3 aug web

Aug. 3, 2013

Vol. 2 Issue 74

FRIDAY LIGHTS NIGHT

Story and Photo illustration by MC2 (SW) Devin Wray

I

t’s Friday night and members of Air Department aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) are moments away from their last big recovery of the night, the “final final.”

For the past few weeks, during the last hours of daily flight operations, music has played on the five main circuit (5MC) across the

flight deck. Lights wave and flash in the air as Sailors get pumped for the end of the day in what is becoming a type of flight deck dance party.

“When it started out it was like a [foreign object debris] walk down; you notice that one guy getting his groove on, and then others picked up on it and started dancing,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 3rd Continued on Page 3

Sailor of the Day

Storie and Photo by MC3 Chris Bartlett

A

viation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Christopher Wise, a native of Greenfield, Ohio, was named Sailor of the Day Aug. 2, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

“I was very surprised but I like it and it’s cool,” said Wise.

Wise was named Sailor of the Day for outstanding performance with his direct contribution in ensuring the safe and expeditious movement of more than 400 mishap-free aircraft and 200 elevator runs in support of Operation

Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff Ruth

Enduring Freedom during Western Pacific Deployment 2013.

Wise was also instrumental in maintaining the readiness and cleanliness of more than 30,000 square feet of hangar bay and 69 spaces.

When in his homeport, he enjoys playing basketball and watching his favorite player LeBron James. At sea, he spends his free time watching TV shows and working out.

Wise offered some advice to personnel wishing to receive a similar type of recognition.

“If everyone does their job right anyone can get Sailor of the Day,” said Douglas.

Executive Officer CDR John Cummings

Editor MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke

Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre

Public Affairs Officer LCDR 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.

Continued from Page 1

Class Donovan Neely, who watches down on the flight deck as the nighttime supervisor for primary flight control (PRI-FLY). “Soon the pilots were joining in and it was kind of a snowball effect from there.”

Nimitz’ newest MINI BOSS started rolling this snowball downhill just weeks ago as a way of getting everyone ready at the end of a hard day.

“My predecessor, Cmdr. Maxwell used to play music for everyone,” said Cmdr. Robert Peterson, Nimitz’ MINI BOSS. “When I came on board I wanted to continue that. The guys [in PRY-FLY] know what song gets the guys with the flashlights moving, so we played that the first night.”

Launching and recovering aircraft from the early hours of the morning, Sailors in Air Department have one of the most demanding jobs on the ship. Their job is not complete until late at night, when the last of the aircrafts return from their mission.

“We have two big recoveries at night, anywhere from 10 to 12 birds, and shortly after we have another big group come in, back to back,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Maxwell Rustan, a flight deck director.

A little music can be just what these Sailors need for the final stretch of the day.

“It’s just something to get everyone ready for the last recovery of the evening,” said Rustan.

“It’s a great morale booster for everyone,” said Neely.

Naturally, the wiggle of hips on the flight deck has quickly gained momentum this last week.

“They started playing music and some of us started dancing to whatever they were playing and started spinning our wands,” said Rustan.

Sailors take part in light festivities on the flight deck.

- Photo by MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.

Air Department’s chain of command has even gotten involved in the process. They strongly encourage every Sailor to join in the fun.

“It’s like an all hands thing every Friday night,” said Rustan. “The Handler even hooked it up to where the aircrafts would turn on their navigation lights when the music starts.”

“It’s kind of become known as a Friday night lights sort of thing,” said Neely.

Neely and Rustan said participation in these events are usually at their peak when flight deck gear is not required; they said they would both like to do a “Harlem Shake” one of these nights.

“We’re always trying to come up with new ideas,” said Peterson. “It’s not just us, it’s for everybody.”

To get a glimpse of these events, Sailors can tune in to channel 10 on the Ship’s Information Training and Entertainment (SITE) TV or watch from vulture’s row periodically throughout the week, but the biggest event is expected to be every Friday.

A

PIECE OF

HISTORY

By MC1 (AW) Tim Comerford

A

Confederate f lag finished a nearly 150year journey as it traded hands from the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society (HRHS) to Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) during a ceremony at the society’s building in Dayton, Va., July 31. Capt.

Henry Hendrix, NHHC’s director, accepted the f lag which will be preserved and displayed in one of the U.S. Navy’s museums.

The f lag’s journey to Washington, D.C. began during the Civil War in 1865.

It was early morning as Lt. William Ladd rode his horse into a nearly deserted Richmond, Va. The siege of the Petersburg had come to an end after eight months, signifying an end to the war that had divided America. With the Confederate capital of Richmond captured, the last hopes of the rebel army vanished and the army and populace of the city had scattered.

It was while investigating the city that Ladd observed a Confederate ship f lying their colors.

“I was in the Capitol grounds as early as 5:30 am,” wrote Ladd, in the History of the 13th New Hampshire Regiment. “I saw no f lag

on the Capitol at that time. After looking about the grounds and vicinity for a few minutes, and realizing I was alone in the city, I rode back towards Rocketts, and when near there met a white Union cavalryman - the first Union soldier I had seen in Richmond that morning.

We tied our horses, took a skiff and rowed out to a rebel war ship in the James, and captured two Confederate f lags then f lying upon her. I pulled down the larger f lag, the cavalryman the smaller one, and we rolled them up and tied them to our saddles.”

Unknown to Ladd, the Confederates had previously rigged the ship, Confederate States Ship (CSS) Hampton, to explode, denying the Union Army its capture. Soon after he and the cavalryman left with their captured f lags, the ship was rocked by an explosion and slowly sank into the waters of the Potomac.

After the war, Ladd kept the f lag in his residence, where it remained for years.

For more information about Naval History and Heritage Command and its museums, visit www.history.navy.mil.

“

When you put on khakis, you are no longer a Machinist’s Mate or Fire Controlman or you pick the rate. You are a chief, and you are responsible for one thing, and that is leading.

”

- Former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Mullen

By MCSN Derek Harkins

LE THROUGHTHE NS

By MC3 (SW) Nathan McDonald

ADAN Chase Bochner tames down a chain in the hangar bay .

QM2 Gregory Celia prepares to raise the flag of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 in commemoration of the squadron’s 70th birthday.

Sailors work on a fuel quantity gripe on an EA-6B Prowler.

By MC2 (SW) Devin Wray

By MCSA Kelly M. Agee

MRFN Dan Cools drills brass in the machine shop.

TV

30 nel 29 Ch annel 6 Channel 7 Chan Channel 5 Channel 0800 / 2000 50/50

1000 / 2200 The Sit ter 1200 / 0000 Jack and Jill 1400 / 0200 My Week Wit h M arilyn 1600 / 0400 New Yea r’s Eve 1800 / 0600 Joy ful Noise

Akeela h and the Bee Glory

Johnn y English Rebor n

Dre am House

The Thing

Snitch

The Fast and the Fur ious (20 01)

In Tim e

Immortals

Anon ymous

Batma n Begins

The Dev il Inside

Dr iving Miss Da isy

The Da rkest Hour

Das Boot

Silent House

M ade a’s Fam ily Reunion

A Thousand Words

Sherlock Holmes

Snow White and the Huntsma n

The Cold Light of Day Dodgeball: A True Under dog Story

The Rookie

The Impossible

02 - AFN News 03 - AFN Xtra 04 - AFN Sports

05 - 8MM Movies 06 - 8MM Movies 07 - 8MM Movies 08 - ROLLER 09 - NTV

10 - FLIGHT DECK 11 - CNN 29 - DVD MOVIES 30 - DVD MOVIES