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.