Nimitz News

Dear NIMITZ Family and Friends, Hello everyone from Pier Juliet in sunny San Diego. I know it’s been a long time since my last update and some of you may have been concerned that you had been dropped from our email list. Not to worry—I just have been remiss in writing these since we came home from deployment. My thought was that they weren’t necessary when your Sailors are here in home port, but I’ve been informed that there is a real desire out there for me to keep these going. I probably won’t be quite as frequent during our turnaround period, but I will keep plugging away at giving you updates. Your Sailors have been very busy since we returned from our post cruise stand-down. We had a couple of material issues; a main engine repair and an overhaul on some of our diesel generators, that required a strong effort to get the ship ready for her post cruise tasking. The crew responded like the true superstars that they are and had us ready to answer the bell. Prior to commencing our Planned Incremental (maintenance) Availability (PIA), we completed two Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications, an ammunition offload, a propulsion mobile training team visit, a couple of underway prep sessions for the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) visit, the actual INSURV, and a propulsion plant exam. All this was completed with Christmas leave in the mix, the command Christmas party, and of course getting re-acquainted with our loved ones. Our crew continued their absolutely superb performance throughout by recording the best score of any Carrier on the INSURV, and the best result on the propulsion exam by any Carrier in over ten years. Needless to say, we were all tired by the third week in February when we pulled in from our last underway period prior to PIA. Maintenance Availabilities are a definite shift of gears for the crew as we adjust to a “shipyard” environment and conduct extensive upkeep and modernization of the ship, but the crew was ready for the new and different tasks. The good part is, even though the work can be hard and the hours sometimes long, we do the entire availability here in our homeport and it affords everyone some stability of schedule and a chance to re-connect with family and friends. Our PIA is progressing on schedule and your Sailors are doing great. We have some departments like Reactor, Engineering, and Combat Systems that are largely continuing their normal functions and supporting shipyard work. Other departments do a mix of normal tasks and have many of their Sailors participating on various teams for the ship’s force work package. These teams work on berthing rehab, painting, ventilation, doors/ladders, watertight doors, lagging (insulation), decking, cable pulls, valve maintenance, fire watches, and more. Suffice it to say there is plenty of work to go around. We have a number of award winners that I have not announced. Our Sailors of the year are: Senior Sailor of the Year ET1 Erin L. Schwarz Junior Sailor of the Year AO2 Steven D. Lukasiewicz Bluejacket of the Year AE3(AW) Victoria Benson My great friend Rex Buffington and the Stennis Center for Public Service have instituted annual awards to recognize Sailors for outstanding leadership and service to their Navy and Nation. Award winners for the first annual Stennis Center Awards are: CINCPAC Award (presented to an Officer) LCDR Robert B. (Bo) Johns Five Star Award (presented to a Chief Petty Officer E7-E9) NCCS (SW/AW) Gregory Heinz Pacific Thunder Award (presented to a Blueshirt E1-E6) IT1 (SW/AW) Lynne Jones The Stennis Center is providing a trip for the Sailors of the Year and the Stennis Center Awardees to Washington, DC. While there, the awardees will tour the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, and meet with senior military and civilian leaders. This is a wonderful opportunity for our Sailors to gain an appreciation of our nation’s Capital and our military and civilian leadership and, just as importantly, a chance for those leaders to interact with our GREAT Sailors. We are very appreciative of the Stennis Center for providing this opportunity. Finally today I’d like to pass on the news that USS NIMITZ won this year’s Naval Air Forces, Pacific Battle Efficiency Award. That means we are the best Aircraft Carrier in the Pacific. It is an important award and recognition of the absolutely terrific job your Sailors have done all year. As I have said many times, all of you played a vital part in enabling that success. By taking care of business at home, you let us do our jobs on the ship. We are a great team. Congratulations to all of you. Well everyone, that’s a wrap for this update. Thanks again for supporting this fine crew, our Navy, and our country. Warm regards and very respectfully, CAPT Ted Branch, USN Commanding Officer USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)