May 11, 2012 Issue“We are Legend”Newsletter Edition

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

The Shuttle

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea -- Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) embrace their cultural differences and diversity both at home and at sea. Promoting diversity is an important part of Navy life and, aboard Enterprise, the Multi-Cultural Heritage Committee is leading the way in ensuring every Sailor knows that everyone, regardless of their background, has something special to offer. “The Multi-Cultural Heritage Committee was put together to highlight the many different cultures we have within the Navy,” said Lt. Clifton D. Butler, a member of the committee. The Multi-Cultural Heritage Committee aboard Enterprise is a group of Sailors focused on organizing events where the crew can celebrate cultural differences and learn about those differences from one another. “Everyone brings a different knowledge of their cultures and backgrounds,” said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Cynthia Cordero, former vice president of the Multi-Cultural Heritage Committee. “This allows for everyone to get a better understanding of everyone else.” Each month the committee hosts a new observance. For the

Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gregory Whitemonth of May, the committee is planning an Asian-Pacific American Heritage observance. “The committee develops activities every month which are designed to highlight each individual culture,” said Butler. “During those time frames we look at the aspects of diversity and how it influences the Navy.” In the past, the committee has conducted observances for Black, Hispanic and Women’s History Months and Holocaust remembrance. The committee works to create meaningful events for everyone. “The events that the Multi-Cultural Heritage Committee puts on are a celebration of all of us and there is no exclusivity to any event that we host,” said Butler. “This is to bring us together and that’s the main purpose of the committee – to bring everybody together.” While celebrating diversity may be an effective means of increasing cultural awareness, it is also necessary given the worldwide reach of the U.S. Navy. “The fact that we have different relationships with

other countries makes our diversity a necessity,” said Cordero. When Sailors know more about one another, they work better together. By giving crew members the opportunity to learn about their fellow shipmates, Enterprise’s Multi-Cultural Heritage Committee creates a positive work environment of mutual respect and understanding. “I work with people from all over the world,” said Logistics Specialist Seaman Christopher A. Castanuela. “It’s a great experience knowing that now I have friends from all different places and backgrounds, not just in America.” The Navy, including Enterprise, is strengthened by the diversity of its people. “We have to work together as a team in order to get things done,” said Butler. “It matters not where a person comes from, as far as race, creed or culture. What matters most is what their gifts or abilities are, how they perform specific jobs and complete them with confidence. That’s what makes the Navy great. We come together as a team and get the job done.”

Enterprise Multi-Cultural Heritage Committee Promotes Diversity

Sailors serve cake following the Multi-Cultural Heritage Committee’s celebration honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). (Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman)

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Big E HappeningsThe Shuttle

The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65.navy.mil.

Public Affairs OfficerLt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler

Executive OfficerCapt. G. C. Huffman

Commanding OfficerCapt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.

EditorsMC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover MCSN Brian G. Reynolds

The Shuttle

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Command Master ChiefABCM (AW/SW) Eric M. Young

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In the News

U.S. Lawmakers Move To Boost 2013 Defense BudgetBy David Alexander, REUTERSWASHINGTON - Pentagon chief Leon Panetta warned U.S. lawmakers last month not to pick apart piece by piece the finely balanced 2013 defense budget he sent to Capitol Hill earlier this year. But lawmakers in the Republican-led House of Representatives are doing exactly that. The House Armed Services Committee began work on Wednesday on a defense policy bill that would authorize nearly $4 billion in spending above the amount Panetta requested in the Pentagon budget he had proposed. That would nearly obliterate the $5 billion Panetta trimmed from the 2013 budget as part of efforts to cut $487 billion in projected defense spending over the next decade. Congress and President Barack Obama ordered the cuts last year to try to bring the country’s trillion-dollar deficits under control. While the House Armed Services Committee authorizes spending levels,

Navy Ships Help Seize $363 Million In CocaineLt. Matt Phillips, USS NICHOLAS PUBLIC AFFAIRSUSS NICHOLAS, At Sea -- Guided missile frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47) assisted partner nation forces with the interdiction of a vessel carrying nearly 2,200 kilograms (4,850 pounds) of cocaine, with an estimated street value of more than $363 million, in the eastern Pacific May 6. The interdiction was conducted as part of Operation Martillo, a U.S., European, and Western Hemisphere partner nation effort targeting illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus. ‘Martillo’ is the Spanish word for ‘hammer.’ A U.S. Customs and Border Protection P-3 Orion initially detected the speedboat, “El Kike,” and then turned over tracking to a helicopter from Nicholas. The helicopter tracked the suspect “go-fast” vessel until Nicholas was in position to make a coordinated approach with the helicopter. The go-fast vessel then stopped, jettisoned approximately half of its cargo, then turned and made best speed to Colombia. Nicholas, with embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), adjusted course while

contacting nearby forces - USS McClusky (FFG 41) and Colombian navy ship ARC 20 de Julio for assistance. A helicopter attached to McClusky maintained surveillance of the go-fast and was able to divert the speedboat into Colombian territorial waters where it was interdicted by the Colombian navy. “With the help of some friends, we accomplished what we set out to do - disrupt the drug trade,” said Cmdr. Stephen Fuller, commanding officer of Nicholas. “Interdictions are challenging, but with the help of McClusky, [U.S.] Customs, and the Colombian navy, we executed a successful operation.” U.S. military participation in Operation Martillo is being led by Joint Interagency Task Force-South, a component of U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). Operation Martillo is a component of the U.S. government’s coordinated interagency regional security strategy in support of the White House strategy to combat transnational organized crime and the U.S. Central America Regional Security Initiative.

it does not control actual funding. The panel that controls the purse strings - the House Appropriations Committee - is also looking to boost defense spending over the levels recommended by Panetta, by about $3.1 billion. The defense subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee approved that amount on Monday, sending the measure to the full committee, where it could be raised or lowered before going to the full House. Both House panels would use the funds to stave off cutbacks proposed by the Pentagon. Where Panetta sought to delay or eliminate some weapons systems, lawmakers are trying to save them. Where Panetta sought to reduce the size of the armed forces over time, lawmakers are trying to slow the pace. “This (bill) actively rebuilds the military within the constrained resources available to us,” House Armed Services chairman Buck McKeon told the committee. “We have preserved some of our vital force

structure, like protecting cruisers and slowing Army and Marine Corps end-strength reductions to ensure the president’s new defense strategy is not a paper tiger.” At issue is the $525.4 billion defense budget that Obama sent to Congress early this year. The spending plan would reduce defense outlays by about $5 billion, or 1 percent, the first cuts in more than a decade. The two House panels use different figures for the base Defense budget because they include different programs. But the chairmen of both panels said their proposals would add more than $3 billion to the president’s funding request. The proposed budget is about $45 billion less than what the Pentagon had planned, just a year ago, to spend during the 2013 fiscal year. To meet the new targets, Panetta and the military service chiefs intend to cut the size of the armed forces by about 103,000 troops, mainly soldiers and Marines.

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Big E Entertainment

AE3 Leroy Kellark, from Washington, D.C., joined the Navy four and a half years ago to travel and increase his career options. In his spare time, Kellark enjoys reading, working out and listenting to good music. His future goals include advancing in rank and earning a college degree.

Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd ClassLeroy E. Kellark

Sailors of the Day

YN3 Brandon Boggan, from McCalla, Ala., joined the Navy two years ago to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, riding his motorcycle and going to concerts and sporting events. In the future, Boggan plans to complete a second bachelor’s degree and earn a master’s degree in special education.

Yeoman 3rd ClassBrandon Boggan