Nimitz News - Oct. 27, 2013 by USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)

OCTOBER 27, 2013

Vol. 39 No. 38

INSIDE: BOOT SHINE 101

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SISTERS IN ARMS AWARE: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

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NIMITZ NEWS | OCTOBER 27, 2013

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Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Ruth Executive Officer Capt. John Cummings Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri M. McIntyre Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski Media DIVO Ensign John Mike Media LCPO MCC Mike Jones Media Production Chief MCC Gregory Roberts Media LPO MC1 Michael Cole Editor MC2 Jason Behnke Lead Designer MCSA Andrew Price Media Department MC2 Jacquelyn Childs MC2 Ashley Berumen MC2 Devin Wray MC2 Ryan Mayes MC2 Alexander Ventura II MC3 Shayne Johnson MC3 Jacob Milner MC3 Christopher Bartlett MC3 George J Penney III MC3 Linda S. Swearingen MC3 Jess Lewis MC3 Vanessa David MC3 W. J. Cousins MC3 Derek Volland MC3 Phil Ladouceur MC3 Sam Souvannason MC3 Nathan McDonald MC3 Joshua Haiar MCSN Kole Carpenter MCSN Derek Harkins MCSN Kaitlyn Haskett MCSN Eric Butler MCSN Siobhana McEwen MCSA Aiyana Paschal MCSA Kelly Agee MCSA Victoria Ochoa MCSA Andrew Price Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions must be in by Friday, COB. 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.

By Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Jenkins

The great architect Frank Lloyd Wright was fond of an incident that may have seemed insignificant at the time, but had a profound influence on the rest of his life. The winter he was nine, he went walking across a snow-covered field with his reserved, no-nonsense uncle. As the two of them reached the far end of the field, his uncle stopped him. He pointed out his own tracks in the snow, straight and true as an arrow’s flight, and then young Frank’s tracks meandering all over the field. “Notice how your tracks wander aimlessly from the fence to the cattle to the woods and back again,” his uncle said. “And see how my tracks aim directly to my goal. There is an important lesson in that.” Years later the world-famous architect liked to tell how the experience had contributed to his philosophy in life. “I determined right then,” he’d say with a twinkle in his eye, “not to miss the things in life, that my uncle had missed.” Frank Lloyd Wright saw in those tracks what his uncle could not: It is easy to let the demands of life keep us from the joys of living. No one would argue that life doesn’t require discipline and focus. The nature of military life, be it as active duty or a dependant, often requires singular focus to accomplish the mission at sea, on foreign shores, or taking care of matters at home. The key is finding balance in life and making sure our focus is on the correct priorities. Our days at sea are long regardless of your rate. It’s easy to look at it all through charcoal colored glasses. Some love the Navy and life at sea. Others, not so much. Have you ever stopped to think what you’ll miss? The camaraderie? The opportunity for liberty ports such as the one in our near future? What about the simple amazement of being on a U.S. naval aircraft carrier? Life is a great balancing act. We work

hard. We focus on the task ahead of us. But we shouldn’t miss the simple pleasures or be so focused on our own concerns that we miss the opportunities each day presents. In the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark, there is a snapshot of a day in the life of Jesus. On this particular day he called his Disciples, a unique task, but the rest of the day was perhaps much the same as his daily routine. He healed, preached, and taught across Capernaum. While our circumstances are different than that of Christ, there are principles we can learn from his example. First, look for opportunities to help others. Often we spend vast amounts of energy on things that don’t provide fulfillment or don’t ultimately make a difference. Often I’ve spent time planning this or that activity only to find the anticipation was greater than the reality. However, when I’ve spent time helping others I’ve never looked back and felt it was a waste of time, even when helping was inconvenient. Second, not only should we look for opportunities to help others but we should see individuals, not just the crowd. In the midst of teaching, a leper asked Christ to heal him. “Moved with compassion” Jesus healed his leprosy. As you go through your day, take time to notice individuals in your path. Offer a word of encouragement or a helping hand. Share a little humor instead of sarcasm. Last, take time for personal renewal. After an incredibly long day, Jesus rose early to spend time in prayer. If Christ needed time for prayer and renewal, how much more so do you and I need it? Is your life in balance? As you accomplish the multitude of tasks that each day holds, be sure to give back to those around you in need and take time to renew yourself spiritually and emotionally. You might just find yourself more energized to tackle each day’s challenges.

NIMITZ NEWS | OCTOBER 27, 2013

HM3 ELOY RODRIGUEZ AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SURGICAL TEAM STORY AND PHOTOS BY MCSA (SW) KELLY M. AGEE

THE SURGICAL TEAM in Medical includes many Sailors who make a big difference in the lives of patients. Hospital Corpsman (HM) 3rd Class Eloy Rodriguez, of Edinburgh, Texas is a surgical assistant who supports the surgeons with the surgery. “Sometimes we are the only eyes that are going to see what else is going on in the picture because the surgeons are focusing on what they are doing, but we see the whole picture,” said Rodriguez. Rodriguez grew up watching shows about surgery, which inspired him to pursue his dream of being involved in the medical field. “I love being part of the work team,” said Rodriguez. “I never thought I was going to enjoy it as much as I do. I just saw it on television and thought ‘oh, this looks fun.” In November 2008 Rodriguez joined the Navy because it gave him the opportunity to achieve that dream. Part of Rodriguez’ job as a surgical assistant is managing the surgeon’s and patients’ paperwork. Rodriguez helps manage the surgeon’s schedule, schedules patients, handles referrals for the surgeon from the other doctors on board, sets and circulates the cases and gets the paperwork ready for the surgeons. Despite all the paperwork involved in his job he always gets a chance to be hands-on with the patients. Rodriguez’ job includes getting the gear ready for the surgery, making sure all the sterilizers are working, assisting the surgeon, making sure to inform the surgeon if he is doing anything wrong that it is corrected and helping the patient if needed with the recovery. Rodriguez’ favorite part about

RODRIGUEZ:

“WE CAN TACKLE AN EMERGENCY BECAUSE WE KNOW EACH OTHER’S SKILL SETS”

HM3 Eloy Rodriguez, right and HM2 Marcos Guevara prepare for a surgery.

his job is performing the case and helping the surgeon out. “My favorite part is the operating room team. The team knows we can tackle an emergency because we know each other’s skill sets,” said Rodriguez. “I enjoy working with HM2 Guevara because we both have the same experience of working at a big Navy hospital. I don’t have to ask ‘can I grab this’ or ‘what do you need.’” The most difficult part of Rodriguez’ job is knowing when to speak up and correct the surgeon if he is doing something wrong. Surgical assistants are taught what they call a ‘surgical conscience’. They are taught that they are the last advocates for the patient. If something goes wrong or the surgeon isn’t doing something correctly they have to be able to correct the situation.

“When I started it was hard for me to be able speak up, but I’m a lot more vocal now because I’ve worked with so many surgeons,” said Rodriguez. “They know we are there to help and not to criticize them.” During the surgery if something goes wrong the surgical assistant has to be able to stay calm. “A typical case could go the opposite way and you have to know what to do and be calm so you won’t panic and forget what to do,” said Rodriguez. Rodriguez enjoys his job because of the rewarding part he plays in the patients’ recovery. “It’s rewarding to see patients go from being in pain or having a problem to their recovery after the surgery,” said Rodriguez with a smile on his face. “It makes me feel good to know we played a part in it.”

NIMITZ NEWS | OCTOBER 27, 2013

SISTERS IN ARMS

AOAN Megan Holmes and AO3 Lindsay Copeland pose in front of ordnance in a magazine.

A TRADITION OF NAVAL SERVICE RUNS IN THE FAMILY FOR THESE SIBLINGS

any Sailors come from a family with a history of military service. Some even have an immediate family member who has served or is currently serving in the Navy. For two Sailors stationed aboard Nimitz during the current deployment, serving in the Navy has not only become a family tradition, it has become a tradition among siblings. Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Megan M. Holmes and her sister, Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Lindsay L. Copeland, a member of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, both from Oakmont, Penn., are both serving in the Navy on board Nimitz as aviation ordnancemen (AO). “The Navy is a family tradition,” said Copeland. “We have another sister who is a HM2 [hospital corpsman 2nd class] on board the USS Porter out of Virginia, a brother who is an IT2 [information systems technician 2nd class] on shore duty in Virginia and then there is me and Megan who are stationed here. We have another brother, the youngest in the family, who is thinking of enlisting but not sure if he wants to go Navy or choose a different branch. It’s somewhat a tradition, we have quite a few people in the family who have served in both the Navy and the Army.” According to Holmes, after seeing how much her sister enjoyed being an AO, she decided to join the Navy with the same rate. “I joined probably about two years before Megan did,” said Copeland. “I was an AO before she was, I’m not sure if I influenced her to become an AO too. I know when I would talk to her about being in the Navy I would tell her about our rate and how much I enjoyed it. That may have swayed her.” Copeland said that being stationed with her sister wasn’t planned, but ended up being a happy coincidence. “I was transferring from my previous command

and received orders to VFA-154. When I researched the command I found out they were attached to the Nimitz and immediately called Megan and let her know,” said Copeland. Although the sisters have different work schedules they try to make time to meet up around the ship and plan on being liberty buddies in the next port stop. “It’s hard to get together seeing as how we’re on opposing shifts, but we meet up at least once a week,” said Copeland. “We’ll run into each other here or there or she’ll come to wake me up in the morning. We’ll get together and call home and talk to our parents together, it’s pretty awesome.” According to Copeland, having her sister on board Nimitz with her is a piece of home she gets to see daily. “If email and phones are down I can talk to my sister,” said Copeland. “We’re always there for each other. Things get crazy on this boat, up on deck for me and down in the mags for her and it’s nice to know that I can just find my sister and she can calm me down. Even if it’s just a few minutes in passing, it’s comforting to know that she’s here.” Holmes echoed her sister’s sentiments about how soothing it is to have someone from home to talk to. “The best thing about having my sister on board with me is that I can talk to her when I need to about things our friends may not understand,” said Holmes. “I don’t get homesick because I have a piece of home stationed on board with me.” The future looks bright for these two sisters. Copeland recently reenlisted as an AO and Holmes plans on following in her sister’s footsteps. “I really like being an aviation ordnanceman and working to help support the troops on the ground,” said Holmes. “I plan on reenlisting to go to the east coast so I can be closer to home and my other siblings who reenlisted to stay on the east coast.”

STORY AND PHOTO BY MC3 LINDA SWEARINGEN

NIMITZ NEWS | OCTOBER 27, 2013

BOOT SHINE

101 In the past, shiny boots were a tradition in the U.S. military. The basic utility uniform of each service utilized smooth leather boots, and it was common for individual commands to require service members to shine them to varying degrees. Today, only the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard retain smooth leather boots. The Army, Marine Corps and Air Force’s utility uniforms each use rough out boots, which do not require or allow traditional shining. Even the Navy Working Uniform offers a rough out alternative for Sailors assigned to shore commands, while the uniform’s alternate versions for various climates and operations utilize these boots by default. Although U.S. Navy uniform regulations only require that Sailors keep their smooth leather boots blackened, Sailors can show initiative and pride in their appearance by applying a sleek shine. There is no precise standard for boot shining in the Navy, but military tradition calls for a glossy, mirror-like appearance. Boot polishing may seem simple to some, but others may not fully understand the process. The task requires friction, heat and moisture, which open the leather to absorb layers of polish.

Waiting for friction to warm and break down the layers of polish applied to your boot can be time consuming. Thankfully, there is something that can be done to expedite the process: heat the water before it even gets to the boot. As most people should know through common sense, water takes a gaseous form when heated to a certain temperature. This is how steam is created. By using the steam function of a clothing iron, you can apply heat and moisture to leather at the same time. This has a similar effect to another technique you may have seen in action: when someone breathes on his or her boot while buffing. Once the leather has begun to absorb polish, it will even begin to fog up similarly to how breath affects glass. However, because of the increased levels of heat and moisture, steam will have a more pronounced effect than a person’s breath. The drawbacks to this method are minor; water from an iron can create a mess if the steam function is misused. Relying on a berthing iron can also be problematic if other Sailors regularly require it to iron actual clothing and uniforms. Overall, irons provide a quick and easy way to expedite the process of boot shining. Some Sailors may also choose to heat their boot polish before applying it, melting it down to a consistency that spreads and breaks down easily over the boot. However, this is normally accomplished by igniting the polish in its tin with a lighter. With the exception of tobacco products on the smoke pit, starting fires is NOT authorized aboard Nimitz.

APPLY STEAM

A cloth should be employed in the earlier stages of buffing leather. An old white t-shirt or a pair of skivvies will generally get the job done. Once the polish has been spread and begins to break down, another useful tool can be employed to help refine the shine. The fuzzy, soft, absorbing properties of cotton balls can make them a perfect candidate for buffing a shine once a good base has been achieved. Once moistened, they continue to spread extra polish onto the boot to add new small layers, absorb excess polish and gently buff until you can see your own face staring up at you from the toes of your boots.

B USE COTTON BALLS

While the side and back of the boots issued for the Navy Working Uniform may not easily hold a traditional mirror shine, they should at least be blackened in accordance with Navy Uniform Regulations. But while this requirement is met, Sailors can also take steps to improve the overall uniformity of the material. Employing just a little bit of buffing on the side and back of the boots may not result in the same quality shine you find on the tips, but it will allow the distinct shine of the toe to stand out less conspicuously from the rest of the boot. Another option Sailors can utilize is dye or cream based polish. These may not be effective enough to produce a classic military shine on the toes, but it’s a quick way to prevent the rest of your boots from looking dull and worn by comparison.

With the way some Sailors shine their boots, some might say it appears they are suffering from a condition that could be dubbed “diamond-toes”. There is one shiny point on the very tips of their boots, but it only covers the bare minimum amount of space, sometimes not even the entire tip. While these Sailors may have labored over their boots, they look like they shined part of each of their boots, then said “good enough” and hopped into their racks. Thoroughly shining the entirety of the Navy Working Uniform’s smooth leather boot is impractical; the areas away from the tip struggle to match the glossy glow of the leather around the steel toe. However, the areas surrounding the tip, such as those on the top just past the steel-toed section, will still hold a reasonable level of shine. By buffing just a little more of their boots, Sailors can achieve a more seamless looking shine.

D DON’T JUST SHINE THE VERY TIP

C APPLY SOME POLISH TO THE SIDES AND BACK

For those Sailors who struggle with boot shining or those who were never required to shine their boots during initial training, the idea of polishing boots may seem intimidating. However, these four boot shining tips should help Sailors achieve a classic military shine. Unlike many practices in the military, there are no fixed procedures that anyone must follow when it comes to shining boots. The possibilities are endless, but with care and patience, any Sailor can find the right combination of techniques and tricks to get that classic military mirror shine.

STORY BY MCSN (SW) DEREK HARKINS

NIMITZ NEWS | OCTOBER 27, 2013

SAILORS RECOGNIZE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH STORY BY MCSA (SW) KELLY M. AGEE

ONE IN EVERY FOUR WOMEN WILL EXPERIENCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN HER LIFETIME.

omestic Violence Awareness Month was first observed October 1987. That same year the first national toll-free hotline for domestic violence victims began. In 1989 the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation was passed. 10

“It’s something that people need to be aware of,” said Lt. Andrew Colvin, one of Nimitz’ chaplains. “Violence in the home is compounded in terms of how terrible it is because the ones in your home are specifically the ones you love. Domestic violence not only betrays their trust but the love that is suppose to exist among family members.” The Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) chooses a new theme each month based off topics that aren’t just Navy-wide, but relevant in the civilian world as well. The theme for this month is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “Covering domestic violence tells the person being abused that they have someone else that cares,” said Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Suzan Chisholm, president of CSADD aboard Nimitz. Statistics show that domestic violence is more common amongst women and that children living in a violent home are negatively affected by it. Children who live in a household with domestic violence may become fearful, inhibited, aggressive, anti-social, withdrawn, anxious, depressed, angry, confused, suffer from disturbed sleep, have problems with eating, difficulties at school and challenges in making friends. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults. CSADD is planning to make Nimitz more aware of Domestic Violence and provide the victims with the useful information on the topic. Chisholm feels that covering the topic could help break the cycle by providing aid to victims of domestic violence. To recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month, CSADD organized a 5k run that will be held this morning to spread awareness. “When people attend the events we have it puts their minds somewhere else,” said Chisholm.“It puts their mind in a state of we are on de-

ployment when people are going through more serious problems which could be physical abuse and in this case domestic violence.” According to Military One Source, victims of domestic abuse are often afraid to get help because they fear that reporting the abuse will only make things worse, or they may feel ashamed for tolerating the abuse for so long. There are two ways to report domestic violence; restricted and unrestricted. If the victim doesn’t want an investigation on their domestic abuse issue they can make a restricted report, if they do they can file an unrestricted report. If a victim prefers confidential assistance they have to get a restricted report. Victims can make a restricted report by contacting a Family Advocacy Program (FAP) supervisor, victim advocate, healthcare provider or a command chaplain. The only resource that guarantees a Sailor 100 percent confidentiality is the command chaplain. “Whenever anyone comes to a chaplain, the chaplain is there for that Sailor,” said Colvin. “If that Sailor has a religious preference we will be sensitive to that but if the Sailor is not there for religious purposes and just needs someone to talk and confide in the chaplain guarantees 100 percent confidentiality. No other profession in the Navy has that kind of confidentiality.”

To make an unrestricted report Sailors can contact the FAP, military police or chain of command. By filing an unrestricted report the command can offer the victim added support and protection. According to Military OneSource, there are different steps Sailors and Marines should take if they experience domestic violence in their homes. The first step is seeking support by talking to a friend, coworker, relative, neighbor or chaplain. The next step is finding out about military reporting options, which can help the victim get support and care. Then the victim should start documenting the evidence of violence. If the victim goes to a hospital or sees a doctor they can start explaining what happened as well as documenting any threatening e-mails or voice messages. After that, they need to start planning ahead in case they need to leave on short notice and gather important documents in one place. They should start gathering information, finding out about legal issues and restraining orders, information about counseling, shelters and resources in the community. Next, if the Sailor feels they have been physically harmed, they need a safe place to go. Sailors that have children need to come up with a secret code to alert their child or children that they might need to leave the home and go to a neighbor’s or friend’s house as well as having an alternative plan for school and child care. Finally, they need to start planning their escape, and they need to inform their employer about the situation. Domestic violence is a life alternating issue not tolerated in the military. If Sailors and Marines step up and seek for help they can make domestic violence less of a problem. “Take care of one another and take care of your families,” said Colvin. “It’s easy to take our frustrations out on the ones we love but those are the ones you should be caring for more than anyone else.”

85%

OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS ARE

WOMEN.

NIMITZ NEWS | OCTOBER 27, 2013

STORY BY MCSN (SW) DEREK HARKINS

Aboard a Navy aircraft carrier such as ours, it can be easy to take our capabilities for granted. But only less than a century ago, the Navy built the world’s first aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV 1). With that accomplishment inevitably came the first aircraft to launch from the flight deck of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, with the first landing following shortly after. But this was only one chapter of Langley’s story, and only one “first” that the ship provided our Navy in its years of service. Langley began its life as a collier named USS Jupiter (AC-3). The ship’s hull was laid down Oct. 18, 1911 and after launching the next year, it finally received its commission April 7, 1913. Jupiter was the Navy’s first electrically propelled ship, which its name directly alluded to. In Roman mythology, Jupiter was the god of the sky who served as the principle god and guardian of the Roman Empire. He controlled all of the forces of the skies and heavens, including lightning. While those who gave Jupiter its name may not have realized that the ship would one day become the first aircraft carrier, this name also defines its later identity quite well. The aircraft deployed with U.S. Navy aircraft carriers are used by the Navy to protect U.S. and international interests around the world, in much the same way that Jupiter wielded his own power of the sky to protect Rome. Jupiter also utilized three types of lightning bolts: two were warnings and one was a weapon with massive destructive capability. Similarly, an aircraft carrier can launch aircraft that are capable of both striking and deterring potential enemies. During USS Jupiter’s service as a collier, it provided several more “firsts” to naval history. The ship became the first vessel to transit the Panama Canal from west-to-east and later delivered the first U.S. aviation detachment to arrive in Europe during World War I. Jupiter returned to Norfolk in January 1919 before making another voyage to France in March for coaling operations in the European seas, helping to return victorious veterans home. In July 1919, following its previous achievements, Jupiter was authorized to be converted to the first aircraft carrier in the fleet. Jupiter was decommissioned on March 24, 1920. The ship received its new name, Langley, on April 11. This title was in honor of Samuel Pierpont Langley, an American aircraft engineer and aeronautics pioneer with expertise in astronomy and physics. Langley was created to execute experiments in the new field of seaborne aviation. While aircraft had launched from and landed aboard ships before, a ship built to serve these functions would allow the Navy to perform these operations with consistency and accuracy. The first launch of an aircraft from Langley’s flight deck or that of any aircraft carrier was by an aircraft manned by Lt. Virgil C. Griffin, Oct. 17 1922. This was followed by the first aircraft landing on a carrier nine days later when Lt. Cmdr. Godfrey Chevalier, who had already accomplished the very first catapult-based launch from a Navy vessel earlier in his life, landed an Aeromarine 39B aboard Langley. It may be hard to imagine any innovation that the first aircraft carrier made that doesn’t have a direct influence on aircraft carrier operations today. However, there is one unusual innovation aboard

Langley that has not been passed down to modern carriers: a carrier pigeon house on the ship’s stern. Seaplanes had carried carrier pigeons since World War I, and the Navy intended for this tradition to live on aboard Langley. While Langley was built, the pigeons were trained at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard specifically for use aboard the first carrier. This may suggest that someone involved with the process thought it would be a crucial component of naval aviation’s future. It wasn’t. Unfortunately, at least for anyone who may have been invested in naval aviation pigeon-mail, the crew was unable to ensure the birds’ return if they were not able to frequently exercise or when released in large numbers. One day, when all of the pigeons were released while the ship was underway, the birds fled home to live atop the shipyard cranes of Norfolk. After the ship’s first deployment, Langley and all future aircraft carriers never housed a pigeon-based delivery system again. The pigeon house aboard Langley, hopefully after a thorough cleaning, was converted into the executive officer’s quarters. Langley performed flight operations and drills in the Caribbean before departing for Washington, D.C. in October 1923. The ship gave the first carrier-based demonstration for civil and military dignitaries at a flight exhibition, displaying the special capabilities that aircraft carriers would live on to provide well into the next century. In late 1924, Langley joined the Pacific Battle Fleet and operated off the coast of California and Hawaii for 12 years. The carrier participated in training, experiments and tactical fleet problems. While Langley’s career as an aircraft carrier ended in 1936, the Navy converted the carrier to a seaplane tender. In this form, the ship would eventually help maintain and transport aircraft during World War II. Langley (reclassified AV-3) eventually met its end under fire from Japanese twin-engine bombers off Tjilatjap, Java Feb. 27, 1942. The enemy conducted three strikes; the first two were unsuccessful, but the third was lethal. After taking five hits, Langley fell into chaos. The ship’s flight deck went up in flames, its steering was compromised and it developed a list to its port side. When it was unable to navigate into Tjilatjap Harbor due to its narrow mouth, Langley went dead in the water. The sea began to flood Langley’s motors before the order to abandon ship was finally given. When the evacuation was complete, the ship’s escorting destroyers fired upon the hull to ensure it would sink. The new capabilities that the first aircraft carrier provided are now a centerpiece to the Navy’s power. From World War II to the present day, aircraft carriers have been crucial to America’s air warfare, deterrence, power projection and air-support capabilities. Sailors may take the capabilities of a ship like Nimitz for granted, but it all began with innovation aboard Langley; we carry on that legacy. For more information on USS Langley and other ships that helped shape today’s fleet, visit www.history.navy.mil.

Courtesy photo

NIMITZ NEWS | OCTOBER 27, 2013

OM AROUND THE FLEET NEWS FROM AROUND THE FLEET NEWS FROM AROUND THE FLEET NEWS FROM AR

KEEPING IT REAL: VIRTUAL TRAINER UPGRADES BOOST SHIPBOARD FLIGHT OPS By Eric Beidel, Office of Naval Research

Answering the fleet’s call for more authentic training environments, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is delivering a more cost-effective, realistic simulator to train Sailors responsible for directing the movement of helicopters aboard ships, officials announced Oct. 23. The Helicopter Control Officer Trainer (HCOT) is being used by HCOs and Landing Signalman Enlisted (LSE) personnel at naval bases in San Diego and Norfolk, where courses required by the chief of naval operations are taught. The trainer initially was developed after Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder visited Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif., and talked to Sailors about ways to make their virtual training more realistic, taking into account moving ships, crashing waves and blinding rain, among other variables. “These dedicated Sailors play an important role in shipboard aviation, and they wanted a training environment that was as lifelike as the challenges they face in the shipboard environment,” Klunder said. “Staying in constant contact with the fleet allows us to quickly and effectively address concerns from the flight deck up to the bridge without breaking the bank.” Upgrades to the HCOT simulation eliminate the need for costly maintenance of aging hardware by combining training for personnel both HCOs in a ship’s flight control tower and LSEs on the ship’s deck coordinating take-offs and landings with hand signals. For those manning the control tower, the setup features five touch-screen monitors with the same controls they would use at their shipboard stations. Instructors inside and outside of the mock tow-

er play the roles of helicopter pilots or other crew members who would interact with the officers. For the signalmen, a piece of headgear gives them a 360-degree view of a virtual ship deck. Another individual then uses a video game controller to either launch or land a helicopter based on the student’s hand signals. The system can throw anything at the students, including rainstorms, nightfall, crashes and fires, offering a level of realism unavailable with previous systems. “It’s like the difference between night and day,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Joshua Chorniak, an instructor with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 2 at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. “Before, we had to tell students to pretend. Now, we can say that this is exactly what you’re going to see when you get out there.” The upgrades were spearheaded by ONR’s rapid-response TechSolutions program in conjunction with Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division Orlando and Lockheed Martin. Designed to bridge the gap between warfighters and scientists, TechSolutions accepts requests directly from Sailors and Marines and delivers prototypes to them within 18 months. ONR provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1,400 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel, with additional employees at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C.

NIMITZ NEWS | OCTOBER 27, 2013