Water quality reports ... The 2018 Annual Drinking Water Quality Reports for the NAS Pensacola/Corry Station and Saufley Field water
systems are available to view at https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/installations/nas_pensacola.html. NAS Pensacola routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to the federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Except where indicated otherwise, this report is based on the results of monitoring for the period of Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2018. For more information about these reports, to receive a paper copy or for any concerns about your water utility, please contact the Water Quality Manager at 452-3131, ext. 3027.
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
Vol. 83, No. 25
June 28, 2019
Tour for the Troops at NAS Pensacola By Jason J. Bortz NAS Pensacola Public Affairs Officer
“Hunter Hayes! Hunter Hayes! Hunter Hayes!” More than 14,000 fans yelled Hunter Hayes’ name moments before he took the stage for a concert onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola June 21. Hayes, along with Brandon Ratcliff and Jessie Ritter, performed the show as part of the Air Force Reserve Tour for the Troops concert series organized by NAS Pensacola Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR). The concert was free and was open to the public. “MWR puts on many free events during the year for our active duty and Department of Defense patrons, but our opportunities with the Air Force Reserve are always special,” Kerry Shanaghan, director of NAS Pensacola MWR said. “With the backing of the NAS Pensacola command, Security Department, community sponsors, MWR employees and our military volunteers, MWR had this unique opportunity to present a national performer
on base.” Hayes, an American country artist who is proficient in more than 30 instruments, headlined the tour. Prior to the concert, Hayes went to the Naval Air Technical Training Center Galley to talk to service members eating lunch. “This is amazing,” Hayes, who is originally from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana said. “It’s an honor to perform in front of military service members.” Hayes is also an aviation enthusiast and was able to watch a Blue Angels practice and visit the National Naval Aviation Museum with Brandon Ratcliff, who is also an American country artist. “I’ve never seen the Blue Angels perform, they were incredible,” Ratcliff, who is from Cotton Valley, Louisiana said. “My Dad was in the Army National Guard and we used to attend events like concerts on bases, so I’m really excited to perform in front of service members.” (Top) Multi-platinum recording artist Hunter Hayes performs live at NAS PensacKicking off the concert was local ola June 21. (Below) A crowd of more than14,000 turned out for the free country music concert, which also featured special guests Brandon Ratcliff and Jessie Rit-
See Concert on page 2 ter. Photos by Marine Pfc. Trenton Berry For more concert photos see page A5
Navy announces spouse licensure and certification reimbursement policy From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) – As part of ongoing Navy Family Framework efforts to expand and improve the experience for spouses, Navy announced Sailors may be reimbursed up to $500 for state licensure and certification costs of a spouse arising from relocation to another state due to a permanent change of station (PCS) move in NAVADMIN 134/19, June 24. The spouse licensure reimbursement is the latest in a series of Navy Family Framework efforts to improve the experience for Navy spouses and
families. “Under this new policy, members may be reimbursed up to $500 for qualifying relicensing costs of their spouses if they meet all the required conditions,” Lead for Navy Family Readiness Programs Policy, Perry Christiansen said. Members are eligible for reimbursement of spouse relicensing costs if they meet the following requirements: • The member is reassigned, either as a PCS or permanent change of assignment from a permanent duty station (PDS) in one state
to a PDS in another state • The PCS movement of the member’s dependents is authorized • The spouse was employed in a profession requiring certification at the PDS in the previous state • The spouse is required to obtain re-certification for the same profession at the PDS in the new state • Completion of the relicense or certification was successful • For those families returning from overseas, the license from the last state held prior to the overseas tour may be used as long as the new assignment is in See Spouse on page 2
NAS Pensacola celebrates diversity, pride Story, photo by Kaitlyn Peacock Gosport Staff Writer
Wendy’s opens in NEX Aviation Plaza... Hungry service members and civilian personnel have a new dining option at the Navy Exchange (NEX) Aviation Plaza food court. Wendy’s opened for business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 20. NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Timothy Kinsella Jr. (center) along with Wendy’s and NEX officials cut the ribbon to officially open the restaurant. Photo by Jason J. Bortz
In celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month, Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola held a LGBT pride event June 21. The event was held to recognize the dedication and contributions of LGBT service members and civilians in the U.S. military. NAS Pensacola’s AC2 Joshua Nichols spoke to a crowd of service members, civilians and leadership on growing up gay in a tiny community of “about 320 people” and the importance of giving everyone a space to feel included and welcome. “We live in a time where it’s not bad that I’m gay,” Nichols said. “I am who I am and I’m proud of that and that makes me
AC2 Joshua Nichols and CMDCM Mario Rivers cut a cake at the LGBT Diversity Celebration event June 21. Nichols spoke to service members, civilians and base leadership on the importance of an inclusive community.
a better Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine or whatever branch you affiliate yourself with.” Nichols grew up in a small town in Arkansas and later enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2010. While in the Army, he
saw the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy in 2011. The repeal of the policy allowed open LGBT community members to serve in the See LGBT on page 2
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