Letter to the SBNL from USS Ronald Reagan Captain Terry Kraft

Santa Barbara
Navy League
Newsletter
Winter 2008
Letter to the SBNL from
USS Ronald Reagan Captain Terry Kraft
Chapter
e Sant a Barbara
th
of
rs
be
em
m
l
k al
suring that our
would like to than
eless effort s in en
tir
ur
yo
r
fo
ue
e.
of the Nav y Leag
s a welcoming on
city last month wa
ul
tif
au
be
of
s
ur
ar
yo
my 25 ye
port visit to
my grat itude. In
s
es
pr
ex
ly
te
ua
eq
Words cannot ad
I have ever experi
special port visit
t
os
m
e
th
s
wa
e
it
m
sa
naval serv ice,
ed sailors feel the
r most experienc
ou
of
y
an
tpourm
ou
d
e
an
iotic. Th
enced,
lcoming, and patr
we
,
ul
tif
au
be
is
treated like
way. Your city
agan sailors were
Re
g;
in
m
el
wh
er
s ov
award-winning
ing of support wa
onths of work your
m
e
Th
!
rn
tu
y
er
a
celebrities at ev
each time a Sant
visit were reflected
r
ou
to
r
them
io
d
pr
ke
in
d than
team put
rs on the street an
ilo
sa
r
ou
ed
pp
a dinner
Barbara citizen sto
de by pick ing up
itu
at
gr
r
ei
th
ed
or show
erchants, and
for their serv ice,
tch restaurants, m
no
pto
of
t
lis
le
nt s was
bill. The incredib
e military discou
bl
ea
siz
rs
ilo
sa
r
fered ou
Ronald Reagan
businesses who of
rgely to you, USS
la
ks
an
Th
.
rs
bo
la
also due to your
a second home.
Sant a Barbara as
ew
vi
and its crew
I
s,
Warmest Regard
ft
Capt ain Terr y K ra
cer
ffi
O
Commanding
an
USS Ronald Reag
Editor’s Note: Captain Kraft sent a similar letter to the Santa Barbara News-Press to
express his gratitude to both the Navy League and the Santa Barbara community.
Navy League of the
United States,
Santa Barbara Council
Board of Directors
Officers
President Karen Crawford
Vice President/Public Affairs Officer
Doug Crawford
Vice President Robert Duncan
Vice President/Treasurer Melissa Gough
Vice President Grant Ivey
Vice President Jerry Lomonaco
Judge Advocate Kristine Mollenkopf
Secretary Sr. Christine Bowman, OSF
Directors
Richard Aberle • Ed Barnum
Lynn Behrens • Brady M. Bustany
Ed Carr • Jean Clancy • Lin Graf
Leslie Lund • Harry Maixner
John McGowan • Michael Roberts
Ed Szeyller
Presidents’ Advisory Committee
Herb Barthels, DDS • Robert Kallman
Connie Los • Jay Parker
Honorary Board
CDR Alan Brown, MD • John Barletta
Fred Brander • Ernest Cowell
George Krebs • Connie Los • Stan Los
Karen MacDonald • Kipp Thonack
Kathleen Yabsley
Navy Blue
Navy Blue is a quarterly publication of
the United States Navy League—Santa
Barbara Council, a 501(c)3 charitable
organization, ID# 77-0553915.
Phone: 805.879.1598 Website: www.sbnl.org
Editors: Sister Christine Bowman, OSF
Brady M. Bustany
Mission Statement
The Navy League is a civilian organization dedicated to informing the American people and their government that
the United States of America is a maritime nation and that its national defense
and economic well being are dependent
upon strong sea services—United States
Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, and United States
Merchant Marine.
2 Navy Blue
Winter 2008
Karen’s Corner
As you might expect, this issue of
the SBNL Newsletter is primarily a
reflection upon the spectacular visit
to Santa Barbara by the USS Ronald
Reagan in early January. I hope you
enjoy the photos and features about
the visit; there are numerous people
who deserve our deepest gratitude
for helping make the ship’s visit such
a tremendous success.
But before I get to the thank
yous, I would like to thank you, our
membership—and to issue a call to
action. These are challenging times,
and as the USSRR embarks on her
mission to defend all of us and our
ways of life, we cannot ignore the extraordinary sacrifices of her crew and
all of the men and women of the Navy,
Marine Corps, Coast Guard and the
U.S. Flagged Merchant Marine and
their families. Their difficult mission
is to defend you and me. Our mission
is to support them.
There is much work to be done,
which is why I would like to challenge
each of you to find one new person between now and when you receive the
spring newsletter to join our ranks.
The more of us there are, the more
we can do to educate and inform our
communities about the brave men
and women of our sea services—and
the more we can do to demonstrate
our unwavering support.
And now for some much deserved recognition. On behalf of the
entire SBNL board and the over 3,500
men and women aboard the USSRR,
I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers, the city of Goleta, the City
of Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara
County for their tremendous support. Everyone was fully engaged in
making the dozens of activities both
large and small that entertained and
honored this awesome crew.
I would also like to thank the
out st a nd ing
com m it ment
and
tireless
efforts of the
SBNL Board
as a whole and
the personal
com m it ment
of the follow▲
ing individuals
Karen Crawford
who were instrumental to the weekend’s successes: Grant Ivey (USN logistics, USN
fly over, Ronald Reagan Presidential
Library); Stefanie Muench (purchasing, signage, bus tours, transportation, SBNL logistics); Jerry Lomonaco
(command center, volunteers, transportation, UCSB basketball, NBVC);
Melissa Gough (sponsorships); Doug
Crawford (media, sponsorships, POW
speaker, Bacara events); Kristine Mollenkopf (acting president, BBQ and
dance, Rock the Reagan); Captain Ed
Szeyller (baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer for sports weekend,
SB City College, uniform overnight,
graffiti removal community service,
Dreier Collection); Ed Barnum (SB
School District community service,
golf tournament), Richard Aberle
(book acquisition); Robert Duncan
(VIPs, volunteers, SBYC events, Notre
Dame, tennis); Lynn Behrens (tour,
reception guests); Jean Clancy (caps
for kids); Lin Graf (lodging); Leslie
Lund (Chase Palm Park, sports weekend); Harry Maixner (tour guests);
John McGowan (sponsorships); Mike
Roberts (greeters); Deborah Lamberton (invitations, Chase Palm Park);
Mark Melchiori (Rock the Reagan
concert); Brenda Blalock (restaurant/bar discounts); Stephen Miller
(wineries); and last but by no means
least, Sister Christine Bowman (religious services).
Continued on page 5
SBNL Hosts Governor Schwarzenegger Community
Meeting at Veterans Memorial Building
Governor Discusses Budget Issues Facing California
By William M. Macfadyen, Noozhawk publisher, www.noozhawk.com, with additional contributions from newsletter staff
. . . .
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger dropped by the Santa
said. “We’re just delaying it.”
Schwarzenegger also made a strong case for budget
Barbara Navy League on Friday, January 18, 2008, to exreform, saying California must do three things to ensure
plain his plan to get California’s chronic financial deficit
it avoids spending more money
under control, once and for all.
“Every year the budget system
than it has in the future, including:
• Making midyear spending reducis like a roller-coaster,” he told an
audience of about 50 business leaders
tions for this fiscal year.
and elected officials at the Veterans
• Starting the process of controlMemorial Building, 112 West Cabrillo
ling spending in the next fiscal
Boulevard. “And the people of Caliyear budget by making fundafornia have to hold on for dear life.”
mental cuts now.
To fix the persistent budget
• Fixing the budget process itself
by establishing a “rainy-day”
mess, which includes a gaping $14.5
fund through a constitutional
billion shortfall this Advertisement
year, Schwarzenegger candidly proamendment.
▲ California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
posed across-the-board, 10 percent
being introduced by SBNL President Karen Craw- The proposed Budget Staford. Governor Schwarzenegger discussed jobs
bilization Act will require excess
spending reductions for state agenfor veterans and significant state budget issues.
revenues from fat years to be
cies in his 2008-09 budget blueprint,
deposited in a protected fund to carry the state through
as well as an authentic reform of the budgeting process.
its lean years.
He said he is keeping his promise not to raise taxes.
In a letter to the SBNL’s Karen and Doug Crawford
“You cannot tax your way out of this problem. We
following his visit, Schwarzenegger wrote “Although we’re
have to live within our means,” he said, noting that Califacing some difficult budget times, I fully believe that
fornia spends between $400 million and $600 million
there are steps we can take to meet our current challengmore than it generates each month.
es and to help make sure that future government leaders
Given past experience with Sacramento, elected ofdon’t have to face the same situation.” Schwarzenegger
ficials were nervous. Noting Schwarzenegger’s call for 10
continued, “We all share the same goal—improving the
percent reductions, 1st District Supervisor Salud Carbalives of all Californians—and we must have a fiscally rejal, the board chairman, asked him to help local governsponsible budget system in place to achieve it.
ments protect “the most vulnerable of our citizens.”
“But these sorts of challenges often come with
Schwarzenegger did not shy away from respondgreat opportunities for change, and I left our meeting
ing, pointing out that the state has a cash crisis and he
with a real sense of optimism that we can fix our broken
is asking agencies to tighten their budgets and stretch
system if we work together.”
their dollars, except where such reductions conflict with
South Coast dignitaries in attendance included
the state Constitution or are simply impractical.
Carpinteria Mayor Michael Ledbetter, Goleta Mayor
“We’re not taking anything away from local governMichael Bennett, and Councilwoman Jean Blois. Carments,” he said. “I don’t want to cut people who are
bajal was joined by fellow Supervisors Brooks Firestone,
hurting. I despise having to make these cuts, knowing it
Joni Gray, and Janet Wolf. The business community was
is the fault of Sacramento. Everything they (legislators)
represented by Santa Barbara Navy League members, as
get, they spend.”
well as officials of the Carpinteria Valley, Goleta Valley,
Finance Director Michael Genest, traveling with
Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Ventura chambers of
the governor, assured the officials the state was not raidcommerce.
ing local coffers. “We’re not taking the money away,” he
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter 2008
Navy Blue 3
On the Big Ship
Indy Reporter Steps Onto the USS Ronald Reagan
By Chris Meagher, ©The Independent
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
“Peace through strength” is
the slogan for the USS Ronald
Reagan, the most recently commissioned aircraft carrier in
the United States Naval Fleet,
and now, after taking a tour
with other media on Friday,
I understand why. The massive ship dwarfs anything near
it even when anchored more
than a mile off the coast of
Santa Barbara. “This ship will
deter war just by its presence,”
said public affairs officer Don- ▲ USS Ronald Reagan arrives in Santa Barbara January 11, 2008.
nie Ryan, who was my tour guide of the ship.
people to walk next to one another comfortably, a series
The tour didn’t vary too far from what I imagined
of pipes and wires runs along the ceiling as well, making
the ship, which is stationed in San Diego normally, to be
sure there is water where the needs to be water and fuel
like, but to be on such a massive floating object certainly
where there needs to be fuel. Ryan tells us that, much
was exhilarating. After stepping off the boat that took
as how everyone in the army is a soldier, everyone in the
us to the back of a carrier, where we stepped off onto a
navy is a fireman.
floating mini-barge next to the carrier and then onto
The next thing I know, we reach our destination,
the ship, we wandered through some of the halls of the
open a door, and the expansive flight deck is in front
ship until we ended up in hangar bay 3. There are three
of us. Though empty of aircraft, the deck is busy with
bays in the ship where aircraft are worked on. Hangar
activity, with tours going on, and workers in different
bay 3 had been cleaned up and looked good in preparacolored vests directing traffic, cleaning, or making sure
tion for ceremonies to take place later this weekend. The
everything is in order. The carrier is 1,096 feet—more
room reminded me of a large gymnasium, and large
than three football fields—long, and took roughly five
flags hung from the tall ceiling. The floor was black and
years and 47,000 tons of structural steel and one milbumpy, made out of a sort of pavement, that had lumps
lion pounds of aluminum to build. The flight deck
throughout it. The material was called non-skid, created
itself is four-and-a-half acres large. When supplied with
to provide more friction than regular pavement.
aircraft, the ship can hold up to 80 in its fleet, includ We left the Hangar Bay and headed into the ining F/A-18 Hornets, C-2A Greyhounds, F/A-18E/F Super
nards of the ship, climbing a long series of grated, metal
Hornets and EA-6B Prowlers. Our visit Friday yielded
stairs to our next destination. We began on the main
an empty flight deck, although we did see some helilevel of the ship, with nine levels above and nine below.
copters in action. With no aircraft crews on board, the
Counting the tower and radar antennas above even that,
ship’s population is roughly 3,600. Should the ship have
the ship registers at about 21 stories. As we make our
aircraft onboard, such as a time as combat deployment,
ways through the halls, which aren’t wide enough for two
the population jumps to about 5,000, said Ryan, who has
4 Navy Blue
Winter 2008
©Donnie W. Ryan, MCC (SW/AW), USSRR
“If we have learned anything these
last eight years, it’s that peace
through strength works.” —President Ronald Reagan, in a radio
address on September 24, 1988
been in the navy for 17 years, has so far spent two-and-ahalf on the USS Ronald Reagan. “When we go around the
world people know the name Ronald Reagan because he
was a world leader,” Ryan explains. The ship was named
by Congress and agreed upon by President Bill Clinton,
making it the first aircraft carrier to ever bear the name
of a currently living president. The ship, christened on
March 4, 2001, has gone on two deployments, one in
2006 and the other last year to Asia. The crew is prepping for another deployment, which should commence
in the late spring early summer.
The deck has four catapults, which are 175 feet long.
The steam-powered catapults thrust an aircraft from
zero to 165 miles per hour in two seconds. Standing in
the small area which allow for the planes to land, Ryan
explains that each aircraft has a hook which is used to
catch one of three steel cables stretched across the deck,
bringing the planes from 150 miles per hour to a halt
in just 300 feet. Across the deck we can see knee-high
windows peeking over the side of the deck. From there
the catapults are run, Ryan said. You can notice the
up-and-down movement caused by the ocean current.
After leaving the flight deck, we took another series of
steps up to what Ryan called “Vultures Row,” an outdoor
hallway where we watched from above two helicopters
take off from the flight deck. From there we headed into
the primary flight control station, where Lt. Commander
Chris Burks explained how they were in charge of everything that landed and took off on the ship, essentially
the equivalent to a flight tower at an airport. “I’m still
amazed at what I see,” he said.
From there we head back down, making a stop in
one of four mess halls where crews can get a meal 22
hours out of the day. Because the ship is always running,
some people are eating breakfast when some are grabbing dinner before bed. There are two major galleys
where food is prepared for salad bars, speed lines filled
with hot dogs and hamburgers, and normal eating lines.
The ship recently was awarded for its food service. On
the same floor is medical and dental offices. The mess
hall was the last stop on a nearly two-and-a-half hour tour
of the ninth ship in the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.
We made our way back down to the hangar bay
and out to the floating barge, where we waited in line
with sailors eager to get off the ship they call home,
and onto shore to partake in a meal and fun with fellow
Santa Barbarans. Events were planned all weekend for
the service men and women, including games in the
park, service trips around Santa Barbara, and a concert
Saturday night.
Reagan Forum with
Gordon England, Deputy
U.S. Secretary of Defense
Gordon England is the twenty-ninth deputy secretary of
defense. He previously served as the seventy-second and
seventy-third secretary of the navy and as the first deputy
secretary of the department of homeland security. A
native of Baltimore, Mr. England graduated from the
University of Maryland in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree
in electrical engineering. In 1975 he earned his master’s
degree in business administration from the M.J. Neeley
School of Business at Texas Christian University and is a
member of business, engineering, and leadership honor
societies. Mr. England has served in a variety of civic,
charitable and government organizations, including
serving as a city councilman; vice chair, national board
of Goodwill, International; the USO’s board of governors; the Defense Science board; the board of visitors
at Texan Christian University; and many others. He has
been recognized for numerous professional and service
contributions by multiple universities and organizations.
When: March 17, 2008, 6 p.m. lecture, 7 p.m. dinner
Where: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
For more information contact the library at
(805)522-2977 or visit the library’s Web site at
www.reaganfoundation.org/visitorguide/calendar.asp
Karen’s Corner
Continued from page 2
Everyone has earned a well deserved break to reminisce about the wonderful memories of the weekend.
But as long as the men and women of our sea services
continue to need our support, we will not rest for long.
Please remember my membership challenge and once
again, thank you to everyone who lent their support,
both large and small, to what was an amazing weekend. I
am deeply proud of our community and each and every
one of you.
Wishing You Fair Winds and Following Seas,
Karen Crawford, president
Navy League of the United States, Santa Barbara Council
Editor’s Note: We would be remiss if we did not also acknowledge
Karen Crawford’s invaluable leadership and her Reagan Ranch,
Carriage Museum, and sponsorship efforts.
Winter 2008 Navy Blue 5
Blue Angels Perform in El Centro, California
▲ Blue Angels Flight Surgeon LCDR Mark Lambert and SBNL
board members Kristine Mollenkopf and Sister Christine
Bowman.
6 Navy Blue
Winter 2008
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Some 32 members of the Santa Barbara Council of
the Navy League of the United States journeyed to
the Naval Air Facility in El Centro to see a practice
demonstration by the famous Blue Angels. The trip,
hosted by the Imperial Valley Navy League, featured
a delicious steak dinner at the La Mirage on base with
about 14 Blue Angels in attendance. Pictured here
are Blue Angels Flight Surgeon LCDR Mark Lambert
and SBNL board members Kristine Mollenkopf, navy
leaguer of the year for 2007 and vice president and
judge advocate and Sister Christine Bowman, chaplain
and secretary.
Lieutenant Commander Mark Lambert is a native of Richmond, Virginia, and is a 1992 graduate
of Douglas Southall Freeman High School where he
lettered in track and field. Mark attended the United
States Naval Academy where he graduated with honors
in 1996 with a bachelor of science degree in oceanography. He then earned his doctor of medicine degree
at Georgetown University School of Medicine in May
2000.
Mark completed a transitional internship at
Bethesda Naval Hospital in 2001 and reported to Naval
Aerospace Medicine Institute in Pensacola, Florida,
for training as a flight surgeon. He received his naval
flight surgeon wings in January 2002.
In February 2002, Mark reported as the flight
surgeon to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166
(HMM-166) “Seaelk” at Marine Corps Air Station
©Sister Christine Bowman
Santa Barbara Council Members View Practice Demonstration
(MCAS) Miramar, California. While with the “Seaelk,”
he completed a deployment aboard USS Belleau Wood
(LHA 3) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In February 2003, Mark transferred to the Marine
Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361) “Flying
Tigers.”
Mark completed one unit deployment program
(UDP) to MCAS Futemna, Japan, with the “Flying
Tigers.” Mark reported to Navy Operational Support
Center (NOSC), Whidbey Island, Washington, in February 2004. While there, he provided medical support
to more than 1,000 active duty and reserve personnel,
to include the Patrol Squadron 69 (VP-69) “Totems”
and the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 61 (VR-61)
“Islanders.” In March 2006, he was temporarily assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron 132 (VAQ132) “Scorpions” and participated in a second UDP to
MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.
Mark joined the Blue Angels in September 2006.
His decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps
Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps
Achievement Medal and various personal and unit
awards.
USRR Sailor Named COMNAVAIRPAC Sailor of the Year
Sailor Typifies Best of Navy Values and Leadership
By USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Public Affairs
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)
sailor and Charleston, South
Carolina native Justin H.
Melton, Aviation Boatswain’s
Mate (Fuels) 1st Class (AW/SW),
was selected as the Naval Air
Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMNAVAIRPAC) Sea Sailor of the
Year (SOY) for 2008.
“These outstanding sailors
epitomize strong leadership, and
embody the navy’s core values
of honor, courage and commitment. They are truly “the best
of the best,” wrote Vice Adm.
Thomas J. Kilcline Jr., commander, Naval Air Force, in
announcing the honor.
“I was excited and a little
bit stressed during the competition, but it was a lot of fun,”
said Melton. “I owe a lot to my
numerous mentors throughout
▲ A new SBNL tradition: Sailor Justin Melton receiving a hat identical to the one President
my career and my junior sailors
Reagan wore at his ranch in Santa Barbara in recognition of being named USS Ronald Reagan
who work hard for the division.” Sea Sailor of the Year.
H. Melton
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
▲ Justin
Melton,
who has been
on board
Ronald Reagan
for almost four
years, said he
thought that
his approachability and
willingness to
help other
sailors helped
him during the
competition.
He also had a
few words for
junior sailors
hoping to have successful careers in the navy.
“Set goals and work hard to achieve the goals that
you have set,” said Melton, a father of two children who
has 11 years of active duty service. “There is no goal
that is unachievable.”
Master Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (AW/
SW) Jeffrey Callahan, Ronald Reagan’s air department
leading chief petty officer explained Melton’s type of
leadership is exactly what the navy is looking for as an
example for young sailors.
“His selection as the sailor of the year was based
on his superb imitative and mentorship. He is a wellrounded individual whose involvement is felt at every
level of the command,” said Callahan. “Petty Officer
Melton is a model sailor for everyone to admire.”
Melton’s selection will allow him to compete for
the title of Commander, Pacific Fleet 2008 SOY.
Winter 2008 Navy Blue 7
Pictures Worth a Thousand Words
©Donnie W. Ryan, MCC (SW/AW), USSRR
There were many events celebrating the sailors of the
USS Ronald Reagan and her visit to Santa Barbara—the
Rock the Reagan concert at the Arlington Theater; the
Chase Palm Park concert and flyover; Charlie Plum’s inspiring lecture at the Bacara; the San Marcos golf outing;
▲ USSRR sailor explains his service medals and ribbons to an
interested youngster.
8 Navy Blue
Winter 2008
and the SBNL annual meeting aboard the USSRR—just
to name a few. In lieu of describing these events in words,
we thought these pictures captured the essence of the
weekend. USSRR photos by Marc Muench. Please visit
www.navyleague.smugmug.com to purchase additional photos.
Winter 2008 Navy Blue 9
10 Navy Blue
Winter 2008
©Donnie W. Ryan, MCC (SW/AW), USSRR
▲ USSRR
sailors visit a young patient at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
▲ AIRPAC
Squadron members Seaman Apprentice Loryn Wagner,
Seaman Cheyenne Gutierrez, and Seaman Apprentice Jordan Wilson at
the helm of the USSRR.
Winter 2008 Navy Blue 11
Navy League of the United States,
Santa Barbara Council
P.O. Box 4007
Santa Barbara, CA 93140-4007
Mac Attack
The many reported but unconfirmed sightings of a
four star somebody (admiral, general, or chief of police?) turned out to be none other than Navy League
board member Michael Roberts (dressed as General
Douglas MacArthur), and member Herman Pfauter,
surprised and entertained sailors as they disembarked
at Sea Landing for their visit to Santa Barbara on
January 11-14.
“The sailors looked sharp and many of them both
saluted and waved at us as we made our rounds,” said
Roberts. “Even some of those tough-looking shore
patrol and force protection sailors gave me a snappy
salute as well. While I was standing on a street
corner on State Street, one guy quickly jumped into
his illegally parked car and drove off thinking that I
was going to write him a ticket!”
“Herman and I had a great time play acting in
our authentic WWII Navy Jeep. All the sailors were
friendly to us everywhere we went, and they passed my
surprise inspection with flying colors. We hope they
shall return soon,” stated Mr. Roberts.
The Jeep was made by Ford in 1942, and is one of
Pfauter’s collection of vintage World War II vehicles.
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