U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Travis Mendoza
Senior Chief Hineman Sets the Standard By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sean Hillier
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e all hear his voice on the 1MC making announcements about exercises and the status of the ship, but many of us do not know the person behind the voice of the Tactical Action Officer (TAO). Although a rotation of qualified officers regularly stand the watch, one enlisted Sailor is also in control of the Display and Decision (D&D) module in the Combat Direction Center (CDC). Senior Chief Operations Specialist Jeffrey Hineman, the only enlisted TAO aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), said he appreciates the importance of the position. “It’s pretty awesome to hold this job, because it really shows people they should push themselves to be the best they are and not to be satisfied with their current position,” he said. The TAO is tactically in charge of the ship. Operating from D&D, the TAO acts as an advisor to the commanding officer and and is the only person aboard who has weapons release authority other than the commanding officer. Hineman said that qualifying as a TAO is not an easy task. The long process requires evaluations, underinstruction training and a lot of trust from the chain of command to give such a large responsibility to any one person. “Being TAO is all about keeping your cool and staying
calm,” he said. “Different threats have different responses, and it’s the job of the TAO to decipher which is the right one. You have to be able to handle the responsibility calmly to make the best decision for the ship. It’s very rewarding at the end of a watch or at the end of a scenario when we’ve executed our mission without taking any harm.” Standing watch as a TAO is one of the many duties Hineman holds aboard Lincoln. He is also the leading chief petty officer of the Operations department’s Intelligence division and is actively involved in the Chiefs’ Mess. At one point, Hineman applied for a commission under the Seaman-to-Admiral program. He later withdrew the application, however, after he decided he wanted to become a chief instead. “I really love being a chief,” he said. “It doesn’t get much better than that. Being involved in the mess is one of the greatest things I’ve ever been a part of.” Hineman said he loves being a chief because he loves being a leader, a value that drove him to go beyond his required duties and qualify as a TAO. He said it offers him one more chance to help junior Sailors rise through the ranks and perform to the best of their abilities. “I always push my Sailors to be the best, and they push me right back,” he said. “They never let anything slide. They really keep me going. It’s motivating.”
Know Your Shipmate
U.S. Navy photo and information by MCSA Karolina Martinez
ABHAN Roberto Madrigal Air Dept/ V-3 Division
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e’s the very definition of a shipmate. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Roberto Madrigal feels it’s important to be encouraging, motivated and optimistic every day, and tries to bring his positivity to his shipmates. “I’m naturally happy. I love making other people smile,” he said. Born in California, Madrigal grew up in Mexico until, at the age of 12, his father found work in Angie, La. “I didn’t know a lick of English when I came to America,” said Madrigal. Shortly after graduating from high school, Madrigal started working, but soon discovered he wanted to do something more with his life. At the age of 18, Madrigal decided to join the Navy.
“I wanted to make a better life for myself, and I felt the Navy was the best way to go,” he said. Now two years into his first enlistment, Madrigal has experienced many great things that have made his time in the Navy enjoyable. “I like it here a lot,” he said. “It’s all about what you make it. You get to learn new things everyday.” Madrigal said his favorite experience in the Navy so far is the first time he rode up on an aircraft elevator from the hangar bay to the flight deck. “It was great,” he said. “I felt the wind rush all around me, and when I looked over the edge, I could see the ocean water below me.”
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Travis Mendoza
Lincoln Successfully Completes COMPTUEX Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jerine Lee
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he Sailors of the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group wrapped up a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), Oct. 12, off the coast of Southern California. During the three-week exercise, Strike Force Training Pacific (CSFTP) evaluated the strike group’s operational readiness by assessing the integration of all units of the strike group, including air, strike, information, surface and anti-submarine warfare. Following the evaluation, CSFTP certified the strike group, ready for operations at sea. The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is currently preparing for a change-of-homeport deployment to Norfolk, Va. later this year. “We work very closely to train, mentor and assess the different warfare commanders and their staff and take a look of the strike group as a whole and evaluate how they work together as one team to accomplish a myriad of missions they are given,” said CSFTP Commander Rear Adm. Thomas A. Cropper. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 is the strike group’s primary offensive striking weapon. During COMPTUEX, air wings from Lincoln and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) conducted numerous large-force strike drills for a joint task force exercise (JTFEX), an integrated battle force exercise designed to test the capabilities of strike groups operating with multinational forces in a join environment. Each large-force strike involved EA-6B Prowlers assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131, E-2C Hawkeyes assigned to Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116, F/A-18 Hornets assigned to Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 2, 34, 137 and 151 conducting simulations of the targeting and destruction of critical targets while suppressing enemy radars and anti-aircraft fires.
Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Sterett (DDG 104) completed war-at-sea and surface-action group exercises. These drills included tracking simulated enemy subs; maritime interdiction operations; visit, board, search and seizure drills and transiting through narrow straits with potential enemies nearby. The guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) coordinated the air defense for the strike group. While leading a combined effort for air defense of Lincoln and Vinson, Cape St. George incorporated all strike group units into a tactical data and communications link. The COMPTUEX consisted of two final battle problems to verify the strike group’s competency for open-ocean operations. Cropper praised the strike group personnel for their successful completion of the exercise. “It was very clear that there are some good veterans on the team that taught the less-experienced Sailors,” said Cropper. “All in all, they adjusted quickly by learning from mistakes and adjusting efficiently to the scenarios.” Cropper said the exercise participants demonstrated expertise in maritime security operations, ship and air wing coordination, deck-plate leadership, operational risk management (ORM), crisis planning, rules of engagement execution, information warfare exercises, accuracy in strike warfare, agility in using alternate communication paths, response to network threats, combat operational effectiveness and overall performance and professionalism. “It was a real pleasure to be aboard Lincoln, and it’s obvious that the spirit of excellence is on board,” he said. The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group consists of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), CVW 2, DESRON 9 and Cape St. George.
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Travis Mendoza
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Sean Hillier
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Jerine Lee
U.S. Navy photo by SN Gregory Harden
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V-3 Prepares for Morning Flight Operations Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeremiah Mills
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nce the soft lights turn on in the hangar bay and the day shift strikes below, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) belongs to Air department’s V-3 division night check. The V-3 night crew facilitate aircraft placement for repair and transport, and the crew handler coordinates with Flight Deck Control. In their blue and yellow fight deck jerseys, V-3 aviation boatswain’s mates (handling) support flight operation evolutions and manage maintenance requirements. Whether on the flight deck or in the hangar bay, they direct and help transport planes to swap them out for other aircraft entering the ship’s hangar bay for needed repairs. They also maintain the equipment in the bays throughout the night. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Freddy Vigil said the responsibilities of night crew are significant. “If anything happens in the hangar bay, from a fire to a mechanical mishap, it’s up to us to preserve the aircraft,” he said. “Whatever it takes to save the aircraft, that’s what we do. The rest of the time, we keep the birds ready to fly.” Before they move aircraft to the hangar bay for repair, V-3 personnel consult the “Ouija Board,” a small prestaging table that helps determine the exact placement and readiness status of the various aircraft. “Wing nuts placed on a figurine signifies that the wings on a plane are spread for repair purposes. Red nuts are placed on planes that are immobile due to maintenance,
silver nuts are aircraft that are to be elevated on jacks for repair, purple nuts mean the plane needs to be fueled and green washers show that the aircraft is ready to go to the flight deck,” explained Vigil. The division’s collective effort not only keeps the aircraft ready, it ensures Lincoln’s mission readiness. Vigil said the precision and focus that go into the support that V-3 provides can be measured by the miniscule margin of error their jobs permit. “On the flight deck, others do what we do but with more space--they work with yards,” said Vigil. “In the hangar bay, we work with inches.” Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Jose Villarreal said precision and trust are the most critical aspects of teamwork. “We rely on each other for backup,” said Villarreal. “If we couldn’t, we wouldn’t be able to get the job done safely or efficiently.” Night check conducts operations with hand signals, whistles and glowing wands, a symphony of accuracy that gets the appropriate planes within inches of one another. V-3’s night crew preserves the work flow of flight operations by working quickly and efficiently. “It takes a lot of precision and practice to move a plane that is about 37,000 to 70,000 pounds in a limited space like our hangar bay,” said Villarreal. “However, with seven people, we manage to do it right every time.” When flight quarters secures and flight deck control coordinates their aircraft plan, V-3’s night crew clears the hangar bay and does what they do best--own the night.
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Travis Mendoza
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Travis Mendoza
U.S. Navy photo by SN Dagan Alexander
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Brian Morales
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Sean Hillier
U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Phillip James
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Sean Hillier
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Travis Mendoza
Ainday
SICK CALL U.S. Navy photo by SN Dagan Alexander
Story by Seaman Dagan Alexander
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ith thousands of people reporting to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) from every corner of the globe, exposure to new germs and bacteria is a fact of life at sea. These conditions can quickly lead to a very unhealthy environment. Lincoln Sailors receive training on cleanliness, hygiene and preventative medicine with the help of the ship’s Health Services department. “It doesn’t take much to cause a wide spread infection, but with the help of our preventative medicine team, we can stop that from happening,” said Lincoln Senior Medical Officer Cmdr. Michael Jacobs. “When everyone is confined to the same enclosed space
their vitals are taken and a corpsman records their symptoms. Afterward, they proceed to the waiting area outside of the treatment room. Patients remain there until they are called into the treatment room. They are then seen according to the needs of their different situations. “Medical doesn’t discriminate based on time of day,” Jacobs said. “Obviously, certain situations and severe injuries ~Cmdr. Sam Westock and serious illnesses take priority, but that’s what triage is for. We take care Saturday from 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m., and Medical sick call runs Monday of the ones who need it the most and through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to then continue on with the remaining 10:00 a.m. and treatment continues patients. We don’t have the comfy confines of a family clinic--this is until 11:00 a.m. The lines for sick call can easily carrier shipboard medicine, and sick grow long in the morning. Each patient call is a small component of what we comes through for processing one at do down here.” During sick call, patients are a time to ensure confidentiality. Then for a certain amount of time, germs can build up quickly.” The personnel assigned to Lincoln’s Medical and Dental departments open their doors to anyone in need of medical assistance for sick call. Dental sick call is open Monday through
“We can handle any situation that walks through this door.”
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Sean Hillier U.S. Navy photo by SN Dagan Alexander
usually seen by Lt. Joseph Baugh and Lt. Adriana Rosales. The two practitioners routinely handle any and every case that comes through the door with the assistance of a team of hospital corpsmen. They see roughly 50 patients every morning during sick call alone with symptoms ranging from sore throats to sinusitis, congestion, back problems and even broken bones. Down the passageway, Dental sick call faces a similar workload with a smaller staff.
“Between our new surgeon, Lt. Eduardo Gomez, and the rest of the staff here, we can handle any situation that walks through this door,” said Lincoln Dental Officer Cmdr. Sam Westock. “I am so proud of my team. We care for every single Sailor on the ship--more than 5,000 of them. We don’t miss a single one when it comes to regular cleanings.” If a patient comes down to dental with an emergency such as a broken tooth or severe gum infection, the
Dental team jumps into action. Not only can they treat infections and repair damages to tissue, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class David Hernandez, a prosthodontic laboratory technician, can rebuild teeth with a set of prosthetics in the Dental laboratory. Whether you’re feeling sea sick or a tooth is loose, Lincoln’s sick call personnel are on duty. The Medical and Dental departments share one common goal: to ensure the health and well 11 being of all Lincoln Sailors.
From the Bridge Watchstanders
who
Keep
the
Ship Going
Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman K. Ashley Lawrence
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hile out to sea aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the bridge is the place to find the personnel that get us wherever it is we’re going. Located near the top of the island, the bridge is manned by a team of qualified professionals that help the ship move from one continent to another safely and quickly. Watchstanders such as the officer of the deck (OOD), junior officer of the deck (JOOD), conning officer, helmsman, lee helmsman, quartermaster of the watch (QMOW) and boatswain’s mate of the watch (BMOW) comprise the bridge staff. So, what do they all do? Overall, the OOD is in charge of what happens on the bridge. He or she takes orders directly from the commanding officer (CO), who also watches flight operations from the bridge. The OOD makes sure the conditions are suitable for aircraft handling on the flight deck. The JOOD is in charge of monitoring communication and
radar, and is responsible for relaying messages to other warships in Lincoln’s area of responsibility. With every ship in the strike group knowing the others’ course and what kind of operations are taking place, the communication between the ships and the JOOD is crucial to preventing collisions or chaos. The conning officer’s mission is to get the ship safely to its destination. He/she gives orders to the helmsman and lee helmsman. The conning officer is responsible for maintaining positive control of the bridge and alerting the flight deck of changes of direction to keep everything running smoothly. Helmsmen drive the ship as ordered. Their main focus is to take in and repeat all orders directed by the conning officer and to stay steady on course. The lee helmsman is responsible for operating the engine order telegraph and propeller order telegraph and for relaying information between the bridge and main control about the speed and direction of the ship. This information allows aircraft to be launched and recovered
properly. The QMOW is responsible for logging all events into the ship’s deck log at all times, such as the CO or the admiral entering and leaving the bridge. They also keep track of changes in weather, sunrise and sunset, and they take orders from the navigation officer, more commonly known as the gator. BMOWs assist the OOD with the daily plan. The BMOW is in charge of the underway watch section. He/she also pipes and makes announcements to communicate the ship’s status to the entire crew. “Helping junior Sailors excel in the Navy with order and discipline is a wonderful experience,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Zachary Hearn, a Morresville, N.C. native. There are normally four lookouts assigned to each watch section. The four lookouts are port, forward, starboard aft and port aft. All lookouts are instructed to report any surface or air contacts to the bridge. Aft lookouts are instructed to watch for the possibility of Sailors falling overboard.
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN K. Ashley Lawrence
Post-Its Provides Information To The Crew Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary Hunt
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re you looking to sell your iPhone? Are you looking for a certain movie or video game? Maybe you’re looking for someone to sign off on your ESWS or EAWS books. If your answer to any of these questions was yes, or if there’s something else that you’re looking for, then I know exactly where you should go: Post-Its. “It’s like an online store,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Tyler Tronson, who has been aboard for nearly three years. “If you’re looking for something, look on Post-Its.” Post-Its is an intranet forum available only to Sailors while on board USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). These Sailors can create a post requesting to buy, sell or trade almost anything from movies and games to cars and motorcycles. They can also offer or request valuable information about qualifications, religious meetings and just about anything else a Sailor might need to know. Gaining access to Post-Its is as easy as logging in, opening Internet Explorer and clicking on the Post-Its link on the
right-hand side of the home page. “It gives you a chance to buy things you wouldn’t normally find on the ship,” said Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Michael Rabey. “I found a jacket there and some of my favorite TV shows.” It is important to keep your posts clean and curse-free. Obscene posts are deleted immediately upon discovery. Post-Its was designed for useful and important information to pass freely between Sailors. It is NOT an open forum for people’s opinions and such posts will also be deleted. Also, don’t even try to sell prohibited or illegal items on Post-Its. Always keep in mind that when you post something, anyone on board can look at it. This includes your chain of command. Post-Its is a great outlet for Sailors looking to buy and sell amongst each other. It is also a great source of information, and should be regularly checked by everyone on board. The next time you’re looking for something, look on Post-Its first. You might just make a shipmate’s day!
Briefly Transition Benefits: Separation Counseling Standardized Online
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Alan Gragg
MCPON Says Happy Birthday
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hipmates and Navy families, as we honor the birth of the United States Navy 236 years ago, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all Sailors, civilians and family members for their service and dedication to our great Navy team. Our traditional maritime requirements, counter-piracy efforts and the many non-traditional missions we have adopted in support of overseas contingency operations are making a difference every day. On any given day, we have at least 150 ships and 25 submarines underway, and let’s not forget about our Sailors who are boots on ground. That’s more than 40,000 Sailors who are deployed, on station around the world executing our Navy’s core capabilities of the maritime strategy. From our beginning in 1775 with just six frigates to our presentday highly diversified, modern Fleet
with a total of 285 deployable ships and submarines, our Navy is the best it has ever been. Our Navy has remained steadfast and ready for 236 years, and we continue to be ready to answer every call our nation makes thanks to your outstanding dedication and selfless support. I also want to say “thank you” and express my sincere appreciation to our Navy families for your continued love and support of your Sailor and our Navy. You are the cornerstone of a Sailor’s readiness and your role is vitally important. Please take a moment to remember the thousands of our Shipmates who are deployed around the world vigilantly standing the watch, and those who have gone before us in service to our great nation. Happy birthday shipmates ... you look pretty darn good to be 236 years old! HOOYAH!”
The Navy announced Oct. 7 the Fleet will convert to a standardized preseparation checklist available online which will help ensure Sailors fully understand their eligibility and how to access transition services and benefits. “Making the move from uniform to the civilian sector is an important transition which demands a Sailor’s full attention in order to be successful,” said Rear Adm. Martha Herb, director, personnel readiness and community support (N135). “These standardized checklists will ensure Sailors have a thorough understanding and access to the full range of benefits available to them, no matter where they are in the world.” NAVADMIN 300/11 guides Navy Career Counselors and separating Sailors to the Web sites where they can download the new versions of pre-separation counseling checklist for active component service members (DD Form 2648) and preseparation counseling checklist for Reserve Component service members released from active duty (DD Form 2648-1). These forms became mandatory Oct. 1, and will guide the legally mandated pre-separation counseling session for transitioning Sailors who have been on active duty for more than 180 days. This counseling should occur no later than 90 days before a Sailor’s projected separation or retirement date. Transition counselors can access these forms and the “Transition Assistance Program (TAP) User Access Guide,” at www.dmdc.osd. mil/tap. To gain access, counselors should contact their local Fleet and Family Support Center TAP staff. If counselors are unable to access the online tool, scannable forms will be available for download at http://www. dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/ forms/dd/ddforms2500-2999.htm. Standardized online separation counseling is one of many transition benefits available to separating Sailors including those affected by the Enlisted Retention Board (ERB). (source: navy.mil)