Vinson Voice: 11 December 2011

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In This Issue: Social Networking | Project Linus | Chaplain’s Corner

Vol 02 No 77 | December 11, 2011

Carrier Air Wing 17 Conducts Change of Command SEE ‘CHANGE OF COMMAND’ ON 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 ref lect the official views of the U.S. Government or the Departments of Defense or the Navy and do not imply any endorsement thereby. Photo By: MC2 (SW) James R. Evans | Carl Vinson Staff Photographer


Vinson Voice

2 FROM ‘CHANGE OF COMMAND’ ON PAGE 1

Capt. Richard A. LaBranche Relieves C a p t. S t e p he n P. M c I ne r ne y a s Commanding Officer CVW 17 STORY BY MC2 (SW) Byron C. Linder | Carl Vinson Staff Writer

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apt. Richard A. LaBranche relieved Capt. Stephen P. McInerney as commanding officer of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, “Team Quicksand”, at a ceremony Dec. 10 held in Carl Vinson’s foc’sle during the ship’s underway operations in the Western Pacific. The ceremony’s guest speaker, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 1, Rear Adm. Thomas K. Shannon, praised McInerney’s leadership of CVW 17 through numerous achievements. McInerney served as the senior operations officer in charge of helicopter and carrier air lift operations during Operation Unified Response with Task-Force Haiti, conducted over 1,000 combat sorties in support of coalition ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq during a seven-month combat deployment to the 7th Fleet and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility, and conducted a short turnaround to deploy for a third time in a two-year period. “There are over 4,500 Sailors on this great ship who have our back, and I am thankful for every single one of them,” Shannon said. “There were times where negotiation didn’t cut it, where diplomacy wasn’t enough and we had to break out the lethal combat power of our military establishment. In as much as the Sailors here have our backs, we have the back of the troops in Afghanistan.” Before being officially relieved, McInerney

cited the Sailors of “Team Quicksand” for making the wing’s success possible. “Lots of air wings work hard and all of them are dedicated. What has set you apart is your adaptability,” McInerney said, highlighting the 47 percent increase in electronic air support over Afghanistan, aircraft configuration changes to increase time over the battlefield, and reaching areas not previously covered by tactical air. “You examined the environment and determined what you could do better. You demonstrated your agility, tactical expertise and lethality; I’m absolutely confident you will continue to raise the bar and expand the definition of what an air wing is and what the people can do.” Shannon then presented McInerney with the Legion of Merit award. After the official orders were read, LaBranche assumed command, thanked McInerney, and addressed the wing for the first time as commanding officer. “What we’re doing out here is extremely important. Sometimes we get tired, but we need to stay focused and be actively engaged. We can be the difference for Americans living to fight another day or get home to their families,” LaBranche said. “We owe them our very best. We will do this by being the most professional, disciplined and dedicated team in our business.” Prior to assuming command, LaBranche served as CVW 17’s deputy commander.

Photos By: MC2 (SW) James R. Evans | MCSN George M. Bell | MCSN (SW/AW) Nicolas C. Lopez | Carl Vinson Staff Photographers

(left) Capt. Stephen P. McInerney is hosed down after completing his final flight as Commander, Carrier Air Wing 17 in an HH60H Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 15 on the flight deck. (U.S. Navy Photo by MCSN (SW/AW) Nicolas C. Lopez).


December 11, 2011

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Reflections on Pearl Harbor Lt. Cmdr. James E. West | Carl Vinson Principal Assistant Chaplain

A NOTE FROM

perating in the Pacific Ocean off the Hawaiian islands 70 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor has given me an opportunity to reflect on what it means to serve in the U.S. Navy. America had a wake up call on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941. Not since 1812 had a foreign nation attacked U.S. territory. War had always been over there, somewhere. Granted, many had to consult an atlas to pinpoint where exactly the Hawaiian islands were. Hawaii was not yet a state, nor was Alaska. But they were America, and the Navy was there, as was the Army and Army Air Corps. Nearly three thousand Sailors, Soldiers and civilians were killed that day. Naval aviation was only thirty years old. Aircraft carriers were the latest development. Battleships were king, while carriers were a novelty. Battles at sea were fought with dreadnaughts, destroyers, cruisers and battleships. Aircraft were seen as an extension of radar. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, carriers and their air wings changed the way we would fight. Battles at sea would still be fought with the end state destroying the enemy fleet, but with carriers taking the lead. The battleships were sunk and new tactics and strategies were devised. While it was critical to capture and establish airfields and beach heads, the U.S. now had airfields

that could move, evade S attack, and strike targets at will in any order. In less than four years, through the combined efforts of sea, air, land and submarine warfare, we were able to dominate the Pacific theater and bring the war to an end. We are the beneficiaries and the stewards of that legacy. Ten years ago, America was re-awakened by an attack on U.S. territory that killed more than three thousand. Unlike Pearl Harbor, most were civilians. Once again, sea power was the response, with carriers and amphibious ships taking the fight to the enemy. Never before had the Navy projected power into a landlocked country. Soon we will be on station, ready to project power as required. More importantly, our presence will give a sense of security to our allies and give potential enemies pause to consider whether negotiations of differences, diplomacy and treaties may be a better way to move through this century. Strength from the sea, “Vis Per Mar”, is who we are and what we do. We carry on the living traditions of those who have gone before us. May we give a lasting legacy to those who follow us.

CHA PL AI N ’

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Sunday Worship Schedule

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Roman Catholic Mass -Foc’sle Liturgical Christian Service -Chapel

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Anchor of Faith General Christian Service -Foc’sle

1300-1400

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -Chapel

1900-2015

Gospel Praise and Worship Service -Foc’sle

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Bible Study -Chapel

Courtesies, Customs and Ceremonies Courtesies, Customs and Ceremonies Taken from the 24th edition Blue Jackets’ Manual

The Reply

When an officer asks you a question that can be answered either “yes” or “no”, you should answer “Yes, sir” or “Yes, ma’am” or “No, sir” or “No, ma’am,” whichever is appropriate. If your answer requires more than a simple yes or no, you should still add “sir” or “ma’am” to your answer. If an officer gives you an order, the proper answer is “Aye, aye, sir” or “Aye, aye, ma’am.” This means that you have heard the order, you understand it, and you will carry it out.

When a senior wants to indicate that he or she has heard and understood a report from a junior, he or she will answer, “Very well.” A junior never says “Very well” to a senior. This way of speaking is different from what you are probably used to, but it is one of the differences that makes life in the Navy special and interesting. The term “Aye, aye” and “Very well” come from centuries of tradition going back to the days when ships were powered by sails and Sailors fought with cannons and cutlasses.


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Project Linus: STORY BY

Vinson Voice

Making Quilts for Ill Children

MC3 (SW) Luke B. Meineke | Carl Vinson Staff Writer

As Charles Shultz’s character Linus from the Peanuts comic strip was comforted by his blanket, one Vinson Sailor uses her talent for knitting and joined Project Linus to do the same and more for children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW) Rebecca Bauer, Medical Department’s assistant leading petty officer, started volunteering for Project Linus in 2002. More than 400 chapter coordinators collect from thousands of volunteers across the United States to distribute handmade blankets to children with hopes of providing a sense of love, security, warmth and comfort. “[At Project Linus] we make quilts and blankets and donate them to different babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We also make different sizes for kids in the pediatric intensive care units (PICU). Those are for kids that suffer from an illness like cancer or leukemia – anything where they’re in the hospital a lot getting treatment,” she said. Bauer learned about Project Linus because her daughter spent nearly a month in the NICU. Despite the hospital’s efforts, Bauer suffered from a condition called eclampia during her pregnancy, which caused excessive water retention in the body, subsequently damaging the liver and kidneys and triggering a series of seizures. “I had my daughter a month and a half early and she weighed 3 pounds,” Bauer said. “She was rushed to the NICU. I didn’t even see her. It happened so fast.” While in the NICU, Bauer’s newborn had to be kept warm; she had no muscle or fat to generate her own body heat. But unlike other babies tucked in with hospital blankets, she was enveloped in something special. She was wrapped under a blanket that was anonymously donated, Bauer said. It had a little sticker that said ‘Donated by Project Linus’. Bauer researched the organization and decided she wanted to volunteer. Bauer organized a drive at her last command, receiving donations of yarn, fabric, sewing supplies, quilts and blankets.

It’s a project she’d like to continue aboard Carl Vinson. “[I know] it’s hard during deployment, but when we get back [to San Diego], I’d be interested in seeing if there was anyone wanting to help or donate to Project Linus,” Bauer said. “I would start with a drive and see what kind of response I got. If it turned out to be a huge success, there’s something called a quilting bee where you get people together once a week or once a month to sew.” In the meantime, Bauer has her sewing machine, fabric and supplies aboard so she can make some quilts during deployment. She recommends anyone interested in Project Linus visit their website at www.projectlinus.org, or contact her via email or at work. Whether it’s for Project Linus, Habitat for Humanity, or any other organization, Bauer recommends Sailors volunteer for something they care about. “A lot of Sailors think that community service is just a check in a box for evaluation purposes, but community service means so much more if it’s a project that’s near and dear to your heart. I have 400 or 500 hours invested in Project Linus and I’ve never once submitted for a military volunteer medal.”

Photos Provided by: HM1 (SW) Rebecca Bauer


December 11, 2011

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Social Networking STORY BY

Vinson Tweets, Blogs and Posts about Sailors onboard

MC2 (SW) Byron C. Linder | Carl Vinson Staff Writer

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arl Vinson, responding to positive feedback from family members at the conclusion of the Nimitz-class carrier’s last combat deployment in June, has expanded its social media footprint. Families and friends of Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing 17 Sailors have new resources to stay informed during the WestPac 2012 deployment. Podcast interviews with Sailors and blogs posted to Tumblr are augmenting the existing Facebook page and Twitter account, keeping an audience of thousands up to date. Vinson has employed anonymous bloggers to post on a variety of subjects relating to their lives aboard the ship. The first blog, detailing the challenges of staying Navy and converting to an undermanned rating, was posted to Tumblr Dec. 7 and linked on Vinson’s Facebook page. “Great writing! Reposting for all my 2ndChanceSailors,” from Facebook member Eva Alvarado and “Very well written. Sounds like it’s from the heart,” from Major Willis were two of the many responses to the inaugural blog. The writer, 2ndChanceSailor, was pleasantly surprised by the positive reception. “The response that stuck out to me the most was from a mother who said it was a great message and asked if I could go tell her son because he needs to hear it from someone other than his mom,” said 2ndChanceSailor. “I have never blogged on my own or ever had a diary, so this is a first for me.” 2ndChanceSailor plans to explore the concerns facing many Sailors being forced to convert into new ratings from her personal experience. “I felt like a new kid coming out of boot camp

again,” said 2ndChanceSailor, who converted to Navy Counselor after spending over a decade as a Nuclear Electrician’s Mate. “It’s a completely different world and it’s challenging to learn something new this late in my career.” 2ndChanceSailor also identifies with those whose conversion intersects with another milestone in their careers – chief petty officer exams. “For some people this is really scary because they’re worried they’re not as competitive for chief or they’re going to get selected and be expected to train junior personnel who have probably worked in the rate longer than they have. It’s a little nerve-wracking.” She praised Vinson’s social media efforts to reach out to Sailors and their families, emphasizing the importance of reaching a large audience. “We need to keep up with the times, and this is what people are doing. For our friends and family at home it gives a little peace of mind to see what’s going on and we’re okay. Not everyone has the time to write home,” 2ndChanceSailor said. Blogger RadioHead has been aboard Vinson for one year and welcomed the opportunity to provide a junior Sailor’s perspective on day-today life to the ship’s Facebook fans and Twitter followers. “They see the photos, all the cool stuff we do, but they don’t get an idea of what it’s like everyday for a random Sailor. It’s a different perspective on how things work,” RadioHead said. “You see commercials for joining the Navy and they’re all epic shots of aircraft carriers and hyped-up action, but no one gets an idea from those ads of what it’s like to be a Sailor missing your family and the sacrifices we make.”

RadioHead would like to see the blogging effort grow aboard Vinson and gain a wider variety of viewpoints. “There are so many aspects to people’s lives on this ship, and there’s definitely room for expansion,” RadioHead said. The second new addition to Vinson’s social media offerings comes in the form of twominute podcasts. These audio interviews with Sailors offer an insight into both their personal and professional lives and are accessible on the ship’s Tumblr page and the Vinson ombudsman’s website. Personnel Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Luis Cano, from Salt Lake City and an education service office clerk for Administration Department’s X-1 Division, enjoyed the opportunity to speak to a global audience. “It gives you the chance to let people know what you do. You’re putting yourself out there, and you have an opportunity to say hi to people back home,” Cano said. “I have family in California and in Utah, and they could all hear me. I said something in Spanish to my mom, and I loved it.” Cano told his mom he missed her lomo saltado, a Peruvian dish made with sliced beef, vegetables and French fries, served over white rice. The podcasts and blogs are linked to an active Facebook page where nearly 40,000 fans have a central location to view Sailors’ activities and a “Division of the Day” photo selection. Fans can download PDF copies of the Vinson Voice and stream “The 70”, Vinson’s newscast highlighting top stories around the ship. More than 7,800 people follow Vinson on Twitter@CVN70 with the current Western Pacific deployment marked #Vinson. The daily tweets provide up-to-the-minute information and preview upcoming content for Vinson’s Facebook page.


Vinson Voice

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T R I C A R E FA C T S & I N F O R M AT I O N

When does TRICARE cover newborn and adopted children? As long as another family member is enrolled in TRICARE Prime, the following are covered: • Newborns for 60 days beginning from the date of birth • Adopted children for 60 days beginning from the effective date of the adoption • Children with pending adoptions for 60 days beginning on the date of placement of the court or approved adoption agency Note: Overseas parents have 120 days to enroll a newborn child in TRICARE Overseas Program (TOP) Prime or TOP Prime Remote. To continue TRICARE Prime coverage past the first 60 days, you must enroll your

newborn or adopted child in either TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Prime Remote for Active Duty Family Members (TPRADFM) within the initial 60-day period. This form can be found at: http://www. tricare.mil/tricaresmartfiles/ Prod_824/Newborn_and_ Adopted_Children_Fact_ Sheet_508.pdf. Who should I contact if my provider / hospital say that I need to pay them upfront but they were listed as a network provider/ hospital? This pertains only to Prime beneficiaries, Active Duty and Active Duty Family Members; they should contact ISOS for either clarification on the provider’s status in the network or for a guarantee of payment. This can be done through the ISOS Regional Call Center: 1-215-9428393. How should I submit a compliment or grievance about service received by the TRICARE Overseas Contactor (TOP), International SOS? If you have a compliment, complaint, or grievance you would like to share with the TOP Contractor, International SOS, you

may use the TRICARE Overseas ProgramUniversal Grievance and Complaint Form. This form can be found at: www.tricareoverseas.com/PDF/.

YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH CARL VINSON AT www.facebook.com/ ussvinson -www.cvn70blogspot. tumblr.com -Follow us on twitter @CVN70 If you are a CVW 17 Sailor and are interested in blogging, please contact MCC Nelson via email or jdial 6617. There is no rank or rate requirement.


NOW PLAYING CARL VINSON CINEMA

December 11, 2011

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THE BLIND SIDE CHARLIE ST. CLOUD THE DARK KNIGHT LEATHERHEADS THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX THE GREEN HORNET THE BLIND SIDE CHARLIE ST. CLOUD THE DARK KNIGHT LEATHERHEADS THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX

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ALL ABOUT STEVE AUGUST RUSH THE FAMILY MAN DUPLICITY THE SOCIAL NETWORK WHIP IT ALL ABOUT STEVE AUGUST RUSH THE FAMILY MAN DUPLICITY THE SOCIAL NETWORK

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TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON WILD WILD WEST TRANSFORMERS 2: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN OUR FAMILY WEDDING MORNING GLORY LETTERS TO JULIET TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON WILD WILD WEST TRANSFORMERS 2: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN OUR FAMILY WEDDING MORNING GLORY

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I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF THE MUMMY HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS MOULIN ROUGE MARLEY AND ME FAME I CAN DO BAD ALL BY MYSELF THE MUMMY HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS MOULIN ROUGE

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CHARLIE ST. CLOUD EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES KNIGHT AND DAY EVERYBODY’S FINE MAMMA MIA NOTHING LIKE THE HOLIDAYS CHARLIE ST. CLOUD EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES KNIGHT AND DAY EVERYBODY’S FINE MAMMA MIA MR. BEAN’S HOLIDAY

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DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU HARRY POTTER: HALF BLOOD PRINCE DAN IN REAL LIFE THE CONSPIRATOR DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU HARRY POTTER: HALF BLOOD PRINCE DAN IN REAL LIFE COLLEGE ROAD TRIP

CHANNEL 7 BLACK SWAN I LOVE YOU MAN HALL PASS BURLESQUE TROPIC THUNDER DEFIANCE BLACK SWAN I LOVE YOU MAN HALL PASS BURLESQUE TROPIC THUNDER THE ROOMMATE

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BALLS OF FURY THE EAGLE FAST FIVE CHANGELING I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER LEAN ON ME BALLS OF FURY THE EAGLE FAST FIVE CHANGELING I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER

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EAT, PRAY, LOVE KNOWING MEN OF HONOR GOING THE DISTANCE OVER HER DEAD BODY GRAND TORINO EAT, PRAY, LOVE KNOWING MEN OF HONOR GOING THE DISTANCE OVER HER DEAD BODY

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THE KITE RUNNER LIONS FOR LAMBS THE LOVELY BONES JUST GO WITH IT MRS. DOUBTFIRE MY SISTER’S KEEPER THE KITE RUNNER LIONS FOR LAMBS THE LOVELY BONES JUST GO WITH IT MRS. DOUBTFIRE

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Vinson Voice

DIALOGUES D E C K P L A T E

| How do you keep in contact with your friends & family? | “I mainly use Facebook.”

“I use Youtube, Tumblr, Facebook and create blogs and vlogs to keep in contact with my family and friends while on deployment and in foreign ports. “

A M 3 ( A W ) Erin Conway

I T 3 Pat r i c k J o n e s

“I use Facebook when the internet is up, Sailor phones, and I send letters home.”

“I keep in touch with family using email and Facebook.”

L S 3 M i c c o D av i s

A M 3 ( A W ) M at t h e w R o d r i g u e z

THE

STAFF

|PUBLISHER|

CAPT. KENT D. WHALEN

STAFF

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COMMANDING OFFICER

|EXECUTIVE EDITORS| LT. CMDR. ERIK REYNOLDS PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

LT. ERIK SCHNEIDER

ASSISTANT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

PREMIERES TODAY ON SITE TV CHANNELS 5, 6 & 7 AT 1800!!!

|EDITOR IN CHIEF|

MCC (AW) MONICA R. NELSON

ESWS||EAWS

MEDIA ALCPO

|MANAGING EDITOR| MC2 (SW/AW) LORI D. BENT

|PHOTO EDITOR|

MC2 (SW) JAMES R. EVANS

|GRAPHICS/LAYOUT|

Restricted Maneuvering - Any vessel that, from the nature of its work, is restricted in its ability to maneuver as required by the rules of the road and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel.

Carrier Qualification (CQ)operations, also referred to as CARQUALS, are conducted by carriers to qualify newly designated pilots in carrier flight operations and to re-qualify previously qualified pilots.

MC3 (SW) MEGAN L. CATELLIER

|STAFF WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS| MC2 (SW) BYRON C. LINDER MC3 (SW) LUKE B. MEINEKE MCSN GEORGE M. BELL MCSN (SW/AW) NICOLAS C. LOPEZ


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