Never Fear

the

SHUTTLE USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011

never fear

Photo by MCSN Jared M. King

wear your gear

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

the SHUTTLE

Page 3

Enterprise News

Vigilance prevents flight deck mishaps

By USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Safety Department

USS ENTERPRISE, at sea – An aircraft carrier’s flight deck is a hazardous place to work, so much so that the Navy pays $150 per month in Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay to those who work on it. Extensive training is given to regular flight deck personnel and occasional visitors to the flight deck must have qualified escorts anytime air operations are engaged.

However, work on the flight deck can be safer if certain precautions are followed. Accidents don’t have to happen and may be avoided by using the controls that are in place, said Cmdr. Daniel Haight Jr., Enterprise’s safety officer. Haight and the rest of the safety department would like to remind crew members of the effectiveness of following pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE): Flight Deck Goggles: Jet exhaust is capable of blowing small debris across the flight deck at velocities in excess of 100 mph.

Fuels, oils and other fluids have a tendency to spray in random and unexpected directions. Flight deck goggles are the most effective protection from these hazards.

Ear Plugs and Ear Muffs: “The sound meter we use

Photo by MCSN Jesse L. Gonzalez

Sailors aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) participate in foreign object damage (FOD) walkdown. FOD walkdowns are one of the ways Sailors can help keep Enterprise’s flight deck safe from potential hazards to pilots and flight deck crewmen.

has an upper limit of 140 decibels and the meter has topped out on more than one occasion while standing next to a Prowler in tension,” said Lt. Nicholas Schaal, industrial hygiene officer aboard the ship.

Schaal cautions that ear wax alone will not protect your hearing in that situation so cranials and ear plugs must be used to prevent permanent hearing loss.

Float coats: “Your survival is pivotal to the proper operation of your float coat,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Beadel A. Donawa, a flight deck safety observer. Daily maintenance and knowledge of survival items are a necessity. Donawa said you should be able to find items such as sea dye marker, whistle, and strobe light in

the dark with your nondominant hand. He cautions that complete and proper float coat maintenance every day can be a lifesaving activity.

Gloves and Flight Deck Boots: Donawa cautions that the common problem with boots and gloves are wear and tear. Worn treads and torn padding mean these items offer less protection and may need replacement.

PPE is just one way to protect yourself on the flight deck, said Haight. Another major issue is awareness.

“It’s like a big game of chess - you aren’t going to win unless you are thinking ahead of the situation,” said Haight.

“Flight surfaces are constantly moving when

aircraft are on deck. You need to keep your head on a swivel on the flight deck,” he said.

Schaal added that the rest of the crew can contribute to the safety of pilots and flight deck operations by engaging in foreign object damage (FOD) walk downs.

Schaal said flight deck cleanliness is important to safe flight operations. A small screw or piece of safety wire may not only result in an enormous amount of damage to an aircraft, it can also put the lives of the pilots and flight deck crew members in danger.

“Ultimately, it’s up to all of us to make the flight deck a safer place to work,” said Schaal. “We must strive to avoid complacency. We have to look out for each other and be safe.”

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the SHUTTLE

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

On eck D Photo by MCSN Jesse L. Gonzalez

Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) move ordnance off the flight deck.

Photo by MCSN Jared M. King

Lt. Bradley S. Williams, landing signal officer, assigned to the “Checkmates” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 ensures the safe and expeditious recovery of aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Photo by MCSN Jared M. King

An EA-6B Prowler assigned to the “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 launches from catapult four on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Photo by MC3 Nathan R. Carpenter

Aviation Boatswain’s Mates (Handling) conduct a morning brief in hangar deck conrol aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

FUN ZONE!

Answers can be found on Big ‘E’ Net at S:\Public\MEDIA\GM\Crossword and Sudoku answers

Down 1 Ink stain 2 “Doctor Zhivago” heroine 3 Gen. Bradley 4 Wailing spirit 5 Nobelist Bohr 6 Where Ottawa is: Abbr.

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46 Value 61 Ship’s spine 33 Ring combination 47 Texas-Louisiana border river

62 Pioneer’s heading 63 Dry runs 64 TV award