FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 EYE ON THE FLEET WASHINGTON CHINFO Merit Award Winner VOL. 20 NO. 30 WWW.CNIC.NAVY.MIL/KEYWEST NAVAL AIR STATION KEY WEST, FLORIDA Four Key West Sailors earn anchors, khakis BY MC3 MICHAEL MCNABB of a demanding transition period during of activities designed to build teamwork, Southernmost Flyer which the newly-pinned chiefs gained the uphold tradition, foster pride and develop tools of entrance to an elite fellowship that leadership. new crop of chief petty officers were has existed for more than 200 years. “It was physically and mentally draining pinned Wednesday in a ceremony “I speak on behalf of all the chiefs when but we could see the light at the end of the Aheld at Naval Air Station Key West’s I say we are extremely proud to have these tunnel that led straight to this moment,” training facility on Boca Chica Field. four be a part of the chief’s mess,” said said Hagge. BREMERTON, Wash. Crew members and guests gathered Messenger. “I have witnessed their trans- The soon-to-be chiefs opened the cer- (Sept. 14, 2009) - to witness four Sailors, MAC (SW/AW) formation from being a first class petty emony by singing “Anchors Away” and Seaman Kyle Albrecht, Larry Thomas, RPC (FMF) Philip Burston, officer to becoming ‘The Chief.’” reciting the Sailor’s Creed. After receiv- from St. Louis, Mo., ETC (SW) Duane Hagge and OSC (SW) The newly-minted chiefs had to under- ing a few words of encouragement from heaves a mooring line Kizzalibah Lavala, make the time-honored go a six-week transition period that began members of the NAS Key West chain of as the Nimitz-class transition from “blue shirt” to “khaki.” in late July. Throughout, the four chief- command, the new Chiefs received their aircraft carrier USS For NAS Key West’s Command Master selectees banded together and collectively anchors from family, friends, co-workers John C. Stennis (CVN Chief CMDCM (SW/AW) Dan Messenger, prepared to assume their roles as chief 74) gets underway the hour-long ceremony marked the end petty officers, participating in a number see CPO PINNING page 3 from her homeport of Naval Base Kitsap, in Bremerton, Wash. U.S. Navy photo by MC3 MILLION DOLLAR SMILES Walter M. Wayman Navy League marks half century of local inside: Navy support LETTING GO: Forgiving is a personal act that BY JAMES E. BROOKS Jim Flenner, Ed Knight, NAS Key West Public Affairs John Koenig and Norm helps the pain go Officer away . 2 Wood, were recognized for their milestone THRILLER: JIATFS wins ifty years ago, Key achievements to get the one by slimmest margin West was a big chapter started. on failed 2-point con- FNavy town. “You can take great version . 7 In a city where more pride in your accom- than half the popula- plishments,” said Naval TRIBUTE: NAS Key West tion was either in the Air Station Key West recognizes Sept. 11 Navy or worked for the Commanding Officer tragedy with events . 8 Navy, a group of bank- Capt. Steven Holmes ers wondered why Key during an after-dinner TOP OF PAGE ONE: An West lacked an organi- speech. “Many of us can F/A-18F Super Hornet zation to help the sea recall with pride some- assigned to the Fighting service. The impetus thing we started years Redcocks of Strike led to the formation of ago. Many of those Fighter Squadron (VFA) U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Rachel McMarr 22 lands aboard the air- a Navy League council probably started as a craft carrier USS Ronald aval Air Station Key West Ombudsman Amanda Smith poses for a here in April 1959. simple hunch or feeling: Reagan (CVN 76). photo with NAS Key West Executive Officer Cmdr. Michael Giardino, On Sept. 11, the Navy ‘This is the right thing Nright, and NAS Key West Command Master Chief CMDCM (SW/AW) League Key West Council to do.’” Dan Messenger after receiving a plaque of appreciation at an ombudsmen celebrated their 50th The United States appreciation dinner Monday at Sunset Lounge on Sigsbee Park. “The Navy anniversary at Trumbo Navy League was www.facebook.com/naskeywest estimates ombudsmen save the Navy $48 million a year, but there is no dollar Palms. Four of the origi- figure that can replace what you do,” said Giardino, praising the ombudsmen. nal founding members, see NAVY LEAGUE page 3 2 Southernmost Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 – Oct 15 Flyer FROM THE NAS KEY WEST was that he was the first in the ated the rank of rear admiral COMMANDING OFFICER CULTURAL HERITAGE U.S. Navy to hold the rank of for him after his capture of Capt. Steven Holmes COMMITTEE rear admiral, vice admiral, and New Orleans in 1862 during EXECUTIVE OFFICER admiral. He also was among the Civil War. After his great Cmdr. Michael Giardino avy Admiral David the first American heroes of victory at the Battle of Mobile Farragut served in Hispanic descent. He was the Bay, he was promoted to vice PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER • Southernmost Flyer This Week in Nthe War of 1812, the son of a Spanish merchant admiral in 1864 and then to James E. Brooks Mexican-American War and the captain, born in Tennessee admiral in 1866 after the war. EDITOR Naval History Civil War. He was best known in1801. He joined the Navy as He remained on active duty Trice Denny for his order at the Battle of a midshipman at 9 years old. for life, an honor held by only Sept. 18 Mobile Bay, “Damn the torpe- He was given command of a six other naval officers. He was STAFF does, full speed ahead!” prize ship during the War of also a pallbearer at the funeral MC2 Rachel McMarr 1926 - Navy brings relief aid What many do not know, 1812 at age 12. The Navy cre- of Abraham Lincoln. MC3 Michael McNabb September 18, 2009 September 18, to Miami after a severe hur- This newspaper is an authorized pub- ricane. lication for members of the military Forgiving the guy with a foot in his mouth service and their families. Its contents Sept. 19 do not necessarily reflect the official ang dog, was that in a society today where this There are a few things to views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. 1915 - Secretary of the Navy my ‘inside voice?’” theme of forgiveness or lack know about forgiveness.First, Navy and do not imply endorsement Josephus Daniels organizes ‘D I wonder if that of it is frequently in the head- forgiveness is not something thereof. the Naval Consulting Board question popped into the lines. There are earned or deserved. No apol- The appearance of advertising in this to mobilize the scientific head of some folks these last CHAPLAIN'S a lot of miscon- ogy can make up for the dam- newspaper, including inserts or supple- resources of the United States two weeks in Congress, on the CORNER ceptions about age done. A guy backed into ments, does not constitute endorse- ment by the Department of Defense, for national defense. tennis courts or at the MTV forgiveness. my car last week and dented the Navy, Naval Air Station Key West or awards after blurting out their But how do the bumper, he apologized Cooke Communications of the products Sept. 20 words. you personally and called his insurance, but and services advertised. Then the apologies came. deal with for- that didn’t fix the bumper or Everything advertised in this publica- tion shall be made available for pur- 1951 - In Operation Summit, And what makes a good apol- giveness when my lost time. The insurance chase, use or patronage without regard the first combat helicopter ogy? A good apology is com- NAS Key West someone says company will make it right, to race, color, religion, sex, national ori- landing in history, U.S. Marines posed of at least three parts: Command Chaplain or does some- but what I gave him wasn’t gin, age, marital status, physical handi- were landed in Korea. a description of the act for Lt. Cmdr. thing hurtful something that he could earn. cap, political affiliation or any other non- which one is apologizing, an D. C. Dowling to you? I let it go on a personal level. merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this Secondly, real forgiveness is Sept. 21 expression of remorse for the Forgiveness equal opportunity policy by an advertiser act, and a statement that one is a matter of letting go of a not minimizing the serious- is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse 1944 - Aircraft from 12 carri- will try very hard not to repeat debt, real or perceived, that ness of the offense. It’s not say- to print advertising from that source until ers commence two-day attack the act. another person owes. And ing, “It’s no big deal. It really the violation is corrected. against Japanese ships and Once a sincere apology has until that debt is forgiven, the didn’t hurt. It wasn’t that bad.” The editorial content of this newspa- per is prepared, edited and provided airfields on Luzon, Philippine been made the issue of forgive- person who suffers is the one by the Public Affairs Office of Naval Islands. ness comes into play. We live holding onto the debt. see FORGIVING page 3 Air Station Key West, Florida. The sale of Southernmost Flyer advertising and Sept. 22 printing of the newspaper is performed will help navigate options and how to maximize interest from by Cooke Communications, a private This Week at firm in no way connected with the 1989 - After Hurricane Hugo, entitlements with an excep- local Key West businesses.