Year in Review
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December 17, 2020 Volume 30, Issue 24 U.S. Naval Activities Spain Year in Review: 2020 2 December 17, 2020 | Coastline Holiday Message COASTLINE STAFF Happy Holidays Team Rota! I think I speak for Commanding Officer everyone in saying that 2020 has been… a year. We Capt. David S. Baird hoped that 2020 would be a year of perfect vision, but instead it was an unclear year filled with uncertainty, Executive Officer Cmdr. Justin Canfield disruption of routines, and changed plans. But I also think that for our community onboard Naval Station Rota, this Command Master Chief year has been one of togetherness, of resiliency, and of CMDCM Kimberly Ferguson support. Even during times of isolation and quarantine, this community found ways to remain together. We all Public Affairs Officer had to endure this year somewhere, and I am glad we Lt. Lyndsi Gutierrez were given the opportunity to do so here in beautiful [email protected] 956-82-1680 Rota, Spain! CMDCM Kimberly Ferguson Capt. David S. Baird It has been a year of disappointment for nearly all, Deputy Public Affairs Officer (Acting) and tragedy for far too many. Many of us were forced to MCC Lauren Howes cancel travel plans over the last year. Many of us had [email protected] help us slowly relax some restrictions and move into a new friends and family cancel planned visits. We were all forced to 956-82-2813 normal. While under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), adapt to dramatic changes in social behavior. Our schools and vaccinations will not be mandatory. I encourage everyone workplaces changed drastically. We had to cancel celebrations Editor/Writer/Layout to research the safety and efficacy of the vaccines through Courtney Pollock like Feria and Prom. We learned terms like incidence rate, credible publications, and to make a thoughtful and deliberate [email protected] social distancing, flattening the curve, remote learning, PCR, decision that is right for you. 956-82-1021 ROM, PPE, and many more. We binge watched a lot of TV, 2021 is destined to be a year of renewal. Renewed traditions, and we spent a lot of time on video conference calls for work Production Specialists renewed routines, renewed travel, renewed celebrations, and with our friends and family. We worried about our parents MC2 Eduardo Otero Santos renewed sports, and renewed hope. I look forward to youth and grandparents. We worried about our kids. Worst of all, [email protected] and high school sports, to barbeques and big parties, to galas far too many lost a loved one and had to figure out how to 956-82-1021 and balls, to handshakes and hugs. I look forward to traveling grieve during a pandemic. These disappointments and these and to hosting guests from afar. I look forward to big smiles, MC3 (SW/AW) Jakob Owen tragedies are like wounds that will all take time to heal. Some and close conversations. These things will not be possible for a [email protected] may never fully heal. while. We all need to endure a little longer. But I am so thankful 956-82-1021 But despite all of these disappointments and tragedies, to be enduring here in Rota, and I will be forever grateful for despite three months of home confinement, and despite this Community Relations Advisor the opportunity to do so with each of you. pandemic, our community has remained together. For months 956-82-1680 / 2813 / 1021 I wish each of you Happy Holidays, and a healthy and we offered nightly applause for the frontline healthcare workers, blessed 2021. Please stay vigilant in protecting yourself and Contact The Coastline Editorial Staff: and for all those who stayed at work providing for our needs. one another by staying home if you are sick, wearing your Telephone: 956-82-1021 We checked on one another. We supported one another when mask, maintaining physical separation, minimizing close Email: [email protected] we were able, and we leaned on one another when we needed contacts, washing your hands, and keeping the faith – for the Large-file email: [email protected] to. We respected each other, and we protected each other. duration! - Capt. David Baird PSC 819 Box 1 We adapted. We figured out “remote learning.” It wasn’t FPO AE 09645-0001 always easy, but we got through it. We imagined new ways to safely have celebrations like graduation, 4th of July, Halloween, This edition includes photography from the following: To place an advertisement in the Coastline, and Thanksgiving. We found safe ways to get our students back please contact our publisher: Ramon Morant [email protected] into the classroom, and to hold religious services. We dined Lt. Lyndsi Gutierrez or 653-78-0296. outside. We ordered takeout or delivery. We wore masks, and USAF Airman 1st Class Robyn Hunsinger The editorial content of this publication is the we got really good at smiling with our eyes. MC1 Benjamin Lewis responsibility of the NAVSTA Rota Public Affairs Some of us improved our fitness level this year. Some of us Office. Contents of the Coastline are not necessarily the look forward to doing so next year. Some of us learned a new MC1 Caine Storino official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, skill or found a new hobby. Some of us realized we could do IC2 Jeffrey Abelon the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy. Publishing without some of our old habits or routines. Some of us spent is through a private firm in no way connected with MC2 Christina Brewer the U.S. Navy, or other DoD/military entities, under quality time with family. Some of us yearn for the time when MC2 Eduardo Otero Santos exclusive written contract with NAVSTA Rota. we will be able to see family again. MC2 Sean Rinner The appearance of advertising in this publication, Yet throughout this tumultuous year, Naval Station Rota including inserts or supplements, does not constitute continued to meet our mission of Partnership, Readiness, CE3 Arcel Begelia endorsement by the U.S. Navy, other DoD/military and Presence as Team Rota. We enriched our Partnerships MC3 Jakob Owen entities, or the publisher of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication with our host nation and with each other. We maintained our MCSN Christine Montgomery military, personal, and family Readiness. And we did all of this shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage Amy Hutyra without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national here in beautiful southern Spain. Courtney Pollock origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political Our togetherness, our adaptability, and our resiliency has affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the given me continued hope. Now, with the arrival of safe and *In addition, there are several courtesy photos from various purchases, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection effective vaccines, my hope is buoyed even further. In the department, tenant commands and organizations around of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is coming weeks and months we will be offering COVID-19 confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising Rota without photo credit. vaccines to our community. Over time, these vaccinations will from that source until the violation is corrected. COASTLINE | December 17, 2020 3 U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Rota, Spain Originally designated the Year of the or no questions that direct care,” said Lt. we have a long-standing, strong working with the Seabees, waterfront forces, Nurse and Midwife by the World Health Megan McKim, USNH Rota public affairs relationship with, constantly monitoring logistical support, and base assets Organization, the year 2020 turned out to officer. the pandemic situation and remain in daily to ensure their missions' continued need nurses and all medical professionals Using the HICS in conjunction with contact with their teams.” success. Additionally, USNH Rota was more than anyone could originally Navy Medicine Forces Atlantic guidance, During the de-escalation process recognized for the 2020 AMSUS Force imagine. U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) USNH Rota was able to minimize in- from the State of Alarm restrictions in Health Protection Team Award with the Rota took an early interest in COVID-19 person healthcare services and the the summer months, USNH Rota began accomplishment of providing proactive and began tracking the disease early in hospital's staffing footprint in order to meet to reintroduce in-person care and the and preventative health services directly January 2020. As world events unfolded, local manning guidelines. hospital staff worked with critical base to the warfighter, including mental health USNH Rota learned, consulted, and To maintain patient care but minimize assets, including the base gym, DGF, crisis and prevention services, women’s continuously adapted to the seemingly in-person interactions during the height of SAC, and the CDC ensuring safe returns health, dental preventative, and physical never-ending virus developments. the first wave of COVID-19, the Medical to the "new normal.” It was during this therapy services onboard ship. Being ahead of the continental U.S. Homeport, OB/GYN, Telemedicine, and time that the clinic also transitioned out “In the end it was the commitment while facing the pandemic, the Spanish Mental Health services turned virtual of the temporary COVID tents and into of local leadership and each and every government locked down early and - providing world class care through a more permanent location adjacent to person to follow the recommended with significant restrictions, pushing high quality remote appointments via Medical Homeport but keeping separate mitigation measures to preserve the force USNH Rota to the forefront, trailblazing cellphones, video chats, and secure external entrances to ensure a minimal and protect themselves and others,” said care pathway development and contact messaging.