Courtesy Photo | A graphic, created July 29, 2013, in Newport News, Va., depicts the official crest of...... read more read more
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An eight-year-old boy plays with the train he got from his uncle. This train accompanied the boy through many homes and even countries – Ukraine, Austria, Poland, Germany, and finally the United States. In the early 1940’s, this foot-long, metal, green train was unique as well as rudimentary. It came equipped with a flywheel, pistons, and an engine belt; it was a basic working steam engine train.
His uncle’s humble gift inspired Modest “Zach” Zacharczenko to become a man who has worked on nearly 20 U.S. Navy ships. His road from that 8-year-old boy to deputy director of aviation systems at the Program Executive Office of Aircraft Carriers was a long one.
Zach began his career with the Navy on August 10, 1959. He quickly became instrumental in the testing and implementation of more than 40 systems, most notably; aircraft launch and recovery (ALRE), integrated catapult control station (ICCS), air traffic control (ATC), and the integrated launch and recovery television system (ILARTS).
Zach recently embarked on his first underway with USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during the ship’s first operational testing of fixed-wing aircraft in which he worked on Ford’s advanced arresting gear (AAG) and electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS). The underway also served as Zach’s final underway of his career.
“I have been doing this for many years, but I wasn’t about to give up my chance of going underway with the Ford-class,” said Zach.
Zach has seen many firsts in his career.
“I’ve tested and done research and development on a lot of systems,” said Zach. “I have seen launches and recoveries daily to the point they have become routine.”
However, there was nothing routine with the Ford’s testing. The testing was unlike anything previously seen on Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.
“The catapults here look just like the steam catapults except you don’t hear them,” said Zach. “It is quiet here compared to the steam catapult. You don’t get a wisp of smoke as the steam shoots the jet. The arrest was quiet too. You don’t hear the water break as the jet comes to a stop.”
During testing, Zach was in primary flight deck control getting a perfect view of the launch and recovery.
“It was picture perfect,” said Zach. “It was exciting and unbelievable. We adjusted AAG to catch a jet at any weight. I was excited to see a very smooth launch and very smooth arrest.”
On his final day on the ship, Zach was not quite ready to go home.
“My wishes are to stick with the Navy,” said Zach. “I hope to go on more underways because I enjoy what I do. I don’t want to leave, but it is time for me to do more.”
After 58 years working on numerous naval platforms, Zach is now 82 years old. His plans no longer include designing the newest systems to be integrated on a U.S. Navy ship. His plans are now to travel back to his native country of Ukraine with his wife.
A simple gift set Zach on his path. Much like the tracks that set the course of a train, all things, including a decorated career, come to an end.
“I left my train in the trust of my cousins a long time ago,” said Zach. “Now I leave my responsibilities in the trust of the younger person who will come after me.”
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 02.02.2018 11:06 |
| Story ID: | 264444 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, An Underway of Firsts and Lasts, by PO2 Elizabeth Thompson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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