Fiber Optics: Ford Sailors Train to See the Light

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)
Story by Seaman Brett Walker

Date: 12.14.2018
Posted: 12.18.2018 12:52
News ID: 304120

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Sailors participated in a Carrier-Advanced Reconfigurable Training System (C-ARTS) class to learn how to fix fiber optics aboard the ship, Dec. 3–10.

C-ARTS is designed to provide an alternative to traditional training methods, as well as supplementing gaps in U.S. Navy training pipelines.

“This is a great opportunity for the Sailors to understand testing procedures and make necessary repairs while underway,” said William Raney, a project manager and fiber optic instructor from kSARIA, a company contracted to teach Navy shipboard fiber optic training.

Ford is the first carrier in the fleet outfitted with fiber optic technology, so the course allows Sailors the opportunity to train and gain new skill sets.

“I’ve been asking to take this course, because I work quite a bit with fiber optics and there have been times where it would have been easier if I had known how to troubleshoot them,” said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Dylan Neal. “Now that I’ve taken the course, I feel it will help me a lot.”

The six-day long course, included a mixture of textbook learning and hands-on labs. The hands-on labs helped Sailors apply what they were learning from the textbooks to what they will actually be working on in the future.

“The most interesting part of the course was the hands-on work we did,” said Electrician’s Mate (Nuclear) 2nd Class Logan Baron. “Learning the fundamentals of troubleshooting [fiber optic] cables and how to repair them was very interesting to see and perform.”

C-ARTS is seen as a benefit to the Ford for its mobile learning environment and teaching styles that properly convey lessons in fiber optics to Sailors. As the ship is undergoing its post-shakedown availability at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding, there are two C-ARTS mobile trailers located in the shipyard allowing Sailors to take advantage of the training opportunities they present.

“C-ARTS is definitely a great way for Sailors to learn, it’s convenient that it’s located close to the ship and it helps better us for the ship,” said Baron. “When we go back to the ship, I know that we will be more knowledgeable about fiber optics and can help better the ship by working to fix any problems that might occur.”

Sailors can learn new skills outside of textbooks, PowerPoints or lectures with C-ARTS, because it blends new teaching styles in its lessons along with more traditional teaching styles. It even offers lessons that could be taught through virtual reality training.

Gerald R. Ford is a first-in-class aircraft carrier and the first new aircraft carrier designed in more than 40 years.

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