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“The Theory of Everything” Oscar Nominees now out on DVD see page 3.
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March 20, 2015 Vol. 8 No. 20
Battle of the Giants Story and Photos by Pat Krause The BNP Parabas Tennis Open continues with the top players still in contention for the win. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic have all won their matches so far and Serena Williams proves she is still number one in the rankings with her third win of the
tournament. The matches are so much fun to watch as these are the top players in the world that are pitted against each other. There are day matches and night matches for everyone to be able to come to watch. There is so much more to the BNP Parabas than just tennis
too. If you walk around the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, you are awed with all that is there. Fine Dining, Two top tier tennis courts and 8 others with matches play going on most of the time, and a myriad of tennis practice courts for fans to watch their favorite tennis player. Entertainment
Chief Petty Officer Joseph Dobbins
Palm Desert, California Native serves with Navy Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-14 By Desert Star Staff LEMOORE, Calif. – A 1997 Palm Desert High School graduate and Palm Desert, California native is currently serving with the U.S. Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron Fourteen, also known as the “Tophatters”, at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California. Chief Petty Officer Joseph Dobbins is an aviation ordnanceman with the squadron, which the Navy designates as VFA-14, and works with the Navy’s most lethal and versatile strike fighter aircraft, the F/A-18E Super Hornet. “I maintain the F/A-18 Super Hornet’s weapons system by uploading and downloading
weapons,” said Dobbins. The Super Hornet takes off from and lands on Navy aircraft carriers and is capable of conducting air-to-air combat as well as air-to-surface combat. It is approximately 61 feet long, has a max loaded weight of 66,000 lbs., and a max speed of 1,190 miles per hour. Operating from the sea aboard aircraft carriers, the Super Hornet gives the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, at any time. The versatile jet has the ability to destroy targets located hundreds of miles inland, without the need to get another country’s permission to operate within its borders.
“I like that VFA-14 is a small command,” said Dobbins. Dobbins said he is proud of the work he is doing as part of the squadron’s 217-member team, helping to protect America on the world’s oceans. “Making sure the weapons system is functioning on the aircraft is essential to mission readiness,” said Dobbins. Sailors’ jobs are highly varied in VFA-14. Approximately 24 officers and 193 enlisted men and women make up and keep all parts of the squadron running smoothly — this includes everything from maintaining aircraft airframes and engines, to Continues on Page 3
is provided along with a food court, autograph sessions, style shows, memorabilia and clothing booths; Tennis talk on the Garden Village Stage and Celebrity events throughout the tournament. This is just a partial list of things to do. There are massive TV screens all over the
Garden so you can watch all the matches in the comfort of a chair or sitting on the grassy areas. Massive white permanent tent structures for staying cool out of the sun while enjoying a wine, beer or Ice cream. An event not to be missed.