December HS15 Red Lions Newsletter

1. VOL 1 / NO 1 JANUARY 2012
TtHhEe PpRrIiDdEe
Words from the Skipper
Well, here we are again. city can be difficult at times, world, but have one common Inside this issue:
It seems like we just got with very little privacy, a goal: to help our team ADMIN DEPT 3
home from our last seven-day workweek, and succeed.
PICTURE BOARD 4/5
mediocre food to boot. And As we celebrate another
OPERATIONS 6
Since our return in June, yet we all keep coming back Christmas away from our
MAINT CTRL 7
- take a
ACFT DIVISION 8
sea periods and a three- myself that question over 17 moment to think about those
week stint at NAS Fallon, years and seven QA 9
Nevada. Now we sail west deployments, and the answer the sacrifices you all make on AV/ARM 10
one more time on the our behalf. We rely on each MATERIAL CTRL 11
mighty USS Carl Vinson people. Now I have the LINE DIVISION 12
with 5,000 other Americans privilege of commanding a out here together, but we look
to do our natio squadron with 200 of the forward to being reunited with
You would expect to see best our country has to offer. those who are the most
tired faces on all our important: our fa
a bunch of 19 and 20 year- wishing a Merry Christmas
exactly the opposite; your olds race up and down the and a Happy New Year to all
Red Lions are motivated flight deck, day and night, to the families of the Red Lion
because they know they launch and recover aircraft in Pride!
have the support of their all kinds of weather, or to see
families and loved ones. them jump into the ocean
They are doing a fantastic from a helicopter to save a
job of keeping our aircraft life. Displaying an enormous
ready to fly, preparing for amount of pride and CDR Gabe Soltero
and executing flight professionalism, they then
operations, and providing turn around and train even As we celebrate another Christmas
excellent administrative younger Sailors to do the
support, from paychecks to same. Red Lions come from a moment to think about those
e-mail. Life in this floating all over the country and the .
1

2. Red Lion friends and are trained and prepared to Sailors. We hope you are
Family, support the Carl Vinson able to participate or
We hope you enjoy our Carrier Strike Group in any support the many activities
first edition of The Pride situation we find ourselves planned in the coming
Newsletter for the USS in. months.
Carl Vinson 2011-12 We are currently We are only one month
WESTPAC cruise. I am preparing for the holiday into cruise and HS-15 has
honored to be the season. The Red Lions are already received accolades
Executive Officer to almost remaining focused on our from the Carrier Strike
mission, however you are all Group Admiral for our hard CDR Mark Newkirk
Sailors. We are currently in our thoughts this holiday work and dedication in the
heading west to support season. Keep us in your highly successful submarine The Red Lion Sailors continue to
the ongoing Overseas thoughts as well, as our warfare exercise. The Red amaze me more and more every
Contingent Operations ultimate goal is to return with Lion Sailors continue to
against terrorism. Most every aircraft and Red Lion amaze me more and more
people in the Navy by now Sailor at the end of every day. I am honored to
know that even though you deployment. be a part of an exceptionally
may have a plan for I want to thank everyone professional team. HhSs-15 FfRrOoNnTt OoFfFfIiCcEe
deployment, unexpected for supporting the HS-15
global events may divert Family Readiness Group.
COMMANDING OFFICER
the Aircraft Carrier to Jenn Hughes has done an
support other national exceptional job organizing CDR
interests. Rest assured events to help you support EXECUTIVE OFFICER
knowing your Red Lions your Sailor and single
CMDCM Eric Covington
COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
HhOoMmEeFfRrOoNnTt
Hello Red Lion families and and working hard with the contact your Sailor
Sheila Leitsch
Happy Holidays! thought of great adventures promptly. HS-15 OMBUDSMAN
yet to come. As we Lastly, I challenge all of
entire year has gone by so navigate through our you to be safe this holiday Jennifer Hughes
quickly. The holiday season. Enjoy yourselves HS-15 FRG PRESIDENT
season is upon us once periods of no and celebrate responsibly,
communication and be smart and practice good
Operational Risk
intermittent email flow
Management (ORM). Plan
favorite times of the year. depending on available
ahead for bad weather,
No matter where you are or band
high volumes of traffic and
all normal and designed to watch out for fatigue. I
holidays seem to bring out maximize our operational know I speak for every
the best in all of us. It posture while conducting member of this squadron
makes things brighter and when I say that we truly
helps to refresh the body, maintain fairly reliable appreciate your sacrifice
CMDCM Covington
spirit and mind. communications with the and support each and
As we head west to take Ombudsman, so I every day. Thank You! Your Red Lions are doing great and
the encourage you to contact working hard with the thought of
her if you have concerns or
Red Lions are doing great a really pressing need to

3. ADMIN DEPARTMENT by YN2 Kristie Sanchez
Seasons Greetings from the HS-15 Admin Team! Department and make sure we have the
With deployment just starting, entitlement changes, opportunity to grab a hot meal every day by giving
tax free around the corner, and the Red Lions it a little touch of home cooking. IT2 Lombard and
acclimating to ship life; Admin has been hard at IT3 Stoner have stayed busy fixing computers,
work making sure our Sailors have a warm meal and keeping our email and internet up and
and accurate paychecks. Although most of our running. Finally, PS3 Longlowry, YN3 Burnett,
Department is temporarily assigned to the USS Carl YN2 Sanchez, NC1 Lowe and YNC Lawton have
Vinson, our Team members ensure they take good been holding down the fort by checking in new
care of all Red Lions. PS2 Munoz has joined Carl personnel, settling travel claims, processing
team down in the Ship s Personnel Office awards, and updating instructions. As we gear up
and has done a great job ensuring all pay for the holidays, we want to thank all of you for
entitlements are correct. PS3 Xu, temporarily keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. We want
assigned to the Supply Department, has been all of you to know that without your support back
hard at work washing and drying not only the Red home, we could not be doing what we do; please
Lion s clothes, but the entire ship s laundry. MA1 know that we are only successful because of our
Moorer, currently the Leading Petty Officer of Carl families and friends. HS-15 Admin Department
Brig, has been enforcing good order and would like to wish you ALL a Merry Christmas and
discipline throughout the ship. CS3 Hughes and Happy New Year!
CS3 Robinson are both assigned to the Supply
From Left: YN3 Burnett, YNC Lawton, PS3 Longlowry

4. RED LIONS
PICTURE BOARD
AO1 Mclean, AOAN Aaron, AO2 Santillan
Skipper performing!
.,,,,,,,uy8i
IT2 Lombard, YN2 Sanchez
Skipper, AEAN Newhouse

5. RED LIONS
PICTURE BOARD
Skipper, LTJG Sheehan
AO1 Vicente
LT DeVera, AM1 Bogart
Skipper, AWR1 Charvat
AT1 Joseph

6. OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT by AWR2 Terence Seymour
Pacific Ocean From the Aircrew Shop
For the second time in 12 months, the HS-15 Red
Lions are steaming west aboard the mighty USS Carl
Vinson. Our mission is the continued support of
region. The setting seems eerily familiar to the
members of the Aircrew Shop. Many of us have been
training together for close to two years during our
aggressive deployment cycle. During this time, the
HS-15 Aircrew Shop has gone from a group of young
and inexperienced Junior Petty Officers, to a focused
and highly motivated team of operators. Led by shop
LCPO, AWSCS Mikel Carr, Red Lion Aircrewmen
have successfully conducted countless missions,
including Search and Rescue, Antisubmarine
Warfare, and Carrier Defense. Going forward, one of
our biggest challenges will not be our depth of
knowledge or experience level. Instead, our biggest
threat comes from the temptation of complacency.
We must never allow ourselves to become too
comfortable with our tasking. The upper leadership in
the Aircrew Shop has made sure to drive this point
home. To mitigate these risks, we have made sure to
constantly review even our most basic skills such as
hoisting, sonar procedures, and in-flight emergencies.
Any one of us might be required to call upon these
From Left: AWR 3 Bratcher, AWRAN Warren
There is no doubt the next few months will bring
an array of challenges for the HS-15 Aircrew Shop.
However, by working together and remaining focused,
Christopher Charvat for his promotion to First Class
we will undoubtedly be able to carry forward the
Petty Officer, a feat he has accomplished in only five
successes of our last deployment. Each of us has a
years of service.
job to do and having confidence in one another is the
In closing, we would like to thank our families
single uniting factor that gives our elite team its great
for their continued love and support over the past
strength.
year. Without them our success would not be
The shop would like to congratulate its newest
possible. May they have a Merry Christmas and
group of second class petty officers: AWR2 Rylin
Happy New Year!
Chavez, AWR2 Toni Jester, and AWR2 Kristofer
Bonar. In addition, we would like to recognize AWR1

7. MAINTENANCE CONTROL by LTJG Mike Harris
Starting at the
beginning, our first 24 hours
on board was challenging to
say the least. We had to
unpack our equipment, set up
the work space, un-pack our
Machine, muster, secure for
sea, and prepare our
maintenance department to
receive 7 helicopters on board.
We flawlessly overcame one
of the largest obstacles within
any maintenance control
which is to migrate all
electronic maintenance
records, inspections and sub-
systems for 7 helicopters in
less than 12 hours onboard
the ship.
Has it been 25 days
and sea stories of when he was together, and without them our
feels more like 45 to all of us enlisted. AECS Smith is filling the
as well, but under such MMCPO position and spends hours hats go out to AZ2 Rosario, AZ2
circumstances we came calculating, aircraft planning, Powell, AZ2 Hamryszak, AZ3
onboard prepared. Our team coordinating maintenance repairs, Schumacker and AZ3 Sober.
purchased over $180 dollars and ensuring mission readiness. Every-day out to sea is similar to
worth of Starbucks Our day and night crew includes your day in San Diego. We
**Anniversary / Christmas AECS Miller, AT1 Leitsch, ADCS celebrated three birthdays in
th
Blend** coffee that is sure to Fuentez and AMC Flemens, who are December, AZ2 Rosario (Dec 15 ),
th
keep us wide awake during all the perfect central command post AMC Flemens (Dec 16 ) and LTJG
th
maintenance control planning that drives daily work load priorities Harris (Dec 19 ). Yes, we ate cake
and maintenance efforts. AZC and ice cream too!
was sent out just last week in tip top Before we sign off on this news-
and it included receiving more shape through her training routines, letter we would like to comment on
questions and meticulous screening our Aircraft Status board, but it would
you get the list? process for logbooks, records and be a direct violation of our
technical directives. The heart of our Maintenance Control policy. Our
follower of the Red Lion Pride team is our AZ crew that fixes our helicopter status is never to be
let us take a minute to recap mistakes, cross verifies our entries, spoken about, so instead we will tell
our maintenance control issues and screens inspection you that on a scale from 1 to 10 we
Team. LTJG Harris, our records, specials, and manages over are definitely sitting around a 9.
MMCO, provides us with daily 500 mission mounted equipment Happy Holidays to all of our faithful
morale boosting, tactical records. Really, these Sailors are Red Lion Followers!
planning, fluid communication the glue that bonds our team

8. AIRCRAFT DIVISION by ATC Richard Wright
-15 has set sail
and deployed with the mighty USS Carl Vinson. It
is a long and unforgiving journey to our AOR
(area of responsibility) riddled with stressors,
dangers and bad foo
Even after such a short turn around and
large work load, in this writer s opinion we are. It is
a long and arduous journey across the open sea,
e done it before and with great success.
We as maintainers are ready and willing to
complete the mission and return home safely to
our families and loved ones.
Our stated mission is that we will defend our
nation from those that would do it harm with
combat-ready aircraft and crews trained to strike
Perhaps most
important is how we are able to accomplish this
mission. The answer is simple--by maintaining up
and ready helicopters capable of defending our
ship and safe guarding our Sailors and Airmen.
This task is accomplished through hard work, Hard at work in the AD / AM Shop
knowledgeable leadership and well trained
maintainers, aircrew and pilots. This is where we
as maintainers come in. With just under three heavily anticipated and well deserved port call of Hong Kong.
weeks out to sea, already work centers 110 and Although most of us have been there recently, I am sure all of
120 have two phases under our belts with us left with at least one more thing we wished we would have
countless special inspections to go along with done. This is our second chance to visit this great port.
them. This is a true testament to our work ethic However, before Hong Kong comes, we celebrated yet
and abilities as a whole. Perhaps more another holiday season at sea, which is an understandably
impressive is that we know more hard work is stressful time for our families back home. Even though I
ahead, but we also know we can do it. Aircraft myself have and a wife and small child at home, I like to
Division has welcomed ATC(AW/SW) Rick Wright believe I am spending Christmas with a different kind of family-
as our new Leading Chief Petty Officer. Making it -my shipmates and friends alike, people I have spent the last
even easier, we gained the skilled and hard three years with day in and day out. Worry not, for we are all
working hands of AD3(AW) Fiedler, ADAN together and not alone. Of course we do keep our fingers
Guglielmo and AD3(AW) Semack. crossed for a VERTREP or RAS (vertical replenishment /
Morale is an important variable to our replenishment at sea) for some gifts and classic home baked
everyday lives out to sea. What is there to do on a cookies.
carrier to pass the time and break the monotony For now I leave Mechs, Airframes, HS-15 and our
of a deployment? Most busy themselves with families these words of wisdom once spoken
professional qualifications, while others pursue
personal development such as learning the guitar Happy New Years!!!
or finally reading that book that has perked their
interest for quite some time. Upcoming is our

9. QUALITY ASSURANCE by AZ3 Matthew Clevette
The Quality Assurance division place of AT1 Joseph as the work squadron MWR is doing their best
has gone through a complete center 210 LPO. And lastly AZ3 to keep us busy. Our upcoming
change up in the past several Clevette has taken over the CTPL port visit to Hong Kong is rapidly
months. First we would like to program from AZ2 Hamryszak. approaching, we in QA just want
welcome LT Blake Womble as the Please join me in welcoming the to remind everybody to have fun,
new Quality Assurance Officer, incoming QA team. QA is a team of
taking the place of LT Sean proven professionals that have is hosting many tours at very
Cavanagh. AMC Flock has also shown time and time again that good prices to provide a fun and
taken over for AEC Strickland as they know what it takes to get the safe atmosphere for all sailors to
our new QAS. AM1 Nash has job done, and get the job done right get away from the ship life for a
taken over for PR1 Kennedy as the first time. little while and see the sights and
QALPO. We all wish LT Cavanagh, Our MWR is doing a great job to culture of Hong Kong. From the
AEC Strickland, and PR1 Kennedy keep the morale of the squadron QA Division, we wish you all a
well as they transfer to their new up. From the Christmas dinner Merry Christmas and a safe and
duty stations. We would also like to hosted by the Chiefs Mess, to the Happy New Year!
welcome AT1 Burnett, who took the planned Ice Cream Socials,
From Left: AM1 Nash, CDR Soltero From Left: AMC Flock, AZ3 Clevette, AM1 Nash

10. AV/ARM DIVISION by AO1 Yvette Vicente
From the ordnance shop we wish to say hello to deck of this massive aircraft carrier. We are all
family and friends back home. Well, here we are
back on deployment again and already doing great joy to take a break from the jet exhaust and
things. Everyone has been working very hard on explore the different cultures every port has to
qualifications, which has kept us all pretty busy. offer. For the month of December we were
fortunate to celebrate two birthdays in the
training on missile and torpedo loads. We even ordnance shop. We wish we could be with our
did some tactical training chasing submarines off loved ones on these special occasions, but we do
the coast of Hawaii. Being back onboard means try to make the best of things out here. Birthday
back to shipboard life, so yes we are back to using wishes go out to AO2 Santillan who celebrated his
st
flip flops when we shower and getting a birthday on the 1 of December and AO3 Emerson
th
complimentary wake-up call at 0600 who celebrated her birthday on the 15 of
every morning. Our helicopters have been doing a December. We know that our families at home
lot of flying so our days seem to fly by. Internet are irreplaceable, but Ordies are a family and
connection and phones on the ship are not that always stick together. We love and miss everyone
great so please bear with us. I must say, there is back home.
nothing like watching the sun rise and set from the IYAOYAS!!!!
From Left: AO1 Vicente, AOAN Wallace, AO3 McKenzie, AOAN Guilbeau, AO1 McLean, AO3 Emerson, AO2 Santillan, AOAN Aaron, AOC Lettieri

11. MATERIAL CONTROL by LS2 James Griminger
Greetings loved ones, more than turn that focus back to of us, and know that we are
from the USS Carl Vinson and the you and our lives on the beach thinking of you too. The
Material Control Division of HS- once we are joyously reunited at sacrifices we make as US Navy
15. As everyone knows, we have the distant ending of this Sailors are not ours alone, but
been absent from your loving deployment. Until that most those of our families too. For
sides for a few weeks now. joyous hour, we will distract our that, we love you all the more
However, you have never been wandering minds with hours in the and until we can put our arms
far from our thoughts, or from our gym, or by giving our brains around you, our loved ones, we
hearts. From the moment we something else to think about. will comfort ourselves with what
wake up to the sounds of reveille, We will divert ourselves by we brought with us--our
to the last moments of foggy studying for advancement exams
vision as we fade into sleep our and unit qualifications, watching the one thing we will never lose
thoughts are of you; our wives movies and TV shows, or simply and can never be lost or taken
and husbands, sons and by talking with our fellow away. And that is all we can
daughters, aunts and uncles, shipmates about what we miss ask for.
brothers and sisters, and mothers most about home. We spend time
and fathers. While we constantly talking about what we will do With Love,
turn all of our focus and attention when we return pierside and hear Material Control
to the task at hand and the daily that most desired phrase in the
regimen that is life on a Navy Navy
vessel, we all desire to do nothing HS- Please continue to think
From Left: LS2 Griminger, LS3 Johnson

12. From Left: AEAN Orozco-Ferrell, AMAN Debolt, ADC Hernandez, AMAN Bronson, ADAN Marsell, AMAN Burks
LINE DIVISION by ADC Antonio Hernandez
Hello Red Lion Family! We are now 3 weeks into
deployment and for most of us who were here last inspect a variety of things such as checking and servicing
deployment it feels like we never left the ship. We are well the oil and hydraulic reservoirs, checking tire pressures and
into our routine of moving, inspecting, launching and overall condition of the helicopter, and ultimately making
recovering aircraft on the daily basis. Even when the rest sure we can fly it safely.
Landing Signalmen Enlisted launch and recover the
of our Red Lion Helos to fly passengers, cargo or special helicopters from the ship and are the eyes for the pilots,
making sure they land and takeoff safely. The
heck is a Line shack? What do they do?
The Line Shack is the nucleus for all the Helicopter and LSE qualifications. They take care of tying down the
aircraft, making sure all the fuel samples are taken,
separate groups: the qualified (Plane Captains and Landing cleaning the aircraft and much more. Once they have
Signalmen Enlisted), and the trainees (aka Brown shirts). completed their training and become Plane Captains and
The Line Shack can have personnel from every rating the
command has within it, but regardless of their rate their
goal is to become a Plane Captain.
Galarza, AEAN Ling, and AA Jones . The job of the Line
is inspected and safe to fly--a huge responsibility assumed shack can be overwhelming at times but these guys and
by some of the most junior and youngest personnel in the gals are motivated, proud of what they contribute, and
command. In most cases, the Plane Captain is the only always strive to make it the best shop in the command.

13. Care Packages for Deployed Sailors
The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers
FREE packaging materials to families of deployed Mailing address:
military members.
How to Order? HS-15
Call 1-800-610-8734, Monday Friday 7am to UNIT 25178
7pm, and Saturdays 7am to 6pm FPO AP 96601-5710
A
FAMILY READINESS GROUP
The HS-15 Family Readiness and enable the Navy family to meet
Group (FRG) is in full swing and the challenges of military lifestyle
needs your support! Family together. Volunteers are needed to
readiness is the mutual assist in coordination of various
reinforcement and support provided upcoming events and activities. For
by the command to Sailors and their more information please contact the
families. The purpose of the FRG is HS-15 FRG President, Mrs. Jennifer
to plan and conduct social, Hughes at HS15FRG@yahoo.com or
informational, and morale building (904) 314-6558.
activities to enhance family readiness
RED LION OMBUDSMAN
by Sheila Leitsch
A warm welcome to all the new three years old, who celebrated a
Red Lions and their families arriving birthday in August.
at HS-15. Thank you for your honor, I am very excited and honored to
courage, commitment, and support to be assisting you with your needs
our deployed Sailors. For those of during this deployment. As an
Ombudsman, I am here to help you
introduce myself. with any questions or concerns you
My name is Sheila Leitsch, and I
I will find someone who does.
from Virginia; however, the twelve My contact information is
years prior to coming to San Diego ombudsmanhs15@yahoo.com or
were spent in Jacksonville, Florida. I you can reach me by phone at (904)
am happily married to AT1 Robert 534-1096 or (619) 247-9463. I look
Leitsch for the past 4 years. We forward to working with you all!
have a wonderful daughter Abigail,

14.
CcOoNnGgRrAaTtUuLlAaTtIiOoNnSs TtOo OoUuRr
RrEeDd LlIiOoNnSs
RrEeCcOoGgNnIiZzEeDd TtHhIiSs MmOoNnTtHh
PROMOTIONS
LTJG Harris Dec 23th
RED LION BIRTHDAYS
REENLISTMENTS
AM1 Nash Dec 20th AO2 SANTILLAN Dec 1ST
AM3 Mendiola Dec 31st AD3 SEMACK Dec 3rd
PR2 LOONEY Dec 4th
NAVY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL
AT3 YOUNG Dec 6th
LTJG Sheehan LTJG EWING Dec 7th
NC1 Lowe PR2 STOKES Dec 9th
AMAA RUDD Dec 9th
NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL
LSSA LEACH Dec 13th
AD3 ADAMS Dec 14th
LCDR Snow
AZ2 ROSARIO Dec 15th
ENLISTED AIR WARFARE AO3 EMERSON Dec 15th
SPECIALIST AMC FLEMENS Dec 16th
(EAWS) AE3 RUZINOK Dec 17th
ENS HARRIS Dec 19th
AE3 Bradley
AEAN Newhouse CS3 HUGHES Dec 27th
LS1 LOPEZ Dec 28th
NEW QUALIFICATIONS PR1 MCMURRAY Dec 29th
AA Jones Plane Captain
AMAN Galarza Plane Captain
AD3 Fiedler Plane Captain
AEAA Ling Plane Captain
AE3 Ruzinok Plane Captain
AT1 Burnett CDQAR
AM1 Platt CDQAR
AM2 Daniel CDI
AE3 Hanks CDI
AM3 Epperson -- CDI

15. Conducting overland training on Tinian in the Mariana Island Chain

16. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Squadron Website: www.hs15.navy.mil
Naval Base Coronado Command Duty Officer: 619-778-4862
Red Cross San Diego: 858-309-1200
National: 1-877-272-7337
Fleet & Family Support Center: 619-545-3594
FFSC Website: www.cnrsw.navy.mil/fsc
Legal (North Island): 619-545-6437
Naval Base San Diego: 619-556-7404
Naval Base Coronado: 619-545-6071
Naval Base North Island: 619-435-8786/6088
Naval Base Point Loma: 619-553-8306
Murphy Canyon Branch: 858-277-4259/619-545-6071
Navy Marine Corps Relief Society: 619-435-8897
Triwest: 1-888-874-9378
Website: www.triwest.com
Military OneSource: 1-800-342-9647
Website: www.militaryonesource.com
Naval Hospital San Diego: 619-532-6400
HS-15:
HS-15 Command Master Chief: eric.s.covington@navy.mil
www.facebook.com/HS15RedLions
MWR information: http://www.mwrtoday.com
USS CARL VINSON: Community, Health, Disaster Services and Information:
www.facebook.com/USSVINSON Dial 2-1-1 from land line or 858-300-1211 from cell phones
Flying west of Tinian in the Mariana Island Chain