November 22, 2015
Contents Commanding Officer Capt. Brian J. Quin Executive Officer Capt. Jason A. Burns Command Master Chief
CMDCM(SW/AW) Pete Santos
Public Affairs Officer MCCS(SW/AW) Denise Murray Editor/Design Manager MC2(IDW) Molly Sonnier MC3 Christopher Veloicaza
PAO Staff
MC1(AW) Anthony Walker MC1(SW/AW) Jason Graham MC2(SW)Sean Gallagher MC2(SW/AW) Bradley Gee MC2(SW) Liam Kennedy MC2 Donavan Patubo MC2 Huey Younger Jr. MC3 Irwin Sampaga
About the cover... Seaman Arturo CurialPerez stands safety watch in the well deck during an all-hands swim call.
Photo by MC2 Donavan Patubo
Story by MC1 Anthony Walker
T
he average restaurant in the United States serves perhaps a few hundred customers per day with dinner most often being the busiest meal service. The main galley on board USS Essex (LHD 2) serves a bit more than that - quite a bit more. With the long hours put in by the more than 3,000 Sailors and Marines who are deployed with Essex and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), enormous appetites are created and must be fed by the culinary specialists and Food Service Attendants (FSA) that work in the ship’s Supply Department. This is no small feat, given that the galley has to prepare and serve more than 3,500 meals per service, with only two hours per meal to accomplish this herculean task. “I knew before I came to the ship that the pace was going to be hectic,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Branden Storjohann. “But nothing I encountered in ‘A’ school could have prepared me for the reality of working the galley during deployment. In school, we were primarily cooking for ourselves and to go from that to cooking for several thousand Sailors and Marines has been quite an adjustment.” In order to meet the needs of the crew in the time they have, the galley staff works long hours after the meal services and indeed throughout the night preparing as much as possible for the next day’s rush of Sailors and Marines. “Preparation for the next service starts immediately,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Norman Anderson. “As soon as one meal is complete we begin on the next. We have approximately three hours to prepare for each service and we utilize a night crew to prepare as much as possible in advance as well as preparing and serving midrats and breakfast.” While the tempo and sheer numbers of personnel to feed may seem daunting, the culinary specialists readily acknowledge that teamwork is the cornerstone to a successful galley crew. “The key to being able to put in the long hours and conduct high-tempo meal services is to stay
Photo by MC2 Molly Sonnier
motivated,” said Anderson. “The Galley Watch Captains do a terrific job of keeping their team motivated and focused while already looking ahead to the next meal.” “It’s all about teamwork,” said Storjohann. “Our jobs would be virtually impossible without everyone being on the same page and focused. Unity and teamwork are crucial to a successful galley.” While they may work long hours preparing as much as possible to stay ahead of the tidal wave of hungry shipmates the galley staff takes great pride in not sacrificing quality for quantity. Many of the Culinary Specialists receive advanced training at culinary schools to ensure that not only do they have enough food for everyone, but they also have the skills necessary to prepare delicious and nutritious meals to keep the crew fit and in high spirits. “We have various ‘C’ schools and training opportunities available to enable us to better serve the crew,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Frederick Gilmore. “We have schools available to better enable our Galley Watch Captains to manage the galley, schools that polish our baking skills, and we also have opportunities to train at some of the local culinary schools to enable our staff to present delicious entrees to the crew with the limited ingredients we may have available.” Essex and the crew will benefit from the various schools and training opportunities once the ship begins the scheduled maintenance period following deployment. “We have a young staff of culinary specialists onboard,” said Gilmore. “With the galley being closed for renovations during the maintenance period, we will be taking the opportunity to send our personnel to some of the training opportunities we have available in order to better serve the crew once we come out of the maintenance period and begin underway operations again.” And of course, as any restaurateur knows, no meals would be served without the extensive logistics work that takes place behind the scenes. Perhaps the least glamorous aspect of the culinary arts, the procurement and planning portion, is perhaps the most vital. After all, the culinary specialists have to have something to cook. In order to ensure that the galley has the supplies and ingredients it needs, when it needs them, there are massive amounts of coordination and planning that have to occur. Menus have to be planned, existing inventories have to be accounted for and supplies have to be ordered well in advance to anticipate them arriving at the right time. This preparation, while perhaps not as enjoyable or rewarding as baking cakes and grilling steaks, is the cornerstone of a successful galley. “Planning and logistics is a constant concern in operating a galley of our size,” said Chief Warrant Officer Jason Teasley, Essex’s Food Service Officer. “We project our supply needs out 45 days in advance. However, the operational tempo of being deployed adds further considerations. Each time we conduct a replenishment-at-sea (RAS), we have to reassess our needs for the next 45 days and submit the new requests. It’s a near-daily task to ensure that we have adequate stores onboard to meet our menu requirements.” In addition to the constant reviews of stores and supplies received, there is also the added
Magician’sAssistant @LonelySailor Mr. Hero just keeps talking and the world keeps turning, but when I close my eyes, you’re all I see. #2000People,OnlyYou IAmLegend Month 7. Stores empty. Crackers dwindling. Crew desperate. One source of food left: each other... #HappyThanksgiving
LOSTIPHONE I didn’t really lose my phone, I just didn’t want to be the only one left out. #LostPhoneMountain #Let’sFindIt ZeroSleep Easy gift idea for everyone in your berthing: headphones. #SweetSilence
PreparedSailor When you see someone with ketchup and you ask them if you can borrow it, and they tell you that it’s their personal ketchup. #Awkward #ShouldHaveOrderedKetchupOnAmazon Send your tweets to Tweets@lhd2.navy.mil consideration of local availability that can potentially impact the menu. “We receive our menu requirements from Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) on a 21day cycle,” said Teasley. “But there are a lot of factors to consider. A local supplier may not have the items we need to meet the menu, or we may have to substitute an item. There are also regional considerations to take into account when trying to meet our menu requirements; we may simply be unable to get certain items such as fresh fruits and vegetables in certain parts of the world.” Despite the logistical hurdles and sheer volume, Essex’s culinary specialists and FSAs have maintained an excellent track record during deployment. “We serve 3,500 meals per day,” said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Elia Gastellum. “With the long hours and large number of meals, we’ve never missed a service or started serving late. It’s a testament to the hard work and preparation put in by our galley staff and FSAs.” The hard work and dedication of the galley staff has not gone unnoticed either. The ship was recently notified that they were the West Coast finalist for the coveted Ney Award, which recognizes excellence in food service and is a testament to the efforts of the staff. With the experience of the deployment nearly behind them, and opportunities to hone their skills awaiting them, it is certain that the galley staff onboard Essex will continue to grow and learn together and provide delicious, nutritious meals for the crew.
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Photo by MC2 Liam Kennedy
Photo by MC2 Molly Sonnier
Photo by MC3 Irwin Sampaga
Photo by MC2 Huey Younger
Photo by MC2 Huey Younger
Photo by MC2 Donavan Patubo
Photo by MC3 Christopher Veloicaza
Photo by MC2 Sean Gallagher
Photo by MC2 Donavan Patubo
Photo by MC3 Christopher Veloicaza
Photo by MC2 Liam Kennedy
Photo by MC2 Huey Younger
Photo by MC2 Sean Gallagher
Photo by MC3 Irwin Sampaga
Story and photo by MC2 Molly Sonnier
A
fter graduating from high school, Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Taylor Coats needed some direction in life. He went to college for a bit, but didn’t stick with it. He was working a part time job at Luke’s Baptist Hospital in San Antonio trying to figure out what direction he wanted to take next. At the same time, Taylor’s younger brother, Marine Cpl. Matt Coats, knew what he wanted to do after high school and had just joined the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program (DEP). While Matt was waiting out the last two months before he left for boot camp, he took his brother out to what seemed like an ordinary lunch. “On the way back from lunch we ended up at a mini-mall area,” said Taylor. “Matt told me ‘Mom and Dad wanted me to tell you that you are going to sign up for a service today.’ I picked Navy over Marines because it was the first stop and it sounded pretty good. The whole idea of travelling around the world just appealed to me.” Taylor now had direction for his life. Matt went through boot camp and combat training before Taylor even left for boot camp. Matt had been in Pensacola, Fla., for almost a month and a half waiting to start his school when Taylor suddenly showed up for his ‘A’ School in Pensacola. “We really didn’t expect to see each other much after Pensacola,” said Taylor. “I thought he might be getting stationed on the East coast after it was all said and done, but he ended up on the West coast at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar. Then I got orders to the USS Essex (LHD 2) both of which are in San Diego and only about 15 minutes away from each other. It was impossible odds that we were still going to be close to each other.”
Taylor is part of Essex’s ship company, and Matt is attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 Reinforced (VMM-161 REIN). Currently both brothers are deployed to 7th Fleet in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation. “I remember when Taylor first told me M3 Nickolas Navaeoff was that he got stationed on an LHD that carries MV22 Osprey, and he asked me if I thought we would honored Friday, November deploy together; I said no,” said Matt. “And here 20, 2015, as Iron Gator of the we are. It’s a small world. Our parents were more week. Navaeoff hails from excited about us deploying together than we were. I work long hours for my job, and this is a big ship Manteca, California. Navaeoff was so I thought that I wouldn’t really ever see him.” the supervising technician for Taylor found out Matt was coming to the ship for deployment only a couple months the complete class “B” overhaul before the first work-up started. He said he liked of 1A Condensate Pump, which knowing that he would have family onboard and thought that it would make the deployment easier. saved the Navy over $80,000 of “It is lucky that we keep getting possible contractor work. He led stationed together,” said Taylor. “It has made a over 200 man-hours of corrective world of difference in our service and our lives.” The connection between the siblings was maintenance and repairs, working most evident following an incident early in the ship’s 18 hours per day for 5 days in deployment. During an amphibious training exercise in Hawaii, an MV-22 Osprey aircraft conducted temperatures exceeding 100 a hard landing and two Marines lost their lives. degrees. He trained 5 junior Sailors Matt was part of the exercise and said it was really hard for him after it happened, but while conducting 18 evolutions in he remembered Taylor helping him through it. preparation for MCI. “I remember waking up that evening, getting ready for my shift since I’m on nights, and everyone was telling me that I should go I could help at all. I went up to where he works check on my brother,” said Taylor. “I had no idea and just the fact that I was there was enough to what I was getting in to, and I didn’t know how help him. It showed that I was there for him.” The brothers agreed that it brings their family comfort that they are both together, especially during hard times. As an aviation electronics technician, Taylor works on electronics for the aircrafts that Matt flies in. He says it makes him more cautious on his work because he knows his brother is up in the air on it. “I’ve had faith in my brother the whole time since childhood, so I feel better knowing my blood is working on something that could affect my life,” said Matt. Even though they both count on each other in many ways, there will always be a good-hearted sibling rivalry brewing at all times just below the surface. “We have always had a friendly competition with each other,” said Taylor. “We were both in boy scouts together and it was a race to see who could make Eagle Scout first. Matt did. But I made E-4 in the service first, so now we are seeing who can make E-5 first.” After a lifetime of supporting each other growing up and serving together as part of the Navy/ Marine Corps team, the brothers intend to both move back to Texas to begin the next leg of their journey together after they complete their military service.
M
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“Talladega Nights” because I love NASCAR.
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“South Paw” because I have a black eye.
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November 22 - November 28 Channel 3
Channel 4
Channel 5
Sunday, 22 November 0500/1640
THE FIFTH ESTATE (2.08)
OCEAN'S TWELVE (2.05)
PHILADELPHIA (2.05)
0710/1920
THE FAMILY (1.51)
STAR TREK 2: WRATH OF KAHN (1.53)
THE AGE OF ADELINE (1.53)
0935/2115
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1.46)
PREDATOR (1.47)
THIS IS THE END (1.47)
1125/2305
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS (1.34)
THE BOY NEXT DOOR (1.31)
THE FULL MONTY (1.31)
1300/0040
VERONICA MARS (1.47)
EX MACHINA (1.50)
THE OTHER WOMAN (1.49)
1450/0230
THE RUNDOWN (1.44)
JOHN WICK (1.41)
THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE (1.41)
Monday, 23 November 0500/1615
SAVING MR. BANKS (2.05)
OCEAN'S THIRTEEN (2.02)
0705/1820
THE WEDDING RINGER (1.41)
THE HANGOVER PART 3 (1.40)
HAPPY FEET (1.40)
0920/2035
MADAGASCAR 3 (1.33)
MOONRISE KINGDOM (1.33)
PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (1.33)
1055/2210
STEP UP: ALL IN (1.52)
AMERICAN REUNION (1.53)
DARK SHADOWS (1.53)
1250/0005
THE WORLD'S END (1.49)
TYLER PERRY'S A MADEA'S CHRISTMAS (1.45)
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE (1.45)
1440/0155
KUNG FU PANDA (1.32)
METALLICA: THROUGH THE NEVER (1.32)
TAKEN 2 (1.32)
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (2.02)
Tuesday, 24 November 0500/1615
THE HUNDRED-‐FOOT JOURNEY (2.02)
ENTOURAGE (2.00)
PLATOON (2.00)
0705/1820
HIT AND RUN (1.40)
HOPE SPRINGS (1.40)
MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (1.42)
0920/2030
NOW YOU SEE ME (1.56)
OUT OF THE FURNACE (1.56)
SPEED (1.56)
1120/2230
I, FRANKENSTEIN (1.53)
THE IMPOSSIBLE (1.54)
SNITCH (1.52)
1315/0005
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: WORLDS AWAY (1.31)
EVIL DEAD (1.31)
FREE BIRDS (1.31)
1450/0140
THE APPARITION (1.23)
CHICKEN RUN (1.24)
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE MARKED ONES (1.24)
0500/1645
GLADIATOR (2.35)
CLOUD ATLAS (2.32)
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCEROR'S STONE (2.32)
0805/1950
SEVENTH SON (1.42)
THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER (1.42)
THE WATCH (1.42)
0950/2135
THE WIZARD OF OZ (1.42)
SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD (1.41)
EPIC (1.42)
1135/2320
GETAWAY (1.30)
THE WATERBOY (1.30)
SNOW DAY (1.29)
1305/0050
BOURNE ULTIMATUM (1.51)
WILD (1.55)
GANGSTER SQUAD (1.53)
1500/0245
POMPEII (1.42)
ST. VINCENT (1.42)
ABOUT LAST NIGHT (1.40)
0500/1630
SELMA (2.08)
LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD (2.09)
GHOST (2.07)
0710/1910
CLERKS (1.32)
TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2013 (1.32)
THE NUTCRACKER (1.32)
0915/2045
THE DICTATOR (1.23)
ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD VERY BAD DAY (1.21)
POCAHONTAS (1.21)
1040/2210
DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (2.10)
THE FUGITIVE (2.10)
THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLINT (2.09)
Wednesday, 25 November
Scientists from the University of Kurdistan did an 8 week study with 30 obese young men, who had an average age of 23, with BMI of 31. None had any major exercise history. They made 3 groups of 10 who did either cardio then weights or weights then cardio or no training at all 3x a week for the 8 weeks. The second group did 30 minutes of cardio at 75% max effort then lifted 5 minutes later doing 5 exercises for 3 sets of 8 reps at 80% load. The third group reversed that. In the end, groups 2 and 3, found results in fat loss, muscle gained, and hormones benefits but the weights-first group did edge out the cardio-first group by a small margin of 3-6%. The study authors feel this applies to women as well of same age and fitness status.
Thursday, 26 (1) November
1250/0020
MOM'S NIGHT OUT (1.39)
HOME ALONE (1.38)
INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 (1.38)
1430/0200
THE MONUMENTS MEN (1.58)
THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL (1.57)
THE BEST OF ME (1.58)
Thursday, 26 (2) November 0500/1545
GROUNDHOG DAY (1.41)
FALLEN (2.04)
INTO THE WOODS (2.04)
0705/1750
A CHRISTMAS STORY (1.34)
HERCULES (1.39)
RESERVOIR DOGS (1.39)
0915/2000
GROUNDHOG DAY (1.41)
WAG THE DOG (1.37)
WARM BODIES (1.37)
1055/2140
ELF (1.37)
THE COUNSELOR (1.57)
U-‐571 (1.56)
1255/2340
GROUNDHOG DAY (1.41)
EDGE OF TOMORROW (1.53)
GOD'S NOT DEAD (1.53)
1350/0135
SCROOGED (1.55)
IDENTITY THIEF (1.51)
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING (1.50)
0500/1545
NEED FOR SPEED (2.11)
SAVAGES (2.11)
THE BOOK THIEF (2.11)
0715/1800
AFTER EARTH (1.40)
THE BOXTROLLS (1.40)
2 FAST 2 FURIOUS (1.40)
0925/2010
FRED CLAUS (1.36)
ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT (1.34)
ROBOCOP 1990 (1.35)
1100/2145
OUIJA (1.30)
OVER THE HEDGE (1.30)
EARTH TO ECHO (1.29)
1230/2315
THE NUT JOB (1.25)
THE MARINE: HOMEFRONT (1.26)
MADAGASCAR (1.26)
1400/0045
LAST VEGAS (1.44)
OCULUS (1.44)
THE SANTA CLAUSE 2 (1.44)
0500/1510
DEAD MAN WALKING (2.02)
ROBOCOP (2.01)
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (2.03)
0705/1715
21 AND OVER (1.33)
BRAVE (1.33)
RUN SILENT RUN DEEP (1.33)
0910/1920
300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (1.42)
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE (1.42)
THE EXPENDABLES 2 (1.42)
1055/2105
SAFE (1.35)
YOU'RE NEXT (1.35)
FUN SIZE (1.30)
1130/2240
ALL IS LOST (1.40)
DREDD (1.38)
THE BUCKET LIST (1.37)
1310/0020
ANCHORMAN 2: THE LEGEND OF RON BURGANDY (1.59)
ANNIE (1.59)
BLENDED (1.57)
Friday, 27 November
Saturday, 28 November
Be sure to check out Iron Gator Sports Talk featuring ABFCS Melton and AEC Flood on SITE TV channel 2 Thursday, November 26 (1) at 1930!