FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2017
Eye on the Fleet ANNAPOLIS, Maryland
VOL. 17 NO. 27
WWW.CNIC.NAVY.MIL/KEYWEST NAVAL AIR STATION KEY WEST, FLORIDA
Navy PCS LOIs Issuance Ramping Up (June 29, 2017) Incoming plebes participate in the Oath of Office Ceremony during induction day 2017 at the U.S. Naval Academy. Induction day is the beginning of Plebe Summer, six-weeks of training intended to transition the students from civilian to military life.
U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Patrick Enright
inside: IN PORT NOAA arives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 INTERNATIONAL Flag ship visit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 WHAT’S GOING ON? MWR activities. . . . . . . . . . . . 4 CELEBRATE Independence Day . . . . . . . . 6
TOP OF PAGE ONE: A C-2A Greyhound assigned to the “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 prepares to land on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).
USNS Spearhead makes a stop in Key WEST
By Suzanna Brugler Deputy, NAVSUP GLS Office of Corporate Communications
N
aval Supply Systems Command Global Logistics Support (NAVSUP GLS) Household Goods (HHG) announced that Navy permanent change of station (PCS) letters of instruction (LOIs) will be issued during the “peak of the peak” moving season Peak moving season runs from the beginning of May until Aug. 15. “Peak of the peak” moving season lands during late June to early July. “Budget challenges and PCS funding shortfalls have resulted in significantly compressed orders lead time. Our senior leadership fully understands the impact that this compressed lead time has had on our Sailors and their families as the uncertainty associated with waiting for official orders impacts all aspects of an impending move,” said Paul Brown, director of NAVSUP GLS warfighter family support. In an effort to mitigate the impact of short notice see PCS page 3
U.S. Navy photo by Jolene Scholl
T
he USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1) moored at Naval Air Station Key West’s Mole Pier Monday is support of their continued humanitarian relief effort. Spearhead is the first Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport to be operated by the Military Sealift Command.
Sundowners command master chief Retires From NAS Key West Public Affairs
F
ighter Squadron Composite 111 (VFC 111) Command Master Chief Bill Kruppa retired today in a ceremony on Naval Air Station Key West’s Boca Chica Field after 30 years of service. Krupa, a native of Edison, New Jersey enlisted in the U.S. Navy Sept. 21, 1987. He attended recruit training at RTC Great Lakes followed by Aviation Structural Mechanic (Hydraulics) “A” School in Millington, Tennessee. Upon graduation, he reported to his first command HSL-94 on board NAS Willow
Grove. In September 1991, he attended Naval Aircrew Candidate and Aviation Rescue Swimmer School enroute to Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron 5. Over the next four years he accumulated nearly 1000 flight hours as a HH-60H N A T O P S Instructor, Rescue Swimmer evaluator, and H60 Crewchief/ Aerial Gunner. After 4 years with HCS 5, Krupa then AMH1
Kruppa transferred to Commander Helicopter Wing Reserve (CHWR) in January 1996. While attached to CHWR, he was assigned as the H-60 NATOPS Evaluator and Commander Naval Air Reserve Force Search and Rescue Evaluator. Promoted to AMHC in September 1999, he transferred to Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron 4 based at NAS Norfolk in January 2000. During his tour at HCS-4 he served as the Operations, Quality Assurance, and Maintenance Control LCPO. His next assignment was with see CMC page 5