Bridge at NASP scheduled undergo work Oct. 10 ... Drivers could face traffic backups as they approach the main gate of Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) Oct. 10. The southbound, right-side lane of Sam Lovelace Bridge, which spans Bayou Grande at the base’s main gate, is scheduled to be closed that day for maintenance work, according to Norman Feinberg, an engineering technician at NASP. The work is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 10 and the job may be finished by the end of the day. However, if all of the work cannot be accomplished in one day, then the bridge lane also will be closed starting at 7:30 a.m. Friday. Signage will be placed in the area prior to the lane closing to give drivers advance notice of possible traffic delays. While the work is under way, a NASP security vehicle is scheduled to be stationed at the entrance to the bridge blocking the right-hand incoming lane. For more information, call Feinberg on his cell phone at (850) 554-5676.
Vol. 77, No. 40
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
October 4, 2013
Message from the Commander in Chief From The White House
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month... Naval Air Station Pensacola is joining other installations across the country and overseas in promoting awareness and prevention of domestic abuse during October. This year’s theme is “Silence Hides Violence.” There will be several events and campaigns taking place on base throughout the month, beginning with the “Know the Signs” campaign. A collection of signs, such as those seen above, will be rotated across various locations on base. These signs feature messages of warning signs that could be indicators of an unhealthy or even abusive relationship. Photo by Kristy Malone For complete information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month, including phone numbers and websites, see page B1, in today’s “Life” section.
Hispanic Heritage observance at Mustin Club today (Oct. 4) NAS Pensacola will hold a Hispanic heritage observance event today (Oct. 4) at Mustin Beach Club from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The base commanding officer, executive officer and command master chief are scheduled to attend the event. Guest speakers will be base Commanding Officer Capt. Keith Hoskins and NETSAFA’s CW05 Adolfo Demontalvo. A food tasting with samples from different Hispanic cultures is scheduled. With a national theme of “Hispanics: Serving and Leading Our Nation with Pride and Honor,” the observance celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
WASHINGTON (NNS) – “To the dedicated and hard-working employees of the United States government: “The federal government is America’s largest employer, with more than two million civilian workers and 1.4 million active duty military who serve in all 50 states and around the world. “But Congress has failed to meet its responsibility to pass a budget before the fiscal year that begins today (Oct. 1). And that means much of our government must shut down effective today. “I want you to know that I will keep working to get Congress to reopen the government, restart vital services that the American people depend on, and allow public servants who have been sent home to return to work. At my direction, your agencies should have reached out to you by now about what a shutdown means for our and your families. “Today, I wanted to take a moment to tell you what you mean to me – and to our country. “That begins by saying thank you for the work you do every day – work that is
vitally important to our national security and to American families’ economic security. You defend our country overseas and ensure that our troops receive the benefits they deserve when they come home. You guard our borders and protect our civil rights. You help small businesses expand and gain new footholds in overseas markets. You guide hundreds of thousands of people each day through the glory of America’s national parks and monuments, from Yosemite to the Statue of Liberty. And much more. “You do all this in a political climate that, too often in recent years, has treated you like a punching bag. You have endured three years of a federal pay freeze, harmful sequester cuts, and now, a shutdown of our government. And yet, you persevere, continuing to serve the American people with passion, professionalism, and skill. “None of this is fair to you. And should it continue, it will make it more difficult to keep attracting the kind of driven, patriotic, idealistic Americans to public service that our citizens deserve and that our system of self-government demands.
See Message on page 2
Government shutdown: What’s affected onboard NAS Pensacola From staff reports
Health care services at NHP during government shutdown: Health care services at Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP) will continue as normal for enrolled beneficiaries. Beneficiaries can monitor NHP’s Facebook page and website for updates or contact their Medical Home Port Team if they have any questions. They may also call the hospital at 505-6601. National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) closed until further notice, 50th Anniversary Celebration postponed: Due to the government shutdown, the NNAM has postponed all of the 50th anniversary events and activities (including Oct. 5’s evening gala) scheduled for Oct. 4 and 5 at the museum. The museum is also closed until further notice for the same reason. The website,
www.NavalAviationMuseum.org, will be updated as more information is available. For more information, contact Shelley Ragsdale at the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation at sragsdale@navalaviationmuseum.org or 458-7836. Morale, Welfare and Recreation: According to MWR’s marketing department, currently all MWR facilities are open normal hours with the exception of Cubi Bar Cafe at the museum. Due to the closing of the museum, the cafe is also closed. NASP Public Affairs Office and Gosport: “Due to government shutdown, Naval Air Station Pensacola Public Affairs office will be closed until shutdown ends,” said base spokesman Patrick Nichols. “We apologize for any inconvenience.” Gosport will remain open and continue to publish.
For more on Fire Prevention Week from NAS Pensacola’s Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast, see page A2.
Lt. Jordan Brown, an instructor with Training Squadron 10 (VT-10), pulls a wagon full of trash as he leads a group of students from class 1348 and class 1350 who volunteered to clean up Barrancas Beach Sept. 27.
Volunteers team up to clean NASP beaches Story, photo By Janet Thomas Gosport Staff Writer
Nearly a ton of trash has disappeared from the beaches aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) thanks to 75 volunteers who participated in the 2013 International Coastal Cleanup. Four different teams recently collected a total of 1,980 pounds of debris, according to Navy Natural Resources Manager Mark W. Gibson. The teams included representatives from Corry Child Development Center, NASP Air Traffic Control, VT-10 and Regal Select Services Inc., Gibson said. The official date for this year’s cleanup was Sept. 21, but projects aboard NASP were completed at
See Cleanup on page 2
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