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INSIDE
6 Vampire Hunters Visit Images of the Week
8 Gun Shoot FROM THE EDITOR
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Let’s face it: it’s hot out here. The sun’s out in force every day, you can work up a sweat just walking to the scuttlebutt, and summer doesn’t even start for another week. As we buckle down to settle in for the remaining weeks of deployment (yes, we really are starting to think about the time we have left in terms of weeks instead of months), we all just have to be careful out here so we don’t fall out before we get home. There are many hazards present in weather like this: if we don’t eat right and drink a lot of water, we’re at risk of suffering from a variety of heat-related illnesses. And as everyone knows, with the heat comes an increased likelihood we’ll experience a vampire infestation. (Did he say “vampire infestation?”) Not to worry, though. Being that we’re the Big Abe, it didn’t take too many phone calls for us to get Abraham Lincoln, the vampire hunter himself, to come visit us and, uh, emancipate us from bloodsuckers. Really, we swear! We have photos and everything!
keeping
cool on a hot ship
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Zachary S. Welch
VOLUME 24 , ISSUE 22
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heat
beating Story by MC3 Mason Campbell
W
the
e’ve now sailed more than 60,000 miles since we left Everett—long enough to sail around the world twice, and then some. After more than six months at sea, we’ve all heard the same safety messages over and over. And because we’re so used to hearing them, it becomes dangerously easy for us to take them lightly. Nevertheless, it remains as important as ever to stay hydrated and to eat well. As the temperatures and humidity rise, so does the threat of heat-related injuries such as heat stress, heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Heat stress and heat exhaustion are mild injuries that can ultimately lead to heat stroke if untreated. They occur when the body’s protective countermeasures designed to prevent overheating fail and the body temperature remains uncontrollably high. Extreme cases can lead to the destruction of internal organs and even death.
Cmdr. Christopher L. Sledge, Lincoln’s safety officer, said heat injuries can be prevented by consistent hydration and eating a healthy, well-planned diet. “Now is the time to establish good habits for nutrition and hydration,” said Sledge. “We need to all be aware that heat stress compromises your ability to perform your job well. The flight deck and engineering spaces are going to be the big concerns. On the flight deck, personnel are exposed directly to the sun. They have the non-skid absorbing all the heat, sunlight reflecting off a multitude of surfaces and all the while, they’re wearing turtlenecks and cranials.” The ship’s Medical department oversees a heat stress program that monitors the heat conditions in various spaces around the ship. As part of the program, Medical department personnel installed thermometers in those spaces in order to keep the crew aware of changing heat
conditions. Cmdr. Michael M. Jacobs, Lincoln’s senior medical officer, said the prevention of heat injuries go well beyond the consumption of water. “Water should be the beverage of choice, but that’s not all Sailors need to fend off the heat. You need electrolytes as well,” said Jacobs. “The answer isn’t Gatorade or PowerAde just because these beverages have small amounts of sodium, glucose and potassium in them—you should get what you need through your diet. For anyone who thinks they can just pound Gatorades and water then skip a meal, they will eventually fail on the job in some way.” Jacobs said it’s important for Sailors to not rely on their thirst levels to determine an appropriate frequency of hydration. “If you drink water only when your body tells you
to, you will inevitably fall behind,” he added. “Sailors need an obligatory method of hydration. Fruits are also an essential way of keeping hydrated, and they are readily available on the mess decks at all times. Eating goes handin-hand with drinking plenty of water.” Jacobs said you can avoid suffering from heat stress by remembering a few basic safeguards: •Do not let thirst determine how much you drink and how often. •Hydrate before, during and after workouts. Keep in mind that what you eat is as much a factor in hydration as what you drink. Dress smart for PT, and take breaks. Whether it’s launching and recovering aircraft on the flight deck or putting miles on the treadmill in the hangar bay, Jacobs said it remains critical that we pay close attention to factors affecting our health. After all, the temperature will be increasing before it cools down.
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U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Mason Campbell
THE PENNY PRESS
Abe’s
Vampire Visit Story by MC3 Carlos Vazquez U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Carlos Vazquez
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Karolina Martinez
ast and crew members from the film “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” visited Lincoln at sea, June 12. Author Seth Grahame-Smith, director/producer Timur Bekmambetov, producer Jim Lemley, and actors Benjamin Walker, Anthony Mackie and Erin Wasson toured the ship, signed autographs for Sailors, posed for photographs, visited with Sailors and treated the crew to an early screening of the film in the ship’s hangar bay. “We made a movie about freedom, and you are the reason we have freedoms,” said Walker, who plays Lincoln in the film. “We wanted to show it to you guys first.” “I was excited to come on board,” said Mackie, who plays Lincoln’s personal friend William H. Johnson. “I felt like a kid who walked into a candy store. For me, it’s educational, and I wanted to come out and support the troops. I was making a movie in Miami, and they told me I wouldn’t be able to make it here. I did more work a little earlier so they would change my schedule so that I could come out and be with you guys.” Walker said he appreciates service members and the sacrifices they all make for the country. “People back home need to know how much work it takes to keep us safe,” said Walker. “We appreciate everything you do and how much of a privilege it is to be here.” The Sailors in the hangar bay cheered at the start of the film and again after the ending credits rolled. “The movie was entertaining and funny,” said Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Thomas Dickerson. “I would recommend it to my family back home.” After the film, the cast took questions from the crowd and stayed behind for extra photos and autographs. “The Sailors’ hospitality has made a huge impact on us,” said Mackie. “It’s an honor, and it makes us really proud and has reinvigorated us to go back to the states to talk about this experience.”
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Timothy D. Godbee
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Mason Campbell
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Colby K. Neal
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Karolina Martinez
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Blake Midnight
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Carlos Vazquez
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Karolina Martinez
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Mason Campbell
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Brenton G. Poyser
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U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Brenton G. Poysner
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Brent Poysner
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U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Chris Johnson
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Zachary S. Welch
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Joshua Walters
U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Amanda Kilpatrick
U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Zachary Anderson
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Chris Johnson
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Carlos Vazquez
Lincoln SHEDS
1/2TON LOSER for
BIGGEST
S
ailors lost more than 1,000 pounds in a span of 72 days as part of a shipwide weight-loss competition that concluded June 1. The competition, modeled after “The Biggest Loser” TV show, pitted two and three Sailor teams against each other to see which team could lose the most combined weight (by percentage) during a 72-day period. The first place winners, Chief Intelligence Specialist Jesse Polasek and Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Grant Perkins, lost 69 pounds, which equates to 14.8 percent of their combined body fat total. “By participating in this competition, I learned how much proper nutrition plays in to losing weight,” said Perkins. “Also, I plan on making better nutritional choices in the future to live a healthier lifestyle.” Lt. Thomas Slocum, Lincoln’s physical therapist and health promotions coordinator, helped oversee the weight loss program
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The Penny Press
with the ship’s fitness class instructors. He saw the competition as an effective way to encourage healthy lifestyles among the crew. “Sailors just go to chow without even thinking about what they’re eating, and they too often walk away with trays full of food that aren’t well-balanced,” said Slocum. “With the competition, we try to improve the Sailors’ health awareness to help them make the right eating choices.” Lincoln’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) office awarded a variety of prizes to the top competitors, including Visa gift cards and Wii gaming systems. “The event was a good experience because we took motivation from our teammates, we exercised a lot, and we showed we have the drive to improve our lifestyles,” said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Jennifer Brenke, a “Biggest Loser” contestant. “I learned a lot, and it helped speed up the deployment.”
Story by MCSN Joshua Walters Photos by MC3 Kathleen Church
VOLUME 24 , ISSUE 21
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Photos by MC3 Jeremiah Mills
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THE PENNY PRESS
VOLUME 24 , ISSUE 22
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Photo by MC2 Colby K. Neal
2 T S
wire50,000 hits
he Sun Carrier Airborne Earlycelebrated Warning ailors fromKings the AirofDepartment’s V-2 division Squadron (VAW) 116 held safe-for-flight (SFF) the 50,000th successful consecutive trap by arresting certification wire 2, June 5. training classes for senior enlisted maintenance 31.was recovered on the flight After the personnel, milestone May aircraft SFF is a qualification required to commanding certify and officer, release deck, Capt. John D. Alexander, Lincoln’s an E-2C Hawkeye aircraft to an aircraft commander congratulated the division for their hard work and dedication prior the to takeoff launch. Once designated by the over ship’s or 1MC. Later, Alexander joined V-2 VAWcrew 116 commanding officer as fully qualified, SFF-certified members in wire 2’s engine room to celebrate the milestone personnel screen all documentation required to determine with a cake-cutting ceremony. that Aviation an aircraft is safe forMate flight. Boatswain’s (Equipment) 3rd Class Jasmine The VAW-116 Maintenance has helditthe SFF Tothill said the feat is particularlyDepartment impressive because means classes weekly since mid-February. While the certification Lincoln’s wire 2 recovery record has remained perfect since is optional, Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician the ship was commissioned in November 1989. Robert Armer of VAW-116’s Maintenance Control said the “This event is worth celebrating because we’ve had benefits the training provides the command are invaluable. that many traps without having to break out a barricade and “I have been assigned to other squadrons where without any incidents or injuries,” Tothill said. individuals had the desire and motivation but were simply “It put a smile on my face to know that I was the guy unable to acquire their safe-for-flight due to lack of either to catch the milestone trap,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate time or resources,” said Armer, an SFF instructor. “We have (Equipment) Airman Jonathan Cody. “It took many ABEs to get to that number, so it gives us something to be proud of. And a little bit of appreciation and acknowledgement after a long and hard day of work really helped boost up our morale.”
traps
done an outstanding job in a unique to our Tothill said she could notproviding stress enough howservice much work maintenance leadership. The result of these courses not only goes into an achievement of this magnitude. helps our squadron, but also our ability to meet the mission “That includes ongoing communication, countless hours of the flight air wing as well.”that goes into ofneeds maintenance anddeck a lot and of hard work—work Hawkeye senior enlisted personnel typically earn SFF each and every successful trap,” Tothill said. certification following approximately one class Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment)year 2ndof Class work, immersion and demonstrating a level reliability Benjamin Ellis credited the V-2 personnel overofthe years forin various aspects of aircraft maintenance operations. continuing to motivate one another to succeed, day in andVAWday 116’s dedicated instructional program enables the squadron out. to “We satisfy demands requirements while haveoperational to stay motivated to keepand up with our maintenance underway. and to take care of our equipment,” Ellis said. “We work long “To cope with the intense operational tempo of deployment, hours and in some of the most unfavorable conditions, so it it is an absolute necessity for all of our maintainers to strive for takes a lot to keep our people motivated.” excellence and continue to professionally better themselves,” Each successful trap involves the synchronized efforts of said Lt. Cmdr. Lawrence Nance, the VAW-116 maintenance V-2 flight deck personnel and maintenance personnel working officer. “The implementation of our safe-for-flight classroom in the arresting gear rooms located beneath the flight deck. training is one example of the many successful efforts the “The engine is 25 years old,” said Chief Aviation Sun King team has made to improve the level of knowledge Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Melvin Abner. “So keeping it and procedural compliance of our Sailors.” together and fully functional is hard work. It goes to show that this is definitely an amazing accomplishment.” Story by MCSN Karolina Martinez
Photo and information by MCSN Brenton G. Poyser
Know Your Shipmate
AMAN Zachary Jensen HSC-12
A
viation Structural Mechanic Airman Zachary Jensen, 22, assigned to the Saberhawks of Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, joined the Navy in December 2008 after graduating from Chapparral High School in Parker, Colo. Jensen, an avid outdoorsman, considers snowboarding to be his true passion in life. “I like to camp, hike, fish--anything to do with the outdoors, I’m there,” he said. He also hopes to one day meet world renowned snowboarder Tom Burton. “He is a legend,” he said. On the ship, he works on various types of aircraft on a daily basis. “We work on the airframes,” he said. “The screws, the nuts, the bolts --stuff like that.” When given the choice to become an AM or an engineer, he figured structural mechanic was a better fit for him. Jensen’s role model in life is his older brother, Corey, who graduated with honors from Notre Dame and now works for IBM. “He is wicked smart,” he said. “He has always been the standout of the family.” Jensen’s future goals include someday owning a business.
Briefly ‘Navigating Success’ Through Peer Mentoring
S
ailors from across the fleet are attending the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) rally at Naval Base Coronado. This is the second rally happening this year with the purpose of promoting sound decision-making and leadership development among junior Sailors. The rally’s theme is “Navigating Success,” bringing good peer-to-peer connections, which foster collective focus that affects good decision-making. The rallies are designed to promote thought and inspire young leaders to discuss a variety of issues affecting the fleet, such as sexual assault awareness, bystander intervention, responsible alcohol use, off-duty safety and Sailor family readiness. According to Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk, CSADD is one of the best examples of Sailors getting involved and making a difference. “Continue to be inspired,” said Van Buskirk. “Continue to empower the rest of our Navy with your messages that you bring forward.” The rally includes addresses from senior leadership and briefs by subject matter experts discussing various topics of importance to today’s 21st Century Sailor. The topics are designed to inspire young Sailors to enter into the discussion, to tackle tough issues, and simply raise awareness. With the Sailors’ efforts to support one another, McCormick said that CSADD is a positive tool in improving the workforce in all areas. Currently there are more than 250 CSADD chapters operating across the Navy.
(source: www.navy.mil) VOLUME 24 , ISSUE 22
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