CNATTU Keesler New Chiefs Refurbish Anchor Published Sept. 27, 2017 By Chief Aerographer's Mate Drew Ribar Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Keesler Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss -- Newly-pinned chief petty officers from the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Keesler unveiled a refurbished anchor at Naval Oaks Park onboard Keesler Air Force Base Sept. 20. The full-sized anchor, surrounded by live oak trees, is the centerpiece of the park located at the marina on Biloxi's Back Bay. The project was part of Chief Petty Officer (CPO) 365 Phase II, a Navy-wide-six-week training evolution designed to build teamwork and reinforce leadership ideals among first class petty officers selected for advancement to chief petty officer. "This was a great project for our CPO selects," said Senior Chief Aerographer's Mate Tony Mazzulo, CNATTU Keesler's senior enlisted leader. "This allowed them to work together to restore pride in the Naval Oaks Park here on Keesler Air Force Base. Our future CPO 365 Phase II training will include maintaining the anchor and surrounding area." CNATTU Keesler's Chief Aerographer's Mate Roxanne Cuttill, Chief Aerographer's Mate Sarah McBride and Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Hugo Paez participated in the project, along with other area chief selects. They were joined by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Joshua Anderson, who also earned his fouled anchors and was welcomed into the Chiefs Mess as a CPO 365 Phase II participant. The group removed the anchor, sanded off the rust and repainted it. They also poured new cement footings for the anchor and cleaned up the surrounding landscape of overgrown brush. "I am glad that we were able to revitalize this area," said Paez. "Now the anchor stands proudly, once again, for everybody to see." Paez and Anderson discussed the project with CNATTU Keesler Commanding Officer Cmdr. Timothy Knapp and 81st Force Support Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Teresa Ammons as they viewed the refurbished anchor. 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 28 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.