VOL 1 / NO 53
Story by MC3 Jessica Robertson USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 completed their Blue Water Certification, a two-day test of the crew’s combined ability to launch and recover aircraft without the benefit of a “bingo field” or air-station to refuel or recover an aircraft in an emergency, Dec. 14. Blue Water Certification is something that’s especially significant for a ship and air wing which will soon be entering a combat zone. “If we’re near hostile territory, we can’t just say, ‘We have to land here.’ That’s not going to fly,” said Master Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (AW/SW) Robert Everson, Air Department’s Leading Chief Petty Officer (DLCPO). Vinson’s Assistant Air Officer, Cmdr. Paul Rasmussen, added “We’re going to be out where diverting aircraft is not an option. The only runway is ‘runway 70’.” A team of about 60 inspectors from Strike Force Training Pacific (SFTP) conducted the Blue Water Certification inspection, said Lt. Cmdr. Ryan McLaughlin, the team’s Flag
December 19, 2010
Aide. The certification is required whenever a carrier concludes a 120-day period without conducting continuous flight operations for 11 days, said Cmdr. Tom Frieder, SFTP’s Combat Operations Efficiency (COE) Evaluator. To receive their Blue Water Certification, Vinson and CVW-17 met four criteria: flight deck efficiency and a satisfactory boarding rate, both during day and night operations. Boarding rate is the number of times a pilot can safely land an aircraft on the first attempt. Boarding rate can be affected by a number of things, including pilot error, weather or safety. One role that was crucial to flight deck efficiency for the Blue Water Certification was that of the “Spotters” in Primary Flight Control (Pri Fly). Since Spotters are permanently assigned to Vinson, they’re the most familiar with gear and equipment used on the flight deck, and it’s their job to ensure this equipment is in working order during flight operations. “One thing we keep our eyes on is the deck status lights, we have to make sure they’re working and we’re using the right light in the right situation,” said Aviation Boatswain’s See`CERTIFIED` page 2
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 Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Travis K. Mendoza