VOL. 53 NO. 29 JULY 24, 2014
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, DAM NECK ANNEX, AND NALF FENTRESS VFA-81 CO’S FINAL FLIGHT
JET
INSIDE VFA-81 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Frank Rhodes is hosed down at the NAS Oceana flightline by three of his five sons at the conclusion of his final flight, July 15, as the “Sunliners” commanding officer. VFA-81 has a change of command scheduled for Aug. 1.
CSCSU DAM NECK HOLDS CHANGE OF COMMAND —Page 6
Photo by MCSN Kayla King
VFA-211 earns Golden Wrench for the second straight year BY LT. J.G. SAM CROUSE VFA-211 Public Affairs Officer The “Fighting Checkmates” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 have earned the Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic Golden Wrench award for the second consecutive year. The Golden Wrench is a mark of honor for a squadron, and is awarded annually to the Hornet and Super Hornet squadron maintenance departments that attain the highest performance in the management of its personnel and material.The award speaks to the consistent dedication, skill and innovation of the entire department. It is awarded based on maintenance and material management, maintenance programs, aircraft material condition
and training and personnel management.The 2014 Golden Wrench was presented in Hangar 500 by CSFWL Deputy Commander Capt. Randy Stearns on July 9. “The wing considered two main factors when choosing VFA-211 as this year’s recipient; readiness figures and performance on both CNAF [Commander, Naval Air Forces] and wing level inspections.”said CSWFL Maintenance Officer Cmdr. Jeffrey Chown. In May 2014, the Checkmates successfully completed the rigorous CNAF Aviation Maintenance Inspection with 39 out of 42 programs being evaluated as “on-track. “This number is well above the average for all types of aircraft across naval aviation,” Chown said, adding “VFA-211 was consistent-
ly in the green, with few exceptions, with respect to Ready Basic Aircraft (RBA) numbers. Even with two to four planes consistently in depot-level maintenance at any given time, VFA-211 was still able to maintain readiness.” VFA-211 Commanding Officer Cmdr. David Aamodt chiefly attributes the squadron’s outstanding levels of “up” aircraft to the diligence it applies to preventative maintenance. “Because Checkmate maintenance works hard to detect and fix small problems before they become big problems, our jets spend less time awaiting repairs for major items that are beyond our capacity at the squadron level to correct,” said Aamodt. “Particularly with corrosion control, maintaining these aircraft in such good condition is an all-hands effort.This award was earned through the hard work and attention to detail demonstrated by a large group of people who should be proud of their accomplishments.” Further contributions to the Checkmates’
— See Award page 9
GREG SHELTON AND ASHLEY BATTLES TO BRING HIGH-FLYING ACT TO AIR SHOW —Page 8
CHRISTMAS IN JULY The NAS Oceana Hornet’s Nest Galley will present Christmas in July on July 30. The menu will include boiled eggs,eggs made to order, scrambled eggs, waffle bar, flavored syrups, chicken tenders, chicken tocino, bacon, hash browns and breakfast patties. For more information, contact the galley at 433-3308.