COMNAVAIRLANT briefs naval aviators

Rear Adm. Richard O'Hanlon, commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, was guest speaker at the July 9 Association of Naval Aviation meeting at NAS Jacksonville Officers' Club. He delivered a briefing on the current status of naval aviation - from carrier strike groups, air wings and squadrons to new platforms such as the P-8A multi-mission aircraft (MMA) and the F-35C joint strike fighter (JSF). [ More ]

Fite turns over 'Pro's Nest' to Yaw
Capt. Perry Yaw will assume command of VP-30 at a ceremony to be held in the squadron's hangar tomorrow. Yaw relieves Capt. Richard Fite, who has led the squadron since August 2007. Retired Rear Adm. Richard Brooks will be the guest speaker.

FFSC celebrates 30-year journey
The 30th anniversary of the Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) brought hundreds of celebrants to the NAS Jacksonville Officers' Club July 8 for a special luncheon hosted by Commander, Navy Region Southeast.

NAS Jax to see $37 million training facility for new multi-mission aircraft
Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $37 million design-build construction contract July 1 to DCK North America LLC, headquartered in Large, Pa. The new training facility is for the P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft (MMA) that will be replacing the P-3C Orion as it phases out of service from 2012 to 2019.

Child Care Program
Knowing your child is safe and well taken care of while you're hard at work plays a tremendous role in every parent's state of mind. Finding quality childcare is sometimes more difficult than realized especially for those in the military who work odd hours, stand duty or deploy on a ship, leaving a single spouse to cope with family issues and also possibly a job of their own.

Child Development Home Program
Another childcare solution parents may be interested in looking into is the base Child Development Home (CDH) Program.

Youth Activities Center caters to kids
The NAS Jax Youth Activities Center (YAC) offers a wide variety of activities for military children before and after school and during holiday and summer breaks. The School-Age Care Program caters to children in kindergarten to 12 years old. There is also a teen program for ages 12-17 to allow teens to participate in programs that encourage leadership, personal growth and the opportunity to bond with peers.

New School Liaison Program to help military families
A new program is coming to NAS Jax to help military families have an easier transition when it comes to enrolling their children in school. The School Liaison Program provides a link between the base, local schools and military parents. Overseeing this new program is School Liaison Officer (SLO) Dawn Mills, who has worked in the Duval County school system for many years and who was also a Navy wife for the past 23 years.