Vol. 2 Issue 42JUNE 13, 2013

ne of the smallest manned rates in the Navy is aircrew survival equipmentman (PR). There are only about 1,600 Sailors

who are currently rated as PRs in the Navy, five of which are assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 out of Naval Air Station in Lemoore, Calif., and currently work in the PR shop on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

PRs maintain the equipment that helps ensure the survival of pilots such as parachutes, life rafts and personal flight gear.

“We are in charge of everything the pilot wears from his mask to his flight suit,” said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 3rd Class Christopher S.E. Bowes, of Temple Hills, Md. “We are in charge of all his survival items. If the pilot ejects, we are responsible for his survival items being

Story and Photos by MC3 Linda S. Swearingen

Continued on page 3

FLYING AFES

Editor

MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke

Lead Designer

MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III

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.

Public Affairs Officer

LCDR Karin Burzynski

Commanding Officer

CAPT Jeff Ruth

Executive Officer

CDR John Cummings

Command Master Chief

CMDCM Teri McIntyre

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Katelyn Skinner, a native of Minster, Mass., was named USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) Sailor of the Day June 12.

“It feels great to be Sailor of the Day,” said Skinner. “I work very hard in my shop, especially doing maintenance.”

According to Skinner, she joined the Navy in June 2011 because of her brother.

“My brother is in the Navy and he loves it,” said Skinner. “I wanted to follow his footsteps.”

When in Nimitz’ homeport of Everett, Wash., Skinner enjoys cooking for others, snowboarding, and hiking.

Skinner’s hobbies while underway include studying and hanging out with her friends.

Skinner performed her demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner.

Her technical expertise and devotion to duty contributed to the training of five new maintenance personnel in V-5 division.

As a work center VX40 maintenance person, she completed 176 preventative and corrective maintenance actions during the last quarter. Her efforts were an integral part of the work center’s 5th quarter recorded accomplishment rate (RAR) of 100 percent. Additionally, she spearheaded the divisional spot check training for ten personnel. She continues to show her devotion to proper maintenance by receiving eight consecutive satisfactory spot checks, all with outstanding praise for execution from the command 3M Training Team.

Skinner is constantly improving her professional knowledge and is currently 60 percent complete with her Enlisted Air Warfare qualification. Skinner’s stellar performance and professionalism have been the inspiration for all V-5 Division personnel.

When asked if he had any advice for others who would like to seek similar recognition Skinner said, “You should work hard, keep your head up and never give up”

Skinner’s initiative, loyalty, and devotion to duty led to her selection as Nimitz’ Sailor of the Day.

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SAILOR OFTHE DAY

Story and Photos by MCSA Kelly M. Agee

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

QUESTION:

ANSWER:

What is the responsibility of the Chock Walker?

Responsible for removing, carrying and installing the wheel chocks. This individual escorts the aircraft while being moved and is always alert and ready to chock the aircraft.

List the four major components of the refrigeration cycle.

CompressorCondensor

Thermal Expansion ValveEvaporator

3

Continued from page 1

in working condition. We are in charge of all the maintenance and its readiness.”

According to Bowes, there are two levels of PRs, the “I” level and the “O” level.

“PRs who work in ‘I’ level do the packing of the parachutes and testing of the equipment and inspections,” said Bowes. “‘O’ level PRs conduct the inspections on the personal survival gear. What we do is ‘O’ level PR work.”

Bowes said he came into the Navy undesignated and struck out as a PR because he wanted to learn how the mechanisms worked on the jets.

“The most satisfying part of my job is making sure the pilot comes back because his equipment is working correctly,” said Bowes. “If the pilot comes back and says that all his equipment worked correctly, then I know I did my job.”

According to Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class William Tabocol, of Hilo, Hawaii, the best part of being a PR is having pilots that are happy with their flight gear.

“We make sure the pilots are flying with safe and functioning gear,” said Tabocol.

The PRs from VFA-146 are trained to work on every kind of equipment for whichever squadron

they are attached to and work independently, for the most part, but come together when necessary.

“If I ever run into a problem with something I know I can always go to someone with more experience in the PR shop,” said Bowes.

Due to the hard work of the PRs who work in the PR shop the pilots in VFA-146 can conduct successful flight missions with the knowledge that their survival equipment will be in good working order should they ever have to use it.

TEST PHASEPR3 Chistopher S.E. Bowes tests flight gear.

Continued from page 1

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Culinary specialists specialize in not just food for the crew, but also boosting morale during the nights in Wardroom 1 and 2 on board the

aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68).Wardrooms 1 and 2 provide service primarily

to Carrier Strike Group 11 officers, squadron officers and officers from Nimitz.

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class William Torres, from Van Nuys, Calif., assigned to the Blue Diamonds of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-146, along with Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Kimberly Blackman from Inglewood, Calif., assigned to the Indians of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSC) 6, lead the night crew in both wardrooms.

“I believe that as a culinary specialist, we play one of the most important roles in keeping our crew energized and well fed so they can perform their duties well,” said Torres. “We are one of the most unappreciated rates there is, but we keep our heads up

high.”A small group of four culinary specialists and

four food service attendants conduct each night with the highest standards.

“The importance of having a fun working atmosphere is because we all get along and look out for each other,” said Blackman.

“Great attitude and good customer service is our key to our group success,” said Torres.

Unlike most ship board mess lines, Torres and Blackman must get to know how each customer prefers their meals prepared each day.

“Wardroom 1 and 2 is just as good as Burger King, they always have it their way,” said Torres.

A frequent customer, Capt. Michael Obrien, from the Death Rattlers of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, says he appreciates the hard work the crew in the wardrooms do.

“I come here every night and the service is

WARDROOMNIGHTSStory and Photos by MC3 Chris Bartlett

CS2 Kimberly BlackmanCS2 William Torres

5

amazing,” said Obrien. “I get the same thing every night, it’s awesome. I get a bagel sandwich with bacon, egg, cheese and mushrooms. They do a great job and they essentially are responsible for the morale of the pilots and the airwing.”

Blackman enjoys her job because of her passion to cook. She also likes providing service to customers and the shipmates she works with.

“Boosting morale for the crew is important because this is our home away from home, and everyone loves a home cooked meal,” said Blackman.

Torres enjoys creating meals that most crew members probably never have had the opportunity to try.

“Coming from a different culture, I also infuse my knowledge of the Filipino cuisine and share it with people who like to experience something different,” said Torres.

On top of preparing meals for the nights, the staff

in the Wardroom also stages everything for the day crew. This includes chopping, slicing, thawing meat and making items that require long hours of cooking.

“The day crew and night crew work together,” said Blackman. “The night crew prepares for the day crew to make the job a little easier and vice versa.”

Working nights in the Wardrooms means there is less supervision from the khakis, which puts a lot of responsibility upon the staff.

“It’s great knowing that our upper chain of command has faith and trust in CS2 Torres and me to provide excellent service to our officers,” said Blackman.

The responsibility is something the wardroom staff takes with pride.

“We work hard to give our patrons a great experience that they will be talking about the next time they go on a different carrier or different platform,” said Torres.

CS2 Kimberly Blackman

Through the LensABE3 Dandre Johnson removes the weather guard catapult two.- Photo by MC3 (SW) Nathan McDonald

Sailors perform squats as part of physical training in the hangar bay.- Photo by MCSN Derek Harkins

QM3 Joshua Chisolm gives instruction to QMSN Sonya Ford on the bridge.- Photo by MC3 Derek W. Volland

AD3 Franklin McGhee fires an M16 rifle during a live fire exercise.- Photo by MC3 Raul Moreno Jr.

Sailors move training ordnance across the flight deck.- Photo by MCSA Kelly M. Agee

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MOVIE SCHEDULEChannel 7Channel 6

1000 / 2200Anchorman

1200 / 0000Adventuresof Tin Tin

1400 / 0200

Just GoWith It

1600 / 0400Youth

inRevolt

1800 / 0600The

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0800 / 2000

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Channel 5 Channel 29

TheThree

Musketeers

Akeelahand the

Bee

PerfectStorm

Lean on Me

The Help

Footloose(2011)

The Thing

TheHaunting

inConnecticut

Angels& Demons

The LastExorcism

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What toExpect When

You’reExpecting

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of the Earth

Hansel andGretel: Witch

Hunters

The Goonies

Cabinin theWoods

The Raven

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Looper

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Channel 30