San Diego Logistics Center Wins Prestigious Fuels Awards

By Candice Villarreal, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center San Diego Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Personnel assigned to NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) San Diego received special recognition for their efforts in winning a prestigious fuel terminal award aboard Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, June 4.

Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher Mosher met with command fuels personnel to deliver the trophy that accompanied the 2013 American Petroleum Institute (API) Outstanding Bulk Fuel Terminal Award, awarded to recognize Defense Fuel Support Point - Point Loma as the activity that made the most significant contributions to the Department of the Navy in fuel operations, petroleum supply chain management, and fleet fuel support.

"To have a fuel terminal undergoing a $195 million military construction project while meeting all mission requirements - under an aggressive workload - speaks volumes about the caliber of personnel we have on the job," said Mosher.

NAVSUP FLC San Diego won not only for the bulk fuel terminal category, but also for their over-the-horizon Navy retail fuel activity at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon. To wrap up their award trifecta, Stephen Isaacson of their NAS Fallon was named Navy Fuel Civilian of the Year.

"From Point Loma in San Diego to Mr. Isaacson in Nevada, they keep warfighter support, safety and environmental responsibility as their top priorities in all they do," said Mosher. "It's their dedication that won us these awards."

The API - an internationally recognized petroleum trade organization - announces winners for excellence in fuel management and outstanding performance each year.

"The award really came as a great surprise; a long overdue surprise," said Southwest Regional Fuels Director Stephen Frey. "We're elated that we got this recognition; it means a lot to us and we're very proud of the prestige that comes with it."

Lt. Cmdr. Rick Collazos, regional fuels officer, echoed Frey's sentiments.

"The last time we won the bulk terminal award was in 1993, so it's great to bring it home," said Collazos. "We won this over a period of performance that handed us nonstop challenges, between the construction projects, the facility transitions, the tank closures and learning new systems while still maintaining a high operational tempo."

The NAVSUP FLC San Diego team successfully met all customer requirements on time and on specification to aid in their receipt of the awards, processing more than 162 million gallons of petroleum products in support of the warfighter; all with zero spills.

The bulk fuel terminal also underwent a multi-million dollar construction project with zero days lost due to accidents and is slated to be the first Department of Defense operation of its kind to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its groundbreaking efforts in green initiatives and environmental responsibility.

"We just went to work every day doing what we needed to do to support the warfighter, no matter what we had on our plate," said Collazos. "We knew we needed to keep providing these critical services to the fleet, and so we took it head on and made it happen."

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center San Diego, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support, provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other joint and allied Forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

NAVSUP GLS comprises more than 5,700 military and civilian logistics professionals, contractors and foreign nationals operating as a single cohesive team providing global logistics services from 110 locations worldwide.

A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., NAVSUP GLS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.

SEAC Leads Sendoff for USA Men’s Soccer World Cup Team

By Terri Moon Cronk

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2014 – With the senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff commanding, 23 service members lined up yesterday on a field here facing the USA Men’s Soccer World Cup team and placed a special set of dog tags around each of their necks.

“USA Soccer Team, we’d like you to have these dog tags. Wear them with pride. Wear them with honor, knowing that you are now linked to a service member and joined with our armed forces in representing the greatest nation in the world,” Marine Corps. Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battalgia said to cheers and applause from a gathered audience.

The U.S. soccer team was just about to face the Nigerian team in a pre-World Cup match up practice.

Officials traveling with Battaglia said the tags represent a commitment to service and a good will gesture by aligning each player with a U.S. service member. Two tags hung from each chain -- one with the player’s vitals, the other presenting the vitals of the service member.

Each dog tag was also stamped with “2014 World Cup,” and an embossed American flag. At the bottom, the tags read, “Stay Fit! Stay Strong! Stay Resilient!” which follows the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Sports Outreach Initiative.

Following the ceremony, Battaglia led the audience in a round of chanting, “USA! All the way!”

Philippine Sea Welcomes 2 New Senior Chiefs

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Abraham Loe McNatt

At Sea (NNS) -- Two Sailors serving aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) were promoted to senior chief petty officers during a frocking ceremony on the ship's flight deck, June 5.

The ceremony for Senior Chief Engineman Jeffery Clark and Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Michael Vira was held during an all-hands call.

"This is a truly well deserved promotion for Senior Chief Clark and Senior Chief Vira," said Command Master Chief Lewis Jackson, the ship's senior enlisted leader. "They are outstanding leaders who personify the Philippine Sea spirit of excellence."

Clark, who arrived to the Philippine Sea in October 2010 as a first class petty officer, has not only shot through the ranks, but gained the admiration of the crew along the way.

"As soon as I got here, he headed me in the right direction," said Engineman 2nd Class Ruben Joseph. "He's one of the best guys on the ship. I'm not scared to ask him advice about anything, on or away from work."

Clark is described as an "information powerhouse," by Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Thomas Collins. He is that guy everyone wants to emulate. He is good at sports, he can fix anything, he has great people skills and he is still completely down to earth.

"The crew here is unbelievable," said Clark. "If I didn't have the crew I have here, there is no way I'd be where I am now. The "A" gang, the chiefs' mess and my family are all to thank for this."

Vira, who has also moved quickly through the ranks in his 16-year career, has a fan club of his own aboard the ship.

"I don't think there is a more deserving person," said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Eber Barraza. "I feel that at my stage in the Navy, as a first class, I've been very lucky to have a chief like that as a leader. The guys trust in him; he is very knowledgeable at everything that he does."

He is great at taking care of his personnel and not just his division, but the whole crew, said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Caesar King. His door is always open, no matter what. If he doesn't have time, he will make time. He is very proud to be in the Navy and it shows in his commitment to serving the crew and making sure everyone is fed well. It's very motivational to see.

"You work everyday for achievements, but it's still a surprise when you hear your name called," said Vira. "This is really a reward for my family and my crew and the hard work they've put in. They've always answered the call, and I couldn't have made it here without them."

Philippine Sea is deployed as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

USS Bataan Rescues 282 Persons in Distress

By Lt. Patricia Kreuzberger, Amphibious Squadron 6 Public Affairs

MEDITTERANEAN SEA (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) transferred 277 persons in distress to the Armed Forces of Malta offshore patrol vessel P61, and another five persons were medically evacuated to Malta, June 7.

Bataan and USS Elrod (FFG 55) rendered assistance June 6 to persons in distress at sea in the Mediterranean after receiving a report of a sinking small vessel. Bataan provided food, water, medical attention and temporary shelter.

Elrod and Bataan received a report from an Italian military marine patrol aircraft that sighted six small vessels, one of which was sinking, at approximately 3 p.m., June 6.

Bataan launched two Search and Rescue (SAR) MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters to investigate. Once on scene, Bataan's SAR helicopters confirmed a small vessel was sinking. The SAR helicopters then deployed the SAR swimmers to start extracting persons from the water. Elrod deployed their 7-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB); Bataan deployed their 11-meter Captain's Gig and 7-meter RHIB to assist. 282 persons were recovered and brought on board Bataan.

Bataan, with elements of 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to augment U.S. Crisis Response forces in the region.

Icemen aim high and fly for Wounded Warrior Project

by Senior Airman Ashley Nicole Taylor
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/5/2014 - EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska  -- What began as an opportunity to fly to Oshkosh, Wis., to attend Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture, two airmen saw as the perfect chance to take their love for general aviation and use it to spread knowledge about an organization catering to military families.

Senior Airman Alex Mumley-Dupuis and Airman Brian Jones, 354th Operations Support Squadron airfield management shift leads, initiated One Flight for Warriors, a 5,000 nautical mile round-trip flight meant to increase awareness about the Wounded Warrior Project and what the organization entails.

The duo hopes to raise at least $10,000 for the WWP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has helped tens of thousands of wounded service members and their families with the goal of successfully returning them to civilian life.

"With us being in the military, we have a sense of helping each other and putting service before self," said Mumley-Dupuis. "Brian and I are both people who can't sit on the sidelines and watch, so we might seem like we're in over our heads with raising $10,000, but we're putting in every effort to try and achieve that goal and more."

The pair began their awareness campaign in early April and has since put over 100 man-hours going throughout the community and hosting a booth at various events with intent to spread the word about the trip and WWP.

Their biggest event so far has been the Fairbanks Aviation Day where Mumley-Dupuis flew his 1973 Citabria for the Fairbanks Chapter 1129 Young Eagles program, giving a free flight to children between the ages of 8-17. While Mumley-Dupuis was flying, Jones and two other 354th OSS members hosted a booth to talk about WWP and their plan to fly to Oshkosh.

"We are setting up booths to continue our message and passion for making a difference in others' lives," said Mumley-Dupuis. "We chose the Wounded Warrior Project because we wanted to expand our efforts and potentially reach families located everywhere, not just here in Alaska."

The team has had a huge backing from fellow squadron members and has currently raised over $5,000 for the WWP, but Mumley-Dupuis and Jones hope this isn't the end of their charity work.

"We're hoping this starts a trickle effect. If two 22 year-olds can raise $10,000 by knocking on doors and hanging up flyers, imagine how much a community can do," said Jones. "I just think the world could be a much be better place if everyone caught on and did something like what we're trying to do but at a larger scale."

For more information and to follow Mumley-Dupuis and Jones on their journey, visit www.oneflightforwarriors.org. (You are being directed to a nongovernment website that may have different privacy policies from those of http://www.eielson.af.mil/)

Key spouse program key to family readiness

By By Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie, Air Force Public Affairs Agency / Published June 06, 2014

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force spouses are key to maintaining stability on the home front as Airmen maintain focus on the war front, according to the wife of the Air Force’s top officer.

The key spouse program is an official unit/family program overseen by commanders designed to enhance readiness and establish a sense of unity within the Air Force community. The program was standardized across the Air Force in March 2006 to address the needs of all military families with special emphasis on support to families across the deployment cycle.

"I remember Mark's first deployment ... it was scary and we didn't know what to expect," said Betty Welsh, the wife of Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. "It was then that the spouses of the deployed got together and grew our own spouses group."

Senior leadership knows the importance of the program and the tools it provides to the Air Force family.

“The key spouse program gives our entire Air Force family another way to get help when it's really needed" the chief of staff said. "Commanders and first sergeants enable and support our unbelievable key spouses in providing peer-to-peer guidance and wingman support to the families who are so vital to the success of our Air Force."

The program recognizes everyone on the unit’s team -- commander, key spouse mentor, first sergeant, key spouse and the Airmen and family readiness center -- impacts the unit’s culture and contributes to its ability to accomplish the mission at home or abroad.

“The key spouses program is one that is near and dear to my heart," Betty said. "It's all about getting to know each other so we’re better able to help one another; that's how the program strengthens our Air Force."

The program helps to provide guidance and support in these areas, which key spouses are trained on:

    - Increase awareness of installation/community resources

    - Identify and help resolve issues at lowest levels (providing info on programs, benefits and more)

    - Prepare and support families during separations

    - Improve quality of life among unit families

    - Enhance family resilience

    - Strengthens leadership’s support team

According to Verenice Castillo, the 2013 Air Force Spouse of the Year, all spouses have experienced challenges and even difficult times, but what they learned from that experience has made them stronger, and this program enables them to share with others.

“We have seen that many times, families need more help after the spouse comes back from deployment then during the deployment, families are struggling with the reintegration face,” Castillo said. “We build relationships with all of our families so that when a deployment arrives, the relationship in the unit is already there."

Key spouses undergo regular training to stay well-informed of program and service changes, she said.

“I am paying it forward and making sure all Air Force spouses feel the same,” Castillo said. “This is why key spouses receive training constantly to keep them informed and prepared to help those in need.”