• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Surface Nuclear Power Trainer Opens at NBK Bremerton

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071026-24
Release Date: 10/26/2007 4:47:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW/NAC) Eric J. Rowley Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. Northwest

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The Navy's second Fleet Interactive Display Equipment (FIDE) Training Simulator of a surface ship's Naval nuclear propulsion plant opened at a new training facility on Naval Base (NB) Kitsap, Bremerton Oct. 19.

The training facility will enhance the ability of propulsion plant operators to maintain operational readiness.

"Our existing submarine FIDE trainer at Bangor has been in operation for over two years and has had a positive impact on the engineering readiness of our Trident submarine crews," said Capt. Dan Prince, Trident Training Facility (TTF) Bangor commanding officer. "We are excited we can now offer the same service to our local aircraft carrier crews. TTF, Bangor, is the parent command of the FIDE facility."

The full-scale, state-of-the-art, interactive simulator of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier's Enclosed Operating Station (EOS) was developed and delivered by the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program to train the watch standers and the propulsion plant watch officers, who direct the ship's nuclear propulsion plant from the control panels. It provides those operators with an extremely realistic real-time depiction of actual EOS conditions for a full range of normal operational and simulated casualty situations.

"Watch teams from the ships with nuclear reactors in this area can come here to run scenarios they would not necessarily be able to do on board the ship due to operational or maintenance requirements," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class (SW) Eli Bookhamer, FIDE Instructor. "These training sessions make our fleet better prepared in the unlikely event of a casualty. The Navy recently opened one on the east coast and it has worked out well for the carriers home-ported there."

The FIDE opens up additional training opportunities for the crew while in port and when coupled with the rigorous underway training program will enhance individual and watch team proficiency to maintain the operational readiness of the Navy's nuclear powered fleet.

"I'm very excited to be here and support the fleet," said Master Chief Machinist Mate (SW) Randy Fisher, FIDE lead instructor. "This is a huge benefit to the reactor department on the ships to be able to come here and steam while they are on a six to eight-month dry-docking availability. They can come over here and keep their edge sharp while their ship is up on blocks."

"It's a wonderful feeling to be a part of the initial crew here and support the fleet," said Master Chief Electrician's Mate (SW) Dennis Morin, FIDE instructor. "This gives Sailors going through the nuclear power pipeline the opportunity to further their expertise in nuclear propulsion."

The Navy plans to install a FIDE trainer for most major classes of nuclear ships in their respective U.S. home ports.