Skywriter — August 2021

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI AUGUST 2021

NAF Atsugi Participates in Exercise Citadel Pacific 2021 Near or Far: Olympics Brings Sailors Taste of Home and Japan Japan’s majestic Mount Fuji Open For Climbing!

What’s Inside...

Public Affairs Officer Howard Sam Samuelson Deputy Public Affairs Officer Greg Mitchell

NAF Atsugi conducts Exercise Citadel Pacific 2021 Page 04

Editor Greg Mitchell Skywriter Staff MC2 Olivier Clement MC3 Rafael Avelar Public Affairs Staff Ikumi Tanaka Maika Fujisaki

Near or Far: Olympics Brings Sailors Taste of Home and Japan

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Facebook.com/naf.atsugi

Youtube.com/NAFAtsugi @NAFAtsugiJP www.issuu.com/nafatsugi

Japan’s Majestic Mount Fuji to Open for Climbing!

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CHECK OUT OUR LATEST LEADERSHIP GUIDANCE VIDEO

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ONLINE

On The

Cover

Front: Photo by Greg Mitchell showing NAF Atsugi Sailors participating in Exercise Citadel Pacific 2021.

Back: U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Rafael Avelar; Hospitalman Dave Penrod, assisting role playing victim during Exercise Citadel Pacific 2021

CMDCM CORNER

With Command Master Chief Weba Roberts Team, This month we bring awareness to the importance of immunizations for National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Diseases like polio and smallpox have been nearly eradicated due to immunizations and the military has been the leader in recognizing that public health is strategic to our national defense. During the Revolutionary War, there was a smallpox epidemic and George Washington acknowledged that unvaccinated soldiers could derail the nation’s fight for independence if they contracted it.

He mandated the Continental Army be inoculated, which provided a considerable advantage against the British.

Today, we face a major challenge with the scourge of COVID-19. A COVID-19 outbreak at a command could greatly affect its ability to carry out its mission and put our national security at risk. Unvaccinated service members have died, been hospitalized and for some who have recovered, they will need continuing long term care. COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be considerably effective against the disease so please see your primary healthcare professional if you still need to be vaccinated.

Finally, this month remember and appreciate the fact that immunizations saved and continues to save the lives of millions of people every year. We are lucky to live in a country where immunizations are readily accessible and free. Diseases that use to decimate families no longer have as great an impact, and as a result, people are living longer and healthier lives. See cdc.gov for more information about National Immunization Awareness Month.

August 9, 2008

August 1, 1961

Adm. George W. Anderson, Jr., takes office as the 16th Chief of Naval Operations, serving until Aug. 1, 1963.

During Adm. Anderson’s tenure as CNO, he oversaw the U.S. Navy’s quarantine of Cuba, thus enabling the Kennedy administration to compel the Soviet Union to remove its nuclear weapons from the island.

USS Sterett (DDG 104) is commissioned at Baltimore, Md., the birthplace of the ships namesake: Master Commandant Andrew Sterett, who fought in the Quasi-War and Barbary Wars for the Navy.

August 14, 1945 The Japanese accept the terms of the Potsdam Declaration and agree to surrender, ending World War II. It is known as V-J Day! Announcing the news to the country in the evening, President Harry S. Truman proclaims a two-day holiday. Explosive celebrations immediately follow as Americans and their Allies rejoice that World War II is finally over.

August 29, 1998

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USS Decatur (DDG 73) is commissioned at Portland, Ore., before arriving at its homeport of Naval Station San Diego. The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is the fifth U.S. Navy ship named for Commodore Stephen Decatur.

NAF Atsugi conducts Exercise Citadel Pacific 2021 NAF Atsugi Public Affairs Office

ATSUGI, Japan – Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi recently completed successful exercise requirements involving their security forces during Citadel Pacific 2021 (CP21), an annually recurring force protection exercise assessing emergency response in Navy Region Japan during the week of July 19-23.

Also participating during ensuing weeks are Navy Region Hawaii (August 9-13), Navy Region Korea (August 23-27) and Joint Region Marianas (October 4-8).

Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) and Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet conduct the exercise to evaluate command & control capabilities and ensure the readiness and effectiveness of antiterrorism programs throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

“In order to ‘train like we fight,’ CP21 simulates realistic threat scenarios such as active shooters, gate runners and improvised explosive devices,” said David Foy, Deputy Director of Operations for CNIC. “Our personnel

(U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Rafael Avelar Master-at-Arms 1st Class Michael Basset, Anti-Terrorism Training Team inspector, observes and evaluates Naval Air Facility Atsugi Security Force Sailors on their performance while they engaged in simulated crisis response during Exercise Citadel Pacific 2021 (CP21).

respond to the incident as they would if it were a real threat. This training approach ensures U.S. Navy security forces maintain a high level of readiness to respond to a dynamic security environment.”

Citadel Pacific is an annual exercise and not in response to any specific threat. Measures have been taken to minimize disruptions to local communities and normal base operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes traffic congestion or delays at installation gates.

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Area residents may also see or hear unusual activities associated with the exercise including smoke, simulated gun fire, explosions and Giant Voice announcements. Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and first responders.

CNIC oversees 53,000 employees located across 70 Navy shore installations in 10 regions around the world and is charged with sustaining the Fleet, enabling the fighter and supporting the family. For more news from CNIC, visit www.cnic.navy.mil or follow the command’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Near or Far: Olympics Brings Sailors Taste of Home and Japan Story By MC2 Ashley Estrella Navy.mil

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Rafael Avelar

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Commander Naval Forces, Japan, Command Navy Region Japan, (CNFJ/CNRJ) hosted an Olympics opening ceremony watch party on Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) at Club Alliance, July 23.

U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to different installations expressed their pride in Team USA and Japan despite the constant changes in dates, times, and policies.

The inability to see the Olympics in person has not dampened many

Sailors’ enthusiasm for the games.

“I love the Olympics!” said Aviation’s Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 2nd Class, Benjamin Davies, originally from Ghana, assigned to Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo.

“I think it is one of the only events, besides the World Cup, that you see countries represented where everybody puts away their anger towards each other. Nations come together in one unity, one love, one mindset to bring smiles, joy and peace throughout the whole world.”

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Davies said serving in the U.S. Navy fills him with pride. Having originally come from Ghana, serving the U.S. in the host country of Japan makes him feel like a multi-faceted ambassador.

Davies is not the only Sailor looking forward to the Olympics.

“I am excited to see all my favorite sports and teams playing this year in the Olympics,” said Aviation’s Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Kristal Williams, from Virginia Beach, Va., assigned to Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

The Olympic watch party is one of many events designed to bring Sailors together.

“For the Olympics, during COVID-19 I think it’s important to show people that even after a year of isolation, we can still come together and celebrate unity,” said Beary.

“It’s definitely important to show people that there is a light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel, and I hope we are all out of it soon.”

“It’s great to see things getting back to some normalcy,” said Williams.

Sailors abroad are representatives of the U.S. Navy, and the United States as a whole. It is often said a Sailor is a Sailor 24 hours a day. Similar to the Olympians, representation is a source of pride and responsibility for many service members. For centuries athletes are the pride and dignity of their country of origin. Sailors are able to feel pride in both American and Japanese athletes while serving in Japan, and appreciating all of the beautiful experiences it has to offer.

“If I had to pick a sport I’m most excited to see I would have to pick track and swimming,” said Beary. “I did track in high school, and I feel like every time the Olympics happen, a new record is broken, and I think it’s something really cool to witness. Swimming always reminds me of how much Michael Phelps played a part in inspiring young people when I was growing up.”

Although COVID conditions meant she might not be able to attend her favorite Olympic events in person; that has not stopped Williams from safely exploring Japan.

“Although I miss my family, I get to experience living in another beautiful country,” said Williams. “I have been able to see an amazing city like Tokyo, the Skywalk, the big Buddha, and many other great sights.”

Beary said seeing the events this year comes with a lot of nostalgia, and he’s excited to see them play out.

Exploring Japan and learning the area provides a sense of comfort for Sailors who are often far away from loved ones.

In Olympia, Greece a flame lighting represents a symbol of perpetuity between ancient and modern games.

Connecting the past and the present is a tradition in the U.S. Navy which parallels the legacy of service members to the traditions of Olympians linked by the standard of excellence and the thread of time.

Whether it is leaving behind family and forming surrogate family relationships, or bringing one’s family to Japan, loved ones are at the center of motivation for the success of the U.S. Navy’s Sailors dedication to the mission.

“I’m in a very good support role here in Japan,” said Machinist Mate 2nd Class Corbin Beary, a Harbor Security Vessel Maintenance Technician for CFAY’s Port Operations, from Goldsboro, N.C. “Personally, I’m able to support my family in ways I could never support them before, even though I’m so far away. CFAY supports the Navy’s 7th Fleet forward-deployed naval forces, and I take a great deal of pride in being part of such a unique undertaking.”

The relationships the Sailors have formed here often become life-long connections and create valuable networks.

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Japan’s Majestic Mount F

By Takahiro Takiguchi Stripes Japan

Every year, thousands make the grueling hike for a view unlike any other atop Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji. In 2020, this feat was one of many casualties of COVID-19, and for the first time in modern history, authorities closed access to Mt. Fuji’s four trails during the hiking season.

This year, however, climbing is back! The season usually runs from July through the first week of September as this is when Fuji’s snowcap melts and the conditions are ideal for the trek.

Mt. Fuji was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013 and every year attracts hundreds of thousands of domestic and international tourists. In 2019, about 236,000 people climbed to its peak, according to data from the Ministry of the Environment.

As of the end of June, officials of the surrounding prefectures have announced the reopening. It should be known that all amjor trails (Yoshida, Subahshiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya Trails) are open and accessible to the summit.

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Fuji Open For Climbing!

Expected mountain opening of Fuji (as of June 14) Yoshida Route (in Yamanashi Prefecture): July 1 – Sep 10 Subashiri Route (in Shizuoka Prefecture): July 10 – Sep 10 Gotemba Route (in Shizuoka Prefecture): July 10 – Sep 10 Fujinomiya Route (in Shizuoka Prefecture): July 10 – Sep 10

The three roads that approach to the mountain’s fifth station – Fuji Skyline (8 miles), Fujikoentarobo-line (1 mile) and Fuji Azami-line (7.2 miles) – were also closed last climbing season, but are now open.

Shizuoka Prefecture officials also announced that parking lots at the foot of the mountain will have mandatory body temperature checks as a method of COVID-19 prevention.

For more information, see Official Website for Mt. Fuji climbing and The Complete Guide to Mt. Fuji.

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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

For Appointments: 264-3959 or 0467-63-3311

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The Final Word WITH NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI COMMANDING OFFICER

CAPT. J. M. MONTAGNET NAF Atsugi Community, I understand questions remain about COVID-19. Here is an update: Starting from a larger overview - We are still awaiting guidance on vaccine mandates. We are expecting the order for mandatory vaccinations for all military members and also awaiting additional details which will include a timeline and an implementation plan, most likely by mid-September. We have not heard about mandates applied to other SOFA employees as of yet. But, the good news for us is that - as of today - our community in almost every category combined is well above a 70 percent vaccination rate. In fact, we can report that the vaccination rate among our uniformed military folks has exceeded 95 percent. This is great news! And it speaks volumes about the readiness of our military folks.

I spoke earlier this week with our public health emergency officer, and the positive statistics regarding the efficacy of the vaccine are overwhelming and reason for great optimism. Again, the vaccine works exactly as it was designed. Look. Wave 5 is different. This Delta variant is a mean little bug, but we understand it now represents greater than 99 percent of new cases. So we are not seeing the volume of severe illness, hospitalization, or mortality as we did with previous waves. The vaccine is absolutely doing its job. With respect to breakthrough cases, less than two-tenths of 1 percent of those cases in the Department of the Navy are hospitalizations. Even among our cases, all infections have been tied to previously unvaccinated origins. So, the larger issues are obvious: The vaccines are doing the job they were designed to do, and - while we need to be sure everyone has an opportunity to make an informed decision about the vaccine — it’s become evident that the vaccine is the ultimate solution to ending the spread of COVID-19. Along with proper mask-wearing, frequent washing of hands and social distancing, taking the vaccine continues to boil down to preparedness.

On that, let me switch gears a little bit on preparedness. As all of us know, the Kanto plain experienced a significant volume of heavy rain in Mid-August. In one way we were fortunate that the tropical systems failed to coalesce into well-defined typhoons. But these systems still resulted in substantial and severe rain fall, which led to flooding in many areas and the threat of mudslides. We are still in typhoon season. And these recent weather events are a stark reminder of the threat we face each season of more severe weather - imagine the same rain fall combined with 60-plus knot winds! So, as we’ve posted many times, please ensure you are prepared for any emergency. We have all the details on the Emergency Management web page but be sure to have or replenish your emergency preparedness kits for both your home and your cars. Then, be sure to secure areas outside homes, offices, as well as command buildings and structures. And always monitor command channels for any anticipated emergencies.

CAPT John M. Montagnet Commanding Officer U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan

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