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.

See`CERTIFIED` page 2

VOL 1 / NO 53 December 19, 2010

Story by MC3 Jessica RobertsonUSS 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 sig-nificant 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 Depart-ment’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 in-spection, said Lt. Cmdr. Ryan McLaughlin, the team’s Flag

Aide. The certification is required whenever a carrier con-cludes 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 sat-isfactory boarding rate, both during day and night opera-tions. Boarding rate is the number of times a pilot can safely land an aircraft on the first attempt. Boarding rate can be af-fected 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 Prima-ry 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 en-sure this equipment is in working order during flight opera-tions.

“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

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Travis K. Mendoza

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Publisher Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey

Commanding Officer

Executive Editors Lt. Cmdr. Erik Reynolds

Public Affairs Officer

Lt. Erik Schneider Deputy Public Affairs Officer

Managing Editor MC2 Ashley Van Dien

Photo Editor MC2 Adrian White

Layout and DesignMC3 Patrick Green

Staff Writers/PhotographersMC2 Byron C. Linder

MC3 Lori BentMC3 Megan Catellier

MC3 Travis K. MendozaMC3 Jessica RobertsonSTA

FFCarl Vinson Voice2

From ‘CERTIFIED’ Page 1

Well, it’s another week down! This week I would like to touch base on the “Cycles of Deployment.”

As time moves forward there will be may emotions that your loved ones may encounter, but really are not sure what they mean or how to deal with them. When they first started to deal with the fact that the ship was going to deploy your wife or husband may have experienced denial, fear, anger, resentment and hurt. Now that you’re underway and deployment starts in earnest in just a few days, your spouse may be experiencing the adjustment period.

Normally 1-6 weeks after separation they will begin to feel calmer, more confi-dant, less anger and the feeling of loneliness may be diminishing a bit. Most of them have established a routine, and they’ve es-tablished communication with you, their Sailor. They’re going to see self-growth and independence beginning to emerge. When I speak with them, I encourage them to continue to push forward.

When I have the privilege of speaking with your loved ones, I stress that in my many years of being blessed to be a Navy wife I have established one solid thing that has made my experience both positive and rewarding, and that is to control the things that I can. If I focus too much on the things that I know I cannot control, it builds resentment and frustration.

I cannot control one thing about the

ship deploying, I cannot control where and when the ship will be in port, I cannot control how often I speak to my sailor.

I can however, control myself and my actions. If I establish early on in a deploy-ment the ability to adapt and overcome then I become the victor! I encourage your spouses to understand this way of thinking. They should try to stay in con-trol of the things they can and not give any emotional energy to things they can-not control. They will be surprised at how much easier things become.

And for you, the Sailors we bid farewell to almost three weeks ago? I want you to know that there are many programs in place should your loved ones need assis-tance.

The military has done an amazing job to make sure that the people who are left be-hind to support the mission at home have solid outlets that provide empowerment and education.

One of those resources is the local Fleet and Family Support Center. There your spouse will find many workshops that will help in their adjustment phase. Please sug-gest to them that they visit their website for a list of workshops. FFSC also provides free and confidential one on one counseling.

I’m constantly stressing to all the fami-lies that they are not alone. There are so many people out there that have a passion for providing them with the best support possible. As always, your command om-budsmen are prepared for any situation that may arise. We are here for you, the military family where we ALWAYS sup-port the mission at home!

Mate (Handling) Airman Robert Kronebusch. “We also have to verify the arresting gear is set to the correct weight, because if it’s not, the line could snap and the aircraft could go into the water. It’s important to know your job, because things could go downhill really fast.”

Vinson and CVW-17 conducted more than 100 recoveries to dem-onstrate that they’re able to operate in blue water conditions. The crew worked with a sense of urgency to conduct continuous combat flight operations.

“Our goal was to be able to launch an aircraft in one minute, 20 seconds or less,” said Everson. “That meant the Sailors up on the flight deck needed to clear the area quickly for the next launch…the same went for the recoveries.”

Clearing the launching and landing area quickly was something that re-quired all Vinson and CVW-17 Sail-ors to work together. Rasmussen said there isn’t anyone on the ship who doesn’t have a part in the mission.

“Together we met and overcame every obstacle, and then some,” said Rasmussen. “Everyone did excep-tionally well.”

Vinson and CVW-17’s final score will be decided by SFTP’s command-er, Rear Adm. Thomas A. Cropper based on a recommendation by the SFTP team.

Jennifer BerensenCommand Ombudsman

3December 19, 2010

and this is a good workout that’s fast paced and keeps me moving the entire time.”

“I am pleased to see how many people show up for the Insanity class ready to get a workout,” said Heller. “The main challenge is to make it to the end of the session. Self-satisfaction takes over after that.”

Both Heller and Pelfrey recommend that Sailors find a workout they enjoy. Insanity will have you dancing to the music while you push your body through exercises meant to leave you aching.

“Insanity is very challenging. Definitely a workout that keeps you coming back for more,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Denise Birchfield from Strike Fighter Squadron 25. “It works out just about every muscle in your body. I don’t think we leave anything out.”

Vinson Sailors Dig Deep for Fitness

Story by MC3 Lori BentUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class (AW/SW) Joseph Heller does push-ups as part of the Insanity workout. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Megan Catellier.

Want to get the most insane body you have ever had? Take the Insanity challenge Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Hangar Bay Two at 7:30 p.m. It is an intense workout that will get you pumped up and dripping with sweat.

Insanity will push you to your limit, with maximum interval training using traditional core, cardio and resistance workouts modified to keep you moving. The workout uses a sequence of exercises to repeatedly stretch and contract muscles by performing long bursts of intense routines with short periods of rest.

“The first step is making it to the class,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class (AW/SW) Joseph Heller, the Insanity fitness instructor

on board. “The second step is pushing yourself harder than you normally would. You have to be able to push yourself.”

Many Sailors on board have adapted a new outlook on fitness and decided to push themselves following the publication of NAVADMIN 247-09 which states that Sailors with three or more physical readiness test (PRT) failures in four years face administrative separation.

“The fitness awareness on board has increased and hopefully will continue to grow,” said Brett Pelfrey, Vinson’s “Fit Boss.” “There are dedicated Sailors on board who are willing to help their Shipmates stay fit and within Navy standards.”

Heller sets aside his free time to help Sailors reach peak physical fitness by instructing one or two Insanity workout sessions a day, three times a week.

“I tried Insanity for myself then decided to incorporate it into a command exercise class,” said Heller. “Everyone wants to better themselves in some way and doing this workout will definitely help Sailors who want to lose weight and achieve a higher level of fitness.”

Sailors can get involved in the class at any time. Heller offers a fit test to assess your current fitness level, conducted the first day you attend the class and every two weeks to track your progress. The test includes exercises such as jumping jacks, jogging in place, butt kicks, high knees, mountain climbers and push-ups.

“I’m taking the Insanity challenge as part of a workout regiment I have for myself,” said Airman John Baughman from Security Department Operational Security Forces. “I would like to go Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD)

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Story and photo by MC3 Jessica RobertsonUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Silberio Jimenez is the kind of guy you’d want on your side when the stuff hits the fan. He’s dependable, he’s motivated and he’s a hard worker.

He’d also give you the shirt off his back without a second thought, said Hospi-tal Corpsman 1st Class (SW) Marcel Geegbae, Jimenez’s leading petty officer (LPO).

“When my car was broken down, he gave me rides to and from work,” Geeg-bae said. “He’s the kind of guy who will do anything for anybody. If there’s a medical emergency, a fire, or a battle, he’s the kind of person I’d want on my team.”

Jimenez came to Carl Vinson’s Medical Department from Naval Hospital Okina-wa, during a time when the department was lacking second class petty officers, and he jumped right in and took charge, Geegbae said.

“We were in the shipyards at the time, and both of our second classes had just gotten out. Jimenez took the work center and ran with it. He really was a godsend,” said Geegbae.

Immediately upon his arrival to Vin-son, Jimenez was groomed to take over as Medical’s damage control petty officer (DCPO), a role he knew nothing about. So, he basically had to start from scratch, attend a number of workshops and do plenty of studying to learn how to do the job. He built up his knowledge and then set about the task of sharing it with as many of his Shipmates as he could.

One group of Sailors who benefited from Jimenez’s wealth of knowledge is Vinson’s Legal Department.

Jimenez sacrificed his free time to give Legal hands-on maintenance material management (3M). Soon, he became known as the go-to guy for all things 3M.

“Doing maintenance takes a lot of time, but he’ll stop and actually show you how to do it if you need help,” said Legalman 1st Class Christopher Salinas, Legal De-partment’s LPO. “Even if you’re short-

handed or you need supplies, he’s always there to lend a hand. I’ve never seen him turn a Sailor away.”

In addition to giving 3M training in his off-duty time and serving as his de-partment’s DCPO, Jimenez is also a work center supervisor, and the ship’s physical therapy technician. Yet he still manages to go above and beyond to help out a ship-mate in need.

“[The other females in Medical Depart-ment and I] live in Deck Department’s berthing, but they’re really undermanned, so Jimenez will come in and do whatever repairs are needed in our berthing,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Rebecca Bauer, Jimenez’s assistant leading petty of-ficer (ALPO).

In his spare time, Jimenez enjoys vehicle restoration. He’s had a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle since he was 19, and restored it to its original condition in 2000. It took him

seven months, working thirty hours per week, he said, but it was worth it.

Jimenez also remodeled the house he shares with his wife and two kids, a job he said he took a lot of pride in.

“I could have easily paid someone to do it for me, but I’m a hands-on guy and I’d rather do the research and do the work myself,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez is determined to make his presence felt throughout the ship, and ev-ery day he aims to make Vinson a better home for his Shipmates and himself.

“The ship is what you make of it,” Jime-nez said. “I like seeing the fruits of my labor and I like seeing the difference I make on the ship, and helping my Ship-mates makes a difference too. We’re all family. We’re in this together. Whenever I ask someone for help, I turn around and return the favor to someone else. It’s only right.”

5December 19, 2010

Deckplate Dialogues“If you could sit in the captain’s chair for one day, what would you do?”

“I’d call holiday routine at 10 a.m. and tell everyone they could go back to sleep.”

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class (SW)Jarvis Cannon

“I’d authorize a day of liberty and a steel beach picnic with two beers instead of just one.”

Legalman 1st Class Christopher Salinas

“I’d do high-speed turns in the middle of a meal just to see the chaos!”

Airman ApprenticeAnthony Rush

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7December 19, 2010