Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew M. Rivard | Petty Officer 2nd Class (AW/SW) Daniel Tryba, aviation electrician's mate, watches as...... read more read more
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USS WASP, At Sea – As USS Wasp’s eight-month long in-port period came to an end April 27, some members of its crew looked back upon their time away from sea as a period of accomplishment, both individually and as a team.
“During our time in-port, my division sent all 15 of our guys to Pensacola, Fla., for air traffic control sustainment training,” said Chief Petty Officer (AW) Abran Dodge, air traffic controller, of Wasp’s OC division, which is part of operations department. “They all performed well there, both on their written tests and simulations. We also rehabilitated three of our spaces and began to get ready for our upcoming Aviation and Precision Aircraft Landing System certifications.”
For individual OC division sailors, the lengthy in-port period also offered the chance for them to continue advancing in their career goals.
“I completed my work center supervisor qualification and became more proficient in my rate due to the training I got in Pensacola,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class (AW) Demetric White, air traffic controller. “It was a worthwhile time for us all, especially getting to rehab our spaces.”
Those in Wasp’s medical department also had an eventful in-port period, which like OC division, included making sure their spaces and equipment were up to standard.
“We inventoried all of our storerooms and got accountability for all of our supplies,” said Petty Officer 1st Class (SW/AW/FMF) Michael Decker, hospital corpsman. “We also maintained medical readiness for the entire crew, making sure everyone got the shots and physical exams they needed.”
For Decker, ensuring that everything went according to plan meant always being on the alert through many different evolutions.
“It got pretty stressful at times, but I managed to stay on an even keel, and we came through all right,” he said.
It was the opportunity for training and skill enhancement that kept many Wasp sailors motivated during their days ashore.
“OSSN Michael Harding led the way rehabbing the decks in our spaces,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class (SW/AW) Marcus Turner, operation specialist, of OI division, also a part of operations. “We also sent a lot of our guys through boat control school at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story. There, they learned how to maneuver Landing Craft Air Cushion and Landing Craft Utility in WASP’s well deck.”
For Turner, the in-port period also allowed him to help those he loved as well as himself.
“In addition to going to boat control school and re-doing my ASVAB, I also helped my wife with her ASVAB before she went to Navy boot camp,” he said. “I got to spend quality time with her, and that was the best part.”
With their in-port period over, WASP’s crew is now putting their renewed skills to the test during the ship’s sea trials period, which continues for the next several days.
| Date Taken: | 04.27.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.02.2011 15:29 |
| Story ID: | 69728 |
| Location: | USS WASP, USAFRICOM, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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