Skywriter — November/December 2022

Naval Air Facility Atsugi

November/December 2022

Thanksgiving at the Far East Cafe

MWR Atsugi's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

What’s Inside...

Acting Public Affairs Officer Greg Mitchell Editor Greg Mitchell Skywriter Staff MC1 Richard Gourley MC2 Olivier Clement MC2 Rafael Avelar

NAF Atsugi Celebrates Thanksgiving PG. 4

Public Affairs Staff Ikumi Tanaka Maika Fujisaki

Newly Commissioned JMSDF Officers Visit NAF Atsugi

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Facebook.com/naf.atsugi

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

MWR Atsugi's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony PG. 8

CHECK OUT OUR LATEST LEADERSHIP GUIDANCE VIDEO

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ONLINE

On The Cover

Front Cover: CS2 Theodore Jones Carves a turkey during the Far East Cafe's Thanksgiving Meal. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Rafael Avelar) Back Cover: NAF Atsugi Community members pose for a photo during the Annual MWR Atsugi Tree Lighting Ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Rafael Avelar)

CMDCM CORNER W i t h C o m m a n d M a s t e r C h i e f We b a R o b e r t s

Shipmates, The Liberty Center in BLDG 77 is an amazing venue for our single and unaccompanied Sailors. They have video games, movies and a theater area, you can check out laptops and other electronic equipment, and they also provide free dinner once a month. They also have old school video games ready available to play upon entering.

They have activities and events every week including free Japanese classes.

Sailors also utilize the staff for help with everything from college homework to helping to find cheap airline tickets to the US. One of the best services they provide is tours at a very discounted price.

Unfortunately, some of these tours get cancelled because Sailors don't sign up by the required date. Please help utilize the center and go and check out all the services they provide!

November 11, 1920

November 28, 1775 Birthday of the Chaplain Corps after Congress adopts the first Rules for Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies.

Lenah S. Higbee becomes the first woman to be awarded the Navy Cross for her service as a nurse in World War I.

December 1, 1945

On This Day...

Capt. Sue S. Dauser, Navy Nurse Corps, receives the first Distinguished Service Medal awarded to a nurse for her leadership of Navy nurses during World War II.

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December 21, 1861

Congress authorizes the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military award, for Naval enlisted personnel.

Thanksgiving 2022

Capt. Manning Montagnet and Command Master Chief Weba Roberts served Thanksgiving meals to Sailors, their families, and other NAF Atsugi community members Nov. 24, 2022 over at the Far East Café Galley during a special meal hosted by the Galley Staff in celebration of Thanksgiving day.

U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Avelar

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YOUR relationship should be free from fear, control or harm.

Do you know your OPTIONS?

GET HELP for you or a friend at militaryonesource.mil/UnitedAgainst.

The Atsugi Family Advocacy Program (FAP) Office – 315-264-4188 The Atsugi Fleet and Family Support Center – 315-264-3372

For immediate help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or your nearest Family Advocacy Program office.

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Newly commissioned JMSDF officers visit Naval Air Facility Atsugi NAF Atsugi Public Affairs Office

NAF ATSUGI, Japan - Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi welcomed newly-commissioned Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) officers as apart of a command familiarization brief conducted in the command headquarters building, Dec. 7.

In all, a total of 29 officers hailing from the JMSDF 203rd Air Training Squadron from Chiba Prefecture were in attendance. Each officer is currently in training on the Lockheed P-3 Orion platform, and upon completion of the program will then proceed to their next duty station.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Rafael Avelar Cmdr. Zathan Baker, executive officer, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan briefs newly commissioned officers attached to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force 203rd Air Training Squadron from Chiba Prefecture, Japan on NAF Atsugi’s mission and vision during their visit onboard the installation.

NAF Atsugi Executive Officer, Cmdr. Zathan Baker provided the brief, which covered various aspects of the installation, ranging from an introduction of facilities, it's history, to include the purpose and mission of it tenant commands, mainly those of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, HSM-51 and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12.

receive this opportunity to learn about this installation is a huge plus for them, said JMSDF Fleet Air Wing Four Public Affairs Officer, Lt. Takumi Fukumoto, who also coordinated the visit.

"My hope is that each of these officers walk away feeling a since of wanting to engage more with U.S. Sailors to help further deepen our relationship with each other."

"I remember back when I was a newly-commissioned Ensign, I did not know much about NAF Atsugi, so for these officers to

Upon completion of the presentation, Baker shared his experience as a pilot of both rotary and fixed-wing platforms,

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then conducted a question and answer session.

"What I hope the officers gain from this experience is the fact that NAF Atsugi is a shared and collaborative effort between the U.S. and Japan and that we need each other's support to complete our missions here in the area of responsibility," said Baker.

For those in attendance, the brief enabled them to learn much more about NAF Atsugi than they bargained for.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Rafael Avelar Cmdr. Zathan Baker, executive officer, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan briefs newly commissioned officers attached to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force 203rd Air Training Squadron from Chiba Prefecture, Japan on NAF Atsugi’s mission and vision during their visit onboard the installation.

"Prior to coming here I was already somewhat familiar with NAF Atsugi, but todays' brief further deepened my understanding about the base and its capabilities, and one example would be the US' ability to provide disaster relief to the magnitude that it can," said Ens. Reina Saito, who is from Osaka, Japan.

possibly be at NAF Atsugi or another base with US service members.

Furthermore, Saito said that she was looking forward to her next duty station which could

NAF Atsugi has been home to Sailors and their families for nearly 60 years and is part of

"In the near future, I want to not only experience working alongside our US Navy counterparts, but also to make friends, practice my English and share cultural exchange," said Saito.

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the only permanently forward deployed, co-located Air Wing, Carrier Air Wing Five. NAF Atsugi supports 26 award winning tenant commands, with a focus on guaranteeing mission accomplishment, while also ensuring the success of the command community and youth programs.

MWR Atsugi's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Capt. Manning Montagnet was joined by our very own Santa over at Taylor Field Nov. 30, 2022 as he flipped a switch turning on our HUGE Christmas tree to be lit all season long, kicking off the holiday season with musical performances by the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, s’mores, refreshments, and more!

U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Avelar & Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ange Olivier Clement

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(NAFA SARC – Shacquanda Clark)

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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER RELIGIOUS MINISTRY TEAM

Welcome to the Chapel of the Good Shepherd,

Naval Air Facility Atsugi's installation chapel, the most distinctly Japanese-style building on the installation. Please take a moment to review some of the programs and services the Command Religious Program (CRP) has to offer for Sailors and the community.

COMMAND CHAPLAIN LCDR J. D. Rozendaal (Evangelical) RELIGIOUS PROGRAM SPECIALISTS RP1 (FMF/IW/SW/AW) K. L. Castaneda RP2 (FMF) T. P. Bellagamba

Worship services are held in the Chapel, Bldg. 79, on the corner of Sherman Ave. and Oriskany St. Our Administrative offices are located in NAFA HQ, Bldg. 949's first deck, accross from the Atsugi Fleet and Family Support Center. Our Office hours are Monday - Friday 0730-1630

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CREDO WORKSHOPS/ TRAINING

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Praise & Worship Teams • Youth & Children's Programs • Various Charity Support •

Operation Feed the Homeless Operation Taste of Home Operation Care Package

WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday

• 1000 – Coffee & Fellowship • 1100 – NAFA Community Christian Service

(Nursery and Children's Chapel Available) Children's Church ages 3rd-5th Grade

Marriage Enrichment Relationship Enhancement Personal Growth Resiliency Suicide Prevention Suicide Intervention Personality Assessment Self-Awareness Asssessment

SMALL GROUP MINISTRIES

Friday

• 1200 – 1 Friday Roman Catholic Mass st

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(1st Friday of every month)

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MONDAY 1000 – Women's Group Study (Childcare Available)

1900 – Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting TUESDAY: 1000 – Roman Catholic Women's Study (Childcare Available)

• 1700 – Roman Catholic Mass

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Need to talk..?

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1700 – Youth Group (5th - 12th grade) WEDNESDAY 1930 – Roman Catholic Evening Prayer

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SATURDAY 0800 – Men's Group Study

Our Chaplain, Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Rozendaal, has an open door policy. Please feel free to stop by any time. You can also schedule an appointment by calling 264-3202, or by speaking with a chapel staff member. if you have emergent needs after hours, please call the Duty Chaplain at 080-5026-6358 for assistance.

Chapel Offices – 264-3202 / 0467-63-3202 24/7 Duty Chaplain – 080-5026-6358 M-AT-NAF-CHAPEL@OCONUS.NAVY.MIL www.facebook.com/ChapeloftheGoodShepherdNAFAtsugi

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Contact our office or visit our Facebook page for other available virtual programs!

Santa Claus and the NAF Atsugi Chaplain's Office delivered presents to children at the Mominoki-en school for the disabled in Ayase Dec. 13, 2022. The Chapel of the Good Shepherd has been visiting Mominoki-en with Santa to deliver gifts donated by the NAF Atsugi community in the spirit of Christmas for over 35 years!

U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rafael Avelar

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

Navy Medical Readiness & Training Unit Atsugi "Here to serve with care."

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The Final Word WITH NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI COMMANDING OFFICER

CAPT. J. M. MONTAGNET NAF Atsugi community,

Recent changes have been made to the USFJ liberty policy. These changes are in effect, and some of them are substantial. The biggest things to take away from the policy changes are that curfew is now age-based and no longer rank-based. So, if you are 19 years of age or below, you are subject to curfew between the hours of 1:00 am and 5:00 am. Also, there is no longer a liberty buddy program requirement for any personnel.

Another important change is the prohibition of the public consumption of alcohol between 0100 and 0500 for all personnel off-installation. So, please don't drink alcohol from 0100 to 0500 when you are out in town.

This does not apply if you are in an off-installation residence, quarters, or a hotel room. These are all very important things for all of us to keep in mind when out in town.

We also want everyone to please be aware that changes or additions to this policy can be made by each installation commanding officer; so individual bases may have slightly different or more stringent rules. At this time, I do not plan to do so. So, the USFJ policy is the same for NAFA. So with that in mind, there are plenty of opportunities for us all to go out and have an amazing time while serving here in Japan. When doing so, please remember that all of us have an obligation to ourselves and to the citizens of the host nation to be responsible for our conduct ashore. This begins with making sound decisions while on liberty and remaining cognizant of our surroundings and also remembering how important it is for us to just be good shipmates and look out for our buddies' best interests!

In closing, I would like to say that 2022 has been a great year for team NAFA and the entire world as we begin to return to normal. I just wanted to take a moment to thank every one of you for all that you do for the Navy, our community, and our host nation during this festive time of the year. During this year, we invited our neighbors back in to celebrate the Wings of Spring, our Red, White, and Boom 4th of July event, and Bon Odori. We celebrated promotions, retirements, and commissioning's. We welcomed Ambassadors, Mayors, and Admirals. And we supported the fleet, all of our Sailors, co-workers, and their families.

We could not be prouder of all of the hard work, dedication, and achievements that our Sailors and civilian employees exemplify every day here at NAF Atsugi. Because of your commitment, we have maintained our good health and continued to be mission-ready this year. We hope that everyone will be able to celebrate with their loved ones, if not in person, then virtually and may this holiday season bring you tidings of comfort and joy.

So, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to all, and we'll see you in 2023!

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

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