VT-9 Trained Aviators First F-35C Pilots to Graduate from TOPGUN

VT-9 Trained Aviators First F-35C Pilots to Graduate from TOPGUN

Volume 58, Number 13 https://www.cnic.navy.mil/meridian ~ www.facebook.com/NASMeridian ~ Twitter: @nasmeridianms June 25, 2020 VT-9 trained aviators first F-35C pilots to graduate from TOPGUN By Gidget Fuentes ing them the tactics, techniques and USNI News procedures that are required for them to successfully employ their aircraft, inte- Two F-35C pilots are the first naval grated into a larger force,” Cmdr. Timo- aviators to graduate from the TOPGUN thy Myers, TOPGUN department head, course flying the fifth-generation Joint said in the release. “We are also in the Strike Fighter, the Navy announced. business of teaching our graduates how Marine Maj. Derek Heinz and Navy to instruct other students, so that when Lt. William Goodwin are among the lat- they go back to the fleet, they are able to est graduates of the Navy Strike Fighter instruct at a very high level.” Tactics Instructor course, run at Naval While TOPGUN had previously grad- Aviation Warfighting Development Cen- uated students who trained to F-35C tac- ter at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev. tics and procedures, Heinz and Goodwin Heinz is a member of the “Rough Raid- are the first fleet pilots already flying the ers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) jet to graduate the course, which used a 125, and Goodwin is a member of the syllabus developed from the ground up “Argonauts” of VFA-147, both F-35C specifically for F-35C integrated opera- Lightning II squadrons based at NAS tions, the Navy said. NAWDC has gradu- Lemoore, Calif. ally incorporated F-35C tactics into the Both Heinz and Goodwin trained and training curriculum as the advanced jet earned their “Wings of Gold” at Naval continues to enter the fleet and replace Air Station Meridian through Training aging Navy and Marine Corps fighter air- Squadron 9 (VT-9). Maj. Heinz in Janu- craft. ary 2011, and Lt. Goodwin in July 2014. “The Lightning II proved its value The TOPGUN course is an individual- to the Navy during every phase of the level course that’s designed to take fleet TOPGUN course,” Myers said, “and its pilots and train them to be strike fighter integration with the F/A-18E/F Super tactics instructors, experts in the latest Hornet, E/A-18G Growler and E-2C/D advanced aerial warfighting tactics. They, Hawkeye demonstrated that the power- in turn, use that knowledge and skill to ful combination of 4th and 5th generation US Navy photo train other pilots in fleet squadrons. The fighters, with advanced electronic attack, Two F-35C Lightning II, attached to Commander, Joint Strike Fighter Wing, the latest class graduated last month. and command and control, is a force-mul- “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, the “Rough Raiders “Strike Fighter “Our focus on the students that go tiplier against advanced threats.” Squadron (VFA) 125 and the “Grim Reapers” Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 through TOPGUN is not limited to teach- =TOPGUN, page 2 complete a flight overhead Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Chief Emenogu earns recognition for work during COVID-19 From Staff Reports NAS Meridian’s own Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Nnamdi Emenogu is being honored by National University’s Department of Community Health, dur- ing a virtual ceremony June 25. “ I am very appreciative of the oppor- tunity that working in EM has provided me and for the steadfast support of the command,” Emenogu said. “Being able Blended Retirement System CY 2021 continuation pay announced to apply hands-on knowledge to a field which I feel a strong desire to serve, is By MC1 Mark D. Faram simply priceless. Our team will go the ex- Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs tra mile to ensure the health and safety of all. Such efforts are necessary in com- The Navy released the calendar year 2021 Blended Retirement System (BRS) bating the ongoing pandemic and main- continuation pay (CP) rates for eligible Sailors, in NAVADMIN 172/20, June 18. taining military readiness.” Under BRS, Sailors participate in a modernized retirement program. Emenogu will be receiving distinct rec- Throughout their career, Sailors who opt-in or were auto-enrolled in the Thrift Sav- ognition and subsequently inducted into Emenogu ings Plan receive a matching contribution of up to five percent of their base pay from the Gamma Psi Chapter of Delta Omega, the Navy. Those who stay until retirement after 20 years, still get retired pay at a the Honorary Society of Public Health, as two percent of base pay for every year of service (YOS) vice the two and a half per- a result of his services during the COV- communication and real-time updates cent multiplier they would receive under the legacy retirement system. ID-19 pandemic. The Delta Omega Hon- were available to frontline workers and One additional benefit of BRS is continuation pay. All Sailors enrolled in BRS orary Society in Public Health was found- emergency responders. qualify for the incentive, which currently comes at the 12-year “mid-career point.” ed in 1924 at Johns Hopkins University Emenogu led 20 Crisis Action Team To collect the incentive, eligible Sailors must do two things. They must request within the School of Hygiene and Public meetings and Emergency Management the pay before they arrive at their 12th pay anniversary and they must agree to Health to promote the graduate study of Working Group sessions, identifying mit- obligate for another four years of service via NSIPS before they can collect. public health, and to recognize outstand- igation measures necessary to protect the If the Sailor has a correct email on file in the Navy Standard Integrated Person- ing achievement in the new field. community. His efforts resulted in keep- nel System (NSIPS), notification that this milestone is approaching will come at the Members are inducted by chapters ing overall infection rate at a stable and 12, six, three and one-month dates prior to reaching their 12th year of service. through a highly-selective process that low level while ensuring the health and For Active Duty and Full-Time Support (FTS) Sailors, the calendar year 2021 assesses their outstanding performance protection of 3,400 military and civilian payout is two and a half times their monthly base pay. For drilling reservists, it is and devotion to the field. To maintain personnel occupying NAS Meridian. half of one month’s salary. This is the same amount as the calendar year 2020 pay- the credibility of this prestigious society, Chief Emenogu earned his Master’s De- out. chapters are limited in the number of gree in Public Health, with concentration For example, an Active Duty or FTS E-5 or E-6 with 12-years of service is eligible members they may induct each year. in Healthcare for a one-time payout of roughly $9,000 and $10,000, respectively. In the Select- Emenogu serves as the Emergency Administration from National Univer- ed Reserve, those payouts would be approximately $1,800 for the E-5 and close to Management Training & Plans Coordina- sity in June 2019, and was the receipient $2,000 for the E-6. tor for the installation. During the past of the Department of Community Health The incentive is taxable income, but for Sailors who obligate for the pay while in three months, he has been vital in imple- 2019 Service Award. He is currently in an eligible Combat Tax Exclusion Zone, the entire amount is tax-free. Sailors get menting and monitoring Health Protec- pursuit of his Doctor of Public Health to choose the payment method and can elect either a lump-sum or in equal install- tion Condition Measures (HPCON) with- Degree through Walden University and ments, which can’t exceed four annual payments over four consecutive years. in the installation. His coordination with plans on taking up Public Health full Sailors can also collect this pay in addition to any other career-specific or reten- local health agencies ensured seamless time when he retires from the Navy. tion incentives. ~ page 2 ~ Area Happenings Battle of Midway Remembrance Command Master Chief Maurice Sutherland, left, looks on as NAS ~ page 5 ~ Meridian’s Executive Officer Cmdr. John- 4th of July Safety Paul Falardeau places a wreath to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Battle of Midway in front of the ~ page 7 ~ Administration Building, June 5. For Sale We sincerely apologize for incorrectly identifying Command Master Chief ~ page 9 ~ Maurice Sutherland in the last issue of the Skyline. Controlling your mood at work 2 The Skyline ~ June 25, 2020 Photo of Week A Day in Naval History ~ June 25, 1950 ~ North Korea invades South Korea, beginning the Korean War. Two days later, President Harry S. Truman supports the United Nations call and authorizes US naval and air operations south of the 38th Parallel, Korea. ~ June 28, 1914 ~ Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria is assassinated at Sarajevo, Bosnia. This act Photo by PO3 Andrew Langholf eventually leads to WWI. On Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Talisha Williams uses a telescopic alidade this date in 1919, the Versailles aboard the USS Halsey in the Pacific Ocean. The guided missile destroyer Peace Treaty is signed, which is deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility to ends WWI. support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission detecting and monitoring illicit trafficking to facilitate international and interagency interdiction and apprehension. Navy News Briefs Local Happenings USS Halsey assists distressed Mariner July The Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer can Coast Guard vessel and is in route 4: July 4th Family Picnicy from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

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