the
SHUTTLE
USS Enterprise (CVN 65)- Friday, June 24, 2011
Sailing the Suez
Round 2
Friday June 24, 2011
the SHUTTLE
Page 3
Enterprise News
Big ‘E’ heads north through the Suez Canal By MC3 Peter D. Melkus and MC2 Aaron Chase USS Enterprise Public Affairs
USS ENTERPRISE, At sea – The deployed aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is heading back through the Suez Canal June 24 after more than four months of operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. For the second time this deployment, Enterprise will take the 120-mile long journey through the man-made waterway, which runs from the Gulf of Suez, a northern arm of the Red Sea, to Port Said, Egypt, on the Mediterranean Sea. Ever since its construction in 1869, the canal has been a sensitive strategic point in the world. The canal bridges the waterways of the Middle East and Europe and allows for the free passage of commercial ships. Approximately 7.5 percent of world trade, including much of the world’s oil, passes through the canal. During the transit, Enterprise will pass by a number of famous historical landmarks. These inlcude: the El Ferdan Railway Bridge, which is the longest swing bridge in the world with a span of 1,100 ft; the Suez Canal Bridge, also known as the Egyptian-Japanese Friendship Bridge, whose towers are designed in the shape of Pharonic obelisks; and the 1973 Victory Monument, a large brick sculpture shaped like an AK47 muzzle with bayonet which commemorates Egyptians killed in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Many leaders in Enterprise’s combined watch teams, consisting of personnel from the weapons, security, intelligence and navigation departments, have done more than a dozen strait transits in their careers, according to Lt. Cmdr. Lawrence B. McLin.
USS Enterprise (CVN 65) photo by AD2 Shawn Mack
(Top left)The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) passes under the Egyptian-Japanese Friendship Bridge as it transits the Suez Canal Feb 15. (Bottom left) The El Ferdan Railway Bridge, the longest swing bridge in the world. (Right) The 1973 Victory Monument, a memorial to Egyptians lost during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
McLin is confident Enterprise’s team is ready for any encounter. “Coming through the Suez Canal the first time, we were new as a team. Going back, we are a polished security force, ship wide,” said McLin. Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Daniel G. Etchberger, the newest member of Enterprise’s Carrier Intelligence Center (CVIC), will be on watch during the Suez transit. Etchberger embarked on Enterprise May 4, and will be seeing the Suez for the first time as he helps protect the ship. “The chain of command has prepared us for the transit to the fullest extent. We train every day to do our jobs to the best of our abilities,” said Etchberger. Along with operational security, water conservation will be a crucial mission for
the majority of Big ‘E’ Sailors and Marines, plus one of the most important keys to living comfortably aboard Enterprise as it transits through the Canal and into the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Water conservation is important because a lot of the water we have is used up by our reactor plants during transits [like Suez],” said Lt. Austin C. Roberts, division officer of Enterprise’s main machinery room. “Our first Suez transit during this deployment was a great success in terms of water conservation, and if everyone follows the same rules this time around we should have no problems with water capacity.” Beginning in the early morning hours, Enterprise will be unable to produce its own potable
(drinkable) water, except for use by its reactor systems, for more than 20 hours. This is due to the fact that water made inside three nautical miles from land cannot be used without treating it with a large batch of chlorination. Big ‘E’ crew members can expect the gym, many heads throughout the ship, and all laundry units to be secured for the duration of the transit. To help Enterprise get through, Sailors are asked to turn off faucets immediately after use, practice good hygiene before and during the transit and flush heads only as required. Drinking water will be available to all crew members throughout the transit. More information regarding water conservation can be found in the ship’s Plan of the Day and on SITE TV.
Page 4
the SHUTTLE
Friday June 24, 2011
Reserve Options Available to Stay Navy
By MC3 Andrea Smithluedke Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs
MILLINGTON, Tenn. — Due to unprecedented force retention and over manning leading to the Enlisted Retention Board in August, Navy leaders suggest it may be time for Sailors to explore their Reserve career options. “If an enlisted Sailor is disapproved for an active duty Perform to Serve (PTS) quota, they can request a Selected Reserve (SELRES) quota through their command career counselor,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael H. Suarez, Career Transition Office (CTO) assistant division director. According to NAVADMIN 352/10, the PTS with SELRES option allows active duty Sailors, including full-time support (FTS), to apply for SELRES quotas up to 12 months prior to their end of active obligated service (EAOS) date. “Sailors must have an approved PTS quota before the CTO is
able to assist them,” said Suarez. “If they’re not approved for a SELRES quota, it’s probably because they’re applying for an over manned community or rating. The Sailor should then consider conversion options.” Sailors approved for a SELRES quota can view potential Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) drill locations in the area they plan to live using Career Management System/Interactive Detailing (CMS/ID). Another option for active duty Sailors wishing to remain affiliated with the Navy the Early Career Transition Program (ECTP). The program allows active duty and FTS Sailors to transition into the SELRES more than 90 days prior to their EAOS. Sailors may submit requests up to 15 months prior, but no later than three months prior to their desired transition date (not EAOS). For example, a Sailor’s EAOS is three years and six months away and he desires to transition to the SELRES six
months from now. He is eligible to apply for ECTP even though his transition will be three years prior to EAOS. According to NAVADMIN 088/11, Sailors with at least two years of service are eligible to transfer into the SELRES through ECTP. Benefits of reserve affiliation can include: • Mobilization deferment - Sailors who transition immediately into the SELRES qualify for a twoyear deferment from individual mobilization; • Affiliation bonus - Sailors could be eligible for an affiliation bonus, however, they will be required to repay any unearned portion of any current active component bonus or incentive; • Continued exchange and commissary privileges; • Use of Navy Morale, Welfare, and Recreation facilities; • GI Bill benefits; • Free medical coverage for 180 days immediately following
EAOS separation. Sailors are then eligible for coverage under TRICARE Reserve Select, which offers low-cost premiums to individuals and families. Reserve service requires a minimum commitment of one weekend a month and two weeks every year. However, flexible drilling options may be made available depending upon Reserve unit requirements and procedures. For questions concerning Reserve affiliation or the CTO, Sailors should visit the Navy Personnel Command (NPC) website www. npc.navy.mil, or send an email to cscmailbox@navy.mil.
FUN ZONE!
Down 1 Wield a mop 2 “___ kleine Nachtmusik” 3 It towers over Taormina 4 Make a point? 5 Encounters 6 Hole puncher 7 Canine cry 8 Threatening words 9 French bacteriologist 10 Butted in 11 Burns the surface 12 Bristles on barley 15 “Mystic River” star 18 Who’s Who entries 22 Aquarium fish 24 O.T. book 26 Catchall category: Abbr. 27 Diva’s delivery 28 Lampoon 30 Rule 32 Salzburg citizen 34 Mother of Zeus 35 Order to a broker 37 Welsh singer Tom 38 Item in a garage 41 Insured 43 Began again 45 Glossy finish 46 Malay boat 47 Boy Scout group 49 Hidden motive 50 Deadly snakes 51 Wine valley in California 53 Plucky 54 “Three men in ___” 55 Checkup 58 Clobber
Across
1 Gets the picture 5 Deli spread 9 Famous tower locale 13 Including 14 Washstand pitchers 16 Freshly 17 Poe miss 19 Getz or Kenton 20 Grin and ___ 21 Serving dishes 23 Affectation 25 Exhibits scorn
26 Spiked clubs 29 Approached stealthily 31 Oil-rich nation 32 Hotshot 33 Mistakes 36 “Little ___ Echo” 37 Dutch queen 39 That lady 40 Islands with Turks 42 Firearm 43 Country dance 44 Satisfied 46 Propel a bike
47 Inn 48 Rowing equipment 50 Type of well 52 Chewy candy 56 Acidulous 57 Merge 59 Breathing space 60 Himalayan kingdom 61 Flightless birds 62 Went fast 63 Disabled 64 Financial burden