Vinson Voice: 13 September 2011

In This Issue: 9/11 Ceremony | Sailor ‘N’ the Spotlight

Vol 02 No 63 | September 13, 2011

back in Business!

MArines & Sailors working together onboard Vinson STORY BY

MC2 (SW/AW) Lori D. Bent | USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

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ailors and Marines attached to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 101 ‘Sharpshooters’ embarked onboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to conduct Carrier Qualifications (CQ) Sept. 12.

The Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, Calif. based squadron, the largest Marine training regiment for the F/A18 aircraft, is comprised of both Sailors and Marines; a unique quality that supports training on Navy vessels.

“Remember this is a dynamic environment,” said Vinson’s commanding officer Capt.

Bruce Lindsey during a 1MC announcement to the crew. “We are going to be landing airplanes for the fleet replacement squadrons with a mix of airplanes doing about 452 traps.”

VMFAT 101 embarked with more Continue ‘USMC’ on Pg. 4 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.

Vinson Voice

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Vinson Hosts 9/11 Remembrance C e r e m o n

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STORY BY | PHOTOS BY

MC2 (SW) Byron C. Linder | USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer | MC2 (SW) Patrick Green | USS Carl Vinson Staff Photographer

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or the past ten years on September 11, Americans from coast to coast have taken a moment to reflect and remember the events of September 11, 2001 in a variety of venues. On the attack’s tenth anniversary, with football season beginning its first week in earnest, stadiums across the country were packed with Americans proudly displaying their patriotism to a global broadcast audience.

A short trip away from the San Diego Chargers’ Qualcomm Stadium, packed with service members in uniform representing all branches of service, Carl Vinson Sailors standing Sunday’s duty

took part in a low-key remembrance ceremony on the ship’s flight deck.

Beginning at 10:00 a.m., attendees observed a moment of silence under a clear, windy sky. A bell was struck ten times, one strike to mark each year since 9/11 and to mark each year since the first strikes were launched into Afghanistan from Carl Vinson’s flight deck less than a month later on October 7, 2001. A red “FDNY” cap sat on the center of the podium.

The event’s keynote speaker, Vinson’s commanding officer, Capt. Bruce Lindsey, explained the significance of the hat’s presence at the ceremony.

“This hat is a small token of the many people who have come to Carl Vinson in the last ten years. This was from one of the firefighters who responded on that day,” Lindsey said.

Lindsey acknowledged 9/11 had galvanized many Americans into serving their country, while strengthening the resolve of Sailors aboard to staying Navy.

“Patriotism is the common denominator. You think of the patriotism of the folks who joined after 9/11, and the steadfast patriotism of those who had joined before. As we are on this flight deck this morning, patriotism

September 13, 2011

runs through this ship,” said Lindsey.

“Patriotism doesn’t mean you have to have a uniform. There were firefighters, policemen, and normal people going through that day.”

Vinson and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 command chaplain Cmdr. Keith Shuley shared his experience at the epicenter of the attacks in New York City.

“I was part of a team of Coast “Patriotism is Guard chaplains. This team the common provided assistance to the rescue and recovery efforts at two different denominator. locations; Pier 90 and 92, which You think of was like a family service center; and the site of World Trade Center the patriotism One and two itself. We worked in of the folks pairs, helping families, the fire and police departments, and many who joined other agencies,” Shuley said. after 9/11, and Shuley praised the extraordinary lengths Americans went to in the steadfast order to assist the people directly patriotism of affected.

“The response of our nation was those who had amazing. I met a police officer joined before. who was dispatched by the city of Austin, Texas. He drove his police As we are on cruiser all the way to New York City and drove it back two months later this flight deck after his tour supporting his fellow this morning, officers was complete,” Shuley said.

“I will always remember the people patriotism runs who came to help out. It was truly through this America at her best in a time of ship.” crisis.”

Lindsey emphasized the | C a p t. B r u c e H . L i n d s e y | importance of remembering the subsequent dates that came in the wake of 9/11, dates Carl Vinson Sailors made a direct impact in the response to the attacks.

“Members of the military on board Carl Vinson will never forget September 11, 2001; October 7, 2001; and May 2, 2011. Never forget, always remember,” said Lindsey.

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Vinson Voice

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than 80 Marines and Sailors, supporting four F/A-18C Hornet aircraft, to evaluate and provide final qualifications equipping new fighter pilots with the proper skills needed to enter the fleet.

“We all have the same mission: train pilots, regardless if it’s Marines or Sailors,” said Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Espinoza. “It goes to show that two branches of the military can come together to accomplish the overall mission.”

After more than 12 months of training and 140 practice landings, each student pilot has to successfully conduct a series of ten days and six nights of field carrier launch and recovery qualifications.

“This is the final training evolution before the pilots enter the fleet and the first time many have had to experience carrier launching and

recovery,” said Maj. Dan Berzack, a Landing Signal Officer (LSO) and flight trainer. “There is a lot of pressure on the students because they have to qualify and on us to ensure that when pilots arrive in the fleet they are ready. We keep them isolated and compartmentalized so they stay focused.”

Being focused is exactly how these pilots tackle the waves of flying out to sea.

“At night there is a complete lack of horizon and references and it becomes difficult to land on a carrier,” added Berzack. “So we have many different training and principles set in place to make sure they are ready to conduct operations in any climate, anytime, anywhere.

For Aviation Structural Mechanic (AW) 2nd Class Ales Malik, who has been deployed with USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and now attached to VMFAT 101, deploying with a Marine squadron is just something new that

keeps him on his toes.

“It’s a great mix because in our rating we go to the same ‘A’ and ‘C’ schools and we come up through the system together,” said Malik. “There are differences within the chain of command and customs but we are all focused on doing the same thing.”

The differences and similarities bring two branches of the military together training for the unexpected.

“You notice a lot of different things when you are a Marine on a ship for the first time,” said Espinoza. “But it makes you appreciate your ‘brothers’ and what they do.”

Vinson, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 and VMAT 101 are currently underway conducting fleet reserve squadron (FRS) carrier qualification off the coast of Southern California.

|Small Boat Operations| DECK DEPARTMENT TRAINS FOR MAN OVERBOARD RECOVERY, SEPT. 9, 2011

PHOTOS BY

MC3 (SW/AW) Timothy Hazel | Carl Vinson Staff Photographer

September 13, 2011

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Weapons Department G-2 DIVISION CONDUCTS A 9MM PISTOL SHOOT ON THE FLIGHT DECK, SEPT. 8, 2011

PHOTOS BY

MCSN (SW/AW) Nicolas Lopez | Carl Vinson Staff Photographer

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SAILOR

Vinson Voice

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SPOTLIGHT AOAA Kyle Kelley | Weapons | G-3 TAD Supply | S-2

STORY BY

MC3 Jessica Tounzen| USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

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v i a t i o n Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Kyle Kelly has been in the Navy only six months, and onboard Vinson merely two, but already this junior Sailor is making quite an impression on those around him.

Kelly, 19, of Syracuse, Utah, attached to Weapons Department, G-3 Division, went Food Service Attendant (FSA) duty or ‘mess cranking’ in Supply Department’s S-2M Division shortly after his arrival to the ship in June. During his time on Vinson’s enlisted mess decks, Kelly immediately set his sights toward proving that he was a model Sailor and an excellent addition to the Gold Eagle team.

“Airman Kelly displays an unsurpassed work ethic on a daily basis, while taking initiative in every task assigned. He does what is asked of him, and looks for more, and never strays from the hardest task,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW) Justin Darnell, S-2M Division’s leading petty officer (LPO). “He’s the one I’d trust to step up and do the job of a third class.”

It was this work ethic that landed the young Sailor a unique responsibility.

“He’s in charge of the scullery here [on the aft mess decks].

He runs it and he does a hell of a job,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class James Wolfe, one of S-2 Division’s Mess Deck Master-At-Arms (MDMAA).

“He’s really turned the scullery around since he’s been here.

It’s extremely clean and it runs much more smoothly now,”

agreed Chief Aviation Electronics Technician (AW) Baron Brown, S-2’s Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO). “He’s hardworking, upbeat and focused…he’s a really great kid.”

Mess cranking is often a dirty and sometimes a thankless job, one involving long hours and lots of physical labor. Yet while many Sailors might loathe the idea of mess cranking, Kelly has taken the oft-despised job and put his own spin on it.

“Kelly’s good spirits are a driving force within the scope of his duties in the scullery,” said Darnell. “He instills Esprit de Corps in his peers…he is very energetic and respectful, and eager to help a shipmate in need.”

Kelly, a self-proclaimed ‘country boy’ who enjoys hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors in general, revealed what keeps him motivated.

“Where I come from, you earn your paychecks and make an honest living. There’s no other way to do it,” he explained.

But there’s more to it than that. Kelly admitted that his attitude plays a large part in his daily duties.

“At the end of the day I’m usually exhausted and I just want to hit my rack, but I’ve learned that my attitude will determine how my day will go and how much I’ll get done,” he said.

Kelly humbly claimed he ‘didn’t know’ why he was chosen to be recognized as the Sailor in the Spotlight for his efforts on Vinson’s mess decks.

“I just believe in doing everything the right way and to the best of my ability,” said Kelly, shrugging.

While onboard Vinson, Kelly plans to work on his professional qualifications. He hopes to become a dual-qualified airman, and work toward his college degree. Kelly added he’d like to put his love of the outdoors to use one day, as a fish and game warden, when he finishes his time in the Navy.

September 13, 2011

Back to Sea |Underway, Shift Colors|

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PHOTOS BY

MC3 (SW/AW) Timothy Hazel | MC3 (SW/AW) Rosa Arzola | Carl Vinson Staff Photographers

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Vinson Voice

DIALOGUES D E C K P L A T E

| What do you plan to accomplish during this underway period? | “I would like to complete an IT certification and work out”

“I plan to achieve a 100% success rate with the CMC’s scheduling.”

I T S N ( A W / S W ) Ana Ayala

Y N 3 Jon Pinckney

“I want to improve my level of knowledge and work on my parent division quals.”

“I want to get a vast majority of my junior Sailors qualified for the propulsion plant watchstations.””

A B H 1 ( A w / S W ) Quinton Jones

M M 2 ( S W ) Frederick Keys

Heat exhaustion involves profuse sweating, dizziness, nausea and weakness.

Heatstroke includes similar symptoms, but no sweating.

STAFF

Did You Know Did You Know...

STAFF

|PUBLISHER|

CAPTAIN BRUCE H. LINDSEY COMMANDING OFFICER

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

LT. ERIK SCHNEIDER

ASSISTANT PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

|EDITOR IN CHIEF|

MCCM (SW/AW) WILLIAM HOULIHAN MEDIA LCPO

|MANAGING EDITOR|

NAVPERS 1306/7 allows you to request participations in programs and schools, reassignment, or special duty.

MC2 (SW/AW) LORI D. BENT

|PHOTO EDITOR|

MC2 (SW) PATRICK GREEN

A yardarm is an extension of a mast that carries flag halyards and navigational and signal lights.

The Air Boss supervises and directs launchings, landings, and the handling of aircraft and aviation fuels.

Page 2 is a record of dependents and emergency data.

|GRAPHICS/LAYOUT|

MC3 (SW) MEGAN L. CATELLIER

|STAFF WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS| MC2 (SW) BYRON C. LINDER MC3 (SW/AW) TIMOTHY HAZEL MC3 (SW/AW) ROSA ARZOLA MC3 (SW) CHRISTOPHER HWANG MC3 JESSICA TOUNZEN