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 neces-sarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government or the Departments of Defense or the Navy and do not imply any endorsement thereby.

VOL 1 / NO 41 September 2, 2010

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White

over and outVINSON Impresses ATG and Clears FEP With a Clean Sweep

Story by MCSN Rosa ArzolaUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

Carl Vinson achieved an overall “Outstanding” in the ship’s Final Evaluation Period (FEP) August 31.

FEP is designed to test a ship’s ability to perform under multiple combat missions and respond to casualty scenarios under different conditions.

“Receiving an overall (score) of 98 percent in FEP proved that all training teams accomplished their mission,” said Chief Damage Controlman (SW) Matt Brenner, Vinson’s Flying Squad Damage Control Training Team Leader. “Vinson is now ready to move on to harder training.”

“This marks the official beginning of Carl Vinson as a deployable and combat ready asset.” said Lt. Cmdr. Amy Hunt, Carl Vinson’s Training Officer. “Passing FEP gives us an opportunity to show that we as a ship are ready to defend ourself.”

“As a whole, Carl Vinson did a great job,” said Brenner. “The flying squad specifically demonstrated they are on point when it comes to fighting main-space fires and flooding, pipe patching, toxic gas attacks and shipboard firefighting.”

FEP was conducted by the Afloat Training Group (ATG) Pacific, who served as trainers and evaluators. ATG decided that Carl Vinson is Emergency Surge Ready.

“ATG recognized that we are willing to learn and conduct business in a very professional way.” said Hunt. “I think they noticed that our Sailors showed a lot of motivation and enthusiasm.”

See SWEEP, page 6

Carl Vinson Voice2

Since Carl Vinson has gone “green,” Sailors on board are no strangers to separating and managing garbage. There are paper bags everywhere on the ship designated for metal, plastic and paper.

Vinson’s Second Class Petty Officers’ Association (SCPOA) is taking the idea of

managing garbage one step further by promoting recycling on board. They’ve set up “tri-walls”—big cardboard boxes—in Hangar Bay 3 for aluminum cans. Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Sandra Hosier explained why the SCPOA has taken an interest in recycling.

“We just wanted to give something back,” said Hosier. “The inspiration came from the Green Machine, which is a group of Sailors who are trying to come up with ways Vinson can be more eco-friendly.”

Hosier said there’s an incentive for Sailors to go all the way to Hangar Bay 3 to recycle their cans, instead of just tossing them into the designated bags scattered around the ship.

“Fifty-percent of our proceeds from the recycled cans goes back to the SCPOA, 25 percent goes to MWR, and the other 25 percent goes to the FRG (Family Readiness Group),” said Hosier. “It all goes to giving back to the Sailors and their families. Junior Sailors need support, especially when we’re in a foreign port and we have the chance to take tours. Not every Sailor has $50 or $60 to spend on a tour, and we want to make sure they have that chance, and they’re not stuck

watching their friends leave the ship.”

S e n i o r C h i e f A v i a t i o n Boatswain’s Mate ( F u e l ) ( A W /S W ) S y l v e s t e r Campbell serves as the SCPOA’s m e n t o r a n d guide, and helps keep the group moving in the right direction. He shared his i m p r e s s i o n o f t h e S C P O A ’ s recycling efforts thus far.

“The second

Operations Specialist 3rd Class Michael Snelgrove sorts a bag of aluminum cans to be recycled aboard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary Bell.

Story by MC3 Jessica RobertsonUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

Publisher Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey

Commanding Officer

Executive Editors Lt. Cmdr. Erik Reynolds

Public Affairs Officer

Lt. j.g. Erik Schneider Deputy Public Affairs Officer

Managing Editor MC2 Ashley Van Dien

Photo EditorMC2 Adrian White

Layout and DesignMCSN Rosa A. Arzola

Staff Writers/PhotographersMC2 Ashley Van Dien

MC3 Heather RoeMC3 Luis Ramirez

MCSN Zachary Bell

SCPOA Promotes Recycling On Board

classes took the ball and ran with it. They’ve already given to the FRG and MWR,” said Campbell. “They’re doing a fantastic job, and it helps the environment. You can’t ask for more than that.”

Right now the group has 21 tri-walls set up. During the ship’s last underway period, three tri-walls collected a total of 880 pounds of aluminum cans, adding up to $526. Sailors are encouraged to rinse out and crush their cans before depositing them in the tri-wall.

Hosier said the SCPOA hopes to continue its recycling program during the Nimitz class carrier’s upcoming deployment, and they will keep working hard to give back to Vinson Sailors.

“There’s a satisfaction you get out of it,” said Hosier. “You’re asking, ‘What can I do to help’, not ‘What can I get in return’. There’s so much reward and satisfaction in that alone, and it feels really good.”

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labor day weekend:safety first

Story by MC3 Heather RoeUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

Carl Vinson Sailors are looking forward to some well-deserved time off during the long Labor Day weekend coming their way. The options of activities are almost endless in Southern California, but will Sailors make the right decisions when it comes to safety?

Carl Vinson is taking action to make sure Sailors are aware of the precautions and dangers of every-day safety hazards.

“Safety is all about having a plan and that’s what Sailors need to realize,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (SW/AW) Carlos Young, Safety Department’s Leading Petty Officer.

With the summer season coming to an end, so are the Navy’s “101 Critical Days Summer.” But this does not mean Sailors are automatically safe from the potential dangers of every-day activities.

“Situational awareness is one of the most important precautions a Sailor must take,” said Young.

During 2009’s “101 Critical Days of Summer,” the Navy

had a total loss of 24 Sailors to motor vehicle accidents and recreational activities. Two of these fatalities were during Labor Day weekend. So far during 2010’s “101 Critical Days of Summer,” the Navy has lost nine Sailors to motor vehicle accidents and two Sailors to recreational activities.

“After all the training Carl Vinson conducts, Sailors are seeing the importance of [safety] more now,” said Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW/AW) Ernest Peebles, a command safety representative. “Sailors are being more diligent and seeing how safety is intertwined with shipboard readiness and everyday activities.”

“Safety in general is paramount,” said Peebles. “As a ship preparing to deploy, we must be combat-ready and we must be effective with our work.”

A Labor Day Safety video will be airing consistently on SITE channel 5 through Friday afternoon and is mandatory viewing for all hands. The training covers topics such as traffic safety, sexual health and basic safety for the long weekend. Sailors are reminded to have a plan, use their 5-1-1 card if necessary and to be safe this Labor Day weekend.

September 2, 2010

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Luis Ramirez

Carl Vinson Voice4

In addition to tracking and directing air operations, the ILARTS system is also vital to preventing flight deck mishaps.

“[ILARTS] is there to show us what mistakes were made and how to fix those mistakes,” Meeks said. “If it’s a fire, we have to know where it’s happening so we can pass on the right information, so we don’t send people to the wrong place. If it’s a piece of FOD (Foreign Object Debris) that caused damage to one of the birds, we have to be able to

catch that on video too.”The process of working in Spin is quite

selective, and the job itself isn’t suited for everyone.

“I had to get a lot of qualifications before I could work up here,” said Meeks. “You have to be extremely familiar with the flight deck. If you’re not, you won’t cut it. It’s a dangerous job. If you don’t have the proper training, you could easily get someone hurt or killed.”

The rest of the crew may not immediately see the value of the ILARTS system, but it is used throughout the ship for the safe and successful completion of flight deck operations

“They might see [Channel 2] as just another channel on TV, and they’ll pass right by it for something more interesting,” said Meeks. “But as long as flight operations are happening, we’re up there, keeping an eye on it all and keeping everything moving smoothly.”

Story by MC3 Jessica RobertsonUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

RAS Continued

A Birds-eye View of the Flight Deck

Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Larry Galvez mans a camera at the island camera station. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Michael Meyers stands a phone talker watch at the Integrated Launch and Recovery Television Surveillance System (ILARTS) station. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White.

It’s impossible to walk the decks of Carl Vinson without passing a Sailor who plays a role in the safe launch and recovery of Vinson’s numerous aircraft. Venture up to the 07 level and you’ll find one such person. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Jonathan Meeks works in “Spin”, the glass bubble above the flight deck. Those who work in Spin are literally the eyes of the flight deck.

Spin’s Elevator Operators use a system called ILARTS (Integrated Launch and Recovery Television Surveillance) to monitor the flight deck and keep track of everything that goes on there. At sea, Vinson’s Spin is manned with ILARTS up and running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“We use [ILARTS] to catch anything and everything on video, including what birds are taking off or landing,” said Meeks.

Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Adam Nuxoll, a Sailor in Operations Department OC Division, relies on ILARTS to complete his job effectively.

“[ILARTS] shows us who’s landed, who’s on deck, and who’s still flying,” Nuxoll said. “It’s how everyone keeps track of their pilots and aircraft during air operations. The ship’s mission is to launch and recover aircraft, and ILARTS helps us do just that.”

5September 2, 2010

out, it all comes together.” While Vinson was still in the yards,

Garza had temporary assigned duty (tad) to USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) for a three-month deployment to the Gulf, where he earned his full qualifications as a “blue shirt.” He actually earned his qualifications so quickly that he was designated as the “Blue King,” who is the leading blue shirt in charge of training, maintaining the chocks and chains and accounting for all the personnel in the fly hole.

Garza is one of six qualified blue shirts on Vinson’s flight deck. During flight operations, blue shirts are responsible for the safe movement of aircraft, directing and driving tractors that maneuver aircraft. They also chock and chain helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft safely to the deck.

One of Garza’s responsibilities as a qualified blue shirt on the flight deck is training new personnel. Just this underway period, Garza has had five “T-heads”, or trainees, who shadowed him on the flight deck and learned from his impressive example.

“As a flight deck trainer, Garza is very reliable,” said Agostini. “I can count on him to train junior personnel and get them to his level of flight deck experience and ensure safety is always in mind.”

“I train people on the flight deck and tell them how and why we do what we do,” said Garza. “I always try to set a good example for the people I train. In our job, it’s important to stay highly motivated and stay on the top of our game.”

On top of dedicating himself to his job and his shipmates, Garza has several ambitions for his own personal development. His goals include making the rank of third class petty officer and earning both his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) and Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) pins by the end of this year.

5

Story by MC2 Ashley Van DienUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

5

SPOTLIGHTSailor

IN T

HE

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ashley Van Dien

The true definition of a “Shipmate” is someone who will go above and beyond to help a fellow

Sailor out as much as possible, both personally and professionally. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Cody Garza has a

reputation for being dependable in his work center, but he’s also considered a mentor to countless other Sailors on board Carl Vinson.

“ABHAN Garza possesses qualities that set him apart from the rest of his peers. He is one of V-1 division’s front runners,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) Jorge Agostini, Air Department V-1 Division Leading Petty Officer. “He is what we call a “Go Getter.” Everything that he does has outstanding results. Garza is very versatile on and off the flight deck.”

Garza reported on board Carl Vinson in July, 2008 when the ship was in the middle of its 5-year Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH). Garza was a member of the tile team, which was responsible for refurbishing more than 55,000 square feet of tile on board.

“Garza did an awesome job and saved the Navy thousands of dollars thanks to his expertise in tiling,” said Agostini. “He also networked around the ship, helping countless other Sailors from other departments.”

“If you see someone who needs help, you should jump in and help them,” said Garza. “It’s the way I was raised, and hopefully others will see me helping people and follow that same example. Once everyone starts helping each other

Carl Vinson Voice6

“ATG Pacific was extremely impressed with Vinson’s training abilities,” said Senior Chief Damage Controlman (SW/AW) Michael Bates, Vinson’s Damage Control Training Team Leading Chief Petty Officer. “I’m proud that my Sailors passed FEP even though it was their first time going through something like this.”

Several departments on board were evaluated during FEP, and every Sailor contributed to Vinson’s success through hard work and continuous training.

“Damage Control, Combat Systems, Medical, Navigation, Deck, Engineering and Air Departments did an outstanding performance during FEP,” said Hunt. “And although Weapons was not evaluated, they helped out a lot during integrated trainings.”

“We prepared as a whole by doing stand-alone and integrated drills, in-house and one-on-one training and going over step-by-step procedures,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling)

Carl Vinson Sailors man a fire hose during a firefighting drill on the flight deck. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White.

SWEEP, Cont.

1st Class (AW) Michael Panaccione, Air Department V-3 Division Leading Petty Officer.

Several Sailors said Carl Vinson’s success in FEP can be attributed to the ship’s dedication to routine operations and training.

“We prepared for FEP by training every day and following the common procedures, but I think what really made us stand out was our teamwork, knowledge, and motivation,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Maria Gemma Joy Madlangbayan, an Elevator Operator in V-3 Division.

The overall scores Vinson obtained in FEP have made both junior and senior Sailors proud.

“I am happy that we obtained an outstanding in FEP,” said Hunt. “I’m also proud of Vinson Sailors for the team effort between the training teams and their outstanding performance overall.”

“It’s a relief and a reward to know that

we passed FEP because of our hard work and training,” said Madlangbayan.

Even though Carl Vinson has passed FEP, continuous training is vital to maintaining a combat-ready status.

“Yes we passed FEP, but what’s most important is that Sailors are combat-ready and able to handle any type of damage the ship might encounter,” said Bates.

“There is no doubt in my mind that we will fly by the next Comprehensive Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). We already set the bar high,” said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) (AW) Terry Libed.

COMPTUEX focuses on evaluating not only Carl Vinson but the Strike Group as a whole for combat readiness.

“Vinson will sustain training throughout deployment,” said Hunt. “We just proved that the ship is able to conduct combat mission-support functions and survive widespread damage and we want to keep on doing so.”