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Crash and Salvage Crane Returns to IKE

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110331-12
3/31/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Christopher Baker, USS Dwight. D. Eisenhower Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va (NNS) -- USS Dwight D. Eisenhower's (CVN 69)(IKE) Air Department and Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) restored the flight deck crash and salvage crane, or "Tilley", to its home aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, March 22.

Tilley's return marks a significant milestone as the Eisenhower nears the end of its Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) in Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth.

Several AIMD Sailors spent more than two months overhauling Tilley in the crane yard aboard Naval Station Norfolk, where they conducted major maintenance, sanded down every piece of the machine and refinished it with logos that illustrate IKE pride.

The crane's main purpose is to assist in flight deck emergency response. Senior Chief Aviation Support Equipment Technician Donald Henderson said bringing Tilley back means the air department can begin crash and salvage training so they are ready for action on the open water.

"I think I speak for the entire crew when I say we're ready to get back out and doing what we're here to do," Henderson said.

Aviation Support Equipment Technician 2nd Class Ryan Black headed up the restoration and said it was important to bring Tilley back in better shape than when it left. The crane was adorned with decals; the cab now displays an American flag and one of IKE's emblems dresses the body of the crane. The lifting shaft carries the ship's mottos, "Right, Ready and Resolute" and "Greater Each Day."

"It's a load off the shoulders," said Black. "A lot of planning went into it and it took a lot of effort. Just about everyone has dirt on their hands up here."

Tilley was brought back to IKE by barge and the precarious task of lifting the machine to the flight deck took diligence and precision. With more than 50 Sailors participating in the evolution, Tilley's tire tread meeting the deck was met by cheers.

Henderson said it gave his Sailors a sense of pride to be able to see what they have accomplished.

More than eight months of preparation went into the crane's revamp before Black and a team of six others began the work. Tilley's return marks AIMD's major contribution to the PIA period, and now with this task complete, AIMD can look on to what tasks are coming next.

New pilots have to qualify in flight deck landings throughout the year, and IKE will act as the training platform when it returns to the fleet later this year. Having Tilley back means the ship will be right, ready, and resolute in any situation during the workup cycle to come.