Inside this Issue: Green Bay Packers | Welcome Aboard | Day in the Life
VOL 2 / NO 16
February 17, 2011
SuperBowl Champs Meet
Vinson Eagles
Story by MC2 Byron C. Linder USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
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embers of the 2011 National Football League Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers visited the Sailors of Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 on Feb. 16 during the ship’s maritime security operations in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). Safety Derrick Martin, offensive lineman Nick McDonald, linebacker Frank Zombo, defensive back Jarrett Bush and offensive lineman Darryn Colledge were joined by former Packers fullback William Henderson, head athletic trainer Pepper Burruss, equipment manager Red Batty and assistant equipment manager Tom Bakken. The Super Bowl champions gathered to observe flight operations on the flight deck. Following air operations, the Packers held an autograph signing in the ship’s hangar bay. With Sailors lined up in two rows, the Packers made their entrance between them with high-fives on the way to See`PACKERS` page 6
The Carl Vinson Voice is an internal document produced by and for the crew of the USS Carl Vinson and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government or the Departments of Defense or the Navy and do not imply any endorsement thereby.
U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Travis K. Mendoza
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Carl Vinson Voice
STAFF
Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class Shane Dunne, left, Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class Matthew Caldwell, middle, and Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Jeremy Ireland, right, erect shoring during a general quarters drill. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans) Publisher
Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey Commanding Officer Executive Editors
Lt. Cmdr. Erik Reynolds Public Affairs Officer
Lt. Erik Schneider
Deputy Public Affairs Officer Managing Editor MC2 Ashley Van Dien Photo Editor MC2 Adrian White Layout and Design MC3 Megan L. Catellier Staff Writers/Photographers MC2 (SW) James R. Evans MC2 Byron Linder MC3 Lori D. Bent MC3 Christopher Hwang MC3 Travis K. Mendoza MC3 Jessica Tounzen MCSN Rosa Arzola MCSN Nicolas Lopez
four phases of the basic refrigeration cycle: 1. Compression 2. Evaporation 3. Expansion 4. Condensation
Fresnal Lens Optical Landing System (FLOLS) is the visual landing aid used by the pilot to bring his or her aircraft down a glide slope to the deck.
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February 17, 2011
Welcome Aboard
New Sailors Checking in at Sea Story by MC3 Lori D. Bent USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
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he transition to a new command can be filled with varied expectations and many questions from Sailors transferring from a previous command or reporting straight from “A” school. But reporting to a deployed aircraft carrier presents a new set of challenges. This transition is made easier with the help of Carl Vinson’s sponsor coordinators, who contact and mentor new check-ins on board, and Training Department’s indoctrination program. “Our sponsorship program is very important because we offer a line of communication for someone who might be transferring from another command or someone who is going to their first command,” said Leading Chief Petty Officer of Training Department, Chief Mass Communication Specialist (AW) Daniel Wolsey. “Even if you have been on an aircraft carrier before you haven’t been on this one and you might just need a helping hand to get around the ship.” That helping hand is available for new Sailors arriving in the midst of a deployment. “Nervousness did not begin to describe how I felt when I finally saw the ship,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Jesus Alvarez, a Phoenix native assigned to Air Department V-2 Division who arrived on board Jan. 8. “Once I stepped onto the flight deck it was like a whirlwind of things coming from every direction.” “Our instructors in “A” school tried to prepare us mentally but it’s not until you are finally on board that you understand,” continued Alvarez. “Initially it is very scary and confusing, but once we started our check-in process, things started making sense.” There are many challenges involved with getting Sailors informed and ready to integrate themselves into the rhythm of a deployed crew. But before Vinson’s sponsor coordinators can send out a ‘welcome aboard’ message, the tedious process of finding reliable contact information for the Sailors begins. “While we are [deployed], the lines of communication are significantly limited compared to when we were moored to the pier [in San Diego],” said Vinson sponsor coordinator Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class (AW) Kamal Pereira of Training Department. “Then you factor in the intermittent internet and lack of correct contact information for new Sailors and you find yourself in a bind trying to track down people you know are coming.” Establishing good communication is essential to presenting a positive image of the command to new personnel. The job of the sponsor coordinator starts as soon as the command receives the prospective personnel message. “We are here for direction,” said Pereira. “What might be common knowledge for us is a new experience or challenge for someone who is on a ship for the first time.”
Some “common knowledge” may include knowing not to pack a closet full of civilian clothes or to bring along a piece of memorabilia from home. “Having a good solid point of contact can make the difference between a positive outlook of the command and feeling like no one cares,” said Wolsey. “Our goal is to ease the anxiety for the Sailors and their families.” “It was very important to talk to someone who was on the ship,” said Airman Lee Strickland of Air Department, a Dallas native who arrived on board Jan. 8. “It was cool to know that they knew I was coming and they made sure I had everything I needed.” The process of introducing a new Sailor to the command in port and underway are different, but the basics remain the same. Ensuring they are afforded the attention they need assists with a smooth transition. But everyone will have a different experience, added Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class (SW) Asa Tedford, Vinson’s indoctrination coordinator. “I’m in the real Navy now,” smiled Alvarez. “We hear all the stories about ship life and how people manage to have fun on deployment. I was looking forward to being here. But at the same time it was a little scary because it’s something completely new.” When Vinson is in port, new Shipmates are picked up from the airport and dropped off at the ship. There, they have time to acclimate themselves to their new environment. While the ship is operational, the experience can be a lot more overwhelming. They have to find their way from the airport to the Transient Personnel Unit (TPU) on base and from there they are flown onto the ship. “This is the real deal,” said Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Thomas Nunez of See`WELCOME` page 8
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Carl Vinson Voice
A Day in the Life O Story by MC3 Jessica Tounzen USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
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fuel leak, a fire, an aircraft crash… many Sailors might panic when faced with these potentially dangerous events, but for the red-shirts in Air Department V-1 Division Crash and Salvage, it’s just business as usual. Vinson’s Crash Sailors are trained to respond to emergencies on the flight deck in an efficient manner with a cool head…because they never know when they’ll be called to action. “When I was on USS This ship in 2005, I had to respond to a bird that went over the side,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) Bradley Johnson, Crash’s leading petty officer (LPO). “The pilot had [ejected himself from the aircraft], but his chute had gotten caught on a life raft on the side of the ship. Me and a couple other Sailors on the flight deck got the Tilly (aircraft crane) over there and lowered the bucket to get him back on deck.” A successful rescue might not have been possible if Johnson had not received ample preparation to face this scenario. “We have advanced team training in Pensacola that goes more in-depth than our day-to-day job. We can also go to C-schools for additional training,” said Johnson. “Training is the most important part of what we do. Even though we don’t deal with crashes very often, we’ve got to stay fresh, because if we’re not prepared, the situation could turn sour fast.” “The biggest thing is to get in the zone before you get out there…you’ve got to get your mind right,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman (AW) Sergio Luevanos, a Crash and Salvage Crewman. “Responding to emergencies in the landing area is the most intense part of the job because it’s a live moment and it all depends on you, how fast you can execute your job. The sooner you get that aircraft out of the landing area, the sooner the next bird can be launched.” Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling)
Airman Brooke Williams tries to look at her job from a personal perspective. “Those pilots out there are somebody’s parents, and we have to take our job seriously,” she said. And it’s a job that requires Williams and her Shipmates to uphold the Navy’s second core value—Courage. “When a crash happens most people run off the flight deck, but not us, we’re running right into it,” said Johnson. “We’re the first to respond. We know the pilots have a job to do, and if something happens to them, we’re the first ones there trying to help them out.” Crash and Salvage’s responsibilities don’t begin and end with the cleanup of a fuel spill or an aircraft crash. “We’re manned up 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, even on ‘no-fly days’,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Julian Berry, Crash’s assistant LPO. “If it’s 100 degrees on the flight deck, it’s well above 120 degrees in the hot suit we have to wear all day in case there’s a fire. We don’t take it off until the end of flight operations.” Long, hot, exhausting days might make for cranky Sailors and lower morale in some divisions, but in Crash, those factors only serve to make for a stronger team. “We’re like family,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Joshua Lyons. “Sure, we argue. One day we’re getting along and the next tempers are high, but we look out for each other and we’ve got each others’ backs.” “When it’s time to get stuff done,” said Johnson, “we come together.” Crash’s Sailors agree there aren’t many jobs out there that match what they do. “Some people think it looks easy, that all we do is sit around and wait for things to happen, but when stuff hits the fan, we have one of the most difficult jobs on the flight deck,” revealed Lyons. “Not many people know how hard it is to do what we do,” added Luevanos. “You have to work your way into it and prove you’ve got what it takes, with your work ethic and motivation. You have to want to learn and you have to be ready for whatever gets thrown at you, because someone’s life could depend on it.”
February 17, 2011
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Of
CRASH & SALVAGE
U.S. Navy photos by MC3 Christopher Hwang
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Carl Vinson Voice
From `PACKERS` page 1
the stage. After a brief introduction, the players each tossed one signed football to the hundreds crowded around the stage. As the Sailors lined up at a table for autographs, a photo show highlighting the Packer’s season played on a screen. The Packers signed football jerseys and flight deck jerseys, football helmets and flight deck cranials. Sailors also received the opportunity to try on championship rings, pose for photos with the champions, and hold the coveted Vince Lombardi NFL trophy. As Bush signed a #24 Packers jersey, he expressed his appreciation to visit the deployed Sailors. “To give the Sailors on this ship a smile and positive attitude, and a break from the hard grind warms my heart. To come here and experience what you do is an honor. Not many can do it, and not many choose to do it. I appreciate any time we can bring some happiness and joy, to help you forget the hard times of the work and sacrifice.” Bush observed a parallel between the hard work required of an NFL player and a Sailor. “No matter what job you do, if you’re the lowest man on the totem pole, work hard and stay focused. When you get the opportunity, it comes at the oddest time and you’ve got to be ready. My dad was in the military, and growing up I’ve seen it work first-hand. I’ve seen others do it. It’s a blessing when you get that opportunity,” said Bush. I have a couple of friends who were in the military, and when they came back, I wanted to see what was going on,” said Martin, signing a small Packers football. “I had to see it to believe it. We were told we could come over, and I was in. I appreciate seeing what you guys are doing
out here.” “We’re more in a position to thank you,” added Colledge, signing a Vinson T-shirt. “It’s a rare opportunity to come to a ship like this. We still think of you, so we wanted to come out. It’s a rare thing to sacrifice like you do, and you’re a rare group of people.” After the show’s conclusion, the players observed nighttime flights from the Vinson’s “Vulture’s Row”. The Packers held one more autograph signing at 8:00 p.m. for Sailors unable to make it to the show to close out the first day. Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Benjamin Loos, a Lincoln, Neb. native assigned to Weapons Department G-3, was excited to meet the team he had grown up watching. “I grew up as Packers fan, and winning the Super Bowl meant a lot to me,” enthused Loos. “Them being here is a dream come true.” Lt. Luke Koran, a Strike Fighter Squadron 22 pilot and Black River Falls, Wis. native, stood at the end of the line holding a small green Packers football. “I’m from Wisconsin and a big fan. During the Super Bowl, I was on a beach detachment to Bahrain for a week, living in a tent. I woke up at 3 a.m. to watch the game,” said Koran. “Knowing they were going to be here when I got back to the ship was pretty cool. When I was a kid, I went to Lambeau Field and met a couple of the Packers, but this is the first time meeting a championship team. Having them come to the ship while we’re conducting combat operations is an amazing experience.”
February 17, 2011
U.S. Navy photos by MC2 Adrian White, MC3 Travis K. Mendoza, MC3 Christopher Hwang & MC3 Rosa Arzola
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Carl Vinson Voice
From `WELCOME` page 3
Engineering Department R-Division, a Houston native who arrived on board Feb. 14. “The sponsors told me what I needed to bring with me and how to get from the airport to base. It wasn’t until I got to ship that I realized how big it was, how many decks I had to climb and for some reason I thought the p-ways would be packed with people all the time.” Bridging the distance between new Sailors on their way to the command during a deployment and the experienced Sailors on board is one of the first steps to welcoming new Shipmates. The efforts of the ship’s sponsor coordinators start with introducing the command to Sailors who are eager to join the Vinson ranks. “I wasn’t nervous because I knew there would be people on the ship to take care of me and show me the ropes,” said Nunez. “I hope I can add a helping hand to the people I work with and toward the mission,” said Alvarez. “That’s what it’s all about that’s why we’re here.” Vinson’s sponsor coordinators also work with the ship’s Ombudsman and the Family Readiness Group (FRG) to help with challenges faced by the families left behind. Adjusting to life at sea is a challenge faced by new Sailors on board as well as their families, and the FRG is one more source of support for these new Vinson Sailors to carry out the mission.
XO’s Spaces of the Week Admiral’s P-Way
CONFLAG Station 2
DECKPLATE Deckplate Dialogues
“What do you do to unwind after a day at work?” AZAN Mariko Oshier
CSSN Phillip Collins
IT3 Chi Wong
“I like to hang out with my friends and play spades.”
“Listen to my iPod, zone out and play games on my PlayStation 3.”
“Work out, read books, and listen to music.”