USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
June 14, 2012 Issue
“We are Legend”
Sailors and Marines Augment Enterprise Sailors in AIMD
Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Sailors and Marines from multiple land-based commands across the United States have left shore-duty behind temporarily in order to augment divisions of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) as the carrier makes its historic final deployment. These Sailors and Marines embarked before work-ups in order to integrate themselves into the department before the start of deployment. “We’re out to sea and we’re one team,” said Master Chief Avionics Technician Kenneth A. Jackson, departmental leading chief petty officer for AIMD. “The embarked Sailors and Marines get treated the same way as ship’s company Sailors and are held to the same expectations. There is no difference between them.” Temporarily-assigned Sailors can be found in all four divisions of AIMD, while Marines are only assigned to IM-2 and IM-3. IM-2 is responsible for many elements of mechanical aircraft maintenance, including the jet shop, tire shop, oil lab, oxygen shop and the hydraulics shop. “If the Marine aircraft weren’t on the ship, these guys wouldn’t have to work on Marine aircraft engines,” said Cpl. William T. Gillespie, III, a Marine assigned to Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic, and temporarily assigned to the IM-2 jet shop aboard Enterprise. “It’s an excellent opportunity for the Sailors to learn about the Hornet engine and for me to learn about the Super Hornet engine.”
Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Austin Parker, left, and Cpl. William T. Gillespie, right, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, perform maintenance on an F/A-18F Super Hornet engine.
Electronic equipment that is removed from shipboard aircraft is worked on by the Sailors and Marines of the IM-3 Division. This includes the radar systems, aviation batteries and communication and navigation systems. Though welcomed by the crew with open arms, some Sailors and Marines have found the difference between aircraft maintenance on land quite different from aircraft maintenance at sea. “It’s a completely different experience being out here. I’m used to a base and shore duty,” said Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Vincent Ya, a Sailor embarked aboard Enterprise AIMD continued on page 3
‘No Silver Bullet’ for Situation in Syria
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE WASHINGTON -- U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said there is “no silver bullet” to fix what he called a tragic, complex situation in Syria, but renewed calls for the regime to relinquish power. Speaking to members of the AmericanTurkish Council, Panetta said President Bashar al-Assad’s forces had perpetrated “outrageous violence.” “From every angle the situation in Syria is enormously complex and tragic. There is no silver bullet,” said Panetta, according to a prepared text of his speech. His remarks suggested the Pentagon chief and President Barack Obama’s administration remained reluctant to back military intervention in Syria.
Panetta said Washington “will continue to work together with Turkey and the international community to bring pressure on Assad to step down, to bring about an orderly political transition in Damascus, and to bring an end to the Syrian people’s suffering.” Violence has intensified in Syria despite a truce that was supposed to take effect in April, with activists saying more than 14,100 people had been killed since Damascus launched a crackdown on protests in March last year. Turkey has adopted an outspoken stance on the conflict in Syria, demanding Assad step down and hosting a strategy session on Syria for 16 countries.
The Pentagon chief also urged Turkey and Israel to restore strained ties. “I believe it is very important for Turkey and Israel to find a way to come together and repair their relationship,” he said, according to the prepared text. “Turkey and Israel have a long history of defense cooperation that has advanced both Turkish and Israeli security and broader regional stability. There is much to gain through cooperation and much to lose in its absence,” he said. Tensions between Turkey and Israel spiked after an incident in which a number of Turks were killed when Israeli commandos stormed an aid ship seeking to break the blockade on Gaza.
The Shuttle
Page 2
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Big E Happenings Idol Performance Highlights
Information Assurance Note NOTICE TO ALL HANDS
ABE2 Lavon Turner (Photo by MC3(SW/ AW) Jesse L. Gonzalez)
ET3 Dustin Murphy, Canton, Md. (Photo by MC3(SW/ AW) Jesse L. Gonzalez)
*** Make sure to vote for your favorite contestant. If you missed the show, check it out on SITE TV. ***
Wash Your Hands! The number of gastroenteritis cases aboard the Big E is rising. Do your part to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Clean common workspaces (door knobs, counters, phones, keyboards, etc.), wash your hands and sanitize often!
Did You Know? The original “life expectancy” of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) was 25 years.
Sending chain letters is a form of SPAM e-mail and is a prohibited use of Navy networks and the Internet. Everyone who has a Navy account has read and signed a System Authorization Access Request Navy (SAAR-N) OPNAV 5239/14 form that states they understand the Navy’s policies when using Navy IT resources in a way that would reflect adversely on the Navy. Such uses include pornography, chain letters, unofficial advertising, soliciting or selling, except on authorized bulletin boards established for such use, violation of statute or regulation, inappropriately handled classified information and PII, and other uses that are incompatible with public service. All hands are reminded that any violation of the SAAR-N will result in disciplinary or administrative action. First offense is a 30-day account lockout, second offense is a one year account lockout and third offense is indefinite account lockout. Please remember, YOU must adhere to the most stringent OPSEC considerations when using Navy networks.
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 Capt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.
Executive Officer Capt. G. C. Huffman
Command Master Chief Public Affairs Officer CMDCM (AW/SW) Dwayne E. Huff Lt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler Editors MC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover MC3 Brian G. Reynolds
The Shuttle
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Page 3
In the News
U.S. Pulls Out of Talks With Pakistan By Julian E. Barnes and Adam Entous, WALL STREET JOURNAL U.S. and Pakistani officials said WASHINGTON -- The U.S. is pulling last week that a deal appeared to be its negotiating team from Pakistan within reach to reopen the crossings. without a deal to reopen critical U.S. But tensions have flared over and allied supply lines for forces in stepped-up U.S. drones strikes in neighboring Afghanistan, officials Pakistan’s tribal areas and over said Monday, the latest wrinkle in Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s long and contentious talks. sharp criticism of Islamabad for Despite the apparent fracture, refusing to crack down on the however, U.S. and Pakistani officials Haqqani militant network, which has said many of the details of a proposed been behind a wave of attacks on U.S. deal to reopen the border crossing and Afghan forces in Afghanistan. have been tentatively agreed. U.S. In fact, some American officials officials said they were awaiting have suggested Pakistan owes a decision by Pakistani leaders the U.S. an apology for harboring and were ready to send back their militants who attack allied troops in negotiators. Afghanistan. On one negotiating point, money, White House press secretary the U.S. signaled it was willing to Jay Carney said Monday that while raise the per container cost to about the U.S. relationship with Pakistan $500 from about $240, to upgrade remains complicated, he believed a Pakistani roads and to release deal remained close. “We believe that more than $1 billion in military aid all can be resolved, and we remain payments withheld since last year, Photo: Associated Press ready to conclude this agreement as soon as Pakistan is officials briefed on the negotiations ready,” Mr. Carney said. say. Pakistan’s ambassador to the U.S., Sherry Rehman, said But Pakistani officials continue to demand an apology Islamabad decided to close the crossings in response to the from the U.S. for a Nov. 26 border incident in which 24 deaths, “absent an expression of remorse.” U.S. aircraft killed 24 members of the Pakistani military, “We are at a critical stage of discussion and we are prompting Islamabad to close supply routes. The U.S. has still optimistic that we can reach a mutually satisfactory refused to apologize, saying mistakes were made by forces resolution to these issues,” she said. on both sides.
Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Austin Parker, right, shows Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Frank Fassetta how to remove test equipment from the engine of an F/A-18F Super Hornet. (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)
AIMD continued from Lemoore, Calif. “Before coming to Enterprise, I had never even heard of cleaning stations.” Whether in the shipyards undergoing maintenance or just pierside waiting for an upcoming underway period, AIMD Sailors find themselves tasked with more basic shipboard duties than aircraft maintenance. After coming out of these maintenance periods, Sailors might find themselves a little rusty from all of the shipboard rejuvenation work they have completed. The Sailors and Marines currently aboard augmenting AIMD don’t have to overcome this particular challenge. Land-based Sailors and Marines that work on aircraft are constantly working in their rate and job and can step in and immediately make a positive impact. Enterprise Sailors and embarked Service Members will continue to conduct aircraft maintenance until the end of the ships 22nd and final combat deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
The Shuttle
Page 4
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Sailors of the Day Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Donald A. Matuszak
AO3 Donald Matuszak, from Toledo, Ohio, joined the Navy two years and six months ago to carry on a family tradition. In his spare time, Matuszak enjoys working on his truck and going to the gun range. He plans to earn his EAWS pin, become a second class petty officer and earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Christian Cruz
LS3 Christian Cruz, from Reseda, Calif., joined the Navy three years ago to see the world and experience new cultures. Cruz enjoys watching movies and hanging out with friends in his spare time. He looks forward to meeting new people and earning a college degree in the future.
Big E Entertainment