Battle Cat Warriors Complete Trials
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS031023-02
Release Date: 10/23/2003 10:59:00 AM
From USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs
YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) returned to its forward deployed port here Oct. 23, after completing a 10-day sea trials period in the western Pacific Ocean.
"Our job was to put ourselves and the mighty Battle Cat through a series of sea trials to ensure our ability to perform," Kitty Hawk Commanding Officer, Capt. Tom Parker, said. "We reacquainted ourselves and our ship with the ways of doing business at sea, and I believe USS Kitty Hawk is ready. You can't say this often, but everything that could go right, did so."
Parker said the ship received fueling certification, flight deck certification and various equipment certifications to ensure its ability to launch and recover aircraft. "We tested and retested equipment in every corner of the ship, including aircraft intermediate maintenance, communications and radar equipment, general maintenance and damage control gear," he said.
Chief Warrant Officer Marte Lleva is Kitty Hawk's engineering training officer. He said for the ship's engineers, sea trials was about making sure the Battle Cat is running smooth and running safe. "At the end of our light-off assessment, we received a 'clear path for light-off,' pending correction of some material discrepancies," Lleva said. "A week later, we've cleared all the discrepancies and lit off our boilers and steamed our plants."
"We've achieved Level 1 (the highest rating) flexes on all our boilers, proving that our boilers can respond quickly to steam demands and can sustain operations with minimal fluctuations. We performed high-speed demonstrations, surpassing computed design speed," Lleva continued.
Lleva added that all of Kitty Hawk's deck and ship-handling equipment has been tested, and proven reliable and seaworthy, including the ship's boat and aircraft crane, which was re-certified for use. "All aircraft elevators have been cycled and tested for full functionality. Our electrical plants have provided stable ship's power, and our hotel service systems have provided for quality of life," he added. "At the end of sea trials, we have proven ourselves and our equipment to be capable of safe operation - ready to answer all bells."
Kitty Hawk's engineers were not the only Sailors busy getting the Battle Cat back into the at-sea swing of things.
According to Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW) Jesus Mendez, deck department personnel played key roles in several ship-wide evolutions during sea trials.
"We brought on fuel, stores and ammo during five connected and vertical replenishment evolutions. We got in some under-instruction watchers for our newer Sailors, and we conducted precision-anchoring evolutions," Mendez said. "The whole team is ready."
"With these training evolutions and certifications, we welcomed elements of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, who flew aboard, assisting with qualifications and bringing together the much-needed mind-meld between those in the air, and those on and under the flight deck," Parker said. "As the world's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, we are the tip of the spear, and have been that tip for the last five years operating from Yokosuka."
As the ship's crew turns its attention to the upcoming underway period, Parker underscores the importance of maintaining a high state of readiness and Kitty Hawk's role operating in the Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF).
"The Navy's Fleet Response Plan may be new to many, but the general concept is the way Kitty Hawk has operated for years in the FDNF," Parker said. "We go where needed, when needed. That is what is expected of us, and that is what we do best. These completed sea trials tell the story that the crew of USS Kitty Hawk is again ready to answer the call. These Sailors have much to be proud of here."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
