Cooks from the Valley Grill Steaks for Lincoln Sailors

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kathleen L. Church, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) enjoyed fresh steaks complements of Cooks from the Valley during a steel beach picnic on the ship's flight deck, July 5.

The all-volunteer, California-based organization brought more than 4,500 Harris Ranch, 12-ounce New York center-cut steaks to Lincoln Sailors to show appreciation for their service and to help them celebrate Independence Day at sea.

"The Cooks from the Valley feel it is a privilege to feed the Sailors," said Donald Collins, one of the organization's volunteers. "It is a chance for us to come out and see all of the Sailors' hard work and reward them for their efforts."

The steaks were transported to the ship, where the volunteers, with help from Sailors, marinated and seasoned the meat in preparation for the event.

"Grilling the steaks is our way of giving back to the Sailors," said Jeff Peters, another volunteer with Cooks from the Valley. "We make sure to purchase a high quality of steak so each Sailor eats the quality food they deserve."

Celebrating the holiday one day after the Fourth of July, Sailors also spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying a variety of recreational events. They competed in a touch football game, raced remote control cars, hit golf balls off the fantail and listened to music.

"Not only did I get a chance to relax from work and see my friends, I got the chance to enjoy an absolutely amazing steak," said Airman Recruit Torri Wentz. "The cooks did a great job; the steak was the highlight of my day."

Cooks from the Valley volunteers also brought steaks to Sailors serving aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) during a five-day visit to ships in the Arabian Sea.

Lincoln is the flagship for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Nine, which is also comprised of embarked Carrier Air Wing Two, Cape St. George and Destroyer Squadron Nine. CSG-9 is in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and combat flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lincoln Celebrates Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Joshua Walters, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) participated in a ceremony to honor Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month in the ship's hangar bay, May 18.

Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated in the Navy throughout May to educate Sailors about the many different cultures, traditions and histories of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.

Capt. John D. Alexander, Lincoln's commanding officer, kicked off the event with a cake-cutting ceremony on the ship's mess decks followed by a speech welcoming Sailors to the hangar bay ceremony.

"Celebrating Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month supports the diversity we have throughout our country," said Alexander. "The Lincoln crew is proud to share the variety of cultures through the performances."

After the opening remarks, the ship's band performed a variety of songs featuring Master Chief Logistics Specialist Joselito Tolentino playing the ukulele.

Members of the ship's diversity council also demonstrated eskrima, the traditional martial arts of the Philippines, and tinikling, a traditional Filipino dance.

"Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month is a great way to introduce the Asian culture to the Sailors aboard the ship," said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Marcelino Tan. "This month allows people to see the beauty of these extraordinary cultures."

Lincoln is currently deployed with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, which also includes embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and Destroyer Squadron 9, comprised of the guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Sterett (DDG 104). CSG 9 is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and combat flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Toby Keith Performs Underway for Deployed Cape St. George Sailors

By Ensign Lexi Dauernheim, USS Cape St. George Public Affairs

USS CAPE ST. GEORGE, At Sea (NNS) -- A country music celebrity superstar performed for more than 350 Sailors during an underway concert on the forecastle of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), April 24.

With the garrison flag flying from the forward deckhouse, the Sailors gathered to hear Toby Keith perform several of his numerous hit songs, including "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," "Red Solo Cup" and "As Good as I Once Was."

The United Services Organization (USO) and Navy Entertainment sponsored the concert to boost the morale of the deployed Sailors. Keith, who is on his 10th USO tour, "Live in Overdrive," performed a concert aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) the day before.

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Kyle Peters said his brother saw Keith two years ago in Forward Operating Base Salerno in Afghanistan, and Peters was glad to also have the chance to see Keith perform live. "His patriotism and support for the U.S. military shows through his music and the amount of time he spends visiting the troops," Peters said.

While aboard Cape, Keith toured the vertical launching system, the MT51 5-inch gun loader room, and the combat information center before performing and signing autographs.

Chief Logistics Specialist Zach Schneider, one of Cape's supply leading chief petty officers, said he also saw Keith while he was in Afghanistan.

"He has entertained Sailors, soldiers, Marines and airmen all over," Schneider said. "I admire the man personally, and I enjoy his music."

Capt. Don D. Gabrielson, commanding officer of Cape, accompanied the band on guitar for the last few songs.

"Toby Keith's visit was one of the most morale-boosting events we have had this deployment. I don't think he will ever know how much it lifted our spirits," said Ensign Kelly Carson, Cape's strike officer.

Cape and Lincoln are currently deployed with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, which also includes embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 and Destroyer Squadron 9, comprised of the guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Sterett (DDG 104). CSG 9 is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and combat flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lincoln Raises Nearly $200K for Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Benjamin T. Liston, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) supported the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) by raising more than $197,000 throughout the months of March and April.

Lincoln's NMCRS committee raised money by promoting fundraisers and hosted a NMCRS day, which included events such as a slam dunk contest and three-point shootout in the hangar bay, a 5K fun run and golf driving range on the flight deck.

Ten Sailors donated $5 each to compete in the slam dunk contest, and 60 Sailors paid the same amount each to participate in the three-point shootout. While the fun run was free of charge, golfers paid one dollar for every five golf balls they drove off the flight deck.

Personnel Specialist 1st Class Kathryn Benjamin, the NMCRS assistant fundraising coordinator aboard Lincoln, said with an original target of $140,000, the accomplishment was more than what she had hoped for.

"It's really great to see the crew come together to support a good cause," she said. "And having these events really boosted the morale of the ship. We all came together and had a good time. It was also a great feeling to help out our shipmates all over the world."

The NMCRS, a non-profit charitable organization sponsored by the Department of the Navy, is solely funded by charitable contributions like the annual fund drive conducted by shore and sea-based commands throughout the Navy and Marine Corps. Contributions are returned to service members in the form of emergency relief or other services. The NMCRS has helped active duty and retired Sailors and Marines and their families for more than 100 years.

Lincoln will turn over the money to the local NMCRS office once it gets to its new homeport in Norfolk, Va. later this year.

"The NMCRS is a great program because it is Sailors taking care of their fellow Sailors through donations and charitable drives," said Chief Religious Programs Specialist Elliot Warley, Lincoln's NMCRS emergency relief coordinator. "It's a program that helps Sailors out when they encounter a family emergency or crisis."

Lincoln is deployed as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, which includes embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, comprised of guided-missile destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Sterett (DDG 104).

CSG 9 is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Momsen Expeditionary Medical Team Prepared to Support VBSS Team

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II, USS Momsen Public Affairs

USS MOMSEN, At sea (NNS) -- A team of medical officers and hospital corpsmen assigned to the 8th Expeditionary Resuscitative Surgical System (ERSS), embarked aboard guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92), are prepared, should the need to arise, to render medical assistance to members of visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team.

ERSS teams are deployed aboard surface naval ships conducting counter-piracy missions which normally do not have a fully staffed emergency medical team. The team's primary purpose is to provide any necessary life-saving surgery and quickly transport the patient to a higher level of care.

"We are here to treat any severe injuries that might result during VBSS operations," said Cmdr. Todd Parker, the emergency medicine physician. "We treat anything that compromises the patient's ability to breathe or circulate blood throughout their body."

The ERSS is comprised of nine Sailors and split into three teams: expeditionary trauma team, expeditionary surgical team and expeditionary transport team. Even though the physician, surgeon, nurses and hospital corpsmen are divided into separate teams, they would act as one team during a real emergency situation.

"The unit is modeled after similar types of mobile trauma bays that are deployed with the Marines," said Parker. "Ultimately, we operate as one team and back each other up."

In the event of an emergency, the team has built a temporary operating room aboard Momsen. After surgery has been completed by the expeditionary surgical team, the expeditionary transport team would then take charge to medically evacuate the patient to the nearest hospital or to a larger ship, such as an aircraft carrier equipped with more resources to treat the patient.

"My primary mission is to be a transport nurse if we had to medically evacuate a patient," said Lt. j.g. Thomas Gaffney, critical care nurse for the expeditionary transport team. "I keep the patient stable."

The team trains daily in various scenarios to maintain their medical qualifications and operational readiness.

"As a Navy medical professional, you give Sailors fighting at the tip of the spear the peace of mind that if something happens to them, there's going to be someone there to take care of them," said Parker.

Momsen is deployed with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, which also includes aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, with guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104).

CSG 9 is operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.