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CONTENTS Vol. 9 | Issue 09 4 50 Years of Tradition and Teamwork Story by MC3 Michael Prusiecki
NIMITZ NEWS
CAPT. Kevin Lenox Commanding Officer CAPT. J.W. David Kurtz Executive Officer CMDCM Richard Mengel Command Master Chief
MEDIA DEPARTMENT
LT. CMDR. Clint Phillips PAO LT. J.G. Meagan Morrison DIVO MCC Grant Probst Media DLCPO MCC Porter Anderson Media CPO MC1 Kevin Johnson Media LPO MC2 Don White Production LPO
Read about the decorated history of the USS Nimitz. 50 years ago this month, the keel was laid on June 22nd, 1968.
8 Building Gundams Builds Spirit Story by MC3 Greg Hall
Nimitz Sailors have a wide variety of interests in their down time. Turn to page 8 and read about how Sailors relieve stress by building models.
12 Nimitz Softball Team Competes in Season Opener Story by MCSN Anthony Collier
The USS Nimitz softball team won their first official game of the 2018 Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton intramural softball season on May 29.
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MC3 Emily Johnston Lead Designer MC3 Ian Kinkead Phojo Team Lead MC2 Austin Haist MC2 Marc Cuenca MC2 Erickson Magno MC2 Ian Zagrocki MC3 Chad Anderson MC3 Kenneth Blair MC3 David Claypool MC3 Colby Comery MC3 Cody Deccio MC3 Greg Hall MC3 James Hunt MC3 Chris Jahnke MC3 Kennishah Maddux MC3 Jose Madrigal MC3 Weston Mohr MC3 Liana Nichols MC3 Michael Prusiecki MC3 Cole Schroeder MC3 Frank Speciale MC3 Jessica Tukes MC3 Leon Wong MC3 Bethany Woolsey MCSN Anthony Collier
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USS Nimitz (CVN 68) has completed 28 deployments, over a quarter of a million catapult launches and arrested landings, five homeport changes, and countless operations and missions successfully executed. These accolades are attributed to the oldest U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in active service. Story by MC3 Michael Prusiecki
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Adm. Nimitz’s daughter, Catherine, breaks a bottle of champagne to christen the ship on May 13, 1972. (U.S. Navy photo provided by USS Nimitz photo archives.)
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he decorated history of Nimitz began 50 years ago this month, when the keel was laid on June 22, 1968. This was a plan set in motion long ago when, after the successful implementation of the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), the Navy recognized the need to expand its projection and influence and create an entire class of aircraft carriers powered by nuclear reactors. Nimitz’s story began when congress authorized the construction during fiscal year 1967, and negotiated a contract with Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., in Newport News, Virginia, to begin building the following year. The ship was christened May 13, 1972, by the late Fleet Adm. Nimitz’s daughter Catherine, and commissioned May 3, 1975, by President Gerald R. Ford at its first homeport at Naval Station Norfolk. The namesake of the Nimitz-class, this state-of-the-art warship boasts a 100,000 ton displacement, is 1,092 feet long and has a compliment of 5,000 Sailors and Marines onboard. The ship is powered by two nuclear power plants providing steam powered propulsion to four engines with more than 250,000 horsepower. There are also four catapults and four arresting wires, the capability of serving 18,000 meals per day, and four distilling units making more than 400,000 gallons of fresh water daily. Since being commissioned into active service, Nimitz has spent years out to sea and has been an instrumental part of the success and longevity of the Navy’s mission. Its 28 deployments have been an essential aspect in supporting peace, security, and prosperity throughout the oceans of the world, with its latest deployment concluding December of 2017. Throughout its time, tens of thousands of Sailors have spent formative years of their naval careers as Nimitz crewmembers, some having completed multiple tours onboard. Cmdr. Chuck Jones, from LaCenter, Washington, is currently on his third Nimitz tour. He served as a chief electricians mate and leading chief petty officer of a division in reactor department from 1995 to
1997. On his second tour, from 2010 until 2013, he was a lieutenant commander serving as the ship’s maintenance manager. His current tour began in April 2017, and he serves as the ship’s chief engineer. He recognizes the importance of perpetuating the proud history and heritage of the ship the crew calls home. “It’s a big deal for a ship to reach close to 50 years and have people say she looks like she can do many more. We have done a very good job of taking care of her over the years,” Jones said. Another group of people with special ties to Nimitz are Sailors who were part of the first crew upon the ship’s commissioning. These Sailors, known as “plankowners,” have the distinction of being the first crew to take a newly commissioned ship out to sea. Scott Telecky, from Wenatchee, Washington, is one such Sailor. Telecky served as an electronics technician first class onboard Nimitz from 1975 until 1978, and he looks back on his time on Nimitz with much fondness. “Being a plankowner creates a special bond with the ship. Watching the president of the United States actually commissioning the ship is a moment I’ll always recall with great clarity,” he said. Telecky also warmly spoke about the longstanding friendships he made with his fellow Sailors. “After 43 years, I still keep in touch with many of my shipmates. The comradery is still there whenever we start reminiscing about the old days. It’s a bond we’ll always have,” he said. With the coming implementation of the Gerald R. Ford-class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and due to the active service life of a Nimitz-class carrier being 50 years, the legendary career of the USS Nimitz is projected to end in the coming years. However, the legacy of this renowned ship and its monumental achievements over its storied, decades-long career will never be forgotten, and the tradition of teamwork will continue to live on. Nimitz is conducting a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades. 7
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exterior. Sharp angular features allow it to move with ease. Strategically placed sensors allow it to detect any attacking enemy. Its armed with a multitude of weapons that enable it to handle any threat. Gundam model building started in the 1980’s in Japan and has gained popularity throughout the world. The first anime, on which the models are based, debuted in 1979 and spawned a fictional Gundam universe and several different anime. Each time a new series comes out, more plastic models follow. Gundam building can even be found aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Sailors utilize this hobby to relieve stress. “When I was a kid, building Gundams helped me to focus on a project and
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accomplish a goal,” said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Jorge Gulick, from Victorville, California. “As I got older, and on deployment, I used that focus to build Gundams, and it helped me to not focus on the stress or problems that I was encountering on deployment. It can be hard to be away from home, family and friends for six months. Building Gundams was something I was familiar with and something that I brought from home.” Gulick said that he was introduced to Gundam building by an older brother that was in the Army. He was seven or eight then, and he has built more than 100 models since than time. Gulick said that he was able to meet people on the ship who shared his interest in Gundam building. He said that after he met Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marc Cuenca, from Dededo, Guam, he was able to find more people to build models with. Gathering to build Gundams helps Sailors to have fun and spend their time more wisely. “Building Gundams on deployment was something constructive to do,” said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Phisean Phan, from Pensacola, Florida. “There were a few of us that got together, like Gulick and Cuenca, and we would build, talk and joke around. I feel like I was better off doing that instead of going back to my rack and sleeping or watching a movie. Building the models helped pick me up and relieved stress.” Phan said that each model starts off as sheets of little plastic pieces that must be broken apart and assembled. He said that it is cool watching the pieces formed into a single model that has form and function. “Building a Gundam can take 30 minutes, if I just pull it out of the box and snap it together, or a lot longer if I want to be more
detailed,” said Gulick. “I take each piece of plastic and sand down each rough edge. I can add stickers or paint if I want a more permanent, detailed effect. It can take up to two hours to build a model if I am paying attention to detail.” Each model poses a challenge to the person trying to construct it. “I started building Gundams about three or four years ago with my brother-in-law, before I joined the Navy,” said Phan. “He bought me my first one, and it was awesome building it and spending time with him. It was difficult to build, and that made me angry sometimes, but it was fun seeing those intricate pieces come together.” Gundams come in a variety of sizes and have different grades of difficulty to build. Gulick said that it starts at high grade and then goes to real grade, master grade and perfect grade. There is also SD or superdeformed grade and SDX which is a more realistic SD grade. He said that a higher grade of model increases how maneuverable or flexible it is and also how realistic it looks. It generally increases the price too. “When I got my first kit, it was a high grade, and I loved building something with my own hands,” said Gulick. “It was cooler than just buying an action figure from a store, because I built it. Since then I have built real or master grade because they are more realistic and allow me to customize them more.” Whether it is relieving stress, or helping to avoid destructive habits, hobbies like building Gundams can help Sailors through difficult times and maintain focus on the mission. Nimitz is conducting a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades.
“It can be hard to be away from home, family and friends for six months. Building Gundams was something I was familiar with and something that I brought from home.” 11
Nimitz Softball Team Competes in Season Opener Story and photo by MCSN Anthony Collier
Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) won their first official game of the 2018 Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton intramural softball season at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, May 29. Two USS Nimitz teams faced off against each other. One team was the official USS Nimitz Softball Team, and the other was a team of Sailors from the Nimitz supply department. Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Martinez, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, formed the USS Nimitz Softball Team. “A lot of people were interested in playing,” said Martinez. “I decided to ask people if they wanted to play, and I basically created a team on deployment.” Although the team was created on deployment, when Nimitz returned to homeport they had to work quickly to register for the Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton softball league. “It was last minute. We had tryouts only a week before we had to turn to in the roster,” said Nimitz’s coach, Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Rodolfo Feliciano, from Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The team practiced for over three weeks before the game, said Feliciano. “I like to have everyone play whatever position they want,” said Feliciano. “I have all my guys moving around and getting their chance to play all positions.” During their first game, the Nimitz Softball Team emerged victorious with a final score of 25-8. The softball players all have their own reasons for joining the team, but the opportunity to come together outside of their usual work environment gives Sailors a chance to build camaraderie with one another. “We’re very competitive and like to play for fun, but we like to win,” said Martinez. After their victory, the team is looking toward future opponents, including their rivals aboard USS Stennis (CVN 74). The Stennis Softball Team currently has one loss in the season, after forfeiting their first match. “We try to beat them every time,” said Martinez. “Last time we played them we beat them, so we’re pretty happy about that.” “Our rivalry is with Stennis, so we’re waiting to play them to see what happens,” said Feliciano. “We’re not nervous, but we want to make a statement.” Nimitz is conducting a docking planned incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, where the ship is receiving scheduled maintenance and upgrades. 12
UPCOMING GAMES 03 JUL18 vs. NHB Team A @ 1845 05 JUL18 vs. MCSFBN Bombers @ 1950 10 JUL18 vs. HBK @ 1740 11 JUL18 vs. HPU @ 1740 12 JUL18 vs.Torpedo Bears @ 1845 18 JUL18 vs. Buffy Boys @1950 26 JUL18 vs. Fire Dogs @ 1845 31 JUL18 vs. Third Base Heroes @ 1740 08 AUG18 vs. NBH Team B @ 1740 15 AUG18 vs. Test or Die @ 1740
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crossword
SUDOKU
trivia How does the Navy name its ships?
find chester Admiral Chester Nimitz’s face is hidden somewhere in every Nimitz News. Can you find him?
weekly throwback A Grumman EA-6B “Prowler” from the Yellowjackets of VAQ-138 flies over Nimits during deployment, 1988.
In 1819, the United States Congress placed the Secretary of the Navy in charge of naming ships. Generally, names are compiled by the Naval Historical Center based on suggestions from the public, Sailors, retirees and from Naval history. 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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2 1. AN Matthew Martin stands a full bore watch in the Strait3of Hormuz. Photo by MC3 Leon Wong
2. ABHAN Derek Slater picks up his firefighting boots after a crash-and-salvage watch. Photo by MC3 (SW) Weston Mohr 3. An F/A-18E Super Hornet, from VFA-146, launches from the flight deck. Photo by MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 4. Sailors on the rigging team work and cool off during a replenishment-at-sea. Photo by MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 5. Sailors conduct honor guard practice aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Leon Wong 6. Sailors move ordnance aboard the flight deck off USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo By MC3 (SW) Ian Kinkead 7. Sailors play football on the flight deck of USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo By MC2 (SW/AW/IW) Holly Herline 8. An MH-60S Sea Hawk from HSC-8 patrols above Nimitz. Photo by MCSN (SW/AW) Cody Deccio 9. Sailors recieve supplies aboard Nimitz during an UNREP. Photo By MC3 (SW) Weston A. Mohr
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1| Sailors raise the holiday ensign in observation of Flag Day, June 14, 2018. |MC3 Prusiecki 2| LSSN Richetti And EMFN Revinsky store hazardous material. |MC3 Johnston 3| SN Taylor sands the overhead of a fueling station. |MC3 Pruseicki 4| ITC Bloodworth is pinned to Senior Chief, by his family at a ceremony on Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton. |MC3 Claypool 5| Sailors receive training and instruction on Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus units in the hangar bay. |MC3 Pruseicki 6| ABH3 Williams cleans a C02 fire extinguisher bottle in the hangar bay. |MC3 Prusiecki
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ONE TEAM ONE FIGHT
ALL EQUAL NIMITZ RECOGNIZES JUNE AS LGBT PRIDE MONTH
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