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Wasp Earns Engineering Certification

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090729-22
Release Date: 7/29/2009 5:02:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Andrew McCord, USS Wasp Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The crew of USS Wasp (LHD 1) successfully earned its engineering certification July 22 upon completion of Unit Level Training Assessment, Engineering (ULTRA E) in Norfolk.

The purpose of ULTRA E, conducted approximately every two years, is to assess the ship's ability to effectively train its Sailors in several critical warfare areas.

This is accomplished through a week-long review by Afloat Training Group (ATG) - Atlantic, focusing primarily on Wasp's engineering and damage control proficiency.

"This is part of the continuous training cycle, and it focuses mostly on engineering drills, evolutions and programs," said Lt. j.g. Andre Neuland, Wasp's engineering training officer. "There are cold and hot checks that make sure everything works and that we can get underway, but then when we do get underway, we have to show watchstander proficiency."

Neuland also said ULTRA E encompasses in-depth administration inspections of Navy Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH) programs, as well as critical management programs.

"For NAVOSH we're dealing with electrical safety, hearing conservation and safety tag-outs – stuff that the entire crew needs to be aware of and compliant with," said Neuland. "Then there are also the critical management programs that are looked at as well, like lube and fuel oil quality management and legal record, and these are more specific to the [engineering] department."

By acquiring the ULTRA E certification, the Wasp demonstrates its ability to meet required training objectives.

"This certification says that the ship is certified by ATG and its immediate superior in charge for all underway engineering operations," said Lt. Bradley Lewis, Wasp's training officer. "[ULTRA E] is very hard for engineering to certify in. It speaks volumes for how hard the Sailors worked, and how fortunate we are to have engineers of this caliber in our engineering department."

Lewis noted that passing ULTRA E also certifies that Wasp's engineering training teams are competent and capable of self assessing.

"Because we've passed this inspection, we are able to effectively operate the plant," said Lewis. "It also means that we have shown the capability and expertise to train our own watchstanders, in accordance with the Engineering Operational Sequencing System."

WASP is currently preparing to complete several other inspections, including a force protection exercise and the Board of Inspection and Survey.

For more news from USS Wasp (LHD 1), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd1/.