HS-11: First to Fly, Last to Land

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USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Newsletter Edition

“We are Legend”

March 14, 2012 Issue

HS-11: First to Fly, Last to Land

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Harry Andrew Gordon

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Each of the seven squadrons attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is unique and plays a vital role in the mission of the ship. However, the Dragonslayers of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 11 make it possible for the other squadrons to operate safely as they complete their respective missions.

HS-11 operates four SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopters and three HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopters while conducting missions across a broad spectrum of warfare capabilities. HS-11 plays a role in maritime dominance, strike warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, naval special warfare, combat search and rescue, counter-piracy, underway replenishment, and sea combat and fleet support for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12.

“HS-11 is an integral part of the air wing. We launch first and are the last to recover after the last fixed-wing aircraft is on deck,” said Cmdr. Edgardo A. Moreno, commanding officer of HS-11.

One of the main missions of HS-11 is search and rescue (SAR). During flight operations, there is at least one helicopter in the air at all times. HS-11 is also on a 24-hour search and rescue alert.

“HS-11 never sleeps,” said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class Akshyae Rana. “While the rest of the squadrons are observing a ‘no-fly day’ routine, we are

Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman

still putting helos in the air. HS-11 always stands ready at a moment’s notice.”

During a strait transit, HS-11 has at least two helicopters airborne because of the restricted maneuvering abilities of the fixed-wing squadrons. HS-11 protects the port and starboard sides of the ship. They also work with a SH-60B from one of the HSL detachments currently operating aboard the USS HS-11 continued on page 2

Navy To Begin Testing For Synthetic Chemical Compounds Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs, NAVY NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON -- The Navy announced impacting Fleet Readiness. If a Sailor Mar. 12 that it will begin random testing makes a poor choice and uses these types of urine samples this month for synthetic of drugs, they need to know that there chemical compounds like Spice. will be consequences.”

Commanders may take appropriate The initial testing will be conducted actions related to health, safety, and by a contracted laboratory, with Navy security based on a positive result. Every Drug Screening Laboratory capable of positive sample will be sent to NCIS conducting in-house testing later this for further investigation with a view year. towards potential disciplinary or adverse The Navy has been testing urine administrative action by the service samples seized from suspects during member’s command. criminal investigations for nearly a year.

“There is zero tolerance for the use Navy and Marine Corps commanders of drugs - synthetic or otherwise - in can have urine samples tested for several our Navy,” said Vice Adm. Scott R. of the compounds found in Spice-like Van Buskirk, Chief of Naval Personnel. products at the Armed Forces Medical “Synthetic chemical compound drug use Examiner System (AFMES) when the impacts a Sailor’s career, their family sample has been collected in conjunction life and overall well-being while also with an ongoing investigation.

The capacity for testing for designer drugs will continue to expand. During fiscal year 2012 the Navy will invest $1.73M to test for synthetic chemical compounds and expects to increase that amount to $2.9M in fiscal year 2013.

The Navy continues to educate Sailors on the dangers of drug use to include new and designer drugs through targeted awareness campaigns and continues to work closely with local governments to identify users and distributors.

This program is a key element of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative which consolidates a set of objectives and policies, new and existing, to maximize Sailor and Marine personal readiness, build resiliency and hone the most combat-effective force in the Department of the Navy.

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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Big E Happenings HS-11 continued Vicksburg. The SH-60B is positioned ahead of the ship providing a real-time picture of exactly what is happening in front of them.

“It is really important to the warfare commanders to know what is out there and what is forward and around the formation that we may need to worry about,” said Moreno.

The squadron also enhances the ship’s defensive capabilities. Enterprise relies on the fixed squadrons to attack the enemy, requiring HS-11 to act in a protective manner.

When protecting the carrier against a small boat threat or any other type of surface threat, if the enemy were to break through the other defenses in the Strike Group, it would be up to the security teams on the ship and us to protect not only the ship and the aircraft, but the all the Sailors aboard,” said Moreno.

Those “Sailors aboard” include 185 personnel currently assigned to HS-11.

Even with 185 Sailors working together to accomplish the mission, the capabilities HS-11 brings to the table require a tremendous amount of work to maintain.

“It takes a herculean effort,” said Moreno. “Our maintainers are the backbone of the squadron. It is a phenomenal achievement that they can keep seven helicopters always ready. When we need to accomplish the missions, maintenance does a stellar job of giving us what we need to make sure we have safe aircraft. Everything is functional and the systems are working. Maintainers are the heart and soul of our squadron,” The Dragonslayers are just one of the “teams” that make Enterprise one of the best carriers in the fleet. They are essential to Carrier Air Wing 1 and Enterprise everyday, in every mission.

“Every squadron has their mission set and they do a great job with it. I believe we do our mission set well and that’s what makes us such a good air wing,” said Moreno.

“We would not be able to do what we do, if the ship wasn’t in the condition it is in. It is a testament to the Sailors aboard the Big E. It truly is a team effort. We genuinely appreciate what the Sailors aboard Enterprise do.”

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On the Flight Deck

Aviation Support Equipment Technician Petty Officer 3rd Class Diango Mendez performs a daily inspection of the power steering belt on a tow tractor aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). (Photo by MC3 Britney Epps)

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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 ABCM (AW/SW) Eric M. Young

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

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

3M 3M Question of the Day: What is the purpose of the CSMP? Yesterday’s 3M answer: The Department Head is responsible for determining IEM equipment status.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

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World News U.S. Officials Debate Speeding Afghan Pullout

By Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt, NEW YORK TIMES WASHINGTON — The Obama to the Afghan mission in spite of the administration is discussing whether to recent setbacks, warning against “a reduce American forces in Afghanistan rush for the exits” amid questions by at least an additional 20,000 troops about the American war strategy. “It’s by 2013, reflecting a growing belief important for us to make sure that we within the White House that the get out in a responsible way, so that mission there has now reached the we don’t end up having to go back in,” point of diminishing returns.

Mr. Obama said in an interview with Accelerating the withdrawal of KDKA in Pittsburgh.

United States forces has been under Any accelerated withdrawal would consideration for weeks by senior face stiff opposition from military White House officials, but those commanders, who want to keep the discussions are now taking place in bulk of the remaining American the context of two major setbacks to troops in Afghanistan until the end American efforts in Afghanistan — the of 2014, when the NATO mission killings on Sunday of Afghan civilians in Afghanistan is supposed to end. attributed to a United States Army Their resistance puts Mr. Obama in a staff sergeant and the violence touched quandary, as he balances how to hasten off by burning of Korans last month what is increasingly becoming a messy

by American troops. withdrawal while still painting a Administration officials cautioned portrait of success for NATO allies and on Monday that no decisions on the American people. additional troop cuts have been made, The United States now has just and in a radio interview President under 90,000 troops in Afghanistan, Obama reaffirmed his commitment with 22,000 of them due home

by September. There has been no schedule set for the withdrawal of the remaining 68,000 American troops, although Mr. Obama said last year that the drawdown would continue “at a steady pace” until the United States handed over security to the Afghan forces in 2014.

At least three options are now under consideration, according to officials at the White House, the Pentagon and the State Department. One plan, backed

by Thomas E. Donilon, the national security adviser, would be to announce that at least 10,000 more troops would come home by the end of December, and then 10,000 to 20,000 more by June 2013.

Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has been pushing for a bigger withdrawal that would reduce the bulk of the troops around the same time the mission shifts to a support role, leaving behind Special Operations teams to conduct targeted raids.

Vicksburg Departs For Final Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nick Scott, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs USS VICKSBURG, At Sea -- Guided-missile cruiser USS of service since its commissioning in 1992.

Vicksburg (CG 69) departed its homeport of Mayport, Fla., “The mission must come first, the mission is why we are Mar. 9 to make its final deployment, this time as part of the here in the first place,” said Ensign Michael E. Fitzpatrick, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. first lieutenant for Vicksburg. “The crew understands that Family members, friends and well-wishers gathered on and they are very professional.” the pier in the early morning hours to bid farewell to loved Although this is the last deployment for Vicksburg, ones and wish them good luck. mission readiness is still the key to success.

“This is the first time I’ve deployed,” said Cryptologic “We must not view this deployment in terms of being Technician (Technical) 3rd Class Ronnie Mathis the last deployment,” said Capt. Logan Jones, commanding temporarily assigned to Vicksburg from the Nimitz-class officer of Vicksburg. “We are not looking for any final aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). glory.”

“It was difficult to leave my six-week old daughter and Jones also said that “at the end of the day we know wife behind, but the crew is really nice and is helping me that we will have served with honor, but we must not react get through it,” said Mathis. differently than we normally would in any given situation.”

Deploying can be challenging for a lot of Sailors, even Vicksburg’s commanding officer is just one of the seasoned veterans who still must make sure all affairs ship’s crew looking forward to completing a successful ashore are in order. deployment as part of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group “It doesn’t really get any easier,” said Navy Counselor team.

1st Class Brian S. Olinger, the career counselor aboard “I look forward to a deployment of working with Vicksburg. “I’ve been in the Navy for 19 years and this is maritime partners, flying missions and providing security,” my fifth and final sea deployment. No one wants to leave said Jones. “My job is to leave with 370 Sailors and return their loved ones behind, but we have a mission.” with 370 Sailors and that is what I intend to do.”

This deployment marks the end of Vicksburg’s 20 years Vicksburg is scheduled to decommission in 2013.

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Sailors of the Day

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Adam Perez

Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Amber Stevens

FC2 Adam Perez from Hobe Sound, Fla., joined the Navy nearly four years ago and finds it rewarding to have a job with purpose. Perez enjoys surfing, fishing and boating in his spare time. In the future, he plans to teach his sons how to surf.

AMAA Amber Stevens from Seymour, Conn., joined the Navy a year and a half ago to travel, serve her country and go to college. In her spare time, Stevens enjoys reading, working out and working on her qualifications. Her future plans include retiring after 20 years of service and becoming a forensic pathologist.

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