INSIDE
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Sailors “Take A Walk”
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Bridge Simulator
Namesake Visit
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Training First
Decking Team Saves Lincoln A Pretty Penny Story By LTJG Andriana Genualdi
The decking team aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) saves the Navy money by taking on one of the Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) contracts. The contract involves the removal of studs and foundations welded to the deck to prepare for the installation of furniture in interior spaces. On board Navy ships furniture is attached to the deck with welded studs to prevent it from moving during high seas. During Lincoln's RCOH many spaces are scheduled to receive updated furniture. These new layouts require the removal of old studs and the installation of new ones. "They're going into the space, cutting out the unwanted studs, and grinding them flush to the deck," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Anthony Serio, the decking team's leading petty officer. "Anything that's on the deck and not supposed to be there is removed and smoothed." Accepting the task added four months worth of work for the team which has to be completed in a two month timeframe; the team's deadline is the end of April. To speed up the process and prevent mistakes, departments across the ship have identified and marked studs for removal in spaces they own. "This is a ship wide effort for all departments to
Photo by MC3 Danian Douglas
identify what needs to be removed in each of their spaces," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Smith, the decking team's officer in charge. "Having the studs marked ahead of time makes the process of us coming in to prep the deck go smoothly." The decking team's primary responsibility is to remove the different types of flooring from the steel subfloor to allow fresh surfaces to be installed. Serio said the decking team took the news of the additional tasks in stride and will get the work done in the allotted timeframe. "Every time Ship's Force is asked to take on another task, we do, and we do it with pride and professionalism," said Cmdr. Vincent Janowiak, Lincoln's chief engineer. "In addition to the cost savings, what we are really doing is ensuring the success of this project by fostering an environment of team work. We always get the job done, and that's something to be proud of." The decking team estimates they have saved over $1 million in ship's flooring material removal since the beginning of RCOH.
Photo by MC3 Danian Douglas
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Arellano: A Key Victim Advocate Photo and Story by MC3 Jeremiah Mills
As the Navy continues to strive towards a sexual assault and sexual harassment free workforce Sailors such as Operations Specialist 1st Class Valerie Arellano, assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), are essential to achieving this goal. Arellano, Lincoln's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate Program assistant petty officer in charge, answered the call to serve in the Navy July 20, 2005, in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Arellano has spent three of her nine years in the Navy aboard Lincoln as a victim advocate (VA). "It's my goal as a victim advocate to act as a support system for my shipmates," said Arellano. "It is my resolve to let my shipmates know that they are not alone in their endeavors and that we as victim advocates will do everything that is within our ability to educate and support our shipmates." A native of Prescott Valley, Ariz., Arellano has served aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), as well as at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton Wash., and at Naval Station Everett, Wash., before arriving aboard Lincoln. First inspired by her favorite teacher, Cheri Donemerson at Discovery Elementary School, Glendale, Ariz., Arellano maintains a can-do attitude and serves with
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a conviction toward teaching others and being a positive influence on those around her. Donemerson was one of the first people who taught Arellano the importance of personal integrity and the joy of helping others. "Mrs. Donemerson was an extremely positive influence on me. She made want to teach in any capacity I could, no matter what, and although I still want to become a teacher after I retire from the Navy, I would have owed it all to her," said Arellano. With an ever-present tenacity, Arellano places a strong emphasis on education and bystander intervention to empower Sailors to protect their fellow Sailors both in and out of the workplace. "There is no right or wrong way to recover from a sexual assault," said Arellano. "However, there are unhelpful or self-destructive ways of coping. Alcohol abuse, drug use, suicidal statements or increased behaviors with unhealthy outcomes; unprotected and/or anonymous sex, gambling, smoking and over eating are sometimes warning signs." Victims of sexual assault can contact an advocate at the confidential national Navy Sexual Assault Helpline at 877-995-5247; locally, the number is (757) 444-NAVY. Also victims can reach an advocate such as Arellano at http://www.safehelpline.org and http://www.sapr.mil.
Lincoln Takes A Walk For SAPR Awareness Story and Photos by MCSN Michael Fiorillo
Sailors from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) teamed up with the Center for Sexual Assault Survivors (CSAS) for the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event April 5 at Peninsula Town Center in Hampton, Va. Lincoln's participants helped raise money by walking one mile in women's high heel shoes to promote National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. "It's not just a problem in the civilian world," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class David J. Lang, a Lincoln participant. "It's a problem in all the military branches and it needs the proper amount of attention." CSAS is a non-profit rape crisis center that provides free individual counseling for adults and children, support groups, empowerment groups, hospital/legal companionship, 24-hour crisis hot line and awareness training. "This event brings awareness to problems, not only on Lincoln but throughout our community, throughout Hampton and throughout the United States," said Master Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Sylvester F. Campbell, a Lincoln participant. "It brings light to the problems we have and helps us stomp it out." Lincoln Sailors helped raise more than $400 for the local chapter of CSAS that serves the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and Smithfield as well as the counties of York and Isle of Wight. Last year, CSAS provided services to 358 men, women and children who experienced sexual violence. "The message is very clear," said Carla Reeves, the president of Board of Directors for the CSAS. "We want violence against women and sexual assault to stop. We appreciate men coming out and walking in high heels to show their support." This is Lincoln's second year involved with the march. Participating in community relations programs in Hampton Roads has been a continuous effort of Lincoln Sailors since its arrival in the area in August 2012. "It's important to me because it's not something that happens once and a while," said Damage Controlman
2nd Class Guadalupe J. Gonzalez, one of Lincoln's participants. "With the help of Sailors like us and civilians, we can support the victims and put a stop to sexual assault."
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Lincoln Trains for Future OPS Story and Photos by MC3 Wesley T. Buckett
Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) participated in a five hour simulation course called Full Mission Bridge Simulator, April 8, at Fort Eustis, Va. Fifteen Sailors from Lincoln's navigation and deck departments attended training that simulates standing watch on the bridge of a fully operational aircraft carrier. "It simulates operationally going out to sea with the navigation detail, deck detail and bridge team," said Assistant Navigation Officer Lt. Cmdr. Joshua Pollak. While Lincoln is in the shipyard for a 4-year refueling complex overhaul (RCOH), simulation training is the only way to recreate bridge watches in a realistic environment. "This is a chance for us to get away and actually do operational training but in a simulated environment," said Pollak. "We can't send Sailors out to sea every week or every month, but this is a great way to get out of the shipyard and actually do what our quartermasters and boatswain's mates are trained to do."
According to Pollak, this training is conducted up to twice a month with the help of Fort Eustis. "We have a lot of brand new Sailors who have never grabbed a helm or a lee helm (ship's throttles) and this simulator has been an exponential growth in their training," said Pollak. "Today they sounded like an at-sea team running the ship. We dropped an anchor within 75 yards from an intended point without GPS. With a GPS they did at 15-20 yards, which is an actual certification so it was amazing to see that." Training opportunities like these will be repeated so improvement can continue. One Sailor is anxious to improve upon the day's training. "I think I personally did OK, but I can do better," said Quartermaster 3rd Class Coreyelle Gause, one of the Sailors participating in the training. "That's what the training is for, so when you do the real thing you don't mess up. Today I learned that I have to stay calm when there's a good deal of stuff going on. You have to focus on what you need to do."
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A Week With Lin
Photo By MCSA Robert Ferrone
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Photo By MC3 Brenton Poyser
Photo By MC3 Brenton Poyser
Photo By MC3 Danian Douglas
Sailors Bring Lincoln's Heritage Back To Ship Story and Photos By MC2 Rusty Pang
The first namesake visit for Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) came to a close April 6 as Lincoln Sailors packed their bags in Springfield, Ill., and returned to the ship in Newport News, Va. The purpose of the Springfield visit was to reach out and connect with both President Abraham Lincoln's history and the people living in his homeland; to broaden their understanding of their namesake's legacy and bring that spirit back to the ship. President Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, held the oval office from March 4, 1861 until his assassination April 15, 1865. Few remember that, for the majority of his administration, Lincoln presided more over war than peace. Some would say that it was his assassination that vaulted him into greatness, including Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Jeremy Crandall, assigned to Lincoln. "I think he was a good president, but would he have been as great if he had not died?" said Crandall. "I sometimes wonder how we would view him if he finished his time in office. Martyrdom has a way of unifying people into a single voice. He was a good man and I deeply respect him." According to historians at The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Lincoln strived for great character and greater work ethic. Through its presentations, visitors are immersed in historical multimedia experiences depicting a young boy
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who went from teaching himself to read by the light of a fireplace on a family farm to helping a nation overcoming one of our nation's most divisive social institutions in American history. "Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of
that field, as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives, that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this," said Lincoln at the Gettysburg Address Nov. 19, 1863. Lincoln's thoughts on character, politics and family are numerous. At the museum, Sailors found his desire for a unified country in his writings and speeches; his commitment to unification to a deeply divided nation drove his compassion for the oppressed and hurting. In his "House Divided" speech June 16, 1858, Lincoln said, "I believe this Government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the house to fall -- but I do expect it will cease to be divided." Despite the enormity of unifying a split nation, Lincoln never forgot caring for a nation should be reduced to caring for individual citizens. His second inaugural address included the words, "let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan..." Lincoln Sailors, in an effort to follow the president's compassion to serve others, visited St. John's Children's Hospital in Springfield to spend time building relationships on behalf of their ship. "I loved talking with the kids and seeing them smile," said Engineman 3rd Class Katie Standish. "The staff told us the children love having visitors." Earlier the same morning, Sailors paid their respects
to the 16th president at his final resting place, the Lincoln Tomb and War Memorial State Historic Site. It was here they rendered a salute to the memory and legacy of their namesake, a man with humble beginnings who through hard work and ultimate sacrifice inspired a nation to rise out of one of the darkest seasons in American history. "I didn't know that much about the president before I came here," said Ship's Serviceman 1st Class Marquita Canada. "However, when I get back I am definitely going to research more about his life." Lincoln displayed the fortitude of the three Navy Core Values: honor, courage and commitment and it is the hope of the Lincoln Sailors from this ship to carry his character back to the command.
Lincoln Sailors Train To Assist Ship’s Security Story and Photos by MCSA Matthew Young
The 30-round magazine slips into the receiver and the Sailor checks that it is seated correctly. He takes a deep breath, letting silence fill the air as his concentration builds. Peering through the iron sights, he focuses on the target 15 yards away. The click of the safety temporarily breaks the silence as the pad of his index finger starts to squeeze the trigger. He takes one final breath, and fires. The explosion of the round, along with all the others, resonates throughout Naval Weapons Station Cheatham Annex's small arms firing range as Sailors shoot to qualify as security personnel. Small arms qualification is vital to the process
that Sailors complete as they qualify for security duty aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln's current security manning requirements demand more Sailors than the Masters-at-Arms assignment, resulting in the need for temporary additional personnel on Lincoln's security force to protect the ship during refuling and complex overhaul (RCOH). Initially, Sailors expecting to go on security patrols complete several Naval Knowledge Online (NKO) courses and a Security Reaction Force Training Basic (SRF-B) class as well as weapon fundamentals, non-lethal weapons fundamentals and reaction force techniques. "We qualify on the weapons with which we stand watch along with (oleoresin capsicum - "oc" or "pepper") spray," said Information Systems Technician 1st class Amanda Lamberth, a security watch commander. Once the Sailors have completed their training they are qualified to augment security watches. "The training of the ship's security force is our main objective in [the ships armory]," said Avation Ordnanceman 3rd class Edward Yazbak, a firearms instructor. "Through comprehensive training, we give security department expert knowledge in all weapons. Members of security are trained in using and handling the M16, M9, M500, M14 and M240 guns. "I'm glad that I am able to contribute to Lincoln's safety and teach security personnel the skills that they can use in any situation that they may face," said Yazbak.
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Russian Aircraft Flies Near U.S. Navy Ship in Black Sea By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service
A Russian attack aircraft repeatedly flew near the USS Donald Cook in international waters in the Black Sea on April 12, a Pentagon spokesman said today. The USS Cook was patrolling in the western Black Sea when an unarmed Russian Su-24 Fencer attack aircraft repeatedly flew near the Navy ship, Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters. "The aircraft did not respond to multiple queries and warnings from Donald Cook, and the event ended without incident after approximately 90 minutes," Warren said. "This provocative and unprofessional Russian action is inconsistent with international protocols and previous agreements on the professional interaction between our militaries." Two Russian aircraft were present, but only one took part in the provocative actions, Warren said. The aircraft flew from near sea level to a couple of thousand feet, he added, but never overflew the U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. "The Russian plane made a total of 12 passes," he said.
Mouzetta Zumwalt-Weathers Christens the guided-missile destroyer Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Zumwalt (DDG 1000) during a christening ceremony at bath Iron Works. The ship, the first of three Zumwalt-class destroyers, will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces and operate as part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics Bath Iron Works by Dennis Griggs/ Released
The wingman stayed at a considerably higher altitude, Warren said. Officials later said the aircraft approached within about 1,000 yards of the ship. The USS Cook was never in danger, Warren said. "The Donald Cook is more than capable of defending itself against two Su-24s," the colonel said. Warren said he does not think this is an example of a young pilot joyriding. "I would have difficulty believing that two Russian pilots, on their own, would chose to take such an action," he said. "We've seen the Russians conduct themselves unprofessionally and in violation of international norms in Ukraine for several months, and these continued acts of provocation and unprofessionalism do nothing to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, which we called on the Russians to do." The Cook arrived in the Black Sea on April 10. The ship is now making a port call in Constanta, Romania.
Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Brandan Cloud, foreground, and Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Laura Garcia track air traffic in the vicinity of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman, flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, is operating in the Atlantic as it returns from a 9-month deployment to the 6th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Emily M. Blair/Released