NAVY HEADLINES - NAVY NEWS ALL THE TIME

USS George H.W. Bush Conducts First Missile Launch
6/23/2010
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) successfully fired two Evolved NATO Sea Sparrow missiles and two Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) for the first time, to conclude its first Combat Systems Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT), June 23. CSSQT is part of the series of qualifications and certifications the aircraft carrier must undergo in preparation for her upcoming maiden deployment. According to Combat Systems Officer, Cmdr. John B. Vliet, CSSQT is a combined effort between the Combat Systems, Operations and Weapons departments to test the aircraft carrier's self-defense systems. "It's an end-to-end testing of the Combat Systems Suite, to include tactics, techniques, and procedures," Vliet said. "It's an operational verification of the ship's warfighting and self-defense capabilities. Combat Systems with Operations department has worked around the clock for the last six months, grooming equipment and training for this exercise. More than 200 personnel have directly or indirectly supported this evolution." Of those 200-plus personnel, two of the most directly involved were Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Ezekiel S. Ramirez, work center supervisor for the Evolved NATO Sea Sparrow Surface Missile System, and Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Ryan P. McWilliams, work center supervisor for the RAM system. The Evolved NATO Sea Sparrow missile is a semi-active missile that requires feed from directors to locate its target, and the RAM is a passive missile, meaning the missile uses built-in sensors to home in on targets. All of the missiles used during the launch were telemetry missiles, which are live missiles that have the warheads replaced with data recovery technology used to gauge accuracy. Ramirez and McWilliams, on board experts for the missile systems, said that the launch was the culmination of months of hard work and preparation that included more than 40 maintenance checks, going aloft to fix radar, multiple pre-fire checks, and 21 "detect-to-engage" pre-fire drills. "We've been preparing for this evolution ever since the ship left the shipyard and we took ownership of the system," said McWilliams. "This was one of the hardest evolutions Combat Systems department will have to do during the existence of this aircraft carrier." Prior to the launch, Ramirez and McWilliams were responsible for loading the two launchers for each system. "The NATO Sea Sparrow Missile system holds eight missiles in each launcher and the RAM uses 21 missiles in each launcher," said Ramirez. "It's a lot of work for one launch, but when we deploy we will have to load a total of 58 missiles." Ramirez stressed the significance of the successful missile fire, what it meant for the entire command, and for the small group of 14 Sailors directly involved with operation of the missile systems. "It's a pretty a big accomplishment," he said. "We are the aircraft carrier's first and last line of defense. This test is the way we prove that the self-defense systems work. We're finally doing our job." Directing the crew in the Combat Direction Center (CDC) were the Blue and Gold team Tactical Action Officers (TAO), Lt. Chris Caton and Lt. Jeff Moen of the Operations department. The CDC Officer Cmdr. Les Spanheimer credits proactive tactical leadership and outstanding teamwork with the successful missile test. "Lt. Caton began training our tactical watchstanders with live aircraft while the ship was still being outfitted in the shipyards," said Spanheimer. "That proactive tactical development combined with a perfectly groomed weapons system helped us demonstrate today how very capable this ship is." "The test involved two watch teams made up of 13 to 15 people," Caton said. "During the exercise the watch teams are responsible for communicating with Range Control, tracking and data-linking the targets and engaging those threats when they enter our engagement envelope. We've been preparing for this for well over a year, putting in long hours." Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW/AW) John L. Rodriguez-Hardy and Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Jason E. Pugh, members of the Gold Team, said the reason for two watch teams was to create two unique scenarios for each missile system. They said that the watch teams acted as the communications link between combat systems and the weapons systems. Rodriguez-Hardy and Pugh described the long hours of preparation that went into their pivotal roles in the evolution. "We've performed more than 80 hours of pre-fire maintenance on all weapons systems, 40 hours of system testing and 20 hours in briefs and debriefs," said Rodriguez-Hardy, the defense weapons coordinator for the Gold Team. "It's a big stress relief to know that we're capable of defense," he added. Pugh, the Gold Team NATO supervisor's console operator, noted that the success also had an impact on the morale of the operators and crew. "This test makes or breaks the defense mentality of the entire ship," he said. "It's the first step in a trust-building foundation, between the systems operators and the rest of the crew." The lengthy systems certification process, which involved weapons onload and system approval from Carrier Strike Group 2 and the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), directly involved the aircraft carrier's Weapons department. According to Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW/SW) Chris J. Morrison of Weapons department, the certification involved every member of the Weapons Inventory Control. "We had to verify and requisition the exact missiles being used in the launch," he said. "Once missiles were on board, we were responsible for turning them over to Combat Systems personnel. From there we inspected, stowed and moved the missiles to the launchers." In addition to all the preparation that went into the test, Vliet described how the systems operators had to be fully prepared to handle any situation. "The operators and technical experts have got to be ready and fully understand all of the dud and misfire procedures in the event of an equipment or missile casualty," Morrison said. Ramirez reaffirmed the team's readiness with confidence. "We're fully trained and capable to handle misfires," he said. "We're ready no matter what happens. We are here to defend the ship. We're ready and willing to do our job."

Enterprise Completes 1,000th Trap - 5/28/2010
During flight operations the crew of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) briefly celebrated as the 1,000th landing or "trap" since the ship got underway for flight deck certification and carrier qualifications was successfully completed May 27. The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is one of the most dangerous places on earth. Safety is paramount, and the key to safe operations is training. The crew of Enterprise executed the precision ballet that is orchestrated daily on the busy flight deck, proving that their training is effective when it counts. As Knighthawk 310, an F/A-18F, piloted by Lt. j.g. Chris Salliotte, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, came down the glide slope towards the pitching deck, the training of hundreds of people was a vital part of the precision that marked the 1,000 trap. The trap was completed just weeks since the 48-year-old carrier departed from the shipyard and commenced at-sea operations for the first time in more than two years. "Safety is paramount on the flight deck," said Lt. Cmdr. Larry R. Spradlin, the ship's aircraft handling officer. "One misstep can mean disaster, so everyone has to stay focused." The 1,000th trap marks another milestone in an underway full of them. In every successful event completed during this underway period, safety has played a vital role. From proper protective equipment to operational risk management, the crew of Enterprise has done it right, and done it safely. Enterprise has rapidly stretched her sea legs which became stiff in the shipyards, and has emerged as the mighty, combat-ready warship that she has been for the last five decades. "Rest assured, Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing One are back and ready for action," said Spradlin. Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing 1 are currently underway conducting operations and training for the ship's 21st deployment.

USS Elrod Encounters Drug Smugglers in Mediterranean 5/27/2010
NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- USS Elrod (FFG 55) encountered three suspected drug smugglers off the coast of Morocco in international waters in the Western Mediterranean Sea May 25 while conducting routine operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Operations. At approximately 8 p.m., while conducting a surface search mission, a SH-60B Seahawk helicopter assigned to Elrod spotted three individuals discarding multiple packages into the sea from their ridged-hull inflatable boat (RHIB). The helicopter relayed the information to Elrod, which then altered course and attempted to establish radio communication with the unknown RHIB. Upon arrival a search and rescue swimmer was deployed and recovered several packages, two of which tested positive for narcotics. A seven man visit, board, search, and seizure team conducted a consensual boarding on the RHIB to verify the vessel's registration and country of origin. Upon discovering the suspected smugglers were from Morocco the ship notified Moroccan authorities and remained on station until a transfer of the suspected smugglers could be facilitated. Elrod, an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate homeported out of Norfolk, is on a regularly scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Operations. For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -U.S. Naval Forces Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.

USS Wasp Adds DAPA Manpower 5/27/2010
USS WASP, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1) now have a better opportunity to learn about and seek help with alcohol-related matters with the addition of four assistants to the ship's Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor (DAPA). "This command is so large that a single command DAPA wouldn't be able to keep up with the tempo of the needs of Sailors," said Chief Information Systems Technician (SW/AW) Gary Stevenson, DAPA coordinator. "Having these qualified assistants allows this program to reach many more Sailors." According to the program's governing instruction OPNAVINST 5350.4D, DAPAs serve as the command's primary advisors for alcohol and drug matters. DAPAs report directly to the commanding officer, and manage the command's Substance Abuse Prevention Program. They conduct administrative screenings, prepare applicable reports, provide prevention education, and monitor aftercare. "DAPA is a good program, and it gets a lot of Sailors who need help with drinking free assistance that's not available in the civilian sector," said Stevenson. "But that person has to want to get help. DAPA provides an avenue to get the help they need." One of the goals of the DAPA Program is to reach Sailors who may have a drinking problem before the drinking problem impacts them, their career, and the command. Sailors have the opportunity to become involved in the program through self-referrals to any one of five trusted agents: either of the doctors on board, through the chaplain, through the commanding officer, through Fleet and Family Services, or by directing one of the command DAPA personnel. "Self referrals are designed to give Sailors a positive way to deal with what can be a debilitating situation, or even a disease," said Ship's Serviceman 1st Class (SW/AW) Angela Zamora, assistant DAPA "We want to provide an atmosphere that will make Sailors feel comfortable to refer themselves, because after there's an alcohol-related incident, it's too late." A Sailor who may have a problem can be treated through the Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program (SARP), which offers a variety of programs to help break dependency. Following successful treatment, Sailors return to their commands and the DAPAs help them maintain an aftercare plan. The aftercare ensures that positive behaviors taught at SARP are implemented into the Sailors' daily lives. Privacy concerns for Sailors who refer themselves or are referred is paramount. Screenings are conducted in private and confidentiality is maintained throughout the process, however long the treatment or aftercare may continue. "If a Sailor is going to have the fortitude and honesty to refer themselves, then it's not just command policy to maintain their privacy, it becomes a common courtesy and respect issue," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 1st Class John Quillin, assistant DAPA. "We want the program to be approachable. We can't help people if they're staying away because they're worried about the consequences."