Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) completed a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) with Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kaiser (T-AO 187) and Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) July 7, which was the largest since the final RAS of its previous deployment.

The RAS took place in prepara-tion for the 2012 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises and brought with it stores and ammunition need-ed for the evolution.

“We ended up bringing on 374 pallets of stores,” said Chief Culinary Specialist Jade Metz, cargo and ward room chief of Supply Department’s S-2 division. “That was all food with the exception of about 15 pallets of geedunk (snacks, soda, etc.) for the ship’s store and vending machines.”

To complete the evolution of such a massive amount of supplies, personnel from other departments were organized into a working party and brought in to help Nimitz’

July 9, 2012 Vol. 1 Issue 33

Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and Carrier Air Wing 11 (CVW 11) participated in mass reenlistment ceremonies held at the USS Arizona and USS Missouri memorials July 3 and 4.

Nimitz recently left Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012, one of the world’s largest maritime exercises.

“I chose to reenlist here because I honor the Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen who fought with courage to defend our country on December

7, 1941,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 3rd Class Song Yang. “Reenlisting on a day like this will never be forgotten. I chose the fourth of July because it’s a day of joy and happiness all over the United States. It’s a day where families and friends come together and celebrate freedom.”

For some, like Yang, they are the first of their family’s generation to join the armed forces and choosing to reenlist on Independence Day is an honor.

Story by MCSN Jess Lewis and Photo by MCSA Ryan Mayes

31 Choose To Stay NavyNimitz Sailors Reenlist AboardHistoric Ships Missouri, Arizona

Nimitz Completes Largest Onload Since 2010 CruiseStory by MC3 Jacob Milner

See RAS page 6See RE-UP page 7

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class (AW) Amanda T. Soliai, Crash & Salvage’s training petty officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), was selected as the ship’s Sailor of the Day July 7. Soliai manages 27 training jackets and has trained 14 junior crewmen in rescue, overhauling and salvaging procedures.

While out to sea, Soliai volunteers with the Junior Enlisted Association. When in port, Soliai spends her free time watching new movies and playing sports like wrestling, judo and volleyball. Born and raised in Laie, Hawaii, Soliai is the youngest of five children and the first to venture off the island when she joined the Navy in 2008 so she could explore the world. She is also the first of her family to join the Navy.

Soliai’s goal while in the Navy is to be the first female, Samoan Crash & Salvage Boatswain and plans to attend college for fire science. “I wouldn’t be Sailor of the Day without support from my chain of command,” said Soliai. “I’m proud to work with them.”

USS Nimitz’ Sailor of the Day

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class (AW) Amanda T. Soliai mans the helm of Nimitz.

Photos by MCSN Jess Lewis

Capt. Jeff Ruth, commanding officer of USS Nimitz, named Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class (AW) Amanda T. Soliai, Sailor of the Day, July 7 in the Pilot House.

Commanding OfficerCAPT Jeff S. RuthExecutive Officer

CAPT Buzz DonnellyCommand Master Chief

CMDCM Teri McIntyrePublic Affairs OfficerLCDR Karin Burzynski

EditorMC2 Robert Winn Lead Designer

MCSA Ryan J. Mayes

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All. submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.

Page 2

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz’ Weapons Department onloaded 185 pallets of ordnance July 7 as part of a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) at sea.

“My guys stepped up during the replenishment which made a successful evolution,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW) Charles Rhodes of Weapons Department’s G-1 Division. “I’m proud that they took what they learned during the training cycle and put it into action.”

The evolution took approximately 11 hours from start to finish and was coupled with a simultaneous stores onload received by Nimitz’

Supply Department.“This onload was pretty small compared to the

one we completed a couple months back,” said Rhodes.

The VERTREP was carried out by Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, shuttling cargo nets filled with pallets from the USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) to Nimitz’ flight deck.

“All of the ordnance onloaded were part of assets needed for RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific 2012),” said Rhodes. “After it was onloaded, the ordnance was disbursed to the below magazines.”

Weapons Department Brings The HeatStory by MC3 Ian A. Cotter

Nimitz Sailors onload ordnance during a VERTREP with USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) in preparation for RIMPAC. Photo by MCSN Jess Lewis

Page 3

Thirty-six Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) volunteered to cleanup Honolulu Harbor during a port visit to Hawaii July 3.

The Sailors worked alongside children from Wikoliana Educational Excursions to pick up trash on the last barrier before it hits the ocean.

“With these Sailors volunteering, it not only gives the ship a good image before their deployment, it gives a good image to the Navy,” said Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Smith.

Nimitz Sailors and the children spent four hours cleaning up approximately two miles of the harbor in Waikiki, Hawaii. They picked up trash that included old fishing gear, clothes and broken equipment from the rocks along the coast.

“One thing we do is we want to help people, in this case the environment,” said Lt. Cmdr. Richard Townes Jr., one of Nimitz’ chaplains. “This comserv (community service) project fits perfectly with RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) right now because its focus is on protecting the environment. It was really good that we were out here picking up trash that is going into the harbor.”

Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and

submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from Jun. 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Story and photos by MC2 (SW/AW) Eva-Marie RamsaranSailors Volunteer to Help Clean-up Honolulu Harbor

Cmdr. Benjamin Cook from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) picks up trash with local youth groups during a community service project in Honolulu Harbor.

Sailors attached to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and children from local youth groups pick up trash during a community service project in Honolulu Harbor.

Page 4

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) basketball team, TNT, continued their dominance on the hardwood, defeating the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Crommelin (FFG 37) basketball team 54-14 and became champions of the 2012 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Basketball Tournament, July 5.

TNT basketball has won the last four tournaments they have participated in, including their championship win during the RIMPAC basketball tournament. Their last loss to any team came in early 2011.

The tournament provided a great opportunity for Nimitz Sailors to communicate and create camaraderie with nations participating in this year’s RIMPAC tournament.

“It was a huge experience for the TNT players,” said Chief Culinary Specialist Sherwin Penaranda, TNT head coach. “Being able to meet other nations and playing them in basketball, there was a big camaraderie there, great games played with sportsmanship in mind. Our Sailors had fun supporting our team and we saw how other countries played as a team.”

Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Shawn Payne, TNT’s power forward, explained how much he enjoyed the RIMPAC tournament and how it was different than others.

“I enjoyed it 100 percent, not only being a team player and participating in the RIMPAC tournament but to represent this team,” said Payne. “Wherever we go, we are looking for new challenges. We came into this one thinking, wow there are other countries here,

and we didn’t know what to expect. We got out there and were a bit rusty at the beginning but we showed them what we had, and came out on top.”

The overall tournament was played from July 2-5. Nimitz was one of 24 teams of 12 host nations to participate in this year’s RIMPAC basketball tournament.

Win or lose, TNT basketball had a great time participating in the basketball tournament, said Penaranda.

“Even if we had lost, there would be no hard feelings,” said Penaranda. “It was a great competition between many different nations and it was a matter of the team with more motivation and heart that was going to come out on top.”

The TNT basketball team looks forward to playing these nations in Hawaii once again before they head back to their homeport of Everett, Wash.

“I’m looking forward to a challenge,” said Payne. “I’m looking forward to someone to take us the distance.”

The TNT basketball team will participate in another RIMPAC basketball tournament at the conclusion of RIMPAC. All service members are invited to attend.

TNT Basketball Stands Tall, Wins RIMPAC Tournament By MC3 Jonathan A. Colon

FN Adrian Hodges - Guard SH3 Jared Fears - Guard FN Brett Mayberry - Forward ABF2 Darius Brown - Forward SHSN Terry Howard - Guard ABHAN- Jordan Riggens- Forward MA2 Vonterio Wainwright - Forward

ABFAN Jacquez Hughes - Forward CS3 Shawn Payne - Forward SHSN Jordeni Rosadosoto - Guard MM3 Ernest Williams - Forward AZ3 Edwin Izeppigarza - Forward CSC Sherwin Penaranda - Head Coach

2012 TNT

ROSTER

Photo courtesey of Chief Culinary Specialist Sherwin Penaranda.

Page 5

Supply Department store them in their respective spaces.

“We started off with a 150 man working party and about 35 personnel from the S-2 division alone,” said Metz. “Approximately 200 personnel were a part of the evolution.”

For such a large amount of people and supplies to work successfully toward a single goal, logistics and planning were key ingredients to getting the job done safely.

“When you consider the amount of hours that go in to the planning itself, it’s crazy,” said Metz. “Getting personnel qualified to run the conveyers and forklifts, getting materials needed, such as safety PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and briefs, prior to the evolution is one of the most important parts of the entire process.”

With a well thought out plan and experienced leadership, Nimitz’ crew was able to complete an evolution that showed the crew’s ability to complete a RAS even with

a majority of personnel who had never experienced it.

“For the first time doing a RAS like this in 20 months and using new personnel, it went pretty seamless,” said Metz. “Of course we always have our lessons learned in any evolution that we do, but the fact we did it safely, continuously and expeditiously was impressive.”

The process of so many people transferring the stores from the hangar bays to their respective store rooms led to approximately 3,000 man hours of continuous work by both S-2 and the working party to supply the ship with enough food and stores to feed Nimitz’ crew.

“The working party worked really well with us to get everything stored and we actually got everything done a lot earlier than I thought we would,” said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Austin Hilgers. “It was a very successful RAS.”

With a successful RAS involving such a large amount of stores and personnel, the stage has been

set for Nimitz’ crew to give its full attention to the task at hand, RIMPAC, thanks to the dedication of S-2 and their comprehensive planning to get the job done.

“To get a successful RAS done we need a lot of coordination,” said Metz. “A lot of communication and a lot of teamwork are needed. The Navy has been doing this for a long time, and when you put all of the pieces of the puzzle together and sustain the mission, everybody is happy.”

RAS: Supply Tackles Massive Onload continued from page 1

An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, delivers food supplies from the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) at sea.

Sailors on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) receive cargo during a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) at sea with the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9).

Page 6

Rimpac Update

Commanding officers and senior leaders of ships and submarines participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012 photo exercise (PHOTOEX) pose for a group photo during the PHOTOEX brief at the Ford Island Conference Center. During the brief, ships movements and formation were simulated using wooden figures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Phillip Pavlovich/Released)

Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class (AW) Nicole Hathway said she has a family history of serving in the armed forces.

“My grandfather, sister and brother-in-law were all in the Navy and my brother was in the Army,” she said. “My brother-in-law also served on board the Missouri before it was decommissioned for the second time. I thought it’d be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reenlist on the USS Missouri and on Independence Day in Hawaii.”

RE-UP: Sailors Take The Oath On Board Historycontinued from page 1

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) sailors reenlist at the USS Arizona Memorial July 3. Photo by MC2 Nichelle Whitfield

Page 7

Channel 7Channel 6

1000 / 2200

Over Her Dead Body

1200 / 0000Be Kind Rewind

1400 / 0200

College Road Trip

1600 / 0400Definitely,

Maybe

1800 / 0600Drillbit Taylor

0800 / 2000

This Means

War

Channel 5 Channel 29

Step Up 2: The Streets

Untraceable

Vantage Point

My Week With

Marilyn

Big Miracle

The Spiderwick Chronicles

The Eye

Jumper

War Horse

One Missed

Call

Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows

The Orphanage

War of the

Worlds

China Town

Zombieland

Mission Impossible 2

21 Jump Street

The Green Zone

2 - AFN Sports3 - AFN NEWS 4 - AFN XTRA5 - 8MM MOVIES6 - 8MM MOVIES7 - 8MM MOVIES8 - ROLLER9 - DVD TRAINING10-FLIGHT DECK11-CNN29-DVD MOVIES

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