Lincoln Completes Crew Cert III

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Allen Lee | NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Nov. 14, 2016) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) flight deck Illuminated by 72 lights. Lincoln is in the final stages of completing a refueling and overhaul complex. (U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Allen Lee/Released)  

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, UNITED STATES

04.19.2017

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Aaron Kiser 

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)   

Crew Certification Phase III is a mandatory assessment of the watch stander’s ability to take the ship to sea and deal with different emergency in a non-warfighting scenario, explained Lt. Cmdr. Paul Henderson, Lincoln’s Training Officer.
“Crew Cert III ensures that our Sailors are certified to operate safely in areas of navigation, seamanship, damage control and medical response,” said Henderson.
Through a series of drills spanning from safety to firefighting, ATG got a clearer picture of how Lincoln Sailors would respond during actual casualties.
“The training liaison officer from ATG doesn’t say the words ‘very impressed’ without meaning them,” said Henderson. “The crew gave an excellent overall impression and that word was passed to the Captain, perspective commanding officer, executive officer and command master chief.”
In preparation for the evaluation, Lincoln Sailors trained for months in many areas, including damage control, emergency medical response procedures, Ships Nautical or Otherwise Photographic Interpretation and Examination (SNOOPIE) and other warfare areas, not just to pass a test, but because their lives may depend on these vital skills.
“The crew prepared with general quarters, man overboard drills, Friday morning training sessions and overnight training fast cruises,” said Henderson. “In addition the crew completed online level of knowledge exams to ensure a basic level of knowledge among all crew members that would allow them to receive effective training.”
Responsibility and ownership are critical for every Sailor aboard a ship. According to Yeoman 3rd Class Victor Munoz, sometimes it means stepping outside traditional ratings roles.
“Normally I work from my office doing administration tasks for the crew,” said Munoz. “As a repair locker investigator, when a casualty is called, I am the first response to figure out how to contain fire and flooding.”
According to Henderson, it’s this level of dedication to training and professionalism that led to the successful completion of Crew Certification Phase III.
“In my opinion our crew rose to the challenge like I knew they could, and I am thrilled they received recognition to honor all the long days and hard work they’ve put in over the last four months. Next, we will be expected to perform more complex scenarios and tackle simultaneous casualties. We are excited for the next steps to ready our ship for its return to sea and plan to make continuous improvement.”

• Date Taken: 04.19.2017
• Date Posted: 04.21.2017 14:20
• Story ID: 231158
• Location: NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US