Know Your Shipmate!
RPSN Ryan Maines Religious Ministries
R
eligious Program Specialist Seaman Ryan Maines was born and raised in Las Vegas. His stepfather was an airborne ranger, but no other member of his family joined the military until he enlisted into the Navy Nov. 11, 2007. When he arrived aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), he took an interest in the RP rating and decided to strike for it. “What really made me want to work as an RP was the idea of going fleet marine force and working with the Marines,” said Maines. “But the best part of my job is being able to help someone that’s had a rough day, or deliver a good message, like the birth of a child, to someone on the ship.” Maines has a wife, Angela, and one child, Addyson, who is about to celebrate her first birthday. His favorite part of being in the Navy is having the ability to support his family, and keep them informed throughout deployment using command programs, such as the Lincoln’s Facebook page and United Through Reading. When asked what advice he would give to Sailors in a slump, he replied, “Have a smile on your face, because things could always be worse. Why be blue? Also, grow an underway mustache, which helps.”
Lincoln Arrives in 5th Fleet, Ready to Support Afghanistan Surge and Maritime Security Operations By USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs
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imitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) arrived in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Oct. 17 after completing a transit through the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Abraham Lincoln, with its embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, brings more than 60 additional aircraft to the theater in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates approved the presence of a second carrier in the 5th Fleet AOR to provide surge support for coalition forces in Afghanistan, and to support existing maritime security operations. A second carrier also provides support for the drawdown of forces in Iraq. The U.S. Navy continues to enhance capabilities and cooperation with regional partners in the 5th Fleet AOR through a common regional security architecture strengthened by participating in ongoing security cooperation activities.
U.S. Navy Photo
Carrier Air Wing 2 Pilots Train
for
Operation Enduring Freedom
Story and Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alan Gragg
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ilots assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 have trained rigorously over the past year, preparing for their turn to support Operation Enduring Freedom. CVW-2, which is part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, uses a fourlevel qualification system for strike fighter squadron (VFA) pilots to improve their mission readiness. The qualifications are earned through various strike fighter weapons tactics flights, where the F/A18 pilots learn each role of a pilot in a VFA squadron, said Lt. j.g. William Dann, assigned to the “Bounty Hunters” of VFA-2. The four-level qualification process begins when a pilot graduates from the Fleet Replacement Squadron and is designated as a Level 1 pilot. During Level 2, a pilot checks in to a unit and learns the roles of a combat wingman. Upon meeting those requirements, a pilot moves on to the combat lead training for Level 3. Level 3, the combat lead, is where pilots take responsibility for a section of two aircraft. This level encourages pilots to further develop their leadership skills, by giving flight briefs to other pilots they will
fly with, and requires even more preparation for their mission, said Lt. Cmdr. David Whitmer, assigned to the “Vigilantes” of VFA-151. “As an aviator, you are expected to be able to time-manage your ground jobs, by studying and getting in the books and making sure you know everything you need to know,” Whitmer said. Level 4 is a step for pilots who have completed the combat lead requirements and can begin learning the responsibilities of leading a division of four aircraft. “Before you move on to your next command, the goals is to have Level 4 complete, because that makes you more useful to wherever you go next,” said Dann. Dann, who checked into VFA-2 in August, began his Level 2 qualifications and credited his squadron mates for getting him up to speed with the training and ready for deployment. “I think they wanted to make sure I got all the right training first, specifically what we’ll be doing in combat,” he said. “Those are emphasized a lot more.” Each command’s training officer is responsible for making sure each pilot is meeting
their qualifications. Senior pilots, who are qualified evaluators, grade the junior pilots and pass on useful information from their experiences. “It’s great that we have people in the squadron who have been on combat deployments before,” said Dann. “They are the best sources for information. Most of them are Level 4 complete. They’ve done all this, and been through it before. Pretty much every flight you go on, you’ll have a guy who has this level of experience and qualification.” “Questions are always encouraged, and it’s a constant learning process,” he added. “There’s a lot I have to learn in a short amount of time, so it’s great that they’re always available and they have the experience to draw on.” The training frequently goes beyond the domain of the individual squadrons, and requires cohesive teamwork from the entire air wing. For one squadron to qualify their pilots, other CVW-2 assets are used as mock adversary aircraft, simulating combat scenarios. “When we sit down to make training plans and schedules, it is a very complex process of making all that work,” said Whitmer. “For instance, if somebody is trying to get a qualification, we need range space, we need the appropriate amount of ordnance, a number of jets from our squadron, and adversary support from another squadron, maybe two, as well as a command and control aircraft.” VFA-2, VFA-151, the “Kestrels” of VFA-137 and the “Blue Blasters” of VFA-34 represent the strike fighter squadrons assigned to CVW-2. The air wing is embarked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. The strike group is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.
Songs
of
Peace
on a
Naval Warship
Story and Photo By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Luciano Marano
T
o compare USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) to a city is an easy and relatively accurate way of describing life on board an aircraft carrier to somebody who has never actually lived it. It is true; we are a city unto ourselves. We have a zip code, several gyms, lawyers, a police force, fire fighters, doctors, a mayor (the captain), a local newspaper, dentists and priests. Those are only the professional aspects to consider. In their spare time Sailors on board enjoy any number of regular activities, including video game tournaments, bingo night, organized sports and clubs, and even a choir. Yes, even in the middle of the ocean amidst the near-constant hustle and bustle of ship activity, Sailors still find time to enjoy the simplest pleasures of life, like music. “We’re not like your typical church choir,” said Lt. Sharon Reives, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, a Navy Chaplain and a Christian gospel choir leader. “We practice three times a week in the evening, so everyone can make it to a service.” The atmosphere at choir practice rises and falls between discussion and musical praise throughout the evening, with the participants putting emphasis on technique and vocal harmony. Songs performed range from “My Country Tis of Thee” to several more traditional gospel fares.
“The program is mostly geared toward the youth on the ship,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Edward Clements, the senior choir member and program lay leader. “I hope this is a positive diversion for the young people, a place they can go to relax their mind.” “We have sought to be a family for our members while they are away from their own family and church,” said Reives. Finding personal time on the ship is a struggle that every one of us is familiar with, and Clements said he hopes that he and the other members of the choir have given people a place to not only celebrate their faith, but their own creativity. “You don’t have to be a professional singer, or even sing at all,” he said. “Maybe you write poetry or plays, maybe you play an instrument or you just want to dance. The thing I tell people is to come out and do it, just come by and have a good time.” “Do not leave this deployment spiritually starved,” advised Reives. “Take time out for spiritual fitness.” “All you need to bring is a willing heart,” said Clements. The Lincoln Gospel Choir meets for practice sessions three times-a-week in the ship’s chapel, with a performance every Sunday at 7 p.m. in the foc’sle. Sailors interested in participating should contact Reives at 7821 or Clements at 7089.
V-2 Division Repairs Catapult
in
Photo by Lt. j.g. Joshua Stehr
Time For OEF Missions
Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jerine Lee
A
s USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sailors enjoyed sightseeing the town, visiting the famous Petronas Towers, riding on elephants and shopping for souvenirs. However, some Sailors in Lincoln’s Air Department, V-2 division, stayed aboard the ship during much of their off-duty time to repair one of its catapults in time for future air operations supporting Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Metal shavings and foreign object debris had clogged up Lincoln’s catapults, causing friction to the equipment and making it inoperable for a day in late September. Due to the space required for the maintenance, the repairs needed to be done while in-port, to have the flight deck available full-time when the ship arrived in 5th Fleet. “The entire evolution usually takes three weeks to complete, but our Sailors finished it in the four days we were in Malaysia,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Lester Quinlin, a native of Indianapolis who works in V-2. “With more than 1,000 man-hours put into the repair work, V-2 ensured the entire strike group was ready for the mission.” Lincoln’s V-2 Sailors were required to disable the catapult, clean and inspect all equipment for foreign matter, reassemble the catapult, replace the waterbreak pistons and at the same time, continue with hours of preliminary, mid-process and post-testing to completely
restore the catapult. “The weather was extremely hot and muggy in Malaysia and the process was extremely repetitive; making repairs, testing them, taking readings and then fixing whatever mistakes were found,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Nathan Phillips, of Philisburg, Penn. The entire division of more than 200 Sailors came together as one to complete the strenuous task. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Kristina Delgado, of Atlanta, claims the quick completion wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s help. “It was a huge team effort. Everyone in V-2, such as the electrician’s mates, interior communication electricians, personnel from gear, waist and maintenance support came together to help us,” said Delgado. With the long hours of labor in grease, dirt and sweat, Lincoln’s V-2 Sailors were disappointed to lose some liberty time in Malaysia, but they knew the importance of the ship’s missions in OEF and were proud to serve the strike group. “It was a sacrifice that we had to make because it was a priority, and the job had to be done,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Bradley Exantus, of Brooklyn, N.Y. “It’s work now and play later, so we sucked it up and worked as hard as we could to get it done. Now, it’s a huge weight off our shoulders and we are proud to support the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group.”
Lincoln Salutes Our Sailors on the Ground
MMC Michael Nisbet Hometown: The Dalles, Ore. Fran and Ken Nisbet (Mother & Father) Jason, Jeremy, Josh (Brothers), and sister Jessica. History of assignments. 1991 Recruit Training Command San Diego for boot camp. 1991-1995 USS Camden AOE-2 (Bremerton, Wash.) 1996-2000 Military Entrance Processing Station MEPS Portland, Ore. 2000-2004 USS Camden AOE-2 (Bremerton, Wash.) 2004-2007 Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (Recruit Division Commander) 2007-May 09 USS Abraham Lincoln CVN 72 May 09-Present IA assignment Afghanistan (Postal Platoon Sergeant) IA Job: Plans, manages, and prioritizes the movement of over 10 million pounds of US Mail to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Civilian Personnel. Maintains 100% accountability of personal, accountable, and official mail. His efforts have fostered a high level of morale, readiness, and communication in the supported units at Kandahar Airfield and outlying Forward Operating Bases in Southern Afghanistan. Provides oversight of New Kabul Compounds (NKC) Mail distribution & transportation system ensuring delivery of over 150,000 LBS of inbound and outbound mail in Kabul Afghanistan, which is in the Northern Afghanistan region. Coordinates daily mail movement missions outside of the compound for movement of the mail to the regional distribution center for himself and his sailors. Flawless planning has results in zero incidents due while traveling outside the compound. Lincoln Job: A-gang LCPO of the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Shop, Command and A Division Command Fitness Leader.
Photo
of the
Week
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Victor Arroyos, from San Antonio, fires the Navy’s Dazzler, an intense concentrated beam of light that can be used as a signal device or as a non-lethal deterrent to any hostile force approaching the ship, for practical familiarization on the fantail of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet area of responsobility.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Luciano Marano/Released)