June 20, 2012 Issue“We are Legend”Newsletter Edition

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

The Shuttle In the Line of Fire...ControlmenStory and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gregory White

USS ENTERPRISE, at sea -- From cooks to doctors to pilots, USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is well-equipped with everything and everyone it needs to function as a “city at sea.” However, when looking into the different job specialties aboard the nation’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, those unfamiliar with the Navy’s rating system might find themselves asking, “If Damage Controlmen put out fires, what do Fire Controlmen do?” Fire Controlmen, or FC’s, work to maintain and operate Enterprise’s combat weapons systems, radars and the technology behind them. They are both weapons and data technicians. “The FC rate encompasses everything pertaining to radars and weapons,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class James R. Taylor, work center supervisor for Combat Systems’ 62 Radar division aboard Enterprise. Enterprise has three different kinds of weapon systems aboard. These systems include the NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System (NSSMS), the Rolling Airframe Missile Launcher (RAM) and the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS). There are two of each type of system aboard the carrier,

equating to a total of six combat systems weapons mounts. The Sea Sparrow launcher is equipped with two radars. The launch panel for the weapon consists of a firing officer’s console and an operator console for each radar. “The Sea Sparrow’s range is nine miles,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Alexander G. Dahlstrom, assistant work center supervisor for Combat Systems’ 75 Weapons division aboard Enterprise. “It’s what we use to combat incoming aircraft, inbound missiles, and surface targets. The USS Vicksburg is our first line of defense, but if for some reason they were out of the battle, then the NATO Sea Sparrow would be our next resort.” A Point Defense Weapons

Coordinator – or “PDWC” - works in the ship’s combat direction center with the Tactical Action Officer. If he picks

up a threat on radar, he designates it to the Sea Sparrow. The weapon’s radars go out and begin a search pattern. If they find the target they lock onto it. Once the target comes within range, the firing officer launches one or more missiles, depending on the specifications of the battle doctrine. The missiles catch the beam of the radar and ride it out to the target. If targets somehow break through the defense provided by the Sea Sparrow, then the Sailors working in the Combat Systems’ 7 Weapons division would resort to the RAM system. The RAM system’s range is 3.25 miles. The last resort would be to rely on the CIWS, which has an effective range of one mile. “The CIWS is our final line of defense with the exception of the 50 caliber mounts,” said Dahlstrom. Fire Controlmen work extensively to ensure that Enterprise’s weapon systems are working properly and efficiently. Their jobs consist of a great deal of maintenance and training. FC’s man all of the weapons and radars during general quarters evolutions and, in case of a possible threat, can be manned and ready well within the four minutes they are allotted.

FC3 Wayne D. Pattillo, from Orlando, Fla., operates the firing officer console on the NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System as FC3 Donald W. Bost, from Baltimore, MD., operates the radar set console aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Wednesday, June 20, 2012Page 2 The Shuttle

The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65.navy.mil.

Public Affairs OfficerLt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler

Executive OfficerCapt. G. C. Huffman

Commanding OfficerCapt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.

EditorsMC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover

MC3 Brian G. Reynolds

The Shuttle

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Command Master Chief CMDCM (AW/SW) Dwayne E. Huff

Big E Happenings

Did You Know?Babies baptized aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) have

their names inscribed on the Ship’s Bell.

ABH3 Sean Brady - Salinas, Calif. (Photo by MC3 Heath Zeigler)

SH3 Luis Marte - Bronx, N.Y. (Photo by MC3 Gregory White)

AO2 Danny Alstin - College Park, Ga. (Photo by MC3 Brian G. Reynolds)

CS3 Justin A. Graham - Cincinnati (Photo by MC3 Gregory White)

AO3 John C. Henderson - Mobile, Ala. (Photo by MC3 Gregory White)

Photo by MC3 Brian G. Reynolds

Wednesday, June 20, 2012 Page 3The Shuttle

In the News

Big Powers, Iran Hold Nuclear Talks as Time Runs Out World powers began two days of talks with Iran on Monday to try to end a decade-long stand-off over Tehran’s nuclear program and avert the threat of a new war in the Middle East. In Iran, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tehran would be prepared to stop enriching uranium to a higher level - a process that could be used to make nuclear arms - if the six powers agreed to meet its needs for the fuel. But it is not clear how much influence Ahmadinejad has over the negotiations and whether his remarks reflect Tehran’s position in the talks.

Pressure Mounts on Iran New U.S. and European Union sanctions are due to come into force in two weeks, tightening economic pressure on Iran. Without progress to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear arms, Israel “could find itself facing the dilemma of ‘a bomb, or to bomb’,” Vice Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon said on Sunday. “Should that be the choice, then bombing (Iran) is preferable to a bomb (in Iran’s hands),” he said. “I hope we do not face that dilemma.” The six powers - led by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton - hope at least to win assurances that Tehran is willing to discuss concrete solutions, opening the way to progress. The six nations want a substantive response to their offer of fuel supplies for a research reactor and relief in sanctions on the sale of commercial aircraft parts to Iran.

IN-BriefRussia Clings to a Crucial Power Base in Syria UprisingBy Rowan Scarborough, THE WASHINGTON TIMES Russia would lose a source of revenue and a Middle East power base if Syrian President Bashar Assad falls - two reasons why Moscow has armed the regime and blocked votes to let the United Nations punish Damascus. The 50-year alliance between the two countries emerged in the spotlight last week as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton dropped her normally cordial tone toward Moscow and berated it for continuing to arm a regime that human rights groups say is killing protesters and innocent civilians. Russia views Syria as its stage from which to influence military, political and energy policies in the Middle East, including Israeli negotiations with its Arab neighbors and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Moscow operates its only naval base in the Mediterranean Sea at the Syrian city of Tartus and generates hard cash by selling to Damascus weapons, including anti-aircraft missiles and attack helicopters. Russia is a member of the Middle East Quartet - with the U.S., the EuropeanUnion and the United Nations - designed to mediate Israeli - Palestinian peace talks. In that role, Moscow has used Syria as a stage to meet with various Arab leaders, including Khaled Meshaal of Hamas, a U.S.- designated terrorist group. Moscow also supports Syria as a way to influence Iran, whose energy policies can affect the prices Russia reaps for its own natural gas and oil reserves. Iran also uses Damascus, primarily as a channel to provide cash andweapons to Hezbollah, a U.S.- designated terrorist group in Lebanon that seeks to destroy Israel. If Mr. Assad goes and a pro-Western government takes over, the theocracy in Iran could fall next, leaving Russia in its quest to become a world power without a true partner in a strategically important region. “It dates back to the 1960s, so it is one of the longest-lasting bilateralrelationships in the region,” said Robert Springborg, a professor on Middle Eastpolitics and economics at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif.

Iraq and Iran form Alliance Within OPECBy Guy Chazan, FINANCIAL TIMES In Vienna, Iran and Iraq are forming a strengthening alliance inside OPEC, raising concerns among moderate Arab Gulf producers like Saudi Arabia andincreasing the potential for discord in the oil producers’ group. With the EU sovereign debt crisis worsening and growing fears for the global economy, the deep divisions within OPEC risk undermining the organization’s ability to do its job of effectively managing oil supply and preventing violent price swings. A person familiar with the matter said OPEC’s meeting in Vienna was overshadowed by “strong disagreements” over issues ranging from the acceptable price of oil, to the global supplydemand balance, to who should replace the current secretary general of the organisation. A particular bone of contention was a proposal by Venezuela – backed by other OPEC hardliners like Iran, Iraq and Algeria – that the group should protest against the EU sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program. The move was rebuffed by Saudi Arabia and other moderates including Nigeria, Libya andKuwait, who argued that such protests were the preserve of foreign ministers, not oil ministers.

News you should know...courtesy of OZ division

Wednesday, June 20, 2012The ShuttlePage 4

Big E Entertainment

Sailors of the Day

CS2 Michael L. Grimmage, Jr., from Jacksonville, Ill., joined the Navy three years and seven months ago to travel the world and make his parents proud. He enjoys playing basketball and XBOX and spending time with his daughter. Grimmage hopes to advance, earn his ESWS pin and earn a college degree.

Culinary Specialist 2nd ClassMichael L. Grimmage, Jr.

SN Johnny Bae, from Los Angeles, joined the Navy nine months ago to find new opportunities for his future. Bae enjoys being a DJ, reading books, watching movies and surfing. In the future, he hopes to become an IT, then a computer technician and eventually take over Apple.

SeamanJohnny Bae