KEKAHA Rear Adm. Robert Chadwick, commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visited the sailors at Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, for the first time, July 26.
KEKAHA — Rear Adm. Robert Chadwick, commander, Navy Region Hawaii, visited the sailors at Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, for the first time, July 26.
Chadwick assumed command June 14, his visit to PMRF is part of his familiarization of the area and surrounding commands throughout the region of Hawaii.
The visit began with a walking tour of the base’s operational center, the Daniel Inouye Range Operation Center, with Capt. Vinnie Johnson, commanding officer of PMRF. An aerial tour of the base, nearby naval facilities at Makaha Ridge and Port Allen, and Waimea Canyon followed.
An All Hands Call was held in the hangar bay with the sailors of PMRF. Chadwick was introduced to the sailors and shared some information about himself, his family and his outlook on the next few years.
“I’m sure there are many times many of you pinch yourselves that you get to live and work in paradise because that’s what it looks like, but I say that knowing there are some unique challenges living and working here,” Chadwick said.
The All Hands Call provided an opportunity for the sailors to ask questions and learn more about Chadwick during his introduction.
“I think the high praise we received from Rear Adm. Chadwick brought pride and gratification to fruition realizing that the efforts of the sailors ‘on the deck plates’ here at PMRF is and will continue to be recognized all the way in Washington, D.C.,” said Hull Technician 1st Class Chris McReavy.
A luncheon with the department heads of the base provided an opportunity for Chadwick to speak with some of the leaders on the base. The luncheon was followed by a tour of base housing.
Chadwick met with Hunt Housing representative, Kathy Schwartz, and toured privatized base housing as well as an updated living space used for unaccompanied sailors. He also had an opportunity to visit the Child Development Center, interact with the staff, and see newly installed equipment in the on-base gym.
Chadwick’s visit to the base concluded with a windshield tour of the base where he had the chance to see the base from North to South and many of the facilities within.
