Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas January 26, 2017Vol. 23, No. 2

2015 Russell Egnor Navy Media Award winning newspaper

Wounded but never

down

--page 6

Astros catching up -- page 8

Navy installations within the continental United States, including Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, will conduct Exercise Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield 2017 Jan. 30 – Feb. 10.

SC-CS17 is a two-part Anti-Terrorism Force Protection exercise designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability with other services and agency partners. Exercise SC-CS17 is not in response to any specific threat,

but is a regularly scheduled annual exercise.

Measures have been taken to minimize disruptions to the local community and normal base operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic around the base or delays in base ac-cess. Area residents may also see or hear security activities associated with the exercise. Advanced coordination has taken place with local law en-forcement and first responders.

Navy wide exercise to affect activities, traffic

HM2 Jeremiah Matthews, NHCCC, volunteered during his off-duty time to participate in judging at Ray High School during the Coastal Bend Classic NJROTC competition held Jan. 21. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Victor Navarrete)

Sailors, cadets work together at Coastal Bend ClassicFrom North Texas to the Rio Grande

Valley, 13 high school Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps teams embarked to Corpus Christi to participate in the Coastal Bend Classic JROTC Drill Meet at W. B. Ray High School recently.

Additionally, Sailors assigned to NAS Corpus Christi, including the Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi, and the Naval Opera-tions Center volunteered their time to help judge the contest.

San Benito HS NJROTC, senior naval sci-ence instructor, Capt. (retired) Nels Swanson, brought his team of about 25 cadets from the Rio Grande Valley in what has become an annual trip. The team also visited NASCC before the competition to show the young students some sights and sounds from the Navy.

“We really like bringing the kids up here to compete,” Swanson said. “These kids work really hard so it’s rather rewarding too.”

His team placed 5th overall in the com-petition, meaning they will next go to the state-wide competition being held at College Station soon.

AC1 Josh Ottwell, NASCC air operations, enjoyed being a part of the competition by inspecting the student’s uniforms and drill movements.

The categories that the kids are judged on are armed drill, unarmed drill, color guard, uniform inspection and physical fitness.

“The program is helpful for me to stay on track,” said Laurie Gonzalez, a competing cadet. “It’s great fun and a place to make friends, learn about the military and grow some leadership skills.”

The program also helps young people with an interest in joining the military become more familiar with the customs and courtesies upon entrance into their respective service branch.

“It’s great to see the support from the

base when the Sailors are able to come out, participate with us and interact with the kids,” said Randy Oliver, Cmdr., SNSI Carrol High School.

Wingspan The Wingspan is published every other week by The Port Lavaca Wave, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Navy, under ex-clusive written contract with Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. The Wingspan is an au-thorized publication for members of the mili-tary services and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Navy, Naval Air Station Cor-pus Christi, or The Port Lavaca Wave, of the products and services advertised herein. Ev-erything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal oppor-tunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher may refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is cor-rected. All editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Public Affairs Office. Comments, let-ters, or suggestions should be sent via e-mail to: nascc-pao@navy.mil. To advertise in the Wingspan, contact The Port Lavaca Wave at afrench@plwave.com or call (361) 746-4341.

Capt. Steve BantaCommanding Officer

Fifi KieschnickPublic Affairs Officer

Jason KuceraEditor

MC2 Victor NavarretePublic Affairs Specialist

NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan2 January 26, 2017

This paper is pub-lished for people like Ensign Joseph Bullington, a native of Jacksonville, Florida. Bullington just finished flight school and is awaiting orders to his next destina-tion.

Wingspan

NA

SCC

Facebook

WORSHIP SERVICES ABOARD NASCC:

CATHOLIC WORSHIP SERVICEBase Catholic Chapel

Daily Mass Mon, Wed - Fri: 11:30 a.m.Sunday Mass: 9 & 11 a.m.

PROTESTANT WORSHIP SERVICEBase Protestant ChapelSunday Service: 10 a.m.

CMDCM(SW) Jeffery Tidwell

Command Master Chief’s Column

Chaplain’s Word

Lt. Kevin JacksonCommand Chaplain

Family bonds

Howdy! I hope everyone had a great holiday season and got to spend some time getting caught up with family and friends. It is always great when everyone comes back safe and sound from their time off.

As I write this article, there are 54 first class petty officers currently taking the Chief Petty Officer’s exam. With the beginning of the New Year, so comes the first round of Navy wide advancement exams.

The first round of the Navy wide ad-vancement exams are fast approaching this March. It is never too late or too early to start studying for your exam. You should strive

to spend at least thirty minutes to an hour each day during the work week studying for your exam.

There are lots of ways this can be ac-complished: study groups; ask your chiefs and fellow shipmates questions about your rate, or by just studying alone. You will be surprised what you can find out about your rate just holding conversations with your fellow shipmates.

Not everyone can and will have the opportunity to do everything in their rate. For example, not all of the master-at-arms on base has done a tour of duty in a Harbor Patrol Unit, but we have MAs on base that have and can give you some knowledge in this area.

As I climbed through the ranks, I heard all kinds of things regarding how to answer the advancement exams. “The longest answer is always the correct answer because they are not going to write long answers that are not correct.” “When in doubt, charlie out.” “When one of the answers is ‘all of the above’

or there is a ‘both’ in the answer, those are the answers to choose.”

I am sure there are a lot more out there, but I just wanted to pass some of the ones that I have heard. If you are someone that trusts that these are the correct way to answer questions on the advancement exam, then you are going about it the wrong way.

Nothing will ever take the place of good, old studying.

Like I have told most of you, you and you alone are responsible for your careers. Advancement is no different. Advancement is earned and not given. Studying by itself will not guarantee you will advance because there are other factors, like quotas and evaluations.

However, the score you make on the exam could very well be the deciding factor for you to make the cut off. Studying is knowledge and knowledge is good. Put in the effort and I am sure you will be surprised with the results.

Good luck to all of you taking the tests in March.

One of the strongest institutions to ever have been established does not have a busi-ness plan, a governing board or a ranking structure for promotional purposes. That institution is the family. Just think about it. The family has existed since the beginning of creation.

I’m proud to report that the family is still thriving and standing as a whole; however, there have been some challenges in our current day. Allow me to offer some key elements to ensure your family remains strong.

First, the family must have a genuine love for one another. Love is one of the most powerful forces in the world. People,

in general, have a need to be loved and cared for regardless of demographics. Love has the ability to forgive past transgressions in anticipation of healing and renewed commitment. “Love” is an action word. It must be demonstrated, or its simple verbal articulation can be questionable. Always remember this simple statement: “Love the people who you love.”

Secondly, to ensure the family is strong, communication is essential. How many of us actually sit down at the dinner table on a regular basis and talk? I’m sure the answer to that question is not many of us. I believe a family that communicates is armed to dismantle confusion and outside forces that try to destroy the fabric of the family.

Here’s another challenge; try sitting down and talking with everyone in the home at least once a week. Just go around to each family member and allow each person to share one thing that encouraged them during the week and one thing that was challenging. Third, faith is essential for maintaining a strong family. A family that rests upon its faith tends to endure difficult

times easier. Our faith sustains us even when the circumstances look dim and hopeless. Our faith causes us to rise to the occasion and believe that a better day is coming.

Lastly, a strong family knows how to have fun. When is the last time you and your family went somewhere and just had fun? How about a barbecue? How about a game of scrabble or even a video game on Xbox? Whatever activity you can think of that will create laughter, healthy competition and quality time will result in a phenomenal dose of strength and encouragement to the family unit. Nurture your family unit with planned and spontaneous fun.

3NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan January 26, 2017

by Bill LoveNHCCC Public Affairs

Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi patients using RelayHealth after Jan. 29, will send secure messages to their Medical Homeport Team using a new web address, https://mil.relayhealth.com.

The change replaces www.relayhealth.com in order to meet DoD Cybersecurity standards.

RelayHealth is one of the advantages of being enrolled with a NHCCC primary care manager and MHP Team. It allows patients to ask health care questions about non-urgent symptoms, request test and lab results and schedule a future appointment. In some cases RelayHealth can help patients avoid unnecessary office visits.

Once a patient submits a secure message, he or she will receive an initial response within eight hours.

“We won’t go home until we acknowledge every message in the system,” said HM2 Eugene Smith, NHCCC RelayHealth Super User, and MHP assistant leading petty officer.

Seventy percent of 13,078 enrolled NHCCC patients are signed up for Relay-Health and Smith says that his team typically processes 75-100 secure messages daily.

Since 2009, RelayHealth has provided Patient Engagement and Interoperable Secure Messaging solutions to the Military Health

System. These solutions support the move to a more connected and patient-centric model of care, according to Federal Solutions Military Health Account Manager, Rhonda Sterner in a written message.

"Today, across all of military health, more than 32,000 clinical users connect to more than 1.6 million military health beneficiaries at over 1,200 MTF, branch, community clinics, and other sites both CONUS and OCONUS," said Sterner.

Improving overall patient satisfaction through connectivity solutions is a top prior-ity at NHCCC.

“The change will essentially be easy because patients won't have to change any of their personal information to their account. Patients can still message their provider and nursing staff as they have been doing in the past,” he said.

Those using the old website, relayhealth.com, will be flagged by the system and automatically moved to the new website.

“Once this occurs we ask the patients to save the new website to their tablet or smart devices. We as a staff are able to assist anyone with questions or concerns to their account,” said Smith. “The only time you won't be able to send messages will be the weekend of Jan. 27-29 because of system maintenance. Normal RelayHealth operations will resume on Monday, Jan. 30.”

HM2 Eugene Smith, Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi RelayHealth Super User, and Medical Homeport (MHP) assistant leading petty officer, explains that patients using RelayHealth after Jan. 29, will send secure messages to their MHP Team using a new web address, https://mil.relayhealth.com, without changing personal login or account information.

RelayHealth website address update improves security, satisfaction

Dr. Joseph Coniglio, D.D.S., M.S.Orthodontist

(361) 993-23335756 S. Staples • Corpus Christi

Neighborhood Offices: • Corpus Christi• Kingsville • Portland • Rockport• 5 Points

Quality Treatment with • Reasonable Fees• Free Initial Exam • No Down Payment • Low Monthly Fees

Less Treatment Time Fewer Treatment VisitsComputer Assisted Technology with Fixed or Invisible Braces to Shorten Treatment Time and Achieve the Best Possible "Super Smile" with Minimal Discomfort and Lower Costs

Dramatically Improve Your Smile with the "Super Smile" Technique by Dr. Joseph Coniglio

Military Provider and most other major insurances accepted

4 NAS Corpus Christi WingspanJanuary 26, 2017

by Brigitte RoxCCAD Public Affairs

A fleet of 20 AH-64 Apache aircraft from the 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas landed at the Corpus Christi Army Depot last week to prepare for their February deploy-ment to Europe.

The 1-501st, also known as the Iron Dragon battalion, will deploy this February for a nine-month rotation in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

"We're moving aircraft to Corpus Christi to put them on a ship to deploy to Europe," said Lt. Col. Chris Crotzer, 1-501st com-manding officer.

“Supporting units like this sends a clear message to the rest of the Army that CCAD is willing to aid whenever we can to support the Warfighter and the overall mission,” said Maj. Nathan Patrick, the depot commanding officers’ executive officer.

Maj. Patrick handles military-aviation-related matters at the depot, including coordination with other military entities. He worked out the details of the 1-501st arrival and parking plan along the sea wall, even including a maintenance bay for their use, to ensure the 1-501st a smooth and effortless transition to the Port of Corpus Christi.

Though CCAD was ready and set to assist the deployment, this depot is not a normal pit

stop for active battalions. Through the Army Working Capital Fund,

CCAD operates as an industrial facility specializing in helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul under the US Aviation and Missile Command.

The depot is renowned for its helicopter reset and modernization capabilities, pro-longing the life-cycle of some of Army’s most-trusted rotary wing aircraft.

“It will take several days to load the aircraft on the ship across town at the Port of Corpus Christi,” said CW3 David Staruch, of the 1-501st. “We can only load a few [Apaches] at a time and have to remove the rotor blades and prep them for travel. There’s no heliport. It’s just a big massive ship.”

The original plan was for the 1-501st to ferry aircraft to the Port of Corpus Christi over the course of three days. The Port of Corpus Christi is one of the few ports in the Gulf of Mexico that can sustain a boat large enough to carry 20 helicopters safely across the Atlantic.

As luck would have it, high winds delayed the 1-501st move to the port by a day, but it did little to slow down the Iron Dragon battalion. Despite the winds, the 1-501st was able to load all aircraft within the original three-day time frame.

Through the cooperative efforts of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Chief of Naval

Air Training and CCAD, the 1-501st and their helicopters safely assembled at CCAD and continued to the port safely, demonstrating the synergy it takes to put global readiness and regional responsiveness in action.

"It's real easy working with the folks

at CCAD," said Lt. Col. Crotzer. "And the Navy and flight test folks have been fantastic. They've been helping us every day."

According to Fort Bliss's Jan. 10 press release, approximately 400 Soldiers and 24

CCAD assists aviation battalion deploying to Europe

“We train with the Apache all the time and with our ground units to gain proficiency,” said CW3 David Staruch, pictured, of the 1-501st. “Now we are going to Europe to train with the Allied Nations to do the same with them. We feel ready for the task at hand.” (U.S. Army photo by Kiana Allen)

See “Iron Dragons” cont. pg. 9

• Divorce & Separation• Child Custody & Support• Adoption/Guardianship• Paternity Cases• Wills & Probate

• Military Law• Auto Accidents• Personal Injury• DWI• Criminal Defense

William a. Thau iii, P.C.

9708 S.P.I.D., SUITE A-101 • CORPUS CHRISTI (361) 937-5513 • Toll Free 1-877-888-1369

Licensed by the Supreme Court of TexasFormer President of the Corpus Christi Family Law Association (1999-2000)

Former U.S. Navy Lawyer

Selected as a Texas “Super Lawyer” in November 2003, October 2004, and October 2005 issues of Texas MonthlyAwarded the Client Distinction Award for 2015 by Martindale-Hubbell

Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve, Ret.

5337 YORKTOWN BLVD., SUITE 4A2 • CORPUS CHRISTI(361) 980-3700 • Toll Free 1-877-888-1369

Your Next

Wingspancoming

February 7, 2017.

Watch for it!

2 7/16” x 2 3/4”

5026 Deepwood Cir. Corpus Christi, Tx 854-22782150 W. Wheeler Aransas Pass, Tx 758-5199

114 Lang Rd. Portland, Tx 643-8243

www.HumpalPhysicalTherapy.com

1811 Broadway (aka Fulton Beach Rd.) Rockport, Tx 729-8777

HumpalPhysicalTherapy& SportsMedicineCenters

(also located in Calallen & Alice)

We Proudly Support Our Military!

5 January 26, 2017NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan

What’s Happening? Coming up

Guild Hall: Adventures in the Arts Selections from the Permanent Collection of the Guild Hall Museum

Jan. 27, 10:00 am until April 30, 5:00 p.m.Location: Art Museum of South Texas

Family Art Time at Art Center of Corpus Christi Jan. 28

The Art Center of Corpus Christi opens up its doors every Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m! There are different classes that offer arts and crafts projects to complete

as a family. Explore that creative side with your loved ones! Location: 100 N. Shoreline Blvd.

Last Weekend for Dine Downtown Corpus Christi Until Jan. 29

Enjoy dining experiences at various Downtown restaurants in and around the Marina Arts District. Each business is offering special, value-priced meals during Dine

Downtown.Location: Downtown Corpus Christi

Wedding Dream Day: An Open House ExperienceJan. 29

Stop by Katz 21 Steak & Spirits for an afternoon of wedding planning fun, a tasting of exquisite food and specialty cocktails, tour the venue, and meet some preferred wedding vendors. There will be a variety of raffle prizes and contests. Don’t miss your chance to win a $2,000 Wedding Package towards your dream day wedding at our

venue. RSVP 361.808.4087Location: 5702 Spohn Drive, Corpus Christi, TX

On-Going

The Counseling and Training Clinic at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi facilitates free and confidential support for the military, including active duty, Re-

serve, National Guard and veterans. The group is designed to help participants with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, sexual assault and traumatic experiences. The group meets from 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays in room 2014 of the Natural

Resource Center. Information: 361-825-3995.

WednesdaysDowntown Farmers Market, 5-8 p.m.

Art Center, free, growlocalstx.com

FridaysFood Truck Fridays every last Friday of the month. North Bayfront Park

11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1590 N. Shoreline Blvd.

Celebrate and support local artisans and cottage food vendors as we host this year’s Fall Market Days season at Water St. Village, home of Fresh! Cafe. The purpose of market days is to support cottage industries and entrepreneurs, and

encourage support for local gift giving this holiday season. Each Saturday from 9 a.m. til noon.

The Catalina Club aboard NASCC is hosting NFL game day action every Sunday throughout the season. They open their doors at 11 a.m. til 7 p.m.

Located on Padre Island under the JFK Bridge13309 S. Padre Island Dr.

(361) 949-6744 • docsseafoodandsteaks.comMajor Credit Cards Accepted

6 January 26, 2017 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan

Editor’s Note: This is one part in a series highlighting veterans in our community.Honoring Our Veterans Wounded in Vietnam, veteran marches on by helping others

Rendon, following surgery on his right arm, Feb. 7, 1970. (Courtesy photo)

by Jason Kucera

Tomas “Tom” Rendon, a Robstown, Texas native, spent three years serving in the U.S. Army from 1967-1970, before being medically retired.

He enlisted in the Army in 1967 and then attended basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, followed by advanced individual training at Fort Eustis, Virginia.

His job title was a UH-1 helicopter repair-man, commonly known as a “crew chief.” He also volunteered for airborne school at Fort Benning, Georgia, before reporting to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and the 82nd Airborne Division.

Rendon then volunteered for service in Vietnam, being assigned with the “Casper Aviation Platoon,” 173rd Infantry Brigade (Airborne) “Sky Soldiers.” The helicopter crew he was assigned to during his time deployed was the OH-6 Cayuse, nicknamed “LOACH,” for light-observation helicopter. It was while flying on a mission on this aircraft he was wounded.

“I was medically retired from the Army 10 months after being shot during my deploy-ment,” Rendon said.

Rendon said during a “tree top” observa-tion mission he received hostile enemy fire. During the skirmish, his weapon was hit by at least two to three snipers with automatic weapons, which then ricocheted and hit him in his right forearm, right thigh, along with shrapnel from the damaged weapon hitting his facial area. The physical wounds were severe and Rendon was medically-evacuated to the nearest hospital. He later was awarded the Purple Heart.

“After a short stay at Yokohama Medical Hospital in Japan, I was sent me to Brooke Army Hospital at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio,” Rendon said. “There I had surger-ies on my hand and arm, and a few months of physical therapy. The Army then decided

to medically retire me in December 1970.”While that culminated his Army career,

Rendon spent the next 31 years working at Corpus Christi Army Depot as an aircraft machinist journeyman, in addition to helping his fellow veterans.

“It was really tough when I first was out of the Army as there just wasn’t a lot of work or help for veterans. It was a while until veterans really started to see the support needed for a lot of the difficulties they faced after leaving the military in that era,” he said.

Rendon, like many other Vietnam veter-ans, says he suffered through post-traumatic stress disorder and had to deal with it himself.

“I think some veterans feel guilt that they survived, wounded or not, after losing buddies they served with,” Rendon said.

In 1999, Rendon began volunteering with the Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit national charitable organization, and now serves as the Chapter 150 adjutant, treasurer and service officer. He is also the treasurer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 598.

“As a veteran volunteer service officer, I assist veterans with filing for their Veteran Affairs benefits and claims they are entitled to,” Rendon said. “I also help to pick up and deliver medical equipment for those veterans who cannot do those tasks themselves, along with assisting others with getting signed up for their benefits.”

The DAV helps veterans in need of wheel-chairs, hospital beds, walkers, canes and crutches, among other medical equipment. According to their mission statement, they also provide free, professional assistance to veterans and their families in obtaining benefits and services earned through military service and provided by the Dept. of Veteran Affairs, among many other services offered.

The MOPH also helps veterans with assistance with VA claims and through a variety of other ways. Veterans do not need

to be members of the organization in order to seek help from them.

“We really want some of our younger veterans to get involved with us, to get them out of the house and find camaraderie with each other,” Rendon said. “I would like to see more Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans attending meetings and becoming active with veteran’s organizations.”

Rendon has been married to his wife,

Rendon, standing beside a poster of the United States Postal Service Purple Heart stamp issued in 2003. (Courtesy photo)

Lettie, for 26 years. She also volunteers her time to help veterans in need and is the adjutant and treasurer for the Disabled American Veteran Auxiliary local unit 150, a sub-organization of DAV.

Rendon plans to continue to support his fellow veteran as long as he is capable.

For more information about DAV, visit their website at www.dav.org and for MOPH, www.purpleheart.org.

Rendon, bottom left, along with fellow members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, chapter 598. (Courtesy photo)

7 January 26, 2017NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan

Bravo Zulu

LS2 Anniceris Cardelle reenlists for four years with Lt. Cmdr. Jill Sallis officiating. Cardelle, an 8-year Navy veteran from Miami, Florida, reported from Little Creek, Virginia to NHC Corpus Christi Materiel Management in February 2014. He currently serves as the assistant contracting officer representative, and is in receipt of orders to Naval Special Warfare Group TWO Logistics and Support Unit. (U.S. Navy photo by Bill W. Love)

HM3 Zachary O. Daley receives the Navy Achievement Medal from Capt. Guido F. Valdes, commanding officer, NHC Corpus Christi, for serving as general duty corpsman, Operation Medicine, from January 2013 to January 2017. Daley was praised for assisting ten providers in delivering expert medical care during 8,936 patient encounters while maintaining 97 percent patient satisfaction. While forward deployed with Marine Forces North, he served as the sole medical asset providing medical skills development and casualty assistance in support of 400 multinational forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Bill W. Love)

AC2 Amanda Taylor re-enlisted on Jan. 19, for six years, and is headed to serve aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The oath of re-enlistment was administered by Lt. Scott Beck, Administrative Officer. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Victor Navarrete)

AC3 Jody Miller will serve his next four years at San Nicolas Island, California, after re-enlisting Jan. 19. Lt. Scott Beck, Administrative Officer, presided over the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Victor Navarrete)

MA3 Joshua Bohi, NASCC Security Dept., is presented with the Navy Achievement Medal from Capt. Steve Banta, commanding officer, for his service while assigned to the security department from February 2014 to February 2017. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Victor Navarrete)

Capt. Steve Banta, commanding officer, NASCC, presented the Navy Commendation Medal to MA1 Leroy Williams, for his meritorious service while serving as the lead petty officer and kennel supervisor for Security from Dec. 2013 to Jan. 2017. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Victor Navarrete)

LS1 David Pazrosas receives the Navy Achievement Medal (5th Award) from Lt. Cmdr. Kaia Robinson, comptroller, for serving as leading petty officer, Resource Management and Command Suite, NHC Corpus Christi from January 2014 to January 2017. Pazrosas was praised for training seven Sailors while ensuring 100 percent audit readiness for the command travel program. Through his management of a $330,000 annual travel budget and 420 Defense Travel System accounts, the command achieved 100 percent appropriateness and promptness of all travel claims for staff and TRICARE beneficiaries. (U.S. Navy photo by Bill W. Love)

8 January 26, 2017 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan

by Jason Kucera

The Houston Astros sent two players and a former player to visit NASCC Jan. 19 as part of their annual caravan.

Preston Tucker, Tyler White and Geoff Blum were the contingent at Lighthouse Lanes Bowling Alley, brought in by Navy MWR, signing autographs and taking photos with the fans that stopped by that afternoon.

“It’s really cool to come out here and see our military and civilians that support them,” Tucker said. “Being from Florida, there’s a large amount of Navy there and retired military I’ve met, so I really enjoy anytime we get to meet them out on the road.”

Both current players are rather familiar with Corpus Christi, as each played for the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Astros Minor League Double-A affiliate.

Geoff Blum, former Major League Baseball player and current Astros televi-sion commentator, said it was his first time visiting the base in South Texas. Blum was traded from the Astros to the Chicago White Sox, and then famously hit a homerun against his former club in the 2005 World Series.

“That was bittersweet for me, of course,” Blum said. “Having played for the Astros for a few years and then winning a title against them was weird, but I still liked it.”

Blum also enjoyed watching Tucker and White square off in bowling. It took a couple of frames for White to warm up, he said, but once he got

going it was a good battle between two teammates and friends.White is a native of Mooresboro, North Carolina, and is all too familiar with

Army culture (due to the proximity to Fort Bragg) but had not met many Sailors.“The experience to meet people who have travelled the world, done really

amazing things for our country and gone through a lot of personal sacrifice is really humbling,” White said.

While a couple of fans razzed Blum for his heroics against his former club, it was all in good fun and between the fans and players, each had big smile with each autograph and photo taken.

The caravan then went on to visit different events as part of their caravan in the Corpus Christi community.

Major league baseball players visit service members, civilians

PSCS Paul Perez gets a baseball signed by Major League baseball players, Tyler White and Preston Tucker, former players of the Corpus Christi Hooks and current players with the Houston Astros. (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Victor Navarrete)

9 January 26, 2017NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan

by Jim GaramoneDefense Media Activity

By a 98-1 vote, the Senate confirmed retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis to be the 26th secretary of defense Jan. 20, and Vice President Michael R. Pence administered his oath of office shortly afterward.

Mattis is the first retired general officer to hold the position since General of the Army George C. Marshall in the early 1950s. Congress passed a waiver for the retired four-star general to serve in the position, because law requires former service members to have been out of uniform for at least seven years to serve as defense secretary. Mattis retired from the Marine Corps in 2013.

Mattis is a veteran of the Gulf War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His military career culminated with service as commander of U.S. Central Command.

He was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1972 after graduating from Central Washington University.

He served as a rifle and weapons platoon commander, and as a lieutenant colonel, he commanded the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines in Operation Desert Storm. In Afghanistan, he commanded some of the first troops to go into the country. In the Iraq war, he com-manded the 1st Marine Division in the drive to Baghdad in 2003.

He was instrumental in publishing the Army and Marine Corps counterinsurgency manual when he served at Marine Corps Developmental Command in Quantico, Virginia. He then commanded the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force before being chosen for four-star rank as the commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command and NATO's Allied Command Transformation in 2007. He was named Centcom commander 2010.

Mattis is a student of the study of war. Former Defense Secretary William S. Cohen called Mattis "a man of thought as well as action," when he introduced him at the Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing last week.

The world is awash in change, Mattis told the committee. "Our country is still at war in Afghanistan, and our troops are fighting against [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] and other terrorist groups in the Middle East and elsewhere," he said. "Russia is raising grave concerns on several fronts, and China is shredding trust along its periphery."

The "islands of stability" in the world are under attack by nonstate actors and rogue nations, Mattis said. "Our armed forces in this world must remain the best-led, the best-equipped and the most lethal in the world," he added.

He told the committee that he will be

"the strongest possible advocate for military and civilian person-nel and their families" and that he will "foster an atmosphere of har-mony and trust at the department with our interagency partners and the congressional committees."

The secretary told the committee that al-liances and collabora-tions with other coun-tries are a necessity in this changing world. "History is clear," he said. "Nations with strong allies thrive, and those without them wither."

Matt is said his priority as defense secretary will be to strengthen military readiness, strengthen U.S. alliances and bring business reforms to the Defense Department.

"Our military is the envy of the world, representing America's awesome determina-

Mattis takes oath becoming 26th Secretary of Defense

tion to defend herself," he said. "Working with you, I will endeavor to keep our unique all volunteer force second to none."

The Honorable James Mattis took office shortly after his Senate confirmation. (Dept. of Defense photo)

AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 1-501st will augment the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, out of Fort Drum, New York, which is the first aviation brigade to support OAR under the Regionally Aligned Force concept.

These Soldiers will support aviation operations throughout Europe to improve interoperability and strengthen relationships with Allies and partner nations.

“We’ll get great training with the forces and get them comfortable working with us,” said Lt. Col. Crotzer.

The AH-64 Apache is the Army’s attack aviation asset used for close combat attack.

The battalion trained hard for the past

year at the National Training Center and through other standard exercises.

“We train with the Apache all the time and with our ground units to gain proficiency,” said Staruch.

“Now we are going to Europe to train with the Allied Nations to do the same with them.”

“We feel ready for the task at hand.” This training deployment will not only

enhance US and European relations, it will add readiness to the US Army aviation’s attack reconnaissance battalion.

The Attack Reconnaissance Battalion self-deploys to any contingency area to conduct operations. On order, it will conduct military operations that will engage and destroy

an enemy or peacefully p e r f o r m m i s s i o n s that ensure r e g i o n a l stability in the area of operations.

T h e nine-month deployment to Europe is a first for this battal-ion who are relying on this training to gain the

“Iron Dragons” from pg. 4

familiarity with some of the field conditions they may face when they are called to support their next mission.

“We exist to support the Warfighter,” Staruch said of the battalion. They provide cover for ground combatants – the guys on the ground – to achieve their mission.

“We’re looking forward to this excep-tional opportunity to work with US Army Europe, our Allies and partners,” said Lt. Col. Crotzer.

Soldiers from the 1st battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, go through a brief prior to preparing their AH-64 Apache helicopters for movement to the Port of Corpus Christi. The battalion, based out of Fort Bliss, Texas, is deploying in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. (U.S. Army photo by Kiana Allen)

Aviators with the 1-501st strategize their movement plan from the Corpus Christi Army Depot to the Port of Corpus Christi where they will load each AH-64 Apache on a ship for Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve. (U.S. Army photo by Kiana Allen)

10 January 26, 2017 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan

The Golden Thirteen, the first African-American U.S. Navy Officers. Photographed 17 March 1944. They are (bottom row, left to right): Ensign James E. Hare, USNR; Ensign Samuel E. Barnes, USNR; Ensign George C. Cooper, USNR; Ensign William S. White, USNR; Ensign Dennis D. Nelson, USNR; (middle row, left to right): Ensign Graham E. Martin, USNR; Warrant Officer Charles B. Lear, USNR; Ensign Phillip G. Barnes, USNR; Ensign Reginald E. Goodwin, USNR; (top row, left to right): Ensign John W. Reagan, USNR; Ensign Jesse W. Arbor, USNR; Ensign Dalton L. Baugh, USNR; Ensign Frank E. Sublett, USNR. (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph)

by Kenneth ClarkNavy Region Midwest Public Affairs

Throughout the history of the United States until the end of World War I, the Navy had enlisted African Americans for general service, but they were barred from joining from 1919 to 1932. From 1893 onwards, African Americans could only join the Navy's Messman's and Steward's branches, which not only segregated African Americans from the rest of the Navy community, but also precluded them from becoming commis-sioned officers.

In June 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the executive order (8802) that prohibited racial discrimination by any government agency.

Responding to pressure from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Adlai Stevenson, in Jan. 1944, the Navy began an accelerated 2-month officer training course for 16 African-American enlisted men at Camp Robert Smalls, Recruit Training Center Great Lakes (now known as Great Lakes Naval Training Station), in Illinois. The class average at graduation was 3.89.

Although all sixteen members of the class passed the course, only twelve were

The Golden ThirteenAfrican-American legacy, broke ground for others to follow

commissioned in March 1944. Because Navy policy prevented them from being assigned to combatant ships, early black officers wound up being detailed to run labor gangs ashore.

In 1987, the U.S. Navy reunited the seven living members to dedicate a building in their honor at Great Lakes Naval Recruit Training Command, Illinois. Today, Building 1405 at RTC Great Lakes, where recruits first arrive for basic training, is named "The Golden Thirteen" in honor of them.

In 2006, ground was broken on a World War II memorial in North Chicago, Illinois to honor the Golden Thirteen and Dorie Miller.

Also, in November of that year, the last of the Golden Thirteen passed away. Lt. j.g. Frank Sublett passed at the age of 86 in his Chicago home.

Upcoming Community Events

To have your evenT included in This secTion, email afrench@plwave.com. The deadline To

submiT evenTs is 10 a.m. The friday before publicaTion. upcoming evenTs are published as

space permiTs There are no guaranTees as To how many Times an evenT

will run. QuesTions regarding evenTs should be direcTed To

ashley aT 361-746-4341.

NAMI Support GroupNAMI Greater Corpus Christi, an affiliate of the

National Alliance for Mental Illness, www.nami.org, now has a weekly support group

for those working on recovery with mental illness - NAMI Connection - every Wednesday evening from 6 to 7:30 PM at Family Counseling Services, 3833 S. Staples, Room 218. A Family

Support Group is held every first and third Friday from 7 to 8:30 PM at Our Lady of

Perpetual Help, 5830 Williams, Rm 1, Satellite Bldg. Both groups are free. No registration

required. For more information,www.namitexas.org/nami-greater-corpus-christi

Kingsville Farmers Market6th and Yoakum, Kingsville, Texas. Live music.

Over 40 vendors. Locally grown fruits and vegetables. Locally produced grass-fed beef,

organic chickens, jams and jellies. Locally made soaps, lotions, and balms. Home-made arts and

crafts of all kinds. So much more! Every 4th Saturday of the month year round, 9 a.m. to noon. Dates may change around the Holidays.

Call 361-455-1846 for information.

Classifieds

To have your ad included in This secTion,

email afrench@plwave.com. The deadline To submiT

classified ads is 5 p.m. The Thursday before

publicaTion. QuesTions regarding classified ads

should be direcTed To ashley aT 361-746-4341.

WANTED: Individual or Couple interested in a rewarding opportunity working as a friend, attendant and life skill coach for our non-verbal adult son. We are seeking individual(s) who are energetic, positive and mature. Experience working with cognitively challenged people is not required. If interested please call Mark at 361-945-0489 for further information.

11 January 26, 2017NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan

by MC2 Victor NavarreteNASCC Public Affairs

Personnel Service Detachment-Corpus Christi recognized Mary Caldwell, deputy disbursement officer, and Christina M. Chaney, human resource assistant, with the 2016 Civilian of the Year and Junior Civilian of the Year award respectively.

Hector Escajeda, director, PSD, stated as one of the senior members of the PSD management team, Caldwell is an in-strumental part in supporting Sailors and their dependents attached to 72 local and geographically-separated units throughout

Mary Caldwell, left, PSD Senior Civilian of the Year and Christina Chaney, right, PSD Jr. Civilian of the Year.

Dedication pays off for PSD personnelTexas, Louisiana and New Mexico. Due to her hard work, Caldwell was directly responsible for the department in receiving the grade of “excellent” during the most recent U.S. Fleet Forces Field Examination Inspection.

Chaney is cited for overseeing and tracking approximately 55 personnel on limited duty and 10 Sailors on humanitarian assignments. She is also responsible for tracking wounded warriors being treated at the San Antonio Military Medical Center. As well as all her other duties, Chaney

has been directly involved with Reserve Officer Training Corps program coordinators to ensure that approximately 50 commissions for newly graduated Navy ROTC officers were processed accurately and expeditiously.

“All Sailors deserve to be paid accurately in a timely manner and have their records updated appropriately,” said Chaney. “As an ombudsman, I saw how things could spiral out of control for a Sailor’s family when his or her pay has discrepancies.”

“Caldwell and Chaney continually extend their professional courtesies to all individuals they come in contact with. Their work ethic continually receives numerous accolades from various supervisors with regard to outstanding performance,” Escajeda said.

The Honorable Sean J. Stackley assumed the responsibilities of acting secretary of the Navy Jan. 20.

Stackley, who served as the assistant secretary of the Navy (Research, Develop-ment and Acquisition) for more than eight years, will carry out the day-to-day responsi-bilities of the secretary of the Navy until the incoming Trump administration nominates, and Congress confirms, a replacement for Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

Mr. Thomas W. Hicks, deputy undersec-retary of the Navy (Management), will also perform the duties of under secretary of the Navy until a replacement for the Honorable Janine Davidson is nominated and confirmed.

Ms. Allison F. Stiller will perform the duties of assistant secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition). She previously served as principal civilian deputy assistant secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition).

Mr. Scott W. Lutterloh will serve as acting assistant secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs). He previously served as the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).

Mr. Joseph B. Marshall will serve as the acting assistant secretary of the Navy (Financial Management & Comptroller). He previously served as the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Navy (Financial Management & Comptroller).

Mr. Steven R. Iselin will serve as acting assistant secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment). He previ-ously served as principal deputy assistant secretary of the Navy (Energy, Installations and Environment).

Ms. Anne M. Brennan will serve as acting general counsel of the Navy. She previously served as the principal deputy general coun-sel, Office of the General Counsel.

The Honorable Sean J. Stackley assumed the responsibilities of acting secretary of the Navy Jan. 20, 2017. (U.S. Navy Photo)

Acting SECNAV, others appointed

12 January 26, 2017 NAS Corpus Christi Wingspan