Skywriter - June 1, 2017

What’s Inside...

Public Affairs Officer Howard Sam Samuelson Assistant Public Affairs Officer Courtney Pollock

AROUND ATSUGI

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Leading Chief Petty Officer MCC(SW) Ben Farone Editor MC2 Matthew Duncker Skywriter Staff MC2(SW) Michael Doan MC2 Matthew Duncker

CVW-5 HOLDS FCLP

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Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka Webmaster Noriko Yamazaki

Facebook.com/naf.atsugi

COMMANDER, CNIC VISITS JAPAN

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CHECK OUT OUR NEW CAPTAIN’S CALL VIDEO

Youtube.com/NAFAtsugi

@NAFAtsugiJP www.issuu.com/nafatsugi

ONLINE

ON THE COVER AN E2-C

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HAWKEYE ATTACHED TO THE “LIBERTY BELLS” OF VAW115 FLIES OVER AYASE DURING A FORMATION FLIGHT WITH THE “TORCH BEARERS” OF VAW125.

Turning the Page

A look back at Skywriter news from past decades and what’s happening today.

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MAY 2017

APRIL 1992

Left, Helicopter AntiSubmarine Squadron (HS) 12 conduct a search and rescue exercise at Naval Air Station Atsugi’s Flightline, April 1992.

Below, The “Warlords” of HSM-51 conduct a search and rescue exercise at Enoshima beach.

1 CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION VISIT ATSUGI U.S. House of Reprentatives memebers visitied Naval Air Facility Atsugi prior to a flight on a C-2A Greyhound attached to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 Detachment 5 to the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as part of a familiarization tour of the area.

2 SEASONAL UNIFORM CHANGE NAF Atsugi Sailors changed over to the service dress white uniform for the sechuled seasonal uniform shift on May 15.

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3 PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT The semi-annual Physical Fitness Assment was held at the installation’s Halsey Gym and Ranger Pool.

4 AYASE BASE SIDE FESTIVAL NAF Atsugi Sailors and NAFA Taiko Kids participated in the Ayase Base Side Festival to strengthen ties with the neighboring community.

5 MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY NAF Atsugi celebrated military spouse appreciation day by handing out flowers and cupcakes to spouses at the NEX on May 12.

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TRIED AND TESTED CARRIER AIR WING 5 CONDUCT FIELD CARRIER LANDING PRACTICE

STORY BY MC2 MATTHEW DUNCKER PHOTOS BY NAFA PUBLIC AFFAIRS

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.S. Navy aviators and maintainers assigned to the various fixed-wing squadrons under Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 conducted Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) on Iwo To, Japan, formerly Iwo Jima, May 8.

CVW-5 conducted FCLP in preparation for their scheduled patrol aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

“Because of the difficulties and many variables associated with landing an aircraft safely, strict procedures must be followed,” said Commander, Navy Region Japan Operations Officer Cmdr.

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Dwight Clemons. “A pilot must be able to instantaneously react to any situation and is taught to follow strict procedures with constant practice. FCLP must mimic every aspect of the procedures used in the carrier environment in order to be affective.”

Every pilot in CVW-5 must participate in and complete FCLP prior to conducting underway operations.

“The importance of FCLP for both our aircrew and maintainers to go over and rehearse carrier operations on shore as we conduct our bounce period is essential to maintaining high standards of quality,” said CVW-5 Detachment Officer

FCLP Iwo To Det., Cmdr. Barrett Smith, from Allentown, Pa., executive officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102.

To pass FCLP, pilots must receive multiple passing grades during the qualifications.

“The Rules we follow have been devolved over a period of 100 years of naval aviation experience. Many lessons have been learned the hard way at the cost of lives and aircraft,” said Clemons. “Because skills are perishable and take a certain amount of time to regain, we have rules governing when pilots are required to retrain and how much training they should get.”

Landing Signal Officers observe the ability of each pilot to maintain centerline, approach at correct glide slope, maintain correct aircraft atitude and to follow direction while exercising “touch and go” landing during the day and night.

“Landing in the daytime is very challenging.

Now imagine doing so at night,” said Clemons.

“Night landings require the highest degree of skill and strict attention to procedures.”

FCLP is necessary for the pilots of CVW-5 to perfect their skills prior to landing aboard Ronald Reagan at sea. The Navy has taken extensive efforts to minimize as much as possible the impact of its training on local communities, consistent with maintaining operational readiness required for the defense of Japan.

“FCLP is vital to the qualifications and currency of the squadrons involved and their safety,” said Smith. “Without it we would not be able develop the necessary proficiency to conduct carrier qualifications.”

Ronald Reagan and its embarked air wing, CVW5, provide a combat-ready force that protects the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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HAWKEYES VAW-115 & 125 HOLD

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OVERFUJI FORMATION FLIGHT

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NAF ATSUGI SAILORS AWARDED

ZENKOKAI HONORS COMMUNITY RELATIONS

S TO RY B Y M C C B E N FA R O N E

PHOTOS BY MC1 PETER BURGHART, CFAY PAO

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uring a May 20th ceremony at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine, three organizations and three individuals from the Atsugi base community were presented with the 2017 Nippon Zenkokai award for their contributions to the host nation community. Among the 16 awardees from afloat and shore based commands throughout Japan were NAFA’s Law Enforcement Association, Public Works Department Seabees, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Detachment Atsugi, Culinary Specialist 1st Class Rodnel Balaga, Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Gabriela Herring and Naval Aircrewmen Mechanical 2nd Class Matthew Bates.

Since 1951, The Nippon Zenkokai, or The Good Conduct Association of Japan, an independent, non-profit organization, has been recognizing individuals and groups for significant contributions to the Japanese community.

In 1955, the award was expanded to honor foreigners who have contributed to the betterment of life in Japan.

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COMMANDER, CNIC VISITS NAF ATSUGI

VICE ADM. JACKSON TOURS JAPAN NAVAL BASES

STORY & PHOTO BY MC2 MICHAEL DOAN

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ommander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Vice Adm. Mary Jackson paid a visit to Naval Air Facility Atsugi (NAFA) and other U.S. Naval bases throughout the region during her first trip to Japan as CNIC. CNIC’s regional visit consisted of traveling to bases in Misawa, Okinawa, Sasebo, Yokosuka, and Atsugi.

“One of the things that’s very important to me is to be able to get out on the deckplate and see each installation, see the uniqueness,” said Jackson.

Jackson met with NAFA Commanding Officer Capt. John Bushey to discuss operations and tour base facilities.

“Shore installations are foundational,” said Jackson. “They’re really the springboard. All the other enterprises can’t do what they do if they didn’t have a starting point and ending point.”

Jackson toured the base visiting locations such as the water treatment

facility, child development center, and the emergency operations center. At each stop she met with Sailors and employees who gave a tour of the facility and answered any questions.

“First of all, it’s always great to see the Sailors,” said Jackson. “That is certainly a highlight, both Sailors and civilians who are part of our Navy team. That is really the best part.”

During her visit, Jackson first made a courtesy call with key Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force leaders and Commander, Fleet Air Force Vice Adm. Nobumasa Maki.

“It’s never long enough, but I am able now to visualize what I need to visualize when I go back to D.C. to make sure we’re running the shore enterprise to support the war fighter.”

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NAF ATSUGI HOLDS MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE

PHOTOS BY MC2 MATTHEW DUNCKER

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AWF1 BRANDON COCCIO CS1 BRANDON CURTIS DC1 ENDALK HAILU GM1 JOHN COCHRAN MA1 JOEL RASH MA1 BRANDON SHAMBAUGH MA1 ALISHA WRIGHT AWF2 MICHAEL IRELAND AWF2 DAZJIA RICHARDSON DC2 KIMBERLY HAMMOND MC2 MATTHEW DUNCKER MA3 SKYLAR BUSH MA3 CARLOS CRUZ MA3 JOSHUA HOLLAND 13

PHOTO BY MC2 MATTHEW C. DUNCKER

DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT

Naval Air Facility Atsugi

REGION LEGAL SERVICE OFFICE BRANCH ATSUGI HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DEPARTMENT’S PRIMARY MISSION? Our mission is to provide NAF Atsugi expert and timely military justice and command services advice as well as to support legal readiness for U.S. service members and DoD civilian employees. We also provide direct Foreign Criminal Jurisdiction (FCJ) and claims advice to all Atsugi-based commands.FCJ advice is essentially dealing with the Japanese authorities and jurisdictional questions -- pursuant to an international agreement between the United States and Japan called the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), whenever U.S. service members, civilian employees, and their dependents are involved in possible offenses under Japanese law. We pursue the U.S. policy to maximize jurisdiction and custody, while keeping respect for Japanese cultures and processes and the larger concerns of alliance preservation in mind.

WHAT PRIMARY SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE AND WHO ARE YOUR PRIMARY CUSTOMERS? Command services advice covers a wide range of subject areas including administrative law, admiralty, administrative separations and processing, disciplinary options, freedom of expression and grievances, subpoenas, command (“JAGMAN”) investigations, military justice, operational law, personnel matters, environmental law, standards of conduct and government ethics. Here in Japan we are also heavily involved in FCJ matters, as discussed above. We also do a wide range of claims processing, including claims against the U.S. overnment by the Japanese and others, whether under the SOFA or other bases. Our primary customers are the command Triad and NAFA departments, though for FCJ and

claims matters we cover any Atsugi-based U.S. service member, DoD civilian employee, or dependent. In addition, we also provide notary and special powers of attorney services directly to individuals. We can also help with certain affidavits, can provide some assistance on immigration and naturalization matters, and handle requests related to private organizations/fundraising and private employment.

HOW DO THE SERVICES YOU PROVIDE SUPPORT THE COMMAND’S MISSION? Many aspects of the command’s mission and proposed courses of action have legal components and considerations, which we provide advice on. FCJ cases and claims also have the potential to significantly strain the U.S.-Japan alliance so they have to be managed expeditiously and professionally. In addition, preparing powers of attorneys, notaries, and affidavits helps ensure legal readiness. Once someone’s legal readiness is supported and taken care of he or she can further focus on the mission whether here or at sea.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR DEPARTMENT THAT OTHERS MAY NOT KNOW? We are actually a small detachment of RLSO Japan based in Yokosuka. But we like to be involved in and consider ourselves part of the NAFA community; for example LN1 Shante Davidson is the advisor for the JSA/CSADD program onboard NAFA.

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HOW CAN YOUR CUSTOMERS REACH YOU? Our customers can reach us at DSN:264-3692 or our front desk (in bldg. 949).

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF VOLUNTEERS WHO OFFERED THEIR TIME TO THE YAMATO STATION CLEANUP DURING THE MONTH OF MAY.

Flight Line News Briefs are compiled monthly news reports from squadrons, tenant commands, departments and command groups onboard Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

BHC Atsugi

Branch Health Clinic Atsugi participated in the semi-annual First Receiver Operations Training. This course involves one day of equipment set up, inventory, and functions check; a second day of didactic lecture; and a third day of hands on team work training to include a final AZC Salas AS2 Ng timed exercise where students AC1 Alexander AT2 Ording work together as a team to AS1 Carrillo PS2 Parrotina decontaminate mock casualties MA1 Eck MA2 Rash from a Chemical, Biological, MA1 Finley LS2 Rielle Radiological, or nuclear LS1 Hammar MA2 Ruvolo hazardous materials attack.

LS1 Johnson LS2 Strickhouser Nineteen staff members were AC1 Kelly LS2 Sumilang certified on ways to identify AD1 Repizo AM2 Wang contaminants using basic AC1 Roberts MA3 Carrillo detection equipment, signs/ symptoms of agents, triage MA1 Sayles CS3 Farris victims, and how to effectively ABE2 Adorno PS3 Jackson decontaminate patients.

AT2 Douangdara AO3 Knepp MA2 Doubet AD2 Galvan MA2 Hall AT2 Hoadley AD2 Jackson QM2 Lancaster PS2 Lathrop AS2 Lewis BU2 Llaneza AS2 Mandafe AE2 Martin MA2 Mattice MA2 Mccohnell AZ2 Monico

AZ3 Lapid YN3 Nguyen AS3 Salazar MA3 Sula MASN Buckley AOAN Collins PSSN Conchas PSSN English AN Hernandez MASN Holland AMAN Leininger MASN Morales AOAN Sands Sam Samuelson

Public Works

During the month of May, the Utilities Branch in Public Works participated in the Shirley Lanham Elementary School’s STEAM Fair by providing guided Tours of the Water Treatment Plant to six classes. During these tours, the children learned how water from a well is treated to become safe drinking water.

Each class explored the plant’s environmental and mechanical systems, monitoring devices, safety procedures, and quality testing.

CNATT

During a May 20th ceremony at Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Detachment Atsugi, Japan was presented with the 2017 Nippon Zenkokai

THANK YOU!

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award, more commonly known as the Good Conduct Association of Japan award, which recognizes individuals and groups annually who provide significant contributions to Japanese communities.

The annual award was founded in 1951 and is presented to individuals or groups whose gallant or benevolent acts are remarkably beneficial to their neighbors or the general public.

The award was later opened to honor foreign individuals and entities who have contributed to the betterment of life in Japan.

AIMD

AIMD Atsugi celebrated American Asian Pacific Islanders Heritage\Month on May 19 in the Ranger Picnic area. The AIMD’s Diversity and MWR teams put together a great event with the main attraction being a demonstration of a native dance of the Guam’s Chamorro people by the Takeo University students dance group from Tokyo. The celebration kicked off with a sports day followed by a barbeque, a tug of war competition, and a pie in the face. This was also an occasion for the Capt. Bushey, NAF Atsugi commanding officer, to present the Captain’s Cup trophy to the AIMD Captain’s Cup participants. This is the second time in a row that AIMD Sailors have won the Captain’s Cup Trophy. Also in attendance were, Commander Task Force 72 / Commander Fleet Air Forward, all AIMD officers, chiefs and crew.