VOL.55 NO. 4 MARCH 3, 2015
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, DAM NECK ANNEX, AND NALF FENTRESS
Navy announces winners of 2015 CNO Environmental Awards
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FENTRESS REVAMPS BASE CEMETERIES
From Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division Public Affairs WASHINGTON — Vice Adm. Phil Cullom, deputy chief of naval operations for fleet readiness and logistics (N4), announced 29 winners for the fiscal year (FY) 2015 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Environmental Awards competition in a naval message on Feb. 22. Naval Air Station Oceana and Naval Air Station Hampton Roads NW Annex NR Support Team,Virginia were recognized in the category of “Natural Resources Conservation, Individual/Team.” The CNO Environmental Awards are an annual recognition program that highlight the accomplishments of nominated ships, installations, and individuals for exceptional achievements in environmental stewardship. The FY 2015 winners, listed alphabetically within each category, are shown below. Natural Resources Conservation, Small Installation - Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan - Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan - Pacific Missile Range Facility Barking Sands, Hawaii Natural Resources Conservation, Individual/Team - Ian Trefry of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine - Southwest Marine Biology Team of Navy Region Southwest and NAVFAC Southwest, San Diego Environmental Quality, Non-industrial Installation
— See Awards, Page 3
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Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Rear Adm. John Haley speaks to senior leadership Feb. 24 at the Naval Air Station Oceana Conference Center about the importance of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society annual active duty fund drive which began March 1.
NMCRS KICKS OFF ANNUAL ACTIVE DUTY FUND DRIVE
F/A-18C FLIES FOR THE LAST TIME —Page 6
STORY/PHOTO BY MC2 (SW) ALYSIA HERNANDEZ NAS Oceana Public Affairs
draw from every year for any of our shortfalls that we have.That reserve fund, initially when it was started in 1942 was to cover the major Last year, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief So- disaster-type events … How do we cover the ciety (NMCRS) spent $8.8 million helping shortfall? We draw off of the reserve fund.” 12,000 military service members in Hampton The purpose of the active duty fund drive Roads. Because the only funds they receive is two-fold. One is to raise awareness about are from donations, NMCRS brought in $1.2 NMCRS and the services it offers, and the other portion is to raise funds to help continue million in 2015. “We’re giving out 7 times more than what assisting Sailors and Marines. One of the most popular services offered by we’re bringing in,” said Oceana NMCRS director Lolita Sheats at an informational breakfast the NMCRS is interest-free loans to active duty for command coordinators and leadership at or retired Sailors or Marines, eligible family the NAS Oceana Hornet’s Nest Galley Feb. 24. members, surviving spouses and some reservMarch 1 marked the beginning of the ists on active duty.According to Sheats, repayNMCRS Active Duty Fund Drive, one of their ment of their interest-free loans is a constant revolving door - as the money comes back to biggest fundraisers of the year. “We’ve been in existence since 1904 ... 112 NMCRS, they can use it for someone else who years, we’ve been doing this that long,” Sheats said. “We also have a reserve fund that we — See Fund Drive, Page 4
HEROES AT HOME Nominations are now being accepted for the 2016 Heroes at Home Military Spouse of the Year awards. When you nominate a deserving military spouse by March 27, you are automatically entered in to a drawing for two tickets to Toby Keith at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach. Visit www.heroesathomeva.com for details and to submit a nomination.