Skywriter - June 2021

Naval Air Facility Atsugi June 2021

Memorial Day Ceremony Conducted Onboard NAF Atsugi

PTSD Awareness Month

What’s Inside...

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

PTSD Awareness Month Page 04

Skywriter Staff MC3 Olivier Clement MC3 Rafael Avelar Public Affairs Staff Ikumi Tanaka Maika Fujisaki

Memorial Day Ceremony Conducted Onboard NAF Atsugi

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On The

Cover

Front Cover: Capt. Manning Montagnet Salutes during Memorial Day Ceremony Back Cover: Missing Man Table featured during Memorial Day Ceremony at NAFA

CMDCM CORNER

With Command Master Chief Weba Roberts

Team Atsugi, This month, we bring awareness to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Today, when most people hear the acronym PTSD they associate it with service members who are recovering from their experience in a war zone. But PTSD does not occur in only those who have experienced war.

Most people have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event in their lives but naturally recover from it.

For example, If you’ve been in or witnessed a car accident and it took you some time to feel comfortable getting in a car to drive again. This experience can evolve into PTSD when you continually experience a heightened level of stress or fright even when there is no danger present.

Some other symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.

Survivors of abuse, childhood trauma, and sexual assault can also experience PTSD. You are not alone and PTSD can be treated. The Navy has multiple resources available to help if you think you may be suffering from it. Please reach out to your medial provider, military and family life counselors, or through military one source for help.

June 13, 1913

June 6, 1944 Allied forces land troops on Normandy beaches for the largest amphibious landing in history, OperationOverlord (D-Day), beginning the march eastward to defeat Germany.

Lt. j.g. P.N.L. Bellinger sets an American altitude record for seaplanes when he reaches 6,200 feet in a Curtiss (A 3) aircraft.

June 21, 1898 During the Spanish-American War, the cruiser USS Charleston captures the island of Guam without resistance from Spain, because the Spanish Navy had no sufficient ammunition for defense.

June 28, 1943

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USS Peto (SS 265) and USS Tunny (SS 282) sink Japanese hydrographic-meteorological research ship Tenkai No.2 northeast of Mussau Island and a gunboat Shotoku Maru off the west coast of Rota, Mariana Islands.

PTSD Awareness Month June is “National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month”, and is intended to raise public awareness about issues related to PTSD, reduce the stigma associated with PTSD, and help ensure that those suffering from the invisible wounds of war receive proper treatment.

PTSD Awareness Day; June 27, 2021 PTSD Awareness Day is observed every year on June 27th. PTSD stands for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and is a condition that many veterans and non-veterans alike suffer. PTSD can occur when someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. This condition wasn’t always understood properly by the medical or military

community, and Department of Defense press releases often point to earlier attempts to identify PTSD symptoms in the wake of service in World War 2, Vietnam, and other conflicts. This year, PTSD Awareness Day will be observed on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

The History of PTSD Awareness Day In 2010, Senator Kent Conrad pushed to get official recognition of PTSD via a “day of awareness” in tribute to a North Dakota National Guard member who took his life following two tours in Iraq (S. Res. 541).

Staff Sergeant Joe Biel died in 2007 after suffering from PTSD; Biel committed suicide after his return from duty

to his home state. SSgt. Biel’s birthday, June 27, was selected as the official PTSD Awareness Day, which is now observed every year. It was in 2014 that the Senate designated the full month of June for National PTSD Awareness (S. Res. 481).

How Do People Observe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day? Much of what is done to observe PTSD Awareness Day involves encouraging open talk about PTSD, its’ causes, symptoms, and most important of all, getting help for the condition. PTSD is, even in modern times, often misunderstood by those with no firsthand experience with the condition or those who suffer from it. PTSD Awareness Day is designed to help change that.

The Department of Defense publishes circulars, articles,

and other materials to help educate and inform military members and their families about the condition. The Department of Veterans Affairs official site has several pages dedicated to PTSD, and when military members retiring or separating from the service fill out VA claim forms for service-connected injuries, illnesses, or disabilities, there is an option to be evaluated for PTSD as a part of the VA claims process.

What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

As mentioned above, PTSD can be the result of experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. The specific nature of the trauma can and does vary greatly.

Medical experts are quick to point out that while combat

and combat-related military service can be traumatic, not everyone who serves under such conditions reacts the same way. Some may develop symptoms of PTSD, while others may be unaffected.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: How Widespread Is It? Some sources estimate that as many as 70% of all Americans have experienced a traumatic event sufficient to cause PTSD or PTSD-like symptoms. That does not mean that all 70% of Americans WILL suffer from PTSD. Using these statistics, some 224 million Americans have experienced a traumatic event. Of that number, some

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20% will develop PTSD symptoms, roughly 44 million people.

Of that 44 million, an estimated eight percent experience active PTSD symptoms at any one time. An estimated 50% of all mental health patients are also diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

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PTSD:

Often Misunderstood And Misidentified

“Shell shock” and “combat shock” were earlier attempts to define and understand the symptoms of PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder was often stigmatized in popular culture after the Vietnam conflict, and many films and television shows featured antagonists or unsympathetic characters suffering from “Vietnam flashbacks” or other issues.

The misunderstanding of PTSD slowly began to change in 1980 when it was recognized as a specific condition with identifiable symptoms. As a result, since that time Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is listed in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical

Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

This manual is a diagnostic tool for mental health professionals and paraprofessional workers in the healthcare field and is considered a definitive reference.

The addition of PTSD to the DSM was a highly significant development.

Today, the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are better understood, treatable, and recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as a service-connected condition. PTSD is not exclusive to veterans or currently serving members of the United States military, but a portion of those who serve are definitely at risk for PTSD.

What Are The Symptoms Of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome?

Some PTSD symptoms may seem vague and nonspecific, others are more readily identified specifically as evidence of PTSD. In this context “non-specific” means that the symptoms may be related to other mental health issues and not specifically limited to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In the same way, more “specific” symptoms may be manifest outside PTSD, but when looking for specific signifiers, these issues are common “red flags” that indicate PTSD may be the cause of the suffering rather than a different condition. This is often circumstantial, and there is no one-size-fits-all diagnosis for the condition.

Suicidal thoughts or self-destructive acts are often a result of PTSD or related symptoms. Anyone experiencing thoughts or urges to self-harm should seek immediate care to prevent the condition from

getting worse in the short-term.

That said, more non-specific symptoms include varying degrees of irritability, depression, and suicidal feelings.

More specific problems-especially where veterans and currently serving military members are concernedinclude something known as “hypervigilance” or “hyperarousal”.

Other symptoms include repeatedly experiencing the traumatic event(s) in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, persistent memories of the event(s), and intrusive thoughts about the traumatic event(s).

These symptoms vary in intensity depending on the individual and are not ‘standardized”. They may come and go, or they may be persistent over a span of time.

Sometimes PTSD sufferers can be high-functioning, other times they may be more debilitated by the condition.

Those who experience symptoms of PTSD or PTSDlike issues should seek help immediately.

Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, private care providers, counselors, and therapists can all be helpful in establishing an initial care regimen or refer those suffering from PTSD to a qualified care provider.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has more information on help for PTSD on its’ official site including help finding a therapist. Those experiencing suicidal feelings or self-destructive urges should get help immediately.

Get Treatment For PTSD

The Suicide Crisis Hotline (1-800-273-8255) has a specific resource for veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a Veterans’ Crisis Hotline confidential chat resource.

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Memorial Day Ceremony Condu Onboard NAF A Story by: Greg Mitchell, Photo by: MC3 Rafael Avelar

ATSUGI, Japan – Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi hosted a Memorial Day ceremony to honor all brave Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States at Alliance Park aboard the installation, May 27.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, commemorating the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The holiday was formerly observed on May 30 from 1868 to 1970.

NAF Atsugi commanding officer, Capt. Manning Montagnet served as the observance officer for the ceremony. “Of course, it is entirely fitting that we set aside a period to memorialize and actively remember those Americans who fought monumental challenges around the world in the defense of our country, basic freedoms, and human rights. We remember the great victories… But more than that, we remember the great human sacrifices it took to achieve those victories.”

After taking the audience on a verbal tour of the history of Memorial Day, which began shortly after the end of the American Civil War as Decoration Day, Montagnet introduced the guest speaker, retired Yeoman Senior Chief Ed Harris.

“It is for good reason that we gather together today with countless others Americans across the nation, and across the world,” said Harris, who also works aboard the base as the command installation security manager. Harris is also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) since 2018.

“Regardless of race, creed or political persuasion, we gather in unified and solemn remembrance to honor the sacrifices of those who answered their

nation’s call and who have willingly laid down their life for our freedoms.”

Harris continued on to say that Memorial Day is a rare day of opportunity to give thanks for all we as American citizens have been blessed with.

“Even though the true meaning of the day is sometimes lost to commercialism or drowned in forgetful indulgence, everyone in attendance today recognizes the magnitude of the accomplishment and the deeds of the men and women who helped to ensure the idea that evil and tyranny must not, and will not

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ucted Atsugi

prevail,” said Harris.

Memorial Day, which is also considered the unofficial beginning of the summer in the United States, typically sees many people of all different walks of life visiting cemeteries and memorials to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. Military. Many volunteers place an American flag on graves of military personnel in

national cemeteries.

For NAF Atsugi, a flag and honorable wreath laying ceremony with service members of every branch of service providing one wreth each — was placed to conclude the festivities.

For those in attendance, it was a memorable experience.

“As I stood in ranks, I was thinking about how I was in boot

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camp, then coming to Japan to serve my country,” said Yoeman third class Dora Montero, who was a part of the final salute detail. “I thought about my parents who are Mexican immigrants, and how much they sacrificed for me to be where I am today. It just made it extra special for me to be a part of a ceremony of this magnitude and I am extremely grateful.”

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The Final Word WITH NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI COMMANDING OFFICER

CAPT. J. M. MONTAGNET NAFA Atsugi Community,

We have every reason to celebrate several significant achievements in our long fight against COVID-19. Recently, following CDC guidelines, the Deputy Secretary of Defense lifted his mandate for service members to wear masks. Following further USFJ and CNFJ guidance, I was elated to issue an interim memorandum which lifts the mask mandate within the confines of NAF Atsugi for immunized military members, SOFA employees, and family members. I have also updated our PHE to incorporate these new guidelines.

You will note that these guidelines apply only within the fence line of NAF Atsugi. All previous mask wearing guidance regarding activities outside our fence line still apply as only a small percentage of our host citizens have had an opportunity to receive the vaccine. With respect to our Japanese workforce, most have also not been vaccinated for the same reason.

Accordingly, interim mask guidance includes important and vital considerations for our Japanese staff.

Mask mandates will apply to all SOFA personnel per the guidance when interacting with Japanese employees or JMSDF partners on base. As we all enact this new guidance, please work especially hard to remain sensitive to those who do not yet have the ability to receive the vaccine, do not want the vaccine, or have been directed not to receive it due to underlying conditions.

In other words, all hands, military and civilian alike, need to remain cognizant of others’ feelings and treat others who still wear masks with dignity and respect.

I am equally pleased that the Pfizer vaccine has received additional emergency use authorization; new eligible members include those from 12 to 17 years old. Our Branch Health Clinic is coordinating with both Yokosuka and Camp Zama to make these vaccines available as soon as possible. Please visit the Facebook pages for NAF Atsugi, Camp Zama, or CFAY for details, including the process for making a vaccine appointment.

Finally and unfortunately, the positive COVID-19 rates throughout Japan have now surpassed Wave 3.

Humbly and thankfully, while we can appreciate our current circumstances here and aboard all of our bases in the Region, we still have an obligation to our Japanese hosts and community members. So, please continue to think and act selflessly until all of our communities remove their masks for good.

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

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