like coming home for us,” Kinsella said. “This is a dream come true for me to come here and be a part of this community and to be a part of this family. Pensacola itself is a very special place. I have been all over this country and there is nowhere like NAS Pensacola and the relationship it has with the city. Pensacola takes great pride in its Navy history and I look forward to continuing that tradition with you.”

NETC announces FY-20 Advanced Education Voucher Program for senior enlisted From Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

The Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) announced March 15 the FY-20 Advanced Education Voucher (AEV) program. The AEV program provides financial assistance to selected senior enlisted personnel (E-7 to E-9) to complete postsecondary, Navy-relevant degrees through off-duty education.

“The AEV program supports the continued educational development of senior enlisted leaders to support the Navy our Nation needs,” MMCS Joshua Rice, NETC AEV program manager said. “The program provides the Navy’s chief, senior chief and master chief petty officers a platform to pursue higher education that makes them more effective leaders along with enhancing their technical competencies in our ever-changing operational environments.”

Who is eligible? Applicants must be top performing active-duty senior enlisted personnel (E-7 to E-9) who are transferring to, or currently on shore duty with sufficient time ashore to complete a baccalaureate or master’s degree program. Applicants on sea duty may apply provided they submit an education plan that shows the ability to complete the degree program as specified above. How many quotas are available? The AEV program has 10 quotas – five bachelor degrees and five See Voucher on page 2

NHP’s Satellite Pharmacy transitioning to refill services By PO1 Brannon Deugan Naval Hospital Pensacola

Starting April 1, Naval Hospital Pensacola’s (NHP) Satellite Pharmacy, located next to the Commissary, will discontinue processing new prescriptions in order to begin minor renovations to receive new equipment from NHP’s Pharmacy to improve the refill process. Due to the relocation of the equipment during NHP’s Pharmacy remodel, the Satellite Pharmacy, which fills more than 1,200 prescriptions a day, will only provide prescription refill pick-up services. “The purpose of only offering refills at the Satellite Pharmacy is to improve turnaround time and decrease missed refills,” Lt. Cmdr. William Martin, department head for the NHP Pharmacy said. “This also better enables the utilization of staff at the Satellite Pharmacy and the (NHP) Pharmacy to de-

crease wait times for patients.” NHP’s Pharmacy is currently in phase two of a remodeling project that will improve the waiting area and the overall pharmacy experience for patients at one of the Navy’s busiest pharmacies. “We are expanding from six windows to eight windows, which will allow us to handle more patients at one time,” Martin said. “The overall effect will decrease wait times and increase medication availability due to improved workflow and medication storage capacity.” NHP’s Pharmacy fills more than one million prescriptions annually while supporting 10 branch clinics located across five states. The renovation project started in the spring of 2018 and is scheduled to be complete in the fall of 2019. Once complete, patients will have an upgraded and remodeled waiting area See NHP on page 2

Runners line up in preparation for the start of Rock N Fly 2018. Photo from Rock N Fly Facebook

Get ready to Rock N Fly tomorrow From MC2(SW/AW) Michael J. Lieberknecht NMOTC PAO, NMOTC Sponsor Coordinator

The annual Rock N Fly half marathon and 5K charity run is scheduled to kick off tomorrow, March 23 at 8 a.m. onboard NAS Pensacola. This will be the sixth year in a row runners participate in the race which gives one hundred percent of the proceeds to charity, including a big donation to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS). Those who wish to sign-up last minute still have a chance today, March 22 at Seville Quarter from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. There will also be a final sign-up on the day of the race at Radford gym from 6 a.m. until 7:15 a.m. Capt. Mike Kohler, race founder and organizer, and executive officer of Navy Medicine Operational Training Center, said last year’s “All American See Rock N Fly 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.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.