Flights, Camera, Action

the

SHUTTLE USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - Wednesday, March 9, 2011

FLIGHTS, CAMERA,

ACTION

Big ‘E’ VLA operators monitor all aspects of flight operations

Interior Communications Specialist 3rd Class Eugene Baptiste operates a visual landing aid (VLA) camera inside the flight deck island during launch and recovery evolutions aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Photo by MC1 (SW) Rebekah Adler

Page 2

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

the SHUTTLE

Happenings

Fresh coat

Big ‘E’

Outlook

Training note Any user who has not submitted a certificate for Information Assurance Awareness version 9.0 to the IAM Office by Thursday, March 31 will have their accounts locked out until an IA 9.0 certificate is submitted. Please contact CS-2 Division (J-Dial 5776) with any questions regarding this matter.

RMD note

Photo by MCSN Jared M. King

Seaman Robert J. Stallcup paints the bottom of a capstan for beautification purposes in the forecastle aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

3-Day Calendar WED

9

MWR

THU

10

FRI

11

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of the Christian holy season of Lent.

• Ashes will be distributed at the religious worship services according to the schedule below.

• Roman Catholics are reminded that Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat; and both Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fast.

Roman Catholic Mass 1145 Foc’sle 2030 Chapel

Protestant Services 1145 Chapel 1730 Chapel

Steel Beach Picnic!!!

Flight Deck Super Spades Open Karaoke Street Fighter Tournament Tournament Aft Mess Decks Aft Mess Decks 2030 Aft Mess Decks 2030 2030 0500-0545 BiggEst Loser Team Workout Fit Boss 1600-1700 EOD/Diver PT LT Dennison 2000-2100 Step Aerobics ABECS Claxton

Celebrate Women’s History Month!

Steel Beach Picnic Events 1200-1400 Strong Man Team Contest

J.D.G.

1400 225 lb. and 315 lb.

Bench Press Maximum Repetition Contest

The first six enlisted women were sworn into the regular Navy on July 7, 1948. The first eight female officers were commissioned on Oct. 15, 1948.

Navy Tradition of the Day

Sick bay: A sick bay is any hospital or dispensary on a ship. In the days of sail, most sick berths were located in the ship’s rounded stern.

The contour of the stern suggested the shape of a bay, and consequently, Sailors began calling the old dispensaries “sick bays.”

the

SHUTTLE USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

ESWS STUDY GUIDE

Q: What does the number 2 indicate in compartment number 3-41-2-L?

A: The compartment is on the port side of the ship

PT

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

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

the SHUTTLE

Page 3

Enterprise News

VLA technicians keep Big ‘E’ birds in the air

By MC1 (SW) Rebekah Adler USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, Red Sea – While most of the jobs Sailors and Marines perform on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) are wellknown, one team of Sailors is working behind the scenes to keep a watchful eye every aspect of flight operations.

Enterprise’s Visual Landing Aids (VLA) team is comprised of 15 Sailors who are responsible for maintaining and operating the flight deck’s seven cameras, composed of two subsystems called the Integrated Launch and Recovery Television Surveillance System (ILARTS) and the Improved Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (IFLOLS).

“Pilots use IFLOLS to make sure they land safely on the flight deck,” said VLA group supervisor technician Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class (SW/AW) William Avery. “Anytime there’s a bird in the

air, I have someone manning the ILARTS console and island camera. We‘re there until the last aircraft touches the deck.”

Even when aircraft are not being launched from the flight deck, ILARTS technicians are behind the cameras, capturing all events such helicopter evolutions and training drills.

“We’re like the ‘Big Brother’ of the flight deck, we’re always watching,” said ILARTS technician Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Eugene Batiste. “If I see someone dropping [Foreign Object Debris] or a person getting blown over by a jet blast, I’ll record the action with my camera.

Anything that happens, I’ve got it covered.”

Through the ILARTS technicians’ trained and watchful eyes, they help provide evidence for mishaps ranging from a downed aircraft to flight deck fires.

“Without our footage, there would be no way of knowing what truly happened, how big a fire was, or how long

Photo by MC1 (SW) Rebekah Adler

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Michael Lira communicates with the ship’s aircraft handling officer on the positions of each aircraft to assist VLA team members while standing watch inside the flight deck island aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

it took to put out. It’s an important part of history that would be lost,” said Batiste.

In order to perform their jobs successfully, ILARTS technicians must first go through six months of in-depth training located at Great Lakes, Ill. In addition to learning about the VLA system, the technicians learn every aspect of flight deck operations and landing procedures.

Even when flight operations have ended, the ILARTS technicians are still on the job, making sure their equipment is fully operational for the next day’s flights.

“If our systems are not up, we don’t fly,” said Avery. “After

flight quarters have ended, we spend an average of three hours daily maintaining our equipment.”

Additionally, footage captured by the ILARTS technicians serves as a valuable learning tool for pilots.

“Some footage we’ve recorded goes to the schoolhouse to help teach pilots why a mistake occurred and how to fix it,” said Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Richard Stainton.

“When I reflect on everything I’ve done, it’s rewarding to know I was a part of that process that contributes to the crew’s safety,” said Batiste.

Page 4

the SHUTTLE

Sailors of the Day

Fire Controlman 2nd Class

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class

Priscilla Quiles - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Michael Semler - Old Bridge, New Jersey

FC2 Quiles an SPS-48E technician assigned to Combat Systems’ CS-7 division, joined the Navy three years ago to see the world and carry-on her family’s proud military tradition. To Quiles, the most rewarding aspect of her job is “being a radar technician and having the chance to work with the best self-defense equipment and technicians on board.” Quiles is working hard to become dual warfare qualified, apply for a Recruit Training Command billet and buy her first brand-new car after this cruise. During her free time, Quiles enjoys spending time with her daughter and shopping.

LS3 Semler, assigned to the “Knighthawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, joined the Navy two-anda-half years ago to become a part of something greater than himself and to set an example. To Semler, the most rewarding aspect of his job is “knowing and taking great pride in the fact that I play such a vital part in keeping our jets in the air and mission ready at all times.” Semler hopes to one day become a commissioned officer through the STA-21 program and to complete his private pilot’s license. Semler enjoys playing guitar, watching movies, playing video games and relaxing at the beach.

Photos by MCSN Jesse L. Gonzalez

SUDOKU March

11,

2011

Han ga er B ay Activ ities Flight D eck Act ivities

(putting sets, balls) -Driving Range

-Sumo wrestling

(golf set, balls, golf nets) - Ping Pong

-Inflatable jousting -Mini-Tryke

-Strong Man competition

Races -Baggo -DJ (DJ Booth)

-225/315 Bench Press

-Kiddie Swimming Pools -MWR RAB Pie-in-the-Eye fundraiser -Footballs and Frisbees

Basketball Tourney (minus court) - Putting Greens

Endurance

Activities Evening

(available for checkout) -Texas Hold’em -Karaoke -Strong Man competition -225/315 Bench Press Endurance