W
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URVEYOR Vol. 21, Issue 9
May 3, 2021
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
W
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URVEYOR
USS George Washington (CVN 73) Commanding Officer
May 3, 2021
Surveyor Magazine Command Master Chief
Executive Officer
Vol. 21, Issue 9
Editor-in-Chief Lt. Cmdr. Javan Rasnake
Copy Editors Lt. Chelsea Cannaday MCC Christina Shaw MC1 Stacy Atkinsricks
Capt. Michael Nordeen
Capt. Kenneth Strong
CMDCM Christopher Zeigler
Media Team
Media Department
MC1 Patrick Grieco MC2 Marlan Sawyer
Here and cover: Sailors assigned to IET and DCTT participate in a class-bravo fire drill.
6
12
CRANKING AIN'T BAD
MUSTANGS MOTIVATE
Junior Sailors support S-2 in the galleys and on the mess decks
Enlisted experience offers valuable strengths and perspectives
8
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Lt. Cmdr. Javan Rasnake
Lt. Chelsea Cannaday
Departmental LCPO MCC Christina Shaw
MC2 Anthony Hilkowski MC3 Tatyana Freeman
Departmental LPO
MC3 Robert Stamer
MC1 Stacy Atkinsricks
MC3 Aislynn Heywood MC3 Michael Hazlett MC3 Leo Katsareas
Media Department Requests
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PRINT REQUESTS
ENGINEERING'S EFFORTS AND EARNINGS
Members offer support and disseminate life-saving resources
The department behind many of our CMA milestones
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Public Affairs Officer
MC3 Cory Daut
LENDING AN 'ASIST'
2 • The Washington Surveyor
MC2 Elizabeth Cohen
MCSN Jacob Van Amburg
PHOTO/VIDEO REQUESTS (757) 534-0613
E-MAIL CVN-73 Media Print Requests mediaprintrequests@cvn73.navy.mil
MCSN Dakota Nack MCSN Jack Lepien MCSN Justin Lawson MCSN Dyxan Williams MCSN Joshua Cabal MCSN Joseph Negusse
PHOTO STUDIO HOURS
AROUND THE FLEET
USS Ford finishes combat systems ship trials
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Apr. 16, 2021)-- A rolling airframe missile (RAM) launcher fires a RIM-116 missile from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during combat systems ship qualification trials. (US Navy Photo)
0900-1200 1900-2100 MONDAY - THURSDAY, located in 01-165-3-Q
MCSN Grant Gorzocoski MCSA Preston Cash
A special thank you to all those who let us tell your stories to the crew and to the fleet. The Washington Surveyor is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). Contents herein are not the visions of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of USS George Washington. All news releases, photos, or information for publication in The Washington Surveyor must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer.
The Washington Surveyor • 3
SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
GW’S NEWEST WARRIORS EAWS ABEAN Faith Cairnes ABE3 Sebastian Garza MM2 Taylor Williams
HOMETOWN:
AN CASEY WILLIAMS
Norfolk, Va.
WHERE HE WORKS:
Air Department, V-1 Division
HOBBIES:
"I like playing soccer. I play with a bunch of friends. I'm very competitive, and running around helps me blow off steam, clear my head, and stay fit for the PRT."
WHAT HE ENJOYS ABOUT HIS JOB:
Williams enjoys what he's learning about the Navy, especially leadership and responsibility. For now, his concern is mostly personal accountability, but he sees the potential scale of responsibility modeled throughout his chain of command.
COLOR GUARD CS2 (SW/AW) HAMPTON OS2 (SW) YANG HM2 (SW) COLE STG2 (SW) RODRIGUEZ IC3 (SW/AW) DOLATA HM3 (SW) DAVENPORT IC2 (SW) KENDALL SN BUNCH ITSN RODRUGUEZ AOAN CALDWELL CSSR QUARLES
PETTY OFFICER OF THE WATCH IT2 ALEXANDER TORRESSANTANA IT2 WILLIAM SMALLWOOD OS3 CARLOS RODRIGUEZMEDEROS 0S3 COURTNEY GRANT AS2 SETH LONG LS3 CHRISTOPHER ARROYO
MESSENGER OF THE WATCH AC3 CODY REA AN ROSSI PACHECO AZ3 TAYLOR BRITT AT3 CASSIDY HULL AS3 CHARLES VENTURA ABHAR ANDREW SALDIVAR ATAN EDUARDO ORTIZMARTINEZ AZ2 KURTIS BARDLEY MCSN JOSHUA CABAL ABEAN CARL EDMUNDS
OFFICER OF THE DECK LS1 ROMEIKA DILLINGHAM ACC AARON KELLY ENS ERNESTO CORTES
WHAT ‘SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT’ MEANS TO HIM:
Williams is proud, and was especially excited to tell his grandfather about this early success. It motivates him to keep working hard and pushing forward on qualifications. "I felt like expectations were set really high for me by my family members and grandfather, and I really needed to show up."
WHY HE WAS NOMINATED:
Air Boss Cdr. Joshua Appezzato wanted to recognize Williams as one of the go-to Sailors for tracking and completing trouble-calls for 107 V-1 spaces, enabling the division to complete seven CMA spaces ahead of the deadline. Williams is motivated, trusted, and tracking to be a great leader in the division. 4 • The Washington Surveyor
ESWS
EAWS
EIWS
Coordinators
Coordinators
Coordinators
Deck Watch Coordinators
OSC Zachary Machnics MAC Thomas Bohannon
ACCS Matthew Cuppernoll AOC James Cooksey
CTMC Kathleen Chandler IT1 Thaddeus Wiedemeier
CDR. Steve Yargosz LT. John Coughlin
CRANKING AIN'T BAD
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MCSN DAKOTA NACK
In the Navy, cranking is a term that elicits negative thoughts in many Sailors. Mess cranking is where junior enlisted Sailors spend time away from their regular departments assisting in the ship’s galley and performing tasks such as cleaning, dishwashing, working with the culinary specialists and other tasks that do not require prerequisite training. Whether it be the arduous hours or the grimy duties that may be tasked, some Sailors believe cranking is some form of punishment. This is far from the truth, and Sailors assigned to the Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) should view cranking in a more positive light. Cranking is something many enlisted
Sailors will experience at some point in their enlistment. Some Sailors might have volunteered to go cranking, whereas others might have been told by their chain of command that they are obligated to spend an allotted amount of time cranking. Some Sailors that are sent cranking in the galley are called food service attendants (FSAs), while others serve as mess deck master-at-arms. Due to the fact that George Washington is more than halfway through its refueling and complex overhaul, commonly referred as RCOH, many Sailors assigned to George Washington are starting to have the opportunity to do the jobs of their respective rates. A significant milestone towards the ship’s completion was the recent
Electronics Technician Fireman Jordan Gathman, temporarily assigned as a food service attendant in supply department’s S-2 division, prepares a meal for a Sailor on taco Tuesday.
6 • The Washington Surveyor
re-opening of the galley in the Chief’s mess, which ultimately requires more Sailors to help maintain order and functionality in the mess. Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Ashley Redmond, assigned to S-2 division within supply department, is currently working as the mess decks master-at-arms. Redmond helps oversee the incoming FSAs that are assigned to S-2 and helps instruct the Sailors that are assigned to go cranking. Redmond recently helped 40 new Sailors get settled into their new workplace for the next few months. Redmond is keenly aware of the many negative stereotypes that surround
"I have been able to develop all these new friendships." -AN Gonzalez the idea of cranking, but also believes the positives outweigh the negatives. “They do work long hours, but they get days off,” said Redmond. “They are duty-free, get to eat whenever they want, and certainly get a lot of connections, so if you want to get qualified, there are always a bunch of chiefs and officers who you will see all the time, which is nice.” Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Valeriya Zinchuk volunteered to go cranking as an
Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Valeriya Zinchuk, temporarily assigned as a food service attendant in supply department’s S-2 division, prepares sandwiches.
FSA. Zinchuk was previously working in weapons department’s G-3 division, and felt compelled to go cranking while George Washington is in port, rather than underway. She has found great enjoyment working in the wardroom. “It is really fun to talk to officers and see them in there because they are not as intense,” said Zinchuk. “They will start talking to you about personal stories and stuff and then you end up having like a 20-minute conversation, then later on you’ll see them in the passageways and they will say, ‘What’s up?’ I never expected that.” Airman Marianna Gonzales enjoys cranking as an FSA because of the working atmosphere. Gonzales, whose parent department is air’s V-3 division, loves the camaraderie and family climate working in the mess. Before Gonzales went cranking, she was not excited at all. She said her initial
reaction was that she was very nervous that all of the negative stereotypes were going to come true, but to her surprise, this was not the case. “We all come from different rates and everything, so I have been able to develop all these new friendships,” said Gonzales. “I did not want to do this at first, but being down here actually changed my mind a lot about it because we all work together and I like the environment.” Air Traffic Controller Airman Apprentice Rashaad Burton, who has been an FSA for the past month, is surprised how fast time has flown by since being told he was going to crank in the galley. Burton is originally from operations department’s OC division, and said the first week was rough due to a lot of strenuous labor moving various items from the pier to the ship, but after that first week was over with, time has flown by. According
to Burton, it does not even seem like he is working 12 to 13 hours days because the work keeps him stimulated. “Everyone told me all of these horror stories before I came [about] how it was going to be so terrible, but they are way overblown,” Burton said. “You have to work long hours, but really it is not that bad when you work with a nice bunch of people in a fun environment, and there is food everywhere.” Sailors aboard George Washington do not need to fear the thought of cranking. Having an open-mindset and a positive outlook will likely do wonders. Going cranking is not a punishment – it is a way to contribute to your ship and to serve your shipmates.
The Washington Surveyor • 7
F
F " It’s critical for Sailors aboard the George Washington to know they have resources available to them at all times." -RP2 THOMAS
LENDING AN 'ASIST'
Meet Your Suicide Prevention Team Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training Team (ASIST)
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 AISLYNN HEYWOOD Would you know what to do if someone talked to you about having thoughts of suicide? Would you be able to see the signs that could indicate someone is thinking about it? For some people, suicide is a very sensitive topic of discussion. The applied suicide intervention skills training (ASIST) program aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) can provide training on how to help a shipmate if they are ever in need. Whenever a Sailor aboard the George Washington needs help, ASIST is here to lend a hand. “The team consists of thoroughly trained Sailors who are committed to doing the best that they can to prevent their peers from committing suicide,” said Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Tnyka Thomas, assigned to the command religious ministries department aboard George Washington. Thomas is the ASIST program manager and leads the team in monthly meetings where she conducts training that educates the team on what to do and how to properly approach a Sailor who may be showing signs of suicidal ideation. Some of the training consists of updating the team on new resources Sailors have access to for support and scenario-based evolutions that give the team new approaches to tough conversations. The team has group discussions on ways they can improve the program overall.
“The ASIST program is important because Sailors have a recourse they can come to and get support for whatever hardship they are enduring,” said Thomas. “It’s critical for Sailors aboard the George Washington to know they have resources available to them at all times.”
speak with someone virtually by texting the Crisis Text Line, and they can set up an appointment where they can call or video chat with a professional counselor from Military OneSource. They can talk in person with a chaplain from the command religious ministries department.” As acting team lead for the ASIST program, Renftle is in charge of recruiting new members and making sure the team is actively doing their part to help the Sailors aboard George Washington. Renftle also assigns a member of the team to each department, so all Sailors have a representative they can turn to for assistance. “If a Sailor wants to get involved with the program, they can reach out to myself or any member of the team so they can attend meetings so they can start their training,” said Renftle. “We are always trying to expand our team because all it takes is one person to help save a life of a fellow shipmate.” The ASIST program can make a huge difference when it comes to one of your shipmates needing help if they are having thoughts of suicide. Having the knowledge and training the program provides could save lives. If you would like to join, contact an ASIST member so you start attending meetings and obtain the tools in order to help others in a time of need.
RP2 Tnyka Thomas
Program Manager Command Religious Ministries Department
YN2 Haylie Price
ABEC Taiwo Samson
Co-Program Manager Weapons Department
ASIST Chief Mentor Safety Department
"All it takes is
one person to help
save a life of a fellow shipmate."
10 • The Washington Surveyor
-IT2 Rentfle Not only can Sailors get help from a fellow shipmate who is a member of the ASIST team, they can get information about numerous resources that they can reach out to that works best for them. “The resources available to our shipmates are extremely diverse,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Hannah Renftle, assigned to the combat systems department aboard George Washington. “They have the option to
MA1DeShawnBurrell
OS3 Ethan Warren
Security Department
Training Department
IC2 Deanna Dalziel AIMD
OS2 Whitney Hill
Operations/Navigations Department
IT2 Hannah Renftle
Team Lead Combat Systems Department
IT2 Deona Lane
Combat Systems Department
IC2 Sydney Bullock Intel Department
ABE3 Jarhett Iechad Deck Department
OS2 Trenton Edwards Air Department
EMN2 Morgan Goddard Reactor/Engeneering Department
ADAN Donald Predmore
Medical/Dental Department
IT3 Nicole Gustafson
Combat Systems Department
IT2 Justin Pakele
Legal/Supply Department
PS2 Stacey Hadden
Legal/Admin Department
PS2 Yamicelys Rodriguez
MC3 Aislynn Heywood
Admin Department
Media Department
SUICIDE HOTLINE: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
The Washington Surveyor • 11
MUSTANGS
MOTIVATE
STORY BY MC3 MICHAEL HAZLETT, PERSONAL PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ENSIGN GREENE Enlisted Sailors share the bond of understanding. They all attend Recruit Training Command to learn basic skills that every Sailor needs to know. Officers share a similar bond of understanding. This bond stems from the hard work to earn their commission, to assignment to a first duty station while mastering their positions, to learning to lead the Sailors under them. At the end of the day, both communities are Sailors. The understanding can sometimes end there, unless you belong to a small community known as “mustangs”. Mustangs are Sailors who were once enlisted, but earned a commission and became an officer. “Mustangs are special because we have been through the enlisted ranks,” said Lt. Aaron Abreu, the medical administrative officer aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). “We have seen and experienced what most of our Sailors are going through, and you can relate to them more and give them advice of how you have dealt with a particular situation or challenge.” Much like Abreu, many mustangs have followed unique paths to earn their commission. “I enlisted as a hospital corpsman,” said Abreu. “It was not until my second duty station that I met mustangs who commissioned as healthcare administrators through a program called Medical Service Corps In-Service Procurement Program (MSC-IPP). Once I found out about the program, I worked hard to get my master’s degree and excel in my enlisted career.” Enlisted service members have a
12 • The Washington Surveyor
plethora of opportunities available in order to become officers. Depending on the type of officer, the rate in which an enlisted Sailor holds, and many other factors, a commission is possible for many Sailors, but a resume is not the only thing required. “I wanted to take on more of a managerial role and challenge myself beyond what I was doing as an enlisted Sailor,” said Ensign Brandon Greene, the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) officer aboard George Washington. “To grow as a person, you must keep moving
out of your comfort zone. Growth happens once that uncomfortable zone becomes comfortable.” The need for growth and the passion for leading are unwritten requirements for
“We need
stellar Sailors on both sides."
-Ens. Greene
enlisted Sailors wanting to become officers. The process of earning a commission can be just as grueling as the challenges they face after. “It took me seven years to commission,” said Abreu. “I was [a Chief Hospital Corpsman] when I found out I got accepted into the program. It may have been a long journey, but I am glad it happened that way.” With the shared knowledge of both an enlisted and commissioned Sailor, a mustang uniquely understands the Navy and the Sailors that serve under them, ultimately becoming major assets to their communities and to the Navy as a whole. “The mustang community has camaraderie because we share a common background, regardless of our designator,” said Greene. “It is easier to communicate and work with enlisted personnel, because we were once there. We’ve done the work and know what it takes to get it done.” The duties and responsibilities of an officer differ from those of a chief. Enlisted Sailors desiring to be leaders in their career are encouraged to speak to both officers and chiefs to find which avenue would best suit them. “Not every enlisted Sailor wants to be an officer,” said Greene. “I would advise that they get mentored by those who didn’t choose the commissioning route as well as those who did. We need stellar Sailors on both sides.” Mustangs are unique and valuable facets of the Navy, and they bridge the gap
of understanding and work between the enlisted and officer communities. “Excel in your enlisted career,” said Abreu. “Research the program you are trying to apply for, read the instructions, and network! Seek out mustangs who commissioned through the same path you want to.” The bond mustangs share with the enlisted Sailors they lead is undeniable. Taking the reins to lead Sailors promotes a sense of unity between the ranks of the enlisted and officer, which is enhanced by the mustang community, and ultimately strengthens the world’s finest navy, the U.S. Navy.
The Washington Surveyor • 13
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ENGINEERING'S EFFORTS AND EARNINGS
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MCSA GRANT GORZOCOSKI It takes a lot of effort and teamwork to get a warship fully operational. Every department onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) has worked toward completing the ship. Engineering department’s electrical, steam and heat, and air-conditioning (AC)/refrigeration divisions are critical in assisting the ship in taking steps toward completion. One of engineering’s current projects is ensuring the operational status of the galleys. In the early stages of RCOH, contractors moved old equipment out and replaced it with new. After the contractors put in the new equipment, engineering took over. The department began their work in November of 2020, when old refrigerators were in the process of being replaced. During this time, the divisions were trained on how to repair the equipment. Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Breanika Butler, a leading petty officer for electrical division, says this was a team effort between engineering and other departments aboard the ship. “Electrical division helped give power to all of the galley equipment,” said Butler. “The auxiliary division brought up the water heaters, which supply hot water for the galley and scullery equipment, such as cold and hot wells and dishwashers. The AC/
refrigeration division helped supply and set up the ice machines, freeze boxes and chill boxes for the galley’s food using modular refrigeration units, keeping the temperature in a safe range and preventing food from spoiling.” The outside repair shop was also responsible for moving the supplies and equipment with the elevators. Without the team effort, things could have taken a lot
longer to complete. “Bringing up the hot water and steam kettles was essential to the galley,” said Machinist’s Mate Fireman Luke Garey, assigned to engineering department. “We were also responsible for the repairs and troubleshooting of smoke extractors and grease hoods. Lots of work is still left to be done, and there is always stuff to fix. The end goal
Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Pedro Ramirezaguera works on a valve and pipe system that brings hot water to the ship's showers.
16 • The Washington Surveyor
Machinist’s Mate Fireman Luke Garey begins repairs on a steam pipe.
is to have equipment fully operational and available throughout the ship.” Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) 3rd Class Dalton Baird , assigned to the AC/refrigeration division of
engineering department, was one of the people working on the chill water system for the galleys. “We were also responsible for bringing up the equipment for the galleys and completing start up checks to ensure everything was ready.” said Baird. “I would say we are over halfway towards completion on the remaining galleys.” The efforts to complete the galleys were concentrated on the galley in the chief ’s mess, then the
“To see the ship come back to life is definitely an accomplishment.”
aft crew galley. Now that both of those galleys are fully operational, engineering department can focus on the remaining galleys on the ship. “I am just amazed to see how much the ship has improved since I have been here,” said Butler. “I have been here since January, 2016, so to see the ship come back to life is definitely an accomplishment. I am proud to know we are a part of it.” The ship is still a ways off from full completion, but with two operational galleys, the ship will soon be home to Sailors once again.
- MM1 Butler
The Washington Surveyor • 17
N ANEWS VY
FORD FINISHES COMBAT SYSTEMS SHIP TRIALS, REACHES 8,000 AIRCRAFT LAUNCHES & RECOVERIES
DEFENSE DAILY (April 16, 2021)-The Navy’s newest aircraft carrier recently finished its combat systems ship’s qualification trials (CSSQT) and reached 8,000 aircraft launches and recoveries. The CSSQT work onboard the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) began in February and was the culminating combat systems test of the carrier’s 18-month post-delivery test and trials (PDT&T) phase of operations. CSSQT is a Naval Sea Systems Command requirement to verify the ship personnel can operate and maintain their combat systems in a safe and effective manner. CSSQT consisted of five phases, culminating in the final phase, 2C. Ford CSSQT Project Officer Larry Daugherty referred to phase 2C as the “prove it” phase, after previously conducting detect-to-engage scenarios with aircraft. In 2C, the Ford was faced with rocket-propelled drones able to reach speeds over 600 miles per hour, towed drone units (TDU) simulating rockets, and remote controlled highspeed maneuvering surface targets (HSMST). The crew dealt with the simulated threats using defense systems including Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers with RIM116 missiles, NATO launchers to fire evolved sea sparrow missiles (ESSM), and the Mk-15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) to fire bullets at 4,500 rounds per minute. Daugherty boasted that “the crew crushed it” and all missile firings were “executed perfectly.” The defense missiles engaged the drones while the CIWS defeated the TDUs and HSMSTs. “Those Sailors not only took out the first two HSMSTs, they punched holes in them, set them on fire, and they both sank. On the third one, the CIWS operator was so good that he actually hit the target further out than the weapon system’s maximum effective range and put it [dead in the water] DIW,” Daugherty said. “CSSQT was a live-fire, hands-on opportunity to prove the self-defense capability of this fine warship. We always intend to use our embarked air wing to influence our adversaries at great ranges from the ship, but if they’re able to get a shot at us, this event has shown our crew the formidable nature of our organic weapons,” Capt. Paul Lanzilotta, Ford’s
18 • The Washington Surveyor
From Defense Daily
commanding officer, said in a statement. The test began with several days of various systems checks, ordnance uploads, preventative maintenance checks, and telemetry checks to ensure the defensive systems were fully ready. Currently, the Ford is underway for Independent Steaming Event 18 (ISE 18), as part of the PDT&T. When PDT&T ends this month the ship will prepare for the next major event, full ship shock trials, which is scheduled for the summer. Shock trials validate the ability of new construction ships to carry out assigned missions and evaluate operational survivability after being exposed to underwater shock. Separately, the Navy announced on April 26 the Ford’s Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) reached 8,000 aircraft launches and recoveries on April 19 during the final ISE. “On the way to reaching 8,000 launches and recoveries, we saw many Ford crew trained, learned a great deal about the systems, and laid invaluable groundwork for future Ford-class ships,” Capt. Kenneth Sterbenz, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) program manager (PMA-251) for EMALS and AAG, said in a statement. From 2020 through 2021, 351 Naval aviators were qualified to use EMALS and AAG and over 7,000 of the total launches and recoveries occurred in the last 18 months.
Cmdr. Lindsey Buzzell, PMA-251 deputy program manager for Ford CVNs, said the PDT&T period was “extremely valuable for ALRE, as it allowed for extensive test and evaluation, and the opportunity to expose useful learning opportunities.” The system did experience some rough spots sailing during PDT&T. In early June the EMALS went down for five days while the ship was at sea. At the time, Navy officials said the cause of the issue appeared to be the power handling system during a manual reset of the system. At the time, previous Ford commanding officer Capt. J.J. Cummings said “it seems like every underway we find a different minor glitch that surfaces that needs to be addressed and we’re able to address it underway”. EMALS and AAG were developed by prime contractor General Atomics and aim to require less maintenance, less manpower, and a smaller footprint than the previous stream catapults and arresting gear aboard Nimitz-class carriers. Last September, commander of Naval Air Forces Atlantic Rear Adm. John Meier said CVN78 is on track to be first deployed in 2022. The Ford-class carriers are built by Huntington Ingalls Industries [HII].
The Department of Defense joins the nation in paying tribute to the Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians who demonstrated selfless service and sacrifice in the U.S. Army, Army Air Forces, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and National Guard during World War II. During WWII, Chinese and Japanese American men and women enlisted for military service in great numbers. More than 20,000 Chinese Americans, or one out of every five in the United States, served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Chinese American Hazel Ying Lee was one of the 38 Women Air Force Service Pilots who died in the line of duty. Although barred from the naval service, Japanese Americans fought in some of the Army’s most decorated units. The 442nd Regiment “Go for Broke” was one such unit. The 4,000 men who initially made up the unit in April 1943 had to be replaced nearly 2.5 times. In total, about 14,000 men served, earning 9,486 Purple Hearts. Filipino Americans and Korean Americans also participated in the nation’s war effort. More than 260,000 Filipino and Filipino American soldiers served during the war. One of California’s first Korean immigrant families, the Ahn’s, saw all three siblings, Ralph, Philip and Susan, enlist in 1942. Lieutenant Susan Ahn Cuddy became the first Korean American woman in the U.S. military and the first female Navy gunnery officer. The service of Asians, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians before and during World War II, paved the way for future generations of men and women to join what would become in 1948, a desegregated U.S. military.