Ombudsman Newsletter Summer2013

7/28/2019 Ombudsman Newsletter Summer2013

1/9

Greetings SCORPION

Family and Friends,

Spring is always a busy

time of year at home and it is

no different at HSL-49.

Coming out of the winter

months, the SCORPIONS

found themselves quickly

getting back to the business

of training, preparing, and

deploying mission-ready

expeditionary SH-60B

helicopter detachments. The

men and women who

comprise the SCORPION

Team continue to improve

themselves and the team at

every turn and are the

reason we continue to be the

best squadron in Helicopter

Maritime Strike Wing, Pacific.

Recently we saw the return

of HSL-49 Detachment SIX,

the TROJANs, who deployed

to the FIFTH and SEVENTH

Fleet Areas of Responsibility

embarked USS GRIDLEY.

Welcome home to HSL-49

Detachment THREE, the

DOUBLE D's, who deployed

to FOURTH Fleet Area of

Responsibility embarked

USS GARY and completed a

successful Counter-

Transnational Organized

Crime (C-TOC) deployment

in the Western Pacific. Also

welcome home to HSL-49

Detachment TWO, the HIT

SQUAD, embarked USS

THACH who also deployed

south to conduct C-TOC

operations. Although the HIT

SQUAD's deployment was

shortened, they stand ready

to re-deploy should we be

called upon to meet our

Nation's call to duty.

The adaptability and

responsiveness of the

SCORPIONS enabled HSL-

49 Detachment FOUR, the

HARD CHARGERS, to

complete successful

deployment preparations and

qualifications onboard USS

RENTZ. Upon cancellation of

the RENTZ' deployment, the

HARD CHARGERS stepped

up and successfully executed

a short-notice surge

deployment embarked USS

PREBLE. Fair winds and

following seas as you

continue to sail westward

and support operations in the

SEVENTH Fleet Area of

Responsibility. We are

already eager for your safe

return.At home, the SCORPIONS

continue to excel on allfronts. HSL-49 DetachmentFIVE successfully completedall pre-deploymentmilestones and is fully

qualified. They are the firstSCORPION detachment inseveral years to complete thecomplex myriad ofqualifications, certifications,and inspections in a 60 dayperiod prior to their deployment date. This is aresult of the hard work,dedication, and coordinationof the entire SCORPIONTeam. Additionally, HSL-49Detachment SIX is comingout of the maintenancephase early in anticipation of

a fall deployment. Thesquadron also successfullycompleted the Commander,Naval Air Forces NATOPSUnit Evaluation with allprograms On Track and testscores well above fleetaverage.

CONTINUED PAGE 2

Upcoming Scorpion EventsScorpion Coffee

(Held Monthly)

July Date TBA

9:30 am

Please email

[email protected]

for more information

Summer 2013

Volume 2, Issue 2

HSL-49 OmbudsmanNewsletter

Points of Interest:

Please take a moment

to join the HSL-49

Ombudsman group on

facebook!

Air Crew member

Haycen Casson Runs

in honor of his fatherpage 6

Join me for Scorpion

Coffee!

Individual

Highlights:

CO Contin. 2

FFSC 3

OPSEC 4

Key Resources 5

Picnic 6

Celebrations 7

Scorpion Kids 8

Phone Numbers 9

A Word from your Skipper

Command Picnic

June 21, 2013

See page 6 for more

information


2/9

Ombudsman Newsletter Page 2 of 9

The uncertainty regarding our deployment schedules over the last several months has normalized somewhat but still remains very

dynamic. We continue to see the schedules change significantly on a near daily basis as our Fleet Commanders assess the need and the

feasibility of our support to operational requirements. In today's fiscal environment, we must be judicious in the use of our resources

and that often entails detailed analysis leading to a deployment order with little notice. Our best strategy in the face of ever shifting

requirements is to continue to plan and prepare for the redeployment of Detachment TWO and the early deployment of DetachmentSIX. For now, Detachment THREE will make preparations to support the squadron's commitments in the spring of 2014. As events at

home and in the world change, they may significantly influence our schedule. We stand ready to support our Nation's tasking. We are

able to do this because of the love, support, and understanding of the fantastic SCORPION Family & Friends. Your patience and

encouragement makes the success of your Sailor possible.

An effort to mitigate the uncertainty of our operational deployments is the institution of our fixed working hours. With few

exceptions, gone are the days of endless work days and uncertainty of working weekends. We implemented a plan that gives your

SCORPION a known start and stop to their shift to include dedicated periods for exercise and professional training while overall

reducing the working hours during the week. When there are times we must shift the working hours for a squadron supported event

such as the Helicopter Advanced Readiness Period (HARP), I will endeavor to make sure your SCORPION knows well enough in

advance to plan accordingly. We eliminated the watch standing requirements when the squadron is manned and typically maintain

three shifts during the work week. We maintain a four section duty rotation and leverage duty section personnel on Saturday to close

out unfinished maintenance from the previous week or prepare for the next week's events. We quickly realized positive results both inproductivity and morale. This plan is my contract with your SCORPION. I am committed to it and this will remain in place provided

we are able to continue to sustain sufficient technical qualifications across our three shifts to meet our operational tasking.

SCORPIONS who are behind on their qualification attainment will be required to invest additional time on Saturdays to get caught

up; however, this aspect has only been implemented on a handful of occasions.

Some of you may be asking, "Well since this program started, my Sailor still works long days and late nights, Why?" The answer is

simple - your SCORPION is a dedicated professional. The men and women who comprise this squadron are committed to excellence

and at certain periods this demands more time to ensure the job is done right. I am exceptionally proud of the continued pursuit of

excellence by each and every SCORPION.

Of course, it hasn't been all hard work and no play for the SCORPIONS. Thank you to our dedicated MWR Team for an outstanding

Easter Party/Open House. Each year this event gets bigger and it's great to see so many families participate in the fun. Additionally,

your SCORPIONS joined in Naval Base Coronado's Stomp Out Sexual Assault Awareness campaign by participating in a 5K

run/walk along the San Diego Bay. It was a fantastic showing and the SCORPIONS by far had the largest command presence. As welook forward to the summer months, our MWR Team is already planning for an outstanding command picnic. I strongly encourage

everyone who can to come out and enjoy the fun, friendship, and games.

As we move forward, we will continue to adapt to the changes in our schedule and where and when possible, ensure our SCORPION

Family and Friends are informed through the fantastic work of our Command Ombudsman, Ms. Sarra Suazo. Thank you again for all

the support each you provides your loved one. It is an honor and privilege to serve with your SCORPION.

All the best,

CDR Bill Sherrod

A Word from your Skipper


3/9

Ombudsman NewsletterPage 3 of 9

My job is to provide you, the

command families, with

information, resources andreferrals that will help improve

your life as a military family.

Summer is upon us! School

is out soon, for those in

traditional schedule schools

that is. Be sure to check out

the Blue Star Museums

article. There are many

museums in the San Diego

Area participating this year,

and you as a military family,

get in free!

The next issue of the

newsletter will be all about

disaster prep, if you have

anything you would like to

see, please email me!

A Word from your OmbudsmanAlso, if you have any

questions you would like the

Skipper to address, email

them and he will answer

those questions in the next

newsletter!

I look forward to seeing you

all at the Scorpion family

picnic on June 21! I will be

giving away 5 CBTL Coffee

Makers and kids prizes,

donated by Operation

Homefront! If I have not met

you yet, I look forward to

meeting you there!

I hope you all have a

wonderful summer, filled with

exciting adventures and

memories!

Please remember you can

contact me anytime, via text

or call at 505-948-0837 or

email me at

[email protected]

Sarra Suazo

HSL-49 Ombudsman

Fleet and Family Support

Center provides programs

and services to help improve

your life as a military member

and family at no cost to you!

Fleet and Family Support

Programs (FFSP) support

individual and family

readiness through a fullarray of programs and

resources which help

Navy families to be

resilient, well-informed

and adaptable to the Navy

Organization in the Spotlightenvironment. Programs

include:

Deployment

Support for Sailorsand their Families

Personal and

Family WellnessEducation andCounseling

EmergencyPreparedness andResponse

Crisis Intervention

and Response

There are so many events in our area each month that it would be too hardfor me to list them. From festivals, to concerts, free museum days, BaseMWR events and so much more!Be sure to take some time to check out the following websites when lookingfor fun events this summer!

navylifesw.com/sandiegowww.sandiego.orgwww.balboapark.orgwww.utsandiego.comwww.Sandiego.com

Looking for fun things to do in San

Military and

Personal CareerDevelopment

Financial

Education andCounseling

Relocation

Assistance

TransitionAssistance

Spouse

Employment

Find FFSC on Facebook, orcall to schedule anappointment ofr see whatservices they can provideyou!

-


4/9


The 2013 season of Blue Star Museums is going to be the best yet with more than 2,000 art centers, museums,and exhibits offering FREE entrance for all active duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel and their

families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There are many museums throughout the country, checkhttp://www.nea.gov/national/bluestarmuseums for other locations!Here is the list of local (San Diego area) Museums participating in the program this summer!

Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

Escondido History Center

Gaslamp Museum at the William Heath Davis House

Japanese Friendship Garden

Mingei International Museum

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Downtown

Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, La Jolla

Museum of Photographic Arts

The New Children's Museum San Diego Archaeological Center

San Diego Childrens Discovery Museum

San Diego Chinese Historical Museum

San Diego Botanic Garden

The San Diego Museum of Art

Veterans Museum and Memorial Center

Visions Art Museum: Contemporary Quilts + Textiles

If you have attended any

of the Det Nights or

Scorpion Coffees, you

have heard me refer to

OPSEC (OperationalSecurity) numerous times.

I cannot express to you all

enough the importance of

maintaining OPSEC.

We live in the age of

technology, smart phones,

computers, tablets, all

granting us access to the

World Wide Web. Also

granting others access to

information about

ourselves, information youmay not want others to

have.

Social media amplifies

OPSEC risks because it

enables a greater volume

and increased speed of

information shared

Loose Lips Sink Shipspublicly. Protect yourself

and your family, and your

sailor. Avoid providing

details about yourself,

especially related to acurrent or upcoming

deployment. Avoid

providing details about

your family.

Do NOT Post:

~Dates and times ships

leave or return

~Dates ships pull into

ports or are in ports.

~Do not tag locations of

you or your sailor if visitingthem at a port.

~Information about the

Det or command is often

privileged, meaning it is

not for everyone to know.

Did you know that many

photos taken with smart

phones automatically

geotag your location? So,

please wait to uploadphotos from your visit with

your sailor until after you

both have left that port.

Ask yourself, What could

the wrong person do with

this information when

posting on social media

sites.

If you are ever uncertain if

your post violates

OPSEC, please messageme or email me and ask!

Blue Star Museums
http://www.nea.gov/national/bluestarmuseumshttp://www.veteranmuseum.org/http://www.visionsartmuseum.org/http://www.nea.gov/national/bluestarmuseumshttp://www.veteranmuseum.org/http://www.visionsartmuseum.org/


5/9


Navy- Marine Corps relief Society (NMCRS)

NMCRS provides financial counseling, thrift shops, the Budget for Baby workshop, the Visiting Nurse Program,

scholarships, and financial assistance to qualifying individuals. Schedule a free budget review! NMCRS offers no-interest loans and support to those who qualify. Purchase low-cost uniforms, clothing and household items at thriftstore locations. Call (619) 556-8283 or visit www.nmcrs.org

Military One Source

Access a free 24 hour line for information and resources throughout the world, on virtually every topic. Call (800)342-9647 or visit www.militaryonesource.com

211

Visit www.211sandiego.org call 2-1-1 from a landline or dial (858) 300-1211 from a cell phone to accessinformation and resources, open 24 hours a day. 2-1-1 San Diego is a resource and information hub that connectspeople with community, health and disaster services through a free, 24/7 stigma-free confidential phone service and

searchable online database. 2-1-1 serves the entire population of the County.

Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program

WIC provides vouchers, consulting, nutritional advice, and support to pregnant and new moms and children 5 andunder. Eligibility is based on income. Call (800) 500-6411 or visit www.sandiegowic.org

Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA)

ASYMCA provides in-home social work visits, emergency food, Virtual food Pantry, and other outreach programs.Call (858) 751-5755 or visit www.militaryymca.com

USO FREE Tuesday Night Dinners!!

Open to active duty and families. USO also offers other programs and resources. Call (619) 235-6503 or visit

www.usosandiego.org

San Diego Food Bank

Call (866) 350-3663 or visit www.sandiegofoodbank.org for information about the Commodities Supplemental FoodProgram, the Emergency Assistance Program and more.

Food Stamp Program by Health & Human Services

For enrollment, call (866) 262-9881 or visit www.cdss.ca.gov/foodstamps

San Diego Military Outreach Ministries (SD MOM)

Call (619) 461-4164 or visit www.sandiegomom.org for free services, including gently-used furniture/householditems, childrens items, weekly food and bread distribution, and more. The furniture warehouse is located at 6755

Kearny Villa Rd, San Diego, CA 92123. Hours Vary, restrictions may apply.

Operation Homefront

Qualifying military families can access assistance with car repair, computers, moving cost, childcare cost, andcommissary vouchers when available. Certain restrictions apply. Call (866) 424-5210 or visitwww.operationhomefront.net

Treasure Box

$80 worth of food for only $32. Go to www.thetreasurebox.org

Key ResourcesFood, Clothing, Household Items and More!


6/9


Help Support One of our Own!Fellow Scorpions, upon return from deployment this past December, Ilearned that my father had been diagnosed with Leukemia. After a day ofpreparing for what was to come, we began making the daily trip to theMiami VA hospital for Chemotherapy treatments. After the first week,everything seemed to be ok. We enjoyed our time together and Ireturned to San Diego. Not five days later my father was admitted intothe ICU. I flew out that night, the battle was on. He was fighting cancer,diabetes, congestive heart failure, kidney failure and the list goes on.Most of the ailments were a result of exposure to Agent Orange inVietnam. He passed away after a five day battle, but hours before I toldhim that he was my hero and I would continue to make him proud.

Early that same day I decided to do something extreme, so other fathersand sons in our position would have a better chance at fighting bloodcancer. After a call to Team in Training I was signed up to run my firstmarathon and raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

I am raising funds on behalf of my father, Bill Casson, who passed awaydue to complications of Leukemia (30Jan2013). His life was dedicated tohelping others, specifically the youth of our country through Boyscoutsand sports. He will forever be my hero. Every day I train to honor hislegacy I will ask myself the question he often proposed, "Did you do yourbest to be the best today?"

Please join me in honoring my father's legacy by making a donation;support my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the researchfor cures.Here is the link to mypage: Http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/rnr13/wcasson

- Ha den Casson
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/rnr13/wcassonhttp://pages.teamintraining.org/sd/rnr13/wcasson


7/9


Scorpion Family Events and News

Mr. & Mrs. Rochad

Mr. & Mrs. Kevin

Weddings, Babies,Awards andPromotions!

Send your

announcements and

photos to

Promotions-

AM2 Candelaria JamesAWR2 Heath, AlonLS2 Palis, Cherrilyn

LS3 Brooks, MichaelAWR3 Cline, NicholasAZ3 Haines, TylerAE3 Kreatschman, CalebAE3 Miles, BenjaminLS3 Nelson, JazminAD3 Schuh, BrandonAD3 Vavala, JamesAZ3 Ward, Brandon

AT3 Wilkey, Joshua

AMAN Beechler, BrittneyAMAN Busby, WilliamAZAN Ciaccio, SeanADAN Eiland, HunterAMAN Oquendo, BenjaminADAN Orr, GarretAZAN Regan, JenniferLSSN Roberson, Harry

AMAN Thibodeau, Arthur


8/9

Scorpion Kids- Our Everyday Heroes!Scorpion Kids- Our Everyday Heroes!


9/9


;Chaplain (619) 767-7143Child Development Centers

North Isalnd (619) 545-0259NBSD (619) 556-3522

Murphy Canyon (619) 556-0031Naval Medical Center (619) 532-7977Chollas Heights (619) 556-0540Miramar (858) 577-4144

Family Housing Department (619) 556-8443Fleet & Family Service Center Scheduling (866) 923-6478Information, Tickets & travel (ITT)

North Island (619) 545-9576Bayside Village (NAB) (619) 437-3018Admiral Robinson Rec Center (619) 556-2180Waterfront Rec Center (619) 556-2174Pierside Caf (NBSD) Not listedNEX (32nd Street) (619) 556-7498Liberty Station Maxi Mart (619) 221-1005

Legal (619) 545-6437

Lincoln Housing Maintenance (toll free) (888) 578-4141

Navy Gateway InnNorth Island (619) 545-9551NBSD (619) 556-8672

Navy LodgeNorth Island (619) 435-0191NBSD (619) 234-6142

Navy Marine Corps Relief SocietyNorth Island (619) 545-4477NBSD (619) 238-1587/1589MCRD (619) 524-5734Miramar (858) 577-1807/1811

Personnel Support Detachment (619) 545-7917School Liason Officer (619) 532-4251Tricare Appointment Line (619) 532-8225Veteranary Treatment Facility (858) 577-6552

MCAS Miramar VTF (619) 553-8582NB Point Loma VTF

Phone Numbers to KnowSarra SuazoHSL-49

HSL-49 OMBUDSMANP.O. Box 357135

San Diego, CA 92135-7090

Commanding Officer (CO):

CDR W.A. Sherrod

(619) 545-0333

Executive Officer (XO):

CDR J. Rimmer

(619) 545-0333

Command Master Chief (CMC):

CMDCM K. Blake

(619) 545-0337

HSL-49 Quarterdeck

(619) 545-0300

Command website:

http://www.hsl49.navy.mil/

PHONE:(505) 948-0837

E-MAIL:[email protected]

Facebook Group Page:www.facebook.com/groups/HSL

49Ombudsman/

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Ombudsman Newsletter Summer2013

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