THE ASHINGTON URVEYOR W S Vol. 20, Issue: 22 Dec. 7, 2020 CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE 6 A NEW NORMAL Keeping holiday plans festive, despite COVID-19 restrictions 8 DECK INCHES CLOSER How Deck Department is staying ahead of RCOH goals 12 BAPTIZED IN THE BELL The ship’s bell is used for more than just marking time 16 BECOMING A CHIEF What it means to be selected as a chief petty officer

AROUND THE FLEET 7th Fleet Patrol Aircraft Supports Search and Rescue U.S. Warship USS Donald Cook Completes 18 Black Sea Patrol 2 • The Washington Surveyor THE WASHINGTON SURVEYOR Surveyor Magazine USS George Washington (CVN 73) Editor-in-Chief Commanding Officer Executive Officer Command Master Chief Lt. Cmdr. Javan Rasnake

Copy Editors Lt. Chelsea Cannaday MCC Christina Shaw MC2 Trey Hutcheson

Capt. Kenneth Strong Capt. Michael Nordeen CMDCM Christopher Zeigler

Media Department Media Team MC2 Elizabeth Cohen MC2 Anthony Hilkowski Public Affairs Officer Deputy Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Javan Rasnake Lt. Chelsea Cannaday MC2 Marlan Sawyer MC3 Tatyana Freeman Departmental LCPO Departmental LPO MC3 Michael Hazlett MCC Christina Shaw MC1 Patrick Grieco MC3 Leandros Katsareas MC3 Zachary Thomas MC3 Cory Daut Media Department Requests MC3 Robert Stamer PRINT REQUESTS PHOTO/VIDEO REQUESTS MCSN Jack Lepien E-MAIL MEDIA PRINT REQUESTS (757) 534-2369 MCSN Aislynn Heywood (757) 534-0613 [email protected] MCSN Bonnie Lindsay MCSN Stephen Sullins MCSN Dakota Nack MCSN Preston Cash PHOTO STUDIO HOURS MCSA Jacob Vanamburg 0900-1200 1900-2100 MCSA Franklin Carpenter MONDAY - THURSDAY, located in 01-165-3-Q MCSA Joseph Negusse

A special thank you to all those who let us tell your stories to the crew and to the fleet.

The Washington Surveyor is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). Contents herein are not the visions of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of USS George Washington. All news releases, photos, or information for publication in The Washington Surveyor must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer. The Washington Surveyor • 3 SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT

ATAN Sydnie Smith HOMETOWN: Chesapeake, Virginia WHERE SHE WORKS: AIMD, IM3

HOBBIES: Taekwon-Do, Krav Maga WHAT SHE ENJOYS ABOUT HER JOB: “I love my job because I make really good connections [through] branching off to different departments.”

WHAT ‘SAILOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT’ MEANT TO HER: “It feels good to be named ‘Sailor in the Spotlight’ because now I know that my departmental leadership sees and appreciates all the work that I’m doing.”

WHY SHE WAS NOMINATED: ATAN Smith was nominated for her hard work and dedication to ensuring IM-3 Division is continuously equipped with the necessary tools needed to close compartment spaces, SFIMS tasks, and the day-to-day operations of the ship. She took the initiative to assume the roles and responsibilities as IM-3 and 3M/DC Division RPPO.

4 • The Washington Surveyor

IT’S TIME FOR A NEW YEAR WITH SOME OLD FRIENDS STORY BY MCSN STEPHEN SULLINS, PHOTOS BY MC2 TREY HUTCHESON

Like the Christmas armistice of World and there are many Sailors hoping to take To ensure Sailors and their families War I (Dec. 24-25th, 1914), during which time off to see their loved ones, despite travel remain safe from COVID-19, the Navy has both British and German militaries ceased restrictions. Sailors must adhere to guidelines endured long deployments and enforced fire and carried on exchanging holiday when deciding when to take leave, where to strict guidelines regarding liberty activities. wishes with one another, giving hand- go, and how to adhere to the Navy’s current This has given many Sailors a reason to shakes and cigars regardless of rank or title, health protection policies. stay within their COVID-19 bubble to avoid Navy Sailors look to the holiday season for a “My plans this year were fairly simple,” contamination of their safe environment. respite from the regular stress of their jobs, said Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Malik They are encouraged to avoid highly and as a chance to spend time with Slay, assigned to George Washington’s aircraft infected areas to prevent risk of exposure to loved ones. intermediate maintenance department. “I themselves or their families. Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft plan to hang out with friends and family, “I have been looking at my options, carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) play video games, and above all else, social and decided to lay low and if possible, see have been challenged more than ever this distance and wear a mask while traveling to family,” said Aviation Specialist Airman Tyler year due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, see my [extended] family.” Eisenmann, assigned to George Washington’s

6 • The Washington Surveyor aircraft intermediate maintenance from COVID-19, [as well as] and bringing it department. “My plans aren’t what they “I KNOW THAT back to the ship’s crew,” said Eisenmann. could’ve been had there been no pandemic, “However, seeing past that, I know that it’s but it’s okay. I’ll keep my mask on, and move going to be one of the best [holiday] periods on to taking time off in general so I can IT’S GOING TO BE I’ll ever have considering just how hard this relax anyway.” year has been on all of us.” Safety planning is the top priority for ONE OF THE BEST The challenges of this year have added a STORY BY MCSN STEPHEN SULLINS, PHOTOS BY MC2 TREY HUTCHESON the Navy this year; the travel policy requires lot of extra planning and stress into the daily the vigilance of each Sailor looking at leaving lives of Sailors, especially with adhering to their command’s designated travel vicinity in [HOLIDAY] PERIODS HPCON (Health Protection Condition Level) search of holiday cheer. Navy administrative requirements. Hopefully, Sailors find the guidelines are in place to mitigate the risk of I’LL EVER HAVE, opportunity this holiday season to take a Sailors becoming ill, or having to quarantine deep breath of relaxation, feel at home, and upon their return from leave or see this year’s hard days behind us at last. holiday gatherings. CONSIDERING JUST Sailors are eager for many things, but what they look forward to most at times like HOW HARD THIS this year is a familiar face in a comfortable place. “The biggest challenge is certainly YEAR HAS BEEN ON seeing the right way to take this leave period and to avoid contamination myself ALL OF US.”

The Washington Surveyor • 7 DECK INCHES CLOSER TO THE FINISH LINE DECK INCHES CLOSER

TO THE FINISH LINE STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 ROBERT STAMER

“WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO SAFELY STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME.” The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS manpower to work as a team and get all of keep this going,” said Mars. “We are all George Washington (CVN 73) has been their tasks done as soon as possible, said motivated to get ourselves back to where we undergoing refueling and complex overhaul Mars. The sooner these tasks are complete, once were.” (RCOH) for nearly four years. Countless the sooner the department can be Chief Warrant Officer Ekundayo hours of blood, sweat, and tears have gone fully operational. Mammah, the boatswain aboard George into completing this monumental task. The department has laid out a series Washington, believes that all of the Every department aboard the ship has been of departmental and command milestones evolutions that the department has been upended in one way or another. Many to gauge where the department is at and to working on provide great opportunities Sailors have not had a permanent work maintain motivation, explained Mars. for training. station aboard George Washington since the “Our goal is to try and stay one step “I think the department is getting very, overhaul began. Now, nearly four years into ahead, rather than one step behind,” said very good,” said Mammah. “The whole the project, most departments have begun Mars. team is doing a great job getting all of our the process of bringing their work centers Mars says the process hasn’t been gear back on the ship.” back to full operational capacity. all smooth sailing. Like many other Completing these tasks contributes One department who is in the full departments, deck department has had to the ship’s mission of getting our ship swing of things is deck department. Their difficulties with personnel going on and off redelivered to the fleet. Every day, deck current task is to bring previously removed of restriction of movement [ROM] orders, department inches closer to the finish line. equipment back onboard and to ensure it a safety measure put in place to prevent “All other departments have to get their is in working condition. Currently, deck spreading of COVID-19, as well as frequent stuff back to the ship, and we are making department is ahead of schedule in their schedule changes, but the crew has adapted sure we get all of our stuff early. We’re mission to complete this task. to the new working environment. taking it day by day,” said Mars. “We are getting more of our equipment “We are at a turning point in the Deck department is just one important back, and we are giving ourselves a rebuilding process, trying to get our piece of the puzzle for completing RCOH. head start,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd department 100 percent manned, ready, Every department on the ship is doing their Class Thomas Mars, assigned to the deck and operational as we were before [the] part to complete our mission and deliver department aboard George Washington. COVID-19 [pandemic] started,” says Mars. George Washington back to the fleet. The “We don’t want everything to be done last “We are doing everything in our power to goal of relieving the Nimitz-class aircraft second. We are taking it day-by-day and safely stay ahead of the game.” carrier USS Ronald Reagan in 7th Fleet is putting everything back in its So far, deck department has been almost realized, and George Washington rightful place.” successful at each evolution. will soon return to being first in war, first Deck department is using all of its “We are all in the same mindset to in peace.

BAPTIZED IN THE BELL, NOT THE WELL STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 TATYANA FREEMAN

Every ship has a bell. According to a shipboard baptism, and I think it was again. Due to RCOH, the bell was stored in a Navy History and Heritage Command, the sort of morale booster for us within CRMD warehouse to make sure it was not damaged ship’s bell is traditionally used to keep because we were able to experience a special during the ship’s repair. Previously, Lt. Irwin time, to maintain the safety of the ship in part in someone’s life onboard the ship that had performed two baptisms onboard the foggy conditions, to serve as an indicator we’ve been working so hard to rebuild. It George Washington during RCOH, but had for officers and dignitaries coming aboard or really symbolizes moving forward - not only to use another bell in the stead of the actual leaving the ship, to sound the alarm, and, operationally, but with the spiritual aspect of ship’s bell. sometimes, for baptisms. the baptism.” “The bell is huge,” said Scott. “It’s a “Traditionally, the thing that you The baptism onboard George 300-pound piece of metal, and it’s not easy would see in a church [for baptisms] is called Washington required a lot of preparation and to carry. We had to get it out of [storage], a baptismal font,” said Lt. Chandler Irwin, a teamwork in order to become a reality. and take it over to LIFAC [light industrial chaplain assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft facility], where AIMD hand-made this carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73)’s “We were able to beautiful, intricate stand for the 300-pound command religious ministries department experience a special part bell. After they did their thing, they brought (CRMD). “Typically, it’s large and marble, it over to the pier for us, and then CRMD but we don’t have a large, marble font on a in someone’s life onboard Sailors had to work with contractors to ship. But what we do have is a ship’s bell. get it up onto the flight deck. After that, And if you turn that bell upside down, there the ship that we’ve been my Sailors put the bell on a pallet jack and you go. You have a font.” working so hard to rebuild. rolled it through the AIMD tunnel, to the Baptisms have been performed on ships ladderwell, [then] up to the fo’c’sle. It took for centuries, and the U.S. Navy picked up It really symbolizes moving five of us carrying it up two ladderwells at the tradition from the British Royal Navy. different points for it to make it to To this day, baptisms are performed onboard forward...” the fo’c’sle.” U.S. Navy ships for Sailors onboard and, if “It wasn’t just CRMD [that made Thanks to the teamwork from several the ship is in port, their immediate family this happen],” said Scott. “AIMD [aircraft departments onboard George Washington, members. After being baptized in the ship’s intermediate maintenance division] helped two children of George Washington Sailors bell, the name of the person baptized is out with the bell stand. Deck department were baptized in the ship’s bell November inscribed on the bell forever, and when a shined the bell and cleaned the fo’c’sle. 1, 2020. Per tradition, their names will be ship is decommissioned, the bell, with the Supply owned the bell and helped us track inscribed in the bell. names inside, is saved; it becomes permanent it down in their warehouses. We had [the “What I really like about this tradition property of the U.S. Navy. administrative] department route the 50/60 is that it takes two parts of our lives, the The George Washington recently had its [instruction for special events]. Security spiritual and the secular, that idea of what first two baptisms in the original ship’s bell helped guests gain access to the shipyard. All we do for a living and the calling to be a since the beginning of refueling complex of that coordination on top of everything else Christian, and it brings those things together overhaul (RCOH). that we’re doing in RCOH was challenging.” and it intersects the two parts of our lives, “It was a really cool professional In addition to having to coordinate with and I believe that is a holy and sacred thing experience,” said Chief Religious Programs other departments, CRMD had to handle to do,” said Irwin. “If anyone is desiring to Specialist Terrill Scott, the CRMD the bell itself: a giant, 300-pound, brass be baptized, stop by CRMD and talk to one departmental leading chief petty officer ornament that will sit on the quarterdeck of the chaplains and we will see what we aboard George Washington. “I’ve never done when George Washington is operational can do.”

The Washington Surveyor • 13 SAILORS ASSIGNED TO THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) GET OLEORESIN CAPSICUM (OC) SPRAYED DURING A SECURITY TRAINING COURSE AT HUNTINGTON HALL. PHOTOS BY MC3 CORY J. DAUT.

THE NAVY CHIEF: BEING NAMED CHIEF-SELECT STORY BY MC3 ZACKERY THOMAS

Earning the rank of chief petty officer is a major Becoming a chief isn’t the same as advancing to the next Making the rank of chief takes varying amounts of time achievement for an enlisted Sailor. It is more than just a paygrade. Unlike the ranks that came before it, new chiefs for each Sailor, but there is no doubt that they all have put paygrade; it is an exclusive fellowship among the Chief’s have to go through a rigorous experience referred to as “chief in a lot of hard work and experience to set themselves apart Mess, with all the responsibilities and new experiences that initiation”. from other eligible Sailors. come with the position. “Becoming a chief, and going through chief season, “I’ve been in the Navy for 11 years, and I’d say for other Eighteen first class petty officers assigned to the Nimitz- gives us the ability to trust each other as chief petty officers first class [petty officers] who are trying to make chief, or class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) were and to build relationships and networks outside of our lower enlisted trying to make rank, becoming the subject selected for advancement to the position of chief petty officer individual chains of command,” said Chief Hospital Corpsman matter expert in everything you can is essential,” said Berry. on Nov. 18. For Electricians Mate (Nuclear) 1st Class Chris David Long, the leading chief petty officer of the George “Learn everything you can about your job, and when you Tokar and Machinist Mate (Nuclear) 1st Class Brian Berry, Washington medical department. “The whole point of chief finish, learn about a new aspect of your job or work center. Be both assigned to the reactor department aboard George season and becoming a chief is to make effective [enlisted] relentless and make yourself indispensable.” Washington, being selected for chief petty officer is an leaders [even] better.” For many Sailors, the chief petty officer is a great wealth accomplishment proving years of hard work and experience. While there are other changes and responsibilities that a of knowledge and experience, able to give advice and help “Being a first class [petty officer] has been one of the most new chief has to manage, looking out for junior Sailors is one find solutions to problems through years of experience. With rewarding things I have done in the Navy,” said Berry. “It’s facet of leadership. the help of the deck-plate leadership of the chiefs’ mess and been really fun to be able to be flexible enough “I think being a chief is like being a shield,” said Tokar. the chief petty officers that fill it, the Navy and its Sailors in a position that I can be the subject matter expert, I can “As a chief, it will really give me the ability and influence to have a wealth of collective wisdom and experience to pull be the quality assurance check, or be the highest enlisted if go to bat for my Sailors when needed, as well as to be able to from. my chief was on leave. That’s something I’ll keep with me as a push change or [improve] ways of thinking up the chain of chief.” command.”

“AS A CHIEF, IT WILL REALLY GIVE ME THE ABILITY AND INFLUENCE TO GO TO BAT FOR MY SAILORS WHEN NEEDED, AS WELL AS TO BE ABLE TO PUSH CHANGE OR [IMPROVE] WAYS OF THINKING UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND.”

16 • The Washington Surveyor THE NAVY CHIEF: BEING NAMED CHIEF-SELECT

Making the rank of chief takes varying amounts of time for each Sailor, but there is no doubt that they all have put in a lot of hard work and experience to set themselves apart from other eligible Sailors. “I’ve been in the Navy for 11 years, and I’d say for other first class [petty officers] who are trying to make chief, or lower enlisted trying to make rank, becoming the subject matter expert in everything you can is essential,” said Berry. “Learn everything you can about your job, and when you finish, learn about a new aspect of your job or work center. Be relentless and make yourself indispensable.” For many Sailors, the chief petty officer is a great wealth of knowledge and experience, able to give advice and help find solutions to problems through years of experience. With the help of the deck-plate leadership of the chiefs’ mess and the chief petty officers that fill it, the Navy and its Sailors have a wealth of collective wisdom and experience to pull from.

The Washington Surveyor • 17 7TH FLEET PATROL AIRCRAFT NAVY SUPPORTS SEARCH AND RESCUE NEWS From CTF 72 Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN - A US Navy P-8A Guard vessel and a merchant vessel arrived area of operations. Poseidon aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) to assist in rescue efforts. U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward- 5, the “Mad Foxes” assisted in locating a “We’re very happy to be a part of this deployed naval operations in support of U.S. vessel Nov. 30 that had been missing for successful rescue effort. At sea, we’re all on national interests in the Indo-Pacific area three days near the island of Saipan. the same team, and today we came together of operations. As the U.S. Navy’s largest The 7th Fleet Maritime Patrol and to bring two lost mariners home,” said Lt. numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) began Cmdr. James Miller, Mission Commander. other maritime nations to build partnerships supporting the search and rescue (SAR) effort The “Mad Foxes,” stationed in that foster maritime security, promote Nov. 27, shortly after a 21-foot fishing vessel Jacksonville, Florida, are currently deployed stability, and prevent conflict. carrying two passengers was reported four to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. hours overdue from scheduled return time. The squadron is conducting maritime The VP-5 aircraft located the vessel Nov. patrol and reconnaissance as well as theater 30, and remained on station until a U.S. Coast outreach operations within U.S. 7th Fleet

18 • The Washington Surveyor U.S. WARSHIP USS DONALD COOK COMPLETES BLACK SEA PATROL From Lt. j.g. Sarah Claudy and Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Will Hardy, USS Donald Cook Public Affairs

Donald Cook entered the Black Sea on beginning of 2020. Operation Atlantic Resolve. Nov. 23, 2020, and conducted air defense The Black Sea is a critical waterway for Four U.S. Navy destroyers, including exercises with NATO Air Command. A U.S. maritime commerce and stability throughout Donald Cook, are based in Rota, Spain, and P-8A, Canadian CF-188s, and a NATO E3A Europe. The U.S. Navy routinely operates assigned to Commander, Task Force 65 in AWACS were among the participants of the in the Black Sea to work with our NATO support of NATO’s Integrated Air Missile joint air maritime integrated mission, which Allies and partners, including Bulgaria, Defense architecture. These Forward- fostered NATO interoperability. Georgia, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine. It Deployed Naval Forces-Europe ships have the “Our Black Sea visit enhanced our is in the world’s best interest to maintain a flexibility to operate throughout the waters relationships with NATO allies and other stable, prosperous Black Sea region and deter of Europe and Africa, from the Cape of Good partners in the region,” said Cmdr. Kelley aggressive actors who seek destabilization for Hope to the Arctic Circle, demonstrating Jones, commanding officer of Donald Cook. their own gain. their mastery of the maritime domain. “We are especially grateful for the Bulgarian Donald Cook recently began its 11th U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in hospitality we experienced in Varna.” patrol in U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of U.S. Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of The crew partook in a Thanksgiving national security interests in Europe and joint and naval operations, often in concert celebration on the pier during a brief stop Africa.The ship’s operations in the Black with allied, and interagency partners, in for fuel in Varna, Bulgaria. Sea strengthens interoperability among order to advance U.S. national interests and Donald Cook is the seventh U.S. NATO allies and partners and demonstrate security and stability in Europe and Africa. Navy ship to visit the Black Sea since the collective resolve to Black Sea security under

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