THE NEW FACE OF THEJSA

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ON THE COVER NEW JUNIOR SAILOR ASSOCIAION (JSA) CABINET MEMBERS POSE FOR A PHOTO AT NAVAL AIR FACILITY (NAF) ATSUGI. (PHOTO BY MC3 JASON C. BAWGUS II)

WHCA RECRUITS ATSUGI

Public Affairs OfficerHoward Samuelson

Assistant Public Affairs Officer

Mrs. Natalie Stamey

Leading Petty Officer MC1(SW/AW) Barry Riley

EditorMC3 Jason C. Bawgus

Skywriter StaffMC1(SW/AW) Barry Riley MC3 Ryan G. Greene

Host Nation Relations Masako TakakuraSumie Maruyama

Ikumi Tanaka

WebmasterNoriko Yamazaki

ContributorsMWR Marketing

FFSCCommissary

Public AffairsNavy Exchange Public Affairs

The Tenant Commands

LOCAL FIREFIGHTER WINS TOP AWARD

CAPTAIN’S CALL AT HSC-12

In this edition of Captain’s Call the NAF Atsugi Commanding Officer and MAC Brooks visit HSC-12 with guest host AT2 Dion Jefferson to bring you the latest news and updates from around the base. Click the video to watch, or visit here.

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What’s Inside...

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STRESS LESS FOR HEART HEALTHPage 7

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“No fuel, no work… and that’s for just about everything here,” exclaimed Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 1st Class Ryan Moore, the leading petty officer at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi’s Fuel Farm.

Like the majority of the shore-based facilities at NAF Atsugi, the Fuel Farm’s primary purpose is to support Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW-5).

The facility, part of Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Yokosuka, is responsible for maintaining an adequate amount of clean, clear and bright JP-5, diesel and “Mogas” (regular gasoline) to provide fuel for virtually any aircraft that flies through, or any government vehicle that stops through NAF Atsugi.

The fuel farm owns eight JP-5 refueling trucks that hold 5,000 gallons each, three “Mogas” trucks and one diesel truck, each of which can hold 1,000 gallons. The facility also

maintains five JP-5 tanks, which store a combined total of 2.2 million gallons of fuel.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class Matthew Wilson said the process for requesting fuels is relatively simple. The requesting squadron should submit a fuel ticket, which is basically an order form, to the fuels dispatcher. The dispatcher would then send a driver to the flight line to fill the order.

“It’s a fairly simple process,” said Wilson. “There’s a lot of paperwork that goes into it behind the scenes, but overall the process to get fuel to the aircraft is pretty straight forward.”

JP-5, which is used to fuel most aircraft that NAF Atsugi services, costs an average of about $3.29 per gallon.

On a typical day the Fuel Farm can shell out more than $300,000 worth of jet fuel.

Aside from delivering the fuel, personnel are also responsible for making sure that it’s clean by conducting a series of quality assurance (QA) tests. Each day the fuel is tested for water levels, sediment, flash point and fuel system icing inhibitor.

QA lab personnel also conduct an American Petroleum Institute test and record information on the fuel’s density.

When the fuel is received from the local Japanese distributor’s trucks, it is pumped through a strainer and filter to remove water and sediment, then into a ready issue tank.

From there, the fuel moves to the fill stand, then to the truck and eventually to the aircraft. During all four steps the fuel goes through a water and sediment filter, explained Moore.

“It’s all about delivering the best possible product to our customers,” he said. “We take a visual sample, then take two samples to the lab and take six tests, then transfer fuel into tanks.”

NAF Atsugi’s Fuel Farm is also responsible for a fueling facility in Iwo To (formerly known as Iwo Jima) where CVW-5 aircraft routinely conduct field carrier landing practices.

During the air wing’s stint in Iwo To, Fuel Farm personnel operate on-island just as if they were back at NAF Atsugi, explained Moore.

They are also required to pay a visit to the island each month to perform QA tests on their fuel tanks, which hold a combined total of 2.3 million gallons.

“I love my job. Pretty much anything that comes by or goes through we can fuel it,” said Moore. “It has a lot of responsibilities attached to it, and it’s a very high visibility position. When you wear that purple jersey, or you’re driving that big yellow truck, you are seen by everyone.”

Story by MC1(SW/AW) Barry Riley

FUEL ATSUGI WARFIGHTERS‘GRAPES’

AVIATION BOATSWAIN’S MATE 3rd CLASS MATTHEW WILSON, OF NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI’S FUEL FARM, REFUELS A C-40 CLIPPER AIRCRAFT FROM FLEET LOGISTICS SQUADRON (VR) 56 AT NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI’S FLIGHT LINE. PHOTO BY MC1 BARRY RILEY.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 JASON BAWGUS

The newly elected executive cabinet members of the Junior Sailor Association (JSA) recently convened for their first meeting since taking office.

The meeting kicks off what cabinet members hope will be an eventful year working for positive change in the lives of Junior Sailors. This is a mission that cabinet members take seriously.

“It is important for the command to have a JSA because it promotes unity among Junior Sailors, giving us a voice and allowing us the opportunity to inspire change in our work environments and the Atsugi community,” said JSA President Yeoman 3rd Class Nicole Guerrero. “Our intent is to positively influence Junior Sailors and fellow service members alike.”

Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Carlton Bradley wants Sailors to know that it doesn’t matter what command they are

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NJSANEW LEADERSHIP HAS BIG PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

One of these places is the JSA lounge, located on the 5th floor of Building 1289, which has couches and televisions where members can go and just relax and take a few minutes to get away from their busy schedules.

They also want to provide relevant knowledge to their members. One way they plan on accomplishing this is by incorporating small trainings into their meetings to better prepare members for upcoming exams.

“Just a short training on general military knowledge is what we are planning to start with,” said Bradley. “As we grow as an organization and our membership expands, we would like to see different Sailors from different rates begin to step up and lead training on something that may be difficult for others.”

The next few months should be an exciting time for the new cabinet as they see their plans begin to take shape.

“It’s all about growth- not only of the organization but the members who make up the

JSA,” said Guerrero. “We are the future leaders of the Navy and the only time we want to see a member leave is if they have outgrown us for the First Class Mess.”

The JSA holds meetings on the first and third Wednesday of every month starting at 6 p.m. JSA council members encourage fellow Junior Sailors to attend.

“Anyone is welcome,” said Guerrero. “It is an open forum and if you have a great idea or have heard about an upcoming event we would love to know about it so we can get involved.”

“IT’S ALL ABOUT GROWTH; NOT ONLY OF THE ORGANIZATION BUT THE MEMBERS THAT MAKE UP THE JSA,” YN3 NICOLE GUErrErO,

JSA PrESIdENT

in, the JSA is open to anyone who wants to join.

“I am part of Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD), and our president is from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51,” said Bradley. “Just because you are from a different command doesn’t mean that you don’t have the same issues that someone else has. By bringing everyone together, it is much easier to solve problems.”

With the summer season fast approaching, JSA is planning on putting on many activities both on and off base for Sailors to get out and mingle with Sailors from other commands. This however isn’t the only thing that they have planned.

“We want to do the fun things just as much as anyone else, but we realize that we have a responsibility to our community and fellow Sailors first,” said Guerrero. “The most important job that JSA has is providing the Junior Sailors here at NAF Atsugi with a positive place they can go whenever they need to recharge throughout the week.”

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Story by MC3 ryan greene

Sailors aboard Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi recently had the opportunity to apply for what some consider to be the opportunity of a life time: the White House Communications Agency (WHCA).

The Team, led by Information Systems Technician Master Chief Okyo Simmons came to NAF Atsugi to conduct interviews for prospective applicants to the agency. WHCA Recruiting Representative, Yeoman Chief Jessie Baker, said the WHCA nomination team is looking for creative, innovative Sailors to provide premier communications support to the President of the United States. She stressed that WHCA only recruits highly dedicated, professional Sailors in select ratings who are ready for a challenging assignment. “Sailors who wish to apply for WHCA must be able to travel, work with little supervision, have no history of derogatory information and be able to obtain and keep a top secret security clearance,” Baker said. WHCA members have the primary responsibility of controlling all factors involved with the way the president, vice-president, first lady and other cabinet members communicate to the public on a daily basis.

“While the demands of the assignment are sometimes arduous, I cannot think of another duty assignment with as much responsibility, visibility and accountability for Navy enlisted personnel, than that of supporting the Office of the President of the United States,” said WHCA Army

Sgt. Lead Recruiter Bernard Simmons. Sailors assigned to WHCA experience a very high rate of travel. WHCA Sailors average between 150 to 200 days deployed a year in support of missions that vary from domestic, international and local Washington-area travel. Traveling at a moment’s notice is a big part of WHCA operations; however, not everybody who comes to WHCA travels. There are several billets which require Sailors to support the fixed mission at home. “The best thing about being stationed at the White House Communications Agency is that, unlike many Navy deployments throughout my career,

I often find myself in countries that the Navy does not visit. I can now truly see the world,” added Baker. WHCA is currently accepting applications from personnel on sea duty in the grades of E4 with less than eight years in service (on a case-by-case basis) and grades of E5 to E6 with less than 15 years in service. Presently, WHCA has a high demand for Sailors with specialties in communications, audio-visual, administration and support in the following Navy enlisted ratings: Builder, Construction Electrician, Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive), Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance), Cryptologic Technician (Network), Electrician’s Mate, Electronics Technician, Interior Communications Electrician, Information Systems Technician, Mass Communication Specialist, Personnel Specialist, Steelworker, and Yeoman.

Sailors selected to work at WHCA receive special duty assignment pay and a civilian clothing allowance. They serve a minimum of five years in a presidential support duty billet and are eligible to earn the Presidential Service Badge. WHCA Sailors train and work with cutting-edge communications and media technology. Interested Sailors should go to the WHCA website where they can submit an application. WHCA personnel will identify, interview, select and nominate qualified Sailors. Interested applicants can also visit the White House Communications Agency Recruiting website at www.disa.mil/whca.

ATSUGI-BASED SAILORS APPLY FOR WORK AT WHITE HOUSEPRESIDENTIAL STATUS:

WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY (WHCA) NAVY LEAD RECRUITER CHIEF YEOMAN JESSIE BAKER DISCUSSES APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS WITH A PROSPECTIVE CANDIDATE AT AVIATION INTERMEDIATE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT ATSUGI. PHOTO BY MC3 RYAN GREENE.

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Story by MC3 ryan greene term studies have shown that men and women diagnosed with clinical depression are more than twice as likely to develop heart disease or suffer a heart attack. Additionally, clinically depressed people are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack even up to 10 years after their first depressive episode.

In a study featured in the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies’ Journal of Traumatic Stress, researchers found individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had an elevated heart rate during sleep, putting them at higher risk for heart disease.

In one study, about half the participants saw improvements in chronic headaches after learning how to stop the stress-producing habit of “catastrophizing,” or constantly thinking negative thoughts about their pain.

A lack of a social support network has also been shown to increase the risk of heart disease, indicating that if someone doesn’t have a strong support network to help relieve their burden, the stress will only worsen.

Approximately 2,200 people die every day from heart disease - that’s 2,200 reasons to manage your stress.

Keep your heart healthy and stay resilient.

Saving StreSS the heart healthy Way

March is Heart Health Month, but maintaining a healthy heart should be a daily priority. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which estimates this killer, claims approximately one life every minute.

Approximately one in four deaths can be blamed on heart disease or stroke according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

Every day each of us is at risk, and there’s a somewhat lesser-known culprit behind that heart attack or stroke lurking just around the corner.

Research conducted by the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center has shown that the causes of a diseased heart aren’t just physical, but psychological as well.

In addition to hereditary factors beyond one’s control, being overweight also puts someone at risk for heart disease every day simply because of the stress on their bodies.

Compounding these issues are also the well-known physical risk factors such as; living a sedentary life, having high cholesterol, and high blood pressure,

“We see this all the time, especially with the types of jobs

our Sailors are asked to do,” said Atsugi Branch Health Clinic Senior Medical Officer Lt. Cmdr. Jerry Fasoldt. “I always tell our patients that we’re here in Japan because the Navy needs us to be, but it’s important to remember yourself in the equation. If you need to take time mentally or physically; you should listen to your body.”

Common military stressors may include wear and tear of the daily operational demands, threat of injury or loss of a friend in combat, worry over passing an advancement exam and making rank, the demands of parenthood, or for the caregivers out there, the responsibilities of caring for a patient or loved one while also coping with your own personal stress and additional job demands.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, when stress is left untreated, it can cause high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, damage to arteries, high cholesterol, weakened immune system, and it can also contribute to the development of coronary artery disease.

The American Psychological Association (APA) goes one step further, making the mind-body connection by saying when stress devolves into depression, the risk of heart disease goes up.

According to the APA, long-

Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) announced the winners of the 2014 Navy Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Awards March 18, which recognized Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi firefighter, Kazuyuki Ogasawara, as the Navy Civilian Firefighter of the Year.

The F&ES awards are presented by CNIC each year to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of Department of the Navy fire departments and firefighters.

The award is a first for Ogasawara, who has served at the Commander, Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ) Regional Fire Department at NAF Atsugi for more than twenty years. Ogasawara is affectionately known as the “Drill Master” among his peers because he arranges and provides so much of the training for the firefighters, according to NAF Atsugi Fire Chief Peter Sorensen. Ogasawara was selected from among competitors across all naval installations.

He said an award such as this carries special significance given that all firefighters at NAF Atsugi are Master Labor Contractors (MLC) and Japanese Nationals.

“I am not from America and I am not Status Of Forces Agreement (SOFA) sponsored, so receiving this recognition is a very exciting experience. It’s unbelievable,” Ogasawara said humbly.

“He’s energetic, thoughtful, and he thinks problems through from start to finish, finding the best way to cut through to a solution,” said Peter Sorensen. “Ogasawara-san is an integral part of our mission because his focus is preparing our firefighters to better perform their jobs.”

Sorensen noted there were several outstanding factors that contributed to Ogasawara’s award, many of which focused on the comprehensive training of his fellow firefighting crews.

“He created a program with Camp Fuji where firefighters there would come to Atsugi for helicopter live-fire training and egress training. That way, if helicopters from Atsugi fly there and have an issue, Camp Fuji is better prepared to provide fire services, which they did not previously have,” Sorensen explained.

In addition, Ogasawara also arranged for firefighting

LOCAL FIREFIGHTER CONTINUES TRADITION OF EXCELLECNCE

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crews to have access to several Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) P-3 Orions set to be scrapped. Ogasawara coordinated their use for specialized training, allowing firefighters to practice cutting through the skin of aircraft and perform egress training, otherwise not available on operational planes.

The NAF Atsugi Fire Station is not new to accolades. In 2013 CNIC named Sorensen as the Navy and DoD Civilian Fire Officer of the Year. In 2011 CNIC recognized the NAF Atsugi Fire Station as the Navy’s Medium Size Fire Station of the Year.

“These awards not only highlight the individual accomplishments of the Atsugi Fire Department, but also showcase the cooperative nature the team has with both base tenants and the Japanese government,” said NAF Atsugi’s Commanding Officer Captain John Bushey.

“Part of the difference in what we do here is the training we have with the JMSDF, Ayase City, and Yamato City firefighters to expand the “fire safety net” and enhance interoperability,” remarked Sorensen. “In the States, you have one way of

doing things and one language; but here in Japan we have different people from a different culture all trying to do the same thing but from different perspectives.

This relationship enables us to have a wider focus on the mission and come up with very unique solutions and processes.”

Ogasawara said working with a variety of base customers has made his job that much more rewarding. “I always enjoy working with Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) squadrons because of how helpful they are. I also appreciate the work of the Sailors at NAF Atsugi, my crews and the support of my family.”

“Although the firefighters in the big fire trucks get much attention, our fire prevention office works hard with commands, contractors, and the public to help keep a bad situation from even happening,” Sorensen said, echoing the sentiment of teamwork.

Ogasawara will now progress to the DoD level awards competition for consideration. The winners will be announced later this year.

LOCAL FIREFIGHTER CONTINUES TRADITION OF EXCELLECNCE STORY & PHOTO BY NATALIE STAMEY

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SAVED ROUNDSPHOTOS FROM AROUND THE NAF ATSUGI COMMUNITY

VFA-27CDR CHARLES S. ABBOT CMC RUDY JOHNSON

AM1 ANDREW OCHIENG AEAN ROMAN RODRIGEZ AME2 JOHN BORMANN

AO1 RICARDO DELACRUZ ATAN TYLER DRAKE

LSSN WILLIAM BLACKWELL ADAN JOHN NGUYEN

AO2 ANDREA HUSBANDS AT1 MARK BRUMMERSTEDT

AD3 MICHAEL GROISSL

AIROPSIC2 STEVEN WEST

ABEAA KIARA DAVIS ABE2 KLEIBERT DIAZEVOLI

HSM-51AE1 MICHAEL KIERNAN

NAVSUP SITE ATSUGILS2 PENNY ADAM

CIV/SPOUSENINA CONROY

MARIA DELACRUZ JAMES SLADE

PAM SLADE ASUKA AKAMINE KIERNAN

YUKO PALMER PIPER BRUMMERSTEDT

AESA HOSTS MEAL FOR SINGLE SAILORS

MWR HOLDS ST. PATRICKS DAY 5K RUN

MWR WINS 5 STAR ACCREDADATION

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE VOLUNTEERS

THAT WERE ASSISTANT LANGUAGE TEACHERS

AT TERAO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (JAN-MAR2015)

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JASON

BAWGUS

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THANK YOU!

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WHATS YOUR RELEASE? TO BE FEATURED, E-MAIL US AT SKYWRITERATSUGI@GMAIL.COM. ALSO, CHECK US OUT AT WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/NAFATSUGI TO SEE THIS WEBISODE AND MORE! ST

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All jobs come with a certain amount of stress… some more than others. When the job is to talk about other people’s problems and help them cope with their stress, or work through their personal issues, what do you do to release?

Naval Air Facility Atsugi Clinical Educator Sabrina Dela Dingco says ballet is a great way for her to relieve the tension and strain that a fast-paced work-week can place on her.

Dela Dingco teaches topics such as sexual assault prevention, domestic violence victim advocacy, child abuse and neglect, suicide prevention and awareness, and anger and stress management at the base’s Fleet and Family Support Center.

“I teach everything that is unpleasant,” she said. “I love what I do… I really love teaching but after a while it can wear you down because the stuff that you talk about is negative. Even though they are not my problems, if you talk about it every day it will bring you down.”

Taking after her mother, who was also a dancer, Dela Dingco has classically trained in ballet since age five.

“My mother instilled in me that [ballet] is a family thing… but I found a lot of joy in it early on, and it became something I did more for myself,” said the Vir-ginia Beach, Va. native. “Basically ballet is like flying without wings. It’s an amazing feeling.”

The now 27 years-old, who holds a master’s degree in psychology, has been Japan for a total of 14 years and considers the Atsugi area her second home. She often takes time out of her busy schedule to share her passion and teach ballet to local children during the week.

“At least a couple of times a week I look forward to do-ing ballet weather it’s teaching or practicing by myself,” she said. “When you jump, when you spin, when you pose it feels like you’re flying. You can leave the ground where all the problems are and soar for a little bit… and I like that.”

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