COVERING WHIDBEY ISLAND’S NAVAL AIR STATION COMMUNITY
Whidbey
VOLUME 1, NO. 38 | 16 DECEMBER 2011
www.whidbeycrosswind.com
Garudas commander relieved of duty The Commanding Officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 34 has been relieved of duty aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). According to a Navy press release, Cmdr. Jonathan Jackson was relieved due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command. He is the 22nd commander relieved this year. Jackson was relieved Dec. 8 at Admiral’s Mast, Cmdr. Jonathan following an investigation Jackson that confirmed his failure to “obey a lawful regula-
SEE JACKSON | PAGE 12
Shore Sailor of the Year AT1 James Conkey, left, Marine of the Year, Staff Sgt. Joseph Napolitano and Sea Sailor of the Year AWO1 Christopher Shephard stand with other finalists for the Sailor of the Year award during a luncheon Dec. 9 sponsored by the Oak Harbor Area Council of the Navy League and the Rotary Club at the Officers’ Club at NAS Whidbey Island. KATHY REED/WHIDBEY CROSSWIND
Meet the Sailors, Marine of the Year By K ATHY REED Whidbey Crosswind
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he ceremony was short and sweet, but in no way was that a reflection of the great honor bestowed on two sailors and a Marine last week at the Navy League-Rotary Awards luncheon to name the Sailors and Marine of the year. The 38th annual award ceremony was held Dec. 9 at the Officers’ Club on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. The room was packed with civilians and active duty, a good mix of community members and the military plus members of the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps from Oak Harbor High School and Burlington Edison High School. Guests were welcomed by Navy League copresident Dick Devlin and Rotary Club president Kathy DeTuerk. “Today we have the opportunity to honor the men and women who have served in the longest war in our nation’s history,” he said.
“I can think of no better way to start the holiday season than by honoring the accomplishments of these men and women,” agreed DeTuerk. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and the benediction, NAS Whidbey Island Commanding Officer, Capt. Jay Johnston spoke briefly. He commended those sailors and Marines who had been nominated by their commands. “You can’t believe the difficult decision they had to make,” he said. “We are proud of our Navy and Marine Corps personnel and what they do here.” The shore and sea sailor of the year are selected from a group of finalists from the major commands on base — the two air wings (Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10), Naval Hospital Oak Harbor, Navy Information Operations Command, Naval Ocean Processing Facility, NAS Whidbey, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit and Fleet Readiness Center Northwest. Marines
are nominated through Marine Aviation Training Support Group 53. Command Master Chiefs, using criteria such as leadership, command responsibility, command impact, education and community service, choose the final sea and shore sailors of the year. After recognizing all the finalists, it was time to honor the Sailors and Marine of the year. Aviation Electronics Technician First Class (Naval Air Crewmen) James Conkey was named Shore Sailor of the Year. Conkey enlisted in the Navy in 2002. He reported to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 in July, 2009. He was one of the first Super Hornetqualified personnel and has been instrumental in transitioning five fleet squadrons to the new EA-18G Growler aircraft. He and his wife, Tracy, have two children, Brookelyn and Lane. Naval Air Crewman Operator First Class Christopher Shephard was named
SEE AWARD | PAGE 5
THIS EDITION Marlins, Shadowhawks return to NAS Whidbey ....pg. 2 Navy Band Northwest gives holiday concert ......pg. 3 For Pets’ Sake: Separation anxiety ...................pg. 4 Local Pearl Harbor survivor passes away...........pg. 7
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