NAFA hosts pre-deployment bash

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, AICHI, JAPAN

05.15.2014

Story by Seaman Ryan Greene 

Naval Air Facility Atsugi

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan – Naval Air Facility Atsugi hosted its inaugural Pre-Deployment Luau May 16.

The party was thrown for Sailors aboard Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Five and NAF Atsugi as the Liberty Center’s final thank you and goodbye before the Sailors head out to sea later this week.

“It was an absolute blast,” said Logistics Specialist Seaman John Browder. “The food, the music and all the gifts made for a really great party.”

“It was our goal to get our Sailors together to show them how much we appreciate all the hard work they do,” said Liberty Center Director Senita Martin. “The event was a huge success, from the disk jockey to the music and food, I really hope our guys had as much fun as I did.”

The event began at 8 p.m., kicking off with a buffet of foods ranging from sushi and shrimp tempura, to a fully roasted pig.

The luau attracted more than 150 attendees, larger than what the facilities manager expected.

“This place was packed, I was honestly afraid the fire marshal was going to come,” said Community Activities Director Ron Murashige. “It was really great to see so many people here having such a great time, I really had a blast just getting to be here with all these great Sailors.”

While the party carried on well into the night, the Liberty Center gave away $1,000 in prizes including MWR and NEX gift cards. With so many Sailors present, the party spilled over into the bowling alley next door, where it continued until 2 a.m.

“It was so great seeing all these guys coming in here after their time at the Liberty Center,” NAF Atsugi Lanes Manager Joseph Joly. “They were so excited to have another place to come out to, to hang out and play around for a few hours before calling it a night.”

Martin said this is exactly the response MWR and the Liberty Center are looking for when putting on these events.

“Even though I’m leaving for deployment, I want there to be more nights like tonight,” said Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Derrick Smith. “These events are what make it fun being stationed in Japan. People will always complain about the liberty situation, but with parties and activities like this, I don’t have to leave base to have fun.”

• Date Taken: 05.15.2014
• Date Posted: 05.20.2014 20:08
• Story ID: 130579
• Location: NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, AICHI, JP