The White Falcon - 25.11.1994, Side 2

Jromt/zetcp
Naval Air Station
By Capt. W. Robert Blake Jr.
NAS Commanding Officer
Constantly improving the quality of services provided to the
base tenant commands and community members is my primary
responsibility as the commanding officer of the NAS. I get great
satisfaction in addressing both the operational and quality-of-life
needs of the community. Being at this air station is certainly
unique because I have the opportunity to work closely with our
host country, our sister services and NATO members. The other
unique item is that virtually eveiyone lives on base. It is a con-
cept that has both advantages and disadvantages, and a fact
which increases the importance of constantly improving the ser-
vices provided.
A good portion of my job is representing our needs to organi-
zations and people outside the base, including the commands
which control the resources and have an influence on the future
of the base. My attention is split between meeting short-term
needs and crafting a vision for the future. There are certainly
insufficient resources to take care of everything at once, such as
the $225 million backlog in maintenance repairs of facilities, the
more than 20 bachelor quarters that need renovation and approx-
imately 250 housing units that we need to eventually get off the
books by selling or some other means.
Overall, I would say the quality of life on the base is excellent.
People seem to enjoy living in our small community. I am told
that up to 80 percent of the Navy people extend their tour length
and, judging from the surveys I take at the base indoctrination, a
large number volunteer to come to Iceland for their tour of duty.
These two factors speak highly of life in Iceland. There are many
issues to resolve and services that need improvement. The tenant
commands on the base and the residents are the ultimate judge
of quality in the services that are provided, so we appreciate your
input and ideas on how we can do things better. There are a
number of mechanisms to express your ideas, so please use them.
They are your chain of command, quality-of-life committee,
ombudsman, Feedback and many others.
There are several things I am extremely impressed with, how-
ever a couple stick out in my mind like the volunteers on base
and how well people take care of their facilities. I can’t tell you
how many events I have already attended that focused on recog-
nizing the contributions of volunteers. Sharing your time to sup-
port community affairs is one of the most important and satisfy-
ing things a person can do. My thanks to all the volunteers. Your
efforts are sincerely appreciated by all.
The other item I mentioned was taking care of facilities, both
your quarters and in your work spaces. Pride is evident in most
spaces that I visit. I am fighting for dollars to get infrastructure
overhauled and in the meantime, you are really taking care of
what we have. Admiral William J. Flanagan Jr., the new
Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, was very impressed
with the people and the facilities at every place he visited. He
mentioned that our recently renovated barracks are the best he
has seen. Rear Adm. Stanley Bryant told Flanagan that he was
comfortable with him visiting anywhere he wanted to on this
base, which is the ultimate compliment to each of you. Pride and
teamwork are certainly the key to maintaining that spirit which is
so important to this community.
Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Mike Boorda, is scheduled to
visit Keflavik today. We are certainly proud to have him on base
for the day, and we are trying to provide the opportunity for as
many as possible to have an interface with him. He went from E-
1 to the top job in the Navy, which should be a personal and pro-
fessional inspiration to every member on this base. His energy is
contagious, and he is working your concerns with Congress and
the public on a daily basis.
My biggest long-term concern is the renovation of the bachelor
quarters. I don’t think renovation of one barracks a year is suffi-
cient for quarters that were originally built in the 1960s. I am
also working on the commissary, child care, older housing, gym-
nasium, facilities maintenance and a host of other issues.
I am committed to making this base a better place to live and
work. Everyone has a part to play and as long as each of us is
doing our share, our quality of life will continue to improve.
Don’t sit on the sidelines - jump in and participate. There is no
better feeling than being part of a winning team. Also, take ^
advantage of the many opportunities to improve yourself perso^
ally and professionally. Be safe through the winter. Take your V
time and be careful. See you around the base and thanks for your
continued support.
It has come to our attention that Ensign George Gay was not
the only naval aviator in Torpedo Squadron 8 to survive the
battle of Midway in World War II as stated in The White
Falcon Nov. 11. Torpedo Squadron 8 was in the process of
transitioning to new Grumman TBF Avenger aircraft as forces
gathered for the battle, and a detachment of six aircraft made
it to Midway Isand in time to attack the Japanese carrier group
that same morning. Five of the six aircraft were lost, but
Ensign Albert Ernest brought his crippled plane and radio
operator safely back to Midway. Ernest’s gunner was killed by
an attacking Japanese fighter during the battle.
Commander, Iceland Defense Force Rear Adm. Stanley W. Bryant -4- Deputy Commander, Iceland Defense Force Col. H. John Markulis
Commanding Officer, NAS Keflavfk Capt. W. Robert Blake Jr. Commander, 85th Wing Col. Richard B. Cross Jr. Chief of Staff, Fleet Air Keflavfk Capt. R. Peter Fleming Command Chaplain Commanding Officer, Naval Hospital Keflavfk Capt. Gerald S. Vintinncr Capt. John A Mitas II
ctx uilfe faIcot) Public Affairs Officer Lt. Vince Broome Deputy Public Affairs Officer Fri6|)6r Kr. Eydal Leading Chief Petty Officer JOC Dave Marr Leading Petty Officer/Editor J02(AW) B. Natalie Dias Staff J02 Kevin A. Mills YN2 Pearlette Bagley Staff Sgt. Angela R. Williams Administrative Assistant Lavanda Rosemond Ingveldur Sigurj6nsd6ttir The White Falcon is printed by the NAS Keflavik Print Plant. Photo processing is provided by Fleet Imaging Command Detachment Keflavik. The White Falcon is an authorized, government-funded weekly pub- lication of the Public Affairs Office, Iceland Defense Force. Contents of The White Falcon are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Iceland Defense Force. Everything advertised in this publication shal^ be made available without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, ital status, physical disability or any other non-merit factor. The deadline for story submissions is noon Monday for the followii™ week of publication. The White Falcon is located in Bldg. 936. The] telephone extension is 4612 or 6492.
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