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Enterprise Passes Crew Certification Phase Three

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091125-08
Release Date: 11/25/2009 10:09:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey Willadsen

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) completed the third phase of the crew certification process Nov. 18.

This phase was designed to evaluate whether or not the crew of Enterprise is capable and ready to take the carrier back out to sea.

"The crew was extremely motivated," said the Lt. Cmdr. Sheila Asbury, Enterprise's training officer. "They were energized and ready to prove that they are ready to take this great warship underway."

Drills replicating both emergency and everyday situations at sea included general quarters drills, fire drills, sea-and-anchor detail, medical-emergency drills and many more were inspected during the two-day process. The performance of the crew was assessed to determine their readiness for real situations while underway.

Making the tests as realistic as possible was a priority, said Asbury. Simulated smoke, live fire hoses, and Sailors being used as mock casualties added to the authenticity of the exercises.

"The reason for these tests is to gauge the capability and efficiency of the crew in emergency and normal everyday operations of this ship," said Chief Aviation Electronics Technician (AW/SW) Timothy Radtke, training department leading chief petty officer.

After the certifications were finished, inspectors from Commander Carrier Strike Group 12 certified the was ship ready to move to the next phases of preparation for going underway.

"The crew were some of the most energized Sailors I have seen in a long time." said Cmdr. Coley Myers, crew certification inspector. "There ship did a fine job overall and is well on its way to getting back underway."

Phase one was completed in July while phase two took place in September. These earlier phases were based more in written and oral testing of the crew than real-world exercises like phase three, and Enterprise passed these with flying colors.

"We still have some work to do before we take this ship back to doing our mission on the seas," said Asbury.
"But I think that we're ahead of the game and on the road to being where we need to be."

Enterprise is currently undergoing a maintenance period in the Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard and training to maintain proficiency in preparation to return to the fleet.

For more news from USS Enterprise (CVN 65), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn65/.