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�� �������������������� ������������ ��� ���� ��������������������� By MC1 (AW) Melissa Robertson-Leake Staff Writer A ground-breaking ceremony to begin the project for a new state-of-the-art helicopter hangar at NAS Jacksonville was held March 7. The new facility is being built by Walbridge Aldinger Company and will cost approximately $73 million. It will provide hangar space for multiple SH-60B Seahawk helicopter squadrons until they are replaced by the MH-60R Romeo by 2015. To make room for the new hangar, Hangar 122 is being demolished after supporting numerous squadrons and dif- ferent types of aircraft for the past 66 years. “Personally, this hangar holds a lot of memories for me. I stood in this parking lot and watched the space shuttle Challenger take off in January 1986,” said NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Chip Dobson, who gave the opening remarks during the ceremony. “Today is a great day and a significant day in the history of NAS Jacksonville. We are shifting to the future by making a major recapitalization along the flight line into the 21st century. The new hangar complex is designed for and will house the SH-60 Romeo aircraft and will enhance the warfighting capability of the Navy for the future.” Dobson went on to commend installation staff members, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast and the many private industries for the planning of a great prod- uct for future generations of personnel. The construction project will support expanding helicop- ter deployments and optimize airfield investments at NAS Jacksonville. The first Romeo squadron is scheduled to arrive in 2008, with the last one arriving in 2013. The new hangar is designed to house five Romeo helicopter squadrons, which includes 55 aircraft and more than 1,600 personnel. In addition to the hangar bay, the project includes required main tenance support, administration and building sup- port spaces for each squadron. The project also includes a dual position helicopter wash rack along with site improvements such as utility infra- structure, repair/replacement of hangar aprons and tie- downs, new aircraft pavement markings, security fencing and gates, pedestrian circulation and parking lots. Walbridge Aldinger Company has been contracted to construct the new hangar. The company was founded in 1916 and is ranked 43rd in overall construction in engi- neering news record. The company has an exemplary safe- ty record and has constructed the two largest commercial maintenance hangars in the United States. “We are building a state-of-the-art, very efficient, advanced designed facility,” said Ronald Hausman, presi- dent of Walbridge Aldinger Company Heavy Civil Divi- sion. “Its an extreme honor for us to participate in this event providing this beautiful hangar project for you. We are committed to delivering a safe, quality and economi- cal hangar project on time and under budget. This job is a tribute to those men and women who will appreciate this new facility and will use it for decades.” The ceremony concluded as Dobson climbed on a back- hoe and began demolishing part of the old hangar. The new hangar, which will be known as Hangar 1122, is expected by be completed in late 2009. New Leader VP-62 Holds Change Of Command Page 4 Welcome Aboard Fitness Center Gets New Manager/Trainer Page 13 VOL. 65 • NO. 11 • NAS J ACKSONVILLE,FLA www.jaxairnews.com THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 2007 Focusing In A Look At FLTPACEN SE Pages 6-7 TOUCHING BASE Uniform change coming up The shift to the summer uniform of the day for all stations and ships with- in Navy Region Southeast in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina will take effect April 2. The uniform of the day will be service dress white, summer whites or service khakis for officers and chief petty officers and service dress whites or summer whites for E1 through E6. Volunteers needed for Navy Run Volunteers are needed for the second annual Capt. Chuck Cornett Memorial 10K Navy Run and 5K Walk April 7. For more information and to sign up, call Bill Bonser at 542-2930/3239 or e-mail [email protected]. Ground-breaking ceremony kicks off new helo hangar project Photo by MC1 (AW) Melissa Robertson-Leake Ground was broken March 7 for the new hangar, which will house the SH-60 Romeo aircraft beginning in the fall of 2009. Photo by MC2 Brian Smarr A VS-24 S-3B Viking prepares to take off for its final flight at NAS Jacksonville Feb. 8. The squadron will be disestablished during a ceremony today. From VS-24 T he “Scouts” of VS-24 will hold a dis- establishment ceremony March 22 at 10 a.m. in Hangar 116 at NAS Jax ending 64 years of service as an Atlantic Fleet carrier-based squadron. The squadron will be officially deacti- vated March 31. VS-24 Sailors have proud- ly served in Jacksonville for the past 34 years. The squadron was originally based at NAS Quonset Point, R.I. They relo- cated to NAS Cecil Field in 1973. When NAS Cecil Field was closed in 1997, VS-24 moved to NAS Jacksonville. The squadron’s last deployment ended in March 2006 after completing a highly successful cruise on board USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.. The Scouts are celebrating 64 years of service with a week of festivities beginning with a picnic at Sea King Park Monday at 11 a.m. This event is open to all former squadron members, supporters and their families. That evening, a Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament will be held at the NAS Jax Officers’ Club at 7 p.m. Food, bever- ages and some friendly competition for a myriad of prizes will be available. On Tuesday, there will be a foosball tour- nament and a social get together at the T-bar at 4 p.m. The next day, VS-24 will hold its annual Scout Host Invitational Tournament of Golf at the Casa Linda Oaks Golf Club. The tournament starts at 10 a.m. and participants are still needed. After the disestablishment ceremony March 22, a Scout Ball will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the NAS Jax Officers’ Club. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information on these events, contact Lt. Louis Calisch at [email protected] or 542-8688. NAS Jax honors Sailors of the Quarter By MC2(SW/AW) Rebecca Kruck Staff Writer N AS Jacksonville’s leaders recog- nized the achievements of their Sailors March 8 by hosting a Sailor of the Quarter (SOQ) Luncheon at the NAS Jax Officers’ Club. The lun- cheon recognized nearly 60 SOQs for the fourth quarter of 2006 from each of NAS Jax’s tenant commands. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today to recognize our Sailors,” said NAS Jax Command Master Chief CMDCM(SW) Chris Green just before the NAS Jax Honor Support Team posted colors and the chap- lain gave the invocation. Green then introduced the luncheon’s guest speaker, CDMCM(SS/SW) James McLain, com- mand master chief of HS-15. McLain began his speech by welcom- ing the Sailors, Junior Sailors and Blue Jackets of the Quarter as well as fam- ily and friends. “It’s truly an honor to be asked to speak at a function such as this where we honor some of our Navy’s top Sailors,” he said. McLain then addressed the SOQs. “You were selected for this honor for you professionalism, your sense of mis- sion accomplishment, your service to your fellow Sailors and for your commit- ment to community involvement,” said McLain. “I’ve had the pleasure of being a member on Sailor of the Quarter and Sailor of the Year boards at the Region, carrier air group, wing, force and com- mand levels. Perhaps the most tell- ing common denominator is the excep- tional quality of the Sailors competing for these honors. Trying to select one exceptional Sailor among a number of See SOQ, Page 18 Photos by MC2(SW/AW) Rebecca Kruck Guest Speaker CMDCM(SS/SW) James McClain, HS-15 command master chief, gives a riveting speech praising the Sailors of the Quarter during the luncheon. Sea Control Wing Atlantic Senior Sailor of the Quarter AT1(AW/SW) Sherika Mosely happily shakes hands with NAS Jax leader- ship and sponsors at the luncheon. For a list of honorees for Sailor of the Quarter, see Page 18. VS-24 ‘Scouts’ bid farewell
