June 20, 2012
Vol. 1 Issue 23
CBR Training Steps Up Sailor’s Readiness Story and photo by MCSA Ryan Mayes
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) participated in advanced Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) defense training June 19. CBR defense training sessions, held at 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., covered material required for Sailors working on the Damage Control 309 personal qualification standard (PQS) and provided an overview on how to detect and monitor various CBR contaminated environments. Under the instruction of Damage Controlman 1st Class Scott Loehndorf, the on-going classes give Sailors an opportunity to get hands-on familiarization with the equipment used in the event of a CBR situation or attack. Advanced CBR defense training is recommended for the
Damage Controlman 1st Class Scott Loehndorf teaches Sailors about advanced Chemical, Biological and Radialogical (CBR) Defense aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
entire ship’s crew. “It’s crucial that everyone makes time to receive this training,” said Loehndorf. “There are only a handful of professional experts on board and it’s our job to make sure there are as many Sailors qualified in CBR defense See “CBR” page 7
FITBOSS Putting a Different Spin on Fitness Story and photos by MCSN Jesse Monford
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) participate in an indoor cycling class that is a rather different twist to a regular day in the gym. The spin class aboard Nimitz is a high-tempo class that’s dedicated to livening a person’s day. The class is a group workout on stationary bikes, which usually lasts for 45-60 minutes. It is led by one or more instructors that uniquely set the tone for the class. “It’s very motivating,” said Melyssa Patterson, Nimitz’ FITBOSS. “It gets the people going, it changes up and the pace varies to make it challenging, but not over the top.” There can be a lot of different
Sailors participate in a spin class in the physical fitness room on the O-2 level of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
benefits from participating in the spin class. From being motivated to exercise more or to help relieve some of the stress that comes from a normal work day on a ship. The class is cardio-based,
but there is also a lot of strengthening involved as well. “We do hill climbs, hovers, and things like that,” Patterson said, “once See “SPIN” page 2
USS Nimitz’ Sailor of the Day Capt. Jeff Ruth, commanding officer of USS Nimitz, named Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Valencia Webster, Sailor of the Day, June 19 in the Pilot House. Photo by MC3 Ian Cotter.
SPIN: High-Tempo Class Keeps Nimitz in Shape Continued from page 1 you get into the class, we have the music going along with the social atmosphere and me yelling at you.” “It gives you a lot more energy,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Kassandra Rebello, an instructor of the Spin Class. “If you continually do any type of exercise, especially cardio, it’ll increase your energy throughout the day.” The Spin Class fills up rather quickly with Sailors at the beginning or end of each day, who seek to start or finish their days with the blood flowing from cardio and strengthening exercise. The class itself is extremely fun, Rebello said. It’s one of those things that you love and hate at the same time, but you just have to stick it through because you’ll definitely feel awake and accomplished once the task is done. The classes are held Sunday through Friday at 5 a.m. Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff S. Ruth Executive Officer CAPT Buzz Donnelly Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre Public Affairs Officer LCDR Karin Burzynski
Editor MC2 Robert Winn Lead Designer MC3 Jacob Milner
Melyssa Patterson, USS Nimitz (CVN 68) FITBOSS teaches a spin class in the physical fitness room.
and Monday through Friday at 4:30 p.m. in Physical Fitness Room #1 at 01-67-0-L and available all through the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). For more information contact the FITBOSS at J-5049. 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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Reagan Sailors Come Along for the Ride Story and photo by MC3 Jacob Milner
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) come from all around the world to a ship that is not only a platform for flight operations but also for Sailors who came from other ships to supplement the crew and air wing while getting their own shipboard qualifications. After checking in, more than 30 Sailors from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) are serving alongside Nimitz Sailors as the ship heads west in preparation for the 2012 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) biennial exercise. “The Reagan is in dry dock in Bremerton right now so we were sent TAD (temporary assigned duty) here,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Sonar Sandiko. “We got here on Sunday which can be a problem because it is the weekend, but the duty section really took care of us. They helped us out a lot; making it a smooth process to check in.” Though they are not a normal part of Nimitz’ crew, the Sailors from Reagan still have a mission to complete and work with ship’s force to get it done. “As [aviation boatswain’s mates (handling)], we are responsible for the safe and efficient movement of aircraft in the hangar bay,” said Sandiko. “We chain down the aircraft, keep chocks under the tires to make sure they don’t go anywhere and eventually will be driving the tractors that move the aircraft through the hangar bay.” While they do their regular duties in the hangar bay, the Reagan Sailors also have to learn the job and get their qualifications for when they return to their ship. “I like it,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Recruit Alejandro Urrutia. “I’m having fun learning everything about the job. I’m here to do my job and get the qualifications I need.” Though Sandiko has been working night shift for a while on both the Reagan and now Nimitz, both Urrutia and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Efrain Nedrano left their “A” school in Pensacola, Fla., only a few weeks ago before being sent TAD to Nimitz. “We’re really getting accustomed to everything now,” said Urrutia. “We’re working nights so it took a while to get used to the sleep pattern, but now I have a little bit more energy to go to the gym and get things done.” As far as their progress goes for getting their qualifications, both Urrutia and Nedrano have been working hard, with
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Efrain Nedrano, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Sonar Sandiko and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Recruit Alejandro Urrutia of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) stand ready to help Sailors of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) while they are temporarily assigned to Nimitz to get their qualifications and supplement ship’s force.
ample support from their fellow Sailors. “I’ve been nitpicking them both to get two specific qualifications before we get to Hawaii,” said Sandiko. “I’m pushing for them to get both their flight deck observer and plane handler qualifications and they’re doing really well. Getting this done is part of upholding our standards. [Aviation boatswain’s mates (handling)] have pride in the work that we do. It’s a calling to do something that not a lot of people would do.” As Nimitz makes its way to Hawaii for RIMPAC, the Reagan Sailors will continue to earn their qualifications and help Nimitz Sailors complete the mission.
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Nimitz Leading The Way With Biofuel Alternative Story and photo by MC2 (SW) Robert Winn Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Airman Jonathan Kohl takes a sample of JP-5 fuel to check for sediment and condensation aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
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The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is leaning forward in innovation by being the first Navy ship to incorporate biofuel as part of shipboard operations. Nimitz and some other elements of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 are the first ships to receive biofuel as part of the Navy’s “Great Green Fleet” initiative led by Navy Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Energy, with Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to incorporate HRD-76 and HRJ-5 (a type of fuel), both produced from used cooking oil according to a recent NAVSUP release. The biofuel is intended to be used to fuel ships participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2012. “We’re bringing on the algae-based biofuel as part of Operation: Green Strike Group,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Joe Birdsell. “It will be mixed with JP-5 to make a 50/50 mixture.” The biofuel will be stored in the aft pump room to isolate it from the remaining JP-5 (fuel) on board. “We’ll run our test from the aft pump room to see how the pipes and pumps respond to something other than JP-5,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class Mike Rider. “There are a lot of
uncertainties that we’ll be trying to figure out and test for.” Birdsell says the goal of the incorporation of biofuel is to achieve a reduction of total oil dependency. “Green Strike Group hopes to demonstrate the ability of the Navy to use alternative fuels as an opposition of being fully dependant on oil-based fuel,” said Birdsell. This testing of alternative fuel goes along with the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus’ push for ‘going green’ Navy-wide. “The Navy has been at the forefront of energy innovation throughout its history,” said Mabus. “From sail to coal-fired steam to oil and nuclear-powered submarines and carriers, we have sought and achieved technological advancement in how we power the fleet because it has made us better warfighters. The Great Green Fleet demonstration is a significant milestone in the Navy’s progress to greater energy security.” The biofuel used for RIMPAC made a cross-country journey from Louisiana and Texas to Bremerton, Wash. where it was loaded onto the USNS Henry J. Kaiser (TAO 187) June 13. A total of 884,000 gallons of the 50/50 blend will be used during RIMPAC.
The Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) pulls alongside the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to conduct a fuel and ammunition on load. Photo by MC2 (SW) Thomas G. Siniff. Page 5
Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Tim S. Hughes weighs a bag of mail intended to be flown off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
Care Packages: From Home To Ship In One Trip Story and photos by MC3 Ian Cotter
For an aircraft carrier like USS Nimitz (CVN 68), sending and receiving mail is a demanding task. Each day, Sailors onboard send letters home, send bills to be paid or await that letter or care package from home to arrive. Before leaving the ship or ending up in an anxious Sailor’s hands, all of the mail must first pass through Nimitz’ S-1 Postal division. “The average weight of each mail delivery ranges from 500 to 600 pounds,” said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Julio A. Hernandez, the division’s leading petty officer and custodian of postal effects. “Our job is to provide service to the crew by delivering and receiving personal
and professional mail.” In order for so much mail to be processed and distributed throughout the ship, a team of mail processing personnel from the post office tackles the challenge one letter at a time. “First we collect the mail, then we sort it and distribute it,” said Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Tim S. Hughes, one of the post office’s mail processing petty officers. “We also weigh the mail, prep it for delivery and then take it out.” Like in any other post office, some of the mail may not be labeled correctly or may be addressed to someone who no longer resides at the command. “For that, we have a directory Page 6
service,” said Hughes. “Sometimes people forget to put their division on the mail or people have left the ship. We go through the directory, which is like a big alpha roster, and find where they work, or if they have left the ship, forward it to their forwarding address or return to sender.” The post office, located on the 3rd deck as part of the ship’s mall, takes in many letters and packages daily to eventually be sent off the ship. “A flat rate box is about 11 dollars or more; parcel post is less,” said Hughes. “Post letters already have first class service, which is about 45 cents, but anything over 13 ounces goes up in price. You can also purchase stamps down here at the post office.” Sailors can deposit their offgoing mail directly at the post office or take it to any one of the seven mail receptacles around the ship. “Out to sea, we have to hold offgoing mail until there is enough of it to fill a mail bag,” said Hughes. “Each bag can hold up to 100 pounds of mail.” Once the bags are filled, they have to be weighed individually before they can be sent off of the ship. “We have to fill out forms that describe the contents of the bags, such as weight and number of items,” said Hughes. “Then we put the form in the bag and tie it off. Next we put a label on the outside of the bag that describes the weight again and the airport or activity
CBR: Ongoing training sharpens crew’s skills Continued from page 1
Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Tim S. Hughes carries a bag of newly delivered mail across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).
that will be receiving our mail, such as our beach detachment at Naval Air Station North Island.” From there, the mail goes up to Nimitz’ flight deck and is loaded onto a C2-A Greyhound for carrier on board delivery (COD) to be launched off the ship. “I load the mail into the COD with the COD team and the air transfer office team,” said Hughes. “Then they launch it and it’s out of our hands. It’s the same process for when we receive mail, just backwards.” When an incoming COD lands, the mail is taken down to the hangar deck and is distributed to the crew during mail call. “I like this job because I like meeting people; I’m a people person,” said Hughes. “This is a big part of the morale for the crew. It’s the magazines, the packages and letters from home.” Although there are bills and administrative items in the mail, mail distribution is generally a positive experience for the crew. “It’s different,” said Hernandez. “There are so many different jobs a [Logistics Specialist] could have, and the post office is one of them. I get satisfaction out of seeing the customers’ smiling faces when they come to pick up their mail. They can’t use their cell phones when their out to sea, so when they get letters or packages from home, I feel a sense of accomplishment in performing that duty of customer service.”
as possible.” The classes will continue as necessary to ensure everyone has the opportunity to attend. Upcoming classes will be announced through the ship’s plan of the day and e-mail system. “I will definitely be returning to these training sessions,” said Yeoman 2nd Class Maria Espinoza, who is newly reported to Nimitz. “I feel more prepared after participating in these classes and after having completed the NKO (Navy Knowledge Online) courses. This is training I hope I never have to use, but I’m glad to have it.” Detection methods include the use of M-8 paper and M-9 paper, which require local placement for detection of nerve or blister agents, as well as the automated Improved Point Detection System, which continuously tests the environment surrounding the ship and reports directly to the ships integrated alarm and warning system. Nimitz recently issued more than 3,000 required MCU-2P protective masks to the ship’s company. The masks will be an integral part in the upcoming CBR drill. Any Sailor who is DC 309 qualified will soon be glad they have the training as the ship will conduct its first drill on June 23. This drill will take the ship’s crew through the different MOPP (Mission-Oriented Protective Posture) levels, the management system designed to coordinate shipboard systems and countermeasures required to defend against the entire CBR threat spectrum. It will also require crew members to re-familiarize themselves with the MCU-2P protective mask. For more information on damage control training and CBR defense, reference the Nimitz Damage Control Handbook which can be found under the “Damage Control” link of the ship’s intranet homepage.
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Channel 5
Channel 6 Channel 8 Channel 29
0800 / 2000 Remember the Titans
Conviction Tron: Legacy Safe House
1000 / 2200 Caddyshack
Heaven Can Wait
127 Hours
UP
1200 / 0000 This Means War
The Social network
The Fighter
Man on a Ledge
The Gener al’s Daughter
Fantastic Four
Gone
Season of the Witch
I Robot
Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds
1400 / 0200 Rudy
1600 / 0400 Little Fockers
1800 / 0600 Yogi Bear
Hereafter
The Mechanic
The Expendables
TV LINEUP 2 - AFN Sports 3 - AFN NEWS 4 - AFN XTRA 5 - 8MM MOVIES 6 - 8MM MOVIES 7 - 8MM MOVIES 8 - ROLLER 9 - DVD TRAINING 10-FLIGHT DECK 11-CNN 29-DVD MOVIES