THE FACSFAC FAST FACTS

Commanding Officer’s Corner Team FACSFACJAX,

I have a lot of new faces in the command, which

means that I have a lot of new families too – Welcome to

FACSFACJAX. I truly aspire for this tour to be one of the

very best for your military spouse and for you!

Let me take a moment to say that with the

unseasonably warm weather we are all experiencing, I am

reminded that Hurricane Season is right around the corner

[1 June through 1 November]. It is never too early to

prepare you and your family for the potential of a Hurricane

to hit the Jacksonville area. I highly recommend that you

set out some time and discuss your hurricane preparedness

plan.

The command is doing great as we find ourselves in

the very busy season of supporting Carrier Strike Group

Training in my operational training area. No matter how

busy we are, I encourage all families to stop by and tour the

spaces and visit your significant others to see firsthand the

super job they do and more importantly where they do it -- I

will always have a coffee or water waiting for you.

Warm Regards,

CO

YOUR SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW,

HOW YOU CAN ASK FOR MORE HELP, AND LEARNING TO FIND THE

INFORMATION TO FIT YOUR NEEDS.

Commanding Officer

CDR Todd Abrahamson

Executive Officer

CDR Shawn Petre

Command Senior Chief

ATCS(AW/NAC) Eric Elkin

Command Ombudsman

Mrs. Emily May Brown

facsfacjaxombudsman@gmail.com

emily.brown@navy.mil

904-229-7539

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 6

Write captions for the selected photos.

Commanding Officer

FACSFAC Jacksonville Box 40, 118 Albermarle Avenue

Jacksonville, FL 32212-0040

FLEET AREA CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE FACILITY JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

April 2012

CDR Todd Abrahamson Commanding Officer

.

OMBUDSMAN CORNER

Ombudsman Program Overview The Navy Family Ombudsman Program promotes healthy, self-reliant families.

Why the word Ombudsman? The word Ombudsman originated in Scandinavian countries and referred to safeguarding the rights of citizens. Today the concept of the Ombudsman is widely utilized in the fields of government, business and healthcare.

Navy Family Ombudsman Program History In 1970, Admiral E.R. Zumwalt, Jr. then Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), created the Navy Family Ombudsman Program to improve communication between commands and the families of Sailors who served in them.

In 2006, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, CNO, re-emphasized the importance of the program and signed an updated instruction, highlighting the requirement that all Navy families have access to a Navy Family Ombudsman.

Ombudsman Roles

The Ombudsman is a volunteer, appointed by the commanding officer, to serve as an information link between command leadership and Navy families. Ombudsmen are trained to disseminate information both up and down the chain of command, including official Department of the Navy and command information, command climate issues, local quality of life (QOL) improvement opportunities, and “good deals” around the community.

They also provide resource referrals when needed. They are instrumental in resolving family issues before the issues require extensive command attention. The command ombudsman program is shaped largely by the commanding officer‟s perceived needs of his/her command. The command ombudsman is appointed by and works under the guidance of the commanding officer who determines the priorities of the program, the roles and relationships of those involved in it, and the type and level of support it will receive.

Ombudsman Program Advisory Group (OPAG) The OPAG meets several times a year to discuss issues identified by Regional Ombudsman Advisory Board (ROAB) meetings and to discuss policy, special projects and curriculum development for the Ombudsman Program.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED TO OR REQUESTED FROM YOUR OMBUDSMAN IS COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL. HOWEVER, ANY

ALLEGATION OF CHILD OR SPOUSAL ABUSE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, OR SUICIDAL THREATS ARE REQUIRED TO BE REPORTED. THERE ARE RESOURCES

AVAILABLE TO YOU IF YOU ARE IN DANGER, AND I CAN PROVIDE THEM TO YOU SO THAT YOU CAN GET THE HELP YOU NEED WITH THE

CONFIDENTIALITY YOU DESERVE. PLEASE ASK ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFO.

Search FACSFAC JAX Ombudsman and friend me!

Search FACSFAC Jacksonville and “Like” us!

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APRIL 2012

THE FACSFAC FAST FACTS

April 2012

PAGE 3

THE FACSFAC FAST FACTS

Fleet Area Control and Surveillance

Facility 35th

Anniversary

The Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility Jacksonville (FACSFACJAX) celebrates its 35th

anniversary 1 April 2012.

Upon establishment of FACSFAC JAX, the mission assumed was initially assigned to Commander, Fleet

Air Jacksonville (COMFAIRJAX) until 30 June 1973. On 1 July 1973, upon disestablishment of COMFAIRJAX,

four members of COMFAIRJAX staff were transferred to the Naval Air Station Jacksonville for administrative

support and co-located with the Navy Ground Control Intercept Site (NGCI) to continue the mission as the

Jacksonville Operating Area Coordination Center (JOACC). This the first small step toward combining the

individual functions associated with scheduling and control of the Jacksonville Fleet Operating Areas.

Since 1973, the mission performed by JOACC steadily increased in scope and complexity. In July 1974,

the Chief of Naval Operations verified the operational requirement for the establishment of a Fleet Area Control

and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) at NAS Jacksonville and the JOACC and NGCI site were scheduled for

expansion into an interim FACSFAC. To fulfill this ever increasing need for coordinating military and civilian

use of the Jacksonville fleet areas, the Chief of Naval Operations directed in August 1976 that Fleet Area Control

and Surveillance Facility, Jacksonville be established as a separate command effective 1 April 1977.

Today FACSFACJAX is responsible for the scheduling and control of offshore fleet operating areas,

military special use airspace, land target and electronic warfare missions. FACSFACJAX is also the military

coordinator with the Federal Aviation Administration and other cognizant agencies for fleet users during

operations in the FACSFACJAX area of responsibility to assure safe and optimum use.

FACSFACJAX has been designated by Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command, to be the

southeast area coordinator and scheduler for Department of Defense/Navy offshore air and surface areas, and

overland for special use airspace and military training routes. Operationally, FACSFACJAX has three

components: SEALORD, which provides air traffic control services, BRISTOL, which provides surface unit

tracking and air intercept control (AIC) services, and SCHEDULES, which provides scheduling services for

special use airspace and targets in the Pinecastle Range Complex.

FACSFACJAX has responsibility for the operating areas (OPAREA) and warning areas from

Charleston, SC to Daytona Beach, FL and is a subordinate command of Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S.

Atlantic Fleet. FACSFACJAX is assigned additional duties by Commander, Navy Region Southeast.

FACSFACJAX is dedicated to being the finest service provider for our military and civilian users. In so

doing, we demand the highest degree of professionalism and integrity. Our mission success will only be met when

we follow four principles - DO FOCUS ON THE BASICS; DO THE RIGHT THING; DO RESPECT

YOURSELF/YOUR PEERS; AND DO ENJOY WHAT YOU DO.

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THE FACSFAC FAST FACTS

APRIL 2012

Summer Safety Tips Leading Causes of Recreation Deaths and Injuries:

Drowning

Water Sports

Falls

Outdoor Recreation

Team and Contact Sports The beginning of summer means it's time to play ball, go fishing, hike, camp, or just have a backyard barbecue. Whatever your pleasure, apply risk management when planning those activities. Most of the things that can hurt you or go wrong are easy to anticipate and avoid. A few smart decisions go a long way toward maintaining our Navy and Marine Corps personnel readiness. We all know that our Force is operating at a high tempo, and it can be tempting to let off steam with high-risk activities during down time. Just remember, our forces are just as affected by an off-duty mishap as by one occurring at work. Have fun, but be smart! Play Hard But Play to Win: Sports injuries often seem like an inevitable part of the game, but you can do some things to help prevent them:

Make sure you have the proper skills and training before participating in any sport.

Use the proper protective gear for the particular sport you are playing. This will reduce the

chances of being injured.

Minimize the chance of muscle strain or other soft-tissue injury by warming up before starting.

Cool down later to loosen the body‟s muscles.

Apply sunscreen and wear a hat (where possible) to reduce the chance of sunburn.

If a person receives a soft-tissue injury , immediately treat with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression,

Elevation).

Schedule frequent water breaks during practices and games and use misting sprays to keep the

body cool.

Say “Bug-Off” to Bugs

[Mosquitoes]

Mosquitoes deliver an itchy bite and can spread disease. They are most active at dawn and dusk.

Protect yourself by following these protective measures:

Use repellent with DEET. Read label before use and carefully follow directions. Take special care

when using repellents on children.

THE FACSFAC FAST FACTS

APRIL 2012

PAGE 5

Say “Bug-Off” to Bugs

[Mosquitoes cont.]

When going out, wear a long sleeve shirt, long pants and a hat.

One way to prevent mosquitoes from spawning is to control the elements that provide

breeding grounds for them: Fix leaky sprinklers and faucets.

Repair or replace screens.

Get rid of all standing water.

Change water in birdbaths, fountains, wading pools, and animal troughs at least once a

week.

Learn Water-Survival Skills

[In the Pool]

Always have a first-aid kit and emergency phone contacts handy. Adults should be trained in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Always use approved personal floatation devices (life jackets).

Barriers can offer added protection against drowning. Power or manual covers will completely cover a pool and block access to the water; however, be sure to drain any standing water from the surface of the pool cover as a child can drown in very small amounts of water.

Remove toys from in and around the pool when not in use. They can attract children to the pool.

Never leave a child alone near water – at the pool, the beach or in the tub.

Enroll children over age three in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. But keep in mind that lessons don't make your child "drown-proof."

Older children risk drowning when they overestimate their swimming ability or underestimate the water depth.

Mind Those Sparks and Embers:

Attend professional fireworks displays.

If you decide to have a display, ensure fireworks are legal in your area. With the current dry conditions in Florida expect local ordinance to prevent firework use.

Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned or discharged.

Keep fireworks away from children.

Check the package for instructions on storage and use.

Keep a bucket of water in case of a malfunction or fire.

Summer Safety Tips

REMEMBER TO CONTACT THE USO OR ITT TO GET YOUR DISCOUNTED DISNEY, UNIVERSAL

STUDIOS AND OTHER TICKETS! HAVE A BLAST AND SAVE A TON WHILE SUPPORTING OUR USO AND

ITT OFFICES! ITT: (904) 542-3318

THE FACSFAC FAST FACTS

APRIL 2012

PAGE 6

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND JACKSONVILLE

Jacksonville Suns vs. Pensacola Blue Wahoos

Apr 27, 2012 7:00 PM Come watch your hometown Jacksonville Suns take on the Pensacola Blue Wahoos! Game time: 7:05 p.m. Call (904) 358-2846 for tickets! www.jaxsuns.com

An Evening of Taste With Chef Matthew Medure Apr 29, 2012 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM Matthew's Restaurant Join Children's Home Society of Florida and Chef Matthew Medure for a fabulous evening of fine wine, fantastic food and fun times. Registration is $150. For more information, call 493-7739. www.chsfl.org/buckner

20th Annual World of Nations Celebration May 3-6, 2012 9:00 am Have you ever wanted to visit a foreign country? We have your passport ready! The City of Jacksonville and local multicultural friends will bring the world to you with this fascinating cultural destination that showcases the unique diversity of our planet, and puts the wonderful sights, sounds, and tastes of different nations within your reach. So pack your bags and bring your family, friends and neighbors to Metropolitan Park for an exciting adventure around the world! www.visitjacksonville.com/events/view/20th-annual-world-of-nations-celebration

St. Luke's Annual Spring Festival May 04, 2012 5:00 PM St. Luke's Catholic Church Free St. Luke's Spring Festival has been a favorite of our community for over 30 years. This year we are teaming up with St. Vincent's Healthcare to provide the largest event in our history. Join us for a weekend of good food, live entertainment, FIREWORKS and much more! www.stlukesfestival.org

Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival May 4 – 6 2012 Roaming the Atlantic are just one of Amelia Island‟s tales that come to life at this year‟s Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, celebrating all things shrimp since 1964 – catching them, cooking them, eating them and even drawing them. The Southeast Tourism Society has named the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival a Top-20 event ten times. This year‟s line-up of fine arts and antiques, delicious food and lively entertainment is sure to live up to that distinction. www.visitjacksonville.com/events/view/isle-of-eight-flags-shrimp-festival

Mother's Day Brunch May 06, 2012 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Cafe Nola at MOCA Jax $25/adults, $8 children under 10 Treat Mom to a special buffet brunch on her special day. Free Mimosas for all Moms! Reservations strongly suggested. (904) 366-6911, ext. 231 for reservations. www.mocajacksonville.org/cafe/

Mother's Day Tea Party May 13, 2012 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Doing Dishes Doing Dishes is hosting a special Mother‟s Day Tea for Mothers and their children. Each mother will paint a teapot and each child will paint a tea cup and saucer. Cost is $55 for mother and one child, $10 for each additional child. Tea and snacks will be provided! 904.388.7088 www.doingdishes.com

REMEMBER TO CONTACT THE USO OR ITT TO GET YOUR DISCOUNTED DISNEY, UNIVERSAL

STUDIOS AND OTHER TICKETS! HAVE A BLAST AND SAVE A TON WHILE SUPPORTING OUR USO AND

ITT OFFICES! ITT: (904) 542-3318

THE FACSFAC FAST FACTS

APRIL 2012

PAGE 7

WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND JACKSONVILLE

Verizon Wireless Kids 4 Kids Carnival May 19, 2012 12:00 AM MaliVai Washington Youth Center Free It‟s that time of year again for the Verizon Wireless Kids 4 Kids Carnival! The Carnival will take place Saturday, May 19th from 10am-2pm at the MaliVai Washington Youth Center. This FREE outdoor event is open to the public and has interactive activities for every age! Each year, hundreds of attendees come out and enjoy games, bounces houses & inflatables, contests, a live DJ, mascots, arts & crafts, tennis clinics, prizes, special guest appearances, give-a-ways and more! www.malwashington.com Jacksonville Jazz Festival May 24, 2012 4:00 PM Heart of Downtown Free The 2012 festival will continue the tradition of Jazz in Jacksonville with a variety of jazz genres and featured activities in the heart of downtown Jacksonville. Activities include the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, Art in the Heart Downtown Juried Art Show and Sale, Wine Down/Brew Town Tasting Experience, „Round Midnight Jazz Jams, jazz brunches, exhibits and more. (904) 630-3690 www.Jaxjazzfest.com 11th Annual Butterfly Festival May 28, 2012 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Tree Hill Nature Center – Amphitheater The 11th Annual Joseph A. Strasser Butterfly Festival at Tree Hill will be April 28, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a 3:30 p.m. live butterfly release (weather permitting). We will have vendors, food & drinks, entertainment, crafts, live animal experiences, and so much more. www.treehill.org

Jacksonville Suns vs. Jackson Generals Jun 07, 2012 7:30 PM Come watch your hometown Jacksonville Suns take on the Jackson Generals! Game time: 7:35 p.m. Call (904) 358-2846 for tickets

www.jaxsuns.com

Lavilla School of the Arts Summercamp 2012 Jun 18, 2012 7:00 AM Lavilla School of the Arts This is an arts and academic camp that has regular hours of 9am -3pm and extended hours beginning at 7am and ending at 6pm. We have programs in Visual Art, Cooking, History, Drama, Vocal, Sewing, Crafts, Comics, Film, Circus, Musical Theatre, Dance, Computer Graphics and more. Programs are available for ages 4 through 17. We serve the Federal Summer Lunch Program for Free. www.duvalschools.org/lavilla/

Fireworks and Flipflops Sleepover Jun 22, 2012 7:00 PM Doing Dishes We're hosting another of our popular sleepovers! We'll paint, eat, watch a movie and spend the night right here in the studio! All our projects have a fun summer theme. Cost is $50 per child. www.doingdishes.com Jacksonville Top to Bottom Walking Tour Every Tuesday 10:00 AM Explore Jacksonville from "Top to Bottom" on this entertaining walking tour. Professional tour guides take you along the river, through buildings, on a rooftop, and even inside the old bank tunnels below the streets. We talk about the history, architecture, and culture of the city along the way. Meet at the bottom of the Jacksonville Landing escalators. Rated Excellent by Trip Advisor. Distance walked about 1 mile. $15/p, children 5-12 years of age $5. Call 904-827-1845 to reserve. Departs every Tuesday www.visitjacksonville.com/events/view/jacksonville-top-to-bottom-walking-tour

Jacksonville Landing Market 10:00 AM – 2:00PM Jacksonville Landing Market 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Vendors set up throughout The Landing selling locally-grown produce, baked goods, plants, pottery, arts and crafts and more. Every Friday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. www.visitjacksonville.com/events/view/jacksonville-landing-market

THE FACSFAC FAST FACTS

April 2012 PAGE 8

Crafts for Summer, and All Occasion

Crafts Ahh, the lazy days of summer.

Whether you are going to the beach on vacation, or spending time

barbecuing with your friends, camping out in the wilderness or even taking

the family on a picnic, it is a great time of the year to enjoy the outdoors. But if you happen to be at home, collect some craft supplies, get out on the

patio in the fresh air and enjoy crafting a fun project for yourself or even with

the kids.

Check out these websites for some creative ides.

1) www.craftideas.info

2) www.crafts.kaboose.com

3) www.familyfun.go.com

4) www.dltk-holidays.com

5) www.freekidcrafts.com

6) www.thelongthread.com

7) www.4kraftykidz.com

8) www.preschoolexpress.com

9) www.busybeekidscrafts.com

10) www.easy-child-crafts.com

Summer Fun Check list

() Make Lemonade () Go to a Library program

() Giant Bubbles () Have a BBQ

() Make Ice Cream () Play Baseball

() Set up a tent outside () Make Chalk Paint

() Have a picnic () Go to the Beach

() Play Hopscotch () Play on water slides

() Make kool aid play dough () Make Jello Boats (Google)

() Paint Rocks () Fly Kites

() Set up an obstacle course () Watch clouds

() Ride Bikes () Make popsicles

() Run through sprinklers () Make handprint sunflowers

() Play in a pool () Go to the Museum

() Watch a parade () Eat watermelon

() Blow some bubbles () Go to the Park

() Have an Ice Cream party () Walk along the waterfront

() Plant a Vegetable Garden () Paint the fence with water

() Watch fireworks () Make Mud Pies

() Draw with chalk () Make milk carton boats

() Throw a Frisbee () Color Scavenger hunt

() Build a Sandcastle () Make a pizza

() Go to the Zoo () Write a story

() Host a sleepover () Have a Pajama Day

() Build a Fort () Go to a movie

() Walk a dog () Make a scrapbook

() Help make dinner () Plant flowers

() Write and Mail a letter () Create Melted Crayon Art

() Go Fishing () Make Root beer Floats

() Make Smores () Make a T-Shirt

JUST JOKING AROUND!

1.Q: What do you get if you cross a bee with a skunk? 2.Q: What does the bee Santa Claus say? 3.Q: What is

cleverer than a talking cat? 4. Q: What do you get if you cross a tiger with a kangaroo? 5. Q. How do we know

that insects are so clever?

PAGE 9

APRIL 2012

THE FACSFAC FAST FACTS

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society www.nmcrs.org

NMCRS is a private non-profit charitable organization providing

financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval

Services of the United States.

(904) 542-3515

American Red Cross www.redcross.org

The Red Cross helps prepare communities for emergencies and keep people safe every day thanks to caring people who support our work

(904) 246-1395

Fleet and Family Support Center www.ffs.navy.mil/

FFSC provides information and referral, education and training,

counseling and advocacy to facilitate personal self-sufficiency and

command readiness for sailors and their families. Please refer to their

SIGNAL publication for all offered classes.

Phone: (904) 542-2766

Newsletter: https://www.nffsp.org

Moral Welfare and Recreation www.mwr.navy.mil/

The Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation Division administers a varied

program of recreation, social and community support activities on U.S.

Navy facilities worldwide.

USO: (904) 542-3028

MWR: (904) 542-3111

ITT: (904) 542-3318

Armed Forces Vacation Club: www.afvclub.com

Campsites: www.mwr.navy.mil/mwrprgms/cabin.htm

Chaplain Chaplains are members of the clergy who provide moral support, lend

advice to individuals facing personal or emotional difficulties, and

provide spiritual assistance to people from all walks of life.

(904) 542-3051/3052

Compass www.gocompass.org

COMPASS provides classes that help military spouses understand the

Navy lifestyle better and get to know their Navy community and what it

has to offer.

Tricare TRICARE is the health benefit for all seven uniformed services.

South Region TRICARE Customer Service: (800) 444-5445

United Concordia United Concordia covers basic dental care for the spouses and children

of active duty military members for a monthly premium.

(800) 866-8499

Exceptional Family Member Plan EFMP is a mandatory enrollment program that provides detailers

information they need in order to assign families to duty stations that

can support their special needs.

(904) 542-7348

www.npc.navy.mil/channels

Military One Source Military One Source is a "one stop" place to go whenever service

members or family members need assistance with any kind of problem.

www.militaryonesource.com

(800) 342-9647

Navy Legal Service Center The Navy Legal Service Center provides quality legal services

regarding personal civil legal matters to eligible persons; and to educate

eligible persons regarding their personal legal rights and

responsibilities.

(904) 542-2133

Navy College The Navy College mission is to enable Sailors to obtain a college

degree while on active duty.

https://www.navycollege.navy.mil/about.htm

(904) 542-2477

Navy Knowledge online: https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/portal/home

Child Care Navy Mid-Atlantic Region Child Placement Programs: 1-866-628-9232

Web site: www.naccrra.org/militaryprograms

Child Development Center: (904) 542-5434

Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System

Database to coordinate military family recall during times of

emergency.

www.navyfamily.navy.mil

877-414-5358

JOKE ANSWERS 1. A: AN ANIMAL THAT STINKS AND STINGS! 2. A: HO HUM HUM! 3. A: A SPELLING BEE!

4. A: A STRIPEY JUMPER! 5. A. BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS KNOW WHEN YOU’RE EATING OUTSIDE!

ITT Ticket Offices: Before hitting the area’s theme parks or planning your next vacation to Disney, check with your

local MWR Information, Tickets & Tours (ITT) Office for discounted tickets. ITT offices offer tickets to parks,

museums, movie theatres, concerts and central Florida theme parks to include Walt Disney World, Sea World and

Universal Studios. Military discounted rates are available to active duty, retirees, DoD civilians, reservists and

family members presenting a Military ID card!

THE FACSFAC FAST FACTS

THE FACSFAC KIDS PAGE