Good Morning to all,
I tried posting this yesterday but I'm new to the forum and still learning. It may or may not have made it to the board. I couldn't find it this morning so I figure my bad.....
Anyway, there's a bunch of stuff on Ocean Pines rv park at NAS Oceana and it's sister park Sea Mist at Dam Neck, VA. (they're both run by the same MWR)
The biggest news is that the Navy has closed down the Fentriss Airfield outlying landing facility for the next ten months for repairs. This has been the primary training field for initial carrier qualification training for the bulk of the Oceana and Navsta Norfolk's aircraft. Because of this we've been told to expect "Much Heavier" aircraft operations at NAS Oceana anyday or time between 0500-2400 daily.
If you've never been to Ocean Pines it is smack dab under the launch/approach vectors for the runways. FA-18/D Super Hornets can be as low as 500' arriving and departing when wind conditions warrant. I swear I'm checking the roof daily for tailhook scuffs! Super Hornets coming off the deck can really drown out any TV/conversation in a heartbeat. I've been here since Sunday the 4th of December and flight ops have gone on most of the day, every day and up til 2200-2300 nightly. Be forewarned.
Now added to this is that there has been a major shakeup in MWR management here. Most all of the MWR staff up to the Air Staions director were terminated this summer/fall including the campground manager Jackie. No one really "knows" why but isn't that the way?
The new campground manager is a fellow named Rick Sheffield(?). He seems to be ill-suited for the job. As mentioned by a couple of recent reviewers, He has a condesending and demanding personality and has been so innapropriate that it required a face to face meeting with his immediate supervisor to alleviate the situation. While I was assured that his supervisor would "work on his dealing with people" it was apparent that he felt he committed no foul to the point that my comments were to him "BS". His words not initails. I don't feel we'll see any improvement.
There is a new campground host. Her name is Lisa. She seems to nice and willing to help. I wonder how long she'll last under current conditions?
They've posted a new fee schedule to take effect on 01JAN12. Rates are: $22.00 nightly, $140.00 weekly, $475.00 monthly. These are the off season rates. Summer rates and change over dates have not been published yet.
The campground continues to be in good to very good conditon. There are couple of sites down for repairs and avoid site 79 under any circumstances. When it rains that site becomes a quagmire for 3 days after. Ask me how I know?
The office is supposedly open from 0900-1630 Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat. Closed on Thursday and Sunday. I suggest contacting them if you plan on arriving during non-working hours. Ask them for thier specific arrival procedures and be prepared for a 0700, yes 0700 phone call if "you screw up" Mr. Sheffield's paperwork........although I was told that won't happen again either.
Lastly, Sea Mist campground at Dam Neck appears to be managed out of the Ocean Pines office. I heard Mr. Sheffield answer the phone combining both CG's in his greeting. In Sea Mist's case the new section is open. My quick look through there made me think that while they're nice, new sites they appear to be smaller and tighter than I imagined. The old section is closed for upgrades.
One final note, it might be that the new managment team is not very RV savy. Why else would they refuse to put picinic tables, grilles or bar-b-ques on the new sites at Sea Mist?
Larry, I hope this is what your looking for. If I can be of any more service to you let me know and thanks again for your help earlier this week.
Joe Carlton
JoeMama
