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Gold Eagle reunites with the Gold Bear

USS Carl Vinson Press Release

10/02/2002

Story by JO3 (SW) Mat Sohl

USS CARL VINSON, AT SEA - It was "just like old times" for USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) last week, when the Gold Eagle reunited with USS Sacramento (AOE 1), the Golden Bear, for the aircraft carrier's first underway replenishment since returning from Operation Enduring Freedom nearly nine months ago.

During their most recent deployment to the North Arabian Sea, Sacramento served as the fast-combat support ship for the USS Carl Vinson Battle Group. The deployment in support of our nation's war on terrorism included 111 continuous days at sea, during which Carl Vinson conducted underway replenishment operations every few days, mostly with Sacramento.

"Everything just started clicking on station; it was almost as if we were still on [deployment], the way everybody started working together," said BM2 (SW) Charles Cueman, one of Carl Vinson's most experienced boatswain's mates. "It was probably better us UNREPing with them for the first time rather than somebody else."

Carl Vinson rendezvoused with Sacramento the morning of Sept. 26. During the six-hour evolution, the Sailors stationed in the carrier's aircraft hangar bay brought aboard 56 pallets of cargo and 15 pallets of ordnance, while refueling teams took on approximately 500,000 gallons of jet fuel via two refueling stations.

The replenishment at sea was an opportunity for new Deck Department Sailors to experience first hand the significant roles they play in keeping the ship operational during extended operations at sea. Although this was the first UNREP for many, the operation ran smoothly.

"Overall, the evolution went pretty well for the first UNREP after coming out of the yards," Cueman said, "(especially for) our first UNREP in almost nine months."

On the signal bridge, 10 levels above the hustle and bustle of cargo, all was going well for Carl Vinson's signalmen, as well.

"Everything came naturally. It was like we never skipped a beat. It was like we had just done an UNREP a few days ago," said SMC (SW) John Abbott. "All the junior folks were super stars. They did a fabulous job."

For SM3 Christina Fisher, who recently joined the Navigation Department, looking down at her shipmates from the signal bridge was a new experience. It was the first time she had participated in an UNREP since striking into the signalman rating. Fisher took advantage of the opportunity to try out some of her newly acquired semaphore skills.

"Communicating with the other ship was awesome," said Fisher.

Not all of the signaling was training, however. Signalmen on both Carl Vinson and Sacramento used semaphore, flashing lights and flag hoists to communicate accounting information for Supply Department, to relay fuel requests, and to coordinate ships' movements.

"We had the opportunity to do a lot of our tactical maneuvering via flag hoist, which is not normally done for a carrier," said SM1 (SW/AW) Michael Vigil. "The maneuvering that is done when we pull alongside an oiler is normally done by bridge-to-bridge radio."

Carl Vinson will soon give back to Sacramento; the carrier will transfer Executive Officer, Capt. Michael Manazir, who has orders to report to Sacramento as commanding officer early next year.