Nimitz News - May 3, 2014

May 3, 2014 | Vol. 40| Issue 15

ANNIVERSARY EDITION

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Birth of A Carrier Remembering Nimitz’ Commissioning Ceremony Story By: MC3(SW/AW) Nathan McDonald

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T

he date is May 3, 1975. Gerald R. Ford is the President of the United States, the conflict in Vietnam is coming to a close and the United States Navy is commissioning the first of the largest, most capable class of warship the world had ever seen: the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVAN 68).

Today, the Nimitz class supercarriers remain the most powerful warships in the fleet and the “go-to” means for the United States to project power globally. While technology has evolved since its commissioning, Nimitz’ purpose and mission remain largely unchanged 39 years later.

“The biggest difference is the tools you have to work with,” said Lyle Selle, a former Journalist 2nd Class and plankowner from Nimitz’ first crew during a recent visit to Nimitz. “We had fairly rudimentary tools, but the expectations of what you have to do has grown with the tools getting much better. You’re expected to do more with better tools.”

After commissioning, Nimitz departed Norfolk July 7, 1976 on a six-month tour around Europe, showcasing its capabilities in every port call.

“We were the biggest, newest carrier in the fleet,” said Selle.

“The pride of the Navy, so to speak,” said Selle. “This was only 30 years after World War II. Many of the people in Italy and Germany had fought against the U.S. They were in awe of a ship this size. If they understood all of its capabilities they would have been even more in awe.”

However, the ship was also cause for consternation to some foreign nations as nuclear-powered surface vessels were still a relatively new innovation.

“The world’s view of the Nimitz at that time was that it’s a nuclear aircraft carrier. What if something goes wrong with it,” said Scott Krannischfeld, a former Mess Management Specialist Seaman and another Nimitz plankowner.

“At the time it was an attack carrier – designated CVAN not CVN. It made people think we were a more aggressive ship than it really was.”

“We were more for diplomacy than attack,” said Krannischfeld. “We heard

through the scuttlebutt that a lot of nations were afraid of it. We couldn’t tie up to a pier anywhere except home.

They made us anchor out because they were worried about what would happen if something went wrong.”

Nimitz’ designation was changed from CVAN to CVN June 30, 1975.

Thirty-nine years of active service have only enhanced the sense of history that

Nimitz.”

Krannischfeld echoed Selle’s sentiments.

“If you have a good attitude you’ll have a really good time and a really good career in the Navy,” said Krannischfeld. “It makes you aware of other people’s feelings and not to tread on other’s lifestyles or religions. You learn to live with people that way.”

Selle reflected on his time on board Nimitz while offering words of wisdom to its current crew.

“It’s something intangible to say I’m a plankowner on the first of the Nimitz-class carriers,” said Selle. “To the crew members of Nimitz I would say this is a great ship. Take pride in being here. I wish I had thought of those things more as a young man, and now that I think back on it I’m blown away that I got to be part of the commissioning.”

For the current crew members, the anniversary provides a chance to reflect on their own place in Nimitz’ history.

“It feels pretty good to be here,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Xavier Saez, of Ponce, Puerto Rico. “It’s a big deal. Most people see this ship as a part of history, so we who sail on it are also a part of history just for being here.”

Capt. Bryan W. Compton Jr., Nimitz’ first commanding For Senior Chief Cryptologic officer, reads his orders and assumes command during the Technician (Technical) Robert commissioning ceremony of the ship.

Photo by: PHAA Salvo Stewart, Nimitz’ birthday holds special significance. accompanies Nimitz crew members.

“Being a member of Nimitz is a very “I felt being stationed on the newest personal honor for me,” said Stewart. ship in the fleet and the biggest ship in “Being a cryptologist stationed at comthe world was pretty cool,” said Kran- mander, U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harnischfeld. “It was an eye-opening expe- bor for three years was very humbling. rience. I really liked being aboard – it We worked in the basement of the Adwas a privilege to be among the first miral’s headquarters and walked past crew members on board.” a large bust of Fleet Admiral Nimitz at For the plankowners, their experi- least twice a day, every day. The baseence on Nimitz proved overwhelm- ment is surrounded with photos, timeingly positive and equipped them with lines and mementos from World War tools they would carry for the rest of II, highlighting the achievements in their lives.

Naval intelligence and cryptology that “I got a chance to grow up,” said Selle. directly led to our success in the Pa“In my four years I matured a lot. The cific. It’s only fitting that my next sea other thing that I carried through is a tour was USS Nimitz, continuing the sense of mission and a sense of pur- connection between Naval cryptology, pose. I’ve carried that since I was on intelligence and leadership at sea.”

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IN 1968:

• The Green Bay Packers defeat the Oakland Raiders in Superbowl II. • The first episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” is televised.

• The semiconductor company Intel is founded.

• Mattel’s Hot Wheels toy cars are introduced.

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IN 1972:

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average closes above 1,000 for the first time.

• The Magnavox Odyssey video game system is first demoed, marking the dawn of the video game age.

• Atari releases the game “Pong”.

• The first episode of “The Price Is Right” is aired on CBS.

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IN 1975:

Bill Gates and Paul Allen found Microsoft.

NBC airs the first episode of “Saturday Night Live.”

In game six of the World Series, the Boston Red Sox defeat the Cincinnati Reds off Carlton Fisk’s 12th-inning home run.

In game seven the Red Sox lose the series.

IN 1976:

• Apple Computer Company is formed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

• “Frampton Comes Alive!” was the best-selling album of the year.

• The Irish rock band U2 is formed.

• The National Basketball Association and the American Basketball Association agree to merge.

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IN THE

SAILORS SPOTLIGHT

The Nimitz turns 39 years old this year, what does that mean to you?

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It’s an honor to be part of the tradition.

It’s been around so long and here we still are, continuing the voyage.”

ABHC Tommy Hendrickson Air Department

EM2 Kevin Reynolds Reactor Department

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It’s awesome that we’re able to maintain a vessel this massive for so long. It’s pretty incredible.

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Executive Officer Capt. J.J. Cummings Media DIVO

Ensign John Mike

Media LPO MC1 Michael Cole

Commanding Officer Capt. Jeff Ruth

Public Affairs Officer

Lt. Cmdr Karin Burzynski Editor

MC2 Phillip Ladouceur

Media Department

Command Master Chief CMDCM Greg Renick Media LCPO

MCC Gregory Roberts

Lead Designer

MC3 Sam Souvannason

MC2 Jacquelyn Childs | MC2 Devin Wray | MC2 Ryan Mayes | MC2 Jacob Milner | MC2 Jess Lewis | MC3 Shayne Johnson | MC3 Linda S. Swearingen | MC3 Vanessa David | MC3 W. J. Cousins | MC3 Nathan McDonald | MC3 Joshua Haiar | MC3 Kaitlyn Haskett | MC3 Eric Butler | MC3 Siobhana McEwen | MC3 George J. Penney III | MCSN Aiyana Paschal | MCSN Andrew W. Price | MCSN Kelly Agee | MCSN Victoria Ochoa | MCSN Eli Buguey | MCSN Lauren Jennings | MCSN Derek Volland | MCSA Kole Carpenter

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Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions are subject to review and editing.

“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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ABH3 Xavier Saez Air Department

It feels pretty good to be here. It’s a big deal. Most people see this ship as a part of history, so we who sail on it are also a part of history just for being here.”

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The Nimitz is like a fine wine.

The older she gets, the better she gets.

ABHAN Dylan Behnke Air Department

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IT2 Keli Wagers

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Combat Systems Department

I like the challenge it affords me. Most of our equipment is older than other ships, so I get to do my job the way people don’t anymore.

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