Last modified Wed., July 18, 2007 - 04:55 PM
Originally created Thursday, July 19, 2007

New fleet master chief visits local bases

By Kaylee LaRocque, Editor

Photos by Kaylee LaRocque FLTCM(SW/SS) Rick West, U.S. Fleet Forces Command fleet master chief, greets YN2(AW/SW) Derrick Washington of VP-30 as CMDCS Tom Lovelace, VP-30's senior enlisted leader looks on. West visited NAS Jax July 10 to tour the facilities and meet Sailors stationed here.

FLTCM(SW/SS) Rick West, U.S. Fleet Forces Command fleet master chief, visited NAS Jacksonville July 10 to tour the facilities here, learn about base programs and meet the Sailors and civilian workforce. West, the former Pacific Fleet, fleet master chief from 2005-07, transferred to his new job last month.

"I recently took over this position, coming from the Pacific fleet and had never been to Jacksonville, so I wanted to come here and meet the leadership and talk with some of the Sailors and their families," said West. "It's so important to get out and see what our people are doing and I want them to know who I am and that my door is always open."

NAS Jax Fitness Director Tim McKinney talks with FLTCM(SW/SS) Rick West, U.S. Fleet Forces Command fleet master chief, about the base fitness facilities and current programs available to the Sailors and their families.

During his visit here, West was given a brief by staff members of Commander, Navy Region Southeast, toured Hangar 1000 where he met with squadron personnel, had breakfast with base command master chiefs at the Flight Line Caf, visited Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department facilities including the Fitness Source, gym, Liberty Cove Recreation Center and the recycling center, toured the Fleet and Family Support Center and VP-30 and had lunch at Naval Hospital Jax.

"MWR programs are so very important to the military members and their families," said West, as he visited the Fitness Source.

"We need to get families off the couch and the best way to do this is to offer programs catered to them on the bases."

Photo courtesy of the FFSC NAS Jax Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Director Carolyn McCorvey discusses FFSC programs available for Sailors and their families with FLTCM(SW/SS) Rick West, U.S. Fleet Forces Command fleet master chief during his visit here July 10.

"This base is really beautiful and the Sailors seem really pumped which is good. Our Sailors of today's Navy are working extremely hard and doing a lot of good things and we need to capture that," continued West. "Many times, people tend to focus on the negatives but there are so many good things going on from the deep water missions on the carriers and battle groups, humanitarian missions, Individual Augmentee program and riverine operations. The Navy now is 'any mission, anytime, anywhere.'"

After his visit here, West headed to NS Mayport and NSB Kings Bay, Ga. to learn about the facilities on those bases.

"This was just a real quick trip, but I will definitely be back soon. I just wanted to come and see what is in this area."