February 26, 2015

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What’s Inside...

Public Affairs Officer Howard Samuelson

LEA MAKES DIFFERENCE

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Assistant Public Affairs Officer Mrs. Natalie Stamey Leading Petty Officer MC1(SW/AW) Barry Riley Editor MC1(SW/AW) Barry Riley

MILITARY SAVES WEEK

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Skywriter Staff MC3 Jason C. Bawgus MC3 Ryan G. Greene Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka Webmaster Noriko Yamazaki

KPP JOINT DRILL

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CAPTAIN’S CALL AT VFA-195

Contributors MWR Marketing FFSC Commissary Public Affairs Navy Exchange Public Affairs The Tenant Commands

ON THE COVER

In this edition of Captain’s Call the NAF Atsugi Executive Officer and CMC visit VFA-195 to bring you the latest news and updates from around the base.

Click the video to watch, or visit here.

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Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Michael Neal, of Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s Far East Café, prepares pork chops for the base’s monthly special meal. Photo by MC3 Ryan G. Greene.

LEA STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE

LEA President MA2 Justin Hamilton discusses upcoming events with NAF Atsugi CMC Michael D. Wilkins.

Story by MC3 JASON BAWGUS Master-at-Arms (MA) stationed at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi work long hours, weekends and holidays standing watch at the gates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Some of these Sailors have chosen to spend their hard earned days off by volunteering at various community events around the base through the Law Enforcement Association (LEA).

“The LEA is an organization for Sailors E-5 and junior that caters to the odd schedule of those in the MA rate,” said LEA President Master-atArms 2nd Class Justin Hamilton. “We wanted to make sure that the young Sailors that arrive at NAF Atsugi have a positive role model to follow and instantly have access to a group of people that are willing to take them off base and show them there is more to Japan than bars or nightclubs.”

Hamilton wants people to know that the LEA is much more than just a social club and that it’s not only for Security Personnel.

“We will take anyone who wants to go out and help make a difference in the community,” said Hamilton. “We just wanted to make it easier for MA’s to be a part of the group, not make a group of just MA’s.”

The organization offers members a chance to get out and volunteer throughout the community by events such as cleaning

up different areas on and off base, or collecting food for a food drive.

“We will get a group of volunteers together to go clean up a train station or parking lot somewhere out in town,” said Hamilton. “We also gave gotten the opportunity to visit a local orphanage and interact with the kids there.”

While at the orphanage the volunteers will get the chance to interact with the kids by playing sports,

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working on arts and crafts, or beginning to teach some of the kids English.

“My favorite volunteer opportunity is getting the chance to go to the orphanage,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Amore Escalante. “Cleaning up train stations is great, but you actually get to see the difference you are making at the orphanage when you see the kids’ faces.”

The LEA also fills another important role which is the development and mentoring of young Sailors.

“I think it is very important that we offer a support system to Sailors that are new to the Navy or new to a foreign country,” said Hamilton.

“We want to give those Sailors the opportunity to talk to someone who isn’t their direct superior but still be someone a little older that has experienced something similar to whatever it is they are going through.”

In this way the LEA isn’t only providing guidance to young Sailors, bus also providing leadership and mentoring opportunities to some of the more senior members that may not have that opportunity in their everyday job.

“We know that we aren’t only the future of the Navy, but the future leaders of the Navy.

And we want to make sure that future is bright,” said Hamilton.

“We want our members to take the initiative and hold each other to a higher standard than is expected.”

Exercise financial fitness by participating in programs that promote financial security.

FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 1

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ATSUGI STARTS SAVING Story by MC3 rYAN g. gREENE February is the month of the military saver and during this time, installations across the globe offer classes and services to help military members and their families better manage their finances.

As part of this month’s events, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC) is offering one-on-one counseling sessions and group presentations to help bring financial awareness and accountability to base community members.

“This program is hugely important for anyone on NAF Atsugi who is interested in

organizing their finances,” said FFSC Personal Financial Advisor Brad Morgan. “I am here yearround to work with anyone trying to get their finances in order and this program brings a big spotlight to this topic.”

This initiative is part of the Military Saves Campaign, a year-round social marketing campaign to persuade, motivate and encourage Department of Defense employees to save money and reduce consumer debt. The campaign reaches out to service members, spouses, youth and civilian employees.

According to Military Saves, a founding organization of this initiative, community members are responsible for upholding stringent rules regarding financial solvency. As such, it’s in the interest of the member to learn strategies for saving money and how much is right for them, given their life goals.

In 2011 NAVADMIN 011/11 instructed commands to create a culture that encourages savings and financial readiness in order to better position Sailors in an ever-changing economy.

The campaign is designed to alter moneyhandling behaviors through education on achieving long-term financial fitness.

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“At the beginning of each year, many individuals and families reflect on what was accomplished financially in the previous year, and what can be improved upon in the New Year,” said FFSC financial educator, Naval Support Activity Mid-South Stacy LivingstonHoyte. “Military Saves Week is an excellent opportunity to allow experts to assist with that annual financial review.”

The campaign is a combined effort between the DoD and the Consumer Federation of America. In accordance with NAVADMIN 011/11 command leadership is urged to tap into local organizations such as banks, credit unions, public affairs offices and Fleet and Family Support Services.

Enlisted advisors, installation relief societies, spouse groups, and child and youth programs are also additional resources.

“Self-education is key,” said Livingston-Hoyte. “Spending a few minutes each day capturing financial news and headlines can empower anyone to become a better money manager.”

“Financial readiness is a decision Sailors make by setting financial goals and working toward them, “said Director, Navy Staff Vice Adm. John Bird. “Sailors and their families can become military savers by making a personal commitment.”

For more information on Military Saves Week and other material, please call Morgan at 264-3372 or stop by the NAF Atsugi FFSC today.

PHOTO BY MC3 JASON BAWGUS

NAF ATSUGI AND LOCAL COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS TEAM UP FOR JOINT EXERCISE

Story by MC3 JASON BAWGUS effective strategies to prepare for them.”

Story by MC3 JASON BAWGUS Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi hosted a Each of the scenarios, which ranged from

joint exercise with emergency responders from the local Kanagawa prefectural government at the base’s air terminal on Feb. 19.

The exercise consisted of several different simulated emergencies, each showcasing the interoperability of the base’s emergency responders and their local Japanese counterparts.

“On behalf of all agencies participating in the mishap drill, I think we can all be proud of our significant efforts to prepare for the type of accident we all work hard every day to avoid,” said NAF Atsugi Executive Officer Cmdr. Matthew Ligon. “Today’s preparation drill reminds us of two important lessons: first that as much as we hope they never happen, accidents can happen. Second, if we must live with the reality that accidents happen, we can develop safe, clear and

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an aircraft fire to a car accident requiring the jaws of life, required full communication between every participating agency.”That is what today was all about working closely with our safety, first response, law enforcement and firefighting partners here in Japan,” said Ligon. “Today was a demonstration of our united commitment to ensuring the safest outcome in the event of an aircraft accident.”

The exercise was completed without incident, even though the freezing cold rain provided an additional obstacle for all parties involved.

“Our priorities were clear; Reacting quickly, preserving public safety, securing the accident site and rendering it safe,” said Ligon. “Now all we need to do is review our responses and processes, compare notes, and strengthen our accident response program.”

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SAVED ROUNDS Photos from around the naf atsugi community

ATSUGI OFFICERS’ S POUSES ASSOCIATI ON & ATSUGI’ WIVE ASSOCIATION PART S ICIPATE IN KIMONO WEARING EVENT

MACS STACEY HOLMES SPEAKS AT THE BASE’S ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION 10

AT2 CHRIST 7 7, REVIEWS BEFORE AN A

LT. LOGAN PEC PART IN A BE ATSUGI CON

TOPER ROBINSON, H S INVENTORIED ITE SM ANNUAL INSPECTIOMS N

CK, VFA 115, TAKES ENEFIT CONCERT AT THE NVENTION CENTER

0 A PIECE TO T Y 0 5 $ E T A N O D A S O A AESA & RELEIF SOCIE S P R O C E IN R A M Y V A N

Commuity Champions AIMD PR1 Ibragimov AD1 Arios AD1 Galvez AD1 Chua AS1 Faller CNATT Det Atsugi ATCS Rexroth AD1 Carrillo CVW-5 PR1 Huricks Huricks, Ma. Perpetual IT1 Yamomo Yamomo, Giselle HQ Admin YN2 Gardner HSC-12 AO3 Latson AZ2 Siufua AM3 Beasley HSM-51 AWR2 Griffin YN2 Apodaca IT2 Brown AT1 Hughey BHC Atsugi Clinic HN Hall NAVSUP FLC Site Atsugi ABF1 Carandang LS2 Herring LSSN Pryor

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The Following is a list of this month’s Yamato station Clean-up Participants.

NPPSC Det. Atsugi PS3 Hintz PAO Samuelson, Sam VAQ-141 AM3 Sanchez LTJG Johnson PR2 Peters AD3 Dugue AME2 Delgado YN2 Stevens VRC-30 Det 5 LS2 Zagala AZ2 York LT Reardon CFAF LS1 Martin AIMD PR3 Pagurigan PR3 Bostil Air Ops ABH3 Naval ABH2 Gonzales ABH1 Alayon ABE2 Buison NAFA CAPT Bushey CVW-5 YNSN Owens YN2 Lezcano

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