August Road Runner by NRD Phoenix

Inside This Issue Page 4 Bobby Jones Honored

COMMAND CORNER

Be An Impact Player

Cmdr. Derek Wessman NRD Phoenix, Commanding Officer the best that I can be.” While the intentions of the individual are good, the lack of detail in such a goal decreases the likelihood that it will be achieved. This often leaves us with more questions than answers or inspiration. What is meant by best? How do I know when I’ve achieved it? Best at what? The acronym SMART is often used as a guide to goal setting:

Page 5 Navy Reserves Page 7 Reserve Timeline Page 8 D-Backs 4th of July Page 13 Around the Fleet

Road Runner Staff Cmdr. Derek Wessman Commanding Officer Cmdr. Alex Ortiz Executive Officer CMDCM(SCW/SW) Eric Cole

Command Master Chief

MC1(AW) Adrian Melendez Public Affairs Officer Editor/Layout and Design The Road Runner is a monthlynewsletter produced by the U.S. Navy Recruiting District Phoenix Public Affairs. It is intended primarily, but not exclusivly, for the use, information and entertainment of it’s active duty and reserve members, civilian employees and their families. Any views exspressed herin are not necessarily the official postions of the U.S. Navy. The Road Runner staff encourages feedbacl from it’s readers. Please submit all articles, suggestions, ideas, comments, photos, compliments or complaints to MC1(AW) Adrian Melendez at adrian.b. melendez@ navy.mil.

“I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.” I know most of you have said this hundreds of times as the closing line to our Sailor’s Creed. In this article I’d like to focus on the word “excellence.” What does it mean to you? … To our Navy? … To the Nation? … To your Family? Since football season is about to start (my personal favorite – Go Patriots!), let’s look at it through a sports lens. Excellent athletes make an impact on the outcome of a game and inspire their teammates to a higher level of play. In other words, they’re “Impact Players.” What makes them Impact Players? Many factors for sure, but one common thread is goals and the determination & courage to pursue them. With the recent conclusion of the Olympics, the start of the school year, and new sports seasons upon us, “goal setting” is in the air. When discussing goals at a few of the recent qualification boards I often hear, “I want to be

S – Specific (clear, not vague or left to interpretation) M – Measurable (easy to apply a score or percentage achieved) A – Attainable (can be achieved with reasonable effort) R – Relevant (achieving it will make a positive impact) T – Timely (must be achieved within a defined time period) While this is great advice for setting goals, achieving them is another story. That takes great depth of character and for us that means actions rooted in our Navy Core Values… Commitment – setting a goal is essentially a commitment to which we must hold ourselves accountable Honor – there is no glory or honor in achieving something without your integrity intact Courage – I saved courage for last because it is by far the most important for achieving goals… Impact Continued On Page 3

Impact Continued From Page 2

Consider this: Establishing SMART goals and especially writing them down is an important step, but as you do this there is no challenge, no controversy and no conflict. Guaranteed, conflicts will arise, your resolve will be challenged and controversy will test your integrity … and it’s at that moment that you will need to dig deep inside yourself for the COURAGE to stay the course and the COURAGE to reach out to a

Shipmate for advice or assistance. With rating exams, the PRT and the turn of the fiscal year approaching, I encourage you to think hard about your personal and professional goals and share them with your Shipmates, keeping in mind that achieving them is undeniably linked to living our Navy Core Values. Setting SMART goals and persevering through adversity with COURAGE is committing yourself to excellence and will not only make you an IMPACT PLAYER for America’s Navy,

but will inspire your Shipmates as well. When you step on the battlefield, your Shipmates will look on with confidence knowing the positive impact you will make. Thanks again for your continued Honor, Courage & Commitment to our mission and your Shipmates. Stay Hungry! Skipper

Keep Yourself Informed CMDCM(SCW/SW) Eric Cole NRD Phoenix Command Master Chief Fleet and Family Service Center, Navy Marine Corps relief, and the NRD Phoenix Ombudsman face book page are just a few I recommend. Some recent changes / news in the Navy:

Shipmates and families, this month I want to talk about keeping current on what is going on in our Navy. In this era of rapid communication polices change with the press of a button. If it is not part of your routine to look at the Navy, Navy Personnel Command (NPC), and Commander Navy Recruiting Command (CNRC) websites, I encourage you to add reviewing these resources to your weekly routine. Many other great online resources exist for Sailors and family members. Military One source,

Limited directed detailing for enlisted Sailors see NAVADMIN 227 / 12 CPO early to return to sea program NAVADMIN 230 / 12 More Sailors are now eligible for sea duty incentive pay NAVADMIN 231 /12 NAVADMIN 234 /12 announced the revision of the Standard Organization and Regulations of the US Navy Manual, this is the first total updated of the manual since 1994 – this manual is the operators manual for the Navy NAVADMIN 245 /12 is a Family Gram that provides resources for information about the new school year

If any of these topics peak

your interest go to the NPC website click on the new NAVADMINS link and review them! In keeping with the 21st century Sailor and Marine initiative of readiness, staying current on Navy programs makes us all more ready to execute the mission. From a personal perspective staying current makes you aware of all the programs that benefit you, your family and your career. Remember that knowledge is power.

Jones Named 2011-2012 VFW All American Post Commander MC1(AW) Adrian Melendez

Navy Recruiting District Phoenix’s Supply Purchasing Agent, Bobby Jones, has been awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) All American Post Commander of the year for 20112012 as the Commander for Post 6310 in Tolleson, Ariz. Jones retired as a Chief Petty Officer after 23 years of service in 2005 and became a member of the VFW in 1991 after Operation Desert Storm. While in Phoenix he became involved in the Tolleson VFW in 2001. Even though Jones has been a member of the VFW for more than 20 years, he said it wasn’t until after he retired from the Navy that he became more involved in the organization and understood exactly what the benefits are to being a member and how the can assist military members past and present. “When you think of the VFW or American Legion you think of a bunch of old veterans sitting around telling war stories,” said Jones. “But we do a lot for our veterans and community.” One benefit Jones expressed was the assistance in filing Veteran’s Affairs (VA) benefits claims prior to a service member

Photo courtesy of George Leon

leaving service. “We fight for veteran’s rights and assist with them getting their VA benefits,” he said. “What a lot of people don’t under stand, and where a lot of recent veterans are running in to problems, is they’re trying to deal with the VA on their own. You need someone to represent you. We have service officer that are trained by the VA to assist you in processing your claim and to represent you. It helps speed along the process.” Jones said that he is proud of being awarded All American Post Commander and attributes the honor to all the hard work they do for veterans and the local community. According to Jones, on average, the Tolleson post’s 590 members log a more than 5,000 hours of community service monthly. “Just like our Slogan states ‘No One Does More’. We’re always giving back to the community,” he said. Jones encourages all

veterans to join a service group either on active duty or when they separate from service not only for the benefits of membership, but to carry on the tradition of giving that is instilled in military members in every service “If you truly enjoyed your time in the military you gain that sense of giving because the way our culture is made up and because of our core values,” said Jones. “Our core values teach us to give back. So it’s natural when you get out to join one of the service groups to continue that nature of giving.”

Reserve Sailors Important Part of America’s Navy MC1(AW) Adrian Melendez

The Navy Reserves have been an integral part of America’s Navy’s mission readiness and the overall Global Force for Good for 97 years. Although the official birth date of the Navy Reserves is recognized as being March 3, 1915, it was not fully organized until Aug. 29, 1916 with the looming prospect of World War I. Citizen Sailors volunteering for duty during a time of war can even be traced back to the Continental War. But no matter what date in time you choose, the fact still remains that throughout history the Sailors of the Navy Reserves have played a pinnacle part in our Navy history and heritage. Currently there are more than 100,000 ready reserves with more than 4,000 currently mobilized today. Navy Recruiting District Phoenix currently has approximately 13 reserve recruiters helping to build that much needed reserve force. One of the newest recruiters assisting with that mission is Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class

Active Duty and Reserve Sailors conduct combat gear assembly of the new improved outer tactical vest on Day 2 at the Navy Individual Augmentee Combat Training (NIACT) school in Fort Jackson, SC. Upon completion of the school, the Sailors will staff the Role III Trauma Hospital in Kandahar, Afghanistan. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Randal Jones

Jana Mikkelsen. Mikkelsen joined the Navy in 1996 as an undesignated Seaman and shortly after recruit training reported to USS Sacramento (AOE 1). While onboard the combat support ship Mikkelson decided that she wanted to be a Gunner’s

Mate to prove to a mostly male crew that she could do the job. “I can shoot a gun just like everyone else, I can drive a fork truck, and I can move ammo just like everyone else,” said Mikkelson. After serving out her initial service agreement, Mikkelson decided to leave active duty and Lt. Cmdr. Chad Houllis, executive officer of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operational Support Unit (EODOSU) 7, fires the M9 service pistol during live-fire weapons training conducted as part of a mobility exercise at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. EODOSU-7 conducts training for reserve and active component personnel to prepare them for future mobilizations and deployments. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Scott

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Vice Adm. Robin Braun salutes as the new Chief of Navy Reserve at a official change of command ceremony, Aug. 13. Braun is the first woman to lead the reserve force. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter D. Lawlor Reserves Continued From Page 5

transition to the Individual Ready Reserves and civilian life. During her break in service Mikkelson worked as a Department of Corrections Officer at Arizona State Prison Complex – Lewis in Buckeye, Ariz., and then as a Nuclear Security Officer at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Tonopah, Ariz. It was during this time that she started to realize that she missed being a part of the Navy and decided to join the Navy Reserves in 2006. “It was something that just popped in my head and made me realize I missed the Navy and I went to join the reserves,” she said. When she did come back she realized just how much had change in six years and how much she had to learn about in the “New” Navy. “We had no more bell bottom pants (dungarees), our IDs were no longer the old green ones,

and I had no idea what a CAC (Common Access Card) or NKO (Navy Knowledge Online) was,” Mikkelson said. But despite changes in technology, uniforms and terminology Mikkelson was excited just to be again part of the Navy team. “I love what we (Sailors) stand for. I love the fact that there are so many jobs in the Navy and every one of those jobs relies on another job in order to get a mission completed,” she said. “There is always camaraderie with Sailors no matter what your job is. It doesn’t matter if you’re a recruiter, or in an EOD unit, you have that common understanding of what the Navy is about. I really like that and it’s very fulfilling.” While working at the Navy Operational Support Center Phoenix, as a Full Time Support reservist, Mikkelson was approached by a recruiter and convinced her that she would be good as a Navy recruiter and

was encouraged to apply for the Navy Canvasser Recruiter Program (CANREC). Designed to temporarily recall production recruiters and Full Time Support Sailors to execute the Navy Reserve recruiting mission, CANREC Sailors are initially contracted for 24 months, after which can be extended for an additional 12, 24, or 36th months based on performance. Even though she has only been recruiting for a little over three weeks now, Mikkelson said that she really loves the difficult job of trying to find Sailors who left Active Duty to join the Navy Reserves. Because those Sailors are a necessary force needed in America’s Navy and help continue our forward presence around the world, and in communities around the country, as part of The Global Force for Good. “It’s pretty tough, but I love it. A lot of people got out for any number of reasons and they just don’t want to deal with it anymore,” she said. ”But it’s just a matter of reminding them what the Navy is all about, why they joined in the first place, and remind them of that pride and fulfillment that Navy service brings you.”

Timeline courtesy of www.navyreserve.com

Navy Commemorates Women’s Equality Day

Ensign Amber Lynn Daniel Diversity and Inclusion Public Affairs WASHINGTON - Commands are encouraged to celebrate Women’s Equality Day Aug. 26, as announced by NAVADMIN 251/12. Established by Congress in 1971, Women’s Equality Day was designed to commemorate the long struggle of generations of women to gain the right to vote. The observance also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts today towards full equality. The women’s suffrage movement began in 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention in Seneca An all-female line-handling team guides the phone and distance line from the Falls, N.Y. Convened by suffragaircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) to the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) during a replenishment at sea ist leaders Elizabeth Cady Stanton (RAS). Harry S. Truman’s deck department used an all-female crew at one of the and Lucretia Mott, the committee RAS stations to commemorate Women’s Equality Month in the Navy. U.S. Navy published a “Declaration of SentiPhoto by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kilho Park ments.” The declaration outlined Women’s Equality Day. Today, the the right to vote. Women continkey social, civil and political observance recognizes the anniver- ued to serve in the Navy in varydemands for women, helping the sary of women’s suffrage and of ing capacities throughout World cause of women’s suffrage gain nathe continued efforts toward equal War I and World War II, but it was tional prominence. Nearly 72 years rights in the United States. not until June 12, 1948, with the later, the 19th Amendment to the All Navy commands are en- passage of the Women’s Armed Constitution was passed Aug. 26, couraged to reflect on and celebrate Services Integration Act that 1920, granting women throughout the accomplishments of women women gained permanent status in the United States the right to vote. in the armed services during this the U.S. armed services. The first In 1971, to honor and observance. six enlisted women were sworn commemorate the passing of the Women first entered Naval into regular U.S. Navy service July 19th Amendment, U.S. Rep. Bella service in 1908 with the establish7, 1948. Four months later the first Abzug introduced a resolution to Women Continued On ment of the Navy Nurse Corps, 12 designate Aug. 26 as the annual Page 14 years before women were granted

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eight female Naval officers were commissioned Oct. 15, 1948. Women were first assigned to selected non-combatant ships in 1978, and opportunities were later broadened to include service on warships in 1994 following the repeal of the combat exclusion law. In April 2010, the Navy announced a policy change allowing female officers to serve on submarines. Today, 95 percent of Navy billets are open to the assignment of women. This year has been a landmark year for women in the Navy. The year kicked off with five women making naval history as the first all-female E-2C Hawkeye crew to fly a combat mission. Plane Commander Lt. Cmdr. Tara Refo, Mission Commander Lt. Cmdr. Brandy Jackson, Second Pilot Lt. Ashley Ruic, Air Control Officer Lt. Nydia Driver, and Radar Operator Lt. j.g. Ashley Ellison were assigned to Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 when they made their historic flight Jan. 25. Two days later, the Navy honored the passing of the fleetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first female aircraft handling officer, Lt. Cmdr. Regina Mills, during a ceremony Jan. 27 in Bremerton, Wash. More than 2,000 family members, friends, and shipmates assembled aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to pay respect to Mills, who was struck and killed by a vehicle when she stopped to assist others involved in a traffic collision in Gig Harbor, Wash., Jan. 23. In April, the Navy bid fair winds and following seas to one of

the original female surface warfare trailblazers, Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau. Rondeau holds the distinction of serving as the first warfare qualified female admiral and, prior to her retirement, was the highest ranking female flag officer in the Navy. She retired after 38 years of dedicated naval service. Later that month, Rear Adm. Michelle Howard was nominated for appointment to the rank of Vice Admiral April 16. If confirmed, Howard would become the first female African American three star admiral. In July, Vice Adm. Nanette DeRenzi was assigned as Judge Advocate General of the Navy. De Renzi is the highest ranking female in the Judge Advocate General Corps, and is the first woman to hold the Judge Advocate General Corpsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; most senior position. Vice Adm. Robin Braun, the highest ranking female aviator in the Navy, became chief of the Navy Reserve Aug. 13, and is the first woman to hold the post. There are currently 35 female flag officers in the Navy; 21 represent the active duty component, and 14 represent the Reserve component. Enlisted women also made notable accomplishments during 2012. In May, Command Master Chief (AW/ SW) JoAnn M. Ortloff became Fleet Master Chief for Commander, Naval Forces Europe and Africa. Upon her selection, Ortloff became the highest ranking enlisted woman in the Navy, and only the second woman to reach the position of fleet master chief. Command Master Chief (AW/SW) April Beldo continued her tradition of breaking barriers for women when she

assumed her new position as force master chief of Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), the first African American woman to do so. Beldo arrived at NETC in April after serving aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), where she held the title of the first female African American command master chief of a nuclear aircraft carrier. She is currently the only woman serving as a force master chief in the Navy. Policy changes affecting women serving in the Navy also took shape in 2012. The Department of Defense announced changes to the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule Feb. 9. The changes were implemented in May, opening an additional 14,325 positions throughout the Department of Defense previously closed to women. Today, 54,537 women serve in the Navy on active duty or in the Reserve, comprising 17 percent of the force. Additionally, nearly 50,000 women serve across the Navy in a wide range of specialties as civilian employees.

USS Constitution Sails for First Time since 1997 MC2 Kathryn E. Macdonald USS Constitution Public Affairs

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. - USS Constitution departed her berth from Charlestown, Mass. Aug. 19, to set sail for the first time since 1997, during an underway demonstration commemorating Guerriere Day. The underway honored the 200th anniversary of Constitution’s decisive victory over the HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812, marking the first time a United States frigate defeated a Royal Navy frigate at or nearly equal size. It’s also the battle in which Constitution earned her famous nickname “Old Ironsides.” “I cannot think of a better way to honor those who fought in the war as well as celebrate Constitution’s successes during the War of 1812 than for the ship to be under sail,” said Cmdr. Matt Bonner, Constitution’s 72nd commanding officer. “The event also ties our past and present by having the ship not only crewed by the outstanding young men and women who make up her crew, but also the 150 chief petty officer [CPO] selectees who join us for their Heritage Week.” More than 150 CPO selectees and CPO mentor chiefs assisted Constitution’s crew in setting sails. CPO selectees participated in Constitution’s annual CPO Heritage Weeks, a weeklong training cycle divided by two weeks that teaches selectees time-honored maritime evolutions, such as gun drills, line handling and setting sails. The training is also designed to instill pride in naval heritage in the Navy’s senior enlisted leadership.

USS Constitution sets sail for the first time since 1997 during an underway demonstration commemorating Guerriere Day. Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Michael Achterling

“I’m a boatswain’s mate,” said Chief (Select) Boatswain’s Mate (SW) Michael Zgoda, assigned to USS Ingraham (FFG 61). “This is the foundation of my rate. Being able to learn from a variety of genuine chiefs and their different perspectives on leadership is overwhelming and important to the chief petty officer transition. I’m extremely honored to be a part of the group that can say they sailed the USS Constitution.” The ship got underway at 9:57 a.m. with tugs attached to her sides and 285 people on board, including special guests, such as the 58th, 59th, 62nd and 65th former commanding officers of Constitution; Rear Adm. Richard Breckenridge, Commander, Submarine Group Two; Rear Adm. Ted Branch, Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic; Vice Adm. William French, Commander, Navy Installations Command;

retired Navy Capt. Thomas Hudner Jr., Medal of Honor recipient; and Dr. Phil Budden, Britain’s Consul General to New England. At 10:27 a.m., Budden and Bonner tossed a wreath into the ocean to honor and remember Constitution’s battle with the HMS Guerriere. When the ship arrived at President Roads, a body of water of Boston Harbor, the crew then set three sails from Constitution’s main, mizzen and fore masts, and at 12:25 p.m., she detached from her tugs and sailed west under her own power for 17 minutes. She sailed at a maximum speed of 3.1 knots, at an average of two knots, and at a distance of 1,100 yards. “As the ship’s sail master, I felt a combination of pride and relief that the hundreds of man hours of training and planning over Constitution Continued On Page 16

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the past year all came together, and we were able to accomplish this goal,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class (SW) Conrad Hunt. “I’m really proud that I can say I was a part of this historic occasion.” After tugs reattached to Constitution’s sides, the ship headed to Fort Independence on Castle Island, where thousands of spectators waited to watch Constitution fire a 21-gun salute toward the fort at 1:14 p.m. Fort Independence is a state park that served as a defense post for Boston Harbor at one time. Finally, the ship returned to her pier at 2:05 p.m. and everyone departed once the brow was safely set and the ship was clean. Constitution re-opened to the public for tours of the ship’s history at 4 p.m. “For me, this underway is representative of an incredible

amount of work and dedication by not only the crew, but Maintenance and Repair Facility, Naval History and Heritage Command, and all of the partners coming together to make this happen,” said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class (AW/SW) Jason Keith, who is the longest serving crew member currently assigned to Constitution. Keith reported to the ship April 13, 2009 and will depart Aug. 31. “I’ve given tours to thousands of people, shined brass for hundreds of hours, and I’ve climbed the rigging to set and furl these sails over and over again. But sailing USS Constitution on Aug. 19, 2012 is one of the greatest honors I’ve had in my naval career, and I’m truly proud to be a part of this history.” The last time Constitution sailed under her own power was July 21, 1997 to honor the ship’s 200th birthday. It was the first time the ship sailed in 116 years. “When we sailed the ship,

it became clear it was a different experience you can’t have in port,” said Lance Beebe, a crew member aboard Constitution’s 1997 sail. “The ship comes alive, and you truly understand what she is all about. This new crew [2012 Sailors] just joined a group of crew members [1997 Sailors] that also got to experience Constitution under sail, and they became a significant part of her history as a result.” Constitution is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year. She defended the sea lanes against threat from 1797 to 1855, much like the mission of today’s Navy. America’s Navy: Keeping the sea free for more than 200 years. Constitution’s mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship’s history.

Navy Sponsors STEM Expo MC2 (SW/AW) Benjamin Crossley Navy Public Affairs Support Element West LOS ANGELES - The Navy hosted a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Coalition expo as part of Navy Days L.A. 2012 at the Port of L.A., Aug. 16-19. Navy Days L.A. is designed to educate the public through tours, demonstrations, distinguished visitor embarks, and media coverage of the festivities. At the STEM expo, children visited more than a dozen booths where they were introduced to practical problem solving, engineering questions, and realworld applications of STEM to the Navy and Department of Defense community.

One of the organizations represented at the expo was Iridescent, a science-education nonprofit that helps engineers, scientists and high-tech professionals bring cutting edge science, technology and engineering to children and their families. They offered interested participants the opportunity to use remote operated vehicles (ROV). “They get to learn about applications we have, which are games about engineering,” said Jazmin Reyes, an Iridescent member. “They really enjoy playing with the remote operated vehicles because they can see them move in the water.”

Along with ROVs to play with, children learned about practical applications from a DoD perspective by touring the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108). “I just think it is really great that the Navy is putting on the STEM expo and showing the kids the really cool ships,” said Amy Wood, Iridescent member. “This is basically an initiative to get kids interested in these subjects.” The STEM expo is for all ages, Wood noted. The goal is to cultivate persistent, lifelong STEM Continued On Page 17

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learners that will thrive in a problem-solving environment. “To me, whatever can turn the light on is an important thing, so the Navy is making an effort to try and do that,” said David Sandkulla, who attended the expo with family. “In general, the sooner somebody gets a perspective on how useful

some of their academic tools can be, the better off they are going to be.” After the booths, the attendees were invited to tour the ship. Guests were able to interact with Sailors and have a glimpse into what it is like in the daily life of the Navy. Throughout the tour, children were afforded the opportunity

to see some of the systems and applications of topics learned at the expo. “It’s important for the future of the nation to have an understanding of engineering,” said Cmdr. William Baxter, Meyer’s commanding officer. “We need more engineers to design, maintain, and operate a ship such as the Wayne E. Meyer.”

Hull Technician Fireman Bryant Jacobs, from Cottonwood, Ariz., welds together a table in the forecastle of the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). Peleliu is currently underway conducting pre-deployment exercises in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Derek Stroop

Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 3rd Class Joseph Grajeda, from El Paso, Texas, explains search and rescue techniques to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors during a tour. VP-8 and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force units are participating in the bilateral exercise GUAMEX in the vicinity of Guam. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Pedro A. Rodriguez