VP-1 welcomes aircrewman from 1950s

Every so often in the Navy, a command is afforded the opportunity to connect with its history, to speak with someone from the past, to sift through a weathered cruise book, and to take time from a busy schedule to honor one of its own, a member of it’s old guard. The Screaming Eagles of Patrol Squadron (VP) 1 recently had one of those moments when former Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Tom Honer paid them a visit. Honer was a member of VP-1 from 1955-1958 and served as a chief naval aircrewman. He and his wife Paula were on a vacation from Virginia when the opportunity arose to pay his old squadron a visit. After arriving at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, he was greeted by VP-1 Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Mark Rudesill, and Executive Officer, Cmdr. Troy Bauder, and was given a guided tour of the flight line and squadron spaces.
July 23, 2009
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Sailors earn U.S. citizenship while deployed

Deployments are a great time to attain personal goals. Financial stability, professional achievements, work center qualifications and Warfare Designations are just a few. But Electronic Attack Squad-ron’s (VAQ-142) Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Mario Magaña and Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Marcio Pureza received a different form of personal recognition. They both have become naturalized citizens of the United States of America for their service in the United States Navy. During two separate ceremonies whaile deployed at Al-Faw Palace in Baghdad, Sailors raised their right hands and took the oath that now affords them the opportunities and privileges of their fellow Americans.
July 23, 2009
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Consolidated Maintenance Organization disestablished

Consolidated Maintenance Organization (CMO) 10 was disestablished during a ceremony at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island July 7. The event marked the final CMO of three in the maritime patrol and reconnaissance community to be disestablished. CMO 10 was established May 16, 2008 and disestablished after approximately 14 months of service. “Today we mark the end of Consolidated Maintenance Organization 10, and though commemorating the disestablishment of any naval unit may be filled with emotion, I’d also like to take this opportunity to celebrate a few of CMO 10’s successes,” said Capt. Ken Seliga, commodore of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10, and keynote speaker. “Though it may have been a short-lived unit, the Sailors of CMO 10 achieved so much in a short period of time.”
July 16, 2009
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FRC Northwest personnel settling in at Bagram

Expeditionary Logistics Unit (ELU), Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) Northwest, recently deployed replacement personnel to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan as part of a new, six month rotation initiative in support of the deployed EA-6B squadrons. Previously, personnel were deployed from Sembach, Germany, and re-deployed to Bagram from Germany. Expeditionary Logistics Unit 1, Sembach is in the process of closing so Bagram’s aircraft and personnel support now comes directly from FRC. The primary mission of ELU is to provide the forward deployed expeditionary Prowler squadrons with limited I-level and logistics support. Support includes non-destructive inspections, tire and wheel maintenance, aircraft battery maintenance, oil and oil filter debris analysis, aircraft support equipment maintenance, and the requisitioning of aircraft parts and supplies.
July 16, 2009
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Japanese P-3 force visits NAS Whidbey

The Patrol Squadron (VP) 46 “Grey Knights” recently had the privilege of hosting Japanese crew members of four PC3 aircraft visiting Naval Air Station Whidbey Island from Kanoya, Japan. The 84 Japanese crew members are members of Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Detachment 44. The detachment arrived on Whidbey Island to participate in exercises designed to enhance interoperability between the Japanese and United States Navy, while also providing a positive cultural exchange. Shortly after arriving, defense force Commanding officer, Cmdr. Yasuhara Kimura; Executive Officer, Cmdr. Masamichi Takada; and Master Chief, Yuji Daito officially met and exchanged gifts with the senior leadership of VP-46. Cdmr. Kimura also had a chance to meet with the Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10, Capt. Ken Seliga, and NAS Whidbey Commanding Officer Capt. Gerral David.
July 9, 2009
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Cougars make port call in Singapore

A month into its deployment, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) recently made its first port call in Singapore. Singapore is a conglomeration of many different nationalities from Asia and early settlements from Britain. The stop gave the embarked Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 “Cougars” from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island a chance to see and experience the many different flavors of the Asian world, as well as taking part in a few community relations projects. Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Shawn Byram and three others donated their time to the organization Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore. They spent their volunteer time taking care of the horses and cleaning stalls, improving an environment meant to help with the special needs of the disabled.
July 9, 2009
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Whidbey cashes in on Million Dollar Sailor seminar

Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) hosted its first Million Dollar Sailor seminar at the Nor’Wester Activity Center June 30. According to Jo Anne Sherrod, a financial educator from FFSC, the seminar is for junior Sailors age 18-26, to teach them how to be fiscally responsible and develop good financial habits. Sherrod said the program originated at the Navy Region Hawaii FFSC. “They had the opportunity for their financial educators to put the curriculum together, and they were teaching it as part of their [indoctrination] session,” she said. “They decided to push it out to the rest of us so we could teach it.”
July 9, 2009
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Cadets hone leadership skills, build teamwork

Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) cadets attended a leadership academy at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island June 21-28. NJROTC cadets from Alaska, Colorado, California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Japan attended the Area 13 Leadership Academy. Cadets learned orienteering and participated in military drill, classes on leadership principles and water survival training. They also learned attention to detail through uniform inspections, and each platoon competed against each other in academics, physical fitness and drills.
July 9, 2009
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Whidbey Sailors, families enjoy backyard campout

More than 150 Sailors and their families got to experience nature firsthand in the Great American Backyard Campout on Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, June 26-28. Campers participated in activities such as nature hikes, stargazing, Dutch oven cooking classes, fishing, arts and crafts and a scavenger hunt. “With all the moms and dads deployed, the other parent might not want to go camping. That’s why we have the Great American Backyard Campout. We can give families a safe place to camp with lots to do, and it’s a chance for parents to bond with their children,” said Dave Meyers, NAS Whidbey Island Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) outdoor programs manager.
July 9, 2009
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‘Save a Life Tour’ comes to Whidbey Island

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Sailors receive the chance to learn and experience how drinking and driving don’t mix during a “Save a Life Tour” June 19. The Save a Life Tour is an alcohol-awareness program designed to educate people about the dangers associated with drinking and driving. The presentation starts with a video showing real life tragedies. Sailors then get a chance to sit in a drunk-driving simulator, which attempts to replicate the sensation of being intoxicated behind the wheel. During the event Brian Beldyga, Save A Life Tour senior manager, spoke to Sailors about his experiences and the loss of his 19-year-old fiancé to a drunk driver.
July 1, 2009
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