The Carl Vinson Voice is an internal document produced by and for the crew of the USS Carl Vinson and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government or the Departments of Defense or the Navy and do not imply any endorsement thereby.

Vinson Uploads and LaunchesMissiles for Qualifications

VOL 1 / NO 32 July 21, 2010

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class Patrick Green

Story by MCSN Rosa A. ArzolaUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

Carl Vinson uploaded and launched Evolved Sea Sparrow Surface Missiles (ESSM) and Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) July 16 and 17 to support the Combat Systems Ship’s Qualification Trials.

This is the first time the ship has had missiles on board since the completion of a five-year Refueling Complex Overhaul.

“It’s part of the qualifications for Combat Systems to test its equipment and abilities underway,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Bornstein, Vinson’s Ordnance Handling Officer.

These qualifications indicate when the ship is ready to defend itself from attack.

The ESSM weighs approximately 590 pounds, while the RAM is a light-weight 200-pound missile. Both are quick-reaction, fire-and-forget missiles designed to destroy anti-missiles and asymmetric air and surface threats.

For some Sailors, this was the first time they handled these kinds of missiles and for most of the crew it was the first missile firing they had witnessed.

“These guys have never done this before, so there has been a lot of training for the junior personnel to prepare them for this operation,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW/AW) James Worley, the ship’s Combat Systems Assistant Leading Petty Officer. “They are all very excited.”

Being part of this event underway was a new experience for many junior Sailors.

“I love my job and my experience here so far,” said Fire Controlman Fireman Kevin Van Gorder. “I’m excited. This is what we train for. We train like we fight, we fight like we train. This is what it’s all about, our sole purpose as fire controlmen is to defend the ship.”

This was the first time in four years that Combat Systems and Weapons Departments worked together.

See MISSILES, page 2

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MISSILES Continued

“It was fairly easy to accomplish the movement of the missiles,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW/SW) Joshua Shryock, Weapons Department G-3 Division’s Leading Petty Officer. “Combat Systems dictated ordnance control while Weapons Department physically moved the missiles.”

Combat Systems launched the missiles July 17 as part of Combat Systems Ship’s Qualification Trials.

“We did a lot of work for our ship to be functional now,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW/PJ) Eric McQuitty. “Launching these missiles gives us more purpose to do our job everyday because we feel more prepared and motivated.”

Not only did Sailors accomplish the mission, for some it was a unique opportunity to shoot missiles.

“Most Sailors don’t have the opportunity to shoot this many missiles in their entire career and we are going to do it within a week period,” said Chief Fire Controlman (SW/AW) Derek Besand, Combat System’s Ship’s Self Defense Division Leading Chief Petty Officer. “Launching missiles shows our ship, the Navy and the world that Vinson is ready for combat.”

“We successfully shot three missiles, one RAM and two ESSMs. We passed our qualifications and certifications for the ship’s self-defense system, which demonstrates that Carl Vinson can defend itself from any attack,” said Worley. “It felt awesome. We put in a lot of long hours and a lot of hard work, and it paid off. All eyes were on us, and we delivered.”

Publisher Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey

Commanding Officer

Executive Editors Lt. Cmdr. Erik Reynolds

Public Affairs Officer

Lt. j.g. Erik Schneider Deputy Public Affairs Officer

Managing Editor MC2 Ashley Van Dien

Layout and DesignMC3 Patrick Green

MCSN Rosa A. Arzola

Staff Writers/PhotographersMC3 Heather Roe

MCSN Zachary D. BellMCSN Rosa A. Arzola

3July 21, 2010

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ATG onboard, Vinson Sailors Motivated

Story by MCSN Zachary D. BellUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

Long hours underway are a part of a Sailor’s life at sea and something we’ve all come to expect. What’s difficult for others to understand though, is what keeps a Sailor going hundreds or thousands of miles from home. So when Sailors are exhausted and the whistle blows over the 1MC, “This is a drill, this is a drill,” what keeps these Sailors going? Motivation. Motivation is one of many critical

things necessary for Carl Vinson’s success during General Quarters (GQ) and basic damage control drills. The Afloat Training Group

(ATG) is currently onboard to conduct Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART) II, a performance based assessment of a unit’s readiness in critical mission areas. They are here to give an outside perspective on drills and grade how well Vinson Sailors perform leading into inspection and survey. ATG provides dynamic, quality afloat training to ensure a combat ready force, capable of

performing a broad spectrum of maritime missions. Chief Damage Controlman

(SW) Matt Brenner, Engineering Department Damage Control Division’s Leading Chief Petty Officer and member of the Damage Control Training Team, believes that a positive attitude has a direct affect on performance. “Having motivation during drills

helps determine how enthusiastic Sailors around you are,” said

Brenner. “Enthusiasm goes a long way, if you’re excited about what you’re doing and you present that to other Sailors, it affects how well you and others perform positively.”Damage Controlman 3rd Class

Garland Riley teaches damage control classes, is the number one nozzleman for Vinson’s “Gold Eagle” flying squad and the on-scene leader for GQ in repair locker 1B.“Having motivation is important

because it keeps everyone on their toes. Everyone is affected by the people around them,” said Riley. “Sometimes motivation sharpens your brain in a stressful situation. When my hose team is really pumped up, ready to go and they know what they’re doing, that makes me feel comfortable in return.Riley’s locker leader in 1B is Interior

Communications Electrician 1st Class (SW/AW) Thomas Ingram.“Drills are serious business,” said

Ingram. “They are vital to keeping us mission-ready and keeping the ship safe,” said Ingram. Ingram does what he can to keep

Sailors motivated. “Like I tell everyone in my locker,

if you can’t get out of it you might as well get into it,” said Ingram. “It’s our job, it’s our mission, it’s our home and we have to protect it.”

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian T. White

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adrian T. White

5July 21, 2010

SPOTLIGHTSailor

IN T

HE

Story by MC3 Heather RoeUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

Always being a hard worker and having complete dedication to your rating in the Navy can be a hard thing. These two factors have not been hard qualities for Nuclear Mach i n i s t ’s Mate 2nd Class (SW) Josh Poplaski to achieve t h r ou g h ou t his naval enlistment.

A native of Hot Springs, Ark., Poplaski has been a hard-

charging Sailor since arriving aboard Carl Vinson in

September 2007. As a nuclear machinist’s mate,

Poplaski spent the first year and a half

learning his craft. A l t h o u g h

Poplaski is a second class petty officer, he is often tasked with first class petty officer work. He is the

primary mechanical representative for Reactor

Department training. “I like being a nuke because

it always keeps me on my toes,” said Poplaski. “There is always something new to learn every day and you never know what the next day is going to bring you.”

Poplaski writes and administers all reactor mechanical exams. He also maintains and ensures exams are up-to-date.

“MM2 is responsible for writing the departments continuing

training exams and is also a major contributor to the training of Reactor Department Sailors through propulsion plant drills,” said Senior Chief (select) Nuclear Machinist’s Mate (SW/SS) James Osgood, Reactor Training Leading Chief Petty Officer.

Along with his training duties, Poplaski trains all new Sailors

a t t a c h e d to Reactor Depar tment u p o n assignment . He also serves

as Reactor’s career counselor. “I like meeting the new Sailors,”

said Poplaski. “It’s nice having the initial inf luence on them because I like motivating the Sailors and getting them excited about the ship. The Navy provides an opportunity for growth in all aspects of life, whether it’s a career you’re looking for or leadership and people skills.”

Poplaski has always made a good impression on his chain of command. Osgood explained why he is such an asset to Reactor Department.

“He’s a hard-charging highly motivated sailor,” said Osgood. “He is constantly seeking personal and professional improvement through advanced qualifications and responsibility well above his time in rate.”

Poplaski has many goals in mind for the years to come in the Navy and once he has completed his time in the service.

“I want to make first class and further my qualifications in reactor to improve my knowledge overall,” said Poplaski.

Poplaski plans to finish his Bachelor’s in Science and Nuclear Technology within the next year-and-a-half.

“I like being a nuke because it always keeps me on my toes.”

MM2 (SW) Josh Poplaski

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Heather Roe

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Vinson Welcomes

Story by MCSN Rosa A. ArzolaUSS Carl Vinson Staff Writer

The days are getting longer and the work load could very well increase as Vinson inches closer to deployment. One of Vinson’s newest crewmembers realizes that a little relaxation and entertainment can have a positive effect.

The Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Division on board has a new Float Recreation Specialist, or “Fun Boss”, who is excited to offer many new entertainment options.

Therese Guinane, a native of Chicago, earned her Recreation and Park Administration Bachelor’s Degree at Illinois State University. She interned with the Liberty Program Overseas in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and was MWR’s “Fun

Boss” on the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) before reporting aboard Vinson June 6.

She’s ready to keep the crew entertained, especially during Vinson’s first six-month deployment since the completion of a five-year Refueling Complex Overhaul.

“I understand that Carl Vinson is still transitioning from a ship-yard environment to a full-deployment ship, and I want to get the ship ready for deployment by offering a variety of entertainment for our Sailors,” said Guinane.

MWR will be organizing events such sports competition, ice-cream socials, karaoke and movie nights. Guinane also plans to organize groups where Sailors who share common interests can get together, including book, movie, chess, and open-mic clubs.

“It’s important to have an MWR center aboard Carl Vinson that can organize fun activities because it gives you a chance to get your mind off of work for a while,” said Aviation Ordinanceman 1st Class (AW) Jose Sorola. “It boosts the morale of the Sailors during a deployment, and a happy Sailor is a productive Sailor. It helps Sailors accomplish whatever the mission is.”

Guinane understands how important MWR is for Sailors and wants to do the best she can at her job.

“MWR is an important mission-essential program, and its existence is to build support and help pass free time smoothly throughout deployment,” said Guinane. “I understand what my job is, and I will come every day to work to do my job and my best, to make people happy. I hope I make a positive impact on the next deployment.”

New “Fun Boss”

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Rosa A. Arzola