The Second Gold & Blue Day

The West apron ready for another Gold & Blue Day at Miramar. The still veiled plaque is visible on the right.

January 13, 2018. Gold and Blue Day at Miramar. On this occasion we celebrate another year of operations in Tuarua Fiji, marking the date when N.A.S. Miramar was set where it stands today, Du Sud Isle, on the northernmost regions of Nautilus. To this day this fine naval air station remains the flagship of Third Fleet and one of the United States Navy finest references in Second Life.

On this date, the evocative anniversary plaque was unveiled and tradition was kept as the 2018 Season N.F.D.T. Blue Angels pilots were given their assignments, this year welcoming two "newbies" into the Blues fold. Orders for January 2018 included for the first time the awarding of Wings of Gold to United States Coast Guard naval aviators, along with the promotions and awards that were due this month.

After the national anthem was played, the ceremony began with a few words from Third Fleet Trident commander Captain Vickster Kühn and N.A.S. Miramar commander Captain Asra Kron. The event was attended by dignitaries from 7Th Fleet, the United States Coast Guard, the Armée de l'Air, SAREMSUK and officers and friends of Third Fleet. Captain Vickster Kühn, TFCOM, NAFENCO, NFDTCO, NFWSCO, honored us by unveiling the two years evocative plaque.

Here is a small record of the proceedings. As usual, click on the photos to enlarge.

Captains Kühn and Kron review the day's awards to be presented.

Ms. Shana Carpool drops by before the proceedings.

All stand for the national anthem.

CAPT. Kühn takes the podium as the proceedings start.

CAPT. Vickster Kühn's speech.

Good afternoon everyone. I'd like to welcome you all to Miramar and express my gratitude for your attendance and continued support. It's been quite a year here; it's overwhelming, really, to have such a fine station, Blue Angels home on the grid, the Topgun School, having graduated its first class. Looking forward is like looking back only more of it. This coming year will be our busiest ever, with new people coming to join our ranks in service of the Navy and our country, and also at the service of our fellow aviators everywhere.
 
It's hard to talk of the future without looking at the past.
The airshows, the training sessions, this place is my home as much as my own facility; it's been my proud privilege to serve with my fellow officers and sailors and I'm looking forward to having our best year ever right here at Fightertown.

On behalf of the 3rd Fleet Trident I want to thank especially Captain Kron for her steadfast resolve and long-suffering dedication to the Navy and all her hard work without which none of this would be possible. This is her day to celebrate, our day to celebrate, surviving another year, and launching into the new one with great relish. Our comrades in other commands who celebrate with us, we could not do without either.

I'd like to say in closing, it is an honor to serve with all of you, thank you for being a part of this, and Go Navy! Hooyah!

CAPT. Kühn addressing the audience on the momentous occasion.

CAPT. Kron initiating her speech before her fellow officers and guests.

CAPT. Asra Kron's speech.

I would like to recognize the distinguished Commanding Officers Admiral Lemon, USCG, Captain Sidney Pobieski, USS Kitty Hawk, USN 7th Fleet, Captain Vickster Kühn, NAFENCO, USN Third Fleet and my XO, LCDR. An Rainbow, USN Third Fleet. Fellow officers of the Fleet, the SL United States Navy, and dear fellows in arms and friends.

Today we celebrate the establishment of this Naval Air Station in Tuarua Fiji. Two years ago, it was brought here stone by stone, exactly as it was built on January 1, 2016, and exactly as it stands now. Let me start by thanking a few of the many who have supported and continue to support our home station:

Lieutenant Commander An Rainbow, my executive officer and good friend of many years, and Captain Vickster Kuhn, Miramar's Navy Fighter Weapons School commanding officer, Naval Air Facility Eagles Nest commanding officer, the Blue Angels' Boss and a great friend. Without you both I would not be standing here today.
Miramar's Command Master Chief Margot Fenring, who introduced me to Naval service in Second Life, friend of many years, and invaluable liaison to Tuarua Fiji management, helping us through thick and thin.
Captain Sidney Pobieski and Commander Helena Stenvaag, USS Kitty Hawk's skipper and executive officer, USN 7th Fleet SL, and Admiral Toxic Lemon and Vice Admiral Eliza Belis, Virtual United States Coast Guard's commanding officer and executive officer, who have showed continued support for Miramar throughout its existence.
Our excellent neighbors, Jamess Darwinn, who graciously took over our part of Deder Isle, a historical reference to Miramar, allowing us a foothold in the region; Mitt Zoobe, old friend and frequent flier, supporter and torch bearer; the little friends South of us, Tanja Byron and Newbienchen Zane, who are quickly becoming a part of Miramar. Gone but not forgotten and hopefully returning one day soon: LCDR. Skarah Zane, my XO on VF-84; LCDR. Braedyn McKenna, NFWS XO.
These to name but a few of the many friends who make this journey not only possible but rewarding.
 
Miramar is a tribute to the United States Navy, but also to all who share the passion for the Sea and Aviation, Naval Aviation in particular. And so it is that since it's foundation was laid on Du Sud Isle, Miramar has become a point of departure, arrival or scale for many, many aviators, pilots and even seafarers. We have on record nearly 20,000 flights originating or arriving at NAS Miramar, and close to 70,000 page views on Miramar's weblog. I think it is safe to say that after two years we have established a solid presence not only in Tuarua Fiji and the Naval Service community in Second life but across the board, as we touch many and many touch us on a regular basis.
 
The Navy is an exciting and stimulating environment with endless possibilities, and after all this time we have just tapped a few. It was never our goal to engage in all areas the Navy operates in. Far from it. From the very start our roles were set in stone and yes we defended them fiercely and always will. At the end of the day, we have our roles to play and all we aim for is to play them as best we can. The responsibility that is wearing this uniform demands it. Our crews are told this many times as it is our core principle: honor the uniform, act as a lady or gentleman and a naval officer.

I have been and still am privileged to serve alongside the best in this great Navy and been also given a taste of the worst. The company I keep pulled me through the rough waters and led me to safe port. And here I stand today because of you. Those who held me up and encouraged me and those who tried to push me down and crush me. Both made me stronger and a better officer. The past year was eventful and hard for the Fleet. Our then commanding officer chose to leave his post and start a new fleet, and the split was painful. Friends were not pitted against one another but were separated and choices were made. We are the result of those choices and stand tall and proud of them today. What you see around you and what is beyond Miramar is the Fleet's testimony of our resolve. We shall move forward.

As such it is with great pleasure that we welcome a SL United States Marine Corps unit in our ranks, creating new opportunities and enhancing the existing ones. We also welcome the USCG to the United States Naval Service community and this reality prompted us to create a news service related group that will hopefully grow to be the reference international naval service info HUB in Second Life. So the future is bright and challenging.
We welcome the third year of NAS Miramar and hope you will keep sharing this journey with us. We have exciting times ahead. Together we will successfully perform our duties and achieve our goals with a more holistic approach than ever before. So here is to Miramar and days to come.
Go Navy! Hooyah!

Remembering Miramar's history with the eyes on the future.

On stage: LCDR. A. Rainbow, CAPT. S. Pobieski, ADM. T. Lemon.

NASM's CO and XO escort CAPT. Kühn to the veiled plaque.

Another mark on the stone of history. Two years.

A salute after the unveiling and the third year of N.A.S. Miramar began.

2018 Season Blue Angels assignments. Tradition was kept.

Orders. And a new Commander as An Rainbow is awarded O5.

 
Among the guests that day: Admiral Toxic Lemon, (v)USCG, Captain Sidney Pobieski, USN 7th Fleet, Colonel Mara Klaber, Patrouille de France - Armée de l'Air, Commander Sophie Redwood, SAREMSUK, Commander Thomask Andel and Commander Shar Bleac, (v)USCG, Lieutenants Chipoune Leannan and Tidus, Patrouille de France - Armée de l'Air, Ms. Nanako Demonista, and our own Blues and Navy crews: LCDR. Jenny Kaz and Major Dominique van Dongen, Third Fleet, LCDR. Bambi Baxter and LTJG. Matter Blueskind, 7th Fleet. Hosting were CAPT. Asra Kron, CAPT. Vickster Kühn and now CDR. An Rainbow.

Cougar's decked with navy whites on the aftermath of the ceremony.

From left: QB, Cougar and No Balls, the cat!

CDR. Rainbow trying to introduce her pet Aria to Cabernet Sauvignon.

ADM. Lemon negotiating with Mona for some Ice Tea.

At the end of a happy day: Speed and Cougar. Cheers!

So started another year at Miramar, as the 2018 Gold and Blue Day came to an end. To all those who honored us with their presence and to all who could not attend but were in our thoughts and hearts, thank you. This day was yours. And many to follow them. Go Miramar! Go Navy! HOOYAH!!

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO / TFCOM