November25, 2009 GOSPORT Toys for Tots from page 1 ed their trucks to help with the deliv- ery of donated toys, and their branch- es throughout the country are taking part in this year's toy drive as well. "As a prior Navy service member you commit to a just cause," said Jennifer Thomas, manager of the Pensacola Uncle Bob's Self Storage. Another local partner is Toys "R" THIS WEEK IN NAVAL HISTORY November 25 1775 Continental Congress authorizes priva- teering. 1943 In Battle of Cape St. George, five destroyers of Destroyer Squadron 23 (Capt. Arleigh Burke) intercept five Japanese destroyers and sink three and damage one without suffering any damage. 1961 Commissioning of USS Enterprise (CVA(N) 65), the first nuclear powered aircraft car- rier, at Newport News, Va. November 26 1847 Lt. William Lynch in Supply sails from New York to Haifa for an expedition to the River Jordan and the Dead Sea. His group charted the Jordan River from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea and compiled reports of the flora and fauna of the area. 1940 Sixth and last group of ships involved in Destroyers-for-Bases Agreement transferred to British at Nova Scotia. November 27 1941 Chief of Naval Operations sends "war warning" to commanders of Pacific and Asiatic fleets. 1961 Navy reports first use of its cyclotron at Harvard University to treat a human brain tumor. After three treatments, the tumor of the 2-year old patient shrank by 80 percent. November 28 1775 Congress adopts first rules for regulation of the "Navy of the United Colonies" 1941 USS Enterprise (CV 6) sails from Pearl Harbor for Wake Island to ferry Marine aircraft to island. 1942 Reserve Ens. George W. Carlson and Mac A. Cason organize rescue parties to help res- cue people from the fire at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, Mass. They are credited as "the cause of saving more lives than any other sin- gle agency." November 29 1890 First Army-Navy football game (Navy won 24 to 0). 1929 Cmdr. Richard Byrd makes first flight over South Pole. 1944 USS Archerfish (SS 311) sinks Japanese carrier Shinano, world's largest warship sunk by any submarine during World War II. November 30 1942 In Battle of Tassafaronga, last major naval action in Solomons, U.S. force prevents Japanese attempt to reprovision the Japanese troops on Guadalcanal. Six U.S. ships are damaged in the action. December 1 1921 In first flight of airship filled with helium, Blimp C-7 piloted by Lt. Cmdr. Ralph F. Wood left Norfolk, Va., for Washington, D.C. 1959 Bureau of Ordnance (BUORD) merges with Bureau of Aeronautics (BUAER) to form the Bureau of Naval Weapons (BUWEPS). Naval historical data excerpted from U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command's Web site. For complete listings, visit www.history.navy.mil/wars/dates.htm. . OSPOR I Us Inc., the largest retail partner in the history of the Toys for Tots pro- gram, partnering with the Marines for the past six years. Collection boxes will be available for unwrapped toy donations and money at local Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores, where 100 percent of the toys collect- ed in the area will stay in the local community. "It's a great opportunity to be USO from page 1 Volunteers will staff the USO Freedom Lounge provid- ing a touch of home to the nations military. Job functions include: checking in military guests, ensuring the envi- ronment is fun, friendly and safe, answering questions, keeping the facility neat, administrative work and keep- ing snacks available to the troops. Volunteers must 18 years old, have the ability to pass a background check, fill out an application, supply references, interview and NROTC from page 1 5,450 met all requirements. The Navy wants its next genera- tion of officers to have more tech- nical degrees. "The Navy is preparing our officer corps of the future to meet the dynamic chal- lenges in the next generation of technology and leadership," Stein said. Cook's aerospace engineering degree is among the technical degrees the students are pursuing. Other degrees include biomedical engineering, electrical engineer- ing, chemical engineering, math and physics degrees. But the Navy "weighs the whole person" in deciding to accept. "The whole person concept directs the involved with a program that will bring joy to children in the commu- nity," said 2nd Lt. Brandon Allen, an active-duty Marine who has been working with the community col- lecting donations. Toys will be deliv- ered Dec. 14 and 15 to local children at the Salvation Army on Q-Street. For more information on Toys for Tots call 452-8762 ext 3121 or visit www.toysfortots.org. complete training before becoming eligible to volunteer. Training and orientation are provided to ensure you the best volunteer experience possible. USO Pensacola serves the Panhandle of Florida. There are currently two physical locations in the Panhandle for the military to find a touch of home. They are located at the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport and on Naval Air Station Pensacola. The location at Northwest Florida Regional Airport will be the third location for USO Pensacola. selection board to review all ele- ments of an individual's profile to include their leadership, integrity, character, use of time, military bearing, academics and their abili- ty to contribute to the Navy's offi- cer corps," Stein said. "No single factor is used in evaluating candi- dates for the scholarship program." Cook came to NASP having already learned to fly. Besides his father, his uncle is also a pilot. "I pretty much from the beginning wanted to do this," he said. His parents didn't insist that he become a naval officer, he said. "I loved the military lifestyle grow- ing up," he said. He continued that lifestyle after leaving home, living among mid- shipmen at Virginia Tech's Corps Motorcycle from page 1 and offer ad Q. How d safety specialist for Navy Region Southeast, answered to recertify? some of the most frequently asked questions about the A. Look a recertification process. Plan on taki Q. Why is recertification required? date. A. The OPNAV states that the training is "to enhance Q. How d the skills and competencies of every motorcycle rider." I A. Enroll would like to think that you are now being given an the Enterpri: opportunity to refresh and fine tune your skills. (ESAMS). T Q. Who must recertify? home page. A. Recertification is mandatory for all military riders, Q: In add whether they ride on or off base, and for all DoD civilian any active d personnel who ride on base or while on duty. or off base? Q. What courses are required for recertification? A: All rid A. Any Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course Personal will qualify. Typically, the one-day Experienced Rider met, full-fin Course (ERC) is used by anyone who rides a cruiser, but it can also be taken by sport bike riders who are currently properly licensed. The Military Sport Bike Rider Course (MSRC) is manda- tory for all sport bike riders, and should be taken within 60 days after completion of the Basic Rider Course. The MSRC also qualifies for recertifi- cation. Tenant commands at Navy installa- tions can also contact the NASP Safety Office at 452-3674 to request a special class to recertify their person- nel. Scheduling depends upon the number of students and instructor availability. Command ERCs offer Active and retired military me two distinct advantages. First, all rid- bers listen to their trainer po ers can catch up immediately on their out the course requirements certifications. Second, they allow their motorcycle safety recer skilled cyclists in the command to cation class while on Naval identify newer, less experienced riders Station Jacksonville, Oct. 15. Street, Suite 402, Pensacola, FL 32504, in the interest of military and civilian personnel and their families aboard the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Saufley Field and Corry Station. Editorial and news material is compiled by the Public Affairs Office, 190 Radford Blvd., NAS Pensacola, FL 32508-5217. All news releases and related materials should be mailed to that address, e-mailed to scott.hallford@navy.mil or faxed to (850) 452-5977. National news sources are American Forces Press Service (AFPS), Navy News Service (NNS), Air Force News Service (AFNS), News USA and North American Precis Syndicate (NAPS). Opinions expressed herein do not neces- sarily represent those of the Department of Defense, United States Navy, nor officials of the Naval Air Station Pensacola. All advertising, including classified ads, is arranged through the Ballinger Publishing. Minimum weekly circulation is 25,000. Everything advertised in this publication must be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to rank, rate, race, creed, color, national origin or sex of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed rejection of this policy of equal opportunities by an advertiser will result in the refusal of future advertising from that source. November 25, 2009 Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla.: A Bicentennial Defense Community Commanding Officer Capt. William Reavey Jr. Public Affairs Officer Harry C. White The Gosport nameplate features the T-6A Texan II aircraft, the newest joint services trainer. The T-6 has replaced the Navy's T- 34C aircraft that for more than 40 years has served to provide primary flight training for student pilots, NFOs and navigators attached to the Naval Air Training Command. It will also replace the Air Force T-37. Maintained by the United States Coast Guard since 1939, the Pensacola Lighthouse, aboard NAS Pensacola, original- ly began as the lightship Aurora Borealis in June 1823. Evolving through structural and location changes, the current facility was built in 1856 and at night still shines for Sailors 27 miles out at sea. Established in 1921 as the Air Station News, the name Gosport was adopted in 1936. A gosport was a voice tube used by flight instructors in the early days of naval aviation to give instructions and directions to their students. The name "Gosport" was derived from Gosport, England (originally God's Port), where the voice tube was invent- ed. Gosport is an authorized newspaper pub- lished every Friday by Ballinger Publishing, The Rhodes Building, 41 North Jefferson of Cadets in addition to NJROTC. But his classes also included civilians. "What I would see was the reality of college," he said. "It was an interesting dynamic." Cook is currently waiting to fin- ish Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API) course work at NASP. He knows his obligation to the Navy will be at least a decade. But that's OK with him. He would like to stay longer. "NROTC was fabulous," Cook said. But he doesn't think it's better than going through the U.S. Navel Academy or through Officer Candidate School to become an officer. "Once you're here we all assim- ilate and we all move forward together," he said. ditional support. loes a motorcycle rider know when it's time at the issue date on the MSF completion card. ng the MSRC or ERC three years from that lo riders register for the ERC or MSRC? at www.navymotorcyclerider.com through se Safety Application Management System There is a link to ESAMS at the bottom of the ition to certification, what else is required for uty military rider to operate a motorcycle on ers need the following: l protective equipment, which includes a hel- gered gloves, long pants, sturdy, over-the- ankle footwear, and eye protection. A complete list appears in OPNAVINST 5100.12H Ch. 1, at www. safetycen- ter.navy.mil/instructions/ index.asp An MSF course within the last three years A motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license Registration Insurance ,X Q. Where can I learn more about motorcycle training and safety? A. The Naval Safety Center Web site (http://www.safetycenter.navy. mil) is an excellent resource for every aspect of owning and operating a em- motorcycle, and includes a directory point of installation safety offices by region. for The MSF (http://www.msf-usa.org) rtifi- provides descriptions of each course Air and motorcycle safety-related materi- al. For classified ads, call: (850) 433-1166, ext. 29 For commercial advertising: Simone Sands (850)433-1166, ext. 21 simone @ ballingerpublishing. cor Visit us on the Web at: Ballinger Publishing.com Mail to: Gosport, NAS Pensacola, 190 Radford Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32508-5217 Gosport Editor Scott Hallford 452-3100, ext. 1543 scott.hallford@navy.mil Gosport Associate Editor Mike O'Connor 452-3100, ext. 1244 michael. f.o'connor ctr@navy.mil Gosport Staff Writer Anne Thrower 452-3100, ext. 1491 anne. thrower, ctr@navy.mil Editorials and commentaries are the opinion of the writer and should not be interpreted as offi- cial government, Navy, or command policy statements. Reader editorials and commentaries are welcome but should not exceed 500 words. Articles should be typed, double-spaced on one side of the paper only. Submissions must be bylined and contain a phone number where the writer can be reached during working hours. All submissions are subject to editing to com- ply with established policy and standards. Address editorials and commentaries to: Gosport Editor, NAS Pensacola, 190 Radford Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32508-5217. E-mail: scott.hallford@navy.mil. Vol. 73, No. 47 PAGE 2