CNAP Sailors Arrive for Sailor of the Year Week

COMMANDER

NAVAL AIR FORCES

Naval Air Station North Island

San Diego, CA 92135

(619) 545-1136/37/39

Feb. 09, 2012                                                              PRESS RELEASE #: 2012-003

CNAP Sailors Arrive for SOY Week

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Moon, Commander, Naval Air Forces Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO – Sailors representing the Commander Naval Air Force, Pacific (CNAP) arrived for the annual Sea and Shore Sailor of the Year (SOY) week, Feb. 12-17.

During the competition week, the Sailors are honored for their contributions to their commands and community while they are evaluated for their military bearing, professional performance and leadership skills.

CNAP Force Master Chief James DeLozier, who oversees the CNAP SOY program, finds that this event displays the best Sailors Naval Aviation has to offer.

“This program is all about recognizing and acknowledging our very best Sailors stationed in the Pacific within Naval Aviation.  We have eight Sailor of the Year finalists this year, five from Sea category and three from Shore category,” said DeLozier.

Between the board interviews and command meet-and-greets, these Sailors will also have several opportunities to interact with members of the community and will meet with Pearl Harbor survivors and other veterans, as well as visit the USS Midway Museum and the San Diego Zoo.

The competition ends with a reception held at Naval Air Station North Island where the CNAP Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year winners are announced.  The winners will advance to the U.S. Pacific Fleet SOY competition.

“I expect each of these Sailors to continue their personal and professional growth as they continue their respective career.  These Sailors represent the best of the best and I look forward to observing them as they continue to serve,” said DeLozier.

The top 2011 sea finalists are:

Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class (AW) Tashaca S. Lowe, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75

Personnel Specialist 1st Class (AW/SW) Adao Jose B. Cunha, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 77

Naval Aircrewman Mechanical 1st Class (NAC/AW) David M. Clark, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 64

Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW/AW/EXW) Kevin E. Fahlund, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)

Navy Counselor 1st Class (AW/SW) Dania D. Keys, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23

The top 2011 Shore Finalists Are:

Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class (AW) Juan F. Rosas, Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 51

Naval Aircrewman Operator 1st Class (NAC/AW/SW) Michael G. Boldizsar, Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing (CPRW) 2

Aviation Electrician's Mate 1st Class(AW/SW) Nickolas M. Dixon, Fleet Readiness Center South West Detachment Forth Worth

-CNAF-