Nov. 22, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 146
DAILY DIGEST
Sailors Step Up for Native American
and Alaska Native Heritage Month Story and Photos by MCSN (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen
N
ovember is Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month. Both big Navy and Nimitz have set aside time to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of individuals in the Native American and Native Alaskan communities. Two Sailors in particular have decided to step into the limelight to honor their ancestors. Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Angela Avila grew up in Manteca, Calif. She said she remembers being made fun of a lot as a kid for being Native American. Avila’s mother is Navaho, and her father is Kickapoo. Avila said she joined the Multicultural Committee because she wanted to combat stereotypes others have about Native Americans. “People ask me, ‘what’s your spirit animal’ or ‘do you live in a teepee?’” Avila said. “I’ve even been asked if I pay taxes. I don’t even know what
a spirit animal is, I don’t live in a teepee, and yes, I pay taxes.” Even though she grew up several hours away from Navaho country, Avila said her mom worked hard to teach her and her siblings Navaho culture. One of the biggest aspects
of the culture Avila connected with was native dance. It’s also her weapon of choice for fighting off stereotypes about Native Americans. Avila has been dancing since she was 4 or 5 years old. Over the past 18 years, she has travContinued on page 3
SAILOR OF THE DAY
Stories and photo by MCSN Siobhana R. McEwen
C
ulinary Specialist 3rd Class James A. Hibbard was selected as Nimitz’ Sailor of the Day, Nov. 21. Assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75, Hibbard has been a vital member of Nimitz S-2 department, serving as the night shift baker for the ship throughout deployment. “It’s different being a culinary specialist assigned to a squadron,” Hibbard said, “but it doesn’t mean
we don’t work just as hard as ship’s company.” Hibbard said that when he is not deployed with a ship, he and other culinary specialists assigned to squadrons usually are temporarily assigned duty (TAD) working in a base galley. Hibbard supervised and trained fives Sailors in proper baking techniques. As night shift supervisor for Wardroom 1 and 2, he managed eight Sailors in the flawless preparation and service of more than 300 meals daily.
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 MC3 (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
eled all across the western United States competing in Native dance competitions, competing mostly in fancy shawl dances. “She used to dress me and my sisters up in little Navaho skirts, and put our hair up in Navaho buns,” Avila said of her mother. “I hated it. I was embarrassed.” Avila said she remembers when her older brother decided he wanted to dance. “I slowly started to watch dances, and I fell in love,” said Avila. “I don’t know what it was, but I fell in love, and told my mom I wanted to dance like that.” For the Native American and Alaska Native Heritage celebration on board Nimitz, Avila will be doing a presentation on Native American dance. “I want to show people that the dances aren’t just made up,” said Avila. “I want them to know that everything we do has a story behind it.” Avila said she hopes that by educating others, Sailors will have fewer stereotypes about Native Americans. Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Andrew T. Lee also hopes to fight off some of the stereotypes about Native Americans. For the celebration, Lee will be saying the Pledge of Allegiance in Zuni. Lee grew up in New Mexico, and is Navaho and Zuni. “It’s rare for someone of my
LS3 Andrew T. Lee, right, a descendant of the Navaho and Zuni, helps Sailors prepare for a spot check.
generation to be able to speak the language,” Lee said. “The culture is dying out and it’s not taken seriously.” Lee said he also joined the Multicultural Committee to try to educate his shipmates about Native American culture. “When I was first asked to speak at the celebration, I was hesitant,” said Lee. “The more I thought about it, the more I realized it was important to do, because there aren’t a lot of Native Americans on board.” Lee said because fewer and fewer people understand and value Native culture, it is important to educate others about it so that stereotypes don’t become the predominate form of information about Native Americans. According to Naval History and Heritage Command, throughout history, Native Americans have had the highest 3
record of service per capita compared to other cultural groups. There are currently more than 12,000 Sailors of Native American and Alaska Native heritage serving in the Navy. USS Nimitz is scheduled to recognize Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. on the aft mess deck. The event will include speakers discussing the Alaskan Territorial Guard, Native American Dance and Native American Medal of Honor recipients. There will also be an art show in conjuncture with the celebration, with a prize donated by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR). For more information on Native American and Alaska Native Heritage, Sailors can talk to a member of the Multicultural Committee, or go online to the Naval Heritage Command’s website, at www.history.navy.mil.
Navy’s New Fire Scout Unmanned
Helicopter Takes its First Flight From Naval Air Systems Command
T
he Navy’s newest variant of the Fire Scout unmanned helicopter completed its first day of flying at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu. The MQ-8C Fire Scout took off and flew for seven minutes in restricted airspace to validate the autonomous control systems. The second flight that took off was also flown in a pattern around the airfield, reaching an altitude of 500 feet. The MQ-8C air vehicle upgrade will provide longer endurance, range and greater payload capability than the
MQ-8B, which is currently operating aboard USS Samuel B. Roberts. The MQ-8C is a larger air vehicle, has a range of 150 nautical miles and a payload capacity of more than 700 pounds. “It is a big accomplishment for the integrated government and industry team to fly this air vehicle for the first time,” said Capt. Patrick Smith, Fire Scout program manager at Patuxent River, Md. “MQ8C will require fewer aircraft [than the MQ-8B] to operate at maximum performance and will meet the U.S. Africa and 4
Special Operation Commands urgent needs requirement.” The MQ-8Cs will conduct initial shipboard testing on Guided Missile Destroyers (DDG)-class ships but the program is looking into supporting Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) missions. The Navy will continue to use the MQ-8B as it phases in the MQ-8C. Lessons learned from MQ-8B have been applied to MQ-8C variant, Smith said. Initial operating capability for the MQ-8C is planned for 2016, with a potential for early deployment in 2014.
AROUND THE DECKPLATES
“WHAT,
DO YOU FEEL IS LACKING IN PROPER PASSAGE-WAY ETIQUETTE?”
AME3 Erin Durham-
CSCM Coasa Brannon-
When people stop and chat right in the middle of a walkway or crowded place.
When people don’t know the proper etiquette for passing senior people in the halls, like “by your leave.”
AEAN Shakevia Smith-
ABEAN Marcus Roberts-
When people walk on the wrong side of the p-way.
Junior people not giving way to higher ranking people.
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By MCSN (SW) Aiyana Paschal
Sailors perform maintenance on a catapult on the flight deck.
By MCSN Eric M. Butler
AO2 Marcus Smith performs maintenance on an F/A18C Hornet on the flight deck.
By MCSN (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen
By MCSN (SW) Kole E. Carpenter
AM3 Javier Velasquez oils a panel in the hangar bay.
Marines practice drill formations in the hangar bay.
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0800/2000
1000/2200
1200/0000
1400/0200
CHANNEL 5
CHANNEL 6
CHANNEL 7
CHANNEL 29
CHANNEL 30
TROY
THE KING’S SPEECH
HEAVEN CAN WAIT
PROMETHEUS
THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
WHITE MEN CAN’T JUMP
CADDYSHACK
NARNIA: DAWN TREADER
BURLESQUE
THE NEXT THREE DAYS
1600/0400
MIRACLE
1800/0600
MAJOR LEAGUE
TRON: LEGACY
TRUE GRIT
127 HOURS
YOGI BEAR
SEASON OF THE WITCH
THE FIGHTER
LITTLE FOCKERS
COUNTRY STRONG
MEGAMIND
PEOPLE LIKE US
ADMISSION
SOCIAL NETWORK
BRAVE
ZOMBIELAND
WARM BODIES
OBLIVION
RISE OF THE GUARDIANS
CAPT. HORATIO HORNBLOWER
TV
02 - AFN News 03 - AFN Xtra 04 - AFN Sports 05 - 8MM Movies 06 - 8MM Movies 07 - 8MM Movies 08 - Roller 09 - NTV Smallville 10 - Flight Deck 11 - CNN 29 - DVD Movies 30 - DVD Movies ON THE COVER: MM3 Angela Avila, a descendant of the Navaho and Kickapoo.