Nearly 200 Sailors, Marines and family members participated in a Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) 5K Fun Run April 26th onboard Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.

The run was organized by Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Keesler's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) victim advocates at the Alho Manor Navy Barracks. CNATTU's First Class Petty Officer's Association (FCPOA), Marine Detachment Keesler and the CNATTU Keesler Morale, Welfare and Recreation team provided a pancake breakfast after the run.

This was the second time CNATTU Keesler has hosted the SAAPM Fun Run.

"This is an issue that isn't normally discussed out in the open, but sexual assault affects everyone, and this run is a great way to spread awareness," said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Adrian Pineiro. "We're proud to see not only our Sailors present, but many of our Marine counterparts and their family members."

The run served as part of a series of events to support SAAPM during the month of April.

Additionally, Gulf Coast Region Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) Donna Snow provided a SAPR presentation to CNATTU Keesler service members and civilian employees April 19th.

Service members are also conducting a donation drive in support of the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence. The drive is scheduled to run through April 30, and all items collected will be donated to the facility.

"We have a significant amount of junior service members here, and not only are we teaching them how to become the best in the fleet at what they do, but we're also teaching them the importance of observance months such as SAAPM," said CNATTU Keesler Commanding Officer Cmdr. Timothy Knapp. "These Sailors coming through our schoolhouse are the future leaders of our Navy, and ensuring they know Navy and Department of Defense policies for not only sexual assault and prevention but other issues with which they might face is something I want to ensure each and every Sailor coming from our schoolhouse knows."

CNATTU Keesler trains service members in the electronic calibration of afloat and aviation equipment, meteorological and oceanographic observing and forecasting and the maintenance and repair of meteorological equipment.

CNATTU Keesler is a training unit of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. CNATT develops, delivers, and supports aviation technical training at 27 sites located throughout the continental United States and Japan.

CNATT is a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise; an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost, and is the largest training center under Naval Education and Training Command.

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