Vol. 81, No. 46
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
November 17, 2017
Blue Angels conduct change of command From Blue Angels Public Affairs
U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, held the squadron’s change of command ceremony at the NaNaval tional Aviation Museum onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Nov. 12. Cmdr. Eric Doyle relieved Capt. Ryan Bernacchi as Blue Angels commanding officer/ flight leader and spoke of his optimism for the future and pride in taking command of the prestigious squadron.
Aircraft were everywhere at the 2017 Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show ... U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, finished out the 2017 season with more than 180,000 people attending the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola Nov. 10 to 11. Photo by Kaitlyn Peacock • For a two-page photo feature from the air show, see pages four and five of today’s Gosport and for more photo coverage, go online to www. gosport pensacola. com
“It is an absolute honor to have the opportunity to lead the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron,” Doyle said. “I am humbled to join such a talented group of dedicated professionals as we head into the team’s 72nd air show season.” Doyle joined the Blue Angels in September. Prior to his selection as the Blue Angels’ commanding officer, he was the commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, the “Stingers,” at NAS See Blues on page 2
PWD: Help keep base’s drains clear of holiday FOG From Emerald Coast Utilities Authority
NAS Pensacola Public Works Department (NASP PWD) has teamed up with Emerald Coast Utilities Autority (ECUA) to remind base personnel to help avoid expensive repairs and keep the base’s drains flowing freely. It is that time of year again – the holidays. Family, friends, food – turkey, gravy, buttery homemade desserts
IWTC Corry Station staff and students honor local veterans From IWTC Corry Station
Service members from Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station visited veterans at Southern Oaks Care Center for a Veterans Day observance Nov. 10. Thirty-two staff members and students volunteered for the event. IWTC Corry Station’s Performance Arts Company opened the memorial service by singing the national anthem. After a word of thanks by the center’s director, David Keighley, active duty service members delivered appreciation certificates to each veteran present during the ceremony. “This was our best See Vets on page 2
and the potential of sanitary sewage overflows. It is true the holiday season comes with an increase amount of pollution from costly sewer backups and overflows. During the holidays – when more people are cooking higher-fat-content foods, deep-fat frying their turkeys and enjoying large family meals – the amount of fats, oils and grease (FOG) entering into the ECUA sewer system increases, as does the potential for problems.
The rich holiday foods such as turkey and gravy get washed down the drain during cleanup of pots, pans and fryers. The fats and greasy scraps harden, especially in cold weather, and stick to the inside of sewer lines and build up over time, causing clogs and potential overflows. Fortunately, there are ways to make sure kitchens See FOG on page 2
Hovercraft unit comes ashore at Panama City By Daniel Broadstreet Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division
It is a turning point in history now that 10 Sailors from Assault Craft Unit Four (ACU 4), based in Little Creek, Va., have arrived at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD). According to ACU 4 Detachment Panama City Officer in Charge Master Chief Stephen Lowe, the Sailors will spend the next several years in Panama City as ACU 4 DET Panama City, not only to make preparations for the arrival of the U.S. Navy’s next-generation Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) – the ship to shore connector (SSC) –
but the detachment will also be conducting various types of testing. The initial wave of ACU 4 Sailors permanently changed duty stations from Virginia Beach, Va. in August 2017 in preparation for 20 additional Sailors to join them in the months to come, but only on a temporary assignment. The military personnel are the advanced team preparing to accept the SSC crafts in December 2017 as well as additional civilian and contract support. “The SSC is the evolutionary replacement for the existing fleet of LCACs, which is nearing the end of their service life,” Lowe said. “The mission of these craft is to See ACU4 on page 2
Cmdr. Chad Smith, commanding officer of Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station, signals the start of a tug-of-war match during the school’s semiannual Warrior Day event. Photo by CTR1 Marcus Vasquez
IWTC Corry Station holds Warrior Day games By MC2 Taylor Jackson
Students at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) Corry Station participated in a multiple-sport competition after completing their holiday safety training, Nov. 9. The competition, nicknamed “Warrior Day,” gave “A” and “C” school
students the opportunity to get out of the classroom and compete against their fellow service members. Events included flag football, bowling, disc golf, volleyball, tug-of-war and a pushup competition. “Warrior Day embodies the spirit of competition and learning the value of teamwork,” said Cmdr. Chad Smith, IWTC Corry
Station’s commanding officer. “It’s embracing the warrior culture and learning that the team is stronger than the individual.” Before gathering at the track on NAS Pensacola (NASP) Corry Station, students attended a safety stand down briefing in See Warrior on page 2
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