By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffry Willadsen, USS Enterprise Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The crew of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is accelerating its shipwide training in preparation for leaving the shipyards.
Training, along with preparation and restoration of the ship, has been a priority during its one-and-a-half years at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard.
However, as the ship is preparing to become fully operational once again, quality training has become the top priority of everyone from the commanding officer down to the most junior Sailor aboard Big E.
"Since we're working on getting out of the shipyard and back on deployment, the ship's focus has shifted almost entirely to training," said Chief Operations Specialist (SW/SS) Brian Wemmerus, Training department leading chief petty officer.
Damage Control and Material Maintenance Management (3M) training are a priority, as well as shipwide qualifications and certifications.
"We're ramping up to get this ship out to sea and back in the fight, and we need qualified Sailors to do it," said Wemmerus.
3M training is especially important considering the age of the ship and its extended period in the shipyard.
"Maintenance is the life blood of the fleet," said Lt. George Bodine, Enterprise's material maintenance management officer. "If we're going to get the ship fully operational and keep it that way, we're going to need Sailors who know how to maintain the ship."
To do so, the 3M division has begun implementing much more intensive 3M assessment testing. The testing judges the crew's maintenance knowledge, combined with targeted maintenance training sessions in individual departments, to ensure that all Enterprise Sailors are where they need to be with 3M procedures.
Damage control readiness is another aspect of training and is essential to keeping the ship running smoothly in case of casualties, and for the safety of the crew.
"We need Sailors who know what to do in case of a fire, flooding, or any other emergency that can happen underway," said Damage Controlman Chief (SW) James Waddell, Enterprise's Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) coordinator.
To ensure that all hands are proficient in damage control the ship conducts general quarters drills which are designed to ensure Sailors maintain proficiency on what to do in case a real casualty takes place.
A damage control academy was also established on the ship and is led by the ship's DCTT. The academy is designed to instruct members of the ship's ten repair lockers on the specifics and real-life execution of damage control procedures.
"The training will be progressive, but every sailor will be ready for any emergency before the ship gets underway," said Waddell.
"I am inspired by all of the training we are doing around the ship," said Enterprise's Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Dominic Musso. "Each day our training brings us one day closer to being able to take our great warship to sea and do what we do best...maintain sea control, deter our enemies, establish a forward presence and project power."
Enterprise is currently undergoing a maintenance period in the Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard and training to maintain proficiency in preparation to return to the fleet. For more information about USS Enterprise, Carrier Strike Group 12 or Carrier Air Wing One visit www.Enterprise.navy.mil, www.ccsg12.surfor.navy.mil, and www.cvw1.navy.mil. You can also visit www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn65/.
