Sailor s performance recognized

Transcription

1 Russell Egnor Navy Media Award winning newspaper Vol. 24, No. 6 Gulf Winds manager honored Danny Torbush, Gulf Winds Golf Course manager, was named as a Top 100 Mizuno USA Fitter recently. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Torbush came to NASCC just three years ago from Virginia. I ve been with Mizuno as a brand ambassador for several years. Mizuno has taught me how to custom fit their golf equipment and how each product works best. Torbush said he has outfitted well over 200 golf players to custom equipment and that it takes more than putting a new club in someone s hand. Everyone has a different body type, a different swing, he said. As a player, you want to have clubs that fit to your swing, and there really is a science behind that. Besides the personal honor for Torbush, Gulf Winds is featured on the Mizuno website identifying the golf course as having a Top 100 Fitter available, which can lead to more golfers playing there and more recognition for the air station s greens. The recognition is definitely for Gulf Winds and everyone that works here, Torbush said. It takes a staff really working together to continuously maintain and improve the product for our customers. Torbush also added that despite the damage and lost time from Hurricane Harvey last year, and a colder than usual winter, the course is running smoothly and he continues to add more tournaments to the calendar. Torbush. Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas March 22, 2018 Sailor s performance recognized by Jason Kucera AC3 Phoebe Sharp has been in the Navy less than three years and is already racking up the accolades. Last year, Sharp was named NAS Corpus Christi Bluejacket of the Year, a great honor for a young junior Sailor. Women s History Month: leadership is not about gender by Jason Kucera Women s History Month is recognized every March. Throughout the long storied history of the U.S. Navy, there have been countless women who have stood out among their peers, despite challenges of integration during the early 20th century. Today, female Sailors enjoy more opportunities than ever before, in thanks to the many who came before them proving that despite gender, every Sailor deserves to be afforded the same chance to contribute to the Navy s mission and to succeed. As of a 2016 demographics report by the DoD, women make up 18.9 percent of the entire Navy workforce making each senior female leader within the Fleet rare. ACCS Kristen Poulin is one leader aboard NAS Corpus Christi who strives every day to make a difference for the air station and her Air Traffic Control Division, according to Lt. Her supervisors and peers recognized the daily effort Sharp gave in executing her duties as an air traffic controller. According to Lt. Cmdr. John Woods, air traffic control facility manager, Sharp greatly exceeds all expectations of a junior Sailor, constantly pursuing excellence leading her to qualify on Final Control and Ground Control in less than 50 percent of the time allotted to pursue such a qualification. Additionally, he said her strong military character represents the Navy Core Values in every aspect. This also led the NASCC triad to nominate her for recognition from USAA and the San Antonio Spurs. Throughout the NBA regular season, USAA in partnership with the Spurs, recognize military personnel and their families from military units within the San Antonio region. The opportunity allows the service member and their guests to visit the floor of the stadium during team warm-ups and during the introduction of players prior to the game. Sharp was able to attend the Spurs game March 17, and though she is from St. Louis, Missouri, she said she had never gotten to experience something like this before so she was very excited. Being named Bluejacket of the Year and getting recognized by the chain of command to represent the naval air station at a Spurs game is truly an honor, Sharp said. It also shows me that hard work does not go unnoticed, and inspires me to keep moving in the direction that I am. Sharp said she plans to pursue her bachelor s degree and advance to 2nd class petty officer in the near future. Sharp, left, smiles as she is introduced to the San Antonio Spurs home crowd. AO1 Ramiro Ontiveros accompanied Sharp to the game. (Courtesy photo) Cmdr. John Woods, air traffic control facility manager. Poulin is the quintessential Sailor. Her work ethic inspires those she comes into contact with. She delivers her very best effort which has immeasurably forged a strong and efficient work force responsible for the safe, orderly and expeditious control of over 200,000 annual flight operations spanning three airfields, Woods said. In the few months she has been stationed aboard NASCC, her devotion, exact military bearing, and her innate ability to motivate others to continually progress confidently towards divisional goals is a unique and inspiring quality that has greatly optimized the morale of the division, Air Operations Department, and NASCC. Poulin comes from a Navy lineage as both of her parents were active duty Sailors serving full careers. She said as a Navy brat, she does not really claim a hometown, but did graduate high school in Florida. See Women s History cont. on pg. 7

2 2 March 22, 2018 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan Captain s Column Capt. Philip Brock Commanding Officer This month we highlight women s history and recognize the great contributions that women have made in service to our nation. The first women to serve in the Navy were nurses, beginning with the Sacred Twenty appointed after Congress established the Navy Nurse Corps on May 13, These women made broad contributions during wartime, including training of field nurses, disease treatment, and providing education programs for nurses abroad. Initially, the Navy did not provide room or board for them, so the nurses rented their own accommodations and provided their own meals. Those Sacred Twenty were the beginning of the Navy s Nurse Corps. The first large-scale enlistment of women into the Navy met needed shortages of clerical workers during World War I, and the second came months before the United States entered World War II. Chaplain s Word Small things make big differences Charokee Molina CREDO Facilitator Have you ever been in a committed and loving relationship? Do you remember the exact time and day that you actually fell in love? Chances are, you probably don t. Can you recall the one reason that made you fall in love? You probably can t recall the one reason. However, even though I may not know you, I can tell you that you fell in love for multiple reasons and not just one big gesture at one exact time. Developing intimacy in a relationship is a process of time and effort spent with one another as you get to know the depths of one another s character. If you ask my wife, she will tell you it was the small things that I consistently did that persuaded her love for me in a big way. It wasn t the dozen roses and balloons on Valentine s Day that won her over. It wasn t the first fancy dinner that wooed her love for me. Like many of the couples that I have had the chance to speak with, most of us can attest that it is the consistent small things that At that time, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Public Law 689 creating the Navy s women reserve program in July It paved the way for officer and enlisted women to enter the Navy. Today, women serve in every rank from seaman to admiral and in every job from naval aviator to deep-sea diver. We recognize their achievements and legacy to our country s history. This month, we are also highlighting the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and their annual fund drive. NMCRS provides assistance every day to hundreds of Sailors, Marines and their families, widows and survivors. The Society s goal is to help each person who comes to them to get support for their immediate needs. Their long-term mission is to help Sailors and Marines become financially self-sufficient by learning how to better manage their personal finances and prepare for unplanned expenses The need for an organization such as NMCRS was recognized long before it was organized. Our newly formed nation couldn t afford to provide benefits for its armed forces. There weren t retirement annuities or survivors benefits. Sailors and Marines would pass the hat to collect funds to help their shipmates widows and orphans. have caused us to fall for one another. As the months progress in developing a healthy relationship, you begin to notice the small pieces of life that display each other s favorable character traits. It may have been the simpler things like paying more attention to your partner s eyes during conversations than being distracted by your phone. Maybe opening a door and guiding him or her through the door with your hand on the small of his or her back. Perhaps it was when he or she refreshed your drink without being asked when your partner just got up to get a refill for themselves. During an embarrassing moment, taking the time to be silly and laugh it off together instead of passing judgmental eyes. Until one day, you just realize that you are beginning to fall for him or her. You have this crazy notion that you may very well be able to spend the rest of your life with this person. The test of time is what normally magnifies the unfavorable character flaws in our companion that begin to bother us. After a few years when the honey moon phase of a marriage starts to dwindle, it is then a matter of intentional effort to choose to love each other. It is an individual s choice to be consistent in doing the small things in life that make big differences in our love relationship. What are the small things for your relationship? If you re like me, your efforts are well-intended but you may want some additional tools to put in your tool box. It was in 1904 that several naval officers, their spouses and others saw the need for a formal and organized assistance. That was when NMCRS was born. For 114 years, NMCRS efforts have improved the quality of life for active-duty and retired Sailors, Marines and their families. Their assistance has supported survivors living on limited fixed income, young parents dealing with the increase in expenses a child brings to the family, families displaced by natural disasters and more. The Society also provides visiting nurse services, thrift shops, budget counseling, infant layettes, and educational scholarships and loans. NMCRS is managed by a small paid staff and relies on thousands of volunteers to help with a variety of programs and services. And, they rely on donations to support their services. Donations made locally during the fund drive stay local. Payroll deduction is an easy way that you can support your shipmates in their times of need. So, when your keyworker stops by to visit you and ask for your donation, remember the Society will not only help your shipmate standing next to you, but will also help you and your family when in need. You will be keeping alive the tradition of taking care of our own. It almost goes without saying that healthy communication is vital to any successful relationship. There are various techniques that allow us to be better communicators, but one of my personal favorites that we use in our marriage enrichment retreats and workshops are the speaker listener technique. Another that you may have heard of is Dr. Gary Chapman s The Five Love Languages. This particular communication tool is a game-changer for many marriages as it equips you to learn your spouse s unique way of feeling loved. Without going too in-depth, the five love languages are quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts and physical touch. These are just a few things that we can add to our tool boxes that can be the small things in life that make big differences in our love relationship. While many of us are well-intended, we all need to utilize the right tools for the job within the love relationships in our lives. Commit with me to consistently do the small things in life that make big differences. WORSHIP SERVICES ABOARD NASCC: Catholic Worship Service Catholic Chapel Daily Mass Mon, Wed - Fri: 11:30 a.m. Sunday Mass: 9 a.m. Protestant Worship Service Base Protestant Chapel Sunday Service: 10 a.m. Wingspan The Wingspan is published every other week by The Port Lavaca Wave, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Navy, under exclusive written contract with Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. The Wingspan is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Navy, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, or The Port Lavaca Wave, of the products and services advertised herein. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher may refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. All editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Public Affairs Office. Comments, letters, or suggestions should be sent via to: nascc-pao@navy.mil. To advertise in the Wingspan, contact The Port Lavaca Wave at afrench@plwave. com or call (361) Capt. Philip Brock Commanding Officer Fifi Kieschnick Public Affairs Officer Jason Kucera Editor This paper is published for people like Master Sgt. Pete Mayes, a recent Army retiree and visitor aboard NASCC. Mayes is a native of Houston, Texas.

3 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan March 22, 2018 Public Works deputy heading to lake, set to retire after 32 years by Jason Kucera Mark Stroop, the deputy public works officer aboard NAS Corpus Christi, has served in that position since At the end of March, Stroop is calling it a career and retiring after 32 years of federal service, all with the Department of the Navy. Stroop. I feel like it is time for me to just step away from this seat and let new blood come in, Stroop said about his pending retirement. I m really not going off to relax as there are many projects to get started on at home. Stroop, a native of Holland, Michigan, began his civil service career with the Navy in He said he wanted to work in Texas due to the oil boom of the 1980s. He spent a few years in Corpus Christi working in the private sector before taking a position with Public Works. Stroop notes that he has seen a lot of change throughout his three decades aboard the air station, but the memories that stick out most to him involve two hurricanes that struck the region affecting personnel and operations aboard NASCC. In 1988, we had the edge of Hurricane Gilbert bring a lot of rain and wind to the area. While we did not evacuate the base then, I was outside responding to calls for help in our housing community, Stroop said. It was then I got to meet our new base commanding officer, Capt. Pierson, who was adamant I went to the emergency operations center because that s where I need my department heads he said. Stroop said he did not want to be at the EOC, he wanted to be on the ground assessing damage and flooding as it occurred so that PW could react promptly. From the most recent tropical storm to run aground here in South Texas, Hurricane Harvey, Stroop said, he worried about how the older buildings on the base would hold up. Quite a few of our buildings here are 75-plus years old, he said. I knew that the structural integrity of most of them was still really good, but if we would have taken a direct hit from Harvey I m just not sure of how the outcome would have been. Additionally, Stroop has overseen new housing communities built and the removal of older ones. I wouldn t necessarily say I ve seen the base grow, as we ve torn down quite a few old structures but I ve watched a lot of the old get replaced with the new. Stroop said one of the projects on the base he is excited for, but most likely will not get to see its completion is the transformation of the waste water treatment facility here. It was built in the 1940s and has not seen a lot of upgrades since, he said. Almost everything within the plant is going to be replaced and will be brand new. It should create a lot more efficiency and stability for waste water operations. The completion of Building 1 is also going to be a great project once it is complete, he added. The exterior should be reminiscent of the original building with modern upgrades inside. The deputy PWO job is incredibly demanding and Mark handles challenges every single day, according to Cmdr. Kevin Norton, public works officer, PW. He is modest and low-key, so only a few of us 3 Stroop early in his career aboard NASCC in (Courtesy Photo) witness his tremendous work ethic as he works late in the evenings and on weekends to address facility, personnel, environmental, vehicle, material, and budget issues and taskers. Mark's dedication to NAS Corpus Christi during his 32 years of federal service is extremely admirable. Norton also said that Stroop s corporate knowledge and experience will be impossible to replace. Stroop and his wife Barbara live in Corpus Christi but spend a lot of time at their lake house or visit with their granddaughters in near-by Victoria, Texas. Spending more time with his granddaughters is something he said he is really looking forward to. Now at 115 locations around Corpus Christi AND Online! Visit our new website at To Advertise in Print or Online, Contact Ashley at afrench@plwave.com

4 4 March 22, 2018 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan Staying Navy, Sailor chooses six more years MA2 Monique Watson, a native of Augusta, Georgia, re-enlists for six more years to extend her Navy career with Lt. Don Copping serving as the re-enlistment officer. Watson, assigned to NASCC Security Department, will transfer to Bahrain this summer. (Photos by Jason Kucera) Located on Padre Island under the JFK Bridge S. Padre Island Dr. (361) docsseafoodandsteaks.com Major Credit Cards Accepted

5 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan March 22, Length of service recognition Capt. Phil Brock, NASCC commanding officer, presents Billie Harvey with a certificate commemorating 25 years of federal service. Harvey is the unaccompanied housing manager aboard NASCC. Chief of Naval Air Training, Rear Adm. James Bynum, awards Peggie Penn with a 30 year pin recognizing her work in government service. Penn served 20 years in the Navy and now works as a paralegal specialist on the CNATRA legal team. (Photo by Anne Owen, CNATRA Public Affairs) Right, NASCC Fire & Emergency Services Firefighter Eric Flores receives a certificate from Brock recognizing 10 years of federal service. Upcoming Community Events Al Amin Shrine Events All events to be held at Al Amin Shrine 2001 Suntide Road Corpus Christi, Texas Bingo- 2nd Wednesday of each month 6:00 pm Kitchen Opens. South Texas Opry- 3rd Thursday of each month 6:00 pm Kitchen Opens, 7:00 Country Western Music Starts Calallen Market Days - Last Saturday of each month - 11:00-3:00 pm Live Music & Outdoor Shopping from local vendors. Free to the public. Kingsville Farmers Market 6th and Yoakum, Kingsville, Texas. Live music. Over 40 vendors. Locally grown fruits and vegetables. Locally produced grass-fed beef, organic chickens, jams and jellies. Locally made soaps, lotions, and balms. Home-made arts and crafts of all kinds. So much more! Every 4th Saturday of the month year round, 9 a.m. to noon. Dates may change around the Holidays. Call for information. NAMI Support Group The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers free support groups for individuals with mental health conditions on the 1st and 3rd Fridays, 7:00-8:30 PM (March 2nd and 16th) at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (Youth Activity Building) 5830 Williams Street. This free support group will also be held on 2nd and 4th Thursdays, (March 8th and 22nd), 6:00-7:30 PM at Family Counseling Center, 3833 South Staples Room 218. For questions contact: namigreatercorpuschristi@gmail. com or call Jim at 218/ To have your event included in This section, afrench@plwave.com. The deadline To submit events is 10 a.m. The friday before publication. upcoming events are published as space permits There are no guarantees as To how many Times an event will run. QuesTions regarding events should be directed To ashley at Interested in hosting a High School Exchange Student? Learn more at or contact Cathy Pierce, Exchange Program Coordinator Toll-free cpierce@stx.rr.com

6 6 Bravo Zulu March 22, 2018 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan Capt. Phil Brock, commanding officer, NASCC, awards AC1 Benjamin Clark, Air Operations Division, the Navy Commendation Medal for his service aboard NASCC from April 2015 through April Clark served as training chief, Air Ops, throughout his tenure here. Capt. Phil Brock, commanding officer, NASCC, awards the Navy Achievement Medal to AC2 Adam Franczak, Air Operations Division, for serving as assistant outlying field tower branch chief, from April 2015 through April 2018.As tower branch chief, he displayed superb leadership and technical acumen. ET2 Justin Hughes receives the Navy Achievement Medal from Capt. Phil Brock, commanding officer, NASCC, for serving as ground electronics lead, automated surface observation system technician aboard NASCC from April 2016 to April As lead technician, he performed his duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. IT2 Adam Perkins receives the Navy Achievement Medal from Capt. Phil Brock, commanding officer, NASCC, for his service as alternate electronic key manager at Strategic Communications Wing One from March 2014 through December Perkins successfully transitioned 9,600 items to key management infrastructure for the Navy s largest operational account while maintaining operational readiness of Task Force One Two Four Nuclear Command, Control and Communications mission. AC1 Candice Flesner receives the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal from Capt. Phil Brock, commanding officer, NASCC, for her exemplary dedication from February 2010 through October 2017 in a variety of volunteer endeavors. Her commitment to community was unfailing and truly commendable. Capt. Phil Brock, commanding officer, NASCC, awards the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal to AC1 Andrew Wheeler for his exceptional volunteer spirit. He volunteered for at least 470 hours of community service at various locations across the United States.

7 Women s History cont. from pg. 1 My mom retired as a Lt. Cmdr. and my dad retired as a senior chief, she said. I grew up around the Navy aviation community, as my dad was also an aviation mechanic. She said being around Navy aircraft constantly and the experiences her parents shared with her daily greatly influenced Poulin and husband Jeffery. (Courtesy photos) her decision to first enlist in the Navy, and second, choose a the same field her father spent his career in. My mom was also the very first female leader I had in my life who wore a uniform. I had never put a lot of thought into that until recently, but I have found my day to day approach to leadership reflective of what my mother instilled in me while growing up. Poulin said that style of leadership she employs has definitely progressed over the years of being a leader in the Navy. I m rather deliberate and methodical in how I approach each situation with my Sailors and my mission, trying to never to be too quick to judge, she said. I want to elevate every Sailor for the good work they do, also ensuring that he or she understands the difference between reward and punishment when necessary. Poulin references the fact that her mom was always very sure of herself and confident, and recognizes the need to be the same way. I believe as a female Sailor, particularly, I cannot let my gender be my identity or stereotype me in any way, she said. There are barriers that naturally exist for females in life and in the service, but I ve never let those barriers speak for me or get in my way of having a successful Navy career. Poulin has supervised many Sailors throughout her career that has spanned nearly 18 years. After graduating from Navy basic training, she attended her A School and C School at Naval Air Technical Training Center, Pensacola, Florida, and then reported to USS Stennis (CVN 74) in San Diego, California. While there, she earned both Enlisted Air Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist designations. She also was promoted to second class petty officer prior to her transfer in May Poulin reported aboard NAS Corpus Christi for the first time in June 2004, assigned to Air Traffic Control as leading petty officer, facility watch supervisor, training chief and tower chief. She was promoted to 1st class petty officer while stationed there. She reported next to USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in December 2008, serving as the Carrier Air Traffic Control Center supervisor, carrier controlled approach watch officer, CATCC Chief, and Sexual Assault and Response Program coordinator. Poulin donned anchors in September 2010 and then moved to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, San Diego, serving as ATC Division leading chief petty officer, training chief, Command SAPR liaison, and Command Victim Witness and Assistance Coordinator. Crossing over and joining the (chief petty officer) mess is such an March Poulin after promotion to second class in honor, Poulin said. There s a dramatic change that takes place as a leader. During her assignment at Naval Base Coronado she was promoted to senior chief petty officer in May Poulin said she remains modest about her achievements because she recognizes the strides female Sailors have made before her and is appreciative to that. The Navy has come a long way since the inception of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service Act, signed in 1942 by President Franklin Roosevelt into law. Poulin and her husband, Jeffery, who is a Navy master chief (serving at NAS Kingsville) returned to South Texas in They have two children, Aubree and Remy.

8 8 March 22, 2018 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan Thank you! The following Sailors received letters of appreciation from Capt. Phil Brock, NASCC commanding officer, for helping to move all NASCC command staff and equipment from the Naval Operations Support Center to Bldg. H-100 and for the renovation efforts of the 4th deck. 1st row, from left, AC1 Patrick Kiger; AC2 Carl Holgerson; 2nd row, AC2 Sean Hiller; AC2 Cyrene Mays; AC3 Rebecca Odom; AC3 Brandon Enzweiler; 3rd row, ACAN Nicholas Rainosky; ACAN Michael Rolfe; ACAN Brayan Mondragon; MA1 Christopher Daniel; DC1 Ronald Monteroso; 4th row, MA2 Darron Austin; AO2 Christopher Parra; MA2 Edward Nielson; MA2 Hector Arreola; LS2 Robert Horacek; 5th row, ET2 Michael Fuller; BM3 Charles Johnson; ACAA Colton Winters; ACAA Caroline Cote; and ACAA Maria Ibarra. Not pictured: AC2 Roger Bagley. (Photos by Jason Kucera) Fair Winds & Following Seas! Above, Capt. Phil Brock, commanding officer, NASCC, awards Octavio Flores, command pay and personnel administrator, the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award at an All Hands ceremony. Flores is retiring after more than 31 years of total federal service as a Sailor and Navy civilian; his performance has always been outstanding and his superlative efforts were key in making the Administration Department one of the most effective in the Navy.

9 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan March 22, Wise Owls have change of command From left, Cmdr.. Keith Schroeder is congratulated by Cmdr.. Juan Carlos Pallares, right, as he assumes command of the VT-31 Wise Owls in a ceremony recently held aboard NAS Corpus Christi while Capt. Trey Hayden, commodore, Training Wing Four, observes. (Photo by Anne Owens, CNATRA Public Affairs) Be my guest this week! Worship 8 & 10:45 a.m. Bible Study 9:30 a.m Flour Bluff Dr. Corpus Christi, TX Lord of Life Lutheran Church

10 10 March 22, 2018 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan Gulf Winds Golf Course is open every day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Call for more information. Visit or call ITT at Outdoor Recreation at for discounted tickets to area attractions including the Texas State Aquarium. Catalina Club Social Hour is Wednesday & Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. and also on Winging Fridays. Fitness Express closed through May 1. E-Street Gym is open Monday - Thursday 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. Fridays 5 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sundays and holidays 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Call for more information. Visit for the latest happenings from MWR. William a. Thau iii, P.C. Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve, Ret. Former U.S. Navy Lawyer Divorce & Separation Child Custody & Support Adoption/Guardianship Paternity Cases Wills & Probate Military Law Auto Accidents Personal Injury DWI Criminal Defense 9708 S.P.I.D., SUITE A-101 CORPUS CHRISTI (361) Toll Toll Free Free YORKTOWN BLVD., SUITE 4A2 CORPUS CHRISTI Licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas Former President of the Corpus Christi Family Law Association ( ) Selected as a Texas Super Lawyer in November 2003, October 2004, and October 2005 issues of Texas Monthly Awarded the Client Distinction Award for 2015 by Martindale-Hubbell Classifieds FOR RENT: 2bed, 2bath on canal. Shaded carport, minutes from the beach. No smoking. $1300/mon. Call Ken To have your ad included in This section, afrench@plwave.com. The deadline To submit classified ads is 5 p.m. The Thursday before publication.questions regarding classified ads should be directed To ashley at We Proudly Support Our Military! Humpal Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Centers Deepwood Cir. Corpus Christi, Tx W. Wheeler Aransas Pass, Tx Lang Rd. Portland, Tx Broadway (aka Fulton Beach Rd.) Rockport, Tx (also located in Calallen & Alice) Watch for Your Next Wingspan coming April 5, 2018

11 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan March 22, Navy News Navy identifies pilots killed in F/18 crash Two U.S. naval aviators died March 14, when their F/A-18F Super Hornet crashed on final approach near Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida. The aviators have been identified as Lt. Cmdr. James Brice Johnson and Lt. Caleb Nathaniel King, both Florida residents. Both pilots were assigned to the Blacklions of Strike Fighter Squadron Two One Three (VFA-213), based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, and assigned to Carrier Air Wing Eight. The entire Blacklion family is grieving the loss of two great Americans. Lt. Cmdr. Johnson and Lt. King were phenomenal young men, exceptional naval aviators, and were living models of what honor, courage and commitment really mean, said VFA-213 s commanding officer, Cmdr. Kevin Robb. Johnson, a naval aviator and 2007 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, was piloting the jet when the incident occurred while King, a 2012 U.S. Naval Academy graduate, was serving as the weapons systems operator. As warfighters they excelled in combat, as naval officers they exemplified the qualities of what our Navy values most dear. I was extremely proud to have led, flown and served with both Brice and by Warren Duffie Jr., Office of Naval Research Can a video game help the U.S. Navy find future operators for its remotely operated, unmanned vehicles, popularly called drones? To find out, the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute and Adaptive Immersion Technologies, a software company, are developing a computer game to identify individuals with the right skills to be UxV operators. The project, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, is called StealthAdapt. "The Navy currently doesn't have a test like this to predict who might excel as UxV operators," said Lt. Cmdr. Peter Walker, a program officer in ONR's Warfighter Performance Department. "This fast-paced, realistic computer simulation of UxV missions could be an effective recruitment tool." Since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began, UxV have played ever-larger roles in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and other missions. The Navy doesn't have an official selection and training pipeline specifically for its UxV operators, who face challenges unique to the service. For UAS duty, the Navy has taken aviators who already earned their wings; provided on-the-job, Caleb, Robb said. I would ask that during this trying time we all keep the families of our two heroes in our thoughts and prayers. The F/A-18F remains in the water where it crashed and will stay there until a mishap investigation board conducts its investigation. The MIB consists of highly qualified naval officers with extensive experience in all aspects of aviation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and squadron mates of these two aviators, said Rear Adm. Roy J. Kelley, commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic. A full investigation will be conducted to discover the cause of this mishap. Changes to Tricare Retiree Dental Program Do you have TRICARE Retiree Dental Program coverage now? If so, then you need to know that the TRDP will end on Dec. 31. Not to worry - Anyone who was in TRDP this year or would have been eligible for the plan will be able to choose a dental plan from among 10 dental carriers in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. You can begin reviewing program options now at You ll be able to enroll in FEDVIP during the 2018 Federal Benefits Open Season, which runs from Nov. 12 to Dec. 10, 2018; coverage will begin on Jan. 1, UAS-specific training; and placed them in temporary positions. However, this presents challenges. It's costly and time-consuming to add more training hours, and it takes aviators away from their manned aircraft duties. Finally, the cognitive skills needed for successful manned aviation can vary from those needed for unmanned operators. StealthAdapt is designed to address this issue. It consists of a cognitive test, personality assessment and biographical history assessment. The cognitive exam actually is the game-based component of the system and takes the form of a search-and-rescue mission. Each player's assignment is to rescue as many stranded friendly forces as possible, within a pre-set time limit, while avoiding fire from hostile forces. If that's not stressful enough, players must simultaneously monitor chat-based communications, make sure they have enough fuel and battery power to complete missions, memorize and enter authentication codes required for safe rescue of friendlies, decode encrypted information and maintain situational awareness. "We're trying to see how well players respond under pressure, which is critical for success as an unmanned operator," said Dr. Phillip Mangos, president and chief scientist at Adaptive Immersion Technologies. To maintain this pressure, players complete Previously, FEDVIP wasn t available to Department of Defense beneficiaries, but it will now be available to those who would have been eligible for TRDP. As an added bonus, they will also be able to enroll in FEDVIP vision coverage, along with most active duty family members. More than 3.3 million people are currently covered by FEDVIP. You can choose from dental plans offered by 10 different carriers. To enroll in FEDVIP Vision, you must be enrolled in a TRICARE health plan. You can decide if one of four vision plans meets your family s needs. You may only enroll in a FEDVIP plan outside of open season if you experience a Qualifying Life Event that allows you to do so. Any election in a FEDVIP plan remains in effect for the entire calendar year. Keep abreast of the news that affects your health care by staying connected connected with Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi: Navy expands aviation bonus program The Navy announced recently the Active Component fiscal year 2018 Aviation Department Head Retention Bonus and Aviation Command Retention Bonus and the expansion of Aviation Incentive Pay for both AC and the Reserve Component aviators in NAVADMIN 065/18. Navy developing video game to train future drone pilots A U.S. Navy X-47B unmanned aerial vehicle takes a test flight during a demonstration. (Navy file photo) multiple 5- to 10-minute missions in an hour. Each scenario changes, with different weather, terrain, number of friendlies and hostiles, and potential communication breakdowns. After finishing the game portion, participants answer questions focusing on personality and biographical history. Mangos' team then crunches this data with game-performance metrics to create a comprehensive operator evaluation. Last year, over 400 civilian and military volunteers participated as StealthAdapt The AC Aviation Bonus program, consisting of the ADHRB and ACRB, incentivizes career-minded Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers to choose to remain on active duty. "Our bonus and flight pay programs have proven successful in the past at retaining our best and brightest Aviators. However, these programs have remained essentially unchanged for well over a decade, and are beginning to lose their effectiveness in the face of growing competition for talent," said Capt. Michael Baze, head of aviation career management at Naval Personnel Command. "We asked Aviators of all ranks how we should modernize and improve moving forward. Aviators reported they wanted our programs to be more flexible, merit based, and competitive with civilian opportunities. We took that feedback seriously, incorporating each of these elements in the program changes you see here today." AC ADHRB has undergone substantial reform. Department heads are vital to mission effectiveness and represent the crucial link between senior leadership and junior personnel. The eligibility timeline has shifted from the expiration of the aviator's winging service obligation to their lieutenant commander board. Aviators can choose from a five-year contract or a three-year contract. Members who take the five-year contract early will receive a higher annual amount than members who take a five-year later or a three-year contract. research subjects at various Navy and Air Force training centers. Mangos and his research team currently are reviewing the results and designing an updated system for validation by prospective Navy and Air Force unmanned operators. It will be ready for fleet implementation this year. Mangos envisions StealthAdapt serving as a stand-alone testing and recruitment tool, or as part of a larger screening process such as the selection for UAS personnel and specialized tests that assesses cognitive abilities and personality traits of aspiring UxV operators.

12 12 March 22, 2018 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan