30 March 2010

Former President visits Houston Navy Reserve Center


By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jerry Mullins, Navy Operational Support Center, Houston Public Affairs
Photo By SK2 (SCW) John Stone

Former President George H.W. Bush and wife Barbara visited the Joint Forces Reserve Center at Ellington Field in Houston recently to thank the Navy and Marine reservists for serving their country and to tour the Navy and Marine Corps wing of the center named in his honor.

“This is a great honor for me,” said the former commander in chief, as he viewed a new plaque designating the facility as the President George H.W. Bush Wing. “But it’s more of an honor to be here with all of you today.”

With the former First Lady by his side, Mr. Bush noted the important role of the Reserves and said it was encouraging to see the new generation of men and women now in service.

“Barb and I just can’t thank you all enough for what you do for this great nation of ours,” Bush said. “You are the backbone our country’s national defense.”

During his address, the former president reminisced about his career and said that serving in the U.S. Navy was his greatest source of pride. Bush flew combat missions in the South Pacific during World War II and, at age 18, was once the youngest aviator in the Navy.

“I’m no hero, but I’m very proud of my service and I wish I could do it all over again. I’m also proud of my family members who have carried on the tradition of military service, one of whom served at this base.”

The President’s son, George W. Bush, who served as the 43rd president of the United States, flew at Ellington Field during the Vietnam conflict as flight trainer with the Texas Air National Guard.

“I’m also proud to say that I have a grandson who has followed in his grandfather’s footsteps and is now an officer in the Navy Reserves,” Bush added.

George Prescott Bush, the oldest son of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, is an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

During the visit, the former President also took time to recognize two local Reservists and congratulate them on their accomplishments.

Marine Gunnery Sergeant Coleman has over 21 years of service including three tours of duty in Iraq where he earned the Navy and Marine Corps Medal with Combat "V" and received a Purple Heart during the battle of Ramadi in 2004.

“Your valor and service are an inspiration to all of us,” Bush told Coleman. “Thank you for all you’ve done for our country.”

Bush also recognized Navy Legalman 1st Class Harrold Henck on his selection as Reserve Sailor of the Year for both the Houston Navy Operational Support Center and for the Navy Region Southeast Reserve Component Command.

“You’re a true example of the citizen sailor who gives freely of his time to serve our great nation,” said Bush to Henck. “This award really shows your dedication.”

The Bush Wing is one of many new buildings comprising the Joint Forces Reserve Center at Houston’s Ellington Field. The base currently includes a Navy Operational Support Center; the 1st Battalion, of the 23rd Marines, 4th Division; and the Army Reserve’s 75th Battle Command Training Division. The base will eventually be home to over 6,000 Reservists from all branches.

-USN-

NOSC HOUSTON NAVY RESERVIST SELECTED REDCOM SOUTHEAST SAILOR OF THE YEAR

By MC1 Jerry Mullins

Legalman First Class Harrold Henck has been selected Navy Reserve Readiness Command (REDCOM) Southeast Sailor of the Year.
“I am truly humbled by my selection as REDCOM SOY,” Henck said. “I can’t imagine a greater honor in my Navy career.”
Petty Officer Henck, a reservist with Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Houston, was chosen REDCOM Southeast SOY from among 28 Reserve Center Sailors of the Year from the Southeast District.
REDCOM Southeast’s area includes reserve commands in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Puerto Rico.
As REDCOM Southeast Sailor the Year, Henck will compete with five Sailors of the Year from the other Readiness Commands from across the nation for the honor of Reserve Sailor of the Year.
Henck is Leading Petty Officer for his unit, Operational Support Unit (OSU). The reservists attached to OSU are tasked with supporting the NOSC’s mission through administration support, watch standing, I.D. cards and funeral honor detail. It is Henck’s duty to supervise over 60 sailors who comprise OSU and ensure that the support mission of the unit is fulfilled.
Senior Chief Electrician’s Mate (SS) Michael Gibbons, Henck’s Leading Chief Petty Officer said that as LPO, Henck is an inspiring motivator and trainer who ensures junior officers and enlisted sailors reach their highest level of growth and development.
“LN1 truly cares for every sailor in his unit,” Gibbons said. “He gives freely of his time to ensure his sailors are well taken care of. Petty Officer Henck is a true advocate for all.”
Petty Officer Henck, a Galveston, Tex. native, is a public school educator who has taught social studies and German language courses. He joined the Navy Reserves in 2000 as a Navy Journalist.
Henck noted two men in his life who had a strong influence on his desire to serve in the Navy.
“My grandfather served in the South Pacific during World War II,” Henck said, “and my great uncle was aboard USS Missouri at the Japanese surrender in 1945.”
During Henck’s years in Navy public affairs, he contributed articles to Naval Aviation News, Navy Reserve News, and assisted with media training and press conferences for Naval War College students.
Since his assignment to OSU ten years ago, Henck has served the Houston Reserve Center as Public Affairs Officer and, having earned the Instructor NEC, has taught Petty Officer Indoctrination and General Military Training to reserve center sailors.
CAPT McKinney, commanding officer of OSU, said that when Petty Officer Henck first reported to the unit, he challenged Henck to be extremely proactive and actively seek out as much responsibility as he could handle.
“He took those words to heart and in a very short amount of time not only assumed the unit duties as the LPO but has become a very impressive leader,” the captain said. “I have never been prouder of any individual under my command.”
Two years ago, Henck converted to Legalman and attended the 6-week Legalman school. He has since assisted his NOSC with Administrative Separation efforts and has provided command legal assistance in cooperation with JAG officers.
His Legalman billet is with U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany where he serves on a joint forces legal team responsible for military justice and rules of engagement in theater-wide exercises.
Henck’s journalism skills are still serving him well as a Legalman. He currently serves as the Reserve Enlisted Public Affairs Liaison for Vice Admiral Steven Talson at Office of the Judge Advocate General (OJAG) and has written articles related to the military legal field for Navy Reservist News and JAG Magazine.
Petty Officer Henck resides in Galveston, Tex., and is active with several community and civic groups, including the American Legion and the Galveston County Historical Commission.


-USN-

22 March 2010


By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charles White, Navy Region Southeast Reserve Component Command Public Affairs

HOUSTON (NNS) -- Former President George H.W. Bush congratulated a Sailor from Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Houston, for his selection as Navy Region Southeast Reserve Component Command's Reserve Sailor of the Year (SOY).

Bush, a World War II veteran who was at one point the youngest naval aviator in the U.S. Navy, was on hand for the dedication of the Navy and Marine Corps wing of the Joint Forces Reserve Center at Ellington Field. The wing was named in honor of Bush. The former president also set aside time to personally recognize Legalman 1st Class Harrold Henck for the milestone achievement in his career.

"You're a true example of the citizen Sailor who gives freely of his time to serve our great nation," said Bush to Henck. "This award really shows your dedication. Keep up the good work."

"It was an honor to meet the president… but I felt like I should be thanking him… He's a real war hero," Henck said.

Henck, leading petty officer of Operational Support Unit 0823, was named NOSC SOY in a command of 1,100 selected Reservists before being selected as SOY in the U.S. Navy's largest Reserve region. The region encompasses seven states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He will now compete with four other regional SOYs for the title of Commander, Navy Reserve Force SOY.

For more news from Commander, Navy Reserve Force, visit www.navy.mil/local/nrf/.

18 February 2010

Navy Operational Support Center, Houston NOSC

Navy Operational Support Center, Houston (NOSC). After operating at a downtown location for over 50 years NOSC Houston has relocated to the Armed Forces Reserve Center at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base. Over 1100 active and reserve Sailors along with the Army’s 75th Battle Command Training Division and the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division. All services participated and showcased the new center to U.S. Representative John Culberson and staff members from the offices of Senator John Cornyn and U.S. Representative Pete Olsen.

Future proposed projects at Ellington Field include lodging, dining facility, commissary, expanded exchange, fitness center, track, small arms complex and medical clinic to support over 6K service members.