Issuu

FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015

Eye on the Fleet

INDIAN OCEAN

VOL. 26 NO. 30

WWW.CNIC.NAVY.MIL/KEYWEST NAVAL AIR STATION KEY WEST, FLORIDA

Online appointments leave ID card walk-ins waiting From NAS Key West Public Affairs

(July 17th, 2015) Sailors fire at targets during a M-9 small-arms certification exercise on the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48). Ashland is in the Indian Ocean participating in Talisman Sabre 2015, a bilateral exercise intended to train Australian and U.S. forces.

U.S. Navy photo by MC3 David Cox

inside: 35 YEARS Hayes recognized . . . . . . . . . 3 THE SURVEY SAYS Seabees teach scouts . . . . 5 EXPANDING CWVC mission. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ENERGY TIP: Do laundry at off-peak times, like early morning or late evening, to save energy costs. TOP OF PAGE ONE: An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the “Black Eagles of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, takes off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

lan on dropping in at the Naval Air Station Key West ID Card Lab to get your military ID or Common Access Card updated?

Forget it. “Those days are gone,” said Annyce Brauch, site manager at the facility, located in Bldg. A-324 on Boca Chica Field. After Identity Card Services initiated on-line appointments about

a year ago, the number of walk-in opportunities has been declining, she said. In the past two months appointments have dominated the lab’s schedule, leaving walk-ins shut out. “We saw 35 people the other

day,” Brauch said. “A walk-in may have to wait two or three hours.” She said she will work to assist those who absolutely need to be seen, as long as they come in early. see id card page 8

Lobster mini-season starts Wednesday From NAS Key West Public Affairs

xpect traffic to pick up even more this weekend as lobster lovers converge on the Keys for the annual spiny lobster mini-season, Wednesday and Thursday. Sigsbee Marina is open extended hours, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., and has boat rentals and boat fuel for authorized users. The marina also is selling a lobster kit with a net, gloves, tickle stick and gauge, and the lobster hotel to hold the catch while underwater. Boca Chica Marina is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Although neither marina sells the required saltwater and lobster fishing licenses, both have the Florida Fish and Wildlife pamphlets outlining the regulations. “The licenses can be purchased easily online,” said Billie Adkins, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Site One Business Activities director. The website is http://myfwc.com/ license. A salt water fishing license costs $17 annually or $79 for a five-year license. The spiny lobster tag, which is required in addition to the fishing license, costs see bugs page 3

U.S. Navy photo by Jolene Scholl

Cmdr. Luke Barradell, who has had numerous training detachments at Boca Chica Field, is the new Naval Air Station Key West operations officer.

He’s trained here; now, new OPSO runs the airfield From NAS Key West Public Affairs

s the new operations officer for Naval Air Station Key West, Cmdr. Luke Barradell can now add running a combat air training facility to

his resume. It’s the same airfield where he has trained as a combat pilot over the past 19 years. The resume of jets he’s flown includes the F-14 Tomcat, F/A18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet and the Joint Strike Fighter

F-35C Lightning II. While OPSO he will go retro, flying a combat jet dating back to before his birth, the F-5N Tiger, which was flown in Vietnam. A 1996 graduate of the Naval see OPSO page 4

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•July 24, 2015

Snake it!

July 24 1945 - Task Force 38, commanded by Vice Adm. John S. McCain, launches strikes against the Inland Sea area, Japan, bombing Kure Naval Base and airfields at Nagoya, Osaka, and Miho.

July 25 1943 - The first Navy ship named for an African-American, USS Harmon (DE 678), is launched.

July 26 1948 - President Harry S. Truman signs Executive Order 9981, desegregating the Armed Services.

July 27 1953 - The Korean War armistice is signed at Panmunjon, Korea. The Korean cease-fire goes into effect at 10 p.m.

July 28 1973 - Skylab 3 is launched. The mission is the second to the first U.S. manned space station.

July 29 1967 - On the flight deck of USS Forrestal (CVA 59), a Zuni rocket accidentally fires from a F4-B Phantom II aircraft into a parked and armed A4-E Skyhawk, setting off explosions that kill 134 and injure 161.

July 30 1942 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the act establishing WAVES Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service.

he other week Naval Air Station Key West Public Works crews had to come to the Truman Chapel because of plumbing issues. The chapel’s kitchen sink started to drain very slowly and there was nothing I could do to unclog it. So we worked on this project together, trying to determine if the issue was in the kitchen’s plumbing or something deeper. We started to snake through the access point on the outside, but after 20 feet of snake, we went back inside to see if we missed something. Nothing worked on the inside, so we went back out. It took just over 50 feet to finally find the clog. It was dislodged and the sinks are working great. That event put an idea to my brain: How many of us have deep emotional or spiritual blocks in our lines that do not allow a healthy flow, or worse, completely clog the line? This clog in the plumbing likely built up over time. It allowed water to flow for a while, but it also continued to build up until one day it restricted the flow. And if the signs are ignored long enough, it would be only be a matter of time until the water would not drain at all. The problem could then be worse than it was before.

Some of us have issues so deep we cannot see them on the surface until they affect us on the outside, either personally or through our relationships with others. The hardest part about these issues is we may not know they are there until the symptoms surCHAPLAIN'S face. And if we CORNER ignore them long enough, they will cause a major problem in our lives. As a result, finding the root NAS Key West cause, or the Command Chaplain clog, can be difficult process. The Lt. Ethan Everts root cause could be abuse, sexual assault, trust issues, relationship issues, death/grief or something else that may be buried 50 feet within us. They usually always have an element of pain associated with them. It can take a great deal of time and patience to discover what deeper issue could be. When people come to see me, it is usually when the sink is overflowing and there is water damage everywhere. Basically, they are in crisis. And as they tell me all these symptoms, I have to sort through them all and try to find the deeper issue. And sometimes, people have blocked pain to the point that they have forgotten what has happened to them. In those cases, I have to

refer them to a licensed counselor because that is beyond my expertise. Nevertheless, I also find out there were many signs along the way that were ignored - until it became a major “blockage.” We all can have issues, no matter how “holy” our pipes may be. It just takes one event. Ask any veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder. The question is whether or not you will notice or pay attention to the signs there could be a problem. As any counselor can tell you, it is easier to work in prevention than intervention. Just know you are not alone in working through these issues. I did not have the knowledge or the tools to fix the sink at the chapel. So I called for help. You may not have the tools or the knowledge to get through these issues by yourself, so call for help - your chaplain, Fleet and Family Support Center, a mental health professional or a VA clinic. If you are spiritual, pray to God to help you as well. Either way, find someone to snake the clog. If you need a place of worship, come join us at the Truman Chapel on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. If you need work on unblocking a clog, call our offices at (305) 293-2318, Naval Air Station Key West, or (305) 292-8788, Coast Guard Sector Key West. God Bless.

Applications available now for DEFY Youth Camp From NAS Key West Public Affairs

pplications are being accepted for the DEFY Summer Camp until Wednesday. Thirteen spots are open for youth aged 9 - 12 and five spots are available for

junior staff mentors aged 13 - 17. Acceptance is on a first-come, firstserved basis. The program, sponsored by Naval Air Station Key West for military dependents, provides education, skills building and positive experiences

to encourage youth to avoid substance abuse and gang activity. The DEFY residential camp is Aug. 9 - 14 at Camp Cloverleaf, Lake Placid, Florida. The camp is free. A parent/youth orientation is from noon 1 p.m., Aug. 2, at the Sigsbee Community

Center. Applications are at Sigsbee Youth Center. For more information, call (305) 293-4868, (305) 293-4834, or (210) 793-4850. Questions may also be emailed to danile.m.gilbert.mil@ mail.mil or michelle. oconhern.ho@navy.mil.

Commanding Officer Capt. Steven P. McAlearney Executive Officer Cmdr. Pornchai Davidson PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Trice Denny EDITOR Jolene Scholl STAFF MC1 Brian Morales MC3 Cody Babin This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military service and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content of this newspaper is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Additional copy and photographs provided by the readers of the Southernmost Flyer should be addressed to: Editor, Southernmost Flyer, Public Affairs Office, Naval Air Station, Box 9001, Key West, FL 33040-9001. Copy can also be e-mailed to jolene.scholl@ navy.mil. Telephone (305) 293-2425/2434. DSN 4832425/2434. Deadline for all editorial copy is 4 p.m. the Friday preceding publication. All articles must be submitted on disk in text format, written in upper/lower case style.

July 24, 2015 •

Bugs

continued from page 1

$5 annually, or $25 for a five-year tag. So, for newbies who want to try lobstering just for the season, the cost is $23; for the committed hunter, the cost is $104 for five years. The Fish and Wildlife pamphlets available at the NAS Key West marinas list specific rules that apply to Monroe County. For example, while the spiny lobster season begins elsewhere at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, diving at night for lobster is not permitted in Monroe County and adjacent federal waters. Bully-netting and hoop-netting, however, are permitted at night. The law defines “night” as one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. Also, sport divers are prohibited from diving or snorkeling within 300 feet of improved residential

or commercial shorelines, marinas and manmade structures. That prohibition includes canals, channel markers and bridges. This exception applies to all of unincorporated Monroe County. Additionally, the no-diving rule applies for three days before the sport season and during the first five days of the regular season, which runs from Aug. 6 - March 31. Homeowners, however, are allowed to dive and snorkel in front of their property to the center line of the canal or 100 feet of open water. The bag limits are six lobsters per person in Monroe County. A recreational saltwater license and a spiny lobster permit are required and size limitations are strictly enforced by Fish and Wildlife. All regulations can be found at www.myfwc.com/ fishing/saltwater/recreational/lobster.

35 years

This Just In… The 9th Bomb Squadron, flying the B1-B Lancer, is scheduled to arrive at Naval Air Station Key West this week and the squadron has offered to give base military members, DOD civilians and their family members a closer look. Those interested in seeing the bomber should meet at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday in the Boca Chica Field Air Termnal. The 9th Bomb Squadron, which is expected to be here about a week, is based at Dyess Air Force Base, near Abilene, Texas.

Hometown: Buffalo, New York Prior Duty Stations: USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58, Mayport, Florida Hobbies: Golf, video games and fishing.

LS2 (SW) Benjamin Houck

U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Cody Babin

lenn Hayes Sr., right, safety specialist at Naval Air Station Key West’s Safety Department, receives recognition for 35 years of service during awards quarters Thursday on Boca Chica Field. Hayes began as a firefighter and moved up to fire inpsector before joining the Safety Department. Hayes has worked for 17 commanding officers at NAS Key West. “I have seen many changes over the years in Key West, some good and some bad. But, overall it was all worth it,” he said.

B1-B bomber display

Job Title: Materials maintenance at FRC

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This command sponsorship training program is open to all departments and commands. Sailors must be E-5 and above with at least one year remaining at Naval Air Station Key West. This is an opportunity to assist Sailors and families transitioning to the installation and the Key West area. For more information, call ABHC Ian Daley, (305) 293-2720.

Zonta scholarship

The Zonta Club of Key West has opened the application period for the Martina Thurmond Ongoing Sponsor training Education Scholarship for applicaTraining to sponsor incoming tions. The $1,500 scholarship is open Sailors and their families is Aug. 13 to women at least 30 years of age from 9 a.m. - noon in Bldg. A-515, enrolled as a new or existing student Boca Chica Field. at Florida Keys Community College.

The scholarship is intended to help the recipient advance her current career or make a career change. Applications must be received by Aug. 7 and are now available on the club’s website at www.zontakeywest. com/zonta-scholarships.

ReMARCable party The ReMARCable ice cream and fresh fruit social, a fundraiser for the MARC program, is set for Saturday from noon - 4 p.m. at West Martello Towers on South Roosevelt Blvd. The event will feature a “make your own” ice cream sundae booth and deserts from various local businesses. A silent auction and a ReMARCable Meals Raffle cap the fundraiser. see this just in page 4

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•July 24, 2015

Environmental update

BBC News The following LifeWorks programs are open to BBC residents only. Zumba Saturday, 8 - 9 a.m., Community Center Pilates Monday, 9 - 10 a.m., Trumbo Basketball Court Zumba Thursday, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Community Center.

embers of Naval Air Station Key West’s Restoration Advisory Board met with the community Wednesday to give an update on the Navy’s environmental cleanup efforts in the Lower Keys. The meeting, held annually, was at the Eco-Discovery Center at the Truman Waterfront.

Contact us: Balfour Beatty Communities Office Number: (305) 292-5590 Service Request Number: (305) 292-5596 Office hours of operation: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday Tuesday, Thursday - Friday; 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Wednesday; and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday. Website: www.naskeywesthomes.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/naskeywesthomes

OPSO

This Just In

continued from page 1

Academy with an engineering degree, Barradell completed flight training as an F-14 radar intercept officer. At the end of his first tour with Fighter Squadron (VF) 31, he transitioned to pilot and flew the Tomcat just as it entered its sunset. “I flew with VF-213 on the last Tomcat cruise onboard the Roosevelt,” Barradell said. He then transitioned to the Super Hornet and

U.S. Navy photo by Trice Denny

returned to Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 213. He’s served in Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom operations. After deploying with VF-213, VFA-213 and VFA31, Barradell was assigned to the F-35 Requirements shop at Commander, Naval Air Forces, to work on the Joint Strike Fighter. In 2010, he was then assigned to the Integrated Training Center at Eglin Air Force Base, outside of Valparaiso, Florida, to run the F-35C Fleet Integration Team as officer-in-charge.

He had the opportunity to help stand up the training squadron for the JSF. Whether training fighter pilots, fighter attack pilots and now JSF pilots, the training squadron carries the same name - the Grim Reapers. Barradell’s most recent set of orders took him to Carrier Air Wing 11, Lemoore, California, where he was the operations officer, overseeing operations involving 10 squadrons. CAG 11 is assigned to USS Nimitz. He’s now at NAS Key

West, where he has trained, and looks forward to leading operations. “I want to work with the air ops team and help guarantee world-class service to fleet operators,” Barradell said. “I’ve had a non-stop flying career. I want to make [this tour] a crowning jewel.” Barradell is settling in, saying he is thrilled to be living in Key West. This is where he met his wife. He was on detachment and she was taking a break from her job as an English teacher in Japan.

continued from page 3

Museums free to military More than 2,000 museums are participating in the Blue Star Museum program, including four in Key West - The Custom House, Fort East Martello Museum, Key West Lighthouse & Keeper’s Quarters and the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden. Admission for active military and their families is free through Labor Day, Sept. 7. For the facilities hours of operation, visit www.kwahs.org and www.kwtfbg.org.

Choose Navy Lodge Make a reservation and save money by staying at a Navy Lodge during vacation travel. For reservations, call 1 (800) 628-9466 or online at www.navy-lodge.com or www.dodlodging.com.

Southernmost Flyer Available now: Free home delivery of a digital copy of Naval Air Station Key West’s weekly “Southernmost Flyer.” Send your name and email address to southernmostflyer@gmail.com and your information will be added to the SMF distribution list. You can view current and previous issues at www. issuu.com/naskeywestpao.

July 24, 2015 •

SEABEE EXPERTISE

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This week at FFSC Command Indoctrination Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Bldg. A-515, Boca Chica Field This five-day class informs incoming personnel of base policies, procedures and services available. A multitude of guest speakers will present an array of topics and will take questions from training participants.

Understanding Anger Tuesday, 2 - 3:30 p.m., FFSC This training equips participants with tools to assist in understanding, evaluating and managing anger.

U.S. Navy photo by Jolene Scholl

oy Scouts with Troop 104 study a level Thursday as BU1 Jason Gant, Public Works Department, discusses different tools used to conduct surveys. The scouts, visiting from Urbana, Illinois, are working on the survey merit badge.

Study suggests early exposure may curb peanut allergies By Lt. Shelby Spandl, M.D. Naval Hospital Jacksonville

Question: What is a peanut allergy and what are the symptoms associated with it? Answer: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eight foods or food groups account for 90 percent of serious allergic reactions nationwide: Peanuts, cow’s milk, eggs, fish, soy, wheat, tree nuts and crustacean shellfish. A peanut allergy occurs when the body’s immune system mounts an exaggerated response to protein naturally present in peanuts. Although our immune system normally protects us from germs, in those people with peanut or food allergies, the immune system mistakenly responds to the

presence of that food as if it were harmful. Peanuts are considered highly allergenic and have the potential to cause severe reactions with only minimal exposure. Symptoms can range from mild - hives, itching or swelling of the skin, eyes or mouth - to severe or life-threatening - difficulty breathing, wheezing, vomiting, diarrhea, throat

Spandl

swelling or syncope, which is the temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure. Severe symptoms may require immediate medical attention by your primary care manager. Question: Who is at risk of developing a peanut allergy? Answer: Anyone can develop a peanut allergy. But those with a personal or family history of eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis or a sibling with a peanut allergy have an increased risk of developing a peanut allergy. Question: When, if at all, should peanuts be introduced into a child’s diet? Answer: This topic has been the focus of numerous scientific research and debate as of late. For now,

consult with your PCM before giving any infant or child peanuts. Of note, there have been recently published results from a welldesigned study, “Learning Early About Peanut,” suggesting that early introduction of peanuts to infants, four - six months, appears to help protect against the development of peanut allergy. The results from this study are so promising that new guidelines regarding introduction of peanuts will likely be coming soon. Keep an eye out for more information and recommendations regarding peanuts, children and allergies. “Ask the Doc” is a column provided by Navy Hospital Jacksonville. Submit questions to jaxpublicaffairs@ med.navy.mil.

Fleet and Family Support Center’s hours of operation are 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. FFSC offers many services including deployment support, relocation assistance, family employment readiness, life skills education, notary service, personal financial management, crisis incident response and training, sexual assault prevention and response, ombudsman support, transition assistance management, family advocacy and professional counseling. For more information or to request services, call (305) 293-4408 or visit the center at 804 Sigsbee Rd., Sigsbee Park.

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•July 24, 2015

MWR Update Swim lessons

tion, or to submit rosters, Sigsbee Community Center. email kwathletics@gmail. For more details call (305) Trumbo Pool is offering com or call (305) 797-7791. 293-2503. swim lessons for eligible Friday: “Home,” rated patrons aged 6 - 8 during Summer bash (PG) the months of July and August. The Trumbo Pool is open- Free movies Two sessions, with two ing its gates for free admisstart times, are available. sion 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Aug. Free movies are shown Each session offers six 8 for a back-to-school bash. on Saturdays at 1 p.m. 30-minute lessons, with The event, which gives and 6 p.m. at Beach Patio classes running from 10 - new students to meet their Recreation Center, Truman 10:30 a.m. or 10:30 - 11 a.m. peers, include pool activi- Annex. Popcorn and snacks Classes meet three days a ties, games, snacks and are sold during the show. week, Wednesday - Friday. giveaways. For more infor- For more information, call The first session meets mation please call (305) (305) 293-5282. Wednesday - Friday and 293-2682. Saturday - “Woman in Aug. 5 - 7. The second sesGold” (PG) at 1 p.m. sion meets Aug. 12 - 14 and CDC childcare Saturday - “Paul Blart: Aug. 19 - 21. The cost is $30 Mall Cop 2” (PG-13) at 6 per student and class size is The Child Development p.m. limited to five students. Center provides hourChildren must be pre-reg- ly child care Monday School Age Care istered to attend. Register - Friday, 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. in person at the Trumbo Pre-registration is required, Need an extra hour or Pool or call (305) 293-4324 including an immunization two? The School Age Care for additional information. records. Hourly care cannot program offers hourly care. exceed 25 hours a week. For Families may not exceed 10 Play presentation more information, call (305) hours of care per child per 293-4498. week during SAC before The School Age Care and after school care, which Summer Camp hosts Trumbo Pool begins Aug. 24. Families the Missoula Children’s may not exceed 25 hours of Theatre, which presents The Trumbo Pool offers care per child per week dur“Red Riding Hood” during lap swimming, water slides, ing summer camp, which the week of Aug. 10 - 14. lily pads, a climbing wall ends Aug. 21. Children The show is included in and kiddie splash pad. The must be from 5 - 12 years camp fees for that week; pool is open Thursday - old and have an active regchildren must be registered Saturday from 11 a.m. - 6 istration on file. Make resin the program to attend p.m., Sunday and holidays ervations in person or by the play. For more informa- from noon - 5 p.m. The cost calling the Youth Center at tion, or to register for camp, is $1 a day for retirees and (305) 293-4437. call (305) 293-4437 or visit DOD civilians and free to the Sigsbee Youth Center. active duty and their fami- Disney salute lies. For additional informaSummer softball tion or to book a party call Information, Tickets and (305) 293-4324. Travel, Sigsbee Park, has The Summer Softball the 2015 Disney Armed Tournament is open to all Family movies Forces Salute tickets: 4-day hands and rosters are due ticket with Park Hopper Monday. The tournament Join MWR for Family option for only $173.75. starts Aug. 3 and games Movie Night on the second Tickets are available now are held on Mondays and and fourth Friday of every through Sept. 30. All active Wednesdays. Games start month. The feature film military and their spouses, at 5 p.m. For more informa- begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Coast Guard and active

members of the National Guard or Reserve can purchase up to six tickets per for friends and family. Tickets must be activated by military personnel or spouse at the park and tickets must be used by the same person on any and all days. For more information call the ITT Office at (305) 293-4173.

Program is open to all single or unaccompanied active duty military personnel E-6 and below. Visit us on Facebook at “MWR Liberty Key West” and request to be added to the closed Liberty Group. For additional information email naskwliberty@gmail.com or call (305) 293-2682 or (305) 797-4468. Monday: 10 percent off ITT tickets with Liberty Card Landing Zone Aug. 1: Sawgrass Mills The Landing Zone has Mall Trip, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. relocated to Bldg. A-711 Essex Circle, Boca Chica Fitness schedule Field. It is a one-stop shop resource center for qual- Monday ity products at competitive • 11 - 11:45 a.m. - Pilates prices. Products include (Boca Chica Fitness awards and recognitions, Center) plaques and engraving, • 5:15 - 6:05 p.m. - Cardio custom imprinted apparKickboxing (Boca Chica el, NAS Key West logoed Fitness Center) products, printing/copying, • 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. - Yoga signage and it is also an (Boca Chica Fitness authorized notary public. Center) Call (305) 293-2884 or email mwrgraphics@hotmail.com. Tuesday • 10 - 10:45 a.m. - HIIT (Boca Chica Fitness Liberty activities Center) The Liberty Single Sailor • 6:15 - 7 p.m. - Cycling

(Boca Chica Studio) Wednesday • 11 a.m. - Noon - Yoga (Boca Chica Fitness Center) • 5:15 - 6 p.m. - Kickbox Step (Boca Chica Fitness Center) • 6:05 – 6:50 p.m. - Pilates (Boca Chica Fitness Center) Thursday • 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Gentle Yoga (Sigsbee Community Center) • 6:15 - 7 p.m. - Cycle (Boca Chica Cycling Studio) Friday • 8:30 9:30 a.m. Paddleboard (Boca Chica Marina). Classes are the first and third Friday of the month. Register the Monday before the scheduled class. • 11 - 11:45 a.m. - Total Body Toning (Boca Chica Fitness Center) Saturday • 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. - Circuit (Boca Chica Fitness Center)

July 24, 2015 •

U.S. Navy photos by MC3 Cody Babin

Combat wounded veterans work with teens Wednesday, helping them hone their diving skills.

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Divers participate in the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge at the Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School pool on Fleming Key.

Organization plans to expand research to aid combat wounded By Jolene Scholl Southernmost Flyer

eterams injured in combat returned to Key West this week to reach out to novice divers as part of the annual Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge event, now in its fourth year. It is a special therapy in which seasoned military divers work with Scubanauts from central Florida. For the teens, it’s an opportunity to learn diving skills from experienced divers. The Scubanauts begin their training in a classroom at the Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School on Fleming Key, according to Neal Harper, CWVC deputy director. Students are then paired with vets to practice navigating the school grounds. The next step

is to practice underwater in the school’s pool. In dive gear and with navigational tools, the vets teach Scubanauts how to safely dive and navigate underwater. After a box lunch, the group heads to the open water to practice their navigational skills. The CWVC group is a mix of new and returning veterans, Harper said. The Scubanauts include beginning and experienced divers. Some have attended previous CWVC challenges. “They’ve got to compete to participate in this event,” he said. “Some are returning some are brand new and getting certified.” The training event is only one aspect of what the vets do during the Key West challenge. They spend time planting coral for a Mote Marine Laboratory project. And their diving allows researchers to test prosthetic

devices, like diver’s fins created for amputees. “We’re in the process of expanding the research component,” Harper said, reflecting on that component’s success. While CWVC receives funding to support its research component, the organization wanted to expand, Harper said. To that, it had to find an academic partner. “We’ve partnered with Florida International University,” he said. “This is the first year to institutionalize the research.” The partnership means the CWVC’s research will get attention from the Institutional Review Board, which can validate the findings. That, in turn, will allow the organization to seek grants and funding to further expand its research, he said. Partnering with FIU is the first step in expanding Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain

Injury research, which can ben“We have that for prosthetics,” efit the combat wounded warrior, he said. “We’re now working on it Harper said. for PTS and TBI.”

Wounded veterans teach Scubanauts underwater navigation. The youth diviing group is from central Florida.

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•July 24, 2015

ID card continued from page 1

The office opens at 7:30 a.m. and the last appointment is at 3 p.m. The two-person ID card lab serves NAS Key West, its tenants, contractors, local retirees, visiting snowbirds and anyone else in the area needing to update DEERS or get a new CAC or ID. Brauch said they are now seeing appointments from customers as far away as Tampa, where the MacDill Air Force ID lab appointments are booked until summer 2016. Currently, of the 14 facilities in Florida that issue ID cards, only five have nextday appointments available. The rest are booked from one-week to one-year out, Brauch said. Same-day appointments

aren’t available online, she added. To make an online appointment for ICS and DEERS updates, go to https://rapids-appointments.dmdc.osd.mil. “Each person getting an ID needs an appointment,” Brauch said. “We schedule 30-minute appointments and it takes at least 20 minutes to process a single card, barring any problems we might encounter.” A family of four recently came in with only one appointment and it set the schedule back, affecting other customers. Be on time - customers who are more than five minutes late will be treated as walk-ins, she said. Customers who need to make changes must cancel or reschedule an appointment at the website. All customers 21 and older must have two unex-

pired forms of identification and the names must match. “We’ve had people get upset that they have to get a second ID, but it is policy,” Brauch said. “I don’t set the policy. I follow the policy.” The online site also offers services to save time for those wanting to check their DEERS record or complete the sponsor’s form for dependents. That form, DD Form 1172-2, can be completed at www.dmdc. osd.mil/self_service. Sponsors with CAC login access can use the selfservice site to check and update their DEERS record and digitally sign the DD Form 1172-2. Sponsors may also check or update their DEERS record by calling (800) 5389552. For questions, call the NAS Key West ID card lab at (305) 293-3778 or (305) 293-2165.

NAS Classifieds FOR RENT 3BR, 3BA, two-story unfurnished Conch home in Old Town Key West for rent on annual lease beginning Nov. 1, 2015. Heated cocktail pool, one off-street parking space, alarm system, central A/C. Built in 2005. $3,800 per month; first, last and security to move in. Photos of home are available. Call (305) 393-0866 for more information.

HELP WANTED Historic Tours of America has the following employment positions: Part-time actor/ghost host, 15 hours per week, Ghosts & Gravestones; part-time retail sales, Little White House; full-time retail sales, Southernmost Trolley stop; full-time retail sales, Abuelas; full-time retail sales, MACS; and part-time retails sales, Sponge Market. Apply

online at www.historictours.com. EOE/DFW. Key West Police Department is hiring for the positions of Telecommunicator I (Dispatcher), $20.08/ hour, and Florida Certified Officer I, $46-53,000/year depending on experience. These are safety-sensitive positions, 12-hour shifts and require 24/7/365 availability with no restrictions. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity

Employer and Drug Free Workplace. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, handicap, marital status, religion, or any other legally protected status. Email dgray@cityofkeywest-fl.gov for more information. NAS KEY WEST CLASSIFIEDS are free for active-d-uty and retired personnel, their families and civilian base employees only. Deadline for submissions is noon the Tuesday prior to that Friday’s issue. Make submissions to the NAS Key West Public Affairs Office by email, jolene. scholl@navy.mil; mail, P.O. Box 9001, Key West, FL 33040-9001; or fax submissions to (305) 293-2627. Unless otherwise directed, ads will run for four issues. Name and phone number must accompany all requests in order for them to be considered for publication. For more information, call (305) 293-2425.

super heroes

Photo by Patricia Blanco

aval Air Station Key West Sailors, from left, AWS2 Andrew Pohlig and AWS2 Juan SarangoCastillo, and Coast Guard Sector Key West BMCM Jeff Egelston discuss their missions and past rescues during a presentation to children participating in the Key West Public Library’s summer reading program. It’s theme is ‘Super Heroes.’

TRICARE update covers breast pumps, supplies From TRICARE Public Affairs

ffective July 1, TRICARE’s breast pump policy was updated to include coverage of breast pumps, supplies and breastfeeding counseling. These supplies and services are retroactively covered to Dec. 19, 2014. Breastfeeding has long been a recommended healthy choice. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, for

most children, and continued breastfeeding for at least the first year as foods are introduced. TRICARE’s breastfeeding support benefit is considered to be preventive care. Therefore, the equipment, supplies, and services covered under this benefit are exempt from costshares and copays. This coverage is for all pregnant TRICARE beneficiaries, as well as beneficiaries who legally adopt and intend to personally breastfeed. To be covered, the breast pump and supplies must be

obtained from a TRICARE authorized provider, supplier, or vendor. For manual or standard electric breast pumps, breast pump kits and associated supplies, this includes any civilian retail store or pharmacy. Those who pay out of pocket for a covered breast pump must submit a completed claim form with a copy of the prescription for the breast pump along with a receipt for reimbursement. For more information visit www.tricare.mil/ breastpumps.