Maintaining the 1961 Hotrod

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

The Shuttle Newsletter Edition

“We are Legend”

May 4, 2012 Issue

Maintaining the 1961 Hotrod

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Jesse L. Gonzalez

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Sailors assigned to the Repair division (R-Div) of the Engineering department aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) maintain the 50 year-old ship by paying careful attention to her unique design.

Repair division is comprised of Sailors who hold vital ratings in the Navy, particularly aboard Enterprise, Hull Maintenance Technicians (HT) and Machinery Repairmen (MR). HTs and MRs are a part of the group of mechanics that keep the United States’ oldest active warship, affectionately referred to as a “1961 hot rod,” in top condition.

“R-Div performs a variety of jobs such as replacing all bad piping aboard, fabricating just about anything anyone brings us, and fixing and replacing all the commodes, showers, and sinks in all the heads,” said Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Dale C. Abbott. “Just about anything that’s metal aboard, we can either fix or fabricate the same thing, only better.”

According to Abbott, R-Div is also responsible for flushing water and the containment, holding and transfer (CHT) system on board. On a daily Hull Maintenance Technican Fireman Randy Olson brazes a piece of brass in the hull maintenance shop basis, the pipe shop answers an average of 20 aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). (Photo by MCSN Brian G. Reynolds) trouble calls, and at least three of them are braze jobs. Brazing is a metal-joining process where According to Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class a filler metal is heated above melting point and distributed Donald T. Miller, this includes every piping system from main between two or more close-fitting parts. steam for propulsion to sea water systems for cooling of combat The weld shop also performs dozens of welding jobs per systems and critical plant systems. day.

Miller also said other Sailors aboard the Big E can do simple “The ship being is old as it is, is both a blessing and a things to pitch in and help make R-Div’s job easier. curse,” said Abbott. “We are constantly busy with any and Sailors can help by considering the ship as their home for everything our rate covers, which is good because there are so the seven months of deployment, and treating it accordingly. many different aspects to our rate, which we get to experience By taking care of their spaces and doing the proper in a short amount of time.” maintenance, Sailors minimize the amount of unnecessary work R-Div’s work is important for a few reasons, said Abbott.

R-Div has to do.

Crew living conditions are one example. R-Div fixes all the R-Div relies heavily on tracking man hours for every things Sailors use on a daily basis, such as heads, piping for air job, which in turn helps the Navy, as a whole, with manning. conditioning units and piping for the laundry machines.

Therefore, avoiding preventable problems benefits both R-Div “We are also responsible for repairing all piping that and the fleet. breaks or leaks by fixing or replacing it,” said Abbott. “We When things do break, there are systems in place to use for do hundreds of weld jobs and brazes on the plants and the getting them fixed, such as the trouble call desk or OMMS. distilling units that make our water. We also work on the “Day in and day out, there is always an opportunity for me catapult’s steam piping system if it breaks.” to learn something new,” said Miller. “I like what I do and I The hardest part of being an HT aboard Enterprise would know I am getting great skills for my next job.” have to be maintaining the ship’s hotel services and the everlasting battle with corrosion and piping systems.

The Shuttle

Page 2

Friday, May 4, 2012

Big E Happenings Photos by MC3 Britney Epps

A SH-60F Seahawk assigned to the Dragonslayers of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 11 retrieves cargo of the USNS Supply during a replenishment at sea aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

An SH-60F Seahawk assigned to the Dragonslayers of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 11 transports cargo from USNS Supply during a replenishment at sea aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Sailors move cargo on forklifts during a replenish at sea on the flight deck aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Sailors high five as they complete their cargo work on the flight deck aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

The Shuttle USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65. navy.mil.

Commanding Officer Executive Officer Capt. William C. Hamilton, Jr. Capt. G. C. Huffman Command Master Chief ABCM (AW/SW) Eric M. Young

Sailors and Marines sort through cargo on the flight deck during a replenishment at sea aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler

Editors MC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover MCSN Harry Gordon MCSN Brian G. Reynolds

The Shuttle

Friday, May 4, 2012

Page 3

In the News Obama Signs Pact in Kabul, Turning Page in Afghan War

By Mark Landler, NEW YORK TIMES

KABUL, Afghanistan -- President Obama, speaking to an American television audience Bagram Air Base, declared that he had traveled here to herald a new era in the relationship between the United States and Afghanistan, a future in which war ends, and a new chapter begins.

Mr. Obama’s address during an unannounced visit to sign a strategic partnership agreement with President Hamid Karzai that sets the terms or relations after the departure of American troops in 2014, was a chance for him to make an electionyear case that he is winding down a costly and increasingly unpopular war.

“My fellow Americans,” he said, speaking against a backdrop of armored military vehicles and an American flag, “we’ve traveled through more than a decade under the dark cloud of war. Yet here, in the

pre-dawn darkness of Afghanistan, we can see the light of new day on the horizon.”

His speech came as an already difficult relationship with Mr. Karzai has been strained by recent events, including the release of photos showing American soldiers posing with the remains of Taliban insurgents and an American staff sergeant who has been charged in the killing of 16 Afghan civilians. Mr. Obama sought to portray the withdrawal as an unalloyed achievement, though it remains far from certain that the Afghan government can hold its own against the Taliban withreduced American support, or that what were once considered critical American goals here can still be met.

Hours after Mr. Obama left Afghanistan, at least two explosions shook Kabul near a compound used

by United Nations workers and other foreigners, local reports said.

According to an interior minister, at least six people, including five civilians and a security guard, were killed. The Taliban has claimed responsibility.

The president’s dramatic six-hour visit, ending a year to the day after Osama bin Laden was killed in a raid in neighboring Pakistan, was laden with symbolism, historic and political.

Speaking from the country where the 9/11 terrorist attacks were incubated, Mr. Obama suggested that America had come full circle.

“One year ago, from a base here in Afghanistan, our troops launched the operation that killed Osama bin Laden,” the president said. “The goal I set to defeat Al Qaeda, and deny it a chance to rebuild is now within our reach.”

More Clout Sought for Military’s Cyberwarfare Unit

By Ellen Nakashima, WASHINGTON POST to a level on a par with commands Senior military leaders are protecting entire regions and recommending that the Pentagon’s continents would give the nation’s two-year-old cyberwarfare unit be top cyberwarriors more direct access elevated to full combatant command to Dempsey and Panetta, allowing status, sending a signal to adversaries them more clout in the struggle for that the U.S. military is serious about resources. Created in 2010 at Fort protecting its ability to operate in Meade, Cyber Command employs cyberspace, officials said.

Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman about 750 people, far fewer than most combatant commands and reports to of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will Strategic Command, based in Omaha. recommend the change to Defense The U.S. military has nine combatant Secretary Leon E. Panetta, said commands, the newest of which, officials who spoke on the condition Africa Command, began operations in of anonymity to discuss classified 2008. matters. Final approval rests with U.S. officials say the establishment President Obama. Little opposition of a combatant command for cyberwar is expected, though the timeline is fits the administration’s multi-pronged uncertain.

A Pentagon spokesman, Capt. John cyber-strategy by projecting military Kirby, declined to discuss the pending force as a deterrent, even as efforts are ongoing inthe diplomatic realm to move. reduce tensions with adversaries.

The elevation of Cyber Command

“It certainly emphasizes the importance of cyber as a strategic priority,” said retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John “Soup” Campbell, a former commander of the military’s first joint cyberdefense unit, set up in 1988. “It shortens the chain of command up to the president and secretary of defense.

It sends a signal that it’s a four star general’s job to advocate for the cyber mission. That’s important.”

The elevation of Cyber Command could contribute to the perception in some countries that the United States is a military aggressor in cyberspace, though officials say the cyberwarfare unit is heavily focused on defense and limited in its use of offense.

The change in status would not resolve a host of more fundamental issues, such as the scope of its authority to defend the nation.

The Shuttle

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Friday, May 4, 2012

Sailors of the Day Aviation Support Equipment Technician 3rd Class

Diango Mendez

AS3 Diango Mendez, from Acworth, Ga., joined the Navy four years and nine months ago to see the world and to learn a valuable trade. He enjoys working out, reading and spending time with his daughters. In the future, Mendez plans to advance in rank and to obtain his ESWS pin.

Aviation Electrican’s Mate 3rd Class Christopher Welfley

AE3 Christopher Welfley, from Brimfield Township, Ohio, joined the Navy three years and two months ago to obtain a college education and support his family.

In his spare time, Welfley enjoys teaching martial arts.

In the future, he plans to advance in rank and to obtain his Associate’s degree.

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