Vol. 77, No. 37
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
September 13, 2013
Mexico’s director of naval aviation tours NASP, NASWF By Ens. Courtney Vandament NETC PAO
Mexico’s director of naval aviation visited Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) to see aviation training first hand, Sept. 3-4. Rear Adm. Jose Macedo met with Capt. Douglas Heady, commanding officer, Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) to discuss how the U.S. Navy conducts training, and how Mexican personnel are trained similar to their U.S. counterparts. “Mexico is increasing its capabilities and the training they are getting here in the U.S. is critical to those efforts,” said Heady. “The Mexican students who we have seen come through training have been exceptional students and will bring crucial skills back to their Navy.” After meeting with Heady, Macedo was given a tour of Aviation Rescue Swimmer School (ARSS) and water survival training. “Training in water survival is a required skill that you hope never to use,” said Capt. James Vandiver, commanding officer Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC). “ARSS is a unique school that provides our young rescue swimmers with the knowledge and skills to live up to their motto ‘so others may live.’ ”
“It was a pleasure to have such an outstanding leader and aviator on board to tour our command,” he continued. “NASC takes great pride in our world class training and greatly enjoys our international partnership. With his current position and his past experience as a T-34 flight instructor, he has a great appreciation for all we do in the NASC school house.” While at Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC), Macedo saw firsthand how the school uses a blended learning solution of instructor-led classrooms, simulation and hands-on training labs to efficiently train Sailors and Marines who enter the service, with little or no experience, to become aviation mechanics or technicians. “It is always an honor to showcase NATTC’s top notch instructors, and state of the art training facilities for our partners,” said Capt. Alan Dean, NATTC commanding officer. “NATTC graduates over 15,000 Sailors and Marines annually to serve as technical experts in the Naval Aviation Enterprise, as well as students from our international partners. Today’s visit by Rear Adm. Macedo was an excellent opportunity for us to exchange ideas with our Mexican neighbors as well as show him the many training opportunities available at NATTC.”
See Tour on page 2
NAS Pensacola hosts 9/11 commemoration ceremony ... In commemoration of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, Naval Air Station Pensacola presented a ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum aboard the base Sept. 11. More than 400 people attended. Seven-time New York Times bestselling author John Weisman – a subject matter expert on anti-terrorism – was guest speaker for the event, which included a traditional “two-bell” ceremony, the playing of “Taps” and a 21-gun salute. Photos by Mike O’Connor
BRACE to conduct preparedness expo From Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies
BRACE, the Be Ready Alliance Coordinating for Emergencies, will present Northwest Florida’s largest Youth Emergency Preparedness (YEP!) Expo tomorrow, Sept.14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola. The event is free and open to the public. “This expo is expected to be one of the largest Youth Emergency Preparedness activities ever,”
said NAS Pensacola Emergency Manager Burt Fenters. “The BRACE organization was formed in the wake of Hurricane Ivan. If you’ve wondered about how to protect your
has to offer. “These guys have national attention and other communities are asking how they do it. Stop by and see for yourself,” Fenters added.
home or still pondering on putting together that hurricane supply kit, stop by even for a short period, bring your Manna food donation if you wish, and see what this organization
The expo’s many activities and demonstrations will help teach families the importance of preparing for disasters and how to respond during emergencies. This year’s event will be
conducted as a National Day of Service and Remembrance event, with the support of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Activities are planned as a remembrance of those who lost their lives during the tragic events of 9/11 and to honor local heroes who put their lives on the line in service to the community. Children, youth and adults will have an opportunity to serve the community through a food drive for those served by Manna
See Brace on page 2
Feds Feed Families 2013 campaign a success: NAS Pensacola contribution totals 59,662 pounds By Janet Thomas Gosport Staff Writer and MC2 Alexandra Snyder Defense Media Activity-Navy
Rear Adm. Jose Macedo, left, Mexico’s director of naval aviation, listens as AO1 Richard Corrigan, an instructor at Naval Air Technical Training Center, describes the 2.75-inch Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System rocket. Macedo was touring training sites on the Gulf coast to see first-hand how the U.S. Navy trains Sailors in aviation maintenance and weapons systems. Photo by Lt. Jonathan Bacon
The fifth-annual Feds Feed Families campaign collected more than 900,000 pounds of non-perishables for distribution to food banks across the fleet. Onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP), Corry Station and Saufley Field, a total of 59,662 pounds of food and essential items were collected during the annual DoD campaign from June 1 to Aug. 31, according to NASP Command Chaplain Steven “Todd” Orren. That represents the top total collected by any religious ministry team (RMT)
in the Southeast Region, Orren said. “We are very proud of all those in the Pensacola area who donated to the hungry in our city,” he said. “Feds Feed Families is an amazing program that helps thousands of those who are hungry in our country. What a blessing to be part of something that helps so many.” The Feds Feed Families food drive campaign grew out of the Serve America Act that created
“United We Serve,” an initiative that urged Americans to contribute to the nation’s economic recovery by helping their communities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Chief Human Capital Council are managing the campaign. Feds Feeds Families encourages federal employees to bring nonperishable and household items to their offices for distribution to local food banks. This year’s them was “Each One Give One.” Donations have totaled 15.2 million pounds since the program began in 2009. Since the program’s inception, Navy and Marine personnel have
See FFF 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.