Focus on the Military: Change of command at Fleet Readiness Center Southwest

By: North County Times - | Friday, January 11, 2008 11:31 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO -- Capt. Michael Kelly is scheduled to relieve Capt. Fred Cleveland as commanding officer of Fleet Readiness Center Southwest on Jan. 16. The change of command ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. adjacent to Building 460. Kelly previously served as the command's executive officer.

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest is the Navy's premier West Coast tactical aircraft depot and provides aircraft products and services to the Navy and Marine Corps. Besides North Island, the command has detachments at five other locations: Marine Corps Air Stations Miramar, Yuma, Ariz., and Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton; and Naval Air Station Point Mugu.

FRCSW provides comprehensive, quality support to the nation's aviation warfighters through overhaul, repair and modification of Navy and Marine Corps front line tactical, logistical, and rotary-wing aircraft and their components by using state-of-the-art management systems.

Cleveland commanded Naval Aviation Depot North Island from March 21, 2006, to Oct. 10, 2006, when the command was renamed as one of six sites under Commander Fleet Readiness Centers.

Fleet Reserve Association to meet

OCEANSIDE -- The Fleet Reserve Association Branch and Unit 313, Camp Pendleton, will hold its business meeting at noon Jan. 19 at the Masonic Center, 511 Eucalyptus Ave. A social hour will follow the meeting. All retired and active-duty Navy, Marine, Coast Guard members and their spouses are invited. Call (760) 439-7817.

Fallbrook VFW serves meals

FALLBROOK -- The Fallbrook VFW Post, 1175 Old Stage Road, is open for meals several evenings a week.

Hamburgers and hot dogs are served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays. Cost is $4. Trish's four-cheese/three-meat angel hair pasta bake will be served from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Cost is $5. Specials are served from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Fridays. The Jan. 18 special will be chicken piccata. Cost is $8.

Also, breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 20. Cost is $6. Football and food from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will follow. Call (760) 728-8784.

Iwo Jima will be commemorated

CAMP PENDLETON -- The 63rd anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima will be commemorated at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the South Mesa Staff NCO Club. The memorial, dedicated to all who fell during the battle, will be held at the club's grassy area memorial site facing the Pacific Ocean. A commemorative banquet follows at 5 p.m. in the club ballroom.

Iwo Jima survivors, their families and guests and the general public are invited to attend. Information: abhrbh@aol.com.

VANC to hold Outback fundraiser

OCEANSIDE -- The Veterans Association of North County will hold a fundraising luncheon Feb. 23 at the Outback Steakhouse restaurant, 2485 Vista Way.

There will be two seatings, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Lunch will include choice of steak or salmon with all the trimmings, coffee and tea. A no-host bar will be available. Cost is $18 and $9 for children younger than 10.

VANC is a nonprofit organization established to oversee the renovation of the old police station in Oceanside into a living tribute to all veterans in North County. VANC is partnered with 26 local veteran organizations.

Those who cannot attend the luncheon are invited to purchase a ticket to be donated one of the local Marines and their family. Sponsorship opportunities for the luncheon are available. There will be free drawings and silent auction opportunities throughout the day. Call Harvey Ferman at (760) 433-0116.

Officers' Wives' Club to hold auction

CAMP PENDLETON -- The Camp Pendleton Officers' Wives' Club will hold its charity auction April 18 at the San Luis Rey Officers Club. The auction is open to the public. Donations are currently being accepted for the auction. All proceeds will go to fund scholarships awarded by the club each year. Call Melissa Gilkes-Smith at (760) 237-3572.