Oct. 18, 2013
AT THE EDGE
A
Story and photos by MCSA Kelly M. Agee
plane soars through the air and you have the best seat in the house. The deck edge, located on the aft starboard side of the ship, is a location where you can see the aircraft’s belly as it lands on the flight deck. To be an aviation boatswain’s mate (equipment) (ABE) working on the deck edge, Sailors need to know everything about every piece of equipment underneath the flight deck. They must also be on the flight deck and qualified in ship damper, hook runner and deck checker. It is one of the highest qualifications for an ABE. “It’s an ABE’s goal to work here, because here
Vol. 2 Issue 125
MOTIVATED SAILORS WORK AS DECK EDGE OPERATORS you aren’t getting as dirty,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Lorrianne Davis. “At deck edge you don’t have to touch the arresting gear or get grease on you. It’s one of the best places an ABE can be. You’re back there pushing buttons, and as long as you know what you’re doing, you’re good to go.” Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Robert Horvath agrees that working on the deck edge is something ABE’s should strive for. “ABE’s should definitely strive to achieve the deck qualification just because you’re manning up a critical station that only one person gets to do,” said Horvath. “Being there means you’re a top troubleshootContinued on page 3
Sailor of the Day
Story and photo by MCSN (SW) Kole E. Carpenter
in the 5th fleet area of responsibility. In addition, his commitment to teamwork was crucial in the replacement of 18 generator converter units, 17 F414-GE-400 engines and 78 external fuel tanks. His contribution to the “Black Knights” led to the squadron being awarded the Carrier Air Wing 11 “Golden Wrench.” Padrigo shared advice he received from a former mentor. “To be a successful mechanic,” he said, “you have to do the job of the person above you.”
Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Raffy Padrigo, from the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, was named Sailor of the Day aboard Nimitz Oct. 17. Displaying phenomenal initiative, Padrigo expeditiously qualified as an auxiliary power unit engine low power turn up operator and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist. His efforts were instrumental in the successful completion of more than 20 auxiliary power unit engine operational turns, returning aircraft to a full mission-capable status in support of combat operation Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Ruth
Executive Officer Capt. John Cummings
Editor MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke
Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski
Lead Designer MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III
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
er without having to be in front of the problem.” One of the most important pieces of equipment located on the deck edge is the retract control valve, which controls the retracting of the arresting gear. It notifies the ABE’s when the arresting gear needs to be retracted. The arresting gear retraction process used to be more difficult before Nimitz switched to the react control valve in the ship’s last docking planned incremental availability. Before, Sailors used to have to stomp on a peddle to retract the wire. Some would accidently slip off the peddle and it would hit them in the shins. More than just being there to retract the wire, deck edge operators are the eyes for the ABEs below decks when the aircraft is landing. They tell the ABE’s below how far away the aircraft is from the ship when it is preparing to land. ‘Groove’ means the plane is over half a mile out; ‘short’ means that the aircraft is half a mile out; and ‘ramp’ means the aircraft is right over the edge of the ship. Horvath believes his job to be vitally important to the mission of Nimitz. “Our job is a huge vital part of flight operations because it’s the most effective way to retract ar-
ABE3 Lori Davis, front, and Lt. Guy Carlsward stand watch during flight operations on the flight deck.
resting gear wires during recoveries and it’s your main communications point between the below decks crew and the topside crew via sound power phones,” said Horvath.
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STOCK IMAGE
SECNAV ANNOUNCES VIRGINIA-CLASS SUBMARINES FOR WOMEN
Story by Defense Media Activity - Media
The fast attack submarines USS Virginia (SSN 774) and USS Minnesota (SSN 783) have been selected as the initial two Virginia-class submarines to integrate female officers, announced Oct. 15. A total of six female officers, two Supply Corps and four nuclear-trained, will report aboard no later than January 2015. Both submarines are homeported in Groton, Conn. “Female officers serving aboard Virginia-class submarines is the next natural step to more fully integrate women into the submarine force,” said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. “There are many extremely talented and capable women with a desire to succeed in this field and the submarine force will be stronger because of their efforts. Our Navy has proven over the years that one of our greatest advantages is our diversity. This is an advantage we should capitalize on across all platforms, including submarines.” Since the Navy officially changed their policy prohibiting women serving on submarines on April 29, 2010, the submarine force has integrated 43 women onto six Ohio-class ballistic-missile (SSBN)
and guided-missile submarines (SSGN). Further Virginia-class integration is being planned in the submarine force. “My plan is to begin by integrating four Virginia-class attack submarines, with the second set of two units being integrated in Fiscal Year 2016,” said Vice Adm. Michael Connor, commander, Submarine Forces. “Since Virginia and Minnesota are both Atlantic Fleet submarines home ported in Groton, Conn., I intend to select two Pacific Fleet submarines home ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii early next year.” The female officers will be assigned to the Virginia-class submarines for duty after completing the nuclear submarine training pipeline, which consists of nuclear power school, prototype training and the Submarine Officer Basic Course. Submarines with women currently serving on board are USS Florida (SSGN 728), USS Georgia (SSGN 729) and USS Wyoming (SSBN 742), homeported in Kings Bay, Ga., and USS Ohio (SSGN 726), USS Louisiana (SSBN 743), and USS Maine (SSBN 741), homeported in Bangor, Wash. 4
MAN ON THE STREET
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO GET IN THE MAIL TODAY?
“
I ordered some new work out gear, including some weights, a weighted vest and new clothes.
“
”
A care package, with beef jerky and pringles!
”
AN Joseph Varela
AT2 Chris Peterson
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My Mom said she got me a wicked fun present for my birthday!
”
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CTR2 Jane Carmichael
By MC2 (SW) Devin Wray
An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to VMFA-323 launches from the flight deck.
MR2 Stephen M. Mills makes a bearing housing for a fire pump in the machine shop.
AM3 Samuel Wooten installs a panel on an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter in the hangar bay.
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By MCSN (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen
By MCSN Eric Butler
By MCSN (SW) Derek A. Harkins
An E-2C Hawkeye, assigned to VAW-117 sits on the flight deck .
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