Nimitz News Daily Digest - Nov. 26, 2013

Nov. 26, 2013

Vol. 2 Issue 148

DAILY DIGEST

VAW-117 RECEIVES

GOLDEN TAILHOOK AWARD Story by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen

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he “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 are the latest recipients of the prestigious Golden Tailhook award for the third line period of Nimitz’ current deployment. “[The Golden Tailhook] award is given to the squadron that has the best performance on

the ship for any given line period,” said Lt. Nathan O’Kelly, CAG Paddles, head leading signals officer (LSO) on board Nimitz, of Lexington, S.C. “A line period is a period of time where all the pilots’ landings on board are graded on a scale of zero to 4.0, 4.0 being the highest grade given.”

The length of each line period

during a deployment can vary, but usually the pilots are tested and graded for 2-3 months per each line period. The current deployment has four line periods. Collectively, whichever squadron has the highest GPA (grade point average) for each line period wins the award.

Previous winners of the Golden Tailhook award during Continued on page 3

SAILOR OF THE DAY

Stories and photo by MCSA (SW) Kelly M. Agee

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viation Ordnanceman Airman Peter Moore, a native of Saint Paul, Minn., assigned to the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154 was named Sailor of the Day Nov. 25.

“I feel honored to be chosen,” said Moore.

As an ordnanceman, Moore’s efforts contributed to the squadron’s safe and successful expenditure of more than 225 tons of conventional ordnance.

Specifically, Moore was a key player in the squadron’s 100 percent reliable employment of 13 precision guided munitions, 1,625 rounds of 20mm

HEI aircraft ammunition and 67 rounds of ALE-47 countermeasures in support of combat operations during the 2013 Western Pacific deployment.

Additionally, as the assistant support equipment petty officer, Moore is responsible for tracking transaction reports and documenting pre-operational inspections on 96 pieces of armament weapons support equipment.

Moore offers advise to those looking to achieve similar recognition.

“Work hard at your job every day,” said Moore.

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

Nimitz’ current deployment were the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154 for the first line period and the “Argonauts” of VFA-147 for the second line period.

“This was the first time this deployment VAW-117 has won the award, however we held the title from the squadron’s last deployment [on board Nimitz] in 2010,” said Lt. Riley Schoen, (VAW) 117’s NATOPS officer, from Toledo, Ohio.

The squadron who wins the Golden Tailhook award is given a plaque to display in their ready room on board Nimitz with the name of their squadron engraved onto the plaque.

The plaque is presented to the winning squadron at the end of each line period during a ceremony for officers on board called Fo’c’sle Follies.

“One squadron may have a better pilot than another squadron, but the award is given for which squadron has the best performing team,” said O’Kelly.

Landing on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier is a challenging evolution that requires pilots to constantly train and improve upon their landing skills.

“We have the unique position of providing real time training to newer pilots as we fly with two pilots in the cockpit,” said Schoen. “Each pass behind the ship is briefed beforehand between the pilots, and debriefed afterwards by both the LSOs, or ‘Paddles’ as they are commonly referred to, and the pilots on the flight. We won this award by putting in the extra effort to improve our entire squadron’s performance behind the ship; it really was a

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“One squadron may have a better pilot than another squadron, but the award is given for which squadron has the best performing team.”

-Lt. O’Kelly

group effort as it’s a cumulative GPA and boarding rate.”

According to Schoen, winning the Golden Tailhook award for line period three shows the pride VAW-117 has in knowing they are working hard every day and their hard work is being appreciated.

The next Golden Tailhook award is scheduled to be given out Dec. 1 on board Nimitz for the fourth line period of the current deployment.

Hagel Announces Arctic Defense Strategy

DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett.

By Karen Parrish, American Forces Press Service

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel delivers the keynote address at the Halifax International Security Forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Hagel and his defense counterparts met to discuss key global defense-related matters.

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he Defense Department’s new Arctic strategy is an 8-point approach to maintaining peace and security in a new frontier that climatic forces are poised to open in the coming years, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said.

Speaking to hundreds of representatives from some 25 nations at the Halifax International Security Forum here, Hagel outlined the American military’s role in carrying out

the nation’s Arctic strategy, announced last May. The secretary pointed out that climate change is “new to the modern world.” While it doesn’t cause conflict directly, he noted, climate change can add to the challenges of global instability, hunger, poverty, and conflict.

“Food and water shortages, pandemic disease, disputes over refugees and resources, more severe natural disasters – all place additional burdens on economies, societ4

ies, and institutions around the world,” he said. “Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines is a reminder of humanitarian disaster brought on by nature.

And climatologists warn us of the increased probability of more destructive storms to come.”

At the same time, he noted, global energy demands will place more emphasis on emerging sources of energy from new frontiers, including the Arctic.

Rising temperatures in the

That is why we look to the Arctic – this new frontier – -Hagel to help make a better world for all mankind.

Arctic are transforming the region from a frozen desert to “an evolving navigable ocean, giving rise to an unprecedented level of human activity,” Hagel said. “Traffic in the Northern Sea Route is reportedly expected to increase tenfold this year compared to … last year.”

As global warming accelerates, the secretary said, Arctic ice melt will cause a rise in sea levels that could threaten coastal populations around the world -- but it could also open a transpolar sea route.

Hagel said that expanded tourism, commercial shipping, migrating fish stocks and energy exploration in the region will affect the eight Arctic nations -- Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden, along with the United States –- most closely. All, he said, “have publicly committed to work within a common framework of international law and diplomatic engagement.”

The secretary noted that President Barack Obama’s national Arctic strategy is

based on keeping it peaceful, stable and free of conflict. He added DOD’s eight lines of effort supporting the strategy, emphasizing cooperation and collaboration with other nations, are designed to ensure the Arctic stays conflict-free.

DoD will work with the Department of State in new initiatives like the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable and the recent meetings of the Northern Chiefs of Defense, the secretary said. He added that such engagements “will help strengthen multilateral security cooperation throughout the region, which will ultimately help reduce the risk of conflict.”

Hagel noted the strategy is a long-term effort that will unfold not in days and weeks, but over years and decades.

“Even as we grapple at home with near-term challenges, including steep, deep, and abrupt defense budget reductions and continued budget uncertainty, this kind of long-range thinking is vital for our future,” the secretary said. “… As shifts occur in 5

the strategic landscape, the United States and its allies must be prepared to adjust their defense institutions and capabilities to meet these new challenges.”

Hagel said that throughout history, “Mankind has raced to discover the next frontier.

And time after time, discovery was swiftly followed by conflict. We cannot erase this history. But we can assure that history does not repeat itself in the Arctic.”

In closing, he quoted American explorer Frederick Cook, who searched for and thought he had found the North Pole in 1908.

Hagel said, “After many attempts to discover the North Pole – and after believing he had found it – he wrote: ‘It occurred to me ... that, after all, the only work worthwhile, the only value of a human being’s efforts, lie in deeds whereby humanity benefits.’”

The secretary added, “That is why we look to the Arctic – this new frontier – to help make a better world for all mankind.”

Sailors replace an arresting gear wire on the flight deck.

By MCSN Eric M. Butler

Sailors heave in a line during a replenishment-at-sea.

By MCSN Eric M. Butler

By MCSN (SW) Kole E. Carpenter

By MCSN Eric M. Butler

Officers work on the serving line in the forward galley.

Sailors standby in the hangar bay for a replenishment-at-sea.

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CHRONICLES OF NARNIA

SOUL SURFER

CEDAR RAPIDS

THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT

LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING

V FOR VENDETTA

HOODWINKED TOO

ADMISSION

DR. SEUSS’ THE LORAX

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WATER FOR ELEPHANTS

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JUMPING THE BROOM

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THE LINCOLN LAWYER

BEAUTIFUL CREATURES

ICE AGE

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MADEA’S BIG HAPPY FAMILY

ARTHUR

THE CONSPIRATOR DIARY OF A WIMPY KID

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH

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: The “Wallbangers” of VAW-117 recieve the Golden Tailhook Award.

-By CMC Spike Call.