Nimitz (CVN 68) - Naval Cruise Book

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LEFT: CAPT Robert C. Williamson CLD salutes CAPT Brent M. Bennitt CRD, officially relieving him as Commanding Ofhcer. BELOW: NIMITZ crewmembers man the rails while the Change of Command Ceremony takes place on Pier BRAVO. LOWER LEFT: CAPT Brent M. Bennitt and CAPT Robert C. Williamson review the troops during the Change of Cormnand Ceremony. to minimize these risks by reducing hazards wherever we see them. Indeed, the prime focus of my command tour will be the recognition and reduction of any hazard which can lead to injury or failed equipment. I am comfortable that my own, son, along with yours, could serve proudly and safely on board NIMITZ. CAPT Williamson ended by saying, Whether her mission is one of defense, diplomacy or humanity, NIMITZ will continue to command awe and admiration from some, caution and circumspection from others, and respect from all. Again, I'm proud to be her skipper. The guest speaker for the change of command was VADM John Fetterman, Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific. 27

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overhauled in Dry Dock Six behind them, CAPT Robert C. Williamson relieved CAPT Brent M. Bennitt as NIMITZ' Commanding Officer, Sept. 16, 1989. The change of command ceremony took place outside the industrial area, on Pier BRAVO. Q- rmeam-.,.g- m-v1-- .myasqy-,,.g--,......,..,,.--K..,..-.,,-.......-f. . 7,.,f ,, ,, CAPT Williamson take New skipper takes over during overhaul With NIMITZ being the midst of a maj or maintenance and repair availability where a commanding officer faces his most difficult challenges. He must sort through the multitudes of ambigu- ous information, try to distinguish between what is real and what is perceived, determine the actual forces, men and material that are In his first address to the available Cand in time of war the crew, CAPT Williamson said, I am other side's as welll, decide on the vividly reminded by the scene best course of action to pursue from behind me, it's not just in the fog amongst the many alternatives and clamor of combat, but also in presented and finally communicate s the helm j desired actions so the job gets done with minimal losses in time of war and no losses in peacetime. For me, the challenge is i clear, my charter understood and the issue straightforward. The time is right to re-evaluate why we are T where we are with respect to our objectives and to decide where we want to be and begin to move in that direction. The fact of the matter is, whether in the yard or on the high seas, our business is inherently unsafe. Danger lurks wherever we go,iwaiting to pounce on the unwary, the complacent, the unprofessional. It is my goal to try A : W' ' ' . . BOVE ith NIMITZ In the dry dock behlfld them, CAPT Robert C. Williamson is greeted by CAPT Brent M. Bennitt prior to NIMITZ' Change of Command Ceremony, Sept. 16, 1989, I t

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I 7 - I I I I 'Let's see what It'll do... X Every piece of new, upgraded or y 0 . . e Crew takes a test drlv e 232253ifsiafaintisztsfsfgo properly. Following an S80 million trials. To test the rudders, the overhaul that was completed in Sea trials marked the first ship conducted high-speed rudder record time, NIMITZ got underway step in NIMITZ' workup cycle ' checks which caused the NIMITZ May ll, 1990 for a week of sea towards its ninth deployment. to roll up to l6 degrees. t Right: During Sea Trials, NIMITZ conducted high-speed rudder tests causing the ship to roll sharply 28 1