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Public Affairs OfficerHoward Samuelson

Assistant Public Affairs Officer

&Leading Petty Officer MC1(SW/AW) Barry Riley

EditorMC3 Ryan G. Greene

Skywriter StaffMC2 Kegan E. Kay

MC3 Ryan G. Greene

Host Nation Relations Masako TakakuraSumie Maruyama

Ikumi Tanaka

WebmasterNoriko Yamazaki

ContributorsMWR Marketing Fleet and Family Support Center

Commissary Public AffairsNavy Exchange Public AffairsNAF Atsugi Tenant Commands

We want to spotlight people who are doing good things for NAF Atsugi. If you have someone you’d like to recommend or to submit a photo, please e-mail:at-pao@fe.navy.mil

What’s Inside...

Let's Learn Nihongo

Know the Warning Signs of Sucide

See page 6

Upcoming Events Around NAF Atsugi

See page 9

Domestic Abuse Advocate Speaks Up

See page 4

ON THE COVERA young girl from Naval

Air Facility Atsugi’s Child Development Center (CDC) picks peanuts during a field trip to the Suzuki Farm in Ayase City. More than 70 children from the CDC visited the farm as part of an annual peanut-picking. Photo by Ikumi Tanaka.

Happy Birthday! O tanjobi omedeto!

When is your birthday?Anata no o tanjobi wa itsu desu ka?

How old are you now?Ima nansai desu ka?

I’m 25 years old.Watashi wa nijugo sai desu.

What do you want for your birthday?

O tanjobi presento wa nani ga ii desu ka.

The NAFAtsugi Spolight

Click the picture above to check out MC2 Kay is ready with part three of her barracks cooking, demonstrating how to make a snack called “Ants on a Log” using either celery or apples.

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Story by MC3 Chris CavagnaroCommander, Task Force 70 Public Affairs

Dual Carrier Strike Groups Conduct Simulated Strike During Valiant Shield

The George Washington and Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Groups, as well as land-based aircraft from Marine Corps Air Group 12 and Air Force 36th Operations Group completed dynamic war-at-sea exercises (WASEX) as part of Valiant Shield Sept. 16 and 18.These WASEXs utilized joint assets to simulate long

range strikes against hostile surface warships in order to improve joint interoperability, to assess dual carrier strike group and joint operations and to conduct maritime threat neutralization.“WASEXs are conducted by naval assets around

the world and in their most basic form they are the execution of, in this case, an air-launched attack against simulated adversary surface ships played by U.S. surface combatants,” said Rear. Adm. Mark Montgomery, commander, Battle Force 7th Fleet. “Much like in the 6th Fleet, 5th Fleet or 3rd Fleet, out here in 7th Fleet we conduct routine WASEXs. The difference in this one is that we are being assessed in our ability to efficiently and accurately execute a war-at-sea strike in a given timeframe.”Participants in Valiant Shield include the Nimitz-class

aircraft carriers USS George Washington (CVN 73) and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and its embarked air wing, CVW-17, cruisers and destroyers, Military Sealift Command ships, more than 100 additional Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps aircraft, and an estimated 18,000 Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel.

“The joint environment provides a lot of additional capability,” said Montgomery. “We can conduct organic air wing strikes and do them very efficiently, but we do them more effectively and efficiently when we have our joint partners. They can provide aerial refueling, data location, air-to-air support and escort in and out of the strike mission.”Participating forces will exercise a wide range of

capabilities and demonstrate the inherent flexibility of joint forces. These capabilities will encompass air-defense exercises and complex warfighting.“WASEXs allow us to practice targeting and attacking

simulated threat task groups and opposing sea targets,” said Cmdr. Ernest Winston, commanding officer of the Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron 141. “As adversaries become more advanced, it requires us to adjust our tactics accordingly. This exercise gives us a chance to incorporate new tactics and perfect old ones.”Valiant Shield is the largest joint unilateral military

exercise in the Pacific this year, with a focus on intergration of joint training among U.S. forces.“Integrating Air Force assets with Navy and Marine

Corps helps to strengthen our existing tactics, techniques and procedures,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Ernie Drake, squadron weapons systems officer of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533. “Using these assets allow us to accomplish our objectives through various mission sets, namely air interdiction of maritime targets, incorporating close escort and providing pre-strike sweep elements.”This training enables real world proficiency in

sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas.“War-at-Sea isn’t something the Air Force gets to

practice regularly, so this is the first time some of our pilots have seen this concept in action,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. “Barley” Baldwin, Valiant Shield deputy air boss, from the 302nd Fighter Squadron. For more on this story, and Commander, Task Force

70, click here.

Photo by MCSN Bryan Mai

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Domestic Violence Awareness MonthStories by Eldotha W. Fields NAFA Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate

Domestic abuse is never acceptable. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, domestic abuse includes criminal behavior such as

physical assault and stalking, as well as noncriminal behavior including emotional, psychological, and financial abuse.It crosses all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic

backgrounds and is in every community. In support of preventing domestic violence, what

would you do in response to witnessing a physical assault? The concept of bystander intervention is to help prevent and end domestic abuse. In the case of domestic violence, a “bystander” is a

shipmate, family member, friend, neighbor, coworker, or anyone who has witnessed an incident of abuse. If you suspect someone has experienced domestic

violence, bystander education involves teaching people how to take responsibility in situations that involve violence and/or potentially harmful behaviors. The behavior of the bystander can be important in changing accepted norms and behaviors of the perpetrator and victim. The bystander’s role could be to intervene appropriately, speak out to the perpetrator about hurtful behaviors, or to support the victim.

Many people choose to do nothing for fear of actual or potential violence. A positive approach to being supportive and getting involved is to know that bystander intervention is for everyone. The more we recognize domestic violence as a

problem, the easier it is to create a safer community. Active bystanders understand safe interventions and take the initiative to help. Overcome the apprehension of being labeled “nosey” or interfering with something that is “not your business.”The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC)

is dedicated to the prevention, education, prompt reporting, intervention and treatment of spouse and child abuse. The program provides a variety of services to sailors

and families to enhance their relationship skills and improve their quality of life. If you are the victim of domestic violence, please call

FFSC Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate at 080-5471-0970. An advocate is available to you 24/7.FFSC offers classes on life skills-based education,

individual/couples/family counseling, and much more. For more information on FFSC and the classes

offered, please call DSN 264-3372.

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Graphic Illustration by MC2 Kegan E. Kay

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Domestic Violence Awareness MonthStories by Eldotha W. Fields NAFA Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate

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Graphic Illustration by MC1 Barry A. Riley

It’s not physical, so it’s not abuse right? Some possible responses to this question are

withholding money, humiliating you in front of the children, forced sex, and accusations about having affairs. They all are examples of abusive behavior that victims have experienced. Abuse can be emotional, financial, physical, sexual, spiritual, and verbal. Black eyes, bruises, broken bones

are all good ways to tell if a person may be being physically abuse. The scars they leave will often fade away, but it’s the psychological scarring that does not. Verbal and emotional abuse can be

more damaging than physical abuse. The victim feels defenseless while the abuser feels more powerful. In a relationship emotional abuse

may present itself early on and can include things such as behaving in a very possessive or jealous manner and keeping close tabs on a spouse or partner’s whereabouts at all times. Emotional abuse also includes invalidating the spouse or partner’s feelings and refusing to support the spouse or partner emotionally

during a difficult time. Examples of economic abuse are

controlling a spouse or partner by not allowing them to have a job or complete education, not allowing access to funds or, in some cases, putting all bills only in the name of the abuser. Isolation tactics include getting

angry when the victim spends time with friends, always wanting to be alone with the victim, accompanying the victim everywhere, showing up unexpectedly, and becoming jealous when the victim interacts with others. These behaviors are not acceptable.

It is not a healthy way to relate and will eventually cause harm.Some victims have a spiritual

belief that no matter what happens they have to maintain their relationship with the abuser and act in accordance with a certain culture. The victim may be willing to

sacrifice his/her safety in order to obey his/her spouse and allow the maltreatment to continue. Religious faith does not stop a batterer from abusing.her.Verbal abuse is using insulting language to say things

that will knowingly have a negative impact on the victim’s self-esteem. This includes name calling, ridiculing, shouting or yelling, or swearing. Examples of verbal abuse are, “I don’t know why I put up with you,” and “No one else will ever want you besides me.” All people go through crisis at some

point in time. A healthy relationship gives each person an opportunity to have control of his or her own life. If your spouse or partner acts in any of these ways and forces you to make unhealthy lifestyle choices or changes, it could be a warning sign to an abusive relationship.The Fleet and Family Support

Center (FFSC) is dedicated to the prevention, education, prompt reporting, intervention and treatment of spouse and child abuse. The program provides a variety of

services to sailors and families to enhance their relationship skills and improve their quality of life. If you are the victim of domestic

violence, please call FFSC Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate at 080-5471-0970. An advocate is available to you 24/7.

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September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and though the month is winding down, the Navy continues to stress the importance of suicide awareness. Between general military trainings, posters and Armed

Forces Network public service announcements the information about suicide and ways to help prevent it are widely spread throughout the year.Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi has taken it a step

further and offers classes to help people become more confident in intervening for friends, family or co-workers who may be in need of help.“NAF Atsugi has command suicide prevention

coordinators and at Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC), we have Applied Suicide Intervention Support trainers; three here at FFSC, one in the Chaplains Office and one at Personnel Support Detachment,” said Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Glen Steward.LivingWorks program, Applied Suicide Intervention

Skills Training (ASIST), is an intense two day course held quarterly to teach service members and civilians how to intervene when they are alerted to possible red flag scenarios. According to the LivingWorks website, “Participants

learn and practice skills in identifying and responding to people at immediate risk of suicide.”

The class is related to be similar in learning CPR skills in that the training gives the students the skills needed to be able to act should the need arise.Another LivingWorks program that NAF Atsugi

FFSC holds monthly is the safeTALK.“SafeTALK is a three hour training that teaches

people how to be suicide alert,” said Stewart. “The training teaches people how to follow their senses and ask the question ‘Are you planning to kill yourself?’ Then based on the response, assist the person in need to someone who has ASIST training, a chaplain or medical.”Even without these trainings community members

can take the Navy’s program of A-C-T (Ask, Care, Treat) to help those around them. A-C-T teaches bystander intervention in giving

everyone the power the know how to ask the right questions, be a listening ear and getting the person to seek support through counseling.More information regarding ASIST or safeTALK can

found on the LivingWorks website here.For more tools and tips from the Navy please visit

here or here.The next ASIST class will be held on Oct. 23 and 34

at the Chapel Fellowship Hall. To sign up please call the Chaplains Office at 264-3202.“If we can save even one life through these trainings,

then it is worth it,” said Steward.

NAFA Offers Training to Battle Against Suicide

Photo by MC3 Ryan G. Greene Story by MC2 Kegan E. Kay

NAF Atsugi Public Affairs Office

Members of the Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi Child Development Center (CDC) recently completed the Child Developmental Associate Credential (CDA), a nationally recognized certification, for helping both children and parents.

The accreditation process can take up to two years, but many of the employees at the CDC were able to complete it in less than one.

“It has helped me to remember and use our 13 modules for teaching,” said Child Youth Program Assistant Christi Bueno. “It’s so important that we’re here to help kids develop and grow and help lead their parents to the tools and resources they’re going to need to be the best they can.”

The CDA, requires that participants create a binder of various resources and parenting tools that they can then use to help parents as well as being able to use those tools and skills in the classrooms.

According to the Council for Professional Recognition, a group working to evaluate and standardize childcare accreditation programs, The CDA is based on a core set of

competency standards, which guide early care professionals as they work toward becoming qualified teachers of young children. The Council works to ensure that the nationally-transferable CDA is a credible and valid credential, recognized by the profession as a vital part of professional development.

CDAs have knowledge of how to put the CDA Competency Standards into practice and understanding of why those standards help children move with success from one developmental stage to another. Put simply, CDAs know how to nurture the emotional, physical, intellectual, and social development of children.

“I have so enjoyed working with these kids,” said Party Preschool Lead Hazel Helen. “This is my passion, I started working at NSF [Naval Support Facility] Kamiseya back in 2004, and I’ve never looked back. Getting to complete this certification has only helped me to be a better and stronger worker here at the CDC.”

The process, though only taking many of the employees a year, is extremely time intensive, requiring many of them to work late nights and weekends to complete their assignments, added Program Assistant Terrence Nicholson.

“I’ve wanted to do this course since I got here in 2006,” said Nicholson. “We had to wait to get an instructor who was able to get to [NAF] Atsugi. It was crazy to see just how many of the staff here wanted to sign up for the class.”

When the course was initially made available to the CDC staff, they had nine participants ranging from employees with one to ten years’ experience.

“In 2012 many of us had it done, I was actually still working on it,” said Child Youth Program Assistant Kourtni Billena. “But in 2013 they revamped the program and it took almost a year to redo many of the most basic qualifications; and I’m glad we did, because I was able to relearn so much that’s helped me to be so much better at this job.”

“At the end of the day, we’ve all been doing this for a long time, but we need the kids and parents alike to trust us to be successful,” said Helen. “Getting to do this job and having the opportunity to work with so many kids is the best gift I could have ever received and having the chance to help them succeed fills me with such a sense of joy.”

NAF Atsugi CDC Certifies Safety for Children

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Photo by Ikumi Tanaka

Story by MC3 Ryan G. GreeneNAF Atsugi Public Affairs Office

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Fri., Sep. 26:ICR:8:30 a.m. - Noon (216)Mon., Sep. 29:AOB: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. (129)Tues., Sep. 30:Early Pregnancy Class: 2 - 4:30 p.m. (Conf. Room)Wed., Oct. 1:NPS Playgroup: 9:30 - 11 a.m. (220)Thurs., Oct. 2: Anger Management (3/5): 1:30 - 3 p.m. (Conf. Room)Conv. Japanese Class:5:30 - 7:30 p.m. (216)Fri., Oct. 3:ICR: 8:30 a.m. - Noon (129)Mon., Oct. 6:AOB:7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. (216) Tues., Oct. 7: ICR:8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (216) TAP/GPS Workshop: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (216)NPS Playgroup:9:30 - 11 a.m. (220)Wed., Oct. 8:ICR:8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (129)TAP/GPS Workshop: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (216)NPS Playgroup:9:30 - 11 a.m. (220)Thurs., Oct. 9:Anger Management (4/5):1:30 - 3 p.m. (Conf. Room)Spouse Orientation: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (Navy Lodge)Washi Craft Class: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Navy Federal Celebrates September Specials

Navy Federal has September Celebration Specials. Open a 5% Celebration Certificate for 12-months with a maximum balance of $5000. Get 15,000 points for spending $1,500 during the first 90 days of opening your Go Rewards card. Get $300 & a lower rate when you refinance your auto loan with Navy Federal

from another lender. Restrictions may apply. Please see a representative at the Atsugi Branch for more details.

Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70 Rear Adm. John D. Alexander joins Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi Commanding Officer Capt. John Bushey during a briefing in the NAF Atsugi Headquarters conferance room. Alexander assumed responsiblity for CTF 70 earlier this month in a Change of Command Ceremony. Photos by MC1 Barry A. Riley.

Rear Adm. Alexander Visits NAF Atsugi

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Be Food Safe at the

Commissary

Flag Football sign ups are now open, begining Oct. 27 - Dec. 20 for ages 3 - 15. If interested in signing up call 264 - 3826.Moonlight Madness softball rosters

are due: Oct. 10 with a team meeting on the 14th and the event being held on the 17-18th. Captain’s Cup 10K Run is taking sign ups

at Ranger Gym. The run will take place on Oct. 10. For more information on the race or how to sign up call 264-9514.

Fall Sporting Events

The outdoor pool will continue operating from Noon till 7 p.m. until Sept. 28. The Indoor pool will open on Sept. 29. For more information on the closure, call MWR at 264-9514 or stop by Ranger Gym.

Outdoor Pool Closure

Come to Skymasters Lounge on Tuesday evenings to enjoy Huddle Menu specials, draft beer and Monday Night Football 6 - 9 p.m.!

Replay Tuesdays

E1-E4 Sailors get a free movie ticket and mini snack combo for the 10 p.m. show every Friday and Saturday. Sign up at the Corner Pocket Cash Cage or call 264-4750 with questions.

Late Night Liberty Movie Madness

This 12-week program equips kids ages 7-16 with the physical training and goal-setting mentality needed to accomplish their running goals and push themselves in ways they never knew possible. The group meets twice a week to help kids train to be able to participate in the Trick or Treat 5K and Turkey Trot 5K runs. Call 264-3826 for more info.

Kids Go Running Club

Sat., Oct. 25 come out for the Trick or Treat 5K starting at 9 a.m. This family fun run/walk will feature awards for best costume, so dress to impress in your finest Halloween attire!The Teen Center will be decortating

pumpkins durign the last week of Oct. Come in on Halloween, the bowling alley

11 a.m. - midnight and get reduced games.

Halloween Events

Comedian Bill Bellamy, who has appeared on Comedy Central, MTV and serval movies, will be coming to Atsugi on Sept. 29. The show will be held at Cinema 77 starting at 7 p.m. and will be adults only.

Bill Bellamy

If you’ve been on an MWR trip while stationed here at NAF Atsugi, then we’re looking for your photo! Call MWR at 264 - 3770 to submit your photo and enter to win a $25 tours gift certificate!

ITT Photo Contest

Ranger & Halsey Gym Hours:

Sunday & Saturday:7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Monday - Friday:5 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Liberty CenterHours:

Sunday & Thursday:11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Friday - Saturday:11 a.m. - Midnight

The CDC will be open additional hours in September as part of its “Give Parents a Break” program. For the first time, it will be offering childcare during daytime

hours on a Saturday. Cost is $4 per hour per child. Children must be 12 years or younger. Stop by Central Registration or call 264-3588 to sign up. Evening childcare will be available on Sat., Sept. 20. Cost is $4

per hour per child. Children must be 12 years or younger. Stop by Central Registration or call 264-3588 to sign up.

Parents’ Day & Night Out

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Food safety is a group hug, when you consider everyone who has a role in protecting consumers from foodborne illnesses.For the Defense Commissary

Agency, that process begins where the food originates and continues all the way to the store shelf. However, during September, National Food Safety Education Month, DeCA is reminding its patrons that they also play a significant role to “Be Food Safe” at home.“From the store to their kitchen

table, our patrons should ‘Be Food Safe’ against potential harmful bacteria,” said Army Col. Michael A. Buley, DeCA’s director of public health and safety.Every day a network of military and

civilian food safety specialists are engaged in a multitiered inspection process designed to safeguard commissary products from any potential security and sanitation problems. That entire process can be undone if commissary patrons don’t pay attention to the basic principles of “Be Food Safe,” said Richard Stith, DeCA’s lead consumer safety officer.“Food safety isn’t just about

cooking temperatures,” Stith said. “It’s the entire process from ‘Farm to Fork,’ which includes how you as a consumer treat your food once purchased until it’s served at the table.“If you have several stops to make

Story by Kevin L. RobinsonDeCA Public Affairs

while you’re out shopping – like the exchange, the gas station and the medical clinic – do that before you hit the commissary to decrease the risks of temperature abusing your food, which increases the probability of dangerous microbial growth that can turn into a foodborne illness,” he added. “Once you purchase your perishable items, remember to keep cold items cold and hot foods hot.”The “Be Food Safe” message of

clean, separate, cook and chill is the foundation of a patron’s food safety defense at home, Stith said. The Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Food Safety Inspection Service recommend the following safe handling techniques:Clean: Wash hands with warm soapy

water for 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat, poultry or seafood. Wash utensils, cutting boards,

dishes and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to prepare the next item. Food contact surfaces may be

sanitized with a freshly made solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water.Separate: Separate raw meat, poultry, and

seafood from other foods in your grocery shopping cart and in your refrigerator.If possible, use one cutting board

for fresh produce and a separate one

for raw meat, poultry and seafood. Never place cooked food on a

plate that previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood.Cook:Cook poultry to a safe minimum

internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer.Chill: hill food promptly and properly.

Refrigerate or freeze perishables, prepared foods and leftovers within two hours (or one hour if temperatures are above 90°F).“Prevention of foodborne illnesses

never stops,” Buley said. “It’s a collective effort from start to finish. Our patrons have a crucial role in safeguarding their health once they leave the commissary and take their groceries home.”

Be Food Safe at the

Commissary

Store Hours:Sunday10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Closed Mondays

Tuesday - Friday10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

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