USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
April 16, 2012 Issue
Re-stow All Gear
Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jacob D. Galito
USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Sailors assigned to repair lockers aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) anticipate the blaring sound of the boatswain’s whistle over the 1MC announcing system as a ship-wide general quarters (GQ) firefighting drill nears its end. Following the whistle, the drill may be over, but the work is not. As most participants return to their respective work centers, other Sailors remain by the repair lockers to restow the firefighting equipment (FFE). “After GQ, it is our job to make sure that all lockers are properly restored and the equipment is ready,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class Benjamin Coates. Safety is always a concern during all ship-board training evolutions. It is imperative that equipment be properly checked and stored after each drill so that it is easily accessible for its next use. Machinist’s Mate Fireman Willie Cao checks the flashlights on firefighting helmets in his repair “It is important to train all Sailors locker during a general quarters training exercise aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN aboard about proper stowage to ensure 65). (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman) that the necessary equipment is readily “Training Sailors aboard about proper maintenance and available for quick access in the event of an emergency and stowage ensures that the necessary gear is equipped to repair also to avoid injuries,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class Linda damage, combat fires and flooding as efficiently as possible,” Gilmore, an assistant locker leader and command career said Gilmore counselor. Both proper maintenance and stowage are key aspects of the Proper training for Damage Controlmen (DC) and the training involved for shipboard firefighting. Sailors assigned to repair lockers includes training on the “Learning about proper stowage and maintenance directly proper methods for storing equipment and is necessary to impacts our effectiveness in GQ by knowing how to stow our ensure the crew is prepared and qualified to handle any priority items and which items are needed before an actual emergency. emergency,” said Gilmore. Although Damage Controlmen are knowledgeable and With Sailors aboard equipped with the knowledge of capable leaders during firefighting drills, it would require an Damage Controlmen, proper maintenance is performed and all-hands effort to successfully fight a real fire. Enterprise is at the ready and prepared to fight any shipboard “It’s important for everyone to be trained and qualified so fire emergency. we can effectively combat any casualty that comes our way,” “It is important for everyone to make sure all equipment is said Coates. restowed the same way it was found,” said Coates. “It is also In addition to stowage, training all hands about proper important for everyone to be trained and qualified so we can maintenance is vital for shipboard firefighting. effectively combat any casualty that comes our way.”
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Big E Happenings Enterprise Welcomes USO Tour By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Steve Smith USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – The USO and Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and former Enterprise Commanding Officer, Adm. James A. Winnefeld are scheduled to bring several VIPs to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) while she operates in the Arabian Gulf April 17. The guest list includes: - Randy “The Big Unit” Johnson (Major League Baseball pitcher) - Dennis Haybert (movie and television actor with roles in “Major League,” “24,” “The Unit,” and Allstate Insurance TV commercials) - Anthony Anderson (actor, comedian, and writer with roles in “All About the Andersons,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” “K-Ville,” “The Shield,” “Law & Order,” “Transformers,” “The Departed” and “Scream 4”) - Jason “Wee Man” Acuña (actor, TV host and professional skateboarder with roles in “Jackass” and “54321”) - Ace Young (singer and songwriter who appeared on “American Idol”) - Diana DeGarmo (singer, and Broadway and television actress with roles in “American Idol” and “The Young and the Restless”). - The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders During their visit, the celebrities will perform in the hangar bay and be available for photographs beginning at 1500.
New Internet Hours:
Banking, Education, Navy Business Sites: ALL DAY Facebook + Internet Time: 0400-0700 Facebook + Internet Time: 1100-1300 Facebook + Internet Time: 1800-2100
Heat Stress Safety Tip
Information Assurance Note Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Alert Beware of a new e-mail spoofing scam that is targeting individuals receiving disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs suggesting they may be able to obtain additional funds from the IRS. Although the email appears to come from a DFAS employee and displays a dot mil address, it is actually from a non-government email account. The e-mail states that such funds can be obtained by sending copies of your VA award letter, your income tax returns, your 1099-Rs, your RAS statements, and a copy of your DD 214, to a so-called retired colonel at an address in Florida. Do not follow the suggestions in the e-mail because you will be providing a significant amount of your personal information to a complete stranger, which could result in a financial loss to you. Please share this information with your fellow Sailors, Marines and families so they are aware of this scam. You can read more about this scam at dfas.mil. If you receive an e-mail like this, forward to the “ISSM” distro immediately.
The Shuttle USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
In order to determine the length of time it is safe for an individual to work under high heat stress conditions, the Navy measures heat and humidity in shipboard spaces using a Wet Bulb Dry Globe Thermometer (WBGT) meter. The WBGT meter integrates measurements of air temperature, humidity, and radiant heat into a single value known as the Heat Stress Index. The Heat Stress Index is used together with a worker’s physical exertion level to calculate that individual’s Permissible Heat Exposure Limit (PHEL). The PHEL indicates the length of time an individual can safely continue to work in a specific heat stress environment at a specific level of physical exertion.
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
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler
Editors MC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover MCSN Harry Gordon MCSN Brian G. Reynolds
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U.S. NEWS Military Kids Make Parents’ Service Possible, First Lady Says By Lisa Daniel, AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE WASHINGTON – First Lady Michelle Obama highlighted the shared sacrifices of military children while meeting with the teenage daughters of service members in Jacksonville, Fla. “On behalf of myself and my husband, I want to tell you all truly how proud we are of you,” Obama told hundreds of high school girls, along with some of their parents, who greeted her at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. “We are so proud of you. We are inspired by you, and we are grateful for everything that you do for this country every single day.” Obama made the stop as part of the first anniversary this week of the “Joining Forces” campaign she started with Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, last year to help civilian Americans support military families. “When we talk about how our men and women in uniform sacrifice so much and serve this country so bravely, we’re not just talking about your parents,” Obama said. “We are talking about all of you. We’re talking about our military kids and our military families, because we know that when your parents are called to serve, you all serve right alongside them. The first lady recognized the girls for their frequent forced relocations and dealing with deployed parents. “When your parents get that call to pick up and move halfway across the country, you pick up and move right alongside them,” she said. “And then, just when you finally get settled in, just when you’re feeling comfortable and
make friends and start fitting in, what happens? That call comes again, right?” “It can’t be easy,” she said, “… to keep your spirits up through all those missed holidays, and missed birthdays, and times when you would give anything in the world to have them back home.” Obama, who distributed $250 department store gift cards to the girls, acknowledged that, for many, there will be an empty seat at their high school graduation, and moms and dads who aren’t home to see them off to the prom. Yet military kids often are leaders in their schools and communities who excel academically while taking on extra responsibilities at home, she said. “Many of you have had to put on a brave face for maybe a younger brother or sister, even when you were worried,” Obama said. “You’ve had to reassure your parents that you were OK, even when sometimes you weren’t. “You’ve done all of this because, ultimately, you understand that your parents are part of something far bigger than themselves,” she said. “You know that they protect and defend the freedoms that every single one of us holds dear. You know that their service keeps this country safe every single day. And you all are a vital part of that work. “By working so hard …, you give your parents the peace of mind they need to focus on their mission,” she said. “With your service, you make their service possible. And for that, we can’t thank you enough.”
Thrift Savings Plan to Offer New Roth Option By Karen Parrish, AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE WASHINGTON – Service members and Defense Department civilian employees who are eligible for the Thrift Savings Plan will soon have a new Roth option for retirement savings under the program, defense finance officials announced. The change will allow participants to contribute after-tax dollars to the federal government-sponsored retirement savings and investment plan, according to a Defense Finance and Accounting Service statement released.
As with traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts, the TSP’s two options will now allow plan participants to invest either beforeor after-tax dollars, although limits on annual contributions, catch-up contributions and agency matching funds will remain the same, officials said. The plan, which is similar to a 401(k), is open to federal civilian employees and military members. For 2012, the maximum contribution is set at $17,000. Catch-up contributions,
available to participants 50 or older, are capped at $5,500 over the standard limit. Only civilian employees are eligible for agency matching contributions. All eligible civilian employees receive one percent in agency matching funds. Eligible plan participants receive a dollar-fordollar agency matching contribution for the first three percent of pay they contribute, and 50 cents on the dollar for contributions of between three and five percent. Contributions above 5 percent of pay are not matched.
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Monday, April 16, 2012
Sailor and Marine of the Day Airman Dennis Baez
AN Dennis Baez, from Bayonne, N.J., joined the Navy two years and six months ago to experience what it means to be an adult. In his spare time, Baez enjoys reading about 18th century history. In the future, Baez plans on either becoming a history teacher, or staying in the Navy and becoming an officer.
Messages
Aviation Mechanic 3rd Class Shannon Radney
AM3 Shannon Radney, from from Tyrone, Ga., joined the Navy two years and 11 months ago to better her life. In her spare time, Radney enjoys photography. In the future, Radney plans on advancing in rank and becoming a great leader.
Lance Corporal Christine Shealy
for
Mom
Media Department will be shooting Mother’s Day greetings from Sailors to send home to their moms. Stop by at the following times and locations to make your recording!
21 April 0700-1100 (Flight Deck/side of island) 22 April 0700-1100 (SITE TV Studio) 23 April 1900-2200 (Enterprise Room)
Lance Cpl. Christine Shealy, from from Brandywine, Md., joined the Marine Corps two years and eight months ago to make a positive change in her life. In her spare time, Shealy enjoys swimming, shopping and travel. In the future, Shealy plans on pushing herself in the Marine Corps.