Fiends and Family Update 10 Oct. 2004
Nimitz Families and Friends,
The entire week, Nimitz has been at sea working on the many skills we need to move on to the next series of events. The next underway will be filled with Afloat Training Group Pacific’s assessment of our readiness to perform at sea. As an example, during the last week, we had three Dead in the Water drills (DIW), complex propulsion plant drills, several General Quarters (GQ) drills, man overboard with boat recovery, underway replenishment, medical response, small arms quals and flight deck drills of all types. As we continue to train, the drills will get more complex. We will also start to integrate units outside Nimitz into our drills.
The Nimitz Air Wing, CVW-11, will return to Nimitz in force for our next underway training period. The day before we get underway, about 1,400 Sailors and all of their equipment will arrive, so we can train together. The squadrons include: HS-6 from North Island; VFA-14, VFA-41, VFA-94 from Lemoore, CA; VAQ-135 from Whidbey Island, WA; VAW-117 from Pt. Mugu, CA; and VMFA-232 (USMC) from Miramar, CA. We also have a two plane COD detachment from VRC-30 – at North Island. The ships that will make up the Nimitz Strike Group are: Nimitz, Cruiser Princeton, Guided Missile Destroyers Higgins and Chaffee, SSN Louisville and our tanker USNS Bridge.
On Sunday’s, if our schedule will permit, the morning is left open for all hands to attend religious services. Services are normally held on the foc’sle between the anchor chains. Many Sailors cannot take the morning off due to their job – such as propulsion plant watch standers, bridge watch standers and the Nimitz food service team. On Sunday, the Nimitz food service team sets up at Sunday Brunch that is open from 10am to 7pm. Our Nimitz brunch rivals the service at the best hotels and the crew loves it.
Our liberty and leave plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas was published a few days ago. I think we have a good plan that will allow quality time off during the holidays and also stay ready to meet our operational commitments. We do have a demanding schedule in November and December, but we will be home for all the major holidays.
Please consider attending the Team Nimitz meeting scheduled for Tuesday 12 October at 6:30 PM. Nimitz Family Support Group, "Team Nimitz" will hold the meeting at Murphy Canyon Chapel. I am very pleased that following our PIA, Team Nimitz has reenergized to support our families. Nimitz will be underway during the 12 October meeting, but special arrangements are in work to have CMC Penton and Chaplain Keane available as the guest speakers. Team Nimitz is growing and as we get more operational (at sea time), it is an excellent network for activities and also a source of information.
Nimitz is doing very well but I also know that this is a stressful time. Work-ups and the follow-on deployment is tough for Sailors and it is equally tough for families. I know that we have the best Carrier in the Pacific and our families are the best in the World. Please get ready for deployment and make plans for taking care of yourselves. I promise to keep you well informed and I will keep the info flowing.
Have a GREAT week and please try and make it to the Team NIMITZ meeting on Tuesday.
With Greatest Respect,
Captain Bob Gilman
Date Posted/Last Updated:10/11/2004 7:14:56 PM