20 JAX AIR NEWS, NAS JACKSONVILLE, Thursday, July 16, 2009 'Pro's Nest' families enjoy special day By Lt. j.g. Glenn Greenleaf -i VP-30 PAO I T II I U 3 VP-30, with the generous help of local organizations and companies, hosted an Independence Day celebration with a family fun day event held at Patriots Grove July 1. The event featured a 3-on-3 bas- ketball tournament at the base gym and a car, truck and motor- cycle show. Vehicles ranged from a 1970 Datsun and late model lifted pickup trucks to Harley Davidsons and metric cruisers. The NFL Jacksonville Jaguars mascot, Jaxson de Ville, was in attendance with the Roar cheer- leader squad to entertain families and provide autographs and photo opportunities. The Jacksonville Axemen pro- fessional rugby team, their cheer- leading team, the Axe Maidens, and the "Sweethearts for Soldiers" ladies from the Professional Cheerleading Alumni shared the spotlight as well. The Axemen demonstrated their skills during a brief pick-up game with the VP- 30 team. Pat Patti from Bubba Burgers worked the hamburger grill while the NAS Jacksonville Fire Photos courtesy of VP 30 VP-30 Commanding Officer Capt. Rich Fite gathers with a group of VP- 30 Sailors at the squadron's family fun day. From left, AWF1 Michael Martinson, Fite, AM2 Greg Carpenter and AE2 Adrian Gonzales. Department provided a fire truck and an ambulance for the children to explore. MWR Liberty Cove contributed Sumo wrestling suits, human hamster balls, bounce castles, a rock climbing wall, and a dunk booth. Tania DeVito from "Abrakadoodle" provided crafts for the youngest attendees. Carolyn Crawford painted faces, while DJ Mark Whitted, both from Progressive Entertainment, provided the soundtrack. The day concluded with VP- . Jaxson de Ville, the Jacksonville Jaguars mascot, signs autographs for VP-30 family members during the squadron's 4th of July celebration. 30 Commanding Officer Capt. his Dodge Pickup, "Southern Richard Fite awarding trophies Devil." to the winning basketball team of More than 1,000 squadron AZ3 Christopher Terhune, AD2 members and family attended, Jarvis Shepherd, and AME1 Eric with the day's events ending with Johnson. AWO1 Williams took a door prizes and the Hawaiian- the "Best in Show" trophy with style pig roast. Photo by Clark Pierce Fleet Replacement Squadron VAW-120 "Greyhawks" recently sent a training detachment to NAS Jacksonville so student pilots could practice aircraft carrier landings at OLF Whitehouse. The E-2C Hawkeye aircraft is easily recognized by its unique, eight-blade, composite propel- lers. The Hawkeye is the Navy's carrier-based early warning and control radar plane, and has served in the fleet since 1973. E-2C and C-2A students practice at OLF Whitehouse By Clark Pierce Editor S student pilots of VAW-120 are prac- ticing their carrier-arrested land- ings July 6 17 at Outlying Field Whitehouse. Soon after they return to NAS Norfolk, Va., they will translate their training into qualification landings on board an actual aircraft carrier. "There simply isn't enough capacity on the outlying fields in Virginia," said AFCM Dave Defonzo "We detach to NAS Jax for a couple of weeks prior to landing qualifica- tions on an aircraft carrier, so our student pilots can hone their landing skills at OLF Whitehouse." VAW-120 is the Navy's E-2C Hawkeye and C-2A Greyhound Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). The Greyhawks became the single-site FRS in 1994 when VAW - 110, its west coast counterpart, was decom- missioned. As a result, VAW-120 is the sole training site for all E-2C and C-2A aircrew for the essential missions of carrier airborne early warning and fleet logistics support. The E-2 Hawkeye is the Navy's carrier- based tactical battle management airborne early warning, command and control air- craft for carrier strike groups. The twin engine aircraft carries a crew of five and has a 24-foot diameter radar rot- odome attached to the upper fuselage. The C2-A Greyhound commonly referred to as the COD (carrier onboard delivery) lands onboard aircraft carriers principally to deliver cargo, mail, and pas- sengers. COMMUNITY CALENDAR Aviation Boatswain's Mate Association Profes- sional Working Group Conference July 27 31 at Handlery Hotel & Resort, San Diego. Information at www.abma-usn.org. VP-8 Reunion Oct. 28-Nov. 2 in Phoenix, Ariz. For information, contact Santo Adams at (480)730- 1487 or email santoadams@hotmail.com. COMPASSSpouse-to-SpouseMilitaryMentoring Program by Naval Services Family Line. Help others help themselves. Call Melanie Cullum at 904-200-7751 or email: COMPASSMayport@ NSFamilyLine.org Military Officers Association of America N.E. Florida Chapter meets the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the NAS Jax Officers' Club. RSVP to retired Capt. Larry Sharpe at 262- 3728 or e-mail Isharpel @comcast.net. National Naval Officers Association meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. at the Urban League, 903 W. Union Street. Contact Lt. Cmdr. Paul Nix at 422-8480 or email (Paul.Nix@ navy.mil. Association of Aviation Ordnancemen meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Fleet Reserve Center on Collins Road. Call AOC Robert Price at 542-2849 or Jim Bohac at 542- 2939, or visit www.aao9.com. Navy Wives Clubs of America Jax No. 86 meets the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Building 857 (at NAS Jax main gate behind Navy Marine Corps Relief Society). Not So New Shop open Tuesday and Thursday (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Call 542-1582 for info. Navy Wives Clubs of America DID No. 300 meets the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Oak Crest United Methodist Church Education Building at 5900 Ricker Road. Call 387-4332 or 272-9489. Retired Activities Office (RAO) at NAS Jax cooo Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) needs volunteers to assist military retirees and dependents. Work three hours a day, one day per week. Call 542-2766 ext. 126 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays to volunteer. Navy Jacksonville Yacht Club meets the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the clubhouse (Building 1956) adjacent to Mulberry Cove Marina. Open to active duty, reserve and retired military, plus, active or retired DoD civilians. Call 778-0805 or email commodore@njyc.org. Orange Park Lions Club meets the second and fourth Monday at 7 p.m. at 423 Mclntosh Avenue, Orange Park. For more information, call 298-1967. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Westside Jacksonville Chapter 1984 meets at 1 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Murray Hill United Methodist Church, (Fellowship Hall Building) at 4101 College Street. Call 786- 7083. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Clay County Chapter 1414 meets at 12:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Orange Park Library, 2054 Plainfield Avenue. Call 276-9415. Disabled American Veterans Chapter 38 meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at 470 Madeira Dr., Orange Park. Service officers available Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m 4 p.m. to help with VA claims, call 269-2945 for appointment. Bingo every Saturday from 10 a.m. 3 p.m., public welcome, breakfast and lunch available. Fleet Reserve Association Branch 290 monthly meeting is the first Thursday at 8 p.m., 390 Mayport Rd., Atlantic Beach. Call 246-6855. Ladies Auxiliary of Fleet Reserve Unit 126 meets the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Fleet Reserve Building, 7673 Blanding Blvd. Call 771-6850. Ready to serve f XIC' ~ www.VetDogs.org -- 866-VETDOGS VET D GS 371 E. Main Street VETERAN'S K-9 CORPS" Smithtown, NY 11787 A CFC participant. Provided as a public service. "WE BRING THE MILITARY MARKET To You!" r '.,, L Military Publications reach LI O 810% of the military community is Military Community Includes 92,103 Acdive- Duty, Reserves, Retirees and Contradors Working On Base - Active-Duty, Reserves, Civilians, Contrctors i W rrEQ xr ews ^.I.... Published by he florida times-Jnion 31283