The Washington Surveyor

WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE

NOV. 19, 2018

MC3 Marlan Sawyer

MC3 Jamin Gordon

GW HOSTS HERITAGE CEREMONY

GIVING BACK TO THOSE BEFORE US

A REFLECTION ON SERVICE AND HISTORY

GW SAILORS CLEAN UP VETERANS’ CEMETERY

MCSA Jack Lepien

MC3 Carter Denton

HIDDEN DANGERS OF THE HOLIDAYS

EXECUTIVE DECISIONS

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO STAY SAFE

CAPT. CARDONE SPEAKS ON THE SHIP’S MISSION

washington surveyor Commanding Officer

ICSN VALDEZ, PAUL

ATAN ROSENQUIST, STEVEN

PS3 GONZALEZ, VICTORIA

Capt. Glenn Jamison

MA2 BURRELL, DESHAWN

ABF3 JEFFERS, COLE

PS1 HUNTER, SHAVAUGHN

Executive Officer

YN2 TATE, JACOB

MMFN CULLIMORE, ANDREW

MM2 ROBINSON, COREY

Capt. Daryle Cardone

PSSN ORTEGA, ANGEL

EMN1 STAMBAUGH, KEVIN

CTR3 MCIVER, ELIJAH

AN BROWN, TRAVERS

MC3 SAWYER, MARLAN

Command Master Chief CMDCM Maurice Coffey

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Stephanie Turo

MA1 HUNTER, KRISTINA IC3 WILLIAMS, DALTON ITSA CARLOCK, RILEY ET3 GAINES, KENNY OSSN EDWARDS, TRENTON YNSN JACKSON, CAMILLE

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

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.

CS3 KELLEY, INDIA AO3 HUGHES, ADONI EM3 MORRIS, MARCO MM3 KOLMENT, NICHOLAS

EMN1 WAGNER, JOHNATHAN AT3 SCHLUTOW, TYLER

On the cover: AO2 Monica Celaya places a flag next to the grave of a fallen service member in observance of Veterans Day Nov. 12, 2018. (Photo courtesy of GM3 Michelle Lopera)

SAILOR in the SPOTLIGHT

HM3 Dimesha Pittman

HM3 Dimesha Pittman, from Rocky Mountain, North Carolina, joined the Navy to help pay for her college, where she wants to study nursing. She loves taking care of patients, and says that her end goal is to become a nurse. “If they’re happy, I’m happy,” said Pittman.

When she isn’t working to better Sailors’ health, Pittman likes to play with her son. She mostly listens to hip-hop and R&B. She also says her favorite movie is “Love and Basketball.”

GW Hosts Heritage Celebration

By MC3 Marlan Sawyer Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class Trinity Sells, holds a protection arrow passed down from her ancestors during the National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month ceremony onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Marlan Sawyer)

T

he Spirit of Freedom

Trinity Sells and Operations Specialist

of our nation. During the Civil War,

crew on the Nimitz-class

Seaman Keifer Hanley.

20,000 American Indians served with

aircraft carrier USS George

“I take pride in being an American

Union forces, both at sea and on the

Washington (CVN 73) gathered on the

Indian Sailor,” said Sells. “I will

land. During World War I, although

Floating Accommodation Facility’s

continue my traditional way of life with

ineligible for the draft, 15,000 American

mess decks Nov. 14 to celebrate

more determination because living isn’t

Indians volunteered to fight in the Great

the history, service, and heritage of

enough for my heritage to survive. It

War. Although American Indians have

American Indians and Alaska Natives.

is my time to teach the Navy about the

been an integral part of our country

Navajo tribe and its people.”

long before its birth, American Indian

National American Indian Heritage Month (NAIHM) began as American

According to information on Navy

veterans weren’t awarded citizenship and voting rights until 1919.”

Indian Day in the early 1920s, and then

History and Heritage Command’s Web

in 1990, President George H. W. Bush

site, Native Americans have been a vital

approved the month of November as

part of our military’s success since the

Operations Specialist Seaman Keifer

National American Indian and Alaska

ship’s namesake was on the battlefield.

Hanley to serve and share his heritage

Native Heritage Month.

The year’s heritage month theme is

“Since 1776, when Gen. George Washington began enlisting American

It is their service that inspires

with the Navy.

“American Indians that served our

“Sovereignty, Trust, and Resilience.”

Indians for his Army, Navy, and

country before me paved the way so

The guest speakers for the ceremony

Marines, American Indians have

that I could serve in the U.S. Navy

were Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class

contributed significantly to the defense

today,” said Hanley. “I enjoy teaching

others about American Indian history

are like family to

in general, and more specifically,

me. We are equal,

Navajo history within the U.S. Navy.

and we all make up

I am forever grateful for what they

one piece, the U.S.

have done for me. They will always be

Navy. ”

remembered.”

The Navy’s

According to the Naval History and

leadership remains

Heritage Command, there are more than

strongly committed

22,000 American Indians serving in the

to diversity and

armed forces. Approximately 11,000

emphasizes that

American Indians serve in the U.S.

the Navy remains

Navy.

highly capable

“This is really big for me and my

and mission ready

family, as I am carrying on another

by leveraging

tradition of being in the armed forces

the strengths of a

aside from my Navajo customs,” said

diverse force.

Sells. “They are beyond proud of me for how far I have come and my accomplishments.”

According to an article titled, “Navy Celebrates American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage, Contributions” by Yonca Poyraz-Dogan, Navy Office of Information Public Affairs, “American

From the left, Operations Specialist Seaman Keifer Hanley, Commanding Officer Capt. Glenn Jamison, and Ship’s Serviceman 3rd Class Trinity Sells, cut a cake during the National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month ceremony onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Marlan Sawyer)

Indians and Alaska Natives comprise 2.3 percent (8,689) of the Navy’s total force, 1 percent (600) of the officer ranks and 2.8 percent (1,206) of enlisted Sailors.”

For Hanley, being able to serve is a great way to keep history alive and share the rich heritage with her Navy family.

“This is an opportunity to learn more about us,” said Hanley. “It’s very important that we remember where we originate from as a culture. The heritage of American Indians adds to the Navy’s diversity. The Sailors within the Navy

A Navajo cloth blanket, jewelry and arrowheads are displayed during the National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month ceremony onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Marlan Sawyer)

Giving Back to Those Before Us

By MC3 Jamin Gordon

V

Volunteers place flags at a Hampton Roads Veterans’ Cemetery for Veterans Day. (Photo courtesy of GM3 Michelle Lopera)

eterans Day is a holiday meant to honor those who served, and are currently serving. While many government employees and service members enjoy a day off in addition to many freebees from local businesses, it is important

to remember what Veterans Day is about—service.

Sailors assigned to the Weapons Department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) participated in a community relations (COMREL) event Nov. 11, at the Arnold G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Va. “I was looking for

ways to pay it forward and pay respects to our veterans, and the event popped up,” said Gunners Mate 3rd Class Michelle Lopera, one of the event coordinators. “I

couldn’t pass up such a beautiful opportunity.”

The Sailors gathered at the cemetery early in the day, began cleaning gravesites, and placing American flags in front of each tombstone.

Even though the weather was foul and didn’t cooperate for them, it didn’t deter the Sailors from doing their part in the community,

“My favorite part of this event was that everyone was in high spirits,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Monica Celaya, an event participant.

“Despite the bad weather, everyone was still helping the community.”

Lt. Shineka Haskins, another event participant, shared the same sentiments as Celaya, stating how proud she was of the department’s turnout and how they all came together to get the job done.

The Sailors realized that taking care of the cemetery was bigger than just being involved

Volunteers from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) pose for a group photo. (Photo courtesy of GM3 Michelle Lopera)

in a COMREL. They saw the bigger picture, the bigger meaning behind Veterans Day.

“I think it’s very important that we don’t forget those who’ve come before us,” said Lopera.

“What we do today doesn’t compare to what the ones before us have done and have overcome.

Today wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

In addition to paying homage to veterans that came before current day service members, visiting the cemetery was another way to remember all veterans.

“By taking part in this COMREL, we were able to show veterans and citizens that they haven’t been forgotten,” said Haskins. “Veterans Day for me is about remembering those who are living and who have fallen and sacrificed so that I could serve.”

Celaya felt that it was imperative to participate in this event not only to give back but also because of a more personal

connection.

“This was an opportunity to provide support for fallen service members,” said Celaya.

“My father served and retired from the Army. I felt a strong connection to this holiday.”

While this event was valuable for the community and past veterans, it also served to show junior Sailors the impact they have on the public.

“I believe junior Sailors were able to see that [as a veteran], whether they are here or not, they aren’t forgotten,” said Haskins.

“Their service is commended,

not just by the Navy, but people appreciate the uniform and what the military does for the country.

Recognizing veterans honors the service member and it honors their families.”

No matter how one chooses to spend their Veterans Day, remember with service comes sacrifice, and sometimes all it takes is braving the weather that Mother Nature provides to make a difference.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE Sailors weld, saw, joint, sew, assemble, paint, sandblast, and fabricate at the Light Industrial Facility, or LIFAC, one of several satellite locations where GW Sailors work tirelessly to move the ship toward its ultimate goal of returning to the fleet.

Photos by MCSA Jack Lepien

NAVY NEWS

T

Ronald Reagan, John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Groups Operate in Philippine Sea From Commander, 7th Fleet Public Affairs

he Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike

Group

(RRNSG)

and John C. Stennis Carrier

Strike Group (JCSSG) are conducting high-end dual carrier operations in the Philippine Sea. While steaming together, the two carrier strike groups will execute complex air, surface and anti-submarine warfare operations in international waters and airspace.

“Bringing two carrier strike groups together provides unparalleled naval combat power, tremendous operational flexibility

and

reach

across

the

region,” said Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “It shows our forces at their best, operating confidently at sea, and demonstrates that the U.S. Navy will fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows.”

Units assigned to these strike groups will

conduct

operations

designed

to demonstrate the Navy’s unique capability to operate multiple carrier strike groups as a coordinated strike force effort.

“The increased presence of two carrier strike groups in the region highlights the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Sawyer added. “As it has for decades, the U.S. Navy will continue to provide security in ways that promote regional stability and prosperity.”

For

several

years,

U.S.

Navy

aircraft carriers have conducted dual carrier strike group operations in the Western Pacific, including the waters surrounding the Korean Peninsula,

Ships with the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group transit the Philippine Sea during dual carrier operations, Nov. 16, 2018. Ronald Reagan and John C. Stennis are underway and conducting operations in international waters as part of a dual carrier strike force exercise. The U.S. Navy has patrolled the Indo-Pacific region routinely for more than 70 years promoting regional security, stability and prosperity. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaila V. Peters (Released)

Sea of Japan, South China Sea, East

Philippine Sea. In September 2014, the

China Sea and Philippine Sea. These

aircraft carriers USS George Washington

operations typically occur when strike

(CVN 73) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN

groups deployed to 7th Fleet from the

70) strike groups conducted combined

West Coast of the United States join the

operations in the Western Pacific, and

forward-deployed carrier strike group in

in September 2012, they operated in

Japan.

the South China Sea and East China

Before arriving in the Philippine

Sea. In 2009, George Washington and

Sea, Stennis executed dual strike group

Nimitz operated together in the Western

operations with Carl Vinson off Hawaii,

Pacific and in Valiant Shield 2007 and

including strike and anti-submarine

2006 three-carrier strike groups were

warfare operations.

operating in the Philippine Sea. In 2001,

Last year, the aircraft carriers USS

the aircraft carriers USS Constellation

Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Ronald Reagan

(CV 64) and Carl Vinson operated

(CVN 76) and USS Theodore Roosevelt

together in the South China Sea.

(CVN 71) conducted a tri-carrier strike

The dual carrier operations of these

force exercise in the Western Pacific. In

two strike groups combines 10 ships,

2016, Ronald Reagan and the aircraft

approximately 150 aircraft and 12,600

carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

personnel.

conducted combined operations in the

EXECUTIVE DECISIONS

Capt. Cardone Speaks on the Ship’s Mission

By MC3 Carter Denton

Q

uality leadership is crucial to the proper functioning of any organization. With the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) currently undergoing refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipyard, command leadership aims to deliver the ship back to active service as safely and quickly as possible.

Capt. Daryle Cardone, the executive officer (XO) of George Washington, plays an instrumental role in accomplishing this mission.

“Escorting the ship back into the water and seeing her deploy on time – that’s what showing up here every day is about,” said Cardone.

The RCOH process in Newport News Shipyard is a vastly different experience than serving on an operational aircraft carrier.

“The ship is not in the water and

every other carrier I’ve been aboard has been floating, so there is much here that is unfamiliar and unnatural to us as Sailors,” said Cardone. “Who would’ve thought when they raised their right hand to serve at sea that they would end up here in a shipyard?”

Even though RCOH may not be what Sailors expected as part of their naval service, returning a carrier to active service is a vitally important role.

“Take comfort and pride in the idea that what they are doing on a daily basis is what the Navy and the nation has asked and expects of us,” said Cardone.

“Every pump we refurbish, every watertight door we replace, every deck we re-do, every piece of lagging we put back on, day-by-day, we are bringing the ship back to life.”

With the task of overhauling one of the largest warships in the world, George Washington Sailors have a

daunting task ahead of them. However, the crew has come together to accomplish the task, even performing jobs outside their rating specialty.

“What impresses me about the crew is that every Sailor shows up here taking the job that they are given, which isn’t necessarily the one they expected when assigned to an aircraft carrier, and comes across the brow and rolls up their sleeves and gets after it,” said Cardone.

Shifting an aircraft carrier to Newport News for the four-year-long RCOH process is a monumental undertaking, and completing the maintenance necessary for the ship to return to open ocean steaming is of vital importance to all involved.

“I also know that the American people, and the rest of the Navy quite frankly, are counting on us to show up here and do the hard work every day because that’s going to let this ship redeploy successfully,” said Cardone.

With such an important task, it’s crucial that the ship’s crew stay motivated. In this regard, the XO serves as an example for Sailors to follow.

“What’s motivating me in the morning is the opportunity to show up here and to do the hard work,” said Cardone. “I want to show up here doing my part every day, ensuring that we stay on task, and long after the three of us (the command leadership triad) transfer, we see her put back in the water and back out toward the 7th Fleet. That’s what it’s all about.”

The XO puts emphasis on the significance of the crew taking ownership of the ship each and every day.

“Ownership is important because it places us at the center of not just problems, but the solutions,” said Cardone. “We should have the mindset that this ship is ours and we’re here to be the best stewards of the ship as we can for the time that we’re assigned here.”

Cardone, and leaders like him, play a central role in the continued advancement of the ship’s mission, ensuring the successful and timely completion of RCOH and the ship’s return to service .

By MCSA Jack Lepien

C

hildren are singing, there’s cheer in the air, bells are a-ringing, and the weather is fair. The holidays are finally upon us, and with them comes not only joy and mirth, but also an increase in crime sprees and foodborne illnesses.

Around this time of year, people buy expensive gifts and travel to see family, but these seasonal habits leave people open to seasonal dangers.

According to Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Mark L. Collins, during the weeks leading up to Christmas and after, theft becomes more common, due to the increased

purchase of expensive items such as televisions, game stations, and jewelry.

“We see a lot of break-ins, especially after you go shopping and leave the boxes for expensive things, such as TVs and Xbox’s, outside for the trash,” said Collins.

“If you have any boxes, break them down and dispose of them properly.”

Vehicles also become a target for thieves.

“You can protect your car by always keeping it locked,” said Collins. “Don’t leave things like weapons, purses, wallets, or anything that has your information

on it in your car when you’re not in it.”

The dangers of theft are not only for things already purchased, however. There are risks while shopping, especially at big events like Black Friday.

“It’s best to bring a friend to watch your back,” said Collins.

“Always keep your head on a swivel. When you go shopping, try not to shop with wads of cash. A card is safer and less likely to be physically stolen.”

While paying attention to your surroundings can help protect against theft, it’s not the only danger during the holidays.

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Amber Elbert, from Fluorescent, Colorado, the S-5 damage control petty officer, says that food also poses a significant health risk around this time of year.

“Focus on making vegetables and other healthy foods,” said Elbert. “People tend to load up on sweets and fatty foods. You should focus on high protein, low-fat meats like turkey.

Dessert is tricky, and pie is pretty bad for you, but if you’re looking for a healthier dessert, the tarts that are made with real, fresh fruit aren’t too bad for you.”

Aside from healthy eating habits, proper food preparation is also key.

Always, always make sure that you cook your turkey to an internal temperature of 160 degrees,” said

Elbert. “If not, your guests can catch all kinds of diseases. Use clean equipment and wash your hands, especially if you’ve been outside, or playing with kids or pets. It’s also cold and flu season, so be very careful with that.”

Whether staying home or traveling, cooking a meal or having a meal cooked for you, this is the time of year to be extra mindful of your surroundings and watch out for the potential hidden dangers of the holidays.

CORNER

GEORGE’S

Riddle #1

What can’t you eat for breakfast?

Riddle #2

What’s the worst vegetable to have on a ship?

“We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” ~ Thomas Paine

Riddle Answers Lunch and Dinner/ A Leek

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