NORFOLK, Virginia — In an enlightening expedition, civilian staff from the Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s Fleet and Family Readiness (FFR) department embarked on a tour of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) on February 28. The visit, held in Norfolk, Virginia, aimed to provide the FFR team with firsthand experience of the maritime environment to enhance the support they offer to sea service personnel.
Jeff Sias, the N9 director at NAS Pax River who coordinated the tour, emphasized the importance of understanding the sailors’ and marines’ shipboard life to improve FFR services. “Over thirty years ago, I was the ‘Fun Boss’ aboard a ship,” Sias shared, highlighting the gap in shipboard exposure among some of his current team members. “I wanted to make sure they had an idea of how the people we serve live and work when in that environment.”
The 16 “Pax Pros” from the FFR team were guided through various sections of the ship, including the forecastle, flight deck, and the GRF museum, with a challenging ascent up to the bridge. This immersive experience was facilitated by the Naval Air Forces Atlantic Public Affairs, connecting Sias’s team with the USS Gerald R. Ford’s staff.
Keira Patterson-Rice, the N9 Administrative Officer at NAS Pax River, reflected on the visit’s impact, noting the blend of challenges and rewards faced by sailors during deployments. “Being able to tour a real Navy warship was impressive as well as eye-opening,” she said. The tour underscored the complexity of naval operations and the collective effort required by service members, reaffirming Patterson-Rice’s respect for the military.
The FFR department at NAS Patuxent River is dedicated to offering comprehensive service programs for active duty personnel, their families, retired military members, DoD civilians, and government contractors with base access. For more information on the FFR programs, interested parties can visit www.navymwrpaxriver.com or follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mwrpaxriver.
