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AIMD Continues CVW Support During SRA

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS041223-01
Release Date: 12/23/2004 9:19:00 AM

By Journalist 3rd Class Christopher Koons, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- USS Kitty Hawk's (CV 63) current ship's restricted availability (SRA) is a busy time for all of the ship's personnel, but the past few months have been particularly eventful for the aircraft intermediate maintenance department (AIMD).

"Our job during SRA is the same as it is when Kitty Hawk is underway," said Cmdr. David Geerdes, Kitty Hawk's AIMD officer. "Our primary task is to support Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, and we're still doing that."

AIMD is responsible for repairing and supplying aircraft parts for CVW-5. Because of Kitty Hawk's permanently forward deployed status, most AIMD personnel maintain a busy schedule while in port, with some continuing to work alongside their air wing counterparts.

"We currently have a detachment of AIMD Sailors at the Naval Air Station in Atsugi, Japan, where CVW-5 is based," said Geerdes. "They are working on aircraft engines there."

According to Geerdes, Kitty Hawk's SRA period of several months has allowed AIMD to send more Sailors on temporary assigned duty to Atsugi than what is normal for shorter in-port periods.

"We usually send about 30 Sailors to Atsugi, but this time, we've sent 94," he said.

The majority of AIMD Sailors at Atsugi come from AIMD's engines and airframes division (IM-2) and avionics division (IM-3), said Geerdes.

"They are working with the Atsugi calibration facility and Atsugi's AIMD," he said. "They are receiving valuable hands-on training."

Atsugi is not the only place where AIMD Sailors are temporarily assigned during SRA, said Geerdes.

"We have some Sailors working for SRA department. We've also sent some Sailors to Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, and some back to the United States to receive training," he said.

Despite the absence of the temporarily assigned Sailors, AIMD's mission remains the same, said Geerdes.

"We're here to make sure the air wing has all of the parts and equipment they need," he said.

In many ways, Kitty Hawk's current SRA period is more hectic than when the ship is underway, said Lt. Rene Goco, avionics division officer.

"We're busier in port because we have to support not only the air wing, but also Atsugi and SRA," he said. "Our Sailors are working hard."

Although some AIMD personnel are assigned to SRA, and there is much work to be done, this in-port period has not caused too much of a disruption in the everyday routines of AIMD junior Sailors, explained Airman Milton Jackson of AIMD administration.

"Our job is the same, supporting the air wing," said Jackson. "I still have to route chits for repairs to be done on aircraft parts."

Whether at sea, or in port, AIMD is there 24 hours a day to help Kitty Hawk carry out its mission and to keep CVW-5 flying.

The Kitty Hawk Strike Group is the largest carrier strike group in the Navy and is composed of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk, CVW-5, the guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Cowpens (CG 63), and Destroyer Squadron 15.