Nimitz News

Hello NIMITZ Family and Friends,
We have completed our third week in the Arabian Gulf and your Sailors continue to work very hard. The conditions here in the summer months are difficult. It’s hot. Really hot, and unlike a desert environment, the humidity is high making the “discomfort index” go off the scale. I’m sure your Sailors have told you about it. The hangar deck, machinery spaces, galleys, laundry, and many other work spaces around the ship, are like walking into a sauna. The flight deck is just as hot and humid, and has the unrelenting sun beating down. Against this backdrop, the crew is doing absolutely fantastic work. Though nothing really can prepare you for these conditions, the crew knew our summer in the Gulf would be hard and is taking it in stride like the true professionals they are. Everyone understands we are here to do a job—and we are getting it done. Morale is high as we continue to execute our primary mission of flying sorties in support of the guys on the ground in Iraq and conducting Maritime Security Operations in the Gulf. Maritime Security Operations (MSO) set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment. MSO complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. They deny international terrorists the use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, of other material. Both missions are important work and your loved ones carrying the ball.

Navy Chief Petty Officer selections were announced last week. I am pleased to report NIMITZ, CVW-11, and the embarked staffs had 46 First Class Petty Officers selected for CPO (NIMITZ had 32). They will have the pleasure of a transition season here in the Gulf. Master Chief Penton and the CPO Mess were way ahead of the game with the planning for their indoctrination and they are moving out. Congratulations to all the selectees:

ABF1 Jerome Z. Alba SK1 Brian W. Snyder

EM1 Mariano G. Ayonon ABH1 Ismael Sosa

MM1 Sidney Baxter II AC1 Larry Stokes

YN1 Rosella Calloway ABH1 Aristotle T. Villahermosa

AT1 Donald E. Channer YN1 Terrance D. Winfield

AM1 Ricardo M. Collantes AT1 Richard Wright III

DC1 James P. Doyle AE1 Victor Melendes

ET1 Brent C. Dunagan AD1 Shawn Runnion

ABH1 Marlowe J. Durmeindo AT1 Justin Dazell

AO1 Mary F. Gamet AM1 Vi Thrailkill

AC1 Michael A. Garcia SK1 Michael Wenrich

ABH1 Dudley K. Griffith SK1 Hector Espeio

ET1 Jeremy S. Halkin AME1 Maric Granade

IT1 Thomas R. Johnson PN1 Dodie Irineo

EM1 Nestor G. Lagrada AT1 Robertson Dou

MM1 Isidoro G. Madrigal MA1 Cynth Wharton

EM1 Stuart R. Martin AZ1 Anthony Duenes

DC1 Robert T. McCarty AT1 Michael Loomis

ABH1 Jared D. Mueller AT1 Joseph Scutt

GM1 Jeffrey W. Nicols LN1 Maria Gill

FC1 Robinson M. Oconner Jr. PN1 James Harkins

ABH1 Pabon Elbert AO1 Gary Schmidt

YN1 Tracie L. Shivers FC1 Kevin Shanafelt

I am also happy to announce that the NIMITZ Sailor of the Quarter, MM1 (SW/AW) Zebulun Shaw, was selected by Rear Admiral Daly as the Carrier Strike Group Eleven Sailor of the Quarter. Congratulations, MM1.

Our terrific support network of Team NIMITZ and Command Ombudsmen are continuing to do great work at home. The Adult Half Way party is Friday night and the Kids Half Way Party is on the 28th at North Island Beach. Regular Team NIMITZ meetings are well attended, present useful information, and are an opportunity to meet and socialize with other NIMITZ families. The support and shared experience that Team NIMITZ and our great group of Command Ombudsmen can provide are very helpful. Our command Ombudsmen can be reached at (619) 890-3469 or ussnimitzombudsman@yahoo.com. You can contact TEAM NIMITZ at TeamNimitz@yahoo.com.

I do have one piece of sad news to pass along. Monday night a Sailor from one of our strike group ships, the USS PRINCETON, was suffering from chest pains and was medically evacuated from PRINCETON to NIMITZ. Unfortunately during the night, he suffered a massive heart attack and, despite heroic efforts from our Medical Dept, the PRINCETON Sailor died. We are saddened by his loss and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in South Carolina.

Once again I want to say how proud I am of this crew for the super job they are doing under very difficult circumstances. I also want to thank you again for all your hard work keeping all the plates spinning back home. You guys have just been fantastic in your ability to manage all the details without missing a step. Everyone is upbeat about the progress of the deployment and I have never seen a group have fewer issues requiring the ship’s involvement to solve. That is a credit to you the family members and to our fabulous team of Ombudsmen and support group. Keep up the great work.

Warm regards and very respectfully,

CAPT Ted Branch

Commanding Officer

USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)