USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
June 20, 2012 Issue
In the Line of Fire...Controlmen Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gregory White
equating to a total of six combat systems weapons mounts. The Sea Sparrow launcher is equipped with two radars. The launch panel for the weapon consists of a firing officer’s console and an operator console for each radar. “The Sea Sparrow’s range is nine miles,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Alexander G. Dahlstrom, assistant work center supervisor for Combat Systems’ 75 Weapons division aboard Enterprise. “It’s what we use to combat incoming aircraft, inbound missiles, and surface targets. The USS Vicksburg is our first line of defense, but if for some reason they were out of the battle, then the NATO Sea Sparrow would be our next resort.” A Point Defense Weapons FC3 Wayne D. Pattillo, from Orlando, Fla., operates the firing officer console on the NATO Coordinator – or “PDWC” - works in Sea Sparrow Missile System as FC3 Donald W. Bost, from Baltimore, MD., operates the radar the ship’s combat direction center with set console aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). the Tactical Action Officer. If he picks up a threat on radar, he designates it to the Sea Sparrow. USS ENTERPRISE, at sea -- From cooks to doctors to pilots, The weapon’s radars go out and begin a search pattern. If USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is well-equipped with everything and they find the target they lock onto it. Once the target comes everyone it needs to function as a “city at sea.” within range, the firing officer launches one or more missiles, However, when looking into the different job specialties depending on the specifications of the battle doctrine. The aboard the nation’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, those unfamiliar with the Navy’s rating system might find themselves missiles catch the beam of the radar and ride it out to the target. If targets somehow break through the defense provided asking, “If Damage Controlmen put out fires, what do Fire by the Sea Sparrow, then the Sailors working in the Combat Controlmen do?” Systems’ 7 Weapons division would resort to the RAM system. Fire Controlmen, or FC’s, work to maintain and operate The RAM system’s range is 3.25 miles. The last resort Enterprise’s combat weapons systems, radars and the would be to rely on the CIWS, which has an effective range of technology behind them. They are both weapons and data one mile. technicians. “The CIWS is our final line of defense with the exception of “The FC rate encompasses everything pertaining to radars the 50 caliber mounts,” said Dahlstrom. and weapons,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class James R. Taylor, Fire Controlmen work extensively to ensure that Enterprise’s work center supervisor for Combat Systems’ 62 Radar division weapon systems are working properly and efficiently. Their aboard Enterprise. jobs consist of a great deal of maintenance and training. Enterprise has three different kinds of weapon systems FC’s man all of the weapons and radars during general aboard. These systems include the NATO Sea Sparrow Missile quarters evolutions and, in case of a possible threat, can be System (NSSMS), the Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher manned and ready well within the four minutes they are (RAM) and the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS). allotted. There are two of each type of system aboard the carrier,