VOL. 53 NO. 14 APRIL 10, 2014
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, DAM NECK ANNEX, AND NALF FENTRESS
HAMPTON ROADS CPOS CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY AT LUNCHEON
JET
INSIDE
SERVICE COMMEMORATES LIFE OF MA2 MAYO —Page 3
BY CATHY HEIMER Jet Observer More than a century of heritage and tradition came together as chief petty officers across Hampton Roads celebrated the 121st birthday of their paygrade during a luncheon at the Virginia Beach Convention Center April 4. The event included more than 620 retired and active duty CPOs, from the newest chiefs to fleet and force master chiefs, as well as former Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) William H. Plackett. The luncheon was the culmination of a week of events that began with a golf tournament at NAS Oceana March 31, and included a 5K run, a day of community service and the CPOs serving Sailors at galleys throughout the region. Proceeds from the 5K held April 2 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, benefited the Wounded Warrior Project. The luncheon at the Virginia Beach Convention Center was hosted by Oceana CPOs and Oceana Command Master Chief Eric Clark served as the master of ceremonies. “If we do not preserve our heritage, nobody will.This is something that all chief petty officers look forward to every year …We embrace what those chiefs before us have allowed us to do today,” said Clark about the importance of making time to celebrate the CPO birthday, in an interview before the luncheon. The luncheon began with reciting the Sailor’s Creed, and two bells were rung as the POW/MIA table to honor fallen shipmates
— See CPO birthday, Page 9
Photo by MCSN Kayla King Guest speaker retired MCPON William H. Plackett is projected on a big screen to an audience of more than 600 chief petty officers from across Hampton Roads who attended a luncheon to celebrate the 121st birthday of the CPO paygrade. Plackett, who served as the Navy’s 6th MCPON from 1985 - 1988 spoke at the birthday observance April 4 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The paygrade of chief was established April 1, 1893.
POTENTIAL CHAPLAINS VISIT NAS OCEANA —Page 8
Fleet Week New York scheduled to return; dates, ships announced From Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs The U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard announced dates for the 26th Fleet Week New York. Fleet Week New York, taking place May 21- 27, is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabili-
ties of today’s maritime services.The weeklong celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984, and it is anticipated that nearly 1,500 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will participate this year. Three U.S. Navy ships and two U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) cutters will participate in the 2014 Fleet Week New York. U.S. Navy participating ships will include Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS
— See Fleet Week, Page 6
FREE MOVIE As part of Holy Week observances, the Oceana Religious Ministries Department, with assistance from MWR, will host a free showing of the movie, “Son of God,” April 16, beginning at 6 p.m. at the NAS Oceana Aerotheater. Doors open at 5 p.m. and concessions will be sold. For more information, contact the Oceana Chapel at 433-2871.