Sailor destined to serve aboard USS Abraham Lincoln

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, UNITED STATES

05.15.2015

Story by Jennifer Cragg 

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)   

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - You could say that Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Tanyka Superville was destined to serve aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), who has had numerous connections to our 16th president and our Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

Superville, who checked aboard USS Abraham Lincoln in March 2015, graduated Abraham Lincoln High School in 2006, was assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln in Recruiting Training Command in Great Lakes in 2011, and was later assigned to "Alpha barracks" better known as Abraham Lincoln barracks in 2011.

Superville, a native of Brooklyn, New York, attended Abraham Lincoln High School and reflected on the unique connection to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier which she is currently assigned.

"There were a lot of people with different cultures and backgrounds who attended my school," said Superville, who said she met people from nearly every continent. "It was kind of like serving aboard USS Abraham Lincoln where I am in contact with so many people from diverse backgrounds."

The connection with USS Abraham Lincoln didn't end after high school. While attending basic training at Recruiting Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, Superville was assigned to "Ship 09" otherwise known as USS Abraham Lincoln.

"I thought that it was interesting and a cool coincidence to be serving aboard the training ship USS Abraham Lincoln during my basic training," said Superville.

And, the connection to Abraham Lincoln didn't end after basic training, her adventure only continued during her apprenticeship school.

While attending Naval Air Technical Training Center she was assigned to "Alpha barracks" better known as Abraham Lincoln barracks.

"It was ironic to have so many connections to both Abraham Lincoln the president and USS Abraham Lincoln the aircraft carrier," said Superville, who upon graduating from her training was assigned to her follow-on command at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas.

Her connection to Abraham Lincoln would resurface when she received orders to USS Abraham Lincoln.

"It was too much," said Superville, who laughed at the myriad of connections to Abraham Lincoln. "I felt that it must mean I am supposed to be here at this time."

Lincoln is currently undergoing refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries.

Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz class to undergo an RCOH, a major life-cycle milestone. Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.

• Date Taken: 05.15.2015
• Date Posted: 06.21.2015 10:58
• Story ID: 167480
• Location: NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US
• Hometown: BROOKLYN, NY, US