VOL.54 NO. 2 JANUARY 15, 2015
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, DAM NECK ANNEX, AND NALF FENTRESS
JET
NAVAL AIR FORCE ATLANTIC CHANGES COMMAND
INSIDE
BY MC1 ERNEST R. SCOTT Commander, Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs Command of Naval Air Force Atlantic changed hands during a ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Jan. 8. Rear Adm. John R. Haley relieved Rear Adm.Troy M. Shoemaker as Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (CNAL), during the change of command ceremony in the ship’s hangar bay. During his farewell remarks, Shoemaker extended his gratitude to the Sailors, Marines and civilians that comprise the CNAL staff. “Our military members come and go every few years, bringing unique and critical fleet perspectives,” said Shoemaker.“Our civilian staff, many of whom with prior active duty service, provide the continuity and corporate knowledge base that is so crucial to our day-to-day operations.” Shoemaker has served as CNAL since June 2013. He has been nominated for promotion to vice admiral and assignment as Commander, Naval Air Forces, based at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado,Calif.He will take charge of all naval aviation programs, personnel and assets. The position includes Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific. “I am incredibly honored and humbled by the opportunity to relieve Vice Adm. [David] Buss as our air boss,” said Shoemaker.“His are going to be big shoes to fill, but this tour at CNAL has given me a unique perspective and understanding of the aviation community.” Haley reports to CNAL from his most recent assignment as the director of Global Operations, U.S. Strategic Command, at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He was designated a naval flight officer (NFO) and became a bombardier/navigator in the A-6E Intruder. “I’m excited to be back in Norfolk,” said Haley.“I greatly look forward to returning to naval aviation.” Haley has served in two previous assignments at CNAL as the assistant chief of staff for readiness and requirements and later as chief of staff. His command-at-sea assignments include the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship USS LaSalle (AGF 3), the aircraft carriers USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS George Washington (CVN 73), and Commander, Battle Force U.S. 7th Fleet/Task Force 70/Carrier Strike Group 5, embarked aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73).
THEODORE ROOSEVELT, CVW-1 BEGIN COMPTUEX —Page 3
Photo by MCSN Tristan Lotz Rear Adm. John R. Haley (l) relieves Rear Adm. Troy M. Shoemaker as Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Jan. 8. Watching the salute is Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Adm. Philip Davidson.
Oceana Air Show receives community service award BY CATHY HEIMER Jet Observer Capping off a year of achievements for NAS Oceana, the 2014 Oceana Air Show received the annual Dick Schram Memorial Community Relations Award during the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) annual conference last month. The Schram award recognizes the military air show in North America which best demonstrates traditional community relations and includes its community in the planning, execution and rewards of the show. The Oceana Air Show is the first military air show to earn the prestigious award four times; the previous
time Oceana won it was in 2009. The theme of the 2014 Oceana Air Show was “Honoring Wounded Warriors,”to bring public attention to the Navy’s Wounded Warrior - Safe Harbor Program, which has a regional office at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. Along with the program, the show partnered with retired Navy SEAL Jay Redman and his nonprofit organization,Wounded Wear,and Skydive Suffolk, both of which provide services to seriously ill and wounded military members. “This award is a great recognition by the air show community that what we do here at Naval Air Station
— See Award, page 8
AFFORDABLE SNACKS ON THE GO THROUGH CAFÉ 545 —Page 9
MILITARY SAVES KICKS OFF FFSC Oceana will host Peter Bielagus, “America’s Financial Educator,” as the guest speaker for the Military Saves 2015 kick-off at the Oceana theater in building 531. The event has been changed to Jan. 27, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Bielagus will share strategies to build wealth, emergency savings, eliminate debt and increase net worth. Call 4332912 for information.