OEF Begins in Combat Direction Center
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USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – The Combat Direction Center (CDC) aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) maintains a constant flow of information while the ship participates in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in the Arabian Sea. Much of what this watch team accomplishes is shrouded in secrecy, but its mission to locate and identify all of the aircraft, ships and even submarines operating around Enterprise, is paramount to the ship’s ability to carry out missions like OEF. On the surface side, ships are tracked and identified and this information is updated constantly so the decision makers can plan and coordinate operations in the safest and most efficient way. “The challenges right now are to make sure we take care of the strike group and all the friendly units out here,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Ferocious Parker, the Force Over The Horizon Track Coordinator. Another important task performed by the sailors in CDC is ensuring that aircraft destined for OEF-related missions are properly identified and that their various radios and secure communications equipment are all fully functioning. CDC personnel also monitor non-air wing aircraft. “OEF can get a little tricky for us sometimes because we have to keep a very close monitor all aircraft in this area of operation (AOR),” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Drew Gowdey, the Sea Combat Air Controller. “There are a lot of planes in the air that we have to watch. “It’s not like being off Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Randy J. Savarese the coast of Virginia where we know everything that is flying around us.” The core of CDC’s mission is to make sure every craft operating near the strike group is identified so if threats arise, they can be dealt with in the most effective way possible. In usual Enterprise fashion, missions have been going off without any serious hindrance and the information the strike group uses to assess threats and continue its cycle of success, has been flowing thanks to the work done by the CDC. “In terms of providing support for the air wing going out on OEF missions and returning, monitoring the radar for each of the aircraft coming or going, performing the identification of who is friend or foe and working with the air defense commander all those roles are going very well,” said Cmdr. Scott Stringer, Combat Direction Center Officer. “We have been really successful so far.” OEF Begins in Combat Direction Center Operations Specialist 2nd Class Drew Gowdey works at his station in the combat direction center (CDC) aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).
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USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – The Combat Direction Center (CDC) aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) maintains a constant flow of information while the ship participates in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in the Arabian Sea.
Transcript of OEF Begins in Combat Direction Center
May 9, 2012 Issue“We are Legend”Newsletter Edition
USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle
USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – The Combat Direction Center (CDC) aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) maintains a constant flow of information while the ship participates in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in the Arabian Sea. Much of what this watch team accomplishes is shrouded in secrecy, but its mission to locate and identify all of the aircraft, ships and even submarines operating around Enterprise, is paramount to the ship’s ability to carry out missions like OEF. On the surface side, ships are tracked and identified and this information is updated constantly so the decision makers can plan and coordinate operations in the safest and most efficient way. “The challenges right now are to make sure we take care of the strike group and all the friendly units out here,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Ferocious Parker, the Force Over The Horizon Track Coordinator. Another important task performed by the sailors in CDC is ensuring that aircraft destined for OEF-related missions are properly identified and that their various radios and secure communications equipment are all fully functioning. CDC personnel also monitor non-air wing aircraft. “OEF can get a little tricky for us sometimes because we have to keep a very close monitor all aircraft in this area of operation (AOR),” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Drew Gowdey, the Sea Combat Air Controller. “There are a lot of planes in the air that we have to watch. “It’s not like being off
Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Randy J. Savarese
the coast of Virginia where we know everything that is flying around us.” The core of CDC’s mission is to make sure every craft operating near the strike group is identified so if threats arise, they can be dealt with in the most effective way possible. In usual Enterprise fashion, missions have been going off without any serious hindrance and the information the strike group uses to assess threats and continue its cycle of success, has been flowing thanks to the work done by the CDC. “In terms of providing support for the air wing going out on OEF missions and returning, monitoring the radar for each of the aircraft coming or going, performing the identification of who is friend or foe and working with the air defense commander all those roles are going very well,” said Cmdr. Scott Stringer, Combat Direction Center Officer. “We have been really successful so far.”
OEF Begins in Combat Direction Center
Operations Specialist 2nd Class Drew Gowdey works at his station in the combat direction center (CDC) aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).
Wednesday, May 9, 2012Page 2
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 [email protected].
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
Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman
Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman
Photo by MCSN Randy J. Savarese
Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman
Photo by MCSN Randy J. Savarese
Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman
Wednesday, May 9, 2012 Page 3The Shuttle
In the News
Navy: Trials Successful For Newest LCSBy Christopher P. Cavas, NAVY TIMES The newest littoral combat ship successfully completed its acceptance trials May 4, the Navy announced Monday, clearing the way for the ship’s delivery. The Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) examined the major systems and equipment of the Fort Worth (LCS 3) during the four-day trial run on Lake Michigan, including the propulsion plant, ship handling and auxiliary systems. “Fort Worth performed extremely well during its trials,” LCS Program Manager Capt. John Neagley said in an emailed statement. “The ship’s level of completion coupled
with Marinette Marine’s excellent craftsmanship resulted in relatively few material deficiencies.” The ship, built at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wis., is the second LCS from prime contractor Lockheed Martin. Freedom (LCS 1), the first ship, was delivered from the same shipyard in 2008. The Navy will take possession of the Fort Worth sometime this spring, and later in the summer the 378-foot-long ship will begin the long trek to the sea across the Great Lakes and through the Saint Lawrence Seaway. A commissioning ceremony is to be held Sept. 22 in Galveston, Texas, and
afterwards the ship will continue to its homeport of San Diego, Calif. The Fort Worth’s acceptance trials followed initial builderís trials run in October before the lakes were closed for the winter. Further builder’s trials were carried out in early April. The Freedom already is operating from the Southern California port, and was joined for the first time on May 2 by the Independence (LCS 2), the first ship from rival shipbuilder Austal USA. A total of 24 LCS ships, split between Lockheed and Austal, are either in service, under construction or on order.
Fleet Plans Review Of Female UniformsBy Sam Fellman, NAVY TIMES
The Navy’s top personnel officer has directed a wide-ranging review of female uniforms for comfort and fit this year after a random sampling of female sailors revealed room for improvement, according to a fleetwide message May 7 announcing the review. In addition, the Navy is looking whether body armor and flight equipment should be tailored to different body types. In March 2011, the Navy’s uniform development lab began gathering reactions from 375 female officers and enlisted about their uniforms, according to NAVADMIN 154/12. “The evaluation of the preliminary survey and focus groups responses confirmed that a fleet-wide random sampling survey of female sailors (officer and enlisted) is warranted to obtain a broader base of analysis of women uniform concerns and recommended solutions,” says the
message, released by Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk, the chief of naval personnel. Officials hope the initiative will improve female uniforms and build on successes such as the popular khaki overblouses, worn by officers and chiefs. The review includes measuring 5,000 sailors - half men, half women - as part of a body type study to see whether body composition changes are needed for body armor and flight equipment, the message says. Officials also will launch a pilot program this year to test a common cover for all hands - part of Navy Secretary Ray Mabus’ push for a more gender-neutral service. At the Naval Academy, female midshipmen and members of the band will don male combination covers and ‘Dixie cups’ through the next academic year. Women assigned to the Navy Ceremonial Guard will wear Dixie cups and service dress blue jumpers during ceremonies. And female band members at the Fleet Forces and Pacific Fleet bands will wear Dixie cups during performances. As a result of the uniform feedback, some uniform changes already have been made to new female uniforms:- Service dress coats. Backing buttons added to be more similar to male dress coat design.- Female slacks. Binding added over the edge of the inner stitching to improve look and prevent chaffing.- Service shirts. Stitching added to prevent fraying of bottom hem, side seams and front facing The fleetwide survey of females will seek input on items such as dress blue coat design; fit of khaki slacks and service uniform shirts; overblouse appearance with a jacket or sweater; and options for maternity outerwear.
U.S. Navy photo
Wednesday, May 9, 2012The ShuttlePage 4
Big E Entertainment
AEAN William Spencer, from Bismarck, N.D., joined the Navy two years and six months ago to have a career, set up a good future for himself and help his mother. He enjoys playing sports and hanging out with friends. His future goals are to make a career using the skills he gained in the Navy.
Aviation Electrician’s Mate AirmanWilliam Spencer
Sailors of the Day
HM3 Damion Powell, from West Monroe, La., joined the Navy six years ago. Powell enjoys watching new movies, playing video games and hanging out with his friends. In the future, he plans to go to “C” school and buy a new car.
Hospital Corpsman 3rd ClassDamion M. Powell
