Vinson Voice: 25 September 2011

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In This Issue: Cableway Team | Rugby | New CNO | Around the Vinson

Vol 02 No 68 | September 25, 2011

Flight Deck Visitor Ruffles Feathers STORY & PHOTOS BY

MC3 Jessica Tounzen| USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

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The Carl Vinson Voice is an inter nal document pro duced 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.

f the many things to fly on Carl Vinson’s flight deck, you wouldn’t normally expect to see the feathered variety. But a few Vinson Sailors met one such winged visitor Sept. 23, and he’s ruffling quite a few feathers. Flight operations were in progress, and Chief Aviation Electronics Technician (AW/ SW/NAC) Mike Craycraft and his Sailors were preparing to begin the next aircraft launch cycle, when one of the plane captains called out to Craycraft. “He said, ‘Chief, there’s a bird over here!’, and pointed to the deck-edge scupper,” said Craycraft, a flight deck coordinator with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25. Craycraft immediately ran to the scupper and there it was: a tiny owl, with brown-and-white markings and vivid yellow eyes, hunkered down in the scupper. Craycraft was shocked at the discovery. “I thought, ‘How on Earth did an owl get out here?’. It was a very bad place for him to be,” he said. So Craycraft did the first thing that popped into his head: he gently scooped up the tiny creature with gloved hands, rescuing the bird from what might otherwise have been a tragic fate. But duty called, and there was an aircraft waiting to be Continue ‘OWL’ on Pg. 2


2 From ‘OWL’ on Pg. 1

launched. With his new feathered friend in hand, cradled safely against his float coat, Craycraft continued the launch amid curious looks from fellow flight deck personnel. Upon completion of flight operations, Craycraft located a temporary home for the bird: a paper-lined, hole-pocked Priority Mail box from the ship’s post office. It was no typical nest by any means, but Craycraft set about making the bird as comfortable as possible during its stay onboard Vinson, providing a dark space, and fresh water and meals for the bird. Meanwhile, Craycraft’s shop was abuzz over their new visitor, now thought to be a burrowing owl. “Everyone was excited about the owl, admiring him and petting him,” he said. “We’ve even tossed around names, like Vinson the FOD (Foreign Object Damage) Owl.” While it’s not clear how the owl came to be an inadvertent participant in flight operations, Craycraft overheard a rumor of a bird flying over a jet the day before, getting caught in the JBD (Jet Blast Deflector) and hitting the flight deck, too disoriented or possibly too injured to fly away. Despite the commotion the owl has caused, Craycraft knows he can’t let his avian attachment grow too strong. An aircraft carrier isn’t exactly owl-friendly, even for one not on the endangered species list, so he’s working on options to get the bird safely off the ship and into a facility that will be able to care for the owl and re-integrate it back into the wild.

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September 25, 2011

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Vinson’s Cableway Team ELIMINATING SHOCK HAZARDS BY TRACING DEAD-END CABLES STORY & PHOTOS BY

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

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mong the complex web of wires on board Vinson hide a few potential shock hazards in the form of what we call dead-end cables. To minimize these, a team of Sailors is working to rid the ship of this unsightly and dangerous discrepancy. A dead-end cable is a wire running through the cableways that could possibly be energized by a power source. These wires may have been attached to equipment that has been removed from the ship. A four-man team comprised of an Interior Communications Electrician (IC), an Information Systems Technician (IT), an Electronics Technician (ET) and an Electrician’s Mate (EM) work to fix what was left behind after Vinson’s Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH). “We are tracking over 1,200 known jobs and every time we go to a job we come across another dead-end cable,” said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman (AW/SW) Duane James of Weapons Department’s G-3 Division and cableway team manager. “We inspect and trace each cable and try to figure out where it comes from.” The job of tracing cables through the passageways and work spaces is familiar territory for the Sailors on the team as each member has had experience with Vinson’s cableway network.

“This is what we do when we are in our departments,” said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Clarence Thompkins of Combat System’s CS-3 Division. “ITs are up in the cableways running new cables or removing old ones and the EMs are fixing lights and tracing wires.” “We verify the cables are de-energized and we make a note of any shock hazards around the ship,” said Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Jeffrey Schaller of Engineering Department’s Electrical Division. “We run electrical tag-outs so we are not moving around live cables.” The number of dead-end cables around the ship is towering, and even with four determined Sailors, the job seeems like it will never end. “We are looking into increasing our manning to about ten personnel by Oct. 1,” said James. “This way we can essentially send out more teams to take care of the growing amount of jobs.” If you notice a dead-end cable in your space or in a p-way, James urges you to inform your work center supervisor so a job request can be submitted in Organizational Maintenance Management System- Next Generation (OMMS-NG). “Some of these cables could be energized so we have to be persistent in finding all of them,” said James. “This will improve the ship’s overall environment and remove unnecessary clutter from the cableways.”


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September 25, 2011

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CNO Change of Command A MESSAGE FROM ADMIRAL GREENERT TO THE FLEET

MESSAGE FROM

Adm. Jonathan Greenert| U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead is relieved by Adm. Jonathan Greenert at a change of command ceremony held at the U.S. Naval Academy. Greenert became the 30th Chief of Naval Operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad Runge/Released)

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oday, I am honored to become your 30th Chief of Naval Operations. Admiral Roughead turned over to me the greatest Navy in the world. I am the son of a steel worker from Butler, Pa. Growing up with four sisters and my brother, my parents taught me at an early age the value of hard work, perseverance, and integrity. The opportunities the Navy gave me over these past 36 years put me on a journey from western Pennsylvania to serving as Chief of Naval Operations today. I consider myself an example of the tremendous opportunities our Navy affords each of us every day. My three tenets to address our challenges and organize, train, and equip the Navy, are provided here: warfighting

first: Warfighting is at the core of our existence. We must maintain our ability to fight and win. Operate forward: we are most effective operating forward around the world, ensuring access to the maritime crossroads to ensure freedom of maneuver and economic prosperity. Be ready: we will be ready. Our Sailors will be trained, our submarines, ships, and aircraft will be maintained, and our shore commands will be enabled to support what you need to do your job. We will be judicious with our resources, and our Sailors’ and civilians’ time, while preparing to execute assigned missions. I am honored to be your Chief of Naval Operations. Drawing upon over two centuries of heritage and tradition, I trust that, when called upon, you will perform superbly. You exemplify the highest standards of service to our nation.


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Vinson Gold Eagles Prepare for Fleet Week Rugby

STORY BY

MC2 (SW) Byron C. Linder| Carl Vinson Staff Writer

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n Hangar Bay 3, bathed in amber lights and surrounded by aircraft, Sailors of Carl Vinson’s Gold Eagles Rugby Football Club can be found running drills in preparation for matches scheduled during Vinson’s visit to San Francisco for Fleet Week Oct. 8-11. Rugby, which dates back to 1845, is played in two 40-minute halves. The focus is on moving the ball forward via quick passing and teamwork which allows for Sailors of all skill levels to contribute. Played full-contact and without pads, rugby has hard hits in the game and firm handshakes afterwards. “It is probably the last barbaric gentlemen’s sport left on Earth,” said team member Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) (AW/SW) Luke Willdigg. “A lot of people consider it football without pads, but it’s completely different. I’ve been in games where you get the socks knocked off you by the opposing team, and that guy will turn around and pick you up off the ground. It’s no-holds barred and a good way to get some aggression out.” Practice is scheduled for 7:15 every night, subject to aircraft movement schedules. Willdigg encouraged prospective players and spectators to be flexible with the times and operational schedule. Preparing for a rugby match on the hangar bay’s nonskid provides an optimal litmus test, observed team captain and All-Navy rugby player Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class (AW) Antonio Arbelo, a Kansas City native assigned to Weapons Department, G-1 Division, temporarily assigned to Security Department. “It really shows who’s committed to playing, when you can focus while the ship is moving from side to side. You get out on the pitch, or the grass, and you’re good to go because you’ve been preparing on nonskid,” Arbelo said. “Everyone gets to touch the ball, and everyone has something to bring to the team.” “There’s not too much juking around in rugby. You go on a straight line to push away defenders,” added Willdigg. Willdigg cautioned prospective players that while a thorough

knowledge of the game would not be a prerequisite for playing, a good baseline of physical fitness would be called for. There are no tryouts, and Sailors from every department aboard Vinson are welcome to play. “The less you know, the better you can adapt to what’s going on. On the last cruise, I was doing 45 minutes to an hour of cardio every day. When I got to the pitch and ran around, it took my breath away. You have to run slow, get the ball, and punch through the defenders. Many aren’t used to that big burst of energy,” said Willdigg. “The teams we’re playing aren’t at sea every day. They have to go to work and take care of their families, so we come in much more fit.” “I’m an ex-football player who found success with rugby. Rugby can take a toll on the body. It takes a lot of commitment and it’s a contact sport, so you have to like contact,” added Arbelo. Once the match is over, the common ground of being a “rugger” becomes the focus. “After the game, you shake everyone’s hand. It’s tradition for the host team to host the visiting team in their clubhouse, or to go out after the game and have a good time. It’s all about camaraderie,” said Willdigg. “In rugby it’s all about the team. You need the team to back you up. It’s about heritage and history, and you see different values by playing different teams.” When the Gold Eagles take on the Bay Area Baracus and California Maritime teams in San Francisco, they will be playing four twentyminute quarters against two clubs and have the opportunity to mix with the different clubs’ social circles. “When any sports team plays the host city, those people want to see it and they bring their family and friends. If we’re local, we can bring our families and friends, and in San Francisco we can bring our shipmates to watch the games. And regardless of who wins, we’ll be welcomed with open arms and all go out to celebrate,” said Willdigg. Prospective players and spectators are encouraged to visit Hangar Bay 3 during practice for more information on the Gold Eagles Rugby Football Club.


September 25, 2011

PHOTOS BY

MC3 (SW/AW) Rosa Arzola | MC3 (SW/AW) Timothy Hazel| MCSN (SW/AW) Nicolas Lopez | USS Carl Vinson Staff Photographers

AROUND THE VINSON

THIS WEEK

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Vinson Voice

DIALOGUES D E C K P L A T E

| What is your favorite military movie & why? | “Black Hawk Down because it’s fast-paced and has hardcore action.”

“Apocalypse Now because to me it seems like a realistic portrayal of the Vietnam War.”

I T 3 ( S W / A W ) Jamonte Reed

E T S N Ruairidh McWilliam

“Top Gun because i think it’s funny and it’s a cool navy movie.”

“I really like Saving Private Ryan because of the amazing action and Tearjerking scenes.”

C S 3 ( s w ) mark hotz

A N Dennis Maughan

The length of cable and wiring running through the ship is more than 4,300 times the ship’s length. In 1975 the construction cost for the Vinson was approximately $1.3 billion.

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| MC2 (SW/AW) LORI D. BENT

Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Hail is regarded as one of the worst hazards to aircraft while flying in a thunderstorm.

|PHOTO EDITOR|

MC2 (SW) JAMES R. EVANS

|GRAPHICS/LAYOUT|

MC3 (SW) MEGAN L. CATELLIER

|STAFF WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS|

There are 11 pressure points in the body. Temple, jaw, neck, collar bone, inner upper arm, inner elbow, wrist, groin, upper thigh, knee and ankle.

MC2 (SW) BYRON C. LINDER MC3 (SW/AW) ROSA ARZOLA MC3 (SW/AW) TIMOTHY HAZEL MC3 JESSICA TOUNZEN MCSN (SW/AW) NICOLAS LOPEZ


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