1. THE WINDSOCK
June 2012
Fleet Weather Center, San Diego Newsletter
FWC-SD earns BLUE H Award again! UPCOMING EVENTS
For the second
year in a row JUNE
FWC-SD has
earned the 05 CAPT Cooper visit
BLUE H award
07 IDSLS visit
for excellence
in physical 11 All Hands
fitness. 14 Flag Day
Everyone Spanish Bingo
deserves a pat 17 Father’s Day
on the back
18-20 Command Inspection
for a job well
done. Without 20 1st Day of Summer
your 21 FWC-SD AV Det Pearl
dedication this Harbor COC
award is not 25 Officer Detailer Visit
possible!
COMMANDING OFFICER COLUMN
Happyand Professionalism! to a busy summer! While we have much to plan for, I hope that each of you will be
Pride June, and welcome
able to take some well-deserved leave over the summer to enjoy time with family, friends, or just some “me” time
to decompress.
Congratulations to all the selectees from the spring Navy Wide Exam Cycle! Roughly 25% of Fleet Weather
Center San Diego’s workforce was selected for promotion to the next paygrade. Truly remarkable! From another
angle, out of all our folks eligible to advance, over 70% were selected, compared with a 30% Navy-wide
advancement rate. For those selected, pay it forward, be a mentor and share what worked for you! For those
who were a mentor/counselor/shipmate in helping someone get advanced, thank you for making a positive
difference and keep charging!
Naval History Highlights for June:
1942 - Battle of Midway (4-6 June) begins; during battle, the 4 Japanese carriers which attacked Pearl Harbor are
sunk; this decisive U.S. victory is a turning point in the Pacific war.
1944 - In Operation Overlord (6 June), Allied invasion fleet (over 2700 ships and craft) land troops on Normandy
beaches, the largest amphibious landing in history.
Some other FWC-SD items of interest in June include: a visit by the COMPACFLT Oceanographer, CAPT Cooper
on 5 June, a visit from a very senior group of Navy and Civilian Leaders from the Information Dominance Senior
Leader Symposium (IDSLS) on 7 June, a visit by the next skipper of USS GEORGE WASHINGTON also on 7 June,
return of our USS MAKIN ISLAND Teammates, Command Inspection 18-20 June, FWC Aviation Det Pearl Harbor
Change of Charge 21 June, and an officer detailer visit the last week of June. All while the building renovation
continues to gather momentum! I ask for your continued focus and professionalism as our journey to make this the
premier Oceanography command in the Navy continues. There is certainly no lack of outside interest in what we
have going here with this special group!
In closing, we are about to start a significant number of leadership transitions through the summer and early fall.
It begins with saying farewell to CDR Jimmy Horne early this month as he transitions to become the next
COMSIXTHFLT Oceanographer in Naples, Italy. Our next SGOT Department Head is CDR(sel) Kelly Taylor reporting
from OIC PDD PAC. Welcome aboard and congratulations on joining a superb team of professionals!
Be aware of summertime safety hazards and have plans to minimize FWC-SD Facebook Website
risk. Make good choices, respect and take care of each other! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fleet-Weather-Center-
Every one of you makes a positive difference. Don’t take for granted San-Diego/296038170413913
what you are all a part of. FWC-SD Ombudsman: Victoria Mitchell (619)-207-9634
Pride and Professionalism! fwcsdombudsman@gmail.com
Page 1 THE WINDSOCK ● Volume II, Issue 5 ● Fleet Weather Center San Diego ● (619) 767-1271

2. CMC SOAPBOX OMBUDSMAN CORNER
First of all, congratulations are in order for
all our new Third, Second, and First Class Operation Showers of Appreciation (OSOA)- OSOA is a non-profit tax-
Petty Officers! exempt organization, whose mission is to honor military families in a
We as a Command faired pretty well unique way by showering them with gifts for their newborn babies,
and I'm excited to see each one of you providing support during difficult times, and letting them know the
with your new chevrons on. I am also many sacrifices of both the families and service members are
excited to see each one of you step up appreciated. OSOA assists enlisted military families E1-E8, CWO1, and
and exercise your limits of your authority O1 that are either expecting new babies or have babies up to 3
with your new rank. I would like to months old. If you or if you know a military family that is expecting,
welcome back our SGOT that just returned please visit www.osoamil.org to register, donate or volunteer.
from deployment on the USS Carl Vinson
(CVN-70) led by Chief Stratton and AG1 Big Brothers Big Sisters - Most everyone has heard of Big Brothers Big
Staten. You all did bang-up job out on Sisters… but have you heard of “Operation Bigs”? San Diego is
deployment continuing to build on the home to 800,000 active and retired military personnel and their
Fleet Weather Center's excellent dependents, the largest population in the US. In an effort to serve this
reputation with the Fleet. Last but not population more effectively, Big Brothers Big Sisters of San
least I would like share a bit of Naval Diego County designed the Operation Bigs program, which provides
Heritage with you. Next month marks the mentors to children of military families through Big Brothers Big Sisters'
Seventieth anniversary of the Battle of School/Site-Based program. Volunteers meet with children at their
Midway; this battle was the turning point schools or a neighborhood community center and provide quality
of World War II and one of the Navy's finest one-to-one friendship time that is so important to a child whose
moments in it's illustrious history. Between 4 parent is deployed, will deploy or is just returning from a deployment.
and 7 June 1942, only six months after Operation Bigs runs at all five elementary schools on Camp
Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, and one Pendleton, and at sites in Coronado, Point Loma, Serra Mesa, and
month after the Battle of the Coral Sea, MCAS Miramar. Bigs and Littles meet for one hour sessions in the
the United States Navy decisively community center or the classroom, school library, school computer
defeated an Imperial Japanese Navy room, or on the school playground. Bigs and Littles typically meet
attack against the Island of Midway , once a week to read together, play sports or computer games, or
inflicting irreparable damage on the simply talk about life and personal issues - just as friends do. If you
Japanese fleet. The U.S. Navy sunk 4 would like to sign your child up to be a “Little” or if you are ready to
Japanese carriers, a cruiser and destroyed be a “Big”, please call (858) 536-4900.
248 aircraft while only losing 1 Carrier and
a destroyer and 150 aircraft during the 4 Blue Star Museum - Blue Star Museums summer program is off and
day battle. running! Did you already go to one of the 1,600 museums across the
AGCS Morales nation that are open to military folks for FREE? Go to
www.bluestarfam.org and you can check out which museums in
your state are gratis ... and there are lots of them! Balboa Park is
home to most of the San Diego Blue Star Museum partners, these
places are full of amazing artifacts, photos, art collections, and
interactive exhibits. Of course, don’t forget to visit the Veterans
Museum (free year round to AD mil and family).
STRIKE DET FALLON VIEWS ANNULAR ECLIPSE
Sailors, Civilians, and family The next Annular/Total
members from FWC STRIKE Solar Eclipse for the
DET FALLON along with United States will be on
viewers from as far away as August 21, 2017, tracking
California, gathered across from South
underneath the "centerline- Carolina to Oregon. For
maximum" to view the detailed information on
Annular Solar Eclipse that past/upcoming eclipses
occurred on Sunday, May worldwide, check out
20, 2012. NASA's Eclipse
The "Astronomical Show" webpage:
started at 1716L, maxing at http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.
1831L and ending at 1936L. gov/eclipse.html
Page 2 THE WINDSOCK ● Volume II, Issue 5● Fleet Weather Center San Diego ● (619) 767-1271

3. DEPARTMENT FOCUS: N7 TRAINING
Fleet Weather Center – San Diego N7 department has been around since the standup of the command in 2010.
N7’s primary mission is to train and assist in the qualifications of all AG’s in the command. They are trained through
a rigorous qualification process based on PQS and JQR standards for their respective positions. The various
qualifications include Fleet Operations, Maritime, and Aviation Apprentice/Journeyman Forecaster. The goal is to
eliminate the lengthy and non-standardized training process which often results from the “on the job training”
method, and instead completing standardized training in a controlled and tailored environment, thereby
alleviating the workload on the operational personnel throughout the command. To date, N7 has qualified twenty
forecasters across the departments in 7 months. Tracking the training process has also been improved to ensure
Page 2
that all personnel (at FWC-SD and the detachments) are receiving their required training. Overall, that means
tracking training for over 250 individual Sailors – all with their own learning curves! The N7 department carries out its
tasks with a seasoned crew of eight Subject Matter Experts, two AGC’s and one Training Officer, working everyday
to train up these young Sailors.
The mission can be easily misconstrued as unimportant, or unnecessary, but in the end this department is an
essential part of the FWC mission. We take forecasters straight out of school or another directorate within the
community and train them to the standards required to conduct weather services. We aim to maximize their
capabilities in forecasting expertise, military bearing, and leadership; providing only the best to support the mission
of FWC-SD. As an instructor in the department so aptly states, “We take clean slates and help mold them into
certified war fighters.” The result? Trained, professional, ready Sailors who can do their job, and are excited about
applying their skills to accomplish the mission.
TEAMMATE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: AG2 CALDWELL
All of us who are proud to bear the title of “Sailor” had our original reasons behind joining.
Maybe it was a college fund, a desire to be a hero, a family that needed food on the table.
For some, it was a long line of history. Aerographers Mate Second Class Petty Officer(AW/SW)
Kiley M. Caldwell is one of those family Sailors. She joined the Navy in August of 2008 upon
completion of basic training, and picking the AG rate, she arrived to SGOT San Diego in March
of 2009. Since then she has completed two eight month deployments on two different aircraft
carriers, the USS NIMITZ (2009-2010) and the USS RONALD REAGAN (2010-2011). While onboard
the USS RONALD REAGAN she and her team got to play an instrumental role in weather support
for Operation Tomodachi, which provided humanitarian assistance to Japan after the
earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Upon her completion of the USS RONALD REAGAN deployment, AG2’s sage
knowledge was seen as a critical asset to training future Apprentice Forecasters. She was brought to N7 department as
a Subject Matter Expert/Facilitator, and since then has played a crucial role in standing up the current operational
FWC-SD N7 Training Department. She has succeeded in training over forty Sailors in METOC fundamentals, along with
qualifying fifteen Sailors as Apprentice Forecasters. In training these Sailors, the satisfaction of passing experience and
knowledge to future AG’s is the best part of her job. She has gained experience and knowledge, and is now doing her
best to hand it down.
MWR NEWS
MWR would like to send out a big thank you to everyone at FWC-SD. The help with MWR’s Fundraisers has been
greatly appreciated by the committee. The past two MWR Sponsored breakfasts were huge successes. A special
thanks goes out to those sailors from the training department.
On June 14th from 1000-1200, MWR will be hosting a Spanish Bingo! For $6.00 you can get tacos and two bingo
cards. Extra bingo cards are available for $1.00. A big turnout will give YOU the chance to win more cash at the
final game. We will also have gift cards for the winners of the other games!
The MWR Committee is asking for 20 people to volunteer their time this fall at Qualcomm. California State Law is
now requiring a new certification to serve alcohol. We are requesting people to fill up the certification class
Qualcomm is a HUGE money maker for MWR. The committee members look forward to working alongside YOU!
READ YOUR EMAIL!!! There is a VERY special event MWR has been working toward to include HUGE prizes and
possible some special guest appearances. Keep your eyes out for more details. If anyone would like to share their
fundraising ideas with the MWR Committee please feel free to attend any of the open meetings!
Page 3 THE WINDSOCK ● Volume II, Issue 5● Fleet Weather Center San Diego ● (619) 767-1271

4. WELCOME HOME
USS ESSEX returned after a four month deployment. They USS CARL VINSON returned after a seven month
left on the USS BONHOMME RICHARD and supported the deployment to 5th Fleet. The team consisted of AGC
hull swap with USS ESSEX. The team consisted of AGCS Stratton, AG1 Staten, AG1 Fontaine, AG1 Clements,
Morales, AGC Lacno, AG1 Navarro, AG1 Bizzle, AG3 Street, AG2 Jordan (acting Strike Forecaster), AG3 Williams,
AG3 Mannila, AG3 Germain, AGAN Raffini. AG3 Medina, AGAN Giles, and AGAN Lagarde.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
NCM AG2 Staten
AGC Pea AG2 Street
AG2 Marchioni
NAM AG2 Daniel
IT1 Nunez AG2 Beranek
AG2 Mesic AG2 Briscoe
AG2 Bell AG2 Heiserman
AG3 Wilbur AG2 Johnson
AG2 Lewis
GCA AG2 Mannila
NEWS FROM THE FRONTIER
AG1 Rossman
FWC AVN Det Pearl Harbor:
AG1 Zimmerli
AG3 Perdichizzi -As a final fare well to two outstanding Aerographer’s Mate, AG1 Roe (going into the
AG3 Nobel reserves), and AG2 Croakman (cross rating to YN for submarines), the detachment has
LOC
AG3 Matthews initiated over the last couple weeks a slew of Navy bake sales toward a proper send
AG2 Price
AG3 Poling off.
AG3 Phelps
AG3 Raffini -For the second consecutive month a FWCAD member was awarded by the 17 th OWS
AG3 Riley for their outstanding achievement. AG3 Long was awarded the Air Force achievement
EIDWS
AG3 Rodriques medal for continuously working to enhance the programs used by the 17th OWS.
AG1 Lopez
AG3 Simkins -On the adventurous side, AG2 Schoonover and AG3 Hartmann obtained their open
AG1 Zimmerli
AG3 Thompson water scuba certification that will allow them to take advantage of exploring Hawaiian
AG2 Bell
AG3 Wallace aquatic life.
IT2 Rodriguez
AG3 Albert
ADVANCEMENT AG3 Archambault FWC AVN Det Atsugi:
AG1 Clester AG3 Baptiste -AG3 Richardson went TAD to IWO Jima for 10 days with the George Washington OA
AG1 Day AG3 Becker division to support the Iwo-To FCLP (Fleet Carrier Landing Practice).
AG1 Katz AG3 Cress AG3 Baptiste volunteered for to go TAD with the USS George Washington OA division for
AG1 Kossuth AG3 Dayoub the Summer Cruise.
AG1 Springer AG3 Fiebig -Conducted Spring 2012 PFA, 100% Passed!
AG1 Lee AG3 Florestant -AG1 Lund selected for OCS, CONGRATS!!
AG1 Mccoy AG3 Giles
AG1 Michael AG3 Hernandez FWC Strike Det Fallon:
AG3 Jones - We welcome aboard AG2 Jason Fisher who reported from C-School and will be
AG2 Mccroskey AG3 Kramer deploying on the USS Nimitz this winter.
AG2 Medina AG3 Lagarde -Congratulations to AG1 Reynolds, currently deployed on USS LINCOLN, who was
AG2 Oppie AG3 Lopez selected at FWC San Diego Sea Sailor of the Quarter.
AG2 Phelps IT3 Indorato
AG2 Shipman EN3 Martinez
CDR Mike Kuypers
Executive Officer
Page 4 THE WINDSOCK ● Volume II, Issue 5● Fleet Weather Center San Diego ● (619) 767-1271