OCTOBER 19, 2014VOL 5 ISSUE 27

Carl Vinson CelebratesNavy Birthday

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PUBLISHERCAPT KARL THOMASCommanding Officer

GRAPHICS/LAYOUTMC2 MICHAEL H. LEE

MCSN(SW) JACOB G. KAUCHERMCSN CODY HOWELL

JUNIOR EDITORSMC1(SW/AW) RYAN TABIOS

MC2(SW/AW) TRAVIS ALSTON

STAFF WRITERS&

PHOTOGRAPHERSMC2(SW/AW) JOHN P. WAGNER

MC2(SW) NICK BROWNMC2(SW/AW) SCOTT FENAROLI

MC3(SW) SHANTECE GONZALEZMC3 GIOVANNI SQUADRITO

MC3(SW) CURTIS D. SPENCERMCSN JAMES P. BLEYLE

EDITORS-IN-CHIEFMCC(AW) Russell TafuriMedia Department Leading Chief Petty OfficerMCC(AW/SW/EXW) DAVID CRAWFORDMedia Operations Leading Chief Petty Officer

EXECUTIVEEDITORSLCDR KYLE RAINESPublic Affairs Officer

LTJG TREVOR DAVIDSAssistant Public Affairs Officer

Carl Vinson Celebrates Navy Birthday

The Rich Hispanic Heritage of the United States Navy

Team Vinson Runs for a Cause

Integration Through Training

It All Makes Cents

Q&A with Carl Vinson’s Physical Therapist

Free Mail for Team Vinson

Best Guns in the West

ContentsTable of

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America’sFavorite

Carrier

Media department’s mission is to tell the story of Carl Vinson and her embarked airwing and staff. As part of getting the ship’s crew more involved, the Voice staff would like to encourage Team Vinson to submit written stories and photos for the Voice, to place on our “crew submission” page. Please email MC2(SW/AW) Travis Alston submissions.

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The crew of the Carl Vinson gathered on the mess decks for a cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate the U. S. Navy’s 239th birthday, Oct. 13.

Rear Adm. Christopher W. Grady, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, Capt. Karl Thomas, Carl Vinson’s commanding officer, and Command Master Chief (CMDCM) Marty Barnholtz, Carl Vinson’s command master chief, presided over the ceremony.

During the ceremony both Grady and Thomas addressed the crew about the history of the anniversary of the Navy and the mission at hand.

“Birthdays mark the beginning of the next phase of our lives and we are at one of those today,” said Grady. “In the near future, we will [enter] the 5th Fleet [area of responsibility] and to do the work the president has asked us to do.

“The Navy is our country’s expeditionary force,” Grady added. “We are always forward. When we have a crisis in the world, the president’s first question is always, ‘Where is the nearest carrier?’ We need to be forward and present where it really matters.”

Thomas emphasized the significance of the foundation of the Navy, the impact of the Navy’s current role in the world and the relevance of the Navy’s forward presence.

“Seventy percent of the world’s surface is covered by water,” Thomas said. “Eighty percent of the world’s population lives within 150 miles of coastlines and ninety percent of global commerce travels by sea.”

“The Navy’s job is about more than protecting commerce, it is about projecting power in those areas,” Thomas stated.

The ceremony concluded with a traditional Navy cake-cutting performed by the eldest and youngest Carl

Vinson Sailors in attendance, Grady and Personnel Specialist Seaman Kyle Odell, who didn’t expect to be singled out.

“It was a bit of a surprise to me that I was the youngest Sailor,” Odell said. “It was definitely an honor standing along side the Admiral cutting the cake to celebrate the 239th birthday of the United States Navy.”

Capt. Karl Thomas, commanding officer of Carl Vinson (center), Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Gregory Carnethon (left), and Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Urgessa Gemeda (right) cut a cake during the Navy’s 239th birthday celebration on the mess decks.

Carl Vinson Celebrates Navy BirthdayStory by MC3(SW) Curtis D. Spencer Photos by MC3(SW) Shantece Gonzalez

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“Nearly 50 years after the United States first observed what was

then known as National Hispanic Week, Hispanics represent a vibrant and thriving part of our diverse nation. Their histories and cultures stretch across centuries, and the contributions of those who come to our shores today in search of their dreams continue to add new chapters in our national story.

“This month, we honored the rich heritage of the Hispanic community and celebrate its countless achievements,” said Barak Obama, president of the United States of America during the National Hispanic Heritage Month 2014 Presidential Proclamation.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from Sep. 15 to Oct. 15 and aims to highlight the valuable contributions to our nation’s history made by those with backgrounds rooted in Spain and Latin America.

This year’s theme is “Hispanics: A Legacy of History, a Present of Action and a Future of Success.”

Even today, U.S. Sailors of Hispanic decent are influenced by the actions of those who set precedence by influencing and changing naval history.

“We as Latin Americans or Hispanics should be more appreciative of the service and sacrifices of those like Admiral Farragut,” explains Cmdr. Hector Caballero, Carl Vinson’s senior dental officer. “His message is strong and is a reflection of all Hispanics and Latina Americans serving in the U.S. Navy.”

One of the first leading Hispanic figures in naval history was Lt. Jorge Farragut Mesquida, who was born in Minorca, Spain, in September 1755. He later migrated to the American colonies where he served in the South Carolina Navy during the American Revolutionary War and fought as part of the U.S. Navy in the War of 1812. After the war, Lt. Farragut married Elizabeth Shine from South Carolina, and moved to

The Rich Hi

spanic Herit

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of the Unite

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Adm. David G. FarragutPhoto courtesy of Library of Congress

Story by MC2(SW/AW) Travis Alston & MC3(SW) Hansel D. Pintos

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U.S. Naval history, known as the “Fighting 9,” and he shot down 23 enemy aircraft in the Pacific in 1945.

Valencia Jr. received the Navy Cross for his outstanding service and remains the Navy’s third ranking ace of all time. Ramirez de Arellano received two silver stars, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star, for his actions against the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Ramirez de Arellano served on three different submarines and his performance led him to become the commanding officer (CO) of the USS Balao (SS 285) in April 1944, making him the first Hispanic submariner CO in U.S. Naval history.

As the number of Hispanic Sailors grew during the years after WWII, so did their careers in the Navy, occupying leadership roles, as they continued to fill many billets for the

first time. Edward Hidalgo went on to serve

in the highest naval office. In 1979, Hidalgo, a nationalized American citizen, born in Mexico and a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve, was appointed by President James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, Jr. as Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV). He would become the first Hispanic to hold this office. During his tenure, Hidalgo made recruiting Latino men and women a top priority.

On July 11, 2009, Joe Campa was sworn in as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON). Campa’s rise to MCPON marked a major milestone considering the service of Hispanic Sailors in the enlisted ranks since the American Revolutionary War. Campa served in the Navy for more than 29 years.

More recently, in 2010, Capt. Yvette Marie Davids, then a commander, became the CO for the guided missile frigate USS Curts (FFG 38), making her the first female Naval officer to be skipper of a surface combatant ship.

As of 2013, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics make up 17.1 percent of the U.S. population. It is projected that by the year 2050, an estimated 25 percent of the American labor force will be Hispanic.

As the Hispanic population in America continues to grow, the Navy’s leadership remains strongly committed to having a military force that reflects the diversity of the United State’s population.

“During my 23 years of service, I have seen a few instances where bias or ignorance has made it difficult to get a fair share. The Navy certainly wasn’t as diverse when I first joined as it is today,” said Caballero. “There is more recognition and awareness today of Hispanic culture than I have ever experienced. If you look around Carl Vinson, you see Hispanic leaders in the wardroom and chief petty officer’s mess, and there is no shortage of representation. That was definitely not the case 23 years ago. The opportunity and privilege is there for anyone to excel, regardless of ethnicity.”

Tennessee, where their son David G. Farragut was born.

Famous for his quote, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” Adm. David G. Farragut became the U. S. Navy’s first full admiral, equivalent today to a four-star admiral, and served for more than 40 years.

It was during the American Civil War that Spanish-American Seaman John Ortega, assigned to USS Saratoga, became the first Hispanic Sailor to earn the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was part of the landing parties from his ship during a Union blockade in August and September 1864 that resulted in the capture of many Confederate prisoners and the destruction of large amounts of ordnance, ammunition, supplies and infrastructure of the Confederate States.

Since then, 44 Hispanics have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their valiant service.

Throughout the years Hispanic Americans continued to grow and distinguish themselves within the Navy’s ranks.

When the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 prompted an unprecedented need for service members to defend the U.S. in World War II (WWII), the Navy called upon the service of women and created the program Women Accepted for Volunteer Service (WAVES). Among the brave women who responded to the call was Lt. Maria Rodriguez Denton.

Born in June 1909 in Guanica, Puerto Rico, Denton became the first female naval officer of Hispanic descent. Assigned to the Cable and Censorship Office in New York City as a library assistant, it was Denton who forwarded the news to President Harry S. Truman that the war had ended.

Among other notable Hispanic Americans that served during WWII are naval aviator Lt. Eugene Valencia Jr. and submariner Capt. Marion Fredric Ramirez de Arellano.

Valencia Jr., assigned to Fighting Squadron (VF) 9, led the most successful fighter plane division in

Cmdr. Hector Caballero, Carl Vinson’s senior dental officer. Photo by MC2(SW/AW) Travis Alston

Cmdr. Marion Fredric Ramirez de Arellano, right, receives the Silver Star - the fourth highest U.S. military decoration. Photo courtesy of U.S Navy

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Team Vinson Runs for a CauseStory by MCSN James Bleyle

Photos by MC2(SW) Nick Brown

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Erik Campos, assigned to Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, runs in the Hope, Faith, Cure 5K on the flight deck.

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Hope CureFaith

As the Carl Vinson Strike Group transits the Gulf of Oman, more than 580 crew members ran in a 5k run for breast cancer awareness on the flight deck

of the Carl Vinson, Oct. 16. Carl Vinson’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)

department hosted the “Hope, Faith, Cure” 5k that held special significance for one particular crewmember.

Master Chief Petty Officer Jimmy Haley, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 command master chief lost his mother to breast cancer in July of this year, just one month prior to the Carl Vinson pulling out of port in San Diego for its current deployment.

Haley spoke to the runners and event supporters before the start of the run about his mother’s battle with the disease and what that taught him.

“My mother proved while she was fighting breast cancer that strength comes from adversity. She never stopped fighting until the day she died. She touched so many lives during those tough eight years.” stated Halley.

“So for those of you affected by breast cancer, don’t give up and keep fighting the fight!”

Haley’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and battled the disease for right years before losing the fight in July at the age of 57.

Team Vinson Runs for a CauseChief Master-at-Arms Kenneth Watson runs for the Hope, Faith, Cure 5K to raise awareness for breast cancer on the flight deck.

Sailors run in the Hope, Faith, Cure 5K on the flight deck.

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Hospitalman Clara Aldencoe, assigned to the Red Lions of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 15 transports a patient during a medical training event in the hangar bay.

Hospitalman Clara Aldencoe, Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Keith Griffin and Hospitalman 1st Class Douglass Johnson poses for a photo in the hanger bay.

Hospitalman Clara Aldencoe, assigned to the Red Lions of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 15 applies a tourniquet to a patient during a medical training event as Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Doug Johnson supervises in the hangar bay.

Although Carl Vinson possesses advanced medical care facilities to process,

diagnose and treat her crew of 5,000, occasionally patients need to be transported to shore-based medical facilities to continue their care.

This can provide unique difficulties for medical care providers while Carl Vinson is deployed.

This is where Hospital Corpsman, trained as search and rescue medical technicians (SMT), fill the gaps.However, only 82 of these highly-specialized Sailors exist in the fleet today, so the specifics of their job isn’t always well-defined.

In an effort to clear up misconceptions, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Douglas Johnson, an SMT with the “Red Lions” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 15, hosted a static display question and answer session for Vinson’s medical staff, Oct. 11.

The training was tailored to inform medical staff of the exact capabilities and limitations of the MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter when transporting patients to and from the ship, and provide a forum for them to squelch

Story by MCSN James P. Bleyle Photos by MC2(SW/AW) Scott Fenaroli

rumors about SMT operations.“We want to get everyone on the

same sheet of music before we get into the 5th Fleet area of operation and start doing real-time operations,” said Johnson. “Having a chance to practice integration with the ship’s medical staff during the Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) and the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) helped bring it all together.”

During the hour-long training, Johnson demonstrated the unique medical equipment used on board the Sea Hawk and discussed safety precautions in the event that one of the shipboard medical care providers needs to assist in the transport of a patient.

“Ship’s medical staff learned about the capabilities that we’re bringing to the fight, and what our limitations are,” Johnson said. “For instance, you can’t listen to lung sounds or even really talk to the patient because of the noise in the helicopter. There are a lot of things that medical care providers take for granted in a clinical setting that can’t work in the back of a helicopter.”

This better understanding of an

SMT’s capabilities is important to help provide what Johnson said was ‘continuity of care’ for patients in transit.

“The end goal is always to provide the best possible patient care,” Johnson said. “As a patient moves from one healthcare provider to another, we don’t want that level of care to be downgraded in transit. We don’t want to make injuries worse while transferring a patient to a different medical facility.”

Attendees also learned about the differences in medical evacuations between the Sea Hawk and the C-2A Greyhound, and the pros and cons of each.

“I’m a bit biased, but I believe helicopters are the way to go when transporting patients,” Johnson said. “They’re far more flexible with where they can land and SMT’s benefit from being full-fledged aircrewman, so we can more easily integrate medical care in with the necessities of flight operations. We intimately understand the strengths and limitations of our platform, so we can better provide for our patients while they are in our care.”

Integration Through Training: Search and Rescue Medical Technician Static Display

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After relieving USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility Thursday, members assigned to Carl Vinson Strike Group

began receiving combat zone tax exclusion (CZTE) pay, which will be reflected on the Nov. 1st pay period.

CZTE is a program in place to allow members of the armed forces serving in a combat zone to receive their pay free of federal and state taxes.

“This pay should go on until we leave the area of operations,” said Vinson Administration Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Omar G. Martinez. “In short, everyone should be receiving seven months of tax-free pay.”

The tax-free pay is extended to most Sailors. The specific amount they receive will vary by Sailor.

“For instance, let’s take an E-5 with more than two years of active duty service who pays federal and state income taxes. He or she will see an extra approximate $200 in their paycheck for the next six months,” Martinez explained.

There are a few limitations to the amount of tax-free pay some personnel aboard will be eligible to receive.

“Sailors will only be allowed to have $7,816 of their pay tax free,” Martinez explained. “There are a few crew members on board that will not be able to take full advantage of the CZTE because their base pay with their sea pay and other bonuses exceeds the maximum allowable pay to be tax free.“

Martinez added that simply receiving tax-free money

is a welcomed bonus for the crew. However, an increase in pay may not solely allow Sailors to save during the deployment, it is beneficial to have a plan.

“People should consider a budget,” Martinez said. “Everyone’s financial foot print is different. I’ve talked to Sailors who are saving money to buy a car, some are sending money home to assist family members or pouring it all into their Thrift Savings Plan.”

Sailors are urged to consider the whole picture when considering any purchase.

“I would advise all Sailors, before purchasing vehicles, to ask themselves, ‘What are the costs outside of the common car payment, what will the insurance payments be and how much will it cost to maintain the car?’ Can you afford those costs?” Martinez said. “Those are just some of the questions you should be asking yourself prior to a motor vehicle purchase.”

Asking questions can be crucial when it comes to spending money. Sailors can maximize their deployment experiences if they come back with money for the future. Some junior Sailors may not be experienced enough to know what questions to ask, but there is a solution.

“I would start by asking questions up the chain of command,” Martinez said. “There are Sailors in the wardroom, chief’s mess and first class association who are experienced with financial incentives and have done well for themselves. You can really make an impact on your financial future with a plan.”

It All Makes

CentsPersonnel Specialist 3rd Class Sabrina Cooley, a military pay clerk, assists a Sailor with pay issues and questions.

Story by MC3(SW) Curtis D. Spencer Photo by MC3(SW) Matthew A. Carlyle

Around Team Vinson Photo by MC3 Bryan Jackson

Photo by MC3 Giovanni Squadrito

Photo by MC2(SW/AW) John Wagner Photo by MCC(AW/SW/EXW) David Crawford

Photo by MC2(SW/AW) Scott Fenaroli

Photo by MC3 Eric Coffer

Photo by MC3 Eric Coffer

Around Team Vinson

Photo by MC3 Bryan Jackson

Photo by MC3 Giovanni Squadrito

Photo by MC2(SW/AW) John Wagner

Photo by MC3(SW) Shantece Gonzalez

Photo by MC2(SW/AW) John Wagner

Photo by MC3(SW) Shantece GonzalezPhoto by MC3(SW) Shantece Gonzalez

withCraigLt

.

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&AQ

Sailors can suffer various types of injuries living and working aboard one of the

world’s most dangerous places - an aircraft carrier. No matter how situationally aware and cautious you are, some environmental injuries are inevitable and require physical therapy. A member of our Voice staff sat down with Carl Vinson’s Physical Therapist Lt. Jennifer Craig to find out a little about her and to discuss what Sailors can do to alleviate and reduce the risk of injury.

by MC2(SW/AW) Travis Alston

PhysicalTherapy

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Q: How long have you served as the ship’s physical therapist?A: I’ve been here for about 10 months now; I reported here in December 2013. As a Navy physical therapist, my only sea-duty billet is on aircraft carriers, so this opportunity is limited in my community. I am very fortunate to be on this deployment.

Q: What qualifications does your job require?A: In order to practice as a physical therapist, you need to have graduated from an accredited physical therapy graduate program before taking the national licensure examination. My education focuses on physics, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and kinesiology.

Q: Explain your duties as a physical therapist.A: My job as a physical therapist is to perform examinations on patients and develop a plan of care, using a variety of treatment techniques that will help them move with less pain and restore function so they can do their job and carry out our mission. The other thing my job involves is a lot of education. One misconception is that physical therapy is something that is done to you. By most accounts, physical therapy is a tool or means by which you are able to manage your own rehabilitation and prevent further injury. You’ll get out of it what you put in to it.

Q: Who else is on your staff?A: Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Richard Bernard and I make up the physical therapy staff. HM1 Bernard handles a majority of the treatments. He is able to provide patients feedback on their form and progress so that treatment is successful.

Q: What types of injuries is your team able to treat? A: Any neuromusculoskeletal issues. The most common ones are low back, knee and shoulder injuries.

Q: What other conditions or injuries do you see?A: I regularly see shin splints, plantar

fasciitis (common cause of heel pain), ankle sprains, shoulder dislocations and nerve injuries. Any time a Sailor has surgery that involves muscle tissue; he or she is generally referred to physical therapy to help with the rehabilitation process.

Q: What is the most common cause of these injuries? A: A traumatic injury, such as falling down a ladderwell or following a surgical intervention. Pain without any true mechanism of injury is generally due to poor posture, repetitive motion with poor mechanics or muscle imbalances. For example, our Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT) focuses on sit-ups and push-ups, which involve muscles on the anterior portion of the body, so naturally that is what our Sailors focus on. Unfortunately, this will create an imbalance if there is not an equal amount of time spent working on the opposing muscle groups.

Q: How many Sailors do you treat per week?Between HM1 Bernard and me, we usually treat an average of 60 patients each week.

Q: How long are sessions, normally?A: Sessions generally last 30 to 60 minutes.

Q: What can crewmembers do to alleviate the risk of injury?A: Stay active. If you’re thinking you don’t have to exercise due to the ships PRT cycle while deployed, you’re doing yourself a disservice and increasing your risk of injury. The Sailors I treat who are taking care of themselves and working out regularly generally have a quicker recovery time.

Q: What happens after an unsuccessful treatment period?A: Physical therapists and other health care professionals have a shared goal of creating healthier, satisfied patients. If necessary we collaborate with other health care professionals on and off the ship to ensure positive outcomes.

Q: How can Sailors make an appointment with you?A: I recommend they come through sick call and be screened by one of our Hospital Corpsman or the primary care providers on the ship can always make a referral for you to be seen.

Q: Is there anything else that you would like to add?A: I would challenge you to think about the exercises you are doing and what muscle groups you are working. Your form and technique are much more important than the amount of weight you are adding or the number of reps you are performing. Don’t over do it. Good muscle fatigue is what you’re aiming for with exercise in general. That is different from familiar pain that is debilitating and please don’t forget to stretch!

Lieutenant Jennifer Craig, Carl Vinson’s physical therapist, demonstrates a treatment technique to Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Richard Bernard.

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Hey, are you taking plastic?

Yup--- holy crap is that a giraffe?!?

What? Of course not! This is all plastic!

I really feel like I‛m looking at a giraffe right now...

Look, are you going to take this or not?

...not.

Whatever. I‛m just going to leave this in the head downstairs then.

Keel-Hauled by MCSN James P. Bleyle

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group wrapped up operations in the Western Pacific and reported for duty in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility Oct. 15.

The strike group consists of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) with embarked Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 and Destroyer Squadron 1, along with guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), guided-missile destroyers USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sterett (DDG 104), USS Dewey (DDG 105), and elements of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit 3.

“All of our hard work and effort through the workup cycle was done with operations in this part of the world in mind,” said Rear Adm. Christopher Grady, commander of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group. “We are ready on arrival to execute the tasking of our leadership.”

On the way to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility the strike group took part in Valiant Shield 2014, which was a rare

Operations Specialist 3rd Class Samuel Hilliard uses high-powered binoculars to identify vessels in the area of Carl Vinson as the ship departs Singapore.

opportunity to conduct integrated joint training exercises with two carrier strike groups. Valiant Shield involved 19 ships and more than 200 aircraft from Carl Vinson and George Washington Carrier Strike Groups, the U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force.

The exercise took place less than a month after the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group participated in an Undersea Warfare Exercise (USWEX) off of the coast of Hawaii. The USWEX tested the strike group’s ability to detect, evade, and fight undersea threats.

The strike group deployed from San Diego Aug. 22 and recently completed a port visit to Singapore, Oct. 7. During the port visit, the Carl Vinson hosted a reception in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy Singapore for local and regional dignitaries, and Bunker Hill held a change of command ceremony during which Capt. Sterling Dawley relieved Capt. Yvette Davids.

Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Checks in to US 5th FleetStory by MCSN James P. BleylePhoto by MC3 Giovanni Squadrito

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The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) boasts having

some of the best U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mates (GM) in the Pacific Fleet who maintain the most accurate five-inch cannon in the western hemisphere.

GM’s are responsible for maintaining all weaponry aboard their respective vessels, especially the five-inch cannon. The cannon can protect the ship and its crew from surface and air contacts.

“The cannon can fire different types of rounds for different contacts the ship may encounter.” said Chief Gunner’s Mate Nicholas Federico.

The cannon can also hold more rounds than most weapons systems. “The loader drum can hold twenty rounds and with the loader hoist attached, it can hold an additional five rounds for a total of twenty-five,” said Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Dan Mueller. “And, it can shoot between sixteen and twenty rounds per minute.”

The precision of the cannon has earned it the respected title of being the most accurate five-inch cannon in the western hemisphere.

“We shot a killer tomato – a bright orange balloon approximately 20 feet by 20 feet, from 3 miles away,” said Federico. “The accuracy of the gun gives credit to how well we maintain the cannon.”

Without that professional, high quality maintenance the GM’s provide on a daily basis, the five-inch cannon would not be where it is today.

“We have never had any major issues with the gun. We have fired 300 rounds in one sitting with no issues,” said Federico. Small problems were fixed in less than a minute.”

The five-inch cannon is not just important to the ship, but to the strike group as well.

“The five-inch cannon is the ship’s main battery, if we ever have to unload people start to worry. If it goes down even for a little bit, the strike group has to make strategic changes until we get the cannon back online” said Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Caleb Sonflieth, from Milwaukee, Ore.

“Even in home port people need to know if that cannon is not working right, especially the commanding officer. It is important to the entire strike group because we keep the carrier safe.”

Working on the five-inch cannon is one of the most respected duties among GM’s.

“The five-inch cannon is the pride and joy of being a Gunner’s Mate,” said Federico. “Our job and responsibility is to maintain it, and it is a big responsibility that we are proud to have.”

Story and photos by MC3 Eric Coffer

Gunners Mate 2nd Class Caleb Sonflieth checks the inside of a firing pin test shell aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104).

Gunners Mate 3rd Class Dan Meuller loads a bore gauge into the five-inch cannon aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104).

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MMFN Justin Rodriguez

“ORDER PARTS FOR MY CAR.”

AN Jovan Mitchell

“SAVING UP FOR A CAR!”

CSSN Charles Jones

“TRY NOT TO SPEND IT.”

ITSN SW/AW Leonard Talton

“I’M NOT SPENDING

ANYTHING CAUSE I’M CHEAP.”

Lt. Deborah Fraizer

“ADD 5 PERCENT OF MY PAY TO A ROTH TSP AND

SAVE AT LEAST 4 MONTHS PAY.”

HM3 Florentino Ramirez

“SAVING FOR ALL SIX OF MY KIDS.”

DECKPLATEDIALOGUES

AM3Luke Winterfeldt

AZ3(SW)Richard Brown

PS2(AW)Jennifer Eckerle

Date: Oct. 14Dept: AIMD

For outstanding performance in the turnaround of two critical F/A-18C/D horizontal stabilizer servo-cylinders and one EXREP F/A-18C/D rudder servo-cylinder assembly.

Date: Oct. 13Dept: Engineering

Exceptional performance managing the documentation of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for over 2,979 pieces of Armament Weapons Support Equipment.

Date: Oct. 13Dept: VAQ-139

Eckerle led an administrative workcenter of six personnel with the absence of a chief petty officer in the ordering, handling and proctoring of 44 advancement exams, while handling pay and admin records for 168 Cougar Sailors.

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HM3 SAM MATTEA

“PAY OFF MY MASSIVE DEBT.”

MMFN SAMUEL SMITH

“SAVING, SAVING, SAVING!”

AO3 JARED GOEDEN

“PAYING OFF

STUDENT LOANS.”

ASAN SKYLAR GIFFORD

“PAYING MY BILLS.”

AS2 MARTY SMITH

“SPENDING IT ON MY WIFE AND SON.

A HAPPY WIFE MEANS A HAPPY

LIFE.”

AS3 Hunter Smith

“GOING ON VACATION TO

DUBAI.”

What do you plan on doing with the money that you earn in 5th Fleet?

ABHANJustin Cantu

SNBrandon Kolshak

HM3Sam Mattea

ET3Cameron Freed

Date: Oct. 15Dept: Air

Cantu’s hands-on approach resulted in the flawless execution of more than 15 aircraft elevator evolutions and the safe movement and securing of more than 28 aircraft - all incident/mishap free.

Date: Oct. 17Dept: Deck

Kolshak has taken charge of the starboard boat deck and brought the material condition readiness to above standards. His unbeatable work ethic and motivation to work along side of his peers has made him a valuable member to Deck department.

Date: Oct. 18Dept: Medical

Mattea responded to ten medical emergencies as a member of the medical response team, ensuring expeditious medical treament to creitical patients. He maintains 137 stretchers on the ship and is charged with providing the stretchers to all the departments.

Date: Oct. 16Dept: Combat Systems

Freed recently discovered an irregularity with the AN/SPN-46 system alignment checks prior to flight operations. He quickly assessed the system and informed the chain of command that it was no longer safe to utilize the SPN-46 “B” channel for Mode 1 landings.

18

USS CARL VINSON

Fitb

oss Torch 150 calories in just 15

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During this workout, you’ll do a plyometric move for 30 seconds followed by a minute of butt kicks. Recovery periods are vital for breath control, which will prevent you from faltering.

Due to the fact that you didn’t completely seize exercising, you

continue to burn calories. I highly recommend that you keep this routine in your repertoire.

You will need a plyometric box or step, a 12-pound medicine ball and a mat to complete these following exercises:

Squat jumps for 30 seconds on plyometric boxRest for one minuteBack lunge left leg on plyometric box for 30 secondsRest for one minuteBack lunge right leg on plyometric box for 30 secondsRest for one minuteSquat jumps for 30 seconds on plyometric boxJump lunges alternate legs on plyometric box for 30 secondsRest for one minuteBall slams on mat for 30 seconds

Continue this workout for 15 minutes.

“Jump to it”

QUALIFIEDNEWLY

ABE3 Romero, StephanieABE3 Simon, DanielABF2 Osorio, SilvioABH3 Locklear, JamesABH3 Mathias, TrellAO3 Kolback, JessicaAO3 Pokorny, HunterAOAN Horner, PaulAOAN Morris, MicahAOAN Ross, KimberlyAOAN Shaffer, AlexanderAOAN Tropeano, DanteAS2 Travis, RogerCS1 Hernandez, KenyaDC2 Fletcher, Natasha

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19

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2 FAST 2 FURIOUS3 DAYS TO KILLTHE ABYSSBLACK NATIVITYCAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIERDIVERGENT2 FAST 2 FURIOUS3 DAYS TO KILLTHE ABYSSBLACK NATIVITYCAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

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