VOL. 55 NO. 3 FEBRUARY 4, 2015
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, DAM NECK ANNEX, AND NALF FENTRESS
MCPON visits CNATTU, discusses CPO 365
JET
INSIDE
NAS OCEANA PARTICIPATES IN MISHAP EXERCISE
BY AT1 QUINNTON LAWSON From CNATTU Public Affairs Dropping in on the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike D. Stevens briefed CNATTU Sailors on the history and importance of Chief Petty Officer (CPO) 365. Stevens then opened the talk up to all Sailors aboard NAS Oceana for an AllHands MCPON’s call. The visit was coordinated by the CNATTU Petty Officer’s Association. CNATTU Senior Enlisted Advisor, Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Mike McShane was thrilled that the CNATTU Petty Officer’s Association contacted the MCPON’s office with poignant questions in regards to CPO 365 and that the MCPON made the trip from Washington D.C. to answer their questions in person. Stevens’ visit started with training by the CNATTU staff on the history of the CPO 365 program. CPO 365 is a year-long development and training for first-class petty officers and was first introduced in 2010 under former MCPON Rick West.After the training by the CPO 365 team, Stevens spoke about the report “A Tradition of Change: CPO Initiations to CPO 365” written by
— See MCPON, page 6
—Page 3
Photo by MC3 B. Siens An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the “Rampagers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83, prepares to launch from the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).
RAMPAGERS SET EXPLOSIVE RECORD AND WIN BATTLE “E” BY LT. GREG TAYLOR VFA-83 Public Affairs Officer The Rampagers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83 are on a roll. Currently in the middle of a record-breaking deployment, the squadron recently was awarded the 2015 Battle Efficiency Award, or Battle “E,” for their successes during 2014. The Rampagers left in November for a scheduled 7-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf as a part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 and the USS Harry S.Truman Carrier Strike Group. Immediately upon their arrival to the area of responsibility (AOR), the Rampagers began dropping ordnance at an astonishing rate. In the first few weeks of combat operations, the Rampagers dropped more ordnance than their previous
four deployments combined and a record for the Rampagers in terms of amount of ordnance dropped in a given period of time. Since leaving for deployment in November, the Rampagers have dropped over 65 bombs totaling over 56,000 pounds of ordnance. On their way to the Arabian Gulf and the AOR, the Rampagers flew blue water training flights in the Atlantic Ocean as well as numerous flights in the Mediterranean Sea. While in the Mediterranean Sea, the Rampagers made a port call into Split, Croatia. Split is an uncommon port for the Navy and was an added bonus for the many members of the squadron who have never visited an eastern Mediterranean port. After days of needed rest, the Rampagers left
— See Rampagers, page 3
GO FOR GREEN LAUNCHES ON NAS OCEANA —Page 6
VOW RENEWAL CEREMONY There will be a wedding vow renewal ceremony at the Dam Neck Annex Chapel by the Sea Feb. 12, 6 p.m. The ceremony will be followed by a hosted dinner at Shifting Sands Beach Club for participants only. This is a no-cost, chapel sponsored event. Registration is required and limited to 60 couples. For more information or registration, call 433-2871.