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The “Nor’Easter” a newsletter of MOAA Northeast Florida Chapter (FL-18; published by the Northeast Florida Chapter (FL-18), which is an affiliate of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). MOAA and its affiliated chapters and councils are non-partisan. The advertisements that appear in this publication also do not reflect an endorsement by MOAA or this affiliate.

APRIL 2016 EDITION

Brig Gen Henry C. Newcomer, USAF (Ret) Speaking to our membership March, 16 2016. Photo: Helen Lestage

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

"My fellow brothers and sisters in service, Thank you to those who participated in our March Luncheon. Brigadier General Henry Newcomer shared many wonderful experiences with us and received a standing ovation for his keynote address, truly a speech that will be remembered! We continue to highlight chapter members in our newsletter and if anyone wants their story to be heard let us know. Please enjoy the Spring weather while it lasts. As always, I am thankful for all our chapter volunteers and graciously look forward to our April luncheon. The first person to send in their RSVP to Dick gets their lunch on me! My best,"

“Never Stop Serving”

Aaron

Chapter Luncheon

11:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Please join us on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, 1100 at the NAS Jacksonville Officers’ Club. Please note: Social hour is 1100 to 1130; lunch served 1130 sharp. Lunch will be a choice of either Chef Salad with fresh fruit cup or Chicken Croissant with pasta salad, potato chips with fresh fruit cup; rolls and butter with coffee, tea, and decaf. The cost is $14.00 per plate. Please RSVP with choice and payment to Dick Chadwell, 1547 Blue Heron Ct., Fleming Island, FL 32003; no later than 1400 Monday, April 18, 2016. You may also make reservations by calling Dick at 904-264-5589 or by email at cappo7842@att.net. Payment may be made at the door if preferred; however, you must have a reservation to eat and reservations cannot be accepted after April 18, 2016 at 1400.

Please call 264-5589 for Reservations/CANCELLATIONS. If cancellation is confirmed by the above RSVP deadline, your check will be returned to you. Because we commit to a guaranteed attendance, NO SHOWS, OR LATE cancellations; checks will not be returned. NOTE: TO SIMPLIFY ACCOUNTABILITY AND TO AID OUR GREETERS PAYMENT BY CHECK IS PREFERRED. THANK YOU.

THE “NOR‘EASTER”

MOAA Northeast Florida Chapter (FL-18), P.O. Box 442022, Jacksonville, FL 32222-2022

Chapter web site: www.moaafl.org/chapters/neflmoaa/

This publication is intended to communicate with our members via FL-18’s Board of Directors.

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SPOSPOTLIGHT ON OUR MEMBERS CDR GEORGE W. ALLEN, USN (Ret) SERVICE DATES 06/19/1952-08/01/1977 CDR George W. Allen was born 16 May 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio

where he spent his childhood and formative years. He graduated in 1952 from Baldwin-Wallace University in Berea, Ohio and entered the USN as an enlisted sailor. George was selected for the NAVCAD (Naval Aviation Cadet) flight training program at Pensacola, FL. After successfully completing flight training, he was commissioned a Naval Officer and received his Naval Aviation Pilot “Wings of Gold” in June 1954. After flight training, CDR Allen was transferred to LTA (Lighter than Air) aviation to become a non-ridged airship “Blimp” aviator. Assigned to LTA Squadron ZW-1, George was soon designated an in-flight Command Pilot when flying AEW (airborne early warning) missions in ZPG2W and ZPG3W class airships on the East Coast.

CDR Allen has a fascinating repertoire of airship experiences. George stated that he once spent 47.5 hours aloft. Prevailing weather conditions coated his airship with ice making it heavy and causing it to descend. Water ballast was dumped to lighten the ship to regain altitude and continue flying but the airship could not make headway to reach Lakehurst NAS. He ended up landing in Bermuda with 18 crewmembers aboard with only 30 minutes of fuel left. The airship was landed in Bermuda by an inexperienced ground crew and the radar dome was damaged. The damage was handily eliminated by sawing off the shattered radar dome allowing the airship to make it home without further incidents.

After the demise of the USN airship program in 1962, CDR Allen flew helicopters and was assigned to HS1 (Helicopter Squadron 1), which was deployed to the aircraft carrier USS WASP. On the WASP, he participated in recovery operations for the Gemini 4, 5 and 6 Space Crafts.

His other assignments included Naval Intelligence Training, Briefing Officer for the Taiwan Defense Command, Executive Officer for the Key West Training Squadron, Air Operations Officer on the USS VALLEY FORGE and Commanding Officer of FACSFAC-NAS JAX (Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility), which he established and is still in operation. CDR Allen retired after 25 years of naval service. George and Dottie it is indeed an honor and privilege to have known you both over these past years. Our MOAA Chapter is grateful for your continued participation and leadership.

Thank You!!!

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

Kathy Spain, Legislative Affairs Officer “VIEW FROM THE TIP OF THE SPEAR”

MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM TARGETED: The process for writing FY2017 NDAA is well underway, with the Senate and House Armed Services Committees—and a myriad of their subcommittees—holding hearings during Feb and Mar on the 2017 budget requests of the services and related defense agencies. Last year, Congress declared their intent to reform the Military Health System (MHS) and TRICARE, and already, the MHS has been the focus of several of these hearings. Both MOAA and The Military Coalition submitted written testimony to the committee hearings, calling for system improvements rather than fee increases for beneficiaries. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), chairman of the SASC Personnel Subcommittee, recently declared the current MHS to be an unsustainable and outdated 20th Century relic. “…we’re going to look at TRICARE and turn it upside down and make it more transparent and make it more accountable…,” he said. MOSCOW SIMULATED ATTACK ON SWEDEN IN 2013: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed recently that Russian Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers accompanied by Sukhoi Su-27 jets conducted a simulated “training” nuclear strike targeting key Swedish defense installations in March of 2013. Allan Widman, chairman of the Swedish national parliament’s Committee on Defense said Russia’s simulated attack on Sweden fits an increasingly visible pattern of

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high frequency war games waged by Moscow to intimidate its neighbors in the Baltic Sea region. He further stated, “My personal view is that the situation is now so serious that even Sweden, having enjoyed over 200 years of peace, must prepare mentally for the possibility that we will see a military conflict in our region that will also involve us.” RUSSIA WAGES CYBER WAR ON UKRAINE: In addition to sneaking submarines into Swedish and Finnish territorial waters, flying jet fighters and nuclear-capable bombers along the European coastline, and buzzing NATO ships, Russian has decided to up the ante on cyber aggression. Just recently, Russian hackers took down the Ukrainian power grid in an unprecedented cyber assault, in an apparent attempt to further destabilize and delegitimize Ukraine’s economy and the government in Kiev. There is considerable concern that the Kremlin will expand their cyber offensive to NATO or EU member nations. THE PIVOT BACK TO EUROPE: As the Russian threat grows, the Asia-Pacific pivot is taking a back seat to the U.S. pivot back to Europe. President Obama’s FY2017 budget request quadrupled the amount of overseas contingency operations (OCO) funds for the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI)—part of the effort to deter Russian military aggression in eastern Europe and to bolster the defense capabilities of allies. About $2.8 billion of the $3.4 billion in the ERI fund will be allocated to the Army for putting an armored brigade combat team in Europe on a rotational basis, to supplement the Stryker brigade and infantry brigade already there. The Army also plans to preposition stocks of equipment and ramp up exercises with allies and partners.

FACTS & STATS/FOOD FOR THOUGHT: • In the 1980s, during the Cold War, the U.S. Army had about 200,000 personnel stationed in Europe. After years of drawdowns, that figure fell to about 33,000, with forces concentrated in only two countries—Italy and Germany. • According to the Pentagon, DoD has spent $5.4 billion on the fight against ISIS since airstrikes began on Aug 8, 2014 through Dec 21, 2015. That averages out to $11.4 million a day for 511 days of operations. • The Air Force has three existing bomber fleets: B-52s from the 1950s, B-1s from the 1980s, and the B-2, which is already 25 years old. The Long Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B), also known as the B-21, is not scheduled to come online until the next decade. PERSISTENT PROVOCATIONS FROM A ROGUE-STATE: On Feb 7, about a month after its fourth nuclear test, North Korea launched a long-range rocket into space, carrying what it claimed was an observation satellite. Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago were among the cities within range of this intercontinental ballistic missile. Now, U.S. national security experts are warning that the purpose of North Korea’s missile launch was to test its ability to put a satellite into orbit that could carry a nuclear weapon capable of causing a devastating electromagnetic-pulse (EMP) attack over the United States. The ICBM test came just three weeks after Pyongyang’s underground hydrogen bomb test. Although downplayed at the time by Washington, Peter Vincent Pry, executive director of the EMP Task Force on National and Homeland Security and an expert on EMP weapons, says the explosion was consistent with a device designed for low yield but enhanced emissions of gamma rays—the type of electromagnetic energy that destroys unprotected electronics. Pry, former CIA Director James Woolsey, and a host of other security experts are urging the Senate to immediately pass the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act—already passed by the House—which would authorize safeguards for critical life-sustaining infrastructure in the event of an EMP attack. IRAN DEFIANTLY TESTS MORE MISSILES: On Mar 9, Iran test-fired two types of mid-range ballistic missiles with a range of 1,250 miles from a mountain base, hitting targets 850 miles away in southern Iran. Each missile, it was reported, contained an inscription in Hebrew and Farsi on its side, which said, “Israel must be wiped off the face of the earth.” Iran also tested ballistic missiles last fall in violation of a U.N. Security Council resolution. In January, President Rouhani publicly and defiantly ordered his defense minister to speed up missile testing and production. On Mar 11, it was revealed that Iran was preparing to launch a new long-range rocket into space within days. The rocket is reportedly designed to carry a satellite into space. [Hmmm. That sounds eerily familiar. Didn’t North Korea just do that? Hmmm. Well, so much for the nuclear deal and that new era of Iranian relations.] THE URGENCY TO PRIORITIZE MISSILE DEFENSE: Like it or not, the world has entered a new era—a new age of nuclear and missile proliferation. Consequently, it is imperative that our nation’s ballistic missile defense system remain a top priority for Congress as lawmakers grapple with how best to protect the nation from the growing threats to national security. Currently, our defenses consist of long-range missile interceptors in Alaska and California, Aegis systems aboard U.S. Navy warships, and a diverse network of radar and satellite sensors. To date, the Administration has failed to support a third East Coast site to protect against threats from Iran and Russia or even to provide adequate funding. Funding for missile defense is down 25% from the Bush Administration’s $10 billion a year, and the president’s FY2017 budget request would cut another $800 million from the Missile Defense Agency—a 10% cut from last year. This continued failure to provide critical funding for missile defense and the further pursuit of engineering advancements seriously jeopardizes the future for all of us. [NEVER STOP SERVING! Stand up & speak up!]

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MOAA CHAPTER TRANSITION LIAISON ARTICLE - APRIL 2016 Wayne L. Elliott, CWO5. USN (RET)

MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION of AMERICA (MOAA) TRANSITION GUIDE: It’s smart to have transition in mind as you approach the last few years of your military career. MOAA’s Transition Guide: Best Foot Forward, offers advice about post-service education, career strategies, and personal matters like household finances and health care options. MOAA Transition Centers offers the chance to have your resume reviewed one-on-one, a great way to ensure you’re making the best impression for the position you are seeking. Other Transition Center services include: Career Fairs; Networking opportunities; Jobs database; and Access to on-staff experts. Become a MOAA Premium or Life Member for more in-depth and personalized assistance. Please pass this on to any Military Officer within six months of retiring or separating from Military Service.

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER The Chapter has learned of the passing of Colonel Joe C. Ebbinghouse, USAF (Ret) on October 5, 2015. He was a graduate of the Indiana School of Medicine. He served 3 years on active duty in the U S Air Force and 30 years in the Florida Air National Guard as a flight surgeon. He practiced medicine for 35 years in Jacksonville, FL and was a volunteer at the I. M. Sulzbacher Homeless Center for many years. No other information regarding Dr. Ebbinghouse is available.

CHAPTER SCUTTLEBUT CALLING FOR APPLICATIONS FOR MOAA’s BOARD OF DIRECTORS This year, eligible MOAA members will elect 12 new directors to take office Oct. 26 to replace those who will complete their six-year terms. The association needs highly qualified officers with proven track records in the grades of W-1 though O-10 to serve on the board. Applications are due by March 31. If interested; to make application please link to http://www.moaa.org/uploadedFiles/Content/Jump/BOD_Application_Form_4pages.pdf

GUEST SPEAKER APRIL 2016

MIKE O’BRIEN

Chief Executive Director Greater Jacksonville Area USO

Come celebrate the 37th birthday of the Greater Jacksonville USO with Executive Director, Mike O’Brien. Established in 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, USO was disbanded in 1979 by request and our local USO was immediately established as an Independent Chartered Affiliate USO Organization. The Jacksonville USO supports our military and their families in many ways. The three USO Centers (Mayport, NAS-JAX and the JIA Welcome Center)

have served our 250,000-plus active duty military members and their families through a variety of programs that create a “Home Away from Home” environment. Offerings include food, lodging, free computer use and Wi-Fi, long distance calling cards, and entertainment. In 2015 the Greater Jacksonville USO had 100,000+ interactions. Examples include military appreciation events, >8,300 free Jaguar tickets, “No-Dough Dinners” for service members and their families,

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and 12,500+ calling cards. Jacksonville’s USO is a “very lean operation” with its annual million dollar budget supported by donations, fundraisers and 18,000+ volunteers hours. Mike O’Brien accepted the Chief Executive position of the Greater Jacksonville Area USO in 2013 and is honored to serve our local heroes and their families, and lead this outstanding organization. Born and raised on Long Island, NY, he has more than 28 years in the health and wellness industry, the majority of those years as a VP for the Florida’s First Coast YMCA. Please bring your own USO memories to share with Mike.

NAS Jacksonville Retired Military Seminar

Announcement When: Saturday, 2 April 2016 Where: Dewey's Conference Center (across from Bowling Lanes) Time: 0830 -1600 Key Note Speaker RADM Frank Thorp IV, USN Retired,

President Quattro Communications Inc., and former Chief of Information (CHINFO) for the US Navy

Topics: Grey Area Retirees' Pay Survivor Benefit Plan Social Security/Pay Matters Healthcare Update Long Term Care Insurance Retired Dental Insurance Veterans Benefits Assisted Living Invitees: Reserve Personnel eligible for retired pay within the upcoming year, All Military Retirees of all branches of the Services, their Spouses, and Surviving Spouses RSVP: Contact the Retired Activities Office, NAS Jacksonville, FL 32212 Inside Family Support Center, Bldg 554 (across street from Post Office) Phone: # 904-542-5745 Email: JAXS_NAS_RAO@net

ALSO PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO VISIT THE MOAA BOOTH. SEE YOU THERE!

ATTENTION MEMBERS We are in need of a volunteer to take over our Membership Chairman. Johnnie, our Secretary is presently preforming both positions (Secretary and Membership); she will help in turn over; and will have a detail package prepared to assist you in this position. Please feel free to call Johnnie at 904-282-4650 for further information.

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STAY ENGAGED

CORRESPOND WITH YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

Rep Ted Yoho (R), District 3 35 Knight Box Road Suite 1 Orange Park, FL 32065 Phone: 904-276-9626 904-738-0854 (https://yoho.house.gov/contact/email-me)

Rep Ander Crenshaw (R), District 4 1061 Riverside Ave Suite 100 Jacksonville, FL 32204 Phone: 904- 598-0481 (http://crenshaw.house.gov/index.cfm/contact-form)

Rep Corrine Brown (D), District 5

101 E. Union Street Suite 202 Jacksonville, FL 32202 Phone: (904) 354-1652

(https://corrinebrown.house.gov/contact-me)

Rep Ron DeSantis (R), District 6

3940 Lewis Speedway Suite 2104 St. Augustine, FL 32084 Phone: 904-827-1101 (http://desantis.house.gov/contact)

Northeast Florida Chapter, FL-18 Elected Officers, Board Members and Appointed Chairpersons

Elected Officers: President: LCDR Aaron Kaiser, USNR, 904-233-1888, kaiseraaron@hotmail.com 1

st Vice President: COL John O’Sullivan, USAF, (Ret), 904-7788888-7693, paconj00000@aol.com

2nd

Vice President: CWO2 Richard Chadwell, USN (Ret), 904-264-5589, cappo7842@att.net Treasurer: LCDR Richard Hall, USN, (Ret), 904-772-0301, dickjax@aol.com Secretary: Mrs. Johnnie Walsh, 904-282-4650, johnnie.walsh@gmail.com Elected Board Members: Transition Liaison: CWO5 Wayne Elliott, USN (Ret), 904-282-9604, elliottwf@att.net Legislative Affairs: Mrs. Kathy Spain, SS, twin_oaks@comcast.net Immediate Past President: CAPT Frank Brough, USN, (Ret), 904-291-0584, babrufff@hotmail.com President Appointed Chairs NROTC/NJROTC: CDR Charles Lusk, USN, (Ret), Co-Chair, 904-592-7121, flynavycti@aol.com Mrs. Ann Tillinghast, SS, Co-Chair, 904-7318083, anntilling@aol.com Membership: Mrs. Johnnie Walsh, 904-282-4650, johnnie.walsh@gmail.com SS Affairs: Mrs. Mary Lee Trayner, AUX, 278-9177, mltrayner@gmail.com Personal Affairs: Mrs. Pat Sundt, AUX, 384-6316 Official Greeter: Mrs. Pat Sundt, AUX, 384-6316 Public Affairs: Mrs. Dot Wilson, AUX, 579-3183, ggmaw927@aol.com ID Officer: CWO4 Stephen Kerlin, USN (Ret), 386-3860, sandpkerlin@yahoo.com Newsletter Editor: CWO2 Richard Chadwell, USN (Ret), 264-5589, cappo7842@att.net Scholarship: Jan Bovasso, SS, 904-272-6949, jbovasso679@gmail.com Cindy Battie, 904-778-7693. anatbat@gmail.com Chaplain: Vacant Honorary Members: RADM Paul Kaufman, USN, (Ret), 904-278-1762, pkopfl@comcast.net RADM Daniel Lestage, USN, (Ret), 904-264-6542, Daniel.lestage@comcast.net (PLEASE DETACH THIS PAGE AND SAVE IT FOR YOUR USE. THIS PAGE WILL NOT BE A PERMANENANT PART OF THE “NOR’EASTER”

GOING FORWARD. THIS PAGE WILL ONLY BE PART OF THE “NOR’EASTER” WHEN CHANGES OCCUR .)

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Richard Toupin

Owner

Graphic Design 1857 Wells Road, Suite 1B

Full Color Printing Orange Park, FL 32073

Banners & Posters P (904) 269-5116

Promotional Items F (904) 269-3027

E

orders@sirspeedyop.co

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www.sirspeedyop.com

PLACE YOUR AD HERE!

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Military Officers Association of America NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Northeast Florida, Inc., (FL-18) U.S. Postage Paid

P.O. Box 442022 Permit #861

Jacksonville, Florida 32222-2022 Jacksonville, FL

2016 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION OR RENEWAL NEW MEMBERSHIP or RENEWAL

NORTHEAST FLORIDA CHAPTER

The Military Officers Association of America A local organization, comprised of retired, regular, reserve and former officers of the uniformed services.

Dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the best interests of Our Country, its uniformed services, our members, their Dependents, and their survivors, in every proper manner. Chapter members are are quired to have and maintain a

National MOAA membership.

Annual dues are $25.00 ($12.50) for (Surviving Spouse) Chapter dues are payable in January yearly. Please enclose your check;

Make check payable to : MOAA NEFL

Please complete the following for our records and mail to: MOAA NE FL CHAPTER P.O. BOX 442022

JACKSONVILLE, FL 32222-2022

For renewals please indicate and changed information

LAST FIRST INT RANK SERVICE ACTIVE/RETIRED DATE OF BIRTH

SPOUSE’S NAME

ADDRESS STREET APT# CITY ST ZIP

----------------------------------- PHONE # EMAIL ADDRESS

SIGNATURE