Deployment Preparedness Links and Information

I have added a new category to my links column (located on right side of the page): Deployment Preparedness

It contains valuable deployment resources and critical emergency information. Below is a summary of my initial links. I will likely add more links to the category as appropriate.

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Deployment Readiness Information and Checklists

Pre Deployment

Contains useful checklists for specific needs (e.g. single sailors, couples, parents) as well as a deployment handbook

During Deployment

Includes information about many services available to Sailors and their families

Return and Reunion

Topics pertain to the lifestyle adjustments post-deployment

Resources

A neatly organized and user-friendly listing of many important sites pertaining to Navy life, pay and finances, emergencies (e.g. American Red Cross, NMCRS), disaster preparedness, veterans' organizations, and much much more.

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On NAF Atsugi's Emergency Management page, the left-hand menu contains the links to NEO forms and checklists. The page also has typhoon readiness information.

The Emergency Management Emergency page contains important local NAF Atsugi emergency phone numbers such as American Red Cross, security, medical, fire department, schools, utilities. It also has a link to the Japan Region Telephone Directory. This is the same phone book that you may have at home. I have also provided convenient access to it at the top of the links, under the "Military Resources" category.

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What is the Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System?

Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) standardizes a method for the Navy to account, assess, manage, and monitor the recovery process for personnel and their families affected and/or scattered by a wide-spread catastrophic event. The NFAAS provides valuable information to all levels of the Navy chain of command, allowing commanders to make strategic decisions which facilitate a return to stability

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The US Embassy Tokyo is located under my "News and Information" heading. The link goes directly to "Warden Messages and ACS Newsletters" because that page contains the latest warnings and information. From there it is easy to navigate to other areas of the embassy's site.

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The links on this blog have been selected not only for general use and travel needs, but to make it easy for you to locate critical information in a timely manner.

Happy Homecoming!

091118-N-8730P-003 ATSUGI, Japan (Nov. 18, 2009) Lt. Cmdr. Robert Holmes assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, gets kissed by his daughter after returning from a seven-week deployment. VAQ-136 is part of Carrier Air Wing Group 5 embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles Panter/Released)

LINK

Atsugi Security Reinforces Navy Bike Patrol Program

Story Number: NNS090818-09
Release Date: 8/18/2009 5:09:00 PM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Allison Pittam, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan

ATSUGI, Japan (NNS) -- Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi Physical Security Police enhanced the Navy Bike Patrol Program this year with a new training program that added 21 additional personnel and a night patrol unit.

While NAF Atsugi has had a bike patrol program since 2002, it has not had a certified instructor to train additional personnel. As of 2008, only five Navy bike patrol personnel remained in the department to conduct bike patrol. A change to the program and its capabilities began to take shape last year.

"When I was transferred to Atsugi, the bike patrol program was very undermanned. I worked with security to implement a training program to increase the number of available bike patrol personnel," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jeremy Ferguson, who has been a certified bike patrol instructor since 2006.

Excerpt. Read full article at Navy.mil.

NAF Atsugi to See COLA Decrease

Story Number: NNS090812-32
Release Date: 8/12/2009 9:44:00 PM

By Sandra Arnold, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan Public Affairs

ATSUGI, Japan (NNS) -- Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, Sailors and Department of Defense employees will see a decrease in the cost of living allowance rate beginning Oct. 1. according to an Aug. 6 Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee (PDTATAC) message.

"On August 6 PDTATAC principals approved decreases in COLA rates for 11 locations throughout Japan," said Commanding Officer Capt. Eric Gardner, NAF Atsugi. "NAF Atsugi is scheduled to receive a six-point deduction, meaning people can expect to see a loss of approximately $25 per point/per pay period implemented by the end of the year, with changes varying with the member's grade, family status and years of service."

The first adjustment of two points will be effective Oct. 1 and will progress at the rate of two points per month until the six-point adjustment is complete in December.

Excerpt. Read full story at Navy.mil.

USS George Washington takes off on first summer deployment from Japan

From USS George Washington Public Affairs

The Carrier Strike Group centered around the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS George Washington (CVN 73), departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan for its first annual summer deployment June 10.

Commanded by Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan, the George Washington Carrier Strike Group with more than 5,000 Sailors, is also comprised of 7th Fleet’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces veterans: Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5; Destroyer Squadron 15 and the guided-missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).

George Washington, commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman, replaced the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) last September as the flagship for the permanently forward deployed carrier strike group.

Excerpt. Read the full article and more in the July edition of Atsugi's Skywriter.

Typhoon Information

It's that time of year again! See Atsugi's Fleet & Family Service Center home page for a copy of the Typhoon Information Pamphlet.

The booklet contains important local emergency numbers and sources for storm information, a basic supply checklist, an explanation of typhoons and the TCCOR (Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness) levels, and links to further information about disaster preparedness.

From the Grab 'n' Go Kit page:

Essential items to pack in case of an evacuation

Water — 1 gallon per person per day for 3–7 days, for drinking and sanitation

Food — enough nonperishable packaged or canned food/juices for the family for 3–7 days, including snacks and foods for infants or the elderly

Manual can opener, cooking tools/fuel, disposable plates and utensils

Wet wipes, toiletries, hygiene items

First aid kit, medicines, prescription drugs

Seasonal clothing and rain gear, sturdy shoes

Blankets, pillows, etc.

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA weather radio with tone alert, flashlight, and extra batteries

Fully charged cell phone with extra battery

Cash with some small bills and credit cards (banks and ATMs may not be available)

A waterproof container of important documents—driver’s license, Social Security cards, proof of residence, insurance, medical records, prescriptions, bank account numbers, birth and marriage certificates, deeds, wills, tax records, etc.

Extra keys

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More information about the various weather conditions/warnings is located on the NAFD Operational Support Homepage (the base weather site), which is listed under my "Atsugi" links. "NAF Atsugi Warning Criteria" is the second link down on their site. Here is the direct link to the warnings page, but it will take you outside of the frames (and menu) of their main page.

Tests confirm servicemember in Japan contracted swine flu

By David J. Carter, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, June 20, 2009

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan — The U.S. military in Japan’s first confirmed case of H1N1 influenza, or swine flu, was discovered last week at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, U.S. Forces Japan officials said Thursday.

The servicemember entered Japan through Narita Airport on June 8, but showed no H1N1 symptoms until June 11, officials said. USFJ officials would not identify the servicemember due to privacy reasons.

Excerpt. Read full article at Stripes.com.

Crispy: Then and Now

While searching the photo gallery at Navy.mil, I spotted a 2007 image of our beloved Crispy (see previous blog posts here and here):



070910-N-7883G-012 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sept. 10, 2007) - An aircraft director guides the pilot of an E/A-6B Prowler assigned to the “Gauntlets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 to a catapult aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). Kitty Hawk is more than three months into her summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kyle D. Gahlau (RELEASED)

LINK

She has a new number and home these days, but ever faithful, Crispy still flies high in all of our hearts.

Here is how she looks today - poised and pretty!





Basking in the sun, May 27, 2009

Bikes and Pedestrians

Spring is here, along with the latest base safety reminders:

1. Bicyclists ride on the road in the same direction of traffic.

2. Pedestrians walk on the sidewalk facing traffic.

3. Bicycles will yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.

Enjoy the sunshine!

FFSC May Calendar

The May calendar for NAF Atsugi's Fleet and Family Support Center is here. Interested in learning about the local supermarket items but don't have a clue? The May Daiei "tour" is on Thursday 5/21. See the calendar for more details and other information about classes and programs.

April Skywriter Focuses on VAQ-136

Don't miss this month's edition of NAF Atsugi's Skywriter E-newspaper.

Crispy, our lovely static display, is featured on the front page: "VAQ-136 Prowler makes last flight on streets of Atsugi". The next article (located on page 3) highlights the Gauntlets' three years without a DUI incident. A nice photo of our sailors is included!

Skywriter Archives (to access the April edition at a later date)

Prowler on Duty!

Dateline: Sunday, 15 March 2009

Soaring majestically over all static displays of NAF Atsugi, our very own EA-6B Prowler reported for duty. Courageous and committed, this silent sentry now stands watch over sailors and civilians, family, friends, and field.

Last flight.

A few more obstacles.

Setting her down.

Reporting for duty.

DOD personnel can now pay Japanese road tax on base

By Erik Slavin, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Tuesday, March 10, 2009

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan — It’s almost that time of year when drivers at bases in Japan spend a few minutes chipping away at the gooey sticker on the windshield.

Beginning later this month and in April, Defense Department personnel and their families can pay their annual Japanese road tax on base, which then allows them to receive base decals valid for 2009.

Excerpt. Read full article HERE.

The article includes a list of the documents required, as well as base-by-base information: location, dates/times for paying road taxes, and the contact phone number.

NAF Atsugi's New Website

The base has a new and improved website. Check it out. It looks to be much more functional and user-friendly than the previous site. The drop-down menus have greatly increased the amount of information that can be accessed directly from the main page.

Please note that several URLs have changed (e.g. MWR, Atsugi's FFSC, tenant commands), so you may need to update your bookmarks/favorites.