Friday, the Navy League Santa Rosa County recognized the 2015 Sailors of the Year and Flight Instructors of the year at their annual banquet at NAS Whiting Field’s Sikes Hall. The league honored nine sailors and seven instructors.
According to the event brochure, the Navy League has grown to become the foremost citizen organization to serve, support and stand with the U.S. sea services, the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the U.S. Flag Merchant Marine. Emphasis is made on public education, stressing the continuing need to maintain a vibrant, flexible maritime force. Membership is open to all patriotic Americans not currently on active military duty.
Captain Todd Bahlau, commanding officer of NAS Whiting Field spoke about the last two years Commander Naval Installations Command selected Naval Air Station Whiting Field as the top shore installation in the Navy in its respective category. He said the sailors recognized Friday night “are the best of the best.”
After the awards, outgoing TRAWING-5 Commanding Officer Colonel Gary Kling said those attending may not know just how much work the selected sailors and instructors completed to earn their honors. “They’re volunteering out of town. They’re coaching. They’re mentoring. They’re doing all the stuff that makes this nation what it is.” He also noted, last year, NAS Whiting Field produced 68 percent of every aviator in the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, and 100 percent of every rotor-wing pilot. He said every pilot of a supply helicopter “was trained right here by the world’s best.”
The Sailors of the Year:
HM3 Jennifer Jones, USN
Blue Jacket of the Year, Naval Branch Health Clinic
NAS Whiting Field
HM2 Anthony Prater, USN
Junior Sailor of the Year, Naval Branch Health Clinic
NAS Whiting Field
HM1 Roderick Hunter, USN
Senior Sailor of the Year, Naval Branch Health Clinic
NAS Whiting Field
AWS1 (NAC/AW) Logan Bradley, USN
CNATRASea & Shore Sailor of the Year
HT-8/TAW5
AWS2 (AW/NAC) Matt Cook, USN
Aircrew Sailor of the Year,
HT-28/TAW5
AWS1 Brent Blackwell, USN
Aircrew Sailor of the Year,
HT-28/TAW5
AC2 Thomas Taikina, USN
Blue Jacket of the Year
NAS Whiting Field
ABH2 (AW/SW) Paulo Gomez, USN
Junior Sailor of the Year,
NAS Whiting Field
ABH1 (AW/SW) Marlon Squires, USN
Senior Sailor of the Year
NAS Whiting Field
Flight Instructors of the Year
LT Scott Urbashich, USN
Training Squadron Two
LT Daniel Buccola, USN
Training Squadron Three
LT Joshua Pritt, USN
Training Squadron Six
LT John Geary, USN
Helicopter Training Squadron Eight
Lt Richard Hill, III, USN
Helicopter Training Squadron Eighteen
LT Russell Kratoville, USN
Helicopter Training Squadron Twenty Eight
LCDR Evan Kelty, USNR
Training Air Wing Five Reserve Component
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Navy League honors the best of the best