Gosport - November 22, 2013

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NAS Pensacola’s Selected Children’s Christmas Party ... The annual holiday event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at the NASP Youth Center. NASP organizers need 100 volunteers to sponsor a child for the day and guide them through fun holiday activities. For more information, contact NASP Community Outreach at 452-2532.

Vol. 77, No. 47

VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com

November 22, 2013

NASP Sailors sworn in as U.S. citizens Naturalization ceremony held at Barrancas National Cemetery By Lt. Jonathan Bacon NATTC PAO

Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II onboard NAS Pensacola ... An F-35B from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron-501 (VMFAT-501) is guided to a stop at Forrest Sherman Field Nov. 15 by Gene Roy, transient line supervisor for Pensacola Naval Air Station (NASP). The plane, which was the first F-35B to land at NASP, is one of the variants of the F-35 Lightning II attached to the Integrated Training Center at Eglin Air Force Base. Transient line and Fire and Emergency Services Gulf Coast personnel received training on procedures for the F-35B during the stopover, which coincided with a “fly-in” sponsored by the Tailhook Association. Photo by Janet Thomas

DoD/TSA partner to provide military TSA precheck at 100 airports From http://www. defense.gov/

As part of the ongoing effort to move away from a one-size-fits-all security approach and provide more of the traveling public the ability to participate in expedited screening, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) recently announced a partnership to expand TSA precheck expedited screening benefits to all U.S. armed forces service members, including those serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, reserves and National Guard. As a result of the agreement, these individuals will be able to enjoy the benefits of the program at the 100 participating airports across the country, beginning Dec. 20. Currently, members

See TSA on page 2

Navy College Survey: Tell us what you need Story, photo by Ed Barker NETC PAO

In order to improve service and provide educational offerings that service members need, the Navy College Office (NCO) onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola is conducting its online Needs Assessment Survey through Nov. 27. The survey is one of the tools used by the Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) to ensure service members’ educational needs are satisfied throughout the Department of Defense (DoD) community. This survey gives students an opportunity to provide direct and accurate feedback to their NCO and facilitate program improvement and modifications. The survey takes 15 minutes or less to complete. To access the survey, go to:

Ken Spradlin, Navy College Office (NCO) Pensacola Educational Services specialist, helps NASC’s Ens. Shereka Riley at one of the testing stations in the NCO.

h t t p s : / / w w w. r e s e a r c h . n e t / s / NCO_PCOLA_TNA. According to NCO Pensacola Educational Services Specialist Ken Spradlin, all service members served by the Pensacola NCO are asked to participate in

See Navy College on page 2

NavFac Southeast presents award to city, NASP contractor By Sue Brink NavFac Southeast Public Affairs

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NavFac) Southeast’s Public Works Department Pensacola presented the Safety Through Awards and Recognition (STAR) program award to the City of Pensacola and Siemens Industry Inc.

Nov. 14 for achievements in safety onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. “We strive to partner with our contractors to deliver quality results for our customers, while maintaining a diligent safety posture that contributes to a safe work environment,” said NAS Pensacola Public Works Officer Cmdr. Jeff Deviney. “Having a

great team and valued contractors contribute significantly to successful projects and ensuring a safe work environment.” The STAR award is a significant achievement and is awarded only to those companies that demonstrate a proactive corporate safety posture in protecting its most valuable resource – its people.

See STAR on page 2

Students assigned to Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) became United States citizens during a naturalization ceremony at Barrancas National Cemetery Nov. 14. During the ceremony 122 citizen candidates, including 12 Sailors, swore their allegiance to become citizens of the United States of America. The Honorable M. Casey Rodgers, Chief United States District Judge for the Northern District of Florida, presided over the special session of her court held outdoors at Barrancas National Cemetery. The cemetery was chosen as the venue for this particular citizenship ceremony out of respect for the many U.S. citizens of foreign birth who had served as veterans in previous conflict, as well as to honor the service of the Sailors who swore their oath and became citizens during that ceremony. A significant difference from many citizenship ceremonies that take place throughout the United States and this one was that 12 of the new American citizens had already sworn allegiance to the United States and to protect its freedom when they became United States Navy Sailors. Becoming an American citizen has been a long term goal for AN Michael Pineda, originally from the Philippines, a student in NATTC’s Aviation Professional Apprentice Career Track (APACT) Course. “I am happy that this is happening today and proud to be a part of something so much bigger than myself,” Pineda said. He spent his childhood divided between Manila and New Jersey, and after high school spent several years as a student at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in Kutztown, Penn., before he decided to join the Navy. “I wanted to serve as way of giving back to the country that has done so much to accept me.” Another NATTC APACT student who became as citizen was AN Francis Agbaglo, originally from Ghana. “I joined the U.S. Navy because I wanted to continue my education,” Agbaglo said. “The process to become a citizen has been a little stressful, but I think it has been worth it and I am very happy to be swearing my oath today.” During the moving ceremony, each citizen candidate briefly introduced themselves and their country of origin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Eggers then made the motion for admission to the court that the candidates be sworn in as American citizens.

See New U.S. citizens on page 2

NASP Sailors stand and are recognized by Judge M. Casey Rodgers during a naturalization ceremony held Nov. 14 at Barrancas National Cemetery. Photo by Mike O’Connor

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.


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