VOL.55 NO. 9 APRIL 28, 2016
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, DAM NECK ANNEX, AND NALF FENTRESS
Denim Day Walk honors SAAPM
INSIDE THE
OBSERVER
BY AT1(EXW) ROBERT MCGREGOR Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Oceana hosted the 4th annual Denim Day Walk in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) April 13 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana. For the past 17 years, the Denim Day campaign has been held on a Wednesday in April in honor of SAAPM. The campaign was originally triggered by a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. The Denim Day campaign was developed in response to this case. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. More than 230 Oceana Sailors, Marines and civilians participated in the walk which started at the NAS Oceana’s Historical Aviation Park and continued down Tomcat Boulevard. Participants held signs promoting sexual assault awareness and prevention. Ninety-five Sailors and Marines from CNATTU wore denim in support of the event. “This event is great because not only does it educate all of us participating, but we’re spreading awareness to everyone who drives by and sees us,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class
— See “Denim Day” page 8
VA GOVERNOR VISITS OCEANA —Page 3
Photo provided A pre-schooler from Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Pre-School tries her hand at manning a fire hose at Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress April 13.
FENTRESS FIREFIGHTERS HOST PRE-SCHOOLERS BY ABCM(AW/SW) DARRIN CAMPBELL Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Fentress Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Fentress became a field trip destination for 50 pre-school children, teachers and parent chaperones on April 13. Visitors from the Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Pre-School, located just outside the gates of Fentress Airfield, braved the wind and cooler temperatures that morning to witness firsthand the activity that takes place just inside the gates. After a brief welcome and introduction by Master Chief Darrin Campbell, NALF Fentress’ assistant-officer-in-charge, the group was turned over to Fire Station Captain Jimmy French, whose team of ambitious Sailor/Firefighters set up activities for the next two hours. “Everyone had a great time, including the parents. I’m happy that we had the opportu-
nity to showcase what we do here at Fentress and I, as well as the Firefighters, look forward to future interactions like this with our neighbors,” said French. Activities for the students involved tours of fire fighting vehicles, observing flight operations of the EA-18G “Growler” and MH-60S “Knighthawk” and fighting simulated fires on Fentress’ two training aircraft. After a solid two hours of Navy work, visitors were treated to lunch prepared by Culinary Specialist First Class Thomas Golden. “I had a great time working with the children spraying water at the dud aircraft,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) (ABH) First Class Brian Abeyta, one of NALF Fentress’ crash captains. “I enjoyed spending time with the children
— See “Firefighters” page 9
WWII AIR SHOW COMING SOON —Page 6
EDUCATION FAIR NAS Oceana is hosting an Education Fair May 5, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Navy College Annex/Education Service Center, Bldg. 531 located on 902 E Avenue. For additional information, please contact Navy College at 4628279.