By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dale Patrick B. Frost, USS Enterprise Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) "Big E" Sailors and Northrop Grumman shipyard workers lowered the power cylinder of catapult four into place Sept. 1.
The catapults play an essential role in allowing Enterprise to complete her wartime mission.
"This is what gets me fired up," said Enterprise Executive Officer Capt. Ryan Scholl. "We have millions of dollars of aircraft and high technology that we need to be able to launch off the flight deck of Big E."
Catapult four was removed from its trough on the flight deck and overhauled when Big E entered the shipyards. The overhaul included replacement parts and a rust-removal cleaning. The catapult was then craned back onto the flight deck where it was lowered into place. The process involved a lot of hard work and coordination between Big E Sailors and shipyard workers.
"Everyone involved with the overhauling process of catapult four should be proud because they have been a major factor in getting the ship back to the fleet and ready for her mission," said Cmdr. Brad Kidwell,
Enterprise air boss.
By lowering catapult four back into place, the Enterprise is that much closer to its goal of rejoining the fleet and deploying in support of the nation's strategic objectives.
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.
