USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) has been named the Naval Air Force Pacific Battle Efficiency (Battle “E”) award winner, in a

close competition amongst the aircraft carriers in the Pacific Fleet.

“The Sailors and officers of this carrier continue to achieve and surpass the high standards of those who have preceded them. We are proud of the operational excellence and sound fiscal execution that you have displayed. You have my personal congratulations on a job well done,” Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) Pacific, Vice Adm. David H. Buss wrote in a congratulatory award message.

The Battle “E” competition is an evaluation of the ship’s abilities in logistics, material, engineering, damage control, navigation and command and control, as well as air, surface, and subsurface warfare. Lincoln earned an “E” in all of the departmental categories. Once the Lincoln passed these evaluations, it had to demonstrate sustained superior performance, operational effectiveness and documented combat readiness to CNAF. The yearlong evaluation also included inspections and observing training.

Capt. Karl O. Thomas, Lincoln’s commanding officer, said the Battle “E” topped off a highly successful 2012 for the crew.

“It took the entire ship-air wing team working together, and tremendous support from the families during an around the world cruise and homeport change,” Thomas said. “They are richly deserving of this recognition, and I couldn’t be more proud of each and every one of them.”

At the beginning of 2012 Lincoln was already underway in the 7th Fleet on the first leg of her around-the-world cruise, which would culminate in a change of homeport to Norfolk, Va. The ship finished the year having sailed more than 58,600 nautical miles through the 5th, 6th and 7th Fleets, completing 8,100 arrested landings with no Class A or B mishaps, flying more than 30,000 hours, with over 2,400 directly supporting troops on the ground in combat.

In addition to its Battle “E” accomplishments, while deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Lincoln Sailors qualified all of its eligible Sailors as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS), and 77 percent to Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS). In concert with Carrier Air Wing 2, Lincoln launched 2,411 operational missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom during its around-the-world deployment. The ship also exceeded the Navy-wide average for promotion rate to Petty Officer and Chief Petty Officer by 18 percent.

LINCOLN RECEIVES BATTLE ‘E’Story by Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

Lincoln Sailors Help Hampton RoadsStory by MC3 Benjamin T. Liston

USS Abraham Lincoln’s operations department volunteered in a community relation project (COMREL) February 7, 2013.

The Sailors helped the city of Hampton, Va. by picking up trash along various roadways in an effort to keep their community and the community of those they serve clean.

“It’s a great feeling to be here helping out the area we live in,” said Operations Specialist Seaman Preston Shelley. “Places along roads don’t often receive the attention they deserve for the amount of litter people throw out.”

The operations department holds a project like this every week to help benefit the Hampton Roads area.

“Our department is doing an ongoing weekly project.” said Cryptological Technician (Networking) 2nd Class Alexander Shaw. “So anyone that’s in our

department who wants to help out can do so as many times as they want.”

The city of Hampton provided trash bags, gloves, rakes, shovels among other cleaning supplies to help the Sailors out with their task.

“All we had to do was show up and start working,” said Shelley. “It really helped out the process and allowed us to get started right away.”

The Sailors traveled alongside busy roadways and into wooded areas to collect all trash in a 1 mile radius.

“It’s a huge surprise to see this much litter in one area.” said Shaw. “I’m happy that we were able to get out here and take care of this problem before it got out of hand.”

For others interested in volunteering with this COMREL, please contact the Operations Department.

Photo by MCSA Kayla Cosby Photo by MCSA Kayla Cosby Photo by MC3 Benjamin Liston

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Photo by MC3 Benjamin Liston

Photo by MC3 Benjamin Liston 5

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) commemorated Black History Month with a

celebration Feb. 8, focusing on the accomplishments and history of African American Culture.

The event highlighted accomplished African Americans and their achievements throughout the history of America.

Black History Month had its beginnings in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be “Negro History Week”. This week was chosen because it marked the birthday of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Woodson created the holiday with hope that it eventually be

eliminated when black history became fundamental to American history. Negro History Week was met with enthusiastic response; it prompted the creation of black history clubs, an increase in interest among teachers, and an interest from progressive whites. Negro History Week grew in popularity throughout the following decades, with mayors across the United States endorsing it as a holiday.

Master Chief Avionics Technician Jean-Martial Previllion, Master Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Christopher Johnson and Master Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Sylvester Campbell gave speeches about the importance of African Americans throughout the military.

“The future of blacks in history is far from over,” said Campbell. “There are many influential black

Sailors in our Navy, and if they stay in, could influence generations of Sailors.”

Afterward, Campbell and Hospital Corpsman Jojuan Lee cut a cake dedicated to the event.

“Every dream begins with a dreamer and every vision a visionary,” said Previllion. “Without these dreamers and visionaries, we wouldn’t be able to celebrate this aspect of American culture.”

Many of Lincoln’s Sailors left with a better understanding of African American history and culture.

“This celebration was simply inspiring,” said Lee. “I’m honored to be a part of this event.”

BLACK HISTORY MONTHREACHING BACK, MOVING FORWARD

Story and photos by MC3 Benjamin T. Liston

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) crew members gathered to celebrate the legacy of one of America’s greatest leaders. Sailors enjoyed

cake and camaraderie as they listened to speeches by Lincoln’s Commanding Officer, Command Chaplain and Combat Systems Officer.

Capt. Karl O. Thomas, Commanding Officer, USS Abraham Lincoln, spoke about Abraham Lincoln’s compassion for his fellow man, and how the decision was made to name the ship in his honor.

Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin on the Sinking Spring Farm in Hardin County, Ky. Throughout his life; Lincoln was praised for his impact on the nation and his unique appeal. The Emancipation Proclamation, one of Lincoln’s major accomplishments, wherein African Americans were freed from slavery, is one example of Lincoln’s uphill battle to unite Americans.

USS Abraham Lincoln exemplifies this philosophy by constantly sailing the seas, prtoecting America’s interest and insuring the freedom of waterways for public use, Lincoln also travels to other countries to provide relief for disasters, both natural and manmade. June 17-23 1991, Lincoln participated in the humanitarian mission Operation Fiery Vigil, which included the evacuation of roughly 20,000 Philippine citizens due to

the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on Luzon Island, Republic of the Philippines.

The next person to speak was Lincoln’s Command Chaplain, Cmdr. Denis Cox.

“As a crew, we come together from around the world,” said Cox, who also paraphrased the Gettysburg Address as well as the ship’s motto. “We shall not perish. This ship shall not perish. Our democracy shall not perish, America shall not perish.”

Chaplain Cox was followed by Lincoln’s Combat Systems Officer, Cmdr. Christopher Haden, who emphasized Lincoln’s leadership style.

“Abraham Lincoln actually came down here when the nation was at war into enemy territory and made deck plate tactical decisions,” said Haden. “The Union would have been in a bad way if he hadn’t come down.”

Following the speeches Thomas then called for anyone with a birthday on the 12th of February and for the youngest Sailor. A long standing tradition, Thomas then joined the three Sailors in cutting the first piece of cake with a ceremonial sword.

USS Abraham Lincoln continues to be a deterrent for war and a symbol of peace in the waters it protects. With its highly-trained and dedicated crew, Lincoln will continue to honor the man for which it was named.

Ship Celebrates Birthday of Abraham LincolnStory and photo by MC3 Jonteil Johnson

Thursday Sailors from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) arrived at Pierside Lanes on Naval Station Norfolk to compete against one another

in a Captain’s Cup tournament. Once a month MWR has Captain’s Cup competitions around the base, the tournaments aren’t always the same sports played time and time again. MWR mixes it up every month by playing a variety of sports such as golf, basketball, football, soccer, bowling, and for an upcoming event dodge ball.

“The Captain thinks it is very important to partake in these types of events. We are in a difficult place,

being in RCOH, so this is just another way to bring the crew together in a fun way that helps boost morale,” said Shannon Smith, Lincoln’s Fun Boss. “MWR pays for the whole event, excluding the food, this way the crew can just come and enjoy themselves.”

The crew was split into teams on 16 lanes by different departments playing against one another. Having different departments that wouldn’t normally work together in the ship’s RCOH setting was able to reconnect like how it was on Lincoln’s 2011-2012 deployment.

“There are no handicaps in this game. Everyone

LINCOLN SAILORS BOWL FOR CAPTAIN’S CUP

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LINCOLN SAILORS BOWL FOR CAPTAIN’S CUPcan come out here and have a good time even if they aren’t great at bowling. The players can also get a good PT session in as well,” said Chief Ship’s Serviceman Tyrone Nicholas, who had the top overall single game: 214. “Bowling is just as much a sport as football or soccer. What is so great about this game is the fact it is still a team sport.”

A total of 85 bowlers came out to play, five bowlers to a team. The eight teams with the highest tallied score throughout the three games will continued on to the next round in the tournament. The tournament will last until the finals on February 27th, with the next bowl

date on the 13th at Noon at Pierside Lanes. Congratulations to the teams who will continue on

in the next round; Air Team 1, Combat Systems Team 1, Weapons Team 1, Supply Team 1, Deck Team 1, AIMD Team 1, Reactor Team, Engineering Team 1 . The team with the top overall score of the three combined games: Combat Systems Team 1: ICFN Lyon, IC3 Serpa, IT3 Trustey, ET2 Leonard, and FCC Duffy.

Story and photos by SN Phylicia Hanson

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Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Mafe M. Sabar was born in the Philippines Her and her family moved to Milpita, California in 2000 when she was nine. She attended

school and played volleyball as a recreational sport with her friends.

Sabar joined the Navy Dec. 10, 2010 as an undesignated seaman. She was origionally assigned to the Deck Department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in March 2011. Sabar said she enjoyed the hard work, but felt as though she wasn’t doing something meaningful.

“I didn’t want to be a deck seaman, but I didn’t have a choice,” Sabar said. “I wanted a job that made me feel like I was doing more for my future, and a job in Personnel seemed like it would translate well in the civilian world.”

Sabar successfully struck for Personnel Specialist last May. Some of her responsibilities consist of helping Lincoln’s Sailors with administrative issues, such as leave and reenlistment.

“It’s a good feeling to be able to help people with problems they’ve been having,” said Sabar. “I know how it feels to have a problem and not be able figure it out.”

Sabar is an aspiring kick boxer. “It’s really interesting to me,” Sabar said. “I don’t know

how good I’ll be at it but it seems fun.” Feb. 8, Sabar was capped to PS3 automatically advancing

her to Petty Officer third class.“It was a nice surprise to get capped,” said Sabar. “It also

doesn’t hurt that I will be getting paid for it by the next check either.”

Sabar said she has enjoyed her time in the Navy, and sees it as a learning experience. She’s unsure if she wants to make a career out of the Navy. Sabar plans to use the resources available to her in the next two years. She has two years left in the Navy, and plans to see how things work out for her. She said if she advances in the next cycle, she will stay in. If not, she would like to join the Peace Corps or be a nurse. “Being a nurse is something I always have wanted to do,” said Sabar. “It gives me the opportunity to help people, and I love it.”

What’sYour

StoryStory by MCSA Kayla CosbyPhotos by MC3 Benjamin Liston

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CO Addresses RCOH DelayStory and photos by MC3 Kathleen L. Church

Congressional budgets delays postponed the movement of Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln from Norfolk Naval Station

to Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipyard Feb. 14 refueling complex overhaul (RCOH).

“Lincoln was scheduled to move to Newport News shipyard mid February; however, as a result of the fiscal constraints resulting from the ongoing continuing resolution, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc has not been issued the contract for RCOH, USS Abraham Lincoln commanding officer, Karl O. Thomas said during an interview with CNN, Feb.11.

“This RCOH period is where we complete 35 percent of the maintenance for the total life of the ship. Lincoln was designed to last 50 years, and this maintenance at the halfway mark, will allow the ship to be mission ready for the second half of its life.”

Completing the RCOH on time and under budget is vital to the fleet.

“It is in our best interest to start the process, because if we delay, other ships will be delayed,” said Thomas. “Every month we delay adds a month before we get out,

and adds months before another ship can enter.”With many tasks jobs attainable at the pier in Norfolk,

Sailors aboard Lincoln are making progress while they await funding from Congress.

“We are pulling cables out of the overheads, stripping decks, replacing berthings and continuing general maintenance on the ship,” said Thomas. “It is a lot of work, but I am more than confident that ship’s company will continue to get further ahead.”

Even though the ship has been delayed in its movement into the yards, Lincoln’s crew still has made gains on the work for RCOH, and is now positioned to succeed when RCOH finally starts.

“We are already ahead of schedule on the work that we had planned,” said Thomas. “Lincoln has a very flexible crew, one that is willing and motivated to accomplish any mission it begins.”

“Lincoln is one of 10 U.S. aircraft carriers, and the sooner it enters the shipyard, the sooner it can get back to the front lines where it belongs,” said Thomas. “The ship is an asset to our country and it is critical that we commence RCOH.”

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USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) conducted a safety stand down Feb. 6 to

address the ship’s move to Newport News, Va. for refueling and complex over-haul (RCOH) and to remind Sailors to make smart decisions to prevent mishaps during RCOH.

“This safety stand down is designed around the ship yard,” said Lincoln Commanding Officer Capt. Karl O. Thomas. “It regards a lot of safety, personal protective equipment, and a lot of things required to be safe when we get to

the ship yard.”Sailors saw a brief video

regarding proper safety and protocol around the Newport News ship yard area.

“Newport News Shipbuilding is a private institution. If you disregard safety regulations or security regulations you may be refused the ability to come into the ship yard,” said Lt. Geoffrey Anderson, Lincoln’s command security manager. Lt. Anderson went on to remind Sailors that there are no cell phones or cameras allowed in the

New Port News Shipbuilding area. Chief Electronics Technician

Holly Mullins, leading chief petty officer of electrical safety, discussed the importance of electrical safety while the ship is in RCOH.

“We work in an inherently dangerous environment,” said Mullins, “As we progress through RCOH that environment is only going to get more dangerous. We’re talking about people’s lives. Electric shock can be lethal, and it has to go somewhere. By the time it leaves your body, it will have passed

Safety Standown, ‘Keep Your Head on a Swivel’Story by MC2 Kyle HenleyPhotos by MC3 Joshua Walters

through something vital.”Cmdr. Daniel Jurta, Lincoln’s

safety department head, presented the audience with vital information about shipyard safety.

“Our goal is to provide the training, correct the mistakes so that you don’t become a future case study,” said Jurta, “The ship is going to be a dynamic and changing environment I need your help with this, because it involves all hands.

Mother’s Against Drunk Driving representatives Bob and Kaye Walsh concluded the day with a presentation about the dangers of drunk driving.

“DUI convictions and charges are public information,” said Kaye Walsh. “Anyone can access that information. If you get thrown out of the Navy for a DUI, I can guarantee you that you will not get a job when you get home. No one wants to hire a drunk.”

The Walshes lost their only child to a DUI accident and spent a few moments sharing the emotions they felt from that loss.

“My only daughter died that night,” said Kay Walsh. “A part of me died with her. You never believe something so terrible could happen to you. But it can. If you get behind

the wheel drunk, you could cause this sort of pain to someone else, yourself, or your family.”

Lincoln Executive Officer Cmdr. Randy Peck addressed the crew to conclude the training.

“Safety is an essential part of Lincoln’s upcoming RCOH. We need to improve, we need to maintain, and we need to ensure that we get through this phase with no casualties,” said Peck. “Every bit of this training is essential. Electrical safety is paramount. As a command our goal is to stop DUI’s.”

Safety Standown, ‘Keep Your Head on a Swivel’