WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE
OCT. 15, 2018
By MC3 Trey Hutcheson
By MC3 Carter Denton
GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
FINDING THE LOST
THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR ANSWERS
BRINGING CLOSURE TO POW/MIA FAMILIES
By MCSN Jack Lepien
By MCSA Jack Lepien
NAVY’S 243RD BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
GW CELEBRATES U.S. NAVY BIRTHDAY
GW SAILORS SHARE BIRTHDAY WITH NAVY
washington surveyor
SAILOR in the SPOTLIGHT
Commanding Officer Capt. Glenn Jamison
Executive Officer Capt. Daryle Cardone
Command Master Chief CMDCM Maurice Coffey
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Stephanie Turo
Deputy Public Affairs Officer Lt. Tyler Barker
Departmental LCPO MCCS Reginald Buggs
Divisional LCPO MCC Mary Popejoy
Editors
MC3 Julie Vujevich MCSN Zack Thomas MCSA Jack Lepien
Content
MC1 Gary Johnson MC2 Mandi Washington MC3 Michael Botts MC3 Carter Denton MC3 Jamin Gordon MC3 Trey Hutcheson MC3 Marlan Sawyer MC3 Brian Sipe MC3 Kristen Yarber MCSR Steven Young
AO3
ARIANNA DAVIS Department: Weapons
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.
From: Columbia, Maryland Favorite Part of the Job: “My favorite part of my job is being a woman and lifting bombs just like my male shipmates. Serving in the Navy, to me, means that I am being held to a higher standard while serving my country and being awarded for it! It is the greatest job ever!�
On the cover: (U.S. Navy graphic by MC3 Julie Vujevich)
PHOTO of the
WEEK
(Oct. 10, 2018) Rosalio Nieto, left, and FC2 Cathryn Pellar stretch before running. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Trey Hutcheson)
LNC Housten, Angela YN2 Hill, Joshua YN3 Gadson, Kenyatta
FINDING THELOST By MC3 Carter Denton U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nicholas Cawkins, a DPAA recovery noncommissioned officer, jumps into the water supply of a wet screening station to remove excess mud during a DPAA recovery mission. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Carter Denton)
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n July 7, 2018, the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) deployed three recovery teams to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic with the goal of finding and returning Americans lost during the Vietnam War. Recovery Team One was sent to the possible burial site of a U.S. photo reconnaissance pilot who was shot down over Laos in the McDonnell RF-101C “Voodoo” aircraft. The team consisted of 16 U.S. service members, one civilian linguist, and one scientific recovery expert. The recovery efforts began with the setup of soil screening stations and the layout of excavation sites in and around the possible area of the pilot’s burial. The importance of the task at hand was not lost on the team members. “There’s one promise among any branch of service in this country: We will always bring you home,” said U.S. Army Capt. Christopher D. Reed, Recovery Team One team leader. “So, it is critically important
that we are out here, being a part of history really, trying to recover these remains and fulfill our nation’s promise to their family.” The mission, if successful, could answer very important questions for the families who have been waiting decades for answers. “Missions like this are important mostly for the people that are still alive, the people
that are left behind, to get closure,” said Heidi Miller, the scientific recovery expert for Recovery Team One. “Everybody wants to know what happened to their family member, so we provide answers by doing this kind of work.” For this mission, the work was often interrupted by heavy rain due to the monsoon season in Laos, which usually
Local Lao nationals working with the DPAA recovery mission sit in a break area while the teams wait for the rain to stop. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Carter Denton)
runs from June to September. However, Recovery Team One worked against the constant rain to accomplish their shared goal. “It’s been really rough with the rain and the timing, but I think the work that we’re doing is really important,” said Miller. “So, whether we found something or not, by coming out here and excavating this site, we’re answering questions.” Due to the tireless efforts of the team, material evidence and possible human remains were uncovered during the excavation process. The discovery of possible remains means that the site will remain open for future teams to excavate. “At this point we’ve gathered a lot of information to help the next team that’s going in,” said Miller. “We just got an idea of what’s going on with this site to better prepare the next team.” The information gathered by Recovery Team One will play a crucial role in the planning of future excavations of the site. DPAA will deploy more teams to the site in the future to finish what Recovery Team One began and fulfill our nation’s promise to the families waiting for their loved one’s return home.
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. James Pidgeon, a DPAA explosive ordnance disposal technician (center), and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Oliver Truong, a DPAA Communication technician, remove dirt from an excavation unit on a DPAA recovery mission. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Carter Denton)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Amber Drewer, an augmentee medic for a DPAA recovery mission, wet screens soil with local Lao nationals.. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Carter Denton)
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Arnold Velasco (left), a DPAA recovery noncommissioned officer, and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Christopher Cunningham, a DPAA life support investigator, remove dirt from an excavation site on a DPAA recovery mission. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Carter Denton)
GWCELEBRATES NAVYBIRTHDAY By MCSN Jack Lepien Cmdr. Brian Solano, the ship’s navigator (right), Cmdr. Michael Windom, the ship’s maintenance officer (middle), and Capt. Glenn Jamison, commanding officer, bow their heads during the invocation while attending the Navy Birthday celebration. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Trey Hutcheson)
S
ailors aboard the Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) celebrated the Navy’s 243rd birthday Friday, Oct. 12. While the official birthday is Oct. 13, George Washington Sailors celebrated a day early so that the entire crew could participate. The First Class Petty Officer Association, Second Class Petty Officer Association, and the Junior Enlisted Association organized the ceremony. The celebration included a cakecutting by the youngest Sailor, Hull Technician Fireman Apprentice Enoc Quiroga, and the oldest Sailor, Cmdr. Ken Sausen. “The Navy is one thing that links all Sailors, past, present, and future,” said Sausen.
For Capt. Daryle Cardone, executive officer of George Washington, pausing to celebrate the Navy’s birthday is a time to reflect on the history that has made the Navy great. “Today, we are the world’s only naval force capable of conducting the full spectrum of operations from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to kinetic, combat action on, above, or under the sea anywhere on the globe for as long as necessary,” said Cardone. “That’s a story worth pausing on and celebrating!” Sailors of all rates and ranks attended the ceremony, and reflected on what being a Sailor means to them. “I think the Navy is about standing up and fighting for the safety and freedom of those who can’t, and the
Navy birthday is a celebration of that,” said Aviation Technician 3rd Class Eric Martinez. The United States Navy was established Oct. 13, 1775 when the Second Continental Congress appropriated funds for the creation of a naval force to defend fishing and trade off the coast of the original 13 American colonies. George Washington is currently undergoing its mid-life refueling complex overhaul, or RCOH, in Newport News Shipyard in Newport News, Virginia. RCOH is designed to refuel the nuclear propulsion of a nuclear aircraft carrier and refit and remodel all spaces and systems, such as navigation and weapons.
GWSAILORS SHARE SPECIALDAY WITHTHENAVY
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ver the past 243 years, the U.S. Navy has evolved from a force of 27 fishing and trading vessels manned by merchants, farmers, and any man willing to fight to a force of over 280 battle-ready vessels and more than 3,700 aircraft, manned by professionally-trained Sailors. As the United States Navy celebrates its 243rd birthday, Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) reflect on why the Navy’s birthday is important. For some Sailors aboard George Washington, Oct. 13 means more than it may to others. Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Casey Ferrell and Master Chief Electronics Technician Michael Harness, Sailors aboard George Washington, have something in common with the Navy that only eight other Sailors aboard
By MCSN Jack Lepien the ship can claim. They share the same birthday as the Navy. “I always thought it was a weird coincidence,” said Ferrell. “My family likes to ask if the Navy is throwing me a party.” Even though many commands around the fleet will have a ceremony
“...WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE WE STARTED [AND] WHERE WE ALL BEGAN.” - EM3 CASEY FERRELL of some sort, the Navy’s birthday is about more than celebration. “Remembering the Navy’s birthday is important because we need to know where we started, where we began,” said Ferrell. “I think the biggest thing to remember is the pride that’s behind it, and what the Navy does for this country.” The Navy’s birthday is also for local communities to celebrate with their family and friends that serve. “Back home, people look up to service members and they think that serving is really cool,” said Ferrell. “My friends and family are really proud of me, and I’m really proud of myself for being a Sailor in the United States Navy.” When Ferrell joined the Navy, she didn’t really know where she wanted
to go in life. She said that she was fresh out of school and wanted more direction in her life, and the Navy provided her with the sense of purpose she’d been missing. Ferrell says that she likes having the unique bond to the Navy. “I think it’s kind of cool that we were ‘born’ on the same day; like me and the Navy have a special connection,” said Ferrell. “And I can always remember that question on the [advancement] test.” Harness also has great pride in being a Sailor and is thankful for all that the Navy has helped him achieve. “The United States Navy has allowed me to explore the world, serve my country, and provide for my family, and I could not have done this or achieved the goals I have been able to without the help, love, and support of my family, my friends, and my shipmates,” said Harness. “As the Navy prepares to celebrate its 243rd birthday, I will celebrate my 48th birthday and remember what an honor it is to share this special day with the millions of brave Americans who have served in the United States Navy with great honor, courage, and commitment.”
GONEBUTNOT
FORGOTTEN
By MC3 Trey Hutcheson Anthropologist and supervisory scientific recovery expert Rene Zielinski, Ph.D., an employee of the DPAA, shovels soil from an excavation site in search of evidence of human remains. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Trey Hutcheson)
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very morning, they would can be the advocate for the family service members who are attached attempt to catch a little extra in that they know all of us are out to the agency for temporary duty sleep on the hour-long drive, here looking for their missing loved for the duration of the mission. as the large truck carrying them to the one. We will continue until such a These volunteers are known as excavation site jostled them back and time that all of the answers that can “augmentees.” forth uncomfortably. It was monsoon possibly be given are reached.” “I was extremely excited when season as Airmen, Sailors, and DPAA has service members that I was told that I would be going Soldiers gathered to begin the day’s are permanently assigned to the on the mission,” said Aviation work in the countryside of the Lao agency, but they also use volunteer Support Equipment Technician 2nd People’s Democratic Republic. These service members were part of Recovery Team Three, deployed by the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to search for and recover lost U.S. service members in Laos. “DPAA is a Department of Defense agency that organizes and orchestrates the search and recovery of American service members that have been lost in prior conflicts,” said Dr. Rene Zielinski, anthropologist and supervisory scientific recovery expert for the mission. “I like that we have the opportunity to Laotian workers, assisting the DPAA recovery team, pass buckets of soil around the excavation site. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Trey Hutcheson) search for the missing, that we
Class Daniel Mendoza, an augmentee recovery noncommissioned officer, whose home station is Fleet Readiness Center North West located in Whidbey Island, Washington. “When I found out that DPAA was about recovering MIA service members, I jumped at the opportunity.” After arriving at the excavation site, the sound of the water pumps began U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Bounthai Chantala and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Francis Sangimvongse, the linguists for the to echo in the valley, DPAA recovery team, dig holes for a tool rack to be placed. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Trey Hutcheson) reminiscent of a whistle at tangible thing. Being able to find giving up until you are required a factory announcing the someone who has been lost for 40, 50, to,” said Zielinski. “That big push start of the workday. As the humidity 60 years and bring them home – that sometimes pays off in such a way that and temperature rose, team members really makes this job special.” you can hardly conceive the reward continued to dig intensely, sweat Team members and Laotian locals that you get.” pooling off of their faces, refusing to sifted soil through a metal mesh As the mission came to a close, the give up. screen as water sprayed from above diligence exhibited by all paid off. “We are on such a noble mission, to assist the process, searching for Possible material evidence was found like this a collateral of other positive evidence relevant to the lost service to take back to DPAA’s laboratory, effects,” said Zielinski. “Those members. hopefully identifying service effects include being able to work “To me, what personifies what members who have been listed as with current service members and makes this mission work is the hard missing in action for more than 50 demonstrating to them that this work that goes into it, and never years. promise is a very real thing, a
Members of the DPAA, shovel soil out of an excavation site. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Trey Hutcheson)
GEORGE’S
WARFARE
w
NAVY NEWS
NAVSEA Approves First Metal Additively Manufactured Component for Shipboard Use From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communication Public Affairs
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aval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) approved the first metal part created by additive manufacturing (AM) for shipboard installation, the command announced Oct. 11. A prototype drain strainer orifice (DSO) assembly will be installed on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in fiscal year 2019 for a one-year test and evaluation trial. The DSO assembly is a steam system component that permits drainage/removal of water from a steam line while in use. Huntington Ingalls Industries – Newport News Shipbuilding (HIINNS) builds Navy aircraft carriers and proposed installing the prototype on an aircraft carrier for test and evaluation. “This install marks a significant advancement in the Navy’s ability to make parts on demand and combine NAVSEA’s strategic goal of on-time delivery of ships and submarines while maintaining a culture of affordability,” said Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, NAVSEA chief engineer and deputy commander for ship design, integration, and naval engineering. “By targeting CVN-75 [USS Harry S. Truman], this allows us to get test results faster, so—if successful— we can identify additional uses of additive manufacturing for the fleet.” The test articles passed functional and environmental testing, which included material, welding, shock, vibration, hydrostatic and operational steam, and will continue to be evaluated while installed within a low temperature and low pressure
Official U.S. Navy file photo of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
saturated steam system. After the test and evaluation period, the prototype assembly will be removed for analysis and inspection. While the Navy has been using additive manufacturing technology for several years, the use of it for metal parts for naval systems is a newer concept and this prototype assembly design, production, and first article testing used traditional mechanical testing to identify requirements and acceptance criteria. Final requirements are still under review. “Specifications will establish a path for NAVSEA and industry to follow
when designing, manufacturing and installing AM components shipboard and will streamline the approval process,” said Dr. Justin Rettaliata, technical warrant holder for additive manufacturing. “NAVSEA has several efforts underway to develop specifications and standards for more commonly used additive manufacturing processes.” Naval Sea Systems Command is the largest of the Navy’s five systems commands. NAVSEA engineers, builds, buys and maintains the Navy’s ships, submarines and combat systems to meet the fleet’s current and future operational requirements.
is: R E B O T OC
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH