Blue Ridge Issue 15

Enginemen Maintaining Mission Readiness

Busan 5K Friendship Run

Photo by MC3 Mel Orr

Photo by MC3 Mel Orr

Photo by MC3 Mel Orr Commanding Officer: Capt. Daniel Grieco Executive Officer: Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Ralston Command Master Chief: CMDCM(SW/SS) David Unnone Public Affairs Officer: Lt. j.g. Clinton Beaird Editor: MC1(SW) Todd Macdonald Newsletter Staff: MC2(SW) Brian Dietrick MC2 Aaron Pineda MC3(SW) Alexandra Arroyo MC3 Mel Orr MC3 Cale Hatch

Photo by MC3 Mel Orr Produced by Media Services division, Ext. 4155 Blue Ridge is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the USS Blue Ridge. All news releases, photos or information for publication in Blue Ridge must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer.

View this issue online: www.issuu.com/ussblueridge On the cover: Engineman 3rd Class Kenneth Cladwell performs preventative maintenance on a self service diesel generator. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron M. Pineda)

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UNRAVEL FOREIGN TRAVEL

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexandra Arroyo

Sailor Q A &

With the opportunities for travel the military provides, your dream vacation is a request chit away. Before you book your flights and tours though, there are requirements aside from a passport that you’ll need to make that dream vacation possible.

Every country has a foreign clearance guide which determines what type of information they need to supply.

Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape or SERE Level B training or higher and Anti Terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) Level 1 forms all need to be completed. These courses must be completed through Navy Knowledge Online.

“We want to help the member know more about where they’re going and give the command an idea of how to get a hold of them,” said Yeoman 3rd class Kristopher Phay. “It’s important for the command to be able to reach you in case of an emergency.”

According to Phay, a Sailor’s finances plays a role in whether or not the command feels comfortable with the travel plans. He said that with your leave chit, you should also include your flight, hotel and a financial statement.

Along with their travel itinerary and financial information Sailors must complete an Isolated Personnel Report (ISOPREP) and submit it along with their individual anti-terrorism protection (IATP) forms.

Machinist’s Mate Fireman Dawit Leggesse became familiar with the entire process when submitting his leave to travel to his home country of Ethiopia.

“The ISOPREP form asked questions about my hair and eye color,” said Leggesse. “I think it’s just to keep me safe, so they can identify me if I get lost or need help.”

Leggesse described Ethiopia as

Know?

Did You

“How has the experience of checking onboard the ship been for you?”

Compiled by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cale Hatch

SN Jordan Skeens

CSSR Jacolby Sargent

MMFN Heather Neunlist

“Everyone is so nice. I was very surprised as to how friendly the petty officers on the ship are.”

“My chain of command is great! I really like working with them. Chief Adams is the best.”

“Everyone has been very welcoming. It has been pretty easy for me to get around and aquainted with the ship.”

CSSN Angelo Akens

“I am looking forward to visiting new places and doing some traveling throughout Japan.”

SR Malesha Davis

“I’ve enjoyed meeting a lot of new people.

Everyone seems really nice so far.”

being a place where there is a need for a force protection plan.

“They don’t want you going if it’s too dangerous. They really go out of their way to make sure you don’t get hurt,” he said.

Leggesse said after he submitted his leave chit he needed country clearance from Ethiopia and a theatre clearance from the United States in order to get his IATP approved.

“They have to approve it before you can go. The embassy in Ethiopia needs to know I am there.” Leggesse said. “If I get in any trouble, I know I will be taken care of. That makes me feel safe.”

Phay explained that in cases like

HTFN Sahara Alonzo

“I experience something new every day. The people I work with will teach me a lot about my rate.”

this, the yeoman have to go into the Aircraft and Personnel Clearance System website in order to submit a country or theatre clearance.

“The theatre clearance is only applicable when that country is outside of the command’s area of responsibility,” he said. “Then the final IATP can be submitted for approval by the CO in order to complete the process.”

Phay said all the paperwork for overseas leave is quite a lengthy process.

“The best advice I can give is to turn it in to the ship’s admin office as soon as possible so we can get started.”

Many notable people have served in the United States Navy. Some of them include; Bill Cosby, Larry Flint, M.C. Hammer, Rock Hudson, David Robinson, Johnny Carson, Richard Nixon, Jesse Ventura, Bob Feller, Charlie Murphy, Paul Newman, Regis Philbin, Montel Williams, Henry Fonda, and Bob Barker

Enginemen Keep the Ship Moving

EN Shop demonstrates why ‘Enginemen are the backbone of the Navy’ Story and photos by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Pineda

When the Enginemen aboard U.S. 7th Fleet command flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) have a bad day, the ship’s company will have a bad day too. Lights go out, engines stop working, and the whole mission will come to a halt. Luckily, aboard Blue Ridge there’s a five-person crew in the Boat Shop that stand watches and turn wrenches to make sure these things don’t happen.

Enginemen, or EN’s as they’re more commonly called, have critical responsibilities. Throughout the Navy they’re seen in enginerooms working long hours in high-temperature and noisy environments. The equipment in their care is essential to a ship’s mission and survivability. For the EN’s aboard Blue Ridge, working on diesel generators, maintaining the ship’s small crafts and testing jet propellant-5 (JP-5) fuel is all in a days work.

With such important responsibilities there are many eyes watching, and not only those of the commanding officer. According Engineman 2nd Class Victor Chavez, the Boat Shop’s Leading Petty Officer since 2009, meeting the ship’s requirements also means making the grade with inspectors.

“Every 18 months inspectors from ATG (Afloat Training Group) come aboard and inspect,” he said.

They review all admin logs, chemical maintenance records and tear the engines down throughly to inspect the different components.”

For Chavez, the inspections also bring some fun.

“The best part of the whole process is putting the engines back together again to see if it works.”

All fun aside, the inspections are no joking matter. The EN crew is now preparing for their next inspection.

Engineman Fireman Ivy Ancheta places a free water detector pad into a vacuum receiver as she tests for fuel for water. Ancheta tests the fuel prior to and during flight operations ensuring it is contaminant free.

“The inspections actually help and we’re gearing up for our next one which should be around the November-December time frame,” said Chavez.

With the embarked U.S. 7th Fleet commander and staff, Blue Ridge has a unique mission aspect that always demands the EN shop’s full attention.

“It’s the EDG’s (emergency diesel generators) that provide support for the C4I (command, control, communication, and intelligence) platform and engineering plant spaces. For this reason we keep two NEC (naval enlisted classification) coded personnel working on them,” said Chavez.

Aboard Blue Ridge, the EN responsibilities extend beyond diesel engines and into other mission critical areas as well.

“We’re also a big factor in the aviation certification of the ship,” said Enginemen Fireman Ivy Ancheta.

Ancheta who’s qualified in shipboard propulsion fuel oils, and JP-5 systems testing, said even though her job isn’t the most glamorous she understands its importance.

“The JP-5 program basically consists of all the maintenance and quality assurance testing of fuel prior to and during flight operations,” she said. “It’s extremely important that it is clear of any contaminants to avoid what could become a catastrophic incident.”

Ancheta tests the fuel prior to and during flight operations ensuring it is contaminant free. With multiple flight

Engineman 3rd Class Kenneth Cladwell performs preventative maintenance on a self service diesel generator. Periodic inspections and certifications helps to ensure high quality control standards.

operations happening in one day, the practice requires many man-hours.

However, she said it’s necessary to fulfill the mission requirements.

“The process can take some time and we’re not allowed to give fuel until it’s tested so we test everyday underway,” she said. “You never know when they’re going to need it.”

A periodic inspection and certification process helps to ensure high quality control standards.

“NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command) and ATG go through our logs with a fine tooth comb,” said Ancheta. They’re checking to make sure we make proper log entries and that the fuel is high quality for flight ops.”

After Chavez praised Ancheta’s knowledge on the subject he responded jokingly, “The last NAVCERT (navigation certification) and JP-5 inspection she surprised them by how well she knew her job.”

EDG’s aren’t the only engines the EN shop turns wrenches on aboard Blue Ridge. Rigid Hull Inflatable

boats (RHIB), utility boats and the Admiral’s barge all fall within their responsibility.

“On every ship in the Navy you’ll find small boats.” explained Engineman Fireman Rory Parker.

We’re responsible for those as well.”

Parker said RHIB’s are particularly important for rescue operations.

“The front RHIB on the starboard sponson has to always be ready,” he said. “It’s the one we use for man overboard.”

Parker said his time aboard Blue Ridge as an EN is helping him become proficient in a trade he enjoys.

“I love engine work and learning more about them. Being here has taught me a lot and is helping me to become a master Engineman.”

EN2 Chavez has learned some lessons aboard Blue Ridge. For him, filling the billet of an EN1 and assuming the role as LPO in a division that’s vital to the ship’s mission has taught him about leadership and rising to the occasion.

“It’s helped me become more seasoned as an EN and has taught me about working with people and how to recognize what they are capable of.”

USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) Enginemen pose for a group photo: (left to right) Engineman Fireman Rory Parker, Engineman Fireman Ivy Ancheta, Engineman 3rd Class Kenneth Caldwell, Engineman 2nd Class Victor Chavez, Engineman Fireman Jonnary Pagan, and Chief Engineman Manuel Jamosmos.

Honoring Family Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mel Orr

Honoring fallen comrades is of sacred importance to many people, even more so when they are a relative.

To see a family member immortalized at a memorial can be very humbling, especially when it’s not anticipated.

For Master Chief Culinary Specialist Romulo Bugayong, discovering that a relative who fought in the Korean War was honored alongside thousands of other soldiers was an unexpected surprise.

Despite visiting Busan, Republic of Korea numerous times since the early 1990s, Bugayong did not know about the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK) until August 2010 when U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) visited the city. UNMCK is dedicated to soldiers from 18 countries who fought and died during the Korean War.

Master Chief Culinary Specialist Romulo Bugayong traces an engraving of his uncle’s name at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea in Busan, Republic of Korea.

“I discovered the cemetery by accident,” said Bugayong. “I went on a local tour and it was one of the stops.”

While at the cemetery, Bugayong decided to see if he could find the name of his uncle, Bonifacio Pumares, on the monument dedicated to the soldiers who died during the war.

“I felt goose bumps all over my body when I saw his name listed on the Wall of Remembrance,” said Bugayong.

Master Chief Culinary Specialist Romulo Bugayong addresses attendees during a ceremony honoring Bugayong’s uncle at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea in Busan, Republic of Korea.

Pumares was part of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea that served as the Philippine contingent of the U.N. forces during the war. He was killed in action in 1952 and was laid to rest in Baguio City, Republic of the Philippines, but Bugayong doesn’t know anything more about his uncle’s death. Bugayong said he’s been doing research on his uncle but hasn’t been able to find out much about him.

He revisited the UNMCK on Aug. 22, 2011, to pay respect to his uncle.

During the visit, Bugayong asked the UNMCK staff if they had any information regarding his uncle but the only records they had were for those buried in the cemetery.

“I plan to ask my mother and other relatives if they remember anything about my uncle the next time I visit P.I. (Philippine Islands),” said Bugayong.

“We don’t have many stories of him, just photographs when he was younger.

Unfortunately they were lost during an earthquake.”

Nonetheless, Bugayong said he will to pay his respects to his uncle every time he visits Busan.

“I’m very grateful for everyone who served during the Korean War and I’m honored that my uncle is recognized alongside them.”

Community Service Projects in Busan

Hee Rak Won Children’s Facility Photo by MC3 Mel Orr

Photo by MC2 Aaron Pineda

Photo by MC2 Aaron Pineda

Blue Bird Senior Citizen’s Home

Photo by MC3 Mel Orr Photo by MC3 Mel Orr

Welcome Home, Blue Ridge!

Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mel Orr