USS Nimitz Gets Underway for Sea Trials

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USS Nimitz Gets Underway for Sea Trials
UNITED STATES - 1 JULY 2010

SAN DIEGO -- The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) departed from her homeport of Naval Base Coronado to perform sea trials June 30.

Sea trials assess the ship's readiness and capability following a 30-day carrier incremental availability (CIA) conducted when the ship returned from an extended deployment.

"We have accomplished some high quality maintenance on critical equipment and systems during this availability," said Capt. Paul O. Monger, Nimitz commanding officer. "For the next few days we get to validate that work by putting the ship through its paces."

During sea trials, Nimitz Sailors will test the ship's main engines and the aqueous foam forming film (AFFF) system. There will also be ship-wide training to ensure equipment and systems continue to be operated properly.

According to Machinist's Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Juan Finch, sea trials is a good opportunity to see if anything needs to be fixed before returning to a fully-operational status. "You wouldn't buy a used car without test driving it," he said.

As the ship conducts main engine tests, Air Department Sailors will also test one of the hangar bay's main AFFF firefighting systems.

"We're testing out the AFFF system to see if it's working properly while we're out here in case of a fire," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Rilwan Omisola.

"Sea trials offer a good chance for new people on Nimitz to experience life at-sea," Finch said.

"This is what the Navy is about. Going out to sea and doing your job," Finch said.

Nimitz is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 11. Nimitz returned home to San Diego March 26 after completing a successful eight-month Western Pacific deployment.

File Photo: U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Length: 333 meters.

 

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USS Nimitz Completes Sea Trials
UNITED STATES - 3 JULY 2010

SAN DIEGO – Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) successfully completed sea trials July 2.

Nimitz departed Naval Base Coronado June 29 for the first time in three months to test and evaluate Nimitz' main engines along with other equipment after conducting a 30-day Carrier Incremental Availability.

"These guys have done a tremendous job," said Capt. Paul Monger, Nimitz' commanding officer. "It's very impressive to see a group have a long layoff yet still be able to get right back in that operational mindset."

One example was Engineering department's push to ensure their equipment was fully operational. The department ran tests on aircraft elevators, doors and catapults.

"It went smooth," said Senior Chief Machinist's Mate (SW/AW) John Welch, leading chief petty officer of Engineering A-Division. "The 30 percent turnover in personnel didn't affect anything."

Some evolutions, like the high-speed power turns, involved many different departments and impacted them differently.

"For us, the main concern was shaking off the dust after a three month layoff making sure we had the same skill sets in place," said Master Chief Quartermaster (SW/AW) Robert Barber, leading chief petty officer of Navigation. "It had been 11 months since we last pulled out of San Diego, so the expectation was that we'd be rusty. But everything went smoothly."

Nimitz also successfully tested its aqueous film forming form (AFFF) system on the flight deck and the hangar bay. The objective was to ensure all the AFFF sprinklers were working and covering their assigned areas.

Nimitz is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 11. Nimitz returned home to San Diego March 26 after completing a successful eight-month Western Pacific deployment.

 

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USS Nimitz, Carrier Air Wing 11 Underway for Carrier Qualifications
UNITED STATES - 12 JULY 2010

USS NIMITZ, At Sea -- The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 began carrier qualifications July 12 off the coast of Southern California.

Carrier qualifications test both CVW 11 and the Nimitz crew.

"The Nimitz and Air Wing 11 team did a great job of refreshing flight deck currency," said Capt. Eric Wright, Nimitz's air department head. "These operations aren't always fast or error-free, but we operated deliberately and safely. It was a great first day back."

Nimitz and CVW-11 will continue to launch and recover aircraft throughout the week of July 12 to qualify and re-qualify pilots, extending Nimitz's flight deck certification.

According to Aviation Boatswains Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Marc Nielsen of air department's V-2 division, it is good for the crew to get back into a routine.

"Our job really only exists out to sea. This is where the action is," said Nielsen.

This is the first time aircraft have touched down on Nimitz's flight deck since returning from an eight-month deployment in March 2010.

"This is a good chance to knock the rust off." said Intelligence Specialist 1st Class (SW) Brandon Soileau, operations department division leading petty officer.

Both Soileau and Nielsen said conducting carrier qualifications also allows everyone on the ship to stay current with personal qualifications.

"A lot of people are getting a good chance to go do their jobs," said Soileau.

USS Nimitz is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 11. Nimitz returned home to San Diego March 26 after completing a successful eight-month Western Pacific deployment.

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 12, 2010)) An SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Indians of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6 prepares to land aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). USS Nimitz is conducting carrier qualifications off the coast of Southern California.

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 12, 2010) An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the Wallbangers of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). USS Nimitz is conducting carrier qualifications off the coast of Southern California.

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 12, 2010) A C-2A Greyhound assigned to the Providers of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). USS Nimitz is conducting carrier qualifications off the coast of Southern California.