Nimitz Family and Friends News 11/01/04
Nimitz Family and Friends,
We are currently underway in the SOCAL oparea conducting Tailored Ship’s Training Availability / Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA / FEP). Intentionally, this is designed to be a very demanding underway. On the unit level, we have spent the last few months preparing for this three week event. All of our skills will be evaluated by Pacific Fleet training experts. Carrier Air Wing 11 is also part of our evaluation and they are back aboard in full strength. We are in the process of Carrier Quals (CQ) for the 95 fixed wing pilots of CVW-11. The total population aboard Nimitz is 4,700 people.
This morning we shifted clocks along with almost every state. “Fall back” gave most Sailors an extra hour of sleep, but the Sailors who were on watch in the propulsion plant, on the bridge and in various other locations had an extra hour of work. For the U.S. Navy, this happens more frequently than you might think – as we transit from San Diego to any destination, we cross numerous time zones.
Today is Halloween and the Nimitz MWR team has induced the “spirit” of the season. There are decorations on the mess decks and a Halloween door contest resulted in some pretty cool looking doors. We don’t have trick or treating hours, but it looks like Halloween all over the ship.
Last Wednesday, I was honored to attend the USS Samuel B Roberts/Hoel/Johnston reunion. These three World War II ships were sunk 60 years ago and they have a survivor’s reunion every year. I was proud to attend the event and speak about the present day Sailor from USS Nimitz and how proud I am to serve with the Sailors of today. Many of these gentlemen were 18 years old when their ships were sunk. They lost dozens of shipmates and they tell the stories of the loss of life and shipmates that will never return. Without exception, they are all so very proud of the young Americans who serve our country today and I was asked by the group to pass on their deepest thanks for the dedication of each and every Sailor and his/her family.
This coming Tuesday is Election Day. A simple request for all of us – please exercise your right to vote. We have the best country in the world and our country selects its leaders via a democratic system. The system works - so please get out there and vote.
Have a great week!
With Greatest Respect,
Captain Bob Gilman
CO, USS Nimitz
Date Posted/Last Updated:11/1/2004 11:36:56 PM