IKE Awarded 2010 CNO Afloat Safety Award

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Parde,

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) was announced as a winner of the 2010 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Afloat Safety Award April 1.

The award marks IKE as having the top safety program of Atlantic-based aircraft carriers.

During the prior calendar year, the ship deployed to th eU.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of U.S. and coalition troops in Afghanistan.

During the time, IKE and embarked Carrier Air Wing 8 safely executed more than 17,300 aircraft launches and recoveries in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, while receiving the 2010 Safety Battle E award, said IKE's Safety Officer, Cmdr. Thomas Stanley.

IKE's safety record is most notable in the fact that while the number of sorties rose 30 percent in 2010 from their 2009 deployment, there was a decrease in the number of personnel injuries.

The decrease in the rate of injuries can be attributed to an enhanced safety culture as well as procedures and engineering controls that instituted throughout the command, said Stanley.

IKE's Commanding Officer, Capt. Marcus Hitchcock, said the CNO Safety Award could not have been earned without every Sailor on the ship taking measures to build a safety-minded climate.

"This was an all hands effort, and you should be proud of your record," said Hitchcock. "Thanks to your continued focus on doing the job right, on time and safely."

Nothing is more important than safety in the workplace, and no mission is so urgent that it could ever justify endangering personnel by cutting corners on health or safety, said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Fredrick Harden, leading petty officer of IKE's Safety Department.

"When it comes down to it, safety comes first, and the mission second," said Harden. "You must first ensure the safety of an operation before you are able to carry it out."

One of the smallest departments on the ship, IKE's Safety Department relies on the assistance of departmental representatives to review and address their individual department's safety concerns.

"Each department has its own safety risks and challenges, so we rely on our departmental safety officers to make sure that we are all synced and prepared to meet these challenges safely," said Stanley.

According to Stanley, the award board looked for a proactive safety stance and measures from candidates.

"The board looks for aggressive safety programs that contribute to the prevention of injury and benefit of the community," said Stanley. "Our package was comprehensive, highlighting the fact that we served back-to-back deployments; since we've been in [planned incremental availability], we have picked up the pace on our audits and maintained the use of proper safety equipment, demonstrating that we have aggressive safety programs."

With those programs now in place, IKE will be competing for the 2010 Secretary of the Navy Excellence in Safety Award in the category of safest large-deck combatant ship over the next several months, said Stanley.

In the meantime, IKE will receive a plaque and a citation to represent the award and will proudly be able to display a green safety "S" on IKE's bulwark when the ship returns to sea.