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April 14, 2017
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NAS Whiting Field pilot named CNATRA Flight Instructor of the Year From Jay Cope NAS Whiting Field Public Affairs Officer
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avy Lt. Ryan Miller, Helicopter Training Squadron Eight (HT8), was named as the 2016 CNATRA Flight Instructor of the Year by Navy Rear Adm. Dell Bull, Chief of Naval Air Training, recently. The CNATRA Flight Instructor of the Year is awarded to the top flight instructor in the Naval Air Training Command. Selection is based on all-around performance and effectiveness as an instructor, contributions to safety, leadership, strength of character, personality and civic involvement. Miller’s impact to HT-8 has been considerable. As an instructor pilot, he flew 693.7 mishap-free flight hours during 338 sorties, more than any other instructor in the squadron. He trained 11 sets of on-wings and served as a class adviser to an additional 16 students.
As the squadron assistant operations officer, Miller worked tirelessly to complete the complicated flight schedule for 125 students and 75 instructors, totalling 27,000 flight hours and 16,450 sorties. His leadership in operations, under the tutelage of Pete Zameska, Hope Ozimek, and Michelle Caris, ensured the most efficient scheduling among the six Training Air Wing Five (TraWing-5) squadrons. Miller ensured that HT-8 operated within safe standards and complied with governing directives as the squadron contact Bravo manager. As the squadron
Lt. Ryan Miller
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) point of contact, Miller promoted a responsive management of alleged sexual assaults and ensured the command is in compliance with all SAPR program requirements. Navy Cmdr. Stephen Audelo, commanding officer HT-8, praised Miller for his hard work and dedication. “Lt. Miller stands alone among 75 impressive flight instructors,” Audelo said. “I charge
my instructors to remain standardized and safe, and to teach with passion and quality. I also implore them to find ways to go above and beyond to develop and mentor our future helicopter warriors. Lt. Miller embodies that effort and he does so by holding himself to the highest standard of personal accountability as an instructor, while providing an environment on the ground and in the air that is conducive to safe and effective training.” In addition to his excellence instructing students in the cockpit of the TH-57, Miller made it a priority to give back to the community. He volunteered his time with Navy Lt. Dane Thorleifson, HT-8, in support of the 2016 Blackwater Heritage Century Ride and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. Miller and Navy Lt. Rob Antonucci, HT-8, represented their squadron with five aircraft at the 2016 Dulles Plane Pull at Washington Dulles International Airport outside of Washington, D.C., to raise money for Special Olympics Virginia. Miller was surprised when he
found out he was selected. “I am very honored and humbled to receive the award, especially knowing the incredible cadre of instructors we have at HT-8 and TW-5,” he said. “This award was only possible because of the outstanding leadership across the HT-8 chain of command, a highly dedicated and expert team of civilian staff, a strong band of JOPA (Junior Officers Protective Association) brothers and sisters, and hardworking students prepared to crush every flight every day.” Audelo extoled Miller’s professionalism and leadership after hearing that he had been selected. “Lt. Miller showed his dedication to HT-8 and the mission of training naval aviators on a daily basis,” Audelo said. “Ryan is not only a phenomenal flight instructor, but he also a model officer. He was our go-to TH57B expert and was trusted by students, peers and leadership alike. He is highly deserving of these prestigious awards and I couldn’t be more proud of him or grateful for his contributions.”
SAPR team implements new events for SAAPM 2017 campaign By Jamie Link NAS Whiting Field Public Affairs Office
The Naval Air Station Whiting Field (NASWF) Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) team has a new plan for implementing new ideas, events, and tenant squadron support to enhance the SAPR program’s ability to focus on outreach within the fence line onboard NASWF as well as off-base in the community. This year’s theme is “Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission.” The two-part theme is to remind everyone that each of us has a role in ensuring the men and women around us can live and work free from the threat of sexual assault, and the devastating impact that a sexual assault can have on an individual and a unit’s readiness to perform its mission. Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), recognized across the nation by civilian and military communities, provides a prominent opportunity to highlight outreach efforts through innovative events, discussion groups and program activities. Events on and off the installation include a “Leading the Charge” Segway race, proclamation signing in
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downtown with a teal-dyed fountain, Tug of War, SAPR board/door contest, Denim Day and Teal Tuesday 5K Obstacle Course/Color run. The 5K obstacle course is available April 18 at 8 a.m. and a “Find Your Calm” self-care event will be held April 21 from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. NAS Whiting Field SAPR team will have displays at several locations around the base to include “Cup of Prevention” Tower Café coffee shop, Mulligans Golf Course, Liberty Center and the NEX throughout the month of April. Some other awareness support are the new SAPR patches available to wear on flightsuit uniforms, “Walk the Talk” ground displays on the installation’s sidewalks, an off-base luncheon with faith-based leadership and the NAS Whiting Field SAPR team set up a SAPR information table at the Pensacola Ice Flyers military appreciation game in which Capt. Mark Murray dropped the puck at the start of the game. “The SAPR team is working hard to raise awareness inside and outside the fence. Please attend any of our numerous events to show your support,” Dora Ford, NAS Whiting Field SAPR coordinator, said.
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The performance education theater group, Pure Praxis, performed onboard NAS Whiting Field on April 6 in the Lassen Auditorium. The group created scenes relating to sexual assault and awareness which offered a platform for audience members to share answers, thoughts and ideas about SAPR. A new focus on year-round efforts to eliminate the crime from the ranks will also focus outside the fence line, as tenants will host separate events this month, as well as throughout the year. These events will address the issues surrounding sexual assault in smaller focus groups to discuss the role of each Sailor to foster safe work environments and open the communication line about sexual assault and prevention. A message from Adm. John Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations stated: “The very best teams perform best across the board. They have no place for toxic behavior that weakens the team ... If you see these behaviors anywhere, step in – there are no bystanders on our team. Intervene and stop the behavior.” For more information about on-base SAPR events or questions, contact Ford at (850) 665-6393. The SAAPM 2017 toolkit is available at www.navy.mil/saapm.