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Kearsarge, Carl Vinson AIMDs Demonstrate Teamwork Underway

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050603-07
Release Date: 6/5/2005 1:32:00 PM

By Senior Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Dave Nagle, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

ARABIAN GULF (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) teamed up to provide mutual technical support and maintain mission readiness while underway in the Persian Gulf May 19.

Kearsarge’s Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) responded to a request from Carl Vinson’s AIMD for an Onboard Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) Test Set, when Vinson’s went down for repairs. This test set is used to perform inspections of OBOGS concentrators in AV-8B Harrier, F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft.

Kearsarge provided the test set, and sent Marine Lance Cpl. Shawn Christian, an AIMD flight equipment technician along with it. While on Vinson, Christian received hands-on training on OBOGS maintenance.

“We rarely see OBOGS on a big-deck amphib; carriers do them much more often,” said Christian. “Now if one breaks down, I will know what tools and equipment I need to fix it.”

Christian then put that training to good use, assisting Vinson’s AIMD with the inspection of three OBOGS concentrators.

“That hands-on experience helped a lot because instead of them just showing me how to do it, I got to actually test the gear to get a better understanding of the procedures,” he added.

“This was definitely a win-win situation,” said Senior Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate (AW) Mike Tate, AIMD’s production control leading chief petty officer. “In fact, we already had Christian and the test set over to Vinson before the request from the States came in asking if our test set was up.”

As an Expeditionary Strike Group Intermediate Maintenance Activity, Kearsarge has the capability to provide I-level maintenance and repair for other ships in a strike group. In order to maintain that capability, Kearsarge’s technicians take advantage of every training opportunity that comes available.

“One thing we tried hard to do is ensure that personnel receive training from their whole rate,” said Tate. “We don’t get a chance to service all Navy and Marine aircraft and their related systems. We need to help the techs continue to develop across the board of their job specialty, so as they move around the fleet or as different aircraft come to us for support, we can answer the call.”

Carl Vinson returned the favor by performing inspections on 12 of Kearsarge’s CRU-103 oxygen regulators.

“We do not have the capability to test these regulators onboard Kearsarge, so Carl Vinson’s support was greatly appreciated,” said Cmdr. Steve Johnson, Kearsarge’s AIMD officer.

Johnson added that this cooperation was a great example of the continual teamwork that exists not only between deployed ships, but also between the Navy and Marine Corps.

“When the need arose, Kearsarge was able to jump in and support another ship, and at the same time, support our Marine counterparts by getting them training that will help them accomplish their mission on the ground,” said Johnson.

Kearsarge and Carl Vinson are currently deployed supporting Maritime Security Operations in the Persian Gulf.