Florida prepares for Hurricane Irma ... Though the storm is not expected to directly impact the Pensacola area, NAS Pensacola Emergency Manager Burt Fenters reminds personnel to be vigilant. “This is why we prepare in May during our hurricane exercise; for times like now,” Fenters said. “Preparation is a year-long task that gets amplified during the season. Peak hurricane season is next week; do not expect a ‘one and done’ season this year.” For more, go to https://www.ready.navy.mil
Vol. 81, No. 36
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
September 8, 2017
NASP contributes a quarter of the nationwide donations for FFF By Ens. Jacob Kotlarski NASC Public Affairs
NAS Pensacola ready to support hurricane relief missions ... MV-22 Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., arrive onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) Aug. 31. NASP was providing billeting and airfield support services for the 26th MEU as they staged for humanitarian relief and response efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. With the imminent landfall of Hurricane Irma, the base continues its readiness posture. Photo by Mike O’Connor
Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) donated more than three tons of food this year for the Feds Feed Families (FFF) campaign. NASP also made other donations which grossed a similar value of 18,000 pounds of food, making the total from donation NASP in excess of 24,000 pounds. This number makes up a quarter of the national donation this year and is more than 1,300 pounds increased from last year. FFF is a government-wide program that ran from June 1 to Aug. 31 across the country. The campaign exists to help local food banks during a time of year when donations are diminished
but the need for the food increases. FFF is an annual program led by the United States Department of Agriculture since 2009. Onboard NASP, the FFF campaign was run by NASP’s religious ministry team and spearheaded by Chaplain Lt. Christopher Terrell. “This effort was not because of a single command onboard NASP,” Terrell said. “It was a group effort from many commands including Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) and Naval Air Technical Training Center. Collection stations were set up around the base at the galley, the NEX and other locations.” See FFF on page 2
USO center opens onboard NASP Corry Station Story, photo by Ens. Clara Navarro NASP Public Affairs
The United Service Organizations (USO) Northwest Florida and the Armed Forces Families Foundation (AFFF) unveiled a new USO center at NAS Pensacola Corry Station during a grand opening ceremony Aug. 30. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for us. The new USO center will help the roughly 2,000 service members students that we have onboard Corry Station each and every day,” said Cmdr. Christopher Eng, Information Warfare Training Command commanding officer. Along with Eng, guest speakers and
Navy personnel and USO officials cut a ribbon to open the NASP Corry Station USO Aug. 30. The new center offers facilities requested by service members, such as vintage arcade games and an outdoor pavillion.
distinguished guests included Capt. William Lintz, commanding officer, Center for Information Warfare Training;
NASP to hold Sept. 11 commemoration ceremony
Cmdr. Shawn Dominguez, executive officer, NAS Pensacola; and Thaddeus Foster, Board Member, Armed Forces
See USO on page 2
Pensacola-area PACPOA to send Texas hurricane aid
By Ashley Laliberty NASP PAO Intern
By Ashley Laliberty NASP PAO Intern
In honor of the victims and fallen heroes of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, NAS Pensacola will hold an annual commemoration ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum at 11 a.m., Sept 11. The ceremony is open to the public and will run about an hour long. Opening remarks will be given by NAS Pensacola Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Martin, which will include a “Where Were You” tribute, the playing of “Taps” performed by the NASP Honor Guard and the traditional “Two-Bell Ceremony” honoring the lives lost.
Local organization Pensacola Area Chief Petty Officer Association (PACPOA) is currently providing disaster relief for Hurricane Harvey victims in Southeast Texas. The Category 4 hurricane devastated Southeast Texas with damaging winds and flooding, leaving thousands without food or shelter. According to one preliminary estimate, Hurricane Harvey could be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
See Sept. 11 on page 2
Families Foundation. “Many of our joint service members are on their first tour here. They’re living on base and may not have a car, so having more options for them to do things is good. Places to go and especially volunteer opportunities help combat destructive decisions among young Sailors,” added Eng. The ceremony included refreshments and a tour of the new facility. USO Corry Station is a 1,400 square foot recreation lounge repurposed from a space previously used as a galley. The new lounge includes snacks, refreshments, arcade games, high-speed Wi-Fi,
PACPOA’s ACC(AW/SW) Amber Khoryati, organizing the effort, has loved ones and ties to local shelters in southeast Texas. “It’s hard seeing this happen to your family and not being there to help,” Khoryati said. “Our goal is to reach out and let them know we are here so that we can help as many people as possible.” Khoryati will be taking a trailer of goods to local
shelters and small towns surrounding Houston as soon as the roads are cleared. PACPOA will be accepting all types of clothing and shoes, blankets, towels, non-perishable food items, basic essentials, baby items and school supplies. Donations will be collected at the chief’s club onboard NASP (3558 Lighthouse Rd.) through Sept. 9, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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.