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Kearsarge Onloads 873 Tons of Ordnance

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100615-18
6/15/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mike Lenart, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

EARLE, N.J. (NNS) -- Aviation ordnancemen (AO) and gunner's mates packed 873 tons of bombs, bullets and missiles into ammunition lockers and magazines aboard amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) at Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J., June 7-9.

The crew at Earle made sure there was a constant supply of cargo to keep Kearsarge personnel busy as ammunition was unloaded from freight trains by crane and forklift, and staged in the hangar bay and on the flight deck.

"We brought on 1,052 pallets of ammunition and ordnance. It was labeled, inventoried and stowed in a 40-hour period," said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman (AW/SW) Louis LaDelia, Kearsarge's onload coordinator.

Everything was brought on to support the Marine Expeditionary Unit and Air Combat Element, and to give Kearsarge everything needed for the ship's defense during the upcoming deployment.

The overall preparation for the deployment this fall began during Kearsarge's 11-month dry-docked planned maintenance availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 2009.

"We spent a lot of time while we were in the shipyard working on the magazines, ensuring all of the painting and welding was complete because it can't be done once they're loaded with ammunition and ordnance," said LaDelia. "The three days of onload was a very exciting time for a lot of the AOs onboard. It was the first time for a lot of the junior AOs to be a part of something like this, and they finally got to see the result of all of their hard work leading up to this point."

Ammunition on load is a dangerous evolution and personnel must pay particular attention to safety precautions and be fully alert. Transporting ammunition requires personnel to practice not only safe handling procedures, but to practice elevator, forklift and ramp safety, as well.

"It was both safe and efficient and you can't ask for anything else," said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Nathaniel Harrell. "We train constantly for evolutions like this and everyone did an outstanding job. We had help from every department on the ship, and without them this mission could not have been completed."

The long hours and even the occasional rain shower couldn't keep the determined crew from finishing the job in Kearsarge fashion.

"I can't say enough about the job everyone did," said Lt. Lelon Gray, Kearsarge's gun boss. "The morale couldn't have been better as these Sailors worked hard throughout the day and into the night. Even being rained on continuously for 12 hours couldn't slow this crew down. Everyone remained focused and kept safety first."

The onload's success was a testament to everyone lending a hand, making others feel a little less like their rating and more like an AO.

"It was an AO evolution, but everyone worked with them to get the job done quickly and efficiently," said Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Paul Mckinney. "Everyone saw how Kearsarge Weapons Department does business."