VS-22 flies home with Santa from historic deployment

The VS-22 "Checkmates'' returned to NAS Jax this week after a five-month deployment to Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, where they flew 340 combat sorties and logged more than 1,800 hours with 100 percent sortie completion. [ More ]

NAS Jax recognizes Sailor of the Year
IT1(AW) Stacey Thinn of the NAS Jax Security Manager's Office has been selected as the NAS Jax 2008 Sailor of the Year and will represent the base in the Commander, Navy Region Southeast Sailor of the Year competition in late January.

Byers retires after 47 years of federal service
"Few people have been part of so much change at NAS Jacksonville than our BRAC Manager Freddie Byers. Most recently, his analytical, planning and management skills were critical to implementing the 2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) decisions that have benefited our installation," said NAS Jax Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Scorby Jr.

First shore-based combat deployment of S-3B Viking is also its last
Their recent boots-on-the-ground and eyes-in-the-sky deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, required that VS-22 pilots, aircrew and maintainers prepare for a dangerous environment unlike any Navy aircraft carrier. Each of the 205 "Checkmates" completed anti-terrorism and desert survival training, in addition to qualifying with the M-16 rifle and M-9 pistol.

CPRW-11 helps YMCA form Ultimate Frisbee league
The Williams/DuPont Family YMCA joined forces with Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Eleven (CPRW-11) to launch a new Ultimate Frisbee program for boys and girls ages 6-16.