1. VOL 1 / NO 41 September 2, 2010
over and out
VINSON Impresses ATG and Clears FEP With a Clean Sweep
Story by MCSN Rosa Arzola
USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
Carl Vinson achieved an overall “Outstanding”
in the ship’s Final Evaluation Period (FEP) August
31.
FEP is designed to test a ship’s ability to perform
under multiple combat missions and respond to
casualty scenarios under different conditions.
“Receiving an overall (score) of 98 percent in
FEP proved that all training teams accomplished
their mission,” said Chief Damage Controlman
(SW) Matt Brenner, Vinson’s Flying Squad
Damage Control Training Team Leader. “Vinson
is now ready to move on to harder training.”
“This marks the official beginning of Carl
Vinson as a deployable and combat ready asset.”
said Lt. Cmdr. Amy Hunt, Carl Vinson’s Training
Officer. “Passing FEP gives us an opportunity
to show that we as a ship are ready to defend
ourself.”
“As a whole, Carl Vinson did a great job,”
said Brenner. “The flying squad specifically
demonstrated they are on point when it comes
to fighting main-space fires and flooding,
pipe patching, toxic gas attacks and shipboard
firefighting.”
FEP was conducted by the Afloat Training
Group (ATG) Pacific, who served as trainers
and evaluators. ATG decided that Carl Vinson is
Emergency Surge Ready.
“ATG recognized that we are willing to learn
and conduct business in a very professional way.”
said Hunt. “I think they noticed that our Sailors
showed a lot of motivation and enthusiasm.”
See SWEEP, page 6
The Carl Vinson Voice is an internal document produced by and for the
crew of the USS Carl Vinson and their families. Its contents do not neces-
sarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government or the Departments
of Defense or the Navy and do not imply any endorsement thereby. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White

2. 2 Carl Vinson Voice
SCPOA Promotes Recycling On Board
Story by MC3 Jessica Robertson
USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
Since Carl Vinson has gone “green,” Sailors on
board are no strangers to separating and managing
garbage. There are paper bags everywhere on the ship
designated for metal, plastic and paper.
Vinson’s Second Class Petty Officers’ Association
(SCPOA) is taking the idea of
managing garbage one step further by promoting
recycling on board. They’ve set up “tri-walls”—big
cardboard boxes—in Hangar Bay 3 for aluminum
cans. Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class (SW/
AW) Sandra Hosier explained why the SCPOA has
taken an interest in recycling.
“We just wanted to give something back,” said Hosier.
“The inspiration came from the Green Machine,
which is a group of Sailors who are trying to come up
with ways Vinson can be more eco-friendly.”
Hosier said there’s an incentive for Sailors to go all
the way to Hangar Bay 3 to recycle their cans, instead
of just tossing them into the designated bags scattered
around the ship.
“Fifty-percent of our proceeds from the recycled cans
goes back to the SCPOA, 25 percent goes to MWR,
and the other 25 percent goes to the FRG (Family
Readiness Group),” said Hosier. “It all goes to giving
back to the Sailors and their families. Junior Sailors
need support, especially when we’re in a foreign port
and we have the chance to take tours. Not every Sailor
has $50 or $60 to spend on a tour, and we want to
make sure they have that chance, and they’re not stuck
watching their Operations Specialist 3rd Class Michael Snelgrove sorts a bag of aluminum cans
Publisher friends leave the to be recycled aboard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman
Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey ship.” Zachary Bell.
Commanding Officer
SeniorChief classes took the ball and ran with it. They’ve already
Executive Editors A v i a t i o n given to the FRG and MWR,” said Campbell. “They’re
Lt. Cmdr. Erik Reynolds Boatswain’s Mate doing a fantastic job, and it helps the environment.
Public Affairs Officer
( F u e l ) ( AW / You can’t ask for more than that.”
Lt. j.g. Erik Schneider S W ) S y l v e s t e r Right now the group has 21 tri-walls set up. During
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Campbell serves the ship’s last underway period, three tri-walls
Managing Editor as the SCPOA’s collected a total of 880 pounds of aluminum cans,
MC2 Ashley Van Dien mentorand adding up to $526. Sailors are encouraged to rinse out
Photo Editor
guide, and helps and crush their cans before depositing them in the
MC2 Adrian White keep the group tri-wall.
moving in the Hosier said the SCPOA hopes to continue its
Layout and Design
MCSN Rosa A. Arzola
right direction. recycling program during the Nimitz class carrier’s
He shared his upcoming deployment, and they will keep working
Staff Writers/Photographers impressionof hard to give back to Vinson Sailors.
MC2 Ashley Van Dien
MC3 Heather Roe
t h e S C P O A’ s “There’s a satisfaction you get out of it,” said Hosier.
MC3 Luis Ramirez recycling efforts “You’re asking, ‘What can I do to help’, not ‘What can I
MCSN Zachary Bell thus far. get in return’. There’s so much reward and satisfaction
“The second in that alone, and it feels really good.”

3. September 2, 2010 3
labor day weekend:
safety first
Story by MC3 Heather Roe
USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
had a total loss of 24 Sailors to motor vehicle accidents
and recreational activities. Two of these fatalities were
during Labor Day weekend. So far during 2010’s “101
Carl Vinson Sailors are looking forward to some well- Critical Days of Summer,” the Navy has lost nine Sailors
deserved time off during the long Labor Day weekend to motor vehicle accidents and two Sailors to recreational
coming their way. The options of activities are almost activities.
endless in Southern California, but will Sailors make the “After all the training Carl Vinson conducts, Sailors
right decisions when it comes to safety? are seeing the importance of [safety] more now,” said
Carl Vinson is taking action to make sure Sailors are Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW/AW) Ernest Peebles,
aware of the precautions and dangers of every-day safety a command safety representative. “Sailors are being
hazards. more diligent and seeing how safety is intertwined with
“Safety is all about having a plan and that’s what Sailors shipboard readiness and everyday activities.”
need to realize,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class “Safety in general is paramount,” said Peebles. “As a
(SW/AW) Carlos Young, Safety Department’s Leading ship preparing to deploy, we must be combat-ready and
Petty Officer. we must be effective with our work.”
With the summer season coming to an end, so are the A Labor Day Safety video will be airing consistently
Navy’s “101 Critical Days Summer.” But this does not on SITE channel 5 through Friday afternoon and is
mean Sailors are automatically safe from the potential mandatory viewing for all hands. The training covers
dangers of every-day activities. topics such as traffic safety, sexual health and basic
“Situational awareness is one of the most important safety for the long weekend. Sailors are reminded to
precautions a Sailor must take,” said Young. have a plan, use their 5-1-1 card if necessary and to be
During 2009’s “101 Critical Days of Summer,” the Navy safe this Labor Day weekend.
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Luis Ramirez

4. 4 Carl Vinson Voice
A Birds-eye View of the Flight Deck
Story by MC3 Jessica Robertson
USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
It’s impossible to walk the decks of Carl Vinson
without passing a Sailor who plays a role in the safe
RAS Continued
launch and recovery of Vinson’s numerous aircraft.
Venture up to the 07 level and you’ll find one such
person. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling)
Airman Jonathan Meeks works in “Spin”, the glass
bubble above the flight deck. Those who work in
Spin are literally the eyes of the flight deck.
Spin’s Elevator Operators use a system called
ILARTS (Integrated Launch and Recovery
Television Surveillance) to monitor the flight deck
and keep track of everything that goes on there.
At sea, Vinson’s Spin is manned with ILARTS up
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Michael Meyers stands a phone talker
and running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“We use [ILARTS] to catch anything and watch at the Integrated Launch and Recovery Television Surveillance System (ILARTS)
everything on video, including what birds are station. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian White.
taking off or landing,” said Meeks. In addition to tracking and directing air operations,
Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Adam Nuxoll, a Sailor in the ILARTS system is also vital to preventing flight deck
Operations Department OC Division, relies on ILARTS mishaps.
to complete his job effectively. “[ILARTS] is there to show us what mistakes were made
“[ILARTS] shows us who’s landed, who’s on deck, and and how to fix those mistakes,” Meeks said. “If it’s a fire, we
who’s still flying,” Nuxoll said. “It’s how everyone keeps have to know where it’s happening so we can pass on the
track of their pilots and aircraft during air operations. right information, so we don’t send people to the wrong
The ship’s mission is to launch and recover aircraft, and place. If it’s a piece of FOD (Foreign Object Debris) that
ILARTS helps us do just that.” caused damage to one of the birds, we have to be able to
catch that on video too.”
The process of working in Spin is quite
selective, and the job itself isn’t suited
for everyone.
“I had to get a lot of qualifications before
I could work up here,” said Meeks. “You
have to be extremely familiar with the
flight deck. If you’re not, you won’t cut
it. It’s a dangerous job. If you don’t have
the proper training, you could easily get
someone hurt or killed.”
The rest of the crew may not immediately
see the value of the ILARTS system, but
it is used throughout the ship for the
safe and successful completion of flight
deck operations
“They might see [Channel 2] as just
another channel on TV, and they’ll
pass right by it for something more
interesting,” said Meeks. “But as long as
flight operations are happening, we’re
up there, keeping an eye on it all and
Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Larry Galvez mans a camera at the
keeping everything moving smoothly.”
island camera station. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class
Adrian White.

5. September 2, 2010 5
Sailor SPOTLIGHT
IN THE
out, it all comes together.”
Story by MC2 Ashley Van Dien
While Vinson was still in the yards,
USS Carl Vinson Staff Writer
Garza had temporary assigned duty
(tad) to USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) for
a three-month deployment to the Gulf,
where he earned his full qualifications
The true definition of a as a “blue shirt.” He actually earned his
“Shipmate” is someone qualifications so quickly that he was
who will go above and designated as the “Blue King,” who is the
beyond to help a fellow leading blue shirt in charge of training,
Sailor out as much as maintaining the chocks and chains and
possible, both personally accounting for all the personnel in the
and professionally. fly hole.
Aviation Boatswain’s Garza is one of six qualified blue
Mate (Handling) Airman shirts on Vinson’s flight deck. During
Cody Garza has a flight operations, blue shirts are
reputation for being dependable in his responsible for the safe movement of
work center, but he’s also considered aircraft, directing and driving tractors
a mentor to countless other Sailors on that maneuver aircraft. They also chock
board Carl Vinson. and chain helicopters and fixed-wing
“ABHAN Garza possesses qualities aircraft safely to the deck.
that set him apart from the rest of his One of Garza’s responsibilities as a
peers. He is one of V-1 division’s front qualified blue shirt on the flight deck
runners,” said Aviation Boatswain’s is training new personnel. Just this
Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) underway period, Garza has had five
Jorge Agostini, Air Department V-1 “T-heads”, or trainees, who shadowed
Division Leading Petty Officer. “He is him on the flight deck and learned
what we call a “Go Getter.” Everything from his impressive example.
that he does has outstanding results. “As a flight deck trainer, Garza is very
Garza is very versatile on and off the reliable,” said Agostini. “I can count
flight deck.” on him to train junior personnel and
Garza reported on board Carl Vinson get them to his level of flight deck
in July, 2008 when the ship was in the experience and ensure safety is always
middle of its 5-year Refueling Complex in mind.”
Overhaul (RCOH). Garza was a “I train people on the flight deck and
member of the tile team, which was tell them how and why we do what we
responsible for refurbishing more than do,” said Garza. “I always try to set a
55,000 square feet of tile on board. good example for the people I train.
“Garza did an awesome job and saved In our job, it’s important to stay highly
the Navy thousands of dollars thanks motivated and stay on the top of our
to his expertise in tiling,” said Agostini. game.”
“He also networked around the ship, On top of dedicating himself to
helping countless other Sailors from his job and his shipmates, Garza has
other departments.” several ambitions for his own personal
“If you see someone who needs help, development. His goals include making
you should jump in and help them,” the rank of third class petty officer and
said Garza. “It’s the way I was raised, earning both his Enlisted Aviation
and hopefully others will see me helping Warfare Specialist (EAWS) and Enlisted
people and follow that same example. Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) pins
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ashley Van Dien Once everyone starts helping each other by the end of this year.

6. 6 Carl Vinson Voice
Carl Vinson Sailors man a fire hose during a firefighting drill on the flight deck. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd
Class Adrian White.
SWEEP, Cont.
“ATG Pacific was extremely impressed 1st Class (AW) Michael Panaccione, Air we passed FEP because of our hard work
with Vinson’s training abilities,” said Department V-3 Division Leading Petty and training,” said Madlangbayan.
Senior Chief Damage Controlman (SW/ Officer. Even though Carl Vinson has passed
AW) Michael Bates, Vinson’s Damage Several Sailors said Carl Vinson’s FEP, continuous training is vital to
Control Training Team Leading Chief success in FEP can be attributed to the maintaining a combat-ready status.
Petty Officer. “I’m proud that my Sailors ship’s dedication to routine operations and “Yes we passed FEP, but what’s most
passed FEP even though it was their first training. important is that Sailors are combat-ready
time going through something like this.” “We prepared for FEP by training and able to handle any type of damage the
Several departments on board were every day and following the common ship might encounter,” said Bates.
evaluated during FEP, and every Sailor procedures, but I think what really made us “There is no doubt in my mind that
contributed to Vinson’s success through stand out was our teamwork, knowledge, we will fly by the next Comprehensive
hard work and continuous training. and motivation,” saidAviation Boatswain’s Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).
“Damage Control, Combat Systems, Mate (Handling) Airman Maria Gemma We already set the bar high,” said
Medical, Navigation, Deck, Engineering Joy Madlangbayan, an Elevator Operator Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate
and Air Departments did an outstanding in V-3 Division. (Handling) (AW) Terry Libed.
performance during FEP,” said Hunt. “And The overall scores Vinson obtained COMPTUEX focuses on evaluating
although Weapons was not evaluated, in FEP have made both junior and senior not only Carl Vinson but the Strike Group
they helped out a lot during integrated Sailors proud. as a whole for combat readiness.
trainings.” “I am happy that we obtained an “Vinson will sustain training
“We prepared as a whole by doing outstanding in FEP,” said Hunt. “I’m throughout deployment,” said Hunt. “We
stand-alone and integrated drills, in- also proud of Vinson Sailors for the team just proved that the ship is able to conduct
house and one-on-one training and going effort between the training teams and their combat mission-support functions and
over step-by-step procedures,” said outstanding performance overall.” survive widespread damage and we want
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) “It’s a relief and a reward to know that to keep on doing so.”