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. 7 Pusher’s pursuer 8 Golf shoe features 9 They have their ups and downs 10 Crease 11 Beatle with the beat 12 Puckish 13 Inert gas 18 Amble or shamble 22 Boadicea’s people 24 Rebbe’s locale 26 Disparaging remark 27 Minnelli of stage and screen 28 Envoys 30 Pygmy antelope 32 Franco follower 34 Put an edge on 35 Solemn vow 37 Lustrous fabric 38 Apiece 41 Nightspot entertainment 43 Abandon 45 Melodic Melba 46 Sage 47 Wild West transport 49 Brings in 50 Unhurried 51 “Desire Under the ___” 53 Bit of news 54 Appear 55 Without purpose 58 Moppet
Across 1 Shapeless mass 5 Present occasion 10 Small bird 14 Himalayan holy man 15 Counting everything 16 Exasperate 17 Grove growth 19 Facts, briefly
20 Kind of bone 36 Israeli gun 48 One who succeeds 21 Collapsing 37 “Amadeus” antagonist 50 Throttle 23 Sibilant sound 39 “Yes, I see!” 52 Home of St Francis 25 Add 40 Rogue 56 Place to hole up 26 Winter forecast 42 Many college grads 57 Abused 29 Inexpensive lodgings 43 Worry 59 Kind of arch 31 Vitamin C source 44 Devilish 60 Paul or Carly 32 Silver fox, e.g. 46 Value 61 Ship’s spine 33 Ring combination 47 Texas-Louisiana border river
62 Pioneer’s heading 63 Dry runs 64 TV award