The Washington Surveyor Feb. 26, 2022

WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE

Vol. 22, Issue 2

Feb 28, 2022

LOCKED, LOADED, AND READY TO LAUNCH: 2

Q & A with the Ombudsman: 5 Shipmates helping shipmates: 8

LOCKED, LOADED, AND READY TO LAUNCH Story by MCSN Jack L. Lepien Surveyor Staff Writer

T

Photos by MC3 Stephen B. Sullins Surveyor Staff Photographer

he Nimitz-class aircraft and upgrades nearly every system necessary to reinstall and operate carrier USS George aboard, including the ship’s nuclear flight deck equipment following Washington (CVN 73) completed reactors, weapons and navigation RCOH. the first trials of one of its newly systems, and the aircraft catapults.

“The Sailors in my work center installed aircraft-launching catapult “Once we entered the yards, have been trained by many different Feb. 9. getting all the catapults removed Sailors at many different commands One of the first trials of a newly took days, each,” said Aviation around the world,” said Sanders. installed catapult is the “noBoatswain’s Mate (Equipment) “We may have been here in the load” catapult shot: a test of the 1st Class Daniel K. Sanders, from yards for the last few years, but my catapult’s ability to fire without any Sacramento, California, the leading crew has a diversity of knowledge aircraft or test weight attached. petty officer of air department’s unlike any other.”

Aircraft carriers are The ship’s catapults the largest ships in were reinstalled October the entire Naval fleet, 2021 and George but their gargantuan Washington was finally proportions are sadly able to start the return a smidge too small for towards the mission of aircraft to gain the speed launching and recovering necessary for take-off. aircraft at sea.

A simple solution to The catapult’s a complex problem: reinstallation wasn’t the catapults that launch work of only one group. aircraft from a dead stop Air department worked to 165 miles per hour in alongside Sailors from under two seconds.

George Washington’s “We began testing repair, auxiliary, and the catapult below decks electrical divisions to back in December, but integrate the catapults now we’re finally ready with vital ship systems like to see the results of all steam and electrical. of our hard work,” said “Over the last several Lt. Zachary J. Weaver, from Longwood, Florida, divisional officer assigned to air department’s V-2 division aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), conducts testing Lt. Zachary J. Weaver, months, all we’ve been doing of catapult one as the flight deck shooter. from Longwood, Florida, an is working on installing these aircraft launch and recovery catapults and getting them officer assigned to air department’s bow catapults work center. “We ready for tests and [certifications],” V-2 division aboard George had to remove the trough covers, said Sanders. “Sometimes we’d work Washington. and both cylinders. We stood out long hours, sometimes my guys With nearly 450 pounds of there with the whole division, all would have to come in on weekends, pressure in their pistons, the steam- day, in order to hand-crank the but that’s just what it was gonna powered catapults aboard the ship catapult out of the flight deck.” take to get this done, and eventually are no simple machines; they require With the catapults temporarily get this ship back to sea.” constant care and maintenance. absent, the goal became to prepare And for the first time in over five Halfway through a Nimitzthe crew for their eventual return. years, the flight deck came alive. class carrier’s 50-year lifespan, Sailors were dispatched to all “I know that each day we’re they complete refueling complex corners of the fleet, aboard other closer to rejoining the fleet,” said overhaul (RCOH), a multi-year carriers and assigned to squadrons, Weaver. “George Washington is maintenance period that refurbishes to gain the knowledge and skills coming back to life.” GW

2 • The Washington Surveyor

DID YOU KNOW?

SURVEYOR STAFF Commanding Officer Capt. Brent C. Gaut

Executive Officer

GOATS AND THE U.S. NAVY

Capt. William M. Mathis

Command Master Chief CMDCM (AW/SW) Christopher R. Zeigler

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Javan W. Rasnake

Senior Editors MCCS (SW/AW) Lori D. Bent MCC (SW/AW) Christina M. Shaw

Editors MC1 (SW) Stacy M. Atkins Ricks MC2 (SW) Robert J. Stamer

Layout and Design MC3 Stephen B. Sullins

“Billie’s Morning Bath.” Sailors washing a goat mascot on board a U.S. Navy battleship, circa 1907-1908. Note Marines looking in the left-center background, one armed with a Krag-Jorgensen rifle. This photo may have been taken during the Great White Fleet world cruise. Collection of Chief Quartermaster John Harold (NH 101549).

F

rom being a food source to serving as a mascot, goats have a long history in the U.S. Navy.

In the early days of the service, many larger ships kept goats and other livestock on board as a source of fresh meat and milk. Not all livestock fared as well as goats. Oxen could get scurvy and sheep did not take well to sea life. Hens only prospered in good weather. Goats were the only livestock able to maintain “sea legs,” in any weather, and under all conditions.

Into the 19th century, goats continued to be useful aboard ship. Rear Adm. Robley D. Evans gave an account of the time when, as a junior officer, he was ordered to milk a very agitated goat onboard USS Shenandoah in 1873.

“I found her in a very excited state of mind apparently, having butted out the captain’s steward and a marine orderly who had attempted to relieve her of her milk. One of them had tried to hold her while the other went for the milk. . . . procuring some warm water and exercising a little patience in the premises, [we] soon relieved her of the milk, which was evidently giving her pain.”

In the 20th century, goats served a different purpose—as mascots. Goats

Contributors MC3 Dyxan K. Williams MC3 Stephen B. Sullins

continued to ride on U.S. Navy ships, but MC3 Nicholas A. Russell now served as pets and morale boosters MCSN Jack A. Lepien rather than sources of food. The Navy’s first goat mascot, El Cid, was the pet MCSN Preston M. Cash aboard the cruiser New York (Armored Cruiser No. 2). In 1893, New York crew members brought El Cid to Annapolis for the Army-Navy game—which the Navy won. Midshipmen attributed the victory to the presence of the goat. From this The Washington Surveyor is an authorized publication point onward, the U.S. Naval Academy’s for Sailors serving aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). Contents herein are not the visions of, or endorsed tradition of having a goat as a mascot was by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer born. of USS George Washington. All news releases, photos, The term “goat locker,” is another or information for publication in The Washington Surveyor must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer. example of how the goat has influenced Navy culture. In 1893, when the chief petty officer rank was established, the goat locker was still the area where goats were kept aboard ship. The goats were under the charge of the chief petty officers and the livestock pens were in the chiefs’ quarters. “Goat locker” is still used today as a nickname for the chief petty officers’ mess and berthing. The Bluejacket’s WHAT ARE THE THREE POSITIONS Manual also states that the goat locker is a “good-natured OF THE VARI-NOZZLE? reference to chiefs as ‘old A) Solid stream, Fog, Circle goats.’” GW B) Fog, Wide V, Solid Stream C) Solid Stream, Wide Fog, Narrow V D) Big, Not So Big, Froggy Answer: C

On the cover: Sailors assigned to air department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) prepare to launch a shuttle during testing of catapult one.

SHARKTANK SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT

OS2 (SW/AW) Keiva M.Turner, Safety Department

For service as USS George Washington’s command safety technician. As divisional safety petty officer (DSPO) coordinator, she facilitated three enlisted safety committee meetings, gathering together 109 divisional safety petty officers from 15 departments, collecting data vital to improving GW’s safety climate. She also has conducted 579 hot work audits and 347 safety walkthroughs. She enrolled 67 DSPOs in the safety petty officer afloat course, creating well trained and knowledgeable DSPOs. Additionally, as command medical surveillance coordinator, she is responsible for tracking 11 critical medical surveillance programs including asbestos, silica, hearing and sight conservation, lead exposure, and others. She has submitted 27 injury and mishap reports to the Joint Forces Risk Management Information system, sharing indicators of safety risk with the fleet. She recently completed her industrial hygiene noise and hearing conservation course, all while in the process of attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

MAN ON THE STREET HT3 Steven Delarosa, Engineering Department Q. “What is your proudest accomplishment working with engineering department?”

A. “My proudest accomplishment is restoring 90% of the ships heads. With every head we completed work on, we knew we were one step closer to leaving the shipyards. It was hard work, but you got to have heart.”

ASK THE CHIEF ABEC (AW/SW) Taiwo O. Samson, Safety Department Q. What can the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society do to help Sailors?

A. “The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is all about Sailors helping Sailors. They offer programs and services like money management classes, quick assist emergency.”

NEWEST ESWS WARRIORS! EMN2 Thomas Hill, Reactor Department MAC Kristi Dennis, Security Department 4 • The Washington Surveyor

MMN2 Manuel Miguel, Reactor Department ABF3 Terrance Spencer, Engineering Department

GEORGE WASHINGTON’S NEW OMBUDSMAN!

Interview by MCSA Corbyn M. Hagman Surveyor Staff Writer

Q. What are your roles and responsibilities as USS George Washington’s command Ombudsman?

A. The Ombudsman is the liaison between the command and the families. They serve as a quick line of communication and offer guidance on resources the Navy offers for any type of assistance our GW Sailors or their families might need.

Q. What are some of the things you help families with?

A. I help with directing family members to resources the Navy offers; like financial assistance, where to find child care, legal assistance, and where to find help for different types of abuse.

As the Ombudsman, I have direct communication with the commanding officer and the command master chief if there is needed involvement from the command.

Q.What is your favorite part about being an Ombudsman?

A. My favorite part about being the Ombudsman is being the person families can go to for help. Being a military spouse for over 23 years, my family and I have gone through a lot of changes. You don’t always have all the answers or know where to go to, but your Ombudsman is the person who can point you in the right direction.

Q. Why do you think your role as an Ombudsman is important?

A. The Ombudsman is important because it’s that connection with the command that sometimes service members, their spouses or family members don’t necessarily know they have access to. There are many resources that are not very well known and I help direct families to what they need.

Q. Is there a specific time where an Ombudsman has helped you in the past?

A. My family and I were scheduled to transfer to Virginia Beach, and in the middle of our PCS everything changed and we found out we were going to Bahrain. We were unsure of what to expect, but we had the command Ombudsman to help us.

Mrs. Gina Valencia

Q. How can Navy families contact you?

A. You can contact me via call or text at 757-951-5076, or via email at ombudsmancvn73@gmail.com Mrs. Valencia’s final thoughts It’s an honor for me to be granted the opportunity to be your Ombudsman. Please reach out to me if you need any help or have any questions. I’m proud to be part of the GW family.

February Health Promotion: Heart Health Heart disease remains the number one killer of both men and women in the United States.

While heart disease is often viewed as something to worry about when you get older, an estimated 6 in 10 preventable heart disease and stroke deaths happen to people under age 65. That is OVER HALF! The key risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. The good news is that heart health can be improved at any age by eating a nutritious diet, exercising most days of the week, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting tobacco. Fortunately, these same risk reduction behaviors pertain to nearly all chronic conditions. Remember, it’s never too EARLY to start protecting heart health!

The Washington Surveyor • 5

NATIONAL ENG Feb 20 -

Sailors assigned to engineering department participate in departmental routine maintenanc to the ship US NAVY PHOTOS BY MC3 NICHOLAS A. RUSSELL, MC3 STEPHEN B

6 • The Washington Surveyor

GINEERS WEEK 27, 2022

t aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) ce. Members of engineering department are vital p’s success.

B. SULLINS, MC3 JACOB S. VAN AMBURG, MC3 DYXAN K. WILLIAMS

The Washington Surveyor • 7

SHIPMATES HELPING SHIPMATES

Story by MCSN Jack L. Lepien and MC3 Dyxan K.Williams Surveyor Staff Writers

T

he Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) kicked off the 2022 Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) fund drive Feb. 14 for all crew members aboard the ship.

NMCRS is a non-profit organization that works to help Sailors and Marines navigate through the world of finance by providing a wide range of services and education, such as money management classes, one-on-one budget counseling, and firsttime home owners advice.

“To me, NMCRS is about Sailors helping Sailors,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Taiwo O. Samson, from Lagos, Nigeria, the ship’s Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Representative. “From [recruit to admiral], NMCRS is for everybody. All the great services it offers are open for anyone who needs them.”

One of the services offered by the NMCRS is the Quick Assist Loan. Through this program, Sailors who find themselves in need of financial help, for any reason, may receive a loan of $500 in as little as 20 minutes. This loan may be used at any time for any purpose, does not charge any interest or fees, and is repayable with a flexible payment plan tailored to what the service member can afford.

According to the NMCRS website, if a Sailor’s financial need is greater than $500, or if a Sailor has received five Quick Assist Loans for an emergency during their career, they are not eligible for the Quick Assist Loan but can apply for a traditional loan which would require a financial counseling and budget report with the NMCRS. ashany loans will Re-payments be deducted directly from a . Cfor reston M Artist icset h p a r Sailors duration when receiving the loan. Sailors G MCSN Ppay for othe taff vey r Sfaster Surloans can pay off by visiting any location or by phone.

“Life can be hard sometimes, for anyone,” said Samson. “If your transmission goes out on your car, or you can’t pay the

8 • The Washington Surveyor

electricity bill, or you just need a little help to put food on the table, you can use the quick assist loan to help.”

NMCRS also offers educational assistance loans and grants for Sailors and Marines, their children or spouses. Loans for education are interest free and can range from $500-$3,000 per academic year. NMCRS will determine the amount that the applicants are entitled to recieve. Funds are payable to the student’s academic institution, and can only be used for tuiton, books, fees, and room and board. Applications for educational loans or grants can be done online at nmcrs.org and more information can be requested via email to education@nmcrs.org.

According to Samson, although many large companies and organizations donate to the NMCRS, individual Sailors and Marines actually represent about 30% to 40% of donations.

“Every donation is valuable and helpful, even if sometimes it may not seem like enough money to make a difference,” said Samson. “Even if you don’t need financial help today, you could tomorrow, and even if you never need it, it could be your best friend, or a family member, or a coworker who needs the help.

Every penny you donate genuinely helps someone who needs it, who might be a lot like you, who might even be you.”

Donations can be made online with the nmcrs.org website or through fund raising events. The website also offers knowledge, forms and a list of locations for in-person visits.

For local Sailors, there are locations in Newport News, Norfolk and Portsmouth if assistance is needed. The Newport News location can be found at 3100 Huntinton Ave. Bldg 633, Room 111. The Norolk location can be found at 7928 14th st. Bldg SDA-344 Ste. 238. The Portsmouth location can be found at 620 John Paul Jones Circle, Naval Medical Center Bldg. 3, room 4.1127.

Sailors can visit nmcrs.org for more information regarding loans, donations and locations. GW

FM Hits 1.

2.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

1. Ensure wing nuts are properly installed.

2. Do not tamper with properly installed J-hook or traverse down ladderwell while shield is down.

3. Fire Marshal hits are a mandatory correction that must be immediately resolved!

Never Remove Without Authorization

STOP The Washington Surveyor • 9

M OV I E S C H E D U L E Channels 202 & 203 on SITE-TV

MON.

TUES.

Feb. 28 202

1700: A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

WED.

202

1700: The Princess Bride

203

1700: The Goonies 1930: Atomic Blonde

7

9 1930: American Pie

203

1700: Glass

1700: Good Will Hunting

1930: Mary Poppins Returns

1930: Dumbo

1930: Mary Queen of Scots

1930: Those Who Wish Me Dead

DirectTV 100 - CMT 101 - FOOD 102 - Paramount Network 103 - Golf 104 - CNBC 105 - Fox News Channel 106 - Fox Business Network 107 - MSNBC 108 - RFDTV 109 - Science 110 - NFL 111 - Fox Sport 1 112 - Fox Sport 2 113 - Cooking Channel 114 - CBS Sports Network 115 - Comedy Central 116 - AMC 117 - BBC America 118 - AE 119 - History 120 - Weather Channel 121 - VICE 122 - HSN 123 - Freedom 124 - National Geographic 125 - TRAV 126 - DSC 127 - OWN 128 - HGTV 129 - Animal Planet

203

1700: Brightburn

11

202

202

1930: Red Dragon

1930: Captain Marvel

203

203

1700: Breakthrough

1700: Long Shot

1700: Pet Sematary 1930: The Curse of La Llorona

SITE-TV Channels

130 - Nat Geo Wild 131 - Jewelry TV 132 - FX 133 - USA 134 - DIY 135 - TNT 136 - truTV 137 - TBS 138 - FX Movie 139 - COM (West) 140 - Hallmark 141 - Disney Jr. 142 - Nickelodeon (East) 143 - Disney XD 144 - Discovery Family 145 - ESPN 146 - ESPN 2 147 - NFL 148 - REELZ 149 - NBC Sports 150 - E! 151 - NHL 152 - ESN 153 - SyFy 154 - MTVC 155 - MTV 156 - VH1 157 - MTV2 158 - Life 159 - MLB Network 160 - Sportsman Channel

1700: The Glass Castle

1700: Avengers: Endgame

1930: Shaft

10

1930: Smokey and the Bandit

1700: How 2 Train Your Dragon

1700: Traffik

1700: The Dark Tower

1700: Ma

203

1930: Crown Height

1930: Child’s Play

1930: Miss Bala 1700: Escape Room

203

203

202

203

1930: Cadillac Records

203

202

1700: Star Wars Episode III

1930: The Dead Don’t Die

203

202

1700: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

202

1930: Aladdin

8

6

202

1930: Ugly Dolls

1930: The Intruder

5

202

1700: Anna

1700: Hellboy

SUN.

4

1930: Shazam!

1930: The Best of Enemies

1930: Annabelle: Creation

SAT.

3 1700: Little

1700: Hannibal

1700: Wind River

FRI.

202

1700: Caddyshack

1930: All The Money In 1930: The Nut Job 2 The World

203

2

Mar. 1 202

THURS.

161 - Oxygen 162 - Bravo 163-178 - NFL 179 - PRST 180 - CBSe 181 - Fuse 182 - FRFM 183 - CNN 184 - Victory 185 - Comedy Central 186 - Home 187 - BET 188 - Univision 189 - NFL 190 - JTV Shipboard Broadcast System 200 - NMPS Movie 1 201 - NMPS Movie 2 202 - NMPS Movie 3 203 - NMPS Movie 4 204 - Information 1 205 - Information 2 206 - Training DVD Pier Cable TV 400 - AMC 401 - USA 402 - MTV 403 - FOOD 404 - TRAVEL 405 -TNT 406 - HISTORY

12

13

202

202

1930: Annabelle Comes Home

1930: Replicas

203

1700: Rocketman

1700: Gone with the Wind

1930: Dark Phoenix

1930: Defiance

1700: Star Wars Episode I

1700: Welcome to Marwin

203

407 - FOX NEWS 408 - CNN 409 - ESPN 410 - ESPN2 411 - FS1 Local Over the Air TV 600 - AMC 601 - USA 602 - MTV 603 - FOOD 604 - TRAVEL 605 - TNT 606 - HISTORY 607 - FOX NEWS 608 - CNN 609 - ESPN 610 - ESPN2 611 - Quest 612 - whroWorld 613 - Antenna TV 614 - Grit 615 - COZI 616 - H&l 617 - Laff 618 - Mystery 619 - Stadium 620 - Comet

M A R G Y T SAFE 2.

1.

3.

1.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

3M

QUESTION Which is the periodicity code for a maintenance item that must be completed yearly?

A) A B) LU

1. Wear glasses over both eyes.

2. Anywhere you wear your hard hat, glasses must be worn too. They’re an inseparable pair.

3. Having your glasses WITH you is not enough! You have to wear them too!

SHAMROCK SHAKEDOWN VALIDATION CRUISE!

MARCH 15 - 17 TALK TO YOUR CHAIN OF COMMAND FOR MORE INFORMATION

C) M D) Y

The Washington Surveyor • 11

Answer: A

Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Veikko J. Piirainen, from Paris, Maine, assigned to engineering department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), welds a bulkhead coupling. George Washington is undergoing refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipyard. RCOH is a multi-year project performed only once during a carrier’s 50-year service life that includes refueling the ship’s two nuclear reactors, as well as significant repairs, upgrades, and modernization. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Stephen B. Sullins.)