1. THE WINDSOCK
May 2012
Fleet Weather Center, San Diego Newsletter
BONHOMME RICHARD AND ESSEX HULL SWAP UPCOMING EVENTS
The METOC teams
from the USS
May
BONHOMME
RICHARD (LHD-6) and
USS ESSEX (LHD-2) 30 Apr – 3 May Spring PFA
pose for a quick 04 FWC-SD Cinco de Mayo
picture during a
barbeque at Nimitz 13 Mother‟s Day
Park in Sasebo, Japan 15 All Hands Call
on April 25, 2012. The
BONHOMME 18 Start of Refurbishment
RICHARD arrived on
April 8, 2012 and will now call Sasebo “home”, after spending the last fourteen years in San
Diego, CA. During the hull swap, the San Diego-based crew transferred from BONHOMME
RICHARD and took ownership of ESSEX. Similarly, the Sasebo crew transferred from ESSEX and
took ownership of BONHOMME RICHARD. METOC divisions from both ships worked together to
make for a smooth transition and to ensure a successful future for both ships. By completing the
swap, the BONHOMME RICHARD replaces the ESSEX as the forward-deployed, amphibious
assault ship for 7th Fleet. The ESSEX will transit to its new home in San Diego before participating
in RIMPAC 2012 and a subsequent, lengthy maintenance availability period.
COMMANDING OFFICER COLUMN
Happy May! Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month! I‟m again looking forward to creative events by our Diversity and
MWR teams. Professionalism! for APA recognition because two significant events in history took place in that month:
Pride and May was selected
Japanese immigrants first arrived in the United States on May 7, 1843, and the transcontinental railroad was completed on May
10, 1869 (Golden Spike Day). Furthermore, since school is still in session during May, educators could capitalize on the
opportunity to include APA history into the curriculum. On Oct. 2, 1978, President Carter signed the Joint Resolution and the first
Asian Pacific American Heritage Week was celebrated in May 1979. In 1992, the week was expanded to a month-long
recognition when President George Bush signed the law permanently designating May of each year as Asian Pacific American
Heritage Month. Naval History Highlight for May:
-28 May 1980 - 55 women become first female graduates from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Other May Highlights:
-5 May – Cinco de Mayo!
-13 May – Mother‟s Day!
-28 May – Memorial Day!
Well done and thanks again to our MWR teams (previous and newly-elected) for the Command Open House and Spring Fling
last month. I enjoyed speaking to many of your family members, and it was obvious they appreciated the chance to be
involved in the command‟s plans for the day. It‟s my hope that these events, and other opportunities to involve our families will
continue to grow each year. Thanks to all who helped out, from planning to execution to break-down!
I‟ll make another pitch for the new FWC-SD Facebook page. My main intent in having the command join the Facebook craze
is to use it as yet another communication tool. In fact, I believe as long as we use it responsibly and as intended, it can be the
biggest communication equalizer we have and reach all groups across the greater FWC-SD claimancy – Families, deployed
Teammates, Watchstanders, and our distributed Detachments and Components.
Some upcoming key events to be aware of include the Building 14 renovation project, and our first Command Inspection.
While the construction phase has been a bit delayed (always seems inevitable when dealing with construction contracts and
multiple players), I expect it to begin in May and to last for several months. I ask for your patience and flexibility throughout the
construction phase, enroute to a much improved facility for West Coast Naval Oceanography.
During the first week in June we will be visited by a team from our ISIC (Immediate Superior in Command), the Naval
Oceanography Operations Command, to conduct the first FWC-SD command inspection. While some of you will be directly
involved as program or collateral duty owners, it will be a „command event‟ to prepare for, and our opportunity to showcase
how far we‟ve come in laying a solid foundation for this new command. I‟m confident all your “pride and professionalism” that
has enabled our dramatic progress will shine through. The goal is open and honest reporting on all our programs, and
accurately capturing where we need to focus or change in the interest of continuous improvement to mission support,
personnel development, and service to the American people. LT Edwards is overall Command Inspection Coordinator, and will
serve as the lead to ensure we are as prepared as we can be. Please assist her and the XO by completing your assigned tasks.
I will close by saying how proud I am about how many of you are “getting involved” and taking ownership of command
programs and community service projects. Stay safe, make good choices, respect and take care of each other!
Every one of you makes a positive difference. Don‟t take for granted what you are all a part of.
Pride and Professionalism!
Page 1 THE WINDSOCK ● Volume II, Issue 4 ● Fleet Weather Center San Diego ● (619) 767-1271

2. CMC SOAPBOX
First, a quick update on Master Chief White is in order. He is on the mend and is expected to transfer from the Japanese
hospital in early May and back in San Diego mid month (As of this printing, he has safely arrived back in SSD. Welcome back
CMC!). Emma and he are appreciative of all the prayers, well wishes, and support they‟ve gotten from FWC-SD and the local
METOC family in Yokosuka.
As we move nearer to summer here in San Diego, I want to thank the Sailors of FWC for their amazing work toward their
qualifications and overall readiness of the command. We‟ve seen an average of six Sailors a week qualify as Enlisted
Information Dominance Specialists (EIDWS) totaling 32 qualified FWC-SD Sailors being more prepared for defending this Nation
in cyberspace. That‟s impressive work and dedication by All Hands, thank you.
While I‟m doing what I can to fill the shoes of the CMC, I‟d like to share a „Heritage Minute‟ with everyone. “Two hundred years
ago, a small coastal nation, experiencing the growing pains of its recent independence, found itself at war with its former
colonial master – the most powerful nation in the world.
The United States, independent for less than 30 years, went to war with Great Britain again in 1812 to preserve its economy, its
way of life and its independence – and the US Navy emerged as the key to victory.
Born of necessity and forged in battle, the US Navy, in its infancy, took on the world‟s mightiest fleet and proved to be a force of
innovation, technology, esprit and expert seamanship. The US Navy kept the sea and America free during the War of 1812 –
and continues to do so today.
During this "Second War of Independence," when Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the “Star Spangled Banner," the Navy
proved that it was essential to our nation‟s defense and prosperity by protecting national commerce, enforcing trade laws, and
ensuring freedom of the seas. The Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812 and the Star Spangled Banner honors this
legacy and reminds Americans that freedom of the seas and the free flow of commerce remain as important to our nation
today as they were 200 years ago.” - http://www.ourflagwasstillthere.org/
FWC-SD SAFETY OMBUDSMAN CORNER
Before you hop on your bicycle for a ride this month, be sure to All Services Enlisted Ball
identify and assess the hazards you will come across on your Join SgtMaj Bryan Battaglia, USMC, Senior Enlisted Advisor for the
journey. The primary risk factors are excessive speed, traffic, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff at the All Services Enlisted Ball (ASEB)
fatigue, and poor road conditions. Fatal collisions are most which will be hosted by the San Diego Navy League on Saturday, May
common in urban areas. Roads with speed limits of 55 mph or 12, 2012 at the San Diego Sheraton Hotel and Marina. This event is the
greater produce higher rates of injuries and fatalities. While only one of its kind which honors our enlisted troops from all five services.
keeping that in mind, here is a list of helpful tips to implement For further information visit http://www.navyleague-sd.com.
that will increase your chances for a safe ride. WIC
1. Bike Check: For more than 30 years, the American Red Cross Women, Infants and
 Check tires for nicks, cuts and wear before each ride, Children (WIC) Program has helped pregnant women, new mothers,
and ensure the tires are inflated properly. and young children eat well, stay healthy, and be active. WIC provides
 Make sure nuts, bolts, connectors, the saddle and free education, resources, and support, including:
handlebar grips are tight • Nutrition education, including free cooking classes, a weight loss
 Make sure your brakes work and the cables are lubed program, and online education
 Make sure you have lights and reflectors on your bike. • Checks to purchase nutritious foods like fresh fruits and vegetables,
2. Bring a basic tool kit, basic first-aid kit, cell phone, WATER whole grains, cereal, milk (including soy), eggs, cheese, tofu, beans,
and some money for a phone call or a cab ride if you run peanut butter, and baby food
into trouble. • One-on-one breastfeeding support, pumps, and a Help Line
3. Wear: • Referrals to other resources in the community
 A helmet! Helmets will protect you against 85% of all WIC Income Guidelines – WIC does not include BAH
head injuries and 88% of brain injuries. Number of people in family Gross Monthly Income
 Comfortable, brightly colored clothing, and reflective 2 $2,333
gear from dusk until dawn. 3 $2,944
4. Before you ride, warm up and stretch for 5-to-10 minutes. 4 $3,554
5. Do not wear headphones. 5 $4,165
6. Never ride off-road alone. 6 $4,775
7. When riding in the street, obey traffic signals and traffic The American Red Cross WIC program has 19 locations in San Diego
laws. County, including 7 offices on military bases. For further information,
8. Beware at intersections. Signal your turns with your hands contact 800-500-6411.
and look out for others. SUMMER CAMPS
10. Stay off sidewalks. Slow-moving pedestrians are as Not sure what you‟re going to do with your children this summer?
dangerous to you as you are to them. Check out these links for the many summer camps for military brats,
11. Make eye contact with drivers, pedestrians and other oops, I mean military children. 
cyclists to be sure they see you. http://www.operationmilitarykids.org/public/EventDetail.aspx?ID=3193
12. Walk your bike across crosswalks. http://www.extension.purdue.edu/Adventure_camps/campshome.html
FWC-SD Facebook Website
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fleet-Weather-Center-
San-Diego/296038170413913
FWC-SD Ombudsman: Victoria Mitchell (619)-207-9634
fwcsdombudsman@gmail.com
Page 2 THE WINDSOCK ● Volume II, Issue 4● Fleet Weather Center San Diego ● (619) 767-1271

3. DEPARTMENT FOCUS: N4 SUPPLY
Logistic Support… the final straw. These are the journeys of Mr. Barry Schwartz and LS1(SW/EXW) Shaun Winnett. Their ongoing
mission? To support FWC-SD, NOSWC, and their component‟s operations at any cost. They order anything from pens to the
most high tech gear (fax machine). Although in the eyes of the requesting Department, it seems as though there are no
dollars to spend, if there is a way out there, N4 will get it.
The Team: Mr. Barry Schwartz, our money man-making sure every dollar FWC-SD and NOSWC receive from Uncle Sam is
being put to good use for the U.S. Taxpayer, our boss. Barry is also our Command Agency Program Coordinator (APC) for the
Government Travel Card, Command Travel Coordinator, making sure we get to where we need to
meet our many mission requirements and is our local civilian payroll administer , taking care of our
civilians so they can receive their pay. LS1(SW/EXW) Shaun Winnett, Commands facility
Page 2
manager-from checking for roof leaks to looking for rats. LS1 Winnett is the commands purchase
card holder-ordering all supplies and N4 can-do person.
In the end we quote: “Logistics...as vital to military success as daily food is to daily work.”
- Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, Armaments and Arbitration, 1912
TEAMMATE IN THE SPOTLIGHT: LS1 WINNETT
With all the people in the N4 shop it was difficult to single out one individual, but we did. Ever
since he checked onboard in May of 2010 LS1 Winnett has hit the ground running in his duties
which are very different than what the 14 yr shipboard sailor has been accustomed to. LS1‟s
primary job is to keep FWC San Diego and all its dets and components well supplied. This however
is only a very small part of his job, his main time consumer is dealing with the facility issues of a 100
yr old building on Naval Base Coronado. If something breaks he either fixes it himself or
coordinates with the base to have NAVFAC take care of the problem. When not at work LS1
really enjoys spending time with his beautiful 8 yr old daughter. Their favorite activity is going to
Balboa Park and enjoying all it has to offer.
EIDWS OUT AT SEA
Two Sailors from Fleet Weather Center San Diego currently deployed aboard the
amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) were awarded the Enlisted
Information Dominance Warfare Specialist (EIDWS) pin during a ceremony on the
ship‟s mess decks, April 4.
Chief Aerographer‟s Mate (AW/IDW/SW) Steven E. Newsom and Aerographer‟s Mate
1st Class (AW/IDW/SW/EXW) Curtis J. Lester joined seven other Makin Island Sailors in
being awarded the EIDWS pin. The ceremony took place as the ship conducted
operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR).
The nine Sailors were the first group of Makin Island Sailors to earn the EIDWS pin since
the ship was authorized to operate an EIDWS program by Fleet Cyber Command/U.S.
10th Fleet last month.
Newsom, who had been working on the qualification for nearly six months, said the
program broadened his understanding of the other ratings in the Information Dominance Corps.
“The information systems technicians provide the equipment, the aerographer‟s mates provide environmental analysis and
prediction, the intelligence specialists provide information analysis and assessments, and the cryptologic technicians provide signals
analysis and interpretation, all to give a tactical advantage to the warfighter,” said Newsom.
Newsom also said that earning the EIDWS qualification will help him meet the information and intelligence needs to help the Navy
execute warfare on the 21st century battlefield.
Lester said the most difficult part of the EIDWS program was learning about the role of information systems technicians.
“The closer and more effectively we can work together, the greater our advantage will be within the informational battle space,”
said Lester, who started the program shortly after the ship deployed last November.
Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SW/IDW/AW) Brian Costa, Makin Island‟s EIDWS program coordinator, said the ship‟s first
pinning ceremony was the result of eight months of planning and complex administrative work that had to be accomplished in
order to operate the program.
“This was a team effort on the part of the nearly 30 Sailors who lectured, trained, made the test questions, built the 300 series
Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS) and sat the qualification boards,” said Costa.
Costa said that prior to receiving the EIDWS pin, each Sailor had to complete a PQS package, pass a computerized test that
generates a different test for each cycle of participants to maintain the highest integrity, and complete an oral board.
The EIDWS breast insignia is a two and three-quarter inches by one and one-eighth inches, silver oxidized metal pin showing a
background of ocean waves, a crossed naval enlisted cutlass and lightning bolt with a fouled anchor and globe.
Makin Island‟s enlisted EIDWS program, like all afloat EIDWS programs, is only open to information dominance community ratings of
aerographer‟s mate, cryptologic technician, information systems technician and intelligence specialist. Makin Island, along with USS
Wasp (LHD 1) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), are currently the only large-deck ships authorized to operate an EIDWS
program.
The Navy established the EIDWS program Feb. 19, 2010, with a goal to provide a common link among the IDC communities and
institute a rigorous qualification program to identify highly qualified and diversified information dominance professionals.
Makin Island is the flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, currently supporting maritime security operations and
theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR.
Page 3 THE WINDSOCK ● Volume II, Issue 4● Fleet Weather Center San Diego ● (619) 767-1271

4. FWC-SD SPRING FLING
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION NEWS FROM THE FRONTIER
FWC AVN Det Pearl Harbor:
NAM
- Our very own AG2 Langlois was selected as the 17th OWS
AG1 Flores
Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter for the first quarter of
AG2 Tupa
2012 in addition to being the FWC Aviation Det JSOQ. This was
AG2 Steward
the first time in 17th OWS history that an NCO from another
AG2 St Michel
branch won the award. AG2 Langlois won the award due to his
AG3 Edholm
excellent forecasting and supervision skills. Also, he coordinated
EIDWS
a training session with the National Weather Service to further
AGC Ferguson
enhance meteorological knowledge and give potential civilian
AG1 Jackson
career advice to members of the 17th OWS. It also helped that
AG3 Edholm
he grew one of the finest mustaches for the annual “Mustache
AG3 Staten
March” competition (see picture for proof).
FWC AVN Det Atsugi:
- XO CDR Kuypers and CMC AGCM White conducted a site
visit to NAFWCD Atsugi on Friday 06 April, attending an
All-Hands giving a brief on manpower and the future of the
AG Community and Atsugi Detachment. XO started
all-hands with an outstanding Awards Ceremony for AG1
Lund, LOC for SOQ 1st quarter, AG2 Kelly, EOT NAM, First
NAM awarded, and AGAN Lopez, awarded her Site-
Waivered Forecaster Qualifications. After all-hands, XO
and CMC conducted a site visit with the NAF Atsugi base
CO and also with NOAC Yokosuka CO.
FWC Strike Det Fallon:
CDR Mike Kuypers - We welcome aboard AG1 Richard Lehmkuhl and his family who reporting from FWC
Norfolk where he recently returned from a 5 th Fleet IA. He was selected as FFC Shore
Executive Officer Sailor of the Year for 2011 and will be deploying on the USS Eisenhower this summer. His
wife is assigned to the Naval Branch Health Clinic Fallon.
TOP: AG2 Langlois from FWC-SD
Avn Det PH
BOTTOM: CDR Kuypers presents
AG2 Kelly with an EOT NAM.
Page 4 THE WINDSOCK ● Volume II, Issue 4● Fleet Weather Center San Diego ● (619) 767-1271