Skywriter - May 1, 2016

What’s Inside...

Public Affairs Officer Howard Sam Samuelson Editor MC3 Jason C. Bawgus

Remembering the Past

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Skywriter Staff MC3 Jason C. Bawgus MC3 Ryan G. Greene MCSN Matthew Duncker Host Nation Relations Masako Takakura

Hitting the Mats

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Sumie Maruyama Ikumi Tanaka Webmaster Noriko Yamazaki Facebook.com/naf.atsugi

Chippy Ho

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ON THE COVER NAF ATSUGI HOSTED THE FIRST TAG-OUT SEXUAL ASSAULT SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT. THIS COVER SHOWS THE BRACELETS ALL PLAYERS RECEIVED TO REMIND THEM THAT PREVENTING SEXUAL ASSAULT IS A 24 HOUR JOB (PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MC3 JASON C. BAWGUS)

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Turning the Page

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

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PHOTO BY MCSN MATTHEW DUNCKER

Pictured left is a karate class held at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi in 1986. Pictured below Information Systems Technician 1st Class Chris Lauer, left, assigned to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Detachment Atsugi, participates in a grappling exercise with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) competitor Nate “Rock” Quarry during a mixed-martial arts clinic at NAF (NAF) Atsugi’s Halsey Gym.

REMEMBERING THE FALLEN under extreme difficulties during war time and yet paid respect to the deceased B-29 crew, disregarding whether enemies or friends,” Arai said.

Arai, who was born in 1945, said he feels a life-long connection to the event.

“I feel somehow related to this whole story, as I was born in 1945 and am a Buddhist monk now who has been blessed with the friendship from American service members and civilians I met at NAF Atsugi.”

Local historian Ken Kokubo, who has researched the B-29 crash, said he expressed his hope that the memorial service would provide an opportunity to learn from history.

“As many of the villagers age, they try to pass on the story and history to a younger generation,” said Kokubo.

The memorial still draws approximately 150 residents each year and is conducted in both Buddhism and Christianity. Kokubo-san has devoted much of his research to collecting important documents associated with the B-29, and the crash, and converting them to electronic format to preserve them.

Story by h. sam samuelson

NAF Atsugi Public Affairs Officer

Residents of the small village of Ryujin here gather each year in May to memorialize and pay respect to the deceased crew of a B-29 Superfortress that crashed near the village in May 1945.

The B-29, attached to the 871st Squadron, 497th Bombardment Group, 73rd Bombardment Wing, crashed May 5, 1945. Seven crew members perished.

Residents of Ryujin Mura performed a respectful burial and later erected a memorial monument on the site. A memorial service has been held at the crash site since then, each year, on May 5th.

A former NAF Atsugi Master Labor Contract employee, Shinzaburo Arai – who retired from the Public Works Department and pursued the study and practice of Buddhism – learned about the annual memorial service while visiting a monastic center in Koyasan and said he was moved by the village residents’ compassion.

“I was moved by the fact that there were people like those villagers who did not lose their humanity

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PRE DEPLOYMENT FAIR

GEARING UP FOR DEPLOYMENT Commissary and American Red Cross.

“This fair is definitely kid-centric,” said Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) Work and Family Life Relocation Manager Sarah Devine-Powell. “What’s great is that each year we have the opportunity to provide kids with the tools and resources we have to help with their parents’ departure and lengthy separations.”

The NAF-Atsugi FFSC hosts more than a dozen family, pre and post deployment and readiness classes and seminars for both children and adults.

“We’re hoping to demonstrate to both parents and children that what’s important here is communication,” Devine-Powell added. “This summer will be my husband’s third deployment from NAF Atsugi, and I’ve learned that keeping those lines of communication open are vital, and a lot of that help came from FFSC.” For the approximately 200 adults and children who attended the event, many expressed thankfulness and gratitude for the opportunity to assemble one place and learn more about what they can expect and identify the resources they can use for more help and information.

If you’re interested in learning more about the PreDeployment Fair, or any of the other deploymentrelated activities coming up in the next few months, please stop by or call NAF Atsugi’s FFSC at 264-3372.

Story by mc3 ryan greene

NAF Atsugi Public Affairs Office

Each year the Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi community hosts a Pre-Deployment Fair at the Shirley Lanham Elementary School.

The event is typically in April, before Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Five departs NAF Atsugi for USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), and focuses on addressing upcoming changes for children and gives their parents tools for dealing with deployments and separation.

“Today we’re focusing on the dynamics experienced by our children when mom or dad deploy,” said NAF Atsugi Commanding Officer Capt. John Bushey.

“Deployment is a difficult time for children; however, talking with our kids about deployment will help them to understand why their parents’ deployment is so significant. This event is a good opportunity for parents and children to talk about deployment and to collect more information on the services and organizations around base that can help them, if and when they may need it.”

Every year, the FFSC hosts the event to help explain what deployment is, why it’s important and what children can expect while one of their parents are gone. This year, more than ten different onbase organizations participated in the event ranging from NAF Atsugi’s Naval Security Forces to the

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KNUCKLE UP Story and Photo By MCSN Matthew Duncker

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n Halsey Gymnasium there is a small, unassuming room that unless you knew to look for, you wouldn’t be aware it existed. The floor is covered with blue mats and the walls are lined with posters from exhibitions that have long since passed.

Students begin warming up in preparation for this evening’s lesson. This is the combat room and tonight people are here to learn the fighting arts of Judo and Jujutsu.

Since January 2015, Information Systems Technician 1st Class Chris Lauer, assigned to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Far East Detachment Atsugi, who is trained in wrestling, Muay Thai kickboxing, Judo and Jujutsu, has held sessions four nights a week at Halsey Gym’s combat room. He offers his experience and expertise on the sport to help his students advance in their practices.

Lauer, who has lived in Japan the last 13 years, began training in the martial arts when he was in high-school, and wanted to train and compete in mixed martial arts in Japan since he was a teenager.

“When I originally enlisted I was already fighting professionally,” said Lauer. “Mixed-martial arts wasn’t mainstream yet like it is today, the sport was still in its infancy and the one place where it was mainstream at the time was Japan.”

Lauer said that in Japan he gravitated towards the martial arts and folk fighting styles that seemed familiar to him the most due to his background in wrestling.

“Wrestling is a grappling-based fighting style and most countries with traditional fighting arts, like Japan, have a something similar to that,” said Lauer. “So when I came here and began training in Judo and Jujutsu I was able to acclimate myself because of that experience.”

Judo and Jujutsu are sports that teach self-defense techniques such as throws, joint locks and grappling techniques while instilling discipline and a strong work ethic in the practitioner.

This is the first time at Atsugi that Lauer has had the opportunity, space and time to coach. He has taken full advantage of the opportunity.

“I just love the art and want to share what I know with everyone,” said Lauer. “So when I was dealing with MWR, I wanted to get all the pre-requisite paperwork done and get started right away.”

Lauer’s passion for mentorship and instructing his students is what keeps him going back to the mat each day eager to teach others all the knowledge he has accumulated over the years.

“I’m here to put people on a path that’s their own individual journey,” said Lauer. “If you want to come in and learn the basics, build upon that and practice your technique, I’m here every week to get you started and to train with you; I’ll be here to help.”

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ATSUGI TEAMS UP TO TAG-OUT

SEXUAL ASSAULT

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Story by mc3 jason c. bawgus

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NAF Atsugi Public Affairs Office

ailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Marines from across Japan gathered at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s Ranger Field to take part in the first Tag-Out Sexual Assault Softball Tournament on April 16.

Teams from NAF Atsugi; Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY); Yakota Air Base; Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji; U.S. Army Garrison Japan Camp Zama and Misawa Air Base came together to help raise awareness for sexual assault victims and improve comradery among the services by playing in a softball tournament.

“I was approached earlier in the year and asked if I thought we could put together a local softball tournament in April, to raise sexual assault awareness, and make it something that people could look forward to in the future,” said Master-At-Arms 2nd Class Justin Hamilton, assigned to Naval Security Forces Atsugi.

“The idea really took off once I began to talk to some of the local coaches. Soon I was getting calls from all over Japan wanting to know if they could come play in the tournament.”

Ten teams with over 150 participants showed up for the two day tournament at Ranger Field which was started with a home run derby which CFAY’s Lt. Juan “Chaps”

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Adriatico won after hitting more than 15 homeruns in the three-round event and walked away with a brand new bat as his prize.

“Sexual assault is a very important issue that we can never stress enough,” said Adriatico. “Getting to play softball all weekend is great, but remembering why we are playing is what is most important.”

Teams started playing Saturday Apr.16 at 8 a.m. and finished at 8 p.m. that night with the Atsugi Jokers and Yokota’s JTF Pacific emerging undefeated.

“We are all out here to have fun but friendly competition always makes things better and hopefully will draw out more teams in the future,” said Hamilton. “I still can’t believe that the guys from Misawa Air Base drove 10 hours just to play; it just goes to show that people will come out and support a good cause.”

It’s hard to have a softball tournament without officials or a field and volunteers to help make everything go smoothly.

“I would really like to thank NAF Atsugi’s Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Frank Hawkins, NAF Atsugi Morale Welfare & Recreation, Liberty Program and James Smith for helping me put all of this together,” said Hamilton. “Hopefully this was the first of many events and we will continue to see a sexual assault awareness grow in the military until it has been completely erased.”

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SAVING FOR TOMMOROW Story by mcsn matthew duncker

NAF Atsugi Public Affairs Office

Planning for retirement can be a daunting task for service members. With the increased cost of living, unpredictable stock market, and rising inflation rates it’s easy to get lost on the road to a stable financial future. But there is help.

NAF Atsugi’s Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) offers a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and investing class each month to help Sailors understand and develop plans for their future.

The TSP is a federal, government-sponsored, retirement savings and investment plan offered to all service members. The purpose of the program is to invest a portion of income each pay period for retirement. The money put into the TSP program is deducted automatically from a service member’s pay at an amount or percentage they control.

“TSP is a great investment savings tool for a service member’s retirement,” said FFSC’s Personal Financial Advisor Brad Morgan. “Most people put money into it but still don’t know where 11

their income is going or how it’s being invested.”

Morgan said that the class’s goal is to better educate service members about TSP and different investment plans the program is comprised of.

The TSP works like a mutual fund. Money is taken from a paycheck before taxes are withdrawn, deposited into an account, and invested in certain companies at different risk levels depending on the preference of account holder.

“The class is here to inform Sailors about the different investment funds to put money into in order for it to grow for retirement,” said Morgan.

“Funds range from financially conservative, lowinterest and climb to ones that yield larger gained interest based on risk and time horizons. It’s up to the service member to choose which one is right for them, and that’s the purpose of the class” Whether saving for now, or later, TSP offers an opportunity for service members to have a chance to invest in their future.

For those interested in signing up for the class or for more information please call Fleet and Family Support Center at 264-3628/3372.

THE STORY OF THE DAMBUSTERS

several other aircraft – attacked the dam with conventional bombs, also failing to meet mission objectives.

Realizing the futility of continuing with free fall ordnance, Lt. Cmdr.

Carlson recalled the Princeton and had a compliment of Mk 13 torpedoes onboard.

Following a frantic search to locate the forgotten torpedoes, and a crash course on loading and employing them, the next day Lt. Cmdr. Carlson and three other VA-195 aircraft launched, along with twelve F4U Corsair escort fighters from Fighter Squadron (VF) 192 and VF-193.

After a daring run through North Korean valleys while dodging anti-aircraft fire

Story by CDR GUY SNODGRASS VFA-195 COMMANDING OFFICER

In April 1951, Rear Admiral Ralph A. Oftsie, Commander, Carrier Task Force 77, learned Chinese forces had launched a spring offensive into South Korea. To stall the Chinese offensive and retake the initiative, Rear Admiral Oftsie ordered the USS Princeton (CV 37) and Air Group Nineteen to destroy two floodgates on the Hwachon Reservoir Dam, a giant hydroelectric plant located on the Pukhan River, to provide a steady flow of water into the valley below and slow the Chinese advance.

The problem was the target itself.

The dam, 240-feet thick at its base and with both faces reinforced by rock, had defied numerous attempts made by B-29 Superfortresses and AD-1 Skyraiders carrying 2,000-pound bombs, which bounced harmlessly off the sides before detonating. Lt. Cmdr. Harold “Swede” Carlson, Attack Squadron 195’s (VA195) Commanding Officer, was given the responsibility of completing the mission and on April 30, 1951 – along with 12

to reach the reservoir side of the dam, all four Skyraiders released two torpedoes apiece, with six torpedoes successfully finding their way to the floodgates, flooding the valley below and slowing the Chinese advance.

Based on the resounding success of the raid, the “TIGERS” of VA195 were renamed the “DAMBUSTERS”, which remains their squadron callsign to this day.

2016 marks the 65th anniversary of the renowned Hwachon Reservoir Dam strike, a daring mission underpinned by ingenuity and a laser-like focus on mission accomplishment. As Mark Twain famously said, “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” Now, as in 1951, the “DAMBUSTERS” of Strike Fighter Squadron

195 continue a legacy of innovation and success, underpinned by the hard work, determination, and relentless pursuit of excellence exhibited by each Sailor.

“Chippy Ho!”

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PHOTO BY MC1 BARRY RILEY

DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT

Naval Air Facility Atsugi

Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Detachment Something special...

How do you describe your department’s primary mission?

AIMD Atsugi is gaining additional capabilities with the Airborne Low Frequency System for H-60 aircraft. Currently a team is installing the first piece of test equipment which has been a multi-year process. Once AIMD gains capability it will enhance readiness and cost savings for the Navy. The gear is complex and currently working with Fleet Readiness Center South West and Program Management Office 299 getting command technicians trained. There are only three sites in the world that will have this capability.

Our primary mission is to provide intermediate level aircraft maintenance and support services to Naval Air Forces deployed to the Western Pacific.

How do the services you provide support the command’s mission?

We provide Intermediate Level maintenance which consists of calibration, repair or replacement of damaged unserviceable components, engines or assemblies, and provision of technical assistance to customer organizations, primarily HSM-51 and other H-60 helicopter squadrons deployed in the AOR.

HOW CAN YOUR CUSTOMERS REACH YOU? We are located in Building 194.

What primary services do you provide and who are your primary DSN: 264-2463 customers?

COMM: 0467-63-2463 Our mission is to provide the best possible support to our customers through the efficient utilization of manpower, material, facilities, and financial resources.

Effective communication, and coordination with our customers and the chain of command enhances the overall mission readiness and command goals. AIMD uses AIRSpeed methodologies and the seven elements of performance improvement: productivity, effectiveness, efficiency, quality, innovation, budget oversight, and quality of work/life to meet goals

HOW DO YOU ROUND OUT THE OVERALL VALUE ROLE OF AIMD... WHAT IS YOUR DEPARTMENT’S OVERALL RAISON D’ETRE? Value can be described in various ways but the overall goal is to ensure supply shelf stock is available to customers 24/7 to meet the operational demands of Forward Deployed Naval Forces in keeping our country and allies equipped and ready.

What can you tell us about your department/group that others may not know?

We are the Navy’s largest and most diverse overseas Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

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

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

VAQ 141 Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker paid a visit to Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi to discuss THE VOLUNTEER GROUP THIS MONTH WAS GREATER area operations, leadership and responsibility during an all hands THAN THE SPACE AVAILABLE call on the base.

TO LIST BY NAME. THE Following that, he visited Electronic FOLLOWING COMMANDS Attack (VAQ) Squadron 141 to preside over the squadron’s Battle PROVIDED SIGNIFICANT ‘E’ presentation ceremony in the VOLUNTEER SUPPORT: squadron’s hangar. Shoemaker was touring the 7th Fleet as part of an AIMD annual fleet engagement to forward 5 SAILORS deployed naval forces.

- LT Travis Alsup ASD 3 SAILORS CNATT 4 SAILORS CVW-5 3 SAILORS VRC-30 5 SAILORS HSM-77 12 SAILORS NAFA 2 SAILORS NAVSUP FLC 1 SAILORS PUBLIC WORKS 3 SAILOR BHC 1 SAILOR

THANK YOU!

VAW-115 The Commanding Officer, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), Captain Christopher E. Bolt, recently completed and recorded his final operational flight from NAF Atsugi, Japan, in an E-2C Hawkeye attached to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW-115). VAW-115 is scheduled to deploy for the last time with USS Ronald Reagan before the squadron rotates back to the United States later in 2016.

- LTJG Eric Herold VFA-195 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 recently greeted Iwakuni, Japan, Mayor Yoshihiko Fukuda during a recent visit to NAF Atsugi. Mayor Fukuda’s visit to the squadron was part of a greater area visit to both Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka and NAF Atsugi to familiarize himself with local partnerships and relations with local communities. Iwakuni is home to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and the future home of elements of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5.

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CNATT Air Traffic Controller Chief Dennis Fain, with the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Detachment (CNATT) NAF Atsugi was selected a winner of the annual Japan Zenkokai community service award. Fain was elected for his efforts leading 28 community relations projects in support of both Zama and Yamato cities, for a total 1,440 hours volunteer community service.

Branch Health Clinic NAF Atsugi Branch Health Clinic is joining Navy Medicine world-wide to celebrate National Nurses’ Week, May 6th to 12th. Celebrations will conclude with the official recognition of the 108th birthday of the Navy Nurse Corps on May 13th.

The recognition is an opportunity to demonstrate appreciation of more than 4,000 men and women who protect the health and interests of our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, and family members around the world. BHC Atsugi has partnered with the DAISY Foundation, an international program that recognizes extraordinary nurses.

- LT Amanda Jimenez Myers

“Great Green Fleet” USS John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG), centerpiece for the U.S. Navy’s Great Green Fleet (GGF), joined the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and the Republic of Korea air force and navy to participate in Maritime Counter Special Operations Force (MCSOF) exercise, as part of the annual Foal Eagle (FE16) exercise that wrapped up March 24 on the Korean peninsula and surrounding waters.

Here is the 1st Grade winner of the Earth Day Poster Competition held at Shirley Lanham Elementary School