Seafaring Science

the

SHUTTLE USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - Sunday, March 6, 2011

Seafaring Science

Enterprise’s Reactor department: The unsung (and rarely seen) heroes of the Navy’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Corey Feldpausch, assigned to USS Enterprise’s (CVN 65) Reactor Department, performs a chloride analysis in a reactor training classroom.

Photo by MC3 Austin Rooney

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Happenings

CO on the scene

Big ‘E’

Outlook

Celebrate Women’s History Month • Women Serving on active duty and in the reserves make up 16.3 percent of the force and make indispensable contributions to our mission and operations.

• Thirty-one active and reserve female flag officers and more than 50 female Command Master Chiefs are leading from the front!

You could win a new PS3 or XBOX 360!

Photo by MCSN Gregory A. Pickett II

Enterprise Commanding Officer Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, center, assists Sailors from Supply department’s S-2 division with stocking-up on food supplies as part of an ongoing ship-wide tour where he will work shifts throughout multiple departments aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Donate to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s 2011 fundraiser anytime this March and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a Playstation 3 or XBOX 360 gaming system!

• Any donation amount will enter you in the drawing • Big ‘E’ CMC Oxley will draw the names of the lucky winners April 5 • See your department’s NMCRS representative to donate

3-Day Calendar FRI

SAT

4

5

SUN

6

MWR

Keep Big ‘E’ germ free...wash your hands!

Big Bucks Bingo!

(Live on SITE TV) 2030

Movie Night 2030

Acoustic Guitar Lessons with LS3 Sparks 1st Class Mess 2000

0500-0545 Intermediate Spin/Cycle (Max 7) ITCS Henderson

1600-1700 Chuck Norris Power Hour Ultimate Abs AOC Wong

1430-1530 Advanced Spin/ Cycle (Max 7) ITCS Henderson

1600-1700 EOD/Diver PT LT Dennison

2000-2100 Spin and Sculpt (Max 7) IT1 Sherry 2000-2100 (30 minute spin Step Aerobics + 30 minute ABECS Claxton sculpt)

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Navy Tradition of the Day

1700-1800 Stretch It Out (Yoga) HM1 Wesley 1800-1845 Get it right, Get it tight (Abs and Legs) HM1 Wesley

the

Forecastle:

The appropriate pronunciation for this word is “fo’ksul.”

The forecastle is the forward part of the main deck. It derives its name from the days of Viking galleys when wooden castles were built on the forward part of the main deck from which archers and other fighting men could shoot arrows and throw spears.

Today in Naval History 1822 - The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) captures four pirate ships in the Gulf of Mexico.

SHUTTLE USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

ESWS STUDY GUIDE

Q: What class of fire is AFFF normally used for?

A: Class Bravo fires

PT

The mission of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors when in need; and to receive and manage funds to administer these programs.

The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and 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 MC3 Peter Melkus at melkusp@cvn65.navy.mil.

Commanding Officer Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne

Executive Officer Capt. Ryan Scholl

Command Master Chief CMDCM (AW/SW) Keith G. Oxley

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

Editor MC3 Peter D. Melkus

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Enterprise News

Reactor Sailors keep Big ‘E’ ready on arrival originally installed.

“We provide the USS ENTERPRISE, overall continuity At sea – One of the of electrical power main concerns people and propulsion to the have when shopping ship,” said Master for a vehicle is its fuel Chief Machinist’s Mate economy. Most people (SW/AW) Rodney are anxious about Chronister, Reactor refueling their vehicle department’s leading several times a month chief petty officer. due to the rising cost of “Without Reactor gas. department, this ship Compare that to the would still be sitting nuclear-powered aircraft pier side.” carrier USS Enterprise Reactor department (CVN 65), which has is comprised of Sailors only refueled once since affectionately called 1961. Theoretically, “nukes” from multiple a nuclear-powered ratings, each of whom aircraft carrier can stay had to graduate from a at sea for up to 25 years two-year long school in without having to stop order to become fully for fuel. qualified to do their job.

How is that possible? The school is so vital The answer lies deep to the ship that even inside the hull of the the ship’s commanding ship, in a series of officer and executive spaces lined with pipes officer, who are that can get as hot as aviators, must complete 500 degrees, and full the same training before of electrical equipment taking charge. supplying up to 450 A “nuke’s” job volts of electricity. consists of constant Sailors from the ship’s maintenance, drills, Reactor department watch standing, work in these continuous training and sweltering, 110-degree tests to ensure every spaces to ensure the Sailor is proficient at eight nuclear reactors their jobs. that supply Enterprise “Many people don’t with power continue realize how much work to operate, even 50 we do down here,” years since they were said Chronister. “It’s

By MC3 Austin Rooney

USS Enterprise Public Affairs

very hard to keep up with monthly exams, training, watch standing and still be able to perform your job. They work an average of 80 to 90 hours a week.”

Without those long hours, however, the ship would not be able to run. The reactors supply power to the ship’s propellers in order to move it through the water, supply the steam needed to launch aircraft off the flight deck, heat the ship’s water, and provides electricity to operate every light and electrical appliance used by the crew.

“This job can be challenging, but it’s also very rewarding,” said Electronics Technician 2nd Class Josh Kinning, a

maintenance technician in Reactor department.

“It definitely takes a lot of teamwork to make everything run correctly.”

“Safety is important to everyone here,” said Kinning. “We all have to wear the proper personal protective equipment when working in our spaces.

Staying hydrated is also important.”

While it may seem that Reactor department runs the ship on its own, Chronister said it’s the combined effort that accomplishes the mission.

“No department on the ship is more important than another,” said Chronister.

“Everybody relies on each other, and we get the job done.”

A graphic illustration displayed in the Big ‘E’ Room aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) depicts how a nuclear reactor operates.

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Reactor De

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epartment

Photos by MC3 Austin Rooney and MCSN Jared M. King

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Sunday, March 6, 2011

Science & Technology

Reactor Laboratories division runs the show from behind the scenes

By MC3 Peter D. Melkus USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At sea – Everything needs some kind of fuel to survive – humans need nutrition for food, cars need gasoline, and the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) thrives on the steam produced by its eight nuclear reactors.

What many don’t realize about nuclear reactors is that their primary purpose is to generate steam in the same manner an old steam engine would but without relying on fossil fuels that are rapidly depleted. At the end of the day, it all comes down to chemistry.

Reactor department’s Laboratories (RL) division Sailors control all chemistry for the Enterprise’s propulsion plants and provide radiological oversight for the ship’s maintenance.

“Basically, we test water,” said Machinist’s Mate 1st Class (SW) John L. Sullivan, RL’s radiological controls’ leading petty officer.

“We monitor the ship’s

water purity to ensure it contains specific levels of chemical concentrations to keep the water clean and prevent the pipes from corroding.”

RL division is comprised of 56 Sailors, making it the largest division of its kind in the fleet. The reason for such a large division is the fact that Enterprise has four propulsion plants while all other carriers only contain two. Each plant also contains eight steam generators, which are enough to keep RL Sailors quite busy.

RL Sailors stand ‘five-and-dime’ watches (five hours on, ten hours off), with a generous amount of their ‘off’ time devoted to maintenance, training, drills and working on tasks that can’t be completed while standing a watch.

“There’s a high price you have to pay to do this job,” said Sullivan.

“It can be hot, stressful and humbling at times, but I couldn’t have learned what I learned anywhere else but on this ship, and I’m grateful for

Photo by MC3 Austin Rooney

Lt. Cmdr. Michael G. Mortensen conducts radiation control (RADCON) training for Sailors assigned to Reactor department in ready room eight on board the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

that.”

Working with nuclear propulsion plants may seem like quite an actionpacked job to the average outsider, however RL Sailors consider a successful day at work to be one that is as close to ‘boring’ as possible.

“Normalcy is what we want,” said Sullivan. “ If everything is operating as it should and we’re able to continue to provide steam for propulsion and catapults, then we’re doing our job correctly. That’s how we contribute to Enterprise’s mission.”

Like blood in the body, water and steam are the lifeblood of the ship.

The Sailors who provide and test it rarely get noticed unless something is wrong.

“Our guys never

receive enough recognition for the jobs they do because if they’re doing their jobs right, everything is transparent to the rest of the crew,” said Machinist’s Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Jason L. Briscoe, RL division’s leading petty officer.

“But that doesn’t keep us from feeling like important members of the Enterprise team.”

Every Sailor is a customer of RL division whether they realize it or not. Their fingerprints are on almost every system and operation the ship is required to complete. What may not get noticed however, is the Sailor headed into one of the reactor spaces to man the vital watch that provides the rest of the crew with so much.

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Arts & Entertainment Enterprise Sailors play bingo, fight fire, win cash

By MC2 Aaron Chase USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At sea– Hull Technician 3rd Class James S. Kelley raced up to the third level of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during the ship’s “Bingo Night” with a winning card in his hand. It wasn’t his.

USS Enterprise’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department gave away more than $1,600 in cash and prizes during Bingo Night March 5, with Photo by MC2 Aaron Chase $1,000 going to the grand Hull Technician Third Class James S. Kelley (dressed in firefighting gear) stands with, from the left, prize winner.

Master Chief Fire Controlman (SW) John M. Mann, Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Keith Oxley, The Sailor who could Master Chief Avionics Technician Carl A. Phillips and Master Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Eric J. Young, onboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Kelley brought up the winning bingo card of his friend lay claim to that winning Hull Technician 3rd Class (SW/AW) Delrico A. Rowe after performing his duties with an at-sea card, Hull Technician 3rd firefighting party. Rowe said he plans to share his winnings with Kelley.

Class (AW/SW) Delrico A. Rowe, could not collect presented, when he was Sailors have to carry out he didn’t believe he’d win, his big prize. He was called back to investigate all the responsibilities of he said the chance to get investigating white smoke the same white smoke a warship, they can still $1,000 dollars for $15 with an at-sea fire party.

Rowe had been called off have fun and participate in dollars in bingo cards was Rowe had asked Kelley watch for. recreation. too much to pass up. to keep track of his card Kelley returned to Kelley won’t leave the “Any time you have a while he took over watch, the SITE studio in full experience empty handed. chance to do an MWR where he helped monitor firefighting uniform—he “When Kelley told me event and win, it feels the listing of the ship. had just successfully he’d play the card for me, good,” said Rowe.

But Kelley couldn’t completed the drill.

I said if I win I’d give him Rowe said he’s going to collect the winnings during “Bingo’s fun, but when some of the money. So he consider his winnings an the course of the live the bell rings, I have a job told me ‘I hope you win,’” award for hard work. presentation of “Bingo to do,” said Kelley. said Rowe.

MWR will continue to Night” either. He had “I thought it was pretty “It’s a pretty good deal conduct “Bingo Night” and barely received verification awesome,” said Brooke for him.” other events to promote on the winning card at the Newton, Enterprise’s Rowe said the three good morale on board Shipboard Information, MWR director, upon bingo cards he purchased Enterprise throughout its Training and Entertainment seeing Kelley still for this game were the deployment. For more Television (SITE TV) dressed in his gear. She first he’d ever purchased information, read MWR’s studio, where “Bingo said it was a reminder in nearly four years on the monthly calendar of Night” is filmed and that although Enterprise Enterprise. He said while events.

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Sailors of the Day

Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class (AW)

Michael Croft - St. Petersburg, Florida

Izaac S. Wise - Houston, Texas

MC3 Croft, a print shop and 3M work center supervisor assigned to Enterprise’s Media department, joined the Navy five-and-a-half years ago to earn money for college and find a secure job. To Croft, the most rewarding aspect of his job is “getting to see the things I get to see and meet the people I get to meet.” Croft aspires to one day buy a house, buy a boat and finish college. During his free time, Croft enjoys fishing, golfing and spending time with his wife and daughter.

AE3 (AW) Wise, assigned to the “Screwtops” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, joined the Navy nearly five years ago to work on aircraft, meet new people and visit new countries. To Wise, the most rewarding aspect of his job is knowing that when Enterprise’s planes are in the air, they are supporting his brother and his brothers-in-arms on the front lines. Wise is working hard to make rank, save up lots of money and one day earn a college degree. Wise enjoys working out, driving his car, playing XBOX, hanging out with friends, and watching the Houston Texans lose in the fourth quarter.

Photos by MCSN Jesse L. Gonzalez

FUN ZONE!

Down 1 Former “Tonight Show” host 2 “Vogue”rival 3 Pop musician Lofgren 4 Gusto 5 Star in Scorpio 6 Least sloppy 7 Goddess of agriculture 8 Ogee shape 9 Savings account gain 10 Colleagues 11 Cowboy’s rope 12 Synthetic fabric 13 Fragrance 14 Filming locale 20 Airline founded in 1927 22 Writing pads 23 Hook’s nemesis 24 Admired one 25 Autumnal birthstone 26 List of names 30 Samoan capital 31 Feel nostalgic for 32 Comprehending phrase 33 One of the Mamas 35 Employing 38 Pooh’s creator 39 Orbiting bodies 40 Unfriendly quality 41 Succeed 44 Fishing net 45 Not broadside 46 ___ Ababa 47 “Fatha” of jazz 50 Egyptian deity 51 Architect ___ van der Rohe 52 B in NB 53 Food fragments 54 Bad start?

55 Merkel of moviedom

Across 1 Pirates’ place 9 From side to side 15 Property receivers 16 Force 17 Athletic elite 18 Mountain home 19 Paraphrase

20 Nuclear particle 21 Waiting area?

23 Household tasks 27 Biology subj.

28 Send again 29 Type of vinegar 34 Face-to-face exam

35 City on the Danube 36 City on the Arno 37 Breakdown 40 Popular van Gogh painting 42 Came down 43 Stops 44 Maritime skill

48 Denouement 49 Neither here nor there 54 Heart 55 More anxious 56 Consecrate 57 Ignorant 58 Camera accessories 59 Evaluates