VOL.54 NO. 17 MAY 28, 2015
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, DAM NECK ANNEX, AND NALF FENTRESS
Nomination for next Chief of Naval Operations announced
JET
INSIDE
NAS OCEANA SAILORS AWARDED AT LUNCHEON
BY MCC JULIANNE METZGER Chief of Naval Operations Public Affairs WASHINGTON (NNS) — Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced during a Pentagon press briefing that he has recommended Adm. John M. Richardson as the next Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). A career submarine officer, Richardson is currently director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. If confirmed, Richardson will replace Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert who has been CNO since September 2011. Greenert will retire this fall after 40 years of naval service. “John Richardson is one of our finest officers, and I have great confidence that he is the right leader for our Navy,” said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Greenert also praised Richardson if confirmed, “Admiral John Richardson is an ideal strategic leader to keep our Navy moving forward,” he said. “He cares about our Sailors, has the background and experience in dealing with tough challenges combined with expert judgment that will guide our Navy well,” Greenert continued. “He has played a fundamental role in addressing many of our current and future challenges. I am confident he will ensure our Navy’s seapower, now and in the future.” Richardson, 55, hails from Petersburg, Va. He graduated with a degree in physics from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. in 1982. Rich-
— See Richardson, page 4
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Photo by MC3 Kayla King Retired Master Chief Storekeeper Ron Z. Copon speaks about diversity in the Navy during the AsianAmerican Pacific Islander Heritage Month ceremony at NAS Oceana’s CNATTU auditorium, May 20.
MWR WAGONS PROVIDE CONVENIENT SUMMER FUN —Page 8
Heritage committee offers ‘A Taste into the Pacific’ BY MC2 TONY ROSA NAS Oceana Public Affairs NAS Oceana joined our nation in celebrating the outstanding contributions of AsianAmerican and Pacific Islanders, during an AsianAmerican and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration May 20. This year’s theme for the ceremony was “A Taste into the Pacific,” and speakers were chosen to represent some of the various countries that make up Asia and the Pacific Islands represented in the Navy. One of the speakers,“Miss Philippines,” had a special connection to the guest speaker for the ceremony. Information Systems Technician 3rd Class (IT3) Iramae Copon is the niece of guest speaker retired Master Chief Store-Keeper Petty Officer Ron Z. Copon, who spent more than 30
years in the Navy after leaving the Philippines at the age of 18. He used his speech to express how the strength of the Navy is dependent on its diversity and unity. “In every essence of the word diversity, it brings unity to our Navy,” said Copon.“We might be from different cultures, but we represent the same voice:The United States Navy.” Before ending his speech with the recitation of “Old Glory,” Copon had a message for Sailors, “Diversity is the strength of the Navy. There needs to be unity and teamwork and that’s what makes the Navy not just a job, but a way of life.” IT3 Copon continued her uncle’s sentiments about the importance of diversity to the Navy by stating “In both the Navy and Filipino
— See Celebration, page 7
BATTLE OF MIDWAY The Battle of Midway Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held at the Association of Naval Aviation Memorial located on 25th St. and Atlantic Ave. at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront June 4, 10 a.m. The ceremony is free and open to the public. The Battle of Midway took place June 4 - 7, 1942 and proved to be a pivotal point of World War II.