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Vol. 20, No. 42 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 10.18.12
FWAB available by visiting your command’s voting assistance officer
ENTERPRISE TRANSITS SUEZ CANAL FOR THE FINAL TIME
Press Release Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs
By MC3 (SW) Brian G. Reynolds Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs
USS ENTERPRISE, AT SEA
Aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) has been the first to do a lot of things. The “Big E” was the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the first carrier to respond to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. On April 29, 1986, Enterprise did something that no other nuclearpowered carrier had ever done – she transited the Suez Canal, the world’s largest man-made canal, adding another first to an already long list of accomplishments. The 1986 transit brought Enterprise back into the Mediterranean for the first time in 22 years, as she shifted homeports from Alameda, Calif., back to Norfolk, where she was originally commissioned in 1961. Twenty-six years later, on Oct. 12, the “Big E” passed through the Suez Canal for the final time as she transitioned from the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) to U.S. 6th Fleet AOR, entering the Mediterranean Sea for the last time. The transit marks the beginning of the last leg of the carrier’s historic 25th and final deployment, after seven months of operations at sea. The Suez Canal is a 120-mile long, 79-foot-deep canal that runs through
Being involved in the planning of the transit is something that no one can take away from me, or anyone else, on the Navigation team.” - Chief Quartermaster Craig J. Bowman
Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, allowing mariners to transit from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and viceversa. Because the canal is so shallow and narrow, the transit puts the skills of even the most seasoned helmsman to the test, as the canal was not originally designed to accommodate ships the size of an aircraft carrier. In fact, the evolution usually takes anywhere from 14 - 20 hours to complete. “Planning for this type of evolution starts months out to try to minimize any hiccups,” said Chief Quartermaster Craig J. Bowman. “We (Navigation Department) lay out the ship’s planned track with proposed, or planned, times to be at certain places. Other departments on the ship take the information we provide and plan when and where they can or can’t do
evolutions – or when they need to shut off or stop certain services.” Because Enterprise was the first to make the historic journey through the Suez Canal, those involved in its current transit believe that there is a bit of reverence in having the honor to take the “Big E” through “the Ditch” for the final time. “To bring Enterprise through the Suez Canal for the last time is certainly an honor,” said Cmdr. Donald Kennedy, Enterprise’s navigator. “For more than 50 years, Big E Sailors have expertly stood the long watches required to navigate Enterprise safely. To be among the last to see her through the Suez Canal will no doubt be one of the most memorable experiences of my career.” Many “Big E” crew members agree that it is an honor to be involved with the final cruise and Suez Canal transit of the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The cruise marks a milestone in not only their careers, but their lives as well. “Being involved in the planning of the transit is something that no one can take away from me, or anyone else, on the Navigation team,” said Bowman. “I went through as a QM1 (quartermaster 1st class) and I am coming out as a QMC (chief quartermaster). Just adding that to the transit makes this that much more memorable for me.”
MC3 Jared King The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65)is underway in the Suez Canal. Enterprise was deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.
■ her last hoorah The USS Enterprise is scheduled to return to its homeport of Norfolk at the end of its current deployment to begin its inactivation process after 51 years of service.
So you’ve registered to vote in the general election and you’ve received, completed and returned your absentee ballot. Congratulations for exercising your right and responsibility to participate in the democratic process. But here we are a few weeks from the election and you say you have you haven’t received your ballot? Can you still participate? “Absolutely, but you have to act fast to make sure your vote counts,” said Lt. Cmdr. Ron Pugh, voting assistance officer for the Navy’s Mid-Atlantic Region. The form to use is called the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB), and is available from your command’s voting assistance officer (every command has one), as well as online at www.fvap.gov. The FWAB is available to military and overseas citizens who have requested, but have not received their state absentee ballot in time to vote and return it before the deadline. To use the FWAB, citizens must have applied for a state ballot early enough so that their local election office received the request at least 30 days before the election, or the state’s ballot request deadline, whichever is later. The FWAB may be used to vote for federal offices (President/Vice President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Delegate or Resident Commissioner) in primary, general, special, or runoff elections. Some states have expanded the use of the FWAB and accept the FWAB for voting for state and local offices, or allow the FWAB to be used for voter registration and ballot request. “Requirements vary by state, so I’d encourage anyone who is participating to contact their Voting Assistance Officer (VAO) as soon as possible,” said Pugh. Tips for using the FWAB: ■ Citizens who have not received a requested state ballot in time to return it before the election should immediately complete and submit the FWAB to their local election office. ■ The FWAB must be received by the local election office no later than the ballot return deadline. ■ The transmittal envelope must be signed and dated (and the witness or signature must be included if required by state.) ■ If citizens receive their state absentee ballot after submitting the FWAB, they should vote and return the ballot immediately. If the state absentee ballot arrives by the ballot return deadline, the state will count the state absentee ballot instead of the FWAB.
NAVY CELEBRATES 237TH BIRTHDAY ABOARD BATTLESHIP WISCONSIN Press Release U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs
NORFOLK
U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) Command hosted a ceremony commemorating the 237th birthday of the U.S. Navy aboard the Battleship Wisconsin, Oct. 12. Adm. Bill Gortney, Commander, USFF served as the event’s guest speaker and discussed the Navy’s history and contributions in building our nation. “While we are here today to celebrate our Navy’s 237th birthday, this
■ coverage of local Fleet Week events See pages A7-A9 for Fleet Week Hampton Roads events including: the Chili Cook-off, Navy Ball, Grunt Run and Military Appreciation Day at the Virginia Zoo.
year also marks the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812, and we learned a lot during that war,” said Gortney. “One, we need strong warships that are flexible, adaptable and built to last by America. Two, we need bold and
» see BIRTHDAY | A5 ONR-SPONSORED SCIENTIST WINS NOBEL PRIZE A scientist, whose work has been funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for more than 30 years, received the Nobel Prize in physics, Oct. 9.
NAVY TEAM WINS 2012 WILDERNESS CHALLENGE Representing the U.S. Navy, Team “Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead” was named the 2012 All-Military Wilderness Challenge champions, Oct. 6, with a winning overall time of 7:11:13.
innovative commanders with highly motivated and incredibly proficient crews. Three, we are a seagoing nation that not only requires a strong coastal Navy, but also a blue water Navy that can project power overseas to protect freedom of navigation at strategic maritime crossroads where shipping lanes and our security interests intersect. These are the conditions under which our Navy started. These are the lessons we learned more than 200 years ago. These are the imperatives by which we must operate today.”
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MC1 Phil Beaufort Adm. Bill Gortney,Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command hosts the 237th U.S. Navy birthday celebration aboard the Battleship Wisconsin. More than 200 military and local community leaders gathered on the fantail of Wisconsin to help celebrate the event.
LOCAL HALLOWEEN THRILLS With more than 400 years of spirits, Virginia has more listings on the National Register of Haunted Places than any other state.
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