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Kitty Hawk Sets to Sea Again

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050113-08
Release Date: 1/13/2005 12:35:00 PM

By Lithographer Seaman Robert Uehara, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), with more than 3,000 Sailors aboard, departed the ship's forward-deployed operating port of Yokosuka, Japan, Jan. 11 to conduct sea trials as the final step of a four-month ship's restricted availability (SRA) maintenance period.

During the trial, Kitty Hawk's crew will test equipment and refresh seamanship skills following the in-port maintenance period, to ensure the ship and crew are prepared for general under way operations.

"Our job is to put ourselves and Kitty Hawk through a series of evolutions and qualifications to ensure our ability to perform the mission," said Capt. Tom Parker, Kitty Hawk commanding officer. "We need to reacquaint ourselves and our ship with the way of doing business at sea, and I believe USS Kitty Hawk is ready."

The sea trial period will enable the crew to test maintenance, repairs and system upgrades and perform key damage-control drills.

"We will be training while at sea to prevent disasters from taking place," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class Alex Pestereanu, Kitty Hawk aviation fuels division. "We will conduct fire drills for fuel stations, practice prevention of fires on the flight deck, and rigging barricades for emergency landings."

During SRA, the ship's crew performed essential repairs impossible to complete while Kitty Hawk was at sea. Rehabilitation of berthing spaces was completed to enhance the quality of life of Sailors living aboard the ship. While living quarters were being improved, engineering department conducted extensive work in main engineering spaces and replaced significant portions of the ventilation system.

In addition, Sailors applied 7,600 square feet of polymeric deck covering (PRC), which allows for easier maintenance and cleaning than standard tile floors.

Every Sailor, no matter the rating, is preparing for Kitty Hawk's next under way period. From engineers in the ship's power plant to administrative personnel, everyone has assigned tasks to complete prior to going out to sea.

"Being a service department, we have to make sure everything is in order so everything goes smoothly while under way," said Chief Culinary Specialist (SW) Antonio Espeleta, Kitty Hawk Wardroom leading chief petty officer. "Not having all your supplies stocked and important things completed can make it difficult while at sea."

While Espeleta concerns himself with feeding the crew, combat systems department refines its ability to protect Kitty Hawk and other ships of the carrier strike group.

"During sea trials, combat systems' weapons division runs tests such as the operational combat system operability test, which is basically a test of interfaces between the target acquisition system, fire control system and the NATO Sea Sparrow and rolling airframe missile defense systems," explained Fire Controlman 3rd Class Deffrey Moore, of weapons systems maintenance division.

According to Damage Controlman Fireman Alexander Alvarez of engineering department's repair division, many of the ship's responsibilities are shifted from the duty sections back to the departments responsible for them at sea.

"Under way, engineering becomes the at-sea fire party," said Alvarez. "Basically, we handle any fires that happen aboard the ship while we are at sea. That also includes flooding and [chemical, biological and radiological] defense tactics."

Sea trials will also provide an opportunity for Kitty Hawk's crew to perform drills such as general quarters, man overboard and mass casualties, to enhance the knowledge and skills that contribute to the ship's ability to successfully complete its mission.

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