Whiting Tower Forging Aviators for the Fleet

Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, Fla. Vol. 75 No. 8 July 31, 2019 Whiting Field News This Issue New Administration Arrives at NAS Whiting Field

By Jamie Link, NAS Whiting Field Public Affairs Office

New Administration Officer Arrives at NAS Whiting Field - pg. 2-3

SECNAV Visits NAS Whiting Field - pg. 3

Emergency Financial First Aid Kit - pg. 4

NAS Whiting Field History - pg. 5-6

NAS Whiting Field Administration Officer Julie Broadwater processes command awards. (Photo by Jamie Link, NAS Whiting Field Public Affairs Office) Walking into the administration office, you will be met with walls filled with Navy Blue Angels swag and the Ala- bama football team logo. Julie Broadwater is the new administration officer for NAS Whiting Field and it does not take long to notice her Cover Photo: In a visit to NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Fla. July 3, Secretary Naval history. The retired Navy Senior Chief Yeoman (YN) of the Navy Richard V. Spencer took a familiarization flight on a TH-57 train- comes with a wealth of knowledge and is now settled in ing helicopter to one of the installation’s outlying landing fields, Site X near Jay to see firsthand the results of the first-ever land exchange agreement. His onboard the installation. Her last position was with Naval wife, Polly, looks on as he straps his helmet ahead of the flight. (Photo by Education and Training Professional Development Center Jamie Link, NAS Whiting Field public affairs office) (NETPDC), Saufley Field and she is a former YN with the Flight Demonstration , the The Whiting Tower Navy Blue Angels. Commanding Officer “I am looking forward to the new position and wanted to Capt. Paul D. Bowdich be back around Sailors,” Broadwater said. Executive Officer Originally from Hawthorne, Nev., Broadwater is not the Cmdr. Jim Brownlee first in her family to have served and retired in the Navy. Command Master Chief Her father is retired Navy, her brother is active duty Navy, Master Chief (AW/SW) Chris Leonard and her husband is a retired Navy senior chief. Public Affairs Officers The new administration officer is in charge of six person- Julie Ziegenhorn Jamie Link nel who help process the command correspondence, instruc- Public Affairs Staff tions and directives. The office also handles the pay and L.t.j.g. Nicholas Wren personnel programs, and the limited duty Sailor program. Broadwater shared that there will be some changes to the The Whiting Tower is an authorized publication for members of the Naval administration office, but they will be slow and will improve Air Station Whiting Field team, tenant commands, their family members and retirees in the surrounding area. The contents of this publication do not neces- the efficiency and accuracy of the administrative processes. sarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The Naval Getting to know Broadwater further, she shared a favorite Air Station Whiting Field Public Affairs Office prepares, edits and provides memory from her Naval career about an mass communica- editorial content for this publication. tions petty officer 1st class who she progressed with during 2 Whiting Field News

her career. “We were both at Gulfport and then transferred together. I went to the Blue Angels then he got selected too. It was great watching him progress as he went through the Navy Seaman-to-Admiral Commissioning Program. It was very rewarding and just one of many things I look back on,” Broadwater shared. While Broadwater remembered fondly her time with the Blues, she is ready to put her efforts into improving NAS Whiting Field’s administrative processes. The new administration officer is located in the com- mand building and can be reached at 850-623-7624 for any issues or concerns.

SECNAV Visits NAS Whiting Field Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer (second from left) met with leadership from Naval Air Station Whiting Field and Training Air Wing Five in Milton, Fla, on July 3. He wanted to see firsthand the results of the first-ever land exchange agreement, NOLF Site X in Jay. From left to right: Cmdr. Kenneth Kerr, commanding officer, HT-18, Secretary Spencer, Capt. Paul Bowdich, commanding officer, NAS Whiting Field, Capt. Doug Rosa, commodore, TW5, and Cmdr. Jim Brownlee, executive officer, NASWF. (Photo by Jamie Link, NAS Whiting Field PA office)

Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer and his wife, Polly, visited Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Fla, on July 3. The Secretary and his wife learned about the mission and reach of the training installation, receiving briefings and tours of the base and its support facilities. (Photo by Jamie Link, NAS Whiting Field public affairs office)

The Secretary of the Navy, Richard V. Spencer (right) received a pre-flight briefing from Cmdr. Kenneth Kerr, commanding officer, Helicopter Training Squadron 18, HT-18, before his flight on a TH-57 training helicopter. Spencer and Kerr flew to one of the installation’s twelve outlying landing fields, Site X near Jay, Fla., to see firsthand the results of this first-ever land exchange agreement. Spencer and his wife, Polly, visited Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Fla, on July 3 to meet with leadership from Naval Air Station Whiting Field and Training Air Wing Five for a familiarization of the base and its mission. The Secretary’s wife, Polly, also visited various functions across the base to learn about how the base supports military and family members with fleet and family services, morale welfare and recreation and child development activities. (Photo by Jamie Link, NAS Whiting Field public affairs office) Secretary Richard V. Spencer met with leadership from Whiting Field and Training Air Wing Five July 3rd. Here, the Secretary received his flight gear in preparation for a TH-57 flight to Site X. (Photo by Jamie Link, NAS Whiting Field PA office)

3 Whiting Field News Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) By Mike LeClear Financial Educator, Fleet and Family Support Center Americans at all income levels have experienced the challenges of rebuilding their lives after a disaster or other emergency. In these stressful circumstances, hav- ing access to personal financial, insurance, medical, and other records is crucial for starting the process of recov- ery quickly and efficiently. Taking the time now to collect and secure these critical records will give you peace of mind, and in the event of an emergency, will ensure that you have the documentation needed to start the recovery process without delay. • Gather financial and critical personal, house- hold, and medical information for your Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK),

• Consider saving money in an emergency sav- ings account that could be used in any crisis. Keep a small amount of cash at home in a safe place. It is Hurricane Dennis resulted in devastating damage to the important to have small bills on hand because ATM’s Gulf Coast in 2005. and credit cards may not work during a disaster when you need to purchase necessary supplies, fuel or food. NAS Whiting Field Restaurants and Snack Bars • Obtain property (homeowners or renters), health, and life insurance if you do not have them. NOTE: Effective Friday, 19 July, Review existing policies for the amount and extent of Mulligans Snack Bar will temporar- coverage to ensure that what you have in place is what ily close. We apologize for any in- convenience. Please visit any of the is required for you and your family for all possible installation’s food service operations hazards. Homeowners insurance does not typically to meet your needs. cover flooding, so you may need to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program South Field Snack Bar – Bldg 2977 at www.floodsmart.gov Monday – Friday 0600-1900 Tel: 850-623-6574 With the hurricane season upon us it is im- North Field Snack Bar – Bldg 1142 portant to have an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit Monday-Friday 0700-1400 (EFFAK) from FEMA. Tel: 850-623-2692 Tower Books & Café For a copy of the Emergency Financial First Monday – Friday 0600-1300 Aid Kit (EFFAK), please use the links listed below: Tel: 850-623-7290 https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/docu- Navy Exchange Subway ments/96123 Monday – Friday 0600-2000 Saturday 0900-1530 Tel: 850-623-5897 https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness

4 Whiting Field News

NAS Whiting Field History

By NAS Whiting Field public affairs office Naval Auxiliary Air Station Whiting Field celebrated its 76th anniversary last week, highlighting almost eight decades of significant contributions to Naval aviation. The field was dedicated as an air station on July 16, 1943, with men still living in tents and unfinished build- ings serviced by dirt roads. The base was commissioned by the commandant of Naval Air Training Center, Pen- sacola, Rear Admiral George Murray. The planes, SNJs from Chevalier and Saufley Fields had arrived just 15 days earlier to begin operations in basic and radio instrument instruction as part of the inter- mediate phase of the World War II training program. The base was named for Capt. Kenneth Whiting, The Navy is full of rich tratitions and, pictured here, Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph Allen Naval Aviator #16, and the final aviator taught by Orville and Mike Flourney participate in one of the Navy’s most beloved traditions. The cake cutting at Navy birthday celebrations is done by both the youngest and oldest sailor in Wright. He died just three months before the dedication the command, symbolizing the Navy’s unity and passing of rich heritage from one gen- ceremony at the age of 62, but his widow, Edna Andresen eration to the next. (Photo by Julie Ziegenhorn, NAS Whiting Field PAO) Whiting was on hand for the event. Whiting was still on that a coal ship was refitted with a flat top to become the active duty when he died and held command of Naval first . Thus, the USS Jupiter became the Air Station in , New York, while also USS Langley (CV-1) in 1922. Whiting became her first serving as District Aviation Officer, Third Naval District. executive officer and made the first catapult launch from Whiting served as a surface sailor, a submariner, and an aircraft carrier Nov. 18, 1922. Many of the design ele- as an aviator, though it is as an aviator where he truly ments and procedures still used today stem from his two made his mark. Whiting is often called the “father of the years on the Langley. aircraft carrier.” It is through his innovation and tenacity During the war, NAAS Whiting Field hosted a large fleet of SNBs to conduct intermediate multi-engine land-

First Flight of the T-34C at NASWF, circa 1975. plane instruction. This was a timeframe when Link train-

“WAVES” (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) aircraft mechanics work on a SNJ, circa 1943.

5 Whiting Field News

By NAS Whiting Field public affairs office ers were used heavily for instrument and radio instruction and the trainers were Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). After the war, Whiting Field became a Naval Air Sta- tion (for the first time) and began flying more advanced training units under the Naval Air Advanced Training Command in Jacksonville. In 1948, Whiting was redes- ignated as an auxiliary air station and resumed primary instruction in the SNJs. This was short-lived, however, as the base’s newer facilities and longer runways were appealing for the larger jet aircraft, and Jet Training Unit ONE transferred to Whiting Field in 1948, beginning four-week training units for newly winged aviators. They were joined by the Blue Angels (who were formed just two years earlier in 1947) in 1949, but the advent of the took the Blue Angel pilots into combat. JTU-1 then transferred to the newly opened NAS Kingsville.

Whiting Field resumed primary training, which con- A U.S. Navy North American T-28B Trojan of Training Squadron VT-2 pictured in flight above tinues to this day. Today, NAS Whiting Field instructs NAS Whiting Field, circa 1973. The T-28 replaced the North American SNJ and was used as a more than 1,200 Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and basic trainer from 1952-1984. some international students each year, comprising 16 per- cent of all U.S. Navy flight hours. The mission remains the same as it was 76 years ago—to train the world’s finest aviators.

Swimming Pool Hours of Operation (Through Sept. 2) Monday-Friday: 6:00am – 8:00am (lap swimming only) Monday-Friday: 11:00am – 6:00pm (recreation & lap swimming) Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 10:00am – 4:00pm (recreation and lap swimming) Float Days every Sunday – Bring your own float/inner tube. For more information, please call the Fitness Center Pool at 850-623- 7412.

6 Whiting Field in Photos

Air Traffic Controller Frocking: Congratulations to Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Daniel G. Parks on being frocked to his new rank. He will occupy this new position of greater authority and will undoubtedly continue serving with honor. ( Photo by Lt.j.g. Drake Greer NASWF Public Affairs Office)

VT-2 Squadron Augmentation Unit (SAU) Change of Command: The official party salutes during the National Anthem in a ceremony during which Cmdr. Dax Tra- cy relieved Cmdr. Ben Boyer as commanding officer. (Photo by Lt.j.g. Nicholas Wren, NASWF Public Affairs Office)

Florida Defense Support Task Force: FDSTF visited NASWF to understand more about the base mission and organization. Here the group visits the South Tower onboard Whiting. (Photo by Lt.j.g. Nicholas Wren, NASWF Public Affairs Office)

MillTown Race: The city of Milton held its annual “duck race” July 4. 5,000 rubber ducks were dropped into Blackwater River, and the first to enter a chute received win- ning prize money. Here, judges from the community include Capt. Paul Bowdich, CO, NAS Whiting Field (far right). (Photo by Julie Ziegenhorn, NASWF PAO)

Bounce-a-Palooza!: In celebration of the first walk on the moon, MWR hosted a free event where kids burned off some energy in different bounce houses in the Atrium, gym, and swimming pool. (Photo by Julie Ziegenhorn, NASWF Public Affairs Office).

Retirement Ceremony: Master Chief Jason L. Shaefer is piped ashore with his wife in what conluded a moving retirement ceremony. Many shipmates, family, and friends attended to honor an exceptional and distinguished 30 year Naval career. Congratulations Master Chief! (Photo By Lt.j.g. Nicholas Wren, NAS Whiting Field Public Affairs Office)

7 News & Notes

Contacting Base Security in Emergency and Non- emergency situations: This Day in Naval History For an EMERGENCY on base, Whiting Pines Housing, at Whiting Park , or at any of our outlying airfields, please dial 9-1-1 and identify that you are on base to the operator. For a NON-EMERGENCY, please dial 904-542-8681 to August 3, 1958 reach the NAS Whiting Field Security Department Admin- USS Nautilus (SSN 571) becomes the first to cross the “top” of istrative Staff during normal working hours: the world during Operation Sunshine when the boat passes under an arctic ice cap at the North Pole. “For the world, our country, and the Navy - the - Antiterrorism Officer: 850-623-7387 North Pole,” declared the boat’s commanding officer, Cmdr. William R. - Physical Security: 850-623-7433/7349 Anderson. The mission had been personally authorized by President Eisen- - Security Administration: 850-623-7694 hower as a response to the Soviet Union’s Sputnik program. - Visitor Control Center (Pass & Tag): 850-623-7205 August 9, 1945 Following the Aug. 6 atomic bombing of Hiroshima, a second atom bomb is dropped on Japan at Nagasaki, eventually resulting in Japan’s unconditional surrender. August 10, 1916 The first naval aircraft production contract begins when the Bureau of Con- struction and Repair contacts Glenn H. Curtiss via telegram asking him to supply 30 school hydro aeroplanes. The N-9s become the Navy’s most popular training aircraft during . August 27, 2007 Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., becomes the first African-American to be appointed as Surgeon General of the US Navy. august 31, 1962 The last flight of a Navy airship was made at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, N.J.

Curtis N-9: BUNO A-2558, undergoing a final checkout before a flight at NAS Pensacola , 1917.

8 Whiting Field Awards and Recognition Congratulations to TRAWING-5 Academic Award Recipients

One Commodore’s List Recipient and one Commodore’s List with Distinction received recognition at TRAWING-5 Headquarters on July 2.

One Commodore’s List Recipient received recognition at TRAWING-5 Headquarters on July 12.

Two Commodore’s List Recipients received recognition at TRAWING-5 Headquarters on July 19.

9 Whiting Field Awards and Recognition Congratulations to TRAWING-5 Wingers

TOP ROW: Lt. Col. Gregory R. Curtis, USMC, CO HT-28; Lt.j.g Newton B. Allred, USN, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Daniel M. Grant-Johnson, USN, HT-8; Lt.j.g Austin K. Grell, USN, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Abdulrahman S. Awad, RNSF, HT-28; Lt.j.g. Michael F. Madigan, USN, HT-18; Lt.j.g. Daniel L. Sullivan, USN HT-18; 1st Lt. Benton J. Mathis III, USMC, HT-18; Lt.j.g. Brian E. Greggs, USN, HT-28; Lt.j.g. James A. Calloway, USN, HT-8; Col. Jeffrey Pavelko, USMC, Deputy Commodore TW5. MIDDLE ROW: Cmdr. Kenneth M. Kerr, USN, CO HT-18; Lt.j.g. Ben M. Allen, USN, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Max L. Miller, USN, HT-28; Lt.j.g. Ryan C. Pellegrino, USN, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Michael K. Kelly, USN, HT-28; Lt.j.g. Peter J. Oristian Jr., USN, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Khalid E. Almutairi, RNSF, HT-28; 1st Lt. Samuel J. Olson, USMC, HT- 18; 1st Lt. Joseph M. Vandegrift, USMC, HT-28; Lt.j.g. Ahmed U. Khan, USN, HT-8; Cmdr. Mark J Miller, USN, CO HSM Weapons School Pacific. BOTTOM ROW: Cmdr. Lena C. Kaman, USN, CO HT-8; 1st Lt. Francis G. Davis III, USMC, HT-18; Lt.j.g. Christopher M. Leonard, USN, HT-8; 1st Lt. Nicholas J. Hamilton, USMC, HT-28; Lt.j.g. Roy Thigpen, USN, HT-8; 1st Lt. Cristov D. Dosev, USMC, HT-18; Lt.j.g. Erik T. Stein, USN, HT-18; Lt.j.g. Zachary P. Hines, USN, HT-8; Lt. Caitlyn K. Gever, USCG, HT-8; Ens. Giulio Speranza, ITNAV, HT-8. (June 28)

TOP ROW: Lt. Col. Gregory R. Curtis, USMC, CO HT-28; Lt.j.g. Samuel B. McMullen, USN, HT-28; 1st Lt. Cole H. Mielcarek, USMC, HT-28; Lt.j.g. Gregory J. Abernathy, USN, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Matthew R. Weese, USN, HT-8; 1st Lt. Jacob M. Stauts, USMC, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Joshua Mayberry, USN, HT-28; 1st Lt. Zachary M. Pipkorn, USMC, HT-28; Lt.j.g. August A. Uecker, USN, HT-18; 1st Lt. Eric A. Wenzel, USMC, HT-18; Capt. Eric S. Gleason, USCG MIDDLE ROW: Cmdr. Kenneth M. Kerr, USN, CO HT-18; Lt.j.g. Jacob N. Hastings, USN, HT-28; Lt.j.g. Justin T. Price, USN, HT-28; 1st Lt. Scott C. Hayman, USMC, HT-18; Lt.j.g. Jessica T. Yri, USN, HT-28; 1st Lt. Cody R. Iszler, USMC, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Michael N. Sims, USN, HT-8; 1st Lt. Roberto E. Aldama, USMC, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Sara K. Tumbas, USN, HT-18; Capt. Douglas Rosa, USN, Commodore TW-5. BOTTOM ROW: Cmdr. Lena C. Kaman, USN, CO HT-8; Lt.j.g. Sarrah N. Childress, USN, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Justin P. Magallon, USN, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Taylor J. Adams, USN, HT-8; Lt.j.g. Richard W. Cavins, USN, HT-18; Lt.j.g. Nicholas A. Satterlee, USN, HT-18; Lt.j.g. Abdulaziz A. Alahaideb, RSNF, HT-18; Lt.j.g. Seth M. Ashley, USN, HT-28; Lt.j.g. Anastasia R. King, USN, HT-28 (July 12)

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