Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class Jennifer Dollar, of Roxboro, N.C., is a recent addition to Lincoln’s crew. Dollar has been in the Navy for a total of four years.

Prior to Lincoln, she was part of the decommissioning crew for Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Maine, and also spent time working at Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic, Oceana, Va., as the Individual Material Readiness List manager for 900 Division. After completing her tours, Dollar opted to reenlist for another two years. “I decided to reenlist and chose USS Abraham Lincoln to visit other parts of the world with my brother, MC2 Christopher Dollar,” said Dollar. “Not many people know that the Navy allows siblings to serve at the same command together. It’s easy to do, but was a long process,” explained Dollar. Both Dollars had to fi ll out a special request chit called a NAVPERS 1306/7 and submit them through the chain-of-command. After approval from both sides, the chits are submitted to the detailer who fi nalizes the process. “I am excited about serving on board Lincoln,” explained Dollar. “My brother and I get to see each other almost everyday and got to spend a lot of time together when we were in Malaysia. It’s a unique experience and one that I’m glad I get to take part in.”

For more information on serving with your siblings, contact your command career counselor.

Know Your Shipmate!

AS2 JENNIFER DOLLAR

AIMD/IM-4

As long as fl ight operations are being conducted, Lincoln’s air traffi c controllers (ACs)

are manning the carrier air traffi c control center (CATCC) with their eyes on the status boards.

Pilots rely on the ACs at almost every critical moment during a fl ight, and much can happen within a matter of seconds. ACs are different from other aviation jobs in many ways, the fi rst being that they are rarely on the fl ight deck. Manning an illuminated control room, they observe and change numerous status boards to give updates to pilots, strike operations, and intelligence. The slightest change in weather, fuel or mission status can alter anything in an aircraft’s assignment, and the pressure falls on about 40 skilled men and women to bring these multi-million dollar aircraft back safely. ACs also differ from most other rates through their qualifi cations. Upon the completion of A-School, all ACs are given their “pink card,” a certifi ed license to control aircraft earned for civilian and military personnel provided by the Department of Transportation. ACs are generally the only personnel qualifi ed by the Federal Aviation Administration to carry this card aboard the ship.

“When people hear ‘air traffi c controller,’ they tend to get a visual of someone on the fl ight deck directing aircraft with wands, but it’s a bit more complicated than that,” said Air Traffi c Controller Airman Levi Edmonds, of Centralia, Wash. “The pilots rely on us; we are their eyes and ears at night and when the weather is bad. It falls on the ACs to take care of these aircraft and pilots’ lives.” Many people walk past the door to enter CATCC, but most don’t get to look behind it. Past the air operations area, an abundance of screens and radar blips illuminate the back room, showing every detail of current fl ight events. Flight operations can start at any hour, and go late into the night; running up to 16 hours a day. Staying vigilant and paying attention to detail is of the utmost importance in this line of work. “It’s a rush recovering an aircraft,” said Air Traffi c Controller 3rd Class Patrick Kiger, of Newark, Ohio. “It’s never exactly the same and you are constantly thinking on your toes; this can happen all day long.” “What makes this job so gratifying is that at the end of the day you know that our pilots have arrived safely, and that’s what’s satisfying about being an air traffi c controller,” said Air Traffi c Controller 3rd Class Paul Nelson, of Samsula, Fla.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS: A PILOT’S EYES AND EARS ON THE SHIP Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Wade Oberlin

Photo By MCSN Wade Oberlin

USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) Supply Department received an overall grade of “outstanding”

during a Supply Management Inspection (SMI) Oct. 8, scoring a cumulative 96.76

percent during the three-day inspection. The inspectors, from Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF), said Lincoln’s supply department score is the best mark for any aircraft carrier during the past two years. “Lincoln’s supply department did very well, and they executed all requirements well above the norm,” said Cmdr. Frank Nevarez, SMI inspector. “Within all divisions, the department scored outstanding within all the basic and advanced obligations.” SMI is an event with 21 inspectors from CNAF, examining the status and upkeep of the ship’s supply divisions by checking to ensure food and stock materials were completely accounted for, and the food matched the authorized allowed quantity. Due to the vast scope of responsibilities within

Supply department, the inspections were divided into two parts; readiness, which scored a 97 percent and services, scoring a 96.2 percent. Readiness divisions include stock control, fi nancial, customer service, aviation support, material, hazardous material and quality insurance. Inspectors looked for proper storing, shipping, receiving, security, correct record fi ling such as receipts and pricing, management, parts and material condition within the readiness divisions. Services divisions include food services in the enlisted mess decks, wardrooms and chief’s mess, sales, disbursing, laundry, postal and morale, welfare and recreation. Inspectors verifi ed the cleanliness of all equipment and spaces, customer service, disbursing of mess funds, food storage and protection, water and ice sanitation, sewage and plumbing, facility structure and housekeeping, organization and proper record-keeping. Lincoln’s Supply department Sailors began

LINCOLN PASSES SUPPLY MANAGEMENT INSPECTION WITH FLYING COLORSStory by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jerine Lee

Photo By MCSN Jerine Lee

preparing for the inspection several months prior by regularly reviewing guidelines and feedback from the Supply Management Assessment (SMA) pre-inspection conducted in May 2010. “We went out of our way to prove to the inspectors that Lincoln’s supply is ready for whatever comes our way,” said Lt. Cmdr. Keith Jeffries, USS Abraham Lincoln assistant supply offi cer. Lincoln has a history of excellent supply management and superior performance with multiple logistics management excellence awards, also known as the Supply “Blue E” Departmental award. A Blue E award is given by commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacifi c Fleet for excellent quality and overall effi ciency of a supply department. It is also one of the requirements for an aircraft carrier to earn the Battle Effectiveness Award, or Battle E. The award recognizes the carrier for its excellent presentation in an operational environment. SMI was worth 50 percent of earning the Blue E and the rest is acquired by outstanding monthly reports from the ship and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 support systems. “We have had six consecutive Blue Es on board

Lincoln,” said Jeffries. “We are making every effort to ensure a seventh.” The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts to establish conditions for regional stability.

Photo By MCSN Jerine Lee

Photo By MC2 Luciano Marano

With more than 5,000 Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) running around the

ship working, cleaning, repairing parts, conducting preventative maintenance or cooking food for the crew, many might

overlook the few specialized civilians aboard Lincoln who voluntarily work for Lincoln’s Sailors to provide additional support to augment the crew’s skills. There are only a handful of civilians aboard Lincoln. These include Steve Kennedy, a Xerox technician; Joey Metz, a fi tness instructor; John Porter, the morale, welfare and recreation coordinator; Brent Goode, Ph.D., a researcher with the Center for Naval Analysis; and Wendy Pollitt, one of the instructors from the Navy College Program for Afl oat College Education (NCPACE).

Lincoln’s Xerox technician, Steve Kennedy, also known as “Copy Boss,” is a customer

service engineer who provides service and repair for approximately 76 copiers scattered throughout the ship’s spaces. Due to the constant fl ow of job turn-overs

and Sailors departing, it was previously diffi cult to maintain the critical amount of knowledge necessary to keep Xerox machines up and running. With Kennedy’s specialized training, his work aboard saves the ship and its crew time and money. “My training is expensive as well as extensive,” said Kennedy. “When I walked on board, I had a vast knowledge of the printers. Typically Sailors had to attend school for at least two or three weeks at a time to learn just one type of copier machine, and there’s about fi ve or six different Xerox families on board the ship. In the long run, it was diffi cult for a Navy technician to get these schools in a timely manner because of how diffi cult it is for them to leave their ship for six months at a time.” Kennedy has been on board since January 2008 and this is his second deployment with Lincoln. He says being on an aircraft carrier is the most gratifying, exciting job as a civilian. “It’s a unique experience,” said Kennedy, of Poulsbo, Wash. “What I fi nd most rewarding of this job is that I’ve always wanted to be in the Navy, and even though I’m active duty, I’d say this is as close as I can get. I’m also honored to participate in a small way in the

CIVILIANS SUPPORT LINCOLN’S MISSIONSStory by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jerine Lee

Steve Kennedy

Joey Metz

Brent Goode

Wendy Pollitt

John Porter

operational readiness of the ship. I’m in a unique position to be among the crew and see the dedication and professionalism that I see whenever I wander around the ship. So this has been a delightful combination of an interesting job I enjoy doing with traveling and the shipboard life.”

Joey Metz, who prefers to be called, “Fit Boss,” came aboard Lincoln in order to provide proper health and fi tness

training, improve morale for the crew, and continue to keep the crew mission-ready during the ship’s deployment. Metz is a certifi ed fi tness trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, spinning instructor through Mad Dogg Athletics and Spinning, cross-fi t certifi ed and a certifi ed command fi tness leader. Since Metz arrived to the Lincoln in July, she developed a complete fi tness class schedule for the ship’s crew spanning all hours from early morning to late in the evening for Sailors working the nightshift. She also developed a variety of classes: ab blast, a 30-minute abdominal workout, strengthening the core, balance and posture; G.I. Jane, a class for females aboard Lincoln who are looking for a strong, lean circuit workout; zumba, a program with a fusion of international music and dance themes and turbo kickboxing, a combination of kickboxing and choreographed hip-hop dance moves. “It was always important to me to be healthy to achieve my goals for the future. I wanted to improve Sailors’ lives through different avenues of fi tness because everyone is different,” said Metz, a Ridgecrest, Calif., native. “There are so many different exercises and ways to be healthy; the challenge is fi nding the one that works for you.”

John Porter is Lincoln’s recreational director, also known as “Fun Boss.” In charge of the ship’s morale, welfare and

recreation (MWR) division, Porter increases the quality of life and morale of the crew by planning events and providing discounted tickets to various activities such as sports events, concerts and movies. Porter is also in charge of multiple tours and discounted hotel reservations for Sailors going to port stops while on deployment. “I am known as the playground director,” said Porter, of Olympia, Wash. “I make sure everyone has a good time whether they are in a foreign port or at home with their families.” Porter, who is prior Army, has been on board the ship for 11 years and is on his sixth deployment with Lincoln. With his long run on the ship, Porter claims working with Sailors is the best part of the job and does everything he can to ensure they are happy and satisfi ed with the service through MWR. “Working with Sailors is the best part about the job,” said Porter. “I take care of things for Sailors that save their time and help them avoid headaches by providing easy ways to have a good time at a decent price. I’m always on call and willing to help them out.”

Brent M. Goode, Ph.D., a researcher from the Center for Naval Analysis (CNA), came aboard Lincoln as an

operations analyst for the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group’s deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility. to gather data to help improve the ship’s effi ciency. Goode is collecting statistics on systems, such as failure and success rates, to improve potential tactical advantages and refi ne techniques that advance the strike group’s mission success. “My work involves a wide spectrum of Lincoln’s operations, such as study of fl ight operations effi ciency, support levels for underway refueling and resupply, and advanced tactical positioning and maneuvering techniques” said Goode, a native of Huntsville, Ala. By linking empirical and quantitative data, Goode gives Lincoln strike group another tactical advantage over possible threats. This is Goode’s fi rst deployment on an aircraft carrier and he is very excited for everything he will learn during his time aboard Lincoln and hopes his work will affect the strike

group for the better. “I’m learning so much here, being exposed to everything. It is exciting seeing the myriad of methods and businesses held aboard Lincoln and I hope

to make it a more effi cient fi ghting force,” he said. “All the documentation is an effort to learn and improve things, and help the carrier, but beyond that, to affect the Navy as a whole.”

Wendy Pollitt is an English professor from NCPACE, a program that allows Sailors to earn college credit

while on deployment. She is one of four instructors on board Lincoln. Pollitt holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Boston University, a master’s in reading from Cal State and a doctorate from the University of Southern California. She loves teaching and enjoys having the opportunity to work with Sailors. “Being on an aircraft carrier is very overwhelming because it is so big! I’m guaranteed to be lost at least once every day,” said Pollitt, a Kaneone, Hawaii native. “But educating Sailors is the most interesting, exciting, enjoyable job ever.” Pollitt has been working with NCPACE for three years and is on her fi fth deployment. Being on small boys before, Lincoln is Pollitt’s fi rst aircraft carrier but claims it is the perfect job for her. “I love teaching and I like to travel,” said Pollitt. “Living in Hawaii, being around the ocean and at sea feels natural.” Finding civilians who are qualifi ed for an occupation on a ship is not easy. The person must have a strong sense of adventure and patriotism, and the military aspect of the job requires someone who can effectively handle the sophisticated complexities of the Navy and shipboard lifestyle. However, once the civilians fi nd the right fi t with the ship, they become an integral part of the crew.

“It is exciting seeing the myriad of methods and businesses held aboard Lincoln and I hope to make it a more effi cient fi ghting force.”

-Brent M. Goode, Ph.D.

One hundred Abraham Lincoln Strike Group Sailors volunteered to help Malaysian children and

elders during four community service projects 9-11 Oct. Projects included painting, cleaning

and repairing the Malaysian Association for the Blind community center, Praise Emmanuel Children’s Home, and the Shekinah and Wesley House Senior Citizen’s homes. Electrician’s Mate 1st Class Kevin Pulver volunteered by painting a community center building used by security guards. He said the experience of helping others makes the liberty port more meaningful. “It’s a good feeling to help people who are less fortunate than we are,” said Pulver. “I thought I would go do something to give back to Malaysia instead of just sightseeing the entire time.” After painting, cleaning up trash, and landscaping, the Sailors took time to play soccer and games with the children of Praise Emmanuel, and

visit with the visually impaired Malaysians at the community center and elderly citizens at the Shekinah and Wesley House homes. “I love just being able to talk to the locals and share our experiences,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Reshawn Orr. “It’s amazing how much you can learn from other people and different cultures.” The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is currently in the U.S. 7th Fleet’s area of responsibility as part of a routine deployment to promote peace, cooperation and stability in the region. Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group consists of fl agship USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, San Diego-based guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), and the embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9. Ships assigned to DESRON 9 include the Everett-based destroyers Momsen (DDG 92) and Shoup (DDG 86), as well as USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Sterett (DDG 104).

LINCOLN SAILORS VOLUNTEER IN MALAYSIABy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Hubner

U.S. Navy Photo

Similar to the ranking system in college football, pilots aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

are ranked through a scoring system based on how accurately they hit their

marks when landing. In college football, the coaches and media each create their own poll ranking the teams. Aboard Lincoln, the landing signal offi cers (LSO) hand out grades after each aircraft recovery and publish a quarterly report, called the Air Wing Top Ten, listing the top ten pilots during that period. “The Air Wing Top Ten breaks out those who have the top landing grades amongst the pilots onboard for a designated period of time,” said Lt. Mark Kircher, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 LSO. “The period of time, which we call the line period, is dictated by the air wing commander, but usually is around two months or so.” LSOs grade every landing during fl ight operations, and those scores are recorded for about 80 pilots who are selected to be judged during the line period. The line period is long enough to get solid data points, and each pilot usually logs between 30 and 45 arrested landings, said Kircher. To fi gure out the top ten, LSOs compile overall grade point averages and boarding rates for each of the pilots who were evaluated during the line period.

CARRIER AIR WING 2 RANKS TOP 10By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alan Gragg

Here’s the latest top ten list:

1. Lt. Dylan “Butters” Schoo (VAW-116)2. Lt. Cmdr. Christopher “Rat” Rattigan (VFA-151)3. Cmdr. John “Skull” Greene (VFA-2)4. Lt. Cmdr. Kelly “Peso” Richards (VAQ-131)5. Cmdr. Jean “Frenchy” LeBlanc (VFA-151)6. Cmdr. Christopher “Flanders” Wilson (VFA-137)7. Lt. Cmdr. David “Jiggles” Freeman (VFA-34)8. Cmdr. Matthew “Pappy” Paradise (VFA-34)9. Lt. Cmdr. Lawrence “Nancy” Nance (VAW-116)10. Lt. Cmdr. Jason “Oompah” Brown (VFA-151)

Phot

os B

y M

C2

Bria

n M

oral

es