Vol. 79, No. 41
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
October 16, 2015
Feds Feed Families wraps up campaign NASP’s FFF donations total 56,459 pounds By Janet Thomas Gosport Staff Writer
Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP) chalked up good numbers with donations totaling 56,459 pounds for the 2015 Feds Feed Families (FFF) campaign, which ended Oct. 2. “It was a great giving year,” said NASP Command Chaplain Cmdr. Steven “Todd” Orren. “I would like to give a special thank you to all those who gave this year. Because of them, hundreds of local families in need will have food on their tables. Orren said the FFF campaign is a great program every year, and this year NASP continued to be a major player in the
Southeast region. “We accounted for 20 percent of the region total,” he said. The seventh annual government-wide campaign was kicked off July 15 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The theme for 2015 was Feds Fighting Hunger. No goals were set for the 2015 campaign, but DoD officials urged participants to do their best to top past donations. Last year, the DoD had a record-breaking year, donating more than 3.1 million pounds to local food banks and charities. NASP’s 2014 campaign was extremely successful with a total contribution of 96,557 pounds. Naval Air
NAS Pensacola celebrates U.S. Navyʼs 240th birthday ... On Oct. 13, the Navy and the nation paused to remember 240 years of the proud heritage and history of the nation’s sea service. “In a word I can sum it up: we are ready,” NASP CO Capt. Keith Hoskins said. “When America has called, the Navy has always answered.” He spoke of historical and present day conflicts during which the Navy served. “We were ready then and we are ready now ... Sailors are the greatest advantage and the most important asset to our service. We have the best people in the world, and we aim to keep it that way.” The theme for this year’s birthday celebration was “Ready Then, Ready Now, Ready Always.” (Above) Onboard NASP, a bell ringing ceremony was held at command headquarters, the Walter LeRoy Richardson Building (Bldg. 1500). Hoskins and Command Chaplain Cmdr. Todd Orren salute as colors are paraded. Photo by Jamie Link (Left) BM3 Coty Knigge marks the occasion with the traditional ringing of the installation’s bell. Photo by Janet Thomas
See FFF on page 2
Flu shots available at Naval Hospital Pensacola By Jason Bortz NHP PAO
Injectable flu vaccines are now available at Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP) for all TRICARE Beneficiaries six months and older. NHP currently does not have the flu mist available, but expects it to arrive shortly. The injectable vaccines are currently avail-
able at the NHP Immunization Clinic Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Beneficiaries enrolled to one of the hospital’s Medical Home Port Teams can also receive a flu vaccination from them without an appointment Monday-Friday, 811 a.m. or 1-4 p.m.
Additionally, the hospital has the high dose vaccine this year for beneficiaries 65 and older. NHP will also be holding a DriveThru Flu Vaccine Clinic at the hospital after the flu mist arrives. TRICARE beneficiaries will be able to receive the vaccine without leaving
their car, but will be asked to remain on-site for 15 minutes afterwards to monitor for safety. The hospital will publicize the date as soon as it is set. While not 100 percent effective, a flu vaccine is the best way to prevent influenza. Individuals can also minimize catching the flu by washing hands or using hand sanitizer frequently and keeping hands
away from the face. Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, or coughing or sneezing into the upper sleeve or elbow and not the hands, can also help reduce the spread of diseases. For more information or to check on the availability of the flu mist, contact NHP’s Immunization Clinic at 505-6257.
Hospitals team up for women’s health day By Jamie Link PAO Intern
Top Gun at NAS Pensacola ... NASP’s Forrest Sherman Field got another chance to serve as temporary home base for students and instructors from Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC-N7) “TOPGUN” Oct. 2-15. The group last visited NAS Pensacola in January 2013 for air-to-air fighter training, specifically basic fighter maneuvers (dogfighting). The Navy Fighter Weapon School (N7) teaches advanced methods of strike-fighter employment through the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor (SFTI) course. The SFTI program evolved from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (NFWS) established in 1969 at the former Naval Air Station Miramar in California. In 1996, the specialized NFWS was merged into the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon in Nevada. TOPGUN is a basically a graduate level course in tactics and employment. The students also are groomed to be teachers. The roughly 10-week course is taught four times a year and approximately 32 aircrews go through the program each year. Photo by Janet Thomas
Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP) and West Florida Hospital teamed up to present the third annual Women’s Day Out Oct. 10 at the National Naval Aviation Museum aboard NAS Pensacola. The free, health-focused event began with a breakfast and vendor displays. Other activities included a fashion show. The audience was filled with women who wanted to learn more about health issues. Kim Matthews was
a repeat customer. “I came back after attending last year’s Women’s Day Out event, and found this year even more informational. It’s important to get this kind of info,” Matthews said. A panel of physicians participated in a forum where a number of topics were disc u s s e d including women’s sports injuries, hormonal changes, breast cancer awareness and mental health concerns. Dr. Lisa Tucker, event
See Day 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.