April 19, 2012
Vol. 1 Issue 6
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Flightdeck Drills
V-4 division fuels up for certification Story and photos by MC3 (SW) Thomas G. Siniff
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ailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) prepare to perform flight operations for the first time since the ship finished its Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) more than a year ago. Air Department Sailors in V-4 division are running the fuel stations looking for any discrepancies that would need repairs before aircraft are flown on board. “We are preparing for the flight deck certification,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 1st Class (AW/SW) Luis Cervantes. “We are testing our fuel stations. We have 18 stations; 15 on the flight deck and three in the hangar bay.”
V-4 Sailors tested fuel at 18 stations (15 on the flight deck) for discrepancies.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 3rd Class Salvador Castro tests jet propellant (JP5) in preparation for flight operations.
The job of an ABF is to provide the best quality fuel for the aircraft, ensuring the proper performance of the aircraft and the safety of the pilot. “Our job is to deliver clean, clear and bright JP5 to the planes; if we deliver dirty fuel to the aircraft we’re not only endangering the pilot but also the aircraft,” said Cervantes. “The safety of the plane and the pilot is in our hands.” Every 24 hours the fueling stations have to be re-circulated, said Cervantes. When each fuel station is re-circulated, samples are taken. These samples are taken to the quality assurance lab, where they run tests for water and sediment. Other than verifying the quality of fuel, the equipment moving fuel from the pump rooms to the flight deck is checked for correct operation.
The hoses have to be rolled out to make sure fuel flows through all of them, said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 3rd Class Salvador Castro. While testing, V-4 Division has repair personnel standing by in case there are any leaks. Any little thing like too much pressure in the hose will mess up the plane. V-4 Division is not the only one preparing right now. Air Department’s other divisions are also putting in time to make sure the personnel and flight deck are ready for the upcoming flight operations. “We’ve been waiting for this for more than a year, to start getting planes and actually do our job,” said Cervantes.
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USS Nimitz honor guard hones skills Story and photos by MCSN Vanessa David
guard commander. “We perform for embers of the honor guard commissioning aboard the aircraft carrier ceremonies, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) performed funerals, training in hangar bay three, April retirements, and 18. any other ceremony The honor guard practices on the ship upon frequently to prepare for future request. We’re ceremonies and events. known in the “While underway, we try to community too, so practice at least once a week,” said we’ll be asked to Operations Specialist 2nd Class perform for sporting Esmeralda Lopez. “We practice events during the military bearing and keeping in step, National Anthem. It making sure that we always stay in gets us off the ship, sync. That’s the hardest part.” and it’s definitely The honor guard performs for one of the perks to Sailors of Nimitz’ honor guard rehearse for ceremonies in the hangar a variety of different ceremonies being on the honor bay of the ship. aboard the ship and out in town guard.” while in port. Sailors interested in joining you have to be recommended by “Our purpose is to be the the honor guard can attend your department.” The selection process lasts for embodiment of American pride, tryouts, which are slated for June. military presence and to represent However, there are guidelines to be one week, and very few make the cut. our ship,” said Operations Specialist considered. “At the end of the week, we have 2nd Class Brittany Coleman, honor “We accept people from all rates who have not a final performance,” said Lopez. received (Non-Judicial “The leading petty officer of honor Punishment) within the guard and the commander of honor last year, among other guard decide who gets in by grading stipulations that must performance and military bearing. be maintained,” said The final decision is dependent upon Coleman. “You have to how many people are needed.” For more information about have all of your in-rate and in port qualifications honor guard and tryouts, contact squared away, you can’t Operations Specialist 2nd Class Sailors of Nimitz’ honor guard rehearse for ceremonies in the be on FEP, you can’t be Brittany Coleman at brittany. hangar bay of the ship. dink on anything, and coleman@cvn68.navy.mil.
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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 MC3 Jacob Milner
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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C h e s t e r s
C h A L L e n g e
Story and photos by MC3 Ashley Berumen Seaman Trevor Barkley, from Deck department, is the first of his team to run the half-mile relay marathon in the ‘gerbil gym’, April 18, as part of Chester’s Challenge.
Thirteen runners stood on the treadmills with their fingers ready to push the start button as the first day of Chester’s Challenge launched, in the ship’s gym, April 18.
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Go
“3, 2, 1… ,” yelled Nimitz’ Fitboss, Melyssa Patterson. The beeps echoed throughout the “gerbil gym” as the runners rapidly increased their speed. Electrician’s Mate Fireman Vanessa Futch increases her running speed during the half-mile The goal was 13.1 miles, or a relay marathon in the ‘gerbil gym’, April 18, as part of Chester’s Challenge. half-marathon relay, and there wasn’t any time to waste. “We’re the only team that matters,” said a participant to his teammate. The thud of the runners’ feet hitting the treadmill resonates throughout the room, and with every stride they take, the current runner’s three teammates motivate them to run fast. One team of Sailors bragged about how they strategically joined together based on Physical Readiness Test (PRT) scores. “I figured all of our times -Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Wallace Pelesas sprints during a halfcombined would be perfect for (Fuel) 3rd Class Ricky Wilson mile relay marathon in the ‘gerbil gym’, April 18, as part of Chester’s Challenge. a half marathon,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 3rd Class Ricky Wilson, who ran track in high school. Wilson said his teammate, Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Wiky Damont, was a track rival in high school. “He beat me in high school, and we ended up on the same ship,” he said. “Ever since then I try to beat his PRT score, but I can never beat him.” With Damont on his team, there’s one Sailors participated in a half-mile relay marathon in the ‘gerbil gym’, April 18, as part of
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This r ace is not about pace, it’s about speed.
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Chester’s Challenge.
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less competitor Wilson has to worry about. Not every team competing had a plan. Some teams’ strategies were simply to have no strategy at all. “We’re just running until we get tired,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) Airman Sara Love. “Our strategy?” asked another runner. “Win. Win at all cost.” His teammates enthusiastically agreed. With each passing minute the gym became a body-heat generated sauna, and it was difficult to find a dry brow anywhere in sight – even from bystanders. The runners pushed themselves as far as physically possible, because although this is only the first of many events in the challenge, a cash prize is on the line. “Each person in the overall winning team will receive a $500 gift card,” explained Patterson. With a prize that size, it’s obvious why so many Sailors didn’t pass on an opportunity to win. “(Electrician’s Mate Fireman Vanessa) Futch just signed me up,” said Airman Wallace Pelesasa. “She said, ‘Hey, you’re
running tomorrow,’ I said ‘okay’.” As the runners grew tired, they would alert the next runner as they prepared them to take over the treadmill. When they were sure their relief was readily standing by, they’d quickly press pause as their alternate would jump on, press start, and begin a full-out sprint. “The faster you go, the more miles you get,” said Wilson. “This race is not about pace; it’s about speed.” At the one-hour mark each teams’ distances were recorded. There was more water consumed, and towels wiped the sweat off the faces of runners recently relieved of their turn as they paced the floor. Runners dug up all the energy they could manage as the treadmill display grew closer to the total miles they needed to complete the race. “There are a lot of great teams out there,” said Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Kenneth Zamarripa. “There’s no spirit like Nimitz spirit.” The anticipation in the room grew as the last few miles brought the teams closer to the cash prize. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, every single treadmill
in the room shut off. Some participants joked they had already complete the half-mile relay, while others kept a positive outlook on the unfortunate turn of events. “The power just went out,” said a Sailor to his teammate. “It’s all good. Don’t sweat it, there are still six more events.” The room grew silent, and the suspense grew, as Lt. Jarred Posada, Nimitz’ recreational services officer, announced how the winners of the first event would be determined. “Due to some issues with the machines, we’re going to go by who was in first, second and third place at the one hour mark,” he explained. The competition was fierce, but winners were named later that night. Buds Duds claimed 1st place with a total distance of 11.35 miles, 760 took 2nd place with 11.21 miles and BAMF rounded out the top three with 10.38 miles. The second event in Chester’s Challenge is the Kettle bell snatch and will be held April 23 at 5:50 p.m. in hangar bay 1.
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o Chance paddles,” a voice booms over the 5-MC, the speaker system on the flight deck of the enormous aircraft carrier. “Heads up zone four, rotating Hornet” the voice calls out, breaking through the sounds of the flight deck, dulled only by the hearing protection worn by the Sailors. In an instant, uniforms of various colors respond to each command. The Sailors scatter across the non-skid springing into action as they perform the scripted movements flawlessly. “It gets really loud,” says Airman Ty Bock, as he shifts the to-scale cutouts of F-18 aircraft across the ‘Ouija board’, the nickname for a map of the flight deck that displays the positions of every aircraft to the ship’s handler. Bock is no stranger to flight deck operations. He was previously stationed on the aircraft carrier USS George W. Bush (CVN 77). “When the planes fly on it gets exciting,” said Bock “It’s completely different.” Naturally, the sound of an F/A-18 Super Hornet is anything but quiet. However, this day, they were eerily quieter than usual. Not because the protective head piece, or cranial, transported the first-time wearer into a quiet place of serenity, but because the planes were not planes at all. The tractors normally used to transport jets were simulating the various types of aircraft that will soon arrive onboard. Nimitz left its homeport of Naval Station Everett, Wash. April 16, now underway in the Pacific Ocean. The ship will embark on the journey of flight deck qualifications, a requirement for every operational carrier. It won’t be an easy task, but drills like the SOE (sequence of events) drill that took place Wednesday are all part of the process of getting up to speed after
Air department preps for landing Story and photos by MCSA Ryan Mayes
Crash and Salvage Emergency Response Team personnel await a scripted aircraft hydraulics failure during the sequence of events (SOE) drill on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as a part of flight deck certification.
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more than a year spent in dry-dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS&IMF) in Bremerton, Wash. “We’re refreshing memories,” said Lt. Russell Lawrence, Nimitz’ handling officer. “Knocking off the rust by practicing the procedures, that’s what this drill is for.” The handler, with 23 years of experience, confidently commanded each movement of the aircraft, from take-off to landing by way of the loudspeaker. It’s the handler’s responsibility to ensure the aircraft leave and return from the mission safely. With his help, and the help of the many eyes on the flight deck, the crew never missed a beat. Even with so many new Sailors onboard since Nimitz’ last deployment, the crew’s readiness remains unchanged for the challenge they might face. “They’re ready” said Lawrence. “Ready and eager.” Being ready is just part of the job for aircrew. Many stand by just in case something doesn’t go as planned. “Crash and Salvage is always ready,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Julius Smith,
Airmen of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) rush to tie down a simulated aircraft during a sequence of events (SOE) drill on the flight deck of the carrier as a part of flight deck certification.
leading petty officer of crash and salvage. “We have been practicing for every possibility. Just like in today’s drill, we will rise to the challenge and combat any casualty when necessary. My crew does a great job.” The eagerness of the crew is apparent and their preparation will be evident when the aircraft finally return to the carrier.
“Everyone on the flight deck knows what they are doing,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Manuel Garcia. “They can’t wait to get to do their job with actual planes. It gets busy up here but its fun. It requires a lot of communication between each department to launch and recover aircraft properly and in the desired time, but these guys are ready.”
Airmen of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) place chocks around the tires of a simulated aircraft during a sequence of events (SOE) drill on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier as a part of flight deck certification.
/NIMITZ
Showtimes Channel 5
Channel 6 Channel 7
0800 / 2000
Made of Honor
Indiana Jones: and the Last Crusade
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Stop Loss
Shutter
Penelope
88 Minutes
Leatherheads
Iron Man
Nim’s Island
Never Back Down
Deception
Doomsday
1000 / 2200
Horton Hears a Who 1200 / 0000
Witless Protection 1400 / 0200
Definitely, Maybe 1600 / 0400
Drillbit Taylor 1800 / 0600
The Muppets
Contact your Departmental Represenative