Two Carriers ...One Mission

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

The Shuttle Newsletter Edition

“We are Legend”

June 10, 2012 Issue

Two Carriers ...

One Mission

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Sunday, June 10, 2012

Big E Happenings Big E’s Catapults: From the Flight Deck to the Sky Story and photo By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian G. Reynolds

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – It is no mystery that the primary purpose of aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is to provide air support when, and where, it is needed. Luckily, launching aircraft off of the flight deck is one of the things the crew of Enterprise does best.

However, aircraft do not just take off, like they might do on a runway at a conventional airport.

The ship uses a complex catapult system to provide the momentum needed to launch the aircraft on such a short “runway.”

These catapults are no simple machine. They are an intricate system of pressurized hydraulics, steam, and hundreds of moving parts. This is why it takes special and dedicated Sailors to maintain and operate these powerful machines.

“Not many people can say that they launch aircraft off of an aircraft carrier for a living,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Caleb D. Bergstrom. “There’s not much more gratifying to me than to watch aircraft launch off of the deck.”

Virtually every aspect of the catapult system is run off of hydraulic pressure. In a nutshell, the hydraulic pressure does everything from producing the steam to launch the actual shuttle forward – thus launching the aircraft - to pulling the shuttle back to its original position.

“In order to launch an aircraft, you need to know the weight of the aircraft, USS Enterprise (CVN 65) the type of The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media aircraft and how Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department much wind is of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65. blowing across navy.mil. the deck,” said Commanding Officer Executive Officer Capt. William C. Hamilton, Jr. Capt. G. C. Huffman Bergstrom. “All of these factors Command Master Chief Public Affairs Officer ABCM (AW/SW) Eric M. Young Lt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler are plugged Editors into an intricate MC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover MCSN Brian G. Reynolds equation

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equaling the amount of force that will be used to launch the aircraft.“ Once the force is determined, and all of the factors are double checked, the aircraft shoots off the carrier and into the sky to carry out its mission.

It is the job of some Sailors, like Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Matthew Otesile, to ensure that all of the technicalities are in working order before he gives the go ahead to launch the aircraft.

“I am like the final checker,” said Otesile.

“Everything they can do on the flight deck, I can do in my space. I can even launch the catapult itself, if need be.”

After the aircraft is launched, the shuttle is retracted and process starts over for the next aircraft.

Though it might seem like a fairly simple process, the actual launching of aircraft using the catapult system is an arduous and complicated undertaking.

In order to launch an aircraft, hydraulic pressure has to be at a precise measurement; the path of the aircraft must be free of personnel and foreign object debris; and the amount of steam that is pumped into the catapult track has to be at a precise measurement.

It goes without saying that teamwork is in the job description.

“It takes 10 people to actually man up and launch CATAPULT continued on page 7

Sunday, June 10, 2012

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Big E Happenings Hearing Protection and Safety

By Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class James K. Owen If you have ever walked through the hangar bay while maintainers move an aircraft, walked past Deck department personnel using needleguns to rehab a sponson, or stood a watch in the propulsion plants, then you understand how loud the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) can be.

There are a variety of areas on the ship that are hazardous to Sailors due to high levels of those. These areas include the flight deck, hangar bay, machinery spaces, galley and scullery.

Permanent hearing loss could be the end result of working in or transiting these areas without taking the appropriate precautions.

The purpose of the Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) is to prevent this type of hearing loss.

The program is managed jointly

by Enterprise’s Medical and Safety departments and includes such elements as baseline and annual audiograms (medical surveillance), hearing protective devices and labeled “noise hazardous” equipment/areas.

Everyone receives a baseline audiogram upon entering military service. When significant changes are noted between the baseline measurement and recurring follow-up audiograms, a threshold shift (hearing loss) has occurred. It’s important to take these exams seriously.

If Sailors do not return for followup audiograms or if they randomly click the button when in the booth, they may be unknowingly losing their hearing. This can prevent medical and safety professionals from helping prevent future hearing loss.

Labeling noise hazardous areas and equipment is another part of the HCP. If you are ever in doubt regarding the level of hearing protection that needs to be worn, look to the yellow hearing

protection signs.

All spaces that are noise hazardous are required to be marked with a yellow and black placard/sticker at the entrance indicating the level of hearing protection to be worn and during what conditions.

Additionally, noise hazardous portable equipment such as shop tools are required to be labeled with stickers indicating the level of hearing protection that is required for wear. For example, the hangar bay is not always a noise hazardous area but when low-power turns are being conducted, hearing protection is required.

The threshold for single hearing protection is 84 dB and above.

Double hearing protection is needed at 104 dB or more. Examples of hearing protection include: disposable ear plugs (foamies), re-usable ear plugs (fitted flanged plugs issued by Medical department), ear muffs (Mickey Mouse ears), and helmets constructed with ear muffs called cranials.

Common equipment and environments that require at least a SINGLE form of hearing protection include: - Compressed air - Pneumatic drills - Propulsion plant spaces (from ventilation and operating machinery).

Examples of environments and equipment that require at least DOUBLE hearing protection include: - Needle-guns - Grinders - Emergency Diesel Generators - Flight Operations (including vulture’s row) So what if you are in an area or using a piece of equipment that seems loud but there are no markings?

When in doubt, use the arm’s length (3 ft) general rule of thumb: If you

have to raise your voice to talk to someone 3 feet away from you then you should wear hearing protection.

A list of noise hazardous equipment and areas may be found in enclosure 1 of CVN65INST 6260.1G (Hearing Conservation Program). The list may also be found on the Safety Department intranet web-page under the heading “HAZARDOUS NOISE LIST”.

One commonly overlooked source of noise exposure is personal stereos such as iPods and MP3 players.

Research indicates people generally listen to their personnel stereos at noise ranges of 95-121 decibels, thereby damaging hearing. So what happens if you listen to your iPod at 95 decibels? You will reach the 84 decibel noise limit in 47 minutes!

This means that any additional sound exposure above 84 decibels will overexpose your ears to noise and will result in hearing damage.

The 60/60 rule is a good one to use to protect your hearing when using your personal stereo. Do not exceed 60 percent of the maximum volume on the stereo and do not use the stereo for longer than 60 minutes a day.

Example, if the maximum volume setting on your personal stereo is 30 then make sure your volume is set at 18 or less for 60 minutes or less per day. Heeding this information will save your hearing.

It is clear that hazardous noise poses dangers to our health and well being. Considering that individuals who sustain hearing loss are more susceptible to future hearing loss (due to the existing ear damage) and since hearing loss is irreversible and cannot be regained, the Hearing Conservation Program is important in preventing hearing loss and maintaining a positive quality of life.

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Sunday, June 10, 2012

Big E PhotoEx with U Photos by MC3 Scott Pittman

Sunday, June 10, 2012

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USS Abraham Lincoln

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Sunday, June 10, 2012

Big E Feature Story A Taste of Home: BBQ Aboard USS Enterprise Story and Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Our five senses are a powerful entity and our sense of taste can evoke some of the strongest emotions, responses, and memories.

One culinary specialist aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is garnering some powerful praise for a specialty dish recently added to the Big E’s menu.

“One day, I saw we were making barbecue, so I thought, I’m going to take this up another notch,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Quindell L. Jenkins, a cook relatively new to the ship. “I gathered my ingredients and I put my sauce out.”

Jenkins “North Carolina” style of barbecue quickly saw the Sailors and Marines of Enterprise entrenched in a heated debate about which tasted better, the pulled pork or beef.

“We follow a 14-day menu, and the barbecue bar has always been on it, but when Seaman Jenkins made his

style of barbecue, we received more feedback than we have ever gotten since I’ve been on the ship,” said Master Chief Culinary Specialist Thaddeus T. Wright, the assistant food service officer aboard Enterprise. “People would stop me in the passageways and have all different kinds of compliments about the food. We easily received 50 to 60 comment cards with nothing but positive remarks, an unheard of number.”

For Jenkins, this is not a new development. Growing up in the countryside of North Carolina, barbecue has been a family affair for him since the age of 13.

“Back then, it was about family gatherings and having a good time,” said Jenkins. “I would gravitate towards the cooking part, spending time with my uncles. The first time I did it on my own, I was 17 or 18 and I smoked my first pig.”

Since then, Jenkins has continued his family’s tradition

Sunday, June 10, 2012

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Big E Feature Story by making food for others - first friends, and now shipmates.

“The first time I did it, I sat by the bar and told people to come back and tell me what they thought, and to be sure to fill out a comment card,” said Jenkins. “If you don’t voice your opinion, whether good or bad, nothing ever changes.”

His changes in the galley didn’t stop at a new and improved sauce, however.

“After people enjoyed my barbecue sauce so much, I thought I should see what I could do next, so I started putting candied pineapples and apples out to see how people would respond to it,” said Jenkins.

Although instituting change can sometimes be difficult, those willing to bring proof of a better way of doing things find doors open a lot more quickly.

“When I told some of my (leadership) that I had this recipe for awesome barbecue, I brought it to them so they knew it wasn’t just talk,” said Jenkins. “I had physical proof that what I had could improve our product. That helped get the ball rolling.”

After making what many Sailors call improvements to the barbecue recipe, Jenkins still hopes to receive comment cards whether positive or negative. He looks forward to feedback about how to improve his products.

“One of the keys to being a culinary specialist is being proud and standing by your product,” said Wright.

CATAPULT continued

the catapult,” said Bergstrom. “That is only one of them. We have four.”

Considering the fact that Enterprise is a 51-yearold warship, it is also extremely important to ensure that the equipment is properly maintained. After all, a non-working catapult could be costly not only to flight deck operations, but also to the mission at hand.

“If anything goes wrong with the catapult, we are right there,” said Bergstrom. “If anything goes down, that’s one less catapult that we have to get aircraft off of the deck. But as soon as something

The barbecue and other dishes do not take long to prepare, but the desire for fresh product means a drawn-out process, not making all of the sauces and toppings at once.

“It takes about an hour to make enough sauce for the crew. I add all of my seasonings, then start prepping the apples and pineapples,” said Jenkins. “Overall, it takes around two hours to prep the food, but we’re constantly doing this throughout the day.”

The experience of being able to bring his North Carolina-style barbecue to the crew has Jenkins exploring future possibilities and hoping other culinary specialists aboard Enterprise will gain the confidence to add their own style and flair to the galleys and wardrooms.

“I would love to see other cooks bring their knowledge and home experiences to the table,” said Jenkins. “Every taste of home reminds us of what’s waiting for us after deployment.”

If you ask Jenkins for his reasons behind trying to ensure top quality cuisine aboard Enterprise, he believes it’s simple to explain.

“As a cook, there is no greater joy than seeing another person smile and tell you “This is some good food, this reminds me of home,” said Jenkins. “That’s better than any mark on your evaluations, any promotion, or any reward.

It makes me happy to know people look forward to the barbecue bar.”

goes wrong, we are on top of it getting it fixed.”

The job of an ABE can often be a grueling and demanding one. The day begins long before flight ops begin and ends far after. All of the interworkings in between provides Enterprise the means to carry out her ultimate mission.

“It’s very important for us to do everything that we can to get the aircraft off of the flight deck to help those soldiers on the ground,” said Otesile.

“It’s important that we don’t forget that those five or 10 minutes that we are late doing something can make a huge difference in their lives and their families’ lives.”

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Sunday, June 10, 2012

Big E Entertainment

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