The Washington Surveyor - March 25, 2019

WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE

March 25, 2019

By MCSN Jack Lepien

HONING SKILLS ON THE HIGH SEAS GW SAILORS GETS UNDERWAY

By MC3 Adam Ferrero

MARITIME MEDICAL MAN CHIEF LONG’S TAD STORY

By MCSN Samuel Pederson

GW SAILOR SUPPORTS LINCOLN HM3 WILLIAMS GOES UNDERWAY

By MC3 Michael Botts

MAST-STEPPING CEREMONY COMMEMORATING ANCIENT NAVAL TRADITION

washington surveyor Commanding Officer Capt. Glenn Jamison

Executive Officer Capt. Daryle Cardone

Command Master Chief CMDCM Maurice Coffey

BMSN Jennifer Zavala HN Michael Matchett LSSN James Southers CS3 Yves Abessoloakamba ET3 Elliot Nickell ET3 Shyanna Sexton AD3 Jarius Mangham MMN2 William Radecki MMN3 Richard Bivens

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Stephanie Turo

Deputy Public Affairs Officer

CSSN Bernadette Crichton ABFAN Rian O’Quinn AOAN Tristian Pate OS2 Joseph Mejares BM2 Rio Flores OS3 Keiva Turner SN Noah Moorhead AN William Donhardt BMSA Danial Valdivia AN Thomas Blanton ATAN Shean Cain AOAN Ilianna Delprado AN Naomi Luquis

Lt. Tyler Barker

Departmental LCPO MCCS Reginald Buggs

Divisional LCPO MCC Mary Popejoy

Editors

MC3 Adam Ferrero MCSN Jack Lepien

Content MC1 Gary Johnson MC2 Kenneth Gardner MC2 Alan Lewis MC2 Mandi Washington MC3 Michael Botts MC3 Carter Denton MC3 Trey Hutcheson MC3 Kyle Loree MC3 Marlan Sawyer MC3 Zack Thomas MC3 Julie Vujevich MCSN Elizabeth Cohen MCSN Tatyana Freeman MCSN Jack Lepien MCSN Samuel Pederson

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.

ESWS Coordinators

EAWS Coordinators

EIWS Coordinators

HMC Knesha Wimbush CSC Joe Magri

ABHC Rodney Martinez ABH1 Jade Cobb

ITC Xica Johnson IT1 Johnathan Kuehn

“On matters of style, swim with the current. On matters of principle, stand like a rock.” ~Thomas Jefferson

SAILOR in the SPOTLIGHT

SR Madaelyn Zaragoza Seaman Recruit Madaelyn Zaragoza, from Del Rio, Texas, joined the Navy July 2018 to get out of the state and see what the world had to offer. As a member of GW’s security force, she says that she loves being ready and able to protect the ship and crew members she works alongside every day. Zaragoza wants to strike Master-at-Arms one day. Her favorite movie is “Split,” and she loves the garlic cheddar biscuits at Red Lobster.

MARITIME MEDICAL MAN Chief Long’s TAD Tale

By MC3 Adam Ferrero

I

t’s one thing to talk about military readiness. However, as many Sailors will tell you, putting one’s knowledge to the test on the open ocean is a whole different story.

One such Sailor is a general duty corpsman assigned to the medical department of the Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), Chief Hospital Corpsman David Long from Rockford, Illinois. Long recently completed a temporary assigned duty (TAD) period in support of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ABECSG) during its participation in composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX).

COMPTUEX is a month-long certification exercise that assesses a strike group’s ability to conduct military operations at sea and project power ashore through

onbo ard a high -spe ed HMC Davi d Long take s a self ie e bein g laun ched whil et targ mane uver able surf ace supp ort vess el Hunt er ning trai the of back the from Davi d Long ) (TSV -3). (Pho to Cour tesy of HMC

joint planning and execution of challenging and realistic training scenarios.

“COMPTUEX goes on for about a month, and there were many Sailors on TAD that came in to support,” said Senior Chief Gunner’s Mate Paul Fahrenbach, a coordinator from Carrier Strike Group 4, who evaluated the exercise.

As one such Sailor, Long quite literally played multiple roles.

“I was asked to be a role-player and assessor for certain aspects of ship certification, not for the Lincoln itself specifically, but for the escort ships and small boys, the [guided-missile destroyers] and cruisers, for [maritime interdiction operations] and [visit, board, search and seizure],” said Long. “We did counter-piracy scenarios, which would be called non-compliant boarding because

they needed to aggressively take control of the ship. We also did vessel-in-distress scenarios, which is compliant boarding, where we would invite them to come on to secure our ship because we couldn’t maintain it ourselves.”

As part of the mission, Long was tasked with many in-depth scenarios.

“Basically they’d say, ‘you’ll act as a vessel that was attacked by pirates, the pirates have left, and Sailors have to come on board,’” said Long. “I went because a lot of the scenarios involved simulated casualties. I’m a [tactical combat casualty care] instructor and I’ve gone to the class on how to use the training aids and the moulage, the makeup and stuff. My role was to plan the casualties, design the medical scenarios that included the details of how individuals were hurt

and their injuries, and use all the supplies to create injuries as realistically as I could. When Sailors would come aboard, I would grade their tactics and their medical care. Are they triaging casualties correctly? Are they performing emergency care?”

Long’s experiences showed exactly why exercises such as these are so valuable.

“A lot of people that came aboard could tell me exactly what they should do according to the checklist, but when I stop them and tell them to just do it, they struggle,” said Long. “They know what they’re supposed to do, but have they had a chance to practice those skills or have they just talked about it? This comes down from the [chief of naval operations] when he talks about [repititions] and sets of hard training. The only way to build those skills is through repetition.

You should expect your training to be hard, you should expect your training to be repetitive, and as realistic as possible while being safe. That’s how you build capability for when it really matters.”

While pressure can be high in an evaluation environment, the perseverance and excellence displayed by Sailors involved made for a very rewarding experience.

“When one cruiser’s VBSS team came over, a [hospital corpsman 3rd class] that boarded with them was one of my junior Sailors in the emergency department at Naval Hospital Sigonella,” said Long. “I didn’t know he was there, and he didn’t know I was there. He knocked the scenario out of the water and performed excellently. To see someone that I’ve trained and worked with before out there on his own, doing exactly what

he’s supposed to, that’s pretty rewarding.”

Little did Long know though that he would be in for quite a few more rewarding moments.

“There’s another element in this exercise called [Atlantic Targets and Marine Operations] that run the small orange target boats.

When I got aboard, one of the first things they asked was, ‘would you be willing to come out on the [rigid-hulled inflatable boat] (RHIB) because we’re down a crew member.’ We ended up doing these high-speed, 30 to 35-knot attack runs against the coalition ships. Imagine being on this little, orange RHIB in the middle of the ocean, well offshore, running full-speed and trying to run down Lincoln as [destroyers] are doing 30-degree high speed turns in front of us to kick up a wake and throw us off track. There were [helicopters] coming in to shoulder us out. It was easily the most fun part, like something out of a recruiting commercial.”

Long’s experience is an excellent reminder that taking on a new challenge can be thoroughly gratifying.

“The TAD was rewarding, valuable, and turned out to be a lot of fun too, with some unique experiences that I’ll probably never have again,” said Long.

“That’s a good lesson. You have to be ready to go at all times. Don’t be afraid to say yes to things that may not sound like the most glamorous or exciting, or you’ll end up missing out on some really good opportunities.”

The crew of the training support vessel Hunter (TSV-3), look on as a high-speed maneuverable surface target returns from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during Composite Training Unit Exercise with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. (Photo courtesy of HMC David Long)

Sailors participate in a medical casualty with simulated injuries during composite training unit exercise with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. (Photo courtesy of HMC David Long)

High-speed maneuverable surface targets surround the training support vessel Hunter (TSV-3) during Composite Training Unit Exercise with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. (Photo courtesy of HMC David Long)

(U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Robert McRill)

HONING SKILLS ON THE HIGH SEAS

GW SAILOR GETS UNDERWAY

R

efueling complex overhaul (RCOH), a comprehensive four-year renovation process, is designed to deconstruct an aircraft carrier into its basic components and then build the ship back up stronger than it ever was. As the ship becomes stronger, her Sailors grow stronger too, many of them gaining valuable experience aboard operational ships throughout the fleet.

One of the latest Sailors to be forged by the sea is Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Seaman Apprentice Angel Anthony Morales, from Ventura, California, a Sailor assigned to the intelligence department of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN

73). Morales recently completed a temporary assigned duty (TAD) period with the Ticonderogaclass guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

Leyte Gulf went underway last month for composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), an activity that builds up the knowledge and abilities of the crew while testing the limits and readiness of the ship herself.

“I went out to sea to learn, to train, and I’m better because of it,” said Morales. “I learned a lot, and I feel much more comfortable in my rate now.”

Morales said that his working schedule was strenuous, but not impossible.

“They had us working in shifts, where we would

By MCSN Jack Lepien

stand watch for six hours, do maintenance for six hours, and then have 12 hours to get [qualifications], sleep, and relax,” said Morales. “I stood watch over an anti-ship missile defense system, and that’s a very serious task.”

Morales also talked about the benefits of being at sea.

“Although RCOH is an important task, it was nice to be out, experiencing my rate,” said Morales. “I enjoyed the opportunity to get hands-on training in a way that you can’t get anywhere else.”

Morales spent his time off getting qualifications.“When I wasn’t working, I was working on my quals,” said Morales. “My work center supervisor, CTT1

perf orms main tena nce on a CTTS A Ange l Anth ony Mora les e Gulf (CG- 55). (Pho to Leyt USS weap ons syst em aboa rd ner) cour tesy of CTT1 Lesl ie Beld

Beldner,would always tell us how important quals are.”

The work center supervisor of the operations technical division aboard Leyte Gulf, Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class Leslie Beldner, from St. Louis, said that Morales became qualified in many different areas.

“Morales filled a very versatile role on the ship,” said Beldner. “Not only did he do his job as a CTT, but he was always the first to help out in other areas, such as the repair locker.”

Beldner also said that Morales helped out the ship as a whole with his yearning for training.

“He’s a real go-getter,” said Beldner. “His determination and fast learning kept him constantly getting quals. His drive and potential benefitted the ship by filling gaps in the manning of the ship.”

Overall, going underway and performing duties as a Sailor is something all Sailors should experience, in Morales’ opinion.

“To anyone who’s on the fence about going on temporary duty: go,” said Morales. “There’s no better way to gain more valuable training as a Sailor in the United States Navy.”

MAST-STEPPING CEREMONY

Commemorating Ancient Naval Traditions

By MC3 Michael Botts

I

The new mast is installed aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). (Photo courtesy of Huntington-Ingalls Industries)

n keeping with ancient naval tradition, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) conducted a mast-stepping ceremony March 15, this version of tradition marking a significant milestone in George Washington’s refueling complex overhaul (RCOH).

About 100 Sailors, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) employees, and Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP) Sailors and employees attended the ceremony on the flight deck, located directly below the newly installed mast.

According to a blog post titled Mast Stepping: A Mariner’s Tradition, mast-stepping is an ancient Greek and Roman practice of putting coins at the base of a mast of a ship under construction and has continued throughout history. It is believed that due to

the dangers of early sea travel, the coins were placed under the mast so the crew would be able to cross into the afterlife if the ship were sunk. The Romans believed it was necessary for a person to take coins with them to pay Charon, who in Greek mythology is the ferryman of Hades, the god of the dead and the king of the Underworld, in order to cross the river Styx, a deity and a river that forms the boundary between Earth and the Underworld, to the afterlife.

Another theory for the origination of mast-stepping ceremonies is that the insertion of coins in ships may have functioned as a form of sacrifice, thanking the gods for a successful construction, or a request for divine protection in the future.

“Mast-stepping is a way to link the past with the future,” said

Capt. Glenn Jamison, commanding officer of George Washington.

“It is a way to honor the heritage of this ship and our namesake.

George Washington once said that ‘without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious.’ Now, with this new mast signifying the progress our team has made this far into RCOH, USS George Washington is ready to carry on the mantle of representing the Navy as only Gen. George Washington could have imagined it.”

Photographs, a crew roster, several coins, a piece of the old mast and other items significant to the history of the ship and its crew were placed in a time capsule attached to a metal plate, made by George Washington’s aircraft intermediate maintenance department, and will later be

Capt. Daryle Cardone, executive officer of USS George Washington (CVN 73), places mementos into a time capsule during a mast-stepping ceremony held on the ship’s flight deck. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Michael Botts)

welded under the ship’s new main mast.

George Washington arrived at Newport News Shipbuilding in August 2017 to begin its RCOH process.

“I am proud to be here today to represent the more than 3,500 shipbuilders who are working to restore USS George Washington for another 25 years of service,” said Chris Miner, Newport News Shipbuilidng’s vice president of in-service aircraft carrier programs. “The mast-stepping is a proud moment for the shipbuilders and the Sailors. It is a celebration of years of innovation, perseverance, and dedicated teamwork by many people, here at the shipyard and in the Navy.

We recognize that our success is critical to the readiness of the Navy fleet. Today’s ceremony celebrates an important milestone

for the team and the ship.”

This mast-stepping ceremony marks a significant milestone of the RCOH process for George Washington. George Washington is on track for delivery in 2021, and once completed, will rejoin the fleet for another 25 years of service.

“When George Washington leaves our shipyard, she will

carry with her our mementos and our hearts,” said Miner. “USS George Washington is a great national asset that, thanks to all of your hard work, will continue to serve our country as a symbol of America’s strength, pride, and diplomacy anywhere she is needed, and no matter where she is needed we all, every one of us, will be with her in spirit, always.”

Sailors assigned to USS George Washington bow their heads for the invocation during a mast-stepping ceremony held on the ship’s flight deck. (U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Michael Botts)

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U.S. Armed Forces personnel with active duty service between November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location of service. vietnamwar50th.com

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GW SAILOR SUPPORTS LINCOLN

By MCSN Samuel Lee Pederson HM3 Kaitlyn Williams poses for a photo March 22, 2019. (U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Samuel Lee Pederson)

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esourceful, reliable, and responsible. These are the characteristics used to describe one of the the Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 72)’s hospital corpsmen that went on temporary assigned duty (TAD) to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Kaitlyn Williams, from Hudson, Massachusetts, a surgical technologist aboard the Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) supported Lincoln during their one-month underway for composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX).

Because of her hardworking attitude, both on and off duty, she was recognized by her chain of command as someone who would

benefit significantly from getting underway on an operational carrier.

“She’s just an excellent Sailor,” said George Washington’s medical department leading petty officer Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jenny Marie Andetta, from Kent, Washington. “She’s a model Sailor too, with her conduct here at work and off duty.”

From Jan. 14 to Feb. 23, Williams worked with Lincoln’s medical department, utilizing her specialized training to help Lincoln’s medical team.

“By [navy enlisted classification], I am a surgical technologist,” said Williams.

“I got to assist with four minor procedures within the operating room on Lincoln with the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and two other

surgical technologists.”

She also found herself becoming a subject matter expert on specific areas in their line of work and became a valuable part of the training regimen in the medical department.

“My favorite part about being TAD was being the subject matter expert in surgical procedures and being able to use my skills and teach other corpsmen how to handle surgical patients and injuries,” said Williams. “I was requested numerous times by other corpsmen to complete sutures on patients. I was able to teach them how to suture as well.”

She was able to use the oftenhectic environment of being underway to better herself and hone her skills as a hospital

corpsman, skills that she is able to practice while aboard George Washington, but are not generally required in her day-to-day operations.

“On [George Washington], we don’t do very many procedures, which is technically a good thing,” said Williams. “That means no one is getting hurt.”

Even after Lincoln pulled back into Norfolk and Williams returned to George Washington, she continued to work hard at bettering those around her.

“She not only went there, not only helped out the crew, but she took notes on everything,” said Andetta.

With Lincoln being the latest ship to complete refueling complex overhaul (RCOH), Williams took the initiative to find out what successes and setbacks Lincoln’s medical department faced during RCOH, and how George Washington can learn from them.

“She asked them what were their lessons learned, what were their issues coming out of the yards,” said Andetta. “Because they just accomplished what we’re about to.”

Andetta went on to say how Williams’ performance on Lincoln reflects the reasons they selected her to go TAD. “She took copious notes, and actually came back and briefed the entire chain of command, and I just think that’s a testament to the type of Sailor that she is,” said Andetta.

While Williams learned a lot of great things, assisted where she could, and took back some valuable lessons learned, she also got to experience the one thing Sailors should always strive to do, and that’s get underway.

“I have never been underway on any ship until I went to Lincoln,” said Williams. “It was really great to see what it’s really like to be out at sea as well as what the [George

Washington] will eventually be when it comes out of the yards.”

Williams got a chance to see and experience many new things that haven’t been available to her at her current command.

“One really cool experience I had was a dual refueling at sea or RAS. When we started taking on fuel from another ship, a second Navy ship comes alongside the fuel ship and starts refueling as well,” said Williams. “Three ships all connected, sailing at sea, was a very cool experience.”

“I’m grateful that she’s with us,” said Andetta. “And if she wants to go again on another deployment, I think that it’d be a great opportunity for her. It would be wonderful to let her do that.”

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) participates in replenishment-at-sea with the Henry J. Kiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Allen Lee)

NAVY NEWS The Port City, Wilmington, North Carolina, is scheduled to host members of the U.S. Navy during Wilmington Navy Week, April 1-7, coinciding with the North Carolina Azalea Festival.

Navy Weeks, coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach, are designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people and its importance to national security and prosperity. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at the Navy the nation needs.

Steffanie Easter, Director, Navy Staff, Office of Chief of Naval Operations, will share the Navy’s message with local civic organizations, businesses and community groups as the senior Navy executive during the week.

Additionally, Easter will crown the Queen of the North Carolina Azalea Festival on Wednesday, April 3, 3-4:30 p.m. This is a long-standing tradition for attendees of the festival. Navy Sailors will also march in the 72nd North Carolina Azalea Festival Parade on Saturday, April 6, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Navy Weeks play a vital role in connecting the American public with a large array of Sailors, assets and equipment. The weeklong event strives to engage with local communities who do not have frequent visibility of the Navy.

“We are really excited to be coming to Wilmington,” said Lt. Davis Anderson, lead planner for Wilmington Navy Week.

“All throughout the planning process, Wilmington residents have been very helpful and welcoming, and together we have worked to create a great schedule that will give locals a chance to interact with their Navy.”

Sailors participating come from a wide range of commands, demonstrating the Navy’s versatility and vitality in protecting and defending America around the world, around the clock.

The Port City to Welcome U.S. Navy during Wilmington Navy Week

By Kayla Turnbow, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

CHARLESTON, S.C. (March 16, 2019) Sailors assigned to USS Constitution march in the Charleston, South Carolina St. Patrick’s Day Parade during Charleston Navy Week.

Charleston is one of the selected cities to host a 2019 Navy Week, a week dedicated to raising U.S. Navy awereness through local outreach, community service and exhibitions.

(U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Donovan Keller/Released)

Among those participating will be the Sailors from the oldest American warship, USS Constitution, Navy Band Northeast, the Virginia-class attack submarine USS North Carolina, Coastal Riverine Squadron Two and Naval Operations Support Command Wilmington, U.S. Fleet Forces Environmental and Navy Recruiting District Raleigh.

“The crew of the USS Constitution will be giving historic presentations dressed in our 1813 uniforms,” said Chief Yeoman Patrick Parker. “We discuss the history of the Navy and how it ties into USS Constitution. We know that it’s not easy for the entire U.S. population and people of Wilmington to make it up to Boston so it’s important that we travel to cities without a naval presence and share our story.”

The week’s events will include school presentations, public band performances, parade participation, community service projects, and expeditionary demonstrations.

“Attendees of Wilmington Navy Week will experience a wide spectrum of musical excellence displayed by the sailors of Navy Band Northeast,” said Musician 3rd Class April Griffin. “During the week, listeners will be amazed by our dynamic popular music group, ‘Rhode Island Sound,’ and our Brass Quintet will inspire with their superb performances of a wide range of musical styles. Later in the week, listeners will enjoy the impressive musicality and precision of our 18-piece ceremonial band. The pièce de résistance will be the pageantry of our full marching band on parade in honor of all the past and present sailors of the U.S. Navy.”

Wilmington is the fourth of 14 Navy Weeks scheduled in 2019. To see a full schedule of events open to the public, please visit https://outreach.navy.mil/ Navy-Weeks/Wilmington/

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