Nimitz News Daily Digest - April 18, 2012

AFFF System Tested

Vol. 1 Issue 5

page 4

April 18, 2012

USS Nimitz hosts safety stand-down Story and photos by MCSA Ryan Mayes

The safety stand-down aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) began yesterday and will continue until 5 p.m. today.

During the event, Sailors are educated on a variety of topics, ranging from power tool safety to proper lifting techniques. The information provided is critical in maintaining a mission-ready crew and minimize injuries.

To illuminate Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the event stresses that safety awareness is not limited to physical injuries, but also emphasizes the importance of emotional safety precautions with topics like sexual assault prevention and safe-sex practices.

“We are trying to be proactive with the training on board Nimitz,” said Chief Logistics Specialist

Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Johnathan Villalobos delivers a presentation on proper electrical safety material during a safety stand-down aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

Stephanie Lerette, Nimitz’ lead sexual assault victim advocate. “We are asking individual Sailors to write down how they can be the solution.

It’s a problem and it needs to be

addressed.”

“The message is really about treating people with respect no

See SAFETY page 6

JEA lends efforts to Navy Marine Corps Relief drive

Story and photos by MC3 Jacob Milner

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) took time out of their lunch to encourage crewmember donations to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) April 17, next to the aft mess decks.

The push for donations by the Junior Enlisted Association (JEA) follows an ongoing ship-wide donation campaign to provide a face-to-face approach.

The approach was successful with more than 100 donations earning nearly $200 in cash and nearly $1300

in Navy Cash Card electronic contributions.

“It’s something new,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class William Beauchamp, president of the JEA. “I know people are used to receiving the NMCRS slips to fill out from their departmental representative, so I figured we could change it up a little bit. Having a oneon-one with a person allows Sailors to come up to the table and understand what exactly the NMCRS is and

See JEA page 2

JEA: Sailors help raise NMCRS funds

Page 2

Continued from page 1

does. It’s more on a personal level with members and representatives of the JEA here to give information and assist with donations.”

JEA members were there to explain and inform Sailors about the organization with additional information and materials.

“It’s a worldwide non-profit charitable organization designed to provide financial, educational and other assistance to members of Navy service,” said Beauchamp. “One Sailor, who returned from emergency leave after using the NMCRS as a means to get home, donated $25. It really helps out Sailors, Marines and their families when they are having financial difficulties and need some help to support themselves.”

Many of the volunteers were passionate about supporting the NMCRS with donations, and some also have personal experience in its use.

“One of the things that they do, and I know this because I’ve used it

Sailors line up to contribute funds to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) during a fundraising campaign April 17 on the ship’s aft mess decks.

before, is that they provide baskets to single parents full of diapers, bottles and many other things,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Susana Saenz, JEA vice president and NMCRS fundraising volunteer.

“They also offer financial counseling and courses for investing and finances. I’ve taken the Spending Plan Development course and I thought it was very interesting and helpful because for the most part, as junior Sailors, we live from paycheck to paycheck and it helped me with budgeting.”

Many Sailors who donated have had personal experience with the use of NMCRS financial assistance or A Sailor contributes funds to the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society .

Commanding Officer CAPT Jeffrey S. Ruth Executive Officer CAPT Buzz Donnelly Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre Public Affairs Officer LCDR Karin Burzynski

Editor MC3 Ashley Berumen Lead Designer MCSA Vanessa Y. David

know shipmates who have been in need of their services in the past.

“I’ve never actually used the NMCRS for anything, but I know a couple of people who were having difficulty getting home to see their wives,” said Electrician’s Mate Fireman John Forrester, a donating Sailor during the event. “Their wives were in labor and the NMCRS stepped in and helped them get home for the birth of their children with no questions asked.”

“I would like to express my personal thanks to those who contributed and support the NMCRS,” said Beauchamp. “You never know when you may need a helping hand.”

For more information or to donate to the NMCRS, visit www. nmcrs.org.

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.

Page 3 Capt. Jeff Ruth, Commanding Officer of USS Nimitz, named Machinist’s Mate Fireman Samuel A. Stewart Sailor of the Day, April 17 in the Pilot House. (Photo by MCSN Christopher Bartlett)

USS Nimitz’ Sailor of the Day

200 Years Ago Mississippi Territory deemed "immense" The House of Representatives decides to postpone action on a bill in committee that authorizes “the people of the Mississippi Territory to form a constitution and State Government and for the admission of such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States."

The committee report requesting the postponement states, among other things, that it “could not avoid being struck with the immense size of the Territory proposed to be erected into a State, a size disproportionate to the size of any of the largest States which now compose our confederation.”

The report recommends delaying a decision on the bill until after the state government of Georgia, which previously held jurisdiction over the region now known as the Mississippi Territory, approves the committee’s recommendation to divide the Territory into two states rather than admit it as one.

Learn more by visiting http://ourflagwasstillthere.org

Page 4

Getting Ready

Story and photos by MC3 (SW) Thomas G. Siniff

AFFF systems tested

Sailors assigned to the Air Department and damage control (DC) division re-tested the Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) sprinklers on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), April 17.

Nimitz’ Air Department and DC division coordinated to test the AFFF sprinklers, while personnel on the flight deck checked each sprinkler to ensure it was working properly and is not clogged.

“They go along from zone to zone, and from sprinkler to sprinkler,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class (AW/SW) Orlando Baeza.

“There is someone who has a map of the flight deck. If they can’t see the sprinkler because of the foam, they’ll have an idea where the next one is.”

As they found each sprinkler they marked which ones were not functioning properly and attempted to unclog the piping.

“If the sprinklers don’t unclog, personnel go one level beneath them, uncap them and drain everything,” said Baeza. “A lot of times the piping is going to have sea shells, sea weed and fish. They dig back and forth until it unclogs and the pipe shoots a good stream.”

Since Nimitz recently completed a 15 month-long Docking Planned Incremental

Sailors wash down the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) after testing the Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) sprinkler system.

Page 5

Availability (DPIA) it is essential to ensure the maintenance check is fixed, said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) (AW/SW) Shane Krueger, crash and salvage leading chief petty officer.

The flight deck sprinkler system is utilized in any situation that can not be handled by the hose teams on the flight deck.

“If we have a mass fire, or if something catastrophic happens on the flight deck that the hose teams can’t handle, we would utilize the flush deck nozzles,” said Krueger. “The bridge or primary flight control would activate the zone, usually forward to aft of the ship, and saturate the area.”

The AFFF sprinklers were originally tested during sea trials, but two zones did not pass the initial inspection.

“We can’t have two consecutive zones in an area fail,” said Krueger. “If we do we would have an uncertified deck. We had to run through and make sure the flush deck sprinklers weren’t clogged so we have a good zone count. We had to test one zone with AFFF because there was a problem with the activation.”

When there is a problem with the activation of AFFF, DC division is tasked with getting the system running.

“Just two zones were down,” said Chief Damage Controlman Damon Leggins. “We had problems with zone eight, so we had to reshoot and a qualityquantity tap test to make sure we got foam out. You need to get the right mixture of AFFF so that we’re getting foam and salt water to the flight deck.”

Sailors wash down the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) after testing the Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) sprinkler system. While underway, Nimitz will undergo flight deck certification. This marks the first operational underway period for the ship in more than a year.

A Sailor tests the Aqueous Film Forming Foam sprinkler system on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

Page 6

SAFETY: Two-day event keeps Sailors prepared Continued from page 1

matter what,” said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman The safety stand-down is a required two-day event Michelle Newby. “Being responsible and aware of your hosted by Nimitz’ Safety Department. Stand-downs, actions, sober or not, is the key. Sexual assault is wrong like the one taking place today, are generally a required and it doesn’t just affect the victim.” annual event for most commands. However, Nimitz Nimitz leadership encourages Sailors to educate usually conducts more than one a year. themselves on the issue of sexual assault.

“We like to have more than one a year,” said Lt. Cmdr.

“Familiarization with the advocate program and the Porton, Nimitz’ assistant safety officer. “It keeps the crew help it provides is important,” said Lt. Elyshia Hughes. thinking about safety and also allows us to keep many “I volunteered as an advocate in 2006 and I have tried to individual qualifications up-to-date.” be active in each of my commands. It really helps for the Sailors can call J-Dial 5905 with any questions about injured person to have someone to guide them through tool issue or electrical safety. the process following an assault, and just to have someone there helps tremendously.”

Physical safety, as always, is paramount aboard an aircraft carrier. For the ship’s first operational underway in more than a year, Nimitz’ safety officials wish to emphasize the significance of these lessons.

Heat stress and electrical safety are two of the main subjects addressed at the stand-down.

“Heat stress is a huge factor where I work,” said Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Paul Wick, participant in Tuesday’s stand-down. “When the area you work in can reach 130 degrees Fahrenheit, dehydration and heat stroke is no joke. I think it is important to step back and look at every situation from a safety standpoint, doing so, can save lives.”

Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Recto Elizaga, leading petty officer of engineering tool issue and electrical safety, and Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Johnathan Villalobos stress many important reminders about shipboard electrical practices.

“We remind Sailors that all personal electrical devices must be checked at our shop and be safety tagged before being used in the outlets,” said Elizaga.

“So far the stand-down is going well. Many of the new Sailors are amazed we issue standard PPE (personal protective equipment) prior to any electrical work being done and many are being reminded what electronics are authorized and which ones are not.”

Elizaga wants Sailors to remember to report any Chief Hospital Corpsman Jonathan Dilbeck delivers a presentation on heat unsafe conditions to the electrical safety shop, the stress and heat stress prevention during a safety stand-down aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). safety office or Damage Control central.

Page 7

ONR taps research teams to help reduce jet noise

By Grace Jean, Office of Naval Research Public Affairs

ARLINGTON (NNS) -- The deafening roar of supersonic aircraft can cause hearing damage to Sailors and Marines on flight decks, so the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is funding a new project to help reduce jet noise, officials announced April 12.

“The noise problem falls into two categories: noise exposure on the flight deck and noise impact on the communities surrounding air bases,” said Dr. Brenda Henderson, deputy manager for the Jet Noise Reduction project, part of ONR’s Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) program. “We’re funding the development of tools that we’ll need to help control jet noise in tactical aircraft.”

With support from ONR’s Basic Research Challenge program, which funds basic research in new areas not already covered by other programs, the Jet Noise Reduction project is a long-term effort. Jointly funded with NASA, ONR is awarding grants and contracts to eight teams, six academic institutions and two commercial companies to develop noise-reduction technologies, as well as measurement and prediction tools and noise source models to dampen the noisy jet plumes that emanate from naval aircraft.

Awards totaling more than $4 million were given to teams at Brigham Young University, California Institute of Technology, Cascade Technologies, Innovative Technology Applications Co., University of Illinois,

University of Mississippi, Pennsylvania State University and Virginia Tech.

The intensity of sound perceived by humans is measured in decibels. For example, a person whispering is 20 decibels and a lawn mower is 90 decibels. Factories are required to institute a hearing protection program once noise levels reach 85 decibels. Shipboard aviation surpasses those limits. Jet noise from tactical aircraft can reach 150 decibels on the flight line, where Sailors and Marines prepare fighters and other aircraft for launching.

The research and tools produced by the eight teams in this project will help to create new approaches to noise-mitigation technology aimed at reducing levels of jet exhaust noise that, when combined with hearing protection, will result in safer noise environments for Sailors and Marines. In addition, the lower jet exhaust noise levels will aid in reducing noise complaints reported in communities near military bases.

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.

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