Vol. 82, No. 14
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
April 6, 2018
NAS Pensacola joins bases Navywide for SAAPM observance, proclamation By Ens. Christopher Catlett NASP Public Affairs Office
Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) joined other installations and their tenants across Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) in proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) April 3. The objective of SAAPM is to demonstrate the continued commitment of the Navy in preventing sexual assault and other destructive behaviors, and also to show the Navy’s continued commitment to survivors of sexual assault. This year’s SAAPM theme is: “Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission.” In his address concerning sexual assault, NASP Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Martin said, “It is a violation of everything that we stand for and it is an affront to the values we defend.” To the armed forces, people are its most valuable resource. As a result of sexual harassment harming individuals, it also harms operational effectiveness. It is imperative that servicemen and women also protect their
fellow service members from unwanted and inappropriate advances. Martin would like every victim who has and has not come forward to know that he, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) team and senior command are there to care for and support them. They are there for sexual assault victims not just this month but also every day of the year. They are committed to helping sexual assault victims heal and become survivors. Martin pointed out that it is every person’s obligation, regardless of their rank, service branch or command, to be committed to eliminating sexual assault from the military. Until sexual harassment is completely eliminated from the military those who are capable must do all that they can to prevent such a horrid and predatory practice. “The Department of the Navy has come a long way in addressing sexual assault, but until we get to zero, there is still work to be done,” Secretary of the Navy See SAAPM on page 2
(Top) NAS Pensacola (NASP) leadership, including multiple tenant training commands along with Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard representation, signed a proclamation April 3 marking April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM). The signing was part of a Navywide simultaneous commitment to preventing sexual violence. (Bottom left) NASP Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Martin passes a signed proclamation to base Sexual Assault and Response Coordinator (SARC) Lillie Johnson. Photos by Mike O’Connor (Bottom right) Service members applaud the signings of 12 copies of the SAAPM proclamation. Photo by Kaitlyn Peacock
Vietnam ace retired Cmdr. William Driscoll inspires flight students at National Naval Aviation Museum Story, photo by Ens. Christopher Catlett NASP Public Affairs Office
In the world of naval aviation there is a no more prestigious title than that of a flying ace. An ace is defined as an aviator who is directly responsible for shooting down five or more enemy aircraft. Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) was honored to host an ace, retired Cmdr. William Driscoll, for a presentation at the National Naval Aviation Museum March 29. Driscoll spoke to a crowd of mostly naval aviators, instructors and naval aviation students. Driscoll views the naval flight program as an answer to many of the issues that are of concern to U.S. security. “The solutions are being harvested right here in Pen-
Blue Angels first practice ... The United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron the Blue Angels are back onboard NAS Pensacola after their winter training sojourn at Naval Air Facility El Centro in California. The team flew their first practice at NASP March 28. For practice schedules, visit www. naval aviation museum.org/ attractions/ blue-angels/. Photo by Ens. Christopher Catlett
Retired Cmdr. William Driscoll demonstrates dog fighting principles with model aircraft during a lecture at the National Naval Aviation Museum March 29.
sacola,” Driscoll said, referring to the flight training program.
If naval aviators are to be the solution for many of the problems and challenges that the armed forces currently face they must be adept at performing to the best of their abilities even under extreme pressure. This is crucial, according to Driscoll, and was the subject of his speech. In an effort to understand what it is that makes ace pilots able to perform so well, Driscoll conducted interviews with 26 fellow ace pilots. From his interviews Driscoll was able to develop a theme. “The will to succeed is of little value without the will to prepare,” Driscoll said. “The key to success is relentless preparation.” Driscoll advised those in attendance that if they want to be confident that they can perform See Driscoll on page 2
Happy birthday to the NAS Pensacola CPOs ... NAS Pensacola chief petty officers (CPOs) marked the 125th CPO birthday with a group photo at the base’s CPO club. Since their creation April 1, 1893, Navy CPOs have led by example, inspired Sailor development and provided shipborne solutions. In his birthday message, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Steven Giordano noted, “For 125 years Chief Petty Officers have risen to the challenge of the day. Risen to being the leaders our Sailors, our families, our Navy needs. In turn making us a better, stronger, more capable Navy with each passing year, ensuring the mission, be it winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.” MCPON closed his message with a quote fom Fleet Adm. William Frederick Halsey Jr., who once told a journalist, “You see those battleships sitting there, and you think they float on the water, don’t you? You are wrong. They are carried to sea on the backs of those chief petty officers.” Photo by Mike O’Connor
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.