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Enterprise Visits Mayport During JTFEX

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101213-04
12/13/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rebekah Adler, USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) made a brief stop in Mayport, Fla., Dec. 10 before completing the last phase of Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX).

During Enterprise's visit, the crew conducted an operational check of the ship's degaussing system.

The procedure was completed by transiting over cables embedded underwater, operated by Mayport's Magnetic Silencing Facility. After receiving the ship's magnetic signature, the facility can determine whether the system functions properly. To complete the process, the ship must conduct a pass over the degaussing range both when entering and exiting port.

The purpose of degaussing is to neutralize the ship's magnetic field while operating in restricted and narrow bodies of water such as the Strait of Hormuz or Suez Canal. Deflecting magnetic sources in the water prevents the ship from experiencing devastating results.

"Degaussing helps to mask the magnetic signature of the ship so it can prevent devices or influences such as mines and torpedoes from detecting or causing damage, such as blowing a hole in the side of the ship," said Lt. Cmdr Erik Copeland, Enterprise's maintenance officer. "It's like having a coat of magnetic camouflage."

While the degaussing range is tested on the outside of the ship, the actual degaussing system is contained inside, with cables wrapped around the entire 2,300 foot circumference of the ship.

According to Chief Electrician's Mate Clyde Morrow, Enterprise's electrical distribution chief, degaussing can be conducted in any part of the world by using the ship's four degaussing coils, which are powered by a generator specific to the system.

Upon the assessment's completion, Enterprise received a grade of satisfactory, which served as a testament to the durability of the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which recently celebrated its 49th birthday in November 2010.

"Our degaussing system is very old, but there are several ships much younger than Enterprise that didn't do as well as us when going through the magnetic range," said Copeland.

While the ship was conducting their testing, Sailors took advantage of the opportunity to familiarize themselves with a time-honored Navy tradition called "manning the rails," which will prepare the ship to make a grand entrance during port visits. During Enterprise's deployment, the ship serves not only a strategic purpose, but a diplomatic one as well.

"Manning the rails provides a great opportunity for Sailors to get a practice run and ensure we have all the details worked out before deploying," said Enterprise Command Master Chief Keith Oxley. "Our focus today was on coordination and safety, with each department having its own set position on the flight deck."

The custom evolved from a British naval tradition called, "manning the yards." During this evolution, Sailors stood evenly spaced on all the yards supporting the main mast and gave three cheers to honor a distinguished person.

Within less than five hours, Enterprise was on its way back to its homeport of Norfolk and onto their next mission of getting Sailors back to their families.

Enterprise Carrier Strike Group consists of Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), Carrier Air Wing 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2.

Enterprise Strike Group is conducting JTFEX as part of its work-ups in preparation for an upcoming deployment.