Nimitz (CVN 68) - Naval Cruise Book

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AIR DEP The officers and men of the Nimitz Air Department take great pride in operating and managing the airport onthe worId's largest warship. The Air Boss on the 010 level has the overall responsibility for managing the five hun- dred man department. He is supported by men with tireless energy and dedication who work on the flight deck, in the catapult and arresting gear machinery spaces, on the han- gar deck, in the JP-5 fueling spaces and in the administra- tive offices. Days at sea are often long and always demanding, but they contain a unique opportunity to experience new hori- zons and constant challenges. The challenge of ensuring the embarked aircraft are safely moved, launched, recov- ered, and fueled, has been met with total success. The Nimitz Air Department contributed significantly to the ship's receiving the coveted Admiral Flatley Memorial Award learned by the carrier contributing the most to avi- ation safetyl. Our crews demonstrated that not only can they produce under pressure, but that they can do it safely and efficiently. Entering a Sixth Fleet Mediterranean deployment with the fleet's Battle Efficiency E gave us high expectations. Those expectations were met and exceeded when the RT men of Air Department operated for ten consecutive days around the clock prosecuting an anti-submarine warfare challenge, while simultaneously launching normal cyclic aircraft to keep a watchful eye on the Eastern Mediterra- nean international situation. The department demonstrated versatility by Shifting modes of operation to adapt to the constantly changing situations encountered in the Med . These included refu. eling, launching, and recovering of aircraft, diplomatic vis. its, Vertreps and Unreps for food, dry goods, parts, and the receipt and delivery of mail. During this deployment, more than 16 million gallons of jet fuel was received and issued. The Catapult and Arrest- ing Gear Teams achieved several milestones, with Cat One launching its 32,000th shot, and the department achieving its 96,000th launch and recovery, plus over 10,000 safe aircraft moves being logged. Total teamwork was required and achieved by all hands. The challenge and accomplishments of our department will long be remembered because we did our best to main- tain the freedom of the high seas and the United States of America! 126