Nimitz News Vol. 9 Issue 6 by USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)

CONTENTS Vol. 9 | Issue 01 4 Nimitz Announces Sailors of the Quarter Story by MC3 Cole Schroeder

NIMITZ NEWS

Capt. Kevin Lenox Commanding Officer Cmdr. J.W. David Kurtz Executive Officer CMDCM Richard Mengel Command Master Chief

MEDIA DEPARTMENT

Lt. Cmdr. Theresa Donnelly PAO Lt. j.g. Meagan Morrison DIVO MCCS Ahron Arendes Media SCPO MCC Grant Probst Media DLCPO MCC Porter Anderson Media CPO MC1 Kevin Johnson Media LPO MC2 Don White Production LPO

Meet this quarter’s Sailors of the Quarter and get some insight on what they did to achieve their goals.

6 Nimitz Sailors Help Llamas in Need Story by MC3 Chris Jahnke

Check out Nimitz’s FCPOA’s volunteer event at Stillpointe Llama Sanctuary and what they did to help the llamas.

10 Nimitz Sailors Receive Awards Story by MC3 Cole Schroeder

Nimitz and the John C. Stennis Foundation recognized three exceptional Sailors and leaders during a Stennis Foundation Leadership Award Ceremony.

MC3 Emily Johnston Lead Designer MC3 Ian Kinkead Phojo WCS MC2 Austin Haist MC2 Marc Cuenca MC2 Erickson Magno MC2 Ian Zagrocki MC3 Chad Anderson MC3 Kenneth Blair MC3 David Claypool MC3 Colby Comery MC3 Cody Deccio MC3 Chris Jahnke MC3 Kennishah Maddux MC3 Jose Madrigal MC3 Weston Mohr MC3 Liana Nichols MC3 Cole Schroeder MC3 Leon Wong MC3 Bethany Woolsey MCSN Greg Hall MCSN Mike Prusiecki MCSN Frank Speciale MCSN Jessica Tukes

apt. Kevin P. Lenox, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), announced the Sailors of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2018 at an All Hands call aboard Nimitz, April 20. Lenox announced Master-at-Arms 1st Class Anthony Crooks, from Phoenix, as Senior Sailor of the Quarter (SSOQ), Information Systems Technician 1st Class Megan Stepanian, from San Antonio, as Sailor of the Quarter (SOQ), Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Wesley Mogollon, from Pass Christian, Miss., as Junior Sailor of the Quarter (JSOQ) and Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Benjamin Herrera, from Salinas, Calif., as Blue Jacket of the Quarter (BJOQ). Sailors and their senior chain of command were invited to a luncheon where the winners were announced and had the opportunity to take a photo with the commanding officer during a cake cutting. “It means a lot to even be nominated by my department, but it means even more to me knowing that I was the first one to win from the new security department,” said Crooks. “Its cliché, but I really owe it all to my junior Sailors.” For some, this wasn’t the first time attending the ceremony with hopes of hearing their name called. “A quote I try and live by is; work hard in silence, and let success be your noise,” said Stepanian. “This is my second time in a row being nominated by my department, and it’s really refreshing to receive recognition when you put your all into your job.” These winners are part of four groups picked each year, one every quarter, in which four individual winners are picked at the end of the year to represent the ship as the Sailors of the Year. Whether quarterly or annually, these winners represent the best of Nimitz. Lenox said whether this was their first time at the event, or the first time they were selected as winners, every sailor should be proud to be there. He said if you were selected to be here today, you’re already a winner, and you should be proud. Nimitz is conducting a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades.

STORY BY MC3 COLE SCHROEDER

NIMITZ ANNOUNCES

SAILORS OF THE QUARTER

PHOTO BY MCSN MICHAEL PRUSIECKI

On April 18, the Nimitz First Class Petty Officer Association hosted a volunteer event at the Stillpointe Llama Sanctuary, where neglected, abused and discarded llamas and alpaca are homed and rehibilitated.

LLAMAS IN NEED

NIMITZ SAILORS HELP

Pine trees surround the metal fencing while a brisk breeze rustles the branches. In the distance, a rooster crows, and a sheep is meandering on the path, that leads to the llama pens. An old shack, that is still as sturdy as the day it was built, is patiently waiting to be taken down. This is the Stillpointe Llama Sanctuary where they rehibilitate neglected, abused and discarded llamas and alpaca for the rest of their lives. Chela Grey, president of Stillpointe Llama Sanctuary, welcomed volunteers from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in a First Class Petty Officer Association (FCPOA) hosted event April 18. These Nimitz Sailors removed their uniforms and donned hoodies, jeans and boots as they spent the day to help some animals in need. “The FCPOA is here with Sailors from Nimitz to give back to the community,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Charles Gioimo, from Dubuque, Iowa. “We are making the area safer for these llamas and alpacas in order to assist Stillpointe with their rehibilation effort. The Sailors will be picking up branches and debris, tearing down an old shack and putting in fencing for a new llama pen.” The Sailors who went to Stillpointe didn’t have an all work, no play day. They interacted and learned about the animals currently residing there. “I never would’ve thought I would be helping llamas out during my time in the Navy,” said Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Joshua Garlitz, from Southgate, Michigan. “It’s such a great experience being able to give back to the local area. We made a difference for the animals who live here and helped lighten the load on Chela

and those who work at Stillpointe.” Organizations like the Nimitz FCPOA can be great for Sailors to become engaged with community service. Getting Sailors involved in opportunities like this can help raise morale. “I was excited to get to work,” said Garlitz. “I saw the llamas, and instantly I wanted to pet one. The coolest thing is they let you interact with the animals, and I was able to walk a llama to its new pen. That really made it a special day, so I would tell other Sailors to get out and volunteer.” Going out and giving back to the community is one of the ways Nimitz strengthens its ties to the local area. “The Sailors were a huge help,” said Grey. “The work they did today will mean Stillpointe won’t need to rent out the smaller farm and can save 500 dollars a month. I’m thankful for the Nimitz Sailors for bringing the extra muscle to take care of the more challenging tasks. Nimitz has been able to get out into the community more often since returning in December from deployment. The FCPOA is focused on getting more Sailors out and volunteering. “I think its important to get Sailors involved with helping the local area,” said Gioimo. “Our kids go to the same schools, we shop at the same stores and we’re all apart of the community. Nimitz is a vital asset to the area, and we will continue with volunteering efforts.” As the sun sets on the newly cleaned llama pen, a group of volunteers walk back down the path. The rooster that once crowed is silent, and the sheep rests its head on his bed of hay. One llama walks over to the fence as if to say goodbye to its new friends.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 CHRIS JAHNKE

“

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 COLE SCHROEDER

Nimitz Sailors Receive Leadership Awards 10

down with Adm. Vern Clark, the Chief of Naval Operations at the time, in his office in the pentagon and listening to him talk about how thrilled he was about this brand new program,” said Rex Buffington, Executive Director for Stennis Center for Public Service. “He talked about how important it was to recognize and honor the bestof-the-best, not only because they are deserving of recognition, but because it enables us to hold them up as an example for others to see.” The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), paired with The John C. Stennis Foundation, recognized three exceptional Sailors and leaders during a Stennis Foundation Leadership Award Ceremony, April 13, at the McCormick Woods banquet hall in Port Orchard, Washington. “We have a very broad mission of promoting and strengthening public service leadership in America,” said Buffington. According to Rex, when the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) was created, the foundation was still fairly new, but they were heavily involved from the beginning. This involvement lead to the creation of a lasting leadership award program which recognizes individuals with superior leadership qualities. This award eventually spread throughout the carrier platform, making its way to eight ships total. remember sitting

Buffington, the keynote speaker at the event, worked as the press secretary for Mississippi Senator, John C. Stennis for 12 years before becoming the executive director of the future organization in 1988. “We have a wide variety of programs,” said Buffington. “We have programs for high school students and also for newly elected United States senators. We try and keep a broad reach.” Within these programs, the Foundation takes time each year to acknowledge three Sailors from Nimitz, and Sailors from seven other aircraft carriers in recognition of outstanding leadership. Lt. Cmdr. Michael J. Dasch, from San Diego, Nimitz’s ordnance handling officer was awarded the 2017 Commander in Chief Pacific (CINCPAC) Award, Senior Chief Engineman Nicholas R. Snead, from Woodland, Washington, was awarded the 2017 5-Star Award, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 1st Class Derrick A. Burns, from Topeka, Kansas, was awarded the 2017 Pacific Thunder Award. When talking with these individuals before the ceremony, they humbled themselves and gave credit where it was earned. “For me to receive an award in a leadership category, it’s important to remember that I didn’t do any of it alone,” said Dasch. “I have the backing of all of weapons department.” “It’s extremely humbling,”

said Burns. “This was an all hands win, and I have to give credit to all my junior Sailors.” Snead also directed his credit to those that worked for him during a busy 2017. “It’s not just a win for me, it’s a win our whole department, and all of our guys,” said Snead. There is one major trait that groups all three of these individuals together, and it is the humbling attitude that sheds light on the work done by those around them. The three 2017 award winners from Nimitz have gone above and beyond over the course of the year, lighting the path and showing the way for others behind them to follow. They are true examples of great leaders that take action and teach others through showing, not by telling.

"We have a very broad mission of promoting and strengthening public service leadership in America."

BY MC3 IAN KINKEAD

STORY BY MC3 IAN KINKEAD

Adapting to

Force Protection Condition PHOTO BY MCSN GREG HALL

Changes 12

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) security forces conducted force protection condition (FPCON) Charlie drills, off and on throughout the week of April 23-27. FPCONs are a system of protective measures used by Department of Defense installations and organizations to guard against, and deter, terrorist attacks. Senior commanders assign FPCONs for their region, and installation commanders may raise FPCONs and tighten security measures based on local conditions. In order of importance and increased security measures FPCON levels are Normal, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta. It is important to have a basic knowledge of these conditions in order to properly assess and identify the level of threat in a real or simulated emergency, and what to expect in these scenarios. “FPCONs allow my security team and the duty section to review our anti-terrorism/force protection plan, and ensure it is executable,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Breckenridge, the Nimitz security officer from Slidell, La. “Increasing FPCONs also conditions the crew to be mindful of their surroundings and report suspicious and unusual activity to security.” It is through repetition and training like this that the Nimitz will stay safe, and Breckenridge and his team are more than ready to get the job done. “The Nimitz security force is always prepared to deter, detect, delay, defend and defeat any would be advisory to ensure this 90,000 tons of diplomacy, and its crew can complete the mission,” said Breckenridge. Breckenridge said in a situation where Nimitz security is informed of a potential threat that requires an increase of FPCON, they would brief and inform the crew of new security precautions. Nimitz takes these precautions in order to prepare for potential real-world scenarios, much like the recent bomb threat at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. “Ultimately, we are responsible for the protection of every Sailor onboard and the ship itself, so it is important that everyone working here knows that they can actually come to work and do what they have to do safely,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Anthony Crooks, from Phoenix. It is easy to get complacent as the days go on, but it is through drills like this that U.S. Navy’s security force stays alert and gains experience. A threat of a terrorist attack can happen at a moment’s notice, which is why practicing these different levels of FPCONs is necessary to keep the fleet operating at a safe and optimal level throughout the year. Nimitz is conducting a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades. 13

crossword

SUDOKU

trivia What is the maximum number of sections into which a circle may be divided into by drawing four straight lines through it?

find chester Admiral Chester Nimitz’s face is hidden somewhere in every Nimitz News. Can you find him?

weekly throwback Nimitz Sailors featured on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2003.

Many people will first split the circle into nine sections, then quickly they’ll make it to ten sections, and everntually some people will make it to 11 sections, which is the maximum number. Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions are subject to review and editing. “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.

2 1. AN Matthew Martin stands a full bore watch in the Strait3of Hormuz. Photo by MC3 Leon Wong

2. ABHAN Derek Slater picks up his firefighting boots after a crash-and-salvage watch. Photo by MC3 (SW) Weston Mohr 3. An F/A-18E Super Hornet, from VFA-146, launches from the flight deck. Photo by MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 4. Sailors on the rigging team work and cool off during a replenishment-at-sea. Photo by MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 5. Sailors conduct honor guard practice aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Leon Wong 6. Sailors move ordnance aboard the flight deck off USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo By MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 7. Sailors play football on the flight deck of USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo By MC2 (SW/AW/IW) Holly Herline 8. An MH-60S Sea Hawk from HSC-8 patrols above Nimitz. Photo by MCSN (SW/AW) Cody Deccio 9. Sailors recieve supplies aboard Nimitz during an UNREP. Photo By MC3 (SW) Weston A. Mohr