USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Celebrates 200,000 Traps

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USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Celebrates 200,000 Traps
UNITED STATES - 14 JULY 2010

USS CARL VINSON, At Sea -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) reached a historic milestone with the success of its 200,000th trap on its flight deck July 13.

Vinson celebrated with two ceremonies, where cakes were presented in Wardroom III to the aviators who landed the EA-18G Growler, and in Arresting Gear Room 4, to the Sailors manning the V-2 engine room who manned the arresting gear for the landmark trap.

Lt. Ben Hartman and Lt. Ian Hudson, attached to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, said they were honored and surprised to learn they got the 200,000th trap.

"It feels good to be part of Carl Vinson's history. It's a new community we're apart of, so everything is new and exciting," said Hudson. "It takes 25 years plus to accumulate 200,000 traps on an aircraft carrier. It's really surprising we got the 200,000th."

The aviators expressed how proud they were to be manning the aircraft, but also recognized the Sailors who made this monumental achievement possible.

"It definitely feels good, but it's more of a testament to the guys working on the flight deck and the arresting gear. They're the ones working hard all day every day," said Hartman.

The team that was working hard to catch Hudson and Hartman's plane was Air Department's V-2 Division. The aircraft was caught by the arresting gear on the fourth wire, which was being manned by Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Shawn Greer.

"I'm honored to be apart of Carl Vinson's history and V-2's history with arresting gear," said Greer. "Working in the V-2 engine room can be high pressured because it's not just the pilot's lives on our hands, but everyone working on the flight deck as well. That's why me and my boys in the V-2 Division always execute the highest level of safety."

V-2 Division is responsible for the safe recovery of all aircraft on the ship's flight deck. V-2 performs maintenance on industrial cables which catch the planes, as well as the hydraulic machinery that assists in stopping them.

"This is a testament to the kind of Sailors we've had working this flight deck for the past 28 years," said Cmdr. Richard Wiley, Carl Vinson's air department head. "Two-hundred thousand traps means we've done it right, and we've done it safely for a long, long time. Carl Vinson, also known as the 'Gold Eagle,' has built a legacy of excellence, and it's been built by the Sailors we had out there today and the men and women who served before them."


PACIFIC OCEAN (July 13, 2010) An EA-18G Growler, assigned to the Vikings of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, performs the 200,000th trap on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). USS Carl Vinson is underway conducting fleet replacement squadron carrier qualification operations off the coast of Southern California.

File Photo: U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Length: 333 m.

 

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PACIFIC OCEAN (July 17, 2010) A NATO Sea Sparrow missile is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). USS Carl Vinson is underway conducting local operations off the coast of Southern California.

 

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USS Carl Vinson Shoots 12 Missiles Within Seven-day Period
UNITED STATES - 28 JULY 2010

USS CARL VINSON, At Sea -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) reached an historic milestone July 24 following the successful launch of 12 missiles within a seven-day period.

The ship launched 11 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) and one Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) as part of the Combat System's Ship Qualification Trial.

"It's unique that a ship can accomplish such a task as shooting 12 missiles," said Richard Dodson, Operational Test and Evaluation Force Test Team analyst. "We rarely have an opportunity to bring this many missiles on board and shoot this many targets in such a short window [of time]."

The missile launch was not only a significant milestone for Carl Vinson. The evolution set a new Navywide standard.

"This is the biggest test that we have done in a long time, not only aboard Vinson but aboard any other ship," said Lt. Gregory McLean, operational test director of Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force. "It took a lot of assets, a lot of coordination, and three years of planning to accomplish twelve missile shoots."

Vinson launched the missiles to see how effective and suitable the ESSM and RAM are for Vinson's Self Defense System in a combat situation.

"This mission was something stressful but at the end this is the most realistic training Sailors are going to get while underway," said Dodson.

Both Dodson and McLean said this mission was successful because of Carl Vinson Sailors.

"The successful missile launch was a really great accomplishment. Everybody on board Carl Vinson did exactly what they needed to do," said Dodson. "We got a lot of support and help from the ship."

"I feel privileged to be part of this milestone," said McLean. "But this wouldn't have been possible to accomplish without the help and hard work of Operations and Combat Systems Sailors."

"I feel really good of being part of this milestone. It's gratifying. All the guys worked hard to accomplish this missile shoot," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW/AW) James Worley, the ship's Combat Systems assistant leading petty officer. "I feel proud to be able to show how well we can defend our ship."
Dodson noticed how Vinson's Sailors are always ready and have a great work ethic.

"I wish I could do more missile shoots on board. Vinson has a great impressive crew with a superb attitude. They are always willing to get things done," said Dodson. "I have been on a lot of Navy ships and I am impressed with the Sailors here."


PACIFIC OCEAN (July 23, 2010) An Evolved Sea Sparrow missile is launched from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). USS Carl Vinson is currently underway conducting operations off the coast of Southern California.