USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shutle
Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
August 13 , 2012 Issue
Shoot to Thrill: Gunner’s Mates Aboard Enterprise Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Though its primary arsenal lies in the squadron aircraft embarked aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65), the ship is also equipped with both small arms and crew-served weapons. The Gunner’s Mates (GM) aboard Enterprise are responsible for these weapons and systems. They clean these weapons, maintain them, train crewmembers on their usage, and finally man the .50 caliber gun mounts and M-240 machine guns during special evolutions. “The role that we play on Enterprise is almost strictly defensive,” said Master Chief Gunner’s Mate Joseph Cassista, G-2 division leading chief petty officer, from Cutler, Maine. “We defend the ship with the .50 caliber machine guns, and we own all of the sprinkler systems that keep our weapons magazines safe from fire or accident.” There are 230 Sailors in the Weapons department of Enterprise, only 18 of them are GMs. “We’re such a small division in such a big department (Photo by MC3 Randy J. Savarese) on such a big ship,” said Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Kyle T. “It’s not just the GMs who man the gun mounts during Gregory, from East St. Louis, Illinois. “That aside, I feel transits and special evolutions, though,” said Gregory. “The like we are one of the most important pieces to the ship because Aviation Ordnancemen from the other divisions of weapons we work with security involving their weapons, and we’re a department also stand the watches with us.” part of most special shipboard evolutions.” One of the final and more obscure duties of the GM is the G-2 division has custody of the shipboard small arms “Shark Watch,” during which a GM will stand watch with an and is overall in charge of the armory. In addition to these M-14 watching for sharks while Sailors enjoy a swim-call, responsibilities, they are also in charge of weapons ranges used though whether or not the GMs of Enterprise will have to stand for qualifications and training. that watch remains to be seen. “In addition to weapons, we keep the keys to the different The GMs of G-2 division are not the only ones doing the job, weapons magazines in the armory,” said Gregory. “Aside from however. giving those out to G-3 division, we do a lot of training to stay “In G-2 Division, our job as Gunner’s Mates is shared by up to date with the different weapon requirements and scenarios our Aviation Ordnancemen,” said Cassista. Our department is we encounter in our job.” mostly AOs, more than half of my division is AOs, and here, During underway replenishments (UNREP), up to five GMs there is no distinction between the two rates. We do the same will be on station at different UNREP stations prepared to fire jobs and maintain the same equipment. The G-2 division on shot-lines from Enterprise to whatever ship will be alongside this ship is probably the finest division that I’ve ever served to resupply her. The shot-line, made of spooled thread, is fired with.” from an M-14 rifle and used to move different types of lines The GMs aboard Enterprise take pride in different parts of and connectors between ships. They remain on station in case the job, however, most seem to be able to agree on one aspect of emergency breakaway, in which case they would need to use of being a GM as the biggest benefit. explosive bolt cutters to disconnect the span-wires between the “Gunner’s Mates, above all else, value blowing things up,” ships. said Cassista. Another aspect of the job, perhaps just as, or more, Enterprise GMs will continue to stand ready to defend the important than assisting in resupplying the ship, is standing .50 ship and possibly “blow some things up” as the ship finishes it’s caliber gun-mount watches. 25th and final deployment, which currently has them underway There are usually two Sailors per .50 caliber mount, with in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility. an additional body allotted to the double .50 caliber mounts to assist in loading the second weapon.