FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2010VOL. 7, NO. 13

NAVIGATORNAVIGATORNAVIGATORKUDOS

GIVING

BRAVO ZULU

Navy nurses honored Page 2

Mustangs bring gifts

Page 2

Compost facility awardedPage 9

NORTHWESTNORTHWEST

Serving NAS Whidbey Island and Community www.northwestnavigator.comServing NAS Whidbey Island and Community www.northwestnavigator.com

Navy announces Everett as ship’s new homeUSS Nimitz Public A� airs

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and 2,800 Sailors arrived at Naval Base

Kitsap in Bremerton, Dec. 9, after completing a four-day transit from San Diego.

Nimitz is in Bremerton to conduct a year-long dry-docked maintenance period at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship will receive major upgrades to its combat, self defense, navigation and potable water systems and numer-ous other components.

The Navy also announced Dec. 9 that Nimitz will be homeported at Naval Station Everett, upon completion of the ship’s maintenance peri-od at Bremerton. Nimitz is expected to complete

the maintenance period in December 2011.

“Great job to everyone

for making this all happen,” said Capt. Paul O. Monger, Nimitz commanding offi-

cer. “Maintenance of the ship, moving families and other factors went into the

decision.”

NAS Whidbey Public A� airs

It’s not often that a petty officer first class travels on the ferry with his command master chief, has dinner at the admiral’s home and then undergoes the scrutiny of a fierce interview panel along with fellow installa-tion “cream of the crop” Sailors – all for the honor of represent-ing Navy Region Northwest as Sailor of the Year.

Luckily NAS Whidbey Island’s Naval Aircrewman Swimmer 1st Class Eric Deburkarte won’t have to do that again real soon. Last week he was selected as the Navy Region Northwest Shore Sailor of the Year and now joins other Region Sailors from around the world to compete for Navy Installations Command Sailor of the Year.

Deburkarte, 34, and a Hanover, Penn., native, is the Search and Rescue leading chief petty officer, helicopter inland

rescue aircrewman, rescue swimmer and aviation struc-tural mechanic collateral duty Quality Assurance representa-tive.

His award nomination states that he is a “true professional and (the) highest qualified air-crewman in an exceptionally qualified command.” He flew 67 flights to include seven life-saving rescues and one medi-cal evacuation. Deburkarte’s leadership and training skills directly supported 27 opera-tional missions, including 12 rescues, seven medevacs and 18 saved lives. His accomplish-ments as a superior crew chief were recognized at the 2010 Navy SAR Conference when he was awarded the Aviation Crew Chief of the Year for his heroic action in the recovery of a severely injured climber in the North Cascades Mountains.

“It’s not just about me, it’s about working together as a team,” said Deburkarte. “I’m

fortunate and very proud to be the one chosen to represent Team Whidbey.”

Deburkarte has earned an associate’s degree in Electronic Technology from York Technical and is currently enrolled at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He has taken on the duties of command financial specialist and assistant com-mand fitness leader in addi-tion to several collateral duties related to aviation qualification and certification.

He is an active Partnership in Education mentor/tutor with the Anacortes School District; designed and built display cases for Kubal Hall, honoring the personal history of the build-ing’s namesake who was killed 30 years ago in a SAR helicopter crash; and provided 40 hours of off-duty training with local SAR agencies.

“His inspirational leadership

Nimitz gets homeport change news

MCSN Alexander Ventura II

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) pulls pierside for an administrative port change from Naval Base Coronado to Naval Base Kitsap. Nimitz is conducting a docking planned incremental availability in Bremerton. The carrier will then be permanently homeported at Naval Station Everett in December 2011.

Region SoY selected

Tony Popp

Swim gear is essential to NAS Whidbey Island’s Sailor of the Year Naval Aircrewman Helicopter 1st Class Eric Deburkarte of Search and Rescue, who ensures swim goggles are packed and ready for the next mission. Deburkarte was recently selected as Navy Region Northwest 2010 Shore Sailor of the Year.

See NIMITZ > Page 12

See SOY > Page 12