The Lighthouse News - April 23, 2014
-
Upload
matthew-saint -
Category
Documents
-
view
272 -
download
0
description
Transcript of The Lighthouse News - April 23, 2014
-
Vol. 14, No. 8 | Thursday, April 24, 2014www.thelighthousenews.com
WHATS INSIDE
By Andrea Howry
Lighthouse
After a years absence, two
events are returning to Naval
Base Ventura County (NBVC).
The Admirals Cup, a sprint
triathlon that takes place before
the Armed Forces Triathlon
Championship (AFTC), is sched-
uled for Saturday, May 31, at
NBVC Point Mugu. However, it
is not open to the public this year;
only those with base access will
be allowed to compete, and pre-
registration is required.
Also coming back is the
WoundedWarriorTrainingCamp
for Sailors andCoastGuardsmen
who are overcoming serious in-
juries and illness. Last year, train-
ing camps were held at several
different locations across the
country, but the 40 athletes and
staff will be returning to NBVC
Port Hueneme July 9-13.
We are very pleased to be able
to host a training camp again, as
well as the Admirals Cup, said
FredMorgan, Recreation Direc-
tor forMorale, Welfare and Rec-
reation (MWR) at the base.
The Admirals Cup fell victim
to funding issues last year. In past
years, many participants had
Admirals Cup, WoundedWarrior camps return
Photo by MC1 Charles Panter / nMCb 4
UT2 Rodrigo Diaz of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 yells instructions to dismounted troops
during a convoy security element field exercise at Fort Hunter Liggett last month. The full battalion is currently
at the site for its field training exercise (FTX). For more about the preparations and preliminary training
exercises that go into a full FTX, see Pages 16 and 17.
TRAINING DAYS
By Andrea Howry
Lighthouse
The long-awaited Jakes
Wayback Burgers is now open
in the Navy Exchange food
court at Naval Base Ventura
County (NBVC) Port Huen-
eme, and its doing something
unique to the restaurant
chain:
Its serving breakfast.
This is new for Jakes, and
Jakes opens
in NEX
food court
TheNorthMugu Road gate
at Naval Base Ventura County
(NBVC) PointMugu reopened
Monday, April 21, after being
closed for nearly 14 months.
The gate, which closed in
February 2013 due to a safety
N.Mugu Road
gate reopens
SEE EVENTS, PAgE 24
SEE JAKES, PAgE 24
SEE REPAIRS, PAgE 24
BU2 Thad Dodds of Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3
unveils the command coin plaque
he carved for the Seabees plot at
the Senior Community Garden in
Oxnard. Page 6
EARTH DAY 2014
Naval Base Ventura County once
again is winning awards for its
environmental stewardship, and that
leads off four pages of Earth Day
news coverage in this edition. Learn
the pitfalls of trying to do a wildlife
count, see who won the Earth Day
5K, find out what got recycled
during a recent event and find out
what to do to protect yourself from
mosquitos and rattlesnakes as the
weather heats up. Pages 11-14
Youngsters at Naval Base Ventura
County (NBVC) Point Mugu were
treated to a puppet show earlier this
month in an effort to teach children
what to do in the event of a fire,
quake or other disaster. Page 20
-
By Captain Larry Vasquez
NBVC Commanding Officer
The LighThOuse is puBLished aT NO COsT TO The gOVerN-
meNT eVery OTher Thursday By The sTar, Of CamariLLO,
Ca. The sTar is a priVaTe firm iN NO way CONNeCTed wiTh
The deparTmeNT Of defeNse Or The uNiTed sTaTes NaVy,
uNder wriTTeN CONTraCT wiTh NaVaL Base VeNTura
COuNTy. The LighThOuse is The ONLy auThOrized CiViLiaN
eNTerprise Newspaper fOr memBers Of The u.s. NaVy,
CiViLiaN empLOyees, reTirees aNd Their famiLy memBers
iN The VeNTura COuNTy area. CONTeNTs Of The paper are
NOT NeCessariLy The OffiCiaL Views Of, NOr eNdOrsed By,
The u.s. gOVerNmeNT, aNd The deparTmeNT Of defeNse,
Or The deparTmeNT Of The NaVy aNd dO NOT impLy eN-
dOrsemeNT ThereOf. The appearaNCe Of adVerTisiNg iN
This puBLiCaTiON iNCLudiNg iNserTs aNd suppLemeNTs,
dOes NOT CONsTiTuTe eNdOrsemeNT Of The deparTmeNT
Of defeNse, The u.s. NaVy Or The sTar, Of The prOduCTs
Or serViCes adVerTised. eVeryThiNg adVerTised iN This
puBLiCaTiON shaLL Be made aVaiLaBLe fOr purChase, use
Or paTrONage wiThOuT regard TO raCe, COLOr, reLigiON,
sex, NaTiONaL OrigiN, age, mariTaL sTaTus, physiCaL
haNdiCap, pOLiTiCaL affiLiaTiON, Or aNy OTher NON-meriT
faCTOr Of The purChaser, use, Or paTrON. if a ViOLaTiON
Or rejeCTiON Of This equaL OppOrTuNiTy pOLiCy By aN ad-
VerTiser is CONfirmed, The puBLisher shaLL refuse TO
priNT adVerTisiNg frOm ThaT sOurCe uNTiL The ViOLaTiON
is COrreCTed. ediTOriaL CONTeNT is ediTed, prepared
aNd prOVided TO The puBLisher By The LOCaL iNsTaLLa-
TiON puBLiC affairs OffiCes uNder The auspiCes Of The
NaVaL Base VeNTura COuNTy puBLiC affairs OffiCe.
COmmaNdiNg OffiCer
Capt. LaRRY VaSQUEZ
Chief sTaff OffiCer
Capt. SCott LoESChkE
COmmaNd masTer Chief
CMDCM pERCY tRENt
puBLiC affairs OffiCer
kIMBERLY GEaRhaRt
LighThOuse ediTOr
aNDREa howRY
805-989-5281
fiNd us aT:
facebook.com/
NavalBaseVenturaCounty
puBLisher
MaRGIE CoChRaNE
adVerTisiNg deparTmeNT
437-033
N aVa L B a s e V e N T u r a C O u N T y
please submit your questions or comments to Lighthouse editor andrea howry at [email protected]
800-221-sTar (7827)
Ask the
Captain
Thursday,April24,2014
TheLighthouse
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
Question: I know money for basic maintenance
is tight right now, but thats no excuse for the mess
I see around common areas. Cigarette butts, store
receipts and dog waste arent a maintenance issue;
this is a behavior issue. What happened to taking
pride in your neighborhood?
Answer: Thank you for allowing me to address
this issue. I think weve all seen that great sign that
says Your mother doesnt work here, so pick up
after yourself and had a good laugh, but its true:
No one is going to pick up after us. We have to do it
ourselves.
Cleaning up after yourself is a basic tenet of
being a good neighbor, coworker and friend. If you
smoke a cigarette, put it out in an ashtray. If your
pet makes a mess, pick it up. If you finish your soda,
find a recycling container. None of us would throw
trash on the kitchen floor when the can is two steps
away, but we see exactly that happen in outdoor
spaces all the time.
As we recognize Earth Day, this is a great time to
think about our shared responsibilities to our instal-
lation, our community, our country and our world.
This Friday, commands around the installation will
participate in an Earth Day clean-up event a sort
of FOD walkdown for Naval Base Ventura County.
Join us as we beautify our home and re-establish
good, earth-friendly habits to continue for the rest of
the year.
Do you have questions or suggestions? You can
submit them via this forum at [email protected],
online using the COs Suggestion Box at http://cnic.
navy.mil/ventura/index.htm or at www.Facebook.
com/NavalBaseVenturaCounty. You can also follow
NBVC on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NBVCCalifor-
nia and keep up on the latest news and events.
Why is the base looking so messy?
-
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
TheLighthouse
Thursday,April24,2014
CommunityCalendar
LUncheon: Federally
Employed Women,
11:30 a.m., Bard
Mansion. Speaker is
U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley. Info:
Silvia Faulstich, 805-701-8167.
24
FATheR-DAUGhTeR
DAnce: 3:30 to 6
p.m., Hawkeye Country
hangar, NBVC Point
Mugu. Sponsored by VAW-116
Family Readiness Group. $10
per father-daughter couple, $3
each additional daughter. Info:
26
April
RUn FoR ReLIeF:
11:30 a.m., Bee Hive
Gym. EXWC First and
Second Class Petty
Officers Association
hosting run to support Navy-Marine
Corps Relief Society. Info: Page 9.
24
IWo JIMA TALK:
1 p.m., Seabee
Museum. Dr. Kenneth
Marra will discuss the
background and importance of
Iwo Jima during World War II. Free;
base access not required. Info:
982-5167.
26
MILITARY spoUse
AppRecIATIon evenT:
10 a.m., Bee Hive Gym.
Fleet & Family Support
Center event. Info: Page 19.
8
May
A demonstration by the Force Protec-
tionK9 unit and another one by taekwon-
do students are part of the free Military
Kids Day event set for 10 a.m. Saturday,
April 26, outside the Youth Center at Na-
val Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point
Mugu.
A kids run kicks everything off, with
the K9 demo set for 11:30 a.m. and the
taekwondo demo scheduled for 12:30
p.m.
Set up until the event ends at 2 p.m. will
be booths featuring perennial Ventura
County Fair favorite Gene West and his
wooden toys, the Fleet & Family Support
Centers dinosaur dig and the Sea Cadets.
The Morale, Welfare and Recreation fit-
ness van will also be there.
The Teen Center TorchStone Club will
be selling food and drinks.
Professional henna artists, face painters
and glitter artists will also be on hand,
courtesy of Lincoln Military Housing.
Worldwide,more than 1million children
have at least one parent serving on active
duty. This event is intended to show ap-
preciation to those youngsters.
For more information, call 805-989-
7580.
K9, taekwondo demos set for Kids Day
Event starts at 10 a.m.
Saturday, April 26, at
NBVC Point Mugu
Youth Center
By CE3 Jessica J. Pettit
NCG 1
Seabees from Naval Mobile Construc-
tion Battalion (NMCB) 5 are building
restrooms at the Naval Base Ventura
County (NBVC) Port Hueneme soccer
field near the Pleasant Valley Gate.
For years, the soccer field has been used
for physical training, sports days and soc-
cer all without a restroom in sight.
People must have run across the park-
ing lot into the building next door, and
Im sure sometimes the building was
closed, said Builder 1st Class Anthony
Foster.
The convenience of having a restroom
nearby is expected to increase use of the
field, resulting in improved physical fit-
ness.
Eleven Seabees started the project in
November. The crew leader, Builder 2nd
Class Nathan Manning, thinks highly of
his crew and says their morale has been
high through the entire process.
Its awesome to come to work and
know even if Im having a bad morning
that things will turn around on the job site
because my crew is going to impress me
Heads up! Seabees building restrooms at soccer field
phoTo bY ce JessIcA J. peTTIT / ncG 1
BU3 Andrew Tuggle of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 guides a concrete pour while directing other Seabees during the
construction of restroom facilities at the Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Port Hueneme soccer fields near the Pleasant Valley Gate.
See ReSTROOMS, Page 23
LUncheon: Military
Officers of America
Association (MOAA)
local chapters 50th
anniversary celebration, 11:30
a.m., Las Posas Country Club.
$30. Speaker is retired Vice Adm.
Norbert Ryan. Info: 388-2901.
1
-
"
"
$
' &
$ $
"$ #
###!
( !%"(
# ! #
90~
Thursday,April24,2014
TheLighthouse
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
By BUCN Laine Pulfer
NMCB 3
Seabees fromNavalMobile Construction
Battalion (NMCB) 3 completed a 24-hour
relayrunFriday,April.11, tohelpraiseaware-
ness about sexual assault.
Friends, family members and Seabees as-
signed to NMCB 3 gathered at Naval Base
VenturaCounty (NBVC) PortHueneme on
aquarter-mile trackat9a.m.,Thursday,April
10, to kick off the 24-hour nonstop event.
This run was a different way to get the
message across to Live Our Values: Step up
to StopSexualAssault,said the runs coor-
dinator, Chief Builder JesseGarcia-Montes.
People will remember this event with help
fromour collectionof beads andT-shirtswe
gave to participants.
Runners received their T-shirts after regis-
tering for the runandweregivenabeadafter
eachcompletequarter-mile laptoaddtotheir
colorful strand.
The relay provided Seabees and other vol-
unteers the chance to not only reflect on the
importanceof stoppingsexualassaultbutalso
toshowrespect to thosewhohavebeenorare
still affected by sexual assault.
In addition to the relay, NMCB 3s Coali-
tionof SeabeesAgainstDestructiveDecisions
(CSADD) presented a skit to kick off the
24-hour evolution.CSADDsvicepresident,
Builder ConstructionmanAshley Racy, cre-
ated the unique skit that focused on male
sexual assault in order to highlight a lesser
known fact and better support the days im-
portantmessage.
I wanted to do something different be-
cause a lot of people fail to recognize that
malesarealsoaffectedbysexualassaultnot
just women,Racy said.
Achem-lightvigil at sunsetwas conducted
to pay respect to victims affected by sexual
assault throughout2012.Each light stickrep-
resented 10 sexual assaults, resulting in a vi-
sual display of the more than 2,000 docu-
mented sexual assaults that occurred in the
Navy during 2012. Seabees, familymembers
even the furry four-leggedonescontin-
ued running into the night as the 200-plus
chem-lights glowed on the side of the track.
As NMCB 3, we truly care about the
troopsandabout raisingawarenessof sexual
assault, said Garcia-Montes. We have 60
victimadvocatesall trainedandwillingtohelp
any possible victim. This command doesnt
just talk about raising awareness with no ac-
tion theywalk the walk.
By the end of the relay, participants had
run more than 4,000 miles longer than a
coast-to-coast run.
NMCB 3 holds 24-hour relay
Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 stand in line to turn in their
beads April 11 after completing NMCB 3s 24-hour relay run. Participants received one
bead for every quarter mile completed.
More than 200 chem-lights one for every
10 sexual assaults documented in the Navy
in 2012 are part of a vigil that took place
the evening of April 10.
PHOTOS By BUCN LaiNe PULfer / NMCB 3
From left, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3s training officer, Lt. Cmdr. John
Beattie; commanding officer, Cmdr. Gordon Meek III; and operations leading chief petty
officer, BUCS Kevin Nolan, lead NMCB 3 through the final laps of the battalions 24-hour
relay run, April 10-11, designed to help raise awareness about preventing sexual assault.
Its to raise awareness of
sexual assault
-
'% #
'# % % %
!+/5 , %#+/, , //+/%#,
# +/, +/, ' # %#/,/,
, #/+/3 +/ # "%+
) ! $*
# (
&666" /% -06'"
/, /% &1 (, # 2#+ + +)
# % # #) '#
3"%#5 # '2+, / /, %#!# /%5 / ,/+4++5,/*%+
%+ %#3##/ '+ # + !%/%#, /% / 5%2 /+ ,/
#% &1$11 +%, #/ %2+ %""2#/5
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
TheLighthouse
Thursday,April24,2014
5
It would be great if students could
arrive home from school with assign-
ments they can do independently for
homework. Many times, however, par-
ents find themselves taking on the role
of a teacher when trying to help their
children with homework. Although the
interaction between parent and child
is important, these evening homework
rituals can sometimes become frustrat-
ing for both parent and child.
So that children can receive the help
they need, the Department of Defense
and Tutor.com partnered in 2010. This
benefit is free to military families; non-
military families must pay a fee. The
student and tutor will work in an on-
line classroom, which runs right in the
web browser window. Users can chat,
draw on a two-way whiteboard or up-
load a document to work on together
with the tutor.
Although a valuable resource, log-
ging into Tutor.com used to be some-
what complicated. It required users to
initially log onto Navy Knowledge On-
line (NKO) before accessing the Tutor.
com website. Users concerns were
heard and changes were made.
Users can now access the service at
www.tutor.com/military. Click on the
branch of service affiliation (Army,
Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps) to see
instructions for how to gain access.
Now, instead of authenticating through
the NKO website, users can certify
their eligibility and create an account
directly from the Tutor.com website.
This change has the potential to get
users into the service and get them the
help they need more quickly.
There is also a new demo video of
the service at www.tutor.com/military.
Click the watch a video link.
Since it has become fairly common
for individuals to access services via
mobile apps, Tutor.com has also add-
ed Tutor.com To Go. Students can get
the download and watch a how it
works video at www.tutor.com/togo.
Users with an account can log in right
from their mobile device. They can
even use the devices camera to take a
picture of a chalkboard or paper-based
assignment, put it in a virtual locker
and use it in a session with a tutor. The
locker is available by virtue of the user-
name and password used to log in, so
users with a Tutor.com account can
have access to the materials in their
locker, whether theyre connecting with
a Tutor.com tutor from the mobile de-
vice or any computer.
Tutor.com can act as a no-fee proof-
reader of essays or research papers,
and it can serve as a late-night geom-
etry tutor. Tutors cover all math, sci-
ence, social studies and English sub-
jects from K-12 to the introductory
college level. Theyll help with home-
work, studying for standardized tests,
or writing a paper whatever the stu-
dent is working on.
Active duty military members can
also use tutor.com for college classes.
Additionally, career specialists can
also help with resumes and job search-
es.
Whether the user is an active duty
service member or a dependent, Tutor.
com is a valuable educational resource.
It is available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, and is closed only on New
Years Day, Independence Day, Thanks-
giving and Christmas.
For questions regarding Tutor.com,
visit www.tutor.com/military, read the
FAQs, or watch a demo video.
For any education related information,
please visit http://navylifesw.com/ventura/
families/cyp/slo/. For great articles about
education in the Southwest Region, click
on the Academic Anchor tab for the latest
newsletter. The NBVC school liaison officer
can be contacted at 805-989-5211 or at
[email protected] for any K-12 education-
related questions.
Free for military, Tutor.com can help relieve homework stress
School
connection
withMonica
James
-
Thursday,April24,2014
TheLighthouse
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
Seabee Chapel
Port Hueneme
Building 1433
Phone: (805) 982-4358
Protestant
Sunday worship service: 9 a.m.
Choir rehearsal: Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.
Catholic Mass
Sunday: 11:15 a.m.
Confession by prior appt.: 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday: 11:30 a.m.
Confession by prior appt.: 11 a.m.
Womens Bible Studies
Tuesday: 10 a.m., Book of I Samuel.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m., The God I
Never Knew. Childcare provided.
Mens Bible Studies
Thursday: 11:30 a.m., Fire on the
Mountain. Lunch provided.
Soup Fellowship Study
Sunday: 5 p.m., Foundations of
Apologetics. Potluck.
Catholic Religious Education
Pre-K through high school
Tuesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Chaplains serving NBVC
Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Han
Command Chaplain
Lt. Lesa Welliver
Staff Chaplain
Father Antony Berchmanz
Catholic Priest
Volunteer opportunities
Call the Seabee Chapel at (805)
982-4358 to register for the following
volunteer opportunities:
Disaster drill
7 a.m. to noon Friday, May 2, Freedom
Park, Camarillo. Victims needed for
post-quake scenario.
Vacation Bible School
9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday,
July 14-18, Seabee Chapel.
Worship schedule
It is D-1 and my RP and I are set to
jump from the LSA (Logistical Staging
Area) to the FOB (Forward Operating
Base) this evening.
At midnight, it is game on.
The enemy has been observing our
movements and something big appears
to be on the horizon. Plans and provi-
sions have been made for fortifying the
FOB, and security patrols have com-
menced. Intel continues to come in, and
we have a thorough understanding of the
enemys capabilities and tactics.
However, due to a certain consider-
ation, I can guarantee the enemy will not
inflict a single casualty. That consider-
ation is that Naval Mobile Construction
Battalion (NMCB) 4 is currently con-
ducting a field training exercise (FTX).
The enemy is notional and meant to train
us, not kill us.
As I was observing the calculations be-
ing made to defend against this notional
enemy while we also labor to complete
our hypothetical humanitarian mission,
another notional battlefield calculation
came to mind that must be considered by
everyone in the real world. It comes from
a parable that Jesus told the large crowds
that were following him around at the
time. He told them, What king, going
out to confront another king in battle,
will not sit down first and determine
whether he is able with ten thousand to
oppose the one coming against him with
twenty thousand? If he cannot succeed,
he will send a representative while the
other is still a long way off and ask for
terms of peace (Luke 14:3132).
This parable comes toward the end of
a short, terse admonition to the multitude
in which Jesus challenges them to con-
sider what it will cost them to truly follow
him. Jesus follows the parable with this
statement, In the same way therefore not
one of you can be my disciple if he does
not renounce all his own possessions
(Luke 14:33).
These types of statements are not ex-
actly calculated to gain popularity with
the crowds. Increasing popularity, how-
ever, was not the point.
Jesus point is that the one who would
follow him must consider Jesus to be
more important than anything else. Jesus
is saying that he must have first place in
the heart of the one who would follow
him. By renouncing all of ones posses-
sions, Jesus is not referring to a vow of
poverty, as could be gathered from the
context of the passage, but is simply say-
ing that he must come before anything
else in the lives of those who choose to
follow him.
The parable concerning the two kings
functions as a caution and an encourage-
ment. Jesus parable communicates that
those who follow him as King should be
able to do the math and figure out that
renouncing all of their possessions (i.e.,
putting Jesus first in their lives) is as sen-
sible as it would be for a king to seek
terms of peace with a much stronger king
who is coming against him.
At the time of writing, NMCB 4s FTX
has another 10 or so days before it has
run its course. At that time, the mission
and the enemy will evaporate. What,
hopefully, will not evaporate is the skills
that were honed during the exercise.
One skill set of particular importance
to maintain is the ability to do the math
on all the variables of a complicated mis-
sion in a hostile environment so that a
successful plan can be developed. That
is one skill set that is highly practical in
the spiritual realities of life as well, and
precisely what Jesus was encouraging his
audience to do in order to determine who
or what should take first place in their
lives.
War games and reality: Spiritual lessons from the field
Chaplains
corner
withLt.Kenneth
Stiles
NMCB4
By Andrea Howry
Lighthouse
The Seabees plot at the Senior Commu-
nityGarden inOxnarda longtimeproject
of the Religious Ministries Team at Naval
BaseVenturaCounty (NBVC)isnowbe-
ing tended by base teenagers as a service
project.
Weve taken over this plot in the com-
munity gardenas away to improve the com-
munity, said Kecia McDonough, teen co-
ordinator for NBVC Child and Youth
Programs. We knew it needed to be done.
The service project, part of the Boys &
Girls Clubs Big Help program, got under
way Thursday, April 10. Six teenagers who
were enrolled in the Teen Centers Spring
Camp because their schools were on spring
break spent several hours weeding the plot
and getting it ready to replant.
I love volunteering, and I love gardening
at home,saidKatelynnEnderby, 16,whose
dad,SeniorChief AviationElectronicsTech-
nician Patrick McAnally, is with Carrier
Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW)
112.
The teens were working in the shadow of
a large circularplaque thatBuilder2ndClass
ThadDodds carved to look like a command
coin.Theplaquebears thewords,Honoring
the courage of themilitarys commitment.
Dodds,whoenjoys carpentry, volunteered
tomake theplaqueand finished it justbefore
deploying with NavalMobile Construction
Battalion 3 last year. But there was no time
to install it, so the plot remained unlabeled
until this month.
Now, the words Naval Base Ventura
CountyandEst. 2013make it clearwhich
of the 17 plots in the garden is NBVCs re-
sponsibility.
I hope you all enjoy it,Dodds said.
Teens tending Seabees garden
Photo by AndreA howry / Lighthouse
Counselors and teens who take part in Teen
Center activities at Naval Base Ventura
County tend the Seabees plot Thursday,
April 10, at the Senior Community Garden
in Oxnard.
-
" (/) /# ,! " !,( )' /) ) !, !) !, ( !( , (), "4 1,(1)% /)&/, ,(),!) 1 ( . % "$ !( ,(),! ##) ,!
1,(1) !/,) , , ,,)%
.
!/ /), !,2 /) #(!#,2 ! 2 //,!(3 /)% 0,2 (),(,!) ##2% /() ! #(!/, !) !, ),) ,2 !( !( ()# #(!#(,2
)/,2 )/( !#)% #(!/,) #(!0 2 ( 0) ( % .4"- % """ 4*"-
" $$ !!
"
!
!
" ! !
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
TheLighthouse
Thursday,April24,2014
Dozens of youngsters
scoured the produce depart-
ment Saturday, April 20, as the
commissary atNaval Base Ven-
tura County, Port Hueneme,
put on its annual Easter egg
hunt.
Commissary workers and
volunteers hid nearly 500 eggs
among the apples, oranges and
other produce and placed sev-
eral on the shelves below so
little ones would have a better
chance of finding a treasure.
This year, organizers let the
little ones search first, then
opened it up to the bigger kids
something Navy retiree Ja-
son Blissard appreciated.
Last year she only got one,
he said as he watched his
daughter, Sasha, now 4, collect
more than a dozen eggs in her
basket.
Sasha got so many this year
she offered to share.
The event, held during the
Month of the Military Child,
started with a quick lesson in
nutrition and a stretching ex-
ercise led by ProduceManager
Kathy Rogers.
Twenty-six baskets of candy
and goodies were given away
in a raffle, and there were also
tables set up where children
could get temporary tattoos,
have their faces painted and
make Easter egg baskets.
Oranges, apples and eggs
Enjoying her first Easter egg
hunt, Brook Mangold, 3, looks for
more treasures as she gets a lift
from her mom, Nicole. Brooks
dad is CM3 Timothy Mangold
with Naval Mobile Construction
Battalion (NMCB) 4.
Photos by AndreA howry / Lighthouse
Sasha Blissard, 4, offers to share what she
collected during the commissarys Easter
egg hunt. Sasha came with her dad, Jason
Blissard, a Navy retiree.
Youngsters find the goodies in the produce section of the
commissary at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Port Hueneme
during an Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 19.
Egg hunt held in
commissarys
produce section
-
Thursday,April24,2014
TheLighthouse
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
By Andrea Howry
Lighthouse
The girl didnt really think about it be-
fore she said it. She just blurted out her
answer, like so many junior-high school
kids do.
The word wasnt sad or lonely or
even angry, any of which would have
been an expected reply to the question,
How do you feel when your parent leaves
on deployment?
No one anticipated Joyful.
Her answer was met with stunned si-
lence.
But the dad and daughter who had
prompted the discussion knew exactly
what the girl meant. And so did some of
the other preteens in the room, a couple
of whom slowly smiled and whispered,
Yeah.
Think about it. Youre 11 or 12 and your
parents are starting to bug you and you
just want them to leave you alone and
suddenly, one of them does! A dream
come true! Joy!
The freedom to give such a frank, un-
inhibited answer and to learn that oth-
ers feel a little bit the same way deep down
inside is whatMilitary Kids Club is all
about, and its why Construction Me-
chanic 1st Class Phillip Shropshire of
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3
agreed to visit the group at the invitation
of his daughter, Isabelle Garcia.
The discussion took place at E.O.Green
Junior High School in Oxnard earlier this
year, just three weeks after Shropshire re-
turned home from the Philippines, where
he had helped build a school. Dad talked
about what he went through being away
from his family for six months; his daugh-
ter shared her feelings, too. And around
the table, preteens talked about their emo-
tions during deployment.
I get in trouble more, one fessed up.
Because Dads not here, I can get away
with stuff, said another.
Whenheshere,onegirl said, its always
You shoulddo this andyou shoulddo that.
And then he leaves andhes not always bug-
ging me about doing chores.
Mydad sentme aCDwith him reading
to me. I cried.
Shropshire said thatwhile all deployments
are rough, theyve become easier since his
first one in 2003.
Technology is way better,he explained.
With Skype and email, we can talk every
day if we want to. In some ways, this last
one was a lot easier than any other deploy-
ment Ive done.
The worst part, he said, is simply being
away: You go home to yourself.
Shropshire said the battalionwas briefed
on thepitfalls of homecoming, andhe spent
a lot of time thinking about what hed do
and wouldnt do when he walked through
the door.
I didnt want to just come in and all of
a sudden be in charge, he said. They
warned us that doesnt work well.
Isabelle said his decision paid off.
We rode bikes and went to Chuck E.
Cheese, she said.
Yeah, I gaveher a coupleof weeksbefore
I startednagging,Shropshire said. Itmade
coming home a lot easier.
One thing everyone agreed on: When a
parent comes back aftermonths in another
country especially one where the food,
theweather, the culture and the bugs are all
different theres a lot to talk about.
Kids open up about how they feel when a parent deploys
Photo by AndreA howry / Lighthouse
Isabelle Garcia and her dad, CM1 Phillip Shropshire of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion
3, talk about how deployments affect their family dynamic during a Military Kids Club
meeting at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard. Shropshire had recently returned from
a six-month deployment to the Philippines.
Military Kids Club is run by the
Fleet & Family Support Center
(FFSC) at Naval Base Ventura Coun-
ty. Children from military-connected
families meet during lunchtime or af-
ter school to share ideas about coping
with issues most families dont have
to face, deployments and frequent
moves among them. For more infor-
mation or to find out which schools
have a club, call the FFSC at 805-982-
5037.
About Military Kids Club
By Zoe Rose Peck
NMCRS volunteer
At the Navy-Marine Corps Relief
Society (NMCRS), volunteers are ready
to help Sailors, Marines and their fam-
ilies during all phases of their lives.
One of the most exciting but stressful
times is post deployment, when families
are readjusting to the way it was before.
Highlights include visiting family and
friends, home cooking and sleeping in
your own bed; however, this is also a
time to reset and establish a budget
based on new fiscal realities.
Securing a financial future is key, and
NMCRS can give tips and set up a bud-
get in an effort to create proper savings
and spending habits.
When deployed, service members
might have received special pay that
provided extra income. Hopefully, this
extra money was put into a savings ac-
count or used to pay down debt. If you
werent able to save, or if unexpected
spending occurred, now is the time to
reassess and get a handle on finances.
NMCRS offers a free individualized
budget session that focuses on creating
a spending and savings plan. This is
done by categorizing spending habits,
such as paying bills and buying food,
clothing and gas. It is important to try
and reduce discretionary spending and
get rid of unnecessary services like
cable and Internet packages.
One of the first things a family may
want to do after everyone is together
again is to take a trip. But without a
grasp on a spending and savings plan,
this may not be realistic. Getting back
to a normal life requires all members
of the family to do their part.
Deployments are a part of military
life. The best way to prepare for them
is to take a look at finances and see
what worked and what didnt in regards
to saving and spending. The key is to
strike a balance so that the family can
enjoy the perks of having a loved one
home.
NMCRS is a steppingstone to build-
ing a successful financial future, and
the effort spent now on sticking to a
budget will be worthwhile in the end.
To set up an appointment, call 982-
4409.
NMCRS can help families with post-deployment spending plans
-
$,,$2
3 ,$ ( %,#$$( :"2'"3'3.
# !$# !1- -+( ,#%- ' 0+"(#"( 5- 0+"(#" ' %, '(
#'"'#/( #- #,1!8 ,1#- # #' #''+#"( !,%$ 714,#9, '!(
($$, 1- & $(6,8 +'+"" #-/&/(%&+- 41- - .(
- ( +#" # " ' ('.( #$-
".- 1 ( 0+"(#"( :*:: )#$
15#& (, 6(%& 6#1! #, (-- 4 1( %#$ #--4-
'#((#" -%
)#$ 5&1- )#$- ,(%
#-' # - + - +-' ' #" ('." ()")#!"&("#' +'1 +-"+ (#-"+
"( #!
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
TheLighthouse
Thursday,April24,2014
By CE3 Jessica J. Pettit
NCG 1
Seabees from Naval Base Ven-
tura County volunteered to help
support the Autism Society Ven-
tura County (ASVC) in its April
6 Aut2Run at California State
University Channel Islands to
promote awareness and help for
people affected by autism.
The volunteers passed out wa-
ter, handed out fruit and spread
encouragement to the runners.
Some Seabees directed traffic and
helped with the set-up and take-
down of the event.
I love to get out into the com-
munity, said Yeoman 1st Class
Aaron Jackson of Naval Con-
struction Group 1, who directed
traffic to ensure the runners
safety. Its a great time being able
to help out other people for a
great cause and a great way to be
an ambassador for not only my-
self but the Navy as well.
Volunteers may have signed up
for different reasons, but everyone
came together for the same out-
come: to improve the communi-
tys understanding of autism.
My cousins autistic, so I can
relate with a lot of these people,
said Constructionman Lesley
Herrerapelayo of Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 5, who
spread encouragement to those
whowere almost at the finish line.
Its really nice to see everyone
coming together to do something
great and educational for the
kids.
The races included 5K, 10K
and 15K runs around the univer-
sity campus as well as a FunRun.
More than 1,000 people partici-
pated in at least one of the events,
raising more than $100,000 to
help ASVCs mission to make a
life-changing impact for local
families and individuals living
with autism.
Seabees and other Sailors in the
region volunteer for dozens of
events in the community every
year.
Seabees volunteer, encourage runners
Photos by CE3 JEssiCa PEttit / NCG 1
Constructionman Lesley Herrerapelayo, left, and UT3 Kristina Costabile,
both volunteering from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5,
encourage runners during the Autism Society Ventura County s Aut2Run
event April 6 in Camarillo.
CE3 Jacob West, left, and CE3 German Valdez, volunteering from Naval
Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, offer encouragement at the
Aut2Run event April 6.
Naval Base VenturaCountywent into
the Easter weekend in first place in the
Corporate Games, an annual Ventura
County event that pits local businesses
and organizations against one another
in competitions ranging from softball
to horseshoes.
The base is competing against 32
other teams two of them also from
theNavy inDivisionAA.Going into
the weekend it had a total of 41 points.
In second place wasAmgenwith 27 and
the County of Ventura with 24. A sec-
ondNavy teamhas 11 points and a third
has two. Points are based on the number
of gold, silver and bronzemedals a team
has, plus participation.
Weekend standings showed the base
has three goldmedals, two silver medals
and a bronze. The gold medals were in
basketball, beach volleyball and indoor
volleyball. The silver medals were in
darts and kickball, and the bronze was
in dodgeball. The base also got one
point for participating in bocce ball.
Robert Bonner, who works for Naval
Facilities Engineering and Expedition-
ary Warfare Center, is organizing base
participation in Corporate Games. He
says participants nine men and three
womenare needed for the tug-of-war
that takes placeMay 10, the last day of
competition.
The overall CorporateGames cham-
pionship may come down to the tug-of-
war pull, he said.
Those interested should call him at
982-5317 or email him at Robert.bon-
[email protected]. He is posting photos of
the events to https://www.facebook.
com/pages/NBVC-Corporate-
Games/729146580451819
NBVC in first place in Corporate Games
The First and Second Class Petty Of-
ficers Association at Naval Facilities En-
gineering and Expeditionary Warfare
Center (NAVFAC EXWC) is facilitating
a 5K run/walk to benefit theNavy-Marine
Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) at 11:30
a.m. Thursday, April 24, outside the Bee
Hive Gym at Naval Base Ventura County
(NBVC) Port Hueneme.
Registration begins at 10:45 a.m.
For information, contact Construction
Mechanic 1st Class Matthew Ramirez of
NAVFAC EXWC, association president,
April 24 Run for Relief benefits NMCRS
-
10
Thursday,April24,2014
TheLighthouse
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
By CE3 Jessica J. Pettit
NCG 1
Builder 1st Class Deanna Dimeo of
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5
was named the 2013 Pacific Fleet Shore
Sailor of the Year (SOY).
Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander
of U.S. Pacific Fleet, made the announce-
ment March 28 in Hawaii.
Dimeo went on to compete for Naval
Operations Shore Sailor of the Year in
Washington, D.C. She was one of five
finalists for the award, which ultimately
went to Cryptologic Technician Collec-
tions 1st Class PatriciaMadigan of Navy
Information Operations Command Ha-
waii. That announcement was made Fri-
day, April 18, at the Pentagon.
According to Harris, about 100,000 Pa-
cific Fleet Sailors competed for the SOY
awards.
They do not accept second-best at any-
thing they put their minds to. Theyre win-
ners, always have been, always will be,
Harris said. They exemplify the highest
standards of service to our nation, at
home and abroad, at sea and shore, in
combat and in peace.
Dimeo said she has tried to do her best
throughout her career.
It is such an honor for me to represent
not just the Pacific Fleet, but a Navy Ex-
peditionary Combat Command and the
Seabees, she said. My goal has always
been to do my very best at all aspects of
my job, from rating expertise to knowledge
of Navy-wide programs and policies to
taking care of Sailors.
According to Command Master Chief
Corey Heinrich of Naval Construction
Group 1, Dimeos hard work and dedica-
tion became apparent when she stated
facts and opinions on current events and
debate topics that are currently prominent
in the Navy.
Her opinions really leverage all of the
programs that are in place to help Sailors
and Marines become successful to the
Navy, and thats the institutional expertise
of being a Sailor, said Heinrich.
NMCB 5s Dimeo named as
Pacific Fleet Sailor of the Year
BU1 Deanna Dimeo of Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 5 is the 2013 Pacific
Fleet Shore Sailor of the Year (SOY).
May 1 is the deadline to apply for a
Can Do scholarship awarded by the
Bee Club of Naval Base Ventura Coun-
ty (NBVC).
The club will be giving two individ-
ual $1,000 scholarships this year.
These scholarships are open to any
qualified student graduating from a
Ventura County high school who is a
dependent of any military member as-
signed to NBVC. GED and home school
graduates are also eligible.
The Bee Club is a naval officers
spouses group whose mission is to pro-
mote U.S. Navy Seabee and Civil En-
gineer Corps heritage, and to provide
friendship, mentorship, social activities
and support amongst the spouses of
military officers in the Ventura County
area.
Scholarship monies were raised at the
Bee Clubs fall auction and other fund-
raising efforts.
Can Do Scholarship applications
are available online at www.BeeClub.
org. For more information visit http://
www.BeeClub.org.
Application deadline for
Bee Club award is May 1
Theyre winners, always
have been, always will
be, admiral says
-
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
TheLighthouse
Thursday,April24,2014
11
EARTH DAY 2014
For the sixth year in a row, Naval Base
Ventura County (NBVC) has been recog-
nized by the Chief of Naval Operations
for its environmental stewardship.
NBVC received aFiscal Year 2013Chief
of Naval Operations Environmental
Award for its Environmental Quality-
Team and another one for Sustainability-
Industrial Installation.
We are pleased that NBVC has been
recognized for its environmental quality
and sustainability program efforts, said
Dan Shide, environmental program direc-
tor for the base. This is a confirmation
thatNBVC is committed to ensuring com-
pliance with environmental regulations
and implementing sustainable practices
such as energy and water conservation.
The six members of the Environmental
Quality Team at NBVC were lauded for
creating an environmental management
system, a way to quantify and document
exactly how the base affects the environ-
ment how much energy it consumes,
how much water it uses, how and what it
recycles and how it can improve those
practices.
NBVCs Environmental Management
System is a fundamental component in
supporting NBVCs daily operations and
enhances the way business is carried out
by standardizing methods and processes
in an environmentally sustainable man-
ner, Shide explained.
Once the system was in place, the team
could get tenant commands involved in
audits, reviews and training, creating
workforcemultipliers in other words,
getting the entire base on the same page
about the need to protect the environ-
ment.
Those accomplishments set the stage for
the sustainability award.
NBVC has already met the Navys 2015
energy and water reduction goals, but it
hasnt stopped looking for ways to con-
serve even more, adding solar heating
systems and replacing bulbs and controls
in 52 buildings that have older, less effi-
cient lighting systems.
Interior facility lighting presents one
of the largest opportunities Navy-wide for
energy savings, states the bases nomina-
tion form for the sustainability award. At
Base earns environmental honors for 6 years in a row
By Andrea Howry
Lighthouse
Counting animals for a wildlife survey
is never as easy as 1-2-3.
Four girls from Santa Clarita found that
out during their recent tour of Naval Base
Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu.
The junior-high and high-schoolers were
on a spring break field trip organized by
the Santa Clarita chapter of the American
Association of University Women
(AAUW). All have a strong interest in
science, technology, engineering andmath
(STEM), so their leader, Cookie Fessler,
contacted base officials about bringing the
girls on board for a tour.
Valerie Vartanian, a natural resources
managerwith the EnvironmentalDivision,
jumped at the opportunity to share her
love of the sciences with the girls. She en-
listed the help of her co-worker, Rebecca
Kelley, who set up a telescope overlooking
MuguLagoon so the girls could do awild-
life count.
Just before lunchtime on Wednesday,
April 9, the girls began counting harbor
seals sprawled on the sand across the la-
goon. Kelley cheated: She used the tele-
scope and a clicker to get the most accu-
rate count, then asked the girls what theyd
come up with.
Answers ranged from 26 to 50.
The actual number was 128.
Bewildered, the girls looked into the
telescope and saw the problem: pups.
Many of the seals had given birth, and
the tiny pups were almost impossible to
see without the telescope.
In addition, the mounds of marine
mammals that looked to be three or four
seals cuddled up were actually made up
of a dozen or more, and only a trained
Theyre down for the count
PhotoS by AndreA howry / LighthouSe
How many harbor seals do you see in this photo? A hint: It was taken just a few minutes after the girls touring Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu had left the area, and
there are fewer than the 128 counted on their visit. For the answer, see the last paragraph of the story.
Valerie Vartanian, a natural resources manager at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point
Mugu, discusses the environmentally sensitive lands on and around the base with Brinly
Xavier, left, and Abril Jimenez. The girls were touring the base to learn about the Navys
involvement in science, technology, engineering and math as part of a program put on by
the Santa Clarita chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
Girls attempt a wildlife
survey, but learn animals
can hide in plain sight
See AWARDS, PAge 13
See WILDLIFe, PAge 12
-
12
Thursday,April24,2014
TheLighthouse
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
EARTH DAY 2014
eye would have known.
This is why consistency in animal
counts is extremely important,Vartanian
explained. Different people doing the
same count are going to see different pat-
terns, and you could end up with wildly
differing numbers, just as we did.
In addition, the weather, the time of day
and whether the tide is in or out can all
affect a count.
Being consistent over time and seeing
the trend, thats whats important, Var-
tanian said.
She explained that the Navy needs to
conduct wildlife surveys to make sure the
animals some of which are threatened
with extinction continue to thrive. Sud-
den decreases could indicate a very real
problem the presence of a toxin per-
haps, maybe something that could harm
humans.
The tour began with Vartanian showing
the girls the sensitive environment where
the Navy works the wetlands and
beaches, in addition to the lagoon and
talked about how they all work together
with the plants and animals to create a
unique ecosystem.
Mugu Lagoon is the bottom of a wa-
tershed the final collection point for
whatever gets dumped farther up Calle-
guas Creek.
We get whatevers up there,Vartanian
said, then asked the girls to guess the two
most common pieces of trash found in the
lagoon. They guessed correctly with plas-
tic bottles, but missedNo. 2: childrens toy
balls.
They float,she explained, then stressed
the importance of recycling.
In discussing wetlands restoration, Var-
tanian talked about differences in soils and
why its important to know their many
qualities. The amount of water soil con-
tains, the amount of clay everything
determines how man can manipulate it,
whether food can be grown in it, whether
houses can be built on it.
Soil is fun! she said. Its not just
dirt.
Anyone who can say that and actually
mean it is a true lover of the sciences, and
her infectious spirit scored high with these
budding scientists.
I found it very interesting, said Brin-
ly Xavier, whowants to be an obstetrician.
I think restoring the wetlandsbringing
them back to their true native state is
something we should continue to do.
Abril Jimenez, who wants to go into the
field of astronomy, agreed.
I always thought a military base was
just about warfare, she said. But now I
realize its also about the environment
the plants and the animals that are
there. This was really fun.
For readers who did their own seal count
in the accompanying photo: Kelley said
there are about 115 seals pictured. Those
darn pups.
continued from 11
count offers girls a peek into a career in the sciences
Three dozen people took part in the
Earth Day 5K Thursday, April 17, at
Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC)
Point Mugu, enjoying a course that of-
fered outstanding views of the wildlife,
beaches and wetlands the Navy has won
awards for protecting.
With several schools on spring break
that week, many of the runners and
walkers were children. The fastest fe-
male, in fact, was 12-year-old Breanna
Gomez, who came in fourth place over-
all with a time of 20 minutes, 44 seconds.
She ran with her 15-year-old brother,
Danny, who came in second, and her
mom, Maricela, and dad, James, who
works for Naval Air Warfare Center
Weapons Division.
Breanna is in a running club, the Cos-
mos, and her brother runs for Adolfo
Camarillo High School.
Their parents said they are both trying
to get in shape after several years of not
running. James Gomez credited his kids
with helping him cross the finish line in
31 minutes, 3 seconds.
They helped motivate me, he said.
Participants were treated to views of
harbor seals and birds in Mugu Lagoon
and pelicans swooping low over the
ocean and Family Beach area.
Builder 2nd Class John Hart of Naval
Mobile Construction Battalion 5 won
the event with a time of 17 minutes, 45
seconds.
Im trying to get in shape by run-
ning, he said. Youll see me at next
months run.
The lunchtime runs are put on month-
ly by Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
The next one is the Spring Fling 5K, set
for May 15 at NBVC Port Hueneme.
Registration is at 11 a.m., and the run
starts at 11:30 a.m. at the Bee Hive Gym.
For more information call 805-982-5173
or 805-989-7728.
earth day
5K features
scenic views
Photos by AndreA howry / Lighthouse
Runners and walkers take off at the start of the Earth Day 5K April 17 at Family Beach, Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu.
James Gomez, who works for Naval Air Warfare Center
Weapons Division, gets a final boost at the finish line from
his son, Danny, 15. Danny his sister finished in the top four,
then went back onto the course to offer encouragement.
BU2 John Hart of NMCB 5
crosses the Earth Day 5K
finish line first with a time of
17 minutes, 45 seconds.
-
*
*
*
*
#
$$ !
!
"!!#
$ $$
) !
' ' '!)'!- ! ", '" " -)! !'+!'"" '! '' -)! + # (
' $ ( " -)! !'+!'"" " + *!- +' ' !' " ' ! '" ! ' '" *"'
+++ ) !%%!" '" "+ ! '* ! (. ")' ' +')' '
"
+
"
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
TheLighthouse
Thursday,April24,2014
13
EARTH DAY 2014
File cabinets, air conditioning units,
desks, a refrigerator, even lawn chairs were
turned in for recycling as the Naval Fa-
cilities Sustainable Solid Waste Manage-
ment Program hosted a metal recycling
event Tuesday and Thursday, April 15 and
17, at Naval Base Ventura County
(NBVC).
Were cleaning house, Janie Hughes,
who works with support equipment at
Naval AirWarfare CenterWeapons Divi-
sion, said as she dropped off some old
office furniture at the NBVC PointMugu
recycling center April 17. If it werent for
this, wed have to wait for a big trash can
to be brought over. Were right next door,
so this makes it easy.
Lloyd Nash, program coordinator, said
the tonnage of material collected over the
two days should be available later in the
month.
Metal recycling
event yields desks,
appliances, chairs
Photo by AndreA howry / Lighthouse
Lloyd Nash, left, the program director for the Naval Facilities Sustainable Solid Waste
Management Program, and motor vehicle operator Jose Daniel Martinez prepare to recycle
a metal desk accessory turned in by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division during
a metal recycling event Thursday, April 17, at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point
Mugu. A similar event was held April 15 at NBVC Port Hueneme.
NBVC, there is a focus on developing
energy projects that utilize the latest and
most efficient lighting systems for offices,
warehouses, hangars and workshops.
Other projects cited in the nomination
form include:
Irrigation systems were improved at
68 locations on base.
A project to install seven wind turbine
generators on SanNicolas Island is under
way, with startup expected later this
year.
Recycling efforts continue to improve.
In Fiscal Year 2012, waste diversion from
landfills totaled 4,023.13 tons. The fol-
lowing year, the total was 5,772.82
tons.
Finally, the base strives to make the
public aware of its environmental protec-
tion efforts, taking part in events ranging
from Earth Day celebrations to an En-
ergy Awareness Golf Tournament, which
it hosted at the Seabee Golf Course.
Awards earned
continued froM 11
-
14
Thursday,April24,2014
TheLighthouse
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
EARTH DAY 2014
California has a variety of snakes, most
of which are harmless. An exception to
this is the rattlesnake.
Rattlesnakes can cause serious injury to
humans on rare occasions, even death.
Generally not aggressive, rattlesnakes
strike when threatened or deliberately pro-
voked, but given room they will retreat.
Most snake bites occur when a rattle-
snake is handled or accidentally touched
by someone walking or climbing. Ap-
proximately 8,000 people are treated for
poisonous snake bites in theUnited States
each year. However, the California Poison
Control Center notes that rattlesnakes ac-
count for about 800 of those bites each
year, with one or two resulting in death.
Point Mugu has one native species, the
Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus
oreganus helleri).
Rattlesnakes are nocturnal hunters; they
will stay by a rodent trail and wait for prey
to go by. Sometimes they will come out
during the day to warm themselves, espe-
cially in the mornings. Do not step or put
your hands where you cannot see them
and avoid wandering around in the
dark.
Step on logs and rocks, never over them,
as a snake could be coiled up behind the
barrier where you cannot see them. Be
careful when stepping over the doorstep.
Snakes like to crawl along the edge of
buildings where they are protected on one
side. Keep an eye out when walking
through dense brush, watchwhere you put
your feet. If you are out in the brush wear
over-the-ankle boots and loose-fitting long
pants.
Many a useful and non-threatening
snake has suffered a quick death from a
frantic human who has mistakenly identi-
fied a gopher snake, racer or other snake
as a rattlesnake. This usually happens
when a snake assumes an instinctual de-
fensive position used to bluff adversaries.
A gopher snake has the added unfortunate
trait of imitating a rattlesnake by flatten-
ing its head and body, vibrating its tail,
hissing and actually striking if approached.
If you encounter any snake it is a good
idea to move slowly away from it.
Discourage snakes by removing piles of
boards or rocks around buildings. Use
cautionwhen removing those piles there
may already be a snake there! Encourag-
ing and protecting natural competitors like
gopher snakes, king snakes and racers will
reduce the rattlesnake population in the
immediate area. King snakes are actually
predators of rattlesnakes, so they are a
good snake to have around.
If you see a rattlesnake in the occupied
areas of Naval Base Ventura County
(NBVC) call 911. They will alert the prop-
er responder to handle the snake. If you
are out in the natural areas and see a
rattlesnake, leave it alone and go a safe
distance around it. You can also call
NBVCEnvironmental at 805-989-3808 to
report it.
This information was provided by Valerie
Vartanian, natural resources manager for the
Public Works Environmental Division, and Dan
Jaquez, site safety manager for the Public
Works Safety Office. Some information was
provided by the Department of Fish & Game.
As weather warms up, rattlesnakes emerge: Heres what to do
Photo by Valerie Vartanian / naVFaC SW
Only one native species, the Southern Pacific
Rattlesnake, is native to the mainland area
that includes Naval Base Ventura County.
Mosquito season is upon us.
The mosquito program at Naval Base
Ventura County (NBVC) generally runs
fromMay through October of each year.
The Navy works with the Ventura Coun-
ty andCalifornia state vector control agen-
cies, as well as other federal and state
agencies, to control the mosquito popula-
tion on the base and in surrounding ar-
eas.
With about 22 species of mosquitoes
active at NBVC some flying by day,
some by night you are bound to have
some annoying encounters during the
warmer months of the year. There are
two types of mosquitoes normally found
aboard NBVC:
Aedes, which appear in early season
and prefer salt marsh wetlands. They are
considered nuisancemosquitoes most-
ly because they bite during the day but are
less likely to carry diseases.
Culex, which show up in mid- to late-
season, preferring fresh water. They bite
at dusk, evening and dawn and are con-
sidered vectormosquitoes because they
are more likely to carry disease.
No matter their preferred time of day,
all mosquitoes have one thing in common:
their need for water in which to breed and
grow.
Before laying their eggs, mosquitoes
seek a blood meal from a warm-blooded
host a bird, a dog, possibly even you.
In search of ameal, mosquitoes are drawn
to carbon dioxide given off by your breath,
your body heat and your own moisture.
They track you down by your skin tem-
perature and by your sweat. The main at-
traction is the carbon dioxide you ex-
hale.
When feeding on you, mosquitoes actu-
ally inject their saliva into your skin to
help extract your blood. It is the saliva
that causes the itching you feel after being
bitten.
Mosquito bites can spread serious dis-
eases such as Western Equine Encephali-
tis, St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile
Virus. Only females bite. Males drink
flower juices.
Adult mosquitoes lay their eggs on
moist surfaces near water or directly onto
still water. In industrial areas, equipment
that is covered by tarps or waterproof
plastic may harbor these pests in puddles
on the plastic or in suitable cavities near-
by. The equipment itself may even be con-
figured in such a way that water can pool
on it, making an ideal habitat.
The entire life cycle (from egg to adult)
for a mosquito can be as little as four days
or as long as onemonth.Most of themos-
quitoes found here have a life cycle of
seven to 10 days. This is important to re-
member so that you can regularly change
water outside in pet bowls, bird baths or
childrens pools before adults emerge.
Mosquitoes are a natural part of the
environment in which we all live. The lar-
vae and adults provide a food source for
other organisms. Luckily, they are only
active seasonally in this area, coming out
in spring and dying off by fall.
For more information on the mosquito,
check out the following websites:
Center for the Disease Control West
Nile Virus, www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/
westnile
California Department of Health Ser-
vices, http://www.westnile.ca.gov/
Ventura County Environmental, www.
ventura.org/envhealth/programs/vector-
control
What you need to know now that mosquito season is here
Here are some ways to avoid having your yard become a mosquito breeding
ground:
Empty anything that holds standing water old tires, buckets, plastic covers,
toys and items waiting to be recycled, like empty bottles and cans.
Every week, change water in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools and animal
troughs.
Make sure roof gutters are draining properly, and clean your clogged gutters
in the spring and fall.
Fix your leaky outside faucets and sprinkler systems.
Make sure your windows and door screens are bug-tight. Replace or repair
as needed.
Dont let your yard become a breeding ground
-
&" "(# # (&"# &" #
## & & &* ( " #' #
###& &"&&!
" )("# & &" & (&
"&& ) " " & ! '" "## #&
) *' (& & # #*#& " "!
+ $$
" " & "( '
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
TheLighthouse
Thursday,April24,2014
15
More than 1,000 state and federal tax
returns were prepared this year at the
self-service tax center at Naval Base Ven-
tura County (NBVC) Port Hueneme,
resulting in refunds of more than $1.3
million.
The results are in, and I am extreme-
ly ecstatic with them, said Salvador
Gonzales, the legal assistant clerk in the
Region Legal Service Office, Detachment
Ventura, who organizes and staffs the tax
center every year. Despite several set-
backs this year a late opening due to
the government shutdown and elimina-
tion of Saturday service we still as-
sisted clients with completing 1,046 fed-
eral and state returns with a total refund
of $1,304,144.00. I am convinced we
would have surpassed last years number
1,094 returns if we didnt have those
elements to contend with.
Even though the center converted to
self-service two years ago, many of the
volunteers who had helped staff it for
years still come to help answer questions.
That has proven to be a big draw, Gon-
zales said.
The majority of comments from the
taxpayers after completing their returns
said that they were extremely pleased and
felt at ease in maneuvering through the
program, especially with the assistance
of a volunteer, Gonzales said. The
number of volunteers is what makes our
tax center so unique because at other
centers you generally wont find the one-
on-one assistance.
Gonzales said the Naval Construction
Training Center allowing use of its class-
rooms was another key factor to the
centers success.
Their IT department is also a huge
assistance when it comes to computers
and laptops issues, he said.
The center opened Jan. 29 and closed
April 11.
Tax center refunds total $1.3 million
Six Sailors, a Marine and a Coast
Guardsman will share honors with five
local youths Friday, May 9, when the
Channel Islands Council of the Navy
League holds its annual Military and
Youth Recognition Dinner at the Oxnard
Elks Lodge.
The event begins at 6 p.m.; dinner is at
7.
The event is open to the public, but res-
ervations are required by May 1. Cost is
$35. Checks can be sent to P.O. Box 873,
Port Hueneme, 93044. For more informa-
tion, call Bob Quinn at 805-485-3995 or
Arlene Fraser at 805-377-0468.
The Elks Lodge is at 801 South A St.,
Oxnard.
This years awardees are, from theNavy,
AD3 Brittany Lofgren, YN2 Andrea
Pelayo, AD1 Ovel Johnson, CM1 Chris
Shultz, HM1 Leslie Cachero and MA1
Scott Chilko. The Marine is Cpl. Marco
V. Tolentino. The Coast Guardsman is
BM2 Francisco M. Quilantang.
The youths being honored are Navy
Junior ROTCCadet Cmdr. Nancy Lopez;
Navy Sea Cadet Corpsmen PO1 Luke
Siebler andCPOTannerGlantz; andNavy
League Cadet Corpsmen PO3 Juan Bue-
naventura and PO3 Macarios Casanova.
Annual recognition dinner honors military, youth
The 2014 YourNavy in Ventura Coun-
tybase guide is now available at the Fleet
& Family Support Center and online at
www.mybaseguide.com.
The free guide includes information
about basic services offered at Naval Base
VenturaCounty, commands stationed here
and maps of the community areas on the
installation.
Frequently used phone numbers are also
included.
Pick yours up today.
Base guide available at FFSC, online
In keeping with the Navys energy
policy, heating plants are being shut
down for the summer, with all work ex-
pected to be completed by Friday, April
25.
As a result of budget reductions, Na-
val Base Ventura County continues to
operate at CommonOutput Level (COL)
4, requiring thermostats to be set no
lower than 80 degrees (for human com-
fort only) during cooling season.
Supervisors are requested to inform
employees of these actions. For more
information, contact Tom Santoianni,
NBVC installation energy manager, at
805-982-4075.
Heating systems shut down; thermostats must stay at 80
-
16
Thursday,April24,2014
TheLighthouse
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
By Lt. j.g. Brad Lawler
NMCB 4
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 is
now well into its field training exercise (FTX), but that
wouldnt have been possible without the battalions 40-
Sailor Supply Department completing its mission of
bringing all the necessary supplies, tools, food and con-
struction material to the FTX site. These men and
women worked for months to ensure the battalion had
everything necessary to succeed.
Its very important for us tobe thoroughlyprepared,
said SeniorChief Logistics Specialist VirgilioCristobal,
the departments leading chief petty officer. If we leave
behind even the smallest thing, the battalions operations
can be put at a disadvantage.
The breadth of logistical support for a field training
exercise can feel daunting, especially since there are no
second chances. Anything the battalion needs during
the three weeks they are at Fort Hunter Liggett needs
to be ordered, packed and transported into the field.
The department is broken down into three divisions:
FoodService,MaterialLiaison/CentralToolRoom, and
Supply.
The division that is themost important to themorale
of the battalion is without a doubt the Food Service
Division.
Under the guidance of Chief Culinary SpecialistWil-
lie Mack Jones, the battalion culinary specialists and
food service attendants operate a full field galley for two
weeks, including a specialmeal for Easter Sunday.Dur-
ing their time in the field, the division will serve tens of
thousands of hot meals to hungry, tired Seabees.
TheMaterial Liaison/Central ToolRoomDivision is
responsible for all of the constructionmaterial and tools
needed for the battalions projects and defensive perim-
eters. Every piece of wood and strand of razor wire
needs to be available at amoments notice and account-
ed for throughout the exercise. This job does not end
until everything is safely returned to storage at Naval
Base Ventura County (NBVC) Port Hueneme at the
conclusion of the exercise.
The third division is known simply as Supply. The
logistics specialists of this division are responsible for
consumable items used by everyone in the battalion:
light bulbs, paper, batteries, etc.Theyworked formonths
to ensure the thousands of needed items were in place
to support the Seabees in the field.
We take the time tomake sure all the different com-
panies of the battalion can order what they need, said
Logistics Specialist 1st Class Blanca Sanchez, the divi-
sions leading petty officer. Its important for us to or-
der all the right items and have them ready for the cus-
tomers.
FTX cant happen
without supplies
Photos by MC1 Charles Panter / nMCb 4
ET2 James Riffe-Lipert, of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, secures the area for a convoy during a convoy
security element field exercise at Fort Hunter Liggett last month.
By Ensign John Michael Nurthen
NMCB 4
NavalMobileConstructionBattalion (NMCB)4sConvoy
Security Element (CSE) recently completed a three-phase
trainingpipeline that started in the cozy classroomsof Naval
BaseVenturaCounty (NBVC) PortHueneme, continued on
to Combat Town at NBVC Point Mugu, and ultimately
culminated in a field training exercise the firstweekof March
in themuddy fields of FortHunterLiggett along theCentral
California coast.
The purpose of this training was to introduce, learn and
apply the techniques, tactics and procedures necessary to ex-
ecute as a successful and efficient CSE in order to increase
NMCB4swarfighting capabilities andprepare themfor con-
tingency convoy operations in a combat environment.
During the first phase of the training, which beganFeb. 3,
the 53-person CSEwas introduced to topics such as the em-
ployment of the M9 service pistol and the M4 service rifle.
Moving fromthe classroomto the small arms shooting range,
they were able to practically apply techniques such as transi-
tioning from one weapon to another, shooting on the move
and in close quarters, and the expedient reloading of each
weapon on themove.
The second phase of training took place at two separate
locationsatNBVCPointMugu.The first locationwasknown
as the Combat Convoy Simulator (CCS). CSE planned and
executedmissions in a lifelike virtual environment shown on
eight separatemovie screens covering 360 degrees. Following
aweek in theCCS, theymoved to theHomeStationTraining
Lanes,more commonlyknownasCombatTown,andwere
pushed to their physical limitswhile instructed on the tactics,
techniques and procedures necessary to operate in a hostile
urban environment.
Followingurbanskills training, theCSEdeployed224miles
north to FortHunter Liggett for the third and final phase of
their in-depth training. They were able to bring together all
of the skills they had been working on all homeport.
Exhausted fromfive intensedaysof training,CSEreturned
homeMarch 5.
Convoy Security Element completes training
A Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle operated
by Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB)
4 crosses a bridge during a convoy security element field
exercise last month.
40-Sailor department makes
sure they get to training site
-
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
TheLighthouse
Thursday,April24,2014
17
By Lt. j.g. Joseph DeMarzo
NMCB 4
Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Con-
struction Battalion (NMCB) 4 recently
completed a decontamination exercise at
Naval BaseVenturaCounty before heading
out to the field exercise training at Fort
Hunter Liggett along the Central Califor-
nia coast.
The daylong decontamination exercise
was carried out by 40 battalion personnel
under the watchful eyes of the battalions
leadership andNaval Construction Train-
ing Center (NCTC) evaluators.
The training evolution exercised the
battalions ability to respond and recover
from a chemical, biological or radiological
(CBR) attack. Specifically, it challenged the
battalion to properly decontaminate per-
sonnel and equipment to quickly return to
the mission.
Seabee units are expected to continue the
mission with limited delay or loss of capa-
bility when facedwith aCBRattack. They
are trained to stay in the fight, and this
Can Do attitude sets them apart from
other fighting forces.
The exercise kicked off with a convoy of
three vehicles being notionally hit and con-
taminated in a chemical attack. The attack
quickly forced the CBR team into action,
and they donned their full chemical suits,
commonly referred to asMissionOriented
Protective Posture (MOPP) gear, to allow
them to safely operate in the deadly envi-
ronment.
After donning their gear and selecting
an adequate site for decontamination op-
erations, two survey teamswere sent to the
area to ensure it was clear of any agents.
Once an all clear was determined, the
remaining personnelwere able tomove into
the area.
A decontamination site is made up of
multiple stations, including an entry control
point (ECP) to control vehicle and person-
nel flow, a vehicle washdown station to
remove vehicle contamination, a MOPP
gear exchange for personnel to receive new
MOPP suits, and an assembly area for per-
sonnel to rendezvous and continue their
mission. Establishing the proper layout of
the site requires rapid planning and deci-
sion making. The stations must be spaced
at pre-determined distances, and the ori-
entation is highly dependent upon wind
direction and terrain that can change at a
moments notice. These key factors were
taken into careful consideration by the
teamas theydeveloped their site andmoved
in their equipment.
After the site was established, contami-
nated vehicles arrived at the ECP. Under
the close guard of ECP security personnel,
the contaminated passengers inside the
vehicles disembarked and were led to the
MOPPgear exchange station to receive new
MOPP suits while the vehicles continued
to the washdown station. After all the ve-
hicles and personnel were deemed clean,
they were able to regroup at the assembly
station and continue on with their con-
voy.
The exercise participants were a part of
the battalions CBR Team, a specialized
unit of 102 personnel trained to detect,
respond and recover from a CBR attack.
The team members are pulled from each
company throughout the battalion and
receive instruction fromNCTCs Disaster
Recovery Schoolhouse and through unit
driven training during homeport. The in-
struction and training ensures they meet
their required capabilities to include detect-
ing CBR attacks, marking contaminated
areas and decontaminating units in an ex-
pedient manner.
The teams performance throughout the
exercise was flawless, which quickly led to
passing marks for the evolution. Through
teamwork and communication, the par-
ticipants demonstrated the required techni-
cal skills, command and control to execute
operational decontamination in a timely
manner.
With the completion of this exercise, the
battalion and CBR team could focus their
efforts on the field training exercise going
on now and Pacific deployment later this
year.
Decontamination exercise a prelude to NMCB 4s FTX
Photo courtesy NMcB 4
Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 wash down a simulated
contaminated vehicle during an operational decontamination exercise at Naval Base
Ventura County (NBVC) Port Hueneme last month. The exercise was in preparation for the
battalions field training exercise currently taking place at Fort Hunter Liggett.
By Lt. j.g. Delroy McEwan
NMCB 4
CAMP ROBERTS In
keeping with the readiness
requirements for the upcom-
ing deployment to the Pa-
cific, Naval Mobile Con-
struction Battalion (NMCB)
4 traveled to the National
Guard Ranges at Camp Rob-
erts last month for Fire Team
Leader training.
Under the instruction and
supervision of Naval Con-
struction Group One (NCG
1), Seabees received training
on leadership development,
individual combat skills,
land navigation, patrolling
and defensive operations.
NMCB 4 had a class of 32
students engaged in the Fire
Team Leader exercise March
10-15.
Day-to-day activities var-
ied from classroom lecture
sessions to practical applica-
tion and live fire at several
firing ranges.
I believe this was a good
opportunity for the student,
said Utilitiesman 1st Class
Edward Payne, the leading
petty officer. All petty of-
ficers should get the privi-
lege of partaking in training
exercise of such high quali-
ty.
Classroom instruction was
given on each weapon sys-
tem, followed by live fire.
Weapons such as the M203
Grenade Launcher, M18A1
Claymore Mine, M136 AT4
Antitank Rocket, M16A3/
M4A1 and M67 hand gre-
nades were used during the
course.
Classes on communication
equipment were also given,
specifically the RF-310 Ra-
dio. Instruction included
how to clear the radio of any
information and basic pro-
gramming of the radio.
The students also did day
and night patrols, in which
they received instructions on
use of compasses and Night
Vision Goggles (NVGs).
Seabees learn weapons, radio skills
Photo By Mc1 charles PaNter / NMcB 4
CM3 Edward Lopez, of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, loads a
training round into an M203 40mm grenade launcher during a Fire Team Leader
course at Camp Roberts.
-
$
##
"* # !(**"
"" %
(* "*(*
" ) (
*#!*%*) *#)"#(("*
18
Thursday,April24,2014
TheLighthouse
www.TheLighthouseNews.com
Twenty-four Naval AirWarfare Center
Weapons Division (NAWCWD) employ-
ees graduated from the Engineer and Sci-
entist Development Program during an
April 2 ceremony at China Lake.
NAWCWD Executive Director Scott
ONeil kicked off the ceremonywith some
advice for the future.
Congratulations, you have come a long
way to get here today, ONeil said. Its
a big milestone graduating from this pro-
gram. After college I knew I wanted to be
an engineer but I didnt know exactly what
that meant or what field to go into. Pro-
grams like this can help you find the direc-
tion you want. We are fortunate to have
this at NAWCWD.
The graduates this cycle were Aaron
Lehmann, Al Khatib, Brittany Perez,
Christopher Calderon, Christy Banks,
David Gregory, David Pedersen, Eddie
Nguyen, Eric Abernethy, Greg Diehl, Ian
Leong, Jacob Barkley, Jarron Lembke,
Jeffrey Krise, John Rettig, Jose Corona,
Katie Hatland, Kenneth Sanchez, Mat-
thew Lee, Nathan Conde, Oswald Yang,
PeterWitkowski, Raena Phillips andRan-
dall Drobny.
ONeil explained the importance of cre-
ating goals now and throughout their
careers.
I encourage you to develop a 25-year
plan for both your career and your per-
sonal life, ONeil said. I am not saying
you have to know exact details of every-
thing you want, just an idea. Sit down and
figure out what motivates you and decide
where you want to end up. Find mentors
and supervisors you look up to and listen
to their advice. I still have mentors. Do
this and it will help give you a sense of
direction.
Participants are eligible for graduation
after completing 300 hours of training,
multiple tours and required certifications.
This can take three to five years.
24 graduate from development program
Construction Mechanic 2nd Class
Romel G. Miguel has been awarded the
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement
Medal for being selected Naval Construc-
tion Group (NCG) 1 Instructor of the
Year for 2013.
Miguel qualified 620Navy personnel on
crew-served weapons while going through
live-fire exercises with no mishaps.
As a field training exercise instructor,
Miguel led 119 Seabees who completed
107 missions that mirrored realistic sce-
narios, making eight units deployment
ready.
Miguel named NCG 1 Instructor of the Year
Public visits to SanMiguel Island (SMI),
part of the Channel IslandsNational Park
(CINP), have been temporarily suspend-
ed.
Due to safety concerns, theDepartment
of the Navy, which is the landowner at
SMI and is represented locally by Naval
Base Ventura County, has asked the Na-
tional Parks Service via the CINP Super-
intendents office to halt all recreational
visits to the island.
The island was used as part of a bomb-
ing range during and after World War II.
The closure is necessary to ensure public
safety while the Navy conducts a risk as-
sessment and, if necessary, clean-up at the
island. The length of the closure will de-
pend on the risk assessment findings, but
the island will likely not reopen to visitors
this year.
Navy-owned SanMiguel Island closed to public
Spring into Spring swim lessons for
adults and children are now being offered
at the Seabreeze Aquatics Center, Naval
Base Ventura County (NBVC) Port Hue-
neme.
Session 1 is half over and Session 2 be-
gins May 6. Each sessio