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COMMAND OMBUDSMEN NEWSLETTER
A Word From The Commanding Officer
Dear Grey Knight and CMO-10 Families and Friends,
The 4th of July was not just any day in our Task Group‟s deployment. Our Squadron and CMO-TEN
Sailors took a few minutes out of that day to reflect on our forward deployed purpose and celebrate our National
roots. The day began at a 7AM Quarters, which is a formal gathering of every Sailor to hear information from
their commanders and witness public recognition of their fellow Sailors for their hard efforts. The awards
include Medals, Letters of Appreciation, Commendation and special recognition of Sailors who distinguish
themselves for the previous month, all of which have gone over and above in the performance of their duties.
During Quarters the Sailors lined up in the already hot morning rising sun at the mouth of the cavernous
Maintenance Bunker called the HAS (Hardened Aircraft Shelter). As they stood at attention for formal
presentation of their well deserved awards each awardee was greeted formally, the citation read aloud and a
commemorative photo taken. At the conclusion of the awards presentation, the Sailors are asked to stand at ease
and gather up to hear current news about how we are doing, what is upcoming including social events,
educational opportunities and the announcement of the winner of the deployment patch design contest. The
Sailors have submitted drawings for what will become the official deployment patch. Many talented artists
submitted designs and we are looking making the best one. The winner received a significant cash prize and
bragging rights for memorializing our deployment forever.
We are two months into our deployment now. Sailors have sharpened their skills and adjusted to the
environment to get the job done out here effectively and safely. I see many Sailors going out of their way to
ensure that each and everyone is taken care of. Over at the HAS, where all our Maintainers work 24 hours a day
7 days a week to provide up aircraft for P-3C missions, we had one barbeque in June and another this month on
Sunday the 13th of July. At these get togethers we take a breather between launching waves of aircraft to cook
some Air Force provided food, socialize and toss a football around. Coming together in a social setting helps us
get to know each other as people. It helps us all keep a positive perspective on things when we are in this hot
dusty environment and the work is challenging. Knowing your fellow Sailors ensures you give them the benefit
of the doubt and take it easy on each other when things don‟t go exactly as planned.
We have put some of the names of our “Sailors of the Month” on our aircraft that goes flying on our
Combat Support missions all over the Middle East. We will get the rest of them on soon. It is an honor and a
privilege to have these names put onto the aircraft and a small way of saying thank you to our Sailors who have
distinguished themselves through teamwork and dedication to high performance standards.
The Squadron/CMO team has safely flown well over 800 hours so far and keeps a remarkably high
readiness level on all the aircraft. We have identified ways to ensure we do things in keeping with our
command philosophy of By the Book execution. It means doing the job methodically and properly the first time
every time. No one is perfect and we do make mistakes. One key is thinking ahead and doing things to
minimize the possibility or severity of something going wrong. We are safely executing and getting better every
day.
The Family Readiness Group had a great get together at the XO Shauna Hamilton‟s house. Many
families attended and enjoyed an afternoon of fun with children running around the yard, playing in the bouncy
house and enjoying some food and refreshments. We plan to continue having events such as this throughout the
deployment with a focus on the midpoint party, called the Over the Hump party. We look forward to seeing as
many people as possible at these events. Everyone is welcome. The Family Readiness Group also had a Pot
Luck on the 27th of July. Although it was a little chilly and rainy, a lot of families joined in and had fun. The
Over the Hump Parties should be just as much fun and I am looking forward to hearing all about them soon.
I have visited all the detachment sites from Africa to Iraq. Our crews are flying safely our maintainers
providing full mission capable aircraft. The impact they are having on the stability of the region is real. Pretty
much anything and everything you see in the news, whether overland or overwater from eastern Africa to the
Indian Ocean, involves our Task Group and our mighty P-3C Orion aircraft. Everywhere I go I see smiling and
content faces of our Sailors who volunteered to serve and are doing the mission well. I continue to be proud of
them and look forward to brining them home safely to all of you.
My best to all of you home and deployed.
V/R
CDR Carlos Sardiello, USN
CTG 57.2 - Commanding Officer Patrol Squadron Four-Six carlos.sardiello@auab.afcent.af.mil
carlos.sardiello@auab.afcent.af.smil.mil
A Word From Teal McWhirter – Ombudsman
Dear VP-46 Families and Friends,
I would like to introduce myself and offer my help to you! My name is Teal McWhirter and I am an
Ombudsman. I know first hand how hard it can be to be apart from a loved one, so please do not hesitate to call
me or one of the other Ombudsmen if you need anything. We are here to be a resource to help you.
While my husband is deployed I am personally keeping busy by working away at the “To Do” list I made for
myself and attending all of the squadron events I can. The Family Readiness Group has worked hard to
coordinate events for families to look forward to and I think they have been a huge success. I have enjoyed
getting to know many of you and your families at the various picnics and events the Family Readiness Group
has scheduled so far, and I am looking forward to meeting even more of you at the upcoming Over the Hump
Parties and fall events. It is very important to have a network or group of friends that understand what you‟re
going through. The FRG welcomes all the families of VP-46 and any of the families in CMO that are deployed
with them as well. Please contact an Ombudsman if you would like more information.
The calendar of events listed below should help keep everyone busy in August. Just think, once we hit
September we are Over the Hump!!
I know how challenging it can be for the families of the men and women that are deployed. Please remember
you are important and a valued part of the Squadron. If you need help or want to get involve - please ask.
Sincerely,
Teal McWhirter
360-720-2530
Calendar of Events
August 2nd:Galbraith Mountain Biking Tri. 9 am to 4 pm / $25 per person. More than thirty individual trails
and numerous gravel access roads weave throughout the forest of Bellingham‟s Galbraith Mountain like a
spider‟s web gone wrong. Join our guide for a day at one of the premier biking spots in the Northwest. Bring
your bike (or rent one from Crescent Harbor Adventures), plenty of water and your lunch. Trip departs from
Crescent Harbor Adventures. Fee includes transportation and guide. Registration deadline is July 31.
August 2nd: Argosy Lunch Cruise & Seattle Day Tour 9 am to 8 pm / $48.00 per person. Relax and enjoy the
spectacular Seattle skyline and the Cascade and Olympic mountain views as you cruise Elliot Bay with Royal
Argosy. Enjoy a 3-course lunch and live entertainment. After the cruise there will be time to explore the
waterfront and downtown Seattle. Depart the Liberty Northwest Center at 9 am, return at 8 pm Price includes
cruise lunch and transportation. Register at Liberty Northwest by Thursday, July 31st. Call Liberty Northwest
(360-257-3309) for more information.
August 9th: Abbotsford International Airshow. Trip fee of $50 for ages 13 and up and $30 for ages 6 – 12. The trip
includes reserved runway seating at from which to view the USAF Thunderbirds, Canada's Snowbirds, the Skyhawk
parachute team, the CF-18 Hornet and the F/A-18F Super Hornet in action. It includes reserved seating in the runway
section, transportation, host and movies en route. Registration deadline has been extended to Aug. 7. Tickets at ITT.
August 10th: Family Golf Clinic 1 pm / $10 per person; ages 7 and up. NAS Whidbey Island Gallery Golf
Course. Price includes Clinic, Orientation and BBQ. 1 pm – Introduction by Mike Fields, PGA golf professional.
1:30 pm –Clinic conducted by staff at range, putting greens and chipping area. 2:30 pm – On course introduction to
family tees with golf etiquette and formats to make the game fun. 3:30 pm – BBQ and putting contest. To register or
more information, call 360-257-2178.
August 9th-10th: Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival. In the Activities Tent, your young children can make
FREE cool, quality crafts to take home, get their face painted or for a nominal fee, paint a t-shirt. Everyone
can stroll Front, Coveland and Alexander Streets to view and purchase unique, hand-crafted items from
approximately 200 artisans. There will be quick eats, live music and Artists-in-Action demonstrating their
crafts. Saturday, August 9th from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, August 10th from 10 am to 5 pm. For more
information go to www.coupevilleartsandcraftsfestival.org.
Over the Hump Parties!
August 17th: The Family Over the Hump Bowling Party from 1:30-3:30 at Whidbey Lanes. Free bowling,
pizza, soda and cookies along with banners to put kids handprints, write messages, etc. that we will send to the
command to decorate for the active duty members‟ Over the Hump Party. We will also have goody bags for
kids, so please RSVP. They need an accurate head count so no one misses out and goes home disappointed.
Please email vp46spprtgrp@yahoo.com to RSVP.
August 23rd: The Adult Over the Hump Party at MiPueblo Mexican Restaurant in Oak Harbor. There
will be free drink tickets, Karaoke, door prizes, etc. A free duty driver will be provided for transportation so we
can have fun responsibly. More information will be sent out as it is available.
Whidbey Entertainment Center's
Gamers' Alley is now open! Featuring:
Wi-Fi
X-Box 360's
Wii's
Online computer access
With more entertainment comes more hours - the center is now open:
Monday - Thursday: 11 am - 10 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11 am - midnight
Sunday: 1 - 9 pm
360-257-2074
Did You Know?
Family Support Groups:
If you are interested or have questions about supporting one of the fantastic, Enlisted/Officer, „support/networking‟
groups, please contact one of the ombudsmen and we will get you in touch with the appropriate people.
Long Distance Love
“Though miles may lie between us, we're never far apart, for love doesn't count
the miles, it's measured by the heart.”
- Author Unknown
Even if you're not very good at writing poetry, there are other things you could do…
*Send a picture of yourself that they haven't seen
*Make a scrapbook or photo album
*Tell each other what your favorite part of your day was
*Make a gift – something created with your own hands and heart is always more special than
anything you can purchase
*Write A-Z reasons your loved one is so special to you.
*Send a personalized jigsaw puzzle, a couple pieces in each envelope
*Copy a poem from a famous author like Shakespeare
*Send a simple note that says "I miss you" or "thinking about you"
*Send a tape of you singing {or just talking if you don't want to sing}
*Write on personalized stationary {scan a picture of the 2 of you, print it out, & write on the back}
*Rent the same movie on the same night and watch it “together”
TAP INTO IT!!!
Have you found your way to the
www.navylifepnw.com website yet? This site is full of
activities, resources, events and entertainment in our
area. Select NAS Whidbey under the Home tab, and
you are there.
Call us, 24x7: 1-800-342-9647
User Name: military
Password: onesource
Useful Websites….
Tri-West:
www.triwest.com
Tri-West is constantly changing the services that it provides. Please make yourself aware, especially during
your time of travel. 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378)
United Concordia:
www.ucci.com
Visit the United Concordia website or call 1-800-866-8499 with questions or concerns.
Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society:
www.nmcrs.org
“Make Us Your First Resource! Not Your Last Resort!”
The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is a nonprofit charitable organization designed to provide financial,
educational and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, eligible family
members and survivors, when in need. The Society can offer: budget counseling, Layettes, Education loans and
grants (restrictions apply), Coordination with civilian agencies and military offices, Interest free loans and/or
grants to help in certain emergencies. You must either have a Power of Attorney or a Pre-Authorized Form in
order to seek assistance. Please call or visit their website for more information.
Take a number…..
Auto Hobby Shop 257.4842 Flower Shop 257.0538 NEX-Seaplane Base 257.0600
Auto Parts Department 257.0629 Flying Club 679.4359 Officer’s Club 257.2521
Auto Repair (NEX) 257.2829 Golf Pro Shop 257.2178 Outdoor Recreation 257.4842
Auto Service Center 257.0628 Gym & Fitness Center 257.2420 Package Store 257.0564
Barber Shop (Ault Field) 257.0511 Hospital Information 257.9500 Police Emergency 911
Barber/Beauty (Seaplane) 257.0530 Housing-Trouble Calls 257.3358 Recycling 257.5481
Bowling Alley 257.2074 Kegler’s Kafe 257.1567 Security Police (on Base) 257.3122
Chapel 257.2414 Laundry (Ault Field) 257.0512 Self Help (Housing) 257.2388
Child Development Center 257.3302 Laundry (Seaplane) 257.0526 Service Station (Ault Field) 257.2829
Commissary 257.3318 Marina 257.8541 Skywarrior Theatre 257.5537
Chief’s Club 257.2891 MWR Information 257.2432 Tipsy Taxi 257.2827
Duffer’s Deli 257.5050 Navy Lodge 1.800.628.9466 Veterinary Clinic 257.2001
Environmental Affairs 257.1009 Nor’Wester Activity 257.2432 Youth Center 257.3150
Family Service Center 257.6289 NEX-Customer Service 257.0554 Job Information 1.800.763.81
Recipe of the Month
Here is a quick and easy summer dessert that is perfect for a picnic or special night at home!
Chocolate Ribbon Pie
INGREDIENTS:
4 ounces PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1 (8 ounce) tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1 OREO Pie Crust (6 oz.)
2 cups cold milk
2 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
DIRECTIONS:
1. Beat cream cheese, sugar and 1 Tbsp. milk in large bowl with wire whisk until smooth. Gently stir in
half of the whipped topping. Spread on bottom of crust.
2. Pour 2 cups milk into large bowl. Add dry pudding mixes. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well
blended. (Mixture will be thick.) Pour over cream cheese layer.
3. Refrigerate 4 hours or until set. Just before serving, garnish with remaining whipped topping and 2
Tbsp. shaved chocolate. Store leftover pie in refrigerator.
Command Ombudsman
Mrs. Lisa Kinker Mrs. Teal McWhirter Mrs. Jennifer Doney
Phone: 360.675.6181 Phone: 360.720.2530 Phone: 904.254.5257
Email: Kinkeronisland@comcast.net Email: teal.mcwhirter@gmail.com Email: jlj398@yahoo.com
Please contact one of the ombudsmen if you have comments or suggestions for this newsletter!
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