Nimitz News

We were happy to pull into port on Tuesday following an 11 day underway. While at sea, all departments were able to complete a wide range of maintenance, training, and preparations for our upcoming deployment. Our primary purpose for the underway, though, was a propulsion plant examination. We knocked it out of the park. Congratulations to Reactor Department for their super performance. This was a ship-wide team effort that really validated our NIMITZ’s slogan of “Teamwork, a Tradition”, but the Reactor guys clearly did the heavy lifting.

As often happens on sea-duty, there was no time to rest. On Wednesday we launched right into our Strike Group Force Protection Exercise. This is a required training evolution prior to going on deployment and it’s all about knowing how to protect ourselves while we are in port—particularly in port overseas. Our force protection organization led by CDR Frank Lehardy, the Weapons Department Head (aka GUNBOSS), has been working hard to prepare us for the exercise and the preparations have paid off. This terrific crew eagerly attacked the problem with great attitudes. We doubled up on the duty sections like we do on deployment in order to have the appropriate manning levels to respond to simulated threats and so far we’ve done great. We will finish up Friday afternoon after gathering lots of good lessons. This training has been very successful.

Once complete with the force protection exercise, we’ll be able to relax and take a little time off for the first day since January 20th. Saturday night is our annual ship’s party and the response has been great. So far we’ve sold about 1700 tickets. The MWR folks and Supply Department have been working hard to show everyone a great time and I think we’ll have a blast. Also as a reward for the great work, most of the crew will be taking Monday off. The duty section, of course, will be working the onload for the Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualification and the Reactor guys and others needed to prepare to get underway will be busy, but most of the crew will be able to take a breather prior to going out to qualify those new pilots. We are not sure when the FRS CQ will be complete. Since this is the initial qualification for most of the pilots, we have to have good weather. We expect that we will be complete no later than Saturday the 12th.

While we are underway Team Nimitz Family Support Group will meet at 6:30PM, Tuesday, February 8th at the Murphy Canyon Chapel. (3200 Santo Road, San Diego) Childcare is available for infants to 12 years for a small fee of $1 per child. We do request you RSVP for childcare, so there will be plenty of volunteer baby-sitters available for the children. Send your RSVP for childcare to teamnimitz@yahoo.com by Sunday evening, February 6th, 2005 The guest speaker is from COMPASS San Diego, there will be reports from our Ombudsmen Team and Team NIMITZ Committees, a drawing for a gift basket and posters of the downtown San Diego skyline at night, refreshments and socializing. Team NIMITZ has an important role as a source of support, information, and shared experience. It will become even more important as we prepare for and leave on deployment. I encourage you to join in and take advantage of all this group can offer. I also want to remind you about our pre-deployment fairs scheduled for Feb 22nd and 24th at Murphy Canyon Chapel, and March 1st in the aft mess decks on board NIMITZ. These briefs are important and worth your time—especially if this is your Sailor’s (or your) first deployment.

Finally today I’d like to announce that I’ve asked Mrs. Heather Correa to join our great team of NIMITZ Command Ombudsmen. As you know, the command ombudsmen are a tremendous resource for our families. They have the ability, through their training and their direct access to the Command Master Chief, the Executive Officer, and me, to offer advice and cut through red-tape to assist our families. I appreciate all those who offered to serve as our new Ombudsman, and ask you all to stay involved in supporting your Sailors in this command. Our other Ombudsmen who continue to do a terrific job are Tammy Iverson, Darleen Glenn, Nicolette Rufa, and Mariam Andrade. You can contact the NIMITZ Ombudsman team at:

ussnimitzombudsman@yahoo.com

Pager number: 619-896-1600

Careline: 1-877-600-NAVY

Well everyone, that about wraps it up for this update. As always, thank you for your support and being part of the team. You probably don’t realize just how important a role you play, but we certainly couldn’t do this work without you. Thank you and keep up the great work.

Warm regards and very respectfully,

CAPT Ted Branch

Commanding Officer

USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)