The White Falcon - 01.10.1965, Qupperneq 1
Fire Prevention Week Runs Oct. 3 To Oct. 9
Fire Prevention is a year round
job, and one week of the year is set
aside by the Presidential Pro-
clamation to drive home the im-
portance of fire safety. The Naval
Station Fire Department will ob-
serve Fire 'Prevention Week, Oct.
3 through Oct. 9.
During the week signs and
posters will be displayed through-
out the Naval Station and fire ex-
tinguisher-displays will be on ex-
hibit in prominent locations. The
school children have been invited
to visit the Fire Department
where they will get the chance of
riding in the Fire Trucks.
Seven Days A Week
The Fire Division consists of
40 Icelandic Nationals and 26
military personnel who operate 24
hours a day, seven days a week.
It is an integral part of the Sec-
urity Department under the non-
technical administration of LCdr
Charles C. Gregory.
All operations of the Fire Di-
vision are under the technical
supervision of Fire Chief Sveinn
Eiriksson, an experienced 14-year
veteran in the fire-fighting and
fire prevention field. A three-
platoon system is in effect, led
by assistant chiefs, each of whom
possesses many years of practical
fire experience. Three inspectors
are responsible for locating fire
hazards and for recommending
and advising ways and means of
eliminating such hazards. The
care and maintenance of fire ex-
tinguishers and testing of alarm
systems on station are also import-
ant functions.
Serves Local Towns
Though the department is pri-
marily concerned with fire pro-
tection of the Naval Station, it
occasionally assists local com-
munities. The department has
answered calls in Keflavik, Grinda-
vik, Sandgerdi and surrounding
areas. Over the last six months
the Fire Department has answered
on the average of up to 117 air-
craft alarms per month and 18
structural alarms per month.
“Let us all remember, that Fire
Prevention concerns us all,” says
Chief Eiriksson. “The mission is
too great to be effected by the
efforts of your fire protecting ser-
vants alone. It requires the com-
bined efforts of all. Permitting
the accumulation of combustable
trash in hidden spaces, the im-
proper storage of flammable and
explosive liquids, the presence and
use of deteriorated electrical wir-
ing and appliances, open viola-
tion of, or nonconformity to fire-
safety rules and regulations laid
down for everyone’s protection, or
permitting hazardous materials to
be handled or played with by the
children are only a few helpful
suggestions toward attaining a
fire-free life for which we should
all aspire.”
What To Do
This year Chief Eiriksson asks
everyone to do his part during
the Fire (Prevention Week, and
to those who like to smoke in bed,
here are a few tips from the
chief:
“Be sure to leave a copy of your
last will and testament and list
of nearest relatives with the com-
manding officer or billeting offi-
cer. Check your insurance policies
and make sure premiums are paid
up. Inform the commanding offi-
cer or billeting officer where to
send your remains. Advise other
occupants that you intend to en-
danger their lives. Leave deposit
sufficient to cover all personal
liability and property damage. In
short. Don’t smoke in bed!”
It is the fervent hope of your
Fire Department, that all remem-
ber and apply the simple rules of
fire protection, that we enjoy the
blessing of life, so easily and
quickly to be destroyed by un-
wanted and destructive fire,” con-
cluded the fire chief.
Eighth Ranked Sea Service Newspaper - 1964
THE WHITE
U.S, NAVAL STATION, KEFLAVIK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, ICELAND
Volume IV, Number 36 Friday, October 1, 1965
Cdr Johnson
Takes Reins,
OinC, Deft. 13
Cdr Ian J. Johnson relieved Cdr
John W. Orrill as officer-in-charge
(OinC) of Patrol Squadron
Twenty-One, Detachment Thir-
teen, (VP-21, Det. 13) Sept. 15.
The former OinC of VP-21,
Commander Orrill became the
commanding officer of the squa-
dron in ceremonies held Sept. 25
at U.S. Naval Station, Rota,
Spain.
Commander Johnson’s previous
assignment was as operations and
later executive officer with
VP-30, from 1963 to September
1965.
Graduate Of Cornell
After graduating from Cornell
University in, 1950 with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in Government, the
Commander who was commission-
ed an ensign through the NROTC
program, immediately began his
active duty.
(Continued on page 8.)
NEW OINC AT VP-21 — Taking
over the officer-in-cliarge post at
VP-21, Det. 13, last Sept. 15, was
Cdr Ian J. Johnson, Former OINC
of VP-21, Cdr John W. Orrill, be-
came the commanding officer of
VP-21 in ceremonies conducted
Sept. 25, at U.S. Naval Station,
Rota, Spain. ■
FOR HEROISM—Lt.Col. Joe H. Joiner, commandant of the 57th FIS,
pins the nation’s ninth-ranked decoration, the Airman’s Medal, on
SSgt. Domingo O. Opio at ceremonies held at the 57th FIS’s Hqtrs.,
Sept. 28. Sergeant Opio was awarded the medal for valor performed,
Aug. 21, 1964, when he prevented a dangerous accident while stationed
with the 72nd SAC Bomb Wing at Ramey, AFB, Puerto Rico.
Opio Decorated For Heroism;
Receives “Airman's Medal”
SSgt. Domingo 0. Opio was awarded the nation’s ninth
highest decoration, the Airman’s Medal for Heroism, in
ceremonies held Sept. 28 at the 57th Fighter-Interceptor
Squadrons’ Hqtrs., Bldg. 827.
Lt.Col. Joe H. Joiner, commandant of the 57th FIS,
presented the sergeant with the^ . 7
Although a collision appeared
unavoidable and probably would
have resulted in an explosion and
a conflagration, Sergeant Opio
medal.
The decoration for valor was
given to Sergeant Opio for the
deed he performed, Aug. 21, 1964,
while stationed with the 72nd SAC
Bomb Wing at Ramey AFB,
Puerto Rico. At that time, he was
attached to the Munitions Ser-
vices Branch of the 21st Munitions
Maintenance Squadron (MMS).
Risks Life To Save Plane
“On that date,” the certificate
stated, “Sergeant Opio was a
member of a Weapons Loading
Team. The brakes of a trailer
heavily loaded with explosive wea-
pons failed as it was being guided
down a ramp to a nearby air-
craft.”
unhesitantly stayed with the tra-
iler and assisted in steering it bet-
ween the aircraft fuselage (B-
52G) and a missle mounted on
the wing.”
The commendation letter went
on to say, “By his courageous and
timely action Sergeant Opio has
reflected great credit upon him-
self and the United States Air
Force.”
Manually Moves Trailer
The sergeant added that he and
the four other men in his team
(Continued on page 10.)
Lt. Col. Hines Here;
“CO” Marine Barracks
Lt. Col. Cloyd V. Hines took over as Commanding Of-
ficer, Marine Barracks, Keflavik, Iceland in ceremonies
held this morning on the Naval Station.
Colonel Hines comes from Schools Demonstration Troops,
Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Va., where he was exe-
cutive officer.
Born May 28, 1917, at Chillicothe, Ohio, Colonel Hines
graduated from Chillicothe High'V
School in 1935.
Became 2nd Lt.
He entered the Marine Corps
in January 1942 and served as
an enlisted man until Jan. 1944,
when he was commissioned a Mar-
ine second lieutenant.
During World War II, he parti-
cipated in the Guadalcanal and
Saipan-Tinian campaigns, and
was a member of the initial occ-
upation forces of the Japanese
homeland in 1945.
Returning to the states in 1946,
he served with Marine Barracks,
Eighth and First Sts., Washington,
D.C., until 1948 when he was as-
signed to the Marine Detachment,
London, England as executive
officer. From 1950 until 1952 he
served with the 2nd Marine Div-
ision, Camp Lejeune, N.C. as ass-
istant adjutant, division adjutant
and aide to the 2nd Marine Div-
ision Commanding General.
Back To Quantico
He remained at Norfolk until
1958, when he became aide to the
commanding general, Marine
Corps Base, Camp Pendleton,
Calif. In 1960 he returned to
Marine Corps Schools where he
was student at the Senior School.
He graduated from that course
in 1961. He then became battalion
commander of the 1st Battalion,
7th Marine Division, Camp Pen-
dleton until his last assignment.
Colonel Hines’ medals and dec-
orations include the Silver Star
Medal; Purple Heart Medal;
Presidential Unit Citation; Good
Conduct Medal; American Defense
Service Medal; American Camp-
aign Medal; Asiatic-Pacifc Camp-
aign Medal with four stars; World
War II Victory Medal; Navy Occ-
upation Service Medal; National
Defense Service Medal; Korean
Service Medal and the United
Nations Service Medal.
San Francisco And Korea
In 1952, he left Camp Lejeune
for duty with the Department of
Pacific, San Francisco, Calif.,
where he was aide to the comm-
anding general.
He departed there in 1953 for
duty with the 3d Marine Div-
ision in Okinawa and the 1st Mar-
ine Division in Korea, where he
remained until 1954.
In 1954 he reported to Marine
Corps Schools, Quantico, Va.,
where he was an instructor with
the Basic School until 1956, when
he received orders to Headquart-
ers, Fleet Marine Force, Norfolk,
Va., and duty as aide to the comm-
anding general there.
Lt. Col. Cloyd V. Hines