Know Your Shipmate
Photo and information by MC3 Zachary Hunt
CS1 Josh Maddalone LPO, Lincoln Chiefs’ Mess
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ulinary Specialist 1st Class Josh Maddalone has walked a unique path in his career. Born in Alaska, but raised in West Germany, Maddalone joined the Marines in 1986 fresh out of high school. As an infantryman stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Maddalone received his training on the M60 machine gun. During the Gulf War, Maddalone served on board the tank landing ship USS La Moure County (LST 1194), where he awaited an amphibious assault on Kuwait that never materialized. After four and a half years in the Marines, he attended Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo., where in 1998, he earned his bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in political science. Maddalone got a job at McMurdo Station, Antarctica in 1999. For six months, he served as a janitor at the station, earning the right to wear the Antarctica Service Medal with his other military ribbons. Due to personal and financial issues, Maddalone returned to military service when he joined the Navy in 2001. Having been a corporal (E-4) in the Marines, he was forced to start his naval career a rung lower and came in as a seaman. He was 33 at the time. Maddalone, the leading petty officer in the chief’s mess aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), is very grateful to be in the position he is in now. “I just want to thank the S-2 chain of command for giving me the opportunity to work in the chief’s mess,” he said. “It is truly a blessing.”
Squadrons Join Lincoln At Sea Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian Morales
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he Lancers of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131 and the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 conducted flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), June 29, to maintain their carrier qualifications. EA-6B Prowlers from VAQ-131, based out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters from HSC-12, from Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, flew on to the ship during a brief underway period, performing launch and recovery operations in the Pacific Ocean. The aircrews and pilots of squadrons attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, including VAQ-131 and HSC-12, will embark aboard
Lincoln later this year to complete shipboard qualifications prior to the ship’s scheduled change of homeport deployment. CVW-2, part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, conducts a variety of qualifications for squadrons prior to strike group deployments. In addition to the Lancers and the Golden Falcons, CVW2 is comprised of the Saberhawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, the Providers of Carrier Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, the Sun Kings of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116, the Bounty Hunters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, the Kestrels of VFA 137, the Vigilantes of VFA 151 and the Blasters of VFA 34.
SCRUBEX
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Zachary Hunt
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SS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sailors had a little help from the weather as they conducted a countermeasure washdown, also known as a scrubbing exercise (or “Scrub-Ex”), on the flight deck, June 28. The Sailors washed the landing
area in preparation for the arrival of a couple of squadrons from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, which joined Lincoln during her current underway period. For the safe execution of daily flight operations, a clean and debrisfree flight deck is essential.
U.S. Navy photo by MCSA Zachary Welch
The countermeasure washdown system is the primary means of cleaning the large surface area of a carrier’s flight deck, and also serves as an effective means of removing any potential spills or leaks, or fighting fires that may occur on the flat top.
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Zachary Hunt
This Independence Day, Bask in the Patriotic Glory of
John Paul Jones: Badass Sailor By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Luciano Marano & Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jimmy Cellini
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ew men have exemplified the badass spirit of the Navy as perfectly as John Paul Jones. Known today as the “Father of the American Navy,” his name is synonymous with naval history. Having spent most of his life in various sea-going occupations, Jones came to epitomize the Navy hero when he proved to be the greatest naval asset in America’s fight for independence. In other words, Jones is the ideal choice for this July 4th Badass special edition. Even before the United States of America existed, Jones, a man who began his life at sea as a lowly cabin boy on various merchant and slave ships, had the makings of a real badass. At the age of 21, and under his birth name John Paul, he inherited command of the British merchant ship John when both the captain and first mate died of yellow fever. He must have been pretty good at it, too, because even after the mission was complete, the ship owners left him in command. Having become infamous in England for his intolerance
of crap and for his general badass-ness (he went so far as to personally slit the throat of one mutineer), he was forced to change his name to John Paul Jones and relocate to Virginia. Life in the new world agreed with Mr. Jones, who spent most of his time sitting around his brother’s posh plantation sipping martinis and playing croquet (citation needed). However, the lack of cannon fire associated with lawn sports left something in our hero wanting, and it wasn’t long until he found himself again answering the call of the high seas. Fortunately for this badass, if war is what one sought, the budding colonies were the place to be. The year was 1775 (sound familiar to anyone studying BMR?), and Jones soon found himself commissioned as a first lieutenant in the newly formed Continental Navy. On Dec. 3, 1775, Jones became the first naval officer to raise a U.S. flag over a warship. Since no form of record could possibly capture the British terror at hearing this news, we’re forced to use our imaginations (and we’re envisioning soiled red cloth diapers). In the early days of the war, Jones was content to
From the get-go, things were not looking good for ol’ pillage and ransack approaching British ships as they entered American waters, a hobby that quickly built Jones a JPJ. Serapis fired broadside after broadside at Bonhomme reputation as an expert strategist. In one particularly badass Richard, crippling its defenses and eventually knocking down her mast. With victory seemingly inevitable, the six-week span, he captured 16 British ships. As the war progressed, Jones was sent to France, where he British captain had the nerve to ask whether JPJ was ready to surrender. Jones replied divided his time between with the famous badass convincing the French tagline of all time: government to aid the “Surrender? I have colonists and bar hopping not yet begun to fight!” with the likes of Benjamin He then proceeded to Franklin. He was awesome ram his crippled vessel at multi-tasking, it turns into the side of the British out, because the French ship, fouling both ships joined the war on the side together and making it of the colonists. Jones, impossible for the British assigned to the sloopto train their guns back of-war Ranger, received on their target. JPJ and the first recognition of his men then proceeded the American flag by a to board the British ship, foreign government when scaring and/or killing the French fleet saluted enough people to take his ship’s ensign as he control. departed France to resume In the aftermath of the his Brit whipping. Revolutionary War, the As he headed back victorious colonies began to the colonies, Jones to disband the Navy in decided it might be fun to preparation for peace take a detour and swing by time. JPJ quickly found England on the way. You that the boredom brought know, the country we were on by peace was an enemy at war with. Yeah, that one. he could not defeat, so he Jones brought Ranger (and set about finding a nation ONLY Ranger) around the in need of warriors. coast of England, where He settled in Russia, he proceeded to bring the Even if you find yourself lucky enough to own the same fantastic pirate where he kicked some fight to enemy on their ensemble, do NOT try to achieve this level of badassery at home. Ottoman (that’s Turkey own turf. He raided port towns, burned British ships and generally just messed up today) butt, rose through the ranks and earned numerous honors. Eventually cast out by the Russians for being way their stuff. In April 1778, while cruising near Ireland, probably not too American, JPJ would live out his remaining years in minding his own business, Jones came across HMS Drake. Paris fighting to be reassigned to a sea command. He died in Paris in 1792 and was buried there in an Deciding he didn’t like the look of a British ship not on fire, Jones picked a fight. The ensuing battle, which resulted in unmarked grave until 1905 when, at the order of President the death of 40 British sailors, including the Drake skipper, Teddy Roosevelt (also a badass, but that’s another story), he marked the first successful battle fought by the Americans in was exhumed and brought home, escorted across the Atlantic English waters and the Continental Navy’s first victory over by four cruisers and seven battleships (in case the British were still mad at him). He is now interred in a marble sarcophagus an actual British warship. Because the French hated them some British folk, they on the grounds of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., presented the colonies with Bonhomme Richard, a 42-gun where he was put to rest with full military honors and is guarded year-round by Midshipmen to this day. frigate that JPJ then captained in the colonies’ cause. So as we celebrate our Independence Day this year, it Several months later, he came across HMS Serapis at sea. What followed would forever be known as one of the would be a mistake to not recognize the true badass that was greatest battles in Navy history, full of explosions so huge John Paul Jones, the man who created the scale on which badass Sailors will forever be measured. that even Michael Bay might find them excessive.
Off the Ship, on the Mound Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jerine Lee
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hile the air filled with the mingling smells of freshly cut grass and grill-cooked food, the cheers of hyped players joined the sounds of bats cracking against balls to resonate through the air during the annual Naval Station Everett base softball tournament, June 26, in Everett, Wash. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) softball team placed third in the competition, which also featured teams comprised of base personnel and other ships such as the guided-missile destroyers USS Shoup (DDG 86) and USS Momsen (DDG 92). Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Airman Ryan Perry, the Lincoln team manager, said the competition not only helps the Sailors stay active while in port, it also improves the bond between co-workers and friends serving together aboard the carrier. “We have someone from almost every department playing on the Lincoln softball team,” Perry said. “We have each others’ backs on and off
the field, which helps improve the ship’s morale and production.” Lincoln Sailors also play on three other unofficial softball teams: Air department’s V-1 Sluggers, Air department’s V-2 Crash and Salvage team and Operations department’s Oblivious Swag. Whether a team consists of personnel from a particular department or division, or players from all corners of the command, all of the teams claim that playing together keeps the camaraderie high among teammates and shipmates alike. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class A.J. Moreno, of the V-2 Crash and Salvage team, said the teamwork he’s seen during flight operations is reflected in the cooperation among the players on the softball diamond. “We work very well together when it comes to working on the flight deck,” Moreno said. “We’re more than co-workers; we’re like a family. Playing softball together outside of work only helps us be a better team. Plus, it’s a great way to release stress, get some exercise and just have fun with some good friends.”
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Wade T. Oberlin
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Wade T. Oberlin
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Colby K. Neal
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Wade T. Oberlin
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Kirk Putnam
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SEA ANCHOR
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Colby K. Neal
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Colby K. Neal
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Kirk Putnam U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Kirk Putnam