Nimitz News Daily Digest - Dec. 3, 2013

Dec. 3, 2013

Vol. 2 Issue 153

DAILY DIGEST

Nimitz Earns Environmental

Stewardship Flagship Award Story by MC3 (SW) Derek A. Harkins

T

he aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) has received the Environmental Stewardship Flagship Award in the large ship division for 2013 through the Navy Community Service Program (NCSP).

The award recognized a series of community service efforts by Nimitz’ Sailors from July 1, 2012 to June 31, 2013.

These efforts by Nimitz’ crew included volunteer assistance at an animal shelter, a beach clean up project in Honolulu, Hawaii, and a two-day forest preservation project in Everett, Wash.

“Nimitz had a strong support group of volunteers that consisted of 170 personnel from different departments,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Continued on page 3

MARINE OF THE DAY

Story and photo by MC3 Eric M. Butler

C

pl. Ethan R. Newhouse, from Seabeck, Wash., was named Marine of the Day Dec. 2.

“It feels pretty good,” said Newhouse. “There are very few Marines who actually get this opportunity. It’s motivating, to say the least.”

As an advanced targeting forward looking infrared (ATFLIR) technician, Newhouse’s expertise was essential during an extremely demanding flight schedule supporting crucial aircraft combat missions. He was directly responsible for the daily

maintenance and record keeping of 32 AN/ASQ228 ATFLIR pods assigned to four F/A-18 Hornet squadrons. His knowledge and expertise led to the correction of 171 ATFLIR maintenance actions, significantly reducing aircraft turnaround time by 78 percent. His expertise contributed to a consistent 91 percent ready-for-issue rate, which aided in the deployment of 387 precision-guided weapons.

Newhouse gave advice for anyone else looking for recognition of their hard work.

“Do hard work,” said Newhouse. “If you are good at what you do, you will be recognized.”

Commanding Officer

Executive Officer

Command Master Chief

Public Affairs Officer

Capt. Jeff Ruth

Capt. J.J. Cummings

CMDCM Teri McIntyre

Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski

Editor MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III

Lead Designer MC2 (SW) Raul Moreno Jr.

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.

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Continued from page 1

Mate 2nd Class Adam Baez, who served as the command’s community relations volunteer coordinator. “Air wing personnel from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 also played a vital role in our community service projects in Honolulu.”

Nimitz is currently under consideration for other awards packages, including Personal Excellence, Project Good Neighbor and the Bainbridge award.

“When we do these community relations projects, we are representing the Navy as more than just a military force,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Alberto Perez-Badillo, a volunteer aboard Nimitz. “We help communities, including our own. In other countries, we’re acting as ambassadors. It really helps international relations.”

In his message announcing the winners, Vice Adm. Phillip H. Cullom, the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics, recognized the participants’ efforts. He noted the participants’ hard work while offering his personal “bravo zulu” and appreciation for their excellence in community service.

According to Baez, this sort of praise was well earned for Nimitz. Despite it being the first time that Nimitz actively competed for an award through NCSP, the ship came out at the head of the pack.

“Nimitz Sailors should be extremely proud of winning this award,” said Baez. “This speaks in high regards to the efforts of our volunteers and the command’s goal of giving back to the community.”

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Mission P

Simulation-based Training and Expe Story by Eric Beidel, Office of Naval Research

A

unique system that merges the virtual and real worlds to train Sailors for combat scenarios was unveiled Dec. 2 in Orlando.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is demonstrating the Fleet Integrated Synthetic Training/Testing Facility (FIST2FAC) Dec. 2-5 at the Interservice/ Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference, commonly referred to as I/ITSEC. FIST2FAC provides an affordable, adaptive way to train. It combines a hassle-free setup, software and gaming technology to help naval forces develop strategies for a variety of missions and operations.

“This is the future of training for the Navy,” said Dr. Terry Allard, head of ONR’s Warfighter Performance Department. “With simulation, you can explore endless possibilities without the expense and logistical challenges of putting hundreds of ships at sea and aircraft in the sky.”

FIST2FAC allows Sailors to interact with artificially intelligent forces in countless settings and train for multiple missions simultaneously. The system can replicate 4

Possible:

erimentation on Display

carriers, destroyers and helicopters. Soon, the system will address electronic, mine and anti-air warfare scenarios.

“Currently, all of this is shore-based, but the goal is to make this capability available on ships at sea,” White said.

The robust training and affordability of FIST2FAC aligns with the tenets put forth in the Chief of Naval Operations’ 2014-2018 Navigation Plan. It is the result of partnerships between ONR, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport Division, U.S. Pacific Fleet and the Naval Warfare Development Command.

To view an ONR-produced video detailing FIST2FAC, visit http://youtu.be/kb1lZKcmL5E. ONR provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1,400 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel, with additional employees at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C. For more news from Office of Naval Research, visit www.navy.mil/local/onr/.

simple and complex situations involving aircraft carriers, helicopters, lethal and nonlethal weapons, and more.

A recent scenario demonstrated at Ford Island, Hawaii, pitted a ship’s crew against several fast-attack craft in waters crowded with merchant traffic. Sailors quickly determined the boats to be hostile and engaged them with machine-gun fire from the virtual ship.

“FIST2FAC allows Sailors to ‘train like they fight’ by presenting realistic forces in a visual, tactical and operational environment,” said Glenn White, ONR’s integration and transition manager for the project.

Swarming attack boats is one of several tactics Navy leaders hope to overcome through an Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategy to counter threats from adversaries trying to restrict the access and movement of U.S. forces.

“A2/AD is a really challenging problem,” Allard said. “With simulation, we can help the experts be more innovative in defining what tactics, techniques and procedures will go into a successful A2/AD strategy.”

In addition to the fast-attack craft threat, FIST2FAC has been used to simulate anti-submarine warfare and strike group operations with aircraft 5

By MC3 (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen

By MCSN (SW) Aiyana Paschal

An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, assigned to HSM-75, right, and an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, assigned to HSC-6, participate in a fly-by demonstration past the flight deck.

By MCSA (SW) Kelly M. Agee

By MCSN (SW) Aiyana Paschal

Sailors manuever out from an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to HSC-6 on the flight deck.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to VFA-147 and an EA-6B Prowler assigned to VAQ-142 perform inflight refueling.

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An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to VFA-146 performs maneuvers during an air demonstration.

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THE SITTER

THE DEVIL INSIDE

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN

SILENT HOUSE

R.I.P.D.

SHERLOCK HOLMES: GAME OF SHADOWS

TURBO

WAR HORSE

U-571

TOP GUN

TOWER HEIST

HAYWIRE

HUGO

LINCOLN

MEGAMIND

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ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN

JERRY MAGUIRE

WE BOUGHT A ZOO

THE VOW

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

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THE ARTIST

JOYFUL NOISE

ABDUCTION

THE WAY WAY BACK

OVER THE HEDGE

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THE DARKEST HOUR

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 4

SHARK NIGHT

ZOMBIELAND

PITCH PERFECT

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