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Enterprise Conducts General Quarters Drill

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS111210-08
12/10/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeff Atherton, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors participated in a general quarters (GQ) drill, aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Dec. 5.

The drill, which lasted approximately one hour, tested the Sailors' ability to set material condition zebra in a simulated disaster response.

Zebra is a condition of readiness that ensures that all hatches and fittings are properly secured. This is to make sure the ship is battle ready and can sustain damage from fire or flood.

"The purpose of this evolution is to set zebra properly and in a timely manner," said Damage Controlman 1st Class Jose Cabral, Damage Control division.

This evolution is the first general quarters exercise in the deployment. The training will get more in depth as the underway continues.

Setting condition zebra is vital in a real general quarters scenario, said Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate Raymond Appiah-Amponsah, a damage control training team member from M2 Division.

"People need to know the condition of their spaces," said Appiah-Amponsah. "It is critical for material condition readiness."

This evolution also tested Sailors' communication skills.

"It is important to establish communication between damage control central and AFFF stations as well as DCC and repair lockers," said Cabral.

"It is important to assess the space and notify the chain of command, or DCC of any discrepancies," said Appiah-Amponsah.

"We made it [setting material condition zebra] in under 12 minutes," said Cabral. "That is what we are shooting for and our Sailors performed well."

"Training was effective," said Appiah-Amponsah. "We are absolutely ready for the next drill."

The training also serves as a chance for Sailors to get portions of their personal qualification standards, or PQS completed.

"A lot of Sailors came with their PQS to get signed," said Appiah-Amponsah. "I encourage everyone to bring their PQS during general quarters to get their required training finished."

As the drills continue, Sailors have the opportunity to improve.

"Practice makes perfect," said Cabral. "We have not been to sea in a while and we have a lot of new personnel. As long as we practice, we will get to 100 percent."