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INSIDE
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What to do in Turkey
Images of the Week
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Favorite TV Shows FROM THE EDITOR
As our floating vessel cruises along, bringing us closer and closer to home, it’s inevitable that our minds drift toward thoughts of our loved ones and fond memories of years past. Look, we can’t have Mom’s cooking on board, that’s a fact, but the wonderful folks from Cooks from the Valley brought their culinary prowess (and love of service members) to the ship, and they did their best to make this steel beast feel like home. Red meat does wonders to quench a Sailor’s palate, and there’s nothing like a nice slab of medium rare beef to soothe the warrior spirit. Speaking of memories, remember being a kid and staying up late to watch Tales From The Crypt? I do. Take a stroll down memory lane with us, and check out our Sailors’ favorite TV shows, past and present. Most importantly this week, we look to the past as we celebrate our nation’s independence, remembering that everything we do out here is for all of you back home. It is for you that we sacrifice our time and energy to protect what our forefathers fought for 236 years ago. Happy Fourth of July, everyone!
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Day
In The Life Of:
a Search and Rescue Swimmer
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earch and rescue (SAR) swimmers not only need the physical and mental skills of professional athletes, they also require the ability to put others’ lives above their own. “I have never wanted to give up on anything more in my life than the first hour of the first day of training,” said Gunner’s Mate Seaman Jacob Williams, referring to the SAR swimmer training course given in San Diego. The schedule of a SAR swimmer is similar to that of a member of the Flying Squad, the ship’s first response damage control team: be ready at any given time to get up and go. Aboard the ship, Sailors go about their day-to-day work. However, if the boatswain’s mate of the watch (BMOW) calls “Man Overboard!” over the 1MC, the SAR swimmers have to be dressed out and ready to deploy in a maximum of three minutes. “Those three minutes are the fastest and slowest minutes you can imagine,” said Williams. “Your adrenaline is at a high at that point I can’t even begin to explain.” Williams has been a SAR swimmer for a year now. After graduating basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, he was ready to enter Basic Underwater Demolition School (BUDs). Due to complications, however, he was unable to go. Nevertheless, Williams still hopes one day to crossrate into the Special Opeartions community. Williams has never given up on his SAR training, and he constantly pushes himself to be better. “This entire deployment, I have felt like all I do is work out, eat, sleep and work out again. Anytime I wanted to quit, or just take a day off, the other SAR swimmers would never let me,” he said. SAR swimmers have to jump into unknown and unpredictable waters without thinking. They must rely on their training and their instincts. Not every Sailor is cut out to be a rescue swimmer, which is the reason Sailors like Williams are here with us: to ensure the safety and survival of their shipmates in the event one of us were to fall over the side. So the next time you see one of the swimmers on the mess decks, take a second and thank them. Their job is to risk their lives to make sure you live yours. The SAR swimmers aboard Lincoln and throughout the Navy live by the motto, “So others may live.” Story and photo by SN Phylicia Sorenson
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Cooks From The Valley Prepare Steaks For Sailors
By MC3 Kathleen Church
During Steel Beach Picnic
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ailors enjoyed fresh steaks complements of Cooks from the Valley during a steel beach picnic on the ship’s flight deck, July 5. The all-volunteer, California-based organization brought more than 4,500 Harris Ranch, 12-ounce New York center-cut steaks to Lincoln Sailors to show appreciation for their service and to help them celebrate Independence Day at sea. “The Cooks from the Valley feel it is a privilege to feed the Sailors,” said Donald Collins, one of the organization’s volunteers. “It is a chance for us to come out and see all of the Sailors’ hard work and reward them for their efforts.” The steaks were transported to the ship, where the volunteers, with help from Sailors, marinated and seasoned the meat in preparation for the event. “Grilling the steaks is our way of giving back to the Sailors,” said Jeff Peters, another volunteer with Cooks from the Valley. “We make sure to purchase a high quality cut of steak so each Sailor eats the quality food they deserve.” Celebrating the holiday one day after the Fourth of July, Sailors also spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying a variety of recreational events. They competed in a touch football game, raced remote control cars, hit golf balls off the fantail and listened to music. “Not only did I get a chance to relax from work and see my friends, I got the chance to enjoy an absolutely amazing steak,” said Airman Recruit Torri Wentz. “The cooks did a great job; the steak was the highlight of my day.” Cooks from the Valley volunteers also brought steaks to Sailors serving aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), the Arleigh Burke-class guidedmissile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) and the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD) during a five-day visit to ships in the Arabian Sea.
U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 Jon Idle
U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Kathleen Church
U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 Jon Idle
U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Kathleen Church
U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 Jon Idle
U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Kathleen Church
U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Kathleen Church
U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Kathleen Church
U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Kathleen Church
U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Kathleen Church
PREPARING FOR TURKEY PREPARING Some of us never thought we would make it out of the Dubai-Bahrain loop. Looking back, we spent five months sailing in between those two ports, stopping for an occasional gasp of fresh air. Now, we have a fresh, brand-new port to look forward to, and we don’t even have to wait a month and a half to get there!
Turkey, while sharing some similarities with Bahrain and Dubai, is a whole new step for the Lincoln crew. It’s located in an entirely different numbered fleet (U.S. 6th Fleet), offers most of us a never-before seen culture to feast our eyes on, and it’s as far west as Lincoln will have traveled since we departed Everett. With all that said, let’s take a look at Turkey, the Turkish way of life, and what our next port has to offer!
ETIQUETTE
Formal etiquette is central to Turkish culture, governing most social interactions and the use of space. Turkish culture has an exact verbal formula for practically every occasion. Etiquette requires the pronouncement of the proper formulas for these occasions. So what does that mean for us? Strict etiquette governs intergenerational and heterosexual interactions. Unless they are close friends or relatives, older people are to be addressed formally. For example, older men should be addressed with the title “Bey” (Mister) and women with the title “Hanim” (Lady). Younger people are expected to be reserved in the presence of their elders. Adults of the opposite sex are expected not to act casually or show affection toward each other in public. Upon meeting, men shake hands, but a man does not shake a woman’s hand unless she extends it to him. People are not criticized for being late. Business meetings usually are preceded by tea and unrelated conversation. Consideration for companions is important. One does not drink, smoke or eat something without first offering to share it with one’s companions. Homes are divided into guest and private areas, and it is improper to ask for a tour of the house. The soles of shoes are considered dirty, so shoes are removed before entering a home or a mosque.
RELIGION
Islamic tradition, ideology and ritual are very important. About 98 percent of Turkey’s citizens are nominally Muslims, of whom about 80 to 85 percent are Sunnis of the Hanafi school and 15 to 20 percent are members of Shiite sects (mostly Alevi). Turkish Muslims recognize the standard Islamic creed and duties, but only the most religious fast or make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Four percent of Turks identify themselves as atheists, and four percent as agnostics. For most Turks, Islam plays an important role in rites of passage: naming shortly after birth, circumcision for boys, marriage and funerals. The state controls religious education and most religious personnel by supervising the schools that train Sunni imams and certifying imams as state employees who work in community mosques. In recent decades, a revival of fundamental Islam has been supported by about 20 percent of the population. A small proportion of the population participates in Sufi orders and brotherhoods.
THE PENNY PRESS
Story by MC3 Wade T. Oberlin
A I S WHAT ? M A M HA
Turkish baths (“hamams”) have a very important place in Turkish daily life as a result of the emphasis placed upon cleanliness by Islam. Since medieval times, public bath houses have been built everywhere, and they retain an architectural and historical importance.
When the Turks arrived in Anatolia (now Antalya), they brought with them one bathing tradition and were confronted with another, that of Romans and Byzantines. The traditions merged, and with the addition of the Muslim concern for cleanliness and its respect for the uses of water, there arose an entirely new concept, that of the Turkish bath. The Turkish bath was much more than just a place to cleanse the skin. It was intimately bound with everyday life as a place where people of every rank and station--young and old, rich and poor, townsman or villager--could come freely. Women as well as men made use of the hamam, although (of course) at separate hours. For the individual, the hamam was a familiar place from the earliest weeks of life right up to the very end. Important occasions during one’s life were, and in some townships still are, celebrated by rejoicing at the bath. The newborn’s fortieth day and the bride’s bathing (complete with food and live music) have long been celebrated at hamams. Bathing in a hamam is very healthy and refreshing, so do not forget to visit one--you will not regret it! Besides, how many people have you heard of getting a Turkish bath in Turkey?
ESPRESSO ANYONE?
Coffee houses (“kahves”) are very specific to Turkish people. Even the smallest village has at least one kahve. In old times, men used to smoke hubble-bubble pipes (“nargiles”). You can still smoke nargile, but only in select coffee houses. If you have a chance to see a kahve, don’t hesitate to spend some time in one of these authentic places.
E S U S Q O G M N I I S T VI The main custom for visiting a mosque in Turkey is to remove your shoes before entering and stepping on the carpet. If unsure, just observe others and follow them. It is also another custom in mosques in Turkey to dress modestly so that your body and limbs are covered. Women must cover their hair and not expose anything below their ankles. Men should not wear shorts. In some mosques, the caretaker provides visitors with a long robe when their clothes are inappropriate for the mosque. You should not talk loudly in a mosque as this is a place of worship. If someone is praying, do not under any circumstances walk directly in front of them. Many people will not appreciate having their pictures taken during worship. At the time for congregational prayers, i.e. at the time for the call to prayer, you should leave the mosque.
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U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Carlos Vazquez
CSG SAILORS Maintain AEGIS Combat System Story by Ensign Lexi Dauernheim Photos by MC3 Chris Johnson
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ailors from the USS Cape St. George (CG 71) Aegis Combat System division work around the clock to complete maintenance in the ship’s radar rooms, leading to 100 percent readiness for the guided-missile cruiser. The Aegis Combat System helps Cape perform her role as the air defense commander platform for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9. “I enjoy working on a complicated system that demands technical expertise and challenges me to understand the equipment more every day,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Shawn Pawlinski. “The SPY radar is a phased array made of thousands of wires, circuit cards and delicate connections that make troubleshooting faults a very challenging process.“ The combat system’s fire controlmen work in one of three work centers: with the SPY radar, the Aegis Display System or the illuminators. Regardless, they all work long hours to maintain the complicated system. “SPY is like an enormous puzzle. We receive a system fault, run work packages to help us narrow down the cause of the fault and then spend hours testing voltages and checking connections to try to bring the equipment back up to full capability,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Chris Chronister. “All three of our work centers depend on one another in order to be fully functional,” said Fire Controlman 1st Class Dylan Evjen, the division’s leading petty officer. “We pride ourselves on attaining 100 percent readiness. We have many obstacles to face with an older ship, but with a talented group of technicians, we are able to keep Cape ready to fight any threat.” This division maintains the Fire Control System, a system of four illuminators used during the terminal The Penny Press
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phase to illuminate a target in a standard missile engagement. They also work on the consoles and the computers that the ship’s Combat Information Center (CIC) uses to analyze and display the radar picture. Computer technicians are trained to work on an intricate group of computers that help process, analyze and disseminate the radar picture to the Aegis display consoles in Cape’s CIC. Chief Fire Controlman Adam Hardy, the division’s leading chief petty officer, is a Combat Systems Training Team technical leader, helping to run scenarios in Cape’s CIC in order to challenge the watch standers to respond technically and tactically to a high-pressure environment and to developing circumstances. “I like leading my division because they are one of the smartest, most hard-working and technically diverse divisions in the Navy,” said Hardy.
What Are You
Watching?
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THE PENNY PRESS
Photos and Story by: MC3 Zachary S. Welch
ABHAN Meredith Staggs What’s your favorite TV show? Dexter Why? It’s an exciting show. Dexter is a serial killer who’s made to look like a good guy. It’s gory, it’s glamorous and it’s awesome. The plot line is absolutely crazy. Would you recommend it? I definitely would. It’s a show that questions you. What could it possibly take to kill someone else who had done something wrong? What is your all-time favorite show? Seinfeld Why? It’s amazingly simple. It’s a show quite literally about nothing. I can’t tell you the plot, I can’t begin to tell you why it’s so good. That’s why it’s so good.
ITSN Derek Brooks What’s your favorite TV show? Merlin Why? Magic, dragons and mystical beings--all that really appeals to me. The storyline is good. A certain type of magic has to be hidden from an evil king. It’s really a great show. Would you recommend it? I’ve recommended it to five other people, and they all love it. It’s a show for people who are open-minded and creative. What is your all-time favorite show? Stargate Atlantis Why? It’s crazy! They explore foreign planetary life, fighting alien life forms across constellations. It’s really interesting.
AN Kyle Williams What’s your favorite TV show?: Bert the Conqueror Why?: The man gets paid to have fun all over the place. He goes on lots of rides, base jumps buildings and snowboards down cliffs without ever showing the slightest bit of apprehension. Straight up awesome. Would you recommend it?: Yes. If you’re an adventure seeker and you like seeing different cultures, this show is a must see. What is your all-time favorite show?: Tales From the Crypt Why?: I was eight years old when I first saw this show. I stayed up late to see it, and it scared the crap out of me. Nevertheless, it’s a part of my childhood that I truly enjoyed.
HTFN Joseph Potts What’s your favorite TV show?: Swamp People Why?: It’s interesting. The lifestyles they live intrigue me, I mean come on, they catch alligators. Their way of living shines light on a primitive culture that goes back hundreds of years, people assume this is only in the movies, but for them it’s nothing but real. Would you recommend it?: Yes because it’s awesome. Most people don’t get to go out to see people catch alligators. What is your all-time favorite show?: Home Improvement Why?: It’s extremely funny. The main character reminds me of my father an awful lot.
FC3 Raquel Lara
What’s your favorite TV show?: Sons of Anarchy Why?: It’s the perfect drama: love, murder and a hell of a lot of conflict between the rival gangs. It makes for an interesting watch most of the time. Would you recommend it?: Yes, if you like dramas and biker gang culture, it’s the right combination of both for you. What is your all-time favorite show?: Otro Rollo Why?: The host brings music, politics, dancing, food and other interesting topics to the viewing audience. It’s really, really funny. The host is quite witty.
VOLUME 24 , ISSUE 22
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Golden falcons
U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Zachary S. Welch
Maintain Mission Readiness
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Story By: Lt. j.g. Amanda McNally
he Maintenance department of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 completed their 18th phase inspection, June 26, allowing the squadron to maintain a 100 percent sortie completion rate while deployed with the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). A phase is an hours-based inspection of various components and systems on an aircraft. During this type of inspection, worn parts are often repaired or replaced. Since deploying with Lincoln in December 2011, HSC-12’s maintainers have invested more than 77,000 man hours into the routine maintenance of the squadron’s eight MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters, with the most recent phase inspection requiring more than 350 man hours. “Our Maintenance department is fantastic,” said Lt. Cmdr. Justin McCaffree, the squadron’s maintenance officer. “I’ve never seen another squadron pull this many major evolutions on a deployment. We’ve completed 18 phase inspections with a few more on the way before we
get home, and we’ve ensured all three of our remotely operated video enhanced receiver (ROVER) equipped aircraft were ready for each Strait of Hormuz transit. Our aircraft availability has allowed us to conduct two dedicated overland detachments for training and currency while simultaneously providing uninterrupted support to the strike group.” Even on no-fly days, HSC-12 helicopters are launched in support of the strike group for passenger transfers between ships and other logistical purposes, resulting in increased man hours. “There is no job too big or too small for our maintenance team,” said Master Chief Aircraft Maintenanceman Souliyong Phousirith, HSC-12’s maintenance master chief petty officer. “They have completed every challenge with efficiency and dedication.” Previous awards for HSC-12 include the Sikorsky Maintenance Excellence Award for 2011 and the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 Golden Wrench Award for the first line period of 2012.
Know Your Shipmate
Briefly Photo and information by MCSN Karolina Martinez
CS2 Melissa Fredericks SUPPLY DEPT./ S-2 DIVISION
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ulinary Specialist 2nd Class Melissa Fredericks is from St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, which is a small island in the Caribbean. Soon after she graduated from high school, Fredericks joined the Navy to better herself and to have a better opportunity to build a great career. “I love to cook, so when I joined, I knew that I wanted to be a CS,” she said. Fredericks learned how to cook from her mother starting at the age of 12. “I was always in the kitchen just helping out my mother, and I have always been in the kitchen ever since,” she said. Her mother taught her how to specialize in Puerto Rican dishes. Of all the recipes Fredericks has learned, her favorite is arroz con pollo y frijoles (rice with chicken and beans). In her free time at home, she really enjoys spending time with her two kids, Sefani and Ahmayra, and she also enjoys doing community service and working with children. “Cooking and kids is what I do,” she said. “Spending time with my kids and cooking are my two favorite things.” During her time on Lincoln, Fredericks takes pride in her work cooking for the Chiefs’ Mess, and occasionally she will cook her favorite Spanish rice recipe for other Sailors. “Always strive for success,” she said. “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.”
Navy Weeds Out Users of Designer Drugs
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he Navy’s implementation of synthetic drug testing for synthetic chemical compounds like “Spice” is helping the service close ranks on Sailors who use these prohibited and dangerous substances, officials said July 2. “Navy has zero tolerance for drug abuse. Drug abuse, including use of designer drugs and synthetic compounds, by members of the Navy is incompatible with high standards of performance, military discipline, and readiness as embodied by of 21st Century Sailors and Marines,” said Rear Adm. Tony Kurta, director, military personnel plans and policy. Navy reviews its testing of synthetic compounds continuously, and also continually responds to production of new controlled and synthetic compounds, changing testing procedures and pacing the changes being made by producers. Navy has analyzed more than 3,300 urine samples for synthetic chemical compounds since testing began in March, with 101 samples testing positive. Authorized testing under the synthetic drug testing program is conducted under member consent, command directed, unit and/or subunit sweep. NCIS will be notified of every positive sample for possible further investigation with a view towards potential disciplinary or adverse administrative action by the service member’s command. (source: www.navy.mil) VOLUME 24 , ISSUE 23
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