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In Gulf heat Dubuque engineers avoid heat stress
by MC2 Daniel Gross
USS DUBUQUE, At Sea (NNS) -- With USS Dubuque (LPD 9) operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet where temperatures often exceed 100 degrees outside, the ship's leadership makes sure personnel working in engineering spaces aren't being exposed to excessively high temperatures.

Heat stress surveys are required every day aboard Dubuque, where temperatures in the engineering "pits" average 115 degrees.

"It gets bad down there [in the #1 main machinery room]," said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Jeff Martin. "Being down there for a minute, you can turn your head and you will start to sweat."

Heat stress is any combination of air temperature, thermal radiation, humidity, airflow and workload that may stress the body as it attempts to regulate body temperature.

The heat stress survey provides guidance concerning personnel exposure limits due to high heat and humidity aboard ship and establishes procedures for the survey of shipboard spaces when hazardous conditions exist.

In order to obtain accurate and reliable data on heat stress conditions, personnel use a wet bulb globe temperature meter, or WBGT meter. The meter indexes the basic everyday thermometer temperature, the temperature of the personnel under ventilation when they are wet from sweat, and radiated heat temperature off of equipment in the space.

The engineers aboard Dubuque are on a watch rotation of four hours on and eight hours off. However, they still have a regular work day as well; so on any given day they may spend a total of eight to 10 hours in the pit fixing and monitoring equipment to keep the ship operational.

"It's like working in a tropical rainforest or sauna without the perks of being at a spa or the visual aspect of a rainforest," says Machinist's Mate 1st Class (SW) James Thompson. "But whenever anything bad goes down, we're there to fix it."

There is a lot of pride in this job knowing that there is really nothing that is going to stop us from getting the job done."

laying causeway

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (July 9, 2008) An Elevated causeway support pile is lowered into place as a Navy lighterage causeway ferry is offloaded in the distance during Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) 2008. JLOTS 2008 will establish command and control of Army and Navy units, construct a life support area, conduct force protection operations, execute an in-stream offload of shipping from a sea echelon area, employ an offshore petroleum discharge system, retrograde and safely redeploy allocated forces. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Brian P. Caracci

full view of causeway

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (July 8, 2008) A view of Red Beach during ship-to-shore operations supporting Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) 2008. JLOTS 2008 will establish command and control of Army and Navy units, construct a life support area, conduct force protection operations, execute an in-stream offload of shipping from a sea echelon area, employ an offshore petroleum discharge system, retrograde and safely redeploy allocated forces. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Brian P. Caracci

closeup view of causeway

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (July 6, 2008) Cargo and equipment is offloaded from an improved Navy lighterage system causeway ferry during Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) 2008. JLOTS 2008 will establish command and control of Army and Navy units, construct a life support area, conduct force protection operations, execute an in-stream offload of shipping from a sea echelon area, employ an offshore petroleum discharge system, retrograde and safely redeploy allocated forces. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Brian P. Caracci

truck on causeway

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (July 7, 2008) A Navy lighterage system causeway ferry is off loaded during Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore (JLOTS) 2008. JLOTS 2008 will establish command and control of Army and Navy units, construct a life support area, conduct force protection operations, execute an in-stream offload of shipping from a sea echelon area, employ an offshore petroleum discharge system, retrograde and safely redeploy allocated forces. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Brian P. Caracci

HS-2 changes command while underway
by MCSA Adam Randolph
USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 2, held a change of command ceremony aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), July 1.

Cmdr. Terence A. Hoeft took the reigns as commanding officer of the squadron, relieving Cmdr. Edward J. Iocco.

Rear Adm. Scott Van Buskirk, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 9, spoke to members of the squadron during the ceremnoy on the flight deck.

"It's sad to see a shipmate leave here." Van Buskirk said. "It's great to be associated with this group. You all are doing a tremendous job."

Iocco will attend the National War College in Washington.

Hoeft is a 1990 graduate of the University of Florida and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. He was commissioned as a naval aviator in 1993.

Hoeft received his Master of Science degree in operations research from Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., in 1999. His thesis received runner-up honors for the Military Operations Research Society-Tisdale award.

Hoeft's sea tours include USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and USS Dubuque (LPD 8). During these tours Hoeft received numerous qualifications including combat information center watch officer, command duty officer and inspection and survey coordinator.

"I've seen the Golden Falcons in action," Hoeft said. "There is no other squadron I'd rather be associated with. No other place I'd rather be. It's an honor to be the commanding officer of HS-2."

In 2002, Hoeft reported to the "Chargers" of HS-14, forward deployed in Atsugi, Japan. During his department head tour, Hoeft served as safety officer, training officer and operations officer.

During his tenure as squadron operations officer, the Chargers earned back-to-back (2003/2004) Battle 'E' awards, the 2003 Isbell award and the 2003 Thach award for anti-submarine warfare and carrier-based operational excellence. Hoeft was also named Commander Anti-submarine Helicopter Squadron Pilot of the Year for 2003.

In 2004, Hoeft reported to the Navy Staff (Assessments Division) as a staff analyst and action officer, working closely with the Joint Staff (J8). During this assignment, Hoeft deployed to Kuwait as an individual augmentee for six months, from August 2005 through February 2006.

Hoeft's awards include the Air Medal (strike/flight), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), Combat V, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2) and other various campaign and service medals.

HS-2 is embarked with Carrier Air Wing 2 aboard Abraham Lincoln, which is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help develop security in the maritime environment, which promotes stability and global prosperity. These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

 

HSL-47 leaders change command in-flight
by MCSA Adam Randolph
USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- An air lead change took place within Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 47 for the first time in the command's history aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), July 2.

An air lead change is a change of command ceremony, done with the off-going and on-coming commanding officers flying their aircraft for the change of command, representing the passing of responsibility of the flight from one aircraft to another.

Cmdr. Jack P. Olive assumed command of HSL-47, relieving Cmdr. Shawn P. Malone as commanding officer. The ceremony and lead change took place on Lincoln's flight deck with members of HSL-47. The squadron looked skyward as Olive took the lead in the air for the first time.

Malone assumed command of HSL-47 May 1, 2007. During his tour, the "Saberhawks" deployed to the Western Pacific and completed the second "Bravo to Sea" deployment with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 attached to Abraham Lincoln. Malone received transfer orders to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, or OPNAV, in Arlington, Va.

Olive enlisted in the Navy in 1986 and graduated from Naval Nuclear Power School in 1988. He was selected for an NROTC scholarship to Jacksonville University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in political science. Olive was designated as a naval aviator in 1993 and reported to Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. for flight training in the SB-60B Seahawk.

Olive's sea tours include USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), USS Fife (DD 991), USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and USS Fletcher (DDG 992). During these tours Olive has served in numerous positions including air boss, safety and maintenance officer and aircraft division officer.

In 1998, Olive reported to Monterey, Calif., as the flag aide to the superintendent of Naval Postgraduate School. During this time, Olive graduated from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

In 2004, Olive was ordered to Naval Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn., where he served as the strike helicopter placement officer. While there, Olive received a Master of Science Degree in operations management from the University of Arkansas and graduated from the Joint Forces Command and Staff College.

Olive's awards include the Air Medal (Strike/Flight), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Five), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and other various service and campaign medals.

HSL-47 is embarked with CVW-2 on board Abraham Lincoln, which is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help develop security in the maritime environment, which promotes stability and global prosperity. These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

Prospective SEALs undergo testing

CORONADO, Calif. (July 10, 2008) Sailors perform pull-ups while taking a physical screening test at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Sailors interested in applying for SEAL or Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman (SWCC) training must complete a timed swim, run, push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Dominique M. Lasco

Prosepctive SEALS at pool

CORONADO, Calif. (July 8, 2008) Basic crewman training (BCT) students place their canteens beside the pool before the next swim evolution at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado. The students are in their first week of BCT, the first phase of special warfare combatant-craft crewman (SWCC) training. SWCCs operate and maintain the Navy inventory of state-of-the-art, high-performance boats used to support SEALs in special operations missions worldwide. U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Dominique M. Lasco

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Navy sends officer to NATO Chess Tournament
by Jim Markle
NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- An officer assigned to Fleet Readiness Center Southwest on Naval Air Station North Island, will represent the Navy on the 2008 All-Military Chess Team at the internationally ranked 19th Annual NATO Chess Championships in Brussels, Belgium, August 2-8.

The U.S. team will include Navy Lt. Cmdr. Paul Choate, one representative from the Army, one from the Marine Corps and three from the Air Force.

Choate, the helicopter department deputy program manager, at NAS North Island, earned a spot on the All-Military team following his strong performance June 9-13 as part of the Navy Chess Team in the U.S. Armed Forces annual Inter-Service Chess Championship at Davis Monthan Air Force Base near Tucson, Ariz.

Selection to the Navy Chess Team is based upon a player's "rating" as established by the U.S Chess Federation (USCF) and recent tournament play. USCF ratings, or point levels, determine titles.

Titles begin at 'novice', with a low rating and go to the top title of 'grand master', which is a rating of 2,400 and above. With a rating of 2,100, Choate's title is "expert."

The inter-service competition was divided into two tournaments. The first, a timed, seven-round team competition, allowed each player 2 hours, 30 minutes to complete their moves. Players who ran out of time forfeited their matches. The winning team was determined by combining the scores of each of the six individual players into a collective team score. The Air Force won the team tournament, while and the Navy squad finished third.

The second portion of the tournament was an individually-played "blitz", or speed competition, that lasted 19 rounds, with a time limit of 10 minutes per game or five minutes per player. Choate, who competed as the Navy's highest rated player, took second place overall.

"To succeed at a high-level competition you have to have a strong will to win and have a high level of perseverance. Sometimes, if losing, you fight just to get a draw. But if an opponent makes a mistake, many players will just take the draw, but you have to stay focused enough to know that 'now it's time to play for a win,'" Choate said.

In the NATO tournament, the U.S. team will face approximately 16 countries including Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Latvia. The tournament will include seven team rounds with the individual speed tournament at the end, Choate explained.

This was Choate's fourth year to be selected for the Navy team and his second for the All-Military team. His first appearance on the All-Military team was in 2002 in Brest, France, when the U.S. team finished second.
 
 

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