What’s Inside...
Public Affairs Officer Howard Samuelson Assistant Public Affairs Officer Mrs. Natalie Stamey
HSM 51 ADOPTS MANTIS
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Leading Petty Officer MC1(SW/AW) Barry Riley Editor MC3 Jason C. Bawgus
COMMISSARY BEGINS UPGRADES
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Skywriter Staff MC1(SW/AW) Barry Riley MC3 Ryan G. Greene MC3 Jason C. Bawgus Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka Webmaster Noriko Yamazaki
CVW-5 RETURNS TO IWO TO
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CAPTAIN’S CALL AT VFA-27
Facebook.com/naf.atsugi Youtube.com/NAFAtsugi
@NAFAtsugiJP
ONLINE
ON THE COVER In this week’s episode of “Captain’s Call” NAF Atsugi Commanding Officer Capt. John Bushey and Command Master Chief Mike Wilkins join special guest AT2 Stephen Muscarella at VFA 27 to bring the latest community updates. To watch this episode and more visit us at www.youtube.com/ NAFAtsugi. 2
NAF ATSUGI’S NEW EXECUTIVE OFFICER CMDR. MATTHEW SZOKA STOPS BY THE SKYWRITER STUDIO FOR A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION.(PHOTO BY MC1 BARRY RILEY)
Turning the Page
A look back at Skywriter news from past decades and what’s happening today.
Above are photos from the May 24, 1968 Skywriter featuring a very soggy open base event at NAF Atsugi. Immediately above is what this year’s 2015 open base Spring Friendship Festival looked like. NAF Atsugi recently held its annual Spring Friendship Festival to promote continued goodwill between the Japanese community and personnel of NAF Atsugi. For more photos from this year’s Springfest see page 12. 3
Mantis Preys on the Pacific
Story and Photos by MC3 Ryan Greene
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PHOTOS BY MC3 RYAN GREENE
Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) Squadron 77 was selected to host the first overseas test of the MultiAircraft Nose and Tail Interface System (MANTIS), a nextgeneration aircraft ground transport for shipboard use. The MANTIS smoothly responds to a Sailor’s commands which are entered on a control panel of joysticks and toggle switches, hanging from the Sailor’s neck. Almost as if playing a video game, the Sailor moves the helicopter through little effort with the help of the MANTIS. According to Ground Support Equipment, Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service Center Technician Jessie Ramsey, the MANTIS Shipboard Helo Handler - Extra-Low Profile (SHHELP) is the newest model being tested. Its unique specifications provide a sleek, low profile that sits five inches lower than the previous model. The MANTIS is designed to operate underneath any variety of current low-sitting modifications added to the MH-60R or MH-60S Sea Hawk. Sailors assigned to USS George Washington (CVN 73) Air Department V-3 division are always looking for ways to improve their training and expertise in the field of aviation handling. When it comes to ground support equipment, testing a new low-profile helicopter handling system is a rare and exciting opportunity. Ramsey, who serves as the lead project engineer for the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Support Equipment Test and Evaluation Branch, and his crew of engineers selected HSM 77 as the first overseas platform for their final
Aviation Boatswains Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Asa Long, center, of USS George Washington (CVN 73) Air Department, tests a Mantis SHH outside of the Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) Squadron 77 hanger. phase of suitability testing for the where we trust them enough to pick the MANTIS up, move a helo and new MANTIS. “We are looking for fleet operator put it back. If I miss a move, I am feedback,” said Ramsey. “We not worried that something has gone want to know what the crew likes, wrong.” what they do not like and what After many hours of testing the improvements can be made to the system, USS George Washington system. We have asked Sailors for (CVN 73) Aviation Boatswain’s their recommendations. We are Mate 3rd Class Houri Oulis said he verifying that it can successfully enjoyed the many unique features of complete its mission in an the MANTIS, such as its enhanced maneuverability and ease of use. operational environment.” Prior to bringing the MANTIS “It is easy to operate,” said Oulis. overseas, Ramsey said rigorous “Basically, it is just like playing land-based testing was performed a video game. Complicated to make sure it could overcome maneuvers that normally rely on the any obstacle that it might driver’s skills are made easier by encounter aboard a carrier before this new system. I look forward to it was considered for a fleet-wide seeing how my feedback today will affect the final product.” evaluation. Benton said the new MANTIS NAVAIR Evaluator Steve Benson said training is going well and is design is expected to be currently being given to Sailors implemented throughout the Navy in phases. V-3 personnel were in the near future and further design introduced to the system in a brief modifications will reflect much of overview and later were given full the feedback received aboard HSM control over the MANTIS to move 77 and the George Washington helicopters through the hanger and crews. “V-3 has been very supportive of flight line. our testing,” said Ramsey. “Our “We have found that V-3’s Sailors have become pretty proficient time overseas has been extremely within two to three moves,” said valuable and will be reflected in the Ramsey. “They are to the point final design of the new MANTIS.” 5
BIG
CHANGES FOR COMMISSARY
STORY AND PHOTOS BY: MC3 RYAN GREENE NAF ATSUGI PUBLIC AFFAIRS
N
aval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s Commissary will be undergoing renovations beginning May 2015 through August 2015. These upgrades are intended to continue enhancing NAF Atsugi’s compliance with national health and safety standards. The upgrades will occur in a four-phase process. As the renovations get underway, the commissary will go from full to half freezer and cold storage capacity. During this time, the commissary will continually stock the top 75 selling items on the shelf, with others rotating throughout the upgrades. “This is the second time I’ve done this with
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a store,” said NAF Atsugi Commissary Store Manager Fredrick Fisher. “These processes are fine-tuned to make minimal impact on the customers, while also bringing them the newest and greatest in service.” This upgrade is coming in part due to the type of Freon used within the machines. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has prohibited its use beginning fiscal year 2016. As a result, these new machines will bring NAF Atsugi into full compliance with any new government and environmental standards, as well as increase storage capacity for frozen food items, and expand the commissary’s stock and supply of products. “My real concern is that we can take care of the customer. I know that they (the customer) still have to take care of the kids, and that’s my main concern,” said Fisher. “We can order anything from Camp Zama, Sagamihara Housing, or Yokosuka and get it to our store in 24 hours. This means that if a family needs something and we don’t currently have it on our shelf, we can get it to you.” This can be done quickly and easily by approaching the shift manager and asking to order an item not currently in stock. When the shipment arrives, the Atsugi Commissary will call the customer to let them know that the order is ready for pick-up. The renovation process is expected to take three months during which time one-fourth of the floor space in the Commissary is expected to be under construction. This process can often seem complex and maybe a little confusing to some, but here in Atsugi we’ve got the best team around and I’m confident that we’ll make it through this process and have a greater share of products for our customers in the future, Fisher added.
FAIRWINDS
&Following Seas
Cmdr. Matthew Ligon NAF Atsugi bids farewell to Cmdr. Ligon as he embarks on his next tour of duty in the United States. Bravo Zulu to Cmdr. Ligon for his unwavering dedication to the service members, staff and families of NAF Atsugi, while serving as the installation Executive Officer. “His charismatic approach in supporting initiatives to enhance host nation relations has fostered an atmosphere for neighboring communities to participate in open base events and friendship festivals in record numbers.� - Rear. Adm. Matthew J. Carter Commander, Naval Forces Japan 7
The NAF Atsugi Public Affairs team recently caught up with incoming Executive Officer Matthew Szoka for a quick Q&A session to ask the questions the community wants to know.
Q: What is your hometown? Q: As the incoming NAFA what topic is the biggest A: Poway, CA (suburb of San XO, priority that you want to focus
Diego)
on?
Q: Briefly tell us about your A:
Navy career pathway thus far and how you were led to NAF Atsugi as the incoming XO.
A:
I’m a Navy brat, the son of a Tomcat pilot. I’m a carrierbased helicopter pilot (SH-60F and HH-60H). I have spent most of my career in San Diego but this is my second time in Japan. During my last tour here, I was the mission lead for the first DoD rescue mission of Operation Tomodachi.
Q:
Please share with us your prior experience being stationed in Japan. How does this experience differ from your previous Atsugi tour? What do you enjoy most about Japan?
A: The
Biggest difference is not being part of the Air Wing and seeing things from a different perspective. It is hard to pick just one thing I enjoy about Japan and Atsugi. I love the culture, people, the food, and all the adventure to be had. At Atsugi, I really enjoy the friendly and welcoming atmosphere and being part of the world’s largest metropolitan area.
Sailors and families aboard NAF Atsugi to know ?
A:
I want the Sailors and their families to feel like Atsugi is their home and not someplace that they are forced to live for a few years. I want them to be happy living here and to take pride in the base.
Executing the base’s mission as laid out by the Skipper. We are an operational base and play a vital role in this AOR (Area of Responsibility). I want to continue making this What do you enjoy doing a great place to live for both families and single sailors alike. in your free time? I really enjoy traveling. All How do you plan to aspects of it: new culture, new accomplish that mission? foods, history, seeing things Using the Skipper’s in different perspectives, and Mission, Vision, and Guiding talking to locals. Principles statement, and his My other big passion is food. I am a pretty good cook and I love Expectations memo. We really put a lot of thought trying need things and playing into these documents and every with recipes. one of us needs to read these I don’t think that I have ever cooked my chili the same way and be familiar with them. I am also going to leverage twice! When it comes to sports, the experience and talent that I I love anything that involves have in my Department Heads. the water. I started swimming Both the Skipper and I view competitively at 8 and playing them as our leadership council water polo at 14. I challenge and expect them to play a large anyone to beat me in the swim role in the running of this portion of the PRT!
Q: A:
Q: A:
Q:
installation. Any additional pieces of But when it comes down to it, information you would like to no matter if you have the best share with readers and the base intentions, it is all bound to fail audience? if you don’t communicate. I’m excited to be back in What is one piece of your Japan and excited to be a part of vision as XO, that you want the the Atsugi leadership team.
A:
Q:
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PHOTO BY MC1(SW/AW) BARRY RILEY
Practice Makes Perfect CVW-5 Completes Deployment Preparations On Iwo To
Story by Natalie stamey
NAF ATSUGI PUBLIC AFFAIRS
In a remote stretch of the Pacific Ocean, on the isolated and historic island of Iwo To (formerly Iwo Jima) the roar of jet engines can be heard cycling repeatedly from take-off through landing. This evolution, known as Field
Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) occurs annually on Iwo To and is a vital training requirement conducted by Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 prior to every deployment. “FCLP ensures pilots are capable of meeting the high level of precision required to land aboard the aircraft carrier safely,” said Commander
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Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations Cmdr. John Pitta. “While the landing area on a carrier is 200 meters long, only roughly 50 meters of that space will result in an aircraft stopping by grabbing an arresting wire.” To complete FCLP, a pilot must successfully execute a series of
touch-and-go landings similar to arresting on an aircraft carrier. Each landing is graded by a Landing Signal Officer (LSO), a pilot who is specially trained to make evaluations on approaches and arrestments. Landing cycles take place during the day, but must also launch at night, giving aviators the experience of operating in total darkness. “How dark it is here mimics the night conditions very well because there’s not much ambient light, just blackness. This is as close as we can get to what the carrier is like at night,” said Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 Lead LSO Lt. Taylor Oakes. Carrier night operations test the limits of an aviator’s skills when pilots face the most difficult and dangerous conditions, according to Pitta. “Landing on the ship at night and in bad weather is incredibly hard. That is one reason why the United States is the only country that does this. That is also why we train so long and so hard at night,” he explained. Oakes stressed that completing FCLPs in the most realistic conditions of an aircraft carrier helps pilots and LSOs fully prepare for the
Landing Signal Officers Evaluate Jet approaches from inside the LSO Shack. rigors they will face on deployment. “We are building muscle memory with each bounce and the ability to know exactly what to do in each individual circumstance as it’s presented to us,” said Oakes. Pitta echoed that practicing in Iwo To allows pilots to hone the same skills they need for specialized flight operations they conduct while out to sea. “We can fly the same carrier flight pattern here, which is low altitude and slower, things we aren’t able to do back on mainland Japan. This improves the quality of our training and the safety of our pilots,” he explained. Oakes added that in addition
to safety, FCLP also builds a partnership between the LSOs and aviators as they prepare to deploy. “We develop a trust and a understanding of how each other works in order to ensure that both LSO and pilot are feeling confident behind the boat, which is one of the most hazardous areas,” he explained. CVW 5 will embark upon its summer deployment aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington en route to San Diego to complete a hull swap with aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). Upon completion, CVN-76 will return to its new home port of Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan.
An F/A18F from VFA 102 makes an approach during Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) on Iwo To.
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PHOTO BY MC1(SW/AW) BARRY RILEY PHOTOS BY NATALIE STAMEY
SPRINGFRIENDSHIP FESTIVAL
Aviation Maintenance Administration 1st Class Yerovi Sangurima, left, and Yeoman 2nd Class Neil Apodaca, both of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51, prepare barbecue sandwiches for their booth at NAF Atsugi’s Spring Festival.
PHOTO BY MC3 RYAN GREENE
More than 60,000 Japanese guests enter NAF Atsugi’s main gate to attend the annual Spring Festival.
PHOTO BY MC3 JASON BAWGUS
PHOTO BY MC3 JASON BAWGUS
2015
Guests view static displays of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 aircraft during NAF Atsugi’s annual Spring Festival on the flight line. 12
PHOTO BY MC3 RYAN GREENE PHOTO BY MC3 RYAN GREENE
PHOTO BY MC3 RYAN GREENE
Aviators from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 wave to photographers during NAF Atsugi’s annual Spring Festival.
Lt Ron Willis of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW 115) poses withg a Japanese guest for a photo at NAF Atsugi’s annual Spring festival.
A customer views an assortment of command coins at a booth during NAF Atsugi’s annual Spring Festival.
PHOTO BY MC3 JASON BAWGUS
PHOTO BY MC3 RYAN GREENE
Japanese guests visit Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77’s booth at NAF Atsugi’s annual Spring Festival.
Army Specialist Lebron Holden and Specialist Amber Keppol, from the 88th Military Police Detachment at Camp Zama, pose for a picture with local Japanese nationals at NAF Atsugi’s Spring Festival.
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DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
Naval Air Facility Atsugi
Command Administrative Department How do you describe your department’s How do the services you provide support the primary mission? command’s mission? Provide support to the Commanding Officer and Executive Staff to ensure that administrative requirements are maintained, executed and in compliance with applicable directives and higher authority. Assist tenant commands, when able, with short term administrative support to accomplish tasking from higher authority.
The multitude of administrative requirements that a major overseas installation is responsible for require an effective tracking, tasking and managing system. The Command Administrative Department provides this service to the commanding officer in support of the commands mission.
What can you tell us about your department that others may not know?
What primary services do you provide?
General correspondence processing, directives issuance and review, routing and staffing of command correspondence request chits, personnel actions, special pays, officer programs, special programs, performance reports, military and civilian awards and personnel orders issuance using DTS.
NAF Atsugi is the only Region Japan installation with a USCS (Civilian) Administrative Officer.
What are you department hours?
0630-1730 with the duty Yeomen on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support the command mission.
“Our Administrative department is a team of professionals whose skills and experiences -- from our Administrative Officer, Enlisted staff, and MLCs and contractors -- ensure that NAF Atsugi meets every administrative requirement. They are the professionals who make sure your EVAL or FITREP is correct and properly submitted, awards are processed and entered into service records, that special requests are properly routed around our distributed command, and that base installation communications and documents are correct. They are the ‘operating system’ that allows all other functions to take place in support of our mission.”
Capt. John F. Bushey
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CO, NAF Atsugi
COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
SAVED ROUNDS
PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE NAF ATSUGI COMMUNITY
VFA-27 CDR CHARLES S. ABBOT CMC RUDY JOHNSON AM1 ANDREW OCHIENG AEAN ROMAN RODRIGEZ AME2 JOHN BORMANN AO1 RICARDO DELACRUZ ATAN TYLER DRAKE LSSN WILLIAM BLACKWELL ADAN JOHN NGUYEN AO2 ANDREA HUSBANDS AT1 MARK BRUMMERSTEDT AD3 MICHAEL GROISSL
PHOTO BY NATALIE STAMEY
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF VOLUNTEERS WHO WERE ASSISTANT LANGUAGE TEACHERS AT TERAO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (JANMAR 2015)
Students from Shirley Lanham Elementary School learned the art of Taiko drumming during the school’s annual Culture Day.
HSM-51 AE1 MICHAEL KIERNAN
PHOTO BY MC3 RYAN GREENE
AIROPS IC2 STEVEN WEST ABEAA KIARA DAVIS ABE2 KLEIBERT DIAZEVOLI NAF Atsugi Commanding Officer Captain John Bushey speaks to a group of children during the base-wide Pre-Deployment Resource Fair.
NAVSUP SITE ATSUGI LS2 PENNY ADAM
THANK YOU!
PHOTO BY MC3 JASON BAWGUS
CIV/SPOUSE NINA CONROY MARIA DELACRUZ JAMES SLADE PAM SLADE ASUKA AKAMINE KIERNAN YUKO PALMER PIPER BRUMMERSTEDT
Sailors participate in an all-hands base cleanup during an Earth Day celebration at NAF Atsugi 15