Harry S. Truman Wins Battle “E”

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Anthony Flynn, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Rear Adm. Bruce Lindsey, commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlantic, announced aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as the 2016 East Coast aircraft carrier Battle “E” award winner, Mar. 28.

The Battle “E” award recognizes ships that demonstrate operational excellence, in addition to superior performance during inspections, certifications and training exercises.

“Truman Sailors across the board earned this prestigious award by working hard to prepare for and sustain combat operations,” said Capt. Cassidy Norman, Truman’s executive officer. “Their teamwork and dedication to excellence is inspiring. It is an honor to serve alongside these Sailors on this great warship.”

Truman has now received the Battle “E” award nine times since commissioning just over 18 years ago. This year they were given marks of excellence in all 15 of the individual ship departments across the type commander.

“Winning this award is an outstanding achievement,” said Command Master Chief Antonio Perryman, Truman’s command master chief. “The compressed work-ups and extended combat cruise made for a tough schedule. In order to achieve this award every Sailor had to be enthusiastic, be a motivator, an excellent listener and an outstanding communicator. Sweeping all 15 sub-categories speaks volumes to the fact that this truly was a team award and I’m just so proud of this crew.”

The white battle “E”, along with the departmental letters and symbols will be painted on Truman’s superstructure, adding to previous awards and signifying the ship’s continued superior performance.

“It’s awesome to be able to call ourselves the best carrier on the East Coast,” said Fire Controlman 3^rd Class Stephen Helbling. “This ship is like one massive team. Each department has a unique job but we all have the same goal in mind; to be the best at what we do.”

Some of Truman’s notable accomplishments that led to receiving this award include; a record-setting expenditure of 1,598 precision-guided munitions totaling over 819 tons, the Naval Safety Center rating Truman the number one carrier in terms of risk mitigation, CNAL awarding Truman’s medical department with the highest recorded Medical Readiness Inspection score, and Truman’s Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) selection for the 2015 Chief of Naval Operations Project Apollo Hatch Challenge Award.

Truman is currently undergoing a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for maintenance and refurbishment of shipboard systems to prepare for future operations.

For more news from USS Harry S. Truman, visit www.navy.mil/local.cvn75.

Leave It Better Than We Found It: Truman Wins CNO Environmental Award

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lindsay A. Preston, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Vice Adm. Phil Cullom announced aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as the winner of the Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Award in the Large Deck Combatant category on March 16, 2017.

The CNO Environmental Awards recognize outstanding contributions to fleet readiness, increased morale and efficient economical use of resources to promote environmental protection at sea.

“We achieved significant milestones while safely executing a demanding schedule over the course of this past year, to include our eight-month deployment,” said Cmdr. Scott Morrill, Truman’s safety officer. “The foundation of our program is built on a training plan that starts when a Sailor checks on board. The environmental training is an all-hands effort that relies on the vigilance of our leadership and our Sailors on all levels.”

Environmental awareness training is required to be completed by all Truman Sailors. Similar facts and tips are also published in the plan of the day, the ‘Give ‘Em Hell Herald’ (ship’s newspaper), and the Ship’s Information Training and Entertainment (SITE) television program.

“Our training and commitment to environmental protection is evident in our record of zero reportable spills, releases of hazardous material (HAZMAT) or incident to marine mammals,” said Morrill.

One Sailor aboard Truman ensured HAZMAT issue and re-utilization efforts aligned with planned maintenance and procedural checklists.

“We strive to be the best in the fleet not only to protect the environment but our crew as well,” said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Harrison Letchworth, assistant leading petty officer in HAZMAT issue and offload.

Truman Sailors collaborated with Sailors assigned to Carrier Air Wing 7 during corrosion prevention on air crafts in the hangar bay. This process involves using isocyanate, a paint used on air crafts that can be very dangerous if not used safely.

“It takes the entire crew to follow the proper procedures when handling HAZMAT and disposing of it safely as well as maintain fire prevention regulations. Our Truman standard is ‘leave it better than we found it’ and we definitely displayed our dedication to the environment this past year.”

In addition to HAZMAT management, Truman also exercises extreme caution when operating in areas likely to contain marine mammals. The crew employs every effort to minimize any potential negative effects on marine mammals.

“Efforts include knowing marine mammals’ patterns in geographic areas where the ship operates, scanning for mammals with passive [SONAR] systems and training our lookouts and airborne assets prior to commencing operations,” said Sonar Technician (Surface) 1st Class John Birmingham, leading petty officer in anti-submarine warfare planning under the Operations Department. “It is imperative we follow the protective measures assessment protocol prior to executing training. This is when we scan the surrounding area for mammals and ensure no harm will come to them.”

The awards honor individuals, teams and installations for their outstanding achievements and innovative work to protect the environment while sustaining mission readiness.

“Congratulations to all our accomplished winners for their impressive achievements in protecting environmental assets while maintaining mission readiness,” said Vice Adm. Phil Cullom, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics (N4). “The Navy commends you for your innovative and tireless efforts to demonstrate environmental stewardship and ensure national security. Bravo Zulu!”

 

Harry S. Truman Wins Battle “E”

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Anthony Flynn, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlantic, announced aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as the 2016 East Coast aircraft carrier Battle “E” award winner, Mar. 28.

The Battle “E” is awarded annually to Navy units that demonstrate superior performance and command readiness throughout a year-long evaluation.

Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, commander, Naval Air Forces, Pacific and Rear Adm. Bruce Lindsey, commander, Naval Air Forcers, Atlantic, released a joint statement congratulating the recipients of the award.

“Congratulations to USS John C. Stennis (CVN74) and USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) for your selection as the 2016 Battle E Award winners,” wrote Shoemaker and Lindsey. “Additionally, congratulations to all departmental winners for your hard work and demonstrated superior performance. The Sailors and officers of these carriers should be proud of their efforts.”

Truman was awarded the Battle “E” for displaying a maximum condition of readiness and efficiency to perform their wartime responsibilities during the competitive cycle. The ship received excellence awards in all 15 individual department categories to include:

* Air- yellow “E”

* Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance- black “E”

* Combat Systems- green “CS”

* Damage Control- red “DC”

* Deck- black “D”

* Health Services- blue “M”

* Navigation- white ship’s wheel

* Operations- green “E”

* Reactor- red “E”

* Safety- green “E”

* Security- black “S”

* Supply- blue “E”

* Weapons- black “W”

* Carrier Maintenance- purple “E”

* Environmental Protection and Energy Conservation (EPEC) Award

Truman is currently undergoing a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for maintenance and refurbishment of shipboard systems to prepare for future operations. For more news from USS Harry S. Truman, visit www.navy.mil/local.cvn75.