Blue Angels to change practice times July 17-18 ... The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, are scheduled to practice 9:30-10:30 a.m. July 17-18. The Blue Angels will practice later in the morning to accommodate a change in hours of operation scheduled that week at NAS Pensacola. The Blue Angel pilots are slated to sign autographs after the practice July 18 at the National Naval Aviation Museum onboard NAS Pensacola.
Vol. 76, No. 26
Visiting carrier air wing aircraft to use NASP and NOLF Choctaw From NASP PAO
F/A-18 Super Hornets attached to Carrier Air Wing Three and Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-3 and CVW-8) will call NAS Pensacola home while performing field carrier landing practice (FCLP) at NAS Whiting Field’s Navy Outlying Field (NOLF) Choctaw, July 2-19. The carrier air wings are stationed at NAS Oceana, Va., and routinely perform the FCLPs at Navy Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Fentress. The runway at Fentress is currently undergoing maintenance and repairs that require curtailment of operations. Expected completion of repairs is projected to be later this year. Several carrier air wings are expected to use NAS Pensacola and NOLF Choctaw until repairs are complete at NALF Fentress. The majority of flight operations are scheduled to be conducted during afternoon and night hours. Residents near NAS Pensacola and NOLF Choctaw can expect increased noise levels as aircraft take off and land at the base. To accommodate the carrier wing aircraft activity at NASP, the Blue Angels will change their practice schedule times July 17-18 to 9:30 a.m.
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
June 29, 2012
Air Force’s 479th FTG opens new quarters onboard NAS Pensacola By Angelina Casarez 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
Air Force officials unveiled a new Unaccompanied Officer’s Quarters (UOQ) in a ribbon-cutting ceremony June 21 at Naval Air Station Pensacola. The UOQ will provide housing for the 479th Flying Training Group’s (FTG) undergraduate combat systems officers (CSO) during their 12 to 15-month stay at NASP. The facility will enhance the training environment for CSOs by placing more than half of the student population into one location, according to Maj. Greg Voelkel, the project officer for the building’s construction.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Timothy M. Zadalis (center) snips a ribbon to officially open the 479th Flying Training Group’s (FTG) Unaccompanied Officer’s Quarters (UOQ). For more photos of the UOQ, see page A4. Photo by Mike O’Connor
“This will build camaraderie amongst the junior officers in the CSO community and create a better after-hours study environment,” he said. There is currently no
dedicated housing facility for unaccompanied CSOs while they are in training. “Some students live in family housing but most currently live off-base,” he said.
Project developers designed the UOQ with the intention of providing a comfortable residence that offered stability and security while allowing students to focus on
becoming world-class CSOs, according to the major. Voelkel estimates the UOQ will save the Air Force approximately $1.5 million annually. “We’re looking forward to continuing to protect taxpayers’ hardearned money by caring for this building for years to come,” said Col. Neil Allen, 479th FTG commander. “We’re gracious and humble tenants here at NAS Pensacola and appreciate the opportunity to live and train here,” said Allen. “The Navy and Air Force are partnered here to produce combat systems officers who will do their mission
See UOQ on page 2
Pensacola Blue Wahoos, VA Gulf Coast plan ‘welcome home’ event for Afghanistan, Iraq war veterans From Jerron Barnett VA Gulf Coast
The Veterans Affairs (VA) Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System, in partnership with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos minor league baseball team and the Pensacola VA Vet Center, will present a “Welcome Home” event July 28 for veterans, active-duty, reservists and National Guardsmen who have returned home from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation New Dawn (OND).
The Blue Wahoos (double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds) are scheduled to play the Huntsville Stars July 28 at Blue Wahoos Park. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. VA personnel will be present to provide information on various VA benefit programs to veterans. OEF/OIF/OND veterans and active-duty, reservists and National Guardsmen can request a free ticket for themselves and up to two family members/significant others by calling either VA Gulf Coast ticket registration number 912-2380 or
See Game on page 2
Time to register and request your ballot From Staff Reports
Election season is under way and now is the time to register to vote absentee and update your ballot mailing address, according to Lt. Dwayne J. Vinnette, installation voting assistance officer (VAO) for NAS Pensacola. “The right to vote is one that we defend and one that those before us
have fought for,” Vinnette said in an e-mail. According to Vinnette, the easiest way to register is to use an online wizard at www.fvap.gov to assist you in completing the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA, SF76). Alternatively, you may complete the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) by hand. Vinnette said it takes a few minutes to complete the
post-paid form. The forms must signed and mailed to your home of record election official. You may obtain a copy of the application from Vinnette, YN1 Chris Ducker, LN2 Amanda King or the VAO representative at Bldg. 1500, Room 110. If you need assistance, you can reach Vinnette at
See Vote on page 2
Army field exercise at Corry Station ... The Soldiers of Delta Company, 344th Military Intelligence Battalion will be conducting quarterly weapons immersion training July 5-24. The Soldiers will be carrying their M-16 rifles onboard Corry Station during duty hours. The weapons will have a modified firing pin and no live ammo will be carried. The field training exercise will be conducted July 21. This training is a graduation requirement for all Soldiers. For details contact the Center for Information Dominance Corry Station Public Affairs Officer Gary Nichols at 452-6672.
Alex Adcock (right) works with another volunteer during his Eagle Scout service project at Pensacola Lighthouse.
Scout project serves Pensacola Lighthouse By Janet Thomas Gosport Staff Writer
Alex Adcock, 15, had a few blisters after completing his Eagle Scout service project May 19 at Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum aboard NAS Pensacola. Adcock organized a group of 17 Scouts and five adult volunteers to clean up an overgrown area southeast of the historic landmark. The group spent four hours clearing out vines and underbrush, including a small tree, and spread some mulch, Adcock said. Adcock said he had a specific reason for picking the lighthouse project. “I wanted to do a proj-
ect to help out the base,” said Adcock, a member of Boy Scout Troop 415 headquartered at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1394 East Nine Mile Road in Pensacola. Becoming an Eagle Scout is a mark of distinction. A 2012 independent research study conducted by Baylor University, “Merit Beyond the Badge,” found that Eagle Scouts are more likely to be involved in their community, hold leadership positions, and have closer relationships with family and friends than men who have never been in Scouting. Only 4 percent of Scouts earn the rank,
See Scout 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.