Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Detachment Atsugi Sailors, Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi and Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) Atsugi participated alongside Minami Junior High School students in a community relations project June 13 in Zama, Japan.

The three-hour-long project, organized by Chief Electronics Technician Ilan Saulnier, included planting flowers along five city blocks in the local community as well as providing participating service members the opportunity to interact with Japanese junior high school students.

Saulnier said although providing a service to the Japanese community they call home is something he feels strongly about, being part of Sailors coming together from multiple commands in supporting their Japanese neighbors is even more important.

"We live and work in this city, and while we might only be here for two or three years, it's important to develop ourselves as ambassadors," he said. "Atsugi Sailors never hesitate at the opportunity to work alongside our Japanese friends, to talk and socialize with these students, and to display our dedication and commitment to them."

During the event, students from Minami Junior High School worked with Navy volunteers in decorating five city blocks with flowers. CNATTU Detachment Atsugi Officer-in-Charge Chief Warrant Officer 5 Norman Valentine said these service member's efforts are always appreciated.

"What the CNATT Det Atsugi CPO (Chief Petty Officer) Mess and FCPO (First Class Petty Officer) Mess do on a daily basis in the classroom is nothing short of outstanding," Valentine said. "For them to volunteer in the community as they do, to make efforts to show our Japanese neighbors that we care about their city -- that we care about them -- is a philosophy we try to instill in every Sailor assigned to this unit and the hundreds of students we host each year."

CNATT Detachment Atsugi develops, delivers and supports aviation technical training through various "C" school courses.

CNATT is the 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 the Naval Education and Training Command.

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