Enterprise Crash, Salvage Conducts Drills During Fast Cruise

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Meredith, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The Crash and Salvage crew aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) conducted crash drills on the first day of the aircraft carrier's fast cruise April 11.

Enterprise is currently conducting a fast cruise exercise in the Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard in preparation for sea trials scheduled later this month.

Enterprise Air Department's V-1 division increased their training regimen to prepare the ship and crew for operational status after two years in the

shipyard.

"The drills we ran today were Phase Three drills," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handler) 3rd Class (AW) Brad E. Lovin, a crash crewman on the Crash and Salvage team. "During this drill we use a crane to hoist up planes using hook-up points on top of the aircraft."

The crew uses the crane or a dolly to move the aircraft. In the event crash and salvage personnel are unable to move an aircraft with the dolly, the crane is deployed to pull the aircraft out of the way of other aircraft so flight operations can continue. "These drills allow us to prepare in case of a real emergency," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handler) 2nd Class (AW) John D. Back, Crash and Salvage leading petty officer. "Our readiness is essential to the protection of the flight deck and the ship."

During flight operations, V-25 fire trucks are standing by to be employed at a moment's notice.

"We have two airmen on the truck who immediately respond to put out the fire," said Lovin. "The rest of crash and salvage responds using fire hoses and the turret on the truck."

The combined efforts of the airmen from the Crash and Salvage team ensure the safety of the crew and aircraft on the flight deck.