Sept. 19, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 105
DAILY DIGEST
AVIATION BOATSWAIN’S MATES: LAUNCHING FREEDOM, RECOVERING VICTORY
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he purpose of an aircraft carrier is simple: to provide a mobile space for aircraft to launch and land safely, while maximizing their potential to strike the enemy. Every Sailor on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) plays a part in accomplishing the mission, though some do so in a more direct manner than others. A hull maintenance technician may spend every day inside the keel of the ship, ensuring Nimitz is intact and structurally sound and operable. The deck seaman, who stands watch during the cold, damp, lonely hours of early morning, contributes to the success of Nimitz. Even a ship’s serviceman spends hours entrenched in the steamy laundry room, guaranteeing clean clothes for the ship’s com-
Story and photos by MCSN Siobhana R. McEwen
pany. Few Sailors, though, find themselves in a rate as closely connected to the mission of the ship as members of the aviation boatswain’s mate (AB) rating. “The AB community is unique. We all work together, which is symbolized by the anchors,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Dominyk Brown, referring to the AB rating badge, “showing that no one AB can do it alone.” Brown said each AB rate plays a significant role in getting planes off the flight deck. “The ABFs [fuel], or combat grapes, fuel the plane; the ABHs [handling] direct the plane and bring them to the catapult, which is where we take over,” Brown said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
FROM THE TOP
BIG NAVY ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENLISTED RATING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS
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By Katrina Gergely, Naval Education and Training Professional Development Technology Center Public Affairs
experience on a major rating skill-set are highly desirable. There are seven eligibility requirements listed in the nomination package and detailed in the NAVADMIN. Potential applicants should contact NETPDTC for additional information. The application to volunteer as a FSME must be endorsed by the member’s commanding officer or officer in charge, as well as their command master chief, senior chief or chief of the boat prior to submission to NETPDTC. The Navy Advancement Center (NAC) AERR fleet liaison, Peter Pappas, coordinates with learning center rating managers, detailers and Type Commander (TYCOM) representatives to select the best nominees. “The FSME selection determination is based on having a well-rounded panel with the extensive rating knowledge and experience that corresponds with what the rating is tasked to accomplish out in the fleet,” said Pappas. “NETPDTC continues to seek experienced applicants to enable seating panels for every AERR with all of the rating-critical skills included. The FMSE selection process is vital to the development of valid and reliable enlisted examinations.” For application forms and additional requirements, visit https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/ portal/careermanagement/navyadvancementcenter.
he latest Advancement Examination Readiness Review (AERR) schedule and volunteer request was announced in Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 238/13, released Sept. 16. Navy chiefs (E7 to E9) on active duty, Full Time Support (FTS), and Reservists on Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW) who are interested and motivated to participate in the process that helps identify the most qualified advancement candidates are encouraged to apply. “I can think of no better way for a chief petty officer to positively impact his or her entire rating then by participating in an Advancement Exam Rating Review,” said Naval Education and Training Professional Development Technology Center (NETPDTC) Command Master Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collections) Eddy Mejias. “Seasoned chiefs who have served on various platforms, have a variety of NECs, and are at the top of their game as technical experts are exactly who we want to developadvancement exams. These subject matter experts provide us with the knowledge and experience to produce accurate and valid exams for each rate.” Chiefs who are selected as Fleet Subject Matter Experts (FSME) for the AERR panels are responsible for determining the content of E4 through E7 rating advancement exams. Chiefs with experience in multiple platforms or recent 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 MCSA (SW) Andrew Price
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 Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Ryan Dedeker explained that Nimitz has four catapult systems: two on the bow of the ship, and two on the waist. They are referred to as the ‘bow cats’ and the ‘waist cats.’ The catapults are classified as a weapons system, and each catapult is worth 25 percent of the ship’s fighting power. When a plane reaches the catapult, ABEs are responsible for doing a final check to make sure the plane is ready for launch. They also have to perform several calculations dealing with the weight of the plane, the speed needed for launch, and amount and velocity of steam required to get the plane off the flight deck. Brown said after all of the calculations are completed and verified, a shooter gives the signal to launch the plane. Steam is released from a steam valve, and hits the piston assembly, which launches the shuttle, and the aircraft, down the flight deck. With the help of the catapults, the plane goes from 0 – 150 miles per hour in about two seconds. One wrong calculation can result in a failed launch, potentially placing the aircraft in the water and endangering the life of the aviator. “Our job is extremely important,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Tori A. Anderson. “We’re the mission of the carrier.” “We’re here to launch freedom and recover victory, as we like to say in the AB community,” added Brown. Beyond launching aircraft, ABEs are also responsible for maintaining each catapult. Because there is so much maintenance required on the catapults, ABEs often times work 18 hours or more each day. “Some nights we work all night – 36 hours,” said Brown. “We meet every expectation that’s given to us, no matter how challenging, or what the standards are. We have no choice but to get the catapult back up.”
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“Each cat launches three to five birds every go,” Anderson added. “If one cat goes down, it’s hard for everyone.” Because each catapult is vital to the ship’s mission, there is a lot of pressure on the ABEs to keep the cats up and running. “This is fast moving, heavy equipment; it’s prone to issues,” Dedeker said. He added that there is an additional challenge due to the age of the ship and its equipment. “A lot of times, because the boat is a lot older, we have to do corrective maintenance,” Brown said. “Every day something is going wrong. Throughout the day it’s maintenance – you have to man-down to do the maintenance, and you have to have the catapult in readiness condition before the next man-up.” The crew also has to be able to maneuver around flight operations, sometimes having to scramble to pack up their equipment and get out of the way of a helicopter or plane, only to quickly unpack and get back to work after the aircraft has cleared the area. “The handler does what he can to keep the helos out of our way so we can work,” Dedeker said, though sometimes his guys still have a time crunch to work through. The pressure and importance of the job does not rest lightly on the ABEs. “That struggle, from the lack of sleep, the weariness from the flight deck; manning up all day, maintaining spaces – all that goes into play,” said Brown. “It creates a sense of pride knowing that this ship is out here for you to do your job,” said Brown. “You’re the one that’s launching this catapult. You’re the one that’s sending that bird to where ever we’re going, to give those troops on the ground that support. You’re directly responsible for that support.” Anderson, Brown and Dedeker all
agreed the biggest reward they get from doing their job is the sense of pride they feel in their hard work. The family connection they’ve found in V-2 is nice, also. It’s been 32 hours since she last slept, and her eyes are heavy and worn. Her hands are calloused and gritty, nails cut close to the fingertip but still caked in grease. Every muscle in her body is begging her to stop pulling, stop swinging the hammer, stop turning the wrench. She looks at the shipmate next to her, and says
something. The shipmate looks at her and laughs – a real, sincere laugh, and continues to work. They’re close to finishing their work, and they know it. Soon, these two aviation boatswain’s mates will have the bow catapult up and running again, and will be able to make their way to their racks. They’ll catch a couple hours of sleep, and be back to the grindstone to fix another of the endless issues the catapult systems experience daily.
ABE2 Dominyk Brown communicates with flight deck personnel, while in a catapult control room.
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THROUGHTHELEN
CMDCM Mitchell Sepulveda, of HSC-6, sprays lighter fluid on a barbeque grill for a steel beach picnic.
By MCSA Kelly M. Agee
ABH2 Cephas Banini directs an F/A-18F Super Hornet of VFA-154 on the flight deck.
By MCSA Kelly M. Agee
By MCSN Siobhana McEwen
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Sailors participate in a drill in the hangar bay.
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ON THE COVER: ABE2 Dominyk Brown works in a catapult control room.
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