AROUND THE ISLAND

MKI Completes CERTEX, Ready to Deploy

Refueling Master:The essential job of theABFs

INSIDE:Search, Rescue & Save Lives: SAR swimmers committed to a cause

Fun Fitness: MWR hosts P.M.Power Hour

PLUS:

July 2014

Master Chief Fowlergives pre-deploymentadvice

Mission Ready

Follow us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/ussmakinisland

The Official Magazine of USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8)

Staff:

On The Cover:

Commanding Officer:CAPT ALVIN HOLSEY

Executive Officer:

Command Master Chief:

Public Affairs Officer:

Deputy PAO:

CAPT MICHAEL S. FEYEDELEM

CMDCM(SW/AW) THOMAS MOORE

LT MICHAEL L. SMITH

MCC(AW/EXW) BRADLEY SAPP

Lead Editor:MC2(SW/AW) LAWRENCE DAVIS

Copy Editor/ Quality Control:MC1(SW) CORWIN COLBERT

MC1(SW/AW/SCW) RONALD GUTRIDGEMC2(SW) PRINCESS BROWNMC2 STACY ATKINS-RICKS MC2 (SW) CHRISTOPHER LINDAHLMC3(SW/AW) KORY ALSBERRYMC3 GERALD DUDLEY REYNOLDSMC3 LENNY LACROSS MC3 ETHAN TRACEYMCSN ROBIN PEAK

HT2(SW) Amanda Beaverson, a qualified collater duty SAR swimmer, mans the boat deck during flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8).Photo by MC2(SW/AW) Lawrence Davis

A. What frames are MKI’s CPS Zones?B. What are the three operating modes of the CHT system?C. What PSI output are MKI’s HPACs?D. What’s the max distance of SPS-49?

Are you ready to become a Surface Warrior ?

ESWS Trivia?

Answers available on page 14

Media LCPO:

MCC(SW/AW) ADAM VERNON

TA B L E o f CONTENTS

Master Chief’s Corner.......................................Pg 3

MKI Completes CERTEX...................................Pg 4,5

An Evening to Remember..............................Pg 5

Search, Rescue & Save Lives..........................Pg 6,7

Team Raider.........................................................Pg 8,9

P.M. Power Hour.................................................Pg 10,11

Refueling Masters.............................................Pg 12,13

Opinion Island....................................................Pg 14

C.F.L. Reminder...................................................Pg 14

CSADD Note........................................................Pg 14

MKI’s MWR Corner.............................................Pg 15

AROUND THE ISLAND is an authorized publication for the crew member of USS Makin Island (LHD 8). Contents herein are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of Makin Island. AROUND THE ISLAND is edited, prepared and provided by the MKI media division. All news releases, photos or information for publication in AROUND THE ISLAND must be submitted to the Public Affairs Office. All submissions are edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity and conformance to style. The staff reserves the right to edit or reject any submission.

G rowing up in the Arizona desert I remember being

taught water conservation at an early age. I t was on the news, taught in school, and displayed in the surrounding neighborhoods as families switched their front and back yards to native plants and desert landscapes. Hours would be insti tuted for watering lawns and you weren’t allowed to fi l l your swimming pool (if you were lucky enough to have one) during the summer months.

I am also reminded of my most recent deployment from January to November last year in which the DDG I was on was plagued by water issues ranging from contaminated potable water tanks or operating too close to land for long periods to broken Reverse Osmosis Plants and busted brominators. Water hours were insti tuted, self-serve laundry and gym secured, bott led water and baby wipe showers, paper plates and baked food only, for days and sometimes weeks. I t was a nightmare.

Thirty-five gallons per day, per person for showering, laundry, washing hands, brushing your teeth, food preparation, etc. That is the allotted amount onboard MAKIN ISLAND and what is expected for every Sailor and Marine to strive to adhere to. During CERTEX we averaged 51 gallons per day! So I’m going to impart on you some good practices to help ensure that we always have plenty of

water on hand when unforeseen circumstances arise. 1. Don’t leave the sink running when shaving or brushing your teeth 2.) Instead of a “Hollywood” shower, try The Navy Shower: a. turn water on, get wet, turn water off b. lather up c. turn water on, r inse off, turn water off, BOOM! You’re done. 3.) When washing your LCAC or aircraft don’t leave the water running on the deck or over the side. 4.) Report leaks immediately to CCS 5.) If i ts yellow let i t mellow, if i ts brown flush i t down…just kidding we’ve got plenty of saltwater, f lush away. Go ahead and courtesy flush while you’re at i t (no baby wipes please, thank you). Our deployment is r ight around the corner and now is the t ime to practice the good habits so they carry you through to the end.

Speaking of deployment, have you made all the necessary preparations? Wills, Power of Attorney, passports, automatic bil l pay, leases, storage units, etc, these are things that require planning when going on a deployment. Does your family know how to contact the Red Cross in case of emergencies? There is a fair bit of stress that comes along with deployment. The OPTEMPO is fast , the workload is high, and i t’s hot. I t can be even more stressful if we haven’t planned ahead. If you are not sure ask your Chief/SNCO, he or she can guide you and give sound advice to help you get ready and make the right decisions.

What about your wardrobe? Many of the countries that we will visi t have more conservative styles than we have here in America. Pants with some frays may get you off the Quarterdeck in San Diego, but they aren’t authorized stepping off the ship in Dubai or Bahrain if we go there.

You’ll hear many times in the next several months that we are all ambassadors and i t’s true. You represent our country at all t imes when you are ashore through your dress, your behavior, and your interactions with the local community. The impression that you leave has a lasting impact on our relationship with the host countries that we visit . Good and bad. Plan to have a plan to see as much as you can, visi t the sights, and relax. Don’t be that Sailor or Marine that gets back from deployment and can’t remember much about the countries visited and where all their money went.

In closing I’d just l ike to say how excited I am to deploy with this team. I’m fairly new here and i t’s my first tour in the “Gator Navy.” I am honored to have the opportunity to serve with such a motivated group of professionals. See you on the deckplates!

This month’s contributor: MMCM(SW/AW) Ryan C. Fowler

Master Chief’s Corner

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The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) returned

to San Diego, June 23, after completing a near two week Certification Exercise (CERTEX) in preparation for a scheduled deployment.

CERTEX is a comprehensive, complex training evolution that combines the Navy and Marine Corps maritime and sea-to-shore capabilities challenging Sailors and Marines to carry out a variety of operations that mirror real-life scenarios.

“A successful CERTEX provides us with the ability to say that we are ready to answer our nation's call,” said Capt. Victor Cooper, the commodore of the ARG and commander of Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 5. “It certifies that all of the vastly different components that make up our team can come together and form a stronger and more complete unit to accomplish any task within our scope of capabilities.”

Operations included various amphibious operations and ship-to-shore movements, combat rubber raiding craft drills, day and night flight operations, mass casualty drills, damage control preparations, communication emission exercises, weapons familiarization training and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercises.

“The Sailors and Marines with the ARG and the 11th MEU have done a fantastic job getting us to this point and are nothing short of impressive,” said Cooper. “Their devotion to duty and ability to overcome any obstacles are truly inspirational and provide the nation with a level of competency and motivation that I am proud to be a part of.”

The Makin Island ARG includes the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), and dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45).

The ARG departed its homeport in San Diego,

June 10, to kick off CERTEX, the last stage of work-ups before their upcoming deployment.

Now that the exercise is completed and the ARG has evaluated mission readiness as a unit, many Sailors and Marines are confident in their ability to respond and react to the nation’s needs.

“It has been a great event, integrating both the green and blue sides and building relationships that will carry us throughout deployment.” said Capt. John Menoni, San Diego’s commanding officer.

The upcoming deployment will be the second for Makin Island and San Diego’s first since being commissioned in May, 2012 and the first deployment with all three ships together as a team with the 11th MEU.

USS Makin Island Commanding Officer Capt. Alvin Holsey said the Sailors and Marines aboard his ship have more than proven themselves during the exercise.

“Up and down the chain of command, each Sailor and Marine has performed extremely well

MannedMakin Island

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stacy M. Atkins Ricks, Amphibious Squadron 5 and USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Public Affairs

during CERTEX,” Holsey said. “Everyone had a role to play and they clearly proved that the ARG/MEU team is ready to deploy.” Cooper echoes Holsey’s sentiments on combat readiness. “We have shown our ability to execute advanced scenarios that demonstrate our capabilities as a unified team,” said Cooper. “Whether it is

counter-piracy efforts, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, combat, or anything else the combatant commander needs, we are ready.” COMPHIBRON 5 reports to Rear Adm. Frank L. Ponds, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3, homeported in San Diego.

& ReadyCompletes CERTEX

Physical and mental prowess, exceptional attention to detail, rigorous training with

unwavering will to resist complacency, and most importantly, personal sacrifice “so others may live;” those are the principles and the motto that governs the lifestyle of Navy Search and Rescue (SAR) Swimmers.

SAR swimmers carry an invaluable role in the mission readiness of United States naval vessels. For the safety of naval personnel, ships are mandated to have a qualified SAR team aboard at all times during ship’s movement.

The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) carries a four-man team of qualified, highly-trained search and rescue swimmers. Expected to be always on the alert, Makin Island’s SAR team mans the ship’s boat deck day-in and day-out during

evolutions such as flight and amphibious operations, and sea and anchor, ready to answer the call in the worst case scenario of a man overboard.

“A SAR swimmer must be versatile in their preparedness,” said Seaman Sean Youngwelch, a qualified collateral duty SAR swimmer aboard Makin Island. “The call could be a multitude of situations. Whether it is a man overboard of the ship’s crew, a civilian vessel, the recovery of downed aircrew, or the retrieval of aircraft parts, SAR swimmers must be prepared 24 hours-a-day to perform search and rescue operations.”

The Makin Island SAR team conducts both helicopter and small boat recoveries. The demanding challenge of leaping 10 to 15 feet out of an aircraft and swimming through six to eight-foot swells to someone’s rescue is certainly no easy feat. This makes repetitive training operations

essential to mission readiness.“They’re always learning, working to

perfect technique,” said Ensign Andrew Wondolowski, Makin Island’s SAR officer. “Training never really stops. SAR swimmers don’t just graduate rescue swimmer school and that’s it. They constantly earn their qualification. That’s what makes it special.”

Swimming the seemingly bottomless ocean in an arduous attempt at saving lives, no doubt, requires skill, a constant tasking of both the mind and body.

“You cannot for an instant become satisfied with your level of knowledge or skill,” Wondolowski said. “You can never prepare yourself enough to be called upon to save lives.”

Hull Technician 2nd Class (SW) Amanda Beaverson, who is Makin Island’s only female SAR swimmer and one of three on the West Coast, divulged her regiment for maintaining optimal mission readiness.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Lawrence DavisUSS Makin Island (LHD 8) Public Affairs

Search, Rescue, Save Lives

SAR SwimmersCommitted to a Cause

“Strength and endurance is a key to success during any rescue situation,” said Beaverson. “My daily workout routine varies between cardio and strength training. I also incorporate a healthy diet to provide myself proper nutrition and energy.”

Considering the rigor involved in search and rescue swimming, SAR team members must demonstrate the capability to accomplish certain requirements. SAR swimmers must pass a quarterly search and rescue fitness test, including a minimum of four pull-ups, a 500-meter swim and a 400-meter “buddy-tow” within 27 minutes. They are required to attend weekly SAR training and must be proficient in the use of rescue equipment as well as capable of performing basic first aid cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Even still, not just anyone can be a command search and rescue (SAR) swimmer. Before being considered, an applicant must have a letter of recommendation from their commanding officer.

When it comes to putting lives of Sailors in the hands of other Sailors, such heavy prerequisites could seem as if they are designed to identify only the most dedicated.

“Being a SAR swimmer is essential to my life on the ship,” said Youngwelch. “It’s important to find something that drives you and your attitude upward towards your goals.”

Wondolowski spoke about the measure of a collateral duty search and rescue swimmer.

“Oddly enough, they’re just like any other Sailor,” said Wondolowski. “They have their jobs and responsibilities in their respective divisions, but if the call comes to man the boat deck, they drop it all to answer the call.”

MKI SAR swimmer SN Sean Youngwelch mans the boat deck during flight ops.Photos by MC2(SW/AW) Lawrence Davis

SN Sean Youngwelch(left) and HT2(SW) Amanda Beaverson, both qualified collateral-duty SAR swimmers, simulate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

SN Youngwelch and HT2(SW) Beaverson simuate stabilizing a patient on a stretcher on MKI’s rigid hull inflatable boat.

ATI - Page 10 MKI Sailors are taking charge of their physical readi-ness by using on board fitness resources during their time off and making strides towards staying physi-

cally fit and mission ready. With the Spring cycle of this year’s Physical Fitness Assessment

(PFA) in full swing, Sailors across the command are taking a serious look at their personal standards. Fitness leaders around the command are seeking to boost the workout culture aboard the ship and are en-couraging Sailors to stay active.

“The command wants everyone to be in standards, and not just fitness, but also health-wise because if you have certain health is-sues, it’s hard to perform your job at an optimal level,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class (AW/SW) Nakedia Thomp-son, assistant Command Fitness Leader (CFL). “I conduct CrossFit and conditioning classes throughout the day and if someone needs personal training, I try to implement that throughout my day and tailor fit to their needs.”

All crewmembers are welcome to participate in training events provided by CFLs. Makin Island’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) is striving to provide fitness options for everyone aboard, especially in the evening.

“Every night we sponsor a MWR fitness event at [8 p.m.] in the hangar bay,” said Kristen Venoy, MWR’s ‘Fun Boss’. “This is some-thing that we will continue to offer while we’re at sea. We are here trying to meet everyone’s fitness likes and needs.”

MWR department representatives understand the importance of physical training (PT) for service members and intend on catering to their fitness needs.

Hoping to give a fresh face to the exercise routines of Makin Is-land Sailors, MWR recently sponsored the on-going ‘Biggest Loser’ competition. Many Team Raider Sailors are responding to that chal-lenge with optimism.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stacy M. Atkins Ricks,

USS Makin Island Public Affairs

“Being involved in MWR programs like the Biggest Loser has definitely motivated me towards being healthier for me and my kids,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Jen-nifer Mahoney, of Operations Department. “It has definitely changed my attitude towards PT. I’m actually excited to workout and the group setting is motivating.”

While many Sailors are finding the benefit of structured training events, some are enjoy-ing the freedom of building their own PT rou-tines from scratch.

“I work out on my own daily for an hour to hour and a half, and I try to find time to PT

no matter what,” said Seaman Steven Winders. “I’m trying to join the special warfare program so I need to be on the top of my game when it comes to fitness. Sometimes I wish we could run a little more, so I plan on doing the 5K [sponsored by MWR].”

Command sponsored fun runs and events are tentative throughout the ship’s upcoming deploy-ment to assist in providing crewmembers with greater fitness options, and with full-time work schedules and limited personal time, Sailors are encouraged to stay flexible when it comes to physical training.

“I know we may have some pretty demanding

schedules so instead of staying in one place, just try to get up and stay mobile,” added Thompson. “Aim for at least 30 minutes a day for exercise. Or when you wake up, just try to knock out some push-ups or squats… just stay active and hydrated.”

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Refueling Masters

By Mass Communication Specialist

2nd Class (SW) Princess Brown,

USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Public Affairs

The glistening sun is shining and the puffy clouds have graced the sky with their presence. This is prefect weather for flight

operations. As it begins, you see an intricate dance taking place on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8).

The aviation boatswain’s mate (handlers) guide aircraft onto the flight deck while the Air Boss, Aircraft Handler and Air Boatswain, oversee this evolution to make sure everything flows safe and smooth. In between the signaling, landing and take offs, a small yet important evolution occurs.

As the rotors slow their rotation and the pilot gets the signal to shut off the engine, a Sailor dressed in a bright yellow shirt and dark blue pants signals to the captain. His response gives the go ahead to begin a simple yet important evolution.

A Sailor steps onto the flight deck, hose in hand, dressed in a dark, rich purple colored jersey prepared to complete the task.

There are many Sailors dressed in yellow and blue, but when purple shirts come into view, there is a reassuring feeling. At that moment it is known that the evolution will continue because the “combat fighting grape” has completed his task.

The aviation boatswain’s mates (fuels), or ABFs, have gained many nicknames over time. They were known as the “combat fighting grapes,” “fuelies,” “purps” or just simply the “Grapes.” Their job is essential to continue the graceful dance deemed flight operations.

“Without the ABFs, the aircraft is not going to leave the deck,” stated Lt. j.g. Chris D. Jones, Makin

Island’s Air and Fuels Boatswain. “Marines aren’t getting to the beach by air or sea without the fuels guys. They are a very important rate to the mission.”

The flight deck is where many notice the ABFs but their jobs do not just begin during flight quarters.

“We wake up and just like everybody else, we participate in ‘Raider Round Up’ and then we do maintenance,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 2nd Class (AW) Brendon T. Powers. “We have pumps, hoses and gauges that we have to perform maintenance on to maintain mission readiness.”

The V-4 division of air department is separated into three work areas: below decks, flight deck and fuel lab. The below deck crew is responsible for the storage, purification of fuel and maintenance. The fuel lab runs daily test on the fuel and the flight deck distributes the fuel and maintains an accurate log of the evolution.

“Every morning before we fuel the aircrafts we check the fuel for water and sediment,” said Aviation Boatswain Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class (AW) Manuel C. DeGuzman. “We have two machines that can detect water and sediment but we use one for water and one for sediment. The Combined Contaminate Fuel Detector detects the water and sediment levels of the fuel.”

After the fuel has been tested, it’s time to change the pace of the dance. Now it’s time to verify that the system is good to go.

“We check for leaks and op test the system,” stated Powers. “About an hour or two before flight operations, we have to flush the deck which means to run fuel through our entire system to ensure that our system is operating to its full potential.”

Once the system has been checked V-4 division is ready for flight operations.

“We get a call that aircraft is coming on spot and he’s going to need chocks, chains and

fuel,” Jones explained. “The control talker calls down to the pump room and says ‘I need service to the flight deck.’ So they’re going to start up their pumps and align their service system to send fuel to the flight deck. The fuel travels from the service tank to the service pump through the service filter into the piping up to the flight deck.”

When one phase of the process is finished, it’s on to the next step.

“The signalman will call out a fuel crew and they will head to whatever station they need to be at,” stated Jones. “You will have a crew leader and two crewmen. The crew leader is in charge of the fuel station and the crewmen will pull the hose out to the aircraft and refuel the aircraft.”

All of these are steps are necessary steps to make sure that the flight operations dance continues. The Grapes are making sure that the aircraft can get back into the sky, continuing its mission.

PT will be in the ship’s gym or on the flight deck from 1400-1500 in port 1400-1500 underway

Friday BCAs will be held in Medical’s P-Ward from 0830-0930 in port0830-0930 underway

July

Week 27 Circuit Training8 Swimming Pool9 Spin with Donna10 Mock PFA11 FEP BCA

Week 314 Line Drills 15 Machine Training16 Spin with Donna17 Mock PFA18 FEP BCA

Week 421 Strength Training22 Swimming Pool23 Spin with Donna24 Mock PFA25 FEP BCA

ESWS AnswersA- Bow-33, 33-49 B- In Port, Transiting, At Sea C- 3,000 PSI D- 256 nm

CSADD NOTE

July’s Topic of the Month: Off-Duty Recreation

The beginning of summer means it’s time to play ball, go fishing, hike, camp, or just have a backyard barbecue. Whatever your pleasure, apply risk management when planning those activities.

Most of the things that can hurt you or go wrong are easy to anticipate and avoid. A few smart decisions go a long way toward maintaining our Navy and Marine Corps combat readiness.

We all know that our force is operating at a high tempo, and it can be tempting to let off steam with high-risk activities during down time. Just remember, our forces are affected just as drastically by an off-duty mishap as by one occurring at work.

Some people think mishaps are unavoidable and simply the cost of doing business. They think mishaps only happen to other people and precautions are time-consuming and unnecessary. They are wrong.

This summer, be there for each other and remind everyone to be alert, aware, and able to manage risk all day, every day.

Always remember to work, play, live safely!

For more information, see your departmental Safety Representative.

What are your deployment goals?

YN3 Kamryn Goosby“I want to get my pins and make

2nd Class.”

LSSN(SW) Travis Lay “Make 3rd Class, earn my Air Warfare pin, and save

money.”

AO3(AW) Carolina Martinez“Pay bills, advance to 2nd

Class, and become dual warfare qualified.”

OPINIONISLAND? CFL

REMINDER

LEGOLANDCalifornia

New LEGO

Legends of Chima Water Park

The main attraction in the world’s first LEGOLAND Water Park is the Lion Temple Wave Pool where guests make their way through a LEGO lion archway as Mount Cavora releases 400 gallons of water every minute from 30-feet above the wave pool.

The water park also features two sandy beach wading areas and more than 20 LEGO models including giant LEGO friends who splash or spray water on guests.

Stay where you play at the new LEGOLAND Hotel. Stop by your MWR ticket office for the best rates!

LOCAL EVENTS IN JULYFeature Family Event

For more local San Diego events, check out:http://navylifesw.com/sandiego

MKIMWR CORNER

Sat. 26 July

0700 Potato Chip Rock Hike(NAB Q-Zone)

1700 All or Nothing Day(NBSD Recyard)

Thurs. 31 July

1700 July Birthday Celebration(NBSD Recyard)

1700 Dinner on Us(NBPL The Hub)

Sat. 19 July

1600 Lib Hall Beach Day(NBPL Liberty Hall)

1700 We All Scream for Ice Cream(NBSD Recyard)

Tues. 22 July

1100 San Diego Hall of Champions Museum(NAB Q-Zone)

1800 Karaoke Night(NBSD Recyard)

Sun. 13 July

1500 Summer BBQ(NBPL The Hub)

1800 Throwback Video Game(NBSD Recyard)

Thurs. 17 July

1700 Staff Challenge(NBSD Recyard)

1700 FFSC Workshop: Transferring Overseas(NASNI Liberty Rec)

Fri. 4 July

1500 Happy 4th of July BBQ(NAB Q-Zone)

1600 Independance Day Celebration(NBSD Recyard)

Wed. 9 July

1700 Nat’l Sugar Cookie Day(NBPL Liberty Hall)

1700 Art of Succesful Investing(NBSD Recyard)

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