The White Falcon - 22.04.1977, Side 1

White Falcon
Volume XXXIII Number 16_Keflavik. Iceland April 22. 1977
Rear Admiral Daniel B. Whitmore presents the Meritorious Unit Commendation
to Rear Admiral Karl J. Bernstein and Commander Harry W. Benter. (photo by
PH2 Ron Pearce)
GOMPATWINGSLANT visits VP-45
RAdm Whitmire presents MUC
to CFK ASW Group, NAVFAC
Rear Admiral R. Hedges, Commander
Patrol Wings Atlantic Fleet, recently
visited the Patrol Squadron FORTY-FIVE
"Pelicans" at Naval Station Keflavik.
At a morning quarters, RAdm Hedges
presented Aviation Ordnanceman First
Class James Hayden the award for
COMPATWINGSLANT Sailor of the Year as
well as the Navy Achievement Medal to
Chief Yeoman Roland Achorn.
Warrant Officer Bill Skinner was
promoted to his present rank.
The admiral then gave awards to
Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class
Vincent Davis and Aviation Electronics
Technician Second Class Gary Dearing
for being selected VP-45 Supervisor and
Sailor of the Quarter, respectively.
The admiral toured the Iceland De-
fense Force, and met with Rear Admiral
Karl J. Bernstein, Commander Iceland
Defense Force.
VP-45 Commanding Officer Commander
S. F. Loftus briefed the admiral on
current operations.
Following the brief, the admiral
was honored with a luncheon.
In his remarks to the VP-45 noontime
wardroom assembly, he complimented the
Pelicans for the outstanding job per-
formed in Keflavik.
He stated that the entire patrol
aviation community benefits from the
continued excellence and professional-
ism shown by VP squadrons.
When asked about the future of the
VP mission, the admiral felt that the
patrol community would evolve into a
multi-mission role.
After being selected VP-45 Sailor
of the Year, A01 Hayden was named
PATWING ELEVEN Sailor of the Year.
At Naval Air Station Brunswick,
MA, he was interviewed by a panel
which included two officers and three
master chiefs.
When asked by a panel member what
he would do if he were Master Chief
Petty Officer of the Navy, he said,
"I would try to foster a closer
rapport between the Navy's top leader-
ship and the guy on the hangar deck.
The man turning wrenches needs to hear
from the top that he's doing a good
job for a good cause."
P01 Hayden serves as the squadron's
career counselor, and feels that his
selection as Sailor of the Year is "a
real plus for the younger guys in the
squadron."
He remarks, "My award, while being a
great honor for me personally, serves as
a realistic, close-at-hand example for
the young sailors to see that the Navy
really does recognize and appreciate
achievement."
During intensive flight operations,
Petty Officer Davis volunteered to stay
on the job almost 24 hours. His self-
less dedication to keeping the squadron
flying inspired the rest of the men on
his shift to work alongside him around
the clock.
Davis' division officer, Lieutenant
Tim Creath, has nothing but the highest
praise for Petty Officer Davis. His
style of leadership, along with his
demonstrated concern for his men, has
made his mid-check shift the most
productive.
During his off duty hours, Davis
attends Los Angeles Community College
Overseas. Taking an aviation mainten-
ance course, he plans to earn his
Federal Aviation Administration air-
frames and power plants license upon
the squadron^s return to Jacksonville,
FL.
AT2 Gary Dearing also serves as an
example of the can-do spirit to which
RAdm Hedges referred.
Dearing's technical skills often
require application beyond his normal
work shift. His positive work attitude
and mature judgment resulted in his
selection as mid-check supervisor over
more senior petty officers.
Indeed, the whole shop shares in
Hearing's award comments Shop Chief
J. Bernie Tanner. Chief Tanner ex-
plains, "When I was in VP-45 before,
I was selected as Sailor of the Month,
and I know what a special honor it is
for him. All of us in the shop are
glad that our work was recognized
through Gary's selection."
Also at quarters, Rear Admiral
Hedges presented a letter of appoint-
ment to 'CW02 Skinner.
CW02 Skinner enlisted in the Navy
in February 1957. He previously
served in Iran.
Before this assignment, he was
stationed at Memphis, TN as a phase
supervisor.
CW02 Skinner will return to Memphis
shortly. He will be tasked with
training naval personnel as techni-
cians .
He plans to complete a bachelor of
arts degree in marketing.
When eligible, he will apply for the
Limited Duty Officer Program.
The admiral ended his day with VP-45
by visiting the AW Division.
Admiral Hedges spoke about the cur-
rent state of military pay and bene-
fits. He predicted a moratorium on any
additions or deletions to military bene-
fits for about a year.
He also felt that some type of pack-
age proposal for military pay and bene-
fits would be presented to Congress in
the near future.
As a fitting close to his visit, the
Pelicans flew RAdm Hedges to his NAS
Brunswick headquarters.
The personnel of Fleet Air Keflavik/
Iceland Sector Anti-Submarine Warfare
Group and Naval Facility Keflavik were
awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation
ribbon Monday. Rear Admiral Daniel B.
Whitmire, Deputy Chief of Staff, U. S.
Atlantic Fleet, presented the award to
Rear Admiral Karl J. Bernstein, Commander
Fleet Air Keflavik, and Commander Harry
W. Benter, Commander Naval Facility,
Keflavik.
This award recognizes the outstanding
performance of these commands during
their participation in recent ocean
surveillance operations. In the citation
from former Secretary of the Navy,
J. William Middendorf II, command per-
sonnel were commended for their con-
tinuous display of professionalism,
determination and resourcefulness in
Pack-out:
It's pack-out time. The movers are
coming tomorrow to prepare your house-
hold goods for shipment. You've finally
completed your tour here and next month
you'll be on the rotator. You've got to
turn your car into the water terminal
tomorrow for transit to Norfolk. Was
there anything you forgot to do?
The question above might be answered
simply, "...no, I'm all ready for the
flight home." But, are you? Did a cus-
toms representative come to your home
and check your household goods and have
you sign a customs declaration? Does
that car you bought here meet the mini-
mum safety and emission control stan-
dards? Now, you begin to wonder.
Although most persons are vaguely
aware that everything entering the
states must be cleared for customs , some
believe that military personnel are not
checked as closely as others.
That's a common misconception and
the primary reason two customs agents
were requested to come to the NATO
Base. Mr. Norman Sape and Mr. Clyde
Thom, both based at Norfolk, arrived
on station last week to conduct a mini-
customs class.
Forty-three military personnel from
14 departments and commands attended a
three-day class that taught them the
requirements and procedures for clearing
household effects and automobiles through
U.S. Customs when entering the United
States.
The class attendees, will be certified
by the Naval Station as Military Customs
Inspectors. Once certified, the in-
spectors will begin to check all house-
hold goods and cars before they are
shipped to the states. They will also
offer assistance and advice with all the
required paperwork.
Everything entering the United States
must be cleared by customs. If this
clearance is not done before the goods
are packed and crated,customs personnel
at the port of entry may decide to check
for contraband.
Household effects must then be un-
crated, unpacked and inspected. Once
carrying out their mission.
The award ceremony began with the
arrival of the official party. After
the national anthems of Iceland and the
United States were played, Rear Admiral
Bernstein introduced Rear Admiral Whit-
mire .
In his remarks, Rear Admiral Whitmire
noted, "These commands have performed
tasks far beyond what would normally
be expected." In addition, he stated,
"I was highly impressed with what I saw
in the various departments today."
The presentation was made at a formal
ceremony held at Hangar 831.
After presenting the Meritorious Unit
Commendation, the ceremony concluded
with a cake-cutting by RAdm Whitmire,
RAdm Bernstein a”. * Commander Benter.
It taka* more
than you think
the check is complete, everything has to
be repacked. This, in effect, means
another move and increases the likeli-
hood of damage.
Automobiles and certain auto equip-
ment made on or after January 1, 1968,
must conform to applicable federal
safety standards. The original manu-
facturer is required to affix a label or
tag certifying these standards have been
met.
If this tag is missing, the importer
(you) must file a declaration and attach
to it a statement from the manufacturer
that the auto and equipment meets the
standards.
Additionally, all passenger cars and
light trucks starting with the 1968
model year, must be certified as meeting
crankcase and exhaust emission standards.
With the 1971 model year, fuel evapora-
tive emission standards must also be met.
Engines with less than 50 cubic inches
are subject only to the crankcase
emission standards until the 1973 model.
All of this may sound complicated.
However, it is important to know that
since all your personal effects must
be inspected, it is better to have it
done prior to shipment than it is to
have everything unpacked at the port of
entry.
The Military Customs Inspection pro-
gram will begin soon. When you're
ready to pack-out, an inspector will come
to your home and help you. This will
be coordinated between the Housing Office,
Household Goods and the Security Depart-
ment.
If anyone has questions about what
they can or cannot ship, they may call
the Security Department for assistance.
When you're ready to leave Iceland for
your next duty station, you don't need
any hassles. The customs inspection pro-
gram is just another way to help ensure
that your next move will be as trouble-
free as possible. It may be your best
move yet.
Wisdom
We must be silent before we can listen;
We must listen before we can learn;
We must learn before we can prepare;
We must prepare before we can serve;
We must serve before we can lead.
—William A. Ward