The Safe Condition of an Ammunition Mission

AT SEA

08.14.2019

Courtesy Story

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ikenna Tanaka
ATLANTIC OCEAN – All a select number of crew members aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) had to do is transfer tons of ammunition from the storage magazines to the hangar bay and then from the hangar bay to the flight deck. From there, helicopters lifted the ammunition to another ship in preparation for its mission at sea.
The task may sound simple, but there are key elements Sailors must be mindful of during this operation. Elements such as teamwork, focus, and, most importantly, safety, are what’s addressed during an ammunitions movement briefing, reminding Sailors that exercising these practices help to keep the operation simple.
Over a course of three days, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) conducted an ammunition offload with the help of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, transferring ordnance to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).
With the John C. Stennis’ Weapons department spearheading the operation and receiving assistance from other departments aboard, the three-day evolution required collective cooperation.
“We all work well together, so, it’s pretty simple,” said Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Logan Harms, from Forsyth, Montana. “The communication that goes into the task is important. If we don’t have that, then the job doesn’t become simple. Effective communication is essential to the team on all levels.”
Some junior Sailors were first-time participants in offloading ordnance. Effective communication and guidance from experienced participants allowed for a smooth evolution in handling critical equipment.
“There’s a lot of OJT (on the job training) in a big evolution like this,” said Harms. “We want to have our crew [junior Sailors] around us at all times paying attention to what’s happening. I’m able to pass down my level of experience to some of the junior Sailors and help instill confidence in their ability to carry out the task. With the repetitions we’re all receiving, it becomes drilled into us how to make an important task simple.”
Staying focused during long evolutions became significant in keeping the task simple according to Harms. With over two million tons of ammunition moved, resulting in a lengthy duration of action, focus needed to be applied from all participants.
“It can become stressful at times since there’s so many moving parts,” said Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Whitney Atkins, from Fayetteville, North Carolina. “Our team is up at different times of the day and night, and that can present the chance of becoming complacent. We help each other prevent that from happening by checking up on each other. We’ll ask if someone is needs a break or a bite to eat. That communication among the team keeps us alert.”
And, by staying alert, conducting the operation safely automatically was applied by all team members.
“Safety must come first,” said Atkins. “We can’t afford to have any mishaps with such a big evolution like this [ammunition offload]. That’s why it’s always important for us to be looking out for one another so no one gets injured, and we don’t want to damage any equipment.”
The John C. Stennis’ and Dwight D. Eisenhower’s ammunition transfer displayed another successful mission completed. The assets transferred from ship-to-ship modeled continuous fleet support and opened an opportunity for Sailors to present their diligent hard work.
John C. Stennis is underway conducting routine operations in support of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.
For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.
-30-

• Date Taken: 08.14.2019
• Date Posted: 08.16.2019 08:48
• Story ID: 336163
• Location: AT SEA