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Vinson's Air Department Installs New Arresting Gear Cables

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090522-31
Release Date: 5/22/2009 10:48:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Roderick Barclay, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS (NNS) -- USS Carl Vinson's (CVN 70) Air Department's V-2 division is in the process of one of the most important milestones for an Aircraft Carrier; coming out of the Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) period.

"The USS Carl Vinson will be ready to catch birds very shortly," said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) (AW/SW) Luis Torres, the leading chief petty officer of Air Department's V-2 maintenance division.

By installing brand new arresting cables, and making sure they are ready for use, V-2 division is bringing us closer to becoming an operational ship.

"This is going to be a long and strenuous project, but the outcome will be well worth it in the long run once we catch our first bird," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Eric George of Air Department's V-2 division.

As an aircraft lands on the flight deck of the Carl Vinson and catches the tail hook of the cable, the lever attached to the cable relays to the engine room how much pressure is needed to stop the aircraft.

This evolution is important and safety cannot be compromised as the lives of the pilots and those working on the flight deck could be in great danger.

Without the arresting gear cables the mission would not be possible. Carl Vinson is completing its scheduled RCOH at Northrop Grumman Ship building.

The RCOH is an extensive yard period that all Nimitz-class aircraft carriers go through near the mid-point of their 50-year life cycle.

During RCOH, Carl Vinson's nuclear fuel has been replenished and the ship's services and infrastructure upgraded to make her the most state-of-the-art aircraft carrier in the fleet and prepare for another 25 years or more of service.

For more news from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn70/.