Volume 58, Number 1 https://www.cnic.navy.mil/meridian ~ www.facebook.com/NASMeridian ~ Twitter: @nasmeridianms January 9, 2020 On Base Access expanded for veterans From Public Affairs Staff ]Financial Installation access for NAS Meridian Education Starting Jan 1, 2020, Naval Air Station Meridian will join all mili- Prior to obtaining expanded privileges, patrons must apply for and tary installations in the United States allowing authorized veterans pass a background check. This procedure can be completed at NAS Jan. 11 at 11 a.m. and their caregivers to shop at base Commissaries, Navy Exchange Meridian’s Visitor Control Center. The process takes on average 20 in the Library stores, and enjoy certain Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) minutes to complete depending on numbers of customers and extent of programs. background report. The Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday from 6 conference room. a.m.-3:30 p.m.; closed all federal holidays. Call 679-2379 Eligible patrons include: “I have to stress that all veterans must pass the background check • Purple Heart recipients before they obtain access to the installation,” said Capt. Brian Horst- • Former Prisoners of War man, commanding officer of NAS Meridian. “We continue to focus on ]Cosmic Liberty • Veterans with a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)-documented our number one priority of ensuring the safety of our people and the Bowl & Putt-Putt service-connected disability security of our installation, at the same time we are dedicated to pro- • Primary family caregivers for veterans enrolled in the VA’s Pro- viding top-notch customer service to our veterans as they come in to Jan. 12 at 6:30 gram of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. process their base access.” p.m. at the McCain The next step is for the veteran or caregiver to register their Vet- This expanded access for authorized veterans and caregivers is eran Health Identification Card (VHIC) from the VA that displays their Rec Center. Call specified in the Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access eligibility category. Veterans must also produce a current state issued 679-2360 Act of 2018 and included in the John S. McCain National Defense driver’s license or REAL-ID card, and proof of insurance and registra- Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. tion on their vehicle. =Veterans, page 10 ]Racquetball Open League Sign up now at the Fitness Center. NAS Meridian Sailors of the Year League plays starts Feb. 3. Call 679-2567 ]Cupid’s 5k Color Run Feb. 8, 9 a.m. at Ponta Creek Complex. Call 679-2379 Follow us on www.facebook. AC1 Nathan Woodlee MA2 Michael Ginley ET2 Kyle Pianalto com/NASMeridian and Twitter: Senior Sailor of the Year Junior Sailor of the Year Blue Jacket of the Year @NASMeridianMS Air Operations Security Ground Electronics Civilians of the Year What’s Inside ~ page 2 ~ Area Happenings ~ page 5 ~ Electrical Safety Randall Benson Thomas Carlson Senior Civilian of the Year Junior Civilian of the Year ~ page 7 ~ Ground Electronics Fire & Emergency Services Crime Tips Congratulations Aviation leaders engage Sustainment ~ page 9 ~ Teams in West Coast ‘Boots on Ground’ From Naval Aviation Enterprise hand how the NSS-A has affected two Fresh Look on a Public Affairs of the facilities most involved in and New Year affected by the initiative. Naval Air Stations Lemoore and Through NSS-A, Naval Aviation North Island, California (NNS) reached its goal of 80% mission ca- (NNS) -- The Naval Aviation Enter- pable strike fighter aircraft in Sep- prise (NAE) hosted a two-day “Boots tember and has since rededicated its on Ground” (BoG) event here Dec. 17- focus on sustaining those gains while 18 to follow up on more than a year also using them as a foundation to of implementing the Naval Sustain- increase the lethality and surviv- ment System-Aviation (NSS-A). ability of those aircraft and aircrew. A collaboration between military Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. and idustry leaders to remove barri- Robert Burke joined the BoG at NAS ers, accelerate actions and improve Lemoore and noted that the successes processes, NSS-A encourages the in Naval Aviation can be applied and adoption of commercial best practices shared in other communities to im- and empowers commands to make prove readiness across the board. changes. “2019 was a year of success for BoGs provide opportunities for aviation maintenance improvements ~ page 4 ~ senior Naval Aviation leadership to and readiness, thanks to immense Gunnery Sgt. Chandra Drayton meet teams across the fleet in person, work by both Navy Sailors and ci- President signs law creating more visibility into activities vilians, as well as our contracting Instructor of the Year establishing or needs across the NAE. This par- and industry partners,” said Burke. Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron One ticular event covered two locations “While naval aviation works to U.S. Space Force and Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 to allow leaders to see and hear first- =Aviation, page 8 2 The Skyline ~ January 9, 2020 Photo of Week A Day in Naval History ~ Jan. 10, 1917 ~ The first U.S. Navy production order for aerial photographic equipment is initiated when the Naval Observatory issued requisitions for 20 aero cameras and accessories to be manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company. ~ Jan. 12, 1953 ~ Aircraft landings begin operational tests, day and night, onboard USS Antietam (CVA-36), the first angled flight deck carrier. Photo by MC1 Derek Harkins A Sailor fires a .50-caliber machine gun aboard the submarine tender USS Frank Cable as the ship conducts sea trials in the Pacific Ocean. Local Happenings Navy News Briefs January 18: Meridian Symphony Orchestra Winter Classical featuring 2nd Fleet declares full operational capability Jenny Gregoire from 7-9 p.m. at the MSU Riley Center. Tickets Seven months after reaching initial region if and when called upon.” range from $35-$10; call 601-693-2224. operational capability, U.S. 2nd Fleet Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, achieved full operational capability Dec. C2F exercises operational authorities 31. over assigned ships, aircraft and landing February Since its reestablishment in August forces on the East Coast and the North 2018, Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, 2nd Fleet Atlantic. 1: Fearlessly Funny Comedy Tour Featuring Don DC Curry (C2F) commander, has led the resurgence The achievement of FOC signifies and Friends from 8-11:30 p.m. at the Historic Temple Theater. of the Navy’s newest numbered Fleet, 2nd Fleet has reached sufficient capac- Curry, from ‘Next Friday’ and ‘Friday After Next’ as Uncle Elroy, amid a return to great power competition ity to sustain command and control over as outlined in the National Defense Strat- assigned forces using the operational headlines an evening of stand-up comedy. Tickets are $20; Call egy. functions and processes of the Maritime 229-588-2323 or visit www.makeyoufamousentertainment.com. “Within an increasingly complex global Operations Center and Maritime Head- 6: Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group at 7:30 p.m. at the MSU security environment, our allies and com- quarters, in accordance with Navy Doc- petitors alike are well aware that many trine. Riley Center. You can’t fit Texas singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett into of the world’s most active shipping lanes C2F will primarily focus on forward a single musical genre. Anchored in country music, he ventures lie within the North Atlantic,” Lewis said. operations and the employment of combat into blues, folk, jazz, swing, and gospel. The best description for “Combined with the opening of water- ready naval forces in the Atlantic and Arc- ways in the Arctic, this competitive space tic, and to a smaller extent, on force gen- him is simply this: authentic. Tickets range from $43-$100; call will only grow, and 2nd Fleet’s devotion to eration and the final training and certifi- 601-696-2200. the development and employment of ca- cation of forces preparing for operations 8: Aquila Theatre in George Orwell’s 1984 at 7:30 p.m. at the pable forces will ensure that our nation around the globe. MSU Riley Center. Technology threatens privacy. Government is both present and ready to fight in the --From U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs bureaucrats invent “facts.” Truth becomes elusive. The ever- innovative Aquila Theatre presents a bold, highly physical staging for this classic tale of political repression versus personal freedom. Navy Museum receives national recognition Tickets range from $15-$60; call 601-696-2200. Naval History and Heritage Com- at NHHC who played a role in this pro- 18: Carlota Santana presents Reflejos Flamencos at 7:30 mand (NHHC) hosted a ceremony at the cess, particularly Rear Admiral Cox, Pat p.m. at the MSU Riley Center. 6 p.m. Pre-show dinner; $25 National Museum of the U.S. Navy Dec. Burns, Dave Adams as well as the sup- advance dinner purchase required. Flamboyant, percussive, 17, honoring the museum for its reaccred- port of the Naval Historical Foundation.” itation by the American Alliance of Mu- “When you think of accreditation you and emotionally breathtaking, the art form known as flamenco is seums (AAM), joining the ranks of muse- think of Smithsonian standard,” said coming to the MSU Riley Center stage. Tickets range from $17- ums such as the Smithsonian American Barta, assistant director for NHHC’s $70; call 601-696-2200. Art Museum and the White House Office Navy Museums division. “NHHC is the of the Curator. Navy’s only history organization and we Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mi- are the keepers of the Navy’s history and chael Gilday acknowledged the achieve- heritage. These museums are the prop- Area Happenings ment by NMUSN in a tweet last week, erty of the American people and we want stating that it is a significant accomplish- to make sure we are taking care of our ment.