Inside this Issue: Carl Vinson & Admiral Byrd | CONREP & VERTREP | 5 Operational Excellence Principles | Division of the Day VOL 2 / NO 7
January 20, 2011
A BVinson O VVERTREPS, E A NCONREPS D A CWith R OByrdS S
Story by MC3 Jessica Tounzen USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 simultaneously conducted a connected replenishment (CONREP) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with the dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) Jan. 18. Among the supplies Vinson received during the CONREP and VERTREP were food items, supplies, parts, and mail, adding up to 600 pallets total, said Supply Department’s Leading Chief Petty Officer, Master Chief Logistics Specialist (AW/SW) Gilbert Ermitano. The sheer amount of items received on board Vinson, combined with the simultaneous replenishments, proved to be a logistical feat for all involved. 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.
“It’s important to be on point when you’re conducting a dangerous evolution [like a VERTREP],” Ermitano explained. “You’ve got people on the flight deck working with helicopters, pallet jacks and moving heavy loads. There’s a lot of moving parts and you don’t want someone to get hurt.” Ermitano, who served as the director of drop zone one on the aft starboard side of the flightdeck during the VERTREP, said safety was in fact the number one concern during the replenishment. “There’s always a backup, someone who’s looking out for someone else,” he said. “You’ve got to treat VERTREPs as if it’s the first time, every time. You cannot afford to relax. Everyone’s head has to be on a swivel.” “With two evolutions going on at once, it’s important to not get distracted. You have to be aware of what’s going on around you,” agreed Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SW) David Iverson, Deck Department’s Leading Chief Petty Officer. During the CONREP, Iverson and his team had the help of a See ‘REPLENISHMENTS’ Page 5 U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Rosa Arzola