Nimitz News

Since my last update, your Sailors completed our pop-up Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualification in typical fine NIMITZ fashion. We were underway on Tuesday following Easter weekend and, through a lot of talent, dedication, and plain hard work, were able to finish early and return to North Island on Friday, 2 April. Everyone did a great job and we qualified 31 pilots in their fleet aircraft by accumulating over 500 arrested landings in three days and nights. This was an important task that had to be done. Thank you for your understanding on this one. It was not on our schedule and inconvenient from the standpoint that it caused some changes to plans and fell over the San Diego schools' spring break. Just like the crew, you all did your part in taking care of business at home and adjusting to the changes. Thanks for the great support and as always--we couldn't do it without you.

As I write this, we are one week into our Preparations for Overseas Movement (POM) period and I hope that everyone is doing well and either enjoying or getting ready to enjoy some time off. We have a number of projects in work around the ship as we continue to prepare for our upcoming deployment. As you know we did the lion's share of those preparations prior to our Joint Task Force Exercise in order to be ready if we were called upon to go early. Due to those efforts, the pace of our maintenance upkeep during POM is manageable and going very well. We will have the leave turnover date on Monday, 18 April when the second period begins.

I'd like to remind you again to take care of your own preparations for deployment on the family side. I've been chipping away at my to-do list, too. Simple things like Identification Card and automobile base access sticker expirations are easy to take care of now---more difficult when the servicemember is away. That's just an example. Please use the information booklets and checklists we passed out at our pre-deployment fairs. They contain tons of good info. If you didn't get one, or lost it, contact our great team of Ombudsmen at ussnimitzombudsman@yahoo.com or (619) 890-3469.

Finally today I want to make a pitch for Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society. As many of you know, we are well into the annual fund raiser for Navy Relief and I think it is the most important contribution we, as Sailors, can make. Last year, NIMITZ crewmembers used almost $400,000 dollars from Navy and Marine Corps Relief. Unlike many charitable organizations, just about all the monies raised are put to use helping Sailors, Marines, and their families. We've passed out allotment forms to all hands and I ask you to use those forms and give what you can. A $5 per month allotment can make a big difference to Navy Relief and for most of us, wouldn't even be missed. If your Sailor has misplaced the allotment form, have them contact SKC Tiu or ATC Harrison to get a replacement.

OK everyone, that about wraps it up for this update. We all know that your part of this team effort is tough, and facing a deployment is particularly difficult. Thanks again for your talent, dedication, and most of all your great support for your Sailors.

Warm regards and very respectfully,

CAPT Ted Branch

Commanding Officer

USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)