Enterprise Conducts First Underway Ammo Onload in 2 Years

By Yeoman 2nd Class Jarvis T. Griffin, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

ABOARD USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65) began its first major ammunition onload in more than two years with the dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) May 25.

This major ammunition movement is scheduled to last three days, and is very dangerous if not expertly conducted by the crews of both vessels.

Enterprise's Weapons department has dedicated a tremendous amount of time and energy to training personnel, preparing spaces and refurbishing ordnance-handling equipment for the onload.

Due to the amount of ordnance that will be supplied by vertical replenishment (VERTREP) and connected replenishment (CONREP), the operation is expected to run continuously during the daylight hours.

"We are taking on everything Enterprise is slated for," said Master Chief Aviation Ordnanceman (AW/SW) Gregg A. Erwin, Weapons department leading chief petty officer. "The sheer size and scope of this onload makes it uniquely different from the pier-side onload we conducted in April."

The ammunition onload conducted in April lasted just a few hours and was less dangerous. However, this onload is much more challenging and deals with a wider variety of ammunition.

"Safety is paramount," said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Michael B. Tune, G-1 division's flight deck leading petty officer. "Our Sailors will be competing with long working hours with new personnel and receiving ordnance at a rapid pace."

The inherent potential for danger involved in VERTREPs and CONREPs is not the only concerns for the crew. The ammunition being brought aboard the ship is live, heavy and very dangerous.

"Everyone needs to pay attention to roped-off areas, because most of the ordnance being transported to the magazines weighs more than 2,000 pounds," said Tune. "Those ropes are for our safety as well as the rest of the crew."

While Enterprise spent more than two years in the shipyard, Weapons department spent that time training their Sailors and updating qualifications in preparation for these types of events.

"I am confident in the department's ability to get the job done safely and efficiently," said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW/SW) Richard J. Corrigan, G-3 division's production leading petty officer. "Our Sailors are highly trained and qualified in all facets of ordnance handling and explosive safety. We are motivated and excited to finally operate within our rating!"

Over the course of the next three days, all hands aboard Enterprise will be involved in the evolution.

"Deck department, Navigation, Air and Supply are making this onload possible," said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Melissa J. Sweeting, an ordnance control console operator. "Those departments are playing major roles with us in this [weapons transfer], but it will take a group effort on behalf of every department to successfully complete the onload safely and efficiently."

The crew will have to pay extra attention while moving around the ship during the onload. Large portions of the ship will be roped off and some passageways may be blocked completely.

"We know it will be a discomfort for the entire crew to try and work around us while we conduct this, but we will be working around the clock to get it over with as soon as possible," said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Kredrick A. Williams, G-5 division's leading petty officer.