Aug. 8, 2013
INFRARED Navy and Marine Corps pilots have a variety of tools available to help them accomplish their mission. One of the most crucial systems at their disposal provides an infrared feed. When called to drop a bomb, a laser is emitted that guides it to a target. Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) pods, equipped beneath an aircraft’s portside wing, make these functions possible. Aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), a team of service members from the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) and the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 work together to keep each FLIR pod in working order. The pods provide thermal and digital video, allowing for recording and direct feedback for operations and documentation. This can be useful for target tracking and scanning terrain. However, some applications of this technology can be limited when it comes to people.
Vol. 2 Issue 77
Story and photos by MCSN Derek Harkins
“Friends and foes look exactly the same in infrared,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Clint Earlston, a supervisor in Nimitz’ FLIR shop. According to Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class William Howard, the FLIR shop’s leading petty officer, the pod’s laser system is its most crucial asset. It provides enhanced precision to bomb dropping procedures, enhancing a Sailor or Marines ability to aid ground operations. With Nimitz’ squadrons and ship’s company collaborating, the pods can be handled on the flight deck and in the shop with enhanced efficiency. “We try to cut out the middle man,” said Howard. “We can call the squadrons directly, working with them one-on-one.” The shop’s squadron members directly troubleshoot FLIR pods on the flight deck. According to Howard, this minimizes unnecessary pod relocation, scanning and in-depth maintenance. Without this arrangement, FLIR pods would be considered
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FROM THE TOP
ADVANCEMENT: FROM RED TO GREEN Story By Tom Updike, Naval Education Training Professional Development Technology Center
PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The updated enlisted examination answer sheet announced Aug. 5 in naval administrative message (NAVADMIN) 195-13 will be implemented for the E4-E6 Navywide advancement exams, administered starting in Aug. 2013 for Reserve and Active Duty personnel. The new form, NETPDTC 1430/2 (REV 3-2013), is green in color and replaces the red answer sheet which has been in use for more than 10 years. A key change to the new form is the use of the Department of Defense Identification Number (DOD ID). The DOD ID is a unique 10-digit number that is associated with personnel and their common access card (CAC). A DOD ID is assigned to each person registered in the Defense Enrollment and Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). “The new green exam answer sheet is part of a larger effort within NEAS (Navy Enlisted Advancement System) to support the Department of Defense’s social security number reduction plan,” said Cdr. Scott Briquelet, Navy Advancement Center (NAC) director. “We are taking steps to inform all command ESOs (Educational Services Officers) of the answer sheet change in advance of the upcoming exam cycles.” The NAC ships and processes more than 300,000 examination answer sheets each year. The use of the DOD ID rather than an individual Sailor’s social security number (SSN) mitigates exposure of advancement candidates’ personally identifiable information (PII). Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff Ruth
CACs issued after June 2011 will have the DOD ID number displayed on the back of the card. Sailors with access to an NMCI computer can also get their DOD ID number by looking for the window containing the 10-digit DOD ID number during log in or upon removal of the CAC. The new green answer sheet must be used for all future examination cycles. Command ESOs should destroy any outdated red answer sheets held. Use of a red answer sheet will result in scanning errors and exam discrepancies. NAC also updated the Advancement in Rate or Change of Rating Worksheet (NETPDTC 1430/3 REV 06-13) which is used locally by commands to perform calculations and establish eligibility for enlisted advancement cycles. Advancement information on the form, such as a Sailor’s performance mark average (PMA) and individual award points is copied from the cycle worksheet to the examination answer sheet on the day of the exam. The new worksheet also requires the use of the DOD ID. The form can be downloaded on the Navy Enlisted Advancement System (NEAS) Web at https://neasos.cnet.navy.mil/. “We are also using NEAS Web to help ESOs look up individual advancement candidate DOD IDs to support exam ordering and processing,” added Briquelet. For more information about the Navy Advancement Center and the Navy Enlisted Advancement System visit https://www.facebook. com/pages/Navy-Advancement-Center.
Executive Officer CDR John Cummings
Editor MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke
Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre
Public Affairs Officer LCDR Karin Burzynski
Lead Designer MCSA 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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damaged when a quick, efficient fix could have been applied on the flight deck. Pods that are deemed broken are relocated to the FLIR shop for examination and maintenance. Personnel connect the equipment to a laptop, with an application scanning the equipment. The laptop will verify the damage and the personnel begin their maintenance. With less unnecessary jobs coming into the shop, Howard says the AIMD Sailors can more efficiently complete their tasks. The team can meet the requirements of the air wing in their shop and on the flight deck. “Our priorities are set on what the AEAN Jacob Wahl prepares to inspect a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) pod in the FLIR shop. squadrons need to do the missions,” said This productivity assists operations on the flight Howard. According to Howard, FLIR is crucial to the deck, in the air and in the field. With the aid of FLIR, pilots can ensure accuracy during bomb opair wing’s mission. “You cannot take off from the flight deck with- erations, supporting U.S. ground troops with precision and consistency. out a fully operational FLIR,” said Howard. “I enjoy my job up here,” said Earlston. “I’m The direct communication between the air wing and AIMD service members aboard Nimitz doing something that’s directly affecting our war allows FLIR pods to be maintained efficiently. fighting efforts.”
HEALINGH Story and photos by MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.
A
Sailor just fell down a ladderwell and hurt his back. Now he limps when he walks and feels pain shoot up and down his back for every step he takes. Unfortunately, for him, the nearest chiropractor is hundreds of miles away and Tylenol isn’t helping much. Luckily, the answer is right here, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The ship’s medical department offers physical therapy for anyone in need.
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“My job is to restore function and reduce pain,” said Lt. Douglas Santillo, Nimitz’ physical therapist. Hundreds of Sailors visit Santillo weekly about pain, but the therapy process doesn’t start here without analyzing the patient. - HM2 Bello “Patients come in with all sorts of pains,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Eduardo Bello, physical therapy technician. “We first have to create a plan and fix it.”
It’s like being a mechanic for a very complex machine, the human body.
”
HANDS A preliminary screening is performed first to pinpoint the source of pain and determine the best possible technique to alleviate any discomfort. “Basically it’s like being a mechanic for a very complex machine, the human body,” said Bello. “We search for the cause of the pain or discomfort and use one of our techniques. We troubleshoot it like mechanics do or people who work on computers.” Some of the many techniques used by Santillo and Bello include soft tissue mobilization, neuromuscular reeducation and joint mobilization techniques, a technique Santillo says chiropractors sometimes charge 160 dollars per visit. According to Bello, the top weapon used onboard Nimitz for an area of therapy called neuro-
muscular reeducation is a technique called triggerpoint dry needling. “Basically, we find trigger-points,” said Bello. “We insert acupuncture needles in areas of your muscles that are not working correctly and what happens is the muscle reacts. This would be like pressing the reset button on a computer.” Every week, approximately 100 Sailors visit Physical Therapy, accumulating to more than 1300 patients since the beginning of Nimitz’ 2013 deployment. Both Santillo and Bello agree that the vast majority of patients that leave Physical Therapy feel significantly healthier. “Making people feel better is a great part of the job,” said Santillo. “It’s a very social and emotionally rewarding job.”
By MC3 (SW) Nathan R. McDonald
AE1 Margarita Zuniga inspects an EA-6B Prowler assigned to the “Gray Wolves” of VAQ 142.
PR3 Elvin Rodriguezcruz, left, and PR2 Rachel Patsey, assigned to the “Wolf Pack” of HSM 75 inspect equipment.
ABEAN Derrick Brooks cleans a catapult shuttle on the flight deck.
By MC2 (SW) Devin Wray
By MCSA Aiyana Paschal
Sailors and a midshipman operate a rigid-hull inflatable boat during boat operations.
By MCSA Kelly M. Agee
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ON THE COVER: AEAN Jacob Wahl inspects a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) pod in the FLIR shop.