July 14, 2012
Vol. 1 Issue 38
USS Nimitz Dives Into Final Problem Story by MC3 Devin Wray
“This is a drill, this is a drill!” These words have become part of a daily routine aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), as the Afloat Training Group (ATG) from San Diego is on board grading the crew as part of the ship’s Final Evaluation Problem (FEP), which began this week. After a month-long phase called a Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA), Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) members have taken the training wheels off and let the crew take control during drills to test their Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) participate in a fire fighting skills in damage control situations exercise during a general quarters drill. Photo by MC3 Jonathan A. Colon including combating damage Cmdr. Chris Webster, Nimitz’ training Despite tackling two major control casualties and training new officer. “Not only are our watch evolutions such as FEP and RIMPAC, repair locker members. FEP is the final evolution before standers heavily involved in RIMPAC, a feat rarely attempted simultaneously being certified as an independent but they are also getting the training by aircraft carriers, Sailors are doing everything they can to stay motivated unit ready for mission tasking. This they need.” Usually scheduled to be a two-day to do their part. evaluation is required every 32 months “We need all hands to help find or after every Docking Planned evolution, RIMPAC’s busy schedule Incremental Availability (DPIA), has expanded FEP to last for four discrepancies throughout the ship,” days. said Aviation Support Equipment which Nimitz completed early 2012. As part of TSTA, Webster said Technician 1st Class Reyjenald Tence, While in DPIA, the crew’s focus was on repairing and upgrading the ship. the crew also fit in an anchor drop, a Nimitz DCTT member. “Anything Now, all departments on the ship must and multiple replenishment at sea from missing dogging wrenches focus on training for these evolutions, evolutions. To accommodate the to fire hoses and improper door while taking on a lead role in Rim of ship’s flight operations, which run classifications.” almost every day, damage control drills The FEP grading process can be the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. “There are a lot of departments were moved to earlier times to prevent hindered by the material condition of involved in this evaluation,” said Lt. interference.
See FEP page 6